The Base / New Paphos

Degs mug is filled moments later by one of the serrvers and you setle into the casualy intense friendly competative process of getting to know each other, bragging, swapping tidbits of lore, and sharing past experience.As you talk you pick up bits of information from the vetrans around you who listen in on your conversation as newcomers are always a point of interest. The things you learn include
+ You can register as a group with the clerk in the morning and take an open contact or get one assigned to you then
+ There are multiple forces in the area making staying out overnight a risky buisness so most scouting and work is done in the day but a few local vetrans stay out as needed.
+ The swamp with its beasts and island with its undead are left mostly for newcomers to work as they continue to cause problems and be a source of interest to the scholars but do not have any powerful enemies known to be in them.
+ The expedition is well funded, though no one knows by whom, and has most of the amenities of a mid sized town. Blacksmith, alchemist, healer, wizard, guards, the cantina with meals, and a tavern/inn that is also the bar hang out for the guards, etc...

As you discuss your options Nixly does a few more performances earning a few shouted adventuring tips.

"Sure," Eddisham agrees, "I don't mind the idea of putting the dead back in their places."

The group chats for a bit more and Nixly does severa more numbers before you decide to tour the town and report to the clerk to secure some lodgings having all signed on as scouts. You are each handed a copper badge marking you as scouts and assigned a bunk with a small trunk for personal use while you are out. You wander the town getting a feel of the base.

The mix of military encampment and rough fronteer town creates an interesting atmosphere that you all enjoy. Stoping in at the general store you get some basic provisions for a tenday week including simple bandages, some food, and any other minor good you may need. Later on you stop in at the baracks where a vetran scout give you a brief tutorial on the dangers of the area and reminds Degs to keep make sure to check out with the guards and harbor master in the morning so they are aware a goblin has joined the expedition.

Taking your evening meal in the tavern, which can be had at either the tavern or cantina, Nixly again performs a few songs and livens the place up to the appreciation of all. After a relaxing evening you return to the scout bunkhouse and get a good nights sleep on supprisingly comfortable mattresses.

In the morning you get a simple meal and head to the docks. The dockmaster turns out to be a gruff old man, shouting at only slightly less rough though of varried age dock hands, calls a couple men over and has them take you to the island on a small rowboat. The trip takes several minutes and as you approach the isand one of the men informs you they will return at noon and again an hour before sunset if you are still on the isle.

The island itself houses a larg fortress that you learned was manned by undead soldier that are to not be attacked unless you wish to die a horrible death and gain an afterlife as their prizoner. The fortress itself is safe enough as long as you obey the undead soldiers, some of which can talk, and do not break any of its rules. A few scouts have stayed the night but none enjoyed the experience or wish to talk of it. The cemetery on the north end of the island is where you will find most of the undead, with more powerful undead located the deeper you go into it, but a few wander off so be ready for trouble anywhere on the island.

Your orders are to sweep the shoreline as you head north then circle around the cemetary taking out any of the wandering undead. Entering the cemetery itself is up to you but does increase the likelyhood of finding undead with items of interest to the scholars who will pay you a bonus if you turn the items over to them.

Post anything your want to do in the base here.
Continue the adventure on the Island thread

As the boat pulls up to the dock you are told to go find the administrator by the boat captain who is busy unloading his cargo and arguing with the dockmaster, Miros, an older man who bellows just about everything.
You lot there! get out of the way. We don't mind the company but you stopping the unloading of the ale. And everyone know the day isn't done till the ale is safely stored in the tavern.
Get along there. and he waves you up the dock.
You quick step up the dock to a ramp leading to a stone boathouse. Just inside the cool shade a tall hard faced man and guard await.
Right, I'm Captain Tyren, leader of the Silver Fang mercenaries and captain of the guard here bouts. You follow the Sergeant here and he will take you to the clerk to get sorted. With that he turns and strides off, obviously expecting to be obeyed.
The guard motions you to follow and heads into the basecamp. The base is situated at a corner where 2 rivers join to become even larger. The base is surrounded on 3 sides by a 20' wall while the last side has only a 10' wall from the water line but only about 3 feet at street level. The entire area is hot, humid, and carries the scent of the swamp just to the west. Looking around there are bits of old building to be seen but most are patched with newer, and most likely magical, stonework. The older original buildings are built form solid stone blocks with smooth patches of stone filling in the gaps and reinforcing the older crumbling stonework. A variety of races are easily seen though many seem like you, adventurers here for fame and fortune.
The guard takes you down a long street then gestures to an open doorway and with an In there turns and heads off.

Stepping inside, the stone building do help a bit with the heat though the humidity make the air thick and clinging, you see a large room with benches, a couple of tables, and a boy in his teen sitting at a small writing table. Looking up at your arival he slips into one of the open doors and returns a moment later to gesture you into the next room.

A group of individuals are gathered in the room. clearly there has been more than one boat arrive today though you saw none on the river.
Sitting in a corner behind a little desk sits a youth with a massive bookshelf full of papers, scrolls, ledgers, maps, and other record. From the looks of those waiting before you arrive this child is the reason for the wait. His nervous glances at the assorted adventurers is proof that he is well aware of the displeasure he is causing but he continues working studiously.
After several minutes a bell is heard from a door and the relieved look on the boys face as he stands to open the door is nearly comical. This way please. and he gesture for all to enter.

Inside is a large desk with shelves and cupboards surrounding it and papers neatly stacked or rolled and bound with cord everywhere. The man behind the desk looks you over before going back to his papers as he speaks
We thank you for your interest in joining out little expedition and your assistance in bringing the much needed supplies. At this point you have two options.
1. You can work freelance but taking jobs from the notice board in the room you entered from and registering them with my clerk. You will be paid upon completion.
2. You can sign on and work as assigned by the expedition, either as a guard or scout. Scouts do much the same as free agents but are provided room, board, and any required healing, but with lower pay.
Both options will be handled by my clerk outside. However I have a few moments to spare you and will entertain questions at this time.
Glancing over each of you a moment he waits patiently before resuming his work if none speak up.