```col-mdflexGrow=2.5===# OutlineThe conflict between the upstart [[organization/young-stallions|Young Stallions]] and the major guild families presents many opportunities for players to interact with major NPC's from the [[settlement/the-heights|The Heights]]. In addition to the possibility of meeting the [[organization/yyoung-stallions|Young Stallions]] in their normal haunts - [[landmark/the-golden-ducat|The Golden Ducat]] or [[landmark/the-aerie|The Aerie]] - they may be encountered at various times in any section of the city. If there is a dispute between workers and management that causes a temporary work stoppage, or a public protest about backed-up sewers or crime in the streets, it's a good bet that one or more of the Stallions will be somewhere on the scene, adding their voice to the outcry (it's also likely that one or two members of the city guard will be on hand, keeping an eye on the situation). The Stallions exert their strongest influence on events in [[settlement/the-dwarrow|The Dwarrow]], on [[settlement/trade-island|Trade Island]] (where the Guildmasters have recently stepped up their efforts to collect licenses and tax fees from the vendors), and in parts of the [[settlement/the-commons|The Commons]] section. Their support is weakest around the docks (where merchant traffic has increased greatly under Guild rule) and on the [[settlement/the-street-of-harps|Street of Harps]], although one can find a few staunch royalists even in these areas.There are three primary ways in which a player may become directly involved with the Stallions, described below.## Purchasing Land At any given time, there is a 60% chance that one of the noble families, beset by debts, will be looking to sell some of their country property (located 3d10 miles from the city gates). If the buyer is not of noble blood, and the Stallions get wind of the transaction, they will try to stop the sale by pressuring both parties. Including, perhaps a late night visit en masse to the room of the prospective purchaser. A player character may also become involved in a land-buying effort as an anonymous agent for [[person/heidel-varrasch|Heidel Varrasch]] (see [[organization/varrasch-family|Varrasch Family]] description).## Accepting Guild Hospitality If a traveling player-character with an artisan background chances to meet a member of a prominent Guildsman's household, and the two get along together well, it is not uncommon for the latter to offer the player the hospitality of his home for the duration of the player's stay in the city. [[person/anson-blackbourne|Anson Blackbourne]] and [[person/portia-maggia|Portia Maggia]] are two examples of Guild NPC's likely to extend such an invitation. If the player and Guild family member begin to appear together in public frequently, there is a 35% chance that the [[organization/young-stallions|Young Stallions]] will decide to teach the newcomer his place, by putting the player character in a position where he must fight or face public humiliation. [[person/paul-de-la-riis|Paul de la Riis]] is a master at engineering and manipulating such situations, many of which are the product of elaborate preparations - a purse left lying in the player's path, and then claimed to be stolen. A bumping incident in a crowded barroom, etc. The Stallions will always be willing to carry a confrontation to its violent conclusion if the player character does not yield. All of the Stallions are quite competent fighters, despite their hotheadedness; Any one would give an Intermediate or Veteran level fighter a tough battle, regardless of the weapons used, and in fact the Stallions are likely to have their opponents significantly outnumbered.## Joining the Stallions A player of noble blood may decide that the cause of the Stallions (or their brash, devil-may-care lifestyle) appeals to him, and seek to join their ranks. This is by no means an easy proposition. First, the player must make a favorable impression on the Stallions he expresses his interest to (must make a die roll of 11 or greater on 3d6, with one point added to the dice roll for each point that the player's CHA rating exceeds the CHA of the Stallion he is addressing). If successful, arrangements will be made for the player to meet with [[person/paul-de-la-riis|Paul de la Riis]] and/or [[person/antonio-berensten|Antonio Berensten]] (the meeting will take place at either one of the Stallions' homes, or at the Golden Ducat). At the meeting, the Stallion leaders will question the player extensively, testing his commitment to their cause and trying to reveal any "fatal" weaknesses in the player's character (cowardice, a frivolous view of the Guild/Noble struggle, addiction to serious vices). If the player passes their inspection, he becomes eligible for membership if he can satisfy any one of the following three criteria:- has a CHA>13 (the Stallions always want strong leader types, who can build up support among the masses based on personal appeal).- has sufficient personal wealth to bankroll some of the Stallions' political activities (at least 10,000 GP to devote to the cause now, with a reasonable probability of future contributions).- lacking the other two requirements, the player must successfully complete a test of initiation, which usually involves performing some sort of symbolic gesture that affirms their courage (e.g., breaking into the upper floor of Guildmasters Hall, and replacing the insignias representing the nine Great Guilds with banners bearing the heraldic emblems of the local nobility). No second chances are given if a player fails the test.If the character passes this final hurdle, he can become a Stallion. He must, however, agree to spend at least half of his time within the confines of the city, lending his support to the struggle (thus the GM can exact payment for the player's increased political influence, by restricting the character's mobility to go adventuring). If the player refuses to make this sacrifice, the deal is off, and the Stallions will keep a close eye on his activities in the city thereafter.``````col-md**Locations/Start** - Multiple, see text **Key Participants** - Members of the [[organization/young-stallions]]- [[person/heidel-varrasch|Heidel Varrasch]]- [[person/anson-blackbourne|Anson Blackbourne]]- [[person/portia-maggia|Portia Maggia]]- [[person/paul-de-la-riis|Paul de la Riis]]- [[person/antonio-berensten|Antonio Berensten]]------**Completion Date:** <br>**Parent Plot:** **Related Characters:****Related Organizations:****Related Locations:**---### World Anvil Metadata**Id:** 7de76100-f4ac-482a-8881-0476e64d363e<br>**Entity Type:** Article / plot<br>**Category:** Haven Encounters and Scenarios<br>**Tags:** FCoH-plot```