The Escort
Recently there has been a request from a wealthy Duke for some hired escorts. The news travels via word of mouth and since this is your 'cup of brew' you believe you should step forward. As far as you know, those who apply should be of the fighting class, able to handle their weapon well and built like an ox. All applicants will have to meet at the local tavern for a meeting tomorrow morning at 6am where further instructions will be given including the wages for the task.
GM: All those wanting to join in this game must create a character and show up for the camp thread. game starts 26 December, 2003 (Boxing Day).
The crack of dawn finds you awake, equiped and ready for adventure. You journey to the Market where each of you meet and then head over to the tavern. You notice that there is a watchman posted outside. From casual talk you pick up that he (the watchman) is a result of some recent pickpocketers in the Village.
In the tavern you are greeted by what seems to be a very serious individual. his face tells no story, but if it did it would be a very cold one. He says in a low but gruff voice...
"I only need one voice here to speak on your behalf and the rest wait outside."
GM: Say who will talk for the party and make your intro for the job.
Noticing that none of you have moved the man looks up, places his feather pen on the table in front of him and says in a gruff tone,
"Do you understand English?"
GM: Let time not waste, but instead make haste.
As the other two file out the man continues...
"Well, I was beginning to think that your ears had too much dragon's wax in it!"
He then pulls out a rough map that he explains is just to show you what they have in mind.
"Here we are (he points to the Village), and my master wishes to reach here (he points to a forest North East from your position about 70 miles away."
He then folds up his map and continues...
"Its real simple like, all you have to be a doing is escort my master in his wagon to the area there (making referrence to the destination he showed you already) and that's it. You will travel by night, you will not disturb him, he has his own driver and horses, it is expected that you will have your own and your own supplies. Once you have arrived to his place you can of course be on your way."
He then leans back and raises a brow while raising his hand to his chin and asks,
"So how much will this be, and of course you know it ain't much you have to do except travel?"
GM: Say what you will do now.
The man is surprised at the reaction of your so called, 'comrad' in getting up and walking off, but he is more surprised at your price and says...
"Look, be gone with you already... a man in the village works all day long for just one gold piece and you want so much for a day's work?"
He then starts laugh while gesturing for you to leave...
You turn in disappointment and head to the door and he then says while still chuckling...
"Look, get yeself a horse and check us in a month, we will be back here then looking for another escort."
GM: This adventure is halted for the moment, this will give you the chance to do several things:
1. Get more people in your party, you will need them - check the FAQ on how to refer people
2. Earn gold through converting your FP to GP - You can learn how to earn GPs by reading about it in the Rules section.
Resumption will be on the 10th January 2004.
A month passes by...
During the days before this day you anticipated this job (Escort) coming to be again and you looked for work, but did not find any. However, the man who serves the Duke has already given charge that they need more escorts for a trip in the morning. Thus they will be interviewing today. You know this is your chance, you need the work, and you need the money. You ponder your next steps.
GM: Say what you will do now. Since no one posted in any party order stating that they would look for work it is assumed that you found none (tisk*tisk*). Now, be wise, do nothing foolish, the Village is not a fantasy land, treat as real life and operate as though it is real life. Making hasty decisions or generalizing your character's movements will get you one of these: dead or jailed.
You often wonder about time and how it passes so quickly. The day of the interviews is here and the hour appointed is upon you. It will be necessary for you to go to the Village bar and meet with the man whom you met with 30 moons ago. You have a pit in your stomach, but you hope that your conversation will be more positive this time.
GM: Time is pressing. There are worlds to conquer
Procrastination gets the better of you and the interviewer has found a set of worthy adventurers that leave with him and his master. You do notice that this lot are on the back of a wagon following the coach that the Duke is in.
You rush over to one of the bar maids to find out if he will be back and she replies,
"Return here when this month be at an end."
GM: Since no one seems interested in pursuing this adventure it will be closed until the 31st January, 2003, hopefully serious RPGers will by then have posted in the camp, chosen a leader, acquired more players, and finally posted a party order, since one has not been posted for many days.