"We're not sure yet. But we have a map, and the clues from it suggest that it might be a missing payroll lost during the war with Shevnia. We don't have a good idea of what's there yet, so the budget should be modest - just something to investigate further. Could be a big payoff, could be nothing."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Thu 19 Mar 2015.

"Makes things more difficult," Oren shrugged. "Okay, this is what I can do. I can help you write a budget, help you recruit, write up a contract, find you sponsors, acquire your supplies, and arrange transport to and from the expedition site.

"Now, I don't work for free, gents, so you have two options. One, you pay me $16 an hour for my time setting all that up. And trust me, I know the people it takes to get this done quick and cheap."

"You don't want to pay me up front, you give me 15% of what you find when you get back."

Danos looks to Oly for anything he'd like to add, before making an offer to Oren.

Well I did find diz in Kalvo'z dings...

He places a Shenavian silver coin with Prince Minsky's face in it on the table for inspection.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Fri 20 Mar 2015.

"That doesn't tell us much about what we might find," Oren said. "So it's a gamble for anyone involved.

"You want my help setting it up, I need you to either pay me up front sixteen copper per hour, or you give me fifteen percent of what's found when you get back."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Fri 20 Mar 2015.

"Can you give us a guess about how many hours you'd expect to bill for a job like this? Maybe we can pay you an advance and then work from there?"

"Well let's see. Call it an hour to work up the budget. Another hour or so to go over fundraising options. A few hours to meet with potential sponsors... that can be tricky, because nobles love making you wait... another hour or so putting the word out and finding partners.

"An hour or so to get a notary and write up the expedition contract. Then a couple hours to do the footwork finding you all the best bargains in Northport and making equipment requisitions. An hour or so plotting out the best course to your destination."

"You want a very rough estimate, I'd say nine to fifteen hours work, all told. $144 to $240. And that's the gamble, gentlemen. Is that more or less than fifteen percent of what you find? What's the better deal?

EDIT: Danos waits to hear Oren and Oly's discussion.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Fri 20 Mar 2015.

Zeemz like a lod of dime do me... we need all dad?

Oren shrugs. "You can skip anything you think you don't need. Danos wanted an estimate, and that's what I gave him. But let's start with the basics. Pay me sixteen copper and I'll work you up a budget in an hour. We see where we can go from there."

OK...   Oly forks over $16

Oren makes the money disappear, then pulls out a stylus and parchment.

"Okay, first off, you have two funding options. One, buy-in. Everybody who goes chips in a share of the costs. More people means you need more gear, but it also means you have more people splitting the cost... I'd say that if it's just four people you're looking at... maybe $400-450 per person. If you bring eight, you're looking at $275-$300."

"I'll tell you the exact amount when we know how many people are part of the expedition. And if you already have some of the gear, you can cut that down."

"Your other option is to find a sponsor. A sponsor is a rich merchant or noble who is going to fund your expedition in exchange for a cut of the profits. How much can be negotiated, but the more he puts up, the more he'll want back. The advantage here is that you don't need to put up any money up front, so if you don't have $300-400 per person, you're going to want a sponsor."

"Usually they'll ask you for 'what I gave you plus 5-20%' and that's off the top. And, Oly, this is important, they'll usually INSIST on going to see a wizard to make sure you're not cheating them."

He wrote down some more numbers, then looked up. "Now, the figure I quoted above? That includes a pack animal. Donkey. I can get you one cheap. You might also want to hire some porters. Because all the food and gear you're carrying, just for the trip, is going to slow you down... which means you need more food, which means it takes more time."

He stood up. "So what I need from you now is to know how many people you're bringing with, if you want pack animals or porters, and if you want to fund this yourself or look for a sponsor. I'm putting the hour you paid for on hold so you can figure that out while I go get a drink down in the tavern.

"Go find people. Come get me when you're ready, and we'll finish your budget."

Danos is glad that an initial agreement has been made. Thanking Oren, Danos heads to the bar in the Adventurer's guild in hopes that they can find someone interested in a job.

Oren walks alongside Danos down to the tavern. "If you're looking for partners, spread a little coin around. Pay criers to advertise. Put up a flyer for those who can read. Tip the bartender to point people in your direction."

Danos thanks Oren for his advice, and heads to the bar to follow it.

He buys a few rounds of drinks at a couple of the local bars to spread the word, and tips the staff well and lets them know that they should send people looking for work to where he is staying at the Guild.

OOC: What's a reasonable cost for that kind of thing?
Danos spends 20 copper on ale and tips.

10:30, Today: Danos rolled 10 using 3d6. Carousing 11.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Tue 24 Mar 2015.

Harry, taking advantage of the public fountain once again to the obvious distress of the local women wanting to fetch water looks up when he hears Danos' voice as Danos exits a near by tavern.  "Me remember you!  Show more big things?"

Danos gives a good-natured laugh when he sees Haere again.

"I don't know about big things, but I'm sure there will be all sorts of things of all sizes where we intend to go. But we will be leaving the city and I know you came here for the big things. If you are fine leaving the city for a while, then I'm sure your strength and skills would be most welcome!"

"Me go.  Big city smell big bad."

Oly  finds Danos... Ledz dalk zum ...

Danos confers quietly with his partner.

Oly shakes his head...

Danos continues to talk.

Oly nods... Good...ledz do diz den...

Danos agrees with Oly. "Yes. Come on Haere, right now it looks like it will just be you and me actually going on the adventure. Let's see if anyone else is looking for a job."

"Where we go now?"