Year 23

You take a moment to catch your breath after running from the guards. Warts soon joins you, though he's got more on his mind than just catching his breath.

"What da hell? Youz wuz just gonna leave me there?!" he says.
"Warts, they didn't even see you, they only saw me, and I figured you'd be fine anyway. And look, I was right, you're here to bitch at me." You say.
"Bullshit. Anyways, youz wouldn't have alerted the guards if youz wuz a better thief!"
"Fuck you, I'm a fucking fantastic thief! I was part of the Guild AND the Syndicate!"
"Yeah? And where are they now?"
"Both gone, while I outlasted both organizations."
"Hm, from what youz told me, sounds more like you destroyed them both. No wonder nobody else wants to work with you. Youz a jinx."
"Then why are you still willing to work with me?"
"Cuz I got Yag wit me always. Sides, it's usually more profitable than working with the Spider Fangs nowadays. Idjits too busy warring with da elves rather than simple banditry. Not hangin' around for dat."
"What about your guide gig?"
"Bah, nobody gets lost like they used to. Dat Baroness has mades effort to chop a lotta trees in da surrounding area and make a road as opposed to the simple dirt path it once had."
"Yeah Baroness Varsakken is unfortunately a lot more efficient than her father was. Been a steady increase in security in the city making life harder in general. Miss the days when they wouldn't even bother you or you could easily just bribe them."
"Dat's becuz there's no organizations anymore. Without da Syndicate or even the Guild around, the criminal element here is easy pickin' for da guvment. No need to appease or even profit from them. Easier ta just execute or toss 'em in prison."

Warts never appears to be bright a lot of times, but it's insight like that which always reminds you that he isn't as stupid as he tries to pretend.

He's right of course. The criminal element has been disorganized ever since the city pulled back from anarchy and Baroness Ludmilla Varsakken took power from her father Vlad and brother Farad (And most certainly had a hand in killing them both).

The Ebony Claw Syndicate chapter here never regrouped. None of the members who survived (And were mostly the lower ranks anyway), ever tried to reform and seemed to just go their own way. The ECS leadership back in the Delantium Kingdom never came back to "reclaim" their chapter either. You assume that they wrote this place off as a loss and moved on.

Initially this all seemed pretty ideal, as you were no longer under their threats or watchful eye and at the time the Holgard Watch was still fairly weak and recovering from the anarchy.

In time though, it turned out Ludmilla was far more competent and more pragmatic than her father and started actually focusing on making the city safer and less of pit of crime and disorder that it's become known for. Which in turn is making your profession a bit harder.

The more you think about it, you're starting to wonder about what the hell you're doing with your own life and it isn't exactly as good as it could be.

This living day to day without thinking about the future was okay before, but now you're starting realize that maybe you should be rethinking your simplistic approach to life. Because even if you're still a good enough thief to evade the law and trouble most of the time, you're getting a little bored of doing it. Something different might be in order.

You think again back to just a few years ago and the fact that you were part of not one but two criminal organizations. You didn't give it too much thought at the time, mainly because you were thinking more about Tanya, but sometimes you wondered what it would be like to be running said organizations.

Given how Garrick and Rook ended up, you have to believe that you'd do just as good of a job as they did, maybe even better.

Maybe YOU could form a new organization. If you did, you'd certainly bring in more money and strengthen the underworld here again. Maybe you could even influence the government like the Ebony Claw Syndicate and the Guild once did.

"Warts, I think I should form an organization." You say.
"Wut? Dat's a terrible idea." Warts says.
"Why?"
"Cuz, more people around, more problems, dat's why! I mean you should know dat better than anywun! Besides, I know too, Spider Fang tribe, full of idjits, why you think I stay to myself a lot?"
"Because they don't truly accept you from what you told me, and besides didn't you tell me the Spider Fang tribe survived when others didn't because they worked together the best?"
"Tru…but they probably gettin' demselves killed by warring with da elves. Sides, ain't nobody gonna follow youz. Youz a jinx remember? Anyone left from the Syndicate isn't likely ta like ya."
"Yeah? Well they don't need to like me, they just need to fear and believe in me. You forget, I was known as a Claw killer before I joined. I mean that should still count as a serious reputation."
"Maybe…but I dunno…seems like ya just invitin' trouble."
"Can't be any worse than what I've already been through."
"Hm, so whatcha callin' it?"
"Calling what?"
"Yer gang, ya idjit. Geez."
"Oh. Shit, guess I should come up with a name. Fuck. Can't think of one right now."
"Sounds like a great start."
"Forget the name for now, what we need to do is gather up everyone."
"We? I didn't agree ta dis."
"Warts, you'll fucking help me, because I've saved your damn life on more than one occasion."
"Sheesh, if I'd known you'd become such a fucking asshole, I woulda left ya ta rot in the woods years ago. Alright, fine. I'll help, but only becuz I ain't got anything better ta do right now. I ain't getting' tied down in dis little organization of yers either, assumin' it even gets off da ground to begin wit. So whatcha need?"

Seeing as you don't want to be bothered hunting down every petty criminal in Holgard, you assign Warts that task. As strange as it may seem, he can be fairly convincing to those of similar low status.

As for you, you're of the mind that you need to find a suitable headquarters. You suppose you could just "take over" the current inn you're living at. It wouldn't take much to intimidate the owner, though your bigger concern is visibility. Gone are the days where organizations like the ECS could just sit out in the open and the Watch would turn a blind eye. You'd have to be more careful to keep up the appearance of legitimacy.

Ideally, you'd like to use the old Thieves' Guild location. The problem with that is it's currently an underground slave market and run by the closest thing to a "criminal organization" still left in Holgard.

When word of Rook being dead spread, remnants of ECS members that had been assigned to the slave market just stayed there and went into business for themselves. Some of the other members joined soon after. It's one of the few things that the Holgard Watch has not been efficient in eliminating. Though the location never was known to general law enforcement anyway.

From what you know, they're little more than a gang of thugs, but they're organized enough that they've lasted this long and even have ties to certain pirate groups based in Hessla.

You can't imagine that convincing them is going to be easy, in fact you might have to wait a bit before trying. Go there when you've built up a bit more muscle as a show of force.

Of course you could just go in now and shoot everyone. Probably a lot more dangerous and you'd be depriving yourself of possible followers, but if you're successful, you'd certainly establish yourself as the big swinging dick of the underworld, along with taking over the territory you wanted in the first place.

You ruthless Aggression

Well, shooting people is something you're good at, so it might actually be easier anyway.

Though you hope you aren't too rusty at it, you haven't been doing as much shooting as you once did. (And as much as it might be more convenient at times, openly killing Holgard Watchmen on a whim is likely to get you hunted down a lot quicker) Still, you do try to keep in practice in the sewers where nobody gives a shit if you're firing off a weapon you're not supposed to own anyway.

You've also acquired a few other firearms over the years as well. You've got a musket, a blunderbuss, and various other one shot flintlocks.

You might as well bring them all for this, because you're not going in subtle.

While you're mentally preparing yourself for this assault in your head, Warts is still around asking you questions.

"Ay, youz still with me?" Warts asks.
"Huh? Yeah, just deep in thought." You answer.
"Hm, never had dat problem. Anywayz I was askin' where ya gonna hold dis meetin' of Holgard's most wanted, an when?"
"Oh. Just tell them to come to the Blackheart Inn, where I'm currently staying by the weekend. That should give you enough time to scout the streets, taverns, and wherever else. Oh and let them know that the drinks will be on me, so that should help entice them as well."
"Blackheart Inn…why the hell don't these inns ever have invitin' names? Like I dunno, the friendly titties, or sumthin."
"Because that name was taken by one of the brothels presumably. Look, I'm leaving you to it, I gotta go get ready."
"Ready for what?"
"I got my own shit to do before this meeting. Later."

You leave Warts and head home to the Blackheart Inn. On your way to your room, you toss a bag of coins to the innkeeper stating that you're going to be having a "gathering" on the weekend and you need . He doesn't ask questions since he knows by now what sort of man you are and more importantly all the coin you've given him is understanding enough.

You go to your room and after moving about furniture to access your items, you check everything and load it all up. You then get some rest, because tomorrow you've got big plans.

The next night, with all your gear, you head to the nearest sewer entrance and descend down. You still remember the way to the Thieves Guild so it doesn't take long.

No sooner do you get closer to where the entrance would be located and several of the slavers are hanging around.

"Shit! He's got…"

Before any of them can make a move or sound other than a scream, you've shot your blunderbuss and taken out three of them with the spread. You finish off the fourth severely wounded one on the ground with blade to his neck.

You can't be sure if that's already alerted more of them, but you enter quickly. As soon as you do, you've draw attention not from the ones running the market, but from some of the potential buyers. More than a few just run for cover, others foolishly draw on you, which you return in kind.

As you get closer to the hub, more of the slavers appear to defend their territory. A few of them are armed with crossbows and their own firearms, so you take a nearby customer and use him as a meat shield. He screams the entire time until he finally takes a shot to his head, splattering part of his brains on you.

You toss away the body and shoot several more of your assailants with your pistol.

At this point the market is in chaos. People are running everywhere and a couple mini-fights have broke out, including a couple of the livelier slaves that are taking advantage of this situation.

Eventually you've shot and stabbed enough people and the rest have either fled or cowering somewhere. All things considered, you haven't been wounded too badly in all this. You guess you never lose your touch on some things.

"HEY! HEY! STOP SHOOTING! CAN'T WE COME TO A DEAL?!" a female voice shouts.
"Perhaps. You the leader of this lot?" you answer.
"No, you shot off half of his fucking face five minutes ago. Though, I guess maybe I am now. I'm Vera. What the hell do you even want?"
"I want this place, that's what I want." You answer.
"Yeah? Well most of the fucking slaves just got killed thanks to you."
"I don't give a shit about the slaves. I want this territory! This whole fucking area and eventually the city. I'm putting together a new underworld organization to be a real force in Holgard again and this would be a good spot for the main base of operations."
"Is that so? Well I'm not sure if murdering potential members was a good way to go about it."
"An example had to be made and you lot were the strongest. The sad fact of life is our kind only ever really respond to is fear and strength, so this was entirely necessary."
"Pretty sure the entire world works that way, still I can't argue with your logic. Look, I know who you are. We actually met when you were working for the Syndicate."
"We did?"
"Yeah, back at Rook's mansion, you came by with a bag of bloody heads and threatened to rape and kill me if I didn't let you in."
"…oh yeah, I remember that. Um, I wasn't really going to rape you, I would have just killed you. I was just trying to be threatening to get my point across."
"Yeah, well you're really good at that obviously. Look, you're not getting any problems from me or whoever else you left alive. So you want this place? Fine, I ain't fucking dying for it."

Well that was easier than you thought.

"Okay. That's good. What about my offer?" you say.
"Oh, you mean the one about creating a new criminal empire and joining you? Uh…well do I really have a choice?"
"Not really, unless you want to leave the city entirely."
"Hm, how generous of you. Fuck it, I guess I'm in, can't speak for anyone else still alive though. I just hope you do as good of a job in a leadership position as you are at killing people."
"Guess we'll find out together. In the meantime, clean this place up and sell off whatever remaining slaves you have. If we do get back into that business, it'll have to be done elsewhere. In any case, expect me and a bunch of others to be moving in here by the weekend. I suggest you take second best room you can. That's it for now, but before I go, I need to take something first."

After some quick looting of bodies and few other tasks, you give Vera a few more instructions who seems to readily comply to anything you command. She's just glad she survived your attack (Again it would seem).

You soon return back to the Blackheart Inn and make a request to the innkeeper before retiring to your room.

You take steps in coming up with potential plans and ideas of how to organize all this for the remaining week. While you hope Warts has managed to convince a lot of people to come to this gathering, you're confident that even if that isn't the case, in time many will eventually flock to you.

When the night of the gathering comes, you don't make an appearance right away. Eventually Warts comes to get you.

"Ay, I gotz a lotta people here. Aren't ya comin ta make a speech 'bout a glorious future or sumthin?" Warts says.
"Yes, but I'm establishing how things are going to work already. THEY will wait for ME. They're at my beck and call, not the other way around." You reply.
"Yeah? Well I still say ya betta hurry up. A lot ain't dat patient."
"Duly noted. I'll be there soon. Just let them know."

Warts nods and heads off. Meanwhile you go see the innkeeper about something and he gets a large bag out of his icebox.

"Glad to be rid of that thing." He says.

With the bag over your shoulder, you head to the large back room of the inn, where you're met by several criminal types. A lot of them have already been drinking heavily. Some nod at you with respect, while others not so much.

"Oh 'ere he is. Fuckin' thought you'd never show up." One says.
"Yeah, you drag us all here sayin' it's important and then don't even show up on time for yer own meeting." Another remarks.
"Hell, if it wasn't for him payin' for da ale, I wouldn't even be here. So what's in da bag?" A third says.
"Glad you asked. You see, while Warts was inviting you all here in a civilized manner to join me, I was having a discussion with a group that might be less willing to see reason…" You say before you're interrupted.
"Wait a minute, did you say join you?"
"Yes, I'm rebuilding an organization for us and you're all invited to join and get richer than you are."

This response is met with a lot of derision.

"Join you?! I see you've been drinking too!" one laughs.
"Not that I'm not flattered by the offer, but weren't you part of the Syndicate AND the Guild? Seems suspicious that both were destroyed while you're still here." Another adds.
"Yeah, and I was part of the Syndicate once too. Not for very long, but long enough to remember that you were killing them at one time. Some of those guys were my fucking friends! Okay, maybe not friends, but a couple owed me money which I'll never fucking get back now!" a third says.
"And as I said, stick with me and you'll get richer than you are, now don't anyone fucking interrupt again. As I was saying, I was having a discussion with a group that might be less willing to see reason than you lot, so I took it upon myself to take matters into my own hands. Hope none of you were into slaves, because the market might be closed for awhile." You say.

You then dump the contents of the bag on the floor and several bloody frozen heads roll out. This is met by gasps, shock, silence and one person surprisingly even throws up.

"By fucking Yag's loaded dice. That one's Ellis! He ran the slave market!" one says.
"Are you sure? Half of its face is blown off. Ugh." Another remarks.
"Either way, he sure killed a lot of people. Fucking hell…" a third says.

You clear your throat to call the attention back to you and off the heads you just dropped on the floor.

"Yes gentlemen, I did kill a lot of people and if you'd like to not be on that list, you'll either join me or get the hell out my way. Because it's like this; I really want to be in charge. Are there any objections?"

Several of the people look at each other in silence wondering if anyone is going to protest, but nobody does.

"Very well. Let's get to it then shall we?"

And so you take your next steps in building a new criminal organization.

(You're still having trouble thinking up a good name though)

You time passes...

Year 25

Things could always be better of course, but all things considered the Nocturnal League is doing well under your leadership. You actually managed to surprise yourself. Reminds you of when your father once told you that you could do very well anything if you just applied yourself.

Well you did, but you're pretty sure he didn't have this in mind.

Of course part of your success isn't just all your own talent. It probably helps that the city is once again experiencing an inner conflict. Not a revolution or anything like that, but more of a religious faction war. Holgard has always had a bit of a problem with religion and it's the fact that there is too much of it in the city.

It didn't start off as violent as its become, but its been bad enough that the Holgard Watch has been more focused on breaking up fights between religious factions and members in the streets than keeping an eye on crime and happily, the Holgard Watch has slowly started to revert back to their corrupt ways. Not enough like the old days, but enough that they aren't as much of a problem anymore.

As for your organization's role in the current religious squabble, you've managed to keep out of it so far and you've told everyone else to do likewise. This is mainly towards a few ex-Syndicate members that still have leanings towards the Temple of Fel. Though more than a few in your group give a few prayers to Yag too and while you've been known to do the same from time to time, you aren't looking to side with them either.

At least not unless there is some profitable reason for doing so.

In any case, there are also other areas some of your more enterprising members have been trying to convince you of expanding into.

"I'm telling you, we really should bring slave market back. It brought in a lot of coin when it existed and I'm fairly certain I could convince some of those Hessla pirates to bring their business here again." Vera says.
"Feh, if it did all that well, why weren't you rich?" Warts asks.
"Because Elias was a bastard boss that kept most of the money and then would promptly blow it all on alcohol and Blue Dream. I know with a more levelheaded person like our current boss running things, a new slave market could be even more profitable."
"Sheesh, such obvious flattery. Why don't ya just suck his dick while ya at it?"
"Fuck off Warts, why the hell is this half breed even still allowed around here? He's always claiming he isn't really part of the League anyway."
"Eh, Warts likes to play the role of a freelance outsider, mainly because he's been doing it for so long he's comfortable in that role. Nevermind the fact that deep down inside he wants to be part of a tribe. And that's us, though he'll never admit that, right Warts?" you say.
"Right. No wait! I'm not part of the League! Fuck, youz twisted my words! Anyway, slave market is a bad idea, too much upkeep, an' too much trouble ta capture people. Youz should just expand outside the city and send sum people ta rob the merchants on da road." Warts says.
"Oh, brilliant idea. Since when the hell did we become a bunch of unsophisticated bandits?" Vera remarks.
"Given the lot we have, I don't think sophisticated is exactly the word that would describe most here." You remark.
"Well you may be right, but come on, don't you think we're at least above that sort of guileless criminal activity? Besides, you send some of these people out there to do that and it isn't like you can keep as good of an eye on them. If they get successful enough, they may just decide to keep everything and fuck off elsewhere leaving us with nothing."

As with most ideas, everything has its pros and cons, you need to think about all this a lot more. You tell Warts and Vera this and while Warts happily leaves your office to go about his own hobbies, Vera stays behind.

"Is there something else?" you ask.

Vera goes over to the door and locks it, which immediately causes you to draw on her.

"Shit! What the hell man?" she exclaims raising her hands up.
"What the hell indeed, you're the one locking the door and acting all suspicious." You answer.
"I'm not trying to assassinate you if that's what you're thinking, I just wanna talk to you a little more privately so we aren't interrupted."
"About what? I told you I'd think about your proposal."
"Yes, but I REALLY think I can convince you that my idea is a good one."

At this point Vera starts unbuttoning her shirt and unsuccessfully attempting to walk seductively towards you and stumbling in the process. It's pretty embarrassing.

"Stop. Stop. Stop. Are you seriously doing what I think you're trying to do?" you ask.
"Hey look, I'm not proud. If I gotta suck your dick in order to convince you to set up a new slave market here and make me head slaver, then that's what I'll fucking do."
"Head slaver, interesting choice of words considering this situation. And now you don't just want me to go with your idea, you want to be in charge of it. That's pretty presumptuous of you."
"It's pretty presumptuous that you won't, after I'm done."

Looks like she took Wart's suggestion to heart.

At this point Vera's on her knees in front of you and her face is practically making a beeline towards your crotch. While this "offer isn't completely unenticing, you've got some reservations and not just the usual ones.

"Vera just stop. This isn't going to work." You say pushing her away a bit.
"What? So you wanna fuck me? I mean we can do that too…um you don't want to do it the other way do you? I mean…if I gotta take it in the ass, (sigh) I will, but you can't expect me to fake enjoying that."
"No! We're not doing anything Vera. Just put your tits away and get your hands off my dick."

While this would probably be enough to give most the hint that one isn't interested, Vera's a little more persistent.

"Okay, I'm confused. Based on my observations of how I've seen you look at women, I know damn well you like girls. In fact, I've noticed you even checking me out on occasion and your dick was getting hard when I was touching it so I know it can't be because you find me repulsive. And I doubt if you have any moral objections…" Vera says before you interrupt.
"That's exactly it. I like to get to know someone first before being intimate with them. Maybe that sounds weird to someone so free with their…sexual activity, but that's just how I was raised and some things just stuck with me."
"You're kidding. We work together, while I don't pretend that we know everything about each other, we're not exactly strangers."
"Look, I don't shit where I eat, so if you don't mind, get the fuck out of here and go blow somebody who cares!"

Vera isn't exactly buying your excuse, but she's buttoning up her shirt and getting back up.

"I know you're the boss and all, but I have to say, sometimes you're a very poor liar. But, whatever just as long as you're not chopping my head off to make a point I guess."

Vera lets herself out and you're breathing a sigh of relief that you didn't give in since you're fairly certain you would have, had Vera not left when she did.

You've never told anyone this, but you're convinced that having sex results in your partner's death. Not instantly, but there's been too many incidences for it to be a coincidence.

For a long time after your parting of ways with Tanya you didn't even show much interest in other women. Indeed you felt a great loss as if she died and you were in mourning.

Tanya however, was correct that in time you'd "get over" her. Maybe not mentally (You can't help but think about her still) but physically you definitely did.

So it was with no surprise that during your time before forming the League you went with a few other women from time to time.

And every single one of them died.

In your line of work you tend to bump into the same people and frequent the same places. So you started to get suspicious when women you had been intimate with started always winding up dead…

The taverns…

"Where's Lucy? Usually she's serving drinks tonight."
"Lucy? You didn't hear? She fell off the docks and drowned two days ago. Tragic."

The streets…

"Any of you lot seen Ophelia around?"
"You mean the new up and coming cutpurse with the cute face and nice ass? She got a bolt to the head a week ago. Found dead in an alley. Damn shame, she had a lot of potential. Fucking tragic."

And especially the brothels…

"I think I'd like Francine tonight."
"Francine? Oh, you must not have heard. She was found dead of a Yellow Devil overdose a week ago. It's weird because I made sure none of my girls ever took drugs, let alone that vile stuff. Tragic."
"Oh. Sorry to hear it. Um, well I guess I'll take Patricia then."
"She's no longer with us either. She was murdered by some unknown assailant nearly a month ago. Very tragic."
"Well shit…"
"I might as well tell you too, that Helena is also gone. Died in a house fire yesterday. I tell you, it's been a tough time for this place lately, but hey we're always here to please and there are still many lovely girls here. Hey did you want to see Naji? She's free this time and it's been years since you indulged in her services. I bet she'd love to see you again. Always said you used to be the best customer she ever had."
"Um, no. I gotta go."

While perhaps it is just very bad luck and coincidence that all these ladies that you were intimate with, met tragic deaths, but you feel very certain that this has something to do with being bonded with Tanya. It's your curse as it were.

If you were a complete asshole you suppose you wouldn't give a shit and just think with your dick anyway, but even if you just gave into your base desires, Vera's useful enough that you'd hate to lose her help in the organization. Besides all that, you half wonder if Tanya is somehow keeping track of you.

Granted you've not seen her in person or even a dream ever since she departed to the infernal realm, but she said she'd always be linked to you. What if every girl you've fucked is just making her madder and madder? What if one day she'll come back to punish your "infidelity"?

True, you two were never married and she did tell you to go live your life, but…well she IS a demon and who knows what the hell she's like now.

You're starting to wonder that maybe you weren't so much bored when you came up with the idea to form the Nocturnal League so much as you were trying to keep your mind occupied on other things. It actually has worked great in that regard, or it did until Vera was about to pursue promotion via cock sucking.

(Well at least taking matters into your own hand is always safe)

In any case, you put Vera's inviting mouth out of your mind and refocus on business, which involves going over the ideas that were proposed to you by Vera and Warts in the first place.

You expand outside Holgard

Besides your distaste for slavery, Warts' plan sounds a lot simpler to implement and you figure Vera won't be occasionally trying flirt with you for favors (or whatever) if you side with him and hence removing temptation.

Vera's right about someone potentially "going rogue" and just fucking off to do their own thing so you'll have to really lay down the punishment implications to everyone about doing such a thing. Which is exactly what you do. You also tell everyone to not create a bloodbath and if they do, they need to take steps in covering their tracks. Last thing you want is to create too much attention.

Warts is mildly smug about you choosing his plan over Vera who in turn is obviously perturbed. She makes no pretenses about not wanting to be one of those stumbling about in the woods. You reassure her she can focus on her city activities since reassigning her would just cause unnecessary conflict in the long term anyway.

A few months pass and you're making a fair amount on this venture. You weren't sure about it at first, but Warts had a good idea.

Surprisingly he has another one.

"Hey boss, I got some hobs from da Spider Fangs dat wanna join wit us." Warts says.
"Really? Thought you told me the Spider Fangs shun human civilization centers." You say.
"Eh, ever since dey got their asses kicked hard by da elves and lost a good portion of the tribe, there's been sum serious re-thinkin' on how things are gonna work now. Anyway, just wunderin' if they can join."
"I'm guessing you had something in mind for them to specifically do?"
"I figured dey can take part in robbin' da merchants gig we got going now."
"Yeah, and I figured that's what you'd suggest. Probably would be the best use of their skills I imagine. I suppose that would free up some of the folks who still aren't exactly thrilled about their new assignment. They can come back to the city and the hobs can take their place. Now do I have to talk to these hobs about how I want things done or are you taking care of it?"
"I'll take care of it. Most of dem are teenagers so be better if I speak to dem. I know what ta say."

Before you can say anything else, a small ugly green child wanders in behind Warts. You don't know how old it is, but it can't be older than a toddler.

"Wargh! blag! Graaah!" it shouts causing Warts to turn around.
"Damnit, Gubbins! I told ya ta wait in da corridor!" Warts reprimands the child.
"Warts, I'll admit I'm not completely familiar with the growth size of hobgoblins, but I know damn well that's no teenager."
"Wut? No! Dis one ain't robbin' merchants, well at least not for another few years anyway. Dis iz my son."

Now you're just confused.

"Your son? When the hell did you have a kid?" you ask.
"Two years ago I guess. Didn't know for an entire year either since I hadn't been back ta visit Snuffit in awhile. Boy wuz she pissed at me when I returned. Anyway, he's sort of with me for awhile since Snuffit says I should be spendin' time him. She's probably right. It's hard growin' up with no father." Warts says with a bit of an introspective look down.
"Hm, I suppose you would know about that. You never told me all this about having a family and shit."
"Didn't think you'd be interested given how youz got yer mind on other things. Got a daughter too, Zuggins. Twins actually. That's another reason why Snuffit wuz so pissed at me. Hey, didn't youz say you were a twin?"
"Yeah. So about these other hobs, you sure they're going to listen to you? Last time I remember you weren't accepted as a true hob with the Spider Fangs."
"I told ya, things are different now. Most of da assholes I didn't get along with are dead in dat tribe and it's takin' a new look on things as it were. Most of da young hobs I'm suggestin, are orphans now anyway and like I said, I kinda know what it's like not growin' up with at least one parent so I think dey gonna…I dunno identify wit me more an' youz don't have ta waste yer time."

You think about this a few moments.

"Alright, you seem to have come up with one good idea that's gone over well, so I'm trusting you on this Warts. Go make the preparations."

Warts nods and leaves with his spawn who sticks his tongue at you.

You snicker a bit at the thought of Warts having a couple kids, but you suppose he seems happy with them. You're just glad you aren't saddled with any; you've got enough complications in your life.

Then again with the curse you have, that isn't likely to ever be a problem.

In any case when Vera hears about what you've allowed she doesn't do much but shake her head.

"What?" you ask.
"Nothing, you're the boss." She says.
"But obviously you have issues with this."
"Look, if you want to hire more hobs on the payroll fine. I can see them being an asset in a menial manner, and working outside Holgard on the road robbery jobs is probably the best place for them mainly because I won't have to deal with the filthy greenskins."
"But?"
"But, my issue is you placing so much fucking trust in Warts. I thought you were smarter than that. Mark my words, that little halfbreed is going to get drunk with power and try to betray you."
"Warts? I…mean I'd never rule anything out, but Warts really isn't the leader type. I'm surprised he's taken on as much responsibility as he has honestly."
"Yeah, well maybe his new family man role is urging the halfbreed to start thinking about his future. Maybe his ugly hob bitch is nagging him to earn more for their equally foul hob spawn."
"Sheesh Vera, I didn't know you hated hobs so much."
"Yeah well they're a bunch of savages, and I'd watch Warts if I were you. Nothing worse than a mildly intelligent savage with delusions of grandeur."

Well Vera's made it quite clear how she feels at any rate.

A few more months pass and so far there haven't been any issues with your arrangement and business is doing fine. The religious faction war is still going on, but you're still keeping out of that one.

The only thing that's starting to bother you a bit is that Warts has apparently restructured the "bandit parties" outside Holgard without your knowledge. While you replaced some of your less "outdoors" folks with hobs, Warts has been completely segregating the groups so that the hobs are all in one and all the humans are in another.

When confronted by this, Warts explains that the hobs just work better together since they all grew up in the same tribe. He also says there's less potential for infighting during slow periods. He then points to how much success they've had with this arrangement.

Still, you've got enough to manage and until you see signs of treachery on Warts' part, you'll continue to let him handle the outside operations. You're fairly confident you'll be savvy enough to realize if something is going wrong and even if you don't catch it, Vera's suspicious enough of Warts that she'll probably tell you.

Year 26

"I told you this was going to happen!" Vera shouts, as she's running along side you.
"Damn it! Don't fucking follow us! Spread out! Spread out! Everyone spread out!" you shout at the various members also running in your direction.

You never saw this coming. And despite Vera's comments, she didn't either, or at least not what she assumed. She was so busy worrying that Warts and the hobs were going to fuck you over that she didn't take into consideration that their recklessness and stupidity is what drew more attention by the government, though you think you played a large part in that same stupidity by NOT keeping a better eye on things and just leaving it all to Warts.

Now it's everyone for themselves as you're stomping through the sewers trying to evade the Holgard Watch who apparently took a step back from keeping the religious factions from destroying small parts of the city, to focus on the assholes who were severely disrupting trade in the city.

It's one thing to rob the odd merchant here and there, but when enough of them were going missing, the Baroness had no choice but to step in. And she stepped hard.

Ideally, you could have separated yourself and just placed all the blame on the hobs and claiming that they weren't part of the Nocturnal League, but Ludmilla was unfortunately a little smarter than just sending her troops into the woods and had a series of spies (Some of who you think were probably Felians, since you know she had ties to the church at one point).

Hobs, never being the subtlest ended up unwittingly showing the Baroness where the hell your secret tunnels to the city were and practically to your front fucking doorstep as they were dragging goods back.

It's actually amazing you managed to fight your way out of this surprise attack like you did. Your headquarters is gone though and you can't imagine that your businesses in the city are going to be around much longer.

Eventually you finally evade the law and it's just you and Vera panting heavily ankle deep in shit water. She immediately starts bitching at you about your bad choices while you're attempting to figure out your next move.

"Will stop fucking being a massive bitch right now? I know everything's fucked up! I just need a minute to think for a moment!" you say, trying not to shout and possibly alert attention.

"Think? You should have been doing that before! This is a fucking disaster! Y'know I actually thought you were someone worth following. I even had a little crush on you even though you kept turning me down, but shit, I can see now that you're a damn jinx at best and a complete fucking idiot at worst and I'm not hanging around you any longer! Have a nice fucking life!" Vera snaps.

As Vera starts walking away from you, you realize that you have no more organization and no more followers of any kind and oddly that's what feels more like a loss to you than the massive amount of coin. You were actually stating to just get into your role as an underworld boss and now its over already!

Ironically, the only thing you might have left are your people outside of Holgard unless Ludmilla caught up with them too, but given how many of her people came to wipe you out just now, you have to think she focused her forces on the inside of the city rather than the outside. You imagine Warts might be out there somewhere, it's just a matter of tracking him down.

Then again, Warts and the hobs are what caused this mess in the first place; maybe you need to just start over somewhere else. Still, you don't want to start completely over. This is a lot easier with help and Vera would still be pretty useful in that regard.

She's pretty pissed at you though so you don't know if that ship has sailed.

You convince Vera

For all her faults, Vera's your best shot at properly rebuilding a new organization again. You probably should have gone with her plans to get into the slave trade rather than listen to Warts in the first place.

You run back to Vera and call out to her.

"Vera stop. Stop. Let's talk about this. I apologize for calling you a bitch." You say.
"Will you keep your fucking voice down? There are soldiers crawling all over the sewers right now and you're calling attention to our location! And as I said, I don't have anything else to say to you. It's obvious you've never appreciated my advice, so I don't see why I should waste anymore time with you." Vera snaps.

When you don't respond immediately, Vera stops walking and stares at you expectantly.

"Well?" Vera asks.
"Because…because I really do care about you." You say suddenly.
"Oh fuck off! You do not! You have gone out of your way several times to make it quite clear that you are NOT interested in me. You're just telling me this shit so I'll join you again and now I'm fucking insulted that you think so low of me that I'll follow you around like some love sick admirer."
"No, it's true! I really do have feelings for you, I just was too …argh, it's a long story. Just you gotta believe me on this."
"You're going to have to do a better job at explaining if you want me to believe you."

You realize this is going to take a lot of sweet talk to patch this relationship up and in the back of your mind if you're successful, you're still going to have another issue to deal with, but maybe if you explain the curse to her, she'll be sympathetic.

"(Sigh) Fine. I've never told this to anyone before, but for you I'll do it. Okay, here it is, I'm fucking cursed." You say.
"No shit." Vera remarks.
"No, I'm not talking about what happened with the League, that was just…bad management on my part though I suppose the curse played a part in my bad decisions."
"Look, if you're cursed, then I REALLY don't want anything to do with you."
"Will you listen?! You asked me to explain, so I'm trying to! It's not that sort of curse anyway. It's on my dick and that's why I kept pushing you away."

Vera steps back from you.

"What you got crotch rot?" Vera asks.
"I wish it was that simple. No, what I got is…"

Suddenly you hear a loud blast and feel the piercing of a metal object hitting you in the back. You fall down in the filthy water and struggle to breathe, let alone get back up.

The shouting of several watchmen is heard followed by Vera shouting back and returning fire. She attempts to pull you up, but the bullet has shattered your spine and you're not going anywhere

"Go…just go…" you utter as she gives you a frustrated look mixed with sadness before running off.

Dying face down in shit water is one of the less dignified ways to go out, but you don't dwell on it to much before one of Holgard's finest puts you down for good with a bullet to your head.