Hrothbert looks around, Slightly annoyed at the woman’s immediate question of recompense, then at the half-elf asking for even more. He sighs and turns back to Masthew intent on the shared information. 

Balasar moved to scratch his chin, not thinking about concealing what he is with this group.  50 gold for kobolds?  he thought.  He did not know much about the world beyond the walls of his monastery, but he heard about kobolds even there.  They were small and annoying, at least according to the monks who had traveled beyond the walls of the monastery.  50 gold seemed like a lot.  Either the mine is much more valuable to this town, or the danger within is much greater than Masthew is letting on.

(OOC: Can I do a perception check to see if he might be holding something back, information-wise?)

"Well, you can count me in," Anya says. She turns and studies the others. "It appears we will be stuck together for a little while if we follow through with this. I'm Anya."

Hrothbert looks over at the others that had joined the conversation, taking note of each of them, and finally to Anya. "Hrothbert Neruca" He stands and gives a slight bow. "A pleasure to meet you, but before we set ourselves to leaving perhaps we should let Speaker Masthew tell us what is expected of us and how many people he desires to have on this venture." Hrothbert turns back to the Speaker. "If you would continue Sir."

(OOC to Balasar: It would be an insight check, but yes)

Balasar eyed the man, Speaker Masthew, wondering if there was something he was not telling the adventurers that had gathered before him.

Balasar:

Balasar's eyes narrowed.  He was not sure if the others were picking up on what he was feeling or not.  He was not even sure he should bring it up to the others yet.  He thought about asking right out about it, but thought better of it.  He did not know those that have gathered before Masthew no more than he knew himself.  Growing up in a monastery of human monks, there was a lot he did not know about himself

Sometimes others have secrets that are not meant for everyone, he remembered one of his trainers saying.  At the time, he thought it was just an old addage.  Not, he wondered if he was talking more from personal experience than from wisdom.

Regardless, Balasar wondered if the man that went missing may have something more to do with Masthew's interest in clearing the mine.  Balasar decided to linger behind to ask Masthew about the man.

(OOC Being as this is only my second game ever, and that I as a the character cannot read the thoughts of others, should I be avoiding opening the spoilers? at least until the current situation is resolved?)

(Typically, don't open spoilers unless you're the DM or it's addressed to you.)

(Ok got it. I hadn't yet just wanted to confirm my general thought. At this point we are waiting on the other players? out of courtesy)

(Yeah)

Hrothbert, sitting at the table, scans over those that have joined the conversation. His eyes flickering when the dragonborns scales are shown and making note of the robes and speech, The Half-elf seems sure of himself but not without some backing, Anya is, at the very least, bold and willing to join this task.

At the lull in the conversation Hrothbert greets to the Half-elf and Dragon born, "Well met all, I am Hrothbert Neruca, paladin of sorts, by what names should I call you and have you a skill set that we should know about?" At the last part he looks at Anya as well to get a bit more info them. "If the four of us are to travel together then we best get to what each of us can contribute to the "team"." The last word seemed to be devoid of any meaning as it left his lips.

"Rhys Eiristar is the name," Rhys says. "I'm talented with the blade as well as with the arcane arts, so that is what I am bringing to the table, so to speak." He casts Prestidigitation to create a harmless shower of sparks for emphasis.

Hrothbert watches the sparkles fall, unimpressed, "Well, Mr. Eiristar, I welcome another sword at my side should we all accept." Then looks over at the others.

Anya watches the little display with interest and a little distrust. She pauses for a few seconds, unsure of what to say about her skills. as she doesn't think most of them are the kind that would impress these strangers. "I'm good with ranged weapons. And these," she says, taking out one of her daggers.

"Oh Yes, some ranged assistance is always welcome, it can make all the difference in a prolonged battle." Hrothbert nods in a approval at Anya and turns toward the Dragonborn, "And you sir are dragonborn are you not? I hear you are a hardy folk and often quite in tune with the mystical arts as well." Hrothbert nods at Rhys, then gestures at Balasar's robes "Would you perchance be adept at cures and healing type things?"

Balasar nods to the group, trying to make sure his hood does not slip off his draconic head.  The adventurers gathered here may be used to Dragonborn, but he could not be sure about the rest of the patrons here.

"Balasar," he simply says, "Greetings."

(Posting from mobile)

”Very well it seems we have a party of 4, unless the good speaker here was wanting a few more to join us”

Hrothbert looks back at Masthew for a response. 

(Sorry if I am driving this whole thing. I was hoping our minotaur friend would have walked in by now. I am aware there are 5 of the six already in the tavern.)

Thulmar took his time approaching the tavern that the boy had directed him towards. He wanted to take a moment to clear his head, It would not do well to meet the Speaker whilst his wits were muddled by a foul mood. But the prospect of a coming battle and the possibility of new travelling companions soon brightened his outlook and by the time he stepped through the tavern door he was feeling quite jovial about the whole thing.

Thulmar rose to his full height as he stepped into the tavern and looked around for the others he knew were seeking the Speaker. He spotted them clustered around a table talking to a well-dressed half-orc, this must be the speaker. Thulmar approached the table directly and nodded his head to all those gathered.

“Greetings. I am Thulmar, descended of the great Tazgral, Barbarian and wanderer. If you are Speaker Masthew then I would join your quest and help clear this mine of whatever foul denizens have infested it”.