As Von and I sit down, I take note of the elf leaving the inn. I absent-mindedly wonder what she and the bartender were talking about, but quickly put it out of my mind.

"So Von," I say. "Where are you planning to go from here? If we're heading the same direction, perhaps it would be in our best interests to travel together, at least for a time."

"It sounds like that barman Amadeus has some work he's contracting out. Perhaps we can get on the same ticket as that elf. The coin and exercise would be most welcome."  Approaching the bar, Von inquires of Amadeus, 

"Thank you very much. If you have any rooms available I would like to purchase a night. Also *leaning forward with a lowered voice* I overheard mention to the elf some personal business you needed assistance with. If the offer still stands, my cohort and I would't mind getting our hands dirty as well. A larger group may increase your chances of success." 

Amadeus raises an eyebrow. "Well, as long as you and the elf don't end up trying to eat each other, or whatever you do, should be fine by me. Talk to me later. Rooms are a silver for a night."

I drop a gold piece for lodging and ask for my change. It will be good to stay indoors for a while, away from both the elements and prying eyes. But I know I'll need a bit more coin if I want to make a habit of staying in even low-end establishments like this one. I, unlike Von, was not paying attention to the conversation between Amadeus and Chlorys, so I assume the job will likely be something mundane.

"I suppose my friend and I will see you again soon then," I say, doing my best not to let the barkeep see the empty holes behind my mask. "Von, if you need me for anything, I'm going to be in my room."

I pay a silver for a room as well and go to drink in the corner. I heard this place is supposed to get rowdy and I want to be here when it happens. 

(Is the plan for now to just wait for the day to pass so that you can take on the job? Or is there anything you'd like to get done in the meantime before the main throng of patrons pass and you can get your job?)

There was nothing pleasant about the night as Chlorys stepped out into it. The air smelled of something foul, fog seemed to constantly hang in the air, heavy with moisture from the Moonsea. This wasn't how Chlorys imagined her freedom to be, "I thought this would be.... easier." She gripped her cloak tightly, a shiver passing over her body, at night, and even a bit during the day all the streets looked the same every way she turned; she dare not wander far, at least not for the time being. Hastily returning inside as the crowd began to gather, Chlorys wondered if she could make some easy money from the bars patrons before the night was over, after all she could never leave her beloved instruments behind and music was one of her many talents. 

Camus settles into his room and requests a few buckets of hot water to fill the old tub. Once the inn's servants are gone, Camus finally relaxes and happily rids himself of his robes and the claustrophobic mask. He casts Undeen Servant as a ritual, letting the invisible entity put away his discarded equipment and keep the bath water from getting cold. He lets the warm water soak between his ancient bones, washing away travel dirt and loosening up the bits of mummified connective tissue still clinging to his skeleton. He remains there contentedly until the appointed meeting time, assuming nothing interrupts him.

Same. No real plans until the job.

(Chlorys, if you'd like to play, roll performance)

The remainder of the day passes quickly. In ones, twos, and threes, patrons begin flocking in, first slowly, then in a steady stream. They drink, they laugh, they shout, they occasionally brawl. In summary, it's a more or less ordinary night. None of you have ever really been in a tavern like this before, or at the very least you don't remember it, but you do notice that more than a few tables are left vacant for most of the night, even though the bar itself is crowded. Eventually, the place simmers down. The only ones left now are the hardcore drunks, and they're too lost in puddles of booze and misery to pay any real attention. Amadeus flags you all down from your various positions, and bids you follow him into the back room. He leans up against a shelf, and begins to speak.

"Right. You may have noticed that business isn't exactly what it ought to be. Well, I can tell you exactly why that is. it's Pard Braxton's fault. He was the former barkeep, before I had to take up the job Not too long ago, thought he could do things better than me. So, he went ahead and opened up his own tavern, the Floating Fighter, out by the docks just like the Breakwater. And now the damn bastard's taking my customers! Now, I don't take too kindly to people infringing on my territory, and I think you know where I'm going with this. You're a plenty fearsome lot. The orc and the masked guy, anyhow, not too sure about the elf here. Go ahead and find the guy, rough him up a bit. Make him think twice about messing with me. You do that, maybe bust a few bottles, trash the place while you're at it, and you'll be getting paid handsomely. Sound like a deal?"

I pause for a moment, unsure how to respond. This sounds like a dirty business, one that Camus isn't entirely sure he wants to be a part of.

Still, he knows that he needs the coin if he wants to find the thing that calls out to his soul. And it's a simple task. And the intended victim sounds like he's probably a piece of work. Camus sighs. It may be worth it to get his hands dirty, just this once.

"I have no intentions of taking a life," I say hesitantly. "But I have my ways to put terror into this man like he has never known before, if that is what you truly desire and the pay is as handsome as you say."

Performance: 26

Chlorys earns herself a nice little 16 silver pieces for her trouble!

Chlorys takes a seat in the center of the room, hoping to attract the drunken attention of the bar's patrons. She does not call out, nor speak, just settling in among the rowdy masses. Nimble fingers trace along familiar strings, plucking them as gently as one would a delicate bloom; the tune she chose started off soft and low, a few chords of an elvish lullaby, then with a change of tempo and confidence that came with the what was left of her hangover, Chlorys began her song, clear as a bell, singing a tale of a pirates adventures on the high seas, befitting the setting around them. "And as the wind blows, no one can know, where his ship may come or where it might one day go!" Chlorys paused for a breath and after a few claps and a cheer, the glittering reward she sought lay at her feet. "Enough for a room tonight at least!" She thought, a grateful smile gracing her face, ending her night on a high note, literally and figuratively. She passes a silver piece to Amadeus as she approaches him again for the night. "For a room."

Chlorys ponders over Amadeus' proposition, as tempting as it was, she was unsure if a full out attack on his competitor was wise and now there were others involved. Maybe there was a reason the other bar had better business; anf this naturallt had Chlorys curious. She hadn't wandered far throughout the city as of yet and this was her chance to explore. "I understand your... concerns Amadeus, but just blatantly rushing this place doesn't sound like grand idea I'm not sure how my new companions would feel, but I personally, would need a few days, scope the place out and see how he runs things and if I thought I have an opportunity to "discuss business", and with that she used her fingers to make air quotations, "well then I'll take it." golden eyes quickly glanced back over the Orc and... well Chlorys was unsure what the cloaked figure was, but she didn't want to show hesitation. 

"Isn't your place to be questioning ideas. Wait a couple of days, and I give the job to someone else. Tomorrow or you'll get no pay, though feel free to do it for free."

I glance at Von.

"How are you feeling about this whole thing?" I ask the orc.

“It’s a job and I meet the qualifications. Let’s pay this Braxton a visit.” 

"Well then, my friend, I'm with you," I say. "Though I would prefer not to engage in activities like this on a regular basis."

“If you’re looking for something more lawful perhaps we can check with what this town has for law enforcement. Maybe there is a bounty we can try and wrangle. I feel like no one here is truly innocent, and it might be safer for us working as freelancers rather than law-lackeys.” Leaning in close, Von mumbles “if you really end up feeling like you got a problem with this, just keep your head down, collect your coin, and I’ll try and cover for you.” 

"Thanks," I say. "But honestly, you're probably right. I wouldn't be surprised if the 'arm of the law' around here is more corrupt than the gangs are. Let's do this bit of dirty work and collect our pay for a job well done."

I look at the bartender right in the eye, giving him his first good look at the empty black holes behind the mask. "So, how do you want us to do this? Do you want Mr. Braxton to know who sent us, or would you prefer to let him figure it out on his own?"