Do you hate spiders as much as I do? I'm recruiting spider killers.

steve

We're recruiting. I know there are many opportunities out there but we could really use the help around here. I guess it's best if I tell you the story about how we came to own and operate a stronghold.

I never expected to be a landowner. I was perfectly happy drinking and adventuring. My sword arm is still strong enough to make the gold I need for a hot meal, a bed to sleep in, a little drink and some willing company. Life was good and I was content, with no real thoughts of the future beyond where would I find coin tomorrow. Then came the card game.

We were over in Chult. That's a scary place. I'd never come across those giant lizards before, at least not that size, and the spiders... don't get me started on spiders. I've ALWAYS hated spiders. The day was a good one and we ended it by finding a place to bed down for the night back at the port. Never one to turn down a drink, I soon found myself making bad decisions and wound up in a game. I've never been much of a gambler. I rarely have enough money I can afford to lose some, and on those rare occasions where I come out ahead, there always seems to be hard feelings on the part of the losers. It's a dangerous game.

To be honest, I can't tell you much about the card game. I don't remember many of the details of the night, but at the end I was the big winner. I guess luck was with me. As the game wound down I vaguely remember it was down to me and one other gentleman. I guess you'd call him a gentleman. He was dressed like you'd expect someone with money might dress, but maybe a bit more worn. Anyway, he ran out of money and offered up the ownership of his castle as payment. I really didn't believe he owned a castle but I must have allowed it because I came away with papers signed by him and passing ownership of his stronghold to me.

I woke up with a head that felt like people'd been kicking it all night and a taste in my mouth like some critter had decided to use it to raise a litter. I'd totally forgotten about the deed until the moment I started packing up to leave Chult and found the document among my possessions. Me... the proud new owner of some stronghold. Honestly, I doubted it was real but I stuffed the documents in my bag anyway and decided I'd try to find the place.

SPIDERS! Yes, I found the place and immediately found a whole group of huge spiders behind the stronghold. I hate spiders. Anyway... the place isn't anything to brag about. Sure, it's real enough, but it's run down and needs a lot of work. What do I know about running a stronghold? There are people there! Workers. Everybody was looking at me like I should tell them what to do. I guess I'm some kind of lord or something now. I can't let them go hungry and I'd determined to do right by them.

That's where you come in. I need help. The place needs a lot of work. We need to gather resources to help repair and build the place up. I also need more strong swords to help kill those spiders. Don't think I haven't tried. Every time I go out and kill a bunch they just seems to gather again. I need spider killers.

Look... I'm not a rich man. The stronghold is poor and you won't get much glory by joining up with us. It's all hard work with very little reward, but my friends are gathering and we're like a little family. I can only promise that if you come help us we'll do our best to make you feel like you belong here and that you're part of the same family.

There. That's my plea. If you're the kind of person who's up for a challenge, and if you hate spiders as much as I do, let's talk about you joining our brave band of adventurers.

DEATH TO ALL SPIDERS.

Malicious@CadaverTaffy