Beyond Fort Horizon (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

Derrick bows to the elf woman again, and then bows deeply to the halfling after approaching. "Major Barcromb Finchly? I am Derrick Tramsen, a samurai who has traveled here to place myself in your service." He draws his blade and kneels, dropping his head and holding the katana up in his hands. "My blade is yours, if only you will accept it."

Well boo she says with a very slight pout, I will have to make my way over there I guess. However before I go, can you tell me more about the canyons? How far from here are they and what stories have you heard about them. she asks Belinda with a curious look.

She turns to Valind and asks him, Wanna go spelunking in done canyons?

Dolin's frown remains in place. "Yeah, I getcha. So, I need to talk this Captain Finchly into altering the terms of the contract. I think I can do that. Weapons in use pretty much always need some kind of repair work done to them. I have two more questions for you, then." He points his index finger up in the air. "First, where can I find Captain Finchley?"

After getting an answer, he also points his middle finger up in the air. "Second, can I keep this blank contract to have with me while I talk to him?"

I REALLY expect that answer to be yes, so . . ..

"Thanks for your time! I need to find me your Captain . . .."

And Dolin then leaves the facility, heading in the indicated direction to try to talk to the Captain.

”Pay in salt, what do you mean?” Belinda says as she approaches Valind. “Do you mean trade salt for a compass, what are you simple? Oh, forgive me, I didn’t mean to be rude.” She blushes, and looks down at the floor. “Well, sir, I do not normally trade merchandise for goods or even services without the Captain’s permission, but I can almost guarantee that he will not authorize that kind of trade. Is it good salt? From Ilgnorland or Aeromnia, one of the fine seasoning salts perhaps? If it is, I’ll pay you for it. A compass, well, I don’t have anything like that"

"The finest" assures Valind "And I don't mean a few pinches! I've two pounds of it! Any trading house in civilisation would give you its weight in silver, and there are places would give you its weight in gold!" and I thought this was one of them "But it's bulky stuff and I've no need for all of it myself, so thought to trade some. If I can only sell it, rather than trade, well I'll do that. A couple of gold would be far lighter and apparently easier to spend - though they won't taste as good on my meat!"

At Portia's comments
"I've no issue with climbing - I was considered fair at it as a child, though that was mostly trees and walls - but I'm thinking that I need to get some more funds before I start taking up a new hobby. I've barely ninety dollars to my name!" he looks at Belinda "Unless there's something in those canyons worth bringing up!"

"You are right, Sithundan. I don't think sticking around is a good idea though. We aren't working for the town just yet and this isn't our concern." Edren turns away from the confrontation and sees the older men playing checkers. "I'm going to see if they can point us to the Captain."

As Edren is about to walk over to them, he sees Gruingar come over. In response to Gruingar's query about the rooms, "Sithundan and I were already talking of getting a group together for just that purpose. That makes three of us to the cabin, unless... Nashantur, was it? needs as much space as one of us and makes four! I think I recall at least one of the others being OK with this as well."

"Supposedly, there are ruins and things to find out in the canyons. We were advised to get some equipment and try striking out on our own. The Captain is also looking for help. I don't think there was much more than that." Edren glances over at the old men again, "I am about to head over and see if they," Edren points to the men, "can point us to the Captain."

After filling Gruingar in, Edren approaches the old men and observes their game. When one of the men acknowledges him, Edren asks, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but where might I find Captain Finchly?"

To Edren, Muchness of space be a thing Nashantur is not needing.

Day 1, Current Turn/Turn of the Clock: 6/84 (approximate time, 1:30 pm)

On the streets of Fort Horizon

Guingar
”The cabins rent for three dollars a night, but you can ask for a long term rate at the weac office. Take your time and if you can’t decide by night fall, don’t try to sleep min the streets, sure the weathers nice nowadays, but the Captain doesn’t like people sleeping in the streets, says it gives the place a bad reputation,” The elven Innkeeper says and walks back to the inn.
Derrik

“A samurai?” the Halfling officer asks, and then answers his own question, “Oh, yes, now I remember, from the northeastern provinces of Dwargleland. Never been there but I’ve read something about your people, fascinating culture really. Please, your offer is very generous, but get up off the ground, please. There’s no need for that around here.”

He gives you a strong slap on the shgoulder and smiles, then takes a step out into the street.

“Derrick Tramsen, you say, it is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Tramsen, can I call you Derrick. Well, Derrick, let me explain something to you. Fort Horizon would certainly benefit from your services, I can tell you that with all honesty, but son, you need to understand that Fort Horizon has a purpose. That purpose is to secure this area, this land, and make it ready for settlers, farmers and craftsmen, and then others. Why who knows how many people from the western ring will hear the call of this strange new land, like yourself, and come here looking for a new beginning, but, and this is important, son. Fort Horizon is first and foremost a business property. It is a calculated business venture by some very wealthy people with very serious ideas about how much it is going to cost them and how much they stand to make. For now, the land is being surveyed, and given, right out given, to settlers, but there will be costs in the future, taxes, fees. This is why we are here. Because of this I have to warn you that as much as I would like to accept you generous offer of placing your steel at my service, I must decline. We don’t do that here son. Everyone who is here is either striking out on their own, or is an employee of the weac. Now, I can offer you a job with the weak, as a guard of the Fort, or even something more, how can I say this, exploratory in nature. But it will be a job. I’ll pay for your services and you’ll provide your time earning that pay. I can offer you twenty five dollars a month, plus room and board, to join the guards. You’ll be told how many days of duty in a month are required, what the watch hours are, who’s in charge, and how we handle ourselves, if this is not to your liking, well I can offer you a special job of collecting relics from the ruins in the canyons. The pay is much better, the hours are flexible, but, and I must be clear about this, anything you find why in my employment belongs to the weac, no exceptions. Do you understand? Take your time and think about it. I’m sure there are other offers you might hear about will you are here at Fort Horizon.”

---
Portia
” The canyons?” Belinda says with a nod, ”Well, there are some shallow drops, old river beds I imagine to the east a few miles, but the real deep canyons are to the north. It seems like I heard tell of some trappers who went as far as thirty miles into those mountains looking for a pass over them, but they just keep finding higher and higher peaks. But up in those mountains are deep gorges, really deep, like a thousand feet or more. That’s fifteen or twenty miles to the north. And there’s a whole lot of rumors about strange buildings that can be found right on the walls of those gorges, hard to reach, but they say they are filled with strange monsters and relics from an ancient civilization.”

---
Dolin
You leave the WEAC office and head just down the street a short distance to the front of the main barracks building that separates this part of the Fort from the rest of the Fort to the east. You see a Halfling man in uniform who meets the description the clerk gave you. The Halfling is standing in the street, with his hands clasped behind his back and he is talking to one of the human men who made the journey here with you on the caravan, you think his name is Derrick.

---
Edren
One of the old Halfling men smiles and stretches his back, then says, “Finchly, you’ll probably find him over in front of the barracks, where they are unloading that caravan. He’s a tall fellow, for our kind, and he always wears that uniform of his. Keeps it clean, he does. He has a thick black mustache, you’ll find some guards there for sure and if you don’t see Finchly just ask one of them to get him for you.”

"Derrick is fine, of course," he says, bowing again. He does rise and listens intently to the halfling's speech. At the end, he mulls it over for a moment. Not what I expected--I was to swear my life to a liege, live in his service... But if his service means working for the WEAC and protecting the fort, then I will do so.

"I think a job of hunting for relics and such would be preferable and allow me to better serve you and yours, Major Finchly." It's then that he notices the dwarf from the caravan. "Ah, Dolin!" he calls out.

"Sign me up then, Gruingar. In the meantime, Sithundan and I were going to find Captain Finchly and see what work we can get. If you need us, that should be where we are."

"Thank you, sir, it sounds like he cuts quite the figure."

Edren heads over to the barracks to speak with Captain Finchly. When he sees that Derrick is already there, speaking with the Halfling, Edren approaches. When Derrick calls out to Dolin, Edren addresses the Captain, "Hail, Captain!" Edren performs a military salute and stands at the ready. "Sergeant Edren Ket, formerly of the Dwargeland military. I am here to inquire about possible work."

I presume that you will be giving Edren the same information that Derrick received. If not, we can ignore the following :D

"Sir, what if I join up with the guard, but also decide to go relic hunting? Will the relics I find then be property of the WEAC or myself, as that was not the job I hired on for?"

Ok Edren and Sithundan I will book the room. But personally, I don't like the idea of working for some faceless organization that will take all our treasures.

I'm not there, but you might ask what the policy is if someone you are with finds a relic but is not employed by Weac. Some of use might be a tad offended if the Cap claims everything but is only paying 1 guy.

Guingar goes back to Emmito. We have decided to take the room even though the rate seems too high. Here is tonight's charge. Hands over a platinum piece and waits for his change.

"And a good day to you, Derrick, wasn't it? Have you managed to find your way around this blasted company store? They want 15% of their estimated value of anything I make for another as the price for me to use their forge! That's flat robbery!"

---

I'm going to break the two conversations up, because I think we may have the above cover more ground than the below, but I want the below on the record before the next time our GM makes a post.

---

"Are you the halfling in charge? They told me that if I want different contract terms, I need to get you to agree to them. Now, this IS the wilderness, and I am a weaponsmith wanting to open up shop. What I want to do is instead of giving your company my profits I would rather do more to help with the defense of this place. Your base contract calls for me to give you 1 day a month. How about I give you a week instead, and then keep my profits for myself? You and your military get more upkeep and repair on your weapons, and I get more control of what I do the rest of the time.

Thank you for the info, I am mighty interested in those canyons, but am not going to attempt to scale them quite yet. Maybe I will see what type of game I can scrounge up there. But first things first, I need to check out Mr. Pring and his wares, I hope he has a compass. Here is a few coin for your trouble Portia says with a warm smile and hands over 3 copper for her time.

funds adjusted accordingly

Valind smiles approvingly at Portia
"Nothing for something"
going through his pouch he also pulls out three copper coins.

"Store? I've only just offered my services to Major Finchly, here."

"Yeah. store. This whole place is set up to get you in debt to the company, until you are forced to work for them for the rest of your life, trying to pay off the debt you get into in order to eat. Great if you're the guy in charge. REALLY bad if you're one of the little people."

It's funny, because the guy in charge is one of the little people.

Derrick clears his throat and nods his head at the Major. "I'm sure there's a solution to, or reason for, this situation. Perhaps Major Finchly can explain?"

"Of COURSE there's a reason for this situation. GREED. I'm a dwarf, aren't I? I've seen enough greed in my time to recognize it when it squeezes my pockets."

And, yes, I have an idea just how little Dolin is doing to assist himself with his request for a modified contract. Gotta work that Charisma penalty in there SOMEHOW.

Qruingar heads back to Edren and Sithundan. Edren and Sithundan, I got us a room. But at these prices we will have to find some significant income quickly or start camping out in the wild. I suggest we find some additional partners and foray into the wilds soon.
I'm going to take a quick look around while you guys talk to this officer. Let me know if you learn anything useful. Just don't promise him my share of the findings.

There is zero chance I will sign up as a wage slave to these merchants. But that doesn't mean I can't do business. Let's see what else this place has to offer.

Gruingar will make a casual walk around to see what shops, businesses, and/or services are obviously available in the fort. (Later he will check on what is not so obviously available.) Just a quick look into each place to see what it has. Window shopping. He doesn't intend to spend much more of his cash just now. But he intends to have the money to spend later.

He is especially try to identify those likely to purchase anything they might find in the wilds.

"Well, Portia, I may tag along with you - if you don't mind."

Edren looks over at Captain Finchly, while Dolin and Derrick discuss and share their information. Just before he approaches the Captain, Gruingar returns with his news.

"Hmm... That is a good idea. I will see if guard work here in the town leaves time for some exploration. If I am... required, to turn over any finds I make while off-duty from the guard, I will wait before joining the guard."

Day 1, Current Turn/Turn of the Clock: 6/84 (approximate time, 1:30 pm)
Captain Finchly patiently waits while the three newcomers join him and Derrick in the street. When the Dwarf asks about a variation to the terms of a standard contract, Finchly frowns and explains

“I can see your concern, but let me express mine. So far we have not seen a need for a regular smith to keep us supplied with weapons or make weapon repairs. The fort was completed over half a year ago, and for the time I’ve been here we haven’t been attacked by, well, anyone. There have been reports of some possibly dangerous primitive native populations, but they haven’t shown themselves anywhere near us. Now, tools, that’s another story. There is ongoing construction on a church tower that started as a wooden structure but with the discovery of a quarry to the southeast, it has changed to one of stone. A few of the men and women here retrieve stone from the quarry weekly, and they need tool repairs regularly. However, and I could be wrong, but I can’t see a need for a full week’s work from a smith every month, just can’t see that, sir. But if the regular contract is disagreeable to you, I can work with you and the clerk to come to mutual terms.”

When Dolin expresses his frustration with what he perceives as a “company store” mentality, the Captain becomes noticeably distressed.

“I am offended, sir, by your tone and accusation. Let me be clear, and honest. Certainly the interests responsible for the construction and operation of this fort are driven by a desire to see it be profitable, and where is the harm in that? Company store, you say, I defy you to visit every single person employed here and ask them if they feel they are bound to the weac unfairly. Yes, some of the people here have made poor choices and are in debt, but I do everything in my power to help those individuals find a way to rectify that situation. Sometimes it is only a matter of time, and time is something we all bargain for isn’t it? I am held to standards, sir, standards that I place upon myself and standards expected of me by those who pay my salary, and I intend to uphold those standards. No one expects or requires you or your friends to become employees, everything we have here is available for a fair price. Let me spend some time with the clerk, and I believe we can offer you something you’ll find agreeable.”

“I see that some of you are curious about this relic hunting that I’ve mentioned. Perhaps you’ve heard others talk of it,” at this point the Captain lowers his head and shifts his feet nervously. “I find it difficult to talk about this, and there are some people who have strong opinions about these things. It is not a principle that everyone agrees with, but I work for the weac, and the weac, through legal and authorized actions of the legitimate governments of Aeromnia, Dwargleland, and Ignorland, have claims to this land. Survey crews are mapping this land every day. Claims are filed on behalf of the representatives of the weac and the governments who invested in this activity, an activity that is not without risks, I’ll remind you. These claims include mineral, agricultural, and archeological rights. Some of these rights even I don’t claim to understand completely. I’m not a lawyer. The ruins discovered near here have included some very strange, sometimes dangerous artifacts and those artifacts, by most laws, already belong to the weac. The only exceptions being unincorporated lands to the north, where surveys are incomplete. If you sign a contract that includes a clause related to recovery of unusual artifacts, then it is a clear and concise agreement. If it is not in your contract, and you can procure a legitimate claim, and this involves certain fees and surveys that must be verified, then what you find you can keep for whatever reasons you have. I’ll just make it clear that the money you’ll be paid is worth the risks you’ll take and the artifacts that have been found, so far, haven’t made the weac any richer by far and most of the things are curiosities at best and dangers to simple folk at the worst.”

“I have a budget that allows me to hire guards, and make contracts for explorations, surveys, and other activities important to the interest of the weac. I don’t wan’t any of you to think I am an obstacle to your success in whatever venture brings you here, but I will not allow this fort or the interests of the weac to be put in jeopardy by your actions. Just be careful, know what you are getting yourself into, that’s all I expect of anyone.”

When Captain Finchly finishes speaking, Edren approaches him. "Captain Finchly, I just want to let you know that I find your dedication to duty admirable. I would like to apply to become a guardsman for the fort, but I think it will be a short while before I do so. It sounds to me like the exploration that needs doing requires a longer time away from the fort than a few days at a time and I would rather not let that interfere with any guard duties I take on. Once I get my share of exploration and adventure, I will return and hopefully you will take me on." Edren salutes Captain Finchly with an informal but respectful salute and takes his leave.

Edren returns to Sithundan, "Looks like we need to do some ranging before we get far enough to lay claim to anything. I would like to gather others to join our little group. It wouldn't hurt to make sure we have our asses covered! I am going to the Shady Dragon to see if I can convince the innkeep to have everyone meet us there tonight."

"I will pass the word along to any one I see from our traveling party while I look for some supplies we'll need since we'll be gone for a few days. Didn't Portia show some interest in scouting some stuff out earlier at the inn? I'll see if I can't track her down." Sithundan will spend the rest of the day scouting around town and asking the other travelers to join them at the Shady Dragon.

Derrick also nods. "Edren, you have the right idea, I think. I will also explore for these relics or other items of interest, at least for a time, and perhaps return to serve more formally in the future. But know, Major, that my sword is still yours." Derrick bows deeply. "If ever you desire my blade, or anything else I may provide, only ask." The samurai stands once again and looks around, seemingly unsure of what to do. "Now, does anyone have a suggestion for what I might do now?"

"That sounds great, Sithundan. I will meet up with you and any of the others you find at the inn tonight?"

"Captain, where might we find the clerk's office? I would like to look over the maps that show the WEAC's land claims. Derrick, would you like to join me? Mayhaps we can get enough information to figure out what kind of supplies we will need."

Captain Finchley seems uncomfortable. Maybe it is the conversation, or maybe it is the way the newly arrived individuals seemed to have strong and conflicting opinions about exactly what Fort Horizon is supposed to be, but he smiles, and says,

“I’m sorry if I have offended you, Master Smith, I’ didn’t catch your name, but I hope you believe me when I tell you that the situation here at Fort Horizon is not exactly what you might fear. Your concerns are appreciated. For the rest of you, please, take your time; don’t feel any pressure to make a hasty decision. If I have a need I will look you up and offer you the best terms I can, until then, or at a time you decide, enjoy the hospitality of the Fort, and try to stay out of trouble. We have limited resources, and expect everyone to be on their best behavior. The clerk’s office is just down the street, there,” he points to the south, “I hope you find everything you need. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to check the inventory sheets for this delivery and see to it that everything is delivered to the proper place.”

You can make your way back to the inn, and talk about your next move, where you’ll go or what you’ll do.

Portia is able to find a single, masterwork Compass available in the shop she is directed to, and Valind can tag along with her if he wants. The tinker is asking 75 dollars for the compass (he knows it is worth more, but is sure he will not see another buyer and is a little desperate to sell it

Valind will have a go at trading all the salt for the compass - can roll if you want or accept can't be done. Then onto the inn! I think Valind knows the proprietors' names but not the rates.

"This." Valind states firmly "Has been a long day. Looking forward to a nice soft bed! Good evening Delouse, is that baking bread I smell?"

"Emmitio, could I trouble you for your rates?"

"I am glad such a crowd could make it back, let's see who we have here..." Edren begins listing off everyone that is at the inn.

Essentially, I want to take a head count of who is still playing

I am here.

I willing to give it another try to see if anything happens.

A role call is in order

Day 1, Current Turn/Turn of the Clock: 36/114 (approximate time, 6:30 pm)

As the fellow travelers from the caravqan gather at a table in the Shady Dragon Inn, and discuss the day’s events. A young Halfling Woman and a middle aged Dwarf approach them

”Good evening, my name is Karl Drespor, you may remember me from the caravan. This is my associate, Miss Rentour, Jeannine Rentour. I’ve been asking around the fort today about the possibility of hiring escorts, -“

“Guards, actually,” Rentour interrupts the dwarf

”Yes, guards is more appropriate, to accompany myself and my associates on an expedition to a ruin to the north. Ah, um,”

Jeannine moves forward and says, “We are representatives of the University of Counbria and one of our associates, a Miss Pellido Derwinter last contacted us from this fort telling us she had found something remarkable in a cave a few miles north of here. We expected to hear from her again, but we have not, and that is why we are here. We would offer to pay twenty five dollars a day for your services, and this would be a private enterprise completely unconnected to the weac or its interests. Our mission is twofold, first, to collect information to corroborate the claims of Miss Derwinter, and second, to hopefully discover what may have happened to Derwinter and her associates. If you are interested, I would gladly join you for a drink and tell you everything we know.”

Portia will visit the Elf's shop and peruse his wares. She happens to see a very finely crafted compass, perfectly balanced and attuned perfectly to the poles. She handles it and is quite impressed. Her and the shop owner discuss price, the shop owner starts at 100 dollars but she haggles his down to 75, mentioning that prior to her it had a nice layer of dust on the item and looked like no one had been wanting it. The shopkeeper agreed, and she made her way back towards the Shady Dragon Inn, in hopes to get a warm meal for her first day in Fort Horizon.

She say down at the table with her new comrades and orders a meal. She takes a few bites, when new "guests" come to the table. After the brief introductions and brief plans she looks to the others,

Well, what do we all think?

Edren listens intently to Jeannine and Karl's proposition. "Good madam, sir, please give us a moment to discuss this."

"Hmm, this is pretty tempting. Work like this is what I am good at. We do need to get paid, too. That's why we came out here, right?"

Edren addresses the pair again, "As an aside, if we do find this cave, what happens to any of the... unique objects that we might find? I'm talking weapons, armor, jewelry. You know, the stuff from the storybooks."

"As I have not been consulted in any professional capacity at this point may I politely ask on the ever dubious issues of the costs of expendables, and question if the assumption is we will bring our own equipment?"

Derrick bows to the group. "Derrick Tramsen."

Will post in reaction to the proposition later.

"Sithundan checking in."

"It sounds like a noble endeavor, you can count my in."

Mulling things over, Derrick nods. "I'll pledge my blade to this mission and to you, for the time being. So long as this is a legal excursion."

hmm... Well I suppose it would be a start as a reputation builder.

If you are providing consumables and transportation of such, it is an acceptable pay rate. I presume you are wanting to start in the morning, not this evening?

Day 1, Current Turn/Turn of the Clock: 36/114 (approximate time, 6:30 pm)

As the group mentions a few concerns and questions, the Halfling woman does not flinch, but the Dwarf, looks away, then lowers his head. He then looks up, and whispers into the Halfling’s ear

The Halfling girl looks annoyed, and drags the dwarf a few feet away before she whispers back to him

The two move back toward the table and the Halfling woman holds out her arms, as if she is pleading and tries to answer your questions

“You see, friends, the issue of what we might find, and what we might keep, is complicated, not that I, or anyone associated with the university is looking to cheat anyone out of a fortune, but, well, it’s like this. Our letter from Derwinter seemed confusing at times. She indicated that what she found was a combination of what to her appeared to be the ruin of an ancient civilization, and dare I say this, and please don’t expect me to explain it any better, but she also suggested that there was something else, something not of this world. Now, this is where mister Drespor comes in. He is an expert in the lore of alternative planes of existence, elemental planes are his speciality, and in this he is very reliable, but even he was unable to make heads or tails of some of the things Derwinter described. What we know, the only thing we know is this. Some items that have been recovered by the weac from the ruins in the north have proved to be extremely dangerous and unpredictable, but we don’t know the details, as the weac will not share their research with the university. Other stories described the finding of unusual coins, and items that are relatively common, but still valuable.”

The pretty Halfling girl pause at this point turns to the side and takes a step, while clasping her hands behind her back before she continues.

“I, for one, would be delighted to find any artifact that fits any of the descriptions we’ve read in Derwinter’s letters, but at the same time if what she describes is accurate, it could be dangerous to try and recover these artifacts. She describes very strange, animated objects of bizarre construction and unknown purpose. If we discover anything of value on this expedition we will try and take a reasonable approach to determine how the wealth of the discovery will be divided, and I do not expect anyone to feel that simply because we are paying for your assistance that this means you would not be entitled to a fair share of the profit of the expedition. At the same time, I hope that you understand that we are not prepared to supply anyone with loads of expensive gear. We, I, expect you to provide your own food, and whatever gear you feel is necessary for your comfort, while we will do our best to provide rope, and a limited amount of climbing gear. We are not as well funded as we would like to be. Our hope is that we find out what we want to know as quickly as possible. If Derwinter is still alive, and not lost somewhere in the depths of the world, we hope we find her soon.”

She stops her pacing and then turns and smiles at everyone.

“We would like to be ready to depart the Fort at first light. Our goal the first day is to establish a base camp in a location some seventeen miles to the north, at a location we only have a vague idea about that is identified in Derwinter’s letters as the “Black Gorge” so called because of a large deposit of black stone and a gap in the ground some twenty to thirty feet in width that runs for several miles from the southwest to the northeast. We understand that we are to follow a trail, called Womak’s Snake trail, and we have already asked about that and are certain we can find it quickly. Once we establish a base camp, we intend to rappel down into this gorge to a shelf below the ridge some ninety feet where we are hoping to find an entrance to these ruins described in Derwinter’s letters. We expect that finding the exact location could take a few days. But we are taking enough supplies to last three weeks, and our expedition will be controlled by this factor.”

“I hope that you will not be offended if we take down your names, and signatures, as evidence of your participation in this expedition, and as signatory to this expedition each of you will be given a policy of one thousand dollars to be paid to a person you specify should you be lost while in our service.”

"Well, I thought we were just looking for some regular old ruins. This is something completely different! A once in a lifetime opportunity, I would say. Where do I sign?"

Edren is prepared to sign the required paperwork. "I don't have anyone to sign any money over to if I don't make it back, not that you folks mind much, I gather," he says to Jeannine with a grin.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
scoff... Like anyone ever tells the hired help everything.

Sounds like an opportunity not to be missed. I currently go by the name Gruingar and you can identify me as such. Any lost proceeds should be held for Desgenia if she returns.

Portia is more focused on her warm food, rather than what Jeannine and Karl are discussing. She listens to Jeannine and her story, and mulls it over internally for a bit. Once Gruingar and Edren voice their commitment, Portia voices hers.

I will tag along as well, I can guide us to the couples landmarks you have, given the map you have is accurate. I don't have anyone to be a benefactor should the worst happen, give my 1000 dollars to the inn-keep here, just keep it quiet unless needed. I will prepare, which shouldn't take long and I will be ready for tomorrow at first light. she says with a smile.

"The name is Sithundan and if I should parish on our journey please split my 1000 among my remaining comrades so that in my death their lives may improve. As for preparing for the voyage I travel light and currently have all I will need on my person so I will just head to our cabin to meditate. See you in the morning."
Sithundan head for a quiet corner in his cabin, finds his center, and meditates till morning.

int based perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
"Now that is an unusual offer! Technically I haven't commenced my work here yet, so I would be able to accompany you. I happen to have my ledger here, so I'm happy to help people sign up. Probably best I sign up first - then I can ignore my normal fees and claim it simply as part of my expected duties."
profession:lawyer: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
"Sithundan, that's a very generous offer, but I counsel against it. While these comrades may be trustworthy it never seems a good idea to reward those you depend on should you die."
"Personally I'd prefer my money went towards the construction of a proper chapel to Valindor."
"And as it happens I have a great deal of equipment in larger size than I'd normally carry. I'm happy to loan that equipment to the group should others be missing equipment. I know Portia has recently acquired a compass that I am sure would be of extraordinary good use. I do think that if equipment is broken or consumed we should replace it before sharing any profits - so long as it was for the good of the group of course."
"As it happens I think I may have just enough time before we set off to prepare a scroll of healing. Is there anyone here, besides me, able to use such an item?"

... a scroll of healing. Is there anyone here, besides me, able to use such an item?"

Valind, while not the normal equipment of those with my training, I can oftentimes get such items to work as intended.