The year is 1880 and all of you have found your way to Chicago. Many of the building look new as the city was able to recover from the great fire of 1871. 300 people died and 18,000 buildings burned to cinders. There were rumors it was done by Confederate spies, but nothing was proven as Chicago focused on rebuilding.

Amidst the bustling streets lined with horse drawn carriages and gas lamps stood a formidable brick building 6 stories tall. Its facade weathered by the harsh winds blowing from Lake Michigan. The bricks once vibrant red, had faded to a somber hue, their surfaces etched with soot. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of ink and tobacco smoke, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee from a corner café. All of you head on up to the 5 floor and into the office of Harrington &Clark Attorney at Law. 

The office is modest sized with several portraits of stern looking men and a diploma from the University of Dupage. Outside the window you catch glimpses of the Chicago River teeming with steamboats and barges. One entire wall is dedicated to leather bound books and book ends resembling winged lions. The office is dominated by 2 writing desks and plenty of seats for clients. Before you are an older gentleman and woman in her 20's. All of you have come here because of a job posting for guards needed on short notice. 

The man gestures at the seats "I see you have come for the job. I am Earnest Harrington, and this is my associate Sarah Stolton. You see I represent the esteemed scientist Elijah Bailey, and I believe he needs guards as he travels from Chicago to Dodge City Kansas for the 4th annual Kansas Scientific Symposium. The grand prize this year is a contract with the renowned Hellstromme Industries. With such a prize I fear many may harm Dr. Baily or sabotage his invention. I was authorized to pay each of you $50 dollars per day. Now I need you to protect Dr. Bailey and his invention throughout the train ride and during the symposium. Are you willing to take the job?"

(Please introduce your characters) 

Modoc is dressed in fine clothing made of leathers that has seen plenty of use but well cared for.  They go nicely with the short, blue hair that covers most of his body. Modoc shifts uncomfortably on the seat that is too small for his 7ft tall frame and then removes his ten gallon hat respectfully.  "A pleasure to make your acquaintance.  I was fixin' to head west when I saw your advertisement and thought to myself, why not catch a ride on one of these fancy locomotives and earn a little spending money as well.  Your Dr. Baily and his thingamajig will be in safe hands under my watch."  Modoc tries a reassuring smile, which might be a little unsettling on his minotaur face.  The chair gives an ominous creak under his weight.

"My friends and I are the best group you could have hired for this job." shiny black eyes blink."I am Gaelan, these are my trusted allies, Eirikur, Henry, and Modoc."

The fogman gestures at the other people and bows. "Our leader is the shy one right there. "

Some folk walk with guns and bullets, Gaelan walks with a number of pointy things that sparkle under his coat.

Eirikur saunters into the room, approaching the seats that Earnest Harrington offered and throwing his out-of-fashion black longcoat over the backrest before taking a seat. He removes his black gambler's hat out of respect and holds it in one hand, dangling at his side of the seat as he listens to the offer. Eirikur is not the largest person in the room. Nevertheless, he fills his chair with not much space to spare. He stands at 5'10", but is well-muscled and lean at about 220lbs; a build that generally parts the sea of townsfolk while he walks down the street.

He wears a maroon button shirt, with rolled up sleeves to the elbows, and a light green leather waistcoat that has seen better days. Scuffs and rubbing wear has all but removed the green dyes, leaving the vest mostly tanned, with green accents in recesses or along the stitching. Along the double-breast, the leather has split, revealing a few rings of chainmail. He wears fitted black trousers held up with suspenders and black work boots. In stark contrast to his darker clothing, he has bright, silvery blue eyes and long, pure white hair, with sides and top tied in the back, which also covers the points of his ears.

He also carries with him a longsword and shield, though both appear to only recently have been cared for after an extended period of neglect. The sword has pockmarks of rust near the hilt, and the cross-guard itself has lost its brass luster, but new leather has been wrapped around the handle and the sword has been recently sharpened and oiled, easily observed while the sword rests in its half-scabbard. Perhaps weapons liberated from some bandit on the road and given new purpose.

"It's good, noble work with fair pay." Eirikur says in a gravelly, non-specific eastern European accent, suggesting a well-traveled upbringing. His expression is sincere, though all business.

Trying to conceal his interest in the specifics of the invention, Henry asks, "Is there anything specific we should know about the invention? Does the good doctor have any enemies?"

His thin metal frame doesn't exactly create confidence in his suitability as a guard, but his keen movements and speech say a lot about his intellect. Any war veterans will detect the tones of the confederacy in his artificial speech,

Earnest Harrington takes a hard look at the metal man before him. For a moment there is a frown as the Civil War and the great Chicago fire was only a decade ago. You see him let out a heavy sigh and harumph. In a touch sterner tone, he says "I do not know of any enemies of Dr. Bailey but when you are a famed scientist, having enemies is almost inevitable." He turns to address the party "His invention will be packaged in 3 crates. All of you must keep it safe and away from prying eyes. You have a day to prepare and then you will meet Dr. Bailey at Union Station 8:00 AM sharp. The ticket booth will have your tickets for the Hellstromme Express under my name."

He moves to his desk and takes out a picture of Dr. Bailey. He then passes the picture around the party.

For those who follow scientific advances in the Chicago Tribune, or any other big city newspaper will know that that Elijah Bailey is the inventor of the Instant Cellular Energizer or more commonly known as I.C.E. This device can mend even the most grievous of wounds. When used it feels like liquid nitrogen flowing through you veins or system. 

[Out of curiosity what is the gp to dollars conversion rate.]

(Every dollar is 1 gp. So, $50 is 50 gp) 

OOC: Does the name ‘Dr. Bailey’ ring a bell? Is it a household name on the order of Edison or matching the infamy of Tesla, who by this time in the real world is starting to become well known among the elite for his outlandish ideas and practical demonstrations?

EDIT: Eirikur is not a regular reader of any sort, but does pay attention to conversations of others while out in the world.

(Dr. Bailey is nowhere near that level. So, he is not a household name. He is more well known in scientific circles) 

Eirikur studies the picture and passes it along, but notes Harrington's frown in response to Henry's questions.

"I can assure you that my team is both trustworthy, and highly competent." He says reassuringly. Eirikur continues with a hint of an apologetic tone. "Forgive the questions of my comrades. It is part of our process, which will aid in providing Dr. Bailey with the best possible protection money can buy."

Eirikur stands and holds out his hand. "We will be at the Union Station. For $50 per day each, we will be at the station well in advance of our expected meet time. Thank you, Mr. Harrington."

OOC: Assuming that Mr. Harrington takes his hand to shake on the deal, Eirikur will study the man's eyes, attempting to discern if there is something that may have been withheld or whether there is any deceit.

Erikur please roll Insight if you wish to get a read on Mr. Harrington

OOC: A handsome 6 on that Insight.

Erikur can't seem to get a read on Mr. Harrington as he does indeed shake Erikur's hand. 

Sarah Stolton opens the door and says, "Good luck and should you need anything you can come back anytime during business hours" 

The party is free to find lodging for the night, shopping for supplies, or carouse late into the evening. Let me know what you want to do

Satisfied that Harrington is on the up and up, Eirikur turns to his friends. "Now that we have a contract, we should prepare. Do any of you have any further questions for Mr. Harrington?"

"None, I am ready to go boss."

"Same here." Modoc has been silent for most of the conversation as he's a little embarrassed that he forgot they were a group.

John will leave with the party walking in silence. 

Let me know what you do with your day of preparation.

OOC: How common are magic items in this world? Off the shelf kind of thing or magical artifacts, the likes of which are rarely, if ever, seen?  I have an interest in getting a few non-magical items anyway, but I might as well ask.

Also, what month is it?