Drow Spymistress Quest [Case File Zero]

Your skill in spotting fakes earned you a spot in that very field office creating and circulating fakes. Why? Because sometimes it is the wish of policy makers in D'reshtekhar that a currency somewhere on the surface world tanks, or that a bank or industry takes a hit. The last operation that they set you to all but destroyed the economy of an independent Duchy that was working to curb the slave trade on the surface world. Things have been going smoothly: you've been recognized for doing your job well, not being made as a spy, kept other operations funded, and managed to take enough profit in kickbacks to have a nice little retirement fund set aside for yourself in case you either need to fake your own death and bolt or actually retire from the field, if they'd even let you. The way things were going so well should have probably been a forewarning that everything was going to go to shit soon enough.

A month ago you get a letter stating that you were being promoted from a station clerk to the head of your own post. You were initially elated, as it is rare that a Szarkai, that is one of the rare white drow, is allowed to move from operations to administration given the easier time that you have blending in on the surface. Three weeks ago you found out through the rumor mill your office was a very small one, and your elation was tempered somewhat. Two weeks ago you embarked with a fake passport on a very long, very boring trek to your destination. When you arrived in country a week ago to find it surprisingly... rural, you were disappointed. Today as you arrive at the tiny little front operation you feel a sinking knot of dread in your stomach. The spy post is inside of a small inn located in a rural horse and buggy town. In fact you see more mules belonging to local farmers than you do horses being ridden or pulling buggies.

"Th-this... this has to be some kind of mistake... I... can't be spying on cabbage farmers, can I?"

Several human locals and a halfling look at your city clothes oddly as they walk by you, but they don't say anything. It feels almost like you are having an out of body experience, but it is all too real. The locals seem to take you for an elf of some variety, so you can only assume that your fellows are also Szarkai. The town seems to have a general store, a bank, a blacksmith, and a few odd shops run by local traders. Far in the distance, past rolling fields of growing produce, you see forest.

>Investigate the townspeople
>Go report in at the inn
>Walk around and shop at the stores

Go report in at the inn. While it's tempting to make an in-depth investigation on the townspeople, we need to get a handle on what's going on with our own situation. At the same time, be observant on the way. Is there anything to indicate that there's more going on in this town than first meets the eye?

>>1233311
I'll second that. Best course of action seems to go straight to the point.

File: dark_elven_by_darianaloki.jpg (72KB, 500x667px) Image search: [Google]

72KB, 500x667px

Deciding to go straight to the inn so that you can check in and take stock of your situation, you head directly there. You cut down the road, then look both ways as you cross the not-particularly-busy street, keeping your eyes peeled for any sign that the town is not what it seems. There is a wagon passing by, and a pair of men leaving the inn...

It's time to roll. The results of your quick investigation will be determined by 2d100. In non-combat rolls that aren't life or death I'll only be using the first results. Rules differ for life or death situations.

Rolled 22, 86 = 108 (2d100)

Let's roll the bones.

Rolled 5, 39 = 44 (2d100)

>>1233354

File: inn.jpg (135KB, 900x463px) Image search: [Google]

135KB, 900x463px

Nothing on the street seems peculiar. The wagon hauls barrels of the local produce. Two humans and a halfling stand on a corner talking and smoking pipes. A half-elf chewing something spits off of a porch. Just small town people hanging around the town.

Now the pair of men leaving the inn, on the other hand, catch your eye. A scabbard hangs from the waist of the shorter of the pair. The hilt is well worn but sturdy looking, and judging by the length of the blade it is a bastard sword that he is wearing. You cannot fail to mistake the distinct jingle of mail as he draws nearer, and notice the bulk under his clothing causing him to look heavier than he is. A small shield hangs from his back, and dark hair hangs down to it. The other fellow is a few inches taller but skinny. From his belt hangs a set of odd pouches, and you recognize an arcane symbol scrawled on the cover of a leather book clipped to his belt.

Some sort of swordsman and a wizard of some sort, if you aren't mistaken. It is odd, to you, to see a fighter away from any type of military garrison and a wizard away from any kind of university. Very odd indeed. The two men head in the direction of the shops and you stare after them, then turn back to the inn. You look up at the sign hanging over the front.

The Silk Stallion

At least it's almost subtle.

Inside of the smoky inn it is much the same. There is the strong scent of whatever it is that the locals are smoking mixed with the smell of beer. At one table a half orc sits with an axe across his lap and a beer in his hand. A half-elven fellow playing notes on some sort of instrument tunes it. A priestess drinks another round of ale, emptying a tankard to match the ones she has already emptied. At another table a man in mail, a dwarf, and a furtive looking halfling seem to be waiting for someone. A map is spread across the table. A man in green strings a bow as his companions play darts at the end of the room.

What in the stars and stones is this place? You've never seen anything like it.

At the bar you spot an "elf" that looks a lot like you who gives a drunken human a no-nonsense look. Another "elf" walks, scantily clad, over to bring another beer to the priestess. Yet another "elf" emerges from the back carrying food. You know now that you have the right place. You were supposed to order a "silk special platter" and a "white and gold" to drink in order to let them know that you have arrived, but you weren't told whether to order at the bar or sit down somewhere.

What will you do?

>Sit at the bar and order
>Sit at a table
>Intercept a waitress
>Write in

>>1233428
>>Sit at a table

>>1233428
>>Sit at the bar and order

>>1233428
>Sit at the bar and order

Assuming that people are eating at the bar (meaning that it won't look weird if you make your order there), and that the waitstaff are serving people at the tables, this is a question of privacy. Are the waitstaff entirely "elves"? Is the barkeep? Where are the menus? If we, a stranger in town, order something that specific without a menu, it's gonna look weird either way.

Maybe best to seat ourselves at the bar and order, if it's not particularly crowded.

Once again, no reason to draw this out.
>Sit at the bar and order

File: albino-elf.jpg (134KB, 1024x1164px) Image search: [Google]

134KB, 1024x1164px

Deciding to get it done with and out of the way you take the direct approach. Picking out a stool somewhere alone you sit down and lean across the bar, trying to get the bartender's attention. She spends about a minute filling drinks from several kegs of ale, collecting money, handing off orders to one waitress and drinks to another before she deigns to notice you. The woman turns golden eyes toward you.

"What'll it be?"

"I'll have the silk special platter and a white and gold to drink."

She nods and grunts, and you aren't sure if she understood that you were giving her the code words or not.

"I said I'll have a-"

"Coming right up. That'll be fourteen twelve, you can settle up your tab when you get ready to leave or stay the night."

You narrow your eyes in frustration but say nothing. Either she's a very poor spy or very good, but either way you are left twiddling your thumbs. The drunken human looks over at you, then back at the bartender.

"H-hey. I want a s-silk speshul too!"

"You can't afford it. We're already about to call in your tab."

This shuts him up, at least for a few minutes. Another round of drinks, and this time when the bar tender whispers something to the waitress. She half-glances at you, then walks over.

"Miss, you ordered the silk special platter?"

"That and the white and gold, yes."

"Well we have the stuff for the white and gold, but we're a bit stretched on what is needed for the silk special platter and some of our ingredients might not be to your taste. Would you like to come to the kitchen to review them?"

This was the trap. If you said yes it was an indicator to conduct... counterintelligence at their own discretion because you knew only the first part but not this part.

"No, but I would like to take a look at your wine cellar."

"Right this way m'am."

You wonder idly if they would have poisoned you or just drugged you if you had asked to see the kitchen. In fact you decide to review which when you get to a place where you can talk. You follow the waitress into the kitchen. The other waitress gives you a glance as the two of you pass by but says nothing. In the kitchen a pair of "elves" work over a stove. One glances up at you and gives you a measuring look before turning to your guide.

"Is this about the special?"

"No, she wants to see the wine cellar."

"Pfft. Well okay, if she insists."

She turns to you and wipes her hands on her smock.

"Come along, down to the wine cellar."

You follow her into the next room, where she opens up a larder with a silvery key. Walking past cheeses and a handful of barrels of ale and whiskey you watch her use a green key to open up the next lock. She beckons for you to come after, and then leads you down a set of limestone stairs. Glowing moss lines the walls, and you find yourself in an actual wine cellar. She walks over to a place and the wall and runs her hands across it. A hidden panel silently pops open to reveal another door.

contd

File: whitelord.jpg (42KB, 427x604px) Image search: [Google]

42KB, 427x604px

She pulls out a key that is unnaturally white. You think you can identify it as a type of mithril. She slides it into the lock and pops it open.

"A regular key, a skeleton key, or someone's lockpick would have broken. The key has to made of mithril because of the way that the weights are set..."

She stops talking and beckons you forward. Paranoia tingles at the base of your neck as you are told to lead the way for the first time, but you accept the possibility of danger and slide past her into the next room. It is lit by small red and white glowstones that seem to react to your presence, lighting up as you enter. The room seems to be an office filled with rows and rows of file cabinets, several desks, and a several chests at the end of the room. In the middle is a set of furniture that could be sat in to conduct a meeting in relative comfort. You are certain that there are other things hidden in the room, but you aren't quite able to spot them...

The cook slides through the door behind you and shuts it, locking it tightly. She turns back to you in the sinister lighting.

"So, right to business I guess. I gather that you are station chief Syvanna's replacement. Welcome to Brownring Station. The only intelligence hub that we have in the country. I'll be missed if I don't get back soon."

She points to a set of keys on the desk that match the keys she used to bring you down here.

"Those were Syvanna's, and are now yours since you'll need to let yourself in and out..."

>Ask first about the station and what it does, since you weren't briefed
>Ask first about the personnel
>"Go along then. I have case files and reports to review, we will have a staff meeting later."
>Ask about the cover operation
>Write in

Review the case files and reports. Anything answers that can't be found there can be sought in the staff meeting.

>>1233538
>"Go along then. I have case files and reports to review, we will have a staff meeting later."

>>1233538
>>"Go along then. I have case files and reports to review, we will have a staff meeting later.

File: albino_elf_by_darth_vanya.jpg (197KB, 800x1126px) Image search: [Google]

197KB, 800x1126px

"Go along then. I have case files and reports to review. Later in the evening we will have a staff meeting."

"Very good. Would you like me to send food down for you?"

Your stomach growls in response.

"Yes, some of your better fare if you don't mind."

"Very good. I'll have it sent down."

She leaves back through the portal, and you make your way over to the desk. It seems to be carved out of some sort of very dark wood, and your white skin stands out starkly against it. You search through the desk for reports left for you by your predecessor and for notes on ongoing major cases that deserve your attention...

Roll 1d100

>>1233538
Ir is probably best not to show our ignorance of the situation unless necessary.
>"Go along then. I have case files and reports to review, we will have a staff meeting later."

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>1233567
Rolling then

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>1233567

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>1233567
This place doesn't seem to be the boonie posting we thought it was at first, judging by the number of adventuring types upstairs.

Make a note, at some point, to ask what happened to our predecessor.

File: Dark-Elf-The-Stare.jpg (143KB, 1600x900px) Image search: [Google]

143KB, 1600x900px

As you run your fingers over the files you feel slight indentations in the sides of them. Someone left these very deliberately for you to read with your fingers in the order of the files. You check the letters carefully.

d o p p l e g a n g e r s

The word is given in non-capital letters. Your intuition tells you that it is both a message and the code-word to a cipher. Dopplegangers. You are going to have to do a hunt for the right file to decrypt, and you resolve to keep an eye out for anything that might fit the bill.

You run a review of basic primers on the state, culture, and government.

You are presently in the Kingdom of Bazareene. Bazareene is ruled by a set of interconnecting sorcerous bloodlines. Lines of hereditary sorcerers are often a power in various Kingdoms, but in Bazareene they are the political hierarchy. The Kingdom is relatively young, and all nobles have votes in its legislature in accordance with their station, can seek appointment to its court system, and are free to compete in contests for titles all the way to the Kingship. For now the system is stable because there is enough money and power flowing for all to be more or less satisfied, but much of the Kingdom is still wild and local lords must marshal their own forces to deal with incursions by various forces.

You find an explanation of your own specialty, the economy and currency.

The Kingdom of Bazareene exports primarily lumber, food, and various cash crops grown within it's borders. A local weed that they call tobacco in the form of snuff is a common export. Its monetary system is based on an exchange between sorcerous notes and bullion. Bullion is imported and exchanged for currency notes in large denomination that are produced by the various noble families. This is encouraged by heavy taxes on the import and exchange of bullion but not upon the use of large notes. The large notes of currency are necessary to make large purchases of local goods, and only those notes can be exchanged for bullion at the local stores of the Lord or Lady who minted them. The notes can be exchanged for smaller bills which are utilized for local goods and services, essentially making the small notes their own separate system of currency. The small notes are printed with arcane mints but are not magical like the large notes. They are kept proportional to the reserves of bullion kept by each lord, and the large notes are used to make major internal exchanges. It is unknown but suspected to be a common practice for some lords to print excess large notes as a way to pay their debts, but so far the demand for currency is growing at a steady enough rate that inflation has not become a serious problem yet.

cont'd

File: white.jpg (81KB, 600x788px) Image search: [Google]

81KB, 600x788px

Deeper within are a set of policy objectives listed for Brownring Station. They have recently been amended.

-Gather information on key policy makers and power brokers
-Develop clandestine assets for use in later operations
-Maintain cover operations needed for long term clandestine presence
-Addendum: Amass budget for major operations.
-Addendum: Create a pivot in favor of the legalization of slavery within Bazareene

That last one causes you to do a double take. What kind of miracle do they expect you to work here? With just this piddly little inn and its staff? How are you supposed to shift the country's entire policy on social and economic issues from a wine cellar in a small town inn? It begins to become obvious to you why station chief Syvanna would not want the assignment. You assume, at least, that she left voluntarily.

>Read personnel files
>Read about your active and passive assets
>Look for anything that might be decoded with the cipher someone left for you
>Review your budget and facilities
>Write in

Read personnel files.

>>1233686
>Read personnel files

>>1233686
I'd go with personnel files, but seeing as we've been given the codeword doppelgangers, it's entirely possible that the people those files were about are nno longer within the premises.

I think we need to get busy with that cypher as quickly as possible before we find out what happened to our predecessor in a very direct way.

>Look for anything that might be decoded with the cipher someone left for you

File: pale.jpg (80KB, 320x461px) Image search: [Google]

80KB, 320x461px

Deciding to go through the personnel files, you pop them open and start reading about your subordinates.

Al'cye: Clandestine services veteran. Collections specialty. Pretty much the sort of person you'd expect to see here. The bar tender.
Wytne': Trained as a combatant then put through the clandestine training pipeline. Typical paramilitary, but little experiencein the field. She's the one walking around with so much skin showing.
S'mynth'a: The other waitress, same training as Wytnee but with more experience in the field. Was recently reassigned from a big city after an incident in which she was found to not be at fault.
T'bytha: One of the cooks. Clandestine services, green, straight from the training school to her current posting.
M'riss'a: The cook who brought yo down here. Originally posted as a quartermaster in the depths of an embassy while secretly working as a propagandist. Moved to Brownring station shortly after to conduct psychological operations.

Two spies, two paramilitary, and a propagandist. This is who you, a highly specialized counterfeiter thrust into management and operations, suddenly have at your command. You hear the footsteps of someone outside coming to bring you food.

>Keep skimming undisturbed
>Hide the files
>Write in

>>1233782
>Keep skimming undisturbed

>>1233782
Hide the files. Ostensibly, we're in a safe place... But there's no reason not to exercise caution. Even an accidental glance from one of the greener ones might result in something being given away later.

>>1233782
>>Hide the files

>>1233782
>>Hide the files

Going on a quick dinner break. Will write response when I get back.

That took an unexpectedly long length of time, my bad. Typing.

File: whiteskin.jpg (10KB, 236x354px) Image search: [Google]

10KB, 236x354px

You arrange the files back inside of the desk, careful to try and appear cool and unworried. In both the Underdark and espionage this is a skill that you have gotten a lot of practice at, and so assuming a straight face isn't particularly difficult. You watch the door swing open as you make the effort to appear as poised as possible. The scantily clad waitress, Wytne', if you aren't mistaken, is the one who enters.

"One silk special platter and a white and gold."

"Those are actual menu items?"

"The silk special doesn't come as a platter, and nobody knows what a white and gold is around here, they call the same drink a raven's brew."

"I see."

She sets the meal down in front of you.

"Will that be all m'am?"

>Ask her about the inn
>Ask her about her fellow spies
>Ask about your predecessor
>Write in

>>1234980
>>Ask about your predecessor

>>1234980
Ask nothing. Like before, it can wait for the staff meeting.

>>1234980
>>1235001
Agreed, let's dismiss her and go back to the files. We have that cypher to look into and I still believe it to be urgent.

File: Fantasy_Albino.jpg (128KB, 1280x720px) Image search: [Google]

128KB, 1280x720px

Deciding to save your questions for a later date you just smile at her.

"Not just now, thank you. Later this evening we will have to have a staff meeting though."

"Understood. I'll be on my way then m'am."

She turns and exits, and you wait until after you hear her leave before you open the desk back up. Now then...

>Skim in search of any file that could fit the cipher
>Review the budget and facilities files
>Review major case files
>Review assets
>Other

>>1234980
>>1235015

Yeah just bring it up at the staff meeting

Ask nothing, look into decoding the cypher

>>1235055
Already stated in my previous post, but just for the sake of form:
>Skim in search of any file that could fit the cipher

Hopefully, we'll have some spare time after that to look into the major case files. We want to look prepared at that staff meeting.

>>1235055
>>Skim in search of any file that could fit the cipher

>>1235055
Skim through for the cipher file.

>>1235055
>Skim in search of any file that could fit the cipher

File: light.jpg (23KB, 600x315px) Image search: [Google]

23KB, 600x315px

You skim through files quickly, only reading them just enough to hopefully find what you are looking for...

1d100

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>1235146

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>1235146

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>1235146

File: drow.jpg (84KB, 700x700px) Image search: [Google]

84KB, 700x700px

File after file flickers by. You aren't reading for details: you're looking for something specific. Finally, you know it when you find it. As it turns out it was in your asset files.

Normally an agent's paperwork is very short, because it may have to be transcribed and encrypted, making it advantageous to keep the file as short as possible. Another key detail of agent files is that they are as terse and shy of details as possible. Only the officer that recruited the agent, his or her handler, and possibly the station chief are supposed to know who the agent is, but this agent was recruited, handled, and run entirely by your predecessor who seemed to be gushing details. At least, according to the paper. If you were to take a wild guess, you would say that Agent Witchtooth doesn't exist.

Pulling out extensive reams of paper and ink, you get to work.

d o p p l e g a n g e r

Slowly but surely you figure it out. The cipher is a relatively simple one when you know the key, but it would be a nightmare to solve if you didn't. The lengthy and verbose agent file becomes a set of letters, and you figure out where to insert spaces. An entirely new message appears takes shape before you after hours of labor.

cont'd

File: doppleganger.jpg (168KB, 640x853px) Image search: [Google]

168KB, 640x853px

This is a report meant for my replacement as station chief regarding a sensitive compartmentalized matter. Several times during the past three months our collections have been plagued by strange events. I first noticed that several agents seemed to have no idea that we had recruited them. Subsequently the same individuals would be aware of their status as agents in subsequent meetings while having no memory of contact whatsoever during the previous incident. A list of these low level incidents is as follows:

-Agent Charm appeared and went on a shopping spree at local shops and the tavern purchasing various gear and reagents. Agent Charm opened up several lines of credit and utilized existing tabs. When approached in the designated fashion by the handler Agent Charm was unresponsive and seemed totally unaware of what was happening. Shortly after Agent Charm left town. The following week Agent Charm returned to a dispute regarding the use of the lines of credit that had been utilized and was responsive to signals to meet, claiming to have been adventuring with a party in Darkwood at the time of the incident.

-Agent Adamant was missing from an associated adventuring party due to an incident of petrification. As the associated party sought reagents for a curative solution Agent Adamant appeared in town. Upon being confronted by a shopkeeper Agent Adamant fled down a side street and was not seen again until the associated party returned successfully from the site of Agent Adamant's petrification.

-Agent Burnside came to town, utilizing existing lines of credit and merchandise previously utilized by Agent Burnside. When given the sign to make contact Agent Burnside was nonresponsive. After leaving town heading North on the following day a shocking discovery was made by a shepherd to the South. Agent Burnside's corpse was found in a field, his neck broken and all of his clothing missing.

Similar reports matching patterns of credit fraud have been reported by various agents. These lower level incidents seem to represent part of a pattern, but a larger incident has overshadowed them. This ongoing issue revolves around Agent Cassanova.

-Agent Cassanova is a close adviser to an important Lord and when discovered to be compromised proved both a useful and willing recruit. During regular contact two weeks ago Agent Cassanova was entirely unresponsive, showing no awareness that he was ever recruited as an agent and no awareness of his being compromised. There has been a shift in court policy during the past two weeks with Agent Cassanova changing position on a number of seemingly unconnected key issues. Additional dispensation has been given to an undersecretary under Agent Cassanova to spend a seemingly large budget for unknown purposes.

Agent Cassanova is now considered to be quarantined. Relation between these incidents remains unconfirmed.

S

File: tattooeddrow.jpg (106KB, 736x1146px) Image search: [Google]

106KB, 736x1146px

It would seem that you have an unsolved mystery in your lap.

>Review all files potentially related to the case
>Review other major case files
>Review agent files
>Review administrative files on budget and assets
>Write in

>>1235361
>Review administrative files on budget and assets

>>1235361

>Review administrative files on budget and assets

>>1235361
>Review other major case files

My impulse would tell me to check the agent files, but we have a meeting coming up soon.
Our predecessor didn't deem it wise to breach the topic of the doppelgangers to our subjects, so we need to know what else there is we can discuss.

Hmmm... Here's the deal with your quest so far. I've got a MA in National Security Studies - basically I was trained to be a political analyst for three letter agencies.

Since then, I've bestirred myself to learn about the clandestine side of the game, going to far as to find what I believe to be training materials from one of those agencies used to train allied states. It was quite enlightening.

So having that as a background, I have to say this quest is extraordinarily well written. The PURPOSE of the spymistress is believable and realistic - similar attempts to influence policy have historically been part of previous operations. The strangeness of her background and how her personal whiteness affects her assignment make utter sense. "You recruit the man to suit the task" has been a mantra of the CIA for decades. The task of running agents, rather than trying to mystical ninja spy into a palace to blah blah is a remarkable departure from previous quests - basically you've established a premise, then drawn exceptionally well reasoned and realistic conclusions from it. This is closer to "real" spy work than I have encountered in anything other than the hardest spy thrillers, and if you keep going like this, it would make top-notch spy thriller material.

I'm in.

>>1235361
So, a doppleganger/s or other form of shapeshifter is going around and pretending to be our agents... Not on purpose, it seems, but this is still interference in our operations that we cannot brook. The doppelgangers must either be exterminated or used to our advantage.

>>1235361

>Review other major case files and agent files
>Come up with an agenda for the staff meeting.

I'd recommend the following agenda
>Hi, how are ya, I'm sure we'll get along great (be vague about your personal operational expertise. We don't want them thinking we're a desk weenie.)
>Our objectives in the area are still unchanged.
>Review current cases (unless the staff are not interconscious of all cases in the area - bad security. In that case they are reviewed only with the person in question.). Agent Casanova is quarantined. Make note of time, location, activities, rumors if you see them, make no contact.
>Set tasks for the next week: Continue to keep cover, run agents, and spend a little time with each operator getting a tour of the city. Time to know our turf.

Then for us, try to find a way to ID dopplegangers, preferably by magical means. Once we do, we should borrow a hitter, maybe two, and make contact.

>Review administrative files
>Review major case files

Writing. Also going on a snack run before I have to start writing big chunks of dialog.

>>1235450

Funny story, I was supposed to do a BA in International Relations before I ran off to do other stuff. My spy stuff is always crunchy.

>>1235478
This man clearly knows what needs to be done.

Only thing I'd advise against: being too pleasant and corteous with our subjects.
We're roleplaying a drow, and one in a position of power to boot. They probably expect us to have little interest in their feelings and to just demand efficiency of them.

To be pleasant would probably break character as well as make them suspicious as to why we're being so nice.

>>1235533

I concur. Project strength, authority, ruthlessness, and a lack of tolerance for mistakes or fools. We want them toeing the line.

We'll balance strength with rewards...but only for success.

>>1235523

So what do you do now?

>>1235533
True. I don't know how drow work in this "setting" though. Aren't D&D drow so ridiculously treacherous and self-destructive that they basically only exist because Lolth thinks it's funny?

>>1235597
Depends on the setting, but expect them to be cruel, treacherous, matriarchal, Byzantine, and ridiculously good at magic and resistant to it.

>>1235566

By day I work out in the hopes of getting into good enough shape to do a CCT contract. By night I write mediocre pulp fiction.

>>1235675

Eh, not so mediocre if this is the way you write. Hope you get the CCT contract.

File: definitely not up to something.jpg (73KB, 877x620px) Image search: [Google]

73KB, 877x620px

After concealing the message from your predecessor you first review your administrative files. You decide to hit the high notes first and go into detail later since you have other files to review before the meeting, but the main points are more or less as follows.


-The Inn turns enough of a profit to pay a small agent network while keeping itself running. It is owned by mortgage through the town bank. You have no idea if anyone is skimming from the till, but if they are then they are hiding it well.
-There are no "budget acquisition operations" going on aside from the inn itself. No counterfeiting ring, no smuggling, nothing. If you are going to try and produce results in accordance with the newly laid out policy goals that you have been given you are going to need to to acquire additional assets.
-There is a small "herb garden" of various poisons that are considered indispensable by Drow. Everything from knockout poison to the infamous kex gum that kills several days to weeks later. Not large amounts, but enough for immediate uses.
-The petty cash that you keep in store fluctuates in amount, and a few more key agents might be more than you can dip out for.
-Case work is handled fairly within standards, although it is less compartmentalized than at a larger duty station due to the small staff. Reports are usually sent back monthly by courier.


Now you pour over major case files with the time that you have left before your staff heads down. Some of them are still relevant, others are going to have to be re-evaluated.


-An individual dubbed "Cassanova" was found out to have engaged in an illicit affair that would have resulted in a loss of position at minimum. Cassanova was approached and recruited, and was viewed as a prime instrument of moving policy at the local level and beyond with the right grooming. Agent Cassanova's status is now listed as "Under Review" in the official records.
-A major survey of various "adventurers", as they are apparently dubbed, was spearheaded through the recruitment of various agents who join "parties" that typically are hired out by local political and financial interests as temporary and disposable muscle. Apparently a great many adventurers are quite susceptible to bribery and don't really seem to care who they are ultimately working for. It seems that many of them just take the money without asking further questions as a lifestyle. This endeavor has yielded troves of information that you will have to glean through.
-There is an elvish merchant house with a major enclave in the Capital, including a lobbying wing. The possibility of inserting a mole into their ranks is being heavily considered and studied.
-Contact has been made with various orc and beastkin tribes that migrate through the region. They have offered to act as intermediaries between you and the various powers that they deal with, which apparently include heavyweights such as the Red Dragon Vorathorynx

File: leshay.jpg (220KB, 400x596px) Image search: [Google]

220KB, 400x596px

There is much more to read, but you know that the time for a meeting is now when you hear several sets of footsteps again. Now comes a set of decision points for how to handle your subordinates.

Doppleganger
>Brief them on "doppleganger"
>Do not brief them
>Write in

Tone
>Drow Matriarch standard
>Fair but firm
>We're all in this together
>Write in

New directives
>Our new priority is budget acquisition in pursuit of our new directives
>Pitch me some ideas for new operations
>Let's talk about moles
>Let's talk about Cassanova
>Write in

Pick and choose ala carte style.

>>1235714

It's hit or miss honestly. I'm hoping I get it and that I can land a language billet within the job field. I know they need guys who can do that.

>>1235802

>Do not brief them
>Drow Matriarch standard
>Our new priority is budget acquisition in pursuit of our new directives

>>1235802
>Doppleganger
>>Do not brief them

>Tone
>>Fair but firm

>New directives
>>Our new priority is budget acquisition in pursuit of our new directives
>>Pitch me some ideas for new operations

>>1235802
>Do not brief them
>Fair but firm
>Our new priority is budget acquisition in pursuit of our new directives

>>1235802
>Doppleganger
>>Do not brief them

>Tone
>>Drow Matriarch standard


>New directives
>>Our new priority is budget acquisition in pursuit of our new directives
>>Pitch me some ideas for new operations

>>1235813
Seconding this.

>>1235802
Do not brief them. We may decide, at some point, to brief individuals as necessary, but this was compartmentalized for a reason. That said, if in the future an agent does not provide the proper response, I think they should be taken in, by force if necessary, to some other site (not the inn) for interrogation and we should be informed immediately.

Our tone should be somewhere between the Drow Matriarch standard and fair but firm, I think. Failure has consequences, and discipline should be instilled, but it'd be foolish to cripple our already scant personnel with ridiculous punishments. That said, insubordination will not be tolerated, and excelling in your duties will be rewarded.

We need money, but we can't let this matter with Cassanova get away from us.

>>1235869
>Our tone should be somewhere between the Drow Matriarch standard and fair but firm

On a second thought, if that's an option then we may well go for it.
Though it's not like we have any reason to punish anyone as of yet.

By the way author, I'm curious: are you deliberately spelling Cassanova with a second s to distinguish the character from the real life historical figure?

>>1235904

I could hypothetically be doing any number of things.

So, a scene in which you take a matriarchal, but perhaps moderated, tone with your subordinates who you do not brief in which you set priority as "raising funds for operations" is slated to go down... next session!

That will probably be tomorrow night, around 7:30PM Eastern, 6:30 Central. If this thread is still here I'll bump it, if not then I'll make a new one. That's all for now folks, I must sleep.

>>1235802

I'm going to try to address this a couple ways. First, as far as that a la carte menu goes, ALL these choices are needed at some level. Before that, though, here is my assessment of goals:

Immediate goals (personal): Take control of duty station, secure loyalty/obedience of officers, gather enough local knowledge to effectively maintain cover.

Short term goal: Find a way to identify dopplegangers easily. Vet existing officers and agents, purge any who ARE dopplegangers. Assess agent utility in the wake of the mess the dopplegangers have left. Keep an eye out for targets of opportunity to rob.

Medium term goal: Assess possibility of starting smuggling ring selling drugs/poisons in large surrounding cities. Assess beastkin tribes for use as raiders - we provide info, they hit the target and split the cash. For security (most raider groups get killed eventually) we'll need to handle contact so that the beastkin have no idea who we REALLY are.

Long term goals: Recruit agents in positions of power. Infiltrate elven merchant house as cover for smuggling operations/theft for funding/use as a front to lobby for drow policy goals.

That said, I believe these to be the best choices:

>Doppleganger. Briefing in is not necessary at this point. Indicate Cassanova is off limits and should be surveilled when/as opportunity presents. Leave a note in our files if we meet an untimely end.

>Tone: All three. Preparation, inspiration and a dash of fear. We want them to know that as long as they work hard, keep the faith, and stick to tradecraft we have their back with both drow and non-drow alike. Even failure due to wretched luck will see us supporting them. That said, we expect competence and immediate obedience, and fools will not be tolerated.

Our new directives:
> Vet our agents. Make note of those who seem off. (Once we find how to ID dopplegangers, we'll go through and weed out the bad agents, but that's something to handle ourselves).

>Priority is budget acquisition.

>Second priority is to position ourselves to ID policymakers and opinion leaders vulnerable to being recruited. I'd have the rookie act as a Targeting Analyst to be in charge of assessing potential recruits. It's a low risk job that will get her feet wet.

>>1235973
This seems legit.

>>1235973
Mostly good ideas but, forgive me if I'm mistaken, you seem to be operating under the notion that the doppelgangers are permanently replacing operatives, however from what I understood, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Based on our predecessor's message, it seems for the most part the doppelgangers are content to just impersonate our agents without first disposing of them (consider the case of the operative that was turned to stone with his doppelganger seemingly caught completely unaware by news of this).
Only in some cases (the one guy that was later found dead and presumably Cassanova) the original was apparently permanently disposed of.

Concerning the beastkin, whe you say they shouldn't know who we are, by we do you mean our person or the organization? Because it seems possible if not likely that they already know what they are dealing with (drow spies).
Of course, if they don't, by all means let's keep them in the dark.

>>1235991
The doppelganger, or doppelgangers, seem to be opportunists. It may, in fact, not be just our agents who have been doppelganged, but anyone who could be of use to them.

On closer examination of >>1235357 "Agent Charm" purchased "gear and reagents... "Agent Burnside" utilized lines of credit and merchandise... What did they stand to gain from Agent Adamant?

This speaks to me of more than just what you'd expect from identity theft. No sign of spending on luxuries, I'd assume. That speaks to a higher purpose.

I don't like it.

>>1235991

The fact that many agents have been compromised in presumably unconnected areas speaks to a certain, likely volume of dopplegangers in the area. Either that or we simply have the single unluckiest, clumsiest shapeshifter imaginable on our hands.

Either way, we need to institute a general rotation of signifiers (more stringent if already applicable), as well as looking into measures to counteract shapeshifting.

Most of these forms of magic require the user to be conscious. And so poisons that induce slumber could prove ideal.

Recruitment is a possible avenue to pursue, but immobilization takes precedent. They are literally a golden opportunity if not part of a bigger movement that has to be curtailed.

>>1235991
>>1236015
Bear with me, guys, there's a method to my madness regarding the dopplegangers.

I agree that they seem to be opportunists...for the most part. We know of one agent who was killed by a doppleganger who assumed his identity, and that's why I want to vet our agents, for several reasons:

1) The utility of our agents tends to be compromised, or our agents get killed when dopplegangers are involved. The dopplegangers we've seen have been doing things like maxing out lines of credit and in general making a mess. Agent Cassanova in particular was a high-value asset who may be useless now if he's been doubled.

2) We've had four agents affected by these guys so far, and that's in a "rural horse and buggy town". Either we've been
a) extraordinarily unlucky,
b) the agents we've recruited have been the exact same kind of agents dopplegangers would seek to double (not likely but not impossible - they're a different race, not a competing intelligence organization),
c) the town is so crawling with them that us having four agents affected IS possible, or
d) we're being hunted, and the dopplegangers are trying to screw us up. Four agents is a LOT for a small station.

3) If the dopplegangers become enough of a nuisance, the Bazareene Crown may send some people down here to root them out, and we might get caught in the net. Given that Bazareene is ruled by sorcerers, they'll be led by one, at least (the king would send a trusted man, not a bureaucrat). This poses a huge security risk, especially because all that is necessary is for one of our agents to be interrogated under magic. At that point, this station is compromised. The irony of having to do the Crown's work to maintain our own security is not lost on me.

Obviously, though, vetting our agents does nothing to prevent future casual doubling of our agents. I'm all for >>1236078
idea of capture and interrogation. Honestly, I have no idea how to compel the loyalty of a shapeshifter, though, aside from a geas.

That said, we might want to consider alternate measures to remain secure in case of a general crackdown, especially because dealing with them might not be possible anyway.

>>1236015
I agree with not liking this and the higher purpose. Either they've got their own plot and they've "borrowed" our rake to farm it, or they're deliberately trying to drag us into it.

>>1235991
>>1236329

Sorry, realized I may be unclear and I am amending my opinion somewhat. At this time, half the agents affected appear to have been doubled (Cassanova and Burnside), with the other half being apparent targets of opportunity. I think that proportion is pretty high.

That said I still think we need to vet our agents, then capture and break one of the dopplegangers anyway.

We begin again in ~15 minutes.

File: mallory.jpg (53KB, 827x464px) Image search: [Google]

53KB, 827x464px

The door opens and a handful of forms flit in. You note the bartender and one of the cooks, the propagandist M'riss'a, are missing. While you presume that they have pressing duties upstairs, which may involve preventing the robbery of the place, you wonder if this is some sort of test of your authority. With trained eyes you watch the trio pause as the door is shut behind them, and then fan out around your desk. It would put them on edge to offer them chairs so early. Typically the Drow ruling class only offer people comfort as a way to play head games with them. Naturally you can't dispense entirely with protocol.

"You there, T'bytha if I'm not mistaken, do go and fetch some chairs. We can't have the entire meeting with everyone standing, now can we?"

"Yes miss."

She turns in the direction of the furniture and pauses. It seems that she is torn between fetching chairs from the desks and fetching the comfortable chairs. As she hovers you speak.

"Now then, Wytne', I notice that we are down two people."

"Yes miss. They had to remain upstairs but will be able to come down and join you when someone comes up to relieve them."

"I see. I suppose it can't be helped when there is business to be taken care of."

"Yes miss."

Giving as little as possible. Waiting for cues. In a society where advancement means eating your own such manners are common. T'bytha finally settles on the comfortable furniture and brings several chairs over. You see S'mynth'a blanch at the comfortable chairs having been chosen, but the die had been cast and you weren't technically the one who cast it. All the same, the ambiguity is likely to have them wondering. They sit in such a way that they can see one another and you at the same time. It is the custom.

"So, down to business. Are you familiar with the new directives that have been handed down to us?"

Nobody jumps to respond first, but the moment the question hangs in the air almost a moment too long S'mynth'a jumps in.

"Yes miss. They were discussed in passing, but the question of implementation was determined to be a matter best left to the new station chief."

Nobody is going to take point until we know you better.

"Well then, I suppose it was wise to avoid any early hiccups in the transition, but if you have any ideas regarding implementation I'm willing to hear them so long as they fit into my vision for our mission."

If you're up to something cop to it now or kill it.

There is another moment's silence. You don't force any of them to speak though.

"Now then, prior to my experience here one of my areas of specialty was in the creation and dissemination of counterfeit monies. Currency, bullion, it was and is all fair game. May I assume that none of you have any experience with that?"

Heads moved indicating the negative.

"Our goal at this time is budgetary acquisition. To put it plainly we need more resources..."

>Write in a plan
>Wait for a response

>>1238845
>Wait for a response

Only ideas I have are probably bad ones. Like illegal enterprises, smuggling things, expanding into brothel or worse.

>>1238845

>Wait for a response

Keep up the trend of awkward silences. If nobody suggests anything bring up infiltration of the elvish merchant house, with our skill in counterfeiting there should be lots of opportunity there

>>1238845

Plainly put, we need to find people with something worth taking, then take it by violence, theft, or con. I recommend the following:

Short term:
> You will be given tasks outside the tavern as cover. While you are carrying them out you are to evaluate targets of opportunity, such as shops, traders or travelers for portable, anonymous wealth. You are to make notes of defences, activity, time the target is likely to be vulnerable. Make suggestions if you have them for good areas to scout.

>You are also to prepare reports regarding what you know of the economic life of this city. Is wealth carried in cash, coin, bullion, gems or letters of credit between cities? How big is this city, both geographically and populationwise? Does it see many travelers or much trade? What does it produce and how is that distributed? We need to determine to what extent it is feasible to steal or counterfeit goods, and how easily stolen goods may be made anonymous.

>In the medium term, it is my intent to set up a smuggling ring, as a means of moving our agents, for coin, and to expand our network to neighboring cities. You are to note the strength, loyalty, competence, and vigor of local law enforcement. As we know more, we will be looking for those that can be corrupted.

>>1238964
Eh, not entirely bad. I don't like brothels (low coin, management issues), but it's also the most easily covered of the options.

>>1239183
As far as counterfeiting goes, I like the idea of using forged letters of credit with merchant houses (not necessarily that one), to purchase high value merchandise that can be easily converted into coin.

Infiltrating the merchant house will be a lot easier when we have the coin to invest as a franchisee. Once we do, though, we can start cooking the books and using our spyish skills to worm ahead (disgrace the guys above you to step into their place. A spy can learn a lot useful towards that end.)

>>1239235
Are we including adventurers, as far as anonymous, portable wealth goes? They can't just be out here for the fine climate. Potentially high risk-high reward, but since we also use them as a sort of local muscle it might not be worth it.

>>1239534

I'd assess those on a case-by-case basis. Glad you brought it up - providing not-standard equipment to them, particularly potions and poisons, might be a good way of making cash.

>>1238845
You alive man?

Sorry guys, storm is fucking my shit and my power/cable right now. Internet is intermittent.

Man, this is interesting, catching up now.

I believe I saw it mentioned earlier that the Lord of the area likes to pay his debts by printing extra money and pretty much had only gotten lucky in not driving massive inflation. Any chance we could plan to get him into big dent with us through a bunch of middle men, create a massive foreign currency reserve. We get money in the short term and if we can get him to print enough notes/counterfeit enough ourselves we could effectively hold the areas economy hostage by threatening to tank the currency overnight.

For the initial cash could we get someone to run a Ponzi scheme where we pay out the dividends in counterfeit notes. Wouldn't want it to come back on us, Ponzi scheme makes you high profile which isn't exactly helpful for us. Whatever we do I would figure that it be important that our station never outwardly appears to be anything other that the bar that it is now. Don't be selling poisons and slaves out of the back room if you catch my drift.

>>1240406
running soon m8?

>>1241526
It's an interesting idea. I'm wondering what the end of it is, though. Our job isn't to create chaos (yet); we have some specific policy ends we need to achieve.

I think that thing earlier about printing money was as follows:

"It is unknown but suspected to be a common practice for some lords to print excess large notes as a way to pay their debts, but so far the demand for currency is growing at a steady enough rate that inflation has not become a serious problem yet."

Not sure if that applied to our guy specifically or not. We don't even know his name yet.

>>1241949

Might be a Sundays thing. But that gives me the rest of the week to plan. Plans mean things that you might find interesting.

>>1242317
I wasn't intending to actually tank the currency, more just use it to blackmail some key people into advocating for our interests.

>>1243495

Some things we need are just the simple facts about the town we're in. Population, lifestyle, personages of note, distance to nearest big town, and are we the only station in the region?

Info-dump eta: ~5 hours
Start time: ~6 hours

>>1243495
Hey, QM, do you have a twitter?

[Worry intensifies]

File: 1418790303659.gif (2MB, 202x175px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 202x175px

QM, you there?