Leofric nods, humbled. He goes back to his cart to retrieve what is left of his food supplies, hidden in his tools. He makes sure no one sees him as he divde them on very small portions, before putting them in a closed box. He brings the box back to the hospital, more specifically to Brother Cuthfred.
He puts the box down near to Brother Cuthfred. "This may help a bit, brother." He then leaves to go to the cathedral to pray.
Finn speaks to the group "Do you have any friends who may be interested in this offer. I can take another six but they need to be fit and hard working?"
Cuthfred raises an eyebrow, but noticing Leofric's mysterious expression and discrete demeanour, he does not ask. «Thank you,» he says, and does not open the box until Leofric has left. Nobody else seems to notice. Praying in the church is calming, and Leofric is filled with peace and hope.
When Finn extends the offer, the Laundry Lass and her siblingÂč look at each other. A little puzzled, they ask, «you want us to find them and vouch for them? There are many more than six to find.»
Âč Genders deliberately suppressed (with few exceptions) in case somebody wants to detail characters later.
(Praying for a miracle to feed the people of Catlisle. Target effect is from the Wonders Guidelines RoP:D p.56, Base 5 Create nourishing food for a person, +1 Touch, any additional magnitudes achieved to create food for more people. So target level is 10.)
(The roll formula is from p.60: True Faith Score 1 + Concentration 1 + Aura 5 + Stress Die 8 = 15.)
(So that would assumedly create enough food for 10 people?)
EDIT: From what I read on p.61, the miracle have modifiers. If it happens during the day after the prayer, that's +5. But it answers a Dire need, so this might reduce it by 10 levels. These modifiers would tend to indicate that more food is created, enough for about 100 people if I am correct.
âI can only take twelve in total so if you can find another six that you know can be trusted to work hard I will give you each a penny, but only if you bring all six. Remember you are recommending those you find and so I will hold you responsible if they are not honest hard workers. Now be away and find me those servants willing to come and work for my mastersâ replies Finn.
Once the beggars have dispersed he asks his companions âWhere best should we look to recruit scribes do you think? Young, recently trained people looking for their first roll may be best but if we can find a more experienced person then so be itâ asks Finn
The two young siblings look at each other again, with an air of serious concern. «As you wish, master bard,» they say. The other four beggars overhear the conversation too. One starts to open the mouth the speak, but shuts it when Finn tries to conclude the conversation.
Finn finds the other companions except Leofric who has gone to see the other brothers.
Leofric's prayer may be effective. If he wants the miracle to affect the food he already donated, so that it feeds the entire hospital population, it would be an immediate effect (+10), which just cancels the -10 from dire need. That's ten people, plus whatever the box in itself had lasted for. Alternatively, you could let it happen within a week, and have a more powerful effect after Leofric has left. Whether you say within a day or within a week, it will not be immediately linked to the food donated nor happen before Finn intends to leave. (I am not sure where you found the number of people, but it is consistent with other canon rules, so I do not object.) What would suit Leofric's intentions best?
(A week is fine. Helping as much of the population of Carlisle is more important than the immediacy of the miracle.)
(RoP:D p.58 mentions that the guidelines for using Divine powers follow the same logic as those for Hermetic magic for R/D/T when it is possible and makes sense. So the goal was to create more food, I figured 1 additional magnitude means x10 amount of food.)
Leofric spends quite some time in silent prayer, but he has a good feeling about it when he gets up. When he leaves the church, the sun is setting.
In the meantime, the others would have had time to do something, and whatever they did, they are probably in the square seeing Leofric leave the church.
Hamish largely stays with Finn as a guard, though he's watchful for news and any particularly interesting people who might stand out from the normal folks who are about.
The big soldier is also looking for other soldiers. If he spots any, he'll likely chat them up for news.
Finn will ask the beggar who tried to speak âwhat were you trying to say my man?â
The beggar blushes, «could ... could I too recruit an extra friend? Or ... euh ... six?» He looks at his feet.
«We could all do that,» interjects one of the teenagers, before he too studies his feet.
âMy friend, it is your lucky day as my masters are talking of opening a second site which will need servants as well. If you can also bring me six honest, hardworking friends I will take them as well. But before you ask that is my limit, now be off with you and get people ready for our departure tomorrowâ says Finn with a sweep of his hat and a broad smile on his face.
The beggars shut up and watch his hat in silence as he departs. Anything else before he meets up with Leofric at sunset?
Did we have any ideas on recruiting scribes?
Nothing have been mentioned, I think. Was that an OOC question, or a question for Leofric when you meet up?
In character both before and after meeting Leofric
"There may be a few clerks looking for work near the market square," explained Leofric before he left for the hospital. "That is usually where secular scribes have their shops."
âThank you my friend, we will try there before we meet up tonightâ. Finn will suggest the group go to the market square and assess the scribe situation.
There are no obvious scribal shops around the square. Half the houses seem to be locked up fairly well, with shutters in front of the windows. A merchant keeps open; «I have some excellent wine here, from the South; I'll trade it for a sack of barley if you have it.» A weaver can makes a similar offer, and his wares are indeed the finest quality.