NEWS
* GORM PENNYPINCHER, senior manager of PENNYPINCHER HOLDINGS, sends a letter along to the TWO-HEADED CALF, explaining that there was a serious error in the accounting of the CHILL PARASOL which, thankfully, management caught during the end-of-month audit.
* The offending apprentice, TORVALD PENNYPINCHER, has been lashed for his crimes, exiled from the clan and stripped of his name, now to be known only as TORVALD THE EXACTING.
* As the true value of the CHILL PARASOL was 2500 GP, Gorm informs you that all heroes who participated in the first expedition to the RUINED MOATHOUSE have had 375 GP credited to their accounts (as well as gaining 375 XP apiece).
RULES: UPKEEP AND TRAINING
* PCs must maintain a life of excess to justify the dangers they are exposed to. The cost is 25 gp/wk per level, and can be spent on anything of no practical value. Failure to pay upkeep lowers morale, resulting in a -1 to attacks and saves until conditions improve.
* PCs level up by training, requiring access to a higher-level character of the same class, who will expect either payment or favors in exchange, as well as weeks of study. During this time they cannot go adventuring or will have to repeat the week except on an INT roll vs 4d6 if gone for no more than 2 days.
* Typical Training Costs:
Level 2: 2 wks, 400 gp
Level 3: 3 wks, 900 gp
Level 4: 4 wks, 1600 gp
L5: 5 wks, 2500 gp*
L6: 6 wks, 3600 gp
L7: 7 wks, 4900 gp
L8: 8 wks, 6400 gp
L9: 9 wks, 8100 gp
L10: 10 wks, 10,000 gp
L11: 11 wks, 12,100 gp
L12: 12 wks, 14,400 gp
* Starting at level 5, characters can choose to self-train, which doubles the time required but reduces training cost by half.
FOR HIRE at the TWO-HEADED CALF
* CINDERELLA, impoverished waif of 12 who has been forced by her evil stepsisters into becoming a LINKLASS. 1 gp/day on adventures, 1 sp/day while in town. Requires 5 gp retainer.
* CYRUS THE CYCLOP, seasoned DROVER capable of handling mules, horses, and wagons. A missing eye was skewered by an errant branch, but now he's "right as rain”. 1 gp/day on adventures, 1 sp/day while in town. Requires 5 gp retainer.
* COURTEOUS CARLO, former squire hobbled by his lord's warhorse, now an aging dandy who works as a VALET and bodyman. 1 gp/day on adventures, 1 sp/day while in town. Requires 5 gp retainer.
* ROLF AND DOLPH, conjoined twins who have recently come of age, ROLF AND DOLPH having started as a pair of linkboys but who have saved enough to retrain as MILITIAMEN. They maintain a strict code of secrecy regarding former adventures and employers. 2 gp/day on adventures, 2 sp/day while in town. Wearing specially-crafted leather armor and wielding a short sword and a spear, Rolf and Dolph require additional equipment before joining.
* TORVALD THE EXACTING, a recently-exiled DWARF from the PENNYPINCHER CLAN, seeks employment as a HENCHMAN. Profusely apologetic for past errors, Torvald's only possessions are the filthy rags that he's wearing and the impromptu club that he has fashioned. 1/2 share of XP, will accept 1/2 share of treasure if "properly equipped", otherwise a full share is required to retain.
FINANCIAL SERVICES at PENNYPINCHER HOLDINGS
* MONEYCHANGING: Exchange coins or gems for a 10% fee.
* BANKING: Your wealth is stored safely at no charge if held for at least one month, otherwise there is a 10% withdrawal fee.
* MILLER BUCKS: Our clients are allowed to withdraw up to 100 gp in the local script, Miller Bucks, per month. Note that MBs cannot be exchanged for gold, nor are they accepted outside of OLD TOWN. MBs depreciate in value by 10% for every month since they were issued.
* LOANS: Loans at an interest rate of 10% per month can be obtained for up to 5 gold pieces with no security deposit; over 5 gold pieces requires some item of at least twice the value of the loan.
* RARE ITEMS: A number of rare items are displayed each week, with particularly notable items sold during irregular auctions.
RARE ITEMS from THE PENNYPINCHER COLLECTION
* Carved ivory tusk - 50 GP
* Silver cup - 20 GP
* Crystal decanter - 45 GP
* Jade ring - 250 GP
* Dagger with jeweled scabbard - 600 GP
* Chill Parasol - 5000 GP
