Morning carries the recruiting party out of Albany. William bears his firelock, hatchet, sixty rounds, sealed papers, and provisions, his arm freshly dressed and free of its earlier hurt.
Captain Robert Rogers
Keep the column easy and the powder dry. Each settlement may give us volunteers, provisions, or knowledge worth more than a map.
Robert leads from the road’s center, while James follows near the baggage and papers. Phillips walks with William and the young Mohawk warrior, watching fields, bridges, and distant farmhouses.
Lieutenant James Rogers
At the first frontier town, we muster interested men in proper order. A strong arm is useful, but discipline decides whether he belongs among Rangers.
William Hendrick Phillips
Towns remember who passes through them. We should listen before we ask, and learn which roads remain open toward Portsmouth.
By midday, the road bends toward a small palisaded settlement ahead. Smoke rises from its chimneys, and a hand-painted board near the gate announces an evening muster for recruits.
Captain Robert Rogers
There is our first halt. William, Phillips, come with me when we enter. James will make ready the roll, and we shall see what the town offers.
✓ Quest Accepted
Recruit suitable volunteers
+ New Item Acquired
Hatchet
+ New Item Acquired
Sixty rounds
“If only we had a Piper eh, all them Scots would come running”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
William Rogers
If only we had a piper, eh? All them Scots would come running.
The remark carries through the open gate. Robert’s grin widens, and William’s father-taught posture and steady frontier voice give the jest the ring of a recruiting call.
Captain Robert Rogers
Aye, cousin. No pipes, perhaps, but a Scots tongue may serve. Say it again when the townsmen gather.
Several settlers pause beside the palisade. Their tartans and rough wool coats mark them as Scots, and curiosity draws them toward the muster board as James opens the roll.
Scottish settlers
Did we hear a Rogers calling for Scots? We have ears for the cause, if not a piper.
William Hendrick Phillips
Your words brought them nearer, William. Now let the captain show them what service requires.
Robert steps toward the settlers, welcoming them with an open hand. The evening muster has gained listeners before the first name is written, and William’s light jest has strengthened the recruiting party’s spirit.
Director's note
since the outlawing of Civilian Highland dress, you can only wear it in service to His Majesty King George
“it will mean a feather to your bonnet lads. make our mark, sign our name Join up with His Majesty's Rangers earn double that of a regular. Who knows, enough of you join we might just have to form a Highland company.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +1)
William Rogers
It will mean a feather to your bonnets, lads. Make your mark, sign your names, and join His Majesty’s Rangers for double a regular’s pay. Enough of you enlist, and we may form a Highland company.
William plants his feet as his father taught him for the firing line, shoulders square and voice carrying cleanly across the yard. His martial bearing gives the promise weight, while the forbidden civilian Highland dress remains reserved for service to the Crown.
Scottish settlers
A Highland company under His Majesty? Then write us down. We will make our mark, take the King’s terms, and stand together.
The four settlers move to James’s trestle table, their earlier curiosity turned to resolve. James opens the roll, while Robert steps beside it and prepares the enlistment terms.
Captain Robert Rogers
You heard him plainly. Service earns the pay, the uniform, and the right to gather as a company. James, enter every willing man under the Ranger articles.
Lieutenant James Rogers
Names, homes, trades, and terms first. Then each man signs or makes his witnessed mark. By evening, your enlistments will stand upon the roll.
Quills scrape across the paper as the settlers give their details and set their marks. A Highland company now has its first recruits, won by William’s disciplined appeal to kinship, service, and the King’s pay.
Quest Complete
Recruit suitable volunteers
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb
“how about that.”
The last marks dry beneath the afternoon light. Four new names now stand together on James’s roll, while the remaining townsmen study the company with renewed interest.
Captain Robert Rogers
There you have it, lads. The King’s service asks courage, obedience, and hard marching, but it gives a man pay and a place among his own.
Lieutenant James Rogers
Those enrolled will report before dusk with whatever firelocks, powder, and hatchets they possess. We will inspect each article before the evening roll.
The four Scottish settlers step back from the trestle table, glancing toward the gate and the road beyond. Their fresh resolve draws a few more listeners from the palisade.
William Hendrick Phillips
The word is spreading faster than a drumbeat. If these men stand together, the road to Portsmouth will carry more than one new company.
Captain Robert Rogers
William, stay near the table. When the next men come forward, tell them plainly what the forest demands. Honest words make steadier soldiers than boasts.
James turns a fresh page and lifts the quill again. Beyond the gate, two more figures pause beneath the muster board, reading the promise of service before entering the yard.
✓ Quest Accepted
Have the new recruits ready for evening roll call
“all tell you plainly lads, the British are on the backfoot last years losses. joining us will mean enduring hardships you couldn't dream of. We need survivors, men with killer instincts to keep up with our Native allys. Men who want to bring the fight to frenchies lands, join us and pay em back for all their raids. I was witness personally to their crimes, butching my family and Kidnapping the Mohawk princess. WHOS WITH ME!”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -1)
“all tell you plainly lads, the British are on the backfoot last years losses. joining us will mean enduring hardships you couldn't dream of. We need survivors, men with killer instincts to keep up with our Native allys. Men who want to bring the fight to frenchies lands, join us and pay em back for all their raids. I was witness personally to their crimes, butching my family and Kidnapping the Mohawk princess. WHOS WITH ME!”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
William Rogers
Hear me plainly, lads. Britain has suffered hard losses, and joining us means hardships you have scarcely imagined. We need survivors with the killer instinct to keep pace with our Native allies.
William plants his feet as for a firing line, shoulders square and voice carrying in measured cadence, the discipline of his father’s musket drills giving every warning a soldier’s weight.
William Rogers
Those who want to bring the fight into French lands and repay their raids, stand with us. I witnessed their crimes: they butchered my family and kidnapped the Mohawk princess. Who is with me?
The yard falls silent. William’s hunting eye fixes on each face, reading fear, anger, and resolve as plainly as tracks in soft earth, while Robert lets the words settle without interrupting.
Scottish settlers
We are with you. Write us down for the Rangers. If the French have made war upon your house and the Mohawk people, we will meet them in the field.
Captain Robert Rogers
James, open the roll again. These men have heard the truth and chosen the service. Let them make their marks before courage cools.
“"good to have ya lads" as William gives a warrior forearm shake to one of the scots who just enlisted.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +2)
William steps from the table and clasps the forearm of the nearest newly enlisted Scot, a young man with a sturdy build, ruddy skin, a broad freckled face, sandy hair, and a brown wool coat over a tartan waistcoat. His grip is firm and measured, the practiced control of musket drill and Lowland martial training turned to welcome.
William Rogers
Good to have ya, lad.
Scottish settler 5
And good to stand with you, Rogers. We will learn the forest ways, and give the French no easy road.
The recruit releases William’s arm and turns toward the others, his fresh resolve drawing their attention back to the open roll. The four marked names now have a fifth man beside them.
Captain Robert Rogers
That is the spirit of it. James, take his name and particulars. A company grows by trust before it grows by numbers.
Lieutenant James Rogers
Come forward, then. State your name, home, trade, and what firelock you can bring to the King’s service.
“"How about a tune". William starts singing Twa Recruiting Sergeants”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -2)
“"How about a tune". William starts singing Twa Recruiting Sergeants”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
William Rogers
How about a tune?
William draws breath and sets his feet as for musket drill, his trained posture giving the old recruiting song a firm, marching cadence. He begins Twa Recruiting Sergeants, his voice carrying across the palisaded yard.
William Rogers
Twa recruiting sergeants came frae the black brigade, tae enlist young soldiers, the bargains tae be made.
The tune turns his father’s Lowland military lessons into persuasion: each phrase lands cleanly, each pause measured like a command between volleys. Even the men by the gate fall quiet to listen.
Scottish settlers
Sing on, Rogers! A man can march farther with a good tune in his breast.
Captain Robert Rogers
That is recruiting worth hearing. James, let the song finish before you take their particulars.
Robert grins as the settlers draw closer around the trestle. William’s song has gathered them willingly, and the fresh roll waits open for more names and witnessed marks.