DM Barcas - Kingmaker: Rivers Run Red

Game Master Isaac Duplechain

(i.e. changes or actions in profession or duty, changes or notable actions as a Founder, politics of the Founder’s Council that has an impact)

Founder’s Council Politics
* Verik lobbies for Elsir to become a full Founder and Magister of Newhaven (replacing Jhod Kavken in whatever manner the story puts forward about him), believing this will break the Erastil influence and emphasis on resources to the outlying communities at the cost of development in Sanctuary itself.

* Verik lobbies for Borodin to become a full Founder – either Grand Diplomat (replacing Kesten Garess) or Spymaster (replacing Halorouth Callmanov). If it was Diplomat, it could be in-game a move by Verik to lessen the “closeness” of Newhaven with Brevian politics, particularly as strife mounts between the Houses there. Verik doesn’t trust Kesten’s politics when it comes to Brevian matters. Or maybe DM Fiat says Kesten gets pulled back by House Garess into matters up north, and he cannot abandon his family. If it’s Hal, that would be more about DM Fiat and not a Verik initiative.

* Verik calls for ’Laws to Declare and Register Arcane Casters…’, much in the same way he has Laws regarding divine clerics. He goes on in the Council about the need to proscribe uses of “destructive magic” that could be harmful to the cities and property of Newhaven. He suggests that association in existing “societies” would be acceptable, but un-guilded or unassociated casters must be declared and registered. Verik doesn’t want to do this directly – he puts it forth as an issue the Magister’s office MUST oversee. Whether it is passed or not is up to DM and players, but he’d push this forward in a strong way after Elsir is Magister.

* Verik Lobbies for the Newhaven-Mivon Route (and the Newhaven-Varnhold Route as well) to Bypass Restov and Pitax Trade:
Verik will push hard for the emphasis of expansion and trade southward to solidify what he sees as Newhaven’s foremost destiny – the taming of the Stolen Lands and reformation of the East Sellen River trade corridor. It stands to benefit Mivon and New Stetven for better flow of goods and services up and down the corridor, making Newhaven extremely vital (and wealthy) in the link. It stands to lessen the influence of existing trade routes through Pitax and Restov as a result. It also stands to give a boom to the horse trade (which Verik has a small interest stake in Aleza’s stables), the wagon and wheel trade (which Verik has majority direct investments in), and gives rise to a whole new host of trades to support those that ply the route. Due to the close alliance with Varnhold, this route would also be important, further reducing the once-monopoly influence of Restov.

* The Vaultmen program expands in scope and reach – a full fifty based out of Sanctuary and a near twenty out of Olegsgrav. Some chafing still occurs between the Vaultmen and the City Watches of Newhaven from time-to-time, as disputes over jurisdiction and use-of-force occur, and the senior officers have an unspoken rivalry. Some have accused Verik of “hunting” top talent from the First Army during his visits. The largest ‘incident’ however was not with the Watch or the Army, but the use of Vaultmen to augment Oleg Leveton’s tax collections across Newhaven in 4711 – some attempts by outlying farmsteads to not pay…and even waylay the collectors caused a reaction of force by the Vaultmen that certain citizens declared excessive. Naturally, the dispute had multiple sides to it.

Another issue with the Vaultmen in 4712 now lies in competition with another looser protection “guild” that has formed to try and undercut the prices of the Vaultmen (Verik would say encouraged by the likes of reverers of Cayden and Milani), luring away some merchant and caravan protection business. The protection guild has specifically targeted and maligned the Vaultmen, though recently they too suffered a reputation setback when some men affiliated with the guild stole the coffers of a merchant caravan coming back from the south. Verik, naturally, seized upon this issue and used it to maximum effect.

* Verik still promotes the need for ‘non-arcane schooling’ at the Keyhouse School and adjacent Orphanage under Madame Gerda Ryton, investing w/ Bank loans and organizing donations to make it a higher-end preparatory school for well-to-do urban families of Sanctuary (of which the Bank would have a fair investment return in). The solidifying of a full Orphanage house, however, is philanthropic and fulfills a long-held oath by Verik to ensure Tandlara’s legacy with the children. With recent refugees from Galt and Brevoy, this has become more of a potential issue.

High Cleric and Faith Politics
* Formation of the ‘Newhaven Interfaith Monthly Conclave of the Office of the High Cleric’ (yes it’s that bad of a name):
As Sanctuary grows into the infancy of a “capital city” he stresses the need for cooperation and communication of the “approved” faiths of Newhaven, which finally do grow in number. He solidifies a monthly conclave (meeting) held in an open meeting hall built for this purpose in the “temple block,” separate from the Bank and the other temples and shrines of Sanctuary. This is where he formalizes requests for approval of new/arriving faith applications and declared arrivals of divine casters on the rolls, as well as chairs the meeting itself where faith leaders discuss/argue/debate on matters that the Office of the High Cleric must record and bring to the Founder’s Council. It has met with mixed results – Verik has had many headaches with the “upstart” faiths seemingly trying to stymie him at every turn, though his “coalition” of lawful faiths wins out on serious initiatives. Though the Conclave cannot “vote” him out of his role as Founder and High Cleric, there was an attempt in 4711 to have another faith leader chair the Conclave (Iomedae). The Second Sword of Iomedae did not want it, however, and other motions for a change were not carried by a small margin.
Proposed “Approved” Faiths Now in Newhaven: Abadar, Iomedae, Erastil, Pharasma, Shelyn, Cayden Cailean, Milani, Torag (small shrine), Sarenrae (small shrine), Alseta (shrine between Abadar Bank and Pharasma grounds). Desna is “paid” and “approved” in late 4710 by an alliance of priests from Cayden Cailean, Milani and even Shelyn, with most other faiths close to Abadar abstaining. As of yet, however, no Desnan representative has ever attended.

* Verik Still Has Trouble with the Desnans (an annual annoyance):
Ever since the conflict with the Abadarians and Desnans in the Summer of 4710, the Desna faithful have not forgotten. This has manifested so far in three ways that have been irksome to the Banker:
- In the Summer of 4711 on the one-year anniversary of the incident, the Bank of Sanctuary was suddenly overwhelmed by butterflies for three days, hovering over the doorways and following the Banker and his Clerks wherever they went, getting into the Bank’s congregations and sermons…and even a Founder’s Council that Verik attended. Finally after three days, Anya Amitel asked the Initiates to pick some of their best roses from the greenhouse and “offer” them to the butterflies outside of Bank grounds in an open display. The next morning the butterflies were all gone. Nothing was said by Verik on the roses being unpaid for – rumor has it that he paid for the plucking of the roses with his private funds.
- On Desnan holy holidays of summer and winter solstices, images of Verik in unflattering terms appear on various walls of Sanctuary, but which no one sees draw. Loud music often awakens Verik during the solstice nights, though no one can determine where the music comes from or how it is cast.
- In late 4710 of the winter solstice, a group of Desnans was spotted northwest of Sanctuary, gathering as they had done that summer that led to the incident. Once again, Verik demanded they register themselves as divine agents and petition for acceptance on the rolls as an approved faith of Newhaven. This was ignored by the Desnan gathering. It seemed that another confrontation might have occurred, but the newly arrived ranking cleric of Cayden Cailean paid the registration tax on their behalf and “secured” the declaration list for the High Cleric. Of course, the list was a forged mockery with all kinds of unseemly false names and nicknames (interspersed with phrases addressed to the High Cleric), but the Caydenite insisted it was valid…leaving an irate Verik to accept it as opposed to picking a fight with the Caydenites as well as the Desnans. Since then, all public Desnan gatherings have been paid and “documented” by clerics of Cayden Cailean and supported by the ranking priestess of Milani, much to Verik’s irritation.
- It is said in 4712 that a new theatrical troop will arrive and perform a play of the Founders and their exploits for Newhaven. Unfortunately, unconfirmed rumors have reached Verik that the bards and performers have Desnan influences, and may malign the Banker with exaggerated tales of his experiences in the Stolen Lands.

Abadarian Bank Politics
* Fledgling Bank of Olegsgrav is Founded (a divestment of power):
Verik loans funds to Junior Banker Quiss and establishes a fledgling wooden-structure Bank of Abadar in Olegsgrav, allowing Thomas to take a small contingent of newer Clerks and Keysworn with him. Thomas will remain “Junior Banker” until the full loan issued by the Bank of Sanctuary is paid in full with interest. Like all new arrangements, there is occasional disagreement between Banker and Junior Banker on matters of managing style and resource emphasis, though Verik knows that he must trust Thomas to tailor his Bank to the needs of Olegsgrav. Verik insists, however, that relation decisions with other faiths (as High Cleric of Newhaven) and the Banks of Restov and Brevoy (as the seniormost Banker of Newhaven) must flow through Verik directly.

* The Vaultmen expands its scope and reach, establishing an adjunct office out of the new Bank of Olegsgrav. Standards are still rigorous and vetting by the two Bankers to ensure a bonded status of the Vaultmen is maintained. Some rivalries between the two towns are apparent, but encouraged by Banker and Junior Banker as friendly, healthy competition. Keysworn guards and Vaultmen rivalries also exist, though they typically perform different duties and functions.

* The Bank of Sanctuary is Young (a longer-term view to maximize loyalty):
The Bank in 4712 focuses on getting its full contingent of Clerks trained up and receiving a new group of Initiates in place, though the full realization of this is still several years away. The continuing joke is that the Verik staffs his Bank with “children” and some of his Full Clerks would still be Junior Clerks at another Bank, and some Initiates are given the Test of the Keys too early. Verik balances this as best as he can, as he innately distrusts migration of Clerks from Brevoy or Restov, and almost none come up from Absalom or Taldor. Verik has had to give three older vetted Clerks to Thomas Quiss for the new Bank at Olegsgrav, taking on the burden of training up younger talent and doing the best he can with it, with some key Senior Clerks (Anya, Eben, Dannil) anchoring the younger ones. Ultimately, Verik believes within five years that he will have a full contingent of capable Clerks that have been locally “raised” to his specifications and devoted to his brand of leadership.

* The Bank of Sanctuary is Rich (and it should be with the growth):
The Bank of Sanctuary’s coffers have grown mighty indeed, with the variety of services it offers and the demand by an increasing urban population, not to mention the influx of trade from Mivon, New Stetven and Varnhold. Classic services of spellcasting, moneylending, appraisals, contact arbitration and bank vault storage have all increased. Vaultmen proceeds from merchants, shopkeepers and well-to-do families have greatly increased, even if somewhat slowed by a new “protection guild” of non-bonded men that has formed in 4712 to undercut them. Bank loans to the fledgling merchant’s guild, to Madam Ryton’s School and Orphanage, to Elsir’s Harborage House expansions, to Borodin’s Aldori Fighting School, to Aleza Bellavieu’s Equine Ranches and Leather Goods (already repaid), and to several other merchants and craftsmen involving trade have all been sound investments.

* The Banker of Sanctuary is Sorta Rich (though he doesn’t try to show it):
Verik is becoming a wealthy man in his own right (Wealthy Cost of Living), though he does not believe in an ostentatious display of wealth as some of his “softer” Bankers in other cities would. Though he has been very careful to separate his private investments from those the Bank makes (particularly where Bank loans are concerned or Newhaven treasury funds are found), he has made some direct investments to enterprises he strongly believes in.
- He has a minor investment stake in Aleza Bellavieu’s equine and leatherworking business enterprises – after she repaid Bank loans early and made it clear she would not tolerate Bank influence upon her (successful) business decisions, an impressed Verik offered to invest directly in a minor stake capacity, which she accepted.
- He has a major investment stake in the building of lake-barges for the Tuskwater/Candlemere trade route, having familiarity with boats and water trade from the Jarrow family. His investments are cyclical, as it requires funds to craft a new boat and sell it, but the returns are strong when a boat or barge is sold.
- He has controlling interest in the building of wooden wagons and wagon-wheels for sale to trade route merchants and the Merchant’s Guild of Sanctuary, having struck a partnership with a skilled family of woodcrafters who did not have business acumen. The business is called “Mercadi’s Wagons and Woodworking” after Master Mercadi the family’s elder woodcrafter and carpenter. Because of his many other duties Verik has a managing partner who has a minor stake in the business - to which he has apprenticed Petyr Mikhalia to learn all he can from him (and to report back any indiscretions). Verik seeks to make quality wagons and wheels with standard specifications that allow for easier repair and replacement over the hodgepodge of individually crafted wagons on the routes. In a few years he hopes Petyr will gain enough knowledge and experience that Verik can use him for other business ventures.

Verik has put much of his wealth away in the Bank, eager to invest in select new ventures – for the game of investing in a venture and seeing it come to fruition is a heady drug to the Banker. Due to Aleza, Verik now owns four horses. He grows private funds for eventually procuring the “finest” weapon and armor materials money can buy for his dweomercrafting (one day desiring to procure mithril and adamantine for his own works). Otherwise, he maintains a small art collection of Taldan sculptures, Keleshite woven pieces and surviving Galtian inventions in his private quarters and vaults.

* The “Galt Speech” of Taxfest 4711:
Verik had long been incensed by the wanton chaos and atrocities committed in Galt, which was once a bastion of learning and innovation. Heightened by conversations held with the Galtan refugees (including his friend Aleza Bellavieu), his Clerk Dannil LeVane and his friend Willas Gunderson, Verik decided he had to speak out on the “evils” of the Galtan Revolution. On Taxfest Day of the 15th of Gozran 4711, he gave a speech on this topic which was quite fierce and inspiring, in which he encouraged all civil-minded and orderly Galtans surviving to find a new home-in-exile in Newhaven, where they could prosper without persecution and paranoia. He then proclaimed a “glorious day” would commence when Galtan exiles would march back in force and retake Galt for the restoration of Order and Light, with the full might of his Bank supporting that initiative with direct support. Verik thought it a good speech and little more, but did not count on the fact that word spread down the Mivon route to the East Sellen. Weeks and months later a host of refugees came up the route to settle in Newhaven and meet the “inspiration” of the speech. Milani revolutionaries were split on praising or cursing Verik Jarrow for his words (depending on their views and factions over Galt), with some threats delivered by letter. Worse still, a chilling letter came from an anonymous agent of Galt that any action by the Banker would be met with his delivery to the Gray Gardeners. Even worse still was a letter to Verik of praise by a Hellknight Order paralictor (officer), pledging terms of support and alliance if the Banker was intent on raising an army to retake Galt. Verik honestly did not know which letter was worse in his mind, and shunned any other correspondence afterwards. The notoriety, however, cannot be erased.

* News of Verik’s Father in 4712:
Verik receives magical correspondence from the Grand Bank in Absalom that his father, Alban Jarrow, had passed away from old age and illness. This was received by Verik with sadness but other mixed feelings as well, for Verik was never close to his father and felt the man had little affection for him. Youngest of five sons by a fair margin and with his mother passing away when he was only six, Verik felt he had little value to the Jarrow family – his interest and acceptance into the Abadarian ranks the only time his father had a “real” conversation with him. Years later, not even when Verik was to leave Absalom for the journey to Restov did Alban Jarrow seek him out, then busy with a family trade negotiation with his eldest two sons.

Weeks later, Verik receives a dry and formal letter-and-parcel from his eldest brother Aldius of his portion of the inheritance and little other news of the family – Aldius was eighteen years older than Verik and had little affection or use for the youngest brother either. Of the other four brothers, only the older brother closest to him in age by five years – Dominic – writes a personal letter to Verik, expressing his condolences and then announcing that he leaves on a journey to their distant kin in Alkenstar later that month; though he will be gone from Absalom for nearly a year, Dominic writes that he would hope to come up the Sellen and visit his youngest brother for a time in the year 4713.

* Invitation to the Archbanker Vinodragov…Accepted!
Verik’s efforts to solidify the Mivon trade route have meant increased contact with merchants in New Stetven, and this in turn has called for more correspondence to the Archbanker Vinodragov on those actions. As the “new” Bank of Sanctuary settled into full operation and a new fledgling Bank of Olegsgrav was built in 4711, Verik felt more confident in his efforts in Newhaven. He wanted to invite the Banker of Silverhall to see his works and discuss preferred trade with Lebeda lands, but could not do so while ignoring the Archbanker and his primary influence in New Stetven. As a polite formality, Verik invited the Bankers of all major Brevoy towns to visit, subject to their Archbanker’s blessing (of course). He also invited the detestable Banker Demesceau of Restov as a way to not make tensions with Restov trade worse with the pretext of a snub. Finally, he invited Archbanker Vinodragov.

Verik expected most Bankers would decline, and of course most did. Mercifully, Banker Demesceau never responded at all, which was just as well to Verik. However, Archbanker Vinodragov shockingly accepted the invitation, subject to a travel date that would be amenable to both sides. While that date has not been set yet by Vinodragov, Verik knows he must provide hospitality and entreat with the Archbanker once again in his home of Sanctuary…something he has not had to deal with since the aborted trial of Nikolai and the Battle of Dragonshead.