You all enter the lands of Daggerford and are witness to wide, sprawling hills nearby that offer peaceful vistas. When entering the humble town you all are witness to a busy enough populace, filled with hardworking people just trying to get by. Walking through the mud trails of the city you all pass the bustling Xaros Market, filled to the brim with haggling merchants of all walks of life. The militia of the city wear simple leather armor, and are noticeably young as they uncomfortably patrol the town, spears in hand. 

   When you all were informed by the guards of your invitation to the Duchess's estate, they'd told you how she requested your  presence and expected you all to arrive around sundown so that you may all enjoy a meal and discuss important matters. The messengers seemed to be two young boys who appear to be freshly trained, still carrying themselves with a sense of unfamiliarity as they attempt to assert their authority over you during this invitation. One in particular, a skinny human male with a mop of brown hair, stumbles over his words as he say "Please don't be late Lady Morwen really wants you there", almost begging before his companion gives him an elbow in the side and a questioning look. You all are to arrive around sundown at the gates of Ducal Castle, a three-level keep enclosed by a two-story wall that contains its own smithy, a wide parade ground, and stabling for a large number of animals. Arriving there, if on time, you all are seemingly placed in a receiving room in the castle near the dining room. The Duchess's personal guard patrol the castle, with one of them letting you all know the Duchess will be down soon and that she apologizes for the inconvenience. You all can still slightly hear the hustle and bustle coming from the dining room next door as the servants work hard to prepare. The room you all find yourselves in is extravagant in it's furnishing, that seems to have an extended, but comfortable chair (couch) before a table with a tea kettle and several cups atop it. There are other chairs around, and notably a sleek black piano in the corner of the room. There is a fireplace near a bear rug at the opposite side of the sitting area, and it would difficult to miss the various works of art covering the walls. Two guards stand at the doors heading to the front and the one heading to the dining room, though they both seem relaxed in posture and only seem to be there out of formality. You all find yourselves in this room, waiting for the Duchess and surrounded by four other figures also waiting for dinner...

  Introduce your character! Describe their appearance and mannerisms. 

Gadhan stands a little over 7 feet tall, and is broad shouldered.  He has Light gray blue skin, bald head. He wears chain mail, with nothing covering it.  On his belt there is a Rapier and a Hand Axe. He carries a shield with a painting of a black and white mask, it looks like it may have been repainted a few times without the previous paint job removed.  Hanging from his neck is a rope necklace with a carving of the same mask, one side stained, the other not. In his hand is a large chalice that he has emptied a few times. He is just outside of refined, almost as if someone was trying to tame a wild animal, and while something took, not all did.  None of this changes as he drinks.

Tahnis stands at about 6 feet with red hair just above his shoulders, exposing his elven ears. He wears leathers and carries a bow in his arm. On his belt are two short swords and more importantly a book. He stares at the decor and takes a few notes as well as some words about the duchess. "These must be new decorations."

Gekks waddles in the room gazing around, the scenery always wowing him a bit. He stands at 3 1/2 feet and wears a soft Aqua cloak with an oddly small amount of items on him, just enough for what he needs. He has geesy slicked back black hair and a wide toothy grin complemented by his amber eyes. He stands with his hands folded in front of him, a little surprised by the people in front of him 
"Heya fellas. My names Gekks. Know what we're here for?"

The female kenku does not sit, she walks from sight to sight, admiring the art work, and the piano, always with her head tilting slightly from side to side. The occasional click leaves her beak, as if uttering appreciation for the rich decor. She stops in from of the fireplace and looks on with awe. Mesmerized by the patterns of the flame. Her yellow eyes, hidden partially by the dark grey, almost black hood attached to her cloak, shine in the fire's reflection. Startled out of her trance she quickly spins at the sound of Gekks's voice. And her hands quickly slide inside her cloak. Seeing no danger she pulls her hands back to her side showing dark leather armour, the same color  as the cloak. She tilts her head inquisitively at him. And repeats back to him, in a perfect imitation of his voice, "Know what we're here for?" 

The half-orc stands a touch above six feet tall and has the build one expects of such a creature.  He eyes everyone suspiciously, not hiding the fact that he is sizing them up, as he moves about the room, feigning interest in this or that as an excuse to not stay still.  He carried no arms and wears no armor, he instead apparently wore what passes for him as fancy clothes - simple garments dyed black, wear and tear showing in several places but obviously recently washed. Above this he wears a kind of vestment sash, also of black, rough cloth and with a stylized bleeding eye woven into the cloth.  His skin is pallid with a faintly greenish tint, his hair long and unkempt, though he has tried several times to combed it into submission with his fingers.

"Know what we're here for?" he hears, and turns to look at the speaker only to hear it quickly repeated, exactly, both the beaked one.  There is a moment of silence which Ketch accidentally breaks by sitting on the keyboard of the piano, totally next expecting the sudden racket.  "Gruumsh damn it all!" Ketch exclaims, suddenly standing up straight and moving away from the wretched instrument, reaching for a weapon he isn't even wearing.  With a side glance to the room, he tries to shrug it off and act as if nothing happened.

"Where here for dinner," Ketch says, absently.  "And I am hungry.  As Gruumsh says, it is not wise to make one wait on an empty stomach..."

       The guards seem to look at the disruptive half-orc with disdain before one of them calls out, "Please do not break anything before the Duchess arrives, it'll only be a moment. She's attending to important matters". They then resume their silent watch by the doors.

Ketch, Tahnis, and Silent Blade:

Tahnis glances at the newcomers at the table. His eyes wander on the half-orc and the kenku, but tries not to be rude. After hearing Lady Morwen's voice, he shakes his head. "I'm guessing she's angry about something."

“It does upset some people when the soup spoon is on the wrong side of the plate,” Ketch offers gruffly, not really caring why she’s upset so much as why he’s not yet eating.  

“We’re an odd group of dinner guests for such a fancy table.” Ketch says, looking past a guard and into the other room. He looks back at the assortment of guests and adds “ She’s either into strange things or she’s got something she doesn’t want her own people doing... Something afoot you lot can’t handle?” Ketch asks, leaning in close to the most nervous guard.

"Heh, I don't think its ever just dinner with the Lady, theres always something she needs done, at least she gives you dinner before asking ya though. Nicer than most if you ask me."
Gekks slowly makes his way to a chair that he leans back in kinda just watching all the other figures in the room. Before the silence begins to annoy him. "So what do you all do? Im kinda a travelling delivery man of sorts. Been a real help to the merchants getting things from town to town."

"Gekks I’m much like you, except it is fun and mischief I deal with.” Gadhan replies.

The Kenku slides in close to the entrance closest to where she could hear the lady's voice, and pretends to admire a near by tapestry, while actually trying to hear more of whatthe lady is saying. 

Perception 22

    The young guard at the front of the doorway leading to the front door definitely seems to get more nervous as Kesh leans in near him. “Ummm I-I am n-not sure sir” he replied bashfully, under his breath and trying to avoid making real eye contact with the half orc by keeping his eyes locked with the floor. “She called up Sam earlier, I’m sure he’s not enjoying himself...” 
    
  Silent Blade:

Tahnis shrugs as he begins to enjoy the food.

Ketch now actually gets interested.  He had been just having a go at the guard for sport but now he was actually curious.  “Sam? And is this Sam a guest like us,” he asks, waving an arm to take on the rest of the motley crew, “or is Sam one of you?”

Ketch tries to be more persuasive than intimidating... he is a guest after all.  ((Persuasion 18))

  Getting closer Ketch sees the young guard appears to be an older teenage human, with armor that seems several sizes too large for his scrawny form. He replies and looks up to the half orc for the first time in the conversation, 
  “Sam’s a guard like me, Lady Morwen sent him and some others on an assignment yesterday...apparently they’d not done the job and had tried telling the Duchess she had nothing to worry about.” You then see the guard look up, giving a low whistle. He then leans in closer and in almost a whisper,

Ketch:

Gekks kicks his feet up on the table "Nice being back here after a long time,  Gotta say this is the first time Ive been invited to a job with other people. Well, I assume she didnt decide to have a social gathering with a goblin and a kenku, though i suppose thats entirely a possibility." Gekks laughs and slips off his gloves, putting them in an inner cloak pocket and pulls out a small, round crystal, about the size of his palm, that looks like it has streaks of a bright blue within it and tosses and catches the small object over and over

"You," Ketch says, giving the guard a punch in the arm.  "I like you!"  With that Ketch wanders back to the piano and pokes at it with curiosity, but no skill whatsoever. 

"What sort of jobs have you done for her before?" he asks, turning to look at the small one called Gekks.  

"Mainly delivering goods, Waterdeep, Triboar, shoot Ive had to go to Baulder's Gate on a couple jobs. I seem to be one of the few well equiped and trusted enough to do the deliveries for her"

"I helped with the routing out of evil at a local temple". Gadhan is sitting up straight with posture, he finishes his chalice in one drink, files it, finishes it, and gold it again.