Payment for Services Rendered

Log Info

• Title: Payment for Services Rendered
• Emitter: Warrick
• Characters: Warrick, Schara
• Place: Adventurer's Guild
• Time: Janauary 16th, 2023
• Summary: After recovering from an infection, Warrick picks up his pay from the guild. To his surprise, he's stupified by the amount given to him. Schara overhears and they get in discussion about the pay, and near an argument about it before Warrick diplomatically shifts topics. They speak of light jobs, such as fixing farming equipment for the upcoming spring, and Warrick speaks of his time in the Watch before he heads out to get dinner for his daughter.

Adventurer's Guild, Early Evening

The hustle and bustle of the Guild is a dull thrum, some lingering inside before braving the cold to be about their day. Others, reviewing the job board, pondering what ongoings are happening, as well as what the pay is.

There is a small line at the reception area, one of which was an older human one in a heavy scale mail with a large crossbow strapped to his back holds a closed journal in one hand, and a receipt in the other hand. Receipt for job completion. The line moves slowly, him stepping up to the counter and turning the mission in.

A couple brief moments later, Warrick can be found leaning against an empty chair, eyes slightly wide and staring into the open pouch in his hands. "... by Serriel, who's... who's funding this...?" he says in bewilderment.

Now that Schara was able to leave the soldier's defence, she was several days behind on recent postings for the adventurer's guild. While they were not in line for returns, they were at one of several bulletin boards nearby, perusing the various listings to see what was reasonable to be done.

"Not a lot of farmwork to be done during the winter, and odd jobs are at a low when people are indoors to do them themselves." Schara notes out loud to themself, back to the all encompassing bronze armor. They stop and turn to Warrick after a moment. "At the risk of causing more trouble but wishing to help, what is wrong?" They ask.

Warrick breaks free from his staring, drawstrings on the pouch pulled to secure whatever is inside. Well. It clinks easily from the motion, now known to be a coinpurse. The familiar buzz of a voice is identified before he even turns. "Schara," he notes, more to himself before turning to face the bronze-clad artificer. "Nothing is wrong. I am mostly surprised by the... compensation. Rather, its amount."

The artificer tilts their head once, and nods. "Hello again Warrick, I am pleased to see you are much healthier and out of the soldier's defence." They greet. "I think I understand. You were paid too much, or not enough? I am not good with people, or negotiations in general, but if you need someone to speak on your behalf to rectify it, I understand, though I don't know why you would wish to dispute being paid too much."

The ex-guardsman nods slowly. "Likewise. Not too fun staying cooped up in the Defense." Though, he blinks, shaking his head. "Huh- no. It's not that. I understood what the pay was. After city taxes and guild fees, I was assuming it would be perhaps half of the posted pay. Not... I was not expecting this much. I even confirmed it with the clerk."

A gauntleted hand rubs at his face, pulling his features down. "I did not realize adventuring work yielded so much... liquidity."

"Half of the posted pay? That seems to be a bit much, does it not?" Schara asks, letting their head tilt once and back. "So, liquidity, as in direct currency payment, there was a lot of it? The jobs at the adventurer's guild do pay quite a bit relative to most in the city, but that is likely because of how sudden they can be, I think. Many jobs are posted on short notice."

A light sigh leaves Warrick. "It doesn't seem like a lot to take out, especially if its gross pay. The city takes its tax somewhere. It..." he trails off, looking to the side. "... those that post the job pay the tax beforehand."

The human turns back to Schara. "Yes. It's... quite a bit. I'm not used to such an amount. The Watch pays well, though most of the benefits aren't just coin."

"I believe there is a listing fee, but I don't know if they pay taxes on payments for the job. Perhaps the guild does to some degree, but I don't actually know how the guilds function on a governmental level. I should learn more about that some time, perhaps." The artificer muses.

"It doesn't feel like enough sometimes, but it certainly helps, yes." Schara nods once. "But there are many considerations to make as well. For example, the guild does little to actually equip anyone they send out on a job, it is all paid for by the person taking the job unless listed as otherwise. And while it was unfortunate to experience, you did experience that while you can get injured or worse on such jobs, going to the soldier's defence afterwards, you have to pay for yourself."

"I took up these jobs because they pay well, but that could go wrong at any time if I am not careful. if any of my artifice was significantly damaged, that would be a significant expense."

Warrick does a light shrug. "The cost of civility tends to beget taxes in some manner. It is just a matter of where that cut is made."

Now that makes him do a double take. "It's... not enough sometimes? What... are you hearing yourself talk? One job alone is enough for several months of respite. For myself and my daughter. Even factoring in the equipment repair, resupplying, and medical expenses."

He mouths the word medical expenses. "Hold on, pay for yourself for medical- Schara, you went to the Defense, which is ran by Altheans. Altheans operate on charity. Were you just refusing their services?"

It is now, that one might realize, this isn't just a regular grunt.

"Yes, it is not enough sometimes." Schara reiterates, shrugging once with a hitched motion at the shoulders. "But that is my own business, and I would rather not get anyone else wrapped up in it. Artifice is expensive as I have come to realize."

The other question makes the artificer turn away, and after a moment nod their head. "Yes? I would rather pay a fare rate for any medical care that is received. It is better than being indebted to the Altheans, I think."

Warrick has a bit of trouble wiping the incredulous look off his face. "Artifice is. As is any sort of area that requires intense expertise. But... you spoke as if you were denying basic sustenance and shelter back at the Defense."

He stares at the back of Schara's encased brass head. "Artifice is expensive, yet you won't take free medical care that is mantra'd to be free the for the goodness of man," he notes in a rote manner. Eventually, he just sighs, throwing a hand up in mock surrender. "I have dealt with a lot of people in my time, and you are one of the most confusing by far."

"You are surprised to see me say that, I think. I understand, it is not a common outlook on things." Schara sighs. "I have shelter when I need it, and I can afford to eat semi regularly." Schara nods. "I would prefer not to talk about it further, I am not comfortable talking about it, but I am not being unreasonable with my gold, I think."

The artificer pauses, and huffs once, before shaking their head. "I do not understand why I am confusing, though. I thought I was explaining my reasoning clearly enough this time."

"Because you are a logical fellow, Schara. And the illogical nature of being inefficient is, as I believe those at the guild say, 'out of sprocket'. Your reasoning is illogical, despite being logical about it," Warrick calls them out on it readily. "That is why."

He raises a hand to stop them. "I care not how you spend your coin, don't elaborate."

And in the same motion, the hand pinches between his brow. "... forget this conversation, it is leading no where productive. How are you faring after the illness?"

The artificer stops before they can continue, and just lets out a long sigh. "Very well, I will not continue talking about it further if it is not productive to do so." They answer after a moment. "Are you okay? I am alright. Still in a lot of pain, but I can manage, and I am well enough to work. If there were any listings for jobs I could do here today, at least, but it seems most are already taken or there was not much here today to begin with."

Warrick watches Schara for a moment after that request to change topics. Taking note of the flicker of light due to the sigh. He makes an idle fuss of his armor, taking one buckle and moving it up to another strap. "Same. Sore as hell, but my fever broke a couple of days ago, just getting used to walking around. Needed to pick up my pay."

An idle glance to the notice board. A scan. "Hrm. There is always jobs that aren't so..." he rolls a hand. "Life threatening. The end of winter is coming, and people will need their farming equipment repaired. Especially after the recent incursion. I could have sworn I heard you say you did farm work? I'd check for blacksmithing requests, you might find some tool requests you may be able to apply artifice to."

" I picked mine up the day after the job, before I discovered how poorly I was feeling." Schara nods. "It is good you're feeling better, some diseases can be difficult. But I am sure the clerics made sure it was dealt with before you left, so all that remains is recovery."

The Artificer turns their attention back to the board, and shakes her head. "Hardy vegetables still aren't due for another three months or so, depending on when the frost breaks, and other things are longer still, depending on various conditions." They state. "I could see if there are any I could make, but they may be waiting still to decide what they need. But, that is an interesting idea Warrick, I don't know what I could do, but it is worth thinking about. Many are still wary about artifice however, and with good reason."

Warrick gives a light shrug. "Between the clerics and the Rada priestess, they had my fever broken rather quick. I'm just ready to get back to doing something productive is all."

To that, he offers easily, "There is still cross disciplines between artifice and smithery, no? The farm lands were invaded just after harvest, no time to clean up the soil. Many hoes, tills, and augers will have to be reinforced for when the frost breaks. You needn't use artifice to make artifice tools, but you can use artifice to create normal tools, right? Had a guy in my squad who used this pipe with a bulb that housed a crystal, and the end spout a tiny fire so hot it could heat metal in just the right spot to patch something up."

"That is true, a lot of people would need to have new tools made or what they had, or had to leave, fixed." The artificer nods along with the suggestion. "There are many differences, but some common ground between them. Still, is the city not helping them with that? It may be good pay, but I would feel bad, like I was taking advantage of the farmers doing that."

"Ah! I have heard of those before, they're quite useful in a workshop, for a variety of applications. Cutting metal as well. I thought you were a guard though? Why would you need something like that?" They begin asking, growing a bit more curious at the idea.

For that, Warrick supplies readily, "The city is helping with that. But there is only so many resources, so some work is contracted out to the Explorer's Guild. Keep an eye for postings for that. I would not worry much about the farmers, as the city would have more than likely compensated them already, or, as mentioned, contracted out the work to assist."

The man raises a brow. "A lot of things break in the field. Was a gnomish man who used a lot of little gadgets. Kept our gear in shape if it broke. The Watch has their standard issue equipment, but there are some ancillary attachments that are a bit more specialized, so the methods tend to be either less standard issue, or the allowance for unique skills is permitted. I was once with the Arbalest division. Hence-"

He reaches over his shoulder to pat the weathered, but well maintained, heavy crossbow.

"I suppose they probably are, I'll keep that in mind. If I could do something to help, that would probably help a lot of people. It's been a rough winter, so I should help if I can." Schara nods again, seeming happier by the moment. Learning something new was always good. "I would have thought they would have contacted someone outside of the guard if they need something repaired, but I guess having someone on hand is worth it if it happens often enough."

The artificer peers at the crossbow, and nods again. "Having a big crossbow is definitely handy. I guess I don't know a lot about the guard because I don't really interact with them much."

Warrick stands up from leaning on the chair he'd been occupying. "Cheaper that way too. Everyone knows how to maintain their own things, but some may receive or have special training to keep things working. Need artificers if we've got Dragonspitters and Thunderbelchers to maintain."

He gives a slow nod. "Certainly is. Helpful on wall duty. Don't have to keep it drawn if readying for a shot. The Watch... has its problems, but I don't regret the many years I've spent in service to Alexandros. Main aspect to keep in mind about the guard: they just want everything to not explode. Literally and figuratively."

There is a wayward glance to Goblintown. "Especially Goblintown."

"I didn't know the guard had thunderbelchers either. I've got one, but I don't use it that often. Magic conducting coils tend to handle most things, but they wear down quickly, so it's more of a last resort thing, and I don't particularly like having to hurt anything, either." Schara adds, patting her hooked left arm a few times, before tilting her head again. "The watch has problems? If that's the case, why don't they fix them?" She asks.

There's a glance to the patted arm, the ex-guard nodding his head slowly and shifting his crossbow strap to the other shoulder. "I don't either, but sometimes decisive action is needed."

That question gets him to quietly chuckle, shake his head, and take a step towards the front door. "You, of all people, should know that. What's the number one aspect in any modern machine or system that causes it to falter or fail?"

He raises a finger. "People. People make problems. I know I have."

Another step. "Anywho, good to see you out of the Defense. I've got to go get dinner for my kid. So... see you around? Or on the next job?"

"Well, yes, I guess you're right. Most of my things won't work unless you know what you're doing, so I only give out things I know work perfectly fine. I can fix something breaking down, but someone else might not be able to." Scara agrees with another small sigh. "But I still think that people should be trusted where you can, and even if they make problems, most are just trying to help. And if that's the case, then I would hope they can be reasoned with."

"It's good to see you doing better as well, I won't keep you from seeing to your family." Schara nods. "That was two questions, I think? Maybe I'll see you around, and if I find any jobs I can do, maybe you'll be there, so I'll see you if that's the case."

"People should be trusted. But some less than others. Some prefer to use that trust to further themselves by cutting down others. I've seen it many. Many. Many times," Warrick says, ending with a slow, knowing sigh. He shakes his head. "It was a rhetorical. Farewell. See you next time."

With that, he ambles on out, fixing the buckles and his crossbow to the other shoulder as he takes out a journal to write in on the way out.

-End Scene-