The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Silent nods at Balassar's suggestion, wiping some sweat from his brow. Yeah, a drink or ten sounds about right. 

Alton lets out a breath of relief, "Man, that was a little tense. Should we head back to the inn we were staying at for drinks, food, and rooms?"

Wherever we go, let's find somewhere we're not gonna be overheard. Silent casts a shifty glance at the Starosta and the group gathered around him. Don't want that ol' bastard or any of his lackies to know anythin' more than they already do. 

During your time in Felderwin, you have encountered quite a few taverns and inns around the town, and any will take you.  You are staying in the Goldfield Tavern and Lodge, but you also know of the Glassy Grass Inn, the Jubilant Grain, and slightly less upmarket you have the Mudhole and the New Mudhole.  Where would you like to go?

Balassar just nods "Maybe the Mudhole. It's not where we log and we could take a route that would expose anyone following us from here."

Magnum shrugs and follows the group to the Mudhole. 

The Mudhole, unlike most other establishments you've seen, has a clear area marked for big folks, while most of the bar is reserved for halflings and others of similar stature.  There's no-one else in the bar when you enter, but a halfling steps through a door near the bar and gives you a nod.  Much of the bar is underground; the windows are narrow slits and most are shuttered closed; the interior is gloomy, smelly, and clearly not yet cleaned from the previous night's drinking.  It also doesn't look very festive, and though Harvest Close decorations are still all around the town and in the inn where you are staying, here it could be any day of the year.

You are able to find a good-sized table in a booth where you would have privacy from others nearby, if there were any.  The bar only has ale and cheap wine for sale, and no food this early in the morning.

You sit together, and have a chance to discuss the events of the last hour.

"You all grab a seat I'll get us the drinks." Balassar says as he just walks over and orders enough ale for all of them. He tosses a gold to the bartender "We are probably going to order more so hopefully that will cover all our drinks. Whatever we don't spend of that, is yours to keep." he says just walking away with the drinks and setting them in front of his companions. He takes a seat "We're going to take the offer right. It's just smart to do the job and get paid more."

OOC:

Balassar will watch as they walk as well to ensure no one followed them: perception check: 8

Silent buys a round of ale for the table. He takes a hearty swig and stares around at the others. One by one, then... where in the bloody Nine Hells do we all stand on this? I can tell you that this is somethin' I was having nightmares about for the past while, but I didn't think they'd be breakin' out the big threats so fast. They don't even know where I'm from yet... 

Balassar, you don't see any sign of anyone following you.

If given a drink, Magnum hands it to Silent.  You need this more than I do.

I'm not sure I'll be joining you on this job.  While I don't want to abandon Silent, there are a great many red flags with this entire situation.  Surely you all see that.

Balassar just shrugs looking at Silent "Your safe with us, we sure as hell aren't going to tell them." he then looks at Magnum "Red flags are better than being hunted down and dishonoring our families. The only real question is do we control our pay, or do we get conscripted and told what we will be paid? Only a coward and idiot would try to outrun the empire in their own territory."

Allton takes a seat at the table and just hold the mug of ale in his hands, "I don't really know what to say about all this. I know I didn't like the way the deal was presented to us and that something about the whole thing was bothering the Lawmaster. Maybe the Starosta was just saying all that so he gets us to work for him." He thinks for a moment, "Now that I think about it. Art did mention when we first met about if we needed work to talk to the Starosta."

Fools take jobs from people in league with necromancers. Cowards do what they’re told and never question things.  

Silent looks Balassar square in the eye. I trust the three of you well enough. but it's only a matter of time before someone catches wind of the half-orc with a magic shadow following him around, it's the only way I know how to fight. Empire wizards will put two and two together, I got no doubts there. 

And it's not my own skin I'm worried about. This fellow threatened all of us while believing we're law-abiding Empire folk, what d'you think he'll do to mercenaries in league with a crick? A crick swingin' a Kryn sword, no less? You're all decent fellas and... if you get caught with me and suffer the consequences, well, that's on my conscience. 

He takes a deep swig, burps loudly and sets the mug down. The last point I wanna make... if I take this deal, it's only a matter of time before I have to back out. I'm no friend to the Kryn Dynasty, sure, but I'm Xhorhasian down to my bones, and there ain't no way I'm gonna fight Dynasty soldiers on the Empire's orders. What happens then? If we kick this down the line, seems like a bad injury... it'll only get infected and we'll have to cut the whole leg off, you know? 

Alton looks up at Silent, his eyes wide, and trying to keep his excitement down says, "You have a magic shadow! That is so cool. I just have an ordinary shadow." He takes a drink from his mug, "You seem really nice for being someone from over the mountains. I've always heard stories about people from over there, but they were always the bad guys."

Balassar just glares for a moment at Magnum “No, cowards run. Sometimes you don’t get a choice to disobey. It’s follow or the person near you dies.”Balassar looks at Silent and just chuckles “You wouldn’t be the first to serve the empire with your abilities. My old commander could do the same thing you could. As for that rock we can tackle it when we get there. If we can determine what missions we pick, then technically we can also control the outcome.”

With that sort of binary thinking and blind obedience, Balassar, you remind me of some constructs I've met.  We always have the choice to disobey, it's what makes us sentient.  Now, you're still missing the larger point, or have you forgotten what brought you to this town to begin with?

Balassar just looks at Magnum as his grip on his drink tightens “I’m not talking about blind obedience ya tin can. I’m talking about understanding that if the orders aren’t unlawful, it’s your duty to carry them out. War is nasty and people die, but as far as I know not many people on the Kryn’s side are just up and running away either. I know that at least where I was they were just as willing to slit my throat for coin, god, or country.” he just points to the scars on his eyes and throats “Got plenty more of you need more proof.”

He just looks at Wash and nods as he takes a gulp of his drink “I agree with that sentiment at least. Let’s take the first mission and get some coin. We can eventually get some leverage to pick and choose our missions allowing us to avoid morale grey lines.”