Auric:

"You surmise correctly, Master Hansel, for my life's purpose is to oppose the rampaging of evildoers, with chromatic dragons being principal among them, given the shame they bring on those of my kind,"  responds Auric, adding, "Though mine own puissance alone will be insufficient to defeat a dragon, by my reckoning, and I would crave thine assistance if thou wouldst be so inclined."

Mr.Dark's smile has dropped away during the exchange, and his mouth and fallen open. His eyes dart back and forth between the gold skinned dragonkin and the golden haired pretty boy....as they speak to each other in flowery language.  Finally when a question is directed at him, he responds with, "Uuuuuhhhhhh. Yeah....riiiiight. Well, I ain't no laborer. Think of me more as a free agent...currently on the market. That means, if you lot are goin after some treasure, i'd be inclined to come along." 

     "Well Mr. Marblebeard, it sounds like this troupe is girding up to face a dragon," Kaemgen says with some amusement, lifting his tankard up to signal that he could use a refill. "You getting paid enough to protect me from that?  I can be a bit reckless when I get into a fight, I'll warn you..."

     "Do we know anything about this dragon? Besides the notice on the board stating that there is one?  Do any of us have experience with actual dragons?" Kaemgen asks the general group, though instinctively looking at the Dragonborn among them.  

(LOL. Flowery maybe, but although Hansel can manage 'magnificent' and 'picturesque', his INT isn't high enough for 'puissance'. He just nods as if he understands.)

Hansel looks down at the cards for a moment, deep in thought but not on the game. Finally he looks back to Auric and says: It was not my intent to linger. And yet there is beauty here, in its own way. Master Kaemgen assures us that a white dragon harries the town, and the bard sings: "Then let not winter’s ragged hand deface / In thee thy summer, ere thou be distilled." I shall tarry and do what I can to aid you, to preserve what beauty abides yet in this place against the dragon's threat, and increase it if I may. Then gesturing to the others he adds: And perchance with the strength of many we may prevail.

All newcomers who had visited the job board outside the Townmaster's Hall experienced the feeling of being watched by more than one set of curious eyes. The feeling would persist throughout your approach to Stonehill Inn.

Mr. Dark

Auric

Marblebeard and Hansel

Stonehill Inn

With all the pent up excitement and hubbub from the sudden rush of adventurer's, Stonehill Inn was buzzing with comradery. One table in particular drew a lot of attention from the locals. They couldn't tell if they were just amused, or actually impressed by the type strutting in through the door. All-in-all, it was a good influx of positive activity for local proprietors and they welcomed the new faces with polite small town hospitality.

As five gathered around a table for drinks and accompanying rounds of Dragon Ante, whether they cared to be aware or not, they were definitely being watched while inside the establishment. It was the same feeling you experienced at the job board, with an added sense of weight on your mind. Eventually it would fade away, most noticeably when Auric would speak reason prior to introducing himself.

Conversation continues in a flow even after Mr. Dark calls a reminder for cards down. A natural lull in discussion comes in anticipation for the round to be presented and outcome decided. But before the announcement could be made, an unexpected set of 'cards' get placed down on the table by a hooded figure that emerged from a dark secluded corner of the Inn.

"Counting chickens before they hatch..." The voice would muse from the darkness of their hood, tilted in Kaemgen's direction before moving Auric's way. "The path you choose is up to you." They'd tap their finger on a fourth card that was blank, then it materialized with unique handwriting from the other notices. The golden dragonborn could see that these weren't playing cards, but job board cards. Three of them you recognize from earlier, but there was an extra one... When the individual would retrieve their hand back into their robes, Auric, you register slender and delicate fingers ravaged in burn scars that continued up into their sleeves.

Cards

As you all look back at the cards, the figure was gone and you could hear the sound of the establish door closing shut behind someone.

Perception Check
Roll Call: All

Kaemgen Perception: 10

     Kaemgen looks up in distracted annoyance at the hooded figure who interrupts the game.  It wasn't that he cared about the game, as such, but there is a certain decorum to be respected when there is gambling taking place.  Strangers fiddling with the table and laying down cards is definitely against such.

     Kaemgen's attention is quickly drawn away from the figure to the cards they laid upon the table.  He was aware of the hush that had taken over the table.  Well the room, for the most part.  And the cards were familiar enough, he had studied the job postings before he even stepped foot in the inn several days ago now.  But the last card, the blank one, that... intrigued him.  Of course it did.  It was meant to of course, so fighting that Kaemgen drew his attention back up from the cards and to...

     But he was gone already. 

     "Well that was..."  Kaemgen starts and then pauses, reading the final card.  "Something..."

     "Fifty gold is fifty gold, I suppose...  But this last one, who knows what could be found?"

     Kaemgen was eager to make mass quantities but was no fool, he knew it would be some time before he was ready to tackle anything that would provide such in one bold stroke.  But...A Ruined Temple and locals hiding their small put perhaps yet substantial hoard of gold?  It was likely either way too good to be true, or a step in the right direction.

Auric:

Perception:  10

Trying to discern more about the mysterious figure before he disappeared, Auric sighs and looks down at the cards.  "Perchance we should firstly warn those souls unaware of the imminent draconic threat--both to our south and southwest.   If I read the task aright, we may leave the Dwarves to their mines, but should escort the healer to the relative safety of this village, and this would terminate the first leg of our sojourn back here.  Tools to fight the dragon and treasure to finance our preparations may indeed lie to the east and southeast, if we should succeed in our initial venture.  What sayest Thou all?  Should we embark on these humble but necessary tasks that we might prepare ourselves for the coming battle?" asks Auric.

Mr.Dark Perception : 4. 

Mr.Dark keeps his eyes on Scott, wondering when he's going to place his last card and determine a winner.....though looks sideways at the list of jobs absently, clearly distracted and focus'd on his cards.  He glances over at the stranger as they approach, and frowns, recalling the figure near Tymora's shrine. As the figure goes off...wherever he went to, but the cards are left, Mr.Dark doesn't seem to notice, still focused on the card game.  As Auric lays out the most sensible approach, Mr.Dark shrugs, "Seems like fools errands, five people running around the countryside trying to warn folks about a dragon for a couple gold a day each. But, might be a good idea to cut our teeth on a couple easy tasks together before rushing into certain death. Let's chalk it up to adventurer hazing.  Anyone sees a raven around or this dark cloaked fellow, say somethin, don't keep it to yourself. I wanna know if he follows us. Remember.  See something, say something."

Perception: 14

Hansel wondered for a moment if this was part of the game, but before he realised it wasn't, the stranger had already left. More faces hidden in hoods, he muses. I've never understood it. If there is any imperfection or blemish in ones features, there are many ways to remedy or conceal this.

With a sigh, Hansel glances again at the cards. I agree that the warnings are likely the simplest and most urgent of the tasks. Is there time left in the day to make a short journey of a few miles?

Mr.Dark leans forward suddenly and points at Hansel with aggression, but there's a big smile on his face, "I LIKE YOU!"  He practically shouts this in the confines of the bar.  Then he stands up, sweeping the gold into his pouch, Scott's cards still not revealed. "I'll just assume I took the last hand..." 

Down 5 silver for the first game, but up 3 gold for the second game, Mr.Dark pockets a net 2.5 gold after the two games of cards.

He begins packing everything up, including the cards.  He looks around, "Where's all the stuff I ordered?!"  He looks over at the bar tender, "Just...leave my tab on, I'll collect the bottle of booze, bath, and the rest when I get back...seems I'm goin out on the road today!"  

     Kaemgen McScáth scowls at Mr.Dark as he scoops up the pot of the unfinished hand of cards.  He shifts the way he sits in his seat and a hand slides to the hilt of his rapier.  He looks to Mr. Marblebeard, however, and resigns himself to backing up his play.  If any.

     By all standards, cheating at cards is a blood worthy offense...  But Kaemgen held himself in check as he was not the one offended here.  In truth, depending on Mr. Marblebeard's cards, there is perhaps no offense at all.

Mr.Dark's eyes slide across Kaemgen as makes his sword hilt accessible and then glances to Scott.  "Well, seems your charge is more than willing to stick up for you as well. A two way street it seems. You showing your cards, or are we headed for the road?" 

Auric:

Picking up the stack of cards, Auric flips the dwarven mining card quest up first, saying, "Come then, companions mine, let us play the hand fate has dealt us.  Speak to me of thine talents that will aid us in our quest, against the chance we may engage in fervent battle during our travels.  Mine own nascent skill lies in wielding of the Platinum Dragon spirit magic."

Talents! Ah, where do I begin? Hansel says with wide eyes. And the longer he speaks the faster and more excited he becomes. I can do manicures and pedicures, to trim, cleanse, polish or even color your nails, or apply some artificial ones if you like. I can style your hair, including cleansing, texturing, layering, tinting, straightening or curling. Or if you would like braiding or extensions, I can do those too. But skin work is my specialty. I can make anyone look younger and more beautiful, even crusty old Kaemgen here. I can do exfoliations, waxing, threading, or wrinkle reduction. I have cleansers, toners, moisturisers, and balms. I have lipsticks, mascara, eye shadow, foundation, blush, highlighters, bronzers...

Finally he pauses for breath, and takes a deep sigh. Ah! Truly Sune has blessed me. Would anyone like a quick facial before we leave?

Scott’s eyes seem to almost glaze over with all of the talk of hunting and killing a dragon. It’s not until Mr Dark asks about the cards does he reveal his hand. “Will this hand win??”

Cards check: 16

Deception: 12

Insight: 12

(missed the perception call. Whoops...)

perception: 7

Mr. Dark shakes his head slowly as Hansel begins to spout off his 'skills'. The frown intensifies and his eyes do a long blink as Hansel continues and he further slowly shake his head, until Hansel mentions braids.  Then he makes a "well...maybe" sorta face....but then quickly goes back to shaking his head disapprovingly for the rest of the spiel. 

Then he's distracted by Scott FINALLY putting his cards down.  He stares at the cards unhappily and sighs heavily. "That is a push, which, technically requires another hand. But let us consider is a tie and move on, yes?"  He pulls out 2 gold from his bag. "Your half of the last pot." 

With that he turns to Auric and says, "My skills, given what has been offered, include shooting bolts of iron and wood into things that need to be killed, along with making wise cracks, drinking heavily, oh, and of course, playing cards pretty well."  He smiles, holding up the deck that he finally packs away. 

     Dizzied and confused by Hansel’s spiel, Kaemgen had leaned back and released his hand from his sword long before the final cards were revealed.

     “Yes, well…” Kaemgen starts, getting to his feet and looking around at those assembled.  “I was a bit of a soldier.  Back in the day.  I’ll admit it has been a while, but I’ve stayed practiced enough with my blades where I should be of some help…”

     Looking over at his new bodyguard, Kaemgen shrugs.  “If nothing else, I guess I have Mr. Marblebeard to protect me…”

Looking to Mr McScáth, Scott says simply, “You are quite right sir.”

Kaemgen your eyes caught glimpse of the hooded figure’s lips. You saw that they moved and said something to you, but you weren’t paying enough attention to hear what it was.

Auric and Hansel on the other hand, heard the voice clearly. “And where the dragon was last seen.” Corner of their lip pulled into a wry smirk, revealing a dimpled cheek prior to disappearing from your sight.

It is about early afternoon, and even at a normal pace the group figures they could set out for the dwarven excavation and arrive with time to spare before sunset.

Survival Check
Who‘s leading and/or directing the way? Are you sure you know where you’re going?

Roll call: Any one navigating
Advantage: Can be granted if someone provides constructive help

Hansel again peers at the card and says: Perhaps this... Townmaster Westin can direct us to the location of the mine. Shall we see if he is in?

He will also approach the innkeeper and pay in advance for a room to store his belongings, even though he doesn't expect to return before nightfall. And he will prepare a travel pack with a few essentials from his large collection. (Just the basics... soaps, perfumes, hairbrush, manicure kit, razor, moisturiser, breath mints...)