Report on Jorshin’s visit to Solhaven
Miss Leafiara files a report of when Jorshin was in Solhaven on Wednesday night. Read about it on the Officials:
Category: Towns
Topic: SolhavenDate: 11/29/2016 06:15 PM CSTFrom: GS4-WAKEFIELDSubj: A Trader Heads NorthJorshin sat in the dim light of the tavern with his back to the corner, trailing his finger idly through the mug of ale sitting on the worn wooden table in front of him. He wasn’t thirsty, but like in most establishments of the sort he was occupying, you had to buy something in order to stay. Thoughts raced through his mind too fast for him to order them properly, despite his best efforts. Thoughts of home, of the strange town he was now sitting in, and of the task that was given to him by an overbearing father before being sent out into the world.He missed his wife, Meeka, and his two kids. He had only been gone a couple of weeks, but the journey from Allace to Vornavis was slow and uneventful thanks to the guards sent with him. He very pointedly did not look at the table a dozen feet away, at which sat three men. They were there to watch and make sure nothing happened to him, and he wasn’t supposed to know they were shadowing him.
The sound of dice being rolled, and the shouts of the winners and losers alike, brought Jorshin out of his brief daydream. He watched intently as piles of silver coins changed hands on the outcome of the wager. That’s what it was all about now, coins. He had been sent here to gather as many as he could under the ruse of helping those poor souls afflicted by the terrible tragedy that had befallen Talador in the far northeast of the Empire. He felt for those people, for sure and for true, but his instructions had been clear.
He knew in the next few days he would need to start a collection effort. He was a stranger here, however, and although the populace had seemed friendly enough to another human subject of the Empire so far, Jorshin knew that those smiles could quickly vanish once the subject of money arose. Perhaps he could offer some kind of service for them in way of compensation. Some very simple alterations to their belongings; dye a red sack green or stitch a few extra pockets into a cloak. Maybe he could even lighten some armor; this seemed like the kind of crowd that would have need of those sorts of services.
The more he heard about the events that had befallen Talador and its people, the more he continued to question the actions he was about to take. He knew he wasn’t like his father, and that material wealth for the sake of having it held little interest to him. He cared about his wife and his kids. He cared about the two dogs they had adopted and raised since before those kids were born. Jorshin knew he had everything he would ever want or need. He had what truly mattered in this world, and it wasn’t the largest treasure chest or the most expensive estate.
His mind made up, and his course of action chosen, Jorshin bided his time at the table. He listened to a bard strum a lute and sing tales about some company of heroes… Or maybe it was two companies? He didn’t recognize any of the names, and Drakes and Gryphons and the like all sounded the same to his foreign ear. Finally, his chance came when a particularly large giantman happened to position himself just so, in order to speak with one of the barmaids.
Thalk tried to hide his impatience with the oaf of a giant that was blocking his view. The brute had stopped to talk to one of the waitresses and was taking his time about it. He had to be eight feet tall and half as wide, with a stomach that looked like it could hold a whole keg of ale. It didn’t help that his two comrades were too busy staring at the same woman to be doing their job properly. Thalk had to admit that she was pretty… for a fair complexioned sort. His personal tastes ran to those that were dark of hair and eye, so he paid her little attention. The lighting in this cursed tavern was not good, and it was crowded. More than once he had had to stare down some local turnip farmer that had hoped to share the table with him and his associates before they had gotten the point.
The giant moved on his way with a last farewell to the dimple-cheeked woman. Thalk gave a start, uttering a curse as he saw the table he was set to watch was now empty. Rousing his men, they made their way to the now unoccupied table with their heads on a swivel looking for any sign of the man they had come to observe. He was nowhere to be found, and all that remained was a full cup of ale, and a small pile of silver coins in the middle of the table.
We can always gamble for the coins? Just saying. Darts anyone?
I hope to make the donation drive, and there are going to be questions from my character.
Bundt asks, “You keep an account book?”
Jorshin says, “In a manner of speaking, yes.”
Jorshin says, “We are certainly doing our best to make sure we can negotiate the best prices for the goods we procure to send north.”
You knowingly say, “I saw the destroyed lands firsthand. It was… quite a sight.”
Jorshin says, “I haven’t traveled to see Talador myself first hand yet, but I hear it’s very bad, yes.”
Speaking to Jorshin, Shaelethe says, “‘the secondhand word I have gotten has… not been good.”
Jorshin says, “I trust the Lady Kasendra. She feels the situation is dire, and so I have decided to do what I can to help. She is the true aid organizer, however… I am just trying to pitch in as I am able.”
Jorshin asks, “Was anyone here able to visit the camp this past weekend?”
Jorshin says, “I hear it isn’t quite finished yet, but they’re still able to store supplies and organize there.”
Jorshin says, “I hear the Lady has quite a guard Captain that was accompanying her.”
Jorshin says, “Foodstuffs are of course greatly appreciated. Especially ones that won’t go bad very quickly such as chocolate.”
Unira softly says, “Chocolate doesn’t go bad quickly? I wouldn’t know…”
Shaelethe says, “No one knows how long it takes chocolate to go bad. Because it’s never around for long, uneaten.”
Jorshin exclaims, “Exactly!”
Jorshin says, “I hope to get out there to see the camp myself soon… and to have a few meetings with the Lady and her senior staff about what things they’re seeing the most need for.”
You curiously ask, “Is any water needed or only food?”
Speaking to you, Jorshin says, “I am sure anything that can be given will find a good home.”
You proudly say, “Here’s some fine pure water distilled with the cleric guild’s best equipment.”
Jorshin says, “I am sure clean water is not easy to come by.”
Jorshin says, “Has anyone heard more about groups of survivors being found? I confess I’ve been so busy trying to arrange things I haven’t heard much in the way of news in the past week.”
Jorshin says, “I keep hoping to find news of more groups of people found alive or hiding out.”
Unira softly says, “Hopefully both.”
Speaking to Jorshin, Shaelethe says, “There must be some.”
Speaking to Bristenn, Jorshin says, “You stepped away before I could ask. I heard there was a group of individuals that visited the Lady Kasendra’s camp this past weekend.”
Bristenn nods once at Jorshin.
Speaking to Bristenn, Jorshin says, “Were you, by chance, among them? I would like to visit myself once it is completed.”
Jorshin says, “Oh excellent! Would you mind terribly if I asked what your impressions were? I have heard little except things are still being organized and there was a guard captain of some kind present that was a little overbearing.”
Mynon asks, “Overbearing?”
Jorshin asks, “Perhaps the word I want is… protective?”
Bristenn nods in agreement.
Bristenn plainly agrees, “Protective.”
Speaking to Jorshin, Shaelethe says, “Understandable given recent events, though.”
Bristenn slowly offers, “But, such is his charge. The number of conflicts the north has seen has given rise to no small amount of banditry.”
Mynon says, “After what we have seen, on the frontier, anyone looking after the security of any from one of the important families does well to have zeal in their protectiveness.”
Jorshin says, “I confess I…. have guards that accompanied me as well but I’m not sure “protective” is the word I would use to describe my own guard commander.”
Fionola says, “Well ah wer there an’ ah think it be comin’ alang nicely.”
Jorshin says, “He is more my father’s man than my own.”
Bristenn simply agrees, “It’s a work in progress, but I think it’ll be a fine hub of an outpost when complete.”
Jorshin beams happily at Bristenn!
Jorshin says, “I am glad to hear that.”
Jorshin says, “I’ve been sending shipments at the direction of the lady. I’m sure they are being put to good use.”
Jorshin says, “So, for those that were not present the last time I came to speak to you wonderful people.”
Jorshin says, “I am going to be offering some simple services this evening as a way of saying thank you for all of your generosity and good will.”
Ariandae quietly says, “Thank you for taking your time to collect funds. It’s very appreciated.”
Jorshin says, “The thanks are certainly not due to me… but to all of you for helping out your fellow man in this time of great tragedy.”
[lots of merchant work later, with Haidrea arriving partway through to double up on the people providing services]
Speaking softly to Jorshin, Unira says, “I would like this to be able to hold more chocolate, please.”
Speaking to Unira, Haidrea asks, “Your mouth?”
Haidrea chuckles.
You begin to giggle, then burst out in a silly laugh.
Unira nods eagerly at Haidrea.
Shaelethe grins at Unira.
Speaking to Unira, Haidrea exclaims, “Wouldn’t we all!”
Jorshin says, “Lets see what we can do.”
Mynon smiles.
You nod enthusiastically at Haidrea!
Jorshin exclaims, “There you are!”
Jorshin says, “A few more pieces should fit, at least.”
Speaking to Jorshin, Shinann asks, “Who do you give the coins you collect for the displaced people to?”
Jorshin says, “Most of the coins are actually used to purchase wares that are sent north to the Lady Kasendra’s aid camp. From there she makes sure that they get to those that are the most in need.”
Jorshin says, “I may not know much about the distribution of relief supplies myself… but I have a number of merchant contacts here and to the south that I am able to leverage to secure favorable pricing on the sorts of things that these people are in short supply of.”
Shinann says, “I see… that is most kind of you to help.”
Crime quietly asks, “What’s the suggested donation amount?”
Speaking to Crime, Haidrea says, “All your coin.”
Speaking to Crime, Jorshin says, “I would not presume to tell someone the value of helping to save a life good sir. We take any amount, small or large, with a smile and a thank you.”
Speaking thoughtfully to Jorshin, you say, “Well said.”
Haidrea says, “Ah yes, any amount.”
Speaking to Jorshin, Haidrea says, “You had a better answer.”
Jorshin says, “Thank you all again for your gifts.”
Jorshin waves.
Jorshin just went southeast.