[joe15552]

As Yani turns to look at Uncle Good Advice, he gives an approving glance to Bat'Oni and Whisper. It's too bad he doesn't get to work with elves on this job, but so far this team is looking fully capable, despite their ethnicity. Speaking of fully capable, he might as well get to work on his part of the job...

[Sentinemodo]

I am in, obviously. I love good mysteries. any starting point suggestions?

waiting for more details:
mental note: history of the urn and what it does, things aren't magical for the sake of it
mental note2: who was the late and unlamented Johnson
mental note3: what the hell Vory wants in this

[Sentinemodo]

And of course let us revisit a little the nuyen aspect. You know that I hate talking about the money, but on the other hand You always have something in store just in case and you wouldn't risk quits from the team that has been imported oversea. If I judge correctly the urn to attract such attention can possibly be worth millions. It is only fair to double the cash offer to 50 thou per person plus wishes.

[Kot]

"CW, you're a good kid. So I'm not going to just tell you 'no'. I can't. I wasn't paid of in cash, and all I've got for you comes out of my personal account. I've got hard data, that I could turn into a lot more, but it will take time, effort and risks. You want to do my job?." He grins at you, and laughs seeing your expression.
"Isn't that just precious? They've bought us all with whatever we want. I'm just the last middleman. That's all." He waves at the bartender for another round. Bat'Oni, Whisper and Yani feel that this is going to be a long evening, when their glasses are refilled again. "As for the other questions, I'll try to answer them. For starters, this is something more like a bronze pot. Something really important in some religious stuff, and it had a relief on the side. I have a full history at home, and I'll send it to you. The guys who were going after it aren't really an enigma. They call them 'Black Men'. A bunch of mystical commandos. Not adepts, or magicians, but they're a merry brainwashed bunch with a mystical agenda. Ech... Unfortunately they're also well trained and equipped. And that's all I know about them. " He downs another shot of vodka, and makes an elaborate gesture at the bartender.
"There is no competition. That's where the weird stuff starts. I've got far tnough to find out. There was no competition. There won't be any. Whoever hired us all, had you people in mind. Noone else. You were picked for some reason I can't crack. That's probably what those 'wishes' were about - someone knows enough about you to guess. Any other questions?"

[Sludig]

Bat'Oni nods towards CW, "That seems like a fair number, though if you could also provide us with safe lodgings, as well as some small amount up front, as CW is the only local, we will have to use far more funds to grease wheels than I think many of us are comfortable with."

((OOC: Roll Negotiation 5 + Charisma 8 + First Impression 2 + Empathy Software 3 = 18 dice
18d6.hits(5) → [3,3,3,1,4,2,1,5,1,3,3,3,5,5,2,2,4,6] = (4) ))

[Teyl_Iliar]

Whisper doesn't like the idea that someone knew them so well that they were hand picked for this job. His battle records were sealed and he'd worked outside of normal channels for years, but not for people that keep records... he'd think about it later. Back to the business at hand."what can you tell us about these black men and their operations inside of the Tri-city area? Do we have an intel about their numbers, safe houses or resources? Who else might they have hit and for what? And just because i'm curious, what's the Vory's interest in this?

[Kot]

The troll smiles at Bat'Oni. His teeth have a pearly white shine. Then he points at the table, and says: "[color]Okay. Nice one. You'll get... Let's say 2k for expenses. And I'll help you find a safehouse. For free - as a welcome gift. I want you to succeed. And if you stumbe upon any intel on 'Black Men', I'll compensate you. There's also a bounty in their head paid by the Kapers, and I'll vouch for you if you want to collect. Is that enough for you?"
Uncle's roll: Charisma(5)+Negotiation(5)+Specialty(2)+Empathy Software(3) (15d6.hits(5)=4)
He turns to Whisper. "Nil. No info whatsoever. That's a tough subject, as they operate in the city for a few months now. Nobody knows who they are, or where they came from. Or what for. As I said - if you find out, I'll pay you for the intel. And ask your big comrade about Vory. I can't talk about my business deals with them. Confidentiality."
Then he turns to CW again. "You my friend on the other hand... You're a wild card. You weren't on the list. You're a mage, and a good sniffer. This whole stuff stinks with magic. Go pay old Teatime a visit, he knows more."

[Teyl_Iliar]

Whisper sits back in his chair for a second after the exchange before replying. "Thanks for the assistance. please send me the details after this meeting is over. I'm sure by the end of this we'll have more than a few bounties to collect on and at the very least a little Intel to trade." Whisper finishes his glass and turns it upside down signaling that he's done.

[joe15552]

Yani takes the drink in his hand that he was nursing and downs it in one gulp, slamming the glass down. Hopefully he has some info to sift through on the way to talk to this Teatime character.

[Sludig]

Bat'Oni nods, "If that is the extent, that would be acceptable.  Any information you can give us will help us track down this item." *swallowing her drink in one slug* "And frankly, the sooner someplace to shower, the better." *gives the Troll a nice pearly white smile*

[Uncle Vabka]

Vabka listens to the negotiations and briefings with one ear, his vodka forgotten.

He sends a text to Mariya

Hoi chummer! Guess who has arrived in your neck of the woods sugar tits. Yep - Uncle Vabka is officially in TriCity. Lock up your daughters! Thanks for the mapsofts and the libguasoft- all good omae. Plan on getting caught up with you in the very near future gorgeous - lots of catching up to do. Just a little biz up front - just met a rather foxy trogette name of Mariana apparently running with you guys in TriCity - whats the low down on her? Smooth talking trog who came with her to the meet organising a squat for me and the others to rest our wearies while here, but also keeps hinting that the Vory can shed some light on the Job. Term by the name of Uncle Good Fortune. You know anything I should be aware of before all these smoothies expect me to pull Vory magic info from my ass? Looking forward to seeing ya soon. Been way too long.

Interjecting into the conversation

The cred is fine by me, bonuses for paydata and bounties all good too. How do we collect on the bounties? These Kapers pay by the ear or what? As to these Black Men, got a few feelers out about em, but as for now, don't know jack shit. When I do, you will be the first to know.

((OOC just to let you know Kot, Mariya is a normal human - at least she was when conceived, but happy to go with another troll if you want))

[Kot]

Mariya responds immediately.
"Good to know you're still yourself, Vabka. I have a good time here, just managed to get in a leadership postition. Just in time. Those stupid bastards wanted to wage war on everyone. You've seen the old harbor ruins, I presume? That's their work. They paid off an admiral to get rid of the Kapers during the war. Now I'm trying to work here, and make the Syndykat take our peace offering. A lot of work, but I'll always find some time for you. If you really need to know, Mariana is my official spokesperson. She's sharp. Dam, If she ever gets in bed with Uncle Good Advice, we will have a generation of smooth-talking trolls. Jej Bohu... Just kidding. She's a professional. And she does have a soft spot for loyal boys like you, you big oaf.
What you need to know, is that we're seen as enemies. Some people would shoot you on sight out of hatered. So don't go boasting, like you did back in the old times. But we have your back. I've promised that to both of them - Dad and Matviej. I've let you down once, but never again. See you soon, my Friend."

Uncle Good Advice just laughs cheerfully. "Good, good. You call me. I send a cleaning squad, or a Kaper specialist. They identify the mark, and pay up on the spot in cred, or later in goods or services. And I'll pay you... Let's say half a 'k if you get me some medical scans, or a full magical evaluation of any of those bastards. And check for tats, and such. I have my fears too... They smell like anti-awakened, and humanis dung." He almost spits on the floor. Almost. For a classy Fixer that would be unthinkable. He has to hate humanis a lot...
"CW will lead you to Teatime. He's an expert in magical crap, and he was the one assessing the situation on the spot. Classy british bastard, and an elf on top of that, but he's good. Could teach CW here a few tricks even. Okay... It's my cue, I have a meeting in fifty. Boys, have fun. Good luck. And may you walk on shadowy paths." He moves his massive body with ease, and without any sign of inebriation. Bows to Bat'Oni, shakes Vabka's hand and exchanges goodbye's with the others, and leaves.

OOC: I thought so, Uncle. You guys can still ask the fixer a few questions - I'd say he answered them before leaving.

[joe15552]

Yani turns in his stool at the mention of humanis and asks, "Why do you think they are humanis, Uncle Good Advice?"

[Kot]

"Not humanis itself. Humanis related. C'mon, a human-only, organization with combat training and no awakened members? That's just plain stupid, resources-wise. It just screams 'kill all non-humans'."

[joe15552]

After Uncle Good Advice leaves, Yani turns to CW to give him what he got, "The only thing I got is that these 'Black Men' have bounties on their head from more than one source. I have nothing on the urn. I don't even know if it ever existed." He shrugs in his seat looking a little more somber(not sober) than usual.