Curriculum VitaeYou are Durin Stronginthejaw, a scion of the dwarven clan of Stronginthejaw, famed for their prodigious lantern jaws. A feature which you, personally, lack – because you are also a golem, and whoever sculpted you in the distant past gave you jaws of merely average proportion (average for a 9-foot tall golem, that is).
Nevertheless, after your mother Stronginthearm Stronginthejaw found the scattered pieces of you buried in a cave in the ancestral lands of Clan Stronginthejaw and re-assembled you, she was pleased to adopt you into the clan, for she sensed that you would do the clan proud. And indeed, you have – although you had no memories of your past life before you ended up in that cave, you soon mastered the dwarven language and rituals, and with your mighty strength and keen intelligence you swiftly rose in the ranks to become Deputy Assistant Vice-Foreman of the clan’s crossbow mines, a prestigious rank indeed!
A month ago you reached your thirtieth year of age (or at least, it had been 30 years since you were found by your mother). By clan law you were required to leave the ancestral lands and make a living for yourself in the outside world for at least 5 years before you were allowed to return. On the day of your departure, your mother pressed a pouch of 1,000 AUW (Arbitrary Units of Wealth) into your hands and said, with tears of pride and joy soaking into her beard, “Return twice this amount to me in 1 year’s time, or you will be forever banished from Clan Stronginthejaw.” For that too, is clan law.
You have spent the past month making your way to Aqualonia, locating suitable premises for your office, and refurbishing it. After deducting all expenses incurred to date, you have 300 AUW left, and 11 more months to repay 2,000 AUW.
As a golem dwarven former-Deputy Assistant Vice-Foreman of a crossbow mine, you have superb knowledge of mining techniques and will be able to advise adventurers on methods of underground exploration and means of breaching fortified locations. You also have expertise in appraising the quality of crossbows.
However, as a golem you generally find less favour with religious institutions and pious adventurers, since they tend to distrust persons who are natural immune to the typical method of divine punishment.
Note: The list below is incomplete and may not be fully accurate, given that you entered Aqualonia only a month ago and has spent most of that time looking over the refurbishment of your office
Vargo “Redbeard” Krautheimer, Mayor of Aqualonia – Generally considered a fair and able administrator. Rumored to have some dwarvish ancestry in his heritage, given the vast size of his beard and the care which he lavishes on it.
Cult of Dakuwaqa – The largest religious institution in Aqualonia. Venerates Dakuwaqa, a man-shark who swam his way up to the celestial plane and punched his predecessor off the throne. Dakuwaqa is the patron of fishermen and sailors, and enjoys offerings of fresh fish.
The Smelly Donkey – Despite its insalubrious name, it is one of the most popular inns and public houses in the city, attracting a large and diverse group of customers. You have been to The Smelly Donkey yourself a couple of times during the past month, when you longed for the smell of beer just like mother use to brew.
Note: It is assumed that you own all clothing, accessories and other personal items befitting a golem of your station and lifestyle (as described below). Only exceptional and unusual items are listed below.
You currently own:
300 AUW
The lease to a modestly-furbished office / shop-front in a modest part of town, with attached living quarters upstairs
An excellent false beard, hand-woven by your mother and carefully washed and combed on a daily basis by you
The very first crossbow you ever mined – it is made of an alloy that no-one in your clan was able to identify, and although it is too small for your hands you still maintain it in excellent condition
You currently owe:
Owed to Stronginthearm Stronginthejaw: 2,000 AUW
Your current income (Per month):
Whatever you are able to earn from your business
Expenses (Per month):
Modest lifestyle: 25 AUW (A higher grade of lifestyle projects a higher degree of success, and as the saying goes, success (or possibly just the appearance thereof) attracts success. However, this comes with a cost – the next grade of lifestyle costs 50 AUW per month)
Rent for your modest office-cum-residence – 100 AUW
Year 1, Month 2, Day 1And it seems your business is off to a good start! Barely have you stepped into the office of Smashing One-Liners LLC Inc. Ltd. when a man in a servant's livery enters and passes you a letter and a package from his master.
I lost my cat in the Misty Forest. Find my cat. I will pay you 200 AUW. You have one week. Signed, Esq. Bertrand.Short and to the point - just the way you like it. At the bottom of the letter is a passable colored drawing of an orange cat, and in the package is a leash and a food dish, each with the word "Frisky" engraved on it.
You tell the servant that you will accept this assignment and to return in a week's time. He nods and departs.
Misty Forest is approximately a day's walk away, shorter if you travel on horse, so there's plenty of time to complete this job if you start now. Do you want to:
(a) Pay a visit to The Smelly Donkey? (2 Time Units - Once you get there, further reasonable activities will take no additional time)
(b) Try to find out more information about this Mr Bertrand? (2 Time Units)
(c) Something else? (Please specify)
You have 8 Time Units left today.