Western Trading Company

The Western Trading Company Office is built from the same black wooden logs as the rest of the buildings in the town. It is a two story building with a trading post on the bottom floor and offices on the second floor which can be accessed through a staircase at the back of the shop. Two Marines stand guard outside the door and they watch you warily as you approach. However, once you state your business they show you through the store and up the stairs to the office of Mr. Sigmar.

You enter the office and see two men and a woman sitting around a table having what seems to be a heated argument. These cease talking immediately as soon as you enter. One of the men greets you with a smile.

Well, if it isn’t our blessed catch. Welcome friends. Hmm. I thought there were more of you. Oh well, anyway, my name is Griffin Sigmar and I run this little operation on behalf of the Western Trading Company. This is the sergeant at arms Ms. Bella Fraught and this is my counterpart Mr. Salmalin. The other man and woman nod as their names ate mentioned.
I know that your arrival here was most fortunate but, ah, your arrival here has placed me in a bit of a difficulty. You see this town is a bit of a company secret. So we need to come to some kind of agreement. If you don’t mind Mr. Salmalin will erect a zone of truth, myself included. Is that ok with everyone?

Mr Sigmar replies to your fair question Unfortunately there's a little more to it than that. Although I appreciate your kind offer. The seas hereabouts are a famous hangout for pirates and the like. Now I completely trust that you and your friends are as honest as I am but I am not a completely free man. he looks at Mr. Salmalin. I run the operation here but I must file a report and answer to my superiours. However, I want you to know that I am offering more than just mere courtesy. I am offering full corporate sponsorship. We will get into the details once the zone of truth is cast. With your permission of course. He raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Hmm. Mr. Sigmar says sympathetically. Why don’t we start at the beginning? He gestures to Mr. Salmalin who speaks a word of power and you feel a wave of nausea come over you.Once he is done Mr. Sigmar continues How did you come to be here? You launch into a tale of your battle against the Dreadship. He listens fascinated as you tell of your battles and finally the destruction of the pirates.
Well done. He says. I think we can help each other. Allow me to state your present condition. The Indomitable is a colony ship funded by the Western Trading Company. You almost made it to your destination too. The new colony is about one week away to the west. Unfortunately, the only way to get there is by ship. We have a supply ship coming in about two weeks. I’m sure they would happily take you to the new colony for the right price. Maybe 500 gold? As to employment. I would happily offer a contract to such capable individuals as yourselves. You could work as trappers, bounty hunters or private contractors doing odd jobs around the town. Does that sound agreeable?

Well, I have had no news of the Indomitable but I do know the location of the new colony. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you the location as it's a trade secret. You are in a bit of an odd situation. Not a pickle per se, but I assume that you wish to get to your destination no? You have no gear or gold. These are not good prospects. With regards to my situation, I need your ensurance that company secrets will not be disclosed to our competitors.

In reverse order. Will the secret of the location eventually get out? Of course. But for the moment the Western Trading Company is enjoying exclusive access to resources which make us all rich. We'd like to keep that going for as long as possible. What hapoens if the colony no longer becomes profitable? Would they be thrown away. I hope not. Unfortunately, those questions are above my pay grade. Would a new colony be something most people would know about? Our advertising campaign in Lion's Gate is pretty extensive. After all, you found out about it. Not all colony ships go to the same destination. Indeed this town is only seven years old. However, we don't mind if people know that we have colonies. We would just like to keep their exact location and the details of valuable resources quiet for as long as possible. Does that answer your questions?

Yes well. Paranoid is good for business. Lack of discretion leads to disaster. Competitors will copy, undercut if not outright steal your ideas, resources and markets. Anyway, enough about our business practices. Here is the offer. The Western Trading Company will offer you employment as outside contractors. We will outfit you and your companions with equipment and weapons. In exchange you take care of small jobs around town and anything else that we need taken care of. For which, you will receive fair compensation. Does that sound agreeable?

Odd jobs really. People come to me with problems and disputes. I will give you the authority to act on my behalf.
Once you're done you report to me and I'll pay you. For example, a farmer came to see me yesterday and said that some of his animals were missing.

It is at this point that the Ms. Fraught speaks. If these tasks seem beneath such mighty warriors as yourselves I could also offer you employment befitting your status. Recently, orc war parties have been sighted. If you were to hunt these beasts then I would pay you rather well. How about if I paid for your passage to the new world in full?

Why don't you think on it for a bit? says Mr. Sigmar.
My sources tell me that your friends are currently in the inn. He hands you a note. Please give this to the innkeeper. She will see to it that you and your friends are well taken care of. Why don't you come and see me tomorrow. Let me know what you'd like to do?