Blaes smiled fondly at Micky, “while I admire your enthusiasm I believe you may be skipping rather a few steps. Do you recall the requirements attached to the class in Alcair’s recommendations?”

“Oh, yeah” answered Micky, “I’ve gotta perform for 3 groups of like fifteen people right? I’ve already got the stats sorted.”

“Indeed, which brings me to my next question. How do you intend to perform?” Asked Bales.

“Hah, yeah you’ve got a point mate. Well, when I was at home I played folk music, mostly old sea shanties, with an acoustic guitar and metal with an electric. I sang as well, although not as well as I played” Mickey said with a smile. “Wait, is there an instrument like that here?”

Blaes paused for a moment before responding, “arrivals from several ‘verses have brought guitar like instruments along with them, I believe we have several in storage. We can make the on-site quartermaster our next stop. He doubles as the bursar so you can make your first withdrawal from the transitional funds if you wish.”

“Oh BLEEP I had totally forgotten about the money” said Micky, “is 25 gold like a lot?”

“It is a rather decent sum, I believe it to be similar to what a prosperous tradesman would make over the course of a year. To give you some context a decent mundane sword would cost around 4 gold, while a townhouse in a nicer part of Baer’s Landing would cost several hundred gold.”

“Huh, okay. I guess I need to buy like a house or something right?” Asked Micky.

“It is one potential option. We tend to advise new arrivals who have taken a solely non-combat class to invest in a long term lease, either of a room or a house depending on the needs of their class. However, since you have taken a hybrid class and expressed an interest in delving I would not advise you to take such a route, given that delving is a mobile profession we tend to advise prospective delvers to enter into a safe deposit contract, either with the TRC or one of the banks in town” answered Blaes patiently.

“Man, this is a lot. I feel like I’m starting from scratch” said Micky, slumping back into the chair.

“Well, in many ways you are Micky and while it can be a disruption it can also be an opportunity. You have a chance to be whatever you want here. You have our support, but ultimately it is up to you” responded Blaes, looking Micky in the eye.

“I hadn’t really thought about it like that. Thank you Blaes. I have no idea how I would cope with all this without your help, Barretts as well” said Micky, making a conscious effort to sit up straighter.

*Ding* Balance has grown to 8. The recognition of a new start.

“Huh, it seems the system agrees with you Blaes mate.”

“Indeed, and it seems you have made some significant progress in adjusting to life here in Outremer” Blaes answered, rising to his feet. “Shall we head to the quartermaster?”

Mickey rose too, quickly finishing the last of his coffee. “Yeah ok, let's do this.”

The quartermasters hall seemed to take up nearly an entire floor. Micky had been expecting something like a police evidence locker from a procedural, but this was more like a combination between an office and a warehouse. Grey and white boxes stood in neat rows on brass and wooden shelves, seemingly arranged by both content and size. Large orange spheres cast light around the room. Standing in front of the shelves and directing several workers was what Micky could only describe as a cave troll. He must have been at least 9 foot tall with arms that hung down to his knees. He was bald with mottled blue grey skin shining from his head.

“Uh, Blaes mate, if I use ‘Examination’ on this lad he’s definitely going to beat me to death with my own shins right? Asked Micky.

“Who? Fredrickson? Why he is a perfect gentleman and would never resort to such brutal measures, however it may make him rather less inclined to help you. Given that he is in charge of both equipping you and disbursing your funds I would avoid this at all costs” answered Blaes.

“Solid point mate” said Micky raising one arm to scratch the back of his head.

Stepping forward to the troll Blaes offered his hand “Ah Fredrickson, how good to see you again.”

Fredrickson turned and with surprising delicacy shook the offered hand. His fist almost completely surrounding the smaller hand of Blaes.

“Ah Blaes, old chap. Marvelous of you to drop by” boomed the figure in a deep bass with clipped vowels. The accent reminded Micky of a BBC newsreader.

“I see you have brought a guest with you” continued Fredrickson.

“Uh, yeah. I’m micky mate, nice to meet you” said Micky offering his own hand tentatively.

“No need to be alarmed, I understand you new arrivals can be a touch skittish” said Fredrickson as he briefly clasped Micky’s hand.

“I’m as gentle as a spring breeze, despite appearances” he laughed clapping a hand over his stomach. “Now, what can I do for you fine gentlemen today?”

Micky paused for a moment unsure of what to say, thankfully Blaes stepped forward once again. “Micky here is going to be Outremers newest bard. We were hoping to see a few of the guitars you’ve got in storage, as well as draw on some of Micky’s contracted funds”.

“A bard you say” said Fredrickson, his deep voice echoing around the cavernous space. “Capital, simply capital. I would be more that happy to help.” Gesturing to several of his helpers he rattled off a series of numbers which sent the workers scarring to retrieve the numbered crates. In less that five minutes he had three guitars laid out on a velvet cloth in front of Micky and Blaes.

“Now might be a more appropriate time to use that examine skill of yours Micky” said Blaes gesturing at the three guitars. Micky stepped forward and looked carefully at the instrument on the left. The fretboard and soundboard were of a dark wood and the rosette and pegs were a slightly tarnished brass. Concentrating carefully Micky activated 'Examine'

Item: Troubadours Dreadnought

Rank: Mundane

Description: A guitar lovingly handcrafted by a recent arrival to recreate a one that had been left behind, this guitar carries a little of that emotion within its sounding boards.

Effects: Emotional effects, both positive and negative, channeled through this instrument will have a 10% greater impact.

Looking up from the first guitar Micky spoke to Blaes “wait so this guitar will actually improve my ability to play?”

“some enchanted instruments do increase your Skills, but I believe in this instance it does not affect the Performance Skill so much as amplify the effects of a skill used through it” Blaes said, looking at the guitar.

“Huh, okay I sort of get it” said Micky, turning to the second guitar. This was another acoustic although this one had a much narrower arch top body.

Item: Sharrock’s Tribute

Rank: Mundane

Description: A guitar designed for finger picking and jazz. This instrument was created in tribute to a new arrival’s personal hero and channels some of his heavy chords and improvisational skill into whatever is played through it.

Effects: When playing with another instrumentalist there is a 12% greater chance to harmonize with any effects being channeled.

Stepping back from the guitar Micky turned to Fredrickson, “was this made by an arrival from my ‘verse by any chance? I’m sure I recognize the name, although I can’t figure out where its from.”

Fredrickson flicked through the small clipboard that accompanied the instrument. “Why yes it was, good eye old chap. This guitar was donated by an arrival from Earth after their retirement.”

“Huh, any chance I could track the maker down for a chat?” Asked Mickey.

“I don’t see why not” replied Fredrickson “according to these notes he retired to live with his grandchildren in Alveron, which is less than a weeks travel from here. I’m sure Blaes could find more details if you are serious about it.”

“I might just take you up on that Blaes” said Micky as he turned to the final guitar. Unlike the first two this one bore no familiarity to the guitars Micky was used to. It had a body and a neck like he was expecting, but instead of a rosette and a sound-hole underneath the strings was a single aquamarine crystal carved into concentric rings.

Item: Mariners Vaixell

Rank: Mundane

Description: An instrument designed to sing out across the vessels on the world spanning oceans of its creators home. The resonating crystal at its heart amplifies vibration to increase volume.

Effects: All music played through this instrument is increased in volume by 15%, all area of effect skills played through it are increased by the same.

Lifting the Vaixell delicately from the velvet with one hand supporting the body Micky cradled the instrument.

“Blaes mate, I think I’ve made my choice” he said.

Before Blaes could respond Fredrickson boomed out “a fine choice, the Vaixell has been looking for a home for far too long. Would you perchance favor us with a tune?”

Before Micky could even begin to form a response his hands slid into familiar positions and he began to strum. His voice cracked as he began to sing, before falling into the rhythm of an old, well loved song.

Westward from the Davis Strait,

’Tis there is was said to lie.

The sea route to the Orient

for which so many died.

Seeking gold and glory,

Leaving weathered broken bones,

And a long-forgotten lonely cairn of stones.