Gold Rush: (Halrik 'Hal' Jarol)

[Game Master]

"Oh there's always guild work if you want it. Do you have a specialty? Burgling, purse cutting, robbery? I'm studying wizardry myself. I've almost mastered invisibility. I figured it could be useful."

Hal hadn't heard of a thief dabbling in spellcraft before. Of course most of the scoundrels he knew couldn't read. Most men were not actually true thieves like Hal. They tended to be anything from vagabonds to con-men to brigands and everything in between. Men who for whatever reason had to learn how to steal to survive. True thieves like Hal made it a profession. Hal chose this life style. This Kole chap was obviously something else before he took up the trade.

[Dragon]

Hal wondered at the possibilities of being invisible during a job. No more worrying about guards sneaking up on you, no more worries of a random passerby while your picking a lock. Invisibility would be revolutionary to their line of work.

Hal nodded to Kole. "Yeah! That would change everything! Invisibility would let us do jobs with a lot less risk. The only things left we'd have to worry about would be guard dogs and getting bumped into, either of which can easily be avoided." Hal calmed himself. "Sorry, the idea of being invisible is really exciting. Anyway, I prefer burglary, much simpler with less chance of someone getting hurt. Figured the guards wouldn't chase me that much if no-one is in danger of getting hurt from me." Hal shrugged.

[Game Master]

Sadell returned "It's all set."

"Excellent!" Kole exclaimed. "Best stay here Sadell, I'll escort our friend here."

The wine cellar door opened up into a hall leading both left and right. The right side ended with another door just a few feet away. Hal walked left following Kole. It lead to an even larger cellar, but this one was of the regular variety, lighted with three oil lamps and housing food stuffs. It was outfitted with a few dozen well made chairs seated around three tables of equal quality. The only exit beside the way they came in was a stair way leading up to the main floor. "Best take a seat my young friend."

Goodheart made an appearance shortly after but, he wasn't alone. Maybe he was the paranoid type or maybe it was a show of force and power. Whatever the reason, he seemed to be bringing in the whole Guild for this little meeting. His entourage was over a dozen strong. A mix of elves, dwarfs, humans, a couple of halflings and even a gnome. Mostly men but, there were a few women as well. This seemed like a proper mix for a Guild. He could do well with this bunch if he could convince Goodheart that he was worth keeping around. Not all towns wanted new members. The group for the most part took seats around the tables and turned chairs to face Hal. A few continued to stand by the stairs. He also noted that the ones standing were all big as trees. Enforcers no doubt.

Goodheart it seemed was a Halfling. At four feet tall he was tall for his kind. He must be a tall fellow then. He was good looking he supposed if you liked chubby looking chaps that looked like hairy kids. He had curly, brunette hair, ice blue eyes and a radiant smile of perfect teeth. He was dressed in a royal blue silk shirt under a black livery. His billowy, pantaloons were black as well with a yellow pin stripe down the sides. Like all halflings his feet were bare, but well manicured and groomed. His hands had no less then three rings each and he wore a thin mithril chain around his neck as well as a small, matching hoop in his left ear. He stood as well, leaning to one side on an ornate, black, lacquered walking stick.

"Well Kole, what have you gleamed from our visitor then?" Goodheart inquired in a quiet voice as smooth as his shirt.

Kole restated the conversation Hal had with him just minutes before.

"So, you wish to relocate and join my merry band eh? What's your name?" The halfling restated in a matter of factually tone.

Hal didn't see the point in wasting time lying and introduced himself.

"Well I respect the fact that you took the time to find me instead of forcing me to find you. That shows common sense. Let me give you the run down. You will officially be a 'Burglar' in my Guild. You may do as you wish. Any valuables gained from your time here in Garrotten will be subject to a 25% fee payed to me. Anything needing to be liquidated will be handled by Jutton Silversmith of the Cutting Edge our local fence. The Guild will have odd jobs for you from time to time if we feel your up to it. We have few rules here. Do not take from a Guild member, do not sell to non-Guild members, do not rat out another Guild member and never kill while on official Guild business. We're thieves, not assassins. Kole says your looking for a job then? Just so happens it's tax time and that means it's time to harass our local tan collector. You interested?"

[Dragon]

Hal couldn't help but feel intimidated when that many people looked at him. but he kept himself calm and listened carefully. When he was asked about being interested he replied. "Yes Sir."

Hal felt a lot better about his situation. He finally had a place to drop his goods and allies to turn to if he needed a job. Hal also thought that 25% cut wasn't so bad, very fair.

[Game Master]

This is the End of your intro. I'll add up some xp for you and we'll be off and running in the Tax Man thread.