[center][color=FFCE00][h2][u]The Soft Haven Bounty House[/u][/h2][/color][/center]

[center][sub]14th of the Full Autumn Moon, 1698 P.A.
Late morning - Cloudy Skies[/sub][/center]
[center][sub][@Hero][@Trainerblue192][@Obscene Symphony][@Scribe of Thoth][@McMolly][/sub][/center]

Aleka offered Ermes a slow blink and a long moment before he finally committed quill to paper. [color=B3FB95]“Ermes de Luca, Creation Genasian, fisher turned delivery boy, some skill with a blade, and an unhealthy amount of paranoia.”[/color] Aleka noted as he dried the ink and handed off the book to Vivian, who accepted it with another brief curtsey and swept quickly upstairs. Aleka carefully arraigned everything neatly on his desk before standing.

[color=B3FB95]“If I may have your attention everyone, it is time we discuss the Bounty House, how it operates, the steps to be formally accepted, and what expectations will be placed upon you when you enter into our employ. Please feel free to take a seat as the length of our conversation is determined by your ability to grasp the subject matter.”[/color] Aleka explained as he made his way across the room to the fire place. [color=B3FB95]“First and foremost, let us discuss the purpose of the Bounty House. This organization is meant to create a marketplace for employers and laborers to more easily find prosperous relationships in an era where a significant number of the active workforce has been relocated to Dranir. Employers or contract holders list job requests for a small fee with us and we, in turn, offer these jobs to those who we believe are mostly likely to successfully complete the job to the client’s satisfaction.”[/color]

[color=B3FB95]“The Bounty House doesn’t turn down a job listing so long as they can pay the fee. As such, job requests vary wildly in their description. The Bounty House, for the sake of ease, assigns these to two categories: Contract or Mercenary. Contract jobs are those that are either recurring seasonally, permanently, or for some reason will last for longer than a phase of a single moon. Apprenticeships, farmhands, and other physical laboring jobs usually fall into this category. These don’t necessarily pay well but they are consistent and usually include some degree of housing and education built into the contract as they are more lenient in accepting those who aren’t well versed in the trade. More importantly, these are the safer options for job requests.”[/color] Aleka glanced around the room, settling on Kyreth as he spoke before moving on.

[color=B3FB95]“Mercenary jobs are short term, goal oriented jobs that end once an objective is completed. Caravan guards, deliveries, bandit hunting, and other such goal driven jobs fall into this category. These jobs are usually more dangerous than contract jobs and they only pay once the job is complete. Of course, this means a greater pay off at the end but it means supplies, travel, and lodging are typically on your own coin.”[/color] Aleka explained in his flat, monotone voice, barely moving an inch as he spoke. [color=B3FB95]“It is important for you to understand that the success of this Bounty House rests on the success of those in its employ, of you all gathered here.  As such, what is available for you is heavily curated by myself and the other administration of the House and I will have no issue denying you access to any job that I believe that you will fail at. The more successful you are in your jobs, the more we will trust you to handle, the greater the rewards you will reap.”[/color] 

[color=skyblue]“Gods above, Aleka! You’re boring me to tears! Put some enthusiasm into this. It sounds like you’re reciting straight from a book.”[/color] Cerric interrupted, shooing Aleka away from his spot and taking his place. [color=skyblue]“Apologies everyone but I was about to fall asleep and I’m one of the administration! Where were we… Right!”[/color] Cerric continued with a snap of his fingers. [color=skyblue]“I have no doubt that a number of you are interested in mercenary jobs. We don’t find fresh inspiration digging up the dirt, don’t expand our aetheric finesse sweating in front of a forge, or other mundane activities. Heroes are forged at the ends of blades, infamy and fame fought for, won, and lost over the corpses of our enemies, and it is the pounding of the blood and the sweat in your eyes that carry tales, build renown, and rake in gold. It is adversity that builds strength, character, skill, and fortune but you have to live to see that happen.”[/color] 

[color=skyblue]“Those interested in Contract jobs, we get to have a nice conversation about what you’re looking for, where your interest and skills may best suit you for success, and other such easy topics right from the comfort of my own office, full of tea and biscuits, and sweets.”[/color] Cerric sighed happily before a sharp smirk wormed its way across his face. [color=skyblue]“Those interested in fame and fortune get to go through a little test. We’ll accompany you on a safer job, watch how you handle it, and evaluate whether or not you should even be permitted to accept those jobs, let alone more dangerous, better paying ones. We’ll pay you of course; we don’t expect you to work for free after all, but your performance determines your future so be sure to be on your best behavior.”[/color] Cerric paused briefly, water rolling between his fingers as he twirled a conjured orb absently. 

[color=B3FB95]“Before Cerric continues, I’d like to take this moment to open the floor to questions.”[/color] Aleka interrupted as Cerric opened his mouth to speak again. He gave Aleka a disgruntled look but shut his mouth rather than protesting. [color=B3FB95]“Once you’ve satisfied your curiosity, we’ll discuss what you are interested in, some of the finer details of each request type, and your pending acceptance into the House.”[/color]