In the swamp north of Paludan...
The group set off towards the south, working its way back towards Paludan. Each group member set off early on in this trip to find a few more landmarks.
Kyle was immediately met with great success. He found an abandoned hut near the northern edge of the swamp. Taking some time to search the building, he found a coin purse of 10 iron shillings under a loose floorboard, which had at this point rotted far enough that the coin purse was immediately visible to any visitor the long forgotten abode. Upon hearing of his success when he returned to the group,
Clair set off. She found a set of rocks that looked as though they were claws protruding from the ground. There were three of them, and each was a heads height taller than Clair. They looked very intimidating, but more importantly very distinct.
Joe looked to replicate Clair’s find, and did find a rock, but one so indistinct that Joe could not even find this same rock after walking a couple of feet.
Will experienced similar luck, finding a tree he believed to be unique only to pass ten more like it on the way back to the party.
Cromwell represented the last hope for a genuine landmark and he delivered, finding a patch of Rainbow Fronds which drew the eye even through the dense swamp. After this find the group picked up the pace, hoping to get paid and return to their inn.
Paludan
Soon they reached Paludan. Master Feran was waiting at the gates, a patronizing gaze cast towards the returning mercenaries. He clearly assumed that they had returned failures, and had not reached the northern edge. Alice marched up to him as defiantly as she could manage, although even that appeared a little apologetic, and handed him the map. Surprise flitted across his face as he looked at the completeness of the map. He called over two other alchemists and the trio stood discussing the map briefly, pointing at the markings for the Dragon’s Blood and the Snakestongue grass, clearly liking what they saw. Alice quietly and briefly relayed the story to her master, and shot a concerned glance at Kyle as she described the injuries he’d sustained. After the two others walked away quickly, presumably to begin the first preparations for expeditions of a more alchemical nature, Master Feran turned his attention to the five mercenaries.
”Here, take the 60 coins, you’ve earned them. Even the few resources you mapped out will help us earn more coin to support this town. And I’m sure there are others out there. I understand a member of your group has been injured. I suppose that comes with the territory of being a mercenary, but I do wish I could do something to help. Regrettably we will struggle to pay our tribute as it is. If I am ever in a position to repay this debt, I will. For now, I have preparations to make.”With that, the robed man walked briskly towards a group of students in light robes like Alice, and began gesturing towards the map, leaving Alice with the group.
”He actually appreciated it! I got my first compliment for him. And he doesn’t even have to know about the Dragon’s Blood incident. Thank you all so much.” She followed this with quick hugs for each member of the group, before being called off by Master Feran to help describe in more detail what the next expedition could expect to find.
Back at the Inn
A lengthy trip back brought the mercenaries back to their inn. Six weeks had passed since the group left, and the innkeeper was looking for six weeks’ worth of rent. Looking at their meagre earnings the group realized that constituted the entirety of their payment, leaving only the ten scavenged coins and the capybara meat to show for a month and a half’s worth of traveling and work. Pleading their case to the innkeeper, they were allowed to keep the money to invest in themselves, though they would have to pay off that debt eventually. The company again faced the decision of what to do next.
The Contracts
The dragon turtle from before appears to have grown in size some, and is now almost certainly capable of breathing fire. That copper mine has gotten no less important, however, and the village is still willing to pay.
The innkeeper can’t pay, but he’d be willing to relieve some of your debt if you beat up some local thugs that have been harassing him. They want to turn his inn into a hideout for their gang, which is rather small at the moment. Quite frankly, the innkeeper is feeling used and abused enough having a group of five freeloading mercenaries, and is disinterested in adding a pathetic local gang to the mix.
Another mercenary group cropped up, thinking they can replicate your limited success. Remarkably they’re even less prepared than your group. They won’t necessarily be easy to eliminate, they’re not capybaras after all. But their equipment would be up for grab. Plus, it would prevent future competition and demonstrate your strength.
There’s a shipment between Ludan and Varisport, and the Varisport authorities want someone they can trust, but present as neutral. They hope that Ludan will not recognize the connection, and so will not be suspicious. You’re the only people that fit the bill. That being said, they don’t care enough to pay you much.
Other Options
Go to the village to get suppliesWait a weekAny other suggestionsKyle Jonson:
Look for landmarks. -->
Abandoned Hut with 10 iron shillingsClair Freeman:
Look for landmarks of the rock kind. -->
Found distinct rock formationJoe Bridger:
Look for landmarks. -->
Found a rockWill Smyt:
Look for landmarks. -->
Found a treeCromwell Jackson:
Look for landmarks. -->
Found Rainbow Fronds. 
Author
Topic: Roll for Hire - IC - 4th Contract: Goblin Caves (Read 26639 times)