[Setting Up] Enemies Among Us

[Uta]

Welcome to Nabol Hold... We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay

Nabol is, perhaps, one of the most corrupt areas found on Pern. Nabol Hold is particularly bad, though there are many minor Holds and Cotholds that are just as treacherous. While all Major Lord Holders own their land and oversee what happens in their smaller holds, Lord Gansley of Nabol would claim he treat his lands no differently. That, of course, is up to debate-- but in accordance to Pern's Council, a Lord Holder has ever right to run his Hold how he sees fit. The other Lord Holders will only get involved if the Lord in question can't seem to run his or her holdings--a fact Gansley is happy to remind anyone who starts questioning why and how he's allowed to remain.

Lord Holder Gansley is a middle-aged man who has an eye for power. He is the richest Lord Holder on Pern, and enjoys a bit of flash and pizzazz with everything he does. What happens in Nabol stays in Nabol, as the saying goes, and a lot of questionable things tend to happen in the Hold.

For starters, there is a distinct lack of a middle-class. Those who are born poor are often sent to the mines, where they will work until they die. Those with pretty enough faces might be brought closer to the Hold proper, so they can become courtesans or arm-candy to any of Gansley's esteemed guests. Unfortunately, for many unlucky souls, drudgery and hard-work is the most they can expect. While there are Harpers who are brought in to keep the population educated, the rich and well-off in the Hold Proper receive a decent education. Those who are in the smaller cotholds and minor mining holds surrounding Nabol, tend to remain less educated, though not always.

One thing to note is that while Nabol is generally considered a rather unpleasant place, it isn't entirely corrupt, either. There are Holds and Cotholds that, while they are still beholden to Lord Gansley and give him his due, he generally leaves them alone or they're run by Holders and Cotholders that are generally fair. There are people from Nabol who live a happy, healthy, content life. Its reputation is pretty poor, but there are plenty of families and individuals who have no complaints, or generally enjoy their experience in the Hold.

Lord Gansley isn't a bully himself, but he certainly surrounds himself with thugs and men and women who might be looked upon with questionable motives. As he's often told many Holders who object to the quality of life some of his people receive, he wants his people to achieve greatness. Any number of them can leave as refugees if they're unhappy (assuming any other Holds would take them in) -- but strangely enough those same men and women always seem to stay. Nabol is suspiciously accident prone but no one has been able to trace them back to Gansley. Furthermore, many of the poor and its Minor Holders are actually indebted to Gansley, or his thugs, for some reason or another. The Lord owns all of the Land and buildings, and has bought all the farms and reservoirs. Nothing is built in Nabol that Gansley doesn't buy and lease back to his people. Those who illegally attempt to expand or build are fined and taxed and for those who remain obstinate tend to disappear.

Furthermore, Gansley tends to make deals with his Holders and Cotholders. From kickbacks in wealth or luxuries for keeping certain families or individuals in the mines, to trading in a few turns in the mines for an allowance for a child to be educated in the Hold Proper, or released to a Hall. Dealmaking is big in Nabol, and as much as Master Craftsmen might not like working with Gansley, or Journeymen might report questionable activity, the greed runs strong. Everyone has a price, and Gansley has the marks to find out exactly what that price is.

The rich mines of Nabol are protected by loyal (and often aggressive) guards and whers. For some of his most precious mines he's bought out some dragonmen whom aren't affiliated with any Weyr. Their loyalty is to Gansley and Nabol. In fact, there's even a Nabol Queen to help keep dragonmen from meddling or turning on his Hold. Whatever Gansley has promised or given those mercenaries is under strict confidentiality; whatever it is, they have turned the other cheek and keep their mouths shut. They're just there to guard the mines, nothing more, and any judgment or personal opinion is kept under wraps.

For those who are not at the bottom of the barrel hoping for a better life, Nabol is always a grand party. The Hold Proper is swimming in fine things and has some of Pern's best luxuries. There are spas, gambling halls, high-end brothels, pits for wher fights, and all sorts of amenities to be offered those lucky enough to afford them. Gansley and his family have always treated the elite -- and his friends -- with all sorts of riches and fineries and he's happy to throw many a grand party. He's not a cheap man, after all, and has been known to enrich the lives of some of the poorest minebrats and their families as well--or has turned some of his mines from squalor and into gentler hands.

He's no fool, after all, and one entice more trundlebugs with honey, as the saying goes.

So, with all this knowledge about one of the most unsavory Holds on Pern, what does it mean to you?

Well... it means we start opening it up to players! Why? Because Lord Gansley has the power, and he has his own loyal circle. Not everyone has a noble heart.... And Lord Gansley has his own people underneath his wing. They might not love him, but the promise of money and power can make even the most good-hearted walk down some dark roads... even on Pern.  

[Uta]

Name Your Price

Gansley has an interesting relationship with his Hold and his people. There are those he exploits, those who he well knows loathe him, hate him, and would happily see him dead. This doesn't phase him. He knows he has the scorn of certain peers, such as the High Reaches Weyr Weyrwoman, and other Lord Holders from places such as Tillek Hold, Fort Hold, and Benden. That said, he also has his friends and allies: Crom Hold, Redoubt Hold, Bitra Hold, and the Masterminer of Pern himself.

One thing to be said is that Lord Gansley knows how to spoil those he considers friends and allies. He treats many within his Hold very well. Individuals, families, dragonriders, Crafters-- there's a great many within Nabol's territory that do exceptionally well for one reason or another. There are many families and areas where the men, women, and children work hard (or don't work at all) and are treated to the best Pern has to offer. Gansley isn't without those who are genuinely loyal to him. He's a smart enough man to know how to tangle webs and to ensure that the trail goes cold long before it incriminates him; and even then, so long as he keeps his business well within the Nabol territories, the other Lord Holders can't do much but hope he succumbs to an early grave or a less corrupt heir somehow manages to take over.

For now, Lord Gansley has played by the rules... Even if they're not entirely pleasant.

He knows High Reaches Weyr would love to come down from high and scorch him with dragonfire--but there is a separation of Hold and Weyr that is well ingrained on Pern. The Weyrs are limited on what they can do when it comes to corrupt Holders. They aren't allowed to get involved in Hold matters or politics, unless a Lord Holder somehow invokes a duel with one--but Lord Gansley has no intention of fighting a rider or making promises he won't keep. He's a clever man, and isn't going to risk his neck doing something so stupid. He makes friends and has connections to all sorts of individuals on Pern.

So, Lord Gansley is looking for some individuals to help keep Nabol just the way it is. While Zheria has her people, Gansley has his own and they need to be filled! Most of these characters are not affiliated to the Weyr, and even more are NOT dragonriders. The hope is that stories and development can grow in Nabol Hold, and be played off visiting riders of High Reaches during sweeps or post-Thread groundcrew cleanup.

Please note--if you do sign up to make an ally of Gansley, note that until we allow for some flexibility, they should stay loyal--if not out of a sense of duty, but for the riches or some other reason. People in this circle aren't here to turn on him, or suddenly become pro-Zheria, etc. They're not going to suddenly see the error of their ways or be reformed, no matter how bad people try, or how they fake it. These are meant to be darker characters.

We'll let you know when/if the storyline changes to allow that. And if you want a character who can develop in that sense, just make them part of Nabol or High Reaches Weyr but not part of these inner circles! :3  

[Uta]

Keep Your Friends Close and your Enemies Closer

Unaffiliated Riders While Nabol isn't really set up to be a weyrhold, and isn't one, there are some riders who live in the Hold. His most trusted individuals are often used as support to help keep watch over some of his most lucrative mines--and generally make their own sweeps checking up on smaller Holds and cotholds, or keeping an eye out for any families on the run.

These riders aren't necessarily evil, as no rider can be, but they do what Gansley needs them do, and tend to turn their cheek when they witness things that are questionable. They themselves cannot and will not actually participate in harming folks within Nabol -- but like F'lar could do nothing with his riders while they entertained Lord Fax -- these riders just do as their told.

If someone needs to be picked up and relocated, the riders do so at Gansley's behest. If someone seems suspicious, or looks to be on the run, or HAS been on the run, the riders will likely find them. They're also not limited to just hanging out in Nabol. As Unaffiliated, It's possible Gansley sends some of them to other locations just to hang out, listen, and keep an eye out for anyone Gansley is looking for.

These riders won't be convinced that what they're doing is wrong--even if the high and mighty Dragonriders of Pern deride them or try to sway them to turn the other way. Their loyalty is secured through comforts, riches, and security. Most tend to have their family live at the Hold proper, elite.

These riders also serve, in a sense, Riyana and gold Nimonth--also known as the Queen of Nabol. They might be unaffiliated, but as Gansley's people, they know to do as this Queen bids and protect her at all cost.

There are a few among his riders that have been there for many Turns, and probably act as unspoken leaders, of sorts. Those whom Gansley relies on especially, and likely keep the other riders in line. There are five total, and three slots are available. DM me if interested so we can talk!

Loyal Riders - Mini-Bosses
1. Uta
2. Cheri
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Loyal Riders - General - Open! DM me if interested! These sorts fit all the above, but are likely given orders through the Mini-Bosses or from Gansley and his people himself. It's not a limited number--just keep in mind that the riders ARE loyal to Gansley. So if you make them, make sure you know they won't be able to be turned.

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Inner Circle
These men and women are part of Lord Gansley's inner-most trusted. These individuals serve Lord Gansley and do his bidding. They are there for him to gather information, enforce the rules of law of Nabol, and keep the system working. The system works for them because if it were to ever topple, they'd be ousted and their way of life upended. They help ensure tracks are covered, and that the people are kept in line.

These are essentially some of his top-notch enforcers. They are also well-respected in Nabol territory. They're the sort of individuals that folks who live in Nabol know to stay out of the way.

1. Holder of [Insert Minor Nabol Hold] - Open
2. Holder of [Insert Minor Nabol Hold] - Open
3. Master Assassin - Open - Works under Master Courtesan Teo
4. Master Assassin - Open - Works under Master Courtesan Teo
5. Master Spy - Open - Works under Master Courtesan Teo
6. Holder of [Insert Minor Nabol Hold] - Open
7. Captain of the Guard
8. Master Courtesan - Open
9. Holder of [Insert Minor Nabol Hold] - Open
10. Holder of [Insert Minor Nabol Hold] - Open
11. Master Healer
12. Riyana of gold Nimonth - Nabol's Queen - (Uta)
13. Master Miner - Open - (Could also be a wher handler)

General Enforcers
These men and women are loyal to Gansley and Nabol, but would more likely be tied in with one of the above thirteen. They support Gansley and are capable of turning the other cheek. If any wants to rise up to try to get into Gansley's inner circle, they'll need to make their way here first and set themselves apart as someone who can be trusted.

1. Enforcers: Men and women who literally are hired muscle. They don't necessasrily have a craft. They often come from bought mercenary troups, but they are scattered throughout Nabol to keep the peace--or to threaten and bully folks away. Felinehandling and wherhandling is common among this circle.

2. Silver Courtesans: There are many brothels found in Nabol. While there are some that are cheap, others are filled with great luxuries. Gansley has his own sort of Courtesans, and while some come from the Courtesan Hall, others are unofficial or trained without Hall backing. That's just as well for Gansley. Some Courtesans are the more beautiful or attractive mine-kids, taken in for a better life. Others were given up in hopes that they would get better treatment than from the poorer areas of Nabol. These Courtesans are loyal to Gansley and can either convince people to stay in the area, or seduce secrets from the lips of their lovers, and give them to appropriate authorities in Nabol. Some might be spies or assassins, but they play the game to win--and live in the lap of luxury.

3. Overseers: These men and women might have come from the mines and their loyalty bought. Others came from the Minecraft Hall and found they lacked in nothing as they helped to run Gansley's most riches mines. These folks can sometimes be unaffiliated riders, but usually are wherhandlers, felinehandlers, and men and women who know how to keep the masses broken. They keep the resources and riches flowing from the land.

4. Collectors: Just about everyone in Nabol owes someone higher up. These men and women are only too happy to collect on outstanding debts. They do dirty work, to be sure, but it comes with power. They essentially help wheel and deal with those who in debt. They take their orders from their respective Holders and higher ups, but they can also make recommendations on who goes into a mine, and who doesn't. The people of Nabol know to keep their heads down when Collectors come a knockin'.