You say goodbye to Balassar's family, promising to return later in the day. You head through the busy streets of Zadash, and reach the impressive King's Hall after less than an hour's walk. The single-story building is decorated with bronze, and would gleam in the sunlight if the weather wasn't cloudy and overcast. You enter, and find yourself in a large entrance chamber that is already quite busy. There are a lot of conversations going on, clearly participants in legal disputes or merchants discussing business, gathered in small groups. On the way in and in the chamber itself you notice a heavy presence of Crownsguard, keeping a silent watch on all the visitors.

To one side of the main entrance is a large wooden board, five feet high and ten feet from end to end. There are several small pieces of paper nailed to the board, and about half a dozen individuals are standing facing it, looking over the various papers. The board has a large sign at the top: "Task Board" and a small brass plaque on the far side that you would have to get closer to read.

Alton makes his way over to the far side to read what is on the bass plaque.

Balassar makes his way to the task board and begins looking for a job.

Alton, the brass plaque reads as follows, in the common tongue: "All job inquiries are to be taken to Herald of the Hall."

Balassar, you see a varied collection of notes nailed to the board; some are more detailed, some only a few words. Many of them pay only silvers, for fairly menial work - guarding merchant caravans for less wealthy clients, extra security for this or that minor social gathering, and so on. Little to interest you. You see three more interesting jobs, with good pay.

The first is a hunt for a dangerous, but unknown and unsighted beast that has caused damage to villages to the east of the city; the client is the city government, and it pays well enough.

The second is some trouble with a mercenary group called the 'Red Company', who have apparently been behaving more like bandits on the roads to the south; the client is also the city government for this one, and it pays better than the first.

The third is a bounty for a suspected murderer from a case many years ago, but who has been sighted in a nearby town. This job is from the family of the murder victim, apparently a noble family in the city. It pays a moderate amount for investigating the matter and a very large amount if the murderer is captured or killed.

However, all three jobs have a clear stipulation: they are considered too dangerous for lone adventurers or a pair, as the risks are too great.  A minimum group of four is required, or the contract will not be formally sanctioned.

Alton and Balassar, you would see a few other people around the board, also looking over the jobs - it's a mix of species, of apparent levels of experience and quality of equipment visible - you see two dwarfs who appear to be together, a younger halfling who seems more interested in the very minor jobs, and several who appear to be alone - a half-elf, a tiefling, an elf and a human.

The elven woman seems to be observing the board with a slight pout. She looks to be about 6 feet tall, her skin is porcelain pallid across the board, except for her neck. There is a fairly horrendous looking burn located at the lower part of her neck, extending out towards where her collarbones meet. The flesh there is twisted and almost burgundy in colour, contrasting against the golden pendant of the Changebringer. Her hair is short and shaggy, a similar soft white. The only real colour she has is in her eyes and lips, which are pale olive and pink respectively. The garbs she is wearing are quite modest, if still fashionable. Her studded leathers are visible beneath the viridian coat she is wearing, though the naked eye would probably observe her bladed weapon of some sort sheathed at her hip, along with a light shield strapped to the other side for easy access. 

Salithee seems to be mostly preoccupied with the higher paying jobs. "Seems like anything worth our while requires a little squad. Anyone looking for an extra blade here?" she speaks to no one in particular, still focused on the board. 

The aforementioned half-elf is a strong-looking woman standing at about 5'6", dressed in chain mail with shoulder-length blonde hair that fades into a blue ombre at the ends. Her blue eyes are surrounded by elaborate blue and pink make up, and her lipstick boasts the same scheme: pink with a blue stripe down the middle. A shield and pack are strapped to her back, and she currently grasps a warhammer in her hands, hands whose fingers end in bright pink fingernail polish. As she inspects the people in the room, she blows a large bubble with her chewing gum until it pops, at which she point she chews a few more times and then repeats the process. After spending a good few minutes people watching, she makes her move and strides right over to the task board that the elf woman with the Changebringer pendant is staring at. 

"Hey there! Blessings of the... Changebringer," she looks around and lowers her voice to a whisper at the mention of a state-forbidden deity. The exuberant woman then extends a leather-gauntleted hand. "You've got guts, I can tell. I like that. My name's Celica! If you're looking for folk to join forces with, I'd be happy to take part! I'm a pretty good fighter and healer, plus I give free makeup consultations if you're interested! Though, it won't be enough for just the two of us... Maybe we should... throw in our lot with..."

Celica goes back looking around the room until her eyes land on Belassar and Alton making their way in. "How about them? I can't explain it, but I've got a good feeling about 'em."

Balassar reaches up and grabs the postings about the “Red Company” and then the family murder. He just turns and begins walking towards Alton “Found our next gigs Alton. We get to pay those Red folks a visit again.”

As the half-elf speaks about needing an extra blade he just smirks “Well if you think you can out drink me. We happen to be looking for some new additions for the Irregulars.” He just watches as the other one walks up to her and begins interacting “Both of you are welcome to try out…” he just turns his head to Alton “I think I also found two new potentials for the Irregulars. What do you think?”

Alton looks up from the plaque he was reading with a grin, "Do you think Sir Noodlearms will be there? I'd love to see the expression on his face when he see you again, and especially after our new trick." 

Alton, a halfling that stands no taller than 3 feet in height; if you don't include his brown hair that is pulled up into a topknot with the end hanging down to his shoulders. He is wearing some studded leather armor that is patch-worked together from different hides it looks like it was homemade, but with a touch of professional work. There is an emblem of a simple design pinned to his armor that is a capital 'I' in a circle with three green jewels place around the circle in such a way they form a triangle. His skin is tanned and sports a few scars on his hands and face. He carries a small backpack with the handle of a lute sticking out from it; along with a rapier and a hand crossbow at his hip.

Alton looks up at the two that Balassar is talking about and narrows his eyes, but the grin on his face doesn't vanish, "Looking at their gear, I'd say they both look pretty capable, and cute. I think they'll be alright, but they do have to try to out drink you. Oh, and they have to share a story of one of their adventure's with me." He gives a firm nod, "Them's the rules."

"Luck favours the bold," Salithee says with ease, as if she had said that exact phrase hundreds of times before. "Name's Salithee, Sally or Sal works too," she walks over to the group now forming at the doors. The halfling and the dragonborn seem friendly enough. 

"I will only share my story if you tell me about this Sir Noodlearms. That has to be hilarious. Drinking this early is exactly what people like us are supposed to do, though I don't know a place with good liquor anywhere around.."

Blassar just stands next to Alton, the clear height difference as the 6'5" silver dragonborn towers over most and 240 pounds of muscle provide an intimidating presence that is only betrayed by his soft blue eyes. The only prominent feature of the dragonborn that can be seen while his armor is on are the three scars over his right eye. His armor, scimitar, and shield giving away that he was a fighter of some sort. A crimson blue cloak just hangs from the back of his armor, the same simple "I" designed emblem held within the cloth. He just chuckled as the woman inquired about Sir Noodlearms and gives a playful smirk remembering their encounter "Alton is the storyteller, so I'll let him tell that story." 

"I'm with Sal on this one, handsomes. You tell us the story of Noodlearm, and then maybe we'll talk about all the cool stuff that we've done," Celica offers with a wink. 

Alton nods to the two ladies, "Well then. Let us get some drinks, swap a few stories, and then get our next big quest going." He gives Balassar a slap on the side, "Balassar here, is quite familiar with Zadash, so I'm sure he knows a good place or two to get drinks." 

Balassar just nods for a second "I mean there's The Evening Nip, The Song and Supper Inn, or The Leaky Tap. Any of those names sound interesting for you all?" he asks just waiting a response and agreed upon decision.

"Mm, the Leaky Tap has lots of space, a lot more than the Nip at least, so we should probably head there. I don't particularly want to stand while I drink!"

"Sounds good to me, the Tap it is."

One of the Crownsguard is eyeing the papers that Balassar has removed from the task board. "If you're taking those, go speak to the Herald'" She nods towards a door at the far end of the hall. "Otherwise put them back, for others to take if they want."

Balassar just nods "Will do" he says walking back to the board " I forgot one." grabbing the one about the unknown and unsighted beast. He just walks back to the rest of them "I think these three would be a good start, I'm thinking we take care of ol' noodlearms and then move to one of the others." he just hands the paper to Alton "You're the one good with words, want to do the honor of seeing the herald."

"I'm good with any of those places." Alton nods and takes the three papers from Balassar, "Sounds good and I'll do my best." He makes his way over to the Herald's office.

"That detective job sounds particularly intriguing, though I don't imagine Noodlearms will take long. I'll accompany you," Salithee follows Alton to the Herald's office.

As a group, you approach a door in the back of the King's Hall. A Crownsguard half-elf is standing guard at the door, and nods at you to knock. However, as you get close, the door opens suddenly and a dwarf stomps out, cutting your group in half as he ploughs through you, pushing any not quick enough out of his way. He stops, turns, looks you over and notices the papers in Alton's hand. "No," he says. "One job at a time. You have five minutes to pick before I get back." And seemingly not interested in answering any questions at this point, he stomps to another door on one side of the King's Hall and disappears.

The Crownsguard attempts to hide a smirk, and fails.