“Major, I was able to track the relief column of orcs back to a group of low hills that were well guarded by the orcs. I was unable to discover their numbers or anything else as they spotted me and began to track and follow me so I had little choice but to return to camp.”
Explain location to the Major.
The Major gives you a rare smile and look of approval-Well done Curumir. This is useful news indeed, I thank you. When you get back to the stronghold I'll make sure the paymaster has something extra for you.
Major Hawkins waits for a few moments to see if you have anything else before moving forward to check on the wagons and the troops they carry. Marshap gives you a broad smile, but doesn't dare a conversation, keeping close to the Major.
“Thank you.”
I don’t understand humans, or at least him
Ride back to the fortress.
The journey back to the stronghold with the wagons is uneventful outside of you getting to talk to many of the troopers that you have interacted with over the course of the last several weeks. You find the conversations pleasant, with the troopers being appreciative of your efforts. Marshap even finds some time to come pick your brain and pester you with questions. You get the sense that he has been busy as an aide-de-camp for the Baron and the Major during the last few days and he is beaming with pride over this fact and the prospects he feels that holds for his future.
“Looks like you’re moving up in the world Marshap, what’s next for you?”
Go see the paymaster. Is there 2 payments, one from Baron’s mission and one for the Major’s?
Marshap, jovially-I'm just happy all of my hard work is finally being recognized. Being out in the field with Major Hawkins, especially during campaign, is a great honor. Plus I get to learn a lot too! I haven't done any fighting yet, I don't think they think I'm ready for that, but I've definitely been close to the action a few times. I'm hoping at some point they will let me lead a squad but in the meantime I have been plenty busy.
There is a disbursement of 1,250 GP waiting for you. They paymaster doesn't have a record of if there was an amount from the Baron and/or the Major.
Level up!
Level up: 4th level of ninja, +6hp, +1BAB, +1 ref save, +9 skill points, ninja trick shadow clone (mirror image), feat=extra ninja trick=fast stealth, dispatchment, uncanny dodge
Buy cat burglar boots 2000 gp = 20%
“Keep up the hard work Marshap and I’m sure you will be destined for great things. I suppose I should track down the Baron to report and see if he has any use for me.”
You find the Baron having a strained conversation with a few of the merchants near the center point of town. From what you can tell, the merchants have been talking to some of the settlers and are agitating for the Baron to start letting civilians outside the walls to survey the land for potential homesteads. The Baron continues to insist that the land is far from safe and he wants to make sure that things are a bit more calm before letting the more vulnerable of those under his care leave the active shelter of the walls and his troopers.
Baron-My men can't be everywhere at once and all it will take is one mischance with a strong tusker patrol to knock everything into the soup. Just give us another week or so to make sure there no tuskers lurking in hidey holes we haven't discovered yet and I promise that everyone that wants to will be able to range towards the edge of our former patrols.
Unhappy merchant-It seems criminal to ask us and these brave settlers to come all this way just to continue to hide when clearly the tuskers have been driven out. Almost like you are trying to hide something!
Baron, gritting his teeth-That sounds fine until a rusty blade is running through your guts. Then? Not so much. Trust me, I want you all to be free to settle the lands and bring them into production as much as you do. Hells, it's part of my charter and why the king sent me here in the first place!
Merchant, dubiously-As you say Baron, as you say.... and walks away talking to several other agitated civilians.
Baron, grumbling to himself-Why did they send all these people so early? Just one more headache to manage.
Seeing you, the Baron's spirits pick up a bit-Ho there Curumir! Back from besting death once more I see.
“Hello Baron, the truth is others bested death on my behalf. It is dangerous out there even for trained warriors, let alone settlers and merchants. I came by to see if you had any questions for me about what happened out there but it seems you’ve had a full report. Any additional tasks you want me to do beyond the wall?”
Baron-Indeed it is dangerous, but try explaining that to those that have never received a charge of orc warriors and lie safe behind stone, steel, and blood. Life was easier before all of this, no question.-he shakes his head ruefully-In any case, that's my concern and not one of your troubles. Tell me more about the orcs of the hills and what you saw and where. I've gotten second hand, but I've found it's always best to get intel direct from the source.
“Not a lot to tell as I didn’t find out much. I tracked the orc relief column back to a group of low hills but they had multiple sentries out watching and they spotted me despite my trying to be stealthy. I hid but they were dogged in their tracking of me and it was either flee or face them, so I fled.”