There was a time when the entire Royal Flush Gang suite of spades went missing for years on end. The Royal Flush Gang did not simply shut down operations, contingency plans went into effect and a suite of diamonds where formed to take up leadership of the gang. Five new leaders were needed: from the stock of Khinasi pirates the formed the backbone of the organization a new King (the captain of the xebec) and a new Ten (the captain of the galleon) these two were in command of the pirate armada: a xebec, a galleon, a caravel, and a knar. The Queen was suppose to have been a Khinasi drawn from the same stock but it was later revealed to be the Vampire/Cleric Proxy of the New Dark God who was working on a quest to establish and legitimize her patron. The new Jack was comically referred to as the Jill of Diamonds, was drawn from street urchin children of the cities of the Southlands and was placed in charge of the thieving operations: robbery and burglary at large. The Royal Flush Gang still needed a new Ace, a problem solver, one that can get jobs done.
Traese Noelon was the castellan for
When the People’s Society for a Better Anuire came to Proudglaive they found much opposition from the local people to convert to follow the People Champion: Raphael Saberstrike. The Royal Mint of Roesone and its two hundred guards got caught up with a mob of unruly Saberstrike supporters and the Mint had to be fortified against the mob. Lord Raphael Saberstrike him self appeared from the sky with a flaming sword in hand and delivered justice to the people. Raphael listened to the mob and then was allowed access to the Mint and went inside, away from the people.
Raphael meet with Larry Diamond inside of the Mint were Larry introduced himself as the new Ace of Diamonds leader of the Royal Flush Gang. Raphael was delighted with the news and talked of how he was looking forward to future dealings. Larry insisted that Raphael listen to his newest deal: Larry was an associate of Duke Nightmares and knew that Alexander has divested his money between the Shark and literally a shack out in the woods. With some capital from Duke Nightmare and the Royal Flush Gang along with Raphael they could form a large money supply and lending institution, in short a bank.
Raphael was naturally intrigued by the idea of forming a bank, Raphael had spent more time looking at spell books than account ledgers, and Raphael was new to running a government and would need to establish a currency and the like. Larry Diamond was given permission to form a bank and everything was established nice and legal like. Lord Raphael demanded to own half the bank out right; leaving a quarter of the bank for the Royal Flush Gang (who put this asset under the Church of All’s banner) and Duke Nightmare would own a quarter (a false identity was created as the owner of the rest of the bank; a minor noble, Sir Lancelot). The bank would be known as the Brother’s Investment Groupe or referred to as the Big Bank with Traese Noelon as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
But why dear readers did I have you read all that grabble about what dirty deeds were done to form a bank? Probably along the lines of how some banks have formed but nevertheless dear reader the story was suppose to be a time when Larry Diamond meet el-Hadid. That was the title, now deliver or I want my money back. Well dear reader, I had to say Larry Diamond and not Traese Noelon or how else would my players know who I am talking about? Do you think I have the time to think of names while we play the D’s and the D’s? Sorry dear reader, but alas, those names ogres and goblins are just that; nameless.
Oh some monsters do have names: the Gorgon, Rhuobhe Manslayer, Bill, the list goes on and on. So when an NPC has a name (two names and a swath of titles) it is worth a few bumpy paragraphs to get to the good stuff. So the meeting between Traese Noelon and Essafah el-Hadid:
Scene: outside the small town of
Traese Noelon and wife are relaxing on a porch, watching their two boys ride horses off in the distance. Essafah el-Hadid introduces him and gives an extravagant greeting to Lady Noelon, the lady then departs the scene.
Essafah, “Things appear to be changing all over the Southern Coast”
Traese, “That is why I am at a resort”
Essafah, “That is true, I live my life in resorts, dance halls, and pleasure cruises. Tell me good sir of Roesone what do you think of your king run mad?”
Traese, “Alexander? I saw it coming and got my family out to safety but stayed on as castellan anyway out of my loyalty to the family of Roesone”
Essafah, “so what happened to the king?”
Traese, “Paladins of Haelyn defeated him while he charged at one of their abbeys”
Essafah, “Why would he storm an abbey?”
Traese, “Who knows, he went crazy once he was given the thrown”
Essafah, “I have heard that story once to many times; the head that wears the crown, something, something, never has any fun”
Traese, “That is no lie”
Essafah, “so castellan what do you plan to do next?”
Traese, “I wish I could retire and live like this”
Essafah, “You can you know, the lands of Roesone are ripe for the picking to a trade merchant who knows what they are doing that is”
Traese, “And you are that trade merchant who can do that I bet?”
Essafah, “Actually, no I am not. Recent agreements between, lets say, anonymous parties have agreed to split guild interests by the lay of the
Traese, “very interesting, what is this information going to cost me?”
Essafah, “well nothing of course, if you use the information to your own advantage who am I to stop you. Just remember to not cross your side of the river. Oh, and if you make it big, come see me some time”
Traese, “could it be just that simple?”
Essafah, “Just stay on your side of the river and it can be that simple”
Essafah leaves Traese much to think about and it is after this chance encounter with el-Hadid that Traese Noelon would come up with the plan that would gain him the title of the Ace of Diamonds and regent of the Brother’s Investment Groupe.
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