Jobal is a merchant prince in Port Nyanzaru who controls the city’s guide and sellsword business. He is a male Chultan human scout with a Neutral Evil alignment.
Background
Jobal made his fortune as a wilderness guide when his expedition discovered a massive cache of Chultan gold and jewels. He was the sole survivor of that journey, returning to Port Nyanzaru in a treasure-laden canoe after the rest of his party perished to undead and dinosaur attacks. His body bears numerous scars from his adventuring career.
Business Operations
Jobal operates a monopoly on wilderness guides in Port Nyanzaru. All guides in the city must register with him and pay him a significant cut of their earnings. He enforces this monopoly ruthlessly—guides who fail to register face being “beaten, blinded, or beheaded.” He is aware of the Zhentarim’s black market guide network but has not eliminated it.
When characters seek a guide, Jobal provides referrals to registered guides throughout the city but doesn’t require payment up front, as he collects his share directly from the guides’ earnings (standard rate is 5 gp per day for 30 days up front).
Key Relationships
Aazon Talieri: Jobal’s chief spy, confidante, and consort. Aazon is a male Tethyrian human spy (Neutral Good alignment) whom Jobal trusts implicitly. Aazon’s loyalty to Jobal is described as “beyond reproach.” Jobal typically assigns Aazon to escort potential clients to meet with various guides.
Syndra Silvane: Jobal has intense interest in maps of Chult due to his dealings with explorers. He would pay handsomely for Syndra Silvane’s map if he learns of its existence.
Threat Level
Despite Aazon’s good nature, Jobal himself is dangerous and ruthless. If the party refuses to sell Syndra’s map, he will resort to theft and eventually to murder to obtain it.
Villa
Jobal’s merchant prince villa features walls festooned with silk draperies, tapestries, and mounted beast heads. Like all merchant prince villas, it is both palatial and fortified, with 8-12 foot tall walls topped with carnivore teeth, seashells, and broken glass.