Hi there,

This is the OOC thread for the merchant expedition led by ArenTrel (character name here when we know what is is!).

Please keep ALL OOC chat in this thread except for dice rolls, which are allowed in the IC thread.

Let me know if/when you've recruited any players and I'll add them to the group.

It's worth thinking about the sort of goods you'd like to carry and how you're going to travel.

Profit margin is likely to be mazimum 40% or so before expenses.

You'll need to think about things like:
Foot or horse?
Mules for carrying goods?
Carts?
Any extra guards and how many people will be going in general?
Roughly where you'd like to go (I'll be adding more countries if that helps).
How much you can afford to pay any folk you take with you.
Will you be traveling as your own expedition or tacking onto a larger group for a while?

I think you'll be starting in Port Duross - it's not as large as Caer Anddross but you're more likely to get exotic goods at trade prices. Also you'd then have the option of taking ship if need be.

Myn Itzal has been recruited.

As for the rest I will get back to you on that part, I have work shortly.

Itzal Myn also!

Oh yeah, sorry. Have like three people with similiar names.

Oh, I thought you hired us both...

as for he similarities... agreed, but mine is "it's all mine"....I love that...but still not enough to differentiate...

Good thing I knew who you really meant ;)

The other two will be changing their names, they're still working on their characters at the moment.

Only hired one person so far.

Had a chance to think about those questions yet?

Also did the two of you agree on a wage?

It looks like it'lll just be you two on the expedition, plus any NPCs you hire.

Workin' on it...

He would likely be payed the standard wage, whatever that is of course. As for hired NPCs, it would just be the usual amount of guards for such a trip and back, with the addition of any other merchants who want to join forces, as well as any passangers.

Well, the reason I asked was that there is no usual amount - it's down to the individual merchant and what they can afford, and how much protection or accompaniment they feel they need.

I'll give you a choice:

If you're following an established trade route, you can join a caravan. If you do this, you'll need to either buy a wagon or try and hire a place on someone else's. Protection on these journeys is generally either provided by the leader, or by everyone pooling together, so you can have as few guards or assistants as you like.

Alternatively, if you want a bit more flexibility you could put together your own little train - buy a couple of wagons or carts, hire two or three more guards and a couple of drivers.

OR, you could travel light - just the two of you and your horses.

As for Itzal Myn's wage, I believe the last caravan I ran paid the player-character guards 2GP per day, but that was a rather fantastic wage. So, probably 1GP per day would be fair for Myn, less if you think stinking halflings are worth less.

"Are we even worth half that?" whimpered the abused little one.

I would say follow a trade route to begin with, stay on the safer side for the first venture to build up some more capital first. So that would mean a wagon, supplies, trade goods, and some guards to contribute to the whole caravan then.

1gp per day is just fine.

The halfling nearly quivers with excitement. "A gold for each DAY? Thank you, thank you!"

Heh, you are a lucky halfling - your boss seems nice!

Right, I'll get you a list of prices and option, and some NPC guards to choose from.

Just do your job and you'll get paid.

Alrighty, time to sort out your gear!

Transport:
A wagon costs 35gp, weighs 400lb, needs two horses.
A cart costs 15GP, weighs 200lb, needs one horse.
Light horses to pull said transports are 75gp each.

One horse can pull up to 2000lbs, including the weight of the cart/wagon and any passengers.

Supplies:
Feed per day for the horse is 5cp.
Rations are 2sp per day per person.

NPCs to choose from:

Ruthen, half-orc archer
Notable skills: Spot, Intimidate
Fee: 5SP per day

Serddyd, human glaiver
Notable skills: Bluff, Use Rope
Fee: 7SP per day

Iorson, gnome healer
Notable skills: Spot, Concentration
Fee: 1GP per day

Sulia Rarefoot, halfling archer
Notable skills: Profession (wheelwright), Swim
Fee: 3SP per day

Emerenthus, half-elf axeman
Notable skills: Diplomacy, Speak Language
Fee: 5SP per day

Serddyd, human swordsman
Notable skills: Survival, Search
Fee: 4SP per day

Goods:

The following goods can be purchased here. Quantities are per pound, gallon, or one item.

Beans 1SP
Beer 12GP
Bronze 12GP
Chicken 2CP
Cheap spices 1GP
Expemsive spices 40GP
Cloth 8GP
Copper 3SP
Cotton 10GP
Dye 3GP
Fruit 1SP
Flour 3CP
Glassware 4GP
Grain 2SP
Lacquerware 9GP
Linen 4GP
Nuts 2CP
Oil 2GP
Perfume 40GP
Silk 15GP
Wine 22GP
Wool 7GP

Figured out what you're starting with yet? I might need to give you a little more gold...

"I just need a little food. Get me through the day an' all."

I am thinking, but I do believe alittle more money is needed with the price of a wagon, horses, food and feed.

What had we agreed on...I think it was 200GP.

Let's see if you can manage on 300GP?

Perhaps we should keep finances out of sight of the halfling...nah, I'm sure he can be trusted ;)

Got it sorted yet?

[Private to Itzal Myn: Thank you for your patience! I'm afraid your employer seems a little indecisive - if you get fed up I can easily fit you into another group.]

Pretty much, just need to make up my character sheet in a day or two, work is being oppressive right now.

I sympathise :)

Just let me know when you're ready. If it helps, you won't really need to have the sheet done before we start, just soon after we do, as I imagine the first few posts at least will just be RP and scene-setting.

*bump* Any news?

Hey, just checking in...

Bump again!

[Private to Itzal Myn: Myn, if you get tired of waiting for Rarcius (he is checking in now and then so I'm happy enough for now), I can easily fit you into one of the other groups. Or perhaps we could find you a little something to do before the caravan is ready to leave.]

Heh.
[Private to Mr. DM: Sure,  a liitle side assignment might be nice.]

Hello folks!

I've had a rather good response to my latest advertisement and one of the characters could be useful to introduce here - he's a swashbuckler raised on board ship. Given that you'll be starting in Port Duross, would:

Rarcius be willing to consider hiring him?

Itzal Myn be willing to work with him on an inital escapade?

Sure, as whatever we find, well, itzal myn.

Yes, hiring him doesn't sound so bad so he could be another guard. Sorry for my absence, with the holiday coming up work has been draining me.

No worries :)

We'll get things moving as soon as possible. I've asked the new guy to get his character sorted as soon as possible, or at least roughly fleshed out so we can begin.

Escapades escapades...it's what brings us together, today...

Thought I'd chime in and let you know I am still alive.
;-)

Likewise!

The new fellow is nearly ready.

Oh, you looked more like a construct...not an actual, you know, living being. Kinda stoned. heh

I'm not a living being, I'm the DM :P

Any news from Hu Sit or Rarcius?

Ok, sound off if you're still here.
Itzal, if you are then we'll get going tomorrow, I've a few hooks lined up for you.

Estoy aqui!

Ahoy
and what names does everyone here go by?

Huzzah!

Hu - did you want to change your name?

Alright gentlemen, here is how it will go down.

Hu Sit (if that is his real name) landed a few days ago, put ashore from the ship he was travelling on. Knowing he wasn't too far from Port Duross, he started making his way north up the coast. Port Duross is, after all, where everyone knows you can make your fortune.

He came across Itzal Myn fishing for his supper in a small creek. By happy coincidence he too was heading north, though not for any particular reason as much as for something to do. You've been travelling together for a day, and that's where we join the IC thread.

Yeah, you don't get anything with that roll Itzal :P

We haven't heard from Rarcius for a while - how would you two feel if I advertised for a couple of new characters for the group?

It's all you.

How wonderfully cryptic! I have absolutely no idea what your opinion is!

I have none. If you want more, I will be happy to work with them. If you don't want more, I can tough it out with Hu and I. Either way. All you!

Flexible, I like it.

greetings !

I will be, very soon, a new member of your expedition. And you will quickly wonder how you managed before my charming self joined.
No more boring evenings, no more sad silence while traveling ! Lectures, songs, music, your choice ^^

Hu, Itzal - are you stumped? :P

I'd like to introduce Dimble soon.

Waiting for Hu...!

There's one more character being prepped, so Dimble - thanks for being patient, we'll get you both in at the same time!

okidoki

Am chasing Hu Gnose - if he's not ready by the weekend I'll introduce you anyway Dimble.

Group 2 seems to have a minor curse when it comes to getting players ready! (obvious exceptions being those currently in the group :) )

Good news - he's about ready and now has a name: Julien Ravenhold.

hi julien and i'm a DND addict......

so whos who in this little band of misfits?

as for taking so long to get everything up, it's hard to get a character up and ready when your boss won't get off the computer even when his shift is over and your using the online SRD sense your books are packed away for a move.

but it's all good.

I am one of he misfits...

Now where's my island?

Alright folks - here's where you meet up! No killing each other please...

Dimble and Julien, if you want to talk more about why you're travelling together etc., we can go to PMs. You've been together as long as you wish, but probably a week or two.

sounds good.

right now i have to turn the computer over to the day shift. so i'll be on later on to night.

And I'll be asleep :)

I'll just delete your bio line, I left it as 'temporary name', whoops!

Just quickly pointing out that Dimble, Julien, and therefore the cave, are on the opposite side of the stream to the others. It's about waist-deep for human-sized people.

hello? anyone out there?

Absolutely!

Just waiting for one of you to post IC :P

IC?

In Character

You weren't wrong about your eyes, Dimble!

Though of course, in D&D one's eyes get better as one gets older :|

sorry for not being here, but I was busy with work. so where we at now?

Hehe Dimble  - trying to send Hu back across to pick up the boys, making him even more damp? I like it!

well I can't go as I'm probably even smaller than the boys so... ^^

sorry for not posting tonight. been busy with work. will try to post tonight.

Looks like you'll have to wait until I get back to see what's in the cave ;) Feel free to chat IC while you wait...talking is a free action :P

I need marching order please - it's max two abreast. Unless you decide otherwise, I'll assume Melia and the boys are at the back.

Next, a Will save from each of you.

Also worth noting there are some good opportunites for knowledge checks here. I'm not telling you which since you can think for yourselves ;)

Dimble will stay with the boys, to keep them safe in case something would follow them.

and he will try to get them to talk, to explain a little more about their situation

I'll be in front of dimble. I belive I can take a few more hits them he can.

at the front of course,
that is . . .
behind my little compatriot Itzal :-P

I've made Itzal's roll for him - and managed to get a natural twenty!

[Private to Hu Sit: You're panicked and must flee from the source of your fear - the owl! Roll a d6: 1-3 you run back outside, 4-6 you run through the archway. You're free to describe how Hu looks and acts when he's scared but you can't take any actions other than running away, buggering off, chickening out, etc.]


[Private to Dimble Nackle; Itzal Myn; Julien Ravenhold: You're all shaken for 1 round.]

Edit: Hu, when you make a post that is entirely OOC (like you last one in the IC thread), please post that here rather than in IC so we keep the IC thread as clean as possible.

Edit again: I forgot Itzal is away for a few days so we don't need to wait for him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:54, Mon 27 July 2009.

Colour me impressed that you didn't all just rush the thing straight away ;)

Will wait for Dimble, Julien and Itzal to declare some actions before I move on - Hu is fleeing! Do feel free to continue to describe your cowardly flight tactical withdrawal, Hu.

[Private to Hu Sit: When you get past the crud-covered arch I'll let you know what's in there. Nevermind, wrong direction :P]
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:05, Thu 30 July 2009.

I've assumed you were more than 10ft from the owl, Dimble - otherwise you might've put yourself to sleep!

that would have been a shame ^^

PL

[Private to Hu Sit: You can come back in now, you've recovered your wits while they were searching!]

sorry for not being on the last 4 days but the internet on the ship died and it took them until an hour ago to get it back up and running. I'll be flying off ship back to home tomorrow so I should have a more stable connection then.

No worries, I know you don't always have easy access :)

hello, I probably won't be able to post until Saturday evening.

OK Dimble :)

I'm a bit unlcear on whether anyone has actually moved the weeds aside, by the way, or if you'v just approached them and are looking at 'em.

I'm back with stable internet and glad to be back on land. so lets get this party started.

i was at Lolla, but am back now
looks like things are going good though

is the game still going?

Yep - the delay is my fault, sorry. Very busy at work and this translates into less energy and time when I get home! Hang in there, I will be getting you back on track.