Chapter 1: Making Introductions

The newcomer trio was in for a surprise, for at the table there was a most strange individual. Armored in well worn and often-mended scale mail and a tabard depicting an emblem of a crescent moon of silver on a field of black, what stood out was that this being had the head of a cat which was adorned with a wild mohawk mane painted in war colors. Other feline traits were visible as well, for the armored cat-person had her paws on the table as she gently rocked her chair back and forth. There was a long and dexterous tail too.

"Got a good look?" She spoke, her voice feminine, predatory and gruff but somewhat distorted due to the shape of her maw, like a lioness who decided to take up conversation.
"If you're done gawping, we can use some fighters to do some killing."

That much was true. Radiza wanted warriors who could hold their own in battle, not pink-haired halflings who thought they could take up the job of killing for coin on a whim.

Hail and well met! I'm Barek Shieldshiver. I hear there are orcs about, and would gladly lend my hammer to driving them off. Barek is a solidly built male dwarf standing 4'1" and weighing in at 150 lbs. His red hair is thin and balding, and he has a long red beard braided into plaits. His eyes are the brown of rich soil, and seem to take you all in with just a glance. He's clad in well kept chain mail, and a medallion bearing two crossed battleaxes rests on his chest.

One of the three newcomers would probably look like a wizard apprentice if not for his age. Old man in robes and funny hat speaks with an accent.
Pàrdon. I be not fighter. I'm a historian. I would accompany you to record your deeds. May help with some medical treatment though.
Before anyone asks - I'm not here for the coin. I have academical reasons to risk my life following you.
An old man wears no armor and brings no weapons with him. He makes a pause and continues as grounded as possible If anyone is to listen a old man, I could be of assistance on planning, my wast knowledge may probably or may not as well be of a value

Where do they keep finding these people? Radiza wondered. She just wanted to earn some coin. Is this really what people like Glimmerbeard had to work with when they couldn't afford mercenaries? At least the dwarf looked solid, but the old man?
"I don't need advice on how to kill orcs old man, and my deeds are probably a bit too nasty for a audience that knows how to read. But it's good you don't need to be paid, because if you aren't killing orcs you're not getting a copper, as I explained to the little pink one over there. And lastly, odds are the job involves running from a big band of angry orcs. So unless you want to study their weapons up close and personal as they bash your brains out, you might want to sit this one out old-timer. Not that I care what you do with yer life, but this isn't a trip to the library we're planning."

Across the table from the feline lady sits a mostly casually looking human teen, roughly 16, 5ft tall, except for the pale tone of his skin that may indicate a kind of a blood decease to the more educated folk. He has black hair and yellow eyes, His clothes slightly reminds that of a military uniform (infantry) sturdy well worn boots, simple pants with deep pockets, one of which has a neck of a wax-cloth poking out, a dark armless sweater, with a chainmail on top, a tiger tattoo on his left arm, slightly obscured by gloves and armguards, a leather fanny pack around his waist. Next to him is a backpack with a leather cloak thrown over it, there's a greatsword, longbow and a maul at the bags side.

On the table there's a pretty big, slightly overfed crow, it sits on the table and turns towards the newcomers as they approach. The lad notices the ones approaching soon after the crow, that previously was playing with his fingers- playful pecks, coos and slight jumping around the table.

As soon as he visually recognises the three his eyes turn slightly dark, he huffs. After Bareks introduction he nods, introducing himself Alan Mortem, I will be glad to fight by your side.

He acknowledges Claudius with a nod, but as soon as Claudius mentions academic purposes Alan gets slightly tense, even paler, a cold shiver runs down his spine, but he soon relaxes realising that the man is more interested in stars then the traditional "conquest to outsmart death".

Radiza is as harsh as ever, but she does have a point, they should know what they will be dealing with...then again the old man said that he can heal and a medic is worth platinum on the battlefield... worse case we just gain some canon-fodder

Point taken. From this point on you could just ignore my existence I ignore yours. Just don’t take me for an Orc please , Claudius answer Radiza, turning his back not waiting for answer and
talks to Wilfra Glimmerbeard, starting with a whisper Arrogant complacency may kill party, but could save hero. then aloud
Tabaxi do have a point ! If the major strategy is to run…
Do you have any spare hunting traps, preferably of a high durability? I assume they can't kill orc but would slow them down. Is it a fair assessment?
Unlike Tabaxi I do indeed have NO intent to compete with orcs at running.

Then he turns to Dwarf and asks aloud for everyone to hear Barek, is it practically backed that dwarfs could manage poisons? Remember Wilfra mentioned poisoned baits. There should be a poisoning expert in the town. I've red poisoning enemy just before fight is a method that highly reduce casualties among attacking party. he looks around realising that he is talking about possible death of those gathered and add well, that may not properly apply to a smaller operation like this one. It was the strategy of bigger armies. Would be an interesting experiment though

While listening to the old man Alan huffs
Yes, they did mention something about ruined meats, but then again it could cause us unwanted trouble from the wild animals. Anyhow, the poisoning is another problem that people have been asked to deal with, so no self respecting poisoner will be selling poison right now, so that they don't divert suspicion to themselves... That means that the plan is most likely off the table. ....Though if we decide to invest in planning and move out shortly, considering that at least one of you has a shovel, we could attempt to install some simple pitfall traps on the spot.

Pets the bird looking at the old man then at the others.
Now good sirs, how about you sit down. The table is big enough for all of us and the atmosphere if far more comfortable when everyone is sitting.

He then turns to the third one.
You're the last one left, care to introduce yourself?

Milaki says: "Hello!... are we ready to go guys....?" with her high pitched sweet voice.

Esal enters the room looking for the group of adventurers he has agreed to join. He couldn't miss the rather diverse group sitting round a table. He strides over to them. Esal is a medium height elf and is slim. He is wearing leathers has a lonsword at his belt and a longbow strapped to his back. He is middle aged that means about 300 years old!
Hi sorry I was held up my name is Esal Shulas I am the ranger I think you were expecting. Is it Orc hunting we are still intent on?

He turns to Esal and nods Now, i feel like we should move out, if we want to get the job done. The longer we stay the less we will probably get paid for our job. I'll be waiting for you at the border of the village, if you want you can come with me, if you don't arrive within an hour I'm leaving without you. The tactics can be discussed on the way.

He grabs his cloak in one hand and throws his backpack onto the other shoulder. Walks towards the exit and opens the door, whistles, as if on cue the black bird takes flight and dissapears outside the tavern doors, leaving naught but a black feather behind. Alan gives his companions a glance, waiting for those who depart with him and leaves heading straight to the village border.

Barek shrugs. Guess I won't be having that pint after all. He shoulders his warhammer and follows Alan to the door.

Radiza had barely greeted the elf, taking note of his bow, before Alan was blitzing out of the door. She looked at the dwarf with a shrug.
"Eh. Don't begrudge the boy's eagerness. That's youth for ya. We'll drink when the job's done and we got our golden dragons in hand, and lot's of it."

With feline graze Radiza twirled out of her chair and picked up her swordbelt, which she buckled around her with practiced hands. Her backpack followed and finally she picked up her shield which had the same emblem of the silver crescent moon on black emblazoned upon it as her tabard and swung it on her back.
"Alright, let's get to it then."

With the others she marched out the door, onwards to the place where there orcs might go. She quickly briefed the latecoming elf on their plan so he was similarly aware of her ideas to ambush isolated orcs rather then confront them all head-on and to retreat if the orcs got wind of them.

Esal leaves with Radiza taking in the new strategy determined to be as helpful as he can to make up for holding up the team.

Thanks Radiza just tell me what you want of me for now i will add my thoughts later

Radiza's ear turned to the elf as she walked and made an effort to keep pace.
"Eh? We're looking for small groups of orcs out foraging and hunting and such. Just be ready to nail some with that bow of yours. We cut their ears and run, then do it again until they come in numbers we can't manage."

Milaki yells: ''Wait for me!" and walks by the elf "Hi, I am Milaki!'' and smiles.

When Claudius joined back the group his backpack was visibly heavier and you hear steel banging as he moves ... looks like old fool managed to get some hunting traps and is having hard time carrying them. He is out of breath and do not involve into any conversation. Besides he have been dismissed once already and he don't want to be annoyance (well he is anyway, but he don't see it that way).

The orcs we’re looking for might be holed up in those ruins. We should make sure they’re clear before moving on lest we leave an enemy at our backs.

The Tabaxi appraised the ruins. She wondered what they were. The townsfolk never mentioned them and seeing how old they were they likely predated the village. And while she doubted they'd find orcs, Tabaxi curiosity was a mighty force indeed.
"Mhh, the orcs were seen at the hill. Doubt they'd use this place. But let's check it out. Might be a good place to make camp if we're mucking about out here a few days."

She looked around for the halfling. Spotting Milaki she addressed the little one.
"Ey, you grew up around here. What are those ruins?"