Sarrif - Upwardly Mobile (SC'20)

Written by Steve Tremblay

Decades ago, a Drow who only identified himself as Sarrif found himself in Brightport looking for a job. When he arrived and learned about the 3 Houses running the city, Sarrif made his way directly to Silverclaw and offered his services. Sarrif quickly made his way through the initiate phases and within a year was a trusted member of Silverclaw. What he could not seem to shake was the idea that he was not given the chances needed to make his way to the inner circle. The inner circle of Silverclaw, as is the leadership of the Drow, is matriarchal. Oolanda "the blade" had been running things in Brightport for many years and of course had surrounded herself with powerful female allies within the House. While Sarrif was respected, his work ethic above those around him and his ability to sway or slay those who worked against their ideals should have elevated him. He finally understood his place...and it wasn't in charge. Sarrif, always a man of ideas started plotting how he could continue working as an agent for Silverclaw while somehow gaining the power he craved. He began to look at options outside of Brightport and after being sent to Esterholt on official House business he noticed an opportunity that he could take advantage of. In Esterholt, the Mayor was losing control of the city. Crime had risen and she asked a group called The Gray cloaks (also from Brightport) to come in to help with the crime issue. One of the Gray Cloaks became a little too enthusiastic about crime-stopping and ran afoul of both the local gangs and the Mayor. Sarrif, seeing the confusion and opportunity intervened, offering his help "on behalf of House Silverclaw" to the Mayor and she agreed to take his help. Sarrif had no interest in ceding this to the House however. He severed ties with them and began his plan to take Esterholt for his own. At the same time, a more complicated problem was happening within the city. Unknown to them, Sarrif had two half-daughters who were at each others throats. Una Anhelada and her group of friends and Julie Fairway from the Temple of Kord were feuding and inadvertently affecting the Gray Cloak/gangs/Mayor situation that he was trying to craft. Sarrif fell back on the things he knew. He murdered the Mayor and attempted to grab the spot for himself. He next went after Julie, whom he had intended to kill anyway but Una stopped him and Craig, the leader of the Temple returned to town just in time to thwart the plans fully. Outnumbered, outplanned and lacking another option, Sarrif backed the only play he may have had left. Jadzia Grimnas-Grace who had just married Vallus Grimnas and taken up residence in town became Mayor. Vallus distrusted Sarrif very much but Jadzia offered him a place as an advisor. His plans to create a safe haven city for non-humans was in-line with Jadzia's desire to make a place for all to be welcome and his contacts and ability to deal with criminals was unmatched. It has been almost three years since his move to Esterholt. Sarrif remains a member of the Council of Grace aside Vallus and Jadzia. Now, his input is thoughtfully regarded, he keeps a tight grip on the criminal activities and in the time he has been in with the leadership, he hasn't had to murder anyone to have his voice heard.

This may be the only down side of the position in his opinion.