Corruption and Skulduggery In the Free Kingdom
by ViktorD20Tilerna is known for its treachery and corruption, even before its formation. You cannot throw a stone without hitting some kind of a schemer or another. Merchants try to slither out of deals in favor of more profitable ones, guards take bribes from smugglers and slave traders in exchange for passage and merchandise, and even the Free Three aren't clean. Ollanus Bronco makes shady dealings with smugglers of the Savage Baronies, Alexandra Misaron is rumored to deal with the Aranea of Herath to drive her own goals, and Nikovik Polachovitz is said to be funding nationalist hotheads in Karameikos.
When the Free Three overtook the cities and founded Tilerna, it did not weed out the corruption. What happened was more the corruption and skulduggery being moved to the background, while the Free Three took over in the foreground. According to some records the Tilernan forces were preparing an invasion on Sartroc, but the attack was canceled and the city was left autonomous seemingly for no reason. The truth is that Sartroc offered a sizable bribe for each one, and all three accepted, withdrawing their forces and deciding against an attack. The city is still a friend of Tilerna, but there's all kinds of dishonesty in the background.
Assassination happens often in Tilerna. Merchants, state officials and even lower ranking people are assassinated often by jealous rivals, political allies or trade partner. A Thyatian merchant who visited Luboli recounted how the city almost felt like home. Ollanus Bronco has avoided assassinations and betrayals by being his own cook and bodyguard. The one time an assassin broke into his room the first thing he saw was Bronco's morningstar slamming him in the face and sending him falling 5 stories towards the pavement. Coincidentally the one who hired the assassin was right below where the assassin landed and they both died on impact. Bronco's paranoia translates into abnormal luck.
The one kind of treachery that does not pass in Tilerna is leaving your lord without their share of the profit your regiment makes. There are regiments who were supposed to return to Tilerna, but chose to keep the treasures they'd acquired to themselves. They always ended up dead. Pay the rightful share, or face the reaper, that's the most common saying around the Aurum Hounds.
"I landed in the city of Slanivon in 998 AC. It was to be a small stop to resupply and then move on. I met with a merchant, and after an aggressive haggling contest I managed to get all the things I needed for a reasonable price. It wasn't until we left the port that I realized the merchant's assistant had snatched my coin purse. I should be mad, but I feel nothing thinking about it. By Minroth, it feels just like home!"
- Marden Forster, a Minrothaddan privateer