The Planning Meeting is held in an empty shell of a building in the central district.  It is little more than four walls and high ceiling with the beams and rafters exposed.  It has a packed earth floor and is with a large table and simple chairs for everyone.  Henry stands at the head of the table, alongside a tall massively build man with a bald head.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:01, Sat 30 June 2018.

”Thank you all for coming along.  First I would like to introduce you to Ethankos,” Henry says indicating the man standing next to him.  ”He is a Free Priest of Pharasma, with no toes to any particular church or house, dedicated to the Lady of Graves' service.  And he come to offer his assistance to us.  Welcome Ethankos.”

He waits for a moment or two before he continues.  ”All three groups have returned successful.  Pipre managed to map a good part of the Narlmarch, and discovered a nest of unrepentant Kobolds who attacked and killed a group of Gnome adventurers.  Sorely tested, she was unable to best them.  Andalon has been exploring the lake.  For those of you who missed the action, they brought back a giant turtle, the meat was cooked up to feed the whole town and the shell taken away to be made into shields by Ron Swansov.  If any of you are in need of a good shield, I would advise you go to see him quickly.  Since then they have discovered an old woman living alone in the swamps, and a hot mud-pool guarded by a living plant.  They tell me that they only escaped death by the skin of their teeth.  Cyrus lead his team into the hills to the west.  It is an uncivilised land and the have seen, and fought, all sorts on mostrocities.  Most recently an evil knight risen from the dead, inside his burial mound.”  He pauses to take a sip from a mug of ale in front of him at the table.

”Cyrus has informed me that he, and his squire Zauria, intends to stay at Ringbridge for the next little while.  The village was attacked by a werewolf, and only saved because a group of new recruits, travelling through in a caravan, fought the creature and destroyed it.  Ethankos has asked my permission to lead the next group into those hills and I have granted it.

We have a number of other retirements as well.  Jicca Mak heard tales of a beautiful Metal Bird, and has chosen to go and search for that.  Zorah has finally decided to settle down and build her ranch, once she has finished her work out at Hunter’s Rest.  She will settle near the new outpost we built.  Tansy, Lex and Ron have all decided to concentrate on their business interests.  And Vik is also settling down, she is ‘with child’ and needs to have a somewhat quieter life at the moment.  Congratulations Vik.   You child will be the first of our new generation of leaders. He, or She, will grow up in our new land, already we bear fruit!” He says looking around the room happily.

"However, we have managed to recruit some new people to help up.  Four of them bested the werewolf in Ringbridge, while the others have only recently arrived.  They will join up with you, when next you leave on an expedition.  However, there are more settlers who need guidance and assistance -  so we need to dedicate some time to that, before we continue our quest to explore and tame this land.

But to finish, I have a personal announcement to make.  Bai and I have decided to marry, so that we, too, may add to the generation that will secure our legacy in this land.  And, I have decided that Rikka will be adopted into the leMaistre family as one of my noble cousins.  She has served me loyally over the years, and this is the time for her reward.   Brother Andalon, will you prepare the proper papers for both ceremonies -  nothing anywhere near as lavish as the service held got Cyrus and Val.  Something more practical, as befitting for a wedding in a frontier town.  We will celebrate both here in this very hall, after the ceremonies, and we will encourage the townsmen and villagers to join in , in their own way, to celebrate the next stage of or quest.  I have already ordered extra kegs of ale and wine, to get the party started.

But for now join me in a toast to the ladies who will join my family.  Bai and Rikka.” He calls loudly as he raises his own glass in salute.

---

Time to chat amongst yourselves, corner Henry, strike deals, sell unwanted magic to each other - and drink the toast :)

Cass had settled in and was wondering if the evening would be a bureaucratic nightmare full of reports and paperwork, or if some interesting things had been going on while he was away.

Cass was kind of sorry to hear of the retirements, though he wished them all well and the fulfillment of their dreams. He was quite interested to see what the new arrivals would bring to the table. Cass had expected that things would change over the course of time as Midmarch grew, but he had not expected it to happen so rapidly.

The news that Cyrus and Zauria would be retiring from the field for some time to focus on Ringbridge was also a disappointment, and he was not sure how their little company would fare under leadership of a priest. That Ringbridge be priority regarding defense and expansion was logical, but the news of the upcoming heir sealed the deal.

On top of all that, Henry and Bai had announced their own upcoming wedding. "Oh, those two duffers. They didn't have anyone fooled for a moment." Cass whispered to himself with a grin.

So much for a raucous tavern named The Governor's Mistress. Now he might have to open a proper tea house called The Governess instead. Cass was excited by all the new possibilities.

He grabbed a drink as quickly as possible and bounced to his feet to join in the toast. "Long live leMaistre! Long live Lebeda-Ondari! Long live Midmarch!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:55, Sun 01 July 2018.

Andalon raised his glass with everyone else to echo Henry's toast.

"To Bai and Rikka!"

Then he moved among the crowd greeting old friends, congratulating Vik on her good news, and introducing himself and Brother Florin to the new arrivals, especially the new priest Ethankos. (Andalon is a cleric of Abadar and currently holds the position of chancellor on the Tusk Town Council. Brother Florin is his acolyte and looks after the Chapel of Abadar that they have built in Tusk Town while Andalon is away on missions for Henry.)

Eventually he catches up with Henry, too.

"Congratulations, Henry. You and Bai seem perfect for each other, so I am honoured to be able to officiate at your wedding. Brother Florin and I will need to talk to you and Bai about the details of the marriage contract and your adoption of Rikka into the leMaistre family, then we can draw up the papers. I trust you will make the arrangements regarding wedding rings for you and Bai, if you have not already done so. Ah, it will be a wonderful occasion and everyone will want to celebrate it with you. I am looking forward to it already!"

Mariam smiled, toasting the happy new couple silently and observing the crowd. The adventure had been emotionally draining but she wouldn't have changed it for the world. She was sad to see Tansy go, she had liked the brawler.

Pipre raises her bottle at the appropriate times and cheers with the others. She keeps her hiccuping to a minimum.

After the announcements and the toast, she passes behind Andalon in a lull of conversation with Henry. "Rattle caps, huh? If you didn't get them, I suggest bringing a bunch of meat. A bunch. Don't you hurt that Old Beldame, either, and when you see her again send her my love, okay? And don't listen to any embarrassing stories she might tell you."

Andalon turned to Pipre in surprise.

"The swamp witch? You know her as the Old Beldame? Well, that is good news. After the trouble we had going for black rattlecaps at that bog we were beginning to think she had sent us into a trap deliberately. What can you tell us about her? Is she someone we should cultivate as an ally for Midmarch or should we just leave her alone. Or would she have anything useful enough to warrant trying to trade with her in future?" he asked.

"Do you know anything about those rattlecap mushrooms and what they can be used for? Perhaps someone like Zorah or another druid could try to grow more from the one we did manage to get."

Adoven joins the conversation. "The creature that defended the patch of mushrooms looked to be plant-like in nature. It moved by unknown means...I didn't see any feet on the thing. It had two long tentacle-like arms that it used to grab me and tried to stuff me in its maw. Fortunately I was able to Grease myself and slip out of its clutches." Adoven goes on the describe the creature to Pipre.


After telling of the creature, he asks Pipre "do you know what it was we faced? How do you kill or otherwise stop it?"

El had listened to the announcement with a rather expressionless gaze, and while it could be said it was due to lack interest, or the impossibility of knowing much of the gathering present, there was something more to the long gaze the woman held from the news. She gave a sideways glance to Quinn, but the expression didn't falter in the slightest. There was no doubt a bit of understanding in his own eye.

Once the meetings were over, and people were free to disperse, she cracked her neck and sniffed in a matter most unbefitting a woman of her history. "You should speak with one of the council's in town and seek their favor for your shop," she responded, uncharacteristically wise of her and considered, "You might obtain approval with everyone's spirits so high." El knew nothing of business, to be sure, but she knew good parties were places people relaxed and enjoyed. Her own history was laden with such deals.

"I'm going to find a drink,." She remarked, placing a hand to his shoulder briefly before letting it trail away.

Out from a darkened shadow came a familiar sight for some, and what might be an alarming sight to others. A darkened figure in elegant, yet simple armor, with a Dark wood bow at her back and somewhat of a mischievous smile. The Drow woman made her presence known in an uncharacteristic way by winding through the crowd of people to find the straight path to Henry and present herself with a gloved hand crossed over her chest. "My lord," She said with a slight bow of her head, "My dear friend," she nodded towards Bai with a smile upon her face. "I offer my congratulations. I am only too glad I chose this time to return with news so that I might offer it in person."

Aris again nodded her head, gazing uncharacteristically out over the crowd and spotting some familiar faces among the crowd. "Quite the gathering of celebration, I will have to stay and speak with some old friends while I am here." she responded, turning back and offering Henry a small letter. "Just a small account of what takes place elsewhere, a quiet update of little change in our current area of the wood. Peace, it seems, lingers for the moment in some parts of the world. The cleric sends his regards."

Henry  mingles for a while, accepting your congratulations, exchanging a few words, sharing a joke or a glass.  All the time, Brother Bart hovers behind him, occasionally whispering a few words in his ear, or directing Henry to some he hasn't yet spoken to.

When Aris appears out of the Shadows his smiles thinly, but greets her fairly warmly.  "Aris!  You made me jump." He says, opening the letter and scanning through it.  "Please give my regards to Rook and wish him all the best.   I hear you are getting on well up at the old camp, or Hunters Rest as I believe they are calling it.  Everyone who passes through always mentions how good your new earthworks look, and that you are making good progress.  Not too much of a party today, just a conference to get reports on the latest expeditions and plan the next ones.  But I will make sure that both you and Rook get invites to the wedding."

Then suddenly Brother Bart is whispering in his ear again and he smiles a goodbye as the cleric steers him away to talk to someone else.

Zirul hears what has been said.  It is disheartening to hear of the retirements.  But it is the part of any life to move on to other things.  Zirul also expresses his best for all.

Aris smirks at Henry's fail to detect the hint of sarcasm in her voice when she spoke of celebration, but then, she was not surprised. She silently shrugged it off and turned back to the room, noting both the familiar and unfamiliar faces present. It had been some time since she had seen their faces, and she admitted inwardly to missing some of the camaraderie. Rook was a good friend to have around when he wasn't busy, and to be sure, his friendship was what had helped to break her out of her shell. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been the one traveling.

Without another thought, she took her steps towards a few she recognized and found them engaged in conversation already. Taking a step forward, she cleared her throat and smiled, particularly towards Pipre and Andalon, the two she recognized most easily. 'I Hope I am not intruding, of course, but I would hate to come all this way and not at least say hello to the familiar faces in the room." She said by way of casual greeting.

"She is powerful and cultivating a relationship would probably be for the best, yes. She is slow to trust but a good person. She's my mother, in fact," Pipre says with a grin. "But it's probably better you deal with her. She would be friendlier with me, of course, but probably less helpful. She is a stickler for proving one's self and wouldn't want to coddle me in my endeavors, so. If you retrieved the rattle cap, then you should be met much more openly; it's more a test to see if someone is worth dealing with than anything."

She seems to know what creature they are describing, "Yeah, probably burn it. Fire oil and such. I could whip up some alchemist's fire if you got the shine for it.

"If I remember the creature is some kinda.. hmm, product of thinning barriers between worlds? I don't know, those books about cosmology put me to sleep, I have always been more interested in material worlds and pleasures."

Pipre waves to Aris'ta as she makes an entrance and then Pipre turns to speak to her when she approaches. "Feel like I haven't seen you in days!" Pipre says fondly but playfully since she had seen Aris'ta just recently at the Hunter's Rest.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Mon 02 July 2018.

PM

Adoven asks both Pipre and Andalon about furthering the interests of V&A shipping. "Vik and I have decided to expand our operations somewhat in Tusk. We are seeking permission to build a home for ourselves within the city. We'd like to also build a warehouse and a Merchant house to support our Trade with Ringthorn and the kobold tribe to the northeast. It will be good for the city's economy, going forward."

PM

Aris leans her head to the side, closing her eyes as she gives a gesture to the air, "For how often people come and go, it is a wonder at times I can recall any visitors anymore. But your face is one I would recognize, names I am not so good with." She admits the last with a slight ashamed tone, but offers a rather apologhetic smile before turning her eyes to Andalon. "This one, I do remember. One of the first to show me a bit of kindness in an otherwise unforgiving world." she drops her hand and reaches into her pouch before pulling out a silvery coin and holding it out to Andalon. "A gift of water, if I recall correctly. I believe I shall give thanks to your God in advance, no doubt your services are in great demand Andalon."

Pipre knits her bows and makes a face at Aris'ta, "Are you fucking high or a doppelganger?"

Luckily, Pipre does have other things to address. "The house shouldn't be an issue. Something being good for the economy in the long run usually means it is bad for everything else in the short term. We have specialists and craftsfolk, laborers that earn money making things and while influx of trade might possibly help them sell to new markets it also has a good chance of putting them out of business by wares made more cheaply elsewhere. If you wish to make this shipping stop as Councillor I'll need both a stabilizing contribution-- how about a park and a granary-- as well as a contribution to taxes that allow Tusk Town to better take care of its people. I'll also make a full inspection of your business in Tusk Town to make sure no seedy merchanteering practices are at work to the detriment of our people."

Adoven proposes a counter offer. "I have a number of stonemasons prepared to build a district walk around the central district. It will attract the wealthy and provide some control over access to civic administrators. The warehouse and Merchant house ought to generate enough in taxes as long as no onerous tariffs are imposed.  ".

Pipre shakes her head, "I'm afraid that's not enough, not even close. We have no guarantee that the money your shipping generates will stay in Tusk Town at all and we can't even begin to afford shipping off profits and resources as it is. Even once your contributions to the town are decided on the tariff discussion can only just begin."

"Of course, Adoven, we do trust you, though. If you are willing to agree to eventually make the desired contributions I could use my connections to soothe tensions with the craftsfolk and workpeople of Tusk Town," she adds.

Adoven nods. "I can make a start in donations to begin a granary project. Itll be some time before I have the capital to finish it, let alone build a park too. But I can at least start the project."

Andalon was astonished at Pipre's revelation about being the daughter of the Old Beldane.

"Well, that is good news! I am very glad that we didn't make a dreadful mistake there. Believe me, it could easily have happened. Although, if she is as powerful as you suggest, that might have been the last mistake our little group ever made."

He listens to the negotiations between Pipre and Adoven with considerable interest but doesn't add any further comment as Pipre seems to have it in hand.

When Aris'ta comes over to say hello he accepts her silver coin with gratitude.

"Thank You, Aris'ta. I will make sure that your donation is put to good use. It is good to see you again, too. Your adventures seem to have suited you very well. You seem much more at ease than when we first travelled together. Do you remember testing our archery skills out back of that inn before we set out from Restov to come here with Henry? Perhaps we should organise some sort of archery contest here, while you are in town? Open to anyone who wishes to participate, either one contest open to any type of bow or separate contests for bows and crossbows."

"There's a ship ....  down by the jetty.  A proper ship ..."

Zirul takes notice of the arrival.  Thus he moves to see what is happening there.

Andalon returns from his visit to the port to tell Henry (and Pipre and Cass if they are still there) that the ship that has arrived at Port Henry is from Mivon and captained by a Swordlord, Bannar Yitis-Aldori. Andalon, Adoven and the captain are already talking about organising a meeting with the rest of town authorities to discuss possible travel and trade opportunities between Tusk Town and Mivon, and to learn more about conditions along the river south of Tusk Town.

Are Henry, Cass and Pipre interested in attending, and who else should be involved? If more than four from Tusk Town are to attend it will need to be hosted ashore as the captain can only accommodate four of us in his cabin on the ship.

"I'll leave it to you ...." Henry says, declining the offer of attending the meeting.

Aris'ta raises a brow to Pipre and bites back a laugh, 'Oh dear, I see my humors are still in need of some work.' she murmurs, lifting a finger to her lips as Pipre turns to speak with another, "A contest might be a bit of grand fun. Always good to check ones skills as well as the skills of others, I will see about staying around for a few days. I've some things left to do regardless." she tells Andalon, resting her arms across her chest.

Zirul is happy to see that the only battle was that of words.  In a port a physical battle could become very large.

Andalon had called in at the Chapel of Abadar on his way to the keep to bring his acolyte, Brother Florin, along as well.

"Brother Florin, can you research a few things for me please? Firstly, this Swordlord, Bannar Yitis-Aldori, the captain of the ship from Mivon. Have you ever heard of him? Ask around discretely and see if anyone knows anything about him or his branch of the Aldori family. Most of what he said had the right ring to it as someone trustworthy, guarding his employers' possessions against pirates or bandits, but he mentioned that the River Freedoms say "you have what you hold". He asked to see around town as well. I just want to be as sure of him as we can before we set foot upon his boat, or allow him to inspect the town's defences.

"Also, speak to Zorah while she is here, and any other druid or herbalist who might be among our number now. Find out whatever you can about that huge plant creature we fought at that 'mudbowl'. We need to know exactly what it is and how to fight it, although Pipre has given us a few suggestions like taking a load of meat to distract it or using fire to fight it. Zorah or someone with a similar skill set might know something about the black rattlecap mushroom that the Old Beldame sent us there for. Does it have any properties that we can make use of ourselves and could Zorah or anyone else take seeds or spores, or whatever mushrooms have, to grow some here so we wouldn't need to go back to that mudbowl for more?"

Ethankos is a large, fleshy, giant of a man, dark of skin and hairless, with shoulders broad and stomach thick. When he moves, it is with deliberate movements as if each step were part of a ceremony or ritual, and when he speaks his voice is sure and deep, inspiring confidence, a smile dancing about his lips.

He seems to pay little attention to Henry's speech and announcement of his engagement, save for a momentary pursing of his lips as he learns that Cyrus has returned to Ringbridge, instead surveying the chamber, taking the measure of those present, though he is happy enough to raise a glass with the others to the toast and drinks like a man who savours life's pleasures.

The various business negotiations being conducted at the gathering do not interest him, nor the arrival of the ship, though the discussion regarding the swamp witch garner a flicker of curiosity until Pipre's revelations dampens it.

Andalon's introductions, however bring a widening of that smile and he offers a firm handshake to both the priest and his acolyte, revealing a brand upon his palm in the shape of a spiral, the symbol of Pharasma, the Lady of Graves and Mother of Souls.

"The Lord-Warden's introduction was kind ... I am indeed a priest of Pharasma, but while most of my brothers and sisters prefer to concentrate their efforts on the, ah, more pleasurable duties of our faith - celebrating births, marriages, even death rites as joyous occasions to be accompanied by most worthy chanting and singing ... I do not."

"I am duty bound to take charge of the darker, more disturbing matters that trouble our faith.  Unquiet spirits ... ghosts and the unliving.  Such as those that Henry's expeditions have encountered, if the reports I've heard back in Restov hold a grain of truth."  Ethankos pauses, dragging his hand slowly over his hairless skull.

"A dead man barring passage across a river, seeking sacrifices in payment.  A priest steeped in the  darkest evil who called upon his foul god to command the dead from their graves.  An evil knight risen from the dead ..." he nods towards Henry who had imparted that news, showing that perhaps he had paid more attention that it seemed.

"I am not here to disturb the sleep of your settlers, Chancellor, is it ?  Merely to ensure that troubled souls are returned to their rest."

Florin's eyes open wider When he see's the brands on the palm of the Pharasman's hands but he returns the handshake  with hardly a hardly noticeable tremor.  "Hello, sir" ss his only verbal response, before  taking his leave to carry out Andalon's instructions.

"It is pleasure to meet you, Ethankos. We do seem to be attracting a number of priests of different faiths, which is just as it should be. I completely understand what you mean about favouring a particular subset of your God's areas of interest. I serve Abadar, the god of cities, law, merchants and wealth, but I must admit that I grew up on tales of the Balanced Scales of Katapesh whose duties resemble the tales of a party of an adventuring party, rather than merchants and lawmakers. Hence I find myself more inclined toward the travel and protection aspects of Abadar's teachings. I look forward to hearing more of your achievements now that you are here with us."

"The remit of the gods is broad and onerous," the big man rumbles his agreement.  "Lacking such divine endurance, we poor mortals must just do what we can."

"I was a child of the temple, knowing no other life.  In time I learned to assist the apothecaries with their curatives and enough of the healing arts to care for the sick and the dying."

"When I became a priest, I saw to the preparation of bodies for the funeral rites."

Ethankos shrugs.  "I have learned the rituals and the songs, but you must look elsewhere if you wish for one to provide much in the way of joyful celebration.  As I cared for the dying and then for the dead ... now my charges are those who have been summoned back from beyond the great divide.  To return those roused from the peace of the grave to their resting places."

He smiles broadly. "I am altogether rather too substantial for a priest of the dead you feel ?  Yet as the dead have no need for food and drink or other pleasures of the flesh - it is my duty to partake on their behalf."