Skole

Skole is a prominent figure in the village of Nulb, overseeing the rough-and-tumble Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market. His gruff, imposing exterior masks a web of complex alliances and insecurities, making him a central, albeit reluctant, player in Nulb's underbelly. The following sections delve into his appearance, background, motivations, and entangled relationships with key figures like Lodriss, Tolub, and Lady Lmag’s Men. 

Physical Description

A Burly, Intimidating Presence Skole is a heavyset, muscular man with a thick, almost barrel-like build that speaks to his years working along the river and in the tavern. His face is weathered and marked by the kind of weariness that accompanies a hard, unforgiving life. A stubble-laden jawline, sunken eyes with a perpetual glare, and a thick neck give him a brutish appearance. Though his size is imposing, his posture often slumps, betraying a man who has faced more disappointments than triumphs.

• Height and Build: Stocky and powerfully built, with broad shoulders and muscular arms.
• Facial Features: Square-jawed with a heavy brow, deep-set eyes, and a thick, unkempt beard.
• Clothing: Typically seen in a stained apron over a worn leather tunic, Skole’s attire is practical and shows his disregard for appearances.
• Aura: Despite his tough exterior, there’s an underlying sadness or emptiness in Skole’s demeanor, hinting at the disappointments of his past.

Ex-mercanary Background

A Life Shaped by Loss and Resentment Once a riverman and smuggler, Skole ended up in Nulb looking for stability—a rare commodity in his life. Years ago, he purchased a house in the village, intending to settle down with a barmaid from The Waterside Hostel. However, his plans crumbled when she ran off with a pirate, leaving him to live alone in a house that now feels cold and empty.
With no other options, Skole found work at the Boatman’s Tavern and quickly became its de facto proprietor. Despite this, he doesn’t own the tavern; the true owner is Lodriss, a cunning woman with connections that extend into Nulb’s murky criminal networks.

• Occupation: Once a riverman and smuggler, now the acting barman and caretaker of the Boatman’s Tavern.
• Residence: Lives in a modest, isolated house he purchased in better times, though he often sleeps at the tavern itself.
• Past Connections: His knowledge of smuggling routes and river operations gives him a unique insight into Nulb’s illicit trades.
• The Lost Love: Skole's dreams of marriage were dashed when the barmaid he loved abandoned him, leaving him with lingering bitterness and regret.

Motivations

Caught Between Fear and Loyalty Skole is a man torn between self-preservation and a desire for stability. Though he reluctantly assists in Nulb’s darker dealings, he tries to maintain a low profile and avoid being drawn too deeply into the dangerous games of the village’s power players. This cautious approach is complicated by his fear of Lodriss and her lover, Tolub, who dominate Nulb’s criminal enterprises. Additionally, Wat, a local figure connected to Alrrem of the Fire Temple, has been pressuring Skole to serve as an informant. This proposition terrifies him, as he knows the consequences if Lodriss or Tolub were to find out.

• Self-Preservation: Skole values his life and would rather keep his head down, but the power struggles in Nulb make this increasingly difficult.
• Loyalty to Lodriss: Despite his unease, Skole feels bound to Lodriss and fears her retribution should he betray her trust.
• Avoiding the Fire Temple: Skole is wary of Wat’s requests for information, fearing that any association with the Fire Temple could result in deadly consequences.
• A Reluctant Ally: Skole is unlikely to openly ally with anyone but may be persuaded by those who can offer him security against Tolub or Lodriss.

Relationships

Lodriss 
The True Power Behind the Tavern Though Skole acts as the proprietor of the Boatman’s Tavern, Lodriss is the true owner. A shrewd and ambitious former camp follower, Lodriss has a firm grasp on Nulb’s underworld. She has little tolerance for betrayal, and Skole knows that if she ever discovered his dealings with Wat, her wrath would be swift and merciless. Lodriss allows Skole some autonomy within the tavern but keeps a close eye on his actions.

• Complex Relationship: Skole is both loyal and fearful of Lodriss, knowing she could ruin him if he steps out of line.
• A Fragile Trust: Skole understands that his position at the tavern is largely at Lodriss’s whim, making him cautious in his interactions with others.
• Bound by Fear: Skole is terrified of Lodriss discovering his connections with Wat and the Fire Temple, knowing it could lead to his demise.

Tolub and the River Pirates

Fostering Connections with Nulb’s Most Notorious Crew Tolub, the leader of Nulb’s most feared river pirate crew, often frequents the Boatman’s Tavern. As the mistress of Tolub, Lodriss maintains control over the tavern, which doubles as a hub for smuggling and black-market trades. Tolub’s crew regards the tavern as their unofficial headquarters, which makes Skole’s position both advantageous and dangerous.

• Pirate Connections: Skole serves Tolub and his crew, providing them with a safe space to drink and trade without fear of reprisal.
• An Uneasy Alliance: Though the pirates view Skole as an ally, he is careful not to overstep, understanding that his place in Nulb depends on their goodwill.
• The Price of Association: Skole profits from his alliance with Tolub but knows it could end in violence if he ever crosses Lodriss or the pirate lord.

Lady Lmag's Men

Underworld Allies and Potential Threats Lady Lmag's men, a band of cult-aligned thugs, frequently visit the Boatman’s Tavern. Though they don’t respect Skole, they value the privacy his establishment provides. Skole treats them with caution, not wanting to anger Lodriss or Tolub by getting too close to these cultists, yet he fears that rebuffing them could draw unwanted attention.

• Business Relationship: Skole allows Lady Lmag’s Men to frequent the tavern but keeps his distance to avoid involvement in their schemes.
• A Double-Edged Sword: Skole views Lady Lmag’s Men as dangerous patrons who could cause trouble with little provocation.
• Maintaining Boundaries: Skole has learned to give the cultists space while keeping an eye on their actions to ensure they don’t cause disturbances that could bring unwanted scrutiny to his establishment.

Services and Day-to-Day Operations

The Boatman’s Tavern and Market: A Den of Trade and Deceit Skole’s responsibilities at the Boatman’s Tavern extend beyond serving drinks. The tavern doubles as a black-market hub and meeting place for river pirates, smugglers, and other unsavory characters. Skole operates under Lodriss’s ownership, maintaining order and providing a haven for Nulb’s criminal element. The adjoining Nulb Market allows him to oversee the sale of illicit goods and provisions that cannot be openly traded elsewhere.

• Tavern Services: Skole serves cheap ale, beer, and wine, catering primarily to locals and river pirates.
• Marketplace Management: Skole oversees the Nulb Market, where merchants rent booths to sell their wares, with 10% of sales going to Lodriss.
• Security and Control: Skole employs a few rough locals as bouncers and assistants to keep the peace, though they avoid directly confronting Tolub’s crew or Lady Lmag’s Men.

DM-Only Section

Secrets and Hidden Agendas

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Skole’s Dilemma with Wat and the Fire Temple

Unknown to most, Skole is under pressure from Wat, a bartender at the 3. Waterside Hostel of Nulb to act as an informant for the Fire Temple, specifically for Alrrem, a prominent figure within the cult. Wat has hinted that failure to comply might bring the wrath of the Fire Temple upon Skole, but Skole is torn. He fears that if Lodriss or Tolub were to discover his dealings with the Temple, they might turn against him violently, as Lodriss despises the idea of her tavern being used for the Temple’s agenda.
Despite Wat’s pressure, Skole remains hesitant to act directly for the Temple. Instead, he attempts to delay his responses to Wat’s requests and offers vague promises without taking any concrete action. However, if he continues to stall, Wat might become more aggressive in his demands.

Potential Quest Hook: Skole’s Spy Conundrum

Skole’s predicament with Wat and the Fire Temple presents a unique opportunity for adventurers. He may approach them to subtly counter Wat’s influence by spreading rumors that the Fire Temple has grown disinterested in Nulb, which might encourage Wat to leave. Alternatively, Skole may offer them a reward to gather incriminating evidence against Wat, allowing him to use it as leverage to end the unwanted alliance with the Temple.

Hidden Treasure and Personal Armory

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In a hidden compartment behind a loose brick in the fireplace, Skole keeps a cache of valuable gems and a woman’s necklace—a relic of his lost love. This stash is Skole’s secret escape fund, his insurance policy should he ever need to flee Nulb. Additionally, in a back room, he keeps a suit of chain mail, a shield +2, and a spear +1—remnants from his days as a smuggler and occasional river enforcer.

"One hand on your drink, the other on your dagger—that’s Nulb for you."

Skole, Ex-Riverman

• Level 5 Fighter
• AC 8 (leather) or 2 (chain mail + shield HP 27; XP 265
• S16, I11, W14, D10, Co13, Ch10

Attacks

• Magic Spear +1: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
• Dagger: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Possessions

• Armor and Weapons: Chain mail and shield (when fully equipped, AC 18), spear +1, dagger.
• Valuables: Topaz and silver ring (worth 300 gp), purse containing 8 cp, 3 sp, 7 ep, and 12 gp.

Alignment

Neutral evil

Current Location

43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Year of Birth

539 37 Years old

Sex

male

Eyes

heavy brow, deep-set eyes

Hair

curly thick bead

Height

6'3"

Ruled Locations

• 43: Boatman’s Tavern and Nulb Market