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The Solna-Runner

by RFmatt Posted on

The Solna-Runner

The briney sea air mixes with the smell of smoke and fresh caught fish. Deckhands shout down from rigging over the sound of carts trundling across wood as dock workers move goods.

Description

You see a group of Redvakt Peacekeepers cornering a merchant next to his ship as one of their brethren steps on board to lock the steering mechanism. The merchant looks on in powerless dispair as he’s handed a parchment and his belongings are searched. One Peacekeeper pulls a roll of parchments from a pack, sneers at the man and tosses them in the mud below the docks.

Adventure Hook

In response to the dwindling treasury, the king has been cutting backroom deals to give long-term leases of prime dock space in Skalan to foreign ship captains of the Nautilion League at a premium, pricing out local sailors and leading to an increase in regional smuggling. The increase in local crime has conveniently given him the pretext needed to crack down on black market dealers, and strangle the financial backers of his merchant lord rivals.

  • The Trigger: Triggers upon first entering the Docks Ward in Skalan or discovering the dock deals. As the party moves through the docks, a squad of Redvakt Peacekeepers forcefully padlocks a local merchant vessel named The Solna-Runner and throws the captain’s navigational charts into the mud, clearing the berth for an incoming, pristine Nautilion League ship.
  • The Objective: The ruined captain, Valan, frantically approaches the party. He offers his remaining coin if they help him break onto his impounded vessel tonight to reclaim his family ledger and slip The Solna-Runner out of the bay before the asset is permanently surrendered to the Nautilion League.

Adventure Progression

Time Limit: 21 days after the trigger event.

  • If Opposing the Crown: If the party assists Valan and other local ship crews to actively impede the contract negotiations, the merchant lords grant a 10 percent discount on purchases at their Skalan shops. However, the king raises border fees to 5 silver pieces (sp) in addition to other tax increases. This imposes a −2 penalty to all Charisma checks made when interacting with over-taxed, non-sailor residents.
  • If Assisting the Crown (or Actively Ignored): If the party ensures the contracts are finalized by turning over Valan’s ledger, or allows the time limit to expire, the king successfully secures the berths and stabilizes the treasury, earning the party Royal Favor. While the party holds Royal Favor, they receive a +2 bonus to all Charisma (Persuasion) checks made against crown officials, are exempt from standard border entry fees, and can secure safe, high-end lodging within government districts. However, disgruntled local sailors drive up regional smuggling, resulting in a +2 DC increase to all Charisma checks made within the docks and a 20 percent increase to maritime travel costs.

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