The fourth and final week of our Pre-campaign Campaign.
Patron Players & their Orders for the Week are as follows:
Jarlaxle:
The dashing rogue finished the year off strong, and with a different guise each day, spent 16 days and 16gp, spreading rumours about the generosity of Luskan, and their involvement in funding this years Winter's Day festivities.
Fel'rekt, Krebbyg, Soluun, and the Drow Mage spent long nights and longer days thoroughly interrogating the Envoy from Yarter. They gained a lot of detailed information which would go a long way towards passing one of them off as him.
The Elite Drow guarded the Envoy when he was not being worked over.
Jarlaxle sent the remaining 11 Drow, racing to meet up with the barge, to crew it back to port before it would be missed. They came with some winter weather gear, given how cold the Over Bright had become.
Of the remaining Drow Mages; one continued to learn how to make compelling forgeries, while the other made a play for the magic scroll he'd been sniffing around. Unfortunately, he failed to secure the scroll, barely managing to escape.
He, and his summoned Shadow Demon, blending into the darkness of the night.
On the 22nd of Nightal, one of the ships was the victim of a burglary. Jarlaxle was informed that 25gp of goods had been taken, and in its place what was left was a strange red playing card with the image of a black serpent.
[The Black Viper strikes again!]
House Gralhund:
Lady Yalah attempts to borrow another 1000gp from the loan shark Istrid Horn. While at the same time renegotiating the repayment schedule, Horn considered her proposal, and found the terms acceptable
Uncertain but prone to positive, got a starting attitude of Friendly. One persuasion check later and "the creature does as asked without taking risks or making sacrifices - Horn would actually stand to make money in the long run. So she accepted.
The Houses trade caravan sitting in Amphail found a buyer, and by the 24th of Nightal Yalah recieved the 400gp in profit that it had made. Which certainly went a long way to covering the loss she'd taken on purchasing a pair of Sending Stones.
She was able to convince the seller to reconsider, and luckily he did. Now with 400gp in hand (mostly from the 2nd loan) she closed the sale.
Unfortunately, for her the reason the Seller was so eager to still do business was because the item was fake!
She had just shelled out a large pouch of coin for nothing more than a matching pair of carved stone faces.
Lord Gralhund's handling of the Houses business ventures continues, bringing in a measly profit of 2gp.
She took her anger out on Urstul Floxin, threatening to send the man to work the bounty posted by House Phaulkon as part of the Dungsweepers Guild.
Rolled a 5 on his Loyalty check.
The hardened spy master was unsure how to deal with the woman's venomously sharp tongue, and just left the estate with a Spy in tow to complete their assignment.
They gathered what they could about Bryant Stigandr and found the highway man seemed to be unaffiliated with the city's crime 'Guild', meaning the idea of attempting to blackmail House Gralhund seems to have been done under his own initiative.
They found that if he was out of the city, he'd likely make a stop at the Dancing Dagger, a drinking establishment located in the Marching Grounds, before to long.
As the season changed Hrabbaz made sure the estate was prepared for the snow, and Hurv managed the garden in preparation for spring.
One Spy took the dock labourer they previously used out for a round of drinks, ending the evening with the man firmly back on side.
A pair of Spies, overseen by Lady Yalah, who was guarded by the Nimblewright, ferreted out what information they could about the darker forces operating within the city.
They uncovered a tail of a growing Cult.
A Cult of Asmodeus.
One Spy attempted to pick up where Urstul had left of previously, but failed to find anything new regarding those who robbed Quartermaster Dench. The last Spy continued to work at the Wazoo, but saw his wages docked after getting into a scuffle with a colleague over one of the latest scoops. Taking home only 10gp.
The Flying Snakes found themselves having to get used to the feel of wool on their fine scales, as they were wrapped in toe-less woollen socks as a way to stave off the cold.
The House's investments yielded 25gp in dividends.
Force Grey:
Vajra Safahr spent the last week of the year buried in a backlog of paperwork or gladhanding with benefactors. To little avail.
She found barely enough time to call in a favour from the Harpers. Hoping they could station one of their "Rescue Teams" near the Palace jail, to assist Meloon Wardragon. They agreed and dispatched a Mage and 6 Veterans.
All the easier to blend in with those of the Watch and Watchful Order that were already there.
Barnibus Blastwind investigated Orsabba's Fine Imports, on Vellarr's Lane. A possible Xanathar front if the information extracted from the Mind Flayer is anything to go by.
His initial scouring of the records reveals the shop was clean.
Too clean.
All of its taxes were paid in full, the store was in good standing with the Guild, and the only citations he could find were for a few minor drunken indiscretions under Orsabba's nom de guerre - The Duke of Darkness.
Meanwhile, the old watch dog, Saethe Cromley spent 8 days visiting every tavern in the Trades ward to sow rumours that the squid face was singing like a canary. By the end of the month the results were self evident. as the fabrication was whispered in the dark corner of nearly every tavern across the ward.
From the Dripping Dagger in the north, to the Grey Serpent in the south; the Golden Horn Gambling Hall to Tao's Hole in the Wall, and everywhere between. It was impossible to get away from the hushed whispers of drunken patrons all saying the same thing;
"Mind Flayers sing like canaries. And the one Force Grey has, well it has a most beautiful voice."
The City released 30gp as a budget for the Forces future operations.
DM: I'm not sure if this was a Trap/Test of Loyalty
or just fortuitous placement; that Meloon was given guard duty.
Xanathar:
The last week of the year started with all hands on deck, after the Beholder discovered he'd been robbed! For what else could have happened to the missing item from his collection?
He began to scour his lair, along with a pair of Intellect Devourers. Barely, able to recall the item in question was something called the Stone of Golorr, and deciding it must have been those envoys from the blasted Zhents.
After thoroughly disintegrating them and calming down, Nar'l Xibrandas discovered it couldn't have been the Zhentarim Envoys. Noska and Korgstrod hit the surface to knock some heads. Learning that the Stone was originally stolen from the Vaults of the Palace, it was said to be the key to Dagult Neverembers embezzeled fortune, said fortune was estimated to be in the 100s of thousands of gold dragons, and that since old Neverember was still lording it up in Neverwinter, it probably remained untouched.
Some of the Duergar hit up some of the more dubious information brokers in skull port and were able to tell the Crime Lord that Neverembers kid was currently in the City.
This information came with a price though, and the 3 of them were setting off on a dangerous task, they would be gone all next week.
And they may not return.
It was relayed to the Xanathar that the spy within Force Grey would be stationed directly at Nihiloors cell. But if he just releases him, it would blow his cover. The Blackstaff was already suspicious of him, and he worried this might be a trap or some test of loyalty.
Though he'd be able to assist any breakout attempt
Meanwhile, Grum'shar and a pair of Bandits were uncovering enough information on the high security prisons layout, its current guard rotations etc, that they would be able (with some aid from the inside) to help Ahmaergo and his pair of Bandits break in.
To bust Nihiloor out.
Which they managed, the greatful illithid promptly plane shifting himself to safety as thanks, leaving Ahmaergo and 1 of the Bandits to be captured by Force Grey.
Several other Bandits worked to sow rumours, in a bid to compromise the security detail around the prisoner transfer wagon heading to the Amendsfarm on the 9th of Hammer. All for the cost of 5gp.
The pair of Bandits looking to infiltrate the minimum-security labour camp, found they had an easier go of it as they were promptly arrested for the robbery undertaken by an Intellect Devourer piloted skin suit.
A job which netted it 25gp in stolen goods.
This allowed the to pass on the Xanathars regards to Xanthos the Snitch.
Reaction (58) - Uncertain prone to Positive. 18 Intimidation - the creature accepts a minor risk or sacrifice to do as asked.
Who completely agreed with them that it was, in hindsight, a terrible idea.
The Goblins, Kobolds and Kenku continued to rob struggling merchants, netting 125gp worth of stolen goods. Though they picked up something that couldn't be fenced and was easily recognisable: a Candle that couldn't be lit.
Down in the Blood Pit: Bugbears, Duergar, Half-ogres, Hobgoblins, Grell, and Intellect Devourers fought for the Xanathars amusement, and won 500gp. Though in one case, a fighter nearly killed an opponent, but this was the Blood Pit and that sort of thing merely got the crowd even more hyped.
The Merrow, Kuo-toa, and Kuo-toa Whips tightened security around the lair, they didn't want a repeat of last time.
On the 29th of Nightal, the Xanathar recieved word back that some of his goons had a lead on who stole his item, they'd captured the guy (Neverembers Kid) and were about to start interrogating him.
Manshoon:
Manshoon's Simulacrum spend the last week of the year carousing among the upper class, and was finally able to meet with Lady Haventree. The two surprisingly hitting it off well.
Manafret Cherryport also had a spot of good fortune as he was finally able to find someone selling one of the scrolls from Manshoons list. The seller was looking for 200gp, a fair price he was more than happy to pay.
Which meant Manshoon was able to seclude himself in his tower like a proper wizard. Spending time deciphering the newly acquired scroll and adding Glyph of Warding to his repertoire.
Urstul Floxin spent 21gp and began to sow some rumours regarding Dorgar Aderbrent being a Masked Lord. While, Vevette Blackwater likewise churned the rumour mill. It cost her 14gp to spread rumours that Thardouk Starbuckler was a Masked Lord.
Havia and Mookie continued to work the door at certain establishments, and while she was paid 20gp for her time. Mookie's employer was unable to pay him, due to certain 'financial difficulties'.
Yorn the Terror continued capitalising on his fearsome reputation, but found it beginning to wear thin. His muscle-for-hire gig only netting him 2gp. Agorn Fuoco, on the other hand, was always a crowd pleaser. Taking home 10gp in tips from his final performance of the year.
The apprentices (Ered, Havi, and Savara) continued chanting, keeping the Barlgura unconscious within the circle, and buying Kaevja more time to scour the city in search of suitable couples from which to extract "a loved ones blood, freely given".
Unfortunately for her, the Winters snow had driven most young lovers indoors, and she realised too late she may have more luck waiting for the Grand Revel, but the 14th of Alturiak seemed a long way away.
She did however hear tell of a dive-bar maiden who had married a drunken patron, but scored big because he turned out to be some sort of middle class toff.
The pair also seemed to be genuinely besotted with each other.
The rest of Manshoon's men were sent out on 'Pest Control', they brought back a collective 95gp for cleaning out rat warrens and raven nests.
Though another store under Zhentarim protection was the target of robbery, by these brazen vermin.
Cassalanter:
Lord Victoro and Lady Ammalia spend the last week of the year enjoying a few key soirees, where Victoro is challenged to a joust! Ammalia, always the peacemaker, attempts to smooth out the perceived slight, but only served to further the hostilities.
Enraging House Margester.
The joust is agreed upon to occur on the Fields of Triumph on the 1st of Flamerule.
Meanwhile, Crowelle's weekly prowl nets him 2 more potential blackmail targets. The Cult Fanatics and Cultists hit town for one last hurrah! at the years end. They make many new friends (11 allied lower class contacts), but someone doesn't take to kindly to their spreading of festive cheer (1 hostile lower class contact).
The Imps continue their crime spree, securing 125gp worth of stolen goods, but one of the items; a bag containing 47 humanoid teeth, one of which is rotten. Is easily identifiable and couldn't be fenced in the local region.
While the Devils guard the lair, the 'Congregation' tithes 143gp at the Alter of the 9th Lord, and inducts 8 new members into its swelling ranks.
The Houses investments pay 50gp in dividends.
But around the 24th of Nightal the Cassalanters barrister calls on them. They have once again been contacted, but this time the criminal is threatening to reveal the Houses crime unless they render them a service.
**********
And so concludes the opening moves of the great game that our Patrons have begun to play. The Player Characters will enter a world they have already had a hand in shaping, and whether they set out to stop or change it will be completely up to them.
Sadly, the Player running House Cassalanter had to drop out of the campaign, before it had truly begun, due to IRL issues.
With a scramble, I managed to pull my 3rd party confidante in to fill the role.
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