[color=00a651][center]Malkai[/center][/color]

Looking at the group that gathered, Malkai felt a bit uncomfortable at it's size. A party of six he was usually okay with, plus whatever animal companion they had. But a party of seven seemed a tad too much. He disliked large groups as it often brought many conflicting opinions, not to mention divided the reward. Still... If this mission was dangerous, then perhaps a few of these people won't be there to collect a reward. Not that Malkai intended to do harm to any of them, but if they don't make it they don't make it.

Everyone made their introductions aside from Malkai, and he at least spoke his name when the strange onion knight Catarina went to shake his hand. [color=00a651]"Malkai."[/color] Once the formalities were done the old man began to explain the quest. The job was simple enough: go to the ruins on the map and get the artifact within. [color=00a651]"A Chalice of Silence huh?"[/color] Given it's name Malkai assumed it caused silence to those around or who drinks from it. Silence might not seem like the most dangerous thing to happen to someone, but if one was silenced than any spells that relies on verbal components won't activate. Even Malkai's own magic requires him to speak an incantation, which he can't do if he's silenced. 

[color=00a651]"Hmm... Yes... We should find this. It's too powerful to leave it behind. Money's good too."[/color] Malkai looked at some of the papers. Aside from the map and picture, there wasn't much more information about the ruins or chalice. He supposed he shouldn't be too surprise; they did just recently uncover the ruins. Any time spent excavating and researching the ruins were going to have to wait as they get important relics out, and deal with any guardians left inside. Of course, since they lacked any research on the ruins, no one knew what sort of threats would be inside. But all the more reason why they're the ones hired to do job. Standing up Malkai walked from the table. [color=00a651]"I accept the job. Let's be off."[/color]

[hr]

[color=7ea7d8][center]Veridis Quo[/center][/color]

More and more adventurers came and joined the crew. First it was the half-orc. While Veridis couldn't quite see his face, even in the dim light Veridis could make out the man's greenish skin. It had a somewhat... Subdue coloration, but unless there was some subspecies of elves with greenskin, he was sure the masked barbarian was an orc. Possibly a half-orc. There was also the knight. Not really anything unusual about this guy, except for the fact a heavily armored knight was even here. What was even weirder was when another knight showed up, except he wore a suit of armor shaped like an onion! The surprises just continued to grow as the onion knight turned out to be a woman. More women joined, an armored warrior who seemed to be a northener, and an a comely elvish lass. She was nearly as pretty as Veridis was.

This was certainly starting to get interesting. [color=7ea7d8]"Veridis Quo, at your service, m'lady."[/color] When Catarina extended her hand to shake, Veridis took it up a notch by leaning in to give her a kiss on the top of her gauntlet. With a sizable party formed the old man began to explain the quest: go to a ruin in the desert and bring back a treasure within. Simple! The orc accepted the job and left, leaving the rest behind for questioning. Though there wasn't really much Veridis had to ask. He suspected that this would of course be a dangerous mission rifle with hostile bandits in the desert and monsters within the ruins. Chances to uncover lost history and other legendary lore within. And a chance for Veridis to get to know some of these fine adventurers. Though he did have one question.

[color=7ea7d8]"I'm not sure how the mage guild operates in Saphire, but is there a contract we'll have to sign? I'd imagine that the mage guild would like some... Liability."[/color] While not everyone used contracts or other binding agreements, an organization like the Mage Guild probably would. After all, what stops the group from just stealing this chalice for themselves? The mage guild would essentially be giving them free stuff without some record of agreement. Probably why Malkai left early. [color=7ea7d8]"But with or without, I'll be going on this quest as well. I'd imagine you want us to leave ASAP, so once we get the paperwork out of the way I'm ready to go when you all are."[/color]