Erruk wanders up, using the commotion as an excuse to study the automaton. Amazing!

(Go ahead and make an Investigation check for me, Spidey!)

(@JorikDave):

Officer Gerald Sutton scribbles down his notes carefully as you speak to him. "I'll say this much," he declares, "if that fella with the spear hadn't clocked our thief something fierce like he did, I swear he would've outrun us all! Thank you for jumping in."

He is about to turn away, and flips back around remembering you had an initial question. "To answer your first question, my friend, he ripped that young lady's handbag clean off of her," he says, gesturing toward Ruby. "Luckily the citizens slowed him down somewhat, giving us--and you guys, apparently--a good lead! Thanks again for jumping in." He tips his cap to you, and turns toward the automaton, who is carefully and firmly lifting the thief up off of the ground. 

Spotting you Erruk observing the automaton, Officer Gerald Sutton approaches, waving at you. 

(@MeTaLH3d):

You see a Paladin of Tarj, a half-orc with a spear--who clapped the escaping thief, a Wuxian fellow who also gave chase, a strong looking dwarf who is being approached by the authorities, and a pretty young woman in a green dress, all bunched together. It's a strange sight to see so many cops in one place, and a blasted automaton to top it all off! You're always wary of the law, having had to flee Elbion so recently. You never know who's following you... watching... waiting. 

What would you like to do? 

Erruk Investigation: 22

Erruk is so focused on the automaton he spaces on the officer waving at him until he's quite close.

"Oh-harumph. G'day Officer.", he says with a nod.

(Cheesey):

The officer nods, flipping his notebook closed. "Thank you, son. Every little bit counts, especially in this day and age. By chance," he says, curiosity catching his eye, "you a Knight of Tarj?"

(Spidey):

As you take a closer look at the automaton, you note its powerful arms, especially large and blunt at the forearms. It looks like it could take on a whole squad of goons and still make it out unscathed! What a mighty work of engineering and feat of science! Damn, but you wish you could have just like this! 

Suddenly, you are yanked out of your musings by the approaching officer. The officer himself smiling as he's noticed your studying of the automaton, stands just a few feet away. "Thing of beauty, eh?" The automaton stands still as a sentinel, its grip on the thief unbreakable. The officer pats the machine's arm. "Thank goodness for these newer models, I'll tell ya! Got several dozen of them on consignment from Elingrad, and I'll be damned but we've never been more better off than if we hadn't had these things!" He chuckles, and takes out a notebook. "Sorry to pull you out of your studying--certainly not a hard thing to look at, but could you tell me what you saw today?"

Victor continues to lean against the building smoking his cigar while watching from under the brim of his low tipped hat and listening in on the conversations taking place in front of him.

(MeTaLh3d)

An officer notices you, and approaches, making his way carefully through the growing crowd of looky-loos who are all curious and a-buzz with excitement at the whole incident. When the policeman is just a few feet away, he clears his throat, and pulls out a notebook. "Good evening, sir. I just have a question or two for you, if you wouldn't mind." Pulling out an ink pen, he scribbles a few notes down, before continuing. "Tell me about what you saw and witnessed this evening."

"We can certainly throw together a good bit of tech, but never had a chance to work with one of them myself. As far as what I saw, heard the calls and saw our friend there dashing like he had a squad of police and an automaton on his heels... which he did. Wasn't close enough to do much of anything, but saw the quick-footed fellow run into the bit of lumber the big guy's swinging, and about that time you all caught up. I'll admit I was mostly wanting to check out the automaton, since things seemed under control."

"Evening officer, sure glad to help." Victor says while straightening his hat. "I was just about to enter this here fine establishment when my attention was caught by the pursuit of your thief over there.  Didn't see what started it all but I certainly saw what ended it.   It was looking like he was about to give you all the slip through the crowd if not for the quick reflexes of that half-orc fellow.  I recon your thief is going to have one hell of a headache for few days after that crack to skull.  Glad to see justice served and the young lady's belongings returned. Not much more I can tell you beyond that."

"Why does everyone think I did tha' on purpose? I was jus' talkin' and swung my staff 'ere fer empasis. Anyways, madam;"
Tharteas says, turning to Ruby

"If what's in that purse is half as valuable as yous make it oot ta be, seems like ye coud use an escor'. I would be happy to lend ya ma services, for a fair price o' course."

(Spidey)

The officer chuckles again, flipping his notebook closed, and pocketing it. "Can I really blame you, sir! Not even a little!" With that he nods to you and making a "wrap-it-up" motion with his hand at the other officers and automaton. Before he turns away completely, he looks over his shoulder at you and thumbs in the direction of McConnolly's Pub. "If you're looking for any kind of work, you could check out the pub. From what I hear, some rich guy in town is looking for a band of misfits to do some artifact-finding, or something like that. Hear the pay's pretty top notch!" With that, he turns away and continues wrapping things up. 

(MeTaLh3d)

"Well, we gotta collect as much eyewitness reports as we can, so yours will certainly be helpful. Take care now." With that, he begins turning away to head to the other officers, but stops mid-turn, looking back at you. "Say," he says incredulously, "you one of them bounty hunters? You sure as hell got the look! If you're looking for any kind of work, check the board at McConnolly's. You can also check with us at the police station. Take care now!" He waves and heads off. 

(Fitz)

Ruby takes her purse back, and turning to you, she smiles brightly. "Well, aren't you just precious! I would love a good guard for my person, if you take my meanin'. How much may I offer you for your services?" She begins rummaging through her handbag. 

(Cheesey)

"Well," he says incredulously, "the Conclave is only the biggest--and only--church in the world! Their knights are recognizable, without a doubt. I thought I could tell what you were from a distance, just had to confirm for myself." He sees his fellow officers wrapping things up, and radius to leave. Belt he goes, however, he points down the street. "See there? That's McConnolly's Pub. You'll find a lot of good work and jobs there, particularly for the adventuring type like yourself! You ought to give it a look! The Conclave often posts assignments there." With a tip of his hat, he departs. 

The quiet monk hasn’t moved, leaning on their staff as events churn around them, watching life’s ebb and flow. Their eyebrow quirks up at mention of McConnolly’s, before turning their attention to Ruby. ‘You’ve drawn the attention of many eyes. One guard may not be enough...’

Erruk nods his thanks. Artifact retrieval isn't as stable as an actual engineer or tech job, and maybe he ought to just get a job at a smithy, but it might be worth a look. He heads in, holding the door behind him for one of the bystanders that's also headed to the pub, and heads straight to the bar.

"Mug of the dark, when you've time.", he calls to the keep as he settles on a stool.

(Jorvik, and then Fitz)

Ruby stiffens slightly, the quiet Wuxian having been so silent, that when they spoke, she is a bit startled. "Oh-oh, well bless me! I was all busier 'n' a cat on a hot tin roof, I nearly forgot you were here! My apologies! If be more than happy to have two guards!." She looks between the two of you, Tharteas and the Wuxian, studying you both. "So what can offer such fine folk such as you for your services? I reckon we can come to a deal? 

”Well, the price entirely depend upon the length of the journey. How far have you got to go miss? If it’s not too far, I may even feel a bit generous and go for free. It’s not everyday you meet a bounty hunter willing to give you an escort,”

Tharteas says to Ruby, nodding to the monk, knowing full well that he alone may not be able to protect her. 

"Well, aren't you just the kindest! Here," she says, digging in her purse, "I know it's not much, but here," she says handing you each a gold, "really, for your troubles. Woman needs some security, wandering around some of these parts, if you take my meanin'!" She beckons for both the Wuxian and Tharteas to follow her. "Let's go to the pub," she states. 

McConolly's Pub is a-buzz with activity and noise. The constant buzz of chatter and talk, the clinking and clattering of dishware and silverware as patrons munch on their meals, and a jazz band at the front of the room, playing some slow jams to scattered applause. 

Ruby leads you two in, and whispers, "I happen to know the owner of this here establishment. If you'll take a seat," she looks around for a moment, spotting Eruuk, points at the empty stools near him, "next to that Dwarven fella, I'll have y'all served up right quick." With that, she departs for a moment, leaving the two of you to go to your seats. 

Eruuk, the bartender passes you a glass mug of some of the darkest ale you've seen. Before you can even put the glass to your lips, however, two folks sit down next to you: a slender Wuxian, and a half-orc--the two who'd given chase to the thief from outside. They are to your left. To your right, a few stools down, is a very finely dressed gentleman in a long tailed suit coat, and tall bowler hat with a bushy mustache. He's been doing nothing but eyeing you and the other two since you've arrived. 

• Victor follows the dwarf into McConnolly's, thanking him for holding the door as he passes.  While walking across the buildings interior he scans the room, taking note of exit locations and to get a general sense of the atmosphere/clientele.  He pushes a stool to the side and stands at the bar next to the dwarf, cigar still hanging out of his mouth.  To the bartender, "Whiskey." and then to the dwarf while eyeing his shield, "Nothing like a little excitement to kick off the evening, eh?  That's an impressive piece of ordnance you have there, bet she packs a hell of a kick." then tipping his hat he adds, "Name's Victor, I'm new around these parts and hoping to find some work." while glancing around the room for the work board the officer had mentioned.