The maid shudders with the malicious nature of the whispering she hears passing between the boy and the mechanoid. Perhaps she should move a few feet closer to the door. Her master was certainly... risky with his employees. On the plus side, the mechanical monster's reply had distracted the boy's attention from her. And he was leering with the best lechers before then... She wipes her hands nervously on her frock before straightening up and awaiting her master's orders.

Vex Kossiss flicks her reptilian eyes between the beings in the room but only deigns to nod at Lord Diaza. Afterwards she slinks away towards the maid and tall automation.

What a funny man!I smile my friendliest smile and pour on the charm. "Duely noted, Mister Metalman! Can we go now? I'm hungry!"

"Right. Well, my good adventurers, be swift in returning. I am ever so anxious to know about my prize!" the Chancellor commented as he motions towards the maid at the door. The maid opens the door and leads your party through the extensive manor, filled with a plethora of rare and valuable objects. At the door, the maid bows to you and directs you towards a guard standing at the gate of the manor.

"My lord has instructed that you leave the city immediately, as your last member is waiting patiently just outside the city gates. Check around the fields, as it's likely to be his favorite haunting spot."

Not wishing to go against the word of a nobleman in his home city, you swiftly make your way to the city gates. The guards nod to you on the way out before closing the gates. Before you is a wide, open road with large fields on either side. You walk a few yards away from the city walls, and come to a spot that seems reasonable for a meeting of fellow contracted hands. On the left side of the road is a large field with a few trees in it, a few stalks of withered corn, and a scarecrow. To the right is a stable, for all intents and purposes abandoned, and a keeper house connected to it. There is no traffic on the road at this time of day, so you are, for all intents and purposes, allow. Off in the distance, you hear the slight call of ravens, signaling the day's death and the evening's birth. From a casual glance, you see no one awaiting you.

I smile fondly at the Ravens feasting
Upon the last remaining stalks of summer corn in the
Setting sun. 'Yes, my children, enjoy, lest it return to the earth.' I think to myself.  Suddenly, I hear footsteps.
Turning, I see a myriad group of beings walking the path towards
The field. 'I wonder if this is my new charge the
Generous Lord has contracted my services for? Such an odd group.
I do hope they're friendly. People tend to flee from
Me.' I continue pondering to myself as they
Approach. The feasting Ravens scatter to the
Wind with a loud 'CAW!!'

I walk a little behind the others, because I don't exactly trust the new guy to be immediately friendly. Most of these hired thugs aren't. Gotta make sure to leave escaping distance, right?

I want to check the shed out to see if he's hiding in there. What should I roll, insight or perception?

Curiously, you analyze the structure of the stable, to determine if anyone was hiding in there. Oddly enough, you couldn't get past the slightly asymmetrical quality of the post positions to actually study the area beyond them.

Spoiler

What a horribly built shed... Well, at least I don't have a horse. I'd feel bad leaving him there. I built a shed once... I remember it like it was yesterday... Or was it tomorrow? Wait.. Did future me build THAT shed? No... He'd never do something like that. I would... Wait... Am I he or is he me? Why dd I build that shed again? Wait... That's a stable, not a shed... Or is it a shable? Stead? Steer?

"I most definitely did not build a steer that asymmetrical!" I exclaim proudly and loudly before realizing that no one would understand me. Sheepishly, i make myself as small as possible and hang a bit further back. I'm almost positive they think I'm crazy now.

Glancing back at the obviously deranged child behind him, Derrak shook his head in amusement. Looking around the path, he tried to discern wher their companion might be.

Breathing in deeply, the dwarf bellowed at the top of his lungs, "HELLO? ANYONE THERE?"

Vex stares in bewilderment at the dwarf near to her. "No need t'get ev'rybeasts attention dwarf. Ah'm sure the other will show up soon enough, so don't get yer pants in a bunch." she says softly with a slight hiss to her speech.

Then turning to the deranged thing behind her she spats with a hiss, "And you child-thing, quiet yer lips or Ah'll quiet them fer ya. Bloody babblin' on like that'll get a knife in yer gut."

Ah, lovely. A stuttering maniac spellcaster, and a loud dwarf. At least I hope the schizo cast spells. He is not going to be any use if he is forced to fight properly. I do wonder what the stereotypes for a Kobald are. I do hope our little lizard breaks the mold... I would prefer not to be surrounded by walking cliches.

Falchion looked around the area for some sign of the last member of their ragtag band.




-1 for my lovely mod