Kingmaker

Game Master Jovich

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - Oleg's ::

Keston speaks, "We've got me and my three men, plus the three men that follow Akiros as trained fighters. Other than that, there's Oleg and Svetlana, and you two."

Oleg ponders for a moment, "I've got some alchemist fire, and some healing potions. Not much else in the way of offensive gear." Oleg pauses for a moment, "On the topic of a runner for the caravan guards, I doubt they'd listen to just anyone... Someone with a King's Charter and a purpose might be able to spur them on though."

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - Outside Oleg's ::

As the afternoon wears on, those on watch outside Oleg's notice that a group of four orcs wearing only light armour and carrying axes, heads off in the direction of the forest.

12 orcs remain at the camp

I'ce forgotten who's stayed behind?

Gird speaks up when he notices "There's 4 going into the woods, looks like they're getting firewood, do we want to try for an ambush?"

"Four fewer orcs for Oleg's to deal with. The woods are a dangerous place."

Zade is for ambushing the orcs.

Back at Oleg's . . .

"Andreas, you are the military man here, but the possible addition of those guards seems too crucial to pass up. Perhaps you chase them down while I return to our friends to update them. We need a plan after that, and one that accounts for success or failure in securing the extra aid."

Kazmuk nods in agreement. "This is too good an opporrtunity to pass, I think, even if somevhat rrisky. Ve need to be fast though."

Kazmuk also votes in ambushing the orcs.

I just want to clarify, there are no 'woods' to lead anything into. You are currently out on the plains around Oleg's with light woods occasionally appearing 3-4 miles away. These would only be 100 feet deep at most. Your group hasn't changed position since you started looking at the orc situation so unless you want to go that far you would only be able to have small stands of 15-20 trees at most if you travel to some low spots.

Ambushing orcs here on the plains will be a lot harder than if we had woods to sneak up on them. I am not opposed to going after the four - but we need to understand exactly what we are doing... which includes being far enough away from the big group, that they won't hear the sounds of the fight and we will need to be able to get close enough to the four that they are not ready for us.

"Well lets go, have ready any spells that can help up, we'll loop around and come at the in the forest from the side." Gird gets his gear ready and stalks off

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - Oleg's ::

Andrea's and Roke are at the Oleg's

Waiting on Andrea's input to move forward.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - Outside Oleg's ::

Gird, Zade, Rillka, and Kazmuk are outside Oleg's

Seeing the group of orcs leave, the four quickly converse about the possibility of an ambush. After a quick discussion, Gird gathers his things and heads off to circle around the orcs and ambush them. Kazmuk, and Zade follow Gird's lead and head out as well. Rillka you can choose to go or not as you're the only one of the 4 that didn't explicitly state wanting to head off to ambush them.

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I posted who was where due to Gird's question. I'll move the ambush party ahead once Roke and Andreas decide on some actions. I just need to keep the two time lines clean.

Keston speaks, "We've got me and my three men, plus the three men that follow Akiros as trained fighters. Other than that, there's Oleg and Svetlana, and you two."

Hmm. That gives us thirteen to their sixteen, better than what we were looking at from the plains.

Oleg ponders for a moment, "I've got some alchemist fire, and some healing potions. Not much else in the way of offensive gear."

If you are willing to part with them, we can use them.

Oleg pauses for a moment, "On the topic of a runner for the caravan guards, I doubt they'd listen to just anyone... Someone with a King's Charter and a purpose might be able to spur them on though."

We could definitely use those extra swords.

"Andreas, you are the military man here, but the possible addition of those guards seems too crucial to pass up. Perhaps you chase them down while I return to our friends to update them. We need a plan after that, and one that accounts for success or failure in securing the extra aid."

That is a good suggestion.

He looks at Roke
Take some alchemist fire and the two healing potions from my left saddle bag. Go back like you suggest and get them ready. I am going to try to draw them in closer to the walls here. If that works we will try to take them down from range while a secondary force strikes from behind. This is my plan. When you get back, the others...if they took my suggestion...should have a plan already to go. Contact me by your spell when you are ready. God speed

Master Oleg...Mistress Svetlana...I would ask that you remain hidden and safe, please. We should spread the healing potions around the group. I am going to take a ride to see if I can persuade those merchant guards to join us.

Lord Garress, If you have not alread done so...could you please prepared the men for battle and make sure this outpost is ready for a siege.

...as the last word is spoken...
Master Oleg do you happen to have ammunition for those siege engines of yours?

Rillka gathers her gear and prepares to ride out with the tall-folk. She has the wands and other items at the ready and slips a stone into the slingstaff as they travel along.

Please don't let there be more orcs out this way...

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - Oleg's ::

About to go find the supplies, Oleg stops to reply to Andreas, "No, the catapults don't actually work, they're just left over from the last owners. I'll go get the alchemist fire. And you can bet the Svetlana and I will stay safe." Oleg and Svetlana move off to get the supplies.

Keston, "All them men are armed and taking turns on watches. We've all got some form of ranged weapon to help fend off the orcs if they attack the walls." Thinking for a moment. "We're all ready to may a sortie out as well, but if we do we should leave two men behind to cover our eventual retreat. It's more important for us to burst out and make a quick kill or two while keeping our numbers safe."

Roke, Andreas, I'm just waiting for a a declarative statement like "I go do X" to move on.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - On the Hunt ::

Gird in the lead, the ambushing quartet heads off through the grassland keeping distant from the camp and from the four headed towards the forest.

You can choose to wait until they are distance enough to ambush on the grass lands about 3-4 miles of travel (about 1 hour of travel), but they may notice you as you close. Or you can travel 7-8 miles (about 2 hours of travel) where the trees begin to start and ambush from cover.

@All - it is currently about 5 to 6 pm in both time lines currently.

"I think we should take tot he cover, it's a little further to travel but we should be more capable of getting the drop on them from the cover of the trees what do you all think?"

"I think we should take tot he cover, it's a little further to travel but we should be more capable of getting the drop on them from the cover of the trees what do you all think?"

I agrree vith the plan... but ve must hurrry, otherrvise ye vill not be able to see in the darrk, vhile ourr enemy vill...

Rillka nods agreement to both suggestions and follows Gird, Kazmuk, and Zade towards the treeline in the distance. She take notes of distances and directions and makes note of it all in her journal.

Keep safe and I will be back soon enough. Let us hope I can reason with the caravan guards.
Those are the last words said as he starts to head towards the back wall, climbing down and mounting his horse.
I will take my lance please. I may need that on the open plains.

Using the outpost as cover he rides towards the direction of the fleeing caravan.

Roke takes whatever supplies Oleg is willing to share, follows Andreas over the wall, and circles the long way round back to the appointed meeting spot with the others.

Sorry for the wait. Also, yay! more timelines!

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Caravan ::

Getting back outside the walls, Andreas mounts his horse and canters in the direction of the fleeing caravan. It is easy to follow the tracks of the caravan in the soft plains dirt and after about a half hour you see a circle of seven or eight wagons in the distance with tents setup inside it.

As you get close you hear a voice call out, "Who goes there?! Announce yourself, these roads are dangerous."

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Meeting Spot ::

Oleg returns and hands Roke five alchemist fire, 3 potions of cure light wounds, and a potion of cure moderate wounds, "I've got some more, but I'm going to keep them here for the rest of the group."

Roke goes over the wall and mounts up with Andreas, trotting his horse off in an arc to where the remainder of the group was waiting. About an hour later, Roke arrives at the spot where the others were waiting and sees that they aren't there. Four sets of tracks lead off from the site though, as though the group moved off for some reason.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

Gird, Kazmuk, Zade, and Rillka continue to hustle off to the side of the four orcs they are pursuing, trying to get ahead and set an ambush.

I will let you pick the ambush site:

Option 1 -small ridge with tall grass on it, the orcs would likely pass about 40 feet away and 15 feet lower, giving you a height advantage when you close to melee. Only downside is that you'd have to be prone to hide properly.

Option 2 - Small stand of trees about 30 feet in diameter with enough underbrush to easily hide everyone standing upright. The orcs would likely pass about 80 feet from it.

Option 3 - An area with many small stands of trees between 5 and 10 feet in diameter, each about 10 to 30 feet apart. The orcs would have to weave through the stands of trees to pass through the area.

I am thinking that option 2 provides the best situation for us collectively as Gird and Rillka fight at range, Zade can use spells and Kazmuk can clean up anything that gets close.
Option 1 puts us too close with a move to stand in the surprise round, we essentially go solely on initiative and will close to melee on the second round. I fear option 3 allows the orcs too many paths and places to seek cover. Rillka will go with whatever option the tall-folk like.

Gird actually is a close range combatant, he's just grabbed a bow because he's useful with it as well. Looking over it he's potentially a very good switch hitter especially with div fav and studied.

I like 3, gives options to stay hidden, attack from range or close

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Caravan ::
As you get close you hear a voice call out, "Who goes there?! Announce yourself, these roads are dangerous."

Andreas sits up taller in his saddle as he gets closer. His armor is dirty and grimy from the last few days. Flecks of dried blood and smears of sweat can be seen over various part of the metal skin. He turn his horse so that she is across the path and the unseen voice can get a good side view of him.

Cut from the tense ambush set-up to the urgency of Sir Andreas' mission to . . . Roke standing in the meeting place, scratching his head and looking around. Well what do I do now?

I'm in favor of 2--I'm more of a ranged guy, though I can switch-hit a little. I'd settle for 3.

:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Caravan ::

Andreas sees a brief flurry of activity, then someone steps up on top of a wagon and waves, "Come and say what you must, but be warned there are orcs roaming these lands and if you wish to stay you have to be prepared to fight with us."

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Meeting Spot ::

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Looking around at the emptiness where his companions should be, Roke casts his gaze over the orc camp. Something seeming off, Roke studies the camp and notices that there are four fewer orcs than before.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

I'll wait for Kazmuk to chime in, as I see it the votes are:

Rillka - deferring to the tall folk
Gird - Option 3
Zade - Option 2

Sorry for the delay. I'm also in favor of option 2. I'm afraid that some of them might escape and having lots of trees would diminish our chances of hitting them in ranged combat. Kazmuk would like to cast some buffs before the combat begins... how many rounds would we have before the combat to cast (in a way not to give our position)?

Gird has a buff spell to cast.. last second type though

Andreas sees a brief flurry of activity, then someone steps up on top of a wagon and waves, "Come and say what you must, but be warned there are orcs roaming these lands and if you wish to stay you have to be prepared to fight with us."

The orcs are the reason I am here. They have camped themselves outside Master Olegs's Oupost. My companions and I have been tasked with pacifying the Stolen Lands by order of the Dragon Scale Throne. I counted sixteen orcs but four of that number wonder towards the woods. My companions are in that are and I expect to have four less orcs to deal with. That leaves me with the seven soldiers inside the out post. Orcs are vicious and this will be a hard fought battle even with the sides even. I could use some aid in removing this threat. I personally believe that the Stag Lord or some of his men will be here some time tomorrow to reinforce their orc allies. If they take the outpost...all in this region will suffer.

Roke decides to hunker down and hopes everyone comes back soon, while keeping an eye on the orc encampment.

Maybe they went hunting for food, or they saw an opportunity when some orcs departed?

:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

I've set the map up as #2. You can cast buff spells up to 3 rounds before the start of combat without penalty. Any buffs cast at 3 rounds before give a DC 25 perception check to notice you, any cast at 2 rounds before give a DC 20 and any cast at 1 round before give a DC 15. I'll let you guys decide what you want to do then start combat.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Meeting Spot ::

Roke hunkers down.

Just keeping track of everything.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Caravan ::

Andreas, you're unaware of the 4 orcs leaving the camp and the ambush underway. I'll continue forward with what you said, but their reactions will be as though you simply said you've counted 16 orcs.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

The figure by the wagon speaks, "Well, Sir Andreas, I am Yennifer Arnalli. You deliver a good case for coming to help you. If it were purely my decision, I would have my caravan guards muster out and we would make for the outposts gate and try to enter with all our supplies. However, my guard captain, Henry, keeps reminding me that they're currently being paid for caravan duty and that they'd expect more pay to fight in a skirmish or in a battle line. If we can come to some agreement on that then we will make a direct line for Oleg's."

Your impression is that she is being honest and not trying to get an unjust reward out of the situation. Yennifer's guards men likely do deserve a raise for the work expected of a guaranteed fight.

Andreas, you're unaware of the 4 orcs leaving the camp and the ambush underway. I'll continue forward with what you said, but their reactions will be as though you simply said you've counted 16 orcs.

I knew that and I can not understand why I thought otherwise.

The figure by the wagon speaks, "Well, Sir Andreas, I am Yennifer Arnalli. You deliver a good case for coming to help you. If it were purely my decision, I would have my caravan guards muster out and we would make for the outposts gate and try to enter with all our supplies. However, my guard captain, Henry, keeps reminding me that they're currently being paid for caravan duty and that they'd expect more pay to fight in a skirmish or in a battle line. If we can come to some agreement on that then we will make a direct line for Oleg's."

Mistress Arnalli, I can understand that desire of payment for such a task and if it is within my means to grant I will. So what is the going rate for a days work as a caravan guard?

As they get close Gird will cast divine favour on himself Lasts for a minute, not quite the last second I thought.

As they wait for the orcs to come to them, Kazmuk asks the Forge Father his blessing in combat.

Will be casting Aid (lasts for 3 minutes) and extended lead blades (lasts for 8 minutes).

Rillka keeps herself concealed as the orcs approach. She readies a spell and can feel the tingling, like an itch, as the magic focuses. She will wait until the others in the party launch their attacks, then target an orc as appropriate, either one engaged with the party, or one fleeing should they be so lucky!

:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

The group watches, preparations made, itching for the fight to start. When the orcs reach their closest point of approach, the groups jumps into action.

Init Rillka: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Init Kazmuk: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Init Gird: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Init Zade: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Initiative

Surprise Round - Gird, Rillka, Zade, Kazmuk
Round 1 - Black, Gird, Pink, Rillka, Zade, Yellow, Kazmuk, Cyan
Round 2 - Black, Pink, Gird, Rillka, Zade, Kazmuk, Yellow, Cyan

You're all up in the surprise round. Make note of round 2 order vs round 1 order

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Meeting Spot ::

Roke continues to hunker.

I will think of something to do here eventually, sorry.

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:: Gozran 1 - Late Afternoon - At the Caravan ::

Yenniffer, "I and my people will come for free, if Henry can be convinced. I'll let him speak for his men."

Yenniffer steps back and a large man is old but well kept chainmail steps forward. In a gravelly voice, "I'm Henry, Sir. Now, I've got eleven men 'ere and meself to put at your disposal. Four of us are archers and the rest of us prefer to get in close." Henry looks Andreas up and down a bit more closely. "You look like you've seen a battle or three before, Sir Andreas. Men die, get injured real bad. We all retired from that to this here caravan work for a reason. Now, any who don't make it, I have to keep their family up for a year so they can figure things out. Any who are badly injured I have to keep up for six months so they can recover. We're a tight group and fight well, but a lot can go wrong with an orc band."

Henry jumps over the edge of the wagons and walks up to Andreas. "Now I think that a hundred gold would be a fair deal for us to come and fight. We won't hold out for a last man standing, but we'll stick around even if a few of us go down. You don't have to pay all at once either, we come by Oleg's enough that you can leave some of the gold with him to give to us. If you take more than one month to pay you owe us 5 more gold per week." Henry sticks his hand out to shake on the deal.

Gird uses studied target on the closest orc steps out from cover and fires an arrow at it.

Longbow+div fav+st: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 12 Damage+div fav+st: 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

Much like Gird, Kazmuk steps out of his cover to fire from his heavy crossbow.

Attack (Heavy Crossbow), aid: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Temp HP from Aid: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Zade also takes a shot at the orc:

shortbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 for piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Still too far out for her spells, Rillka uses her halfling slingstaff to target a second orc.
Slingstaff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
And sends a stone arcing into the grasses far from anything.

:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

Gird studies the closest orc Gird studies Pink, your shot missed anyway so I saved you an arrow.

Kazmuk, Zade and Rillka let loose a volley. Rillka's rock tumbles through the weeds, but Kazmuk and Zade's shots thump into their target Cyan knocking him to the ground.

"Nabijte je!" one of the orcs yells, grabbing a vial from his chest and drinking it. The orc disappears in front of your eyes. Black is not currently visible, I've left his last location on the map to indicate where he was.

Initiative

Round 1 - Black, Gird, Pink, Rillka, Zade, Yellow, Kazmuk, Cyan
Round 2 - Black, Pink, Gird, Rillka, Zade, Kazmuk, Yellow, Cyan

I shall endeavour to use the map in future

Gird will wait for pink to move then he will drop the bow and draw his sword an attack.. moving if necessary

Gladius: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 291d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Gladius crit check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 271d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Since Kazmuk will act after both Pink and Yellow, I'll post two action, based on their action...

If they approach

Dropping his heavy crossbow on the ground, Kazmuk draws his hammer while moving towards the closest enemy (or draws and 5ft. step if thet are closer) and attacks.

Attack (warhammer), aid: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12

If they remain distant

Wishing to goat them into a fight, Kazmuk approaches them, dropping his crossbow and drawing his hammer in the process. He then assumes a defensive posture.

In this scenario, AC 24 until next round.

Zade with take another shot at black.

Range 80 ft.
shortbow: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 - 2 = 10 for piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Reloading the slingstaff, Rillka sends another stone towards an orc pink that she can see, taking note that one orc is invisible and already making plans to deal with that problem.

Slingstaff: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Bullet: 1d6 ⇒ 6

:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

Pink vs Kazmuk: 1d20 ⇒ 8

One of the orcs rushes the group, hurling a javelin at Kazmuk as it does so. The javelin flies wide and is lost in the trees.

Gird drops his bow and charges out of the trees, his blade singing and cutting the head clean off his foe. In order to get the distance Gird would have had to charge.

With only one foe visible, Rillka and Zade fire, though both their shots go long as thy make sure to avoid Gird.

The last visible orc charges Gird. A bit off having just beheaded one orc, Gird lets his guard down and the orc delivers a devastating blow. Gird takes 18 damage

Yellow vs Gird w/ AC 16 due to charge

Yellow vs Gird w/ Falchion and Charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26
Yellow vs Gird w/ Falchion and Charge crit?: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16

Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2) + 4 = 8
Damage crit?: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10

Seeing Gird beset so, Kazmuk charges forward, bringing his warhammer down on his foes head, slaying the orc.

I've left yellow on the map so people can see what happened. Lots of quick killing makes the map "jump" I find sometime.

Perception Gird: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Perception Kazmuk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Perception Rillka: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Perception Zade: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

As the field goes quiet, no one can make out where the invisible orc is.

Dropped out of initiative for now.

Thola Umlingo!

As Rillka casts Detect Magic, blue sigils float in front of her eyes, she then moves over past and in front of Zade.

I will target his magic, and tell you distance from me; then a number, plus is distance to the right, negative is distance to the left, 0 is dead ahead. Keep the bow and lets go. I'll need a minute.

Hopefully he wants a fight and isn't running away, and more importantly this works.

Detect Magic 60' cone; 3rd round to gauge distance, and target for Zade; or less if the orc attacks. If that happens she will cast Snowball at first opportunity.

Kazmuk knees and cleans the head of his hammer on the orc's clothes before moving towards Gird, while securing his hammer on his waist. When he reaches Gird, Kazmuk makes a quick prayer to the Forgefather for a healing blessing. "Kärsivällinen, pyydän sinulta vielä kerran siunauksesi. Ole hyvä, paranna tämä mies vammoiltaan, sillä hän on taistellut sinun kansasi vannonut vihollisia vastaan."

cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 = 11

Zade mutters. "Great. Invisible orcs." He's only half-serious, though, pleased by how quickly they took out the others. "Good work, everyone."

Gird sort of stumbling after that blow casts cure light wounds on himself

clw: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

When he can he will then use his see invisibility ability 30 mins

:: Gozran 1 - Late Evening - Ambush! ::

1d6 ⇒ 5

Kazmuk and Gird put Gird back together again while Rillka tries to find the orc. Casting detect magic, Rillka sweeps the area, finding a faint trace of magic energy headed in the direction the orcs came from.

As Gird casts see invisibility, he can see the orc fleeing about 300 feet away already. The orc obviously sprinted for the 2 rounds it took Gird to cast see invisibility

[ooc]Ignore the statement about horses if we don't have any."[/b]

"There.. he's about 300 feet away. " "Someone get the horses I chase and keep an eye on it."

Gird takes off running after the orc

Yenniffer, "I and my people will come for free, if Henry can be convinced. I'll let him speak for his men."

Yenniffer steps back and a large man is old but well kept chainmail steps forward. In a gravelly voice, "I'm Henry, Sir. Now, I've got eleven men 'ere and meself to put at your disposal. Four of us are archers and the rest of us prefer to get in close." Henry looks Andreas up and down a bit more closely. "You look like you've seen a battle or three before, Sir Andreas. Men die, get injured real bad. We all retired from that to this here caravan work for a reason. Now, any who don't make it, I have to keep their family up for a year so they can figure things out. Any who are badly injured I have to keep up for six months so they can recover. We're a tight group and fight well, but a lot can go wrong with an orc band."

Henry jumps over the edge of the wagons and walks up to Andreas. "Now I think that a hundred gold would be a fair deal...

Andreas looks over Henry with a show of respect, his posture is tight and non threatening.

He extends his hand out...
do you accept...