Chapter One: Threshold

And double Blah. (Seconding the motion or notion.)

Tara studies her companions, still not trusting them enough to reveal her gender.
She knows that if she hopes for success she needs allies, and these newcomers gathered around the table look promising, as eager as she is for adventures and riches.

Each have brought rumors they overheard to the table, and her ears perk up upon hearing about the gnome gem-smuggling operation.

"Hmm... it sounds like we could look into the river smuggling? I like the sound of those gems," she says with a grin, "what do you say we join forces to take a look, fellows? Those gnomes should not be much of a challenge..."

Derval looks between Taron and Ferathil, struggling to contain his excitement.
"Oh wow! I am going on an adventure. A. Real. Adventure!" he thinks to himself. He doesn’t want to ruin his chances of been taking along, so he is worried about disagreeing with either of them.

"Well, illegal smuggling should be stopped, and those gems handed over to the authorities," he interrupts. "Mayhap we can gather news about the gnomes, but also approach Sindar to offer our services. Along the way to Selenica we can look in on the gnomes."

Feeling proud of himself he goes to take a big gulp of his watered down ale, only managing to spill most of it on himself. He mumbles an apology as he tries to clean himself up.

As much as I like gems and most any Flaem does. The Eviction is clean and straight forward. And surely anything we find there would be ours. She gives her thoughts.

"True, but the journey there and back again would be much longer..."
She looks surprised at the halfling. "Ahem... of that latter point, I am not so sure... Finders, keepers, I say..."
"Also true. IF we can evict whatever it is that infests that castle, with our small group."

"What about you, Fighter?" she asks Arnulf. "What is your thought? And yours, Kobold?" she says turning to Krahn.

Derval gives Taron a confused look, not sure why he would not turn the gems over to authorities, and have the gnomes arrested. Also, Garbseni is clearly confused. If we succeed in the eviction the goods and possessions would all go to Clifton Caldwell, unless previously agreed in the contract that we keep them.

This group seems very confused on how things work, he is very surprised by that. He will help them along though.

Arnulf had been down on his luck since reaching Specularum. Instead of the glorious return of the prodigal son he had hoped to live through, he had been forced to search gainful employment out of town rather quickly, his accumulated wealth being drained by unwise expenditure and unlucky run-ins with elusive pick pockets. He hired out as a sell-sword on the first caravan heading out to Threshold, and did as he must to survive.

His coat of chain mail is well kept, and his massive two handed sword is his obvious pride. He spoke to his blade as one would converse with an old lover. This was, of course, disconcerting and somewhat comical. He had a good heart, but his mind was clearly far duller than his professional tool.

He had hung out with this unusual assortment of travelers for the sole, initial reason that they seemed content to feed him and, in exchange, he felt it was only proper to project an aura of violence whenever ill-mannered folk were indisposed towards his group. The pragmatic arrangement had served both sides well enough for the last few days.

"That's a lot of options," and indeed he seemed somewhat overwhelmed. "Smuggling gnomes sound tricky, lots of work. Evicting is what, exactly? Is it like kicking folks out o'their homes? Nasty business, that is." His eyes seemed clouded by some vague recollection, though it was a fleeting thing.

"Now, this goblin problem. It seems bloody work, but if it makes the Duchy safer, I say t'sounds good to me. If folks be payin' for these jobs, maybe we should knock on some doors. See what the terms are..." and he smiled proudly at the use of the word. It was one that his former employment as a mercenary taught him well. One does not bind oneself lightly to any contract. "Do we know who we need to talk to?"

Cool. Garbseni likes gems too!

Arnulf scratches his head pensively.

"How do we go about finding these sneaky gnomes? Who's doing the logging, anyway?"

Tara lowers her voice, "We observe the river. If they're using hollowed out logs, as rumor has it, they must be mixing their special logs with the regular ones.
We could scout the river traffic, to see from where to where the logs are moved. Does it happen by day, or by night?
Then we can maybe find where they come from. And if we find the hollow ones... let's just say that their shiny contents might accidentally disappear during the investigation... into our pockets!" she glances at Derval.