The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Take it.  Pay me 600 gold now, and 600 gold when you can.  I don't have any work for you, but something tells me you're reliable, and that's important in times like this.

Gwen looks as if she can't quite believe what she's doing, but she takes the armour and help you equip it for the first time; you've training to wear armour this heavy but never actually worn any before - it's uncomfortable, but so is all armour until you've worn it through a few life-or-death fights.

Balassar can deduct 200 gold, and Silent 20 platinum and 200 gold, and Balassar you can add an 'IOU Gwen in Bladegarden 600 gold pieces' into your 'Other Possessions' list. :)

Balassar gives a faint smile as she agrees "Thanks Gwen, I won't forget this."

 With the new armor on he just looks at his companions "Do you all need anything?"

Silent chuckles. I'm fresh outta coin with that purchase, but I reckon I wouldn't have found anything to replace ol' reliable anyway, and he pats the hilt of his greatsword over his shoulder. Whaddaya say to gettin' a drink somewhere? Know any spots? 

Alton digs in one of his pouches and counts what he has on him. He gives a little sniff realizing how much he has, because he forgot and just put it all together. A moment later he pulls out 60 platinum coins and holds them out, "I'll chip in too, if that is alright with you guys. This should cover the rest of what is owed. No sense in having any debts when it can be avoided."

Balassar just covers Alton's hand with money gently pushing it back at him "I appreciate it, both of you. However, we shouldn't invest solely into one persons equipment especially if we are going to try and help take back Ashguard. Any force that can just occupy a military garrison like that is definitely going to be a bigger threat then what we've faced so far. I don't mind owing Gwen."

Silent's eyebrows raise when he sees Alton's coin. Damn mate, you're packin' some serious coin! Got somethin' in mind you're saving up for? 

Alton tucks half his coin away, "If you're sure, Balassar." He turns to Silent, "Not really. I was going to send some of it back home but lots of stuff happened and I just kind of forgot about how much I have. Our first job we did paid us well." He holds out 30 platinum to Silent, "Here, I know you spent all of yours and I'm sure you'll want to buy some things too."

Silent thanks Alton but won't accept his money. Tell you what mate - we can consider that the party fund, and you should be in charge. Reckon you're smarter with your coin than I am, anyway. I'm sure if we need anything we'll all pool in. 

Anyway, where to next lads? 

You have a few options, have heard of a few places and can ask Gwen for suggestions if you like.  It's late in the day though, and things are starting to close for the night.

Alton pockets the coins, "Maybe we should find a place for the night. It looks like it is getting pretty late."

Balassar gives Gwen a quick look "Where is your friend Moss at?"

Don't know, Gwen replies.  But try the Burnt Scabbard.  It's a good place to find travellers and soldiers.  A good place to find a rest, too.

That's the place Fray wanted to meet us, right? May as well get a head start on the drinkin'. Silent is ready to find the Scabbard whenever the other two are ready. 

Balassar just looks to his companions "Sounds like a good place to rest then. Did you all mind if we stop by Roska's?" he asks.

Sure, lead on. 

It's really dark outside now, and when you get to the Hagrie family's smithy, you find it closed.

Balassar just sighs "Guess we'll get him in the morning. Let's get to the Burnt Scabbard."

The Burnt Scabbard is a three-storey stone building, the front painted in black and brown giving the suggestion of surviving a fire, but a closer inspection tells you it's purely decorative.  Inside, you find a common room about half-full of what look very much like off-duty soldiers and mercenaries.  It looks a bit rough, but fairly friendly, and you have no trouble finding a table.

(This is a 'poor' tavern, so ale is 4 copper a mug, a meal is 6 copper and a night's rest is 1 silver.)

Silent will purchase a mug of ale. He'll float around the taproom looking for the most personable looking fellow, be it the bartender or one of the soldiers or mercs. He  wants to ask someone about their thoughts on Ashguard. Just rolled into town, heard about the Garrison. Bad business. You know anything about what went down or what the situation is like right now? 

Ashguard's lost, mate, a friendly-looking half-orc merc says.  Least until there's a major counterattack.  Empire's not doing that right now.  Don't know what they're doing, to be truthful.  But the enemy aren't leaving, or so it looks.  It's dangerous to get close - Crick patrols'll get you, if you do.  Dangerous.  You ever fought them?