Can Elero do an Insight check to see if Commander Brittle's on the level, or just pretending to be satisfied with our work?

Before we go Mark will turn to the Dragonmarked house members, "If you ever need our service, please reach out." He will then hand over some business cards he had made up with his name on it. "We are happy to evaluate anyone's security...for a price of course." He then bows with a smile and leaves with the group. 

The Dragonmarked house leaders take Mark's business cards, (Very clever).

The gold is in gold bar form, as well as a few gems, easily transportable and no need to exchange anything.

Elero DC 10 Insight Check: 19

Brittle seems on the level, although you get the feeling as though he won't be engaging your services again. He feels it was a mistake to hire outside The Watch, and even though you saved the day, you didn't get the Helm. He doesn't mind, he just feels the whole thing was a bit sly and wants to remain on the straight and narrow.

You all head out of the manor. Passing members of The Watch arresting a few straggler cultists, and out onto the streets of Upper Central.

What is the plan?

Can Mark catch his boss on the way out and ask if there is a change in mission since his main target has shown himself?

Mark finds Reidnul being looked after along with the other low ranking guests of the party. When Mark describes that Zaerun was part of the group that attacked he seems surprised, "Well that is interesting indeed, is there anything else you can tell me about the man?" 

Does Mark share all the information you've learned about Zaerun? Like that he's probably werewolf, and that there may be a schism in Daask personified by Zaerun and Ash? Or are you all keeping this information to yourselves? (I can't remember what exactly you've already told Reidnul.)

Mark will relay all the information and remind him of the payment for the job.

Reidnul nods and says, "Yes of course, the payment. I believe we agreed on 2000gp wasn't it? It will be added to your next paycheque."  He thinks to himself, "Of course, I will need to confer with my boss over the particulars, but i'd say now that Daask has made a move against the Dragonmarked houses, we may be looking to support a more direct role in their downfall. If you need any more information in your efforts against them, please come and see me."

(Mark can add the money to his character sheet now, assuming the gold is paid in the next couple days.)

Anything else you want to discuss before moving on? At this point you're free to go about the city as you wish.

Elero's just happy to be alive at this point, and not going to jail, and is proud of his Protector cannon.

Feels like next steps might be tracking down the Helm, but he's not 100% sure if that's still their job.  And he suspects the party tonight is off, which he's disappointed about, because it was a nicer house than he's ever been inside in his life.

Mark will suggest we regroup at his apartment to think through next steps. 

You are all make your way back to Mark's apartment, where Milo and Clumulk both greet you happily. You notice the adolescent Worg has a few thin scratches across it's nose.

((Is the party indeed off? I assume so, right?))

"I think we should still go after the helm, we have the artificats after all so can make use of it, and than we know more about Daask's plan. We also have an idea where Ash is going to be."

Mark will pet Milo and take a well-needed drink of water as he undoes his bowtie, "I am thoroughly ravished from all the fighting we did at the Orion Estate. I think if we go now we have a better chance of getting ourselves killed. But we could try to make a play for it. What we need now is more information, where is the new hideout? What do they plan to use the Helm for? How many of them are there? What is their secret weapon? Things of that nature. The guard will be caught up in exterminating them like rate so this would be a good time to capitalize on all of the chaos." 

It’s up to you whether you want to go for it now. They certainly won’t be expecting you to go after them so quickly. But a Long Rest might put you in a better position to take them on. It’s not super late at the moment, probably only 6pm or so. So you could probably get away with a Short Rest even if you wanted to go after Ash, Zaerun, and the Helm tonight.

((With a short rest Erix will still have is animals, but only 3 lvl 1 spell slot; for hp he doesn't need it^^))

Elero also doesn't need to short rest for HP, but the Protector cannon will likely cease functioning since it will have been more than an hour, so he can't make a new one or regain his spell slots (he has one left) until after a long rest.  We could attempt some scouting or investigation, but a serious try for the Helm should probably wait until after a long rest.

(Mark could use the short rest and is really good at stealing and killing, so if y'all want to go for it and see how the dice rolls, I am okay with that)

(Seems like a couple tentative votes for a Short Rest and go for it tonight, but Elero seems more set on a Long Rest. I'll let you discuss for a bit more because I don't want to make this decision for you. I'll point out again that you would stand a chance to catch them unawares with a Short Rest, but you will lack all your resources.)

Elero's official vote is to change out of our worker clothes, and then either Long Rest or scout out where they might have gone to, and get a basic idea of what we're up against, and then Long Rest before taking them on.  He thinks going in to take them on and get the Helm when we're all at least half-tapped will result in a TPK.  But he'll solicit input from the party.

(good points and I think letting them go is best.)