IC II

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

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

Wilter

"Yes, sir!" As food and drink is placed before the lad he tucks in with the enthusiasm of one who has not had a full meal in days, or perhaps weeks.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"I do not know this Huntress. I hope there will be time for you to tell me more about her on our journeys together. This world is one of many faiths, and all of them are of interest to me. So, it is a deal! Welcome, Sigmari An."

Zellar turns to the remaining three warriors who have not yet been addressed. "You've had some chance to hear about our company. What say the rest of you? What are your stories?"

[The_Wanderer]

Newton

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

Feargus

"Sir? Sir Drakesbane you mean...ha! I never knew the Prince knighted you!" To Wilter and the other new party members he says, "Name's Feargus, the tall quiet one is Goshawk and the little guy is Mardan Cy." He feels a tugging at his sleeve and a voice clearing next to him. Turning he sees the youth Mardan Cy angling for his attention. "Yes, Mardan?"

"Feargus, why is the party taking on new hands when you haven't even raised me to a share yet? Considering he was laid up for a while, I've traveled with you for even longer now than Goshawk and been involved in more scraps than him too...even if you haven't given me more than a dagger."

Feargus looks at the youth and then to Goshawk. He sighs and says, "I've been training you, boy. There will be time for swordplay and heroics later. Your training begins up here." He taps the boy's head to get his point across. "Still though, our little band is getting bigger and you do your share of the work while we travel and when you and I perform. We each have a roll to play and you have settled into yours. It's not fair to not give you a share. I tell you what. I will give you a small purse to get outfitted - Goshawk can help to make sure you don't forget anything. I think we have an exciting few months ahead of us and want you to be prepared. I will talk with the rest of our leadership but I don't see a problem raising your status."

[shaidar]

Newton smiles at the warriors teasing. He looks thoughtfully at the eight son of a farmer.

"So, tell me lad, what's yer name? I've been thinking, who am I to stand in the way of a future Knight. How about I take you on under the same conditions as Wilter here?"

[thirdkingdom]

Newton

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

Feargus

"Sir? Sir Drakesbane you mean...ha! I never knew the Prince knighted you!" To Wilter and the other new party members he says, "Name's Feargus, the tall quiet one is Goshawk and the little guy is Mardan Cy." He feels a tugging at his sleeve and a voice clearing next to him. Turning he sees the youth Mardan Cy angling for his attention. "Yes, Mardan?"

"Feargus, why is the party taking on new hands when you haven't even raised me to a share yet? Considering he was laid up for a while, I've traveled with you for even longer now than Goshawk and been involved in more scraps than him too...even if you haven't given me more than a dagger."

Feargus looks at the youth and then to Goshawk. He sighs and says, "I've been training you, boy. There will be time for swordplay and heroics later. Your training begins up here." He taps the boy's head to get his point across. "Still though, our little band is getting bigger and you do your share of the work while we travel and when you and I perform. We each have a roll to play and you have settled into yours. It's not fair to not give you a share. I tell you what. I will give you a small purse to get outfitted - Goshawk can help to make sure you don't forget anything. I think we have an exciting few months ahead of us and want you to be prepared. I will talk with the rest of our leadership but I don't see a problem raising your status."

Mardan Cy

"Excellent!" he exclaims, rubbing his hands together with glee. "I want a horse, a big charger, roan, and a blade, and maybe even a crossbow . . ."

[thirdkingdom]

Newton smiles at the warriors teasing. He looks thoughtfully at the eight son of a farmer.

"So, tell me lad, what's yer name? I've been thinking, who am I to stand in the way of a future Knight. How about I take you on under the same conditions as Wilter here?"

Toma Chetpher

"Sir, I swear that I will serve you as well as I am able," he says, "let me go send a letter to my folks, letting them know my good fortune, and I will meet you back here in the morning!"

Rolls are with advantage and in pairs of two (1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, etc.):: 6#3d6 13 11 10 6 7 12

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

"I do not know this Huntress. I hope there will be time for you to tell me more about her on our journeys together. This world is one of many faiths, and all of them are of interest to me. So, it is a deal! Welcome, Sigmari An."

Zellar turns to the remaining three warriors who have not yet been addressed. "You've had some chance to hear about our company. What say the rest of you? What are your stories?"

Fighter #1

"Served in the armies of the Vermilion Baron for a year or so, south of here, fighting of ogre and brigand incursions, did my time, decided to try life as an adventurer."

He seems somewhat uncouth and perhaps not the best decision-maker.

Fighter #2

"Same as him," he says, "but I commanded a squad of mounted troops to the east, for the Carmine Baroness, along the old border between here and what's left of the Azure Principality. There's some weird stuff in the hill country; I've seen some things, let me tell you.

He seems to be the most experienced of the three, but otherwise unremarkable, except he seems very perceptive.

Fighter #3

The third, a woman, is more evasive, or perhaps just being truthful. She's somewhat clumsy, too. "Picked up some swordplay on the farm," she says, "nothing professional. My da has an apple orchard up north, near Alice, and he taught me bow and ax and spear. An ax is handy," she continues, "you can use it to fell a tree, or an ogre, and it doesn't care what it's used for. Works the same either way."

[shaidar]

Newton smiles at the warriors teasing. He looks thoughtfully at the eight son of a farmer.

"So, tell me lad, what's yer name? I've been thinking, who am I to stand in the way of a future Knight. How about I take you on under the same conditions as Wilter here?"

Toma Chetpher

"Sir, I swear that I will serve you as well as I am able," he says, "let me go send a letter to my folks, letting them know my good fortune, and I will meet you back here in the morning!"

Rolls are with advantage and in pairs of two (1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, etc.):: 6#3d6 13 11 10 6 7 12

Newton

"Good, get here early and join us for breakfast. If you want we'll try and find someone who can give the sword and chain some care, if it's important to you to keep them as they were your fathers"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar pulls aside the more experienced warrior. "We will need experienced fighters in the battles to come. There are orcs and worse in the lands to the north, and they must be defeated if civilization is once more to reign on this earth.

"If you join me, you will receive a standard share of gold and experience as a retainer. I also possess five enchanted crossbow bolts, stowed safely at the Temple of the Mnencir in Kimrid, where we will journey before long. They are yours if your sword is with us."

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Zellar pulls aside the more experienced warrior. "We will need experienced fighters in the battles to come. There are orcs and worse in the lands to the north, and they must be defeated if civilization is once more to reign on this earth.

"If you join me, you will receive a standard share of gold and experience as a retainer. I also possess five enchanted crossbow bolts, stowed safely at the Temple of the Mnencir in Kimrid, where we will journey before long. They are yours if your sword is with us."

Alwen Nar

"Sounds like a deal," he says, "I'll gladly join your band."

The magic bolts are definitely a bonus. Rolls are with advantage and in pairs of two (1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, etc.):: 6#3d6+2 10 13 16 12 10 16

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar spends some time taking stock of Alwen and Sigmari's equipment and preparedness for the journey back north. She will make a list of any required provisions or kit and plan to visit the market at the earliest convenience.

Satisfied with the additional retainers, she will organize a private moment with the core company of Feargus, Newton, Gardo and Xandar. "Feargus, Drakesbane, Gardo... you three have more experience warring with orcs than I or our new magician friend. Should we advertise for another company of mercenaries here in the Ford? Or do you believe we have enough swords to mount our counterattack on Burnnkenkrayn's minions?"

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Zellar spends some time taking stock of Alwen and Sigmari's equipment and preparedness for the journey back north. She will make a list of any required provisions or kit and plan to visit the market at the earliest convenience.

Satisfied with the additional retainers, she will organize a private moment with the core company of Feargus, Newton, Gardo and Xandar. "Feargus, Drakesbane, Gardo... you three have more experience warring with orcs than I or our new magician friend. Should we advertise for another company of mercenaries here in the Ford? Or do you believe we have enough swords to mount our counterattack on Burnnkenkrayn's minions?"

Both have standard gear -- armor and basic weaponry expected of one who may be serving as a mercenary or caravan guard -- but neither has mounts, nor dungeon delving equipment.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

The map, according to Xandar, shows the burial place of one Alcazear the Rotund, and who was rumored to have been buried with "gold coins that outnumbered the stars in the sky). The map does not, of course, give directions from their current location, but it looks as though the burial site is some eighteen miles roughly south of "Maknor, the jewel of the north*".

*viewtopic.php?p=457748#p457748
I'm assuming Xandar is sharing this knowledge with his companions:

Treasure Map of Alcazear the Rotund.png

By the powers of the Mnencir, Zellar retroactively - or otherwise mundanely, by trudging back through the streets of Rhea's Ford - asks the two sages for any information they have in relation to Xandar's map. In particular, she hopes to develop a unified understanding of where Maknor lies.

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

The map, according to Xandar, shows the burial place of one Alcazear the Rotund, and who was rumored to have been buried with "gold coins that outnumbered the stars in the sky). The map does not, of course, give directions from their current location, but it looks as though the burial site is some eighteen miles roughly south of "Maknor, the jewel of the north*".

*viewtopic.php?p=457748#p457748
I'm assuming Xandar is sharing this knowledge with his companions:

Treasure Map of Alcazear the Rotund.png

By the powers of the Mnencir, Zellar retroactively - or otherwise mundanely, by trudging back through the streets of Rhea's Ford - asks the two sages for any information they have in relation to Xandar's map. In particular, she hopes to develop a unified understanding of where Maknor lies.

Reker Nus

The sage taps his fingers on his desk. "I'm afraif I haven't heard of Maknor," he says, "nor of this Alcazear fellow. I can add it to the research list, if you would like."

Helmmarma of Macever

"Maknor, Maknor . . ." she mutters, casting her gaze upwards, "the name rings a bell. I'm sure I've come across that name before. Come back in the morning," she says, decisively, "and I should at least be able to provide some general guidance."

[thirdkingdom]

The adventurers bid farewell to their newly hired companions and retire for the evening.

Fifth month, Sixteenthday
Rhea's Ford
Morning

The adventures rise to find the day cool and clammy. A wet fog hangs in the air, rising off the river Bel. Although it is slightly unpleasant it does not look to hinder any of their activities for the day.

[shaidar]

Newton

After breakfast Newton suggests the group contact Madame Fleur before they go shopping.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus works with Goshawk to get Mardan Cy fully equipped (just standard equipment) and by lunch is ready to check in again with Helmmarma and then move on.

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Gardo will accompany the group to see the sage Helmmarma, as he did not see her to start with, then head to Reker Nus to help complete the sale of the mask and smooth things over with the sage.

[shaidar]

Newton

After breakfast Newton will contact Madame Fleur, to catch up on the situation in Junction.

[thirdkingdom]

Feargus works with Goshawk to get Mardan Cy fully equipped (just standard equipment) and by lunch is ready to check in again with Helmmarma and then move on.

Gardo

Gardo will accompany the group to see the sage Helmmarma, as he did not see her to start with, then head to Reker Nus to help complete the sale of the mask and smooth things over with the sage.

The adventurers return to see Helmmarma. "Aha!" she exclaims, "good to see you again. I did some checking last night, and I think I can say with some certainty that Maknor lies here!" She refers to the map the adventurers have, pointing to the hex labelled 219.120. It looks to be almost directly north of Junction and west of Draea or Kimrid.

Reker Nus

Upon returning to see Nus the sage greets them somewhat more coolly than last time. "You have returned," he says, "have you reached a decision with the mask?"