Lodriss

Mistress

Lodriss is a formidable presence in Nulb, a woman of cunning wit, hardened pragmatism, and deep connections to the darker undercurrents of the town. As the true owner of the Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market, she plays a central role in the day-to-day operations of Nulb’s bustling black-market hub. Lodriss has managed to gain the respect—and fear—of many, ensuring her control in a town rife with cutthroats, bandits, and pirates. This article explores Lodriss' background, motivations, relationships, and her tangled role in Nulb’s ecosystem of vice and commerce.

Physical Description

Lodriss is an imposing figure despite her relatively average height. Her sharp, expressive features are framed by finely coiffed dark hair, showing her meticulous attention to appearance. With piercing eyes that seem to assess everyone with a mixture of amusement and contempt, she carries herself with an air of confidence. Her attire is well-chosen, with subtle hints of wealth and style that elevate her above the rough-and-tumble crowd of Nulb.

• Height and Build: Average height, slender but sturdy, with a commanding presence.
• Notable Features: Finely coiffed hair, piercing eyes, a slight smirk that gives her an air of knowing humor.
• Attire: Dresses in practical but finely tailored clothing, accessorized with gold jewelry that highlights her status and taste.

Background

Lodriss came to Nulb years ago as a camp follower, attaching herself to various groups of soldiers, brigands, and other mercenary types. Her skills as a survivor and opportunist quickly became apparent, and she gained a reputation for her charm, wit, and ruthlessness. When the opportunity arose to take over the Boatman’s Tavern and the adjacent market space, Lodriss saw her chance to establish herself permanently in Nulb. 
With her connections, she managed to gather enough resources to buy the property, and through a mix of bribery, charm, and intimidation, she made it into the most frequented tavern and trading post in town. Today, Lodriss is both feared and respected, using her position to control much of Nulb’s illicit trade and gathering information for her own gain.

• Early Life: Former camp follower, used her charm and wit to survive among mercenaries and rogues.
• Rise to Power: Took control of the Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market through cunning and a network of connections.
• Role in Nulb: Seen as the unofficial ruler of Nulb’s underworld, using her influence to control the flow of information and goods.

Motivation and Goals

Lodriss is motivated by a desire for control, wealth, and a secure position of power. Her life has taught her that trust is a commodity, and loyalty is rare. She has no illusions about the ruthlessness of Nulb’s inhabitants, and her ambition is tempered by pragmatism. Lodriss wants to maintain her control over Nulb’s trade routes and expand her influence, especially as the Temple of Elemental Evil grows in power nearby.

• Primary Motivations: Control, wealth, and influence over Nulb’s illicit markets.
• Long-Term Goals: Establish a more secure position as Nulb’s de facto ruler, leverage her connections for further gain, and prevent any one faction from gaining too much power in Nulb.
• Pragmatism: Lodriss is willing to work with anyone, as long as it serves her interests. She’s shrewd and calculates every alliance and betrayal carefully.

Relationship with Key Figures

Lodriss maintains a complex network of relationships, each serving her various schemes and ambitions. Her dealings with pirates, bandits, and even cultists reflect her ability to navigate Nulb’s dangerous social landscape with ease.

Tolub, Leader of the River Pirates

Lodriss has a close relationship with Tolub, one of the more powerful figures in Nulb’s underworld. Tolub’s crew often brings ill-gotten goods to Nulb to be traded through her market, and she serves as both lover and ally to him. This relationship grants her protection and access to valuable cargo but also comes with the risk of Tolub’s volatile temper.

• Mutual Benefit: Lodriss provides Tolub’s crew with a reliable place to offload stolen goods, and in return, Tolub ensures her security.
• Tensions: While they share a romantic relationship, Lodriss is cautious of Tolub’s unpredictability and keeps him at arm’s length.

Lady Lmag's Men

Lodriss has a grudging respect for Lady Lmag's men enforcers, though she considers them blunt instruments compared to her more nuanced methods. The two women occasionally cooperate on certain ventures, especially when it comes to managing Nulb’s chaotic underworld.

• Professional Respect: Lodriss sees Lady Lmag’s men as useful, though she looks down on their lack of subtlety.
• Occasional Collaboration: They cooperate when necessary, particularly in ensuring that outside forces do not disrupt Nulb’s status quo.

Wat, Agent of the Fire Temple

Lodriss is highly wary of Wat, who seeks to extend the Fire Temple’s influence into Nulb. Though Wat has attempted to pressure Skole (Lodriss’s barman) into spying on her for the Fire Temple, Lodriss is always a step ahead, keeping a close eye on any temple-related activity in Nulb.

• Mistrust: Lodriss views Wat and the Fire Temple as threats to her control over Nulb.
• Countermeasures: She monitors Wat’s actions and any Fire Temple sympathizers closely, prepared to remove threats if necessary.

Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market

As the true owner of the Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market, Lodriss oversees one of the most important hubs in Nulb. Her control of the market ensures a steady stream of income from traders, pirates, and bandits who pass through Nulb, and the tavern itself serves as a meeting place for Nulb’s less-than-reputable citizens.

Public Persona and Influence

Lodriss projects a sharp, cynical wit, often using humor to defuse tension and keep her patrons in line. She plays the role of a gracious host, but behind her smile lies a keen mind and a watchful eye. Known for her loyalty to no one but herself, Lodriss’s reputation as a calculating and shrewd businesswoman has made her both respected and feared.

• Public Persona: Friendly but aloof, always watching and calculating.
• Reputation: Known as a shrewd and ruthless operator, willing to do whatever it takes to maintain control.

Lodriss is a central figure in Nulb, a master manipulator who carefully balances alliances with dangerous individuals to maintain control. Her relationships with Tolub, Lady Lmag’s Men, and her subtle rivalry with Wat make her one of the most influential—and dangerous—people in Nulb. Adventurers who seek her out may find a valuable ally, but should remember that loyalty is a rare commodity in.

DM Only Section: Secrets and Alliances

Secret Connections with Tolub

Show spoiler

Lodriss’s relationship with Tolub is more than just a romantic entanglement. The two of them have a hidden pact to control Nulb’s trade routes and maintain a balance of power. Lodriss acts as an informant to Tolub, passing along information that ensures their mutual control over Nulb’s black-market dealings.

Wat’s Pressure and Hidden Tensions

Wat, an agent of the Fire Temple, has been pressuring Skole to spy on Lodriss for the Fire Temple. Lodriss is aware of this and has made it clear to Skole that any alliance with the Temple will lead to severe consequences. She has also prepared to take measures against Wat, ensuring that her business remains untouched by the Temple’s influence.

• Hidden Threats: Lodriss has contingencies in place to deal with Wat or any other agents of the Temple who attempt to disrupt her control.
• Leverage on Skole: She uses Skole’s fear of Tolub’s wrath to keep him loyal to her, rather than falling under Wat’s influence.

Information Broker for Adventurers

Lodriss occasionally sells information to adventurers, particularly if it benefits her interests or destabilizes rivals. She has detailed knowledge of local bandit hideouts, the pirate networks, and even rumors about the Temple of Elemental Evil’s current activities. However, she rarely offers such information without a steep price.

• Info on the Temple: Knows key details but withholds them, giving adventurers just enough to encourage further business with her.
• Brokering Deals: Uses adventurers as pawns, steering them toward rivals or threats that could benefit her own position in Nulb.

An Argument Overheard (Quest for Level 5 Party)

Show spoiler

During a lull at the Boatman's Tavern—particularly on a day when no pirates are present and the PCs have successfully breached the Temple of Elemental Evil but have yet to encounter Romag—they may stumble upon a clandestine encounter. The PCs may overhear Wat, the barman from The Waterside Hostel, engaged in a hushed but heated argument with Skole, the barman at the Boatman’s Tavern.
The two men speak in low tones, casting furtive glances to ensure no one is eavesdropping. The party may only catch snippets unless they make an effort to stay hidden and listen closely. Skole, who appears visibly nervous, mutters in protest while Wat seems insistent, leaning in and gesturing in a way that emphasizes his frustration.

Overheard Snippets

"Lodriss finds out, and I’m done for," Skole whispers harshly, a nervous glance darting towards the bar’s back room. Wat’s voice, though restrained, carries an edge of threat. “Tolub can’t protect you forever, Skole. Romag pays well, and he expects loyalty.” "You don’t get it," Skole hisses, clenching his fists. "If Lodriss finds out I’m working for the Water Temple, Tolub will have me keelhauled without a second thought."

If the party is spotted trying to eavesdrop, Skole will immediately cut the conversation short, brusquely telling them to “get it themselves” before storming away. Wat, on the other hand, will throw the party a dark glare and slip out, making it clear that further prying into their affairs is not welcome.

The Conflict

Wat, under orders from the Water Temple, is attempting to pressure Skole into acting as an informant. Romag, the leader of the Earth Temple, and the Water Temple are both vying for influence within the Temple of Elemental Evil. Wat's directive is simple: gather intelligence on Tolub's pirate crew, Lodriss’s operations, and any outside adventurers who frequent Nulb. Skole, however, is terrified of Lodriss’s wrath and the prospect of Tolub's punishment if she discovers his betrayal.

Skole’s Dilemma

Skole is genuinely conflicted. On one hand, he fears Wat and Romag’s power, and the Water Temple’s demand for information could secure him a more favorable position if he complies. On the other, his loyalty lies with Lodriss, and he knows that if she learns of his dealings with the Water Temple, she will surely turn Tolub against him, likely leading to a grim end. Skole isn’t ambitious enough to navigate these conflicting loyalties with ease, making him a potential pawn in a much larger game—something the PCs could potentially exploit.

Ideal Challenge for Espionage Skills

This encounter provides an excellent opportunity for the party’s bard, rogue, warlock, or wizard to practice their espionage skills. If they can successfully eavesdrop without detection, they’ll gain valuable insights into Wat’s allegiance to the Water Temple and Skole’s strained loyalty to Lodriss. This intelligence could prove useful later if the party seeks leverage over either Wat or Skole, or if they wish to disrupt the internal dynamics of Nulb’s underworld.

Rewards

The primary reward for this encounter is information. By uncovering Wat’s ties to the Water Temple and Skole’s conflicted loyalties, the party will gain a deeper understanding of the complex web of allegiances and betrayals in Nulb. There is no monetary or material gain from this encounter, as it primarily serves to expose the power plays between the NPCs and the different factions involved in the Temple of Elemental Evil. Players who enjoy intrigue and character-driven plots will find this encounter rewarding, while others may benefit from the background knowledge for future confrontations.

Key Points

• Wat’s Pressure: Wat, representing the Water Temple, is coercing Skole to spy on Lodriss and Tolub.
• Skole’s Fear: Skole is torn between fear of the Water Temple and loyalty (or self-preservation) towards Lodriss and Tolub.
• Ideal for Espionage: The encounter is well-suited for characters specializing in deception and stealth to gather critical information.
• No Tangible Reward: The only reward for the party is knowledge of the internal conflicts within Nulb’s underworld, which may become leverage in future dealings.

This quest showcases the precarious balance of power in Nulb and hints at the layered dangers the PCs may face as they dive deeper into the Temple’s tangled web of alliances and betrayals

"Information’s as valuable as gold, and just as easily stolen."

Lodriss, Barmaid (Level 0)

AC 11; HP 5; Dex 12, Cha 13
Poisoned Dagger: Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+1) piercing damage. Target must succeed on a Constitution save or take an additional 1d6 poison damage (half on a successful save).

Possessions

• Dagger (tucked in girdle)
• Poisoned Dagger (hidden under skirt)
• Purse: 2 cp, 7 ep, 4 gp, 8 pp
• Jewelry: Jeweled earrings (400 gp), gold neck chains (120 gp total), four bracelets (50, 200, 210, and 500 gp), and two rings (200 gp and 800 gp)

Lodriss uses her charm and cunning to manipulate situations, often using her hidden poisoned dagger when necessary.

Alignment

Neutral evil

Current Location

43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Year of Birth

552 24 Years old

Sex

female

Eyes

hazel

Hair

long luster brunette

Height

5'6"

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Business is business, love—don’t take it personally."

Ruled Locations

• 43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market

Services Offered

Lodriss’s establishment offers food, drink, and lodging for those who don’t mind the squalor. The market sells a variety of goods, many of which are obtained through questionable means. She also occasionally provides “services” such as information brokering, protection arrangements, and black-market trades.

• Food and Drink: Basic fare, often stale or watered down.
• Market Goods: A mix of stolen items, general provisions, and items useful for adventurers.
• Special Services: Information, black-market deals, and protection arrangements.