Mind if we join you?
I never mind such a beautiful girl! - And I guess I can abide the rest of you as well.
Of course not! There are enough chairs available, as you can see.
You sit down while the man starts to flirt heavily with [NAME]. It takes a while after you’ve all settled down for him to turn to the others.
By the way, my name’s Tarik!
He shakes everybody’s hand while [NAME] introduces you.
May I join you?
How could I refuse such a beautiful girl?!
Why certainly! There are plenty of chairs, pick anyone you like.
By the way, the name’s Tarik!
Do you know your way around this town?
Why, certainly! After all, I’ve been living here for years.
Maybe you can tell us a bit about the place then?
Well, Riva is the only harbor town of the Svellt League, as far as that still exists. After all, the orcs have nearly killed trade here. Many of the northern merchants seem just a step away from bankruptcy, but if you take a closer look, you see they’re actually raking it in.
Don’t you know a bit more about the town?
Things are a bit tense at the moment. There’s a growing antipathy towards the Holberkians, even though they give no cause for it. And the guards have been stubbornly, but unsuccessfully, searching for the guild’s tradesmaster for months.
What else is new?
Tarik tells you some of the current gossip: who’s doing it with whom, who’s not doing it any more and who’s doing it in general… -of course, it’s all drivel if you don’t know the people involved.
What do you think, are the orcs going to attack Riva?
There’s no doubt the blackpelts will be at the gates of Riva someday if they aren’t stopped! But it looks like they’re planning to advance further inland first.
Wouldn’t Riva make a particularly tempting target for the orcs, being a trading port?
It most certainly would! And yet, the scum are moving south. Who knows what goes on inside an orc’s head. At the moment, at least, it doesn’t look as if they’re interested in Riva.
Who is this tradesmaster?
Lothur Ui Chearghail moved here from Albernia some years ago. He rented a warehouse in town and soon built up a wide-ranging network of trading interests. He supplys people in town, as well as traders in other League cities. Lately, his interests included several warehouses and trading posts in a large number of northern towns.
So why are the guards looking for him?
There are rumors that he could only have amassed such riches in such a short time through robbery and piracy. But they’ve only surfaced after he was accused of, and sentenced for, high treason. Before that, he was considered an honest trader, and a tough negotiator.
And why was he accused and convicted?
He was accused of colluding with pirates. The evidence presented was skimpy, and the witnesses were more than a little disreputable. But apparently the judge wanted to make an example of him! Despite a strong defense, he was sentenced to death, although he managed to escape before the sentence could be carried out.
That would make it fairly unrealistic to think he would stay here in town, wouldn’t it?
Oh, the tradesmaster has a lot of friends here, and his business associates had reason to suspect they’d be arrested next. So most of them went underground at the same time he did, and shortly afterwards, the guild got into the news.
Do you know anything else about this tradesmaster?
Somehow, Ui Chearghail has managed to squirrel away his fortune before it could be confiscated. It’s assumed he retains a lot of friends in this town who provide him with aid and shelter from the guards. It’s his wealth that sustains the guild.
Are you sure that’s all you can tell us about the tradesmaster?
Tarik tells you some episodes from Ui Chearghail’s life, but none of it is of interest to you. When returning to the subject of more recent events, though, he keeps mentioning the guild.
What is this guild?
It’s a criminal organisation that’s been around for years. All the beggars, thieves, and other lowlife have banded together in it. Since the tradesmaster’s taken over, it commands more sympathy with the general populace than do the city guards.
Tell us more about this take-over.
Rumor has it that the tradesmaster defeated the guild’s previous leader in a duel to assume his post. Other claim to know Lothur’s been the guild’s leader from the very start and actually founded the whole organization himself.
What has changed about the guild then, since Lothur disappeared?
Most of the guild actions these days target the authorities, whereas normal folk are barely troubled by thieves and murderers. They say Lothur takes from the rich to give to the poor - a sure way to become a hero of the common people.
But how can a large organization like the guild escape the guards for so long?
When pursued, the guild members flee into the sewers. Since a whole unit of theirs disappeared down there, the other guards daren’t enter them. Many even believe the guild maintains its headquarters down the sewers, but I wouldn’t put any store in that.
Anything else you know about the guild?
Right now, the guild is at war with the Sorrek pirates trying to gain a foothold in town. Still, there’s no way of telling whether Lothur used to be allied with the pirates and the relationship has turned sour, or if they’ve always been enemies.
Don’t you know anything else about the guild?
There’s a rich amount of gossip going around and Tarik seems to know all of it. But most of his stories sound far too convoluted to be anywhere near the probable truth.
What is it with the sewers?
The sewer system was renovated and extended just ten years ago. Not even the imperial capital has anything like it.
Are the sewers really big enough for the guild to have established a headquarters there?
I doubt it. Sure, the guild members escape into the sewers when chased, but I can’t imagine them actually living down there.
Of course there are a lot of hair-raising stories about, and the guild seems to have a hand in keeping them alive, to keep people from venturing down there. Probably, they’ve hidden some treasure somewhere in the tunnels.
Do you know anything else about the sewers?
No, but if you want to know more, go down and have a look for yourself.
It seems a lot of citizens are afraid of an orc offensive against Riva and are convinced the Holberkians are somehow in league with the blackpelts.
A lot of citizens will believe the Holberkians eat small children if only some loudmouth says it loud enough! - It’s all just mindless blather, the Holberkians are much too … gentle for that!
But there must be a reason for this hatred of the Holberkians.
The Holberkians have been living in Riva for decades now, but nobody has ever tried to get to know or understand them. It isn’t even known how many of them there are. Ignorance is the best breeding ground for envy and hatred there is.
Well, I’m sure you’ve noticed I am always on top of current events. Hopefully, I’ve been able to help you. And I’m sure my knowledge could be worth your while in future, too.
So, if you need any more information someday, just get in touch. I live right next door. - And don’t forget to bring some change!
That’s interesting. And where do you get the information you sell?
Tarik grins and shrugs:
I know how to listen! Being in the right place at the right time is half the work already done…
[NAME] looks around. The people in the tavern all keep a distance from your table. Apparently, they aren’t keen on contact with someone sitting there - either you or Tarik.
This, at least, doesn’t seem to be the right place. I don’t get the impression that people are lining up to provide you with news to sell.
That’s only those who have something to hide.
And there’s quite a lot of those, as [NAME] finds with a quick glance around.
Be that as it may, Tarik seems well-informed, and his services might indeed come in quite handy at some point: You should definitely keep him in mind!
Take a look around the place. Ask the people about the guild, the tradesmaster, and the sewers!
Lothur didn’t say much, did he? - Well, don’t think about it too much. The tradesmaster is constantly on the move, that doesn’t leave much time for conversation.
The wristbands are for recognition. They have different colors according to the wearer’s rank. We have our own rank system: The people who keep their eyes and ears peeled for us are called ‘suppliers’. They wear white bands. - That would seem to apply to me, too, but just like you, I’m occupying a special place in the guild system.
We call those who do the manual work ‘traders’. That includes soldiers as well as thieves, assassins, and beggars. They wear green armbands.
The leaders are called ‘merchants’. Basically, they’re capable men and women who have proven themselves clearheaded in a crisis. You can recognize a merchant by the red wristband.
All other guild members wear a blue band. Often, they are what you might call free agents, same as you. In that sense, the temple priests are part of the guild, too.
Of course, the wristbands are worn only in situations where it’s important to be recognized by other guild members. The beggars who work the town all day long leave theirs at the headquarters. It’d be much too obvious if every beggar and beggaress in town were to wear one…
So, what’s interesting in town?
Well, you can forget the old watchtower. The rumors circulating about it are calculated misinformation. It keeps the place free of sightseers, so we can use it to assemble from time to time!
Is there anything else of interest?
Down south, beyond the city limits, a black mage is plying his trade. He’s a disgusting blemish on our town. They say he’s experimenting on animals, trying to create chimaeras. If the tower he lives in weren’t so far out and hard to get to, the good citizens of this town would have put an end to it long ago!
What else has Riva got to offer?
Well now, there are the various entertainment venues: The ‘Rapture’, the public baths, and various taverns. As far as the sights are concerned, you can find out lots of things in city hall. There’s an information office there.
What else is new?
That Mandara has been sighted again. Unfortunately, not all our people have survived the encounter. - To be sure, the lady is starting to be a real nuisance, but leave that to us.
You better try to get at the Holberkians. If you want to find out anything about the orcs, you can’t avoid dealing with them!
Is there anything new about the orcs?
No, they’re remarkably quiet, at least in these parts. Apart from a few scattered gangs hunting in the woods nearby, Riva appears safe from the orcs.
What do you know about the Holberkians?
The Gulek clan has been living in Riva for generations, and all the Holberkians in town are part of it. Their society is structured along family units, so - despite all rumours to the contrary - they’re just like us. They’re only suffered in town, definitely not respected, as is evident by the fact they’re not allowed entrance everywhere.
The Holberkians live in the slums on the north side of Riva. Most of the other residents there have sold their houses and moved to different parts of town. By now, the Holberkians are cursed and beaten up in plain daylight. They make their living by trading with the surrounding orc tribes - on commission from the city tradesmen.
Do you know anything about the pirates?
Well, Riva is a coastal town, and the Thorwalians have been pirates from the word go. But now some of the worst gangs have banded together and settled on Sorrek. The island is far enough from the coast to see attackers in plenty of time to organize a defense, yet close enough to be reached within a few hours - an ideal base for the pirates.
Doesn’t anybody do anything about the pirates?
When the city corporation noticed the guild was getting involved against the pirates, it was decided to sit back and wait. If all goes to their plan, the two biggest problems the town council has will eliminate each other: the guild and the pirates!
What do you know about the rat-catcher?
He was hired by the city corporation years ago. Next, the sewers were expanded under his aegis. He keeps the city clean and has prevented the outbreak of plagues and epidemics so far - which is quite remarkable in a port town!
There’s a lot of talk about him, but I’d say that’s mostly because he’s down in the sewers all day, so people don’t see him much. We meet him a lot down there, the guy is okay!
What can you tell us about Bosper Jarnug, the judge?
Well, as I’m sure you’ve found out by now, officially I work for him. People gossip a lot about him, because he likes to coerce convicted criminals into his bed - there’s no denying he’s taking advantage of his power. Mind you, it hasn’t happened in the last few years, not since his illness, if I remember correctly.
What sort of an illness was that?
The strange thing about it was, it wasn’t really an illness at all. First, he almost died of it, but then, after no-one had been able to help, he recuperated by himself. The herbalists were just as astonished as the magicians were.
That’s all I know about it!
If you want to know anything else, do come again.
Well, well, well, who have we here? Do come in and take a seat. I assume you’ve got some questions to ask me?! Go on then - you’re free to ask me anything… ahem… mind you, the answers aren’t free, they require a small payment. Let’s say one Silver for starters - all right?
Hello there! What would you like to know this time?
We’d like to find out what’s interesting in town.
Well, there’s the old watchtower for one thing. Every now and again, it’s said to be haunted. There have been several inquiries, official ones as well as private, but no-one’s ever found anything.
Some years ago, the corporation had enough of it and had the tower entry walled shut. Not that it was any use, the rumors about apparitions are just as frequent now as they were before.
Anything else of interest in this town?
Yes, of course - or rather in the neighborhood of the city. There’s a magician living in an old tower to the south, a real bad seed. He catches animals to experiment on them, and he isn’t satisfied with wild ones, either. Many a pet has disappeared without trace.
What else is there in town?
A bit east of town, in the ‘mountains’, dwarves have established a mine. Usually, they don’t come this close to the coast, and the mine isn’t all that profitable, either. There’s talk that they’re actually looking for a demonic artifact, but you won’t hear any dwarves saying that.
Well, there are the various entertainment establishments: the ‘Rapture’ and the Public Baths. But you can find out all you want about the town institutions at city hall, they have an information office.
And what else is new?
Tarik provides you with some of the current town gossip that is completely useless to strangers like you who don’t know the people involved. - At least that information costs you exactly what it’s worth, that is nothing!
Do you think the orcs will attack Riva?
There can’t be any doubt the blackpelts will be at the gates one day, if they aren’t stopped. But right now they’re still marching inland. There are a number of orc tribes near Riva, but they have hardly any warriors left, as most of them have gone south with the big armies.
Shouldn’t Riva be a prime target for the orcs, being a trading port?
True, it’s more than strange that the city hasn’t been attacked. Riva is far too important for the League for the orcs to just ignore her. But they do! And that despite their showing remarkable strategic skills in this campaign otherwise…
What do you think of the rumors that the orc get help from the Holberkians?
I’d have to say: nothing! The Holberkians may have excellent contacts with the orcs - really, the entire trade with the blackpelts goes via the Holberkians -, but for such a large-scale endeavor they just don’t seem intelligent enough!
Admittedly, the same thing goes for the orcs, but I don’t believe it’s them coming up with the war plans either. Still, if there is someone pulling the strings from the background, it isn’t the Holberkians!
What do you know about the Holberkians?
The Gulek clan has been living in Riva for decades, and all the Holberkians in town are part of it. They’re only suffered in town, certainly not respected, as is evident by their being barred from some establishments. The Holberkians live in the slums to the north of town. Most humans who used to live there have sold their houses and moved away.
Do you know anything else about the Holberkians?
They are quiet, peaceful, and lead a very unassuming existence, which makes quite a contrast to the rest of Riva’s citizenry: these days, the Holberkians are jeered at in public.
The Holberkians earn a large part of their sustenance by trading with the surrounding orc tribes - on commission of the local merchants. They’re raking in the profits from it, while the Holberkians are cheated!
Lately, a lot of people have warned us about a guy named Tarik. Do you know him?
Tarik’s eyes grow wide, he gasps for air like a fish on dry land, then he starts to laugh.
That’s great, really! You’ve been asking around elsewhere, too, eh? No, keep your silver, this answer is free!
For years, Tarik was known as a thief and con-man, though nobody ever managed to prove it. As is usual in cases like this, he got careless, and one day he was caught red-handed, so to speak. Thus, he had no choice but pay a visit to the castle dungeons.
Then the judge appeared and offered to have him released. In return, Tarik would have to provide him with current information at regular intervals. Also, he would have to keep his nose clean from then on. So, Tarik turned his misfortune into an opportunity, and started to keep his eyes and ears open like the judge had told him to. He gathered all the information he could get. And since he was barred from pursuing his former ‘career’, he began to turn a profit with the knowledge he’d accumulated.
Of course, people didn’t much like the thought that certain things could become common knowledge all of a sudden. Usually, the mere possibility of their secrets being uncovered gave them the scare of their life. Which explains why Tarik is less than universally loved.
What do you know of the tradesmaster?
Lothur Ui Chearghail moved here from Albernia some years ago, rented a warehouse in town, and built a far-reaching trading net within a remarkably short time. He supplied local merchants, as well as those of other League cities. In the end he had several warehouses and offices in a number of towns.
Then rumors started to fly that Ui Chearghail had only been able to get rich this quick by robbery and piracy. Suddenly, he was charged with high treason and immediately sentenced, even though he had been a respected businessman.
And what exactly was the tradesmaster sentenced for?
He was charged with conspiring with pirates. The evidence presented was a joke, and the so-called witnesses more than dubious, but the judge seemed determined to make an example of him! Despite a strong defense, he was sentenced to die, but he managed to escape.
The tradesmaster had a lot of friends in this town, and most of them had reason to fear being charged themselves next. So most of them went underground with him, and shortly afterwards, the guild started to make news.
Do you know anything else about Ui Chearghail?
Somehow, he’s managed to squirrel away his fortune before it could be confiscated. It’s assumed he still has friends in town who shelter and protect him from the guards. He’s using his fortune to finance the guild now.
Can’t you tell us some more about the tradesmaster?
Tarik tells you a few episodes from Lothur’s life, but nothing of interest to you. He seems to know that’s not worth a Crown, because when [NAME] opens the money pouch, he waives payment.
What can you tell us about the guild?
All the beggars, thieves, and other criminals of the town have joined together in it. Since the tradesmaster became the gang’s uncrowned head, the guild has become more popular than the city guards. Since then, most of the guild’s activities are aimed at the authorities, and the common citizen isn’t bothered. It’s said that Lothur takes from the rich to give to the poor - a sure way to become a popular hero.
How can a large organization like the guild stay safe from the guards for so long?
Guild members escape into the sewers when pursued. Ever since a whole guards unit disappeared down there, the other soldiers daren’t enter. A lot of people even say the guild has its headquarters down there. I find that hard to believe, though.
Don’t you know anything more about the guild?
The guild is a hot topic, and Tarik appears to know just about all the rumors about it. But most of the stories sound way too far-fetched to be believable - still, at least they’re free.
What’s with the sewer system?
The sewers were renovated and expanded ten years ago. Amazingly enough, there are many fewer rats in town since then.
The guild members escape into the sewers when pursued, but I don’t believe they’ve taken residence down there.
Of course, there’s lots of wild rumors about the tunnels, and that ensures few will venture down there.
What sort of rumors are there about the sewers?
It’s said there are unnatural creatures down there. Some peole see upright, walking rats, others gaunt, emaciated zombies, and of course they’re all vampires, sucking the blood from their victims and leaving the remains to be devoured by rats.
Sounds a right mess, doesn’t it? - Some people think the rat-catcher is spreading such nonsense so no-one bothers him, while others suspect the guild of thinking it up for similar reasons. Then there are those that believe it…
What do you know about the rat-catcher?
Xebbert Drbann has been working in Riva for ten years now. The sewers were enlarged under his supervision. He keeps the city clean and has so far prevented the spread of rats and disease - quite unusual for a harbor town!
There’s a lot of talk about the ratter, but that’s mostly because he’s down in the sewers all day, so hardly anyone gets to see him.
And what do people say about the rat-catcher?
There’s said to be a horrible howl emanating from his hut on the night of the full moon. He’s supposed to be a werewolf and feed on the rats he catches. And since he can’t eat all the rats, he feeds the rest to the monsters, buying their allegiance.
Tarik refuses the Silver Crown and laughs:
No, really. All I did was repeat the stupid nonsense people say, because you asked for it. I want payment for fact, not for worthless dross like that!
There’s talk about monsters below town, in the sewers, isn’t there?
Don’t pay any heed to that! The rat-catcher spends all day in the sewers, and the guild members hide there with regularity. There may be a peculiar figure or two getting lost in the tunnels, but I very much doubt they deserve being called ‘monsters’…
It is true that an entire guards squadron once disappeared in the sewers, but believe me, that’s was the work of the guild!
What sort of monsters are supposed to be prowling around down there?
Tarik offers you a full account of all beings ever reported within the sewer system. It’s a considerable list, and with the current size of town, the sewers would need do go about sixty, if not seventy levels down to have room for them all. Fortunately, Tarik doesn’t demand payment for such idiocies.
That’s all I can tell you! - I don’t want to take your money off you for knowledge you couldn’t use!
If there’s anything else you want to know, just come and ask.
Hello, come in! What’s bothering you?
What’s interesting in town?
Well, you can forget about the old watchtower. The rumors circulating about it have been planted by the guild. That way, we can occasionally use the tower for gatherings without any nosy parkers bothering us!
And apart from that?
There’s a black magician plying his unholy trade in the south, outside of town. He catches animals, probably for his gruesome experiments. If his tower weren’t so far out of the way, the good citizens of this town would have long since lynched him!
What else is there in town?
Well, there are the various entertainment establishments: the ‘Rapture’ and the Public Baths. But you can find out all you want about the town at city hall, they have an information office.
Any news?
Mandara has been sighted another few times. That lady is starting to be a real pain in the rear, but leave that to us.
You better try to get in contact with the Holberkians. If you want to find out anything about the orcs, you can’t avoid dealing with them!
Any news about the orcs?
No, they’re not active in this area. Apart from a few scattered bands hunting in the woods, Riva is safe from the blackpelts.
What do you know about the Holberkians?
The Gulek clan has been living in Riva for decades, and all the Holberkians in town are part of it. They’re only suffered in town, certainly not respected, as is evident by their being barred from some establishments. The Holberkians live in the slums to the north of town. Most humans who used to live there have sold their houses and moved away.
They are quiet, peaceful, and lead a very unassuming existence, which makes quite a contrast to the rest of Riva’s citizenry: these days, the Holberkians are jeered at in public.
The Holberkians earn a large part of their sustenance by trading with the surrounding orc tribes - on commission of the local merchants. They’re raking in the profits from it, while the Holberkians get cheated!
Do you know anything about the pirates?
Well, Riva is a coastal town, and the Thorwalians have always been pirates. There’ve always been raids, but lately, some of the worst gangs have joined up and established a base on Sorrek. That island is far enough from the coast to spy all attackers with plenty of time to organize a defense, yet close enough to reach Riva within hours - an ideal place for the pirates, of course.
Doesn’t anybody do anything about the pirates?
The thing is, when the corporation noticed the guild getting involved, it was decided to sit back and wait. If their calculations prove correct, the councilmen will be rid of both the pirates and the guild in one fell swoop!
What do you know about the rat-catcher?
Xebbert Drbann has been working in Riva for ten years now. The sewers were enlarged under his supervision. He keeps the city clean and has so far prevented the spread of rats and disease - quite unusual for a harbor town!
There’s a lot of talk about the ratter, but that’s mostly because he’s down in the sewers all day, so hardly anyone gets to see him. We meet him down there a lot, the guy’s okay!
What do you know about Bosper Jarnug?
Well, as I’m sure you’ve heard by now, officially I work for him. The judge likes to get another man into his bed on occasion, but he hasn’t enticed me. Most of the arrests here in Riva are probably due to his want of sexual diversion. Mind you, his behavior has changed quite remarkably in that regard as well since his severe illness some years ago.
What do you know about that illness?
The strange thing about it was, it wasn’t really a disease. First, Jarnug almost died of it, then he suddenly recovered. For quite some time, the herbalists were just as baffled as the magicians.
That’s all I know about it!
If you need more information about something, just give me a shout.