Is Mikyl Swiftsword the BBEG

As the plot progressed, Mikyl Swiftsword was looking like a bad guy, maybe even the head of The Black Hand. I had to start writing things down.

What the Players Believe

MS isn’t happy that Lyza’s command exists
- True , he doesn’t want her to succeed as it might rival his power base.
He argued against it at the city council
- True . It was seen in a flashback when the party visited the Council Chambers as part of Clockwork Tower .
He is behind the kidnapping of Marita Maggia
- True . He did it to discredit Lyza (e.g. her team’s involvement got her taken by The Black Hand) - he paid the Hand to do it.
He is responsible for the kidnapping of Oliva Chronosmith and Seraphina Steamspark
- False . The Black Hand did it for their own reasons.
MS is the leader of The Black Hand
- False . To Swiftsword the Hand is a useful tool. To the Hand, Swiftsword is just a different kind of tool.

Supporter Swiftsword

The Council of Boroughs generally backs him. They aren’t the most imaginative people and think he’s doing a fine job with the Watch as it is.
Of the major merchant houses, only the Varrasch Family and Ilorim Family support Swiftsword. The latter, due to the party’s raid on Adrielle’s shop (Fine Silks and Fabrics)
The following guilds like the status quo:
- Guild of Drayers * (smuggling, Heidel Varrasch is the guildmaster)
- Guild of Erectors
- Guild of the Hearth (just focus on keeping our establishments safe)

On the Fence

Mayor Elsbeth Windermere was a supporter but is on fence since meeting the party. She’s beginning to see that maybe Lyza’s command has a place - maybe under outside of the Watch and directly under her?????
The following guilds don’t really care one way or another:
The following major families don’t really care one way or another:
- Blackbourne Family (Hamlin Blackbourne is head Guild of the Loom)
- Nimrodel (master of the guild of the ship)

Support Lyza’s Command

tags	import, plot
aliases