Meinrad will follow Else, and, as soon as he feels she’s open to ideas, he’ll say :
“I really think we should ask around, see if anybody is already going in that direction, or if someone needs something delivered and is willing to part with horses for it”
“Indeed m’lad. Maybe we could try at the merchants’ guild”
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The Captain waves you away to dismiss you, and returns her attention to her paperwork as you leave.
(What are your plans?)
Else suggests that they head to the merchants guild and see if any have caravans heading that way. Alternatively, try some of the coach lines.
Amris will bow respectfully and depart with the others.
(If Amris is made aware of the enquiries into the Merchants Guild, he’ll assist with any contacts he has)
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(Tell us about Amris’ contact at the Merchant’s Guild - who are they, what do they specialise in, how does Amris know them? etc.)
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(Felix Schulz, Ubersreik textiles merchant with ties to the coastal cities and has taken shipments of fabrics from Ulthuan. It was Felix that suggested starting with this city when Amris expressed an interest in seeing more of the Empire)
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As you march out of the Watch House with the intention of visiting the Merchant’s Guild, Amris interjects with an alternative suggestion. There’s a fair chance that you’ll either be ignored or will end up wasting time at the Guild offices trying to identify anyone heading in the direction you want. It would be far better to approach a merchant directly, and as it happens, Amris has a friendly contact in the town that should be able to help them or at least point them in the right.
Amris leads you down to the Docks district towards a large warehouse to the west of the bridge. A gang of workers are busy loading up a barge with crates and barrels of goods under the watchful eye of a foreman, bustling back and forth. A surly looking guard with a tattered badge on his jack breast of quartered black and yellow bearing a white rose gives you a stern appraising stare as you approach, but relaxes on seeing Amris, and nods at the elf and waves you past. “Herr Schulz is in his office, Master Amris.”
Amris leads you to the office, a partitioned area off the main warehouse that overlooks the river. A pair of large horn windows mean the room is well lit, although they don’t do much to stop the scent of the river from penetrating the space. The office is tidy, with shelves containing ledgers and scrolls against one wall, and a large writing desk against the other. A grey haired man wearing a relatively fine doublet of black and yellow is busy examining some paperwork. He turns as you knock, and smiles widely as he recognises his visitor.
“Amris my friend! What brings you down here? I trust you are well…?” (The last with a quizzical glance at the other three)
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“Thank you for taking the time out of your day to hear our requests! I’ll let our very good friend and companion Amris do the talking, but I just wanted to say I’m impressed with everything you’re doing here!”
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Schulz puffs up with pride a little. “Well, I have done rather well in securing some additional opportunities since the Jungfreuds have left Ubersriek. A few of my competitors had their operations tightly linked with them, and there has been a bar placed on their activities whilst the Altdorfers get a handle on the situation here. I’ve had to move quickly, but there’s been some fruitful agreements signed that have expanded the reach of the Schultz trading house considerably.”
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Else realises she is not the most diplomatic of people and is happy for the others to do for the talking for the moment. However, the tension in her body and her jaw will probably give away her impatience to get on with it.
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“Greetings Herr Schulz, it is very good to see you too. I concur with my colleague here, you have done well with the opportunities presented it seems. Well done and good for you. With this increased capacity my kin will be pleased to discuss deeper supply contracts, I’m sure.”
Amris settles comfortably into a spare chair opposite the desk.
“Fahrenbeck. What do you know of the town? It seems my…travels…have lead me to visit the town as soon as possible. My colleagues and I require transportation, if you have any shipments due there we would be happy to assist.”
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Based on your relationship, Schultz assumes that your interest is driven by a potential mercantile venture.
“Fahrenbeck you say? Well, I do know of the village from the wool they supply, but I have no dealings there myself. I assume you are of a mind to buy up some wool for trade, as I can’t see why else a merchant like yourself would bother with Fahernbeck. Kaspar Teuber would be the man to contact there, although I warn you he has established contracts with others here in town, so it is unlikely you’ll be able to snap up any shipments, unless you pay over the odds. You would be far better looking elsewhere for supply. But if you are determined to go there, I might be able to help."
He pulls out a scroll from a shelf and spreads it out across his desk, weighing down the corners with a ink pot and some ledgers. He chews his lip as he locates the village, and mutters aloud whilst reviewing the geography.
“Space on wagons going by road is at a premium; you’d just be taking up space that could be used for goods, an extra burden no one would want. But…” he traces a line with his finger rom Ubersreik to the village… “a few extra people on a barge is more manageable.The barge outside is due to leave shortly, heading up the Hagercryb Canal towards Neumarkt and Siedlung. You could ride along until Hagerdorf or just beyond, and then cut north east to Fahrenbeck.” He stabs a finger at each settlement as he names them. “You should be able to navigate your way overland fairly easily, it is not very difficult country.”
“Yes, that would be quicker than walking from Ubersreik, and I will do so free of charge. Your scowling friend looks quite imposing and capable. If you can act as additional guards in case of any trouble, I think it would be fair recompense.”
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Amris scribbles the name Kaspar Teuber and other small details into his journal, then stands and offers his hand to Felix.
“You have a deal, Herr Schultz. As always, your knowledge of these lands has me in your debt. Thank you. Now, we shall take our leave and depart at once. A pleasure as always.”
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Schultz peers out the window. “I think that the barge will be fully loaded within the hour. That should give you a little time to gather anything you need before she departs. Good luck Amris, although I really am not certain that a trip out to Fahrenbeck will be worth your time.”
((Chance for any minor task before the barge leaves. Speak now or forever curse the lack of rope or a 10ft pole))
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Lol. I’ll grab some ball bearings too…
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(I’m sticking the map for earlier down below again. You’ve got a barge ride up the Hagercryb Canal. How do you settle down amid the cargo for the journey? Where are you jumping off, and what are you doing from there to reach Fahrenbeck?)
Else will prop herself up near the bow and set to cleaning and maintaining her weapons (how she ‘relaxes’) and keep watch on the canal banks.
(I say we get off at Hagerdorf and see if there is any way of getting to Fahrenbeck without just cutting across country on foot. Maybe if there are any stops on the way, ask the same question - maybe some waggons or carriages might head htat way)
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“I agree, I think we ask on the road, but otherwise getting down in Hagerdorf seems to be our best bet. Even if we have to cut across fields,I think we are in sheep country, It should not be hard to walk in those pasture even without a road”
Meinrad will stand against one of the bigger crate. Getting on the barge,he has a weird sense of déjà-vu.
“Hopefully, this time we won’t find ourself in the water”
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(@Scribbs I just realised Amris still doesn’t have a ranged weapon. If it’s too late that’s on me, no worries)
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