Greater Knowledge
Within a certain place in a certain home within a certain secret chest hidden within an usual place is a Tome kept for many centuries. in it you learn about the nature of things from an angle never thought of before. It is like reading the wisdom of many people from one book.
By opening the Tome it means you can refer to this thread for helpful hints that will make game play better for you than it is for other players, BUT, be sure not to cheat by giving away these secrets. Do not confuse this thread with the option to ask a question at a Secret Order meeting. Here you will be presented with tips by the GM at random. it will be up to you to apply them how you see fit.
Food & Drink
* Before a long journey one should eat heartily.
* If you want to be sure clear water is drinkable check for signs of life. Also drink from the beginning of the water flow if possible and not the end.
Travel
* Consider the difference a horse makes in travelling. Only one person should ride on a horse, this makes the journey swift and you untouchable. One should stay far from placing many people on a wagon, it makes your course slow and yourselves as a target more visible and approachable.
Combat
* Consider where you go and what you wear. Metal is sound and heavy, but serves well in the open field. Leather is tough and quiet and able to do enough justice.
Training
* One should develop speed and strength, but do not be unwise with your soul or you will quickly find yourself in precarious situations.
* Always listen to those who are skilled, their passing words may be fruit for tomorrow's quest.
Bandits
Bandits are humans that have a hard time adjusting to the social structure the king has imposed in the land. They always operate in groups and use caves, lairs, and hidden places as their den. they are simply a subclass of thieves and it is more than likely that a thief would have learnt his skill from a bandit. Most bandits are led by a stronger thief that has a lot of warrior skills and might. Wherever bandits are located you can be sure there is a lot of loot to be found, but actually finding it is no easy story.
Dark Creatures
Most do not know, but there are beasts that can turn into human form an vice versa during the night. Some refer to these as shape shifters while others have developed more intellectual names such as 'Vampire', Werewolf' and 'Doppleganger'. Whatever the name you must be sure to have on hand special items that offend these creatures:
Garlic and silver for vampires
Silver for werewolfs
Any weapon against doppleganger
For all these creatures one should keep a familiar close by such as a well trained dog or cat that can alert you to a shift changer nearby.
Visitors From Other Realms
There have been accounts of strange visitors from the stars. They carry with them strange magics that often make metal and objects move. Mysterious lights of great heat come from their hands and they are able to go for many hours without food and drink. These sightings are not common, but they do happen and many of the members are aware and believe.
Conspiracy
Many talk about what could be and what probably is, but one thing is for certain - the Order has more factual information than anyone else can provide. However, this does not mean it is not subject to change. For instance, it may be known that such and such a person will attempt to assassinate a rich lord, but it may not happen because the assassin found easier bounty or met greater opposition than expected. Now one point of Conspiracy does reign on certain Elders' minds and on others it is dismissed - that Conspiracy is known as the 'Dark Knight'.
The King of Greystalk has many Knights but some of the Elders believe that one day one would try to bring cursings upon him to the point that the King's Kingdom may be lost. It is said that in such a day many would have to fight for their own protection because of the civil unrest that will be sure to ensue.
Certain of the Elders believe that the stop for this is to send a spy of their own to infiltrate the knighthood and obscure whatever plan the Dark Knight has once it begins to be brought to light - others think that it is just over indulgence in the affairs of which they have nothing to do or power over.