IC - An Assassins Ambition - Earn 500k gold.

[Ripptor]

Thelma barks a short laugh, smiling darkly at the halfling's blunt accusation. "Oh, we're certainly here to buy something. We're looking for a new club membership." Gesturing at her group, Thelma gets to the point. "See, my friends and I have information about your upcoming group meeting, and the timing is just right for a career move. Working conditions have been poor recently, and we're looking for a change." "So, we want to sell our services, permanently. We trade this information, we want in on the Ants. Right to work, job opportunities, and the usual sign on bonus for our proof of loyalty." Thelma pauses to take another swig of her intoxicating tea. "For that last part, we know someone is looking to expand territory through you. I'm sure you're aware of the recent issues with the Governor's staff opening?" "Hire us on, we'll help solve your usurper problem, and permanently solidify your position here in Mournstead. It's a win-win." Thelma tips her flask at Cedric, pointing at the Halfling with a wry smile. "Once we're on your payroll, of course."

Spoiler: OoC

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Conditions:
Child of Shadow: Concealment after 10' Move
Disguise Self: +10 Disguise, as Human Rogue
Glibness: +30 Bluff, to convince truthiness
Vodare: -4 Diplomacy and Bluff
Vodare: +2 Intimidate and +2 vs. Fear

Actions:
Bluff: Taking 10 (Social Intuition) for 46, with Glibness -Vodare

Plan
Present the problem, convincing Cedric we're on the up-and-up...
Allow Lady to barter a price / get him to take us somewhere more secluded?

If we're really lucky, we could even get an upfront payment from the victim himself!

[Cygnia]

"Indeed..." spoke the "older" woman. Her eyes drifted purposely towards the two figures bemoaning the "lost opportunity" at the Governor's manor, then over to the gnome and his pointer before focusing on Cedric and giving him a respectful nod. "We don't doubt the magic, Guildmaster...but curious peoples' eyes still have a way of wandering where they shouldn't be."

[MCollarsen]

Cedric's eyes flit between the party as they sit across from him. His tongue pokes out as he yet again re-adjusts his jaw. Fine then, but you'd better not be wasting my time. As he finishes the last grouping of coins, he pulls each sack of the ring holding it, drops each sack into the larger fifth sack, then pulls the strings tight. He presses the button with a circle, before raising his voice, Ka'gah'ta!

At his call the emaciated goliath steps around the counter, and towards the table, reaching as they move. Cedric hands both the sack and the scales over to the looming figure. I'm going to take these 4 downstairs for a private meeting, if they come back up without me KILL them.

Turning back to the group he smiles before hovering his finger over the 1st button, the one pointing towards him. Last Chance, anyone want out before we make decisions with consequences?

Spoiler: If no one objects....

Show

Cedric's finger presses the button pointing towards him, the booth shook just for a moment, before slowly lowering into the floor. With the exception of the watching Ka'gah'ta, no one seemed to notice. Apparently the moving booth was a common enough occurrence.

As the ceiling descended with the booth, the gap to escape it quickly lessened before vanishing entirely, a few moments after light slid in from behind the backs of all the benches, as they were lowered into a well lit 30' x 30' room.

https://app.photobucket.com/u/MColla...a05b?mode=zoom

[Ripptor]

Thelma notes the loud and clear threat via nodding at Ka'gah'ta as Cedric starts the booth's descent, watching as their surroundings shift vertically into the unknown. As the light fades, Zeph instinctively refocuses her senses, acutely scenting the cramped booth before it opens up into the fire-lit chamber below, picking up the domestic wood tones and a hint of cleaner. These must be his living quarters. She mentally connects the fire pit to the piping she saw above, leading out through to the tavern roof, mentally marking it as a potential exit... and perhaps the only way to escape unnoticed. When the booth stops, Thelma stands and wanders over to the fire pit to warm herself while remaining in earshot of the circle of plush chairs, the only group seating in the chamber. The position also provides a good blockade of the exit booth, should she need to block their target's own escape, but that only matters if it matters. Her eyes note the safe and scroll rack across the room as potential sources of secondary income, from the guild or otherwise, though again she is getting ahead of herself. The Halfling, first. One hurdle at a time.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Conditions:
Hunter's stance: Scent, 30'
Disguise Self: +10 Disguise, as Human Rogue
Glibness: +30 Bluff, to convince truthiness
Vodare: -4 Diplomacy and Bluff
Vodare: +2 Intimidate and +2 vs. Fear

Her Passive checks, from the OoC:
Spot: 16
Listen: 26
Initiative: 23

Plan
Wait for Cedric to settle in, and then spin a web / barter payment!

[Cygnia]

"Thank you for understanding, Guildmaster..." Again, a respectful nod from the woman as the Lady allowed herself to appear relieved. Still, she waited for Cedric to approach and sit in the plush seats first, wondering what sort of toxin or torture that goliath had been put through to look so emaciated. Perhaps it was a way to break its will.

If that was the case, then there was more sin on Cedric's soul -- and more reason to deserve death.

[Aegis013]

Vibax waits quietly, though holding his tongue is figuratively killing him.

I know that potion can work miracles. Trust your comrades, Vibax.

Vibax keeps his seat in the booth, looking around with interest as the booth descends. Seeing the more comfortable seating in the chamber below, he waits to see what hospitality Cedric might offer to his guests.

[MCollarsen]

Cedric moved from his spot in the booth, carefully keeping his distance from the members of this strange group.

He moved past them casually, but carefully keeping them in view, never once turning his back to them. He sits in a chair and waving his hand. Churl - bring us some wine.
*1

A bottle of wine and a tray of glasses lifted from beside the bed, and moved gently through the air, as the tray of glasses approached Cedric he plucked one, and held it while the bottle filled.

The floating drinkware continues and halts before each member of the party.

Now then, what do you think you know that is so very important to me?

Spoiler: Rolls

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Spellcraft/K. Arcana check (either or both)

[Ripptor]

Thelma watches as 'Churl' moves towards her at the fireplace with a glass, her flask of Oil of Taggit on her hip reminding her to keep to her own drinks. Thelma waves it away, jiggling her flask at the floating bottle before it continues on it's merry way. She's seen this magic before, but just in case she breathes deeply as it leaves, confirming for herself the lack of any living smell. Satisfied that they are indeed alone, Thelma returns her focus to the Halfling sitting across from her in his chair, content in his own lair to have his own way. Warming herself by the fire, she raises an eyebrow, the thief reminds the man that this is a negotiation... Her demeanor shifting from curiosity to resolve. "Information isn't free, you know. Especially when we're all taking such a big risk in getting it to you." "How can we trust you to hold up your end of the deal?"

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Conditions:
Punishing Stance: -2 AC, +1d6 Dmg
Disguise Self: +10 Disguise, as Human Rogue
Glibness: +30 Bluff, to convince truthiness
Vodare: -4 Diplomacy and Bluff
Vodare: +2 Intimidate and +2 vs. Fear

Initiative: 23

Skill Checks, if needed:
Bluff: Taking 10 (Social Intuition) for 46
Intimidate: Taking 10 (Social Intuition) for 26

Plan
We need to know that we'll be safe, paid, and permanently hired. We're taking a big risk here, and we need assurances!

Or, at least we would if any of this was true...

Would be fun to get him to pay us for his assassination, too Or maybe he'll trade info, and we can learn more about what's going down behind the scenes with the Governor?

Switching stances to prepare for a kill, if we go that route...

[Cygnia]

The Lady nodded respectfully (though with some look of confusion) towards the air as she took the offered glass. She raised it to her lips and gave it a cursory sniff, not daring to drink just yet, but making sure for politeness' sake that propriety was observed. At the very least, it would provide contrast to "Thelma's" brusqueness.

And all the while, she watched Cedric carefully, looking for any social chink in the armor they could exploit or be wary about...

If he's capable of magic, this changes things...