As you approach this clearing you spot a rather sizable building. It stands alone built of wood and tall enough to house two floors no doubt connected by some sort of stair. In front of the entrance waits a man with a grin across his face and his arms opened as if he were going to offer someone a mighty hug. His red hair flows over his shoulders not quite matching the well trimmed nature of his goatee. He is well groomed and well dressed in a light blue suit. And he stands waiting to greet all of the newcomers, it would seem.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Mon 16 Dec 2019.

As your group gathers before him he projects his voice loud and clear. "Welcome one and all to Smith's Gambit!" He gives a quick nod of greeting then continues, "I am the governor of this here settlement. My name is Erret Smith. I am pleased to meet all of you. Thank you for making the journey here. This is, as you well know, a new outpost and as such, for now, only the city hall stands." He gestures to the building behind him. "Inside we have cots for lodging until an inn and homes can be built. Here to my right," He gestures to the board hanging on the wall. "is the job board. You may come here to find work or to post jobs. We have plenty of work to be done. We also have a goods trader with us who is glad to help supply, for a price, whatever tools and or gear that may be needed." He gestures to an older gruff looking fellow towards the back of your group who waves sheepishly. "If you have any questions please feel free to ask and again welcome to our settlement."

Corus nodded at the man called Erret and his words, then turned to the other three less well turned out triton that was with him here in Smith's Gambit. "Take our things and secure some sleeping quarters while I speak with the Smith of Smith's Gambit."

He approached Erret and gave a quick bow. "Governor Smith. Corus of Gathakana, I believe that you had word of my arrival? I will help act as a go-between for you and my people's enclave. I believe that there are many ways that we can aid one another and grow stronger together moving forward. How does one go about... taking some of these jobs that are posted?"

"I would like to explore around, so was thinking to accompany this gnomish woman Galenna on her explorations. My staff can act in my stead while I am out and can reach our enclave if any discussions need to be begun in my absence."

Izayah stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he listened to what the Governor had to say. He assumed, perhaps wrongly so, that the Gambit was named after Erret Smith. It didn't matter really. Smith was in charge and the person to talk to apparently.

He walked over to the job board that had been pointed out and looked over the options. Some were not bad.

He walked over to talk to the governor and overheard the triton speaking with him. "Not tryin' t'eavesdrop or butt in, but I would be fine to do that as well if she needs more than one protector." He shrugged, "If not, I'll talk about the guard duty in a minute, sir."

"The more the merrier." A short gnomish woman seemed to pop up from nowhere, no doubt from the crowd of people that had gathered around and started bustling. "I am Galenna, cartographer of the lands unknown. Nice to see such interest in the job I posted. Do you both have any interest in cartography? It's ok if you don't. I'm just curious."

He gave a small bow of his head to the gnome woman with a smile. "I'm Izayah Hamadrell. Pleased t'meet you."

He then shook his head bemusedly. "No, not cartography specifically...that's mappin', right?" He barely waited for confirmation before continuing. "I like explorin' though. Seein' new places, wand'rin' around." He gave a shrug.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Tue 17 Dec 2019.

Corus is a bit taken aback by the appearance of the gnome woman.

"No madame. I have no experience with mapping myself, though I am skilled at tracking and survival on treks. I even spent some time on a trade mission with some wood elves studying those skills on land before I was selected for my mission here."

He looked at the human, "I am Corus of Gathakana. While I have studied the lore of combat, I find combat on land still eludes me to a large degree. I will do my best to protect any I am with, but may rely on you if you are a skilled land fighter."

"I believe my companion Astros will join us on this journey as well. He has is also a skilled fighter, though a bit wild at times."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:59, Tue 17 Dec 2019.

Izayah smiled at the triton when addressed, answering in his southern drawl of an accent. "Nice t'make yer acquaintance, Corus of Gathakana." He gave a nod. "Oh, yeah, I like t'think I'm at least somewhat skilled at fightin' on land."

He gave a shrug of his shoulders again, "An' as for your companion Astros, well," He gestured towards Galenna, "It's her show, but like she said, the more the merrier."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Wed 18 Dec 2019.

This message was deleted by the player at 02:31, Wed 18 Dec 2019.

Galenna starts muttering and counting on her fingers, "Oh!" she exclaimed, "I just realized, silly me, that I've only the funds to pay to five of you for four days , or four of you for five days!"

The large solid form of Astros wanders into view. He's looking about frantically.

"Corus! Corus! Whence hath thou gone? Oh drat, such a bawbling place to lose a person."
This message was last updated by the player at 02:35, Wed 18 Dec 2019.

"I would like to join you all, I can hold my own in combat. I am a skilled mapmaker and can assist you in such if you need it. My name is Khaaven." This is coming from a metallic figure of slight build equipped with a longsword which seems to big for his frame along with shield.

"Excuse me." Alen said the the wall of people in front of him. When none of them moved he sighed loudly and began to shuffle to the side, freeing himself from the mass. He didn't see a point in forcing his way through, that never worked.

Heading for Galenna Keenbellow he paused as he caught sight of the others. They were... blue or metal, that one was normal at least. Catching wind of Galenna's statement he shrugged and walked toward Erret. Much as he wanted to check out the greater area he could do that on his own later. Though a month's pay for a day's work...

Standing in front of Erret he cleared his throat.

"Excuse me. You posted something about the perimeter. What normally tries to come through?"

Corus waved Astros over to the group. "Astros, these are some of those who we've come to offer our assistance. Miss Galenna here is looking to map the surrounding countryside, so I thought it would be a good chance for us to familiarize ourselves with the area by joining them."

Galenna stares slack-jawed at Khaaven, before saying, "A metal man! I... I mean... just sign here. And here. I'll make the maps, metal man.. I mean.. Khaaven, you just keep me safe! Sea-folk, you all can sign these. You can sign for your friend if he has trouble with our letters, ambassador. I mean... not that I'm assuming he can't spell or anything!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:27, Wed 18 Dec 2019.

In reply to Alen Yaeldrin (msg # 13):

"To answer you, friend, wolves, mainly just wolves. However we do get sizable spiders from time to time too. No one ever knows quite what will come out of the Rimewood, though, so it's best to be on guard. Thus the job. We need help to keep the people who come here safe. There's a guard at each post around our perimeter. Each day your task if you take the job is to travel that distance and check in with the guards at each station. Depending on how things go, nightfall would be around the time you reach the last guard for the forth time. It starts in the morning bright and early. Are you up for it?"

Izayah looked over and down at Galenna when she piped up about the amounts and numbers of days. One eyebrow went up but he gave a bemused shrug of his shoulders. "Well, if you get too much interest, I can always secure the perimeter or hunt wolves. I'm a Ranger after all."

He looked back up as first a very large Triton came over and then a large metal-skinned, or perhaps a fully-metal, person came over as well. He quickly surmised that the Triton was the one Corus had spoken of earlier. The second one introduced himself and expressed interest in the job as well.

He gave each a nod of greeting. "Astros. Khaaven. Pleased t'meetcha. Izayah Hamadrell."

He signed whatever was needed after reading it over.

"You as well Izayah." Corus said as he looked over the document before signing. "I'm sure Astros can sign for himself."

Khaaven signs the document, "Nice to meet you all, I am ready whenever the rest of you are. Any idea on when you will want to head out."

Astros looks down at Corus and grunts with a nod. When handed the paper he scowls at it like it had just offended him.

"Why doth thou stonewalkers love thy paper so much?"

He takes the plume and signs with an 'X'"I know not what this says yet betray me and find out how well this parchment shall defend thou."