IC II

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

"Good Seneschal, if the stories my companions told me hold true, it was you who hired them to journey north to Kimrid. It was there I met them and, guided by the wise and ineffable hand of the Mnencir, joined their noble quest to cleanse the mark of chaos from these lands and return civilization and order to the world."

Zellar fails to notice any gentle coughs, rolled eyes, or awkward collar-pulling related to the possible (mis-)representation of the motives of her fellows.

"... and for that, I thank you. I believe my fellowship with this band of wise, brave adventurers is indeed the calling of my lifetime.

"Regarding future contracts, however, our group is currently pressed by urgency with each passing of the sun and moon, for we have become aware of the depredations of a green dragon in the environs of Draea. This dragon is in league with a tribe or coalition of orcs, and possibly other beast-men, who mean harm and horror to the sideneros. It is therefore our intent to return north with as much haste as Mnencir imparts to our weary feet.

"If you should require our services in a northerly direction, then... allow me to be somewhat base for a moment: owing to the lightness of our purses, and the expenses related to preparing for a dance of blades and teeth with so fearsome an opponent as an ancient wyrm... then, perhaps our fellowship might consider it. But should you need our help in some other compass direction, I fear our existing commitments may be too demanding already."

Feargus
Feargus cocks his head as he listens to Zellar and then shrugs. "Flowery words, good Zellar. There is truth in what you say though. I believe we have a full dance-card right now. If you should need us, you can reach out to our agent, Tolniel Fer. He always has a way to reach us within a few days; a week at most. If I may ask, in which direction is the Prince's gaze falling these days?"

Deputy Seneschal Pord

"Our prince's gaze is everywhere, missing nothing. However, should you be traveling to the north . . ." He produces a map from somewhere in his desk and traces a line. "This is but a rough representation of the political boundaries of the Variegated Kingdom. The actual borders are a little more . . . ephemeral, to say the least, and in some cases not at all physical. We are here, in the northwestern corner of the former kingdom. To the east, extending some distance northwards, are the broad llanos of the Violet Principality. As of now there is a truce between our two domains . . . but the Prince seeks a route eastward, to mage-factories of Umber, that could potentially bypass the other domains. This is," he reminds the adventurers, "but a representational map of the political boundaries of the Kingdom, and, in addition, dates back to the end of the previous Apex, before darkness fell during the last Nadir. We don't actually know what these boundaries look like any more. The Prince is willing to handsomely reward anyone that can blaze such a trail; money, no doubt, and likely a title and land, as well."

[shaidar]

Newton

"Deputy Seneschal Pord, may I introduce Lady Kzerzo, daughter of Baron Xelazo, the ruler of the land of Draea. Draea lies between Alice and Kimrid. Lady Kzerzo is here as the diplomatic representative of her father"

[The_Wanderer]

Gardo

Gardo nudges Feargus and whispers at him. "Hmm.. I thought you spoke with big words."

Feargus smiles at Gardo. "Sometimes big, sometimes small. Words are both a puzzle and a fencing sword to me."

Deputy Seneschal Pord

"Our prince's gaze is everywhere, missing nothing. However, should you be traveling to the north . . ." He produces a map from somewhere in his desk and traces a line. "This is but a rough representation of the political boundaries of the Variegated Kingdom. The actual borders are a little more . . . ephemeral, to say the least, and in some cases not at all physical. We are here, in the northwestern corner of the former kingdom. To the east, extending some distance northwards, are the broad llanos of the Violet Principality. As of now there is a truce between our two domains . . . but the Prince seeks a route eastward, to mage-factories of Umber, that could potentially bypass the other domains. This is," he reminds the adventurers, "but a representational map of the political boundaries of the Kingdom, and, in addition, dates back to the end of the previous Apex, before darkness fell during the last Nadir. We don't actually know what these boundaries look like any more. The Prince is willing to handsomely reward anyone that can blaze such a trail; money, no doubt, and likely a title and land, as well."

"A title...and land. We will remember this and move quickly should we decide to pursue this generous offer."

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

"Deputy Seneschal Pord, may I introduce Lady Kzerzo, daughter of Baron Xelazo, the ruler of the land of Draea. Draea lies between Alice and Kimrid. Lady Kzerzo is here as the diplomatic representative of her father"

DS Pord

The man's eyes widen slightly as the introduction is made, and he studies the siderenos for a good five seconds before speaking. "Charmed," he says, bowing slightly to Kzerzo, "Would you be able to stay once your escorts leave? I would be glad to have a talk with you about mutual goals."

Kzerzo nods. "That is why I am here, Deputy Pord. I look forward to our meeting." She turns to the adventurers. "Thank you for escorting me here," she says, "I will see you again at the inn tonight, and shall compose a letter for you to deliver to my father, if you would be willing to do so."

[thirdkingdom]

Fourthmonth, Fifteenthday
Rhea's Ford
The Strutting Peacock

Bidding goodbye to the Baron's daughter and the deputy seneschal, the adventurers leave the complex, pausing long enough to collect their reward of two thousand gold alcedes, and return to the inn. Over the rest of the evening the companions are approached by six individuals, all who explain that they had heard, or heard of, the companions' exploits from Feargus's performance the previous night. Two are relatively inexperienced -- a bedraggled young man who clearly has been sleeping on the streets and a slightly older, bucolic man who claims to have just arrived in Rhea's Ford from a farm to the south, seeking his fortune. Three more are trained warriors, while another, a middle-age woman with greying hair and training scars on her wrists, is more evasive. "I can handle a blade," she says, "and can watch your back, better than most, but I'm no front-line fighter, no shield-toting, tin can ripe for the slaughter."

Feargus rolled a natural 20 on his Perform check last night, so what I'm going to do is roll twice for recruitment, taking the better of the two results for the day. Rhea's Ford is a Class 8 market, which means that https://orokos.com/roll/794934: 2#1d6 4 6 potential retainers are available. They are:https://orokos.com/roll/794936: 6#1d100 57 84 16 40 51 94
2 0-level
3 1st level
1 2nd level.

The leveled characters are: https://orokos.com/roll/794937: 4#1d100 12 89 29 8
Three fighters and one non-standard class.

[shaidar]

Newton speaks to the to inexperienced men

"I'm Newton Drakesbane. So, tell me, are you ready for the life of adventure? Cold wet days travelling through the wilderness, fighting monsters, blood and pain, and gold and jewels? What do you think your strengths are? Do you want to be warriors, or scouts, or do you think you are right for the studious life of the wizard, or the pious life of a priest? Why should we take you on?"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar sizes up the evasive woman.

"Not all need stand in the front line. Against the bane of chaos, we must use all the tools in our arsenal. If you follow me, I ask only that you respect your enemies in death, and give gentleness to those among society who have not the strength to defend themselves. Our company offers the standard shares, but I can supply any mundane equipment or provisions you require for your first month of service."

[thirdkingdom]

Newton speaks to the to inexperienced men

"I'm Newton Drakesbane. So, tell me, are you ready for the life of adventure? Cold wet days travelling through the wilderness, fighting monsters, blood and pain, and gold and jewels? What do you think your strengths are? Do you want to be warriors, or scouts, or do you think you are right for the studious life of the wizard, or the pious life of a priest? Why should we take you on?"

Bedraggled Young Man

"My mum and da left me when I was six," he said, "and I haven't seen them since. Don't know if they're dead or just grew tired of me. I've been living on the streets ever since, and the way I figure it, I'll likely be dead by my twentieth year anyway, so what does it matter if it's drunk in an alley or with an orcish spear thrust?"

Bucolic Older Man

"I'm the eighth son," he says, shrugging, "and all my brothers are happy working on the farm and have been set up with local girls. Ain't no unmarried women left in my village, and I don't much like plowing fields, so . . . I decided to try my luck in the city. I've got an old blade used to belong to my pa," he gestures to a rusty short blade at his belt, "and his old chain mail he wore when he was a lad and the gnolls came up out of the hills to raid."

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Zellar sizes up the evasive woman.

"Not all need stand in the front line. Against the bane of chaos, we must use all the tools in our arsenal. If you follow me, I ask only that you respect your enemies in death, and give gentleness to those among society who have not the strength to defend themselves. Our company offers the standard shares, but I can supply any mundane equipment or provisions you require for your first month of service."

Sigmari An, evasive woman

The woman sizes Zellar up as the offer is made. "You're a priestess," she says, "I've never seen one dressed as you." She purses her lips. "I don't know," she says, "is there anything else you can offer? The Prince is offering handsome sums for those that can move quietly and deal death from behind." As Zellar studies Sigmari with equal care she notes the woman wears a necklace of small silver chains. Barely visible hanging from it, tucked into the folds of her clothes, is what looks to be a small wolf's head.

Rolls are with advantage and in pairs of two (1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, etc.):: 6#3d6 11 10 9 9 3 8

Rolls aren't great, she's still undecided, and can be swayed by an additional offer.

I'm going to give Zellar a chance to notice something, rolling equal to or under her Wisdom on 4d6: 14 or lower:: 4d6 11.

[shaidar]

Newton speaks to the to inexperienced men

"I'm Newton Drakesbane. So, tell me, are you ready for the life of adventure? Cold wet days travelling through the wilderness, fighting monsters, blood and pain, and gold and jewels? What do you think your strengths are? Do you want to be warriors, or scouts, or do you think you are right for the studious life of the wizard, or the pious life of a priest? Why should we take you on?"

Bedraggled Young Man

"My mum and da left me when I was six," he said, "and I haven't seen them since. Don't know if they're dead or just grew tired of me. I've been living on the streets ever since, and the way I figure it, I'll likely be dead by my twentieth year anyway, so what does it matter if it's drunk in an alley or with an orcish spear thrust?"

Bucolic Older Man

"I'm the eighth son," he says, shrugging, "and all my brothers are happy working on the farm and have been set up with local girls. Ain't no unmarried women left in my village, and I don't much like plowing fields, so . . . I decided to try my luck in the city. I've got an old blade used to belong to my pa," he gestures to a rusty short blade at his belt, "and his old chain mail he wore when he was a lad and the gnolls came up out of the hills to raid."

Newton

"So neither of you has thought much about what you want to be, beyond swinging a sword? Come on, be honest, if you're willing to take a chance and come and see us, you must have some kind of idea?"

[thirdkingdom]

Newton speaks to the to inexperienced men

"I'm Newton Drakesbane. So, tell me, are you ready for the life of adventure? Cold wet days travelling through the wilderness, fighting monsters, blood and pain, and gold and jewels? What do you think your strengths are? Do you want to be warriors, or scouts, or do you think you are right for the studious life of the wizard, or the pious life of a priest? Why should we take you on?"

Bedraggled Young Man

"My mum and da left me when I was six," he said, "and I haven't seen them since. Don't know if they're dead or just grew tired of me. I've been living on the streets ever since, and the way I figure it, I'll likely be dead by my twentieth year anyway, so what does it matter if it's drunk in an alley or with an orcish spear thrust?"

Bucolic Older Man

"I'm the eighth son," he says, shrugging, "and all my brothers are happy working on the farm and have been set up with local girls. Ain't no unmarried women left in my village, and I don't much like plowing fields, so . . . I decided to try my luck in the city. I've got an old blade used to belong to my pa," he gestures to a rusty short blade at his belt, "and his old chain mail he wore when he was a lad and the gnolls came up out of the hills to raid."

Newton

"So neither of you has thought much about what you want to be, beyond swinging a sword? Come on, be honest, if you're willing to take a chance and come and see us, you must have some kind of idea?"

Bedraggled Youth

"Well, I'm pretty dextrous, I guess. Been living off my . . . wits, I guess you could say. Doing the odd job here and there for, uh, local 'businessmen'".

Older Youth

"A knight," he says, without hesitation, "like in the old stories. Fighting back against Chaos and such-like."

[shaidar]

Bedraggled Youth

"Well, I'm pretty dextrous, I guess. Been living off my . . . wits, I guess you could say. Doing the odd job here and there for, uh, local 'businessmen'".

Older Youth

"A knight," he says, without hesitation, "like in the old stories. Fighting back against Chaos and such-like."

Newton

To the bedraggled youth : "Sounds like you might have what it takes to be a scout, if you're interested?"

To the older youth: "A Knight? Maybe one of my more martial companions can help you with that"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar pauses to consider the woman's counter. Although she is little motivated by wealth herself, and finds the bargaining to be somewhat base, she believes this woman's skills could come in particularly useful on the road and in the cities of the Variegated Kingdom.

"I understand. Risking one's life is not a cheap endeavour. Unfortunately, I have travelled here as light as possible, and most of my wealth remains safely at the Temple of the Mnencir in Kimrid. I cannot offer more now, but on my honour as a priestess of the Mnencir, if you accompany us north, I shall pay you a bonus of 1,000 gold pieces."

Before Sigmari An can reply, she adds, "On the condition, that is, that you explain to me the meaning of your wolfhead talisman. I am not familiar with it."

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

To the bedraggled youth : "Sounds like you might have what it takes to be a scout, if you're interested?"

Wilter, no last name

"Yeah, I guess that sounds kinda good. What, uh, does it pay?"

[shaidar]

Newton

"While you're in training I'll provide necessary equipment, loan you a horse, cover food and board and pay you 10gp a month. Once your training is complete, if you stay then you get to keep the horse and get a half share of treasure, which is our standard terms."

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Zellar pauses to consider the woman's counter. Although she is little motivated by wealth herself, and finds the bargaining to be somewhat base, she believes this woman's skills could come in particularly useful on the road and in the cities of the Variegated Kingdom.

"I understand. Risking one's life is not a cheap endeavour. Unfortunately, I have travelled here as light as possible, and most of my wealth remains safely at the Temple of the Mnencir in Kimrid. I cannot offer more now, but on my honour as a priestess of the Mnencir, if you accompany us north, I shall pay you a bonus of 1,000 gold pieces."

Before Sigmari An can reply, she adds, "On the condition, that is, that you explain to me the meaning of your wolfhead talisman. I am not familiar with it."

Sigmari An

The woman's fingers nervously tuck the folds of her shirt together, hiding the medallion. "It's the Huntress," she says, "the patron of the order that trained me. And I will accept your offer, if you will have me."

Sigmari is a 1st level assassin (use my expanded class doc.). That's still made with advantage, but with a +2 bonus from the gold:: 4#3d6+2 14 11 14 14

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

"While you're in training I'll provide necessary equipment, loan you a horse, cover food and board and pay you 10gp a month. Once your training is complete, if you stay then you get to keep the horse and get a half share of treasure, which is our standard terms."

Wilter

"Done!" he exclaims, "the offer sounds most fair."

Hiring rolls made with advantage, in pairs:: 4#3d6 8 16 4 10

[shaidar]

Newton laughs "You might not say that after days on the road. Let's get you feed and we'll go shopping first thing in the morning. We won't be staying in the capital for long. What's your name, lad? "

I've assumed there's no time for shopping today.

[thirdkingdom]

Newton laughs "You might not say that after days on the road. Let's get you feed and we'll go shopping first thing in the morning. We won't be staying in the capital for long. What's your name, lad? "

I've assumed there's no time for shopping today.

Wilter

"Name's Wilter, milord," he says, tugging at his forelock. "Don't have no patronym, either. Just Wilter."

Wilter is a 0-level human with the following Ability scores:Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con, Cha:: 6#3d6 12 9 13 4 8 16 Well, I've already said he's Dextrous, so that abysmal 4 is getting bumped up to a 13. He's got https://orokos.com/roll/795025: 1d6-1 5 hp.

[shaidar]

Newton

"Welcome Wilter, and I'm no lord, 'sir' is sufficient"