Donation Needed

Friend Kondo,
I am writing you to implore your help in my county’s upcoming election. The APS (Ayr Public Servants) party is struggling to meet the 1000 pound threshold for the county council election. The fundraiser deadline arrives in about a week, and I intend to donate 10 pounds within that time. Since the members of this party all reside in Ayr Town, their representation on the CC would greatly benefit EdwardIV and me. If you could see fit to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.

Yours,
Buckminster

Day – Joining the RSA Falcons

Tonight, after working for Beckiboo11′s butcher shop, I skipped over to the C&B for a chat with Allora and Ari. They were discussing some new defense initiatives. They invitied me to join an ongoing patrl group for 18 pounds a day. It woulld be a fairly long commitment (2 months or more), or less if you can get a replacement when you leave.

I told ‘em it was tempting but that I’d like the option to work since i’m enjoying fishing these days. They then told me about a volunteer position with the RSA Falcons which would be stationed in town. If unneeded for town defense, the members could work whatever they wanted. There’s no pay involved, but it would help bolster the town defense, which is essentually insurance for us all. After a bit, Edwardiv came by and they pitched him on the idea. He was interesting in the travelling job and said he’d consider it.

I also spoke with Arianni about the local fishing spots. She said she’s gotten a temporay INT bonus and would be willing to scope a bit of row 12 for me today. After her efforts, I was assured of fishing at no less than 115% yield – amazing!

Day 16 – More Charity Work

Today, my second harvest was ready to be brought in. Per our earlier agreement, I posted a job offer in the Town Hall for 12 pounds so that Edwardiv would work for me. Thi time, he was the first (and I suspect, only) one to apply. With my harvest settled, I set off for the church to work another day in the church.

Working in the church is definitely getting easier. Since I’m becoming a bit of a regular there, I think the friars are taking it a bit easier on me. I was able to finish most of the day’s cleaning before lunchtime. Then, after helping serve and wash in the kitchen, I was sent outside to tend the church gardens. Since I’m now a seasoned vegetable farm, working the considerably smaller church gardens was actually relaxing by comparison.

After work, I sauntered over to the Cock & Bull to chat with the locals. Over the evening, folks like Melantha, Ariani, Litherstorm, Wandress, and Allorardagon would pop in, sit down and chat for a while. It was a pleasent end to a pleasent day. Afterward, I strolled home and went to bed.

Day 15 – A Return to Charity Work

Today I determined to start working on advancing my citizenship toward the tradesmen level. To that end, I’ve begun mapping out in my mind a set of accomplishments I’m aiming for over the next few months. First, I need to advance my reputation in the town. One way to establish a good name is by employing others. However, since I’m a veggie farmer, I don’t need to hire as often as others. To offset this, I’ve decided to increase my reputation through others means – charitable work.

Given my last experience at the church, I was somewhat torn by the idea of “using” charitable work to advance my social status. But, since I knew how hard the church work would be, I felt less guilty about receiving a personal benefit. After all, I was getting paid 5 pounds, why not get a little prestige as well?

The day passed quickly. The cleaning and serving didn’t seem as hard today. Fortunately, a church that size can only get so dirty, so quickly. Giving alms to the poor wasn’t as nerve-wracking as I feared either. Now that I know what my dream meant, I’m able to look at those folks in a different light.

Afterwords, I popped into the Cock & Bull tavern. I met Meantha, a visitor to Ayr. Highgarden and she spent the entire evening making fools of themselves. Honestly, some folks actually go to taverns to drink, you know.

Day 14 – Getting Ready to Fish

Rising early, I went outside and gave my new boat a proper inspection. Allora said that Exhauster was the carpenter that made it. You know, I’m not sure I could spot any problems even if there were any. I just liked looking at it.

Oh, to have hauled it down to the lake and tried my hand at fishing. But, there’s a few things I need to do before I’m ready to switch to fishing full-time. First, I’m not nearly strong enough to fish out where the best spots are. The boat will help with that, but right not, I’m a little worried I’d tire myself out rowing and not have the energy to fish. My plan is to try to bulk-up over the next few days, then start my career as an angler.

I walked into town to look at the job postings. I looked for something from Edwardiv, since I know his vegetable harvest is due today. Not wanting to wait around, I took a job offered by Renalyn to plow and sow her corn field. It was a new type of work for me, but one I was happy to learn. I think my inexperience and lack of stamina showed. I wasn’t able to go as fast as I’ve seen others go, but again, I’m planning on developing my strength.

After work, I swung by the C&B and spent the rest of the evening chatting up the usual folk.

Day 13 – More Slaughtering, Different Employer

Today, I slaughtered pigs for the fourth straight day. Only this time, it was at Drake’s ranch instead of Becki’s. There isn’t much to say about it. It’s pretty much the same as the past few days.

After work, I swung by the C&B to chat with the locals. Upon entering and noticing Weiner in the corner, I immediately considered calling it a night. But, I wanted to thank Allora again for the boat, so I begrudgingly stayed. I must admit that the work I’ve been doing lately has been getting to me. I’m pretty sore in my wrists and forearms. Lifting a beer is kinda hard – funny.

I missed Drake at the tavern. Apparently, he left town earlier. Allora had my day’s wages to give me for him. Since I didn’t get a chance to tell him about the boat I bought from Allora, I quickly scribbled down a letter to him and sent it on.

Future Wardrobe Ideas

Today, I was kicking around a few ideas for how I might wish to dress eventually:

• Superman
• Batman
• Robin

And, if I were a girl:

• Wonder Woman
• Supergirl

A Quick Question

Kondo,
The past few days, there’s been a bloke named Seanmacdonald in town. Tonight in the taverns he was talking some about the NNGO. Is that the “big bag” group you mention to me once? Just curious.

Yours,
Buckminster

Day 12 – Selling My First Harvest

Rising early, I was immediately off to town. I carried with me my precious crop of veggies – my first harvest. I’ve never sold veggies at the market before and I wanted to get them there as quickly as I could. The vegetable stands were already stocked with produce from a few other growers. I think I saw half of Edwardiv’s crop still available at £12.10. Since it seemed like veggies were selling reasonably well, I decided to price half at £12.05 and half at £12.10. I’d joked with Ed recently how the timing of our harvests’ would probably mean that I’d always be trying to undercut his prices – and apparently it will.

After the market, I raced over to the Town Hall to look for job postings. I’d heard last night at the tavern the Beckiboo11 would be posting another job today, so I wanted to be first in line. Sure enough, she was hiring for the day, and I got it. This’ll make three-straight days of pig slaughtering. It’s somewhat disgusting work, but it beats working in the mines.

After work, it was back to the market to check on my veggies. The cheaper par had sold during the day, but the £12.10 ones were still there. I made the decision to price those and offer them up for £12.05 as well. I’m very close to being able to buy a boat very cheaply, if I can get the money together quickly.

Next, I strolled into the Cock & Bull Tavern. The usual folk were there, plus a fellow named Seanmacdonald, from Girvan. He talked about some of the travels he’d had recently. He brought news of some seemingly mysterious group known as NNGO. They seemed somewhat important so, I discretely wrote a message to Kondo asking for more info.

Near the end of the evening, as Sean was about to depart, I asked him if he knew of any citizens currently studying medicine. He said that he knew of one chap in England who was, and that I should remind him later about it.

After Sean left, the talk turned to more local matters. I stepped outside once or twice to check if my veggies had sold, since more folks were arriving after their work. Amazingly, they had sold. This meant that once Beckiboo11 pays me for today’s work, I’ll have enough for the boat. Rushing back into the C&B, I explained the situation to Allora and inquired if the boat was still available. She said it was, an that she’d wait around ’till Becki paid me. A few hours later, I was Ayr’s newest boat-owner. Huzzah!

Day 11 – My Harvest

Today, I posted the first job offer to bring in one of my vegetable harvests. Since Edwardiv and I had an agreement to employee each for a below-minimum wage, I posted the job at 12 pounds late last night at the Town Hall. Unfortunately, a new citizen, Countryangel, accepted the job before Edward could. Imagine my surprise when she showed up to work my field instead of Ed. I spent a few minutes explaining the situation to her, and we agree that she would go ahead and work the field and we’d settle up the difference between the offered rate and a standard one at the market later.

I couldn’t stay any longer since, I had to rush off to Beckiboo11′s ranch to help her slaughter some more of her stock. Today’s work was pretty much more of the same. I sorted the stock, selected the ones to be harvested, did the slaughter and the initial processing, hung and cleaned the carcass, and washed down the tools and table. It didn’t seem to take as long as yesterday; which is fine by me.

After work, Becki returned, paid me my 17 pound wage, and I was off to the market. There were some portions of meat that had been available for a bit less than usual, and I wanted to see if I could still buy some. There was on more at the reasonable price of 19 pounds; so I bought it.

After the market, I went over to the C&B to say, ‘hello’ to the regulars. Drake, Wandress, Allora, and Ariana were there, along with Tyreth and Stevesix – the ghastly specter of Weinerschnitzel. [Honestly, I don't know why Drake even allows that abomination into his tavern. What he's (Weiner) done is simply unnatural, and he's likely to bring ruination down on us all. The addle-brain is still holding to that ridiculous excuse that his brother, or some such nonsense, was the reason for his behavior this past month-and-a-half. I say, even if that were so, witchcraft is no way to endear yourself to the populace. I like to think I'm somewhat progressive, but I draw the line at zombism.]

Thankfully, he left after enough patrons refused to talk to him. The rest of the evening was lively enough. Allora’s still upset about that row in the County Council over some trade grant. I don’t understand a lot of it, but apparently, a sizable portion of county goods were sold under unreasonable circumstances to the benefit of a single town (unfortunately, not Ayr). The rest of the tavern-talk rotated around the usual subjects – discussion of the market, citizen advancements, and recent job postings.

As the hour drew late, folks began settling up their tabs and heading for home. I made my was back home. Countryangel had left a note apologizing for the misunderstanding regarding the job. She thanked me for my willingness to pay her the difference and said she’d place a bag of corn on the market to settle things. Included along with the note was a letter of trust and respect – how thoughtful. I jotted down a note to reciprocate later, and was off for bed.