"Krackor asked me to brief you all on our Company Charter.  Our company charter is unusual but it is designed to solve a ubiquitous organizational problem--fair distribution of resources.

In a traditional adventuring band, only a certain amount of the resources acquired are liquid--and liquid resources are only useful for people that aren't rangers, monks, or people otherwise restricted by vows of poverty.  That is to say that what is valuable to some is not valuable to others, even when it comes to silver and gold.

Usually the bigger problem is items of arcane power and real estate.  Some items are useful to one or two company members, but the respective value of the items in question far exceed the remaining treasure.  Winners and losers in the same party causes painful resentments and strife.  In most companies the items of power are apportioned out to those that would find the most use in them understanding that if the party encounters other items that they would be apportioned similarly and that it would all come out about even in the end.

Too often though, it doesn't.  And more often, the person that received may leave the party (as has happened to us on a number of occasions) prior to seeing the scales balanced.

In the Dreams of the Ancients we've established a centralized order predicated on our corporate interests.

quote:

THE DEPOSITORY:
At the conclusion of a mission, each partner present and participating in the acquisition of non-magical treasure in the course of conducting Company business is entitled to an equal share of that treasure (including profits from the sale of items).

The Depository holds title to 20% of all non-magical treasure acquired by its partners in the course of conducting Company business (including profits from treasure sales) These funds are to be used to finance Company initiatives and purchase additional Company property.

The Company holds title to all magic items found by its partners.

Possession of these items may be granted to a partner or affiliate of the company by the consent of the Captain or consensus vote of the partners.

The Company will relinquish title to magical items to a partner who contributes half of the market value—independently appraised—of that item to the Depository.

No partner may leave the Company with any of its property except by consensus of the remaining partners.

In this way what is acquired by the Company will always serve the good of the Company, regardless of how the roster may change.

To join the Company, you purchase a stake in the Depository.  If you wish to leave, you cash out your stake.  Elorfindar, in fact, cashed out before he left.  I assume, dear friend, that you would like to regain your full partnership status?"

“And what does it cost to buy a stake in your company?” Katarn will ask after Corym had laid out the terms of the charter for their company.

The balance in the Depository divided by the current number of partners. In this way, the shares of the current partners are not diluted. If liquidity is an issue, we’ve extended credit in the past. ”

"And what does it take to buy a stake in your company lad? How much of me gold're ye wantin' fer that?" Katarn said again, slightly slower this time. "An what do ye do if I don't want ter join yer company? I don't get ta walk about with you?"

Dorian listened to the exchange between Katarn and Corym.  He was interested in the outcome.

Sirenya paused in looking for the serving boy to pay closer attention to the conversation.

Corym fishes his ledger out of his satchel.  The book is newly bound in leather, by men who knew what they were about. The pages are still fresh and crisp.  Several ribbons mark sections of the book that have different purposes.  The first page bears the names and of the founding partners, and the date of incorporation, as well as the emblem that marks the company.  Corym, Krackor, and Kora each bear a pendant that mimics the illuminated manuscript here, it now comes to your notice.  The symbol is an acorn, and on the acorn is the stump of a tree, and from the stump of the tree sprouts new growth. You can see the drawing under Maps for Group 2

Corym turns to the next page where the charter of the Dreams of the Ancients Exploration Company is meticulously written in a clear and meticulous hand.

The next section records the Company's journeys, elections, and a few sketches.

The final section marks the accounting ledger.

"Our current valuation of the depository is 4,125gp, making the current cost of investment 1,031 gp and 25 coppers. "

Corym closes his book and sits back in his chair comfortably, setting an ankle on his leg.  "If you don't join?  We're not a press gang of pirates, Katarn!  Of course you may walk our path!  But negotiations of shares and divisions of spoils will become a much more complicated matter.  Not more or less complicated than you've ever experienced it in the past, of course.  We'll take our shares, and you yours.  There will invariably be contests of will on occasions--multiple members will desire the same item, or someone will feel as if they've received short shrift because the resources we've encountered and acquired haven't favored them in the sorting process.  They'll leverage their disadvantage to get people to contribute to purchase or trade for something for them.  Some will, others won't.  Tensions will arise that will need to be mediated."

"That's the beauty of the system--the shares are even all the way across the company, as determined by our shared interests as comrades and partners.  Disputes have a system through which they are mediated.  Each partner is compensated regardless of the particular find.  Best of all, it's all been thought out in advance instead of ad hoc when circumstances, whims, and passions may affect the distribution of goods acquired in common purpose."

"It's possible that you think you'll be taken advantage of.  I don't get any additional stakes or influence because I'm Captain, and even if I did, you could just as easily be our next.  Being Captain is like being presiding officer over the proceedings.  Someone who makes sure that the forms are adhered to faithfully. In a pinch, when no time exists for a vote or discussion, the charter dictates that we default to the Captain's directive.  Every company has a captain--some formally, others informally.  Our formal system strictly identifies and defines both who the captain is and what their authority extends too--which isn't much."

"I really do feel common cause with you all.  I genuinely believe--though it is merely by faith and not substantiated by evidence--that it was the will of the Seldarine that we were united.  It is my hope that each of you will find opportunity to buy-in to our system--not because it will profit me, but because it will allow us to eschew mundane matters and concerns, avoid senseless conflicts between one another, and allow us to focus on what truly matters: our common cause."

"Well, we will need to revisit this at a later time as I do not even remotely have the funds for that and, though it's a generous offer, I would not put myself in such debt to an organization.  I am no prophet, but I can see how that kind of up front loan could lead to trouble."

"Perhaps if we are successful in our early ventures we can consider your proposal more closely and from a more equal footing."

When Corym stated the number, Katarn almost spit out his beer. As it was he choked slightly. Once he had calmed his breathing down, he said with a somewhat raw voice, "A thousand gold? I've not seen that much in one place in me decades o' life. Leastaways not as gold or somesuch 'nstead o' some finely made dwarven armor. I've some coin on me, but no where near to that."

He nodded at Dorian's words, "aye, that's the right of it. If'n we find some troves o' coin and I be swimmin' in it ta th' point I kin give ye that much without a blink, then we'll have a fresh chat on it. Fer now, we'll jus' hafta figure it out th' ole fashion way... arm wrestlin'!"

"I don't think that'll be a very far-off matter.  Our company has done a tidy business in our time together.  Most of us don't see the use in currency and so we tend to reinvest in equipment and outfitting.  Dambrathi warhorses, warded safe houses," he slaps the book, "quality writing materials, training, and the like. I had my spellbooks custom bound and transcribed by Azuthan scribes and Ogmyte priests for top quality.  One of our founders had enough to set off and start a mining consortium near Hill's Edge.  We tithe 20% of the liquid assets acquired to the company to take care of travel, lodging, food, and the like--collective expenses.  Our collective holdings are currently quite substantial and should be suitable to get us to Deeping Dale and back to start our exploration.  With the holdings of Myth Drannor being so legendary, you'll be able to buy in, or repay the extended credit--which I don't think any of us have any problem doing so--in no time at all."

"Seems simple enough to me," Kora laughs. "We just need to go get rich!"

“Well said,” Corym commends as he raises his glass.

Katarn laughed along with Kora's jest. "Ahh, easier said than done lass. Though if'n Corym's the right of it, we should be swimming in gold and gems afore we know it."

He looked at Corym, "if it's all the same to ya lad, until we find these riches you're speakin' about or anythin' close to 'em, I'll stay me own dwarf and wander the trails with ya. Then I'll talk again 'bout it when we find those treasure stores your eyes see all about Faerun."

"And that's where people get it wrong.  It's not the treasures that are valuable--it's a lot of other things.  A column, a door, tiles, scroll work, embellishments.  They don't look like treasure until you sell them to the right hands.  All it takes is a trained eye to find them and skilled hands to remove them."

Dorian swishes his drink about "Unless, of course, one believes that removing an object from its designed location or resting place is, in itself, sacrilege."


OOC: I'm ready to move on.  I'm just responding for the sake of Role-play.  I'm happy to begin our return trip to Myth Drannor at any time.
 

"There are doubtless those that do.  But we live on the brink of annihilation--we dwarves and elves, and in some place even men! So my sentimentality is reserved for the living, not for the dead.  The past should arm the present.  Have we profited?  Certainly.  But we have also returned Elven lore gems to priests, lost spells to academies, lost beers to impoverished dwarf clans so that they can brew again and grow strong through commerce.  And these things we have done with no profit.  If we did not take profit circumstantially, we would be incapable of assisting so directly. I would take from the obscenely wealthy to supply the want of the cripplingly poor.  So too would I take from the dead to supply those that struggle to survive."

Well said, and I agree.  We just need to divvy up the above tasks so we can deliver Talathel, and learn what we need to.  Or are you proposing that the DM narrate the trip to Deepingdale to hurry things along?

Over the past tenday of travel, Elorfindar had been plagued by sometimes heavy headaches for most of the time so he kept mostly to himself. That was a pity not only because he rather enjoyed travelling through the ancient forest, and it had been a particular pleasure to see the Standing Stone.

Ironically, the headaches had become better when they had left the woods, and the fresh food and drink in the inn also improved his condition (not that he disliked Katarn's efforts!).

The Company Charter


At that, Elorfindar smiled. "I would like that indeed."

Tasks in Glen




When Dorian brought up that topic, Elorfindar remarked: "Now that we are in a safer environment -- and my head seems to stop aching --, I can try out one or two spells that could give us an idea..."

[OOC: Very nice description of Glen, DM! Also liked the picture.]

Dorian laughed "You bring lost lore and spells to Elven Priests and Elven Academies and lost beer to Dwarves?  The Dwarves are the clear victors methinks."

The Elf looks about at the industrious village "Perhaps the Dwarves are a leg up on Elves in the lost lore department and beer is held more dear than spells."



Elofindar

Dorian responds "That sounds wise to me.  I feel that this should be our priority even though we know nothing than what we have guessed and even that is very little."

I feel everyone who drinks the restored beers are the victors, given time, I'll makes some for you Dorian
Krackors laughter was true and the yawn that followed, equally so.

Now if you don't mind, it's time for me to excuse myself and catch up on sleep before I get challenged to another drinking competition.

May the Vigilant Host take guard so I may rest.

With that, the Dwarven Priest stood, confirmed the use of rooms and went to one to sleep.

The Undercellar is a tavern only, but once you finish the excellent evenfeast the bartender is happy to point you toward an inn with rooms large enough for elves and humans. Following his directions you easily find the Dark Door. It's a five story building, its lower three floors made of stone, built into the opposite valley wall about midway down the road. Inside, the elves among you have a moment's hesitation as every piece of furniture is made out of stone, before you notice that they are also covered with thick, comfortable-looking cushions and furs.

A cheerful dwarven man by the name of Urthos greets you as you come in, and you quickly hire rooms for everyone. The building apparently stretches some distance into the rock; there are small, close quarters of stone to please a dwarven heart as well as rooms several floors above the valley floor with windows out into town with enough light and air to please any elf or human. Morningfeast is included, and Urthos is happy to answer any questions you might have and direct you to shops or specialists you might require.

All that for the morning, however. You find your rooms warm and comfortable, despite the stone beds and chairs, and have your first peaceful night's sleep since you were so rudely thrown into Myth Drannor.

((ooc: The general rule for downtime is that we role play it out until everything is covered or we get bored, and then I jump folks ahead.

Krackor is asleep for the next two days. You'll need to stay in Glen at least that long, though you can stay longer if you wish. If there's anything any of you want to do around town, or conversations you want to have amongst yourselves, feel free. We don't need to do things in strictly linear order.

Also, I can't remember if I mentioned this to the new folks yet or not, but in order to keep down on the amount of bookkeeping I need to do, I don't charge gold for basic food, lodging, and supplies. Everyone can be assumed to have stocked up on basic stuff like arrows, trail rations, a dagger or two, stuff like that, without worrying about cost or where you bought it. Anything more expensive, or more exotic, needs to be found and paid for as normal.))

In reply to DM (msg # 318):

Krackor ensures all rooms are paid for, thanks the proprietor, If anyone spots one of my brethren, please let them know I am here then finds a bed and sleeps soundly.

OOC: please don't anyone get into danger, it 'may' wake him up (it probably wouldn't, he'll just dream someone is in danger and then help them whilst asleep).

Krackor invariably appropriates rooms, beer and food but isn't upset when others do it, in fact, he is proud of tgem for stepping up. Money is usually taken from Company funds later, so he pays out of his own money first, Characters will see him do that.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Tue 02 Apr 2019.

I'll prepare as many ESP spells as I can and probe Telathel for information in the morning.  The afternoon I'll start Kora's magical traiing.

"I'll poke about town Fireeye 'n poke 'em 'bout you if'n I see 'em. I'll set out tomorrow 'n see if I can find a few maps fer us. I kin stock up on supplies while I"m about as well." Katarn said as Krackor went to his rest.

The first day Dorian pokes around the place looking for things of interest, perhaps even a souvenir or two if the mood strikes him.  If nothing out of the ordinary crops up, on the second day he ranges outside of town and explores the local landscape a bit.

Katarn and Dorian

The two of you spend a pleasant morning wandering the streets of Glen. Each of you has your own tasks, but the village is small enough that you see each other in passing several times. It's cold down in the ravine, and a chill wind whistles down the length of the sunken streets more often than not, but otherwise it's a pleasant day. The people are equally pleasant. The dwarves are almost as rosy-cheeked as the halflings, and just as quick with a smile or directions. It's an almost staggering difference from the dour shield dwarves clinging to the remnants of Delzoun that you're used to.

Glen's central market is still open despite the late season. You find the expected mushrooms and thick slices of the fast-growing fungi that is a staple of dwarven holds across Faerun. There's also food brought in from other farms in the Dale: two dozen varieties of sausage, thick smoked hams, sacks of grain that the locals have turned into a variety of breads and rolls, and clipped-wing ducks and chickens just waiting for the chopping block.

But there are also large quantities of fruits and berries that are completely out of season. Mouth-watering strawberries, tiny blueberries bursting with juice, thick white shoots of asparagus, and many others. The dwarves happily confirm that they came out of the glass-covered enclosures you saw on the surface. If everything tastes as good as the pieces you buy, it's a fabulously successful experiment.

Katarn, you don't have any difficulty refilling the group's packs. There's a wide variety of food that you'll be able to eat fresh, and plenty of trail rations that will last all winter if they have to. You also find a general store. It's sort of a mix of a dry goods store, a store for the kinds of hardware that can't be made by the local smiths, a stopping point for trading wagons, and a catch-all junk store. It's spread out over all four levels of a house built into the southern ravine wall close to the town's western edge, and even includes a freight elevator so that wagons don't have to chance the incline. It's proprietor is a rotund, yellow-bearded dwarf who bows deeply as you enter and introduces himself as Morinn.

Dorian, you also find the dry good/junk store, but in chatting with one of the berry merchants you're told that the village has a single elven inhabitant. His name is Neldor, and he's a sage, wizard, and alchemist. He bought a house in the central corridor about a decade ago and moved in with his daughter, and he's been plying his trade ever since.