Chapter 2D: Unwanted Attention


Year 17

This city is a violent crime ridden pit of corruption.

And while you don't actually mind all that, what you do wish is that you didn't have to concern yourself with potentially stumbling into Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, which according to most of them is basically the entire city. They're more of a danger than the Holgard Watch.

There's also the Thieves' Guild, which is the ECS chief rival from what you've learned. Apparently the Thieves Guild was established here first, but when the ECS moved in with their Blue Dream trade, they've been slowly winning the fight over the underworld

Originally, the Guild was more of a loose confederation of thieves and such. Nobody ever forced anyone to join, but there were benefits if you did such as not having to worry about paying extra for fencing stolen goods, ease of bribing guards for major crimes, etc.

As the Thieves' Guild has been losing ground however, they've been less "free spirited" and have been actively trying to recruit any freelance thief, burglar, pick pocket they can. However, they're more reasonable about it than the ECS since they still don't force you to join and will let you remain independent. As opposed to the ECs who normally just beat the hell out of any freelancers as a warning once and if they get caught again, it ends much worse.

There are a few other smaller factions, but they're so low that they're barely worth considering.

Fortunately so far you've managed to avoid the attention of any group mainly due to focusing on stealing actual coin and dealing primarily with a non-aligned fence by the name of Yinen for your stolen valuables. You met him at the Hell's Own Inn where you still reside at. Funny thing is you didn't seek him out; he came to you asking if you needed a fence.

After a bit of suspicion and getting over some trust issues (Which you still have concerning him) you agreed and he's been taking all your business. You aren't sure who he's selling your stolen goods to and he's probably taking a little more than he should, but it's worth it just so you don't have to worry about selling the stuff yourself or seeking one out and having to get involved with one of the major factions in the city.

In any case, you've been more or less making a decent living here and despite a healthy amount of paranoia, you actually like it here. It's definitely not Teckleville.

"Yeah, these will fetch you a nice price. Might take a few days though. You alright with waiting?" Yinen remarks examining your gems.
"Yeah, that's fine. Just get me the value in bullets and a pistol cleaning kit." You say.
"Oh. Okay, sure. But more bullets again? Are you planning to shoot everyone in Holgard? I didn't realize you used it so much, I would think such a loud weapon would incur too much noise in your profession."
"I don't use it much actually, but it makes me feel safe."
"Well, can't argue with that. Things in this city have been feeling a little more tense than usual. Rumors are that there are dark forces gathering to stage a coup on the Baron."
"Dark forces? What, as opposed to the dark forces under the Baron's control?"
"Nah, I mean like REAL dark forces. There's just rumors about religion being involved, it's very weird."
"What, you mean like Fel, the god of shadows? You told me their temple has ties to the ECS. You saying the Ebony Claw Syndicate is going to take over the city directly?"
"I dunno, but I don't think it's them we should worry about. Tell me, have you ever heard of Neroth?"
"Not really religious so no."
"Not surprised, most people don't unless they're really into the old text dedicated to Joachim. You familiar with him right?"
"Yeah, it's general a religion that preaches peace and shit."
"Well there was a time when it didn't and that's mainly due to Neroth. Neroth was like the opposite of Joachim. Good verses evil type shit. People forget that it was only a couple hundred years ago when the Church of Joachim was burning and crusading on a regular basis due to their desire to stomp out any followers of Neroth and things they generally tied to him such as the supernatural. Nowadays the Joachimites are generally peace loving pacifists for the most part, but that's only due being mostly successful in destroying those that follow Neroth and then subsequently going so overboard that some of the Joachimites finally realized they needed to rein it in before they became like their hated enemies."
"Hm, didn't realize you were a theologian. How do you know all this?" you ask.
"Eh, I grew up in a Joachim household. Didn't take obviously, but still I don't like hearing rumors of Neroth worshippers being in the city. I mean say what you want about Karn or even Fel, but they aren't actively evil deities. Neroth is bad news man."

Before you can respond you're suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Bah, none of doze gods compare to Yag. No point worrying about shit, when you've run outta luck, yer time iz up and that's all there iz to it."

You look and see Warts standing nearby clutching something in his hand. Looks like a bunch of small figurines of some sort.

"Warts? What're you doing here?" you ask.
"Sellin these figures. Found 'em in da woods with a bunch of broken boxes. Probably somethin off a Caravan that bandits were tryin to steal from. Dunno why dey didn't take these. Tried to use dem for barter with Spiderfangs, but dey dumb. Think these things iz cursed. Superstitious idjits." Warts remarks and hands five figurines to Yinen who takes them.

"Hmm, odd. They look like something that you'd find in some tribal village. I'd say Sotakian, but these don't look reptilian enough and I've never known the lizards to have craft stuff out of valuable material. You got Ivory, jade, gold, silver and platinum here. Wonder if they're a complete set. Well I'm sure I'll find someone interested."

Yinen hands Warts a bag of coins, which Warts takes and then looks displeased about.

"Ey! Wat's dis then? I may be just some dumb halfbreed hobgob, but I know damn well that shit is worth more!" Warts exclaims.
"I gave you MORE than enough Warts. I still have find someone interested in this shit as you put it." Yinen remarks.
"Bah, you humies always tryin' ta cheat. Fine. Should be enuff for drink and Snuffit for awhile anyways."

You take your leave to head up to your room, you figure you'll stay in a couple days waiting for Yinen's payment. You've got enough to take a break for a while.

As you're half way to your room, you hear the patter of feet running behind you and you quickly turn around with your pistol.

"EY! Don't shoot!" Warts says.
"Warts, what the hell, you should know better than to run up on me like that! Why are you following me anyway?"
"I wanted ta catch ya before I left. I noze I still owez youz a debt, well I'm here ta repay."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I wuz thinkin' I could help ya on a job or sumthin."
"Help? No I don't think so. I work alone."
"An howzat workin' out? Doesn't look like yer doin' all that well if yer still livin' here. If I had ta guess, youz still small time."
"I do alright halfbreed, and what's it to you anyway?"
"I'm just sayin' you could be doin' better if you went fer better targets. Have you even broken into one of dem nobles' homes yet?"
"Well, no…but I'm working up to it."
"Pfft. Wat kinda thief are ya?"
"Look, I've cased the high class rich area several times and the homes got security up the ass. The aristocrats got more watchmen on their payroll than the average merchant. I know I'm no slouch, but if I can get enough coin with lower risk targets, why take the fucking chance? Besides, I'm trying to keep a low profile anyway."
"Well what about Lord Reginald?"
"Who?"
"Sheesh, youz been in dis city for a year and you don't even know the major players! Lord Reginald is some well off guy dat got a title becuz he's dah Baron's son's friend. Hear he's more than dat though."
"Yeah so what's this all got to do with me?"
"Well he lives more on the edge of da high end district. He doesn't even own a mansion, just a modest house. He has no family an' he also doesn't pay for any extra guards. Not even mercs, which prolly means he's got more coin than it appears"
"There has to be a catch. I mean if he's well off and a special friend of the Baron's son, then he's gotta have connections and protection."
"Well, dere's some rumors about him and not just about him pokin' the Baron's son like a woman. Like he's got magic powers or sumthin'. Guess makes sense he don't need extra help."
"So you're saying we should got rob a wizard."
"Nah, he's no wizard, he's just got some magic powers. Prolly just rumors anyway. Sides, should be easiest stealin' from one lone man, than one who has a shitload of guards right?"
"A lone man, who might be able to turn me into ash with a flick of a finger and has who knows whatever else in his home. Assuming I even go for this, why do I need you to come along again? I didn't realize you were actually a thief, figured you were more of an opportunistic scavenger."
"Pfft, I've been sneakin' around, nicking stuff long before youz was even thought about! You try growin up as a half breed in a mostly hostile tribe. I had ta steal to survive sometimes! Sides I could carry more stuff for ya! Also, if ya getz inta trouble I could help. Like last time!"
"Last time I helped YOU."
"Yeah, well I'm offerin' anyway. I don't even want dat big of a cut…"

And THERE it is. Warts definitely isn't doing this solely for altruistic reasons.

"Thought you said you were helping me out?"
"I am! You don't expect me to do it fer free do ya? Come on, give a hob halfbreed a break. The place is ripe fer the pluckin' an best of all ya don't have ta worry if its Ebony Claw territory."

You shake your head that you're considering this.

"Okay, okay, we can go do this, but I'm getting some rest first, just tell me where the place is exactly and I'll meet you there later. When is the best time to break into this place anyway?"

Warts gives you some directions and then says it probably would be best to meet him there around midnight since he says he's seen this Reginald person leave at night and stay out until dawn. Sounds more like something you do, but if he's not going to be there then that's when you need to be there.

You part ways with Warts and get some sleep.

Hours pass and when you wake up you find that it's night time, still too early though. You stay your room a bit going over all your tools and equipment and making sure everything is in order. Eventually you decide that you're going to be as ready as you're going to be and leave.

You head downstairs and find that the inn has the usual crowd with one important difference.

You see Warts lying under a table with a couple of big mugs of alcohol on it. Surprisingly, the owner has not thrown him out; unsurprisingly everyone is avoiding that table.

You walk over to the halfbreed and kick him in the foot, which causes him to stir, so he's not completely out of it.

"Warts! What the hell are you doing here?" you ask.
"Huh? I…uh…buh…I waz just…" Warts slurs as he sits up and just manages to not hit his head on the table.

"You were just what? What were you doing Warts? Fixing the table leg? Counting the number of nails in the wood? Having an out of body experience and travelling a different plane of existence? You talked me into doing this job and now I find you in no condition to do anything."
"Ey! I'm up! I'm up! I ain't forgot wat we're supposed ta do, an' I'm more than ready! I'm not drunk, I just had a little rest like you did."

You have your doubts about that, though Warts stands up without too much trouble.

You go by yourself

Warts is going to be a liability, you're better off going by yourself. You've already got the directions.

"Ey! Where youz goin?!" Warts exclaims.
"Not with you that's for certain." You reply and leave.

Wasting no more time, you make your way to Reginald's home as quickly as possible.

When you arrive, the place looks fairly unprotected. The Holgard Watch is still patrolling the area of course, but they aren't standing guard over it like gargoyles. It's a simple matter of just waiting and sneaking over to the front door, which has a pathetically easy lock.

You walk about the dimly lit ground floor and begin looking around cautiously. It doesn't take long before you start pilfering several expensive looking items. With your pack nearly full of loot, you consider leaving, but you figure you should at least give the second floor a look seeing as you're here and you may just find something even better.

You walk upstairs and begin creeping around the landing and going in the various rooms. One thing you notice is while you were told how this place was the home of some big cultist, so far you haven't really found any evidence of anything like that.

Well at least not until you find Reginald's master bedroom.

It is there that while going through a few containers, you find evidence of his religious practices namely in the form of some dark tomes. You glance through them and see a lot of writing in a language you don't understand and you start to feel a little uncomfortable. Like a chill goes up your spine.

"Fuck this. I'm not taking this shit." You mutter and quickly put the books back in the drawer.

As you're about to leave, you spot a red jeweled medallion and figure you'll nab that on your way out.

Unfortunately, this was probably more dangerous than the books since those were only dangerous if you spoke the text in them. The medallion on the other hand contains powerful magic and since you don't have the right protection against it, you're fucked.

The moment you touch the medallion, you feel immediately compelled to put it on. As soon as you do so, your body is instantly paralyzed and you fall to the floor. You're still aware of your surroundings, but can't do shit about anything. You soon begin to panic and you'd probably cry out if you were able.

You lay there motionless until dawn and the terror becomes worse as you hear what you guess to be Reginald coming up the stairs. He's quite amused when he finds you and is even more amused when he puts you through the twisted tortures dedicated to his dark god before ultimately sacrificing you to it.