2. The First Delve

Ricard nods along in agreement with Pickles flattery but keeps quiet, trying to seem tough but differential to the might of the Ghost Beggars capo.

Pickles grins and continues, "Well the plain truth of it and it hurts to say, maybe not as much as riding a mechanical pedal frame without a seat, we need to barter a deal with you. Create an alliance as such, find mutual ground of assistance. If you know what I mean. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink." The Halfling gives the the Bandits Leader a nudge and wink as he says it.

The Kopper Kettle
"Hang on a minute," interjects Gnast, raising his right hand. "I was under the impression that this was a conversation about you joining MY crew. About working FOR ME. Now you’re jabbering on about some sort of partnership. This isn’t some pathetic attempt to wriggle out of our security arrangement, is it?"*

Gnast sits back in his chair and folds his arms.

The gnoll at the bar lets out a loud belch.


*For the more recent arrivals, the Ghost Beggars have previously insisted that you must pay them 10% of any haul upon exiting the dungeon in return for your safe passage through the canyon.

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Pickles shows hurt upon his face, "Woo, so did I. I believed from my interactions with your crew and the way you carried yourself, you ran a crew of free thinking and like minded characters. Who worked together under your leadership due to the respect held towards you. Unlike the Open Sores who’s loyalty is only as good as the next bribe." The small Halfling waves a hand around his companions, "We are looking to become wealthy while making you rich, but if you wish to only collect a mere ten percent, we’ll see you at the entrance way every now and then."

Pickles turns to his companions and starts to move his chair away to leave the table.

Luther listening to the conversation give Pickles a nod and and smile.

The Kopper Kettle
Gnast rolls his eyes at Pickle’s theatrics. With a sigh, he continues …

"Wait … wait … no need to be so hasty little man. Maybe there ARE one or two jobs you could do for me. The question I’m asking myself is what, specifically, you’re looking for from the Ghost Beggars? We’re not in the business of adventuring."

The three scruffy humans sitting at a nearby table drain their mugs, push back their chairs, stand and leave the tavern.

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Ricard raises his eyebrows as Pickles spins an expert yarn, must remember to bring the halfling along next time a card game presents itself!

Gabbro considers the people who just left. ::Is there yet another faction at play here?::

But then, at Gnast's question, he interjects. "What's in it for us, you mean? I would think that is obvious. We share profits with you, we get Ghost Beggar backing and protection. You get a cut, we don't get other groups messing with us for fear of antagonizing the Ghost Beggars, and we don't get Ghost Beggars threatening us in the middle of the night when we're trying to rest."

The Kopper Kettle
Gnast nods at a couple of his comrades, who immediately stand and leave the tavern without a word. That just leaves Gnast and two other Ghost Beggars sitting at your table.

Gnast leans forward and beckons you closer in a conspiratorial fashion. In a low voice, he continues. "OK. If this is to work, then we need a foothold in the main dungeon. It seems the Wolf Gang goblins have been hit pretty hard by the Open Sore orcs recently. I reckon the goblins are ripe for picking off. Now, if the Ghost Beggars were to do that, the Open Sores would see that as an open act of aggression. But if a party of adventurers were to deal with the goblins, … well, that’s just what adventurers do, isn’t it? Pillage and move on. Once you’ve cleared the goblins, the Ghost Beggars fortuitously stumble across the newly vacated area and declare it their territory. There’s not much the Open Sores can do about that. What do you say? Any treasure you find in the process is yours, tax-free."

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

The Kopper Kettle
Gnast nods at a couple of his comrades, who immediately stand and leave the tavern without a word. That just leaves Gnast and two other Ghost Beggars sitting at your table.

Gnast leans forward and beckons you closer in a conspiratorial fashion. In a low voice, he continues. "OK. If this is to work, then we need a foothold in the main dungeon. It seems the Wolf Gang goblins have been hit pretty hard by the Open Sore orcs recently. I reckon the goblins are ripe for picking off. Now, if the Ghost Beggars were to do that, the Open Sores would see that as an open act of aggression. But if a party of adventurers were to deal with the goblins, … well, that’s just what adventurers do, isn’t it? Pillage and move on. Once you’ve cleared the goblins, the Ghost Beggars can fortuitously stumble across the newly vacated area and declare it their territory. There’s not much the Open Sores can do about that. What do you say? Any treasure you find in the process is yours, tax-free."

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Pickles stands for a short period of time listening to Gnast, only sitting and leaning in as indicated by the Bandit Captain. As the plan is explained Pickles smile grows, "Now this is a leader one can follow. I like the sneakiness and simplicity of it. It reminds me of Cousin Greedfoot and his encounter with an Owlbear. He waited for winter and the Bear to go into hibernation before raiding it’s cave for treasure."

The Kopper Kettle
"What’s your name halfling?" Gnast asks of Pickles.

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

With a big grin, "I am Pickles."

The Kopper Kettle
"Well Master Pickles, I see a lot of potential in you. Sharp eyes and a quick brain. Please don't disappoint me. Now, do we have a deal?"

Gnast spits on his hand and offers it to Pickles.

---
Day 3, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Pickles simply spits into his own hand before losing it in the massive mit of Gnast, "We do."

The Kopper Kettle
"Excellent! Pickles - I’m putting you in charge of this operation. Make sure you give us fair warning of when you plan to clear out the goblins. We’ll need to minimise any delays in occupation before the orcs get wind of what’s happening. I usually have men stationed around the market - they can get word to me."

And with that, Gnast stands, pats Pickles on the shoulder, gives him a wink, and turns to leave the Kopper Kettle with his men.

---
Day 3, 12:30 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 2: 9/9 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Once the bandits clear out of the Kettle, Ricard saunters over to Pickles and claps him on the shoulder with a chuckle.

"Who needs treasure when you have a tongue made of silver! Good job Pickles, we may have just gained a huge advantage down here."

Jessica attempts a smile, but worry creases her brow.

Luther looking at Pickles says "You surely have a way with words. Now we just have figure what our plan will be."