Guilim follows the others, looking around quietly as they enter where the new contact should be. He notices notices dragon head but does bit comment, his eyes lingering on it as he thinks of one day taking on such a dangerous creature. He shakes such thoughts away as he takes his chance to read over the journal. 

Rohuzar examines the arrow with its distinctive Red Hawk feathers as he mumbles. 
“We are Red Band, not red stripes.”

History? Want to know if: 
- Carcerimon Rangers have any distinct uniform, habits, marks, shelters etc
- If red hawks are found in Maggie’s Wood
- if there is any other group that might be known for red feathers like that.

3 advantage if dwarf or elf related 12 

"Yes, and I don't believe the matter of the fee has been adressed yet." Aubrey adds.

History regarding same questions as Rohuzar: 19
Arcana regarding the crystal skull: 4

As you look over the documents, you compare your recollections of the carcerimon rangers. 

Rohuzar doesn't recall any specific elven or dwarven connection to them, and the type of hawk these feathers came from is common across all the temperate forests of the west.  It is an excellent choice for this type of arrow and the arrow itself does look to be well crafted.

Aubrey recalls that the carcerimon are an order of rangers in the north, a bit like a knightly order.  As he mentions this, it jogs Leelan's memory as well.  In the distant past, the carcerimon rangers swore an oath to defend the boundaries between civilization and the wilds.  Unlike some other rangers who are wont to wander and explore across vast tracts of land, the carcerimon were each dedicated to a particular piece of land.  Perhaps a mountain pass, or the stretch of road between two isolated villages.  The ranger would come to know his parcel of land like the back of his hand... where it was safe to camp; where ambushes might be staged; etc.  In more recent times, the Northern Trade Federation has adopted the carcerimon as security contractors.  The Federation provides the carcerimon with weapons and supplies, and in return the carcerimon keep a watchful eye over caravans as they pass through the long lonely roads of the north country.  The ranks of the carcerimon have swelled and it is said to currently have little resemblance to the ancient order.

Aubrey, the description of the artifact doesn't ring any bells.  Its carved like a bird's skull... so maybe some sort of druidic totem?

"The fee is simple.  Return the package to us here at Rare Earth Materials in Bardstown before the end of this calendar month and you will be paid 5000gp.  Any delay past the end of this month will trigger a protection and indemnification clause in the client's contract, resulting in a significant financial loss to the corporation.  We will still pay for recovery of the artifact but the fee will reduce to 1000gp for return on or after June 1."  He collects back the glass sheets from all of you when you are done looking at them.  "I am obligated to share that this is not a bounty and we are not calling for nor making a requirement of this arrangement that the ranger responsible be put to death for his crimes.  While Xina was well liked and an outstanding field agent, and we at Rare Earth Materials very much feel her loss and would all very much like to know her killer is cold and in the ground, we are not hiring you for nor paying any commission toward the slaying of the suspect."

"Any remaining questions?"

"Carcerimon, eh?", says Leelan as he recalls this familiar name. "I believe my family might have called upon their services to escort caravans in the past. They are said to have a remarkable knowledge of the land they protect. To attack their own client sounds quite unusual. Though they do lack their prestige of yore."

He reads the last page over once more. Something doesn’t seem right to him. "I do find this sudden change of character to be odd. Could something have happened to this ranger in Maggie’s Wood?"

Quote from SavageVince >>

He reads the last page over once more. Something doesn’t seem right to him. "I do find this sudden change of character to be odd. Could something have happened to this ranger in Maggie’s Wood?"

"I couldn't say.  You're not the first applicant to ask me that.  Apparently the wood has some sinister reputation... though per Xina's journal these ranger's maintained some sort of safehouse there."

"You realize that the information cut out in that notebook might well be vital to successfully completing this mission in time for the protection and indemnification clause in the client's contract not to trigger. I understand you have your reasons for not sharing everything you know but I sense that there is more to this than a rogue ranger killing and stealing. What could we do to convince you to share the rest of the information in your agents notebook?" Aubrey asks the client.
Persuasion to get more information from the notebook: 18

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"You realize that the information cut out in that notebook might well be vital to successfully completing this mission in time for the protection and indemnification clause in the client's contract not to trigger. I understand you have your reasons for not sharing everything you know but I sense that there is more to this than a rogue ranger killing and stealing. What could we do to convince you to share the rest of the information in your agents notebook?" Aubrey asks the client.
Persuasion to get more information from the notebook: 11

"I'm afraid that's quite impossible.  The excised information was done so as those sections of text contained references that could have inadvertantly revealed the identity of our client.  Client privacy and security is of our utmost concern.  Having read the passages myself, I can assure you they were not relevant to the attack or the theft."

"Well then, let's hope it is so." Aubrey says and looks to the others for any more questions before they depart.

Grugga is leaning on the counter, pondering everything written and everything said. "I still have a few questions, if we decide to take this job." He briefly look sat Rohuzar before looking back to the proprietor, "Does the Silver Stag in Axehead have any sort of reputation? Clearly something happened there that cursed your agent's arm and 'risked the ranger's soul'. And Maggie's Woods... what is the significance of the ranger 'dropping treats'? Do you know what that means?" He pauses for a moment before continuing, "I'm new around here, but Shelley... is that a place or a person? And finally, what I'd want to know is if your agent's arm was still rotten when they found her."

"Knowing that, I think we could maybe make some headway."

"Oh, Shelley is a quaint town up north, got it's name from the family of our last client, but also my own family has relocated there since after the Breach." Aubrey politely explains to Grugga.

Grugga nods to Aubrey, "I see. I didn't realize our last employer was so important." Realizing he may have snubbed his friend's family, he adds, "But I think Goldentide would make a finer town name than Shelley."

"Indeed." Aubrey says, chuckling.

Quote from Rockchewer >>

Grugga is leaning on the counter, pondering everything written and everything said. "I still have a few questions, if we decide to take this job." He briefly look sat Rohuzar before looking back to the proprietor, "Does the Silver Stag in Axehead have any sort of reputation? Clearly something happened there that cursed your agent's arm and 'risked the ranger's soul'. And Maggie's Woods... what is the significance of the ranger 'dropping treats'? Do you know what that means?" He pauses for a moment before continuing, "I'm new around here, but Shelley... is that a place or a person? And finally, what I'd want to know is if your agent's arm was still rotten when they found her."

"Knowing that, I think we could maybe make some headway."

"Axehead and the reputation of its hotels is beyond my sphere of expertise.  We have sent a runner to investigate what may have happened there but they likely haven't reached the village yet let alone had time to send a report.  Based on the journal, and knowledge of the business, we suspect an attempt was made to steal the package... by parties unknown."  He adjusts his glasses and grimaces a bit.  "And yes.  I am told the right arm of her corpse was injured... withered... with a blackened hand print near her wrist."

"Beyond that, the references are a mystery to me.  I'm unfamiliar with what 'leaving treats' could mean.  I trust that, in your capacity as professionals, you will find any answers you need to complete your mission."

Rohuzar nods along . 

“Thank you for your time. It is time for us to go start preparations, I think. There are surely experts who can provide information and not use up any more of client’s time.” 

Would Lieutenant Falstaff be a resource for information on Maggie’s Woods? I think that’s our most essential piece before continuing here

Quote from nschrock >>

Rohuzar nods along . 

“Thank you for your time. It is time for us to go start preparations, I think. There are surely experts who can provide information and not use up any more of client’s time.” 

Would Lieutenant Falstaff be a resource for information on Maggie’s Woods? I think that’s our most essential piece before continuing here

That seems like a reasonable person for Rohuzar to ask for information.  

Are we finished at the Rare Earth Materials?  Will everyone go with Rohuzar to meet Falstaff?  Does anyone have other preparations to make?  This will take you afield - potentially far afield - from Bardstown.  The sky is orange and the sun is just dipping below the horizon as your meeting concludes.  As a reminder it is the evening of May 12.

Grugga is finished at the Rare Earth Materials and he will go with Rohuzar to meet the lieutenant.

Guilim seems happy with the amount of gold either way but tempers his expectation of pay. As the others go to make preparations he will stay with them to meet exactly who their leader answers to.

Esteban thanks you all for your interest in the job and wishes you success and great speed in your quest.  

You travel together as far as the Foreign District, where Aubrey departs to continue home while Rohuzar leads the rest to the Lieutenant's office above the Chenoweth Hotel.  (We will presume for now that arrangements were made about where/when you would all meet up again with Aubrey.)  The Chenoweth is a charming but aging establishment, decorated in the style of old Bardstown, with tile mosaics on the walls depicting sailing ships and warm sunsets.  Rohuzar guides you up the stairs to Lieutenant Falstaff's semi permanent office.  The walls are covered with maps, along with decorative swords, maces and other weapons.  In the center of the room is a large, well worn desk behind which sits Falstaff. You see before you a thin wood elf, somewhere between young and middle aged, with a bowl haircut.  He wears a stylish set of black leather armor, with a crimson stripe running from his waist, up over his left shoulder and down his back again.  Nearly all of his fingers hold rings, several of which are black steel with a red stripe.  He looks up at your knock and smiles to see Rohuzar again but looks a bit confused.  A large mug of mulled wine sits before him on the desk, along with a stack of reports.

"You can't be back from another job already?" he asks, joking.

When you explain the purpose of your visit, he looks you all over and nods approvingly, though his gaze lingers on Guilim and Leelan.  "The red cape and red cap... it'll do for now but you'll want to eventually get yourselves outfitted with something more specifically in line with the prescribed uniform; red band on black or dark brown background.  Armor is preferred but the hat, helm or cloak will do, so long as it is in line.  Branding is important.  You're not only earning for yourselves; you're building the reputation of the Red Band as an elite mercenary force.  We want folk to recognize, remember, and respect you out in the field."

"I am damn happy to hear about this Rare Earth Materials job and that we have a crew working it.  They must have just posted it this afternoon.  Those folk are filthy with coin, and they very seldom outsource anything."  He points at each of you, "That right there should put you on notice.   They don't like to involve outsiders in their business.  If they are hiring mercs, it means they don't think their people can handle it.  This is probably going to be dangerous.  Keep your eyes up and watch each others' six."

He doesn't have much information on Maggies Wood.  "Most of my teams work down here in the river valley.  Getting up there closer to the mountains, I don't get as many reports.  I've heard stories about hauntings and monsters... but for Vigor's sake the peasants tell those same stories about every patch of trees bigger than a park.  If this renegade ranger was 'dropping treats' it sounds like he was leaving a trail or sign... maybe they have a secret signal within their order?  Otherwise hell, it could be some kind of genuine ghost or monster... some fey weirdo that likes candy.  If you're worried about it, just ask around at an inn or maybe find a temple up that ways.  If there's something to it, the locals are like as not to know about it."

"I think I can help with something though..." he steps away and starts rummaging through some maps.  "Here we go.  This is a map of the western shores region...".

 "I don't think I have a map of Maggies Wood, though.  Wait - I do have one showing the road to Ars Dinodant...".  He moves to another pile and eventually produces another map.

 "That one's in rough shape.  But it might be of some use to you.  Take them both if you like, just bring them back in one piece.  Maps aren't cheap."