Camberford, A new beginning
Transcription of organisation of the Camberford outpost
Written by Lance
Date:
As you know, we have undertaken to take possession of the abandoned keep that was previously held by our friend, Captain Byron. We undertook to use it to train militia and protect trade. Obviously, there is a good chance that our pursuits will mean we aren’t always present, so we need to look into methods of protecting and developing it in our absence. We also left it in.. Slightly rough condition. Repairs won’t be cheap. We also don’t want it left unoccupied for too long, lest.. rats.. move in.”
I shifted, and leaned forward across the table. Starting with Tharivol, then Thomas, he looked each member of the party in the eye.
“I would propose we take some time to recover, and to split up and visit not just with the lord of Tont, but his opposite numbers in the other 2 cities. We engage with each of them to, for a short period, retain a small group of guards from each city to temporarily man the fortification and protect the trade caravans. We pay a reasonable wage for each group, and make it clear that no one group is in charge in our absence. This is to only be a short period, as we make some other arrangements in parallel. I daresay that, with Draken reaching out to his people with the proposal of some of his people moving here to establish a holding about the keep and help protect it we would benefit from a group of people who, like us, are truly neutral, having no previous attachments to any of the groups or cities, and giving the keep permanence and security.
Meanwhile we could propose, in exchange for a small concession of land to be farmed and held about the keep itself, that we talk to some of the more.. Spirited artisans and magicians about establishing themselves at the keep in exchange for a small rent and tithe on their sales, and a commitment to help with protection. The ones who like to make things which go boom, or burn down rows of shops, and cost lots of money while upsetting neighbours and driving down prices. They would be on the trade routes, and accessible to all of the cities, and could offer to sell wares to the traders, too. Thomas might be willing to talk to the Magicians. I was thinking that I could try and make some inroads with the Artificers, in light of already having their attention, and offer them studio space at the keep in exchange for opportunities to work with me and help me learn more of how I was built, and maybe to pursue further improvements…. For a small fee, that we could reinvest, of course. I, Sitting in the chair behind him, and leaned backwards, catching first Val’s eye, then that of Galandra.
“Paladin, Cleric – While our last visit to the temple was not our proudest or most enjoyable moment, it occurs to me that it would be helpful if the church would be willing to provide the keep with a small detachment of monks, 2 or 3 perhaps, who could minister to the bodies and souls of travellers in this time of difficulty, emphasising our neutral stance and focus on helping the people of this land? Might that be a conversation you’d be interested in having? Possibly, Val, you might entreat a representative of your order to join us also, since we will be undertaking training. I daresay that assistance with training would mean that the occasional recruit would not be begrudged to defend the realms from evil and tyranny? I myself have taken it upon myself to ask Aldreth to seek out her contacts with the orders, and see if they would also be willing to send us a small detachment each, to offer training in exchange for rent, help with defence, and to ’keep an eye on things’ here in the north.
With this mingling of diverse groups to replace the local guards, we would be able to maintain a solid presence without appearing to want to rule, and would be strongly neutral. Once we had everyone settled, we could help with the training of the first class or 2, and include some of the younglings from the dragonborn, to break down a little of the fear, and replace it with respect, while also helping your clan to make some connections locally, Draken. Tharivol, possibly you might be willing to attempt contact with the local thieves’ guild? Possibly some of their members would be interested in a new trade, with more regular meals and a warm bed sleeping in their own clothes? Or to learn a trade with those repairing and improving the keep? I’m sure we can find them new names and free them from the burden of past indiscretions of they can stay out of town for a little while ‘til they are forgotten.”
I sit back, and regarded the others. I cross my arms and crossed my gleaming, freshly improved legs. “I believe that, if we charge a very small amount to the caravans that pass through, in addition to the fees on the artisans and artificers and a very small percentage on any surplus produce sold by the clan, then I daresay that little keep will be quite robust and comfortable, and busy. We might even consider building an inn. In addition, we could look at ways to invest our profits locally to improve our standing when we come back to rest in between journeys. Does anyone have any issues with these ideas? Or maybe some details I’ve missed”
Meanwhile we could propose, in exchange for a small concession of land to be farmed and held about the keep itself, that we talk to some of the more.. Spirited artisans and magicians about establishing themselves at the keep in exchange for a small rent and tithe on their sales, and a commitment to help with protection. The ones who like to make things which go boom, or burn down rows of shops, and cost lots of money while upsetting neighbours and driving down prices. They would be on the trade routes, and accessible to all of the cities, and could offer to sell wares to the traders, too. Thomas might be willing to talk to the Magicians. I was thinking that I could try and make some inroads with the Artificers, in light of already having their attention, and offer them studio space at the keep in exchange for opportunities to work with me and help me learn more of how I was built, and maybe to pursue further improvements…. For a small fee, that we could reinvest, of course. I, Sitting in the chair behind him, and leaned backwards, catching first Val’s eye, then that of Galandra.
“Paladin, Cleric – While our last visit to the temple was not our proudest or most enjoyable moment, it occurs to me that it would be helpful if the church would be willing to provide the keep with a small detachment of monks, 2 or 3 perhaps, who could minister to the bodies and souls of travellers in this time of difficulty, emphasising our neutral stance and focus on helping the people of this land? Might that be a conversation you’d be interested in having? Possibly, Val, you might entreat a representative of your order to join us also, since we will be undertaking training. I daresay that assistance with training would mean that the occasional recruit would not be begrudged to defend the realms from evil and tyranny? I myself have taken it upon myself to ask Aldreth to seek out her contacts with the orders, and see if they would also be willing to send us a small detachment each, to offer training in exchange for rent, help with defence, and to ’keep an eye on things’ here in the north.
With this mingling of diverse groups to replace the local guards, we would be able to maintain a solid presence without appearing to want to rule, and would be strongly neutral. Once we had everyone settled, we could help with the training of the first class or 2, and include some of the younglings from the dragonborn, to break down a little of the fear, and replace it with respect, while also helping your clan to make some connections locally, Draken. Tharivol, possibly you might be willing to attempt contact with the local thieves’ guild? Possibly some of their members would be interested in a new trade, with more regular meals and a warm bed sleeping in their own clothes? Or to learn a trade with those repairing and improving the keep? I’m sure we can find them new names and free them from the burden of past indiscretions of they can stay out of town for a little while ‘til they are forgotten.”
I sit back, and regarded the others. I cross my arms and crossed my gleaming, freshly improved legs. “I believe that, if we charge a very small amount to the caravans that pass through, in addition to the fees on the artisans and artificers and a very small percentage on any surplus produce sold by the clan, then I daresay that little keep will be quite robust and comfortable, and busy. We might even consider building an inn. In addition, we could look at ways to invest our profits locally to improve our standing when we come back to rest in between journeys. Does anyone have any issues with these ideas? Or maybe some details I’ve missed”
Type
Record, Historical
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