The representative noble of Shadowshore changes more often than any other, as the post is traditionally held by the family (or even the individual) strong enough to protect it from his enemies. Currently, the holder of this title is Emil Dracktus - certainly an assumed name. Rumor holds that the Dawn Council would rather have someone less crude and more reliable in this post. Someone like Vico Benevin of the Amedio Trading Concern, perhaps. Yet for now, no one (Vico included) has made a move on Emil.
The Black Market
While Sasserine's markets and shops feature a wide range of goods and services, some are not offered in the light of day. Those seeking hard drugs, dangerous animals, evil magic, slaves, or cheap (and probably stolen) goods won't find them for sale in sight of the city watch. Yet this does not mean these goods and services aren't for sale.
Sasserine has a strong black market, with venues located in all seven districts. In order to gain access to the black market, a character must make a DC 20 Gather Information check to learn the current location of that district's black market. In Azure District and Shadowshore, this is only a DC 15 Gather Information check, while in Champion's or Noble District, it's a DC 25 check. The Black Market is all but suppressed in Cudgel District - it's a DC 30 Gather Information check to find an outlet there. Failing this check by 5 or more indicates that the district watch hears of the character's interest in obtaining illegal goods and services. the results of this failure depend upon the nature of that district's watch.
Although the black market has no restrictions on the type of its goods or services, it is still bound by Sasserine's gold piece limit of 40,000. A character who wishes to buy something in excess of this value must either travel to a larger city or enlist the aid of an or importer to have the item purchased and delivered from elsewhere. An agent typically charges 5% finder's fee for such services.
Thieves' Guilds
A staple of most large cities, Sasserine is unusual in that it currently does not host a large, well-organized thieves' guild. In the years before the Sea Princes took hold of the city, a guild known as the Artful Parrots was Sasserine's largest band of robbers, cutpurses, and criminals. The Artful Parrots were also among the first victims of the Sea Princes, and within a year of their rule beginning, this guild had been obliterated completely.
During the Sea Princes rule, oppressive laws made thieves' guilds impossible to form. Now that Sasserine has regained her independence, though, the city is seeing a renaissance of organized crime. At this point, the dozens of small guilds are more interested in fighting each other for dominance, and the city watch keeps a wary eye on the activities of these groups but does little to intervene as long as they don't endanger the city's citizens. Word on the street, however, is that one group in particular has managed to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with - the Lotus Dragons. While the Lotus Dragons, if indeed they do exist, have yet to make their presence known to the city watch and civilians of Sasserine, the fact that minor guild activity has been tapering off over the last year lends validity to these rumors.
City Watch
The true slums of Sasserine, Shadowshore is where the desperate come to hide or die. The smallest of the districts, it's easy for citizens of other districts to look away at the trouble that commonly brews here. Members of other watches who prove too unruly or insubordinate are often reassigned to Shadowshore - more of a punishment than anything else. Corruption is rife among the Shadowshore Watch, who only patrol the shoreline and are known to be in the pocket of the ship barons of the district. Only the most blatant of crimes (arson, public assaults, and other highly-visible offences) are acted upon, making Shadowshore a haven for Sasserine's criminal elements.
Citizens
Shadowshore is where the dregs of Sasserine seep to. If you grew up here, you had a rough childhood, and may have been forced to kill someone in order to survive. You've certainly seen your fair share of dead bodies; they turn up often in the alleys or under the piers. If you're not the thuggish type, you either spent a lot of time hiding or developed a knack for fighting dirty. You may have been taken under the wing of one of the few semi-legitimate businesses to operate here, but more likely you're a true child of the streets. Faith is hard to come by here, but if you're a cleric you probably worship Olidammara, and you know that the god of thieves has some presence within these drooping slums.
Child of the Shadow [General]
You were raised in the streets and back alleys of Shadowshore and have refined several talents and tricks valuable to survival in this neighborhood.
District: Shadowshore
Benefit: You know Sasserine's black market quite well, and need not make checks to locate its outlets. Further, in other cities, you have a knack for rooting out the underground markets. You gain a +2 bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks made to learn about a city's black markets.
Growing up on the filthy streets of Shadowshore has also gifted you with several tricks you can use to ensure survival. You gain a +2 bonus on Initiative checks on urban environments. You are also adept at fighting in confined areas, such as narrow city alleyways or crowded taprooms. Enemies cannot gain cover from you if they are in your reach; you can thus attack someone around a corner without penalty. A creature with total cover from you still receives all benefits of his cover.
Notable NPCs
Emil Dracktus (human male): The reprehensible Lord of Dracktus Manor and representative of Shadowshore on the Dawn Council is little better than a bandit lord.
Gregar Skeen (human male): Master of the Shipwright's Guild, Gregar has somehow managed to maintain control of the family business and interests despite generations of trouble with local roughs.
Jalpe Jinn (male half-orc): Jalpe Jinn is a likeable enough man who tends this shrine dedicated to one of Sasserine's most gifted historical figures, the dwarf Worgul (who succeeded in life as a merchant despite her hideous appearance).
Vico Bevenin (human male): Why one of Sasserine's richest men lives in Shadowshore is a mystery to everyone but him. Vico owns the Amedio Trading Concern, the most successful import/export firm in Sasserine.
Shadowshore Locations
- Shadowshore Garrison
- Shrine of Charmalaine (goddess of keen senses and narrow escapes)
- The Skinned Man (tavern)
- The Narrow House (inn)
- Shrine of St. Worgul (district church)
- Honest Brank's (moneylender)
- The House of Science (freak show and museum of oddity)
- Fishlip's Games (tavern/gaming hall)
- The Notched Axe (mercenary guild)
- Coffinsquatters (inn)
- Neldrek's Goods (general goods)
- Dracktus Manor (district representative)
- Trapmaker's Guild
- Gentle Nelli's (apothecary)
- The Velvet Hatch (brothel)
- The Plucked Parrot (inn/tavern)
- Alinara's Vixens (gaming hall)
- Amedio Trading Concern (import/export)
- Sailmaker's Guildhall
- Shrine of Kuroth (god of treasure and theft)
- Last Ditch Lovers (brothel)
- Gondola Waystation
- It Still Floats! (cheap boats and ships)
- Black Shield Company (mercenary guild)
- Shipwright's Guildhall
- Shank's Collectibles (cheap weapons)
- Sasserine Distillery (rum factory)
Charmalaine
(The Lucky Ghost)
N hero-goddess of keen senses, and narrow escapes
Charmalaine is a halfling hero-goddess who earned her nickname from her ability to leave her body to scout ahead in spirit-form. In this form, she is believed to warn halflling adventurers of impeding danger. Her holy symbol is a burning boot-print. Charmalaine is a young halfling woman with alert eyes, black oiled leather armor, and boots coated in mud. She carries a mace called Fair Warning and is usually seen with Xaphan, her ferret familiar. She is energetic, spontaneous, and fearless. Charmalaine's apotheosis was co-sponsored by Farlanghn and Brandobaris.
Domains: Luck, Protection
Weapons: maces
Kuroth
(The Master Thief)
CN hero-god of theft, and treasure-finding
Kuroth's symbol is a gold coin bearing the image of a key or a quill. Kuroth appears as an Oeridian man with a fancy mustache and medium-length black hair. He is occasionally accompanied by a ferret. Kuroth was sponsored to godhood by Olidammara.
Domains: Chaos, Luck, Trickery
Weapon: dart
Olidammara
(The Laughing Rogue)
CN intermediate god of rogues, music, revelry, wine, humor, and tricks
Olidammara loves upsetting those who are too attached to their boring and controlled worlds. He is shown as a brown-haired man of rakish appearance, olive skin, and merry eyes, although his magic laughing mask (and holy symbol) allows him to change his appearance. Zagyg once foreced him into the shape of a small carapaced animal and imprisoned him; the Laughing Rogue still retains the ability to form a protective carapace, and he has used it to thwart many aggressors and pursuers. He is friendly enough with other gods, although the lawful ones resent his capriciousness and tricks.
Domains: Celerity, Chaos, Luck, Mind, Trickery
Weapons: rogue weapons
No comments:
Post a Comment