Sewer Spirits Postal Service

Overview

The Sewer Spirits Service is less of a business and more of a family curse disguised as a post office. Located in a misty, isolated valley of the Hartfang Mountains, roughly eight hours from the nearest major settlement of Thistlewick, it serves as the primary mail hub for the region's less... standard clientele.
Founded in 8093, and inherited from the late Wilfred Kettleman, the service is currently operated by his estranged descendants. The business is famous (or infamous) for two things: its absolute refusal to stop for anything, and its unconventional delivery routes through the municipal sewer systems.

The Headquarters: "The Roost" & "The Sump"

The office is a logistical nightmare split between two extremes, connected by a terrifying vertical commute.

The Rooftop (The Roost)

Perched atop a crumbling stone tower that barely clears the valley fog, the "Roost" is the intake station. It is here that carrier pigeons, owls, and confused dragons drop off the mail.

The only way to get the mail (and the staff) from the intake station to the sorting floor is The Pole. It is a rusted, greasy fireman’s pole that drops dozens of feet into the dark dampness below. New employees are advised to wear gloves.

The Sorting Floor (The Sump)

Located at the sewer level, this is the beating heart of the operation. It is damp, it smells of ozone and wet fur, and the floorboards are possessed.

The Oracle

The wooden floorboards of The Sump are haunted by a local ghost. The Oracle is very chatty, and its favourite (and only) form of communication is through the tedious communication of groans and knocks to yes/no questions.
For instance, a large groan normally signals "yes/local", wheras a soft click is "no/international". A splintering snap, however may signal "this is incredibly dangerous and I sense you may die." Do your best to avoid the last one!

Trade Methods & Logistics

The Sewer Spirits Service does not use roads if they can avoid them. They utilize the "Under-Currents."

Sewer Walkers:

The couriers are trained to navigate the labyrinthine sewer tunnels that crisscross the region. It is dirty work, but it avoids highwaymen, tax collectors, and sunlight.

The Ratfolk Alliance:

The service maintains an excellent standing with the local Ratfolk communities. In exchange for shiny trinkets and the occasional wheel of cheese "lost" in transit, the Ratfolk keep the tunnels clear and provide guides for the most dangerous routes.

The Bardic Connection:

The Thistlewick College of Bards is a frequent customer. They prefer the Sewer Spirits because the service is discreet enough to deliver illicit love letters and scandalous sheet music without judgment.

Enemies & Obstacles

Running the post office is not just about logistics; it is about survival. The inheritance came with enemies.

The Transnational Shadow Network:

A cartel of "curse peddlers" who hold a multigenerational grudge against the Kettlemans. They claim the service owes them for "lost cargo".

The Regional Pirate Combine:

A maritime gang convinced the Postal Service has cooked the books to steal from them. Their animosity is personal, particularly directed at former crewmates who may have jumped ship to join the family business.

The Kettleman Legacy

The current operators inherited the deed, the debts, and the danger from Grandpa Wilfred Kettleman. It is widely understood that Wilfred did not leave them the business out of love. He left it to them because he hated them, and he knew the crushing weight of the postal debts would be the ultimate prank from beyond the grave.