At the mention of exploring and eventually retaking Amnifortis, Aubrey has struggles to not let his excitement show. It stung a bit with the emperors comment about the muddy fishing village but it was the truth after all. Aubrey knew his skill set was not primarily one for journeying into the ruins of Amnifortis but this was an opportunity that could not be passed up. Even the chance of visiting his family's abandoned holdings and reclaiming items of power and prestige would make the endeavour worthwhile, while the opportunity to regain former holdings while proving to be a loyal servant to the emperor, the possible gainings for his family could simply not be overstated. Aubrey looks with great anticipation to Rohuzar for whether this glorious quest will be accepted.

When exposed with the Emperor’s mission, Leelan is filled with enthusiasm, while also feeling some form of dread. The little gnome welcomes the opportunity to explore and study abberations, but is somewhat apprehensive of a fight with such creatures. He recalls a handful of textbook briefly mentioning these creatures as alien to most people’s way of life. 

"Your Grace, it’s an honor that you feel you trust our group with such a task." He looks towards Rohuzar expectantly. "Assuming we agree to it, would it be appropriate to request a look at the detailed reports from the scouting parties that did come back? Such information could be vital to our preparation."

Vigor II briefly makes eye contact with Aubrey, and it leaves the young noble with no doubt that the Emperor has picked up on his bubbling enthusiasm.

The Emperor then looks to Leelan.  "That can be arranged.  While I would like this project to get underway as quickly as possible, I understand some time must be allowed for you to get your affairs in order and for you to get properly outfitted.  I'll have arrangements made to get those reports delivered into your hands."

Grugga also has a hard time playing it cool. He doesn't want to look to excited, because he knows that Rohuzar will want to be able to bargain with the emperor, but he can't help but smile thinking that he might be able to ask for trade deals or support to open a new college that would bring the two nations closer together.

"As usual, I agree with Leelan. We've made it this far because we've known what we were going up against, for the most part. If we were to agree to this, could we get the help of some experienced librarians to help us quickly research anything we uncover in those reports? I'm also sure that our bosses would appreciate some assurance that this mission won't provoke any ill will from Dunngenor." ((Amnifortis is technically part of Dunngenor now, right? Otherwise Grugga wouldn't ask anything so stupid)).

"M'lord, my weapon will cut through any monster easily, I'm sure, but those of my compatriots are more... limited. Will magical weapons be included in their proper outfitting?"

Rohuzar listens, and finds this to be standard stuff from the party, so he moves on somewhat. 

"Perhaps a point of contact can be arranged for the minutiae of study, returning vith information and such. Ve vill not take up the emperor's valuable time for this. However... I take job, it has clear success or failure. Vhat is measure of success? Are ve curing a plague? Mapping monster nests in city? Capturing monsters for study? Must know desired outcome."

Vigor II pauses at Grugga's question, and the Duke briefly freezes mid sip, looking to the Emperor for a reaction.  A moment later the Emperor responds.  "Amnifortis was, is, and forever shall be the territory of the Empire, and the seat of House Mastieri.  While I do not doubt the dwarves, elves, and many other parties would dearly love to lay claim to it, such claims are empty words on the wind."

"That said," he continues, "I have no reason to expect any problems from the dwarves."

"But let me make something else clear... as far as this project goes, I am your employer.  I am not hiring the Red Band for this mission; I am hiring you."

That out of the way, he turns to Grugga's next question.  "As you are well aware, magical items and weapons are not easy to come by."  He takes another sip from his drink and circles the table, seemingly thinking to himself.  "I'll allow for this..." he continues.  "Assemble a list of what materials and supplies you expect to need for this mission.  I will have it reviewed and will see that you have what you need... within reason."

Getting down to brass tacks with Rohuzar, he lays out what he wants to see accomplished.

• Documenting an accurate account of what aberrations still lurk in the ruins of Amnifortis.  This includes:
  • Where such things can be encountered, in what numbers, and what tactics they use
  • How best to kill each type
  • Visiting all of the districts in the city to avoid missing anything
  • Collect samples or trophies to confirm your reporting
  • Document all of this and be prepared to share all of this with his commanders so that the 1st Legion can be properly trained to clear the city of aberrations
• While there, any work you do to update maps of the ruins will be appreciated.
  • Identifying any areas that have been cleared by looters over the last 100 years
  • Marking any vaults or manors that remain preserved so salvage crews can be dispatched to recover historical artifacts or treasure

Rohuzar nods along. "This vill involve a break from Red Band. Break in employment vith steady job not so good. May mean a payout to the guild. Also means he need steady income during this job. I vould expect steady payments in bank notes as vell as coin in hand as job progresses. Access to quartermasters at legion camp, as I don't expect to find merchants in Amnifortis."

"Ve also have troublesome loose end. Red Band vas helping us. Needs taken care of so as not to leave Red Band holding the bag, and ve don't have to vatch our backs as much trying to do new job. Speaking of... Vhat is competition like on this job? Ve going to meeting foreign troops in there?"

Grugga scrunches his face in embarrassment as he recognizes the faux pas of asking the Emperor about competing claims on disputed land - of course he's only going to get the strongest of propaganda from the emperor's mouth.

Humbled and out of his dept, Grugga remains quiet as his boss finalizes the details. He can't wait to get started on this historical endeavor.

"An advance can be arranged.  Regular payments... I think I would need some guarantee that we are seeing some results before I could approve that.  And there isn't currently a legion camp within the ruins.  We can have the intelligence services put you in contact with reputable... or at least reliable merchants on the tradeways and settlements outside the city."

"With regard to any 'loose ends' you need to tie... I have already offered you some time to get your affairs in order.  If you agree to enter into my service, I expect you will see to it that your sole focus is our mission."

"Gentlemen, this has been a stimulating conversation, but I have other matters to see to before the night is done.  It sounds like we are at - or very near - a consensus.  I can offer you no more than another few minutes of my time.  Are you going to accept my offer, or not?"

[Sorry there have been such gaps in my posting.  It looks like we lost Guilim.]

Rohuzar has concerns but eventually does the math and sees only one answer. "I accept your offer. My team was Red Band team. Must accept for themselves."

"We wouldn't dare take up any more of your time, m'liege. Cousin, if we can make this work, I would love to take this mission for many reasons, but I know you'll decide what's right for us."

Grugga is staring at Rohuzar in anticipation of a positive answer.

"It is my privilege to enter into your service my emperor." Aubrey states firmly and sincerely. "I might be less concerned with payment than my honored associates but I do this with hopes of that my contribution to this endeavour will reflect favorably on my family and it's claims in Amnifortis." He adds confidently with a bow and a polite smile.

Leelan readjusts his glasses and straightens his back. If his family back home knew that he had had an encounter with the emperor…He could only imagine there faces. 

This was an incredible opportunity for the gnome. Amnifortis had so much to offer in terms of history and knowledge, it would certainly benefit the world to help in the endeavor to recover it. And the chance to study aberrations, a still somewhat unknown genre of creature, for his manuscript made him rejoice silently and also terrified him.

"Your Grace, it would be an honor to be among the people I trust most for this mission. I shall endeavor not to disappoint.", he exclaimed.

"Good enough," the Emperor says, with a nod to the Duke.  "Young Master Goldentide, I will post one of my servants at your family's townhouse.  When you have prepared your list of provisions and equipment you would like to request, provide it to them and they will see that I get the report.  As I said, I will allow you some time to get your affairs in order, but I must insist you get underway within a tenday."  He turns and begins walking toward the door.  Without looking back he says, "Always a pleasure, Gavin.  You should visit the castle for brunch tomorrow."  

The Duke waves his hand, "It is always my honor and privilege to host you under my roof, your eminence."

The guards follow their master out.

After a long sip to finish his drink, the Duke sets down his glass.  "How wonderful.  Perhaps my biographer will write the story one day of how the plan to reconquer the jewel of the south was hatched at my dining room table."  He rises.  "Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to my other guests.  Any of you interested in a nightcap may join us in the parlor... the rest can be shown the door by my aides.  Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

[You can stay or retire for the evening, as you prefer.]

Rohuzar stands and gives bows as appropriate to the exits. 

Then he turns to the others with a serious look on his face. "Ve have vork to do. I vill get back and begin our exit from Red Band. Papervork..."

He groans a bit as he says this and starts rubbing at his hands in anticipation of sore fingers and palms.

Grugga stands and bows at the departure of the emperor and then again for the duke. Although still wary of the servants, he feels freer to speak. "Incredible! I can't believe we just met the emperor. Just a few weeks ago I was struggling to get the attention of any old person on the street, and now I've - we've - been offered a job by the emperor himself!"

"What an opportunity we have here. Think about it, no one has seen more than a glance of the inside of this city in generations. We'll need to make sure we're fully prepared. Leelan, I will be at the library for the next few days at least, how about you? I'll see what I can learn of the history of Amnifortis, including the layout, defenses, and plague. Will you be learning about the monsters that the scouts came across?"

Grugga begins pacing in thought, finally letting his excitement show unfiltered. "You heard him say he's willing to give nearly anything? I bet he'll agree to let me start a college in Bardstown or Amnifortis... or both! What are you all going to ask for?"

Once the group splits up from the dining room, Grugga will rejoin the party in the parlor, careful not to drink any more alcohol. He'll enjoy some more conversations with the actors he met and he will thank the duke profusely for the wonderful evening before heading back to the inn or to Aubrey's estate.

Leelan bows as both highborns leave the room. He feels the pressure coming back down and sighs in relief. This surprise meeting with the Emperor had gone better than he anticipated. So we’ll in fact, that they had since become imperial contractors.

Seeing and sensing Grugga’s enthusiasm, Leelan smiles. "Quite right you are, friend. This is sure to be our greatest challenge yet. Best make sure we live up to the expectations. I would see about studying the reports from the scouts first. Then there’s the equipment and resources. Oh! So much planning and organizing, yet so little time!", exclaims the gnome, already making mental notes and calculations of how much they’ll need for their voyage.

Once the dinner is officially over, he makes his way out and heads to the designated rally point (estate or inn).

Aubrey bows appropriately. "Thank you my Emperor, we will of course make necessary arrangements with haste. I can assure you that a list will be sent soon." He says with a firm voice.

"It would be our honor to be mentioned in your memoires." He says to the Duke and bows as their host departs.

"Perhaps use some of our funds to hire a someone to take care of the necessary paperwork?" Aubrey suggests to Rohuzar.

Aubrey listens to the excited artificer and smiles. "Sounds like excellent preparations Grugga. As you might guess my interest in this is for my family to reclaim holdings and artefacts in Amnifortis." He says as he joins the others in the parlor. "I assume we would need special equipment for all the documenting and collecting of samples?" He continues, pondering how he could contribute to this. "You are of course all welcome to stay at my family's townhouse. My father has provided a new housekeeper and a guardsman." He mentions in the parlor, otherwise pleasantly conversing the Duke and his other guests before accompanying any teammembers joining him back to the townhouse back in Umbridge.

(Would Aubrey or his family know anyone in Bardstown that could arrange or at least advice on their journey to Amnifortis, suggesting safest and fastest route, where to stop and rest, what and where to avoid and such. Also if advice could be given on appropriate equipment when exploring ruins. He maybe knows a real adventurer ;-)

Rohuzar brushes off Aubrey's suggestion that he pass off the paperwork to someone. Absurd! No matter how little his bear-paw-hands are suited for it. 

 "I vill take you up on the room, uh... Aubrey. I need some quviet to draw up plan."

The adventurers all take the Duke up on his offer to relax in the parlor.  

The evening passes pleasantly enough.  The Duke remains cordial with you all, but his interest is clearly and unabashedly on the actors.  He quizzes them relentless on what theatrical directors they have studied and performed under, what stories they have to tell of their meeting with famous thespians, and related questions.  The Duke's manner is such that he can ask a question with the fervor of an obsessed fan, yet come off as aloof and disinterested when the question is answered.  

The actors still seem a little overwhelmed, but thrilled to be rubbing elbows with the elite.  And the Duke's biographer and astrologist just seem content to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy the fine booze and snacks.

Before departing for the night, Guilim pulls Rohuzar aside.  He has some decisions to make.  He holds misgivings about this entire enterprise.  Truth be told, he is considering remaining behind to continue working with the Red Band.  He hasn't decided for certain, yet, but he will let Rohuzar know ASAP.