conversations: human
conversations:  Road’s End is located in the southeastern region of Tarsus about 50 miles west of the coast and nestled on the northern tip of Holden’s Wood, a large deciduous forest. Slightly northwest of the city and slightly off the road is Horseshoe Lake. The city is moderate sized and always bustling with plenty of attractions.  The buildings are mainly constructed of wood and stone. Road’s End is divided into three districts:
  
    The Main Gate District:  
  
  The main gate is where everyone arrived is to the northwest. It is heavily guarded by highly trained soldiers. All merchants and newcomers of the city have to enter from in order to get the proper papers.
  
  Just south of the gate is the “The Gold Goblet” where the beer and rumors come aplenty. The owner, Rognus Stonehelm, is an old dwarf. Very rugged looking and missing one eye, but is friendly and is always willing to talk. In the tavern, towards the back, is a room set up for gambling, where the town favorites are Three Dragon Ante and Craps.  Across the street is a gladiator arena pit owned by The Gold Goblet, but is currently closed because it is under construction.
  
    Noble’s Quarter  
  
  The noble’s quarter is located on the west side of town and the road is barricaded. You must have residency or permission to enter.  From the barricade, the houses and properties are large and the construction is remarkable.
  
    Market Square  
  
  Towards the center of the city is the city square. Local shops surround the square, and every day from sunrise to sunset, the largest bazaar in the region is open. Most things can be found here if you care to look… or have the coin.
  
  
  A week has passed since the crow delivered the message and you all have trickled in from different parts of the region during this time and have settled into staying at the Gold Goblet. The beds are comfortable, and the food and drink from the tavern on the main floor are fantastic. However, it is now dawn and today is the day you meet at the Soldiers of Fortune Outpost in one hour, located in the basement of Gramwort’s Curio Shop in the Market Square. Daylight is seeping into your room from the window…
  
  OCC
   
   Spoiler 
  This is a great opportune moment to introduce your characters, what you’ve been doing to pass the time till the meeting and we will prepare to get underway!
   
conversations: Lunarix:
conversations: human
conversations:  On a bed and in the middle of a sea of cards sits a curious halfling, visibly excited. He's good looking for a halfing, with bright blue eyes and short brown hair. His most distinguishing feature are his magnificent sideburns. His name is Acis.
  
  He woke up early this morning because of his excitement (something that happened every time he got another job) and he is spending the time he has left throwing cards at the hat at the edge of his bed, but his accuracy is getting worse and worse. He knew it was almost time to go.
conversations: Acis:
conversations: human
conversations:  Antivian, Eladrin Warlord   
  
  Antivian remained motionless for a long time as the first beams of sunlight entered in through his window. His breathing was slow and shallow, and the smell of a soft yet sweet incense filled the air as it rose up from a small burner in front of him. His armor, well polished and oiled, laid upon an armor stand. His spear rested gently against a wall with his sword laid carefully on the foot of his bed. Antivian rose and opened his window, letting a breeze blow in. It already smelled of the city, but Antivian left it open. He extinguished the flame on his incense burner and carefully put it away in his pack before donning his clothes for the day. After his basic clothes were on, he dressed himself in his armor. For its intricacies, it was a simple thing. Two leg protector pieces complete with boots, and a large scale tunic that went over his chest. He tied the metal breastplate in place and then tied that down with his belt before placing his gauntlets on his hands. He carefully flung his cloak over his shoulders and gathered up his weapons and shield. Leaving the room as he found it the night before, Antivian left, and made his way to the meeting place.
conversations: Arq Kujos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern - Dwarf Invoker   
  
  As the dawn's light brightens the room, Baern can be found in its corner, on his knees but perfectly upright. The palms of his hands are pressed together in front of his face and his eyes are closed. The dwarf's lips move  constantly but almost silently, the specific words of his whispered prayers impossible to discern.
  
  Baern is dressed in a nondescript, worn but incredibly sturdy looking suit of chain mail. His boots are similarly worn and rather dirty. In front of the dwarf, resting against the wall, is a magnificent staff. Its shaft is inlaid with a plethora of runes that seem to shift if you try to inspect them closely. Set into the staff's head is a symbol of a flaming anvil in front of a hammer.
  
  Once the room has filled with bright sunshine, the dwarf's lips stop moving. After a pause, he says aloud, "  Moradin's will be done.  "
  
  Baern opens his eyes, blinks twice, then stands and collects his staff. On his way out of the room he takes a cloak from the stand by the door and affixes it around his neck. As he heads out of the Inn, he offers the staff a cheery good morning, adding "  No breakfast today. No, I haven't gone mad!  " Baern laughs heartily as he exits The Gold Goblet.
  
  Making his way briskly to the Market Square, Baern finds his favourite vendor and avails himself of a selection of fruits. Still munching on the last of them, he arrives at Gramwort's a full half-hour early. "  May as well take a look inside while I wait...  " says the dwarf as he opens the door.
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Acis, Halfling warlock 
  
  After packing his bags and paying for his room Acis leaves the Gold Goblet.  Hmmm still enough time left to check out the market.  He mutters to himself. When Acis enters the market square and starts looking around for any curiosity stalls and shops, hoping to find some new items and ideas for his own store. He then finally heads towards Gramwort's curio shop to first check the store itself out and then head for the basement.
conversations: Acis:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden   
  
  As day dawned, Mordun arose plainly and threw on his pack and slung his Mordenkrad over his shoulder. Paying for his room, he leaves and munches on the leg of a deer he had caught in the forest the day before. Eager to get this adventure underway, he heads straight to Gramwort's. The spirits weren't as easily heard amid the hustle and bustle of the city, and although Mordun always kept his eyes and ears open, he only felt the small presence of mice and alley cats.
  
  "  Stoneroot, strengthen me with your patience. By your beard, I hope we don't need to stay here long. Ah well, we Soldiers must do what is needed, whatever the mission, don't we?  " Mordun mused to himself.
conversations: TitoElito:
conversations: human
conversations:  Harbek, Dwarf Fighter  
  
  Harbek has been at the Gold Goblet for several days now. The comfort is somewhat off putting for the dwarf. He is used to rising at dawn - either from a blanket on a stone floor, or to a day of labor in the quarry. So he has made up the difference for himself - He awakens before light and spends several hours battering stones to dust in the rear yard. It's not clear who owned those stones, or what they had planned for them, but now they have a nice pile of gravel for the yard if they like (and Harbek is not interested if they don't like it).
conversations: rb780nm:
conversations: human
conversations:  The market square is busier then normal today, and people are buying all sorts of miscellaneous things like live chickens, to house rugs, to wood axes. There are even a few carts full of magic gear, and random knick-knacks.
  
  On the western side of the square, you see the sign for Gramwort's Shop. When you walk in, the walls of shelves are filled with various items, like old maps, scrolls from the old Tarsus Library, and even carvings of different animals made out of various bone and stone. While the four of you are in the shop, you hear some fumbling from behind the counter. A middle-aged halfling man, with brown hair and starting to bald on top come out from behind, smiling and says,   "Hi there strangers! Welcome to my curio shop. I just got in a new supply and there's always something in this shop for everyone!"    lowering his voice to a more normal tone, he asks,   "What brings you in today?"  
  
  Harbek:
   
   Spoiler 
  Rognus doesnt seem to mind. Actually, he smiles a bit and chuckles to himself before walking inside.
   
  
  
  Baern:
   
   Spoiler 
  As you arrived earlier then all the others, I'll answer you a bit differently in spoilers but Gramwort asks you the same questions.
   
conversations: Lunarix:
conversations: human
conversations:  Acis, halfling warlock   
   Well hello there! You must be Gramworth. Mighty fine shop you have here, but I'm not really here to buy something from the shelves... 
  
  Acis flashes his insignia to the shopkeeper
  
   I'm pretty sure you know what I'm here for. 
conversations: Acis:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern - Dwarf Invoker   
  
  "  Well met,  " replies Baern, "  my name Is Baern. I have been summoned by Captain Opal to meet in your basement in a half-hour's time.  "
  
  Baern shows his insignia to the halfling before continuing. "  Since I'm early, perhaps I could browse your wares in the mean time. Do you have any accessories that might make slaying the enemies of Moradin more aesthetically pleasing?  "
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden  
   Seeing that Baern was going to possibly delay the group,  Mordun quickly flashed his insignia to Gramwort, and then said   "And what do you have that could appeal to a forest warden?"  
conversations: TitoElito:
conversations: human
conversations:  Harbek pulls out his insignia and walks past the counter to the hidden entryway.  "Likin' the new eye-pieces,"  he grunts at the shopkeeper, pointing at the goggles sitting on top of his head.
conversations: rb780nm:
conversations: human
conversations:  When Antivian arrives, he simply pulls the small coin out of his pouch and shows it to the shop keeper.  "I take it you recognize this?" 
conversations: Arq Kujos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern and Mordun
   
   Spoiler 
  
  A smile comes over gramwort's face. "please! Look around, though i dont think you will find anything in my shop helpful for slaying enemies... well knowledge of history can be a valuable asset into knowing ones opponent. However, the meeting will be starting shortly, the captain has not arrived yet. You can either wait downstairs in the basement, there are some chairs down there, or you can look around till everyone else arrives."  he points at a tapestry behind the counter.
   
  
  
  Harbek
   
   Spoiler 
  
  Without saying anything, Gramwort flashes you a knowing smile and nods ever so slightly. The secret entrance is behind the counter, and is covered by a tapestry hanging from the wall with stairs leading down and a closed wooden door at the bottom.
   
  
  
  Acis and Antivian
   
   Spoiler 
  
   "Yes, welcome comrades. The meeting is downstairs. Please follow me, I'll show you where it is" he walks behind the counter and peels back the tapestry hanging from the wall, revealing a staircase leadig down with a wooden door, shut at the bottom.  "Take a seat downstairs, the captain should be here soon.  
   
conversations: Lunarix:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden  
  
  Mordun thanks Gramwort and proceeds downstairs after making sure that the other patrons aren't watching. He then surveys the area.
conversations: TitoElito:
conversations: human
conversations:  Antivian Quale, Eladrin Warlord   
  
  Antivian nodded and made his way downstairs to the meeting room. He tipped the shop keeper a few coins and said,  "Take these with my thanks." 
conversations: Arq Kujos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern - Dwarf Invoker   
  
  Baern spends a few minutes browsing the shop, looking at knick knacks, bric-a-brac, and various other items, sporting an inquisitive look all the while. Finding nothing of specific interest, the dwarf makes his way to the tapestry, and with a nod to the shopkeeper, disappears behind it.
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Acis, halfling warlock   
   Alright then, I'll follow the tall guy. Been a pleasure meeting ya. 
  
  said Acis to the shopkeeper. He follows the eldarin in front of him downstairs, and takes a seat.
  
   Anyone interested in a game of cards while we wait? 
conversations: Acis:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you all made your way down the stairs and through the door, the basement room is pretty plain looking, stone walls and floors, with the exception of an exquisite wood desk towards the back of the room and several chairs surrounding.
  
  As you make yourselves comfortable, and talking among yourselves, the door where you entered, reopens. A beautiful human female, olive skinned with medium length reddish blonde hair, wearing Dragonscale armor and two bastard swords strapped to her back walks in. She slowly and confidantly walks toward the desk. She removes her swords, leans them against the wall and takes a seat.
  
   "First things first, if you haven't met me before, I am Captain Opal, leader of the Soldiers of Fortune. The reason I called you all here today is because I need my best operatives on this mission. This mission is going to take a little bit of legwork, some exploration into uncharted land, and most importantly, teamwork and trust. Can I count on all of you for that?" 
conversations: Lunarix:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden  
   "Yes, Captain."  Mordun says, with a smile that belies his eagerness as he awaits the details of the mission.
conversations: TitoElito:
conversations: human
conversations:  Harbek - Dwarf Fighter 
  
  Harbek remains standing until Opal has taken her seat, then he makes a rough salute with his maul and takes a chair of his own.  "Ready an' able, Ma'm,"  he grunts.
conversations: rb780nm:
conversations: human
conversations:  Antivian nods.  "I am yours to command...."  Antivian bows, though it is not clear if it is overly polite or almost mockingly so,  "..Ma'am."  Antivian stands up and surveys his new allies fully for the first time. His own sword and shield rest at his hip and over his shoulder respectively, and his spear is not far from his grasp.
conversations: Arq Kujos:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern - Dwarf Invoker   
  
  Baern nods at the Captain and says, "  Moradin's strength is our strength. We shall be as brothers.  "
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  The captain smiles with approval.  "Good to hear. So lets get to the The payout for this mission is 1500 gold pieces each, and whatever treasure you guys find in the process, as per normal protocol." 
  
  The smile slowly fades into a more serious look.  "As I said in my initial request, the collector has asked us to find a gem for them, specifically the Viridian Diamond. It's a large diamond about the size of..." she holds her hands into a small sphere shape.  "About this big. It has a green hue to it, it's hard to miss."  as she laughs.
  
   "I need you to gather any information you can about that diamond, hunt it down, and bring it back to me. Any questions?" 
conversations: Lunarix:
conversations: human
conversations:  Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden  
   "What is known about the Diamond? Is it currently in someone else's posession? Does the collector already own the Diamond? What sort of resistance is to be expected?"  Mordun suddenly pauses and wonders if he asked too many questions right in a row...
conversations: TitoElito:
conversations: human
conversations:  Baern - Dwarf Invoker   
  
  "  Good questions all,  " says Baern before the captain has a chance to respond, "  and I have only one other. What was the last known location of the gem?  "
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Acis, Halfling Warlock. 
  
  Acis waits patiently for the captain to answer all questions asked, while fumbling with the deck of cards he still had in his hand.
conversations: Acis:
conversations: human
conversations:  Originally Posted by TitoElito 
     Mordun Hammermount, Dwarf Warden  
   "What is known about the Diamond? Is it currently in someone else's posession? Does the collector already own the Diamond? What sort of resistance is to be expected?"  Mordun suddenly pauses and wonders if he asked too many questions right in a row... 
   
  
   "All of those are good questions, comrade, but perhaps you should allow our commander a chance to answer one before pummeling her with so many questions."  Antivian smiled and waited for the commander to speak.  "You mentioned uncharted land. Does that mean you know where the diamond is? Or do you know where it should be?" 
conversations: Arq Kujos: