The Scepter Heist

It's a quiet night in the big city of Kadar. In the market district across from the Merchants Guild hall sits the Cracked Cask, a tavern and inn frequented by merchants, townsfolk and other locals. In a the cellar of the tavern you sit at a table were you meet your contact - a human male named Simon Giles. Simon sits at the end of the table where he sips on a mug of ale. He is a middle-aged man who wears dark but elegant clothing and keeps his hair slicked back.

Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I've called you here because you are individuals of certain talents. Talents that my employer could use at this time to acquire a certain valuable object that is beyond his reach. He is offering a very large sum to you two if you can manage to get it. 5,000,000 in gold bars for the retrieval of the Royal Scepter of Emperor Zara Azim - the ruler of the Azure Empire.

A quiet gruff higher pitched voice, Why ask me here did you, hmm?  The pale skinned gnome grumbled.  He locked his pale blue eyes with Simon reaching out with his mind.  A waste of time this better be not. He then went back to gazing into space and tinkering with a small object in his long thin fingers.  He was mostly bald, but the black hood that he wore every covered it up mostly.

Simon smirks a bit as he clasps his hands together on the table
Well as a said a moment ago my small bearded friend, you are here because you are a man with a unique skill set. A skill set that my organization would like to use. We know about your last job. That's what caught our attention. You see, there is very little about the criminal world that the Syndicate does not know of my friend. We even know about your other secrets...
He raises one hand to reveal a silver ring that shines with a magical aura. He stares back at the gnome and responds telepathically:
And while you can speak to me this way, don't you dare attempt to pry any further. This Ring of Mind Shielding will ensure you will find nothing but my wrath if you do

Some loud stumbling can be heard down the stairs of the Cracked Crask. A slender shape appears stumbling out from the stairwell and landing gently on the floor. A stained white hood and cape (or at least it probably used to be white) covers most of him as he sits with his head slumped forward nearly to his lap. The smell of alcohol shines strongly from him even in a place such as this. After an uncomfortably long pause the wanderer throws his head up and stairs at the two sitting at the table. You're a gnome! He yells pointing straight ahead.

And you're late!
Simon glares at the new comer.
Now why don't you just step on up to the table and we can get started  then, hmm?
He stretches out his left arm to motion to an empty chair beside the gnome.
As I was saying.... this is a once in a lifetime job. And as such, it will take careful planing. I need to know if you're in or out... if you're in, you'll receive an advance payment of 100,000gp to fund your expedition... go out and Assemble a team... split the reward however you see fit. But if you're out, we split ways and you are never to speak a word of this to anyone outside this room. My associates and I will know... and I can promise you, on top of never being able find work in this town again, we'll come for you.... now, what do you say?

Ignoring the newcomers fantastic entrance. Zota locked eyes with Simon again and spoke in his gruff voice, "Rarely, hidden my other nature, have I, but I would have your organization ruining my reputation not." Then after taking a large breath and exhaling sharply he spoke again.  "I can only insert thoughts if, allow, you will.  I communicate not by voice of breath unless absolutely necessary. My intrusion I made because I thought you knew to whom you spoke.  Yes, hmmm." Showing obvious signs of discomfort Zota made one last comment, "Do this job, will I."

100,000 GOLD! Of course I'm in! I sure wouldn't want to be out when I could be in! I'll gladly take your lifetime opportunity for all of that money! Spoke the crazed newcomer now clambering to his feet.

Zota stands and places a small clockwork toy in front of Simon, an egg with a baby dragon hatching out of it. As custom, of my hand I give you this work. For your time and consideration thank you. He then turns to the newcomer. Since we, working together, will be, know your name, I should. Zota, I am.

Umm... aaa.... Bh.. Bey... Beyorton!  Yes, I am Beyorton!  Well met! I guess we better get our gold and be on our way...  Lots to do and allllll...... so....

Very good... He snaps his fingers and calls out Garfunkle! Bring me the chest!
Just then, a mousy looking elf appears from the back of the room carrying a small wooden chest. He sets it on the table and opens it to reveal 20 large gold ingots.
Here is you start up capital! Each gold bar is worth 5,000 gold pieces. Use this money to do whatever you need to do. No go, and bring back that scepter!

Well no time to waste we better get started-I'll grab the chest and off we go with all this gold in this chest there is no time to waste I'll be going aren't you coming off we go. Beyorton rambles out quite elegantly. He goes to pick up the chest so that him and his new friend might be off to planning the heist of the year, nay! The heist of the century! Onward to fortune and glory!

He follows silently, speaking directly to his new "friend's" mind.  Communicate this way I shall, if allow you will.