The shop keeper will tell you that he has nothing that can help you for just 2,000 gold. Now if you want to spend a lot more he can have things that you may like. A bag of holding is around 20,000 gold, ring of feather falling is around 5,000 gold, there are some spells that can help but making them semi permanate would be costly. How much would you like to spend and I can see what we can come up with. The robes, the golden symbols and astrolabe along with the painting will take about three weeks to complete and cost a nice 75 gold. It can cost more depending on how big the symbols will be abd how much gold you wish to put into them. I did a rough figure of 10 gp value for the small one and 25 gp value for the larger one.
Zork hiring of mercenaries is what you will be buying for now if you want guards there but they follow the gold and as long as it is coming to them they will stay loyal to their captain and him to you until more gold is offered or you run out of money. A company will cost 10 gold a week. That is 40 men two lieutenants and one captain.
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In Character: Zork likes the sound of the arrangement. He will more than be able to cover the cost of the hired help but he wants to ensure that the captain and lieutenants are worthy men and not scoundrels looking for just gold. To keep on top of things he will privately choose a mercenary to be among them who is know to be of good report. He will pay him double per month to inform him of any troubles among the guard.
Out of Character: Thanks for the info you put in my introduction. I have to get a home base soon and put it there .
Out of Character: Zork your map of the hill has been placed in the maps section if you wish to save it for now. I will get you a better region map when I can should be sometime this week or early next week so you can see where you are in relation to everything.
As far as trying to get mole into the company that will be very difficult. If you as Estari's opinion she will give you two names of captains she has worked with before telling you either ones company are more reliable than most.
Durgan is actually happy to pay 5,000 for the Ring of Feather Falling.
He is however quite surprised by how affordable his other requests are. He asks around for a more famous painter, perhaps the second or third best in town, willing to pay up to 500 gold.
The large holy symbol can be iron wrought and gold plated, but the small symbol is for everyday use and he wants it made of solid gold (Expecting a hefty price).
Would Mithalindre have shared her spellbook with Sessativa? Not sure exactly how additional spells work. Is there a percentage roll to learn spells?
Yes percentiles to learn spells Mithalindre will share some spells but nothing too much above her current level (Level 1 and 2 only).
A real good painting like you re asking for they will send for one of the good painters in the capital. His cost for paintings start at 1,500 gold.
The large holy symbol will be gold plated iron how big do you wish it to be. The smaller one if solid gold will be 400 gold. The magic shop will sale you a ring of feather fall for 5,000 gold.
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The large symbol should be 2 feet wide.
Durgan pays for the magic ring and holy symbol in a variety of coins, trying to offload his copper and silver.
He sends for the painter in the capital, including a gift of a bottle of wine, one of those that was looted.
Hopefully a worthy task could be finished before the artist arrived, or the business with the councilman or writer of the notes could be resolved. He goes at the end of the week to see Estari to check if the issue is still being investigated.
Out of Character: Thanks for drawing (Colored and all) with the layout of the dungeon. I only have space for the 1st but not 2nd level so I left that out but its simple to remember.
How will I know what happens with my fort: who visits, population growth, etc?
Zork, As for travelers to your new fort you can place a sign at the bottom of the hill inviting people to stop and rest for the night before heading back to their travels north or south. You are in a idea location that can be of great use on a main artery. Merchants will be traveling the road more now that the bandits have been taken care of. By the time your repairs have been completed you have two offers of people wanting to build a inn at you place to better lodge and feed passing merchants, and other travelers. One asks that you help supply the material and labors to build the inn and in turn he will offer you 12% of profits for the next three years. The other offer will supply his own materials and labors to build the inn and will sign a contract with you paying 7% of profits per week to you.
Durgan a 2 foot wide large symbol with golden plating will cost you 3,500 gold. The painter is sent for with the bottle of wine included. IT takes three weeks to hear back from him that he is coming in a couple weeks to attend to your need of a painting. Commander Estari was able to confim that yes the council man Marius Villerial was on the ramparts that morning. Whether he has any dealing with the writing of the notes it has not been proven. Plus one can not just go accusing a powerful councilmember of wrong doing without clear proof that he is behind it. You would need better proof of his involvement. Writing samples of both notes do not contain his handwriting.