A Man of His Word
By Samuel Tyler
A Victoriana 3rd Edition Scenario
A Note on NPC Stats
The NPCs in this scenario were made with the 3rd
edition rules with one exception- Important NPCs
use Traits from 2nd Edition. When an NPC attempts
a skill roll, dice equal to the Trait can be added to
the test if appropriate.
If you do not want to use Traits, add two to an NPC’s
highest Competence.
Background
Matheson Ratch is a human small time crook. He
does occasional jobs for his uncle, the gnome crime
boss, Diligence Pock, to make ends meet, but he
wants to leave it all behind and move up to a better
class of living.
He saved his semi-ill-gotten gains and checked
property listings every week, hoping for prices he
could afford. When he saw the foreclosure of a large
house in Bethnal Green, he decided to buy it, and
turn it into a boarding house.
He went to his uncle for a loan, but Pock would only
give him part of what he needed. He was lucky to
get that. Puck wouldn’t give him anything until his
wife, Ratch’s mom’s sister, intervened. Desperate,
Ratch turned to the gang leader Stan “The Stein”
Fuller for the remainder. Ratch eagerly bought the
house and worked on it for the past two weeks.
Last week, Stan “The Stein” overheard a sewer
laborer in his pub say the Metropolitan Board of
Works approved a plan that would involve altering
the drainage flow under the very house Ratch just
bought.
Stan did a little research and discovered the
property was about to become very important to
the Board. Not wanting to alert Ratch to his
property’s value, Stan hired a gutter conjurer
named Polka to “haunt” Ratch’s house with her
magic.
Polka captured animals off the street, made them
invisible with her enchantments, and snuck them
into the house every night. After hearing the ghosts
for two nights, Ratch asked a priest to banish them.
Since Ratch’s house is not haunted by ghosts, but
enchanted animals, it did not help. Ratch is terrified,
but is determined to make his dreams come true by
the sweat of his brow.
Scene 1: Entrance
Due Diligence
If the PCs are criminals, have previous dealings with
Diligence Pock, or have ever committed a petty
crime, two thugs (a horseman named John and an
ogre named Harold) encourage the PCs to come
with them to visit Mr. Pock at a nearby restaurant.
Pock sits sipping tea on a tall chair that brings his
short gnomish frame up to eye level.
Pock mentions some way the PCs have wronged
him in the past, (putting one of his men in the
hospital, robbing his courier, threatening someone
under his protection, or any other small crime the
PCs might have done in a previous adventure). He
gives them an opportunity to correct it. He wants
the PCs to make sure a man owing him money will
be able to pay it off.
He informs them about the loan Matheson Ratch has
taken, and gives Ratch’s home address (12 Pittance
Row, White Chapel). Under no circumstances does
he mention Ratch is his nephew. He also doesn’t
know the address of Ratch’s new property.
Pock will allude to his appreciation, and if asked
respectfully, he promises to give each of the PCs two
pounds, inside information on a fixed fight, and a
reliable bookie.
Diligence Pock (Gnome Crime Lord)
Initiative:
Physical: 3
Mental: 8
Social: 8
Health: 10
Traits: Intimidating presence +3, Vengeful +2
Combat: Stand and take it, knowing the fool will
not live out the night. Lined Jacket (AV 3)
Despite his short stature and elderly craggy face,
Diligence Pock is a man to be feared. His eyes glare
out from thick glasses and he bares his teeth
unsmilingly, giving his face a vicious predatory look.
He wears a well tailored but plain brown suit on his
short frame. His body may be frail, but his heart and
mind are sharp, cold, and ruthless.
Pock reached the top in the illegal gambling dens of
London through street smarts and murder. Nobody
has found a crack in his armor, and he intends to
keep it that way.
John and Harold (Horseman and Ogre Muckers)
Initiative: 8
Physical: 9
Mental: 5
Social: 5
Health: 18
Traits: Apply pressure +2, Menacing +3
Combat: Fists (6) and clubs (8)
Two hulking brutes, John and Harold are leg
breakers for Diligence Pock and follow Mr. Pock’s
instructions to the letter. John is taller and Harold is
wider, but both are menacing figures in their dark
riding cloaks. Under their cloaks are the tools of
their trade: rope, blackjacks, and black hoods.
They watch their victim for awhile to unnerve them
before approaching and veil their threats with
polite words.
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-Pock runs an underground fight racket. The fight
venues are secret and change often. His fights may
not always be fair, but his bookies will take any bet.
-Pock is very tough, almost vengeful to his debtors.
Hiring someone to help them is completely out of
character.
- Aside from some courier work for a counterfeiter
and some dockside thievery, Matheson Ratch is a
small fish in the criminal pond- nice fellow, though.
Alternative Entrances
A PC’s contact could be a mutual friend of Ratch,
enlisting the players to seek out their missing friend
-“I haven’t’ seen Old Matheson for a few weeks now.
I’d check on him but he lives in a bad part of town”,
or “Ever since I gave Ratch that loan he’s
disappeared”
.The reward for helping Ratch could be a pair of
dueling pistols, an invitation to a society dinner,
three pounds, or whatever leads to your next
adventure.
Instead of his criminal uncle, Ratch could have
borrowed the money from the Holbrook & Holbrook
Savings and Loan office. Through a number of
clerical errors the loan was approved. They fired the
clerk as soon as the mistakes were noticed, but it
was too late. The bank needs the PCs to check in on
Ratch to ensure he can pay it back or more heads
will roll.
Once the PCs have reported to Holbrook and
Holbrook on Ratch’s successful financial status, they
are rewarded with one pound each and access to a
dividend paying account. Low class PCs start each
adventure with +1 pence, middle class with +1
shilling, and high class with +5 shillings.
Scene 2: Ratch’s Basement Home
He’s Not at Home
At 12 Pittance Row in White Chapel, Ratch’s home is
in the basement of a small pawn shop. The pawn
shop’s proprietor is a mousefolk named Dorcus
Farrows. She hasn’t seen Ratch for two weeks.
Ratch is not at home. He’s been working and
sleeping at his new property, spending every
waking moment making repairs.
The cellar door in the alley is the only way into the
basement. The door has a crude padlock, which can
be overcome with a Lock-picking roll (3 black dice).
If the PCs hesitate to break into Ratch’s home, a
Perception roll (no black dice) reveals the lock is
scratched as though someone tried to break in
recently.
A short flight of stairs leads to a small single room.
PCs six feet or taller will have to duck their heads
under the low ceiling. A single lamp (unlit) serves as
the room’s only source of light and heat. Three
trunks, a short table, and a bed are the only pieces
of furniture. The trunks contain clothes and a few
books.
A loose brick in the wall by the bed hides a metal tin
containing the rolled up deed to 173 Cork Street, Bethnal
Green. The deed was notarized and witnessed by
Shepherd Holdings (the property office handling the
foreclosure and sale). The signatures of Ratch and
Alistair Shepherd are dated two weeks ago.
Ruffians in the Basement
After the PCs search around for a bit, the cellar door
slams open and a number of thugs equal to the
party stomp down the stairs. Stan “The Stein” sent
them to collect the deed to Ratch’s property as a
backup plan. He may need it as collateral against
Ratch or have Ratch killed and forge his name on
the deed as Ratch’s partner.
The thugs ask the party which of them is Ratch and
demand they give up the deed. If the PCs are
obviously uncooperative, they attack.
Any thugs left capable of being interrogated after
the fight reveal Stan “the Stein” sent them to steal
the deed. Stan has not told them about his plans for
the property or about Polka. If threatened and
asked about Stan, they say he runs a gang out of a
public house called “the Pickled Dog” in White
Chapel.
Thugs (Orcs Foxfolk, Badgerfolk, Humans,
Dwarves etc)
Initiative: 4
Physical: 5
Mental: 3
Social: 4
Health: 8
Combat: Brass knuckles, chains, knives, clubs, (6)
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-Shepherd Holdings is a reputable realty firm. The
Shepherd brothers (two elderly Sheepdogfolk) are
respected businessmen. All the legal proceedings of
Ratch’s purchase are clean.
-Stan “the Stein” earned his name from an incident
in a bar brawl. Insulted by a patron, Stan picked up
a glass stein and smashed the man across the face.
The stein broke, leaving the handle and a jagged
glass knuckle, with which he pummeled the man to
death.
- Stan does not own the Pickled Dog pub. Since he
runs his gang out of it, he doesn’t need legal
ownership. He keeps an office in the back room,
where the most violent crimes in his neighborhood
are planned.
Scene 3: The Haunted House
173 Cork Street
A tidy square of narrow houses surrounds Cork
Street, Bethnal Green. The day’s washing hangs on
lines across buildings and men leave their homes
for a day’s or night’s work. 173 is a three story,
south facing house with a peeling white stucco
façade. Windows on every floor let in the daylight.
The front door is not locked. A side street runs
along the western side of the house, and on the east
there is a small alley separating it from the building
next door.
A one armed halfling beggar named Tommy Spitter
sits across from the house watching, making sure
everything goes according to Stan’s plan. Tommy
will happily tell the PCs about the “terrible
hauntings” in exchange for a little charity, then
report to Stan about their actions.
Ratch is bandaging a bite on his leg in one of the
first floor bedrooms. While scrubbing the walls on
the second floor, an invisible dog attacked him.
Ratch fled the “ghost” and locked himself in the
bedroom. Any noises he hears from inside the
house, Ratch will mistakenly assume are ghosts. A
successful Persuasion roll (3 black dice) will get him
out of his room. PC’s can avoid this problem by
yelling in the street up to his window.
Ratch is nervous. He will guardedly talk about being
bitten by ghost on the second floor, and of the
strange “cooing” sounds in the basement. Unless the
PCs mention the loans, Ratch will not mention his
uncle or Stan. If the subject is brought up, he refers
to Pock as his uncle.
Ratch wants to be a successful land lord, and takes
any help the PCs will offer. If the party expects
recompense, he doesn’t have any money to spare,
but he offers a room in his boardinghouse for five
pence a week in gratitude.
Floor by Floor
The house’s ground floor has an entry hallway,
kitchen, cloak room, dining room, and a drawing
room. Cheap furniture and sparse decorations give a
sense of thrifty hospitality. A back door in the
kitchen leads to a small garden and another leads to
the basement. A staircase rises through the three
floors to the attic.
Both first and second floors have four bedrooms
and a water closet. Each bedroom is furnished but
not decorated. The invisible dog is hiding under a
table in the second floor hallway. It will bite anyone
that walks by. Its panting is audible with a
successful Perception roll (no black dice).
On the second floor, the house’s stairwell stops at a
trap door in the ceiling for the attic. Sheets are
draped on ropes across the room to divide the attic
into smaller rooms to be rented.
Pigeons in the Basement
Down the kitchen stairs, the basement is low
ceilinged and unlit lanterns hang from the beams. A
few street level windows on the west and east sides
let in smudged sunlight. The enchanted pigeons
roost on the attic’s wooden beams. Any source of
light or a loud noise will rouse them. A trail of their
droppings spreads from the window in the east
from when they were shoved inside by Polka.
Outside the window is the alley way. If the area is
searched, the PCs find a small piece of braided
tobacco leaves (used for chewing or smoking in
pipes) and some boot prints. A successful Botany
roll (no black dice) or a Streetwise, Appraisal,
General Knowledge or other related roll (4 black
dice), will identify the leaf as Grey Dourly (a dirt
cheap vile burning tobacco). Not every Tobacconist
in London makes it, and the braid’s blocky style is
unusual.
The Ghosts
Three nights ago, Polka started haunting the house.
She let five pigeons in through a window in the
basement, and a dog into the kitchen. Each animal
has been enchanted to be invisible for twenty-four
hours. The focus housing the invisibility
enchantment is a leather strap with a piece of glass
hanging off it. Each animal has the strap securely
tied somewhere on their body. If the strap is
removed or the enchantment wears off, the animals
will instantly become visible. The enchantment is
purposefully flawed; while the animals are invisible
they are in constant pain and will attack anyone
they see. Any person trying on a collar will writhe in
pain, unable to act except to remove it.
PCs examining a collar must pass a Lore or magical
roll (no black dice) or Streetwise (three black dice)
roll to figure out it is a magical focus made by a
petty conjurer and will not last indefinitely. A PC
with Conjuration will be able to identify it
immediately with no roll, and with a conjuration roll
(4 black dice) will be able to figure out that the
enchantment will fade around 11. Polka returns
each night to replace any escaped animals, and
reenchant the collars.
Because of the animal’s enchantment, any attempts
to touch, catch, attack them, or resist their attacks
have 3 black dice. The animals are in pain and not
used to being invisible (the dog leaves footprints,
upturns carpets, pants loudly, and the pigeons shed
feathers, knock into each other in the air, coo, etc.)
Dog Pigeons
Initiative: 6 Initiative: 4
Physical: 5 Physical: 3
Mental: 5 Mental: 2
Health: 8 Health: 2
Damage: Bite (4) Damage: Peck (2)
Matheson Ratch (Human Aspiring
Entrepreneur)
Initiative: 6
Physical: 6
Mental: 4
Social: 6
Health: 10
Traits: Excited property owner +2, Naive +2
Combat: Fists (4)
Ratch is a tall lanky man in his late 20s with dark
red hair and a pleasant, smiling face. A life time of
petty crimes hasn’t made him jaded or cynical,
instead he is trusting to the point of naivety. He
gladly explains his plans to be a landlord to anyone
willing to listen.
His childhood in the slums has taught him how to
use his fists, but he’d rather not hurt anyone.
Tommy Spitter (Halfing Beggar)
Initiative: 5
Physical: 5
Mental: 5
Social: 7
Health: 8
Traits: Pathetic figure +2
Combat: Run, and failing that, beg for his life
Often seen begging in the street, Spitter is a middle
aged dirty halfling, with an unshaved chin. If
examined closely, mud has been carefully applied to
his face and his ragged clothes. His left sleeve hangs
empty.
Spitter was a beggar even before he lost his arm in a
carriage accident, and he learned to keep his eyes
open to any happenings of interest to his friends in
White Chapel. He is lookout for numerous criminal
enterprises.
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-The neighbors heard barking, crashes, and
windows banging shut at night.
-A petty conjurer, overheard bragging in White
Chapel taverns, says her drinks are being paid for by
ghosts.
- Expert conjurers recognize each other’s work. If
the collars are taken to one, they can help.
- The collars are made of cheap trash. There’s a
conjurer in White Chapel who makes enchantments
like this. Her work is skillful, but the stuff she uses
will turn your stomach.
-If the braided tobacco is taken to a tobacconist
shop or other expert the PCs are directed to a small
shady tobacco shop in White Chapel. The shop is
next door to Hocus Polka’s.
 Scene 4: Hocus Polka’s
The Tobacconist
The shop is very thin (four feet at best, but boxes
and drawers reduce to one foot wide in some
places), and the air is thick with the smell of stored
tobacco leaves. Behind a small scratched glass case,
Rhet Plum, a surly human, braids tobacco leaves
into a rope. The braid matches the style of the
tobacco in the alley. If asked about his past
customers, Rhet is not helpful but if the PCs are
rowdy, the halfling tells them whatever they want to
know to get them out of his shop. Polka stops in the
shop often and buys Grey Dourly. Her office is next
door.
The Awful Office
Down a stinking alleyway in White Chapel is an
easily missed door, with a small brass name plate,
labeled “Hocus Polka’s”.
Beyond the door is a cramped, foul smelling brick
lined room. Every bit of table space and every
drawer of the molding wooden furniture is covered
with piles of trash. Shards of glass, cracked bits of
wood, piles of discarded pamphlets and posters,
cast offs from butcher’s shops, anything unwanted
has been carefully collect here. None of it appears to
be organized. Junk even hangs from the ceiling.
Two doorways lead out of the office. One is Polka’s
bedroom (piles of junk with a nest formed in the
center) and the other is used for storage and a
water closet (more junk and worse).
Bizarre objects in Polka’s office include:
-A tank full of squirming, freshly-hatched Lambton
worms
-A mouse blazing with fire, sitting unharmed
-A cooking pot with charred designs on its surface;
looking at for a few seconds will cause temporary
blurry vision
-Piles of gnawed newspapers
-A dead goat
-A cigar box full of pebbles and feathers
-An old rusted birdcage that is glowing slightly
-Lumps of coal floating serenely
Due to a very complicated bit of conjuration, Polka’s
office has one door existing in two locations
spanning across London: one in White Chapel, the
other in the basement of an office building in
Mayfair. If either door were broken open, the
enchantment vanishes, and the invaders enter a
simple coal closet instead.
Questioning the Enchantress
In the center of it all, often hidden behind the piles,
is the ugly crone Polka. She smokes a pipe with a
scent familiar to any PCs that examined the ash
outside Ratch’s house.
Polka is welcoming to potential customers. She
answers questions about her enchantments for
other clients, but she only alludes vaguely about her
work for Stan “the Stein”. If the PC’s persuade Polka
to talk she’ll explain her part in Stan’s plan.
Four days ago, Stan hired her to terrorize Ratch out
of his home. Polka caught animals off the street,
fitted them with enchanted collars, and let them
into the house. She has a box full of invisible giant
cockroaches she was going to let in tonight. Stein is
paying Polka three pounds to scare Ratch, with an
extra 2 shillings per conjuration performed to make
the enchantments. He still owes her ten shillings for
the pigeons. She does not know why Stan wants
Ratch out of that house.
If the PCs remain on good terms with Polka during
this conversation, she may have some work they
could do in exchange for an enchanted focus. This
would be especially beneficial if the party decides to
attack Stan “the Stein” later in the adventure. Work
for Polka could be slicing the hearts from young
Lambton worms, catching young Lambton worms in
the sewer, or worse-tidying up her office.
Polka (Old Street-Witch Shop Owner)
Initiative: 6
Physical: 3
Mental: 7
Social: 8
Health: 8
Quintessesnce: 36
Traits: Hears a lot of things+2, Has a use for that +3,
Conjuration
Combat: While in her office, Polka has every
conjuration possible at her fingertips. If she is away,
she brings four focuses with her for protection.
Dressed in rags, Polka is the stereotypical hag, from
the warts on her face to her spindly fingers. She is
pleasant and courteous with potential customers,
but not enough to hide the eccentricities of her
magical practice.
Polka’s age is uncertain, as is her exact race. Her
ears point a little too much to be human, but she’s
too tall to be a gnome or dwarf. She has no last
name (at least none she remembers) and her
Austrian accent is the only glimpse of her life before
London.
Horace (Unicorn Animal Companion, Pet and
Protector)
Initiative: 5
Physical: 10
Mental: 8
Social: 2
Health: 16
Combat: Stabbing Horn (6d), Kicking Hooves (5d),
although not able to create Focus, Horace can
activate them while held in his mouth.
Horace is Polka’s unicorn Animal Companion.
Despite his massive frame, Horace has no trouble
navigating and fighting around the mess of Polka’s
office. His pelt is never smeared by the grime
surrounding him. Due to a sleight miscasting when
Polka enchanted the unicorn, his left eye is
completely covered in cataracts. Horace is utterly
devoted to Polka and always comes when called or
if a customer is too aggressive.
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-Polka is an unlicensed practitioner of magic. If this
were brought to the Guilds’ attention, Polka could
be in trouble. Of course that would be hard to prove
since most Guild Members don’t believe in “Petty
Magic”.
-Being a magical animal companion, Horace is
telepathically linked to Polka. Horace will respond
to anything Polka sees or hears.
Scene 5: Confrontation with Stan
The Pickled Dog
On a cramped White Chapel street, packed close
with broken buildings, the scummiest of the
working class gather any time of day at the Pickled
Dog for dirty business and dirtier pleasure.
The pub oozes outward across the ground floor of
three houses built side to side. A common room
holds a scratched billiard table, and a dart board.
Walls have been torn out to make a large barroom.
Unlabeled bottles (and bottles that would be better
off unlabeled) cover the wall behind the stained and
defaced bar. Sailors, thieves, “working girls” and
other dregs of the rookery sit on handmade stools at
the secondhand tables littering the room. A
doorway behind the bar leads to a steam filled
kitchen where four tired women scratch out meals
for the pub’s clientele.
The floor above the Pickled Dog holds private dining
rooms and bedrooms, both available to rent by the
hour or the night. Stan has permanently
commandeered three of these rooms for his gang.
One room is Stan’s office, next door is Stan’s lounge,
and across the hall is a large study serving as his
gang’s bunkhouse.
Stan is in his office with his henchman, Cotton. Five
of his gang are sleeping across the hall, and another
five are downstairs carousing.
If any of the thugs survived their encounter with the
PCs in the basement of the pawn shop, they may
alert Stan, or want some revenge.
The Confrontation
Stan is used to holding court at the Pickled Dog, and
will talk to anyone that visits. He is a king in his
castle, surrounded by people who fear him and owe
him favors. Of course, Cotton will quietly watch the
visitors with a shotgun while they talk.
In conversation, Stan is at ease, but if he is not
treated with respect, he will fly into a rage, slapping
faces or yelling before regaining his composure. He
could end their conversation by trying to kill them.
Stan can be persuaded to keep talking by being
asked questions about his brilliant plan to get
Ratch’s house, but because of Stan’s violent temper,
his gloating tone, or a PC’s trigger finger, chances
are good that any talk with Stan will end in a fight.
The simplest solution for the PC’s is to mention
Ratch is Diligence Pock’s nephew. If Stan realizes
their familial connection, he immediately backs off.
He has no desire to stir up trouble with a criminal as
well connected and as feared as Pock.
He will be resentful toward the PC’s and vent his
frustration on them, but Ratch will be left alone.
Stan “the Stein” Fuller, (Dwarf Gangboss)
Initiative: 7
Physical: 7
Mental: 4
Social: 7
Health: 14
Traits: Veteran Barfighter+2, Short Temper +2
Combat: Fists +Stein (7), Lined Coat (AV 2)
Stan is an opportunistic dwarven criminal with a
wiry frame and a thick mustache dominating his
face. His clothes are sloppy but better quality than
most in the rookery. Stan is smart. He knows his
violent temper keeps him in charge, but how much
is temper and how much is calculated cruelty is
known only to him. He still uses his namesake’s
broken stein-handle like brass knuckles. He
reinforced it with leather, and metal spikes have
been added to the jagged glass edge.
Cotton, (Human Triggerman)
Initiative: 5
Physical: 7
Mental: 5
Social: 5
Health: 12
Traits: Watchful +2. “Whatever you say Boss” +3
Combat: Shotgun (9),
Cotton’s long hair in a sailor’s braid and his tattoos
mark his old life on the sea. Now he is Stan’s right
hand man, leading teams of burglars and cut purses
on the docks.
He’s as quick with a sneer as he is with his shotgun.
If someone tries anything in front of him he will deal
with it before calling for the boys.
Patron/Stan’s Gang
Initiative: 4
Physical: 5
Mental: 2
Social: 4
Health: 8
Combat: Chair legs, bottles, knives, (6)
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-The proprietor/barman of the Pickled Dog, a quiet
Bullfolk named Dathan Neil, is content to let Stan
run the place. The presence of his gang has made his
pub a comparatively safer and quieter place. Stan’s
boys may not pay for their liquor, but their friends
do. Dathan’s life is actually simpler with a violent
criminal living upstairs.
Optional Scene 6: the Crooktail Assassins
Maybe a PC stays behind to protect Ratch while the
rest go see Stan “the Stein”. Maybe the PC’s don’t
feel any urgency to resolve the situation, or maybe
there hasn’t been enough fighting. Whatever the
case, this is an encounter to serve whatever purpose
is needed.
As the PCs uncover the clues, Stan knows his plan is
starting to unravel. Someone is looking too closely
at the house on Cork Street. He decides it’s time to
escalate.
Stan sends a team of murderous ratfolk, the
Crooktail brothers, to 173 Cork Street to kill Ratch
and steal the deed to his house.
The Plan
The halfling beggar, Tommy Spitter knocks on the
door and distracts any occupants by directing them
to the basement (“I swear I just saw somebody
dumping something through the window”; “I
thought I saw somebody down there”, etc).
While Tommy stammers out his misdirection, the
Crooktail brothers climb up the back of the house
and enter windows on the second floor. They make
their way downstairs, quietly checking every room.
Tommy runs away the second anyone gets
suspicious.
If a Crooktail hears someone coming, he
immediately hides and waits. When they get near,
he jumps out and slashes with his knife.
Swift, Gully, and Wolby Crooktail, (Ratfolk
Cutthroats)
Initiative: 8
Physical: 7
Mental: 5
Social: 4
Health: 12
Traits: Sneaky and Silent +2, Family First +2
Combat: Switch blade knives (6) and fists (4)
The Crooktails are a closely knit family of murders.
The three brothers look very much alike. All three
have dark brown fur, and glinting red eyes. Swift is
the oldest, followed by Gully and Wolby. On the job,
the Crooktails wear dark close cut clothes to help
them keep a low profile and stay nimble.
Each will put their brothers ahead of the job. If a
Crooktail is wounded, his brothers come to his aid
or if a Crooktail is captured, his brothers beg for his
life. Failing that, they brutally avenge him.
Alternate Investigations
The PCs may want to consult their contacts, roll
skills, or do other research to get more information.
Here are facts and rumors that can be dropped in.
-The Crooktail brothers are real cutthroats. They
are often employed as muggers and second story
men. Primarily, they break into houses, steal
valuables, and kill anyone that sees them.
-There is a reward for turning in the Crooktail
brothers to the authorities. Each Crooktail is worth
five pounds alive.
 Final Rewards
Diligence Pock hears from Ratch about the PCs
actions during the adventure. At their success, he
gives the PCs two pounds and makes arrangements
for an inside bet to triple their money. The players
may want to add their own money to the wager.
Either way, it pays off.
A week later, Ratch writes letters to his uncle and
the PCs with amazing news: The Metropolitan
Board of Works has made an incredible offer for his
property. He will be able to afford an even better
boarding house and pay off his loans! He is very
grateful to the party, but does not offer them a
monetary reward.
If the PCs fail and disaster comes to Ratch or his
finances, they have made an enemy. John and
Harold dog their steps and keep an eye on them
until they are available for a beating in the ally.
Connections
At end of the adventure, the party should have made a
few connections in the criminal underworld that could
blossom into further adventures.
-Diligence Pock is a good friend to have, or at least to not
have as an enemy. Mr. Pock does not come when called
but he may take an interest in what the PC’s do. In the
future, Harold and John may be sent to collect the PC’s to
warn of an impending danger or to offer help for their
current situation.
- Matheson Ratch can provide a temporary safe house or
could be willing to back a business venture with his small
fortune.
- Polka is a very skilled conjurer. She could be consulted
on magical problems the party faces in the future.
-The Crooktail brothers (if treated professionally) may
respect the party. They might need the PCs to help their
family in the future.