"That's rather generous of you." Darius commented, a pleasant smile on his face - this one actually somewhat sincere. One free night where he didn't have to pay for a place to sleep, and at a significantly higher quality inn than the one he had been staying at since he first arrived. You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats those who work for him. Still, the old man had far from won him over. He always had to be on guard around these people. He couldn't stop thinking about his own criminal past, and how a man like Grigor Hulmaster would surely lock him up or even execute him if he knew.

He raised an eyebrow at the paladin, who was casting a judgemental gaze at everyone in the room. He couldn't help but roll his eyes. She really was one of those holier-than-thou types wasn't she. Then he glanced at a newcomer, with some sort of tattoos and distinctly elven features. Another half elf? She looked more nervous and out of place than anything else - perhaps unused to being in a noble's house? Based on the tattoos (which he assumed were elven), he guessed she had more of an elven upbringing than a human one. Although Darius's mother was an elf, she actually knew very little of elven culture, having grown up in a city. So Darius's elven upbringing was almost non-existent.

Upon being escorted out, Darius addressed the rest of the group. "Well, I think I'll sit down with a tall mug of ale and relax. If anyone wants to find me and swap stories, you're welcome to." He would leave out some of the more... colourful details of his past, of course.

And with that, he made his way back down the road and into the city. Once he reached the inn, he did exactly as he said, sitting down at an empty table with his drink. He would either be left in peace or get to learn more about those he would be working with. He would be perfectly content either way.

[hr]

Joric grinned, although that was hardly anything new. "I've always found undead to be [i]thick-skulled[/i]. Bunch of [i]boneheads[/i]." Perhaps it would be wise for the group to prepare themselves for an endless stream of skeleton-related puns on their journey. He had been saving them. After all, undead were among his favourite enemies - it was fun to crush skulls, and it was always satisfying to axe the necromancer behind it and put them back to rest, albeit missing a few limbs, ribs, or fragments of skull.

His room having already paid for, the dwarf had a bit of extra money to spend on a night of celebration, which he was more than happy to do. There was no need to visit a smith or buy provisions - he had already seen to those needs the previous day. He gave the paladin a respectful nod, from one warrior to another, and then looked to the Duergar. "I've always wondered how much drink a Duergar could hold. What do ya say to a contest?" He challenged.

After all, he had his honor to defend. And surely he couldn't expect the Duergar to play fair in single combat - even if the Duergar would be willing to accept. Besides, it wouldn't do them any good to beat each other up before the job.