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!"