Aspiring adventurers you are you traveled where the whispers carried you through forests, hills and plains to the relatively unremarkable city of Verbonbonc, located just north of the Kron Hills and west of the Gnarley Forest.

Some have come to seek fortune, some to seek power, some to seek fame. But regardless of motivation you've all been led to this same place. The city is bustling with activity. Gnomes are more numerous here than almost any city of the Flannaes. Wood Elves are also in the city in numbers enough to notice, more so than their normal city dwelling kin the High Elves.

You hear whispers of the Battle of Emridy Meadows that occurred nearly a decade ago, and of recent banditry along the southern roads towards Hommlet. You also hear that Viscount Wilfrick has endorsed the construction of a castle in Hommlet under the control of Rufus and Burne.

Rufus and Burne themselves gained notoriety for removing bandits from the area just north and west of Verbobonc in recent years. Rufus is a holy warrior in the service of St Cuthbert. Burne is also a faithful follower of St. Cuthbert, reportedly both wizard and monk.

A new notice was just posted in the town square and you have gathered to read it. The city having sapped your gold and silver to the point you need a little adventure.
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:20, Tue 12 June 2018.

Getting to the posting you see the following posted:

The Viscount Wilfrick does hereby call upon adventurers and fame seekers to travel along the south eastern road towards Hommlet and to remove the threat of banditry from the area. The Viscount has authorized a sum of 25 gp for every bandit scalp claimed and returned to him by season's end.

The dwarf reads this message with great interest. He is eager to prove his worth and skills in the name of all that is good. There is just a tiny bit of information that disgusts him: killing someone is one thing but to claim a person's scalp is something completely different. He wonders if he can do this. Probably not.

Brankx had been in this small hovel for  only a day, yet the Dwarf realised that his journey to date had sapped what little money he had left. So when he heard of the prospect of money and adventure.

...a good mix to keep Brankx out of trouble.

So when he turned up to the town square and saw the posting he was happy.  Seeing a fellow kinsman in this place made him feel that much better. He walked up towards Grollo with a chuckle. "I didn't expect to see another of our kind in this place." He looked at the sign and quickly read it. With a whistle, he shook his head. "Scalps...messy business. I guess it's to get the point across to bandits."

He looks at the fellow dwarf and holds his hand out. "Brankx Ironmourne....Of the Frostaxe clan."

"Welcome, brother, my name is Grollo Ironfist of clan Stoneskin. Good to meet you. I was just looking at this here, wondering if I am up to take scalps but  I am afraid not. Maybe there are others who can. Time will tell."

Brankx couldn't help but wince a little at the greeting. A few years ago he wouldn't have hesitated with the greeting, even followed suit, but with his history the use of 'brother' was still a hard point for him. Brankx sniffed as he looked at the notice, his demeanour more serious. "I'll not sleep less for the death's of bandits and murderers cousin...i will do what i must. And I'm sure this Wilfrick has his reasons for the display." He looks at teh dwarf, his eyes seem a little darker, haunted now than before.

"If ye can't stomach the scalping, so be it. But these men rob honest folk....hurt and kill family, people that need protecting. If they want a sack full of scalps fer proof, then who am i to argue." Brankx came across as callous as if teh fact of scalping was one of nessesaty, like it was something that he had seen before, buta small catch in his voice showed the truth....he was uncomfortable with the idea.

....but it wouldn't stop him if it meant getting paid.

The dwarf smiled at Grollo, looking at him with arms crossed. "Maybe he has something less 'visual' on hand." He looked at the sign and mused.

<OOC: A brief description of brankx. He's a little smaller than average height for a dwarf and a lot less muscular. He borders on lean even though he is still broad. He has short cropped brown hair and beard, and a scar running from his forehead, sown his left eye to the base of his left ear. He wears grey studded leather armor, a black cloak and dark grey boots, with his breeches grey and a sleeveless tunic of black, and has a hand axe on each hip as well and throwing axes on each thigh. His right arm has a tattoo of ancient dwarfish symbols.>

A young man with a timid expression strolls up to the board, not wanting to push others out of the way but staying content behind them. "Twentyfive, huh. That... that's a generous price." he mumbles to himself.

As he's finished speaking, he can't help but overhear the conversation between the two dwarves. A gentle smile spreads on his face as he opens his mouth. "Ah, I hear two people with similarly heavy hearts and empty purses. I don't suppose I can talk you out of taking the job, so what say you we work together, eh? Name's Agustae." He extends his hand. "Are you fine fellows related or is it simply the world that has grown smaller yet?"
This message was last updated by the player at 19:38, Fri 31 May 2019.

As fate would have it trouble looms Gora thinks as she also approaches the Job Board.  Two Dwarfs.  Keeping her hands free of her weapons she indicates the notices they seemed to be perusing.
"Excuse me Gentle-dwarfs I just wish to read these proclamations. If you will permit?
 I have no intent of causing a ruckus."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:54, Tue 12 June 2018.

"Well, young man, we all come from rock, stone and earth but in the way you mean it, no, we are not related, I guess." He returns the handshake. "And yes, the purse is empty. I think it is wise to form some kind of travelling party. These bandits won't be an easy prey to catch."

When suddenly the orcish woman approaches Grollo feels the urge to reach for his weapon but hearing how politely she asks to look at that message he nods:" Sure, sure, I apologize for my misbehaviour, please have a look for yourself."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Tue 12 June 2018.

"Adventurers and fame seekers it is such a pity! I seek neither.  But I can not just idly standby while people are being down trodden.  Are any of you thinking about taking on the task of subduing these bandits? If so would you care to ally with me till the task is done? My name is Gora a humble seeker and servant of the Greater Good"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Tue 12 June 2018.

Grollo stands still with a deep expression of total astonishment written on his face. "Um, well, it's not up to me to decide, I am not the Party leader but I guess the more the merrier."

In reply to Grollo Ironfist (msg # 11):

"It matters not the where with all Master Dwarf, I team up with you, you team up with me? Either way the task gets done. But as you have a team already it behoves me to ask your leader if an extra participant would be of use.  Allow me to introduce myself I am Gora Gallant Acolyte and apprentice trouble shooter."

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Grollo Ironfist, at your service. This team has not yet a leader, so it is up to you if you would like to join."

In reply to Grollo Ironfist (msg # 13):
"Well met sir and as for my being here! it is more like a moral obligation than a want.  It behoves me to aid the not so evil down trodden of any kind... Gosh busy busy busy.  If you know what I mean.

There is a phrase I once heard "No rest for the wicked" you should try being in my shoes, not that I am complaining. It was all my choice to take the path I am on.
But I think you know that, being on the path of an adventurer yourself. If I am not mistaken"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Tue 12 June 2018.