The following factions have permanent spies based in Zothay. Comments are by Sanjis of the
Three Plates.
Regional powers. Quitak and Viridistan ("very professional") are both concerned to
limit each other's influence. Quitak has an uneasy alliance with the Skandiks and is concerned
about all Skandik activity. Ossary keeps tabs on their own Governor's performance.
Sea powers. The above plus Tarantis, Rallu (City of the Sea-Kings) and Tula (City
of the Wizards). These are all concerned with the safety of their own shipping and the
possibility of piracy against rival powers. The majority of piracy round Zothay is
carried out by independent Tarantian and Skandik privateers ("but the relationship with
their own realms is frequently close")
Wizards. The local wizards are active participants in city affairs and great rivals.
They are the most likely of the local factions (apart from the Thieves' Guild) to employ agents
and spies and they do it mainly to monitor
and frustrate each other's plans. The three most powerful are Kleantes ("bonkers"), an advisor
to Kristas (himself of course a wizard), Timon ("even more bonkers"), who taught magic to
both Kristas and Kleantes, and Creesus ("unpleasant but rich").
Zothay. Monitors all the above and discretely limits the Skandiks' influence.
The Governor of course has his own spies ("mainly idiots") who are concerned to root out
anti-Skandik sedition. A
new player in town is a Skandik Cleric of Odin from Croy (independent Skandik kingdom) whose
preaching is distinctly anti-Ossary ("Zothay is watching his back in accordance with our
duty to ensure Skandik religious freedom").