Past Imperfect

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion looks around at the others. "Did we want to finish our discussion, or are we heading right over to Granny's?"

He drops his hand heavily on Raffolk's shoulder. "Just keeping track of you, friend." He offers the halfling a smile and a wink.

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion regards the halfling as he makes his case, then watches as each of the Manticores makes their opinions known. He sighs as he regards the halfling, then says, "You may be an honest fellow. Either way, I'll tell you what I think. This has the odor of a scam. I swear, my friends used to run a similar scheme when I ran the streets, though they had a broken stick they claimed was a wand. If this feather is safe in your grandmama's clutches and you're an honest fellow, that'll be grand. I'll name you the most honest man I've met for the rest of my days.

"On the other hand, if this is a plan to part us with your gold, then I recommend you consider if the cheese is worth the trap. We kill people for a living."  He nods over at Harder. "Some of us even consider it a perk of the job."

He holds the halfling's gaze and lets that sit for a moment before continuing. "With that in mind, I'll contribute a share of gold to the cause. It'll only go to wine and the cards, otherwise."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

"Ask your granny, certainly. And, in the future, consider us for your bodyguarding needs. Good day, my friend." 

Gwydion looks around at the others. "What were we doing? Another round?"

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion stands by his comrades. "Indeed. What they said. In addition, I find you to be offensively stupid. As a criminal of some experience myself, your burning of such a valuable item for no particular reason, especially as it was going to be used to repay you, is entirely too idiotic to be tolerable. I must ask you to leave or I shall have to get the management involved." He smiles. "After you pay our halfling friend, of course."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion preferred to think of himself as professionally dishonest, meaning he would steal for a job or worthy cause, but not just for the fun of it. It was a fine moral line and perhaps one that only he could see, but it was one he had decided not to cross.

As a result, when the high price of such easily concealable and transportable goods is discussed in public, his first instinct isn't to look toward the buyer and seller, but to scan the rest of the room. The tavern was a popular spot and all kinds might found drinking the ale here. The odds were good that other thieves were present, certainly with a less strict moral code than his own. He scanned the other patrons, looking for those who might have overheard the conversation and were considering enriching themselves at the halfling's expense.

The light-fingered swordsman rose and walked over to the booth where the rest of his party gathered. He put a hand on Baldur's shoulder, smiling at the dwarf, before talking to the halfling. "May I make a suggestion? Rather than entering the running for this fine piece of merchandise, why don't you hire us instead? I would not normally criticize, but you've discussed the worth of this lovely feather loudly in a public place. I have little doubt you've attracted some dangerous attention. You might need a few guards before you're tucked up safe at home with your bag of gold." 

He looks around at the others. "And it might be the start of a profitable relationship for both of us. As my friend says, we are a source of monster bits, if you are a regular seller." Gwydion gestures grandly at the assembled party. "Allow me to introduce The Manticores." 

He leans over to Egg and mutters quietly, "That is what we agreed on, was it not? I confess I lost track a bit."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

The rogue returns to their table with the small beer he earned with his fumbled leap and a larger tankard to keep him occupied.

"I think our wizard likes to wander," Gwydion says as Ky meanders over to the occult dwarf. "My father was the same way. Wise to keep an eye on her, is my experience. Tend to wander into trouble as often as not. But, you can't stop 'em wandering."

He leans back in his chair. "We could just set up shop here. No rent to pay, but we'll have to stay up to date with our bar tab. Anyway, people would always know where to find us and it would be... Discreet. They're not here to deal with us, just have a friendly drink, eh?"

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

"Oh, well done," Gwydion says as Harder makes a flying leap. He claps appreciatively as Baldur and Egg both land with varying success.

He speeds his steps as it's his turn and he approaches the door, sweeping off his hat and attempting a fancy flying flip, trying to outdo Harder. Unfortunately, his heels get caught in his cloak and he only avoids falling on his head by folding nearly double, his toes landing just beyond the line. "Bugger. Only a small beer?" He straightens and grimaces. "I think I pulled something in my back."

"A headquarters might be a good idea..." He smoothes his mustache thoughtfully as he follows the others up to the bar. "We need a place for meetings and so people can find us, at any rate. I do wonder at the difficulty we face in becoming legitimate. That might be worth investigating further, as well."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 30/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion takes the small pile of gold with a grin and sweeps it all into his pouch, except for one coin. He flips it and rolls it between his fingers, entertaining himself with the glitter. He tips his hat to the halfling family and follows his companions out. "Valorous Venturers..." He considered the name. "Bit hard to say, if I'm honest. I've heard worse ideas, though."

He nods at Baldur's suggestion. "I nominate a pub as the place of our discussion and disputation." He flicks the coin up into the air and catches it on the way down. "First round's on me." 

As they head on their way, he wonders aloud. "So, we do still need to get a patron to be entirely official, do we not?" He looks at the signet ring on his finger and buffs it against his jerkin. "I'd offer to do it, but... Well, I'm not sure I qualify."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 30/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion agrees with Baldur regarding the other halfling woman. "The thought does you credit, Ky, but we might want to make sure we have a company before we hire a staff."

He bends this way and that, stretching a bit. "I'm ready to continue on. Maybe an hour's rest to get our feet up and a pint down?"

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 30/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion nods in agreement with the others, shrugging about the magic. "I find I do fine without," he advised the young dwarven lass. "It just makes things complicated."

He pauses and looks at her suspiciously. "Come to think of it, where did you find such a valuable trinket, anyway?"

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 30/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Having made sure of the monster, Gwydion withdraws his blades and then gives the carcass another good, spiteful kick. "That'll teach you to wrap little girls in webs and go around biting people."

He wipes his weapons clean and then sheathes them at his sides. Not sure how to help freeing the girl, he takes up a position on the far side of the clearing from Baldur, keeping watch as well. "Well, this was a tidy venture. Now, back to the city to get paid. Though, I don't mind waiting for Baldur to chop up the manticore."

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 30/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

The rogue tried to roll with the monster's swipes, but still its claws racked across his arm. "Bloody ouch!" He shouted in the things face before driving forward to attack, first with his long rapier and then the shorter blade, before spinning away once more.

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion starts sprinting forward at the sound of Ky's scream, legs pumping as he crosses the forest floor. "Well, bugger," he mutters to himself as he goes. "There was a spider. Spider-thing. Whatever."

He crosses the distance in moments, stopping several paces away from the monster and taking a guard. "Here! Leave her, she's much too stringy. Come try me!"

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion draws his weapons so that he has a sword in either hand. For the moment, they are held casually, the points near the ground while his eyes rove around the forest. "Well, the child thought it would produce a web, at any rate. It obviously did that, but I wonder if it produced a spider first, hm? It is as well to be on our guard."

His eyes widen as a tremendous, shadowy bird appears nearby and he briefly raises his weapons to face it. After a moment, he controls his reaction and attempts to seem relaxed once more. "A little more warning next time would be lovely."

The swordsman steps forward beside Egg, joining him to scan the ground for traps. "Killing the manticore while it's trapped is the way to go, I agree. Perhaps we should have some people standing by to free the girl if things look like they might turn badly."

Edit: Forgot about the pact talisman that Gwydion has. Added it to the perception roll.

Gwydion Black Human Rogue 5

AC: 17 (Studded leather and dual wielding) | HP: 33/33 | Initiative: +5 | Passive Perception: 15 | DM Inspiration: 1/1

Gwydion pounded the ale in his hand before leaving the tavern, not wanting to leave an almost full tankard behind. It's with a slightly unsteady wave to the barkeep that he follows the others, though by the time they reach the inn his head has cleared a bit.

"I'll watch for a couple of hours," he offers. "Whichever is needed, just wake me."

The others focus on the halfling girl, and Gwydion follows them. He seems amused by the possibility that this is their quarry. "Do you think it's her? Oh, that would be hilarious."

While attention is focused elsewhere, Gwydion wanders by the innkeeper and discretely flashes several hand signs at him, learned during his time as a thief and vagabond.