"Alright, we're agreed then," Alvyn says, visibly pleased with himself that he was able to get his way. "Before we seek this Musharib we should see the harbormaster about the promised reward, and then go stock up on equipment and provisions, such as armor for our gigantic companion here."

"RW you said?" he continues, turning to Raaldo. "You wish to join us? As my paladin friend said, if you are to accompany us we will need to know how it is we will benefit from your addition to our party. Do you have useful skills? Can you fight? Use magic?"

The halfling eyes the Paladin, always so serious those lot. "I've questions as well, but to your point, an introduction is certainly in order. As to what brings me to the group... I'm getting a bit restless. I've been cooped up in the monastery training and while I certainly love the focus and peace afforded by that station, I've been off of the road for far too long and need a little adventure. I ran across a poster looking for help and, well, given my background as a monk I've always tried helping folks out as best as I can and getting to travel and assist all at the same time, seemed a good fit." RW then looks toward the gnome and continues light heartedly, "As for my qualities, my size often comes in handy, but I see you already have a companion of small stature. I'm also fairly adept with weapons and my hands. Especially if each is holding a flagon of ale!" He lets out a chuckle and adds, "And did I mention I'm getting restless?"

As he gives each member of the party a quick once over, RW asks, "So, whaddya think? I'd like to hear a bit about each of you as well, but my talk with Syndra made me comfortable enough to seek you out."

"I've seen hands holding a flagon of ale but I can't say I've seen a weapon do it. I suppose it couldn't hurt to have someone else along who can punch things for us. Gods know I'm not about to do that. We had a firbolg with us who was tragically murdered by pirates on the way here, so I guess we were already counting on splitting the treasure five ways. Plus I for one will be glad to have someone smaller than I am around, for a change." They were in fact almost exactly the same height but as he says this, Alvyn stands up as straight as he can to make himself as tall as possible. "We could stand on each other's shoulders wearing a long coat and pretend to be a tall human or a very tall elf."

"Anyway, shall we see about this supposed reward?"

You knock on the door, and a deep voice rumbles from within.

"Enter."

Inside is a large man, towering over any of you. He wears a white and blue robe hemmed with gold. You look up to his face, and find that it is covered with golden scales, hard horns rising from the top of his head!

"Welcome. I am Zindar, the Harbormaster of Port Nyanzaru. What is your business here? Also, yes, I am half-dragon, and yes, I can breathe fire, and yes, I will breathe it at you if you don't shut up, and no, I don't care if you didn't even begin speaking."

" I suppose that your qualities seem to fit the group well, specially when you mentioned helping folks out. As for a little of myself, I am Kosadius Vorades." With a smile now as the door finally opens he steps inside.

"Very interesting indeed, but if you like to know our business here. It is because we had the unlikely luck in a way that a pirate ship happened to attack the ship we were traveling on. In protecting ourselves we managed to defeat the pirates but unfortunately the pirate captain was the only survivor on their side. The captain of the ship we were on mentioned there is a reward for bringing in pirates. Is this correct ?"  Now he waits patiently for a reply or further words from others.

As they walk through the door, Alvyn is continuing to talk at RW. "Oh! Oh! Or if you stood on my shoulders we'd look like a wholeling! Get it, whole li... because you're a... never mind. Not my finest."

After Kosadius has finished introducing the group to the harbormaster, Alvyn pipes up, "Yes, what... what he said."

Grugg leans over at the waist and inspects RW thoroughly, in an apparently 'I'm definitely judging your worth right now' sort of manner.  In what feels like minutes, yet actually only took about 10 seconds, he stands up straight again (probably double RW's height) and says to the halfling, "Monk.  Grugg see your kind before.  Strong warriors.  Grugg not see Tiny Monk before." Glancing over at Alvyn, then to RW, then back over to Alvyn, and finally resting his attention towards Kosadius, Grugg says to the Paladin, "Grugg think we strong team.  Grugg not want Paladin to worry.  Unless Tiny Magic Gnome and Tiny Monk get lost in crowd...or need apple from tree...or run fast.  Short legs not run fast."

Turning his stone-cold eyes back at the Halfling, Grugg says, "Tiny Magic Gnome strong.  Maybe you strong.  Grugg strongest barbarian from Kroll tribe.  Come here to become more strong.  Come here to find treasure.  Make Kroll tribe more strong." Thumping his chest powerfully with one great fist.  "Grugg make bet to Tiny Monk.  Grugg bet Tiny Monk not kill more than Grugg.  We see who strongest." Then his fierce and stoic face begins to crack a smile as he extends his arm out to RW in a warrior's acknowledgment of power, waiting for his response.

Raaldo lets out an enthusiastic laugh as Grugg completes his thought. He then sends out a quick punch right toward the barbarians crotch halting mere inches from landing the punch. He then looks up at the large fighter and says with a smile, "But my punches pack a wallop in just the right zones!" and he chuckles again. "And I'll take that bet good sir! Always willing to make a game of things, helps keep a smile on your face when smiles are hard to find."

Then winking at Alvyn he adds "You're tall as a mountain my friend! And together we will be giants!"

He looks to the others and finishes "Glad to be aboard. Lead on my good folk!"

"A pirate captain? How wonderful! I currently have a bounty for any pirate ships that are captured, as well as a bonus for any pirate captains found. 2000 GP for the ship, 500 for the captain."

"Yes Grugg, I believe that this is a strong party, we will prevail."  As he speaks to Grugg briefly for now.

Now looking at the Harbormaster as he states what the reward is. Kosadius nods and looks at all others of the party before he continues to speak to the Harbormaster. " You Sir, happen to be in luck. As we not only have a pirate captain but also have his ship. It would be up to the party here to agree to these terms. Plus we do need to speak to the captain that brought us here. They should also have a say in it, since we were not the only ones that fought the pirates." 

Now he waits for everyone's words before a decision is made.

( I believe we still have the pirate ship, though in all rights the ship that brought us does have a say in sale, since they be the ones sailing it here)

(Grugg would agree with this. Grugg would also attempt to negotiate a higher rate with intimidation or someone else’s persuasion)

(Yes, we certainly ought to split the proceeds with Ortimay, etc. Do we (or do they) still have the ship?)

Grugg steps towards the Harbor-master, and has to look up...which is strange for him and slightly unnerving, although he does his best not to let it show.

"Dragon-Man, we lost strong friend to Pirates.  Friendship lost is priceless.  Part of job...Grugg understand.  Bounty good but bounty can be better for price we pay.  Pirate Captain no more bother you.  Ship yours.  Pay fair.  Pay respect to the dead." Grugg looks up at the Harbor-master with barbarian-fueled rage deeply set within his eyes at the memories of his lost comrade.  Attempting to push back the intimidation from the Harbor-master with his own.

Intimidation: 21

The Harbormaster chuckles.

"So. The big dumb brute thinks I'm not paying enough. Well, let me tell the big dumb brute something. I'm already paying plenty, and if the big dumb brute thinks that I'm going to pay extra just because someone died, the big dumb brute has another thing coming. Let me tell you this: PEOPLE DIE! They die because they are weak. And there is no godsdamn way that I'm going to pay extra just because someone you knew was to weak to stand up against a few pirates!"

The big half-dragon regathers himself.

"So, in short. No."

Zandak growls at the half dragon, but collects his calm and says, "Hey! Back off! He's not just a big dumb brute! He is just upset about our friends that couldn't make it with us. Isn't there anyone in your life that you lost and loved?" 

Insight (in case he lies): 23

Kosadius gets in between Grugg and the Harbormaster, getting ready for things to go south. Yet he speaks in a more calm demeanor. " I don't believe we came here for more violence to occur. Grugg and all of us lost a companion, he is emotional when it comes to friends. Please, I ask that you forgive his outburst. We will take the bounty as you have stated, but I'll assume you would like to see both the ship and the pirate captain before the exchange is finished." 

He still stands between the two of them, waiting for a response.

The Harbormaster ignores Zandak, and turns to Kosadius.

"Yes. I... I am sorry for my outburst. It will take some time to verify that you have what you say you have, as well as to get your payment. Come by first thing tomorrow. I'll have it then."

Grugg feels a sense of gratitude towards his companions sweep through him and it eases the rage that naturally courses through his veins, always at the ready.  Likely a deep-rooted conditioning from his training back at home.  As the rage begins to subside, he speaks again to the Harbormaster, this time in a more calming tone, "Dragon-man bounty is fair.  Grugg not mean to offend.  Grugg need better armor so ask for more money." A loud grumble erupts from Grugg's stomach. "Mmm...Maybe Grugg hangry a little, too..." Then uncharacteristically charismatically flashes a grin towards the Harbormaster to lighten the atmosphere.

Grugg follows Zandak and Kosadius as they wrap up the conversation with the Harbormaster.

SO, WHAT'S YOUR GROUP'S NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS?

(What time of day is it?)