ACT I • SCENA 10
TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS, PART 1
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ROYAL CRIER: New today! New today! General Issimir loses two outposts to trog attacks! Contact lost with troops in the Tanglewood!
Your eyes meet Annessa's for a slow moment, your faces somber.
[Guildmaster]
The Guildmaster [https://i.imgur.com/iOtVQ2G.jpeg]
Annessa
Annessa [https://i.imgur.com/PyIhOwq.jpeg]
Losing yourself in thought, you don't hear the next couple announcements. When you look up again, the early morning light catches your face in a frown.
[GUILDMASTER]: I didn't doubt it, to be honest. But I really, really wanted to.
Annessa says nothing.
⋯
— High Market —
NEWS BROKER: They say they have contacts in the Shoals? Mm.
News Broker
image [https://i.imgur.com/oxdQ7QN.jpeg]
[GUILDMASTER]: Yeah. Turns out they were right, too.
NEWS BROKER: Mmm… Even I can't get info apart from what the Watch is willin' to split with me. Want to sell me their name?
[GUILDMASTER]: Well…
You hesitate. Is it right to share other people's information without their permission?
NEWS BROKER: …Fine. But you let them know I want to know, alright? And you let them know there's money in it.
[GUILDMASTER]: I can do that. But now I want to know—the Watch, the Tanglewood, Issimir… What's going on? How important is all this?
ANNESSA: And I want to know… as much as I can. Enough to be able to help…
NEWS BROKER: Mmmmm…
He turns the entire breadth of his body toward you, leaving the other customer to themselves for a moment. He wraps one large hand around his stubbly jaw and subconsciously wags his head as if to wipe his chin on those massive fingers.
[GUILDMASTER]: Is it hard-to-get info? Or expensive?
NEWS BROKER: …No. You've just got me overthinkin' things a bit. Myself, I haven't been puttin' much stock into news from the Shoals… Frankly, I consider everything that happens south of the Wall as temporary developments.
[GUILDMASTER]: The morning's tidings would seem to prove you right.
NEWS BROKER: But… well, there's a lot of reasons the Marlock's been thrivin' even after the Crusades, and if you ask me now, one of the big one's the Tanglewood.
ANNESSA: The tarxyle?
NEWS BROKER: Not just. The reagents too. Look, if you're payin', I'll tell you what I can, but it's pretty basic. Nothin' you wouldn't hear from the guilds themselves.
You shrug.
[GUILDMASTER]: Worth the clinkers to have somebody else do the research for me, I say.
The News Broker's hand drops from his jaw, which now splits into a grin.
NEWS BROKER: Aye it is. Now give me two moments.
He finishes up with the other customer then calls his scribe from the back to attend to anyone else who might approach. Then he leans one weighty hand on the counter while with the other, a quill pen tucked behind its thumb, he slides a blank parchment in front of him—in easy viewing distance of you both.
NEWS BROKER: Just ask, and I'll answer. You can pay at the end; four sickles for each topic unless I say otherwise. I'll tally it here as we go.
You and Annessa nod in agreement.
[GUILDMASTER]:
> —<1> So, start with the Watch. Remember, I'm not from around here.
>
> NEWS BROKER: Right then. The Royal Watch is the closest thing the Kingdom of Karsis has to a standin' army. Back in the first millennium, King Utan was the only monarch of the time to accept the third Herald's proposed Treaty of Tenancy, and the House granted Karsis several major economic boons for followin' through—ones it still enjoys today. Sure, Karsis can't adequately defend itself with its own forces if another kingdom wants to play the old games, but Duvar bet tall on the fact that with the House on his side, nobody would dare. You look at the city today and tell me if that man was good with the dice.
>
> [GUILDMASTER]: Well, yeah, maybe. But have you seen the southern wall? The northern districts are nice and all, but…
>
> NEWS BROKER: Fair point, fair point. Though the pauper's district is its own matter. But if you're wonderin' why the city walls 're shit, it's because there's not enough in the budget to rebuild 'em, on account of one of the stipulations of the treaty. But you'd better believe that the Watch gets preference when it comes to getting the healers they need, and not just because of the Treaty of Tenancy; the House takes the Southern Mission—that bein' King Eshram's term for his efforts beyond the Wall—quite seriously.
>
> I'd say about half the Watch is under the command of now-General Issimir, makin' up the forces in the Shoal. And the other half under General Krial is responsible for national security here at home. Though without adventurers doin' their adventurin', they're stretched thinner with each and every monster report they get. They're the ones responsible for escortin' the caravans see, it's the Mayika Guard Corps that handles defensive installations in the province.
>
> ----------------------------------------
> —<2> Right. Now why's the Tanglewood so important?
>
> NEWS BROKER: Well. The scholars'll tell you it's because it's the only real forest in the Shoals. The only one south of the Wall until you hit the Wetwoods, even. And they're right, but it's the practical implications of that which continue to make Mayika as wealthy as it is—enough to hold its own against Tavar, certainly. Bein' the only forest in that part of the world means it's quite the unique environment, you see. And a unique environment means unique materials, which means lots of money for the folks who can harvest those materials… and also for the folks who can work 'em.
>
> The one everyone's heard about is tarxyle, the uniquely flexible timber of the tangrove tree. Found only in the Tanglewood, of course. It's used in craftin' tarbillet, a magicked composite wood stock that can be made in varying grades of flexibility and firmness. Among its many uses, it's considered the top tier lumber material for high-end equipment of any kind, but particularly the adventurin' kind. And you can believe that both the Royal Carpentry Guild and Manara's Greytallow Guild have built not only their fortunes, but also their reputations on being able to work the difficult-to-handle materials involved with makin' tarbillet.
>
> There are also several alchemical reagents that come out of the Tanglewood, but the big one is white tar—tanglesap. And this is somethin' you should know about, Guildmaster, because it's used in sintack. That's right—the wyrwick, the sinpowder, you know… that stuff your fire mages use up like a prince eats up sweetbread… it's allll made with sintack. And of course, handling that stuff has made the Tellingsworth Guild known as the best in the Heartlands, and probably second best in the Monarchies.
>
> So why's the Tanglewood so important, you ask… Well, depends on how well you want to be able to gear your adventurers, I say. But besides that—Mayika's not like Grandia, you know? We're all benefittin' from the city's richness, though some not as much as others.
>
> ----------------------------------------
> —<3> Tell me about Issimir…
>
> NEWS BROKER: General Issimir, formerly Warden Issimir. Promoted from Corporal to Captain and awarded honors some seven years back upon leading his invasive scouting unit back to safety after the ranking officer died in a troglin ambush. Promoted from Captain to Warden two years later when… well, let's just say that he and Eshram are in cahoots as far as the Southern Mission goes. His successes, and the successes of the Mission as a whole, are the reason he got promoted again despite the never-ending dissent of balky ol' Krial and all too many prominent noble families.
>
> So he's one of the two big reasons humanity has any real territory south of the World Wall. The other bein' King Eshram himself. If that's not enough to make you popular these days, I don't know what is.
>
> [GUILDMASTER]: But General Krial, and those nobles—I mean, why all the dissent, if the Tanglewood has been as profitable for the kingdom as you say? Is Krial just unhappy with sharing leadership over the army—er, the Watch, with Issimir?
>
> NEWS BROKER: Good reasons, actually. Because everything comes with a cost. The Watch's victories in the Shoal—I called 'em successes, and they are, from humanity's point of view. But for the units that fought 'em, they were bloody and they were tragic. Too many families got holes in 'em now, too many empty places at the dinner table. Including some of the nobility. And it doesn't stop there—those units, all of 'em some would say, were still needed here when they were out there. It's inarguable truth. The leading cause of death for a Karsian citizen right now, excepting age-related causes? Monster attacks. Before the Southern Mission, it was incurable illness. The Watch just doesn't have the people it needs to do its job.
>
> [GUILDMASTER]: And that would hurt trade, too…
>
> NEWS BROKER: Right. Very right, that's the same argument Lord Tashir puts forward at every Convocation—Travelers an' traders just aren't comin' through Karsis like they used to, they're goin' direct from Arkavis to Dursia and Parvia. He doesn't have the numbers to show that the benefit lost is anywhere near what we gain from havin' the Tanglewood, but the sentiment sticks.
>
> So no, General Krial is not happy about sharin' leadership and everythin' that comes with it. But don't you dare speak ill of the man, because he's sayin' what he's got to say. And because nobody else could do his job with the meager means he's got. You could say he's the reason Issimir can keep doing what he's doing… And Issimir knows that, he and Eshram both.
>
> The nobles though… well, you don't need to know about any of that.
>
> [GUILDMASTER]: Well, I suppose not…
>
> ----------------------------------------
—
[GUILDMASTER]: Hm. Thank you.
ANNESSA: Excuse me, but I wanted to ask… Is there any evidence that the troglin threat has been increasing since the last Crusade? Or since the first?
The News Broker almost opens his mouth, but then finds himself with is hand around his jaw again.
NEWS BROKER: I'd have to say that you've caught me out on a topic that I don't feel comfortable making such speculations on. Best I can say is, I'd bet the average citizen would tell you that of course the troglins are gettin' stronger—how else could they have killed the last Herald? They have free play over half the continent after all. Just because we don't know how they breed doesn't mean they aren't. But as for a military analysis? Out of my reach, out of my depth.
ANNESSA: What about the other countries? Our… contact… mentioned that Parvia was considering vassalage to Arkavis. And that Manara's government was in some kind of chaos.
You notice a flicker of surprise in the man's eye when Annessa brings up Parvia, but he gives a firm nod at the mention of Manara's difficulties.
NEWS BROKER: Right, Manara's in a mess and no mistake. And it's an odd one. The top two positions on the Council of Commerce, functionally the kingdom's primary governin' body, are vacant. But instead of fightin' each other over the positions as usual, the merchant princes are… silent. The gist of it is, the first of 'em that makes a move is the least likely to nab the top spot. We can safely bet that they're each amassin' their political forces while starin' down the others, hopin' the trouble they're causin' is enough to choke the weakest of 'em into makin' the first move.
Meanwhile, further Council sessions are suspended and reportedly the only way things are gettin' done is by way of emergency assemblies with Manara's Archbishop sittin' in to fill out the numbers. It's unprecedented, and it's disquietin'.
But Parvia… If they're right, this contact of yours is more than just well-informed. You're sure you can trust them? In my experience, there's always a cost to those kinds of connections. Always.
[GUILDMASTER]: That's what we're trying to figure out, I guess. So how is Manara… and the other Heartlands kingdoms… dealing with the troglins? You said Issimir is the only one who's had success against them…?
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NEWS BROKER: And it's true. Karsis is the only nation who can claim to have "territory" in the Shoals, even if the reality is it's just a narrow corridor—a single trade route—straight to the border of the Tanglewood. Right under Dursia's nose, even. Because they couldn't take five paces out of Fort Kyrsian without losing more men to the troglins than their king could stomach.
And Manara's much the same. They just do what they always do, hidin' in the Materkost and killin' anything stupid enough to tap their footpads against that ruddy canyon stone. See, troglins win with numbers and with savagery, and neither matter when you have to file through a series of stony crags with edges sharp enough to shave a rohn. So, the Manarans just stay put. Easy strategy, no need for anyone to risk their lives so the king and the princes can own more sand.
King Kathok, on the other hand, has been just as aggressive as Eshram. He just has less to show for it. He's gone through three generals trying to make a claim for himself on the Shoal, and the current one—the fourth—is a fearsome man who some think is likely to do the trick. But if you ask me, there's nothing there to claim—word is that the troglins leave nothing but sand and stone, and in the Shoals even those are like to crumble under you.
Annessa nods solemnly.
ANNESSA: Our contact did say that Tavar would try to grab territory, including on the Shoal. But they also said the troglins were moving as well…
NEWS BROKER: Again, information like that is out of my reach. Before today, I'd have said it was out of anyone's reach.
[GUILDMASTER]: They also suggested that Tavar would try to grab territory elsewhere, as well.
NEWS BROKER: Well, it's true they've been bullying Manara over the Alderfens and other valuable regions for a while now, but…
He looks uncomfortable for a moment, even guilty.
NEWS BROKER: Look. I came here to Mayika so that I could be small fry again. I'm just a news man, I'm no skeleton dealer. If the House doesn't want me to know somethin', I don't know it. If the Watch won't tell me somethin', I won't know that either. And frankly, when it comes to the Shoals, I haven't pried.
You spend a few moments trying to put the pieces together in your head. You still can't see what Magda's so worried about, but something about it all nags at you regardless…
ANNESSA: Guildmaster, it occurs to me… One of the best things we can do to support General Issimir is to support General Krial and the Watch here at home. By doing exactly what adventurers should be doing.
[GUILDMASTER]: Killing monsters.
ANNESSA: More than that. Savron always said—Adventurers, the ones with a good guild behind them at least, are investigators. We won't just wait for quests to be posted. We don't wait until somebody has already been hurt. Varant would agree—he's made it part of the basic training regimen… It's not just tracking, it means knowing your enemy well enough that you know where he'll want to go and where he'll want to strike and then getting there before they do.
For my part—the guild administration collects information on monster sightings, even tangential information, and will draft survey requests for its members, to investigate and possibly pacify problematic regions. You'll be dispatching plenty of expeditions based on those requests, I'm sure.
You nod thoughtfully. Something she said must have stuck with the News Broker, too; he's standing straight now, arms crossed, his eyes flicking critically between the two of you as if seeing you anew.
NEWS BROKER: Well. If you're to stick to that, it'd seem our jobs are more similar than one would have guessed. So when it comes to monster sightin's, consider myself and my service a part of your information network. I'd like to share whatever I get, no charge—assumin' I don't have to make deliveries, of course.
[GUILDMASTER]:
> —<1> We'll take you up on that. Thanks.
> —<2> You're not willing to go so far as to hire a courier for something urgent?
>
> NEWS BROKER: Oh I will, but for a fee. Look, a lot of folks don't want to think of adventurin' this way, but you're runnin' a business the same as me. If you've seen how the big northern guilds operate, you know exactly what I mean. Adventurers wouldn't exist if there weren't profit in it; not just in the killin', but the carvin' too. Adventurers couldn't exist otherwise—it's just too expensive to invest in the proper training and gear without that payoff. Else you'd see soldiers runnin' around in suits of pyresteel. You're not a public service, and neither am I—but since you are a matter of public safety, I'm willin' to play my part and maybe a bit more.
>
> [GUILDMASTER]: I understand. Thank you for the offer.
>
> ----------------------------------------
He gives you both a nod before leaning on the counter again, quill pen reappearing in his hand.
NEWS BROKER: Now what else can I apprise you of today?
Annessa has nothing. You hesitate a moment, but there's one thing that still stands out to you.
[GUILDMASTER]: Well… How big of a deal would it be if… Eh, I'll put it this way. Didn't the crier say Bishop Asthon was to retire?
NEWS BROKER: Right, he's apparently changed his mind. Bit odd, given it was already set, but some folks are like that—don't know what to do with themselves without their life's work.
[GUILDMASTER]: Okay. So let's say we submitted a request to the local Chamber for a Cleric to join as one of our adventurers. And instead they sent a Priest.
The News Broker raises an eyebrow but waits to see where your story is headed.
[GUILDMASTER]: Now that request would normally have only been seen by the local curia and should have been handled by the Bishop or his office, right? But for some reason it got all the way to the High Table, and the Priest they ordered to be sent to us was already on the way here… presumably because he was intended to reinforce the Mayika Chamber.
The News Broker's entire face scrunches into a frown. Something between worry and anger flashes between one eye and the other.
[GUILDMASTER]: …How big of a deal would that be? What would that mean for us?
NEWS BROKER: Look. I said I'm no skeleton dealer. If there's one thing I don't trade in, it's House politics. That said… information is information.
With his overly-large hands he picks up the parchment he was using to tally your questions and tears it in half and half again before folding the remnants together and dropping the mass on top of a neat stack of waste paper.
NEWS BROKER: You've paid well enough today, I'd say. Now is there anything else I can help you with?
You and Annessa look at each other with blank faces.
[GUILDMASTER]: I hate to leave on that note, but frankly you've given us our fill of things to mull over. Business or no, you have my thanks. One last thing, though—if he hasn't been by already, one of our staff should be here to ask about the local bandit situation, particularly on the north road…
NEWS BROKER: Right. Young fellow, yellow-gold hair, cheery disposition? We met the other day, I've already verified him with the Governor's office. Mentioned he'd probably be my primary contact with the guild.
[GUILDMASTER]:
> —<1> Uhhh… He did? I mean, yeah!
> —<2> Yes, that would be ideal.
> —<3> Well, I'd like to do as much as I can myself, but…
NEWS BROKER: You seem like the hands-on type, so I'd be surprised if I don't see you down here yourself every so often. But for routine information exchanges, monster sightin's or whatever else he asks for, I'll be passin' my part to him and it's his report you'll be readin'.
[GUILDMASTER]: That sounds good enough to me.
After a cordial farewell, you and Annessa make towards the Highpeal Square's southern exit, where the Maker's Marlock begins its run down to the city center. Your primary goal for the day is to post your guild recruitment notices in the Merchant's March—the city's lower market, located beyond the Marlock—but upon seeing the brightly colored sign of the Blithe Buffoon, you decide you should make a quick stop beforehand.
You turn to Annessa.
[GUILDMASTER]: I know we just talked to her yesterday, but let's see if Magda's available. She seems to want a long-term relationship but we never set up a means of contact, especially for when she's back in Arkavis.
The early morning crowds are thinner than what you'd experienced the other day, and you're grateful you don't have to raise your voice for her to hear you. She nods.
⋯
— The Blithe Buffoon —
As before, the walls of the inn offer respite from the hum of the burgeoning crowd outside. This time though, instead of the din of a high-hearted common room, you're greeted by the sound of a duo of bards playing a gentle but spirited instrumental.
You approach the clerk at the desk, the same man you remember.
Blithe Buffoon desk clerk
image [https://i.imgur.com/hDwigjh.jpeg]
BLITHE BUFFOON DESK CLERK: Greetings. How may I help you?
[GUILDMASTER]: I'm here to ask about the same person as before—cyan hair, cyan eyes…
BLITHE BUFFOON DESK CLERK: I remember, yes. Actually—you're the adventurer guild's Guildmaster, and Miss Annessa, correct? She left a message for you, saying she would be away for the week.
The two of you watch with some anticipation as the desk clerk unlocks a small drawer and retrieves not just a letter, but also a small package attached to it. You take them gently from his hands, examining the letter first. It is unsealed but neatly bound, and her clean handwriting is presented on that recognizably fine but unornamented parchment.
> Guildmaster and Miss Annessa—
>
> I had to leave without notice as I got word of a mercantile opportunity I couldn't ignore. But I intend to be back by the end of the week, and will likely stay some time before venturing back to Arkastor.
>
> If you ever need to leave me a message, pass it through the desk clerk at the Blithe Buffoon. Usually this will be Arton, who is particularly professional and trustworthy and is a longstanding acquaintance of mine. Even when I'm out of the country, he'll know how to get it to me.
>
> I also have a small gift for you—though I really wanted to present it in person, particularly as it bears some explanation. In short though: it's a personal project of mine, meant to help new adventurers. It's still horrendously incomplete, but I'd appreciate any feedback! It's my dream to be able to copy and distribute it on a large scale one day. Not just one per guild, but one per adventurer. Needless to say, that'd take a lot of scribes and a lot more money, but that's why I'm doing what I'm doing!
>
> I hope it helps!
>
> Magda
>
> P.S. The title is temporary! A placeholder!!
You wait until Annessa finishes reading before turning your attention to the cloth-wrapped parcel. The clerk graciously takes the rags from you as you unbind them to reveal an extravagantly bound book. Its cover bears no title, but rather a steel ornament shaped in a stylized rendition of the universal adventurer guild emblem: a winged shield.
image [https://i.imgur.com/TstIYgV.jpeg]
You lift the front cover, and upon the first page you discover what Magda has tentatively titled her little tome:
Magda's Mighty Worldbook
The pages behind it are filled with all kinds of information that she saw fit to make sure that every adventurer knows. There are sections on the places and peoples of the known world, from the human kingdoms to the many non-human peoples to the House itself; further sections on the plants, animals, and especially the monsters of the world; and even short guides to crafting materials and adventurer classes. "Incomplete" it may be, but it is still an impressive project.
[ Magda's Worldbook is the in-game glossary, which will be updated by Magda as time progresses. ]
You hand it to Annessa, who continues paging through it with eager eyes while you address the desk clerk.
[GUILDMASTER]: Thank you. Your name is Arton?
ARTON: It is indeed. I'm pleased that she mentioned me. I assume that I was volunteered to be her primary means of contact when she's out of the city?
[GUILDMASTER]: That is exactly what you were volunteered for.
ARTON: Well, I will happily take up the role. But if I'm ever not available, please don't hesitate to leave messages with the other employees here—but if Miss Magda is away, make sure they know to pass your message to me, or else it might end up stored until she returns. Secure, no doubt, but late.
[GUILDMASTER]: Thank you very much, Mister Arton.
Annessa, you notice, is quite enamored with the little book.
ANNESSA: Look at these pictures… All these years and I've never had a chance to see what these monsters actually look like…
It's true, there's proper illustrations for many of the entries. You wonder who Magda's accomplices are in this little project, or if she somehow did it all…
UNFAMILIAR VOICE: Excuuuse me. Lady Miss Annessa? Guildmaster person?
From behind and below a raspy voice addresses you. You quickly turn around, and look down to find a hobgoblin in unfamiliar livery—an overcoat and flat-topped cap patterned in dark cendrée-grey and bold tenné-orange. He stands patiently before you, some 120cm tall, with a folded paper held tenderly in his claws. You can tell it's a 'he' by the dark, neatly trimmed beard that frames the grey-brown skin of his angular face. You've only ever met a hobgoblin once before, as they're quite rare in Arkavis these days, and you're surprised by how smartly he fits his uniform.
Annessa must recognize what's going on, as she pulls out a clapper and exchanges it for the letter in his hands. Then the hobgoblin pulls a slender wood-bound booklet from his coat. Its pages are thick with wax seals, two on each row, and he opens it to a specific point. Suddenly he has a Sphere Gauge signet in his other hand, and with a stamp of magically heated wax he completes another pair, the two seals on a row with an almost-legible scribble that probably notes the sender and recipient for that message.
Annessa dutifully places a finger on the cooling wax for a few seconds, allowing it to absorb her mana signature.
When he's satisfied, the hobgoblin gives her a quick salute—after the style of the Karsian Royal Watch—and then scampers up to Arton to ask him whether he's seen any other of his intended recipients for the hour. Apparently this is fairly routine for him, and by Arton's gentle smile he's quite familiar with the little fellow.
ANNESSA: A messenger from the Clearwing Couriers. If I had to guess, around half their members are hobgoblins, and not just local ones. The letter is from Messen…
She moves to your side as she unfolds the letter (it's addressed to both, or maybe either of you) and you read it as one.
> Three prospective recruits have arrived at the guild hall in the past hour. Varant is away on business, as you know. The presence of a senior staff member is requested.
>
> Messen
[GUILDMASTER]: Well. Seems we'll have to cut our excursion short.
Annessa is showing more excitement than you'd ever expect from her.
ANNESSA: Three! Three recruits already…!
⋯
By the time you get back, there are five.
Two recruits from merchant families, a third son and a daughter, who each realized they had little to inherit and wanted to make their own way in the world.
The younger brother of a man who died to a recent monster attack on a merchant caravan.
A cousin of the cart attendant you'd hired on your first tour of the Marlock, who himself decided not to join but referred his over-eager relative.
And a young man from a secondary branch of a noble family, an al Tashir, who wanted to sign up for the Southern Mission but couldn't because of his father and uncle. However, he managed to present the idea of becoming an adventurer as a "compromise" and has arrived today with their blessing.
None of them have any real combat experience, excepting perhaps the young nobleman's self-defense training. But this is what you expected, what the guild was prepared for; Magda's miracle referrals were the exception.
But more adventurers means more paperwork, and soon you find yourself cooped inside the guild office on the second floor with Annessa hovering over your shoulder, walking you through the registration process for each new recruit. Internal record-keeping was one thing, but the Mayika Governor's Office, the Royal Watch, the House, they all demanded up-to-date information on every adventurer. The process is outright painful until you familiarize yourself with the forms and with the needed information, and then it is simply tedious. But Annessa insists that the details are important—insufficient or incorrect information, she claims, will inevitably cause someone a bigger headache than just filling it out properly in the first place. And so you do, if for no better reason than a desire to meet her high standards.
Annessa may very well need your help with it in the future, after all. Because you earnestly hope that this little surge in recruitment isn't just another temporary development.