by Ville Tirronen
This story should be usable in any setting... at least if there are no Quasitores in very near vicinity.
A covenant friendly to the players has located some old, and mighty magic item. As they are a relatively poor and humble foundation they have found little use for the device they unearthed. But as a source of money this is just perfect. To get the best price for it they send it to some strong and powerful covenant to be inspected and perhaps to get auctioned. Perhaps they even send it to Verdi.
But they aren't the only ones with a desire to profit from it.
At some quiet time a Redcap member of the nearby friendly covenant comes to seek refuge from the players, at least to spend the night in a safe location. He is very careful about himself. He has a small party with him, not especially dangerous looking, but enough to keep off the most mundane dangers, and to make one suspicious of such highly guarded messenger. Also he has few chests with him, one that he always keeps his eyes on, and one closely guarded by his grogs.
If his is questioned about the items he will tell some of his story to the players. Depending how polite they are. 'Ah, but those chests are the greatest stroke of luck that has ever befallen to our covenant! Alas they are also the reason why I must trouble you, and the source of my despair! A year ago my covenant managed to locate an... interesting item. As we have no use for it was decided in our council that we should send it to be investigated at Verdi. And perhaps sold if it's found valuable. But a few days after my departure I found this in foldings of my cloak!' Waving a piece of paper around, quite excited now. 'Declaration of an Wizards War! On me! A Non-Magus Member of our order! Signed by (The bad guys) Magus Francois and verified by Timiri of Guernicus! Dated to commence the day I begun my journey! I Would remember if I had received it! Someone has put it in my clothing while I was asleep! But alas it's is verified and 'valid' if I can't prove the deceit!'
The poor Mercere has got himself in a bit of and fix, he is strapped with not only the most magnificent item, but also half of his covenants funds, and vis to pay for handling the thing. And he has a wizards' war declared on him! As it is a bit abnormal that non-magus is assaulted this way, it is something that one can get away with, especially if aided with a
Quasitor. The trick was to have someone plant the declaration on the Mercere's clothing after the war had technically begun. Deception, yes. But if he is dispatched who is going to tell? Apparently 'They' want the contents of the chest badly enough to risk a bit of a gamble. As the redcap is wholly without magical abilities, as is his party, he might risk a bit to hire protection from the players. And remember, his covenant ('though not wealthy) have plenty of vis.
If the players accept the defend job (interfering with a Wizard's War) they are, at least seemingly, violating the code, and thus in danger themselves. On the other hand, they might get to someone with authority to solve the situation. Resulting in major politics, and perhaps ending up in wizards march.... against whom is of course matter of political outcome. While defending the party there are numerable encounters to be had: maybe the rival magi take their chances and attack the whole group. Anyhow this would result in a few raised eyebrows amongst the local quasitores.
Or if the players investigate or molest the artefact, well it just might be dangerous itself...