Causoban (Part 1) Introduction Last issue, Part One of Causoban gave an overview of the history of the city, a peek at the Five Masters, and hints about "the Deep City," an organization that is smuggling slaves out of the most prosperous slave market in Barsaive. This issue, ue rake a more detailed look at Causoban, including a look at the Deep City movement and a series of short adventures and an outline for a campaign against the villains that rule the City that Laughs at Death. Section One: Places To Go, People To See The Crossed Swords Tavern The Crossed Swords Tavern is the favorite hang-out for sailors in Causoban. It is a three- tiered wooden building, quite an anomaly in the stone city. It was built by a sorcerer who is reputed to be immortal -- at least, that's what he says. The first floor is the tavern proper, filled with laughing, drinking and eating sailors and a youthful Troubadour who's a bit wiser than his years. The second floor are the rooms for rent. They are clean and simple, providing a soft bed, a wash basin and a window. The third floor are the private living quarters of the three owners of the tavem: Syn, Otto and Litani. The sign over the door of the place shows a human and elven sword crossed with a large axe over a keg. What cannot be seen, however, are the many "tunnels" that meet under the Crossed Swords, and the secret entrance in the kitchen to the Deep City. Syn, Immortal Spellcaster Barkeep Syn is the bartender at the Crossed Swords Tavern and a spellcaster of no small ability. He has mastered Spellcasting and Grimoire Magic and has begun to dabble in Raw Magic. Long ago, he was given an enchanted medallion that keeps him young, thus enabling him to become so diverse in his talents. Some Obsidimen and Dwarves remember a powerful mage named "Syn" before the Scourge, and if these two are one and the same, he is very old indeed. Many wonder what Syn is doing tending bar in Causoban, and the truth of the matter is that he is smuggling slaves to freedom. There are many "tunnels" in Causoban, allowing free movement under the city. The Crossed Swords is located on a nexus of those tunnels, mostly artificially constructed by Syn's magic. Syn appears to be a young, handsome man in his mid-twenties. He has a rakish grin and can mix quite a wicked drink. Otto, The Indomitable Doorman Otto is the Ogre Warrior that stands by the door of the Crossed Swords. He makes sure that the tone of the place remains friendly. "Otto" got his nickname from Litani; his real name was a bit too gruntish for her tastes. Otto isn't a particularly bright Ogre, but he is particularly strong and was once a slave himself. He despises slavers and their ilk and is more than happy to help Syn and Litani smuggle slaves out of the city. He usually keeps his mouth shut. He keeps his mouth shut, but when he does speak, he does so in small sentences and smaller words. He is friendly to those whom he views as kind and he is intolerant to those who are not. The beggars of Causoban are very fond of Otto, and often bring him small trinkets they find on the streets. Otto wears them like badges on his chest. He saves what others do not eat and distributes it to the beggar population whenever he can. Litani, Elven Assassin Litani is the "silent partner" of the Crossed Swords Tavern. She is a beautiful elf who was sold into slavery just after the ending of the Scourge. She was bought by a Questor of Vestrial and mired in the "subtle arts" before she met Syn. He gave her a new identity and a new chance at life. She has followed him ever since. Now she uses her expertise for Syn's smuggling operation. She follows the Assassin Discipline (see Appendix). Jerek, Young Troubadour The young lad with a limp in his right leg is the tavern's Troubadour. He was born in a tavern and has been surrounded by their culture since before he can remember. Now, at the tender age of fourteen, he can sing their songs and tell their stories better than they can. He gained his limp three years ago when one of Gurtog Greytooth's gang got a little too drunk and broke the boy's leg. More than a score of sailors came to the boy's aid, but the damage had already been done. His impairment has kept him from his fondest dream: becoming a sailor himself. No boatswain in his right mind would hire a sailor with a bad leg when he can hire one with two strong legs. So, Jerek sings and tells stories in the tavern for the sailors, and gives 25% of what he earns to Syn and his partners. The Temple of Vestrial The True and False Temples There are actually two temples to Vestrial, the Mad Passion of Deceit and Manipulation. The tall, black foreboding tower is an empty building filled with death traps and paste jewels and fools gold. The actual temple is located under the ruins of the city theatre outside Causoban proper. Those that follow the Path of Vestrial (called Questors) are the most deadly killers in Causoban, possibly even in Barsaive. Their devotion to the Passion of Deception has given them dark powers, and their master, D'thm Slom, has created a plot so intricate, that even the Masters of Causoban may be powerless to stop it (see The Lesser of Two Evils, below). The true temple lies below the theatre in the ruins of the old city. A keystone must be turned in order for the doorway to open, and the long climb down is treacherous. Once under the city, one finds intricate walkways (some filled up cheschigh with water) that lead to every part of Causoban. The "temple" includes a simple statue of a cloaked figure holding a broken mirror. This is the idol of Vestrial the questors worship, a hidden figure that offers a twisted look at one's self. D'thm Slorn, Master of the Subtle Arts Slom is a tall, dark elf, although no one in Causoban has seen enough of him to confirm this. He is perpetually cloaked in black, his face hidden away by an articulate iron mask. He is a master of disguise, and has enough poisons through his system to make him immune to common venoms and resistant to most of the exotics. He is currently plotting to overthrow the Masters of the City, although his plan is so subtle that no-one would ever know that the power structure has even twitched, much less fallen apart. He knows that there is one in the city that was trained in "the subtle arts", becaise he bumped into her one night during a mission, but he has been unable to locate her since. The legends of his activities in Causoban are the stuff of children's ghost stories. Tales of him walking through walls, holding his breath for days, and even infiltrating a merchant's home as a concubine are told by every Troubadour in the city. He allows these tales to be told, for they make the myth even more difficult to perceive. Slom even disguises himself as a Troubadour and and goes to tavern houses to spread the tales himself. The Temple of Dis The Temple of the Mad Passion of Slavery is the tallest building in Causoban. Its majesty reflects the wealth and power (and decadence) of its master, Thoren Tugel. There are twelve floors to the building, with the Slave Master living at the top of the tower in the lap of luxury, waited on hand and foot by the most beautiful slaves in Causoban. The tower is filled with riches beyond belief, and it is every thief's dream to break into the tower and pilfer the wealth therein. However, wealth allows for the best security money can afford, and that security would be D'thn Slom's assassins. All Tugel needs to do is allow the rumor that D'thn Slom's assassins are the guardians of the tower to keep it safe. Slom approves, making appearances at the tower and during Tugel's parties to keep the tale fresh in Causobanian minds. Tugel holds lavish parties, often drinking himself into a stupor. There have been three assassination attempts on Tiigel since he became Causoban's slave master, despite the presence of Slom. This has caused Tugel to question the assassin's motives, although he can't provide enough evidence to directly implicate the Master of the Subtle Arts with a charge of conspiracy. However, he is willing to hire freelancers to investigate the possibility ... (see The Lesser of Two Evils, below). More Causoban Causoban: Part 2: Section 1: Places To Go, People To See Causoban: Part 2: Section 2: Lights, Camera, Action! Causoban: Part 2: Section 3: The Lesser of Two Evils Back to Shadis #25 Table of Contents Back to Shadis List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master List of Magazines © Copyright 1996 by Alderac Entertainment Group This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com