Damar, his eyes glinting with an out of place, keen spark, says: "It seems we have said something that vexes you, Lady Keep. Pray tell us what so that we may make amends for our thoughtlessness." That said, the intelligent glint leaves Damar's eyes, and a sheepish grin spreads over his face as he looks around the room. "Sorry, I talk weird sometimes."
Sslvark takes a seat. The wooden chair, only intended to hold men, creaks beneath the weight of a fully-grown Lizardfolk male in full armour. "Yes, we plan to find and rescue the hostages. Without a fight, if possible." He grins, a friendly gesture, were it not for his brutally sharp teeth. "No threat to you, of course, but for the goblins..."
Keira's eyes widen for a moment, before she smiles strangely. She takes a moment to whisper something to the cleric, squeezing her shoulder comfortingly, as well as another whilst moment walking to a seat to whisper to Damar. Afterwards, she quietly sits in a seat next to Sslvark smiling mysteriously.
Syleen looked at the cleric. She seems irritated by something, but I don't think it's the idea of trying to rescue the hostages. Rather, I'd say it's something one of us said... but I have no idea what it might be. At least it's not something I said... I think. The elf's thoughts were interrupted when she saw Keira whisper something first to the cleric and then to the Barbarian, and him blushing at it. What's going on? Did she figure out the cause of the cleric's irritation? Is it something Damar said... or rather, shouted?... Well, whatever. If she considers it unnecessary to share it with the rest of us I'm not going to pry... at least not yet. And so Syleen continued to quietly watch and observe the other people in the room.
Nalana nods as Keira whispers back. “OK.” She says as if to reaffirm Keira of something. She looked at priestess with a new understanding in her eyes... then she smirked, walked up to priestess and put a hand on her arm. {seduction attempt: roll 12 + sexual technique? 8 = 20} [PS. Finally a high roll! Well, not, but in upper half ]
OoC: Actually, that's "Sex Appeal": which is good, because you used your modifier for that skill instead of "Sexual Technique". (Which is lower.) IC: The Keep looks appraisingly at Keira and then smirks at Dimmar's blush, but when Nalana touches her arm she freezes for a second. Its clear she wants what your offering, but the risks associated with accepting are great... After a moment of inner struggle, she politely but firmly removes Nalana's hand and gestures her back to the other side of the desk. "My dear, while I am flattered by your offer, I simply cannot accept. Such a liaison would be incredibly compromising to one in my position, and though I would doubtless enjoy your company the long term repercussions are too great to chance being discovered. Besides, you are soon to be running a dire risk of death and maiming. I am one of those people who don't enter relationships lightly or hurriedly and expect them to last, so you must understand that I am not going to enjoy a one night stand, which there's a very real chance that this would be..." Reverend Flo states, then returns to her fully professional persona. "I have been observing your interactions so far, and I am not confident that you can succeed in the mission you wish to undertake, so; convince me. Tell me in a few words what skills each of you bring to the group: if I think you are ready I will approve your petition for temporary membership and authorize this mission. If not, I will gather a few people I know and deputize you as assistants to existing members, which will carry much less substantial rewards for you..." She explains, and steeples her fingers again, looking at all of you seriously.
"Well," Damar says, frowning. "I am pretty good in a fight, and I have some combat experience." His frown deepens. "But I suppose a lot of people say that." He pauses for a moment before his eyes light up and he snaps his fingers saying: "Oh, and I can do this!" With that Damar's body behind to change. His fingers lengthen into claws with the crack and pop of shifting bones, and black fur begins to sprout from his scarred skin. A moment later, a heavily muscled bipedal wolf the better part of seven feet tall stands where Damar once did. The beast growls a question, it's voice guttural, raw, and filled with contempt. "Does this count for anything?"
Reverend Flo DeLaHunt gulps for a second, and flinches involuntarily, but straightens after only a moment. "Yes, that most certainly does, but it's not enough by itself. This mission requires a team, not," her mouth quirks up at the corners for a moment, "a 'lone wolf'..."
Damar glares at the keep. It is difficult to tell if he does not find the joke funny, or if he simply does not get it.
Nalana takes a step back at priestess firm rejection. She narrows her eyes – she thought that was quite a good pick up… lately, nothing she tried seemed to work… Maybe she would try to seduce the pure-blood? At priestess request she gave a quick summary of what she believed to be her forte: “Seduction, diplomacy, intimidation are my forte. I’m intelligent – scarily so. I’m also a spellcaster, but not an offensive one.” [PS – I wanted to write sex appeal, I thought about, I even applied its bonus, it just… didn’t happen? How? … I’m Ill {with capital I} – that’s my version and I’m going to stick to it.]
Keira had a strange look as Nalana attempted to seduce the cleric, vastly different from her usual goofy smile. It was quickly wiped away as she glanced at Damar's sudden transformation, a glint of challenge shining in her amber eyes for a moment. At the Keep's prompting the monk quickly chimed in: "My master taught me how to fight, how to protect, and a bit about medical aid. I don't have a lot of experience but I'm pretty strong, and I can read people and situations really well!" She replied with a massive smile and a bow.
Syleen watches with amusement as Nalana tries to seduce the Keep. Well, this should be entertaining... “...so you must understand that I am not going to enjoy a one night stand, which there's a very real chance that this would be..." Reverend Flo states, then returns to her fully professional persona. ...or not. Oh, well, maybe she'll have better luck later, after we're back. The elf listens carefully as the witch answers the priestess' question. Note to self: Be VERY careful around Nalana. Her attention then switches to Damar as he demonstrates his transformation. Second note to self: Don't get on wolfy's bad side. Next is Keira, and her words catch Syleen's attention. Her master? Third note to self: Find out more about this. Seeing that no one else is in a hurry to answer (not that there are a lot of people left) she decides to be the next one. Getting up from her seat Syleen turns her attention to the priestess. "I too am a spellcaster. While I am more interested in meeting new people-" especially pretty girls "-and learning new things-" especially if they have to do with pretty girls "-I have prepared a few surprises for any would-be assailant. I also have some non-combat skills that likely won't be of much help with this mission... except maybe for my perception." Finished with her brief intro the elf sits back down.
"What skills do I have? I'm a cavalier of the Dragon Order. Obviously, I can break bones with ease, but I'm also expected to be able to talk people down." He leans back, and the chair creaks again. "Oh, and I know linguistics."
"SO, and SO:" Flo stated, looking them over. "I note you lack a full healer, and that you seem talented but inexperienced..." She puts the tips of her index fingers to her lips and "Huuummm"s for a moment... (Decide among yourselves who is best at Diplomacy and roll it. Your target number is presently 12: you could improve it by "sweetening the deal" somehow. [Keeping in mind that she has already rejected sexual advances on the grounds that compromising her professional integrity risks losing her position...])
(Syleen is not a good choice, either. Looking at the character sheets Nalana seems best at Diplomacy. Anyone have any ideas about "sweetening the deal" somehow?)
OOC: Unless you want her threatened or lied to, or confused by me reciting ancient languages (assuming someone's got a copy), not me. We could maybe sweeten the deal by agreeing to hire a healer and/or a veteran soldier?
(OOC: Damar's not a great option either. I agree with Mooblack about Nalana being our best choice. Maybe we could sweeten the deal by offering her a portion of the profit we make, or we could Appeal to the idea that her reputation would get a major boost if we are successful.)
