That robb-...well...that "job" ended up more complicated than the affair involving the Nightshade assassins' guild in 1109. DeShurr, the "merchant" who had left town, was no mere merchant, but one of the ruling lords in Arabel. And it was no accident that he had left town - his home was a lure to identify those who could successfully rob the place.
DeShuur had little trouble tracking Kraag and Martello down, not due to the resources of the city at his disposal but rather Master Jefron, a so-called urban ranger, who made his home within the stone walls of Arabel, watching over the unseemly innards of the city of luck. The carrot of reward and stick of imprisonment proved an irresistible combination, bringing Martel and Kraag to investigate none other than William Thond.
Thond. The unmistakable genius of the underworld of the city, perpetrator of hundreds of crimes, none of which could be traced back. The rumors attribute the fall of Oghma's church, the rezoning of the city for political favors, countless money laundering fronts, the public humiliation and stripping of paladin status of his former rival Ilisivar Polinar, and of course, his victory in the bloody Assassin Wars which left the remnants of three rival guilds in his wake. DeShuure's interest goes even beyond these crimes - the sacking of Arabel during the Goblin Wars was shameful and more than unlikely. Backroom tavern tongues wag that another hand was involved, invoking the infamous Thiliora gang, Xanathar reaching out from Skullport or Shar herself intervening to bring down her sister's fair city. More pragmatic whispers dwell on Thond's name - but only for a moment, for silence predicates survival. It remains unclear why he would be involved in the collapse of the city which provided the structure around which his chaos could turn profit, but little happens in Arabel without his say.
It is this Thond that our adventurers pitted themselves against.
Jefon (Character Profile)
ReplyDeleteHe is intelligent and charismatic. He knows all of the nobles, local knowledge, and history of the area. I gave him leadership as a feat. He is a popular guy who owns the best armor and shield making shop in the city. He talks to everyone and has the beat and pulse of the city. He is probably rich and well respected throughout the city. At night he often goes out in different cloths with a different personality. He doesn’t put on a disguise, but rather, dresses differently and associates with the lower parts of the city where people will likely not know him.
I see him as being neutral good, using the law and the established procedures to his advantage and also using other more forceful means when the situation calls for it. He uses the Gather info. Skill to track foes the same way a ranger uses track to find an enemy in the forest. He looks after the city and tries to make it better and safer. There are a few people in the city who know what he really is and really does, but not many.
Robert's comments
I read through the description of your character a little bit and I like the description of his current state and affairs. couple of thoughts:
A. I think that it would probably be good to think of how he does remain unidentified. i am guessing that in an age of magic, people will have means of identifying him much more easily than in our current world so just "associating with different circles" probably won't hold for very long.
My answer: He has been watching over the city for at least a few years and has lived there his entire life. Perhaps he wears a mask and a certain outfit that identifies him as the "Watcher". Perhaps he has a magic necklace that prevents people from reading his thoughts and casting truth spells on him. He keeps his house, that is attached to his shop, well trapped. This, and the fact that he associates with a different part of society in his separate roles, should ensure his secrecy.
B. why does he watch over the city? what's his motivation? is it tied in with the goblin war at all?
My answer: I'll have to get back with you on this one.
C. is he more of a hands on guy? an information broker? something else? it sounds like he's not the broker type but rather involved. does he break up crimes? does he report them? follow up on leads and then report to official methods? other?
My answer: I think he does all of these things. Whatever he can do to make the city a safer place to be, then that is what he will try to do. Work with nobility to get the pulse of the city. Turn one criminal organization against the other. Gather information and hand it over to the authorities. Personally go in and bring down those that are above the law and reachable.