Some time later, Liam wakes up in a bed. He is stiff, sore, and heavily bandaged. From the candle light, he can see most of his clothing and other gear piled up on a chair opposite the bed. He can also hear chatter and movement coming from beyond the door, which hangs slightly ajar.
It takes him a few moments to realize that he's in the bunkhouse. And although he can't make out what's being said, he is able to pick out Bryn and Sketch's voices, along with several others he doesn't recognize.
Inspecting himself, he finds that he's suffered severe burns to his torso. The skin is raw, but looks new. His shoulder is also in some pain, but he can at least move it if he's careful.
Getting up, he makes his way to the door and opens it. On the other side, in the office, sit Bryn and Sketch on one side of the desk, a dwarf Liam's never seen before, and Ileosa stands in the corner, beside the ladder.
"Liam!" Sketch shouts, hopping to his hairy feet and rushing over to you. Bryn offers a curt nod, and you think you see a smile begin to form at the corners of Ileosa's mouth.

Liam puts on some clothes before going to meet the others.

As Sketch rushes him and the others stare, Liam can do nothing but blush and keep quiet.

After a moment, he asks Sketch, "So, did we save the miners?"

"Aye, we did," Liam answers after a long moment, his cherubic face beaming.
"No," the dwarf sitting behind the desk retorts rather gruffly, taking command of the room. He is old-looking, even for a dwarf, and wears an iron cap. His dark hair is long, and streaked with grey, and his beard is wide and crimped short. He has intense blue eyes and bushy eyebrows. "Ye didn't. He did," he continues, indicating Liam alone.
"Bullocks," Bryn shouts, pounding the desk with her fist.
"Here we go again," Sketch muses, shooting Liam a wink.
The dwarves debate back and forth, and Liam can gather that the miners credit Liam with saving them from the strange tentacle rock monster, while Bryn argues it was a team effort. The dwarf, whom Liam learns is named Duncan, agrees that the others fought bravely, but believes they all would have died if it weren't for Liam's quick thinking.
"The beast had us held up in the mine for a week," Duncan says. "It drug out and ate some of me best men, me best mates! The four o' you were nothin' but a snack--an appetizer to it. But your mate here," he says again indicating Liam, "he managed to light our barrel and kill it like that," he finishes, snapping his fingers.

The debate continues for a while, until someone asks about Mahlon. Duncan grits his teeth at the mention of the other's name, the reason you all came here.
"Lord Mahlon isssn't in any condition to meet with you right now," Duncan says at length.
"What in the hells does that mean?!" Sketch demands after whispering to Liam that he had nearly forgotten about the man.
Duncan explains that Mahlon was injured in the initial fight with the beast, and that he suffered a serious head wound. So grievous it is, that Mahlon's spent the last week roaming the lower levels of the mine, babbling nonsense to himself.
"So how do we contact Godfrey?" Bryn asks, looking from Duncan to her companions. "Godfrey said Mahlon knew how to contact him."
"You mean the mirror," Duncan replies. "Lord Mahlon used to contact his patron using mirror a polished silver. We were unable to activate it. Only Mahlon knows the command word."

"Well, I may be the best fighter and quickest thinker of the group, but the others have their talents as well." He turns to his companions. "Have any of you three examined this mirror? Are its enchantments familiar to any of you?"

He then addresses the iron-capped dwarf. "Is Lord Mahlon in need of help, or is he best left to himself for the moment?" He waits for the answer, then seeks out the mirror to have a look at it.

After examining it, he sits cross-legged before the mirror, placing on his lap the musty songbook he's been carrying. He doesn't know the meaning of the words, and he is 99% certain they won't activate the mirror. Nonetheless, he concentrates on the words in the book, flipping from page to page as though seeking a certain passage. Raising his hands above his head, he makes some gestures and half-whispers, half-shouts the words from the book. He might or might not be pronouncing anything correctly.

After a few moments, he gives up. "This magic is beyond me," he says.

Duncan reaches into a desk drawer and produces a thick rectangle of polished steel. The edge is rimmed with gilded brass emblazoned with dwarven runes. He places it on the desktop with a heavy clunk.
No one replies when Liam asks his companions if they're familiar with the mirror's enchantments. Sketch shrugs while Bryn shakes her head, a look of distain on her face. However, it is clear to Liam that the dwarven disgust isn't aimed at him, instead the idea of an enchanted mirror. Ileosa remains standing in the corner, giving no indication either way.

"We don't know," Duncan replies to Liam's question regarding Mahlon's condition, slumping a little in his chair. "He's been like this for a week, ever since the beast attacked us. Our chaplain's been killed—eaten by the monster. As of now our only other option is to give him time. We dwarves are resilient, and enduring. I've no doubt our Lord will make a full recovery, if given enough time. In fact, I wanted to talk to your group about exactly that.
"You see, although I'm the foreman of the mine here, Lord Mahlon ran everything else. And in his current state, our operation is… in trouble to say the least. We need additional supplies and replacement workers. We also need to fulfill our commitments, or risk losing our land rights and contract.
"I guess what I'm saying is—what I'm asking is—would you four step in and serve as Mahlon's replacement? At least until he recovers, or until you can contact his patron?"

Later—
Everyone leaves the office, giving Liam a moment to inspect the mirror. He leaves through his songbook, mutters a few phrases, and makes his gesticulations. Ultimately, he determines he has no idea how to activate the device.
"That was entertaining," Ileosa says dryly. After he's made his inspection. Liam has no idea when or how she entered the room so quietly. "You must be a hit at parties."
As she draws closer to him, she explains that she's heard of objects with this kind of enchantment before. Her people once used them to communicate over vast distances, even farther then the Great Forest itself. Rumor had it that particularly powerful versions could even connect with others across the Open Sea.
"However," she says at length, running her finger along the mirror's gilded frame, "what Godfrey and Maholn are doing with a device purportedly as powerful as this, I cannot begin to imagine."

"Well, it can't be any more powerful or dangerous than whatever brought that thing here in the first place, can it? Obviously we're dealing with movers and shakers of the magical world here. Whether that's our clients, or someone pulling their strings..." he lets the thought trail off.

"Obviously we've got to accept their offer to manage this place. No one else even seems capable."

Seeing the way Ileosa treats the mirror with such reverence, Liam exits the room before her, giving her a chance to be alone with the artifact.

After some discussion, your companions agree to help run the mine, at least until Mahlon's mind returns. During those conversations, they each voice their own opinions and reasons for their decisions, some of them noble, while others aren't so much. However, before too long, you've accepted Duncan's offer and are in turn given command of the outpost.
Duncan leaves you to resume his role as foreman (Councilor) within the mine.

At the end of every month, you will have to preform three phases: Upkeep, Improvement, and Income. When the month ends is entirely up to you. However, you may miss important events that could help you build your holdings and elevate them into a proper kingdom. Further, you'll need to continually talk with the NPCs around you, as they may hold important information, or be otherwise willing to help (or hurt) your interests.
Each month I will present you with a few side-quest adventure opportunities. Some will remain until completed, while others are time-specific. Choose your path and spend your time wisely, as not every course is attainable, nor is everything what it seems.

Good luck.

---

Later that evening, after the well-wishers have retired to their bunks for the night, and the late shift has begun, you find yourself sitting among your companions once more: Bryn, an honorable and somewhat uptight dwarven warrior; Sketch, a morally ambiguous yet fun-loving halfling; and Ileosa, an aloof elven druid with a pessimistic outlook on current events.
As the conversations start around the dinner table, you get a gauge as to what it is they believe you should be doing...

Bryn

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"We need to reestablish a defensive perimeter. I can organize the repairs to the palisade and train some of the miners in basic defense maneuvering. But we don't know what's out there, and if what we walked into here is any indication, we're wholly unprepared for another attack."

Follow this course if Liam is interested in Military

---

Sketch

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Bah! I'm not afraid of any monster attack. And I'm definitely not in any hurry to get back home! Hey, why not talk to Duncan and organize something fun, eh? Let the miners cut loose a little after the ordeal they've been through. Let's make it interesting—a Three Dragon Ante tournament, yes?"

Follow this course if Liam is interested in Economy

---

Ileosa

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"I agree with Bryn. Gathering more information about the surrounding area will not only better prepare us in the event of another attack, but will grant us better perspective from which we can use to get home. We don't know where we are, but once we can discover a reference point, we should be able to plot an overland course back to Corimir."

Follow this course if Liam is interested in Expansion

---

"We can't defend ourselves, or spend money on the finer things, if we don't even know how to find other living people. Bryn, Sketch, your ideas are good, but their success depends on completing Ileosa's project first.

"I don't think building our defenses and scouting the area are mutually exclusive duties. Sending scouts out will strengthen our preparations for a battle, and building up military posts will give us better bases from which to explore."

"Maybe not mutually exclusive," Sketch replies as he slides back in his chair, "but we barely have enough to keep both shifts working. If we're going to make this month's commitment, we'll need every miner working full-tilt."
"And they're not scouts," Bryn adds. "Even if we had a few extra to send out, they're miners. If you want to go scouting before we've trained them to fight, you'll have to go alone. I'll recruit a few volunteers to help make repairs during their downtime—
"Wait! I thought they were miners, not craftsmen," Sketch chimes in, a mouthful of hardtack.
Bryn finishes her cup before shooting a prideful wink at the halfling. "Every dwarf is a craftsman."

Early the next morning Liam and Ileosa are ready to set out on a short excursion. You've agreed to spend the next three days scouting the area around the outpost. You've been given rations for a week, in case you get into trouble, but are otherwise left to your own equipment.

Please roll +Wis

Liam takes a quick inventory of his gear. His first thought is to take along extra equipment, then he quickly realizes there isn't really any.

As he checks over his preparations, he starts to think out loud.

"This reminds me of a penny novel I read when I was young," he tells no one in particular, "It was called OPERATOR in all caps and honestly the giant title was probably the most compelling thing about it. It was set in a war and these guys had to carry out cover missions in the swamp, miles from any strategic support. I think in the end all but the main character got ambushed and died out there."

17:25, Today: Liam rolled 6 using 2d6+1.  Roll plus Wis.

At first, Ileosa doesn't seem to understand what you are talking about. The concept of a penny novel is clearly foreign to her, but after a moment she realizes what you're talking about.
"I have to admit," she says to you, "at first I didn't like much of human culture. Too much waste. But I have come to value their tenancy to keep their stories written down and available for any of their kin to read, so long as they can be bothered to become literate. Especially since their oratory tradition and grasp of the arts are... clumsy."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Wed 15 Jan 2020.

On the two of you move around the mountainside, scouting along the river.
Later, while stopping for a short rest, Liam is trying to relax for a bit when suddenly, his inner thoughts become garbled. Whatever it was he was thinking about becomes mixed up with a memory he hasn't thought about in ages. An idea he had a for a story smashes into the fake memory, and he is suddenly very confused. Did the strange tentacle creature really sing that song, or did last Wealday paint the last lighthouse purple?

Liam has gained the Confused condition, and will receive a -1 penalty to his next Wis related check

Liam follows Ileosa through the jungle. She's not really his type, but she's better to look at than Sketch. And she's already helped save his life once, so he doesn't doubt her skill in a fight.

For awhile the past days' troubles leave his mind and he treats the outing like a pleasant hike through the woods. He's keeping an eye out for hostile creatures, of course, just as he would in any walk through unfamiliar wilderness. But he's not especially hoping for trouble.

As he sits for his short rest his thoughts grow troubled. While he realizes his mind is growing cloudy, he can't of course shake it clear. He looks around to see if he can locate Ileosa, or whether she's turned into a blintz or something.

Ileosa is leaning against a tree with her eyes closed, probably in some sort of strange elvish meditation. The terrain hasn't seemed to bother her, but that could be due to her long legs? Liam can't be sure. He's slightly taller than her, but she seems to float over the landscape. For every stride she takes, he is forced to take at least two, sometimes three, steps as he trudges over large rocks imbedded into the earth, or the ever-present patches of gnarled roots jutting from the soil.

She tries to ignore him as she gives him space. He is strange to her, though not as much as the dwarf, but she must not confuse interest with comfort. He is still someone she only just met, and he appears (at least outwardly) to be rather... urban.
Although, she thinks to herself, he didn't say anything to the others about what the river spirits told me before. Maybe—
Her eyes flash open as the taste of berries begin to fill her mouth. She spits on the ground before looking around to find Liam.
"Liam?"

Liam starts to giggle. "Shh, not so loud, you'll scare the flower people."

For a minute he hears himself and how stupid he sounds. "What is it?"

"I don't know," she replies, thinking she probably sounds equally as stupid. She scans the area for flower people but seeing none she feels a flash of anger begin to wash over her. Is he making fun of her? And why does she still taste berries. "Something's wrong... The spirits here, they, they're not... everything is disjointed."

"Oh, not you too, I thought you were gonna be the one to talk me down. Listen, if it's this place, let's just leave. We just," he fights to keep his train of thought together, "we go back the way we came. And then we go a different way, not this way."

He starts pointing in what he thinks is the direction they came from.

As you gather your things to leave, Ileosa points out a strange, reptilian creature perched on a low branch, watching you. It is small, perhaps a foot long and the size of a house cat. The tops of thin, blunted teeth rise from its bottom lip, illustrating the creature's severe underbite. Its legs are stumpy and appear too short for its bulbus body. Its fine, green scales match the foliage which helps it blend in—however it also has two huge, bulging eyes that move about independently of the other. From the middle of its head, situated between its eyes, juts what appears to be a rough gemstone, perhaps a sapphire or lapis.
"What is that?" She says, taking a step closer to it.
The creature stiffens before its scales flash brilliantly, almost blinding you. As your vision clears, the little beast issues a pitiful croak before falling to the ground with a sickening thud.
You and Ileosa rush over to it as it lies there deathly still. A few seconds later the gemstone on its head becomes dull before crumbling to dust.

+1 XP

As you put some distance between you and that strange grove, your head clears, and your mind returns to normal.

You spend the rest of the first day following the river, figuring other settlements might be found near the source of fresh water. At sunset, you agree to make camp for the night. You take turns on watch; Ileosa meditating during your watch and you sleeping during hers. It is a full moon, and just before falling asleep, you notice she has begun making a map, detailing the outpost and river.
Sometime later, you are pulled from your sleep by Ileosa as she shakes you. The strange music you'd been hearing in your dream continues, permeating the area as you come to realize it isn't dream music. Something is drumming nearby.
Pin-pricks of light begin to appear through the trees, and the drumming grows louder. You can feel rumbling from the ground as dozens of feet march their way toward you through the night. As the orbs of light draw near, you begin to make them out as torches. Silhouettes of short, hunched humanoids with large, bat-like ears can be seen darting between the trees, further up the mountain.

What do you do?

"Goblins!"

Liam quickly breaks open two trail rations and spreads their contents in a appealing places near the stream bank -- places that, incidentally, don't offer much cover. He hopes the moonlight makes the food look inviting, though it's rough fare even by goblin standards.

He stows his melee weapons at his hip, and readies his bow and arrow. He explains his plan quickly to Ileosa. "Classic 'L' ambush. I'll travel parallel to the stream and shoot back this way. You head into the woods and flank them, firing with the stream at your targets' back. We can catch them in a crossfire and hopefully drive them off. They'll have nowhere to go but the water or back the way they came."

After answering any of her questions, he heads off along the stream bank to execute his plan. He'll try to hide as best as he can, but getting off a number of quick shots is more important than full stealth.

In reply to Liam (msg # 20):

Sounds like a Volley move. Roll it.

Liam can't hit with every shot — so he uses lots of shots.

19:01, Today: Liam rolled 5 using 2d6-1.  Volley.
19:02, Today: Liam rolled 1 using 1d6.  Damage (Is this how it works?).

+1 XP
Ileosa nods her understanding and sprints off into the wood while Liam moves upstream to set his plan in motion. The drums continue to draw closer, and Liam can also hear the goblins moving through the brush. He fires his arrows semi-blindly in the direction of the warband, loosing a few arrows towards the torchlight. However the dense forest prove to be the goblin's best defense.
Within moments Liam is overrun! The first green-skin comes crashing through the undergrowth, carrying a wicked-looking and heavily rusted blade. Behind him three more materialize from the foliage. And then six more. A dozen others pour out of the shadows and drop from low hanging branches.
Each of them wield some implement that promises to impose pain and torture before a slow and agonizing death. And each of them see Liam.
They raise their weapons, hooting and hollering, and rush at him...

Please roll Defy Danger.

For a split second, Liam looks to the river - maybe it could offer some protection. "Ileosa would never let me do that same stupid shit twice," he says out loud to the goblins. Abandoning any thoughts of crossing the water, he quickly turns and runs. He'll head back over the ground he's already covered on the day's march, keeping as close to the river as practical.

14:48, Today: Liam rolled 8 using 2d6-1.  Run away!

The banks of the river are precarious in the daytime. At night (and under threat of a goblin warband) they're down right treacherous. Liam is able to break away from the goblins' weapons, but a misplaced foot lands him in the water.
The shock of the fall, the chilly water, and the strong current begin to take Liam away--away from where he'd already explored. Splashes in the water near him reveal that the goblins are tossing sticks and stones at him as he is whisked by, trying to stay afloat.
Within a few moments (which probably feel like an eternity to him), Liam is carried away from the goblins. The drumming dies away, replaced by the roar of rapids.

What do you do?

---

Remember, you don't always have to do a Move. Just let me know what Liam is doing, and if something in your description/narrative triggers a Move, I'll let you know.

Liam looks around for something to help him float. His short term goal is to not drown. His long term goal is to attempt to swim to the side and exit the same side he fell in on.

The chill of the water robs Liam of his strength, and it takes all his willpower not to drown. Luckily, he isn't weighed down by gear, however what equipment he does have makes it difficult to remain above the waterline for more than a few seconds at a time. Somewhat a blessing—but mostly a curse—the large rocks and pebble build up batter him as he is washed down river, and occasionally launch him above the water as he rebounds off their hard, smooth surfaces.
-5 hp*

Eventually Liam is tangled up in a pile of fallen branches overhanging one bank of the river. The sticks scratch his exposed skin and find small gaps in between the straps of his leather cuirass.
-2 hp**

He climbs out of the tangle and collapses waterlogged on the bank, his chest heaving as his lungs pull in the cool night air. He isn't sure which side of the river he is on after having survived the rapids, but he is on dry land. After a time, his breathing slows, and he becomes aware of the sounds around him. Bugs mostly. Cicadas, crickets, and other noisy insects can be heard, droning over the splashing of the rapids near him. Occasionally a frog or owl can also be heard, but the area otherwise sounds safe.

What do you do?

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
*6 dmg – 1 AC
**2 piercing dmg (bypassing AC)

---

Liam searches in a small area for any kind of shelter from the elements. If he can't find something in about 90 seconds, he'll give up. After finding the best shelter (or not) he strips naked to avoid catching a chill.

Unable to quickly locate a shelter, Liam begins to peel off his wet equipment and clothing. The night air isn't going to do anything for him, and he figures his best chances are to remove his soaked clothing and waterlogged gear. There is a chill in the air, and a breeze is coming from somewhere (though you are sure it isn't blowing from down the mountain).
Unable to create a fire, Liam begins to burry himself under leaves and loose foliage. He knows he needs to create a space where he can not only retain as much heat as possible, but buildup some as well. He'll deal with his wet effects tomorrow, once the sun rises and warms the area up a bit.

Later that night Liam hears the footfalls of woodland animals as they roam the forest at night. He is far from comfortable, injured, and now completely at the mercy of anything that comes his way. Further, all his gear—including his rations—are piled up near the bank of the river, only a few dozen feet from where he's buried himself. He listens, trying to determine what kinds of creatures might be out there.
The crinkle of a dried leaf, the snap of a twig... anything might be in the area, maybe even feet from his current position, sensing him out. Maybe it's a wolf, or perhaps a bear. Hells, even a family of mice could do some damage if they got into his things.

What do you do?

Liam shuts his eyes completely and relies on his ears and nose alone to try to determine the type of creatures that are out there. He doesn't make the mistake of snuggling down even father in an attempt to hide - that would only make noise and maybe give him away. Instead, he remains stock still, listening.

You listen, trying to identify whatever it is that is milling around your gear. You hear a few snorts and more leaves and twigs being moved around for a while.

You must have fallen asleep, lying so still beneath the pile of leaves, because the next thing you know you are awakened by pinpricks of light filtering through your makeshift shelter. You hear birds chirping, the river rushing, and the breeze rustling the trees nearby. Figuring it to be safe, you crawl out of your leaf pile. The day has come, flooding the area in warm, golden light.
Collecting your things to lay them out to dry, you take stock of your supplies. Whatever had come last night made off with your rations. Further, your dip into the river has ruined your halfling pipeleaf. Although your songbook is also waterlogged, you will be able to salvage it, given enough time to dry. Your arrows are scattered about, but you can collect them all.
-Dungeon Rations
-Halfling Pipeleaf

You are hungry, tired, dirty, injured, and momentarily naked. What do you do?

Liam wrings out his clothes and hangs them on a branch to dry. He has no idea how to start a fire, so he'll have to let them air dry.

While that's going on he'll wash his face with water from the river, but not by entering the river. He'll find a safe spot on the bank and scoop the water out onto himself. He avoids putting river water on any open wounds.

He puts on some basic garments after about five minutes of dry-time, covering at least his nakedness. If these basic underclothes are still soggy, he'll let them dry on his frame. Basically he'll go swimwear-tier and wait for the rest to dry.

He sights the mountain and the river, and any other familiar landmarks, and tries to figure out which side he ended up on.

Using the mountain itself as a landmark, Liam easily determines that he is still on the same side he fell in on. Keeping the river to his right, he decides to look around a bit while waiting for his clothes to dry. Following the sun, he moves down stream and into the breeze.

After about three hundred feet away Liam happens upon a strange rock jutting from the earth. It looks ancient and weathered, but intentionally shaped and carved. From what can be seen above the soil, the massive stone has been cut to resemble a four-sided pyramid. It appears to be basalt, and bears bas-relief carvings of strange, but familiar-looking runes.
Trees grow around the stone, and moss and lichen cover mostly one side.

Another fifty feet or so past the stone and the forest abruptly ends. The ground here is windblown and nearly bear, covered in pebbles and scree. The wind here rages and it appears to be an outcropping overlooking a massive drop-off and huge lake. The water stretches all the way to the horizon, and to your right, the river flows over the edge and falls away. From your height, you cannot hear the roar of the waterfall some vast distance below.
In the distance, several dark shapes float about, too far away for Liam to make them out. However, after a few moments one drifts closer, revealing to Liam exactly what they are: mountains. Floating mountains!

Liam stares at the mountains for a moment, then shifts his attention to the more immediate marvel. He studies the runes on the pyramid, taking care not to touch the structure. He even tries not to make too much noise around it, though he doubts it's actually sound-sensitive.

After looking at the runes for awhile and a getting a sense of their shape, he moves parallel to the cliff, away from the river, for about two minutes, trying to see how/if the terrain changes. He then returns. Using the cliff's edge as a guide, it should be hard to get lost.

As Liam studies the runes, he quickly realizes they bear a similar form to those in his songbook. If only it were dry...

Walking along the edge isn't too difficult, nor is there any danger of getting lost. However, the wind gusts are more powerful here, and from time to time you feel like you might slip on the loose scree and potentially fall off the edge. The outcropping is anywhere from ten to twenty feet wide and appears to continue for miles in either direction.

The floating mountains out over the massive lake/sea continue to drift about. Actually, some remain stationary while others—usually the smaller ones—lazily glide and spin, but never lose or gain any noticeable altitude. From the looks of them, they are all heavily forested, each with at least one summit peaking out above the tree line.

Liam also notices birds riding the invisible thermals out over the void.

He takes it all in, and lets the fantastical sights raise his spirits. However, he'd prefer to get back from the edge a bit, especially with these high winds.

He returns to his possessions. With nothing else to do, he strings his bow and looks for some small animal or bird to shoot.

While hunting for food, Liam finds Ileosa. She explains that she had been following the river, knowing she'd eventually find him so long as he wasn't dead. She isn't terribly surprised to find him in the shape he's in.
Together they set a proper camp, complete with rations and even a fire. Liam warms himself and eats while Ileosa prepares salve for his open wounds by foraging and chewing plantain. She applies it to his cuts and wraps them in the weed's long leaves. After a few hours he is feeling much better.

+7 hp

While resting, do you tell Ileosa what you've found? About the strange stone or floating mountains?

Liam tells Ileosa about the stone and the mountains, but does not tell her that he's matched the runes to the ones in his songbook. He'd prefer to keep the details of that treasure a mystery, if not a secret.

"One of these days it's not gonna be worth your time to save my sorry hide," he tells her.

Ileosa listens to what you have to say, nodding her understanding once you've finished. She then tells you how she escaped the goblins by climbing a tree and pretending to be a small bird. She also tells you that they crossed the river before disappearing into the forest.

"I disagree," Ileosa replies matter-of-factly to Liam's statement about his worth and her time. "Returning to the outpost alone will only further alienate me from not only our companions but also the miners. I cannot afford a drop in social standings with the reputation I currently own. Besides, your twenty coins from Godfrey doesn't divide three ways. Bryn and I would be forced to kill Sketch, and of us four, she's the least pleasing to look at."
A moment passes between the two of you before the elf cracks a cherubic smile, revealing her attempt at humor.
"Our rations have been severely diminished," She says before Liam can respond. "Do you wish to continue our scouting mission and return to the outpost day after next, or do you think it prudent to return today?"
This message was last updated by the player at 21:23, Thu 23 Jan 2020.

Liam actually finds her joke entertaining - if only because of the candid assessments of their partners in the venture. He cracks a smile.

In answer to her question, he says, "If we're going to be leaders, we have to lead. We can't set the example that one setback means gibing up the mission. We'll get what food we can, or go a bit hungry, and finish what we set out to do."

Your supplies quickly run out, and Ileosa is forced to hunt to supplant the lost rations. Doing so requires time, not only to hunt, but to clean and cook the game, which requires a proper campsite. The three-day scouting mission turns into a five-day excursion as the two of you map out the mountainside surrounding the outpost.
As you return to the relative safety of the palisade, you think back to a few highlights of your time out in the wild with Ileosa. Together, you've found evidence of a goblin presence on the mountain, however after the first night they left you alone. You've caught glimpses of several strange creatures, but aside from the river eels you encountered when you first arrived, you don't find anything too dangerous—at least as far as fauna is concerned. The flora, too, isn't too dangerous, aside from being thick and difficult to traverse easily. There are numerous areas for predators and enemies to hide.
You recall one night, while updating the map, Ileosa showed you another rite of the land, in which she communed with wood spirits to determine true North. However, the spirits couldn't agree on a single direction. As perplexed as she was about the conflicting information from the spirits, Ileosa also reminded you to keep her rituals secret. Not the fact that she performed them, but the elements of the rituals themselves.
Further, you observe the elf get along just fine out in the wilderness. In fact, she seems to thrive out there. By the night of the fourth day, she appears a completely different person than you met a week or so prior. During your nightly campfires, she opens up a bit, asking you questions about human cities and the various societies you've encountered in your travels. Rather than cold, she seems genuinely interested in the wider world.
However, that changes the morning of the fifth day. As you begin your trek back to the outpost, as with each step closer you take, she appears to put on another piece of her icy armor.

Upon entering the outpost, you don't see much change. The front gate is closed, and a tired-looking man answers your call to enter. Once inside, you do notice a few repairs Bryn promised, but without a dedicated crew, you couldn't really expect too much.
Sketch and Duncan brief you on production. The monster attack will be felt financially, but by driving the teams hard, they believe they'll be able to meet this month's commitments.

You've a couple days before month's end to wrap up anything you'd like, if any. What do you do?
Alternatively, you may simply begin the Upkeep Phase by indicating as such.
Lastly, your reward for this mini adventure is access to the area map. I will post it as soon as I can.

Liam uses the remaining few days of the month to personally inspect as much of the operation as he can. "I don't want to micro-manage," he says to a mine foreman, "but I do want to observe as much as I can. I plan on keeping my mouth shut, and my eyes and ears open. If you could arrange for me to see as many different facets of the operation as possible, I'd be grateful."

He also makes sure to let Bryn and Sketch feel appreciated. Since he's just spent five days apart from them, he'll go out of his way to do small favors for the dwarf and the halfling, and include them in social activities after hours.

Of course, he can't forget Ileosa. After thinking about a way to reward her, Liam settles on naming her Chief Ranger for the outpost. She'll be responsible for beating the borders, keeping an eye on the state of nature around the settlement, and slaying anything that's too much of a threat. "I want to wait to make the official announcement until the start of the next fiscal month here at the mine," he tells her. "I'm so grateful for how you handled yourself in the wilderness - and how you've kept my screw-ups a secret so far."

OOC: Not sure which leadership position she would fill exactly, maybe Marshal or Warden.

Duncan takes you into the mine to show you the operation. The tunnels are tight, and sometimes it's difficult to keep the feelings of claustrophobia at bay. However, since the miners are a mix of dwarves and men, the need for light is a necessity, and they keep their work areas well lit. Liam can feel a drastic temperature drop as they descend deeper into the earth.
The first layer is mostly limestone, but Duncan explains that veins of quartz, chalk, and granite can be "aggregated" from these tunnels as well. A short ride in a winch elevator takes you to the second layer, where the miners are extracting different types of iron ore. Apparently, the mine is rich in hematite, but also has pockets of magnetite.
As you explore the mine, you see Mahlon wandering around. He doesn't get in anybody's way, moving about as if with purpose. However, as you watch him, he simply babbles to himself as he goes about some invisible business. You continue to watch him as Duncan chats with a group of nearby miners, when you see him pass another one of those strange pyramid stones you found out on the mountainside. The runes are different than the ones on the mountain, but they still match the ones in your songbook.

Sketch appreciates you appreciating him. You can tell that he doesn't get much attention from others, unless he's in trouble. He enjoys touring the outpost as your "righthand-man," and drinking with you and the miners every chance he gets. Bryn, on the other hand, can't seem to find enough tasks to throw herself into. It seems that she only really values herself if she's engaged in some project or another. In the time you've been away, she's tried to organize a defense rotation and a part-time maintenance crew, as well as attempting to convert the smithy into a forge for weapons and armor.
When told of your plans for her, Ileosa accepts the position with grace. And with perhaps a few more degrees of restraint than you imagined she would have. You can tell she is excited to begin her new duties, but for some reason is having issues showing it.

I agree and think the Marshall would be the best fit. They are charged with organizing patrols and enforces justice in rural and wilderness regions. The Warden is charged with the kingdom's defense and city guards. However, it's all up to you.

Since you have a -9 in Stability right now, it doesn't make a lot of sense to make you roll Upkeep this time around. The highest you can achieve is -3, which is a failure. As your result would (at best) be far below 7, I will double the Consumption penalty (-4) instead of making you choose two options. Your current BP is 5. Your Unrest is unaffected.

For your Improvement phase, you control only one hex (the hex the outpost is in). You cannot claim any additional hexes right now as you need to fully explore them (and clear them of threats) before you can claim them. Once I post a map this might become easier. Because of this, you cannot yet build cities, roads, or farmlands. You can build one building—but you probably want information on which buildings are available, how much they cost, and what benefits they grant your outpost, huh? I'll post that tonight as well.

In the meantime, think about Step 1 and Step 6. We'll cover Step 3 once I post buildings.

We'll tackle Income Phase after we complete Improvement.
Let me know if you have any questions.

Let's consider this post a rough draft. If I make mistakes, or want to takesies-backsies, we can work together to make changes.

Liam calls a counsel. Present are: his adventuring party, Duncan, and several other high-ranking miners. He also makes a point to invite Mahlon when he sees him, though of course Mahlon probably doesn't respond.

---

"I've been reviewing this mine's charter and it seems we have the power to invest people with the powers of certain royal offices.

"I'm appointing Bryn 'General' of the mine's armed forces," he begins. "It's a grand title, but one that through a quirk of legal documentation, we currently have the right to bestow. Your 'army' will only be a half-dozen men at first, General, but I hope you will do the office proud.

"Sketch, you know the laws forwards and backwards, inside and out. I'm not talking about mining rights, I'm talking about manslaughter, breaking and entering, and grand larceny. (Sometimes petty larceny too.) I'm naming you Royal Enforcer at this mine - see that justice is done, or at least, that it's not under-done.

"Ileosa, you've shown yourself more than capable in the wilderness. We've got who-knows-what out there and you're the last line of defense. I'm naming you Marshal of these woods.

"There is one position that I feel needs filling; but no one here is qualified. We should write or send out scouts, and see if we can convince a priest to come here. With all the weird supernatural happenings, and with the men's morale what it is, a man or woman of the cloth would do wonders for our oupost."

Please add objective to the tracker: "Find a priest for the settlement."

Step 3 goes here -- probably building a house

Step 6 work in progress

Edicts:
Standard Promotions
No taxes
1 Festival

Your team accepts their new roles, and each appear genuinely optimistic to begin working. However, as the meeting progresses, you identify two challenges immediately facing your staff…
"Let's face it," Duncan says to the group as a whole, "we need to replace the miners we've lost to that creature attack. I know that'll be difficult given Mahlon's, inability, to contact his patron. In the meantime, we'll have to look for a different talent pool from somewhere nearby."

"As much as I appreciate the vote o' confidence," Sketch says to you during a quick break in the meeting, "I think we got bigger problems then criminality 'round here. If I might press me luck a bit, I think ya should allow me to appoint an official Treasurer. Ya know, a bloke what can keep track o' our finances. Without one, it's up to the ol' honor system to make sure the miners are keepin' enough of their earnin's aside to pay taxes and whatnot. If we deputize someone to keep it afore we give it to 'em, we'll make sure you're not in an awkward situation when it comes time to pay our dues—ya know what I'm sayin'?" His smile widens into what can only be described as a conspiratorial grin.

What does Liam do?

"Sketch, I literally just appointed you to be my underworld eyes and ears, and now you want to recommend one of your acquaintances for a position that requires the utmost integrity?!"

He pauses for a minute to give Sketch a moment in which to be offended.

"I like your style, my man. This is going in the Chanson de Sketch for sure."

"Hmm, what's an iambic word that rhymes with 'treasurer'" he mutters under his breath.

In a louder voice he says, "Deputizing priviliges granted. Consider yourself honorary appointer of the comptroller."

Sketch excuses himself from the room as the discussion switches to the building of housing. Duncan likes the idea of renovating the bunkhouse to more permanent housing for the miners. Some have expressed concern—especially in the wake of Mahlon's condition—of the outpost's living situation. However, having their own dedicated living space will do much to quell their mounting restlessness.
Bryn, on the other hand, is against it. And she isn't afraid to state as much. "Our resources are finite, and we already have places for the men to sleep. We should save what we have and work toward reinforcing the outer wall, or perhaps building a watchtower." She doesn't press her position, but she does hold firm against building up housing.
Ileosa doesn't contribute much, seemingly content on her new role as Marshal. The prospects of spending less time inside the outpost appears to have lifted her spirits. When it comes to voting, she sides with Liam and Duncan, causing the motion to pass.

Afterward, Sketch returns. Behind him is a short, hunched dwarf with a ratty-looking beard. His nose is crooked, jutting from between a pair of tiny, beady black eyes.
"This is Will'm," Sketch says, introducing the newcomer, "but most of us just call him Soapy. Not sure why. He's the best fero dealer twenty leagues in any cardinal direction, can count backwards by two in elvish—in perfect dwarven—and once held an Abadarian Key!"
"Twas me cousin's. Won it in a game o' knucklebones," Will'm rumbles, his voice the sound of stones slowly grinding.
Sketch steps forward, a look of determination on his face. "Allow me the pleasure and honor of introducing to you our new Comptroller!"
Duncan approves of the appointment, having worked with Soapy in the mines. Bryn is happy as the appoint is dwarven. Sketch, of course, vouches for him, citing his ability to count cards. Ileosa abstains.

I have updated the leadership positions, deducted the cost of the House from the BP Treasury, adjusted the Outpost's Unrest factor, and applied your chosen edicts. The Kingdom Sheet is now up-to-date and we can continue through the phases.

Next up is the Income Phase, which will finish the month.
You do not have 40 coins, nor do you have anything valued over 40 to sell, so we will skip that part. There are 2 BP in the Treasury, so you may attempt a withdraw if you'd like. If so, please roll+Loyalty (0).

Finally, the last thing you do is collect taxes. To do this, now that Soapy is your Comptroller, roll+Economy (+2). On a 10+ the Treasury increases by 5. Results 7-9 increases the Treasury by 2. Anything 6 or under results in something bad happening.

Good luck!

Liam might want to dip into the public treasury some day - but not when it's got such a meager balance, and he such a meager reputation.

OOC: No withdrawals

10:13, Today: Liam rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Roll + economy for soapy.

Liam finds Bryn sometime when they can talk together. "I appreciate your dedication to the mine's defenses," he says. "My way of thinking is that, if the men have homes of their own, they'll work doubly hard to build defenses, and they'll grumble half as much. I've been attacked by goblins, so I know our situation here. I'll keep our defenses up."

Bryn appears to understand Liam's line of reasoning. She doesn't argue with him, nor does she try to rehash her earlier point. She merely accepts Liam's decision with a curt nod.
After that, Liam notices her avoiding the mine. Instead of helping with the operations, she spends all her time either at the smithy engrossed in making repairs, or recycling scrap metals and low-grade ore to forge crude armor pieces. Within a few days, small, three-man patrols circle the outpost, clad in shoddy cuirasses and carrying mining implements. They don't wander too far, never far enough to lose sight of the palisade walls.

Soapy spends the next few days collecting dues from the miners, as well as taxes from any gains they make gambling amongst each other. Despite his wretched appearance, the dwarf seems to possess a rather astute financial sense. By the end of the month, he's doubled the treasury.
+2 BP to the Treasury

Sarenith (June) ends, Erastus (July) begins…
Precisely on the day marked in Mahlon's ledger, a caravan arrives! The patrol escorts the wagons to the gate, and Bryn herself opens the great door to allow them entrance. The caravan leader, a fat man introducing himself as Porter, produces an order from PhosCo for twelve tons of ore. Duncan mobilizes the miners to help load the wagons, leaving Liam to verify the purchase agreement.

Liam goes out of his way to call up Bryn's militia into parade formation, and honor them with an official inspection. He doesn't complain no matter what he sees. Instead he focuses on building their ego and letting them know they're appreciated.

---

When the caravan arrives, Liam frowns at the paperwork. He has Soapy and Bryn look over the agreement with him, and welcomes anyone else of his crew who wants to help.

"I don't know much about paperwork. Does this look legit to both of you?" He asks the two dwarves.

"It's just an order from PhosCo," Soapy replies after looking at the paperwork. "A purchase agreement. See? Here's where they say what and how many tons they want to buy, and here's the rate they're willing to pay. Pretty straightforward, unless you want to negotiate a better rate."
Bryn doesn't appear too concerned with the paperwork, instead focusing her attention on the caravan itself. There are six guards, and they all appear to be adventurer types. Even though Soapy pointed out the buyer as PhosCo (and their signet being on the paperwork), the caravan, its drivers, nor the guards possess any PhosCo iconography. She asks Porter about it, and he explains that they're a separate company, merely a transporting firm hired by PhosCo.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Sire," Soapy approaches you once more, this time with Sketch in tow. "Looking at this agreement a second time, I'm thinking the rate might be too low, given the quality of our ore. I think you should show this to Duncan and see what he thinks."
"Yeah, and in the meantime," Sketch pipes in, "we could show them a good time. Give 'em a night to rest and relax. Maybe even organize a game or two..." the halfling finishes with a sly smile.

Follow this course if Liam is interested in Economy

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"I don't trust these guys," Bryn growls to you in private. "PhosCo is a big company and it's easy enough to fake papers. I think we should follow the caravan back to wherever it came from."

Follow this course if Liam in interested in either Military or Expansion

---

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Maybe none of this is any of your concern? The deal was entered in Mahlon's ledger, and they're offering a fair rate for the ore. Why not just honor the deal and continue day-to-day operations for a while?

Follow this course if Liam isn't interested in the previous two courses.

---

What does Liam do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:06, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

"Relaxation is okay," he says to Sketch, "But I don't want to see any of these caravan guys resting. Not when they could be dicing, or swilling our finest rotgut at inflated prices."

"If we don't get some good coin in here, all of our efforts will be for nothing. The men don't work for the fun of it. Giving them homes was a good start. Let's finance the next step with outsiders' coin. Let's let Duncan play hardball with their agent, and have Sketch set up these guys with some dice."

"Bryn, if they are cheating us, they'll divulge it more readily when they're relaxed."

Bryn accepts Liam's words, but he can tell she doesn't agree with... something. However, Bryn is a Shield Maiden, and will not complain, argue, or disobey orders. Nor will she tolerate such behavior within her ranks. She offers Liam a smart nod before signaling to her patrol to return afield.
Sketch wastes no time in disrupting the caravan. He weaves in and out between the cars, inviting the drivers and guards inside for drinks. At first they don't appear interested, and you can hear many of them stating that they only plan on staying a few hours—just long enough to load the wagons. However, the guards—adventurer-types all—are the first to accept Sketch's invitation. The drivers hold out a little while longer, at least until Soapy and Duncan approach Porter with their negotiation. Once the caravan boss is preoccupied, the drivers make up excuses to enter the house, and before too long, they're all inside.
You can see Duncan and Soapy working on Porter, however it appears they're having a hard time. The portly caravan boss doesn't seem happy about your attempt to negotiate. Despite his abilities in leading the miners, Duncan seems out of his element, whereas Soapy appears to be not only leading the conversation, but also keeping it going. Nevertheless, you know it's only a matter of time before the conversation will eventually breakdown.

Does Liam assist Sketch in the house, enter into the negotiations with Duncan and Soapy, or do something else?

Liam arranges a meeting between Bryn and Ileosa.

If the ore negotiations break down, or the gambling gets out of hand, he's sure someone else can handle it. But the threat of an imposter caravan -- that's worthy of his attention.

"Bryn, I'd like you to share with Ileosa the concerns you voiced to me about the caravan. She's our best tracker, so if anyone's going to follow these guys overland, it should be her."

Liam sticks around to see if Bryn is more forthcoming this second time around. What was she not saying?

Ileosa's large eyes widen even more when she hears about the caravan's arrival. Before Bryn can finish her brief, the elf is asking questions, a look of elation on her face as they spill out of her mouth in rapid fire succession. Although it is rare for her to show this level of emotion openly, true to form Ileosa applies a thick layer of cold rationale to her line of questioning.
"They are from PhosCo, yes? They can help us get back home. They've come from somewhere and will be going back. They'll have some idea where this outpost is, in relation to their headquarters in Coramir. They, they might even be able to help us get in touch with Godfrey!"
"Unless they're imposters," Bryn reminds her, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Imposters? From where? The other side of the mountain? And they arrive on the same exact day Mahlon's book says they will? And with the same exact order? Bryn, this is what we've been waiting for! They'll help us get home," Ileosa exclaims.
Bryn scowls. "And leave this mine like this? Leave these men defenseless and without guidance?"
"That's not our job," Ileosa interjects. "It's not what we were hired to do. Godfrey can help Mahlon or send a suitable replacement. We're not miners, Bryn. We aren't meant for this, this..." she trails off, her hands wide as if to encompass everything around them.
Bryn turns her gaze to you. There is a hint of pleading, but she appears steadfast in her resolve.
"Look," she says at length, to the both of you. "Something's not right here. We just let a caravan inside our walls, and even though they have the papers, and arrived when Mahlon said they would, they aren't wearing PhosCo insignia—
"You said they said they were hired out," Ileosa interrupts. "That's a perfectly good explanation."
"I just want t—
"Just want what? Make sure they're not bandits? Brigands? Thieves, one and all?" Bryn frowns but doesn't answer. "Then confront them! Demand they prove themselves. Where are they from, and how can we get there?"
Both women turn their gaze to you.

"You're a free woman," he says to Ileosa. "I can't order you to stay.

"Me, I'm going to stay here and help the miners get back on their feet.

"Just keep in mind - mercenary ore haulers aren't exactly known for their pleasant demeanors, or kindness to strange hangers-on."

He decides it's time to ask Bryn straight out what's guiding her hunch. "Bryn, what exactly about these guys seems off to you? Is it just their lack of insignia, or something else that you can put your finger on?"

At Ileosa's gloating, Bryn stands up and begins to take her leave. Liam stops her long enough to ask why she distrusts the caravan so much, to which she replies: "I've been trained not to trust outsiders. I don't like their look, and yes, their lack of insignia is bothersome. But if you want to find out who they are, I definitely don't like playing subtle games."

You follow Bryn outside to find Duncan trying to calm Porter down. The fat caravan boss is red in the face and shouting. Soapy is nowhere to be seen. As you near, you hear Porter barking at Duncan about "unprofessionalism," and demanding to speak to Mahlon.
"What's going on here?!" Bryn cries over the portly man. He goes on to explain the situation:
"These stooges were attempting to waylay me! I told them I do not have any authority to re-negotiate the purchase order, nor do I have any agency for my employer. Our job was to simply pick up the ore and bring it back. Now, my men have gone inside and are carousing, and the ore isn't being loaded! This is going to set us back and cause the degradation of our reputation. I demand to speak with Mahlon immediately!"

"Certainly. If you'll just allow our head of security to inspect you for weapons." Liam motions for Bryn to search Porter.

Porter raises his arms to allow Bryn to inspect him. She doesn't find any weapons.

Liamleads Porter into the mines. He asks Bryn and one of her guards to go with.

They lead Porter to the levels where Mahlon can usually be found.

If they can find Mahlon, Liam gestures for Porter to take a look at the man's diminished state. "See for yourself," he says. "Mahlon is in no condition to negotiate."

Porter follows you into the mine. The entire time he huffs and puffs, grumbling about how long it is taking. A couple of times he outright protests, citing his displeasure in being treated this way, and stating that he's always met Mahlon in his office.

However, once you find Mahlon and Porter lays eyes on him, the portly man goes quiet. He rushes over, crying out and asking what happened. He even calls Mahlon his friend. Mahlon whistles and mumbles something about honeybees before picking up a rock and smelling it before tossing it down the tunnel.
"His mind... it's gone," Porter says in disbelief after watching Mahlon for a moment. He exhales deeply before turning away from Mahlon and focusing on Liam. "So, you're in charge now, huh? Well, we're running out of time here. Let me make this clear: we have to load our carts and be gone from here in under two hours. If we don't return to the extraction point, we'll be stuck here until they send someone else—at which point I'll likely lose my contact and won't ever be able to get home. So I need you to help me get my carts loaded, my men sobered up, and me back on my way. Understand?!

"Interesting," says Liam, ignoring the man's demands for now. "So you don't know how to get back home? And I don't suppose you'd know how to get me back to my home?"

"Of course I know how to get home!" Porter replies. "I need to be at the extraction point at the appointed time--with the ore my employer has purchased from your mine."

"But suppose you were to be a day late, or early. Would that hugely inconvenience you? I mean, would you be a day late, or would you not get there at all?"

As far as Liam's concerned, Porter seems on the level. Liam will start escorting Porter back up top, and will even get the mine workers to help load the carts.

As for the caravan workers, Liam will keep them at the gaming tables as long as he can, but he'll let them help load the carts and be on their way on schedule (or as much on schedule as possible.)

Liam wants to rile Porter, and get as much information as he can, but he doesn't actually want to hinder the ore shipment. Of course, if Soapy's raised the price a bit, well, business transitions are a tricky time for established lines of credit. Liam won't object to a little gouging. "Don't think of it as a last-minute price increase," he says to Porter as they reach the open air and pass Soapy. "Think of it as an emergency fee for the repairs after the monster attack. We'll be spreading it over all of our customers."

Porter shakes his head vigorously at Liam's questions. "No, we can't be late. Don't you understand? If we're not back when PhosCo sends for us, we've broken our contract with them. They won't send for us again." Seeing that Liam might not fully comprehend what it is he is trying to say, Porter continues.
"Our contract with PhosCo is to come here and pick up their purchase, right? Well sending us, the wagons and mules and drivers and guards, it costs something. A lot of something. So PhosCo sends us and we pick up their ore. They can't send us directly here, but they can get us close. So we have a certain amount of time to get here, load the ore, and get back before we're considered lost. If that's the case, they won't send a rescue for us. We're considered dead."
"And what about the ore?" Bryn asks, following you and Porter up to the surface. "PhosCo won't abandon their ore. And why isn't there a contingency plan, assuming you get delayed?"
"It doesn't work like that," Porter replies. "These types of jobs, they go astray and you're dead. There is no delay. They put us within a couple of leagues of the mine, we pick it up, and then they call us back. If we're delayed, they assume we're dead. They'll come for the ore, but they won't be coming for us, whether we're alive or not.
"In fact, if they find us alive, it'll be worse," he continues. "I'll never be able to get another contract with them again. They'll leave us out here, stranded on this plane, forever."
Bryn stops and shoots you a confused look. "What do you mean, 'plane'?"

"Planes are spoken of in many ancient lays," says Liam. His tone suggests that's not the most interesting part of this conversation to him.

"Listen, Porter, I sympathize with you, I really do. But you can understand how our own situation might be looked on unfavorably by Phosco. The last thing I want is to be stuck here with some crazy multinational corporation hunting me. So I have to know -- are you loyal to Phosco, or to your men and your own hide?"

I'd like to use 'Charming and Open' in 'Whom do you serve' mode

"To myself," Porter replies unapologetically. "Now tell me true, friend, I intend to be off on time. What do you desire from me to ensure I make my appointment?"

"That's good," Liam replies to Porter's answer. "I can trust a man who's out for himself."

"As for what I want from you, only your assurance that the money for this ore will arrive as punctually as you did. As you can see, my men are already helping to load your carts. You should be able to keep to your schedule.

"We've spent quite a bit of capital making the premises livable for the miners. So we're counting on prompt payment to help keep order here. Otherwise you might find a rebellion on your next visit."

Porter offers Liam a slight smile before answering him. "You still don't get it, do you? I can't assure you anything. The entire reason companies like PhosCo use small transport services like mine for these types of runs is exactly that. We lack agency, which means we can't speak on behave of your business partners. We simply transport the goods.
"But I'll tell you what," he says as the miners continue loading his carts in lieu of his own team. "I'll my contact about you and what you're trying to do here. Maybe that'll help." You have no doubt Porter means to do what he says, but you also get the feeling he knows it won't do much good.

While the carts are being loaded, Ileosa approaches you. She looks strange, more uncomfortable than usual. She stands before you awkwardly, holding herself as if she'd rather be anywhere than here.
"Liam," she says, her voice almost a whisper. "I... I want to go with them. I really think they can get me back home faster than... I mean, I'll get to Godfrey and tell him everything. He'll be able to get the others."
Funny choice of words, "the others."

"I want you to go," says Liam honestly. "But I also want you to get that magic mirror working from the other end, if at all possible. If you can do that, it will more than make up for the absence of our best patroller."

If Ileosa was expecting something different from Liam, she doesn't let on. She nods before turning to join the caravan as they prepare to depart. However, just before disembarking, two members of the caravan's guards approach you. One is a tall and fair-skinned human girl with golden hair and brilliant blue eyes. She is wearing a headband of opal and jade; as well as a cuirass of brass scale, and a mace hangs from her belt. A shield is attached to her back, embossed with a down-turned sword in front of a starburst, the symbol of Iomedae.
The other is a slender, pale man of indeterminable age and has pointy ears. His hair is long and dark-colored; but bears a deep blue sheen. He is naked to the waist and wears black leather pants which are tucked into knee-high boots and adored with many straps and buckles. A wicked-looking dagger is tucked in his belt.
"I am Ysuran Auondril," the elf greets you with a bow, his voice audible yet sounding like a whisper. "And this is Allessia Faithhammer," he says, indicating the blonde woman standing beside him. "It is our understanding that your friend will be joining the caravan back to Coramir. However, that means one of us will have to stay in her stead. The both of us have volunteered. Which one of us would you have until another exit can be arranged?"

"I've been looking for a person of faith to minister to the workers here. Which of you is best suited for that role?" Liam finds himself adopting the formal manner of speaking used by Ysuran.

Privately, Liam hopes he ends up with the blonde valkyrie and not the man in tight leather pants.

Allessia steps forward and offers you her hand. "I am Allessia Faithhammer," she introduces herself, "and I believe myself best suited for what it is you are looking for. Iomedae be praised for bringing me here."
Ysuran bows again before politely excusing himself. Your eyes follow him as he returns to the caravan. From where you're standing, you see the other guards, and Ileosa. There is a large, heavily muscled man with tanned skin; a stout dwarf with a greying beard and eyepatch; and a short, dark-skinned elf wrapped in a loose, gray robe. Ileosa seems to have caught the man's eye (as well as many of the drunken drivers), but you can't help but notice Ileosa's large eyes wander your way...

A short while later, you stand on the parapet and watch as the caravan disappears up the mountain and into the wood. After climbing down, Sketch presents you with the fruits of his labor. He shows Liam that he was able to procure trinkets, jewelry, and other valuables worth over 40 coins during the gambling. He promises to deposit them into the treasury as soon as possible (+1 BP), but is presently distracted by the newest addition to the outpost.
"Crikey, Boss!" Sketch says to Liam, his eyes fixed on Allessia. "What's she doin' here? I thought they shipped out… not that I'm complainin', but she wasn't gamblin' or drinkin'. You think she'll be good for morale?"

"Sketch, you have eyes. She's clearly a two-for. A priest who can heal wounds and offer advice, and a nice person to look at as well. How could she not raise morale?

"Or are you just worried that a woman of the cloth might frown on all of your gambling, carousing, and defrauding?"

Liam asks Bryn to show Allessia around when both women have a free hour.

Then he checks in with Soapy to learn how the negotiations turned out.

"I've been frowned at by holier women than she," Sketch replies with a wave of his hand. "I only mean—well, never mind what I mean." He smiles at you before bounding away toward the office, presumably to deposit the gains.

Bryn agrees to show Allessia around. Although the two couldn't seem more different, within a few minutes they are talking like old friends. Apparently, they both come from similar martial and faith-based disciplines. Bryn isn't as devote for Torag as Allessia is for Iomedae, but the two clearly bond over being strong, lethally trained women.

You find Soapy as he is preparing for his next shift in the mine. He corroborates Porter's assessment regarding the latter's inability to renegotiate the purchase agreement with PhosCo. However, he also explains a concept called demand surge, which allows parties similar predicaments such as you find yourselves to raise rates following disasters. Further, when used in tandem with another legal term or two, basically enables you to enforce "reasonable" rate increases without the need to formally renegotiate or call the contract into arbitration.
He grins from ear to ear as he also reveals that he, unbeknownst to Porter, invoked the contract language when penning (and slipping) an addendum to the purchase agreement, that Porter is now carrying back to PhosCo.
"The purchaser will pay what we ask," he says to you, beaming, "assuming they're even bothered by the rate increase at all."

Please let me know how Liam reacts to any of the above, and what he might be doing over the next few days.

"Nice work, Soapy. I'd give you a raise only, as you know, we don't really have enough money to go around."

Liam spends the next few days helping Allessia find quarters and perhaps a place to lead weekly services, if she wants to. He won't force her into the role so soon.

Liam checks daily on the magic mirror, to see if it changes in any way, or if somehow miraculously someone makes contact.

He also asks all of his officers (Sketch, Allessia, Bryn, Soapy, Duncan, etc.) for their opinions on where to establish a strongbox or saferoom for their material wealth. "Someplace visitors and drunkards won't be able to just walk off with it. And where our officers can take stock frequently."

Mostly, he's looking forward to getting back to the business of running the settlement, and hopes no major incidents will crop up between now and the end of the month.

What was once the old bunkhouse has been torn down and its resources converted into a series of simple "houses." These structures aren't very big, and are usually just one large room, sectioned off by curtains. Most contain two to four beds (scavenged from the bunkhouse), a common table, and a hearth for heat and cooking.

Allessia simply takes Ileosa's bed in Bryn's house, and holds interfaith services outside.

Over the course of the next few days, you speak with your officers about security. You come to find that their opinions differ, and most are wholly more concerned about other matters.
"The men are about as happy as they can be," Duncan reports, "but that isn't really saying much. They work their shifts, then spend their free time caught up in Bryn's patrol rotations, or some other monotonous task. The only entertainment they have is getting what few coins they got taken from them in Sketch's many gambling schemes. Whatever you decide to do next, please keep their interests in mind."
"Everything we do is in their interest," Sketch replies with Soapy nodding beside him. "What we need is fresh blood. We're operating at maximum efficiency, and minimum capacity. The miners should have more free time, and not be pestered by Bryn to go on patrol all the time. And forget about maintenance! We need a dedicated crew for that, as well as for security."
"Bah!" Bryn bellows, "without the patrols and security, we'd have no mine! It's every man's responsibility. In fact, we need to expand and build a watchtower higher up the mountain. Forget monsters—right now, a band of disgruntled gnomes could cause us more trouble than we could handle."
"Because we're miners, not soldiers," Duncan fires back.
"I'd like to build a shrine," Allessia says, perhaps as a way to break the tension. Or perhaps she just really wants to build a shrine. "Not all the men here worship Iomedae. In fact, none of them do. But if I had a shrine, Iomedae will better protect the outpost." Her words draw a few snickers from the others.
"Look, I'm going to level with you," Duncan says at length, blatantly ignoring Allessia's request. "We're running out of food. We won't make it another month. If Liam can't figure out how to operate that mirror, I think we need to start talking about replenishing our food stores locally."
"You mean farming?" Sketch asks, somehow making the word sound dirty.
"Hunting, gathering, in a few weeks it won't matter," Duncan replies. "We need to establish a renewable food source."
"We need to make contact with a town," Sketch says. "We can trade for food and other supplies."

What does Liam do?

"Farms would be incredibly useful, but we don't have the land or the men. That takes wide, patrolled tracts of cleared land; and as Bryn says, we can't even fight off a pack of gnomes right now. Plus, if the men become farmers, who will run the mine?

"I hate to say it, but I agree with Sketch. We need to link up with a nearby settlement. We don't know how traveling to and from this place works. We need men, and we need to trade our sole valuable commodity for things the workers can use and appreciate. In short, we need commerce.

"Right now we produce exactly one thing: ore. We need to tap into nearby markets to transmute that ore into useful goods. Duncan, Bryn, Sketch, you've all accurately stated our needs. I think the best way to meet them all is to find a more established neighbor and enjoy the rewards of trade."

A couple days later, Liam finds himself as part of an excursion team, tasked with exploring more of the mountain. He, along with Sketch and Allessia, are also looking to make contact with any locals they might meet. Bryn had wanted to come along, but ultimately remained at the outpost to tend defenses, leaving Soapy and Duncan to run day-to-day operations.
Like his earlier expedition, Liam finds the area difficult to travel. The slope of the mountain combined with the dense forest slow progress to a crawl. Together, the party planned the expedition to take about four days to fully explore the area immediately west of the outpost.

While on this perilous journey, which role does Liam serve? Roll+Wis:

• Quartermaster: On a 10+, reduce the number of rations required by one
• Trailblazer: On a 10+, reduce the amount of time it takes to reach your destination (the GM will say by how much)
• Scout: On a 10+, spot any trouble quick enough for you to get the drop on it (+1 forward)

Liam doesn't have the patience to be quartermaster, or the fortitude to blaze a trail. He can keep his mouth shut and his eyes open, but they tend not to notice much.

11:25, Today: Liam rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Wisdom -- Scout.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Fri 13 Mar 2020.

The others perform their duties admirably, effectively minimizing ration consumption and keeping the expedition ahead of schedule. And it was nearly all for naught when Liam missed the telltale signs of the hunting party, and Sketch led the party straight into. Luckily, the hunters were hunting eagles, and didn't seem to mind their camp being crashed by the three interlopers.

The clearing wasn't very big, at least not by the hunters' standards. It served only as a convenient spot to prepare their food and weapons, as well as a pleasant place to rest and socialize in between forays into the forest. Pleasant enough that the look of shock on the horsemen's faces mirror that of Liam and company. Neither party, it seems, were aware of each other until the very last possible moment.

"Who are you?!" the horseman shouts as he raises a deadly-looking spear in defense to the three trespassing in the glade. Four other look up from their tasks, surprised to see them standing nearly in the middle of the clearing. They quickly produce their weapons and trot along the edge of the clearing, effectively encircling you. The one wielding the spear canters up, holding the spear tip low, and his free hand out as if attempting to calm you.
It takes a moment, but Liam eventually comes to the realization that these hunters aren't riding horses, but ARE part horses. They're centaurs, each sun-bronzed and athletically built. Their horse-halves vary from dark brown to jet black, and their tails and hair are light-colored, almost white despite their dark complexions. Their torsos are bear, and a couple wear leather bracers on their forearms, beads and braids in their hair, and few style themselves with feathers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Fri 13 Mar 2020.

"Relax, we're just local merchants. We've come to scout the area around our mine. Perhaps you've done business with it in the past? In any case, I'm the new general manager, and I was just trying to get the lay of the land 'round here."

A look of understanding appears on the spear-wielder's face. He switches his stance and holds the spear at his side in a completely neutral manner. The others likewise relax, but move closer as if to hear the conversation better.
"A mine," the centaur says thoughtfully. "I see. So that's what's been causing all the fuss. My name is Radom. Well met."
The other centaurs likewise introduce themselves: Bonmod, Chodi, Orval, and Tomis. They explain there is another, named Ninos, but he's been assigned sentry duty. Apparently he's not very good at it.
"No, we've never made contact with you," Radom says at length. "You're outsiders here, and I can't say that we or our people will be pleased to hear of a mine being opened in our territory. However, that doesn't mean we need to jump to hostilities so quickly."
As Radom says this, another centaur appears along the edge of the clearing. This must be Ninos. His horse-quarters are white, but his human hair is blue. As he nears, you can see he sports many piercings.
He trots up to Radom, a contrite expression adorning his broad face.
"I've discovered tracks," he says, "but it appears they've already made contact."
"In deed," Radom nods, frowning sharply. "This is Manager. He is a General from the outsiders. They have opened a mine on the mountainside. Take them to Yarog. I needn't remind you that they are under protection until Yarog has spoken to them."
Ninos nods before gesturing to you to follow him through the clearing.

"Well met, Radom. Let me first clear up one point, as meetings are a difficult time and it is easy to be misunderstood. We did not open this mine, nor did we ask to live there and work it. We were sent here under somewhat misleading pretenses, and we were forced to make do with what we could find, or to die.

"I want you to know I respect natural surroundings and, that if it were up to me, I would be in a forest glade singing songs rather than in an office surrounded by pencil-scratching and piles of metal.

"That said, take me to your leader."

"None of us choose our clan," Radom replies before you are lead away, "but we always choose the paths we take. Good luck."

Ninos leads you through the clearing and woods on the other side. The centaur hunters have setup a small camp here, and you can see that they have been hunting eagles. Several of the great birds are in cages around their camp, their wings and beaks bound. The carcass of a huge boar is strung up from the branch of a nearby tree, field dressed and bleeding out.

Ninos isn't too talkative towards you or Sketch, but does try to chat up Allessia. He doesn't answer any of her questions, instead he tries to get her to tell him about her. Her answers usually relate to Iomedae and her work within the church, to which Ninos acts as if he's never heard of the goddess. After a few questions, it becomes clear the centaur thinks the Lady of Valor is a warlord, rather than a divine being.

The trek isn't too demanding, and only lasts a few hours before you are brought into the centaurs' settlement. From the look of it, it isn't permanent--at least, it lacks permanent structures and dwellings. Large animal hide canopies have been setup between the trees providing protection from rain.
Liam notes that there are no walls to mark boundaries, property, or provide any sort of privacy.
The centaurs stop what they're doing to watch as Ninos leads you through their settlement. Despite their interest, they do not follow and return to whatever it is they were working on before you pass.

Yarog was probably once a huge specimen of his kind. The skin of his torso appears to have once been pulled tight over his powerful muscles, but now appear slack with his advanced age. He sports a short "salt and pepper" beard, and his bear chest is heavily tattooed. He also wears a necklace of teeth.
Ninos introduces you and briefly explains the situation before being dismissed.
"General," Yarog addresses you, "what brings you into our lands today? Further, why have your people come to rape our mountain? Is your desire lead by greed, or is there a genuine need for what it is you seek? Speak now, and speak true."

"As I told your companions from the hunting party, I did not choose to stay here nor did I choose to operate the mine. I was sent here to carry a message to someone and to get his reply, nothing more. But when I arrived I found out my companions and I were trapped, and that the man we sought had gone mad."

"I operate the mine because its metal brings food and safety to people back in my homeland. I do not seek domination over my fellow beings, but I do seek to aid them if I can, even at the expense of nature."

"I've spoken plainly with you, now tell me truly: have you judged me and my companions before hearing our tale, or will you weigh our words honestly and impartially?"

"Impartiality is impossible," Yarog replies after listening to your words. The older centaur is flanked on either side by servants, or maybe a harem of female consorts. They stand beside him or lay around his pavilion, their naked bodies adorned with tattoos, flowers, piercings, dyes, and other body art.
"I have judged you," he continues after a brief pause. "You are not friends to this mountain, for you bring industry and ruin to our lands. By your own words, the wants of your 'fellow beings' outweigh your reverence of Nature." As he says this, you can detect sadness in his tone. "However, this does not mean we are to be enemies. This mountain is not ours to defend; nor can we ordain ourselves as its moral defenders.
"That said, we cannot welcome you to walk among us freely. I invite you to stay with us for a short while, so that we may learn more about you and your designs for the land."
With that, Yarog looks to Liam for some response.

Liam is somewhat at a loss for words. "Well, OK. I mean, you are the ones who invited us here. We didn't ask you for shelter or aid. We'd be happy to be on our way in a short time."

Yarog frowns in response to your words. "You misunderstand. My invitation has only just been given. And we offer you neither shelter nor aid, but an opportunity to reveal your hearts to us, as well as your ability to do our lands lasting harm. You may have walked into our settlement on your own accord, but your choices were more limited than you think."
He makes a gesture and two centaurs move in between you and Yarog, indicating your meeting with him has been concluded. As you, Sketch, and Allessia move away from the pavilion, you spy Ninos being led toward it, as if for a council with Yarog.

"Ay, Boss," Sketch whispers to you as you are being led away from Yarog's pavilion. "I don't think I trust these blokes. I'm pickin' up some bad vibes... I think it might be past time to dip."
Allessia, on the other hand, appears more or less enchanted. Her eyes scan the goings-on around you, a look of wonder on her face. Following her gaze, you see centaurs engaged in various tasks of mundane life.
A trio of centaurs approach her, each bear chested and obviously physically fit. They gift her flowers, pinning them in her blonde hair, and one takes her hand as if to lead her away from you and Sketch.

"I agree, Sketch. The sooner we get out of here, the better. And don't worry to much about Ms. Goo-goo Eyes, either. We'll save her, if it's not too much trouble." Liam looks for a good chance to slip away.

Sketch nods as he too looks for an opportunity to get away--or at the very least, cause as much confusion as possible...

"Pardon me," a female centaur with light, chestnut-colored hair says as she approaches you. Like her brethren, she is nude to the waist and her upper body is adorned with numerous tattoos that ascent her natural curves. She has dark paint or perhaps charcoal or soot smeared around her eyes, highlighting her deep blue irises. Violet wild flowers, clay beads, and falcon feathers decorate her cascading hair like a headdress. In her hands, she holds a leather cord necklace of what appears to be bear claws and teeth.
"You are a newcomer," she says with a smile. "Please accept this gift, and walk with me a while."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:45, Thu 19 Mar 2020.

"Thank you for your hospitality." He slips the necklace over himself. "Please understand that, although it may seem strange to you, my friend here and I are members of a religious order that prescribes strict celibacy. For that reason, neither one of us may walk unaccompanied with a female, even one of another species. I hope you don't mind if he and I both walk with you."

Liam gives sketch the facial expression for 'Prepare to do your rogue things.'

Good instincts! Take +1 forward your next non-damage roll.

The centaur, whose name turns out to be Elnaya, frowns at your words, but appears more anxious than offended. She clutches her hand  into a tight fist at her chest when Liam places the necklace over his shoulders, as if he is making some terrible mistake.
"I had hoped for the both of you," she replies, her voice troubled. "However it appears your religious beliefs require our meeting to remain... chaste.
"Ah, but the afternoon is warm," She continues awkwardly. "Let us walk together and... talk."

A short while later, the three of you are slowly walking a trail, not too far from the centaur settlement. So close you are that you hear noise from the clan occasionally waft through the trees. There is a tense awkwardness between Elnaya and you in the beginning, but after you get her talking it melts away.
In the time you spend speaking with her, you learn a few things about the centaur clan. First and foremost is that their clan is dying out. Elnaya tells you of how her people shunned the other, more industrial races centuries ago, siding with the fey. However, in time, their allies have grown thin migrating to other lands, assimilating with the cities and towns that spring up like strangling weeds, or die off. A rift has even grown between them and the elves, as they seem to have grown more tolerant of the others' blatant disregard to Nature.
"Every year," she says, "fewer of our children survive, victims of our people's shrinking stock."
You also learn that they are fierce defenders of the natural world, keen to live their lives as close to the earth as possible. They shun all religion, especially that of the merfolk. It is they that they blame for the "Rumbles," even more so than the humans.

At some point during your conversation, Sketch gestures to you, grabbing your attention.
"Oi," he whispers, "I think we can, together, overpower her and escape. Or maybe use her as leverage to get Allessia."

What does Liam do?

Hearing Elnaya's story, Liam feels a pang of guilt. He shakes his head at Sketch.

"Tell me more about the Merfolk. Are there large numbers of them around here? Perhaps we could aid you in your struggle against them. Do your people use iron weapons?"

"Some," Elnaya replies to Liam's question about iron weapons. "Although we don't make our own. We trade for any items we can't gather or make ourselves."
Regarding the merfolk, your centaur hostess explains that her clan isn't specifically locked into a war or any open conflict with them; however there isn't any love lost between the two races.
"They're blinded by their beliefs, their 'religion,'" Elnaya says. "They are willfully ignorant of the natural world. They tell themselves stories of mythical forces that shape our world to some benign beings' intelligent designs.
"There is a small colony a short distance from here, further up the coast. But I suspect there are a great many number of cities beneath the waves to the north."
A horn sounds nearby. Elnaya turns her gaze in the direction of the horn.
"The gathering is starting," she says, returning her attention to you and Sketch. "We have a little time before we will be missed, but we should head back soon."

Liam will head back without causing a scene. He tries to make Sketch understand that Liam's changed his mind for now.

He does ask one last question before they head out.

"Out of academic curiosity, if I'm not being too forward, how does a human enjoy the pleasurable company of a centaur? Or vice versa? Aren't I missing an entire set of legs?"

Elnaya doesn't appear offended, but rather puzzled at Liam's question. She repeats the word causing her bewilderment, "Pleasurable..." She clearly understands the term, but it becomes obvious to you that hadn't considered it before.
"It isn't as pleasurable as running through an open field, or shooting a perfect bullseye," she says thoughtfully. "But I can assure you a union will produce offspring. As a stallion of your race, I've no doubt you'll find copulation enjoyable."

You return with Sketch and Elnaya. The centaurs have gathered close to the center of their encampment. Several bonfires have been lit, and the air is filled with voices, food scents, and music from various sources.
At your first arrival, things might have appeared more structured as you initially took it all in. But now the more chaotic elements of their lifestyle hits you. Absolutely nothing in their communal culture is private, not even property. Whatever is laid down by one can be picked up and used by another: food, tools, weapons--even each other.
Walking through their camp, armed with this new insight into the centaur culture might be somewhat dizzying. Sketch, a thief by trade, scoffs at the behavior.

At length, you find yourself close to the center as Yarog raises his tattooed arms, bringing quiet to the herd. He welcomes you as guests before addressing those gathered, at which point Allessia rushes from somewhere within the gathering and grabs onto your arm. Her eyes are wide with disbelief, but you quickly sense relief wash over her as she squeezes your hand.
"You'll never believe what they wanted me to do," she whispers to you. You notice the flower in her hair is gone. "These creatures are barbaric! We should leave. Now."
Yarog continues speaking to the herd, saying something about the clan's enduring ways and the promise ruin by the hands of those who don't adhere to Nature.

What does Liam do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Thu 26 Mar 2020.

"Stay close to Sketch."

He almost tells her, "Stay close to me," but what good is he going to do in a fight?

He whispers his simple plan. "We'll try to leave unobtrusively. If we can't, that's on them."

Liam waits for a brief break in Yarog's diatribe, then begins leading his group quietly toward Elnaya. He tries to walk with Elnaya to the edge of the gathering. He'll lead or follow or some combination, as long as he can use her as cover, an excuse to leave the center of attention. Once there's an opening, she can stay behind. He only needs her for that first break-away.

Liam easily moves about the gathering, and he quickly realizes that no one is paying them much attention. Sure, many look at them as they pass, but none appear to care what the outsiders do while their leader is speaking.
In fact, Yarog himself doesn't seem to mind either. He only stops addressing the herd to call Ninos to join him.
As you reach Elnaya, Yarog is preaching about the danger and inherent evil of inattentiveness in the midst of the clan's numerous enemies. How the lack of duty and discipline is a greater threat to the herd's way of life than any arrow or spear.
When you lock eyes with Elnaya, you know she knows what you plan to do. She simply nods before moving to shield your departure from the others, a subdued expression upon her face.
"...the charges against our son, Ninos, have been heard," Yarog is saying as you usher your companions past Elnaya. "He has been found guilty of negligence for the last time. And I, Yarog, thus sentence him to Dereliction." A murmur washes over the crowd, and a few whistle.
Elnaya drops her hand to Liam's shoulder, stopping him.
"They're going to hurt him," she says, a look of terror and worry in her eyes.

At the front of the gathering, Ninos takes a step back, raising his hands in supplication. Those closest to the front begin jeering. Males toss flowers at him, while several females laugh. The hunters from the eagle camp appear, and you recognize Radom. They make a show of their spears, but do not hold them on Ninos. Their presence is threat enough.

Does Liam stick around to watch, or does he use this distraction to make a clean escape?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:13, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

"I truly am sorry," Liam says, wondering if that's true or if he's just falling for her charms. He shakes his head. "This isn't my fight. If you are ever near the mine, you and Ninos are welcome there."

He uses the distraction to melt away from the Centaurs. However, he tries hard to remember the different centaurs, and how each behaved: Ninos, the persecuted sentry; Elnaya, kind to strangers and sympathetic to her own; and Yarog, the violent.

When his party has put about 200 yards between itself and the gathering, Liam calls a whispered huddle. "Sketch, what do you recommend?"

"We'll never make it back to the outpost," Sketch replies between breaths. He has to take two steps for every one of theirs. "They're part horse, godsdamnit! They'll outrun us every time. The mare said there was a merfolk settlement nearby... maybe we try to find that?"

Edit: Grammar
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

"Iomedae will protect us," Allessia adds, "no matter if we run or fight. She is with us." Her hand drops to the mace hanging from her belt and taps it. It obviously brings the young woman comfort knowing that it is there.

Edit: text coloring
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

"In my experience, the gods help those who help themselves."

In response to Sketch's question, he says, "If we can't get along with people who are half-horse, how are we going to get along with those who are half-fish? I don't want any part of this crazy feud. That said, the enemy of my enemy is sometimes my friend. Let's see if we can skirt past the merfolk settlement. Maybe if we get to the other side, the centaurs won't want to roam that far."

Recalling Elnaya's words about "waves to the north," and the merfolk colony being "further up the coast," Liam leads the others due north. Your flight isn't difficult, and you successfully dodge any pursuers. Before too long you find yourself on a sandy beach.

The sun set some time ago, leaving the companions only the stars above for light. Luckily it is a clear night, and scanning the area you easily see light pollution emulating from low cliffs to the west.
It very well could be the merfolk colony--but it just as well could be any sort of... well, anything. With the centaurs behind you, the safety of the outpost days to the east, and this welcoming light a few miles to the west, your choices seem all but made up without you.
"We could camp here, on the beach," Allessia suggests, sensing indecision. "It's a little windy, but it's pleasant enough," she adds as the wind whips her golden hair about her face. She has a point; the dull roar of the surf would make resting here pleasant indeed.

What does Liam do?

"Let's find out what those lights are," says Liam.

He leads the party closer, choosing Sketch to take point this time.

Thus ends this session. Please join me over at the GM's Table +1 for a brief after-session discussion before we jump into the next session: The Colony.