Queen’s Men#
- Type: Criminal organization
- Goal: Profit, control; loyalty to the Queen of Drakkenheim
- Base: Buckledown Row (inside Drakkenheim)
- Leader: The Queen (identity unknown; court location secret)
A criminal organization that controls roads and territory within Drakkenheim. The Queen is alive and present in the city — her court’s location is a closely guarded secret, but all five crews in Buckledown Row operate under her rules and pay her monthly dues.
The Hooded Lanterns consider the Queen’s claim to Drakkenheim illegitimate, and any known Hooded Lanterns affiliation is dangerous in Buckledown Row.
Dues#
To operate in Buckledown Row — or to make initial contact with the Queen — drop 100 gold into the well behind Smee’s Palace. Monthly dues are 100 gold.
Sub-Crews (Buckledown Row)#
| Crew | Base | Known Members | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wounded Hearts | Smee’s Palace | Mr. Lament, Dorian Dare | Patron of the arts; fighting pits; entry requires besting Dorian Dare |
| Rose and Thorns | Old Imperial | Rose | All-female leadership; procurement, enforcement, intelligence; 5% commission on jobs |
| Catacomb Cobras | Sneaky McGee’s | Mamba Jones | Assassin-type rogues; cobra insignia |
| Howling Dogs | Sweaty Bugbear | Bloodhound | Growling dog skull insignia |
| Pins and Clubs | Padlock Tavern | Unknown | Lowest entry bar of any crew |
The Six Seals of Drakkenheim#
The Queen’s deeper goal is the coronation of Drakkenheim’s throne. Before the meteor, six magical artifacts were held by the city’s most powerful officials — required jointly for any coronation ceremony. Without all six present, no one can be crowned. The Queen believes gathering them will let her claim the throne without relying on disputed noble house legitimacy.
| Seal | Former Holder |
|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Crest | High Chancellor |
| Inscrutable Staff | High Mage |
| Lord Commander’s Badge | Head of the City Guard |
| Saint Vitruvio’s Phylactery | High Flame Keeper |
| Spymaster’s Signet | Spymaster |
| Steward’s Seal | Steward |
None of the seals have been located. The Scepter of Saint Vitruvio is not one of the six seals.
Known Members (Outside the Row)#
- Blackjack Mel (operative; Padlock Tavern in city, also Skull and Sword in Emberwood)
- Donovan Marlowe (appraiser; Padlock Tavern)
- Unnamed bandits on the roads
Party Relationship#
Cory is a dues-paying contact (Session 5). Next step to deepen the relationship: bring a permanent magical item to prove loyalty, earning a proper introduction to the Queen. Heda discussed joining the Rose and Thorns with Rose. Mr. Lament is mildly intrigued by Cory and Margareta as performers.
Log
- Session 1
- Bandits attacked the party on the road; party killed leader and routed the rest
- Session 2
- Cory met Blackjack Mel at the Skull and Sword on Zayn’s recommendation
- Party delivered a delerium chip; Mel told them about the Buckledown Row well
- Session 5
- Party visited Buckledown Row for the first time; learned the full crew structure
- Cory paid initial dues (100gp into the well); faction quest completed
- Heda met Rose at the Old Imperial; party discussed possible affiliation with Rose and Thorns
- Session 7
- Cory and Margareta met Blackjack Mel at the Padlock Tavern; he revealed the Six Seals of Drakkenheim and the Queen’s coronation strategy
- Confirmed: to earn an introduction to the Queen, bring a permanent magical item
- Brief meeting with Donovan Marlowe, Mel’s appraiser, to assess the rod from Saint Tarna’s statue