A Year in the City - Secret Secrets, I've got a Secret.

At this point I should probably pause to say that as it is a small group I had decided to act as the "central hub" for information. The weekly orders of the Braunstein would pass through me, and if any Patron sought conference with another, I would facilitate it. 

What they did after that was for them to work out, though I would be kept in the loop

Admittedly this may be too hands on.

[Adjudicating Furiously]

I don't know how well this would translate to larger groups (to much cognitive load for the referee to keep up with), and I doubt it's in the spirit of the rule. 

But I did this for a simple reason; so that I could feed back rumours and hooks to the players. 

While at the same time informing the Patrons of other activities, be they Player encounters or Patron incursions.

I would, as many posts suggested and many other DMs implemented, use the Waterdeep Wazoo to feed the Player Characters rumours. 

For only 2 nibs you could learn how 'Brain dogs ate my husband's face' or 'City Treasury comes up short - Lord Neverember Embezzlement charges'.

And the Patrons themselves, while free to purchase a copy of that storied publication, had a secondary wrinkle that I would handle: Spies.

Double agents within their midst.

I tried very hard to not let the players know who's who. It may seem a lack of trust, but I'm not sure how well they could separate and compartmentalise Player, Character, and Patron knowledge. 

I'm sure there is commentary to be made on the use of Meta knowledge?

And it was within this Fog of War I wanted them to at least begin play.

As I wasn't sure Manshoon would fully utilise House Gralhund if he was fully aware of their potential duplicity.

Speaking of, we've touched upon how House Gralhund are themselves run by a Patron Player, and how they are ready to jump ship in order to achieve their lofty ambitions.

Well, they were not the only ones:

• Meloon Wardragon (one of Vajra's 'Lieutents') has been taken over by an Intellect Devourer and is a pawn of The Xanathar.

• Skeemo Weirdbottle (from the "Zhentarm" faction that the players can join) is selling his services to both Manshoon's Zhentarim and House Gralhund.

• Nar'l Xibrindas was tasked with infiltrating The Xanathar Guild on behalf of Jarlaxle
  
  
• Thorvin Twinbeard of The Xanathar Guild relays information to the Force Grey (via the Harpers)
  
  

Every time they act in their capacity as a Spy or Double Agent there is a 10% (1 on a d10) chance that they will be discovered. A percentage that may escalate with the reactions of the Patron in question.

A crude facsimile of the 1e DMG assassin spying rules and table.

[Next Poast]