[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]

Cerric fiddled with his rings as he considered the question. [color=skyblue]“That is less clear cut than you wish it to be. As simply as possible, you may report any illegal requests you stumble across and technically, I should encourage you to do so but you’ll have to weigh your ethics against your coin purse. A job unfinished is a job unpaid; though, I suppose discussing how contracts are paid out may make the weight of this discussion easier to consider.”[/color] 

[color=skyblue]“When a job is sent in for the House to list, there is a fair degree of negotiating involved. The listing fee is based on how skilled an individual needs to be to handle the situation at hand and takes into account what we know about current events in the area. Once we’ve settled on our listing fee, we negotiate pay. This takes into account the general wealth of the individual or group listing the job, travel time, the kind of needed supplies, the level of risk involved, and the list goes on. Afterwards, they pay the House and they determine what token is necessarily as proof of completion. This can range from something as archaic as the head of a bandit leader you hunted down to a letter with a specific seal on it. Upon returning with the token, we release the funds to you!”[/color] Cerric explained delightly. [color=skyblue]“Of course, the obvious flaw in this system is us trusting you not to produce a counterfeit but we believe you’ll do right by us as long as we do right by you. Of course, I have no qualms retrieving my coin off your waterlogged corpse should you prove otherwise.”[/color]

[color=B3FB95]“We have no way to monitor you at a distance. The decisions you make cannot be controlled by us with any accuracy. It may take us months to hear the truth of your exploits. We expect you to complete your jobs with minimal issues. If you become a liability, we remove you from the House. ”[/color] Aleka once again spoke before Cerric could continue. [color=B3FB95]“No token, no payment. Do what you will with that information. This all applies to mercenary jobs, of course. Payment for contract jobs falls on the shoulders of the employer. No tokens are necessary as you will not report back to us until the contract is complete, if you do not find permanent employment with the contract issuer.”[/color]

The doors to the Bounty House creaked open again, accompanied by the heavy footfalls and jangling of plate mail. Standing just under 6 feet, an older human woman with streaks of silver in her blond hair, heavy crows feet at her eyes, and deep set laughter lines strode in through the door, helmet tucked under one arm and a simple sack slung across the other shoulder. A blade hung at her side, the scabbard simple and well scuffed, with the symbol of Zunbil emblazoned on the pommel. 

[color=yellow]“Good morning everyone. It’s nice to see so many new faces. I hope we can get along.”[/color] The woman greeted them, before turning her attention to Aeka. [color=yellow]“I’ll just take a second then. I’ll leave the token on your desk once I climb out of this armor. Normal arraignment for the funds, please.”[/color] The woman continued past the group and up the stairs with a curious glance at the boy whose hair writhed and the blue haired girl but otherwise disappeared upstairs as quietly as someone encased in metal could. The faint sound of a door closing could be heard and then the downstairs was quiet once more.

[color=B3FB95]“Marta was one of the first to join the House. You may find some guidance from her, Mr. Luca, should you want some practical instruction from a fellow creation genisian. I’d even recommend her to you, Ms. Storyborn. She may not have the exact guidance you are looking for but I believe you may find her wealth of experience helpful.”[/color] Aleka offered in lieu of a proper explanation. [color=B3FB95]“Back to the matter at hand, however, I believe it is time those interested in mercenary work follow me back to my desk where we can determine your future at the House. Anyone interested in contract work, please follow Cerric to his office.”[/color] 

[color=B3FB95]“Though you do not seem the type to care for one, I will offer you a mentor as well, Mr. Ceolfric. The alchemist in town, Agitha Hawthorne, is also a mental animas aetherborn. I would seek her out once we are done here if you are interested in further developing your skills. There are a number of interesting tales about her that I’m sure Ms. Storyborn could regale you with should you care to hear. Now if you will follow me-”[/color] Aleka paused as Vivian returned from upstairs and stopped one step above the floor. She did not offer a curtsy but instead stared over the gathering before her attention landed on Kyreth.

[color=orange]“Kyreth Bertasson, your presence is requested in Lord Mystralath’s study immediately. If you would please follow me, we do not want to keep the Lord waiting.”[/color]