“I think it would be better to wait first and see what Irony manages to gather from Fembris. Maybe we can deduce what they know from what book they read alone.” He mentions as Sistri and Irmiel discussing the possibility of talking with the man beyond the Emerald Doors. “And I wouldn’t bet on any company to work together. People don’t usually become mercenaries while having better option.” Kris was probably the only exception to the rule he ever knew, but he knew very few people outside of the Circle. “It is hard to care for a greater good when you have to worry about survival. Even more when this greater good is based on what for most people is little more than an abstract concept.” And that was without considering what kind of punishment disobeying superior orders could cause in those larger companies. “They may exchange information, though, so we may play with the fact that we spoke with the retired general.”

Before the discussion continued further, the Paladin started moving and the Druid decided to follow her. Before they could find the competitor, he pulled out his token and started chanting. His eyes flashed emerald as he finished casting Enhance Ability, touching her shoulder, granting upon her an eagle’s splendor.

“This will help you and I will try to see if he is… Less than honest during your conversation.” That said the Satyr prepares to cast Guidance on his colleague at first signal of their target.

Notes: Llwyd follows Sistri and casts and casts Enhance Ability on her, choosing Eagle's Splendor (for the next 1 hour Sistri have advantage on Charisma checks). If possible, he would also casts guidance on her at the first sign of the competitor.

Kris nods at Llwyd.  "I agree with Llwyd.  Let's wait and see what information comes up.  Remember, if we expect help from other groups, we would be expected to share our own learning as well.  I'm not sure I'm prepared to do that.  At least not yet.  It might be that splitting the rewards are worth the extra help, but it really depends on what we learn and how quickly we can move."  

Kris is not interested in the monetary awards, coming from a life of privilege and existing wealth.  In theory, then, she might have welcomed additional help at the cost of reduced monetary gain.  But she knows that the others probably place more value on the coin.  And, she can't help but admit that she's feeling a wee bit competitive.  What if they could beat the other bands to the ruins and find one of these strange and powerful artifacts??

"We are not sharing anything, just asking what did they find and why not working together. Not as competitors, just visitors to the library, nothing more." Even if Irmiel was not going to talk, she could participate in planning. "We are waiting anyway, can as well wait in the tavern over a drink with that another adventurer, can't we?"

She will join Sistri there to hear the conversation.

Sistri nods. "I won't give away any of our information. I was thinking of seeing how much they know about why Cormyr is even looking."  She glances around at the others. "If you all think that's alright."

Already ready to go, she hesitates a bit by the door as they continue to discuss. Although she's concerned they may not track down the man at this rate. 

Sistri and Llwyd head out of the room and down stairs, wandering out of the Inn and over to the Hearth Tavern. The place is exactly what you'd expect for a "tavern" in a massive library. The place is laid out like a bit of a warren, with booths of tables tucked away all through out the building. Bookshelves holding common copies of widely available books decorate spaces in between. The most open section with a few rounds tables and sporting an elevated small stage has a human woman, quite pretty in silver striped tights and a black dress, with blonde hair and a pseudodragon crouched on a shelf behind her, is strumming a lute and singing a song. The song is very subdued, quite quiet, and has a very slow relaxed melody. You could probably be woo'd to sleep by it. There is hushed conversation here or there, but the layout and booth setup means they are quite private.  People are sitting about enjoying a meal and drink, many of them reading books as they do so.  You glance around for the Terry's Terrible Twosome member but don't immediately spot him, and so wander about. The tavern is hosting all sorts. You seek dwarves, halflings, humans, elves, as well as a drow and a half-orc amid the occupants. Some clearly are Avowed or Sages and live and work here (based on their garb) while others seem to be from every which place.  At one table, sitting by himself, is a full grown ogre. He wears robes, sandals, and stretchy custom breeches, and has a thin silver circlet on his wart and thick hair covered head.  He glances up with a rather kind looking face as you pass by. 

Eventually though you spot your mark. The man is just finishing ordering some food and is sitting at a 2nd floor booth with a view down to the woman playing music. He has a closed book near him but angles and lighting don't let you pick out the title without being very obvious. 

Kris looks longingly at the bed, then follows the others, but at a lengthy distance.  She isn't going to engage with this person, but she wants to be within earshot in case a fight breaks out.

Having finally found the man they were looking for - one of Terry's Terrible Twosome - Sistri approaches his table.  "Hello, sorry for disturbing you but I was curious.  Have you by any chance come from Cormyr? That's where I'm from and I thought you looked familiar." She gives him a nice smile. "It's always good to run into a familiar face far from home.  Let me guess, you're here to learn more about the whole Netherese stuff?" 

(Persuasion, if needed: 20)

That was a good idea. Irmiel and Kris could take a table nearby (next booth?) with some books or drinks (or food) and listen to the conversation. The mage moved along the bookshelves, checking the subjects. Right now all her thought were about Netheril empire, flying cities and maybe the Narrow sea. But to find something like that on the open would be very unlikely, so, anything would do.

Kris finds herself a seat at the bar so she's close by incase anything happens. She's only there for about 4 seconds before a figure appears next to her with a rustling thump. A young human man has a smooth face, light freckled skin, blonde hair that seems casually tossed to a side, wearing a simple smock t-shirt that is silk, but a little to tight, clinging to his athletic form. He smiles with white perfect teeth in an incredibly friendly way, "Hello there!  My name is Marcus. I'm an Avowed of Candlekeep.  My father, Lord Unterbury of Waterdeep, thought it would be good for me to get a specialized education here at Candlekeep. Are you new here? I haven't seen you around. What's your name?" 

------------ 

Sistri sits down and makes her introduction while Irmiel looks studiously at a book about how best to prepare foods of the north. Half the recipes seem to include something called Knucklehead trout. The man looks at Sistri, first with a shadowy frown, then some open suspicion, then concluding with a blank faced look that Sistri has troubles reading.  He speaks slowly, and with a strangely methodical rhythm when he responds, "Ahh, folks from Cormyr. And you said you were looking to learn about Netheril. You have come to the right place. If ever there was a place of knowledge and learning, Candlekeep would be that. I begin to understand that knowledge is freely available here. Have you come from Cormyr working for a particular group? And I should say, well met, what is your name?" 

"My apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I am Sistri Runeswallow and I work for Charlie's Company." (OOC - Is there actually an official name?)  She gives him a slight grin and shrugs, "I know, you've probably never heard of it. Were you in Suzail when the attack happened? Talk about chaos!"  She leans in a bit closer to him. "I just wonder what the big deal is with those mythallars. Why is Cormyr so interested in them suddenly?"

(if needed again, Persuasion: 20) 
(forgot advantage due to spell, Persuasion: 14, take highest of this roll or above) 

Kris adopts a lonely seat at the bar.  She smiles at the handsome stranger.  "Hello Marcus, formerly of Waterdeep.  My name's Kris.  I am new here, as a matter of fact.  I came with some friends to do some research on the Netherese, although... it seems there are a lot of readers interested in that topic.  So you're an Avowed!  That sounds interesting.  They entrust you with a great deal of responsibility?"

Marcus puts on a "no big deal" sort of face and says to Kris, "You a history major then or something? Netheril was like, ancient human history right?  Yeah, I mean, I get a lot of responsibility. Very important people come here, and then I get assigned to work with them. They can't even go in the library, and so I'm responsible for finding them all the books they are looking for. Right now I'm working for a Sage from Neverwinter who is on the council there. He's interested in engineering as they are building a new church.  But, that's all rather boring. You though, you are interesting.  This place is sorta...busy though, lots of people right. As an Avowed I get access to all parts of the library.  There are some pretty cool places in this legendary place. Anyway, I'm not so much into all that. You know, if you like, I could show you around the place a bit. Show you some of the more private nooks and cranny's of this place."  He puts his hand down on the bar right next to Kris' so that it bumps against her hand making contact.  He smiles his big smile with a bit of a swagger to his pose.

(Generally I'll only require a single check for an interaction.  I'll take the 22 for this one. I presume you're trying to "persuade" him to share information, but also sort of use it as a generic "social interaction" check for the conversation.) 

For Sistri, this man seems cagey as all get up. It's clear he has some sort of background related to government intelligence. Something about the way he asks questions without admitting anything himself, and instinctively just avoids answering any question directly. Still though, she presses on with the conversation. As long as she's feeding him things, she can insinuate information from how he asks his questions and avoids hers. Though he hasn't admitted it, he's obviously from Cormyr and looking for information on Netheril. 

"Trying to guess at the purposes of any government like Cormyr's is probably a hopeless excercise, at least I've found in my day."  (Clearly worked in government, probably in some division that took orders. And it's clear he has no idea why they're seeking the Mythallars.) 

"Charlies Company you say? Can't say I've heard of them...no. But I suppose anyone who has a contract is in the running."  (Further, it's obvious he was unaware they even had a contract. He considers this valuable information.)

"Yes, I'd heard there was an attack at the Capital. I'm sure the chaos of battle must have been intense. Shocking that anyone would challenge the capital of Cormyr like that!"  (He was there, and obviously is surprised the attack occurred, his "shock" is real enough.)

"Have you learned anything about these Mythallar's yourself or have you just arrived?" (He knows you've just arrived, but is digging for info anyway.)

Kris gives a wide-eyed look, trying to look very impressed.  "Gosh, that all sounds so important!  The keep is just so big!  How do you possibly keep everything in your memory?  I mean, of course, you're obviously very intelligent.  You must know it like the back of your hand. I would definitely be interested in a tour."  She smiles.  "And you won't mind if my friends join?"

Diplomacy: 19

"It was shocking! They were right in the heart of Suzail!" Sistri agrees with the man. She realizes she's not getting much from this conversation thus far.  Hopefully she is distracting enough that one of her companions might at least get a glimpse of the book he has now.

"Oh, yes, I've been learning quite a bit about Mythallars. But only rudimentary history. I'm afraid I knew very little on the subject before this whole business of finding them for Cormyr came up!"  She gives the man a silly laugh and smile, trying to play up her lack of knowledge, hoping she comes off as not much of a threat.  Although, the reality is she actually hadn't known anything before.

"Anyway, it's good to know there are lots of people like us digging into this. It's got to be really important for Cormyr to put so much into this effort. I just know it must be for something really important."  She is hoping to sound like she's unconcerned about competitors - even happy that others are working on the issue.  This too is not far from the truth, as with the problems with the Weave, it does seem important that others succeed as well. Charlie's Company can't possibly find all the Mythallars, right?

Now that she's has sat down, Sistri sees the title of the book he has. It reads, "Chronicle of Years to Come". 

The man tries to keep any reactions subdued and is obviously skilled at keeping his tells form his face. She's unsure if he has any sense she's evading the truth a bit. 

"Well. It is nice to meet you. If you would like to meet each evening and discuss what you've learned, I'd be happy to do the same. What say you." 

Kris watches as her "you won't mind if my friends come" reach Marcus' brain.  His smile falls and he looks rather crestfallen, "Well, I mean, it's really more something that, you know, is better as an intimate experience...but...I suppose I can give you and your friends the first tour, and then maybe later I can show you a few spots that I've found really private...I find I'm able to do my best work in...that are, quiet, out of the way, I think you'll like them a lot. Ahem, I am pretty important here, but...I can't let you and your friends take any books during the tour. Hope you understand. But you should be able to ask your Avowed to grab you any books you take a hankering to."

"That might be nice!"  Sistri says with a smile. "At the very least for the fine company. How long do you plan to be here?  I take it you haven't uncovered much yet?"

"That's great Marcus.  Maybe I'll come find you when we have time for the tour."  Kris turns back toward the bar and rolls her eyes.  Boys.

Kris turns away from Marcus who looks positively crestfallen, but then sucks in a deep breath and puts a hand on her shoulder and says with a winning smile, "You take your time. Have a lovely night, hope to talk to you soon! And meet your friends. It sound fabulous!"  He wanders off leaving Kris to herself. 

Meanwhile Sistri continues her conversation. The man just shrugs in a non-committed manner. Though it's clear that means he's found nothing.  "Not sure, but sounds great. Lovely meeting you. I think I'm just going to eat a bit and head to sleep. It's been an exhausting day."  He nods his head, clearly hoping the conversation is done.

"Of course, I'll you go... um... Mister...?"  Sistri says to the man, realizing she hadn't got his name. She stands, ready to head over to her companions once the man heads off. Realizing he likely will not offer anything freely, she adds. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name earlier, sir."  She looks at him, clearly expecting a response from him. 

He smiles, "You can call me Bubs."

The group finds themselves a nice booth to sit in, order some food, and otherwise get filled in from both Kris and Sistri about their conversations.