(It was meant more sarcastically, but sure. Let's see how badly this goes...)

Intimidation: 8

Darrius pulls his net off his pack and tosses it on the man's desk. "Hey, Cato, how about your fancy new shield?"

*** Though it's not real proof it probably smells and is maybe still damp?

OOC Crap, I knew we forgot something...

Utar will give the human behind the desk a hard stare. "What exactly would constitute evidence in this instance?"

“And how am I supposed to know that stench is not your  natural odor, dwarf?

That gooey net is a good start. Did you say something about a shield? Others have brought heads, tusks, ears in the past. But truly, the burden of proof is on your side of the bargain.”

Cato unstows his shield.

"I have here a simple scale shield built from several scales of a now dead black dragon. The former bearer of this fine piece is also dead, and was the leader of a band of Kuo-Toa, fish-people of the dark beneath. We slew both the leader and many of his followers, freeing in the process many inhabitants of Phlan, whom you may question of quickly confirm our tale. Does this serve as sufficient evidence of our deeds?"

Cato: roll a {DC10} persuasion check with advantage (Darrius is helping by providing the net).

Persuasion: 10

"And how do I know those kneecaps aren't yours without removin' them from yer legs, human?" Drazzim interjects in an obviously sarcastic and annoyed tone about the ablative racism. "Perhaps without 'em your nose'll be a little closer to the ground and you might start smelling proper."

"Very well... very well. I see your sense of humor differs from mine quite a bit" he says, looking at Drazzim and gesturing a couple of guards to come a bit closer, just in case.

"As for your better refined friend here, I agree with you" he turns to Cato. "This is indeed quite the fine piece. A black dragon you said? Majestic! An item like that deserves to be displayed, let's say, in a prominent and ascending city magistrate's office, wouldn't you agree?" he grins, sort of in approval of his own little jest. "Your promissory note entitles you to an amount equal to 50gp. If you are willing to gift this spectacular shield to the city's coffers, I can then offer you double that amount. A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"

Graxx steps closer to Cato when he sees the guards step up.

Rose is suspicious that the clerk isn't offering a fair price for the shield, but doesn't know how to appraise it herself.

Cato wonders if the guard really considers that a fair price for the shield.

Insight check: 12

Cato's insight check:

Edit: As part of Cato's examination of the facial expressions around him, he notices that most of his companions seem to be either frowning or averting their eyes. Cato concludes that this means the party does not wish to deal with this man beyond the minimum necessary, or does not trust this paper-pusher enough to let him get what he wants.

Cato is mostly interested in the shield because he is interested in studying the scales themselves. Does he know how difficult it would be to obtain raw scales, not in the form of a fancy shield?

Take the relevant check:

Nature: 14

History: 24

(OOC @alierond: please note the edit to my previous post).

Cato's nature and history checks:

Cato replies to the guard, "A generous offer to be sure, but I am a scholar of nature, and this shield displays some choice scales worthy of further scientific study. However, should you come across any fresh, raw, black scales I could study instead, I would happily trade the shield for them."

(OOC: you can always sell the shield at a latter time, if you so wish, like any other piece of treasure).

"A pity..." he says in disgust. "Alright, time for you lot to leave my office. Here is your reward of 50gp minus the mandatory city's tax of 2gp on Recompense for Heroic Deeds, Article 47 within Volume XI of Discourse and Scriptures on Outgoing Payments from the City Coffers. Your total is therefore 48gp." The treasurer then proceeds to read directly form a piece of parchment encased in some glass. His tone is not as full of praise as the written words "Oh great heroes of Phlan, The Lord Regent in his magnificence, shows you his gratitude for delivering its citizens from evil and finding and end to their ailments. Please accept this generous reward from our coffers as proof of our belief in your virtue... blah blah blah." he cuts himself short.

"Now go take a bath, will you..." he ends the conversation, gesturing you all to leave.

Cato, smiling, takes the money. "A capital idea my friend! Could you direct me to the nearest bathhouse or some similar place of ablution?"

He distributes 8gp to each of his friends.

"By the looks of it, not even the Pool of Radiance would be enough to wash you lot..." says the scrawny man, loving his jests more and more by the second. "Aye... Search for Gertrude's Pond of Refreshment by the docks. The matron herself also offers some spellcasting for hire if you need to heal yourself or some such."

"If you ever get another promissory note, you know where to find me. Just make sure you take the bath before you come in next time." With that, the treasurer seems to be done talking to the party.

The party leaves the Stojanow Gate behind, each member going to find respite in their own way...

THIS BRINGS US TO THE END OF EPISODE 2

Some bookkeeping:

Combat experience
-- Crab: 10xp(x7).........................70
-- Kuo-Toa: 50xp(x11)....................550
-- Swarm of Quippers: 200xp(x1)..........200
-- Kuo Toa Whip (Kloogut): 200xp(x1).....200
Subtotal:...............................1020

Plot experience
-- Successfully navigating the bog:......180
-- Surviving initial ambush:.............180
-- Avoiding or disabling the tripwire:...150
-- Rescuing all the prisoners:...........300
Subtotal:................................810

Total XP earned by the party:...........1830
-- per PC:...............................305

Please go ahead and add 305 XP to each of your characters. This should be enough for everyone to level up to 2nd level!