Far across the Northern Sea, beyond the Isle of Light and off in the darkness lies a land. For ages and ages it has lain undisturbed, unsettled, hearing neither song nor voice nor tramp of boot ever since the long times of creation. But now man walks upon it, explorers eager to find new vistas, settlers searching for something they couldn't find in the Old World. Opportunity beckons in the untrammeled acres, the savage vistas, the waters untasted and wind unbreathed in all the many lives of men. Many types of folk have come to this new land, and you are one of them, come to write your history upon these blank lands.
It was early morning when the Wind's Pride arrived at the ramshackle dock of Farholme, her passengers roused from slumber in what rude cabins they had obtained by the bellows of the first mate. A low fog hung over Lake Nemis as the ship arrived, lines cast out into the dim gloom by experienced sailors being caught by shadowy figures to make fast the light caravel at her anchorage. As weathered men hauled the sails closed, and the few rowers put up their oars, there was a general air of relief to the tired figures; the journey from the Old World had been a rough one, through wind and storm, but they were here.
Of course, here didn't look like much. Not yet. In the mist a half dozen buildings squatted on the northern shore of the vast Lake, a rough-hewn palisade blocking access from land, the largest building obviously some sort of fortified barracks or outpost, and a large open pit mine barely visible through the gloom. A few men in battered leather and metal armor, cuirasses bearing the livery of the Company, stood near the shore watching the docking procedure as others bent by labor hauled the ropes fast to the pier.
"Alright layabouts, to shore with ye. The Guild do ne' cover passage farther than Farholme, and here we do be." The wizened captain spoke not harshly, but obviously with a fair degree of seriousness; Aberforth was a hard man, but the crossing would likely have failed if not for his steady hand on the keel, and now he was happy of a fair harbor and land beneath his feet.
Down the gangplank trooped the sailors, and the colonists, mostly ignored by the guards and workers, save for one man wearing a grubby apron. His chubby face beamed with delight, and beneath a shaggy brown beard his smile was wide. He waved a hand merrily, apparently chipper despite the hour, and spoke loud for all to hear.
"Welcome newcomers! I am Ultar, representative of the New World Company here in Farholme. If you are looking for work, work I can find you, and goods are for sale for those who need them. My prices are most reasonable, please, come browse my shop."
All PCs, and three NPC Colonists make landfall in Farholme.
Farholme:
Jobs Available:
Ultar will pay 2 Copper Nobles for each piece of Timber floated to the Farholme docks.
Ultar is hiring Miners to work in Farholme; pay is 1 Copper Noble and 4 Copper Knaves for twelve hours of labor every day, and includes housing in the stockade but not food.
The Explorer's Guild has paid for a week's lodging and food for all new colonists in the stockade's blockhouses; if this offer is refused, Ultar will provide those striking out on their own with a Bushel of Wild Fruit instead.
Four places in a Stockade are available to rent for 2 Copper Knaves a day.
The Smelter is available to rent for 5 Copper Knaves a day, the Lumbermill is available to rent for 8 Copper Knaves a day.
Three NPC colonists are available for hire at the moment, at a copper noble a day. Four laborers work in the mines, and there are four guards of Farholme, the Wardens.
Ultar's Shop is currently stocked!
Goods for sale:
10 Baskets of Wild Fruit: 5 Copper Knaves each
24 Planks: 3 Copper Knaves each
3 Lengths of Heartwood: 7 Copper Knaves each
10 Freshwater Fish: 3 Copper Knaves each
2 Slabs of Salt: 1 Copper Noble 5 Copper Knaves each
5 Baskets: 3 Copper Knaves each
20 Loaves of Bread: 1 Copper Knave each
1 Copper Spear: 1 Silver Knave 2 Copper Nobles each
4 Copper Axes: 3 Copper Nobles
4 Copper Hammers: 2 Copper Nobles
4 Copper Pickaxes: 4 Copper Nobles
1 Copper Scythe: 3 Copper Nobles 4 Copper Knaves
3 Copper Hoes: 4 Copper Nobles
2 Shears: 5 Copper Nobles 6 Copper Knaves
1 Anvil: 5 Silver Knaves 7 Copper Nobles
Items which are bid on simultaneously without enough supply to fill both orders will be auctioned- other goods may be ordered from Ultar, who will set them aside if they come in the next shipment of supplies, but may take several weeks to arrive. Or longer.
Note that the average workday includes 16 hours of labor and 8 of sleep- this can be defied, but may have long term negative consequences.