Gelion Greyflood listened to the man give his speech. He was pleased. He hadn't thought Echario could be a fool and be where he was, yet his introduction had seemed rather like wishful thinking. The second speech put many of his concerns to rest. The question of pay had been rather glossed over as "dependent on your mission" was hardly specific. Yet, it seemed enough for now. And since they could essentially quit at any time, an issue which had been of some significant concern to the archer, it was even less of a factor.

The goals greatly pleased Gelion. Personal freedom, comradeship, and not being tied to any one nation. These were ideas he could get behind. But it did leave him with one more question.

"Sir. I like what I hear and I appreciate your willingness to answer the questions of a group of raw recruits. I do have one more question. In the first part of your speech you mentioned "helping our fellow man." Yet, in the rest the only mention is of personal freedom - a factor which clearly bears on the very purpose for this company. Is helping our fellow man one of the goals of this company? It was not stated as such in response to Simon's question. Does personal freedom entail the ability to harm the innocent, or are there standards of behavior? If so, what are they? From your speech I suspect I will be proud to wear the armband of the Falcons, but what does it mean to "represent our flock well?""

Gelion was not a goody twoshoes. He understood that sometimes the world was not black and white - he had encountered more than one grey scenario in his life. Heck, he'd been flooded by them. But still, there was violence that might be necessary in carrying out a critical goal, and then there was violence for violence's sake. And there were goals, and then there were goals. He didn't have to take a specific mission, but his name would still be tied to all of the other missions those wearing the armband undertook. "All for one and one for all" meant they were all in it together. He wanted to know the sort he would be "in it" with.

Yohn waited for the leader of the Falcons to answer Gelion's question (and anyone else's).

"Well, that's good 'nough for me. Let's 'ear what this first gig's all 'bout, and get on with freedom and makin' some gil and representin' and such. I'm itchin' t' get t' work."

Without missing a beat the man in the big chair replied with another warm smile, "Perhaps my answer was a little on the theatric side, allow me to elaborate. When I say we have personal freedom I mean we are not going to be at the end of some leash, expected to heel like a good dog of war at "the master's" command. This in turn allows us to take jobs a "war-dog" would not be able to take due to being on a short leash, whether it be clearing out dangerous monsters threatening a farmer's livlihood, delving into ancient ruins to seek out the forgotten relics of the past, or simply taking a month to relax, do some research, enjoy a good meal, or anything else."

His voice took on a somewhat more serious tone as he addressed this other part of young Gelion's question, "We Falcons may be a great many things, but we are not thugs, thieves, or assassins. I will not send you, or any other Falcon for that matter, to threaten, rob, or kill an innocent, and if in the future you are asked by a contact to do any of these abhorrent things I would expect you to refuse the job on merit and let us know at once so ties with the client can be severed. I want to clarify though, that you may be called upon from time to time to deliver a bit of "violent justice" as we have taken on work in the past to handle highwaymen, bandits, and other unsavory types, I am not so altruistic as to believe all problems can be solved without resorting to violence after all."

Gelion Gavroche Greyflood listened quietly while Echario answered his question. As he did so he had to, once again, contain an inward smile. Seriously? The second answer was theatrical, but this third speech about war-dogs was not? Perhaps Gelion needed some training in theater and speaking.

But the colorful language was not the reason he smiled outwardly. As Echario finished his speech Gelion spoke with confidence, "A company that lives by the words you have spoken is a company I can be proud to be a member of. I will happily wear the armband of a Falcon. If the others agree, I guess Yohn is correct. We need a mission."

", what truly sets us apart from other free companies is that we are not at the beck and call of any one single nation,," This is what will make history Silvira thought happily. As she listened to the responses she watched her fellow squad members. They were fresh, like her. And like her they seemed comfortable enough with their gear, except the mage who seemed new to his gear. Silvira was hopeful for the future of this expedition. The idea that pay was based on the job was nothing new to Silvira's mercenary life. The purpose of the company was vague which kept the company flexible and the rules bendable. Silvira liked bendable rules and was sure she'd like this company.
""We Falcons may be a great many things, but we are not thugs, thieves, or assassins." Echario lectured and Silvira smirked. Well some of us are assassins She wisely didn't correct Echario. She was uplifted to know that if the job was assassination then at least it wouldn't be innocents and so she wouldn't have to think of moral implications. Despite growing up learning the art of stealth Silvira like most Ronsos had a strong sense of honor and hated the idea that she may have killed for the wrong reasons.
"A company that lives by the words you have spoken is a company I can be proud to be a member of. I will happily wear the armband of a Falcon. If the others agree, I guess Yohn is correct. We need a mission." Gelion resigned his quest to trip up Echario and declared his loyalty.
"I too am eager to learn of our first mission." Silvira indicated her position on moving this meeting along. She was getting a little hungry.

So everybody had voiced their agreement, they would wear the armband. This organization seemed as if it was one of morals and ethics. This was something he could do without worrying about why necessarily he was doing it. Power in the end could be a goal in and of itself. He was not the most physically blessed person, but magic held a power in its own right. If the end goal was something that could be considered "honorable", then these would give him plenty of means to grow the strength of his will and spirit.

"I may be the last to speak up, but I suppose I will join this company of yours and wear the mark that comes with it," his voice may not hold the most confidence, but he was fresh to the open world. Tuman hoped his voice had held firm.

Perhaps it was time to spin the wheel and see where the fates took him.

Satisfied that there were no more questions and everyone seemed to accept his answers le'Rouge nodded to Nam before taking his leave, "Best of luck friends!" he said before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

The Varg, Nam, was not one for flowery speeches, or speeches at all, he was a man of few words and preferred to let actions speak for him, but the job at hand had to be explained, so he's have to do a little talking this time. Not bothering to sit he started with the briefing, "Those of you who came from the west may have noticed a small forest wedged between the mountains and Stone Bridge. It would seem the loggers working in these woods have disturbed some of the more aggressive denizens of that forest and need our assistance to drive back the beasts so work can continue." Realizing the fresh faces gathered around the table may want a bit more information he continued, "The beasts in questions are a group of giant bees that had a nest within the trees, normally the loggers pay close attention for these sorts of things, preferring not to aggitate the creatures, but it seems a newer lumberjack was not paying attention and brought down the tree the hive was in. Take a moment to prepare yourselves in whatever way you may need to, and then proceed to the West Gate out of town, I will be waiting there."

With that he made his way around the table passing out the previously mentioned armbands before heading out the double doors you all were lead in through without even waiting to see if there were any questions.

Yohn watched the Varg, his "superviser" for now, exit out of the room after the briefest of mission briefings ever... which suited the mechanic well enough. There's been plenty enough talk already.
"Bees, huh," Yohn said to noone in particular. He let out a sigh before squeezing himself out of the chair again. "Gil's gil, 'suppose, right? Might as well go make some," he spoke his thoughts as he walked out the door after the Varg, snagging a couple snacks on his way out.

Swinging by the trunk that had been assigned to him to store his gear when he had arrived, Yohn picked up his pack, adjusted the straps and move to meet the Varg at the gate.

Gelion watched the big Puff walk out of the room. The big man went straight to the point. But he seemed friendly.

Rising from the table he added his own comment to the meetings end. "It seems our guess was correct - we are indeed to be teammates - at least for one mission. Welcome aboard folks, I hope my bow can be of some use to us on this mission. I can't say I've ever tried to shoot a bee before."

Moving towards the cabinet to grab a snack of his own on the way out he added, "anything we should talk about before meeting up at the gate?"

If he hears no specific comment in reply he finishes with, "In that case, I will see again shortly. Lets see how well these armbands fit." So saying, he grabbed an armband, placed it on his arm, and followed Yohn out of the room. He will head towards the gate.

Bees. Definitely not something that Tuman had in mind that he would be fighting when joining a free company, a glorified band of mercenaries. Not of the great tales started off with the heroes fighting bees. All tales had a beginning though, and though this was not the beginning of his, it would be a dull start to a new chapter. A small smile crossed his face at the thought of bashing a bee to mush.

"After all, how big can a bee get?" he posed the question as his newfound ‘companions' began to rise from the table.

"Bees, huh," the large Al Bhed spoke up, "Gil's gil, 'suppose, right? Might as well go make some." And with that, the man left after the canine looking man.

Next to rise was the archer and woodsman. He grabbed some food before posing his question, "Anything we should talk about before meeting up at the gate?"

"Just try to keep their stingers out of me," the young scholar spoke with a slight grin. He spoke a word underneath his breath as he channeled a bit of energy into the left breast of his robes. "Let's go, Elwyss."

With that the fairy who was his familiar and companion flew down into the small pocket that inside his robe and began to rest comfortably. Tuman gathered up his pack and strode out of the room.

Simon half listened as the others said their piece and began filing out. With a twitch of his fingers and a murmur, he checked the armband for... less visible additions, but it was as it seemed. A simple piece of cloth.

He slipped it over his bicep, quite aware of his paranoia, but comfortable with it. It had served him well over the years. Mostly.

Withdrawing his rod, he set out after his companions. If a lumberjack needed an exterminator, they were about to get one.

Simon couldn't help the sigh that escaped him as he processed that thought.

Bees? Silvira thought with a little horror. She hated bugs and flying bugs were worse, and giant flying bugs!! She genuinely thought about quitting.

"Bees, huh," Yohn said to noone in particular. He let out a sigh before squeezing himself out of the chair again. "Gil's gil, 'suppose, right? Might as well go make some,"

"After all, how big can a bee get?" the mage posed the question as his newfound ‘companions' began to rise from the table.

Pulling herself together quickly and hoping that no one noticed the panic flit across her face, Silvira drew strength from the non chalant confidence of her teammates. It won't be so bad, she shakily told herself they're just like any other target. Any other target that can fly with multiple legs and stingers and compound eyes She had to suppress the shudder that was preparing to run up her back. She gracefully rose and gathered some food from the pantry. Perhaps the act of eating would disguise how bothered she was. She merely nodded to the small conversation as the party made their way out the door and to the meeting place, she didn't trust her voice currently. Why'd it have to be bees? she thought not for the last time.
After her meal Silvira checked her weapons and her pack. She'd kept them with her since she hadn't been assigned a room yet and only a fool leaves anything in a hallway. Despite her misgivings Silvira arrived at the West Gate at the appointed hour.

((Assuming here that no one opted to make any side stops other than at the pantry I'll move on with this as if you have all met Nam at the gate as requested))

Arriving at the gates you notice Nam is leaned casually against a neighboring home waiting patiently for each of you to arrive. As the final recruit arrives he makes a quick motion with his clawed hand for you to follow and proceeds to exit through the gate and head westward toward the logging camp where your mission is to begin. It is still early afternoon, the sky is clear, and it is a comfortable temperature, having averaged in the low 90s much of the summer (living in the shadows of the mountains to the north has its advantages after all).

The hike to the lumber mill takes only about 90 minutes or so, and you are greeted by a stocky, sweaty bearded man with just a hint of panic in his expression and voice as he greets your crew, "My name is Jurek, and I more or less run this place. I see from the crimson standard you lot must be the help we asked for in dealin' with this...problem" Nam gives a silent nod of acknowledgement and turns to you five, "Have at it, I'll be watching if things get out of hand."

Jurek, who had been expecting the Varg to be helping (he did look a mite more capable than the new recruits after all) shrugged and continued while leading you toward the woods, "My crew knows the drill for the most part, it ain't no secret the bees nest in this forest, and any experienced 'jack worth his salt knows how to spot the signs that a hive is nearby and will usually avoid the trees around it. Well this new kid, a galka, eager to get to work and earn some pay went out with his axe and started hacking away at a tree without checkin' for none of the signs and stirred up a right nasty nest of the buzzers."

As Jurek was explaining you realize you can hear the droning of wings and other signs that the "buzzers" as Jurek had called them, were still quite active. "The drones have been attackin' any of my 'jacks that come within 15 feet or so in either direction, I still got men out there workin' that can't make it back to camp without bein' chased by a buzzer. These boys are right handy with an axe, but they ain't warriors, and no one wants to have to have one of those stingers hooked into their hide." Jurek stops, glances over each of you quickly, "You lot look capable enough though, and this is far as I go, I still got 'jacks needin' tendin' to at camp." He points you in the direction the buzzing is clearly coming from and heads back to the base camp as stated.

Pushing forward the buzzing gets louder, so you know danger is at hand ((no surprise round, you all know what's coming after all)) when the first drone comes speeding toward the group trying to drive you from their territory. The vermin is roughly 5 feet long with a comparable wingspan.

((Initiative order is as follows:
Gelion: Init 22
Simon: Init 21
The Bee: Init 19
Silvira: Init 15
Tuman: Init 11
Yohn: Init 6 (sorry, bad roll)
The bee is currently about 15 feet from whichever of you took point. Those of you with familiars, they act on your initiative. You do not have to make your posts in this order, simply post as to what your character will be doing during their turn, and once I have posts for everyone I'll resolve combat.))

Gelion saw the bee buzz out of the woods. Yep. It was a giant bee alright. Not a pleasant looking thing.

He had a bow with him for a reason. He placed an arrow and drew it back - he held his aim for two segments making use of his ability to take careful aim. (He is using his aim limit break - he will shoot at initiative slot 20 instead of 22, this should give him a +2 to hit and damage. It is also a point blank shot.)

As he got off his shot he also looked around. The bee was big and had a big wingspan. If they could find a group of trees that were less than 5 feet apart they might have partial shelter that the bee would have trouble getting into. If this bee went down, his first move would be to look for a blind from which to shoot.

Silvira grudgingly made her way to the gate. She kept her eyes on the shadows out of habit, keeping to their edge while still casually walking down the street. If she'd been wearing a hoodie she'd almost certainly look the part of an emo making their way to their first job. Her arms folded just below her bosom, her head titled toward the ground. She was the last to arrive and Nam barely acknowledged her before leading the way. The journey was almost to short and Silvira didn't even try to make conversation.

The lumber jack who greeted the party looked to be keeping his fear under wraps. Must be the leader Silvira thought with a little amusement. Seems to have practice stepping out of his comfort zone.
"Have at it, I'll be watching if things get out of hand." Nam stepped away from the group. Kinda wish I could go with him
As the group went further into the forest the lumber jack continued to blather but Silvira paid no attention to his words, all that filled her hearing was the buzzing. At some point the lumber jack turned back and the party continued only a short ways before the source of the buzzing came calling.

Without a word the party swung into action. Silvira ducked behind the nearest tree trying to use it as a little bit of cover as she pulled forth her crossbow. Loading a bolt she aimed and fired.

(OOC: Total attack bonus +3 d10 damage).