Thorn Businessmen

[Aquateenflayer]

Black Diamond Transportation company
The month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning

The city of Vancar. Throne to the Kingdom of Thorn. Home to the Aldori Swordlord Kyr Woden and his Iomedaen Paladin wife Mia. Once a fortress for bandits operating out of the Greenbelt, the city is now a safe haven in the harsh wilderness.
The architecture is functional but unimpressive. Most of the buildings look as if they are merely carefully stacked piles of logs stacked in squares and rectangles of various sizes.
Well organized squads of soldiers in well worn plate armor patrol the streets. They wear stern professional faces but to your well trained eye you can spot the subtle hints of boredom. None of them look particularly happy to see a Chelaxian in entering the city.

You have a room waiting for you at the White Stag Inn, the largest of a dozen or so dotted along the western edge of the city. When you arrive at the front desk the piggly looking inn keeper is glazing honey on a tray of unbaked rolls. He asks you to please wait until he is done as he doesn't want to risk getting your key sticky. He points to the swinging doors that lead into the common room and tells you he will meet you there as soon as he's done.
The common room is crowded and filled with laughter. A one-eyed man is telling a raunchy story that is hard to make out over the laughter. It seems to involve something about his ex-wife and some sort of adhesive.
The shadowy corner of the room by the fireplace has a group of shifty looking men using a barrel as a makeshift table to play cards on. They seem to perk up as the Inn keeper comes inn wearing oven mitts carrying the tray of raw rolls yelling at people to move out of the way and shoos the card players away from the barrel. After trades his current tray for the one that has been baking the cluster of people seem to be heading tor the barrel that now holds a tray of still steaming confectioner. One of the card players draws a wicked looking knife. He wags it menacingly at the other patrons as he grabs 2 rolls and hands one to the man with the eye patch. With a subtle nod from the man with the knife the other patrons descend upon the tray pushing and shoving each other in their haste. The innkeeper apologizes for the wait and escorts you up to your door handing you a large cast iron key.
Your room is on the top floor of the three story Inn. When you arrive you are greeted by boxes filled with financial documents and other various tools of your trade filling your spacious room with stacks reaching the ceiling. Only a small path from the door to your bed is clear of them and on closer inspection the right half of your luxurious four post bed is covered in neatly bound stacks of weathered parchments.
Thankfully Lulianna took Kayla and Rayman and veered onto a more southern road earlier today. She said that her services wouldn't do much good until the keep was completed so she wanted to do something productive.
Knowing what direction she was headed in you figure she is going to meet with the fabled witch of the swamps who has a city who's entire economy is supported by the magical items she creates.

[Aquateenflayer]

Bolt Manufacturing
The Month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning

The first thing you notice when you enter the city of Arcanix is the smell. A pungent mix of bag guano, raw fish and a mysterious sickly sweet scent that no one has been able to put their finger on.
The next thing would be the city's namesake, the Magical Academy of Arcanix. Low stone walls enclose a well manicured courtyard. Various species of plants not otherwise found in the region are cultivated in neat rows. A huge square tower sits in the center of it all. At first glance it appears to be some sort of keep, with thick heavy doors and reinforced windows. Upon closer inspection Dimly glowing runes run up the sides of the tower giving the viewer a glimpse of the arcane secrets contained within the academy.

Jeremy Waves you over to the muddy field that is serving as your base of operations. Lines of tents and raw materials ring the outside of the property you've secured for your business. Men with shovels scurry to and fro, digging trenches and geometric pits in preparation for the upcoming construction.
"Should be abou' a month fore we're all set up. Snow better hold off 'till we finish a proper place ta shake the frost from ma beard." Jeremy scowls at the sky for a moment as if threatening the gods. "Tents over here." He leads you through though the half frozen mud to your small, shaggy tent. The only furnishings within are a stump sticking out of the ground at the foot of a well worn cot stuffed with old straw. The dwarf shrugs apologetically before leaving you to get settled in.

[Greystone]

Black Diamond Transportation company
The month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning

Vymar Hoynes sighed heavily as he looked out across the piles of papers and wished that Navin was here. Back in the day, he did all of the groups forms and finances, but that was before Hoynes had bought this company. Anyway, the damned wizard was in Arcanix trying for a Headmasters position in Arcanix, which he wouldn't begrudge his friend.

With one more heavy sigh he sent the letter to the leaders of the kingdom, and began to pave his way to fully establishing his company in the capital.

(Do you want to RP lulianne on her trip? Or for now just stay with Hoynes?)

[The_Admiral]

Bolt Manufacturing
The Month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning


James jumped for joy, an activity that was becoming rarer during his time countering the guilds. With a grin upon his face, he exited the tent and made to the administration tent, the temporary heart of their organization. It was theirs an organization built on dreams by the labor of friends.

Upon entering the tent he immediately made to the requisitions pile of paperwork. He sifted through the pile looking for one specific piece of paper. Finding it, he sighed in relief. He then ran to the area where that item was stored.

Retrieving one small wooden box, he opened it and grinned.

[Aquateenflayer]

Wrangler's Rangers
The Month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning

It's a sunny day in Olegswatch. The chimneys of the of the town create thick lines of smoke trailing into the sky as birds circle the cluster of bakeries looking for scraps of food to pilfer. The day is cold enough to see your breath, but warm enough in the sunshine where you don't need to bundle up. You spot a few well armed groups, some with small children, take on provisions before journeying into the forest to the south west. About the center of the town is what looks like a fort. A large faded sign proclaiming it Oleg's Trading post hangs above the thick wooden gates. You were informed this is where you would be taking on lodgings until somewhere more fitting could be found.

Your guide master Wolf-bane waves you over to a cooking fire where he sits next to an older man in his early 40s. “Hey boss,” he starts with a slight alcoholic slur to his speech, “This is the guy they named the city after.” His companion waves at you and says “Oleg, pleased to meet you. Good to see some hearty frontier folk given me a visit. I moved all the way out here twenty some years ago to get away from the bull of the city and now it's caught up to me again.” Oleg spits into the fire. “They even had me and my wife helping out for a time, running the kingdom. I quit when some little city boy called me Lord. Svetlanna my wife,” Oleg motions to a young woman putting pies on the window to cool, “She stuck it out for a few months but in the end she couldn't live without me. So your oec friend told me you folk were mercenaries or some such. Last time I let mercenaries stay at my trading post they turned this place into a city. I expect you and yours to act a bit more civilized.” The old man stares at you as if expecting you to talk.

[The_Admiral]

James stands in front of a building site supervising the construction of the headquarters.

The building stood in front of the team, the ragtag team of poached talent and college buddies. Their first day of business. The workers filtered into the building. Administrative staff mostly. Their two front shops, not yet even using the BOLT process that will make this company's name are churning out weapons for storage.

"Okay people closing the first general meeting of BOLT Industries. John, err yeah tell me before we overspend and keep and eye on the finances.
Jeremy, new equipment will be arriving this month, make sure it's safely stowed away. Neil, after careful consideration, I decided to reject your proposal for a waterslide in the employee break room. Threlkin, just keep doing your thing. You'll keep everyone in line just by standing there.
Max, you'll be going undercover for the next month so just low and make weekly reports ant the designated drop of point. Jack, go through the files for moles. Mmmm, well thats it right? Dismissed"

"Jessie, you still got your family connections to keep a steady stream right?"

"I do but they need money."

"Tell them don't worry, they'll be getting their money."


Stability: [roll0]+1(it's 12)
Income: [roll1]
Use 3 to begin research bolt process
2 BP Left
Unrest 2
Switch mole to boosting Stability
-2 Economy
+2 Stability

[Sarone]

Wrangler's Rangers
The Month of Neth
4712 Absalom Reckoning

Snorting at the 'civilized' comment, Micheal takes Oleg handshake, giving him a decent grip. "I wouldn't call out the Rangers just yet, Oleg," Micheal says. "Our old bosses gave their live in order for us to leave after the despot that had hired us tried to not only reneged on the deal but execute us for being dangerously armed."

Looking around again, Micheal takes a dep breath as he recalls the weeks of terror as he and the rest of the Rangers the fled the city gave the tyrant's men a run around as their families ran. Days like those will never leave a man. And we lost too many good men to that tyrant.

Looking back at Oleg, Micheal continues. "For now, though, our plan is to rebuild, retrain, and enlist any one who can fight. In return, we house, feed, and clothe the person, with a stipend being paid. The old group also had a policy as far as weapons and gear: After one year, their gear is theirs. It helps those that get out as well as helps us get rid of excess gear that we won't need. The Rangers are also willing to help train the local militia in our ways."

Looking at one of the local guards, Micheal shrugs. "It aint pretty, it may not be honorable, but when you're defending your home, rules of war are thrown out at times."

[Aquateenflayer]

Everyone
The Month of Kuthona
4712 Absalom Reckoning
"It has been an interesting month for the Kingdom of Thorn. Three new start up businesses have popped up across the country and roomers are that a forth is soon to follow.
The King has recently returned victorious from a battle with a being called the dancing lady. Apparently some manner of fey that was feasting on the kingdoms children. Fortified in an ancient eleven stronghold, the dancing lady gave king Kyr and his stalwart traveling companions quite a fight.
A steady flow of Reports claim trolls and dragons roam freely to the south. Plans are forthcoming of an expedition to clear them all out of the country.
The ruined temple of Eristil has been restored by the crown and now sits in the center of a new city in the northwest. Utulehn, as the city is called has been named after a fallen companion of the king's who died not so far from where the city has been constructed." -Sammy Summers Chronicler

[Aquateenflayer]

Bolt Manufacturing
The Month of Kuthona
4712 Absalom Reckoning
This month has been one of ups and downs. Your income was much better than you could have hoped for. You just The local appetite for the goods you produce remains just as large in the coming months. Several acts of mysterious misfortune have plagued your operations. Large fires have broken out and badly injured a large number of your workers and your tools have a habit of disappearing mysteriously. Thankfully you have replacement parts and tools already coming in, but next month will see a serious decline in overall production. With nearly all of your funds tied up in getting your bolt system set up you find yourself on the edge of ruin.

As you sit down to break your fast in your newly constructed smokey guildhall John walks in and sets an sealed letter next to your plate. When you open it the paper is unmarked except for the letters MH in tiny barely legible handwriting at the very bottom. As you look at the blank page John grabs a lemon and cuts it in half. "Made friends with the local alchemist last week. People call him crazy Bokken. That man doesn't have a sensible bone in his body, reminds me a lot of you actually. Gave me a good price on disappearing ink. Not much for conversation though." He then takes the letter from you rubs a lemon half lightly over the surface and hands it back to you with a clever smile. A message begins to materialize on the page. It reads

Investigation hitting a dead end. Guilds not responsible for accidents. Divine magic involved. All known casters have alibi. Will continue searching. - your humble mole

OOC;It looks like you should only have 1 bp left. You got 7 from your income roll (the general rule is to always round down), -3 for research and - another three for your consumption. also if you could tell me what +1 bonus I'm missing for your stability check it would help me out, This is the first actual turn I'm using with this system so I want to make sure to work out all the kinks and mis-communications.

[Aquateenflayer]

Power Wrought
The Month of Abadius
4712 Absalom Reckoning

Times have been tough on you. Through the sweat of your brow and reckless experimentation you have managed to turn it all around. You have managed to turn your misfortune into an opportunity. How exactly you turned your debt to the kingdom into the buddings of a mercantile empire is still a mystery even to those who made it happen.
The townsfolk are warming up to you and all the local guards know you by name. With the population boom in Olegswatch you have been kept busy with supplying the new recruits to the local watch. Mathew has been meeting with General Kressle and has hinted that there may be more than a friendship blossoming between them. Now that your debt to the kingdom is all but paid off you can begin selling the magical items you produce through your research for a profit. Some of the mages that joined you from the academy jokingly suggest that you should save up and build a rival institution.


Kelman and Horrorfrost
The Month of Abadius
4712 Absalom Reckoning
The city of Olegswatch is a dense package of industry. Men and women swarm about their business. Each of them a new investment opportunity for your bank.
Overlooking them all of a two story hewn stone bank is your office. On your desk is a freshly signed contract giving you control over the Glitterdust mines. A smiling one legged old coot named Vekkel stands with some difficulty from his chair. He gives his thanks as he wipes his ink stained fingers on his pants. He hops out of your office rather comically. When the guard outside your door moves to aid him the old man looks at him as if he was incredibly stupid and continues along his way.
With that all of your months of planning have bore fruit and the fie has been cast. For better or ill your are now a resident of the Thorn Kingdom.

[Zap Dynamic]

No sooner does the door close than Ierek turns to his business companions. Thick Einar stands near the desk, staring out over the bank's lobby area while his wife, Birna, sits in a nearby chair with arms crossed. Even sitting still, she seems alive with the kind of energy that one would do well to either please or avoid.

"We've no time to waste!" Ierek's voice is full of eager anticipation. "This gold won't mine itself. Birna, you look positively digusted over there. Take a horse to the mines, and don't come back until we're all rich."

Harumphing mightily, Birna rises and moves toward the door. "And Birna, my sweet," Ierek says, tossing a thick scroll her way, "remember to read over these plans for a caravan. We'll need to start by building a stable, and I'll want to know if there are any kinks."

Ierek has the good sense to wait until she's left before turning to Einar. "I'd never believe it to look at you two, but I heard what was going on in your quarters last night. You never cease to amaze, Einar."

The dwarf turned an eye on Ierek that tried very hard to be reprimanding, but old sailors will ever regard one another with a certain camaraderie. "S'long as she never hears you say that, you'll remain a few heads taller than me." Einar's eyes--resting atop the thick red tangle of his beard, took in the room around them. It wasn't the grandest office he had seen, but it was a fine start. "I had best follow the missus down there. I'll catch all nine hells if I'm late."

Ierek beamed a terrific smile, and the two parted ways. Gliding across the room, Ierek looked out the window down into the bank proper. He seemed likely to fly away, such was his anticipation.

Turning to the table, he pulled out parchment, dipped a quill, and began writing:

My Most Illustrious Sir,

It is my limitless pleasure to invite you all to a gala and banquet in honor of the grand opening of Kelman & Hoarfrost Vaults. We promise entertainments from the Inner Sea, delicacies foreign and domestic, and a night of rare events.

He continues writing for some time, detailing the date of the event as well as it's location at the bank itself. He writes a copy of each letter for every man of means or noble birth in the cities of Olegswatch, Arcanix, and Vancar. Sealing them with rich, golden wax and impressing the Kelman & Hoarfrost seal upon them, he catches the attention of an errand boy and sends him off to the courier. It will be an exciting month.

Stability: [roll0]
Income: [roll1]

I didn't pass either check?! :smallmad:

Well... bummer.