Hesarl's Tangle

The Gray Tower (Name to be changed) is a legend in the area. It has been seekd for a long while. No one had been able to find it.

A ruin hunter in the area - Hesarl - was getting close to retiring and decided to trade in on his reputation. He set up a contract with the Finders, the Commercium and the Sellsword union. They each paid him 5000 up front in shins, and 5000 additional after his search was completedIf he was able to successfully find the Gray Tower, he would be paid 25000 upon proof.

None of them knew that he had set it up - and his plan was to more or less leisurely walk around enjoying nature on once last long trip. His notes about it were litle more then conjecture though he was able to sell them as more.

Sadly for Hesarl he stumbled across the Gray Tower. And upon returning... all the parties found out about each other. The situation degraded as each was fighting over who had rights over the Tower and was sent to a city court where it has lingered for several months. Each of them have tried to get people to find it - but the city magistrates have been effective at watching the known associates of each. Each of course has some knowledge of the route but no idea of how to get in further styming efforts to go around the court as Hesarl was ordered to withold that information.

As Hesarl has been living on loans based on his future incomes - the Commercium agent Tiersan sees this group of newcomers as an opportunity. If they were to find the Grey Tower supposedly separately it would void Hesarl's contract and Tiersan would likely have a prize from it.

So Tiersan approaches the group over the cannon and while negotiating he offers a job and information as part of it. He doesn't tell them the backstory, instead mentioning that it needs to be kept quiet until they are able to verify it and then they can claim they found it. What he wants from there is a rumoured treasure - the Grey Gem (Name subject to change) that is noted for its ability to manipulate energy. The group (after some negotiations) would be able (likely - if they fail negotiations - somewhat less) to keep whatever else they found there in addition to his offer for the Cannon. So it would be Cannon and the Grey Gem upon retrival for Artifact, Information and Salvage of Grey Tower.

If the group fails to get in - it becomes just Cannon for Artifact more or less and Tiersan accepts his gamble fails.

If group succeeds getting in but cannot retrieve the Gem - Tiersan will take one other piece of his choice

If group succeeds in getting in but claims to not retrieve gem (when done) - will come down to lying ability.

If the group tells everyone about how they were hired will upset Tiersan and lead to roughness that way.

Either way - if the group gets in it will void all of Hesarl's contracts leaving him in debt for the last few months of extravagance and legal fees. Possible recurring villain.

Finder Face and Sellsword face depending on result may also be upset.