"Ah, you're back!" said Sterling as the others entered the manor. He quickly stood, making sure to shield something behind him as he tried poorly to conceal his grin. "So... did everything work out? I've finished the alterations, so if you have the rest of the outfits, we should all be ready in time."

For his part, the bard was wearing his usual clothing, but it bore an extra splash of bright yellow in a few places (a close inspection would reveal that he's using magic to maintain the alternate coloring.) Jasper then proudly leapt onto his shoulder, and almost comically, it appeared that Sterling even had an outfit for the familiar:

Then, as if too impatient to await a response, the would-be jeweler gave a flourish and eagerly revealed the refit clothing from behind his back.

"This," he began, addressing Wagner, "should have you fit right in, even if it's an out-of-city fashion. Unfortunately, the gemstones are cheaper stones rather than actual sapphires... but they're still suitable, and eventually I'll replace them. They accentuated the look though, so I had to include them!"

Sterling handed the outfit to Wagner and then finally caught his breath, giving the others a chance to respond.

Oriace enters the manor with the rest of the party, carrying a few parcels wrapped in plain paper. He can't help but grin as he sees Sterling's enthusiasm and the impressive outfit he’s prepared. "Sterling, you’ve outdone yourself," Oriace says, genuinely impressed. "That outfit looks fantastic, and I’m sure Wagner will turn heads tonight."

He sets down the parcels on a nearby table and opens them, revealing the clothes they purchased. "We managed to get a solid discount—20% off, thanks to some smooth talking at the market. These should fit everyone nicely." Oriace picks up one of the outfits, holding it up for the others to see. "These are simple but elegant enough to get us through the door. Between this and your handiwork, Sterling, we’ll be the talk of the town," he says and can't help not to grin broadly.

He claps Sterling on the shoulder, then turns to the others. "Alright, everyone, let’s get dressed and ready. We’ve got an opera to attend, and who knows what opportunities might come our way tonight."

Mana stands, mouth agape at the outfits. Both for Wagner and for Jasper.

”Sterling, you could make a Shambling Mound look respectable. I am very impressed!”

Mana will give the aforementioned instructions to Yersinia and then begin getting dressed.

Toser nods his appreciation for the fine clothing that Sterling worked up for Wagner and Jasper. "Wow, that looks great.  You've got some real skill there.  Very impressive." 

He then grabs his packet of clothing and heads upstairs to his room (still don't know which one) and changes into the clothing he picked out while at the market.  He came down again tugging on one of the sleeves, but overall very pleased with the clothing.

"This is a very fine addition to my repertoire. I've never needed more than some entertaining costumes.  But big city life, you have to dress to fit in."

“A League of Extraordinarily Well Dressed Men”

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Wagner gets ready to go.

Lightsinger Theatre is a high-end establishment located in the Castle Ward. The opera is impressive, even if you can't understand it. You meet Mirt in his private box in the intermission. "Welcome. I have invited you all here to talk about the Harpers. We work behind the scenes to keep power out of the hands of evil tyrants. For this, we rely on a network of information. I propose that you become members of this network. As bards, you fit right in. You are able to gain information much easier that other folk as you can get people talking and have excuses to hang around public places. You don't all have to join, in fact none of you do if you don't want to. But if this sounds like something you would be interested in, then we are happy to have you. And if some of you choose not to join us, it doesn't mean you can't help out those of you who do when they are working on a mission for us."

Wagner gasps at the opportunity, and replies, "I'd be honored to join."

Sterling found himself listening intently to their host's proposal. He'd heard of groups--clubs, organizations, guilds, charities, whatever form they took--that volunteered for the burden of doing some sort of good, or opposing some sort of wrong. While he found the idea itself intriguing (noble, even,) he'd never considered himself one of the sort to join such causes. So it took him a moment to actually seriously consider the possibility before he finally responded.

"Well, sir, that's an interesting offer," he began. "I suspect I know what my decision will be, but I have a couple of questions before actually settling.

"First, how free are the Harpers to conduct their own affairs? Could I accept or reject missions at my leisure, and set the parameters of my involvement? Or would I, say, sometimes be assigned somewhere for some length of time without forewarning or requiring my approval on the matter?

"Second, what would the financial compensation for such service be? I presume it'd be commensurate with the degree of involvement, but I'd prefer to have that presumption verified."

Mana’s head is spinning. In less than 24 hours, he has gone from having Yersinia as his sole confidant, rattling a tin cup, and performing in muddy alleys to provide his sustenance, to joining a troupe and now an invitation to a respectable faction. If he were a religious fellow, he’d be praising his god. Perhaps he needs to look into Milil. Could he be tuning and pulling some strings in the background?

”If you’d have me, I would do my best to serve your causes.”

He blurts out, without the Sterling-like deeper introspection to the commitment he was volunteering.

"You are most certainly free to turn down any request we have of you with no consequence. I would say no questions asked, but we will aks. You are however not obligated to tell us but we use it to know for future missions. We try to give missions to those we believe are the most appropriate. If we are wrong, we like to know what was wrong so we can offer the right ones. It could be a matter of safety, location, time or any other reason. And yes, reward is always appropriate for the work. Higher risk or longer work will equal more reward. Sometimes monetary, sometimes in other forms. But we will also be upfront with that so you can reject work if you aren't happy with the payment proposed."

The bard blinked. He hadn't actually expected that degree of latitude to come with the job. After reconsidering briefly, he finally nodded.

"Well then, I suppose those terms are acceptable. My ambition, mind you, is to be a merchant, and one of renown at that! But if I can assist with your missions in an official capacity while doing so, then I see no reason not to. There are definitely ills in this world that need correction, and as someone intending to be a contributing member of this community, I should expect to pull my weight in that regard as well."

Oriace listens intently to Mirt's proposal, his mind racing with the implications of joining such a secretive and influential group. The idea of being part of a network dedicated to keeping power out of the hands of tyrants appeals to him, yet he knows that such a commitment is not to be taken lightly. After all, his focus has been on getting the inn up and running, and this would add another layer of responsibility.

"Your offer is intriguing, Mirt," Oriace begins, his tone thoughtful. "I can see the value in what the Harpers do, and it's an honor to even be considered for such a role. However, this is a significant decision, and I'd like to take some time to weigh it carefully."

He pauses, then adds, "Do we need to make a decision tonight, or can we have a few days to consider your offer? Also, while I may not be ready to commit fully just yet, I’d like to propose that Trollskull Manor could serve as a safe haven or retreat for the Harpers. We’re in the process of establishing ourselves, and having a prestigious group like yours as regulars could be mutually beneficial."

Oriace smiles, hoping that this offer of support might be a way to contribute while he deliberates further. "We’re dedicated to making our establishment a welcoming place, and I believe it could provide some value to the Harpers as well."

Toser felt a bit overwhelmed by the entire situation. The opera was more than he was used to. For a gnome, he was still young, though he had been alive many decades and had settled into adult life.  He had wandered near and far and while spending most of his time on the road he was not totally new to city life.  But much had happened since coming to Waterdeep.  He had found a welcoming group to perform with, a new home and was now being given the opportunity to join the Harpers.

"I have met a couple of Harpers during my time.  I too would be honored to join such a company, I don't need to consider it.  I know enough of your organization that I align with what you try to do in this world.  Count me in." 

"Renown is not a barrier to joining us Sterling. Renaer is a harper too. And the offer does not need to be accepted today. Those of you who have accepted, take these pins as a sign of your membership, and the rest of you can always speak to me in my manor at the sea ward at a later date to join. I will be your groups main contact within the Harpers.".

Those who accept receive a silver pin of a harp within a crescent moon.

"As for your first mission. One of the drays working in the city is pulled by a talking mare named Maxeene. Locate her, find out if she’s learned the identity of any Zhent operatives, and if so, determine their whereabouts. It is a simple, low risk task, so I believe 25 dragons is more than appropriate. Total not each."

"Is the fact that she talks a secret?"

(good question. It doesn't say so I am going to have to infer from what it does say). "It isn't a secret per se. But it also isn't widely known. She is very private and so prefers to keep herself to herself."

Mana presses his lips together and can’t hide a quick upturn in one corner. The thought of talking to a horse is not new, but one that can reply in Common is.

Sterling had remained quiet as he examined his Harper pin. He then affixed it to his outfit, and stood a bit straighter than before. After waiting for everyone else's response, he addressed their host. "Well, then. Some of us have your officer to consider. The rest have our first mission. In both cases, thank you, Mirt! I think my fellow Harpers here would agree... we won't let you down."

He smiled politely. "So... shall we enjoy the rest of the performance?"

Toser ponders Wagners question for a moment.  "I would guess it is a secret. If people knew a horse could talk they wouldn't talk around a talking horse." He says aloud.

"Is there any information on which ward of the city she works in our who she works for? Even what she hauls so we can determine what guild her owners work under?  Any information will be a clue to help us find her.  The city is quite large."

Toser fingers the pin for a moment but does not pin it to his clothing.  He slips it into a pouch.

"Maybe best not to advertise we are Harpers?  Not sure how all of this works.  But those I've met in the past,  Harpers I mean, didn't often advertise where there allegiance was.  My understanding is semi formal and somewhat secretive?"