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<span class="mu-s">Athkatla, capital of Amn, Faerûn</span>
You find yourself in a private meeting with Elara Selemchant, Meisarch of the Council of Five, one of the most powerful figures in Amn's oligarchy. As an assassin and spy in her service, you're accustomed to these discreet encounters.
The room is richly adorned with tapestries and dark wooden furniture, flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the stone walls. Elara stands by a tall window, gazing out over the city before turning to face you. Her piercing sapphire eyes lock onto yours, her black hair streaked with silver, and her elegant, somber robes adorned with esoteric symbols.
"Good business, my lady," you greet her formally, bowing slightly.
She doesn’t waste time on pleasantries. Her eyes dart restlessly, betraying her distress. "There are no gnomes in Amn, save for those in Purskul. I’ve never cared much for their roguish ways, as they kept their distance from the capital. But recently, things have changed."
"A change?" you ask, feigning interest. You’ve learned that nobles often see the smallest inconveniences as catastrophes, and you half-expect her to complain about some trivial matter.
"Yes. One of their families, the Gemcutters, migrated to Port Nyanzaru, our colony in Chult. Through a series of successful scams, they've taken control of the region's economy and politics. We ignored it at first: cheap goods flowed to Amn, and we grew rich. Wealth is all that matters, after all. But now, their schemes have reached the capital, affecting reputable families. This cannot stand."
"And what sort of scheme are we talking about?"
She places her right hand over her heart, emphasizing her words. "One of the gnomes purchased an abandoned mine in the Chultan jungle, advertised as rich in diamonds. Another lent money to eager investors. At first, the returns were good, drawing more people in. But it was all a lie. The mine was worthless, and the dividends were paid from the gnomes' own pockets to lure more fools in. When enough had invested, the gnome declared the mine bankrupt. Investors were ruined, and many sold themselves into indenture to repay their debts."
"Isn't indenture common practice in Amn?" you ask, curious about why this scam stands out among countless others.
