"Here's the plan." Akiol started.
The remaining party members looked in his direction, paying attention.
"I'll get in contact to find a way to meet in-game. Once we can meet up there are several things that we need to find out."
Akiol lifted a finger, "First, how furious is the individual? Depending on their mood depends on what we can negotiate. Our key information we need to acquire is, the location of conflict, the reasoning, and the details of the wanted."
Lifting another finger Akiol continued, "Second, is this person alone? Are we dealing with a guild or group? This is key info we need to learn as well. For large groups are always harder to negotiate with."
Lifting the third finger Akiol finished, "Finally, do they want the wanted person dead? If we can convince a different approach it definitely increases our chances of actually meeting the wanted. So we can confirm if it really is Kan'na. Any questions?"
The rest shook their heads. It was a simple plan, the majority of the fine details couldn't be worked out due to a lack of information. This simple plan would be enough.
Akiol sent a message to the bounty poster.
-Would like additional info on this person, care to meet up?- Akiol
It didn't take long before he got a response.
-If you truly want more info, meet in 15 mins at the Adv. Guild in Ironblight.- Swinging Reckless
Akiol turned his attention to the party, "We got a meet up, fifteen minutes at Ironblight."
Wrock chuckled, "Ironblight, these town names all seem familiar."
"Mine's called Coppernight, I feel like they should've hired someone else to name these places." Tilia added.
"I shall defend the poor names by saying that rhymes are easier to remember, the simplistic names are hard to forget." Yielya defended.
Akiol agreed with that statement, to be honest it was hard to forget the names when they are so different by yet so similar.
"Let's buy the scrolls then! Who's paying?" Wrock asked.
"Get your own!" The three retorted.
"Ahh so stingy."
. . .
The party walked through the doors of the Adventurers Guild. Akiol searched for the table that fit the description he was given a minute ago.
There he saw a group of three sitting at a table, dressed similarly. The party approached the three, Akiol greeted, "Good evening, the name's Akiol."
The middle of the three nodded and responded, "Greetings, I am Swinging Reckless. Please take a seat."
When the party sat there was only a seat in either side separating them. Swinging Reckless continued, "You wanted information on the bounty, yes?"
"Not only information, but we would also like to ask some questions about the bounty in particular." Akiol responded.
Swinging Reckless nodded slightly. They then prompted, "What's the questions then? I will not answer if I do not feel like it is necessary."
"First of all, is there a better picture of the individual? The picture you posted online wasn't good enough."
"A slightly better one, you can see some of her face in this one."
Akiol got a notification that he received a message. It was the picture, it indeed was a better picture but identifying people like this wasn't his strong suit.
Forwarding the picture to the chat group he asked, "I assume for the price of the bounty this player had done something that had truly offended you?"
Swinging Reckless frowned and responded, "Truth be told it wasn't me or the other two with me who posted the bounty. Rather it was a higher up in our guild, I am just here to provide info that I can."
Akiol creased his brow slightly, a guild was indeed very hard to negotiate with. Unless you were of equal or greater standing guilds don't tend to listen to smaller grouped players. Unless said group is or has a skilled player. This would make negotiating for an alternative approach near impossible sadly. It was very similar to negotiating with the various kingdoms in his world. Often he had to leverage his status as Hero to even start negotiations. He did not have such a status currently.
Not letting this disturb him Akiol continued, "What did they do exactly?"
Swinging Reckless frown deepened, "What does this have to do with the bounty?"
"It helps our hunt, by identifying the purpose we can usually deduce their next target. Allowing us to intervene." Akiol responded confidently.
It was all nonsense really, however one shouldn't speak without confidence if they intend to bluff someone.
Seemingly falling for the bluff Swinging Reckless's face relaxed. Responding, "She took something of certain value from our guild. So as revenge we want her dead and are willing to pay for it."
If it was an item stolen, Akiol believed that the option of negotiating a different approach was open again.
"What if we managed to get our hands on this item?" Akiol questioned.
"Our guild is willing to pay a high price for its return. If you can get it that is."
Akiol tapped the table, thinking. By the looks of things this conflict was just a material based one. Relationships destroyed by a stolen object are usually much easier to mend compared the emotional or other reasons. Mainly because people tend to calm down quickly once the item was returned. There could still be some minor conflict, but nothing worth going war over.
"Would you cancel the bounty if this person returned the item?" Akiol asked.
"Why? Is she with you?" Swinging Reckless stood suddenly. Glaring at Akiol's party.
Akiol immediately responded by raising his hand openly, "Fear not, I simply asked just in case our efforts become vain. I wouldn't want our time to be wasted."
Swinging Reckless calmed a bit and sat back down. Taking a quick breath they responded, "I suppose if the item was returned and they apologized we could remove the bounty."
While that was good news something caught Akiol's attention. The way Swinging Reckless reacted to the question. If this person wasn't affected then why would they act like that?
Akiol quickly reduced the options to three. First, they had a hand in obtaining the item. Since it belonged to the guild perhaps they didn't approve that their hard work was stolen. Secondly, they were related to the person who was affected. A sibling or some other relationship. Finally, the item was of huge importance to the guild. Something that could increase their standing.
There was also the chance that this individual was simply the emotional kind but Akiol didn't quite believe that.
Akiol took a quick look at the other two players, besides Swinging Reckless and himself no-one spoke. One player had a slight suspecting look. As if they didn't believe Akiol's party was truly here for info. The other didn't seem to care much.
A simple solution to fix these issues and get off of the possible watch list Akiol asked a final question.
"If we kill them multiple times would you increase the reward?"
Swinging Reckless thought a bit before responding. "We will reward an additional 100 gold for every 5 kills."
"Very well then, we just need the last known location of the individual and we will start."
"I'll send you the coordinates. Do makes sure to record or else there won't be payment."
Akiol received a message and saying their farewells the party left the table.
The party left the Adventurers Guild and Akiol started with, "Well we got some of what we wanted, what did you guys think of the photo?"
Yielya chipped in, "It's confirming my suspicions that it really is Kan'na."
"Then I suppose we should meet up with her."