In the great city of Neverwinter, each of you has been asked to meet Gundren Rockseeker, co-owner of Three Picks Mining and Delving Co., at the busy Beached Leviathan tavern. You've heard that Gundren is hiring for a job of some kind, and Three Picks has a reputation for paying on time and paying well. There's been little word about what this job might be, though. You walk into the bustling tavern on this cool spring evening, ready for whatever lies ahead.

Whether you're seeking coin, companionship, challenge or converts, this job might be just the one you were looking for...

However you heard about the job with Three Picks, you walk into the Beached Leviathan and give Gundren's name. The harried-looking barmaid steers you through the dwarf and human crowd to a quiet, darkened corner with one large round table. You find yourself looking at a table for seven. Two of the seats are already taken, one by a middle-aged dwarf with a feather in his cowboy-style hat, the other by an older, dark-skinned man in high-quality clothes over a mail shirt. As far as you can tell, the dwarf is unarmed except for a tankard of ale and the deck of cards he keeps fiddling with. The other man has a sword at his belt, a couple of daggers, and probably other weapons in places you can't see. 

Please describe how you sit down, what (if anything) you order, any thoughts you're having and what the other characters see.

Shaking the road dust from his well worn clothes, Telurion took one of the seats, placing his sword and shield closeby and in easy reach. 

The dwarf's feathered hat caught his attention for a split second, but as usual he reverted to his introspective self - 'Gundren Rockseeker at the Beached Leviathan tavern' - the man mentally reviewed the information he had received about a well paid job hire, all the while realizing he did not really get many details about what the actual work would be... Doesn't matter - he shrugged, muttering to himself.

Well met. I am Telurion - he nodded to those already sitting down, looking at each of them in turn with piercing deep brown eyes, then turned to the barmaid just before she leaves - Will you bring me an ale?

He brushed his dark, disheveled hair from his eyes, and simply sat there.

Slides out a chair and gruffly sits. I am a Wraithwrap, cards?  

You’ve got this. You’ve GOT this. I nervously think to myself as I approach these capable gentlemen. All my confidence (as false as it is) immediately leaves my body as I begin to worry they will notice that my clothes are perfectly clean. Ok…maybe not the boots or travelers jacket, but they are a little too big for me. I’ve tightened the boot straps, but they still flop a little sometimes. I shake myself to regather my thoughts and feel my thick, light brown, disheveled hair flop around. 

”Greetings. I am…”  I pause for a moment, unsure how to continue. ”Belwar. Pleasure to meet you!” 

I pull out a chair, scuffing the ground a little. I begin to get nervous again, but sit down anyway, grabbing my books for comfort. 

“Excuse me, ma’am? May I please get a tall glass of milk? Maybe some honey if you have it?” 

Daveth finds the Beached Leviathan and steps inside. After inquiring at the bar about the potential job offer, he follows the given directions to the large table.

Daveth is about 5'10" with shoulder length wavy brown hair that is pushed back behind his ears. He has ice blue eyes and is clean shaven except a pointed patch of hair beneath his bottom lip. He wears chain mail armor beneath a white tabard with hood. The tabard has a symbol on the front, a rising sun shining along a winding path. A mace hangs at his hip and he also has a shield attached to his pack, the same sun symbol painted on its surface.

Daveth smiles and says, "Hail, I was told to inquire with a Mr. Rockseeker about potential employment. I am Daveth Dawnbringer, well met all." He offers his hand to any who would shake it before turning to the the Gnome and saying, "Greetings friend Gnome, care if I have a seat next to you?" Barring no objections, Daveth will seat himself and order only water if the barmaid asks.

“Oh! Um…hello, Daveth. I don’t mind one bit. Have a seat.”  Despite the joyous demeanor, I am filled with fear and nervousness. I am rather short and skinny, even for a gnome. In these boots I hit just at 3 feet tall…without them a little shorter. 
“I like your sun.” I wonder if I recognize it or have read anything about such iconography before.

Daveth looks down to the symbol on his chest then to the Gnome, "Thank you, may Lathander's light illumine your path. What is your name?"

I begin to sweat a little, nervous that I forgot to introduce myself. Way to go, Belwar, they’re gonna think you’re rude!

”My name is Belwar. Thank you for the blessing.” 

Well met - the one already seated replied to both newcomers - I am Telurion - and remained in silence as they exchanged words.

“And well met to you as well, Telurion! I see you both have shields…think we’ll need them?” I wonder if I could fit entirely behind one of those. 

So far it has been useful - Telurion chuckled, looking at his well used shield leaning against the wall - In any case, it is better to have one and not need it, than the other way around I guess?

Quote from Wraithwrap >>

Slides out a chair and gruffly sits. I am a Wraithwrap, cards?  

 This is a private game thread. Thanks for the post, but it's limited to players I've invited.

For those of you who have posted, please continue--I'll post again once all five of you have made intro posts or in several hours.

“Ya….that sounds right.” Oh boy…I hope I’m not the only one to show up without a shield. Well…I guess I sorta have one….I gently tap my book as I hold it to my chest. 

Daveth nods to Telurion and says, "Nice to meet you Telurion." He will chuckle at Telurion's observation and add, "That same wisdom has saved many a life I'm sure." To Belwar, Daveth says, "I should hope not. I hope we find more use in your books to keep ourselves entertained than our arms and armors to keep us safe. Might I ask what you're reading? I myself am fond of reading during my down time. As a young man in the temple it was my secret vice to read tales of legendary heroes vanquishing evils that preyed on the weak. Though I've come to learn the word is much different than the books would suggest, I've lost none of my enthusiasm for a riveting tale of sword and sorcery."

Work for a hired blade was easy to come by in Neverwinter, if one knew where to look. Magic items, waterclocks and exotic lamps made for a rich market and not every merchant could afford to pay transportation by ship. The High Road was always busy and often caravans looked for escorts on in. The surrounding taverns were full of gossip, a thousand whispers about the marvels and terrors taking place in the Sword Coast and beyond. It was in one of them that Kress first heard about the Three Picks Mining and Delving Co. Traditional lot, looking for strong hands by the Beached Leviathan and with a reputation for paying and paying well. It was enough to pick his interest.

Three days later the rogue was making his way through the Blacklake District. He easily spotted the three decked tavern in the distance. It was the kind of place that catered to sailors, smugglers, slavers and merchants. It was the kind of place where he could fit right in.

“Pardon me.” He said reaching the bar. “I’m looking for Gundren Rockseeker.”

The barmaid nodded and asked Kress to follow. Soon enough the pureblood was guided to a great table. The seats where occupied by a rather peculiar group. A gnome, a dragonborn, two humans and a dwarf. This one must Gundren, he thought looking at the man’s clothes. Well cut fabric, good quality leather and a rather flamboyant feather in his hat. Everything screaming coin. No weapons. That made he pay more attention to the rest pf the group. Closer to the middle-aged dwarf sat the older human. This one knows how to handle a fight, concluded the rogue, noticing the armor, weapons and posture of the man. More likely than not he was the reason Rockseeker didn’t worry with carrying any steel of his own. A bodyguard.

“Excuse me.” He said to the dwarf, still standing. A pale man with tailed silver hair and amber slit eyes, clad in black. A green fabric with a pattern resembling snake scales covered his neck and shoulders while leather bracers of the same color and with the same detail covered his forearms. On his hips a rapier was visible, and the keener eye could notice under his clothing the signs of a leather armor. “I heard that Three Picks Mining and Delving is offering a job?”

I hug my book a little tighter, then release and hold it up a little, thumbing through the pages quickly. A quick eye might catch a glimpse of Elvish writing on the pages. The book is a simple leather journal, dyed a deep navy blue with a slim trace of gold in a rectangle around the cover. There is no writing on the outside of the book. “Oh…um…this one is just a journal I keep. Stories I think up, thoughts about the world, those kind of things. I’ve got some others though!” I reach into my pack to pull out another book when another stranger approaches and ask about the “job”. Grateful for the interruption, I allow Gundren the floor. 

Daveth responds, "I see, it is well to reflect on our thoughts and the world around us. Sometimes only by writing these things down can we begin to understand them. Thanks for sharing Belwar, I don't mean to pry."

Daveth will turn to the newcomer with silver hair and greet them, "Hail friend, welcome to our table. Have a seat if you wish."

[The dwarf leans back in his chair, adjusts his hat, and swigs the alcohol in front of him. He and his companion are shockingly upscale for a place like this, but they seem comfortable as the most expensively dressed people in the tavern. They seem to have found--or paid for--the only dark, quiet corner in the place. Possibly the only quiet corner in any tavern in Neverwinter.

He adjusts the green feather in his hat, smooths his bushy beard, and begins to speak.]

Mah name is Gundren Rockseeker, but you can call me Uncle Gunni. Everyone ‘round here does. Ah run Three Picks with mah brothers—we find things underground and sell ‘em tah people who want tah pay lots o’ money for ‘em. Y’all’ve probably heard o’ us. Most people ‘round here have.

[As you sit and listen, his excitement visibly ramps up while he talks. He frequently adjusts the feather on his cowboy-style hat while taking deep sips of the Dwarven ale in front of him, somehow constantly making hand gestures without splashing ale or leaving the feather alone for more than a sentence or two. The waitress brings your orders, and Gundren tells her to put it all on his tab.]

Listen, here’s what I need from y'all. Mah brothers, Tharden and Nundro, and I found somethin’ big in Phandalin. Somethin’ real big. Sildar and I—this big lunk here is Sildar, and y’all ignore that stony face, ‘cause he’s a big ol’ softie—are goin’ on ahead to get some real important stuff set up in Phandalin ‘afore y’all get there. We gotta move real quick, though, so we ain’t takin’ the wagon and the oxen—just two horses. Ah need y’all to drive the wagon—it’s bein’ loaded now, and it’ll be out back tomorrow—down the High Road, an’ then turn east an’ take the Triboar Trail tah Phandalin. Give it tah Bart Henn at the Stonehill in Phandalin, and I’ll pay yah once we meet there.

5 gold apiece now and 25 each when y’all get there seems fair, ah think.

[The tall, well-dressed and well-armored older man next to him interrupts before Rockseeker can go any further. His upper-crust Waterdhavian accent triggers the ear of those of you who know about such things.]

“My name is Sildar Hallwinter. I have the honor and privilege to be the former Commander of the Griffon Cavalry of Waterdeep and the current friend and escort of Gundren here, as I too have urgent business in Phandalin. It is important to me that all of you are trustworthy. Gundren is more inclined to give that trust than I am. So please, before we decide to enter into a working relationship, tell me about yourselves.”

Once you’ve all answered, Gundren nods in satisfaction. Sildar shows little visible emotion but seems convinced by your responses. Or at least convinced enough to allow you to move forward.

Now, if we can talk about a quiet thang or two. This box here? It’s important. Real important. There’s bandits an’ wild animals an' all along the trail tah Phandalin this time o’ year, an’ this is too much tah lose. Don’t tell nobody you’ve got this. Give it tah me and only tah me, you understand? It’s real, real special. So don’t go losin’ it, y’all understand?

[He hands you a small cube, about seven inches on a side. It’s carved with runes and such, but Gundren refuses to answer additional inquiries about anything related to it, saying that this isn’t a private enough place for such things.]

If there’s no more questions, ah’ve arranged rooms for all o’ y’all here. An’ eat an’ drink whatever y’all want. Just tell Mila at the bar that y’all’re Uncle Gunni’s people and she’ll get y’all fixed up good.

Any questions? If not, I’ll leave y’all tah get tah know each other. Let’s get ridin’, Sildy!

[The other man fondly grimaces at the nickname and rises to leave.]

What do you all say in response to Sildar? Do you have any questions for Gundren? We'll wait for our fifth player before we leave Neverwinter.

To Sildar, Daveth replies, "Pleased to meet you Sildar. I am Daveth Dawnbringer, Cleric of Lathander. I have been tasked by the elders of my temple to go forth into the world and be an example of Lathander's light among darkness."

To Uncle Gunni, "Thank you for your patronage sir. Your trust is not misplaced." 

To the group, "I can carry our special cargo unless another wishes to do so."

If there are no objections, Daveth will stow it in his pack, wrapped safely in a spare set of clothes. He will let everyone present see where he stores it in case they need to access it.

“Hello, Mr. Gundren…err…Uncle Gunni. Greetings, Mr. Sildar. I’m Belwar, Belwar Fixzlesprink. I’m no cleric or accomplished fighter. I’ve never slain a monster. I’m not even sure I could pick up one of my new companions shields or wield one of their sharp blades, but I’ve got a pretty sharp mind. I promise I won’t slow anyone down! I might not be that strong yet, but I will be with some more experience.” 
I pat my book, cast Prestidigitation to keep Gundren’s ale cold, and stare longingly at the strange box presented. 
“I’m fine with you having this wonderful box, Daveth, but do you mind if I study it some? I might not be able to crack it, but I’d still like to inspect it.”