"All right then. To the Hellhorns so we can talk to Caress."

Okay, will do later tonight.

It was long past noon when you finally found the tavern in the busy streets. "Drunken Undine" is exactly what the three of you had expected. It was half-dark, filthy and smelled funny, but at least it was pretty cheap - you could tell by the company gathered. There's no chance they could've afforded a meal that's more than a few coppers. Most of them were half-drunk sailors and a few workers.

The only ones who stood out were half a dozen of decently-equipped tieflings in the corner of a hall. The had their own table, which not only seemed new, but was crammed with meat, cheese, freshly cooked potatoes and a large jug of wine. To all of yours surprise, "Hellhorns" caught fewer side looks than you expected, given the tieflings infamy. Apparently, they were more than regulars.

The company itself was worth a look, however. Six people, with horns each with uniquely shaped horns and skin tones ranging from scarlet to burgundy, pitch black hair, brawny and lean, tall and short. They only thing the same about them are their eyes - glowing, sunset-colored and, in the number of six pairs, a bit unnerving. Leading the gang, there sits a woman. She is a bit older than most, having earned a few scars and gray hairs, but charming nonetheless. She does not seem to notice  your entrance.

Crassus is going to walk up to the woman. "Name's Crassus. You wouldn't happen to be Caress, would you?"

I've tried writing to Joinmybones, but he doesn't seem to respond. He also doesn't show up in another game he's DMing, so I assume he's busy. I guess we'll have pretend he's furniture for now, I'll make the rolls for him when called for. A bit unfortunate, given how we currently doing his personal quest along with Crassusses, but oh well. I'm sure he'll show up.

"I suppose I am," the woman turn her horned head to you and snaps her tail as if it were a lash. Five others watch you carefully. "Who's asking?"

Another of her group, a somewhat dashing man with a cheeky smile adds:

"If you're looking to recruit, we're off the clock. Come by tomorrow, we open at eight."

"Your glib tongue does you no credit!" another tiefling cuts him off. He's larger than the rest, equipped with a gigantic sword.

"You'd be surprised at the credit my tongue gives me," the cheeky one answers, ignoring the three of you. The table erupts in laughter.

"Zip it, lovebirds!" Caress hisses. The laughter dies momentarily.

Violet seems lost in thoughts on their way to the inn. Without even looking she answers absentminded when addressed. "We're helping another one of the wizards around here who tells us that mages have been getting harassed by the guards. Have you been given any trouble by the guards lately?"

"Oh? And who was it who asked you to look into it?", Caress asked.

"One of the necromancers here who goes by the name of Brennan."

"I see. Have you anything to prove it? The matter discussed is rather sensitive, but I'm sure I don't need to explain," Caress purred, shifting her hand slightly towards her hand axe.

Persuasion check against DC 15, or give her required proof. Either would suffice.

Would any of the objects that Brennan gave us be good enough to serve as proof?

yup

"Hey Violet, could you show these people one of those enchanted items that Brennan gave you, so that they know we're legit?"

"Sure" and Violet hands over her 'Hat of Disguise' "You see, this is a Hat of Disguise worn by someone famous whose name I forgot. Famous at least according to Brennan. I think it was some Puppeteer or so."

"Well, you couldn't have stolen it, given the protective charms that paranoid wizard places on his wares," Caress sighs. "It'll have to do."

She sits back at the table and invites you to join her. Her band clears some room on the bench.

"Yes, city guard has been shoving their noses into our affairs lately. You see, while mercenary groups are not illegal here, their day-to-day is rather tightly regulated. We cannot do anything illegal and have to adhere to a certain code of conduct, agreed upon between mercs and authorities."

"You mean, we can't get caught doing anything illegal," smirked cheeky tiefling. "Ouch! Stop shoving me!"

"******* children," Caress sighed. "Anyway, we've got a good rep in Nyit. The guardsmen have been asking questions of our clients about what it is we do for them and how, and that's bad for business. There's been a steady decline in the latter ever since. They could not find anything illegal we did, as there is nothing to find, but I wouldn't put it past them to fake evidence or force confessions."

"The thing is, they're fully within their rights to question, and we can't put a stop to their prodding without actually breaking the law or the code," added merc with a huge sword. "In other words, we're ****ed."

"Thanks for the info." Crassus will start to leave if no one else wants to do anything.

Without actually finding out anything new? Be my guests, of course, but I did not place the Hellhorns there just to repeat what Ada told you. You just have to ask the right question to unlock an option.

"Actually, I do have some more questions now that I think about it. Why would the city watch have it out for you that they'd stoop to forcing confessions?"

"It's not like they after me, specifically," Caress arched her brow. "They are targeting some magi, and my company alone has two."

Another tiefling, sitting on the far end of the table, saluted you with a sour smile.

"Brennan was targeted as well. No surprise here, the man may keep low profile, but he's a wizard not to be trifled with. Ada as well, although she's not much of a battlemage, her gift could pose threat. Sirin and Elein... Well, Sirin was the bard who organized mages last time the city was under attack. He's pretty average for a bard and a terrible caster, I mean, his Shatter can barely break an egg, but he's an exellent leader. I don't know who would think Elein is a threat, the girl will not kill a fly, but here we are. The question is, what is there to do about it all? We've been discussing it for the last few days."

"Is there some common link between all of you guys? Because it sounds like they're going after a wide collection of mages."

"Most of us have crossed paths on occasion. The dabblers into the Arcane of Nyit is rather singular sphere..."

"But we try to stay away from Elein," the warrior interrupted. "She makes our collective horns curl."

"Yeah, I can think of one other thing she makes curl, isn't it right, Sorrow?" added his chatty friend. "One could even say she makes you... horny."

Massive disgusted noise followed from everyone at the table.

"I swear to the Fiend, Mirth. One more pun..."

Caress patiently waited for the dialogue to die before continuing.

"...but other than that, there's nothing that ties us. Hey, you've been looking into it, right? What have you discovered?"