CHAPTER 6
and of the criminal underworld allows him to imbue his fortune-telling with an element of illicit truth. Characters who make Joul a contact can ask him to divine their futures or interpret their paths once per month. His answer might merely be a Bluff attempt but usually includes veiled information using Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (local), or Knowledge (the planes). Joul has a +5 bonus on his Bluff check and a +8 bonus on checks involving these three Knowledge skills. Characters trying to make Joul a contact gain a +2 circumstance bonus on their Diplomacy checks if they seem appropriately disturbed by his missing eye. However, they take a –5 penalty on such checks if they mention any disgust for or aversion to spiders.
Scoundrel adventures
Those who gain Jariss as a contact can ask him to direct them toward taverns, clubs, black-market dens, and shady dealers of all types once per week. His Knowledge (local) skill check has a +8 bonus. Characters trying to make Jariss a contact gain a +2 circumstance bonus on their Diplomacy checks if they dance with the incorrigible elf or ply him with alcohol. Lieutenant Moira Keener: A low-ranking member of the local militia, Moira (LN female dwarf fighter 2) is a no-nonsense officer with an eye for fine weapons. Though straitlaced and dedicated to upholding the law, Moira drops some of her uptightness when training and during practice duels, reveling in the quick-witted strategy she loves. Characters who make the lieutenant a contact find her willing to spar and offer advice on their fighting technique. This advice might translate into suggestions for more effective weaponry, options to use in combat (such as the Tumble skill or actions such as disarm), or recommendations for future feats. She offers such assistance only once per month. If your campaign requires PCs to pay for training (see DMG 197) or retraining (see PH2 194), Moira can reduce the necessary time and cost by 25%. Characters trying to make Moira a contact gain a +2 circumstance bonus on their Diplomacy checks if they express a technical knowledge of combat or fine weaponry. This bonus rises to +5 if they’ve helped bring a criminal to justice. Joul the Eye: A strange half-orc with a missing eye—which he frequently replaces with a variety of disturbing baubles—Joul (CE male half-orc adept 3) is dramatic and quick to anger. He claims to foresee the future by interpreting the positions of items moved by his “pet” monstrous spider, Zhul. Although he is largely a con artist, the half-orc’s knowledge of mystical forces
Mid-Level Contacts The following mid-level contacts expand on two of the characters presented in Dungeon Master’s Guide II. For ease of reference, the table from that book is reproduced on the facing page as Table 6–2: Sample Mid-Level Contacts. Farhaan Nicabar: A grandfatherly cleric of Pelor, Farhaan Nicabar (NG male human cleric 6) is a well-known local figure, having treated many in times of sickness and presided over the births and weddings of the majority of folk in town. An ever-open ear, a welcoming smile, and an uncanny ability to remember faces and names make the patient priest easy to love, while his years of experience and even temper make him convincing in counsel. Ever forgiving, Farhaan is willing to use his influence to help people extricate themselves from unseemly circumstances. Employing a wide number of contacts about town, calling in personal favors, and noting his own past aid, the soft-spoken cleric can often calm flaring tempers without even needing to make a Diplomacy check (if one is needed, he has a +13 modifier on the check).
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Under the Influence
The following excerpts come from the diary of young Princess Triela, begun shortly after her arranged wedding to the darkhearted King Xethor of Aram. The fourth day of the third month, two days after Triela took up residence in the palace: “There is a particular creature of draconic appearance but no more than the size of a cat who roams the halls of this castle. I have spoken to her, and to my utter joy and amazement, she responded in kind. She calls herself Zoetebak, a pseudodragon and advisor to my husband. I asked her what she advises him on, and she said, ‘Being a good man.’ I only hope he heeds her advice.” The ninth day of the third month: “Today my lord proclaimed himself protector of children of the realm, and declared that no child would go hungry. The people cheered. The nobles glowered. Zoetebak sat smugly atop a wardrobe, nodding as my lord spoke. I believe this must have been her idea.” The twenty-third day of the fourth month: “I fear the count of
Sithran, and have brought him to the attention of Zoetebak. She says she will speak with my lord.” The first day of the fifth month: “Koro, the young captain of the guard, returned today from patrolling Sithran. His reports are dire, but Zoetebak seems unconcerned.” The second day of the fifth month: “Today my husband promoted Koro. Zoetebak looked on with satisfaction.” The seventh day of the fifth month: “I overheard my husband speaking with Zoetebak. She advised him to distribute gold, bread, and water to the orphanages and poverty-stricken parts of the city. He seemed hesitant until she mentioned how it would strengthen the loyalty of his subjects and weaken the power of Sithran. He quickly agreed.” The second day of the ninth month: “Koro today presented the count of Sithran to Xethor in chains. Zoetebak accused him of treason, to which he admitted guilt and begged for leniency. May Heironeous have mercy on his soul.”
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