The Broker
The Broker
Please, sit, I've heard so much about you, Mr. Silvan. I assume that you're here in Sulae working on one of your little writing projects, yes? Yes, copies of them have made it down here, and they have formed the basis of many a tale told by a troubadour in this town.
So what has caught your ear in our little town, Silvan? Your tall tales are quite the hit, so might it be a piece on the lobstrosities in the sewers, or perhaps there's some hidden world of ghosts and goblins living beneath our feet? Nothing entertains the masses like a good ghost story, or so I've heard.
But there's a type of ghost that you may not want to be mentioning in any of your stories, my friend. The type that's a bit unbelievable, even to those who buy what you're selling. I've heard you're looking to tell some stories about a phantom, some shadowy figure from behind the scenes pulling the strings. An outlandish conspiracy theory that ties together the scum of the city and its cream, where some of the most respected people around got that way by dealing with some of the most feared.
No, Mister Silvan, I doubt if you want to tell that story. Telling a story like that, well, it would damage your credibility, as we all know that no such conspiracy exists. There is no one behind the scenes, no secret cabal or mastermind keeping things running. But accusations of such can still be damaging, to the innocent leaders that might be mentioned in your lurid stories. That's the kind of thing that can ruin a storyteller's career.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
The true identity of the Broker is unknown - in fact, some believe that the Broker is multiple people, and some believe that he doesn't exist at all. Theories abound that the Broker is a job in one of the families, he's a former nobleman who lost his title and name, she's a priestess of Zorin, and other possibilities.
Whatever the origin, the Broker is believed to be responsible for arranging for many improbable events in and around Sulae, even though no one has ever been able to provide convincing evidence. The tales of the broker tend to involve convoluted plans that barely hang together.
For example, in 862 Af., an earthquake wiped out the Silvo Vineyards. During the earthquake, the library at the Koleran Academy suffered minor damage due to a fire - the loss was supposedly kept to a few books that hadn't been read in years. Meanwhile, the owners of the Cliffside vineyards reported a fire of their own, where they lost some valuable artwork that was never recovered. Luckily, their increased business more than made up for the monetary loss.Was this all just coincidence? Earthquakes happen, lanterns around paper are a fire hazard, as are old canvases. But the rumors are that the fire in the library was setup to cover the theft of a spell book, which was given to a wizard in exchange for the earthquake spell that wiped out the Silvos. Would paying off in artwork that was supposedly destroyed in exchange for increased business at a struggling winery be worth it?
In the end, whether or not the Broker exists may not ever be known to those who do not interact with him. If one is in a position to know him, they are in a position to keep him secret. Intrigue is commonplace in Sulae, and having someone who can cut through it is valuable. But stoking fear that such a being exists, and is in the employ of your enemies, is valuable as well.
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