Bush Expeditions is carved in the middle of an intrinsically decorated wooden sign and surrounded by carved images of lions lounging on the savannah, a pack of dire wolves prowling an unseen prey, rhinoceros charging through elephant grass and other depictions of wildlife is nailed to the wall next to the door. The door is unlocked and opening it reveals a comfortable waiting room with several chairs made out of various animal hides such as leopards, brown and black bears, and elk, a table made out of the foot of a giant creature not easily recognizable, and heads of animals line the wall, the most prominent and vicious-looking head is a rare saber tooth tiger that hangs over what seems to be the main office. 

Besides the door with the saber tooth tiger hanging over it, you see two other doors, one to the right and the other to the left. Also in the waiting room sitting behind an oak desk is a young, stringy looking human, wearing aged leather and a dagger rests on his hilt. When you enter he greets you with a nod and says "welcome adventurers to Bush Expeditions, my name is Eustance and how can I help ya'll."

Clavorus walks right up to the desk and addresses the man behind it: "Ah yes, my good lad. Greetings, I am a scholar of exotic lands and the animals contained therein. A botanist, explorer, and zoologist all wrapped up in one, if you will. Hmmph, yes. Well, my travelling companions and I would like to know more about your chartered trips, or expeditions. Primarily, we are interested in the islands located south-west of the Misty Archipelago. Also, what can you tell me of those lands, and more specifically, the animals we would be coming across? " 

Eustance listens to Clavorus and then shakes his head, "Whoa, whoa, buddy. Slow down. First off, do ya'll have an appointment? You see, we don't take walk-ins off the street. Ya gotta make an appointment."

"Eustance, quit yer yapping," a voice says across the room from the door to the left. Turning you see a large half-orc, dressed in a safari outfit that seems one size too small as his muscles bulge at the seams. "Sorry about the boy. He's a good one, but sometimes takes the job too seriously, if ya know what I mean," the half-orc says as he takes a step forward towards you all with an outstretched hand. "Yet we do got a lot of wannabes nobels who like to pretend they have the money to charter one of our ships." The half-orc sizes each of you up before continuing, "but you folks don't look like the type to lie about if your fancy or not." The half-orc turns to Cyrus and Gaerich and says, "especially you two." He takes a step back and claps his hands behind his back. "The name's Muldoon and I run this operation. You said you wanted to head to the islands south of the Misty? Well, bad news friends. There ain't any other islands south of Misty. None that I've seen at least. What else can I do you for? Work? Travel?"

"Perhaps within the Archipelago itself then? What type of excursions do you have for that area?"

Gaerich reaches out and takes Muldoons hand. Returning the up and down look. He nods almost imperceptibly “Muldoon, we are men of action, my companions are people of action as well. We’ve knowledge of a place beyond the archipelago. A place of untouched country and wondrous beasts. Do you wish to hunt them? Take us to Hammand. Do you wish to write the story of your own legend? Take us yourself.”

If Muldoon is still unconvinced, Maggie says, “Sir, I am a frequent traveler, and as such, I hear lots of stories. I believe there is an island somewhere past the Misty Archipelago.” As Muldoon is a hunter, she decides to spark the interest in him. “I hear this island is crawling with mysterious beasts and plants not even heard of before, it is practically begging to be adventured. Tell me.. aren’t you even interested a little?” 

((Persuasion 18))

Cyrus eyes the half-orc up and down. "Muldoon is it? I can see why you're in charge of this outfit. My associates are right about the strange and wondrous beasts, with teeth like swords and a terrible ferocity. Though we be looking to set sail for north of the Archipelago, not south. Experienced sailors and adventurers are we."

((Back from IRL prepping, sorry for delays!))

Muldoon crosses his arms and leans against the door frame as he listens to everyone. At the sounds of wonderous beasts, you see his eyes widen in fascination and he shoots Eustance and quick glance. "You think you all are the first to come waltzing in here promising to take Lord Hammand and me to some mythical island. A week doesn't go by that some crazy sailor who got too much sun claims to know the whereabouts of some island or a cavern filled with creatures beyond our imagination." Muldoon reaches into the breast pocket and pulls out a cigar and rolls it between his fingers loosening the leaf. He conjures up a small flame on his thumb and lights the cigar with a few puffs and blows out a cloud of smoke. "However, if you have some proof I imagine you can convince Lord Hammand. Actually, the timing couldn't have been better for you. The Lord is in the middle of planning his next expedition and is always looking for a new venture to take. But, still Lord Hammand needs some evidence of this 'mythical island' that you speak of." Muldoon takes another pull and then nods over at Eustance. "If you want to speak with the Lord then Eustance here can take you to him." 

Gimble moves closer to Clavorus and leans in, her cloak hood covering part of his face and whispers to him, "Do you think we should show him the letter? I think it best to keep the map hidden for now".  She then goes back to leaning against the wall, trying her best to look mysterious. 

"Ah... if you wouldn't mind, Muldoon. My compatriots and I need to converse for a moment over here." Clavorus moves over to a chair with Gimble, speaking in a low whisper. 

Gimble:

Gaerich looks to the half orc and says in an even tone “We are not sun stroked sailors, nor do we come without reason. Take us to this Hammand, I do not wish to talk in circles.”

In a hushed tone, Maggie repeats Muldoon’s words to her companions. “Eustance will take us to the lord.”

Muldoon smiles at their request and then waves them goodbye, a cloud of smoke trailing his hand. Eustance walks around the table he was behind and goes over to the door to the right and opens it for you all. "Follow me," Eustance says as he leads into a large room with several clothed tables, cushioned seats, an exquisite bar made of ivory with a large selection of spirits, and a large fireplace surrounded by more cushioned seats. Hanging over the walls are large detailed maps of different parts Faerun as well as a detailed map of a series of archipelagos islands and above them hang more head trophies. Eustance continues through this room to a large oak door at its end and opens it up and steps aside for everyone to pass.

Looking into the room you see a red-carpet that covers most of the floor, an oak desk with papers in order, bookshelves filled with leatherbound times line the walls, and sitting behind the oak desk smoking a pipe and reading a letter with a smile is an elderly old man dressed in all white that matches his white beard and the few wisps of white hair on his head. He stands up when he notices his guests, presses down on his shirt and pants to get rid of any wrinkles, and smiles again and says, "Ah, hello. I am Lord Hammand, how might I be of help?"

Gaerich takes stock of the man before him, he seems frail and old but he must be made of stern stuff to command the respect of one like Muldoon. He decides to reserve judgement until he knows more about the old man. “Hammand, we come with an offer of opportunity for you. Great adventure and renown could be yours if you accept our terms.” 

((I know I wouldn't, but would anybody else be able to recognize him as a local lord?  Is this the real Lord Hammond?))

Cyrus follows his companions as Eustance leads the group out of the vestibule, through the opulent sitting room, and into Hammand's study. He looks around, openly impressed, and catches up to the others with a saunter as Gaerich finishes his opening greeting, a freshly poured ivory cup of scotch in hand. "Aye indeed!" He claps Gaerich on the back. "Cyrus Natriallae, at your service! You see Lord Hammand, we've come chasing a rumor. A rumor that you're on the lookout for the finest set of adventurers this side of Baldur's Gate for your next expedition!" Cyrus grins, his arms lazily held wide, his back foot crossed behind in a half-bow-half-curtsey. 

Clavorus notices the rest of the group heading into the other rooms, following Eustance. He looks askew at Gimble and then says "Well, looks like we're moving forward. I'll show him the map." 

Clavorus looks around at the maps, noticing areas of Faerun he's familiar with, and admiring the skill of the cartographers.  "You've got some very nice maps in the other room. And quite a few excellent specimens mounted there as well. Greetings, sir, I am Clavorus. My companions speak true, and this rumor is accompanied by a map we have recently discovered of a Isle not far from the Misty Archipelago. Supposedly the home of various large, and dangerous beasts that I would love a chance to catalog and document." 

As Clavorus talks, he pulls out the large map, unfurling it and handing it over to Lord Hammand. 

"Do you recognize the outline of the island? Have you seen it or are familiar with it? "

Lord Hammand chuckles at Gaerich's remarks, "adventure and renown you say," he says. He then shuffles back over to his desk and slowly takes a seat. He pulls open his desk drawer, takes a bottle full of brown liquid and a shot glass, and then pours himself a drink. He looks up at Cyrus as Cyrus drinks from the booze he got in the planning room, "I hope you're enjoying that, friend," he says to Cyrus, "the distillery that made it doesn't exist any longer." Hammand then takes a sip from his own shot glass and winces as the warmth of the booze enters his stomach and he lets out a relaxing "ah" afterward. He turns his attention back to Gaerich and says, "so, what is this opportunity you speak of?" 

Cyrus gives him his pitch and then Clavorus steps and shows Hammand the map, which he takes from Clavorus with great delicacy. He takes sips from his shot glass as he ponders over the map, his head nodding. "This... this is very very interesting. You know, we have a lot of people who try to sell me on adventures. But this... this looks very authentic." Hammand looks up at Clavorus and smiles, "rumors of this island have existed since I was a child. I never thought they were true. But here I am now, holding evidence that proves me wrong." He chuckles to himself again. He then takes another sip and looks up at everyone. "How did you come across this map? And does anybody else know about it?" Hammand then looks past everyone towards Eustance who is standing at the open office door and nods his head that sends Eustance hustling back. He then turns his attention back to everyone else and reaches back into his desk drawer and starts pulling out five more shot glasses. He takes his unmarked bottle of brown liquid and pours a shot into each glass and then offers a shot to everyone. "We must cheers and celebrate this wonderful news," he says as he lifts his filled shot glass in the air. 

Maggie laughs and raises her shot glass in unison, before downing it. “So tell us, what do you know of the island? I would like to know as much as I can, for a bard is nothing with neither song nor truth. And maybe a little exaggeration.”

Gimble reaches up and takes one of the glasses and raises it with the others.  However, she steps back but does not drink instead preferring to sniff the liquid. She then backs toward the door and keeps an eye on the lord from under her hood.