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 +====== L'Aurum ======
 +
 +{{:the_aurum.jpg|the_aurum.jpg}}caption = Symbol of L'Aurum name = L'Aurum
 +
 +|
 +
 +leader = The Platinum Concord logo = A golden crown enclosed by a golden chain
 +
 +**L'Aurum **is a secretive social club containing many of the wealthiest citizens of [[:khorvaire|]] with an interest in history and artifacts of the past.
 +
 +====== Histoire ======
 +
 +L'Aurum started as a fraternity of wealthy and powerful [[:nains|Nains]] from the [[:bastions_de_la_nation|Bastions de la Nation]]. When the [[:royaume_de_galifar|]] collapsed the [[:nains|Nains]] suddenly had a nation of their own, the members of this collective began to look beyond the [[:monts_ferreux|]].
 +
 +====== Organization ======
 +
 +Members of L'Aurum, known as Concordians, wear eight rings of a varying metal (copper, silver, gold or platinum) at all times, a tradition derived from the [[:nains|Nains]]. These rings correspond to their Concord. Each ring has the same value as 10 coins of the same metal.
 +
 +Membership is divided between different concords corresponding to the metals of the rings they wear. Social position determines at what level new members join, but station is not determine solely by wealth or social position. In theory any Concordian can ascend through merit to the Platinum Concord.
 +
 +Some believe there is a secret conspiracy within L'Aurum that operates separately from the Concords. This [[:cabinet_fantome|]] is believed to have plans to rule the continent of [[:khorvaire|]].
 +
 +====== Base of Operations ======
 +
 +L'Aurum is headquartered in [[:le_pic|]] in the [[:bastions_de_la_nation|Bastions de la Nation]].
 +
 +====== Notable Members ======
 +
 +  * [[:npc:alina_lorridan_lyrris|Alina Lorridan Lyrris]] is a wealthy [[:gnome|]] and accomplished [[:magicien|]] who made her fortune off of the [[:fragments_de_dragon#fragments_de_khyber|Fragments de Khyber]] harvested from her family's gem mine. She is a Platinum Concordian who sits on the [[:cabinet_fantome|]].
 +  * [[npc:antus_ir_soldorak|Antus du Soldorak]] is an elderly [[:nain|]] who made his fortune minting coins from his gold and platinum mines in the [[:bastions_de_la_nation|Bastions de la Nation]]. He is chancellor of the Platinum Concord and chairs the [[:cabinet_fantome|]].
 +  * [[npc:kalphan_riak]] is a [[:humain|]] sorcerer and the high priest of [[:kol_korran|]] in The Korranath in [[:sharn|Sharn's Upper Central]]. He is a Platinum Concordian who sits on the [[:cabinet_fantome|]].
 +  * [[:lain_soldorak|Lain Soldorak]] is a [[:nain|]] who serves as consul for [[:soldorak|Clan Soldorak]] in the consulate of the [[:bastions_de_la_nation|Bastions de la Nation]] in [[:sharn|]]. He is a member of L'Aurum of indeterminate rank who reports to [[npc:antus_ir_soldorak|Antus du Soldorak]].
 +  * [[npc:daeluse_d_kundarak]] is a [[:nain|]] Héritier des Dragons and Gold Concordian who oversees [[:maison_kundarak|]]'s mining operations in [[:cragwar|]], [[:brelande|]].
 +  * [[npc:zeed]] is a [[:changelin|]] gang leader and an ambitious Gold Concordian who dominates the criminal underworld of [[:cragwar|]].
 +
 +RISING : L'Aurum On the surface, L'Aurum appears to be an exclusive society for the richest and most influential people of Khorvaire. Merchants, priests, military officers, and other luminaries gather for grand galas and salons. Beneath this gilded veneer, the members of L'Aurum use their shared wealth and power to pursue their sElfeeish goals, and a secret cabal at the heart of this fraternity dreams of global domination. L'Aurum is divided into four suborders called Concords-copper, silver, gold, and platinum, in order of ascendance. Higher rank provides a member with improved access to the resources of L'Aurum and a greater voice in society meetings. L'Aurum isn't a secret society, and its meeting halls can be found in most major cities. Many powerful people openly wear the eight rings-one on each finger, with the metal indicating the rank of the wearer-that label them as Aurum members. L'Aurum frequently engages in acts of philanthropy, and thus some members might be celebrated by their local communities. When members gather, they discuss shared interests, especially in history and archaeology. Aurum members often take an interest in a particular civilization or era of history; one Concordian collects relics of the Cul' sir Géants of Xen'drik, while another pursues artifacts of the dragons of Argonnessen. One of the most Commun ways in which adventurers cross paths with L'Aurum is through these collectors. Members of L'Aurum often fund expeditions to exotic lands or newly discovered ruins, interested in expanding their private hoards. Occasionally a Concordian tries to acquire prized relics through less honorable means; adventurers could be employed to acquire an exotic prize from a rival through any means necessary, legal or otherwise. All of these activities are entirely legitimate. The Aurum is a society for wealthy scholars and philanthropists. But there is a secret order that ranks higher than the Platinum Concord-an inner circle known as the Cabinet Fantôme. The members of this cabal are nobles but not kings; they are powerful industrialists, but not Marqué par le Dragon barons. They are determined to become the true rulers of Khorvaire, whether by binding the current barons and monarchs to their will or by tearing down the current systems and creating something new. In stories driven by action, L'Aurum can fund expeditions to exotic lands and use magical doomsday devices to hold cities for ransom. In adventures driven by intrigue, L'Aurum provides an opportunity to explore the lure of gold, and how far the characters might go in the service of an amoral patron. L'Aurum AND THE WAR La Dernière Guerre gave birth to the Cabinet Fantôme. The war ignited the passions of Concordians who blamed the monarchs of the Cinq Nations for the vast devasta- • tion and loss. It also created opportunities that never existed under the united Galifar. Many of the members of L'Aurum gained influence by bankrolling one or more war efforts, or by stepping in to maintain the infrastructure while the government directed its attention to military matters. L'Aurum also includes a number of powerful military officers and warlords. Some despise the nobles that drove them to war; others are furious that the war ended without a decisive victory. Either way, these can provide the Cabinet Fantôme with unexpected military power. Now, amid the war's cooling ashes, L'Aurum's power is fragmented. On several occasions, investments and gambles that paid dividends in money and power to one Concordian sapped the fortune of another, because each was unknowingly working against the other's interests. Huge collections of art, historical artifacts, and precious tomes were destroyed or Perdu during the war, and L'Aurum's leaders salivate at the thought of recovering some of those riches. AURUM NPC s Aurum Concordians are defined by their wealth and power. When you create an Aurum NPC, consider the source of that person's wealth and how it is expressed. The Nain Antus du Soldorak is chancellor of the Platinum Concord and founder of the Cabinet Fantôme. He owns vast gold and silver mines in the Bastions de la Nation and mints his own currency, and he travels in a gilded Aéronef. [[Loyal Daison]] is a Karrnathi slumlord who has made a fortune providing low-rent (and low-quality) housing for refugees. He Perdu his hand in an industrial accident and had it replaced with a golden prosthetic. Members of L'Aurum become villains if their quest for greater influence, personal power, and wealth victimizes the innocent. Whether villains or allies, all Concordians wield significant political influence. They have access to minions and resources in the higher levels of society. They prefer to pursue schemes of coercion and conspiracy, putting their money and influence to work, than resort to blatant violence in any form. A U R U M N PCs d4 N PC An aging Nain-a retired general and an Aurum Concordian- collects unusual constructs, hoping to find a way to transfer his m i n d into a s u perior body. 2 An Au rum Concord ian is renowned for having the fi n est arcane li brary in Khorvaire. Adventurers might help them collect more tome, but when a n u m ber of prominent wizards are m u rdered and their research goes m issi ng, is the Concordian to blame? 3 A mem ber of the Gold Concord is on the run from the Au rum after learning a terri ble secret. 4 An i m prisoned Con ' cordian mobilizes a network of contacts and well-placed Aurum m e m bers in order to secure their own release.
 +
 +The Aurum, a shadowy alliance of some of the wealthiest citizens of Khorvaire, uses the power of gold and platinum to increase its influence across the continent. From its headquarters in Krona Peak in the Morin Holds, this organization espouses the lawful evil point of view and keeps its true intentions highly secret. The Aurum was born in the Morin Holds. Even before the Last War and the dwarves’ declaration of independence, various members of the powerful clans had joined together in a secret fraternity designed to increase the wealth and power of its members. With the collapse of Galifar and the rise of the dwarf nation, the members of the Aurum began to look beyond the Ironroot Mountains. Guildmasters, crime lords, merchant princes, nobles, and members of dragonmarked houses, among others, joined the secret society, and slowly it became more than a simple fraternity. Between the influx of new blood and the devastation of the Last War came a rush of new ideas, which resulted in a new sense of purpose for the cabal.
 +
 +The Aurum hides its true activities from the world. It claims to be an innocent society for wealthy students of history; many of its members have impressive personal collections of rare historical tomes and relics of ancient civilizations. Many members of the Aurum truly are interested in the past, because they intend to shape the future.
 +
 +The organization is divided into four levels, called concords—copper, silver, gold, and platinum. Higher rank provides a member with greater access to the resources of the Aurum and a greater voice in society meetings. Rank is based both on personal inf luence and services provided to the group. A powerful heir of a dragonmarked house joins the Gold Concord, while a minor guildmaster starts in the Copper Concord. In time, any member has the chance to advance to the Platinum Concord.
 +
 +Most members believe that the Platinum Concord manages the affairs of the Aurum, but the true masterminds of the conspiracy form an inner circle known as the Shadow Cabinet. The Shadow Cabinet exists outside the structure of the concords and works to manipulate the nations of Khorvaire. Antus ir’Soldorak chairs the Shadow Cabinet and also serves as the chancellor of the Platinum Concord.
 +
 +The Aurum acts as a resource as opposed to an active force. Its members share knowledge to improve their personal fortunes or to defeat common rivals. The hidden ministers of the Shadow Cabinet, however, believe that the aristocracy has no place running society. Kings and queens make excellent figureheads, but no individual noble has the wisdom required to rule efficiently. The Last War proves this assertion, and the leaders of the Aurum intend to see to it that any future wars serve their own interests. To this end, they have been recruiting agents throughout the nations and the dragonmarked houses, targeting ambitious people with some amount of power and influence.
 +
 +Aurum Concordians wear a plain ring on each finger—eight in all. Members of the Copper Concord wear copper rings, members of the Silver Concord wear silver rings, and so on. More a symbol of status than a precious bauble, each ring has the same value as 10 coins fashioned from the same kind of metal.
 +
 +====== Dragonmarks: The Aurum ======
 +
 +Posted on [[http://keith-baker.com/dragonmarks-the-aurum/|August 18, 2018]]
 +
 +Khorvaire is shaped by two powerful forces. The power of the aristocracy rests on land and tradition. The dragonmarked houses have used their gifts to carve out economic monopolies. How can a common person challenge these forces? If you don’t possess noble blood or a dragonmark, are you ultimately doomed to serve one of these forces?
 +
 +**The Aurum** is a fraternal order that began in the Morin Holds; over the last century it’s spread across the Five Nations. Members of the Aurum are drawn from different religions, nations, races, and social classes. However, the order is highly selective in those that it allows to join. Notably, despite a general image as being a society of the wealthy and powerful, the Aurum rarely admits members of major noble families or dragonmarked heirs. Founder Anton Soldorak maintains that members of the Aurum must //earn //their place in the world, not simply stumble into it.
 +
 +The Aurum is split into four levels, called //concords//. New members are admitted to the Copper Concord. While many believe that membership in the Aurum requires wealth, what the recruiters actually look for is //influence //and //potential//. To gain membership in the Copper Concord—the lowest level of the Aurum—you need to possess influence that will make you useful to other members. You could be a soldier, a member of the city watch, a prosperous merchant, a renowned actor, a respected sage in Morgrave, a member of a powerful criminal organization, a successful barrister… it’s a matter of impressing a patron with your talent, your influence, and most of all, your //potential//. Do you have skills or connections that will benefit the society? Or //could //you, with a little help? To move up in the ranks, you have to prove your talents and increase your influence. Members of the Gold Concord aren’t just actors, soldiers, or criminals; they’re crimelords, superstars, and generals. Members of the upper concords ARE invariably wealthy… but they’ve //gained //that wealth through their influence.
 +
 +So what does the Aurum //do? //It’s a social club, with a hall in every major city in the Five Nations. It’s a philanthropic organization that supports local communities and arts. It’s a place where people with different political and religious beliefs can set those differences aside and talk; according to Soldorak, many of the most important negotiations of the Last War took place around a golden table. But ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s an organization that exists to increase the wealth and power of its members. Members of the Aurum are encouraged to assist one another and to exchange favors. Individually, Aurum concordians may not have the power of royalty or dragonmarked barons, but acting together they can accomplish great things.
 +
 +So: the Aurum isn’t a SECRET society. It’s //private//, certainly; outsiders aren’t allowed into the halls. But even if the existence of the Aurum isn’t a secret, there are a host of conspiracy theories and stories about its hidden rituals and secret agendas. The most dramatic rumors speak of a cabal hidden within this cabal… a **Shadow Cabinet** of the most powerful individuals in Khorvaire. According to these stories, these concordians aren’t content to merely increase their own power; they are actively using the resources of the Aurum to undermine the Dragonmarked Houses and the old nobility of Galifar. On the surface this could seem to be a noble act. But the members of the Shadow Cabinet aren’t idealists working for the common good; they are simply determined to remove all obstacles to their personal power.
 +
 +At its base, the Aurum is a society of wealthy and influential people. While the Aurum works together for the common good of its members, it’s not a tight-knit conspiracy like the Lords of Dust or the Dreaming Dark; it’s mainly a way to further justify the power of a few very powerful individuals. As such, there’s a few primary ways to use the Aurum.
 +
 +  * **As an enemy**. Need a powerful foe for the players… who’s not TOO powerful? An Aurum concordian has power and influence, but can be driven by entirely selfish or eccentric goals. They aren’t trying to conquer the world; they’re trying to drive down property values in High Walls so they can buy a block of tenements on the cheap. If an Aurum concordian wants the //Orb of Dol Azur //it probably ISN’T because they’ll use it to kill everyone in Sharn; it’s just that they need it to complete their collection. Kaspar Gutman, the “Fat Man” of //The Maltese Falcon, //would definitely be in the Aurum if he lived in Eberron.
 +  * **As an ally. **All the things that make a concordian a useful enemy also make them good patrons for player characters. They have wealth, influence, and they’re generally not attached to any massive agenda; they’re driven either to increase their own wealth and influence, or simply to pursue their own interests. A concordian could be an eccentric collector seeking a rare artifact, an inventor who needs a priceless component only produced by House Bombardier and reserved for the use of its heirs, or a ruthless criminal who’s going to draw the PCs into a web of intrigue. But again, they aren’t tied to any nation, any faith, or any vast and ancient force; they’re just people with money and things they want.
 +  * **As an organization.** An ambitious player character could be an aspiring member of the Aurum. Someone with the Criminal background could take the Aurum as their “criminal connection”—it’s not exactly a criminal organization, but it has criminal members and a great deal of shady influence. The Noble background couldreflect a character with a hereditary path into the Aurum… though again, Aurum membership must be earned. While members of the society will treat you with respect if you’re the child of a Platinum Concordian, and while that connection will get you past a lot of obstacles, you’ll have to prove yourself before you can wear the rings of a concordian.
 +  * **The Shadow Cabinet. **Part of the appeal of the Aurum is that it’s a society of individuals without a deep agenda. But what if there IS a group of shadowy masterminds pulling the strings from deep within, using the resources of its influential members to shatter the status quo? This storyline can be more compelling if players have already become entangled with the society in another way… if what appeared to be a club of eccentric and self-centered people are now revealed to be evil masterminds.
 +======   What’s my connection to the Aurum?   ======
 +
 +In the novel //The City of Towers//, the protagonist Daine has previously worked as a bodyguard for Alina Lorridan Lyrris, an Aurum concordian with great wealth and questionable morality. Daine doesn’t like or trust Alina, but when he and his companions are down on their luck, Alina is willing to offer them work. With the approval of the DM, any character could have a connection to an Aurum concordian. The first three tables establish a past connection to a member of the Aurum, while the DM can use the fourth table to determine the concordian’s current agenda.
 +
 +[[http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-17-at-9.28.57-PM.png|{{http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-17-at-9.28.57-PM.png?nolink&340x405}}]]
 +
 +[[http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-18-at-11.28.58-AM.png|{{http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-18-at-11.28.58-AM-451x1024.png?nolink&331x737}}]]
 +
 +[[http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-17-at-9.27.41-PM.png|{{http://keith-baker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-17-at-9.27.41-PM.png?nolink&327x450}}]]
 +
 +Thanks as always to my **[[https://www.patreon.com/keithbaker|Patreon]] **backers, who keep this website going! And if you’re not up to date on Eberron in fifth edition, check out the **[[https://www.dmsguild.com/product/247882/Wayfinders-Guide-to-Eberron-5e?src=KBBlog|Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron]] **and **[[https://www.dmsguild.com/product/249714/Curtain-Call-A-Sharn-Adventure|Curtain Call]]** !
 +
 +======   Q&A   ======
 +
 +//**What kind of economic sectors are not monopolized enough by Dragonmarked Houses (and the feudal nobility) to justify an Aurum concordian’s wealth?** //
 +
 +First off, even within the fields monopolized by the houses, not everyone works directly for the house. Most people within a field are //licensed //by the house. They may receive training from the house; they pay a percentage to the house; they agree to meet house standards or follow certain practices (thus, standardized pricing for a longsword); and in exchange they can use the house seal. The Aurum includes many people whose businesses are licensed by a house. The most beloved singer in Sharn, from the list above, is surely licensed and booked by Phiarlan or Thuranni; but they aren’t necessarily an //heir of the house//, which means they will always be an outsider.
 +
 +Beyond that, the house monopolies themselves aren’t absolute. Bombardier dominates manufacturing, but they don’t control fashion or construction. Property management and real estate are options in places where the feudal monarchy has sold off land (which is certainly the case in parts of Breland and other nations). The houses have no role in the military, in religion, in crime, or in civic administration (examples of all those being given above). Anton Soldorak derives his wealth from mines, as do many concordians from the Morin Holds. Though by the principles of the Aurum, to rise to the upper concords you’d have to do more than inherit a mine; it’s Soldorak’s business accumen that turned those mines into an empire and founded the largest mint in Khorvaire.
 +
 +//**So is the Shadow Cabinet a real thing, or not?** //
 +
 +//I// think it is, but ultimately that’s up to each DM. The important thing is that even if it is real, //most members of the Aurum itself don’t know about it//. They may be tools of its schemes, and they might even support it if they did know about it, but it’s a secret society within a semi-secret society.
 +
 +THE AURUM
 +On the surface, the Aurum appears to be an exclusive
 +society for the richest and most influential people of
 +Khorvaire. Merchants, priests, military officers, and
 +other luminaries gather for grand galas and salons. Beneath
 +this gilded veneer, the members of the Aurum use
 +their shared wealth and power to pursue their selfish
 +goals, and a secret cabal at the heart of this fraternity
 +dreams of global domination.
 +The Aurum is divided into four suborders called
 +Concords-copper, silver, gold, and platinum, in order
 +of ascendance. Higher rank provides a member with
 +improved access to the resources of the Aurum and
 +a greater voice in society meetings. The Aurum isn't
 +a secret society, and its meeting halls can be found in
 +most major cities. Many powerful people openly wear
 +the eight rings-one on each finger, with the metal
 +indicating the rank of the wearer-that label them as
 +Aurum members. The Aurum frequently engages in acts
 +of philanthropy, and thus some members might be celebrated
 +by their local communities.
 +When members gather, they discuss shared interests,
 +especially in history and archaeology. Aurum members
 +often take an interest in a particular civilization or era
 +of history; one Concordian collects relics of the Cul' sir
 +giants of Xen'drik, while another pursues artifacts of
 +the dragons of Argonnessen. One of the most common
 +ways in which adventurers cross paths with the Aurum
 +is through these collectors. Members of the Aurum
 +often fund expeditions to exotic lands or newly discovered
 +ruins, interested in expanding their private hoards.
 +Occasionally a Concordian tries to acquire prized relics
 +through less honorable means; adventurers could be
 +employed to acquire an exotic prize from a rival through
 +any means necessary, legal or otherwise.
 +All of these activities are entirely legitimate. The
 +Aurum is a society for wealthy scholars and philanthropists.
 +But there is a secret order that ranks higher than
 +the Platinum Concord-an inner circle known as the
 +Shadow Cabinet. The members of this cabal are nobles
 +but not kings; they are powerful industrialists, but not
 +dragonmarked barons. They are determined to become
 +the true rulers of Khorvaire, whether by binding the
 +current barons and monarchs to their will or by tearing
 +down the current systems and creating something new.
 +In stories driven by action, the Aurum can fund expeditions
 +to exotic lands and use magical doomsday devices
 +to hold cities for ransom. In adventures driven by
 +intrigue, the Aurum provides an opportunity to explore
 +the lure of gold, and how far the characters might go in
 +the service of an amoral patron.
 +
 +THE AURUM AND THE WAR
 +The Last War gave birth to the Shadow Cabinet. The
 +war ignited the passions of Concordians who blamed
 +the monarchs of the Five Nations for the vast devasta-
 +•
 +tion and loss. It also created opportunities that never
 +existed under the united Galifar. Many of the members
 +of the Aurum gained influence by bankrolling one or
 +more war efforts, or by stepping in to maintain the infrastructure
 +while the government directed its attention to
 +military matters. The Aurum also includes a number of
 +powerful military officers and warlords. Some despise
 +the nobles that drove them to war; others are furious
 +that the war ended without a decisive victory. Either
 +way, these can provide the Shadow Cabinet with unexpected
 +military power.
 +Now, amid the war's cooling ashes, the Aurum's
 +power is fragmented. On several occasions, investments
 +and gambles that paid dividends in money and power to
 +one Concordian sapped the fortune of another, because
 +each was unknowingly working against the other's interests.
 +Huge collections of art, historical artifacts, and precious
 +tomes were destroyed or lost during the war, and
 +the Aurum's leaders salivate at the thought of recovering
 +some of those riches.
 +AURUM NPC s
 +Aurum Concordians are defined by their wealth and
 +power. When you create an Aurum NPC, consider the
 +source of that person's wealth and how it is expressed.
 +The dwarf Antus du Soldorak is chancellor of the Platinum
 +Concord and founder of the Shadow Cabinet.
 +He owns vast gold and silver mines in the Morin Holds
 +and mints his own currency, and he travels in a gilded
 +airship. Loyal Daison is a Karrnathi slumlord who has
 +made a fortune providing low-rent (and low-quality)
 +housing for refugees. He lost his hand in an industrial
 +accident and had it replaced with a golden prosthetic.
 +Members of the Aurum become villains if their quest
 +for greater influence, personal power, and wealth victimizes
 +the innocent. Whether villains or allies, all Concordians
 +wield significant political influence. They have
 +access to minions and resources in the higher levels of
 +society. They prefer to pursue schemes of coercion and
 +conspiracy, putting their money and influence to work,
 +than resort to blatant violence in any form.
 +A U R U M N PCs
 +d4 N PC
 +An aging dwarf-a retired general and an Aurum Concordian-
 +collects unusual constructs, hoping to find
 +a way to transfer his m i n d into a s u perior body.
 +2 An Au rum Concord ian is renowned for having the
 +fi n est arcane li brary in Khorvaire. Adventurers might
 +help them collect more tome, but when a n u m ber of
 +prominent wizards are m u rdered and their research
 +goes m issi ng, is the Concordian to blame?
 +3 A mem ber of the Gold Concord is on the run from the
 +Au rum after learning a terri ble secret.
 +4 An i m prisoned Con
 +'
 +cordian mobilizes a network of
 +contacts and well-placed Aurum m e m bers in order to
 +secure their own release.
 +
 +AURUM CAMPAIGN THE M E S
 +It's easy to introduce the Aurum to the characters early
 +in a campaign. Its members are public figures, sometimes
 +eccentric but not necessarily evil. A Concordian
 +could hire the adventurers to solve a mystery or to acquire
 +a harmless curio. A Concordian could be tied to
 +the party's group patron (see ch.apter 1)-the owner of
 +the newspaper, a major donor to the university, or the
 +power behind a criminal syndicate.
 +Alternatively, an Aurum Concordian can be a behind-
 +the-scenes villain: low-level adventurers could
 +clash with the Concordian's hired goons as they pursue
 +the same treasure, or the adventurers could be
 +trying to solve a mystery the thugs are covering up. As
 +the campaign progresses, the characters might face
 +higher-ranking members of the Aurum, or recurring
 +mercenaries who are increasing in power and status at
 +the same rate they are.
 +Whether they interact with the Aurum as ally or enemy,
 +at some point the adventurers might well realize
 +that the Concordians aren't just greedy plutocrats, but
 +participants in an international conspiracy. The Aurum's
 +arc in the campaign might climax with the characters
 +learning of the Shadow Cabinet and thwarting one of its
 +grand schemes.
 +AURUM MISSIONS
 +The Aurum Missions table suggests a variety o f assignments
 +that adventurers might be asked to undertake on
 +behalf of the Au rum or one of its members, whether or
 +not t hey're aware of their patron's affiliation.
 +AU R U M M I S S I O N S
 +d6 M ission
 +Retrieve a jou rnal from a s h i p that sailed to Xen'drik
 +and never returned.
 +2 Locate the grave of a certain dragonmarked scion,
 +and retrieve the signet b u ried with them.
 +3 M ake friends with a scholar at the local u niversity and
 +learn their vices.
 +4 Recover a trove of art, artifacts, or recorded
 +knowledge that was thought lost in a battle d u ri n g the
 +Last War.
 +S Capture an officer from a rival nation's army, or convince
 +the officer to defect, to gai n access to their specialized
 +knowledge.
 +6 Sabotage the negotiations between a dragonmarked
 +house and the local government on a plan that will
 +undermine the Aurum's status.
 +
 +{{tag>["Organizations of Eberron"}}{{tag>[Aurum]}}
 +