A Dozen Unusual Patrons

From publisher blurb:

Low-level characters, those just starting out in their careers as dungeon adventurers, need a helping hand every now and then. Even at higher levels, after the PCs have killed a few dozen monsters and stolen – then lost! – a fortune in gems, assistance is always appreciated.

What follows are twelve patrons, powerful NPCs who are providing the party (or maybe just one of the members of the group) with extra coin, muscle, or influence when it is most helpful. Of course, these patrons are not simply good samaritans out to help the adventurers. No, each one of them has a reason for standing in the shadows and helping their underlings when the going gets rough.