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Introduction:
The purpose of this document is to outline and document the involvement of House Mercur in the Lake Cald feud. Lake Cald is located in the Far Coast, in the western central portion of the province. The lake is home to three species of fish, called the Grackle, the Farspir, and the Jrumfin. These fish lay eggs that can be harvested into a very luxurious caviar. In addition, the fish themselves are prized for their meat. The situation here is as of N.S. 21.
The Situation:
Two villages are situated on the banks of Lake Cald, one to the north (called, appropriately enough, Northbank) and one to the south (called Southbank). A long standing feud has existed between these two villages, because the folk of Northbank harvest the caviar of the fish and the folk of Southbank harvest the fish themselves. Over-harvesting of the caviar causes a shortage of adult fish to catch, and over-catching of adult fish causes a shortage of caviar. Whenever there is a shortage (and there is never enough of either to suit the parties), each village blames the other for its problems. This feud is centuries old and sometimes breaks into violence and small skirmishes, though usually the conflict is limited to fist fights and small acts of vandalism.
House Mercur's Involvement:
House Mercur is currently attempting to corner the market for Cald caviar and fishmeat by brokering a settlement to the longstanding feud. While the feud has resisted attempts to settle it before now, including occasional hardfisted tactics by the Imperial authorities, Mercur is now being run by the drow, and they have a certain knack for bringing even the most intractable servants into line. Already, Mercur has begun to employ both a carrot and a stick approach in the region, bribing when necessary, blackmailing and extorting when needed, and a few of the most intractable feuders have now gone missing.
In the end, any settlement negotiated between the two villages will include an exclusive sales agreement with House Mercur. Ostensibly, Mercur will pitch this exclusivity as a means to moderate the demand for both the caviar and the fishmeat, so that neither is overharvested, and to ensure that both commodities are procured equally and at comparable prices. But, of course, Mercur really wants to limit the supply of both to drive the price up and then provide the exclusive distribution of same.
Investigating the Situation:
Should the party arrive at Lake Cald and investigate rumours of Mercur activity in the region, they may be able to determine what is happening. One means is to use Gather Information. Presented below are some rumours that may be administered. They are categorized by DC. Where Northbank/Southbank is indicated, choose whichever is appropriate to the location of the PCs gathering the information.
Not all of these rumours are explained, and some might not be obvious, but a sharp DM should be able to fit in most of them with House Mercur's involvement in the region.
DC 5:
1. The Southbankers recently set fire to a barn in Northbank, but as no one was hurt, Mayor Javis is trying to convince the Northbankers to not retaliate. To think, they might not retaliate! Unheard of!
2. There was trouble out on the Lake yesterday…or at least there might have been except that both boats involved sprung leaks and had to be bailed back to shore.
3. Been a lot of visitors to the region lately. Lots of types askin' questions…like you.
4. Two cows were poisoned last night. It must've been them damnable Northbankers/Southbankers!
DC 10:
1. That trader Espahlios from House Mercur has been all over the region talking with folks, asking them about the feud and their grievances. Since when did them high and mighty merchants ever care about anyone or anything past their own purses?
2. I hear that the Imperial Governor is going to send troops into the region again to enforce a peace…just like I hear my grandpa tell of it years ago.
3. Ole Jaumpir's daughter was seen in the woods holding hands with Kilytile from Northbank. I hate to think what will happen if a Northbank boy starts a-courtin' a Southbank lass!
4. Remy drowned on the Lake two years ago. But I swear it were him I seen in the ridges northwest of here! I called to him, but he just sort of stumbled off into the twilight. Gods preserve us!
DC 15:
1. Haggil has been saving up for over a year to buy an ox and suddenly he has three new oxen on his land. And they have his brand on 'em.
2. They're setting up a camp along the west shore, midway between both villages. I hear there'll be cock fights there in a brand new wooden fighting ring!
3. The found Favis' cloak torn up in the bushes. Haven't found Favis though.
4. A scribe has set up in the Barist Wrist Inn in Southbank. He had a delivery of inks and paper recently.
DC 20:
1. Hoctil, the smith from Southbank, just came back from a trip to Dwillingir. He won't tell why he went or what he did there.
2. Some rough folk have been seen in the inn at Northbank. One of them has a silver nose and a golden ear. The innkeeper gave them the best rooms in the inn and dotes over them like a mother hen. Some say he's scared of them.
3. The caravan from Nosecrused didn't arrive last Celteri Day like it usually does. I wonder what's happened to it. Maybe those Green Arrows got it.
4. The traders from House Commus seemed very angry in the tavern commons last night. They were grumbling about the meager wares being offered to them.
DC 25:
1. Espahlios, the Mercur trader, has visited both Mayor Javis of Northbank and Mayor Watley of Southbank several times, and it is said they may actually both meet with him in the same room! I hope they don't kill each other!
2. Onsfemil left Northbank/Southbank suddenly. He told Baggerd that he left for Imtorr to care for his sick auntie, but he never mentioned having any family outside of the Coast before.
3. There's a stranger taken a room in the Barist Inn in Southbank. He came in the middle of the night and rarely leaves his room, and then only at night.
4. I found a deer hanging from a tree in the woods. But it weren't hanging by ropes…but by webs!
Possible Adventure Hooks:
Here are some possible encounters and significant events and/or other explanations.
A. The strange guest at the Barist Inn in Southbank:
This is a drow elf sorceress (Sorcerer 9) who possesses a mask of disguise which allows its wearer to be under the effect of an Alter Self spell at will. She is here to handle the situation personally for House Vrielsevri, though even Espahlios doesn't know her true nature. She is posing as a scribe and is working to eliminate undesirables and to keep an eye on Espahlios.
B. The spiders in the woods:
The drow sorceress has brought some spiders into the nearby woods to assist her in getting rid of undesirables. These are four large monstrous spiders that display unusual cunning and intelligence.
C. The trade camp:
Espahlios and his men have set up a trade camp halfway along the western shore of the Lake. It consists of an earthen rampart about 5 feet tall and 60 feet in diameter that holds 2 wagons and 3 tents with a fire ring in the centre. It is apparent that a wooden palisade is being constructed. Espahlios (Rogue 2/Expert 3) is here with a dozen Mercur House Guards (Fighter 1) and a bodyguard (Rogue 1/Fighter 3).
D. The mercenaries:
The rough folk holed up in the Northbank inn are the Splintered Arrow mercenary group. These include Ragyfir, the leader (Rogue 4/Fighter 5/Gladiator 3), and a half dozen bully boys (all Rogues 1-2/Fighter 1-3).
E. The zombies:
The drow sorceress has animated a few zombies that do her will. These can be found hidden in a small cave in the wilderness near where the rumour giver saw his dead friend Remy walking around. If the cave is entered, these half a dozen zombies will attack. These are all humans…locals from the area, and Remy is waterlogged, his flesh preserved by the cold lake waters and covered under snow when he washed up near the shore during the winter. The sorceress discovered his body as the snow began to melt and animated it.