Zert - the Temple Spy, and the Traders: Rannos Davl & Gremag

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

It is noted in VOH that Zert, a spy for the temple, as follows: "the traders know who an what Zert really is, but he does not know that they are also pawns of evil."

Is that because there is too much riding on Rannos Davl and Gremag keeping their cover at the trading post, that they cannot afford a slip up by a minor temple agent? Who then knows about the true identity of the traders - Lareth? Senshock? Hedrack? Deggum? Barkinar? Or solely Smigmal Redhand? Does all information the traders send via brigand courier pass directly to Smigmal Redhand, or does it go from the traders to Lareth? And since Zert didn't report to the traders, who does he report to? Is Zert even aware that Lareth and his minions are laired in the moat house? Or is it that Zert reports to Lareth?

It says that the traders "aid any and all other creatures who come in Temple service" - would this aid happen solely via means that the traders can remain completely anonymous secret agents to all in the temple but a few, so as to severely curtail their risk of being unmasked?

[GRWelsh]

I'm not sure all of these questions have answers. But you ask some good questions because after all player characters may capture and interrogate some of these guys and/or may use magic to find out what they know. So, you may want to draw a flow chart showing who reports to whom. I would say (off the top of my head) the top leadership you mentioned (Hedrack, Senshock, etc.) know who the traders are, and the trader spies report to Smigmal; Lareth knows they are there, but they do not report to Lareth; Zert knows Lareth and his minions are in the moat house, and may be a newer recruit planted in Hommlet to prove himself... and that's why he doesn't know as much.

As to your last question, I would say the traders wouldn't do anything to obviously blow their cover, but would take some risks if they think it is worth it. They're pretty sneaky guys. They might free a captive in the middle of the night, give a captive a dagger, that sort of thing.

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

At what point at the moathouse would Zert feel impelled to betray the PCs?

It seems like he would maintain the appearance of or provide nominal aid for a time to the PC party in order to betray them when he could tilt the odds heavily to his favor?

So, he might not be impelled to betray the PC party unless they face up to Lareth's forces, and then he will assuredly betray the PCs at that point?

Or do you think he would be impelled to betray them at the moathouse sooner? I know he could betray at any time, however if the party is large and not sufficiently weakened, would you think he would wait it out, through the brigand encounter {he might not even know the brigands?}, or even Lubash the ogre and the other humanoid allies of Lareth - bugbears & gnolls?

At what various points and ways have you had Zert undermine or betray the PC party?

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

Zert is listed as having the following weapons: sword, dagger, and lance.

Have you typically specified his sword type to be long sword or broad sword?

Since Zert has three weapons listed, and yet has four weapons of proficiency as a fighter, under UA rules, would you give him a single specialization in one of his listed weapons, say either the sword or lance?

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

What are the various points during the moathouse expedition where you have had Zert betray the PC party? The brigands? Lubash? The zombies? Other options?

I think when I ran this adventure in the past, he has always betrayed the party during the battle with the brigands.

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

So, if Zert betrays the PC party and escapes with his life, would he potentially resurface at the temple or joined up with Lareth? Where might he be found at the temple, as part of what faction?