As Graxx readily launched into the tale, it somehow nearly catches Obsben off guard, having had in part been meaning to really lay the foundation for Hype in a few opening lines. But she was nothing if not an adaptive spirit, and against personal preferences and usual style, broke out a pan flute to play as a background music for  the tale. A song she hoped that -- while no perfect rendition -- Graxx may find faintly familiar as a tune or rhythm akin to something his people might've struck up around the campfire, though perhaps a little incomplete, depending on how willing he'd been to share such when she first encouraged him to speak of his past. And as she side-eyed him at one point, she hoped the reminder might help settle any nerves and further inspire Tempus' Champion.

Then seizing the moment off of Graxx giving Neya the go ahead (heh), Obsben rapped her against the table for a drum roll leading up to the big roll. " "He was indeed, Neya. But quite the prize though, innit? One slain dragon and powerful ally of the cult taken off the board. And if you or any superiors of yours have a mind to hire any hunters and laborers, we could perhaps provide even a map in due time to retrieve the remains within a day or so. " Obby went on to suggest to Aleyd.

(OOC: That's an 18! Pretty good.) 

Harper and Aleyd listen attentively, not daring to interrupt Graxx's suspenseful storytelling. When Neya display's their trophy, Aleyd audibly gasps, and Harper slowly claps after a moment of awe. "This... This is mighty impressive," the half-elf says. "Ruthnax, you said?" Aleyd dismisses the faction agent and goes initiates her own verbal response: "This is a victory unlike any other. I doubt the Cult has been dealt a heavier blow than this. Not many will know or understand what this means in terms of the fight against the shadowy organization, but the head of a dragon is still quite a trophy." She mutters to herself for what it seems like a full minute before proposing: "I have an idea. Alone, I do not carry the political power to free so many prisoners at once, but should we make a public display of this victory, placing its claim on heroes the people can latch on to, then even the Lord Regent themselves might feel inclined to show mercy to your tribesman. Gain the people's support, and we might build up the political influence I lack on my own." She opens her palms toward the party and asks: "So, CRAP, are you ready to go public?"

Aleyd's grand proposal meant that Obsben's own follow-up idea would have to wait a bit to be discussed at the Leadstopper Residence's table, at least in the captain's view for now. 

Graxx looks at his companions.

Graxx smiles and nods multiple times.

Graxx looks back to Aleyd.

"Yes... It is time... Let us come out from any shadow that remains."

Graxx grips his pike a bit.

"This will put a giant target on our backs so we will need to be on our guard at all times from here on out." says Graxx.

"Very well," Aleyd agrees with Graxx. "I'll make the preparations. We shall present the dragon's head at the gallows tomorrow morning. I suggest you use the rest of the day to prepare and tie any loose ends on this mission you just completed. For example, don't let the Library discover your success from the public announcement."

Aleyd rises and shows she is ready to leave. "I'll present your reward tomorrow in public as well. We'll make a showing of it. The crowd will love it." 

"I won't miss it," Harper adds, clearly waiting for the Black Fist captain to depart to converse with CRAP more openly. 

(OOC: Pausing here in case anyone wants to say something to Aleyd before she leaves. If the rest of CRAP dislikes this plan, please speak up now.)

Having pocketed the card that he assumes might have been left by a certain tiefling, Utar stands to mark his other former comrade's exit.

"Do you want to take Ellison now? Or will someone be sent for them? If so, can they hold somekind of official writ or note?  All this cult stuff is making me a little paranoid."

"As it should probably should, Utar." Obsben agreed with a bit of underlying mirth to her voice. She then appeared to startle for a moment, then tapped her chin and "hmm'd" in thought, before snapping her fingers. "That does remind me that we still need to reach out to the Emerald Enclave as well. But as that's something-..." She looks to the party. "The rest of you are are more famimliar with, I'll follow your lead on that one. But, as far as this whole announcement goes, uhm..."

"Mayhaps it'll be best if I go in disguised as your friend? As he's a bit more of an official member of your soon to be more noteworthy operation, no?" She asks, before then raising a hand in a halting gesture. "Not that I've come to not like you all or the brand, as I've come to like you all very dearly! But... it would make my... other hobbies a bit more awkward to enjoy with so much sudden attention. I hope that's alright." She said with an apologetic smile.

"I shall take him in now. There is no need to introduce a middleman here." Aleyd clarifies while nodding at Utar. "Whenever you are ready, please bring him back down. I will depart then." The captain then cocks her head at Obby's suggestion, but only hmm'd herself and let the group of adventurers decide how to present themselves without further suggestions. 

Assuming Ellison is brought back to her, Aleyd asks you to meet her at Podol Plaza tomorrow morning for the announcement. She then takes Ellison with her.

Harper finds a quieter moment in the farewells and approaches Obsben: "I believe you have something for me?" 

(@MB: Do you read the card?)

 Obsben showed not particular reaction to the captain hmm'ing, but doesn't fail to bid her goodbye in a lackadaisical fashion when the time finally came for it. "Hm? Oh yes of course." She replied to Harper. Yet just after she started to turn away, a thought seems to occur to her, as she'd look again to Harper and give him a seemingly appreciative look, before...

-Seeking to Determine if Harper is covered in some illusion: 26.

.. asking, "Mind if do a bit of noninvasive magic on you, Harper? There's this spell I always wanted to test, and it should be to your benefit as well. But, don't ask me what it does first, as that'll be less fun for both of us." She pauses there to gauge his reaction. Though even if not given the go ahead, she'd nevertheless pass on the notes. But if otherwise allowed to, she'd calmly and rather formally utters an arcane phrase before snapping her fingers in Harper's direction. If afterwards there were any ongoing spells on the man, there's an audible popping noise as the weave holding the spells together unravels once more. "Feel anything?" She'd ask if nothing more obvious came of her spell. Then once satisfied in the answer, she makes sure the ink is dry with a bit of magic before passing over her copy of various notes.

"By the way, Harper. I've been pondering this for a bit, and now I... just have to ask you! Just out of curiosity mind you, but, would someone impersonating being apart of some noble line simply for the prestige fall under 'our' business. Or is that more case-by-case?" She asked nonchalantly.

-Casting (3rd level)Dispel Magic on Harper, removing any spells of 3rd level or lower on him. If there are spells of a higher level, here's the check: 23.

@Obsben: It is good ol'Harper.

"Hmm..." Harper hesitates for just a second: "You haven't given me a reason to doubt you yet... but you better do it before I change my mind."

Once the deed is done, he replies: "Hmm... Some skepticism is a healthy habit. I know what it feels to have a dispelling spell cast on you, but I'll have to disappoint you. Whatever magic I am wearing today did not come from a spell but from items I carry on my person. I didn't think I needed anything extra when paying this lot a visit. Are you suggesting I am mistaken?"

Receiving the copied notes seems to put him at ease too, so he agrees to entertain Obsben's continued requests.

A few minutes later, pondering on Obby's unrelated question, Harper responds: "Harpers work against villainy and wickedness wherever we find it, but we work ever mindful of the consequences of what we do. Should someone seek the route you describe for villainous purposes, we should indeed take an interest in it. If it is only to exercise their freedom without harming others, I say we'd leave that to the Lords' Alliance. Those folks take this sort of deal less flexibly. Is there anything else you want to share with me or is this something you'd rather deal with yourself?"

Aleyd has now left with Ellison.

Neya has been considering this move to be a lot more public. At first, she felt some unease, her mission was to show potential clients what the People of the Silent Wood can do. But, this essentially a bullhorn of her presence.

But, perhaps an opportunity has actually presented itself. The reasons for her clan's secrecy is due the dangers that pursue them.Best case scenario, she causes that who are after their secrets to reveal themselves. In that case, she might be able to dispose of them. Worst case, she captured and/or killed.

But, not just the Slient Wood's enemies' eyes would be on her at that point. But, also those of the Silent Wood. Considering that so many of them are trying to do the same thing as she's about to do (except over seemingly longer time scales). She can, perhaps, show how dangerous reaching for the light too aggressively can be.

 "Just making sure since you were late." Obsben replied half-jokingly, before leaving Harper to study the notes and other pondering to take her time with breakfast. Later on in response to his next question, Obby shrugs and says, "Nothing I at least can think of at the moment. But if I do figure something, I'll be sure to reach you. I just figured given the nature of the question, you'd have more of an answer to weave... and I wasn't disappointed." She grins up at Harper.

"And... thank you, Harper... Both for the answer and introducing me to this fine group. It's been rather nice I rather... comfortable distraction." Her smile falters. "But, now that I've recouped most of my travel funds and ammunition, and... considering this group intends to become a bit more public, I-..." She pauses again, biting her lip as she looked away for a moment, then sighed softly and shook her head. "We'll need to talk more. Later."

"I thought we had agreed I was not late," Harper smirks.

The conversation turns to potential goodbyes, and Obsben implies she might not be so comfortable with the public aspect of the group's next plan. Neya ponders in the corner, perhaps somewhat uncomfortable with the idea herself. That is, however, a problem for tomorrow.

Sensing he might be delaying the group a bit, Harper collects his copied documents and bids farewell to the party. He stops just outside the door, collects a package he had left there, and turns to face the inside of the residence again. More specifically, he addresses Obby once more: "Oh, I meant to give you this as a thank you for all the contributions you made to our group of peacekeepers. I trust you'll put it to good use."

@Obby:

Harper leaves afterwards, giving everyone a proper goodbye and a thankful nod. He then spares a final comment aimed at Obsben: "If you choose to be relocated, come find me."

Utar has been somewhat busy reading a "Welcome" card:

@Utar:

CRAP has the rest of this day to run a few errands. What will the group do (e.g., report back to Cassra, reach out to the Emerald Enclave, approach the Lords' Alliance, etc.)? 

"So uh, Moneus has left us a little gift by way of thanks,"

Utar motions to the card and passes it to anyone who wants to take a look, "Might be something we should look into when we've next got a little downtime? I reckon we best get ourselves over to the Library for now, let them know we have their thief.  I think we'd best message Lord Ekmong and let him know about Graxx's victory over Rythnax too, I suspect that he might also be keen to know about two former cut members being held by the Black Fist."

Graxx holds out his hand and smiles a bit.

"Please know... I appreciate you giving me the glory of slaying Rythnax.  But I would have certainly met my fate with that Dragon had it not been for all of you."

Graxx spins his Pike slowly.

"While it was my hand that dealt the final blow, it was not Graxx's victory.  It was CRAP's victory.  We all can bask in the glory."

Graxx turns to Neya and then Obsben.

"Unless that is not desired."

"If by bask in the glory you mean have a celebratory feast later on this evening, then that's all well and fine with me Graxx." Obsben assured the man. "But as far as everything else that must eventually come after, I'm... sorry to disappoint. But, I'm not really ready for all of that." She chuckles softly and briefly. "Which on that note, I'll probably be finding some place else to stay before long. At least for a tidbit while things cool down here, as I doubt even with the city being the way it is, folk won't come knocking on your door quite frequently in the future. But know that if you -- a-any of you have need of my expertise in the future, I'll always do my best to make myself available."

Utar passes the "Welcome" card for others to have a look. It reads:

"Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. As a show of appreciation, I have arranged for your group to get new commemorative tattoos. An artist I know is capable of imbuing them with helpful magics. I am sure you'll like them. If interested, look for Randolph Tzintin's shop. Burn this note. You are WELCOME."

Before the group decides what their next step should be (Utar offers another suggestion for the to-do list in "contacting Ekmong"), it seams CRAP may have to come to terms with some division among their ranks. Tomorrow's public presentation may have to include only half of the team. Although it sounds like Neya might still be considering joining Utar and Graxx, Obsben makes it clear that she is not only missing the event, but will likely take a hiatus from calling herself a CRAPer, at least for a little bit. 

(@All: Am I interpreting your preferences correctly?)

Utar takes the note back and burns it in the kitchen as per Moneus' instructions.  At the last moment he suddenly panics, he remembers the name of the tattoo artist, right? Rupert Tintin? Eh, close enough how much trouble could it cause?

"Off to the library then? We all ready?"

Although no one had confirmed it, Utar also burns a cast of sending to contact Lord Ekmong.

(@Lerus: Seems about right. And as noted in the PM, she'll be going with the Calligraphy supplies.)

"Mn, yes indeed. Enough of the heavy talk for a bit would be a welcome change. And give those still contemplating things some time to do so." Obsben said, and would quickly gather back together scattered notes, books, and new calligraphy supplies, before hoping out of her seat. "See ya later, Sagin." She says or calls out as needed, before merrily skipping her way on to the door, still not giving her opinion way or another about Lord Ekmong.

Graxx grows with excitement at the thought of a wizard tattoo.

"Yes!  To the library.  That will give me time to think... Would I like a Sky Pony? Or maybe a severed Black Dragon head? Oh. This is going to be tough!" says Graxx.

Graxx heads out the door.

An enchanted tattoo sounds intriguing to Neya. Any tool, even unorthodox ones, could have the potential to give a leg up on any threat.

"Yes, I'm ready. Perhaps, the Library could also provide further insight on our findings?"