Okay, just the vote first since I got a lot of poking to catch up on and probably want to sleep before that
[ ] Forces have been sent ahead to bridge the first inconvenient tributary of the Blood River; join them and aid in standing guard against any that may try to stop you.
Static defense, basically this is guarding the river ford while the dwarf miners build a bridge across. Whether it actually benefits from us is somewhat dubious, dwarfs keep a tight perimeter and around here its all greenskin shamans, who don't do long delayed subtle workings
[ ] Ulthar's Rangers and Petrescu's marksmen are ranging far to ensure that any greenskin that claps eyes on the Expedition don't live to tell the tale. Assist them.
Scouting and slaying. Take No Heed, Shadowsteed are highlights here, since we expand how far the best scouts can range silently.
Not a bad choice to break in our new amulet(which is crazy awesome).
[ ] If any resistance does start to gather, they will be smashed apart by the very heavy cavalry of the Knightly Orders. Stand ready with them.
Cavalry. Get to know the knights in their favored field, show off our chops by choppying orcs.
That said, they may or may not see any action.
[ ] Have Ulthar handpick his best sharpshooters to be equipped with envenomed bolts.
Still no priority targets yet. We probably want to do this before the real hold delving, but no rush.
[ ] You've heard that greatswords and greataxes are near identical in the way they're used, and you happen to be surrounded by experts in the art of the axe. Learn how to use one.
With favors burnt, this is just eking out another +Martial skill type.
Pass.
[ ] Test their skills in battle.
We don't actually know how good they are, but we know ourselves, even journeymen can get pretty badass, especially with mastered spells for their combat style.
[ ] Help Esbern teach Seija to Dispel.
[ ] Ask him to teach Johann to Dispel.
Probably still an important job. Kragg is sort of the best dispeller around, but he can't be everywhere.
We want this done early. It might take a few tries.
[ ] Ask him to reforge your sword into a superior one.
[ ] Introduce him to the dwarven smiths so he can try to convince them to teach him.
[ ] Ask the smiths to teach him as a favour to you (-2 favours)
We probably would find it harder to find smiths with free time once we settle in on the siege, but its just buying rep really.
[ ] Help him find a place with the dwarf artillery crews so that he can supplement their abilities in combat.
As with the poisoned bolts, we want to do this before we get stuck in, but we don't NEED to do it yet.
[ ] Keep tabs on his interactions with the dwarves, making sure he's not fishing for information that the dwarves want to keep for themselves.
Eh, we already cleared the air. Pass.
[ ] Purchase the strange Lustrian eggs (200 gc).
[ ] Do not purchase the strange Lustrian eggs.
Dinosaur eggs! If they hatch on campaign...we DO have Amber wizards right there.
[ ] Purchase the Helldrake scales (100 gc).
[ ] Do not purchase the Helldrake scales.
Enchanter stock. Pretty nice given the rarity, though what kind of craft its good for is a little unclear, since we need to unlock freeform enchantment first.
[ ] Purchase the title of a Border Princess (300 gc).
[ ] Do not purchase the title of a Border Princess.
Sounds cool but:
The third is from very close to home: the dented and tarnished crown of a Border Prince, along with a deed on ancient parchment bequeathing a section of land somewhere in the anarchic region to the holder. Accompanying that is a short note from Barak Varr acknowledging the legitimacy of the claim, and another note acknowledging the legitimacy of the acknowledged legitimacy. Standing next to the merchant is an incredibly surly dwarf who says, before you even ask, that the scroll is genuine; since he's wearing the livery of Barak Varr in full sight of the market's guards without being put to some very serious questions, you're inclined to believe him. From what little you know of the region, the kingdom in question is likely to be the incredibly small, utterly poor, claimed by a dozen other Princes and hosting a greenskin infestation for good measure; but then, Princess would be such a nice title to add to your growing list, and it might unlock certain geopolitical options for you...
A Border Prince title is barely worth the paper its written on(which is why this comes with a crown, and 300gc sounds around a cheap crown range). We'd need to wage a war to take it, and then another war to keep it.
While the College gives us the "y u do dis" face again.
It'd make a great gift except I don't know anyone I hate enough to gift it to.
[X] Ulthar's Rangers and Petrescu's marksmen are ranging far to ensure that any greenskin that claps eyes on the Expedition don't live to tell the tale. Assist them.
[X] Ask him to teach Johann to Dispel.
[X] Help Esbern teach Seija to Dispel.
[X] Purchase the strange Lustrian eggs (200 gc).
[X] Purchase the Helldrake scales (100 gc).
[X] Do not purchase the title of a Border Princess.