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[NRDL]

Sorry for the delay

                                                                                                     

This semi-decent tavern and inn, for most a good watering hole, for you a potential gold mine of information.  Maybe.

You see a minstrel wiping down a portable harp.  From the look of him, he hasn't been getting much in the way of silver and copper pieces.  His clothes are stained with sweat, ale, and God knows what else, he has no shoes, and his balding head is covered in irregular splotches of dust and dirt.

Approaching, he looks up warily.  That is the eye of a man who has been through danger, a mouse that has gone through a trap and survived, if you will.  Best be cautious. 

"Hello.  May I sit down?"

He's surprised by the politeness, and gestures for you to sit.  Resting comfortably on the wooden stool, you begin.

"You look like someone who knows his way around this land.  Have you been to Lian City?"

Blinking, he speaks, "Yes.  Why?"

"Well, you see, I could use a guide in the city.  I will travel on foot, and if you come with me, I will do my best to get you a fresh audience, and hopefully some money.  Interested?"

He ponders this, for a few seconds.  "Alright.  Better than staying here playing to a bunch o' deaf 'uns."

"Excellent.  What is your name, by the way?"

"Tomas.  Tomas Stonecusp."

"Nice to meet you.  We shall depart shortly, I will have to recruit more men."

"If you're talking 'bout them ruffians, you be careful.  They're as likely to turn on you if they smell an opportunity."

Smiling, you say, "Well, it's a good thing I have no coin on me then."

                                                                                                 

Got a good roll on the minstrel, that's one asset recruited, and indeed, for free.
Making a part 2 so you can add suggestions, revise current ones, etc.  Keep plotting. 

[zomara0292]

Hmmm. . . . . . I have another plan to add onto the current, but first I must know our physique. Mainly how strong and/or attractive we are. We come from neither noble nor poor peasantry blood. Its hard to judge whether or not we can take hits or woo women, right away.

[NRDL]

Medium build, average strength, you have rather tantalizing eyes, but otherwise you look pretty normal. 

[NRDL]

Yeah, also, if I don't update for two or so days, don't worry, I just have to be away from my computer for a few days. 

I will try not to give up on this. 

[zomara0292]

Medium build, average strength, you have rather tantalizing eyes, but otherwise you look pretty normal.

The secret to our success will be in our eyes and words, then.

[NRDL]

I'm baaaaaaaaacccccck.

And I'm assuming we just go with the normal plan of recruiting some tough guys.

                                                                                                     

Leaving Tomas, you discreetly shuffle over to the table where five big guys are.  They're drinking, obviously, and discussing various topics, such as how many wenches they've bedded in their lifetime.  Just before they start exaggerating everything, you cough loudly enough to get their attention.

"Whaddya want?" the biggest of them says, annoyed.  He's completely bald, except for a thin ring of hair around his head.  He's staring at you, and despite the copious amount of liquor he's consumed, he seems alert, and grumpy.  Not good. 

Well, no point beating around the bush when it comes to these men.  "I'd like a band of strongmen to accompany me to Lian City.  Anyone willing to join?"

This gets their attention.  "We gunna get paid?", says the largest one again, obviously the leader or spokesman of this cultured band.

"Well, I have no money with me, but...", you pause, trying to assess these men.

Judging by the ornate scars these men have on their arms and apparently most of their upper body, they're experienced fighters, or just crazy tatooists.  You take a risk and decide on the latter.

"...I will have to deal with very strong, and very fierce, warriors, mercenaries they are, and I was hoping I could get a few men so I would stand a chance against these giants."

Anger flares up in the eyes of their leader.  "There's nobody stronger than us, right boys?", he says, to a raucous cheer from his four comrades. 

"The name's Fjord.  I don't have a last name, so you'd best just use Fjord."

"Alright.  Agreed."

You hold your hand out to shake, and he grips it with an iron grasp, which nearly breaks your hand. 

Your party is ready.  Is it time to head to Lian City?  And if so, how?

                                                                                                 

Hope the results were satisfactory, got a good roll on Random.org.  Remember, keep plotting and planning, you evil geniuses, I'll probably do a turn tomorrow. 

[Maldevious]

Perhaps we can barter passage to Lian by offering our toughs as protection for a merchant and his wagon. Also give us a chance to chat up some merchants looking for potential backers.

[zomara0292]

Glad to see that you are back.
Now it is time for the final part of the plan. Our ride.
There are merchants here, right? Just listen in on some of the conversations. If anyone even mentions Lian, speak up. Say that, for any merchant willing to leave within a day, you will provide them protection on the way there. Free. All you need is a ride. For you and six others. If they don't believe, then call Fjord over. If that doesn't convince him/her. . . . . I have to think of something else for that. How far away (in days of travel walking and on cart) is Lian?

[NRDL]

Sorry for the delay, again, been trying ( and succeeding  ) to install Shogun 2.

                                                                                                     

So far, your progress in this clandestine recruitment has been successful.  But even with the best men at your disposal, they would be useless unless you can get them to Lian City. 

Looking around, you spot a merchant, who is admiring a few fine pieces of solid gold utensils.  Just as you are about to approach, you hear the door slam, and a thin, haughty looking young man enters.

You take in this weasel-looking figure.  His clothes are well-made, tailored to his size.  He's wearing jewelry, on his wrists, ears, and probably underneath his clothing.  His brown hair is well-groomed, although it seems wasted on his rat-like face. 

"Excuse me, I have been tasked by Lady Emerfarth to deal with a bunch of frightful mercenaries.  I will pay for services and transportation."

On cue, Tomas the minstrel, along with Fjord and his comrades, turn to look at you.  This pompous fool may have complicated your mission.  This little event also makes one thing clear: apparently, all or several of the hopefuls were sent on this mission.  So not only will you have to deal with the mercenaries, you'll have to deal with other hopefuls as well, and judging from this one, a number of the hopefuls would be considerably richer than you.

How will you deal with this, in regards to both the newcomer, and to Tomas and Fjord?

                                                                                                 

Decisions, decisions. 

[Maldevious]

Try and show our helpers what a long term association with us would offer.

"While my finances are fluid at the moment, I promise that working with me will pay off in the long run. I always take care of those closest to me. Would you truly consider leaving a potential lifelong association the first time some fool flashes a coin at you?"

[NRDL]

                                                                                                     

This could pose a problem.  With this arrogant, rich interloper here, he could lure your cohorts away from you.  Before they have time to speak, or so much as breathe, you go close to Tomas and Fjord.

"While my finances are fluid at the moment, I promise that working with me will pay off in the long run. I always take care of those closest to me. Would you truly consider leaving a potential lifelong association the first time some fool flashes a coin at you?"

This question catches them a bit off guard.  On one hand, you sound rather desperate, on the other hand, you caught on very quickly.  After a second, they both relax, and you can see in their eyes that their not gonna sell out.  Well, at least not for the moment, but at least for now, they have an inkling of loyalty. 

                                                                                                 

Part 2 coming up. 

[NRDL]

Part 2.  Duh.

                                                                                                     

With that problem out of the way for now, you proceed to head to the only merchant who hasn't moved to meet with the other hopeful ( your rival ).  This merchant, a very old looking man, is staring despondently at his empty plate.

"Hello, may I sit?"

He looks at you for a second, then nods, sadly.  Rather awkwardly, you shuffle into the bench opposite to him.

"I have a proposition."

"Look, I'm broke, and all my wares were destroyed, so I have nothing that you want."

You pause for just a second, absorbing the information.  Smiling slightly, you speak.

"Do you still have a horse and wagon?" 

"Yes.  You wanna buy 'em?"

"Sorry.  I'm broke, too.  But if you'd be willing to, you could accompany me and some companions to Lian City, where I am fairly sure I could gather money.  Once I do, I'll pay you.  It's not like you have anything better to do."

Okay, that last part was a bit of a risk.  The man looks at you cautiously. 

"I may be a bad trader, but I'm not bad enough to do something and then expect payment out of thin air.  But look here.  You look okay, so here's what I'll do.  You scratch my back, and I'll deliver you to wherever you want to go, free of charge."

"Alright.  I'm listening."

"Well, ya see, there's this woman, some Alice or something, her husband's a guardsman in a district, and she's got a shop set up in that district, and so, well, she's got lots of protection, right?  I move in, sell some salts, spices, and whatnot, and she goes to me, asking me to leave so that she could sell her wares."

"Long story short, I said no, the next day, I see her husband slinkin' away from where my stand is.  A second later, I smell smoke.  The blasted coward set fire to my shop!  Now, if you can get this woman to back off that spot, or if you could avenge my poor old shop, I'd be mighty grateful."

Interesting.  Another request.  Well, it's better than paying in non-existent money.  Are you willing to do this, even if it treads into the illegal, or not? 

                                                                                                 

Oh God I've created a sidequest.  Also, if any of you are of the sociopathic nature, you can just refuse this quest, kill the old trader, and take his stuff, or the like.  This ain't a normal RPG.  Do whatever you want. 

[zomara0292]

Investigation time?

[Maldevious]

Possibly use our connection with Lady Emerfarth to see if we can get a document drawn up to kick her out of the spot. If not, forge one?

[zomara0292]

Possibly use our connection with Lady Emerfarth to see if we can get a document drawn up to kick her out of the spot. If not, forge one?

I like the idea of doing this as legally as possible. We could be like this centuries Doctor. And Call back favors when we need to.