Syndicate Racket Quests
The Snout's Toll (Ratfolk Syndicate)
Premise: Silas "The Snout" wants to absorb Bippy's operation. He hires the party (or Splinter) to "inventory" Bippy's stash in the Scrap Yard bolt-hole.
The Path: Stealth/heist mission. Bypass Bippy's guards (Whiskers and the Sneaks) to find the ledger of stolen Construct Hearts. Navigate a maze of rusted metal and "Rat-Swarms."
Discovery: The ledger proves Alysande Thorne is buying the hearts from Bippy. It also contains a map to a hidden "Soul-Refinery" in the Undercity.
Characters: Silas "The Snout", Whiskers, Bippy (antagonist).
Tie-in: This is how the party finds Bippy's true location for the main quest betrayal.
Reward: 500gp and Silas's protection in the Undercity (no random encounters).
Skitter's Run (Ratfolk Syndicate)
Premise: Skitter controls the river tolls and is being harassed by "Aquatic Scrappers" -- Maliki's water-based constructs sinking Ratfolk barges.
The Path: Board a modified Ratfolk barge. Defend it as it travels downriver to the Gear Icon outskirts. Fight "Scrap-Squids" and navigate a mechanical whirlpool.
Tie-in: Skitter reveals the constructs are following a "Recall Signal" from the Gear Icon. One barge contains "Gnomish Royal Silk" for Heinrich's father.
Characters: Skitter, Barge Crew, Scrap-Squids.
Conflict: The barge is carrying illegal hearts; if the Guard stops them, the party must choose a side.
Reward: River Pass and a "Water-Breathe Ring."
The Gear Fortress (END-GAME)
Premise: The final assault on Maliki's stronghold in the river. This is where the true horror resides.
The Path: Use Fred's secret plumbing route or the Front Gate (The General's command). Find rooms of Gnomish royalty preserved in massive Soul Stones, acting as "backup power" for the fortress. Face "The General's Shadow" -- his wartime tactical ghost.
Discovery: The General was intended to be the vessel for Maliki's own soul to achieve immortality. Maliki is currently a "Ghost-in-the-Machine" within the Fortress core.
Characters: Maliki (AI/Ghost), Gnomish Royal Echoes, The Shadow General.
Conflict: Destroying the core kills the Gnomish souls. Sparing them lets Maliki potentially escape. Mercury's Justice is hidden in the core.
Reward: THE ARTIFACT -- MERCURY'S JUSTICE and the General's full memories.