MARIENBURG SECRETARIAT FOR TRADE EQUITY

"'I tell ya, don't mess with the Lord 'Arbourmaster.  'E will get ya one way or another.  If ya don't pay the taxes to 'is Excise boys, the Patrol will lock ya up in the Brig.  And that place is rat infested believe ya me."

"It's bad enough they charge 1Guilder per foot of boat, but they charge you the extra foot if it's just a fraction longer than you claim.  It's robbery I tell you."

"The daft part about it is that if most of your body is over the water, you're subject to Port Law.  If most of your body is on land, you're answerable to that Ward's laws and its Watch.  If you're exactly in between, you can be dragged into both sets of Courts.  There's no way to come out on top...lest you're one of the Rich." 

Located next to the Niederbrug Bridge on Hightower Isle, this office is located in the Admiralty Building, a large, three-storied, green painted building with white trim.   The Secretariat is the centre of all activities relating to the functioning of the Port of Marienburg.  It is also the domain of the Lord Harbourmaster, who is responsible for collecting all duties and docking fees from these ships, as well as enforcing Port Law.  Additionally, the Lord Harbourmaster doubles as the Commandant of the River Watch and has jurisdiction over anything and everything waterside.

Anyone desiring to meet the Lord Harbourmaster will be in for a disappointment as Odvaal van den Huister only meets with members of the Directorate or their representatives.  Demanding characters will have to bluff their way past one of the four Captains of the Harbour Watch, which is very unlikely  The range of personalities of the Captains vary from the literally useless, self-serving Edwin Kaardscherp to the coolly-competent, incorruptible Johannes Zeewanden.

In theory, the four Harbour Watch Captains closely work with the Magistrate of the Excise, Konraad van Goot.  Van Goot is the taskmaster who ensures that the scribes reporting to him record the arrival and departure of all ships conducting legitimate business in Marienburg.  Particularly dedicated scribes are elevated by van Goot to the Honourable Chamber of Auditors whose tasks include the compilation and maintenance of tax records, auditing of funds received to ensure proper accounting, and perusal of receipts to verify collection from the Excise.  The centre of the dreaded Port Excise is located on the first floor of the building below the offices and suites of the Lord Harbourmaster and his Captains.

Various taxes are levied on goods and people entering the city.  Some of the more common are listed below, but others come and go for business and political reasons.
•	One Guilder (Gu) for every foot of length of a boat berthing in port (rounded up to the nearest foot).
•	2% tax on estimated value of cargo arriving in Marienburg, 10% for those arriving at Fort Solace.
•	Five shillings per leg for those entering the city via the Gisoreux Road (Westenpoort Gate) or the Middenheim Road (Oostenpoort Gate).  An additional Gu is levied on carts and wagons.
•	Five shilling road toll per person collected at Fort Bergbres (on the Westerland/Bretonnian border) and Wouduin Tollstation (on the Westerland/Imperial border).  Duties on specific Bretonnian and Imperial goods are collected at the appropriate border locations.

The Admiralty Court - where violators of Port Law are tried - is located on the ground floor.  This is the personal fiefdom of Ludwig Nauzicht, Chief Magistrate of the Port Judiciary.  Ludwig has two senior and five junior magistrates with whom he shares the caseload.  In addition, seven lawyers specializing in Port Law are subordinate to Ludwig.  This could easily be seen as a conflict of interest in cases where Ludwig is the presiding magistrate.  One should be careful with levelling such a charge as Ludwig takes such as a personal affront.  The Chief Magistrate considers his objectivity as being beyond reproach.  Opposition lawyers who are brazen (or foolish) enough to put forth such a charge find themselves serving a few days in the brig for Contempt of Court.  This much feared prison lies beneath the Courts and all those with a date in the Court wait here.  It is damp (water often rises to a couple of inches, dingy, rat infested and filled with fear.

The main River Watch barracks near the docks.  There are anywhere between two to four patrols operating at a single time.  Although the crew in the Suiddock is twice the size, each River Watch patrol normally consists of four to six Marines and one Sergeant.  Like the neighbourhood Watch Houses on land, the River Watch maintains small boathouses and offices in the other islands of Marienburg.  There are only eight such and these are generally manned by a single patrol of Marines.

There may also be a novice priest of Manann stationed at a particular boathouse.  Their role is two-fold: (1) constantly seek out information pertaining to the outlawed cult of Stormfels and (2) deal with any problem which the typical River Watchman is not equipped to handle, such as abusive Wizards.  All Manann priests so assigned report to Kaspar Golflied, the highest ranking priest designated to aid the Lord Harbormaster.

Edwin Kaardscherp, Assistant to the Lord Harbormaster, Captain of the Harbor Watch, Merchant, ex-Gambler, ex-Charlatan, ex-Exciseman
M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Dex	Ld	Int	Cl	WP	Fel	
5	38	36	4	4	10	54	1	55	58	62	53	47	56	

Alignment: Neutral (Too self-centred to worship anyone)

Skills: Blather, Charm, Disguise, Embezzle, Evaluate, Gamble, Haggle, Law, Luck, Magical Sense, Mimic, Numismatics, Palm Object, Public Speaking, Read/Write (Breton, Reikspiel, and Tilean), Ride, Secret Language-Guilder, Seduction, Speak Additional Language (Breton and Tilean), Supernumerate, Wit

Trappings: Hand Weapon, Deck of Cards, Town House, Warehouse (on Stoessel), and Purse (8d10 Gu, 3d10 Shillings).

Quotes: "Don't bother me with details.  I have other, higher priorities on my mind."

"Look, I don't care if a ship has run aground near the mouth of the Bruynwater Kanaal.  Nor do I care if it is snarling traffic.  I have more important things like closing this business deal now before I lose another 100 Guilders."

"If you don't like it, see my superior.  I'm late for another appointment."

Appearance: The blond hair, blue-eyed Edwin is a conceited ass of the highest order.  Somehow, the 6ft 2in, 202 lb. miscreant was appointed to his post over the strenuous objections of Odvaal van den Huister.

Personality and motivations: Edwin is concerned with nothing other than his own advancement and enrichment.  As obvious to those who admit knowing him, Edwin grossly overrates his skills as a merchant and his worth as a human being.  It is even common knowledge to all but Edwin that the courtesans at “Hændryk’s Beauties” in Guilderveld charge him thrice the normal rate.

Connections: Rumours have it that Edwin's a relative of one of the powerful merchant families that run Marienburg.  In fact, he is a second cousin to Crispijn van Haagen, heir to that family’s fortune.  As a businessman, Edwin is an utter failure although he continues to posture as a successful one.  Edwin can be found at some of the plusher Gaming establishments, such as "Three of a Kind" on Elfgate Bridge during his off-duty hours.  Usually his stay is a short one since Edwin has an uncanny way of annoying even the most tolerant person.

At heart Edwin is still a Gambler.  Although born to a privileged life; he was the only, and very spoilt, child in the family.  He spent much of his youth hanging around disreputable gambling dens making a name for himself as an easy source of funds and an unbearable twit.  It wasn’t that he was a bad gambler he just never knew when to give up.  His father soon could not turn a blind eye to his son’s activities and sent to study in Tilean.  Soon bored, Edwin joined up with another expatiate named Serena.  They made a fine team, conning local nobles into supplying funds to help “Countess” Serena regain her family home.

Edwin escaped with his life after the ruse was discovered.  However, he decided not to tell Serena.  He is unaware whether she is alive, dead or in prison.  Returning to Marienburg, his uncle insisted he take a proper job instead of distracting his son Crispijn.  Thus a post in the Secretariat was arranged, with strict orders not to reveal his family connections.  To do such would mean the removal of his small monthly payments.  Thus Edwin finds himself indignantly trapped until he “turn things around.”

Edwin's relationship with the Lord Harbourmaster is best described as a very strong and mutual dislike for one another.  His peers have little, if any, respect for Edwin and probably wouldn't mind seeing something untoward happen to him.

However, Edwin does have one close ally.  Klaus Rathold, one of the excisemen under his command has decided loyalty to Edwin offers his best prospect of advancement.  Edwin loathes him but finds him useful as a manservant.  However, Klaus’s dogged desire to please has currently placed Edwin in a difficult position.  Klaus recently found a parcel of Ranald’s Delight on a boat and decided to give to Edwin.  Know it sits under Edwin’s floorboards while he worries about it.  On one hand he knows it will make him some good money and perhaps friends, but on the other someone out there is missing a small fortune in addictive happiness.

Johannes Zeewanden, Lord Harbourmaster's Assistant, Captain of the Harbour Watch, ex-Marine, ex-Sea Mate
M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Dex	Ld	Int	Cl	WP	Fel	
4	64	59	5	5	13	48	3	54	66	55	57	47	64	

Alignment: Neutral (Manann)

Skills: Animal Care-Parrot, Boat Building, Consume Alcohol, Disarm, Dodge Blow, Law, Numismatics, Row, Sailing, Secret Language-Battle Tongue, Speak Additional Language (Breton), Specialist Weapon-Fencing Weapon, Storytelling, Street Fighting, Strike Mighty Blow, Strike to Stun, Swim.

Trappings: Mail Shirt (1AP body), Rapier (I +20, D -1), Dagger (I +10, D -2, P -20), and Purse (with d6 Gu, 2d6 Shillings).

Quotes: "So you want to know about the Lady's Pride?  What's your business with the ship? Owner, you say?  Do you have the bill of sale or certificate of ownership?  No?  Do you know the Captain's name?  Let's see... no, that's not the name.  What's your name again?"

"How's that?  Information about the arrival of ships in the Suiddock today and their cargo?  That's rather privileged information, sir.  Let me move that weighted bag for you so I can make room for the daily log."

"You want to offer a contribution to the River Watch of 5 Guilders?  That ,sir, is attempted bribery of a public official.  You're lucky that I'm in a good mood tonight.  I'll grant you a choice: pay a fine of 20 Guilders or spend some time as our guest in the Brig.  I'll even throw in a date with the Courts if you pick the second choice.  So, what's your pleasure?"

Appearance: Johannes has medium brown hair, with a touch of grey (he’s 41) and pale-grey eyes.  He stands at 5ft 7in and weighs 187 lbs.  His speech is a calm, even voice unless he pushed to anger.  He then speaks slowly in a deep voice that indicates to any, but the most obtuse, that they have stepped over the line.  Quick, intelligent people will recognize that this is the time to make amends before they are thrown out into either the streets or the brig.

Personality and motivations: Johannes is the only assistant to the Lord Harbourmaster who is not a political appointee, which explains why he is the only one with night duty (late evenings to dawn).  Relative to other city officials, Johannes is considered incorruptible.  This doesn't infer that he cannot be bribed.  Fact is Johannes will sell the type of information that will not put his command and position at risk.  These are typically minor bits such as directions, ship arrivals and departures, and the place of registry of any specific ship.  The only requirement Johannes has is that any attempt at bribery be discreet.  He will easily recognize clumsy and obvious attempts at bribery, which could land the briber in the brig with a date to visit the Port Law Courts.

After spending his early life, eking out a living on the streets of Marienburg, Johannes believed the tales of wealth to be gained at sea and became a Marine.  Putting his talents for brawling to use, he joined a small trading company sailing to Bretonnia and back.  He proved himself a loyal crew-member was promoted to the position of First Mate.  In Marienburg he had made friends with Odvaal van Huuister, then a Lord Harbourmaster's Assistant, after they found themselves on the same side in a barroom brawl.  The friendship almost put his life in danger.  By accident he discovered his captain and some of the crew were smuggling in various heavily taxed items.  In truth it didn’t bother him much.  However, he soon learned they planned to get him out of the way.  He approached van Huuister with the information.  However, van Huuister convinced him to sail with them one more time to fully uncover what they were up to.  It worked and various crewmembers are still rotting in prison. The newly promoted Van Huuister rewarded Johannes with his current position.

Connections: Johannes is a long-time friend and confidante of Lord Harbormaster Odvaal van Huuister.  Together, they work to minimize the damage caused by Edwin Kaardscherp’s ineptitude and callousness.  Johannes also gets the task of being the liaison with the Suiddock Watch and Captain Graveland.  Johannes grudgingly finds himself respecting Graveland, despite the fools and incompetence the Suiddock Captain has under his command.

Currently Johannes spends much of his spare time trying to track down a particularly vicious smuggling ring.  He believes they are smuggling slaves out of Marienburg through a number of the bigger Mercantile Houses.  He suspects the recent deaths of two of his men were a result of this investigation.  Officially, the investigation is outside his jurisdiction and he has been publicly reprimanded once.  However, he has the private support of the Lord Harbourmaster.