Support

Support can be procured at 1 level higher than the Blackbird’s Patronage level if they petition a patron they are currently on an Undertaking for. This assistance is usually available for a finite, reasonable amount of time and involves a specific goal or objective (i.e., until you get to Corbel, until you retrieve the red stone from the ruins, etc.). If this timing is unclear, assume 1 week.

Support	Patronage
A peasant with no Skills who will run at the first sign of danger.	1
A guide or helper who knows the local customs and language; or a draft mule, guard dog, or other unrideable animal.	2
A novice sage somewhat knowledgeable about a local subject, or a soldier of basic challenge level.	3
A sage or expert knowledgeable about a local subject, or a soldier or mercenary of intermediate challenge level.	4
A sage or expert with deep lore on a reasonable subject, or three soldiers or mercenaries of basic challenge level.	5
A sage or expert with deep lore on several subjects or one specific rare subject, or three soldiers or mercenaries of basic challenge level and a captain of intermediate challenge level.	6
A sage renowned in their field for knowledge of the topic that interests the Blackbird; or ten soldiers of basic challenge level, a captain of advanced challenge level, and the support of three porters, including an expert guide with deep knowledge of the particular locale, environs, or goals pertinent to the Blackbird’s quest.	7
A sage renowned in their field for knowledge of the topic that interests the Blackbird, plus their guild of sages that also studies the topic; or fifteen soldiers of basic challenge level, a captain of advanced challenge level, and their support of five porters, including an expert guide with deep knowledge of the particular locale, environs, or goals pertinent to the Blackbird’s quest.	8
Access to a sage who is the top expert in the field that interests the Blackbird, plus their guild of sages that also studies the topic; or twenty soldiers of basic challenge level, a captain of advanced challenge level, five lieutenants of intermediate challenge level, and a support of ten porters, including an expert guide with deep knowledge of the particular locale, environs, or goals pertinent to the Blackbird’s quest.	9
The best local minds available for research on any topic, or fifty soldiers of basic challenge level, or thirty of intermediate challenge level and their support staff and supply chain. At this level, a Blackbird might be allowed to command an entire army, if need be.	10