Jack, I couldn't really find a place on Obsidian Portal that works for something like this so I'll put it here (if you don't mind). A little more character development never hurts. Aehrlon would have told this to his friends around the campfire... On business for his faction the Harpers the brown haired trail stained half-elf (a disguise; Aehrlon is normally blonde and a full elf) stepped up behind the bearded man in the Daggerford market, intending on getting his attention. This burly fellow was busy selling some finely tanned direwolf fur pelts to a merchant who was ill-equipped for a journey through the cold and ocean windswept Sword Mountains. Aehrlon "Wellbrook" (it's actually Moonshade) tapped this burly furrier on the shoulder, “By the gods, are these the best furs you have, cousin?” The burly man spun on his heels with a glare that melted into a grin, He clapped the shorter, thinner "Half-elf" on the shoulders. “Aehrlon , you made it! Good to see you, couz. Give me a moment and we can talk.” Gaerdorne Wellbrook finished up his business with the merchant, taking his payment, mainly in a heavy pouch of silver, thanked the fellow and wished him well. Turning back to his cousin who recently arrived from the city of Waterdeep, he cracked a smile again. “It has been too long… how was your journey? I hope the wildlands were not too unkind. You look like you survived intact. Sit, cousin and tell me about your journey. And how is Aunt Vandalora? I have not seen your mother in years?” Vandalora was the elf’s human mother (for his cover identity anyway) & older sister to Gaerdorne’s father Ardwin. Vandalora was never married to Aehrlon’s elven father Kelson, the reason both Aehrlon & Gaerdorne had the same surname. (that's the cover story anyway) Aehrlon took a seat on the stool offered behind the counter of the market booth. Gaerdorne sold exotic furs & meats here. The meats were both fresh and cured, from rabbit to venison to bear. The furs were even more varied. They ranged from ermine to fox, from beaver to wolf, from bear to woolen fleece. The bearded burly man made a good living at this. “Mother is fine; she sends her love and asks for a souvenir next time you are near our home. Also, call me cousin or Eldric while I'm here. The journey? It was long and cold at times, especially in the mountains. Thankfully the trip was largely uneventful, until inside the valley… A story I’ll tell you about later. Outside the south gate of Waterdeep I met a group of three reputable warriors that were recommended to me. I hired them as guards and traveled here with them & a small, well-defended caravan. Before we arrived at the valley only once did a foolish group of renegade goblins try to raid us. We made quick work of those scum. I’m still a better shot than you, cousin… especially at night” said the wily scout Aehrlon, winking at his younger yet larger "cousin". Gaerdone snorted, “Aye, maybe you are… but some of us have to make a living and don't have a lot of time to practice archery. And not all of us can see in the dark, couz? Heheh! Alas, we can’t all be treasure hunters out exploring abandoned mines, tombs and ruins (Aehrlon 's cover identity). Besides, that can be dangerous. I’ll keep making my money the easy way buying from hunters and adventurers, butchering and tanning & making good coin. When demand exceeds supply, I do hunt myself… in any event glad you made it safe.” The elf nodded nodded slowly. “True enough, Gaer. You always were the more sensible one… although I don’t recall you shying away from danger, couz. Running a business making you soft? [Aehrlon poked Gaerdorne in the gut; he was not over-weight but not as lean as the elf]. I jest! Since we’re on the subject, I meant to ask; what is the story with all these goblins I’ve been hearing about. Are there really that great of a concern?” Gaerdorne’s grin drop morphed into a grimace then a frown. “Well, they have been a problem for some years now and get worse each year. They breed like rabbits and eventually have great numbers. When armies of them attack they lay waste to less defended towns. The goblins fight amongst themselves quite a bit thankfully. Should they ever unite under one leader, woe betides all in their path! They have been such a thorn in the side of the folk in this valley that some people have allied with other races. It's said that the Dessarin Valley's goblins were displaced by some unknown group moving in and taking over. To bolster their defense some towns and freeholds have mixed populations of humans, dragonborn, genasi, even the occasional tiefling or surface drow… also more civilized and well-behaved orcs have been allowed in some of the settlements. Odd, right?“ Aehrlon took it all in, a lot of information in those few sentences. Digesting it all, he wondered how all of that worked with the differing races. And of course the severity of the hordes of goblins was a dire bit of information. The elf would have to be careful when 'treasure hunting' learning that this was the case. “Well, couz, I had better not go exploring alone. I have those three guardsmen adventurers who came here with me. Turns out they're fine companions and very capable. When I last checked they were hanging out in the Coldporridge Inn here in Daggerford. I have a rooms for us there as well, all fully paid for.” Gaerdorne just shook his head. “Damn man, you just got here. I thought you were going to ‘help’ me out. Now you’re going to run off half-cocked exploring and whatnot? My business is growing, couz. I need a fellow I can trust. At least give me a week before you head out into the mountains… might be you can learn about what your 'friends' to the North wish to know...” He and Aehrlon shared a laugh, both knowing that this “arrangement” was not a full-time affair being done for the benefit of both of them and their mutual faction the Harpers. Information was their stock and trade. The elf nodded in agreement. “All right, I suppose I can give you a week, perhaps a ten-day before I start my 'treasure hunting'. There is some gear I need to gather that I didn’t bring along with me. I could use a good quality mining pick and some climbing gear. It is settled then. I will remain here and help you while I secure these companions and some new gear. I expect to be paid fairly for my work here, couz. Not some commoner’s wage either, especially if my bow brings you in some choice wares! Now where’s that map you promised me? I don’t know my way around this valley at all… other than what I’ve seen on the way here.” Gaerdorne smiled, “Glad you’re going to stay awhile. Here’s that map. Not a great amount of detail but you can add your own if you like.” “Fair enough… Um, Gaer, who’s this little fellow?” a young gnome had approached them and was waiting patiently for them to finish speaking. Gaerdorne turned to see who his ‘cousin’ was looking at. The young gnome who was actually a worker for him. “Ah, yes, Aehr... I mean Eldric, let me introduce you to my assistant, Bale Coldhands. Bale, this is my cousin from the south. He’s just arrived from Baldur's Gate (Aehrlon is actually from Waterdeep).” Bale stepped forward and extended his hand upward toward the much taller adventurer. “Well, met, sir. Good to meet you. Mr. Wellbrook has told me a lot about you.” Aehrlon nodded, thinking his hands were a little chilly, “Aye, has he? Well met! I’ve heard some about you too. You must be a reliable fellow if this penny-pincher here trusts you,” the elf broke into a smile with a bit of a chuckle letting the gnome know he was kidding. Bale looked like he didn’t know what to say and remained silent. But his eyes smiled at the jest. “Heheh, it’s ok, Bale; you do not have to agree with me… I know he is the one holding the coin-purse with your wages. It looks as if we will be seeing a lot of each other for a little while. I’m here to help Gaerdorne with the business. So I’ll need you to show me the ropes, friend…” The young gnome nodded, “Yes, sir”. Aehrlon shook his head, “No, no, none of that “SIR” business. I am no better than the next man and don’t go putting on airs. Please call me Eldric or Ric, my childhood nicknames.” “Sure thing, um, Eldric . Oh, a customer... sorry, I’ll be back in a moment or two…” The gnome turned and busied himself with the customer who was looking at a rabbit fur cloak. Aehrlon turned back to his ‘cousin’. He wondered if the little fellow suspected anything about the true purpose of his presence here in the Valley known as the Laughing Hollow… “Interesting assistant, couz. I better keep up appearances around him, eh?” “Aye, he’s a sharp one, him. One of the reasons I hired him on. He’s quite the haggler too. You’ll see.” Aehrlon nodded. “Sure. All right, tell me about furs, cousin”….
