Masterpiece from a small mind

The party are contacted by a reclusive gnome wizard and artificer, famous across the continent, as the maker of interesting items usually found in manors, castles and great halls as spectacles for the rich. As a change of pace the crazy gnome put out an invite to the capital and surrounding villages of Cedarwood. Answering the call will be the bannermen and several mercenary factions.
Captain Silversmith is a human fighter guard who patrols around Greenmetal, he is fairly young but is scarred from combat, large scars stretch across his face, his armour is sketchily repaired in places.
Refer to the mercenaries list for three other groups.
Follow through Igor's challenge.
At the end, if the players make a good impression or help any of the other mercenary parties, they will offer some discount for their group which the players can call upon later when they seek out mercenaries.