Sword Coast Rambling

After his prayers are done Beetle enters the shop "Hello, we are looking for a woman named Halia, would that be you?"

OOC: on a side note what is happening with the treasure we collected besides the potions...have  we split up the coins yet, only asking because I need to save up to buy plate armor, and I don't want to get too far we lose track of it.

“Er...yes you are correct. I am no miner. I am here looking for Halia. I was told she may be able to help me. I have had word that the Redbrands were upsetting the town. Something about the way they work intrigued me and I’ve been hoping this Halia could shed some light into their ways. Perhaps even point me in the direction of their leader to see if there is work for a wandering elf.”

A sly wink to his group outside through a window as Zyltris says this, hoping they understand his ploy. 

Beetles appearance draws the womans attention away from Zyltris for a moment.

"Well now, that would depend on who exactly is asking now wouldn't it sir? You know a group of burly men arriving unannounced and asking questions is nearly enough to intimidate some people around here, but luckily I am not one of these people. Let's start again shall we. Obviously you know that I am Halia Thornton, daughter of Odo Thornton and owner of the Phandalin Miners Exchange. What might surprise you is that I knew you were coming sirs. You must be Beetle, and your friend here is Zyltris Holimion. Mr Brots I am glad you are settling into this little band well, and I believe your other friend Syna Vovka is lurking outside somewhere..." A wry smile crosses her young face as she raises her voice "You can come in now Mr Syna, and bring that idiot half elf of a bard with you!"

Halia waits for the party to assemble before her and begins casually filing her nails. Once the others have assembled she speaks softly, "Now, I believe this charade can safely be called off. So maybe you would like to resume in telling me what exactly you have come here for?"

OOC: Beetle, I'm keeping track of the treasure hoard in the campaign notes if you can see those. Until you guys divvy the spoils I'll collect everything in there.

OOC: ok great sounds like a good idea

"Well Miss Halia straight up we are investigating the Redbrands, although it seems you might already know that also, so since they seem to bother everyone in town but you we figured this might be a decent place to start....." Beetle says to the woman.

Preception 12 see if beetle can tell if she is telling the truth or not his preception isn't very good though

Zyltris speaks up, inquiring about the Redbrands. Halia pauses her filing, blows her nails and calmly speaks to the high elf. "Thankyou for being so direct with me Zyltris, although there is no need for silly games in here. We can all get along if we play nicely and treat each other with respect can't we? Yes, I have to agree with you regarding the Redbrands. They have indeed become a silly little nuisance and need to be dealt with."

Halia turns her attention back to her nails, sharpening each one into a delicate pointed claw, "...and you Beetle are also correct of course. For some reason I have avoided their attentions thus far, although I can't say why for sure. Either way I wouldn't exactly be a pillar of the community if I just let them get away with bloody murder in the streets and did nothing about it, but that would be where you come in wouldn't it? I could help you out of course, but then I wouldn't be much of a business woman if I didn't ask for something in trade..."

Beetle looks at the woman still unsure whether she is trustworthy or not asks "What is it that you would like in exchange..."

He also uses his Divine Sense...

He also asks, "Have you ever heard/met a man named Iarno?"

Using his Divine Sense Beetle doesn't sense any immediate threat in the area. As a matter of fact he senses no strong forces of good or evil at all. He relaxes his arms slightly,  at least his longsword won't be needed here.

Rubbing her hands together Halia gets down to business. "Well I am glad you asked me that. With all of the traders and prospectors that come through here, one gains quite a picture of the problems growing in the town. I would think I know these Redbrand characters better than most, and will share with you what I know, for a guarantee of service. I would like you to remove the Redbrand leader from his position, and return to me any documents that he has in his possession, any correspondents or plans that he may have either on his person or in his living quarters. In return I will reward you with 100 Gold Pieces, and provide you with any information I have to assist you in this task. I will of course allow you to discuss this in private if you require, but if it is agreeable to you then we have a deal gentlemen."

She taps her pointed nails along the counter top impatiently.

"In regards to Iarno, I've met him before although I understand he has been missing for some time now. He called into the exchange a while back, poking his nose around for information on the Redbrands much like you are."

Insight (Wisdom) Checks:
Beetle: 16
Brots: 19
Serak: 13
Syna: 22
Zyltris: 4

Hearing Halias offer, Beetle, Brots and Syna seem a bit concerned over the quest being offered. Her forthright and precise demands lead them to believe she has ulterior motives for seeing the Redbrand leader dead. 

Beetle: "Lets say we agreed to this,and I am not agreeing yet as the others have not been consulted yet, but what kind of information is it that we would be bringing back?  What kind of information do you suspect that the Redbrands have been gathering?"

Serak: Entering the room behind Syna, the bard holds the door open and says to the dwarf miner and the rest of the customers, "Get out! We've business to discuss with the lady."

Intimidation: 23

When the store has cleared, Serak attempts to lock the bolt undetected while closing the door, using his body to block her view.

Sleight of Hand: 20

He begins a slow and deliberate clap as he approaches the conversation and says, "Well done, my dear. Well done! Most impressive! Its always sad when the pretty ones go bad..."

Circling the room, Serak surveys his surrounding while continuing, "So you've seen through my little ruse, but that tells me more about you than anything else you could've done. You're intelligent, calculating and well informed... yet we're to believe the Redbrands have just left the biggest business in town alone? What? Out of the goodness of their hearts?

"You take the time to investigate our little adventuring band and have the resources to find us out in a day, yet you're unable to discover why the Redbrands do not extort you? You seem to not only know Iarno by name AND know that he is missing, while everyone else can barely remember him at all, but you offer no real details of your exchange.

"I've been asked by the authorities to investigate the Redbrands, yet was asked to kill no one. I've spoken to a man whose son was murdered like a dog in the street and his family kidnapped, yet was asked to kill no one. Only when we speak to you is killing even mentioned, and I'm curious as to why that is?"

[OOC: No dice roll required for Serak to know this harlot is full of it. lol Also, each of us should currently have 28g 1s 6c in assorted coins. 10g for cart delivery. 12g 5s for the supplies in the cave and then 5g 6s 6c for the loot in the goblin cave, plus a figurine and 3 gold teeth. Minus whatever we're being charged at the Inn and whatever I lost in the card game. I still have the 3 gold teeth, but since I'm about to piss off the person I'd normally sell them too... lol]

Zyltris senses things are about to go awry and gets his hand on one of his hand axes 

Halia takes a second to compose herself. Seraks onslaught caught her slightly off guard. The rapping of nails on the counter top has stopped. The air hangs in a dead silence.

"Oh you poor fool. You truly think you have cracked this case all by yourself don't you? Ok then I'll admit it all to you right here and now. I am the leader of the Redbrands. I protect my business while running others into the ground. It is I who killed Iarno when he asked too many questions and of course it is I who ambushed Gundren, tortured Sildar and prevented the rejuvenation of this small mining town. That is what you want to hear from me is it not? Take me away, throw away the key and be done with this foul woman forever!"

She holds out her wrists, waiting for the bard to handcuff her and take her away.

"Only. There's a small few holes in what I'm assuming at this point are just wild accusations. Firstly.... and I'll take this slowly so you can understand what I'm saying. Firstly, the Redbrands have left me alone, that much is true. But why, I can't say. Perhaps you could find out for me when you visit them.

Tell me. Would you.... my dear elf.... would you point out to a violent group of individuals, hellbent on destroying businesses and lives in a small town... would you walk up to them and say... 'excuse me, I feel a bit left out here. Why not burn my building down for once?' No, don't be so absurd. Truth is, maybe there isn't any worth in this business to them. After all I deal in records and rocks and last time I checked neither was worth much any more in this tin pot town."

Drawing breath, Halia pauses again. Frustrated with this interrogation but firmly standing her ground. She casts a warm smile to the others in the group, "Secondly. Thats point number two in this list. Iarno, sought ME. The exchange works as a sort of hub for the town with people coming and going, so it's a good a place as any for him to start asking questions. He introduced himself to me by name and has since disappeared from the town altogether. I'm assuming that is quite straight forward to understand? Iarno barely spoke to anybody in the town and from what I've gathered didn't introduce himself as a wizard to anybody. To most people in the town he was just another visitor passing through. To put your question another way. Do YOU not think it strange that more people in town wouldn't remember a wizard than myself and the tragic excuse for a woodcutter?"

"Finally, I'm sorry Mr Beetle but I will be with you shortly. Would you not agree that the Redbrand leader need dealing with? Either through death or any other means. Death is clearly preferable given the wicked crimes her has cursed our town with, and after all with no real functioning government where would he go otherwise? You would see him tried before a court? Harbin Wester as judge? Don't make me laugh. I suppose you would prosecute him yourself now that you seem so good at deducing when someone is guilty or not. I'm just saying what others will not. This town would do better with its streets filled with Redbrand blood. Nobody will admit that, not you, not your friend Sildar Hallwinter, not Harbin Wester. I am not afraid to do what is right by this town, and neither should you be"

"I am sure you will pick this apart as you have the rest of my statements thus far Serak, but truth be told I have done nothing to rouse your suspicions. Your little visit last night is only the start. You will not be satisfied until I and the rest of this town are burned to the ground. Maybe it is you, Shadow Thief, who the rest of us standing here should be cautious of?"

Regaining her composure, Halia sits herself down onto a stool behind the counter. Taking a deep breath she addresses the others in the party. "Now, as I was saying before I was interrupted so very rudely. Zyltris my dear, put away your weapons, lets not be silly. We can come to an arrangement here if we are all willing to work together with respect. Mr. Beetle, I believe the Redbrands will have documents regarding the towns mining rights stolen from a variety of prospectors working in the hills around here. Naturally it is imperative as a Mining Exchange that these rights belong here where I can protect them. The other documents I would ask for, for identification purposes. If can stop Redbrand members getting hold of claims and mining rights here after the group has collapsed, I can rid the town of them completely once you complete your mission. Every document you can find could be vitally important in identifying members, so it is imperative that they all get brought to me here."

Serak: Stunned at what he'd just heard, Serak takes a step back and mutters to himself, "Shadow hide me..."

He motions subtlety to the others to be on guard and says, "I am leagues away from any that are aware of my affiliation! What dark magic is at work here that you could discover this secret within two days of my arrival?"

Cast: Detect Magic

Serak glances around the room searching for the tell tale signs of magic. An aura or shining around anything in the store. He sees nothing. He sense nothing. This woman seems to know more about him and his allies than he had been expecting. A strong force obviously lies behind her, but it certainly isn't magic.

Syna, by the door, puts his back against the wall, holding his staff in his left hand.

Serak: Doubt creeps slowly into the bard's mind as he frantically searches for a plausible explanation for the knowledge this seemingly harmless woman possesses. He begins searching through documents and studies the map closely, looking for some pattern or clue to Halia's true intent.

Flippantly, he says, "I trust you don't mind if I have a look around? You did just ask five authorized investigators to commit theft and murder, after all. If I find nothing here, it will be your home next."

Smiling to himself, Serak looks for a basement or hidden doors while saying, "Tell me how you discovered my secret and perhaps we won't have Sildar bring you up on conspiracy charges."

Investigation: 18

Beetle thinks this might be an appropriate time to speak to Tyr and asks for the party to be blessed, he then puts his hand on his sword, doesn't draw it yet but is ready at a moments notice.

Halia laughs menacingly, juxtaposed with innocent appearance. She returns to her work, writing in the ledger at one end of the counter.

"Search all you like Mr Skald, but I'm afraid you'll find nothing out of the ordinary in here. Mining charts and prospecting contracts."

"You assume too much of your friends. Times are dark and dangerous after all. What makes you so sure to think that Sildar would take your word over mine? You've known him what.... a day? And you're willing to put your complete faith in him? What's to say he isn't part of this little game we are all playing? Again, your naivety is astounding. Perhaps it is best if your friends do the talking for you from now on?"

Stopping her work for a brief second she glances at the others in turn. "Mr Vovka, Mr Beetle, don't be so uptight, you're embarrassing yourselves. This is hardly going to turn nasty, relax your weapon arm. My offer remains gentlemen. I'll leave it up to you." 

Serak: A grin slowly forms across Serak's face as he continues searching. He responds distractedly, focused on his search, "Sildar has his motives, as do all men. We did just risk life and limb saving him from torture and certain death. I've found that goes a long way in forming trust with most people. Strange that you knew he was tortured and that we saved him. Sildar is not the type to tell tales of such things without purpose."

If Serak finds nothing of interest here, he'll then continue on around back to her home, asking the others, "Care to watch her while Beetle and I search her home? Won't take but a minute. Keep her talking. There is more going on here than we're aware of and it is not good. Of that I am certain."