The city of Port Rothschild is centuries old, but recently the influx of traders from the North has swelled the population tenfold in a few decades, throwing up shacks and taverns and timbered pavements between the towering remnants of the Old Empireās forts and aqueducts.
It has become a haven for traders and pirates alike, and a staging post for the many travellers between the Ndovu Kingdom in the South and the scattered townships of the North- all of which has made it a perfect base for the local Thievesā Guild, who are becoming more and more ambitious, crushing one potential rival after another. While most of its members are merely self-interested thugs, the highest levels of the Guild are a strictly regulated hierarchy, sworn to the Arch-Devil Mammon, Lord Of Greed.
Adventure hooks- I wanted to have a wide variety of beginnings all leading to the central Thievesā Guild plot, with the last one obviously being a way out of town if the players were bored or needed an escape route.
I: For years, the town council have kept the peace in the city by employing a small mercenary army, the Ravens- Led by Captains Kit Ravaldo and Randall Corvus.
Rumour has it, however, that the two have quarreled, resulting in Corvusā expulsion. Recently he has been seen drinking alone in the lowest quarters at the docks with only his old dog for company, a shadow of his former self.
In fact, Ravaldo has made common cause with elements of the Thievesā guild, and is being introduced to the higher mysteries of the Cult Of Mammon. The Cult eventually intends to use the muscle of his army to take over the city, deposing the council and ruling as a sovereign trade nation.
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II: Lady della Borgia, the renowned fencing master, has been hunting through the city for her fatherās murderer. She believes the Thievesā Guild to be responsible, and makes more and more dangerous enemies as she delves further.
In fact, the real murderer is an outcast noble, long gone from the city. She has, however, gotten herself perilously close to the Mammon conspiracy, breaking up a meeting below a grog house. With no followers to watch her back, she will be made an example of before very long.
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III: An old pirate and drinking companion, Sol Bridgewater, has contacted you, asking for a drink and a catch-up, with an offer of work. He explains that the Thievesā Guild have been consolidating their power while youāve been gone, and have their eye on you. You had best pay your dues or get out of town fast.
In fact, he has been employed by the Guild to bait you into an ambush. At the first suggestion that you will cause trouble for the Guild, he will shrug: āNo hard feelings, eh?ā, asĀ six other customers draw knives and surround your table.
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IV: A curiosity has appeared in the Sailorsā Rest tavern. The first dwarf seen in town in a generation, Burdock Goldtongue is looking for a crew to sail a shipment of good to the hidden homeland of the dwarves, in the caverns beneath the sea.
He is dishevelled and nervous, but clearly wealthy enough to fund such an expedition. Are you desperate enough to wager your crew and your reputation on such a questionable proposal?
In fact, Goldtongueās expedition is genuine enough. His aunt and uncle, who usually take care of the supply runs, have not returned from their last trip. Desperate to fulfill his familial duties, he has made his mission public. The trip is long, but relatively safe, as far as Goldtongue knows. The players will find out for themselves, though, in Part II: The River Below.
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