Shohmyoh — Roleplayer Guild

	After learning the two adventurer's names and listening to their stories Viluppo smiled, apparently satisfied with their answers.  Oz offered a handshake and Viluppo gladly obliged, giving the traveler's hand a single firm shake.

"I'm glad to meet you Solace, Oz.  My name is Viluppo Estrick.  I'm... not exactly new to this line of work, but I have never been part of a Band before.  I'm not sure if you're familiar with the State but the War of Arms took quite a toll on us all.  Honest work has been hard to come by lately, what with fewer jobs, the value of gold increasing, the closing of some trade routes... you get the idea.  Lord Anderson's thought was that common folk like us could help revive the State by taking on jobs that the soldiers or the guard would normally do.  So if you're prepared to assist me and earn an honorable living, I would have you sign this contract."

	Viuppo held out the Band's Contract for Solace and Oz to see.  

The Band's Contract


This agreement is made between the undersigned, hereafter referred to as 'Band Members', and the State of Coleander, hereafter referred to as 'The State', considered legally binding until such a time as The State chooses to dissolve the agreement.
Witness:
1. Band Members are considered under temporary employ of the State and may or may not be allowed specific privileges or knowledges at the discretion of The State.
2. Within the duration of employ Band Members will: 
A. Perform such duties as required by The State to the utmost of the Band Member's abilities.
B. Devote such time and effort as may be required to fulfill such duties.
C. Not engage in any employ or activity that would hinder the ability to fulfill such duties.
3. For services rendered, Band Members will be compensated at the discretion of The State.
4. In the event of emergency or wartime effort, such duties may be revised at the discretion of The State with such event or effort in mind.
5. The Band Member's contract may be dissolved at any time, with or without reason, at the discretion of The State.
6. In the event that the Band Member performs an action deemed harmful or treasonous to The State, this agreement will be dissolved and the Band Member will be punished according to State law.
7. In the event that the Band Member incurs grievous harm or bodily death during employ, the State will not be considered legally responsible and the Band Member's agreement will be dissolved.
In witness to the agreement of the above terms, the Band Member will affix their signature below.

Viluppo Estrick



	After allowing them ample time to read, Viluppo lent the pair a pen and they signed the contract.

	Viluppo rolled the parchment up and pointed to the registration building he had left not long ago.  "Well sirs, if you'll follow me."

	Soon the trio was in the waiting room of the building, surrounded by many of the same impatient townsfolk that Viluppo sat with earlier.  Before long Viluppo spotted the short gruff man again and approached him with a small gleam in his eye.  The gruff man let loose a glare full of scorn when he requested to speak with Forze again, but nevertheless went through the leftmost door to pass along the message.  Within a couple of minutes the gruff man returned and motioned for Viluppo, Solace and Oz to enter Forze's office.

	The three men shuffled into the office to be faced with Forze sitting behind his desk, his hands clasped together and supporting his chin.  If the officer was the least bit surprised to see Viluppo again so soon he hid it flawlessly.  Forze silently outstretched his hand and gave an implicit order for Viluppo to relinquish his contract, which he did.  Viluppo imagined that his two new compatriots would find the endless mounds of paperwork to be a baffling sight, but he was too nervous to glance back at them or do anything but watch Forze review the contract.  After a handful of extremely long seconds Forze slowly got up from his chair and bridged the distance between himself and Solace.  The officer stared fearlessly into the knight's concealed face, despite the fact that he had to look upward to do so.  He then repeated the gesture with Oz.  Immediately after staring the two down Forze went back to his desk as though nothing had happened.  

	"Everything looks to be in order, trooper.  The three of you are now officially a Band."  

	Despite his joy at hearing this, Viluppo responded with an inquiry.  "Forz... er, Hossar, sir... Why do you call me 'trooper'?"  The more he heard the nickname, the more familiar it seemed, somehow.  But try as he might, he couldn't remember its origin.  

	Forze utterly ignored the question and continued on in his deep booming voice.  "If you end up with more people who wanna join you later, just bring them here and have them sign the contract.  Also, you'll need this while you're out on a mission."  Forze dug a small chain necklace from his pocket and handed it to Viluppo.  On the end of the necklace was a charm with the Band's insignia.  "That will let others know who you work for."

	Viluppo, not someone who enjoyed wearing jewelry, put the necklace in the pocket of his worn-looking dark brown pants.  "I thank you for this opportunity, sir.  Though I must ask, when will receive our first orders?"

	"Right now," Forze snapped in a completely humorless tone.  He pulled out another document from his pocket, this one much smaller than the previous ones, and gave it to Viluppo.  "Your mission is to retrieve a Kymren Ore and deliver it to a certain citizen.  Her name and the directions to her living quarters are on that parchment.  You remember what a Kymren Ore is, right?  Its a slab of rock that houses a special kind of divinare, the merging kind.  Hence its other name, the Merger Stone.  You three are to head to the Hiddoran Cavern and retrieve one.  Its true that the place was mostly stripped bare during the war, but surely you can find at least one.  The Cavern is on the leftmost edge of West Anders, so it'll take you about six or seven hours to reach it on foot.  Once you have completed the mission and the citizen confirms it with me, you'll receive your reward.  That is all.  Dismissed."

	Back outside the building Viluppo turned to Solace and Oz, a grin slowly seeping onto his face.  "Well, if you two have no objections, let's complete our mission!  With luck we may be finished by nightfall!"

	And so the newly form Band headed towards the Hiddoran Cavern, leaving their point of Attac village and pressing onward through the neighboring Ballygren farmland, stopping only briefly to purchase a few rations of food with what little gold Viluppo had.  Before long a seemingly endless plain stretched out before them, the dry grass crunching beneath their every step.  The Band was making good progress, but the Cavern they sought was still many miles away.  They would likely have time to kill as they ventured.  

	Viluppo could scarcely believe his good fortune; such a small amount of effort caught the attention of two capable-looking fellows.  Struggling to keep his giddiness locked behind a calm visage, Viluppo turned to Oz.  His toned arms and sharp eyes gave an impression of experience, someone who has seen much during his travels.  Certainly an advantage in the profession he sought.

	"Well, as I was about to tell Sir Knight here, I'd be honored to work with you.  Do you know Sir Knight?  You seemed to follow him right to m..."

	After glancing back at Solace, something about the armored man demanded Viluppo's attention... or rather, something he carried.  An impressive looking greatsword peeked out behind the massive knight.  The jewel in its crossguard seemed to gleam in the noontide light.  Viluppo began to excitedly pace around Solace to get a better look at the sword, his usual propriety giving way to curiosity.  

	"This is a remarkable blade!  The kind that you would get up in Griffan at a wastrel's price!  And I can faintly feel its rhythm, even!"  Normally weapons like this are made so that its divinare is concealed by that of its owner.  So some rogue can't just channel its magic and use it against you, of course.  But if I focus I can feel a little divinare spill forth from the hilt!  It must pack quite a magical punch!  Where did you get it?"

	Viluppo's passion started to dim as he realized the stares he was getting.  The young man calmed himself down and looked at Solace and Oz with a more composed countenance.  "I... apologize for all the questions, but I do have two more.  What are your names?  And why do wish to join me?"

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