Elves. Tournament. Money...? Surely some prize to be had...

...possibly not watched too closely during the excitement of the tournament.

Still, might be worth letting the others know about it, If I can just find them.

Esgalán only half-listens to the Sir's petty politicking; passing fortunes of the Kingdoms of Men is none of his concern. Goblins, however, are ever the agent of a grander diablerie, and these here might harbor some insight into deeper machinations that needs must defeat...

As soon as Halter mentions the whereabouts of the goblin hold, Esgalán turns briskly and departs.  

He does not deign to notice the Dwarf as he goes.


(A jerk Esgalán may be, but not so foolish to think he can tackle the goblins alone...)


Some way from the tent, he awaits the fighting-men who will surely gather to pursue Halter's mission.  When Sander opines to pass by, Esgalán says grimly to him:

(All in Elvish)
"I will accompany you on the abbey road; my people have a business to conclude with the Goblins... gather what Men are willing, and let us begone immediately!"

"Spears, arrows, javelins! Bring a sharp stick for security -- it drives your point home!"

Looks up smiling from his club-shaping seeking approval from any eye he meets. Most locals try to look busy lest they encourage him.

Sander assents with Esgalán and starts making rounds around town to seek for other brave men-at-arms to accompany the growing band (and perhaps keep an eye on that strange-looking dwarf lass...). Perhaps the "sharp stick" salesman may have knowledge of some hearty lads ready for adventure?

Random is in awe of the elf, and tags along, just hoping to be included in whatever venture he has initiated

Sander, Esgalan, Random, and Grunhilda(I'm assuming she tags along) begin to beat the bushes looking for a few helping hands. The local are mostly dismissive, they see little hope in this "crusade" considering it mostly a fools errand. However they do run across a pair of brothers, Jem and John, not exactly professional soldiers but they have performed militia service before and claim to have seen a skirmish or two. These fellow southerners offer to pitch in for a weekly rate of 40gp or shares of spoils acquired.

Also met is Bill, another southerner come to try his luck against the north. He relates rumors of an elvish tournament soon to take place. (I don't normally care to to push player actions but I'm feeling the need to get the pace picked up, hope I haven't over stepped myself.)

Esgalán swears violently under his breath (in Elvish, of course) at the obscene rates demanded by these yokels, and dismisses them from his mind.

Well aware of his own incapacity--for Men are not wont to trust in him--Esgalán casts his critical gaze across those preparing for this foot trek and wonders, with a growing disquietude, whether any among them may be a leader of Men..?

---

OOC: We (players) should consider pooling our remaining gold for the purpose of hiring men-at-arms of the type described in U&WA p23 (e.g., heavy foot at 3-5gp per month). That is, assuming any such men-at-arms are actually available for hire?  Or has the ref just told us that none are available?

In any event, Esgalán has a poor charisma, and a -1 loyalty adjustment, so someone else should do the actual hiring. Who here has the best charisma?

Grunhilda follows the two men and the Elf about the Keep, becoming ever more impatient with the useless haggling with babbling fools.  She smells the greed on Jem and John, and she almost offers them a "double share of the spoils", but she is wise enough to know her tone would immediately betray her plan for these two to never make it back alive.

She returns to Sir Halter's tent, spits into her hands to wash her face and brush back her hair. After a moment to compose herself, she barges past any guards and gruffly barks to all in the room:

"Halter Man Knight, your townsfolk will be useless when the goblins come here. You say goblins gather two days hence.  You say goblins took your temple of Stalf the Man Godling. I tell you goblin magic steals power from that temple.  They will not lay siege here. They will slaughter."

Before he can respond, she pounds his desk and says "I need meat and mead. The men need bread, but the Elf can eat flowers. Provision us and we leave at dawn before the goblins come to you."

Grunhilda crosses her arms, curses the goblins with foul Dwarven oaths, and waits for his answer.

Quote from: wrymspear;878245Esgalán swears violently under his breath (in Elvish, of course) at the obscene rates demanded by these yokels, and dismisses them from his mind.

Well aware of his own incapacity--for Men are not wont to trust in him--Esgalán casts his critical gaze across those preparing for this foot trek and wonders, with a growing disquietude, whether any among them may be a leader of Men..?

---

OOC: We (players) should consider pooling our remaining gold for the purpose of hiring men-at-arms of the type described in U&WA p23 (e.g., heavy foot at 3-5gp per month). That is, assuming any such men-at-arms are actually available for hire?  Or has the ref just told us that none are available?

In any event, Esgalán has a poor charisma, and a -1 loyalty adjustment, so someone else should do the actual hiring. Who here has the best charisma?

OOC: More could always be found, these two are perhaps the most eager of the bunch. Of course shall we say they are optimistic about their worth, though who knows it may be that they could be haggled with.

Sander considers taking the eager pair along, offering them each a half-share of any spoils gained in exchange for their services. He is intrigued by the elf tournament, but feels that contending with the goblins is a somewhat safer venture than subjecting himself to the whims of the strange and otherworldly elf-people (present company excluded, of course).

(OOC: I do hope my negotiating skills are better, as my charisma is only somewhat better than Esgalán's. If I cannot convince them, Bard or Bill should try, particularly the former with his whopping 15 Cha.)

OOC:

Esgalán has only 29 gp, which might be enough for a few men-at-arms with supplies--if we can locate them.

On the other hand, our clerical friend might seek to loan funds--or Men--from his Temple, especially if the abbey Mission is in their interest.

Or... any player (esp. with high charisma) might seek resources from Halter--it is his quest after all.  I see that Grunhilda has already taken the initiative  

If Halter doesn't respond well to her approach, perhaps Bard of Amber (a respectable cleric with 15 charisma!) should go tell Halter that he'll accept the quest on behalf of his "respectable Temple", but we'll need four stout Men from his garrison; each with mail, torches, and supplies for a week.  Then hope for a good reaction roll

If he's still on the fence, we could offer him personally a share in any loot recovered..?

/carving smiley suns and symbols of Sol upon the club.

The brother mull over Sanders offer for a few moments and step off to confer quietly among themselves. After a couple of minutes they return, Jem offers a handshake "We will take it". The pair were quite aware they were asking a... considerable sum for their services and are all to happy to bargain down to what is better than they actually expected to get.

(Charisma check for Sander, passed just barely with a roll of

Bill strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Goblins, eh? Never much cared for 'em. They do tend to hang on to whatever they find... not many Goblin markets hereabouts. Ok, I'm in."

(OOC: As to resources - I'm broke, however there are ways to acquire some start-up funds.)

Random nervously agrees with the hiring. "Half shares sounds fair. Now we need some money. Let's set off now"