This section of your background is SECRET. Do not share it with any other PC. Do your best to complete your goals without the other players realizing it.

Background Note #1:

The gold-barges of Blackfall weren’t just given that name because it was cute. The barges’ trading system with the lower cities of Windlass and Hilltopple bring in thousands of gil every month—millions in a year, no doubt. Typically, while this trade could be lucrative…it’s just not fast enough for you. Besides, what you know about river-sailing and shipping routes you could fit on the tip of a dagger.

However, you do know one powerful law of economics—scarcity drives up the price. That much you understand, and you can take action on that much. A gnomish merchant called Gobbynock has been rumored to be bringing in a huge shipment of spices from the Far South—including a 4 pound cache of saffron, one of the rarest spices in existence. If you could get your hands on that, it’d be easy sailing from there-on-out.

One major problem remains, though. Gobbynock has a powerful golem in his control that is designed to guard the inner cabins of his gold-barge. However, rumor has it that there’s a Golembane Scarab floating somewhere around the Black Markets of Blackfall. You may have to take on some other task to get it from its owner, but either some simple gold or your own skills may suffice in acquiring the Scarab.

• Task 1: Acquire a Golembane Scarab, by hook or by crook.
• Task 2: Sneak into Gobbynock’s gold-barge, capture his saffron, and find a buyer.

Background Note #2:

Thanks to some larcenous activities from your past, you’ve come into quite the find—a powerful relic from the Frostfell. Known as the Staff of Winter, this rod has a host of powerful spell-like abilities, but the most powerful one terrifies all. The Staff of Winter has the ability to summon a massive blizzard, complete with driving wind, feet of thick snow, and frigid temperatures. Once this blizzard sets in, there’s no going back—it lasts for nigh on two months, at least.

Typically, this sort of devastation is done by command only. However, when you first acquired the Staff, it was damaged in the ensuing fight. Since then, the Staff has been uncontrollable. The fate of the Northern city of Dar-Nahvar weighs heavily on your mind because of this fact—after staying too long there, their city was crippled for nearly six months. Many sick and elderly died.

However, rumor has it that Blackfall may have the answers you seek to ridding yourself of this curse and atoning for the tragedy of Dar-Nahvar. Many powerful wizards and sages reside there, like the necromancer Jason Sa-Raine and the court librarian Yvain. If you can seek upon their wisdom, you may be able to restore or destroy the Staff before the dread blizzard sets in.

• Task 1: Find information on how to either repair or destroy the Staff of Winter.
• Task 2: Execute your plan before the blizzard sets in. You have 7 days.

Note: You gain the Staff of Winter and a Wand of Reduce. The Staff is now at a size of 16 inches. See the DM for stats and abilities.