Burbo Tithes the Orphans...whoever *they* are...
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When Burbo first met sir Richard Luis, it was not in a proper way, like a spring ball, but rather on a stroll in the kobold-saturated frontiers near Peltarch. He was well mannered, clean shaven, quite unlike the unwashed hordes from Norwick with whom Burbo so often consorted not out of habit, but necessity of protection from the rat-dog men. After introductions, the two joined forces on an expedition into the less dangerous underground reaches of kobold territory.
Of course, Burbo had no greater goal in mind than to collect the loot these brutes had liberated from passing caravans and unsuspecting countryfolk, but sir Richard had another goal. He told Burbo that he was collecting coal for the "orphans". These orphans, it seemed, had no way of employing themselves to gather their own coal, and relied on the more capable to recover the strange black and crumbly rock for them.
After some thought, Burbo thought he might give something to these orphans, if only to appease this soft-hearted man and his misguided cause. After all, didn't Richard grant him healing and a fair share of treasure? Well, these things were to be expected out of courtesy, Burbo determined, not to parlay into a donation. Still, to make a donation on his family's behalf would keep with the appearances of prosperity…and Burbo had very little of that lately...
So, after selling the black and shabby coal for a few shiny coins, Burbo gave sir Richard a donation of gold, so that perhaps these "orphans" could get themselves a proper set of clothes as to be presentable for future employers. Coal indeed. Why they would only make themselves less presentable and more apt to the threat of plague that so accompanies the winter months...and with that, Burbo strolled off in search of a way to replace the gold he'd squandered on the shabby urchins.
