City of Coin/Under Town

Day 5

The party head for the Watch House for their morning briefing with Captain Hughmont. There they meet Guenièvre (Gwin), a well-dressed city local. The captain outlines the ongoing and escalating conflict between two rival gangs in Low Town (centered around the river side docks). The Black Feathers lead by someone known only as the "Crow", and the Red Hand lead by "Mickey". The watch need intelligence gathered but previous attempts to infiltrate the gang have failed -- a new team from out-of-town is needed. Gwin gives some background information on the two gangs. The Red Hand operate out of the "Old Boot" tavern on the docks, and the Black Feathers from a gambling den in an old warehouse on the docks.

A criminal act is suggested as a hook to get the gangs interested in some new "recruits". Morlac refuses to commit any actual crime and a discussion on how to fake a crime ensues. Eventually, it is agreed to "steal" the official seal of the previous watch commander, from the locked cabinet in the watch commanders office.

With the seal in hand, the party picks the Red Hand as the first gang to contact. Mortlac attempts to get friendly with the barkeep while dropping hints about the teams criminal prowess. The barkeep suspects the party are undercover watch officers and four thugs are summoned to turn out their pockets. The seal is found and the party's story of their crime is believed. After some negotiation a meeting is arranged with the gang for the following morning back at the "Old Boot".

The party spend the rest of the day exploring the city, seeing it main sites. At the Old Oak in the market square they view the notices pinned on it. Amongst the out-dated and uninteresting are requests for guards for the trade barges, an angry note saying: "The monster is killing in Low Town and the Watch does nothing!", and an job offer on university headed notepaper: "Wanted: Brave explorers for a rare opportunity. Contact Esmer Bobbins, Professor of History for details".

Intrigued in the party heads over to the university, finding Esmer in her cluttered office. There are papers and archeological artifacts everywhere. Esmer explains that the university is conducting an expedition to an undisclosed location. Security is needed and the pay is 5 gp/day with a 250 gp completion bonus, as well as a share of any objects recovered. Esmer is cagey about the destination and insists on the signing of a non-disclosure agreement before it can be revealed. This is explained as a standard contact limiting the discussion of specific details of the expedition (location etc.) until after the research is published. The party are interested and let Esmer know that they will be back once they are available.