Once they get in the alley they’ll likely see Oryxis and Lyrika. 

“So here is the deal. By listening to us you’ll get payed 10gp. Then, if you are able to fill in the gaps in our story you’ll get an additional 10gp. If your information checks out you get additional 25gp. And finally, if you help us complete out goal we’ll ad an other 25gp.”

Ooc: Edgar would probably have gone through his plan with the group beforehand and is willing to pay 30gp out of his own pocket. How much does everyone have and is willing to part with? And does anyone object to this course of action? 

(If everyone puts in some gold then Aramae will put in 10gp into the pile)

Fenro reached into his pouch and pulled out all of his coins and counted it up. Almost 4g, more than he needed at the moment. Reaching into the pile, he took out 2g and passes it over to Edgar. 
As the others sort out the rest of the money, Fenro turns to Aramae and whispers, “can you do that message thing with me? That way if I spot anything I can let you know.”

Aramae taps his lips with a furry finger.

"You know, I never really thought about the possibility of limits on the allowed response time regarding this spell. A worthy experiment!"

After handing 10gp to Edgar, Aramae casts Message to Fenro.

'I am curious if you will be allowed to respond in this way after a lengthier amount of time.'

Lyrika reluctantly takes 30gp out of her bail-out money for the cause.

Oryxis, who is indeed waiting in the alley, had paid five gold, more than half the current sum he carried around. As the two dwarves follow Edgar, he demonstrably flexes his biceps and casts a lingering look on the Greataxe standing on the ground next to him.

"Easiest money you'll ever earn if you're smart. The costliest five minutes of the rest of your life if you ain't."

After handing over the gold, Fenro takes up position to watch their escape route and to ensure they remain undisturbed. Perception: 19

(OOC: I did a little digging and message wont work this way, but the characters don't know that)

(I did the same as Fenro but as he says, the characters won't know.)

The dwarves calmly listen, gesturing for Edgar to go on. That is until Oryxis chimes in. The larger of the two dwarves, seemingly the one in charge, raises an eyebrow. "First you make an insultingly low offer for our help, which has been corrected. Now you threaten us. I think you all really don't know what you're dealing with here. We're not some petty thugs, here at your beck and call to be pushed around. Now," He raises a hand and suddenly dwarves appear all around you. There are ten on the roofs above, as well as at least another ten who appear out of the shadows at each end of the alley. One even appears next to Aramae, giving him a casual nod. "Are we going to respect who we're dealing with here? Or do we need to have your bodies end up at the bottom of the waterfall as a lesson to the next smart guys to be a little smarter?"

(I had suspected as much with the spell, but again, characters didn't know)

Aramae briefly casts a glance towards the dwarf suddenly next to him.

"May Tisus forgive you."

He casts Message to Edgar.

'Abort! Now! These are arrogant madmen!'

Aramae, the dwarf gives you a sidelong glance. "You know I can hear your whispering when you use that spell, right? And we're not madmen, we just demand the respect we deserve. If you want to deal with us you need to show us the respect you would show any other guild." 

"Then you need to demonstrate your own measure of respect in return. Strongarming isn't going to get you anywhere. We come to you peacefully and get met with selfish demands for more coin under the guise of 'respect'."

Aramae pats the bench next to him.

"Come. Sit. Tell me why you and your friends are so desperate for coin."

Persuasion: 25 (Finally! Aramae accomplishes the one thing he was set to be good at! :P )

The dwarf sits down and watches you, glancing casually back at the others in their surrounded position from time to time. "No one ever said that coin was the only way to demonstrate respect, simply that throwing a small amount of coins on the ground like you would for a simple beggar is an insult. We are a guild, same as the smiths or the cobblers, and we ask that you treat us with the same respect that you would treat them."

"If you are offended by my friend's actions, then demonstrating a readiness to engage in a pointless battle over such a trifle amount of coin seems rather silly, does it not? If you are indeed a guild, you should carry yourselves like one."

Aramae casts Message to Edgar once more.

'Edgar, I rescind my earlier comment referring to these dwarves as madmen. However, I do not think there is much for either us or them to gain here. We have our own objectives to complete, anyway. Do not respond to this message.'

“Calm down everyone, this us just a misunderstanding.” He give all of his teammates a look that say trust me to do the talking. “We know that you are not mad, isn’t that right guys? You are just causes and given the type of work you do, that is not surprising. I’m not from around here and where i come from, giving away a token of good will is a way to show that you are willing to do honest business. And my friends here are not used to deal on this side of the law at all”

persuasion: 17

“Long story short, we are investigating what happened at the bards competition. We know that the black hand wasn’t involved. Or at least not in the physical attack. We have connected the assassins to the new church ‘the one above all’ and unfortunately all killers have died. We also know that someone orchestrated a gnoll attack on the city at the same time as the attack on the competition and that all major cities suffered the same kind of attacks. Some were less fortunate then others. Lastly we know that they do it in the name of the king, whoever that might be.” 

Edgar take out 10gp and hands them over to the dwarf. “This was for listening to us. Now what can you tell us about it?” 

The first dwarf Edgar was talking to nods and then takes a wire and points back in the direction that you know Aramae to be. "Boss? Seems like they're just looking for info about the attacks. Says he's not from here, which makes sense lookin' at him." 

The dwarf beside Aramae stands up. "Maintaining a healthy amount of respect for us and our activities is never pointless. You don't have respect then you're just asking to be pushed around. Anyways, your friend has explained things a bit." He walks over to join Edgar and the others. "Alright, your not from here so you don't know the rules, that makes sense. Let me fill you in a bit on how it works here. Dwarves don't need gold, or at least not anything less than a large amount. We trade in other things. The proper way to approach things here is to treat us like what we are, businessfolk. We do a trade, same as anyone else. Now, about the attacks, that wasn't us. We take assassinations when it suits but the royals have always been good to us. They may not like us but they respect us and they know that we keep less, undesirable, elements in check. What we do know, though, is that this kind of thing took planning. You don't hit everyone at the same time without this being planned for a while. Now, they're saying it's Schirit. That makes some sense but not all. I know a bit about the new Baron down there. Zealous fellow but not very bright. Someone else planned this for him." 

“I apologize for disrespecting you then. That was never our intent. Do you know who might have planed this? We’ll take anything you got. Also, what do you know about a count Jezek?” 

"Nothing yet but we're looking into it. You don't mess with the Baron and her family without getting the wrath of the Black Hand. Now, as for Count Jezek, that information will require a trade. Some of my friends have told me there's a group of catfolk who are heading to see the Baron in Urthar. Seeing as your the only catfolk I know, my guess is that's you. Now, you agree to carry a package for a friend of mine in Bost and then I'll tell you what I know about the Count." 

"You must have agents within the keep to be privy to that information. Rest assured, my friend, you and your companions were never suspect to us. I believe we are on the same side here, so I think some sort of partnership would be valuable to both sides. Us 'catfolk, as you call us, well not the large one over there but the one that looks more like I do, he and I are from a trading company. We move goods all over. We are new to Novgortah, yes, which is where you come in. I truly believe both sides can aid the other. Firstly, let us join our respective allies. There is little need to be separated as such, now that an understanding is made."

Aramae takes a few steps towards Edgar and Oryxis, waiting to see if the man follows him.

"Might I ask you your name?"

“I’m not admitting that it is us, but if it was may I ask what it is you want us to carry?” 

Oryxis suppressed a curse at the dwarves appearing around them. He had half a mind to start swinging, just to see what they were made of, but they definitely had the advantage of him, not to mention the others that weren't wearing any heavy armour. Listening to the exchange, he kept a careful eye on the surrounding dwarves. Once Edgar finishes talking, he clears his throat, and addresses the boss of the assembled dwarves, without moving from his position:

"The fact that's information you want to trade for is giving us a lot already. I'm not happy making a move against a potential enemy without knowing more. I'm also not happy agreeing to a job without knowingthe dangers involved. Lastly, while I agree that the whole thing took planning, the men did the killing weren't professionals. They knew how to swing a blade, but anyone with any experience in that tent would have made sure the Æthling would have died. That all but confirms to me you weren't involved. But I'm certain you ain't the only dealers of death in the vicinity. So, as for my part in this whole thing, and as recompense for agreeing to do your business, I want to know what other organisations there are and why you let them tread on your turf. Seems like that's far more of a provocation than my friends and I hear did to you, though you don't seem to be getting ready to attacking them yet. Why's that?"

Oryxis is definitely trying to wound their pride and get a rise out of them, hoping to be able to better read their faces and responses.

Insight: 4