Paragon and Western

**The Paragon and Western Mainland Banking Corporation**, simply referred to as **Paragon and Western** or the **Banker's Guild**, is the Varian guild *and church* of business and banking. Nearly every business in Thrildor ties back to **Paragon and Western** in some way or another. While they bear the facade of a religious group and may have been a true faith at the signing of the Faction's Accord, they now worship only profit and power, a fact that is known by all, but challenged by none. The Arbiter stands as Paragon and Western's symbol of fair balance, using his religious iconography as part of their own branding.

It is said that the **Holy Paragon Enforcers** and the **Western Mainland Bank** merged together some time before The Severance, to create **The Paragon and Western Mainland Banking Corporation**, although the details of its founding have been lost to time.

**Paragon and Western** operates on the beliefs that wealth is power, that structure breeds wealth, and that guilt creates structure. The guild is regularly described as a combination of a cult-like religion, a depository bank, a credit-lending agency, and crime syndicate. An ostentatious hierarchy of priests, enforcers, councillors and a single vampire lord rules over a congregation of guilt-bound loyalists and indebted ghostly servants. Should somebody be in debt to them, that person must work off their debt even beyond death, such is the price of business with **Paragon and Western**. Taxation of all nine cities runs through this faction, as such, most citizens of these cities have an account with the bank, in from which the bank extracts it's expected tithe. Many fail to pay their taxies and start to accumulate debt.

Souls, it seems, are a far more valuable commodity than gold and those that are indebted could find their souls sold off to devils or demons to make up for their losses. Many **Paragon and Western** members believe that their actions are necessary for making Vari the best it can be, and they are unscrupulous in their methods of seizing power. Most see **Paragon and Western** as a corrupt organization, but many are attracted by promises of wealth, prestige, and longevity.

To borrow from the guild is very common, it is simply a part of life in Vari, as saving up for unexpected costs is almost impossible for the average citizen. Paragon and Western profit from this way of life considerably. Failure to repay credit is also common, with interest causing debts to pile higher and higher. Paragon and Western always reclaim their debts, be it through seizing assets, forced labour (even in death) or other means. Enforcers of the guild regularly pay visits to collect expected payments, using intimidation and physical force if necessary.

To boost their profits in what proves to be an unstable economy, **Paragon and Western** have begun offering "protection services", promising to shield their customers both from physical harm and fiscal disaster, with the underlying threat that those who refuse to pay will become targets of their own thugs and enforcers. Secondly, the faction has taken to regulating loans to citizens, from third parties. This works by allowing other businesses to loan to citizens, and for citizens to borrow money (or other debts such as goods and services) while remaining under the legal protection of the faction's accord.

Prior to **Paragon and Westerns** third party loan regulation, **Creditors** and **Debtors** often took up lending deals outside of the faction's accord, using the city states as a means of enforcing the law. If a debtor was incapable to settle an owed debt, the creditor could summon the culprit to a city court and seek a judgment against them. A city bailiff would then be instructed to by the court to attend the debtor’s premises and remove goods to the value of the debt before delivering said goods to the creditor. City bailiffs would often remove (or pillage) far more than necessary to repay the debt, sometimes even forcing debtor’s to handover the deeds to their property, while little of the bounty seized was ever delivered to the creditor. The debtor and the creditor both lost out in this situation while the city, courts and nobles were profiting. While this activity is not illegal, it is no longer the preferred route for most people looking to be involved in lending, as Paragon and Western's cuts are considered much more reasonable and their means to recover the debt much more effective.

**Paragon and Western** banks can be found in all nine cities, some of which have multiple banks. Each one is staffed at ground level by a crew of former borrowers, now ghosts, as attorneys, advisors, accountants, couriers and tellers, as well as crews of enforcers. **Borrowers** are not part of the guild, but they can't escape their debt even after their death. On upper (and some lower) floors of the banks, members of the guild work tirelessly crafting contracts, planning enforcer visits and trying to find ways to boost profits. Paragon and Western have even taken to hiring adventurers to join their ranks, acting as information gatherers, investigators, clerics, enforcers, explorers and treasure hunters. Unlike the Guild for Indigent Adventurers, **Paragon and Western** readily admit that they only hire adventurers for profit, however, they make the dangers in their line of work very clear. Some are tasked with recovering hoards of stolen loot, some with shaking down a criminal organisation that owes the bank money, or even escorting a shipment of coin across the Mainland. Though the work may seem dull, being a member of the faction grants a guaranteed monthly salary, with employee benefits and of course, contractual obligations.

**Paragon and Western** is ran by the only publicly known Vampire in Vari, Lord Antonius Canterbrooke, who resides in the Canterbrooke Estate in Whitestar. When **Lord Canterbrooke** first signed the Faction's Accord as leader of Paragon and Western, he was at that time a living High Elf. He has since seen many of his family members grow older than him and die. Having since become a Vampire, he is still protected yet bound by the accord, therefore he is legally protected from harm regardless of his blood-drinking affliction, unless all the faction leaders vote unanimously to change its laws (which, Lord Canterbrooke is unlikely to do if it means he will be killed) or Lord Canterbrook otherwise voids the accord, he will remain protected from wrath of those that seek to purge all evil undead from this land. For now, however, provided it is not direct sunlight, Lord Canterbrooke walks openly amongst the noble populace of Whitestar.

## Regulation of Religion

As part of their duties, **Paragon and Western** have the legal authority to close down or heavily regulate churches that do not meet approved standards. Only specific gods are allowed to be openly worshipped in Vari. The worship of **illegal religion** can result in prison time, fines or worse, depending on the severity of the crime. **Paragon and Western** are responsible for handing out this justice, but often the Order of Vindication are allowed to step in and offer redemption to those who are willing.

### Legally Recognised Religion

A Religion that is approved is recognised in Varian Law. As such every city is bound to protect the interest of those who worship them and must preserve structures, buildings, relics, statues or other symbolism that depicts them. This is regulated by **Paragon and Western**, who protect the following religions from both the vandalism or violence of people and the corruption of officials, politicians and nobles within the city that they reside. Organisations of these religions are **exempt from paying taxes**, *as well as some other legal fees*, and as tax collection is done through **Paragon and Western**, they are able to self regulate this matter.

### Illegal Religion

Illegal religions are recognised, but outlawed. To openly worship these gods is a crime and as such punishments can be handed out as per Varian Law. No structures, buildings, relics, statues or other symbolism is allowed to be erected or displayed within any of the nine cities. This is regulated by **Paragon and Western**

### Unrecognised Religion

Worshippers of any religion not held within the two categories above, *while not officially recognised as a religion*, are not punished for the practice of worship, provided it is a private affair. However, they are equally not legally protected and as such can (and are) exploited by criminals, corrupt politicians and the like.

IIt is illegal to openly worship, erect structures, buildings, relics, statues or other symbolism within any of the nine cities. However, private communal prayer in unmarked, unadvertised locations is not forbidden. This is regulated by **Paragon and Western**.

## Accord

As bound by the Faction's Accord, ****The Paragon and Western Mainland Banking Corporation**** are responsible for the following remits:

* Banking and Safeguarding Treasuries
* Money Lending and Recovering Debt
* Regulating Business and Trade
* Regulating the Churches

*As part of their duties, Paragon & Western have the legal authority to close down or heavily regulate churches, cults or other religious groups that do not meet approved standards. Only specific gods are allowed to be openly worshipped in Vari. The public worship of non-approved gods can result in prison time or worse, depending on the severity of the crime. **Paragon and Western** are responsible for handing out this justice. The punishment given depends on a variety of factors. Worshipping illegal gods in ones home or in another location, but completely privately, is frowned upon but not considered illegal. The deification through idolisation of none divine entities such as The Creators or The Faction's Accord is considered illegal.*

## Rank

* Baliff - New recruits are tasked with recovering outstanding debt.
* Enforcer
* Apostle
* Chaplain
* Archdirector
* Cardinal - The Faction Leader

## **Faction Benefits:**

Your chosen faction provides you will a set of additional starting equipment, in addition to that which is granted by your class. Including gold.

### Equipment

* a scepter(quarterstaff), greatclub, mace or warhammer, engraved with the P&W symbol.
* a set of fine clothes
* a banker's signet ring
* a set of manacles
* a holy symbol
* a bank key
* a scroll of employment
* a set of 'interrogators' tools
* a debt collectors ledger
* a writing kit (small pouch with a quill, ink, folded parchment, and a small penknife)
* a purse containing 1 platinum coin and 15 gp (total 25gp)
* Feature: Paragon Banker

### **Feature:** Paragon Banker

Thanks to your employer, people are inclined to think the best of you, or fear your retribution. You are welcome in the world of business and high society, people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and merchants, nobles, business persons and politicians treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble, business owner or politician if you need to.

### Accord Rewards

As deemed in the Faction's Accord, benefits are awarded for progression through the rank system of all factions in Vari.

#### **Baliff:**

* **[ Magical Ledger ]** While this magical book is on your person, it keeps a record of all your financial transactions in your handwriting. A copy of this book, including its transactions is also kept by your superiors at your Paragon and Western branch.
* **[ Bartering ]** You gain proficiency in Persuasion plus your choice of one from among Intimidation, History and Religion. Also two Languages of your choice
* When bartering with a vendor, barkeep, merchant, salesman or other business owner, you have advantage on Persuasion or Intimidation skill checks to reduce the price by up to 10%.
* **[ Debt Collector ]** While you are trying to collect a debt from an individual who owes an overdue debt owed to Paragon and Western, if the individual has refused to pay, you have advantage on attack rolls and advantage on athletics checks made to grapple this target.

#### **Enforcer:**

* **[ Portable Banking Box ]:** This cube like box is connected to your personal banking storage within your branch of Paragon and Western, as such it has an interior space considerably larger than its outside dimensions, which is approximately 2 feet on each side. The strage space can hold up to 500 pounds, not exceeding a volume of 64 cubic feet. The box weighs 25 pounds regardless of its contents. Retrieving an item from the box requires an action. A creature or other living biological matter, corpse, or waste product placed into the box is immediately ejected. If the storage space is overloaded, or the box pierced or torn, it shatters and is immediately destroyed. To replace the box you must return to your bank branch and pay a 1000gp replacement fee.
* **[ Intrusive Thoughts ]:** While speaking to an individual who owes an overdue debt owed to Paragon and Western, you can choose this individual and cast the **Detect Thoughts** spell once an action, in doing this you are able to read only the thoughts of the individual chosen, requiring no components or spell slot to do so. You cannot do this again until you take a long rest.

#### **Archdirector**

* Unknown