Lords of the Cruth Lowlands - Vaults of Pandius
Lords of the Cruth Lowlands - Vaults of Pandius
Lords of the Cruth Lowlands - Vaults of Pandius
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The Ruins <strong>of</strong> Achelos<br />
Traladarans) -- may endanger his projects<br />
for <strong>the</strong> conversion <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> Karameikos to<br />
his faith. Sir Befrick and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r knights,<br />
however, act essentially as bodyguards<br />
and assistants to Lord Kaerin, as well as<br />
keeping <strong>the</strong> order in <strong>the</strong> main settlement.<br />
Sir Befrick’s second in command is<br />
Bro<strong>the</strong>r-Chaplain Marcian Laskarides (C5,<br />
L). Both are no-nonsense types who have<br />
made a career <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir membership with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Knights. Befrick, however, has no<br />
prejudice against <strong>the</strong> Traladarans, though<br />
he finds <strong>the</strong>ir beliefs confused and<br />
primitive. Marcian, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, is a<br />
follower <strong>of</strong> Alfric’s faction.<br />
The Merchants' Guild is <strong>the</strong> primary<br />
investor in <strong>the</strong> Nova Achelos venture. The<br />
Radu family has a direct hand in <strong>the</strong><br />
matter, both as relatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Artho<br />
family (<strong>the</strong>y hope to find treasures and<br />
documents <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Artho <strong>the</strong>y could claim)<br />
and as a trade venture -- <strong>the</strong> Radu Quarry<br />
would provide stone for <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong><br />
new buildings. The Merchants’ Guild wants<br />
to establish a base for prospectors and<br />
establish new mining sites, having<br />
received news <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cinnabar mine from<br />
<strong>the</strong> “River <strong>of</strong> Blood” adventure. Since <strong>the</strong><br />
Radu have a direct interest, Emil Radu<br />
(T7, C), <strong>the</strong> manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Radu Quarry,<br />
has moved temporarily to Nova Achelos.<br />
Emil is a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Merchants’ Guild,<br />
but, as a relatively distant member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
family (he is a third cousin <strong>of</strong> Anton and<br />
Cartha), he is not aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Veiled<br />
Society connections <strong>of</strong> his relatives. His<br />
personal assistants are also common<br />
personnel <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> guild. However, Bogdan<br />
Ilic (T4, N), an affiliate <strong>of</strong> Veiled Society,<br />
was sent here to ensure <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Merchants’ Guild enterprise. Bodgan is a<br />
true city dweller, and is thoroughly<br />
disgruntled with this assignment. He was<br />
instructed to pose as an adventurer, and<br />
he does as much by spending most <strong>of</strong> his<br />
time in <strong>the</strong> makeshift tavern. He may,<br />
however, be hired by o<strong>the</strong>r adventurers or<br />
even hire a party to do his job. If exposed,<br />
Bogdan may be <strong>the</strong> link <strong>the</strong> PCs need to<br />
connect <strong>the</strong> Veiled Society with <strong>the</strong><br />
Merchants’ Guild, though he does not<br />
know why <strong>the</strong> Veiled Society starosta want<br />
<strong>the</strong> Merchants’ Guild to succeed.<br />
The Loggers' Guild, after some<br />
disappointing attempts in <strong>the</strong> Achelos<br />
Woods, where <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong><br />
lycanthropes, fairies, and worse has forced<br />
<strong>the</strong> local representative, Ivan Pyotrev (F3,<br />
N) to abort <strong>the</strong> planned expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
guild businness, are trying to recover<br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir production capability by<br />
securing a contract with <strong>the</strong> Karameikan<br />
government to provide construction<br />
materials for Nova Achelos, as well as<br />
opening new logging camps in <strong>the</strong> area.<br />
The loggers are generally helpful, and<br />
make up a large part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> initial civilian<br />
population, but are quite scared <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
presence <strong>of</strong> monsters after <strong>the</strong>ir last<br />
attempts, and are not willing to risk <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
lives anymore. Moreover, if <strong>the</strong> PCs had a<br />
part in <strong>the</strong>ir failure at <strong>the</strong> Achelos Woods,<br />
Pyotrev and his men might be initially<br />
hostile to <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
The Goldsmiths' Guild is <strong>the</strong> second<br />
major investor. Guildmaster Thorur<br />
Silverbeard wants to open routes towards<br />
<strong>the</strong> Black Peaks, as well as to gain control<br />
<strong>of</strong> any new gold or silver mine. Morur<br />
Thoricwarf Silverbeard (D2, L) is in charge<br />
<strong>of</strong> hiring prospectors, while Neri Argente<br />
(Rake 1, L) acts as <strong>the</strong> treasurer. Morur<br />
and Neri are paying <strong>the</strong> Green Company,<br />
and make sure <strong>the</strong> mercenary captain<br />
knows it. They have also contracted <strong>the</strong><br />
Bricklayers' Guild to repair <strong>the</strong> building<br />
<strong>the</strong>y have taken as <strong>the</strong>ir base <strong>of</strong><br />
operations, but Morur constantly criticizes<br />
<strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> Master Vasil Evgeniev, <strong>the</strong><br />
chief engineer. More than a dozen <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
masons and bricklayers work in Nova<br />
Achelos at this time.<br />
The Darokinian House Hallonica is <strong>the</strong><br />
third and last investor in Nova Achelos.<br />
Yakon Hallonica (NM/Merchant 4) has<br />
chosen this venture to counter House<br />
Franich move in Riverfork Keep. If Nova<br />
Achelos was successful, House Hallonica<br />
could easily take over House Franich’s role<br />
as <strong>the</strong> primary Darokinian merchant in<br />
western Karameikos. Yakon also hopes to<br />
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