Jek Bartollo

Jek Bartollo; a burly, middle aged man with black, oiled hair, a thick, groomed moustache and who speaks in a deep baritone. Somewhere along the way, Jek picked up an education and his accent shows it. He is a skilled Brewer and Distiller, having worked his way up from running illegal stills to become the proprietor of the Cauchemar. Jek is also a thug and a knave; he deals in narcotics, women (Part 1, Location 7A), and has a number of road-agents who waylay travelers to and from Relford (Part 1, Location 7B). His road-agents are careful not to attack any of Garik’s trains out of mutual respect for his fellow businessman and neighbor, although Jek is now reconsidering this ever since he assisted Evaine Bright ferry the Bordello girls out of Relford. For more information on Garik Karel and Evaine Bright, consult Part 1, Location 6 and 7A respectively.
Jek is amiable and friendly, but as years of legal and illegal business have taught him; this is a façade. Whilst appearing friendly; Jek’s initial reaction is unfriendly (Base DC20). A successful Sense Motive check versus Jek’s Bluff will reveal this. Getting real information out of Jek will be difficult. Intimidation is likely to see Jek turn hostile towards PCs after all things are said and done. He has a soft spot for Evaine. Jek knows the following. All this information is true: Temple raid (DC+7): Brigands did not attack the temple or murder Father Arden; the brigands operating in the area have an agreement with Jek not to do so and would not dare go against Jek for fear of reprisal. The Mine Closure (DC+7): Jek is eager to see the mines reopen as soon as it is declared safe. He was surprised to discover (via his contacts in Rel-Draxa) that the Esteemed Geologists Society has no knowledge of any mine investigation. He has not revealed this information to anyone, although he still has the correspondence to prove it, see pg.65 for a handout. This letter is kept in a locked drawer in his desk. (DC22). Jek has the key around his neck. Garrod (DC+7): Despite his drunken ramblings, Garrod was genuinely afraid of something. He sent two of his road-agents (Vaskar and Crais from Part 1, Location 7B) out to steal his journal, but never found him.
Development: Reliant on wheat, corn, hops and barley to brew ale and distill spirits, Jek is trying to strike a deal with Craddoc Farrow (Part 1, Location 15) for a large cut of his crop (which may attract unwanted attention from the cult of Dagon). He is also interested in having the abandoned farm on the eastern side of Relford (Part 1, Location 1) investigated as a possible safe house for his road-agents and their ill-gotten gains, as well as harvesting the remains of the untended crop there. If this happens, it is a certainty that whoever is sent will be attacked and injured by Tabaxu, the black leopard. Jek will offer a reward for its removal or eradication. Should the cult of Dagon move overtly against Relford, Jek may become an unlikely ally. His nefarious activities only work if a thriving community exists to support it. If Jek suspects that the PCs have Garrod’s journal, he will send Vaskar, Crais and Tollard (Part 1, Location 7B) to steal it. If it becomes likely that the PCs can assist Jek in any way, he will instead send Vaskar, Crais and Tollard out to ‘fetch’ the PCs. The three are under strict instruction not to rough up the PCs too much, and are to keep an eye out for anything valuable that the PCs uncover.

Local Rogue 5 Burly, middle aged. black oiled hair and a thick moustache. Deep, baritone voice, intellectual way of speech.