take a perception check

 Perception: 8

Must be too dark for the elven eyes! :-)

(OOC - damn I should have given you bardic inspiration!)

that hurts you see nothing odd about the envelope it seems real enough. 

Taking a small sip from his wine, Thavis approaches the pair, “come now Belanor, it’s just an envelope, they rarely bite.” Giving the elf a good natured slap on the shoulder. 

"You know, there is this story about a mimic disguised as an envelope..." Darvin trails off as he chuckles to himself, remembering the tale and stroking his short beard. He returns to the present quickly though, "Thavis is right. Open her up and let's see the job at hand. Gold and glory await... well... gold at least. And I'm always a little partial to getting a little gold, aren't you?"

"What? Oh! The letter. I was distracted by that barmaid over there I thought she was.... Ah, never mind. Let's open this."

Muttering, he continues, "besides, I was waiting for you...." as he breaks the seal and opens the letter. 

"She is a lovely looking woman," Darvin looks over at the barmaid Belanor was admiring, "I can put in a good word for you if you wish? She's not so much my type, but then again, I am a bit of a bookworm myself." Darvin chuckles at his remark about being a bookworm.

(OOC - just so you guys know, I've not made a bard to sleep with everyone as seems to be the consensus on bards haha. I have been keen to play out a bard because of their playfulness and wordsmithing, and thought it would go well in contrasting your character classes.)

Turning his head slightly to observe the barmaid, Thavis raises an arching eyebrow and taking another small sip of his wine, "She is indeed lovely, though a good word is hardly necessary, I am sure she has already noticed me."

(OOC- I've not bought in to the horny bard concept, only PC I've ever RP'd like that was a barbarian, but he was so dumb he could never pick up a woman. Going with a 'lordly stuck up knight that has a hard time recognizing social ques'. Haven't gotten to RP something like that yet.)

the letter opens normally causing no disturbances, inside there is clearly a note, it falls out as you open the envelope, on the front of it it reads. "welcome all, I trust it no harm has come to you in the retrieval of my message, we have been contacted by the lords alliance asking for us to eliminate a crime boss that is establishing a sanction (murder) trade in Waterdeep. we are being paid 800 GP for providing proof of elimination. 50 percent of the profits will go directly to you as well as all profits found during the expedition." the letter than slowly melts away into a grey puddle, why is anyone's guess.

The Barmaid sees you all looking at her and shakes her head exasperatedly, then proceeds to walk away.

OOC not sure why but i can't unbold

 Reading the contents to the group, he drops the melting parchment onto the table to keep his gloves clean. Wiping his hands on the table (unless there's a napkin) he says, "Not much to go on. I suppose we must contact this "lords alliance" for the target? No name, nor organization name given. I guess we'll need to start asking questions?"

Seeing the barmaid walk away shaking her head, Darvin laughs, then slaps his two colleagues on the shoulders. "Well, I think that avenue has closed to us for the time being. But we have another to pursue," he nods towards the puddle on the table left by the letter, "Assassination is simple enough, but the proof means we need to be close. We should find out what we're up against. I can talk our way in, but that'll only get us so far. We should start with getting our target's name, that'll guide our movements from there."

(Edit: haha Meekros, posted at the same time!)

"Well good job gentlemen, you scared her away! Just when she was about to introduce herself to me." assuming his best dramatic frown and removing Darvin's hand from his shoulder,  checking to ensure he didn't smudge his clothes. "Now, who do we see about acquiring this name?"

Darvin scratches his chin a moment, then heads over to the barmaid. "My apologies for my friends and I before, we were only admiring your working the room and such," he flashes a smile at her, "We meant no disrespect or dishonour." (Persuasion: 24 to get on her good side after she had walked away previously shaking her head).

"Now, a lady as hard working as yourself would hear all manner of talk in a busy tavern such as this. Perhaps you might care to share some of what you hear with me?" Darvin flashes a gold piece casually, as if he were going to give it to her, "I've heard some terrible talk of a murderous crime boss of late. I hope that he doesn't frequent here... does he?" He looks at the barmaid in a concerned look as he says this last part.

"you here many names around here" replies the barmaid while taking an order from a half orc at the counter, "but if you want real names go down to the docks tonight, there is a group of Tabaxi there that work for the Harpers, they should get you and your friends whatever it is you're looking for" She then walks back to grab a drink before resuming conversation with the half orc.

"Many thanks," Darvin flashes her a smile as he hands her the gold, "You've been very helpful." He turns to go back to the others and relays what he has uncovered.

"Sounds like the docks is our next port of call," Darvin chuckles at the pun, "Though if you have business elsewhere first, I'm happy to venture forth wherever you need to go."

"Wait just a moment, did the bar maiden inquire about me? Did you tell her of my rare coin collection?"  Seeming very proud of himself, "It's very impressive, you know." Noticing no one actually cares about his coin collection, Thavis clears his throat, "pardon me, hhmmhmmm, I uh, yes well I have no other business. To the docks." Taking a long sip from his wine. 

(OOC- Won't let me turn off 'bold')

Darvin laughs heartily at Thavis' remark about his coin collection. "I didn't mention the coin collection, but a suggestion Thavis? Maybe you don't mention that either." He laughs again. "It may not get the ladies, but it also will likely attract some in want of quick coin." Darvin chuckles at his pun. "I'm good to head off in search of these Tabaxi whenever the two of you are."

"Right, let's head that way. I've got what I need. "

you only get 10 minutes out of the tavern before you here a rustling in the bushes to your left, followed by a snarl.