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The Stunned Acolyte

If the Truncheon is a dive bar, the Stunned Acolyte is a five-star resort. It is the premier inn in Gosterwick, catering to wealthy merchants, high-ranking clergy, and successful adventuring parties who have actually made it back from the Halls with gold to spend.

The Vibe: Elegance, luxury, and exclusivity. The floors are scrubbed, the linens are fresh, and the wine is imported from the Archontean heartlands.

The "Kind of People" Rule: The innkeepers are notoriously snobbish. If you walk in covered in dungeon filth and goblin blood, you will be turned away at the door. You need to look—and spend—like a professional.

Hirelings: You won't find desperate "meat shields" here. Instead, you'll find Specialists: master locksmiths, veteran mercenary captains, and scholars of Thothian lore. They demand high wages and a significant share of the loot, but they won't flee at the first sight of a skeleton.

The Information Hub: This is where you overhear the "high-level" rumors. While the Puddle tells you about goblin raids, the Acolyte is where you hear about the movements of the Green Lady or the secret expeditions of the Archontean Legions.

Gosterwick (referred to a Vertucaster by imperials) is the essential "home base" where most adventuring parties lick their wounds and spend their hard-earned gold during downtime between delvings into Arden Vul.

The Logothetes of Gosterwick

These officials were personally selected by Lady Alexia. They are often viewed with a mix of respect and fear because they report directly to the Azure Keep.

Valerius Scaurus (Logothete of Trade): * Role: He manages the town's economy, taxes, and the influx of artifacts coming out of Arden Vul.

The Vibe: He is a shrewd businessman who doesn't care much for "adventuring glory"—he cares about the 10% tax on all treasure recovered from the Halls.

Domitius Afer (Logothete of Public Works): * Role: Responsible for the rapid construction and infrastructure of Gosterwick.

The Vibe: A man under immense pressure. He’s the one who has to make sure the walls are reinforced and the roads can handle the massive merchant caravans.

Theodora Komnene (Logothete of Records): * Role: She manages the town’s archives and the registry of "Wardens."

The Vibe: If you want to become an official Warden of Vetucaster, you have to go through her. She is famously detail-oriented and likely knows more about your party's background than you’d prefer.

The Knights of the Azure Shield

These aren't just your average town guards; they are an elite military order dedicated to the Green Lady.

The Commander: Sept Commander Horatius Gesellion. He is a veteran warrior who commands about 60-70 knights stationed at the Azure Keep.

Their Jurisdiction: They generally don't patrol the streets for petty crimes (that's for the town watch); instead, they deal with high-level threats, dungeon-delver riots, or external attacks.

Equipment: They are recognizable by their polished plate mail and bright blue shields emblazoned with a golden sun.

Rumor: The Green Lady’s Secret "Logothete" There are whispers in the back corners of the Yellow Cloak that Lady Alexia has a fourth Logothete whose name isn't on any official ledger. This individual supposedly handles "special acquisitions"—meaning they hire adventurers to go into Arden Vul to retrieve specific items that Alexia wants for her private collection.

In Gosterwick, justice is a tiered system based on the Archontean legal code. While the Thesmothete Eusebia Phokas handles day-to-day civil and criminal disputes, the Green Lady (Lady Alexia Basileon) reserves "High Justice" for herself.

If you are a Warden or a prominent figure, you do not want to end up in her court. Here is how the punishments break down:

1. High Justice (The Green Lady’s Jurisdiction) This is reserved for treason, murder, arson, or any crime against the state—which includes breaking a Warden’s oath.

The Sentence: Fines followed by death.

The "Inventive" Part: Lady Alexia is notorious for making executions "public and slow." Rumors suggest she uses magical or alchemical means to prolong the process, ensuring the condemned serves as a visceral warning to the rest of the town. For a Warden who betrays her, this is often viewed as a "breach of contract" that requires an "equalizing" of the debt through suffering.

2. Justice of the Body (Thesmothete's Jurisdiction) Handled by Eusebia Phokas, this covers assault, slander, and wounding between citizens.

The Sentence: Punishments vary based on the severity of the harm but frequently involve amputation (losing the offending hand) or heavy fines. If the crime is severe enough to border on High Justice, the death penalty is on the table.

3. Justice of the Domus (Property Crimes) Handled by the proedroi (Eusebia’s assistants), this deals with theft, burglary, and inheritance disputes.

The Sentence: This is where the punishments get particularly Archontean. Depending on the value stolen (usually over 50 gp), you can expect:

Fines: Often triple the value of the stolen goods.

Mutilation: Specifically blinding (for peeping or spying) or castration (for certain domestic crimes).

Amputation: Standard for repeat thieves.

4. Low Justice (The "Commoner" Courts) Handled by the chartoularii (clerks) in the public square, this is for petty crimes and disputes involving non-citizens (non-Wardens).

The Sentence: Usually swift and summary. Expect time in the stocks, a public flogging, or immediate expulsion from the town. For non-citizens, the law is far less patient; if you can't pay a fine, you might find yourself "recruited" for dangerous labor details.

In Gosterwick, the specific official you need to see for real estate depends on whether you are looking for the right to buy land or the actual purchase and registry of that land.

As a Warden of Vetucaster, you should focus on these two officials:

1. Aedelwine the Fair (Logothete of the Private House) While other logothetes handle trade and public works, Aedelwine is the official responsible for the Private House.

The Role: In Archontean bureaucracy, the Private House traditionally manages the properties and estates of the imperial family (or in this case, Lady Alexia).

The Function: If you are looking to purchase land or a house, Aedelwine is the one who handles the administration of these holdings. He ensures the property is vacant, legally cleared for sale, and that the transaction aligns with the Green Lady’s interests.

2. Theodora Komnene (Logothete of Records) You cannot close a deal without her involvement.

The Role: She maintains the town's official archives.

The Function: Once Aedelwine has brokered the sale, Theodora registers the deed. More importantly, she verifies that you are a Warden in good standing. Without her "stamp of approval" on your citizenship status, the sale cannot be finalized.

Key Financial Tip: The Warden’s Discount Don't forget that one of the primary perks of being a Warden of Vetucaster is a massive 50% discount on the purchase of land within the town walls.

Standard Price: Real estate in a boomtown like Gosterwick is incredibly expensive due to high demand from merchants and adventurers.

Warden Price: Lady Alexia uses this discount to ensure the "elite" of the town (the adventurers she can call upon in a crisis) are the ones who actually own the physical buildings, keeping the town’s defense in capable hands.

Where to find them? Both officials operate out of their respective offices near the Thesmothete's Townhouse, located in the more affluent northern section of Gosterwick, moving toward the Azure Keep.