B32 Manor House

The Forgotten Manor of Verbobonc

The Forgotten Manor, as it has come to be known among the locals of Verbobonc, stands as a somber relic in the bustling business district. This once-majestic residence now serves as a stark reminder of transience, its dilapidated state drawing the curious and the brave. Despite its decrepitude, the manor holds secrets long forgotten by its vanished owners, offering untold stories and hidden passages that whisper of its past glories and present desolation.

A Dilapidated Relic in the Business District

The Forgotten Manor stands as a somber relic in Verbobonc's bustling business district. Once majestic, it now draws the curious and brave, offering untold stories and hidden passages that whisper of past glories and present desolation.

Historical Significance

The Tale of the Vanished Owners

• Mysterious Disappearance: The manor's last known occupants disappeared without a trace five years ago, leaving behind a wealth of speculation and rumors.
• Historical Ownership: Records suggest the manor was built by a prominent mercantile family whose fortunes dwindled mysteriously before their disappearance.
• City Property: With no heirs or claimants, the city of Verbobonc took ownership and has since listed the property for sale, albeit with little interest due to its condition.

Description of the Manor

First Floor

• Foyer: Grand in its day, now the foyer is littered with debris from the collapsed ceiling, with faded murals peeling off the walls.
• Parlor: Once a room of luxury, the parlor is now dominated by broken furniture and a fireplace choked with soot.
• Dining Hall: The large dining hall features a rotting wooden table and scattered chairs, with a chandelier precariously dangling by a single chain.

Second Floor

• Bedrooms: Multiple bedrooms, each in varying stages of decay, their once opulent furnishings now moth-eaten and dusty.
• Library: Shelves stand mostly empty, the few remaining books swollen with moisture and mold.
• Gallery: This room once displayed valuable art, now only the faded outlines on the wallpaper suggest their previous existence.

Basement and Secret Exits

• General Condition: Dark and damp, the basement holds the remnants of what might have been a wine cellar and storage rooms.
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  Secret Tunnel:
  
  
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  A hidden door leads to a narrow tunnel that connects to Verbobonc’s sewage system, a pathway rumored to be used by criminals.

Relationships and Politics

Impact on the Community

• Local Lore: The manor is the subject of many local ghost stories and myths, contributing to its eerie reputation.
• Criminal Element: The secret tunnels are suspected to be in use by local thieves and smugglers, creating a reluctant tolerance among city officials due to the difficulty in policing these passages.

Motivation for Sale

City’s Stance

• Economic Burden: The property is a drain on city resources, requiring frequent patrols to deter trespassers and vandals.
• Development Potential: There is potential for redevelopment, but the cost of renovation or demolition is prohibitive without significant investment.

Notable Features and Future Potential

Architectural Interest

• Restoration Appeal: For the right investor, the manor could be restored to its former glory, capitalizing on its historical architecture and prime location.
• Commercial Opportunity: The space could be transformed into a boutique hotel or offices, integrating modern amenities with historical charm.

The Forgotten Manor of Verbobonc, with its layers of history and decay, awaits a new chapter that could either preserve its legacy or usher in a completely new era for the property.

Vacant Manor to the Family

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Hidden Thieves’ Guild: The Battirovka Family

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Hidden in an abandoned section of the city’s sewer system, the The Battirovka Family Thieves Guild is one of the dominant underground forces in Verbobonc. Most citizens are aware of their existence and know where to look if they need to contact them, but very few know where their headquarters are located.

A Shadowy Underworld Beneath the Manor

Beneath the dilapidated exterior lies a well-maintained thieves’ guild, hidden in an abandoned section of the city's sewer system. The Battirovka Family is one of the dominant underground forces in Verbobonc, operating with a level of secrecy and organization that makes them nearly invisible to the untrained eye.

Access to the guild

Yet, for those in the know, the basement and sub-basement are in better-than-perfect condition. As one knocks upon the partially concealed cellar door and utters the password, a hatch is opened in short order, accepting the ingress of the initiated into the hallowed halls of the city’s hidden thieves’ guild. Here, under the surface of the city streets, shadowy figures gather to discuss their next targets for burglary or robbery, train one another in the criminal arts, or simply rest in a place where they need not fear easy discovery by the gendarmerie.

Secretive Operations

Hidden Access and Security

• Secret Entrance: Accessed through a partially concealed cellar door, opening only with the correct password.
• Defensive Measures: Cunning traps and narrow secret passages protect the guild from intruders.

Activities and Training

• Criminal Training: Members gather to discuss targets, train in the criminal arts, and rest without fear of discovery.
• Information Gathering: The guild uses the manor’s secret passages to gather intelligence and plan heists.

Influence and Reach

• Wide Network: The guild’s influence extends throughout Verbobonc, with connections to the city’s elite and underground markets.
• Economic Impact: The guild’s activities contribute to the local economy through both legitimate and illicit means.

Verbobonc Locations Referenced by Type

Manor House - Verbobonc City by 3orcs

Type

Manor house / Meeting hall

Parent Location

B1 - B30 Business Quarter

Owning Organization

Verbobonc, Viscounty

Contested By

• The Battirovka Family

Notable Characters

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Thieves Guild Members

Lazlo Battirovka: The cunning and ruthless leader of the guild, known for his strategic mind and unyielding control over the guild's activities. Elara Battirovka: Lazlo’s niece, a master pickpocket and spy who gathers critical information from the city’s elite. Gregor Malchus: The guild’s enforcer, responsible for maintaining discipline and protecting the guild’s interests.

Events and Motivations

Guild Activities

• Fixed Games and Scores: The guild organizes fixed games and scores, using them as sources of income and intelligence gathering from rich merchants and nobles. 
• Secret Meetings: Regular meetings to plan heists, discuss targets, and train new members.