Killilli’s Dragon Heist

Mirt shrugs, “It’s inconsequential anyway. That note proves nothing, and my word carries far more weight than any of yours.”

“I can offer you my regular rates if it’s just a loan you want, though they carry a premium for being from such a reputable source. 5% interest if paid back within a tenday, increasing to 15% up to the fourth tenday, 25% until the 8th and 50% thereafter. I’d expect at least half repaid after 12 tendays, or courts will get involved. Now, if you were to take me on as a partner, all you’d need to do to decrease my share is take less of an investment.” 

Aldrik sighs. "Mirt, surely you have a rate for a business. You and I both know that repairs won't even be complete before you're charging 25%, which is a death spiral of debt. This is not me trying to pay off a bar tab this time and needing a quick influx for a night."

Mirt waves his hand in the air, “Take the time to consider your options, I feel I’ve said enough on why working with me is worth the price.” He pops open a bottle of brandy pouring each of you a glass before passing it over. “Now, onto other things. I don’t intend to spend my morning debating numbers.” He gestures over toward Aimee, Kerri and Lyss. “These fine young ladies managed to thwart the plans of our resident rivalling gangs. My…..allies have found this underworld activity to be the latest danger to the people of this city, and I agree. I would like to have some word to report back on their activities but I’m a busy man. If you could find word from one of our agents deep under cover, it would certainly be a service I would be very appreciative of.”

 "Aimee, we're about to open a tavern. You'll have to learn how to drink at some point if you want to make sure what we are selling is good enough for the public."

"Does that go for me too Aldy? Can I be in charge of making sure the food's good, instead?"

*cough* "I am thirsty though, I'm not quite sure about new drinks though. Maybe some tea? Tea hasn't steered me wrong yet." *cough*

Cico looks at Aimee and Lyss.

"Stick to guild approved brewers, vintners, and distillers, and you will get quality," Cico says. He sniffs the drink that was offered him but he still hasn't taken a sip of it yet. "But unless you're looking to become a high end lounge for the very wealthy, I'm sure as long as what you serve is wet there won't be too many complaints. And even the rich won't complain if the mug is clean. Most are concerned with appearance not substance."

Cico turns back to Mirt, though still sitting in his lotus position in the chair.

"The gangs are still threatening the harmony of your city?" Cico asks. After a pause and few moments of controlled breathing he continues "I am willing to help find your agent. Who, what, and where?"

Lyss hops down and wanders the room a bit, looking at the things on Mirt's walls and furniture, but not touching. Bored, she wanders over to Kerri to quietly ask, "Do you think it's going good? I didn't follow all the numbers and maths. I'm going to go back to my seat, but after I do, check your pocket."

Lyss skips back to her seat and leans over to Aimee. "What's it taste like? Looks icky."

@Kerri

Kerri's cheeks go a slight shade of red as she finally reads the note, but she doesnt say anything about it. "Mirt, I cant speak for the others but I do agree that you inital deal is very generious and one that would be shamefull to turn down. The gentleman I just met in the last 24 hours, but Aimee and Lyss have proven to be very good friends."

"We're pretty awesome!"

Aimee looks down at her drink happy but perhaps concerned,

"Can't you do the drink tasting and food? I'll pick the literature?"

To the question on taste,

"You ever eaten tomato soup and then puked it up through your mouth and nose? It tastes like the taste after you've done that! Same burn in your sinuses and everything!"

---

Aimee give Kerri a wild smile and a double thumbs up for the vote of confidence.

The longer the conversation has drug on, the more visible agitated Edvord has begun to appear. He is constantly looking over his shoulder at the windows attempting to judge the time by where the sun is casting its rays from the sky.

After waiting to hear if Mirt responds to Cico's inquiry, the man scratches against his stubble before speaking up, "Thank you sir Mirt... it appears my companions need a few moments to think through their potential... options." Turning back to the group, Edvord addresses his companions, "Perhaps some conversations are better left for... elsewhere."

Mirt sips on his brandy an eye raising as Lyss coughs, before, nodding at Kerri’s assessment. “Very well, perhaps you could do the unthinkable and teach a Reinholdt to care about more than just what’s in their coffers.” He chuckles, glancing at Aldrik with a cheeky glint in his eye, before his attention turns to the agitated Edvord. “What’s the matter boy, am I boring you? I advise the Open Lord herself, you could learn a lot from me kiddo - there’s things in the world you can’t learn from books.” though his words seem biting, he delivers them with a jovial tone as he pats his chest proudly.

”Now, Mr Silentleaf, I’m glad you’d like to help. I’ve had only good experiences so far with members of your order, not ones for much talk, but incredibly helpful fellows. Now, here’s what I’d like you to do - one of the drays working in the city is pulled by a talking mare named Maxeene. She wears a violet flower behind her left ear. Locate her, and find out if she knows of any Zhent agents in hiding. Easy enough right?” He finishes his glass, slamming it down. “Well, thank you all for joining me for breakfast, it truly has been a pleasure. Unfortunately, I must get on with my day. People to see, places to go. Adieu my friends” As he stands to leave he rings a bell, and Fenton re-enters the room. “If you’d be so kind as to come with me I will escort you from the grounds. I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay at Mirt’s Mansion. The Old Wolf cares greatly about the wellbeing of his guests, so I would be happy to field any feedback on the way out.” His plastered on smile appears exactly the same as when you first arrived, as if frozen in time.

As Mirt speaks his adieus, Aldrik responds in kind, "Until next time, Old Wolf. We will consider what you've offered. Do enjoy the opera, say hello to my father for me."

Cico listens carefully to Mirt's request and directions.

"Dray. Talking violet Maxeene. Hiding Zhents," Cico repeats more to himself than for confirmation that he understands, though all the while he watches Mirt's eyes, to see if there is more to what he is saying that he is actually saying.

Insight: 18  

"I assume you're looking for an answer of more than yes?" Cico says. "Zhentarim are everywhere."

"Bye Mr. Wolf! Hi Fenton!"

Once outside,

"Let's go find that talking horse!"

Mirt nods, “ Well yes, hopes are that we can put a few of their big players behind bars and end this blight on the city, so as much you can learn as possible.” 

Fenton escorts you dutifully out of the grounds, politely chipping in on the way. “ I wish you the best of luck, and hope our hospitality was sufficient. I understand you may see my lords rates as slightly unreasonable…. I may be able to put in a good word if you could do me a little favour. An item of particular value has gone missing from the Old Wolf’s collection. A statuette of a celestial unicorn. If you would be so kind as to retrieve it, I would be in your debt.”

"You know when it went missing? Any leads?"

Edvord pulls Aldrik to the side while Lyss is discussing the statute with Fenton. Edvord attempts to speak low enough so that the hopefully distracted Fenton doesn't overhear the conversation, but Edvord is not actively attempting to hide the conversation from the other party members, "Quite a few conversations going on in there... some less transparent than others. Look, you know I could not care any less about the ownership of that dilapidated tavern... but Mirt's opening offer of demanding a controlling share was pretty brash. The old scoundrel has the funds and the leverage, and he knows it. If our father was in your shoes he would try to balance the scales... and there are many ways one can achieve such an equilibrium." At the last statement Edvord pats his spellbook and gestures his head back towards Mirt's mansion. "I suggest we find a quiet place to rally the troops."

Kerri smiles and polietly thanks Fenton as they're escorted out. "We'd be happy to investigate for you."

"Oh! Unicorns are way better than horses! Yes please!"

Aldrik nods. "My thoughts exactly, brother... Come. There's another taproom nearby. Good to scout out the competition, and we can speak in relative quiet."

To the others, "Before we go chasing unicorns and talking horses, lets have a quick chat. I know a place nearby."