The more Jandari listened to the ongoing conversation, the more visibly confused the man became with things. Silent Investor? What even was an investor? And much like Koselig said, why not be up front about it? Did he have a falling out with Gundren and was trying to make up for it? And wait... Zhentarim? Harpers? Lord's Allian -- wait, no, he'd at least remembering hearing of the last one during a brief stint in Waterdeep, and so nodded sagely in recognition. But soon after, he's back to scratching his head pondering over the rest, and how they might be involved in what was a simple escort job.

Eventually, his gaze finally falls on Nariah -- or to him at least, as he was not want to look all that closely at the 'crone' earlier -- some other comely stranger with an invested interest in things. "Jandari is starting to think mistake made in reading job notice." He'd mumbled and rub at his forehead.

"Last you saw me I was in disguise as a crone, I changed my appearance as I thought I was the only one to receive the note."

Jandari immediately startles and stumbles a couple feet back. "W-wh-what? You were -- wait!" He gasps and points at Nariah. "D-did you read my mind?! I-If so, uh.. J-Jandari, erm... I-I ask you strange witch to please stop with such, as it makes me most uncomfortable! And I is sure same goes for others as well!" He states, regaining some of his composure the more he talks. After which, he crosses his arms over his chest and pointedly keeps an eye on Nariah going forward.

Khessa has no fewer doubts than her companions... but she tries to maintain an air as open and trusting as possible towards Vandal, waiting for him to respond and finally reveal the details of what he expects from them.

The blonde warrior thinks that openly showing too much distrust might put Vandal on the defensive... but she is consoled, at least, by the observation that the attitude of the others demonstrates that they are no less loyal than she is towards the good Gundren..

[[OOC: Can I make a history or investigation check to see if I've heard of Vandal?  7  How about an insight to see how much he is concealing? 15]]

Gnox Blackstone is a deep gnome and an escapee from a Drow slave camp has a deep history of hardship and struggle, forced to use their cunning and magical abilities to survive in the treacherous Underdark.

Three reasons this character has for becoming an adventurer: 

1. Seeking Revenge: Gnox has no love for the Drow and vows to one day have vengeance against the Drow who destroyed their home and family. As a way to gain power and allies, Gnoxhas become exploring the vast world above the underdark as an adventurer. 

2. Curiosity and Exploration: Having spent their whole life hidden away in the darkness of the Underdark, the character may have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to see the world above ground. Becoming an adventurer would allow them to satisfy their curiosity and explore new lands and cultures.

3. Redemption and Purpose: Gnox feels guilt and regret over having to leave her family enslaved. By honing her skills and magic as an Illusionist for adventuring, they may hope to find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their life.

Vandal listens and then says “No, there aren’t any strings attached in the bag. No I am not apart of Zhents etc. I represent a group that looking to branch out. So since I see your hesitation, I will tell you what take the bag and inside of it is healing potions, and magical weapons (+1) for each of you. There is a scroll, that should you chose to join this venture opportunity read it. “ and then with that he disappears. 
(what do you all do? Sorry I have been out sick again. Should be posting more now)

     Did he leave the bag behind before disappearing?  Stoirm is definitely already pawing at and wanting the bag.  He's not sure what this Vandal is all on about but Stoirm wants the goodies and will worry about strings later... He figures he's made no verbal agreement so nothing can be forced anyway!

"I have no need of a magic weapon and am not interested in triggering whatever binding lies on these items.  I will see you all when we meet Gundren."

Khessa had tried to appear enthusiastic, hoping that Vandal would finally explain what he expected from all of them, but she was disappointed. The mysterious individual, perhaps discouraged by the distrust of the others, disappears.

The blonde warrior, in her heart, is increasingly suspicious (even without Nariah's words) because of Vandal's ways... and, now that he is no longer there, she expresses this to her adventure companions: "I really don't understand this guy... He invited us... He made us come and meet him... And now, to let us know the details of what he wants, he simply leaves us to read a scroll?!"

"Is anyone among us able to understand if the scroll we are supposed to read is magic?" the tall adventuress asks "I wouldn't like it to be cursed and bind us to something as soon as we read it..."

Khessa, however, intends to ascertain what is contained in the bag. She therefore watches, while Stoirm extracts the contents - or if Stoirm does not, then she does so herself, showing it to everyone. "Yes, I think this magical bag would really be a perfect gift for Stoirm!" she agrees with Koselig.

[[ OOC: How many potions are there? Exactly one potion for each one of us? ditto for weapons... One weapon for each one of us? And what weapons are they? Can we choose what weapon each one finds, just as Koselig did? ]]

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

(ooc: sorry I may of jumped the gun, I just got the impression we were supposed to choose the weapon (as some may want or need a 2 handed weapon, others a ranged weapon etc.) but that could of just been wishful thinking.)

[[ OOC: Personally, I hope you got it right! But I ask the DM for confirmation to be sure ]]

     Stoirm happils grabs up the bag and turns it upside down to dump out it's contents...  His eyes light up with what he sees.  "Yes, yes...  yes." he says softly, unaware of it.  The twinkle in his eyes diminishes as he realizes that everyone, or most, want some of the contents.  His hoard so quickly diminished!!  But it's ok... It's ok, he reminds himself.  He is not the jealous type and these people are his friends... Or at least teammates... or at least coworkers?

     "Share we will, yes?  Yes we will!" He says to the others with his version of a smile.  "Do not know what Vandal wants in return but we made no promises... What could go wrong, right?  Right!"

((For DM - taking the recruiting tag off the thread may help stop those such as stewartbobby312 from just randomly posting in here...  Also, for those of us not using weapons, do we have a choice of an alternative to a +1 weapon?  Fine if not, just worth asking...))

[[ OOC: If alternatives are given, our warlock could probably benefit from a Rod of the Pact Keeper and our sorcerer from a Wand of the War Mage for example. About same power level of a +1 weapon, in my opinion. ]]

((Stoirm would go with Ring of Obscuring or Slippers of Spider Climbing - may not be as useful for every spell but would also fit RP wise - Either flapping his wings and creating a dust cloud or being able to land on a wall or ceiling and perch there with his claws...))

(so edited the tag. everyone gets a +1 weapon of choice and 2 healing potion)

The bag is left on the ground.

     "Mine, yes?" Stoirm calls out and grabs up two of the potions and the +1 Net.  "Yes, mine!"  

Jandari appeared no more eager to approach the bag than he did in partake of their offerings. But in seeing the great and mighty Stoirm do so and offer them to others, well... "Hm! If great and wise Stoirm here says it okay, then Jandari agrees! For few things are wiser than a dragon as we all know. Nor beings who know the ways of magic and their enchantments at that!" He declared before jogging his way on over to Stoirm and the bags spilled contents for a once over.

"And as far as this mystery character and their secret ploys, that we can deal with most easy later I'm sure... Though, it does still begs many questions about what they expect us to run into on road alone long ways. As even Jandari knows that enchanted items are most difficult to acquire." He says as he takes up a rather fanciful maul  to... figure out how to go about strapping to himself for carrying purposes.

Khessa eagerly takes the two healing potions, hoping to never find herself needing to use them, but glad to have them as a precious emergency measure!

But the blade... The blade of the magical Greatsword makes the blonde warrior open her mouth in awe. The steel with which she was made seems like a material from another world, as hard and yet flexible as it turns out. And there are runes etched into the blade! Dwarven runes... "Gundharok..." she reads, not realizing that she is doing so aloud.

"What a wonderful weapon!" the tall adventuress comments and puts it in the sheath, instead of the effective - but ordinary - Greatsword that she already possessed. She will sell the ordinary Greatsword to buy a Spellbook in exchange, since she will need it as well, once she finally manages to solve the mystery of how to unleash magical effects!

Khessa at that point, however, doesn't feel like ignoring Vandal's scroll... He is a suspicious and mysterious guy, who doesn't inspire her at all with the same trust as Gundren, but she doesn't want to keep all those generous gifts without knowing what Vandal has in mind. No one took up her suggestion to check whether the scroll is magical or cursed... but perhaps her companions are simply not capable of doing so. Yet, knowing what Vandal would like can be important - either to please him too (why not, if it is a request that is not to the detriment of Gundren), or to defend Gundren from his aims. Then she, with a sigh, opens the parchment and reads it.

Khessa give me Arcana check 

Khessa's Arcana: 8