Aye, that is a concern.  Basebuilding and the hiring of cohorts/minions might become a primary concern then with such wealth at our disposal.  There is a concern of course that with such a fortification that logistics are necessary.  Supply lines, water sources, people coming and going.  The base of our power will be noticed eventually and we'll need to take necessary steps to thwart outside attempts to seize our no doubt valuable location.  Not to mention to rule with a cruel and cunning hand.  There is no honor amongst thieves.  Not to mention the agents of rival powers will be very keen on what we might be doing and foiling our own plans.<br/><br/>Hmmmm.  That initial scenario seems full of promise.  I think we can work with the tools at hand.<br/><br/>I think Albron could have a good working familiarity with the three (or most of them) and perhaps serve as the link through which the Cardinal and the others meet.  He's somewhat straddling civilization and frontier as a bandit/mercenary.  Not to mention that if he's initially serving as a bodyguard when the group is all introduced to one another it provides some impetus for him to be defending Pride despite the wariness of the kind of person that he is.<br/><br/>I think it'd be easier to hire on craftsmen to do that kind of work.  Not to mention that being able to produce quantities of magical items could give us an edge in the marketplace as well as having dangerously equipped underlings (whilst putting forth our resources into more overt/covert threats against us).  Not to mention that focussing on crafting feats can take up a lot of banditry time.