Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Nov 23, 2012 12:44:45 GMT -7
I must have a different sight picture of what's going on here. I understand that there's a couple of things crawling around down here, but as far as traps and getting lost... i'm going the same way that I went during the session, which we mapped out. This part of the place is sealed as far as we could tell from anything outside by the secret door unless it's coming from the corridor with the bats... right? We didn't leave anything behind us and we're only talking about being down there long enough for him to tell me if it's worth our trouble, and then watch him (tragically) succumb to his wounds. As I said, I'm new to this whole thing... am I being unrealistic in thinking that this mine appraisal is a simple matter of walking him down there, getting the information, and deciding whether to take the poisoned poultice off of hiim before it really kicks in? Because if that's the case, then I apologize, and I'll finish up him with pretty quickly. Honestly, I'm not sure how well my dude, for all of his badass appearance, is going to translate in a fight... he could get one shotted by a lucky goblin, for all I know. I'll defer to your judgement on this one... I'm not trying to die, just trying to tie up this loose end prior to the next session. If what I'm aiming for here isn't that simple, let me know, please. Oh by the way, thanks for the warning!
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Post by Danny on Nov 23, 2012 13:05:53 GMT -7
Looking over my map, there were 6 paths not explored by the party(not including undiscovered secret doors) that monsters could wander down. Also it's been 10 days since you were there(overland travel took 8 days for marching in a party with plate wearers, the horse trip took 2 days to get back) A lot can change in 10 days!
This mining idea's pretty cool, but it'll take a bit more action to set it up. I would recommend against going essentially alone into a dungeon where you could get one-shotted by a lucky troglodyte or goblin, not to mention the paralyzing monsters like carrion crawlers and ghouls!
Two ideas off the top of my head are:
You could convince a party to return to Quasqueton and bring a mining expert.
You could wait until you have more wealth and pay for an expedition, essentially hiring NPCs to do it for you.
Whatever you want's cool. I won't always give warnings, but I'm not gonna play hard ball with new folks!
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Nov 23, 2012 14:16:41 GMT -7
Got it. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the info.
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 6, 2012 21:14:18 GMT -7
So, now that the area is devoid of life... mining operation is a go? If so, I'll use the hireling rules to put a small barracks there to protect the miners if necessary... thoughts?
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 13, 2012 10:01:46 GMT -7
Any problems with me starting the mining operation plot? I want to be fairly hands off with it, but here's the overview + questions I have for when/if it's a go;
Overview:
Avarice is going to use the BHG (all 3 of them so far) to contract a small force to keep the mines clear, as well as keep the miners safe. Now, I know that in your posts its said that the mine is "devoid" of life, so if I can safely have the force first explore the complex in it's entirety and map it out, I will. Regardless, once the mining kicks off they will stay with the miners at all times. Miners will be paid slightly above average wages to ensure they don't try to steal anything. They'll work all week, staying at the mines until they've mined enough to fill the transports, and then they'll caravan back to sweetgrove. I envision it sort of like working on an off-shore oil rig or a crab boat. They get paid their wages after the supply of gems has sold, so it encourages them to work hard and do well to increase profits. If you're okay with allowing me to map out the complex, then I might do more with it, but that one's your call. Let me know what you think!
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Post by Danny on Dec 13, 2012 10:10:51 GMT -7
Thanks for reminding me about this, I had completely forgotten!
This is actually a great situation for the "hireling" rules, because it's the same kind of scale as domain management. Let me mess with my books a little and I'll post some numbers here for you, then you can tell me how much you wanna spend!
I like the idea of using your BHG guys to "keep it honest", haha!
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Post by Danny on Dec 13, 2012 11:07:38 GMT -7
| Mercenary Type | Monthly Wage | | Peasants (spear) | 3gp | | Light Infantry (spear, short sword, shield, leather armor) | 6gp | | Heavy Infantry (spear, sword, shield, banded plate armor) | 12gp | | Crossbowmen (arbalest, short sword, chainmail) | 12gp | | Bowmen (short bow, short sword, leather armor) | 15gp | | Longbowmen (long bow, sword, chainmail) | 30gp | | Light Cavalry (lance, sword, shield, leather armor, light warhorse) | 30gp | | Horse Archers (composite bow, scimitar, leather armor, light warhorse) | 45gp | | Medium Cavalry (lance, sword, shield, plate armor, medium warhorse) | 45gp | | Heavy Cavalry (lance, sword, shield, plate armor, medium warhorse) | 60gp | | Cataphract Cavalry (composite bow, sword, shield, plate, medium warhorse) | 75gp |
Here's the prices I'm using, and the availability of these types of mercenaries is highly variable in Sweetgrove, so if you express interest in purchasing their services, I'll tell you how many are available! |
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 13, 2012 12:55:08 GMT -7
What do you have in mind for the monthly profits of the mine? I mean, I can find out the hard way if you want to roleplay it, but as far as estimated profits, I'd like to have a baseline before I decide to proceed. Is that cool with you, or do you want to play it out as far as me heading back up there with an appraiser and running the chance of it failing? Either way is fine, just need to know where you stand on it. Thanks!
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 13, 2012 12:57:26 GMT -7
As far as the hireings go, what are there assumed levels? Also, there was a chart for "elite" troops as well... are you good with that, assuming that someone in the surrounding area is available and qualified?
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Post by Danny on Dec 13, 2012 12:58:39 GMT -7
Even with an appraiser, there's no way to know how much a venture will make. The appraiser can give you an estimate that may be true if nothing weird happens.
So business is gambling!
Also, you'll have no idea what level any of your mercenaries are... so assume level 0 or 1.
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 13, 2012 13:28:24 GMT -7
Can I do research to ensure that whatever mercenary company I DO hire is worth a damn? I mean, what's the point if they're all lvl 0? One midlevel NPC could kill all of them!! I'm just trying to guage how many I need to keep the cargo safe from normal danger. Obviously, if the caravan is hit by normal bandits, I want the guards to have a reasonable chance to win out. Not asking for an Asgardian Vanguard or anything, just capable employees. That's not too much, is it? Or, do you mean they may be better than that, but the dice tell that story? If so, I get that... although I might have them try out against Evro prior to hiring them.  Also, as far as the wealth in the vein goes, I realize that it's a gamble, but it shouldn't be a blind one! Say I take an appraiser and he estimates that there is a vein of ll worth 1,000 GP if completely mined clean. The gamble shouldn't be whether it's going to turn into a monster or not, it should be whether or not there's more past what he confirmed, or it dries out. Good luck = it keeps going and I keep mining. Bad luck = vein dries out. Now, once that's determined, Bad Luck = miners attacked, caravan attacked, mercenaries steal, miners steal, Polliver goes to mine, etc, etc, etc.... but that's what could happen regardless of what the mine's worth. All I'm asking is for the baseline worth, to see if taking the chance is worth the time to begin with. Noone would move forward without that, in my opinion. If bad shit happens during mining and I'm ass out GP wise after it's all said and done, I can live with that knowing that I made an informed decision to pursue it in the first place. Does that make sense? |
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Post by Danny on Dec 13, 2012 14:18:07 GMT -7
These are set in stone, here. An expert on mining(or a dwarf) can give you an estimate of how much the lapis lazuli vein is worth in gold pieces. You will never know the level of non-retainer NPCs, but the vast majority of NPCs in the setting are normal men and women. They have no class or levels.
There are no mercenary companies in Sweetgrove at the moment, so you'd be hiring freelance mercenaries and essentially forming your own company.
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Kelz
Superhero
Posts: 311
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Post by Kelz on Dec 13, 2012 22:33:39 GMT -7
Yeah, I started reading about the mercenary company thing after I wrote all of that, and realized that I was misinterpreting most of it. The prices, the abilities, everything... after looking at all of it again, I think I'm going to hire a couple heavy hitters and then mob out the rest... I'll give you the list when I nail it all down.
As far as the mine thing, all I wanted was to have an idea up front if it would be worth it if it all went well, so thanks for clearing everything up. I'll head up there with an appraiser and hopefully return with him as well in a few days. If I leave tonight, I should be back by Monday's session. I'll pick up on the mine thing after Monday. Thanks for all the extra work!
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