conversations: human
conversations:  As long as many historians know there has always been the great volcanic desert to the further most southern area of Ahansh and dipping into north Eruvia. It was a land of mystery, until a time about a thousand years ago, where a party went into the desert and never returned. A group formed later then chose to explore and discovered an underground society, miles upon miles of tunnels, a place not unlike the Underdark. There lived many orcs, goblinoids, gnolls, and other strange bizarre creatures. After this point, the desert became labelled "The Wasteland." Hardly any ever went there again, those he did didn't come back. The Wasteland didn't come to bother its neighboring nations, though it was obvious that they were a warlike nation from their behaviors and small raids. They were viewed as tribes, and a simple nuisance, like most tribes of orcs and goblins.
  
  Now their raids are more frequent and their numbers larger. They descend upon small towns like a dark flood. They charge blindly into combat, yet always come out on top. They have strong, well made equipment and always outnumber their opponent by great numbers. The East realized that they were dealing with a larger threat now, but they were surprised by their great number, how could a nation with no visible vegitation, or even healthy climate host so many soldiers?
  The Nurmon Gnomes and Waterfront discuss action...However, in the time it's taking them to do so, small cities are being destroyed. The City-State of Tinlend, which is well defended, sits on the border of the Wasteland. There once stood two other city states by it, now only it and a single fortress that crosses Wasteland territory still stand. The commander of the Tinlend city guard, Alfred Tain, has put out a notice, looking for mercenaries to assist them against the looming threat. The notice reads for the adventurers to meet his associate, Gerald Ifitzfor in the local tavern located inside Tinlend, called The Nighthour Tavern.
  
   Eternal Wastes 
  
  Each of you may start inside Tinlend, or just outside it, it's your pick.
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven is sitting in the tavern already. He makes a point to spend time in the taverns of a town when he arrives there. Joven sits back in a relaxed position with his weapons under the table and a mug of ale, half full, on top of it. He is listening for rumours and news.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Listen check: take 20 (For the 3 hours he's spent there.)
  -4gp for ale.
   
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  Caliban paces down the dusty street, pausing to snarl at a group of children  (Intimidate)   (1d20+5)[ 24 ]  to scare them away. He enters the tavern and sits crosslegged in a corner with his tail curled around his legs. He begins to play his drums in the hope that someone will pay him for the music.  (Perform)   (1d20+7)[ 18 ] 
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Hey, you guys, don't waste your good rolls this early! :P
   
  
  
  Almont strides into the tavern as though he owns the place. He had been walking along, looking for his next payday, when he noticed the notice. It seemed to him to be a very good deal; kill some people, be a bit of a local celebrity, and make some money while at it.
  
  He sits down at a chair and waves off those pests asking if he'd like a drink. No, he would not like a drink. Yes, he is certain. No, he is not new to this town. Yes, he is aware that the ale is quite good. No, he would still not like to try any, now shut up and go away, or he'll cut your bloody head off.
  
  Well, that'd probably cause problems later with the authorities. He mutters a quick apology and declines a drink.
  
  He drums his fingers on the table a bit while he waits.
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven watches Caliban carefully. Knowledge (Nature) check to see if he's seen a lizardman before. If not, he's very wary of the creature.
  
  He sits forward and puts his hand on his sword.
  
   Knowledge (Nature):  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  Argus sits in the tavern, gorging himself on the best ale he's ever tasted. The Bearclaw clan only drink pure river water, you see. Which can get old after a while.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Away on vacation until New Year. Posts will be brief and far apart. Back in full force Jan 1.
   
conversations: Vladislav:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven 1 
  
  Nearly every conversation is about either the Wasteland threat, or Commander Tain's notice. Most of these express the opinion that we need powerful Waterfrontian clerics, not a mercenary band. Many complain about how Waterfront and the Nurmon Gnomes haven't taken action yet.
  
   Caliban 
  
  You send the children running away, crying for their mothers. You enter the tavern and begin your performance, which is quite well done. However, most of the people are far too distracted by your appearance to pay much attention to the music, you still however earn roughly a silver piece worth of money, most of it a contribution from a youth in a green cloak.
  
   Almont 
  
  You can clearly see Caliban taking up all the attention.
  
   Joven 2 
  
  You know you've heard of lizardfolk before, and that they're definitely not native. But other than that you know nothing of them.
  
   Argus 
  
  You begin enjoying your ale, but not too long after Caliban's antics start.
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Two separate checks to make:
  
  Knowledge (Nature): (1d20+2)[ 8 ] 
  
  To see whether Almont knows what a Lizardman is, and a bit of information about them.
  
  Knowledge (Local Wasteland Area):  (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
  
  To see whether he knows that a Lizardman is NOT from the Wasteland. As insurance.
   
  
  
  Almont continues drumming his fingers as he looks around the pub. There seems to be a large reptilian creature or something playing the music.
  
  He slowly pages through his memory to see whether or not this creature could be from the Wasteland. If so, it could be worth something.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Dearie me, those were horrible rolls.
  
  Hope they were enough: I'd hate for a fight to break out. :P
   
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Caliban notices the human looking him over. He is no stranger to being watched. The revolting apemen were always watching him, as he was always watching them.
   (Knowledge(whichever one is relevant here)   (1d20-1)[ 17 ]  to determine the human's body language to see if he is hostile or simply curious.
  OOC: Could that be considered Handle Animal? After all, to a lizardfolk, humans would seem kind of animalistic.
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont 
  You know about as much as Joven does. You do not know if lizardfolk is a Wasteland race or not, but you're pretty sure they wouldn't even let a wastelander race in the city if he was.
  
   Caliban 
  The skill you're looking for is actually Sense Motive, which adds your Wisdom bonus, meaning you got 21. The tavern in general is very suspecious, the youth who put in the small bit of coin seems more curious.
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont settles back in his chair, confident that killing the creature would be worth neither the possible gains nor the possible pains.
  
  He keeps a steady eye out for anything suspicious and any rumors he could capitalize on.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  
  
  I suppose a Sense Motive ( (1d20+2)[ 20 ] ) and a Listen ( (1d20+6)[ 23 ] ) check will be necessary.
  
  I'd take 10 or 20 but the rules are a bit blurry on 20 and Listen+ Sense Motive checks and I feel that taking 10 would be a bit of a waste.
   
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Caliban finally stands up and makes his way over to the human he does not yet know is named Almont. He takes a seat opposite him.
   "You were looking at me, apeman. Does my kind interest you? A rather unique sight in these parts, I should say. There are some who would wish to kill me, human, and hang my skin on their wall. Are you one of those types?" 
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont grunts as the Lizardman walks over. In response to his question, he utters,  "I have no interest in killing something if it's not a threat, or if I'm not being payed, Lizard."  He looks up a bit.  "What about it? Are you a threat?" 
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Caliban runs his tongue over his lips and hisses.  "Those men who tried to kill me, they're all dead. My kind is not so soft and weak as your's. You should know that I am a threat, but only when provoked." 
  Caliban orders a pint of mead from a passing barmaid.
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont chuckles.  "Well, you may find that I'm not exactly as 'soft and and weak' as others of my species."  He pauses, considering a drink, then decides against it.  "And I won't act against you if that's when you'll become a threat. Besides,"  he adds,  "you'll probably have a bounty on you soon enough the way these people are staring at you. I can kill you then." 
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  "We'll see." 
  Caliban gets up and leaves the tavern, not even waiting for his drink. He finds the den of humans distasteful anyway. What he would give to see one his own kind! But Caliban has not laid eyes on another lizardfolk in years.
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven quickly stands, leans out the tavern's door, and uses Detect Evil on Caliban. This unknown creature may be a candidate for holy smiting.
  
  OOC:
   
   Spoiler 
  I won't really try to smite Caliban. My character would just be suspicious.
   
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  The hour grows late as Erie wanders around Tinlend looking for this Nighthour Tavern. He passes directly underneath the sign multiple times but seems to miss it every time. The last time he passed, while contemplating the layout of the streets he bumps into a rather fierce looking lizardfolk exiting the tavern.
  
    "Oop, Sorry sir. My mistake... eeeh"   Erie squints to make sure he is seeing what he thinks he is seeing.   "Your a lizard. What do you know. Hey you wouldn't happen to know where the Nighthour tavern is? I'm supposed to meet someone for a job."  
conversations: TheStillWind:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven 
  You catch the door with your foot and see both Caliban and Erie outside. You focus and detect evil nearby, and it soon centers in Caliban.
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I can tell you, but it's gonna cost you five silver pieces." 
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont scowls at the back of the lizard when it leaves. He continues waiting for this "associate".
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven hears the conversation (Listen check needed?) and calls to Erie:
   This is the Nighthour Tavern, friend. 
  He shoots a smile at Caliban and returns inside.
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  "You can hardly blame me for trying to fool you. After all, it's a hard world for us Lizardfolk and we need money." 
   (Diplomacy) roll0]
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  (1d20+3)[ 9 ] 
  Accidently ruined my roll editing the last post.
conversations: An Enemy Spy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Argus, a man of action, grows weary of the wait. Having finished his ale, he stands up and surveys the tavern for anyone that would look like an officer, with an air of authority about them.
  
  If he find one, he will approach and ask gruffly,  Hello. I'm here to meet Gerald. Are you Gerald? 
  
  Otherwise, he will ask the barman for another drink, and with it for Gerald's whereabouts.
conversations: Vladislav:
conversations: human
conversations:  Argus 
  
  You walk up to a guardsmen and ask him your question, but he tells you he is not. However, the youth in the green cloak, who has been watching Caliban and his encounter with Erie and Joven, turns around towards you and walks over.
  
  He nods to Argus and says,  "I'm Gerald, actually." 
  
  He is a handsome man looking to be in his early 20s, with short black hair. His eyes are a dark blue and filled with honesty and a bit of curiosity. He doesn't have the aura of authority you were looking for but he does sound confident.
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont looks and sees the two men talking. Overhearing the initiator's statement, he stands up roughly and marches over.
  
  " You're Gerald? For god's sake man, I've been waiting here forever. You were here all along?! "
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Argus eyes the intruder with a sneer. After contemplating his options in response to such impudence, he decides not to waste time with it. He ignores the man and turns to Gerald,
  
   What's this about? You need fighting men, yes? 
conversations: Vladislav:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven watches Gerald and the two other men. Listening in to what they're saying.
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gerald looks between Almont and Argus and says,  "I aplogise for not speaking up, I became interested in the lizardfolk..."  He indicates Caliban,  "Yes I am Commander Tain's friend, and-" 
  He turns to Argus
  
   "We are indeed looking for some good warriors to help us out against the Wasteland threat." 
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Almont grumbles a curse and speaks up. " I might be interested. What's the pay like? "
conversations: Todasmile:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gerald turns to Almont,  "I cannot say for certain what the pay is. But I can tell you that Commander Tain surprisingly comes from a rather wealthy family. He has gold in the hundreds and maybe thousands to spare.  " 
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gold matters little to me, only chance to prove myself,  Argus growls, considering for a moment the dream he's chasing, the sweet image of River Flower. But, as a wise man said, chasing dreams is best done on a full stomach, so he adds,  but I take the gold too. 
conversations: Vladislav:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gerald seems taken aback by what Argus said, he stares at him for a moment, then says to everyone,  "Commander Tain's first payment may not be a whole lot though... He only wants a bit of scouting done...I could tell you more but I'm sure he would rather tell you in person when he's back tomarrow." 
conversations: The Blackbird:
conversations: human
conversations:  Joven stands and approaches Gerald. He says:  I couldn't help but overhear there's a job to be done. I'd like to help, I'm a paladin. Joven's the name. 
  
  He puts out his hand, ready to shake hands with Gerald.
conversations: npc revolution:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gerald nods to Joven and smiles,  "A paladin you say? We would be glad to have you. Actually I find this really interesting, I've never met a paladin before. Though, I know there are many in Waterfront..." 
conversations: The Blackbird: