Preamble#

You are contacted in your chambers by Bentley Mirrorshade of The Friendly Arm. Johann Hadrigan requests a meeting. Bentley offers a room off the main bar. The meeting is requested presently. He explains that Hadrigan has been aggressive in demanding a resolution of this issue, has paid well for his stay here, and that the Friendly Arm would like this guest to conclude his business and depart peacefully. He will await your response.

Kai-so, of the Eastern Delegation, arrives soon after to respectfully request that his Delegation be allowed to attend the meeting. He asks your permission to enter and explain why his delegation arrived with the Hadrigans. His female guard, Mai, remains in the hall, cloaked in shadows, radiating an uneasy menace, despite her diminutive size.

Kai-so explains that Aiken, his master, was sent to the West some time ago to, on their behalf, return Father Melios to the East to school the newly-converted worshippers in the faith of Dionysus.

Sometime after, two worshippers who had been sent to accompany him returned east, in poor health, having been abandoned by Aiken in a large fistfight in a burning brewery in Osgoth, north of Achea, where they had located Melios.

Aiken did not return. Kai-so, and his delegation, were sent West to locate Aiken and, hopefully Melios. They soon discovered that Melios and Aiken had more recently had returned to Portown – the very city where they had docked – and soon after located Aiken in chains in Portown, a prisoner of the powerful Hadrigan family. The Eastern Delegation explained their position to the Hadrigans, who had arrested Aiken. Aiken had been charged as a criminal for stealing, with Melios, the brooch.

Melios had long-since parted company with Aiken and Aiken had remained in Portown where he was arrested whilst visiting with, according to Kai-so, some potential female worshippers in an alehouse on the docks of Portown.

The Hadrigans were initially resistant to releasing Aiken. After Mai “spoke” with some more aggressive Hadrigan men-at-arms, and certain fees were paid for Aiken’s release, the Eastern Delegation agreed to accompany one of the Hadrigan sons, Johann, north to the Vinewood to locate Father Melios, allow the Easterners to present their proposal to return the Melios to the east, and to assist the Hadrigans in locating the agents who have been previously sent to retrieve the lost family heirloom – you.

Kai-so is of the opinion he has fulfilled his delegation’s part of the agreement. However, their ships are still in the port at Portown, and he wishes to assist in ensuring that all parties are satisfied with all arrangements, so that they may safely return East when their business is concluded here. He explains that he would like to offer his assistance in finalizing this matter satisfactorily, so that they may depart, and their involvement with these Portown merchants be respectfully and peacefully concluded. He bows, thanks you, and departs.

Sealing the Hadrigan Deal#

The party is rested and at full health, pre-training. Ulland borrowed some more money for a room and then said he was off into the woods for a bit to “find his things”. The over-ales discussion in specifically related to how to split up so that all of us are not necessarily in the room with the Hadrigan entourage at the same time, leaving some of us free in case the situation escalates. It was decided that Gonchar and Kyril would stay behind. Gonchar lent his Ring of Mind Shielding to Lycovyne.

Bentley knocked and entered, stating “they await”.

Johann Hadrigan waited for us in the room reserved, flanked by 3 large goons and Mai on roller skates. Kai-So offered to serve as mediator and we accepted his proposal. Johann very much wanted to renegotiate the deal.

“You were supposed to return the brooch to me in Portown. Is the brooch with you in this room?”

We replied in the negative (it was safe and sound in the Bag of Holding?)

“I have traveled far and at great expense and need to make good on those losses. I am prepared offer you 5000 gold apiece.”

The party declined Johann’s offer. He was furious. After some brief haggling and continued remonstration about his costly trip hither, he raised his offer to 10k apiece. The party broke away for a bit to discuss the matter and, returning (this time with our lawyer), declined again, stating in no uncertain terms that it would be “more money or we walk”. 18k in gold was demanded.

Rancor prevailed for some time in the Hadrigan camp, while the party held faces made of stone. 20k in gold was not going to happen, and neither was 10k. A crack appeared in this impasse when Aiken and Melios entered, hammered.

“Who are you screwing over this time, you prick!?!?” said Melios, pointing at Johann.

Menka asked Melios: “what will happen if we say Hadrigan over the box containing your family’s brooch?”

“The brooch will immediately be transported back to Portown, of course.”

The party rightfully accused Johann Hadrigan of treachery, that he never intended to pay us anyway. Discussions broke down immediately, though outright melee was avoided. Kai-So suggested that Johan Hadrigan should exit the room for a time so that he (Kai-So) might discuss the resolution of the deal with the party. He very much wanted to get back to his ships in Portown…

Johann Hadrigan left the room. After he left, Melios said “get whatever cash you can from these assholes!”

We discussed the matter at length with Kai-So. We appreciated his position (and thanked him for his help) but made it plain we would get the money owed to us or walk and take on the Hadrigan clan in the name of on-going employment. 18,000 in gold was our demand.

Kai-so brought our price to Johann, who replied with 12k. This went back and forth for a few moments until a price of 15,000 in gold was agreed to by both parties. Melios started cracking up, poured wine for everyone, opened the door, stumbled through and spewed insults at his brother and everyone else in the Hadrigan camp. Johann Hadrigan re-entered the room, covered in wine. Not happy. One of Johann’s goons reached for his sword and Mai appeared at his side, stopping him by grabbing his elbow. He desisted.

The Hadrigans needed to see the brooch, and we needed to see the money. (One of us must have communicated with the party members not in the meeting, and one of the latter brought the brooch down to the party from the Bag of Holding?) A different, more wizardly goon in Johann’s employ ran his hands over the brooch and confirmed its identity – “this is it.”

Johann handed each member of the party 3000 platinum pieces in sacks. A princely sum, indeed. Melios was amused, no end. As Johann stormed out of the room we heard Melios say to them all “man, you guys – Dad is gonna be pissed!”