Thieves of Capitol: The Golden Jubilee

Light snow begins to fall over the scene (Event: Destruction!) blanketing it in a thin white sheet that brings a peculiar sort of peace to the splintered boards and twisted bodies. The snow continues to fall, light and steady, day and night burying Axius in a thick blanket of white that freezes the river and keeps the wise indoors.

It's with some surprise that the white-robed adherents of Ikoros shiver into the bakery and invite you to meet with the mysterious figure. They exit again with baleful looks toward the sky, but resigned to their duty. Your slow progress toward the cemetery gives you time to admire Ryan's handiwork via the former Sewer Rats. The wanted posters that once caricatured you are now lost in a sea of erroneous posters, some silly, some serious, and all quite effective.

"My heralds, it's good to see you once again. I have long studied the whispering scroll of Grazz't, the same that you recovered for me last month. It begins to reveal its secrets and I have need of your services once more. The demon has sent thieves of his own to steal 'The Tears of Eos' from the goddess' temple. Prevent this theft at all costs. If you can, discover their patron's identity and report back to me."

Jobs

Ten days later…

Archie O'Tierny (Ryan's and Dell)

A small few of the former Sewer Rats have been absorbed into the lowest levels of the Porters Guild and for those their diminished status has not sat well. These vocal malcontents have drawn the wrong sort of attention creating a sort of isolation within the guild hall that in turn fuels their ire. Dell's ignominious release from the Carpenter's Guild—and wise distance from Ryan—has put him in a similar position affording him the chance to cultivate a kinship with these fellows. It's through that proximity he's able to overhear the group's plan to move some art for House Akellios.

“Nobody cuts us out,” shouts Archie as his fists slam his desk. “It‘s right that you brought this to me, I can see why Ryan keeps you around. Loyalty Dell. Loyalty is in short supply these days. Loyalty should be rewarded, betrayal on the other hand…”

“Ryan, I want you to get your crew together and track these traitors down. Find the art their moving, find out for who, then kill them to the man and take the art to our fence. Keep the profit to pay your guys.”

The former Sewer Rats are moving tonight, there's no time to waste. Hopefully this art if very valuable.

Reputation Yield

+ Rep: The Porters Guild

- Rep: House Akellios, The Former Sewer Rats

The Dwarves (Una and Gordon)

Your recent successful recovery of Pestle has increased your profile among the dwarves so that you can barely stroll the neighborhood without a friendly nod and a few kind words being exchanged with each passerby. It's no surprise therefore that Betrela Shatterstone gives you a wave and hearty “good morning” as you pass her stone-cutters. What is surprising is her awkward body language that seems to request a private word.

“Greetings to you both Gordon, Una,” she says her voice descending in volume as she glances around to see who's nearby. “I know you're quite proficient and a filthy stone-cutter's business isn't equal to that of the Gods, but I hope a humble dwarf can ask for some help to settle her worried mind,” she pauses gauging whether she's over stepped. Seeing she hasn't she continues, “That Sextinus Longinus fellow announced new temples to the human gods you see, and the humans have their own quarries of course, but the finest stone, that fit for temples to gods and Emperors that is, well that's the kind of stone you need to buy from us dwarves you know.” She pauses for a breath and rapidly continues, “Well I haven't seen an order and it would ease my mind if you could find out where the stone was ordered from, I don't want any one being hurt you see, I'm just curious, professionally of course, where house Akellios is sourcing the stone.”

The stone-cutters offer 130 g.p. to find out where House Akellios is sourcing their stone. The sooner you find out the sooner poor Betrela Shatterstone can ease her worried mind.

Reputation Yield

+ Rep: The Dwarves

- Rep: House Akellios, The Crown (only if caught)

By order of the office of Civil Engineering and in gratitude for his recent appointment Lord Sextinus Longinus has decreed the construction of seven new temples throughout the city. The temples will be dedicated to the gods of the heavens and will be completed for the Emporer's Golden Jubilee.

Early the following day a great clap of thunder rattles timber building for miles around and shatters nearby windows. Fantastic rumors of a ground level thunder strike fly through the city faster than wildfire.

Tracing the rumors back to the source you find a smoldering crater where last night's forge once stood. Many more surrounding buildings are flattened or leaning away, indicating a blast of unimaginable power centered on the forge.

Session

Session 2: Thunder, Lighting and Flash

Month 7, Day 19, Year 757

The Baker's Dozen steal "Pestle" from Thunder, Lighting and Flash. In return for its recovery the priests of Trim entreat their god to lift his curse on their stolen items. Trim taunts the brothers casting their suspicion far from human thieves.

The Contract (The Baker's Dozen)

A talented pickpocket, though not quite as skilled as B.F. slips a sealed note onto his person. The small figure goes bouncing off aping the gait of a halfling playing the human child but, his ungainly gait and earthly odor betray his gnomish nature.

"Friends," the note begins. "Your service to the revolution is now known to all in our movement making you heroes to us. The service of heroes is needed once more. We have secured a human scribe amenable to the task we now ask you to complete. Deliver this scribe to the Hall of Records so she may copy the 'Articles of Liberation,' the treaty that binds my people in servitude."

"Friends," the note begins. "Your service to the revolution is now known to all in our movement making you heroes to us. The service of heroes is needed once more. We have secured a human scribe amenable to the task we now ask you to complete. Deliver this scribe to the Hall of Records so she may copy the 'Articles of Liberation,' the treaty that binds my people in servitude."

"Miss Elsa Ariza, awaits you nightly at 'The Wilted Quill.' She has been told only that she is to trust in 2 dwarves in the company of a halfling and three humans. The completion of this task is of utmost importance to our cause and the timing at your discretion."

The Hall of Records is a highly guarded building located in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Senate. It houses all of the important Imperial documents, histories and lineages.

Kobblestone offers a reward of 500 gold pieces for the successful completion of this task, stressing the fact that he has actual gold coins.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Gnomish Dissidents - Rep: None if done without a trace

The Heralds of Ikoros (The Baker's Dozen)

Another dreary day of watching baked goods cool drags on as people hurry by without stopping in. It seems the underworld is far faster to forgive than the average citizen. So when the bell on the door finally rings Una springs joyfully to her feet.

"Three white robed figures enter the Bakery. Two begin to shop mechanically as if distracting from their true purpose. The third draws back his hood and approaches you directly. My master has need of his heralds once again. Please join our prayers this night. I believe you know where the master gathers. Praise be to Ikoros."

That night you gather and return to the graveyard where the figure of Ikoros clad in his voluminous night-blue robes hovers over his white-robed flock leading them in a solemn closing prayer. The group disbands in twos and threes. Ikoros beckons you to him taking care that his servants are far enough off not to overhear.

"My heralds, its good to see you once again. I have long studied the whispering scroll of Grazz't, the same that you recovered for me last month. It begins to reveal its secrets and I have need of your services once more. The demon has sent thieves of his own to steal 'The Tears of Eos' from the goddess' temple. Prevent this theft at all costs. If you can, discover their patron's identity and report back to me."

The theft is supposed to occur within the next 48 hours and Ikoros offers 160 gold pieces for its prevention.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Ikoros, the Temple of Eos, the Faith - Rep: The Cult of Grazz't, Demon Cults

The Imperial heralds announce the appointment of Lord Lar Polus to the position of Guildmaster of the Sanitation Guild. Lord Polus is charged with preventing further damage from the Kobold threat by disallowing them access to the city's sewer system.

The Imperial heralds announce the appointment of Lord Sextinus Longinus to the position of Secretary of Civil Engineering. Lord Longinus is charged with strengthening the infrastructure of the city and preventing further damage from the Kobold threat.

Session

Session 1: The Imperial Treasury

Month 7, Day 15, Year 757

The Baker's Dozen answers the call to investigate the sink-hole that swallowed the Imperial Treasury. Finding Angus Kobblestone and his gnomish rebels responsible for sapping the treasury in order to recover gnomish tribute and finding that tribute mysteriously missing from the treasury they decide to collude with the gnomes and cast the blame for the sapping on kobolds.

During their own investigation, the Baker's Dozen discovers strange platinum ingots and golden spikes struck with an unknown cloud shaped sigil.

Gabiana Macrina, attache to the Under Secretary of Civil Engineering, seems convinced of the sincerity of their report and sees them paid, strangely in copper and silver coins.

Dwarven Job (Una and Gordon)

Hesana Mountainfoot, Priestess of Trim, asks you both to join her for an ale at the social club. After the traditional pleasantries are exchanged she leans in conspiratorially. "Let's cut to the chase shall we?"

"Trim is prepared to forgive your blasphemy, conditioned of course on your completion of a small task. The sons of the dead god Ouranos once stole from our temple the holy maul called "Pestle" in the common tongue."

"We have it on good authority that the sons are coming to Axius (the official name for capitol) and we'd like you to steal it for us. The sons are called Thunder, Lighting and Flash. They are known to be raucous and should be easy enough to locate."

The priests of Trim will take this task as your penance and entreat the god to lift his curse on your magic items. She has not given you a timeframe in which to complete the task.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Dwarves of Capitol - Rep: None if done without a trace

Rosencrans Fundraiser

The re-entry of the Rosencrans family into Axian society was bound to come at a cost either public or private. Given your enmity you've been keeping an ear to the ground to find out what that cost may be and to determine if you can use it to your advantage in some way.

Prior to the "family tragedy" that forced the Rosencrans to flee Axius, Anton was known (rather sourly) to enjoy frequently snubbing the nobility. So it's quite out of character for him to host a fund-raising party or the Emperor's Golden Jubilee.

And yet the invitation for just such an event have been sent out and the home is once again abuzz with activity.

This is a "house" job, something you'd either pursue for yourselves or not. The party occurs in 5 days.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Unknown - Rep: The Rosencrans, if you're caught

The Heralds of Ikoros (The Baker's Dozen)

Another dreary day of watching baked goods cool drags on as people hurry by without stopping in. It seems the underworld is far faster to forgive than the average citizen. So when the bell on the door finally rings Una springs joyfully to her feet.

"Three white robed figures enter the Bakery. Two begin to shop mechanically as if distracting from their true purpose. The third draws back his hood and approaches you directly. My master has need of his heralds once again. Please join our prayers this night. I believe you know where the master gathers. Praise be to Ikoros."

That night you gather and return to the graveyard where the figure of Ikoros clad in his voluminous night-blue robes hovers over his white-robed flock leading them in a solemn closing prayer. The group disbands in twos and threes. Ikoros beckons you to him taking care that his servants are far enough off not to overhear.

"My heralds, its good to see you once again. I have long studied the whispering scroll of Grazz't, the same that you recovered for me last month. It begins to reveal its secrets and I have need of your services once more. The demon has sent thieves of his own to steal 'The Tears of Eos' from the goddess' temple. Prevent this theft at all costs. If you can, discover their patron's identity and report back to me."

The theft is supposed to occur within the next 48 hours and Ikoros offers 160 gold pieces for its prevention.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Ikoros, the Temple of Eos, the Faith - Rep: The Cult of Grazz't, Demon Cults

The Imperial heralds announce the dismissal of the Secretary of Civil Engineering and closing of the Sanitation Guild due to their shared failure in containing the Kobold threat and preventing the destruction of Imperial property. Replacements for both positions are expected to be announced within the week.

The Baker's Dozen delivers the final blow to Skinny Pete's nascent criminal empire, collecting their reward and elevating Ryan's position in the Porters Guild.

A fortnight after the failed attempt on the life of Archie O'Tierney, the Baker's Dozen returns to Axius (formerly Capitol) to take their revenge on Pete, and collect the reward.

After a failed attempt on the life of Archie O'Tierney, the Baker's Dozen left Capitol to lay low. Convinced they were set up by Skinny Pete, they plot their revenge.

Deep in the sewers, in a gray dimension, the Baker's Dozen interrupts Rasim Usak's lethal and obscene experiments.

Skinny Pete's Job

Only twelve hours of game time have passed since Pete's earlier offer to eliminate Archie O'Tierney. Thirty-six hours remain on the contract.

Pete repeats the same terms: remove O'Tierney within 48 hours, preferably in a public and bloody fashion. Pay is 200 g.p. each, plus a 100 g.p. each bonus if done in the guild hall during daylight.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Fledgling Thieves' Guild - Rep: Porters Guild

Kobblestone's Job (Una)

With business still slow, Una keeps the bakery open. Around mid-morning, three diminutive figures arrive. Their earthen scent betrays them as gnomes. The leader introduces himself as Angus Kobblestone, a free gnome.

He asks the crew to strike a blow against tyranny: infiltrate the Imperial Palace, map the vault and its defenses, and leave no trace.

Angus offers 230 g.p.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Kobblestone's Killers - Rep: None if done without a trace

"Cutter's" corpse successfully recovered, the dark spirit Ikoros commanded the Baker's Dozen to recover the scroll of Grazz't. With that task completed, Ikoros now commands the crew to track down the sorcerer Rasim Usak.

Ikoros calls this next work urgent, dangerous and lucrative. Deep in the sewers, Rasim Usak is distilling obscene tonics for an unknown benefactor, and one such concoction nears completion.

The Baker's Dozen must find the laboratory, steal the eldritch tonic, gather all evidence regarding Rasim's patron, and destroy the place before dawn.

Ikoros provides a map and offers 300 g.p.

Reputation Yield + Rep: The Rebel Alchemists - Rep: None if the crew succeeds

The Baker's Dozen is put on trial for the crime of arson. They are found responsible and fined 2,500 g.p. Their reputation is severely damaged by the association with the crime.

In the following days, Dell is relieved of membership in the Carpenters Guild and business at the bakery slows to a halt. Neighbors who once stopped for friendly chats now pass quickly and avoid eye contact. Even as martial law is slowly rescinded, guards remain suspiciously common in Spelt Square and beyond.

Seven days after their release, a red-scarfed youth enters Spelt Square and dismisses the guards with a deft exchange of coins. Skinny Pete and two others enter the bakery with a proposition.

Skinny Pete's Job

Archie O'Tierney, current Porters Guild Master, is demanding too much and sacrificing too little. Skinny Pete wants him removed within 48 hours. The more bloody and public, the better.

Pete offers 200 g.p. each, plus a 100 g.p. each bonus if the crew gets to O'Tierney in the guild hall during the day.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Fledgling Thieves' Guild - Rep: Porters Guild

A Mysterious Note

After Pete leaves, a note appears on the bakery door though no one saw it being placed.

"An associate of mine met an unfortunate end. His body resides in the West Dock Side guard station. Bring the head to the old graveyard in 24 hours and I will reward you in gold."

Reputation Yield + Rep: Unknown benefactor - Rep: Unknown

Rebel Alchemists

Later that evening, a hooded woman pounds on the bakery door and pleads for sanctuary. She identifies herself as Pisto and explains that she and her friends broke into the tower of the wizard Vibaris to steal back a book called Devilish Distillations by Oriana Andal. They failed, and Vibaris hunts her now.

She asks the crew to retrieve the book, then find a man with a green scarf at the Lamplighter and hand him a golden pin marked with a gothic letter A.

Pisto offers no immediate reward, but helping the Rebel Alchemists may prove valuable. If the crew is going, they must go immediately.

Reputation Yield + Rep: The Rebel Alchemists - Rep: None if the crew succeeds

For the crimes of smuggling armor and crossbows into the city, Rosencrans' ambushers (session 4) are publicly flogged then executed. A warrant is issued for the crime of arson. Authorities search for Dell Graybeard, Una Undervoot, B.F. Bagman and their associates.

The Baker's Dozen delved into the ruins of a dwarven city far beneath the streets of Capitol to make an offering to a statue of the Dwarven God of Ale, Trim.

Three days pass. With no public progress toward finding the criminals responsible for stealing from the gnomish tribute, the Emperor's patrols begin to wane.

Ryan Wythyneye's Job

With the Rosencrans absent from Capitol and traffic to their warehouses dwindling, Dock Street's leaders are looking to expand. To make it work, they need legitimacy, and that means deeds.

If the original deed to the main warehouse can be found, they offer 160 g.p. A bonus 50 g.p. would be paid for deeds to the other two warehouses. No one can know they sponsored the crime, and it must be done by dawn.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Dock Street and the underworld - Rep: Capitol's nobility

Tiny Tim's Job

The Guard has long suspected the Sorceress Miksa Nikoletta of involvement in the illegal drug trade. They have suspicions but no evidence, and moving without it could be disastrous.

They offer 200 g.p. to the crew that can break in and find the evidence. Leave no trace, and make sure no one knows they were there.

The job must be done in 48 hours. After that, the Gray Cloaks will be released from patrol duty.

Reputation Yield + Rep: The Guard and the Faith - Rep: The Imperial College of Arcane Mysteries

Word on the street is that the Librarian, a notorious fence and information broker, is looking for the crew foolish enough to steal from the Emperor.

The Baker's Dozen has learned that Anton Rosencrans is planning to sneak back into the city. They seek the time and location of his arrival.

The Party's Job

Sewer Rats have been disappearing in unusual places: not near known hazards, but in mundane tunnels under the city. No bodies have been found. Their numbers simply dwindle while friends disappear, leaving worldly possessions behind.

The Rats offer 100 g.p. to each member of the crew and need this done before more go missing.

Reputation Yield + Rep: The Sewer Rats - Rep: Unknown

Ovys the Oracular

Ovys the Oracular, sometime advisor to House Tantalas, seeks the crew out after a recommendation from Alexandar. He needs a task completed with the utmost discretion, with details to be disclosed in person.

He offers 100 g.p. for each member of the crew and a magical item.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Ovys the Oracular and the Imperial College of Arcane Mysteries - Rep: Unknown

Emperor Leto's fury at the theft of royal tribute is unleashed upon the city. High-ranking wizards, guards and priests retire in disgrace while the Imperial Guard is turned loose. Wise thieves lay low and abide the letter of the law.

The Baker's Dozen has learned of the gnomish tribute's arrival in the Empire. It is one of the most heavily guarded treasures to arrive in Capitol, but also a literal king's ransom.

Tiny Tim's Job

A rumor is circulating that Anton Rosencrans is sneaking back into the city tomorrow night, and someone has put a price on his head.

An unknown benefactor offers 1,000 g.p. if he can be captured.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Underworld, Nobility, Faith, Authorities and the benefactor - Rep: The Veiled

Ryan Wythyneye's Job

Left-Eyed Loukas, a stern-looking fellow with the bearing of a soldier, is looking for a crew to get him into Arch-Wizard Kostas Kleidemos's home. He wants to steal an item from the home but will not identify it. He is insistent that the job be done without leaving any trace of the theft.

Loukas is shopping around for a crew, so speed matters. If completed in the next 48 hours, the Baker's Dozen can beat rival crews to the job.

Pay is 230 g.p. for each member of the crew.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Unknown benefactor - Rep: The Imperial College of Arcane Mysteries and Kostas Kleidemos

The city is abuzz with the strangest news. Just before dawn this morning, or so the rumors go, a group of Imperial Grey-Cloaks raided a middle-class home in Old City. No one knows why or whether they found what they were looking for, but everyone agrees all of the wizards were turned to wood.

The Baker's Dozen has been hired to break into House Kleidemos to recover a hunting trophy for their client, Thefri Hercle. Thefri is anxious for its return and may go ahead without them, costing a valuable payday.

Gordon's Job

All anyone drinking at Hammer Hall can talk about is the annual gnomish tribute from Whistleport: three trade vessels packed with precious and semi-precious gems and stones.

The delivery is one of the most tightly kept secrets in Capitol. No one knows exactly when it comes or on what ships, but if the rumors are true the treasure will arrive in two days on the Bellmont, Warren and Regent.

The tribute will arrive under guard of the feared 4th Legion, and it is said it will be greeted by the Imperial Guard, but the road from port to treasury is long.

If successful, each member of the Baker's Dozen could carry away 2,500 g.p.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Underworld - Rep: The Crown, Nobility, Faith and Authorities

Lysandra, the 15-year-old daughter of Arch Cleric Astora, has been kidnapped by river pirates. They have demanded a 5,000 g.p. ransom, but Astora can only scrape together 500 g.p. She has asked the Baker's Dozen to solve the problem, offering the 500 g.p. as a reward.

The exchange is set to take place at the Belaying Pin tomorrow at 8:00 PM, giving the crew only 26 hours to find the girl before the ransom is due.

Autumn winds whip frosty mountain air through the streets of Capitol, foretelling the coming of winter. Pastoral places ply their vocation in earnest as the harvest season comes to a close. Livestock and grain are driven into the city from the surrounding countryside, and trade vessels have begun returning ahead of the winter ice flows.

Shop windows swell with colorful costumes, sundries and frivolities as the city prepares for Panaxius, the city-wide masquerade festival that marks the end of harvest and trade for the year.

Folks gather their cloaks closer as they bustle through the streets preparing for the festival. The crown commissions bakers and butchers to prepare delights for the citizens while the temples and theaters decorate for their rituals and entertainments.

But the underworld prepares differently. Heavy clothes conceal forbidden weapons and armor, and for a single day crime can be completely anonymous.

So begins the Season of Skullduggery.

B.F. Bagman's Job

Several days ago B.F. noticed an older fellow clumsily casing House Kleidemos. After casually observing this human elder over the course of several days, he decided to approach him and offer the crew's services.

It seems Gianni Kleidemos once stole a hunting trophy from Thefri, and he wants it back. The trophy is a white claw from an especially large lion. The Kleidemos family keeps exotic war and hunting trophies, so Thefri believes it is displayed among them.

Thefri offers 200 g.p. for its return, but he is growing anxious to have it back. This task must be completed within 72 hours.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Thefri (he seems unaligned) - Rep: House Kleidemos, the nobility

Dell's Job

Guild gossip says a personal item of Arch-Cleric Philomelos of Hyperion went missing after the porters delivered a marble slab. Word is the Dock Street Boys are hunting the thief, but a clever crew could beat them to the punch.

It is a faith job, so coin may be sparse, but a favor owed by a major faith has a value of its own.

Dock Street has a head start, so the crew has at best 48 hours.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Philomelos, the Temple of Hyperion and the Faith - Rep: Dock Street Boys

Uma's Job

High Priestess Astora of Axius has been buying her daily bread at precisely 7 AM every day for several months. This morning she was a no-show, so Uma brought bread to Astora's home.

There Uma learned that Astora's eldest daughter, Lysandra, was kidnapped by river pirates and is being held for ransom. Astora's family can only scrape together 500 g.p., a mere 10% of the 5,000 g.p. demand. Astora is understandably beside herself. She will award the party the 500 g.p. if they can return her daughter safely.

The exchange takes place tomorrow night at the Belaying Pin.

Reputation Yield + Rep: Astora, the Temple of Axius and the Faith - Rep: River Pirates