Vulture Valley conflict, when Thelamyria was being attacked… When was that, exactly? Tarian tried to piece together when that was. Obviously before the war ended, so she hadn’t moved to Duskrock yet. Since her hometown was neither a major city nor on a major trade route, it didn’t always get the most accurate nor up-to-date information on war activity. Still…

The server brought Tarian’s mulled mead and she took a drink from it. The spices were a bit sharper than usual and the drink was a little too hot. She set the drink down on top of her silver coin.

“Well, whatever help you can offer, sir, I’d be glad for. I’m really not much one for having more questions than answers. It simply doesn’t do in my line of work. Your Uptown clerk friend, how might I go about meeting him? And should I mention you by name?” Tarian quirked her head and pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Though, if you suspect a general anti-Dragoon conspiracy, I can leave your name out easily enough. We’ve not been formally introduced, after all.”

(OOC: Send welcoming party to her first, as in Marshal Arceneaux correct?)

“Yes by welcoming party, that means delay by any means necessary that doesn’t get us caught?  How long to delay her.  Or once we “greet” her, do we move onto the next group?  There’s still a matter of finances, also I don’t think we will make it on a good pace by foot.”

Tarian remembers having heard Vulture Valley used in conjunction with the Battle of Cypress Hill. It would stand to reason that the park in Uptown was named after the battle, maybe she could swing by and check the dates and names on the memorials.

The white-haired man pulled her drink towards him and grabbed the silver coin underneath. “His name’s Pendrell, Davin Pendrell. Though I think he’s married in the meantime, to a merchant’s daughter or somewhat. Could be he’s taken her name. Anyway, he’s working in an office right off Liberty street, above the Old Shields inn. And as far as my name goes, jus’ tell him that the Falcon’s still got an eye out for’im.”

Sparks explained: “If I am to understand the Magistrate correctly, Cimber is most amenable to negotiation, but only as long as he’s not clearly seen as the only Marshal we negotiate with. Arceneaux is close by and possibly posing a threat. She will likely jump on the opportunity to talk to Council officials, but your mission will officially be to draw maps of the local terrain for the Company and the future railway, a process that could easily take a couple weeks, during which Cimber might reach Duskrock by sea.”

This mission has turned from a week to ten days to a couple of weeks.  I will go, I will delay what I can, I will schmooze what I can.  I will ask those out there if they can help..... They out there aren’t invested like I am, what carrot can you provide to hang in front of them?” As Milo billows another cloud into the room.

“For starters, there is patriotic duty”, Sparks explained,  “Furthermore, Mr Brandt seems ill at ease in the tranquil of city life, far from the dangerous frontier. As for the others, I don’t know them nearly as well as you do, but it’s clear that they are seeking something, so maybe they will join for the sense of adventure.“ He handed the letter to Milo, and indicated two figures written on it. “Beyond that, the mission is well enumerated. Fifty denars per person upon accepting the mission, and two hundred for its completion. Adding to that, the Company will pay them a daily salary for the mapping and probing of five denars.”

Turning to fix his gaze on Milo, he added “Of course, for you there’s an even bigger prize- influence! I need not tell you how valuable having the Magistrate in your debt will be for your future in Duskrock, political or otherwise.”

Milo smirks, teeth gripping onto the pipe.  “Why didn’t you just say so?” Shaking Sparks hand “Let’s go celebrate!”  Grabbing his viol and ushering Sparks back down the stairs to the tavern.  Walking over to Tarian, not wanting to interrupt her conversation quickly moves along and whispers “war is postponed, maybe another mission if you’re interested, relax tonight.”  Moving gracefully through the crowd dodging the drunken stumbles that are forever the bane of halflings.  Walking up to Corti and Thia“I have two proposals for you tonight.  First ones a song, second one is business.  But that can wait.”  Milo bows while extending his hand, while holding his viol.

(Milo will give both Corti and himself inspiration to play.  He will allow Corti to pick the tune and style if she accepts). 

Performance: 18

inspiration: 6

(OOC:  oof those rolls, Milo is a bit rusty)

When Milo approaches, Thia would be finishing up the meal she had ordered when she entered the tavern with Corti. She’d look over at him, cheeks full, before taking a swig of her tankard to wash it down. As usual, in social interactions, she wasn’t 100% sure if Milo was addressing her or just Corti, so she’d just slouch in her seat, satisfied from her meal and hope Corti would take the reigns from here. Thia would be excited to hear her play as per Milo’s suggestion. 

Releasing his grasp, Arc nods to Brandt, "Will that be all? If so, I'd best be off." He waits a moment just incase there actually is more to talk about.

Tarian clapped her left hand on Falcon’s shoulder and shook his hand with her right. “You’ve been a great help, Mister Falcon. If this all pans out, maybe you’ll see what comes of this in the paper. Just look for articles written by Nellie Cochrane.” Before Falcon had the opportunity to question whether she was herself the Herald editor, Tarian grabbed her mead, nodded him a “good evening” and looked for an open spot near the stage in anticipation of Corti’s performance.

It was a bit late for that. The place had grown thick with the evening crowd, so Tarian settled for a bit of open wall to lean on rather than an empty seat. Still, she kept an eye out for a spot to open, watching for dying conversations, empty plates and tankards with no call to a server, tipsy couples leaning into each other and looking for the door—any signs that a table, or at least a chair, would open up soon.

Alright, review. It seems Mister Spudsder might not have need of my services tonight. I’ll keep an eye out for him just the same. Tarian quickly spotted the Halfling, viol in hand, near Corti. His gesturing seemed to indicate a desire to play together.

Next, there’s that potential informant Falcon mentioned in uptown: Davin. Off Liberty, above Old Shields. I should probably see him about who else might know who has access to what Dragoons are where right now. Maybe try to cross-reference that with who might’ve been at the Vulture Valley battle, or maybe related to someone who died there. And the names at the memorial. These killings might be a vengeance thing. Although…

Now that I think on it, if it was a vengeance thing, all the killings should have been similar in method. Unless the motive was singular, but the killers are not… Like, one person with a vendetta ordering multiple hitmen. Could be.

Gah, but this is getting further away from leads on the locket, it seems. Tarian rubbed her forehead. There’s no one paying on this job, and it’s been nothing but expenses, but it’s not like I can just drop it either. Marcellus Riley, what did you get me into?

"Yes sir, that concludes our business today." And after Arc has left, Brandt will go off in his own direction. That was less painful than I thought it would be. It was pretty quick too, which leaves me plenty of time to get the raw materials for Colette's gun. Brandt will spend the extra time searching the district for a shop that sells the parts he needs at a good price without having to sacrifice quality. And then Brandt heads to the forge, when he can't find what he's looking for.

Thia began to realize that this awkward silence could be a little on the long side. Also, it's been a while since Corti has made even the slightest of movements. Thia's brows would furrow just a little with worry. "Maybe she's gone into sleep mode?" she'd wave a hand to Corti, hoping for a response, but not completely expecting one. "Sentinels rest is it? Hmm..." Thia would get up from her seat and lean in to position Corti's lute in her lap, arms almost cradling it. Then she'd reach to her bag and begin unlatching her blanket ('bedroll' from adventurer's kit). Thia was essentially, instinctively getting ready to 'tuck her into bed'. She figures Corti doesn't actually need the blanket, but Thia wanted to at least leave her with some sort of comfort. While unrolling the blanket and laying it folded over Corti's lap, she'd cast Magical Tinkering on it.

A golden crest of the Veiled Valour will appear on the outside top left corner of blanket. Though, on the underside of the blanket that would be hidden from view, Thia would leave a little quote for Corti:

'Live to learn. Work to earn.'
- Your friend, Thia

Thia would look to Milo, "I suppose that song and business may have to wait."

”the pay is Thirty denars per person upon accepting the mission, and 150 hundred for its completion. Adding to that, the Company will pay them a daily salary for the mapping and probing of five denars.”

Thia would bow her head at Tarian during Milo's introduction, "Pleasure." then look back to Milo, narrowing her eyes only slightly, trying to absorb all the information. She'd raise her brows and hands up in front of her, waving them a little. "Hmmm... Uhh" and takes a step back, "I've literally just got back from making some commitments. This sounds like a HUGE one to add to the pile." Would the risk even be worth that kind of reward? What would I even have to offer in a political game anyways?

Tarian nodded a greeting to Thia. As Milo explained the situation, Tarian’s brow knotted, and she slowly drained the contents of her tankard, and finished just before Milo announced the potential pay. She couldn’t hide her surprise at the sum. 

Arc, having his business here concluded, heads home to inform his father of a possible meeting. Not to mention, the information his Uncle would be keen to learn about the awakened Warforged. Making relative haste, he heads home.

Wes leans into the table.  “We don’t need to stop an army, just the Marshall.  We are no threat to them physically so there is no need to be worried about a suicide mission.”  “Looking over at Thia.  “Why don’t you tell me what skills you have, then we can figure out your roll.  Don’t let the big titles and high stakes fool you into thinking you’re powerless.  I’m just a potato farmer after all..... I say we get a few more people if possible.  There was this Mr. Brandt fellow that I met working along Sparks, just don’t know where to find him.”

Thia waves her hand in a gesture when Tarian says ‘no offence, as if to say ‘no worries, none taken’. 

First she’d react to Milo saying Brandt’s name, “Oh the gunslinger? I ran into him twice today actually. Corti and I literally just left him in the forge yard with a Cannith fellow before arriving here. He can’t be too far.” She’d shrug.

She’d look back and forth between the two in front of her. Thia usually doesn’t care to boast about her skills, being a healer can get you hunt down by the wrong person, even if it’s just for supplies. She’d look over at Corti ‘sleeping’ with the blanket she draped onto her. If Corti trusted them, I can too right? She looks back to Milo “As you witnessed a moment ago, I can tinker with magic. I am an Artificer. Though, more importantly I became a member of the veiled valour today. Essentially, I’m a trained field medic. I serve no specific faction. I help those in need. I’ve promised Corti to lend a hand to any workers and their families should they need. I’m also to report to headquarters for additional training and to complete rounds at least every other day.”

Thia just watched Tarian as she made her deductions, “Well I could just tell you.” She pauses to shrug. “He’s a hired mercenary by Sparks.” She nods to Milo who just confirmed that detail. “I suspect he is definitely not a Cannith.” She’d scoff, remembering his demeanour when Brandt was talking about them in the earlier conversation they had that day. “He was there for a redheaded Cannith to discuss business ‘for his boss’.” Again, information he shared with her before she left with Corti.

Thia would nod respectfully when Tarian discloses her healing abilities, “Ah. Sounds much like my own training. Are you also part of an Alchemist Apothecary guild?” She’d ask out of curiosity. “Truthfully I currently would have no intentions of hiring you for any of your skills. But it’s good to know that if I’m in a pinch, I have an option. Thank you.”