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>>4622666

You nod, and Johnny directs his attention back to the road ahead. Watching the outriders start to range back on their stalwart rounceys and painted horses, you get up off the driver’s bench of your wagon, and move under the canvas roof. It’s a matter of minutes before you divert a bit of coin from the master’s safe into a bag for when you arrive at the inn. Being prepared should give you a bit of an edge in the negotiations for room and board. As you set the heavy safe’s lid back down and re-lock it, a voice cuts through your thoughts of haggling and barter.

“Oi, Tris! Are you in the wagon right now?” Sighing, you walk back out to the driver’s bench and reply;

>[Stoic] ”That’s Messir Stonyfield to you, Miguel.” You still don’t exactly trust the young Meyard blacksmith, but you can’t deny the quality of his work. He probably wants to chat about the load and direction of the caravan as it’s his first time on a long-term trade journey.

>[Jovial] “So it’s Tris now, rather than Stanny, Snorri?” Loyal and doting, it always surprises the men when the gruff Elf retainer breaks her stoic facade around you. You know she’s going to bring up security concerns. Again.

>[Surly] “Tomas, for the last time, it’s Tristan.” The stand-offish hedge wizard turned chemist you hired on in Port Josiah is capable, but his excessive familiarity is starting to grate a little. He’s almost certainly coming up to gossip about your ‘guests’.

>[Write-In a different reaction to one of your companions. Pick one, and attach a different type of reaction.]

[2/3]

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>>4622669

>What high faggotry is this?

Open Roads Quest is a low-to-medium fantasy quest where you’re a young member of a minor House, aiming to gain wealth and renown by working your way into a Grand Company. Bringing back a substantial Profit will ease your journeymanship, and prove your capability as a Caravan master. It’s the difference between being a decent merchant, and having a Writ of free trade, able to take advantage of bypassing tolls, favourable rates on travel, and a blind eye from suspicious Lorian taxmen. Turns out being part of a huge trade conglomerate has all kinds of benefits, and you’ll need to stand out among your competition of well-off people coming from richer or more prestigious Houses than your own in order to get your foot in the door.

The world as you know it is starting to go through a period of dramatic upheaval. Magic has been on the decline into obscurity for a long time, with mages, enchanters, and great beasts starting to shuffle slowly into the annals of history. The recent advent of gunpowder is starting to overturn the social order, as noble sons in clad in heavy armour and chivalry are slowly being replaced on the battlefields by professional armies of calvary, pikemen, and gunners. The days of sorcerers flying through the sky and spitting lightning from their finger-tips has given way to cannons belching great balls of iron, and none can remember the last time a Kraken ripped apart caravels in the Calling Sea. The Age of Mortals is well and truly here, a bright future lit with the glow of Enlightenment.

>how and when does this shit work?

I’ll be bringing up mechanics as they come up, at least a couple posts before they come into play. There’ll be pastebins that will go into autistic crunchy depth for the mechanics, but it’ll mainly be Bo2 1d100s, with degrees of success. Combat is messy and dangerous, and scraping together bonuses where you can will help you get through it when it happens. Aiming to run multi-post sessions once a week, to avoid the slow burn-out I had from running dailies from my last quest. Voting periods will generally be open for around an hour or so to build a consensus, unless it’s a decision with major consequences. There may be a few posts during the week between sessions, but I can’t guarantee anything due to work scheduling. Write-ins are generally welcome at my discretion, but if it seems extremely out of character or shit-posty, they’ll be ignored.

>ur a faget

Love you too Anon, love you too.
[3/3]

>>4622669
>[Surly] “Tomas, for the last time, it’s Tristan.” The stand-offish hedge wizard turned chemist you hired on in Port Josiah is capable, but his excessive familiarity is starting to grate a little. He’s almost certainly coming up to gossip about your ‘guests’.

>>4622669
>[Surly] “Tomas, for the last time, it’s Tristan.” The stand-offish hedge wizard turned chemist you hired on in Port Josiah is capable, but his excessive familiarity is starting to grate a little. He’s almost certainly coming up to gossip about your ‘guests’.

>>4622669
>[Surly] “Tomas, for the last time, it’s Tristan.” The stand-offish hedge wizard turned chemist you hired on in Port Josiah is capable, but his excessive familiarity is starting to grate a little. He’s almost certainly coming up to gossip about your ‘guests’.

Always bet on wizards

>>4622712
>>4622733
>>4622736

Pretty clearly in favour of talking to your local Magic Man. Called and writing.

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>>4622712
>>4622733
>>4622736

>[Surly} Trait revealed! Tristan is generally withdrawn and sullen when dealing with strangers. Sometimes it’s useful, but others may find it annoying to deal with.

“Tomas, for the last time, it’s Tristan.” The hedge wizard you hired on in Port Josiah seemed like an affable enough fellow, but he has an excess of familiarity for someone you found casting yarrow sticks and reading the fortunes of fishmongers in the marketplace. It’s honestly starting to grate a little, even if your father’s house magus was always polite and minded his manners.

Tilting his head up at you and lifting his wide-brimmed hat, Tomas breaks into a sunny smile as if you were in on a joke between long-time friends. “Of course Tristan, my honest mistake. Forgive an old man, Colin has been acting all sorts of ornery today, so I forgot entirely how much you hate it when I shorten your name. Can you ever forgive his doddering old todger?”

Glancing over at his donkey, you see that it has wandered off into the ditch, nosing around for sweet clover. Staring at the brown and white beast of burden, Tomas keeps rattling on as you simply nod. “I swear, he’s still cranky about turning him into an ass. Served that little bugger right for making fun of my beard.”

“Tomas, you and I both know that if you turned a little boy into a donkey, he would’ve changed back by now. It’s not funny, and is bound to cause a scene when we roll up into some hick village and they take you at your word. I’d hate to fish you out of a drowning chair.”

He just laughs in that creaky, rusted-out-tuba manner, as he packs his pipe again. Lighting it with a snap of his fingers, he follows up with, “I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time I was chased out of town by a mob. You’d think letting the village reeve know that he was going to have a healthy young boy, strong of back and a head of thick red hair was a chance for joyous celebration! How was I supposed to know neither he nor his wife had a history of redheads?”

Sighing again as he grabs Colin’s reins and leads him back in line with the wagon, you respond “What did you want Tomas? I know it gets boring on the road, especially just with Colin for talking to. Otherwise, you'd be chatting up Snorri or Miguel, rather then trying to distract Johnnie into missing his turn.”

[1/2]

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>>4622864

Grinning a toothy, slightly yellowed smile, Tomas’ faded green eyes twinkle as he pulls up alongside you. “Why Tristan, my dear chum, I just had a quick question for you. What do you think of the fine people attached to this magnificent caravan?” You know he isn’t going to go away until you satisfy his curiousity. Wizards, if they weren’t so useful to have, you’d rather just have a chemist. Unfortunately, Tomas doubles as both for a moderate price, so it’ll have to do for now.

>”The pilgrims are fine enough, if a little sombre. Strange for Kalimdorites, but it is getting to that season, I suppose”. Gain the [Pilgrimage] passengers. High in numbers, they are on the return trip to the Orthodoxy, and paid well to join up for protection. Shame that a lot of them are on foot and slowing you down, but beggars can’t be choosers.

>”The troupe is keeping up alright. I must admit, their sword-swallower is something else.” Gain the [Entertainment Troupe] passengers. High in morale, they are on the road to a patron along the route, and joined on for company on the road. They might turn a side profit in a few of the burghs, but it’s been annoying have to sleep outside of the town walls.

>”The Sergeant is a bit coarse, but he’s been keeping his men in line. Rather short for an Orc however.” Gain the [Royal Engineers] passengers. They can hold their own in a fight, and they’ve been useful clearing a few obstacles. You’re not looking forward to explaining them away to foreign soldiers though, the last war left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouths.

>[Write-in]

>>4622868
>”The troupe is keeping up alright. I must admit, their sword-swallower is something else.” Gain the [Entertainment Troupe] passengers. High in morale, they are on the road to a patron along the route, and joined on for company on the road. They might turn a side profit in a few of the burghs, but it’s been annoying have to sleep outside of the town walls.
The circus is in town?

>>4622868
>>”The troupe is keeping up alright. I must admit, their sword-swallower is something else.” Gain the [Entertainment Troupe] passengers. High in morale, they are on the road to a patron along the route, and joined on for company on the road. They might turn a side profit in a few of the burghs, but it’s been annoying have to sleep outside of the town walls.

>>4622874
>>4622916

>but mummy, the circus is town!
>stay away from them, they probably have some filthy foreign disease.

Called and writing.

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>>4622874
>>4622916

>Gained the [Entertainment Troupe] as passengers. They can probably bring in some spare coin, and morale is always higher when you have jugglers and poets around. Villages generally don’t like them in the walls though.

“The troupe is following along alright. That gaudy wagon of theirs is surprisingly sturdy, and that sword swallower is something else. Do you think he uses a retracting blade?”

Tomas pulls another drag off his pipe before responding pensively, “Mmm, no, I don’t think so. You’d notice the collapsing mechanism, and the hilt is too short to make much of a difference. You know, he winked at me and smeared mustard on it when I asked. Said it makes it more palatable.”

Shaking your head, you wonder again at why you agreed to allow Victor Sparrow’s troupe sign on. He offered a substantial up-front cost, and said that he’d even be willing to provide a share of the earnings they get along the way in exchange for your guard’s protection. Admittedly, the man was very persuasive, and the thought of having a way to meet with his patron could be of benefit to your family. OF course, that was before you kept getting consistently barred from town limits after dark. The second time your group was blamed for missing livestock was grating too, even if they found the blasted pig rooting around in the neighbour’s orchard.

“Still though, that Victor chap who runs the show seems decent enough. No holes in his hose, and a healthy shine on his buckles. Must be popular among his patrons, eh?” Tomas says with a side-eye, and that little lilt in his tone that you’re starting to identify when he’s starting to get nosy.

“I don’t know, he never said. At least this Baron Whateley that he mentioned isn’t a made-up name. I recognized it from some prior ledgers back at home before we left. Has a burgeoning market for wines and furs.” It’s better to toss Tomas a scrap or two now, otherwise he’ll be prying and snooping for the better part of the day instead of keeping his eyes on the road.

“Mmm, really now. I never heard of him, but then again, I’m more of a ‘spiritual’ inclination myself.” he says, waggling his eyebrows before fetching a copper-chased flask out of his robe. Taking a dram from it, he sighs happily, before extending it to you. You wave it off, and he tilts his head slightly. “Hmm, never knew a Stonyfield who turns down good liquor before.”

“Aye, and I’d rather not go onto a funeral barge early on a river of beer and wine,” you respond levelly. Besides, you were never one for alcohol, not when there were other options on the table.

[1/2]

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>>4623056

Being on the road causes bad habits and vices among even the most pious of people if you’re on them long enough. Which is the most prominent of Tristan’s?

>[Tabac Fiend] Whether it’s smoking high-class cigars, taking a pinch of snuff from an ornate snuffbox, or the nasty cigarillos and shredded leaves chewed by the drovers, you love the rush of nicotine. You made sure to bring a barrel of the good stuff with you before leaving Port Josiah, since it’s hard to find good tabac on the road.

>[Lecher] You have a fondness for the ladies, and have a hard time sleeping in a cold bed alone. You don’t mind paying for it if need be, but the company of the fairer sex is a treat to be relished. Of course, a reputation like that has a tendency to go around with it...

>[Gambler] You’re not as bad as your brother Jer, but the rattle of dice in tumblers or the shuffling of cards gets your blood moving. Even if it’s something as simple as watching a horse race or a rat-coursing event in a barn, if there’s money on the line, you’ll be there at some point.

>[Other] Write-in another vice, with the exception of [Alcoholic]. Too many of your relatives have drank themselves to an early grave, and Tristan will be damned if he follows suit.

Keep in mind that just because you have a vice or weakness to certain practices or materials, it doesn’t always come into play. This is merely the most prominent one for Tristan, and the one he tries to indulge in when stressed out or looking for a good time.

[2/2]

>>4623059
>>[Lecher] You have a fondness for the ladies, and have a hard time sleeping in a cold bed alone. You don’t mind paying for it if need be, but the company of the fairer sex is a treat to be relished. Of course, a reputation like that has a tendency to go around with it...

>>4623059
>[Tabac Fiend] Whether it’s smoking high-class cigars, taking a pinch of snuff from an ornate snuffbox, or the nasty cigarillos and shredded leaves chewed by the drovers, you love the rush of nicotine. You made sure to bring a barrel of the good stuff with you before leaving Port Josiah, since it’s hard to find good tabac on the road.
I feel like this is the least done and also coolest

>>4623059
>>[Tabac Fiend] Whether it’s smoking high-class cigars, taking a pinch of snuff from an ornate snuffbox, or the nasty cigarillos and shredded leaves chewed by the drovers, you love the rush of nicotine. You made sure to bring a barrel of the good stuff with you before leaving Port Josiah, since it’s hard to find good tabac on the road.

>>4623064

>eh bb, wan sum fuk?

>>4623066
>>4623083

>the surgeon-general's a pussy

Called and writing.

>>4623064
>[Lecher]

>>4623066
>>4623083
>[Tabac Fiend]

>Gained the Vice [Tabac Fiend]! You enjoy the rush from nicotine, whether high-class cigars or the harsh coffin nails the drovers use. It may be considered a dirty or low-class habit by some, but it keeps the biting insects away on the road.

Tomas takes another swig before tucking it back into his robe as you roll another cigarillo on your knee. The leaves from your private barrel are still quite fresh, and it rolls up nicely into a thin one for later. “Aye, I suppose so. Still a bit weird to see one smoke away like he found it sleeping with his wife though.”

Shaking you head, you set the thin cigar into a case with four more prepared. Tabac is a bit coarse of a habit, but at least it doesn’t make you stumble around, slurring about how much you hate your lord. A pinch of snuff didn’t cause your cousin to ride her horse after a long night of carousing, only to fall off into the river and wash up downstream three days later, pale and dirty river water running from her nose. Besides, it keeps the mosquitoes off your back, and helps the day pass during the dull stretches.

“Talk about my hatred for a bundle of dry leave’s desire for cuckoldry aside, did you have anything else you wanted to bring up Tomas? I know you’ll be busy enough when we get to town, a diviner is always in high demand among the smallfolk.”

He smiles his yellowed, sly grin again. “Ah yes, the requests for their love-life’s future, or if I can trace their missing sow. Maybe even a dousing session for a new well? No no, that was all Tristan. By the way, have you seen the way their knife thrower practiced earlier? It’s a sight to behold for sure.”

“If by that, you mean the costume while she throws, I suppose. I know Snorri thought it was rather in poor taste. At least, that’s what I gathered in-between the gripes about her shoddy technique.”

Tomas just laughs again as he waves, and turns back to the rest of the wagons. No doubt looking for Snorri on her mule so that he can bother her with this new bit of gossip. Shaking your head, you’re broken out of your reverie by Johnny. “Messir Stonyfield, Angelsfield is coming into sight around the bend.”

Clapping him on the shoulder, you give a grunt of acknowledgement before leaning back against the seat. “Give me a nudge when we come up to the Black Dog.”

“Aye Messir Stonyfield.”

~~~~~~~~~~

It’s another half an hour before you pull up the wagons at the outskirts of Angelsfield. The Black Dog Inn is a three-story building, stone walls on the first floor with wood and whitewash on the upper floors. Hopping down from the wagon as Johnny goes to dress down the oxen among the sounds of drovers alternating between swearing and talking to their charges, you brush some road dust off before opening the main doors. A rush of fragrant air flows out, hints of cinnamon mixing with the smell of roasting apples.

[1/2]

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>>4623157

There’s a man a little older than you, hair cut short and beard on chin, standing at the counter. Seeing you walk in, he nods his head in greeting before speaking up. “G’day, and welcome to the Black Dog Inn, finest tavern in all of Angelsfield. Gustav Jacobson, at your service.” A quick cursory inspection tells you that he’s probably not lying, it seems well put together.

“Good morning Mr. Jacobson, Tristan Stonyfield. I’m looking to find lodgings for myself and others from my caravan. Do you have stables, feed, and the like for a couple of days? We’ll be here for a few to relax the oxen, and perhaps sell on some of our services and wares.”

“Aye Messir Stonyfield, we still have room in the inn and stables for most. Space is a bit tight right now, since the summer’s market is in town. Lots of fine merchants and craftsmen come in to sell wares and look for apprentices.” He doesn’t say it out loud, but you know that he’s implying that the price is likely going to be higher than usual. A glance at the prices on the board looking suspiciously newly painted confirms it.

The rates are a bit more expensive than the last time you stayed here around a year and a half ago. It was wintertime however, and rates might have been lowered for then. It’s not terribly much more though.

>How do you choose to bargain with him over the prices for lodging?

>[Shrewd] “Come on Gustav, you and I both know that it’s a mark-up here. Cut me a deal on this, and I’ll give you a bit of a discount on some of the wine in our wagons. One hand washes the other, eh?” Attempt to lower the price by offering a deal on some of your excess Goods in the caravan. Roll required.

>[Gregarious] “Of course my good friend. A fair rate for fair lodgings, right? I mean, we could always just rest in the wagons again tonight of course, but I know the men wouldn’t mind something other than floorboards under their backs.” Attempt to lower price by appealing to his greed, and your own personal charm. Roll required.

>[Direct] “I’m sure that the price was lower the last time I was here. Either I pay what it was, or we move on to another inn. There are bound to be others available.” Attempt to lower the price by intimidating him and rudeness. Roll required.

>[Write-in]

After the votes are locked in, there’ll be two rolls of 1d100 to see if you can score a better rate on your lodgings while in Angelsfield.

[2/2]

>>4623159
>>[Gregarious] “Of course my good friend. A fair rate for fair lodgings, right? I mean, we could always just rest in the wagons again tonight of course, but I know the men wouldn’t mind something other than floorboards under their backs.” Attempt to lower price by appealing to his greed, and your own personal charm. Roll required.
I like the idea of our guy being crabby except when he's trying to get something from someone else.

>>4623159

>[Shrewd] “Come on Gustav, you and I both know that it’s a mark-up here. Cut me a deal on this, and I’ll give you a bit of a discount on some of the wine in our wagons. One hand washes the other, eh?” Attempt to lower the price by offering a deal on some of your excess Goods in the caravan. Roll required.

They’re always miserable drunks aren’t they?

>>4623164

>[Gregarious]

>>4623172

>[Shrewd]

If there isn't a tie-breaker in the next 20 minutes or so, I'll roll for it so we can get moving on.

>>4623159
>>[Gregarious] “Of course my good friend. A fair rate for fair lodgings, right? I mean, we could always just rest in the wagons again tonight of course, but I know the men wouldn’t mind something other than floorboards under their backs.” Attempt to lower price by appealing to his greed, and your own personal charm. Roll required.

>>4623164
>>4623215

>nah bro, s'all good, I'll just sleep outside with the oxen instead of staying here.

>>4623172

>c'mon bro, cut me some slack, I'll cut you some slack, ya feel me?

>Roll Required! Target DC is 55 [45 base, +5 for Gregarious, +5 for taking advantage of the fact he seems to have less clientele than his competition.]

As a reminder, this quest is Bo2, roll under with degrees of success. Lower numbers are better. You do currently have one Luck re-roll that can be used to re-roll this for a better result, but it's unlikely to replenish during the timeframe that you'll be staying in Angelsfield for. In addition, you have one charge of FATE, but when it's burnt, it's gone for good. The pastebin going more in depth about the re-roll mechanics is here. https://pastebin.com/uJ1WpYNQ

>>4623222

>forgot my trip twice in a row.

Ah, I see it's going off to a roaring start.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>4623222

Going to have to turn it in tonight, because I've got to be up and driving vehicles for most of the day. I'll write up the update and start posting by 01:30 UCT again tomorrow. Have a good one, and take care out there.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4623222

>>4623222
Rolled 54 (1d100)


What does Bo2 mean?

>>4623222

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>4623258
>>4623272

>Target Value is 55. Best roll is 11. Beat Target Value by 44 points. GREAT SUCCESS!

>>4623273

Bo2 is Best of Two. Ran a Best of Three on the last quest, and wasn't really satisfied with the results.

>>4623284

Ok I’m a dumbass who’s new to this but, Best of 2 of what?

>>4623286
dice rolls

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>>4623258
>>4623272

>Target Value is 55. Best roll is 11. Beat Target Value by 44 points. GREAT SUCCESS!

>Tristan gains the [Gregarious] Trait! When it comes to matters of money or business, you’re more than capable of turning up the charm for a sale, overcoming your naturally surly manner. Honey attracts more flies to the trap than vinegar after all.

Mentally cracking your knuckles and rolling your shoulders, you plaster on your no.3 smile and tilt your head slightly in a rakish manner. It’s always annoying to put up the facade, but experience dealing with customers and buyers has taught you much in the way of dissembling quickly. “Of course, my good friend. A fair rate for fair lodgings, right? I mean, we could always just rest in the wagons again tonight of course, but I know the men wouldn’t mind something other than floorboards under their backs.” If you were less focused on Gustav’s face, you wouldn’t have noticed the faint wince when you mention sleeping in the wagon instead. Aha.

“Of course, you’d never find a more accommodating or friendly bar than the Black Dog. Why, the apple cider and roast pheasant bring people back all the time.” he recovers, a faint puff to his chest now.

“Really? Well then, it must be positively to die for. After all, if it wasn’t the place would be practically empty, right?” you remark, picking up another subtle wince.

“R-right you are there Messir. Tell you what, I’ll get some brought out from the back, just so you can try it yourself.” Gustav walks back, presumably to the kitcheon. While he’s away, you look out the window towards the stables. It looks bare of animals, with only an elderly goat in a stall, chewing it’s cud solemnly. Gustav ambles back out, and taps one of the kegs, pouring amber liquid into a mug. Someone less acquainted with alcohol shipping than yourself wouldn’t pick up the slow flow of a nearly empty keg. The innkeeper sets the mug in front of you.

You take a sip of it, inwardly grimacing at its bite. Yep, that’s cider all right. Passable, if a bit sour. “Gustav, I’ll be frank with you. That rate is a bit on the steep side. I mean, business is business, but the only thing worse than slow business is no business, correct?”

“I mean, no offence messir, but I feel that the rates themselves are honestly a bit lower than everyone else in town.”

Seizing on the opening, you verbally pounce. “Really? If that’s the case, why is there only the one goat in your stable? I’d expect a thriving inn to be packed to the gills, what with the market in town.” You catch him flicking his eyes over to it, but he manages to maintain composure.

“Look Messir, if you’re a proper caravan, I may be able to swing a bulk rate for rooms and board. Call it a gesture of good-will, yes?” He smiles shakily, a thin bit of sweat trickling downwards from his hairline.

[1/2]

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>>4624081

You merely laugh out loud and take another heavy swig from the mug. Eeugh. “Why, that would be a delight to hear Mr Jacobson. If I’m being honest with you,” you lower the tone of your voice and lean in conspiratorially, “The men have a frightful appetite, and you may be hard-pressed to keep the mugs filled tonight.” You practically hear the creak of turning wheels in his head as you both narrow down a price for the next 3 days.

>Gained acceptable lodgings for your group at the Black Dog Inn at a reasonable rate! Gained a private room that you can use for dealings while in Angelsfield.

After finishing the remainder of the thin cider and a rather well-seasoned pheasant, you go back outside to the sound of carters and drovers getting the assorted livestock into the stables. It looks like Victor Sparrow’s troupe is setting up a stage nearby for performing a few shows. As well you can hear the whoosh of Miguel’s bellows stoking up the forge, and the dulcet tones of Snorri swearing at the guards.

>If Miguel’s set up his portable forge, now is as good a time as any to talk to him. He’ll be too busy fixing horseshoes and avoiding the kicks of ill-tempered nags to chat much later.

>Listening to Snorri argue and yell at people is usually entertaining, so long as it’s not directed at you. Her breadth of cursewords is quite the shock to people the first time around.

>You should probably talk to Victor about if he wants you to mention the troupe while you’re shopping around the market later today. May as well see if you can get a better read on the man.

>Write-in?

[2/2]

>>4624083
>>If Miguel’s set up his portable forge, now is as good a time as any to talk to him. He’ll be too busy fixing horseshoes and avoiding the kicks of ill-tempered nags to chat much later.

>>4624092

>talk to your resident forge-monkey

Called and writing.

>>4624092
[Miguel]

Taking a swig of water to wash the taste of cider out of your mouth, you spit it out discreetly into the clay spittoon by the entrance. Wiping your lips, you make for the wagons to pass on the good news. Passing by one of the guards Jared? Gareth? Jareth? Whatever..., you tell him to spread the word about the rooms for everyone. A quick nod as he starts to go among the others, and you decide to head over to where Miguel is setting up his forge. He’ll have no shortage of business soon enough.

Seeing the swarthy Meyard man work the bellows across the way, you amble on over. His anvil was already set upright on a log, and the coals are starting to glow in the basin. Taking a moment to adjust his orange bandana, he’s in the process of moving a blank horseshoe over to heat when you clear your throat. He twitches, and nearly drops the shoe on his foot. Whirling around with his poker in hand, Miguel sags slightly when he notices it’s you.

“Messir Stonyfield, you damn near scared the hell out of me! I swear, it took forever to get these coals to co-operate today.”

You cut him off with a wave of the hand. “It’s all good Miguel. I thought I’d pass on the news that we’re sleeping at the inn tonight, so you don’t have to pitch your tent. My treat.”

He beams at that, and performs a neat little bow. “Thanks a lot for that Tristan.” You mentally ignore that, a dwarven-trained smith at his rate is worth the occasional informality as he prattles on. “It’ll be nice sleeping on a straw pallet instead of a bedroll on the ground. You know, that last night, I spent nearly fifteen minutes knocking down shrubs and I still managed to pitch it over a bloody stump.”

“Agreed, having warm food that isn’t pottage or stew is a pleasant change of place. May as well take it when we can.” Glancing at him setting up blanks and taking out a small hammer, you decide to chime in again. “How’s Isabel and Juan’s hooves handling the trail?”

He grunts non-committedly as he fishes out a handful of nails. “Oh, they’re handling it well enough. IT’s not like it’s the fir time we’ve been on the highway, although it was a bit of a shock when I saw the Gem Road for the first time. You know, I always thought it was named after the traders, not the fact that it’s so bright. Never seen some of those shades of stone since I left on my journeymanship.”

[1/2]

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>>4624261

You just nod as he keeps rambling about types of rock. As you start to lose interest, you manage to pick out a question from the dross, “I mean, are we going by the Orthodoxy? I heard lots of good things about their sculptures with alabaster there.”

>”Yes, there’s supposed to a Choosing this year for the new Archbishop. It’s bound to be a good turn-out there.” The caravan is headed to the Orthodoxy of Kalim to trade. This is an opportunity to get in well with the Clergy, and set up for future routes.

>”No, it’s along the way, but we’ll probably hit it on the way back from the Kingsmoot.” The caravan is headed to the Jironth Clans, to trade at the Kingsmoot being held there. It’s not often that the Elven clans meet up, and it’s a good chance for exotic goods that will sell well in your homeland of Loria.

>”No, it’s too far out of the way from the Harade Plains. I don’t want to miss their Centennial.” The caravan is headed for the Haradeen Republic, to trade at the festival celebrating it’s Centennial. People are a bit leery about them still from the war, so it’s a good opportunity to get it before others are established.

[2/2]

>>4624264
>>”No, it’s along the way, but we’ll probably hit it on the way back from the Kingsmoot.” The caravan is headed to the Jironth Clans, to trade at the Kingsmoot being held there. It’s not often that the Elven clans meet up, and it’s a good chance for exotic goods that will sell well in your homeland of Loria.

>>4624264
>”No, it’s too far out of the way from the Harade Plains. I don’t want to miss their Centennial.” The caravan is headed for the Haradeen Republic, to trade at the festival celebrating it’s Centennial. People are a bit leery about them still from the war, so it’s a good opportunity to get it before others are established.
Makes sense to be bringing the circus along to a festival, eh?

>>4624278

>[Jironth Clans]

>>4624293

>[Haradeen Republic]

Giving it another 15 minutes for a tie-breaker, then will roll for it to break it if need be.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4624396

Rolling for it, with 1 for Jironth Clans, and 2 for Haradeen Republic.

>>4624278
>>4624420

>let's meet up with the new king of the knife-ears

>>4624293

>we've got a circus, they've got a festival, it's free real estate

Called and writing.

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>>4624278
>>4624420
>[Jironth Clans]

>>4624293
>[Haradeen Republic]

“No, it’s along the way, but we’ll probably hit it on the way back from the Kingsmoot. There’ll be a good market there for the furs and spices they love so much at Kalim, and it’ll be an experience. After all, it’s not everyday that you get to see a new High King of the Elves being crowned, eh?” You respond as you tamp down a bit of tabac into your pipe. As Miguel turns away to count his ingots, you use the tongs to lift out a coal and light it.

“No, it’ll be something to write Mother about for sure. I really want to see how they forge that bronze into such delicate shapes. It’ll be good to see some of those pieces up close, rather than on the other side of the display case.” When he sees you lighting a pipe, he frowns and coughs pointedly. “You know, that stuff is bad for the lungs.”

“Really Sooty? It can’t be much worse than the fumes coming off your forge,” you grumble back, puffing out a smoke ring into the air. You immediately send a smaller one through it as he mumbles something about blacklung being a miner’s issue, not one for a smith. Looking at the small collection of goods he’s setting out on display, a small polished bronze mirror catches your eye. Hmm, could use a shave today. Rubbing your jaw, lingering a little as your fingers hit the smooth patches from your duelist scars, you turn away from it and back towards Miguel.

“Don’t mind me asking so much Messir Stonyfield, and I know merchants don’t like talking too much about their cargo, but are you sure we’ll be alright with what you got packed up? I know the Clans are a fair ways away...” he trails off, the question dangling in the air.

>”Aye, that order of dried mangoes will keep well enough, and they always pay top rate for Lorian artwork.” You’ve loaded up heavily on White Market Goods, with a fair amount of Medium-grade Treasure. You’re comparatively low on Wealth, but there’s enough stops along the way for that to be a non-issue.

>”I got an in-line about some of their rites for Kingsmoot. A little goes a long way...” You’ve loaded up mostly White Market Goods, with some Grey Market goods and a large amount of Medium grade Treasure. You’ve got a fair amount of Wealth to spare, which you might need for tariffs if any customs agents give it more than a passing look over.

>”I mean, they do love their spices and tabac. Don’t open the crates up though, the damp will ruin them.” You’ve loaded up with with a large amount of Black Market Goods and Contraband hidden in your other Goods and Treasure. There’s a high risk travelling through Orthodoxy lands with this, but they will pay a very pretty penny for these there.

>Write-in?

>>4624483

So, here’s a brief run-down on how your Caravan’s value is calculated. It’s broken up into four main categories; Goods, Treasure, Wealth, and Profit.

Goods are tangible things, further broken-up into White Market, Grey Market, Black Market, and Contraband. They come in various forms as food, raw materials, consumables, weaponry, the whole nine yards. They generally have multiple uses, and can be exchanged via barter or sale. The big thing separating Goods over other forms of Value is that they’re in bulk. Prices differ depending on demand, supply, and rarity in the markets you’re selling in. As well, in order of legality, they go from White>Grey>Black>Contraband. If you're going heavy on the more quasi-legal materials, there's a good amount of profit, but you run the risk of seizure by authorities.

Treasure is more individual items of worth. Statuettes, jewelry, the occasional magical good, paintings are all considered Treasure. They generally have a high Value compared to their space and weight, but finding a buyer is a lot harder than selling off Goods or Wealth. They can either be very profitable, or a scam. After all, counterfeits are always a concern.

Wealth is raw coinage, and valuables. Whether it’s in the form of ducats, bars, rings, or gemstones, these have value among pretty much any civilized people. Using weights, scales, and touchstones to sniff out forgeries is a skill in it’s own, and it may have fluctuating value depending on the culture, but it’s reliably worth something.

Profit is mostly intangible value. Knowledge of trade routes, secrets, and news is a value all it’s own. After all, knowing that Meyard copper stopped flowing recently because of an earthquake damaging the mine’s roads is a tragedy, but getting ahead of it could give you the leg-up on your competition.

It’s handled more in depth in this pastebin for people who want a more through grasp of it. https://pastebin.com/6kC5LrwZ After the Caravan leaves Angelsfield, I’ll send up a paste with an inventory of all your Goods, Treasures, Wealth, and Profit.

>>4624483
>”I got an in-line about some of their rites for Kingsmoot. A little goes a long way...” You’ve loaded up mostly White Market Goods, with some Grey Market goods and a large amount of Medium grade Treasure. You’ve got a fair amount of Wealth to spare, which you might need for tariffs if any customs agents give it more than a passing look over.
Medium risk medium reward?

>>4624483
>>”I got an in-line about some of their rites for Kingsmoot. A little goes a long way...” You’ve loaded up mostly White Market Goods, with some Grey Market goods and a large amount of Medium grade Treasure. You’ve got a fair amount of Wealth to spare, which you might need for tariffs if any customs agents give it more than a passing look over.

>>4624503
>>4624505

>a nice healthy mix of trade goods, with nothing too untoward.

Called and writing, probably last post for tonight.

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>>4624483

>”I got an in-line about some of their rites for Kingsmoot. A little goes a long way...” You’ve loaded up mostly White Market Goods, with some Grey Market goods and a large amount of Medium grade Treasure. You’ve got a fair amount of Wealth to spare, which you might need for tariffs if any customs agents give it more than a passing look over.

Don’t want medieval TSA doing any cavity searches

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>>4624503
>>4624505

>Medium amount of risk

”I’ve got an in-line about some of their rites for Kingsmoot. A little goes a long way...” With that trailing end, you let Miguel fill in the blanks as he will. There’s nothing entirely illegal in you goods, but it’ll still rouse the more puritanical stops along the way. You’re definitely not looking forward to the ‘sin tax’ on tabac and Lorian brandy that you might expect in Orthodoxy lands. It’s part of why you’re skirting around it for now. That, and the large amount of religious statuettes might cause some questions.

“I suppose it’ll be alright enough. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and get our hands on some good ivory, eh? I know that the best tusks my master used for his knife handles came from Jironth lands.”

“Perhaps. Either way, I know for a fact we’ll get a good rate on that crate of nutmeg up there. It’d probably be enough to fill our coffers twice over alone.” As you finish this, you see one of the outriders I think that one’s Marcel lead his rouncey up to the forge.

“Eh Sooty, Buttercup here threw a shoe. Got it handy, but can ya get it dealt with?” The guard gives you a short salute, and Miguel stoops over to look at the horse’s hoof.

“Sorry Messir Stonyfield, but I’d better get this dealt with. Don’t want our eyes and ears to have no feet after all.” You just respond to Miguel by tapping out the ashes from your pipe and waving before walking over to your wagon.

Climbing up into it, you set aside the scales and weights, and consult your ledgers. You’re doing fair well on your expenditures, and update it with the amount you’ve paid for the accommodations. Still doing well enough. Might have to sell a firkin or two of the brandy here to get a bit more comfortable. Gustav might give a decent rate, but it doesn’t hurt to shop around. Nodding, you re-lock your chest and hop back down. Signalling a guard, you step off into the town’s limits.

~~~~~~~~~~~

You can tell that it’s definitely market days from the sounds of bleating goats and loud voices from the direction of the square. You walk that way, pausing for a moment when you hear the sounds of a Kalimdorite preacher telling one of the Songs along the way.

“...And lo, when Merakash threw his eyes into the sky, Kalimdor roused the seven winds from the bush where he lay in wait. A gale arose, blowing Merakash’s burning eyes into the river, where Pike snapped them up. Lo, Merakash howled in fury, shattering boulders and flattening trees like straws. Though he raged for seven days and nights, his eyes passed through Pike’s guts, and thus fell beyond his reach of this world...”

[1/2]

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>>4624638

The myth of how the maimed god of the mountains lost his sight. A cautionary tale, one that was drilled into your head by the tutors at the Liberte Gymnasium where you spent most of your youth. The preacher is selling it hard, and he’s on the verge of over-acting in some spots. Still though, he does have a bit of a gift in oratory.

>[Optimist] You’re not much of one when it comes to matters of faith, but you have a soft spot for the Kalimdorites. The fact that they prefer to spread it by song and story rather than lecture on the evils of the world helps.

>[Pragmatic] It’s a pretty story, but a story none the less. Even though you observe the rites and songs, at least enough to keep the worst of the god-botherers at bay, you’ve always been more concerned with the life on this side of the turf.

>[Pessimist] It’s a load of bunk. You know the words by heart alright, and by the grace of the seven winds did Pastor Rivers make sure of that. You have no fondness for the church or it’s adherents, even if you do your best to hide it. No point in stirring up the waters.

[2/2]

>>4624642
>[Pessimist] It’s a load of bunk. You know the words by heart alright, and by the grace of the seven winds did Pastor Rivers make sure of that. You have no fondness for the church or it’s adherents, even if you do your best to hide it. No point in stirring up the waters.
Sour bastard, ho! I'm also good with Pragmatist if you gotta break a tie

>>4624642

And that'll be it for tonight. The next session will start up on the 30th, at 01:30 UCT. If you have any questions or feedback, I'll probably check in a few times before then and respond, but probably won't have enough time for proper updates.

>>4624642

>[Pragmatic] It’s a pretty story, but a story none the less. Even though you observe the rites and songs, at least enough to keep the worst of the god-botherers at bay, you’ve always been more concerned with the life on this side of the turf.

Don’t want to be a heretic in Jerusalem!

>>4624642
>>[Pragmatic] It’s a pretty story, but a story none the less. Even though you observe the rites and songs, at least enough to keep the worst of the god-botherers at bay, you’ve always been more concerned with the life on this side of the turf.

>>4624642
>>[Optimist] You’re not much of one when it comes to matters of faith, but you have a soft spot for the Kalimdorites. The fact that they prefer to spread it by song and story rather than lecture on the evils of the world helps.

>>4624642
>[Optimist] You’re not much of one when it comes to matters of faith, but you have a soft spot for the Kalimdorites. The fact that they prefer to spread it by song and story rather than lecture on the evils of the world helps.

>>4624642
>[Pragmatic] It’s a pretty story, but a story none the less. Even though you observe the rites and songs, at least enough to keep the worst of the god-botherers at bay, you’ve always been more concerned with the life on this side of the turf.

>>4624642


>[Optimist] You’re not much of one when it comes to matters of faith, but you have a soft spot for the Kalimdorites. The fact that they prefer to spread it by song and story rather than lecture on the evils of the world helps.

>>4624642
>>[Pragmatic] It’s a pretty story, but a story none the less. Even though you observe the rites and songs, at least enough to keep the worst of the god-botherers at bay, you’ve always been more concerned with the life on this side of the turf.

>>4624646

>fuck them gods, never did anything for me

>>4624724
>>4624880
>>4625122
>>4625524

>look man, prophets could be more concerned with profits, amirite?

>>4625004
>>4625029
>>4625366

>aw yeah, give me some of that old-time religion my man

Called, and writing for Pragmatic.

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>>4624646
>[Pessimist]

>>4624724
>>4624880
>>4625122
>>4625524

>[Pragmatic]

>>4625004
>>4625029
>>4625366

>[Optimist]

>Gained [Pragmatic] trait! Tristan is less concerned with the morality of the actions he takes, and more concerned with the costs in personal capital and reputation of them. He is no stranger to hard actions, recognizing that it’s sometimes better to tell a white lie than a harsh truth.

It’s a pretty story, but a story nonetheless. If the Gods truly cared about the world and the people on it, they’ve been uncharacteristically silent over the centuries since the dragons stopped scouring the skies and leviathans in the oceans ceased dragging ships to their doom. Still, you observe the rites and sing the Songs of the faithful, even if your heart is not entirely in it. No sense jabbing your thumb in the eyes of the gods, clay or flesh, in case they decide to make an example of you. As the preacher rambles onwards to the forming of clay, and the punishments laid out by the vengeful god to Serpent and Coyote for aiding Kalimdor, you politely make your leave while the audience is enraptured. The work of man never ceases, and there’s plenty yet to be done.

As you walk towards the square with Marcel Pretty sure that’s right, he’s the one with a mole on his chin, you listen to the burgeoning sounds of commerce. You catch a glimpse of Tomas working his trade, his heavily embroidered diviners circle laid out on a wood folding table. It looks like he’s doing a brisk business, currently reading the palm of a middle-aged woman. It’s one of the more simpler divinations he told you about, very vague in outcome but the cheapest of the services he offers. Judging by her expression, he must be talking about her business prospects. There’s also one of the jugglers from Victor’s troupe, trying to drum up interest in tonight’s performance that’s to be hold outside the Black Dog. The nimbleness of him sending down a melon and cutting it in half with a thrown blade seems to have gotten a smattering of applause from the proles.

As you turn away from your fellows from the caravan, you stop briefly at a huckster. A handful of dates and a heel of fresh bread with olive oil will help wash out the lingering sourness of the cider and greasiness of the pheasant from earlier. It takes true skill to make a lean game bird somehow as greasy as a duck. “Many thanks to ye Messir, and blessings of Kalimdor upon ye,” the young women graciously says as she takes your coppers with a winning smile. You merely nod, and let Marcel eat his fill while you chew on a date. The sweetness evaporates the last of the other flavours, while he scarfs down a slice with nearly indecent haste.

[1/2]

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>>4627036

“Is Snorri working you all hard again?” you ask as you watch him take a swig from his canteen at his hip to wash it down. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he replies, “Aye messir, double shifts of training. Said she didn’t want to see us getting fat while we’re in safe lands, so that we’re honed for the road ahead.”

You make a mental note to bring that up later tonight, as you make your way throughout the stalls set up. There’s a smattering of young men at one end of the square lined up, with tradesmen looking them over as if they were buying used horses. A jolly-looking fat man is hawking woolen crafts from a wooden stand, and an older woman selling herbal medicines at another section. She occasionally pauses to glare at Tomas, probably miffed that he’s providing competition for once. All in all, you ignore the small fry and make your way towards one of the bigger brokers.

>You move towards the potential apprentices, aiming to link up with some of the Guildsmen there. They’ll have a better idea of what some of your worked goods will go for in the Jironth Lowlands, as well as other jobs. Gain the [Lorian Guildsmen] trade contacts.

>You make your way over to the village smithy, gathering some info from the hangers-on. Smiths tend to be the centre of gossip, and you could use that information in the metal-poor districts in Jironth. Gain the [Steel and Powder Tradesmen] trade contacts.

>The hawkish looking man at the centre of a roving hub of labourers shifting barrels looks familiar. He’s probably one of the numerous middlemen that shifts Stonyfield products from the farms and vintners to the customers in the towns and cities. Gain the [Lorian Agriculture] trade contacts.

>Write-in?

All three options, among other aspects of trade and commerce, are parts of the Minor House that Tristan belongs to. This merely determines which parts of the House business that the Green Stonyfields, which is your branch, is in charge of. The Gray Stonyfields, the Trunk family, are the ones who run most of the House business, and the bastards you’re aiming to show up with this caravan.

[2/2]

>>4627039
>You make your way over to the village smithy, gathering some info from the hangers-on. Smiths tend to be the centre of gossip, and you could use that information in the metal-poor districts in Jironth. Gain the [Steel and Powder Tradesmen] trade contacts.

>>4627039
>The hawkish looking man at the centre of a roving hub of labourers shifting barrels looks familiar. He’s probably one of the numerous middlemen that shifts Stonyfield products from the farms and vintners to the customers in the towns and cities. Gain the [Lorian Agriculture] trade contacts.

>>4627039
>>You move towards the potential apprentices, aiming to link up with some of the Guildsmen there. They’ll have a better idea of what some of your worked goods will go for in the Jironth Lowlands, as well as other jobs. Gain the [Lorian Guildsmen] trade contacts.

>>4627088

[Steel and Trades]

>>4627095

[Lorian Agriculture]

>>4627107

[Lorian Guildsmen]

Looks like there is a three way tie. I'll give it 20 minutes for a tie-breaker vote, and will roll a 1d3 if it's still a tie by then to get this thing moving.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>4627125

Rolling for it. 1 is Steel and Powder, 2 is Lorian Agriculture, and 3 is Lorian Guildsmen.

>>4627088
>>4627142

>steel and gunpowder

>>4627095

>beer, tobacco, and everything else

>>4627107

>trade school is where the money's at

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>>4627088
>>4627142

>[Steel and Powder Tradesmen]

>>4627095

>[Lorian Agriculture]

>>4627107

>[Lorian Guildsmen]

>You gain contacts in the [Steel and Powder] trades. Your family has contacts up and down the Gem Road when it comes to the craft of weaponry and armour, both traditional and gunpowder.

Seeing the commotion over by the smithy, you move through the crowds over there. It was through your father’s contacts in the steel industry that you got Sooty at a decent retainer, and if there is any news about the shifting of ingots and weaponry, it’ll be near there.

As you head that way, you catch a snippet of conversation over the hammer-strikes. “...and those ruddy dwarves in the League have been putting a squeeze on good iron nowadays. The way they were trying to sell it, you’d think it was bars of solid gold instead of steel they were sending down the barges.” The conversation dies down slightly as you enter the smithy, the hanger’s-on clamming up in the present of a social better. You wave them on before setting down on a barrel.

“It’s all good friends, just came by to check out some of the wares here. Going to Elven lands soon you know, so may as well see if there’s something worth taking to the knife-ears.” The men around the forge seem to relax a little, but are still on edge until you break out your pipe and start packing it.

“Er, right. The little devils have even been marking up the rates on pig iron and coke too. I tells ya, it’s geting to the point where a bloke can barely make both ends meat, eh?” The group seems to have gone back to normal, at least as normal as expected when in the presence of someone important. It’s a bit more reserved, but you still pick up on dribs and drabs.

“Aye, the feckking Deeners have been buying up powder as fast as they can. Say it’s for their ‘Centennial’, but the Franciscan’s know better. They’re asking for way more than usual for fireworks, and you’d have to be a bloody idiot to not notice they’re making a stockpile.” This and more flows over the pounding of hammers on hot steel and anvils. As you nod along and pass along the occasional pipe or retort, the men slowly forget your presence and talk more freely.

>You now know that there’s a market for iron and steel closer to the coast near the Jironth Clans, and that gunpowder is at a premium in the immediate area.

[1/2]

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>>4627206

As the talk starts shifting back towards the hassles of bringing raw iron in from the mountains, you chime in, “So, are the clans planning on another raid anytime soon?”

There’s a bit of a hush as they process that you were still there. “I mean, they’re supposed to be choosing a new king soon, right? I imagine that he’d be in the market for good metal, the poor buggers have barely enough to make nails with.” The other men around the forge nod sagely as you puff on your pipe. While they start shifting focus back to minor matters of townie life, you slip back out with Marcel to the main throughfare. It was a stroke of luck that you decided to pack extra powder and spearheads for the road. It’ll be a bit of a hassle getting it through the Orthodoxy passes over the mountains, but one that you anticipated for.

As you enter back into the light of day from the gloom of the smithy, there’s a commotion at the edge of the square. It sounds like someone may have lost at a round of gambling, and judging by the fact that it’s Elvish swearing, your retainer may be at the centre of it.

>[Surly] Fuck this, you have better things to do than get in the mix with an elven dispute. You’d rather deal with her in the comfort of the Black Dog than the open air of the marketplace.

>[Gregarious] Catching Snorri before she makes her way to a tavern will make dealing with her easier. If you intervene early, there may not even be blood on the cobbles.

>[Pragmatic] Shift around the crowd. If a fight looks like it’s going to break out, try and place bets. You know your retainer is worth at least 3 times as much as any of the other plebs floating around in this three-horse town.

>Write-in?

[2/2]

>>4627208
>[Pragmatic] Shift around the crowd. If a fight looks like it’s going to break out, try and place bets. You know your retainer is worth at least 3 times as much as any of the other plebs floating around in this three-horse town.

>>4627208
>[Surly] Fuck this, you have better things to do than get in the mix with an elven dispute. You’d rather deal with her in the comfort of the Black Dog than the open air of the marketplace.

10-to-1 odds she sees as as we are trying to leave

>>4627212

>[Pragmatic]

>>4627215

[Surly]

Giving this another 20 minutes, then rolling to break the tie.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4627268

Rollling, with 1 being [Pragmatic], and 2 being [Surly]

>>4627215
>>4627291

>hey now, taking all bets

>>4627215

>none of my concern, let elves be elves

Called and writing.

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>>4627215
>>4627291

>[Pragmatic]

>>4627215

>[Surly]

Given the fact that Elves are a pretty uncommon sight in Loria, you get the feeling that it will almost certainly involve your bodyguard sent from home. Moving carefully around the edges of the crowd at the south end, you catch a glimpse of the two at the centre of the ring developing. Sadly, you are correct, in that one of the people involved was Snorri, and the other was a relatively young elf male, dressed in the slashed sleeves and tilted cap that supposes an Elvish swordsman. Looking closer though, his sabre seems slightly out of balance, and the stance he holds is not quite the coiled spring of a proper duelist, but the relaxed sag of a man who is familiar with swordplay, but has not yet drawn his blade in anger. The slight delay he will expect from waiting for a proper beginning of a duel will be his downfall in a true scrim.

His opponent across the way is, of course, Snorri. You don’t quite understand every word that’s being said, but ‘Goat’ and ‘sire’ passed in quick succession, with the occasional doubts of their lineage thrown in. A few crotch grabs from each other, and a variety of hand gestures flow from the two involved. You recognize the Five Fathers, bras d’honnoeur, as well as the Fig among the flurry of gestures flying between them. With a final jeer, pull on her eyelid, and crotch thrust, the male elf throws his hands up and walks away. Snorri hoots once while pumping her arm, and slaps the hand of Yeah, that’s Jared, I recognize the crooked nose of him next to her. As the crowd dies down and coin passes between fingers, a few of them fall into your own, you make you way over to the two of them standing by the dice cup.

“Oi Tris, yer would never believe it. That little bugger from Gerald Blue-Tooth’s clan thought he could step up to me and mine in a spar of dice. When I spanked his arse three times in a row, the lil bastard thought I were a cheating in it. If anything, we were using his dice, so if they were loaded, it would’ve been in his favour. He’s lucky I dinna split him from eggs to eyebrows, I swear on the three fathers,” Her soprano voice grates a bit as she flicks her dull blond hair over her shoulder. “Still though, if one of those sheep-bothering bastards wanted to step up, he should’ve known what was going on before going in all cock-sure and breeches down, begging to be taken advantage of.”

[1/2]

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>>4627349

Even though she is brash and prone to arguments when she has been drinking, the weathered elf has provided steady service to your family throughout the years. The rusty iron band around her left arm is proof of her commitment to you and yours, and is likely what started the argument entirely. You don’t know much about Jironthi traditions, but you know that she does tend to raise the ire of those who do not wear the bands. Rubbing your eyebrows, you debate on what to say.

>[Surly] “Look Snorri, I try my best to understand your pagan ways. Still, it’s a struggle if you purposely antagonize every bloody elf who just so happens to swear allegiance to a different lord.” Focus on trying to stop this dick-measuring contest in the future, even if she doesn’t happen to have one.

>[Gregarious] “You sure showed him how things are done on the mainland, eh? Still though, you probably could have handled it without the excessive rudeness.” Attempt to rein her in, if you’re going to elven lands, you don’t want her starting an argument with everyone who swears fealty to different kings.

>[Pragmatic] “So, that’s around 15 silver you made me today, given that he stormed off mid-insult. Either way though, did you really have to insinuate that his grandfather made a life-long habit of fornicating with the four-legged kind?” Use a bit of guile to attempt to lower the temperature, hoping that she takes the hint.

[2/2]

>>4627352
>[Gregarious] “You sure showed him how things are done on the mainland, eh? Still though, you probably could have handled it without the excessive rudeness.” Attempt to rein her in, if you’re going to elven lands, you don’t want her starting an argument with everyone who swears fealty to different kings.

>>4627352
>>[Gregarious] “You sure showed him how things are done on the mainland, eh? Still though, you probably could have handled it without the excessive rudeness.” Attempt to rein her in, if you’re going to elven lands, you don’t want her starting an argument with everyone who swears fealty to different kings.

>>4627363
>>4627375

>ye, you showed him what for. still tho, calm yer shit woman.

Called, and writing.

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>>4627363
>>4627375

>[Gregarious]

Running your hands through your hair and down to your neck, you just laugh at the absurdity before exclaiming ““You sure showed him how things are done on the mainland, eh? Still though, you probably could have handled it without the excessive rudeness,” capping it off by setting your hand on her shoulder. You know that she always gets annoyed at physical contact, and it’s worth it to see her struggle between flipping off your hand and basking in the praise given by you and the on-lookers.

She eventually just snorts, saying, “Yeah, probably could’ve handled it a wee bit better. Still though, couldn’t let it stand when he called me a slave, bound to human lords. Tweren’t my call to consign myself to you and yours.” Shrugging, she falls in on your right side, opposite Marcel, who quickly shifts over to the epitome of a stalwart guard. His stance is a bit on the weak side, begging for a hit to the back of the knees or stomach to bring him low, but you decide to let it rest for now. No point in letting the man get a dressing-down in the middle of the town square with witnesses all around.

“I suppose, but still. I’d rather you restrain yourself as we start entering Jironth lands. The last thing I need while negotiating trade agreements is you to decide to hip-toss some dignitary’s aide into a bonfire. That type of thing isn’t conducive to gaining their trust.” you say as you scan the streets, keeping an eye out for people with sticky fingers.

Snorri just puts her arms behind her head, yawning before answering “Yeah yeah, you dinna need to tell me twice. Just because I’ve spent the last fifty odd years in Stonyfield service doesn’t mean I forgot how to behave back home. At the very least, you should be thankful you have someone like me to teach you the intricacies of Elven culture.”

You just raise and eyebrow as you stare her back in the eyes, “You mean, I should readily tell some elf with a stick shoved up where the sun doesn’t shine that he is so low to the ground that worms have to bend over to spit on his feet?” Snorri at least has the decency to just turn away, ignoring the pointedness of your comment.

[1/2]

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>>4627425

As you inspect the quality of a few coils of hempen rope that is on for sale. Mediocre, I could’ve made better rope by twisting grass fibres half-drunk, Snorri pipes up with something that haas clearly been bothering her for a while. “Eh Tris, I gotta wonder. Are you sure that the lads we got are good enough for the task at hand?”

>”Look, I know you aren’t fond of the Silver Hand, but it was a damn good rate for the amount of men we got.” Your uncle Abe managed to swing a good contract with the Silver Hand, gaining a platoon of hardened mercenaries to guard your caravan. Gain [Silver Hand Mercenaries]. High Numbers, Moderate Equipment, Dubious Loyalty.

>”We managed to wring out as many of the House Guard as we were able. It’s not a lot, but we can trust them with our lives.” Your father managed to get more than a barebones amount of House Troops from the Trunk Branch. Gain [House Guard], Low Numbers, Moderate Equipment, Unquestioned Loyalty.

>”They’re not necessarily the most even-handed of soldiers, but Jer did his best to pull through.” Your older brother Jeremiah called in a few favours, and got a detachment of Port Josiah Marines to help guard the caravan. Gain [Port Josiah Marines], Moderate Numbers, Excellent Equipment, Reliable Loyalty.

[2/2]

>>4627426
>”We managed to wring out as many of the House Guard as we were able. It’s not a lot, but we can trust them with our lives.” Your father managed to get more than a barebones amount of House Troops from the Trunk Branch. Gain [House Guard], Low Numbers, Moderate Equipment, Unquestioned Loyalty.

>>4627428

>they ain't lots, but they know what'll happen if they come home without us

Called, and writing.

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>4627428

>Gained [House Guard]! Stalwart and proud, armed with fine halberds and crossbows, these men will see you home as if their lives depended on it. Given the nature of how Houses tend to treat caravans tht come back without their Scions, you know that they’d prefer to die to a man than return without you.

“We managed to wring out as many of the House Guard as we were able. It’s not a lot, but we can trust them with our lives.” You know that it took a substantial effort on Father’s part to get even the sixteen men you got from the Trunk. When he told you the financial burden they placed on him for it, you were lucky to have any teeth left from the grinding. Still, you can trust them with your life. The last Stonyfield men who came back without your cousin Kaspar regretted it for the remainder of their pitifully short lives. Granted, he was a Gray Stonyfield, but it wouldn’t do to have one of the family die on their watch, even if he was a Green Stonyfield.

Snorri just twists up her face like she chewed on a sour grape. “Aye, I know exactly how much we can trust the men. Still though, it’s just shy of two men for every wagon. Call me a nervous Nancy, but I’d be happier if we had more soldiers than oxen. I’d rather not have to rely on jugglers and strongmen to make up the difference when the metal meets the meat.”

This isn’t the first time you’ve had this conversation, and it’s getting more tiresome every time. If you had it your way, there’d be at least twice as many men watching over it. However, you didn’t trust the Silver Hand to be swayed by the next highest bidder, and the couple squads of Marines that Jer said he could have got for would have been more trouble than it’s worth. You’re already having a hard time being allowed in town limits with Victor’s troupe, let alone with you unleashing a scourge of hard-bitten men taking advantage of every opportunity they could get that won’t result in the bosun’s lash. You’ll just have to make due with what you’ve got, and if worse comes to pass, you might be able to scrounge together more muscle when you hit the passes through the mountains.

“Regardless Snorri, we’ve just got to make due with what we have. At the very least, we aren’t taking up the entire roadway, so we aren’t entirely a juicy target for every bandit looking for a score.” you blandly reply while inspecting hardtack on sale in front of a bakers. Looks okay, but better to act like there’s weevils in it if I go to purchase. I think we might be able to find some to play up as infested with a bit of sleight of hand. The next response from her snaps you out of your reverie.

[1/2]

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>>4627491

“Aye aye, gotta push with the dick ya got. Still, we might want to look at hiring on some mercs to fill out numbers before we hit the passes. If we get jumped, I’d rather some sellsword catches the first arrow than the lads I seen go from diapers to brigandines.” As she huffs and rubs her face resignedly, you catch a glimpse of the youngsters looking for an apprenticeship in the square. The afternoon is getting long in the tooth, and you see one young man left standing alone at edge of the square. Most of the journeymen have gone home, and you have a feeling that he was left over from the choosings. A quick glance shows no physical abnormality, but it’s hard to say.

>[Surly] You already have your hands full dealing with stubborn drovers, clowns from the troupe, and oxen. Let this youngster go home, to be a family man on a farm somewhere.

>[Gregarious] It was a struggle getting as many personnel as you could. The only personal servant you have available is Johnny, and you could use someone to clean your gear, and give him a break.

>[Pragmatic] You know that indentureships are valuable. If you talk to his father, you should be able to negotiate a contract heavily in your favour. After all, even if you aren’t part of a Grand Company, learning the mercantile or armed trades is a boon for a farmer’s son. (Roll Required)

>Write-in?

[2/2]

>>4627492
>[Pragmatic] You know that indentureships are valuable. If you talk to his father, you should be able to negotiate a contract heavily in your favour. After all, even if you aren’t part of a Grand Company, learning the mercantile or armed trades is a boon for a farmer’s son. (Roll Required)

>>4627492
>>[Pragmatic] You know that indentureships are valuable. If you talk to his father, you should be able to negotiate a contract heavily in your favour. After all, even if you aren’t part of a Grand Company, learning the mercantile or armed trades is a boon for a farmer’s son. (Roll Required)

>>4627495
>>4627517

>look, I could use your son, but cut me a deal mang.

>Roll required!

Target Value is 55 (35 Base for Unreasonable request, +5 for Social Better, +5 for Steady Work, +5 for Payment up Front, +5 for Only Person Interested at Market.)

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>4627544

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>4627544

>>4627546
>>4627547

>Best roll is a 36! NARROW SUCCESS!

Writing, unless either of you wish you to use your re-roll here.

>>4627548
Probably not but how many do we get?

>>4627549

As it stands right now, you currently have one re-roll, to be used at your discretion from your Lucky Charm. Pretty much everyone who has ventured on the highways and by-ways of this fair land keeps at least one lucky charm on their person. Many put their faith in the gods, but a little bit of luck never hurt no-one.

As fair as re-roll mechanics work for people who didn't want to read through the Words Words Words of the pastebin here https://pastebin.com/uJ1WpYNQ , you can choose to use a re-roll on any dice result that is not a double or a crit. Doubles can be affected by burning your re-roll for good, but crit-fails or opposing crit-successes can only only be opposed by burning your FATE. Re-rolls can be gained through actions or artifacts, but opportunities to renew FATE are rare and far between. You may have any number of re-rolls, but you can only hold one charge of FATE at any given time. Considering how devastating a crit-fail is in combat or bargaining, it's best not to burn FATE unless it's a matter of dire urgency

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>>4627495
>>4627517
>[Pragmatic]

>Roll required! TV is 55!

>>4627546
>>4627547

>Best roll is a 36! NARROW SUCCESS!

Seeing the young man standing alone at the edge of the square, a few thoughts percolate in your head. Johnny is a fine enough man, but it’d be nice to have someone else to scour rust off your breastplate and sallet. If you offer a contract with cash up front, the old man should cave right away, considering that the sun is starting to go down already. Making up you mind, you walk over to the lad standing at the edge of the square.

As you approach, you notice the old man start standing a wee bit taller in his boots, giving a not-so-subtle nudge to his son. By the time you close the distance, he’s practically floating from his puffed-up chest.

“Good afternoon Messir,” the father says in a booming baritone, sounding like he was offering his prime bull rather than a young gelding. “I see that you are a man of exceptional taste, who could use a great apprentice like my Nathaniel here.” He blathers on a while longer, telling of his skill with a hoe and scythe, and how he worked on the family wheat farm ever since he was a bairn. As the old man’s words wash over your head like a waterfall, you casually look over the boy. Ears sticking out a bit, but he has the makings of broad shoulders. Not quite showing hairs yet, but you’d peg him at around 13 summers, young enough to take direction, old enough to not be a dullard.

Cutting off the father in mid-diatribe about his skill at animal husbandry, you chime in with “Has he any skill with arms and armour? We could always use more men-at-arms in the House guard.” The moment the words left your mouth, you see the old man shift gears to try and sell you on his son. “Of course Messir, my boy has helped me quite a bit with the odd bit of hunting. He’s a bit better at flushing out the game, but he’s still got the makings of a dead-eye with the bow.” Glancing over at the boy, you see his rather prominent Adam’s apple bob up and down at the old man’s sales talk. It’s a damnable lie, but one that you will likely not be able to gain much ground on.

Listening to the father’s talk you eventually bargain him down to a decent retainer. He probably got a bit more out of you than you would like, but if you have a servant to take care of your arms and armour so that Johnny can focus on directing the wagon and oxen, it’s money well spent. Turning over the smattering of silver to his father, you can see the greed glimmer in his eyes. You probably could have got a better rate, but what’s done is done.
>Spent .2 Wealth! Gained [Indentured Servant]! You currently have two personal servants, so you no longer incur penalties on maintaining your arms and armour, and you do not have to spend actions to maintain gear or direct the Caravan.

[1/2]

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>>4627572

Taking the young lad with you, Kyle, that right , eventually you make your way back to the Black Dog Inn. When you enter the circle of wagons waiting outside, you track down Johnny and direct Kyle to work with him, so that he can learn the trades at hand. Taking the precious time to relax slightly, you debate on how to spend the evening.

>[Surly] This day has had enough action for you. You’d rather curl up in your room, avoiding the crush of people suddenly interested in the Black Dog once they found out they had new performers available.

>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

>[Pragmatic] You’ll gather up the important people from your group, and have a quick discussion about the trials ahead in your private room. Calls up Snorri, Miguel, Tomas and Victor to discuss plans of travel.

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

This will be the last update for today. The next one will be on February 1st, at 01:30 UCT. Might answer some feedback between now and then, but I do have to sleep sometime.

>>4627574
>>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

Networking

>>4627574

>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

Just realized that I fucked up Nathaniel's name as Kyle in the post immediately following it. Probably going to stick with it as Tristan not exactly caring what the names of the lower classes are when he makes a mistake.

>I don't know why Messir Stonyfield calls me Kyle. Pretty sure me da made a point of telling him I'm Nathaniel.
>Don't worry about it lad, the Messir messes up everybody's name. Hell, Jared there got out of a flogging by blaming it on a Gareth. We don't even have a Gareth in the caravan.
>Bleeding hell, he kept calling me Marcel in town, even though my name's Marcus. Marcel got paid more though, so I don't mind too much. A couple spare silver here and there adds up, y'know.

>>4627574
>>[Pragmatic] You’ll gather up the important people from your group, and have a quick discussion about the trials ahead in your private room. Calls up Snorri, Miguel, Tomas and Victor to discuss plans of travel.

>>4627574
>[Pragmatic] You’ll gather up the important people from your group, and have a quick discussion about the trials ahead in your private room. Calls up Snorri, Miguel, Tomas and Victor to discuss plans of travel.

>>4627574
>[Pragmatic] You’ll gather up the important people from your group, and have a quick discussion about the trials ahead in your private room. Calls up Snorri, Miguel, Tomas and Victor to discuss plans of travel.

>>4627602
Nice.
>[Surly] You said your name's what? It doesn't matter what your name is, it's what you can do that counts.

>>4627574
>>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

>>4627574
>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

>>4627574

>[Write-In] Go to the Innkeeper again, bottle of wine in hand, and ask him about some of the more, shall we say, influential people around here—rather get some information directly than take a chance at meeting someone potentially dangerous in a drunken stupor

>>4627602
Heh.
>[Pragmatic] You’ll gather up the important people from your group, and have a quick discussion about the trials ahead in your private room. Calls up Snorri, Miguel, Tomas and Victor to discuss plans of travel.

>>4627574
>[Gregarious] Time to bite the bullet, and share in a night of revelry. It’ll be a bloody headache maintaining a pleasant demeanour throughout the night, but it’ll be worth it. Hopefully.

>>4627576
>>4627598
>>4628275
>>4628413
>>4629580

>wine and dine with the common people

>>4627664
>>4627673
>>4627973
>>4628900

>better make sure everyone's on the same page

>>4628727

>give the squeaky wheel some grease for intel.

Called, and writing for [Gregarious], adding in the write-in where it makes sense to.

>spent nearly 2.5 hours calculating abstract raw values of everything in the wagons, expected overhead cost, sensible travel times, and potential avenues for extra income while people keep trying to get my attention.

~Just QM things~.

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>>4627576
>>4627598
>>4628275
>>4628413
>>4629580

>[Gregarious]

>>4627664
>>4627673
>>4627973
>>4628900

>[Pragmatic]

>>4628727

>[Gregarious Write-in]

As you bring some of your clothing up to your private room on the top floor, you hear a cheer coming from outside. Looking out the window, you see the strongman from Victor’s troupe laying on the ground, his arms wrapped around the neck of one of the oxen. Arms bulging like cannonballs, it’s definitely a feat to throw a steer to the ground. It looks like the ox needed to be re-shod, and he took the opportunity to show off and drum up interest in the crowd. A couple of other men join in while it’s laying there, holding the steer down as Miguel goes to work on its hooves. God, when word of that goes around, it’s going to be practically unbearable here for the rest of the time in town.

Washing your face in the basin with cold water, you change out from your riding clothes, into the more moderate finery expected of a well-off merchant. Hopefully they keep their elbows to themselves on the floor tonight. Shifting around your rapier, dagger and pistol, you make sure that the pistol is unloaded and the rapier tied into it’s scabbard before walking down to the main floor. No need to cause more than expected strife among the clientele. The sour expression is slowly supplanted by the gentle amusement expected of you.

The empty interior of the tavern is now starting to crush in with people, either coming to gawk at the newcomers, or it’s regulars coming off their shift at work. It’s still a bit empty, but it’ll soon be picking up as word spreads in the town. Seeing Gustav start turning up the charm, you can tell he’s already thinking of the copper flowing, and his good fortune in letting you stay here. Catching his eye, you just jauntily wave, and he gives you a grateful nod by way of response. Maneuvering through the crowd, you pick out a path outdoors.

It looks the performer’s stage is ready for tonight’s festivities, and your guards are steering curious townies away from the other wagons. The sight of surly men in burnished plate and maille, halberds at the ready does enough to persuade the gawkers to move along. Climbing up into the wagon with the dry goods, you fish out a bottle of Stonyfield White to help grease the wheels. It’s still close enough to home that it’s not exceptionally valuable, but a bottle given is hardly a dent in your coffers. Bringing it out and passing your regards to the man watching the Goods Pretty sure that’s Marcus, the one who waxes his mustache, you enter back into the inn while Victor’s voice carries throughout the crowd.

[1/2]

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>>4630286

“Of course ladies and gentlemen, Calvin the Colossus is not our only attraction! As we speak, Noah the Man of Iron, is girding himself, preparing for the feats of endurance he’ll show. He will swallow a broadsword down to the hilt, with not a whiff of magic or trickery to be seen! Give him a round of applause!” The smattering of polite clapping and cheers are still noticeable inside, as you move closer to the bar, the patrons noticing the duelist scars and moving out of the way.

“Gustav, I’ll have a tumbler of whatever fruit juice you have available. No need to get started early, eh?” you jibe good-naturedly. He nods, and begins to pour a reddish liquid into a wooden mug. As Gustav passes it to you, Cranberry, a bit tart, but plenty good, you lift the bottle and place it onto the bar. “A gesture of good-will, from my house to yours.” He picks it up gingerly, reading seal on it. He looks back to you, a smile on his face.

“Many thanks Messir, but I think the troupe outdoors is plenty of good-will as it is. Still, a gift given in good faith is a pleasure for all, eh?” he cheerfully remarks, quoting one of the common tracts of the faith. You just casually play it off, ignoring the undercurrents of the tract that tends to slip away from others who have not been classically tutored in the faith. Sitting primly on the stool as he returns to taking orders from the crowd, you look over the masses, like a hawk watching the unaware chickens pecking in the henyard.

>[Surly] A few members of your caravan are setting up a couple games at a larger table. You could make your way into it, catching any rumours from the people gambling with them. Plus, you could always try your hand rolling the bones.

>[Gregarious] Sticking around the bar could give you some insights on who’s ordering what, and can give you a clue on the preferences of most of the clientele with spare money. Plus, you’d have a good view of the entrance for the people coming in.

>[Pragmatic] Retire to the second floor. This area seems to be where a lot of the meals here are taken, with booths and tables to spare. Getting a more private conversation will be easier without the sounds of rowdy drunks filling the air.

>[Write-in?]

All options taken with require a Roll, to see how much usable information you can get from your actions. I’ll include a rough estimate of your Goods, with a more detailed inventory in a pastebin.

[2/2]

>>4630288
>>[Pragmatic] Retire to the second floor. This area seems to be where a lot of the meals here are taken, with booths and tables to spare. Getting a more private conversation will be easier without the sounds of rowdy drunks filling the air.

>>4630288
>[Gregarious] Sticking around the bar could give you some insights on who’s ordering what, and can give you a clue on the preferences of most of the clientele with spare money. Plus, you’d have a good view of the entrance for the people coming in.

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Pastebin with in-depth Inventory, Overhead, Personnel, and Value of the caravan: https://pastebin.com/pb8GTem0

So, the main things to keep in mind is you need a minimum of 1,043 Value for you to break even for the current estimate of a 12-month round trip from Port Josiah to Jironthi and back, with around 200 Value to cover emergencies. To get a position with a Grand Company, given your competition and current House standing, you’ll need a total final Profit of 175% of what you started with (1825.25 Value) when you get back home to Port Josiah, with a higher Profit getting you a more prestigious position. Your total Value will fluctuate, depending on your location, deals, and the like. Most of your retainers, guards, and servants have received their contracted pay, but you are still responsible for providing their needs along the way with Stipends. This is factored into your Overhead costs, along with feed for your draft animals, maintenance to keep the wagons moving, and luxuries to keep everyone happy.

Right now, you have a Perceived Value of 1,213, with the Actual Value (when you factor in your Grey Market goods hidden among the rest) sitting at 1,520.5, based off of what is valuable in your homeland of Loria. A lot of this is tied up in Goods and Treasure (1,180.5), and you currently have 340 in Wealth to cover liquid costs. The value of Goods and Treasure will be affected by the location that you try and sell it in. An example is that metals and religious iconography is relatively common in Orthodoxy lands, but spices to liven up bland food and luxury agricultural goods can fetch a premium. I’ll provide more information on what Tristan is aware of for current trade value when you get together with your inner circle to set up the game-plan.

The main White Market Goods that you have in hand are Lorian brandy, wine, some Tabac, a mix of common metals to turn into consumer goods with Miguel, dried tropical fruits, bolts of fabric, honey, and an assortment of consumer goods. You also have some Treasure in religious statuettes and iconography, plus a handful of paintings. The Grey Market goods you have stored are a stash of weaponry, a few extra barrels of gunpowder hidden as something else, and tabac hidden inside some hollow statues. You know that these are in high demand in Jironth, and if they can get through without paying import fees, you can expect a substantial payout there.

There will opportunities to change out your Goods along the way, gain Wealth, and the like on the road. This isn’t set in stone, but I’ll do my best to update the fluctuations as required throughout it. If you notice any discrepancies, bring them up and I’ll correct it as best as I can, since there’s a lot of numbers being crunched at any given time.

>>4630288

>[Pragmatic] Retire to the second floor. This area seems to be where a lot of the meals here are taken, with booths and tables to spare. Getting a more private conversation will be easier without the sounds of rowdy drunks filling the air.

>>4630345

>175% of what you started with

Fuck, I meant of your break-even point. They aren't expecting a tonne of results from a branch family of a minor House. This is a the bare minimum they'll expect you to return with, based on your manifest that was submitted with your paperwork. The Grey Market Goods that you hid among the rest isn't a factor in this. They kind of expect everyone to be fudging the books or smuggling a little, but if they dig in deep on you, they'll have to dig in deep on everybody, which is sure to piss off a lot of important people with the resources to make them pay for daring to insinuate that they aren't above the board with their ledgers.

>>4630288
>[Gregarious] Sticking around the bar could give you some insights on who’s ordering what, and can give you a clue on the preferences of most of the clientele with spare money. Plus, you’d have a good view of the entrance for the people coming in.

>>4630294
>>4630346

>[Pragmatic]

>>4630329
>>4630376

>[Gregarious]

Giving it another 20 minutes for a tie-break, otherwise I'll roll for it to clear the air.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4630389

Rolling for it, with 1 resulting in Pragmatic, and 2 resulting in Gregarious.

>>4630294
>>4630346

>move to a quieter part of the building.

>>4630329
>>4630376
>>4630425

>take up space, and watch them wander in.

>Roll Required! Target Value is 48 (40 DC base, +6 for bribing the bartender with wine, +3 for getting a good spot while the show's on, +3 for dressing well, -2 for faking enthusiasm among drunkards, -2 for loud environment.)

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4630429

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>4630429

>>4630479
>>4630490

>Best roll is a 73! Difference is +25! BAD FAILURE!

>Current stock of re-rolls:1. Current stock of FATE: 1.

Leaving it open for another 10 minutes in case either of you choose to use a re-roll here, otherwise I'll start typing the update.

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>[Gregarious] action chosen. Roll is required! Target Value is 48!

>>4630479
>>4630490

Best roll is a 73, with a difference of +25! BAD FAILURE!

Sipping at the tart juice in your mug, the overall atmosphere in the bar is starting to get more lively as the cider and beer flow. You catch a few snippets of local politics among the hubbub, but it’s difficult to pick out useful information from the noise. “...aye, the miller’s son has been walking out with the baker’s daughter. You should’ve seen the old man let her have it when we had flour on her arse...” “...above, did you see the muscles on that man? I’d let him take me to the ground, if you...”

It seems like a lot of the people down here are busier chatting about the stir Victor’s troupe brought to the town. It must not get a lot of entertainment around here for it to make as much of an impact as it did. Signalling Gustav for a clay mug of wine, May as well act like I’m here for a good time you catch another cheer going up from the outside. Nursing the beverage as you get down from the stool, you shift your way around the crowd on the floor. The gaming going on with your men has escalated to an arm-wrestling match, gathering more interest from the looky-loos. One of the drovers beats a townie dressed in a stained tunic, the townie’s arm slamming to the wooden table to laughter.

As the laughter comes up, you feel a shove throw you off balance. Your wine splashes on the ground, and you wheel around. A stocky farmhand, slightly taller than you is wobbling on his feet already. His friends laugh, not quite noticing your dress and rapier at the side. The man seems tipsy, verging on the edge of drunkeness. How do you handle this?

>[Surly] “Watch where you walk, people may take offense.” Glare at the men, hand on your rapier. His friends should take the hint, and shift him away from you before something... happens to him. Roll required for intimidation.

>[Gregarious] “My, aren’t we having a good time chum? You did knock over my drink though.” Attempt to get him and his friends to cover the cost of a replacement, and maybe start drinking with them. Roll required for persuasion.

>[Pragmatic] Ignore the situation, and move on to a different section of the tavern. Lopping off a drunkard’s ear is not worth the risk of a scene developing. Specify on if you’re moving to the gambling, upstairs, or outside.

>[Write-in?]

>>4630541
>[Pragmatic] Ignore the situation, and move on to a different section of the tavern. Lopping off a drunkard’s ear is not worth the risk of a scene developing. Specify on if you’re moving to the gambling, upstairs, or outside.
Not worth our time. Upstairs.

>>4630541
>>[Pragmatic] Ignore the situation, and move on to a different section of the tavern. Lopping off a drunkard’s ear is not worth the risk of a scene developing. Specify on if you’re moving to the gambling, upstairs, or outside.
Upstairs.

>>4630547
>>4630554

>ignore the drunk, move upstairs where people aren't hammered.

Called and writing.

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>>4630547
>>4630554

>[Pragmatic]

Feeling your blood boil at the insult, you tamp down the rising bile in your mouth. The man is clearly ignorant of his surroundings, and likely didn’t even notice what he did. One of his friends catches you eye as you move towards the stairs, and the slight widening of his eyes helps mollify your bruised ego. Leaving the boors and raucousness behind you, the inviting oaken steps calls out in your mind.

As you move to the slightly quieter second story, you see a few of the older crowd clustered around the long tables. The smell of baked apples seasoned with cloves and cinnamon mixing with the savoury scent of meatballs marinating in clay pots. Thick loaves of bread cut up with smears of olive oil and salt sit invitingly in wooden trenchers, fish paste from up towards the coast smeared onto them before being devoured. If it weren’t for the fact that you already ate in the square earlier, you’d be flagging down a waitress to bring a pot of stew to overwhelm the drink from earlier.

A couple of old men are playing a game of Mancala at a booth. The rattle as they move dried beans from hollow to hollow is noticeable, and it looks like there’s a couple hanger’s-on around there. There’s another set currently going unused at another booth, a younger man around your age spinning a bean on the table in boredom. The raised area for a dancefloor is currently going unused, likely due to the action outside.

>[Surly] Make your way over to the old fogeys playing. They have the look of tradesmen, and old tongues have a tendency to wag to new ears.

>[Gregarious] Insinuate yourself into the crowd eating at the table. You’ll fit in easily, as they seem to better off than most here, given the types of dishes they’ve ordered.

>[Pragmatic] Offer to play the young craftsman in a few games of Mancala. A few onlookers will probably shift over later after a few games. Plus, it’ll be nice to sit somewhere a bit more secluded.

>[Write-in?]

>>4630627
>[Surly] Make your way over to the old fogeys playing. They have the look of tradesmen, and old tongues have a tendency to wag to new ears.

>>4630627
>[Pragmatic] Offer to play the young craftsman in a few games of Mancala. A few onlookers will probably shift over later after a few games. Plus, it’ll be nice to sit somewhere a bit more secluded.

>>4630631

>[Surly]

>>4630632

>[Pragmatic]

Looks like we're gaming, but will give it another 25 minutes or so for a tie-breaker before I roll for it and post the last update tonight.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4630704

Rolling for it, with 1 for Surly, and 2 for Pragmatic.

>>4630631
>>4630728

>watch the old farts shift beans around a tray

>>4630632

>get in on the action with the loner

Called and writing.

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>>4630631
>>4630728

>[Surly]

>>4630632

>[Pragmatic]

Walking around the long tables, you make your way over to the booth where the old men are playing. When you get close to the group, the one with the grey beard deftly moves his beans into his hollow, getting 2 turns in before scalping the hollow of three at the fifth hole from his opponent The only move left to the one in the straw hat is to shift his final two beans into his Mancala in two moves, ending the match. As they scoop the beans out, it’s clear the greybeard won before even quibbling over the exact numbers. The standing onlookers just nod, appreciating the flow of the game.

“Aye, gotcha again Harry. That’s three up for me, you sure you want to go again?”

‘Harry’ just snorts, before setting up the board again for another match. “Course I’ll go again. Not my fault you started it thrice now. If I had the first draw, you’d be begging me for relief.” He picks up the last bean on the table and puts it behind his back, shifting it before extending his clenched fists out. “Left or right?”

“Right,” the greybeard says. Harry grins, opens up his palms, the small white bean sitting in his left palm. One of the hangers-on chimes in with, “Looks like it’s his start there Stu.” ‘Stu just sniffs, as the game starts. Harry starts with the usual play of the fourth hollow.

Tapping the younger man who spoke up on the shoulder, you ask, “Pardon me, what’s the score right now?”

He twitches a little at your contact before meeting your eyes. “Er, Harry there is down three, out of five games played. Here, you must not be from around here, eh?” His brows furrow a little, before one of his fellows laughs.

“Course he ain’t from here Charlie. Can’t you tell from his dress? He’s probably from that caravan that rolled up today, my da said one rolled up here with the circus.” It’s the man in the green jerkin who ribs ‘Charlie’, giving him a nudge in the side. Charlie just rubs the back of his neck, slightly ashamed for not noticing.

“Many pardons, I nearly forgot to introduce myself. Tristan Stonyfield, from Port Josiah, at your service.” Shaking the hands of the men, you pick up that they’re a group of weavers, in town for the market. The two old men, Harry and Stu, used to work as farmhands in the wheatfields, but have pretty much aged out of bending over stooks of wheat, sickle in hand. Nowadays, they kill time playing games, helping out during the threshing when the golden sheaves have completely dried in the fall sun.

[1/2]

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>>4630770

“Aye, this year’s harvest looks to be a good one. It’s sure to be a bumper crop, if the rain keeps off.” Stu casually mentions as Harry shifts beans across the board. When Harry pauses to take a swig of ale, you notice Stu palming one of the beans from Harry’s Mancala into his own. It doesn’t seem like any of the weavers noticed, busy talking among themselves about tomorrow’s shearing and scouring. It sounds like there will be a market for raw wool by the time you’re planning to leave town in three days.

>Gained knowledge about expected grain yields in the area, and a chance for picking up prepared fleeces on the cheap. Gives an advantage on buying supplies in the market in Angelsfield, and on the plain wool market.

There’s a bit of a lull, as the game continues. If you’re going to bring up the cheating, now’s as good a time as any.

>[Surly] Whether or not these two continue cheating each other all night is not your concern. You’re more concerned with talking to the weavers to figure out which local’s sheep will provide the best wool. Even if it’s not woven into cloth yet, you could turn a quick profit down the road if they’re good enough fleeces.

>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

>[Pragmatic] Keep the cheating to yourself, but when Harry inevitably loses, offer to play Stu in a match or two so that he’ll have a challenge. You’ll keep an ear out for any more snippets while playing, and can probably get more of an idea of the quality of the fields. It’ll be useful in negotiations for supplies later on.

>[Write-in?]

This will be the last update for tonight, since it sounds like I’ll be working tomorrow. Next session will kick off on February 3rd at 01:30 UCT. If anything comes up or changes, I’ll post here and in the /qtg/ with any change in scheduling.

[2/2]

Here's also a video explaining a typical set of rules for Mancala. There's regional variants practically everywhere on the continent, but this is the one used the most in Loria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T0jeY-BxU4

>>4630771
>[Surly] Whether or not these two continue cheating each other all night is not your concern. You’re more concerned with talking to the weavers to figure out which local’s sheep will provide the best wool. Even if it’s not woven into cloth yet, you could turn a quick profit down the road if they’re good enough fleeces.

>>4630771
>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.
Thanks for running OP!

>>4630771
>>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

>>4630771
>[Surly] Whether or not these two continue cheating each other all night is not your concern. You’re more concerned with talking to the weavers to figure out which local’s sheep will provide the best wool. Even if it’s not woven into cloth yet, you could turn a quick profit down the road if they’re good enough fleeces.

>>4630771
>[Surly] Whether or not these two continue cheating each other all night is not your concern. You’re more concerned with talking to the weavers to figure out which local’s sheep will provide the best wool. Even if it’s not woven into cloth yet, you could turn a quick profit down the road if they’re good enough fleeces.

Just caught up - liking the quest OP, the strong business focus is a nice new feature

>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

>>4630771
>>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

>>4630771
>>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

>>4630771
>>[Gregarious] Bring up the cheating in a cheerful manner. It may cause an argument, but the group will probably trust you a bit more. Some more gossip might slip out from them about both topics, but there’s a chance they’ll be more focused on the game itself.

Providing a quick update for you all, telling you that the session will have to be postponed to Feb 4th at 01:30 UCT. Got a sudden change in schedule earlier today, and that's the only shorter day before the weekend. I'll still pop in for an hour or so at the usual time though to answer any feedback, setting questions, information that Tristan would clearly know, etc. that crop up before then.

>>4630833

Thanks! I was a bit starved with not really writing any character interactions during Into The Wilderness Quest, makes sense since the main point was that it was a rite of passage to adulthood. Not exactly many opportunities for a chat. so being able to write more interactions has been fun. Especially considering Anons decided to go with Surly, Gregarious, and Pragmatic for Tristan's traits. Gives me an interesting mix to throw in on the choices for you all.

>by the seven winds, will this fool stop talking about how he ran down a boar alone with a spear last fall? only a buffoon would've not brought his hounds to bring it to bay beforehand. at least he hasn't said he knifed it to death like at the previous gala
>'Really? My word, that's a true test of skill. I'd have let the hounds bring to bay, pin it with the spear, and put the poor thing out of it's misery with a pistol shot to the temple. That was very brave of you, sir.'

>>4631837
Are they both set in the same universe?

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>>4631858

I mean, Alexi's rites were carried out in a stretch of coniferous forest, where the most mystical thing that happened was some weird dreams and finding a fairy stone in the guts of a fish. It's a fairly mundane concept, relatively easy to add in to most pre-industrial societies.

As for if their connected, I guess the answer will have to be ~who knows.~

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>4630773
>>4630797
>>4630833

>watching old play board games is booooring

>>4630776
>>4630777
>>4631010
>>4631112
>>4631442
>>4631585

>tell everyone that Stu's a cheater, what could wrong?

Called and writing, just need to quickly check something first.

>>4635357
T-that's good, right?

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>[Gregarious] Action chosen!

>>4635357

>Composure roll is a 36! Final result is a 50 after modifiers. Harry is not happy, but he hasn't caused a scene. Yet.

Seeing nobody react, you wrestle with yourself for a moment on if you should call out Stu in front of probably his friends. The way Harry’s face is clouding over as the game continues in Stu’s favour, you decide that it’d probably be best to bring it up now. As Stu just smiles as he scoops another hollow, you clear your throat. “Stu, is it? I’m fairly sure you miscounted that last one.”

Both men look up at you with a start for a moment, Harry with a glare at your interruption, and Stu’s eyes full of a guilty surprise. Harry’s brow furrows a moment, before turning back towards Stu with a disturbing amount of venom. “I fecking knew it. You bastard, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence.” The weavers are looking among each other with a bit of concern as he continues, “I fecking stand up for your worthless arse-“

“C’mon now Harry, it’s not like we’re playing for money.” Stu attempts to renconcile, as Harry looms over the board.

“Aye, because I know how you are, you blasted devil. It’s all ‘Oh Harry, I don’t know why Mark is mad at me today. Oh Harry, your woman is just being temperamental,’ up until I call you on your shit.” Harry says in a mocking sing-song voice as ‘Charlie’ leans down to the old man.

“C’mon Harry, don’t argue in front of our new friend Tristan here,” you smiling face loses a bit of it’s lustre at the young man’s familiarity as he continues. “Besides, Stu here is gonna pay for the next round, right?” Stu opens his mouth to argue, but shuts it at ‘Jimmy’s glare.

“Y-yeah. I’ll even get some of the better stuff, to make up for the earlier cheating.” Spying an opportunity, you chime in with, “Good man that. Gustav bought some wine off of us early, and the white’s supposed to be really good this year. Mention me, and he might give you a deal.” Stu smiles and nods as he grasps the lifeline, and makes his way downstairs to the bar.

“Hey Terry, better follow him down there. Don’t want Stu to ‘conveniently’ forget to bring back the wine after all.” The man in the green jerkin just nods, as he moves after the greybeard. Taking the opportunity, you slide into the bench where Stu was sitting earlier. As the other two just watch Harry glower into his beer, you decide to try and lower the temperature some.

“Honestly, I didn’t mind to bring up a sore point. Just didn’t want to see two old friends fight over a game after all.” Harry just snorts at that.

“Friends, he says. Put my neck out there for that weasel more than he’s bloody worth. Stood up for him when old man Whitechapel was mad about money going missing at the mill. Show’s how he treats his friends, eh?”

[1/2]

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>>4635446

Eventually Stu comes back up with the bottle you gave to Gustav, and sidles in. Conversation is a bit stilted, and the game has been more or less abandoned at this point. Still, you do manage to pry some more information about ‘Old Man Whitechapel’ from the group. Apparently, he runs the mill and a bakery here. He’s a bit of a sour old man, grumpy over the way his son is running the family business. You could probably take advantage of this division when you go to negotiate for supplies later on.

>Gained information about one of the Suppliers in Angelsfield!

As the oil in the lamps gutter down, you excuse yourself to use the washroom. Moving down to the first floor, you scan the room as you go down the stairs. It looks like Gustav is turning a merry business tonight, and the rowdier of his patrons are being politely escorted out of the building. As well, it appears that the troupe’s finished their show for tonight, since you see the knife-thrower having a drink with her partner and the sword-swallower. You’re just looking for Miguel or Tomas as you feel a meaty arm drape itself over your shoulder.

“Ehhhh man, wha d’you think of that elf broad that was here earlier, eh?” The hoppy fumes of second-hand beer sting in your nose, and you detect a whiff of unwashed skin. That drunk from earlier “I swear man, I’d give her a roll in the hay, use them ears for a grip, eh?” he laughs hugely, slapping his knee as you lock eyes with his friend. The same one who saw you before. He’s moving over quickly, but not quick enough.

>[Surly] ”She’s married.” Use as much dripping disdain in your voice as you possibly can. If he doesn’t shift his arm off of you, a hip toss should get him to respect your personal space.

>[Gregarious] “I’d say you had enough to drink my good man, wouldn’t you agree?” Attempt to gingerly slip away, and hope that his friend gets him out of here. Before something... drastic happens.

>[Pragmatic] Remain silent as his friend pries him away from you. If he starts something, the fact you’re practically sober will make him regret it dearly.

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

>>4635436

Normally, you'd want a high Composure roll in negotiations or fighting. However, in this case, lower is better, since you'd rather not have an old man starting a fight at your table. That'd just about ruin your night.

>>4635450
>[Pragmatic] Remain silent as his friend pries him away from you. If he starts something, the fact you’re practically sober will make him regret it dearly.

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>4635484

>try to not throw this dirtbag to the floor.

Well, let's see if his friend gets his drunk buddy off the shoulder of an armed man who's clearly just about ready to knock him the fuck out

>>4635539

Well, he seems like a happy drunk, even if he just avoided getting thrown through a stool by latching onto his friend by the skin of his teeth. Called and writing.

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>[Pragmatic] action taken. Composure roll required on Drunk!

>>4635539

>Roll is a 12! Final result is a 37 after modifiers. He’s still in the Happy drunk stage, rather than taking offense at your silence at his joke.

Your teeth grind and scrape, blood rushing in your ears as your fist clenches and unclenches. As you seriously contemplate heaving him through the stool at the bar, Grab him by his left wrist, crouch and twist as you drive shoulder into his hip. He’s top-heavy enough that he’ll slide right over, and then you can get on top of him while he’s catching his breath. his friend hurries up to the two of you. “Apologies messir, Daniel here has had too much to drink.”

You glare deeply at this man as you acidly respond, “Quite. Maybe he should sleep it off, before he gets a hangover. Watch his feet, he might just trip if you aren’t careful.” As you finish this, ‘Daniel’ catches notice of his friend and immediately forgets about you. Lifting his disgustingly hairy arm off of you, he practically falls into their arms.

“Jack, Jackie, man. I was jus, just telling my pal here about that elf chick who was here. The one playing dice? Ya see the arms on her? Hoo... bet she could haul a bundle a hay in each arm, eh? Fuck me...” His friend just looks at you over his slobbering compatriot. ‘Jack’ has the flushed cheeks of a good drunk going on, but his eyes are begging forgiveness with all his heart.

“Daniel, c’mon. Up we go. Don’t want Gus to kick us out again, right? Remember, he said that he’d tell your ma about it.” Jack carries him off, Daniel stumbling over his words and protesting the whole way out of the tavern. As you go outside, you move over to the outhouse and relieve yourself. Practically biting through the end of a cigarillo as you light it off the lantern hanging by the door, you stand outside trying to quell the oncoming headache.

Halfway down the length of tabac, you see Tomas wandering over from the direction of the wagons. A bit of a stagger to his step, he brightens considerably when he sees you. Waving, he picks his way over to you, carefully side-stepping a puddle of vomit in the road. “Tristan, my good man. How are you enjoying the sights and sounds of pleasant Angelsfield? I made a tidy profit tonight from divinations, even if that old bat across the way kept giving me the stink-eye.”

[1/2]

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>>4635668

>[Surly] ”I’m already prepared to leave. Bloody drunks, innkeepers trying to get one over on me, the whole nine yards.” You’re plenty frustrated, and willing to call it a night. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

>[Gregarious] “Better, now that I have someone to talk with. There’s a group of men upstairs I met earlier. Up for a game of Mancala?” Introduce Tomas to your new friends, and spend the remainder of the night trying to relax over conversation and games. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong.

>[Pragmatic] “Just catching some fresh air. Might walk over to the wagons and check on the men, make sure they’re not slacking off.” Go for a short walk, and chat up the men on sentry for the rest of your night. They’re bound to be awake at the wagons, and will regret your foul mood if they’re not and you find them

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

>>4635671
>[Gregarious] “Better, now that I have someone to talk with. There’s a group of men upstairs I met earlier. Up for a game of Mancala?” Introduce Tomas to your new friends, and spend the remainder of the night trying to relax over conversation and games. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong.
Aha, our brother-in-arms in the inevitable bar fight.

>[Gregarious] “Better, now that I have someone to talk with. There’s a group of men upstairs I met earlier. Up for a game of Mancala?” Introduce Tomas to your new friends, and spend the remainder of the night trying to relax over conversation and games. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong.

>>4635674
>>4635742

>play the magic man who makes a living reading people's futures at a board game

Called and writing.

>>4635671
>>[Gregarious] “Better, now that I have someone to talk with. There’s a group of men upstairs I met earlier. Up for a game of Mancala?” Introduce Tomas to your new friends, and spend the remainder of the night trying to relax over conversation and games. Hopefully nothing else goes wrong

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Blowing a ring of smoke into the night sky, you knock off the cherry and set the half-smoked portion in a box for later. The vice-grip of a headache recedes, life’s problems slowing burning up in your lungs. Their harsh residue blowing out of your mouth, and floating onto the breeze to burden someone else. All with only the faint tingle on your lips to remember them by. Alcohol has been the cause of enough strife in your life, tonight was just another parade of indignities on your person.

“Better, now that I have someone to talk with. There’s a group of men upstairs that I met earlier. Up for a game of Mancala?” Tomas pauses for a moment, and then shrugs.

“Sure, it’ll be a time. Besides, I know that the barman would appreciate me sharing the wealth.” As you both move your way to the stairs, you see a few of the carters making their way to the common rooms on the third floor, moving with the slow and purposeful motions of two drunks supporting each other. As you enter the room on the second floor, the group you were with are still at the booth. They’ve ordered some crisp bread and mushroom bruschetta to soak up some of the beer, and offer you a piece or two, as a favour from Stu. Terry waves you over, and makes some room for the two of you. Tomas shifts over to bring a chair over to sit at as you make introductions.

“This is Tomas, a friend of mine from the road. Tomas, these kind gentlemen are Terry, Charlie, Jimmy, Harry and Stu.” You chew on one of the pieces of bruschetta as he makes his introductions. The gentle flavour of the chanterelles mingling well with a hint of basil and oregano adding complexity to the melted goat cheese. They’re a little bit chewy, probably from being re-hydrated from dried rather than fresh, but overall a pleasant dish.

“Stu’s the odd man out eh? Call me Tom, we’re all friends here, even if Tristan is a bit of a grump.” You shoot him a dirty look, and he just laughs it off. “I made a fair amount from the market today, so I’ll get the next round, as a show of good faith.” Tomas flags down a passing serving girl, and sends her down for a round of ale. Stu’s eyes perked up as he mentioned being flush with cash.

“Care to play a game? I’d be willing to place a bet too if you’d like.” At that, the weavers just groan, and Harry pipes up with a dour, “Aye, so you could cheat him too I suspect.”

Tomas’ eyes twinkle with a pointed mirth as he responds with a cheerful, “Now now, I’m no stranger to a game or two. Why, I used to play it a lot while travelling the Gem Road with Colin. Granted, he’s not exactly a deft hand at it, what with the hooves and all, but I should be able to hold my own.” As he starts divvying up the beans and the girl comes back up with the ale, the night slowly carries on it’s slow march to daylight.

[1/2]

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>>4635845

The strident crowing of a cockerel accosts you, and you reach out for the clay pitcher of water at the stand. Taking a slug of it’s refreshing nature, you rub the sleep out of your eyes before sitting up on the straw pallet on the bed. There’s no lingering hangover, but it’s still annoying to hear it continue. By the seven winds, I hope a hawk puts that bastard out of my misery. Getting dressed for the day and buckling on your belt, you rinse the lingering ashy flavour out of your mouth before checking in on the common room.

Tomas is laying there, snoring for all the world like a growling bear. Most the men are cleared out, with a few who hit it a bit more difficult still snoring away. Miguel and Snorri aren’t to be seen, but that’s to be expected. Miguel’s an early riser, and probably already getting his forge ready for the day’s work. Snorri is certainly awake, but whether it’s because she restrained herself the first night, or is still drinking in the privacy of the wagons, you can’t say. Leaving a note for Tomas that you’re planning on having a meeting mid-afternoon, you go down to the first floor.

Gustav isn’t occupying the bar, but it looks his wife is watching the front for him. She perks up at your approach, puts on a winsome smile. “Good morning messir! I trust you had a pleasant enough night, without getting too out hand.” She says, wagging an admonishing finger at you. As you get a bowl of porridge to start the day, you decide on what to do next.

>[Surly] Track down your good-for-nothing retainer so that you can pass on the time for the meeting. If she’s still up drinking, you’ll address that among other things. Discipline should be maintained for all of them, not just the guards.

>[Gregarious] Follow the woosh of the bellows to find your smith. Any lingering misgivings about his Meyardin manners aside, he doesn’t seem like the type to spent the night burning through his stipend at the bar.

>[Pragmatic] Find one of the lazy devils who were sober from their shift last night to pass the word on to the others. You’ve got better things to do, and you could get a better spot at the square before the shearing starts in the mid-morning.

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

>>4635847
>[Surly] Track down your good-for-nothing retainer so that you can pass on the time for the meeting. If she’s still up drinking, you’ll address that among other things. Discipline should be maintained for all of them, not just the guards.

>>4635852

>find your elf, before she wrecks herself.

Called, and writing. Probably last post for tonight.

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Tucking into the porridge, you think over what to do. Miguel should be fine to deal with later. I’d better find Snorri though. Those double shift of training on the men might leave us stretched a little too thin with what we need to do. Plus, if she’s been completely incoherent while the men have been walking on pins, I’d better rein her in now, before their morale craters completely. Satisfied with that train of thought, you finish the last of it before stepping out into the dawn of another glorious day.

Shielding your eyes from the bright sun, you sidestep around the bent-over maid, scrubbing the flagstones of the inn’s path clean of vomit from the night’s festivities. You acknowledge her ‘Good morning!’ as you turn around the edge of the building to where the wagons are corralled. Getting closer, you spy one of the guards Gregor, definitely Gregor. He’s got a squint. leaning on a fencepost staring at his colleague Jeremy, he’s got a mustache and beard like he was halfway through eating a hedgehog. Jeremy has a gaunt look on his face, probably from drinking too much the night before. Both of them perk up to attention when they notice you walking over. “Good morning Messir.” Gregor calls out in greeting, while Jeremy looks like death warmed over.

“Good morning Gregor,” you say in response, missing his slightly confused look as you stare at his partner. “Enjoyed yourself a bit too much last night?”

“Er, no messir. Jeremy Yes, thought so. had a difficult time though. Spent most of his stipend buying drinks for the knife-thrower, poor devil.” Jeremy at least has the decency to look embarrassed at your glance as Gregor keeps talking. “What can we do for you?”

“Have you seen Snorri around? Planning on having a meeting on today, and she’ll need to know about it.”

“Aye, she’s checking over the wagon with the statuettes and honey in it. Said something about checking what it’s got for leftover capacity, in case you find something good in town.” Thanking him for this information, you head over to the wagon he indicated, usually pulled by your two strongest oxen. The official reason is that you wanted to make sure that they could be trusted working alone now, and to see if their training held. The actual reasoning for it is obvious to you, as it’s the one with some of your more questionable goods. As you get closer, you hear the sounds of quiet sobbing inside it’s canvas walls. Gods above, she’d better not be maudlin in there.

[1/2]

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>>4635947

Climbing up to the front entrance, you hear a sudden gasp and rustling of paper as light floods into the wagon’s confines. It’s followed up by a bout of coughing, and the grating soprano of her voice. “Three fathers take ye, if you got through those two buggers out back there, they’d best hope I find them dead.”

Sighing, you just answer back, “Snorri, it’s just me. What are you doing in here?” Sniffing the air slightly, you don’t smell open alcohol, but she does smell a bit like spilt whiskey. “Don’t tell me you’re drunk on duty.”

She just waves her hand at you dismissively. “Nay nay, some dizzy sod dumped half his drink down my shirt last night. Called me a strumpet, and a rude woman. Showed him just how rude I could be afterwards, mark my words. Probably be limping for a week on the outside.” As she stands up from where she was sitting, you see a small bit of paper peeking out from underneath where she was sitting. Her eyes are a bit puffy, and she’s sniffling a little bit. As she fishes out a handkerchief and blows her nose, you debate on which to bring up first.

>[Surly] Start questioning her about her choices over the last few days. The men have been behaving well enough, you don’t want to ruin their morale by working them too hard before getting to the more lawless stretches of highway.

>[Gregarious] You’re a little nosy about what she was crying over before. You doubt she’ll open up about it and try to deflect, but if it’s something serious, you’d rather get it dealt with now. Tomas must be rubbing off on you. Roll required.

>[Pragmatic] Ease into matters by discussing the load in the wagon using some of the House Cant. She’s one of the four people who knows about the actual load here, and you’d want her input about it before you start to lay into her about the discipline issues.

>[Write-in?]

Next session will be on the 7th at 01:30 UCT. Will be around for a little while longer tonight before turning it in, and will stop in tomorrow to check in as well.

[2/2]

>>4635951
>[Gregarious] You’re a little nosy about what she was crying over before. You doubt she’ll open up about it and try to deflect, but if it’s something serious, you’d rather get it dealt with now. Tomas must be rubbing off on you. Roll required.

We care inside :)

Thanks for running OP, hope you're not too discouraged by the single votes. Loads of people seem to show up whenever sessions aren't happening.

>>4635951
>>[Pragmatic] Ease into matters by discussing the load in the wagon using some of the House Cant. She’s one of the four people who knows about the actual load here, and you’d want her input about it before you start to lay into her about the discipline issues.
>[Pragmatic] Ease into matters by discussing the load in the wagon using some of the House Cant. She’s one of the four people who knows about the actual load here, and you’d want her input about it before you start to lay into her about the discipline issues.

>>4635971

Nah, it's the middle of the week, so didn't expect a colossal turn-out. So long as I have one vote coming in at the least, I'll make it work. Just hope it doesn't turn a bunch of people off.

>>4635979
Considering your 9 votes between sessions, it hasn't so far, but I'll hope so too!

>>4635951
>>[Pragmatic] Ease into matters by discussing the load in the wagon using some of the House Cant. She’s one of the four people who knows about the actual load here, and you’d want her input about it before you start to lay into her about the discipline issues.

>>4635951
>[Gregarious] You’re a little nosy about what she was crying over before. You doubt she’ll open up about it and try to deflect, but if it’s something serious, you’d rather get it dealt with now. Tomas must be rubbing off on you. Roll required.

>>4635951
>>[Gregarious] You’re a little nosy about what she was crying over before. You doubt she’ll open up about it and try to deflect, but if it’s something serious, you’d rather get it dealt with now. Tomas must be rubbing off on you. Roll required.

>>4635951
>>[Gregarious] You’re a little nosy about what she was crying over before. You doubt she’ll open up about it and try to deflect, but if it’s something serious, you’d rather get it dealt with now. Tomas must be rubbing off on you. Roll required

>>4635971
>>4636094
>>4636106
>>4636128

>yo, what's with the waterworks?

>>4635973
>>4636016

>talk about your totally-legit goods.

>[Gregarious] Action taken! Roll is required! Target Value is 32! (Base of 30, +3 for prior history, +5 for emotionally vulnerable, +3 for paper evidence, -3 for stoic demeanour, -4 for substantial age difference, -2 for doubts about sincerity.)

Roll me 2 sets of 1d100, to see if you get anything out of her.

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>4639777

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>4639777
Nice trips.

>>4639787
>>4639791

>Best result is a 37! Difference is +5! NARROW FAILURE!

>Re-roll Y/N?

Thanks, got it completely unintentionally. Leaving it open for 10 minutes if either of you wish to re-roll it, then writing for it.

>>4639796
I'm fine with a narrow failure. Doesn't seem worth rerolling on.

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>[Gregarious] Action taken. Roll Required! TV is 32!

>>4639787
>>4639791

>Best roll is a 37! Difference is +5. NARROW FAILURE! Snorri is resistant to your inquiries, but not offended by them.

As you see her tuck the used handkerchief back into a pocket, you are a little surprised. Not at the frilliness of the blue hankie, that you knew about. It’s not that it hasn’t happened, but it has been a long time since you have seen the scarred and tattooed elf with tears in her eyes. At least three years or so. Of the handful of times, one was when her arm was broken wrestling Jer when you were a child, another was when your cousin Kaspar’s body went into the waters three years ago, and the last was at your eldest sister Ruth’s wedding to Aaron Pascal. Three times, in your 27 years on this earth. Four now.

“Snorri, are you... crying?” The moment the words left your lips, you see her mental barriers slam back down, with a nearly audible crash Misspoke there, probably should have opened with the paper. Slapping her hand on her thigh, she bends over laughing hard. Too hard to be sincere.

“Me, crying? Are you sure you aren’t seeing things Stanny?” she sputters out, the hated diminutive name that she had used while you were a child, home on breaks from the gymnasium, tumbling out of her lips with a flash of anger on your part. “Oh yes, let me just collapse into a blubbering mess at your feet, great and noble caravaneer. Just like how you used to whenever you had a skinned knee or whenever Ruth would hide your toys. Nay nay, just didn’t get enough sleep last night.” As she tries to compose herself again, you pick up the heavily folded piece of paper from the floorboards.

You steal a quick glance, picking up the flowing script of elvish writing. “If you say so Hildr.” Using her name is another thing that always bothered her, something about how you bloody mainlanders never say it right, or the like. She shoots you a dirty look as you hand out the sheet of paper to her. “Looks like you dropped this.”

She snatches it back with a snort, quickly, almost indecently so before folding the old paper up and tucking it away. “You’d best not be snooping in my letters. I doubt you could read it, but a woman is entitled to her secrets you know.” You just shrug as she runs her hand through her hair and fixes you with her usual bored stare. No traces of the prior lack of composure. Back to business as usual, I suppose. “Why’d you come looking around the wagons anyways? If those two buggers Jeremy and Hector Damn it, guess it wasn’t Gregor after all didn’t notice you, let me know and I’ll let em have it.”

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>>4639929

“No Snorri, the men were fine. Came to check on you, and pass along a timing. Planning on getting the five of us together to talk about the road ahead. Should be ready by mid-afternoon, but before evening. In my quarters.”

The elf nods placidly before tilting her head. “Five? Me, you, Sooty and Tom is four.”

“I’m planning on inviting Mr. Sparrow as well. As he’s part of the caravan for the foreseeable future, he should be kept informed about what’s going on.” She just shrugs nonchalantly before looking towards the hidden compartment where the spearheads are stored.

“If you say so. Just, be careful. The less who know about our ‘gifts’ for the High King, the better, hey?”

“As you say.” Sitting down on one of the firkins of honey, the ‘prepared’ ones, you look to the rest of the cargo as Snorri chimes in with, “Was that all then Tris? Cause if so, I’d better finish checking on the other wagons. Don’t want to see if there’s a bloody rat getting fat in the mangoes.”

>[Surly] “No, I’ve got something to say about how the men are being treated.” Bring up the concerns you had about the men’s morale in the face of harsh discipline and training when it’s not exactly needed.

>[Gregarious] “No, you sure that the honey has been sealed properly? Don’t want it to get damaged in a bumpy stretch of road, it’d be a bloody headache to scrub it off the floorboards if it leaks.” Obliquely bring up the Grey Market goods, and see her input on the matter.

>[Pragmatic] “Yes, that’s all. Send a runner to Miguel and Mr. Sparrow about the meeting, I’m going to take one of the men and the new boy to the shearing. I saw Tomas already.” You’re done here, and want to get a good spot at the square before it’s crowded out with bleating sheep and sweaty shepherds cutting fleeces.

>[Write-in?]

>>4639931
>[Gregarious] “No, you sure that the honey has been sealed properly? Don’t want it to get damaged in a bumpy stretch of road, it’d be a bloody headache to scrub it off the floorboards if it leaks.” Obliquely bring up the Grey Market goods, and see her input on the matter.

>>4639931
>[Gregarious] “No, you sure that the honey has been sealed properly? Don’t want it to get damaged in a bumpy stretch of road, it’d be a bloody headache to scrub it off the floorboards if it leaks.” Obliquely bring up the Grey Market goods, and see her input on the matter.

>>4639932
>>4639951

>talk about barrels and crates, and NOTHING ELSE.

Called and writing.

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>[Gregarious] action taken!

You take out the half-smoke cigarillo from last night, and trim the burnt end off with your main gauche on the top of another barrel. “No, are you sure that the honey has been sealed properly? Don’t want it to get damaged in a bumpy stretch of road, it’d be a bloody headache to scrub it off the floorboards if it leaks.” She stares at you for a moment, before the gears catch in her head. Taking a moment to brush some trail dust off the barrel of apricots, she leans on it with her elbows, resting her jaw in her left hand like a bored sentry.

“Aye, for all his damnable gossip and long nose that sticks where it shouldn’t, Tom wasn’t lying when he talked about his chemistry. The wax concoction he used at the bung there should hold until we get to the Ivory Coast.” You catch the unspoken words. The wax was set properly, use the bung to dispense honey when the tariff men come by. The Ivory Coast is where the Kingsmoot is supposed to be held, near where the dull red sandstone meets the tan sands and salt air.

“Good. I don’t want a repeat of when that whole hogshead of good Lorian red wasn’t sealed properly last summer. 66 gallons of fortified wine, only good for vinegar. Isaac barely spoke for a week.” Cracking you knuckles, Snorri just yawns by way of response.

“Yea, I’m more worried about those little statues of your goddess there. Those cornucopias are pretty fragile though, we could use extra packing. A couple of them broke already, and we’ve barely even got on the road. If you don’t, I’d bet you three silver that you’ll show up to the festivities with a crate full of ceramic pieces and nothing to show for it.” The bigger concern is the tabac. Pick up more packing to make sure they don’t break open on the road. You could probably either get some straw from a supplier, or use some of the raw wool at market later to pack them well in their housings.

[1/2]

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>>4640093

“I suppose, don’t exactly want to offend sweet Mirabelle by having her icons shatter along the way. The last thing we need is the gods displeased with us as we go through Kalim. How were we doing on metal and coal? Miguel hasn’t raised any complaints to me, but I’m pretty sure he’s nervous about telling me bad news.”

She idly looks at her fingernails, apparently satisfied with their cleanliness. “Nah, he’s doing fine. Little squirrely, but it is his first time on the road for longer than a couple of days from place to place. Plenty of steel, and the coal is still good for now. Probably could pick up more by the time we get closer to the mountains, but we’ll get a better rate in Orthodoxy lands from the Katamites anyways.” Steel’s fine where it is, probably shift it’s location in the passes, far from prying eyes. Standing up from the firkin, you take out the half-smoke cigarillo and screw it between your lips.

“Fair enough. I really wish you stopped referring to our esteemed neighbours that way. Some more pious folks would take offense,” you say in passing as you leave the back of the wagon. Staring back up at her as she swings her legs over the boards and jumps down next to you, Snorri just grunts and waves it off before wandering over to the other wagons.

“Aye aye, I’ll do my best to not offend some balding nonce dressed in a black robe by discussing the finer points of religion. After all, our druids back home are only interested in goat kids, and only at the solstice, neh?” She leaves whistling, and you realize that you forgot to bring up the men’s morale. Whatever, that’s an issue for later then.

Taking a quick glance to the sun’s position, you should still have a few hours before noon rolls around. Probably five altogether before you should move back to the Black Dog for the meeting.

>[Surly] Grab the first guard you see and head into town. They could be starting anytime now, and you’d rather see the state of the animals before the fleeces are drenched in the vats to rinse out the grease.

>[Gregarious] Track down someone to go with you beyond the guard and Kyle. You’ve got stuff to talk about along the way, and may as well try and kill two birds with one stone. (Pick a companion to pull along with you.)

>[Pragmatic] While the town is cleared out at the square, you could take this time to visit some of the brokers while their usual customers are busy. It could give you more time to talk to them and nail down rates without interruptions or eavesdroppers. (Pick some kind of broker to talk to.)

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

>>4640094
>[Gregarious] Track down someone to go with you beyond the guard and Kyle. You’ve got stuff to talk about along the way, and may as well try and kill two birds with one stone. (Pick a companion to pull along with you.)
Bring Snorri, tell her about the men's morale.

>>4640103

>ayo bitch, hol up, we ain't done talking yet.

Called, and writing for Gregarious, dragging Snorri along with you, a guard and the boy.

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>[Gregarious] option taken. Bring Snorri along with you, and complain about the morale issues.

Seeing her walk off, you decide to bite the bullet and handle it now. It’ll be a bit annoying talking about the morale issues in front of a subordinate and the boy, but you want to shear off this bud before it fruits into a problem. Probably bring up the wool, she’ll want first pick at the yarn. Plus, she didn’t seem super enthralled with inspecting the rest of the cargo. Whistling loudly, you see Snorri’s ears perk up, and she half-turns towards you. “Eh? What’s up Tris?”

“Come along, may as well head to the square together. Save a trip.” She tilts her head and frowns a bit, before a shit-eating grin spreads across her face as she saunters up to you.

“Oooh? What, you want to cling to me skirts on the way there? Thought you grew out of that years ago Stanny.” she says with a snigger. There’s an audible cough behind you, from around where Hector is. Should make sure to mention him as an exception when I bring up the schedules.

You just sigh and turn your face to the sky, looking for all the world like a man burdened with an immeasurable weight. “By the seven blessed winds, I thought you’d want to get first crack at the fleeces. Since you’re deciding to be difficult, I guess you’d rather spend the morning counting sacks of flour and bags of hazelnuts. Sorry for taking an interest in my people’s interests, I’ll make sure you have plenty of time to count all the flakes of oats for the oxen and mules. I expect a proper inventory by the meeting.”

You catch the wince as you turn away towards the now suddenly alert guards, and she comes up alongside you, a pleading tone in her voice. “Now now Tristan, just thought a joke between old friends was fine. I’d love to look over the fleeces with you, make sure they are plenty good. Besides, I already had a good inventory from yesterday while the lads were enjoying some time off. No need to count them again, I trust their numbers.” A nervous laugh slowly wilts under your stony silence.

“Quite.” you blandly answer, as you pass the guards. “Hector, tell whoever you see next to track down Miguel and Mr. Sparrow. They’re to be informed about a meeting at my room at the inn, around midday.” His acknowledgement follows you as you walk towards the oxen, picking up Jacob, bites his
nails when he’s nervous. and Kyle from where Johnny is showing him the proper way to pick stones of hooves.

“...And if you don’t do it right, the poor critter is bound to go lame within a day. So, don’t shirk it, even if it’s a hassle getting the ox on it’s side so you can reach their hooves.” Johnny perks up, and lets you take the boy away. “Nathan seems to be getting it well messir, not a complete fool. Had to re-teach him some of the finer bits because whoever did, did a piss-poor job, but should be good to go in a month or so.”

[1/2]

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>>4640200

Nodding, it’s later as you’re all passing the stables and a wheatfield that you realize that you’ve mistaken the boy’s name. Oh well, Kyle’s a stupid name anyways.

When the road gets a bit straighter, you speak, as if it was just a passing thought. “Oh, Snorri? I heard the men were running extra training right now.” You sense the stiffening from both her and Jacob, as she tersely answers back. “Aye, didn’t want them going soft. Roads are pretty safe this deep in Loria, but I’d rather we be prepared ahead of time before we get to the mountains. Fields of Fum don’t have much in the way of threats, but that’ll change by the time we reach the forests at the border.”

Feeling the tension in the air as she probably gives a dirty look at Hector over your shoulder, you continue talking as if you barely heard it. “I suppose that’s a valid concern. There’s been sightings of bandits operating in the woods by Orphaner’s peak. Still, that’s at least 2 weeks of travel ahead of us. I’d rather the men be well-rested beforehand. No point in trying to hone their edge all the way until you ruin the tempering.”

There’s a bit of quiet as she probably starts thinking of ways to get back at whoever she suspects brought it up to you. “I mean, you’re the head of this outfit Tris. You’ve got the final say. I just didn’t want them getting fat and lazy is all.”

“Snorri, we’re running barely better than a skeleton crew as it is. Accommodating for guard shifts, watching the wagons, watching the livestock, rest, and training, we can’t afford anyone falling ill or getting hurt. Until we get some muscle to spare, they’re going to be quite sharp enough just doing their everyday tasking.” you say with an air of finality and reproach in your tone.

There’s another short pause, followed by a surly “Aye.” You can tell that Jacob relaxes at that, probably thankful that you took the heat from the men. Ignoring the grumpy air behind you, the four of you enter the square just as the shearing is starting. The flying clippers and shears go to work, fleeces falling to the ground in heavy clumps.

>[Surly] Skirt around the edges, watching the wool get gathered up and brought to the vats to be washed of dirt and debris. You should be able to get a good view of which ones are worth buying. Maybe find some of the weavers from last night?

>[Gregarious] Offer to join in the shearing. It’ll be worth a laugh, and showing some comradery among the proles could help you in later negotiations. Gods above though, you’ll hate handling that manky wool however. Roll Required, to see how well you do.

>[Pragmatic] People are busy, so you could use this time to chat up some of the brokers and onlookers. You know some of the major players in the town, but a bit of confirmation can help. Focus on trying to build connections.

>[Write-in?]

[2/2]

>>4640201
>[Pragmatic] People are busy, so you could use this time to chat up some of the brokers and onlookers. You know some of the major players in the town, but a bit of confirmation can help. Focus on trying to build connections.

>>4640201
>[Pragmatic] People are busy, so you could use this time to chat up some of the brokers and onlookers. You know some of the major players in the town, but a bit of confirmation can help. Focus on trying to build connections.

>>4640201

Sounds like I got roped into waking up early and helping a friend with some busywork early in the morning. Calling it a night a bit earlier than usual, but will start up another session tomorrow at 01:30 UCT. Should have another 3ish updates then and will post the timeframe for the next session afterwards. Take care out there. Will leave the vote open until then for people who are in other timezones.

>>4640239

Forgot to mention, I can also provide an agreggated list of any contacts you found so far, as well as a roster if you want to actually know the names of the people in your employ beyond the handful you regularly interact with.

>>4640239
Have a good night OP.

>>4640248
Good to know.

>>4640215
>>4640237

>disregard wool, acquire information.

Called and writing.

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>[Pragmatic] option taken!

Seeing the clumps of unwashed wool piling up at the stools like a snowdrift, your attention shifts to the onlookers and rubber-neckers. There’s a cheer, and it sounds like a couple of them are planning to hold a competition on who could shear the sheep the fastest. A couple of women probably the shepherd’s wives are standing around a skirting table, shaking out the loose clumps of mud, grass, and sheep shit out of the fleeces. A couple other old women take the skirted wool and begin rinsing it in the vats of cold water, the water already running brown.

Giving a tilt of the head to your followers, you move across the square, away from the sheep and shepherds. There’s a clump of well-dressed men watching the activities with a shrewd air, talking among themselves. As you approach, you catch snatches of ‘...like a decent one. Probably mate that ewe with...’ before they notice you. You doff your hat and perform a sweeping bow, putting on your no.2 smile as you rise back up.

“Good morning messirs, Tristan Stonyfield at your service. Would you happen to be the purveyors of these fine fleeces?” One of them, the middle-aged man in the red hose, acknowledges you curtly, doffing his own cap. “Aye messir Stonyfield, that we are. Bernard Rivers, at your leisure. These fine gents alongside me are Harvey Burroughs,” the man with the frilled shirt tilts his head, “and Vincent Garland.” The man in the blue cap acknowledges you, but you detect an air of disdain from him. Racking your brain, you recall that the Garlands are currently siding with those damnable Capwells in the last trade dispute between your Houses.

“Marvelous, I’m glad to have made your acquaintance messirs.” Looking over your shoulder as if it were an afterthought, you add onto it. “These fine people are Snorri, my personal retainer, Jacob, one of our guards, and Nathan, who’s learning the trade.” Turning back to Bernard seems like the most important of the three of them, you motion towards the square. “Looks like the shearing is going quite well today, no?”

Harvey just smiles at that, answering with, “Aye, lots of good white wool. This last winter was relatively mild, so we lost barely any lambs to frost. I hear from some of the weavers that it should be a good harvest this year.” That doesn’t seem to track with what the three weavers from last night were saying. A lot of the local fabric markets are hurting from the flood of cheap silks from Geroni this year. The Mason family was especially hit hard, a bout of foot-and-mouth disease ravaged their flocks.

How do you choose to handle this?

[1/2]

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>>4641772

>[Surly] Try to suss out any more inconsistencies in their stories. Any that you find out could be the edge in negotiations, but it runs the risk of playing your hand early.

>[Gregarious] Take Mr. Burroughs at his word, and try to schmooze a little. As someone who appears to be running the operation, he’d know better about the state of the flocks than some weavers.

>[Pragmatic] Try to figure out the relationships between the three men. Maybe bring up the Masons, since none of them share that surname?

>[Write-in?]

All three options will require a roll, as the three men are trying to ascertain what your motives are.

[2/2]

As promised, here is the current roster of personnel in your caravan. Not counting livestock, of course.

Heads of the caravan

Tristan Stonyfield, Head Caravaneer.
Hildr ‘Snorri’ Gunnarsdotter, Personal Retainer, handles majority of security.
Miguel ‘Sooty’ de Soto, Dwarven trained Blacksmith, handles repairs for vehicles.
Tomas ‘Staff-of-Many-Colours’ Wells, Hired Diviner and Chemist, handles weird shit, medications, and divinations.
Victor Sparrow, Leader of the Soaring Sparrows Troupe, and notable playwright.

House Guards

Marcel
Marcus
Jeremy
Gregory
Hector
Jared
‘Black’ John
Lionel
Peter
Carl
Ryan
Bryan
Neil
Thomas
Randall
Vincent

Carters and Drovers

Johnny, your personal drover
Nathaniel, youngster learning under Johnny
‘Red’ John
Terrance
Manuel
Otto
Wesley
Eric
Robert
David
Samuel
Isaac
Calvin

Entertainers

Calvin the Colossus, Strongman
Noah, the Man of Iron, Sword-swallower
Madame Erica, Knife-thrower
Monsigneour Eric, Juggler
Adam, Dancer
Miriam, Dancer
Orville, Professional Clown and animal handler.

Will reply to this post with the current trade information that you know about your homeland and your destination.

>>4641774
>[Surly] Try to suss out any more inconsistencies in their stories. Any that you find out could be the edge in negotiations, but it runs the risk of playing your hand early.
hmmmmMMMMMMMM

>>4641780

Here's the current information, both general and specific that you're aware of. There is more information you can bring to bear, but this is what you know readily without consulting your ledgers and diary.

Lorian Products and Desires

Produces large amounts of fruits, wines, brandies, and other foodstuffs. Known as a very fertile land. Position on the Calling Sea gives them strong control on sea trade to the southern continent of Geroni, and it's access to tropical fruits and spices. Holds it fiercely with massive ships of oak armed with heavy cannons.
High demands for ivory, powder, crafts, and other finished goods. Low comparative population makes production more costly here. Grey market for smuggled goods from Fransica, and Black market in goods that avoided the loving caress of a taxman. Big problems with smuggling, and crackdowns are getting more frequent.
Gunpowder rates near Port Josiah and Angelsfield are sky-rocketing due to Haradeen Republic buying a lot of the excess on the market. -Smiths in Angelsfield.
Grain yields in the Fields of Fum look good this year. Expect lower prices on food and consumables this year and the next. -Old farmers in Angelsfield.
Some of the wool merchants at market are going through hard times, since flood of cheap silks from Geroni have tanked fabric prices. The hardest hit is the Masons. -Weavers and onlookers.

Jironthi Products and Desires

Produces large amounts of lumber, seafood, and exotic wildlife parts. Famous for it's ships. The best ivory comes from Jironthi Clans, and the dense hardwoods and heartwoods from their forests makes excellent bowstaves and arrows.
High demand for metallics, grain, and spices to make life less dreary. Grey market for poached animals from their lands, and large amount of Black market in narcotics. Elves are pretty ‘eh’ on drugs, but lots of their neighbours are cracking down. Very metal-poor, and pay good rates for especially weapons-grade metals.
Family contacts in Steel and Powder trades let you know that they're buying up war materiel. Any powder for making grenades and bombs and prepared weaponry will fetch a very good price this year. Shafted weaponry is more popular, due to the large amount of quality hardwood and low amounts of weapons-grade steel.
Kingsmoots are one of the few times the Clans get together under peace, and are a good chance to establish trade contacts for your family since it's fair enough away from Loria that your competition are unlikely to travel there over the roads. -Snorri
The elves are buying a lot of iron and steel lately. There's a bit of an embargo on shipping to them from the Orthodoxy, but it's still relatively lax. -Smiths in Angelsfield.

>>4641781

>try to read between the lines.

Called.

>Roll Required! Target Value is 46! (Base of 40, +5 from Traits, +2 for social equals, +2 for showing an interest in the proceedings, +3 for bringing business to town, -4 for hostile intent (Garland), -2 for outsider to Angelsfield.)

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>4641893

>>4641907
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I guess it's reroll time

>>4641907

Well, looks like there might be DISASTER! on our hands, unless the next roll is a 1. Opening up the FATE mechanics pastebin for a quick refresher.

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>4641893

>>4641915

Re-rolls, FATE, and how it works. https://pastebin.com/uJ1WpYNQ

So, as it stands right now, Tristan currently has 1 renewable re-roll, and one charge of FATE. Re-rolls can only be used on non-crit rolls, or non-doubles. You can burn a re-roll to affect a double roll, but will permanently remove it from your pool.

FATE is used to change a Crit result, averting a DISASTER!, or negating an opponents MIRACLE! They are only regained through great feats, and the MC can only hold one charge of FATE at a time. If you choose to Burn Your Fate, the GM rolls the die, and the result stands. Given that it could avert a mortal blow or save you from an execution, it's not something to be burnt lightly.

As it stands right now, I'll leave it to a vote for the next 15 minutes on if you choose to let the result stand, or to use FATE to change it.

>DISASTER result occurs!
>[Burn FATE? Y/N]

>>4641930

Taking the silence as acceptance. Writing for DISASTER!

Time to look up rules for sword duels, and their legality.

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>[Surly] action taken.
>Roll Required! TV is 46 after modifiers.

>>4641907
>>4641921

>Crit override! DISASTER! Committed a major social faux pas, and a hostile actor pounces on it!

“Really? That’s good news, it should help stem the flow of silks at Port Josiah that way.” No sooner than the words leave you mouth, you hear a faint intake of breath from the men. A sore point, probably should have left it alone. There’s a flush creeping up the face of Rivers, and a malicious twinkle in the eyes of the Garland bastard.

“Aye, those bloody Gerons have been pumping silk out so fast that you’d think it was bolts of hemp instead for the rates they’re paying. Next thing you know, linen will follow suit, and a man would be hard-pressed to even get felt rates for Angelsfield White.” Rivers spits out with venom, glaring at the unwashed wool as if it personally offended him.

Snorri chimes in at this moment adding some more fuel onto the fire. “I mean, at least the sheep are doing alright. Glad to hear that bout of disease was nothing to hear about.” Seeing their expressions sour further, you already are regretting bringing her along. Garland sneers, and moves his hand gingerly to the sword at his hip.

“You know, you really should keep your pet elf under control, Stonyfield. A man may take offense to things like that.” When you hear the crunching of gravel as Snorri start shifting her stance, you step in-between them.

“She’s not a pet, but a trusted member of the household. An offense to my household is an offense to myself.” You know that duels of honour aren’t entirely legal, but letting this Capwell crony openly disrespect you and yours rankles. You can tell that even if you decide to let it slide, Snorri may yet force your hand by challenging him with you as her second.

>[Surly] Set up a time and place for a duel of honour between yourself and Garland. Will be to first blood, and settle the matter between you. May be considered a bit distasteful, but will end the situation without ruining reputations.

>[Gregarious] Attempt to diffuse the situation by appealing to the other two gentry. Has a chance to backfire and still result in a duel, taking a hit to your reputation as well. Hard Roll is required.

>[Pragmatic] Let Snorri duel this small fry, acting as her second if need be. She’s less skilled with a blade than you, but should be able to hold her own against this puke.

>[Write-in?]

>>4642002
>[Surly] Set up a time and place for a duel of honour between yourself and Garland. Will be to first blood, and settle the matter between you. May be considered a bit distasteful, but will end the situation without ruining reputations.
I-it'll be fine...?

>>4642006

>fuck this, I'll cut him myself.

So, before I bounce for the night, when do you feel like dueling? As the challenger, you dictate the time, whereas the challenged dictates the weapons chosen. He appears to be armed with a broadsword, shorter than your rapier, but a bit more protective in the hand and better at the cut. You can't quite see his dagger, but it's probably a roundel dagger or bollock knife, given the style in this part of the country.

>Right now, in that isolated alley over there, away from prying eyes. Like men.

>Later tonight, by the Black Dog, where nosy nellies can fuck right off.

>Tomorrow at the edge of town, at dawn, before everyone wakes up. No need to have it interrupts.

As far as legality goes, it's unofficially accepted for most men of your social class to duel over slights, lovers, or accusations of crimes. Officially, they are looked down on, with the loser classed as a suicide, and the winner as a murderer in the eyes of the law. As such, most duels tend to be to first blood, rather than to the death, to avoid scandal. Accidents do happen however.

>>4642087
>Later tonight, by the Black Dog, where nosy nellies can fuck right off.

Alright, got it squared away. Yourself and Garland will be dueling later in the night, outside the Black Dog Inn. Most of the people in the area will be busy with a play being put on by the Soaring Sparrows, so you should be able to have it in an out-of-the-way area while everyone else is distracted. Called and writing, probably the last update for tonight.

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>[Surly] action chosen!

Glaring at this upstart wool merchant, you rest your hand casually on the hilt of your own rapier. Both of the swords are tied into their scabbards, but you can see him subtly shift his stance. “As a member of the Green Stonyfields, I demand satisfaction from you. I will not brook a Capwell lackey to insult my retainer to my face.”

You can practically read the calculations in his head, the same bad math that led prior sons to losses at your hands. His eyes first flick downwards to your stance, lazy to the unaware. They flick next to your rapier, swept hilt shining but relatively unadorned. They take in your more modest height, he’s got around four inches on you. The finally settle on your face, the three scars, one under each eye and the last extending from the tip of your nose, past your lips, to your chin. A man who’s low on the family tree, enough that he wouldn’t be given exceptional tutoring. Somewhat familiar with a blade, but clumsy, to be cut on the face so many times. An easy target.

Relaxedness mistaken for laziness. A branch son, trained extensively to protect the all-important trunk family, the bastards. A slightly shorter reach negated by your equipment and deftness. The scars on your face given by Monsigneour LaChance from Liberte Gymnasium, who only ever dueled with sharp blades, to teach his students to embrace the kisses from the blade. Bad math, that took the life of that bastard Sinclair, when he made the mistake of sticking you in the left hand before catching your blade in his chest.

Garland has a vicious grin on his face as h tilts his nose up at you. “Of course, I accept. Name the location and time, Stonyfield, and be sure to bring a second.”

“Near the Black Dog Inn, at sunset. Snorri will be my second, as she would be sure to want some recompense as well.”

“Very well. That way, when you’re laying in the dust clutching what’s left of that ruin you call a face, I can have a pleasant drink and a show afterwards. It’ll be with sword and dagger, like it is in Port Josiah. May as well let you have a chance.” he finishes with a short laugh.

You merely nod, and reply. “I accept. It will be a pleasure to see you explain to your masters why you can no longer count to ten after tonight.” Burroughs and Rivers merely look annoyed, and turn their attention back towards the shearing. Since you have nothing more to say to the bastard, you simply turn on your heel, and walk off to the other side of the square.

[1/2]

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>>4642177

“Tris, you didn’t need to do that. I could carve him from groin to gullet with an arm tied behind my back.” Snorri says quietly, trying not to make a scene.

“What’s done is done. If I let you fight him instead, it’d be a sign of weakness, and I despise showing weakness to those louts.” you answer back, not giving him the satisfaction of looking back.

“Aye messir, and that’s why we care for you as much as we do. Just win, that’s all we want.” Jacob chimes in, as Nathan seems lost in thought. Probably didn’t expect to see his new boss plan on fighting a man of consequence with sharp steel in his hometown the day after being hired on.

You’ve got a duel scheduled for later tonight, after your meeting with the others. How are you going to kill time before talking with them?

>[Surly] The atmosphere in the square is thoroughly ruined for you now. Retire to your quarters to prepare for your meeting and the duel later tonight.

>[Gregarious] Shift over to where some of the weavers from last night were. News wouldn’t spread quite as fast, and you’re interested in which fleeces will be ready by the time you leave in a day and a half.

>[Pragmatic] Get out of the square, and track down that supplier mentioned at the table last night. Old Man Whitechapel should still be open, and you’d be interested in how his rates stack up against the usual.

>[Write-in?]

Next session will be on the 11th at 01:30 UCT. Shouldn’t have any issues running it, but will leave notice if there’s anything that comes up. I’ll go more in depth on combat mechanics and the specifics of dueling before the fight actually happens.

[2/2]