"Hmm, at this point I might not be so useful until I learn the ways of our hosts, throughout the various regions. I wonder if I may be so bold as to write to Regent Zavus an introduction and request guidance on being good visitors? Oh, but he'd normally be so busy..." At this his eyes go downcast and his needles slow to a crawl.

"However it may be one of the few things I can do for you, my friends. Let me stay here and run correspondence between groups." The needles pick up rhythm at the speed of Iowain's inspiration. "This way wherever you are you have someone at home here to listen to your victories and troubles. I think this can save time for you all."

Directed to Kelvin, "Are there any groups who draw immediate hostility in certain areas? Last thing I want to receive is news of my companions jailed in an unwelcoming town." Turning to his friends blushing, with a pause between stitches, " I am sorry to put any of us on the spot, but I must take advantage of this chance to know."

Yared quietly concurs with Miron. With his and his companion's current lack of funds any long term plan would quickly result in the whole lot of them running out of funds to pay for food, which would be quite a disaster. Yared could feel his amble stomach grumbling already at the mere thought of it.

Miron frowns at Iowain's subtle self-abasement, but quickly smiles and says in an upbeat tone, "don't be obtuse, Iowain.  Of course we'll need you on this excursion.  We may need your knitting skills to help assuage the cold weather."

"Thank you for your confidence, Miron, but perhaps you misunderstand. People in power tend to avenge slights, even if the intent is kindness." Whipping out a third needle placeholder to create a fabric joint, continues, "And we have learned from our own recent past that sometimes the most dangerous encounter --  besides the always present death from exposure -- is the game between the powerful."

"Just as I cannot in good conscience let our mixed company walk into unfriendly lands blind, I cannot advise we enter The Great Game too, as it were, blind. For though my training may be incomplete in my religion, I took well to the lessons of proper form and awareness." There is now a noticeable bend in the aligned stitches, "Start small, get individual attention, gain confidences, work up towards bigger, more public tasks. It is the formula my guidebooks recommend."

"Marriage is a big deal for nobility, and whole regions. We have time to finish this; state our intentions to help, but do something smaller and more immediate to help. Perhaps the gnolls or the cave instead? Besides, I will be here working and sending remittances as I can."

Miron nods thoughtfully at Iowain words and considers them carefully before responding, "well, given how my last intersection with politics played out, I will defer to your experience in these matters.  I suggest that we investigate the mines before we go stalking experienced hunters like gnolls."

"Gnolls or cave, makes little difference to me. Let's go sniff around the thrice-bedamned cave and find or appoint a culprit."

Quote from: Opaopajr;719029Directed to Kelvin, "Are there any groups who draw immediate hostility in certain areas? Last thing I want to receive is news of my companions jailed in an unwelcoming town." Turning to his friends blushing, with a pause between stitches, " I am sorry to put any of us on the spot, but I must take advantage of this chance to know."

"Hmm, let me think," Kelvin taps absently at his bottom lip with a tatty quill. "Communities are few and far between hereabouts, so trade takes precedence over squabbles. Apart from Ganessa, of course, few voluntarily deal with the Gnolls, but they're a good ten days hard travel away."

"No, you're more likely to find problems within Craghall itself."

"That is reassuring. Though that also makes me worry about Craghall more. I won't press the issue, but maybe a friendly letter of introduction to Regent Zavus will at the least not offend -- and at the worst leave us safe distance."

"Kelvin, this may be forward of me, but I and my companions are in need of work, as may seem obvious. However so many of these notices are for places so distant. There is no guarantee that they will be there on time to get the job. Getting there and back with the possibility of nothing to show for it worries me."

"Is there a way they can work for a trade caravan on the way, so that food and some funds will be had at least? The thought of them hungry out there, returning empty, in the cold -- " Iowain has a painfully earnest look overcome him. Shaking it off he resumes looking upward and blinking as if holding back tears, "At any rate I am curious about a position as a domestic around here myself..." trailing off and blushing at such an open request for himself.

-------------------------

OOC: So far I like my big ol' slice of country ham character. "Painfully earnest martyr" is one of those I rarely dip into because of how thick you can lay it on as an NPC. But here I get to be a lowly, self-tormented, 1st level true believing teenager prepared to die. It's like melodrama on toast, in a rollercoaster!


Bear with me for a while yet; we'll separate soon enough!

Yared thought about signing on with a caravan but as tempting as it seemed, caravan masters tend to be suspicious and men with little understanding of other people, especially people like Yared.

The rotund priest put his hand on Iowain's shoulder. "Do not fear my son. We will bore a hold so deep into those caves that no matter how deep we may travel the light of the noonday sun will shine down into the darkness and send the children or murk and shadowing scuttling from us. We shall teach all that live in darkness to fear the bright light and warmth of our faith or our barrel full of lamp oil. Either will do."

Seemingly in good spirits that the decision has been made, the half-elf says cheerfully, "well, then it is decided; we are off to Craighall and the mines.  We should put shoes to trail then while the morning is still young."

Kelvin the Red gestures expansively and utters a grandiose, "Good luck with your venture gentlemen!"

"Oh, on your return, if you want to look for merchant caravans moving about the area i can put up a notice if you like."

Miron smiles as he says in return, "thank you, Kelvin the Red!"

The half-elf walks outside the building and waits for his companions to assemble.  In good spirits, he whistles softly as he watches the townsfolk go about their daily business.

"Hopefully, Yared's retainers are quick to pack his belongings and we can be on our way within the hour," he says quietly to Tinenwor who is camouflaged on his shoulder.

"It seems they came to an agreement," following the companions with his eyes and a smile. "So how about those Tlan lectures and silk bargains? And do you have any leads on jobs in town? Perhaps laundry or apothecary?"

"Do not worry, I am sure that there will be plenty of laundry to do once we get out of the caves."

Yared begins supervising getting his few of hirelings organized.

OOC: want me to roll up stats and HPs for my hirelings? 3d6 in order and how my HPs? 1d4?

Eager to be on their way, Miron rolls up his sleeves and pitches in to help Yared's hirelings prepare the supplies and animals for the trip.