Underbarons of Bral
Bral is a city with more than it's fair share of criminal activity. Although the streets are generally safe, a great deal of racketeering and extortion goes on underneath the deceptively still surface. Every shopkeeper pays some amount of "insurance" to one or another thieves' guild. Every captain who puts in with an illicit cargo requires some assistance in getting his wares to market. These roles are filled by a small group of powerful people collectively referred to as the Underbarons.
The Underbarons are the criminal lords of the city, each sitting at the center of a web of theft, extortion, gambling, drinking, and any number of other illicit activities. They are the fences, financiers, and the neighborhood patrons. The Rock of Bral is divided into their territories, and they constantly scheme and maneuver to keep their own positions secure while attacking those of their rivals.
Four underbarons, each one equivalent to the master of a thieves’ guild, compete among themselves for greater shares of influence and income in the city. Despite their status as lords of criminal fiefdoms, the underbarons enjoy the prince’s tolerance, if only because each one’s existence serves as a check against the others. Each Underbaron is the master of a thieves’ guild, but as stated above, their activities extend much further than the simple organization of thievery. The dark web of the Underbarons includes warriors, rogues, nonhumans, and the occasional mage.
The businesses in any given area of the city operate under the protection of one of the underbarons. That service is paid for through the collection of “insurance” fees. The arrangement isn’t strictly extortion, because it’s common for an underbaron to reimburse clients who suffer losses because of a rival guild’s actions.
The Underbarons are the criminal lords of the city, each sitting at the center of a web of theft, extortion, gambling, drinking, and any number of other illicit activities. They are the fences, financiers, and the neighborhood patrons. The Rock of Bral is divided into their territories, and they constantly scheme and maneuver to keep their own positions secure while attacking those of their rivals.
The Underbarons are not merely thieves and guildmasters; they control large networks of fighters, merchants, informants, and government officials. In many areas of the city, their word is law
Four underbarons, each one equivalent to the master of a thieves’ guild, compete among themselves for greater shares of influence and income in the city. Despite their status as lords of criminal fiefdoms, the underbarons enjoy the prince’s tolerance, if only because each one’s existence serves as a check against the others. Each Underbaron is the master of a thieves’ guild, but as stated above, their activities extend much further than the simple organization of thievery. The dark web of the Underbarons includes warriors, rogues, nonhumans, and the occasional mage.
The businesses in any given area of the city operate under the protection of one of the underbarons. That service is paid for through the collection of “insurance” fees. The arrangement isn’t strictly extortion, because it’s common for an underbaron to reimburse clients who suffer losses because of a rival guild’s actions.
The four current underbarons are as follows:
- Ozamata. This lawful evil human controls the Docks of Bral and most of the Low City.
- Meredin Sandyfoot. This neutral good halfling, headquartered in a neighborhood known as the Burrows, holds sway over craftspeople.
- The Juggler. This chaotic good elf oversees a network of swindlers and minstrels. Her real name is Kiria Evensong, and she runs the Juggler’s Folk Guildhouse.
- The Unknowable One. Within the cavernous interior of the Rock dwells a mysterious underbaron who specializes in smuggling. This underbaron—a mind flayer—breeds intellect devourers and uses them to turn Bralian citizens into spies.