Kingmaker Gameplay

That isn't the way Sena meant it, but she lets it go with little more than a glance at Kayden, musing to the group, "Either way, it's not too surprising a call like this would attract less friendly types than we. We can only hope they're not as foolhardy as they seem, because if they just see the land as a get-rich-quick scheme, it'll blow up in their faces with disastrous results for everyone involved."

Tolsh'eka nods to Sena. "Anyway, there was one more person that caught my eye. Looks a bit fishy so stay close for back up." She heads over to the gnome in the flowery suit. "Hello there" She greets cordially.

The gnome gives a slight bow. ”Tartuccio, at your service. I see you scoping around the room. Figuring out your competition is a wise strategy, though you play your hand too readily, Tolsh’eka.”

"Oh I have a few cards still close to my chest, don't you worry Tartuccio" She replies with a sly grin, "But I don't see any group with you, that's probably more foolhardy"

”Oh I have my resources, don’t you worry,” the gnome replies. Then laughs wickedly. ”Or perhaps you should.”

Spotty smirks at the gnome. "You won't last long out there if your 'resources' can't protect you from some big thing smashing your face in."

”I have hired muscle, of that you can be sure,” Tartuccio replies.

"Hmm...loyal only to the coin you pay with them with. Well I certainly don't envy your position, but wish you luck all the same." With that said, Tolsh'eka awaits the benefactor's arrival with her group.

"Coin is a fickle mistress indeed - by the time you know it's insufficient, it's too late." Sena follows along with Tolsh'eka

A half elf woman walks up onto the main platform of the hall. Her dark hair is tied neatly into a braid behind her. Her graceful bearing also shows a great deal of her martial acumen. She wears an impressive breastplate and a dueling sword hangs from the belt at her hip. Once she has positioned herself upon the pedestal she very quickly gets the attention of the room.

”Quiet! Quiet! I am Jamandi Aldori, your hostess for this unusual event. I know many of you have traveled to be here today, and many more have come from nearby to answer the call. You have not been deceived. I am sending adventurers and mercenaries into the stolen lands to rid them of bandits, secure our southern borders, and create new civilization to stave off further bandit occupation. There are three regions of particular interest to this expedition: The Glenebon Uplands, The Shrike Hills, and the Plateaus of Dunsward. I shall send one main group to each location. That is why I have gathered parties here today. I will interview many of you, and decide who I think best fits each job. Complete the task, and you will be awarded the land and a noble title. Fail, and I shall send more to replace you.”

With that, the Swordlord steps back and walks towards a certain section of the manor. Servants soon help form a line of groups waiting for their chance to impress their hostess. After what seems like an eternity of waiting, the kobolds and dragon are led to the office of Jamandi Aldori.

Jamandi does not seem immediately impressed, though she does seem to ponder what is going on with the strange grouping. ”Interesting choice of companions. Does your little band have a name?”

Tolsh'eka thinks for a second. "The Ring of Scale. That'll suit us nicely." She decides.

"I see," Jamandi says, noting something down on the parchment in front of her. "So what experience does your group have? Any major accomplishments?"

"Well, we're not exactly fresh adventurers but we're hardly carrying any renown." Tolsh'eka says. She doesn't want to show her true nature just yet.

"So you haven't accomplished anything major, and you think you're the right team to do this job?" Jamandi asks. She seems a bit incredulous. "I have experienced teams, local heroes, and established mercenaries interviewing me here today. You are an unproven, strange group of novice adventurers. Give me one good reason I should even begin to consider you for this job."

"With such a big territory to claim, I think you'll need every pair of hands you can get," notes Spotty.

"Three regions three teams," Jamandi replies. "And I am a firm believer in quality over quantity."

Jamandi raises her eyebrow. "An odd request, but yes. Any secret will be kept. I treat these transactions with the utmost discretion."

Tolsh'eka nods and lets out a breath. Her form starts to shift, clothes melding into her as copper scales cover her. Claws sprout from her fingers and toes. A long, whipping tail grows from her backside as she sprouts wings and horns. Lastly her draconic muzzle grows in. "I am the secret weapon of the Ring of Scale." She says, proudly. It'd probably be more impressive if she was larger but still, it is a dragon.

Jamandi’s eyes widen in surprise. ”Well that... that is certainly something. The kobolds certainly make more sense now. I had not imagined that a dragon would respond to this opportunity. You are still unproven, but a dragon all the same. I shall send you to what I think will be the easiest of the locations. The Shrike Hills.”

"Thank you, we will not let you down." Tolsh'eka says, the faintest of smiles upon her, "I take it there are still others so I will shift back." She does so, picking herself off the ground. She doesn't seem too thrilled to be 'human' once more.

Jamandi nods. ”You’ll want to start your expedition from the southwest edge of Brevoy. There’s a remote trading post out there. It’s the last bastion of civilization before you enter the bandit ridden Shrike Hills and Naarlmarches.”

"Very well we'll make all haste there. Let's go friends!" 'Eka enthuses, heading out of the room

As the newly dubbed Ring of Scale leaves the office, Jamandi follows not far behind. When she re-enters the main hall she announces that she has found her three groups and that interviews are over. Several echoes of disappointment ruse from the crowd. Tartuccio in particular begins yelling angrily before he is escorted out by Jamandi’s guards. Only two groups seem to be in high spirits about the announcement: Maegar Varn’s group, and the group led by the particularly nasty old man.