City of Cresthall

Ashley thinks to herself that Ospala is probably the rudest most miserable person she has ever met. She puffs up a little and trys to speak as Crispy would.

Now listen hear you over grown geako, Crispy and i were almost thrown Into slave mines because you gave us a fake name. We asked no question for your first task of escorting you and your secret here, but you have broken a trust. If you wish us to do more for you then you need to be more open with us.

Now, tell us, who is this person Bennett says you want us to rescue. We need details of their disappearance. When, where, and with whom were that last seen?

“Wow, what a charming individual you are, Mr. Almanac, or WHATEVER your name is.” Crispy says. She would have said more, but Ashley said exactly what she meant to. As Ashley spoke, she slowly turned her head in sheer shock and pleased amazement. Her mouth agape, it was like discovering a baby saying it’s first word. Frankly, it turned her on madly.

”Never have I found you as sexy as I do now.” Is all she could babble out to her. She was like an animal about to pounce, about to kill.

Ashley blushes slightly but manages to keep her composure as she waits foe Opsala to respond to her chastising and request for further infornation.

Karra takes a subtle sidestep from the party to show that he is here on Guild business rather than personal business like the others. He's facilitated his business, but will leave when everyone is dismissed.

Hatt freezes in alarm as Ashley speaks.  Every word is true, but this man is so dangerous, and we are in the heart of his power.  Perhaps she will provoke him into saying something useful.  Perhaps.  Unable to think of anything else useful to do, he begins a silent prayer.

Crispy had an idea of how dangerous Almanac could be, but secretly promised herself that she would defend her friends if things got ugly. Mostly she hoped it didnt. Mostly. She turned to the drgaonborn and awaited his answer, as to keep looking at Ashley would lead to lovemaking on the floor right there and then.

Opsola doesn't answer for a short while until he finishes his letter. He stands up and passes the envelope to Karra, "My regards to the Silver Eye and a missive to give them attendants provided by myself. I'll be sure to talk with their representatives once they send a response. Thank you for your time." Opsola takes out another letter but the seal is broken. He stares at it for a moment before causing it to go up in flames. He drops the burning letter and it quickly envelops itself in fire until it is ashes, even before it hits the floor. "If you want to know what that letter was, it a letter of grievances from the mistress of the spa, Lady J'aril. I won't describe what she said since you all won't care about it as some of you decided to...do private activities there...at a spa...a public building. Regardless, what trust did I break? Were you not paid? I paid excessively for privacy so where was the trust broken? I wanted privacy so I gave an alias, but you were still paid, in full. In fact, the only reason they've instigated an investigation is because you used the name I gave you all. Now, I don't know how you all conduct yourselves, but let me ask, do you think it is wise to refer to your client when they paid outrageously only for the sake of keeping it secret? So where did I break that trust?" Opsola sighs, "Then again, did we ever trust each other to begin with...Lord Niyra and Sir Connor were last seen with them. I do not know where or when exactly. That is for you all to find out. You all don't like me, that much I understand. I, on the other hand, don't care if you all hate me. I just need some information from the two about the priestess. And time is up. Go." Opsola claps his hands once and the floor below you flashes. 

It is quick and disorienting but as soon as you can see again, you can see that you're no longer in Opsola's office. You all are back in at the entrance of the tower.The attendant from before is directing a clay golem to the entrance and stops as he sees you all. "Oh! You all got down here pretty fast. Pretty sure Mentor Dullivan just got down too, must have been a pretty quick meeting then. Well I got the payment for the delivery right here, want me to send this one here to the guild or take it back yourself?" The golem carries a small chest as he plops over to face Karra.

Crispy tightens in annoyance as she reorientates herself after the teleport spell. “What the..!” she barks. “I trust that guy even less. What did we just commit to do..?”

We are still in Opsola's... errr... home, says Hatt sharply.  I almost said 'lair' he chides himself internally. Perhaps we might return to the tavern together, and discuss our next action in private, and a little more thoroughly this time?

Gasp plops down on the cold hard floor at the base of the tower. One minute he is up top, sitting comfortably and admiring his shield along side Hatt, the next he's cooling his feathers on ground floor. He just gives a sigh, but stands to his feet. 

"Sounds good, McShorty." Crispy agreed, shaking her head, clearing it of disorientation. She sighed. Not that she had worked for many people other than in Waterdeep with the Commander, but this Almanac was really starting to rub her the wrong way, and she didn't like to be rubbed the wrong way.

"Let's go, guys."

Ashley scowls. That beast is horrid. Bennett, I dont know how you seem to have more patience with that person than I, but I will not deal with it in person anymore. I ha e already given my worst to do this job so I'm still with you. But I'd prefer to be in someone else's employ afterwords. 

Ashley calms herself down and breathes. Now, let's get back to the Inn and discuss our next steps please.

Cora looked at Ashley, “He really has you annoyed huh, babe..”

Hatt joins the rest of the group as they back to the tavern.  Let's get a nice private room, some food and drink, and really sort out what we want and what we're going to do next.  Once they have put a reasonable distance between themselves and Opsola's tower, he adds to Ashley's comment:  From my side, I also object to being in Opsola's employ.  We should have nothing to do with him, unless it is to investigate and possibly thwart whatever harmful schemes he may be engaged in.  Otherwise, I prefer to leave him far behind.  There are many other people in this world we could help.  And now that we have been paid well and have little need to earn further coin, I would like to see if there is someone in need who cannot afford to pay, that we might truly do some good.

Bennett stands and brushes the dust off of him and glances at Ashley, "When you deal with higher-ups in the military on a daily basis, you learn to how to tolerate snakes."

On the way back he is fairly quiet as if in his own thought. I have to tell them. It may kill me and Gasp... but I have to find a way to tell them. I owe them that.

((About what time is it?))

That's why i left the military when my enlistment was up. I wished for more freedom but i guess one will have to deal with undesirables from time to time no matter your lifes path. Ashley muses as they proceed back to their tavern for a private meeting about the task at hand. 

The walk back is quiet with the exception of the the city folk going about. And as you come closer to the inn, you can hear some shouting, "Please help me!" , as you open the tavern doors, you see a human man, about twenty years old, stand atop a table. "Since these bastards won't let me post my job up, I'm begging out loud for some kind adventurer to help me!" A waitress tugs at the man's loose shirt, "Shut it, Cousland, you drunk!" Cousland continues, "I had my love stolen from. And I want to get her back from that evil wizard that fooled you all!" The waitress huffs as she storms off towards the back. "He's no loyal adviser to the queen, he's just abusing his position to get whatever he wants! He stole my love, keeping her prison in that twisted tower of his, full of his minions and slaves! His foul magic upon the place is the only thing keeping me and her separated! So please, I'm begging you all, someone, anyone, help me rescue her!" The tavern owner comes out from the back and sighs, "Free drink for the rest of the night to whoever takes Cousland out to sober up." A goliath steps forward and picks Cousland up, "We need to fight against Opsola, don't believe those lies!", who struggles as he might, gets thrown out into a barrel of water. The goliath goes to tavern owner for her reward.

"Hatt, you've managed to sum up exactly how I fee-" Crispy started to say, when she heard someone shouting, and saw the goliath toss a young man into a barrel of water. 

She slowly rolls her head over to Hatt and Ashley, giving them a look of caution - as if to say, "Oh no. Here we go again." in combination with "See? I knew Almanac was up to something secret and sketchy."

With no desire to learn more about Almanac, or verify the claims of this man, Crispy waits to see what the others do.

Ashley is conflicted. She has given her word she would do this last job for Opsala, but this random stranger is reinforcing her fears about the dragonborn. What do you guys think. Should we talk to that man ?

Crispy sighs. Something inside her wanted to run away, and other part of her looked at Ashley and reminded her of all the good in this world. She stared at her for a moment and made a choice. Beast? Or heart?

Gods damn it..

She walks over to the young man, and hefts him out of the rain barrel, getting wet herself. “Bikini water barrel inspector Perkins. Out you go, now. So, what’s your story? Couldn’t help but notice you got tossed out of that bar.”