Week 6: April 28th - 3th May

OOC:

Arch:

OOC, Kolson:

Rory wrote:OOC: Wait...did they already leave? Oh no. I guess that means I'll have to put off that mission to find the fabled Desolate town for Zeiss. Sorry man. I need to go visit the Thrush or something. Kolson, would you really be okay with coming with me?

"Higaide." Rory's found a new target. "We've been had! Those ships that came for everyone, why? Why do you think? They stole our entire race right from under my nose! And I let them..."

He stops. "Someone sold us out. Who? Tell me we still have them in cells."

Hastily scrawled note, addressed "Exchange Overlord":

OOC:

Essoje:

Arch:

• -Zeiss is personally involved- Investigate the companies of the High Queen and arrange a meeting. Kolson will help. To accomplish that, I have an idea: let's inquire into buying out certain companies... on the Queen's behalf. Obviously, we're not trying to upset her, but only for her to take notice of us. If nothing else, she may be amused by how we're trying to make an appointment. 
  
• -Kolson's actions- Kolson will continue to work with the Lady of Holtburg to take out the Separatists while also strengthening his position within the Aluvian military.

• Week's profits: ?
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- 500gp in bonuses will be distributed amongst our soldiers (unless you tell me it's too much). They did a good job. Don't worry, I keep track of the money.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Continue to rebuild the Exchange Intelligence (spy network).
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Sell the loot we got from the battle in the Royal District. Then give half that gold to Gretta. She doesn't need to know what fraction of the loot she's getting.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Find a woven tattoo (the less expensive kind) that lets me have the Leadership feat.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- The rumor that I killed my best spy? Well, I want my employees to know it's false. So I'll gather them for an announcement which I will do in person. Here's what I tell them: I haven't ordered the death of this spy, nor did I want him dead. Not only would it be unethical, it would also be a waste of resources. However, after we discovered he was doing something we weren't aware of, we tried to talk to him about it to discover if he had any hidden agenda. He tried to escape, and he mysteriously died. We're not sure what happened, but we guess the device that was hidden within is body killed him to avoid any leak of information. No reason to be worried: we're already on the case.  Use Persuasion.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- I give Sareth an important task: set up the ground work to weed out the conspirators within the Exchange. Start by identifying the spies we can trust or sway to our side. He's the First Keeper after all (see the Exchange's hierarchy file in my signature for reference).
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- The ex-adventurer Wedge is now in charge of training my "militia". I think we can safely assume Rory gave him a briefing on what works and what doesn't.
  
• -Zeiss is personally involved- Again, let's invest more resources towards setting up these projects: the Shadow Depository (a la Farscape), the Black Butterfly (the inn where people go hide until things calm down), the Criminal Headhunting Task Force (our local employment agency) and more importantly, the unification of the Blocs (by replacing the Undermarket middle managers).
  
• -Zeiss is personally involved- Zeiss will gather the employees who are assigned to the Shadow Depository. After taking a moment of silence to gauge the small gathering, he starts his speech: "The Shadow Depository is to be the most secure bank in Dereth, where we guarantee complete privacy and the utmost professionalism. Your salary, which is quite substantial, reflects this. The reason I chose you for this assignment is because I believe you competent enough not to accept any bribe. If your financial situation ever takes a turn for the bad, there is no need to get desperate, you only need to come to me and I will try to arrange something, such as an advance on your next paycheck or a loan set at a low interest. As long as it is reasonable. Minor mistakes made during your shift are not something to get worked up about neither. Do not repeat them, that's all. I know how to be lenient when the situation calls for it, or when to reward an employee who has shown loyalty. However, let me make one thing clear: the consequences for stealing from me or my clients are dire." Zeiss gives his employees a firm look. "Do. Not. Betray. Me. If you do...  well, best not say in polite company." Once Zeiss made sure his message was understood, he goes back to work. -So yeah, the employees who work at the Shadow Depository are paid a lot better than the other ones.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- I extend the No Bribe policy to the Black Butterfly along with a better pay. It's supposed to be an inn where privacy is paramount.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Sareth and our most trusted spies will try to find Zeiss' father.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Any employee who is still working for someone else other than the Exchange (the remaining 5%), even after I made my two previous offers, are going to be given a new job by the Criminal Headhunting Task Force at another company. They're definitely going to work for someone else now. If they refuse this new job, I'll just fire them and hire new people. However, let's wait until the task force is set up before I do this.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Once there's no fighting, my two black mages will go back to training people. Also, anyone that signs up for this training has to accept a magical contract that they will offer X years of working exclusively for the Exchange with a reasonnably reduced salary than what they would usually get. Because it's free training.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- If my employees find Separatists mercenaries who have survived the battle and are in hiding within Holtburg, I'll offer them a job at the Exchange. I'm sure I can make their previous allegiances disappear. If there reasonably high level soldiers or mages, please do tell.

• -Zeiss the Delegator- New policy: all my employees can accept any bribe. However, the deal I made with my spies will be extended to everyone: I take a small cut (no more than 5%, just so that people understand who is the boss), and any info they leak must have been approved by me and my managers. If someone is trying to bribe one of my guards to let them sneak into a warehouse, they can accept the bribe, but they must immediately tell a superior and arrest the intruders. Except the for the Shadow Depository. No bribery accepted there.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- I want the Black Butterfly to rent out quiet rooms, where for X amount of time, a Silence spell is cast (a device that uses charges will do). Clients will have to pay to use it of course.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- Let's put up a cafeteria for my employees. I want to cater to every race possible. It has to be a nice environment for them to relax, and where good food is served.
  
• -Zeiss the Delegator- I want to upgrade Zeiss' office. If necessary, I will change it to another place within the Veil.

1. Features: it has to be in the middle of all the Exchange's bureaucracy for more efficiency, it has an overhauled records keeping system which makes my job easier, there are at least two secret escape routes built within it (that are littered with traps that only I can deactivate), it is connected to a separate "War Room" with an interactive table shaped like a map of Dereth (which can add markers and pieces to identify different factions, their borders and their forces/resources), there's an area dedicated to meeting my business partners (where I can also offer refreshments), there's another separate area connected to my office which allows me to live there (like my own apartment) which contains a large and hidden safe woven for my soul exclusively, and a permanent Silence spell cast on the whole office (or something that uses charges to cast the spell).
   
2. Style: it is very practical and has no decorum whatsoever. The only things that are luxurious are there for the sake of important meetings with business partners (nice chairs that change shape for its user, different types of alcohol and pipe-weed available, refrigerated juices from across the continent, etc.). There are two windows which offer a woven view of a nice landscape you could find near Glenden Wood and the weather changes accordingly to Holtburg's.
   
3. Special note: remember the cell I was put in because the Order claimed I was a warmonger? It had a time warping spell on it which made time pass faster on the inside. I want that, if I can afford it, for my office. I made a deal with the General, so I'll ask him if he can help me acquire this "feature" and maybe reduce its cost. If I can't afford it... well, better luck next time.

• -Zeiss is personally involved- Choose the three most competent and trustworthy bureaucrats I have (who are not interested in bribes and such) and have their office move next to mine. These are now my personal secretaries. They will be among the few people allowed to step in my office.
  
• -Zeiss is personally involved- I hire my own cook/butler (double check with Sareth to make sure he or she is trustworthy). They will be allowed within my office and will also serve my guests.
  
• -Zeiss is personally involved- Let's buy some antidotes to any poison my cook might use. Juuuuuuust in case.

• -Zeiss is personally involved- We'll have to rely on something else other than gold to ensure our employees' loyalty. Which is why I'm setting up a secret movement: the Gilded Masters. The Masters is a movement of like-minded individuals who are prepared to go to great lengths to ensure the freedom of all sentient beings, even at the cost of "prosperity and order" (kind of like the Assassins in Assassin's Creed, but with the ruthlessness of the Templars). Its members are, for the moment, all handpicked by Zeiss and Sareth themselves. They are elite individuals who excel at their own field of expertise: combat, infiltration, scouting, management, persuasion, etc. You can't apply to become a Master, you're always put forward as candidate by one of its members. However, once you're in, you're given two things: a woven gilded ring of copper which is automatically destroyed when removed from your hand (or when your hand is cut, or if you die, or any other circumstance)... and the truths about Primus that have been discovered up to this point. That knowledge includes: the existence of several organizations (the Pinnacle, the Supremacy, the Directorate, the Eleven, etc.), the Phoenix spell, the Scions, the suspicion that the Pinnacle is governed by one or many Scions who rewrite the memories of the inhabitants of Dereth, Gaerlan, the Lassels, the death of the green mages 14 years ago and everything else I can't think of right now. Since this group is very selective, all of its members will have a name (I can take care of naming the members if you prefer). Of course, since this world is crumbling as we speak, the Masters will also be charged with the mission to preserve the existence of Dereth, so we won't be recruiting only from within the Exchange, but also from other organizations and nations. Each time the movement finds a potential candidate, we'll take our time to make sure they won't betray us (and scan them for any device once they joined us). Another caveat: we accept Desolate members. We'll figure out a way to hide their condition before we recruit any of them, but I want to make sure every member is aware of that fact.

1. Immediate goals of the movement: scout out potential candidates from within and without the Exchange, free the Exchange from external influences, expand the Exchange's reach to ensure a continuous source of income (and resources) and build up the Masters' power base by infiltrating the military, economical and political factions.
   
2. Long term goals: foil the Pinnacle's plans, stop the war, and kill the remaining hostile Scions who still live (or at the very least disable them).
   
3. Philosophy: the Gilded Masters are the protectors of freedom. However, they know that their own freedom cannot supersede everyone else's, which is why they attempt to strike a balance between their own ambitions and the well being of others. If nothing else, a selfish Master would help the poor and the weak for good publicity and protect himself from any revolution. While a Master might use blackmail against one particular target, or even murder, they will never take an innocent hostage. The people who are not part of the "game" are to be left alone. At most, a Master could lie to their target and imply they will hurt their loved ones, but they will never follow through with that threat. It's also acceptable for a Master to have subordinates to order around, as long as some form of oral or written contract has been made (no slavery). A Master is also someone who believes that the general population should be entrusted with certain truths (the existence of the Phoenix Spell for example) and learn how to deal with it. The only thing that prevents Zeiss from revealing the truth about this matter is the lack of proof and the fact that the Order would probably grow stronger following this revelation. If he could avoid that, he would most certainly make sure that everyone learns about this spell and attempt to guide the citizens of Dereth towards a solution as to how to deal with it. One last thing: all Masters are given the right to use the Hub.

• -Zeiss is personally involved- Find out if Biggs, Wedge and Qui-Gon would make good candidates for the Gilded Masters. It doesn't mean we're going to recruit them right away, but only start the process of "reviewing their intentions". That will be the same for all candidates. I'm always, always, on the lookout for candidates. If you think any NPC I encounter would make a good addition to the movement, feel free to notify me and I'll add them to my list of candidates. The other Masters can also make their own suggestion as to who to recruit.
  
• Why the name "Gilded Masters": the ring they wear symbolize who they are; powerful individuals whose appearance and behavior hide the fact that there's nothing special about them.

• Set up Exchange outposts in Sho territory. Their first priority is to track the other party's progress and help them when needed. Recruit new spies and sell the information they gather to sustain this branch of the Exchange. I'll give Biggs 200 pieces of gold so he can set up shop.
  
• I know Biggs is no spymaster at all, but that's not what I need him to be; I need someone I can trust. His job is to keep an eye on the Sho branch as a whole, give me regular updates, push forth the policies I've put in place... and make sure the party doesn't get into trouble. He was an adventurer, so he knows how bad it can get when they run loose. Just give them a target they can focus on so they don't go knock on the wrong's person door and bring the wrath of an important figure on the Exchange as a whole. Biggs can let the spies take care of the spy network, and I'll recall him back in Holtburg once everything is set up.
  
• Second priority: if resistance is minimal, prepare to expand the Exchange's influence in Sho, e.i. infiltrating the economic, political and military infrastructures in the region. Our goal is still to replace the Undermarket's middle managers by gathering as much information as we can. However, be careful not to start a turf war with another criminal organization.
  
• Third priority: set up the Exchange proper when possible. Hire merchants, buy caravans and send them on the trade routes.
  
• Fourth priority: find Sethos and see if he can help Rory, Javan and Higaide. If he can help the Exchange too, great, but I'm not holding my breath.
  
• Fifth priority: Biggs should stay on the lookout for any swords to hire.
  
• P.S.: while in Sho, I expect my employees to respect the "customs" of this place. I imagine the Undermarket never really had a presence there because of this, so tread carefully. However, there's no place for these "traditions" within my organization. Only competency and loyalty is rewarded. So yeah, we'll hire even the lowliest Sclavi; especially those who were turned away from the military because of this "time limit" policy. Everyone has a use.
  
• P.P.S: don't fight with the criminal Lord there. Just don't.

• He is respectful and makes the appropriate salutation once they're face to face, but he clearly doesn't care for protocol. The young leader would rather talk to the woman hidden behind the mask she presents to the world. Depending on how observant she is, Lady Hammersmith may realize that Zeiss is evaluating her.
  
• He is straightforward and very precise when he talks. His choice of words is meant to convey the most information possible in the shortest sentence he can make. Not that he can be as articulate as any other politician or aristocrat; he simply chooses not to do so to save time. If Lady Hammersmith wanted to have a fluffy conversation, she should ask to speak with Kolson next time.
  
• He presents himself as Zeiss of Dreamkeeper. If her curiosity pushes her to ask why he created this clan name, Zeiss will refuse to answer, explaining that: "I seriously doubt you would believe me. Until you learn to trust my word, I cannot tell you. Suffice to say I fight for my freedom, and consequently, everyone else's."
  
• If she asks what kind of reward the Exchange would desire, Zeiss would demand one simple thing: the political backing necessary to subjugate the other Blocs within the Holtburg region. How? I want her to convince the other Blocs leaders to convene in Holtburg for a meeting with the Exchange. There, I will convince them that joining up with the Exchange is the best course of action for everyone. I suspect it would take days, so I am prepared to offer accommodations for the leaders during this time. Lady Hammersmith cracking down on their business would also be a nice argument to our arsenal, but I want to try the diplomacy route first. I'm sure they can be reasoned with. No doubt she would like to know what are the Exchange's goals, so in summary: a) reform the Aluvian economy b) resolve the refugees situation c) stop the civil war d) stop the big war and e) rule over the Undermarket's remnants. If she can't give this to us, we'll have to fall back to trade concessions and connections. Or a contact to this No Name network.
  
• Kolson wants this specific reward: to publicly receive a medal for his invaluable contribution to this battle, after we have mourned the soldiers who died. Public recognition are the key words. The medal isn't that important.
  
• Another reward: the discharge of Rory's siblings, if they're still alive. If they are, send them to the Exchange's headquarters with the message that Rory has taken care of their financial problems. I would like the same thing to happen for Higaide's friends, if they have enlisted into the military at all.
  
• As to what kind of relationship the Exchange will have with the government: I would prefer to hear what she has to say first.

Kolson wrote:
As an addition to Zeiss' fine post I'll get his people on fencing the loot but I'll check all of it for magic first (Weaving 23 or whatever is appropriate).

I'll also bring the fine brew as a gift to the Lady so we can all toast our success. Checking it for poison first, of course. I'll pour a little bit out and let some rats taste it. I'm sure I can get some down at the docks. Actually, do they have rat catchers here? If so, I'll pay for a few live ones.

Archengeia wrote:God Zeiss.

Rory wrote:As they move through the house, Rory will comment, "There's no one here. If I could go home right now, I wouldn't see any of my people there. Some day, I just want to go home, wherever that ends up being, and see my brothers and sisters waiting for me."

Essoje wrote:Javan wasn't on his room, having woken up by himself earlier. In fact, he can to be found sitting in front of the cell holding the elf prisoner. Probably has been staring the prisoner for a good hour or so.

Rory wrote:OOC: I already said the gist of it in "The Seas Don't Change Their Temper", but sure, I got more.

Rory gets going, not sure from the outset what else he had to add from their previous talk. "Well, I said we were isolated. We would sail, hunt, fish, and we kept people on watch for intruders. We all knew each other, and that came with its ups and downs, but we had trust...to the exclusion of the rest of the people. Now that I think of it, they probably knew where we were and just stayed away from the 'weirdos'. For a long while, nothing would happen. I think that was why I didn't want to become a 'warrior', hmph. Why bother learning how to defend yourself and your friends if there's nothing serious to defend from?"

"That made me a pain in the ass to my dad, but it wasn't just him who had to 'deal'. Being patient is a requirement for being chosen as an Elder - among the elderly. Almost all of them were patient with me, at the very least, but there was this one old geezer who had it out for me. Let's just say patience can be both a virtue and a weapon with the right mind, my friend. And everybody knew everybody, right? That Elder wasn't some old jerk I could forget about, a la perk of living in a mega city like this. And I couldn't just walk away. That meant leaving for good. It was that bad. Hell, for being a trader, you're one foot out the door already."

"Now that's not to say we hate the people who would leave for good. When your community is small, and very close in spirit, it's...well, it's difficult to just forget them. It's like you put up your own invisible wall right along the boundaries we set up, an wrapped an invisible tether around you and attached the other end to your home, and you can't..." He trails off and clears his throat.