Return to Adventure!

 Durham, master of the Ringing Anvil, has not only been inducted into the Hanse himself, but he has also been spending long nights at the Kantor Kabljauhof feasting his friends and acquaintances there--and most particularly, one Telman of Tsipa, commander of the Hanse's forces against the Luwian Pirates over the last years.

This pair, Durham and Telman, first became friends first during the Hunt for the Denyan Akho on an adventure that seems so long ago now. Then, not long after, the Hanse had spun up its campaign contra-pirates to deal with piratical troubles in the east of Dirac's Sea, and Telman had been selected as a promising candidate to lead this great venture. Some say he was picked over and above even Captain-General Zaytar! But surely Zaytar had a hand in recommending Telman to the powers-that-be among the Hanse.

Nevertheless, Telman sailed away to oversee the campaign--and ultimately to great successes, such that he returned a conquering hero just before the winter really set in. And, now that winter's icy claws are finally retracting again, her cold breath retreating from the land, Telman must look east, to the final vanquishing of the Luwians this next year-cycle ...

------

But ... Durham has noticed that Telman seems somewhat listless at present. Even on his return in triumph, he was not wonted to speak overlong of the battles at sea in which he led the Hanseatic galleys to victory, or the island forts his armies stormed, or of the cities his men laid waste, their citizens sold into slavery at the public markets to finance the Hanse's war.

He has taken much to drink, and especially to the attentions of the dancing girls of the Kantor--one in particular, the new girl Mai'in Khoresha, especially catching his eye--and he seems to have also taken up a habit of other substances.

But on certain nights, when Telman is less bleary and sharper eyed, and drink is flowing well and the craic, as he says, is good, Telman will call Durham over. 'Let us go hunting again, my friend!' he cries. 'Like when we tracked down that Denyan beast, and you and your fellows proved so bold and resourceful. There is no akho that I know of currently threatening shipping--but let us run up the coast a ways toward Ittiyqa. I have heard that a pack of dindins are threatening the fishing boats of the villages south there, and in the straits between the city and the island harbor!

'Let us take your pirate-prize, the Darkwing, swift over the waves! Come, Durham, what say you? Gather up some of your companions, and let us hunt the sea waves like of old, against monsters that threaten human life. For old times' sake, let's sail, Durham! What say you?'

map section, for reference

Hansemann Durham

 As has been noted by the rumormongers of the Dual-Cities, Telman of Tsipa, captain of the campaign against the Luwian pirates and also associate of old with Durham of the Ringing Anvil and the Survivors of the Tel (on the quest against the Denyan Akho)--this Telman of Tsipa has returned to Cothon-Gadeed because of the winter close to campaigning.

In the time since his return he has been much feted by those who frequent the Kantor Kabljauhof, asked for stories of the campaign, plans for next season, and if he is indeed going to rise to take the place of head of the Kantor, or indeed, replace Captain-General Zaytar himself. Among those often seen buying a round with Telman is Durham, and the two were often long in conversation and short in their cups, as it were, clearly discussing some business.

Well, that business is now announced by a crier in the Fischmarkt just outside the Kantor:

"Telman of Tsipa is sponsoring Durham of Geiranger for membership in the Hanse! Come for celebratory drinks in the Gatehouse after the ceremonial swearing in!"

And indeed, quite a number come into the tavern-section of the Kantor, the Gatehouse, to celebrate Durham's new status as a Hansemann. There is a great cheer from those assembled when he emerges, with smiling Telman at his side, from the back rooms of the Kantor, wearing now the sigil of the Hanse on a chain around his neck, and on a ring on one of his fingers:

In order to join the Hanse, Durham had to answer some questions and declare certain qualities:

• Who is your sponsor within the Hanse? (Telman)
• From what city do you hail? (Geiranger)
• Is it a Hanse city? If not, declare now that you are no longer a citizen of that city, but a loyal member of the Hanse.
• Are you a partisan of any Tavern other than this Kantor? If so, you must renounce that membership, and join here, and to pay the due as you would normally.
• What is your wealth?
• What is your profession? (owner of the Ringing Anvil, adventurer, engineer and architect, part-owner of the Darkwing)

These all answered to the satisfaction of a council of Hansemänner, Durham was sworn in as a member and Hansemann himself, and given the emblems of his new identity. Certain perks are now available to him because of his association.

And now--let the ale and mead flow as we celebrate Durham in his new capacity!

All hail Durham of Geiranger, Hanssemann!

To Become a Hansemann

  In the past, Durham has mentioned to the Scribes potential interest in joining the Hanse as a Hansemann. The Scribes thus present now a rubric under which one might become a member of that august body of traders and seamen, whether Durham takes them up, or they pique the interest of other barbarian-adventurers active in Cothon-Gadeed.

As a brief reminder, the Hanse is a confederation of merchants' guilds, especially northern guilds, who have banded together for mutual protection and better control of prices. They are said to have a "miraculous" ear to the waves about prices and demands in various markets, such that they are able to quickly marshal their resources to make a profit by selling exactly what people need exactly where they need it. In this way, they have come into economic competition with the Ten Cities' League, as well as other such leagues. They have guild-warehouses, called kantors, in many cities all around the coasts of Dirac's Sea, within the precincts of which their members are afforded certain rights and privileges as negotiated by the Hanse with the host city.

First, there are a number of requirements in order to qualify for entrance into the Hanse:

• You must have a sponsor from within the Hanse
• You must declare if you are a citizen of a Hanse city (there are many up north), or if you are a citizen of another city (e.g. Gadeed)
• If you are not a citizen of a Hanse city, you must renounce any citizenship you may hold in any other city, and swear that you will never become a citizen of such cities (again, e.g. Gadeed)
• (specific to Cothon--similar strictures apply in other cities)--you must renounce membership in any Tavern except the Kantor Kabljauhof, and must join the Kantor if not already a member (pay 100 dinars per level if that is the case)
• Declare your profession, wealth, and usefulness to the Hanse; this is mostly to ascertain where one might fit within the organization of the Hanse

Hansemänner have certain obligations and responsibilities, through the performance of which they earn the perks of being a man of the Hanse.

Perks

• Can call on the Company for material assistance; this includes the possibility of taking out a loan of up to 5000 dinars (to be repaid at an interest rate of 3%) for non-officers
• You can call on the Company for transportation or shipping to anywhere within the sphere of the Hanse, within reason
• Special trading options become available to those who are members of the Hanse
• Hansemänner enjoy legal protections in every city where the Hanse has a negotiated presence, which protects them from predation by local courts. Other than in the case of especially heinous crimes, Hansemänner are subject only to the courts of the Hanse

Responsibilities

• Hansemänner must attend Company meetings and give some service to the Hanse. This will be represented by a character spending six downtimes out of every lunar year attending to Hanse duties (these need not be consecutive)
• Likewise, Hansemänner are subject to conscription by the Company during times of extraordinary duress, .e.g. a Hansemann might be called on to serve on a galley during times of pirate raids, or pay wages for someone to stand in their stead.
• Hansemänner are also called to any Diet held by their Kantor; though these council meetings are infrequent, they decided Hanse business, and so are considered especially important. Exceptions for various circumstances are respected.
• Officers and those of higher standing within the Company are expected to perform above and beyond these mere requirements, according to the nature of their office/standing.