conversations: human
conversations:  As you waited in the lobby of the Twelve's Sharn offices, you looked around, seeing another five people doing the same.
  
  Thinking back to why you came here, you recall the letter sent to you, saying that you were being requested for a brief job, that the branch head wished to keep on the quiet side.
  
  You can guess that it will be a few minutes until you are called in to the meeting.
  
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Yeah, after everyone makes a post introducing themselves/igoring the others, you'll be called in. For  Exposition .
   
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nil, playing the part of a diffident human noble, glances at the group assembled about him. " So, what brings such a group of scalawags as us together, eh? "
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Corretha  looks at each of the others in the room, one at a time, taking stock of them.
  
  She looks at the human as he speaks, but says nothing in reply. She was not so foolish as to simply tell these strangers details about herself. She would, however, listen to any replies from the others.
  
    After all,   she thought,   knowledge is power.  
conversations: Koury:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sint enters and glances around before looking at the opened letter in his hand.   Looks like I'm here at the right time,   he says to himself.
  He walks further into the room, spotting the other folks waiting. He positions himself to wait near Corretha.
   "Apparently we have some task to complete, but the higher-ups don't want to get their hands dirty. Bothersome, but it looks like it'll pay well. Name's Sint, by the way,"  he extends a hand to Nil,  "Nice to meet you..."  he glances and Corretha and extends his other hand to her  "And you." 
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Clunk 
  
  Clunk turns his emotionless eyes onto the human who spoke first.
   "I was brought here with a note..."  the huge warforged states not bothering to elebrate.
  
  
  Clunk kept an eye on the exits as he sizes up everyone in the room and decides on the easiest way to dispatch them all if push came to shove.
  
  His large hand clacks against his armblade as he makes sure for the fifth time in the last ten minutes that it is secure and ready for action.
conversations: Ragnarok'n'Roll:
conversations: human
conversations:  Jarenne 
  
  Jarenne decided it would be batter to be in Human form, at least for the minute, so she is a darkly tanned woman with sea green hair.
  
   "Well unlike the rest of you apparently I have a personal aim of investigating the rumblings up north, and was offered this job as a means of aiding that goal." 
  
  She could t understand the mortal need for secrecy, even for something so unimportant ad why they are sat in a room together.
conversations: Kobold-Bard:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lysander 
  
  A human with neck-length brown hair tied back in a ponytail stands off to the side, toying with a large, golden badge pinned ostentatiously to the front of his tunic.
  
   "I'm always ready to ply my expertise and finesse when called on -- assuming that I am needed for a worthy cause.  I eagerly await to find out what our employer needs my skills for." 
  
    Having said this, he stops playing with his badge and saunters over to the others.
  
    "I'm Lysander Thetis.  It's a pleasure to meet you,"  he says extending his hand to the group at large.
conversations: Mushroom Ninja:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nil grins vapidly at each person in turn, greeting them in kind as they greeted him. " Pleased to meet you all. You can call me Alastor Nalanthis. "
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Clunk 
  
  Clunk nodded slowly listening to everyone speak. It was clear to him none of them possed an immediate threat.
  
   "I am called Clunk..."  he states and gives a crisp salute to the one calling himself 'Alastor'.
  
  His black and silver body creeks and moans in protest when he moves his arm but the motion is fluid and sure.
conversations: Ragnarok'n'Roll:
conversations: human
conversations:  As Clunk salutes, the meeting room's doors open.
  
   "Ah, the people I contacted. Come in, come in."  A male voice says in a boisterous tone.
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Sint strolls into the room with his hands in his pockets, softly whistling a tune.
  He glances around to see what the place is like.
  
  Spot:
   
   Spoiler 
  
   (1d20+1)[ 11 ] 
   
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Keeping the smile on his face, Nil follows the others into the room.
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Jarenne will go in last, letting others in first.
conversations: Kobold-Bard:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lysander nods his head politely to the others as he follows Nil into the room.
conversations: Mushroom Ninja:
conversations: human
conversations:  Axinian:
   
   Spoiler 
  You see nothing, most certainly nothing that looks like a deathtrap that was cleverly hidden, other than the meeting table, ten chairs, and the person who spoke.
   
  
  
  
  
  Walking in, you look around the room, seeing a large table in the center, ten chairs around it, with one seat filled.
  
  The man sitting in the chair is old, his hair already greying, and is wearing a practical outfit suitable for wizards to wear at meetings.
  
   "Now then, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Shulal d'Cannith, head of the Sharn branch office of the Twelve."  Shulal says, nodding as he does so.
  
   "I called you here because a small... unofficial, expedition that I sent to the Eldeen Reaches a month ago failed to report back on time. I want you to investigate the area that they said they were going to make camp in, and report your findings to me."  He continues, setting a simple folder on the table and sliding it to the place closest to you.
  
   "You will be paid 500 gold apiece for completing this mission. Any questions?"  He finished, looking at each of you.
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Jarenne 
   "Sweet, getting paid to do what I was doing anyway." 
conversations: Kobold-Bard:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Tch, alright. Where do we need to go?" 
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lysander 
   "Might I inquire,"  asks Lysander,  "What the purpose of the missing expedition was?" 
conversations: Mushroom Ninja:
conversations: human
conversations:  "A map to the location is inside the packet. As for the reason of the expedition... I had heard rumors of an artifact that appeared to date several thousand years there, and I dispatched them to investigate it."  
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nil glances around at the others, somewhat wary. " I won't say no to money. "
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Corretha is silent for a moment, thinking on the offer.
  
  She speaks up suddenly, saying  "Have you attempted any divinations, or any other sorts of magics to determine where they are?" 
conversations: Koury:
conversations: human
conversations:  Clunk 
  
  
  " Your terms are ... acceptable."  Clunk says by way of an answer.
  
  Clunk didn't have any questions so he stood silently listening to everyone speak - nodding at all the proper spots. He took careful note of everyone's questions trying to gauge the nature and qualities of his companions. He was less interested in the answers.
  
    "Seem like a decent bunch..."   he thinks to himself in approval.
  
  He shifts his weight and looks back towards the door as he listens. His head slowly turns to look for other exits, just in case something goes wrong.
conversations: Ragnarok'n'Roll:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Unfortunately, our first report from them indicated that scrying and similar methods are not effective in the area around the artifact. In addition, I could only draw upon this branch's mages for my investigations, and they... Tend to be more... Flashy than that."  Shulal replies to the query of divinations, before looking around.
  
   "Now, I have arranged transport for you to the point where the expedition split from the main trail. I hope that you have good luck on this mission."  He finishes, indicating that the meeting is over.
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nil looks at each person in the room with a vapid smile. " Well, no sense dilly-dallying! Let's go. "
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Heh sounds like this is going to be interesting. Haven't gotten out of town in a while..."  Sint smiles. Nil's attitude is certainly uplifting.
conversations: Axinian:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Thank you for your time, sir.  I'm sure we won't disappoint you,"  says Lysander, smiling and begins walking to the room's exit.
conversations: Mushroom Ninja:
conversations: human
conversations:  Jarenne  politely waits until last again before leaving.
  
  ---------
  I hope you weren't waiting on me saying that or something. If I say nothing in those situations feel free to assume I'll follow along quietly.
conversations: Kobold-Bard:
conversations: human
conversations:  Corretha looks through the packet, interested more in the artifact then the missing researchers.
  
  After looking everything over, she begins preparing for the trip to the site.
conversations: Koury:
conversations: human
conversations:  Nil barely glances at the packet. " When are we leaving? "
conversations: RufusCorvus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Arriving at the lightning rail station the next day, tickets in hand, you are guided to a first class car.
  
  Inside the car, there are two free compartments, the third holding a nervous looking gnome, carrying a case with the House Sivis coat on its side.
  
  After you're shown where you're staying for the trip, the train begins moving, carrying you towards your destination.
conversations: The-Mage-King:
conversations: human
conversations:  Smiling amiably at the gnome, Lysander sits down in a free compartment and prepares for a long ride.
conversations: Mushroom Ninja: