Adventure 20 - Trade War

2nd Month (Harbinger) 9th - 12th

The party returned from Sharkfin Island after a successful campaign to retrieve the katana for Ryoma. Now, back in Shawsburgh, Panan followed up on a lead provided by the ratfolk information broker, Zazio. Shanibus Porter, a mid-level merchant in the Shawsburgh Free Market was a suspected agent for the League of Merchants. It is expressly forbidden for outside merchant guilds to influence the Shawsburgh Free Market.

Zazio provided several options to reveal Shanibus for the person he is to the free market. First, he pointed out that Shanibus worked primarily from the tavern that he owns (the Jellyfish). This task mostly fell upon Cain because he possessed the necessary stealth and rogue skills needed to sneak in and disable any traps along the way. Under the cover of invisibility, he was able to sneak passed the guard and disable the trap which protected the journal which contained the incriminating evidence.

After that, the party proceeded to the next task: stopping a shipment of goods which was being smuggled in by the docks. Although the PCs were in position and ready for the shipment to arrive, they tipped off the contact on land who was supposed to signal the ship to bring the goods ashore. Having spooked him, they waved ff the delivery that night. The PCs left without further evidence.

So, they followed up on their last lead: another free market merchant named Obji. Obji is one who Zazio tipped as one who might provide assistance with evidence incriminating Shanibus. Panan and Cain attempted to convince him, but were not able to do so without providing some additional motivation for Obji. Obji had a rival who was proud of his recent addition: a large deadfall scorpion which was corralled in a warehouse just outside of town. Obji wanted this symbol removed.

In the dead of night, the party went to the warehouse and attacked the scorpion. When approached, but Ryoma and Mordin were able to strike it before it had grappled both of them, limiting their attacks. Panan moved in to flank it while Cain offered healing to Ryoma who was stuck hardest by the giant vermin. Melir used his fire attacks to weaken it from a distance. Despite the grapple, the fighters were able to drop the beast and claim the reward.

They then went back to Obji who provided even more evidence of Shanibus' crimes. They reported him to the administrator, Karah. With the evidence, Karah ordered Shanibus to be arrested and thrown in jail. The PCs were successful in uncovering the guild's plot.

This results in a +1 reputation with Trakias Wolf and the Shawsburgh Free Market, but a -1 modifier for the League of Merchants. However, the PCs avoided a negative reputation modifier by not confronting the dock shipment. This was being handled by the Tail of the Scorpion rogue's guild, with which the PCs already have a negative relationship.

The Territory of Aedok

A new page has been added to the side menu (left side) with an overview of the territory of Aedok, the current setting for the Northern Odyssey campaign. It features a description of the surrounding land, the major settlements in the area, and a map of the region.