Colten's gives a slight smile at Corwin’s response.

“I look forward to some friendly competition between two fellow hunters. May you find all the treasure you are looking for in the dungeon.”

When Vaeri offers drinks, Colten will look at Dreet.

“That's why you freeze it first. Easier to hold ... But speaking of drinks I am in complete agreement when it comes to ale! Let's talk of adventure over drinks."

"Well, then, if you're all in agreement, I'll be off for just a moment."

The man rises from his seat and ventures to the tavern's small counter before returning to you all after only a moment, jugs in hand.

"Now, your contracts. We can go over them as much or as little as you wish, but you'll need to sign before I see you all off."

He pulls out a small pile of papers from somewhere on the inside of his robe, then lays them out on the table in front of each one of you. "Be sure not to spill a drink on them," Vaeri notes.

For those who look through their contract's contents:

Quote from JehanO >>

 

“That's why you freeze it first. Easier to hold ... But speaking of drinks I am in complete agreement when it comes to ale! Let's talk of adventure over drinks."

Dreet looks at Colten.  Then back at his hands.  Then he suddenly slaps the table, laughing.  "Freeze it first!", he says.

Then, looking at Vogan, he says, "See, Vogan?  This is why we take these clever scribes and treasure hunters into the dungeon!  Freeze it first?  Brilliant!  I'm feeling better about our chances already!"

Dreet puts one long claw on his contract, and then pulls it closer, dragging it across the table with his talon.  He starts reading slowly through the terms.

Colten gladly signs contract.

Dutrirr gladly takes an ale and takes his time reading the contract. When he is done he'll sign it, fine with what it contains.

"I'm a guide of sorts, although normally above ground during nighttime; I believe my skills should be usefull in there aswell."

Corwin reads the contract extremely carefully (Investigation 11) looking for any gotchas, infernal deal, fey traps, etc.

He signs the contract with a flourish.

Then he addresses Vaeri, "What method are we expected to use to contact the agent? Is there magical communication involved or are we expected to leave the dungeon every day? Monetary treasure isn't mentioned, I assume that is ours to keep. Is 'artifact' used here to only refer to magical treasure? What about historical art and treasures?"

"I'm in regardless but, I would like to know the answer to my questions for clear expectations."

Quote from Charwoman_Gene >>

Corwin reads the contract extremely carefully (Investigation 11) looking for any gotchas, infernal deal, fey traps, etc.

 

 No gotchas found. You still own your soul.

"Yes, historical art and treasures and such are considered artifacts. And how you will contact me is up next on the agenda."

Vaeri reaches into his robe and pulls a pair of stones from somewhere. "These are Sending Stones. If you send me a brief message every day, I'll know you're all still alive. That's enough for the expectation of contact to be met."

Ran DotMM for my players, they all agreed after a few floors that while it was quite fun, they prefer a more traditional narrative. Still my favorite dungeon, I rip from it anytime I need a new one https://1921681254.mx/.

Dreet is slower at reading Common than Colten and Corwin.  Colten already asked the key question to his mind: how would they keep in contact?  Other than that, he sees nothing that worries him in the contract.  When Sir Hamart approached him about joining this group, Dreet jumped at the chance.  It certainly sounded like better work than wrangling the oxen on the Eldewick estates!  He reads the part about the commissions with little interest.  It looks like the daily stipend will cover their daily expenses, so he would be "in" even without the commissions.  Dreet mostly joined this party to find a fight worthy of his name and to earn glory via courageous deeds.

Dreet signs the contract, but he still has a few questions, which he asks in the course of the conversation:

• "You pay the commissions to our group on delivery?  For example, if we bring you 3 trinkets, you pay our group 30 GP?  So, we'd each get...5 gp."  
• Dreet points to the contract, tapping a long talon on the part about turning over artifacts.  He asks, "It says here that we must turn over all artifacts, but it also says that we may purchase items that we find and keep them.  Do we decide what items we can buy?  Or we have to give them to you first, and then you decide which ones we're allowed to buy?"  He's a little worried that Lord Taross of Eldewick will keep all of the "good stuff" for himself, only allowing the party to purchase useless items.
• "Once we go into the dungeon, we are meant to stay in the dungeon until we're done exploring it, right?"
  • If yes: "Is there a place where we can meet you in the dungeon?"
  • Also: "Is there an inn or market inside the dungeon?"  He looks at the others, "I have 10 days of rations, but once that runs out, we'll need to restock our supplies.  Unless we can hunt or gather food in the dungeon?" 
  • Similar question about finding fresh water.  "Are there wells or other water sources in the dungeon?"
  • "Are there any stores or artisans inside the dungeon?  If we have success, we may need to buy or repair our gear."  He imagines himself in gleaming plate armor, but he's not sure whether such things could be purchased in the dungeon.

Quote from Ben_Evolent >>

Dreet looks at Colten.  Then back at his hands.  Then he suddenly slaps the table, laughing.  "Freeze it first!", he says.

Then, looking at Vogan, he says, "See, Vogan?  This is why we take these clever scribes and treasure hunters into the dungeon!  Freeze it first?  Brilliant!  I'm feeling better about our chances already!"

Dreet puts one long claw on his contract, and then pulls it closer, dragging it across the table with his talon.  He starts reading slowly through the terms.

 "There's wisdom that, yes! But easier said than done for us less gifted in manifesting such primal forces." Vogan replied, though the last part comes out distorted by a bout of chuckle. For his part afterwards, Vogan whipped out a pair of very circular glasses that upon wearing them made his eyes look comically large. Even so, he appeared to squint as he read over his contract, mumbling on occasion and nodding every now and then, before finally letting out a soft chuckle.

As he then went about signing it, he adds in the wake of Dreet's vocalized concerns, "Might also ask -- not that I do not trust all will be well, but will we be getting a copy of these contracts to keep, if only as a reminder of what we aughta to keep an eye out for."

Vaeri answers Dreet's questions as they come up.

"Yes, commissions are paid as a group."

"You're given first dibs on artifacts. If you want something and pay the price, it's yours."

"You're given free rein to exit the dungeon as you see fit. While exploring deeper does, naturally, mean more time spent in a dungeon, it's not rare for adventurers to resurface every week or two. And yes, the several waystops in the dungeon provide water at cost. Some dungeons have areas where illusory sunlight allowed habitats to thrive, including this one, so you could hunt there. There may be lakes or streams in the dungeon, though some groups opt to use Create or Destroy Water to not weigh themselves down with water."

He also addresses Vogan's concern.

"Yes, Vogan, you will be able to keep a copy of your contract."

Dutrirr listens to all that is said as he gives Onyx (his fox) a little scratch.

"With hunting we should be able to find enough food for ourselves, especially with a cook in our middles. I assume we'll find mushrooms and the likes aswell; we just need to make sure they are save to eat." he says as he nods at Vogan "You have supplies for cooking with you I assume?"

(OOC: @Paysien - Is the entrance to the dungeon in/near the village of Laom?  Or will the party have to travel through the wilderness even to reach the dungeon itself?  It's not clear to me whether we're going to jump right from the tavern / introductions to the dungeon or whether we'll be role-playing the journey from here to the dungeon.)

Dreet is satisfied with the Vaeri's answers.  He holds out his signed contract to Vaeri and holds out his other clawed-hand, palm up.  He smiles at Vaeri, "Here is my signed contract.  You have my signing bonus?"  Once Vaeri hands out their 50 gp signing bonuses, Dreet asks the group, "So...if we head for the dungeon in the morning, shall we feast tonight?" 

(OOC: The dungeon is fairly close. There is at least one roleplaying opportunity that you'll run into)

As soon as Colten signs the contract his mind goes to all of the supplies he needs to get before venturing into the dungeon. After Dutrirr talks about hunter Colten speaks up.

“If needed there is always nature magic that can handle rations when needed. I do not use magic much but I can handle food when needed.”

When Dreet makes the suggestion to have a feast Colten gives a large grin.

“That sounds like an excellent idea. If the stores are open I need to run and get a few supplies first. After that I would love to join the celebrations.”

 Vogan chuckles and snorts and almost erupted into a full blown bout of laughter. After seeing the serious look in Dutrirr's eyes however, his initial answer is simply to pick up the pick he set to the side and rattle it enough to send pots and pans to clinking against one another again. "I've had to leave most of the truly exceptional spices behind with prior employer, but I've brought plenty enough to satisfy well and truly on our journey! And I happened to have deft hands fit for plucking the most delectable morsels we may yet find along the way at that."

In the wake of that assurance, he looked on expectantly to Vaeri in anticipation of both receiving the sign on bonus as well. "That sounds like an excellent idea! And perhaps a second one in the dungeon to commiserate finding our first artifact!" He pauses. "... Once we find it of course." The goliath added with a bit of a chuckle. "I mean this as no slight to you, Sir Colten, but so long as I am apart of this expedition, I will endeavor to make sure such magic need not ever be employed. For nothing beats a hearty meal than one crafted by the hands of a master! ... except one's mother's cooking, of course!"

"Glad to hear Vogan" Dutrrir says with a smile. "Now, I'll go get some supplies aswell, but would be happy to feat with you all before leaving at first light."

"Whether it is tonight, or preferably tomorrow before we leave, I'd like to turn the sign-on bonus into something practical. Do we really have to go to the dungeon at first light? It's not that far. We could sleep in, have a nice breakfast... what's the rush?"

Quote from Charwoman_Gene >>

Do we really have to go to the dungeon at first light? It's not that far. We could sleep in, have a nice breakfast... what's the rush?"

Dreet nods and, sounding like he's making a great concession, says, "Yes, we can sleep in late tomorrow.  I don't plan to wake up until sunrise.  Then we can have breakfast and head to the dungeon."  

Dreet (farmer background) might not have understood what Corwin meant by "sleep in."

[[Corwin will not fully hear or comprehend Dreet's response. Corwin will sleep in according to his schedule, I as player am fully consenting to the scene of people waking him up at the crack of dawn.]]