Tib has a few more words for the people his is with, then walks across to Andalon’s table, nodding towards those people that he knows.  Rather than the Sickle and Sword of Midmarch, he wears a Blue and Gold symbol, which shows he is one of Henry’s personal staff.

After listening to Andalon’s account, he nods ”I knew that Marik held the rights there, but I didn’t realise that it was going to be a no-go area.  But I suppose it isn’t all that much different from the Fey area that has been set up in the Narlemarch.  Makes sense I suppose …

I am down here recruiting for Henry’s guard.” he nods towards the ex-bandits still sitting in the corner table ”He wants people who are versatile enough to guard caravans as well as do a stint on garrison duty.”

---

Characters from the original party will have fought alongside Tib at Oleg’s and the bandit Camp.  That said, I think everyone will have come across him at least briefly while he has been running errands for Henry.   Tib is an Officer of Midmarch.

Andalon shook hands with Tib as he greeted him.

"You shouldn't have too much trouble recruiting guards. There should be enough men here who aren't afraid to carry a weapon and who will realise that guard duty might be boring but is certainly easier work than labouring on a farm or building roads and houses.

"I think the treaty with the kobolds is a very sensible idea. They will probably guard that section of the Midmarch border as effectively as we could, we certainly don't need to be fighting against them while we are trying to establish our own settlements here and there is potential for trade with them in future. But it seems that the kobold way of doing things is often not the same as the human way, so keeping a bit of distance between us and carefully controlling any interaction is probably a very good idea. You can help avoid trouble there by spreading the word about the Sootscale rules too."

When Cyrus and the Kamelands group returned to Ringbridge Andalon made sure he had a chance to speak to them as well.

"Cyrus, I'm sorry our missions send us in different directions this time. I hope you manage to avoid shedding too much of your own blood while I am not close enough to heal you up again. Here, I think you should take this with you in case of an emergency." He hands over a small clay pot with a wooden stopper (potion of Cure Moderate Wounds). "I have been carrying it since we found it but it was always intended to be used by whoever needs it most."

"And as you all are exploring the Kamelands while I won't get far from the rivers, there is also this map of the Kamelands that we found after defeating the Stag Lord. It was among a bag of possessions that look like they had previously belonged to a gnomish priestess, although we have no idea who she was or what happened to her that left her possessions in the hands of the bandits there. The map shows a trail that might be the one that crosses the Shrive River at the old bridge near Ringbridge then runs southwards through the Kamelands. I would be very interested to find out what those small grey x's are along that trail represent, or the four larger red X's scattered around the Kamelands. I look forward to hearing about anything you might see at any of those locations; anything at all that catches your eye."

He will make a copy of that map to give to Cyrus and the Kamelands group.
OOC: See the Game Map for Group M.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Naturally, while Andalon is in Ringbridge he will take the opportunity to visit his cousin Valoria, as well.

At some point after their return to Ringbridge, Marik will track down Mariam. "I wonder if you might be willing to accompany me to dinner this evening?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:29, Fri 05 Jan 2018.

”I think Henry feels some responsibility for the reformed bandits.”  Tib responds quietly to Andalon.  Glancing towards Yolen and George, who he had been chatting to earlier, he continues ”They have limited skills …  not quite good enough to become foresters, no real craft skills – but used to guard duty, long shifts and look after themselves when they need to.  So he is recruiting them and spreading them out amongst the guard units.  I think he is worried that they will go back to their old ways, if they can’t make a decent living.”

"That sounds like a good idea," Andalon responded to Tib equally quietly. "Recruit them, disperse them and put them under strong leaders. That should be to everyone's benefit. Henry certainly has a knack for making the most of any situation."

"So what about you?  I heard you are building a Chapel in Tusk Town, are you going to stay there in the new city, or spread yourself out around the place.  I can't be doing with big towns myself, they do my head in.  Henry has said that I can help look after his northern estates and maybe go back to running a trade caravan for him.  You know Rikka and I used to work for him before he came down here?"

Andalon smiled contentedly.

"I hope to see that Chapel in Tusk Town grow to a full Temple one day with me as the Bishop of Abadar there. Other priests will come and can be given the task to establish Abadaran shrines and chapels in the other settlements of Midmarch. I will focus on Tusk Town and perhaps I can establish a marketplace there close to my chapel as well. My family connections should make it a bit easier to establish trade between Tusk Town and other cities in the region, so I hope that I can ensure the future fortune of my own descendants in Tusk Town too. Perhaps you and Rikka might be running trade caravans from that marketplace in Tusk Town one day too."

Tib nods slowly as he listens.  "Not Rikka." he grins "She's got her eye on setting up a workshop so she can  make magic weapons and armour.  Way to complicted for me.  I'll stick to my life on the road and local pub in every town."

He pauses for a moment as he considers Andalon's response, then frowns slightly "So you intend to set up a market?  Are you intending to run your own merchant trains as well, or will you be supporting the locals?"

A rather well dressed and efficient looking halfling peeks in to see how things are going and passes around mulled wine for those interested.

A sudden wild look dances across his eyes then quickly disappears. "If you need anything, just ask for Elkin." With that said, he goes to check on the workers before vanishing back to wherever he came from.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Fri 29 Dec 2017.

Andalon looks a little surprised to see the halfling but says "Thankyou" as he accepts the mulled wine.

Then he turns back to Tiberezi.

"I hadn't thought much beyond establishing a marketplace as that is one thing Tusk Town lacks at present. If someone else plans to run merchant trains from there I would rather put my resources into something else the town needs at that stage. A shop or a bank, perhaps? I really don't have definite plans at this stage. I will wait and see what looks like the best investment when the time comes."

Adoven shrugs. "might be something we'll expand into. Depends on whether water trade can sustain and support Tusktown alone. I suspect than within a year's time we'll be planning a merchant house to expand our interests. Marketplace can only help I think."

It had taken her a bit of time to make her way to The Swan, but eventually she found herself there and in relative good humor. Mostly due to the fact she was no longer on the jetty. El had never had a tolerance for being on the water. He was right and settled on the land. As usual, her hair was a mass of elegant tangle about her face, but the color had at least returned to her cheeks. For the moment she was alone, having let Quinn to his studies, with the assurance he would join them when able. Spotting her companions, she made her way, assertive and sure of herself.

"I can't tell you how glad I am to be off that boat, lads" she said as soon as she was sure to not be interrupting, taking a seat and folding her arms on the table before her as to hold her up. "Dry land is always preferred. " she then takes a pause, considers and states "I do hope I wasn't interrupting anything. I've not yet learned to tame my mouth I'm afraid." despite the remark, it didn't seem that she was all to sorry about it, either.

Andalon smiled and signalled for a drink to be brought for El.

"You haven't missed much yet," he reassured her. "I have just passed on what we learned about the Sootscales, Tib here is recruiting some of the ex-bandits as Midmarch guardsmen for Henry, and we were talking about our own ambitions and investment opportunities in Tusk Town and elsewhere in Midmarch."

Studies had not been something Quinn had found interest in.  There was too much going on for him to focus so when El arrived she had found him already sipping very slowly at the drink purchased for him and listening quietly to the conversation.  He didn't have much to add being still too new to the area to contribute much but the discussion of establishing a settlement, of shops and trade, that drew his attention noticeably.  Looking up from his drink he took more keen interest.

"I have had my eyes open for a place to settle and set up shop myself," Quinn finally interjected albeit weakly and a bit concerned about interjecting.  Still, he'd been bought and drink and allowed to sit so he figured he had a right to.  "I grew up in a shop run by my family that dealt in small magical items as well as mundane fineries.  It has been something I have wanted to establish on my own and was part of the reason I went to school.  If a place were to be established I would enjoy opening a small shop myself, something to make an honest living.  The frontier areas can always use items mended or replaced as well as minor sorceries though I am no arch mage or anything."

"You should have a chat with Rikka when you are next in Tusktown.  She's doing something similar, although her interests lie with magical weapons and armour.  She has already set up a smithy in the town to make mundane equipment, while she isn't busy looking after Midmarch's finances. Tib comments in reply to Quinn.  "She's already made a belt that turns into a sword when she wants it to." he adds, clearly proud of his friends achievement.

El couldn't help the grin that spread over her face and instead hid it behind the drink that was brought to her and let her eyes wander to the side. After a moment, she lowered the drink to the table, speaking as she did. "Sounds like you will make a friend with a common interest. That should make it a bit easier.I got her eyes from Quinn to the others. She wasn't sure what to offer, herself, as she hadn't thought of it.

"Ambitions, hmm. I've never considered them before, never really had the option." which was true.

In reply to Andalon de Lebeda (msg # 8):

Cyrus thanks Andalon for the map and potion, "Indeed cousin, I already find myself missing your presence in our group, though your younger cousin has proved to be a valuable squire and these newcomers are quite unique in their abilities as well. Marik cast a spell that allowed me to fly. I've never felt such an exhilaration and it turned the tide of our battle with a strange flying beast that shot spikes nearly killing a number of us."

Andalon smiled as Cyrus thanked him for the map and potion.

"Oh, the map is not simply a gift. I want to find out more about what it has marked on it and you have a much better opportunity than I do to explore those areas. I look forward to hearing about anything you discover there.

"I wish I had been able to see you fly and battle that beast in the sky. I am sure I have heard tales of such beasts in the past but I'm afraid I can't remember now what they were called. Perhaps Valoria would remember."

OOC: I think it would probably require a DC15 Knowledge (Arcana) skill check to identify that magical beast.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Thu 04 Jan 2018.

"Winter Sun Merchants, this looks like the place eh Blaze?" Barbatius said patting his horses neck, he swung down out of the saddle with practiced grace and shook himself out after the long days ridie.  He was taller than most but his legs were bowed from years in the saddle, he wore thick leather armour and carried a new battleaxe and a shield across his back.

He pulled a waterskin from his saddlebags and took a mouthful and sloshed it around before spitting it out.  With a nod to himself he moved into the serai and grabbed the first passerby and asked "Is master Solanus here, I would speak with him."  the man pointed over at the main buikding and replied "I saw him go inside a few minutes ago." before continuing with his task.

"My thanks," was Barbatius's reply and he moved towards the main building.  There he spotted the half elf atva table reading a book of some kind andvtaking notes.  "So this is what mighty heroes do in their spare time is it?" he asked loudly.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Looking up with a start Domitius exclaimed "Barbatius, what are you doing here!" he puts fown the book and quill and stood up a big smile on his face.  The two men embraced and began laughing "It is good to see you my friend but seriously what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be making moon eyes at my sister?"

Pulling back Barbatius punched Domitius lightly on the shoulder "One time I said she was pretty and you will never let me forget."  still smiling he continued "Well your Grandfather heard about your business venture and suggested you might need a reliable hand around, you know to watch over things while you are off playing Hero. Seeings how I grew up on the border I thought I may fit thst bill, so I am no longer in the service of house Solanus...  I don't suppose you need someone around here do you."

Domitius gave Barbatius a sly look "Well I may need a character referral, do you know anyone here in Ringbridge?" then with a wink and a laugh "Welcome aboard my friend, now lets go get a drink."

Standing outside the new workshop Hargrym ran his hand through his red hair and sighed contentedly, "Aye, it's ready now we just need some customers, the lad said there would be plenty coming but we shall see." though if he was being honest there did seem to be a lot of new building going on and who wouldn't want dwarf wrought stone for their buildings.  Then there was his talk of an Azlanti style temple to some dead goddess, surely he must be smitten with the lass Alisa he had said was her name.

Though if they were to build one temple then surely others would follow work for the gods was good for the soul they said.  Good for the purse as well he hoped, best head to the Torag shrine and introduce myself.  He locked up the workshop and headed into town.