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ToastyPigeon

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SpringDragon

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After sitting here for about an hour or so listening to the sorry state the republic is in, let alone the rest of the area that used to be part of the old Empire, you've had enough of it all. "Stop. I've heard enough about your wretched country. I can already tell what YOU want. You want the Empire back." "Yes! I want to resurrect the Empire!" Quintus exclaims. "And that's a lovely thought, but sorry to tell you this, it's dead. Long buried and resigned to the trash heap of history." You remark. This comment is definitely not what Quintus expected. Jennifer on the other hand isn't quite surprised you'd say such a thing given your own cynical remarks to her. "But…you're here now…a symbol! A symbol of the old ways! Proof of honor! Proof of strength! Proof of power! You're an Eternal!" "And? I obviously couldn't prevent the destruction of the Empire. Am I supposed to just resurrect it with my mere presence? Am I to just kill the entire senate and establish perhaps you as an emperor? Do you think the people would accept that?" "Well maybe not so direct…" Quintus remarks. "No? Because that might be the only way to get things done around here. And what makes YOU think you'd even be a good emperor? You do not even have the support of the people." "I do have the support of my constituents! I even have a few allies in the senate!" Quintus protests. "Well you still don't have enough for what you desire. I'd say that I'd have a better chance of being accepted as an emperor before you would just due to the fear factor and raw power, and I'd still have to be looking over my shoulder constantly before I finally got run out by a complete rebellion or I destroyed so much of Nalin in the process of maintaining order. Given what you've told me of the average citizen it sounds like they're perfectly happy with the way things are. Happy with their hedonistic freedom. Do you really think they're going to listen to a relic of a time when the strong just ruled over the weak and the weak not only accepted it as a way of life, but some were even happy about it? The sheep have been let out of their pens and do not wish to return. Do you believe your people, even those that apparently keep voting for you to represent them are ready to accept a more restrictive and harsher culture? Do you believe you can foster such an environment?" Quintus remains silent and you throw up your hands at his inability to answer. "Well you see my problem with your plan. You probably thought when you dug me up; you'd have a powerful tool that would be your key to reforming a parody of the old Empire. And it would be a parody, because even if you were successful, it would NEVER be like the old Empire. You can read all the lore and books you want about the old days and nothing is stopping you from holding fantasies about such days. But make no mistake those good old days aren't EVER coming back. You're about five hundred years too late. I haven't been awake one complete day yet, and even I've come to accept that hard truth…but then I've had to accept so many hard truths. This is just another one to me." Quintus nods solemnly. The spark that was in him is gone, but you can tell he isn't completely defeated. Jennifer just tries to look away from both of you and shuffles some papers she has with her. "You…you aren't how I expected you to be…" Quintus says. "Nobody ever is. Another hard truth I learned a long time ago." You answer. "Mm…well I seem to be at a loss of what to say. Which is rare considering they often complain that I never shut up in the senate." "Look, Quintus. I won't deny that your ideals and goals aren't admirable ones. However, I had to drag you back to reality. You still have a long way to go before even bringing something resembling the Empire back. As much as it might be fun to send me to just kill the senate with a firestorm and then establish martial law across the land, it's not going to be that simple. At least not yet." "Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just I've read about some of your deeds, scraps of parchments really and I guess when I found out you were alive and in my house I just figured all of my country's problem were solved." "Well, they may still be eventually. Now despite what I've said, I will help you. Because personally, I'd like to see you succeed if only so I could live in a place that didn't seem so damn strange and it's not like I have anywhere else to go." "So you are going to help bring back the Empire?" "Well, something like it anyway. I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Now then, with me on your side, you shouldn't worry about the military side of things. I can take care of those matters when they arise, and they most certainly will. You're going to have to take the lead on the political matters obviously, but I can still advise you in this capacity. All my years of working side by side with the Emperor contributed to such skills despite being on the battlefield most of the time." Quintus seems to have that spark of life again when you agree to help him after all. He happily asks where you should get started. Jennifer at this point is glad to also see things have worked out and says she should leave you two alone to talk more and get back to the dig site. Before she leaves Quintus calls out to thank her. "And tell your father he has my thanks as well! If it weren't for you two, we would not be in the better position we are now. Expect a bonus in pay this week." Quintus says. "Thank you senator. I was wondering though and I hate to ask, but it just came to me. Do you think our new friend here could come back up to the dig site when he has the time? It's just that he was buried there and it might be of great help if he could at least perhaps give us a good indication on where it might be beneficial to dig." "Well we've got a lot to go over first, but afterwards if he wants to, I have no objections." Doesn't take you long to agree. You briefly remark that where they were digging was near the Emperor's main chambers and you'd like to see if anything survived yourself. This new revelation causes a bit of excitement from Jennifer and Quintus wondering what other magical treasures that might be of use in the coming days of change or even some scraps of history that can enlighten them more about such glorious days. You just wonder if you can find the remains of Semra. Call it curiosity; call it a sense of closure. The first thing you and Quintus talk about is the military. You explain that it is of vital importance to get them to support him the most, but it's also of great importance to get them be more vicious warriors. You say you understand that battles are probably fought a little differently nowadays, but the intense training isn't necessarily just to make them expert fighters. It's also to instill discipline and hopefully a warrior's mindset. Make it so that they want to go to war, that they long for it. Quintus says that he does already have some pull with the military. A little more than most find comfortable, but of course it's nowhere near absolute. You're glad since that cuts down on a little extra work. You tell him to track down the most spirited and skilled warriors that are in the military and have them gather somewhere secluded just outside the northern borders of Nalin. You say you need to get started on training as soon as possible, you just hope you don't have too many wash outs (or casualties). You then say you also need to get started on an outside threat. "What do you mean?" "I mean you need an outside threat that genuinely scares people. Makes it so people are more supportive of a strong military. Makes it so eventually people prioritize their safety so much that they're willing to give up their freedom just to be safe. I mean I know you've been warning the senate and the people about all the scary things out there and you're right, but people don't believe it until its beating down their door with a battle axe." "Yes, but how exactly are we going to do that?" "Well YOU aren't going to do anything except going about your usual business. I on the other hand am going to incite one of those threats you've told me about. Obviously one of the closest ones." "The usksha immigrants?" Quintus asks. "Heh, well maybe in due time, but that's bit more on the…political side. Plus its not a large enough threat and the follow through of invading the desert is a logistics nightmare that we are nowhere near in a position to carry out at this time. No, I was thinking something much simpler. Something much easier to incite violence in and a lot easier to get people to fear, namely orcs." "Oh, do you think you can do it?" "Encouraging an orc to attack isn't a challenge at all. Herding them to all attack in a specific direction takes a little more skill, but I can do it. It'll just take a little time and we have to make a balancing act of it. Going to have to let the orcs win a few major battles in the beginning at least. It won't be pretty, but it'll also serve to purge some of the less than skilled soldiers you have around here. Some villages on the borders are going to have to burn as well." "Villages? Are you sure?" "The problem with the Nalinites is they've never really been under a true threat for a very long time. When the people experience the loss of a couple border villages and see the bloody aftermath, trust me they'll be begging for more protection. When they see the brutality of what an orc horde can do they'll be screaming for justice and for us to march into the Quala Badlands to wipe out every last green skin. The first steps to expansion and the first steps to resurrecting the Empire." Quintus understands and says it sounds like a good plan. You and he talk a little more about some of the specifics before he eventually says he has a big day tomorrow of arguing against some silly law that one of his opponents is trying to have passed and needs to get some sleep. He says that you may have a bed in one of his spare rooms, as it isn't like the rest of his family is going to complain about you being here. You agree but say that you intend on heading back to the dig site like you promised Jennifer tomorrow and also to get started on that orc situation you spoke on. Quintus remarks that you can take one of his horses and says he hopes to see you within a weeks time. The next day you ride off to your destination and you feel somewhat calmer than you did when you first woke up. You also feel like you have a worthy purpose now. You know you're going to have a big task ahead of you trying to reform the Empire, but at least it gives you something to do. Who knows, you might even be successful. Or you might be instrumental in the downfall of yet another nation… > You voices of the past (Matriarch Brenda's writings) Before you prepare to get some rest for the night, Quintus hands you an old small worn book. "What's this?" you ask. "Something I thought maybe you might find interesting. It's the old journal of Matriarch Brenda, first ruler of Nalin and your fellow Eternal." Quintus answers. When you handle the book, the spine cracks and some of the pages nearly come falling out. "Yeah, be careful, as you might imagine it's very old and sadly missing quite a few pages already. For centuries nobody even knew she kept one, but this was found about three hundred years ago when the builders were tearing down her old home to make room for the new senate forum. Such a loss really, tearing down the home of a woman who did so much for this country. I can tell you one thing, had I been alive during those days, I would've made every effort to keep the house as an important historical site." "So who had this before you?" "Oh several people. Mostly collectors that didn't really do anything with it save not really keeping good care of it. For a while I do believe it was actually lost, but eventually it popped up again and found its way into that museum run by the Mols. Finally through a mutually beneficial deal I acquired the book from that family." "I see, well I'm not sure if I feel comfortable reading something that was Brenda's private thoughts." "Oh. Well, you can just put it on that table over there if you feel that way. Just thought maybe you'd be interested in it. No harm done. Anyway goodnight." Quintus says and leaves the room. You begin to settle down for sleep, but find you that you can't. You are tired, but not sleepy, probably because you've been sleeping for the past five hundred years! You explore the room a bit, but there isn't anything much of interest that's going to keep you occupied, well except Brenda's journal. It probably seems silly, but in your mind Brenda hasn't been dead for centuries. In your mind, the last time you saw her was only a few years ago and reading her journal would be an invasion of her privacy. However Brenda has been dead for centuries and under the circumstances you can't help, but be a little interested. "Apologies Brenda, but I fear my curiosity has gotten the better of me." You say and start flipping through the journal trying to be a careful as you can since last time it nearly fell apart in your hands. Really it seems like the journal shouldn't even be handled anymore, it's missing more than a few pages and the writing has faded as well. For all Quintus' claims of respecting historical items of the old Empire, he hasn't even bothered to put the loose pages back in proper order. Still, you manage to make out some of it. One entry in particular stands out for you mainly because you get the best sense of Brenda's frustration of her situation, but then realizing that she has to do something about it. Entry 51 Sometimes I wonder why I even keep this stupid thing. I think I had some weird idea that someone needed to keep a record of events after the cataclysm. Still don't know what caused it, nobody does. In another two hundred years is anyone even going to care? Chaos hasn't completely overtaken Nalin, but I need to keep some sort of order. I don't want to use extreme measures, but it's getting to the point where I'm going to have no choice. They aren't bad people, they're just panicking and scared more than anything else. It's understandable, I am too. I know who wouldn't be scared, that paragon of Eternalhood. The Emperor's Weapon of Terrible Justice or whatever it is they used to call him. Can't remember all the nics and titles he had. If he were here, he'd probably already be rebuilding the Empire. Alas, I have heard no word of him or much word of anything past Quala really and it's been months. I can only believe he must be dead along with millions of others. Warrick too, though I shed no tears for his passing. It was his bumbling that resulted in my husband's death. It would seem I am the last of the Eternals. It is a strange sad thing being the last of something. Everyone looks to me like I'm supposed to solve this problem with the snap of a finger, but I'm just one woman even if everyone somehow believes I'm this superior being just because I'm an Eternal. I honestly wish I wasn't most of the time. I certainly don't feel any more powerful or smarter because of it and nowadays I feel like I'm got a huge target on my back and I have to constantly look over my shoulder because some idiot thinks I'm being a repressive tyrant. People either hate me, fear me, worship me, or a combination of all three. What the hell do these people want? I'm doing the best I fucking can! Not only am I trying to maintain civilization and order in these dark days, I'm also trying to keep some semblance of the Empire alive. We can't just abandon our way of life because of a terrible disaster. Or maybe I'm just holding on to something that I know because I've lost everything else. I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to make some major changes. I'm not even sure what exactly, but changes are going to be made if only so civilization and order can go on and damn what the people think. History can be the final judge. I just wish Roldan was here. "I wish you all were here." You say to yourself and close the book.

After sitting here for about an hour or so listening to the sorry state the republic is in, let alone the rest of the area that used to be part of the old Empire, you've had enough of it all. "Stop. I've heard enough about your wretched country. I can already tell what YOU want. You want the Empire back." "Yes! I want to resurrect the Empire!" Quintus exclaims. "And that's a lovely thought, but sorry to tell you this, it's dead. Long buried and resigned to the trash heap of history." You remark. This comment is definitely not what Quintus expected. Jennifer on the other hand isn't quite surprised you'd say such a thing given your own cynical remarks to her. "But…you're here now…a symbol! A symbol of the old ways! Proof of honor! Proof of strength! Proof of power! You're an Eternal!" "And? I obviously couldn't prevent the destruction of the Empire. Am I supposed to just resurrect it with my mere presence? Am I to just kill the entire senate and establish perhaps you as an emperor? Do you think the people would accept that?" "Well maybe not so direct…" Quintus remarks. "No? Because that might be the only way to get things done around here. And what makes YOU think you'd even be a good emperor? You do not even have the support of the people." "I do have the support of my constituents! I even have a few allies in the senate!" Quintus protests. "Well you still don't have enough for what you desire. I'd say that I'd have a better chance of being accepted as an emperor before you would just due to the fear factor and raw power, and I'd still have to be looking over my shoulder constantly before I finally got run out by a complete rebellion or I destroyed so much of Nalin in the process of maintaining order. Given what you've told me of the average citizen it sounds like they're perfectly happy with the way things are. Happy with their hedonistic freedom. Do you really think they're going to listen to a relic of a time when the strong just ruled over the weak and the weak not only accepted it as a way of life, but some were even happy about it? The sheep have been let out of their pens and do not wish to return. Do you believe your people, even those that apparently keep voting for you to represent them are ready to accept a more restrictive and harsher culture? Do you believe you can foster such an environment?" Quintus remains silent and you throw up your hands at his inability to answer. "Well you see my problem with your plan. You probably thought when you dug me up; you'd have a powerful tool that would be your key to reforming a parody of the old Empire. And it would be a parody, because even if you were successful, it would NEVER be like the old Empire. You can read all the lore and books you want about the old days and nothing is stopping you from holding fantasies about such days. But make no mistake those good old days aren't EVER coming back. You're about five hundred years too late. I haven't been awake one complete day yet, and even I've come to accept that hard truth…but then I've had to accept so many hard truths. This is just another one to me." Quintus nods solemnly. The spark that was in him is gone, but you can tell he isn't completely defeated. Jennifer just tries to look away from both of you and shuffles some papers she has with her. "You…you aren't how I expected you to be…" Quintus says. "Nobody ever is. Another hard truth I learned a long time ago." You answer. "Mm…well I seem to be at a loss of what to say. Which is rare considering they often complain that I never shut up in the senate." "Look, Quintus. I won't deny that your ideals and goals aren't admirable ones. However, I had to drag you back to reality. You still have a long way to go before even bringing something resembling the Empire back. As much as it might be fun to send me to just kill the senate with a firestorm and then establish martial law across the land, it's not going to be that simple. At least not yet." "Yes, I suppose you're right. It's just I've read about some of your deeds, scraps of parchments really and I guess when I found out you were alive and in my house I just figured all of my country's problem were solved." "Well, they may still be eventually. Now despite what I've said, I will help you. Because personally, I'd like to see you succeed if only so I could live in a place that didn't seem so damn strange and it's not like I have anywhere else to go." "So you are going to help bring back the Empire?" "Well, something like it anyway. I can't promise anything, but I'll try. Now then, with me on your side, you shouldn't worry about the military side of things. I can take care of those matters when they arise, and they most certainly will. You're going to have to take the lead on the political matters obviously, but I can still advise you in this capacity. All my years of working side by side with the Emperor contributed to such skills despite being on the battlefield most of the time." Quintus seems to have that spark of life again when you agree to help him after all. He happily asks where you should get started. Jennifer at this point is glad to also see things have worked out and says she should leave you two alone to talk more and get back to the dig site. Before she leaves Quintus calls out to thank her. "And tell your father he has my thanks as well! If it weren't for you two, we would not be in the better position we are now. Expect a bonus in pay this week." Quintus says. "Thank you senator. I was wondering though and I hate to ask, but it just came to me. Do you think our new friend here could come back up to the dig site when he has the time? It's just that he was buried there and it might be of great help if he could at least perhaps give us a good indication on where it might be beneficial to dig." "Well we've got a lot to go over first, but afterwards if he wants to, I have no objections." Doesn't take you long to agree. You briefly remark that where they were digging was near the Emperor's main chambers and you'd like to see if anything survived yourself. This new revelation causes a bit of excitement from Jennifer and Quintus wondering what other magical treasures that might be of use in the coming days of change or even some scraps of history that can enlighten them more about such glorious days. You just wonder if you can find the remains of Semra. Call it curiosity; call it a sense of closure. The first thing you and Quintus talk about is the military. You explain that it is of vital importance to get them to support him the most, but it's also of great importance to get them be more vicious warriors. You say you understand that battles are probably fought a little differently nowadays, but the intense training isn't necessarily just to make them expert fighters. It's also to instill discipline and hopefully a warrior's mindset. Make it so that they want to go to war, that they long for it. Quintus says that he does already have some pull with the military. A little more than most find comfortable, but of course it's nowhere near absolute. You're glad since that cuts down on a little extra work. You tell him to track down the most spirited and skilled warriors that are in the military and have them gather somewhere secluded just outside the northern borders of Nalin. You say you need to get started on training as soon as possible, you just hope you don't have too many wash outs (or casualties). You then say you also need to get started on an outside threat. "What do you mean?" "I mean you need an outside threat that genuinely scares people. Makes it so people are more supportive of a strong military. Makes it so eventually people prioritize their safety so much that they're willing to give up their freedom just to be safe. I mean I know you've been warning the senate and the people about all the scary things out there and you're right, but people don't believe it until its beating down their door with a battle axe." "Yes, but how exactly are we going to do that?" "Well YOU aren't going to do anything except going about your usual business. I on the other hand am going to incite one of those threats you've told me about. Obviously one of the closest ones." "The usksha immigrants?" Quintus asks. "Heh, well maybe in due time, but that's bit more on the…political side. Plus its not a large enough threat and the follow through of invading the desert is a logistics nightmare that we are nowhere near in a position to carry out at this time. No, I was thinking something much simpler. Something much easier to incite violence in and a lot easier to get people to fear, namely orcs." "Oh, do you think you can do it?" "Encouraging an orc to attack isn't a challenge at all. Herding them to all attack in a specific direction takes a little more skill, but I can do it. It'll just take a little time and we have to make a balancing act of it. Going to have to let the orcs win a few major battles in the beginning at least. It won't be pretty, but it'll also serve to purge some of the less than skilled soldiers you have around here. Some villages on the borders are going to have to burn as well." "Villages? Are you sure?" "The problem with the Nalinites is they've never really been under a true threat for a very long time. When the people experience the loss of a couple border villages and see the bloody aftermath, trust me they'll be begging for more protection. When they see the brutality of what an orc horde can do they'll be screaming for justice and for us to march into the Quala Badlands to wipe out every last green skin. The first steps to expansion and the first steps to resurrecting the Empire." Quintus understands and says it sounds like a good plan. You and he talk a little more about some of the specifics before he eventually says he has a big day tomorrow of arguing against some silly law that one of his opponents is trying to have passed and needs to get some sleep. He says that you may have a bed in one of his spare rooms, as it isn't like the rest of his family is going to complain about you being here. You agree but say that you intend on heading back to the dig site like you promised Jennifer tomorrow and also to get started on that orc situation you spoke on. Quintus remarks that you can take one of his horses and says he hopes to see you within a weeks time. The next day you ride off to your destination and you feel somewhat calmer than you did when you first woke up. You also feel like you have a worthy purpose now. You know you're going to have a big task ahead of you trying to reform the Empire, but at least it gives you something to do. Who knows, you might even be successful. Or you might be instrumental in the downfall of yet another nation… > You picking through the past (The dig site) You've spent the past two days with Calvin's crew, which has been fumbling about trying to dig up the rest of the Emperor's chambers. So far they haven't found much of consequence though, mostly just pieces of the Emperor's belongings that were made of stone or metal, like a bed frame or one of his many work tables. The biggest things were broken pieces of the two large statues that stood outside the door and the half destroyed door itself. Any books that have been found have mostly been destroyed over the passage of time. Between insects, small subterranean rodents and centuries of gradual decay it would seem the earth has consumed most of the important stuff. While Calvin still appreciates what has been found, he was really hoping to find a treasure trove of magical items, but you told him he wouldn't have had much luck anyway. The Emperor himself never really kept much of that around, probably because as a powerful wizard himself he didn't need to rely on such things You on the other hand haven't found what you were looking for and that's the remains of a svelk. You and Semra were in the immediate area yet no bones have been found. But then Jacob wasn't too far from the same location and his bones haven't been found either. (You still haven't mentioned to Calvin or Jennifer about knowing the specifics about their ancestor's death.) At this point you can't do too much more lingering you need to get on with your more important assignment. You decide to make one more quick look though so you grab a shovel and start digging. Of course you can't be left alone while doing this, Jennifer decides to come up and bother you in her usual way. You swear the girl insists on trying to hang around you whenever possible. You certainly hope she doesn't have a crush or something, because you don't really have time for such things. "Hey, you shouldn't just be digging haphazardly like that near the support beam! One wrong dig and you could fall into a sinkhole or cause part of this excavation to collapse! You don't want to be buried alive again do you?" Jennifer says. "I dunno, I'm still wondering if I wouldn't be better off." You remark. "Oh you don't mean that. I thought you said you and Quintus had big plans that gave you a sense of purpose now." "Yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't ponder if it's worth it or not. (Sigh) Damn it, what am I doing? I've never going to find anything. I need to just get started on that business I spoke about with Quintus." "Wait, what ARE you looking for anyway? I've noticed you before looking through piles of dirt and overturning stones since you got here. If you told us, perhaps we could help you. I mean we do do this for a living and all." "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." "Look if it's personal, you don't need to tell me or anyone else the significance, but if we know what to look for surely it could help couldn't it? Maybe we already found it and it's in our pile of ever-growing objects. Sensing that Jennifer isn't going to let this go you give in and tell her. "(Sigh) I'm looking for bones." "Bones? Well we found a bunch a few feet higher up…" "No, the bones I'm looking for would be at least approximately in the same area that you found me. They would be elven in nature, specifically svelk, if that makes a difference." "Dark elven? What was a dark elf doing down here near the Emperor? You know, you still haven't told us anything about how you came to be in your situation. I mean we've all been wondering if the Emperor was down here during the cataclysm, though we haven't found any trace of his remains." Now you wish you hadn't told her. "Look! Let's just focus on one thing at a time! Now I'm looking for svelk bones, unless you've found anything like that, then we have nothing more to discuss." You snap and start to leave. "Okay, okay! No need to snap like that, but can you at least tell me who this svelk was? Obviously they must've been important to you or else you would not be trying to find the remains. I'm really just trying to help!" Well that's true and you can't necessarily fault her for it. "Alright, I'll tell you a little bit. The svelk's name was Semra and believe or not she was a top advisor to the Emperor. And since we're on the topic, yes all of us were down here when the cataclysm hit. As the palace was collapsing in on our heads, Semra was the one who put me in that little magical box you all found me in. Basically she saved my life when certain doom was imminent." This bit of information predictably gets a big reaction out of Jennifer. "Wow! I can't believe it. The Emperor had a svelk advisor? She must've been an outcast from her people. I thought they were only nomadic mercenaries back in those days." "They were, but Semra was a bit more ambitious than that. Make no mistake she was no outcast. She was every bit as ruthless and treacherous as any of her people. Probably more so. She always had an angle." "Hm, surprised the Emperor trusted such a creature, but still she saved your life. A self sacrificing svelk; never thought such a thing existed. The two of you must've been close surely? Were you friends or um…" "No we weren't friends, and don't even suggest we had a romantic affiliation." You say before she even completes that sentence. "Our relationship was…complex. Let's just say she played a big role in who I am today and despite whatever differences I did have with her I do owe her my life." "So, it's kind of like a paying last respects thing?" "Something like that. I mean she was literally the last person I saw before I went into my big sleep. My last moment during the old days were with her. Guess I felt like seeing her bones would be a kind of closure, but I guess it doesn't matter anyway right?" "No, I understand. Well, we'll keep an eye out I guess for svelk bones. So… you said the Emperor was down here too?" "Yeah, but before you even ask. There's no point in trying to look for his remains. He disintegrated before my eyes." Jennifer is in shock. "He…he disintegrated?! How?!" "Well, it was the cataclysm. Hit pretty suddenly and hard. One moment he was there, then he wasn't." Your vague explanation isn't exactly untrue. You're just glad it seems to be sufficient for now. "Sheesh, no wonder you didn't want to talk about it. Must've been stressful even for you. I have to tell my father about this. He'll be very interested in learning more about this mystery." Jennifer says. "I'm sure you will. You know I'm very surprised he doesn't speak to me more often given that he's the one in charge of this expedition and his extreme interest in the history aspect." "I would imagine he would if your personality was different. You're a bit intimidating and he still fears you a bit, so as it stands I think he believes it would be better if I spoke to you." "Why? Does he think I am easily swayed by a pretty face?" "Er…no…what I was going to say is that I am a little more willing to take risks like interacting with you for example. You're more likely to respect someone that's brave and thus open up to them. I love my father, but he's not exactly the bravest of men, though he has his moments." "Hm, sounds like someone I used to know." You say thinking about Jacob, which makes you add a bit more to your story. "Before I leave there are a few other bones you might want to look for while you're down here." You say. "Oh? I thought it was just you and Semra." "It was in the end, but there was another top advisor to the Emperor here that died shortly before that." "Wait, you don't mean…" "Yes, your ancestor Jacob. Though his remains might be a bit…crushed. A large falling stone block fell on him." Your news once again renders Jennifer silent for a moment. "We always did wonder what happened to him exactly. I mean it was always assumed he got killed during the cataclysm, but never knew the specifics. Well at he didn't suffer long." She remarks. "No it was pretty quick and sudden. Just like everything else when the cataclysm hit. Still, if it's any consolation, Jacob had his own moment of bravery before his life ended. He actually saved Semra and I from getting immediately killed during that dark time." "He did?" "Yes. Anyway, as I said, I've got other things to do, so I'll leave you to it." Before you leave, Jennifer thanks you for the information and hopes in time that you'll open up more information about the past. You don't make any promises, but you know you probably will eventually. You leave the dig site and think about what you originally went there for in first place. Closure. Since you didn't really get that, you do it yourself. "Well Semra, I don't really know why you saved me. Then again I didn't understand your twisted obsession for me either. Whether it was genuine love, svelk psychological torture, your own personal fucked up mind or a combination of the three I'll never know. And I guess now, I never will. But for what it's worth. Thank you." After your monologue to yourself, you ride off in search of orcs to antagonize.

While it's entirely possibly that you'd come out of this thing alive, (You've certainly been through worse) there's little guarantee that anyone else will. If you're going to keep your "rescuers" alive, you'll need to be unhindered. "What're you doing?!" Jennifer asks as you leap on a horse. "I'm getting off this thing, and I suggest if you don't want to be a big target you will too, there's another horse here, jump on it and we'll unhitch the wagon!" Sensing that you're going to do this whether she likes it or not, she realizes that she doesn't really have a choice. She jumps on a horse and you take your sword and cut the harness. You tell Jennifer that she should order everyone else to concentrate their gunfire to the left. "Where are you going now?!" "I'm going to take care of the ones on the right!" you shout and ride in their direction. The orcs are so agitated about you heading directly towards them, they practically stop focusing on the caravan and begin firing arrows at you. Of course you anticipated such a thing and cast a shield to protect you and your horse. With your other hand you spray a cone of cold on the orcs closest to you, freezing them quite literally in their tracks. This feat of magic is enough to cause the orcs to attempt to rear up their boars and change direction back towards attacking the caravan. Others are undeterred and continue to head toward you with large weapons in hand. You aim your next spell at their boars, which consists of a couple fire blasts. The pigs go up in a blaze and soon so do their riders who end up dropping their weapons in an attempt to beat out the flames. You turn your attention at the orcs who decided to attack the caravan instead. At first glance the expedition crew have held their own fairly well considering none of them seem to be warriors and they seem to have fended off most of the orcs on the left side. However you see orcs getting the best of a couple of them when they close the gap and begin jumping onto the wagons. You ride back to the caravan and put your own combat skills good use. Orcs may be fierce and unrelenting fighters sometimes, but without the heavy armor that you remember they used to wear for the Empire, they get killed as easily as anyone else if you're skilled enough, and you're more than skilled enough. As you battle the orcs, the remaining expedition crew tries to help, though you're nearly shot a couple of times in the process. You end up yelling at them to stop "helping" you before you start firing at them with something a lot more accurate. Soon after you've killed your last orc after hopping from wagon to wagon, you hear Jennifer shouts to everyone that you've won and the rest have rode off. The caravan stops for a moment to take some time to clean up dead bodies on the wagons, and gather up any equipment that fell off during the fight. Jennifer comes up to you as you're cleaning off your own sword. "Well that was exciting to see a real Eternal in action! I knew we were going to be safe with you!" "Hmm, yeah well I almost wasn't safe with your people, because I nearly got shot a couple times!" "Yeah, sorry about that. Fear of the orcs actually on the wagons was probably causing higher nervousness than usual." "You should get some soldiers on these trips. Then at least you'd have some people who actually know how to fight when things get a little close." "We do have soldiers, can't you tell by the uniforms?" Honestly you hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that several of the people on this expedition crew do have similar outfits. It's just regular clothing though, none of it is proper armor, light or heavy. You also now notice that the firearms are much different too, namely they can fire multiple shots before being reloaded. A very handy improvement indeed. You realize that time has definitely marched on, it would seem that shooting someone with a rifle or pistol is the order of the day. Not much use for the old armor if that's indeed the case. Still, you're also reminded of the Felkans and their over reliance of such weapons. It would seem the Nalin Republic has the same technological disease. And these people are the supposed "successors" of the Empire. "Guns." You say shaking your head. "What's wrong with guns? You don't think they're honorable or something?" Jennifer asks. "No, I believe they are very useful and it would be foolish to not employ such weapons of fantastic destruction during battle and war. I just have a problem with the reliance of them in place of natural combat skill, because one day you're going to run out of bullets and then you see who the real soldier is." "How is using a gun any different from casting down lightning from your fingers or throwing fireballs around?" "It isn't in the scheme of things. I just said I don't have a problem with gunpowder weapons. However you also noticed I didn't just toss around magic like I had unlimited energy either. I used it when it was needed and engaged in close combat for the rest of them. I could've easily just rained down a firestorm and wiped out all of the orcs, but that would've taken out the caravan too. Something I'm sure nobody wanted. The Empire used firearms AND magic during the Felkan War, but individually the soldiers were still some of the toughest warriors you'd ever want to face. The Felkans soon learned that fatal fact. Perhaps if their soldiers still had the formidable close combat skills of an Empire soldier, they might not have lost so many battle when physical prowess was needed." Jennifer doesn't debate your views or experience, she just thanks you again for your help and you're soon underway. The rest of the journey is relatively silent. Eventually you arrive in the Nalin Republic. The landscape here is more like you remember, though it isn't until you get towards the capital of Dalt that you start seeing a resemblance to civilization, but even that's different when it comes to the architecture and such. You get a few stares from passing citizens. Jennifer and you disembark from the wagons when you arrive at Quintus' house, or rather his very large mansion, which has guards posted at the gates. Honestly it's the closest thing resembling the Empire you've seen since you got here. "You wait here, I'll have to speak with Quintus about all this first. While I'm sure he'll really want to see you, there is protocol to follow." "Sure, do whatever it is you have to do, I'm not going anywhere, but who is this Quintus anyway?" "Quintus Arillicus is one of the most influential leaders in the senate and as I've already mentioned an admirer of old Empire history, but he'll tell you more when you meet him." As Jennifer walks through the gates, you're left standing around with a few guards who give you the stares that you've come to expect from everyone. You wait for about ten minutes before you begin to wonder why you're even entertaining this again. Then you remember, it's because you don't have much else to do right now. Though you're wondering what place you're going to have in this new world. You imagine that maybe you could be a soldier again though it doesn't look like there's a war going on. Doesn't even look like this place is suffering from any discontent from the citizens, but then looks can be deceiving. Jennifer eventually comes back to the front gate and waves to come with her. "You can come in now. Quintus is very excited to see you!" At this point this Quintus better be just as impressive, because from what little you know of this guy, you're not nearly as excited to see him. You and Jennifer walk into the mansion and while it's certainly fancy and has a design style similar to Empire architecture, it isn't nearly as extraordinary as the first time you saw the Emperor's palace. Of course you're a harder sell from those old days. Jennifer and you enter what is apparently a conference room. She says that he shouldn't be long and you both take a seat at the table. Soon a middle-aged man walks into the room with some guards, but he dismisses them at the door so that you three can be alone. He's dressed in an older style suit that looks more like those you remember Empire bureaucrats wearing and carries a staff of some sort with him. He also wears several rings. You sense that they all might be magical. Either way you fail to be impressed, just as you suspected you would be. Quintus on the other hand, now that he sees you in person, he's very impressed. "I never believed in all these years…all the digging…all the research…everything. And none of what I've found compares to this! Yes! This is indeed a glorious day! A real live Eternal! Not just any Eternal either, but the one who served the Emperor himself!" Quintus exclaims as he sits down across from you. "Now let me stop you right there. I know you're all excited and shit, but for me this is going into unknown territory. Possibly even enemy territory. I have no idea WHAT exactly you want with me. I'm going to tell you right now though if you're thinking of putting me in some sort of museum or some weird aristocratic version of a sideshow like they have at the fairs peasants go to you better get that idea out of your head right now." Jennifer tries to temper your words, but Quintus raises his hands as if no offense was taken. "It's alright. Our Eternal friend is quite right to be suspicious of me, but I can honestly tell him there is no reason for him to be because I think my goals will fit his honorable ideals. I'm still sure there is much he wants to know and questions that he has, but I will say that it is my hope that he and I will change history together!" Quintus and Jennifer try to get you fully up to speed on everything first… > The Cataclysm (Fall of Civilization) One of the first questions you ask is to be caught up to speed on what the current situation is on the land. Jennifer fills you in on most of this topic though Quintus interjects when it comes to more political matters on the subject. Jennifer starts off by stating that the cataclysm that destroyed the Empire not only led to a dark age, but as you might've been able to tell it changed the very landscape. Quala, which was once the heartland of the Empire, is now a wasteland. She mentions that besides the numerous orc tribes that live there, the place is also home for outlaw types. Quintus remarks that the Nalin Republic has made a bit of an attempt to tame the southern most portion of it along the borders and says that he would like it to do more, but then complains that his hands are tied due to pacifistic fools in the senate. Jennifer tells you Delerg got it even worse than Quala as most of the land just fell into the ocean! Delerg consists little more as an archipelago though a small portion of it is still attached to the mainland. She says there are rumors of horrors that were awakened and now dwell on several of the islands, but the main danger is that the place is now a haven for pirates. Quintus remarks that the Nalin navy has problems dealing with them on their eastern coast. Again, he'd like to do more about it, but once again most of the senate claims it isn't in the budget and is thinking about dismantling the navy altogether. When you ask about Rask, Jennifer states that there isn't too much to tell other than wilderness has reclaimed most of it. She says all that's known is that it's now infested with orcs, ogres, giants and worse. There are rumors of a warrior "guild" of some sort, but she can't imagine that they'd be sane living in such a hostile environment. Quintus doesn't have much to add other than he's sent a few adventurer types up there to explore, but none of them have come back alive. He'd like to send a full expedition up there, but he barely gets approval from the senate about the one he sends to dig up the Quala Badlands. You're sensing a pattern here… Jennifer next moves on to the more "civilized" areas of what once was the old Empire. She uses the term loosely though. Arat is fairly lawless though it currently consists of six city-states which supposedly have an agreement of mutual protection (The Arat Alliance, but in practice they're all out for themselves or at the very least concerned with their own problems. In some cases that means attempting to gain control over the rest. Particularly Lenay, which is the most powerful of the cities and is run by svelk. You interrupt Jennifer. "Excuse me? Svelk? They finally managed to settle down?" "Oh yes, for quite a while now. Sovereign Eldolith has been running it for…" "Wait, Eldolith?!" you interrupt again. "Yes, do you know her?" "We were acquainted. She was only a mercenary captain when I knew her." You answer. "Interesting…well she's come a long way from a simple leader of mercenaries. She's currently ruling Lenay unopposed and has influence over those weak willed idiots in Atinil and the criminal dominated Valizza." Quintus interjects. "As you might expect the svelk treat the non-svelk little better than slaves, if they aren't already." Quintus goes on to tell you that he's been warning the senate that having a strong unified svelk dominated power nearby would not be a good thing, but as usual his warnings are mostly going unheard. He says that at the very least there should be steps to support more independence amongst the cities if only to keep Eldolith from gaining more power. He says one of the cities, Regnik is fairly friendly towards the republic and basically the most reliable source of information of what's going on in the region. Telis is the most isolationist of the bunch, but at least it isn't under the influence of Eldolith. Not much is known about it save that it seems to be very well defended. The last city is Zo. Though Zo is currently in such dire straits that the six cities may soon become known as the five cities. Zo constantly suffers attacks from orcs. How it remains standing is certainly a testament to its citizens' resolve, but if the frequency of the attacks keep going the way they are, it won't matter how stalwart the citizens are. Jennifer finally comes to what was the newest edition to the Empire during your time, the territory consisting of the Felkan Kingdom. Jennifer says that it mostly consists of small hamlets and even a few towns, but none of them are united like a nation or even as big as one of the six cities of Arat. There is one small nation though that calls itself the Red Cap Kingdom. The Red Cap Kingdom is a small nation of militant gnomes. Only gnomes live within its borders and they are fiercely independent and hostile to anyone who isn't a gnome. They are extremely well defended too and probably the most technologically advanced. They call themselves the Red Caps due to being so merciless in battle that they supposedly dip their hats into the blood of their fallen enemies. "Bloodthirsty gnomes…now I've heard everything…" you say nearly laughing. "Well considering all that happened to them, I can't say I'd blame them for abandoning their pacifism. Always knew we didn't get all of them. Surprised they came back to the area though." Jennifer is a bit confused by your statement, obviously not really knowing the whole story, though Quintus seems a little more up on the topic. "My dear Miss Mol, during the time of the Empire, the Felkan Kingdom was secretly run by gnomes who did everything in their power to destroy the Empire. Gnomes as you might imagine were specifically targeted to ensure the safety of the Empire." Quintus explains to Jennifer. "Yeah…something like that. Though to be quite honest I believe the Emperor just really hated gnomes. He explained his reasons, but I always thought there might be another deeper personal motive. In any case never did learn it, and I didn't need to. His will was mine and I followed orders." You remark. This causes an outburst by Quintus who bangs his fist on the table startling Jennifer. "You see that Miss Mol!? Utter dedication! A ruler gave orders and his soldiers carried them out! This why I wish the old Empire still existed! Shit got done back in those days!" Considering how much Quintus bitches about the senate he's certainly right about the Empire getting shit done. Jennifer continues. "Well the gnomes may have re-entered the area due to being on the run from the other new nation that has reportedly arrived in the area, the Xi Hive." "Now who the hell are they?!" you ask. "A great danger if the sources are even only half correct." Quintus interjects. "And a perfect reason for the senate to get their shit together, but will they listen? No of course not! I just get accusations of being a warmongering troublemaker when in fact I'm trying to save all of their ungrateful asses!" Quintus shouts causing you and Jennifer and you to stare at him. Quintus hasn't really told you what his goals are yet and what role you might play in them, but you can already make a good guess at what one of them might be. "Sorry. Please continue explaining the Xi Hive to our guest, Miss Mol." Quintus says. "So, the Xi Hive is apparently ruled by a race of insectoid creatures. Almost ant like in nature, they're probably even directed by a queen. They don't really have any proper settlements. We think they might be primarily subterranean, but that doesn't stop them from attacking the humble villages that are on the surface. They don't leave anyone alive and take survivors as captives; presumably underground where I can only guess they might eat or enslave them. They haven't attacked any of the major powers yet like the Red Cap Kingdom or one of the six cities, but they have been slowly moving east, so it's only a matter of time." You sit there taking all of this in. Orcs running amok, a new gnome nation, united svelk, ant people…and you haven't even heard the whole sad story on the Nalin Republic yet. "Tell me something is there ANYTHING that didn't go to fucking hell when the Empire fell?" you ask. Quintus and Jennifer aren't sure how to respond. They think for a moment and then Quintus thinks of something. "Um…before the cataclysm, Empire was in the process with wiping up gnoll rabble on its western borders wasn't it?" "Yes." "Well, they must've never recovered from it, because there hasn't been a gnoll seen in nearly five centuries!" "Gee…well thank the Empire for small victories." You say shaking your head with your hand on your forehead.

While it's entirely possibly that you'd come out of this thing alive, (You've certainly been through worse) there's little guarantee that anyone else will. If you're going to keep your "rescuers" alive, you'll need to be unhindered. "What're you doing?!" Jennifer asks as you leap on a horse. "I'm getting off this thing, and I suggest if you don't want to be a big target you will too, there's another horse here, jump on it and we'll unhitch the wagon!" Sensing that you're going to do this whether she likes it or not, she realizes that she doesn't really have a choice. She jumps on a horse and you take your sword and cut the harness. You tell Jennifer that she should order everyone else to concentrate their gunfire to the left. "Where are you going now?!" "I'm going to take care of the ones on the right!" you shout and ride in their direction. The orcs are so agitated about you heading directly towards them, they practically stop focusing on the caravan and begin firing arrows at you. Of course you anticipated such a thing and cast a shield to protect you and your horse. With your other hand you spray a cone of cold on the orcs closest to you, freezing them quite literally in their tracks. This feat of magic is enough to cause the orcs to attempt to rear up their boars and change direction back towards attacking the caravan. Others are undeterred and continue to head toward you with large weapons in hand. You aim your next spell at their boars, which consists of a couple fire blasts. The pigs go up in a blaze and soon so do their riders who end up dropping their weapons in an attempt to beat out the flames. You turn your attention at the orcs who decided to attack the caravan instead. At first glance the expedition crew have held their own fairly well considering none of them seem to be warriors and they seem to have fended off most of the orcs on the left side. However you see orcs getting the best of a couple of them when they close the gap and begin jumping onto the wagons. You ride back to the caravan and put your own combat skills good use. Orcs may be fierce and unrelenting fighters sometimes, but without the heavy armor that you remember they used to wear for the Empire, they get killed as easily as anyone else if you're skilled enough, and you're more than skilled enough. As you battle the orcs, the remaining expedition crew tries to help, though you're nearly shot a couple of times in the process. You end up yelling at them to stop "helping" you before you start firing at them with something a lot more accurate. Soon after you've killed your last orc after hopping from wagon to wagon, you hear Jennifer shouts to everyone that you've won and the rest have rode off. The caravan stops for a moment to take some time to clean up dead bodies on the wagons, and gather up any equipment that fell off during the fight. Jennifer comes up to you as you're cleaning off your own sword. "Well that was exciting to see a real Eternal in action! I knew we were going to be safe with you!" "Hmm, yeah well I almost wasn't safe with your people, because I nearly got shot a couple times!" "Yeah, sorry about that. Fear of the orcs actually on the wagons was probably causing higher nervousness than usual." "You should get some soldiers on these trips. Then at least you'd have some people who actually know how to fight when things get a little close." "We do have soldiers, can't you tell by the uniforms?" Honestly you hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that several of the people on this expedition crew do have similar outfits. It's just regular clothing though, none of it is proper armor, light or heavy. You also now notice that the firearms are much different too, namely they can fire multiple shots before being reloaded. A very handy improvement indeed. You realize that time has definitely marched on, it would seem that shooting someone with a rifle or pistol is the order of the day. Not much use for the old armor if that's indeed the case. Still, you're also reminded of the Felkans and their over reliance of such weapons. It would seem the Nalin Republic has the same technological disease. And these people are the supposed "successors" of the Empire. "Guns." You say shaking your head. "What's wrong with guns? You don't think they're honorable or something?" Jennifer asks. "No, I believe they are very useful and it would be foolish to not employ such weapons of fantastic destruction during battle and war. I just have a problem with the reliance of them in place of natural combat skill, because one day you're going to run out of bullets and then you see who the real soldier is." "How is using a gun any different from casting down lightning from your fingers or throwing fireballs around?" "It isn't in the scheme of things. I just said I don't have a problem with gunpowder weapons. However you also noticed I didn't just toss around magic like I had unlimited energy either. I used it when it was needed and engaged in close combat for the rest of them. I could've easily just rained down a firestorm and wiped out all of the orcs, but that would've taken out the caravan too. Something I'm sure nobody wanted. The Empire used firearms AND magic during the Felkan War, but individually the soldiers were still some of the toughest warriors you'd ever want to face. The Felkans soon learned that fatal fact. Perhaps if their soldiers still had the formidable close combat skills of an Empire soldier, they might not have lost so many battle when physical prowess was needed." Jennifer doesn't debate your views or experience, she just thanks you again for your help and you're soon underway. The rest of the journey is relatively silent. Eventually you arrive in the Nalin Republic. The landscape here is more like you remember, though it isn't until you get towards the capital of Dalt that you start seeing a resemblance to civilization, but even that's different when it comes to the architecture and such. You get a few stares from passing citizens. Jennifer and you disembark from the wagons when you arrive at Quintus' house, or rather his very large mansion, which has guards posted at the gates. Honestly it's the closest thing resembling the Empire you've seen since you got here. "You wait here, I'll have to speak with Quintus about all this first. While I'm sure he'll really want to see you, there is protocol to follow." "Sure, do whatever it is you have to do, I'm not going anywhere, but who is this Quintus anyway?" "Quintus Arillicus is one of the most influential leaders in the senate and as I've already mentioned an admirer of old Empire history, but he'll tell you more when you meet him." As Jennifer walks through the gates, you're left standing around with a few guards who give you the stares that you've come to expect from everyone. You wait for about ten minutes before you begin to wonder why you're even entertaining this again. Then you remember, it's because you don't have much else to do right now. Though you're wondering what place you're going to have in this new world. You imagine that maybe you could be a soldier again though it doesn't look like there's a war going on. Doesn't even look like this place is suffering from any discontent from the citizens, but then looks can be deceiving. Jennifer eventually comes back to the front gate and waves to come with her. "You can come in now. Quintus is very excited to see you!" At this point this Quintus better be just as impressive, because from what little you know of this guy, you're not nearly as excited to see him. You and Jennifer walk into the mansion and while it's certainly fancy and has a design style similar to Empire architecture, it isn't nearly as extraordinary as the first time you saw the Emperor's palace. Of course you're a harder sell from those old days. Jennifer and you enter what is apparently a conference room. She says that he shouldn't be long and you both take a seat at the table. Soon a middle-aged man walks into the room with some guards, but he dismisses them at the door so that you three can be alone. He's dressed in an older style suit that looks more like those you remember Empire bureaucrats wearing and carries a staff of some sort with him. He also wears several rings. You sense that they all might be magical. Either way you fail to be impressed, just as you suspected you would be. Quintus on the other hand, now that he sees you in person, he's very impressed. "I never believed in all these years…all the digging…all the research…everything. And none of what I've found compares to this! Yes! This is indeed a glorious day! A real live Eternal! Not just any Eternal either, but the one who served the Emperor himself!" Quintus exclaims as he sits down across from you. "Now let me stop you right there. I know you're all excited and shit, but for me this is going into unknown territory. Possibly even enemy territory. I have no idea WHAT exactly you want with me. I'm going to tell you right now though if you're thinking of putting me in some sort of museum or some weird aristocratic version of a sideshow like they have at the fairs peasants go to you better get that idea out of your head right now." Jennifer tries to temper your words, but Quintus raises his hands as if no offense was taken. "It's alright. Our Eternal friend is quite right to be suspicious of me, but I can honestly tell him there is no reason for him to be because I think my goals will fit his honorable ideals. I'm still sure there is much he wants to know and questions that he has, but I will say that it is my hope that he and I will change history together!" Quintus and Jennifer try to get you fully up to speed on everything first… > The Nalin Republic (Successor to the Empire) After hearing about the terrible state the rest of the former Empire is in, you ask about the land that managed to somewhat keep it together thanks to Brenda. Jennifer says that the cataclysm did hit Nalin, but it didn't change the landscape so much as it changed the weather patterns. For the longest time, Nalin was about as wet as Delerg was before most of that place just submerged under water. It got so rainy that the Usksha Desert actually started receding. After a hundred years of this, Nalin's territory grew just due to weather as the usksha nomads retreated deeper into their desert and border raids became non-existent. Meanwhile Nalin continued to slowly evolve. After Brenda's death, her second in command, Tarna, took power. She ruled much in the same way Brenda did, but not as wisely. She was considered far too authoritarian to an unreasonable degree and she did not have the charisma or respect to pull it off. There were even accusations that she had Brenda assassinated. Whatever the case, after a few decades of her rule, the general public had had enough her. There was a rebellion and she was violently disposed. At first an attempt to rule the Nalin Dominion by a small council of leaders, this worked for a while, but there were still problems with this. In time it was decided that the people wanted to be even better represented, it was around this time that the beginnings of the republic were truly born. The republic in its current form has lasted about two centuries, with alterations in certain procedures and laws here and there. During that time slavery has been completely done away with and there is trade with some of the more reasonable city-states in Arat. There is also trade with the recently re-emerged usksha nomads who apparently have formed their own new government of sorts called the Usksha Emirates. Population here is mostly human, though there are elves here as well. In fact it's about the only area where they're treated as full equals now. While kobolds were "assimilated" even during Brenda's time, they're still not entirely accepted by everyone despite most of them now being productive members of society. There are even a few usksha that have set up permanent shops and live within the republic. These oddities mostly live on the desert borders and are viewed with suspicion even if there is a peace with their people now. Quintus in particular believes they should go back to their desert and doesn't like the idea of them not being proper members of the republic since they don't adopt the language or customs. "Look, I don't have any problem with the sand savages on a personal level. I'm just saying that if they want to live in the republic, they should learn the language and adopt OUR culture! Even the kobolds make the effort! Of course most of those fat bastards in the senate are just concerned about is maintaining a good relation with the Usksha Emirates so they can line their pockets with the coin made from trade kickbacks. Not to mention all the drugs they allow to go through." Quintus "Drugs?" you ask. "Oh yes. You haven't been here long enough to see it, but despite the republic's veneer of peace there lies a very serious drug problem. The sand savages trade more than just their crystal trinkets and cloth. They deal in a drug known as sandman and make it out of a type of lizard creature that only exists in that desert of theirs. A basilisk I believe. It puts people in a sleep state to the point of near paralysis. I mean it's almost impossible to wake them up while they're under the influence. I guess it gives people really intense dreams that most really enjoy, because a lot of people get addicted. Of course a lot don't wake up either. It's a major problem yet it's not the only instance of the senate turning a blind eye to illegal substances coming into the country." "What else do the usksha bring in?" "Oh it isn't just the sand savages. It's also the pirates and smugglers from the Delerg islands. Besides attacking our pathetic excuse for a navy they sneak in that foul brew that makes people go blind. I have no idea why people even want the damn stuff when we have our own superior alcoholic beverages right here. It's this kind of moral degeneracy and apathy that's going to lead to our demise if we don't start doing something about it!" "Can't the military do something about this or maybe a police force? You ask. "Hah. Jennifer told me of your opinion on our military, and you're absolutely right. Most of them are not up to the task. They're not disciplined like they should be and they certainly don't have the most intensive training. I've read about how the Empire used to train its average ground troops. Our soldiers wouldn't last one day in that form of basic training. As for a police force, we do have the peacekeepers, but they're even less effective than the military mainly because they have limits on what they're allowed to do to citizens. Even if said citizen is behaving in a suspicious manner they can't do anything unless they've already slit the throat of some old woman for coin so they can go buy more sandman." You can certainly understand Quintus' frustration. The Empire had its share of problems, but maintaining order over the plebs wasn't one of them. "The senate is made up of a bunch of corrupt plutocrats who aren't interested in making Nalin better. As I said most of them are only in it for money. Others are just weak willed and go along with the crowd. A few are genuinely dangerous idealistic fools who want to introduce even more liberty amongst the populace! Can you believe that? This place needs more order not less!" You knew this "republic" concept sounded terrible when Jennifer first explained it to you. Looks like you were right. "We've become lax and complacent! The orcs of the Quala Badlands are only going to grow in numbers. How long before their numbers become too unmanageable? How long before the Usksha decide to backstab us while we allow them to infiltrate our borders? How long before the svelk unite the six cities and become a power to be feared? How long before the Xi Hive consumes us all?" Quintus continues ranting, you get the impression he's given a similar speech to the senate on many occasions. "We should be growing stronger by expanding! Instead we're just rotting on the inside! Even our research in new technology has become stagnant! The gnomes are ahead of us in this way and if the rumors are true, so is the city state of Telis!"' "What about magic power?" you ask. "Well, even since the cataclysm, magic isn't very common anywhere anymore. In fact as far as I know the only place that does have it is the city state of Lenay and even then the svelk only have it to a limited degree. If it weren't for me, we wouldn't have anything at all. I've been funding all these expeditions in the hopes of unearthing powerful magic weapons of the old Empire, but other than the few personal rings you see me wearing, this staff and a few other things I have locked away, I haven't had much luck. I've even tried getting a magic school started in the hopes that perhaps there are some latent mages or perhaps a hedge wizard out there, but the idea was dismissed as a waste of public funds." Quintus goes on about the failings of the republic for quite some time, but it all is sort of boring you. The republic is a weak inefficient state that coddles its citizens and is run by corrupt fools. You got it the first time. Jennifer told you Quintus was influential, but so far all you've heard is a lot of his failures to get things accomplished. You certainly hope he's got a better plan of action than just whining.

In for a silver, in for a sack as they say. If this spell is going to protect you from the Emperor, you'd best stick with it and worry about Semra's intentions later. Though at this point you don't even feel any pain on your side of things, but maybe that's because you aren't trying to hide anything from her. Your life has more or less always been an open book. You've never really hidden anything because you've usually come clean eventually anyway. You're not even going to be hiding your desires to kill the Emperor pretty soon. If Semra's hoping to learn something to use against you, she's in for disappointment. She already knows most of your combat techniques having taught most of them to you. She already knows your mindset well enough that she has more influence over you than you'd like. She already is well aware of your feelings towards her. There is quite literally nothing she is going to find out that won't give her any advantage that she doesn't already have. Yet you can sense she STILL wants more, its almost as if she's insecure about not having total control over you. You sense a lot of that actually. She can't comprehend why you can have a sexual desire for her, yet not desire her in the way you did with Alison. She's at a loss on what to do about it. And that confusion is a big ball of anger, frustration and pain. Suddenly you see the image of a young svelk girl. You aren't sure how old, but by human standards she would definitely be considered a child. It's Semra and she is holding the hand of an adult male svelk though you can never quite make out his face. They are both in a city where a large crowd of svelk are gathered having a good time throwing what looks to be sveld babies against a nearby wall which has a big target on it. Semra looks very happy and cheers whenever one splats into a bloody mess in the center. It would seem that Semra's entertainment preferences didn't change much for her. Several images of her enjoying similar activities with the same adult male flood your mind. You can only guess that the adult male might be her father, but Semra must be blocking you from confirming that. In any case, the idea that she was once a child is bizarre, but then everyone starts as one at some point right? She had a twisted childhood to be sure, but she had more of a childhood than you ever did. Just as think you're starting to see more images of a personal nature, the contact is broken off and Semra pushes you away. "There. It's done. Let's get this over with." She remarks while rubbing the sides of her head. She also starts rubbing her eyes and is sniffling a bit. You're silent for a moment, just staring at her. You know that she must be hiding loads of whatever unhappy memories she does have. And she certainly can't have you seeing them, she can't trust you enough to believe you wouldn't mock her in some way or exploit a weakness. "WHAT?!" she shouts when she notices you staring. "Nothing. Keep your secrets. Like you said, let's get this over with." As you make your way to the door to the Emperor's chamber, you do feel the connection of your mind to Semra's. Its not like you can read her thoughts, but its rather a sixth sense kind of feeling. You're curious how this will play out during battle. After speaking the password, the door opens and you both enter the Emperor's chambers. You look at each other, simultaneously cast your magical shield spells and spread out. Almost immediately you hear the voice of the Emperor, though he hasn't made an appearance yet. "So it's come to this has it? After all I've done for you. After all I've given you. You turn traitor for a piece of svelk tail?" The Emperor steps out from his bedroom. "Son, I am disappointed." He says and then just stares immediately in your direction. You feel a slight pain in your head, but its muted. Semra's shielding spell must be working. The Emperor looks genuinely shocked. Its an expression you don't think you've ever seen before on him. "You…you let this…creature into your mind?! Have you gone mad?!" "Probably." You remark and cast a lightning blast at the Emperor, but he easily deflects it back at you causing it to hit your force shield and knocking you to the floor. Semra casts a spray of acid, and while it sizzles and melts objects within the designated direction, the Emperor's own defenses absorb it. Realizing he can't just explode your brain, he casts a spell, which starts to turn the room very cold. You're reminded of the time you cast this spell on Cyrus' crew and you immediately cast a ring of fire around yourself in the hopes the heat will be enough to keep you from freezing. You follow up with a volley of small fireballs, which set the many bookshelves in the room ablaze. "You've made a dire mistake son, trusting this svelk whore. Even if you could defeat me, do you really think she'd allow you to live? She's lying to you son. She always has and I thought you were stronger than that." The Emperor remarks as sheets of ice cover the room extinguishing some of the flames. "And you weren't lying to me?! You had Alison murdered and you planned to kill me as well!" you shout back as you release your feet from the ice that has managed to encase around them. The Emperor sends a flash of light that blinds you and Semra. You stumble around to the left since you remember there being a solid stone table you can take cover behind. "(Sigh) Even if any of that was true my son, what of it? I was your father! Your master! Your life was mine to do with as I saw fit! Of course none it matters now. You've decided to stand against me and now your life is most certainly mine to take." You hear the Emperor say and then suddenly hear loud lighting blast followed by a yelp sound to your far right. Must be Semra, but you're still half blind from that flash of light. "Ha ha! Not as strong as we thought eh Semra? You always were an overconfident bitch. Won't be long before I break through your pathetic force shield." Your eyes clear up enough and see Semra across the room struggling to maintain her shield from a steady blast of lightning unleashed by the Emperor. Seeing that trading magic isn't going to work, you put up your own shield and try to make your way over to the Emperor to just butcher him, but the combination of your hampered eyesight and icy floor are enough to slow you down. "Ever the warrior aren't we son? Here, play with these!" the Emperor shouts and stops his attack on Semra, waves his hands and suddenly five hovering undead figures appear. You cast an enchantment spell on your sword and press forward to battle. Meanwhile Semra has taken advantage of her second wind and cast a telekinesis spell throwing a table directly into the Emperor. She follows this up with smacking him with several other smaller objects. He falls to the floor and re-establishes his own magic shield. "Keep up the pressure!" Semra shouts. You'd love to, but right now you're trying to destroy the undead creatures in from of you. While you've never faced such things before, you keep your cool and successfully cut down three of them. "You fools know nothing of the power you face! Now face the true supremacy of a necromancer!" the Emperor shouts and the entire room gets even colder, but this isn't even like the cold of ice or snow, this is something unnatural. You start to feel the tips of your fingers go numb and feel your energy starting to be drained. It's like when Cyrus touched you, but this is all around you. You nearly get your head cleaved in by one of the wraiths as you start feel dizzy. You dodge the attack and slash the thing in two. The last one is taken down with a blast of fire from Semra who you sense is feeling the affects of the Emperor's magic too. You stagger and prop yourself up on a burned lab desk. The Emperor stands only a few feet away, but he seems so far for you to do anything. You look over and see Semra staggers towards him, but collapses and begins screaming. You aren't sure what the Emperor's doing, but his eyes are glowing red. "A scared little girl still crying about her lost birthright. That's all you are and all you ever will be. You svelk think you know about pain and death, but you know nothing! I'll show you true pain and soon I'll show you death and the endless torture that can come after it!" Semra's confidence that the Emperor couldn't do anything to her mind because of her race has proven false. While he's not exploding her brain you do sense he's creating some sort of waking nightmare in her mind. She's literally crying and begging for him to stop, she even looks over to you reaching out with both hands telling you she's sorry. She pleads with you to help her and that she needs your strength. You never thought you'd ever feel a slight twinge of sympathy for her. In any event, you're not exactly doing so well yourself. You aren't even sure if you could help Semra even if you wanted to given how weak you feel. Though your chances of making a lunging attack to kill the Emperor are equally as slim. > You attack the Emperor Semra's just going to have to suffer a bit longer because you need to kill the Emperor. Besides, if you do kill him, you will have helped her anyway. You stagger towards the Emperor and raise your sword in an effort to strike him, but it's a clumsy attack that he easily evades. He instead grabs your sword hand and you feel an even greater drain on your energy than you did before. "Tch. Tch. What were you thinking son? I guess you weren't otherwise you wouldn't have tried to kill me in the first place." The Emperor continues to drain you of your life and it doesn't take long before you see your hand shrivel and wizen before your eyes. Your entire body soon follows this sequence until your organs fail and death is instantaneous though definitely not painless.

Year 35 While you've never been excessively fond of these important meetings because they take you away from the battlefield, you like them even less nowadays due to having to see the Emperor in such a weakened state. You remember when he first started displaying the signs of being unwell; you dismissed it and thought that he'd eventually get better. Five years have passed since you found out and he's only gotten worse. He barely gets out of bed anymore. Most of these important meetings take place while he remains horizontal under his blankets. He's still mobile, but he tries to conserve his strength for when it's necessary. He's never even told you what it is that's causing his decline, though you've never thought to ask. (And Jacob certainly hasn't) It may just be old age finally catching up with him which means there is nothing that can be done hence why he doesn't bother bringing it up. Its funny how when you first met him that he looked so healthy. You thought he was immortal despite him telling you that he really wasn't. Now you know he wasn't just being humble. You and Jacob have been doing your best as usual in carrying out his most important orders. Though today the order is given specifically to you. You have to go meet with Marik. Marik's been running a secret experiment for the last sixteen years and says that its finally ready. The Emperor knew about it and actually told him to abandon it on more than one occasion, but Marik insisted that it would be a good idea, so the Emperor relented as long as it didn't interfere with project that would be of a more direct benefit for the Empire. When you arrive at Marik's underground lab, he takes you through a metal door that opens up to a platformed level, which overlooks a huge room. It's nearly the size of a small hamlet you think. There are several ladders that descend down to the lower level which contain translucent containers all hooked up with tubing and connected with each other and large strange machines. Even from this distance you can make out figures floating in liquid within the containers. This experiment: Breeding a new army of Eternals. The derro has been growing them in these tanks. Literally hundreds, possibly even a thousand. "So…this is what you were hiding behind this metal door when I came here over ten years ago. Knew something else was going on." You say as you stand on a balcony overlooking all the rows of tanks. Unlike you and your siblings these Eternals were practically "made." From your understanding they went from some woman's womb to the tank immediately. (You can only hazard a guess what might've become of the mothers, but nothing good no doubt) From there they've been getting "grown" into the perfect soldiers. Marik has explained to you the "science" of what he's done, but some of it is going over your head. Personally you don't even think Marik understands all of it himself, he just believes it all works. While Marik did use human babies for this second generation of Eternals most would probably tell you that there isn't anything human about them. Given what's been said about you as well you can't really disagree. You are better than the average or even above average human in every way. You watch as two of them are released from their tanks, already teenagers and able to understand everything that is told to them. They're given weapons and display great skill with them when ordered to fight each other. Probably just as good as most Empire soldiers. Still, there's something about these Eternals that doesn't sit right with you. Maybe its because Marik was involved and that his experiments can be hit or miss. Maybe its because you feel that without the experiences of training they don't truly know what its like to struggle and earn their place. Whatever the reason, you don't feel like they are Eternals. As little in common as you have with your own siblings you still feel a small bond there. You have nothing in common with these tank babies. They're something else as far as you're concerned. However, none of this matters. What does matter is if these so called new Eternals are going to actually be an asset to the Empire. From what you've seen they aren't without skill, but they're going to need to be field tested along with drilling the concepts of loyalty and duty into them. "Sure, they look pretty, but can they fight?" you say after seeing the demonstration. This annoys Marik. He starts sputtering and stammering to the point where you think he's going to go into a seizure. "You just SAW what they're capable of! How can you even say such a thing?" "Yes, they were okay for children. I suppose we can find a place for them somewhere. Perhaps we can…" "Bah! You're just jealous!" Marik interrupts. "Excuse me? Jealous?" you ask. "Yes! They're already the perfect warriors and didn't need any training at all! They didn't need all the hand holding nonsense that you had to go through to become a killing machine. Face it, these Eternals are the future!" You stare at Marik in disbelief that he dares to say such a thing to you. To his credit, Marik doesn't back down, he stares back at you, ignoring your eyes burning through him. "You can give me that stare of death all you want Eternal." Marik remarks. "Alright…open up ten of the tanks. Let's put them to a real test." "What? So you can incinerate them with your magic?" "If they're truly as good as you claim then my advantages shouldn't matter, but since you seem to be unsure of your creations now. I'll make it easy for you. Open up twenty of the tanks and I won't use one damn cantrip." Marik starts making that annoying high pitched laugh you hate so much then he suddenly gets very serious. "Were you planning on fighting them right now?" Marik asks. "While I'm sure watching me slaughtering twenty naked teenagers would prove my point, I said I was going to make this easy. No, you go equip your twenty creations with whatever armor and weapons you wish. I'll wait." You wait as Marik orders twenty tanks opened up and has a few of his derro friends herd these children into another room presumably to get outfitted. Marik soon follows behind to oversee personally. While you wait, you reflect on the fact that they're all the same age as you were when you first got to meet the Emperor. It was one of the greatest days of your life when that happened. This happy moment passes very quickly when you have to dwell on the fact that the Emperor is now on his deathbed. You have no idea what's going to happen when the inevitable happens. Sometimes you look at the Emperor now and you wonder if that is what you have to look forward to when you get old. Is that the fate of everyone? No matter how powerful? What's the point of it all? Will the Empire even survive when the Emperor dies? He doesn't have a successor. You have often wondered if you would be it, but he's never mentioned it. Even if you were, you can't imagine ever doing the job better or even as well than he could. Leading armies is one thing, but an entire nation? You don't know if you'd have the patience for it. You're a soldier not a ruler and yet you couldn't dream of serving any other ruler except the one you think of as father. Your mood starts getting worse because you also start dwelling on less pleasant aspects of your sixteenth year before you met the Emperor. It always comes back to her. Why the hell can't you get her out of your head? Even now the woman hasn't been seen in three years and yet she still comes back to fucking torment you. Alison's dead, the Emperor's dying, these new "eternals" are obviously meant to replace you, your own future is uncertain, Semra still haunts your thoughts… At this point you wonder if it wouldn't just be best if you let these damn tank babies kill you. It would at least be a warrior's death and you'd die when the Empire was going through a second golden age of sorts. You had some good times and saw several major threats to the Empire destroyed. Why stick around to see a man you have nothing but respect for continue to whither and die? Why see the potential slow decline of a nation you spent all your life trying to keep from the brink of chaos? Maybe it is time to step aside gracefully and be replaced… > You retire You think back to when you had to "retire" Kane. Different circumstances of course, but he knew when it was time. You know when its time too and the time is now. However, you aren't going to accept death so easily. It's going to have to be earned. Doesn't take long before twenty tank babies along with the other two that were involved in the first demonstration come out fully decked out in armor and weapons. Surprisingly the derro didn't deck them all out in the heaviest body encasing armor they could give them, though there are at least half of them dressed in such a manner. You can't help notice that the derro didn't limit their weapons to close combat, you see some with firearms. "Well here they are! Where the hell are you? Hehehehehehe! Did you lose your nerve and run away already?" Marik says calling out for you. Then you jump from the top of one of the tanks you climbed up on and bring your sword down on one of the tank babies, and quickly stab another in the throat with your dagger. You take advantage of their confusion by dispatching the ones with gunpowder weapons first. After snatching one of their flintlocks and blowing the head off of one, Marik tries to rally the tank babies with a simple instruction. "Don't just stand there letting him massacre the lot of you, kill him!" You cut down another three and begin to get into battle mode. "Marik, release more of them!" you shout ducking a mace at your head. "What?!" "I said release more of these tank babies! If they're going to replace me, they need to learn and these aren't going to be enough to teach that lesson!" you shout back and dispatch the mace wielding tank baby. You're too busy fighting to pay too much attention to what Marik is doing, but the sound of several tanks opening up followed by the sound several new footsteps are an indication that he listened to you. You slay more of them and demand that Marik keep throwing more at you. The tank babies aren't without skill, but you're proving to be a little too much for them to handle. Thoughts of "retirement" begin to leave your mind, and this thrill of battle is giving you that renewed incentive to live. Unfortunately you don't anticipate your derro host to take matters into his own hands. Seems Marik isn't pleased with you easily killing off his experiments. "Svelk loving bastard!" you hear Marik shout and then followed by a shot from a high platform above. The bullet hits you in the side and causes you to fall to the floor. The tank babies that you were currently fighting take advantage of the situation and gleefully stab at you or bludgeon you with maces and clubs. You try to get back up, but you're overwhelmed and too badly wounded. Boots stomp and kick your body followed by several blades through your internal organs. You're finally finished off by another gunshot to your head. Later on Marik explains to the Emperor that you insisted on fighting fifty of the new eternals to test them and that despite his warnings you were killed in the ensuing melee. If you were still alive you probably would be honored that the Emperor had Marik killed soon afterwards.

With revenge filling every inch of your body you immediately open the carriage door with the intent of climbing up to meet your attacker. No sooner have you opened the door when a rotting hand from above attempts to stab you in the face with a dagger. The blade superficially wounds you as it slices across your cheek. Unfazed you immediately grab the hand and pull down as hard as you can. The moment you do so you suddenly feel an unnatural drain of energy. Magic is definitely at work here and it's sapping your strength. Despite this, the shadow tumbles off of the roof, but on its way down it grabs your own arm with its other hand and the pair of you fall from the carriage. Unfortunately, when you're pulled out of the carriage you don't clear it completely and your ankle is run over by one of the back wheels of the carriage that is still in motion. The bone snaps and you know it's broken along with your nose when you fell flat on your face on the hard road. The shadow has recovered from his own fall much better having landed on his feet. You push yourself up just in time for his foot to kick you in the ribs. You roll away struggling to put some distance between yourself and the attacker. "Y'know when I was brought back I was given very specific instructions not to kill you…but I believe I will ignore them. After all I'm already dead, what else can be done to me?" you hear the shadow hiss in a raspy tone. You attempt to raise your hand to cast a flame blast, but the shadow grabs your wrist and you feel an even greater drain on your strength than you did before. At this close range you can smell the rot more strongly. "Oh no, you burned me once before, not again." The shadow hisses as it drains your energy. With its recent comments, you realize this isn't just a shadow or even some undead horror possibly masquerading as one. It's Cyrus. Your whole body feels like its been beaten with a stone pillar yet you manage to muster the strength to pull your dagger and stab Cyrus repeatedly. You aren't even aware of where you're aiming, you stab it in the arm, in the shoulder, in the chest, in the face and wherever else you can reach until it lets you go and staggers back with your dagger still in its body. You're dizzy, weak, and have only one good foot, but try to stand up anyway. Cyrus pulls the dagger from his body and does his typical shadow speed tactic in an attempt to rush into you with the dagger. You barely manage to put up a small force shield to block the blade from going into your stomach. Still the impact of the hit knocks you back down to the ground breaking your concentration on the spell. Cyrus kneels down to grab your neck, he's not even squeezing and you feel the life leaving your body. You start to fade in and out of consciousness. "Now I'm going to show you something truly eternal. Death. They say the dead feel nothing, but that's not true. It's a lie just like the lie I believed about Dendrin meeting me for the afterlife. You know what I experienced instead? A very dark place filled with pain until I was ripped out of it and put back here on this mortal realm. That's where you're going brother. You're going to a very dark place filled with pain and I'm going enjoy every moment putting you there." At this point you have no idea what the hell Cyrus is speaking about, all you know is he's more talkative in death than he ever was in life and that if he's going to kill you, you wish he'd just shut up and do it already. Things get fuzzy again just as Cyrus' fingers release your neck. What happens next is a blur. You do hear familiar female voice though. "This one is not yours to take, revenant." This is followed by an inhuman scream and a bright light which is piercing even with your eyes nearly closed. Between the screaming, the bright light and your weakened state it's all too much for you and start to pass out. You see a female shape with long hair standing over you, but you can't make out the face. "…Alison?" you struggle to whisper. "(Sigh) Blind to your true allies and lovers as always." The figure says and then lays your dagger on your body. "Here, I know how much you treasure this gift to you." "Oh…fuck…" you say as you pass out. You don't know how long you're out for, but when you come to you're in a spare bed in the Emperor's quarters. Your ankle and nose feel tender but they don't feel broken anymore. You look to your left and see the Emperor standing nearby with a walking stick in hand. "Ah, you're awake and looking much better too. You looked about as bad as I do when Jacob first dragged you in here." The Emperor remarks, sitting in a chair near you. "Jacob found me?" "No, actually Warrick and some of the Eyes picked you up off the road when a travelling patrol reported coming across your body and an overturned carriage crashed into a tree a few feet away. I requested that you be brought to me personally when I heard the news. You were severely injured, and I was damned if I was going to let anyone else bumble in the attempt to help you get better." "Alison?" you ask. "I'm sorry son, but she's dead. If that bolt to the eye didn't do it, her neck was broken in the crash." The Emperor remarks. You want to cry out, but you just don't have the energy right now. You still feel woozy for one thing, the other is you had little hope that she was still alive anyway. The moment you saw that bolt in her eye, the moment you felt her blood on your face, the moment you felt her body go completely limp in your arms…you knew then she was dead. "Did you need some time alone?" the Emperor asks. "No…I suppose I already knew." You respond. "I'm sort of overwhelmed by everything that happened. I imagine I will grieve later for her." "I know how much she meant to you. I know she was also a loyal soldier and officer. She will be missed not just by you, but also by the Empire as a whole. Whatever type of funeral you wish for her, you know you've got it. I mean if you want a holiday to…" "That…isn't necessary. I believe I will just have a simple funeral for her. She was like me, she didn't seek out a lot of attention." "As you wish. Remember though, whatever you need. You got it." "Can you manage an execution for a certain svelk bitch?" The Emperor starts one of his coughing fits before answering. "I assume you're talking about Mistress. Yes, I fear I did uncover some evidence that it was she that was behind all this chaos. How did you know about her involvement though? Is she the one that attacked your carriage?" You explain to the Emperor what happened. He seems surprised to hear that the shadow wasn't alive and was in fact undead. He concludes that Mistress must've raised Cyrus from the dead since she certainly has the skill to do it. "Necromancy eh? Raising the dead is dangerous stuff to dabble in, especially when summoning something as powerful as a revenant. (cough cough) Very difficult to command something that's dead, yet still control of most of the skills they possessed in their old life. Too willful. Still I didn't think that even she would be insane enough to try something like this. Her obsession (cough) with you must be great indeed. I'm not even sure what she hoped to accomplish, other than more chaos and strife I suppose. Hmm, well I guess that does sound like a svelk." "All I know is she deliberately set this up. Her standing over me as if she was my savior. I'm not fucking fooled! Next time I see her, she's dead!" "Well unfortunately Miss Semra D'vessa has fled the Empire and who knows where she's gone. There aren't even many svelk mercs within borders of the Empire anymore. There still might be a few in Rask, (cough cough) if you'd like I could make that law to have all svelk executed on sight. Hell, I think I'll do that anyway. Someone needs to take the blame for this and it'll certainly make the citizens happy to have mass hangings of dark elves. I know the elves will love it." While the Emperor's attempts to cheer you up with small acts of genocide are kind, you begin to feel the need to be by yourself. Your silence and your eyes looking downward are all the signs that the Emperor needs to take his leave. "Don't worry son. We'll get her." He says and then leaves you to your solitude. You sit in bed for a long time trying to take everything in. Alison is gone. You'll never see her smile, you'll never feel her touch, you'll never hear her voice, you'll never enjoy anything involving her ever again. You almost feel like you don't want to go on living and you never thought you'd ever feel something like that especially since survival has been beat and ingrained into your very being. That isn't the worst of it though. You didn't even get revenge on the one that killed her. In fact her assassin would've killed you as well if you hadn't been saved, but that's still not the worst of it. Semra…Mistress…svelk bitch…whatever you call her. She saved your life. As far as you're concerned that's the worst of it. However you'll get over it and grow stronger from this experience. You always do. All it takes is time. > You empire Expansion (Year 33) Year 33 While the Emperor may be physically sick, his ambition remains perfectly fine and the Empire continues to grow thanks to you leading its armies. Shortly after the death of Roldan, you were assigned to the eastern frontier of Nalin just as you thought you might. Though with Roldan dead, you also thought you might immediately get reassigned to take care of the gnolls, but expansion westward was put on hold since there was no longer an immediate danger. You worked with Brenda for some of the campaign. She was most familiar with the region east of Nalin and had scouts sent that way many times. You remember during Roldan's funeral you wondered if she might be angry with you for your inability to kill the assassin that killed her husband, but apparently what really happened was made a secret. You got credit for killing Cyrus and then Semra ambushed you and left you for dead. As a result, Brenda has always treated you with a lot of respect and gratitude. She may even feel a certain kinship with you since you both experienced loss of a significant other. Brenda however has never forgiven Warrick who she felt was supposed to be in charge of security that day. Indeed he and several Eyes might've normally been executed for incompetence or even suspicion of treason, however he swore up and down that he believed everything to be secure. As upset as Jacob was, he said Warrick was not at fault and surprisingly neither did the Emperor. Besides you all know it was really the work of Semra anyway. In any case, Brenda's scout information proved most useful. There was a small tribal war going on between four separate groups, though all of them are hostile save for one of the and that's mainly because the other three have come in contact with the Empire before. Two of them are human barbarian tribes, one them is elven, but much wilder than what you know of them and the last one is a race you're not familiar with called the Slin. They're reptilian in nature though, similar to the kobolds, but much larger and meaner. The fools obviously thought they could escape the reach of the Empire by hiding, they soon learn that they cannot hide from the Emperor's wrath. The Belkaz were one of the human barbarian tribes. Since they had no prior hostilities to the Empire, they were dealt with first diplomatically. Of course your version of diplomacy meant that their most argumentative and hostile members were executed as an example and the rest were given warning that if they do not submit then the rest of them will be put in chains at best or follow their executed brethren at worst. Doesn't take long for them to submit and provide further intelligence on their rivals. The other human tribe, the Fleg were the next to fall. The Emperor told you that he vaguely remembered the Fleg. Said they were a very minor cult that cropped up and became disruptive in the Nalin province about a century ago. The Emperor doesn't quite remember what the hell they worshipped, but that like most religions it was subversive to the proper order of things. The Empire stomped it out, but it can be assumed that some of the members fled here and these were their descendants. They didn't provide much of a challenge despite their fanatical beliefs in whatever gods they worshipped. Ultimately their cult was finally wiped out for good when you got to their last village you found that they all committed ritual suicide. The wild elf tribe was next. They were fierce fighters at first, but after you wiped out the Fleg and started making great progress against the Slin, something in them must've changed. It's as if all their courage left them. These elves were all former slaves that managed to run away from the Empire during the chaos of the Halfling rebelling long ago. The elder that lead them actually called for a white flag parley with you and spoke of how he should've known it was folly to run away and that the Empire would eventually find them again even if it took them hundreds of years. You told him that it was indeed foolish, but that his realization of this reality wouldn't be enough to save the remainder of his people. You have all the elves slaughtered like the cowering dogs they are. Their begging and pleas fall on deaf ears and sicken you. Part of you briefly wonders if you should spare the children and take them back as slaves, but then you think, why run that risk again in another couple decades? They're already tainted with the idea of "freedom" and will only repeat the mistakes of their parents and grandparents. Finally, the last to fall are the Slin. The Emperor told you that he remembered the Slin and thought he'd made a point of making them extinct centuries ago. They originally dwelled in the swamps of Delerg and were once at hostilities with the Shadows that lived there as well. Wasn't long after the Shadows made their convenient alliance with the Empire that the Slin started taking heavy losses against them. It was thought to be the case that the shadows were successful in killing them all, but it seems they were not and the Slin ultimately had the last laugh of outliving their former foes. Though not for long. Still, they fought to the last, giving no quarter and showing none themselves, they were about the only worthy enemy you fought against in this region. In many ways to be admired. With the four major inhabitants subdued, the region was claimed and it will only be a matter of time before proper Empire citizens settle it. Further east leads to vast open sea. You predict that in time as the coast is settled the Empire will eventually have a navy to rival its army and who know, new lands may be conquered across the ocean. There are certainly tales of other such lands. After this victory, the next bit of business was finishing off the gnolls. You were put in charge of this as well and it didn't really take too long. You and Alison had broken most of the might of the gnoll tribes long ago. Roldan was just mopping up the remnants and you complete the task at last. With the last major gnoll lair destroyed the Empire expanded its western borders even further. What lies beyond is a little bit of a mystery as there are no major reports of any organized societies, though there are certainly reports of other civilizations beyond the immediate western wilderness, they are very far away. Whatever they may be you're confident that they will be no match for the Empire. Of course these thoughts of future victories are all you have now to keep yourself in a positive mood nowadays. Your recent success has basically ensured that further major expansion and conquest won't be necessary for quite some time. Alison's gone and the Emperor's health is still poor and showing no signs of improving. It is no wonder that your mind drifts into possible better days ahead.

With revenge filling every inch of your body you immediately open the carriage door with the intent of climbing up to meet your attacker. No sooner have you opened the door when a rotting hand from above attempts to stab you in the face with a dagger. The blade superficially wounds you as it slices across your cheek. Unfazed you immediately grab the hand and pull down as hard as you can. The moment you do so you suddenly feel an unnatural drain of energy. Magic is definitely at work here and it's sapping your strength. Despite this, the shadow tumbles off of the roof, but on its way down it grabs your own arm with its other hand and the pair of you fall from the carriage. Unfortunately, when you're pulled out of the carriage you don't clear it completely and your ankle is run over by one of the back wheels of the carriage that is still in motion. The bone snaps and you know it's broken along with your nose when you fell flat on your face on the hard road. The shadow has recovered from his own fall much better having landed on his feet. You push yourself up just in time for his foot to kick you in the ribs. You roll away struggling to put some distance between yourself and the attacker. "Y'know when I was brought back I was given very specific instructions not to kill you…but I believe I will ignore them. After all I'm already dead, what else can be done to me?" you hear the shadow hiss in a raspy tone. You attempt to raise your hand to cast a flame blast, but the shadow grabs your wrist and you feel an even greater drain on your strength than you did before. At this close range you can smell the rot more strongly. "Oh no, you burned me once before, not again." The shadow hisses as it drains your energy. With its recent comments, you realize this isn't just a shadow or even some undead horror possibly masquerading as one. It's Cyrus. Your whole body feels like its been beaten with a stone pillar yet you manage to muster the strength to pull your dagger and stab Cyrus repeatedly. You aren't even aware of where you're aiming, you stab it in the arm, in the shoulder, in the chest, in the face and wherever else you can reach until it lets you go and staggers back with your dagger still in its body. You're dizzy, weak, and have only one good foot, but try to stand up anyway. Cyrus pulls the dagger from his body and does his typical shadow speed tactic in an attempt to rush into you with the dagger. You barely manage to put up a small force shield to block the blade from going into your stomach. Still the impact of the hit knocks you back down to the ground breaking your concentration on the spell. Cyrus kneels down to grab your neck, he's not even squeezing and you feel the life leaving your body. You start to fade in and out of consciousness. "Now I'm going to show you something truly eternal. Death. They say the dead feel nothing, but that's not true. It's a lie just like the lie I believed about Dendrin meeting me for the afterlife. You know what I experienced instead? A very dark place filled with pain until I was ripped out of it and put back here on this mortal realm. That's where you're going brother. You're going to a very dark place filled with pain and I'm going enjoy every moment putting you there." At this point you have no idea what the hell Cyrus is speaking about, all you know is he's more talkative in death than he ever was in life and that if he's going to kill you, you wish he'd just shut up and do it already. Things get fuzzy again just as Cyrus' fingers release your neck. What happens next is a blur. You do hear familiar female voice though. "This one is not yours to take, revenant." This is followed by an inhuman scream and a bright light which is piercing even with your eyes nearly closed. Between the screaming, the bright light and your weakened state it's all too much for you and start to pass out. You see a female shape with long hair standing over you, but you can't make out the face. "…Alison?" you struggle to whisper. "(Sigh) Blind to your true allies and lovers as always." The figure says and then lays your dagger on your body. "Here, I know how much you treasure this gift to you." "Oh…fuck…" you say as you pass out. You don't know how long you're out for, but when you come to you're in a spare bed in the Emperor's quarters. Your ankle and nose feel tender but they don't feel broken anymore. You look to your left and see the Emperor standing nearby with a walking stick in hand. "Ah, you're awake and looking much better too. You looked about as bad as I do when Jacob first dragged you in here." The Emperor remarks, sitting in a chair near you. "Jacob found me?" "No, actually Warrick and some of the Eyes picked you up off the road when a travelling patrol reported coming across your body and an overturned carriage crashed into a tree a few feet away. I requested that you be brought to me personally when I heard the news. You were severely injured, and I was damned if I was going to let anyone else bumble in the attempt to help you get better." "Alison?" you ask. "I'm sorry son, but she's dead. If that bolt to the eye didn't do it, her neck was broken in the crash." The Emperor remarks. You want to cry out, but you just don't have the energy right now. You still feel woozy for one thing, the other is you had little hope that she was still alive anyway. The moment you saw that bolt in her eye, the moment you felt her blood on your face, the moment you felt her body go completely limp in your arms…you knew then she was dead. "Did you need some time alone?" the Emperor asks. "No…I suppose I already knew." You respond. "I'm sort of overwhelmed by everything that happened. I imagine I will grieve later for her." "I know how much she meant to you. I know she was also a loyal soldier and officer. She will be missed not just by you, but also by the Empire as a whole. Whatever type of funeral you wish for her, you know you've got it. I mean if you want a holiday to…" "That…isn't necessary. I believe I will just have a simple funeral for her. She was like me, she didn't seek out a lot of attention." "As you wish. Remember though, whatever you need. You got it." "Can you manage an execution for a certain svelk bitch?" The Emperor starts one of his coughing fits before answering. "I assume you're talking about Mistress. Yes, I fear I did uncover some evidence that it was she that was behind all this chaos. How did you know about her involvement though? Is she the one that attacked your carriage?" You explain to the Emperor what happened. He seems surprised to hear that the shadow wasn't alive and was in fact undead. He concludes that Mistress must've raised Cyrus from the dead since she certainly has the skill to do it. "Necromancy eh? Raising the dead is dangerous stuff to dabble in, especially when summoning something as powerful as a revenant. (cough cough) Very difficult to command something that's dead, yet still control of most of the skills they possessed in their old life. Too willful. Still I didn't think that even she would be insane enough to try something like this. Her obsession (cough) with you must be great indeed. I'm not even sure what she hoped to accomplish, other than more chaos and strife I suppose. Hmm, well I guess that does sound like a svelk." "All I know is she deliberately set this up. Her standing over me as if she was my savior. I'm not fucking fooled! Next time I see her, she's dead!" "Well unfortunately Miss Semra D'vessa has fled the Empire and who knows where she's gone. There aren't even many svelk mercs within borders of the Empire anymore. There still might be a few in Rask, (cough cough) if you'd like I could make that law to have all svelk executed on sight. Hell, I think I'll do that anyway. Someone needs to take the blame for this and it'll certainly make the citizens happy to have mass hangings of dark elves. I know the elves will love it." While the Emperor's attempts to cheer you up with small acts of genocide are kind, you begin to feel the need to be by yourself. Your silence and your eyes looking downward are all the signs that the Emperor needs to take his leave. "Don't worry son. We'll get her." He says and then leaves you to your solitude. You sit in bed for a long time trying to take everything in. Alison is gone. You'll never see her smile, you'll never feel her touch, you'll never hear her voice, you'll never enjoy anything involving her ever again. You almost feel like you don't want to go on living and you never thought you'd ever feel something like that especially since survival has been beat and ingrained into your very being. That isn't the worst of it though. You didn't even get revenge on the one that killed her. In fact her assassin would've killed you as well if you hadn't been saved, but that's still not the worst of it. Semra…Mistress…svelk bitch…whatever you call her. She saved your life. As far as you're concerned that's the worst of it. However you'll get over it and grow stronger from this experience. You always do. All it takes is time. > You kane's Retirement (Year 34) Year 34 Through the extreme cold, the wailing the winds and the relentless snow, you look up and finally see your destination in sight; A lonely outpost which consist of a small watch hut on a hill near the Rask Mountains. How the hell such a structure continues to exist is amazing. The rough weather around here is bad enough, but the fact that it exists on the very edge of ogre and giant territory and who knows what else living in those mountains is almost impossible to believe. Yet the very fact it continues to exist is a testament to the man who lives inside it. A man who has been doing his best to serve loyally despite his condition. A condition that has at last become too unbearable for him. You received the letter a week ago. As far as you know, you're the only one who knows this. He apparently hasn't even told this to Jacob. This has been a long time coming. You knew it was only a matter of time, you just hope it isn't too late. You wake your way up the long winding path up to the hut. There are signs that a battle occurred here weeks ago. Fresh ogre skulls have been put on several sharpened wooden poles like a grisly totem pole. A frozen giant head lies nearby the poles, some of it looks like its been eaten. This is a good sign at least. Kane has probably still managed to contain his hunger to his enemies and hasn't been thinking about other potential victims. The closer you get to the hut, the more cautious you become. You have no idea what Kane's state of mind is right now. Has he completely lost it? Is he still relatively in control? Will he attack you as soon as you enter the hut? You're about to find out when you open the door up with sword in hand. Kane sits by a kettle making some sort of stew; you can guess what it might be. He looks up and you can see in his face that he is much different than when you last saw him. The beast within is taking over. His mouth is wider and exposing his teeth which are now fangs. His hands have become more like claws. Just like you saw him temporarily during your visit at Gnome's Home. Despite his appearance, he doesn't seem hostile or out of control. "Got my letter I see. Glad you could make it. Wasn't sure if you were busy, I don't get much news this way." He says testing his soup. "Actually I don't have much to do nowadays. The Empire has stopped its period of expansion for now and all of its enemies are inconsequential." "Huh, tell that to the giants that lumber down from the mountains around here. You know how hard it is to instill a fearsome reputation among creatures that are twice or three times your size? It isn't easy." "I would imagine it isn't, but given that Rask doesn't suffer as many giant or ogre raids anymore I'd say you've done a good job." Kane gives you an unsettling toothy smile. "That's all I've ever wanted to hear, you know? However, I'm not entirely successful since there are still attacks I have to stop. I don't think there's much for it though, some are just too plain stupid to know the meaning of fear. When I'm gone make sure Fort Defiance gets extra troops. I know we've since invented all these great killing machines and new weapons that can kill a lot faster, but extra manpower can't hurt." "Is it really that bad now?" you ask. "What do you think?" Kane answers as if his appearance is enough to prove his condition is indeed getting to the point of no return. "I can't take the hunger pains any longer. Each day I grow closer to giving in completely. The funny thing is, this… creature inside me is probably the closest thing I've ever had to a friend. It sometimes even speaks to me as if it is a comrade in arms. In some ways it is. I don't believe I could keep up some of the things I do without its great strength helping me. It has allowed me to serve the Empire longer than I probably would have otherwise." You almost want to say that the abomination that has possessed Kane's body is not his friend and has only been using him to help feed its unending hunger, but Kane is probably struggling to find some measure of peace in his situation, so you do not lecture. "Perhaps it was meant to be." You say. "I like to think so…but I also know it is time. As much as I would like to continue serving my duty forever, I know I cannot. So I called upon you. The only one I know that could take me down if need be. The only one worthy to. I know even though we never spoke much, those moments we did talk in Gnome's Home I knew you to be a man of honor. You found out the truth about my situation, yet you saw that I was still an Eternal at heart. You will always have my thanks for that brother." Kane continues to sit focusing on his stew. At this point you feel as if it would be best to get this over with quickly. You walk over to him with your weapon still drawn. He makes no effort to defend himself and even puts his head down so as to expose the back of his neck to you for a better cut. "I was sorry to hear about your wife. Major Krozer was an excellent warrior. It was also a loss to the Empire. So was the death of Roldan, as will the death me, but I know the Empire will survive. And because it will survive, I will survive along with all others who died within its duty. Just promise me two things brother." "Yes?" you ask preparing to strike. "Tell them I died in battle with ogres and giants." "And the second?" "Steel your mind. The demon will attempt to possess you, but I imagine you'll be stronger to resist it than I. You always were the best of us. Perhaps the only true Eternal." "You're an Eternal Kane, you always will be." You remark and bring your blade down on his neck. It isn't a quick death mainly because Kane isn't himself. The wendigo inside is finally unleashed and Kane begins howling and snarling as he writhes on the floor with his neck half severed. "You will torment this honorable man no longer, demon." You say and finish the decapitation. Kane's body still twitches on the floor even with his head now detached. It even manages to weakly kick at you. The deed is done, but now you do indeed feel the invading presence of the wendigo. "I remember you from that wonderful place where all those delicious gnomes and that obnoxious svelk woman were. You are strong and powerful, but just think how much more powerful you could be if you just let me in…" the wendigo remarks. "If you do remember me, then you also know that I've been psychically assaulted by hundreds of angry gnome souls at the same time. Do you really think you stand a chance?" "Ssssss! I am no weak gnome soul! I am wendigo! I am hunger everlasting and forever yearning! And soon YOU will share that desire!" the wendigo hisses. The wendigo's threats are in vain however. You are more than equipped to take care of one now. You've long since strengthened your mind from psychic attacks and you also took the time to study wendigo lore before even coming here. You begin chanting. "What…what are you doing?" the wendigo asks, but you ignore it and concentrate on banishing it. In the middle of this process you sense that the wendigo halts its pathetic attempts to possess you and instead attempts to escape back to the land that it was originally bound to, but you aren't letting it get away. "No! Not oblivion! Stop or I'll make you suffer mortal!" More empty threats. Funny how even a demonic spirit like this one when faced with the possibility of ultimate death it still pleads for its "life" just like…well a mortal would. Eventually its voice disappears along with its very essence. The wendigo is gone and you're left with another dead "sibling." After a bit of clean up you report the incident to Jacob, who while not as upset when Roldan died, is still visibly saddened. "I didn't know it had gotten that bad. He never said…" Jacob remarks. "I don't think he wanted you to know. Probably thought you'd keep trying to protect him, especially since Roldan died two years ago. And he knew I'd take care of it. Not just killing him, but killing the demon within him too." Jacob begins looking through his paperwork for a blank piece of paper and starts writing. It's probably some decree to give Kane a proper military funeral along with the usual accolades about how he died gloriously in battle with several giants. "His duty to the Empire won't be forgotten. I'm going to make sure of that." Jacob says. "That's all he ever wanted." You reply and take your leave.

If this is some sort of shadow attack then the first thing you need to do is keep the palace secure, in particular the Emperor. Besides the city streets are going to be mayhem, you doubt if you'll be able to track down the assassin that killed Roldan. Hopefully others will get him though. Despite Alison getting most of the people back into the palace, Jacob is still sitting on the balcony in shock. "He…he…he's not…he can't…" Jacob stutters. "Jacob get your ass inside now!" you shout and drag him inside. You and Alison both start taking control of the situation telling the guards to lock up every opening they can and the mages on duty to magically seal up the rest. Alison tells the guests to find some place safe to gather, but you don't really care about any of them. Your number one concern is the safety of the Emperor. "Alison, I need to…" "I know, the Emperor. Go. I can help with keeping shit together here." You rush down to the Emperor's den constantly looking around the whole time. You keep thinking that a shadow, or whatever that was that killed Roldan is going to suddenly materialize at anytime. When you get inside the Emperor's chambers, he's in bed asleep. You don't want to wake him, but he needs to know the situation. "Huh? Mmmh? Oh hey…(cough cough) what're you doing here? Are the festivities already over?" he asks. "Emperor, there's been an assassination. General Roldan was killed during the parade by what I think was a shadow. We're currently trying to secure the palace just in case this is part of a greater attack." "Sounds like a lot happened while I was taking a nap. Shadow huh? Thought we killed all of them. Guess they were just playing a waiting game as usual. Always a few loose ends aren't there? (cough) I imagine Jacob isn't taking Roldan's death too well." "Not at all, he's pretty much in shock and was babbling the last time I saw him." "Hmm, well it is a shame. Roldan did turn out to be one of our best generals. I'll have to make sure he gets a nice funeral. If we can't celebrate his successes in life, at least we can honor him in death. (cough cough)…what's wrong my son?" the Emperor asks when he notices that you're looking slightly troubled. "I was one of the ones chiefly in charge of hunting down the shadows. The fact that I missed one or possibly several so that something like this could happen…I feel like I failed." You explain. "Nonsense, you did what you could to the best of your ability. I've always known that. Don't even start playing what if for this situation, because it's not worth it. While this event has certainly been tragic in that it ruined what was supposed to be a happy day, this really isn't excessively serious in the scheme of things. (cough cough) If you were worried about me, don't be. Even in my less than magnificent state, I'm more than able to handle a shadow or even a dozen of them. Assuming they could even get in here in the first place. Its probably just one crazed shadow that somehow hid under a rock all these years from our purges and thinks this one act is going to bring us down. Foolish of course, but what can you expect from such fanatics?" "You don't think this sort of thing could cause instability in the Empire?" "Hardly. (cough cough) The citizens might panic about things for awhile, they'll be fearful of the big bad shadows' return for revenge or whatever stories they'll make up, but ultimately it all works in our benefit I'm sure you know. (cough cough) We get to continue to display how without us they would be at the mercy of dangerous forces that would have destroyed them long ago." "So…what did you want me to do now?" you ask. The Emperor begins to sit up a bit more before answering you. "Nothing. In fact (cough cough) after things calm down a bit, you can return to your regular duties in the newly acquired Gan and Ibim provinces. I can handle things here in the palace and the city, just get Jacob down here and I'll start hammering out the plans." "You really don't need me to do anything?" "No, your talents are far more useful doing what you're doing right now. Besides, with Roldan dead you might be needed more than ever on that side of the Empire. Last I heard there were still gnolls running about. (cough cough) I of course appreciate your concern as always my son." The Emperor begins to slowly get out of bed and you take your leave. When you get back upstairs everything is more or less peaceful. Alison and some of the other officers have been making sure the palace is secure. Alison tells you there have been no signs of any potential attackers. Reports from outside the palace are about the same, other than Roldan's assassination the only other causalities have been from soldiers trying to maintain order or from people getting trampled in the initial chaos. No shadows or anything else like that. "So what's the next move? What did the Emperor tell you?" Alison asks. "He told me not to worry and when things calm down outside to just return to my normal duties." You respond "That's it?!" "That's it. He wants to see Jacob though, is he in a more coherent mindset now?" "Compared to before? Yeah, but he's still pretty shaken up. I know he's been crying." You walk over to Jacob who is sitting quietly in a chair with his head in his hands. He's still very upset. You have to repeat yourself twice when telling him that the Emperor wants to see him. You and Alison stay at the palace for a few more minutes, but when you get news that a carriage is able to take you back to Fort Stalwart you decide to leave immediately. Its hectic trying to leave at first since there is still a bit of turmoil in the streets as well as the surrounding countryside, but once you're a few miles from the capital the ride becomes more relaxed. Alison asks you if you're certain about leaving. "The Emperor told me to just return to more normal duties and not to worry, so that's what I'm going to do. If he says he can handle this incident himself then I have no reason to doubt that. Besides, he also said with Roldan dead I might be needed more on the western borders anyway." You say. "Hmm. I guess all those times I worried about you being punished seem sort of silly now…sheesh…today was surreal. I mean I've seen a lot of stuff in my years of service, but nothing like this. The general consensus seems to be that it was a shadow that killed Roldan. Certainly looked like one from where I was sitting." Alison replies. "I don't see what else it could've been. Similar style of clothing, invisibility, incredibly quick, sneak attack, the elements were all there. (Sigh) Damn." "You alright?" "I just…well I dunno. I just can't believe we…I missed a shadow. Really thought we got them all when I killed Cyrus. The Emperor said it wasn't my fault and I know it really isn't but I still feel like this is a major loss." "Yeah, I can imagine you'd feel that way having worked together with Roldan during the Felkan War." "Heh, well to be honest Roldan and I were never close. I mean we were professional and civil, but we never really did become what you'd call friends. Still though he didn't deserve to die like that. He wasn't just an excellent solder and general, he was an Eternal and I guess that bond was there to an extent even if it was faint. Now there's one less of us." "I guess given that you all grew up together and were subjected more or less to the same training, the other Eternals are sort of like, your siblings?" "Yeah, I suppose in some ways they are. Funny that I never thought of that before." You remark. As you reflect on all that's happened, Alison reaches out to touch your hand, you look over at her and return her smile with one of your own. Happy that you have her. Then your smile disappears when a bolt grazes your ear and hits Alison right in the eye. Her blood splatters on your face and her body slowly goes limp in your arms. You turn your head around just in time to see the assassin hanging outside the carriage window with one hand and his other arm reeling back from having launched his bolt from his armbow. It's definitely a shadow, but from this range you can also see it's also not human. The face is either severely burned or rotten. It grins at you with blacken teeth and before you can react, it rapidly climbs up which is followed by brief scream from the carriage driver and then the ride gets a lot bumpier really quick. The shadow has probably killed the driver and is probably in the process of detaching the horses. Meanwhile you're still holding the body of you beloved Alison. > You try to heal Alison Ignoring the increasingly bumpy ride and still holding Alison in your arms, you concentrate as hard as you can trying to heal her. "Hang on Alison. I can bring you back. I know I can. Just hold on…" you say. The carriage doesn't hold on however and soon its bumpy ride comes to a sudden stop when it crashes into a tree and turns over. You and Alison are thrown about causing you to lose focus. "SHIT!" you shout followed by several other curses as you scramble back to Alison's body which is now starting to grow cold. Once again you attempt to heal her, trying not to break down emotionally, but once again you are interrupted. This time by her killer who appears above you standing on the outside of the now ruined carriage. You don't react in time to avoid the bolt he shoots at you which pierces your skull. Your body falls on top of Alison's though you're not quite dead yet. The brain is a funny thing when damaged in a very specific way. Instead of dying immediately, your body is twitching involuntarily and you're helpless to defend yourself against any further attack. In your final moments the assassin jumps in the carriage with you and grabs you by your neck. You feel a great drain on your remaining strength. You can't see very well at this point, but the assassin's face even in this rotten form looks somewhat familiar. It almost looks like Cyrus. But it couldn't be him…could it? The assassin's grinning expression seems to say it all. But why or how he came to this state will remain a mystery to you along with whoever it was that raised him in the first place.

You're sure the Emperor means well and he probably does have more knowledge on these things. But he doesn't know Alison the way you know her. You also can't and won't spend your life in fear that something might occur that will cause strife between you and Alison. That's why you're going to tell her what happened two years ago and face whatever the consequences may be. You leave the palace and the capital to make your way to where Alison is currently stationed, which means a long ride back to the new eastern frontier of the Empire. You eventually arrive at Fort Stalwart, which is actually just a renamed and rebuilt fort once held by the ex-Felkan Kingdom. Given your reputation, the gates are immediately opened for you. A few of the older soldiers are also probably aware of your relationship with their commanding officer so orders are already given to alert Alison of your sudden arrival. She meets you even before you make it to her office. She flashes a smile when she sees you and goes to put her arms around you presumably to kiss you. While you'd love for her to do so, you stop Alison, which confuses the hell out her. "What's this? Oh. The other soldiers around. You and your insistence on keeping protocol. Very well let's get to my quarters so we can get you back into your comfort zone, because its been too damn long." "It has and we should get back to your quarters, but I'm not sure if you're going to be in the mood for what you probably had in mind after I tell you what I have to tell you." Alison steps back and gives you a tilted look. "Hmm, sounds serious. You look even more grim than usual. Well let's get this over with." Alison says and the pair of you head towards her quarters. Her private quarters are neat and clean, as you'd expect, on the right wall you see your portrait, which is right across from her bed. Placed in such a way so the first thing she sees when she wakes up is you. "Alright. Out with it and let's see exactly how mad you think I'm going to be at you." Alison remarks closing her door. You sit on the bed and take a deep breath then exhale giving her a look on your face which contains a mixture of shame and guilt. "Geez…this must be bad. I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Its almost like you're afraid to tell me. Shit, maybe I better sit down too." Alison says taking a seat in one her chairs. "Alison…I love you. I want you to know that before I say anything else. I never thought I could ever feel this way at all about anyone. It just wasn't something I was taught or even learned. (whew) Okay enough stalling. Here it is…" You tell Alison everything that happened two years ago at Gnome's Home and afterwards. You also explain that you didn't want to tell her in a letter because you felt something like this should be face to face. You expect Alison to show some sign of anger at this point, but she remains stoically silent just listening to everything. Lastly, and you weren't planning on telling her this either, but you mention that the Emperor suggested that you break up with her and how you obviously ignored this advice because your feelings are just that strong for her. This one causes her eyes to widen a little. "Wow, obsessed svelk, rape through magic trickery, warnings from the Emperor, defying orders…sheesh. Bet you never thought you'd have to deal with things like this." "Rape?" you say. "Well, yes. Its not like you willingly had sex with her, you willingly had sex with what you THOUGHT was me. It might've been a civilized form of it, but it still was rape since you wouldn't have had sex with who it really was. What else would you call what that svelk bitch did to you? The act doesn't always include a bunch of men holding down a hapless young girl and ramming their dicks into her you know." Hell, you never even thought about that. For a brief moment you feel slightly…violated. "And here I thought she was just making up shit and posturing." Alison continues. "Wait a minute. You…knew? When?" you ask. "For about two years now. Though as you might expect she told things a little differently. Never mentioned about disguising herself as me." "So she visited you? You never mentioned it in your letters." "Well hey guess what, neither did you. Though in your case I can understand why. In my case it was more I thought she was just so full of shit that I didn't believe her in the first place and in the second place I knew you were so busy with the Felkans that I didn't want to distract you with unpleasant thoughts of her in my letters. Figured it would be best to keep her out of them." "What did she tell you exactly?" "She appeared in my office one night claiming that she would always be the main woman in your life. And how I didn't stand chance against her and that I should just give up now. She said this along with the predictable insults of monkey and my general appearance. Then she mentioned how she easily seduced you into having sex with her and that you would always be hers. Like I said she was so overly dramatic about everything I thought she had to be lying." "So what did you do?" "Nothing, I mostly just shrugged my shoulders and told her I thought she was lying. I also mentioned that I found it pretty sad that for all her superior svelk talent and beauty she was still jealous of a mere monkey like myself and obsessed with a man who obviously did not share the strong feelings she obviously has for you. Then to finish up my retort I also told her that even if what she said was true, that even if you did have sex with her it would only make you appreciate me all the more." "Yikes. I can imagine she didn't like that." "Oh no, she did not like it at all. Her face turned from a smug sneer to one of frothing anger. I thought she was going to attack me, some flames started emanating from her fingers and for a moment it felt like a force was keeping me from drawing my own weapon. I couldn't even call out for other soldiers to help. I guess she thought better of it though because she just stood there for a moment staring at me and then made her way out the window. Wasn't long after that incident the svelk merc support was transferred out of here, which was fine by me and everyone else of course. Not like we needed them against gnoll attacks anymore anyway." "I can't believe all this happened and you aren't mad." You say. "Oh trust me I'm mad, but if you think its with you, you're mistaken. I can't do much about it though I suppose. I'm not really concerned with your little svelk stalker. I'm a little more troubled with what you just told me about the Emperor. I get the impression he doesn't care for my influence, not that I think I really have any over you." "Oh that? I wouldn't worry about him. I believe he's just overly concerned with my well-being again. He's always been a little over protective at times, like a father with an only son I suppose. Right now though I'm just wondering how you feel about me after all is said and done." "I don't feel anything. Ha ha ha …wait that came out wrong. What I mean is I still feel the same way I always have about you. I love you. Nothing has changed." "Good, then let's get married. Let's take our relationship to its next logical step." "Married? You serious?" "Well sure. I mean don't people who feel the way we do get married?" "Usually I guess…but I dunno…seems like there some forces against us, and that's not even including one of us dying violently in battle. I mean in some ways the Emperor might be right. You might save yourself some pain if you ended our relationship now." "Perhaps, but I won't get to experience the good stuff if I did that." "Good stuff eh? Is that what you're calling it now?" Alison jokes. "Well, you sure you're ready for the pain of possibly losing me on some forsaken battlefield somewhere?" "How do you know you'll die first? You could outlive me." "Pfft, please. You'll outlive everyone. You'd outlast this entire world, if you had the time." Alison laughs. "So will you marry me?" "Yes, of course I will." As fitting for two soldiers, you and Alison don't have a fancy wedding; in fact you get married the next day in some small town in the Arat province by a local bureaucrat. Alison is still on duty for the next week so you return to her post and spend your wedding night in her quarters at Fort Stalwart. She tells you though as soon as she has time off, the pair of you are going to spend quality time doing something fun which doesn't involve the bedroom. You don't see the need since the bedroom is just fine with you, but you agree. While waiting for Alison's time off, you take it upon yourself to have a pair of proper rings made for you and Alison. You also have what possessions you actually own sent to Fort Stalwart since you don't know where you'll be stationed next and there is as good of place as any. After you've taken care of all that, you still have a day left to wait for Alison, so you go back to see the Emperor, you figure he should know what you've done and he'll know eventually anyway. When you see him again, he's still coughing a lot and moving slowly when he walks. He seems happy to see you though. "My (cough cough) son. This is an unexpected (cough) visit. I would've thought you would've been off enjoying your down time." He says. "I am, but I have also come to tell you something. I have married Alison." "Oh. I see. Well (cough cough) whatever makes you happy son. I trust she makes you happy." "Yes." "Then I'm happy for you. (cough cough) Heh, that was quick. Have to admit I didn't expect you to marry her. You should've told me though (cough cough) I could've ordered a big city celebration like what (cough cough) we're doing for the victory over the Felkans. You two could've walked down the streets with fancy guard and everything." "That would've been very generous, but I don't think that would've been either of our style." "I suppose not. Well as I (cough cough) have said, I'm happy for you, enjoy your time together and cherish it. So was there anything else?" "No, nothing of any note." "Very well…(cough cough) ugh…I'm still afflicted as you can tell. I need to just rest, so if you'll excuse me." Again, you feel like asking if he needs help, but you resist. Instead you just quietly start to leave. The Emperor speaks to you as he makes his way back to his bedroom. "Oh. Don't (cough cough) worry about Semra. I spoke with her earlier a couple days ago about bothering you again." "Semra?" "Yeah, you know (cough cough) Mistress. I made it quite clear to her if she did do it again that she'd be executed, along with every other svelk in the Empire. (cough cough) Funny thing is, she went into a complete breakdown exclaiming that I didn't need to worry about that ever again, because as far she was concerned she never wanted to see you ever again. Then she (cough) proceeded to swear in common tongue as well as her own language. Mostly about you. Then she stormed off. If I didn't know better I thought she was going to cry. I actually wondered what it was that caused all that. Now I know. I guess you had a hidden witness (cough cough) to your wedding." "Shit." You say quietly to yourself in amazement. Then you address the Emperor. "Thank you, sir." "No problem. (cough cough) Think of it as my wedding gift to you." Well you couldn't have asked for a better one, assuming she really does stay away. > You married without children (Year 31) Year 31 You didn't mean to get into a minor argument about this, but you like to be prepared for all eventualities, so you had to ask the question… "Alison, I actually don't care if you've been drinking stillness potions to avoid unwanted burdens, because I'd understand. I just wanted to know if you were drinking them." You explain. "No, I haven't. I used to before I met you and I did even in the beginnings of our relationship, but I stopped taking them years ago." "Really? I would've thought you would've waited until after marriage." "What for? It wasn't like I had any intimate encounters after you got transferred, well other than my hand." You quickly start counting up the times in your head when you've had sex with Alison since you've been married. "Yes dear, it's been MORE than enough times for an accidental burden as you put it to have occurred." Alison remarks. "I'm not sure why you're even concerned about this, I've never known you to want kids. Is this something you want?" "Well no…(Sigh) I just wanted to know if it was something you wanted because I think…and I don't know this for certain, but I believe I am unable to provide you children. I probably should've told you this before, but honestly you're right in that I've never gave children much consideration before. In fact, I've probably only been pondering this more because I've had more downtime than I ever had since we defeated the Felkans. Alison gets silent for a moment. "I see. But why do you think this? I mean do you have any proof? It can't be an equipment problem because we both know that works. You might take into consideration that sex doesn't always lead to a screaming infant. Just most of the time." "Yeah, but as you pointed out, once is all it takes. I guess I'm just thinking about Roldan and his own marriage with Brenda. He once told me they've genuinely tried to have children on several occasions. Even to the point of both of them imbibing fertility potions. Nothing worked." "So? Just because Roldan or Brenda sterile that means you are too?" "Quite possibly. You forget, we're all Eternals. Roldan told me that he and Brenda came to that conclusion. He believes that it might have something to do with all the enhancements that are made on us when we were still babies. I mean its not like Warrick or Kane have any children either." "I'd hate to think about Kane having any offspring given what I knew of him and what you've told me since you saw him again. Look, I think you might be worrying over nothing." "I'm not worrying for me, so much as I'm worrying for you. I mean I don't know if you've ever wanted children. You've never mentioned it much. But I don't know if you're going to change your mind one day and if that's the case then you're going to be mighty upset with me." "Funny enough, I thought you bringing up the subject was going to result in you being upset with me." "Why the hell would I be upset with you?" "Well, I don't know if you're aware of this, but stillness potions aren't exactly the best thing for your lady parts. I mean they don't do any fatal damage to the drinker as far as I know, but given that they are designed to kill potential offspring, it can make it a bit hard for future pregnancies. I guess it's the mixture that stays in your body or something. So for all we know, the problem might lie with me." "Oh. Didn't know that. Um…are you okay?" "Sure. I mean I knew the risks every time I drank the foul tasting potions. That's why I don't even think you should concern yourself with this. I mean if we create a future hell spawn then we do, if not well that's fine too. I didn't marry you for the idea of hanging up my sword so I could pop out kids. And as far as your potential sterility problem it's not like you've got much to test that theory on. If you were some super stud that fucked multiple women and didn't get any of them pregnant I could see your concern. You've had at exactly two women in your life and in my case we've already explored the possibility that it could be me. And as for the other…well she's a svelk. It isn't like elves and humans can produce offspring." "Thank the Emperor for that." You say. "Although as you've pointed out, you're not quite the average human are you? So for all you know you've got some half svelk bastard running about that your obsessive stalker hasn't told you about." Alison jokes. "That's not funny Alison." "Hey it would explain why she's still carrying a bit of a torch for you. Okay, I'll stop I can see you're getting grumpy. Let's get off the subject entirely." At this point you're more than willing to do just that rather than dwell on very unlikely yet very depressing possibilities.

Dead Man Walking! (Zombie Survival) Can you survive the Zombie Apocalypse? While challenging, it's not as hard as the movies would have you believe - where they always make the worst possible decisions for the sake of drama. Here, at least, you will be offered logical choices amid the foolhardy and your character cares about survival even more than you do. A serious game with gory detail. Style There is a lot of reading in this story. Pages are filled with lengthy descriptions of who, what, when, where, why, & how. The story is quite long (over 2100 pages) and comes in three major sections (of varying length, depending on what you choose to do in them). Don't forget your 'Save Game' option... Sections The first section is the shortest and involves escaping the subway tunnels. The second section involves moving around within the city and escaping. The third section involves moving through the suburbs to find and save your family. Objective Get the best ending (or) Get the highest score (or) Kill the most zombies (or) All of the above? Scoring Each choice is assigned a value from 10 - 50 points: Generally, 10 points are given for a bad decisions, 30 points for neutral decisions, and 50 points for the most logical choices. 20 & 40 points are also awarded, when certain choices fall between the other values. Your final Score at the end of the game is the total of all the decisions made, multiplied by a number of special factors (depending on what you accomplish during play). Note that the highest possible score will not be achieved by making all the right choices - as making the best choices often allow you to bypass certain other 'choice-filled' events, that will net you more points in the long run (if survived) than by simply skipping them altogether in the first place. Endings As this is a zombie game, the very best ending can only be achieved by not getting bit at all, but there are still a number of interesting endings available, even if you do get chomped on a time or two. In fact, you are not likely to get the Highest Score with the very best ending - but that's the trade-off. With each 'Death Page' and the 'Official Endings', you will have the chance to see how you did before quitting (or going back). A Rundown is included that shows how many zombies and/or people you killed, how many people you saved, how many zombies munched your brains, and of course your Total Score. If at the end of your game you have 10,000 or more points, you will also be able to see a write-up of the Zombie Virus and Zombie Types used during the game. The type of ending you achieve will also be reflected in the last digit of your Final Score: Death Pages will produce a score ending in '0'; Official Endings will show a '5'; and the Very Best Ending will show a '7'. Post a comment to show your high scores to the world! Troubleshooting Please PM me if you find bugs or breaks in logic (such as walking on foot in one scene, then riding a mountain bike in the next, without ever having found the mountain bike first). The most helpful thing you could do is tell me the name of the page with the bug (and) the name of the page you came into that page from, plus a description of what's not working correctly. Good Luck! This game dedicated to my lovely LadyZerka (and Five Hundred Feet of Heavy Rope in a Barrel) =) > You begin... Dead Man Walking. You are drifting through darkness, floating weightless in an inky black void. Slowly you realize you are not quite awake, but coming out of unconsciousness; you must have passed out for some reason. You try to sit up, but some unseen force holds your body down. With a note of frustration you realize again that you are still not fully awake. Focusing your will you try to start yourself awake, and for a moment it seems to work – you sit up and look around and can see that you are in a dark tunnel with very little light. You notice a man stooped over some object to your right and try to call out to him, but your voice does not work. Regardless, the man turns to look at you and it is then that you see it is not a man at all, but a smoky silhouette of shadow in vaguely a man-like shape. The thing sets upon you in a flash and you feel a smothering presence overpowering you in the darkness, wrapping you up, holding you down; trying to invade you. In panic you jolt awake – this time for real. The first thing you notice is a sharp stabbing pain in your head. Reaching up, you feel your hair matted in blood and grimace as you run your fingers over the jagged edges of what must surely be a serious head wound. Part of your scalp has actually been torn free of your skull and hangs in a greasy mess over your ear. You're not bleeding from the wound very much – it seems to have clotted – but you definitely should get it seen by a medical professional sooner than later… In addition, your left arm, shoulder, and side are numb. Moving them slightly, you wince at small twinges of pain here and there, but are relieved to see that they are not broken – though it does seem that you have been thrown down on that side recently and with significant force. Sitting yourself up against a wall of cool damp stone you take in your surroundings. The floor is of hard packed dirt with a thick layer of dust on top and (from what you can feel), quite a bit of shattered safety glass lays around you. In the air you smell a mix of smoke and ozone, like when an electrical outlet shorts out. That and the heavy stink of blood (your own maybe, you do seem to have lost quite a bit) and something reminiscent of burning hair… All in all, it's somewhat hard to breathe, as if you're not quite getting enough oxygen with each breath. It is very dark, but a dim greenish glow stemming from a huge mass of twisted metal before you gives enough illumination to at least make out your hand in front of your face, as well as what's immediately around you. Looking at the mass in front of you, you can see that it is the wreckage of a subway train – or perhaps even two trains – as if one had run up into another on the same track. Now however, the subway cars choke the dark tunnel you are in, cast zigzag across the tracks in a crumpled and jagged pile of wreckage. The greenish glow comes from inside the smashed train cars themselves and you surmise that it would be illumination form the emergency exits. Looking to your right, you see a mangled body without a head. You shudder and wonder what it was you saw standing over that body in your half-conscious dream state. Thinking back, you try to remember how you could have arrived in such a predicament, but you can't get past the pain in your head. Your memory is all cloudy. How much of it have you lost? All of it apparently; you can't even recall your own name. Looking yourself over for a clue to your own identity, you note that you are wearing reasonably savvy business attire with a gold watch. Unfortunately, the watch is broken, its face smashed and the hands stopped at 7:40 am. Checking your back pocket you find your wallet and upon looking inside, you find your license. "Greg Bradley", you say to yourself, reading the name off the ID. The address shows a street in the suburbs. There's also a photo of the wife and kids (you guess). The woman is pretty enough and there are two cute girls – a ten year old and a younger one, maybe seven. A twinge of frustration creeps into your mind. Why can't you remember anything? Isn't seeing things like this supposed to jar a memory or something? You take the photo out of the wallet and tuck it into your breast pocket. Checking the rest of the contents, you find a number of low-end credit cards, $50 cash, and a half dozen of your own business cards; showing that you are an accountant for the Morgan Corporation, located on the 24th floor of the Summit Tower. Also in your possession is a crushed cell phone (totally dead) and a ring of keys including the key and fob to a Toyota, a house key, a PO Box key, a padlock key, and what you think is an elevator key marked 'ST 24'. Incidentally, your key chain also includes a small LED penlight – which upon testing in the darkness of the tunnel, seems to offer miniscule comfort against the engulfing blackness. It occurs to you that you should probably find something to bandage your head with. You consider for a moment trying to use your shirt as a makeshift bandage. It seems to work in the movies. It is then that you hear the rattle of movement from within the pile of train wreckage before you, followed by a long mournful sounding groan. Instinctively, you quickly turn off your penlight and remain still; waiting to see what is making the noise without yet revealing your presence. You don't hear the sound again and wonder if some injured person is trapped there in the twisted subway cars, waiting for you to make the first move… > You wait quietly for help to arrive You sit in the darkness waiting. Surely someone must know about this train wreck and will be coming to the rescue any minute. The minutes pass… The hour passes… And then hours pass… You have been sitting in the darkness for a long time and are starting to feel weak and dizzy in addition to being in pain. Maybe you should have tried to find help for yourself, rather than sit here, probably bleeding out this whole time. On a side note, whoever is there in the train wreckage still seems to be alive – moaning incoherently from time to time. > You bind your head with cloth from your shirt As you tear some strips from your shirt, the noise seems to attract the attention of the person trapped in the train wreckage. The low mournful groans suddenly turn into heavy desperate panting snarls and a flurry of rattling and shaking from that direction. Whoever is making those noises does not sound very well off or even sane at this point. You quickly bind your head and… > You wait to see what happens There is a disturbingly wet 'tearing' sound and you can hear the desperate panting snarls suddenly beginning to get closer. You wait nervously in the dark, straining to see, as it emerges from the wreckage. Crawling toward you over the caved-in side of an overturned subway car is a bloody corpse, its lower half fully torn away at the waist and trailing innards behind. The thing can't possibly be alive, but there it is, frothing bloody foam at the mouth and snapping hungry jaws at you – like something right out of an old horror movie! > You find a large stone to smash its head in with Looking along the wall of the dark tunnel with your penlight, you spot a large chunk of cinderblock and quickly heft it up. The horrible thing is still clawing toward you when you bring the heavy piece of concrete down on the back of its head crushing it skull with a sickening splurch of blood, bone, and gray matter. You are still filled with adrenaline and somewhat dizzy from your exertion, when you look up to the sound of more moaning; and see two more subway passengers, shuffling towards you with outstretched arms from the front part of the train wreck. While they are not moving very quickly, they are on their feet and making a beeline straight for you. They are far enough away from you at the moment, that you are fairly sure you can easily avoid them if you so choose. > You wait and attack them with your cinder block Your cinderblock smashed one lunatic's head in easy enough; it should work on two more just as well. You have time to maneuver to a higher position on the wreckage of the train cars and there wait for the two subway passengers to pass by. That's when you'll get the jump on them. Sure enough, the two moaning subway passengers stumble by, not immediately seeing you from your position of ambush. As you leap down at them, you notice that both already look pretty mangled by the train wreck itself – one even walking on a completely dislocated ankle. Your chunk of cinderblock comes down with you, striking squarely on the top of the first's head. The monster crumples under the blow immediately as its head explodes in a messy display – along with your chunk of cinderblock – which shatters in a dusty rain of crumbling bits. You look with dismay at your now empty hands, trying to formulate a new plan of action through the mounting sense of panic. It is then that you realize the other one is already on you, having lunged with surprising agility for someone so broken up. Before you can do anything more, you are dragged to the ground as it lunges for your neck. Instinctively, you defend yourself with a raised arm, only to feel the monster bite deeply into it – tearing a chunk out and taking a moment to chomp on the meaty flesh. You ignore the pain and grit your teeth, taking advantage of the monster's momentary distraction to reach blindly for anything on the ground around you to use as a weapon. Amazingly, your left hand brushes over something metallic and heavy enough to give you hope. You grab hold and slam the object into the lunatic's temple, knocking it over and allowing you to scramble up. You no longer have whatever it was in your hand, but the thing isn't getting up either. Not waiting to give it a moment's quarter, you stomp on the back of its neck repeatedly, crunching up its vertebrae, until you are satisfied that it isn't going to get up anytime soon. That is when you notice the railroad tie spike buried in the side of its head. Taking a moment to calm yourself and regain your wind you think about what to do next. > You climb through the wreckage to the front of the subway train You move quickly, ignoring the mess behind you and the throbbing pain of your injuries, making your way over and through the wreckage of the train cars that scatter the tunnel in the direction the train was headed before the wreck. Along the way you see dead bodies everywhere, smashed into the twisted metal of the wrecked train cars – each more gruesome than the last. Disturbingly, you also notice an unusually large amount of entrails scattered about. You somehow doubt that that many people could all have been disemboweled simultaneously by a simple train wreck – even one as serious as this one appears to be. You're not sure (and you certainly don't want to get close enough to find out firsthand), but some of the bodies even look as if they have recently been savaged, as if by some wild animals' rending jaws. As you get further along, you also notice a large number of bloody footprints headed in the same direction you are going. They seem to be joined by more and more footprints as you pass through one mangled subway car after another. At length you get to the front of the train you must have been riding on. In walking, you surmise that you had been on the train and thrown out a window when it crashed. You must have struck your head when you landed, which knocked you out for who knows how long. On that thought, you risk approaching a random victim's arm sticking out of the wreckage to take their watch. Unlike yours, this one still works and indicates the time to be 6:04 pm. If that is correct, and your watch indicates the time of the crash, that means you were out of it for roughly ten hours. Wow, you'd better not go back to sleep until you can get yourself to a hospital or you might not wake up again. You also find a working cell phone in the aisle as you go and see that it still works, but there's no signal down here in the subway tunnel. Looking at the first car of your train, you see that it is completely flattened under the rear cars of another train. It looks as if the first train was stopped on the tracks and your train somehow ran into the back of it at a rather high rate of speed. Continuing on, you cautiously pass through the scattered cars of this train with much the same scene of carnage cast before your eyes, until you finally arrive at the head of the first train. Unlike your train the first car of this train is relatively intact. You know that at the very front of the train is a control room, which hopefully will have at least a first aid kit and if you're lucky, a working radio. As you approach, you see that all the bloody footprints leave the train at this point and continue down the tunnel in the direction the train was headed. They are quickly lost however in the hard-packed dirt and darkness of the tunnel itself – though following them won't be a problem – you only got one direction to go – unless you want to turn around and go back the way you just came. > You search the train's control room before deciding what to do The door to the train's control room is locked, but you are able to go outside and pull the smashed remains of the train car's windshield out, allowing you to climb inside. When the train was hit from behind, it caused the cars of both trains to accordion together, sending them sliding almost sideways down the tunnel into each other until this particular car got wedged in a narrow spot and caused the massive and jagged pileup behind it. As you enter the control room, you see that the driver of the train has been crushed to death by the front of the train as it smashed into the side of the tunnel and got wedged in. You try not to look too closely at his flattened and gore drained shell; or the pool of mess under what's left of his seat. Checking the area, you see a map of the train lines on one wall and note that the train was headed into the city before it crashed. That makes sense to you, as you would have been traveling from your house in the suburbs to your office in the city during the morning rush. Looking around some more, you find a well-stocked first aid kit, a proper flashlight, a crowbar, some signal flares, a large fire extinguisher, and working CB radio. You also find the train operator's book bag with his lunch in it and help yourself to the contents, seeing as he won't miss it anytime soon. You're actually surprised that it tastes so good, given that you're eating it in a small room with a horribly mangled corpse just a few feet away. After eating, you wrap your wounds in proper bandages and down a couple of pain pills and a no doze. You're pretty sure you don't want to fall asleep in here regardless of the head injury. You definitely don't feel safe down here in this tunnel of death. Packing the first aid kit, flashlight, and signal flares in the book bag, you heft the crowbar in your hand and check out the CB Radio – unfortunately, it's not the portable kind, but definitely worth trying to call for help on. You consider trying to take the large fire extinguisher, but are not sure about the weight versus utility. It can wait till you're ready to leave, so you decide to address it again after trying the radio. > You try the CB Radio After a while trying the current channel with no response, you try calling out on the other channels. Just when you are ready to give up, you dial channel 7 and hear a voice answer you on the other end. "Help, I've been in a subway train wreck!" you say over the com. "This is Officer Main of the 3rd Precinct, who is this, over." "Uh, my name is Greg Bradley", you identify yourself, "I'm on a wrecked subway car down in the tunnels, I don't know where exactly. Everyone onboard is either dead or gone." You hear an awkward pause on the other end of the com, and then Officer Main's voice comes back on, slow and grim. "Listen Greg, there is no easy way to tell you this, but the whole world has gone to shit, just like that train down there. Some sort of terrorist bio-weapon released on the city this morning. A poison gas, or virus, or the like. It causes those exposed to suffer death-like symptoms, including a semi rigor mortis like state, and then they go crazy with cannibalistic rage. Just like the zombies in them movies. And like the movies, you got to hit them in the head and destroy their brain in order to put them down for good. Also, if you get bit by one you got roughly ten minutes before you're one of them yourself – though I did heard this one guy actually lasted three hours before he changed. You haven't been bitten now have you" he asks, pausing for a reply. "No", you say quickly, looking at your arm but not wanting to lose contact with what could possibly be the last living soul in the city. "All right then," Officer Main continues, "Here's what you need to do. Follow the tracks to the first station and get to the streets above. The first thing you need to do is avoid contact with any zombies. Next, you need to get your bearings and know where you are in the city – get a street map if you can. Then find a pry bar or tire iron and drop yourself into the nearest 'center of the street' manhole cover. It has to be one in the center of a main street, not a side street or manhole cover near the curb. And unless you're Lou Ferrigno, you'll need the tire iron to lever up the hundred and seventy five pound manhole cover. Obviously a light is going to be handy down there too." "You still with me?" he asks. "Uh, yeah, I understand," you reply – more than a little apprehensive about some plan to go down into more dark tunnels with ravening cannibalistic zombies lurking about. "Good" he continues. "Once inside, set the manhole cover back behind you – this should keep the zombies from following you in, unless you really piss them off for some reason. There shouldn't be any zombies in the sewer tunnels – or if there are, there'll be a hell of a lot less in there than on the streets. Once in the main sewer line, follow it just like you would the streets above to our Precinct House here on 3rd and Spring Street. You'll see street names marked at each intersection of the tunnels and they run directly under the center of most streets. When you get to 3rd and Spring Street, you'll need to be careful. The zombies are thick in this area, but we're nice and safe here in our Precinct House. Like a fortress here, and well-armed, so you don't got to worry once you're inside – you just have to make a dash from the street to the door is all – you are good at running right? Over." "I'm injured; got a head wound", you reply, "but I suppose I can run a short distance all right. What about the hospitals though? I think I really need medical attention rather quickly. Uh, over." "No, don't go to any hospital! They are all overrun with the dead and undead. We have medical supplies here and a triage unit with doctors and a surgeon. You get yourself here and we can help you. You hear?" "Yeah, thanks for the information. I'll try to get to you," you say, not really certain about it just yet. "Good Luck. Over" comes back the final reply. > You take a moment to give thought to the situation After giving it some thought you conclude that you now have a number of things to consider. If the city really is overrun with zombies, then you'll need more than a crowbar to survive. You need real medical attention pretty soon too. The 3rd Precinct seems to offer both and is in the direction the train was going. Then there is your home and family. You don't remember anything of them yet, but perhaps seeing one of them in person will trigger the return of your memories. You know they must love you and wonder if they are safe. Has the attack spread into the suburbs; or is it contained in the city? What if it spreads further? Is this the only city to be attacked; or are there more cities across the country facing the zombie threat? You're not entirely sure how far your home is from the city, but you think you had just over a 40 minute commute – yeah, that sounds right. You try to work out in your head how far that would be in miles if you estimate the average speed of the train, when it occurs to you just to look at the line map on the wall of the control room. There you see that your suburb is twenty-six miles away from Summit Station (you presume under Summit Tower where you work), taking the green line from Summit Station to Fairmont Station and from there, the yellow line to Suburbia Station. Now all you need to know is where on the green line you are currently, which you won't find out until you walk in one direction or the other to a station. Of course, what is the point if you're just going to turn into one of those things in… You look at your watch, it says 9:05pm… You got about two hours left. Damn, that sucks. With this weighing on your mind, you… > You take the heavy fire extinguisher & continue heading further into the city in the direction the train was going You cautiously move through the silence of the tunnel, listening carefully as you go. You'd rather be anywhere else in the world than here right now, and the temptation just to give up, lie down, and die is almost overwhelming. You've never been prone to anxiety attacks, but this shit certainly has you on the edge. After traveling for what you thought was at least an hour, you look at your watch and see that it hasn't even been a full thirty minutes. Time flies when you're having fun, you think sarcastically. After another five or so minutes of plodding along, you begin to think you can see a dull light in the tunnel way up ahead. Turning your own light out momentarily confirms this, as you can definitely see a dull white glow in the tunnel – maybe a station you hope. Whatever it is, you're still a ways off; perhaps a quarter mile or so… > You continue toward the station As you walk toward the light at the end of the tunnel, it seems to never get any closer – Damn; how far away is it?!? That is when you realize that you have been dragging your feet as you walk recently – more stumbling forward actually than what could truly be considered a walk. Your muscles all feel tight and you're incredibly weak and tired – like your wounds and exhaustion are finally hitting you all at once. You stop and steady yourself on the wall of the tunnel a moment as your head swims and you nearly pass out. Nice. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel and now you're going to pass out and get eaten by wandering zombies before you even can make it. Typical. You begin to wonder if this is the zombie contagion at work – you have been bit after all. Are you really going to die and rise up as a brain eating monster? Yuck. You never did like the thought of eating brains, or livers, or that other disgusting stuff people eat sometimes. Hell, you can't even swallow sushi without gaging. Yeah, you'll make a real classy zombie, you think sarcastically to yourself, gagging on other peoples' brains. After another flash of near unconsciousness, you desperately look around the tunnel for some place of refuge to sit and weather out the storm – or at least a place to die in peace. You'd much rather be munched on by zombies when dead than to have them find and eat you alive. You find nothing significant, just an old sheet of heavy plywood leaned up against the side of the tunnel. With nothing more than that, and unconsciousness threatening to overtake you at any moment, you make due as best you can with what you have. You pull the bottom of the plywood sheet out a few feet from the wall of the tunnel, making a place behind that you can crawl into. You go inside and turn out your light, noting the ever faint light still visible down at the end of the tunnel. There you lie on the ground, hidden behind your makeshift shelter, feeling feverish while the pain of your head wound and the tightness of your muscles is lost in the burning sensation that has slowly spread out from where you were bit by zombies to fill your whole body. You lull in semi-consciousness; now almost sorry that you took that no doze. At least if you had fallen asleep and not woke up, you wouldn't have to be going through this right now. Your mind reels, jumping chaotically between the horrifying scenes of slaughter witnessed this day and half memories of your family, that feign to come back but then evaporate just before your mind can latch onto them. You then realize that the burning tightness in all your muscles has progressed to complete paralysis – you can't even move your fingers or close your eyes. You lay there completely rigid, unable to move, until even your vision blurs. You're not sure how long you lay there, drifting in and out of awareness, until you suddenly notice you can see clearly again and blink. You also hear what you think is the beeping of a morning alarm coming from somewhere. Then, all at once, every muscle of your body suddenly releases, and you find yourself drenched in sweat. Your fever is gone and you no longer feel a burning throughout your body or even where you were bit by zombies. Now you're just in good old fashion pain. You look at your watch and see that it's 6:00am – the time you normally get up in the morning to get ready for work. You then realize the alarm on your watch is beeping and you quickly turn it off and grab your crowbar, hoping the sound hasn't attracted any zombies to your position. You crawl out from behind your shelter to listen and then look yourself over. You appear normal – not the walking dead like you expected. You quickly do some math in your head. No problem. You're pretty sure zombies don't do math. Small blessing. Looking up the length of subway tunnel, you still see the light there at the end. Gathering your gear you: > You continue toward the station Eventually you approach the opening at the end of the tunnel, where it empties into a large underground subway station. Your heart sinks as you draw near and hear the echoing din of a large mass of zombies from within. You hover in the darkness of the tunnel, carefully venturing forward just enough to get a look inside. A hundred and some of the former subway passengers – all trapped in the rush hour mob and unable to escape the initial outbreak – pack the area, half on the landing platform itself and half down on the tracks. Those on the tracks look a lot worse for wear; most torn up from the subway crash you just came from – or even other crashes farther up ahead. They moan and snarl at each other, jostling and crowding toward the edge of the loading platform, trying most ineffectually at climbing up the four foot ledge. Occasionally one does manage to get up, but is quickly pulled back down by the rest trying to climb up over its back. You are reminded of a bucket of crabs. You remember once seeing one in Maine – there's another memory – you don't need to put a lid on a full bucket of crabs; they all try to climb up over each other. The moment one gets to the top, it is collectively grabbed by the rest and dragged back down to the bottom of the bucket. You snap out of your reflection and focus on the area itself. The zombies don't see you yet and you doubt they'd hear you over the clamor, unless you did something to intentionally attract their attention. The station is large and tiled, with a high vaulted ceiling and a large placard reading: "Fox Park Station". You see that the light is coming from a large number of battery powered emergency lights along the top of the walls. You also see, just beyond the crowded landing platform, two exits. The first is a turnstile gate at your end of the platform with an escalator and set of stairs going up on the other side. The second is an open set of stairs and an escalator at the far end of the platform beyond all the zombies. On the track level itself are two sets of rails, both empty of any trains. Apparently, the platform side is for stopping, while the outer track is for passing through. As the trains all go the same way through the tunnels, you know there must also be another tunnel and station nearby for the trains going in the opposite direction. Typically, it would be close enough that you could buy a ticket in the terminal above the tunnels and then simply come down the right set of escalators to your platform. You spot a dingy red metal door in the outer wall of the tunnel opposite the landing platform. While the light's not great, there is enough that you can make out the words on its surface: "Railway Workers Only!" As you stand in the shadows of the tunnel looking over the scene, you also spot a four foot long piece of heavy planking, lying on the ground where you would exit the tunnel. You'll have to be sure not to trip over it when you are ready to go. Man there are a lot of zombies in here! Given that, you think over your options – The open stairs and escalator at the far end of the landing platform is a no go – way too many zombies to get past even to think about it. Then there is the turnstile exit gate with the escalator and stairs on the other side. The problem with that is: to get to the stairs you'll have to hop onto the landing platform with hundreds of zombies and make it to the turnstile exit gate and jam it before they swarm you. There is also the matter of the turnstiles being one-way. If there are zombies on the other side of it, you won't be able to come back the way you came. The red door option on the other side of the tunnel would be much easier to get to, but if you're detected, the zombies on the tracks will move after you and block your way back to the tunnels. You don't even know if it's locked or even goes anywhere – for all you know it may just be an access door to firefighting equipment – though you would think it would say so if that was the case… You could also try to sneak past the horde altogether, while they are distracted, in order to continue further down the tunnels towards the center of the city. If the rest of the stations are like this one though, then you'll have to deal with getting out of the tunnels sooner or later… You could also just turn around and head back the way you came; trying instead to leave the city altogether rather than move any deeper into it. After weighing your odds, you: > You make a run for the turnstile gate through the zombie hoard Taking a deep breath, you rush out from the shadows of the tunnel and over to the nearest edge of the landing platform. As all the zombies on the tracks are looking in the direction of the zombies already on the platform, you are able to get right up to the edge of the zombie crowd and brush past two or three of them before vaulting up onto the upper level. There is an abrupt silence, as all attention is suddenly drawn to you, and then a roar of agitated groans and wails. As one, the entire zombie hoard starts toward you. Of course, you weren't waiting to see what they'd do, so you're already running full speed toward the turnstile gate at this point. Unfortunately, the zombie swarm had already partially blocked your path; and with them now actively moving toward you, you'll need to bust past at least five of them before you can get to the gate. You slam your shoulder into the first with a yell and send it flying into another, toppling both. Three more you think, swinging your crowbar with both hands at the nearest of the three. Your weapon strikes true, shattering the thing's jaw and knocking its head so far to the side that its neck snaps loudly. It falls to the ground twitching violently. That is when you feel grasping hands all over your back. It seems that your crash into the first two zombies has drastically slowed your charge. With horror you feel yourself suddenly being pulled backward into the crowd. The book bag you think! They have hold of your book bag! You drop one shoulder and spin out of the book bag freeing yourself of the hoard on the landing platform, but exposing your back to the two standing between you and the turnstile gate. Knowing that they are lunging at you even now, you do something radical and drop to the ground before rolling away to the side. The two zombies that were behind you attack the empty air where you were, while the zombie hoard still tears at your book bag. You can't help but laugh at the clumsy things, but here your laugh is cut short as realize just how dire your situation has really become. The two zombies you had knocked down simply get back up and those of the hoard not occupied with your bag have pushed forward around the melee. You now have eight or more of them between you and the gate, while a few dozen more on the tracks have actually managed to claw their way onto the platform behind you. You jump back up and manage to bash in two more heads, but you're working against the tide and are quickly overwhelmed. You are dragged down and torn to bits by hundreds of slavering jaws. A moment later and you're standing on the tracks in some sort of surreal out-of-body experience, watching the zombies on the platform spread your entrails out amongst themselves. Looking back at the tunnel you had rashly decided to come in from, you see that strange black shadowy shape from your unconscious dreams lurking nearby. You wonder what it is and what it wants with you, but that is another story… END

Eventually you approach the opening at the end of the tunnel, where it empties into a large underground subway station. Your heart sinks as you draw near and hear the echoing din of a large mass of zombies from within. You hover in the darkness of the tunnel, carefully venturing forward just enough to get a look inside. A hundred and some of the former subway passengers – all trapped in the rush hour mob and unable to escape the initial outbreak – pack the area, half on the landing platform itself and half down on the tracks. Those on the tracks look a lot worse for wear; most torn up from the subway crash you just came from – or even other crashes farther up ahead. They moan and snarl at each other, jostling and crowding toward the edge of the loading platform, trying most ineffectually at climbing up the four foot ledge. Occasionally one does manage to get up, but is quickly pulled back down by the rest trying to climb up over its back. You are reminded of a bucket of crabs. You remember once seeing one in Maine – there's another memory – you don't need to put a lid on a full bucket of crabs; they all try to climb up over each other. The moment one gets to the top, it is collectively grabbed by the rest and dragged back down to the bottom of the bucket. You snap out of your reflection and focus on the area itself. The zombies don't see you yet and you doubt they'd hear you over the clamor, unless you did something to intentionally attract their attention. The station is large and tiled, with a high vaulted ceiling and a large placard reading: "Fox Park Station". You see that the light is coming from a large number of battery powered emergency lights along the top of the walls. You also see, just beyond the crowded landing platform, two exits. The first is a turnstile gate at your end of the platform with an escalator and set of stairs going up on the other side. The second is an open set of stairs and an escalator at the far end of the platform beyond all the zombies. On the track level itself are two sets of rails, both empty of any trains. Apparently, the platform side is for stopping, while the outer track is for passing through. As the trains all go the same way through the tunnels, you know there must also be another tunnel and station nearby for the trains going in the opposite direction. Typically, it would be close enough that you could buy a ticket in the terminal above the tunnels and then simply come down the right set of escalators to your platform. You spot a dingy red metal door in the outer wall of the tunnel opposite the landing platform. While the light's not great, there is enough that you can make out the words on its surface: "Railway Workers Only!" As you stand in the shadows of the tunnel looking over the scene, you also spot a four foot long piece of heavy planking, lying on the ground where you would exit the tunnel. You'll have to be sure not to trip over it when you are ready to go. Man there are a lot of zombies in here! Given that, you think over your options – The open stairs and escalator at the far end of the landing platform is a no go – way too many zombies to get past even to think about it. Then there is the turnstile exit gate with the escalator and stairs on the other side. The problem with that is: to get to the stairs you'll have to hop onto the landing platform with hundreds of zombies and make it to the turnstile exit gate and jam it before they swarm you. There is also the matter of the turnstiles being one-way. If there are zombies on the other side of it, you won't be able to come back the way you came. The red door option on the other side of the tunnel would be much easier to get to, but if you're detected, the zombies on the tracks will move after you and block your way back to the tunnels. You don't even know if it's locked or even goes anywhere – for all you know it may just be an access door to firefighting equipment – though you would think it would say so if that was the case… You could also try to sneak past the horde altogether, while they are distracted, in order to continue further down the tunnels towards the center of the city. If the rest of the stations are like this one though, then you'll have to deal with getting out of the tunnels sooner or later… You could also just turn around and head back the way you came; trying instead to leave the city altogether rather than move any deeper into it. After weighing your odds, you: > You use the heavy fire extinguisher to disorient and bull-rush your way through the zombie hoard to the turnstile gate Good thing you brought this heavy fire extinguisher, you think, as you pull the pin and ready it for the onslaught. You're thinking that you can use it as a battering ram to bowl your way through and then blast the zombies in the face with the contents to hopefully confuse them long enough to dive through the turnstile. Taking a deep breath, you rush out from the shadows of the tunnel and over to the nearest edge of the landing platform. As all the zombies on the tracks are looking in the direction of the zombies already on the platform, you are able to get right up to the edge of the zombie crowd and brush past two or three of them before vaulting up onto the upper level – the fire extinguisher clanging loudly on the tiles as you do so. There is an abrupt silence, as all attention is suddenly drawn to you, and then a roar of agitated groans and wails. As one, the entire zombie hoard starts toward you. Of course, you weren't waiting to see what they'd do, so you're already running full speed toward the turnstile gate at this point. Unfortunately, the zombie swarm had already partially blocked your path; and with them now actively moving toward you, you'll need to bust past at least five or six of them before you can get to the gate. You level the heavy fire extinguisher in front of you and ram at full speed into the first two zombies with a yell – sending them flying back into two more and toppling all four of them. Almost there you think, swinging the heavy fire extinguisher with both hands at the nearest of those left standing. The butt of the extinguisher slams into the creature's head just below the ear – shattering the thing's jaw and knocking its head so far to the side that its neck snaps loudly. It falls to the ground twitching violently. You still have one standing between you and your goal when you feel grasping hands all over your back. It seems that your initial crash into the zombies has drastically slowed your forward momentum. With horror you feel yourself suddenly being pulled backward into the crowd. The book bag you think! They have hold of your book bag! You drop one shoulder and spin out of the book bag freeing yourself of the hoard on the landing platform, but exposing your back to the one standing between you and the turnstile gate. Knowing that it must be lunging at you even now, you do something radical and drop to the ground before rolling away to the side and emptying the contents of the fire extinguisher at your attackers. A violent blast of white powder spews up into the faces of the zombies standing over you and fills the air with a cloud of the stuff. The zombies stop short for just a moment, apparently blinded, or at least confused by the sudden stimuli. Not wasting the advantage, you scramble the last few feet toward the turnstile gate – when something grabs your leg and threatens to drag you back into the hoard. It's one of the prone zombies you knocked down in your charge – you had almost forgot about them in the mounting panic of your situation. Looking, you can see all four of them beginning to get back up, but the closest of them has grabbed a hold of your pant leg and is now sinking its teeth deep into your calf. You cry out in pain as the ugly thing rips free a wide strip of your flesh and grins – mouth dripping your own blood. Still having a hold of the fire extinguisher, you curse loudly and slam the butt of it down on the zombie's head with all your might. A gruesome spray of wet gore splats across your legs as the thing's head pops like a melon between the butt of the extinguisher and hard tile floor. You force yourself to ignore your own injury and the revulsion of such a gory sight – skittering through the turnstile before the rest of the zombies can get to you. Immediately, the zombie hoard tries to reach through the bars of the gate to get at you. Looking at the stairs and escalator, you see that there are no zombies on this side of the gate – Phew! Maybe you'll get out of this yet. The problem is that you're now bleeding from the burning bite on back of your leg and are currently stuck holding the gate yourself to keep the zombies from following you through it. You need something to jam it shut with. Looking for the heavy fire extinguisher, you see that you dropped it in order to make it to the gate in time. Damn; you could have used it! That just leaves two options – sacrifice your crowbar to lockup the turnstile – or simply make a run for the stairs (hoping your injured leg will carry you through), knowing that the zombies will follow, but only just a few at a time through the confined space of the turnstile gate… Also, you have lost your book bag and the med kit, signal flares, and proper flashlight within (though you still have the penlight on your keychain). > You let go and make a break for the stairs (keeping your crowbar) You deice that you need your crowbar too much to leave it behind and make a break for the stairs, letting go of the turnstile gate and running as fast as you can go with a limp. Two zombies immediately force themselves through the turnstile gate, but the press of those behind them completely jams up the works. One zombie even gets stuck between the turnstile and gate and is slowly being crushed. As long as the zombies all continue pushing forward at once, no more will be able to get through. Seeing this you: > You beat the crap out of the two zombies following you with your crowbar, before going up the stairs Normally, you could easily outrun the two staggering zombies, but the injury in your leg has slowed you down noticeably; and right now, you're only just keeping ahead of them. You move a little ways up the stairs to gain the advantage of higher ground and wait with your crowbar to meet the two zombies climbing sluggishly up after you. The throng of angry zombies meanwhile, still tries to push through the gate after you, but is unable to pass. They glare at you with frustrated moans and snarls, flattening the trapped zombie in the process. When the first zombie gets head level with your waist you swing for the fences and clock it in the side of the head so hard, that its ear explodes under the blow, and it is sent flying over sideways off the steps. It crashes heavily to the hard tile floor below and remains still for a moment, but then slowly begins to right itself. The second zombie keeps coming and reaches to grab at your legs, but you anticipate such a move and backpedal up the stairs a bit more, giving you room to wind up a brutal overhead swing. Your crowbar lands on top of the nasty creature's head so hard that its skull caves in with a cracking-splorch – and a bloody spray of teeth splatter your feet as they shoot out of what was once the awful thing's mouth. By this time, the first zombie has staggered back up and is heading for the stairs again. You see a long red welt raised up on the side of its head, where its ear used to be. You again raise you crowbar over your head and wait. When it gets up to you on the stairs, you kick its chest hard, sending it once more tumbling back down to the tile floor below. This time however, you hurry after it and plunge the chisel-end of your crowbar into the back of its head before it can get up again. The thing convulses violently a moment and then goes still, before you pull your crowbar out of its skull with a wet sucking sound. You glance over at the turnstile gate, relieved to see that the agitated zombies are still jamming it up with their hapless compatriot. Limping up the stairs to the subway's main corridor, you see the wide concrete and tile entryway into the subway itself; and you can actually see the exit to your left, beyond a bank of narrow token-operated turnstiles. Unfortunately, a huge mass of zombies crowd the area – both in front of the turnstiles and on the other side, where the tunnel itself simply opens without walls to the outside. You stifle a gag, as the smell of blood and death is overpowering here. Looking at the floor of the main corridor, you shudder to see hundreds of ripped open and dismembered bodies lying in sticky footprint-tracked pools of maggot and fly infested blood. You force yourself to ignore the nauseating massacre and take in the more pertinent details of the scene. Directly across from the stairway you just came up is another stairway headed back down. The sign over the stairs reads: "North Platform." You know that this is the stairway that leads back down to the other end of the platform you just escaped. It's a good thing zombies are stupid – or they could just turn from the turnstile gate you blocked and come right up those stairs unimpeded. To your right, the subway's main corridor goes another hundred or so feet and ends at another set of opposing stairs, where a much smaller group of ten or twelve zombies mill about. The signs above these stairways read: "South Platform" and "Exit Only" respectively. You know they would take you down to the subway's southbound platform – no doubt just as zombie infested as the north platform was. Between you and that far end of the corridor – about fifty feet away – are three sets of doors. The first door is on the opposite side of the tunnel from you and is a security door broken off the top hinges. It hangs open at an odd angle and looks bent out slightly, as if it had been forced open recently. It has a pushpin key lock in it, but doesn't look like it can be closed anymore, and has the words: "Transit Authority: Subway Personnel Only" is written on its face. The second door is on your side of the tunnel, just a little further down from the first. It is also a security door, closed and locked with a pushpin key lock, and reads: "Security Office" on the front. Next to the door itself is a huge smashed out window – creating a six foot wide, four foot high, opening into the security area beyond. The bloody body of a security guard hangs out of the window frame, the back half of his head apparently blown out from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Below the window frame is a scattering of broken glass and a bloody pile of corpses – some you note with huge holes in their heads as well. You also think you can see the pistol the guard must have used to blow his brains out, lying in the gore. The final set of doors, about thirty feet further down the tunnel from the security office, are the doors to the men and women's restrooms. Given the circumstances, you have to rule out the exit. There is no way you're going to be able to get through all those zombies. They would tear you apart, like all the other unfortunates that now litter the floor. There is also no point in going back down to either subway platform. That would be suicide. You really don't have to go to the bathroom all that bad; so there's no point getting trapped in a restroom. Besides, you can think of a lot more pleasant places to be killed by zombies anyway. That leaves the broken transit authority door or the security office door (with the pistol). Given the distance between both groups of zombies and the doors, you estimate that you can get to either door before the zombies can get to you – even if they spot you. If you can sneak undetected however, that will help even more. > You run for the broken transit authority door You sprint across the main corridor for the broken transit authority door, hoping to get far enough ahead of the zombies that it won't matter that they see you – which unfortunately, they all do. With a loud clamor of wails and wheezing snarls, the massive hoard of walking dead jammed up at the at the turnstiles, notices your movement and falls forward toward you in a sudden jerky run. Damn; these ones are moving much faster than you expected! Looking toward the smaller group of ten to twelve zombies at the other end of the corridor, you see that they too have all seen you and are now coming at you as well – lumbering forward with a clumsy gait. > You oh shit! You rush through the broken transit authority door and see that you are in a short hallway, leading from the broken door about thirty feet to a set of private restrooms (men and women's) at the far end. Another corridor joins the hallway about halfway down its length on the left. With the horde of ravenous zombies just moments behind, you move quickly to the corridor leading off the hallway and look down it to see a long corridor lit by emergency lighting. A number of office doors, some open and some closed, line each side – while what's left of two mangled corpses litter the hallway in a splattering of gore. As you look, you see a zombie stumble out of one of the office doors to wander aimlessly down the hall away from you. At the far end of the corridor, beyond the lone zombie with its back to you, you can also see another security door, this one intact, but also shut and secured with a pushpin key lock. Great; you're about to be sandwiched between the zombie ahead and the coming horde from behind – you'd better decide what to do fast… > You take out the lone zombie with your crowbar, allowing a few moments access to the security door before the other two zombies show up behind you You sprint right up the corridor, toward the lone zombie near the closed security door. As you come up from behind, the zombie turns to see what the commotion is and catches your heavy crowbar right across the eyes. You hit it so hard – and with the momentum of your run – that the entire front of its face folds in and both eyeballs pop right out of its head. The thing topples over in a crimson spray – and does not get back up. Looking back down the corridor behind you, you don't yet see the following zombies, but can hear them drawing closer. You might have ten seconds – if you're lucky. Quickly looking at the pushpin key lock securing the door, you see that it has nine pins (zero through nine) and a turning knob. Having worked with these before, in some of the secured areas of the Summit Tower, you know that you punch in a four digit combination and then turn the knob to open the door. Examining the pushpins themselves, you note that the '1', '2', and '9' pins seem a bit more worn than the rest; and that the '9' pin looks the most worn of all. If the wear indicates the pins used in the combination, then you're looking at a combination using a '1', '2', and two '9's. Being an accountant, you quickly do the math in your head – leaving you with only twelve combinations. You try: > You 1299 Not the right combination. You'd better hurry; time is running out! You try:

Chapter 1: Minor Ambitions Once upon a time in a city called Klyton, there was a young man who wanted to be a doctor. He studied hard in school and his parents supported his dreams for he was intelligent and hard working and they knew he could succeed if given the chance. They also wanted him to have a more stable and comfortable life than they did. (Much like their parents before them) Despite the high costs of a formal education of a person growing up in his middle class background, his parents who ran an inn, scraped together enough money to send him to a university and for awhile the young man was able to pursue his dreams. Unfortunately life doesn't always go as planned and one day the young man's father died and to make matters worse it turned out his father who only had the best intentions for his son, had been borrowing from a dangerous loan shark. With his mother in danger of losing the inn, the young man had to put his dreams on hold and help his mother. It was a time of great stress for the young man, but in time he was able to not only keep the inn afloat and pay off the debt, but he was also able to turn enough profit to re-enroll at the university and eventually become the doctor he always wanted to be. During his time as an innkeeper however, he had become very close to a young barmaid by the name of Eliza. While their love didn't blossom immediately, he soon realized his feelings before it was too late and the two became romantically involved and in time they married. For various reasons together they moved away from the city and to a quieter smaller town called Teckleville. There the young man opened a private practice and became a respected member of the community and had twins with Eliza. These twins, a boy and a girl, had possibly even more of a loving home than their father did and they certainly had even more comforts and advantages. Truly when they grew up, they could be anything they set their minds to. However, once again life is not always so simple. As they grew up, these twins became the scourge of Teckleville, always getting into mischief. Granted some misbehavior is expected from youth as they find their purpose in life, but it would seem no matter what, these two were bound and determined to pursue the life of crime. The pair of them rogues through and through and as they got older it was apparent they had no desire to change. And that's where our tale begins… > You continue Year 16 As you sit counting your ill-gotten loot from the latest traveling merchant in town, your twin sister is watching you with a slightly distracted expression. She's been looking like that a lot lately. You know she can't be concerned about getting into trouble. The pair of you have been doing this since you were kids. You've got this routine down pretty well at this point. While most of your small town is fully aware of your roguish ways, you're fortunate that you're both still young and your father is a good doctor and has some measure of influence in keeping you out of the local jail. Plus, it helps that you long since stopped stealing from the town itself and focused on stealing from people passing through Teckleville instead. Still, it isn't like either of your parents are pleased with your recreational criminal activities and have tried to steer you in a different direction with little success. While it tends to go in one ear and out the other with you, sometimes your sister listens occasionally. And you're pretty sure that's the cause of her distraction in-between your jobs. Something is on her mind and has been for a while now and today is the day she says as much. "We need to talk bro." your sister says. "Uh oh. You sound like mom. Which means this doesn't sound good." You reply. "I really wish you wouldn't set a negative tone to this already difficult situation. I've been going back and forth about this multiple times, making myself sick over it actually." "Very well, let's get this over with." You sister exhales deeply and sits next to you. "There's nothing here for me in this town." "Gee thanks, sis." "That's not what I mean, I just…(Sigh) look I know you don't listen to mom or dad, but I've been thinking they've got a point. I mean, what am I doing? What are WE doing? I mean when we were little kids, this was fun. Working together in near perfect harmony and avoiding trouble, but we're both sixteen now. We really going to be doing this for another sixteen years?" "We weren't doing this straight out of the womb, sis." "You know what I mean! What does the future hold for us? How long before dad just gets fed up and tells the town guard to throw us in jail for our own good?" "Mom, wouldn't allow that." "Yeah, well I think even mom has her limits. Besides, neither one may have a choice in protecting us, if we really fuck up one day." "We're too good at this, we're not going to fuck up." "Yeah well, even if that is the case, I don't see staying here in Teckleville robbing travelling merchants as a stable future." "So what are you saying exactly?" "I'm saying I'm getting out. I'm leaving town." You're silent for a moment. You knew that's where this was heading, but hearing it makes it real. "Where are you going to go?" you ask. "I dunno. Anywhere! Maybe Klyton, or Holgard or even the Delantium Kingdom. I'll figure it out during my travels. Just anywhere, but here." "Oh? And just how exactly are you going to support yourself?" "Half of that stuff we steal is mine you know." Your sister points out. "Yeah, I know that, but that's not going to last forever and it isn't that much." You say. "Well mom has always stressed how nice my voice is and how creative I am. And I think you know I've been practicing my lute a lot more lately. I figured I might be a bard…" "A bard?" "Yeah, you know. Singing tales, telling stories and getting into adventures…" "…okay…Yes, you've got many talents. I mean it's why we work so well together. You distract folks with your charm and I do the rest. I've always known that and I get that you've always liked the attention you get from the marks more than the actual thievery. But I thought you said you were seeking a more stable future. Being a wandering bard doesn't exactly qualify." "Well okay, maybe stable wasn't the right word, maybe DIFFERENT was more accurate. My point is, this is something I want to do and I can't be a proper bard unless I travel and experience the world! I can't stay here any longer." Your sister is quite serious about this and you know that there is going to be no deterring her from this path. This is going to change everything, but you're willing to roll with it. "Well…okay I suppose if this is something you want to do, I'll have to support it. You're probably right about sticking around here anyway, I know I get pretty bored in between waiting for the next mark. I assume you're probably already getting ready to leave soon. Just let me get my things together and I'll be ready…" "Not this time. I'm going by myself." Now you're really surprised. "What?! But you can't! I mean…who's going to look out for you? Don't you know how dangerous it is out there?" you exclaim. "How would you know? You've never left this town either!" your sister points out. "Yeah, well I've heard things!" "And so have I. Look…I'm well aware that it isn't a safe world out there, but that's part of what I need to experience. I mean even here, with that overly aggressive asshole Klint hitting on me every other day, I know I'm safe from him because you, mom and dad are around." Your sister continues. Look, I need to do this on my own. I need to fail or succeed on my own. I need to take care of myself, I mean don't you think I've got the skills to do it?" "Yeah, but…I dunno…I guess it'll just be sort of strange. We've been a team for so long." "I know. It'll be strange for me too since we're so close, but maybe this will be for the best anyway. I mean have you heard some of more recent ugly rumors about us just because we're twins?" "Yeah, sort of twisted where people's minds go. (Sigh) I guess this is goodbye. Are you leaving tonight, are you telling mom and dad?" "Yes, as you correctly guessed I will be leaving tonight. As for telling mom and dad, I thought about it…but I can only imagine the chaos that might cause with mom getting weepy and dad forbidding me to go anywhere. Hell, he might actually have the town guard throw me in jail just so I'd have to stay! No, better just leave a note and take off in the middle of the night." "Probably the safest bet for you. Though of course you realize I'm going to catch the fallout of this plan of yours. In fact I'll probably somehow get blamed for it." "Yeah, I suppose you will…apologies." Your sister says. "Meh, don't worry about it. I'll muddle through like I always do." "Y'know you could leave too. I mean not with me of course, but you're a resourceful guy, I'm sure you could make it outside this one horse town too. You did say you get bored here." Your sister says. "Yeah, but I dunno. I'm not exactly multi-talented as you are and I doubt if I'd be able to try my hand at a life not involving crime somehow. Plus, here I'm probably the best thief in town. Elsewhere? I'm probably an amateur that would get eaten alive by the bigger criminals. Besides, I still got a good thing going here. I admit though it's not going to be the same without your help." Your sister pats you on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. Just remember what I said. You've got more talent than you think and you could definitely do well out there too." Maybe there is some truth to that, but in any case, this is where you part ways with your blood partner in crime. You both hug knowing that you both are going to feel like part of you is gone, but perhaps your sister is right. Perhaps it will ultimately be better for you in the long term. At least for her since she does have talent other than petty thievery. Later that night, your sister takes off to parts unknown and you prepare yourself for the hell that your parents are no doubt going to raise. Truth be told, if you left, they probably wouldn't cause as much fuss…okay well maybe that's not entirely true, but still, your sister has always been the favorite so they're going to take this hard. They won't be the only one. > You time Passes... Six months later… As you sit counting your ill-gotten loot from the latest traveling merchant in town, your girlfriend is watching you with an exasperated expression. Of course she tends to look like that a lot. "Ugh. This part is soooo boring! I dunno why you didn't steal the jewelry, I liked some of those necklaces." Annah exclaims. "Because you know I prefer hard coin in my possession rather than anything else." You reply trying not to lose count. "So? You're not the only one involved in doing this you know! You couldn't just think about ME for once and steal some pretty items?" "Annah, if you wanted one of those necklaces so bad, you could have just stolen it yourself. You were closer to the merchant and easily had him distracted." "He was gross. Breathing heavy and touching my legs, it was all I could do not to vomit…y'know you could have defended my honor." It's going to be one of those days… "(Sigh) And how exactly was I going to do that while I was breaking into his lockbox in his tent? The whole point is for me not to attract any sort of attention and that's getting more difficult to do what with a lot of the merchants hiring more guards nowadays." Annah rolls her eyes. It's no secret that Annah was certainly drawn to you because she's a little on the wild side and doesn't have the best of reputations herself. While she certainly lets you do things to her that are a lot of fun, she's not the partner in crime that your sister was and she certainly complains a lot more. A LOT more. Annah's got the looks and flirting down, but that's about it. Your sister actually had the talent to get the attention of people even if they weren't some weak willed slob that went nuts over the latest sweet young thing that batted their eyes at them. She could lure them with a tale or a song and keep a whole entourage captivated if need be. You suppose Annah's lack of skill has had the benefit of increasing your own since you've definitely had to be quicker and sneakier. Still, it isn't just her lack of skill and bitching that's the problem since that you can deal with. It's the fact that she's way more maintenance than you thought she'd be and she's been getting worse in that aspect. You know you're probably going to have to give her a little bit more this time around just to keep her appeased. At this point you haven't really been saving much at all and you were planning on moving out of your parents home by now because that situation hasn't gotten any better since your sister left. Lately you've been starting to wonder if you shouldn't just do what your sister did and leave. It's just getting to be too much hassle to steal in this town and it definitely isn't as much fun as it used to be. Where you would go though, you aren't sure. You're going to have to figure it out. In the meantime, you hand over Annah's share. "Okay, here you go…so what do you want to do now?" you ask. "Well since you were unwilling to steal me one of those nice necklaces, I guess I'll have to buy a cheap ass one from that hag that runs Sparkling Treasures." Annah replies. "So, we're going to Jasmine's shop." "Yeah, and she's going to be giving me the evil eye the entire time. Thinking I'm going to steal something." "Well to be fair, you can't blame her. I'll come with you, but as far as I know I'm still banned from the place ever since I stole a bracelet for my sister's birthday. Of course that was before we decided that the town was completely off limits." "Whatever, I don't really want to hear about how you spoiled your other girlfriend right now. It's bad enough that continually criticize me and say I'm not as good as sister." "What the…first of all I'm sick of these rumors about me and her when it wasn't even like that! Second of all, I just said ONCE that our capers might run smoother if you had a better array of talents rather than just relying on your looks." "There you go again putting me down! I don't see you complaining about my talents when you're having your five minutes of fun…" "Now don't even start with that! Look, I don't want to fight! Let's just go get your necklace." "I need more money!" "What?!" "What you gave me isn't enough for the one I want!" "Didn't you just say Jasmine sells cheap quality shit?" "Yeah, but that old bitch charges an arm and leg for it, so I need more money!" You shake your head and reach into your pocket. "(Sigh) Fine. Here, take it! Take it all!" you exclaim and hand over most of your coins to Annah, who takes them without blinking an eye. At this point you're wondering why if she thinks you're such a bad bum to her that why is she with you at all. "Thanks baby!" Annah beams and kisses you. Well that answers your question. As Annah grabs your arm while you walk to Jasmine's shop, you continue to think about leaving here. The only thing is, are you going to do it like your sister did and just leave in the middle of the night, or are you going to actually say goodbye first? You sort of think with as much grief as you give your parents, they might actually like to at least say goodbye to you seeing as they didn't get that chance with your sister. Of course that might be just wishful thinking on your part. "Okay, since you said you're not allowed in, just wait outside and I'll be out soon." Annah says as you get to Sparkling Treasures. "I'll be here." You remark. Annah hasn't been gone long when you encounter more trouble. "Well if it isn't the notorious thief of Teckville. Shouldn't you be skulking around in the shadows stealing from little old ladies?" It's Klint and ever since your sister left, he's been even more of an asshole to you and you're not really sure why. "Klint, seriously what the hell is your problem? I don't understand this continued antagonism towards me. I don't go over to your family's chicken farm and steal the cocks out of your hand." Klint as usual is slow on the uptake and doesn't even get the double meaning insult you just said, but he's mad at you anyway. "Because it's all your fucking fault! I could have gotten with your sister if YOU hadn't been around!" "Oh for fuck's sake, if my sister had ANY attraction to you, she certainly would have showed it. She didn't and now she's GONE, okay? Get the hell over it already…" Klint at this point starts getting closer to you and raising his voice and you begin to take a more defensive stance. "FUCK YOU! It was ALL your fault! How could I have a chance with her when YOU corrupted her! Tell me…did she smell like flowers when you embraced her? Did she taste like honey when you kissed her? Did the very heavens move when you plunged into her?" he asks with a mixture of anger and resentment, but also with a glint of eagerness that you'll tell him. While you knew Klint was always a bit obsessed with your sister, you never quite knew how bad it was until just now. He's totally lost it. "Klint, contrary to what the rumors are, none of that happened you sick fuck. Look, just go home before something bad happens…" you say. "Oh something bad is gonna happen alright sister fucker!" He says and then brandishes a knife partially covered in blood and with a few feathers stuck to it. And of course nobody is around to see all this despite it being broad daylight. Or maybe they're just watching from windows and don't care. You're not exactly popular after all. "Klint, put that knife back and just walk away now." You say stepping back. "Everyone in this town hates you, y'know. Even that whore you hang around with now. She came on to me the other night saying how she wanted a proper fuck as opposed to your pathetic attempts. I didn't fuck her though; I just let her suck my dick. Did she kiss you today? Ha ha ha ha!" You ignore Klint's ramblings and continue to focus on his knife, which is now aiming towards your face, even if you are trying to widen the gap between you two. "Klint, last chance to get that knife out of my face." "Or you'll what?" Well it's a good question, what are you going to do? > You draw your own dagger This asshole is trying to kill you! You're not taking any chances. No sooner have you drawn your own dagger when Klint swings at you a couple times and you barely have time to dodge. Luckily for you, despite his size Klint isn't all that skilled in combat. While you've never really been in more than a few scuffles as a kid yourself, you've taught yourself what you THINK is adequate fighting knowledge. Also the very real threat of Klint seemingly trying to kill you is causing a survival instinct to kick in. You don't think, you just see an opportunity causing you to swing with your dagger. It's a hit and Klint touches the side of his face and looks at the fresh blood from the medium slash you landed on his cheek. For a moment, Klint is in disbelief. He begins shaking and breathing hard. You think he's going to start crying or even run away because he realizes that this is a real fight with real consequences. Klint instead screams with rage until his face is beet red. It's sort of unnerving, but you stand your ground. Swinging his knife wildly, he charges at you still screaming the entire time. You dodge out of the way, but your leg doesn't completely clear the charge and you fall to the ground face first. Fortunately you trip up Klint in the process, who instead of taking advantage, continues to stumble in the direction he was already running in. Unfortunately, Annah was just coming out of Jasmine's shop at the time. "Hey what's…AH!" Annah yelps as Klint's knife goes straight into her stomach. You recover just in time to see Klint hovering near her body with his knife in it. She's lying up against the door of Jasmine's shop as blood seeps out and dyes her clothing red. "Annah?" you utter, but she doesn't answer she just looks down at her wound, holding it and then looks at you with a mixture of shock, pain and sadness. Klint on the other hand turns to you with a face that's now completely drained of all its rage and is a little shock himself. "I didn't…I didn't mean…" is all he stutters. ANNAH!" you shout and now you're the one that's going out of your mind. Klint tries to defend himself, but you're relentless. Klint falls backwards as you attack and ignoring any sort of pain he's caused with his fists or feet you begin stabbing him in the chest like a madman. Klint screams are now ones of pleading rather than anger. It doesn't matter if it was an accident. It doesn't matter that he just said she cheated on you with him (Which might've been a lie anyway). It doesn't even matter that she's bitching at you all the time and you were strongly considering leaving her soon anyway. The fact is, you did have a relationship with her and to some small degree you did care. He begs you to stop killing him, but you've snapped. He's caused you nothing but trouble for your sister and yourself. You're ending it today and with one more strike, you thrust your dagger in his throat and then pull it out. Klint's screams become gurgles as he clutches his bloody throat. His body convulses a bit as you stand up drenched in blood. You don't stand there and watch him die however, you instead run over to Annah who is still bleeding out with a knife in her belly. "Shit, shit, Annah, it's gonna be okay. My dad's a doctor remember? He…he…he'll fix this. I'm gonna go get him. Just…just hang on baby…" you say before you're suddenly pulled away by two strong hands. "GET AWAY FROM HER MURDERER!" a gruff voice shouts from behind. Still at a heightened state of alert, you stab at whoever it is behind you, and just manage to nick their arm before twisting away. You now see that your fight with Klint has drawn out a lot of the townsfolk. Bastards were probably watching the entire time. The man who tried to pull you away was the Wilfred the pub owner. It's a good thing he's not one of the appointed town watch, but it probably won't be long. "You little bastard! You see that? He tried to kill me too! Someone get the town watch! Someone go get Klint's family too, they need to know what this murderer did to their boy!" Wilfred shouts as he clutches his bleeding arm. Several other townsfolk go running off shouting about your deeds, and a few others look as if they're going to take their chances apprehending you themselves and while Wilfred is a fat out of shape barkeep, you don't know if you'd do as well against the blacksmith who is now approaching you with a hammer in hand. With a lynch mob starting to form, you do the only thing you can and that's run. After a few moments of running and backtracking, you've managed to make it home and lose most of the ones that were half heartedly trying to nab you, but it won't be long before what passes for real law enforcement around here is beating down your door. You only have a short time to gather what you can and get the hell out of here. Of course as soon as you come in, your mother sees you covered in blood and demands to know what is going on. "By the gods! What have you done!? What have you DONE?!" your mother shouts. "I didn't do anything! Where's dad?!" you ask. "I'm right here….oh shit. Fuck! What the hell did you do now?!" your dad says walking into the room. "I didn't do anything! But Annah is severely wounded, you gotta help her. She's got a knife in her stomach and she's over by Jasmine's shop! Please! You have to hurry!" you exclaim. "Are you the one who stabbed her?" your father asks. "What?! NO! Klint stabbed her, but everyone thinks….look… I gotta get outta here, just go help her!" you say and push both of your parents out of the way to go gather a few things from your room. Surprisingly your father doesn't say much more, he just gathers up his emergency physician's bag and mutters to himself. You think you hear him saying how you're a fuck up before he leaves, but that's about it. Your mom on the other hand as you're hastily grabbing a few items, is tearfully going on about how you (And your sister) wasted your potential and she doesn't know where she and your father went wrong. You have little time and it isn't much, but you try to reassure her that it isn't either of their faults. You'd like to calm her down some more, but there are a bunch of people soon banging at the door. "STOP HIDING BEHIND YER MAMA'S SKIRT AND GET OUT HERE MURDERER!" you hear a voice shout. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything. I…I gotta go." You say as you leave your mother crying and go to climb out your window. You manage to just get out of your backyard when you hear someone else shout that they see you and you're soon off and running from a mob again. It takes a bit of stealth and hiding on your part (along with distancing yourself from Teckleville) but eventually as the sky goes dark, you're fairly certain nobody from the town is still chasing you, or if they are, they might have made camp for the night. As for you, you're in the middle of a wood, still wearing your bloody clothes (fortunately you managed to grab some spare in your pack though) unsure of where you're going to go exactly. On top of it all you still don't know if Annah's dead. You're so tired. You can't even process all of it anymore. You have to rest. You find a tree that looks sturdy and high enough, so you climb it and prepare to sleep for the night. You just hope that anyone that might still be looking for you at this late hour doesn't think to look up. As you drift off to sleep, your thoughts go to your sister. "Well sis, whether things are working out for you or not right now, at least your exit wasn't like this." > Next day You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway. After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were. You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger. Part of you is only just now starting to feel the various negative emotions involving your parents and Annah. You can only imagine the shitstorm they're facing because of your actions. You just hope that they don't suffer the consequences of what you did. Then there's Annah. You feel like you should be feeling a lot sadder about her, maybe even crying a bit, but maybe you got all those emotions out of your system when you killed Klint. Still seems a bit surreal that you killed someone. Not just anyone, but someone you knew since childhood, even if you didn't like him. You definitely don't feel bad about it and while that can be due to several understandable factors, you can't help but wonder if you could do it again under different circumstances. You may have to, especially now, though your mind certainly went to a dark place during that time. Whatever the near future holds, you'll have to deal with it when it happens. Right now you have to make a decision on where you're going to go because you're not exactly hot on the idea of staying out here in the wilderness. Your first thought is to head west to the city-state of Klyton. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look. Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time. Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date. Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes. The Delantium Kingdom to the east isn't really high on your choice list. For one thing, you'd have to backtrack around Teckleville to go in that direction. From what you've overheard, the kingdom has been slowly trying to expand again which sounds a lot like more soldier types running around and that's the last thing you need. Still, the kingdom is a big place and they can't possibly be everywhere. Sivak is the closest major city there. The only other nearby bastion of major civilization you can think of that's close is another city state by the name of Holgard. It's to the south and in terms of existence, it's only a little older than you are. It was founded by a noble from the Delantium Kingdom. Originally it was most likely supposed to be some sort of outpost or colony for the DK. But whatever the original intent, the noble soon set himself up as absolute ruler with no ties to the kingdom at all. For whatever reason, the DK hasn't taken any action against him, whether that's because the cost wouldn't be worth it, they've got more important things to deal with or they're simply glad to have him gone is unknown. The third possibility isn't entirely out of the question either, since you've overheard travelling merchants say that Baron Varsakken is a very unlikable man and it's amazing he hasn't suffered any assassination attempts. His children are apparently little better. Still, you've also heard the place is filled with corruption so it would probably be a better place to do your work than Klyton. > You klyton You figure it might be best to head somewhere that you can at least get your bearings about what you're going to do in the long term with your life. Still, it would be best to stay off the road and stick to the wilderness. With a new goal, you head in the direction of Klyton and hoping nobody from Teckleville is tracking you. You stick to the woods figuring that it will provide you with more cover. You keep alert for possible denizens that lurk in the woods themselves, but besides a lot of birds and a few normal animals, you don't encounter anything out of the ordinary. You even manage to get a good night's sleep, well as good as you can get with as paranoid as you are. Unfortunately the woods eventually begins to thin and if you continue walking the way you are going, you're going to be in the open plains and if you're going to march across the open fields, you might as well just walk on the road since you'll be just as exposed. Since you're not exactly in danger of starving or anything and the woods themselves seem fairly safe, you decide to play it cautiously by staying in the woods for the rest of the day and travel in the open at night. Hopefully it won't be a much longer trek to Klyton. You take the opportunity to rest up some more and when the only light in the sky is that of the dim moon, that's when you leave the edge of the woods. The trees around you soon disappear and all that's left is you in the open countryside and the occasional sounds of nocturnal animals. You walk across the fields for a while, but as the grass starts getting knee high, you start hearing unfamiliar sounds. While you hope it is only a harmless nocturnal animal (or rather several of them judging by the noises) you get concerned that you might be at a disadvantage if it isn't, so you quickly make your way back towards the road where you have better vision of any potential low to the ground threats. The road is just as empty as the plains you just left. You continue to keep aware of your surroundings by keeping an ear out for various sounds. You still have this idea that you're suddenly going to hear Teckleville watchmen on horses galloping on your position. You continue down the road and once again you see something out of the ordinary. This time though it's a hanging cage along side the road. You've heard of those before. Klyton apparently uses them when the jails are full and the criminal hasn't done anything bad enough to deserve outright death. So they get put in these cages until they eventually die of starvation, exposure or someone grants the mercy of killing them. Either way they aren't the city's problem anymore. Seems like it would be kinder to kill them immediately. You walk a little further and you see a few more of them on both sides of the road. Well if there's anyone inside them, they're going to be safely locked in a cage. First couple cages you pass are empty. The next one has a decaying smell as you pass, but nobody is in it. You notice on the other side of the road a couple of the cages have bodies in them, but seeing as they aren't moving, you can only guess you're probably walking by corpses. At least you think you are. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any extra water would you?" you suddenly hear one of the slumping figures in the cage say. Well you may have decided to travel at night, but it would seem you're encountering more people than you thought. "Uh, no not really." You answer. "That sounded really convincing there son. Come on, if you got any you could spare some. You always got the luxury of grabbing yourself a drink at the first tavern in Klyton…assuming you're even old enough...I can't quite see you, but you sound fairly young." The figure in the cage says. "I'm not young, I'm a grown man!" you exclaim. "Oh. Well apologies then. So can you please spare any water, I'm dying of thirst over here." "Why should I trust you? You're in a cage meant for criminals." "So? What, do you think I'm going to suddenly attack you or something? Even if I had the strength to grab you from between the bars and choked you out or something, that wouldn't exactly help my situation now would it? If anything it would just be harder to beg for water from the next person that passed by given that your corpse would be near my cage." Strangely that logic makes a bit of sense to you. "I'm not a violent criminal anyway. I'm just in here because I was a little down on my luck and stole some food. Unfortunately Klyton is pretty overzealous when it comes to their laws." The man goes on to say. "So you're a thief?" you ask. "Only out of survival." "Explains why you got caught. You're not a professional." You say. "Oh? Well more apologies then, I didn't realize I was speaking to a master fucking thief. Of course if you're so good, why the hell are you wandering out here in the boonies? Shouldn't you be stealing the King of Delantium's jeweled chamber pot or something?" "Hey, if you're still expecting me to give you any water you're doing a piss poor job at convincing me." You say getting a bit agitated and stepping closer to the cage. From this distance you get a better visual on the man in the cage. He looks about of average build, and he's a lot older than you. In fact he looks like he might be around your dad's age. Of course he gets a better look at you as well. "Heh. You barely have any stubble on your face! I knew you were just a kid! Something about you though…you look strangely familiar." The man remarks. "I don't think so, I've never been to Klyton." You say. "No, you don't look like you have. You look more like someone from a small town…say you wouldn't be from Teckleville would you? That is the closest town around here." "…um no why?" you say and then silently cursing yourself that your lie didn't come out natural. "I'll take that slight pause as a yes and you really need to work on your attempts at misdirection and lying. What sort of thief are you?" "Better one than you obviously, you can't even pick the easy lock on your cage." "Yeah, yeah, so Teckleville huh? Hmm….wait a minute!" The man suddenly asks if you know a doctor from Teckleville, and then goes into a description somewhat matching your dad, even mentions him by name. Does this man know your father? Since you seem to be messing up on your lies right now, you just go ahead and confirm his suspicions. "The gods are truly merciful this night! I knew your father! You look a lot like him when he was young. My name's Tom and I used to go to school with your father!" "You mean in the university?" "No, I used to go to primary and high school with him. I was one of his friends during childhood. I mean sure we drifted apart obviously, even more so when I dropped out altogether, but me and him were always alright with each other! I heard he moved to Teckleville years ago and had a family. Didn't know his son was a thief though…how the hell did that happen?" "Long story." "Hm, I'll bet…so you were saying this big ass lock on my cage looked easy?" "Yeah, I've picked more complex merchant lockboxes." You say confidently. At this point Tom stops slouching and begins to move towards you as much as he can in his cage. "That's good…that's good….so hey instead of water, how about you set me free?" "What? Why should I do that?" "Oh come on! I was a friend of your father's! Surely he's mentioned all the fond memories of us playing smash sphere after school." "Well, actually my father doesn't speak much about Klyton or the past at all. He prefers to forget it. Says it was mostly stressful." "Oh....well hey how about this deal then? You've never been to Klyton, so how about in exchange for my freedom I give you some basic information on some of the neighborhoods and potential places you could easily go burgle. I mean obviously I'm rubbish at it, but if you're as good as you say you are, they should be easy for you. You might have less of a problem with releasing him if you could somehow confirm he is who he says he is. Tom certainly seems to know bits about your father that would be hard to know by some complete stranger. Your father never said anything about former childhood friends though, or if he did you weren't paying attention. > You release Tom The promise of loot is always a helpful push in any direction. Even if he's lying about being a friend of your father's, dying a slow death in a cage is still a pretty horrible way to die just for stealing food. And while he could also be lying about that as well you're confident in your abilities that if he tries anything, you'll be able to defend yourself if necessary. At worst he's probably going to just run off. "Okay, I'm going to take big risk here, but I'm going to release you, but if you try anything I'm more than capable of defending myself. I've killed before!" you exclaim. "Whoa there son, I'm not going to do anything! If anything I'm going to be your best friend for life if you set me free. Look I'll even step as far back as I can in this cage and put my hands behind my back while you pick the lock!" You're still a little wary, but you pull out your little lock pick set and begin to work on the big lock. "So…you're a killer along with being a thief huh? That's quite the combination kid. I'm sort of having a hard time believing it." "Why? Because I don't look like one? Because I'm young?" you say. "Heh, neither of those. Known a lot of killers that don't look the part. Also known a lot of killers younger than yourself. Just having a hard time believing it because of who your father is. While your father certainly wasn't some goody two shoes as a kid, he certainly didn't go seeking out major trouble. Never did anything illegal as far as I know. I sort of figured if he ever had kids of his own, he'd teach them the same." You continue working on the lock while only really half listening to Tom's ramblings about your father. "He was always was focused on his goal of becoming a doctor. Heard even when he ran his dad's inn temporarily he did nothing but work hard all the time while still attending his classes. Yep, your dad certainly had his shit together by thinking about his long term future." "Guess so if you like boring." You mutter. "Boring huh? I suppose stability would be a little dull to some, still there are benefits. So is that why you're going around stealing and killing people? Running away from your boring small town and heading to the big city? Is this your form of rebellion?" Now you're getting irritated. "Look, I'm trying to work on this fucking lock and I'm having a hard enough time doing this in near darkness without you trying analyze my home life." "Okay, okay, I'll shut up." Tom remarks. After a bit of silence, you speak up again. "And for the record, I don't go around killing people for fun. I've only killed one and that's because the sonofbitch stabbed my girlfriend." You say. "…well shit kid. That's pretty damn horrible. Guess you did what you had to then, I can respect that. Did she…" "I dunno…hope not. Maybe my dad got to her in time. I had to sort of leave town in a hurry though." "Ah. I see." And with that, the big rusty lock makes a satisfying click and you back away from the cage. "There, it's done." Tom wastes no time he immediately opens the door and starts pacing and stretching. "Damn, you don't know how good it is to be out of that fucking thing! I should have been out of there yesterday." "Wait, what? You mean someone was already coming to get you?" "Well that was the pact I had set up with some friends of mine. If any of us ever got thrown in one of these cages, one of the others would help as soon as possible." "So how long you been in there?" "Oh about a couple days." "Couple days? You acted like you were in there for weeks!" "Yeah, well I was really thirsty, besides I still didn't know some stranger was going to set me free. By the way, thanks a lot and nice work on that lock." You shake your head at this situation. "Let me guess, you weren't caught stealing food either." "Stealing yes, food no. It was a job and well I'll tell you on the way back to Klyton. Come on kid." "Wait, you're going back and you expect me to just follow?" "Well sure, didn't you at least want to know the ins and outs of the city, best places to steal from, the neighborhoods and all that? Look, I know I lied a bit, but you helped me out and with your skill set I got a feeling you'd do really well in our organization." "Organization?" "Yeah, I'm a very important member of the Crimson Talons!" Tom says with some pride, you on the other hand look blank. "The Crimson Talons. By the gods kid, surely you've heard of us. I know your dad didn't exactly hang out with outlaws, but the Talons were pretty infamous in Klyton! Used to maintain control over all criminal activity in the city!" Tom remarks. "Used to?" you ask. "I mean they still do…it's just um…well things are a bit different now…look you're gonna wanna make good connections in this line of work and right now I'm giving you a perfect opportunity to make some fucking great ones at no cost! You come with me, meet a few people and if you feel like we're not your style, well I promise you can just walk away. You really don't have anything to lose." As much as Tom as been telling half-truths and outright bullshit, he's sort of right in that you don't really have much to lose. You're already an outlaw from your own home and everything you own is on your person and that isn't much. Not to mention you probably would have lied to gain help in the same situation. You suppose there isn't much harm in going to see what the Crimson Talons are all about. Still, you're going to take whatever Tom is saying with a grain of salt, because on top of all the other lies he's already told, you have a hard time believing that he's really all that important in the organization. "Okay, I'm interested, but how are you sneaking past the city gates. I can't imagine the city guards are going to just let someone in that just escaped from a hanging cage." You say. "Oh, there's better way to get in and out of the city. We're going through a secret tunnel." Tom remarks. "That would certainly solve that problem. Well let's go, I guess." "Great, I'm anxious to get back. They're probably going to be surprised to see me, but believe me, I'm gonna have my own questions of why they didn't come get me sooner! Now let me go over how to act and the boss' personality just so you're prepared…" And with that, you and Tom are on your way to see his Crimson Talon cohorts… > You later... "Ah, here we are, just up these stairs and through that door." Tom says. "And here I was just getting used to walking through shitty water." You say. "Hey, the sewers are the best way to get around the city. The guards don't patrol as much down here and even when they do, they don't patrol certain areas." "Can't say as I blame them, I've been on the verge of puking since we entered your secret tunnel which you neglected to mention was actually a foul forgotten sewer drain entrance." "Hey, this is the business we're in kid. It ain't always convenient and comfortable. Besides you get used to the smell. Come on." Tom and you walk up some stone stairs and Tom bangs on a sturdy looking wooden door. "Hey! It's me! Open up!" Tom shouts, a few moments pass and a scruffy looking man rubbing his head opens the door. "What the fuck you banging on the door like the city watch for? Wait…Tom? What the fuck are you doing here? Weren't you taken to cages?" "Yeah Vaughn, and where the hell were you guys? I thought you were supposed to come get me yesterday!" "The heat was still pretty bad, so we decided to lay low." Tom barges past Vaughn who follows and then you follow both as they continue to talk. You must be above the sewers now though this looks like it might be an abandoned building of some sort so far. It barely looks better than the sewers you just left. You see a few people who you assume are Crimson Talons, but they're either completely passed out or look like in various stages of being drunk or hung over. Bottles of spirits are all over the place and now you're starting to wonder just how "powerful" the Crimson Talons are really supposed to be. "Decided to lay low huh? Looks more like you lot stayed down here, had a party, got liquored up and forgot about me!" Tom remarks. "Now that's just not true! We didn't even spend your cut of the loot! You can even check your room! Nothing's been touched!" "I swear I'm not here for a few days and this place goes to shit. Where's David?" "David? Um…he's dead." "What?! He wasn't even on the job at the time. He was here!" "Yeah, well when the rest of us were coming back from the job, he apparently got into an argument with the boss. A really bad one about how he didn't like the way Edmond was running things. It didn't go well for either of them. Edmond might have been old, but he managed to overpower David and killed him. Unfortunately I guess it was all a bit too much exertion, because the boss died of a heart attack like almost immediately afterwards." "Wait…you're saying the boss is ALSO dead?!" "Yeah. We took both of their bodies to the usual spot if you wanted to say a few things to David…" "I'm sure the rats have stripped both corpses by now…(sigh) so who's the new boss?" "Um, nobody. We haven't really gotten around to figuring it out yet…but hey your name came up as a potential candidate! I don't think anyone else wants the job." At this point you start laughing. "I'm sorry I doubted you Tom. I obviously was way off about not believing that you weren't one of the most important people in this organization." "Who's this asshole?" one of the nearby members asks stirring from his hang over. "Someone who actually helped me out, Jake." Tom says shaking his head at all this new information and just tells you to come with him while he checks his room. Tom's room in this dump isn't quite as bad as the rest of the place. It even looks like he's taken great pains to make it look "neat." After looking through his drawers and small chest, he breathes a sigh of relief. "Well, as shocking as it is. All my stuff is actually still here, even my cut. Glad to see I'm somewhat respected around here." "Yeah, they just forgot to spring you from a cage." "Yeah well, I'm here now." "And so am I. So now what? You brought me here to potentially join your little organization, but so far I'm not really impressed with the organization part. I thought you guys were supposed to be infamous or something." Tom sits down and exhales deeply, rubbing his face. "Yeah, we once were. The truth is, even by the time I got involved with his organization, it was on the decline. Still had the vicious rep at least though, maybe a bit too vicious since it probably encouraged Klyton's crackdowns and tightening up of security. Things just got worse over the years as more skilled members got arrested, killed or just quit for better pastures." Tom explains. "People could just quit? I sort of though joining something like this was a for life type of thing." "It typically is, which is why you can see how much trouble we're in if people can just up and quit! It didn't really help when the Ebony Claw Syndicate showed up here briefly." "Who the hell are they?" "Another criminal outfit. Much larger than us by far. They're based in the Delantium Kingdom, but I believe they have a strong presence in Holgard too. Edmond was an idiot when dealing with them, though I guess that was mainly pride." "What did he do?" "Well the Ebony Claw had heard of the Talons and their problems with Klyton's improved security. However, they also knew of our reputation even if it was a bit tattered at that point. Out of respect, they offered to help the Talons. The deal was we'd still have reign over Klyton, keep our identity and have to access to Ebony Claw resources, but we'd have to give a cut of all the profits we made to them. Not sure what the percentage was, but Edmond wasn't pleased with it. Though like I said, it could have been free and he probably would have turned them down." "So did they cause you a lot damage as well?" "If they did, it wasn't directly. Their representative just left and we haven't heard anything from them since. Despite never seeing any signs of the Claw again, Edmond got even more paranoid than he already was. Started organizing riskier jobs and accepting anyone who was desperate enough to join. He was convinced we were going to have to deal with the Claw again so we needed to be prepared. All that ultimately happened was with all the new unskilled people we got sloppier and caused even more heat to bear down on us and well, this is what we're reduced to today." Sheesh, this is pretty damn depressing. It's almost enough to make you rethink your own career choice. Almost. At this point Tom stands up. "Shit, I have no idea what comes next. If I was smart I suppose I'd get out. Of course if I was smart, I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." Tom says. "Can't you just start over elsewhere?" you ask. "I thought about heading to Hessla, but that place is overrun by pirates nowadays. Spending days at sea isn't exactly my thing. Nah, Klyton's my home and for better or worse I'm staying here." "So are you taking over the Talons as boss?" "I dunno, I never really thought of myself as a leader since it seems like a lot of headache, but I suppose out of all of us that are left, I do have the most experience and years on my side. I suppose given that my face is more well known now due to being thrown in a cage by the city watch, being the boss has appeal since I won't have to risk going out in public as much. I guarantee if I get nicked again, it'll probably be the death penalty. Well anyway what're your plans? You still interested in joining or is that a silly question?" Not too silly though since despite the deplorable state the Crimson Talons are in, you sort of wonder about the potential. Before you though maybe if you joined such an organization, you'd probably be considered just another low ranking flunky. However through barely any effort on your part, you may have just secured a high ranking position in the organization by helping out the new leader of it. You think if you joined and made a go of it, you'd at least have a lot of input. Who knows, maybe the organization will get back on its feet. If it did, you'd be even better off. Of course this is going to be a lot of work and you are still new. While Tom might like you, the other members may see you as an upstart. Getting a knife in the back from a bunch of folks who are supposed to be watching it is a real possibility. You might be better off going off on your own. > You join the Crimson Talons There is an opportunity here and you're not passing it up. "Well, this isn't exactly how I expected to start out here in this city, but I'd be a fool to dismiss the potential help. I could probably learn a few things while I'm here. In fact I'm used to working with a partner anyway." You say. "Really? I figured you for a loner." Tom says. "Well I sort of got forced into that situation. Before that, my twin sister and I used to steal from travelling merchants in Teckleville all the time before she left to pursue her dreams of being a bard. Worked with my girlfriend after that, but she wasn't quite as good at it…you know the rest." "Hm, well I can honestly say I'm glad you decided to join. Your skills are going to come in useful and as you can already tell I'm going to need all the help I can get. Guess since I'm the boss, I'll take Edmond's old room. You can have this one. It's one of the better ones in this place so consider it part of your reward for rescuing the leader of Crimson Talons." Tom chuckles. "Is the other part money?" "Yeah, you greedy little bastard. Here and I think I don't have to tell you not to brag about getting this room or the coinage. Last thing I need is people getting jealous of others, especially when they haven't been here as long." Tom says and hands you some gold coins from a small pouch. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around all this. Hell, I can't even believe David's dead, let alone the boss. (Sigh) Damn idiot. Still…I'm gonna miss him." "Was David your friend?" "Yeah, I suppose he was. He was an asshole most of the time towards me. Always thought it was funny to sat untrue things about my mother, but I knew him since childhood too and he was often there to help if I needed it. If he had still been alive, I would have been out of that cage on time. I'm guessing your father never mentioned him either." "Not that I can recall." "Well no matter, I guess we need to introduce you to the rest and I need to make my formal declaration that I'm going to be running things." Tom says. "Okay, let's go then." And so begins your life with the Crimson Talons... > You time passes... Chapter 2A: Red Storm Rising Year 17 "Another good haul!" Jake laughs. "Yeah, that old man didn't know what hit him." Vaughn remarks. "Old bastard is lucky we didn't kill him." Zalmora says. Meanwhile you just shake your head at the lot you've hooked up with. While you knew this organization had some problems, you thought there was going to be an attempt at restructuring it by Tom. He seems content however on just taking a hands off approach, or at least an approach that doesn't involve a lot of rules. Which you guess is good in some ways, but it's not exactly doing this organization any favors, especially with this lot who barely plan anything out. If it wasn't for you being so cautious, you think the militia would have apprehended most of this crew already. Most of them don't seem to realize that this city is too damn secure to just go on the way they've been going on. A lot more subtlety and a lot less smash and grab is in order. Still, you feel like you've already invested a bit in this organization by sticking around this long so you're not willing to bail out just yet, but something is going to have to change soon and you're going to bring it up to Tom. "Hey lockboy, why're you so quiet over there?" Vaughn remarks. "Just thinking about something." You respond. "You do a lot of that don't you?" Zalmora says. "He does a whole lot of nothing. Don't know why Tom even sent you with us on this job, you were pretty useless." Jake says. "Well, I agree my skills do go to waste when the plan isn't followed. I was supposed to pick the lock to the door and then one of you was supposed to quietly subdue the old man if he woke up and the others cleaned out the place. Instead what YOU did, was break the window on the door and unlock it that way. When that inevitably woke up the old man, you lot spent a bunch of unnecessary time taunting and beating him unconscious." You say. Jake stops walking back to the Talon hideout and walks over to you. "Yeah? And what of it? Listen you little shit; you're just some small town snot nosed punk. You know exactly fuck all about what it means to be a Crimson Talon. If you don't like the way we do things, you can just leave. Not like you'd be missed." "Hold on, hold on. We had a good night. No need for all this, let's just get back to Tom, okay?" Vaughn says getting a little bit in between the pair of you. Jake's been on your case since day one. You just know you're going to have to deal with him someday. Maybe today is that day. > You take a swing at Jake This guy reminds you of Klint, another bully who thinks he can just talk shit louder than everyone else to scare them into submission. Well, it ultimately didn't work out for Klint and if Jake makes this difficult for you, it's not going to work out for him as well. You punch at Jake, but due to Vaughn being in the way, your fist doesn't quite connect and you just tap Jake in the face a bit to knock his head back briefly. "Too bad. That was your best chance." He says and lunges. "Hold on! SHIT!" Vaughn shouts as he gets out of the way of Jake and yourself. Jake tackles you to the ground and you try to throw another punch, but this time Jake catches your fist. His grip is very strong. A lot stronger than you thought he'd be actually. "Not this time." He says and then smashes his fist into your nose, breaking it and causing blood to flow from your nostrils. You have a hard time catching your breath, but that's a secondary feeling when Jake proceeds to break your wrist and then punch you in the face again. "Jake! Stop! You made your point!" Zalmora shouts. "Come on Jake, get off…" Vaughn says attempting to move Jake off of you. You feebly throw a punch with your one good hand, but again you don't connect very well and only manage to his Jake's side. Meanwhile Jake punches your two more times in the face nearly knocking you out completely and certainly knocking out several teeth. Eventually Vaughn and Zalmora pull Jake off of you who is laughing. "Knew you weren't shit. Good luck picking a lock with one good hand for awhile!" Jake says and begins walking away. Zalmora comes back to you and helps you up. It's actually amazing that you're able to stand though you're having a hard time with the balance. Your vision is blurry and your face looks like its been through a meat grinder. "Hey, pit fighting champ! You okay? You see me? You know where you're at?" Zalmora asks. You hear her just fine, you're just trying to gather what strength you have and keep your focus on that laughing asshole Jake who is continuing to walk away from you. You draw your weapon. "No! Wait!" Zal says before you push her aside and sprint towards Jake fully intent on revenge. Unfortunately Vaughn and Zal shout at you to stop, which gives Jake enough warning to turn around. Jake falls to the ground and trips you with his legs. You fall face first and drop your weapon. You don't get another chance to get up before Jake takes advantage of your position by jumping on your back and wraping his arms around your neck. "Stupid fucker, you brought all this on yourself. Jake says and then with a quick twisting motion he snaps your neck like a twig.

Chapter 2A: Red Storm Rising Year 17 "Another good haul!" Jake laughs. "Yeah, that old man didn't know what hit him." Vaughn remarks. "Old bastard is lucky we didn't kill him." Zalmora says. Meanwhile you just shake your head at the lot you've hooked up with. While you knew this organization had some problems, you thought there was going to be an attempt at restructuring it by Tom. He seems content however on just taking a hands off approach, or at least an approach that doesn't involve a lot of rules. Which you guess is good in some ways, but it's not exactly doing this organization any favors, especially with this lot who barely plan anything out. If it wasn't for you being so cautious, you think the militia would have apprehended most of this crew already. Most of them don't seem to realize that this city is too damn secure to just go on the way they've been going on. A lot more subtlety and a lot less smash and grab is in order. Still, you feel like you've already invested a bit in this organization by sticking around this long so you're not willing to bail out just yet, but something is going to have to change soon and you're going to bring it up to Tom. "Hey lockboy, why're you so quiet over there?" Vaughn remarks. "Just thinking about something." You respond. "You do a lot of that don't you?" Zalmora says. "He does a whole lot of nothing. Don't know why Tom even sent you with us on this job, you were pretty useless." Jake says. "Well, I agree my skills do go to waste when the plan isn't followed. I was supposed to pick the lock to the door and then one of you was supposed to quietly subdue the old man if he woke up and the others cleaned out the place. Instead what YOU did, was break the window on the door and unlock it that way. When that inevitably woke up the old man, you lot spent a bunch of unnecessary time taunting and beating him unconscious." You say. Jake stops walking back to the Talon hideout and walks over to you. "Yeah? And what of it? Listen you little shit; you're just some small town snot nosed punk. You know exactly fuck all about what it means to be a Crimson Talon. If you don't like the way we do things, you can just leave. Not like you'd be missed." "Hold on, hold on. We had a good night. No need for all this, let's just get back to Tom, okay?" Vaughn says getting a little bit in between the pair of you. Jake's been on your case since day one. You just know you're going to have to deal with him someday. Maybe today is that day. > You let it go As much as you might feel the urge to do so, you resist starting a fistfight. With a guy like Jake, it's likely to turn into something a little more fatal and this isn't like the situation with Klint. Jake isn't just some loudmouth bully with a chip on his shoulder. He's a real violent criminal and has loads more skill than you in a street fight. "Yeah…" you say still looking at Jake before walking past. When you get back, you're about to go straight to Tom who is in his office, but before you can Zalmora stops you. "Hey where are you going deep thinker? Aren't you going to celebrate our successful job?" "You guys seem to have a handle on that, besides don't really feel like celebrating with Jake." You respond. "Well how about just a private celebration between us then?" Zalmora says and moves in closer to you. You weren't aware Zalmora had any kind of attraction to you before, but it's definitely apparent now. "What? Seriously? Weren't aware you were interested in me." You say. "Hah, don't flatter yourself. I just want a quick tumble and I don't feel like finding myself some rent boy or dealing with Jake's usual asshole behavior right now. Plus, you're young and a lot less repulsive…hey are you a virgin?" Zalmora says. "Not that it's any of your business, but no." "Pity, might have been fun to deflower you." "I'm sure, but I'm not interested…" "What? You seriously can't be saying there's something wrong with the way I look! Oh shit, you're not like Vaughn are you?" "No…wait, how is Vaughn like?" "He's into guys. Thought that was obvious." "Never noticed, but no, I just got something important business to talk to Tom about." "Like what? More ideas about how to improve things around here? I know how you're not satisfied with how things are around here, but then I suppose you aren't the only one." "Well if everyone here isn't satisfied with how things are, why aren't changes being made? I mean Tom even said he was going to start reorganizing the Crimson Talons." "Hah. Tom's no leader. He's just leader because nobody else wants the hassle. Well except maybe Jake, but nobody really wants to follow him either." "So why stick around?" "Why not? What else are we going to do, get real jobs? Besides, things are actually going a little bit better than they were with Edmond. Tom's not likely to start executing folks over small mistakes at least. Plus in this line of work it's a lot better to have a few people watching your back. Now how about we stop all this talking and go to your room where you can watch my back up close?" Zalmora now puts her hand directly on your cock, which is definitely interested even if you claimed that you weren't. Well, you can think with one head or the other, but you can't do both. And like most guys your age (Or guys in general) you make your most important decision with your dick. You figure you can always talk to Tom later, but Zalmora might not be in the mood later if you turn her down now. She's actually attractive in a trashy sort of way (Sort of reminds you of Annah in that way), it's just she seemed sort of inaccessible since she was several years older and never paid much attention to you before. You and Zalmora go back to your room and get into it pretty quickly. You also learn a few things, which is a fun process even if she's a bit bossy about it. Eventually you're entirely spent and satisfied. "That it? Figured we'd go around a third time." Zalmora says. "Maybe in a few minutes. Um, you uh…good?" You ask. "More or less. You guys always fall a bit short, but at least I wasn't dealing with Jake's whiskey dick this time around. Thanks for asking though at least." You don't reply to that and instead just keep quiet, not wishing to dwell on any potential bedroom failings on your part, let alone Jake's dick. Zal soon breaks up the silence though. "So, Mr. ideas, what exactly were you going to bring up to Tom as far as changes and such?" Zal asks. "Why do you want to know?" you ask. "Because I'm a Crimson Talon and if you're going to be whispering ideas into Tom's head and I'm going to be affected by those changes, in the unlikely event he even listens of course. Besides, I might have a few ideas of my own." "If you have ideas, why not bring them to Tom's attention?" "I have. I don't think he likes me though. In fact I think he's got a deep-seated dislike of women in general. I'm sure it has something to do with his mother being a lesbian or something." "Wait, Tom's mother was a lesbian?" "Yeah. You didn't know that? His buddy David used to tell stories about her and make jokes all the time back when he was still alive. She used to work as a miner and had a girlfriend who Tom always insisted was just her roommate even though they slept in the same bed. Still in denial about it, though he might actually be that clueless. Y'know, I don't think he ever knew who his father was. Now that I think about it, I'm sort of wondering how Tom was even conceived in the first place considering from what I heard his mother was firmly into pussy." Well there's another bit of information you can add to your mental notes. "But getting back to my point Tom doesn't really want to be bothered to change things too much because as I said, he lacks the ambition to be a true leader. Still, he seems to like you since you rescued him from that cage and you generally don't give him grief, so maybe there's a chance. Come on, I let you into this temple I call a body, you can at least let me into that head of yours a bit." "You got a way with words Zal. Well okay, I suppose this stuff isn't really top secret or anything." You begin to tell Zalmora about your concerns with how things are done regarding robberies. There is little finesse, nobody sticks to a plan and it's more outright thuggery. You go on to mention that it might not be as much of a problem if you weren't in a city fanatical about curbing crime, but since you are, this is kind of a big problem in the long term. "Yeah…I hear you there. I admit we've all sort of gotten lazy about that over the years. I remember when I first joined I was one of the best cat burglars here. As things slowly deteriorated, guess I just said fuck it. So what else you think needs changing around here?" Zalmora asks. "Well for a criminal organization we aren't exactly diverse. Granted I don't know much about running something like this, but I have heard the old Crimson Talon glory day stories. The Talons used to have fighting pits, used to sell Green Lotus and Yellow Devil, we had whores, I mean a whole bunch of shit that brought in a steady revenue of coinage." Zalmora nods her head. "Yeah, you're right about that as well. I wasn't a member when they still had the fighting pits, but I do remember seeing a few when my dad bet on them. Even as a little girl I knew I liked seeing two big guys get all sweaty and bloody, beating the shit out of each other. I know there are the Klyton gladiators, but they wear so much damn armor that they barely get hurt and it's very rare to see a fatality. Pretty sure it's all fixed anyway. The Klyton Council probably makes a shitload of money off that racket. Too bad we aren't politicians." Zalmora says. "Well what about the other stuff?" "The drugs? Well Green Lotus or a milder form of it is legal here now, so that's out. Yellow Devil as far as I know was never a big money maker due to it having a major chance of causing the user's innards to melt and bleed from every orifice. Of course Blue Dream is the big one nowadays, but the Ebony Claw Syndicate mostly has a monopoly on its production and distribution. None of us knows how to make it or has connections. But then drugs have never been an interest of mine. The Talons actually did control a few whorehouses at one time, until government shut them all down and then built some nicer, fancier and Klyton run ones. Being a whore has never been more respectable. Okay, maybe not. But the point is, the Klyton Council effectively destroyed the Talons by legalizing shit and taking it over more than they ever did with just the militia." Before you can go into some of your other ideas, Zalmora stops you with some of her own. "While I'm impressed that you're thinking a lot more about this shit than most people here, I'm of the mind that for now, we should play more on our current strengths. We can diversify again later." Zalmora says. "Our current strengths are basically smashing people in their face and taking their shit. I thought we established that isn't exactly good in the long term." You remark. "It isn't in Klyton, but we could always start doing it outside of Klyton. Robbing caravans and such on the roads. It isn't like Jake is going to care where he does it and those two half elf whores will probably be ecstatic about working outside the city. Also, the militia isn't going to be as fanatical about tracking down shit that goes on outside the city." "Hmm, well that style would favor road robberies a lot more. It's still not really what I'm about though." "Well, you could always gather the intelligence for us. Find out what caravans and wagons are leaving, which way they're going, how well protected, all that stuff. Plus maybe you can start actively look for recruits." "Me?" "Why not? You spend most of your time walking around the city anyway when you're pilfering pocket in your free time. Not saying that you have to be the one to speak with them, but you could bring it to Tom's attention and I'm sure he'll be receptive. I'm sure when we build up our numbers AND wealth we can start branching out a bit more again. Like property and fronts." "So…is this all what I should propose to Tom?" you ask. "The plans to move our activities to mainly outside Klyton, yes. The rest of it, I'd keep a lid on until later. It will be better to not overwhelm him with suggestions. So, you ready for another round stud, or do we have to waste more time talking?" "Huh? Oh yeah, sure!" you say and immediately move on to more important matters. After spending more fun time with Zalmora, you do eventually get around to speaking with Tom and just like Zal predicted, he's actually receptive to your ideas. He says that it probably would be better to start reigning in the loot and pillage tactics in the city. "Really should have thought about doing it before. I was just so concerned about keeping everyone together and happy, I neglected to remember that I'm supposed to be improving our position as leader, not just being content on survival. Anyway, I'm sure this will be something everyone can get on board with, well the majority of them anyway. And yes, since you came up with all this, you can still keep your activities to Klyton while you seek out potential new members. I know you won't make a damn mess of things and generally keep your head down." Tom remarks. "Thanks. I'm really going to do my best to make this work." "I know you will kid, you've always been a good earner. Looks like Yag really blessed me when you I met you in that cage that night. Good thing the rest of that lot out there were late after all." "I guess so." You answer. "Okay, well let me go address this new change to everyone." Tom announces the changes and like with any change, everyone has an opinion. Mostly for the better thankfully. Jake complains the loudest, but when it's pointed out that it doesn't matter if he kills people as much, he grumbles slightly less. Zalmora is certainly pleased about all this and says she knew you' d be able to convince Tom better than anyone else. Only time will tell if any of these changes mean shit though. > You time passes... Year 21 "The Bloody Smiles are lead by a vicious bandit calling himself the Grinning Man. Nobody has gotten a really good look at him as most don't survive his attacks, but based on this crude sketch, I implore anyone seeing him to run and contact Klyton militia immediately! This man and his band of cutthroats have been plaguing the roads and the surrounding area for years and hopefully now that his identity is known…" You suddenly receive one of the many sketches a concerned citizen is handing out. You take one look at the sketch as you walk away from the crowd and shake your head. "Doesn't even look like that asshole." You say and toss it in a nearby bin. Jake's job has really been doing the trick as far as distracting the Klyton militia, though maybe it's been going a little too well. You suggested that Tom to pull him back from this two years ago, but predictably he never did. Zalmora and Vaughn returned pretty quickly after this plan went into action, though in Zal's case it seemed to be more because she wanted to get back into regular burglary again. Vaughn said he couldn't deal with Jake anymore and was getting too crazy. Now, he's given himself a nickname, gone on to call his group the Bloody Smiles and doesn't report back to Tom for months. When he does, he just sends one of the newer Talons with some goods and loot. While Tom as usual is taking a laid back approach to this figuring as long as he's still sending shit back then everything is good, you question whether Jake is even thinking about the Talons anymore. Meanwhile, you've been more or less successful in building up the Talon's numbers. Not as much as you'd like, but since you're the only one doing it, it is what it is. Despite all this extra help however, it's not being utilized properly. Most of it is being sent to help Jake as his numbers get whittled down every now and then and that's really a waste you believe. The ones you insist on keeping around to train are fewer in number and you're also the only one bothering to train them properly. You never thought you'd be in that sort of position. Occasionally Zal and Vaughn help out, but it's mostly fallen on you. Basically, it's a case where the opportunity to expand is there, but once again Tom is failing to pull the trigger on it. You should be setting up another underground fighting pit, setting up gambling dens or even running a protection racket. Something needs to be done about Jake because the Crimson Talons can't proceed if half of the members aren't even Talons anymore and have declared allegiance to another leader. "Something has to be done about Jake." You remark. "Like what?" Vaughn asks. "I dunno, but Tom can't just sit on his ass anymore about it. Jake hasn't done it yet, but it's only a matter of time before he splits off from the Crimson Talons altogether and takes half of our members that were assigned out there with him. Ideally we could just tell him to come home and his purpose out there is no longer necessary, but I doubt if he'll listen." "So…what? You just going to go in there and tell Tom what he needs to do?" Zalmora asks. "Someone needs to tell him something! As I remember it was me who told him to start changing shit up last time too." "That's true, but doesn't that sort of mean you're sort of responsible of what's going on with Jake? Pretty sure that's what Tom will point out as well." Vaughn says. You're about to tell Vaughn to shut the hell up when Zalmora interrupts. "While you have some good ideas as usual, honestly, I'm not sure why anything needs to be done about him. I say if Jake has split from the Crimson Talons, well that's more for us." Zalmora remarks. "Actually that's LESS for us since he won't even be sending his cut anymore." You say. "Maybe in the short term, but you're not thinking long term. The militia hasn't been as much of a problem in the city for us because they've been focused mainly on catching Jake and the rest. That gives us a little more freedom to expand like you said. Hell, now that Jake has foolishly started to give his group their own name, they aren't even directly connected to the Talons anymore." "So? If he gets caught he could still blab his mouth about our secret hideout." "Jake's a lot of things, but he ain't no rat. Chances are they won't even take him in alive anyway." "Okay, so maybe Jake's no rat, but what about some of others with him? I mean sure, we've all stressed how important loyalty is to the new recruits, but if Jake's gained their trust somehow, then they're loyal to him not to the Talons and they aren't going to think twice about ratting us out to save their own skin." "Hmm, you might have a point there." Vaughn says. "Look, all I'm saying is Jake not causing shit for us in the city and running around out there like a mad man is better for us. If he's gone, then the militia is just going to refocus more of their attention on the city again. I mean maybe it might be best to make it an official break up. Let Jake know he can go his way and we go ours. Might diffuse any potential problems with Jake. Dunno if Tom will be into that though." Zalmora says. "That's true too." Vaughn remarks. You rub your hands through your hair. "I dunno. Maybe. Something still needs to be brought up to Tom though." You say. "Oh I agree with you on that. It is time to give him a little push again." Zalmora remarks. "Well? Aren't either of you coming in with me?" you ask. "Um…I hadn't planned to. I mean it sounds like you've got this under control on what to discuss. I think me being there is just going to look like we're ganging up on him." Vaughn says. "Yeah. And as you know, Tom has never been fond of me. So I would be more of a detriment. Just go in and talk to him, you did fine last time remember?" Zalmora says nudging into you a bit. "(Sigh) Why do I feel like I'm the only one who cares about this organization?" "Hey! That's not even true! I just gave you my fucking thoughts on the situation didn't I? You bring up whatever you want to Tom. I'm sure everything will work out fine, he likes you after all." And with that, Zal and Vaughn leave to let you go speak with Tom. You swear you never thought the day would come where you would be known as the "diplomat." You guess your sister's charm rubbed off on you just a little bit. You sometimes wonder how she's doing. Probably better than you are at any rate. Mentally preparing yourself, you head to Tom's office, though when you think more about it, you don't know why you're mentally preparing yourself. It isn't like Tom's going to even threaten to kill you if he doesn't agree with what you have to say. At this point you're practically his second in command anyway and you're still baffled by this since you haven't been here nearly as long, though you suppose with all these new folks coming in, you are starting to become a "vet" as it were. "Hey Tom." You say entering his office. "Hey kid, any new blood you need me to check out and make a final decision on?" "Uh, no not today. I wanted to speak with you about another matter…it's about Jake." Tom's head drops down briefly with a deep sigh and then he looks up. "Yeah…I figured it might be getting close to dealing with that situation. Trust me, I HAVE been giving some thought to it, even though I'd rather not." Tom says. "Well I'm afraid something is going to have to be done about him. You can't just have a divided organization with half of it's members calling themselves something else and primarily pledging allegiance to another leader." You say. "Maybe it isn't that bad! I mean he's still providing a share of the loot to us right?" Tom says hopefully. "Perhaps, but think how much longer the intervals are starting to get, not to mention how much is he actually holding back? How long before he just stops sending altogether? No, we have to do something." "Are you suggesting an attack? Because while I know around where he's currently located, I'm not entirely sure of the exact area. He may have even moved since he has to do that a lot anyway. Fairly certain not only would he have the advantage, but even if we win, we're going to suffer heavy losses which sort of defeats the purpose." "I was thinking more of a stealthy assassination." "And you're going to do that?" "I could try. Maybe I could take a few others with me to help." "No offense kid, but even if he didn't have half our numbers with him and you had help I don't think you could take Jake. Jake is the best fighter we have and he's probably only gotten better since being out there. I'm not risking anyone in a foolish assassination attempt, let alone an internal conflict. Although…no…that's not an option…" Tom says trailing off. "What? What is it?" "Well…if we DID go this route, and I'm not saying we are. I know a few outside folks that might be able to do it without problems. Damn, I just wish there was a less messy way of handling this." "(Sigh) Well I hate to bring this up, but I have thought of a diplomatic solution which might be possible." You say. "Oh?" You explain to Tom about a potential split with Jake altogether and just letting him go his own way since he seems happier anyway. Tom isn't too fond of the idea since it no longer means gaining a cut of Jake's looting profits, but he's not outright dismissing it. In fact out of all the options, Tom still seems to think the best plan is to do nothing. At this point, you're wondering why you're bothering. > You assassination Something has to be done and the best way to do it is to kill Jake. Not like you were ever friends with him. "Look, we can't do nothing and if you aren't fond of diplomacy, then we need to kill Jake. So who are these independent assassins you know?" you ask. "Really only know two and out of those two, only one is a proper assassin and I don't know if it's even possible with him." Tom says. Frustration increases… "Okay, so tell me about the guy who isn't a proper assassin." you ask. "He goes by the name Olaf. He's actually an ex-Talon associate but after the fight pits closed down he went back to working as a leg breaker for Mr. Reynolds full time. You familiar with that man?" Tom asks. "Vaguely. Some sort of moneylender with connections in high places so the militia doesn't fuck with him. Actually, I think I remember my mother telling me my father's family was in debt to him at one point." "They did with the inn. Actually I even worked for the man briefly before I joined the Talons, but that's ancient history. Olaf is a big ass ogre who pretty much retired undefeated during his fighting pit days. He's older of course now, but I don't doubt that he couldn't take care of Jake and scare everyone else into submission. Hell, he probably could scare Jake into submission too. He'd probably even do it for free or at the least very cheap. He really likes hurting people." "Sounds good, so what's the catch?" "Well obviously Mr. Reynolds isn't going to just let him go wandering off so we'd probably have to pay him and that's what isn't going to be cheap. Plus, knowing Mr. Reynolds he'll have some other weird stipulation. You'll probably find out when you talk with him. Could be anything." This is sounding complicated already. You almost hesitate to ask about the other one. "Okay, so what about this other guy. The real assassin?" you ask. "You familiar with Sotakians?" Tom asks. "Just stories of them being lizard people that live in the swamps and fight with elves all the time." "Well, the old boss, Edmond actually acquired an egg and raised a Sotakian from a hatchling. Trained him to be a very literal cold-blooded assassin bodyguard. We all just called him Scales, but he never really had a proper name. He was very loyal too until he had some unknown disagreement with Edmond and just took off. Ed never told anyone to go get him either. Just said to let it go." "That doesn't sound very useful if he disappeared to parts unknown." "Oh he didn't go far. He actually lives in the Klyton sewers. Abandoned part granted, but he's actually part of the reason why the militia doesn't patrol down there that much and only in certain areas. Ol' Scales isn't very welcoming to intruders to his home." "Well how's this lizard going to be of any help then?" "Most of the time when Scales got a little obstinate Edmond showed him the broken egg that he hatched from. Not sure why it worked. Maybe it was a reminder that Edmond was the one who helped hatch him or something. Still have the broken egg just in case, you know? Maybe if someone approached him with the broken egg, Scales might be willing to listen to that person. Dunno, who would have the balls to go risk it though." "That vicious huh?" "Let's just say, Olaf USED to have an equally bad ass barbarian buddy by the name of Silence. Silence didn't like it when he lost a staring contest to Scales and things got violent. Olaf and Silence were best friends and Olaf didn't even ATTEMPT to attack Scales when he ripped out Silence's throat in five seconds. He just left the room and I can't be certain, but I think he might have even cried. Of course nobody was going to ask. Olaf certainly brutalized folks more than average in the fighting pits over the next few days after that though." So those are your choices and they both sound shitty. Honestly, you wish you could just take care of Jake yourself, but Tom is probably right about the fact that something like that isn't really your specialty, but talking to others and trying to convince them to do what you want is apparently a newer one you've acquired or at least one you've been thrust into. > You hire Olaf If Scales is killing people just for trespassing, you don't fancy your chances. At least with this ogre you're not going to get killed just for showing up. (You hope) Along with giving you the location of where Jake is supposed to be currently camped out, Tom gives you the directions to Mr. Reynolds place, though you've passed it a few times before during your stretch here in Klyton so you know where it is. From what you've heard, Mr. Reynolds hasn't changed his location in decades and he wasn't young when your grandfather (And later father) owed him money. While you've also heard he looks human, there are rumors that he isn't or he's at least cheating the aging process somehow. You aren't really interested in all that though; you just hope you won't have to pay some outrageous price for Olaf's services. You bid Tom goodbye and head on out to Mr. Reynolds' place which is a simple walk to one of the more rundown areas of Klyton. When you enter his simple place of business, you see a well dressed man with a goatee standing just inside the entrance flipping a knife into the air and catching it by the handle every time. He begins staring at you, but never stops flipping and catching his knife. You look to your right and see a large humanoid in an oversized chair, arms folded and snoring heavily. You wonder if this must be Olaf. He's certainly big and ugly enough to be an ogre, though in this state he almost looks peaceful rather than the menacing brute you heard about. "Ah, a customer! Well don't just stand there looking at my employees, come forward and let me see what I can do for you." A voice calls out from across the room. You see who could only be Mr. Reynolds. He's even better dressed than the employee flipping the knife. As you approach he doesn't look any older than his mid forties. Who know though and that's not why you're here. He smiles when you get to his desk. "Somehow. Somehow I KNEW you were going to come in here one day. You look like your father around the same time we did business. How is he anyway?" he asks. You don't even ask how he knows who you are. "He's uh…good I guess. Doctor now." You respond. "Good for him. Glad to hear things ultimately worked out after our business was concluded. And they say loans are a bad thing. So what can I do for you today? I assume it can't be for money as I know you're quite the skilled thief around town. I must say the Crimson Talons must be doing better nowadays. Pity you have that fool Tom in charge, but then these things are never permanent are they?" Mr. Reynolds says. "I guess not. Look I was told that you might be willing to let Olaf do some work for the Talons." "Hmm, must be pretty serious if you're looking for an ogre to take care of this work and not doing it yourself. What's this all about exactly?" You didn't really expect him to pry, but you feel like he's probably not even going to entertain the idea unless you tell him everything about the plan. So you tell him and he listens intently. Meanwhile Olaf is still snoozing and the other man is continuing to watch you. "Well that's certainly an interesting plan you got there and I can only assume the initial set up of it was equally as interesting. I just don't think I can loan you Olaf though. Sorry." Mr. Reynolds says. "What? We can pay your price. I mean as you said we're doing a lot better now." You say. "And I believe you, but I don't feel comfortable putting one of my employees at risk like that. He could very well die." "I was told Olaf was a champion pit fighter and this would be easy for him." "Of course he was a champion. Decades ago. Look at him, that beautiful white mane and beard he has isn't just for show, it denotes age! He's old and not the young killing machine he used to be. Oh sure he's good for intimidating a few deadbeats and even knocking them around a bit, but if I let him go do what you want him to do, he's going to die even if he somehow manages to succeed. And while Olaf wouldn't mind such a proud warrior's death, I happen to be good friends with his wife and she'd be very upset and I can't have that on my conscience." "Didn't know female ogres were so sensitive." "He's married to a Halfling, but my point is, Olaf isn't going anywhere." Well you certainly weren't expecting this. "(Sigh) So there's no way you can help me?" you ask. "Ah, now I didn't say that. While I can't loan you Olaf, I can allow you the services of my other employee Henry over there. Henry! Stop playing with your knife and get over here. Got work for you." Henry slowly walks over to the desk still never taking his eyes off you the whole time. He then takes his knife and stabs it into the desk as hard as he can. This action causes you to step back a bit and you prepare to draw your own weapon until Mr. Reynolds calms everyone down. "Relax. Relax, nobody is stabbing anyone here. My son is a little excitable at times." Mr. Reynolds says. "Your son? This man is your son?" you reply. "Sure. Can't you see the resemblance? Meh, I guess he does look a lot more like his mother Wendy. Anyway, not important. What is important is that Henry here has what they call a natural talent. He's been honing it since he was a child, I was so proud when he finally sought me out to join the family business. Now, he might not be as big and strong as ol' Olaf over there, but I guarantee he'll get the job done." "I dunno…" "Trust me. You came here because I could help you solve your problem. Maybe not the way you thought, but the job WILL get done. I promise." "Well since I know your name and reputation mean a lot to you, I'm going to go ahead and believe you, so how much is all this going to cost?" "Five hundred gold coins, but since I can tell you're a bit apprehensive about all this, you can pay me after the job is done. If the results aren't to satisfaction, well I'm sure Tom can pay what he feels is an appropriate amount. Now, why don't you tell Henry about the job and what you want done exactly?" You give Henry the instructions and he listens without saying a word still giving you that icy stare the entire time. While a little unnerving, you can't actually say you're getting pants shitting intimidated. Henry could very well be the badass killer his dad claims, but right now he seems like he's trying too damn hard. Mr. Reynolds tells you that the job will be done by the end of the week, and you and Tom can return to his office at that time. You leave the office a little concerned about all this, but it's done now. When you get back you inform Tom, who doesn't seem at all concerned, just a little surprised that it isn't Olaf, but he has confidence in Mr. Reynold's choice of assassin and is sure it will be worth it. Vaughn and Zalmora are the only other people that know about this plan and while Vaughn is a go with the flow type guy as well, Zalmora still thinks getting rid of Jake in this manner was a bad idea. Unfortunately, it turns out that she's right. Instead of being discreet or even just killing Jake and scaring the others into returning to the fold, Henry turned the Bloody Smiles camp into a graveyard. He got the job done, but killing every fucking body wasn't what was wanted. You complain quite loudly, which doesn't frazzle Mr. Reynolds in the least. Tom attempts to calm you down. When that fails, he tells you to go wait outside and he'll speak to Reynolds in private. Henry glares at you as you leave. As much as you'd like to punch the guy, you know that wouldn't be a smart move considering what he just did. You wait outside for a long time and eventually Tom exits the building. He says to you that you'll speak when you get back to headquarters. You walk back in silence. As soon as you enter though he starts scolding you for losing your temper in front of Mr. Reynolds and disrespecting him as head of the organization. You defend why you're getting mad about the situation and don't understand why he isn't since it's fucked up the plans that were supposed to be set in motion. When you find out he paid the five hundred coins anyway you get even angrier. Various Crimson Talon members stop what they're doing to watch this spectacle. "You still PAID him?! You paid him for doing a half assed job?! What the fuck?!" you exclaim. "You don't know shit kid. Staying on Reynolds' good side is…" Tom starts to say before you're interrupted. "No, stop fucking talking! You're a terrible fucking leader and EVERYONE here knows it!" "Is that right? I don't see anyone else stepping up to do this fucking job!" "Yeah, well maybe that needs to change." "So what? You gonna be the one to do that? Pfft. Fuck you kid. You tried to pull that I'm a killer shit when you first met me in that hanging cage. Didn't buy it then and I'm certainly not buying it now." "Oh yes, the cage that I rescued your ass from, because nobody here gave a shit! And your leadership is a good example of why nobody does, because you're ultimately a weak leader who is content on coasting and leeching off others." Tom doesn't say any more he just throws a punch at you. You dodge and follow up with a punch of your own. The fight isn't stopped, because it's obvious people either want to see a change in leadership or Tom prove that he's still got what it takes to lead the Talons. Despite the ongoing past criticism of Tom of how he's a weak leader, he's not really a weak man because he dominates the fight for the most part. He's certainly a better fighter than you. His problem is he still doesn't want it as bad as you. Though Tom was pissed at you and knew he had to kick your ass, he never had any intention on killing you. All of his blows against you were normal kicks and punches. Never once does he say, pull out a dagger and stab you in the face with it. Because that's exactly what you do to him. He screams, wails and flails around the room for a moment before you tackle him back down to the floor. As he begs for you to stop killing him all you can think of is Klint doing the same thing and you drive your short sword through his chest telling him to shut the fuck up and die the entire time. When Tom finally stops breathing, you get up and declare yourself the new leader of the Crimson Talons. "And we're gonna start doing things differently around here." > You time passes... Year 25 "Well, what the hell do these folks expect? If they want outlandish theatrics they can pay out the ass to watch a Klyton Gladiator match where the minimum bets are much higher. At least here we have fights where we'll accept a five copper bet." You say. "Yes, but at the arena, people don't have the deal with the bums they've bet on to puke in the middle of the ring and pass out causing the other to win by default." Zalmora says. "That happened ONE time." You remark. "Well there's also the ongoing smell of the sewers that puts people off." "Yeah, well the Klyton council just increased the city's militia numbers recently and stepped up patrols. So keeping business in the sewers is about the safest place to do all this if we want to avoid sudden raids." "It might not have been necessary to wallow in the sewers if they had another distraction." "So you've said many times in the past, but I think things still worked out with me in charge." "We're doing okay I suppose, but I'm still not sure if bum fight gambling and going back to selling Yellow Devil was the way to go about it." "Hey we've got whores too." "Ah yes, those mostly tie into the Yellow Devil trade. I shudder to think about the hopeless cases that actually pay to fuck YD junkies." "Hey not everyone can afford the high priced Klyton brothels. Look, I saw that the only way we were going to survive is to have steady businesses. The Klyton Council are the biggest criminal overlords and nobody says shit because they effectively legalized everything and control the biggest gang to protect their interests. I mean there wasn't really any way to feasibly compete except offer similar things at lower the prices and cater to the lower class." Zalmora looks at nearby group betting and getting excited over a giant roach race. "Pretty sure some of these folks are under the lower class." Zalmora replies. "Yeah, well a coin's a coin, don't you have a house to break into or something?" you say. "Always, but I don't understand why you don't come on these things like you used to." "Because I gotta look after shit around here. I just can't drop everything to go rip off a store. I'm not Tom, I don't just sit on my ass doing nothing." "I didn't say you were, but you used to be a little more fun at least. Like those first few years when you got here. Remember?" Zalmora says with a bit of a smile. "Yeah, well I'm not a damn stupid teenager anymore that gets distracted by a pretty girl that wiggles her ass at me." Zalmora steps back from you a bit giving a slightly perturbed look. "Okay Mr. bossman, if you hadn't initially taken my advice in the first place you wouldn't even be in this position." Zal says. "OR if I hadn't taken your advice, I might have been in this position a lot sooner. In fact despite you always bringing it up, I'd say not listening to you turned out to be a lot better " you remark. "Right, because this is such a great position to be in." "I'm in charge ain't I? Y'know what your problem is? You thought you were going to manipulate me into doing whatever you wanted just because you threw a little pussy my way. And now you're bitter that didn't happen. If you really want control of the Talons, you could always challenge me Zal." "Oh no, not me! Never would I challenge your insurmountable wisdom boss. Obviously you've got things under control more than little ol' me could ever handle." Zal says with obvious sarcasm in her voice. "If you don't want to take over and you don't like how I'm running things, why don't you just leave then? Not like I'm going to try to kill you for leaving." "Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind. You know why I'm even still in the Talons? Because deep down I'm actually hoping you know what you're doing. So far you're ahead, but I'm just wondering for how long. Edmond was pretty much running things like you are now. Granted you are less of a violent asshole than he was, but I'm seeing the same pattern." "I'm not sure what to tell you Zal, I mean we're fucking criminals doing illegal shit. This is sort of way things are done." "(Sigh) Yeah, I know…guess I'm just starting to wonder why I ever thought this was fun. I'll leave you to your drugs and whores." Zalmora walks away. You sometimes forget that Zal is at least around fifteen years older than you now. She's probably starting to worry about age catching up. Probably didn't see herself mucking about through sewers at this age taking orders from someone a lot younger. Weird, because Vaughn doesn't seem to have a problem with it, but then Vaughn's never been one to make waves. As you walk back to the Crimson hideout thinking about the future, you have to admit, it isn't as bright as you once thought. All things considered you are doing well right now, but there just doesn't seem to be any let up on the laws being passed to turn this city into a huge prison camp. Part of that you imagine is due to the rebellion in Holgard. You're certainly glad you didn't decide to go there given what you heard. At one time, you did toy with the possibility of going "legit" somehow. Like maybe buying an inn and running it. Maybe even the one your family once owned. It would sure be a complete circle if you did that. Of course it wasn't so much going "legit" as it was the idea of having a place to run your activities without it being in an abandoned building or recently the fucking sewers. Though that's a riskier endeavor nowadays and would result in needing to re-organize things again. Might be better to stick with your current set up. It isn't perfect, but it's working. > You change up the business again Zal's got a bit of a point. This isn't exactly the most glamorous of a position and you could certainly do better than hiding out in these filthy sewers. You've got more than enough saved and have enough connections that you could easily open up a real business front. You'd just need to keep everything low key and change a few things. The more you think about it, the more you feel this is the right decision. The next day you gather Zal and Vaughn to discuss this new direction. "An inn certainly sounds better than the sewers." Vaughn says. "Well, we're still probably going to have some of our operations down there, but I figure we can at least start making an attempt to climb out of them. I'm thinking that we probably should stop dealing in Yellow Devil too." You say. Zamora nods her head. "I agree. The profits aren't worth the risks on that racket. A lot less sudden body meltdowns and diseased junkie whores lingering around as well." Zal remarks. "So what about the location? Are we buying out an existing inn or starting from scratch? We could probably buy back the old place, the Troll's Breath Tavern. Edmond used to run the Talons from there before the militia raided the place and shut it down." Vaughn remarks. "Wouldn't it be a little obvious, if the Talons set up there again?" You ask. "Nah, they'd never expect the same place twice! Besides, it's called the Clean Mug Tavern now. It's run by two siblings, one of them even comes here to bet on the races and fights sometimes. The place is barely scraping by, so I think they would be receptive to selling it to us for cheap." "Instead of buying it outright, I'd suggest just getting the owners to work with us. That way nothing really changes up front, but we don't spend money and we're the ones really running things." Zalmora says. "Definitely sounds like a better idea, but I know what place you're talking about, and it seems a little on the small side, I was thinking some place bigger like my old family's inn which is still abandoned. We wouldn't have to deal with anyone." You say. "Seems like more hassle. You'd still have to buy it from the city which could present some problems. Assuming they didn't ask many questions, you'd still have to fix the place up before we could start using it proper. Wouldn't we need to get an alcohol supplier and hire people as well?" Vaughn remarks. "Not really, we know more than enough folks that we could have cheap employees. Some of them are hopeless gamblers with debts in fact, so that's no problem. As for alcohol, we could easily make it ourselves and bypass a supplier. Most folks coming wouldn't be there for the booze anyway, so it isn't like we're going to need hundreds of barrels of the stuff every month. Of course your family's old inn is in a slightly better part of Klyton, so my concern would be the greater likelihood of militia just stumbling in for a drink now and then." Zal remarks. > You buy the old family inn It's a risk either way, but you figure owning the business outright at least makes you less concerned about somebody else fucking things up, plus you can fix things up the way you want a lot quicker. "Guess I got an appointment with city hall or something...is that where I go?" You ask. "Yes, I believe there is some sort of department that takes care of all that stuff. We should probably get married first though." Zal remarks. You and Vaughn both look at Zalmora. "What?" You ask. "If you're married, it might not be as suspicious if you're just handing over bags of money for this property." Zalmora says. "I don't understand why they would care. Wouldn't they just be glad to get their money?" you ask. "You been in Klyton long bossman?" Zalmora asks sarcastically. "Even before the council had militia crawling all over the city, this place was always a bit wary of non-citizens buying up property. Especially out of the blue. Surely you've already formed a story for all this." "Well somewhat, but this seems like extra complexity." "Marriage will be good idea, trust me. I've been a citizen of this city since birth. I even own a small place of residence." "You do?" "Yes, I have for quite sometime. While I know you've been busy playing crime lord, not everyone spends all their life here at the headquarters. What I'm saying though is, with me as your wife, you won't look quite like the suspicious outsider, since despite you living here for years, you still aren't even officially a citizen of this city." This is all taking you a bit by surprise. "Wait, so when would we get married?" You ask. "Oh we can do that right now, we can just go to a church dedicated to Joachim the Pure. They usually always have someone on duty to do a quick marriage. Though I suppose if you have another preferred faith, we could go there instead, but I've never known you to be particularly religious." Zal says. "No, I suppose that would be fine...but I dunno about this..." "Well if you got another girl in mind then marry her instead. I only suggested myself, because I can't say I've actually seen you with a steady one and certainly not one with the intelligence to go along with this plan or back up a reasonable story. If you're worried about this meaning something else, I can assure you that this is purely a business arrangement. We can always get divorced later." You're really at a loss of words. You look over at Vaughn who just shrugs and just says whoever you decide to marry, he'll attend the wedding in support. Trusting Zal's judgement on this and lacking any other ideas, you end up agreeing to this set up, at which point Zalmora says great and starts dragging you to a church while busily explaining what story you should come up with when you buy the property. The wedding itself is a whirlwind. You can honestly say you NEVER saw yourself ever getting married, let alone under these circumstances. Despite it being a "fake" wedding, Vaughn still gets a bit emotional saying he always saw you two ending up together. The next step is heading to the city property clerk, which you do the next day after rehearsing your story with Zalmora who also goes over the potential questions that might be asked. As the clerk asks you the first basic questions, you notice that he's studying you. At first you chalk this up to him being suspicious, but when you mention you wish to buy the inn because your family once owned it and you'd like to rebuild it again, he suddenly speaks out with a bit of a smile. "I knew it! I knew I knew you from somewhere...well not you per say, but I knew your father, we had a few classes together at the university! You look almost like him! How's he doing?" The clerk asks. "Oh he's doing well. He's a doctor with his own practice in a smaller town, but he's happy." You say. "That's good. I remember how he was always struggling to go to class and run that inn. Couldn't have been easy. Hell, I didn't even have all that responsibility and I still flunked out of medical school. Lucky I managed to land a city job. Still though, he did help me a few times during class, so he was always okay in my book." The rest of the conversation goes fairly well with the clerk (Or Quincy as you learn his name) and he doesn't ask too many more questions. He just suggests that you get yourself registered as a proper Klyton citizen as soon as you can so you can participate in elections and similar functions. You hand over a large sum of coins to him and he hands over the deed and keys to you. "Well it seems like you're a motivated young man with a plan ahead of you. Hope everything goes okay for you and your wife. We definitely need more upstanding citizens such as yourselves trying to build up this city rather than contributing to its decline. We don't want to end up like Hessla or Holgard!" Quincy remarks. "Definitely not." You say as you both exchange pleasant goodbyes. As you leave city hall, Zalmora speaks up. "Now I'm wondering if I should make a donation to Yag's temple, because his luck was definitely with us today. That went way better than I thought it would." Zal says. "Yeah, too bad I'm not on good terms with my dad. I'd actually send a letter home to thank him for being such a good guy. Have no idea how the hell we're related sometimes." You say. "Hmm, well luckily for you you've got his looks apparently." "So, I guess we need to get started on setting up the new business." "You're the boss, but I thought you'd want to go get divorced as quick as possible, given how reluctant you were to get married." "Oh yeah. Eh, I think maybe we should stay married for now, just in case something pops up. We can always do it later, right now there's other stuff that takes priority." "Okay fearless leader. I'm sure Vaughn will be happy to hear we're staying together for his sake." Zal chuckles. "Hah! Yeah, what the hell was that all about?" "Vaughn's actually always been a bit of a romantic. He's never been very lucky in that regard so he gets a bit weepy when he thinks he sees it in others at times." You and Zal walk to your newly acquired inn. You've seen it from the outside several times which is in fairly good shape despite it being abandoned for years. When you get inside, you find that it isn't in too bad of condition inside either though very dusty obviously. "Yeah, I think this place will do just fine." You say to yourself. "Shouldn't take long to get it up and running." Zal remarks. You and Zal wander around a bit looking at the inn. Eventually you go upstairs and find Zal looking through one of the rooms you believe is where your father and grandparents lived. There's even still a bed and some furniture still here. You look over at Zal who is currently bent over looking through a chest. You then look over at the bed. "So um...Zal..." You start to say. "Yes?" Zalmora responds turning around. "You want to celebrate our honeymoon?" Zal smirks at your offer. "Really? Aren't you concerned that I'll be manipulating you with my magical vagina?" Zal asks. "I'm willing to take that risk." You say. Zal looks at you for a moment in silence. "Meh, why not? Not like I got anything better to do." She says and starts taking her clothes off. > You time passes... Chapter 3A1: Red Storm Subsiding Year 30 "Are you sure?" You ask. "I'm positive. My boyfriend said the militia are going to do an intensive sweep of this district in a week. The Klyton Council wants to prove they're tough on crime again. Apparently there have been complaints that things have been getting too lax." Vaughn remarks. "See? This was useful info. And YOU got angry when you found out Vaughn was going out with a militia man." Zal says. "Never mind all that, we gotta start cleaning shit up around here. Vaughn, I want you to start dismantling the stills and moving the tubs from the basement and into the sewers. Just glad we have a lot of already filled barrels down there. We should be good on that front. Zal, you dismantle the gambling tables and wheels and move them into the sewers as well." "I'm not mucking about in the sewers. Those days are over." Zal huffs. "(Sigh) Fine then get someone else to do it! Why do you have to fight me on this right now? I'm going to go see the girls and tell them they got the week off or at least they got the week off here. Don't really care if they whore somewhere else." You immediately come out of your office and start running around telling your employees (Both legal and criminal) what to do. There predictably is a lot of yelling, grumbling and rushing back and forth. About ten minutes in, you've worked yourself up into a frenzy. "WATCH IT WITH THOSE! You break one of those wheels and I'm going to break your fucking arms! By the gods, I'm surrounded by fucking incompetents! And what the hell are you doing? Are you fucking retarded or something? Don't just stand around with a thumb up your ass, go fucking help Vaughn!" You shout in between hitting one poor employee desperately trying to get out of your way. "Oh dear husband! Can I speak with you for a moment?" You hear Zal shout in a sing song voice from upstairs. You hate it when she does that, because it usually means she's going to scold you or give you some unwanted advice and you really don't have time for that right now. Still, if you don't go see her now, you'll have to hear even more shit later. So you better see her now. Good thing she's still your wife, because you'd hate to take this sort of aggravation from someone you weren't fucking on a regular basis. You stomp upstairs and meet Zal in your bedroom. You then close the door. "WHAT?!" You exclaim. "While I'm sure you're having a good time running around abusing your underlings, I'm wondering if it's even necessary." Zal remarks. "Of course it is! You know how this lot is, I gotta kick a little ass sometimes!" "Yes, I'm aware, but have you really thought about WHY that is? Why you have to go on these rampages every few months or so?" "Yeah, so we all don't get fucking pinched by the law!" "Exactly. I'm saying maybe it's time for us to stop worrying about that." "So what're you getting at exactly?" "I'm saying maybe it's time to get out." "Get out? Now? You're joking." "Why is that so crazy?" "Because you don't walk away from this life." "Says who? You can walk away from ANYTHING as long as you aren't in prison or the grave and either of those places are exactly where you'll be heading if this keeps up." "If that's true, then you're going to be there right along side with me." "Not bloody likely. I've been thinking about this for a long time and ever since we got this inn together, I've been thinking about it even more. The time has come and I'm out." And there it is. You have to admit, you're only half surprised, but this is terrible timing. "Zal, do we really have to do this now?" You say. "Yes. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to interrupt anything, we're still moving all incriminating evidence out of here, but we're just doing it permanently." Zalmora responds. "What the...Zal I think you've forgotten who is not only head of this organization, but who is also owner of this fucking inn!" "And I think you've forgotten that as your wife, it's also partially mine." "My name is on the deed!" "Yeah, and you're still not a citizen of Klyton. And after the divorce, I guess we'll see who ends up with what, and if you think I won't drag you through the mud and make this hell for you, then you haven't learned very much during our time together." You can't believe this. You knew you should have gotten a divorce a long time ago. You just kept putting it off for other things you thought were more important at the time. You didn't think about the potential consequences. "You would really fucking do this to me wouldn't you? You probably planned this! Fucking bitch..." You mutter trying hard not to do something violent towards Zal. "Hey, I wasn't the one who initiated consummating the marriage multiple times. I really don't WANT to do this to you at all, but this is the ONLY way you're going to listen!" Zalmora exclaims. "Fine, so convince me. That is what you've always been good at isn't it?" You remark and sit down. Zalmora sits down next to you and exhales. "This inn that we run makes us a pretty good living and that's even before all the illegal shit like providing whores for the traveling merchants or running gambling games in the back. I mean aren't you getting tired of all this? Getting tired of looking over your shoulder thinking the Klyton militia is going to raid the place at any moment?" Zalmora asks. "It's the life we've chosen." "Yes, and I'm saying we don't have to live that way anymore. We could go completely legit and live comfortably rather than living in paranoia of going to jail or hanging in a cage." "I can't believe you're the same woman I met over a decade ago." "Yeah, I already know what you think. That I'm getting old and fearful and I've lost my will for this lifestyle. Well maybe all of that is true to some extent, but I don't see why that's such a bad thing. I mean I had the thrill of being a criminal and all that, well I'm done with that part of my life now. I don't find any joy in it anymore. I grew out of it. Happens to the best of us and I don't see why you don't see the logic in going legit either. You don't seem particularly all that happy and you're constantly going into these frenzies. Can you honestly say this life is as much fun as it was say ten years ago? I mean you'd at least have less worry if you weren't living this life." "So...what then? We just settle into life of married mediocrity and live the rest of our lives like average assholes?" "Yeah, I guess we do. Or we don't. Look, I've never been quite sure how deep your feelings have ever been towards me. To be honest I suppose I'm not quite sure of my own feelings are towards you. I like to think we do have a fondness for each other on some level. I mean we stayed married longer than some people I've know that we're head over heels in love with each other. Not exactly sure if what we have is love, but I guess in some way I think it's close, all things considered." Zalmora continues "That being said, if you don't want to stay together that's fine. I always thought this was going to be temporary anyway. I mean I think I could even work it out if you still wanted to manage this place. My point is though, this inn is going to be a legitimate business from now on and if you're not willing to at least go that route, well we need to say goodbye now." "You know on my end, this could be settled really easily." You say. "Mm, true. Could have also been settled easily on my end too, but as I already said, I like to think we have enough fondness for each other that murder isn't a serious option." Once again Zal is right on that part. You don't even know why you said such an empty threat. Perhaps a last minute act of a desperate man still not sure of what he wants in the future. Going "legit" isn't really going to be as easy as Zal is making out though. You would take a much severe loss in profit than perhaps she thinks. Maybe you could make it, but it wouldn't come easy. You'd have to work hard, but then you work just as hard now and have the constant paranoia added to it. Of course maybe that's the entire problem. You're working too hard period. It might not be the lifestyle, but more the location and job. You remember the more carefree years when you or you and a few others broke into a store and nicked a few items and coins, or picked the pockets of some rich merchant. You took just enough to live well for awhile and then you went out and did it all over again. None of the stress of dealing with day to day shit of running an entire criminal organization. Maybe you just need to get back to basics and walk away from it all. > You walk away Fuck this inn, fuck the Crimson Talons, fuck this city and fuck your fake marriage. You've had enough of all of it. You walk up to Zal and look into her eyes then you put your arms around her before kissing her deeply. She holds you tightly until you finish and slowly pull away. "It was fun, but I think it's time for a change of scenery. Goodbye Zal, and good luck." You say and walk away. Zalmora doesn't try to stop you, she probably knew this was a possibility. You gather a few belonging, some money and leave the inn. You figure Zal can fill everyone in on the changes she intends to make. You can't imagine how much she's going to have to deal with, but you know Zal's got a strong will and mind, so you're sure that she'll succeed or at least come out ahead. You make your way out of Klyton wondering where to travel. Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service. The only other place that comes to mind is Hessla which for one thing is a whole lot closer, but it also still has a reputation of being a haven for thieves, pirates, and other criminal types. Seems like you'd fit in real well. You first think about taking a carriage there to save yourself a walk, but then you figure you'd rather save the money. It'll be good to for you to get some regular exercise for a change as well. For several years you feel like you've just been slowly letting yourself go to pot while you were running the Crimson Talons from the inn. With a new goal in mind, a check on your rations, your flintlock pistol and a couple daggers along with your sword, you set off. The trip to Hessla is surprisingly uneventful. You half figured you'd at least run into a few idiots trying to rob you on the road, but other than travellers, and a few merchants, you don't encounter anyone else on it. When you finally get to Hessla, its actually a little nicer looking than you thought it was going to look. You expected it to be filled with run down homes with unsavory types located on every corner. If anything, the town has locations that are fancier looking than some of the better parts of Klyton. After spending a few days in Hessla you also learn that this place really isn't as disorderly as it's reputation would imply. Granted it's far from being as repressive as Klyton, but there actually is a "force" that makes sure it isn't a free for all. The Hessla Headsmen report directly to the governor who apparently is an ex-pirate that controls everything in town. If anything the crime is less than one might think mainly because most are pirates and pillaging other places rather than here. You are surprisingly finding the place a bit easy on the pick pocket and theft front, of course a lot of folks are either half drunk or plain drunk most of the time. Also most folks don't seem to own that many personal belongings. You guess with most making their living at sea, they keep essentials on their ships, spend it all on booze and whores or otherwise live a very basic life, so despite you finding the town a bit easy pickings, you aren't getting rich doing it. Shops however are very well protected by the Headsmen since you guess Governor Tolen has a slice of all the businesses here. Fights are pretty common, though they aren't necessarily always to the death like you'd expect. Just a lot of disagreement and drinking make for a rowdy town. So far you've avoided pissing anyone off and kept a low profile. You aren't sure if you're actually going to stay here long or not, but so far it's better than Klyton. Well at least you THINK you were maintaining a low profile... "Hey you with the hood." A voice says. You turn around a see a scruffy man wearing a rag on his head, shabby clothing and a few tattoos on his arms. A cutlass hangs by his side. He looks appropriately piratey. "What?" You ask. "Just wondering if you really think you're going to be getting away with pilfering things forever in this town." He says. "If I was doing such a thing, I'm not sure why it would matter to you." "It doesn't, but if someone like me noticed you were doing it, I'm sure others have too. Now I know this place has a certain reputation, but punishment for thievery in this town is pretty damn severe. We might mostly be cutthroats and vagabonds here, but we don't shit where we eat. We all have to live here with a certain measure of trust. If we don't, well the whole place goes to shit now doesn't it?" Interesting culture here. Almost reminds you of the set up you unofficially had back in your home town where they barely tolerated your thievery as long as you kept it to outsiders. "Hmm, you seem very helpful towards a stranger. Makes me wonder if you don't have an angle." You say. "Well, not much of one I suppose. I'm currently trying to find new recruits for my captain. Not much luck so far though. You wouldn't be interested would you?" "I'm afraid I've never been at sea, so I don't think I'd make much of a sailor." "Everyone's gotta start somewhere, besides we're not really being picky right now. Had a big loss recently and we need all the help we can get." "What would I be doing exactly?" "Helping around the ship obviously and the usual pillaging of coastal villages or ships. You do have some fighting skills and would have no problem with something like that I assume." "Well, I'm not a stranger to combat and I'm not going to say that I haven't done some pretty immoral things, but I'm not raping anyone." "Hey, that's your right. It's not a qualification for the job. More for someone else as they say." "Hmm, I dunno. I still think my background isn't going to mesh well. I'm not really a slash and burn type. I'm more of a pick a lock and sneak out in the middle of the night kind of guy." "Well, we could have use for that too. I remember once we raided a town that actually had a very tough safe that none of us knew how to crack. We couldn't even blow it open until we hauled one of the cannons off the ship and dragged it to the location. By the time we did get it open, the valuable contents inside were destroyed and the town had called for help from a more militaristic city that sent a strong force that chased us back to the ship. Could have all been avoided with someone like you aboard." "Maybe. Not sure if I like the idea of taking orders though. I was already part of an organization like that once. Eventually I even ran it, but ultimately I left it because I found I preferred working on my own without a bunch of people around." "Well, I suppose I can't convince you if your mind is already made up. Still, if for some reason you do change your mind, just head to a ship called the Steadfast. It's not the biggest ship in the harbor, but like it's name, it always gets to where it has to go and back." With those last words, the man takes his leave and you're pondering this new possibility. You have to admit part of you is curious what it would be like since you've never ever considered being a pirate. Might be an interesting change of pace. Still, along with all the other concerns you have. The guy trying to recruit you didn't exactly spin this in the best of light and most of the crew are apparently dead so what the hell is the captain like if he's getting everyone killed? > You stick to land You have enough problems on land, no need to add being surrounded by water as one of them. Hessla in general seems to be a bit of a bust. You figure you'll stick around for a few more days and then make your way elsewhere. You make a mental note that you'll need to be more careful if you pick anymore pockets though, apparently you're rusty enough in that endeavor that you're getting caught even if it isn't by the folks you're actually doing it to. Unfortunately for you your actions have already attracted attention and the day before you're about to leave, you are suddenly seized by the Hessla Headsmen who burst in the room you're staying at. Six of them in fact, though it only takes two of them to hold you down as they shackle you. "Well, well, well, you have been busy haven't you?" One of them says going through your pack. "Another idiot outsider thinking they can just rip us off. Honestly don't know what goes through their heads. I mean we're a pirate town! Would YOU steal from anyone in a town full of fucking pirates?" Another says. "I sure wouldn't be stupid enough to stick around as long as this one did." "So what's the damage with this one?" A Headsman with a couple extra decorations asks. "It's mostly coins, but there are a few personal items some reported stolen. Not to mention we've got more than a few people that said they saw this asshole stealing from folks when he thought nobody was watching." "Okay. Guess we can do this here then." The Headsman officer tells the others to place you into a kneeling position and put your head down. Of course you try to resist, but you just get some punches for your trouble. "If you keep resisting, I'm not going to make a clean cut and it's going to take more than one blow to take your head off." The officer says as he prepares his axe. You attempt to bargain, but it's no use. The Headsmen have heard shit like this all before and the officer eventually smashes you head with the bottom of his two handed axe. Dazed and brought low by this hit, the officer manages to nearly make a clean cut. "Shit." The officer says as the axe only goes half way through your neck, which kills you though in order to take your head completely off the officer just stomps hard on the back of your head while sawing through your neck with the axe.

Fuck this inn, fuck the Crimson Talons, fuck this city and fuck your fake marriage. You've had enough of all of it. You walk up to Zal and look into her eyes then you put your arms around her before kissing her deeply. She holds you tightly until you finish and slowly pull away. "It was fun, but I think it's time for a change of scenery. Goodbye Zal, and good luck." You say and walk away. Zalmora doesn't try to stop you, she probably knew this was a possibility. You gather a few belonging, some money and leave the inn. You figure Zal can fill everyone in on the changes she intends to make. You can't imagine how much she's going to have to deal with, but you know Zal's got a strong will and mind, so you're sure that she'll succeed or at least come out ahead. You make your way out of Klyton wondering where to travel. Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service. The only other place that comes to mind is Hessla which for one thing is a whole lot closer, but it also still has a reputation of being a haven for thieves, pirates, and other criminal types. Seems like you'd fit in real well. You first think about taking a carriage there to save yourself a walk, but then you figure you'd rather save the money. It'll be good to for you to get some regular exercise for a change as well. For several years you feel like you've just been slowly letting yourself go to pot while you were running the Crimson Talons from the inn. With a new goal in mind, a check on your rations, your flintlock pistol and a couple daggers along with your sword, you set off. The trip to Hessla is surprisingly uneventful. You half figured you'd at least run into a few idiots trying to rob you on the road, but other than travellers, and a few merchants, you don't encounter anyone else on it. When you finally get to Hessla, its actually a little nicer looking than you thought it was going to look. You expected it to be filled with run down homes with unsavory types located on every corner. If anything, the town has locations that are fancier looking than some of the better parts of Klyton. After spending a few days in Hessla you also learn that this place really isn't as disorderly as it's reputation would imply. Granted it's far from being as repressive as Klyton, but there actually is a "force" that makes sure it isn't a free for all. The Hessla Headsmen report directly to the governor who apparently is an ex-pirate that controls everything in town. If anything the crime is less than one might think mainly because most are pirates and pillaging other places rather than here. You are surprisingly finding the place a bit easy on the pick pocket and theft front, of course a lot of folks are either half drunk or plain drunk most of the time. Also most folks don't seem to own that many personal belongings. You guess with most making their living at sea, they keep essentials on their ships, spend it all on booze and whores or otherwise live a very basic life, so despite you finding the town a bit easy pickings, you aren't getting rich doing it. Shops however are very well protected by the Headsmen since you guess Governor Tolen has a slice of all the businesses here. Fights are pretty common, though they aren't necessarily always to the death like you'd expect. Just a lot of disagreement and drinking make for a rowdy town. So far you've avoided pissing anyone off and kept a low profile. You aren't sure if you're actually going to stay here long or not, but so far it's better than Klyton. Well at least you THINK you were maintaining a low profile... "Hey you with the hood." A voice says. You turn around a see a scruffy man wearing a rag on his head, shabby clothing and a few tattoos on his arms. A cutlass hangs by his side. He looks appropriately piratey. "What?" You ask. "Just wondering if you really think you're going to be getting away with pilfering things forever in this town." He says. "If I was doing such a thing, I'm not sure why it would matter to you." "It doesn't, but if someone like me noticed you were doing it, I'm sure others have too. Now I know this place has a certain reputation, but punishment for thievery in this town is pretty damn severe. We might mostly be cutthroats and vagabonds here, but we don't shit where we eat. We all have to live here with a certain measure of trust. If we don't, well the whole place goes to shit now doesn't it?" Interesting culture here. Almost reminds you of the set up you unofficially had back in your home town where they barely tolerated your thievery as long as you kept it to outsiders. "Hmm, you seem very helpful towards a stranger. Makes me wonder if you don't have an angle." You say. "Well, not much of one I suppose. I'm currently trying to find new recruits for my captain. Not much luck so far though. You wouldn't be interested would you?" "I'm afraid I've never been at sea, so I don't think I'd make much of a sailor." "Everyone's gotta start somewhere, besides we're not really being picky right now. Had a big loss recently and we need all the help we can get." "What would I be doing exactly?" "Helping around the ship obviously and the usual pillaging of coastal villages or ships. You do have some fighting skills and would have no problem with something like that I assume." "Well, I'm not a stranger to combat and I'm not going to say that I haven't done some pretty immoral things, but I'm not raping anyone." "Hey, that's your right. It's not a qualification for the job. More for someone else as they say." "Hmm, I dunno. I still think my background isn't going to mesh well. I'm not really a slash and burn type. I'm more of a pick a lock and sneak out in the middle of the night kind of guy." "Well, we could have use for that too. I remember once we raided a town that actually had a very tough safe that none of us knew how to crack. We couldn't even blow it open until we hauled one of the cannons off the ship and dragged it to the location. By the time we did get it open, the valuable contents inside were destroyed and the town had called for help from a more militaristic city that sent a strong force that chased us back to the ship. Could have all been avoided with someone like you aboard." "Maybe. Not sure if I like the idea of taking orders though. I was already part of an organization like that once. Eventually I even ran it, but ultimately I left it because I found I preferred working on my own without a bunch of people around." "Well, I suppose I can't convince you if your mind is already made up. Still, if for some reason you do change your mind, just head to a ship called the Steadfast. It's not the biggest ship in the harbor, but like it's name, it always gets to where it has to go and back." With those last words, the man takes his leave and you're pondering this new possibility. You have to admit part of you is curious what it would be like since you've never ever considered being a pirate. Might be an interesting change of pace. Still, along with all the other concerns you have. The guy trying to recruit you didn't exactly spin this in the best of light and most of the crew are apparently dead so what the hell is the captain like if he's getting everyone killed? > You be a pirate Why not, it isn't like you got anything else important going on. The man who was recruiting is still visible, so you hurry your pace to catch up to him. You say you'll join and he is glad you changed your mind. He mentions his name is Scully and leads you to the Steadfast. When Scully said the Steadfast wasn't the biggest ship in the harbor, he wasn't kidding. Not that it's a rowboat and it definitely needs a crew to sail it, but compared to some of the others you've seen, you can tell you're not exactly going to be sailing with anyone of great infamy. You imagine that's why Scully said they mostly raid small coastal villages. Other than being a smaller ship, it doesn't look like it's falling apart so it's at least in good shape. Feels weird just being on it though you don't feel sick. Hopefully you won't when it's actually sailing. You meet a few other milling crew members, but they don't say much to you other than some grunts. One of them mentions where the sleeping quarters are and says don't worry about which hammock to take because most of them are no longer in use anyway. "Scully mentioned something about a lot of the crew getting killed, what happened exactly?" You ask. "Mermaids." He mutters, but doesn't elaborate and just tells you he's got work to do. You don't know anything about mermaids other than a few tales you've heard. You would ask one of the other crew members, but they don't seem all that talkative to the likes of you. A few hours pass as you wander the ship a bit and generally stand around doing nothing. You sort of thought someone would order you to do some work or earn your keep, but that hasn't happened yet. You almost feel like you're a passenger rather than a proper crew member. Not that you're complaining. You eventually see Scully again who says the Captain wants to meet you. So you head back above deck where you meet the captain who doesn't look like you thought. He's practically an old man who is having a hard time walking with a cane. He's dressed better than everyone else on the ship, but that isn't saying much since even his fancy overcoat has patches sewn on it. He introduces himself as Captain Rifiv and says he hopes you prove to be a better crewman than the lot that got themselves killed recently. Especially since you're apparently the ONLY person Scully was able to recruit! "What exactly happened anyway?" You ask. "Mermaids or sirens. I dunno, whatever those underwater singing fish bitches are called. We were far to the southwest and coming back from a relatively successful haul. Everything was going well, and then someone said their heard singing. I instantly knew what the hell it was and told everyone to start shoving wax in their ears and don't look over the sides of the ship because those scaly sluts got a way of hypnotizing most men and making them do their bidding." "Sounds like logical precautions." "You'd think so, except some of my genius crew thought they'd be heroes or something and they started looking over the side and firing their pistol into the water. Yeah, they saw one of those bitches, fell in love and before I know it, they're not only removing the wax from their ears, but they start attacking others and removing their wax or outright killing them. After it was all said and done, half of the crew was dead. Now I gotta recruit all over again and stick to places that have virtually no resistance until strength is built back up. You know what kind of places those are? Places that are poor as shit!" Captain Rifiv at this point starts ranting in general as he goes back to his quarters. Meanwhile a few of the crew roll their eyes and mutter to themselves. "You'll have to excuse the captain, he just really hates set backs. It's really not as bad as all that, we'll hit a few easy targets and in time things will start picking up again." Scully says in a positive tone. "Are we going to have to worry about mermaids?" You ask. "Oh no, we're going to be sticking to more familiar northern waters for awhile. Those lovely creatures won't be a problem where we're going." Scully seems to be a bit lost in thought when he mentions the mermaids. Looks like they really had an effect on him, but he doesn't seem shaken by the experience. The opposite actually, like he vaguely seems disappointed that you probably won't be encountering them on this trip. Well given what the captain said happened, you at least HOPE you won't be encountering them. > You time passes... Year 31 If you ever get back to Hessla, you swear to the gods that you're leaving and never setting foot on a ship again. When you left a year ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be. These raids are practically slaughters and you're not particularly getting any thrill out of doing them especially since there's barely been any loot to be had. Last raids you did go on we're more about scavenging the town's fruit supplies and medicine rather than valuables. Maybe you'd get more out of these raids if you were of the rapey nature, but curse your parents for raising you to at least adhere to some sort of moral standard. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!) You also had problems with not just a major storm, but a few larger ships that apparently thought it would be fun to open fire on you for the shits and giggles. Doesn't help that the navigator got killed during that exchange and you got severely off course while attempting to outrun the superior ships. Not to mention repairs on the open sea with only half the crew also take a long damn time. On the plus side, you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you fully intend on never using this knowledge again if you can help it. And at least you haven't encountered any mermaids you guess. As you lean against the ship's railing look out at the setting sun, you try to keep your own sanity by thinking of happier times with your sister or Zalmora. You hope either of them are doing a hell of a lot better than you are right now because this is without a doubt the WORST idea you ever had. Right along the idea where you left the fucking inn because you didn't want to settle down and live like some regular jerk off. Would it really have been so terrible? It couldn't have been worse than THIS. "You're right, it couldn't be worse than this. Come back, I forgive you." You suddenly hear a voice say that sounds exactly like Zalmora. You look around and then hear it again. "Come back to me my love." The voice says in more melodic tone. Your head starts to feel odd and you begin to hear faint little song. You can't even make it out, it's just an ongoing tone seeping into your skull... Without thinking you look at the waters below and see a couple of splashes and a glimpse of a large fishtail. "Regina! I knew you'd come back to me! I'm coming darling!" You suddenly hear a voice shout which fortunately breaks your concentration. You look over to your left and see Scully jump over the side of the ship. This is soon followed by the Captain coming out of his quarters. "FISH BITCHES! WAX! WAX! WAX! DON'T LOOK AT THE WATER!" He shouts nearly falling over in the process. Fortunately, Captain Rifiv was so paranoid about them from last encounter that he made everyone carry some with them at all time. Scully was either wrong about mermaids not being in northern waters or you're more off course than you thought. Either way it doesn't matter because you're being assaulted by them and you're shoving wax in your ears. The wax doesn't quite drown out the song completely, but it's helping enough that you at least don't feel like you're falling under some sort of enchantment now. Captain Rifiv is using a telescope to look past the nearby mermaid infested waters in the hopes of finding some sort of land. Meanwhile most of the crew is busily filling their own ears with wax. Unfortunately most doesn't mean all... Even with wax in your ears you can still hear the nearby gunshot of an enchanted crew member shooting one of his fellows. "WEAK MINDED FOOLS!" You can hear Rifiv's muffled shouts. Doesn't take long before there is chaos on the ship and you're also fighting off your fellow enchanted crew mates. Well "fellow" might be too strong of a word since you didn't even like most of them. You then hear a loud explosion coming from below, the entire boat rocks and you fall to the deck. You aren't sure what happened, but it can't be good because the smell of smoke is very prominent and while you aren't entirely sure yet, but you think the boat might be starting to sink. As you attempt to get up, Captain Rifiv is doing his best to hobble over in your direction. "One of those charmed fools just lit a fucking powder keg below deck! This ship is going down! Come on, help me to the emergency rowboat! I saw a patch of land to the north!" Rifiv shouts before he stumbles to the floor of the ship. He's having a hard time getting up, and you see yet another charmed crewman walking over to finish him off. You look over to the emergency rowboat and you realize you could probably get to it a lot quicker by yourself. > You run to the lifeboat This is everyman for himself time, besides you didn't particularly like the old bastard anymore than you liked your other crewmates. You run over to the rowboat, get in and deploy it. It drops a lot faster than you intended and you land hard, but there is no damage and all you get is a little wet from the splash back. As you row away from the burning, sinking, and sometimes still exploding ship, you can still hear the mermaid song and it feels like it's getting through now. You can't think of anything else to do, so you start shouting nonsense at the top of your lungs. "CABBAGES, PANTIES, IT'S NOT GOT A NOSE, AND I'LL SMASH YOUR FACE!" This seems to work somewhat, but you start to run into trouble when you see a green hand grab the side of the boat. And then several more on both sides. You really begin to panic when you start to have a hard time moving the oars. The mermaids are determined to stop you. You close your eyes and draw your sword, shouting and hacking wildly. "Get away! Get away! Back!" You shout, but you're not really having an effect. The mermaids are easily avoiding your blind attacks and with all your wild swings you don't have the best balance. Doesn't take long before a few of the mermaids closest to your side of the boat grab you and pull. This action combined with the mermaids on the other side pushing the boat, you fall overboard into the water. Despite now losing your sword and being in the water, you still refuse to give up, you continue to keep your eyes closed and struggle against the mermaids pulling you down. It is at this point you begin to hear their laughing in your head. Somehow you actually manage to get your head above water and you open your eyes just long enough to see the faintest sign of land in the distance. The scent of brine and fish fill your nose as you feel a mermaid latch on to your back as you try to swim away. You can do nothing as you feel scaly fingers start to dig out the wax you stuffed in your ears. This is followed by a lick and a nibble on those same ears. Your arms are feeling like anchors, but you continue to swim with a fish bitch on your back. Your head is filled with a haunting chorus that you're desperately trying to drown out with nonsensical shouting. Quite frankly you're doing better than most men would be able to in your position, but unfortunately you're only human and the mermaids are relentless. "Join us...under the sea...everything's better with us under the sea..." The melodic voices continue to pierce your brain and then you feel the weirdest pleasurable sensation below. One of the mermaids has started to undo your trousers and taken the worm in her mouth as it were. How you're even getting turned on by this in this scenario is either a testament to the oral skills of mermaids or you had some unknown twisted desires. Whatever the reason, the mermaids are winning this one. You can't fight an underwater blowjob along with everything else. Even you know it's over when another mermaid appears right in front of you and you lock eyes directly with her. (Right after you stare at her green scaly tits for a split second of course) Her facial features are partially fishy in nature, but humanoid enough looking that you fall under the unnatural spell. Now instead of just smelling fish and brine, you taste it as well as she embraces you with a kiss. With one mermaid on your back nibbling your ear, another one swallowing your cock, and the third planting a kiss on your lips, you just let go and cease swimming. The mermaids do the rest by pulling you down. Water fills your lungs, you struggle to breathe, death soon comes and so do you as the "hooked" mermaid at least has the decency to finish you off before everything goes black. Your life was ended by mermaids.

Year 31 If you ever get back to Hessla, you swear to the gods that you're leaving and never setting foot on a ship again. When you left a year ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be. These raids are practically slaughters and you're not particularly getting any thrill out of doing them especially since there's barely been any loot to be had. Last raids you did go on we're more about scavenging the town's fruit supplies and medicine rather than valuables. Maybe you'd get more out of these raids if you were of the rapey nature, but curse your parents for raising you to at least adhere to some sort of moral standard. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!) You also had problems with not just a major storm, but a few larger ships that apparently thought it would be fun to open fire on you for the shits and giggles. Doesn't help that the navigator got killed during that exchange and you got severely off course while attempting to outrun the superior ships. Not to mention repairs on the open sea with only half the crew also take a long damn time. On the plus side, you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you fully intend on never using this knowledge again if you can help it. And at least you haven't encountered any mermaids you guess. As you lean against the ship's railing look out at the setting sun, you try to keep your own sanity by thinking of happier times with your sister or Zalmora. You hope either of them are doing a hell of a lot better than you are right now because this is without a doubt the WORST idea you ever had. Right along the idea where you left the fucking inn because you didn't want to settle down and live like some regular jerk off. Would it really have been so terrible? It couldn't have been worse than THIS. "You're right, it couldn't be worse than this. Come back, I forgive you." You suddenly hear a voice say that sounds exactly like Zalmora. You look around and then hear it again. "Come back to me my love." The voice says in more melodic tone. Your head starts to feel odd and you begin to hear faint little song. You can't even make it out, it's just an ongoing tone seeping into your skull... Without thinking you look at the waters below and see a couple of splashes and a glimpse of a large fishtail. "Regina! I knew you'd come back to me! I'm coming darling!" You suddenly hear a voice shout which fortunately breaks your concentration. You look over to your left and see Scully jump over the side of the ship. This is soon followed by the Captain coming out of his quarters. "FISH BITCHES! WAX! WAX! WAX! DON'T LOOK AT THE WATER!" He shouts nearly falling over in the process. Fortunately, Captain Rifiv was so paranoid about them from last encounter that he made everyone carry some with them at all time. Scully was either wrong about mermaids not being in northern waters or you're more off course than you thought. Either way it doesn't matter because you're being assaulted by them and you're shoving wax in your ears. The wax doesn't quite drown out the song completely, but it's helping enough that you at least don't feel like you're falling under some sort of enchantment now. Captain Rifiv is using a telescope to look past the nearby mermaid infested waters in the hopes of finding some sort of land. Meanwhile most of the crew is busily filling their own ears with wax. Unfortunately most doesn't mean all... Even with wax in your ears you can still hear the nearby gunshot of an enchanted crew member shooting one of his fellows. "WEAK MINDED FOOLS!" You can hear Rifiv's muffled shouts. Doesn't take long before there is chaos on the ship and you're also fighting off your fellow enchanted crew mates. Well "fellow" might be too strong of a word since you didn't even like most of them. You then hear a loud explosion coming from below, the entire boat rocks and you fall to the deck. You aren't sure what happened, but it can't be good because the smell of smoke is very prominent and while you aren't entirely sure yet, but you think the boat might be starting to sink. As you attempt to get up, Captain Rifiv is doing his best to hobble over in your direction. "One of those charmed fools just lit a fucking powder keg below deck! This ship is going down! Come on, help me to the emergency rowboat! I saw a patch of land to the north!" Rifiv shouts before he stumbles to the floor of the ship. He's having a hard time getting up, and you see yet another charmed crewman walking over to finish him off. You look over to the emergency rowboat and you realize you could probably get to it a lot quicker by yourself. > You defend the captain Maybe you're having some "good deed" moment during this dark hour, but the old guy actually has been more or less alright with you. You run over to the captain and block the charmed crewman's sword with your own, then you follow up with a thrust with your dagger that's in your other hand. It sinks deep into the assailant's chest and as he slumps to the deck, you help the captain up. "Come on! Come on! You're too fucking slow! Move your ass!" He orders. You start to wonder if you should have just left him! With the captain in tow (And shouting in your wax filled ear) you make your way to the rowboat, get in and deploy it. It drops a lot faster than you intended and you land hard, but there is no damage and all you get is a little wet from the splash back. "Row! Row! Row northward and don't do anything else! Don't look at anything except down at the floor of this boat!" Rifiv shouts. Between the wax, the captain's shouting and some more explosions from the ship as it sinks, you're not hearing the mermaids anymore. It suddenly occurs to you, maybe that's why Rifiv is still doing all this shouting. Now you're glad you helped him. Still, blocking your hearing is only part of the solution. Now you're in a rowboat which is a lot lower to the water. You see a green hand reach out from the water and grab the side of the boat... "Damn it man, I told you not to look! Close your damn eyes! Just keep rowing, we're almost there! Get back sea sluts! Yargh! Yargh! Get back! You'll not get me with your wiles!" You do exactly what Rifiv says and try to focus on just rowing as you close your eyes. It isn't easy though since you can still hear the sounds of battle and the captain shouting the entire time. You also feel a bit of pulling at not just the oars, but your arms as well. You don't know how the old man is holding out so well. "Stop! No...YOU'RE NOT MY WIFE!" You hear the captain shout. And then nothing but a loud splash. You call out to the captain, but hear no answer. This causes you to row faster with all your strength while still keeping your eyes closed. "Come to us...let go..." You start to hear in those melodic voices again. You can't think of anything else to do so you start singing various bawdy songs you've heard over the years at the top of your lungs as you row for your life. "...AND HER ASS TASTES LIKE MOLASSES AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS MIGHTY FINE! SECOND VERSE! OHHHHHHHH..." As silly as it is for you to be singing loudly in the middle of the fucking ocean about a priest's daughter losing her anal virginity, it's keeping you alive. This must go on for at least an hour or so. Eventually you hit something, or rather something scrapes the bottom of your boat. At first you think it's the mermaids trying to tip it over or something, but you risk opening your eyes and find that you've hit land or at least the rocks near it. In fact you've damaged the boat and you once again find yourself aboard a sinking ship. Fortunately, the mermaids seem to have stopped harassing you and the water isn't too deep so you make it to shore. Even so, you run pretty far inland before you stop to take a better look at your surroundings. You cautiously remove the wax from your ears and you don't hear any mermaid songs trying to bewitch you any longer. You do hear the sounds of a few birds though. Wherever you are, you're in a wooded area with a large amount of trees and bushes. You aren't sure how big this patch of land is though; for all you know it could be a small island or a large continent. One thing is for sure though, it's cold and you're a long damn way from home. While this isn't the best situation, you're not giving in to despair. As soon as you figure out how to survive here, maybe you can somehow figure out a way to get back. Or maybe you'll just stay here. You'll see how it turns out. Either way your days of being a rogue are over.

Chapter 3A1: Red Storm Subsiding Year 30 "Are you sure?" You ask. "I'm positive. My boyfriend said the militia are going to do an intensive sweep of this district in a week. The Klyton Council wants to prove they're tough on crime again. Apparently there have been complaints that things have been getting too lax." Vaughn remarks. "See? This was useful info. And YOU got angry when you found out Vaughn was going out with a militia man." Zal says. "Never mind all that, we gotta start cleaning shit up around here. Vaughn, I want you to start dismantling the stills and moving the tubs from the basement and into the sewers. Just glad we have a lot of already filled barrels down there. We should be good on that front. Zal, you dismantle the gambling tables and wheels and move them into the sewers as well." "I'm not mucking about in the sewers. Those days are over." Zal huffs. "(Sigh) Fine then get someone else to do it! Why do you have to fight me on this right now? I'm going to go see the girls and tell them they got the week off or at least they got the week off here. Don't really care if they whore somewhere else." You immediately come out of your office and start running around telling your employees (Both legal and criminal) what to do. There predictably is a lot of yelling, grumbling and rushing back and forth. About ten minutes in, you've worked yourself up into a frenzy. "WATCH IT WITH THOSE! You break one of those wheels and I'm going to break your fucking arms! By the gods, I'm surrounded by fucking incompetents! And what the hell are you doing? Are you fucking retarded or something? Don't just stand around with a thumb up your ass, go fucking help Vaughn!" You shout in between hitting one poor employee desperately trying to get out of your way. "Oh dear husband! Can I speak with you for a moment?" You hear Zal shout in a sing song voice from upstairs. You hate it when she does that, because it usually means she's going to scold you or give you some unwanted advice and you really don't have time for that right now. Still, if you don't go see her now, you'll have to hear even more shit later. So you better see her now. Good thing she's still your wife, because you'd hate to take this sort of aggravation from someone you weren't fucking on a regular basis. You stomp upstairs and meet Zal in your bedroom. You then close the door. "WHAT?!" You exclaim. "While I'm sure you're having a good time running around abusing your underlings, I'm wondering if it's even necessary." Zal remarks. "Of course it is! You know how this lot is, I gotta kick a little ass sometimes!" "Yes, I'm aware, but have you really thought about WHY that is? Why you have to go on these rampages every few months or so?" "Yeah, so we all don't get fucking pinched by the law!" "Exactly. I'm saying maybe it's time for us to stop worrying about that." "So what're you getting at exactly?" "I'm saying maybe it's time to get out." "Get out? Now? You're joking." "Why is that so crazy?" "Because you don't walk away from this life." "Says who? You can walk away from ANYTHING as long as you aren't in prison or the grave and either of those places are exactly where you'll be heading if this keeps up." "If that's true, then you're going to be there right along side with me." "Not bloody likely. I've been thinking about this for a long time and ever since we got this inn together, I've been thinking about it even more. The time has come and I'm out." And there it is. You have to admit, you're only half surprised, but this is terrible timing. "Zal, do we really have to do this now?" You say. "Yes. Oh don't worry, I'm not going to interrupt anything, we're still moving all incriminating evidence out of here, but we're just doing it permanently." Zalmora responds. "What the...Zal I think you've forgotten who is not only head of this organization, but who is also owner of this fucking inn!" "And I think you've forgotten that as your wife, it's also partially mine." "My name is on the deed!" "Yeah, and you're still not a citizen of Klyton. And after the divorce, I guess we'll see who ends up with what, and if you think I won't drag you through the mud and make this hell for you, then you haven't learned very much during our time together." You can't believe this. You knew you should have gotten a divorce a long time ago. You just kept putting it off for other things you thought were more important at the time. You didn't think about the potential consequences. "You would really fucking do this to me wouldn't you? You probably planned this! Fucking bitch..." You mutter trying hard not to do something violent towards Zal. "Hey, I wasn't the one who initiated consummating the marriage multiple times. I really don't WANT to do this to you at all, but this is the ONLY way you're going to listen!" Zalmora exclaims. "Fine, so convince me. That is what you've always been good at isn't it?" You remark and sit down. Zalmora sits down next to you and exhales. "This inn that we run makes us a pretty good living and that's even before all the illegal shit like providing whores for the traveling merchants or running gambling games in the back. I mean aren't you getting tired of all this? Getting tired of looking over your shoulder thinking the Klyton militia is going to raid the place at any moment?" Zalmora asks. "It's the life we've chosen." "Yes, and I'm saying we don't have to live that way anymore. We could go completely legit and live comfortably rather than living in paranoia of going to jail or hanging in a cage." "I can't believe you're the same woman I met over a decade ago." "Yeah, I already know what you think. That I'm getting old and fearful and I've lost my will for this lifestyle. Well maybe all of that is true to some extent, but I don't see why that's such a bad thing. I mean I had the thrill of being a criminal and all that, well I'm done with that part of my life now. I don't find any joy in it anymore. I grew out of it. Happens to the best of us and I don't see why you don't see the logic in going legit either. You don't seem particularly all that happy and you're constantly going into these frenzies. Can you honestly say this life is as much fun as it was say ten years ago? I mean you'd at least have less worry if you weren't living this life." "So...what then? We just settle into life of married mediocrity and live the rest of our lives like average assholes?" "Yeah, I guess we do. Or we don't. Look, I've never been quite sure how deep your feelings have ever been towards me. To be honest I suppose I'm not quite sure of my own feelings are towards you. I like to think we do have a fondness for each other on some level. I mean we stayed married longer than some people I've know that we're head over heels in love with each other. Not exactly sure if what we have is love, but I guess in some way I think it's close, all things considered." Zalmora continues "That being said, if you don't want to stay together that's fine. I always thought this was going to be temporary anyway. I mean I think I could even work it out if you still wanted to manage this place. My point is though, this inn is going to be a legitimate business from now on and if you're not willing to at least go that route, well we need to say goodbye now." "You know on my end, this could be settled really easily." You say. "Mm, true. Could have also been settled easily on my end too, but as I already said, I like to think we have enough fondness for each other that murder isn't a serious option." Once again Zal is right on that part. You don't even know why you said such an empty threat. Perhaps a last minute act of a desperate man still not sure of what he wants in the future. Going "legit" isn't really going to be as easy as Zal is making out though. You would take a much severe loss in profit than perhaps she thinks. Maybe you could make it, but it wouldn't come easy. You'd have to work hard, but then you work just as hard now and have the constant paranoia added to it. Of course maybe that's the entire problem. You're working too hard period. It might not be the lifestyle, but more the location and job. You remember the more carefree years when you or you and a few others broke into a store and nicked a few items and coins, or picked the pockets of some rich merchant. You took just enough to live well for awhile and then you went out and did it all over again. None of the stress of dealing with day to day shit of running an entire criminal organization. Maybe you just need to get back to basics and walk away from it all. > You go legit You can't go back to those "good old days" even though you might wish to. Really, the good old days were long over the day you got chased out of Teckleville, and perhaps they were over even before that when your sister left. You hope she's doing well. Zal isn't the only one that's gotten older. True you're still relatively young in comparison and perhaps the roguish streak hasn't quite left you yet, but her transformation and everything else that's gone on...well quite frankly it is time to start thinking about a more stable future that doesn't involve criminal endeavors. As for being married...well you could do worse than being married to a woman who's been giving you sound advice for over a decade, even if she has been a bit manipulative at times. You'd be lying if you didn't like that quality slightly. She obviously cares about you on some level and the feeling is mutual. After all, if you didn't, you would have divorced long ago. You grab Zal's hand, squeezing it while nodding silently. It's all you have to do to give an answer. Zal seems pretty happy with your answer and hugs you which you return. "(Sigh) Considering I'm actually allowing myself to submit to this, I guess it's just as well I'm getting out too. I'm obviously too soft to be a crime lord anymore." You say as Zal smiles. "Oh you're not going soft, you're just playing the odds and the odds are in favor of a better life if you get out of this game now." Zal says in an attempt to reassure you. "I suppose. I do hope you know that this isn't going to be as easy as you believe though. Good thing we've got a lot saved up, because if we're going totally legit, we're probably going to be taking a major loss for awhile." "I know, but I truly think this is going to be for the best in the long run." "It's not just that though, we've got other people to think about. I mean the folks who aren't Talons aren't going to be a problem, like some of the waitresses. Even some of the Talons aren't going to be a problem. Hell, I can see someone like Vaughn being completely okay with this direction, but there are a few of the younger more ambitious members that aren't going to go along with this." "Well that's tough shit." "Perhaps, but they're going to be pretty mad about this and when they are, I can't say I'm going to entirely blame them. Still, we can deal with that later. Right now, priority is making this place respectable before the Klyton militia sweep." You and Zal get back to that task at hand. Later on in the week after the noise has died down from Klyton's most recent repressive tactics, you call a meeting to address everyone of the new changes that are going to be taking place. It goes well for the most part, but predictably there are complaints. "So wait, if this place is going legit, does that mean we can't fuck the merchants that come in here anymore?" A whore asks. "You ladies can fuck anyone you want, but if you're going to be doing it here, you better be doing it for fun rather than profit. There is to be no more whoring here. If you want to pursue that line of work, you do it elsewhere. Better yet, the Klyton Kitty is hiring right now. You ladies could go there and be completely legal prostitutes at that establishment." "What?! They wouldn't hire me and I can't compete with the bitches that hoity toity place! They're all twenty years younger, got all their teeth, magically enhanced tits, and don't have a rash on their..." "Hey look, that's not my fucking problem! The best I can do is if any of you want jobs as waitresses, I can accommodate in that respect, but you if you want to go whore, you do it on your own time and away from this place!" As the whores grumble, one of the more unkept employees raises their hands. "Um, does this mean those of us who owed gambling debts don't have to work here anymore?" One of the "indentured servants" asks. "No! You deadbeat fuckers still owe! I'm not absolving anyone of their debts and don't think I won't still enforce that! However, only part of it will be taken out of your pay. If and when you finish paying off your debt, you can either continue working here for your full pay or go on your way." You say. Finally, there is the group that you were expecting the most trouble from. "This a bunch of fucking bullshit." Camid exlaims. Camid is one of the younger Crimson Talons. He's always been a bit outspoken about how things should be run, but he's more or less always complied. A few other Talons with his mindset also express their dissatisfaction. "Which part?" You ask humoring this asshole. "All of it. How fuck are we just going to walk away from all the money we're making and become regular blue collar bums? The working man is a sucker and this is just fucking stupid." Camid says. "Yeah, I figured some of you would feel that way, so think of this as my retirement as head of the Crimson Talons. Camid, if you want the job you got it. If not, well I'm sure those of you who still want to go out and do illegal shit can decide who's going to run the organization. Good luck to you." "I gotta say, I never agreed with all your decisions, but I never thought I'd see the damn day when you'd go fucking limp dick soft. What, so the Klyton militia assholes come sweep the place and you lose your damn balls?" Camid remarks. "Pfft, he didn't lose them, he knows exactly where they are. In his old bitch of a wife's purse!" Another Talon remarks. At this point Zalmora, Vaughn and a couple of the ex-Talons on your side begin to yell, but you calm everyone down. "It's fine, it's fine. You done?" You ask. "No, I'm not fucking done. This inn is a fucking Crimson Talon business! Now if you want to step down and live like some regular jerk off fine. But YOU don't get to take this with you! This is OUR place." Camid remarks. "That's not what it says on the deed, and last time I remember I wasn't married to your ass. Look Camid, you got the damn sewers. You're gaining the bum fights, you can run whores and gambling there. Shit, you can even sell Yellow Devil again or whatever else you want, but YOU don't get this place. I was the one who scratched and worked for it. You want someplace that doesn't smell like shit and covered in slime, well you're going to have to work for it too." At this point Camid and you are face to face and it's half expected that someone is going to go for a weapon. Camid is obviously severely tempted, but he's not quite confident enough to believe he'll survive the exchange. "You're going to regret this." He says and then backs away slowly towards the door as likeminded folks follow. You wave your hand away dismissively and tell your remaining people to go on with their work. You head to your office, though Zalmora and Vaughn follow you. "I hate to say this, but I don't think Camid's going to just go away." Zalmora says. "Yeah, I got that impression. (Sigh) This is why I didn't think this was going to just go smoothly." You say. "Do you think we could just make a one time pay off for him to forget about us?" Vaughn asks. "Vaughn you know damn well that isn't going to work. That fucker will just see that as weakness and start demanding payment on a weekly basis. Besides, we're already going to be losing money in the near future, I'm not parting with any more than I have to." "Well, there's always the obvious solution." Zal suggests. "But I thought the whole point was to get away from doing shit like that. I mean I'm with you guys on going legit, but if we start making exceptions, we're not really changing are we?" Vaughn says. "So what are you suggesting?" You ask. "We get the law to work for us for a change. Look, we all know Camid isn't going to be inventive enough to pick a new location to do business. He's probably going to go right back to that old location in the sewers. All I have to do is tell Gregory about the large Crimson Talon hideout there and boom. The militia takes care of our problem. Plus you know Camid, he'll probably go down fighting." "Who's Gregory?" You ask. "Vaughn's militia man. Got to admit, that's not a bad plan. Just...I dunno. Seems weird ratting them out like that to solve the issue." Zal remarks. "What difference does it make as long as it gets the job done? Besides, as I said, I thought we weren't Talons anymore. There's no code of silence being broken." Vaughn remarks as Zal reluctantly agrees. Seems that Zal hasn't quite gotten all the "rogue" out of her system despite everything she's claimed. You can certainly relate, but not so much because you're against ratting them out, but more because killing them is a more final solution to a potential problem. > You snitch on the Crimson Talons It occurs to you that snitching them out to the militia is most likely the same thing as wiping them out. The Klyton militia isn't exactly known for showing restraint when it comes to things like this. And as Vaughn said, Camid will most likely be foolish enough to go down fighting and take everyone under his command with him. "Fuck it, we're law abiding citizens concerned with the criminal element in this city. There's no reason we should risk our lives, let the militia do their job. Go talk to your boyfriend." You say. Your response is a bit of a surprise to Vaughn and a bigger surprise to Zalmora who both figured you'd ultimately want to take care of the problem directly. Vaughn however seems happy that his life won't be at risk now. Zal doesn't argue with your decision, but seems a little distracted by it. Later that night you address it directly before you both go to bed. "Zal, this really is the less messy solution. If we're getting out like you wanted us to, we can't go around committing a mass murder that could potentially get one or more of us killed in the process. I mean how fucked up would it be if I died or worse, YOU died during the hit? Camid left with a little over half of the Talons, we would have been outnumbered. Let those militia assholes waste their lives. Better them than us, and as I said before, especially you." You say caressing the side of Zal's face. "I know. I know. And I'm glad you were concerned about me." Zal says embracing you. In the next few days, Vaughn lets you know that everything has been set in motion and the Klyton militia is going to launch a full scale assault on the location. They apparently want this to go so successfully they're doing their best keeping it secret. (Though Vaughn's boyfriend Gregory has a big mouth and told him everything anyway.) Within the week you get the news from the paper about how the Crimson Talons were absolutely crushed by the Klyton militia. A big announcement is made of how the Talons are no longer a threat in the Klyton and have at last been brought down after decades of terrorizing the city. All Talon members were killed in the raid along with several Yellow Devil junkies, whores, and gamblers who were there betting on a bum fight. But as usual nobody really cares about some dregs of society getting massacred in the process because justice has been served! You smile and point out to Zal this success. "See? Told you this was the best way to handle it." You say. "Actually it was Vaughn who suggested it in the first place." Zal remarks. "Being the boss means you always get to take the credit." You chuckle. "Boss? We're not Crimson Talons anymore remember?' "I'm still boss of this inn and I'm boss of your fine ass." You say slapping Zal on the ass. "Oh yeah? Well you better come closer and prove that because I'm not convinced." You and Zal proceed celebrate your victory and new lives as productive law abiding citizens in a physical way. Year 33 "Where the hell has Vaughn been? He hasn't come in for the past three days. Did he say he was sick or something?" You ask. "Last time I saw him he was fine. Never said anything about being sick." Zalmora remarks. "I'm gonna have to go over to his home or something because he can't just disappear like this. We're trying to run a business here." "It's odd for him to just disappear though. Maybe we should contact the militia on this." "His boyfriend is a militia guy. I'm sure if it was really serious, he would have already let us know. He's probably just got some minor cold and decided it would be a good excuse to take off from work. He's done that before you know." "So you going over to his home?" "Maybe later when things here at the inn die down a bit. Too much to do right now." You spend most of your work day tending to usual business. Still feels weird at times working a real job, but you're pretty much used to it now. Being with Zal certainly has made this transition easier for you. If only your parents could see you now, they probably wouldn't believe it. You don't think your sister would either. Your thoughts sometimes still wander towards them and wonder how they all are at times. By night fall the inn has gotten a little quieter. Normally that's not the case, but you know there's some major party going on at the Madcap Tavern tonight so most of the rowdier folks are there. You decide this will be a good time to go check on Vaughn. You say goodbye to Zal and leave the inn. As you walk to Vaughn's place you pass a couple of patrolling guards. You still remember when you first came to this city it still wasn't quite as restrictive as it is now. You guess it's good you got out of the life when you did. Along the way, a man with a full beard and mustache and raggedy clothing comes up to you. "Hey boss, can you spare a copper?" He asks. "Don't have any. Get a job." You say still walking. "I had a job boss, but the business got shut down by the government and in this environment, it's hard to get work." He says following you. "Yeah, well things are tough all over." "Well things look like they're going good for you boss. You got money, a nice business, a pretty wife even if she is a little on the older side." You suddenly stop walking and it occurs to you that he isn't just calling you "boss" as some term of deference of social status. "Never thought I'd get an easy chance to get you like this, you never leave that fucking inn." The man says in a nastier tone. Your instincts kick in, and you swing at the man, but you're a little rusty in the combat area. This man however isn't and dodges your swing and then smashes you in the face with some brass knuckles. You feel the crunch of your nose breaking as you fall to the ground. You then feel a boot to the side of your head nearly knocking you unconscious. In your dazed state you feel yourself being dragged into a nearby alley. You attempt to stop your assailant, but are only met with more stomps to your face. He only stops in order to take out his flintlock pistol. While you have no idea who this man's name is, you know he has to be an ex-Talon. Probably some young recruit that you never really paid attention to, which is probably why you never recognized him right away either, even if he does look like a vagrant now. Apparently the Klyton militia wasn't as thorough as they claimed in the papers all those years ago. "Been waiting a long time for this. Say hello to Vaughn in hell when you see him and don't worry your snitch bitch of a wife will be joining both of you soon too." He says and then puts a bullet in your head.

You can't go back to those "good old days" even though you might wish to. Really, the good old days were long over the day you got chased out of Teckleville, and perhaps they were over even before that when your sister left. You hope she's doing well. Zal isn't the only one that's gotten older. True you're still relatively young in comparison and perhaps the roguish streak hasn't quite left you yet, but her transformation and everything else that's gone on...well quite frankly it is time to start thinking about a more stable future that doesn't involve criminal endeavors. As for being married...well you could do worse than being married to a woman who's been giving you sound advice for over a decade, even if she has been a bit manipulative at times. You'd be lying if you didn't like that quality slightly. She obviously cares about you on some level and the feeling is mutual. After all, if you didn't, you would have divorced long ago. You grab Zal's hand, squeezing it while nodding silently. It's all you have to do to give an answer. Zal seems pretty happy with your answer and hugs you which you return. "(Sigh) Considering I'm actually allowing myself to submit to this, I guess it's just as well I'm getting out too. I'm obviously too soft to be a crime lord anymore." You say as Zal smiles. "Oh you're not going soft, you're just playing the odds and the odds are in favor of a better life if you get out of this game now." Zal says in an attempt to reassure you. "I suppose. I do hope you know that this isn't going to be as easy as you believe though. Good thing we've got a lot saved up, because if we're going totally legit, we're probably going to be taking a major loss for awhile." "I know, but I truly think this is going to be for the best in the long run." "It's not just that though, we've got other people to think about. I mean the folks who aren't Talons aren't going to be a problem, like some of the waitresses. Even some of the Talons aren't going to be a problem. Hell, I can see someone like Vaughn being completely okay with this direction, but there are a few of the younger more ambitious members that aren't going to go along with this." "Well that's tough shit." "Perhaps, but they're going to be pretty mad about this and when they are, I can't say I'm going to entirely blame them. Still, we can deal with that later. Right now, priority is making this place respectable before the Klyton militia sweep." You and Zal get back to that task at hand. Later on in the week after the noise has died down from Klyton's most recent repressive tactics, you call a meeting to address everyone of the new changes that are going to be taking place. It goes well for the most part, but predictably there are complaints. "So wait, if this place is going legit, does that mean we can't fuck the merchants that come in here anymore?" A whore asks. "You ladies can fuck anyone you want, but if you're going to be doing it here, you better be doing it for fun rather than profit. There is to be no more whoring here. If you want to pursue that line of work, you do it elsewhere. Better yet, the Klyton Kitty is hiring right now. You ladies could go there and be completely legal prostitutes at that establishment." "What?! They wouldn't hire me and I can't compete with the bitches that hoity toity place! They're all twenty years younger, got all their teeth, magically enhanced tits, and don't have a rash on their..." "Hey look, that's not my fucking problem! The best I can do is if any of you want jobs as waitresses, I can accommodate in that respect, but you if you want to go whore, you do it on your own time and away from this place!" As the whores grumble, one of the more unkept employees raises their hands. "Um, does this mean those of us who owed gambling debts don't have to work here anymore?" One of the "indentured servants" asks. "No! You deadbeat fuckers still owe! I'm not absolving anyone of their debts and don't think I won't still enforce that! However, only part of it will be taken out of your pay. If and when you finish paying off your debt, you can either continue working here for your full pay or go on your way." You say. Finally, there is the group that you were expecting the most trouble from. "This a bunch of fucking bullshit." Camid exlaims. Camid is one of the younger Crimson Talons. He's always been a bit outspoken about how things should be run, but he's more or less always complied. A few other Talons with his mindset also express their dissatisfaction. "Which part?" You ask humoring this asshole. "All of it. How fuck are we just going to walk away from all the money we're making and become regular blue collar bums? The working man is a sucker and this is just fucking stupid." Camid says. "Yeah, I figured some of you would feel that way, so think of this as my retirement as head of the Crimson Talons. Camid, if you want the job you got it. If not, well I'm sure those of you who still want to go out and do illegal shit can decide who's going to run the organization. Good luck to you." "I gotta say, I never agreed with all your decisions, but I never thought I'd see the damn day when you'd go fucking limp dick soft. What, so the Klyton militia assholes come sweep the place and you lose your damn balls?" Camid remarks. "Pfft, he didn't lose them, he knows exactly where they are. In his old bitch of a wife's purse!" Another Talon remarks. At this point Zalmora, Vaughn and a couple of the ex-Talons on your side begin to yell, but you calm everyone down. "It's fine, it's fine. You done?" You ask. "No, I'm not fucking done. This inn is a fucking Crimson Talon business! Now if you want to step down and live like some regular jerk off fine. But YOU don't get to take this with you! This is OUR place." Camid remarks. "That's not what it says on the deed, and last time I remember I wasn't married to your ass. Look Camid, you got the damn sewers. You're gaining the bum fights, you can run whores and gambling there. Shit, you can even sell Yellow Devil again or whatever else you want, but YOU don't get this place. I was the one who scratched and worked for it. You want someplace that doesn't smell like shit and covered in slime, well you're going to have to work for it too." At this point Camid and you are face to face and it's half expected that someone is going to go for a weapon. Camid is obviously severely tempted, but he's not quite confident enough to believe he'll survive the exchange. "You're going to regret this." He says and then backs away slowly towards the door as likeminded folks follow. You wave your hand away dismissively and tell your remaining people to go on with their work. You head to your office, though Zalmora and Vaughn follow you. "I hate to say this, but I don't think Camid's going to just go away." Zalmora says. "Yeah, I got that impression. (Sigh) This is why I didn't think this was going to just go smoothly." You say. "Do you think we could just make a one time pay off for him to forget about us?" Vaughn asks. "Vaughn you know damn well that isn't going to work. That fucker will just see that as weakness and start demanding payment on a weekly basis. Besides, we're already going to be losing money in the near future, I'm not parting with any more than I have to." "Well, there's always the obvious solution." Zal suggests. "But I thought the whole point was to get away from doing shit like that. I mean I'm with you guys on going legit, but if we start making exceptions, we're not really changing are we?" Vaughn says. "So what are you suggesting?" You ask. "We get the law to work for us for a change. Look, we all know Camid isn't going to be inventive enough to pick a new location to do business. He's probably going to go right back to that old location in the sewers. All I have to do is tell Gregory about the large Crimson Talon hideout there and boom. The militia takes care of our problem. Plus you know Camid, he'll probably go down fighting." "Who's Gregory?" You ask. "Vaughn's militia man. Got to admit, that's not a bad plan. Just...I dunno. Seems weird ratting them out like that to solve the issue." Zal remarks. "What difference does it make as long as it gets the job done? Besides, as I said, I thought we weren't Talons anymore. There's no code of silence being broken." Vaughn remarks as Zal reluctantly agrees. Seems that Zal hasn't quite gotten all the "rogue" out of her system despite everything she's claimed. You can certainly relate, but not so much because you're against ratting them out, but more because killing them is a more final solution to a potential problem. > You wipe out the Crimson Talons No point in taking chances... "I appreciate the input Vaughn, but I believe a more permanent solution is needed here." You say. "Well okay, but how are we going to do it? Camid just left with a little more than half the old gang. Besides us three, we only got a couple guys left and honestly I don't really have confidence in them if it's going to be a knock down drag out fight." "There are more around guns nowadays you know. Don't need to be a good fighter to just shoot someone. I acquired one myself soon after I bought the inn." You say. "Yeah, but Camid and his group could have the same idea. Pretty sure Camid owns one and will probably acquire more for the rest of the Talons. Plus most of them are one shot weapons. If anyone misses, it's going to come down to a real fight and we're going to be out numbered." "Well, I guess we better make sure our aim is true shouldn't we then? Look, if this is going to be a concern, we could always go get some of those repeating crossbows. They cost a damn fortune, but..." Suddenly Zal speaks up. "Maybe we shouldn't risk our lives on this. It would be kind of tragic to get this far only to get brought down at the finish line." Zalmora says. "So what are you saying? You saying you want to go with Vaughn's plan now?" You ask. "No, I'm for getting rid of them, but I just don't think we should be the ones to do the deed if we don't have to." "Okay. So you're saying you want a hired assassin? Great. You know any? Because I sure don't." "Yes we do. In fact you hired him already once." You exhale deeply. "And in order to hire THAT guy again, I'm going to have to deal with Mr. Fucking Reynolds and who knows what damn price he's going to ask for." You say. "He was actually pretty reasonable last time." Zal remarks. "He also didn't tell me everything last time. There's always a catch with him. In fact weren't you against dealing with him last time?" "I was, but that was a different time under different circumstances. I mean can it hurt to even inquire?" "No, but I wish there was another alternative." "We could always look for Scales." Vaughn jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't think Scales is even alive anymore, if he was even lurking down in the sewers to begin with. I think Tom was the only one who was ever convinced of it. I mean we were in the sewers for years and never ran afoul of a supposedly territorial lizard. (Sigh) Alright, I'll go see Mr. Reynolds tomorrow and see what the price is." The next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office. As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf. You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now. Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk. "Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says. "I need some people killed." You say. "Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?" "Let's just say, most of my so called people are the ones I want to have killed." "Ah, an internal struggle? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure what you want me to do about it." You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games... "What the hell do you think..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing. "Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I have now come to respect it much more and I would like to implement his magnificent skills again on others that would see harm to me and my business." Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles. "I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid, this isn't my call this time. Last time when Henry worked for you, you insulted his work and I'm afraid, my son takes things a bit more personal than I do. He won't work for you again." "What?! But isn't he your employee? Can't you just order him?" "Yes, but he's also my son! Really now sir, would YOU force your son to do something he doesn't want to? Yes, business is always important, but sometimes, just sometimes family comes first. Now if Henry wants to work for you on this, I suppose we can start coming up with a price, but I don't think it's likely." You look over to Henry who just gives you a cold glance before walking away altogether. "I think there's your answer." Mr. Reynolds says. "Great. So I guess you can't help me." You say. "Well now, I wouldn't say that exactly, I still have one employee willing to cause mayhem on your behalf." Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature. "And who is that?" You ask. "Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims. "The late Olaf?" "Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him." You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually) Mr. Reynolds goes on to explain that while Junior doesn't have the same size as his father or quickness that Henry has, he assures you that he has more than enough skill to do the job you require. However, unlike last time Mr. Reynolds asks for a thousand gold coins in advance. It's a hell of a lot of money and you have no real certainty. You're starting to think you might have more piece of mind investing in some weapons and doing this yourself. > You hire Junior As crazy as this is, you know Mr. Reynolds values his word. If he says Junior will wipe out all the targets, then he'll do it. There's also the fact that you haven't completely dismissed what Zal said about failing at the finish line. You could be as prepared as possible and still get yourself killed in the battle or perhaps even Zal would get killed. You have to admit you'd be pretty upset if that occurred. Maybe you are in love after all. So it's with a slight reluctance that you once again take Mr. Reynolds up on his offer... "Okay, it's deal, but I'll have to come back later with the money. I also have to do a little reconnaissance so I know where exactly to have Junior go find his targets. I'll be giving you a list of names and physical descriptions as well." You say. "Sure. Sure. Take all the preparations you need, we'll be here. And as usual, it's been a pleasure doing business with you." Mr. Reynolds says. You return to the inn and explain the situation to Zal and Vaughn. Vaughn says it shouldn't be any problem to locate where Camid and the rest finally settle down at, though he says once again that it will most likely be the old sewer location. "Why couldn't you get the other guy?" Zal asks. "I told you, personal differences. I don't doubt that this ogre...or ogrfling isn't capable of doing the job. Mr. Reynolds prides himself too much on his word." You say. "Thousand gold pieces is a lot of money." "Yeah, well if it keeps you...I mean us safe, it's a good investment." You say. Zalmora smiles a bit. "Wait, were you more worried about me?" Zal asks. "Well you are my wife. I'm not going to live like a regular jack off alone. Especially since it was your idea in the first place." You respond. "I'll take that as a yes." Zal responds and kisses you. You return to Mr. Reynolds' office in the next few days with the money and all the necessary information. "Ah, quite a few of them I see. Henry really should have taken this job, he would have loved it, but there's no getting through to the boy at times. (Sigh) Anyway, yes Junior will have no problems with this. Probably can get it done tonight. Come back tomorrow and we'll have proof." Lacking anything else to do, you head back to the inn and get back to work, which still feels weird to you. Though more than anything else your mind is preoccupied with if that ogre freak is going to be successful. You have a little anxiety that he's not going to get the job done and one of those assholes gets away only to shoot you in the back a year later just when you think everything is going good. Zalmora senses your concern and later that night you try to find reassurance and comfort in her embrace. It helps. The next morning you wake up and you head over to Mr. Reynolds' place. You notice a lot of Klyton militia patrolling about. You also come across a young boy with a bunch of papers shouting about a vigilante. "Hey mister, you need to buy the paper today! It's special edition!" The boy shouts. "What's so special about it?" You ask. "It's a breaking story that happened just last night! Some vigilante wiped out the infamous Crimson Talons!" The boy exclaims. "Really?" "Yeah! My boss suddenly got the scoop in the middle of the night! Anonymous tip or something. Anyway, the details are inside!" "I don't have any money on me right now, but I might be back to get one later." "Okay mister, but you better hurry up, these are selling fast!" You leave the boy and continue on your destination. When you enter Mr. Reynolds' office, he's reading the paper. "There you are. You didn't happen to see this morning's paper did you?" Mr. Reynolds asks. "No, but I heard what the headline is." You respond. "Heh, yes. I thought it would be the best way to deal with this one. After Henry disposed of the Bloody Smiles, people thought there was a blood stalker lurking in the woods for years. It's amazing what people's imagination can come up with." "Mm, the imagination is a powerful thing. So where's Junior?" "Oh I gave him a much needed day off. He was up all night fighting crime I'm sure you're aware. He even took a bullet or two. Still, nothing serious for a strong young creature like himself. He did leave the proof of his deed, do you want to see?" "I can only imagine what he took as proof, but what the hell, I did pay for all this." "It's over in the chest over there." You look over to your left and see a medium sized chest. You cautiously open it and cough a bit when a smokey smell of charred flesh hits your nose. You then see a bunch of what looks to be blackened ears. Well some of them are a little more than just blackened ears and still have some of the side of the faces attached. "(Cough cough) Shit! What did Junior do exactly?" You ask. "Well according to the paper it says the vigilante used a hellfire thrower to wipe out the Talon enclave, but there is also evidence that firebombs were also used." Mr. Reynolds says. "Wait, he burned everyone?" "Yes, and blew them up with explosives. What? Did you think that he was just a simple brute that was going to bludgeon them all with a club?" "Well, sort of." "Oh no my dear boy. Junior isn't his father. He's very much into technology that causes the most amount of casualties in the quickest time possible. Though I believe he probably did bludgeon a few that didn't die right away." "Judging by the number of ears here, I'm going to guess he didn't just stop at the assigned targets." "Yes, I think there was one of those classless bum fights going on at the time when he arrived. Large crowd, but don't worry, he got them all." "Yeah, I believe it." You say closing the chest. You face Mr. Reynolds who stands up from his desk. "So I trust our business is concluded and you're satisfied with the results?" Mr. Reynolds asks. "You said he'd get the job done and as usual, you're a man of your word." You answer. "Well I certainly try to be and I guess this closes the chapter on the Crimson Talons?" "Guess so, or it does for me at any rate." "Hm, well I wish you well on your new endeavor of running your inn successfully like your family once did and being just an average Klyton citizen...but then you never did officially become a citizen of this great city did you?" "Nope, never got around to it." "Well you really should, there's a Klyton Council election coming up in a few years and I'm thinking about running. I'll need all the votes I can get." "You're running for the Klyton Council? Why now?" "Oh I've been doing this job for so long and I think it's time to move on to bigger things. Just time for a change. Maybe you even inspired me a bit. How about that eh? Anyway, my son will be taking over this old business. He's more than qualified. Don't worry, if you ever need a loan for your inn, I've already told him that he can't refuse to do proper business with someone just because he doesn't like them. If that was the case, I wouldn't have done business with anyone at all!" Mr. Reynolds laughs, and you make a mental note that you're NEVER going to take out any sort of loan from this place no matter what the circumstances. As you leave Mr. Reynolds calls to you one more time about how you should go register as a citizen of Klyton soon. You get the strong impression that it wasn't a suggestion so much as it was an order. Looks like you know who you'll be voting for in the future. You knew there was going to be a catch, still you suppose it's a small price in the scheme of things. Well at least you hope so. You'll worry about it later; right now you have more immediate if mundane concerns. Your days as a rogue are over.

No point in taking chances... "I appreciate the input Vaughn, but I believe a more permanent solution is needed here." You say. "Well okay, but how are we going to do it? Camid just left with a little more than half the old gang. Besides us three, we only got a couple guys left and honestly I don't really have confidence in them if it's going to be a knock down drag out fight." "There are more around guns nowadays you know. Don't need to be a good fighter to just shoot someone. I acquired one myself soon after I bought the inn." You say. "Yeah, but Camid and his group could have the same idea. Pretty sure Camid owns one and will probably acquire more for the rest of the Talons. Plus most of them are one shot weapons. If anyone misses, it's going to come down to a real fight and we're going to be out numbered." "Well, I guess we better make sure our aim is true shouldn't we then? Look, if this is going to be a concern, we could always go get some of those repeating crossbows. They cost a damn fortune, but..." Suddenly Zal speaks up. "Maybe we shouldn't risk our lives on this. It would be kind of tragic to get this far only to get brought down at the finish line." Zalmora says. "So what are you saying? You saying you want to go with Vaughn's plan now?" You ask. "No, I'm for getting rid of them, but I just don't think we should be the ones to do the deed if we don't have to." "Okay. So you're saying you want a hired assassin? Great. You know any? Because I sure don't." "Yes we do. In fact you hired him already once." You exhale deeply. "And in order to hire THAT guy again, I'm going to have to deal with Mr. Fucking Reynolds and who knows what damn price he's going to ask for." You say. "He was actually pretty reasonable last time." Zal remarks. "He also didn't tell me everything last time. There's always a catch with him. In fact weren't you against dealing with him last time?" "I was, but that was a different time under different circumstances. I mean can it hurt to even inquire?" "No, but I wish there was another alternative." "We could always look for Scales." Vaughn jokes in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I don't think Scales is even alive anymore, if he was even lurking down in the sewers to begin with. I think Tom was the only one who was ever convinced of it. I mean we were in the sewers for years and never ran afoul of a supposedly territorial lizard. (Sigh) Alright, I'll go see Mr. Reynolds tomorrow and see what the price is." The next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office. As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf. You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now. Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk. "Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says. "I need some people killed." You say. "Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?" "Let's just say, most of my so called people are the ones I want to have killed." "Ah, an internal struggle? Interesting. Well, I'm not sure what you want me to do about it." You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games... "What the hell do you think..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing. "Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I have now come to respect it much more and I would like to implement his magnificent skills again on others that would see harm to me and my business." Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles. "I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid, this isn't my call this time. Last time when Henry worked for you, you insulted his work and I'm afraid, my son takes things a bit more personal than I do. He won't work for you again." "What?! But isn't he your employee? Can't you just order him?" "Yes, but he's also my son! Really now sir, would YOU force your son to do something he doesn't want to? Yes, business is always important, but sometimes, just sometimes family comes first. Now if Henry wants to work for you on this, I suppose we can start coming up with a price, but I don't think it's likely." You look over to Henry who just gives you a cold glance before walking away altogether. "I think there's your answer." Mr. Reynolds says. "Great. So I guess you can't help me." You say. "Well now, I wouldn't say that exactly, I still have one employee willing to cause mayhem on your behalf." Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature. "And who is that?" You ask. "Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims. "The late Olaf?" "Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him." You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually) Mr. Reynolds goes on to explain that while Junior doesn't have the same size as his father or quickness that Henry has, he assures you that he has more than enough skill to do the job you require. However, unlike last time Mr. Reynolds asks for a thousand gold coins in advance. It's a hell of a lot of money and you have no real certainty. You're starting to think you might have more piece of mind investing in some weapons and doing this yourself. > You do it yourself Maybe Reynolds has confidence in this guy, but you're not so sure especially at the price that's being charged. If it was Henry, you'd be fine with it because at least you know what he can do. Too bad you hurt his feelings, who knew psychopaths had them? "I think I'm going to have to take a pass, Mr. Reynolds, but I thank you for your time." You say. "Oh. Okay then. Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me. If you don't , well good luck to you." Mr. Reynolds says. You walk out of Mr. Reynolds' office and head back home. There's nothing else for it. You're going to have to do this yourself. Good thing you've still got a few shady connections who can get you some proper weapons for this fight, because to be honest you don't want to have to be rolling around in the sewers with Camid as you try shoving daggers in each other's faces. It wasn't pleasant when you did it with Tom and you didn't particularly get any enjoyment when you had to do it to Klint. Being a killer isn't something you ever really desired doing, but it's something that you've found necessary in this line of work. Might be why you saw the wisdom of following Zal's advice and decided to get the hell out. Of course you're hoping you're going to get out. You just have to do this one last thing. When you return to the inn, you inform Zal and Vaughn of what happened. "So, I guess it's one last job then?" Vaughn remarks. "Looks like it, if we're going to all live happily ever after." You say. "Well, I guess it has to be done." Zal remarks. You look over at Zal and touch her hand. "Zal, you don't need to come when this goes down. I mean someone should be here to hold down the fort anyway." You say. "How the hell can you even say that? Look, it's sweet that you're obviously concerned about me, but I'm a big girl and this whole thing was something I talked you into in the first place. So I can't just let you risk your life for this by yourself. We're all in this together. Besides, you're going to need all the help you can get." Zal says. You know Zal is not going to budge on this, so you just accept it. She's right as usual anyway. "Okay. Well let's start talking strategy." You say. You tell Vaughn that you need to be certain where Camid and the rest are going to be setting up shop in the sewers. You all think that Camid is going to be predictable and set up in the old location, but you want to be sure, because you need to wipe them all out. The next step is to acquire some repeating crossbows and even some protective armor. Granted if Camid's crew end up packing flintlocks, it might not matter, but it's better to be safe in this instance. You spend a small fortune on gearing up for this hit. In fact by the time you get everything you think you'll need, it would have been cheaper to hire Junior, but then you know there would have been a catch. With Mr. Reynolds there is always a catch. You, Zal, Vaughn and the rest of the old guard that was loyal spend some time practicing for the big event. In the meantime, Camid has indeed set up in the old location. He's also been busy recruiting more folks too. You have no idea if he's planning to hit you soon or he's just trying to gather strength, but in any case, you can't waste too much more time. You need to strike soon. You make plans to hit Camid during one of the "slower business" days. Last thing you want is having to deal with crowds of bum fight bystanders and whores while you're trying to kill Camid and his crew. The night before the reckoning, you and Zal spend a good portion of time together as a husband and wife do, since neither of you knows if you're going to survive. Funny that up until now, both of you spent most your lives practically dismissive of the ongoing possibility of death. This is different though. As Zal said, this is the "finish line." Then the days comes. You know Camid's folks are more active at night, so it'll be best to hit them during the day when some of them are probably still half hung over. You all get prepared, descend down into the sewers and make your way to your location. It's actually been a while since you've gone slinking around in the darkness, but you and your group try to remain as stealthy as you can. You manage to get well within the new Crimson Talon territory before one of the members suddenly stumbles upon you. "Hey, you're not...Urgh!" A Talon says before being interrupted by a bolt to the neck. You manage to dispatch a few more Talons in relative silence before one of the Yellow Devil junkie whores wandering around starts screaming her head off. It isn't even about you either. "GET OFF! GET OFF! NO! HALFLINGS! HALFLINGS ALL OVER ! THEY'RE COMING TO GET ME AGAIN! OUCH! HEHEHEHE!" The whore's insane ramblings are so loud it calls wanted attention, and by the time you put a bolt in her head to shut her up, your presence has been discovered and a major alarm has already been raised. "Shit! We're being attacked! Get your gear! Move! Move!" One of the Talons shouts. At this point stealth is discarded altogether and all out battle takes place. To their credit, Camid and what remains of the Talons don't try to run away. They're determined to fight it out, so at least you won't have to chase any of them down. Camid had the same idea as you did and invested in more weapons. You learn this first hand when a firebomb is lobbed at you and you have to dive out of the way and into foul waters. The noise is deafening as the explosion echoes throughout the sewers. You barely have time to find more suitable cover when you see several Talons running out from an archway firing flintlock pistols at you. Thankfully their aim isn't great. Still clutching your own weapon, you manage let loose several more bolts and catch a Talon in the process. You then trip over something and after scrambling to get back up you realize you've got blood all over you. It isn't yours however, it's part of one of your people you was blown apart by the bomb. You just tripped over his bloody torso. A slight panic comes over you not because of the obvious reasons, but more because you've lost track of where everyone else is, namely Zal. A Talon comes screaming at you with a sword raised above his head, and you shoot him twice in the chest, but he keeps coming. He gets close enough for you to see him foaming yellow shit from his mouth and blood coming from his eyes. The guy's on Devil. You dodge the wild sword swing, trip the drug addled fool to the stone floor and then stomp the back of his head with your boot. A life ending crunch is heard and he's finally stopped. You rush back to where you hear the rest of the fighting. Another firebomb goes off in the distance followed by someone screaming. Another one of your people, though you don't know who yet. You finally get back to the sewer cross way near where the bum fights are held and that's when you see Vaughn on the floor attempting to tie up his bloody leg. It's in pretty bad shape. "Camid ran into the old Talon barracks, I think Zal went after him." He says grimacing in pain. You immediately leave Vaughn and run to the Talon barracks. You see a dead body on the floor and then another slumped over the bed. You cautiously go through the room and then head into where you used to have your old office. Then your heart sinks. You see Zal on the floor with several wounds on her body. Some are from the dagger still in her stomach, another is a gunshot to the upper chest. The armor wasn't enough and despite her still struggling to stay alive you already know she's going to die soon. "(Cough) Good...you're a...live...I got that bast..ard..." She coughs and points over to another body in the corner which is Camid's. His brains are blown out through his eye socket and partially on the wall. You run over to her apologizing and on the verge of tears. You knew something like this was going to happen. If only you'd done something different. Zal however in her dying breaths tells you it's not your fault and at least she got to enjoy her time with you while she was here. "Just...go live your life...okay?" Zal says before finally closing her eyes forever. Right now, part of you doesn't feel like living your life is going to be worth it without her around. You know you'll eventually get over this and move on, but it's not going to be for a long time.

Zal's got a bit of a point. This isn't exactly the most glamorous of a position and you could certainly do better than hiding out in these filthy sewers. You've got more than enough saved and have enough connections that you could easily open up a real business front. You'd just need to keep everything low key and change a few things. The more you think about it, the more you feel this is the right decision. The next day you gather Zal and Vaughn to discuss this new direction. "An inn certainly sounds better than the sewers." Vaughn says. "Well, we're still probably going to have some of our operations down there, but I figure we can at least start making an attempt to climb out of them. I'm thinking that we probably should stop dealing in Yellow Devil too." You say. Zamora nods her head. "I agree. The profits aren't worth the risks on that racket. A lot less sudden body meltdowns and diseased junkie whores lingering around as well." Zal remarks. "So what about the location? Are we buying out an existing inn or starting from scratch? We could probably buy back the old place, the Troll's Breath Tavern. Edmond used to run the Talons from there before the militia raided the place and shut it down." Vaughn remarks. "Wouldn't it be a little obvious, if the Talons set up there again?" You ask. "Nah, they'd never expect the same place twice! Besides, it's called the Clean Mug Tavern now. It's run by two siblings, one of them even comes here to bet on the races and fights sometimes. The place is barely scraping by, so I think they would be receptive to selling it to us for cheap." "Instead of buying it outright, I'd suggest just getting the owners to work with us. That way nothing really changes up front, but we don't spend money and we're the ones really running things." Zalmora says. "Definitely sounds like a better idea, but I know what place you're talking about, and it seems a little on the small side, I was thinking some place bigger like my old family's inn which is still abandoned. We wouldn't have to deal with anyone." You say. "Seems like more hassle. You'd still have to buy it from the city which could present some problems. Assuming they didn't ask many questions, you'd still have to fix the place up before we could start using it proper. Wouldn't we need to get an alcohol supplier and hire people as well?" Vaughn remarks. "Not really, we know more than enough folks that we could have cheap employees. Some of them are hopeless gamblers with debts in fact, so that's no problem. As for alcohol, we could easily make it ourselves and bypass a supplier. Most folks coming wouldn't be there for the booze anyway, so it isn't like we're going to need hundreds of barrels of the stuff every month. Of course your family's old inn is in a slightly better part of Klyton, so my concern would be the greater likelihood of militia just stumbling in for a drink now and then." Zal remarks. > You seize the old Talon tavern Now that you're rethinking this, the less paper work the better and you are probably going to be better off located in the poorer area of the city too. "So who is this hopeless gambling case who owns this property exactly?" You ask Vaughn. "His name's Carl and you probably have seen him, you just didn't know his name. He's a short grubby guy. His face almost looks a little orcish, but he smells worse than one half the time." Vaughn remarks. "Oh, him? That disgusting little grub owns a tavern? Thought he lived here in the sewers. In fact I was wondering why he wasn't in the ring fighting with the other bums." You say. "Disgusting is right, the little shit tried to grab my ass once and made a bunch of stupid sexual innuendo. He's lucky I didn't cut his dick off and only stabbed his hand." Zalmora says. "Hm, well I suppose if he gives us any shit, we know who he's already afraid of. You said he had a sibling, what's the story on that one?" "Um, dunno much. I think her name's Annie and I do know she swears more than the three of us put together. She came down here to retrieve her brother a couple times and every other word that came out of her mouth was some variation of fuck." Vaughn says. "Well that's very interesting, but I was wondering if she was likely to give us any shit if we try to muscle in on the tavern. I mean are we going to have to take care of this bitch or not?" "I dunno, I mean she's got a mouth on her, but she's just a skinny thing and I can't see her giving us any trouble if we seriously threaten her." "Well, it would seem the goal is clear. I'll go have a talk with these siblings about the facts of life." You say. "You don't want anyone to come with you?" Zal asks. "Nah, it'll be fine." "As you say." Zal says almost implying that you don't know what you're doing. The next day, you enter the Clean Mug Tavern which can't possible be true given that you feel like you need to jump in a river just by setting foot in the place. Which is saying a lot considering you do most of your business in the fucking sewers. The floors are sticky with filth and the walls in this dim light don't seem much better. A family of rats scurry past you as you walk further in making you wonder if you've left the sewers at all. The place is empty save for a few drunks face down on tables. A frowning thin girl with a pale complexion sit behind a bar. It's already apparent she isn't welcoming. "What the fuck do you want?" She asks. "Do you greet all your potential customers that way?" You ask. "Don't fucking like it, you can get the fuck out." "Yeah, you must be Annie. Where's your slug of a brother?" "Probably fucking a whore instead of taking care of fucking business as usual. And how do you know my fucking name? Who the fuck are you and what the fuck do you want?" "I'm your new business partner. Or in your words, I'm your new fucking business partner." Annie's frown somehow manages to turn even further downward as she just stares at you. "Alright, before you go on a fuck tirade, I'll try to explain it so simple that you'll understand." You explain that her and her brother's tavern is now going to be a front for Crimson Talon operations. In exchange you'll fix this place up and make it at least somewhat more appealing. The tavern will be making more money with the influx of people that are sure to come in, but you'll be taking most of the profits of course. "So wait, you're gonna just fucking come in and take over completely? You get the fucking tavern and all the fucking money? What the fuck do we get?" Annie asks. "You get your health for one thing. Which I assume would be the most important. However, if it isn't, I would still point out that YOU will most likely still be making more of a profit than you are now with this rat palace. Also, the tavern will still be legally yours. We'll just be using it and basically paying for the place. Now, that should make you feel a little bit better about this non-negotiable deal shouldn't it?" Annie is silent again for a moment and still frowning. Her eyes look down briefly, which implies she might be thinking about going for whatever weapon she has stashed under there. You still aren't worried, because even if she doesn't see the wisdom of the deal, you're confident that you'll be quick enough to reach over the bar and stab her first. Fortunately, it doesn't come to that. "Well, looks like I don't have much of a fucking choice. I imagine even if I killed you, some other fucking asshole would just take your place and probably wouldn't be as fucking understanding as you." Annie says. "Glad to see you're a woman of forethought. Anyway, I'll be back later and I'll inform you with more details as we get set up. I trust you can tell your brother about this business when he shows up?" You say. "Yeah, but I can I ask for ONE fucking request?" "I'll entertain the thought. What is it?" "Well since I figure I'm already getting fucked, the least you could do is do me proper." Now you're silent for a moment. "Um...what exactly are you saying?" You ask, sort of already knowing, but just wanting confirmation. "I'm fucking saying, if you're already bending me over and horse fucking me in this business endeavor, you could at least do it to me literally as well." Annie says. "...Are you being serious right now?" "Of course I'm being fucking serious! You're young, easy on the eyes and I don't get out much. Besides, I know I'm not that fucking ugly." This is just bizarre. You didn't expect this sort of request. Annie's correct in that she's not ugly, but her stringy greasy looking hair, plain looks, and emaciated appearance aren't exactly traits that come to mind when you're thinking of attractiveness. Though apparently she finds you attractive which is always a nice ego boost. "Well...um...shit..fuck it. Alright. Not like I got anything better to do." You say. "The sad thing, is that's the best offer I've had in years." Annie remarks a bit despondently. Hell, now you feel like you're doing a good deed. After giving Annie a thrill big enough to cause her to actually stop frowning for a moment, you head back to the sewers where you feel a lot less dirty. "So how did it go?" Zal asks. "It went well. We aren't going to get a bunch of problems." You say. "You talked to them both?" "Nah, just the sister. The brother was elsewhere. Pretty sure she was the one to deal with anyway though since she's the main one running that place. I satisfied her." "Satisfied?" "Erm, I mean dealt with her. She won't be a problem." "Okay...so are we moving everything there then?" "Well I imagine the bum fighting will still be held down here, but that tavern is big enough to have gambling games and whores set up. We're really going to have to fix that place up first though, because as it stands now, the place isn't much better than the sewers." "Damn shame. I remember Tom saying the place was fairly nice back when Edmond ran the Talons out of there." "It will be again and in time when we get a few more recruits and things are running smoothly we can do the same thing with another place." With the tavern secured, you take your next steps in this plan. > You time passes... Year 26 "What?!" You exclaim in disbelief. "Carl and Annie's mother showed up at the tavern last night and pitched a bitch. I mean she raised holy hell. Literally too. She had a book of Joachim in hand the entire time." Vaughn says. "So did she do any actual physical damage?" Zalmora asks. "Not really. She mostly beat the shit out of Carl and Annie, saying she didn't scrimp and save for the tavern just so they could turn it into a den of sin. She then left saying if they didn't take care of this, she would." Vaughn remarks. "Wait, so do the siblings actually even own this place?" Zalmora asks. "Apparently it's always been in their mother's name and she did run it briefly before she started having health problems and let her children run it instead. She mostly stayed out of the day to day operations, but every now and then she leaves her home to drop in on her children...and well you know the rest." "I don't get it. Why would a Joachim fearing woman buy a tavern, let alone let her children run it in the first place?" "Apparently that's sort of a newer development. The old lady has gotten a bit religious over the past few years. Probably brought on by failing health." You just put your face in the palms of your hands. "Why the hell didn't either of you fucking idiots know any of this? And more importantly why didn't you stop the old bitch?" You ask. "ME? This was all Vaughn's idea and YOU signed off on it! I've barely been involved in it! All you've had me do is seeking out other potential taverns to take over and monitor the bum fights from time to time. I haven't stepped foot in that damn tavern since we first set up shop there! Besides, aren't you regularly fucking that skeletal bitch that runs the place anyway? Figured you pumped her for information along with just pumping her." Zalmora exclaims. "(Sigh) No. I'm not fucking Annie. That's an ugly rumor that delusional bitch probably started in the first place. I can see I'm going to have to set her ass straight." "Hm, if you say so." Zal says giving you a look like she doesn't quite believe you. You knew it was a bad idea to pity fuck Annie a few more times. In any case, Zal's right in that it's not her fault at all, this is mostly Vaughn's fuck up, but really it's yours as well because you really should have learned all the facts first. You are the one running the Talons after all. You exhale deeply and get up from your desk. "What's the old woman's name and where's she live?" You ask. "Her name's Wendy and she lives in a small house over by the Greenwood park. I think it's like the only house still standing there since most of the others are abandoned." Vaughn says. "I'll find it." You say. "Wait, are you going to go over and kill her?" Vaughn asks. "Well I was going to see if I can find a diplomatic way of dealing with this, but if murdering the old lady is what it takes then so be it." "Hold on, maybe you should send someone else. I mean maybe I could go take care of this." Zal says. "No, because as you have already pointed out, this isn't your fault at all and I don't trust Vaughn to not fuck it up, so I'll do it myself." You head over to Wendy's home, wondering how you're going to handle this. You really don't want to murder an old lady if you can help it, but if that's what it takes then that's what's going to have to happen. Given that she's a follower of Joachim though, you don't hold out much hope that blood isn't going to be shed. Eventually you get over to Wendy's house and knock on the door. You hear a lot of grumbling as you wait. "Hold on, hold on, I'm...by Joachim, you haven't aged!" a short old woman exclaims when she opens her door. "Um, thanks?" You say a bit confused. "What are you doing here? Are you in the city just for a visit? Where is Eliza? Are you still married to her?" "Wait, who do you think I am?" You ask. Wendy mentions your father's name and squints a bit as she looks closer at you. You realize, this is one of the waitresses at your father's old inn! You remember your mother mentioning working with her in some of her old stories to you and your sister, but then you never did pay much attention to those. Maybe you can work this in your favor after all. "No, I'm afraid you've confused me with my father. But my mother and father are still married and well." You say. "Oh. That's good. They were a nice couple, if a bit slow on the uptake as far as how they really felt about each other. Still, I guess it all worked out, given that you're here. You look a lot like your father. Well come on in and tell me what brings you to my doorstep." Wendy says. Wendy invites you in and tells you to excuse the mess as she doesn't do much cleaning nowadays. You find a chair to sit in and she does likewise. "So. What would the son of my old employer want with me?" Wendy asks. "Well, after working for so many other people, I've sort of come to the conclusion that I'd like to try to work for myself for a change. I was sort of inspired by the old family business and I've done a lot of research on the matter along with asking my parents questions of course. I got quite a bit of money saved up from over the years and I was looking for a place to buy and get a business started. I thought your tavern would be a good place." You say. "My tavern? You've been there?" "Oh yes. When I was shopping around for potential places. Your children...Um...Carl and Anika..." "Annie." "Yes, Annie said that it was actually yours and if I wanted to buy it, that I should speak with you. They mentioned how you used to work for my father too, so I figured I'd at least make an offer to you first before anyone else." "...Mmm hmm...but why didn't you just buy your old family inn? I believe it's still abandoned and for sale surprisingly enough." "Heh, I tried, but apparently the city is planning to knock it down and build something else there. Would have been nice, but I got here a little too late it seems." "Uh huh...let's cut the bullshit." "Pardon?" "You think I was born yesterday? You may be the son of Eliza, but you sure ain't anything like her OR your father. They were decent people. While YOU are a lying criminal scumbag just like my worthless children. It seems a little too fucking convenient that you show up on my doorstep the day after I find out what's going on at my tavern. I'm not really surprised by my son Carl. He's a miserable gambler with a weakness for whores. Annie, however I thought at least had a little more sense. Guess you're really putting it good on her if she's gone along with this shit." "I assure you, I don't..." "Don't insult me with more lies. I already saw what was going on at my tavern. In all her hysterics yesterday, I heard Annie babble to me about how she has a handsome man that loves her more than I ever did. I have to imagine that's probably you since you stand out a bit from the rest of the unwashed rabble I saw in that den of inequity. Ungrateful little bitch. Well, whatever charms you think you have ain't gonna work on me, I'm a Joachim fearing woman! Tch. Gotta say I never thought your parents would raise someone so far from the path of righteousness." The jig is up. "Yeah, I'm a big disappointment to them, but as you said, let's cut the bullshit and come to some sort of arrangement. How much you want for the tavern?" You ask. "And why would I sell to a heathen like you?" Wendy retorts. "Because I already own the place in all but name already. Look, the place was barely making any money to before I showed up and now that you know the truth, you won't want to have any more connection to the place. So I'm making you a generous offer since you're an old family friend to buy it. Two thousand gold pieces. You know that this is the best offer you're going to get and let's be honest, you don't have a choice. What are you going to do? Report us to the militia? We'll be gone...or at least I won't be around and all that's going to happen is the city of Klyton is going to arrest your children and seize the place, leaving you with no steady income whatsoever." Much like her daughter, Wendy's wrinkled face frowns at you in silence. She doesn't like this, but her silence is a good sign. It means despite her belief in Joachim she's still pragmatic enough to consider your offer. You just hope she isn't TOO much like her daughter because... "Five thousand gold pieces for the tavern." Wendy says. "Five thousand?" You answer "That's my price. I might be old and not in the best of health, but two thousand isn't going to sustain me until I die. I know a big time crime lord such as yourself probably has that kind of money." "Five thousand...seems a bit greedy. Isn't that against the will of Joachim?" "First of all, you don't know shit about his glory, so don't think to say shit to me about it. Second of all, some of that is going to his church so at least some good can come out of this wickedness." "Ah, I see. Buying your way into the afterlife. Whatever. I don't care, but I'm afraid five thousand is fucking unreasonable." "And that's still my final offer. You don't like it, well you better go crawl in whatever hole you hide in from the militia because I am NOT going to let you use the place while it's still in my name. So it's five thousand or you're leaving my tavern either peacefully or by the militia. I got nothing to lose. You're in this position because YOU chose a life of wickedness. Deal with the consequences." "I don't think you realize the position YOU'RE in." You warn. Wendy starts to smile, followed by a laugh. "What? You're going to kill me? Pfft. I'm already dying with how my health is going and my three kids are fucking disappoinments. As I said I have nothing to lose and my soul is prepared for Joachim's eternal glory. You won't get away with it anyway, Joachim always finds a way to punish the wicked." > You pay the money The old bat drives a hard bargain and she's called your bluff. As much as you might try to be some ruthless crime lord, there's still some things you can't bring yourself to do. Murdering an old lady in cold blood is one of them. "(Sigh) Fine. You got me by the short and curlies. I'll pay your damn price out of respect for all the years of service you gave to my family." You say. "Yeah, see what that got me. Still, I'm glad to see that you have some sort of morality. Maybe there's still hope for you. Remember it's never too late to turn your soul over to Joachim." Wendy says. "I'll keep that in mind. I'll be back tomorrow, you just have the deed." You leave Wendy's house and return to your sewer headquarters. You're starting to wonder if you shouldn't have just bought your family's old inn in the first place. At least it would have been big enough for you to make your home in. "So how did it go?" Zal asks. "She's willing to sell, so no murder was necessary." You say. "Really? Wow, I'm actually impressed that you managed to talk a religious old lady into working with you...or did you just fuck this one into submission too?" Zalmora starts laughing immediately after her comment. Vaughn stays silent though. "Fuck you Zal, just fuck you." You say. "Interesting, that wasn't a denial." Zal remarks with a smirk. "Hey boss, I just want you to know I'm not judging you if you did. We all have our own carnal desires and I know you seem to like the older ladies. I mean between Annie and Zal..." Vaughn starts to say. "What the fuck Vaughn, don't put me in the same category as that weathered corpse!" Zal exclaims suddenly getting angry. "Both of you shut the fuck up, in fact don't the pair of you got some work to do? No wonder things are falling to shit here." Zal and Vaughn walk off, leaving you alone for the rest of the night. The next day you go over to Wendy's house and complete the transaction. "Here you go heathen." Wendy remarks handing you the deed. "Thanks hypocrite." You answer and start to leave. Wendy isn't quite finished yet though and she grabs your arm before you leave. "Hey, I wasn't joking yesterday when I said it isn't too late to seek Joachim's forgiveness. Maybe your wicked deeds are profiting you today, but there is going to come a reckoning someday and you'll have to answer for your evil ways. Out of respect for your parents, I urge YOU to turn from this path before it's too late." You pull your arm away. "Yeah, I'll get right on that." You say and walk off. Eventually you return back to your sewer headquarters and spend some time on inner contemplation. "(Sigh) I really need to get the hell out of these sewers. I'm the damn head of a budding criminal empire. One of those tavern gambling rooms is getting turned into a new office." You say to yourself. > You time passes... Year 28 "Yeah, so the Broken Glass owner says he'll comply." Vaughn remarks. "Excellent. We can add another tavern to our list." You say. "Did we really need another one?" Zal asks. "That's a silly question Zal. We can always use more income and taverns provide the best cover." "I dunno, I just think we're extorting too many businesses within a short period of time. I mean have you forgotten that the Klyton militia is still pretty active?" "So what're you saying? You want to go back and hide in the shit filled sewers like we were doing? I thought you'd be happy to get out of there completely since you were the main one bitching about it. Look, as long as we keep a low profile we're fine. We've been doing well so far right?" "Yeah, I'm sure Edmond thought the same thing once." "Here we go with that. Look Zal, we've been through all this before three years ago. I actually took your advice and you're still not happy, so let me make this easy for you. You're out." Zal's face is one of surprise. Vaughn is a little surprised as well. "What? Are you serious?" Zalmora says. "Yes, I'm fucking serious. I'm sick of your bitching, your sarcasm, your smart ass remarks that attempt to undermine my authority in general. You seem to think because we once shared a bed together that somehow allows you to say anything you want to me. Combine that with the obvious fact that you don't really have the stomach for this business anymore, well there isn't much use for you is there? So with all respect and no ill will, goodbye Zal. You were a valued member of the Crimson Talons while you were part of us, but your services are no longer required." Zalmora takes your words in silence. She looks at you with a mixture of feelings and you can't quite tell if it's betrayal, anger, sadness or even relief. She just walks over to you and touches your face before leaving. About a few minutes after she leaves, Vaughn speaks up. "Come on boss, aren't you going to go after her? You're just mad because you were feeling good about how things are going and in typical Zal fashion she was a bit of a downer. You know that's how she is. I also know Zal and she's just putting on a brave front. She really doesn't want to leave any more than you really want her to leave. It's pretty obvious you value her advice, even if she is difficult at times." You look over at Vaughn. You've never known him to be that insightful, but he's hitting all the points right now. You stand up. "Aw hell...you're right. She probably hasn't gone too far yet. Vaughn can you... What the hell is going on out there?!" You say suddenly hearing a bunch of noise outside the office. You open up the door and everyone is running around attempting to avoid the horde of Klyton militia piling through the front door. They aren't fucking around either because they're outright shooting or stabbing folks that are only barely resisting. Annie and Carl from what you see have already given up and are kneeling on the floor with their hands behind their heads. "Oh shit! Vaughn! Help me barricade the door! We gotta get the fuck outta here!" You shout and slam the door shut. As you and Vaughn push the desk up against the door, you already hear the crashing behind it. From the other side, you hear your name being called out telling you to surrender or face consequences. "What kind of logic is that? If I surrender, I'm going to face the consequences too. Vaughn, open up the trap door, I'm going to get as much as I can from the safe." You say. After Vaughn opens up the escape hatch to the sewers, you try to maintain your cool as you fiddle with your safe and unload its contents all the while axes, halberds and bullets are piercing the barricaded door. "Come on! Leave it! Let's just go!" Vaughn remarks. "Go on ahead, I'm almost done, I'll be right behind!" You say waving Vaughn away. You finish packing and are heading towards the escape hatch when the door is finally partially broken. A bullet whizzes by you and into the wall. You whirl around to fire your own flintlock at your assailants. You hit one, but then are shot yourself. It's only in the leg, but given how close you are to an open hatch, you fall back, slip and tumble down it. You probably would have broken your neck had Vaughn not been in the way to break your fall. Of course you probably surprised the hell out of him as he was climbing down the ladder. The pair of you land hard on the stone sewer floor with you being right on top of Vaughn. "Shit...my leg...my fucking leg...Vaughn I might need you to...Vaughn?" You say and slowly move yourself off of him. You check, and you see his head at an unnatural angle. He's broken his neck. "Damn it, Vaughn..." You say and then another bullet flies near your head and into the floor. One of the militia men is firing at you from the top of the hatch. Seeing that Vaughn still has his own pistol holstered, you grab it, point upward and fire. You somehow manage to hit the guy in the face and then you realize the folly of that as you desperately roll out of the way of his falling body. The militia man's body partially hits Vaughn's and the stone floor. At this point you're just trying to get away which is difficult with one good leg. With some effort you manage to stand yourself up and hobble away. You already hear several of the militia climbing down the ladder and shouting. "SHIT!" You shout as your wounded leg gives way due to lack of strength and a slimy stone floor. Falling on your face, you already know you aren't getting away at this rate. Best case scenario, you get taken in, tried and instead of executing you, they shove you in one of those cages where you first found Tom. MAYBE if you're lucky you might be able to pick the lock and escape, but you doubt if you'll just have access to your tools. Maybe you could do what Tom managed to do and convince a wanderer to release him...but then again you know how that situation ultimately ended for him. Actually, if you knew letting him out was going to lead to this end result, you would have left him there. Who knows, maybe he would have even been better off since the other Talons were supposed to get him out eventually. It's all a very long shot anyway and you've already come to the conclusion that you're not going quietly. The strange thing in all this is now you're glad you told Zalmora to leave when you did. You hope she managed to evade capture. You think she probably had enough time to run before the militia converged on the place. You're kneeling on your good leg and leaning up against a wall in an attempt to get back up, when the militia finally catch up to you. You feel a hard blow to your back and you crash to the floor. Several militia surround your prone body. "We'll get promotions for this!" You hear one exclaim. "Hope they also have an award for getting wounded in the line of duty." You remark and pull a dagger stabbing him in the foot. It's all the excuse the militia needs to start running you through repeatedly with their spears and swords and stomping your head into mush. You're a holey bloody mess by the time they're through. It isn't exactly the most pleasant death, but at least it eliminates all the waiting.

Year 26 "What?!" You exclaim in disbelief. "Carl and Annie's mother showed up at the tavern last night and pitched a bitch. I mean she raised holy hell. Literally too. She had a book of Joachim in hand the entire time." Vaughn says. "So did she do any actual physical damage?" Zalmora asks. "Not really. She mostly beat the shit out of Carl and Annie, saying she didn't scrimp and save for the tavern just so they could turn it into a den of sin. She then left saying if they didn't take care of this, she would." Vaughn remarks. "Wait, so do the siblings actually even own this place?" Zalmora asks. "Apparently it's always been in their mother's name and she did run it briefly before she started having health problems and let her children run it instead. She mostly stayed out of the day to day operations, but every now and then she leaves her home to drop in on her children...and well you know the rest." "I don't get it. Why would a Joachim fearing woman buy a tavern, let alone let her children run it in the first place?" "Apparently that's sort of a newer development. The old lady has gotten a bit religious over the past few years. Probably brought on by failing health." You just put your face in the palms of your hands. "Why the hell didn't either of you fucking idiots know any of this? And more importantly why didn't you stop the old bitch?" You ask. "ME? This was all Vaughn's idea and YOU signed off on it! I've barely been involved in it! All you've had me do is seeking out other potential taverns to take over and monitor the bum fights from time to time. I haven't stepped foot in that damn tavern since we first set up shop there! Besides, aren't you regularly fucking that skeletal bitch that runs the place anyway? Figured you pumped her for information along with just pumping her." Zalmora exclaims. "(Sigh) No. I'm not fucking Annie. That's an ugly rumor that delusional bitch probably started in the first place. I can see I'm going to have to set her ass straight." "Hm, if you say so." Zal says giving you a look like she doesn't quite believe you. You knew it was a bad idea to pity fuck Annie a few more times. In any case, Zal's right in that it's not her fault at all, this is mostly Vaughn's fuck up, but really it's yours as well because you really should have learned all the facts first. You are the one running the Talons after all. You exhale deeply and get up from your desk. "What's the old woman's name and where's she live?" You ask. "Her name's Wendy and she lives in a small house over by the Greenwood park. I think it's like the only house still standing there since most of the others are abandoned." Vaughn says. "I'll find it." You say. "Wait, are you going to go over and kill her?" Vaughn asks. "Well I was going to see if I can find a diplomatic way of dealing with this, but if murdering the old lady is what it takes then so be it." "Hold on, maybe you should send someone else. I mean maybe I could go take care of this." Zal says. "No, because as you have already pointed out, this isn't your fault at all and I don't trust Vaughn to not fuck it up, so I'll do it myself." You head over to Wendy's home, wondering how you're going to handle this. You really don't want to murder an old lady if you can help it, but if that's what it takes then that's what's going to have to happen. Given that she's a follower of Joachim though, you don't hold out much hope that blood isn't going to be shed. Eventually you get over to Wendy's house and knock on the door. You hear a lot of grumbling as you wait. "Hold on, hold on, I'm...by Joachim, you haven't aged!" a short old woman exclaims when she opens her door. "Um, thanks?" You say a bit confused. "What are you doing here? Are you in the city just for a visit? Where is Eliza? Are you still married to her?" "Wait, who do you think I am?" You ask. Wendy mentions your father's name and squints a bit as she looks closer at you. You realize, this is one of the waitresses at your father's old inn! You remember your mother mentioning working with her in some of her old stories to you and your sister, but then you never did pay much attention to those. Maybe you can work this in your favor after all. "No, I'm afraid you've confused me with my father. But my mother and father are still married and well." You say. "Oh. That's good. They were a nice couple, if a bit slow on the uptake as far as how they really felt about each other. Still, I guess it all worked out, given that you're here. You look a lot like your father. Well come on in and tell me what brings you to my doorstep." Wendy says. Wendy invites you in and tells you to excuse the mess as she doesn't do much cleaning nowadays. You find a chair to sit in and she does likewise. "So. What would the son of my old employer want with me?" Wendy asks. "Well, after working for so many other people, I've sort of come to the conclusion that I'd like to try to work for myself for a change. I was sort of inspired by the old family business and I've done a lot of research on the matter along with asking my parents questions of course. I got quite a bit of money saved up from over the years and I was looking for a place to buy and get a business started. I thought your tavern would be a good place." You say. "My tavern? You've been there?" "Oh yes. When I was shopping around for potential places. Your children...Um...Carl and Anika..." "Annie." "Yes, Annie said that it was actually yours and if I wanted to buy it, that I should speak with you. They mentioned how you used to work for my father too, so I figured I'd at least make an offer to you first before anyone else." "...Mmm hmm...but why didn't you just buy your old family inn? I believe it's still abandoned and for sale surprisingly enough." "Heh, I tried, but apparently the city is planning to knock it down and build something else there. Would have been nice, but I got here a little too late it seems." "Uh huh...let's cut the bullshit." "Pardon?" "You think I was born yesterday? You may be the son of Eliza, but you sure ain't anything like her OR your father. They were decent people. While YOU are a lying criminal scumbag just like my worthless children. It seems a little too fucking convenient that you show up on my doorstep the day after I find out what's going on at my tavern. I'm not really surprised by my son Carl. He's a miserable gambler with a weakness for whores. Annie, however I thought at least had a little more sense. Guess you're really putting it good on her if she's gone along with this shit." "I assure you, I don't..." "Don't insult me with more lies. I already saw what was going on at my tavern. In all her hysterics yesterday, I heard Annie babble to me about how she has a handsome man that loves her more than I ever did. I have to imagine that's probably you since you stand out a bit from the rest of the unwashed rabble I saw in that den of inequity. Ungrateful little bitch. Well, whatever charms you think you have ain't gonna work on me, I'm a Joachim fearing woman! Tch. Gotta say I never thought your parents would raise someone so far from the path of righteousness." The jig is up. "Yeah, I'm a big disappointment to them, but as you said, let's cut the bullshit and come to some sort of arrangement. How much you want for the tavern?" You ask. "And why would I sell to a heathen like you?" Wendy retorts. "Because I already own the place in all but name already. Look, the place was barely making any money to before I showed up and now that you know the truth, you won't want to have any more connection to the place. So I'm making you a generous offer since you're an old family friend to buy it. Two thousand gold pieces. You know that this is the best offer you're going to get and let's be honest, you don't have a choice. What are you going to do? Report us to the militia? We'll be gone...or at least I won't be around and all that's going to happen is the city of Klyton is going to arrest your children and seize the place, leaving you with no steady income whatsoever." Much like her daughter, Wendy's wrinkled face frowns at you in silence. She doesn't like this, but her silence is a good sign. It means despite her belief in Joachim she's still pragmatic enough to consider your offer. You just hope she isn't TOO much like her daughter because... "Five thousand gold pieces for the tavern." Wendy says. "Five thousand?" You answer "That's my price. I might be old and not in the best of health, but two thousand isn't going to sustain me until I die. I know a big time crime lord such as yourself probably has that kind of money." "Five thousand...seems a bit greedy. Isn't that against the will of Joachim?" "First of all, you don't know shit about his glory, so don't think to say shit to me about it. Second of all, some of that is going to his church so at least some good can come out of this wickedness." "Ah, I see. Buying your way into the afterlife. Whatever. I don't care, but I'm afraid five thousand is fucking unreasonable." "And that's still my final offer. You don't like it, well you better go crawl in whatever hole you hide in from the militia because I am NOT going to let you use the place while it's still in my name. So it's five thousand or you're leaving my tavern either peacefully or by the militia. I got nothing to lose. You're in this position because YOU chose a life of wickedness. Deal with the consequences." "I don't think you realize the position YOU'RE in." You warn. Wendy starts to smile, followed by a laugh. "What? You're going to kill me? Pfft. I'm already dying with how my health is going and my three kids are fucking disappoinments. As I said I have nothing to lose and my soul is prepared for Joachim's eternal glory. You won't get away with it anyway, Joachim always finds a way to punish the wicked." > You kill Wendy You're not going to be threatened or blackmailed by some superstitious old lady. If she's ready to die, then this makes it all the more easier. "Okay, well say hello to Joachim for me!" You say and you lunge at Wendy with a dagger. Wendy's survival instinct kicks in a bit and she tries to struggle, but it isn't much of one. "Not so eager to die now eh? Where's your Joachim now?" You sneer and easily end her life with a dagger to her throat. It's done and you quickly make your way out of the house and return to your sewer headquarters. "So how did it go?" Zal asks. "The old bitch is dead. Vaughn head over to the house with some people and search it for the tavern deed and anything else valuable. I would have done it myself, but I wanted to distance myself from a crime scene as soon as possible obviously." you say. "Oh. Okay, did you want the body disposed of too?" Vaughn asks. "If you want to be bothered I suppose you could, but I'm not really worried about the Klyton militia tracking me down for it. I mean if they ever did find me, it would be for a whole bunch of other shit first." Vaughn leaves and it's just Zalmora who keeps looking at you. "What?" You ask. "Nothing. Just still hoping you know what you're doing." Zal remarks. "(Sigh) Damnit, why do you ALWAYS do this? Something gets taken care of and YOU always say something that suggests different and completely undermines morale?" "Alright fine, I'll stop being a downer. I just want you to be more careful. I mean I didn't notice it immediately, but you've got some blood on your clothing and even your hands. I certainly hope you were careful about being seen." "Yes, yes, of course I was. Sheesh, you act like this I'm some damn neophyte at this. I'm not worried about the fucking militia." "Okay. Apologies. You got everything under control, I'm done with my caution." Zalmora takes her leave and you're free of her usual mother hen routine. You getting a little tired of that occurrence. You're also getting a little tired of these sewers. You're supposed to be the head of a budding criminal Empire. As soon as you can, you're clearing out one of those gambling game rooms at the tavern and making it into an office. One month later... "Where the hell are Carl and Annie? I haven't seen either of those losers for days. Did they still want jobs at this place? Because I can easily get any slob to replace what they do. And in Carl's case that ain't much to begin with." You say. "Well maybe their taking their mother's...um disappearance hard." Vaughn remarks. "I doubt it. There was no love between her or them. Wendy distinctly said they were disappointments to her when she tried to get more money out of me. Besides, it's been a couple weeks since they discovered she was missing and they didn't seem all that concerned before." "Maybe it's a delayed reaction. Like they figured she'd show up by now and because she hasn't, reality is setting in that she might not just be missing, but she might be dead." "Nah, Annie spoke to me about a few days before she stopped coming in. She didn't give that impression. The opposite actually." Zalmora remarks. "Oh? Never known you two to talk. What did she say exactly?" You ask. Zal smirks at your request. "She told me she hoped that her mother actually WAS dead, because then she would never get in the way of your love for her." Zal chuckles. "Fuck you Zal, just fuck you." You say. "I'm serious! She actually said that to me!" "I told her to stop spreading that fucking rumor! That's it, if she does show up again, she's out on her ass. If she gives me shit about that, she'll join her mother! I'm not having her telling delusional lies about me anymore!" "I know you keep denying and I'd really like to take your word. However, she's already told me about some very intimate things about your body and I think I'd know if she was lying or not." "The crazy bitch walked in on me changing once and she made up some twisted fantasy!" "Nice save. Okay, have it your way." Zal remarks and takes her leave before you start yelling at her. Vaughn not wishing to be your second choice for verbal abuse takes his leave as well. Two weeks later... "Camid, I want every able body we have to look for Vaughn AND Zalmora! They didn't just fucking disappear and if the militia pinched them we would have known about it! I dunno what the fuck's going on, but if we got some rival organization like the Ebony Claw Syndicate setting up shop here, we need to get on this quick!" You shout. "Yes sir!" Camid remarks before leaving. This has been stressful week. Both your best lieutenants have gone missing and in this line of work, that probably means they're dead. You'd probably feel a little worse about it, if you weren't so angry. Who the hell is doing this? You didn't think much about it when Carl and Annie disappeared. If anything you were somewhat happy you didn't have to deal with them anymore. This however is something different. You've taken to hiding in the sewers again, with guards constantly posted outside your office to make yourself less of a potential target. In fact, you've actually gotten very paranoid recently that maybe it isn't something of this world doing this, but maybe, just maybe Wendy's warning was right... Days pass and you still have no idea who is doing this. Soon Camid stops reporting in and you start losing Talons. With your loss of manpower, you aren't able to run much of anything. Eventually it's just you as the Talons still left alive have fled your side fearing that they'll be next on this list of mysterious disappearances. You have lost everything and the militia wasn't even involved. You end up spending most of your days in the sewers jumping at shadows and armed all the time. You barely sleep and when you do, you still wear heavy armor that you invested in after Vaughn and Zalmora first disappeared. However, the fateful day comes when you do finally have a sound sleep, when you open your eyes however, you are met with a grisly sight on the floor of your room. You see the bloody heads of the various people that have gone missing. Carl, Annie, Vaughn, Zalmora, Camid and others under your command. You reach for your weapon and then a figure loom over your head punching you in the face several times. He then proceeds to break your arms, before dragging you off your bed and then breaking your legs. Bones stick out of the skin, your screams are loud and the pain is great, but you're in the sewers and there will be no help. It isn't until all your limbs are broken that you finally get a good look at the person doing this to you. "...you..." Is all you can utter. "I've taken everything away from you. Now I'm sending you to a very dark place and I'm going to enjoy sending you there." Henry whispers as he starts stripping off your armor. You never thought about it at the time, but only now do you remember Wendy mentioned she had three children. You also remember Mr. Reynolds saying Henry's mother's name was Wendy. Odd that Carl or Annie never spoke of him at all, but perhaps they were too scared of him to even say his name and it's easy to see why. Perhaps Wendy never had any love for this ruthless monster of a son, but it's apparent he had love for her...or perhaps this was just the excuse to kill you. After all he never liked you after you criticized his work. Whether this is somehow the twisted divine work of Joachim or just a coincidence of a son seeking revenge on his mother's killer, it hardly matters. How he learned that it was you who did the deed doesn't matter either. What matters is Henry keeps his promise of enjoying sending you to a dark place because he keeps you alive a whole three days torturing the shit out of you before your body just gives out.

Year 25 "Well, what the hell do these folks expect? If they want outlandish theatrics they can pay out the ass to watch a Klyton Gladiator match where the minimum bets are much higher. At least here we have fights where we'll accept a five copper bet." You say. "Yes, but at the arena, people don't have the deal with the bums they've bet on to puke in the middle of the ring and pass out causing the other to win by default." Zalmora says. "That happened ONE time." You remark. "Well there's also the ongoing smell of the sewers that puts people off." "Yeah, well the Klyton council just increased the city's militia numbers recently and stepped up patrols. So keeping business in the sewers is about the safest place to do all this if we want to avoid sudden raids." "It might not have been necessary to wallow in the sewers if they had another distraction." "So you've said many times in the past, but I think things still worked out with me in charge." "We're doing okay I suppose, but I'm still not sure if bum fight gambling and going back to selling Yellow Devil was the way to go about it." "Hey we've got whores too." "Ah yes, those mostly tie into the Yellow Devil trade. I shudder to think about the hopeless cases that actually pay to fuck YD junkies." "Hey not everyone can afford the high priced Klyton brothels. Look, I saw that the only way we were going to survive is to have steady businesses. The Klyton Council are the biggest criminal overlords and nobody says shit because they effectively legalized everything and control the biggest gang to protect their interests. I mean there wasn't really any way to feasibly compete except offer similar things at lower the prices and cater to the lower class." Zalmora looks at nearby group betting and getting excited over a giant roach race. "Pretty sure some of these folks are under the lower class." Zalmora replies. "Yeah, well a coin's a coin, don't you have a house to break into or something?" you say. "Always, but I don't understand why you don't come on these things like you used to." "Because I gotta look after shit around here. I just can't drop everything to go rip off a store. I'm not Tom, I don't just sit on my ass doing nothing." "I didn't say you were, but you used to be a little more fun at least. Like those first few years when you got here. Remember?" Zalmora says with a bit of a smile. "Yeah, well I'm not a damn stupid teenager anymore that gets distracted by a pretty girl that wiggles her ass at me." Zalmora steps back from you a bit giving a slightly perturbed look. "Okay Mr. bossman, if you hadn't initially taken my advice in the first place you wouldn't even be in this position." Zal says. "OR if I hadn't taken your advice, I might have been in this position a lot sooner. In fact despite you always bringing it up, I'd say not listening to you turned out to be a lot better " you remark. "Right, because this is such a great position to be in." "I'm in charge ain't I? Y'know what your problem is? You thought you were going to manipulate me into doing whatever you wanted just because you threw a little pussy my way. And now you're bitter that didn't happen. If you really want control of the Talons, you could always challenge me Zal." "Oh no, not me! Never would I challenge your insurmountable wisdom boss. Obviously you've got things under control more than little ol' me could ever handle." Zal says with obvious sarcasm in her voice. "If you don't want to take over and you don't like how I'm running things, why don't you just leave then? Not like I'm going to try to kill you for leaving." "Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind. You know why I'm even still in the Talons? Because deep down I'm actually hoping you know what you're doing. So far you're ahead, but I'm just wondering for how long. Edmond was pretty much running things like you are now. Granted you are less of a violent asshole than he was, but I'm seeing the same pattern." "I'm not sure what to tell you Zal, I mean we're fucking criminals doing illegal shit. This is sort of way things are done." "(Sigh) Yeah, I know…guess I'm just starting to wonder why I ever thought this was fun. I'll leave you to your drugs and whores." Zalmora walks away. You sometimes forget that Zal is at least around fifteen years older than you now. She's probably starting to worry about age catching up. Probably didn't see herself mucking about through sewers at this age taking orders from someone a lot younger. Weird, because Vaughn doesn't seem to have a problem with it, but then Vaughn's never been one to make waves. As you walk back to the Crimson hideout thinking about the future, you have to admit, it isn't as bright as you once thought. All things considered you are doing well right now, but there just doesn't seem to be any let up on the laws being passed to turn this city into a huge prison camp. Part of that you imagine is due to the rebellion in Holgard. You're certainly glad you didn't decide to go there given what you heard. At one time, you did toy with the possibility of going "legit" somehow. Like maybe buying an inn and running it. Maybe even the one your family once owned. It would sure be a complete circle if you did that. Of course it wasn't so much going "legit" as it was the idea of having a place to run your activities without it being in an abandoned building or recently the fucking sewers. Though that's a riskier endeavor nowadays and would result in needing to re-organize things again. Might be better to stick with your current set up. It isn't perfect, but it's working. > You stick with what you are doing The sewers are good enough for you. If you start trying to set up shop up top, you're just going to bring down the heat eventually. You've got a good thing going on and nobody fucks with you down here. If worst comes to worst, you're confident that you could easily lose the militia if they actually ever made an effort to patrol down here. Still, maybe you could figure out a way to make this place somewhat less...well like a sewer. You already have made a base in the best abandoned area you can find though. You suppose you could start manually expanding underground further away from the sewers themselves of course that would be a pretty extensive and expensive undertaking and it isn't like you're familiar with the details of excavation. Although... This city used to have a fairly large active miner population once. In fact your family made money serving them at their inn. At some point long after your parents had left the city and the inn closed down, the mining trade dried up completely in Klyton for a variety of reasons resulting in a lot of unemployed miners. In fact some of the bums in your fights are ex-miners. You wouldn't want to rely on just them though, but surely you could scour the city for other ex-miners down on their luck or working jobs they hate. They probably would work cheap. You suppose if you really needed more you could shell out the money for some outside help, but you'd rather keep the costs as low as possible. Later when you approach Zal and Vaughn with this idea, they're caught off guard by this plan, but don't seem put off by it. Well Vaughn doesn't at least. Zal of course has her usual concerns. "Okay, I know that look. Out with it." You say. "It's just...well do you think this is even feasible?" Zal asks. "I'm not saying it's not going to take effort, but again this is a long term plan. I mean going up top, trying to set up false businesses and store fronts is just not going to work in Klyton. The place is just too damn repressive, but we all know people still WANT to do illegal shit like whoring, drugs, gambling..." "Erm, actually all those things are legal in Klyton." Vaughn interrupts. "(Sigh) You know what the fuck I mean! All that high priced shit is easily accessible for the rich folks, but WE cater to the poor and who needs affordable distraction more than they do?" "So...wait. Are we defenders of the down trodden now?" Zal asks. "I didn't say all that, but we ARE providing for them in a way. I mean we can start out by digging ourselves out a proper headquarters where we don't have to be constantly bombarded by the smells of the sewer and has a solid defense, but I'm thinking in time we could just build a whole underground town." Zalmora and Vaughn look at each other and then you. "A TOWN?!" They exclaim. "Well maybe not town in the traditional sense, but a place where we can do our business AND live without even worrying about the Klyton militia raiding the place because we would be so damn entrenched that they wouldn't be able to do shit even if they wanted to. We wouldn't just be the criminal organization that skulks around in the Klyton sewers, we would be a whole separate community...bah maybe I'm not explaining it well, but I envision it in my head!" You say. "No. No, I get what you mean. I have to say, this is really damn ambitious. I mean I can't say I'm not impressed by your plan...but again I just have my concerns if it's going to be possible...but fuck it, I'm in." Zal says. "Glad to hear it. So, we're going to need miners and equipment which is the easy part, but we're also going to need a genuine engineer so the whole damn thing doesn't fall on our heads. So anyone know of any?" You remark. "Yeah, Red Nose Rob." Vaughn remarks. "Who's that?" You ask. "One of the bums that participates in the fights." "There's a bum who used to be an engineer? What the hell happened?" "He was actually a miner, but he had a natural gift when it came to engineering. Which was good for the company since they just used his talents for creating very sound mine supports and they didn't have to pay for a real one. He probably could have been building new structures in Klyton, but he just didn't have the formal education." "Interesting. But how do you know so much about him?" You ask. "He has his lucid moments. Plus, um...we used to...meet up..." "Ew Vaughn. You fucked a disgusting bum?" Zalmora remarks. "No! I fucked him when he was strapping miner! Sheesh Zal!" "Never mind all that, would he be able to do the job?" You ask "I think so. Probably wouldn't have to pay him much more than we do to fight, but we'd definitely have to dry him out a bit though." Vaughn says. You start making notes of various ideas as you ask more questions. "Okay, so we got one potential overseer for this project. You got any more engineer ex-lovers?" You ask. "Not that I know of boss." Vaughn remarks. "I think I got a potential suggestion." Zal says. "Oh? You been fucking engineers too?" You ask. "Even better. Been fucking dwarves. Grahk Kazek is the one that comes to mind." "Well that's nice that you're so open minded with your choice of sex partners, but is this dwarf an actual engineer? Contrary to popular belief, I don't think all of them dig big holes in mountains for a living." "This one does. Or at least he did before he retired. He makes a monthly trip from the Cloudpeake Mountains to Klyton because he REALLY likes the pastries from Stovo's Bakery. Buys up a bunch then goes back home. That's where we met actually." "Didn't know you had ongoing long distance relationship, Zal." You say. "Lots you don't know about me, but I wouldn't exactly say Grahk and I are in a relationship, we just had a bit of fun together. In fact I haven't seen him in years. I just know he still goes to that bakery since Stovo has mentioned him a few times when I go in there." "So would he be interested?" "He's a dwarf and used to construct tunnel ways in the Cloudpeake Mountains. Fairly certain if we throw enough money at him, he'll be willing to oversee the construction of what we're doing. Besides, I can be pretty persuasive." "Hmm, don't I know it." You say. The dwarf sounds good, but he sounds like he's going to be really expensive. At lot more than the bum anyway. Of course the bum might be unreliable. You say you'll think about both as you go ask other Talons if they know anybody. You don't have much luck though. Your other Talons aren't quite as "worldly" as your top lieutenants. There is one who has a lead though. "Yeah, I think I might know someone boss. This chick called Madeline. She actually attends Klyton University and she's an engineering student." Camid remarks. "A student?" You ask. "Yeah, but she's really fucking smart. Top of her class or some shit. I don't even understand what she's talking about half the time. Of course I'm just staring at her tits most of the time anyway." "How the hell do you even know her?" "Oh, she's a little rich girl that likes slumming. Likes to watch the bum fights and get high on Yellow Devil. The usual. Oh and we fuck sometimes." Of course they do. It would certainly be a strange break in the "theme" if they didn't. The drug bit concerns you though. "Wait, you say she takes Yellow Devil? How the hell is she not a near drooling idiot yet? I don't need someone melting into a pile of goo in the middle of an important project." You say. "Don't worry boss. That wouldn't happen." Camid says. "And how do you know?" "Because...um...I make sure she doesn't actually get Yellow Devil. I mean she does, but it's a VERY small amount. Almost nothing. The rest of it is cut severely with various common shit I get from the apothecary. She feels good for a little while and feels rebellious and she doesn't get really hurt." "...You like this girl don't you?" You ask causing Camid to look away a bit. "(Sigh) It didn't start out that way. First time I saw her, I thought she was so damn pretty that I just wanted a chance to fuck her before she turned into a Yellow Devil mess, so I didn't give her the real shit. But in time...well I dunno shit happened...and I'm probably an idiot..." Camid says trailing off a bit. "Probably, but fortunately your love sick idiocy has worked in your favor, so do you think she'd help?" "Oh definitely. She'd feel like she would be a real criminal working for a dangerous organization and all. She'd do it for free too, not like she needs the money." "Actually she would be a real criminal if she was helping us in this capacity. Good to know about the price. I'll keep her in mind." Well you got a big decision to make based on your underlings recommendations because unfortunately for you, you haven't been lucky enough to fuck someone with engineering skills. > You red Nose Rob While you have your concerns about Rob, he seems the most affordable, accessible and most importantly, at your mercy. The dwarf you just know is going to ask for a shitload of money and the girl is just a wild child university student. Who knows what kind of chaos that will invite? You return to Vaughn with your decision. "Okay Vaughn, we're going to try your guy, so go tell him what's going on, sober him up, clean him up and have him come see me about further details. I also want you to stress that while he doesn't really have a choice in this matter, he'll be making more money and won't have to be getting punched in the face for living." You say. "Got it boss." Vaughn remarks and leaves to carry out your orders. A couple days later Vaughn brings in a man with a lot of messy hair, raggedy clothing, a full beard and mustache and red nose. He also has a few bruises on his face. Must be Rob. "And at last Vaughn has brought you to me, I trust he's filled you in on the basics of what's going on." You say. "Yes sir." Rob replies without emotion. "Good. What happened to your face? Did Vaughn do that?" "Um, no sir. I was in a match three days ago and the other guy got in a few good punches." "Oh yes, you were doing that bum fight business. Well, you won't have to be doing that anymore. You'll get to use your other natural talent." "Yes sir." Rob once again replies without emotion. "Sort of thought you'd be a bit happier about this opportunity." "Apologies sir, but I'm still having a hard time being completely sober right now. It's been awhile and I feel sort of weird." "Hm, okay. I should tell you, I don't actually expect you to go completely off the stuff. I just wanted you sober for today while I speak to you. I also expect you to not drink on the job and generally be a functional human being. Now you're going to have some help in this matter since Vaughn here is going to be personally responsible for you. Making sure you stay focused and such." Rob just nods. "Okay I'm sensing something more is wrong than you just not being used to being sober." You say and then Vaughn breaks into the conversation. "Um, yeah. I think Rob is just a bit nervous being within your presence. You know how you have a reputation and all boss." Vaughn remarks. "I don't think I can do the job sir." Rob blurts out. "Ha ha ha ha! He's just joking...he..." "Vaughn, will you shut the hell up? Now Rob, what do you mean you can't do the job exactly?" You ask. "I mean Vaughn's told me what you want and I just don't think I can do it. I don't have the skill or knowledge." "Vaughn told me, you had natural talent and were well respected by the mining company because of it." "Yeah, well if that was the case they wouldn't have fired me along with everyone else. Look, I don't want to disobey you sir, but I don't want to pretend I'm something I'm not. I mean you'd be even more pissed if you found out I didn't know what the fuck I''m doing." "Heh, well you're right on that one. I actually appreciate the honesty. However, I've never really known Vaughn to step up and speak so favorably of someone. I mean I understand you guys had something once, but Vaughn's not one to stick his neck out and tends to play things safe. I have to believe he must be telling the truth to some degree. I mean you can't be a complete idiot." "No, maybe not a complete one, but I'm sure not that smart, otherwise I wouldn't be in this situation...(Sigh) I mean if you were asking me to build simple tunnels and rooms and making sure they don't collapse, then yeah I guess I could do that, but I don't know about building an underground city." "Okay. Let's stop right there. The underground city is probably a long damn way off. Don't even think about it. We're going to start simple and get more complex later. Tell you what we're going to do..." You proceed to tell Rob that you're just looking to hollow out an underground area to serve as the Crimson Talon headquarters right now and it doesn't have to be fancy. It just needs to be structurally sound. You tell him by that time, you'll probably have gotten a hold of some other engineers that can help Rob if he doesn't feel up to the more complex task of building that underground city. Rob seems a little more receptive to this and says he'll try to do his best. You say he's free to go and as he leaves you tell Vaughn to stay behind. "Vaughn, are you absolutely fucking sure he can do this job?!" You ask. "Yes! He's just been in the gutter for so long his self esteem is low! I mean once he gets back in action he'll be fine!" Vaughn exclaims. "For your sake, I hope so. Because I'm not here to hold someone's hand and build up their confidence. That's going to be YOUR job. So you better be giving him pep talks, motivational hugs, or inspirational blow jobs. Whatever it is YOU gotta do, you better be doing it, because I'm going to be keeping a close eye on progress of this project." With this new order Vaughn is of course totally compliant as usual and takes his leave. As you're making further preparations for your ambitious plan, Zalmora of course puts her two copper in. "I still don't know why you didn't go with my guy. Relying on Vaughn and his bum miner boyfriend just seems like a bad plan." Zalmora says. "Your guy would be very expensive and I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as I can. If it looks like things are going to shit, well then I'll consider your guy again." "Okay, but won't you have already wasted time and money with this Rob if he turns out to be a failure?" "(Sigh) Yes Zal, but it's my fucking call and my fucking risk alright? Stop fucking questioning me every other sentence! Here, that's a list of some of the equipment we're going to need. Take some of the boys and go acquire some." You say shoving a piece of paper at Zal who takes it. "...pick axes, lanterns, shovels, ropes, lumber? How the hell are we supposed to steal a shitload of heavy ass lumber?" "I dunno, just get it. Go raid a wood mill. Pay for it. Rip out support beams from abandon buildings. Seduce a lumber jack. Cut down fucking trees yourself and drag them back here. I don't give a shit HOW you do it, just fucking do it! You said you were on board with this, well start fucking contributing." You order. Zal doesn't say another word she just turns away in a huff. While you aren't deterred yet, you're seriously starting to wonder if this is all really worth it. > You time passes... Year 27 "Okay, Rob was the better choice in terms of costs. My guy would have still been better though." Zalmora remarks. "Half an admission of defeat, but probably the best I'm going to ever hear from you. I'll take it." You say smiling. You walk through the relatively smooth tunnels of the new Crimson Talon headquarters. Lanterns light your way as you look around at how far it's all come. The rooms that were created still need some more detailed work since they're very basic, but for a guy who started out not being sure if he could do any of this, he's done a good job so far. You guess Vaughn was right, once Rob got going he gained confidence. (Either that or Vaughn was giving a lot of inspirational blow jobs, but you'd rather not dwell on that) "Are we going to brick up the dirt walls of these rooms or something similar? Not that I don't appreciate the work that's gone into this, but right now the aesthetics are more underground goblin lair, rather than secret criminal headquarters." Zal says. "Yeah, we're doing that, adding doors, adding tiled floors and all that stuff, but that's going to get taken care of later when the basic layout is finished." You say. "I thought that was complete?" "It's almost complete. Rob's finishing up the last rooms which are a lot bigger. One of them is going to be the fighting arena." "Arena?" "Well okay, it isn't going to be the Klyton coliseum, but it'll be a proper fighting area where we can put a ring and have people watching and betting without them accidentally stepping in shit water." "Hm, well that would be an improvement. Speaking of which, now that this place is on the verge of being complete are we moving all our operations here?" "Well I'm thinking the gambling games and the fighting arena will be eventually, but the Yellow Devil lab can stay out in those sewer storage rooms along with the junkies. I'm not having melted junkies mess up the floor when we finally get around to putting proper ones down. Mostly though, it's going to be where we can rest and relax without the smell. See how all the potential sleeping areas were built very far away from the sewer wall that was knocked down for the entrance." You say. "Yes, the smell is much better in this place. More earthy, less shitty." As you and Zal are speaking about the Crimson Talon's future, Vaughn walks up to both of you. "Hey guys, I've been looking for you both. Rob just finished what will be the fighting arena location. You should see it!" Vaughn remarks. "Oh good a big dirt room instead of a small one." Zalmora remarks. "Aw come on Zal, he worked really hard on it! He even improved upon the original layout!" Vaughn exclaims. "Went above and beyond huh? Guess he really is getting sure of himself. Might as well see for ourselves." You say. You, Vaughn and Zal head to the arena. Along the way you notice that the rough tunnel is sloping downward. Vaughn says that Rob really wanted to impress you since you gave him a chance and in order to do that he needed to expand downward a bit to create the fighting arena. "Sheesh, did he have the miners dig all the way to Nichan? How deep is this going?" Zal remarks. "He said he wanted to make it like an underground version of the Klyton coliseum." Vaughn says. "He certainly went off script for this, but if it's as impressive as you said he's trying to make it, I'll certainly be pleased." You say. Eventually the tunnel stops sloping and evens out. You walk a little more and already in the dim light you can see the room ahead is going to be bigger than you thought. You enter the place and find yourself in a large oval room with several long wooden support beams stretching from the floor to the ceiling. The ceiling is actually a lot higher than you expected. If there were seats and stairs encircling the room, it actually might resemble the Klyton coliseum on a smaller scale. Rob stands on top of a high platform near one of the walls and waves. "Hey! So what do you think?" He shouts and starts climbing down a ladder to meet you. "Definitely bigger than I thought it would be. I'm just wondering how the hell did I not notice all the dirt being hauled out and dumped from this endeavor. Apparently I wasn't as observant as I thought I was. Just as well I guess, since this is a nice surprise." You remark walking around and looking upward. "Yeah, I was trying to keep this part of the project a bit under wraps to surprise you. Really glad you like it. As I mentioned to Vaughn, this part was my way of saying thank you for dragging me out of the fighting ring and giving my real life meaning again." Rob says. "And they say the Crimson Talons are nothing but a menace to society. We gave this man his life back. Hell, we gave several folks their lives back. How many miners work for us now?" You say with a chuckle. You continue looking around as Vaughn gives Rob a bit of praise about his work on the project. Meanwhile Zalmora finds something to analyze. "Um, these support beams. I just touched this one and it doesn't feel secure. Is this place even safe?" Zal asks. "Oh yes, this place is definitely safe. Most of these beams aren't even necessary anymore, but none of them are going to slip out of place anyway. Look!" Rob and then runs over to a beam and then putting all his weight behind his body, leans hard against it. You tense up slightly when you see him do this, but nothing happens. "See? Solid!" Rob says. "Natural talent, boss. All he needed was the confidence boost. I guarantee he'll be able to build that underground city better than any dwarf could or Klyton university egghead with an over priced edu..." Vaughn starts to say and then suddenly the beam that Rob is leaning against cracks. Before he can even get off of it, the beam breaks and he falls to the ground as the rest of the beam falls on him, followed by parts of the ceiling. "OH SHIT RUN!" Zal shouts and makes haste towards the room's exit as the ceiling begins to completely collapse. Vaughn follows suit, leaving Rob who has either been knocked unconscious or killed. You are unfortunately at the far end of the room and while you try to make it to the exit, you just aren't fast enough and you're crushed by large clumps of packed dirt and rocks. You actually manage to dig a few inches through the dirt before you suffocate.

The sewers are good enough for you. If you start trying to set up shop up top, you're just going to bring down the heat eventually. You've got a good thing going on and nobody fucks with you down here. If worst comes to worst, you're confident that you could easily lose the militia if they actually ever made an effort to patrol down here. Still, maybe you could figure out a way to make this place somewhat less...well like a sewer. You already have made a base in the best abandoned area you can find though. You suppose you could start manually expanding underground further away from the sewers themselves of course that would be a pretty extensive and expensive undertaking and it isn't like you're familiar with the details of excavation. Although... This city used to have a fairly large active miner population once. In fact your family made money serving them at their inn. At some point long after your parents had left the city and the inn closed down, the mining trade dried up completely in Klyton for a variety of reasons resulting in a lot of unemployed miners. In fact some of the bums in your fights are ex-miners. You wouldn't want to rely on just them though, but surely you could scour the city for other ex-miners down on their luck or working jobs they hate. They probably would work cheap. You suppose if you really needed more you could shell out the money for some outside help, but you'd rather keep the costs as low as possible. Later when you approach Zal and Vaughn with this idea, they're caught off guard by this plan, but don't seem put off by it. Well Vaughn doesn't at least. Zal of course has her usual concerns. "Okay, I know that look. Out with it." You say. "It's just...well do you think this is even feasible?" Zal asks. "I'm not saying it's not going to take effort, but again this is a long term plan. I mean going up top, trying to set up false businesses and store fronts is just not going to work in Klyton. The place is just too damn repressive, but we all know people still WANT to do illegal shit like whoring, drugs, gambling..." "Erm, actually all those things are legal in Klyton." Vaughn interrupts. "(Sigh) You know what the fuck I mean! All that high priced shit is easily accessible for the rich folks, but WE cater to the poor and who needs affordable distraction more than they do?" "So...wait. Are we defenders of the down trodden now?" Zal asks. "I didn't say all that, but we ARE providing for them in a way. I mean we can start out by digging ourselves out a proper headquarters where we don't have to be constantly bombarded by the smells of the sewer and has a solid defense, but I'm thinking in time we could just build a whole underground town." Zalmora and Vaughn look at each other and then you. "A TOWN?!" They exclaim. "Well maybe not town in the traditional sense, but a place where we can do our business AND live without even worrying about the Klyton militia raiding the place because we would be so damn entrenched that they wouldn't be able to do shit even if they wanted to. We wouldn't just be the criminal organization that skulks around in the Klyton sewers, we would be a whole separate community...bah maybe I'm not explaining it well, but I envision it in my head!" You say. "No. No, I get what you mean. I have to say, this is really damn ambitious. I mean I can't say I'm not impressed by your plan...but again I just have my concerns if it's going to be possible...but fuck it, I'm in." Zal says. "Glad to hear it. So, we're going to need miners and equipment which is the easy part, but we're also going to need a genuine engineer so the whole damn thing doesn't fall on our heads. So anyone know of any?" You remark. "Yeah, Red Nose Rob." Vaughn remarks. "Who's that?" You ask. "One of the bums that participates in the fights." "There's a bum who used to be an engineer? What the hell happened?" "He was actually a miner, but he had a natural gift when it came to engineering. Which was good for the company since they just used his talents for creating very sound mine supports and they didn't have to pay for a real one. He probably could have been building new structures in Klyton, but he just didn't have the formal education." "Interesting. But how do you know so much about him?" You ask. "He has his lucid moments. Plus, um...we used to...meet up..." "Ew Vaughn. You fucked a disgusting bum?" Zalmora remarks. "No! I fucked him when he was strapping miner! Sheesh Zal!" "Never mind all that, would he be able to do the job?" You ask "I think so. Probably wouldn't have to pay him much more than we do to fight, but we'd definitely have to dry him out a bit though." Vaughn says. You start making notes of various ideas as you ask more questions. "Okay, so we got one potential overseer for this project. You got any more engineer ex-lovers?" You ask. "Not that I know of boss." Vaughn remarks. "I think I got a potential suggestion." Zal says. "Oh? You been fucking engineers too?" You ask. "Even better. Been fucking dwarves. Grahk Kazek is the one that comes to mind." "Well that's nice that you're so open minded with your choice of sex partners, but is this dwarf an actual engineer? Contrary to popular belief, I don't think all of them dig big holes in mountains for a living." "This one does. Or at least he did before he retired. He makes a monthly trip from the Cloudpeake Mountains to Klyton because he REALLY likes the pastries from Stovo's Bakery. Buys up a bunch then goes back home. That's where we met actually." "Didn't know you had ongoing long distance relationship, Zal." You say. "Lots you don't know about me, but I wouldn't exactly say Grahk and I are in a relationship, we just had a bit of fun together. In fact I haven't seen him in years. I just know he still goes to that bakery since Stovo has mentioned him a few times when I go in there." "So would he be interested?" "He's a dwarf and used to construct tunnel ways in the Cloudpeake Mountains. Fairly certain if we throw enough money at him, he'll be willing to oversee the construction of what we're doing. Besides, I can be pretty persuasive." "Hmm, don't I know it." You say. The dwarf sounds good, but he sounds like he's going to be really expensive. At lot more than the bum anyway. Of course the bum might be unreliable. You say you'll think about both as you go ask other Talons if they know anybody. You don't have much luck though. Your other Talons aren't quite as "worldly" as your top lieutenants. There is one who has a lead though. "Yeah, I think I might know someone boss. This chick called Madeline. She actually attends Klyton University and she's an engineering student." Camid remarks. "A student?" You ask. "Yeah, but she's really fucking smart. Top of her class or some shit. I don't even understand what she's talking about half the time. Of course I'm just staring at her tits most of the time anyway." "How the hell do you even know her?" "Oh, she's a little rich girl that likes slumming. Likes to watch the bum fights and get high on Yellow Devil. The usual. Oh and we fuck sometimes." Of course they do. It would certainly be a strange break in the "theme" if they didn't. The drug bit concerns you though. "Wait, you say she takes Yellow Devil? How the hell is she not a near drooling idiot yet? I don't need someone melting into a pile of goo in the middle of an important project." You say. "Don't worry boss. That wouldn't happen." Camid says. "And how do you know?" "Because...um...I make sure she doesn't actually get Yellow Devil. I mean she does, but it's a VERY small amount. Almost nothing. The rest of it is cut severely with various common shit I get from the apothecary. She feels good for a little while and feels rebellious and she doesn't get really hurt." "...You like this girl don't you?" You ask causing Camid to look away a bit. "(Sigh) It didn't start out that way. First time I saw her, I thought she was so damn pretty that I just wanted a chance to fuck her before she turned into a Yellow Devil mess, so I didn't give her the real shit. But in time...well I dunno shit happened...and I'm probably an idiot..." Camid says trailing off a bit. "Probably, but fortunately your love sick idiocy has worked in your favor, so do you think she'd help?" "Oh definitely. She'd feel like she would be a real criminal working for a dangerous organization and all. She'd do it for free too, not like she needs the money." "Actually she would be a real criminal if she was helping us in this capacity. Good to know about the price. I'll keep her in mind." Well you got a big decision to make based on your underlings recommendations because unfortunately for you, you haven't been lucky enough to fuck someone with engineering skills. > You grahk Kazek It's going to be expensive, but if you want this done right, a dwarf would be the way to go with this. Plus Zalmora does tend to have the best suggestions. "Okay, let's get your dwarf." You say returning to Zalmora with your decision. "About time you listened to my advice again. You're going to have to give me a month though." Zalmora says. "Shit, did we just miss his last visit?" "Oh no, he actually should be making his visit here in a few days, but while I am the persuasive sort I'm going to need the time to do it. By then, he should be pliable enough to listen to you. Also, I should warn you in advance, the man is very professional about his work and a perfectionist so when he speaks to you on what he's going to need, he's not going to be submissive or even polite about it. He's going to be very direct and probably less than respectful. I'm warning you in advance so you don't go killing him because you think he's challenging your authority or whatever." "Wonderful. (Sigh) Look, this goes both ways. So you let him know this; I'll tolerate some of his shit behind closed doors because he's the expert, but he better not be doing it while I'm in the company of others. Otherwise I'll have to kill him to set an example and I'll draw it out too because I'll be really pissed that I'll have to hire Vaughn's drunk bum to finish the job!" "I think he'll understand that." "He better. Well let's go acquire the miners and equipment in the meantime." You say dismissing Vaughn and Zalmora. Month later… "Can't be done." Grahk says as he finishes looking at the layout you made. "Excuse me?" you respond. "Your layout is shit, your equipment and materials are subpar and I've seen the lot you've acquired as miners. A bunch of drunks, bums, and other miscreants whose good days are behind them, assuming they ever had them to begin with. You're going to have constant problems with potential tunnels collapses and that's the best case scenario." "Well isn't that why you're here? To make sure that doesn't fucking happen?" "Yeah, but I'm used to working with superior dwarf equipment and dwarves who also know what the hell they're doing. As far as I can tell I'm the only one here that's competent in this field. You humans literally don't know your asses from a hole in the ground when it comes to this shit. I'd feel safer working with goblins." "Oh well I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was going to be in the presence of the king of the little beardy shits! Excuse me your highness!" "Zal, I thought you told me this guy was reasonable." Grahk asks Zal in an unruffled voice. "He is, most of the time. Boss, will you just calm down for a moment?" Zal asks. "Calm down? What the fuck for? He just said this shit couldn't be done! And I guess that's it, considering he's the expert and all!" you yell. "You didn't let me finish my first sentence, you just interrupted and got everything off track. What I was going to say is it can't be done by what you've got here. It CAN be done if I bring in my people and equipment." "I thought you retired?" Zal asks. "Me? Nah I just stopped working for Cloudpeake government. I still have a small business on the side that keeps me busy. Can't just lounge about for days on end." "Great, so now I'm paying for more of you bearded runts and your high priced equipment. And how the hell are we supposed to sneak in hundreds of you lot into the fucking sewers? Even using the secret outside entrance is running a risk of someone noticing that there are a legion of dwarfs carrying digging equipment being seen marching towards the city. Klyton will probably think it's a fucking invasion." You say. "First of all, there are only twenty dwarves that work for me, but we might as well be a legion compared to a hundred humans. Second of all, I already had it figured out as soon as Zal told me all about your plan." Grahk says. "Well you want to enlighten the rest of us?" "Gladly." Grahk says the Klyton sewers are in terrible condition (Not surprising since they're human made). He says he knows an old acquaintance on the Klyton Council and all he has to do is approach him about doing some work on the sewers for a low price. The Council will accept because they know dwarves do good work and they'll be getting a hell of a deal. In reality, Grahk's crew aren't going to do much except do some cosmetic patchwork to make it look like they're doing more than they actually are. (Which is what a human crew would do anyway, Grahk adds) This plan of course is a cover for what is really going to go on which is creating your little Crimson Talon hideout. "Won't they check up on you?" you ask. "Who those fops on the council? Hardly. They aren't going to give a shit about a bunch of dwarves mucking about in the sewers as long as the job gets done. In fact they'll probably tell the militia to not even patrol the sewers as much because they'll know we're not going to want anyone in the way of our work and we're bringing in our own security." Grahk says. "You seem very sure of all this and it's quite likely that this attempt to trick the Council and bringing them in is going to result in them sniffing around and it will all end in disaster and our heads on the fucking chopping block." "(Sigh) I thought I was dealing with the boss of a criminal organization, not the timid rent boy in the brothel. Why the hell are you hooked up with these losers Zal?" Grahk asks Zalmora. You've had it with the insults; you unsheathe your flintlock pistol and point it at Grahk who doesn't show fear. "What, so am I supposed to be scared of you now? I've fought trolls in hand to hand combat. I'm not going to be intimidated by the likes of you drawing a pistol on me." Grahk remarks. "And I don't give a shit if you're scared or not, I'm warning YOU, one more insult. One. And you aren't leaving this room alive." You say. "You're both pretty princesses, can we stop with the pissing contest?" Zal says. Grahk looks over at Zal, looks back at you, and puts up his hands and nods. "Fine. Apologies. Shouldn't have insulted you in your own home, but it was my understanding that you're a man that takes risks. I mean you had the vision for this project and your very career choice involves risk. Besides, you're forgetting that you're not the only one taking a chance here. You don't think I won't suffer consequences if the Klyton Council finds out what I'm really doing? Trust me, I'm going to be making sure things are going very smoothly. All you really have to worry about is coming up with the coins for all this." Grahk says. "You'll get paid. Don't worry about that. Just do the job." You respond putting away the pistol. "So we have an agreement?" "Yes." And with that deal done, the work begins. > You time passes... Year 27 You have to admit, despite the close calls, the stress of changing the layout, and the several times you almost wanted to kill Grahk, he came through and this place is a lot better than you could have expected, if much smaller. This place is less of a "budding underground town" and more of an underground mini-fortress and really maybe that was a more realistic goal anyway. You have sturdy walls, rooms, and a hidden entrance within the sewer with a couple of durable security doors just in case the militia does the find the place. You also have an escape route dug out far enough that you'd be able to getaway long before they broke in. But that's just your headquarters. There is another secret area where you hold the gambling games, races and fights. Besides it being a better idea to keep the actual activities (and the plebs) away from your main base, Grahk actually said it would be better structural wise to build two separate and smaller hidden locations rather than just one big one which be a lot more costly to maintain and keep from collapsing. So that's what you did. Still, you decided to keep one business out of both of the new areas. Namely the Yellow Devil creation and distribution. You aren't having any junkies going in either to get their fixes and YD stinks something awful that it would defeat the damn purpose of leaving the sewers if you were creating it in these nice new areas. Due to all the expenses you had to pay for with the dwarves, you had to go back to the old methods of pulling heists and burglary because the drugs, gambling games and fights weren't enough. Of course that was mostly you, Zal and Vaughn doing those, because you wanted to make sure it was done right. On the plus side, it's kept you in shape and your skills sharp. It also raises your respect among the rest of the Crimson Talons since they know you're willing to get right in the thick of things and aren't just delegating. The downside is you're still not exactly rolling in coin and you don't think you've had real rest since this project began and you're always vaguely tired, but then as they say no rest for the wicked. The other side effect is you've created a minor "crime wave" throughout Klyton to the point where things are getting out of hand for the militia slightly. Besides the ongoing breaking into shops and homes, your increased production of Yellow Devil has created an epidemic of "meltbrains" as they are called. Didn't help that you got the idea from Camid to start cutting the drug to make it less lethal, while still keeping most of it's "positive" effects for the user. Still causes a lot of irreversible long-term damage that most aren't coming back from, which now probably makes it even worse. Junkies are living long enough to cause real problems hence the crime wave. You've been extremely fortunate that the authorities have mostly been turning the city upside down and making mass arrests to every petty criminal they can get their hands on, but so far they haven't done much with the sewers. There were a few close calls with some minor patrols, but Grahk's crew has been pretty good in keeping their real activities (and you) secret. Grahk's Council buddy must have an incredible amount of trust in him or maybe he's just corrupt. You have no idea, you've never met him. Still, Klyton's uncharacteristic lackadaisical alertness on this matter is going to be coming to an end. Grahk is done with the task and will be leaving soon, which means Klyton will probably be stepping up their patrols down here. Not even the rumors of a killer reptile man is going to scare them away. (You question if this Scales is even down here, surely you would have run afoul of him, with all this work the dwarves have been doing) But the only concern you have right at this moment is the information you've just heard. "What?! You're leaving?!" you exclaim. "Figured I should let you know. Despite our differences at times, I respect you enough to not just disappear." Zalmora says. "Hold on you're going to have to re-explain this again. This is just out of nowhere." You say and take a seat. "It really isn't. Grahk and I have been seeing each other for quite some time since he got here for this project." "Yes, I've seen you two speaking with one another every so often. Sometimes it looked a little more than that, but I didn't take you for the running off and getting married sort!" "What can I say? Grahk made a very good offer." "Given what comes out of his mouth half the time, he doesn't even like humans." "Well he likes me and I'm very fond of him. Also, I've realized that this life…well it isn't the one I want any more." Zal says waving her arms in the air and making motions about her surroundings. "So…what? You're going to go pop out a bunch of bearded babies and be a nice little housewife in some dark underground cavern?" "I'm already practically living in an underground cavern now! And dwarves and humans can't reproduce with each other…well as far as I know. Besides, he's already got a couple of children from his deceased wife, so that isn't going to be an issue anyway." "But what are you going to DO with yourself? I mean I'm guessing you're going to go back to the Cloudpeake Mountains. Dwarves aren't known for being all that accepting of outsiders at the best of times. You're not likely to have any friends." "Yeah, well it isn't like I really have any here either." You're a little taken aback. "Wha…? What? What about me and Vaughn? What about all the Talons that respect your abilities?" you say. "Those are subordinates, not my friends. You're my boss, not my friend. And as for Vaughn…well okay, you're right about him, but he's hardly enough to keep me around here waiting for the inevitable." Zalmora responds. "And what's that exactly?" "This whole place is going to raided and all of you are either going to get pinched or killed. Best case scenario, you escape with nothing." "That's some severe lack of confidence in your soon to be dwarf husband's abilities. Besides, you were originally enthusiastic about this whole project and the potential." "I know I was at first, but the original goal has changed now hasn't it? Look, maybe everything won't be all doom and gloom and maybe everything does go smoothly, but the fact that I realize is that I'm getting old and I'm enjoying this type of life less and less. I soon learned that on the last heist we did and I nearly got my head blown off by the militia." "You're hardly old Zal, I mean you're acting like you're ready for the grave." "If I keep on this way, I soon will be. Look, I've been giving this a lot of thought for quite some time." "So again, I ask what are you going to do with your time? I mean I really can't envision you as some housewife. You're going to get bored and dissatisfied." "And how do YOU know that? Maybe I'll find it a great relief not worrying about which shop to rob or whether or not if I'm going to get arrested or killed. And who says I'm not going to find something to do while I'm up there? Grahk owns his own business you know. I'm sure I can help with that in some way." A moment of silence comes over you and you cease looking at Zalmora. You can't believe you might be losing your best "employee." It would appear you took it for granted that she'd always be around. Though you did always consider the possibility that she might die in the service of the Crimson Talons just like anyone, but something about this is much different and you don't like this form of parting of the ways. At least not without trying to do something about it. "What would it take for you to stay?" you ask. "Nothing. I told you, I've made up my mind about this." Zal says. "Bullshit. You wouldn't have told me at all, if you didn't want me to make the attempt to at least come up with an offer." "…I…I don't know where you got that idea from, but I already told you that I came to you about this because I respected you enough to not sneak off in the middle of the night." Zalmora sputters. "And I'm not buying it. I don't buy that you're ready to settle down and live a boring ordinary life. I mean I've SEEN you get the thrill even during that last heist where you almost got your head blown off. I mean maybe the safe life does have its advantages, and if you were marrying a Delantium prince who was going to shower you with jewels and a royal palace I'd say congrats and just let you go without a fight. Hell, if you said that you LOVED this dwarf I wouldn't stand in the way, but you didn't say that. You just claimed fondness. You're not moving up, you're just trading one life of compromise for another." "You seem to be very interested in my well being…are you actually jealous? Is this some crush you've been harboring because if it is, I'm going to tell you right now that…" "No! It's nothing like that. While you don't consider me your friend, I consider you mine, because quite frankly I don't have any either and it's hard enough to have someone trustworthy and reliable in this business as it is. You were the one who gave me all the most important advice that resulted in rebuilding the Crimson Talons to be a viable organization again. And yeah, maybe I didn't listen to all of it, but I do acknowledge that I wouldn't have gotten this far without you and I can't see me getting too much further without you by my side either. I need you." Now Zalmora is speechless and looks away. You stare at her, but she makes sure to not look in your direction. You know she must be trying to hide obvious signs of being upset. "Are you alright?" you ask. "I…I…yes…I'm fine." Zal says and then turns around and quickly wipes one of her eyes. Zalmora composes herself a bit and then speaks. "Very well. I do have one request if I'm going to consider staying. We have to stop selling Yellow Devil." Zal says. "What? But that's what kept us afloat! If we hadn't been selling it, we wouldn't have been able to afford the new headquarters!" you reply. "Yes, and now that project is over with. We can get by without dealing it. Yellow Devil is going to cause us nothing but trouble in the future. I'm already seeing that, don't you?" "Well I'll admit, its got its share of problems, but it's the biggest money maker and a lot of the Talons aren't going to be happy about no longer selling it. Specifically Camid." "Look, this isn't a negotiation. This is my stipulation. I'll leave you to deal with the repercussions as you see fit. Grahk is leaving in a week. You've got three days to tell me your decision, because if you value my friendship as much as you claim and you do decide to stop selling, then I'm going to need the rest of the week to deal with Grahk before he leaves, because I'll be breaking not just his heart but an agreement and you know how serious dwarves are about those." > You stop selling Yellow Devil This might not be the best of business decisions, but if this is what it's going to take then so be it. There will always be other opportunities, but reliable folks you can count on, not so much. "Alright, fine. You don't need to wait three days. I'll take care of it now." You say. "Are you sure? Because don't just make a rash decision in some misguided effort to play white knight. This is your organization, run it how you see fit, I don't need saving." "(Sigh) I'm not playing white knight. If anything I'm playing black guard by stealing the princess away from her husband to be if we're going to use that comparison. You said to stop selling Yellow Devil is what will keep you around, well I'm willing to make the sacrifice because that's just how much I value your presence here." "So…I'm a princess eh?" Zal says with a smirk. "Yes, so go break the squat prince's heart already so we can get back to business." "Hey, that's still not going to be easy. I do have feelings for Grahk and he feels strongly for me!" "Yeah, but you don't love him. You still haven't said that you did and I wouldn't believe it at this point anyway, because if you did you wouldn't be willing to drop him like this. You were seeking an easy way out of this life, but this wasn't the way and you would have regretted it." "Yeah, well…I guess we'll never know now. (Sigh) You're right though, I didn't really love him I suppose. Still going to be difficult." "Pfft. You want difficult, I'm going to have to convince everyone to be happy that we're out of the drug trade now and taking a loss." "We all have our burdens to bear. Good luck with yours." Zalmora says and starts to leave, but then walks back over to hug you. You weren't expecting it, but you return the hug. "Thank you for your words." Zal says. "Okay, okay, I think we've done enough bonding and getting our feelings out for today." You say not wishing to get too emotional. Zal kisses you on the cheek and leaves. Now you have to just go find Vaughn and discuss what changes are to come and who is going to be the most troublesome over it. Camid is the obvious one, but probably his closest "circle" as well. Later… "But we've got this impenetrable hidden headquarters now! Let the militia fumble around here in the sewers looking for us! Even if they do, they aren't going to get in without severe losses!" Camid exclaims. "And they can take a lot more losses than we can too and if they do get determined enough they WILL get in here. Things are too hot up top right now and we need for them to cool down a bit. Hence why we need to stop selling Yellow Devil. It's causing too many problems. We still got the rest, and we can possibly look into other opportunities or…" "This is fucking bullshit!" Camid exclaims which is echoed by a few others. "This isn't up for debate." You say. "But we are making coin hand over fist! If anything we should be abandoning everything else and just focusing on selling Yellow Devil! In fact I got an idea for a new drug! It's…" "I don't want to hear it! I made my decision and it's fucking final! What don't you understand?" "I don't understand why we're being stupid about this! Wasn't the whole point of building this headquarters was to help usher in some new era of the Crimson Talons? Seems like you had us waste a shitload of coin that could have been better spent doing other things." "Like what for example? You got any ideas Camid? What would have you liked to do instead? You want to run this organization?" Camid doesn't say it out loud, but he mutters something. "What? What was that?!" you shout. "I said no." Camid says. "That's what I thought…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "Because I wouldn't want to make Zalmora cry when I it took from her." Camid says which causes laughter by his fellows. You're silent for a moment as Camid stares at you defiantly. He's doubled down on challenging you and already he's pulling out his sword. You could just shoot him or even tell your loyal Talons to kill him since a lot of them are close enough, but you know that isn't going to solve the problem, if anything it's going to make it worse. You're going to have to beat him in a fair fight. You draw your own weapon and face Camid in combat. It isn't much of a contest though. While Camid has some above average fighting skills, he hasn't been keeping them sharp like you've been doing. That sort of happens when you have to fight off private night security and dodge militia bullets and arrows on a regular basis. It takes all of two minutes before you've given Camid a cut on his face, severed part of his sword hand and got your boot on his chest. "Stop! I yield! I surrender! I surrender! You're the boss!" Camid shouts holding up his good arm begging you for mercy. "Damn right." You reply. Then you pull out your flintlock and shoot him in the head. "Take every fool that was laughing at this asshole's joke about Zal really running things around here and kill them. Think of this as a pay increase for the rest of you." You say. Your loyalists don't need anymore prodding than that and waste no time in grabbing Camid's cohorts and dragging them off. You turn to Vaughn and tell him to go oversee the rest of this mess and make sure your orders are carried out and how you want all the Yellow Devil labs destroyed and if any junkies come sniffing around kill them too. Five days later… Zalmora steps into your office. "Ah, you're here. Wasn't expecting you back until tomorrow." You say. "I had to make sure Grahk left with no hard feelings. It would have been very easy for him to cause trouble for us, but…well you know me." Zalmora replies. "Yes, you're very convincing. Guess he really took it hard huh?" "You don't even know. Actually I was a little surprised myself, but I think in a way it helped him confirm that humans are the scum of the world though. Makes him a little less contradictory." "Always nice to have your world views reinforced." "Don't think he's ever coming back here though. Not even for Stovo's pastries." "Yeah, well I'm sure there are other Halfling bakers to buy from. It's big world out there." "Speaking of buying and selling. How did Camid take it about the Yellow Devil distribution?" "He took it in the head and the rest of the ones that agreed with him are also no longer with us. It's done." "Hm. I see. Well, I guess everything is settled." "For now at least. Glad to have you back Zal." "I'm glad to be back too." The pair of you smile at each other and get back to Crimson Talon business. With the new changes and Zalmora still at your side, you're fairly confident that the future will at least be productive. > You time passes... Chapter 3A2: Better Red than Dead Year 30 "We should expand." You say. "Can we do that?" Vaughn remarks. "It's probably not a bad idea. Now that shit here has calmed down to a manageable level in Klyton, we could probably spare a few people to open a new Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere. The problem is we don't have many viable choices." Zalmora says. "What're you talking about, there's Hessla, Holgard, the entire fucking Delantium Kingdom for starters." You say. "The Delantium Kingdom is Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, have you forgotten?" "No, but the kingdom is a big fucking place. Surely they can't control all of the damn underworld there." "Probably not, but I doubt if potentially stepping on their toes is a great idea for us. Same situation in Holgard. They got a chapter there as well." "Hasn't that place undergone a couple of rebellions?" Vaughn asks. "Yeah, but as far as I know the Ebony Claw still has a presence." Zalmora says. "Alright, alright, I get it. We're not big enough to fuck with the ECS. (Sigh) I know our limitations unfortunately. Okay, so what about Hessla? The Claw doesn't have a presence there." You ask. "Sure, but the Headsmen control that place for Governor Tolen. I'm not sure if you know much about Hessla other than the typical misconceptions. But the place is just as orderly as Klyton. In some aspects maybe even more so. Yeah, it's a haven for pirates and such, but as a general rule the major crimes take place outside the town. The Headsmen catch you stealing there for example and they chop off both your hands at best." Zalmora says. "Well there's always risk. I mean we risk the militia here." "True, but Hessla also has the same problem Klyton does, namely everything is legal except again even more so. I'm not exactly sure what we could do there, in the scheme of things given that most of our profit comes from illegal gambling and stealing shit." "We could go back to selling Yellow Devil. I mean we wouldn't be selling it here. Just in Hessla." Vaughn remarks. Zal just stares at Vaughn with mild disapproval. "What? I'm just contributing here!" Vaughn. "I'm still not convinced that the drug trade is the way to go, but I'll admit it isn't the worst idea. It wouldn't be shitting where we eat at least. However, Governor Tolen would probably take a cut of anything we make just for operating there." Zal says. "Sounds like if this Tolen asshole wasn't around we'd be able actually do something in that town." You say. "Why don't we just kill him like we had Jake killed? I mean that guy you hired seemed pretty damn effective." Vaughn suddenly says which causes a bit of surprise from you and Zal. Vaughn doesn't often contribute this many serious ideas in these sessions, let alone the really aggressive ones. You can only imagine the Crimson Talon success (and relative safer location) has encouraged him a little bit assertive. "Not only would I have to deal with that creepy fuck, Mr. Reynolds again, I'm sure he'd want me to pay out the ass or some other price that will have a catch." You say. "Well, if we are going to expand in Hessla, getting rid of Tolen would solve some major issues. Hessla is sort of a delicate system. Cut off the head and it's going to descend into anarchy…at least for a while. I assume his second in command, but I dunno who that might be. Wouldn't be too hard to find out with some investigation. Tell you what. Before we do anything, why don't I go to Hessla and check out what the situation is like there first?" Zal says. "Couldn't hurt I suppose. You gonna be okay going there by yourself?" "I'll be fine. Better if I just go alone. I know how to blend in better and it's been a long time since I was in Hessla. Wouldn't mind updating my knowledge first hand anyway. Might take me about a month to gather what I need to know." "Okay, but just remember you're not there to sight see." The three of you agree to this plan and while Zal goes off on her mission, you and Vaughn return to your usual tasks. A little more than a month passes and just as you start to get a little concerned Zal returns. You actually give her a hug when you see her. "You thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?" she asks. "No, I'm glad to see you is all! Can't one friend hug another? Look, so what did you learn?" you reply. "More than I expected to." Zal goes into the situation at Hessla which as she predicted was indeed a delicate one. Governor Tolen does rule the town with an iron fist, but it's barely a secret that his second in command Captain Illam would actually be worse. It's just a good thing for the town that he's at sea most of the time and isn't in charge. The third person down the chain is a little more hopeful. Zal said she actually managed to speak with a Captain Yan who apparently was wooed by Zal's charms when she tried to recruit her as part of her crew. After spending a few interesting nights with her, Captain Yan blabbed just about everything. Yan made it pretty clear that she would like Tolen out of the picture entirely and his shake down of anyone that comes through or docks there. She says that he's basically getting rich just sitting on his ass, while all the hard working sailors are paying him for safe harbor. Captain Yan said if she could she'd make Hessla freer than it claims to be, but she doesn't have the support to attempt a coup of any sort, plus she wouldn't really want to be in charge of a town. Her love of the sea is too great to be stuck in some town. Zal didn't bring it up that she belonged to the Crimson Talons, but she got the very real distinction that if the Talons came in to help Yan, she'd go through with her plan. Yan certainly has the inside knowledge of the Governor's mansion and such. Plus Yan now seems to have a bit of a crush on Zal. "What the hell is it with you?" Vaughn asks. "Hey, I just know how to lay it down like that." Zal remarks. "Well this is all certainly useful information. If what you're saying is true. We could get rid of this Tolen AND possibly have free reign of the town if this Yan isn't actually going to stick around to govern. What about this Illam guy though?" you ask. "Don't know. I mean I assume we kill him too. Yan's not an admirer of him either." "That's a lot of fucking people to kill. I mean this isn't a simple assassination. We're talking a full-scale assault and we can't expect to not take losses ourselves." "Well nobody said it was going to be easy." "No…but I think we're going to need help after all." You say with a heavy sigh. "Wait, so you're going to go to Mr. Reynolds?" "Hey, I don't necessarily want to, but if I think it would help to have a highly skilled bloodthirsty assassin on our side, I'm not going to just dismiss the possibility." "Well, it's up to you boss man." You figure at the very least you can pay him a visit. If you don't like what he says, you can always leave. You'd rather have the extra help if possible. Zal and Vaughn defer to your decision and the next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office. As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf. You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now. Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk. "Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says. "I might need some people killed." You say. "Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?" "Let's just say, I think we might need some help on this one." "Hm, Sounds serious, you planning on taking out the Klyton Council?" he chortles. "No, just the Governor of Hessla…well and his second in command." As you go into a little more you manage to get a genuine look of interest on Mr. Reynolds face. "Ambitious. Though I'm not sure I can help. You see I mostly deal in matters concerning Klyton. Although…well I'm not sure you'd be interested in that…" You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games... "Just fucking spit it..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing. "Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I am willing to pay your costs if they appear to be reasonable." You say. Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles. "I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid due to this being an outside job as it were, the cost is going to be quite high. Not just because of that however, but also because my son Henry takes things a bit more personal than I do. Though I'm sure I can convince him for the right price." Mr. Reynolds says. "Okay, but what is the price? How much?" you ask. "Oh no, there won't be any money for this…well okay one thousand gold coins should do it on that front." "A thousand? Is that all?" "No. Of course not. You have to leave Klyton." "Me?" "Well you and all your little Talon buddies. Basically I want YOU out of this city and set up shop in Hessla which should be wide open after I help you." "This is ridiculous! My goal is expansion not relocation! Why the hell should I move and why do you want me to anyway?" "My reasons are my own, but that's my price. Besides, I'm also going to throw in that fine gentleman over there to help." Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature. "And who is that?" You ask. "Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims. "The late Olaf?" "Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him." You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually) Mr. Reynolds goes on to assure you that he has more than enough skill to help do the job you require especially since the ogre is unlike his father and has embraced technology. He particularly has a great love of weapons that do damage on a massive scale. "Really, with both Henry AND Junior working with you, you probably won't suffer any losses at all. Just think, you'll have an entire town at your mercy. Really, what are you losing by leaving Klyton? Despite all your precautions, you still live hiding in the shadows and eking out a lesser existence than you could be. The milita and the Council will always be a problem for you, but at Hessla? YOU could be the law. You're a natural leader obviously. In the right environment you could truly thrive to your full potential." Flattering words to get you to do what he wants no doubt, but he isn't entirely wrong. > You take the help "Alright fine, but this is a big thing. We're replacing an entire regime. Your people better be all in on wiping out every fucker that stands against us." You say. "Oh of that you can be assured." Mr. Reynolds remarks. "Good, because if I think they're doing anything less than that, I'm going to be less inclined to just pick up and leave here. Also, I need to run this by one of my people so she can go inform the other people that are against Tolen. It would at least help if we had a little coordination in this endeavor." "Sure, sure. Just return with the payment and let me know when you're ready. Don't take too long though; I do need these fine gentlemen for other jobs. Look forward to working with you again." You can't say you feel the same, but you feel a little more confident in your chances with Mr. Reynolds' psycho son and his pet ogre half-breed. Now you just have to run this over with Zalmora and try to coordinate. "We're leaving Klyton?!" Zalmora exclaims. "Gee boss that seems a bit extreme." Vaughn adds. "Yeah well that's the decision. We're going all in on this because if we pull it off, we've got an entire town to play around with rather than what we got here. Building an underground complex was a good attempt, but I realize now that in order to be a proper force in this world, we need to be unrestrained. Anyway, this isn't up for debate and we're doing this in a week so Zal, you need to get going back to Hessla and tell all your little pirate friends to get prepared." You explain. "A week? We might need longer than that to properly plan!" "Well you've got seven days. Should be more than enough time and whether they're ready or not, we're hitting Hessla and hitting it hard. If they aren't going to be with us, they can stay the fuck out of the way." Zal and Vaughn are both a bit flabbergasted at your rather extreme approach to all this. You know Zal wants to argue and Vaughn probably even wants to say something, but they can both see how you're not going to budge on this so they just comply. "Okay, fine. Whether I convince them or not I'll meet you a few miles away from Hessla near the copse of trees off the side of the road. You'll know it when you see it. And I also just want to say I still think this is a bad idea." Zal says before leaving. Well you knew she'd get in the last word. You have Vaughn use up some of the treasury to acquire some more gunpowder weapons (and traditional ones as well), meanwhile you take your payment to Mr. Reynolds who tells you that his people will meet you at Hessla as they prefer to travel by themselves. "Don't worry, they'll be ready by the time you arrive at Hessla." Mr. Reynolds says. You return to your headquarters and inform Vaughn to gather everyone tonight because you're making your way to Hessla tomorrow. Later that night when you have all the Talons in your presence, you give a last minute speech about how this is a positive move and it will only be beneficial for the organization in the long run. While most members had already been informed about this new development the same day you accepted Mr. Reynolds' help, most of them are still processing it and naturally some are still unsure of the whole leaving Klyton thing. "Do you mean we really can't return here ever? Like not even to visit?" someone asks. "Well, we aren't going to be able to take everything from here in one day and it wouldn't make sense to anyway given that we're going into a full scale battle. So what we're probably going to do when we've settled everything in Hessla, is come back over the course of maybe a week and move all our remaining shit out of here through the escape tunnel. That's it though." You explain. "But, I mean me mum lives here and she needs me to take care of her." Someone else says. "Yeah, and I got a wife and kid!" shouts another. "I don't like Hessla, I've been to there once and all their whores got that weird sea smell. Feels like I'm fucking a mermaid or some shit." replies another. "This seems like a bad idea boss, I mean I don't want to step out of line, but…" "ENOUGH! This is what the fucking plan is and it's not up for fucking debate! You got tonight to settle your shit, make arrangements and take whatever you need because tomorrow we're leaving. If you don't fucking like it, then you can get the fuck out right now! We can get along without you AND if I see any of you deserters in Hessla in the future, you're fucking dead!" you shout. There isn't too much more grumbling or debating after that. As for you, you don't have much to take. About the only thing you wish you could take is all this shit that you had built. Seems like it was all a damn waste of money now, but what's done it done. After packing what you need, you get some rest because it's going to be the start of an eventful week tomorrow. The next day, you take a head count of who is around and see that some of them decided to abandon you which isn't surprising considering you really expected some of them would. You just hope Zal comes through with her pirate friends and Reynolds' psychos for hire are at the top of their game. You all start to exit through the escape tunnel fully armed and prepared. You almost feel like a military general leading an army. You just wish you inspired more loyalty and not just because some of your members deserted you, but because as soon as you exit the escape tunnel there's a contingent of Klyton militia waiting for you. Looks like one of the deserters wasn't taking any chances on you possibly having him killed so he snitched on you. Musket fire rings out and you and several of your people are shot. You take a hit to the upper part of your leg and you fall the ground shouting in agony. Not far from your body is Vaughn who was lucky enough to get killed immediately with a shot to his head. The Crimson Talons who weren't killed or otherwise incapacitated desperately attempt to escape either through the wilderness or back through the tunnel. Hardly matters though since the militia is in full force and everywhere. You're not getting taken in alive though. Even if they bother to heal your leg, you know you're going to just get thrown in one of those hanging cages outside of Klyton at best. At worst they're just going to publicly execute you anyway. You manage to get off a couple shots with your flintlocks, and even manage to stab one the militiamen in the leg from your prone position, but eventually you catch another musket ball in the chest and soon one of the militia finishes you off with a spear to your throat.

Chapter 3A2: Better Red than Dead Year 30 "We should expand." You say. "Can we do that?" Vaughn remarks. "It's probably not a bad idea. Now that shit here has calmed down to a manageable level in Klyton, we could probably spare a few people to open a new Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere. The problem is we don't have many viable choices." Zalmora says. "What're you talking about, there's Hessla, Holgard, the entire fucking Delantium Kingdom for starters." You say. "The Delantium Kingdom is Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, have you forgotten?" "No, but the kingdom is a big fucking place. Surely they can't control all of the damn underworld there." "Probably not, but I doubt if potentially stepping on their toes is a great idea for us. Same situation in Holgard. They got a chapter there as well." "Hasn't that place undergone a couple of rebellions?" Vaughn asks. "Yeah, but as far as I know the Ebony Claw still has a presence." Zalmora says. "Alright, alright, I get it. We're not big enough to fuck with the ECS. (Sigh) I know our limitations unfortunately. Okay, so what about Hessla? The Claw doesn't have a presence there." You ask. "Sure, but the Headsmen control that place for Governor Tolen. I'm not sure if you know much about Hessla other than the typical misconceptions. But the place is just as orderly as Klyton. In some aspects maybe even more so. Yeah, it's a haven for pirates and such, but as a general rule the major crimes take place outside the town. The Headsmen catch you stealing there for example and they chop off both your hands at best." Zalmora says. "Well there's always risk. I mean we risk the militia here." "True, but Hessla also has the same problem Klyton does, namely everything is legal except again even more so. I'm not exactly sure what we could do there, in the scheme of things given that most of our profit comes from illegal gambling and stealing shit." "We could go back to selling Yellow Devil. I mean we wouldn't be selling it here. Just in Hessla." Vaughn remarks. Zal just stares at Vaughn with mild disapproval. "What? I'm just contributing here!" Vaughn. "I'm still not convinced that the drug trade is the way to go, but I'll admit it isn't the worst idea. It wouldn't be shitting where we eat at least. However, Governor Tolen would probably take a cut of anything we make just for operating there." Zal says. "Sounds like if this Tolen asshole wasn't around we'd be able actually do something in that town." You say. "Why don't we just kill him like we had Jake killed? I mean that guy you hired seemed pretty damn effective." Vaughn suddenly says which causes a bit of surprise from you and Zal. Vaughn doesn't often contribute this many serious ideas in these sessions, let alone the really aggressive ones. You can only imagine the Crimson Talon success (and relative safer location) has encouraged him a little bit assertive. "Not only would I have to deal with that creepy fuck, Mr. Reynolds again, I'm sure he'd want me to pay out the ass or some other price that will have a catch." You say. "Well, if we are going to expand in Hessla, getting rid of Tolen would solve some major issues. Hessla is sort of a delicate system. Cut off the head and it's going to descend into anarchy…at least for a while. I assume his second in command, but I dunno who that might be. Wouldn't be too hard to find out with some investigation. Tell you what. Before we do anything, why don't I go to Hessla and check out what the situation is like there first?" Zal says. "Couldn't hurt I suppose. You gonna be okay going there by yourself?" "I'll be fine. Better if I just go alone. I know how to blend in better and it's been a long time since I was in Hessla. Wouldn't mind updating my knowledge first hand anyway. Might take me about a month to gather what I need to know." "Okay, but just remember you're not there to sight see." The three of you agree to this plan and while Zal goes off on her mission, you and Vaughn return to your usual tasks. A little more than a month passes and just as you start to get a little concerned Zal returns. You actually give her a hug when you see her. "You thought I wasn't coming back, didn't you?" she asks. "No, I'm glad to see you is all! Can't one friend hug another? Look, so what did you learn?" you reply. "More than I expected to." Zal goes into the situation at Hessla which as she predicted was indeed a delicate one. Governor Tolen does rule the town with an iron fist, but it's barely a secret that his second in command Captain Illam would actually be worse. It's just a good thing for the town that he's at sea most of the time and isn't in charge. The third person down the chain is a little more hopeful. Zal said she actually managed to speak with a Captain Yan who apparently was wooed by Zal's charms when she tried to recruit her as part of her crew. After spending a few interesting nights with her, Captain Yan blabbed just about everything. Yan made it pretty clear that she would like Tolen out of the picture entirely and his shake down of anyone that comes through or docks there. She says that he's basically getting rich just sitting on his ass, while all the hard working sailors are paying him for safe harbor. Captain Yan said if she could she'd make Hessla freer than it claims to be, but she doesn't have the support to attempt a coup of any sort, plus she wouldn't really want to be in charge of a town. Her love of the sea is too great to be stuck in some town. Zal didn't bring it up that she belonged to the Crimson Talons, but she got the very real distinction that if the Talons came in to help Yan, she'd go through with her plan. Yan certainly has the inside knowledge of the Governor's mansion and such. Plus Yan now seems to have a bit of a crush on Zal. "What the hell is it with you?" Vaughn asks. "Hey, I just know how to lay it down like that." Zal remarks. "Well this is all certainly useful information. If what you're saying is true. We could get rid of this Tolen AND possibly have free reign of the town if this Yan isn't actually going to stick around to govern. What about this Illam guy though?" you ask. "Don't know. I mean I assume we kill him too. Yan's not an admirer of him either." "That's a lot of fucking people to kill. I mean this isn't a simple assassination. We're talking a full-scale assault and we can't expect to not take losses ourselves." "Well nobody said it was going to be easy." "No…but I think we're going to need help after all." You say with a heavy sigh. "Wait, so you're going to go to Mr. Reynolds?" "Hey, I don't necessarily want to, but if I think it would help to have a highly skilled bloodthirsty assassin on our side, I'm not going to just dismiss the possibility." "Well, it's up to you boss man." You figure at the very least you can pay him a visit. If you don't like what he says, you can always leave. You'd rather have the extra help if possible. Zal and Vaughn defer to your decision and the next day you walk into Mr. Reynolds' office. As soon as you walk in, you see a strange ogrish looking creature, but much shorter than one. In fact if it wasn't for the oversized teeth and general monstrous appearance, you might mistake it for a very muscular dwarf. You also see Henry, or at least you assume it's Henry. He hasn't changed much since the last time you saw him, though he's sporting a few scars across his face now. Finally you see Mr. Reynolds and he certainly hasn't changed. Once again he stands up smiling at his desk. "Well what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit from the head of the infamous Crimson Talons this fine day?" Mr. Reynolds says. "I might need some people killed." You say. "Hm, straight to business I see. Okay then, I assume there is some reason why you aren't having your own people taking care of this?" "Let's just say, I think we might need some help on this one." "Hm, Sounds serious, you planning on taking out the Klyton Council?" he chortles. "No, just the Governor of Hessla…well and his second in command." As you go into a little more you manage to get a genuine look of interest on Mr. Reynolds face. "Ambitious. Though I'm not sure I can help. You see I mostly deal in matters concerning Klyton. Although…well I'm not sure you'd be interested in that…" You haven't been here five minutes, and he's already playing mind games... "Just fucking spit it..." You start to shout, but then you stop and then calm yourself before continuing. "Mr. Reynolds, with all due respect, I have come here asking for assistance on this matter as I once did in the past. Your son did a marvelous job last time even if... I didn't quite appreciate its thoroughness last time. I am willing to pay your costs if they appear to be reasonable." You say. Mr. Reynolds listens intently and smiles. "I'm glad to see that wisdom has come with your age. That's good. Last time our business together was less than cordial. That's okay though, I still got paid. As I said, I would love to help you again in this matter, but I'm afraid due to this being an outside job as it were, the cost is going to be quite high. Not just because of that however, but also because my son Henry takes things a bit more personal than I do. Though I'm sure I can convince him for the right price." Mr. Reynolds says. "Okay, but what is the price? How much?" you ask. "Oh no, there won't be any money for this…well okay one thousand gold coins should do it on that front." "A thousand? Is that all?" "No. Of course not. You have to leave Klyton." "Me?" "Well you and all your little Talon buddies. Basically I want YOU out of this city and set up shop in Hessla which should be wide open after I help you." "This is ridiculous! My goal is expansion not relocation! Why the hell should I move and why do you want me to anyway?" "My reasons are my own, but that's my price. Besides, I'm also going to throw in that fine gentleman over there to help." Mr. Reynolds points over to the ogre looking creature. "And who is that?" You ask. "Who is that? Don't you see the family resemblance? This fine gentleman is the late great Olaf's son!" Mr. Reynolds exclaims. "The late Olaf?" "Yes, it was a sad day when Olaf passed a few years ago. Died right here in the office in his sleep in fact. He will be missed. But anyway his son Olaf Jr. has been following in his father's large footsteps and I don't mind saying he's been doing a fine job for me and his own mother is very proud of him." You remember that Mr. Reynolds once said Olaf was married to a halfling. You can't imagine how that birth was even possible let alone how she survived the process. It does however explain Junior's strange appearance by ogre standards. (Or any standards actually) Mr. Reynolds goes on to assure you that he has more than enough skill to help do the job you require especially since the ogre is unlike his father and has embraced technology. He particularly has a great love of weapons that do damage on a massive scale. "Really, with both Henry AND Junior working with you, you probably won't suffer any losses at all. Just think, you'll have an entire town at your mercy. Really, what are you losing by leaving Klyton? Despite all your precautions, you still live hiding in the shadows and eking out a lesser existence than you could be. The milita and the Council will always be a problem for you, but at Hessla? YOU could be the law. You're a natural leader obviously. In the right environment you could truly thrive to your full potential." Flattering words to get you to do what he wants no doubt, but he isn't entirely wrong. > You go it alone Whatever Reynolds reasons are you aren't going to just abandon everything you built here. "Yeah, I don't think so. We'll get by." You say. "As you say. Good luck on your little endeavors." Mr. Reynolds replies with a little nod before going back to his work. You return to Zal and Vaughn and tell them you'll be doing this on your own. Zal seems to be a lot more pleased with this idea. Zal tells you it would be best if you all met with Captain Yan so you can coordinate this coup. In the meantime, she says she'll return to see Yan and hammer out when to meet so Yan doesn't just suddenly go sailing off to sea. Another couple weeks pass before you hear from Zal again and now she's telling a new tune… "What the fuck do you mean it's off?!" you exclaim. "I'm sorry, but there have been some changes and Yan isn't sure if…" Zal starts to say. "Oh fuck this is just perfect. This bitch gets cold feet and it's our dicks just swinging in the freezing air. What the hell kind of pirate is she anyway? Shouldn't she be jumping at the chance to slaughter her enemies?" You say. "We waited too long." Vaughn says. "To hell with it, we can do this ourselves. Me, you, and you. We're going to sneak into the Governor's mansion or whatever the fuck he lives in and we'll assassinate him." You say and start getting ready by putting various objects into a pack. "Wait! I really don't think that's a good idea! The Governor has protection up the ass! We need Yan's support if we're going to do anything! Seriously I can fix this!" Zalmora says trying to calm you. "How Zal? What are you going to do? More of your persuasive talking skills? Lick this Yan bitch into submission? Fuck this, we need to act. I'm not going to be limited to just THIS little shitty piece of Klyton because some are too fucking afraid to grab their destiny!" "Will you listen to yourself? What's all this about destiny? Did Reynolds get into your head or something? Going in half cocked is not the way and you KNOW this! Listen. I can fix this. I'm confident that I can get Yan to see it my way again. She's just so used to the status quo she's afraid to take that next step even if she wants to. She just needs a little push. Remember, sort of like the one I gave you years ago? That turned out alright it would seem." You stare at Zal in silence for a moment and then stop hastily putting shit into a pack. You inhale and exhale to gain your composure. "Okay. I'm calm. Very well Zal, you usually know best. I'll give you another chance to convince this wishy washy bitch, but if you don't succeed, we're going through with my plan." You say. "I understand, but just don't do anything until I come back with news. At the very least I can try to find a better way to assassinate Governor Tolen than just storming in his home and hoping we don't get killed in the process." You nod and dismiss Zal, confident that she'll come through for you. A couple weeks pass and there isn't any word. Vaughn begins to wonder if she didn't get killed, like maybe Yan double-crossed her or something. You think though if something like that happened you would have gotten a warning of some sort. Like Zal's head sent to you as a threat to not enter Hessla again. You decide to give it a little more time and if she doesn't return soon, then you'll go to Hessla yourself. Turns out the trip won't be necessary and you're hit with another unexpected bit of news. This time via messenger who approached Vaughn when he was going about business topside. "I dunno, the guy said it was from Zal. She told him to find me and give me the letter. Not sure how he knew where to find me though." Vaughn says giving you a scroll. "Probably because Zal knows you've been taking your rent boys to the same location to fuck them for years and told him exactly where you'd be. Plus she knows better than to give away the location to our headquarters to some stranger and knows I barely ever leave this place. (Sigh) Well let's see what this says…why do I feel it isn't going to be good news?" you say opening the scroll. Your thoughts aren't wrong, but you never expected…this… First off, I just want you and Vaughn to know that I'm okay. I'm better than okay actually. The pair of you have both been good friends in this unglamorous life we've chosen. I know we've had our differences in the past, but ultimately we've always been there for each other. I suppose that's why I stayed with the Talons as long as I did. I didn't have much, but I knew I at least had you guys. And this is what makes this all the harder. I have to leave. I'm going to leave with Yan. She's been in a similar situation here in Hessla, though in her case Governor Tolen is an outright asshole so it's an easy decision for her to just hoist the sails and leave Hessla and never return. We've found a lot in common with one another and we enjoy each other's company. I mean I dunno if this is love or what, but I feel I need to at least take this chance. I need to move on with my life. If I don't, I'll get talked out of it again like I did with Grahk, though I still think you were right in that case. But this is different. I can't explain it, and I don't think you'd understand really. Right now I'm sure you're already pissed. You're probably already planning to come in full force to Hessla and raise fucking hell. Please don't though, I'm already gone. Just take care of yourselves okay? And if you ever see an opportunity that can take you to a better life. Take it and don't look back. Goodbye, and I love you both. Zalmora You trail off a bit as you finish reading the message out loud. You're a bit dumbstruck. Vaughn is in the same boat. Eventually you just neatly roll the scroll back up and put the ribbon back on it, then you gently place it in your desk drawer and sit back down. You then start going over your profit gains for this year. "Boss?" Vaughn says. "Vaughn, you'll be handling the shit that Zal was in charge of, if you need extra help I trust you'll be able to promote the appropriate folks." You respond calmly. "But…what are we going to do?" "What can we do? Zal took off on a fucking ship to parts unknown. I don't exactly have a magical crystal ball to see where she went, and I wouldn't bother anyway. She obviously wasn't happy here, so it's better off that she's gone. Don't need her anyway." "Boss…now you don't mean that. Look, I don't wanna step outta line here and I know you didn't want to show it for some reason, but I know you had stronger feelings for her than just being friends with her. I mean aren't you pissed at this betrayal?! Aren't you upset? Don't you wanna go kill this Yan bitch for stealing away Zal? I mean I never saw this coming! Did you?" "No…at least not like this. But what's done is done and that's a funny notion you have about my feelings towards Zal there Vaughn. I'm fine. Best to just move on." "Well what about Hessla? Are we still going through with the plan?" "Oh that. No. Obviously we don't have the support now and Zal was probably right that we'd only just get ourselves killed if we tried ourselves. No, we'll just seek further opportunities here in Klyton when they arise." Vaughn can't believe how you're taking all this. Eventually he leaves you be and goes off to perform his duties. When he leaves you lock the door and read the scroll again. You sigh heavily and you wipe a few tears come from your eyes. "It's okay Zal. Not mad. I get it. Good luck." You say. > You time passes... Year 34 "Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say. "I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks. While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade. Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up. "Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another…" Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room. "Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks. You don't even need to know who that might be. "Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in…" "What?!" Vaughn exclaims. "He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit." "Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks. "Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him." "On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare. You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down. Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual. "Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks. "Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say. "Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard." "Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask. "Quite a bit actually…you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you. "I find that hard to believe…but state your agenda." "Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well…you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course." "…I see…" "Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could…what's the word…tame…no civilize…no… ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle. You're hardly amused. "Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says. "Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer. "Well…you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?" "Freedom" You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy. He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him. Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy? Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding. > You kill Mr. Reynolds You had it with this asshole. You don't say anything; you just pull out your flintlock. Mr. Reynolds' eyes flinch a bit and he moves his hand up in front of him, but he doesn't quiet do it quick enough before you manage to catch him in the shoulder. He falls backwards in his chair. Before you can follow up with your other pistol, Vaughn has no missed a beat and has taken it upon himself to shoot Reynolds with his own pistol. He gets a headshot, splattering part of Reynolds face and brain matter on your floor. At which point Reynolds begins making these horrible screeching sounds and twitching violently. They aren't normal human sounds of pain either. Indeed if Mr. Reynolds was human he shouldn't be making any more noise at all. Of course you always suspected there was something more to him. You and Vaughn both start chopping and stabbing him repeatedly to make sure he's dead, until you start hearing noise, shouting and screams coming from outside your office. With Reynolds no longer moving, you and Vaughn rush out of your office and see several of your people running away from where the escape exit is located. "What the hell is going on?" you shout at the nearest Talon running by. "Someone broke in through the escape tunnel and is killing our people!" "The militia?" "No! It's just one guy!" the Talon says and runs past you. "Fuck, it's that asshole's son. So much for Reynolds claiming he didn't come alone." You say. "Shit, that's guy's a fucking killer." Vaughn remarks. "Yeah, well you can run if you want, but I'm not." You say and head back to your office where you have a little something extra for Henry. Vaughn reluctantly follows and stands by the door. He's got his faults, but he's always loyal. You open up one of your safes and grab two firebombs. No sooner have you also grabbed a torch off the wall, you hear Vaughn shouting and the sounds of combat. You turn around and see Vaughn up against a wall struggling to not get a dagger pushed into his throat by Henry. You don't think, you just act. "Sorry Vaughn." You whisper, light the bomb with the torch and throw it in the direction of Vaughn and Henry. You then duck down behind your desk for cover. A loud deafening explosion soon follows. While your desk protects you from the immediate detonation, it is blasted enough that part of it is no longer covering you at all and you probably would have had large wood splinters and chunks embedded into your flesh had you not been wearing appropriate protection. You slowly get up despite your ears still ringing. There's smoke everywhere though the small fires burning lumps of bloody flesh are allowing you to see through it. Mr. Reynold's body which was a bloody mess to begin with, is now practically just a smeared blood stain on your floor. A little further where the door to your office once was lies Vaughn in several burning pieces. After coughing a bit from the smell and the smoke, you finally see your target, Henry who apparently still isn't dead. He's burnt, bloody, and attempting to crawl away with one arm intact, but some how still alive. He's making the same horrible raspy sounds his dad was making when you killed him. You take your sword and walk over to the charred form that is Henry and drive it through the back of his neck. His sounds cease altogether. As you're pulling your sword back out, your hearing is starting to return back to normal which allows you to receive the sounds of shouting. It sounds far away, but it's coming from the front entrance. Upon a quick glance, you see that the fools who ran off didn't bother shutting the wall properly and now combined with the noise of the explosion your headquarters is probably going to be crawling with any militia that was patrolling down here. Time to go. As you're muttering about how much this situation sucks, you silently are just glad you've got an alternative way out of this place. You pass several bodies as you make your way towards the escape tunnel. Henry really did a damn job on your people. It's just a good thing you had people near the escape tunnel otherwise Henry might have caught even you unawares. Still, while it doesn't surprised you that Reynolds knew about it, you're wondering HOW he found out. Part of you even wonders if maybe he had connections to that dwarven bastard Grahk. You guess it hardly matters at this point. You've worn out your welcome at this city and you're going to have to find some place new. Perhaps Hessla? You get to the door to the tunnel and are surprised to find it closed. You would have thought with all the running and killing nobody would have bothered. You open it up. "Oh shit." You see standing before you Junior holding some sort of weapon you've never seen before but flames flicker from the barrel. He's wearing goggles, some sort of weird one piece suit covering his massive body and flashes a toothy smile. Before you can close the door, Junior pulls the trigger on his weapon and a gout of flame envelopes your entire body. You turn and scream as your skin and hair burn and sizzle. Your attempts to roll on the ground to put out the fire are useless since Junior just follows you from a safe distance and keeps immolating you. Eventually your burning body joins the other lifeless ones around you.

Year 34 "Shit, that's the fifth patrol down here this week!" you say. "I know, the militia has actually managed to round up a few of our guys too recently. Really hoping nobody is going to snitch us out at this point." Vaughn remarks. While your members are generally pretty loyal, it's always a bit of a concern and you're not exactly filled with confidence. The last few years have just been getting worse with the militia patrols, you don't understand why since you were keeping a low profile. That was the whole point of getting out the drug trade. Your gambling game room hasn't gotten raided yet, but you're getting the uneasy impression that it won't be long if this keeps up. "Okay, we're going to have to make some changes maybe. I dunno. Maybe we need to hire another…" Before you can complete this thought, one of your other members comes rushing into the room. "Boss! Someone is knocking at the wall and they keep saying in a taunting voice that they know we're in here. They also say they want to speak to you directly. They said that he's coming to YOU with a deal this time." Dorian remarks. You don't even need to know who that might be. "Shit, fucking Reynolds. Okay, we're going to let him in…" "What?!" Vaughn exclaims. "He's already here and knows. If we just ignore him he'll just make things worse for us. I never like dealing with him either, but I usually at least hear him out. However, we're not going in this unprepared. Everyone in this place get yourself armed and ready. Load up any crossbows and firearms and keep them close! Dorian, I want people by the front entrance AND I want them in the escape tunnel just in fucking case. I wouldn't put it past Reynolds to know about that shit." "Got it boss, anything else?" Dorian asks. "Yeah, ONLY let him in. If he's got a creepy ass guy with a goatee or a weird looking ogre with him don't let them in. Vaughn you better go with him." "On it." Vaughn says and the pair of them leave, while you're rechecking your flintlock and grab your spare. You practice a few times pulling your pistols as quick as you can along with drawing your sword because you have no idea how this is going down. Eventually Vaughn enters with Mr. Reynolds who looks smug as usual. "Mmm, this isn't a bad little place. Your dwarven friend did a nice job. I assume that's what all those dwarves were really doing down here years back. Certainly couldn't be fixing the sewers. I swear if you took the Council's collective intelligence together you might have enough brains to put your shoes on the right feet assuming you didn't drool all over yourself first. Well, things are going to change when I get elected." Mr. Reynolds remarks. "Elected? Wait? YOU'RE running?" you say. "Oh yes, I feel it's time someone started doing things right in this city for a change. I mean sure Klyton is better off than a place like Holgard or definitely Hessla, but we can always do better you know? I've lived here a long time and I think the only way things are going improve is if I can be in a better position. Of course I'll have to give up my old business, but Henry is willing to take that over. He's come along nicely in that regard." "Okay, so what's all this got to do with me?" you ask. "Quite a bit actually…you seem tense. Everyone here seems tense. Relax everyone, I came here alone and my presence here is a good thing." Mr. Reynolds reassures you. "I find that hard to believe…but state your agenda." "Always to the point. That's why I think I've always enjoyed not just doing business with you, but your family in general. Anyway, the Crimson Talons are a black eye on this good city. Now granted I understand you aren't really hurting anyone and you do keep a relatively low profile, but well…you guys need to go. Getting rid of you lot would really help show I'm dedicated to cleaning up scum. No offense of course." "…I see…" "Now wait, before you start threatening violence, I have a proposal. Instead of just reporting your exact location to the militia and being active in your execution or incarceration, it would be even better for me, if I could…what's the word…tame…no civilize…no… ah assimilate you lot instead. It would prove that this city doesn't need to waste most of its money on security. I mean come on, they hardly need half the force they employ to even take you guys out to begin with." Reynolds says with a chuckle. You're hardly amused. "Yes, I can see you want me to get to the point. Fine. I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of the poor folks. I understand that there needs to be an entertainment place that caters to the lesser clientele. You and your Talons do provide that service a bit. So what I'm proposing is you guys do it legitimately. I'm opening up a new gambling hall as part of my Council election and I want all you lot to work there. And you m'boy get to run the place. Now how's THAT sound to you?" Reynolds says. "Sounds too good to be true and that there has to be a catch." You answer. "Well…you lot WOULD have to vote for me. And in your case you'd need to go register as a proper Klyton citizen. Don't believe you were actually born here were you? Other than that? None at all. I mean I would get some of the profits obviously since I would own the place, but really what's that compared to your freedom?" "Freedom" You're sure that Mr. Reynolds finds the use of that word amusing considering you're essentially at his mercy. He's probably been planning this for a while. Makes sense now that he wanted you completely out of Klyton the last time you nearly dealt with him. Still it's not a bad deal considering your time as a rogue is obviously coming to an end here in Klyton. You sometimes feel more like a manager than a crime boss nowadays anyway. What's one more step to legitimacy? Though it also rubs you the wrong way of getting forced into this situation and part of you just wants to kill Mr. Reynolds for his presumption. You don't doubt that he's more than he appears, but he's also over confident and he's in here with not just you, but several others ready to do your bidding. > You work for Mr. Reynolds While it might be satisfying to kill Mr. Reynolds, it's hardly the smart play and you're just going to bring more trouble on yourself. Maybe you've gotten like Zal did, you're starting to question whether to go on with this lifestyle. It was fun in the beginning and now its just work. And if you're going to work, you might as well not worry about getting arrested or killed by the militia or slinking about underground where even if you aren't walking around in shit as much, you still have to do it more than the average person. You're done. You want something better and while you aren't convinced that this is it. It will at least be better than what you have now. "Alright Reynolds, I'll agree to all this, but under two conditions. I want to at least name this new place." You say. "Hah. Fine. I was never the best with names anyway." Mr. Reynolds says. "And I want to be able to walk away at any time." "By the gods son. This isn't some life binding contract I'm holding you under." "Yeah, well I never know with you." "Fine, if it will put your mind at ease, you're personally free to leave if you like. Not sure why you'd want to, but as I said, you're free to do so." "Okay then, so where is this new place and when do we make the transition?" "Oh I think you'll like it. It's your family's old inn. It'll be converted a little of course, but that's where it's going to be." You let out a little chuckle at that bit of information. Mr. Reynolds says you can continue your activities down here until the renovation on your family's old inn is finished. He says you shouldn't have to worry about militia patrols anymore though. After Mr. Reynolds explains a bit more information he bids you goodbye. Vaughn approaches you immediately. "Boss, are you sure about this? I mean are we really trusting him?" "Yes, I'm sure. It's what's best for the organization. Just because we're going legit doesn't mean we've suddenly disappeared. We'll probably all be making a better living than we are now anyway. And as far as trusting him? Sure why not? We trusted Zal and you see what happened there. Reynolds is a fucking snake, but if he's lying at least I won't be disappointed. Fairly sure he's been direct though, besides he's very careful about making deals and not breaking them." A few months pass and eventually you and your people move to your family's old inn. You knew it had been abandoned ever since it shut down, so you never saw what it looked like originally. What it looks like now however is fairly nice though. Lot nicer than sewers or underground tunnels at any rate. As you and your people get set up, you find that the private rooms upstairs where your father and grandparents must have lived weren't changed much. Some of the furniture is even still around. You might as well live here. You sit down on a nearby dusty chair and just think on how you got here. You can only imagine what your parents or sister would say if they could see you now. "Well, it took me a long time, but I'm finally a working man with a real job and I hope you're all doing well right now." You say to yourself.

Year 27 You have to admit, despite the close calls, the stress of changing the layout, and the several times you almost wanted to kill Grahk, he came through and this place is a lot better than you could have expected, if much smaller. This place is less of a "budding underground town" and more of an underground mini-fortress and really maybe that was a more realistic goal anyway. You have sturdy walls, rooms, and a hidden entrance within the sewer with a couple of durable security doors just in case the militia does the find the place. You also have an escape route dug out far enough that you'd be able to getaway long before they broke in. But that's just your headquarters. There is another secret area where you hold the gambling games, races and fights. Besides it being a better idea to keep the actual activities (and the plebs) away from your main base, Grahk actually said it would be better structural wise to build two separate and smaller hidden locations rather than just one big one which be a lot more costly to maintain and keep from collapsing. So that's what you did. Still, you decided to keep one business out of both of the new areas. Namely the Yellow Devil creation and distribution. You aren't having any junkies going in either to get their fixes and YD stinks something awful that it would defeat the damn purpose of leaving the sewers if you were creating it in these nice new areas. Due to all the expenses you had to pay for with the dwarves, you had to go back to the old methods of pulling heists and burglary because the drugs, gambling games and fights weren't enough. Of course that was mostly you, Zal and Vaughn doing those, because you wanted to make sure it was done right. On the plus side, it's kept you in shape and your skills sharp. It also raises your respect among the rest of the Crimson Talons since they know you're willing to get right in the thick of things and aren't just delegating. The downside is you're still not exactly rolling in coin and you don't think you've had real rest since this project began and you're always vaguely tired, but then as they say no rest for the wicked. The other side effect is you've created a minor "crime wave" throughout Klyton to the point where things are getting out of hand for the militia slightly. Besides the ongoing breaking into shops and homes, your increased production of Yellow Devil has created an epidemic of "meltbrains" as they are called. Didn't help that you got the idea from Camid to start cutting the drug to make it less lethal, while still keeping most of it's "positive" effects for the user. Still causes a lot of irreversible long-term damage that most aren't coming back from, which now probably makes it even worse. Junkies are living long enough to cause real problems hence the crime wave. You've been extremely fortunate that the authorities have mostly been turning the city upside down and making mass arrests to every petty criminal they can get their hands on, but so far they haven't done much with the sewers. There were a few close calls with some minor patrols, but Grahk's crew has been pretty good in keeping their real activities (and you) secret. Grahk's Council buddy must have an incredible amount of trust in him or maybe he's just corrupt. You have no idea, you've never met him. Still, Klyton's uncharacteristic lackadaisical alertness on this matter is going to be coming to an end. Grahk is done with the task and will be leaving soon, which means Klyton will probably be stepping up their patrols down here. Not even the rumors of a killer reptile man is going to scare them away. (You question if this Scales is even down here, surely you would have run afoul of him, with all this work the dwarves have been doing) But the only concern you have right at this moment is the information you've just heard. "What?! You're leaving?!" you exclaim. "Figured I should let you know. Despite our differences at times, I respect you enough to not just disappear." Zalmora says. "Hold on you're going to have to re-explain this again. This is just out of nowhere." You say and take a seat. "It really isn't. Grahk and I have been seeing each other for quite some time since he got here for this project." "Yes, I've seen you two speaking with one another every so often. Sometimes it looked a little more than that, but I didn't take you for the running off and getting married sort!" "What can I say? Grahk made a very good offer." "Given what comes out of his mouth half the time, he doesn't even like humans." "Well he likes me and I'm very fond of him. Also, I've realized that this life…well it isn't the one I want any more." Zal says waving her arms in the air and making motions about her surroundings. "So…what? You're going to go pop out a bunch of bearded babies and be a nice little housewife in some dark underground cavern?" "I'm already practically living in an underground cavern now! And dwarves and humans can't reproduce with each other…well as far as I know. Besides, he's already got a couple of children from his deceased wife, so that isn't going to be an issue anyway." "But what are you going to DO with yourself? I mean I'm guessing you're going to go back to the Cloudpeake Mountains. Dwarves aren't known for being all that accepting of outsiders at the best of times. You're not likely to have any friends." "Yeah, well it isn't like I really have any here either." You're a little taken aback. "Wha…? What? What about me and Vaughn? What about all the Talons that respect your abilities?" you say. "Those are subordinates, not my friends. You're my boss, not my friend. And as for Vaughn…well okay, you're right about him, but he's hardly enough to keep me around here waiting for the inevitable." Zalmora responds. "And what's that exactly?" "This whole place is going to raided and all of you are either going to get pinched or killed. Best case scenario, you escape with nothing." "That's some severe lack of confidence in your soon to be dwarf husband's abilities. Besides, you were originally enthusiastic about this whole project and the potential." "I know I was at first, but the original goal has changed now hasn't it? Look, maybe everything won't be all doom and gloom and maybe everything does go smoothly, but the fact that I realize is that I'm getting old and I'm enjoying this type of life less and less. I soon learned that on the last heist we did and I nearly got my head blown off by the militia." "You're hardly old Zal, I mean you're acting like you're ready for the grave." "If I keep on this way, I soon will be. Look, I've been giving this a lot of thought for quite some time." "So again, I ask what are you going to do with your time? I mean I really can't envision you as some housewife. You're going to get bored and dissatisfied." "And how do YOU know that? Maybe I'll find it a great relief not worrying about which shop to rob or whether or not if I'm going to get arrested or killed. And who says I'm not going to find something to do while I'm up there? Grahk owns his own business you know. I'm sure I can help with that in some way." A moment of silence comes over you and you cease looking at Zalmora. You can't believe you might be losing your best "employee." It would appear you took it for granted that she'd always be around. Though you did always consider the possibility that she might die in the service of the Crimson Talons just like anyone, but something about this is much different and you don't like this form of parting of the ways. At least not without trying to do something about it. "What would it take for you to stay?" you ask. "Nothing. I told you, I've made up my mind about this." Zal says. "Bullshit. You wouldn't have told me at all, if you didn't want me to make the attempt to at least come up with an offer." "…I…I don't know where you got that idea from, but I already told you that I came to you about this because I respected you enough to not sneak off in the middle of the night." Zalmora sputters. "And I'm not buying it. I don't buy that you're ready to settle down and live a boring ordinary life. I mean I've SEEN you get the thrill even during that last heist where you almost got your head blown off. I mean maybe the safe life does have its advantages, and if you were marrying a Delantium prince who was going to shower you with jewels and a royal palace I'd say congrats and just let you go without a fight. Hell, if you said that you LOVED this dwarf I wouldn't stand in the way, but you didn't say that. You just claimed fondness. You're not moving up, you're just trading one life of compromise for another." "You seem to be very interested in my well being…are you actually jealous? Is this some crush you've been harboring because if it is, I'm going to tell you right now that…" "No! It's nothing like that. While you don't consider me your friend, I consider you mine, because quite frankly I don't have any either and it's hard enough to have someone trustworthy and reliable in this business as it is. You were the one who gave me all the most important advice that resulted in rebuilding the Crimson Talons to be a viable organization again. And yeah, maybe I didn't listen to all of it, but I do acknowledge that I wouldn't have gotten this far without you and I can't see me getting too much further without you by my side either. I need you." Now Zalmora is speechless and looks away. You stare at her, but she makes sure to not look in your direction. You know she must be trying to hide obvious signs of being upset. "Are you alright?" you ask. "I…I…yes…I'm fine." Zal says and then turns around and quickly wipes one of her eyes. Zalmora composes herself a bit and then speaks. "Very well. I do have one request if I'm going to consider staying. We have to stop selling Yellow Devil." Zal says. "What? But that's what kept us afloat! If we hadn't been selling it, we wouldn't have been able to afford the new headquarters!" you reply. "Yes, and now that project is over with. We can get by without dealing it. Yellow Devil is going to cause us nothing but trouble in the future. I'm already seeing that, don't you?" "Well I'll admit, its got its share of problems, but it's the biggest money maker and a lot of the Talons aren't going to be happy about no longer selling it. Specifically Camid." "Look, this isn't a negotiation. This is my stipulation. I'll leave you to deal with the repercussions as you see fit. Grahk is leaving in a week. You've got three days to tell me your decision, because if you value my friendship as much as you claim and you do decide to stop selling, then I'm going to need the rest of the week to deal with Grahk before he leaves, because I'll be breaking not just his heart but an agreement and you know how serious dwarves are about those." > You let Zalmora go This is the business you've chosen and sometimes that business takes priority over friendship. You appreciate Zalmora and all, but you're not going to just give up your best moneymaker that is not only going to result in a loss, but also cause discord within the organization. Not to mention, you are sort of wondering what kind of postion you'll be putting Zal in, if she has to break up with a dwarf. They aren't fond of broken promises after all. He could not only make trouble for her, but you as well. The cons are outweighing the pros. "You know what, I'm being a selfish asshole. I want you here for my own purposes and I'm trying to talk you out of having a happy life. That's not what a real friend does, and who the hell am I to question your feelings for the dwarf? Not like I'm an expert on relationships. So I think you should go and leave this life behind. You deserve good things Zal." You say. Zal looks at you in silence for a moment. "Fuck you." She says and starts to leave, which causes you to immediately try to stop her. "What?! What did I say? I just wished you well!" you exclaim. "Yeah, and did you really think I was going to fall for that shit right after your initial speech? I'm not a fucking idiot, thought you knew that by now. You were right about one thing though; you are being a selfish asshole. I ask you for one fucking thing. ONE. And one that will be beneficial in the long run, but do you give it up? No. Obviously you don't give a fuck like you claim and then you tried that totally transparent it's not you it's me shit. Yeah, I'm done. Have a nice life running this place without me boss man." Zal says and pushes you out of the way. You briefly think about trying to stop her again, but you think that's going to result in real violence. You sort of fucked up. You laid it on a bit too heavy, and you probably should have just been straight with her. At least the goodbye wouldn't have been as bad. Well there's nothing for it now. You'll just have to move on. Year 28 The militia's increased activities have put a serious dent in your non-drug related endeavors. People would rather not get caught up in the middle of a war between a violent criminal organization and a violent government organization so the gambling games have dwindled to near nobody and that includes the bum fights too and to be honest most of your bum fighters are Yellow Devil addicts now. Realizing that now Yellow Devil is the only major money maker, you made your gambling games location into the new Yellow Devil lab since nobody is going to be using it for it's intended purpose anymore. Your main lab is also be better protected and hidden in this way as well. Of course recently the name "Yellow Devil" has come into question… "Yellow Angel?" you ask. "Yes! I've been thinking, we've already been changing basic YD so much that it's not really the same product anymore. It might as well have a new name. Also it sounds a lot nicer don't you think? I mean what could be better than one of those friendly angels that the Joachim priests talk about? An angel that takes you and flies you up higher than you've ever been. Makes it sound a lot more enticing than a devil dragging you down to hell or melting you." Camid says excitedly. You have to admit, it's one of the better ideas he's had. "Hmm, yeah. Actually I've been wondering if we should start expanding and I'm not talking about just here. I'm talking to other places like Hessla, Holgard or even the Delantium Kingdom. I might send you Vaughn to go get another Crimson Talon chapter started." You say. "Me? I dunno boss. I mean I suppose Hessla would be okay, but Holgard and the Delantium Kingdom? Isn't that Ebony Claw territory?" Vaughn remarks. "What if it is? The kingdom is a big fucking place. They don't get to have all of it and who knows what's going on in Holgard and who's in charge there. The place keeps having rebellions and revolutions. Seems like the place is up for grabs for anyone." "If you say so boss. I feel I should also inform you that the militia has been stepping up patrols in the sewers and starting to go into areas they previously were leaving alone." "Yeah, we're going to be directly dealing with that. I want us to start trapping the patrol locations first. No direct attacks yet, but those might be coming soon." "By the gods, we're actually taking on the militia?" Vaughn asks. "We are, because that's the only way we're going to get them off our backs at this point. We need to make it so bad for them that the costs are going to outweigh the benefits and they'll be better off going back to busting meltbrains than trying to wipe us out." "But taking on the militia is surely going to require all the resources we have. I mean if you send me and a few others to open up another Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere, won't you be risking getting overwhelmed by the militia?" "Well that is certainly a risk, but if you're successful where I send you, that's extra revenue and support in the long run which will help in fighting off those militia bastards." Vaughn looks a little unconvinced, but like the loyal member he's always been, he just agrees with you. He doesn't really have a choice anyway. Your choice is determining where to send him. The Delantium Kingdom might be a bit far for right now. You figure Hessla or Holgard will be good enough. You actually even think about Teckleville, though you aren't sure if a small town like that would be that ideal. Also, despite the fact you got run out of there, you still consider it home and you're a little hesitant to start flooding it with Yellow Angel and recruiting from there. So you immediately dismiss the idea. > You expand to Hessla Vaughn is going to be more comfortable going to Hessla and it's closer so that's probably the best place to expand. After supplying Vaughn with a good portion of Yellow Angel, you send him and a couple outright thugs and one of Camid's "apprentices" on their way to Hessla. You tell him you want someone to send you a report on the situation by the end of the month. In the meantime you have everyone available to start trapping portions of the sewers and continue business as usual. One month later You finally get a report from Vaughn and he tells you that things aren't going as well as hoped. Hessla apparently isn't quite as lawless as imagined It actually does have it's own security called the Headsmen. They're fairly vigilant and they report directly to governor Tolen who has complete control over everything that goes on in the town. What this all means is selling your Yellow Angel there is perfectly fine, in fact it's even getting popular, but Tolen is taking fifty percent of the profits! There isn't much Vaughn can do though, for now he says you can't expect much profit funneling in from Hessla at this time though he's looking for potential opportunities. You don't hold out much hope though given that this is Vaughn and has never excelled in that field. On the Klyton front things aren't much better. The militia has suffered some set backs, but it's clear they aren't going to give up. Camid has made steps to set up smaller labs not just in the sewers, but even topside in the more run down areas of Klyton. The best way to keep them off balance is to not let them focus too much attention on any one location. You think your next investment is going to be in more gunpowder weapons. Year 29 "So what does Vaughn say?" Camid asks. "He says that he's finally worked out a better deal with Governor Tolen, but it's going to require me to be there to hammer out the details." You say after reading the message scroll. "Oh. So when are you going?" "Not sure. As soon as possible given how important this is, but I almost hate to leave since I'll be concerned about everything that's going on here without me." "Don't worry about it boss! I can look after things while you're gone." "Hmmm, I'm sure." While Camid might be genuinely trying to be helpful, ever since the complete transfer to selling Yellow Angel, he's been getting puffed up with his own relative importance. A guy like him and ambition are a dangerous combo. He already seems eager for you to leave, is he planning something? Still, this is a pretty important meeting and honestly things are probably never going to completely be calm in Klyton. You're just going to have to have a measure of confidence in Camid that he'll be able to handle shit and isn't smart enough to plot anything meaningful against you. "Alright Camid, you're up, but we're going to go over so fucking ground rules of how I expect shit to be run around here in my absence." You reply. You spend a good portion of the day going over plans, routines and what to do in certain events. He's up to speed on most of the stuff, and is at least making the effort to seem completely compliant to your orders. With some slight apprehension, you pack some of your stuff and leave for Hessla the next day. You wish you could take a carriage to get there quicker, but given the situation with the militia; you'd rather not risk being seen in public around Klyton at all. Your journey to Hessla doesn't take too long however and it's relatively uneventful. Vaughn told you in the message to meet him at the Sensual Siren tavern and he'd be there every day until you showed up. As you're asking for directions and walking about the town, you see that Hessla is indeed much different than you imagined. It's more orderly and many times you see groups of the infamous Headsmen that Governor Tolen employs to keep the peace. Eventually you reach the Sensual Siren and after looking about the dark tavern, a familiar voice calls over to you. "Hey Boss! Over here!" Vaughn shouts and waves you over. It's been a year since you've seen him, but Vaughn look a lot different. He's shaved his facial hair in a fancier style and is dressed more…"piratey." You also notice several Headsmen in the tavern who are watching everything going on in the place. "Well looks like you've gone native." You say sitting down. "Oh. Yeah all this. I figured I should look more the part around here. It doesn't hurt." Vaughn remarks. "Hey, I don't care. Dress how you like. So are we going to go see Tolen now? I'm a little anxious to get this meeting over with because I'd rather not have Camid running things for too long while I'm gone." "Yeah, I understand. How is everything in Klyton anyway?" "Same old shit. Trying to stay one step ahead of the militia and still keep everything running." "Well I think this new deal I've struck with the governor will put an end to some of that hassle." "Sounds good, so let's go see the man." "Okay, um these gentlemen will be accompanying us. The governor's sort of a stickler about security." Vaughn says pointing to the Headsmen in the tavern. You look around and see they're starting gather near you. "Oh, yeah I figured the governor would have a shit load of his men around at all times. Whatever makes him feel safe I guess, let's get going." You say. You, Vaughn and a small group of Headsmen all leave the tavern. As you head towards the mansion where the governor, Vaughn talks about how well the Crimson Talon chapter here is doing and that there is possibility of extending to a city called Jicol which lies across the sea. He says the place sounds like it's open territory. While you're listening to Vaughn, you start to notice that you're taking a lot of turns that don't seem necessary to get to the mansion, which appeared to be a relatively straightforward walk from what you could tell. You look around and you start to feel uneasy as the streets start to get narrow. No sooner have you start to put your hand by your weapon when Vaughn suddenly shoves you aside and runs forward. It isn't enough to knock you down, but it's enough to catch you off balance and the Headsmen have taken advantage by nabbing you. You struggle to get free, but the Headsmen have firmly got you restrained. Followed by a few punches and kicks, along with taking away all your weapons and you have the distinct impression that you were paranoid about the wrong person betraying you. You look up and see Vaughn now standing before you with a dagger in hand. He doesn't look happy, but he isn't exactly upset about this either. "Gotta say, didn't see this coming from you. Guess more than just your style changed." You say. "Stand him up." Vaughn remarks which causes the Headsmen to do just that. "Better deal huh Vaughn? Was this the governor's idea, or yours? Probably the governor. You never would have had the balls to think of doing this without help." You say. "Shut up." Vaughn says and approaches you with the dagger. "What for? I'm going to shut up forever soon. I will say this, at least you're doing this yourself and looking me in the eye." When you say this, Vaughn drops his guard and looks away a bit. "Heh, I was right, this wasn't your idea. Fucking pathetic." You say. Vaughn then musters up his resolve and shoved the dagger into your stomach. He then pulls it out and stabs you several more times. You never cry out once and you never stop looking at him the whole time despite the fact he tries to advert his gaze downward most of the time. He never says anything else. Eventually several of your vital organs have been punctured enough and your blood is leaking out of several holes. The Headsmen that were restraining you drop your body and leave it for the street cleaners to dispose of properly.

This is the business you've chosen and sometimes that business takes priority over friendship. You appreciate Zalmora and all, but you're not going to just give up your best moneymaker that is not only going to result in a loss, but also cause discord within the organization. Not to mention, you are sort of wondering what kind of postion you'll be putting Zal in, if she has to break up with a dwarf. They aren't fond of broken promises after all. He could not only make trouble for her, but you as well. The cons are outweighing the pros. "You know what, I'm being a selfish asshole. I want you here for my own purposes and I'm trying to talk you out of having a happy life. That's not what a real friend does, and who the hell am I to question your feelings for the dwarf? Not like I'm an expert on relationships. So I think you should go and leave this life behind. You deserve good things Zal." You say. Zal looks at you in silence for a moment. "Fuck you." She says and starts to leave, which causes you to immediately try to stop her. "What?! What did I say? I just wished you well!" you exclaim. "Yeah, and did you really think I was going to fall for that shit right after your initial speech? I'm not a fucking idiot, thought you knew that by now. You were right about one thing though; you are being a selfish asshole. I ask you for one fucking thing. ONE. And one that will be beneficial in the long run, but do you give it up? No. Obviously you don't give a fuck like you claim and then you tried that totally transparent it's not you it's me shit. Yeah, I'm done. Have a nice life running this place without me boss man." Zal says and pushes you out of the way. You briefly think about trying to stop her again, but you think that's going to result in real violence. You sort of fucked up. You laid it on a bit too heavy, and you probably should have just been straight with her. At least the goodbye wouldn't have been as bad. Well there's nothing for it now. You'll just have to move on. Year 28 The militia's increased activities have put a serious dent in your non-drug related endeavors. People would rather not get caught up in the middle of a war between a violent criminal organization and a violent government organization so the gambling games have dwindled to near nobody and that includes the bum fights too and to be honest most of your bum fighters are Yellow Devil addicts now. Realizing that now Yellow Devil is the only major money maker, you made your gambling games location into the new Yellow Devil lab since nobody is going to be using it for it's intended purpose anymore. Your main lab is also be better protected and hidden in this way as well. Of course recently the name "Yellow Devil" has come into question… "Yellow Angel?" you ask. "Yes! I've been thinking, we've already been changing basic YD so much that it's not really the same product anymore. It might as well have a new name. Also it sounds a lot nicer don't you think? I mean what could be better than one of those friendly angels that the Joachim priests talk about? An angel that takes you and flies you up higher than you've ever been. Makes it sound a lot more enticing than a devil dragging you down to hell or melting you." Camid says excitedly. You have to admit, it's one of the better ideas he's had. "Hmm, yeah. Actually I've been wondering if we should start expanding and I'm not talking about just here. I'm talking to other places like Hessla, Holgard or even the Delantium Kingdom. I might send you Vaughn to go get another Crimson Talon chapter started." You say. "Me? I dunno boss. I mean I suppose Hessla would be okay, but Holgard and the Delantium Kingdom? Isn't that Ebony Claw territory?" Vaughn remarks. "What if it is? The kingdom is a big fucking place. They don't get to have all of it and who knows what's going on in Holgard and who's in charge there. The place keeps having rebellions and revolutions. Seems like the place is up for grabs for anyone." "If you say so boss. I feel I should also inform you that the militia has been stepping up patrols in the sewers and starting to go into areas they previously were leaving alone." "Yeah, we're going to be directly dealing with that. I want us to start trapping the patrol locations first. No direct attacks yet, but those might be coming soon." "By the gods, we're actually taking on the militia?" Vaughn asks. "We are, because that's the only way we're going to get them off our backs at this point. We need to make it so bad for them that the costs are going to outweigh the benefits and they'll be better off going back to busting meltbrains than trying to wipe us out." "But taking on the militia is surely going to require all the resources we have. I mean if you send me and a few others to open up another Crimson Talon chapter elsewhere, won't you be risking getting overwhelmed by the militia?" "Well that is certainly a risk, but if you're successful where I send you, that's extra revenue and support in the long run which will help in fighting off those militia bastards." Vaughn looks a little unconvinced, but like the loyal member he's always been, he just agrees with you. He doesn't really have a choice anyway. Your choice is determining where to send him. The Delantium Kingdom might be a bit far for right now. You figure Hessla or Holgard will be good enough. You actually even think about Teckleville, though you aren't sure if a small town like that would be that ideal. Also, despite the fact you got run out of there, you still consider it home and you're a little hesitant to start flooding it with Yellow Angel and recruiting from there. So you immediately dismiss the idea. > You expand to Holgard If anything you've learned here in Klyton, it's that it isn't so much the law and order that makes being a criminal suck, it's when everything is legalized that makes it suck. Despite the rebellion problems in Holgard, you know there is always some sort of iron fisted tyrant in charge that puts restrictions on shit. You'll probably get a better price for Yellow Angel there rather than Hessla where every substance is acceptable and most likely cheap. While the Ebony Claw is a concern, you can't quake in fear of them. In fact other than the story Tom told you a long time ago, they have never been a factor in Klyton. Maybe it's time to see if they live up to their reputation. After supplying Vaughn with a good portion of Yellow Angel, you send him and a couple outright thugs and one of Camid's "apprentices" on their way to Holgard. You tell him you want someone to send you a report on the situation by the end of the month. In the meantime you have everyone available to start trapping portions of the sewers and continue business as usual. One month later "Hey boss, news from Vaughn. One of our boys is here." Dorian tells you. "Finally. I hope he's got good news. Send him in." you say. "Um, okay, but I should add, he doesn't look so good. He says there's some problems" "Wonderful. Well he can tell me himself, just send him in already." As you wait for the messenger. You just ponder what the hell the problems could be. You're guessing maybe with the ECS. If Vaughn is asking for more help, your answer is going to be you can't spare it. You're having a hard enough time with the militia who haven't let up despite you making things difficult for them. When the messenger comes in, he's carrying a box held closely to his chest. You notice he's not only missing an eye, but he's also missing a hand. You don't remember this one's name, but this was one of the bigger men you sent with Vaughn. This really doesn't look good. "Boss…the Ebony Claws…we got our asses kicked! We're undone! Everything is lost!" the big man shouts. "Calm yourself. What the fuck is going on?" "This! This is going on!" the man shouts and tosses the box on your desk. You already got a bad feeling about what's in the box, but you open it anyway. It's only half surprising that you find Vaughn's bloody head in it. The ECS also went out of its way to carve its symbol into his forehead. "Shit!" you shout angrily. "Boss…" the big man starts to say. "Besides you is there anyone left?" "No! They only left me live to…to…" "Yeah, I know. Send the message. Fuck. I gotta deal with the militia here, but I can't just let those EC fucks get away with this shit. Argh. Gotta think…" You start pacing a bit as you think, but the big man still lingers around "Boss, we gotta get out of here!" he exclaims. "What the hell are you on about?" you ask. "The Ebony Claws! They're coming!" "Wait, you're saying the Syndicate is coming here?" "Yes! We gotta go!" "While I get that you've probably suffered a bit of torture, but you need to find your strength or get the fuck out of my face. If the Claws are coming here, then I'm going to repay every one of the men they killed with ten of theirs. Them coming here is just going to make it easier. Let them fucking come! I'm going to be prepared!" "No! You don't understand! They're coming RIGHT NOW! We…we…told them everything! They know all about the hidden exit tunnel to this place! They only just released me a few moments ago to distract you." Your expression drops to one of anger to one of unease, but it doesn't stop you from pulling out your pistol and shooting the pathetic snitch that just sold you out. "EVERYONE GET READY, WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" you shout and walk past the snitch's body. Unfortunately it's already too late. The Ebony Claw Syndicate has already infiltrated the escape tunnel and its members are already inside doing battle with your people, which aren't many in comparison. The Syndicate apparently decided not to fuck around when considering you a potential threat. It might be flattering if your life wasn't in grave danger. After dispatching a couple of the ebony claws, your goal is to leave through the "front door" and hopefully escape to the Yellow Angel lab where you can regroup with Camid, assuming that place hasn't been invaded as well. You get to the front door as the last of your Talons struggle against the Claws. As soon as you do, you get a bolt in your forehead. It all happens so fast, you don't think you even notice the one who shot you even though they had to be directly in front of you at the time. You just stand there, blink and then fall backwards to the floor as your followers die screaming around you.

The sewers are good enough for you. If you start trying to set up shop up top, you're just going to bring down the heat eventually. You've got a good thing going on and nobody fucks with you down here. If worst comes to worst, you're confident that you could easily lose the militia if they actually ever made an effort to patrol down here. Still, maybe you could figure out a way to make this place somewhat less...well like a sewer. You already have made a base in the best abandoned area you can find though. You suppose you could start manually expanding underground further away from the sewers themselves of course that would be a pretty extensive and expensive undertaking and it isn't like you're familiar with the details of excavation. Although... This city used to have a fairly large active miner population once. In fact your family made money serving them at their inn. At some point long after your parents had left the city and the inn closed down, the mining trade dried up completely in Klyton for a variety of reasons resulting in a lot of unemployed miners. In fact some of the bums in your fights are ex-miners. You wouldn't want to rely on just them though, but surely you could scour the city for other ex-miners down on their luck or working jobs they hate. They probably would work cheap. You suppose if you really needed more you could shell out the money for some outside help, but you'd rather keep the costs as low as possible. Later when you approach Zal and Vaughn with this idea, they're caught off guard by this plan, but don't seem put off by it. Well Vaughn doesn't at least. Zal of course has her usual concerns. "Okay, I know that look. Out with it." You say. "It's just...well do you think this is even feasible?" Zal asks. "I'm not saying it's not going to take effort, but again this is a long term plan. I mean going up top, trying to set up false businesses and store fronts is just not going to work in Klyton. The place is just too damn repressive, but we all know people still WANT to do illegal shit like whoring, drugs, gambling..." "Erm, actually all those things are legal in Klyton." Vaughn interrupts. "(Sigh) You know what the fuck I mean! All that high priced shit is easily accessible for the rich folks, but WE cater to the poor and who needs affordable distraction more than they do?" "So...wait. Are we defenders of the down trodden now?" Zal asks. "I didn't say all that, but we ARE providing for them in a way. I mean we can start out by digging ourselves out a proper headquarters where we don't have to be constantly bombarded by the smells of the sewer and has a solid defense, but I'm thinking in time we could just build a whole underground town." Zalmora and Vaughn look at each other and then you. "A TOWN?!" They exclaim. "Well maybe not town in the traditional sense, but a place where we can do our business AND live without even worrying about the Klyton militia raiding the place because we would be so damn entrenched that they wouldn't be able to do shit even if they wanted to. We wouldn't just be the criminal organization that skulks around in the Klyton sewers, we would be a whole separate community...bah maybe I'm not explaining it well, but I envision it in my head!" You say. "No. No, I get what you mean. I have to say, this is really damn ambitious. I mean I can't say I'm not impressed by your plan...but again I just have my concerns if it's going to be possible...but fuck it, I'm in." Zal says. "Glad to hear it. So, we're going to need miners and equipment which is the easy part, but we're also going to need a genuine engineer so the whole damn thing doesn't fall on our heads. So anyone know of any?" You remark. "Yeah, Red Nose Rob." Vaughn remarks. "Who's that?" You ask. "One of the bums that participates in the fights." "There's a bum who used to be an engineer? What the hell happened?" "He was actually a miner, but he had a natural gift when it came to engineering. Which was good for the company since they just used his talents for creating very sound mine supports and they didn't have to pay for a real one. He probably could have been building new structures in Klyton, but he just didn't have the formal education." "Interesting. But how do you know so much about him?" You ask. "He has his lucid moments. Plus, um...we used to...meet up..." "Ew Vaughn. You fucked a disgusting bum?" Zalmora remarks. "No! I fucked him when he was strapping miner! Sheesh Zal!" "Never mind all that, would he be able to do the job?" You ask "I think so. Probably wouldn't have to pay him much more than we do to fight, but we'd definitely have to dry him out a bit though." Vaughn says. You start making notes of various ideas as you ask more questions. "Okay, so we got one potential overseer for this project. You got any more engineer ex-lovers?" You ask. "Not that I know of boss." Vaughn remarks. "I think I got a potential suggestion." Zal says. "Oh? You been fucking engineers too?" You ask. "Even better. Been fucking dwarves. Grahk Kazek is the one that comes to mind." "Well that's nice that you're so open minded with your choice of sex partners, but is this dwarf an actual engineer? Contrary to popular belief, I don't think all of them dig big holes in mountains for a living." "This one does. Or at least he did before he retired. He makes a monthly trip from the Cloudpeake Mountains to Klyton because he REALLY likes the pastries from Stovo's Bakery. Buys up a bunch then goes back home. That's where we met actually." "Didn't know you had ongoing long distance relationship, Zal." You say. "Lots you don't know about me, but I wouldn't exactly say Grahk and I are in a relationship, we just had a bit of fun together. In fact I haven't seen him in years. I just know he still goes to that bakery since Stovo has mentioned him a few times when I go in there." "So would he be interested?" "He's a dwarf and used to construct tunnel ways in the Cloudpeake Mountains. Fairly certain if we throw enough money at him, he'll be willing to oversee the construction of what we're doing. Besides, I can be pretty persuasive." "Hmm, don't I know it." You say. The dwarf sounds good, but he sounds like he's going to be really expensive. At lot more than the bum anyway. Of course the bum might be unreliable. You say you'll think about both as you go ask other Talons if they know anybody. You don't have much luck though. Your other Talons aren't quite as "worldly" as your top lieutenants. There is one who has a lead though. "Yeah, I think I might know someone boss. This chick called Madeline. She actually attends Klyton University and she's an engineering student." Camid remarks. "A student?" You ask. "Yeah, but she's really fucking smart. Top of her class or some shit. I don't even understand what she's talking about half the time. Of course I'm just staring at her tits most of the time anyway." "How the hell do you even know her?" "Oh, she's a little rich girl that likes slumming. Likes to watch the bum fights and get high on Yellow Devil. The usual. Oh and we fuck sometimes." Of course they do. It would certainly be a strange break in the "theme" if they didn't. The drug bit concerns you though. "Wait, you say she takes Yellow Devil? How the hell is she not a near drooling idiot yet? I don't need someone melting into a pile of goo in the middle of an important project." You say. "Don't worry boss. That wouldn't happen." Camid says. "And how do you know?" "Because...um...I make sure she doesn't actually get Yellow Devil. I mean she does, but it's a VERY small amount. Almost nothing. The rest of it is cut severely with various common shit I get from the apothecary. She feels good for a little while and feels rebellious and she doesn't get really hurt." "...You like this girl don't you?" You ask causing Camid to look away a bit. "(Sigh) It didn't start out that way. First time I saw her, I thought she was so damn pretty that I just wanted a chance to fuck her before she turned into a Yellow Devil mess, so I didn't give her the real shit. But in time...well I dunno shit happened...and I'm probably an idiot..." Camid says trailing off a bit. "Probably, but fortunately your love sick idiocy has worked in your favor, so do you think she'd help?" "Oh definitely. She'd feel like she would be a real criminal working for a dangerous organization and all. She'd do it for free too, not like she needs the money." "Actually she would be a real criminal if she was helping us in this capacity. Good to know about the price. I'll keep her in mind." Well you got a big decision to make based on your underlings recommendations because unfortunately for you, you haven't been lucky enough to fuck someone with engineering skills. > You madeline It might seem to be the less traditional choice of the three, but not having to pay her is a big plus. You just hope she's actually as intelligent as Camid claims. You return to Camid with your decision who is incredibly surprised that you listened to him. "Um…really? I mean great! That's great boss! She should be coming by tonight." Camid exclaims. "She better be as smart as you say. I don't want to find out she doesn't know what the fuck she's doing." You say. "No, I promise boss. She's not just some idiotic rich girl with too much time on her hands." "Given that she's hanging out with the likes of you, I find that hard to believe, but when she comes here tonight, bring her by the office. I'll make a final decision then." Camid nods smiling and walks away with a bit of pep in his step, like you've just promoted him or something. Well, it doesn't take much to make some folks happy. Also doesn't take much to upset them either… "What?! You went with Camid's rich bitch junkie whore? What the fuck are you thinking?!" Zalmora exclaims when she hears the news. "I have to agree with Zal on this. We don't know much about her other than Camid's praises." Vaughn adds. "That's why I'm going to meet her. If she's everything Camid claims then we'll proceed. If not, I can have Camid flogged for wasting my time and we'll go back to picking one your people." "Hm, well I'm certainly going to be asking her some questions." Zal says. "No. YOU aren't going to be doing anything. I'm going to see her alone, without anyone else's input. The decision will be final and mine only. I know you like to think you're the one who runs things around here Zal, but you aren't and you don't get a say this time. Deal with it." Zal purses her lips and gives you an irritated look for a moment, but then she forces a smile and nods. "You're the boss." She says and leaves. Vaughn just wishes you good luck with your meeting with Madeline and follows Zal. Later, Camid arrives before you with a young red head with an ample chest. She's dressed "down" presumably to look like she fits in, but its still obvious she is out of place here. Must be Madeline. "This is the girl I mentioned. Madeline." Camid says. "I thought as much. I trust you've told her some of what this is all about right?" you say. "Yeah, boss." "Good, less for me to explain then. Thank you Camid, you may leave now." Camid looks a bit confused at first since he probably thought he was going to be involved in someway, but after waving him away he gets the message leaving you alone with Madeline. "So, Camid tells me you're an engineering student at the top of your class." You say. "Yeah…got anything to drink?" Madeline responds while walking and looking around. "No. I don't partake. I need a clear head to run this place." You say. "Really? Would have thought all you had to do is kick people around." "I wish it was that simple. Unfortunately it isn't. Though speaking of clear heads, I'm a little concerned with yours." "Oh? This should be good." Madeline says with a tone of snark that you decide to ignore for now. "Yes. My concern is if you're as intelligent as Camid claims you are, one wonders why the hell you're hanging around a bunch of criminals. For kicks? Well I can see that I suppose, but Yellow Devil? Come on, surely a girl like you knows the dangers of doing that vile drug." "What are you my dad?" "No, just concerned about how reliable you're going to be. If you're genuinely interested in working for us or you're just being a rebel against your real dad and mildly self-destructive." You sit up a bit from your chair and lean in on your desk. "Convince me." You say. "Is this where I have to suck your dick?" Madeline asks in a tone almost implying that she could care less if she actually has to or not. "By the gods…no girl. There's no cock sucking involved. I just want to know more about why you're even interested in doing this." Madeline for the first time stops acting so casual about this situation and starts taking it seriously. She goes on to say she isn't going to tell you her life story, but she wants to make it clear that while you're probably right on some level about her finding a thrill in all this, she's genuinely interested in his project from a scholastic point of view too. Namely helping you build an underground headquarters will give her some "life experience" and real chance to use what she's learning and has already learned especially since she doesn't hold out hope that she's going to get a "real job" after she graduates. "Why would that be the case? You're rich aren't you? Surely you can get some strings pulled and you could work anywhere." You ask. "Yeah, if I ask my dad for help and I get too much from him as it is…anyway I might very well get a job, but I'm not actually going to work. You're probably not aware, but women don't exactly populate the field and tends to be an old boy's club. As a result it doesn't matter how high my grades are, I'm never going to get a project where I'm actually going to be involved in any meaningful way. At best I'd just be kept around so guys stare at my tits all day. If I were a dwarf, it wouldn't matter what gender I was. (Sigh) Humanity sucks sometimes." "Hm. I think I understand your position now. You're using this opportunity to ply your desired trade. That's actually a reasonable mindset, if an unconventional way to go about it. I still have a few more concerns, but you can tell me more, just let me get my layout plans of what I'm envisioning." Madeline talks a bit more about herself and how she first met Camid in the first place. It was basically a typical "wild night" with some of her other university associates and they came down to the sewers to "live dangerously." She actually says she didn't really want to take Yellow Devil in the first place and it was just a stupid dare the first time. She also says that she's long since known that Camid isn't giving her the real stuff. In fact she says she's not even interested in taking it anymore. From what you can tell, you're still somewhat correct about her being a little self-destructive. While her self esteem isn't so low that she's outright suicidal, there's definitely enough dissatisfaction in her existence that it's caused her to not enjoy her life of privilege and instead hang around a violent criminal organization. Probably daddy issues as well given that he's brought up a couple times and she quickly doesn't want to talk about him. (Mother is apparently dead) You even try to ask who he is, but she just assures you that he's not on the Klyton Council if that's what you were wondering about. However, she seems to perk up quite a bit when she goes through your lay out plans. She starts changing your original plan quite a bit, but she's respectful the entire time and explains why for everything. One thing that she mentions that you didn't expect is her recommendation for labor. "Goblins? Seriously?" you ask. "Yes. Next to dwarves, they're the next best civilized race that has a natural affinity to digging tunnels and building lasting underground structures and not having them collapse. In fact I read when Klyton had vast amounts of miners, the human union made such a stink to the company about employing goblins because they would work cheaper and longer hours. So there were never any proper goblin miners, at least never for long. Most of them are usually in the poorer areas of Klyton as dung sweepers and such, though I know one on campus as a janitor and I've spoken with him several times. We're almost friends in a weird way. I think if I convince him, he can easily gather up more of his buddies." Madeline remarks. "Hm, interesting. Well, I suppose we'll gather the rest of equipment." "Sounds like you've got that under control. Um, can I stay here the night and look over these plans and this map of the sewers? I really want to get started on working on designing a new layout and where the best location would be for your headquarters." "Um… sure. Don't you have school though?" "Don't have a class for a couple days. I'm good until then." "Oh, well I can have a room for you. Can't do anything about the lingering smell I'm afraid, but then that's part of why we're trying to design a place not actually in the damn sewer." Madeline thanks you and you see her out the door. As strange as this arrangement is, you have a positive feeling about it, though you're still going to remain cautiously optimistic until you actually see some work from her. In the meantime, you can imagine the comments you're going to get from Zal about this, but then what else is new? > You time passes... Year 26 "Your school girl would go a lot faster if she was a REAL engineer and didn't have to leave every once in awhile to go attend classes. And why are we building in two different locations again?" Zalmora asks. "Because Madeline pointed out that it might be better if we didn't build everything in one place. Said it would be easier to keep the support structurally sound as well if we didn't build too big. I think it's coming along fine so far, though the ceilings are a little low. Guess goblins aren't used to building them high though." You respond. "Considering you're spending as much money as you are for this shit, I certainly hope she's at least a good lay." Zal remarks. "What? I'm not fucking her." You say. "Great. So you're just wasting money for no gain whatsoever." "We're getting our new locations! By the fucking gods, what the hell is your problem today?" "My problem is we could have had a real professional do this and probably be done by now. This little school bitch doesn't know what the fuck is doing and we got goblins running around being the obnoxious little green shits they always are." "Actually I haven't had any problem with any of them." "Ugh, they're fucking annoying." "Zal, I'm not going to argue about this anymore. Things are going just fine, you're just finding shit to nitpick about." "Have it your way, but here's one more for the road. If you REALLY aren't fucking big tits McRed, you better have a little chat with her because I've seen how she acts when you speak with each other. Maybe you're oblivious, but the girl has a serious crush on you." "You're talking nonsense." You snort. "I'm serious. You don't notice how chipper she is when she speaks to you? How she makes these girly giggles over shit you say which isn't even funny half the time? How she makes every effort to be very close or even touch your arm or hand when you're around? If the girl was anymore obvious, she'd have her legs wrapped around you." Now that you think about it, Zal isn't wrong on her observations. Madeline's personality has been a lot more positive since the first time you met her. Though it makes you wonder… "Okay, so say maybe she does, what I find interesting is how you've been studying our relationship and interaction. Are you jealous?" you say with a chortle. "Hah! Typical male ego. You wish. But I'll tell you who IS jealous, Camid." Zalmora retorts. "Camid?" "Yeah, the repulsive guy in charge of Yellow Devil creation and distribution and stinks of Yellow Devil fumes most of the time? There are already rumors going on about you fucking schoolgirl, I can't imagine Camid is happy about that, still being her boyfriend and all. I've seen this happen before and it never ends well. So if you don't want a knife suddenly in your back, like I said, you better straighten out this misunderstanding…or at least tell a convincing lie." "There's nothing going on with Madeline!" "Hey, I'm not the one you have to convince. I'll leave you to it boss man, I mean we all know you're the one who runs everything here." Zal says and leaves. You hate it when she makes sense. While you had better things to do today, you probably should talk to both of them and do it now just to get it out of the way. Since you're not exactly in the mood to breath in Yellow Devil fumes right now, you decide to go see Madeline first who as far as you know is overseeing work on the other location. You might as well check on that while you're at it. After an uneventful walk in the sewers, you get to the location. So far it doesn't look much different than your future headquarters, though the rooms are bigger. In the biggest of these rooms, you find Madeline ordering about a few goblins in their native language. It's weird how they don't mind taking her orders. When they see you, they move even quicker. Madeline turns and sees you as well. She smiles and immediately walks quickly over to you. "You're here! I didn't expect to see you so soon after the last time you inspected this place. I would have doubled the work time on it!" Madeline beams. You get the impression that she nearly was going to hug you, but stopped herself. "No, that's okay. I'd rather you take a little extra time to make sure everything is secure. So is this room going to be where we hold the fighting games?" you say. "Yes, that was my intention. I think it might need more expansion, and of course we're going to make it look better than it currently does, but it's well on its way!" "Well I can honestly say you are doing a fine job, and best of all, it isn't costing me a lot. I gotta talk to you about something though." "Me too! But first I have to show you this, come with me!" "Um, okay." Madeline walks ahead of you first, but when you aren't moving fast enough, she actually pulls your hand in an effort to get you to follow faster. You soon enter a small partially dug out room that has a single lantern lighting it. You don't see anything out of the ordinary here. "Madeline, what…" you start to ask, and before you know it, she's all over you. After about a couple of minutes of slobbering over each other, Madeline finally comes up for air. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this…" she says and then goes in to try to kiss you again before you stop her. "Madeline! Hold on! I…can't…WE can't do this. I think you've gotten the wrong idea!" you exclaim. "Didn't seem like it when you had your tongue in my mouth and your hand on my ass a few moments ago." Madeline says. "You…you caught me by surprise! I'm only human damn it! Look, you're obviously a very attractive girl and maybe you're into me because I'm being supportive in your dreams or something, but we can't do this." "Why not?" "Well for one thing, you're Camid's girlfriend and people are already whispering untrue rumors about us. I mean if you were just some whore, it probably wouldn't be a big deal because…well whores are a whores and everyone is supposed to be fucking them. But you're not a whore and you're in a real relationship with another Crimson Talon. Stealing someone else's girlfriend is just bad for business. It creates hard feelings and much worse." "I don't understand. You're dealing drugs, running illegal fights, and other activities but being with someone who would rather be with you is where you draw the line?" "Well, there's gotta be a line drawn somewhere. Otherwise this all falls apart. You know, like a support beam for the tunnels you're building." "But you're the boss, can't you just do what you want?" "Well it's a little more complicated than that. The key to being in charge is also trying not to be hated. And what about Camid? I thought you and he were together." "Eh, he was okay at first, but now....well I find him…limited. I'd rather be with you. I like the way I feel when you're around encouraging me. Camid doesn't understand anything that I talk about. He just stares at my tits and wants to fuck." "How do you know that I'm not doing the same thing?" "Obviously you aren't, because if you did, we'd be fucking right now. My point is, I feel like I can at least converse with you about a variety of things. I mean maybe you don't understand all my technical university speak, but I know you're at least on my intellectual level." "…thanks? I think?" "Plus…this isn't just some stupid crush like you probably think it is. You've been so nice to me. I think…I think I'm really starting to…" "Don't finish that sentence!" you shout. "Well I can't help my feelings towards you! Oh I don't understand why you can't just kill Camid so we can be together!" Madeline exclaims and then hugs you tightly and trying not to cry. And that intensified quickly. "Madeline. (Sigh) Look. You're experiencing a phase. You don't seriously want any sort of long term relationship with someone like me. I mean if you think I'm any better than Camid, you're only thinking that because I find you useful in a capacity that doesn't involve sex. I'm NOT a nice guy. Just ask anyone. Hell, talk with Zalmora. She'll be the first one to tell you all my shortcomings." You say. "It's not a phase though…" Madeline says with a quiver in her voice. "Well if it isn't, you're just going to have to get over it anyway. Because WE are not happening. I'm not looking for anyone long term and I don't want it. It's not who I am. Apologies." Madeline now starts to cry quietly. "Now if this is just too much for you, I'll completely understand if you don't want to work on this project anymore. I can find someone else." You say. "(Sniff) No. No…I'll continue the work. I promised to see this through. I…won't say anything to Camid either (sniff) I'll just get over it, like you (sob) said…" Madeline says before crying again. You haven't felt nearly this bad since you left Annah back in Teckleville. Still, you feel this is for the best and hopefully Madeline can indeed "get over it" like she claims. As you leave Madeline to her sadness, you move on to your next unpleasant task and that's speaking to Camid. You're not entirely sure how you're going to tell him though. After another uneventful walk through the sewers you get to the Yellow Devil Den. For obvious reasons you don't come here that much, because the place stinks worse than the rest of the sewers and always has junkies hanging around, acting crazy or just slowly melting. Though the melting is a little less now that Camid's made strides in cutting Yellow Devil with less lethal ingredients and still managed to maintain it's feel good effects. Still doesn't make you want to stick around though. Several Crimson Talons see you and let you in immediately while pushing away any junkies attempting to get in. Doesn't take you long to find Camid. He's surprised to see you. Camid and you head to his own little area where the stench of Yellow Devil fumes isn't burning your nostrils to talk. You decide to go with a half truth and explain that you've been hearing the concerning rumors about you and Madeline and you're here to dispel them, because it's not healthy to the organization to have something like that spread around when it isn't even true in the first place. You explain you have no interest in Madeline other than her work on the project. You even sort of imply you're actually trying to get back with Zalmora. Camid seems to react positively to your explanation with no hint of any underlining hostility. He either means it, or he's subtler than you gave him credit for. Either way, it would seem the matter is closed. You return to work and later you see Zalmora and Vaughn. "Well? Did you take care of that business?" Zalmora asks. "Not that it concerns you, but yes I did. Now let's move on to other things." You reply. The next few days are a little tense and you stay on your guard. You half expect Camid or Madeline to do something crazy, try to kill you, or something that causes problems. None of that happens though. Weeks pass and while Madeline occasionally gives you a longing glance she never initiates anything. You try to keep your contact short with her. Camid doesn't act out of the ordinary either when you see him. Neither one mentions their relationship with each other so you assume they're still together. Then just when you think everything is settled with this situation, disaster strikes. "He's fucking dead?" you exclaim. "Afraid so boss. Camid was found dead with several large holes in him. Legs, back, chest, head, arms, everywhere." Vaughn remarks. "Well what the hell happened?" "Dunno. Some of the Talons just found him in his room in the den like that. No signs of anyone breaking in or anything." Zalmora just looks at you. "Do I even need to say it?" she asks. "(Sigh) No. But I'm wondering how she did it exactly. I just don't see her as a natural killer and Camid wasn't a push over…wait a minute. Sonofabitch. She used the little green bastards! They follow everything she says. They're also small and sneaky enough to dig some little passage that only they could get in and then. You said Camid had large holes all over his body. Probably from pick axes." You say. "I'm a little lost here, who killed Camid?" Vaughn asks. "The love of his life, school girl killed him." Zal says. "Wait, why?" "Geez, Vaugh you're really behind aren't you? Our glorious leader here turned down her advances a few weeks ago. Surprised the hell out of me too, but messing with another man's girlfriend isn't one of the vices he has apparently. It appears though school girl figured out a loop hole and took matters into her own hands." Zal explains. "Why couldn't she have just broke up with Camid?" Vaughn asks. "Because that still would have caused conflict if the boss got with her. Camid isn't likely to be the type to just accept seeing someone else with his ex especially so soon and so close. Nope, had to kill him. Only logical play." Zal then turns to you. "Which now I guess means the next step is yours heartbreaker." > You talk with Madeline Well, she did take the initiative and solve the main problem concerning you being together. That's sort of an admirable trait. The fact that she got her little goblin friends to do it implies she's actually a lot more dangerous than you could have imagined. You can't help but find that a little alluring, if also a little concerning. You're also concerned with Madeline's possible mental stability if she was willing to go to this much trouble to be with you. You stand up and start to leave. "Where are you going?" Vaughn asks. "I'm going to go see Madeline." You say. "Well don't you want back up?" "Why would he need back up Vaughn? I'm sure he can fuck her perfectly well all by himself." Zalmora says. "I'm just going to go talk with her." You say. "Sure you are." Not wishing to debate it any longer with Zal, you leave and head to where you remember Madeline was supposed to be overseeing today which is the new headquarters being built. When you arrive you find it strange you don't see any goblins running around going about their digging and building. In fact it's completely empty until you find Madeline sitting against the wall. She looks up when you enter the room. "Hi. I guess you figured it out already." She says. "Well, it wasn't incredibly hard to figure out. Where are all the goblins?" you ask. "Oh, I sent them to go work at the other location when they told me you were coming to talk. I figured we should be alone." "Well that's…wait. How did they know I was coming to talk? I didn't even see any of them on the way here." Madeline stands up and begins to walk over to you. "They didn't just dig a tunnel into the Yellow Devil Den. They've dug tunnels all over the sewers. Mostly under them. Made it easier for them to get around without having to walk about in the actual sewers. They may have also dug some tunnels near your old head quarters…you know, you look very peaceful when you sleep…" Madeline says and goes to touch your face, but you stop her by grabbing her wrist. "You…you've been watching me sleep?" you ask. "Just a few times…are you going to kill me?" Madeline asks. "Honestly Madeline I don't know at this point! I mean never mind the fact that you killed one of my more productive members, but your actions are pretty damn batshit insane. You got goblins doing your bidding, you're stalking and spying on me, you showed no signs of being a killer before and yet you just killed a man who actually DID love you in his limited way. I mean you're fucking dangerous, how the hell am I supposed to trust someone like that?" "Because I love you! I did this all for you! I'm doing this ALL for you! I would never hurt you!" At this point Madeline gloms on to you and unsuccessfully tries not to cry. She's holding on you like you're life itself, which is funny considering you just said you weren't sure if you going to kill her or not. You honestly are at a bit of a loss. Instinct is screaming at you that this a bad idea, but along with the emotional shit Madeline is laying on you, it doesn't help that she feels real good against you right now. She looks up at you with eyes mixed with hope and sadness. There's probably a tinge of madness in those eyes as well. And from there your face moves in towards hers for the kiss and you shortly after that you finally consummate this relationship. Well you made your decision with your dick…again. Though to be honest when you first went to talk to her, your mind was mostly made up anyway, because despite her obvious mental problems, you really can't resist a pretty girl who is willing to do all that for you. It's a huge ego boost for one thing. As far as any actual deeper feelings for Madeline…well you can always try and it isn't like you don't have a base to work from. Afterwards Madeline attempts to cuddle with you and all that other stuff that goes along with having a "proper" girlfriend, but you tell her that while you'd love to spend all day just being naked with her, you both have important shit to do and you have to get back to it. Eventually you make your way back to headquarters and of course Zal is there. You already know what's coming. "Oh you're finally back, that must have been a very involved discussion." Zal remarks. "I don't even want to hear it." You say. "You won't hear it from me. You're the boss, you can do what you want obviously. Camid wasn't exactly popular so it isn't like this is going to cause the eyebrows of other Talons to rise. Fairly certain most of them would have killed him to fuck schoolgirl as well, if they had the chance…but then SHE was the one that set that up isn't she? You must be awfully special to her." "Okay, Zal." "Didn't think you were the settling down type, but I imagine unconditional obsession wrapped in that package is a bit hard to turn down. Must be nice to be loved so unconditionally." "I thought you said you weren't going to say anything." "You've been working with me this long and you believed that? Hah, no wonder she got you." "I don't have time for this, and don't you got some work to do?" "Yes, yes, I'm going…but before I do…" "Here we go…" "This relationship is a really bad idea. And I'm not talking just for the survival of this organization, but your survival in general. This girl is not just obviously dangerous, but she's manipulative as well. You may like the attention you're getting from her now, but you might not like it when you realize you don't want it anymore. And when that day comes, it isn't going to be good." "Well as usual, you can always leave Zalmora. You're always bitching about what I do or don't do. As a matter of fact, I'll make the decision for you since you seem to be unable to. Get the hell out, you're not a Talon anymore." "Get out of here, you don't mean that…" "The hell I don't! Why does it matter if you stay here anyway? I mean you've hinted on occasion in the past that you don't really find this life as appealing anymore. So why not get out? You should be thanking me! I'm giving you a rare opportunity to walk away from a criminal organization and not even asking for anything in return." Zalmora at first is shocked that you would say this to her, but then she chuckles. "Sure, I get it. You're right, there really isn't much point in me sticking around now, and maybe it is time for me to move on with my life. Gods know I've wasted more of it than probably should have. Anyway, I'm sure school girl will be very helpful in your future endeavors. And I sincerely hope I'm wrong and you and her live happily ever after or how ever that goes." Zal then looks down a bit, sighs and then finishes her goodbye. "Okay, well I'll just go say goodbye to Vaughn and get the hell out of your way." Zal then leaves without another word. You can't help but wonder if feelings were running a little deeper than she let on. She probably took it for granted that you wouldn't ever be involved seriously with someone else. She also took it for granted that you weren't going to eventually get tired of her shit. Still, you'd be lying to yourself if you weren't going to miss her. She kept an eye on details and things organized. Now you're going to have to do all that shit yourself, because while Vaughn isn't incompetent, he's no Zal. In the meantime, you need to get the Yellow Devil Den running at full capacity again. > You time passes... Year 28 Life is good. Business is going well now thanks to your better locations. More people seem to prefer gambling in an area that smells tolerable for one thing. Madeline also had the goblins build a hidden entrance way topside so folks can now enter directly and not have to muck about through the sewers. Your new headquarters is also much better than the one you had in the sewers The only business you left in the sewers was the Yellow Devil Den. Seemed fairly pointless to befoul your new locations with it and it's users. Better it should stay in the sewers. Though Madeline actually has told you she has an idea to make a special area for that too since she can easily get the goblin crew to help again. She says she plans to help you out a lot more when she isn't in school any longer. And graduation for her is coming soon, today in fact. You never thought you'd ever be visiting where your father went to learn to be a doctor, but you aren't going to miss Madeline accepting her diploma. You genuinely love her as your relationship has grown. You were a little concerned at first, but you found that while it isn't perfect, you feel pretty comfortable with her. You even have vivid dreams about her. Almost so real that you aren't even parted when you sleep. You've told her all about your life in Teckleville, and your family. She hopes one day that maybe she can meet them, especially your sister. (You still wonder about all of them from time to time) While Madeline has talked about her past, she still hasn't mentioned too much about her family. Not even about her father who you know she isn't fond of, but you don't know why exactly. She just mentions she has no contact with her father other than him paying for her education. It's never a topic she wishes to discuss; she just wants to focus on the future with you, which is fine as far as you're concerned. "So how do I look?" you ask. "Well, you wouldn't be my type, but you do look dapper in that suit." Vaughn says. "I'm crushed. But good, I don't want to look too out of place at Madeline's graduation." "They grow up so fast huh?" Vaughn snorts. "Okay, don't even go there with the dad thing. I'm not even that much older than her. I trust you can look after things here for awhile?" "Sure boss, no problem." You leave Vaughn and head to the surface. You're not going to walk all the damn way to the university though, so you pay for a horse and buggy to take you there. As you ride, you realize you haven't really travelled around the city as much since you took control of the Crimson Talons. You've mostly been stuck underground most of the time. When you arrive at the university you don't have too difficult of a time finding where the ceremony is taking place. The university is very clean and orderly, you briefly imagine your father walking around this place back when he was going here. Eventually you get to a big open field area with several seats and a stage set up. Others are already seated so you find yourself a chair in the back. While nobody is staring at you, you still feel a little out of place. You just never thought you'd be at a place of higher learning and attending someone's graduation ceremony. As you wait for things to get started, someone sits next to you, when you turn to see who it is, you can't believe who it is. "Glad to see you made it to my daughter's graduation." Mr. Reynolds says with a smile. "…you… YOU?! You're her father?!" you say. "Yes, and shhh. Don't make a scene. I'm not here to cause problems." "I can't believe this." "I guess she didn't tell you about me. She never does. (Sigh) Even after all I've done for her. Though I suppose if she had talked about me, you would have thought twice about being with her and that would have been a shame…because I know how much you make her happy and she's going to need that bit of happiness to hang on to where she's going." "What? Where's she going?" Mr. Reynolds chuckles a bit. "She's going back home of course. Her time here is done, well for now it is anyway." Mr. Reynolds says. "What do you mean? Isn't this city her home?" "Klyton is just her current place residence, but her real home is…well it's very different. You might even say it's a different realm altogether." The way Mr. Reynolds smiles at this point makes you completely tense up. You don't like whatever he's about to say. "She's not human m'boy. Well…not entirely human anyway. She's a bit of a late bloomer though with her powers, but I love her all the same. Let me ask you something though, has she been appearing in your dreams recently?" "…yes." You answer hesitantly. "Yeah, her mother will probably be coming for her soon." "Her mother? I thought her mother was dead." "Oh no. I just told her that her mother died in childbirth. Her mother is really a full-blooded succubus. They aren't known to be maternal until their daughters have already grown up and shown that they're worthy of their attention. Displayed powers and such. They never much bother with their male children at all though. I should know." You have no words. "Of course most of them just eat their off spring as soon as they give birth to them, but I told that bitch, no daughter of mine was going to be a snack. I'll admit, I wasn't the best father probably, but I think between me or being breakfast, well I think I'll be vindicated once Madeline finds out the truth about herself." Mr. Reynolds says. "You don't think she'll be even more pissed at you for NOT telling her and it just suddenly being sprung on her like this?" you blurt out. "…hmmm…y'know I never considered that. Oh well. It isn't like she's my only child. My boy Henry starting to show a lot of promise. Can't wait for him to take over the business someday." You almost feel like standing up and shouting Klyton has been infiltrated by demon spawn at this point. However, you've got bigger concerns. "Does Madeline have to return? I mean can't she resist?" you ask. "There's no debate m'boy. She's going to go. I mean there probably will be an urge to resist at first, but it doesn't take long before that infernal blood pulls them in and they return to fully embrace their demon powers " "Always?" "Well, a few sadly succeed. But I promised her mother long ago that if Madeline ever started to bloom that I would do everything possible to help that process along." "But she's nice! And good!" you say. "Nice? Good? Ha ha ha ha! That's a cute. She's with you, how good can she really be? Plus I know how she killed her old boyfriend with her little goblin influencing powers. Shit, that's proof right there that's she's going to make a fine succubus. She's already killing boyfriends. Speaking of which, you m'boy have to go." "What?" "You. You have to go. I'm not having my daughter not achieve her rightful destiny by holding on to her misguided love for you. Now, you can stay to see her graduate, but then you need to leave. And I don't mean just here. You need to leave the city and go some place far away. If you're dreaming about her, that means she's already starting to imprint on you. However, she's probably not strong enough to find you if you the city. By then her mother and maybe even I will have convinced her to embrace her powers." You start to say something, but Mr. Reynolds stops you and also grabs your wrist tightly. So tight that it almost feels like he's going to crush your bones. "YOU are NOT going to stop this son. Take solace in the fact that you NEVER had a choice." Mr. Reynolds says in a low firm voice. Mr. Reynolds is giving off an aura that puts you completely on the edge terror. This isn't just a normal threat. You're seeing something new. Something less human, less mortal even. A faint scent also hits your nose, it's brimstone. Still despite all this, you do have real feelings for Madeline. Maybe it's because you left Annah when she was in trouble that you don't want to do the same thing to Madeline. At the very least, you want to be able to give HER the choice. "Mr. Reynolds…I love your daughter. I can't just take off and leave without at least presenting my side to her." You say, mustering all your courage, which causes a smile from Mr. Reynolds. "Fair enough, I can respect that, but let me ask you this…are you REALLY willing to go through hell for her son? Now I want you to think VERY carefully before answering. Because IF you are willing to go all in on proving how much you actually do love my daughter, then I need that answer now." > Yes No soon have you said yes, when Mr. Reynolds closed smile becomes a disturbing toothy grin. "Thank you son. You just made convincing her much easier." Mr. Reynolds says and then suddenly touches your chest and you feel like your heart has a hot knife going into it. It might as well have because you feel like death is approaching you quickly as your body begins to seize up. You can't even cry out. Mr. Reynolds sits you up in your chair and draws attention away from any possible onlookers by sitting you up in your chair so your body just slouches on it without falling. He then makes some out loud comment about you being really tired today and to just rest your eyes a bit if you need to. As this is all happening you just stare the stage where some old guy is talking at a podium. struggling to keep your eyes open. As the graduates are called on stage, your mind begins to get foggy and your lids get even heavier. You manage to just barely see Madeline accept her diploma before everything goes black. You don't know how long everything is black for, but it's a long time. Eventually you wake up. First thing you notice is you're stark naked, laying on a bed and it's incredibly hot. The room you're in is fairly nice, so you have to be someplace upscale. When you try to get up however, you find that you can't move. You're not being held down by anything either. It's more of a force holding you down. This doesn't fill you with confidence that your situation has improved. As you struggle, the door to the room is suddenly opened and there you see her. Madeline. But she's different now. She's naked as well for one thing and while you've seen her in that state many times, you've never seen her skin with a red hue before. One might even say crimson color. She also notice she has little horns protruding from her head. Barely noticeable, but there none the less. You have a sinking feeling that things just got even worse… "Hey, you're finally awake I was hoping you would soon." "Madeline…what's going on?" "We're in our new house! Do you like the room? If not, we can always change it up for you." "House? Look, your father…" "Yes, he told me. He told me everything. I always knew you loved me! And now that you're conscious again, we can have a bit of fun. And I need to have some fun right now." Madeline says and rushes over to lie next to you in the bed and kisses you. You suddenly feel the force holding you down lifted. While this would be great any other time, you're still concerned about you situation. "Madeline, I REALLY need to know what's going on." You say. "Oh, can we not talk about that right now? You don't really want to know anyway." Madeline responds. "Madeline…please. Tell me what's going on." Madeline almost looks a bit sad when you insist, but she tells you. "You're dead baby." Madeline remarks while stroking your face. "I'm dead?" you ask. "And you're in the infernal realm." "I'm in fucking hell?" "Yes, but it could be worse! I mean you're with me!" Madeline realizes that she might need to give you a fuller explanation so she proceeds to do so. She tells you that her father killed and collected your soul. She says he doesn't do that often because it requires a lot of energy for him to do so mainly because he's not a full blood demon, but he felt this was an important occasion. She then says right after she graduated her mother approached her and how strange that event was. The funnier thing she said though is she didn't completely disbelieve her mother's story when she heard it as she always felt like there was something more to her life. Still, it wasn't something she wanted to necessarily embrace, so for the next few days it was nothing but arguments with her and her new found demonic mother. Meanwhile her father was preparing your soul to present to her. Madeline still didn't even know you were dead at this time. By the time her father showed up, she was ready to run off but then he presented your soul to her. He said he would only give it to her if she embraced her demonic heritage and return home. He then of course told her what you said to him and if it was a choice between disobeying and saving your soul from eternal torment, her choice was easy. "Shit, I'm sorry." you say. "For what?" Madeline says. "If it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't have come here." "Oh…I wouldn't bet on all that. I may have eventually come here anyway…I mean I was wondering what I was going to do after graduation…hey did you know besides slowly embracing my heritage, they wanted me to help oversee the building of a new pain tower? I'm getting to use what I learned!" Madeline beams. "And me?" "Well…you're here, you're mine and you're safe…as long as you stay in this room. But you get to be with me, isn't that enough?" You look at Madeline and your eyes gaze all over her naked body, this followed by your hands wandering. Madeline giggles a bit and touches you as well. "Well, okay here and now. Yeah, that's definitely enough. But…I'm just wondering what's going to happen as time goes on. I mean you're a demon so I assume you're immortal on some level and I'm dead and here in soul form or whatever it is. I mean this is forever. How long before you get tired of me? Will you eventually discard the last remnants of your humanity and just throw me in a pain tower or something as soon as I anger you in some way? I mean how much time to we really have? Should I prepare myself for the inevitable?" Madeline's face gets sad again, it's obvious she doesn't want to think about that. Despite the new horns she's very much still hanging on to most of her human emotions for you. She sits up and starts to sniffle a bit. "What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to upset her and shorten your relative paradise? Just go with it, stupid!" you think to yourself. You sit up and caress Madeline's shoulders and back. "You're right. Let's not worry about it. I said I'd go through hell for you…and well here I am and I love you for saving my soul." You say and then lean in and turn Madeline's head to kiss her on the lips. As Madeline and you embrace, you think about how your actions lead you to this fate. You might be running on borrowed time, but you might as well enjoy it, because not many are in your privileged position in the infernal realm. Whatever lies in store for you, your life as a rogue has definitely ended.

Year 28 Life is good. Business is going well now thanks to your better locations. More people seem to prefer gambling in an area that smells tolerable for one thing. Madeline also had the goblins build a hidden entrance way topside so folks can now enter directly and not have to muck about through the sewers. Your new headquarters is also much better than the one you had in the sewers The only business you left in the sewers was the Yellow Devil Den. Seemed fairly pointless to befoul your new locations with it and it's users. Better it should stay in the sewers. Though Madeline actually has told you she has an idea to make a special area for that too since she can easily get the goblin crew to help again. She says she plans to help you out a lot more when she isn't in school any longer. And graduation for her is coming soon, today in fact. You never thought you'd ever be visiting where your father went to learn to be a doctor, but you aren't going to miss Madeline accepting her diploma. You genuinely love her as your relationship has grown. You were a little concerned at first, but you found that while it isn't perfect, you feel pretty comfortable with her. You even have vivid dreams about her. Almost so real that you aren't even parted when you sleep. You've told her all about your life in Teckleville, and your family. She hopes one day that maybe she can meet them, especially your sister. (You still wonder about all of them from time to time) While Madeline has talked about her past, she still hasn't mentioned too much about her family. Not even about her father who you know she isn't fond of, but you don't know why exactly. She just mentions she has no contact with her father other than him paying for her education. It's never a topic she wishes to discuss; she just wants to focus on the future with you, which is fine as far as you're concerned. "So how do I look?" you ask. "Well, you wouldn't be my type, but you do look dapper in that suit." Vaughn says. "I'm crushed. But good, I don't want to look too out of place at Madeline's graduation." "They grow up so fast huh?" Vaughn snorts. "Okay, don't even go there with the dad thing. I'm not even that much older than her. I trust you can look after things here for awhile?" "Sure boss, no problem." You leave Vaughn and head to the surface. You're not going to walk all the damn way to the university though, so you pay for a horse and buggy to take you there. As you ride, you realize you haven't really travelled around the city as much since you took control of the Crimson Talons. You've mostly been stuck underground most of the time. When you arrive at the university you don't have too difficult of a time finding where the ceremony is taking place. The university is very clean and orderly, you briefly imagine your father walking around this place back when he was going here. Eventually you get to a big open field area with several seats and a stage set up. Others are already seated so you find yourself a chair in the back. While nobody is staring at you, you still feel a little out of place. You just never thought you'd be at a place of higher learning and attending someone's graduation ceremony. As you wait for things to get started, someone sits next to you, when you turn to see who it is, you can't believe who it is. "Glad to see you made it to my daughter's graduation." Mr. Reynolds says with a smile. "…you… YOU?! You're her father?!" you say. "Yes, and shhh. Don't make a scene. I'm not here to cause problems." "I can't believe this." "I guess she didn't tell you about me. She never does. (Sigh) Even after all I've done for her. Though I suppose if she had talked about me, you would have thought twice about being with her and that would have been a shame…because I know how much you make her happy and she's going to need that bit of happiness to hang on to where she's going." "What? Where's she going?" Mr. Reynolds chuckles a bit. "She's going back home of course. Her time here is done, well for now it is anyway." Mr. Reynolds says. "What do you mean? Isn't this city her home?" "Klyton is just her current place residence, but her real home is…well it's very different. You might even say it's a different realm altogether." The way Mr. Reynolds smiles at this point makes you completely tense up. You don't like whatever he's about to say. "She's not human m'boy. Well…not entirely human anyway. She's a bit of a late bloomer though with her powers, but I love her all the same. Let me ask you something though, has she been appearing in your dreams recently?" "…yes." You answer hesitantly. "Yeah, her mother will probably be coming for her soon." "Her mother? I thought her mother was dead." "Oh no. I just told her that her mother died in childbirth. Her mother is really a full-blooded succubus. They aren't known to be maternal until their daughters have already grown up and shown that they're worthy of their attention. Displayed powers and such. They never much bother with their male children at all though. I should know." You have no words. "Of course most of them just eat their off spring as soon as they give birth to them, but I told that bitch, no daughter of mine was going to be a snack. I'll admit, I wasn't the best father probably, but I think between me or being breakfast, well I think I'll be vindicated once Madeline finds out the truth about herself." Mr. Reynolds says. "You don't think she'll be even more pissed at you for NOT telling her and it just suddenly being sprung on her like this?" you blurt out. "…hmmm…y'know I never considered that. Oh well. It isn't like she's my only child. My boy Henry starting to show a lot of promise. Can't wait for him to take over the business someday." You almost feel like standing up and shouting Klyton has been infiltrated by demon spawn at this point. However, you've got bigger concerns. "Does Madeline have to return? I mean can't she resist?" you ask. "There's no debate m'boy. She's going to go. I mean there probably will be an urge to resist at first, but it doesn't take long before that infernal blood pulls them in and they return to fully embrace their demon powers " "Always?" "Well, a few sadly succeed. But I promised her mother long ago that if Madeline ever started to bloom that I would do everything possible to help that process along." "But she's nice! And good!" you say. "Nice? Good? Ha ha ha ha! That's a cute. She's with you, how good can she really be? Plus I know how she killed her old boyfriend with her little goblin influencing powers. Shit, that's proof right there that's she's going to make a fine succubus. She's already killing boyfriends. Speaking of which, you m'boy have to go." "What?" "You. You have to go. I'm not having my daughter not achieve her rightful destiny by holding on to her misguided love for you. Now, you can stay to see her graduate, but then you need to leave. And I don't mean just here. You need to leave the city and go some place far away. If you're dreaming about her, that means she's already starting to imprint on you. However, she's probably not strong enough to find you if you the city. By then her mother and maybe even I will have convinced her to embrace her powers." You start to say something, but Mr. Reynolds stops you and also grabs your wrist tightly. So tight that it almost feels like he's going to crush your bones. "YOU are NOT going to stop this son. Take solace in the fact that you NEVER had a choice." Mr. Reynolds says in a low firm voice. Mr. Reynolds is giving off an aura that puts you completely on the edge terror. This isn't just a normal threat. You're seeing something new. Something less human, less mortal even. A faint scent also hits your nose, it's brimstone. Still despite all this, you do have real feelings for Madeline. Maybe it's because you left Annah when she was in trouble that you don't want to do the same thing to Madeline. At the very least, you want to be able to give HER the choice. "Mr. Reynolds…I love your daughter. I can't just take off and leave without at least presenting my side to her." You say, mustering all your courage, which causes a smile from Mr. Reynolds. "Fair enough, I can respect that, but let me ask you this…are you REALLY willing to go through hell for her son? Now I want you to think VERY carefully before answering. Because IF you are willing to go all in on proving how much you actually do love my daughter, then I need that answer now." > No You realize what Mr. Reynolds is trying to do. He's trying to talk you into some "contract." With some effort you manage to pull your hand free of Mr. Reynold's grip. "No." you say causing a bit of a frown from Mr. Reynolds. "Hmm, not as stupid as you appear. I can respect that too. But if your answer is no then you will be leaving after all and I don't think I need to explain why. Madeline's mother isn't as nice as I am." This is a shitty situation. You don't want to leave Madeline, but you also don't want to be on the wrong end of a bunch of violent demons. You aren't equipped to handle it even with the resources you have at your disposal and you question if any of them would be of any real help if it came down to it anyway. (Besides Vaughn maybe) To top everything off, you now have to abandon what you got going on here! You wish you had listened to Zalmora. You don't say any more and just get up to leave. As you're doing this, you make one last glance back at the stage and there you see Madeline accepting her diploma with a big smile. She has no idea what is in store for her. You manage to catch a buggy back to the slums of Klyton and from there you make your way back to headquarters. The first thing you do is start opening your safes and hauling out the most precious valuables along with a good stack of gold coins. "Hey boss, I saw you come back. What's going on?" Vaughn suddenly asks walking in you. "Vaughn, this is your lucky day. You're inheriting everything and it required absolutely no effort on your part other than being more competent than every other Crimson Talon here." You reply. "What?" "As of right now Vaughn, you're head of the Crimson Talons. Good luck." "I am? Wait. Where are you going?" "Me? I have no idea, but I'm going far away. I won't be coming back either." "Why? Is the militia on your ass? Should I be worried?" "Hah. The militia. If only it was that simple. No, it's a little more complicated than that, but no you shouldn't be worried. However, if Madeline comes by tell her…tell her that I didn't have a choice and to move on. Okay?" "Um, okay. So this is goodbye then…(sigh) I have to say it's starting to get pretty lonely here what with all of the old gang gone." "Yeah well, I'm sure you'll get by. Bye Vaughn." Without any more fanfare you leave the Crimson Talon headquarters wondering where to go. Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service. The only other place that comes to mind is Hessla which for one thing is a whole lot closer, but it also still has a reputation of being a haven for thieves, pirates, and other criminal types. At least it's something you'd be familiar with. Since you need to put as much distance between you and Klyton, you catch a carriage ride out to the infamous town. The trip to Hessla is surprisingly uneventful. You half figured you'd at least run into a few idiots trying to rob you on the road, but happily you don't encounter any problems other than the overly talkative priest of Joachim who is traveling with you thinking that he's going to bring the light of Joachim to Hessla all by himself. When you finally get to Hessla, its actually a little nicer looking than you thought it was going to look. You expected it to be filled with run down homes with unsavory types located on every corner. If anything, the town has locations that are fancier looking than some of the better parts of Klyton. After spending a few days in Hessla you also learn that this place really isn't as disorderly as it's reputation would imply. Granted it's far from being as repressive as Klyton, but there actually is a "force" that makes sure it isn't a free for all. The Hessla Headsmen report directly to the governor who apparently is an ex-pirate that controls everything in town. If anything the crime is less than one might think mainly because most are pirates and pillaging other places rather than here. You are surprisingly finding the place a bit easy on the pick pocket and theft front, of course a lot of folks are either half drunk or plain drunk most of the time. Also most folks don't seem to own that many personal belongings. You guess with most making their living at sea, they keep essentials on their ships, spend it all on booze and whores or otherwise live a very basic life, so despite you finding the town a bit easy pickings, you aren't getting rich doing it. Shops however are very well protected by the Headsmen since you guess Governor Tolen has a slice of all the businesses here. Fights are pretty common, though they aren't necessarily always to the death like you'd expect. Just a lot of disagreement and drinking make for a rowdy town. So far you've avoided pissing anyone off and kept a low profile. At first you aren't sure if you're actually going to stay here for long or not, but on your fifth night you have another dream of Madeline. In the dream she's very sad and wandering the streets of Klyton calling out and looking for you. You don't know if that's what she's actually doing in real life or you're just dreaming up the scenario, but needless to say you don't sleep very well. The next morning you decide you need to get even further away. Like completely off the mainland. The problem is you have no idea what really lies across the water. You know pirates are raiding something because you've heard the stories. Of course the problem with that is you're not looking for some place to just stop and plunder. You're looking for a place of relative civilization of where you can get your bearings before deciding what to do with the rest of your life as well as getting away from your demon spawn girlfriend. You ask around and after exchanging a bit of coin, a Hessla merchant ship (They do exist contrary to popular belief) agrees to take you to Jicol. Apparently it's a city state on a fairly large island to the west. It's about the only place that Hessla pirates never fuck with due to the well-trained navy and the fact that Jicol has made it quite clear that any attack on their ships or city will result in total war with Hessla and it isn't one the pirate town would win. You spend about a week getting to this new city. The third night aboard the ship, you have faint glimpses of Madeline's face in your dreams. At first you're concerned that you're never going to get far enough, but you have no more dreams for the rest of the trip. By the time you get settled your first night in Jicol, your dreams are back to normal and you hope they stay that way. Brand new city. Brand new life. You've done it before, now you'll have to see if you can do it again. > You time passes... Year 30 "Okay your qweepa lost. Pay up." You say. "Bah, I still think you drug him with Yellow Devil." Gil says handing over the coin. "Pfft, I've seen what that shit does to people. No way I'd give it to Swifty here." You say picking up your not so small rodent creature and petting him a couple times. "How come you don't enter him in the fights? He's big enough and his teeth are larger than the average qweepa." Trent asks. "Because I'd rather he die of old age than him risk getting ripped to shreds. Besides I'm doing just fine racing him. Anyway, that's it for me tonight, see you lot next week. Maybe we should play cards or dice next time, it'll be a fairer fight." "Ha ha. Fuck you. Next week." Gil says waving bye to you. You leave the qweepa "race track" with your pet and head home. As you're walking home you notice that the new owner of Saltwater Supplies are still routinely closing up shop at the same time to go make their prayers to Yag. You think next time you come this way; you're going to have to pay the store a little visit. While they've gone to prayer of course. Life hasn't been bad here in Jicol. You still participate in the occasional breaking and entering every now and then, but nowadays you mostly make a living racing your qweepa. Occasionally dice and cards too, but Swifty is a sure thing. Never thought you'd be a rodent racer, but here you are. Still, sometimes you wonder about your family. How your mother and father are doing and if their lives in Teckleville are better, worse or the same after events that occurred so long ago. You also wonder about your sister and if she's still travelling or settled down. Probably not. She was always more of a wanderer at heart. Whatever she's doing you hope she's doing well. You get to your humble abode and suddenly Swifty jumps off your shoulder and scurries away into a nearby crack in a wall. "Swifty! Come here! Hey!" you shout and go to the crack, but he's gone. You aren't too worried since he's run off like that before, but always comes back. He likes the Delantium cheese you give him too much to ever disappear for good. Not wishing to spend all night fumbling around in the dark outside looking for a rodent, you head inside your small home. No sooner have you shut the door when you smell the air. It's like something is on fire. At first you think it's your home, but then you realize this isn't a normal fire smell. It's brimstone. And then you see a pair of eyes in the darkness. "SHIT!" you shout and go to get the door open, but you're suddenly pulled back by a clawed hand and slammed to the floor hard. You desperately go for your flintlock, but that is smacked out of your grip by a tail that whips your hand. Your next attempt is your cutlass, but a cloven hoof puts an end to that attempt by stomping on your hand and breaking it. You then feel a body drop on your chest and putting all the weight behind it. You cough and try to catch your breath and that's when you finally see what is attacking you. A red skinned female demonic form complete with horns, wings, a tail and cloven hooves straddles your chest. Madeline. While the rest of her has changed drastically, you'd never forget her face. "Hello, lover." She hisses. "Madeline…didn't know you were coming…" you say struggling to breathe. "I thought about visiting you in your dreams, but then I thought the personal touch would be much more satisfying." "I can see how you would, but I can't say I do. Why the hell are you even here and obviously pissed at me?" "After what you did, you have the balls to ask me that? You fucking LEFT me. Left me with my asshole father and my long lost bitch of a mother! Left me with no explanation or even support!" "Now that's not true. I told Vaughn to tell you to…" "Move on with my life and how you didn't have a choice. Fuck you. You DID have a choice. You could have stayed! We could have supported each other!" "No! No we really couldn't have Madeline. Your father made it quite clear that if he didn't kill me, your mother sure as hell would have if I didn't leave. I think it's pretty obvious what the result would have been. I mean look at you, you've obviously embraced your demonic heritage within only two years and I'm NO fucking match for you." Madeline briefly looks down at her own body. "Yes, look at me. I'm a daughter of hell, seducer and destroyer of men, yet I still have these pathetic feelings of love for you. I can't move on like you suggested. I can't deal with this separation." You'd probably be more scared about what's going to come next, but the pain in your body is making fear a secondary concern and honestly you knew as soon as you didn't escape that it was probably all over. "Shit…do you really have to Madeline? I mean I know it would be difficult, but I'm willing to go back to the way things were with…" you start to say before you get a punch to your face. It feels like being hit by a piece of steel, but immediately after Madeline goes in to kiss you and even cries a bit. "I'm…sorry…but this is the way it has to be…I loved you and you abandoned me. We can't go back to the way things were. (Sniffle) But I do know how to make things right." Without another word, Madeline starts stripping off your clothing. You're really not in any condition to stop her, though you do try to feebly get away once. (Which results in another punch) Madeline being a succubus easily manages to get you "ready" and then positions herself on top of your dick and begins to grind against you. There really isn't anything pleasurable about any of this, especially how hard Madeline is riding you, tightly squeezing your arms and making unnatural noises the whole time. You also feel like your dick is on fire the entire time. The only thing you can do is hope it ends quickly, which fortunately it does and you soon release. Afterwards, Madeline then suddenly becomes "gentle" and for a brief moment lies on top of your body. "Our baby is going to be how I remember the good times with you and I'm going to be an attentive mother no matter what." She whispers in your ear. "Mad…" you start to utter before she puts a talon to your lips. "Goodbye my love." She says sadly and then with a quick strike of her finger she rips your throat open and licks your blood as you bleed out.

Year 26 "Your school girl would go a lot faster if she was a REAL engineer and didn't have to leave every once in awhile to go attend classes. And why are we building in two different locations again?" Zalmora asks. "Because Madeline pointed out that it might be better if we didn't build everything in one place. Said it would be easier to keep the support structurally sound as well if we didn't build too big. I think it's coming along fine so far, though the ceilings are a little low. Guess goblins aren't used to building them high though." You respond. "Considering you're spending as much money as you are for this shit, I certainly hope she's at least a good lay." Zal remarks. "What? I'm not fucking her." You say. "Great. So you're just wasting money for no gain whatsoever." "We're getting our new locations! By the fucking gods, what the hell is your problem today?" "My problem is we could have had a real professional do this and probably be done by now. This little school bitch doesn't know what the fuck is doing and we got goblins running around being the obnoxious little green shits they always are." "Actually I haven't had any problem with any of them." "Ugh, they're fucking annoying." "Zal, I'm not going to argue about this anymore. Things are going just fine, you're just finding shit to nitpick about." "Have it your way, but here's one more for the road. If you REALLY aren't fucking big tits McRed, you better have a little chat with her because I've seen how she acts when you speak with each other. Maybe you're oblivious, but the girl has a serious crush on you." "You're talking nonsense." You snort. "I'm serious. You don't notice how chipper she is when she speaks to you? How she makes these girly giggles over shit you say which isn't even funny half the time? How she makes every effort to be very close or even touch your arm or hand when you're around? If the girl was anymore obvious, she'd have her legs wrapped around you." Now that you think about it, Zal isn't wrong on her observations. Madeline's personality has been a lot more positive since the first time you met her. Though it makes you wonder… "Okay, so say maybe she does, what I find interesting is how you've been studying our relationship and interaction. Are you jealous?" you say with a chortle. "Hah! Typical male ego. You wish. But I'll tell you who IS jealous, Camid." Zalmora retorts. "Camid?" "Yeah, the repulsive guy in charge of Yellow Devil creation and distribution and stinks of Yellow Devil fumes most of the time? There are already rumors going on about you fucking schoolgirl, I can't imagine Camid is happy about that, still being her boyfriend and all. I've seen this happen before and it never ends well. So if you don't want a knife suddenly in your back, like I said, you better straighten out this misunderstanding…or at least tell a convincing lie." "There's nothing going on with Madeline!" "Hey, I'm not the one you have to convince. I'll leave you to it boss man, I mean we all know you're the one who runs everything here." Zal says and leaves. You hate it when she makes sense. While you had better things to do today, you probably should talk to both of them and do it now just to get it out of the way. Since you're not exactly in the mood to breath in Yellow Devil fumes right now, you decide to go see Madeline first who as far as you know is overseeing work on the other location. You might as well check on that while you're at it. After an uneventful walk in the sewers, you get to the location. So far it doesn't look much different than your future headquarters, though the rooms are bigger. In the biggest of these rooms, you find Madeline ordering about a few goblins in their native language. It's weird how they don't mind taking her orders. When they see you, they move even quicker. Madeline turns and sees you as well. She smiles and immediately walks quickly over to you. "You're here! I didn't expect to see you so soon after the last time you inspected this place. I would have doubled the work time on it!" Madeline beams. You get the impression that she nearly was going to hug you, but stopped herself. "No, that's okay. I'd rather you take a little extra time to make sure everything is secure. So is this room going to be where we hold the fighting games?" you say. "Yes, that was my intention. I think it might need more expansion, and of course we're going to make it look better than it currently does, but it's well on its way!" "Well I can honestly say you are doing a fine job, and best of all, it isn't costing me a lot. I gotta talk to you about something though." "Me too! But first I have to show you this, come with me!" "Um, okay." Madeline walks ahead of you first, but when you aren't moving fast enough, she actually pulls your hand in an effort to get you to follow faster. You soon enter a small partially dug out room that has a single lantern lighting it. You don't see anything out of the ordinary here. "Madeline, what…" you start to ask, and before you know it, she's all over you. After about a couple of minutes of slobbering over each other, Madeline finally comes up for air. "You don't know how long I've wanted to do this…" she says and then goes in to try to kiss you again before you stop her. "Madeline! Hold on! I…can't…WE can't do this. I think you've gotten the wrong idea!" you exclaim. "Didn't seem like it when you had your tongue in my mouth and your hand on my ass a few moments ago." Madeline says. "You…you caught me by surprise! I'm only human damn it! Look, you're obviously a very attractive girl and maybe you're into me because I'm being supportive in your dreams or something, but we can't do this." "Why not?" "Well for one thing, you're Camid's girlfriend and people are already whispering untrue rumors about us. I mean if you were just some whore, it probably wouldn't be a big deal because…well whores are a whores and everyone is supposed to be fucking them. But you're not a whore and you're in a real relationship with another Crimson Talon. Stealing someone else's girlfriend is just bad for business. It creates hard feelings and much worse." "I don't understand. You're dealing drugs, running illegal fights, and other activities but being with someone who would rather be with you is where you draw the line?" "Well, there's gotta be a line drawn somewhere. Otherwise this all falls apart. You know, like a support beam for the tunnels you're building." "But you're the boss, can't you just do what you want?" "Well it's a little more complicated than that. The key to being in charge is also trying not to be hated. And what about Camid? I thought you and he were together." "Eh, he was okay at first, but now....well I find him…limited. I'd rather be with you. I like the way I feel when you're around encouraging me. Camid doesn't understand anything that I talk about. He just stares at my tits and wants to fuck." "How do you know that I'm not doing the same thing?" "Obviously you aren't, because if you did, we'd be fucking right now. My point is, I feel like I can at least converse with you about a variety of things. I mean maybe you don't understand all my technical university speak, but I know you're at least on my intellectual level." "…thanks? I think?" "Plus…this isn't just some stupid crush like you probably think it is. You've been so nice to me. I think…I think I'm really starting to…" "Don't finish that sentence!" you shout. "Well I can't help my feelings towards you! Oh I don't understand why you can't just kill Camid so we can be together!" Madeline exclaims and then hugs you tightly and trying not to cry. And that intensified quickly. "Madeline. (Sigh) Look. You're experiencing a phase. You don't seriously want any sort of long term relationship with someone like me. I mean if you think I'm any better than Camid, you're only thinking that because I find you useful in a capacity that doesn't involve sex. I'm NOT a nice guy. Just ask anyone. Hell, talk with Zalmora. She'll be the first one to tell you all my shortcomings." You say. "It's not a phase though…" Madeline says with a quiver in her voice. "Well if it isn't, you're just going to have to get over it anyway. Because WE are not happening. I'm not looking for anyone long term and I don't want it. It's not who I am. Apologies." Madeline now starts to cry quietly. "Now if this is just too much for you, I'll completely understand if you don't want to work on this project anymore. I can find someone else." You say. "(Sniff) No. No…I'll continue the work. I promised to see this through. I…won't say anything to Camid either (sniff) I'll just get over it, like you (sob) said…" Madeline says before crying again. You haven't felt nearly this bad since you left Annah back in Teckleville. Still, you feel this is for the best and hopefully Madeline can indeed "get over it" like she claims. As you leave Madeline to her sadness, you move on to your next unpleasant task and that's speaking to Camid. You're not entirely sure how you're going to tell him though. After another uneventful walk through the sewers you get to the Yellow Devil Den. For obvious reasons you don't come here that much, because the place stinks worse than the rest of the sewers and always has junkies hanging around, acting crazy or just slowly melting. Though the melting is a little less now that Camid's made strides in cutting Yellow Devil with less lethal ingredients and still managed to maintain it's feel good effects. Still doesn't make you want to stick around though. Several Crimson Talons see you and let you in immediately while pushing away any junkies attempting to get in. Doesn't take you long to find Camid. He's surprised to see you. Camid and you head to his own little area where the stench of Yellow Devil fumes isn't burning your nostrils to talk. You decide to go with a half truth and explain that you've been hearing the concerning rumors about you and Madeline and you're here to dispel them, because it's not healthy to the organization to have something like that spread around when it isn't even true in the first place. You explain you have no interest in Madeline other than her work on the project. You even sort of imply you're actually trying to get back with Zalmora. Camid seems to react positively to your explanation with no hint of any underlining hostility. He either means it, or he's subtler than you gave him credit for. Either way, it would seem the matter is closed. You return to work and later you see Zalmora and Vaughn. "Well? Did you take care of that business?" Zalmora asks. "Not that it concerns you, but yes I did. Now let's move on to other things." You reply. The next few days are a little tense and you stay on your guard. You half expect Camid or Madeline to do something crazy, try to kill you, or something that causes problems. None of that happens though. Weeks pass and while Madeline occasionally gives you a longing glance she never initiates anything. You try to keep your contact short with her. Camid doesn't act out of the ordinary either when you see him. Neither one mentions their relationship with each other so you assume they're still together. Then just when you think everything is settled with this situation, disaster strikes. "He's fucking dead?" you exclaim. "Afraid so boss. Camid was found dead with several large holes in him. Legs, back, chest, head, arms, everywhere." Vaughn remarks. "Well what the hell happened?" "Dunno. Some of the Talons just found him in his room in the den like that. No signs of anyone breaking in or anything." Zalmora just looks at you. "Do I even need to say it?" she asks. "(Sigh) No. But I'm wondering how she did it exactly. I just don't see her as a natural killer and Camid wasn't a push over…wait a minute. Sonofabitch. She used the little green bastards! They follow everything she says. They're also small and sneaky enough to dig some little passage that only they could get in and then. You said Camid had large holes all over his body. Probably from pick axes." You say. "I'm a little lost here, who killed Camid?" Vaughn asks. "The love of his life, school girl killed him." Zal says. "Wait, why?" "Geez, Vaugh you're really behind aren't you? Our glorious leader here turned down her advances a few weeks ago. Surprised the hell out of me too, but messing with another man's girlfriend isn't one of the vices he has apparently. It appears though school girl figured out a loop hole and took matters into her own hands." Zal explains. "Why couldn't she have just broke up with Camid?" Vaughn asks. "Because that still would have caused conflict if the boss got with her. Camid isn't likely to be the type to just accept seeing someone else with his ex especially so soon and so close. Nope, had to kill him. Only logical play." Zal then turns to you. "Which now I guess means the next step is yours heartbreaker." > You dispose of Madeline This isn't the work of someone with just a crush. This is obviously an obsession and the fact she got the goblins to do it, means she's not just crazy she's dangerous and that's a bad combination. You're not going to be able to reason with her. She's already proven she's beyond that. Dismissing her isn't going to work either. Not to mention she killed one of your productive members. Sure he was an idiot when it came to picking women obviously, but he still did his job and excelled in that area. She's going to have to be dealt with in a more permanent manner. "Zal, Vaughn, come on. We're going to deal with this crazy bitch and I want you both with me in case she gets ideas to sic her goblin buddies on me." You say. "Wait, do we need to kill her? I mean isn't she important?" Vaughn remarks. "She might come from money, but her daddy isn't on the council. At best the militia might do an investigation, but they aren't going to find her." You say. "You sure we're going to be enough? Should we bring some more guys? There are a lot more goblins than us." Zal asks. "We'll grab a couple more Talons on the way out, but we're not going to be bushwacked like Camid and I know we're much better fighters. As soon as we kill a few of those green buggers they'll probably start running away. We'll be fine. Now let's get this shit done." You say. You and your "hit squad" head over to the new headquarters dig site. You remember Madeline was doing her overseeing there today. After entering and walking through several empty rooms and corridors, you find Madeline by herself, just sitting on the ground. She doesn't get up, she just looks down at the ground. There aren't any goblins around though, which is strange. "Hey. I guess you figured out what happened." Madeline says. "Damn right I did. Did you really think you were going to get away with it? Did you really think that was going to work?" "I guess I had hope and I had to try. Stupid I guess." "You got that one right too, school girl." Zal says. "Where's your goblin friends?" you ask. "I sent them away as soon as they told me you were coming. I didn't want them to get hurt. It wasn't their fault after all." "Wasn't their fault? Some of them were the ones who killed Camid!" you exclaim and move towards Madeline, but Zal holds you back. "Wait a minute. What do you mean you sent them away when they told you were coming? How did they even know, we haven't seen any of them." Zal asks. Madeline looks up and stands. "They didn't just dig a tunnel into the Yellow Devil Den. They've dug tunnels all over the sewers. Mostly under them. Made it easier for them to get around without having to walk about in the actual sewers. They may have also dug some tunnels near your old head quarters…you know, you look very peaceful when you sleep…" Madeline says looking directly at you. You and everyone else takes a step back. You're actually a little creeped out now and a lot more concerned. "Everyone, prepare for an ambush!" you say and you all form a circle expecting goblins to pop up out of secret compartments in the floor and walls. "I told you I sent them away. They isn't going to be some big fight. There isn't going to be a fight at all. This is the end. I wish you could have loved me, the way I love you, but at least we'll die together, and I guess that's enough." At this point you hear an explosion outside the new headquarter's entrance. It isn't a big one, but it's enough to cause a rumbling and the ceiling of starts to fall to pieces. Vaughn, Zal and the other two Talons instantly run back to the entrance only to find that's its collapsed and soon so will the rest of this place. "It's interesting how with one well place bundle of explosive power can make an otherwise stable structure fall completely apart. I'll certainly miss finishing my education." Madeline says in almost a monotone way. As the rest of your cohorts run around desperately trying to get out of this death trap, you do the only thing you want to do and that's plunge your sword into Madeline. She puts up no resistance and just touches your face before falling to the ground. As the clods of dirt and rocks begin to bury you and yours, all you can do is curse loudly to whatever gods may be listening before you are silenced forever.

Something has to be done and the best way to do it is to kill Jake. Not like you were ever friends with him. "Look, we can't do nothing and if you aren't fond of diplomacy, then we need to kill Jake. So who are these independent assassins you know?" you ask. "Really only know two and out of those two, only one is a proper assassin and I don't know if it's even possible with him." Tom says. Frustration increases… "Okay, so tell me about the guy who isn't a proper assassin." you ask. "He goes by the name Olaf. He's actually an ex-Talon associate but after the fight pits closed down he went back to working as a leg breaker for Mr. Reynolds full time. You familiar with that man?" Tom asks. "Vaguely. Some sort of moneylender with connections in high places so the militia doesn't fuck with him. Actually, I think I remember my mother telling me my father's family was in debt to him at one point." "They did with the inn. Actually I even worked for the man briefly before I joined the Talons, but that's ancient history. Olaf is a big ass ogre who pretty much retired undefeated during his fighting pit days. He's older of course now, but I don't doubt that he couldn't take care of Jake and scare everyone else into submission. Hell, he probably could scare Jake into submission too. He'd probably even do it for free or at the least very cheap. He really likes hurting people." "Sounds good, so what's the catch?" "Well obviously Mr. Reynolds isn't going to just let him go wandering off so we'd probably have to pay him and that's what isn't going to be cheap. Plus, knowing Mr. Reynolds he'll have some other weird stipulation. You'll probably find out when you talk with him. Could be anything." This is sounding complicated already. You almost hesitate to ask about the other one. "Okay, so what about this other guy. The real assassin?" you ask. "You familiar with Sotakians?" Tom asks. "Just stories of them being lizard people that live in the swamps and fight with elves all the time." "Well, the old boss, Edmond actually acquired an egg and raised a Sotakian from a hatchling. Trained him to be a very literal cold-blooded assassin bodyguard. We all just called him Scales, but he never really had a proper name. He was very loyal too until he had some unknown disagreement with Edmond and just took off. Ed never told anyone to go get him either. Just said to let it go." "That doesn't sound very useful if he disappeared to parts unknown." "Oh he didn't go far. He actually lives in the Klyton sewers. Abandoned part granted, but he's actually part of the reason why the militia doesn't patrol down there that much and only in certain areas. Ol' Scales isn't very welcoming to intruders to his home." "Well how's this lizard going to be of any help then?" "Most of the time when Scales got a little obstinate Edmond showed him the broken egg that he hatched from. Not sure why it worked. Maybe it was a reminder that Edmond was the one who helped hatch him or something. Still have the broken egg just in case, you know? Maybe if someone approached him with the broken egg, Scales might be willing to listen to that person. Dunno, who would have the balls to go risk it though." "That vicious huh?" "Let's just say, Olaf USED to have an equally bad ass barbarian buddy by the name of Silence. Silence didn't like it when he lost a staring contest to Scales and things got violent. Olaf and Silence were best friends and Olaf didn't even ATTEMPT to attack Scales when he ripped out Silence's throat in five seconds. He just left the room and I can't be certain, but I think he might have even cried. Of course nobody was going to ask. Olaf certainly brutalized folks more than average in the fighting pits over the next few days after that though." So those are your choices and they both sound shitty. Honestly, you wish you could just take care of Jake yourself, but Tom is probably right about the fact that something like that isn't really your specialty, but talking to others and trying to convince them to do what you want is apparently a newer one you've acquired or at least one you've been thrust into. > You hire Scales You must have lost your mind, because you can't believe you're actually considering this. "Fuck it, give me that egg." You say. "Seriously?" Tom asks. "Yeah, I'm serious. I know enough about Mr. Reynolds through my dad that I don't want to have deal with him. And as you said, he's probably going to have some sort of weird catch as part of the agreement he isn't going to reveal until afterwards. At least with the lizard I'll know where I stand right away." You say. "I guess that's one way of looking at it. Okay kid, I'll get that egg." Tom heads over to one of his safes and after unlocking it, he takes out two green pieces of an oval shaped object, which he then puts together and hands to you. The broken egg is rough to the touch and more solid than you thought it would be. "While this isn't as delicate as one might think, still be careful with it. You sure about this? I mean I still don't think this thing with Jake is that serious." "It's gotta be taken care of and besides, maybe I'll just be charming enough to convince Scales to join us again." "You think big kid, just hope you're right." Tom proceeds to tell you where he thinks Scales makes his home. It actually isn't too far from the forgotten sewer entrance. Tom goes on to say it might be dangerous just getting to Scales, since that part of the sewers has been non-functional and abandoned for as long as he can remember. Armed with this knowledge (And a broken egg) Tom wishes you luck before you leave. On your way out, you're stopped by Zalmora and Vaughn. "What's that? Wait, is that an egg?" Vaughn asks. "Yeah, I'm going to use it to try to convince Scales to assassinate Jake. Tom said Ed used to do it all the time." You reply. Vaughn's jaw almost drops and expresses obvious disbelief. "Have you gone completely barmy? I wasn't here that long while Scales was still around, but even I know damn well that the only reason why Ed even had control over that lizard is because he raised him from that egg! And you can see that didn't work forever. You go looking for Scales and you're going to find death!" Vaughn exclaims. "Why do we need Scales to assassinate Jake anyway? I mean I told you that I think it's a better idea to just let Jake continue rampaging through the woods to take the heat off of us." Zal asks. "Yeah, and I don't think that it's a good idea to just let disobedience within the organization to go unpunished like that. Besides, I also thought that given this Scale's reputation, maybe we could get him to join again." You say. "Yep, completely barmy." Vaughn remarks. "I agree…but the idea does have some merit. If we did get Scales back, we'd be in a lot better shape, muscle wise at least." Zal remarks. Vaughn at this point just shakes his head. "Okay, I can see this craziness is catching. I'm leaving before I catch it too. See you later, assuming Scales doesn't eat you, and Zal, I would think that you'd know better than to even entertain this idea." Vaughn remarks and walks away. "So…are you coming with me?" you ask Zalmora. "I didn't say that actually. I just said your idea has some merit. It's at least thinking in the long term. Scales could certainly track down Jake and kill him. I would imagine he'd also scare everyone else into coming back or even better a return to following the original plan of sending the spoils of their activities to us on a regular schedule." Zal says. "You still really think our organization split up on the outside and inside the city is the best solution?" "Yes. I really do believe that and I gave my reasons already." While she hasn't offered to go, you get the impression Zal might be more inclined to help you if support her idea, but if Zal wants to help she can come with you with you needing to ask her. You're not going to barter with her or be some pawn just because you're sleeping together every once in awhile. "Well I guess I better head out." You say. "Oh. Right. Don't let me keep you. Just remember, Scales has never been a friendly sort and probably the best way to handle him is to defer to him as the alpha. If he thinks you're a threat, he's going to react accordingly. Then again, if he thinks you're too weak, he might just eat you, but I'm guessing not acting aggressively might help. Anyway, if you even think you're in grave danger, just get the hell out of there. Be careful okay?" Zal says and starts to leave, but before she does she kisses you goodbye. That sort of makes you feel more worried than you were before. You leave the Crimson Talon headquarters and enter the sewers. You never cease hating stomping around down here, but possibly stepping in shit or worse is the least of your concerns right now. You follow the directions Tom gave you and finally get to the abandoned part of the sewers he mentioned. Actually it doesn't even look like the rest of the sewers at this point. The tunnel is partially collapsed or has great gaping holes leading to who the hell knows where. Beyond this first tunnel, you can only imagine that it's going to be in even worse repair. Using your lantern and your natural agility you continue to make your way, hopping that all this hoping and jumping around isn't going to break the egg in your pack any more than it already is. You go through a couple more old collapsed sewer tunnels and then you notice the man made structure is starting to disappear into a crumbling abyss. You also notice how weak the ground (or rather what's left of it) is in general. One wrong move and you're probably falling to your death. You cautiously move across what's left the stone flooring. You're doing pretty well until you suddenly hear some noise behind you. At first you think it's something sinister lurking down here or possibly even Scales himself, but when you hear the word "Shit!" you know the voice immediately and turn around thrusting your lantern ahead. "Zal?!" you call out. Your light illuminates enough that you can see a figure far behind you half hanging over the edge of the abyss. She doesn't answer she's just struggling to get back up. "Zal! What the fuck are you doing here?! Wait! I'll come help you!" you shout. "No! You stay over there! This fucking floor is weak enough without both of us in the same area." "Zal, you're gonna fall!" "I'm almost back up, just keep going! I'll catch up!" > You go help Zal She probably came back to help you, you can't just leave her to struggle. As quick as you can, you try to make it over to Zal, who keeps telling you to go back. "Zal, I'm not gonna just…fuuuuuuuuu…." It's not a glorious or noble death falling off a collapsing walkway and into a large hole, but that's exactly what has happened to you. As you fall, you hear Zal's voice echo your name in darkness until the sound dissipates leaving you only to fall in dark silence. You fall for quite a long time, much longer than you thought you would actually. For a brief moment you think maybe you've fallen down a bottomless pit. Such things are typically just heard about in myths and stories, but given the magical world you live in, who is to say they don't exist somewhere? Of course that little theory soon comes to an end when you at last do hit the ground. Who knows where the hell you ended up, because you broke every bone and died on impact, but your splattered body didn't go to waste to whatever was living so far below the ground.

You must have lost your mind, because you can't believe you're actually considering this. "Fuck it, give me that egg." You say. "Seriously?" Tom asks. "Yeah, I'm serious. I know enough about Mr. Reynolds through my dad that I don't want to have deal with him. And as you said, he's probably going to have some sort of weird catch as part of the agreement he isn't going to reveal until afterwards. At least with the lizard I'll know where I stand right away." You say. "I guess that's one way of looking at it. Okay kid, I'll get that egg." Tom heads over to one of his safes and after unlocking it, he takes out two green pieces of an oval shaped object, which he then puts together and hands to you. The broken egg is rough to the touch and more solid than you thought it would be. "While this isn't as delicate as one might think, still be careful with it. You sure about this? I mean I still don't think this thing with Jake is that serious." "It's gotta be taken care of and besides, maybe I'll just be charming enough to convince Scales to join us again." "You think big kid, just hope you're right." Tom proceeds to tell you where he thinks Scales makes his home. It actually isn't too far from the forgotten sewer entrance. Tom goes on to say it might be dangerous just getting to Scales, since that part of the sewers has been non-functional and abandoned for as long as he can remember. Armed with this knowledge (And a broken egg) Tom wishes you luck before you leave. On your way out, you're stopped by Zalmora and Vaughn. "What's that? Wait, is that an egg?" Vaughn asks. "Yeah, I'm going to use it to try to convince Scales to assassinate Jake. Tom said Ed used to do it all the time." You reply. Vaughn's jaw almost drops and expresses obvious disbelief. "Have you gone completely barmy? I wasn't here that long while Scales was still around, but even I know damn well that the only reason why Ed even had control over that lizard is because he raised him from that egg! And you can see that didn't work forever. You go looking for Scales and you're going to find death!" Vaughn exclaims. "Why do we need Scales to assassinate Jake anyway? I mean I told you that I think it's a better idea to just let Jake continue rampaging through the woods to take the heat off of us." Zal asks. "Yeah, and I don't think that it's a good idea to just let disobedience within the organization to go unpunished like that. Besides, I also thought that given this Scale's reputation, maybe we could get him to join again." You say. "Yep, completely barmy." Vaughn remarks. "I agree…but the idea does have some merit. If we did get Scales back, we'd be in a lot better shape, muscle wise at least." Zal remarks. Vaughn at this point just shakes his head. "Okay, I can see this craziness is catching. I'm leaving before I catch it too. See you later, assuming Scales doesn't eat you, and Zal, I would think that you'd know better than to even entertain this idea." Vaughn remarks and walks away. "So…are you coming with me?" you ask Zalmora. "I didn't say that actually. I just said your idea has some merit. It's at least thinking in the long term. Scales could certainly track down Jake and kill him. I would imagine he'd also scare everyone else into coming back or even better a return to following the original plan of sending the spoils of their activities to us on a regular schedule." Zal says. "You still really think our organization split up on the outside and inside the city is the best solution?" "Yes. I really do believe that and I gave my reasons already." While she hasn't offered to go, you get the impression Zal might be more inclined to help you if support her idea, but if Zal wants to help she can come with you with you needing to ask her. You're not going to barter with her or be some pawn just because you're sleeping together every once in awhile. "Well I guess I better head out." You say. "Oh. Right. Don't let me keep you. Just remember, Scales has never been a friendly sort and probably the best way to handle him is to defer to him as the alpha. If he thinks you're a threat, he's going to react accordingly. Then again, if he thinks you're too weak, he might just eat you, but I'm guessing not acting aggressively might help. Anyway, if you even think you're in grave danger, just get the hell out of there. Be careful okay?" Zal says and starts to leave, but before she does she kisses you goodbye. That sort of makes you feel more worried than you were before. You leave the Crimson Talon headquarters and enter the sewers. You never cease hating stomping around down here, but possibly stepping in shit or worse is the least of your concerns right now. You follow the directions Tom gave you and finally get to the abandoned part of the sewers he mentioned. Actually it doesn't even look like the rest of the sewers at this point. The tunnel is partially collapsed or has great gaping holes leading to who the hell knows where. Beyond this first tunnel, you can only imagine that it's going to be in even worse repair. Using your lantern and your natural agility you continue to make your way, hopping that all this hoping and jumping around isn't going to break the egg in your pack any more than it already is. You go through a couple more old collapsed sewer tunnels and then you notice the man made structure is starting to disappear into a crumbling abyss. You also notice how weak the ground (or rather what's left of it) is in general. One wrong move and you're probably falling to your death. You cautiously move across what's left the stone flooring. You're doing pretty well until you suddenly hear some noise behind you. At first you think it's something sinister lurking down here or possibly even Scales himself, but when you hear the word "Shit!" you know the voice immediately and turn around thrusting your lantern ahead. "Zal?!" you call out. Your light illuminates enough that you can see a figure far behind you half hanging over the edge of the abyss. She doesn't answer she's just struggling to get back up. "Zal! What the fuck are you doing here?! Wait! I'll come help you!" you shout. "No! You stay over there! This fucking floor is weak enough without both of us in the same area." "Zal, you're gonna fall!" "I'm almost back up, just keep going! I'll catch up!" > You continue without her You didn't tell her to follow you, and you'd rather not linger on this walkway any longer than you have to, so you continue to make your way which soon isn't as bad for the man made structure of the sewer is gone completely and you're now heading into what looks like a natural cavern (with solid ground underneath you). Still, you don't want to get too far ahead. If Zal did come to help, the least you can do is wait for her. Eventually Zal solves her own struggle with climbing back up to the walkway and makes her way to your location. "You okay?" you ask. "Yeah, I'm fine." Zalmora replies. "Now I ask again, what the hell are you doing here? "Obviously nearly getting myself killed in order to help you because you're too proud to ask for it." "I didn't ask, because I didn't need your help!" "Sure, you don't. Honestly, I can't believe Tom let you do this at all. I always thought he liked you." "I risk my life every time I go out on a job." "True, but this is a lot different. At least on the job you have the necessary skills to pull it off. This is more like a roll of the dice. Not to mention, YOU haven't even met Scales. If he sees you, he's likely to just assume you're an interloper. At least he knows me. Though I'm not sure if he liked, disliked or was indifferent to me. Never could tell what that lizard was thinking in the short time I knew him." "What about the egg?" "Yeah, well let's hope that's enough for him not to kill us." You and Zal proceed into the natural cavern. After walking a bit, you make a remark that all of this might be pointless anyway and you might just head back because it wasn't your intention on getting lost in a system of underground tunnels. Zal doesn't really argue, but she does ask what you're going to do about an assassin though. Just as you're about to answer, you hear a faint noise, which is enough to put you on edge because it's been eerily quiet down here. "You hear…ulp!" Zal says and then before your eyes a scaled green claw covers her mouth and another holds a dagger to her throat. You also notice a long tail wrapped around one of her legs and a pair of glinting reptilian eyes shine behind her. "NO! WAIT! SCALES! I have something for you! Don't kill her!" you shout and take off your pack in haste while still trying to eye on Zal who looks like she's trying to remain as calm as she can under the circumstances. You pull out the two large pieces of the egg and then hold them out. Scales' moves forward a bit with Zal still in his clutches. His eyes briefly stare at the egg and then fixate on you again. You can't tell if he's angry or what, all you do know is his stare doesn't put you at ease. Suddenly, Scales slashes Zal's neck open and throws her body aside like a rag doll and before you can even shout out he's grabbed your hands causing the egg pieces to fall to the ground. As you feel the claws dig into your flesh and Scales give you the predatory stare, all you can think about is how Zal is dead, but you also realize if you're going to get out of this alive, you're going to have to continue to talk because it's very obvious that you're not fighting your way out of this or running. "Scales! Please, all we wanted to do is return this egg to you. Edmond is dead. We weren't following his orders or anything like that. We were going to ask for help, but it's obvious that you want to be alone. I will go back and never bother you again. You have my word." Scales briefly looks down at the egg pieces and then back to you. His head turns a bit as if he's studying you, then his grip on your hands releases, allowing you to slowly pull them back towards your body. Scales then crouches down and starts inspecting the egg pieces. You take this as an opportunity to leave and you back away into the darkness, not even taking your lantern. You have no idea how the hell you're going to safely cross back over that crumbling walkway, but that's going to have to be another struggle for later. You turn around and as quick as you can in the darkness put some distance between you and Scales. You don't look back, though you soon find that you don't need to because you hear a noise followed by a great whipping force hitting one of your legs which takes you off your feet. You hit the ground, but you don't stay there for long because clawed hands soon pick you up. You struggle for one of your daggers, but this is met by what you can only imagine are teeth sinking into your arm. You scream out as Scales sharp teeth not only rip your flesh, but also break bone. You are thrown to the ground again and then Scales pounces on top of you. You can only see his eyes in this darkness, but it's the last thing you're ever going to see. "Thank you warm blood, but can't let you leave. Might bring othersss. If dead, people continue to ssstay away. Need peace." You hear a reptilian voice hiss and then a set of jaws go to for your throat.

Year 21 "The Bloody Smiles are lead by a vicious bandit calling himself the Grinning Man. Nobody has gotten a really good look at him as most don't survive his attacks, but based on this crude sketch, I implore anyone seeing him to run and contact Klyton militia immediately! This man and his band of cutthroats have been plaguing the roads and the surrounding area for years and hopefully now that his identity is known…" You suddenly receive one of the many sketches a concerned citizen is handing out. You take one look at the sketch as you walk away from the crowd and shake your head. "Doesn't even look like that asshole." You say and toss it in a nearby bin. Jake's job has really been doing the trick as far as distracting the Klyton militia, though maybe it's been going a little too well. You suggested that Tom to pull him back from this two years ago, but predictably he never did. Zalmora and Vaughn returned pretty quickly after this plan went into action, though in Zal's case it seemed to be more because she wanted to get back into regular burglary again. Vaughn said he couldn't deal with Jake anymore and was getting too crazy. Now, he's given himself a nickname, gone on to call his group the Bloody Smiles and doesn't report back to Tom for months. When he does, he just sends one of the newer Talons with some goods and loot. While Tom as usual is taking a laid back approach to this figuring as long as he's still sending shit back then everything is good, you question whether Jake is even thinking about the Talons anymore. Meanwhile, you've been more or less successful in building up the Talon's numbers. Not as much as you'd like, but since you're the only one doing it, it is what it is. Despite all this extra help however, it's not being utilized properly. Most of it is being sent to help Jake as his numbers get whittled down every now and then and that's really a waste you believe. The ones you insist on keeping around to train are fewer in number and you're also the only one bothering to train them properly. You never thought you'd be in that sort of position. Occasionally Zal and Vaughn help out, but it's mostly fallen on you. Basically, it's a case where the opportunity to expand is there, but once again Tom is failing to pull the trigger on it. You should be setting up another underground fighting pit, setting up gambling dens or even running a protection racket. Something needs to be done about Jake because the Crimson Talons can't proceed if half of the members aren't even Talons anymore and have declared allegiance to another leader. "Something has to be done about Jake." You remark. "Like what?" Vaughn asks. "I dunno, but Tom can't just sit on his ass anymore about it. Jake hasn't done it yet, but it's only a matter of time before he splits off from the Crimson Talons altogether and takes half of our members that were assigned out there with him. Ideally we could just tell him to come home and his purpose out there is no longer necessary, but I doubt if he'll listen." "So…what? You just going to go in there and tell Tom what he needs to do?" Zalmora asks. "Someone needs to tell him something! As I remember it was me who told him to start changing shit up last time too." "That's true, but doesn't that sort of mean you're sort of responsible of what's going on with Jake? Pretty sure that's what Tom will point out as well." Vaughn says. You're about to tell Vaughn to shut the hell up when Zalmora interrupts. "While you have some good ideas as usual, honestly, I'm not sure why anything needs to be done about him. I say if Jake has split from the Crimson Talons, well that's more for us." Zalmora remarks. "Actually that's LESS for us since he won't even be sending his cut anymore." You say. "Maybe in the short term, but you're not thinking long term. The militia hasn't been as much of a problem in the city for us because they've been focused mainly on catching Jake and the rest. That gives us a little more freedom to expand like you said. Hell, now that Jake has foolishly started to give his group their own name, they aren't even directly connected to the Talons anymore." "So? If he gets caught he could still blab his mouth about our secret hideout." "Jake's a lot of things, but he ain't no rat. Chances are they won't even take him in alive anyway." "Okay, so maybe Jake's no rat, but what about some of others with him? I mean sure, we've all stressed how important loyalty is to the new recruits, but if Jake's gained their trust somehow, then they're loyal to him not to the Talons and they aren't going to think twice about ratting us out to save their own skin." "Hmm, you might have a point there." Vaughn says. "Look, all I'm saying is Jake not causing shit for us in the city and running around out there like a mad man is better for us. If he's gone, then the militia is just going to refocus more of their attention on the city again. I mean maybe it might be best to make it an official break up. Let Jake know he can go his way and we go ours. Might diffuse any potential problems with Jake. Dunno if Tom will be into that though." Zalmora says. "That's true too." Vaughn remarks. You rub your hands through your hair. "I dunno. Maybe. Something still needs to be brought up to Tom though." You say. "Oh I agree with you on that. It is time to give him a little push again." Zalmora remarks. "Well? Aren't either of you coming in with me?" you ask. "Um…I hadn't planned to. I mean it sounds like you've got this under control on what to discuss. I think me being there is just going to look like we're ganging up on him." Vaughn says. "Yeah. And as you know, Tom has never been fond of me. So I would be more of a detriment. Just go in and talk to him, you did fine last time remember?" Zalmora says nudging into you a bit. "(Sigh) Why do I feel like I'm the only one who cares about this organization?" "Hey! That's not even true! I just gave you my fucking thoughts on the situation didn't I? You bring up whatever you want to Tom. I'm sure everything will work out fine, he likes you after all." And with that, Zal and Vaughn leave to let you go speak with Tom. You swear you never thought the day would come where you would be known as the "diplomat." You guess your sister's charm rubbed off on you just a little bit. You sometimes wonder how she's doing. Probably better than you are at any rate. Mentally preparing yourself, you head to Tom's office, though when you think more about it, you don't know why you're mentally preparing yourself. It isn't like Tom's going to even threaten to kill you if he doesn't agree with what you have to say. At this point you're practically his second in command anyway and you're still baffled by this since you haven't been here nearly as long, though you suppose with all these new folks coming in, you are starting to become a "vet" as it were. "Hey Tom." You say entering his office. "Hey kid, any new blood you need me to check out and make a final decision on?" "Uh, no not today. I wanted to speak with you about another matter…it's about Jake." Tom's head drops down briefly with a deep sigh and then he looks up. "Yeah…I figured it might be getting close to dealing with that situation. Trust me, I HAVE been giving some thought to it, even though I'd rather not." Tom says. "Well I'm afraid something is going to have to be done about him. You can't just have a divided organization with half of it's members calling themselves something else and primarily pledging allegiance to another leader." You say. "Maybe it isn't that bad! I mean he's still providing a share of the loot to us right?" Tom says hopefully. "Perhaps, but think how much longer the intervals are starting to get, not to mention how much is he actually holding back? How long before he just stops sending altogether? No, we have to do something." "Are you suggesting an attack? Because while I know around where he's currently located, I'm not entirely sure of the exact area. He may have even moved since he has to do that a lot anyway. Fairly certain not only would he have the advantage, but even if we win, we're going to suffer heavy losses which sort of defeats the purpose." "I was thinking more of a stealthy assassination." "And you're going to do that?" "I could try. Maybe I could take a few others with me to help." "No offense kid, but even if he didn't have half our numbers with him and you had help I don't think you could take Jake. Jake is the best fighter we have and he's probably only gotten better since being out there. I'm not risking anyone in a foolish assassination attempt, let alone an internal conflict. Although…no…that's not an option…" Tom says trailing off. "What? What is it?" "Well…if we DID go this route, and I'm not saying we are. I know a few outside folks that might be able to do it without problems. Damn, I just wish there was a less messy way of handling this." "(Sigh) Well I hate to bring this up, but I have thought of a diplomatic solution which might be possible." You say. "Oh?" You explain to Tom about a potential split with Jake altogether and just letting him go his own way since he seems happier anyway. Tom isn't too fond of the idea since it no longer means gaining a cut of Jake's looting profits, but he's not outright dismissing it. In fact out of all the options, Tom still seems to think the best plan is to do nothing. At this point, you're wondering why you're bothering. > You diplomacy Well Zalmora was correct last time with her advice, and you have been on a roll with the whole talking thing lately. Jake would probably jump at the chance to split off from the gang at this point and make his own way. You explain to Tom in greater detail about how this could be beneficial. Tom is still reluctant on this idea, but as Zal has mentioned several time before, Tom seems to like and trust you so he agrees to your plan. "So, are you going to be the one to speak with Jake? Because it sure isn't going to be me. That asshole has gone completely barmy and I'm not risking my life if he's feeling a little blood thirsty." Tom says. "Yeah, but I think I should probably have Zal with me." "While I guess he could be more willing to listen with his fuck buddy there, but aren't YOU her fuck buddy now? Not really a secret, and far be it from me to question your taste in women, but I'm not sure if Jake is going to be exactly pleased to see you anyway, let alone if you're with his former squeeze." "I never got the impression it was serious." "That shit doesn't matter with Jake, you know that. He'll just be looking for an excuse to cut your throat. In fact, I think you've got the right idea sending Zal to speak with him, but I don't think you should be there at all." Tom might have a point there. A really good point actually though he's probably got the added idea that if shit goes wrong with Jake, then Zal will just be the one who suffers. "Yeah, I guess. What if Zal refuses though?" "She ain't got a fucking choice. She's going and you're staying. Last time I remember, I was the boss around here and have the final say." Tom says with a bit more authority than you're used to. "Alright, fine. I'll inform her…I have to ask though. How come you don't like Zal?" "Because she's an underhanded manipulator." "Why not just get rid of her then?" "Because I don't deny her skills as a thief and she's very capable in that regard. The fact is, she wants more power, but for whatever reason she doesn't want the actual position of being the boss. I assume it's because then she'd actually have a target on her back. No, much safer to just stand in the shadows and criticize and play mini-puppeteer…sort of like what she's doing with you." "Zal is not manipulating me." "Oh no? You don't think that this little idea that you came up with isn't some shit she whispered in your ear? Contrary to popular belief around here, I'm not the damn fool people seem to think I am. You don't think she hasn't tried her little feminine wiles on me long before you showed up and got me out that cage? So since this is probably all her idea, SHE can be the one to do it!" You don't think you've ever seen Tom quite so angry before, or at least extremely annoyed. Not wishing for this to get worse, you back away and leave Tom's office. You soon meet up with Zal. "So, how did it go with Tom?" Zalmora asks. "He says he wants you to go talk with Jake and making a formal split about there being no hard feelings and such." You say. "Hm. I see. And you're not going to be there at all?" "Tom says he wants me here. Says you'd be better for the job seeing as you have a past with Jake and how he hates me." "Well…I suppose I can see the logic in that. (Sigh) Very well, I suppose I can do it. I guess it was sort of my idea in the first place. Guess I better get that old bottle of absinium. Jake's gonna want a peace offering…and probably something else. Just hope he doesn't pass out like he always does. Ugh." "Zal, you shouldn't have to go do this if you don't want to. Why don't I go instead or we can go together?" Zal smiles at you and pats you on the face a couple times. "That's sweet dear, but if you show up there by yourself, Jake's gonna kill you. If he see both of us there together, he'll probably do worse than kill you. And more importantly he could even kill me, so no you're not going. For once Tom made the right decision even if he's hoping I probably get killed in the process." Zal remarks. "Tom said some pretty interesting things about you." You say. "I'm sure he did and I don't care. I'm sure you can make up your own mind about me. I'm off." "Wait, don't you need to know where Jake even is?" "I know the general area of where he's probably located and I know Jake. He's not going to be hard to find for me. See you later maybe." And with those last words, Zalmora takes her leave of you presumably to go gather a few more items before heading out to seek Jake. You have some mixed feelings about all this, but really this is probably the best way to handle all this. With that plan in motion, it's business as usual in the organization. A week passes and there still isn't any word from Zal. No word from Jake or anyone from the Bloody Smiles either. While it isn't certain that Zal was successful and just stayed or she was killed, what is certain is that enough time has passed that it's pretty clear that the Bloody Smiles are no longer sending anything back to the Crimson Talons. A "clean break" or not, Jake has gone his own way. Tom doesn't seem to care about it anymore. He's not exactly happy, but he seems to have an "oh well" approach and isn't concerning himself with the situation any longer. Almost everyone else in the organization has some thoughts on the matter and most of them aren't good. A lot of folks are just planning to go find Jake and follow him instead, a few have just mentioned going independent. Still others have mentioned maybe it's time for new leadership within the Crimson Talons. You're more in favor of ousting Tom. After all you've been putting most of the major effort into this organization, while Tom doesn't seem to give a shit at all and you don't see why he should be running things if that's the case. Not to mention, he's the one that sucks, why should you leave? It doesn't take long before you, Vaughn and a few others confront Tom in his office. He's pretty surprised. "Um, has something come up?" Tom asks. "Yeah, you're stepping down as head of Crimson Talons. You're no longer fit to lead." You say. "Oh, is that right? And who is? You?" "This organization could do worse." You answer. "Pfft, not much worse." Tom says. "Why are we still talking, let's just gut this old asshole and get on with it." Camid, one of the younger members shouts. "Gut him? I thought we were just removing him from power." Vaughn remarks. "Well how the hell did you think we were going to do that Vaughn? We can't just let this asshole walk away! That's what HE did with Jake and the rest! And that's why he's a pussy leader. We do the same thing and we're pussies too!" Camid remarks. "Just because the man's a pussy doesn't mean we need to kill the guy." "Oh big surprise coming from someone who takes dick like a pussy." Camid shouts. Vaughn's temper at this point starts to rise at Camid's remark and now those two are nearly coming to blows. While you're telling them to shut the hell up and focus, you notice that Tom is getting something out of his desk. It's probably going to be a flintlock pistol. Wasting no time, you leap halfway across Tom's desk in an effort to stop him from pulling out a pistol. You were correct as you manage to grab his hand in the drawer and indeed see it grabbing a pistol. "Let it fucking go!" you say. "Fuck you!" Tom shouts, but instead of struggling for the pistol he instead grabs a sharp quill off his desk and stabs you deep in the eye with it. You scream in agony and roll off the desk clutching you face. Despite the pain and the screaming, you manage to pull the quill out of your destroyed eyeball, which makes a sickening squishy sound. Blood leaks out on your face. By this time however, Tom has gained complete control over the situation and everyone else who was rebelling have stopped doing whatever they were doing and stepped back. "You fuckers think you can take over? You assholes can't even get along with each other! And you, I actually liked you kid, but I can see that I was severely wrong on that front. Y'know if you weren't happy here, you could have just left. I've never held anyone here against their will. But no you had to try this shit, well that ain't happening and now you have to pay. I'm the fucking boss around here and you're the example." And with those last words, Tom makes you an example by shooting you in the other eye. This time the wound is fatal.

"Ah, here we are, just up these stairs and through that door." Tom says. "And here I was just getting used to walking through shitty water." You say. "Hey, the sewers are the best way to get around the city. The guards don't patrol as much down here and even when they do, they don't patrol certain areas." "Can't say as I blame them, I've been on the verge of puking since we entered your secret tunnel which you neglected to mention was actually a foul forgotten sewer drain entrance." "Hey, this is the business we're in kid. It ain't always convenient and comfortable. Besides you get used to the smell. Come on." Tom and you walk up some stone stairs and Tom bangs on a sturdy looking wooden door. "Hey! It's me! Open up!" Tom shouts, a few moments pass and a scruffy looking man rubbing his head opens the door. "What the fuck you banging on the door like the city watch for? Wait…Tom? What the fuck are you doing here? Weren't you taken to cages?" "Yeah Vaughn, and where the hell were you guys? I thought you were supposed to come get me yesterday!" "The heat was still pretty bad, so we decided to lay low." Tom barges past Vaughn who follows and then you follow both as they continue to talk. You must be above the sewers now though this looks like it might be an abandoned building of some sort so far. It barely looks better than the sewers you just left. You see a few people who you assume are Crimson Talons, but they're either completely passed out or look like in various stages of being drunk or hung over. Bottles of spirits are all over the place and now you're starting to wonder just how "powerful" the Crimson Talons are really supposed to be. "Decided to lay low huh? Looks more like you lot stayed down here, had a party, got liquored up and forgot about me!" Tom remarks. "Now that's just not true! We didn't even spend your cut of the loot! You can even check your room! Nothing's been touched!" "I swear I'm not here for a few days and this place goes to shit. Where's David?" "David? Um…he's dead." "What?! He wasn't even on the job at the time. He was here!" "Yeah, well when the rest of us were coming back from the job, he apparently got into an argument with the boss. A really bad one about how he didn't like the way Edmond was running things. It didn't go well for either of them. Edmond might have been old, but he managed to overpower David and killed him. Unfortunately I guess it was all a bit too much exertion, because the boss died of a heart attack like almost immediately afterwards." "Wait…you're saying the boss is ALSO dead?!" "Yeah. We took both of their bodies to the usual spot if you wanted to say a few things to David…" "I'm sure the rats have stripped both corpses by now…(sigh) so who's the new boss?" "Um, nobody. We haven't really gotten around to figuring it out yet…but hey your name came up as a potential candidate! I don't think anyone else wants the job." At this point you start laughing. "I'm sorry I doubted you Tom. I obviously was way off about not believing that you weren't one of the most important people in this organization." "Who's this asshole?" one of the nearby members asks stirring from his hang over. "Someone who actually helped me out, Jake." Tom says shaking his head at all this new information and just tells you to come with him while he checks his room. Tom's room in this dump isn't quite as bad as the rest of the place. It even looks like he's taken great pains to make it look "neat." After looking through his drawers and small chest, he breathes a sigh of relief. "Well, as shocking as it is. All my stuff is actually still here, even my cut. Glad to see I'm somewhat respected around here." "Yeah, they just forgot to spring you from a cage." "Yeah well, I'm here now." "And so am I. So now what? You brought me here to potentially join your little organization, but so far I'm not really impressed with the organization part. I thought you guys were supposed to be infamous or something." Tom sits down and exhales deeply, rubbing his face. "Yeah, we once were. The truth is, even by the time I got involved with his organization, it was on the decline. Still had the vicious rep at least though, maybe a bit too vicious since it probably encouraged Klyton's crackdowns and tightening up of security. Things just got worse over the years as more skilled members got arrested, killed or just quit for better pastures." Tom explains. "People could just quit? I sort of though joining something like this was a for life type of thing." "It typically is, which is why you can see how much trouble we're in if people can just up and quit! It didn't really help when the Ebony Claw Syndicate showed up here briefly." "Who the hell are they?" "Another criminal outfit. Much larger than us by far. They're based in the Delantium Kingdom, but I believe they have a strong presence in Holgard too. Edmond was an idiot when dealing with them, though I guess that was mainly pride." "What did he do?" "Well the Ebony Claw had heard of the Talons and their problems with Klyton's improved security. However, they also knew of our reputation even if it was a bit tattered at that point. Out of respect, they offered to help the Talons. The deal was we'd still have reign over Klyton, keep our identity and have to access to Ebony Claw resources, but we'd have to give a cut of all the profits we made to them. Not sure what the percentage was, but Edmond wasn't pleased with it. Though like I said, it could have been free and he probably would have turned them down." "So did they cause you a lot damage as well?" "If they did, it wasn't directly. Their representative just left and we haven't heard anything from them since. Despite never seeing any signs of the Claw again, Edmond got even more paranoid than he already was. Started organizing riskier jobs and accepting anyone who was desperate enough to join. He was convinced we were going to have to deal with the Claw again so we needed to be prepared. All that ultimately happened was with all the new unskilled people we got sloppier and caused even more heat to bear down on us and well, this is what we're reduced to today." Sheesh, this is pretty damn depressing. It's almost enough to make you rethink your own career choice. Almost. At this point Tom stands up. "Shit, I have no idea what comes next. If I was smart I suppose I'd get out. Of course if I was smart, I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." Tom says. "Can't you just start over elsewhere?" you ask. "I thought about heading to Hessla, but that place is overrun by pirates nowadays. Spending days at sea isn't exactly my thing. Nah, Klyton's my home and for better or worse I'm staying here." "So are you taking over the Talons as boss?" "I dunno, I never really thought of myself as a leader since it seems like a lot of headache, but I suppose out of all of us that are left, I do have the most experience and years on my side. I suppose given that my face is more well known now due to being thrown in a cage by the city watch, being the boss has appeal since I won't have to risk going out in public as much. I guarantee if I get nicked again, it'll probably be the death penalty. Well anyway what're your plans? You still interested in joining or is that a silly question?" Not too silly though since despite the deplorable state the Crimson Talons are in, you sort of wonder about the potential. Before you though maybe if you joined such an organization, you'd probably be considered just another low ranking flunky. However through barely any effort on your part, you may have just secured a high ranking position in the organization by helping out the new leader of it. You think if you joined and made a go of it, you'd at least have a lot of input. Who knows, maybe the organization will get back on its feet. If it did, you'd be even better off. Of course this is going to be a lot of work and you are still new. While Tom might like you, the other members may see you as an upstart. Getting a knife in the back from a bunch of folks who are supposed to be watching it is a real possibility. You might be better off going off on your own. > You stay independent Staying with the Crimson Talons, just seems like a bunch of trouble waiting to happen. They're disorganized, their new leader is some guy that YOU had to rescue, they're obviously on the hit list of the authorities here and you aren't getting the impression that they're going to be your style. "So… Tom I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm going to stay on my own." You say. "I figured. Can't really blame you, though I am disappointed since I think not only would you be an asset, but I think you might have learned a few things yourself. It might not seem like it, but some of the folks here are pretty good at their craft." "Yeah, well maybe another time…so we're good I trust?" "Yeah we're good…actually here's something for your rescue effort. It would be more, but well as you can see, a bit down on fortune at the moment." Tom says handing you a few gold coins from a pouch. Tom at this point walks with you to entrance back to the sewer where he gives you directions to the next closest exit to the city streets from there. He then mentions a few cheap inns in the area you should end up in. "Now I don't think I need to tell you, that I'd like to keep our hideout a secret." Tom says. "Sure, secret's safe with me. Not like I got anyone to tell anyway." "Good, because I'm sure you realize that it would be bad for you if you did rat on us to anyone." Tom says in a tone that's slightly more hostile than he's been towards you. "Hey, I ain't no rat." You proclaim. "Of course not. Well good luck kid, wherever your endeavors take you." Tom says and with that you exit the hideout and the door slams behind you leaving you back in the sewers. "(Sigh) Back in the shit. Well at least I'm a little richer this time. Okay, I think he said this way…" And so begins your life in Klyton... > You time passes... Chapter 2B: The More Things Change Year 17 "Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart. The innkeeper takes the silver and gives you a scornful look. "Bout fucking time! You're always late! And don't think I don't know how you get this!" Trobart says. "Of course you know how I get this, but it doesn't stop you from taking the money anyway, you mean old bastard." You answer. "Watch yer, fuckin' tongue! One word from me, and the militia would take your ass in quick!" "Pfft, yeah right. You call the militia and they'd probably shut this whole place down. You're selling booze without a license in the basement and one of your rooms is being used by an unlicensed whore." "Fuck you cunt face!" Trobart shouts and stomps off. You just shake your head at the old man's misplaced anger. You head to your room with no more distractions, and then wearily sit on your shitty straw mattress and count what's left of your ill-gotten loot. Enough to eat for a few days. Granted this hasn't been the best month, but you swear you thought you'd be doing a lot better than this by now. This city unfortunately though is proving a lot more vigilant than you'd like. You certainly aren't in Teckleville anymore. What's really not helping is the Crimson Talons running around carelessly committing clumsy burglaries and heists and bringing the militia down even harder on everything. You're sort of glad you didn't join up with them now, because at this rate, the militia is probably going to track them down and execute the lot of them. Still, that doesn't solve your current problem. Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe? While you're pondering your possible future here, you get a knock on the door. "Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare….coppers fer the faith?" Great, it's that drunken priest that has a room across from you. You thought the men of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions. "No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout. "Yeah…but no…but I got some (hic) news…" Virgil answers. "Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process." "I did? Geez, sorry son…but this is different! (hic) Some…somebody…" "Somebody what?" "Somebody was lookin' fer ya." Well that peaked your interest. "Oh?" you answer. "Yeah…(hic)." "Hold on." You say and go answer the door. No sooner have you opened the door when the odor of Virgil hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth. "Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say. "Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?" "Maybe, so what's all this about someone looking for me?" "Oh, that. Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age." "Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?" "Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties…I think…yeah…" "Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?" Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative. "No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who…who…what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith…(hic)" At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away, bumps into the door to his room and then after a few tries he finally gets it open and slams it behind him. You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too. You close the door and think on who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you. Maybe it was Tom from the Crimson Talons? You can't imagine what he'd want to see you directly for though. You'd imagine if he were trying to recruit you again he'd send an underling to invite you to see him. Tom wasn't a huge guy either; of course given that Virgil is on the short and scrawny side, he probably thinks you're a big guy too. Other than those two, you're drawing a blank. It's a little concerning that some big guy is looking for you though. You hear another knock on the door. "Virgil?" you ask. "No, it's Randi. I got some information that you might want to know." A woman's voice says Randi is the red headed whore that lives down the hall. Unusual that she'd seek you out, since she's snotty with you at the best of times. You guess it's because you turned down her overly aggressive offer the first time you stepped into this inn. You answer the door and she's as scuzzy as ever. You feel like you're catching something just by standing this close to her. "Okay, so what's this information? Because if it's some big guy that was looking for me, I already know because Virgil told me." You say. "Oh? Well did he tell you what this big guy wanted too?" Randi asks. "No." "You'll want to know then." "…Well?" "Well what?" "(Sigh) I know you're not used to hearing this, but spit it out! Tell me what this guy wanted." "I'm not your fucking secretary. You want to know, you need to pay, ten silvers." "Ten fucking silvers? You don't charge that much for a blowjob!" "Yeah well if you want a blowjob, then you can pay half that price, but if you want to know what that guy wanted, it's ten silvers." While you're wondering who this guy is and why he's looking for you, you're not exactly keen on giving away most of your hard earned money to some whore who you're not even fucking. "Yeah well go find two dicks to suck then, because you're not getting ten silver from me." You say and shut the door on Randi who shouts some obscenities at you from the hallway. You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. You might have to offer a couple coppers, but it's far cry from ten silvers. For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled, and the poor areas are…still patrolled and the folks don't have shit. It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat. Later… You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund. You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active. After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think. You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either. It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances. Out of curiosity you pay a visit to the section to where the medical school is located. Seems weird that your father spent so much money and time putting himself through the place while you're here basically casing it. You're not that well versed in the value of medical supplies and drugs, but you figure the Crimson Talons could be willing to fence whatever you bring. Hell, you probably could just sell the stuff yourself. You know more than enough folks in your area that bitch about not being able to afford shit from the local apothecary, let alone proper medicine. Of course since this is your first time here, you're still getting used to all the twisting corridors that this university seems to favor. You end up stepping into a class in session a couple times, before stumbling upon an unattended supply room where you pilfer various bottles of pills and liquids. When you attempt to leave the facility, you go in the direction where you think you came from, but soon find that you made a wrong turn somewhere. Somehow you manage to find yourself in what you think must be an office area since you see various doors with names on them. (All of them with "Dr." in front) As you're passing one, the door opens and you find yourself face to face with an older woman with gray hair. "Hey. You here about the job?" the woman asks. "Huh? What?" you answer. "I put out several announcements around campus for an escort job. Hmmm….you don't look like a warrior and you're a little young. You one of those students over from the magic college?" "Um, no actually, I just got lost. I'm trying to find my way out of this place." "Lost? What were you doing here in the first place?" "Well my father used to go here and I…" "Wait a minute…you do you look a little familiar. What's your father's name?" You tell this woman your father's name and she instantly lights up. "Hah! I knew it. You look a lot like your father. He was in my microbiology class when I used to teach it. Did very well too. How he doing?" the woman asks. "Oh he's doing fine uh Miss…umm…" you reply "Oh I go by Dr. Gossey and nowadays I focus purely on zoology and the biology of the creatures and animals that live in our fascinating world! So are you a student here too and trying to follow in your dad's footsteps?" "Something like that I suppose. I'm actually just checking out my options right now. You know, to see what I might be interested in." "Good. Good. Glad to see a young person thinking about their future. Hey, would you consider yourself to be an adventurous spirit?" "I suppose in some ways I am." "Well I've got a job that needs doing and I don't have time to do it myself and I'd rather not send my assistant there by herself. You familiar with qweepas?" "Aren't they some really ugly oversized rats?" "In simple terms basically, but they're much more than that. They're actually much more intelligent than the average rat. They aren't even native to the continent, but a lot of them over the years have undoubtedly snuck aboard Hessla pirate ships and now they're slowly starting to gain a foothold as a pest on the coast. One can only imagine how far they will have spread in another ten years." "So what is it that you need exactly?" "I need someone to go into Hessla or around that area with my assistant and get me some live specimens. About ten should do. Like I said, I'd send my assistant alone, but I know how dangerous Hessla is especially for a single female, so it would be better if someone went with her." "So, am I just to be there as hired muscle?" "Yes, though as I noticed before, you don't seem to be a physical type…not to say you aren't well proportioned for a young man your age, it's just I was hoping to get a taker from the gladiator team or someone of similar intimidating size. I only mentioned this at all to you because for one, I haven't had anyone else come in as strange as that may be. And two I knew your father. I figured it wouldn't be polite to not offer his son a chance to earn some money towards his education goals, whatever they may be. You could even get a jump start on potential class credits." This is getting a little strange, but you might as well ask. "So what's this job pay then?" you ask. "Thirty gold pieces upon completion." Dr. Gossey replies. "And all I have to do is escort your assistant?" "Yes, and make sure the qweepa specimens get here alive. Those are very important to my research. My assistant will have everything else required for this job and the trip will essentially be completely paid for." "Do you need a decision now?" "Well it would be nice, but I understand if you need to think on it. Hessla isn't a safe place and knowing your father, I'm sure he wanted better for you and you grew up in a protected environment and are probably less familiar with handling folks with a more criminal mentality." Dr. Gossey's assessment of you nearly makes you laugh. While this is technically a "real" job, you can't say you aren't totally unopposed to performing it. Thirty gold is certainly better than what you've done in most weeks since your time here and it would give you a chance to go to Hessla for free. Maybe see if things are potentially more lucrative over there. > You take the job What the hell, it might make for an interesting change of pace. "I'll take the job." You say. "You will? Are you sure?" Dr. Gossey asks. "Yes, and you don't need to worry about me. I'm not unfamiliar with the seedier elements of life." "Hmm, yes I suppose there is no way of completely distancing yourself from such things. I'm glad you're worldlier than you appear since I fear my assistant is a bit sheltered. Well, I suppose sheltered isn't quite the right word, more like disconnected from reality on these matters. Elana's a good student, but as I said, I fear if she went to Hessla by herself, she'd say something to the wrong person and soon find herself sold into sex slavery or something similar. Anyway, just make sure you get those Qweepas safe and sound here." "Is there some sort of place that sells them or something in Hessla?" "I don't know, I just know that they are common enough there to be a problem. Whether that means you buy them or catch them, makes no difference. As I said, that's going to be Elana's primary concern, but obviously if you can help in that matter too, it would be greatly appreciated." "Okay, so when does this job begin?" "Well since you agreed to it already, say in three days? You'll meet Elana at the carriage station in the morning. You'll recognize her by her tan skin, long curly brown hair, a large pack for the trip no doubt and she'll probably be a bit too well dressed for the occasion." "Okay, hope I don't miss her." "I'll be sure to give her your description as well and insist that she not leave until she finds you." "Sounds good to me. I'll meet your assistant then." Dr. Gossey goes on to thank you and exclaim that she's glad you came along when you did and hopes you have a safe and productive trip. She also gives you directions of how to get out of the medical school, since you were lost in the first place. When you exit the medical school, you decide to call it a night and head home since you figure if you need to get up in the morning in three days, then you're going to have "fix" your internal clock again so you don't over sleep. When you finally get back to the neighborhood, you revert back your cautious ways until you finally enter the Welcome Mat and your room. You manage to make it without being accosted by any of its denizens this time. You spend tomorrow mostly "taking the day off." You go get something to eat a few times, but that's about it. You still don't see Virgil, but you do have a vague feeling that someone is watching you every time you leave the damn inn. On the second day of one these food trips, one of the local food merchants who doesn't normally make much small talk, breaks that habit when you're looking over the fruit cart. "Hey, some big guy was looking for you yesterday." The merchant remarks. "So I've heard. Got a better description than that?" you ask. "Uh, sort of a bushy beard, but the rest of his face was obviously pretty weathered. Shaved head. Probably in his forties or fifties, but still pretty fit. Carried a pack with him, but no weapons. Well at least none out in the open. Said to tell you that he'd carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn." "Hmmm, and that's it?" "As far as I know." "Thanks. I'll just be taking these today." You say and pay the merchant for your food before leaving. Well that was way more productive than asking Virgil. It's all a little sinister now that you have a little more information though. Why the hell wouldn't a simple courier just meet you at the inn you're staying at? You suppose it's possible he doesn't know, but if he's already spoken to Randi or Virgil, one of them has no doubt blabbed already. At least Randi probably did. You don't know much about the Raggedy Man inn except it's in an even worse part of Klyton than you already stay at. Klyton might have militia patrols marching all over the place, but they're still lax in certain areas. Makes you a bit wary that a large man wants to meet you there. You can't imagine your father or mother would send someone like that, let alone want him to meet you under HIS conditions. Your sister maybe? Possible you suppose, but you're skeptical. In any case, you're not meeting this guy unless he comes directly to you and when that happens. You're going to be… "Heeeeeeey! Youngster! You got some coppers fer the (hic!) faith?" Virgil suddenly says as you step into the Welcome Mat. He's obviously forgotten his outrage at you. Fortunately he may have even remembered to take your advice about washing last time since he smells half way decent this time. "Actually I do Virgil, but I need a favor from you." You say. "Sure…sure! I've always liked ya son! (hic!) You need Joachim's blessin?" "No, no, nothing like that. I just need you to relay a message. Remember that big guy looking for me?" "….Oh YEAH! Yeah! I remember him! Hey he was lookin' fer you…yesterday…said he wants you to…" Virgil starts to say before you interrupt. "Good, good, I want you to tell him, the next time he sees you that I left for Holgard." "Huh? You're movin?" "Something like that, but I want you to tell him okay? Don't forget." you say and hand Virgil a few coppers. "K…well Jochim's blessin' on ya if yer leaving then. You always were one of da (hic!) good ones." Virgil pats you on the back and then stumbles off. You return to your room and as an added pre-caution, you put a chair against the door. You have no idea how you're going to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow, but you're going to try… And you fail. You get a couple hours in before you wake up and can't go back to sleep. Seeing as you aren't going to get any more sleep, you pack your stuff and decide to leave your room in the middle of night and just head to the carriage station early. You don't really know when Elana is going to show up there anyway, so you might not even have to wait that long. On your way there, you half think you're being followed the entire time, so you do a lot of back tracking and take side streets until you reach your destination. You've never been to the carriage station before, but it's mostly empty right now. Still, it's well lit and there are a few militiamen stomping around. You never thought you'd be happy about that! You find a bench and wait. Soon, you start to get a little sleepy again despite your attempts at still trying to stay awake. You also start to wonder if it wouldn't be better to just stay in Hessla when you get there. "I oughta just go meet this guy and stab him in the face like I did with Klint…" you mutter to yourself. Later… "Hey! Wake up! We have to get a move on! (Sigh) I told Dr. Gossey I didn't need an escort." You hear a voice exclaim while some hands shove your shoulders a few times. You groggily open your eyes and realize you're in a much more horizontal position from when you first closed your eyes. After getting the blurriness out, you see a finely dressed woman with tan skin and long curly hair before you. "Elana?" you ask. "Yes! And you're the escort Dr. Gossey hired I presume. You ARE aren't you? I'd hate to think I just woke up some random sleeping bum." Elana answers. "Yes, the doctor hired me. How long have I been asleep?" "How should I know? All I do know is I had to load this carriage up myself. I thought YOU would be helping! Anyway, we have to get going, hurry up!" "Okay, okay, I'm ready, let's get in the carriage." "Wait. YOU are not going in the carriage." "What? Then where the hell am I supposed to be?" "You ride up top with the driver. I have some studying to do on the way and I don't want you disturbing me. Besides, if you're supposed to keeping an eye out for danger, you'll do it better from there anyway." It's too damn early in the morning to deal with this, so you decide not to and just go over to the carriage and climb up to where the driver is. He nods and greets you. "So are we ready to go?" the driver asks you. "Come on let's go!" Elana shouts from inside the carriage. "Well you heard the lady." You say. And with that, you're on your way out of Klyton and on the road to Hessla. Right now though you're just trying to adjust your eyes to all the damn sunlight. It's been awhile since you've been up this early. You watch the countryside pass by as the horses travel at a good pace. So far no trouble yet. You look behind you and see the supplies on the roof of the carriage and something you didn't notice right behind you and the driver. A blunderbuss. "Guess that's for when bandits attack?" you ask the driver. "Huh? Oh that? I suppose so. Honestly though, haven't had any problems in all the years I've driven this route. Still, I keep it loaded just in case." The driver replies. "Never?" "Nope. Never even had any problems in Hessla, despite its reputation. A lot of people think its some anarchic pirate paradise, but the place is probably just as orderly as Klyton. The Governor of Hessla has his own personal security force called the Headsmen to patrol the place. They're a lot more draconian than the militia too. Usually they just execute offenders on the spot without trial." "Really?" "Sure. I mean yeah without them then the place might be a little more lawless like it was in the past, but nowadays? You're just as safe from getting mugged there as you would in Klyton. Hell, maybe even more so given that Klyton has the Crimson Talons running around." "Hmm, yeah." Well this sucks. Already you're finding out that Hessla isn't the place you imagined it was. It's kind of why you took most of your important belongings with you just in case you decided to ditch the job and just stay in Hessla. "Driver! Slow down! The ride is too bumpy and I can't focus on my reading!" Elana shouts while banging inside the carriage. A few moments later… "Driver! Speed up! I'd like to get Hessla sometime this month! And YOU up there, I hope you're doing your job and keeping a look out!" Then again, Hessla might not be that bad, if you already had a bit of coin to throw around while you assessed the opportunities there. You think that there is probably a good amount of supplies here on the carriage you could sell. Let alone the horses and carriage themselves. The driver doesn't exactly look like a fighter and might even have a few coins to his name. And most importantly, Elana probably is carrying a purse full of coin for this trip. Wouldn't take much to just grab the blunderbuss and hijack this whole carriage. > You hijack the carriage Yeah, you're done with Klyton, and this whole job attempt… You reach for the blunderbuss and upon grasping it, the carriage hits a bump in the road, which temporarily causes you to teeter and sway. Unfortunately this is enough time to allow the driver to realize what you're attempting to do. He doesn't even say anything he just lets go of the horse reins and elbows you in the face though it isn't enough to drop the firearm. He then attempts to take his blunderbuss back. You struggle with the driver until he realizes he isn't strong enough to take it from you. Just as you're about to yank it completely away, the driver lets go and you pull so hard you lose balance. The driver then takes advantage of this by pushing you off the carriage. You fall off the carriage with the blunderbuss still in hand, and land hard on your back, but luckily still out of the way of the carriage wheels. However, upon you impact with the ground, your hand was around the trigger of the blunderbuss, which you accidently pulled. The shrapnel hits back wheel of the carriage and shatters a portion of it. The carriage manages to continue for a second before the back wheel's structure is completely destroyed and soon the carriage tips over on its side. The horses drag the carriage a bit longer, before the harness breaks and they're free of the wreck. Meanwhile you're partially watching from the distance and still wincing in pain from falling. You didn't break anything, but your back hurts like hell. As quick as you can walk, you make your way over to the tipped over carriage. You're fairly certain the driver had to have fallen off. If he didn't die, you're going to finish the job. You aren't sure about Elana, chances are she's alive and still in the carriage, but if she insists on getting mouthy like she's been with you before, you'll teach her a lesson too. When you finally get within the area of the carriage you see some of the supplies scattered all over the road and the body of the driver. He's face down and not moving. You go over to check by prodding him with the blunderbuss and he's still not moving. Looks like he probably broke his neck. While you're inspecting the driver, you hear rustling in the carriage, along with some groans. Looks like Elana lived. If she wants to continue living, she better comply. You go over to the sideways carriage, climb on top it and open the door. Looking downward, you see that Elana is still in a semi-prone position opposite of you. Elana may have a bossy upper class way about her, but she wasn't completely unwise in the ways of being in potential danger. Already dazed and scared from the crash, upon seeing you standing menacingly over her with a blunderbuss in hand she reacts without even thinking that you MIGHT potentially be helping her rather than robbing her. (Though that was a correct assumption on her part because you totally were going to rob her) "Okay, you…shit!" you say before you're interrupted by Elana pulling a small ornate pistol and firing. The bullet isn't even very big, but they don't need to be when they hit something vital. You clutch at your throat and fall backwards off the carriage. You don't even die right away, you gag, cough blood and convulse a bit. You even manage an attempt to get back up, but by the time Elana drags herself out of the carriage, you're a corpse.

What the hell, it might make for an interesting change of pace. "I'll take the job." You say. "You will? Are you sure?" Dr. Gossey asks. "Yes, and you don't need to worry about me. I'm not unfamiliar with the seedier elements of life." "Hmm, yes I suppose there is no way of completely distancing yourself from such things. I'm glad you're worldlier than you appear since I fear my assistant is a bit sheltered. Well, I suppose sheltered isn't quite the right word, more like disconnected from reality on these matters. Elana's a good student, but as I said, I fear if she went to Hessla by herself, she'd say something to the wrong person and soon find herself sold into sex slavery or something similar. Anyway, just make sure you get those Qweepas safe and sound here." "Is there some sort of place that sells them or something in Hessla?" "I don't know, I just know that they are common enough there to be a problem. Whether that means you buy them or catch them, makes no difference. As I said, that's going to be Elana's primary concern, but obviously if you can help in that matter too, it would be greatly appreciated." "Okay, so when does this job begin?" "Well since you agreed to it already, say in three days? You'll meet Elana at the carriage station in the morning. You'll recognize her by her tan skin, long curly brown hair, a large pack for the trip no doubt and she'll probably be a bit too well dressed for the occasion." "Okay, hope I don't miss her." "I'll be sure to give her your description as well and insist that she not leave until she finds you." "Sounds good to me. I'll meet your assistant then." Dr. Gossey goes on to thank you and exclaim that she's glad you came along when you did and hopes you have a safe and productive trip. She also gives you directions of how to get out of the medical school, since you were lost in the first place. When you exit the medical school, you decide to call it a night and head home since you figure if you need to get up in the morning in three days, then you're going to have "fix" your internal clock again so you don't over sleep. When you finally get back to the neighborhood, you revert back your cautious ways until you finally enter the Welcome Mat and your room. You manage to make it without being accosted by any of its denizens this time. You spend tomorrow mostly "taking the day off." You go get something to eat a few times, but that's about it. You still don't see Virgil, but you do have a vague feeling that someone is watching you every time you leave the damn inn. On the second day of one these food trips, one of the local food merchants who doesn't normally make much small talk, breaks that habit when you're looking over the fruit cart. "Hey, some big guy was looking for you yesterday." The merchant remarks. "So I've heard. Got a better description than that?" you ask. "Uh, sort of a bushy beard, but the rest of his face was obviously pretty weathered. Shaved head. Probably in his forties or fifties, but still pretty fit. Carried a pack with him, but no weapons. Well at least none out in the open. Said to tell you that he'd carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn." "Hmmm, and that's it?" "As far as I know." "Thanks. I'll just be taking these today." You say and pay the merchant for your food before leaving. Well that was way more productive than asking Virgil. It's all a little sinister now that you have a little more information though. Why the hell wouldn't a simple courier just meet you at the inn you're staying at? You suppose it's possible he doesn't know, but if he's already spoken to Randi or Virgil, one of them has no doubt blabbed already. At least Randi probably did. You don't know much about the Raggedy Man inn except it's in an even worse part of Klyton than you already stay at. Klyton might have militia patrols marching all over the place, but they're still lax in certain areas. Makes you a bit wary that a large man wants to meet you there. You can't imagine your father or mother would send someone like that, let alone want him to meet you under HIS conditions. Your sister maybe? Possible you suppose, but you're skeptical. In any case, you're not meeting this guy unless he comes directly to you and when that happens. You're going to be… "Heeeeeeey! Youngster! You got some coppers fer the (hic!) faith?" Virgil suddenly says as you step into the Welcome Mat. He's obviously forgotten his outrage at you. Fortunately he may have even remembered to take your advice about washing last time since he smells half way decent this time. "Actually I do Virgil, but I need a favor from you." You say. "Sure…sure! I've always liked ya son! (hic!) You need Joachim's blessin?" "No, no, nothing like that. I just need you to relay a message. Remember that big guy looking for me?" "….Oh YEAH! Yeah! I remember him! Hey he was lookin' fer you…yesterday…said he wants you to…" Virgil starts to say before you interrupt. "Good, good, I want you to tell him, the next time he sees you that I left for Holgard." "Huh? You're movin?" "Something like that, but I want you to tell him okay? Don't forget." you say and hand Virgil a few coppers. "K…well Jochim's blessin' on ya if yer leaving then. You always were one of da (hic!) good ones." Virgil pats you on the back and then stumbles off. You return to your room and as an added pre-caution, you put a chair against the door. You have no idea how you're going to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow, but you're going to try… And you fail. You get a couple hours in before you wake up and can't go back to sleep. Seeing as you aren't going to get any more sleep, you pack your stuff and decide to leave your room in the middle of night and just head to the carriage station early. You don't really know when Elana is going to show up there anyway, so you might not even have to wait that long. On your way there, you half think you're being followed the entire time, so you do a lot of back tracking and take side streets until you reach your destination. You've never been to the carriage station before, but it's mostly empty right now. Still, it's well lit and there are a few militiamen stomping around. You never thought you'd be happy about that! You find a bench and wait. Soon, you start to get a little sleepy again despite your attempts at still trying to stay awake. You also start to wonder if it wouldn't be better to just stay in Hessla when you get there. "I oughta just go meet this guy and stab him in the face like I did with Klint…" you mutter to yourself. Later… "Hey! Wake up! We have to get a move on! (Sigh) I told Dr. Gossey I didn't need an escort." You hear a voice exclaim while some hands shove your shoulders a few times. You groggily open your eyes and realize you're in a much more horizontal position from when you first closed your eyes. After getting the blurriness out, you see a finely dressed woman with tan skin and long curly hair before you. "Elana?" you ask. "Yes! And you're the escort Dr. Gossey hired I presume. You ARE aren't you? I'd hate to think I just woke up some random sleeping bum." Elana answers. "Yes, the doctor hired me. How long have I been asleep?" "How should I know? All I do know is I had to load this carriage up myself. I thought YOU would be helping! Anyway, we have to get going, hurry up!" "Okay, okay, I'm ready, let's get in the carriage." "Wait. YOU are not going in the carriage." "What? Then where the hell am I supposed to be?" "You ride up top with the driver. I have some studying to do on the way and I don't want you disturbing me. Besides, if you're supposed to keeping an eye out for danger, you'll do it better from there anyway." It's too damn early in the morning to deal with this, so you decide not to and just go over to the carriage and climb up to where the driver is. He nods and greets you. "So are we ready to go?" the driver asks you. "Come on let's go!" Elana shouts from inside the carriage. "Well you heard the lady." You say. And with that, you're on your way out of Klyton and on the road to Hessla. Right now though you're just trying to adjust your eyes to all the damn sunlight. It's been awhile since you've been up this early. You watch the countryside pass by as the horses travel at a good pace. So far no trouble yet. You look behind you and see the supplies on the roof of the carriage and something you didn't notice right behind you and the driver. A blunderbuss. "Guess that's for when bandits attack?" you ask the driver. "Huh? Oh that? I suppose so. Honestly though, haven't had any problems in all the years I've driven this route. Still, I keep it loaded just in case." The driver replies. "Never?" "Nope. Never even had any problems in Hessla, despite its reputation. A lot of people think its some anarchic pirate paradise, but the place is probably just as orderly as Klyton. The Governor of Hessla has his own personal security force called the Headsmen to patrol the place. They're a lot more draconian than the militia too. Usually they just execute offenders on the spot without trial." "Really?" "Sure. I mean yeah without them then the place might be a little more lawless like it was in the past, but nowadays? You're just as safe from getting mugged there as you would in Klyton. Hell, maybe even more so given that Klyton has the Crimson Talons running around." "Hmm, yeah." Well this sucks. Already you're finding out that Hessla isn't the place you imagined it was. It's kind of why you took most of your important belongings with you just in case you decided to ditch the job and just stay in Hessla. "Driver! Slow down! The ride is too bumpy and I can't focus on my reading!" Elana shouts while banging inside the carriage. A few moments later… "Driver! Speed up! I'd like to get Hessla sometime this month! And YOU up there, I hope you're doing your job and keeping a look out!" Then again, Hessla might not be that bad, if you already had a bit of coin to throw around while you assessed the opportunities there. You think that there is probably a good amount of supplies here on the carriage you could sell. Let alone the horses and carriage themselves. The driver doesn't exactly look like a fighter and might even have a few coins to his name. And most importantly, Elana probably is carrying a purse full of coin for this trip. Wouldn't take much to just grab the blunderbuss and hijack this whole carriage. > You stick with the job at hand Tempting, but you might as well stick with it out a little while longer. Oddly part of you doesn't want to dishonor the agreement with Dr. Gossey even if her assistant is a bitch. Elana doesn't make many more complaints fortunately and when she does it's mostly at the driver anyway, though you can imagine you'll soon be on the receiving end completely. By the time you reach Hessla, night is starting to fall. Elana orders the carriage to stop and then asks the driver where is the best place to stay in the town. The driver suggests the Cozy Krak Inn. He mentions that it is fairly expensive though that usually means it's never completely filled, but Elana tells him she isn't worried about the price. The carriage makes its way through Hessla, which is definitely not how you expected it look. You imagined pirates and vagabonds of all types getting into fights and drinking in the streets, but just like the driver said, it isn't actually all that bad. When you get to the Cozy Krak Inn, you see a large decorated building, which wouldn't be out of place in the richer areas of Klyton. It's actually a little more creative looking since it has a whole sea theme complete with some wall murals of sailors battling a giant squid and the inn sign also being in the shape of a squid. "Ugh, how gauche. I suppose it will have to do." Elana remarks and gets out of the carriage. You step off from the top. "I'm going to go in and getting the room, you grab the supplies from the carriage." "Wait a minute. I'm just supposed to be here for protection. I didn't hear anything about being your porter. Besides, doesn't a place like this usually have someone to do that?" "Maybe, but I'm telling YOU to do it. I'm not risking having the locals run off with valuable equipment and you're getting paid to protect EVERYTHING, so do your job and look out for the stuff!" Elana remarks and doesn't even give you a chance to retort before she's entered the inn. You just stand there speechless for a moment. "Um…there's a cart over there which should help you get it in all one trip." The driver points out in an attempt to be sympathetic to your plight. "Thanks." You grumble and begin to unload the carriage. You should have just hijacked it. After you're done unloading everything, the driver mentions that if you're looking for a place to unwind, the Sultry Siren is a good location. He then bids you good night and takes his leave. You enter the inn and find that it resembles more of a mansion than any inn you've ever seen. No creaky wooden floors, dim lighting or drunken louts sitting at a nearby bar. You see a desk where Elana is talking with someone and a couple of mean looking men holding poleaxes standing just inside the doorway. You arrive just in time for Elana to finish bitching at the desk clerk and start bitching at you instead. She first goes on to complain that there is no lift so she has to walk to her room on the top floor like a commoner. This is even worse news for you since now you have to lug everything up several flights of stairs. After getting to the room, she complains that it doesn't match anything she's used to in Klyton and goes on about how inferior it is. You almost feel like saying you live in a place run by a cranky old man and how your closest neighbors consist of a drunken priest and a whore. Trying to make the best of this, you remain upbeat. "Well, we aren't going to be here long hopefully. Let's just try to get some rest." You say. "What are you doing?" Elana says. "I'm just laying down." "Not on the bed you're not!" "But there are TWO beds and I'm not going to try anything!" "Pfft. I'm not worried about that." Elana says and then brandishes a small ornate pistol. Smaller than other ones you've seen actually, but you still don't want to risk getting shot by it and move out of the way when she thoughtlessly points it at you. "Will you stop waving that thing around?" you say. "I told Dr. Gossey I didn't need an escort and could take care of myself." Elana remarks. "Yeah, okay you're not a woman to be messed with, got it. But I don't see why I have to sleep on the floor when there are two beds." "The floor? You're not sleeping on the floor either. This is MY room. You want a room here, you pay for it yourself!" "…What? Are you serious? Dr. Gossey said this trip was paid for!" "Maybe for me, never said anything about you. Your payment is AFTER the job is done. In fact, shouldn't you just be standing guard outside my door?" You have no words. You just don't. You thought dealing with the lowlifes that hang around the Welcome Mat was a chore, but it still pales in comparison to this. If this wasn't a paying job, there is no way you'd deal with this. However, since it is, you don't say anything and just grab a chair in the room and exit. Placing the chair nearby, you sit down and make a mental note about never working a real job ever again. The kicker is, you still have a bunch of over grown rats to acquire. Still, you agreed to this so you continue to make the effort and sit outside like a loser. Eventually enough time passes and you start feeling tired or at least bored enough that you'd rather be doing something else. You briefly think about finding another place to stay or even going to the Sultry Siren like the driver suggested, but you really don't feel like dealing with the stairs again or spending your money. You then wonder if maybe you shouldn't take this opportunity to break into some of the other rooms. As you're pondering potential criminal activity, you spot a group of five rough looking men walking down the corridor. They don't look the sort who would stay here. "Is this the room?" one of them says. "No, it's further up the hall." Another remarks. "What? Where that guy in the hood is sitting?" "Yeah, I believe so." "What the fuck, Metzger. I thought you said this was an easy one." "There's just one guy there and he's smaller than all of us. You really think he's going to give us trouble? Metzger says. "What if he's some highly skilled assassin? I mean he's got a hooded cloak and all…" "By Dolak's barnacle encrusted balls, if you were any dumber…(Sigh) Just because someone is wearing a hooded cloak don't make them a highly skilled assassin. Besides, assassins kill people not sit outside hallways like guard dogs." Metzger remarks. At this point these five men are nearby you, yet are still talking like you aren't here. You feel like you should stand up at this point. "I can't help but notice you lot seem to be talking about me." You say. "Yeah, and what if we are?" Metzger asks. "Well, I suppose I might need to show off my assassin skills." "Hah! You're no assassin and even if you are, you're too damn young to have been at it for very long, let alone skilled enough to take on five of us. My guess is, you're that rich bitch's escort or something. Not sure why she'd take a little thing like you though as a guard. Guess being rich doesn't mean being smart which is evident by the very fact she's staying here." "What do you mean?" "Nobody stays at the Cozy Krak Inn, or rather no right thinking Hessla native does, unless they want to be taken as a fucking slave. Fucking clueless visitors." Metzger laughs. Well this isn't good. "So you guys are all slavers huh?" you ask. "Yeah, and since I'm in a generous mood I'm going to LET you walk away from this, because Yrid said you weren't the target." Metzger remarks. "Who's Yrid?" "The guy who drove you here. Sheesh, didn't you even bother to ask his name? In fact you weren't even supposed to be here, he said you'd probably be at the Sultry Siren fucking a whore or getting drunk given how much your boss was bitching at you." "Trust me, I'm starting to think that was a better idea right now." "Hah, got that right. So, I trust you're stepping aside then…" Metger says and starts advancing with his buddies. This is a really difficult situation. As much as Elana has been a complete bitch to you, you aren't sure if her getting sold into slavery isn't disproportionate retribution. > You step aside You don't exactly feel good about this, but then you don't see as you have much choice. "Alright…I'll step aside." you say. "Smart boy, now clear off!" Metzger says and pushes you aside before unlocking the door with a key. You don't stick around as the five of them enter Elana's room. Just as you're about to head down the stairs, you hear a scream followed by something breaking and then some laughter. You don't want to think about it and make haste out of this "inn." Even when you killed Klint there was at least some justification, but you're seriously wondering what the hell you just allowed to happen. You head to the Sultry Siren where you proceed to drink. You've never really drank too much before in the past, but given what you just let transpire, you feel like maybe the best thing you can do is block out your thoughts. "So…are you interested in just the ale or could I recommend one of the lovely sirens in the back?" the barkeep asks after you've had a few. "Um…I dunno…no. I'm having a bit of weird night and I've got a lot on my mind right now that I'm trying to forget." you say taking another drink. "Hm, sounds like maybe one of our lovely sirens is exactly what you need." You don't even hear the barkeep's pitch anymore; your mind is just sort of a hazy blur between your thoughts and the ale. What did you do? What could you do? What are you going to do? What are you going to do… "Do you know where I could get some qweepas?" you suddenly ask the barkeep. "What?" he replies. "Qweepas. They're these…" "Yeah I know what they are. Overgrown ugly rats and general pests around town. If you want to know where to get some, you could try Gilo's Gridiron. Well either that or just hang around the docks or leave some food around in a dark place. It isn't like they're that hard to find around here." "What's Gilo's Gridiron?" "Oh it's just an eatery run by a Halfling chef. He sells qweepa on a stick. Tastes pretty good from what I hear, but I'd never know because I'm reluctant to eat a damn rat. Still, halflings do have a reputation for making anything taste good, so maybe I should be adventurous some day." "So is he open now?" "No, it's too late now, he'll be open in the morning though." "Do you know of a cheap place to sleep for the night?" "Um, the Barnacle down the street is pretty cheap. In fact you can just go into their public flop room for free. Wouldn't really advise that though unless you're a light sleeper or completely destitute. The Headsmen might keep relative order around here, but they can't stop every potential crime and you're likely to get robbed there. It's just common sense you know?" "Yeah, common sense. You really need it to survive in this world." You say and take your last drink before leaving for the Barnacle. You end up paying a few coppers for one of their better rooms there and get some rest. The next day, you have a bit of a headache, but you try to ignore it. You've still got a job to do. First thing you do is head over to Gilo's place. Gilo is pretty much a small one-man operation as far as the cooking goes though he's got his son and daughter running around taking orders from customers. You were going to ask Gilo if he has any live qweepas, but the man seems to be too busy to do anything except cook and order his children around. You can sort of see into the kitchen, but there is no way you can enter it without someone seeing you. You take your leave and walk around to the back of Gilo's to check out the back door and that's when you see his little boy tossing out a bunch of bones in a box. It's a pretty big box (for a Halfling child) and the boy is struggling to carry it. "Hey kid, you need help with that?" you ask. "Huh? No, not really. Just dumping out some qweepa bones. We usually keep them in these boxes until we kill 'em." The boy says. "You catch a lot of them huh?" "Yeah, but nowadays we sort of just breed them. It's a lot easier than catching them." "Really?" "Sure. They get so tame they hardly even bite. It's a good thing people eat so many; otherwise we might get too many. They breed pretty fast." "So you just got boxes of tame qweepas in there?" "Yep. Hey look I gotta get back to work or my dad will hide me." The little boy says and goes back inside. And then you get the idea. Later in the middle of the night, you return to Gilo's and break into the back door which has such a simple lock it's child's play to you, then again you don't imagine most people would bother breaking into this place. You stumble about the kitchen for a moment before you hear the squeaking and go over to where you figure the qweepas are being kept. You grab a box of qweepas who are squeaking their heads off and get out as quickly as you can. You then head to the carriage station where you fortunately don't have to wait long for a carriage to Klyton. You have to share it with some young couple who must have just got married or something because the two are so into each other you think they're going to have sex right in there in the carriage. Still, at least it makes the trip not boring and they aren't questioning why you're carrying a box full of big rats. (Which you have to keep from escaping every now and then) By the time you arrive in Klyton, it's midday again. The couple gets off and you pay for a ride to the university. You're just hoping Dr. Gossey is the sort of woman you think she is and will accept the qweepas along with your tale of what happened to her assistant. Eventually you get to the university and the medical school. Thankfully Dr. Gossey is in her office when you arrive. "You're back! And so quick! I hear lots of squeaking from that box you're carrying. I trust you got them?" Dr. Gossey says. "Yep, but I ended up getting more than just ten." You say. You show Dr. Gossey who looks into the box. "Ohh, I see. Looks like you got a lot of younger ones…how are they so tame?" Gossey asks putting her finger near one which just sniffs at it. "The Halfling cook I got them from breeds them for food. They apparently eat them all the time in Hessla." You say. "Makes sense. Though I suppose a few wild ones would have been interesting to research as well, but tame ones will probably be easier for intelligence testing. I really didn't expect so many. You want one as a pet or something?" "Um, nah. I'd just like my thirty gold pieces." "Okay sure. Just put that box over there and I'll get it for you." While Dr. Gossey goes to get your money, you put the box over on a table and just stare at the qweepas squeaking and going about their trapped lives. You then see some of them biting at one with darker fur which is desperately trying to run away and climb out, but can't due to the attacking qweepas pulling at her. "Hey! Stop that. I thought you guys were tame." you say and brush away the bullying qweepas along with taking out the qweepa being attacked. The little creature runs up your arm and then perches on your shoulder and nuzzles up against you, almost as a sign that it thanks you for rescuing it. Dr. Gossey comes back with a pouch full of coins. "Here you are. Hey, I see one on your shoulder. Did you change your mind?" Gossey asks. "Yeah I think so." You remark. "Okay, well I guess that concludes our business then. So, since you were so efficient on this job, could I count on you for others in the future?" "Maybe. I dunno. Yeah, sure I guess." "Great! Just remember I post notices all around campus. Just keep an eye out and you can usually find me in my office or in the lab, but um…actually just meet me in the office. The lab is a bit off limits to anyone who isn't facility right now. I feel like I'm forgetting something…oh wait! Where is Elana?" "Oh, she insisted on staying in Hessla." "Why? For what purpose?" "She said she found some new species of crab when she was exploring the shores near Hessla. Said she wanted to do some extra research and get a few to bring back, but she wanted me to bring the qweepas back to you immediately. She wouldn't hear anything else. I'm sure you know how she is." "Ah, yes she is pretty firm when she wants her way. I can imagine you probably tried your best to talk to her. I suppose Hessla's bad reputation is a bit exaggerated anyway and I'm sure she'll be fine and I'll see her in a few days. At least you brought back the qweepas and that was the most important thing." "That's what you told me." With Dr. Gossey's acceptance of your story she bids you goodbye and immediately goes over to look at her new qweepas. You take your leave with your own still on your shoulder. It's been a long couple of days and right now all you want to do is head back to the Welcome Mat and your room. When you get there, you're immediately accosted by Virgil who is surprisingly less drunk than usual. Must be a slow day. "Hey! I thought you moved to Holgard!" Virgil says. "No. Didn't move there." You reply. "You didn't? But that's what you told me to tell that big guy looking for you." With all that's gone on, you completely forgot about all that. "Oh right. Yeah I did. So what happened with that?" you ask. "What do ya think happened? I told 'im you left for Holgard and he thanked me with some coin and took off. I suppose if you're quick, you might be able to catch him on the road to Holgard." Virgil says. "Nah, that's okay. I'm sure whatever it was, it wasn't that important and if it was, I'm not going to worry about it. Here you go Virgil." You say and toss him a gold coin which he profusely thanks you for and says how Joachim's blessing is upon you. You enter your room and collapse on your bed. Your qweepa scurries off your body and onto the bed to sniff around. You watch the creature for a little while and then pet it. "Well Elana. It might be shitty and run down, but at least you know you aren't going to run into slavers here." You say to your new pet. > You time passes... Year 21 "Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart. As usual he grabs the silvers and gives you mean glance. "I'm getting real tired of your shit! I KNOW you got the money to pay me on fucking time! Telling you right now, you keep pushing me like this, and you'll be out on your thieving ass!" "I'm sorry. Please don't throw me out of this palace." You say. Whether Trobart caught your sarcasm or not, he doesn't acknowledge it with more verbal abuse, he just storms off. Sometimes it's just too much fun to mess with him. Really, you could probably afford to live somewhere better now, but this place is cheap enough that you're reluctant move. Besides if you lived some place more expensive, you wouldn't be able to spend your money on fun things like wine, women and better equipment on occasion. You head back to your room where Elana comes up to greet you before scampering off again. One thing's for sure. You haven't had any problems with normal rats or other pests with Elana around. She's aggressively territorial and more than willing to make a meal out of them. Even Virgil doesn't knock on the door to bother you as much since she nearly bit his toe off. You then hear a knock at your door. Well, it doesn't stop him completely. "Virgil, I think you should know Elana's hungry right now." You say. "That's nice that your girlfriend is starving, but I'm not Virgil, whoever that is. I'm from you friends in Klyton's most infamous club." You hear a voice answer. Sounds female. "Crimson Talons?" "(Sigh) Tell the militia why don't you? You going to let me in or not?" "That depends…why are you here? Nobody from the Talons has ever sought me out before." "Yeah, well there's a first time for everything. Look, I'm just here on Tom's orders. I'm not shouting between a door like this. Either open the door, or I'll let him know you aren't interested…" "Alright, alright, hold on." You say. You tell Elana to stay and not attack (at least not immediately) and you go to open the door cautiously. Upon opening it, you see a dark longhaired woman who while is certainly older than you is still in fit condition. She's attractive in a trashy sort of way. (Sort of reminds you of an older version of Annah) While you've been to the Talon's headquarters more than a few times, but other than Tom and a guy named Vaughn who is usually the fence for your stolen items, you can't really say you've ever paid too much attention to most of them (let alone learned their names), so you don't really recognize her. However, with her looks combined with her attire and she definitely looks like the sort that would belong to the Crimson Talons. The woman walks in without you even inviting her in and takes a look around. "Wow, some place you have here. I can see why you didn't want to join the Talons when you're obviously doing so well on your own." She says. "Right, because that abandoned building you all squat in and have to sneak about by going in and out of the shit filled sewers is so much better." You reply. "Actually, I was paying you a compliment asshole. This place IS better. I mean yeah it's still a dump, but as you said, at least you're not stepping over shit every five minutes on your way here and it's all to yourself." "…not counting the rats of course." She adds when she sees Elana who is curled up in the corner where you told her to stay. "Elana's not a rat, she's a qweepa." You say. "Oh, that's Elana? I thought it was weird I didn't see some strumpet on your bed when I walked in here. Well whatever it is, it's ugly and its teeth are too big." Zalmora says while taking a seat on your bed. "So are you just here to insult my home and my pet or are you actually going to tell me who you are and why Tom sent you?" "I told you I wasn't insulting your home. Anyway, I'm Zalmora and Tom wants to see you." "What for?" "Well, you'd have to talk with him about the details, but basically he wants you to reconsider joining us." "Then you've wasted a trip, because as you pointed out I'm doing fine on my own. Besides, didn't several of your members just get arrested by that botched bank job recently?" "Only two got caught and they weren't arrested because the militia killed them with they were resisting." "Oh, well that's different then. At the rate you lot are going I don't predict good things for you in the future. You can tell Tom thanks, but no thanks." "Yeah, he thought you might say that, and honestly if I were in your position I'd probably feel the same way." "Good, then we understand each other, goodbye…" you say and go to open the door again, but Zalmora doesn't even move, she just stretches out on your bed and makes herself more comfortable. "Although, I also have to tell you that your cooperation on this matter is in your best interest." She says. "So, what then? Did Tom send you over here to fuck me in an effort to convince me to join? You seem to be getting quite comfortable on my bed." "Well I wouldn't put it past him to have that in mind, but if he really wanted to get results in that way, he should have sent the half-elven whores in the gang instead. If I had to guess why he sent me, it's because as much as he's loathed to admit it, I have a decent history of convincing folks. In any case, if you don't join, don't bother coming around with your stolen shit anymore, we won't be fencing it." "So is that your argument? If I don't join your little group, you aren't going to fence for me anymore? Fine. I'll just take my shit to Fookins the Fat." You exclaim. "Fookins? You're going to trust that goblin to fence your shit?" Zalmora chuckles. "Okay fine, I'll just sell it myself." "While I don't doubt that you could, but I get a vibe from you that you'd rather not want to bother. If you were about that aspect of our game, you would have been doing it long before now." "Well, you might be right, but obviously you lot aren't giving me a choice." "Sure we are. Join us and reap the benefits, or don't and suffer the consequences. I guess this would also be a good time to add that if you don't join us you might have a target on your back." Didn't take long to get to physical threats. You immediately draw your weapon and Elana who was previously at rest, is now alert and prepared to attack on your command. Zalmora doesn't move though, she just continues to look up at the ceiling with her legs crossed. She either doesn't realize the seriousness of her situation, or she's so much of a skilled fighter that she isn't worried. "You can put that away, I'm not going to kill or even attack you." Zalmora says. "You just fucking threatened me in my own damn room!" you exclaim. "Actually I didn't. Tom did and honestly I don't think he's got the balls to follow through on said threats. Other freelancers in the city? Maybe. You? Nah. You rescued him from a cage; he's never going to forget that. He's likely to be pissed and disappointed that you don't join, but he's not going to actively put a contract on your head. He's not like our last boss Edmund." At this point she sits up and gets off your bed. You're still on your guard, but she keeps her distance. "Since I can see you're a bit tense right now, I'll leave to let you think it over." Zal's approach to this is confusing the hell out of you. It almost feels like she's deliberately trying to convince you NOT to join. "There isn't much to think about. Your words have not swayed me, quite the opposite really. Maybe Tom should have sent those two halfbreed whores to convince me instead." You say. "Truly? Is a quick tumble all it would have really done to convince you? Well, let's get to it then." Zal says. "Wait, what, really?" you ask. "Pfft, no!" Zal laughs. "Look, it's up to you if you want to join. I'm not going over the benefits of joining, because I think you know what those could possibly be AND I think you're smart enough to know you're only going to get out of it, what you put in to it. Like I said, you once rescued Tom from a cage, so you're already in good standing with him. A lot better than most. I'm just giving you a heads up on the downsides of not joining. If you're comfortable with those, then I guess the choice is easy. You know where to find us if you change your mind, but remember ONLY come to us, IF you change your mind." Zal opens your door and begins to leave, but then stops. "Just on a personal note, I wouldn't mind seeing you join us. It would be nice to have another skilled rogue around to work with. Your independent actions in the university district aren't completely unknown to me. And who knows, we might just have that tumble after all." Zal then nods at you with a smile and leaves. Well she didn't sway you until that last bit. Not the tumble part, (though you certainly wouldn't turn that down) but more of the idea of working with someone else. You don't think about it too much, but you do sort of miss working with another person. You did it for years with your sister and then Annah for a short time. You're convinced that if tragedy hadn't struck with her, she probably would have gotten better. Working by yourself has its advantages and over the years you've gotten used to it, but there are more than a few times where it would have helped to have another person by your side. There's also the convenience that you'd be able to have the Talons still fence shit for you and the possibility that you wouldn't have a target on your back, even if Zal says the latter is unlikely. Still, you really aren't sure about the whole joining the Crimson Talons thing. That's more people than you'd care to work with and you'd have to ultimately answer to someone. Let alone the other concerns you have. > You join the Crimson Talons If Tom is coming to you, then it's obvious that he needs the help and that means you can go in and negotiate preferential treatment and benefits in exchange for your presence. What the hell, this might work out in your favor if you know how to play the game. You immediately leave your room and catch up with Zalmora who hasn't walked too far from the Welcome Mat yet. You tell her you accept the offer and she seems to take satisfaction in that she managed to sway you. Doesn't take long before you're stomping through the sewers and embracing that unique aroma that only the sewers can provide. When you get to the Talon hideout, you're noticing a lot more rowdy types. Most of which look more like common thugs that would just mug you in an alley. Looks like the Talons aren't just recruiting the best, they're also recruiting the dregs. Guess they need to recoup their losses somehow. "Okay, I imagine you want to go speak with Tom by yourself, so here you are." Zalmora remarks leaving you outside his office door. You finish making your mental notes of what you're going to say and then enter. When you do so, Tom looks up from his desk and stands up to greet you. "By the gods, you actually showed up." Tom remarks. "Good thing you sent someone so convincing, otherwise I might not have." You say. "Yeah, I might actually have to start rethinking my general dislike for her. Especially since she's proving to be one of the better members here nowadays." "Hm, yes well I still haven't joined yet. I'm just here to stake out my options." "I imagine you would, but that's perectly reasonable. I certainly didn't expect you to join without a few personal requests. So, take a seat, and let us talk about your future here!" When the pair of you sit down, Tom goes into his speech. You didn't notice it before, but the man looks a lot wearier from the last time you met with him. "So, it's no secret that you've been doing okay for yourself by keeping your activities mainly to the university in Klyton." Tom says. "Well I didn't have much choice given you lot have run over most places and the militia excessively patrols the rest. Between the pair of you, I find that the university is the best place an independent like myself can make a fair living plying my trade." You remark. "You know I never actually meant to be territorial with you. Other independents sure, but you were different and I have tried to tell my people in the past to leave you be and that there was plenty of room, but I can't keep up on everything they do when they leave my sight." "No matter. It all worked out." "Indeed. In fact I briefly thought about expanding some of our activity out there. Never did mainly because we had things pretty good elsewhere and well let's just say professional respect for you." "Well I appreciate it." "Of course since you'll be joining us, this changes things a bit. Now I understand if you want that area mostly to yourself, but times are getting a bit lean what with us losing several members and the militia seemingly cracking down everywhere." You don't like where this is heading. "Tom, if you start sending that mostly unsubtle rabble up at the university, they're going to be so fucking obvious that the militia WILL become more of an issue there! And if the militia start showing up there in force, that defeats the whole reason why I picked the place to begin with." You say. "I know. I know. And I completely understand. That's why I want YOU to become, I dunno. A mentor of sorts." Tom says. "Mentor?" "Yeah, you could take those you think are the most promising and teach them not to draw attention and rob someone without just smashing them in the face and taking their shit by force." "What? I'm not teaching a bunch of idiots something they should already know how to do when they joined up! I mean this is YOUR organization, you should be weeding out those who got what it takes and who doesn't." "Believe me I'd like to, but natural talent is a little lean right now and we need to make up the numbers in eagerness." Tom rubs his eyes and exhales a bit before continuing. "Kid, as you might have guessed, the Crimson Talons are in fucking trouble and I need all the help I can get in keeping it together. I dunno if you know him, but one of my brasher members Jake is constantly chomping at the bit to do as much fucking violence as possible whenever he goes out on a job. Honestly his behavior is infectious to the other members at this point." "If he's that much of a problem, why not just kill him?" "Because for one thing, he's really good at what he does and is a good earner. Second, he actually keeps the rest of them in line. With him around at least all I have to do is give an order to him and he can make sure everyone else follows it." "That's pretty dangerous that he has that much power." "Well I might be more worried if he actually displayed any signs of wanting to be in charge. As far as I can tell, all he ever wants to do is go out and commit crimes and fuck Zalmora. He's not a long term planner and definitely doesn't seem to want the hassle of being in charge and I can't say I blame him with how I feel about it right now." "If you say so, but I'm still not keen on playing mentor and this definitely isn't what I planned on when Zal talked me into coming here. "I know. I know. (Sigh) Look, here's the deal. You get to keep everything you steal. You don't have to contribute anything to the general Talon funds. All I want you to contribute is your knowledge and your influence." "My influence? Not sure if I'm exactly a leader myself." "Maybe you just haven't been given the proper chance. As I said, I'm getting too fucking old to manage all of this myself. And I don't have anyone really reliable to help. I mean Jake is a guard dog at best. And I'd rather not give any more power to Zalmora than I have to. I know you though. You've got an honor that the others lack and we need some of that around here otherwise this whole organization is going to either fall apart in a few years or we're all going to get nabbed by the militia. With you with us, I think we could at least change direction a bit. And don't just think about the organization's future, but think about your own as well. I mean sure you're doing okay on your own, but with proper resources behind you? You could be doing so much better. Who knows maybe in so many years, YOU could be running this organization." Tom made a similar argument to you before about joining last time. You weren't sure about it last time and you're still not sure about it this time. However, you get the impression if you don't involve yourself Tom isn't going to be around to lead much longer and who knows what the hell will happen. They might start encroaching your territory and you wouldn't really be able to stop them. In fact they might get so wild that the militia cracks down even worse than it already does. You really aren't sure if this is a good idea, but you figure you have a bit of experience now under your belt so you can better afford to take a risk and as always you could just disappear if things aren't going well. "Alright, we'll see how this goes." You say. > You time passes... Year 22 "And when you're done robbing everyone at the gladiator frat house, you get the fuck outta there. What you don't fucking do is stick around to drink, party and compete in a dick sucking contest!" you exclaim. Flameflower and Sunshine both roll their eyes in unison. "It was hardly a competition. I easily beat all the other girls there that night." Flameflower remarks. "What? I would have beaten you had you not spiked my drink with lotus! My technique was all fucked up thanks to that!" Sunshine says. "Look, nevermind all that! You wanna go suck dick, go suck it on your own time! But when you're on a job at the university you're on MY time and you will stick to the damn program! Otherwise you can go take your asses back to Jake and continue risking life and limb on whatever crazy heist he attempts to implement." "Ugh! I dunno why you're getting so mad for, we managed to pick even more pockets by sticking around for the extended festivities. Whatever. You're just like how your uptight dad was." Flameflower and her sister take their leave of you and then one of them turns her head to look at you briefly and then giggling follows between the pair of them. "I honestly don't know why I bother with those two." You say. "Because elves are easy on the eyes, even if they are half breeds." Zal remarks. "Well it certainly works in their favor at the university. Hard to believe they were ever organized enough to work for my father's inn at one time. That was surprising to learn when they first approached to work with me. Do elves age at all?" "Not like we do. Those halfbreed bitches are older than me and they still look like fucking teenagers. Oh speaking of unnatural things, I think the magic college is more doable than you thought." "What? You actually went in there?" "I told you I was." "You told me you were thinking about it and I distinctly told you to stay away from that place. Too risky fucking around with potential magic security." "Have you ever even been there?" "No." "Well then what would you even know about it? And for your information, it isn't the magic fortress that you seemed to think it was anyway. I walked in and walked out with this!" Zalmora reveals a blue gemstone of some sort. It gives off a faint blue glow, but nothing else. "What…what is that?" you ask. "I dunno, something magical I imagine. Maybe it provides light so you don't need a torch or lantern." Zal remarks. "Or maybe it captures souls! How did you even get this?" "I told you, I walked into the college and wandered around until I found something that caught my eye. Don't worry, I didn't attract any attention, well other than maybe a few love sick apprentices who didn't look like they got out much." "This wasn't protected or anything?" "Nope, I just found it in a bowl on a shelf in an empty classroom of some sort. Would have taken more items, but I figured I'd stick to mostly casing the place first. I told you, the place isn't any better protected than any place else it seems. Your ideas that the place is protected by magic traps and living statues are unfounded." "I'm not convinced and I think you just got lucky." "Well either way, I'm heading there again in a few days and hauling out more shit. I know a few people that would be more than willing to buy stuff like this." "And maybe you better not. I'm telling you, this is not a good idea and all its going to do create trouble for all of us. The university is huge, you can easily make a lot of coin without the extra danger of fucking around with magic." Now Zalmora rolls her eyes. "Y'know those two halfbreed bitches might be whores in thieves clothing, but at least they're having fun with all this. You know, the only reason why I wanted to be transferred here instead of sticking with Jake is because I thought this might be a nice change of pace to work around a subtler thief. It's one thing to be professional, but by the fucking gods, you've managed to suck out ALL the fun out of this. If it were up to you, you'd still be meekly sneaking around the campus all by yourself and never maximizing the full potential of what is here!" Zalmora says. "Yeah, and I'd be perfectly fine with that. This was all Tom's idea for me to play mentor, not mine." You remark. "Hah! I don't need a damn mentor. I've been thieving before you were even thought about! And I don't need your damn permission either to go rob the magic college. Maybe you can intimidate the rest of the unskilled Talons into acting the way you want, but I'm doing what the hell I want." "Yeah? And I can go report you to Tom and have you transferred back. You're ONLY here because I said it was okay in the first place!" "Fine. Go tattle on me like a fucking bitch then. Always knew you had a stick up your ass, but I didn't realize you were a snitch too." "Oh don't give me that snitch shit. Tom's the boss, he told me I had independent jurisdiction here of who was obeying my way of doing things and who wasn't. So if I don't like the way you're doing shit, guess what? You don't get to stay and that's it!" "I see. You're not a snitch, you're a pretender to the throne." "What?" "You're a pretender to the throne. You're acting like you're the boss of the Crimson Talons. The only thing that's stopping you totally is the fact that Tom is officially in charge. But if he's allowing you this much leniency and is basically doing what you say anyway then maybe you need to just cut the pretending and take over completely. I'd certainly be more likely to respect AND listen to your orders if that was the case. But then I always preferred men who take what they want…guess that's why I never minded Jake, even if he is an idiot most of the time. See you around." Zalmora at this point takes her leave of you. You've been working with Zalmora directly only for a few months, but now you're starting to see why Tom thinks she's manipulative. She basically just suggested that you go kill him and take over. For what purpose though you can't say. If she really doesn't like Tom, why doesn't she just do it? Though you suppose keeping her own hands clean and being a puppet master is more her thing. After all if you were in charge, you'd catch the blame if things didn't go well. You suppose it's an idea to consider, but again even if you wanted the hassle, you're still not really someone that wants to just kill someone without a good reason. Tom's been okay with you too, more than okay actually. He is a bit of a weak leader though. You do sort of wonder how he hasn't caught a knife in the back yet, or the front for that matter. And Zalmora might be right, might be time to take more risks. The thieves under your "command" listen to you, but the actual respect is probably minimal. It might be worth while to keep your options open to become more of a true leader just in case, you wanted to reconsider being head of the Crimson Talons one day. > You start becoming a leader Why not? It isn't like you're ever going to get a real job and this is probably the closest thing to "moving up" in your line of work. And it is true, if you became leader of the Crimson Talons, you could shape it how you wanted. You rush to catch up to Zalmora who hasn't walked too far away yet. "Zal, hold on." You say. "Yes?" she answers. "Look, you've got some good points. Maybe I'm just used to playing things safe because it's traditionally what I've had to do in the past." "Well I suppose most of the Talons haven't exactly made things easier in this city with all the really reckless behavior that half of them participate in. But there's gotta be a balance right? I think the way you go about things is the direction we should be moving in, just we need to start thinking bigger and quite frankly we're never going to do that with Tom in charge." "So…what, you suggesting we should kill him then? I don't see why you don't do it since you seem to be really keen on getting rid of him." "Because I don't want to lead." "What makes you think I do?" "Because you're standing here speaking with me and thinking about what I said." "Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm a killer either…look I've only ever killed one person and I only did that because he had just mortally stabbed my girlfriend at the time. It was sort of the heat of the moment and I dunno…I've just never been that motivated to just go murder someone again. Especially someone like Tom who has been more than all right with me." "Eh…well I guess it's a good thing you aren't as blood thirsty as Jake is. Maybe though you could talk him out of stepping down." "Not sure if that's going to work, but in any case I don't think even with a promotion by murder is going to spontaneously cause people to follow me. I'm going to need to build more respect and like you said, that means taking a few more risks. So making some bigger scores would help in that area as well. In other words, I'm going to come with you on this job to the magic college." Zal smiles a bit at your comment. "So the magic college isn't off limits anymore?" Zal asks. "It's not off limits to US. I don't want anyone else trying to pilfer from the place until we completely do a thorough casing of the place. Exits, entrances, possible traps or security, valuables, everything. And even then I only want us going in and trying this until some of the others prove themselves capable of being professional enough. I might be becoming a little more flexible on risk taking, but I'm not completely abandoning caution." You say. "That's sounds reasonable. Okay, so when do we get started?" You go over the information that Zal has already acquired during her trip to the place. You have no reason to disbelieve her claims that the place isn't as secure as you thought, you just think that maybe there is more than meets the eye. You tell her that you will go in and do your own inspection and then both of you together can go grab everything you can in one big haul. Using Zal's previous knowledge, you begin your own scouting of the college. She wasn't wrong about magical looking items just laying around in class rooms. In general you attempt to stay out of sight. Maybe Zal was comfortable charming horny apprentices, but you doubt if you're going to get anything other than suspicion. As it turns out it's fairly easy to stay out of sight anyway since the college of magic is relatively empty. Makes sense you guess since there isn't exactly large amounts of wizard types nowadays either. Your scouting reveals a little more than Zal's attempts. You find a huge storage are area in the basement that contains a shitload of items. Most of it is furniture, though very nice looking furniture, if very dusty. However some of this stuff is literally encrusted with jewels or made of precious metal like silver and gold! You can't believe it's all just laying around in this place without even a locked door! Granted a solid gold conference table would be pretty damn hard to lift up out of here even by several people, but the smaller items like the various knick knacks you could just take and you could just start prying out the gems on some of these chairs at least. You wonder why all this valuable stuff is down here; maybe these are all some sort of relics of a more magical era? They don't seem magical though, so you have no idea; you just decide to take a few of the smaller gold vases before leaving. You start looking around thinking that maybe there is some sort of stone statues looming nearby ready to come to life or something, but you leave this odd storage area without any problems. You leave the magic college without incident and later reconnect with Zal and explain what you found; she seems pretty enthusiastic about heading there with you together. Later on that week, the pair of you sneak into the magic college at night. Zal says that since you apparently found a small treasure room of sorts, she wants to go there first. You figured she would so you lead her to where you found it. When you arrive, her eyes light up. "I almost thought you were exaggerating. I have to admit this is almost too easy. I guess being a wizard means being too arrogant to know when to lock up your valuables." Zal says. "I guess so." You remark. "Well come on, let's start prying out those gems and grabbing the smaller stuff. I think we'll have to be making more than one trip down here." Zal at this point pulls out her dagger and goes to work on a nearby chair, or throne to be more accurate. You join in by looking for the ornaments that were by the vases you took last time. You don't get too far along in your looting when you start to get an uneasy feeling. You look over at Zal, but she's still busy prying gemstone. Then out the corner of your eye you see some figures suddenly appear, you turn around and then catch a bolt of lightning in the chest! "Yvette! I told you to wait, before attacking!" "Sorry, when we reappeared I panicked." "I told you invisibility never lasts long." "Get that one before she gets away!" The apprentices and mages of this college apparently weren't completely unaware that strangers were coming and going into their domain. And apparently one of the professors decided that stopping a pair of thieves would be a good training lesson. Unfortunately for you, Yvette's lightning bolt zapped you really good. The impact threw you into a wall, burned a hole in your body and fried your internal organs. She didn't even mean to kill you; she just didn't know her own power. Hardly matters, you're still dead and so are all your plans of being the Crimson Talons leader.

Year 22 "And when you're done robbing everyone at the gladiator frat house, you get the fuck outta there. What you don't fucking do is stick around to drink, party and compete in a dick sucking contest!" you exclaim. Flameflower and Sunshine both roll their eyes in unison. "It was hardly a competition. I easily beat all the other girls there that night." Flameflower remarks. "What? I would have beaten you had you not spiked my drink with lotus! My technique was all fucked up thanks to that!" Sunshine says. "Look, nevermind all that! You wanna go suck dick, go suck it on your own time! But when you're on a job at the university you're on MY time and you will stick to the damn program! Otherwise you can go take your asses back to Jake and continue risking life and limb on whatever crazy heist he attempts to implement." "Ugh! I dunno why you're getting so mad for, we managed to pick even more pockets by sticking around for the extended festivities. Whatever. You're just like how your uptight dad was." Flameflower and her sister take their leave of you and then one of them turns her head to look at you briefly and then giggling follows between the pair of them. "I honestly don't know why I bother with those two." You say. "Because elves are easy on the eyes, even if they are half breeds." Zal remarks. "Well it certainly works in their favor at the university. Hard to believe they were ever organized enough to work for my father's inn at one time. That was surprising to learn when they first approached to work with me. Do elves age at all?" "Not like we do. Those halfbreed bitches are older than me and they still look like fucking teenagers. Oh speaking of unnatural things, I think the magic college is more doable than you thought." "What? You actually went in there?" "I told you I was." "You told me you were thinking about it and I distinctly told you to stay away from that place. Too risky fucking around with potential magic security." "Have you ever even been there?" "No." "Well then what would you even know about it? And for your information, it isn't the magic fortress that you seemed to think it was anyway. I walked in and walked out with this!" Zalmora reveals a blue gemstone of some sort. It gives off a faint blue glow, but nothing else. "What…what is that?" you ask. "I dunno, something magical I imagine. Maybe it provides light so you don't need a torch or lantern." Zal remarks. "Or maybe it captures souls! How did you even get this?" "I told you, I walked into the college and wandered around until I found something that caught my eye. Don't worry, I didn't attract any attention, well other than maybe a few love sick apprentices who didn't look like they got out much." "This wasn't protected or anything?" "Nope, I just found it in a bowl on a shelf in an empty classroom of some sort. Would have taken more items, but I figured I'd stick to mostly casing the place first. I told you, the place isn't any better protected than any place else it seems. Your ideas that the place is protected by magic traps and living statues are unfounded." "I'm not convinced and I think you just got lucky." "Well either way, I'm heading there again in a few days and hauling out more shit. I know a few people that would be more than willing to buy stuff like this." "And maybe you better not. I'm telling you, this is not a good idea and all its going to do create trouble for all of us. The university is huge, you can easily make a lot of coin without the extra danger of fucking around with magic." Now Zalmora rolls her eyes. "Y'know those two halfbreed bitches might be whores in thieves clothing, but at least they're having fun with all this. You know, the only reason why I wanted to be transferred here instead of sticking with Jake is because I thought this might be a nice change of pace to work around a subtler thief. It's one thing to be professional, but by the fucking gods, you've managed to suck out ALL the fun out of this. If it were up to you, you'd still be meekly sneaking around the campus all by yourself and never maximizing the full potential of what is here!" Zalmora says. "Yeah, and I'd be perfectly fine with that. This was all Tom's idea for me to play mentor, not mine." You remark. "Hah! I don't need a damn mentor. I've been thieving before you were even thought about! And I don't need your damn permission either to go rob the magic college. Maybe you can intimidate the rest of the unskilled Talons into acting the way you want, but I'm doing what the hell I want." "Yeah? And I can go report you to Tom and have you transferred back. You're ONLY here because I said it was okay in the first place!" "Fine. Go tattle on me like a fucking bitch then. Always knew you had a stick up your ass, but I didn't realize you were a snitch too." "Oh don't give me that snitch shit. Tom's the boss, he told me I had independent jurisdiction here of who was obeying my way of doing things and who wasn't. So if I don't like the way you're doing shit, guess what? You don't get to stay and that's it!" "I see. You're not a snitch, you're a pretender to the throne." "What?" "You're a pretender to the throne. You're acting like you're the boss of the Crimson Talons. The only thing that's stopping you totally is the fact that Tom is officially in charge. But if he's allowing you this much leniency and is basically doing what you say anyway then maybe you need to just cut the pretending and take over completely. I'd certainly be more likely to respect AND listen to your orders if that was the case. But then I always preferred men who take what they want…guess that's why I never minded Jake, even if he is an idiot most of the time. See you around." Zalmora at this point takes her leave of you. You've been working with Zalmora directly only for a few months, but now you're starting to see why Tom thinks she's manipulative. She basically just suggested that you go kill him and take over. For what purpose though you can't say. If she really doesn't like Tom, why doesn't she just do it? Though you suppose keeping her own hands clean and being a puppet master is more her thing. After all if you were in charge, you'd catch the blame if things didn't go well. You suppose it's an idea to consider, but again even if you wanted the hassle, you're still not really someone that wants to just kill someone without a good reason. Tom's been okay with you too, more than okay actually. He is a bit of a weak leader though. You do sort of wonder how he hasn't caught a knife in the back yet, or the front for that matter. And Zalmora might be right, might be time to take more risks. The thieves under your "command" listen to you, but the actual respect is probably minimal. It might be worth while to keep your options open to become more of a true leader just in case, you wanted to reconsider being head of the Crimson Talons one day. > You keep things simple You're not falling for Zal's manipulation. Tom can keep the headaches because you've got enough of it just dealing with the ones that you're trying to teach here. So things are going to remain the same and no unnecessary risks. You've managed to keep things together and not call attention to yourself with that rule and you're not changing it. And you don't give a shit what Zal calls you, you'll be letting Tom know the situation. Given how he feels about her, you've no doubt that he'll side with you. Later you report to Tom just as you planned and also stress that you don't want to see Zal anywhere near the university since she's made it clear that she's going to do her own thing regardless of what you say. Tom thanks you for telling him this information and says he'll make sure that the university district is off limits to her and if he finds out otherwise, there will be severe consequences. Honestly, you don't have too much hope that Tom is going to really enforce that last rule. Over the course of the next few months your attention is partially directed towards thinking Zal is going to perform her activities to the university district anyway, but either she obeys the rules or she's more adept at keeping a low profile than you thought. Either way, there isn't some alarm raised on campus that is causing militia to start cracking down on the place. The rest of the Talons working under you don't give you any trouble, save for Sunshine and Flameflower on occasion and even they aren't that bad and eventually you do become somewhat lenient with them since it would seem they are more than capable of balancing their business with pleasure. You sort of wonder why they didn't just become prostitutes though seeing as they're doing as much fucking as they are stealing. As for the rest of the Crimson Talons, things are business as usual elsewhere in the city, but then what do you really care? You're mostly divorced from those operations. Your slice of the pie is all you ever wanted and you still got that. Year 23 You hear a knock at your door. You really hope that isn't Virgil, you're not in the mood for his begging today. Elana makes her usual hostile squeaks until you tell her to calm down. "What!? It's too fucking early to be banging on my door like this! The sun's not even setting!" you yell. "Yeah well it's important. The boss man wants to see you." Zalmora remarks. "Wha…(sigh) hold on." You didn't expect this. You get dressed as quickly as you can and open the door. Zal walks in and looks at Elana who is under a dresser and still giving the occasional angry squeak. "Ugh, that ugly thing still has way too many teeth." Zalmora says. "What the hell does Tom want and why would he send you of all people to come get me?" you ask. "How should I know? He never tells me anything as you well know. And he probably sent me because it pleases him to send me on menial tasks like this. So you coming or what?" "Yeah, yeah, just give me a few more moments." You finish getting your gear and leave with Zalmora though you don't know why she's walking with you. You haven't directly interacted with her since last year. "Zal, you are aware that I know how to get to the Talon hideout right? You don't need to escort me." You say. "I know, but I sort of felt like we should talk along the way." Zal says. "I don't really feel like arguing." "Who said anything about arguing? I said talk. I feel like we drifted apart after the incident at the university." "Did we? I didn't know we were so close." "Okay, maybe we weren't, but I still feel like we sort of took a wrong turn somewhere." "Yeah, it was when you weren't obeying my orders, accusing me of being a snitch, and then trying to manipulate me into killing Tom." "…okay…I can see where you might have some feelings about that. And I didn't say you had to kill Tom, I mean I think you might have been able to convince him into stepping down. That would have been just as good." "Sure, either way you would have been leading from the shadows." "I'm not sure why you're so against taking lead of the Crimson Talons. I mean yeah I get that you don't have any interest in leading and you like to play things safe and low key. I think that's not living up to your potential BUT I get it. Let me point out though, whether you intended to or not, you're actually a leader now. All those thieves that work directly with or under you? They speak highly of you, you know. I mean you have to know this right?" "Get to point Zal." "My point is, you're already half way there! Why not take the lead? The Crimson Talons could do better under you. I mean you'd at least eliminate all this talk about possibly getting into the drug trade again." "Drugs?" "Yeah, Jake and a few others want to get back into selling Yellow Devil. I'm pretty against the idea obviously, but I can't deny that there wouldn't be benefits to the organization." "Well what's Tom say?" "Dunno, that might be what he wants to talk to you about. But again if he's asking you for advice on this matter, I think it would just be better if you were in charge to make the final decision on it." Obviously Zalmora is still pushing for you to take control of the Crimson Talons and to you it's weird that she would still be attempting it. Even if you did, she has to know that you're aware of her agenda and wouldn't be a puppet. Unless it's something deeper than that, but…no. She's teasingly flirted a few times, but it isn't like you and her have actually ever had anything together. You and her are silent for a while until you're in the sewers and nearly to the hideout. "So…you really don't want to be head of the Crimson Talons?" Zalmora asks. "Not really, and if you lot are getting into drugs, I'm thinking I might be gone altogether." You say. "That's why I said you should just take power and shape this organization how you want it to be." "Zal, I'm not your damn puppet. You want Tom gone, you do it yourself, then YOU could shape it how YOU want. Now just stop pushing me, because I'm not interested." You snap. "I see. My apologies for bothering you. I can see my advice was never desired or needed. I suppose I'll take my leave." Zalmora then nods to you and begins walking back the way you came. You watch her walk off and just shake your head wondering why you even joined this crazy organization in the first place. Though you're also wondering if you won't be leaving it soon. You don't have to wonder for long as something else happens that you didn't expect. Before you even reach the hideout door, it opens and several Talon members come rushing out at you with weapons in hand. You're taken off guard and they soon knock you to the sewer muck and after kicking you around a bit, Jake comes out with a big axe in hand. "Ah, and now to deal with the second threat to the new regime. Pfft. Never liked you anyway. Always thought you were better than all of us, getting your own little section of the city to yourself, getting special treatment from Tom. Well that ends today." Jake remarks. "Wha…where the hell is Tom?" you utter while spitting up blood. "Geez, thought Zal said you were smart. Then again you followed her here, guess you weren't too smart. Haven't you figured it out yet? He's fucking dead! Just like you soon will be. I'm sure all those that worked with you will fall in line quick when they see your bloody head hanging on the wall." Jake laughs a bit with the men loyal to him and doesn't waste any more words on you. He's here to kill you and that's what he's going to do and you're not going to stop him. The last thing you see is the blade of an axe coming straight at your face.

Year 21 "Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart. As usual he grabs the silvers and gives you mean glance. "I'm getting real tired of your shit! I KNOW you got the money to pay me on fucking time! Telling you right now, you keep pushing me like this, and you'll be out on your thieving ass!" "I'm sorry. Please don't throw me out of this palace." You say. Whether Trobart caught your sarcasm or not, he doesn't acknowledge it with more verbal abuse, he just storms off. Sometimes it's just too much fun to mess with him. Really, you could probably afford to live somewhere better now, but this place is cheap enough that you're reluctant move. Besides if you lived some place more expensive, you wouldn't be able to spend your money on fun things like wine, women and better equipment on occasion. You head back to your room where Elana comes up to greet you before scampering off again. One thing's for sure. You haven't had any problems with normal rats or other pests with Elana around. She's aggressively territorial and more than willing to make a meal out of them. Even Virgil doesn't knock on the door to bother you as much since she nearly bit his toe off. You then hear a knock at your door. Well, it doesn't stop him completely. "Virgil, I think you should know Elana's hungry right now." You say. "That's nice that your girlfriend is starving, but I'm not Virgil, whoever that is. I'm from you friends in Klyton's most infamous club." You hear a voice answer. Sounds female. "Crimson Talons?" "(Sigh) Tell the militia why don't you? You going to let me in or not?" "That depends…why are you here? Nobody from the Talons has ever sought me out before." "Yeah, well there's a first time for everything. Look, I'm just here on Tom's orders. I'm not shouting between a door like this. Either open the door, or I'll let him know you aren't interested…" "Alright, alright, hold on." You say. You tell Elana to stay and not attack (at least not immediately) and you go to open the door cautiously. Upon opening it, you see a dark longhaired woman who while is certainly older than you is still in fit condition. She's attractive in a trashy sort of way. (Sort of reminds you of an older version of Annah) While you've been to the Talon's headquarters more than a few times, but other than Tom and a guy named Vaughn who is usually the fence for your stolen items, you can't really say you've ever paid too much attention to most of them (let alone learned their names), so you don't really recognize her. However, with her looks combined with her attire and she definitely looks like the sort that would belong to the Crimson Talons. The woman walks in without you even inviting her in and takes a look around. "Wow, some place you have here. I can see why you didn't want to join the Talons when you're obviously doing so well on your own." She says. "Right, because that abandoned building you all squat in and have to sneak about by going in and out of the shit filled sewers is so much better." You reply. "Actually, I was paying you a compliment asshole. This place IS better. I mean yeah it's still a dump, but as you said, at least you're not stepping over shit every five minutes on your way here and it's all to yourself." "…not counting the rats of course." She adds when she sees Elana who is curled up in the corner where you told her to stay. "Elana's not a rat, she's a qweepa." You say. "Oh, that's Elana? I thought it was weird I didn't see some strumpet on your bed when I walked in here. Well whatever it is, it's ugly and its teeth are too big." Zalmora says while taking a seat on your bed. "So are you just here to insult my home and my pet or are you actually going to tell me who you are and why Tom sent you?" "I told you I wasn't insulting your home. Anyway, I'm Zalmora and Tom wants to see you." "What for?" "Well, you'd have to talk with him about the details, but basically he wants you to reconsider joining us." "Then you've wasted a trip, because as you pointed out I'm doing fine on my own. Besides, didn't several of your members just get arrested by that botched bank job recently?" "Only two got caught and they weren't arrested because the militia killed them with they were resisting." "Oh, well that's different then. At the rate you lot are going I don't predict good things for you in the future. You can tell Tom thanks, but no thanks." "Yeah, he thought you might say that, and honestly if I were in your position I'd probably feel the same way." "Good, then we understand each other, goodbye…" you say and go to open the door again, but Zalmora doesn't even move, she just stretches out on your bed and makes herself more comfortable. "Although, I also have to tell you that your cooperation on this matter is in your best interest." She says. "So, what then? Did Tom send you over here to fuck me in an effort to convince me to join? You seem to be getting quite comfortable on my bed." "Well I wouldn't put it past him to have that in mind, but if he really wanted to get results in that way, he should have sent the half-elven whores in the gang instead. If I had to guess why he sent me, it's because as much as he's loathed to admit it, I have a decent history of convincing folks. In any case, if you don't join, don't bother coming around with your stolen shit anymore, we won't be fencing it." "So is that your argument? If I don't join your little group, you aren't going to fence for me anymore? Fine. I'll just take my shit to Fookins the Fat." You exclaim. "Fookins? You're going to trust that goblin to fence your shit?" Zalmora chuckles. "Okay fine, I'll just sell it myself." "While I don't doubt that you could, but I get a vibe from you that you'd rather not want to bother. If you were about that aspect of our game, you would have been doing it long before now." "Well, you might be right, but obviously you lot aren't giving me a choice." "Sure we are. Join us and reap the benefits, or don't and suffer the consequences. I guess this would also be a good time to add that if you don't join us you might have a target on your back." Didn't take long to get to physical threats. You immediately draw your weapon and Elana who was previously at rest, is now alert and prepared to attack on your command. Zalmora doesn't move though, she just continues to look up at the ceiling with her legs crossed. She either doesn't realize the seriousness of her situation, or she's so much of a skilled fighter that she isn't worried. "You can put that away, I'm not going to kill or even attack you." Zalmora says. "You just fucking threatened me in my own damn room!" you exclaim. "Actually I didn't. Tom did and honestly I don't think he's got the balls to follow through on said threats. Other freelancers in the city? Maybe. You? Nah. You rescued him from a cage; he's never going to forget that. He's likely to be pissed and disappointed that you don't join, but he's not going to actively put a contract on your head. He's not like our last boss Edmund." At this point she sits up and gets off your bed. You're still on your guard, but she keeps her distance. "Since I can see you're a bit tense right now, I'll leave to let you think it over." Zal's approach to this is confusing the hell out of you. It almost feels like she's deliberately trying to convince you NOT to join. "There isn't much to think about. Your words have not swayed me, quite the opposite really. Maybe Tom should have sent those two halfbreed whores to convince me instead." You say. "Truly? Is a quick tumble all it would have really done to convince you? Well, let's get to it then." Zal says. "Wait, what, really?" you ask. "Pfft, no!" Zal laughs. "Look, it's up to you if you want to join. I'm not going over the benefits of joining, because I think you know what those could possibly be AND I think you're smart enough to know you're only going to get out of it, what you put in to it. Like I said, you once rescued Tom from a cage, so you're already in good standing with him. A lot better than most. I'm just giving you a heads up on the downsides of not joining. If you're comfortable with those, then I guess the choice is easy. You know where to find us if you change your mind, but remember ONLY come to us, IF you change your mind." Zal opens your door and begins to leave, but then stops. "Just on a personal note, I wouldn't mind seeing you join us. It would be nice to have another skilled rogue around to work with. Your independent actions in the university district aren't completely unknown to me. And who knows, we might just have that tumble after all." Zal then nods at you with a smile and leaves. Well she didn't sway you until that last bit. Not the tumble part, (though you certainly wouldn't turn that down) but more of the idea of working with someone else. You don't think about it too much, but you do sort of miss working with another person. You did it for years with your sister and then Annah for a short time. You're convinced that if tragedy hadn't struck with her, she probably would have gotten better. Working by yourself has its advantages and over the years you've gotten used to it, but there are more than a few times where it would have helped to have another person by your side. There's also the convenience that you'd be able to have the Talons still fence shit for you and the possibility that you wouldn't have a target on your back, even if Zal says the latter is unlikely. Still, you really aren't sure about the whole joining the Crimson Talons thing. That's more people than you'd care to work with and you'd have to ultimately answer to someone. Let alone the other concerns you have. > You stay independent The cons far outweigh the pros. You've found your niche by plying most of your trade at the university district. You're staying out of the Talons way and more or less keeping a low profile from the militia. You see no good reason to change that. You guess you'll have to become more of a "salesman" of sorts if you steal anything that isn't actual money though. You suppose the drugs you pilfer from the medical school won't be too hard to get a good price for or find buyers. Maybe it's time to branch out your skill set anyway. You are working on your own so you really need to be a jack-of-all-trades and try not to rely on outside sources. Especially since you still believe that the Crimson Talons are destined for nothing good in the future. Thinking no more about it, you pack some of your tools in your bag and set off for the university. Later… After picking a few random pockets, you pass by one of the bulletin boards to see if there are any big parties being announced in the near future (or even tonight) since those are always usually profitable to attend. You take note of a couple listed and then you see a notice for a job. ATTENTION! In need of two people to assist in gathering several eggs from a Creptian Blueshell. Location will most likely be in the shores north of Hessla. Trip will be paid for and a reasonable monetary reward will be provided upon completion of the task. Please see me in my office at the medical school for details if interested. Dr. Gossey While you've seen a few of these notices in the past since your last job with Dr. Gossey, you've actually been reluctant to try it again for several reasons, but you're feeling a little adventurous. Might be good to get out of the city for a while anyway, because if that Zalmora woman comes around again to convince you to join, you might just be silly enough to do it. You head over to the medical school and unlike last time you easily find Gossey's office without getting lost. (Though you sort of know this place fairly well by now considering all the medical paraphernalia you've stolen from this place) When you arrive, you find that she's conveniently in her office. When she sees you she greets you warmly. "Well, this is a surprise. I was wondering if we'd ever bump into each other again. I haven't seen you since the last time you got those qweepas for me. I guess classes are keeping you busy?" Gossey asks. "Yeah, I tend to study a lot, but anyway I'm here about the job posting." You say. "Oh good! I already got one person to help and since you did such a good job last time in acquiring the qweepas, I think I can safely hire you right away. Are you familiar with Creptain Blueshells?" "Mm, not especially no." "Well they're sort of like a cross between a snail and a crab, but about as big as a large dog. I mean they don't move very fast and they aren't usually overly aggressive in the scheme of things, but considering we need to take some eggs…well I can guarantee they aren't going to be happy." "I see. I don't suppose they sell these creatures as a delicacy in Hessla do they?" "Oh no. They're far too poisonous to most life forms for that. In fact beside their shells, that's probably their number one defense. Don't let them spit on you." "They spit?" "Oh yes, but as I said, you'll have extra help this time. A student from the magic college is coming on the trip, along with my assistant Kelium. Between the three of you, I don't anticipate you'll have any problems as long as you remain cautious." "Magic huh? Hmm, well that sounds like evening the odds a bit at least." "To be sure, but I know this still has its danger, so it will be fifty gold upon completion. I'd offer a little more, but the other student needs her payment too." Fifty gold pieces is a nice chunk to go towards your secret savings. And as far as the crab snails monsters go, the wizard can probably handle the heavy lifting what with the fireballs and lightning and such. "Sounds reasonable. So when do we get going?" you ask. "Well since we have you now, I suppose I can get the trip going in three days. I'll explain to my assistant what you look like and you can just meet up with him at the carriage station in the morning. You'll probably have to stay in Hessla for the night when you reach it, but from there you should travel north along the coast to seek out the Creptians, but don't worry on that front, my assistant will have a map and I think you'll find Kelium much more agreeable than the last time you worked one of these jobs." Gossey remarks. "Well that's good to hear. Did Elana graduate then?" you ask. "It's the strangest thing. She never returned. I don't really want to think about what might have happened to her, but that's all in the past, and I'm sure you did your best in trying to convince her that staying in Hessla alone ran a risk. Oh well, all in the past. But right now, all you have to do is make sure you get some of Creptian eggs. That's the most important thing." Gossey remarks. Having come to an agreement with Dr. Gossey and her explaining what Kelium looks like along with the magic student Yvette, you take your leave of the university and head back home. Your next few days mainly consist of you preparing yourself for the trip. You pack your short sword, and a couple extra knives along with your flintlock. You also go and steal yourself some anti-venom from the apothecary. (Along with a few other items) You figure it can't hurt. Finally on the day you're supposed to meet everyone, you go to the carriage station and seek out your companions for this trip. Doesn't take long when you see a tall pale man wearing a cap loading up a few bags on a carriage and near him is a shorter woman with light brown hair. You're guessing that's them. You also look at the driver and see that it isn't Yrid. "Hey, you're Yvette and Kelium right?" you ask, and both of them turn to address you and confirm this question, then you announce who you are. "That's great. More people to talk with on the trip." Kelium says easily hoisting another bag on top of the carriage with one arm. "Hi." Yvette says demurely. Not exactly what you expected. Kelium seems like less like a scholar and more like an athletic type. And you were expecting Yvette to be dressed in a robe or something similar. Maybe even holding a staff or something. At least neither are dressed screaming of "Hey I'm rich, come rob and enslave me!" though. All three of you pile into the carriage, which is already better than last time. You and Kelium sit on one side while Yvette sits on the other and you're soon on your way. Kelium talks for half of the trip and almost never shuts up. He goes on about his studies and how he's been helping Dr. Gossey and what he plans to do when he graduates. It probably would all be very fascinating if you actually cared. Still, at least he's pleasant enough and he's talking so much about himself he doesn't ask anything about you at all. You occasionally just give a general agreement with whatever he's saying. Yvette is quiet and is just mainly listening to Kelium. She doesn't talk at all. Maybe wizards are just like that. All that isolated studying. Eventually Kelium does shut up because he starts to get sleepy. He mentions that he was studying up on Blueshell Creptians all night just to be extra prepared. He then mentions for you two to wake him when you arrive in Hessla and soon he's fast asleep complete with snoring. You take this opportunity to sit over on the other side of the carriage. "Um. What are you doing?" Yvette asks a bit suspiciously. "I'm sitting over here, because that snoring giant over there is taking up most of the room, not to mention he's loud enough even without being seated right next to him. I'd like to reach Hessla and not be deaf in one ear." You explain. "Oh. Okay then." Yvette says and then gets over as far as she can when you sit down. "You…don't trust me do you?" you ask. "Um…no, I mean yes. I mean um…" Yvette stutters. "Hah. It's okay. I understand being cautious, but I'm really not going to do anything, I mean you're a wizard. I'm not risking getting a spell cast on me." "No! It's not that! It's just well…I'm not used to being cramped in a small space like this with a bunch of people. I like a lot of personal space." "Ah. Got it. Also understand. You want me to go back and sit over there?" "No. It's okay. You seem nice." "Thanks. Don't hear that one often. So I've never met a wizard before. Tell me everything." "There isn't much to tell and I'm not really a wizard. I'm still just an adept. I actually took this job as part of my own assignment of taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to the field. I was sort of too nervous just to do it alone." "Well it is a scary world out there at times." You proceed to speak with Yvette for the rest of the trip who slowly starts to open up a bit. She goes on to tell you that the magic school isn't even all that big. She's only one of twenty-three students! Apparently the university is almost on the verge of closing it down since naturally magically talented individuals seem to be born less and less these days. However, magic is still a mighty force in this world and one of the Klyton Council members is a mage himself (Though not a particularly powerful one), so the school remains open. Just as you're starting to get Yvette to laugh at your dumb goblin jokes, you're arriving in Hessla and the driver stops. "I guess we should wake up Kelium." Yvette says. "Yeah, I suppose so." You reply a bit disappointed. You were starting to enjoy your personal time with Yvette. While Yvette wakes him up, you get out to speak to the driver and ask him to take you to an inn that's better than the Barnacle. "And DON'T even fucking think about taking us to the Cozy Krak Inn!" you exclaim. "Wasn't going to sir. I've never even heard of the place. I was going to suggest going to the Sea Dog." "Is it a slavers den?" "Um, no. It's run by an old ex-pirate and is more or less friendlier than most inns." "It better be." You say. You get back in and see that Kelium is awake and the carriage soon takes you to your destination. The Sea Dog is better than the Barnacle, but not by much. However, it at least isn't trying to appear like something it isn't. Kelium grabs all the supplies he packed, he doesn't even ask for help. The ex-pirate that the driver mentioned reminds you of Trobart from the Welcome Mat because as soon as you enter he's glaring at you with his one good eye and asking what the hell you want. While you would probably return the verbal abuse, Kelium takes it all in stride and simply pays for the rooms. Unfortunately only two are available. Naturally it's decided that Yvette will take one room and you'll have to share one with Kelium. Not looking forward to that mostly because the guy snores so loudly. However as it turns out Kelium isn't ready to go to sleep. "I partially slept on the way here, so I'm wide awake! We should hang out and go find a proper tavern! Or better yet let's go find a gambling house! Dr. Gossey gave me all this money for the trip; I bet I can fucking double it!" Kelium exclaims. "But don't you need to be alert for the trip north tomorrow?" you ask. "I'll be fine! Besides, we don't have to leave first thing in the morning. Come on, let's go have a little fun! This place has got to have less restrictions than Klyton!" "I dunno, I really think you should just stay put and try to get some rest. I mean I haven't slept so…" "Come on man! You're not one of those guys that studies all the time are you? I mean I figure you took a job like this because you're an adventurous type! I mean yeah you got a job and I got an assignment, but shit, I ain't never been to a different town before. I wanna explore the scenery a bit! Maybe we can get Yvette to join us too! I saw you checking her out! She's a bit too quiet and bookish looking for me, but hey whatever you like man." On one hand you don't really have anything against going out and spending someone else's money and maybe having some fun, but you also don't relish the idea of having to look after this fool because with his boisterousness you just know he's going to get himself into a whole mess of trouble and you already got monster crab snails to deal with tomorrow and EVERYONE needs to be prepared for that shit. > You go party with Kelium What the hell, might as well make this trip fun and he'll probably just leave anyway. At least if you go with him, you'll be able to have some control over the situation. "Alright, but let's just me and you go. I doubt if this would be Yvette's thing." You say. "Yeah, you're probably right, don't need her slowing us down. Okay! So where do you know that's a good place to go?" Kelium remarks. "Well we could try the Sultry Siren. That's usually the popular place." "Great! Lead the way." You and Kelium head to the Sultry Siren, which is a lot busier than the last time you came here, then again the last time you were here, you weren't paying excessive attention to the environment. Kelium immediately takes a liking to the place going on about how this was the sort of thing he was talking about. He orders drinks for the pair of you and wastes no time in wanting to get involved in one of the gambling games going on. "Wouldn't you rather go see one of the ladies they got here?" you ask. "Well…maybe later. I wanna see if I can win some more money first, then I'll be able to pay more for special requests!" Kelium says excitedly. "Um, sure. I'm gonna warn you though, a lot of these folks pretty serious about their gambling. I'd say play a few times and then stop before you lose ALL your money." "Me lose? Hardly. I'm not unfamiliar with games of chance and it all comes down to probability! You just have to know the system and the beauty is, it isn't even cheating. I used to play private games against folks at the University all the time until everyone realized they would just be throwing their money away. These fools probably put all their misguided faith in Yag or whatever that silly deity of luck is called." "Yeah? Well you might also want to be careful if you intend on winning all the time too. In fact that might even be more dangerous." "Bah, stop worrying! Here! Go get yourself the best, I've got this." Kelium remarks and hands you a bunch of silvers as if it was nothing. You quickly pocket them and briefly think about stopping Kelium since he's already throwing large amounts of money around like some clueless tourist. However you then remember you're supposed to be having fun and Kelium is a big boy and can probably handle himself. You take your silver and indulge in the best looking whore the Sultry Siren has to offer. You have so much fun with Ariel that you lose track of time until she tells you to get out because you've run out of coin. Just as well since you probably need to go check to see if Kelium has lost all his money yet. To your surprise he wasn't joking about knowing "the system" and he's up by at least a few hundred already. "Hey! You have as much fun as I've been having? Here, go have some more fun!" Kelium exclaims and shoves another pile of coins at you. "This is great and all, but don't you think you better stop? I mean it looks like you're ahead." You say. "No way, I'm nowhere near finished yet! More drinks for everyone!" Well it looks like Kelium is spreading the wealth around even though he's winning. Most people seem to be cheering him on. You see a few disgruntled folks perturbed about losing, but nobody looks like they're ready to kill him yet. In fact you're amazed it hasn't happened already given how much he's won. Maybe you were worried over nothing. You take Kelium's coins and get yourself a few drinks before heading to see Ariel again. This sort of merriment goes on for another few hours and by the time you're done with your third round of fun with Ariel (and a couple of her friends) you're only slightly less drunk than Kelium who is STILL winning despite the fact he shouldn't even be standing at this point. Despite your intoxicated state, you're still aware of your surroundings and now you're starting see less cheering and more glaring eyes of hatred. You think this would be the time to leave. "Kelium, (hic) it's getting a bit late, we got that thing to do tomorrow." You say, pulling at his arm. "B…b…bbut I haven't…be…begun…(hic) to havffffun yet! (hic)." He slurs. "Yeah you have, come on let's go…" you say and start grabbing up his coins and pushing him away from the table. However the men he's currently playing with aren't receptive to that idea. "Who the fuck are you, his fuck boy? He can't just leave without letting us have a chance of winning back our money." One of them says. "Pfft, wouldn't matter anyway. I've been watching this asshole all night and while I can't prove it, I KNOW he's gotta be cheating. There's some magic shit going on or something maybe." Another remarks. "Hey waitaminute, maybe it's THIS guy who's been in control the whole night! Maybe this guy is an illusion or something." a third says. "What? That's redic…(hic) ulous. I've been spending all my time with the ladies in the back the whole time! I'm not a damn wizard!" you exclaim. Unfortunately the men aren't convinced and begin advancing on you. You back away, and tell them they can take all the money, but Kelium really isn't keen on that idea even in his near passed out state. "Whaaaaa!? (hic) Fuck dat! Haf at you!" he says and clumsily tries to draw his sword. This is a very bad move and the men waste no time in turning this situation into what might have been just a beat down, into a stabby bad time. Kelium is instantly run through by the time he draws his blade, then he's knocked to the floor dead. "Oh shit…" you say and start to run. Under normal circumstances you'd probably be able to get away, but you're just not in the best coordinated condition and you end up barely getting out the door before one of the gamblers trips you up and you go sprawling to the ground. You feel a crushing blow to your head, which is then followed by someone roughly turning you over. You go for your flintlock, but are stopped and it's all the excuse they need to put a knife in your throat.

The cons far outweigh the pros. You've found your niche by plying most of your trade at the university district. You're staying out of the Talons way and more or less keeping a low profile from the militia. You see no good reason to change that. You guess you'll have to become more of a "salesman" of sorts if you steal anything that isn't actual money though. You suppose the drugs you pilfer from the medical school won't be too hard to get a good price for or find buyers. Maybe it's time to branch out your skill set anyway. You are working on your own so you really need to be a jack-of-all-trades and try not to rely on outside sources. Especially since you still believe that the Crimson Talons are destined for nothing good in the future. Thinking no more about it, you pack some of your tools in your bag and set off for the university. Later… After picking a few random pockets, you pass by one of the bulletin boards to see if there are any big parties being announced in the near future (or even tonight) since those are always usually profitable to attend. You take note of a couple listed and then you see a notice for a job. ATTENTION! In need of two people to assist in gathering several eggs from a Creptian Blueshell. Location will most likely be in the shores north of Hessla. Trip will be paid for and a reasonable monetary reward will be provided upon completion of the task. Please see me in my office at the medical school for details if interested. Dr. Gossey While you've seen a few of these notices in the past since your last job with Dr. Gossey, you've actually been reluctant to try it again for several reasons, but you're feeling a little adventurous. Might be good to get out of the city for a while anyway, because if that Zalmora woman comes around again to convince you to join, you might just be silly enough to do it. You head over to the medical school and unlike last time you easily find Gossey's office without getting lost. (Though you sort of know this place fairly well by now considering all the medical paraphernalia you've stolen from this place) When you arrive, you find that she's conveniently in her office. When she sees you she greets you warmly. "Well, this is a surprise. I was wondering if we'd ever bump into each other again. I haven't seen you since the last time you got those qweepas for me. I guess classes are keeping you busy?" Gossey asks. "Yeah, I tend to study a lot, but anyway I'm here about the job posting." You say. "Oh good! I already got one person to help and since you did such a good job last time in acquiring the qweepas, I think I can safely hire you right away. Are you familiar with Creptain Blueshells?" "Mm, not especially no." "Well they're sort of like a cross between a snail and a crab, but about as big as a large dog. I mean they don't move very fast and they aren't usually overly aggressive in the scheme of things, but considering we need to take some eggs…well I can guarantee they aren't going to be happy." "I see. I don't suppose they sell these creatures as a delicacy in Hessla do they?" "Oh no. They're far too poisonous to most life forms for that. In fact beside their shells, that's probably their number one defense. Don't let them spit on you." "They spit?" "Oh yes, but as I said, you'll have extra help this time. A student from the magic college is coming on the trip, along with my assistant Kelium. Between the three of you, I don't anticipate you'll have any problems as long as you remain cautious." "Magic huh? Hmm, well that sounds like evening the odds a bit at least." "To be sure, but I know this still has its danger, so it will be fifty gold upon completion. I'd offer a little more, but the other student needs her payment too." Fifty gold pieces is a nice chunk to go towards your secret savings. And as far as the crab snails monsters go, the wizard can probably handle the heavy lifting what with the fireballs and lightning and such. "Sounds reasonable. So when do we get going?" you ask. "Well since we have you now, I suppose I can get the trip going in three days. I'll explain to my assistant what you look like and you can just meet up with him at the carriage station in the morning. You'll probably have to stay in Hessla for the night when you reach it, but from there you should travel north along the coast to seek out the Creptians, but don't worry on that front, my assistant will have a map and I think you'll find Kelium much more agreeable than the last time you worked one of these jobs." Gossey remarks. "Well that's good to hear. Did Elana graduate then?" you ask. "It's the strangest thing. She never returned. I don't really want to think about what might have happened to her, but that's all in the past, and I'm sure you did your best in trying to convince her that staying in Hessla alone ran a risk. Oh well, all in the past. But right now, all you have to do is make sure you get some of Creptian eggs. That's the most important thing." Gossey remarks. Having come to an agreement with Dr. Gossey and her explaining what Kelium looks like along with the magic student Yvette, you take your leave of the university and head back home. Your next few days mainly consist of you preparing yourself for the trip. You pack your short sword, and a couple extra knives along with your flintlock. You also go and steal yourself some anti-venom from the apothecary. (Along with a few other items) You figure it can't hurt. Finally on the day you're supposed to meet everyone, you go to the carriage station and seek out your companions for this trip. Doesn't take long when you see a tall pale man wearing a cap loading up a few bags on a carriage and near him is a shorter woman with light brown hair. You're guessing that's them. You also look at the driver and see that it isn't Yrid. "Hey, you're Yvette and Kelium right?" you ask, and both of them turn to address you and confirm this question, then you announce who you are. "That's great. More people to talk with on the trip." Kelium says easily hoisting another bag on top of the carriage with one arm. "Hi." Yvette says demurely. Not exactly what you expected. Kelium seems like less like a scholar and more like an athletic type. And you were expecting Yvette to be dressed in a robe or something similar. Maybe even holding a staff or something. At least neither are dressed screaming of "Hey I'm rich, come rob and enslave me!" though. All three of you pile into the carriage, which is already better than last time. You and Kelium sit on one side while Yvette sits on the other and you're soon on your way. Kelium talks for half of the trip and almost never shuts up. He goes on about his studies and how he's been helping Dr. Gossey and what he plans to do when he graduates. It probably would all be very fascinating if you actually cared. Still, at least he's pleasant enough and he's talking so much about himself he doesn't ask anything about you at all. You occasionally just give a general agreement with whatever he's saying. Yvette is quiet and is just mainly listening to Kelium. She doesn't talk at all. Maybe wizards are just like that. All that isolated studying. Eventually Kelium does shut up because he starts to get sleepy. He mentions that he was studying up on Blueshell Creptians all night just to be extra prepared. He then mentions for you two to wake him when you arrive in Hessla and soon he's fast asleep complete with snoring. You take this opportunity to sit over on the other side of the carriage. "Um. What are you doing?" Yvette asks a bit suspiciously. "I'm sitting over here, because that snoring giant over there is taking up most of the room, not to mention he's loud enough even without being seated right next to him. I'd like to reach Hessla and not be deaf in one ear." You explain. "Oh. Okay then." Yvette says and then gets over as far as she can when you sit down. "You…don't trust me do you?" you ask. "Um…no, I mean yes. I mean um…" Yvette stutters. "Hah. It's okay. I understand being cautious, but I'm really not going to do anything, I mean you're a wizard. I'm not risking getting a spell cast on me." "No! It's not that! It's just well…I'm not used to being cramped in a small space like this with a bunch of people. I like a lot of personal space." "Ah. Got it. Also understand. You want me to go back and sit over there?" "No. It's okay. You seem nice." "Thanks. Don't hear that one often. So I've never met a wizard before. Tell me everything." "There isn't much to tell and I'm not really a wizard. I'm still just an adept. I actually took this job as part of my own assignment of taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to the field. I was sort of too nervous just to do it alone." "Well it is a scary world out there at times." You proceed to speak with Yvette for the rest of the trip who slowly starts to open up a bit. She goes on to tell you that the magic school isn't even all that big. She's only one of twenty-three students! Apparently the university is almost on the verge of closing it down since naturally magically talented individuals seem to be born less and less these days. However, magic is still a mighty force in this world and one of the Klyton Council members is a mage himself (Though not a particularly powerful one), so the school remains open. Just as you're starting to get Yvette to laugh at your dumb goblin jokes, you're arriving in Hessla and the driver stops. "I guess we should wake up Kelium." Yvette says. "Yeah, I suppose so." You reply a bit disappointed. You were starting to enjoy your personal time with Yvette. While Yvette wakes him up, you get out to speak to the driver and ask him to take you to an inn that's better than the Barnacle. "And DON'T even fucking think about taking us to the Cozy Krak Inn!" you exclaim. "Wasn't going to sir. I've never even heard of the place. I was going to suggest going to the Sea Dog." "Is it a slavers den?" "Um, no. It's run by an old ex-pirate and is more or less friendlier than most inns." "It better be." You say. You get back in and see that Kelium is awake and the carriage soon takes you to your destination. The Sea Dog is better than the Barnacle, but not by much. However, it at least isn't trying to appear like something it isn't. Kelium grabs all the supplies he packed, he doesn't even ask for help. The ex-pirate that the driver mentioned reminds you of Trobart from the Welcome Mat because as soon as you enter he's glaring at you with his one good eye and asking what the hell you want. While you would probably return the verbal abuse, Kelium takes it all in stride and simply pays for the rooms. Unfortunately only two are available. Naturally it's decided that Yvette will take one room and you'll have to share one with Kelium. Not looking forward to that mostly because the guy snores so loudly. However as it turns out Kelium isn't ready to go to sleep. "I partially slept on the way here, so I'm wide awake! We should hang out and go find a proper tavern! Or better yet let's go find a gambling house! Dr. Gossey gave me all this money for the trip; I bet I can fucking double it!" Kelium exclaims. "But don't you need to be alert for the trip north tomorrow?" you ask. "I'll be fine! Besides, we don't have to leave first thing in the morning. Come on, let's go have a little fun! This place has got to have less restrictions than Klyton!" "I dunno, I really think you should just stay put and try to get some rest. I mean I haven't slept so…" "Come on man! You're not one of those guys that studies all the time are you? I mean I figure you took a job like this because you're an adventurous type! I mean yeah you got a job and I got an assignment, but shit, I ain't never been to a different town before. I wanna explore the scenery a bit! Maybe we can get Yvette to join us too! I saw you checking her out! She's a bit too quiet and bookish looking for me, but hey whatever you like man." On one hand you don't really have anything against going out and spending someone else's money and maybe having some fun, but you also don't relish the idea of having to look after this fool because with his boisterousness you just know he's going to get himself into a whole mess of trouble and you already got monster crab snails to deal with tomorrow and EVERYONE needs to be prepared for that shit. > You talk him into staying You can't believe that you're actually leaning towards being the "responsible" one here. "Look, I get that this is all very exciting for you seeing as you've lived a sheltered rich life and all…" "I am not rich or sheltered! My father has to bust his ass making my tuition payments!" "…yeah…in any case. I've been to this town before and its reputation is well earned. There are people here that make the dregs of Klyton look like priests of Joachim and if you run afoul of them, it isn't going to be good for you." "Pfft, I can handle trouble." Kelium says and flexes his muscles a bit and pulls a sword out of his bag. "Yeah, maybe you could handle one person, but the problem is these sort don't travel alone, they ALWAYS travel in packs and I can honestly say that YOU are not going to handle five or even three by yourself." "Well wouldn't you help me? I mean isn't that why you're here?" "Your job or assignment is to get some monster crab eggs. MY job is to help you in that task. My job is NOT however looking after your ass while you look for fun or trouble. Now I suggest you get some rest which is what I'm going to do because giant snail monsters that spit poison sound like they need full attention." You fully expect Kelium to argue some more with you, but he doesn't. You also expect him to just leave the room by himself, but he doesn't do that either thankfully. He just says he thought you were going to be fun and starts reading through some of his papers. Feeling a little pleased with yourself, you lay down on your bed and attempt to get to sleep before Kelium genuinely starts to get tired again, because if he starts snoring there is no way you're going to get any sleep. Much later, you groggily wake up and find that your speech was less effective than you thought. Kelium is not in your room. In fact, it doesn't even look like his bed has been slept in. You just shake your head and groan. "Stupid fucker probably got himself enslaved or his throat cut." you mutter, as you get yourself prepared to go look for this idiot. The first stop you make is Yvette's room. "Hey Yvette." You say knocking on the door. "Um…yes?" she answers, but not opening the door. "Is Kelium in there?" "No, why would he be? What are you implying?" "…what? Nothing! I'm just asking because he's gone, and it doesn't look like he's slept in his bed either. I'm guessing he took off to have fun in the middle of the night." "Oh dear. Um…well hold on, I have to get ready. I'll be out soon." Yvette says. You half wonder if Kelium is in there and he's climbing out of a window. If that is the case, it's going to be real obvious if he and Yvette slept together last night. You aren't sure why Yvette would bother hiding it though; it isn't like you really give a shit. As it turns out however, that isn't the case at all and you don't even have far to go to find Kelium. You find him just outside the Sea Dog, stripped nearly naked and lying unconscious by the street. "Well, at least that's one less thing to worry about." You say to yourself and begin the undesirable task of dragging his ass back inside. It's sometime at this point, Kelium begins to rouse from his unconsciousness. In between the name-calling and laughter by the locals, you manage to get him back to the room where Yvette joins you both. Kelium has a wicked hang over, but manages to explain what he remembers. He says that after you fell asleep he went out to explore the town and soon found himself in a card game at some place that he can't remember the name of. He claims he was winning and also says that someone must have drugged his drink and robbed him of everything. "I told you not to go out. You're just lucky that getting robbed blind was all that happened to you." You say. "Yeah, yeah, fuck. You sound like some old bitch. Shit. My head. Alright fine. Just let me get my spare clothes, and we can go get these fucking eggs." Kelium says. "Wait, we're going now? Are you in condition to do this? Maybe we should wait a day." Yvette asks. "I'll be fucking fine! Besides, I just lost all my money. We can't afford to stay here another night. We need to get these eggs today and then get the fuck outta this shitty town." You don't even ask HOW you're supposed to get back to Klyton if he's lost all his money. Though you've brought a little with you, so you suppose you'll be footing the carriage bill. Like Yvette, you aren't sure if Kelium is in the best condition to go do this, but you're certainly not going to be paying for more time at the inn either, so if he thinks he's good to go, then you are too. Besides, you're going to be happy when this is over with and you're questioning why you ever decided to do this again. "Adventurous…I should have that drunk Virgil check me for demonic possession." You mutter. After Kelium gets dressed and gathers his supplies (Which at least he's carrying), the three of you set off on your journey to get these eggs. Unfortunately, its not just a simple matter of sticking to the coast and finding them along the shore, Kelium says you'll probably have to go into a cave seeing as they like to lay their eggs some place dark, wet and safe. "Um, we have to enter a cave?" Yvette asks. "Yeah, what's the big deal?" Kelium asks. What Yvette doesn't answer right away, you step in. "I think Yvette is a bit uncomfortable with small spaces, especially dark ones crawling with monsters." You say. "Huh? Well that's just tough because she signed up for this task voluntarily. Nobody held a flintlock to her head. Besides, it's most likely a big open cave given how large blueshell creptians are." Kelium remarks. "Oh, well that changes everything." You travel a bit longer until you start climbing up a small hill. Kelium occasionally looks at the ground and tries to find signs of creptians. He seems to know what he's doing, despite his condition, though at this point you're more on the look out of other potential bad types like say bandits or something similar. Meanwhile Yvette looks like she's expecting trouble everywhere since she's looking around constantly. "Yvette, calm yourself. Out of the three of us, you've probably got the most power here to deal with anything." You say. "I dunno what you think I can do. I know. I'm not some high mage like in the old stories. As I told you, I'm just starting out and I haven't even been out of the city before." "Hm, so you can't just summon a ball of flame or shoot lighting?" "Um…well not what you're probably thinking. I mean maybe I could conjure a small palm sized ball of flame. Not sure if that would take down a Blueshell Creptian though, and it takes all my focus just to do it." "Better than nothing I suppose." Suddenly you hear Kelium yelling about something. You were so busy speaking with Yvette you didn't even notice Kelium disappeared…again. "HEY COME HELP ME! SHIT!" Kelium shouts. You and Yvette run over to the other side of the hill you were on and see Kelium with his sword in hand and scrambling for cover behind a rock. You also see what you can only guess is a blueshell creptian. It looks exactly how you pictured. A big snail, with big crab like claws and a blue shell. Nearby the creptian you see a large sloping hole in the ground, you can only imagine that's where it has made its home. "HEY! MOVE IN MAN! ATTACK!" You hear Kelium shout as a glob of blueshell spit hits the rock he's hiding behind. You pull out your flintlock and fire at the blueshell and find that the shot doesn't even penetrate its hard shell. In fact it doesn't even turn its attention to you, so far it's just slowly crawling over to Kelium's position. "Yvette, can you cast some sort of light spell or cause something to glow?" you ask. "Yeah, but how is that going to help?" Yvette says. "It'll help me search that cave for the eggs while it's distracted." "Wait, you're going in there alone? What happens if there's another one in there?" "Well, I'll be running out of there really quick I guess. You just try to distract that blueshell and when I get the eggs we can all get the hell out of here." "I dunno, I think maybe we should try to work together to kill the blueshell, then deal with the cave." "And I don't think we're going to be able to, or at least not with what we got. Look, I'm going to be as quick as I can. All you have to do is stay away from that thing and find some cover. It doesn't move that fast." "I dunno…" Obviously Yvette has some doubt about this plan and if she does there's a chance she could panic, but you really don't have confidence in her plan either especially since it means you'd have to get closer or at least aim for a place that isn't armor plated. > You proceed with your plan It might seem slightly cowardly on your part, but you're not a damn massive warrior, you sneak about and steal shit. You're playing to your real strengths, which isn't going head to head with some big ass armored monster. "Yvette, look this is going to work. I'll go grab the eggs and you just try to help Kelium. And if shit starts getting too much for you, I want you to just run back to Hessla. There is no damn point in all of us dying." "But…" "But nothing, you just have to trust me on this. I'll be fine, I just need to see in that cave, so cast whatever spell you need to, to make that happen." Yvette is reluctant, but your words and the urgency of the situation causes her to comply. She says some sort of weird shit and moves her hands about and then suddenly a little ball of light appears in front of you. "That will follow you around and should last quite awhile, but you still need to hurry!" Yvette exclaims and then starts casting another spell. You don't waste any time running down towards the blueshell lair. The creature still doesn't notice you, but you certainly hear Kelium shouting at you about what you think you're doing. You enter the blueshell dwelling and your boots are immediately covered in some sort of slime that the monster no doubt left. It smells pretty bad in here, but it isn't like the stench of something rotten, it's more like a strong chemical smell that burns your nostrils. The deeper you go, the more slime there is and the stronger the smell, you're practically gagging at this point. Whether there is another blueshell in here or not isn't going to matter much longer because you're about to leave before you become overwhelmed by just the smell. Then that's when you get lucky and spot something that you guess are eggs. They look oval shaped and seem to have a hard shell so that's good enough for you. You grab as many as you can and shove them into your bag. You're really going to have to bathe after this. With the eggs in the bag you run out of this foul cave as quick as you can partially vomiting the whole time. In fact you actually start to feel like you're going to pass out and that's when you start to wonder if this slime on your hands from the eggs isn't also poisonous. You wipe them as much as you can on your clothing and soldier on. Just as the little ball of light that's following you starts to go out, you see the light of the outside and then you also see a sizable fire and smoke. You were so busy with your task, you sort of blocked out the distant sounds of the battle outside. Upon exiting the cave, the smell hasn't improved, though now charred crepitan flesh is filling the air. Small fires burn on the sparse grass and you see the burning carcass of the creptian. Whatever power Yvette didn't think she was capable of she was clearly wrong. You hear some sobbing which you can only guess is her, you follow the sound and see her sitting on the ground with her face in her hands. "Yvette? What…What's going on? I certainly hope you aren't crying because killed that thing." You say. "No! (sob) I'm crying because I didn't kill it quick enough! Look over there!" Yvette shouts and points to a body not lying too far away. You walk over and see Kelium and he's completely blue. He was hit face first with the spit (He's got translucent blue goo all over his head) and whatever happened afterwards obviously took effect immediately. His face is twisted in a manner that its very apparent his death was pretty painful. Still feeling a bit sick yourself, you quickly take some of the anti-venom you bought. You just hope it helps and you aren't slowly dying. You go back over to Yvette who is still upset. "Yvette, it's bad what happened, but it really isn't your fault. I mean this was a dangerous job, any one of us could have died. I mean you killed the beast which means you have more power than you thought you did, that should count for something right?" you say. "But what about Kelium? I mean we were supposed to keep him safe! What are we going to do?" Yvette answers. "Okay, first off, you don't even need to worry about it. I know how to handle Dr. Gossey. I know it's going to sound strange, but I don't think she's going to be as upset as you are. But I do have to ask, what exactly was your assignment?" "Just to practice my magic in the field and report the results. They have a way to tell if I'm lying or not." "So we don't need to cut off a piece of that burning crab snail as proof then?" "No, but I'm wondering if I'll get marked down for being the cause of someone's death during my assignment." "Yvette, you need to put that guilt out of your mind. Seriously. Kelium's death wasn't your fault. It really wasn't. To be honest, if Kelium hadn't gone out and gotten himself wasted last night, this whole expedition might have gone a little more cautiously. Under the circumstances I'd say we did the best we could have done. Just tell them you tried to be the voice of reason. All of this has truth to it, you just have to know how to spin it and you have to believe it yourself." "I…dunno…I just wasn't brought up that way…" "Of course you weren't, but there really isn't a good reason why you should possibly suffer a lowered grade because other people fucked up right? Come on, let's get back to Hessla, I'll go over everything with you along with way there and on the way back to Klyton. I want to head over to the shoreline though and wash this slime off first though." You spend your remaining time with Yvette going over the fine art of "telling the truth." Again, it's silly to you anyway, because she REALLY didn't do anything wrong and she's just blaming herself. However, if it's going to help calm her when she has to go before this magical lie detector then you don't mind helping. Not like she deserves getting a bad grade. By the time you're taking the carriage ride back to Klyton, you're feeling a little better. You guess you're not dying of blueshell poison, then again it just got on your hands, you didn't get a load of the stuff in your face like Kelium did. At some point you fall asleep on the trip to Klyton and Yvette wakes you up when you arrive. "Hey, wake up, we need to switch carriages to go to the university." Yvette says. "Huh? Wha? It's night." You say. "Yes, but we should still get to the university a little after midnight. Should be enough time to get some sleep before seeing Dr. Gossey. Of course I also have to go before my professor to give my report too. What's on your agenda?" "Um…nothing. No classes. In fact I'm not heading to the university." "Wait you don't live on campus?" "Me? Nah, I prefer keeping my personal life and school a bit separate in that regard." "Oh. I see. Where do you live?" "It's nowhere special really…so hey I have an idea, why don't you just worry about your wizard report tomorrow. Like I said, I'll go see Dr. Gossey and talk to her about what happened. I've worked for her before and I know exactly what to say, she'll understand, trust me." "I'm still nervous about the report." "You'll do fine. Just keep in mind what I said. You didn't do anything wrong and have nothing to feel guilty about." You aren't sure what else to do to alleviate her fears, so you just go for it and kiss her on the lips before she can even do anything about it. She's in shock and pushes you back. "Wha…what?! Why'd you do that for?!" she exclaims. "I dunno. I like you…and you still seemed to be worried so I did the only thing I could think of that calm you." "Seriously?! That's what you thought? You think I'm just some empty headed damsel that's going to fall for all the honeyed words you've been telling me since we've been on this trip? I know how you've been looking at me; I'm not stupid you know! In fact you're right this ISN'T my fault! It's YOURS! If we had worked together as a team, Kelium might very well have lived!" "Oh fuck…forget it. I'm sorry, don't turn me into a toad." "I don't need to, you obviously already have the manners of one!" "…Okay…I'm just gonna leave. Good luck on your report." You say and just take you leave before Yvette can continue yelling at you. Well that could have gone better. You just couldn't help it though; you thought her whole modest demeanor was cute and alluring, probably because you don't encounter many girls like that. Maybe it was for the best though, not like you would have had much of a future with a girl like that. In any case, you're going home with a bag of slimy monsters eggs. You push Virgil out of the way when you get to the Welcome Mat. "I'm in no mood, you fucking drunk." You say and slam the door behind you. "Sheesh, you're very emotional." You hear him retort. You collapse on the bed and sleep. (At some point in the night, Elana curls up by your feet.) Later… You wake up and immediately make your way to the university. You sort of hope you don't bump into Yvette, because you'd rather not get into that mess again. After an uneventful trip, you get to Dr. Gossey's office where you see her writing something out. "Hey, that was quicker than I thought! I trust you have the eggs in that bag?" "Yep, but careful, they still got some of that poisonous slime on them, you can just take the whole bag. No way I'm getting that clean again." You say and place it on a table. "Not surprised. Hope you didn't get sick…but I guess if you're here then you must have had the forethought to prepare yourself. Um…where is my assistant and the other one?" "Oh, Yvette had to give a report to her wizard professors, but I'm sure she'll show up here later to collect her coin. As for Kelium…well…" "(Sigh) Damn. I guess I should ask how it happened." "I don't want to speak ill of the dead…but he wasn't exactly careful. I tried to tell him not to directly attack the blueshell and that the eggs were good enough, but he really wanted to impress you by bringing back one alive. He didn't really think that out however and well to make a long story short, he got himself killed and if it hadn't been for Yvette's magic, I probably would have died too. It was terrible." Dr. Gossey shakes her head. "Sounds like Kelium. He always was eager to impress and please. I always told him safety should always take priority. Certainly a loss, but at least you got the eggs, that's the most important thing." And of course just like you figured, Gossey's concern was more about the goal than the lives involved in it. You take your fifty gold and once again leave a bit richer. You know exactly how you're going to spend some of it too. You leave the university and head to Madam Moonlight's place. "Haven't seen you in awhile, will you be having your usual?" the elven madam asks. "Um, no not today. Got kind of a special request this time." You answer. "Well if you got the coin and it doesn't involve killing someone, we can probably accommodate." You explain in some detail about what you want exactly and the madam says that's a simple request and thought you were going to ask for something elaborate like an orc hermaphrodite to shit and piss on you while you sucked a centaur cock. "What?! NO! That's disgusting! Why the hell would anyone want that?!" you exclaim. "You'd be surprised, we cater to all types here. Don't judge." Moonlight scolds. "Look whatever, just set me up and no horse cocks or shitting orc freaks!" After a few minutes the Moonlight comes back to take you to your girl. You enter the room and see a short woman with light brown hair dressed in a robe. "Hello, I'm Yana and I need you to help me complete my spell ritual. I need your wand in my magic circle…" The woman says while seductively walking over to you. "(Sigh) NO. Your name is Yvette and you're shy. Not some fucking aggressive trollop! Got it?" you order. "Okay okay, got it! Sheesh, you're very emotional." "Yeah, so I've heard." > You time passes... Year 25 "Look, I dunno anything about what that old bastard does in his spare time, I just pay my rent and mind my own business." You say. The militiamen give you a look like they don't quite believe you. "Just an innocent in all this eh? Bullshit. Trobart says you're a rogue through and through." One of them remarks. "Yeah, and one of your neighbors, Randi I believe? She says you even have ties to the Crimson Talons." Another adds. You nearly want to laugh, but you resist since you don't want to piss off the militia unnecessarily. "Really? You're going to believe a whore and some guy that sells alcohol illegally in his basement? They're just trying to save their own asses by making false accusations! You turned my room upside down and didn't find ANY stolen goods. And if I was a Crimson Talon, do you really think I'd be living in the shithole that I'm currently living in?" you answer. "Didn't say you were a Crimson Talon, just said you had ties to them. And if you think just because we didn't catch you with anything that you're off the hook. You deny that you're a criminal, but as I said, it's obvious that you have no visible means of support, so you have to be doing something illegal." A militia officer says. "How do you know I don't have a proper job? You're just making baseless assumptions." "Am I now? I don't think so. I think it's obvious that you're just some second rate pissant sneak thief that is so pathetic at your own lowly trade that you managed to avoid our eye for so long. In fact I can imagine you probably TRIED to join the Crimson Talons, but they just kept you on as an associate bitch because you weren't good enough to be a real member." "Interesting theory. Is this going somewhere?" "YOU'RE going to be going somewhere if you don't shut the fuck up and listen closely to my offer!" the militia officer exclaims, getting in your face. You sit back in your chair and remain silent. The militia officer continues to stare at you assessing your every tell your face might be giving off. "It's like this criminal scum. You're on our fucking list now. I've got your name, I've got your ass. Your best bet would be to just get the fuck out of this city, but I know you. You probably think you're smarter than me. Well you ain't and you're gonna get caught. Maybe not now. Maybe not even next year, but you WILL fuck up. And when you do, I'm going to make sure they put you in the smallest hanging cage we got. Believe that." The militia officer then pulls back a bit and adopts a less combative stance along with a calmer voice. "Now, all that being said…we do have bigger fish to catch and if you did… say have ties to the Crimson Talons then MAYBE you might know where their hideout is. If you helped us with something like that, then well maybe I might be inclined to not keep such a close eye on you." Well it's times like these that make being a criminal not so much fun, though honestly as the years have been going on, you're starting to wonder why you ever thought it was fun in the first place. You haven't really much contact with the Crimson Talons since Zalmora visited you that one day asking you to join. All you did hear is that Tom isn't in charge anymore and was killed by one of the more aggressive members who took over. Word says he's a real tyrannical asshole, which might explain why none of the Talon members that have gotten arrested haven't actually ratted on him themselves. It also explains when you have bumped into a couple of their members randomly in the taverns, they've been less than friendly and warned you to stay out of their territory. (Which you most certainly have been doing for years now) You do know that their headquarters is still in the same location. You don't know why the militia doesn't know where it is though given how they've increased their own activity as of late. The militia can be remarkably blind at times. "Look, if I did have dealings with the Crimson Talons, I'd help you out, but I just don't associate with such people. Apologies." You say. The militia officer doesn't look pleased by your answer, and you sort of wonder if he's going to end up throwing you in jail anyway, but he lets you go. "Okay then, but remember I gave you an out today and you turned it down. Be seeing you soon criminal." You get up from the chair you've been sitting on for who knows how long and walk out the door, though not before one of the militia shoves the back of your head. It's frustrating, but any dealing with the militia that you walk away from is a victory. From the militia barracks you make your way back to the Welcome Mat, which is practically destroyed at this point. At least it is on the inside. The law-abiding inhabitants (Or at least the criminal ones that didn't get caught) are busily trying to gather and clean up the mess the militia made of their homes. You imagine Trobart, even with his ratting bullshit on you isn't going to be able to keep this place any longer. You enter your own ruined room where upon Elana comes out from whatever hole in the wall she was hiding in and squeaks at you. "Hey Elana, glad to see they didn't get you girl. Now let's hope they didn't get anything else either." You find a chair that wasn't destroyed and check the hiding spot you have in the ceiling of your room. After checking and pulling out your small locked container you breathe a sigh of relief. Your small savings are still intact. You'll be needing it too, because everything else was taken. Your weapons, your tools, everything that you use or need in your profession. Granted it wasn't a lot, but it's still a loss. You'll also be needing to find a new place to live. As you're pondering your next move, your door with the broken lock opens up. It's Virgil and he appears to be sober for a change. "Damn, they really did a number on yer room too I see." Virgil says. "Yeah, but it's still my fucking room. What the hell do you want, I don't have any money so you can go get drunk." you say. "And I wasn't askin'. Sheesh, I was just coming in here to see if you were around. I wanted to apologize for bothering you all the time for money actually." "Oh?" "Yeah…I mean I dunno if you noticed but I haven't been around as much lately." "Hmm, I did notice a reduction in our usual encounters over the past month." "I've been trying to get my life back together. Get myself right with Joachim again. Part of that is me apologizing and trying to make amends for all the times I bothered you." "Oh yeah? You got a bag full of coins for all the times I gave you money for booze?" "No. I wish I did. I know how you like money…I might even give you a lecture about that, but I'm not really in any position to do so. I first need to get myself right with Joachim and then I might be able to guide others into his light like I was supposed to be doing in the first place." "Not sure if you preaching at me is any better than you hitting me up for booze money." "I'm sure to you it isn't, but I'm here to apologize anyway and if there is something within my power to help you, just let me know." "Well, thanks I suppose. Can't really think of anything I need from you though, unless you got an idea of a new cheap place to live at that isn't completely a shithole." "Not really, unless you want to sleep in one of the poor rooms at the Church of Joachim. That's sort of where I've been staying lately. Would have been living there before, if I hadn't gotten asked to leave for my...weakness. Guess I might be living there for good now. Just as well. It was time to move on." "Don't think that's going to work out for me, but thanks for the offer." Virgil nods and then says something about Joachim's blessing be upon you. You finish packing up and when you're only a few steps away from the Welcome Mat, it suddenly occurs to you. Your family's old inn. It's still abandoned. You could easily stay there and that would at least save you some of the costs. "Should have thought about that in the first place." You say and make your way to the inn. Of course as you begin to do so, you realize you're being followed. That officer wasn't fucking around when he said he was going to have eyes on you all the time. It takes some time, but you end up losing them, but now you're practically on the other side of the city! If this is how it's always going to be, it's not going to matter where you stay. Maybe it is time to leave Klyton, which you suppose you don't mind since things haven't been the greatest here, but you just hate being chased off like this. Of course there's always the option the officer suggested. You don't really have any loyalty to the Talons, so if it did help you out in the long run, well it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It might even help you with less competition around that is actually making it harder for everyone else. Ever since the change in leadership, the Talons have also been selling Yellow Devil which has been causing a bit of a minor crime wave, what with all the extra junkies running around causing problems. (Even at your stomping grounds, the University) Of course being a rat is a pretty damn serious offense in the criminal world (Even if it goes on all the time) and if the Crimson Talons ever did find out, it probably wouldn't go well for you. > You leave Klyton You're a lot of things, but you ain't no rat. Besides, it isn't like it's going to make a difference anyway except maybe getting yourself killed if word got out. Your best bet is to seek greener pastures so to speak. Without another thought you make your way to the carriage station. Holgard comes to mind, but there's always some sort of rebellion or power struggle going on there. You'd rather not have to deal with being in the middle of that mess. The Delantium Kingdom is at war with some other nation, so you'd rather avoid the possibility of suddenly getting press ganged or conscripted into military service. The only other place is Hessla, which at least you're somewhat familiar with. The trip to Hessla is uneventful and when you arrive the same power structure is in place. Tolen is still the governor and his Headsmen provide the order. At least some things remain consistent. After spending a few days in Hessla you realize you're going to have to find some more reliable way of earning coin because thievery here is too high risk with low reward. Most people here aren't exactly rolling in coins. Shops are always well protected so is anyone who does have a lot. At best you might get a pirate that's flush with ill gotten loot, but you'd probably have to get one right off the ship because they spend it like water. Not to mention the Headsmen are probably more vicious than the militia. They might not be as observant, but they don't need to be. Unlike you, folks here tend to have no qualms about ratting out thieves where upon the Headsmen deal out swift justice. You need to find something suited to your skills. The first thing that comes to mind is piracy given that you're here in the heart of it. Granted you're no sailor and you have little knowledge on what exactly is involved, but it is something you imagine your trade might come in handy. Not really knowing how this is done, you head to one of the docks looking for work. First one you try is a big dark skinned bald man who is standing by a large ship with several cannons mounted in it. He looks intimidating, and seems more surprised that you even approached him rather than annoyed. "Um, you lost landlubber?" he asks. "Landlubber?" you respond. "Yeah, that's definitely you. You ain't a sailor and you sure as hell aren't a pirate." "That obvious?" "Given that you even approached me, you might as well be wearing a sign. So whadda ya want?" "I want to be a pirate." The man stares at you in disbelief for a moment and looks you up and down before laughing heartily. "Aren't you a little old to be having dreams of running away to be a pirate? Get the fuck outta here." The man says. "I'm not that old, I'm probably younger than you. And what difference does it make how old I am?" "Because this here is the Dominator and as I already pointed out, you're no sailor and we ain't got time to train you and you're not nearly young enough to act as a tag along cabin boy. The pirate shit is easy. Any thug off the street could be one. But bein' a sailor? THAT'S the hard part." "Are you the captain of this ship then?" "Oh no. I'm Zamed, the first mate. The captain of this fine vessel is Captain Illam and he's less tolerant than I am so you're not going to see him at all." "I have skills! I can fight! I mean I'm an accomplished thief! I'm very stealthy! I can pick almost any lock…ANY lock if given enough time!" "Yeah…that's not really helping you. Last thing we need is someone on our ship potentially sneaking around and pilfering hard earned loot. And as for yer fighting skills, I doubt if you were doing too much of that if you were sneaking about. I'd wager you wouldn't be much good in a boarding action or a coastal raid. You even know what its like to be in a real fight and so close to a man that when you stick your blade into him that you can smell death upon him?" Zamed says getting in your face and staring you down. "Actually I do." You say staring up at Zamed. Zamed continues to study you and then slowly moves back to his original position. "Okay…so maybe you might qualify in that regard, but that still doesn't mean shit. As I said, we only take on skilled sailors and I KNOW you aren't one of those." "But how am I going to learn how to be a sailor if I don't get any on experience?" "That's your problem, not mine." "Bah, this is bullshit." You say and start to walk away, but Zamed calls to you. "Look, I don't normally do this, but since you even had the balls to approach me I'll help you out. You see those docks over there? Go over to that ship and ask if they're looking for any new crew. The captain has lower standards on his ship, he might accept you." Zamed says. "That big one over there?" "Hah. No, that one is Captain Yan's vessel, and you're not getting on that one. She only accepts women. You want the smaller one. The Steadfast run by Captain Rifiv." "Figures." "Hey, that's your best shot if you're serious about this life. Besides, don't let the looks fool you. It's not called the Steadfast for nothing. Rifiv might be well past his prime, but back in his day he was nothing to sneeze at. He's probably lived longer than most his contemporaries. Anyway good luck I guess." You leave Zamed and head to the Steadfast. If this doesn't work out, you aren't sure what you're going to do next. When you get near the vessel, you see a group milling around it just talking with each other. Several of them notice you approach and one addresses you. "Looking for something?" a scruffy man wearing a rag on his head asks. "This is the Steadfast right? I want to join the crew." You say. They all look at each other and then the scruffy man addresses you again. "You got any skills?" he asks. You go on about your abilities the same way you did to Zamed. They don't look too impressed either, but they don't look disappointed either. "Hmm, well we've certainly had less skilled people on this vessel. We weren't actively looking for anyone new though. However, the captain doesn't tend to mind a few extra hands, so you might get lucky. Come on, let me just go take you to him. The name's Scully by the way." You follow Scully up the gangplank and wait as he knocks on the door of what you guess is the captain's cabin. He gets an answer to come in and after a couple minutes, Scully comes back out and tell you to come in as well. That's when you meet this Captain Rifiv. He's practically an old man who is having a hard time walking with a cane. He's dressed better than everyone else on the ship, but that isn't saying much since even his fancy overcoat has patches sewn on it. "So Scully says you want to join up. Also tells me your primary background was as a small time thief in Klyton and you have NO experience on the sea at all. That correct?" Captain Rifiv says. "Yes." You answer. "While the premise is still in the same family of taking other people's shit, you do realize being a pirate is a lot different than what you're used to right?" "I do, but I'm willing to learn." "Better learn quickly then, because if you fall behind or I don't think you're pulling your weight then I'll have you chopped up and thrown overboard for mermaid food. Understand?" "Clearly." "Okay, we'll see then. Scully show him where he'll be sleeping and everything else. And after you're finished doing that, gather the rest of the men because we're going to be setting off soon." Well time to see if you're cut out for this line of work. > You time passes... Year 28 When you joined three years ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be, let alone how long it would be before you returned home. The raids themselves aren't exactly fun for you either. You realize you're really not the bloodthirsty type who gets off on killing folks all the time. There's been a lot of times you've hung back just so you can avoid most of the direct combat. And that's starting to getting a bit noticeable mainly because enough of the crew has died that it can't afford to have any slackers. Fortunately Captain Rifiv hasn't called you out on it and it's just been a few of the crew bitching at you. This isn't even counting the rape and there's a lot of that you haven't been engaging in either. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!) The only minor upside is you've been doing okay as far as loot is concerned. These idiots haven't been paying attention that you've been pilfering the odd coins or baubles from them so you actually have more than your share. However, you aren't exactly doing all that much better than you were as a regular thief though and worse, you're stuck at sea most of the time so you can't even enjoy it like you'd prefer. There's also the fact that you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you question if this knowledge would actually ever be useful since you're having serious doubts about ever setting foot on another ship ever again. Currently you're somewhere in the far southwest seas at some small port town called Gix. The Steadfast has been using the place as a rest stop in between raids mainly because it's the only civilized place in this area that is accepting of pirates and has been for as long as anyone can remember. This place isn't Hessla though and isn't a "criminal town." It's just run by normal people going about their simple normal lives. The locals are a bit live and let live for the most part. They don't particularly enjoy having violent drunken pirates visiting, but as long as the pirates aren't messing with them, they're fine with accommodating them. Sort of reminds you of how Teckleville used to turn a blind eye to you and your sister robbing travelling merchants. You miss those days and not even the robbing part. You find that you're missing home in general. Maybe not even home so much you miss the environment as strange as that might seem. Then again, you never had the wanderlust that your sister had. (You imagine other than the killing and rape, she'd find all this pirate stuff pretty exciting) Had things been different you probably would have never left Teckleville. Maybe you would have eventually settled down and become boring like everyone else in that town. At this point that doesn't seem all that bad. You guess you're just realizing that you're starting to get tired of this life. Since you're hanging out with the Steadfast crew most of the time, you always take the opportunity to stay away from the lot of them when in town. Instead of drinking at the "pirate bar" of the town, you drink at the quieter one that the locals seem to prefer. The first time you entered you got a lot of strange looks, but now nobody bats an eye. You're just minding your business after all. Still, occasionally the barmaid speaks to you and is fairly cordial. Seems to be in a more talkative mood today… "Another successful voyage of raiding and pillaging?" Ola asks. "I suppose so. Got enough money to spend here." You answer. "Drinking does seem to be one of the more civilized favorite past times of you lot. Good thing of course since we'd have significantly less coin coming into the town. Sort of wondering though, how come you always come in here rather than going to the usual taverns?" "Because I have to spend practically all my time around those assholes, so the moment I actually don't have to is a blessing." "If you don't like the folks you sail with, why do it?" "Good question, and one I've been asking myself more and more each day before finally coming to the inevitable conclusion." "Which is?" "That this pirate life isn't for me. As soon as we get back to Hessla, I'm not setting foot on a ship again. (Sigh) Another year at sea though before we return…ugh…I just dunno if I can take it." "Well, why not just leave now?" "…hmmm…I suppose I could…I doubt if they'd come looking for me. Do you have any transport ships that go to Hessla?" Ola frowns a bit. "We don't have ANY big ships. In case you haven't realized, we're a small town not a bustling trading city we hear you lot talk about. If it weren't for pirates coming here, we probably would never have much contact with the rest of the world. I mean the best you could do is get yourself a rowboat and row to this Hessla place. How far is it?" Ola asks. "Too far. I doubt if I could even make it to Jicol in a rowboat. Oh well, guess I can tough out another year." You say. "Why not just stay here?" "Here? What would I do here?" "Um, well you know your way around a ship right? You could work as a fisherman." "Ugh, trying to get away from boats actually. Still, sitting in a rowboat and peacefully fishing sounds a lot more attractive right now than what I am doing." "What are some of your other skills…um, I mean those that don't involve killing and raping people." "First off, I've never raped anyone…" you start to say before Ola interrupts. "You haven't? Oh thank Kalhu!" You give Ola a bit of a strange look. Granted you two don't really know each other that well, but she seems way more talkative than she has in the past. If you didn't know any better you'd say she was flirting with you in some strange way. "Okay, first who is Kalhu?" you ask. "The god of this island of course. All the times you've been here, you've never heard of him before?" Ola says. "Don't really pay much attention to religion. You're not going to preach at me are you?" "No, why would I?' "Because you seem very interested in my future and we don't know each other very well, so I'm wondering what this is all about." Ola looks around and finally sits down next to you. A couple people look, but say nothing, you're a little taken back by all this though. "This town is a good place with good people. We like our relative isolation, especially after hearing some of the tales from your pirate shipmates and other pirates we've dealt with in the past. But um…isolation has its downsides. There sometimes is um…lack of potential mates. At least not related ones." Ola says. You start to tense up at where this might be going. "Now some women of this town have sex with the pirates that visit here and that's good as it provides new blood for the town, but it is sometimes hard on these mothers to raise these children without a father around. A good family should have a mother and father." Ola says. "So…what exactly are you asking me?" "I'm asking if you would consider…(breathes nervously) being my husband." You had a feeling, but you still weren't quite prepared. How could you be? It isn't like you get asked out of the blue to be someone's husband! Ola goes on to explain that she knows how this might seem strange to an outsider like you, but she says that she fears her arranged marriage to her cousin since he has many undesirable physical traits that would not make for a strong child. However, she also doesn't wish to submit herself to a one-night stand with some pirate (Apparently she's a bit on the moral side which is funny that she would come to you in the first place) and wants a husband to stick around to help raise your children. (Yes, she's already implied that she wants more than one.) So she's picked you as a "last ditch" effort to find a husband who is physically fit (and attractive as she has mentioned as a secondary concern) and is most assuredly not related to her in some way. She also has said in the few conversations you've had with her you seem okay personality wise and not being a rapist is a big plus to her. (Curse your parents for instilling some sort of values in you) For her part, Ola seems like a nice girl and isn't ugly. She's no Annah or Yvette, but you could certainly do worse. You're a bit overwhelmed by all this sudden information though and as much as you don't want to get back on the Steadfast again, that's only going to be a year. This is going to be well…presumably until you die because she's already made it quite clear that passage off this island is a rarity. You probably wouldn't see home again. But then again what did you really have going on there? You tried being a thief and that didn't work out like you planned. You tried this pirate thing and that hasn't worked out either. All you've gotten is headache from your life of crime and not much to show for it ultimately. Also you don't really have a home anymore anyway seeing as you got permanently kicked out of Teckleville. That thought about you finally giving all this up and becoming a normal boring person? Well that day might be today. > You get married It's crazy and maybe you're going to severely regret this later, but getting married and out of this life sounds a whole hell of a lot better than getting on that ship for another year. "Fuck it, let's do it." You say. "Seriously?" Ola asks a little surprised. "Yeah, I'm serious. Where and when is this going to happen?" "Uh, well when I get off work in a little while we could go to the temple of Kalhu. The shaman should be able to perform the ceremony." "So we don't need your parents there or anything?" "No, all we need to be is bonded in the many eyes of Kalhu. This is great! This is really wonderful!" Ola beams. You still have a few questions even though because while you're half way committing to this, there is still time to back out if it's too crazy. "Um, okay, but wait I do need to ask. This isn't going to piss off your family is it? I mean you were engaged to your cousin, I don't want to cause some family drama or feud." "Well I suppose my cousin will be upset, but you hardly have to worry about him. He's not really fit and strong like you are. His mother might also be upset, but as far as my family goes you shouldn't have too many problems. My father might be gruff with you, but his main concern is if you're going to be a good provider. Now did you do anything before being a pirate?" You explain to Ola some of your past, which causes another frown from her. However when you get past all the thief stuff and briefly mention dealing with some wildlife for Dr. Gossey she stops you. "Wait, so you have experience trapping and dealing with fauna?" Ola asks. "Well I wouldn't say that exactly. I mean I had a pet qweepa, but that's because I had it from when it was a baby. And I had to collect these monster snail crab eggs." You say. "That may be good enough. My cousin is a trapper and needs help sometimes keeping the pest population down in this town. He can teach you all you need to know. You could probably work with him." "Won't that be weird considering I'm marrying you?" "Huh? Oh no, this is a different cousin and he's married to my older sister so there won't be any trouble there." "Oh. Well that's good to hear, I guess." Ola goes on excitedly about how she will be a good wife to you and believes that Kalhu must have sent you personally to reward her for her prayers to him. This is all getting a little too "real" for you and you tell her that you need to get a few things from the ship, but this makes her nervous. "You're coming back right?" she asks. "I'm coming back, don't worry. I just really need to get the rest of my belongings off the ship. I mean I have a tidy hidden sum still aboard the ship, if I'm staying I don't want to just abandon that." You say. "…okay I trust you. But please hurry back!" Ola says and then kisses you on the lips. She then walks away with a smile, but it's very apparent she's concerned you are leaving. And honestly you're wondering if you should. You leave the tavern and quickly make your way back to the ship. You pace the floor of the empty cabin still wondering what the hell you're going to do. You feel really bad for just leaving Ola. She didn't really deserve getting her hopes up, only to get them destroyed. But… Getting married? Being a pest trapper? Settling down and having a whole mess o babies? What the hell were you thinking? "Hey, didn't expect anyone to be aboard, well except the captain and he's always in his quarters." One of your fatter crewmates says as he comes wandering in the door. "Hey you seen my lucky dice? Gotta game with Fleegle and Hok an' those dice never let me down yet." He asks. "No." you say still lost in your own thoughts. "Meh, no matter, those two idiots got the worst luck anyway. I'll easily take them like I took that long haired lass on the last ship we raided, hahahahaha!" You continue to pace and think, but this asshole keeps insisting on speaking to you. "What's crawled up yer ass and got you all jittery? Yer about to wear a hole in the floor." He asks. "Nothing." You say. "Doesn't look like nothin' to me. You worrying about all the mermaid rumors in these southern waters? Listen I've been at sea long before you were even unleashed from yer father's balls and I ain't never seen a mermaid. They don't even fucking exist…" "Will you just shut the fuck up?! I don't give a shit about what you have to fucking say! I got my own problems!" you snap. The fat pirate's demeanor now changes to hostility. "You fucking little cunt. Don't think I won't kick the shit out of you and throw you overboard after I'm done shoving my big fat cock up yer prissy ass. I see you walkin' around here thinkin' yer too good for this life and keepin' to yerself. And that's fine, but I also see that YOU haven't been pullin' yer fuckin' weight around here. Whenever we go on a raid, you stay in the back like a fucking bitch. Well let me tell you something, the next raid we go on, I better see some fucking bloodshed or I'm gonna make good on my previous threat." This fat ass is twice your size and you don't have much room to move around. You back down. "Alright, alright, apologies. Just a little preoccupied with something and I didn't mean to take it out on you." You say holding your hands up and stepping back. The fat pirate smirks and snorts in distain at your compliance. And it's at that moment you've made your choice. As soon as he turns his back, you punch the fat fuck as hard as you can in the base of his skull. The big man being unprepared for this crumples into the lowest hanging hammock and then you do it again. You aren't sure if you've killed him, but he's not moving. No matter, they'll probably think he's just asleep for awhile. "All that time at sea and you never learned not to turn your back on a thief. Stupid fat asshole." You say. You quickly gather up your belongings, loot the body of your dead crewmate and leave the ship. Fortunately you don't bump into any other crewmembers or the captain on your way out. You return to the tavern where Ola works. She's busy at the moment, but smiles when she sees you. While you wait for her shift to be over, you go through your small bag of valuables (as well as your newly acquired one) and try to find something to give to her. With a bit more luck on your side, you manage to find a gold ring. Probably not her size, but it's the thought that counts. Later that night, you and Ola go to the temple of Kalhu. The shaman there is a bit strange and so is the ceremony, but happily it's not that long. Within just a half hour, you're married and you soon find out that Ola's years of purity have paid off in your favor because apparently she had A LOT of pent up…"energy." You don't even make it that far out the temple before she's ready to consummate the marriage! Certainly no complaint on that front at least. Over the course of the next few days you mainly hideout at Ola's cousin's home (The pest trapper, not the one you just stole his bride to be from) since you're a little concerned that your fellow crewmates are going to come looking for you. However, they either don't give a shit that you killed fat ass, or they still think he's asleep. Either way, they ultimately leave without you and you're finally in the clear. You aren't exactly religious yourself, but you do give a little silent praise to Yag for your incredible fortune over these last few days. You just hope if he IS watching over you even to the smallest degree that your luck doesn't suddenly turn to shit for your brand new life. And it is a brand new life now. You're married and on your way to be just some boring normal person in some boring small town that was much like the one you got run out of over a decade ago. Not to mention you'll most likely live out the rest of your life and die here. But that's okay. Things could be a lot worse. Who knows, maybe you'll even still find a little excitement here and there even if it is of the mundane kind. This is after all a whole different experience for you to discover and enjoy if you can. Whatever happens, your days as a rogue are over.

Year 28 When you joined three years ago, you figured it would be a couple months maybe. You didn't know how far away all these places you're raiding were going to be, let alone how long it would be before you returned home. The raids themselves aren't exactly fun for you either. You realize you're really not the bloodthirsty type who gets off on killing folks all the time. There's been a lot of times you've hung back just so you can avoid most of the direct combat. And that's starting to getting a bit noticeable mainly because enough of the crew has died that it can't afford to have any slackers. Fortunately Captain Rifiv hasn't called you out on it and it's just been a few of the crew bitching at you. This isn't even counting the rape and there's a lot of that you haven't been engaging in either. Though some of them seem content on buggering each other. (And no matter how long you've been at sea, you can honestly say there's nothing that would even make you THINK about sticking it to any of this loathsome lot you're with!) The only minor upside is you've been doing okay as far as loot is concerned. These idiots haven't been paying attention that you've been pilfering the odd coins or baubles from them so you actually have more than your share. However, you aren't exactly doing all that much better than you were as a regular thief though and worse, you're stuck at sea most of the time so you can't even enjoy it like you'd prefer. There's also the fact that you've learned your way around a ship a lot more, though you question if this knowledge would actually ever be useful since you're having serious doubts about ever setting foot on another ship ever again. Currently you're somewhere in the far southwest seas at some small port town called Gix. The Steadfast has been using the place as a rest stop in between raids mainly because it's the only civilized place in this area that is accepting of pirates and has been for as long as anyone can remember. This place isn't Hessla though and isn't a "criminal town." It's just run by normal people going about their simple normal lives. The locals are a bit live and let live for the most part. They don't particularly enjoy having violent drunken pirates visiting, but as long as the pirates aren't messing with them, they're fine with accommodating them. Sort of reminds you of how Teckleville used to turn a blind eye to you and your sister robbing travelling merchants. You miss those days and not even the robbing part. You find that you're missing home in general. Maybe not even home so much you miss the environment as strange as that might seem. Then again, you never had the wanderlust that your sister had. (You imagine other than the killing and rape, she'd find all this pirate stuff pretty exciting) Had things been different you probably would have never left Teckleville. Maybe you would have eventually settled down and become boring like everyone else in that town. At this point that doesn't seem all that bad. You guess you're just realizing that you're starting to get tired of this life. Since you're hanging out with the Steadfast crew most of the time, you always take the opportunity to stay away from the lot of them when in town. Instead of drinking at the "pirate bar" of the town, you drink at the quieter one that the locals seem to prefer. The first time you entered you got a lot of strange looks, but now nobody bats an eye. You're just minding your business after all. Still, occasionally the barmaid speaks to you and is fairly cordial. Seems to be in a more talkative mood today… "Another successful voyage of raiding and pillaging?" Ola asks. "I suppose so. Got enough money to spend here." You answer. "Drinking does seem to be one of the more civilized favorite past times of you lot. Good thing of course since we'd have significantly less coin coming into the town. Sort of wondering though, how come you always come in here rather than going to the usual taverns?" "Because I have to spend practically all my time around those assholes, so the moment I actually don't have to is a blessing." "If you don't like the folks you sail with, why do it?" "Good question, and one I've been asking myself more and more each day before finally coming to the inevitable conclusion." "Which is?" "That this pirate life isn't for me. As soon as we get back to Hessla, I'm not setting foot on a ship again. (Sigh) Another year at sea though before we return…ugh…I just dunno if I can take it." "Well, why not just leave now?" "…hmmm…I suppose I could…I doubt if they'd come looking for me. Do you have any transport ships that go to Hessla?" Ola frowns a bit. "We don't have ANY big ships. In case you haven't realized, we're a small town not a bustling trading city we hear you lot talk about. If it weren't for pirates coming here, we probably would never have much contact with the rest of the world. I mean the best you could do is get yourself a rowboat and row to this Hessla place. How far is it?" Ola asks. "Too far. I doubt if I could even make it to Jicol in a rowboat. Oh well, guess I can tough out another year." You say. "Why not just stay here?" "Here? What would I do here?" "Um, well you know your way around a ship right? You could work as a fisherman." "Ugh, trying to get away from boats actually. Still, sitting in a rowboat and peacefully fishing sounds a lot more attractive right now than what I am doing." "What are some of your other skills…um, I mean those that don't involve killing and raping people." "First off, I've never raped anyone…" you start to say before Ola interrupts. "You haven't? Oh thank Kalhu!" You give Ola a bit of a strange look. Granted you two don't really know each other that well, but she seems way more talkative than she has in the past. If you didn't know any better you'd say she was flirting with you in some strange way. "Okay, first who is Kalhu?" you ask. "The god of this island of course. All the times you've been here, you've never heard of him before?" Ola says. "Don't really pay much attention to religion. You're not going to preach at me are you?" "No, why would I?' "Because you seem very interested in my future and we don't know each other very well, so I'm wondering what this is all about." Ola looks around and finally sits down next to you. A couple people look, but say nothing, you're a little taken back by all this though. "This town is a good place with good people. We like our relative isolation, especially after hearing some of the tales from your pirate shipmates and other pirates we've dealt with in the past. But um…isolation has its downsides. There sometimes is um…lack of potential mates. At least not related ones." Ola says. You start to tense up at where this might be going. "Now some women of this town have sex with the pirates that visit here and that's good as it provides new blood for the town, but it is sometimes hard on these mothers to raise these children without a father around. A good family should have a mother and father." Ola says. "So…what exactly are you asking me?" "I'm asking if you would consider…(breathes nervously) being my husband." You had a feeling, but you still weren't quite prepared. How could you be? It isn't like you get asked out of the blue to be someone's husband! Ola goes on to explain that she knows how this might seem strange to an outsider like you, but she says that she fears her arranged marriage to her cousin since he has many undesirable physical traits that would not make for a strong child. However, she also doesn't wish to submit herself to a one-night stand with some pirate (Apparently she's a bit on the moral side which is funny that she would come to you in the first place) and wants a husband to stick around to help raise your children. (Yes, she's already implied that she wants more than one.) So she's picked you as a "last ditch" effort to find a husband who is physically fit (and attractive as she has mentioned as a secondary concern) and is most assuredly not related to her in some way. She also has said in the few conversations you've had with her you seem okay personality wise and not being a rapist is a big plus to her. (Curse your parents for instilling some sort of values in you) For her part, Ola seems like a nice girl and isn't ugly. She's no Annah or Yvette, but you could certainly do worse. You're a bit overwhelmed by all this sudden information though and as much as you don't want to get back on the Steadfast again, that's only going to be a year. This is going to be well…presumably until you die because she's already made it quite clear that passage off this island is a rarity. You probably wouldn't see home again. But then again what did you really have going on there? You tried being a thief and that didn't work out like you planned. You tried this pirate thing and that hasn't worked out either. All you've gotten is headache from your life of crime and not much to show for it ultimately. Also you don't really have a home anymore anyway seeing as you got permanently kicked out of Teckleville. That thought about you finally giving all this up and becoming a normal boring person? Well that day might be today. > You get back to the ship It's just too much to sacrifice. Maybe you'll settle down one day, maybe even after you get back to Hessla, but you can't see yourself doing it here stuck in some island at the ass end of the world to a girl you hardly know. "I'm sorry Ola, but I just can't do it. You're a nice girl, but this is too sudden and we don't know each other well enough." You say. "I understand. I was not hopeful of my odds anyway." "We could still, you know…do the other thing if you want." Ola shakes her head. "I'm sorry but I just wasn't raised that way. Things might be much easier if I hadn't. (Sigh) I will remain pure for my husband to be. My cousin deserves that much." Ola says and gets up to leave. Seeing as things are a bit awkward here now, you decide to leave altogether. You figure you'll just spend the remainder of your time on board the ship in the bunks. It'll be time to leave soon anyway. Sure enough in a few days you're on your way. Year 29 Half of the year has already passed, but it can't end soon enough. You're barely getting along with most of the crew at this point and all this violence you've been participating in has made you less tolerant in general. You've already had a couple of fistfights with a few. While this hasn't done much to improve your popularity nobody is ever accusing you of being a pussy who doesn't pull his weight. Figures you'd start fitting in towards the end. Of course you have no intention of continuing being a pirate and are still fully dedicated to leaving this shitty experience behind. You still have no idea what you're going to do when you get back. Your experience with Ola months ago has made you rethink your ideas of possibly "settling down." You're starting to think maybe you might try your hand at being a mercenary or something similar. You have gotten very good at killing and it doesn't even bother you anymore after all. (It's just being around all these assholes on this cramped ship that bothers you) As you're looking off into the ocean pondering your potential new career when you get back, you start to hear something. Yes…kill. You look around and immediately shout at one of your nearest shipmates. "What did you say?" you demand. "Huh? I didn't say nuthin." He says and backs away a bit. You return to your thoughts and then hear something else. Kill them all… The voice is very close, like it's almost coming inside your head. You rub your eyes and then you notice a medium splash in the waters. When you look harder you see a head briefly pop up. Looks female. You need to kill them all and return them to the sea…to be with us…forever Now your mind feels like a thousand needles are being shoved in it as these voices assault it. You crumple to the deck and you're so busy clutching your head in pain and trying to fight whatever is attacking you, that you don't even notice that other crew members are starting to suffer similar affects. Some of the crew immediately jump overboard, others are wailing in pain and barely moving. Captain Rifiv at this point has come out of his cabin and begun yelling at everyone to shove wax in their ears. It's a little too late for you however. The mermaids already have taken advantage of your less than stable mood and are now directing you to do something you've thought about doing many times anyway. Namely killing the assholes you're sailing with. You waste no time in obeying the siren's call of murdering your shipmates, most of which don't put up too much of a fight due to their own mind assaults. You do fairly well cutting down most of the crew, but even with mermaid help, you still are only one man and eventually Captain Rifiv puts you down with shot to your back which is then followed up by several cutlass chops to the neck and head by some of the less helpless crew.

Year 25 "Look, I dunno anything about what that old bastard does in his spare time, I just pay my rent and mind my own business." You say. The militiamen give you a look like they don't quite believe you. "Just an innocent in all this eh? Bullshit. Trobart says you're a rogue through and through." One of them remarks. "Yeah, and one of your neighbors, Randi I believe? She says you even have ties to the Crimson Talons." Another adds. You nearly want to laugh, but you resist since you don't want to piss off the militia unnecessarily. "Really? You're going to believe a whore and some guy that sells alcohol illegally in his basement? They're just trying to save their own asses by making false accusations! You turned my room upside down and didn't find ANY stolen goods. And if I was a Crimson Talon, do you really think I'd be living in the shithole that I'm currently living in?" you answer. "Didn't say you were a Crimson Talon, just said you had ties to them. And if you think just because we didn't catch you with anything that you're off the hook. You deny that you're a criminal, but as I said, it's obvious that you have no visible means of support, so you have to be doing something illegal." A militia officer says. "How do you know I don't have a proper job? You're just making baseless assumptions." "Am I now? I don't think so. I think it's obvious that you're just some second rate pissant sneak thief that is so pathetic at your own lowly trade that you managed to avoid our eye for so long. In fact I can imagine you probably TRIED to join the Crimson Talons, but they just kept you on as an associate bitch because you weren't good enough to be a real member." "Interesting theory. Is this going somewhere?" "YOU'RE going to be going somewhere if you don't shut the fuck up and listen closely to my offer!" the militia officer exclaims, getting in your face. You sit back in your chair and remain silent. The militia officer continues to stare at you assessing your every tell your face might be giving off. "It's like this criminal scum. You're on our fucking list now. I've got your name, I've got your ass. Your best bet would be to just get the fuck out of this city, but I know you. You probably think you're smarter than me. Well you ain't and you're gonna get caught. Maybe not now. Maybe not even next year, but you WILL fuck up. And when you do, I'm going to make sure they put you in the smallest hanging cage we got. Believe that." The militia officer then pulls back a bit and adopts a less combative stance along with a calmer voice. "Now, all that being said…we do have bigger fish to catch and if you did… say have ties to the Crimson Talons then MAYBE you might know where their hideout is. If you helped us with something like that, then well maybe I might be inclined to not keep such a close eye on you." Well it's times like these that make being a criminal not so much fun, though honestly as the years have been going on, you're starting to wonder why you ever thought it was fun in the first place. You haven't really much contact with the Crimson Talons since Zalmora visited you that one day asking you to join. All you did hear is that Tom isn't in charge anymore and was killed by one of the more aggressive members who took over. Word says he's a real tyrannical asshole, which might explain why none of the Talon members that have gotten arrested haven't actually ratted on him themselves. It also explains when you have bumped into a couple of their members randomly in the taverns, they've been less than friendly and warned you to stay out of their territory. (Which you most certainly have been doing for years now) You do know that their headquarters is still in the same location. You don't know why the militia doesn't know where it is though given how they've increased their own activity as of late. The militia can be remarkably blind at times. "Look, if I did have dealings with the Crimson Talons, I'd help you out, but I just don't associate with such people. Apologies." You say. The militia officer doesn't look pleased by your answer, and you sort of wonder if he's going to end up throwing you in jail anyway, but he lets you go. "Okay then, but remember I gave you an out today and you turned it down. Be seeing you soon criminal." You get up from the chair you've been sitting on for who knows how long and walk out the door, though not before one of the militia shoves the back of your head. It's frustrating, but any dealing with the militia that you walk away from is a victory. From the militia barracks you make your way back to the Welcome Mat, which is practically destroyed at this point. At least it is on the inside. The law-abiding inhabitants (Or at least the criminal ones that didn't get caught) are busily trying to gather and clean up the mess the militia made of their homes. You imagine Trobart, even with his ratting bullshit on you isn't going to be able to keep this place any longer. You enter your own ruined room where upon Elana comes out from whatever hole in the wall she was hiding in and squeaks at you. "Hey Elana, glad to see they didn't get you girl. Now let's hope they didn't get anything else either." You find a chair that wasn't destroyed and check the hiding spot you have in the ceiling of your room. After checking and pulling out your small locked container you breathe a sigh of relief. Your small savings are still intact. You'll be needing it too, because everything else was taken. Your weapons, your tools, everything that you use or need in your profession. Granted it wasn't a lot, but it's still a loss. You'll also be needing to find a new place to live. As you're pondering your next move, your door with the broken lock opens up. It's Virgil and he appears to be sober for a change. "Damn, they really did a number on yer room too I see." Virgil says. "Yeah, but it's still my fucking room. What the hell do you want, I don't have any money so you can go get drunk." you say. "And I wasn't askin'. Sheesh, I was just coming in here to see if you were around. I wanted to apologize for bothering you all the time for money actually." "Oh?" "Yeah…I mean I dunno if you noticed but I haven't been around as much lately." "Hmm, I did notice a reduction in our usual encounters over the past month." "I've been trying to get my life back together. Get myself right with Joachim again. Part of that is me apologizing and trying to make amends for all the times I bothered you." "Oh yeah? You got a bag full of coins for all the times I gave you money for booze?" "No. I wish I did. I know how you like money…I might even give you a lecture about that, but I'm not really in any position to do so. I first need to get myself right with Joachim and then I might be able to guide others into his light like I was supposed to be doing in the first place." "Not sure if you preaching at me is any better than you hitting me up for booze money." "I'm sure to you it isn't, but I'm here to apologize anyway and if there is something within my power to help you, just let me know." "Well, thanks I suppose. Can't really think of anything I need from you though, unless you got an idea of a new cheap place to live at that isn't completely a shithole." "Not really, unless you want to sleep in one of the poor rooms at the Church of Joachim. That's sort of where I've been staying lately. Would have been living there before, if I hadn't gotten asked to leave for my...weakness. Guess I might be living there for good now. Just as well. It was time to move on." "Don't think that's going to work out for me, but thanks for the offer." Virgil nods and then says something about Joachim's blessing be upon you. You finish packing up and when you're only a few steps away from the Welcome Mat, it suddenly occurs to you. Your family's old inn. It's still abandoned. You could easily stay there and that would at least save you some of the costs. "Should have thought about that in the first place." You say and make your way to the inn. Of course as you begin to do so, you realize you're being followed. That officer wasn't fucking around when he said he was going to have eyes on you all the time. It takes some time, but you end up losing them, but now you're practically on the other side of the city! If this is how it's always going to be, it's not going to matter where you stay. Maybe it is time to leave Klyton, which you suppose you don't mind since things haven't been the greatest here, but you just hate being chased off like this. Of course there's always the option the officer suggested. You don't really have any loyalty to the Talons, so if it did help you out in the long run, well it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It might even help you with less competition around that is actually making it harder for everyone else. Ever since the change in leadership, the Talons have also been selling Yellow Devil which has been causing a bit of a minor crime wave, what with all the extra junkies running around causing problems. (Even at your stomping grounds, the University) Of course being a rat is a pretty damn serious offense in the criminal world (Even if it goes on all the time) and if the Crimson Talons ever did find out, it probably wouldn't go well for you. > You rat on the Talons Well, ratting on the Crimson Talons probably isn't the worst thing you've done… You go back to the militia barracks where you're immediately stopped by some of its members who ask what you want. When you tell them that you want to speak to the officer in charge because you have information on the Crimson Talons, they tell you to wait while someone goes and gets Captain Branik, who apparently was the one interrogating you earlier. Doesn't take long before you see this captain, who gives you a mildly smug look. "Well, look who's back. Thought you didn't know anything." Branik says. "I just remembered some details that slipped my mind." You retort. "Hmm, well out with it then, and if your information is any good then we will have come to an understanding." You give out what you know of the Crimson Talons, but specifically their headquarters location. He says something about how he can't believe they've been there the whole time. You also mention the secret sewer tunnel that leads from outside the city. Branik seems especially pleased by this information and mentions he'll send people through there as well when they move in to attack the place. "This of course is all going to take a little time to put together and confirm, so in the meantime I'd like you to stay in the city. You know, just in case you're lying and this isn't some sort of set up." Branik says. "What? What would I possibly gain by setting you up for anything? YOU told me to help you!" you say. "Yes, but you didn't do it right away and even managed to disappear from the militia's watchful eye for awhile. I can't know if you haven't already tipped off your Crimson Talon buddies or something more sinister. So to put those concerns to rest, I just need you to stay within the city so that I may easily get a hold of you until this is all over. Be thankful I'm not just throwing you in a cell." No good deed… It's the best deal you're going to get at this point and really you have no idea now if the captain is even going to hold on to his end. Meanwhile you're probably still going to be having these militia assholes following you all over the city, which you can't even leave now! You just leave shaking your head at the entire situation. You honestly don't know what to do with yourself. You suppose you could live on your savings until all this shit blows over, but again you have no idea when that will be and if that asshole captain is even going to give you a break. You still have to find a new place to live and you suppose squatting in your family's old inn is out now seeing as it's more trouble than it's worth. Lacking any better ideas, you decide to go to the Church of Joachim that Virgil suggested. At least it will be free. There are actually more than a few in the city, but you figure Virgil was talking about the one closest to the Welcome Mat so that's the one you seek out. It's probably the biggest one anyway due to more poor folks in the area sponging off the charity that the church provides. When you get there you find that it's feeding the beggars day. Great now you have to put up with that smell along with whatever religious shit that's going to be preached at you. You see Virgil serving up bowls of swill and approach him since you figure he knows where the flop room for the poor is. "Hey Virgil." You say while trying not to get in the way of the hungry beggars who are eagerly taking their food and leaving. "Hello. Surprised, but glad to see you. I'm a little busy at the moment, but what can I do for you?" Virgil responds. "You said I could stay here awhile? Having sort of a problem finding a place to live at the moment." "Oh sure. We have space so you can stay as long as you like, but erm…" "But erm, what?" "Well I know you're not exactly poor beggar or destitute mother with children and Brother Thadius is sort of a stickler for the rules." "So what are you saying?" "Well, maybe if you could donate to…" "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" you exclaim at which point Virgil tells you to keep your voice down. "Virgil, you TOLD me that you wanted to make amends to me or whatever and you also TOLD me that I could stay here for free!" you say. "Actually I never said it was free…(Sigh) but I suppose it is true, I might have given you a false impression. For that I am sorry. However, you could still stay here for free, but it would still require something of you." Virgil says. You at first think Virgil is going to tell you to get him a bottle of alcohol or maybe ask you to steal something. You're just counting on religious hypocrisy to rear its head, so it's a bit surprising when he asks you: "If you could help me serve these bowls of soup, that I think would be enough to allow you to stay here for free." "Wha…are you…(Sigh) fuck it. Fine." You spend the next few hours serving swill to dirty, smelly beggars, bums, and the destitute. You can't believe it's come to this. About the only think that breaks up the monotony is you have to throw out a Yellow Devil junkie who gets a little aggressive with the others. Normally you don't get excessively hostile to the point of violence unless its necessary, but you're in a foul mood due to current events. Just as you're about to really kick his ass until Virgil stops you. "Hey, hey, easy! He's had enough; look he's going now. And I think you've had enough too. Thanks for your help; you can find a space on the floor in the sleeping area in the back of the church." Virgil says. You don't say anything and just head to where Virgil said to go. When you enter the room, it isn't quite as bad as you thought it would be. Apparently most of the beggar types actually prefer sleeping in their own personal areas on the streets rather than a relatively clean church. Go figure. What you do see more of is "regular poor folk." Families who have obviously suffered some hardship causing them to be homeless for whatever reason. You imagine their faith in Joachim keeps them going that things will get better. The fools. You find a corner to be in, make a pillow with your bag and try to get some rest despite the sounds of children and people nearby. You can regroup tomorrow, you always do. Next day… You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment. Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already. This is ridiculous. It's like they suddenly have some sixth sense of your whereabouts. You try to lose them a couple times and while you do succeed, it once again has taken you out of your way to your destination. Eventually you manage to get a carriage and ride to the university. From there you get to work. All is going relatively well, though you do catch sight of more than a few wandering militia. You aren't sure if they're there specifically for you or just the usual. On your way through one of the many student-gathering areas, you suddenly hear someone call out your name. You turn around and get a surprise. "Yvette?" you answer. "Glad to see you remembered me. How have you been?" Yvette asks. "Um, I'm okay. And yourself? You probably graduated and are some sort of powerful wizard by now." "On the graduation part yes, on the powerful wizard bit, well that's debatable. I'm sort of teaching and doing independent research on possible new spell components. It's a really good thing that the wizard college has such a generous benefactor on the Klyton Council. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'd be doing with my life." "You're a wizard, surely there's no limit to what you could do." "I suppose in some ways, but I guess I just like what I get to do now…is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted." "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just surprised to see you, let alone you even talking to me. Last time I remember you were pretty pissed at me." "Oh. That. Yeah, I always meant to apologize to you about that, but I couldn't find you. I asked Dr. Gossey, but she said she didn't know much about you outside the times you helped her. I only knew your first name, but I didn't know what your area of study was. I must have went through a lot student lists, but never could track you down. I even tried some divination magic, but nothing turned up. Though I never was very good at that. Still, it almost seemed like you never even went here." "Heh, yeah…wow didn't realize you looked for me. I'm really flattered." "Well I gave up after about a year. I figured you probably graduated by then…so what are you doing here then? Are you teaching now too? What was your study anyway?" Yvette is flooding you with questions that you weren't really prepared to answer with well thought out lies. She's being pretty friendly though and given how things have been going, it's nice a change. You sort of wonder about the fact that she looked for you for a year. Obviously, she had more in mind than just to apologize. If you'd known that, you would have made more of an effort to seek her out too, rather than just fucking a whore that looked only vaguely like her a few times. Well, hopefully better late than never… "Okay, I'm just going to come out and ask. Were you interested in me back then?" you ask. "Um…well…" Yvette stutters. "I'll take that as a yes." "Well wait no. I mean yeah, but…oh I'm not very good at this." "Calm yourself then just speak your mind." "Okay. Well, I didn't NOT like you. I mean I liked all of our time together up until Kelium died. Between that and worrying about my report, your kiss sort of caught me off guard. After my report was a success, I had time to think about your advance and while I would have preferred something less aggressive, I can't say that I entirely disliked it. Actually it might have even helped my report." "How's that?" "Yes, at the time I was so pissed at you that I ended up telling my superiors the story we agreed upon as well as adding that it was all your fault that things didn't go as planned. Since I was so mad at you, it came off as believable hence a successful report. I was actually going to thank you for that too." You laugh a bit. "Well glad it helped I guess. Though I suppose my question is and again this might be a long shot, but are you still interested in me?" you ask. "I dunno. I mean it was years ago. We still don't know much about each other. I suppose the answer is the same as it was back then, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you. I'm currently unattached. I have a bit of trouble meeting people that aren't also magic users and the few I do seem to get scared that I have magic powers." Yvette answers. "What about other wizards?" "Hah, yeah…well after going out with a few magic users in the past, that has not gone very well. I'll just leave it at that." You're doing okay so far, but here's where the problem is going to come in, your real life. If you pursue this relationship, you are going to have to change your life severely because you are entirely sure that Yvette is definitely not going to be good with your roguish ways. Oddly, this isn't completely unappealing to you. Granted you've had an okay day here at the university, but how long before the militia gets more savvy and starts watching your movements here a lot more? You still can't walk to most places without them around and again you still don't know if they're going to hold up their end and leave you alone after they bust up the Crimson Talons. When you really think back to what you've managed to accomplish as a rogue you aren't sure if it's worth it anymore. All you've been doing is going through the motions because you don't know any other way. But if you really put your mind to it, you're a resourceful guy; you probably COULD do something different if you wanted to. In any case, you still need to know how you're going to deal with Yvette. You could just tell her the truth about your life, which would prevent a possible shitstorm later, of course it could fuck up things now. Especially since you've basically been lying to her up until this point. Of course if you've been lying to her all this time, you could just continue doing it and hope for the best. You could still try to change your life, but just not reveal your past. > You lie to Yvette This relationship, if there is even going to be one is on shaky ground already. You can't imagine the truth really helping you out here. "Yvette, I think before we go any further I should reveal something first because it's only fair that you know." You say. "Uh oh." Yvette responds. You explain that not long after your job with Dr. Gossey, you had to drop out of college because your parents suffered hardship back home and you had to help them out. After burying them both, you tell her there was nothing for you left in that one horse town, so with what money you had from selling the property you returned here. You tell her that you've actually only just recently returned hoping you could maybe find work here at the university and re-attend classes in the meantime on a work-study type program, but you haven't had much luck. You go on to say, you're sort of giving up on the whole college thing and just trying to find ANY job since your savings are running low. It's a bullshit tearjerker story that you threw together at the last minute. Naturally Yvette still being the trusting soul you figured she would be, she swallows every line of it. "Oh I had no idea! And I had treated you so terrible before all that happened!" Yvette exclaims. "Don't worry about it. It's not like you could have known. Shit happens." "I suppose, but still. I guess that's explains why I couldn't find you." "Well I'm here now, if you're still interested of course. I mean I'd completely understand if you weren't." "Gee, I mean it would look pretty shallow of me if I said I wasn't…not that I'm saying that. It's just it seems like you have a lot of other things you need to take care of before entertaining the idea of us going out together." "Heh, trust me, you've been the single light during this dismal period, so you can bet I'm going to make the effort to spend time with you. I think I might have a lead on a job actually though, so if you could, maybe wait for me a little while longer? We could just meet up here and spend time until I get my shit together. Would that be acceptable?" "I suppose that would be nice. Yes, okay. You can usually find me in the magic college dorms or the college itself. Probably best if you go to the college since the dorms have some security that could be problematic if you aren't a wizard type or with one." "Okay, great. Gotta go now, but before I do, may I have your permission this time?" "Permission for what?" "To kiss you of course." "Oh. Um, well okay, but just on the cheek this time!" You move in and give Yvette a quick peck on the cheek causing her to smile a bit which you return before you take your leave. You make your way back to the church as quick as you can, you don't even bother worrying about the squad of militia following you around. It's time to call in that big favor Virgil says he owes you, you just hope he can deliver without some stupid stipulation this time. You find Virgil speaking with a couple of the poor folk about the light of Joachim or whatever. "Virgil! I need your help let's talk." "Huh? But I'm in the middle of spreading the word of Joachim." "Yeah, well you got all the fucking time in the world to do that. These folks aren't going to get any less desperate within the hour so just talk to me now and be done with it." Virgil sensing that you're going to be as obnoxious as you can be until he speaks with you excuses himself and goes to see you. "You know, you're taking advantage of my kindness." Virgil says. "Yeah, just like you took advantage of mine when you were begging me for coin during your drunk days. Look, I'm just going to ask for a simple favor, one that will actually get you out of your hair in the long run. Can you get me a job?" you say. "A job? What do you mean?" "A job man! A job! Like you go there, you do some shit and then you go back home and eventually they pay you for all the shit you did. You repeat until dead or fired." "YOU want a REAL job? Are you sober?" "Completely." "Wow. You continue to surprise me. Maybe Joachim's light really has…" "Oh no! Don't start with the religious shit. I just know you have people coming in and out of this church all the time and not ALL of them are the charity cases. Some of them are just here to pray or attend services or whatever it is you lot do." "True, but what are you getting at?" "Well I know you religious types have tend to have tight knit communities. Surely you know someone who might be able to give me a job." "Hmm, maybe. But is there anything in particular you're looking for?" "Obviously something befitting of my talents!" "Sorry, but I think thievery is off the table." "Hey I used to sell stolen items too." "Hmm, wait a minute. You uh, used to pick locks right?" "Sure did and if I may say so myself, I was pretty damn good at it." "Okay, I do know someone. He's an older man by the name of Ned and is a locksmith by trade. I think he's looking for an assistant." "Huh. Guess that would be a good fit." "Yeah…too good in fact. You aren't going to use this as some way of breaking the law are you?" "If I was, do you think I'd tell you? You're funny. But if it puts your mind at ease, then no I'm not. I can't leave the city, the militia watches me all the fucking time, and I'm living in a damn church. Obviously my life style has NOT been successful. Time to change it up, especially since I might have a second chance with this girl I like. Yes, I said it. I'm doing this for a girl." Virgil smirks a bit. "What's with the grin?" you ask. "Joachim works in mysterious ways. Maybe you don't see it or choose not to, but his influence is there. Little steps to righteousness and perhaps in more time you…" Virgil says before you interrupt. "Will you get out of here and just go get me that job! And don't tell him the truth just say I'm an engineer down on my luck or something." "You want me to lie?!" "I want you to fulfill your damn promise without a bunch of bullshit tacked on to it! Now you do what you gotta do, you can always ask Joachim for forgiveness afterwards." "(Sigh) Very well. I just hope you're being truthful in all this." With the plan set in motion things turn around fairly quickly. In a few days you get the job as an assistant to the locksmith. Turns out he's a good old guy. Tends to talk a lot about his dead wife and his runaway daughter who he hasn't seen in decades, but you suppose you understand he has a great sense of loss and wants to vent to someone. You're just glad he doesn't ask too much about your life or get too religious on you. The pay is…adequate. It's at least enough to get yourself a new cheap place and keep you in the basics. In the meantime the militia is still following you around. They're probably wondering what the hell you're up to. In the next month, you go see Yvette who is expecting you since you wrote a letter ahead of time. You meet and catch up on what the pair of you have been doing over the past few years, or rather in your case LYING about what you've been up to. You still try to keep the lying to a minimum but keeping the topics either light or focusing on her activity instead which is easy since she really likes talking about her spell stuff. (Which to be honest you don't completely grasp all of it) Within the next few months big news in Klyton hits when its announced that the Crimson Talons have been officially taken down. Captain Branik gets an award from the council and exclaims how brave his people were as they stormed the Talon hideout. Apparently they didn't take any of them alive though you get the impression that if any did surrender the militia wouldn't have been the type to just accept it anyway. You don't get any official word from anyone saying that you're off the hook let alone any thanks that you were the one that gave the information of their hideout. You do notice that the militia doesn't follow you around like it once did, so you take that as a sign that you must be off probation so to speak. Still, though you've managed to "be good" for a few months now and things are going good with Yvette and your new job isn't even all that bad even if it's a little boring at times. There really isn't any need for you to go back to your old ways. Maybe it's time to give this new life a longer try. > You time passes... Year 27 "Is it too expensive?" Yvette asks. "Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like." You say. "I suppose…but it's so nice!" "Maybe, but it's also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn't even any fencing around this place. We'd have to spend more money just to secure this place better." "You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway." "That's no reason to be off guard. I'm just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters." "Or maybe you're a thief!" Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you. "Yeah you got me." You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does. You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It's not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there. You never thought you'd be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it's hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing. You still have yet to meet Yvette's father. (Yvette's mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You've managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn't like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She'd mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette's college out of the barest sense of parental duty. Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you're going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn't bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret. You know that while he isn't on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it's better to get this over with. "I think I should go meet your father." You say. "Oh. Now?" Yvette asks. "The sooner the better." "I suppose you're right. It's just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever." "Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you're a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent." "You always keep saying that and I'm not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it's not like I'm going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it…but…" "Yvette, look don't beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?" "Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don't think he gets along with a lot of people there either." Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette's father's home which actually isn't too far away from where you were looking at potential houses. When you arrive it isn't a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government. You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he's clearly unimpressed by you. "Uh Mr. Franklins?" "Yeah?" "I'm…" "I know who you are. You're the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her." "I…" Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch. "Okay. I probably deserved that." You say. "Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what's done is done. When you're done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too." Mr. Franklins remarks. You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette's father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you're about to do likewise, he tells you to stop. "No. You don't get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don't bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn't mean I wasn't keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I'm a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn't matter. I know that you are…or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren't even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I'd dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination." "If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?" "Pfft. Like she'd listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that's on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life." "I guess thanks for not having me killed?" "Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I'm not a fucking murderer." Yvette's father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you. "Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it's true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven't gone back to any criminal activity and I'm guessing now that you're trying to put down roots you probably won't be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you'll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up." "True." "Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I'm not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can't shake the feeling you're going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won't, I don't know. But I'm going to give you an out right now." Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn't even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper. "That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you're not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven't been to the place in years, so I don't know what condition it's in, but with those diamonds I'd wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton." "But…" "Yvette? She'll cry over you for a long time, but she'll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She'll probably blame me and I'll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her." "And if I refuse?" "Then I suppose I'll have to hope that you prove me wrong." > You take the loot You love Yvette, but ultimately you guess you love yourself just a little bit more. You think about the sort of life you would have if you did marry Yvette. You'd be an average working class slob with a family. While maybe there is some appeal to that over your old life, this offer is really making you rethink that maybe you were just settling for what seemed easier at the time when things were low. If you married Yvette you'd also have to keep up your lies to her about your past along with worrying about whether or not you're going to piss off her father enough for him to expose you. Can you really live a satisfying life with something like that hanging over your head? When it comes down to it you suppose you've always wanted the easy life and this about as easy as it's ever going to get for you. "Fine, I'll take your offer." You say. "I knew you would." Franklins says a bit smugly and hands you the key. You look at your newly acquired pay off, before putting it away. You're already having mixed feelings about your decision. You have mixed feelings about your decision all the way to Hessla where upon your main concern is finding safe passage to Jicol since you don't want to linger very long here with the fortune you have on your person. Of course you think about going right back to Klyton several times, but by the time you do get a boat ride to Jicol you realize you're at the point of no return. "Just do it." You say to yourself as you board the ship. The ride to Jicol is uneventful even though you half expect to get attacked by pirates or something similar along the way. A small part of you even hopes you do because you sort of think you'd deserve it. Eventually you disembark at Jicol and based on the directions that Yvette's father provided you take your next steps in finding your new home along with familiarizing yourself with the city, which seems a lot less "orderly" than Klyton though definitely more so than Hessla. Despite your rather dour mood, you still keep on your guard. You soon find the place you were looking for and it's very average looking. Certainly better and bigger than any place you've ever lived (including your parents old home) but it's no mansion. Just as well, you probably wouldn't know what to do with a place that size. You try your key in the door and enter. You aren't sure how long Yvette's father has let this place go unused, but the first thing you notice is the severe dust everywhere. After checking everything it isn't too bad, except for maybe some fixes on the roof and the qweepa nest you notice in the basement. (And they aren't friendly like Elana was.) Still even with those problems you'll have more than enough money to do whatever you want in the forseeable future and that really is the problem you suppose. What DO you do? You don't need to work and you don't even particularly want to go back to pursuing your criminal career again either. You've been out of practice for a couple years now and why potentially mess up what you have? You can't just sit around moping and beating yourself up about your decision either. The whole point of making this decision was so you didn't HAVE to worry about Yvette and your unborn child anymore. You decide the best way to do this is with whores. After about a month you're slowly becoming more accustomed to living like a wealthy degenerate. You do nothing but eat, drink and fuck whores whenever you can, which is pretty much all the time. Sometimes you still think about Yvette, but eventually those thoughts of her disappear altogether not wishing to dwell on how you most likely broke her heart and what "could have been" if you stayed. You justify your actions that it was better this way for her and you. By the time you're thirty you've gotten fat. Not just average fat either, but like grossly fat. You're a big fat bastard. You're also a pimp. Given how much time you spend with whores and how relatively fun you are, you eventually managed to convince a few to work for you, rather than one of the many brothels in the city. After all, your home is a lot nicer thanks to all the work you had done to it and you're well off enough to allow them to keep more of their money. This works out for you since it provides a steady income (Negating your fears of going completely broke because you were spending so much) and finally gave you something to do with your free time. You still sometimes think of your parents and your sister and how they might be doing. You hope they're all doing well. Despite being limited to just one sex position that won't result in a whore's death it's all in all a good life. Probably won't be a very long one given your weight and indulgences, but then you probably beat the odds already. Your days as a rogue are over.

Year 27 "Is it too expensive?" Yvette asks. "Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like." You say. "I suppose…but it's so nice!" "Maybe, but it's also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn't even any fencing around this place. We'd have to spend more money just to secure this place better." "You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway." "That's no reason to be off guard. I'm just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters." "Or maybe you're a thief!" Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you. "Yeah you got me." You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does. You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It's not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there. You never thought you'd be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it's hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing. You still have yet to meet Yvette's father. (Yvette's mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You've managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn't like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She'd mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette's college out of the barest sense of parental duty. Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you're going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn't bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret. You know that while he isn't on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it's better to get this over with. "I think I should go meet your father." You say. "Oh. Now?" Yvette asks. "The sooner the better." "I suppose you're right. It's just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever." "Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you're a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent." "You always keep saying that and I'm not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it's not like I'm going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it…but…" "Yvette, look don't beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?" "Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don't think he gets along with a lot of people there either." Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette's father's home which actually isn't too far away from where you were looking at potential houses. When you arrive it isn't a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government. You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he's clearly unimpressed by you. "Uh Mr. Franklins?" "Yeah?" "I'm…" "I know who you are. You're the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her." "I…" Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch. "Okay. I probably deserved that." You say. "Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what's done is done. When you're done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too." Mr. Franklins remarks. You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette's father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you're about to do likewise, he tells you to stop. "No. You don't get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don't bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn't mean I wasn't keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I'm a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn't matter. I know that you are…or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren't even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I'd dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination." "If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?" "Pfft. Like she'd listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that's on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life." "I guess thanks for not having me killed?" "Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I'm not a fucking murderer." Yvette's father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you. "Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it's true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven't gone back to any criminal activity and I'm guessing now that you're trying to put down roots you probably won't be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you'll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up." "True." "Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I'm not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can't shake the feeling you're going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won't, I don't know. But I'm going to give you an out right now." Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn't even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper. "That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you're not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven't been to the place in years, so I don't know what condition it's in, but with those diamonds I'd wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton." "But…" "Yvette? She'll cry over you for a long time, but she'll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She'll probably blame me and I'll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her." "And if I refuse?" "Then I suppose I'll have to hope that you prove me wrong." > You give back the loot You have to admit, there is a small part of you that finds this tempting. A part of you that you thought you had abandoned, but as this bribe attempt has proven, your old nature is still there. Always looking for the easy way no matter what. Maybe Yvette's father is right in that respect, but if you do fail, it isn't going to be today and it isn't going to be over this. You're refusing and perhaps that's proof that you aren't the same person anymore. "Yeah, not taking this. If you want me gone then you're going to have to do it yourself. I'm not going to make it easy for you and disappear voluntarily, just so it can ease your own conscience that if I took your bribe then you somehow did the right thing because I was a scumbag thief anyway." You say and toss the bag on the chair. Mr. Franklin nods. "Very well. You've made your decision and I'll have to live with it. Inform Yvette That I begrudgingly accept that you are the father of my grandchild and acknowledge that you're at least competent enough to be a husband to her. Also that whether she wants me to attend the blessed event or not, I will pay for the entire wedding and whatever else she requires, but I want it to be at a church of Joachim, not one of those Dorna temples or whatever that goddess those wizards pay homage too." He says. "Didn't know you were a follower of Joachim." You respond. "Of course I am! All right thinking folks are! I can only hope that some day my misguided daughter finds the light. Just because she was gifted with magic doesn't mean she has to kneel before a false goddess." "I don't think she does actually. I mean I know sometimes she says a few prayers, but I've never known her to go to a temple or anything." "Ugh. I suppose that's slightly better. And I don't expect you're a follower of Joachim's light either. Probably a completely godless heathen." "I dunno, I've been to the church of Joachim a few times. Even been a long time friend with a priest of Joachim." You say embellishing the truth as usual, Mr. Franklins probably doesn't even believe it, but he hardly cares at this point. "Now obviously I'll keep your secrets, but I hope for your sake you can maintain your own lies because if you DO hurt her, physically, mentally, emotionally, or whatever I will make it my personal mission to make your life a living hell. And again, I don't even mean death though you'll be begging for it by the time I'm done." Franklins says. "Understood." You reply. "And you are not off the hook with me. Which means if I need your help with some matter, I'm going to call upon you and I will expect you to comply without complaint!" "What is it that you want me to do exactly?" "Nothing right now. In fact I'm not even sure how someone like you could even help me given my considerable resources. So maybe I'll never call on you for help. However, the real shits and giggles is YOU won't know until that day I do. Have fun living with that possibility." Franklins says with an amused tone. It's probably the first time he's sounded upbeat. Franklins then dismisses you and tells you to get the hell out of his house. Well that certainly wasn't exactly the meeting you were expecting. You suppose it went better than you expected, but worse than you hoped. You just know that old bastard is going to call on you for a favor one day. Still, you need to focus on the here and now and not what might never come and despite everything, you have Yvette's dad's support, if not his respect. You have a wedding to prepare for and all that other family stuff coming up. With this final "nail" in the coffin so to speak, it would seem that your life has taken a completely different turn. You can't imagine ever going back to your old life again. Your mother and father would probably be proud if they knew about any of this. (You assume that they aren't really dead.) You wonder what your sister would think, but you believe she would be happy for you. Looks like your days as a rogue may have come to an end. > You time passes… Chapter 3B2: The More They Stay The Same Year 30 You knew this damn day would come. You had to make up an excuse to Yvette and Trinity of why you had to meet with him, but you're fairly certain that they didn't think anything more of it. Just bonding with an in-law over security advice of the newest and best locks right? Your daughter Trinity did want to come with you, but you told her it would be boring adult stuff and she could visit grandpa another time. You hate lying, but what choice do you have? You hoped and thought that you probably wouldn't ever be important enough for him to call on you for help, but here you are about to knock on his door. You knock on the door and it opens right away. "Took you long enough. Come in." Franklins says turning his back to you to as soon as he opens the door. He takes a seat and for a change he tells you to do likewise. "Okay, since I don't want you here any longer than necessary, let's get to it. I need you to break into some place." You didn't expect this. "What?" you ask. "You got fucking wax in your ears? I need you to break into a place and steal something important." Franklins remarks. "You do realize I haven't done that in years right?" "Yes, I'm fucking aware. You're an average slob with a regular job and family. However, I know damn well you aren't out of practice because you're a fucking locksmith by trade." "True, but…I'm not understanding this. I thought you didn't approve of my previous occupation." "I don't, but desperate times call for desperate measures and besides all that, YOU owe me a favor and this is probably the only way I'm going to be able to call it in. Besides, you'll be going up against pure evil, so what you're doing is for the greater good…well I hope Joachim sees it that way at least." "Wait, pure evil? What the fuck? Look, I don't want to step out of line here, but I need to ask some questions." "You don't want to step out of line, but you're already stepping out of fucking line by asking damn questions!" "Yeah, and I think it's fucking valid if you're sending me up against pure evil! I mean as you've pointed out several times in the past, I'm not a damn hero. I was a lowly criminal who is now a working class slob. I never was a fighting type to begin with and tried to avoid it if possible. Nevermind the fact that I'm married to YOUR daughter and father to YOUR grand daughter and I've made sure to never hurt either one of them. Seems like this is asking me to potentially do just that at best and just getting myself killed at worst." "(Sigh) Fine, I suppose you should know in case you need some extra preparation." Franklins pours himself a glass of wine and takes a drink before continuing. "Okay, do you know who Mr. Reynolds is? Surely you must have heard of the man given that you were a thief at one time." "Yeah, he's a loan shark. My family actually was in debt to him once when they owned an inn here. Never met the man personally though since I tried to avoid being in debt." "Hmm, interesting. Well in any case, the man is more than just a loan shark. He's an embodiment of evil in this city and needs to be stopped from getting on the Klyton Council which he's been making plans to do." "Okay? So if he's all that bad, why don't you have him arrested or something? You're always telling me you have connections." "Yeah well those connections aren't good enough to get him and he's got connections of his own. Doesn't help that anyone that might speak out against him aren't just intimidated by him, but are also intimidated by those two goons he hangs around with. One of them being his equally demonic son and weird looking ogre." "You really don't like this guy do you?" "No, because despite him being an obvious evil piece of demon shit, he has been gaining a following that genuinely likes him now. In fact the asshole is probably more popular than I am among people who actually pay attention to politics." "That's hard to believe." "Ha ha. But make no mistake, this is no laughing matter, which is why in the next few days, you're breaking into his place of business and stealing a hexagon shaped container that he keeps a record of all his dealings in. Don't bother trying to open that though, you'd need magic. Just bring it back here." "Okay, so got any idea where he keeps it?" "No, but I imagine he'll probably have it in some sort of safe. Don't know where that would be either, but it has to be close since I can't imagine he'd keep it in a bank and would definitely want it close to him. You start laughing. "What?" Franklins asks. "You're asking me to go steal something that is apparently magical and you don't have any idea where this item is in the place. Not to mention if this container is magically sealed, I have to believe he's probably got it in some sort of safe that has magic protection as well if its that important. That means I'm going to need special tools for that job and more time to acquire them." You answer. "You work as a fucking locksmith!" "Yeah and while the old guy I work for doesn't ask me too many questions, I can't just start taking specialized magic lock breaker from the job without some explanation, unless you're asking me to steal those too…" "Look I don't give a shit what you gotta do! You need to get into that evil fucker's office and grab the container and get it back here!" "I dunno, you keep going on about evil, but all of this seems pretty fucking shady. I mean granted I don't doubt that Reynolds isn't an asshole given the stories I've heard, but how is what you're planning to do any better? Seems pretty hypocritical that you gave me grief about my background and here you are a self proclaimed follower of Joachim scheming to…" "DAMNIT MAN DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING? I just told you the man is DEMONIC SHIT!" Franklins stands up to shout at you. "Wait…you weren't just saying that as a casual description of how much of an asshole he is?" "NO. He's a fucking DEMON. Okay, perhaps half demon, but he's demonic shit and MY kind have been fighting his for a lot longer than you could ever think about!" Franklins suddenly sits back down and begins cursing to himself and you feel like you've heard more than he meant to tell you. "What exactly do you mean your kind…wait, are YOU human?" "Yes! No! Fuck! I hate to lie! (Sigh) Damnit, I didn't want to get into this…I'm half celestial." "Celestial? So like an angel? YOU'RE an angel?" "No you idiot. I just told you I'm only half. Just like Reynolds is only half demon. Doesn't matter though, we are mortal enemies as has always been the way." "Wow. You don't hear about angels too often." "Well maybe if you attended the church of Joachim, that wouldn't be the case you faithless heathen. As I said, I am only half celestial. My foolish father gave up his otherworldly home to be with my mother…but we're getting off topic…" "Wait a moment! Then that means Yvette…" "Yes, she has celestial blood as well. It's probably why she has magic potential. It's probably also why she was always a bit on the trusting side. I never got any of that, all I got was a strong sense of right and wrong and fairly good health all throughout my life. Never been sick once. Better than nothing I suppose and before you even ask, no she doesn't know any of this and you better keep it that way." "I don't get why you wouldn't tell her though." "Because it's a fucking burden knowing that's why! Because I know I have to live up to some damn ideal that I can't hope to achieve. Hell, my own father didn't achieve it and HE was a full blood! I know Yvette and if she knew about all this, she would have wanted to go out on a crusade to right wrongs and all that bullshit with her magical powers and promptly gotten herself killed in the process. Better that she be a good person in her own small, but safe way." "She might have surprised you and done great deeds or something." "Oh and you're the expert on good behavior now?" "Okay, fine I don't know shit about it. But what about Trinity?" "She would have celestial blood too obviously. Though in her case, I'm sure it's been diluted so much with your lowborn mortal blood that she isn't going to have any potential powers and will most likely just live as a normal human. Lucky her." You can't believe all this new information that's been dumped on you. It doesn't seem real, but Yvette's dad has never been one to lie and if he is indeed half angel like he claims, you guess it's hard for him to even do so directly. (Omitting the truth and spinning it, is a different story apparently) All of this still doesn't change the fact that he's asking you to do a job, because he doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Still seems hypocritical to you, not to mention dangerous now that you're apparently going to be involved in some secret holy war. It occurs to you that you could just refuse. He just admitted all this stuff to you. Now you have a secret. What's he going to do? You know he not going to kill you or even set it up in such a way that would happen. Have you exiled or get rid of you in some way? You don't see that happening either. Not now. > You help Franklins Maybe you're just cautious, or maybe you actually have become a better person, but a deal is a deal. You agreed to help in exchange for his silence so that's what you're going to do. Doesn't mean you're going to like it though and it certainly doesn't mean you're going to go through with it like how Franklins would have you do it. "Okay, a deal's a deal and I'll do your dirty work, but I'm going to ask why don't you just do the obvious." You say. "What?" Franklins asks. "Kill the bastard. I mean you got militia connections. Surely it wouldn't take much." "I'm not using the people who are supposed to be keeping law and order around here as my own personal hit squad." "Given some of the interaction I've had with them and how they massacred the Crimson Talons, most are bullying assholes anyway. They'd probably love an excuse." "Be that as it may, I'm not going to resort to such tactics…hmm do you know any assassins?" "What? Why? Because I used to be a thief? I know you claim to know all about me, but if that was really true you'd also know I didn't hang out much with other criminals, let alone professional assassins. If you want one of those, go seek one out yourself, you certainly got the means to do so." "I'm not associating with anymore criminal scum than I have to. It's bad enough I have to deal with you." "Oh fuck you hypocrite. You don't seem to have any problems with me risking my life breaking into some place, which is run by a half demon. Or maybe you just don't give a shit? You'll win whether I succeed or get myself killed in the process right?" "I am not trying to get you killed. I was just under the impression that YOU were very skilled in your…trade. If you don't think you can handle it, then fine. I'll figure something else out." "So you can harass me later? I'm not going to have this hanging over my head…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "You don't have anything hanging over your head! Not anymore. I mean I just blabbed a big secret to you and you didn't even try to use it as leverage against me to weasel out of our deal, which I half expected you to do. At this point I can't even claim the moral high ground anymore. As far as I'm concerned you're free of your obligation. You're obviously better than I previously believed you capable of. Congratulation, now get out of my sight." That's a pretty strong statement coming from him. You know that had to be hard for him to admit. "(Sigh) Look, I'm still willing to help, but I'm still not understanding WHY you can't just use the militia to kill Reynolds. If he's as evil as you keep claiming, isn't it better that you just get rid of him as quickly as possible before he can do any real damage?" you ask. "Because it's a slippery slope. Sure, you may even be right. I abuse my power to eliminate an obvious evil. No harm done. What about next time though? Maybe the next person isn't demon spawn. Maybe he isn't even as bad, but is just in my way. Will I resist the temptation? I don't know and neither do you. I sometimes look at this city and even though it's probably one of the better bastions of civilization in this forsaken land, I sometimes still see the decay and rot underneath. It's always there even to a minor degree. Part or the curse of being half angel I suppose, but I'm trying to maintain what order I can without lowering my own standards and I'm already failing horribly at it. I can't afford to fail even more." Franklins remarks. Franklins goes back to his drink and you search you mind of a way to help while still trying to fall within his weird angel guidelines. (Or maybe it's just his own weird personal code that he's placed upon himself for misguided reasons) "The two goons Mr. Reynolds has. Why don't you have them arrested? I know you said Reynolds has influence, but I gotta believe his two thugs are probably shady enough that they could at least be held on suspicion right?" "Well…Reynolds' son has been a minor suspect in some suspicious murders. As for the ogre, I think he's busted up a few bars. While I'm sure the militia could hold them both for a little while, maybe even a week, but they would be out in a very short period. And I guarantee they won't turn on Reynolds if that's what you're thinking." "Don't need them too, just need them out of the way since I'm betting at least one of them is acting as an on duty guard even when his office is closed. I think with them out of the picture, it will lessen the risk to pull this off. I just need more time than what you suggested." "Wait, you're still going to do it?" "As I said, a deal's a deal. You didn't say shit about my past to Yvette, so I'm going to do this favor for you. Besides, I'd be lying if the challenge isn't stirring up old interest at this point. Just let me know when those two goons are out of the way. I'll be working on shit from my end until then." Franklins is so surprised by your helpfulness he doesn't even have any snide comments towards you for the rest of your time you speak with him. He's got some reservations about what you propose, but he says if you think you know what you're doing, he's going to trust you. You leave Franklins place wondering if you've maybe lost a bit of your mind for agreeing to this task, but then you realize, you were probably just getting a little bored. Still, a lot is riding on your plan and you have to be very careful because this isn't just you now. It's your whole family you could potentially lose. It doesn't make things easier that part of this plan indirectly involves Yvette. You don't exactly keep up on all of Yvette's magic studies and such, but you know that she was recently working on something relating to invisibility. Of course you're really going to have to approach this carefully or this is going to make things infinitely worse. The only reason why you're considering it is because quite frankly you haven't exactly been as active as you used to be and have probably gotten slightly out of shape. If you're invisible however, it takes some of the pressure off of things like not having lightning reflexes and the quickest feet any more. Later as you're settling down for the night, you address the subject to Yvette who is reading something in bed as she usually does. "So, uh…you mentioned something about working on something related to invisibility?" you ask. "Huh? Yes I am." Yvette says not looking up from her book. "I remember you mentioning something a week ago or so about it. Is this a new spell or potion or something else?" "It is a potion actually or rather an attempt to strengthen the existing formula." "Something wrong with the old one?" "Yeah, invisibility potions are hard to make due to the ingredients, which means they're rare to begin with, but the bigger problem is they have never been very effective." Yvette says now looking at you. "What, like they only turn you invisible and your clothing is still visible or something like that?" "Hah, that can happen with the wrong ingredients, but the main obstacle is they don't last very long. Usually ten seconds tops. Most wizards won't even bother making them due to the long, tedious process involved for such a short payoff. I've been trying to figure out a way to extend that to at least a half hour." "So is it easier to just cast the spell?" "Yeah, but only on yourself. Casting the spell on others can really take it out of you as far as upkeep is concerned. It's probably why the research on the potion was made. So…why all this sudden interest in my work? You don't tend to ask most of the time." "Well to be honest when you speak to me about this stuff, it usually sounds so complicated that I feel sort of dumb." "That's ridiculous! You are most certainly not dumb! I mean you had the intelligence to go to Klyton University at one time. I always said you should go back and finish your degree in…engineering wasn't it?" "Yeah I just don't have time for that now. Besides, I'd rather spend my free time spending it with Trinity rather than in a class room." "You are an attentive father." Yvette says with a smile. "I try, but anyway I was also asking because I was wondering if you could help me in a job." "Oh?" You explain to her that some government associate of her father wants some elaborate security system, because he doesn't want any militia guards assigned to his house. You aren't exactly sure what it's all about, something about death threats from an unknown ex-government worker. He says he isn't worried, but it couldn't hurt to update his security so he asked for you and he wants the best. You explain that you want to test the security you're installing will be good against someone who is invisible. "Shouldn't the locks still keep them out? I mean even if someone is invisible, they aren't intangible." Yvette asks. "True, but just in case they still manage to get in, I've actually have been working on something that detects movement. I guess it's experimental, sort like what you've been doing." You explain. "Huh. I didn't know. Well I mean I suppose I can help, though I'm not sure how." "Well you said you made a bunch of potions of invisibility. Just give me about ten of them and I'll…" "Wait. Are you going to drink them? You can't just drink ten invisibility potions one right after another! You'd get sick!" "Well you said they didn't last long. I'll pace myself. Wait, haven't you been making progress on the formula?" "Um, yeah a little bit. I created one that last up to around twenty minutes give or take…wait you don't want to try that do you? It's only in the experimental stages and I've only tested it on qweepas! You don't know how many died before I got that right! Its a good thing the university has an infestation of the critters otherwise I might have run out of easy test subjects." "Well I trust you. Just give me a couple of those improved potions and…" "A couple?! No, if you were going to get any, you'd get ONE. And I still don't think that would be a good idea." "You're going to have to test it on humans at some point right? I could help you with this, while you help me! Yvette thinks about that proposal for a moment. "Well…I suppose it could speed things along…but I dunno…I'd never forgive myself if something went wrong. But if you want to risk it, I'll give you one like I said." Yvette says. This is a question of how fast do you think you'll be and whether you want to risk drinking something that could quite possibly turn you into a purple frog with a cat head or just outright kill you instantly. > You take the experimental potion This whole thing is a gamble, might as well go big. "I'll take the experimental, as I said, I trust your abilities and this will help you with your own research. Don't worry." You say and give Yvette a kiss, though she still seems a bit worried. "Maybe I should go with you when you do this." Yvette says. "No! I mean, no because this guy doesn't want anyone else around who isn't directly working on this and he still has to work shit out on his end and get things prepared. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potion when I do need it." "Hm, well okay. I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope." "Nope, like I said, it's going to be awhile." "Okay, but if I make progress in between that time and discover something wrong I don't want you drinking it!" Well now you just hope that doesn't happen before Yvette's father lets you know that Reynolds' goons are both out of the picture. As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats. You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make. Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment. She's of course still worried about you, but also slightly eager to find out what you'll experience and reminds you to tell her everything. You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did…so to speak. Eventually Mr. Reynold's place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry. You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potion if you get into trouble. You're still a bit hesitant to use it after all. One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly. You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has? You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this. You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it. You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters. You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first. The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt. Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort. "Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised. "Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave. You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise. You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now. You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location. "I hope this works." You say and take out the invisibility potion and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall) You look at yourself, or at rather your hands and arms and even in this torch lighting you can't see them anymore. A further glance down your body and you can't see that either. You're guessing it is working. You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket. "I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick." He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down. You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness. "Got all the time in the world. The longer you make me wait, the worse it's going to be for you...hmmm….let me guess…whoever you are, you're working for Franklins aren't you? Yeah, it all makes sense now with my two loyal workers being recently arrested." Mr. Reynolds remarks. He keeps looking around from his position like he's trying to see something, but it's not that huge of a basement and if you weren't invisible you wouldn't have many places to hide. Still, this potion isn't going to last forever and you really aren't sure if you're going to be able to sneak around him. Of course, you do have that fancy pistol of his that you picked up. Though you weren't here to assassinate the guy, you were just supposed to steal from him and who knows if bullets are going to work on him? There's also the fact that you haven't actually killed anyone since Klint and it isn't like it's a major part of your nature though this is a desperate situation, just like it was with Klint. > You sneak around him In your heart you've always been a thief, never a killer. You're going to sneak around him. You move forward cautiously as Reynolds continues to squint in your direction. He can't see you as far as you can tell. "There you are!" he suddenly shouts and fires directly at you. You feel the burn of lead going into your body and damaging vital organs before falling to the floor. You moan and groan in pain while Reynolds advances on your position. He stands back as he looks on the floor in your direction. "I figured someone was playing hide and seek. Unusual invisibility you have there. Usually potions don't last that long and if you were a wizard, my shot would have broken your concentration and I doubt there is another wizard lurking nearby. It's a good thing these ol' eyes can detect heat if one is close enough." It's clear that Mr. Reynolds still can't quite make everything out, but it's good enough that he can see you well enough and starts roughly grabbing at your hands, which are attempting to go for his fancy pistol that you stole. You are strong enough to resist, but only initially. Mr. Reynolds eventually manages to grab the pistol and in the ensuing struggle he shoots you with it. This time the shot is fatal. The last thing you hear is Mr. Reynolds cursing that he'll be unable to get any more information from you.

This whole thing is a gamble, might as well go big. "I'll take the experimental, as I said, I trust your abilities and this will help you with your own research. Don't worry." You say and give Yvette a kiss, though she still seems a bit worried. "Maybe I should go with you when you do this." Yvette says. "No! I mean, no because this guy doesn't want anyone else around who isn't directly working on this and he still has to work shit out on his end and get things prepared. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potion when I do need it." "Hm, well okay. I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope." "Nope, like I said, it's going to be awhile." "Okay, but if I make progress in between that time and discover something wrong I don't want you drinking it!" Well now you just hope that doesn't happen before Yvette's father lets you know that Reynolds' goons are both out of the picture. As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats. You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make. Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment. She's of course still worried about you, but also slightly eager to find out what you'll experience and reminds you to tell her everything. You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did…so to speak. Eventually Mr. Reynold's place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry. You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potion if you get into trouble. You're still a bit hesitant to use it after all. One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly. You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has? You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this. You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it. You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters. You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first. The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt. Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort. "Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised. "Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave. You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise. You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now. You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location. "I hope this works." You say and take out the invisibility potion and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall) You look at yourself, or at rather your hands and arms and even in this torch lighting you can't see them anymore. A further glance down your body and you can't see that either. You're guessing it is working. You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket. "I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick." He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down. You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness. "Got all the time in the world. The longer you make me wait, the worse it's going to be for you...hmmm….let me guess…whoever you are, you're working for Franklins aren't you? Yeah, it all makes sense now with my two loyal workers being recently arrested." Mr. Reynolds remarks. He keeps looking around from his position like he's trying to see something, but it's not that huge of a basement and if you weren't invisible you wouldn't have many places to hide. Still, this potion isn't going to last forever and you really aren't sure if you're going to be able to sneak around him. Of course, you do have that fancy pistol of his that you picked up. Though you weren't here to assassinate the guy, you were just supposed to steal from him and who knows if bullets are going to work on him? There's also the fact that you haven't actually killed anyone since Klint and it isn't like it's a major part of your nature though this is a desperate situation, just like it was with Klint. > You shoot Reynolds You think how this guy is half demon and probably is the asshole that Franklin made him out to be. You then think about how this is the same guy who messed with your family over their old inn. You also think about how you want to get out of this alive. And finally you think about your wife and daughter and how you want to see them again. Yeah, fuck this guy. You step slightly to the right of where he's pointing his musket and fire the pistol. The first shot hits him the chest and predictably he lets off a shot of his own before falling down. "Shit…fuck…invisi…" he starts to utter before you move closer and put a couple more shots into him, this time his head. He doesn't die immediately, instead he makes these horrible inhuman noises and begins flailing about. He tries to even wildly hit you with his musket, but you're far enough away and empty your pistol which you nearly drop due to the heat it's giving off. Reynolds stops making his ghastly dying sounds when enough of his brains are on the wall. Seeing that he isn't breathing anymore or moving, you quickly step over his body and hurry up the stairs and out the building. Along the way, you smash the pistol against a wall and start throwing pieces of it in various trash bins and drains in the street as you head back to Franklins place. You're a paranoid mess the whole time, thinking that someone is watching you and forgetting that you're still invisible. Eventually you realize you're able to see parts of your body again so you guess the potion is wearing off or worn off. Good thing its late and aren't too many folks around otherwise just suddenly appearing like that might have caused some shock. Doesn't help your worry and paranoia though. When you get back to Franklins' home, you beat on the door until he answers. Upon answering, you promptly vomit on his front door step and his shoeless feet. "What the fuck?!" he says. "Apologies….ugh…it all caught up to me…I guess…" you say still feeling a bit queasy and coughing. "(Sigh) Shit…well I hope you have good news at least." After a bit of clean up, you finally sit down and are calm enough to tell Franklins everything, but the first thing you do is hand him the container as promised. He seems so pleased by this that you telling him a problem cropped up doesn't even seem to bother him. "Did he see you or something? Don't worry about that, when the shit he's been involved in gets out, nobody will even believe him since he'll be arrested right away." Franklins says. "Um, yeah I don't think that's going to happen." You say. "What are you on about?" "Well as I said, there was a problem…and there was nothing I could do about it." "Okay, now you're starting to concern me, what the hell do you mean?" "I mean I shot him." "You shot him?!" "Several times actually." "He's fucking dead?" "Um, pretty much. Yeah." Franklins lies back in his chair exhaling deeply almost in shock. "Um, nobody saw me though. I was invisible the entire time." You add. "Well thank Joachim for small favors. How were you invisi…you know what never mind. (Sigh) Shit. Well…I guess this doesn't even matter now. Damnit I didn't ask you to kill the guy!" Franklins says. "It wasn't like I had a fucking choice! I fully intended on just stealing that container, but shit happened and I was put in a position of either completing this shitty job or possibly being Reynolds' victim! Besides isn't this better? I mean hell he's completely gone now!" "I…I guess so and I don't shed any tears obviously. But let's just say I really wanted him alive so I could see the look on his face when I took everything away from him and he could do nothing about it." "Well if it's any consolation, the expression on his face when he died was pretty horrific, though not nearly as bad as his screaming." "Shit, what the hell did you do exactly…again never mind. Well I'm still going to hang on to this for safekeeping. Maybe there is still information inside that might be of use. As for you, if you weren't seen I guess you're good too. Though if something is coming your way I really will try my best to give it a detour. Now, you're SURE he's dead right?" "Unless he can regenerate from severe head wounds and missing brain matter, yeah he's dead. And again, he didn't see me since I was invisible the whole time." "Well if the worst happens and he is still alive, I still got this container. Okay, well I guess you better get home. I trust you have a good story for Yvette." "I have a story. I told I would be working late, but she probably didn't think it would be this late." "If you have any problems I suppose you can incorporate me into the excuse. I'll back you up. Anything else?" "Yeah, I'm not doing anything like this ever again. Not for you, not for anyone." "Good, because I'm not asking. And thanks. You're a better son in law than I could have hoped for. Maybe you're a godless heathen, but you stuck your neck out and even killed a demon spawn in the process. That's gotta for something when judgment day comes." At this point you take your leave and hurry back home as soon as possible. Naturally it's very late so everyone is asleep. You attempt to get into bed silently, but your sneaking skills fail to evade Yvette's notice even though she was asleep. "Hey…you're home…you were gone all night." She groggily says. "Yeah, and I'm pissed about it too, the bean counter was an asshole that wanted everything done a certain way and…ugh…I don't even want to think about it right now." You say. "Well don't then. I'm just glad you're here now. Come closer to me, you're too far away." You move closer in the bed so Yvette can cuddle up against you. Normally you tend to like staying a bit free, but after tonight, you're all for Yvette's warm soft body. "Oh, did you use the potion?" she asks as she starts drifting back off. "Yeah, worked pretty well. I couldn't see my own hands when it took effect or anything else on me. I think it lasted about the time you mentioned too." "Huh…that's odd. You should have still been able to see yourself and just been invisible to others. Hmm, guess that's a side effect I didn't know about, considering Qweepas can't actually speak. (Yawn) I'll have to make a note tomorrow." With those words, Yvette returns to her sleep and you're in her arms again where you definitely want to be and are glad you were able to return to. Sometimes you hate the fact that you've had to lie on occasion to her about things, but there is no way you're losing this life. Not now. Your days as a rogue are definitely over.

Maybe you're just cautious, or maybe you actually have become a better person, but a deal is a deal. You agreed to help in exchange for his silence so that's what you're going to do. Doesn't mean you're going to like it though and it certainly doesn't mean you're going to go through with it like how Franklins would have you do it. "Okay, a deal's a deal and I'll do your dirty work, but I'm going to ask why don't you just do the obvious." You say. "What?" Franklins asks. "Kill the bastard. I mean you got militia connections. Surely it wouldn't take much." "I'm not using the people who are supposed to be keeping law and order around here as my own personal hit squad." "Given some of the interaction I've had with them and how they massacred the Crimson Talons, most are bullying assholes anyway. They'd probably love an excuse." "Be that as it may, I'm not going to resort to such tactics…hmm do you know any assassins?" "What? Why? Because I used to be a thief? I know you claim to know all about me, but if that was really true you'd also know I didn't hang out much with other criminals, let alone professional assassins. If you want one of those, go seek one out yourself, you certainly got the means to do so." "I'm not associating with anymore criminal scum than I have to. It's bad enough I have to deal with you." "Oh fuck you hypocrite. You don't seem to have any problems with me risking my life breaking into some place, which is run by a half demon. Or maybe you just don't give a shit? You'll win whether I succeed or get myself killed in the process right?" "I am not trying to get you killed. I was just under the impression that YOU were very skilled in your…trade. If you don't think you can handle it, then fine. I'll figure something else out." "So you can harass me later? I'm not going to have this hanging over my head…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "You don't have anything hanging over your head! Not anymore. I mean I just blabbed a big secret to you and you didn't even try to use it as leverage against me to weasel out of our deal, which I half expected you to do. At this point I can't even claim the moral high ground anymore. As far as I'm concerned you're free of your obligation. You're obviously better than I previously believed you capable of. Congratulation, now get out of my sight." That's a pretty strong statement coming from him. You know that had to be hard for him to admit. "(Sigh) Look, I'm still willing to help, but I'm still not understanding WHY you can't just use the militia to kill Reynolds. If he's as evil as you keep claiming, isn't it better that you just get rid of him as quickly as possible before he can do any real damage?" you ask. "Because it's a slippery slope. Sure, you may even be right. I abuse my power to eliminate an obvious evil. No harm done. What about next time though? Maybe the next person isn't demon spawn. Maybe he isn't even as bad, but is just in my way. Will I resist the temptation? I don't know and neither do you. I sometimes look at this city and even though it's probably one of the better bastions of civilization in this forsaken land, I sometimes still see the decay and rot underneath. It's always there even to a minor degree. Part or the curse of being half angel I suppose, but I'm trying to maintain what order I can without lowering my own standards and I'm already failing horribly at it. I can't afford to fail even more." Franklins remarks. Franklins goes back to his drink and you search you mind of a way to help while still trying to fall within his weird angel guidelines. (Or maybe it's just his own weird personal code that he's placed upon himself for misguided reasons) "The two goons Mr. Reynolds has. Why don't you have them arrested? I know you said Reynolds has influence, but I gotta believe his two thugs are probably shady enough that they could at least be held on suspicion right?" "Well…Reynolds' son has been a minor suspect in some suspicious murders. As for the ogre, I think he's busted up a few bars. While I'm sure the militia could hold them both for a little while, maybe even a week, but they would be out in a very short period. And I guarantee they won't turn on Reynolds if that's what you're thinking." "Don't need them too, just need them out of the way since I'm betting at least one of them is acting as an on duty guard even when his office is closed. I think with them out of the picture, it will lessen the risk to pull this off. I just need more time than what you suggested." "Wait, you're still going to do it?" "As I said, a deal's a deal. You didn't say shit about my past to Yvette, so I'm going to do this favor for you. Besides, I'd be lying if the challenge isn't stirring up old interest at this point. Just let me know when those two goons are out of the way. I'll be working on shit from my end until then." Franklins is so surprised by your helpfulness he doesn't even have any snide comments towards you for the rest of your time you speak with him. He's got some reservations about what you propose, but he says if you think you know what you're doing, he's going to trust you. You leave Franklins place wondering if you've maybe lost a bit of your mind for agreeing to this task, but then you realize, you were probably just getting a little bored. Still, a lot is riding on your plan and you have to be very careful because this isn't just you now. It's your whole family you could potentially lose. It doesn't make things easier that part of this plan indirectly involves Yvette. You don't exactly keep up on all of Yvette's magic studies and such, but you know that she was recently working on something relating to invisibility. Of course you're really going to have to approach this carefully or this is going to make things infinitely worse. The only reason why you're considering it is because quite frankly you haven't exactly been as active as you used to be and have probably gotten slightly out of shape. If you're invisible however, it takes some of the pressure off of things like not having lightning reflexes and the quickest feet any more. Later as you're settling down for the night, you address the subject to Yvette who is reading something in bed as she usually does. "So, uh…you mentioned something about working on something related to invisibility?" you ask. "Huh? Yes I am." Yvette says not looking up from her book. "I remember you mentioning something a week ago or so about it. Is this a new spell or potion or something else?" "It is a potion actually or rather an attempt to strengthen the existing formula." "Something wrong with the old one?" "Yeah, invisibility potions are hard to make due to the ingredients, which means they're rare to begin with, but the bigger problem is they have never been very effective." Yvette says now looking at you. "What, like they only turn you invisible and your clothing is still visible or something like that?" "Hah, that can happen with the wrong ingredients, but the main obstacle is they don't last very long. Usually ten seconds tops. Most wizards won't even bother making them due to the long, tedious process involved for such a short payoff. I've been trying to figure out a way to extend that to at least a half hour." "So is it easier to just cast the spell?" "Yeah, but only on yourself. Casting the spell on others can really take it out of you as far as upkeep is concerned. It's probably why the research on the potion was made. So…why all this sudden interest in my work? You don't tend to ask most of the time." "Well to be honest when you speak to me about this stuff, it usually sounds so complicated that I feel sort of dumb." "That's ridiculous! You are most certainly not dumb! I mean you had the intelligence to go to Klyton University at one time. I always said you should go back and finish your degree in…engineering wasn't it?" "Yeah I just don't have time for that now. Besides, I'd rather spend my free time spending it with Trinity rather than in a class room." "You are an attentive father." Yvette says with a smile. "I try, but anyway I was also asking because I was wondering if you could help me in a job." "Oh?" You explain to her that some government associate of her father wants some elaborate security system, because he doesn't want any militia guards assigned to his house. You aren't exactly sure what it's all about, something about death threats from an unknown ex-government worker. He says he isn't worried, but it couldn't hurt to update his security so he asked for you and he wants the best. You explain that you want to test the security you're installing will be good against someone who is invisible. "Shouldn't the locks still keep them out? I mean even if someone is invisible, they aren't intangible." Yvette asks. "True, but just in case they still manage to get in, I've actually have been working on something that detects movement. I guess it's experimental, sort like what you've been doing." You explain. "Huh. I didn't know. Well I mean I suppose I can help, though I'm not sure how." "Well you said you made a bunch of potions of invisibility. Just give me about ten of them and I'll…" "Wait. Are you going to drink them? You can't just drink ten invisibility potions one right after another! You'd get sick!" "Well you said they didn't last long. I'll pace myself. Wait, haven't you been making progress on the formula?" "Um, yeah a little bit. I created one that last up to around twenty minutes give or take…wait you don't want to try that do you? It's only in the experimental stages and I've only tested it on qweepas! You don't know how many died before I got that right! Its a good thing the university has an infestation of the critters otherwise I might have run out of easy test subjects." "Well I trust you. Just give me a couple of those improved potions and…" "A couple?! No, if you were going to get any, you'd get ONE. And I still don't think that would be a good idea." "You're going to have to test it on humans at some point right? I could help you with this, while you help me! Yvette thinks about that proposal for a moment. "Well…I suppose it could speed things along…but I dunno…I'd never forgive myself if something went wrong. But if you want to risk it, I'll give you one like I said." Yvette says. This is a question of how fast do you think you'll be and whether you want to risk drinking something that could quite possibly turn you into a purple frog with a cat head or just outright kill you instantly. > You take the regular potions Hopefully, you won't have to stay invisible for long because you're not going to risk the experimental. "I'll just take several of the regular ones." You say. "Okay…but I'm not giving you ten! I'll give you three and that should be more than enough and I still think it's a bad idea to drink so many right after each other, so don't blame me if you get sick." Yvette says. "Three?! But...(sigh) fine. So when can you get them for me?" "I'll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don't need it sooner I hope." "Nah, he still needs to organize some shit on his end. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it's going to be a sudden thing that I'm going to have to drop everything I'm working on at the time. I just want to have the potions when I do need them." As it turns out, you don't have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats. You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn't really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they're very hard to acquire, let alone make. Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you're going to be working a little late on this paper pusher's security since this is the moment. You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did…so to speak. Eventually Mr. Reynolds' place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn't leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you're going in totally dry. You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potions if you get into trouble. You only have three and they don't last very long after all. One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It's actually not difficult and you're in pretty quickly. You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it's a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That's not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has? You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You're just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this. You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you're finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you're here stealing shit anyway, you take it. You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that's when you realize you're going to have to search Mr. Reynolds' living quarters. You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first. The cellar isn't cluttered like you'd think it would be. In fact there isn't much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds' bad side no doubt. Just as you're about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon's inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it's definitely a safe of some sort. "Shit, this isn't even state of the art." You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don't believe that you're going to be so lucky to find what you're looking for, but when you finally get it open, you're pleasantly surprised. "Yag is certainly smiling on me today." You say even though you've never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave. You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It's all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don't hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You're just lucky you didn't break your leg or your neck, though you aren't so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise. You're sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds' attention. If he wasn't awake now, he is now. You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location. "I hope this works." You say and take out one of the invisibility potions and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you're going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall) You look at yourself, and don't see any difference. You can't even tell if it's working. You're about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that's when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket. "I know someone's down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick." He's aiming downward, but hasn't shot you yet. It's a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he's in the way and you aren't going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down. You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn't moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness. You probably could sneak by him or maybe you could just shoot him with the pistol you acquired, but your immediate concern is staying invisible since you're sure that your time on that is about to run out. You take another potion and chug the contents. No sooner have you done so when you start to feel incredibly sick to the point where you actually feel a cramping in your stomach. Yvette wasn't joking about how quickly these can cause sickness when drunk immediately after each other. You try to prevent yourself from retching and begin to go for your pistol since you know you're going to give your position away by making retching noises. You unsteadily fire at Reynolds and hit him just before your vomit all over the floor. You hover over your own puddle of sick gagging and not really noticing if you actually killed Reynolds or not. At least not until feel the impact of a shot go into your face causing you to fall backwards. Somehow you're still alive, but between the pain and the sickness of the potion, you end up falling unconscious. Eventually your wake up and find yourself tied firmly to a chair. Your still have a slightly queasy feeling, your face still hurts very badly and you can only see out of one eye. But all of that is the least of your problems when you see the blurry image of Mr. Reynolds standing nearby next to the table full of torture instruments. "Glad you're finally awake. Now we can get started. You know, you really are a spitting image of your father…well except for the new hole in your face. How is he doing anyway?" Mr. Reynolds says. "Mgh, wai…t…gh…" is about all you can groan right now. "Well, doesn't matter I suppose. I'll find out everything I need to in a day or so I imagine. Not that I really need to since I already know you're working for Franklins. I swear that old hypocrite couldn't do something himself so he gets his lowly son in law to do it for him. If I were in your position I'd be really pissed at him right now. This is all his fault you know. He seems to think because of my heritage that I have some sinister plan for this city when that's far from the truth. All I want to see is it to achieve its fullest potential." "Ple…ase…I…won't…" "Won't what? Tell anyone you were here? Tell Franklins? Get revenge? Of course you won't because you won't be leaving here alive. Really the only reason you're still breathing is because I want to find out a few more things about your loved ones before you die. You committed a crime against me. Not only did you shoot me in the fucking shoulder, but you tried to steal some very personal and valuable property. Now I'm going to take EVERYTHING from you. I know you have a wife and daughter. They will be easy enough to find, though I can imagine Franklins will realize with your disappearance that something has gone wrong and will do everything in his power to protect them, so it might not be easy to get to them first. So let's start with your parents and their whereabouts…oh I do hope they are still alive…" Mr. Reynolds begins his torture and you try to hold out for as long as you can, but eventually you fail and tell him everything. Your failure unfortunately still doesn't involve your immediate death. Mr. Reynolds keeps you alive in his basement where eventually his son (who gets out of being in militia custody) takes over the routine torture and he's not as nice as his father was… You are completely broken by the time Reynolds tosses your mother and fathers' heads at you. You never thought you'd see them again, and certainly not like this. You don't even have any tears left to grieve. It is a small mercy that your body just gives out before Reynolds can do the same to your wife and daughter.

Chapter 3B2: The More They Stay The Same Year 30 You knew this damn day would come. You had to make up an excuse to Yvette and Trinity of why you had to meet with him, but you're fairly certain that they didn't think anything more of it. Just bonding with an in-law over security advice of the newest and best locks right? Your daughter Trinity did want to come with you, but you told her it would be boring adult stuff and she could visit grandpa another time. You hate lying, but what choice do you have? You hoped and thought that you probably wouldn't ever be important enough for him to call on you for help, but here you are about to knock on his door. You knock on the door and it opens right away. "Took you long enough. Come in." Franklins says turning his back to you to as soon as he opens the door. He takes a seat and for a change he tells you to do likewise. "Okay, since I don't want you here any longer than necessary, let's get to it. I need you to break into some place." You didn't expect this. "What?" you ask. "You got fucking wax in your ears? I need you to break into a place and steal something important." Franklins remarks. "You do realize I haven't done that in years right?" "Yes, I'm fucking aware. You're an average slob with a regular job and family. However, I know damn well you aren't out of practice because you're a fucking locksmith by trade." "True, but…I'm not understanding this. I thought you didn't approve of my previous occupation." "I don't, but desperate times call for desperate measures and besides all that, YOU owe me a favor and this is probably the only way I'm going to be able to call it in. Besides, you'll be going up against pure evil, so what you're doing is for the greater good…well I hope Joachim sees it that way at least." "Wait, pure evil? What the fuck? Look, I don't want to step out of line here, but I need to ask some questions." "You don't want to step out of line, but you're already stepping out of fucking line by asking damn questions!" "Yeah, and I think it's fucking valid if you're sending me up against pure evil! I mean as you've pointed out several times in the past, I'm not a damn hero. I was a lowly criminal who is now a working class slob. I never was a fighting type to begin with and tried to avoid it if possible. Nevermind the fact that I'm married to YOUR daughter and father to YOUR grand daughter and I've made sure to never hurt either one of them. Seems like this is asking me to potentially do just that at best and just getting myself killed at worst." "(Sigh) Fine, I suppose you should know in case you need some extra preparation." Franklins pours himself a glass of wine and takes a drink before continuing. "Okay, do you know who Mr. Reynolds is? Surely you must have heard of the man given that you were a thief at one time." "Yeah, he's a loan shark. My family actually was in debt to him once when they owned an inn here. Never met the man personally though since I tried to avoid being in debt." "Hmm, interesting. Well in any case, the man is more than just a loan shark. He's an embodiment of evil in this city and needs to be stopped from getting on the Klyton Council which he's been making plans to do." "Okay? So if he's all that bad, why don't you have him arrested or something? You're always telling me you have connections." "Yeah well those connections aren't good enough to get him and he's got connections of his own. Doesn't help that anyone that might speak out against him aren't just intimidated by him, but are also intimidated by those two goons he hangs around with. One of them being his equally demonic son and weird looking ogre." "You really don't like this guy do you?" "No, because despite him being an obvious evil piece of demon shit, he has been gaining a following that genuinely likes him now. In fact the asshole is probably more popular than I am among people who actually pay attention to politics." "That's hard to believe." "Ha ha. But make no mistake, this is no laughing matter, which is why in the next few days, you're breaking into his place of business and stealing a hexagon shaped container that he keeps a record of all his dealings in. Don't bother trying to open that though, you'd need magic. Just bring it back here." "Okay, so got any idea where he keeps it?" "No, but I imagine he'll probably have it in some sort of safe. Don't know where that would be either, but it has to be close since I can't imagine he'd keep it in a bank and would definitely want it close to him. You start laughing. "What?" Franklins asks. "You're asking me to go steal something that is apparently magical and you don't have any idea where this item is in the place. Not to mention if this container is magically sealed, I have to believe he's probably got it in some sort of safe that has magic protection as well if its that important. That means I'm going to need special tools for that job and more time to acquire them." You answer. "You work as a fucking locksmith!" "Yeah and while the old guy I work for doesn't ask me too many questions, I can't just start taking specialized magic lock breaker from the job without some explanation, unless you're asking me to steal those too…" "Look I don't give a shit what you gotta do! You need to get into that evil fucker's office and grab the container and get it back here!" "I dunno, you keep going on about evil, but all of this seems pretty fucking shady. I mean granted I don't doubt that Reynolds isn't an asshole given the stories I've heard, but how is what you're planning to do any better? Seems pretty hypocritical that you gave me grief about my background and here you are a self proclaimed follower of Joachim scheming to…" "DAMNIT MAN DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING? I just told you the man is DEMONIC SHIT!" Franklins stands up to shout at you. "Wait…you weren't just saying that as a casual description of how much of an asshole he is?" "NO. He's a fucking DEMON. Okay, perhaps half demon, but he's demonic shit and MY kind have been fighting his for a lot longer than you could ever think about!" Franklins suddenly sits back down and begins cursing to himself and you feel like you've heard more than he meant to tell you. "What exactly do you mean your kind…wait, are YOU human?" "Yes! No! Fuck! I hate to lie! (Sigh) Damnit, I didn't want to get into this…I'm half celestial." "Celestial? So like an angel? YOU'RE an angel?" "No you idiot. I just told you I'm only half. Just like Reynolds is only half demon. Doesn't matter though, we are mortal enemies as has always been the way." "Wow. You don't hear about angels too often." "Well maybe if you attended the church of Joachim, that wouldn't be the case you faithless heathen. As I said, I am only half celestial. My foolish father gave up his otherworldly home to be with my mother…but we're getting off topic…" "Wait a moment! Then that means Yvette…" "Yes, she has celestial blood as well. It's probably why she has magic potential. It's probably also why she was always a bit on the trusting side. I never got any of that, all I got was a strong sense of right and wrong and fairly good health all throughout my life. Never been sick once. Better than nothing I suppose and before you even ask, no she doesn't know any of this and you better keep it that way." "I don't get why you wouldn't tell her though." "Because it's a fucking burden knowing that's why! Because I know I have to live up to some damn ideal that I can't hope to achieve. Hell, my own father didn't achieve it and HE was a full blood! I know Yvette and if she knew about all this, she would have wanted to go out on a crusade to right wrongs and all that bullshit with her magical powers and promptly gotten herself killed in the process. Better that she be a good person in her own small, but safe way." "She might have surprised you and done great deeds or something." "Oh and you're the expert on good behavior now?" "Okay, fine I don't know shit about it. But what about Trinity?" "She would have celestial blood too obviously. Though in her case, I'm sure it's been diluted so much with your lowborn mortal blood that she isn't going to have any potential powers and will most likely just live as a normal human. Lucky her." You can't believe all this new information that's been dumped on you. It doesn't seem real, but Yvette's dad has never been one to lie and if he is indeed half angel like he claims, you guess it's hard for him to even do so directly. (Omitting the truth and spinning it, is a different story apparently) All of this still doesn't change the fact that he's asking you to do a job, because he doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Still seems hypocritical to you, not to mention dangerous now that you're apparently going to be involved in some secret holy war. It occurs to you that you could just refuse. He just admitted all this stuff to you. Now you have a secret. What's he going to do? You know he not going to kill you or even set it up in such a way that would happen. Have you exiled or get rid of you in some way? You don't see that happening either. Not now. > You refuse to help If this was something reasonable maybe you'd be more willing to help, but this hypocrite is going to get you killed. Hell, maybe even on purpose. "I'm not doing your dirty work, especially given how the way you treat me. I've already proven myself to you for years now anyway." You say. "(Snort) So you want credit for acting like you should be acting anyway? Franklins replies. "No, I'm just saying I'm not going live in fear of your blackmailing anymore. You want this done, you need to do it yourself, hypocrite." "You should watch how you speak to me." "Or what? You'll expose my past to Yvette? I'll take that risk, then she can find out everything that YOU'VE been keeping from her. You two are only just now on better speaking terms thanks to me. What happens when she finds out the truth? You think she'll ever want to have anything to do with you again? I mean shit; you knew about me being an ex-criminal and didn't tell her immediately. That would be grounds alone for her to be pissed at you, let alone this new information about her being part angel. You going to also deprive your grand daughter of her father as well?" Franklins just sits in silence with a stare that could kill if it could. (Fortunately, he didn't say he had those sorts of celestial powers) "Now you got two options. You either let me go out that door and leave me alone in peace where upon we will never speak about this ever again or you can go ahead and try to kill me at some point and if you go that route, you better make sure you get it right. What is NOT going to happen is you telling me what to do like a puppet." Franklins continues to stare at you in silence. You half expect him to get up and try to kill you with his bare hands, but he doesn't. "Fine. Go. This is my fault for placing trust in someone of your low moral fiber anyway. Oh and don't worry, your miserable life is safe." Franklins says dismissively. You aren't sure about this at first, but given that Franklins isn't even prepared to kill Reynolds who is a mortal enemy and demon to boot, you get the impression that he's telling the truth. You head back home and try to forget about everything that transpired. Even though you're supposedly in the clear now, you still have a feeling of worry for the next few months. Still, you try to keep your mind occupied with your every day family life, which continues as normal with no odd deviations. By the time a year passes, your concerns of any reprisal by Franklin are nearly gone. Year 32 You have mixed feelings about all this. Most of them negative about this situation of course, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you always knew this day would come. Maybe not like this, but something like it. "Stop here." Franklins remarks to the carriage driver and two of Franklins men grab you and throw you out of the carriage. You have no idea where you are all you do know is you've been riding for quite awhile, so you can't be anywhere near Klyton anymore. Maybe somewhere to the north? The air is a lot colder, but then you're naked so it would be slightly chilly no matter where you were. You hear the sounds of footsteps approach as you attempt to stand back up. A boot to your side kicks you back down, followed by a hand roughly taking off your blindfold. You see Franklins staring down at you, even in your beaten and naked state you'd try to attack him if you could, unfortunately your hands are firmly tied behind you. "I should have known after reading about Reynolds winding up dead a year ago that you decided to abandon your so called code completely. Guess you took my advice and decided to do your own dirty work after all." "Well let's just say I saw the point of view on one of your crude arguments that fateful day. Plus as you pointed out, he was part demon and killing him was after all in my duty as a being of higher morality and conscience." Franklins responds. "Still deluded I see. Snatching me up with nobody around and dragging me way the hell out…wherever we are just to kill me seems a bit complex though. Couldn't you have just had me killed quietly in the city? I'm sure you have the means of disposing of a dead body." You say. Franklins smiles a bit and pulls out a knife. "You still don't get it. I didn't abandon any code and you're not dying here…well at least not by my hand." He says and tosses the knife next to you before continuing. "This is exile. I told you I'm no murderer. I'm giving you a chance to live." "A chance to live? I'm fucking naked in the wilderness!" you shout. "Yes, but you still have a chance. Call it punishment for all those years you freely stole from hard working folks. If you live, well then I guess Joachim has seen fit to absolve you of your sins." You shake your head. "You're right. You haven't changed at all. You're still a fucking hypocrite hiding behind some code to justify your actions." "…perhaps…but then I am only part human. I have my flaws that Joachim will surely judge on that day of reckoning." "You might want to be on the safe side and just kill me, because if I DO survive this, I'm coming back for you." Franklins at this point chuckles. "No, I don't think you will. First of all if you do come back to Klyton, I'll definitely know about it and I WILL have you killed for the punishment for returning from exile is death in accordance with the law. Second, even if you do manage to sneak in, don't think you're going to somehow get my daughter on your side. I've already taken care of that. Right now she knows everything about you and believes you've fled the city due to being under suspicion of several crimes." "She'd never believe it!" you exclaim. "She already does. Thanks to you, I have a better relationship with her now and she's never known me to be a liar. Besides, it's not lying…you were a thief." You start cursing Franklins out, but he's unmoved. "I'd save your strength. Night will be coming soon and there are worse than wolves out here. Goodbye son in law and don't worry about Trinity, I will of course make sure she, along with my daughter are well looked after." With those last words, Franklins gets back in the carriage and takes off. The first thing you do as you watch the carriage disappear in the distance, is maneuver yourself to try to cut your ropes with the knife that Franklins provided. You still have no idea where you are; there isn't even a road nearby. Franklin's carriage apparently had heavy duty wheels to endure the rough wilderness. You struggle to cut your ropes, but it's a tedious process and not easy. The cold is nipping at you and the light is going out. To top it all off, you think you hear something making noises in the distance and it doesn't sound like a wolf. By the time you get your hands free, what was making that sound has gotten closer. You don't know what it is, but all you see is its eyes and teeth before it manages to chase you down and devour you.

Well, ratting on the Crimson Talons probably isn't the worst thing you've done… You go back to the militia barracks where you're immediately stopped by some of its members who ask what you want. When you tell them that you want to speak to the officer in charge because you have information on the Crimson Talons, they tell you to wait while someone goes and gets Captain Branik, who apparently was the one interrogating you earlier. Doesn't take long before you see this captain, who gives you a mildly smug look. "Well, look who's back. Thought you didn't know anything." Branik says. "I just remembered some details that slipped my mind." You retort. "Hmm, well out with it then, and if your information is any good then we will have come to an understanding." You give out what you know of the Crimson Talons, but specifically their headquarters location. He says something about how he can't believe they've been there the whole time. You also mention the secret sewer tunnel that leads from outside the city. Branik seems especially pleased by this information and mentions he'll send people through there as well when they move in to attack the place. "This of course is all going to take a little time to put together and confirm, so in the meantime I'd like you to stay in the city. You know, just in case you're lying and this isn't some sort of set up." Branik says. "What? What would I possibly gain by setting you up for anything? YOU told me to help you!" you say. "Yes, but you didn't do it right away and even managed to disappear from the militia's watchful eye for awhile. I can't know if you haven't already tipped off your Crimson Talon buddies or something more sinister. So to put those concerns to rest, I just need you to stay within the city so that I may easily get a hold of you until this is all over. Be thankful I'm not just throwing you in a cell." No good deed… It's the best deal you're going to get at this point and really you have no idea now if the captain is even going to hold on to his end. Meanwhile you're probably still going to be having these militia assholes following you all over the city, which you can't even leave now! You just leave shaking your head at the entire situation. You honestly don't know what to do with yourself. You suppose you could live on your savings until all this shit blows over, but again you have no idea when that will be and if that asshole captain is even going to give you a break. You still have to find a new place to live and you suppose squatting in your family's old inn is out now seeing as it's more trouble than it's worth. Lacking any better ideas, you decide to go to the Church of Joachim that Virgil suggested. At least it will be free. There are actually more than a few in the city, but you figure Virgil was talking about the one closest to the Welcome Mat so that's the one you seek out. It's probably the biggest one anyway due to more poor folks in the area sponging off the charity that the church provides. When you get there you find that it's feeding the beggars day. Great now you have to put up with that smell along with whatever religious shit that's going to be preached at you. You see Virgil serving up bowls of swill and approach him since you figure he knows where the flop room for the poor is. "Hey Virgil." You say while trying not to get in the way of the hungry beggars who are eagerly taking their food and leaving. "Hello. Surprised, but glad to see you. I'm a little busy at the moment, but what can I do for you?" Virgil responds. "You said I could stay here awhile? Having sort of a problem finding a place to live at the moment." "Oh sure. We have space so you can stay as long as you like, but erm…" "But erm, what?" "Well I know you're not exactly poor beggar or destitute mother with children and Brother Thadius is sort of a stickler for the rules." "So what are you saying?" "Well, maybe if you could donate to…" "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" you exclaim at which point Virgil tells you to keep your voice down. "Virgil, you TOLD me that you wanted to make amends to me or whatever and you also TOLD me that I could stay here for free!" you say. "Actually I never said it was free…(Sigh) but I suppose it is true, I might have given you a false impression. For that I am sorry. However, you could still stay here for free, but it would still require something of you." Virgil says. You at first think Virgil is going to tell you to get him a bottle of alcohol or maybe ask you to steal something. You're just counting on religious hypocrisy to rear its head, so it's a bit surprising when he asks you: "If you could help me serve these bowls of soup, that I think would be enough to allow you to stay here for free." "Wha…are you…(Sigh) fuck it. Fine." You spend the next few hours serving swill to dirty, smelly beggars, bums, and the destitute. You can't believe it's come to this. About the only think that breaks up the monotony is you have to throw out a Yellow Devil junkie who gets a little aggressive with the others. Normally you don't get excessively hostile to the point of violence unless its necessary, but you're in a foul mood due to current events. Just as you're about to really kick his ass until Virgil stops you. "Hey, hey, easy! He's had enough; look he's going now. And I think you've had enough too. Thanks for your help; you can find a space on the floor in the sleeping area in the back of the church." Virgil says. You don't say anything and just head to where Virgil said to go. When you enter the room, it isn't quite as bad as you thought it would be. Apparently most of the beggar types actually prefer sleeping in their own personal areas on the streets rather than a relatively clean church. Go figure. What you do see more of is "regular poor folk." Families who have obviously suffered some hardship causing them to be homeless for whatever reason. You imagine their faith in Joachim keeps them going that things will get better. The fools. You find a corner to be in, make a pillow with your bag and try to get some rest despite the sounds of children and people nearby. You can regroup tomorrow, you always do. Next day… You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment. Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already. This is ridiculous. It's like they suddenly have some sixth sense of your whereabouts. You try to lose them a couple times and while you do succeed, it once again has taken you out of your way to your destination. Eventually you manage to get a carriage and ride to the university. From there you get to work. All is going relatively well, though you do catch sight of more than a few wandering militia. You aren't sure if they're there specifically for you or just the usual. On your way through one of the many student-gathering areas, you suddenly hear someone call out your name. You turn around and get a surprise. "Yvette?" you answer. "Glad to see you remembered me. How have you been?" Yvette asks. "Um, I'm okay. And yourself? You probably graduated and are some sort of powerful wizard by now." "On the graduation part yes, on the powerful wizard bit, well that's debatable. I'm sort of teaching and doing independent research on possible new spell components. It's a really good thing that the wizard college has such a generous benefactor on the Klyton Council. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'd be doing with my life." "You're a wizard, surely there's no limit to what you could do." "I suppose in some ways, but I guess I just like what I get to do now…is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted." "No, nothing's wrong. I'm just surprised to see you, let alone you even talking to me. Last time I remember you were pretty pissed at me." "Oh. That. Yeah, I always meant to apologize to you about that, but I couldn't find you. I asked Dr. Gossey, but she said she didn't know much about you outside the times you helped her. I only knew your first name, but I didn't know what your area of study was. I must have went through a lot student lists, but never could track you down. I even tried some divination magic, but nothing turned up. Though I never was very good at that. Still, it almost seemed like you never even went here." "Heh, yeah…wow didn't realize you looked for me. I'm really flattered." "Well I gave up after about a year. I figured you probably graduated by then…so what are you doing here then? Are you teaching now too? What was your study anyway?" Yvette is flooding you with questions that you weren't really prepared to answer with well thought out lies. She's being pretty friendly though and given how things have been going, it's nice a change. You sort of wonder about the fact that she looked for you for a year. Obviously, she had more in mind than just to apologize. If you'd known that, you would have made more of an effort to seek her out too, rather than just fucking a whore that looked only vaguely like her a few times. Well, hopefully better late than never… "Okay, I'm just going to come out and ask. Were you interested in me back then?" you ask. "Um…well…" Yvette stutters. "I'll take that as a yes." "Well wait no. I mean yeah, but…oh I'm not very good at this." "Calm yourself then just speak your mind." "Okay. Well, I didn't NOT like you. I mean I liked all of our time together up until Kelium died. Between that and worrying about my report, your kiss sort of caught me off guard. After my report was a success, I had time to think about your advance and while I would have preferred something less aggressive, I can't say that I entirely disliked it. Actually it might have even helped my report." "How's that?" "Yes, at the time I was so pissed at you that I ended up telling my superiors the story we agreed upon as well as adding that it was all your fault that things didn't go as planned. Since I was so mad at you, it came off as believable hence a successful report. I was actually going to thank you for that too." You laugh a bit. "Well glad it helped I guess. Though I suppose my question is and again this might be a long shot, but are you still interested in me?" you ask. "I dunno. I mean it was years ago. We still don't know much about each other. I suppose the answer is the same as it was back then, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you. I'm currently unattached. I have a bit of trouble meeting people that aren't also magic users and the few I do seem to get scared that I have magic powers." Yvette answers. "What about other wizards?" "Hah, yeah…well after going out with a few magic users in the past, that has not gone very well. I'll just leave it at that." You're doing okay so far, but here's where the problem is going to come in, your real life. If you pursue this relationship, you are going to have to change your life severely because you are entirely sure that Yvette is definitely not going to be good with your roguish ways. Oddly, this isn't completely unappealing to you. Granted you've had an okay day here at the university, but how long before the militia gets more savvy and starts watching your movements here a lot more? You still can't walk to most places without them around and again you still don't know if they're going to hold up their end and leave you alone after they bust up the Crimson Talons. When you really think back to what you've managed to accomplish as a rogue you aren't sure if it's worth it anymore. All you've been doing is going through the motions because you don't know any other way. But if you really put your mind to it, you're a resourceful guy; you probably COULD do something different if you wanted to. In any case, you still need to know how you're going to deal with Yvette. You could just tell her the truth about your life, which would prevent a possible shitstorm later, of course it could fuck up things now. Especially since you've basically been lying to her up until this point. Of course if you've been lying to her all this time, you could just continue doing it and hope for the best. You could still try to change your life, but just not reveal your past. > You tell her the truth Best to start a new life with a clean slate. "Yvette, if we're going to be together I fell like it's best if I tell you EVERYTHING." You say. "Oh?" Yvette responds. "Yeah, okay where to start…" You go into your past, though you still leave out a few details. (Like having to leave your town for murder instead of theft) In general you're truthful though. You're rolling the dice here and while you're explaining, you aren't sure how she's even taking it. "I just wanted to lay it all out there because I'm ready to turn over a new leaf. I want a life with you and I want that life to have no secrets between us." Yvette still says nothing; her face just has an expression of shock on it. "Yvette?" you say. "Um…yeah. Well…yeah…" she starts to say. This isn't good. "Yvette, please say something." You say. "What do you want me to say? This is pretty damn serious! I mean how CAN I trust you? Up until THIS moment you've lied about everything!" Yvette responds. "But I'm not lying now! I'm telling the truth here. I'm no longer going to be a thief, I'm going to go look for real work and…" "Look, I can't deal with this right now. I've got other things on my mind and running into you was a surprise to begin with. Obviously it was a mistake to even admit I had some faint feelings for you at one time. I have to go." "Well can we talk about this again later?" "I don't think that's a good idea. Look, if you ARE serious, then by all means turn your life around and become a productive member of society. I don't even think you're that bad of a person…but I can't be with someone I can't trust and I can't trust you. Goodbye." And there it is again. Doing the right thing and getting no accolades, just a kick in the fucking face. Disappointed with how this entire miserable day has turned out you head back to your place Joachim's church (With the militia following you the entire time of course). You spend the next few days on your usual routine of sneaking around trying to lose the militia as you perform your work at the university. You might as well considering you can't leave the city. If things actually been different with Yvette, you probably would have tried to find a real job, but now? What's the point? You figure it's free to sleep and eat at the church so you might as well just endure it until the Crimson Talons finally get busted and the militia backs off your ass so you can leave this fucking city. One day in your corner of the church sleeping area, your light sleeping reflexes kick in and you grab a little arm reaching at you. "What the fuck do you think you're doing you little thief?" you say to the little girl who you've just grabbed. She looks at you with wide eyes, but doesn't scream surprisingly. "Nothing! I'm not a thief and I wasn't reaching for you, I was just trying to pet Pink Eyes!" she says. "Pink Eyes?" you ask. "Yeah, the funny rat with big teeth by your head." You turn your head slightly and see Elana sniffing near you. It would seem she located you. You release your grip on the girl's arm who stands back as you slowly sit up rubbing your eyes. Elana squeaks a few times and finds a less open place to be. "You're lucky I stopped you kid. Elana here isn't just a regular rat, she's a qweepa and she also doesn't tend to let people just pet her. In fact she's more likely to eat your fingers." You say. "She didn't do that with me. When I saw her, I gave her a little piece of bread I had from breakfast and she nuzzled my hand a bit after she ate the bread. Then I played with her a bit before she ran over to you. Is she your pet?" the little girl asks. "Yeah I guess you could say that. Though apparently she's a little traitor if she's being nice to anyone that feeds her. Guess I'm no position to speak ill of rats though. Wait, did you say you already had breakfast?" "Yeah, it's almost time for them to serve lunch now. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and see you creep in here. Do you have some sort of night job?" "Something like that. Where are your parents?" "My mom's out looking for work. I…um don't know who my dad is." "Oh. Well I got stuff to do, so off you go kid." "Can I play with Pink Eyes while you're gone?" "Um…yeah sure I guess if she isn't chewing your face off. I wouldn't call attention to her though, not sure what the animal policy is in this place. And if she doesn't want to be fussed with, then I'd leave her be. Like I said, she isn't usually this friendly to other people." You leave the little girl and Elana and step out of the church before Virgil or some other Joachim follower can ask you to do anything. You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment. Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already and this time they don't just follow you, they actually come up to you and start throwing their weight around. "Hey criminal scum, we're on to you." One of them says. "Yeah I know that already. Been through all this with your captain." You reply. "No, I don't think you fucking understand!" he says again, pushing you hard this time. "What the hell? I'm not doing anything!" you exclaim. "Bullshit! We know where you've been going even though you THINK you've been eluding us. You go up to that fancy university. Whatcha going up there for? I know it ain't to take any fucking classes. We haven't caught you in the act yet, but it won't be long." "Aren't you supposed to be taking down the Crimson Talons?" "Don't you worry about that. They'll be facing justice soon, just like YOU will be. Seein' you soon asshole." And there it is, final proof that the militia consists of a bunch of unyielding dicks that are not going to EVER leave you alone. You truly have to get out of this city. Your original plan was to wait until they finally took out the Talons, but they seem to be taking their sweet ass time about it. You suppose if you really wanted to get out, you could take the sewers and leave through the secret exit that the Talons use to get in and out of the city with no fuss. Yeah, seems like a plan, though you figure you'll wait until it gets darker. In the meantime you head back to the church. When you arrive back to your sleeping area you see that little girl playing with Elana and giving her some of her food. Looks like even your pet has abandoned you. Though considering you're leaving soon, it's just as well she seems to have found a new owner. Lacking any more motivation to do anything until tonight, you decide to get some more sleep. Later… You suddenly grab a little arm reaching for you. "Girl…you REALLY need to stop doing that!" you say waking up and letting the girl's arm go. "Please, my mom is missing and I dunno who to ask for help!" the little girl says frantically "What?" "My mom, she hasn't returned! She ALWAYS returns before now! She promised she'd never stay out late like this again and I know she wasn't lying!" "Alright, alright, calm down. What the hell happened?" "My mom…" At this point the little girl starts breaking down in tears and some nearby folks trying to sleep start shushing you. This certainly wasn't anything you had in mind to deal with right now. From what you can tell it's pitch black outside. You slept way longer than you intended to and now you've got a little girl begging you for help. > You get out of the city This is sad and all, but you've got more important problems. Besides the girl's mother is probably a whore and is just out later than usual to make more coin. Still, you need to calm her down because she's making a scene and waking everyone up. "Shhh. Shhh. Look, do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?" you ask. "I dunno, mostly the taverns?" the little girl asks. "Okay, I'll go check every tavern in the area then okay? You just stay here and try to get some sleep, or I dunno…play with Elana." You quickly gather your belongings and bid the little girl goodbye. She looks hopeful at you, but you can only imagine that her disappointment is going to be even greater when you don't return. Hopefully her mother does show up. You leave the church and make your way to the closest sewer entrance that you know of. Fortunately even this late the militia aren't patrolling quite as much and it's easier to sneak around. You descend into the foulness that is the sewers and begin your slog through it and eventual freedom. Along the way you just hope you don't run into any Crimson Talons. While you doubt if they have heard about you ratting on them since the militia hasn't made their move yet, but still, you'd rather not bump into them since they've gotten more territorial lately anyway. Your thoughts also briefly go back to that little girl and how you feel sort of bad about just leaving. You should have at least been up front with her and told her you couldn't help her, rather than giving the girl a little bit longer for false hope. Then again, the last time you told the truth it didn't go so well either. You'll just be glad to leave this damn city behind. At last you start to see the literal light at the end of the tunnel as you approach the sewer exit leading to the outside. You have no idea how the hell the Talons slog through this day after day, though you suppose they won't be doing it for much longer. This thought has never been truer than it is right at this moment. No sooner have you made it half way to the exit when all of a sudden several militia men enter through it. You stop in your tracks when you see them. "He's warned them! Kill the bastard!" one of them shouts. You immediately turn and run. Several shots ring out along with shouting. You catch a bullet in the arm, but manage to keep going. It doesn't matter though since the militia already has men coming from the other tunnels as well. Today of ALL days is when they decided to storm the Crimson Talon hideout. It figures. In fact the only place to run to is the Crimson Talon's hideout! Avoiding the militia now seemingly coming from every fucking tunnel, you immediately run to the hideout and start banging on the door to be let in. Even now, the irony that you're begging for the Talons to help you after you ratted on them in the first place isn't lost on you. "Open the fucking door! It's a raid!" you start shouting. There isn't any answer other than a couple of "what?" or "Who's banging on the door?" "Come on open the fuck up, it's…ugggh! SHIT!" you shout and get shot in the back. This time the wound is fatal. You collapse at the door, which still stays firmly shut until the militia comes stomping over your body to batter it down.

Best to start a new life with a clean slate. "Yvette, if we're going to be together I fell like it's best if I tell you EVERYTHING." You say. "Oh?" Yvette responds. "Yeah, okay where to start…" You go into your past, though you still leave out a few details. (Like having to leave your town for murder instead of theft) In general you're truthful though. You're rolling the dice here and while you're explaining, you aren't sure how she's even taking it. "I just wanted to lay it all out there because I'm ready to turn over a new leaf. I want a life with you and I want that life to have no secrets between us." Yvette still says nothing; her face just has an expression of shock on it. "Yvette?" you say. "Um…yeah. Well…yeah…" she starts to say. This isn't good. "Yvette, please say something." You say. "What do you want me to say? This is pretty damn serious! I mean how CAN I trust you? Up until THIS moment you've lied about everything!" Yvette responds. "But I'm not lying now! I'm telling the truth here. I'm no longer going to be a thief, I'm going to go look for real work and…" "Look, I can't deal with this right now. I've got other things on my mind and running into you was a surprise to begin with. Obviously it was a mistake to even admit I had some faint feelings for you at one time. I have to go." "Well can we talk about this again later?" "I don't think that's a good idea. Look, if you ARE serious, then by all means turn your life around and become a productive member of society. I don't even think you're that bad of a person…but I can't be with someone I can't trust and I can't trust you. Goodbye." And there it is again. Doing the right thing and getting no accolades, just a kick in the fucking face. Disappointed with how this entire miserable day has turned out you head back to your place Joachim's church (With the militia following you the entire time of course). You spend the next few days on your usual routine of sneaking around trying to lose the militia as you perform your work at the university. You might as well considering you can't leave the city. If things actually been different with Yvette, you probably would have tried to find a real job, but now? What's the point? You figure it's free to sleep and eat at the church so you might as well just endure it until the Crimson Talons finally get busted and the militia backs off your ass so you can leave this fucking city. One day in your corner of the church sleeping area, your light sleeping reflexes kick in and you grab a little arm reaching at you. "What the fuck do you think you're doing you little thief?" you say to the little girl who you've just grabbed. She looks at you with wide eyes, but doesn't scream surprisingly. "Nothing! I'm not a thief and I wasn't reaching for you, I was just trying to pet Pink Eyes!" she says. "Pink Eyes?" you ask. "Yeah, the funny rat with big teeth by your head." You turn your head slightly and see Elana sniffing near you. It would seem she located you. You release your grip on the girl's arm who stands back as you slowly sit up rubbing your eyes. Elana squeaks a few times and finds a less open place to be. "You're lucky I stopped you kid. Elana here isn't just a regular rat, she's a qweepa and she also doesn't tend to let people just pet her. In fact she's more likely to eat your fingers." You say. "She didn't do that with me. When I saw her, I gave her a little piece of bread I had from breakfast and she nuzzled my hand a bit after she ate the bread. Then I played with her a bit before she ran over to you. Is she your pet?" the little girl asks. "Yeah I guess you could say that. Though apparently she's a little traitor if she's being nice to anyone that feeds her. Guess I'm no position to speak ill of rats though. Wait, did you say you already had breakfast?" "Yeah, it's almost time for them to serve lunch now. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and see you creep in here. Do you have some sort of night job?" "Something like that. Where are your parents?" "My mom's out looking for work. I…um don't know who my dad is." "Oh. Well I got stuff to do, so off you go kid." "Can I play with Pink Eyes while you're gone?" "Um…yeah sure I guess if she isn't chewing your face off. I wouldn't call attention to her though, not sure what the animal policy is in this place. And if she doesn't want to be fussed with, then I'd leave her be. Like I said, she isn't usually this friendly to other people." You leave the little girl and Elana and step out of the church before Virgil or some other Joachim follower can ask you to do anything. You head to the university seeing as you don't have anything better planned at the moment. Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already and this time they don't just follow you, they actually come up to you and start throwing their weight around. "Hey criminal scum, we're on to you." One of them says. "Yeah I know that already. Been through all this with your captain." You reply. "No, I don't think you fucking understand!" he says again, pushing you hard this time. "What the hell? I'm not doing anything!" you exclaim. "Bullshit! We know where you've been going even though you THINK you've been eluding us. You go up to that fancy university. Whatcha going up there for? I know it ain't to take any fucking classes. We haven't caught you in the act yet, but it won't be long." "Aren't you supposed to be taking down the Crimson Talons?" "Don't you worry about that. They'll be facing justice soon, just like YOU will be. Seein' you soon asshole." And there it is, final proof that the militia consists of a bunch of unyielding dicks that are not going to EVER leave you alone. You truly have to get out of this city. Your original plan was to wait until they finally took out the Talons, but they seem to be taking their sweet ass time about it. You suppose if you really wanted to get out, you could take the sewers and leave through the secret exit that the Talons use to get in and out of the city with no fuss. Yeah, seems like a plan, though you figure you'll wait until it gets darker. In the meantime you head back to the church. When you arrive back to your sleeping area you see that little girl playing with Elana and giving her some of her food. Looks like even your pet has abandoned you. Though considering you're leaving soon, it's just as well she seems to have found a new owner. Lacking any more motivation to do anything until tonight, you decide to get some more sleep. Later… You suddenly grab a little arm reaching for you. "Girl…you REALLY need to stop doing that!" you say waking up and letting the girl's arm go. "Please, my mom is missing and I dunno who to ask for help!" the little girl says frantically "What?" "My mom, she hasn't returned! She ALWAYS returns before now! She promised she'd never stay out late like this again and I know she wasn't lying!" "Alright, alright, calm down. What the hell happened?" "My mom…" At this point the little girl starts breaking down in tears and some nearby folks trying to sleep start shushing you. This certainly wasn't anything you had in mind to deal with right now. From what you can tell it's pitch black outside. You slept way longer than you intended to and now you've got a little girl begging you for help. > You help the little girl This really goes against everything you tend to believe in, but maybe due to a combination of several bad things you've experienced lately, you're still hoping that MAYBE somehow doing something half way "decent" that the gods or fate or whatever will reward you in some way. (Even though you don't really believe in a lot of that anyway) First thing you do is calm the little girl down and ask her name since this will be a whole lot easier if you know what to call her. "Mara." She says. "Okay, first question. Do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?" you ask. "I dunno, mostly the taverns?" the little girl asks. "…that really narrows it down…(sigh) alright, I guess I can just try the closest ones in the area. I'll also need a physical description of her." "She's real pretty. She has a flower name too, Violet. Her hair is black like mine and she…um…her chest is sort of large." Well you weren't expecting her to give that description of her mom, but you suppose it does help narrow things down a bit more. "Okay, that helps a little…hey wait a minute. Did you ask Virgil to help?" you ask. "The friendly old priest that smells funny? Yeah, I went to his room, but he wouldn't move no matter how much I pushed him. He just kept snoring." Mara replies. "Well this is important, and I'll go wake him up. He's supposed to be doing good deeds anyway. In the meantime you just stay here and Elana will keep you company." "Will you come back with her?" "I promise that I'll come back." Is all you can say to her before you bid her goodbye. Of course before you leave, you head to where Virgil sleeps in this church. Sure enough he's snoring soundly. Not excessively loud, but he's definitely flat out. You don't bother with the pushing or yelling to wake him up; you just drag him out of bed by his crusty feet. He wakes up just before he hits the floor. "Hey what the…OW! Shit! You?! What the fuck are you dragging me out of bed for?!" Virgil exclaims. You actually sort of smile since that's more along the line of the old Virgil that you were familiar with. "Aren't you supposed to be cutting down on the vulgarities now that you're all holy again? You've woke me up plenty of times in the past banging on my door, so consider this payback. Besides, a little girl needs help and you're supposed to be doing this sort of shit anyway." You say. "Little girl? What's going on?" You explain the situation to Virgil, who slowly starts becoming more alert. As you explain, he seems to remember Violet quite well. (Or her tits at least) "Yes, yes, I know who you're talking about. I'm not sure what to say though. Violet is a prostitute or at least she was trying to get out of that life for the sake of her daughter as far as I know. I mean I know she was trying to get a job as a waitress with little success, but if she's disappeared during the night, she might have sadly gone back to her old ways and strayed from Joachim's path." Virgil remarks. Raven haired beauty with big tits and worked as a whore, now you're wondering how the hell you never noticed her before. "Well let's try the taverns first I guess." You say. "Why am I going with you?" Virgil asks. "Because isn't it your damn job to help the downtrodden and innocent? Besides, you being an ex-drunk, I figure that you know where ALL the closest taverns are. Also the militia is on my ass constantly, and if they catch me walking around at night, they'll probably just beat my head in and throw me in jail. I figure if I'm walking around with a priest I shouldn't get harassed as much. Not like you have anything better to do anyway." "Um…yeah, but…you're talking about going to several taverns…I'm just not sure I should be around that much temptation." "Oh for…just come on! If you start getting thirsty, I'll slap you in the back of the head to remind you of Joachim's light or something." Virgil reluctantly agrees to help, and soon the pair of you are off to go tavern hopping, but not in the good way. You go to several taverns and while a couple people say they remember seeing her or even interacting with her, they tell you they haven't seen her today. Virgil meanwhile looks longingly at every mug, glass and bottle containing alcohol. It isn't excessively hard to pull him away, but it's obviously a struggle. "I beseech you, no more taverns! The temptation is getting to me and it's taking all my faith in Joachim to give me strength to resist!" Virgil begs. "Okay, okay…(sigh) might as well give up anyway. We've covered a lot more ground than I thought we were and still haven't found shit. I guess we can start trying to brothels." You say. "Um, I don't think so." "What? Are the whores going to be too much temptation too? I thought your weakness was the booze, not the women." "No, it's not that. It's just I doubt very seriously that she's working in one of the Klyton brothels. At least none of the legal ones. If she was back to whoring, she'd be doing it illegally and who knows where." "I don't understand, Mara said her mom was pretty and you even seemed to confirm that. Wouldn't she be good enough of one of those places? She a Yellow Devil addict or something?" "No, nothing like that. In fact she used to work at Madam Moonlight's place, but she did something that severely pissed off Moonlight. I dunno what, but it was bad enough to get her fired and Moonlight apparently pulled strings at every other sanctioned brothel to not hire her." "Hm, I guess that makes sense, I've seen Moonlight get pissed at unruly customers and makes them sorry they got out of line. Guess the same goes for her employees. Still surprised I've never bumped into this woman before. Well I'm out of ideas, I mean we can't realistically go to every inn or back alley, to look for her." "I think the only thing that can be done is to go back. Sometimes we must just place faith in Joachim that he will influence events to a positive end. I'm sure the girl's mother will come back, she may already be back for all we know." "Yeah maybe…" You suddenly remember something terrible. "SHIT!" you exclaim. "What?" Virgil asks. "In all the rush to help the girl, I left all my shit at the church and I didn't even bother to hide it before I left! My savings!" "I doubt very seriously that anyone is going to ransack your belongings and steal what you have. All of those folks are Joachim fearing and righteous." "Oh? Then what am I doing there then?" "Erm…well on the other hand it would be quite amusing if Joachim balanced things by taking away your wealth." "What the hell? Why are you condoning theft just because it's me?!" "I'm not, but I'm just saying there would be a kind of justice if it did occur, considering your own profession…speaking of which…Brother Thadius has expressed concerns about you continuing to sleep in the church. I've tried to assure him that you're looking for real work, but I think we both know that isn't true and I hate lying to the man. I'm already under scrutiny for…" "I can't discuss this right now, I gotta go!" You run off to leave Virgil behind and race back to the church. Unfortunately along the way you nearly bump straight into two militiamen who happen to be patrolling. They see you running and jump to their own conclusions. "HALT!" one of them shouts. You haven't done anything wrong and you don't even have anything stolen on you since you left all your stuff at the church. Legally they can't really do anything to you…however that's never stopped the militia from severely fucking with you before. > You halt They've already seen your face and probably already know who you are, so running is just going to get you into more trouble. Might as well deal with this head on. The militia approaches and you make no sudden moves. "Thought it was you. So where the hell are you in such a hurry in the middle of the night? Up to your usual thievery no doubt." one of them says. "I'm going to church." You say. "Very funny asshole." He replies pushing you. "I'm serious! If you're aware of who I am, then you also know I've been living in a Church of Joachim for days now. I'm not lying." "Or maybe you're not exactly telling the truth either…seems very fishy that you're lurking around." Suddenly another one of their number runs up to them. "Hey! What the hell are you two doing? You're supposed to be down in the sewers helping with taking out those Talon bastards. The captain's been looking all over for you and he's pissed!" he remarks. "What? We got assigned street patrol duty tonight!" "Well you've got new orders then, come on let's go. Who's this one?" "This is the sneak thief who ratted on the Talons in the first place to save his own hide. Claims he doesn't have anything stolen on him, but I KNOW he's been up to something!" "Let's just quickly throw him in a cell because we need to get into the sewers before the shit goes down. He can be dealt with later." Just as they're about to grab you, another figure arrives. One you'd never be so happy to see. "Hey! Ask this guy! He's a Joachim priest and I've been walking around all damn night with him searching for a missing woman!" you exclaim. "Is this true?" one of the men asks. "Yes, it is true. A little girl asked us to seek out her mother. In fact she specifically asked THIS man first! He has done nothing wrong and I would urge that you leave him be lest you anger Joachim for attempting to impede good works." Virgil says. One of the guards must be a bit religious since he takes Virgil's warning a little more to heart than the rest of his fellows. "Okay, we'll let you go this time, but for your sake you better hope that Captain Branik finds out that all your information was good, because if not, you're gonna wish for a quick execution instead of what we will have planned for you." As the militia leaves, you think to yourself that it's probably good that you didn't try to escape through the sewers and the abandoned tunnel outside the city tonight. You might have gotten caught in the raid. "I don't normally just tell anyone this, but thanks Virgil." You say. "No problem. I'm just surprised they still let you go and listened to me at all. If I were a gambling man, I'd wager half of the militia have done worse things than you ever have. Hopefully as Joachim's teachings spread, so will his influence though and perhaps one day Klyton's militia won't just consist mainly of thugs with city sanctioned authority." Virgil says. "I doubt it. People are just rotten by nature. The only time most do good deeds is when they have no other choice." "I don't believe that, and I don't even think YOU really believe that either. If that really were the case, you wouldn't be trying to help a little girl find her mother tonight. I mean what's really in it for you? Nothing. You're not getting paid for it, you're just doing it because you felt sorry for an innocent and it was the right thing to do. You're better than you think you are, we all are. Joachim always tries to make us see that, even if you don't notice that he's doing it." Rather thoughtful comments by Virgil even if you don't totally see things his way on the whole religious thing. Still, he might have a bit of a point. The pair of you returns to the church where upon you immediately go see if any of your stuff is gone. Instead what you find is Mara sleeping near your belongings with Elana curled up next to her. Doesn't look like anything has been disturbed other than Mara using your pack as a pillow of sorts. "See? All your stuff was fine. It was being guarded by a little girl and her pet." Virgil remarks. "No sign of the girl's mother though." You say. "Yeah, I admit, I'm a bit worried about that. Mara is going to be upset, but I'm still hoping that maybe she'll show up soon. Maybe in the morning?" "Maybe, but it'll be morning in a few hours and I don't quite have the faith you have Virgil." "You'll get there eventually. I suppose I better reclaim some sleep before Brother Thadius shows up here in the morning to give me his plans for the day's events." "Doesn't he sleep here too?" "Him? No, he lives in a proper house. Pretty nice one around the government district." "Hmm, guess all the donations to Joachim are blessing Thadius pretty well. In any case, I'm going to try to get some sleep as well and for what comes next, I guess I'll figure that out when I wake up." You and Virgil part and since Mara has taken your sleeping spot, you sleep on the mattress that presumably was where her and her mother slept. It's a lot more comfortable than sleeping on the floor for a change. Later… A little hand reaches out to you; this time you only gently grab it. You actually were awake long before she reached for you since you heard her placing all your belongings on the mattress. Not to mention Elana is currently scurrying on the mattress and sniffing about. "Hello Mara." You say fully waking up and let go of her wrist. As you slowly sit up from your slumber, and look through your belongings that Mara has brought to you. Everything is there and you're finally relieved to know for certain. Mara watches you with a mixture of concern and sadness. She looks like she might have been crying earlier. "I didn't take anything." Mara says. "I didn't think you would, but I couldn't be sure if anyone else didn't. Anyway thanks for bringing me my stuff and guarding it yesterday." You say. "You didn't find my mom did you?" "No, unfortunately I didn't, but Virgil said it's still possible that she'll show up this morning." "It's the afternoon." "It is? Oh." Mara looks down wiping her eyes. This is awkward for you and if she starts crying in front of you, it isn't like you know what to say. You ask Virgil for help, but he's likely to just spout a bunch of shit about Joachim. "She promised she wouldn't…(sniffle)…not anymore. Not after last time." Mara says. "Last time?" you ask. Mara tells you about how some man roughed up her mom once and nearly killed her in the process a few months ago. She mentions that it sometimes happened before that too, but that was the worst time. A lot of coin went to the apothecary and the clinic and they eventually wound up here while Violet was looking for steady work that didn't require sex. It's obvious now that Mara isn't exactly a naïve child and she's well aware of the grim realities of this shitty world…still though…she's a nine year old girl that misses her mom. "She's probably dead." She says, trying not to cry. You still can't think of anything that's going to make her feel any better. You were planning on leaving this city, but… "Hey Mara, why don't we wait for your mom a little longer okay? I mean let's not jump to conclusions, maybe she got some job that wanted her to start right away and it was so tiring that she fell asleep somewhere else." Mara doesn't look convinced, but this sliver of hope wrapped in a boldfaced lie seems to at least cause her to agree. "You'll stay with me?" Mara asks. "Sure, until your mom gets back. Now let's go get something real to eat. No more of this slop that they serve here." You say. Mara seems to cheer up slightly during her time with you. She mentions her mother a few times, but in happy reflections on better times she had with her. You didn't think you would, but you sort of don't mind your time spent with Mara either. You spend the rest of the day with Mara and the next few days after that. By the end of the week, she hasn't even mentioned her mother anymore and is more interested in you. Again, not exactly being naïve (and probably overhearing Virgil's conversations with you at times) she knows that you're not exactly a "working" man. "Do…you kill people?" Mara asks. "Is that what you think I do?" you ask back. "I dunno. Virgil says that you're a good man who just does bad things sometimes." "Hah! Said that did he? No, I don't kill people…well not usually anyway. I'm more into acquisitions." "What's that?" "I find stuff that I need." "Oh…you're a thief." "Well yes, it's not very impressive when you say it like that." "It's just I sort of wished you did kill people." "Really? Why?" "Because then you could track down who killed my mother and kill them." Mara at this point walks away from you, leaving you a little speechless. It's at this moment that Virgil comes over to you. "I see you're still spending time with Mara. I knew you were a good man. I think it's wonderful that you've been trying to be there for the child." Virgil says. "Yeah, I suppose so." You remark. "Of course seeing that her mother is most likely gone, the only thing to do now is to take her to the orphanage." "Orphanage?" "Well yeah. I mean the child can't stay here." "What would it hurt if she did stay here?" "This place shelters the poor and families down on their luck for short periods of time, but unattended children should be in an orphanage and I know you can't look after her." "Wait a minute, who says I can't?" "Look, I know maybe you've gotten a little attached to Mara, but really this is a matter for a place that's capable of looking after a little girl." "Virgil, I've passed by those orphanages and half of them are completely neglected ragamuffins and the other half get beaten all the time and are most likely going to become vicious scoundrels. After all your bitching at me about being a thief, you REALLY think that's the best place to put her?" "Those places aren't as bad as you say! I'll have you know, I grew up in one of those places!" "And that's supposed to convince me that it's a good place to send her?" "Oh and because you had both parents, you're such a good example that it isn't? I mean I'm trying not to judge, but your parents obviously failed in their duties." And you're done. "Fuck you Virgil. Just fuck you, and your Joachim preaching bullshit. My parents were fucking great." You say and gather up your belongings (And Elana) before walking off. Virgil starts to follow you trying to apologize until he realizes what you're about to do. You find Mara who is sitting quietly against a wall, looking at the floor. "Come on Mara, we're leaving. We're done here." You say. "What? Where are we going?" Mara asks. "Dunno yet, but we're going together." "You can't just take this child!" Virgil exclaims. "Why not? She's an orphan right? I'm adopting her. Cuts out the need for her to even go into an orphanage." "You…your emotions are letting you cloud your judgment! How are YOU going to take care of this child? Please, we must put this in the hands of Joachim and…" "Mara? Do you want to come with me or go to an orphanage? If you don't want to come with me, just say so. I won't be mad." You say. Mara is silent for a half second before: "I want to come with you." You turn to Virgil and raise your hands. "There's your answer." You say. "Of course she's going to pick you, but that's not a realistic choice!" Virgil exclaims. "How do you know that this isn't Joachim's will? You don't and neither do I. Only Joachim knows. Praise be to him or whatever it is you say." You remark and push Virgil out of the way. You ignore Virgil's protests as you leave and make your way to the carriage station. You know you're allowed out of the city now given all the Crimson Talons are dead and the restriction for you to leave has been lifted. You suppose you'll head to Hessla first and from there you'll figure out a more long-term plan. You just need to get out of this city, especially before you're wanted for kidnapping along with anything else the militia decides you're guilty of. You start to think about your situation and realize it's really fucking crazy. You're now a fugitive from TWO places and have little girl to look after. (And an oversized rat, but Elana is pretty self-sufficient) Still, you're convinced that you're doing the right thing and you don't even know why. What you do know is you're going to have to step things up because it's not just you anymore. "Hey Mara." You say. "Yes?" Mara answers as she continues to look out of one of the windows, fascinated by it all. "Come over here for a moment." You say pulling out your small locked container containing what's left of your savings. "What's that?" Mara asks. "Something I hope we can both fill up eventually. For now though, it's practice." You pull out a lock pick. "I'm going to teach you something useful." > You time passes… Chapter 3B1: The More They Get Complicated Year 30 A hand reaches for the pouch on your side; you grab it and open your eyes. "Damn it." Mara exclaims. "I keep telling you, you're not quiet enough and you make more noise than a clumsy orc. I honestly don't know how you don't get caught more often by your marks." You say sitting up. "Well if I do, that's only because I'm doing it like how you taught me." "If you really think that's how I've been teaching you, then you haven't been paying attention and we need to spend even more time training. What time is it?" "Afternoon. You slept through the morning as usual." "Sounds about right. So…early bird, what have you been up to this morning?" "Nothing much really. Just wandering around the city and doing stuff." "Hmm, wouldn't be with that little gang of hoodlums you hang out with sometimes would it?" Mara does answer immediately. "Figured." You say shaking your head. "Why are you so against me having friends?" Mara asks. "I'm not. I just think those idiots are a bad influence." "You're joking right? YOU think other people are a bad influence on me?" "Oh trust me, the irony isn't lost on me, however I would propose that I am at least a bad influence in an efficient way. You keep hanging out with that group of losers and well…you remember what happened to the Crimson Talons?" Mara rolls her eyes. "This isn't Klyton, and my friends aren't the Crimson Talons!" she exclaims. "No they aren't. The Talons were more organized and they STILL got completely wiped out due to being reckless. And while maybe the Jicol Watch isn't as overzealous as the Klyton Militia, but it's only a matter of time before your friends get into a whole mess of trouble that they're going to bring down on their own heads because they think punching old ladies in the street and grabbing their coin pouches to be the height of thievery." You reply. "Only a couple of them do that! And Marco has been telling them not to do it anymore. He said as the Black Hooks, they should be…" You start chuckling. "Black Hooks? They gave themselves a gang name? Oh that's precious. Truly a name that will stir fear into everyone. And you're telling me Marco is the leader? The gang already sucks." "…why…why are you being such an asshole?! Marco's a great guy and he's trying to put it all together with my help! He's a real thief! Just like me and you!" "PFFT!" you say with a mixture of contempt and genuine amusement. "I've met Marco when you first introduced me to all these idiots last year and that boy is NOTHING like me. He wasn't even me at that age. And as for him being like you, I like to think I'm a way better teacher than that despite your previous criticisms." "You don't know what you're talking about, you're just an cranky old man who doesn't want me associating with anyone except you!" "Okay first of all, I'm only fucking thirty. Second of all I do know what the hell I'm talking about. I understand your need for friends your own age, but I'm telling you this is the fucking wrong crowd. I've seen some of these dumb asses in action when I'm going about my own business and they're all going to wind up in a bad end." At this point you stand up and continue your rant. "And as for Marco, of course he wants your help, because out of ALL of them, you're the only real thief there and he's hoping that at least SOME of that shit that I've taught you will rub off on him. Well that and the fact he also wants you around to get in your pants." You remark. "Y'know, sometimes I wonder if that's why you want me around." Mara retorts. You stop for a split second at this outrageous accusation "Wow. You're REALLY going to go there? Y'know, if you really think that, then just fucking go. Go off with your little friends. Well? Go! GET THE FUCK OUT!" you shout. Mara jumps back a bit by your yelling and then without another word, she leaves slamming the door behind you. You slump back down on the bed already feeling drained even though you just woke up. Things were getting a bit tenser with Mara for a couple years now. You chalked it up to her being a teenager, but this latest argument has made you start to wonder if it's worse than just the need to rebel against you. As you try to calm yourself down, Elana jumps up on the bed and very slowly walks over to you. You give her a pet and she curls up to sleep. She does that a lot more nowadays. She's so old, and right about now you're feeling the same way. "(Sigh) It's really damn bad when I'm already missing the old days. Just me and sis against the world. Been downhill ever since that split. Certainly hope she's doing a lot better than I am right now." You continue to brood, thinking about what you should have done or shouldn't have done in your life. Eventually you stop since it's not doing you any good, so you go back to sleep instead. A few hours later you wake up and find that it's nighttime. Mara isn't home, but then maybe she won't ever come back. Still, you can't help but be concerned about her. You can only hope that she knows what the hell she's doing and that you taught her well enough that she doesn't get caught or can get herself out of trouble. In the meantime you decide to get some of your own work done and leave your humble dwellings to go accomplish just that. A few days pass and Mara still hasn't come home. However, you've still been keeping an eye on her from afar. You mostly know where she is and all her hang outs. She spends most of her time in the city district where docks of lesser importance are located. It isn't the best area, but given that she's with her Black Hook friends, you assume that she at least has people to watch her back. (And you figure Marco is especially, but you'd rather not think too much about that) As for the Black Hooks themselves, they're still pretty low as far as Watch is concerned it seems. When the city is more concerned with keeping a strong naval force to ward off any potential pirate attacks, a group of juvenile delinquents that still haven't done much more than petty theft, assault and vandalism, just doesn't rank very high. Honestly, you're more surprised that Mara hasn't gotten bored by them all yet since you know she's a lot more talented than any of them. You know you'd be bored. Then again you suppose you just weren't very social and never wanted to hang around with too many people. Just one that you could trust. Weeks pass and while you continue to keep an eye on her, sometimes you start to wonder if maybe you should let go. Of course if you did let go, you'd have to leave the city altogether, because you just couldn't stick around and NOT look out for her. > You leave Jicol Mara is still young, but in this sort of world that's really no measure of being sheltered from the harsh realities of the world. The girl lost her mother and was mentored by a professional thief. She's probably more ready to be on her own than most her age. You need to move on though. It's apparent that your good intensions have been less than successful. That's fine though, because you've learned that more than ever that you should only worry about yourself. You pack up all your stuff and get ready to go. You're sure you can book passage aboard some ship heading to Hessla. Who knows, maybe you'll go elsewhere. You get half way to the transport docks and stop. You can't leave like this. As much as it would be easier to do so, you can't. You have to apologize to Mara before leaving. She might very well tell you to go to hell. In fact if she's around her friends, she's very likely to do that, but still you have to try. You head down to where the Black Hooks usually hang out. These young idiots like to pretend they're all going to be pirates one day. You can only imagine how they'd really fare if they were in a pirate-dominated town like Hessla instead of this well fortified and more lawful city. Eventually you arrive at the small beach area where there you see the "Black Hooks" all lingering under and around a boardwalk. Up to their usual bragging and bravado of course. "And so I said to that bitch, you're either giving me your necklace, or I'm gonna take it after I cut off your fucking head! She was pissing her knickers after that hahahaha!" one of them says. "Who's this asshole coming up?" asks one of them. "Hey dumb fuck, don't you know this is Black Hook territory?" one of them shouts. "Oh no…" you hear a quieter voice say and you already pinpoint that it's Mara trying to unsuccessfully hide behind a couple of her friends. "Mara, I know you're over there, come on out, I want to talk to you." You say. "Hey old man, Mara ain't got shit to say to you. She's with US now and she doesn't have to worry about you molesting her anymore! Now you better get outta here before we…" Marco says stepping forward before you grab him by the collar and throw him down face down in the sand as hard as you can. Marco spends the rest of his time spitting out sand and rubbing his eyes, while his gang does nothing except look at you. "Is that what you've been telling these dickheads? Do you REALLY hate me that much that you're going to make up stories like that about me? You know, I came to apologize and say goodbye, but if this is what you want, then fuck it. Have a nice life." You say and turn around to leave. You get a couple steps, before Mara calls out to you. "I never said he molested me! Why the hell did you say that?!" she says to Marco and then calls out to you "Wait! Hold on!" "Mara, what the fuck are you doing?" you hear Marco say as you turn around. "I'm just gonna talk to him, I'll be back." "No! He's just gonna trick you into going back to him!" "Marco, it'll be fine, let go of me!" "No! I'm the one who loves you!" "Marco, you better let her go." You say as you approach. He isn't listening though and once again you grab him, however this time he manages to pull out a flintlock. You would have easily took it away from him had some of his boys not grown a pair and stabbed you in the side and back. You fall to the sand making it red with your blood. Mara is now screaming at Marco to not shoot you, but he's too committed to care. He's been waiting a long time to do this to someone and it's just a bonus that it's you. You take a shot directly to the chest and the life is already leaving your body. Marco's gang scatters at this point and Marco himself tries to drag Mara with him, but she manages to pull away until he just swears and values running from the scene of the crime more than her. It's a shitty way to have it all end like this by some snot nosed kid and in front of another who apparently did care about you in the end as she kneels down beside you crying as you die. You comfort yourself in your last moments with the fact that you weren't completely alone.

Chapter 3B1: The More They Get Complicated Year 30 A hand reaches for the pouch on your side; you grab it and open your eyes. "Damn it." Mara exclaims. "I keep telling you, you're not quiet enough and you make more noise than a clumsy orc. I honestly don't know how you don't get caught more often by your marks." You say sitting up. "Well if I do, that's only because I'm doing it like how you taught me." "If you really think that's how I've been teaching you, then you haven't been paying attention and we need to spend even more time training. What time is it?" "Afternoon. You slept through the morning as usual." "Sounds about right. So…early bird, what have you been up to this morning?" "Nothing much really. Just wandering around the city and doing stuff." "Hmm, wouldn't be with that little gang of hoodlums you hang out with sometimes would it?" Mara does answer immediately. "Figured." You say shaking your head. "Why are you so against me having friends?" Mara asks. "I'm not. I just think those idiots are a bad influence." "You're joking right? YOU think other people are a bad influence on me?" "Oh trust me, the irony isn't lost on me, however I would propose that I am at least a bad influence in an efficient way. You keep hanging out with that group of losers and well…you remember what happened to the Crimson Talons?" Mara rolls her eyes. "This isn't Klyton, and my friends aren't the Crimson Talons!" she exclaims. "No they aren't. The Talons were more organized and they STILL got completely wiped out due to being reckless. And while maybe the Jicol Watch isn't as overzealous as the Klyton Militia, but it's only a matter of time before your friends get into a whole mess of trouble that they're going to bring down on their own heads because they think punching old ladies in the street and grabbing their coin pouches to be the height of thievery." You reply. "Only a couple of them do that! And Marco has been telling them not to do it anymore. He said as the Black Hooks, they should be…" You start chuckling. "Black Hooks? They gave themselves a gang name? Oh that's precious. Truly a name that will stir fear into everyone. And you're telling me Marco is the leader? The gang already sucks." "…why…why are you being such an asshole?! Marco's a great guy and he's trying to put it all together with my help! He's a real thief! Just like me and you!" "PFFT!" you say with a mixture of contempt and genuine amusement. "I've met Marco when you first introduced me to all these idiots last year and that boy is NOTHING like me. He wasn't even me at that age. And as for him being like you, I like to think I'm a way better teacher than that despite your previous criticisms." "You don't know what you're talking about, you're just an cranky old man who doesn't want me associating with anyone except you!" "Okay first of all, I'm only fucking thirty. Second of all I do know what the hell I'm talking about. I understand your need for friends your own age, but I'm telling you this is the fucking wrong crowd. I've seen some of these dumb asses in action when I'm going about my own business and they're all going to wind up in a bad end." At this point you stand up and continue your rant. "And as for Marco, of course he wants your help, because out of ALL of them, you're the only real thief there and he's hoping that at least SOME of that shit that I've taught you will rub off on him. Well that and the fact he also wants you around to get in your pants." You remark. "Y'know, sometimes I wonder if that's why you want me around." Mara retorts. You stop for a split second at this outrageous accusation "Wow. You're REALLY going to go there? Y'know, if you really think that, then just fucking go. Go off with your little friends. Well? Go! GET THE FUCK OUT!" you shout. Mara jumps back a bit by your yelling and then without another word, she leaves slamming the door behind you. You slump back down on the bed already feeling drained even though you just woke up. Things were getting a bit tenser with Mara for a couple years now. You chalked it up to her being a teenager, but this latest argument has made you start to wonder if it's worse than just the need to rebel against you. As you try to calm yourself down, Elana jumps up on the bed and very slowly walks over to you. You give her a pet and she curls up to sleep. She does that a lot more nowadays. She's so old, and right about now you're feeling the same way. "(Sigh) It's really damn bad when I'm already missing the old days. Just me and sis against the world. Been downhill ever since that split. Certainly hope she's doing a lot better than I am right now." You continue to brood, thinking about what you should have done or shouldn't have done in your life. Eventually you stop since it's not doing you any good, so you go back to sleep instead. A few hours later you wake up and find that it's nighttime. Mara isn't home, but then maybe she won't ever come back. Still, you can't help but be concerned about her. You can only hope that she knows what the hell she's doing and that you taught her well enough that she doesn't get caught or can get herself out of trouble. In the meantime you decide to get some of your own work done and leave your humble dwellings to go accomplish just that. A few days pass and Mara still hasn't come home. However, you've still been keeping an eye on her from afar. You mostly know where she is and all her hang outs. She spends most of her time in the city district where docks of lesser importance are located. It isn't the best area, but given that she's with her Black Hook friends, you assume that she at least has people to watch her back. (And you figure Marco is especially, but you'd rather not think too much about that) As for the Black Hooks themselves, they're still pretty low as far as Watch is concerned it seems. When the city is more concerned with keeping a strong naval force to ward off any potential pirate attacks, a group of juvenile delinquents that still haven't done much more than petty theft, assault and vandalism, just doesn't rank very high. Honestly, you're more surprised that Mara hasn't gotten bored by them all yet since you know she's a lot more talented than any of them. You know you'd be bored. Then again you suppose you just weren't very social and never wanted to hang around with too many people. Just one that you could trust. Weeks pass and while you continue to keep an eye on her, sometimes you start to wonder if maybe you should let go. Of course if you did let go, you'd have to leave the city altogether, because you just couldn't stick around and NOT look out for her. > You stay No, you're not going anywhere. Maybe she needs her independence and maybe she's more "worldly" than most would be at her age, but the fact is, she's still young and if she DOES ever need help, you want to be available. Besides, it isn't like you've really got anywhere important to go. Besides this unpleasantness with Mara, your life here in Jicol hasn't been that bad. Certainly better than it was in Klyton or your very brief stay in Hessla. Still, you're starting to wonder if you should try your hand at something new. Not that you really believe that you're starting to get too old for this, but it would be nice to have an income that's steadier. You know that they have Qweepa fights here, but you're a little too attached to Elana to subject her to that. Besides she's too old and you don't think that after having one as a pet that you'd want to willingly risk their little ugly rodent lives even if it is for coin. You think for a moment on the various activities you could be doing and then realize you could be a fence. It's not like you don't have skill in selling stolen items already. You had to do it when the Crimson Talons stopped fencing for you; you still do it now when you're selling to the less honest merchants here. What you need to try to do though is make yourself known to other thieves who are unwilling to or don't know how to wheel and deal with the merchants. Not that you've ever particularly hung out within the "criminal circle" in the city, but you are aware of some of them. You figure you can work your way up to bigger clients in time. You get yourself set up and within a month you get a few of the lesser pickpockets to sell you're a few of the trinkets they've stolen. You in return sell those to whoever is willing to buy. Be it an average citizen on the street that needed for a gift for his girlfriend or a less than honest merchant. As you become more engrossed in this work that you spend less time watching out for Mara, however she's always in the back your mind and you at least try to keep an ear out for possible information. She still hasn't returned of course and that of course still makes you feel a bit down. A month later your mood doesn't change much when Elana dies peacefully in her sleep. You bury the little rodent, thanking her for being the link that allowed you meet Mara in the first place. Perhaps it's due to being a bit lonely and away from the mainland that you start to think about your real family again. You wonder how they're all doing. Is your sister still having her adventures on the road? Are your mom and dad okay? In fact, you get a little home sick and do something out of character, you write a letter to your family explaining that you're doing well. You don't go into great detail of course, you just keep it light and add an apology at the end. You send it by the courier service here, but who knows if it will actually get to them and you have no expectations that you'll hear anything back. A few more months pass and you're approached by a couple of young teenagers. You immediately notice that they both have tattoos of black hooks on their arms. "Hey…um…are you the guy?" one asks. "Am I the guy what?" you answer. "Y'know, the guy that buys shit." You nearly chuckle. Of all the groups that would come to you…then again you suppose it isn't too surprising, what with the Black Hooks being "on the rise" and all. And what the hell, business is business. "If I was, and I'm not saying that I am, do you have something in particular?" you ask. "Yeah! We just ripped this off from that Artifacts of the Ancients place! LOOK!" one of the teenagers remarks and trusts some sort of vase at you. "Are you fucking stupid showing that thing out here in the open? Put that damn thing away and follow me to some place less likely to get us all fucking pinched!" After doing your business with the Black Hooks, you remind them that you also sell items too and if they need anything in particular you could try to acquire it for them. "You have any Green Lotus?" one of them asks. "Not really a drug dealer guys, you'd have better luck at Desolation Alley if that's what you're into. However I can probably find something stronger in a few weeks if you're interested." You say. "Stronger? Fuck yeah! Oh wait, it's not Yellow Devil is it? Because I heard that shit literally melts your brains and body if you use it." "Oh no, not that. What I'm talking about is actually legal, but not just available to most of the public. Physicians use it mostly for surgeries, it's called Numb. Used to be able to get a lot of the stuff back in Klyton thanks to their medical school. Not as easy to get here, but I have my ways. Now normally this would cost you more than a bit of coin, but when I get it I'll give you a discount, but I do want to some information. "What sort of information?" "Do you know a girl named Mara? She's in your gang." "We just joined, so we don't know everyone yet." One of them remarks. "Wait, Mara? She's got black hair and was teaching those other guys how to pick a lock a few days ago. She's Marco's girlfriend." The other says. "Ohhhhh, yeah her. She's fucking pretty, I'd so get her on all fours and fuck the hell out of her." "Hey! That's Marco's girl!" "So? He's not here." "Yeah, but I am. I've looked after that girl for the past five years you asshole." You say. The teen suddenly shuts up. "Um, he was just joking…" his friend says. "Hm, I'm sure. Look never mind all that. I just want you two to give me a report on her, and no, I'm not asking you to snitch any of those precious Black Hook plans or secrets, of yours." "Nothing else?" "No, I just want you to tell me what she's up to and if she's okay." "Well that's okay I guess, but this Numb shit better be worth it!" "Oh, it'll be worth it. Trust me." And with that last bit of assurance, the two teens leave your presence. You hope those two idiots don't make themselves too obvious in performing your task. You'd hate for them to get caught and then Mara come down just to bitch at you about it. You make a note that you need to go do a proper burglary of that Numb addict doctor that lives over across town. You're guessing that he must get it through a very well protected shipment from the mainland. Probably even from Klyton. You also know damn well that the last time you cased his place that you found way more than he would ever need for a private practice of his that small. In the meantime, you have to go see a woman you know who is a sucker for fancy looking vases. > You time passes... Year 32 "I just paid you! Dolan exclaims. "Yeah and you know the damn rules Dolan, you can get Numb AFTER you give me the information as well!" you say. "But I don't know any more! I swear! I'm got my ass chewed out by Marco already for asking too many questions! Hasn't all the other information I've given you in the past been good?" "Hmmm, fine. But I'd advise you to start going easy on this stuff. It's not as simple to acquire anymore. So unless you want to go risk getting that inferior Green Lotus shit that got your buddy killed due to getting a bad batch, I suggest you not even come back unless you got a lot of coin or some information I can actually use. Now you better get out of here before some other Black Hooks come in to sell something and overhear that you're spying on all of them." Dolan meekly takes his small container of Numb and scampers away like the low life he is. The boy had no idea that it was going to lead up to this, though you planned that it would. A somewhat reliable mole in the Black Hooks just so you can keep an ear out on what they're doing, though it's still more to keep a check on Mara who apparently is doing well in her position with Black Hooks though that doesn't surprise you for several reasons. In some ways you're actually proud of her, but as always there is still concern. Especially with what you've been hearing lately and the Jicol Watch is the least of potential problems. A few members of the infamous Ebony Claw Syndicate have been seen in the city. You've already heard the many tales of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're a huge organization with a shitload of resources behind them and when they start showing up regularly in a city that usually means it's currently in their sights for expansion. And if they do expand, there isn't much that is going to stop them, as most of the criminal here are unorganized. Anyone who they don't bother to incorporate into their organization is going to just get eliminated. This development has got you slightly more concerned for Mara since as a member of the only potential "organized resistance" to an ECS take over the Black Hooks could very be on the list for elimination. You aren't really sure what you can do though. You haven't spoken to Mara since she left two years ago and she's made no effort to contact you. Of course you haven't really made the effort to speak with her either and it's not like you couldn't meet her alone given the eye you keep on her with your drug addled spy. You suppose you haven't since you aren't sure if she'd want to see you. For a couple days you seriously mull over the idea of going to see her or not and that's when you get a visit from members of the ECS. "Figured it wouldn't be long before you guys showed up." You say when they come through the door. The pair of them are about the sort you'd expect from the ECS, a couple of intimidating muscular guys with tattoos. They don't answer you right away and just briefly look around before addressing you. "I take it you're the fence of this city?" one of them asks. "Well I'm hardly the only one." You reply. "Yes, but we've heard that you're probably the best one." "Really? Glad to hear my reputation is in good standing with the underworld I suppose. Never can quite tell in this line of work as I'm sure you well know." "Hmm, can't say I'm impressed with the Jicol underworld if you're considered the best, but looks can be deceiving I suppose especially since you seem to have even eluded being under suspicion by the Jicol Watch here. It at least shows you know how to keep a low profile, which displays signs of professionalism. In any case my name is Nathan and since you already seemed to know we were going to show up I'm going to go ahead and assume you know why we're here." Nathan says. "Well I can take a guess, but for all I know you might be here to kill me." You reply. "Oh we don't have nearly enough information about this city and it's major players to start killing anyone yet. However it doesn't seem like there are any major players unless we count the actual government…or have we missed someone?" "Are you asking me?" "I don't know, am I? Surely an important man as you knows things. Of course if you're saying you don't know anything, maybe we should talk to someone else…" "Hold on. I didn't say that I didn't know anything. It's just that you're fairly correct about the situation in Jicol. The underworld element here has no real uniting entity and I don't have much to add." "Interesting. So what about this other group I've heard about in passing, the Black Hookers or something?" "Um, the Black Hooks. Yes, mostly an unruly gang of amateur teenagers who think they're tough. Not really that important." "I see. Though from what I hear their numbers are sizable and the youth are easily molded if given the proper motivation and training." You don't respond to Nathan's last response. Nathan at this juncture makes a few eye and hand gestures to his less talkative comrade. Nathan's friend nods and stands by the door while Nathan addresses you again. "Okay friendo, I'm going to tell you this because quite frankly I don't want to be bothered running around speaking to every little two copper thug that's in this city and you seem to deal with most of them anyway. Even if you don't then you know enough of them that they'll spread the word to the rest." "And that word is exactly?" "The ECS is taking over ALL operations here. A pocket isn't going to be picked in this city without us guiding the hand and getting our cut. This might not be today, this might not be tomorrow, it might not even be next year, but we are coming and nobody here is going to stop us." "Anything else?" "Yeah, let everyone know that the ECS isn't unreasonable. If they seek us out for official membership we will consider them. Even if they aren't quite up to our standards, we'll find something for them as an associate. One thing we WILL NOT tolerate however is resistance. So let everyone know, defying the Ebony Claws won't be in their best interest if they wish to continue their choice of careers in the future." You don't have much to add to that, save for a nod. "So I trust I can count on you for this task?" Nathan asks. "Sure, I'll spread the word, though I'm wondering about my place in this new order you're proposing." You say. "Oh I'm not worried about you. You seem intelligent enough to know to step aside when a storm is coming. For now you can continue your business as usual. We can discuss your future when things are more settled. I'm sure we'll talk again many more times soon." Nathan smiles and bids you good day. As he and his friend start to walk out the door, you realize that now you really do have to speak with Mara personally. Later on in the week you go to seek her out, though you stay out of sight until you can get her alone which isn't really a long wait since you find out that she mostly works alone and at night when she's not socializing with her fellow Black Hooks. You follow her for a while as she creeps into a couple closed businesses, and then make your presence known when she's sneaking out of a bakery of all places. "Didn't realize the bakeries were doing so well." You say. "Shit! Oh damn it, there goes my evening snack!" Mara exclaims when she gets startled by you and then drops the pastry she stole. Mara composes herself and then looks at you. She's grown a bit. Granted you knew that and you've seen her from afar, but this the first time in two years you've spoke to her and seen her this close. You sort of expect Mara to either walk away from you or get nasty, but she doesn't, instead you get: "Hey…dad." She says. "So, you're my daughter now?" you ask "Well what would you call us?" "I dunno, you made a pretty damning accusation before you left two years ago." "Yeah…I really shouldn't have said that. Always sort of thought I should apologize to you, but…I dunno…guess I was just too stubborn." "Well I could have apologized as well. I was stubborn too, though I also thought that you'd just yell at me and walk away." "Maybe in the beginning I suppose, but I haven't really been angry at you for a long time. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have gotten as mad as I did, but…" "Yeah I know. You needed to have friends your own age. That's another reason why I just let you be." Mara smirks a bit. "Bullshit. You've still been keeping an eye on me all this time. Even when you stopped physically spying, you got those two idiots Dolan and Addison when he was still alive to spy for you." She replies. "Guilty. So when did Dolan confess his guts to you?" you ask with a bit of a smile. "Actually Dolan and Addison never told me anything directly, but they became so obvious as time wore on that I knew they weren't just being horny guys staring at me and trying to eavesdrop on me. When I found out that several of the Black Hooks would do business with you, I sort of drew my own conclusions after following them around a bit." Mara remarks. "So any reason why you kept it to yourself and didn't tell Marco or even confront me about it?" "Well like I said, I was too stubborn to go see you in person again, and I figured why mess up perfectly good business between you and the Black Hooks? That wouldn't benefit anyone and I didn't want to see you possibly get hurt since I know that you were just concerned about me." Mara then walks forward towards and touches your hand. "You stepped up and looked after me when I was well on my way to an orphanage. At least you taught me skills to survive and were nice. Who knows what would have happened in the orphanage. I won't ever just forget that and I'm sorry we parted the way we did." "Like I said, that's all in the past. Don't worry about that now." "That's good to hear you say that, though I feel like you didn't just come see me to reconnect again." "There's trouble coming for everyone in this city and maybe the Black Hooks most of all." You and Mara go some place more private (And less near some place she just broke into) and you explain the situation with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. While she's definitely listening to you, you don't think she quite appreciates the situation. "The Black Hooks will fight back against these Ebony Claws if they start showing up and throwing their weight around." Mara says. "No, no, that's exactly what you DON'T want to do with these guys. Look Mara, I'll acknowledge that the Black Hooks are more skilled than I originally gave them credit for and they've lasted longer than I thought too. But when it comes down to it, you're all still a bunch of teenagers that don't know shit. The ECS has been around for…shit I dunno even know how long. These guys aren't just a gang like your Black Hook friends or even the Crimson Talons, they're a powerful organization that rivals fucking governments at times. Jicol is a prime meat for them and they aren't going to be denied their dinner." "I hear what you're saying, but how do we really know all this? What I mean is, how do we know it isn't all just stories? Have you really ever had to deal with them in before? They never had a presence in Klyton, maybe their rep is exaggerated." "I won't argue that maybe it is to some degree, but I also don't see the need for a pointless risk. Honestly, the Black Hooks would probably be incorporated into the EBS, you'd probably be fine if you complied." "Perhaps, but I doubt if Marco would agree to it. He's got some plans of his own and getting assimilated or pushed around by a rival group isn't part of it." "Well you better convince him otherwise then, because it won't end well for the Black Hooks if you go to war with the Ebony Claws." Mara has her own suggestion. "Well…can't we all just unite?" Mara asks. "What do you mean?" you ask. "I mean don't you have connections with a lot of the other independent thieves and such? I mean surely they wouldn't want the ECS coming in, pushing them around and taking a cut of their money either." "Well some of them wouldn't be pleased. Others I'd wager would just throw their lot in with ECS thanks to their reputation alone." "But couldn't we convince enough of them to repel this invasion?" "That's a tall order, but…I suppose it could be possible. We'd have to act fast though and we'd have to track down the current ECS outpost here and eliminate them all. I mean leave nobody left. With some luck MAYBE with nobody reporting back to the mainland, the ECS will just assume the worst and not bother sending anyone else. If not, well we just continue with the united front and kill the ECS as they arrive until they stop. I don't have to tell you though how dangerous that's all going to be." Mara seems more receptive to that plan, though you're usually more for anything that's going to result in less risk for life and limb, but you've also got the long term to think about which is do you really want to answer to the ECS? > You comply You've already been given a good deal and fighting the ECS is just crazy. Hopefully you can make Mara see that. "Mara, we only just reunited and I don't want to lose you now. We need to not oppose the ECS." "Okay. I understand. However, I can't just abandon my friends either. I'm going to try to convince them…though I don't know how much success I'm going to have, but I need to try." You hug Mara and breathe a sigh of relief. It isn't the complete break from the Black Hooks that you wanted, but it's a start and she's at least listening. You part ways with Mara and tell her to be careful. You hope that she gives up her plan before things get worse with the ECS. In the meantime you go back to your own business and perform the task that the ECS told you to do. Many of the thieves' express a certain amount of fear and respect upon hearing the Ebony Claws are in the city. Several outright say they're leaving it now. Many others mutter a bit about the end of the independent is at hand. A rare few say they're actually going to oppose the Claws. Madness, you believe with the last group, but you're merely relaying information, not trying to change anyone's minds, other than Mara's. Weeks pass and while you see Mara every now and then still, you begin to worry because you thought she would have given up this foolishness of convincing the Black Hooks by now. She's been going for slow burn of trying to convince them, but so far she's only got a couple who simply say that while they aren't keen on fighting with the ECS, they don't really want to oppose Marco. And convincing him has been completely unsuccessful. You really don't want to interfere since you know if you do, it's possibly just going to drive Mara back into the Black Hooks. Your concern increases when you hear that the Black Hooks killed two of ECS members and burned down a general store, which was acting as their headquarters. Already the Black Hooks are declaring victory over the ECS, which you know is not true. When you ask Dolan what the two men looked like that they killed, they don't match the description of Nathan and his friend at all. The ECS probably has a lot more folks on here than anyone knows. The general store was probably just a business front they were getting ready to set up and their real headquarters is elsewhere. Wherever it is though, you know the Black Hooks don't have long for this world and you need to get Mara the hell out of there. As soon as you're able, you make your way down to the popular Black Hook hangout near a small beach and under a boardwalk. You see a lot of them drinking, laughing and generally having a good time. You don't even get the hostile territorial attitude that you'd expect. "Hey it's fence man! Have a drink! We're celebrating our victory over those Ebony Claw pussies!" one of them says thrusting a bottle of something at you. "Yeah! We just saved the fuckin' city! We're heroes!" another says. "Ohh, who's this one? He's old…but handsome, you wanna give me a spanking daddy?" a mildly drunk girl says to you. You tell them all to get off of you and ask if anyone has seen Mara. None of them have though. You don't have much luck until Marco suddenly shows up. He's certainly grown since the first time Mara brough him around two years ago, but you're hardly intimidated. "What the fuck do you want? This is a private celebration for Black Hooks only, not pussies who quake in fear of the ECS! The ECS that WE just destroyed!" he says. "Yeah, sure you did. Look, I'll leave you assholes to your dead man's party in a moment, but I'm looking for Mara, now where the hell is she?" "Hey cocksucker, I dunno where you THINK you are, but this is fucking Black Hook territory and you're talking to the fucking head of it! You don't come into my fucking place and start…" Before Marco can even finish, you punch him in the face and trip him to the sand. You then place a knee into his chest and pull your flintlock on him. The rest of his minions don't even make a move against you. They just look on in awe. Marco on the other hand looks on in fear. "I don't have time for this shit Marco, I wanna know where my daughter is NOW!" you ask. "Okay! Just don't shoot! I dunno where she is! She kept coming around trying to convince us not to fight with the ECS, but after a really big argument a few days ago, she and a few others that agreed with her finally left for good. I think she's been hanging out with them on the other side of city! And that's all I know, I swear!" You're about to ask where on the other side of the city and that's when you hear the sound of a bolt going into someone followed by their body dropping. Several more bolts, as well as bullets follow. "Oh shit! It's the ECS and there's a shitload of them!" someone screams. You look around from your position and see that there are indeed A LOT of ECS members all armed and surrounding the area. Some of the Black Hooks are trying to escape by swimming out further into the water, but thanks to most of them being drunk, they don't get very far and just become even easier targets Marco pushes you off of him in an attempt to escape, but he gets struck down by crossbow fire after only getting a few paces away from you. You attempt to shout at the ECS explaining that you're not with the Black Hooks, but they're not in a listening mood and as far as their concerned, you were found with them, so… You die on the sand, with several bolts in your body.

Year 32 "I just paid you! Dolan exclaims. "Yeah and you know the damn rules Dolan, you can get Numb AFTER you give me the information as well!" you say. "But I don't know any more! I swear! I'm got my ass chewed out by Marco already for asking too many questions! Hasn't all the other information I've given you in the past been good?" "Hmmm, fine. But I'd advise you to start going easy on this stuff. It's not as simple to acquire anymore. So unless you want to go risk getting that inferior Green Lotus shit that got your buddy killed due to getting a bad batch, I suggest you not even come back unless you got a lot of coin or some information I can actually use. Now you better get out of here before some other Black Hooks come in to sell something and overhear that you're spying on all of them." Dolan meekly takes his small container of Numb and scampers away like the low life he is. The boy had no idea that it was going to lead up to this, though you planned that it would. A somewhat reliable mole in the Black Hooks just so you can keep an ear out on what they're doing, though it's still more to keep a check on Mara who apparently is doing well in her position with Black Hooks though that doesn't surprise you for several reasons. In some ways you're actually proud of her, but as always there is still concern. Especially with what you've been hearing lately and the Jicol Watch is the least of potential problems. A few members of the infamous Ebony Claw Syndicate have been seen in the city. You've already heard the many tales of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're a huge organization with a shitload of resources behind them and when they start showing up regularly in a city that usually means it's currently in their sights for expansion. And if they do expand, there isn't much that is going to stop them, as most of the criminal here are unorganized. Anyone who they don't bother to incorporate into their organization is going to just get eliminated. This development has got you slightly more concerned for Mara since as a member of the only potential "organized resistance" to an ECS take over the Black Hooks could very be on the list for elimination. You aren't really sure what you can do though. You haven't spoken to Mara since she left two years ago and she's made no effort to contact you. Of course you haven't really made the effort to speak with her either and it's not like you couldn't meet her alone given the eye you keep on her with your drug addled spy. You suppose you haven't since you aren't sure if she'd want to see you. For a couple days you seriously mull over the idea of going to see her or not and that's when you get a visit from members of the ECS. "Figured it wouldn't be long before you guys showed up." You say when they come through the door. The pair of them are about the sort you'd expect from the ECS, a couple of intimidating muscular guys with tattoos. They don't answer you right away and just briefly look around before addressing you. "I take it you're the fence of this city?" one of them asks. "Well I'm hardly the only one." You reply. "Yes, but we've heard that you're probably the best one." "Really? Glad to hear my reputation is in good standing with the underworld I suppose. Never can quite tell in this line of work as I'm sure you well know." "Hmm, can't say I'm impressed with the Jicol underworld if you're considered the best, but looks can be deceiving I suppose especially since you seem to have even eluded being under suspicion by the Jicol Watch here. It at least shows you know how to keep a low profile, which displays signs of professionalism. In any case my name is Nathan and since you already seemed to know we were going to show up I'm going to go ahead and assume you know why we're here." Nathan says. "Well I can take a guess, but for all I know you might be here to kill me." You reply. "Oh we don't have nearly enough information about this city and it's major players to start killing anyone yet. However it doesn't seem like there are any major players unless we count the actual government…or have we missed someone?" "Are you asking me?" "I don't know, am I? Surely an important man as you knows things. Of course if you're saying you don't know anything, maybe we should talk to someone else…" "Hold on. I didn't say that I didn't know anything. It's just that you're fairly correct about the situation in Jicol. The underworld element here has no real uniting entity and I don't have much to add." "Interesting. So what about this other group I've heard about in passing, the Black Hookers or something?" "Um, the Black Hooks. Yes, mostly an unruly gang of amateur teenagers who think they're tough. Not really that important." "I see. Though from what I hear their numbers are sizable and the youth are easily molded if given the proper motivation and training." You don't respond to Nathan's last response. Nathan at this juncture makes a few eye and hand gestures to his less talkative comrade. Nathan's friend nods and stands by the door while Nathan addresses you again. "Okay friendo, I'm going to tell you this because quite frankly I don't want to be bothered running around speaking to every little two copper thug that's in this city and you seem to deal with most of them anyway. Even if you don't then you know enough of them that they'll spread the word to the rest." "And that word is exactly?" "The ECS is taking over ALL operations here. A pocket isn't going to be picked in this city without us guiding the hand and getting our cut. This might not be today, this might not be tomorrow, it might not even be next year, but we are coming and nobody here is going to stop us." "Anything else?" "Yeah, let everyone know that the ECS isn't unreasonable. If they seek us out for official membership we will consider them. Even if they aren't quite up to our standards, we'll find something for them as an associate. One thing we WILL NOT tolerate however is resistance. So let everyone know, defying the Ebony Claws won't be in their best interest if they wish to continue their choice of careers in the future." You don't have much to add to that, save for a nod. "So I trust I can count on you for this task?" Nathan asks. "Sure, I'll spread the word, though I'm wondering about my place in this new order you're proposing." You say. "Oh I'm not worried about you. You seem intelligent enough to know to step aside when a storm is coming. For now you can continue your business as usual. We can discuss your future when things are more settled. I'm sure we'll talk again many more times soon." Nathan smiles and bids you good day. As he and his friend start to walk out the door, you realize that now you really do have to speak with Mara personally. Later on in the week you go to seek her out, though you stay out of sight until you can get her alone which isn't really a long wait since you find out that she mostly works alone and at night when she's not socializing with her fellow Black Hooks. You follow her for a while as she creeps into a couple closed businesses, and then make your presence known when she's sneaking out of a bakery of all places. "Didn't realize the bakeries were doing so well." You say. "Shit! Oh damn it, there goes my evening snack!" Mara exclaims when she gets startled by you and then drops the pastry she stole. Mara composes herself and then looks at you. She's grown a bit. Granted you knew that and you've seen her from afar, but this the first time in two years you've spoke to her and seen her this close. You sort of expect Mara to either walk away from you or get nasty, but she doesn't, instead you get: "Hey…dad." She says. "So, you're my daughter now?" you ask "Well what would you call us?" "I dunno, you made a pretty damning accusation before you left two years ago." "Yeah…I really shouldn't have said that. Always sort of thought I should apologize to you, but…I dunno…guess I was just too stubborn." "Well I could have apologized as well. I was stubborn too, though I also thought that you'd just yell at me and walk away." "Maybe in the beginning I suppose, but I haven't really been angry at you for a long time. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have gotten as mad as I did, but…" "Yeah I know. You needed to have friends your own age. That's another reason why I just let you be." Mara smirks a bit. "Bullshit. You've still been keeping an eye on me all this time. Even when you stopped physically spying, you got those two idiots Dolan and Addison when he was still alive to spy for you." She replies. "Guilty. So when did Dolan confess his guts to you?" you ask with a bit of a smile. "Actually Dolan and Addison never told me anything directly, but they became so obvious as time wore on that I knew they weren't just being horny guys staring at me and trying to eavesdrop on me. When I found out that several of the Black Hooks would do business with you, I sort of drew my own conclusions after following them around a bit." Mara remarks. "So any reason why you kept it to yourself and didn't tell Marco or even confront me about it?" "Well like I said, I was too stubborn to go see you in person again, and I figured why mess up perfectly good business between you and the Black Hooks? That wouldn't benefit anyone and I didn't want to see you possibly get hurt since I know that you were just concerned about me." Mara then walks forward towards and touches your hand. "You stepped up and looked after me when I was well on my way to an orphanage. At least you taught me skills to survive and were nice. Who knows what would have happened in the orphanage. I won't ever just forget that and I'm sorry we parted the way we did." "Like I said, that's all in the past. Don't worry about that now." "That's good to hear you say that, though I feel like you didn't just come see me to reconnect again." "There's trouble coming for everyone in this city and maybe the Black Hooks most of all." You and Mara go some place more private (And less near some place she just broke into) and you explain the situation with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. While she's definitely listening to you, you don't think she quite appreciates the situation. "The Black Hooks will fight back against these Ebony Claws if they start showing up and throwing their weight around." Mara says. "No, no, that's exactly what you DON'T want to do with these guys. Look Mara, I'll acknowledge that the Black Hooks are more skilled than I originally gave them credit for and they've lasted longer than I thought too. But when it comes down to it, you're all still a bunch of teenagers that don't know shit. The ECS has been around for…shit I dunno even know how long. These guys aren't just a gang like your Black Hook friends or even the Crimson Talons, they're a powerful organization that rivals fucking governments at times. Jicol is a prime meat for them and they aren't going to be denied their dinner." "I hear what you're saying, but how do we really know all this? What I mean is, how do we know it isn't all just stories? Have you really ever had to deal with them in before? They never had a presence in Klyton, maybe their rep is exaggerated." "I won't argue that maybe it is to some degree, but I also don't see the need for a pointless risk. Honestly, the Black Hooks would probably be incorporated into the EBS, you'd probably be fine if you complied." "Perhaps, but I doubt if Marco would agree to it. He's got some plans of his own and getting assimilated or pushed around by a rival group isn't part of it." "Well you better convince him otherwise then, because it won't end well for the Black Hooks if you go to war with the Ebony Claws." Mara has her own suggestion. "Well…can't we all just unite?" Mara asks. "What do you mean?" you ask. "I mean don't you have connections with a lot of the other independent thieves and such? I mean surely they wouldn't want the ECS coming in, pushing them around and taking a cut of their money either." "Well some of them wouldn't be pleased. Others I'd wager would just throw their lot in with ECS thanks to their reputation alone." "But couldn't we convince enough of them to repel this invasion?" "That's a tall order, but…I suppose it could be possible. We'd have to act fast though and we'd have to track down the current ECS outpost here and eliminate them all. I mean leave nobody left. With some luck MAYBE with nobody reporting back to the mainland, the ECS will just assume the worst and not bother sending anyone else. If not, well we just continue with the united front and kill the ECS as they arrive until they stop. I don't have to tell you though how dangerous that's all going to be." Mara seems more receptive to that plan, though you're usually more for anything that's going to result in less risk for life and limb, but you've also got the long term to think about which is do you really want to answer to the ECS? > You resist You got run out of your home town, you got run out of Klyton, you're sick of running even if the ECS aren't driving you out in the traditional sense. Plus you just reunited with Mara, it would probably be best if you stuck by her if you want to continue a good relationship with her. "Mara, maybe you're right I think we need to fight." You say. "I agree, though I'll admit I'm a little scared." Mara replies. "Well good. You should be scared, because this is going to be dangerous. However, think of it this way. Right now we've got a numerical advantage and the element of surprise. The guy that spoke to me, Nathan seems to labor under the impression that I'm going to comply with his wishes to tell everyone to join them. Obviously I'm going to do the opposite." "Do you think it will work?" "Like I said, it's not going to be easy. I'm going to put out feelers for the ones who I know will resist first. In the meantime, I want you to go tell your boyfriend AND urge to him how serious this is. We need to all coordinate an attack plan and strike only when the time is right. If we go in half assed on this, we're all going to hang. Now are you absolutely sure he and the rest of the Black Hooks aren't going to be likely to join the ECS?" "Very sure. I certainly don't want to and Marco isn't my boyfriend." "…he's not? Hm, guess my information is severely out of date and Dolan isn't as thorough as he claims." "Well… things change, and it hasn't been long. In fact nobody in the Black Hooks really knows yet." "Oh. Um, you okay? I mean is there something really bad that happened that you're not telling me?" "Yeah. It wasn't a bad split or anything like that. Just wasn't working out. Anyway, I think we got more important things to worry about with the Claws." "So we do. Okay, you know what to do and I'm sure we'll be speaking again sometime in the near future. Oh and I suppose you can go ahead and tell Dolan that he doesn't need to worry about spying anymore." "Okay." Before you part ways, you hug Mara who returns it. You tell her to be careful and that you're glad to be speaking with her again. You get to work immediately and eventually you manage to get together a group that you're sure is going to be receptive to opposing the ECS, however a few of them have other concerns. "So who's leading this resistance? You?" one of them asks. "Well I'm more of an organizer, but I suppose we can all contribute ideas." You say. "A council? That sound like a terrible idea. Things like this a lot better with a defined leader." Another says. "I dunno, isn't this the sort of thing we're trying to avoid? I mean we're essentially forming a gang to oppose the ECS. And say we actually succeed, then what? We just avoided getting assimilated or eliminated at the cost of being independent in the first place." yet another responds. "And what about those Black Hook bastards? You said they're going to be involved? Can't say I'm looking forward to that." A fourth says. "I'm telling you one thing right now if that little shit Marco is supposed to be in charge of this, I'm out right now." A fifth says. You can see how difficult is going to be already. "Okay, people, people! I understand all these concerns, but let me address some right now! First, this isn't going to be a gang, its not even going to be a guild. This is just going to be a mutually beneficial alliance. We ALL agree to work together to oppose the ECS or any other threat to our interests. After said threat is gone, we can all go back to being little special grains of sand. As for the Black Hooks, we're going to be allying with them as well, even if they're their own separate entity. We just all need to coordinate and get as many people on board with this as possible." You say. "Can I just say something?" an older man you only know as "Sneaks" asks. "Go ahead." "I faced the ECS on a regular basis many years ago back in Holgard. I belonged to the Thieves Guild there that opposed them. We tried our best, but ultimately they wiped us out. I dare say I'm one of the few that got away to my knowledge. Now I already knew they were in this city before you even called this meeting. I actually planned on catching first ship out of here just because I didn't want to go through this mess again. However, while they might be powerful the ECS tends to abandon places if it's going to cost them more effort than it's worth." The old thief stands up from his chair to continue his speech. "So I think you're correct in that if we do act now before they get entrenched like they did in Holgard, we might just stop them. I'm going to go try to convince a few others that respect my opinion to join us in this task. I urge you all to do the same because if we just let the ECS come in here, it's going to be worse than you think if we just comply." Between you and Sneaks' speeches the rest seem more convinced of this cause. You realize it's still going to take some hammering out all the details, but this is a good start. A bit more discussion goes on and eventually the group breaks up for the night. You tell Sneaks to stick around though since you want to speak with him a little more. "Hey, a lot of your words really helped I think. Pretty sure some of them would have left otherwise." You say. "Well you put all this together so I think you're more responsible than anyone else for this resistance." Sneaks replies. "Funny enough I was seriously considering in just complying when the ECS first approached me, it was someone else who felt fighting was a more worthy pursuit. Glad she did now." "Mmm, glad she did too. I think you would have found life under ECS yoke far less desirable than even fighting them. I was thinking that while it's been well established that this is just a temporary alliance, a couple people were correct in that we probably should have a single leader instead of all of us just shouting ideas. More will get accomplished quicker if you just become the leader. I doubt if anyone is going to have any major objections." "Oh. Well I guess it probably makes the most sense. You seem to have genuine experience in fighting the ECS though, sure you don't want to do it?" you half joke. "Nah, I've never been a leader. I have been an advisor on more than one occasion though, so I'll do that if you need." A few days after you've had your meeting with the independents, you meet up with Mara who has brought Marco with her. You haven't been looking forward to this meeting. You only met him in person once before the first time Mara brought him around two years ago, but he's grown as well. He still has that tone of arrogance in his voice like he knows everything of course. If anything he's even worse. "I don't see why we're waiting around for a bunch of old fucks before striking at these assholes. Word has it, that they've been setting up in a general store on Typhoon street. Me and my Black Hooks could easily take them out! We've been waiting for something like this, we got the gear and we're ready!" Marco says. "Yeah? Well you'll be even more ready if you're just a bit more patient Marco. We need to coordinate plans, not go in half assed. I figured Mara explained this already to you." You reply. Marco scowls a bit. "Hey look, I know this guy is your dad and he deals fairly with us with fencing shit, but he needs to know he can't just tell me what to do. I'M the leader of the Black Hooks and after we're done wiping out these Ebony Claw assholes, we're going to be stepping things up to run this entire city!" "Great, so Mara have the Claw been in contact with any Black Hooks?" you say already getting sick of talking to Marco and deciding to speak with Mara instead. "HEY! I'm the fucking leader! You supposed to be fucking talking to ME about this shit, not my girlfriend!" "First off, I'll talk to who the fuck I want, especially my daughter. Second, I thought you guys broke up." Marco's face drops and he looks more scared than angry. "You…you told him?! You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Marco says. "No! No! I just told him we broke up!" Mara says. "I think I'm missing something here." You say. The rest of the short meeting mostly consists of Mara trying to calm Marco down. You don't know what it's all about, but you've gotten the impression that it's something embarrassing. By the time Marco does calm down, he's even pissier with you and now he's upset with Mara (Though he doesn't get outright angry) Ultimately he grudgingly accepts the plan of waiting until everyone is ready. You nearly ask Mara what that was all about after he leaves, but you figure maybe it should wait for now. You just tell her to continue to be the rational influence in the Black Hooks. You have another meeting later on that week with Sneaks who has already gathered a bit of information on the ECS. He tells you contrary to what Marco believes, they are NOT all gathered in a general store on Typhoon Street. He mentions that's just some front they're already starting to set up. He mentions their real base isn't even in the city; it's in some small ruin on the island. "You followed them outside the city?" you ask. "Yeah, looks like an abandoned temple of Fel. I'm really not surprised given their history." "What do you mean?" "Some of the ECS, mostly the higher ranking ones, have connections to Fel. You're aware of who that is right?" "Sure, god of shadows. Some rogues are into him though most pray to Yag." "Well that's probably because most rogues aren't actively religious and it's easier to say few half assed praises to a god who's just rolling the dice anyway. Dedication to Fel, and I mean true dedication to Fel is a little more involved, but it does seem to have benefits and I've seen those unfortunately in action when I was in Holgard." "Shit. Are you telling me these folks have divine powers?" "No, not all of them, not even most of them. In fact I doubt if any of the ones sent here do. I'm just saying there is a history for high ranking leaders to have shadow powers. In any case, I believe there about thirty or so of them here. It's definitely going to be a fight whenever we attack." "Thirty is a lot more than I expected." "Yeah well they probably were keeping stuff like that secret so if anyone tried anything now, they could determine who was going to be a problem and retaliate in force if they needed to." Sneaks goes on to suggest that perhaps the Black Hooks should lead the assault since Marco is so eager. In fact he actually goes so far to not so subtly suggest that something should happen to Marco in particular. "I'm sort of wondering where this conversation is going Sneaks." You say. "Okay, we both know the Black Hooks are a potential problem in the future. I mean yeah they won't be the ECS, but they could start getting pretty territorial really fast if left unchecked. I'm just saying that the rest of us do a little less to help them and let them take most of the casualties. And if some of them just happen to accidentally get shot by a stray bullet or bolt…well shit happens." Sneaks remarks. "That's…pretty damn shady. Though I have to admit, I do see the logic in it, and I might actually consider it except for one major thing." "What's that?" "Mara is in the Black Hooks and I'm not exactly keen on using her as fodder." "Okay, so I'll just let everyone else know that your daughter is off limits and is not to be targeted." "I dunno. I mean its one thing to let the Black Hooks take the brunt of the casualties, but it's completely another thing to actively kill them in the middle of the fight when we're supposed to be on the same side. Also while Mara might get spared, it's going to be awfully suspicious if she's the only Black Hook survivor. We may not be fond of them, but some of these people are her friends. She isn't a stupid girl and will make her own conclusions." "Well, I suppose it's up to you, but I just don't see it as a bad idea." > You deal with the Black Hooks fairly While the Black Hooks are mostly a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers, they're still exactly that, a bunch of dumb obnoxious teenagers. Other than Marco, most of the ones you've had dealings with haven't really been hostile towards you. Most of them are probably going to get themselves kill during this fight anyway, no need for any sort of treachery. "No, we can't afford to start stabbing our allies in the back, especially in this situation. I'm fairly certain the ECS is going to be doing a good enough job of whittling their numbers down anyway." "Probably right. Just providing alternatives. So should we go over when and how we're going to plan this attack?" You and Sneaks first go over the plans a few times, then you share this information with the rest of the Jicol Alliance, after sharing it with them, you share it with the Black Hooks. You still aren't sure of when to attack since you want to make sure to get most if not all in one area and not have to chase any down, given how impatient Marco is getting and the fact that you're really never going to know for sure when the best time is, you just decide to do it sooner rather than later, especially since you're as ready as you all are going to get. You spend the day before the attack mostly getting yourself mentally prepared for this. You haven't killed anyone since Klint and murder in general wasn't really something you ever wanted make a habit of doing. However, you do know it's within you to do it and you're going to have to do it multiple times soon. You just take into consideration that Mara is going to be in danger the whole time and you're going to have to kill in order to make sure she doesn't die. Not that you think she's going to be helpless, but it's a better frame of mind to put yourself in if you're thinking that way for this task. Your forces attack the ECS hideout at night. You actually tell the Black Hooks to stay back a bit since they're more likely to be sloppier and you're trying to keep this attack as silent as possible before an alarm is raised. You and some of the others sneak around and take out a few of the Claws on the perimeter. After about taking care of the ones outside, that's when you signal for the Black Hooks (and everyone else) to follow you in. You actually manage to make it down to the lower level of this temple before on of the Black Hooks' lack of experience start calling attention to the attack and before you know it, the alarm is at last raised. It was good while it lasted. The underground level to this place is almost maze like, with Ebony Claws coming out from behind every corner. You actually manage to stop a few of the Black Hooks from getting killed by pointing out traps that they nearly step on or trip. In fact, they start sticking close to you, Marco or the other more experienced thieves rather than just going off half assed. The whole time this is going on, you're still trying to keep an eye on Mara who you've seen take out at least one person. You aren't sure if she's done that before or this is her first time. You guess you'll ask after this is all over. Bullets, bolts, arrows, blades and traps of all kinds are dodged or blocked many times in this battle. The Ebony Claws fight back with everything they got, which includes several, fire powder bombs that take out a large part of your forces, enough to even up the odds. For your own dislike of the arrogant prick, Marco is actually being a deciding factor in keeping most of the remaining Black Hooks from just turning away and running. You sort of expected him to just be full of bravado and shit his pants when things got bad, but he's really stepping up. Eventually you, Mara, Marco and a few others reach what you believe to be an altar room of some sort. You see Nathan and his friend that came with him when they first met you. "You fucking idiots. You have no idea of the deep shit you're all in. You really think even if you some how manage to kill all of us this day, that you're going to get away with it? Kill them all except that fucker right there, I wanna take my time with him." Nathan shouts while pointing at you. Nathan at this point spout some sort of gibberish and become blurry and you're having a hard time focusing on him. It would seem that Sneaks wasn't entirely correct about none of their number having access to shadow magic. "Marco, you and me deal with the magic asshole, the rest of you cut the other one down and then help us!" you shout. Nathan is moving at a speed that you can barely defend against. If it wasn't for Marco providing an extra target, you might very well be losing badly though given how it's going, you still aren't doing too well. Nathan slashes you across the face with his knife, kicks you in the balls and then slams you to the floor. He then punches you multiple times in the face before Marco manages to recover from his own previous beating and get Nathan off of you by stabbing him in the back. "Bastard!" Nathan grunts and backhands the teen to the floor. Nathan still has more than enough fight in him. He begins cutting up Marco who is desperately trying to cover himself. He manages to roll away and quickly stand up, but he's losing a lot of blood from all the cuts. Meanwhile Mara has finally finished off Nathan's friend and is the only one left from that combat. She rushes in to help you and Marco. Mara attempts to stab Nathan, but he anticipates the move and rather than just dodging it, he spins behind Marco causing her to run him through instead. Mara is in so much shock at what she's done, Nathan takes advantage and pushes Marco's dying body towards her, causing them both to fall to the floor with her partially trapped underneath. Fortunately for you, Nathan is a bit of a gloater and hasn't been paying attention to you like he should. While he was kicking Marco's ass and spouting how stupid it was to oppose the ECS to Mara, you've managed to reload your flintlock. Even with your face half beaten and Nathan already a bit blurring from his shadow magic shit he's using, you're not missing at this range. You fire and you hit Nathan squarely in the kneecap. He screams in agony and collapses. You always heard it was the most painful place to get shot, you never quite believed that before now, because Nathan isn't just screaming he's actually crying and praying to Fel to rescue him. If Fel was listening, he apparently didn't give a shit, because while Nathan was crying and screaming, Mara recovered from her shock rolled out from under Marco and starts stabbing the shit out of him. By the time you stagger over to Mara, Nathan is a bloody mess. "Mara, Mara, I think he's dead." You say touching her shoulder. She looks at you with tears and blood over her face and then stands up to hug you. "I…I'm so glad you're still alive! I couldn't bear to lose you too! So many…so many of my friends…" she says. "I know. I know. But we're alive. That's the important thing. Other than the obvious, are you okay?" "Physically I guess. I mean I feel better than you look right now." "You also look better than I look too." You attempt to joke. "I always did." Mara says with a faint smile. "Hah. Shit, Let me just lean up against this altar for a moment." You say and start reloading your flintlock with another shot. "Do you know if we won?" Mara asks. "I believe we might have won this particular battle. Hopefully none of them got away because I'm not really in any condition to go chasing them down." You say. "Now what?" "Well that is the question I suppose. I imagine we're really not going to know if we're in the clear or not for a while. As I said, the ECS may or may not send more folks here eventually to check on what happened. I'm gonna bet that they will and hopefully not many. If and when that day comes we're going to have to deal with them too. We may even be looking over our shoulder for the rest of our lives if they find out exactly who wiped out everyone, but then again how is that different from how it is now right?" Your conversation with Mara is interrupted by Sneaks who wanders in cautiously. He notes the carnage in the room and nods. "Phew, looks like I missed quite the battle here." Sneaks says. "Yes, but is there still fighting going on elsewhere?" you say. "I don't think so, in fact I'm pretty sure we got them all. I counted thirty-six bodies, not counting these two on the floor." "Looks like there were more than you previously thought." "Yeah, apologies. Curse these old eyes." "You know this one had those shadow magic powers you mentioned." "He did? Shit. Again, my apologies. I really didn't think they would bother to send someone like that here. At least not initially, they usually hold back their heavies for more important tasks." "I dunno, establishing a new base of operations and taking over new territory seems pretty important to me." "Yeah I guess so. But in any case we won. We probably should clean up the bodies and make it seem like nobody was ever here. Also need to hit that storefront in town. There are probably a few there as well. " "Shit, nearly forgot about that. We still have people left in fighting condition?" "Not many, but I think the few that we do will be more than willing to go now." "Good, send them over then." Sneaks nods and tells you he's glad to see you and your daughter made it through this alive before leaving. Mara noticing you frowning a bit. "What's wrong?" Mara asks. "I dunno. Maybe nothing. I mean Sneaks has been pretty helpful…it's just…bah maybe I just have trust issues." "No need to explain to me. It's not like you can trust too many people in this line of work." "Hey, you can always trust me." You say. "I suppose I can." You and Mara leave the bloody room with several bodies behind you. You aren't quite sure what the future holds next, but you survived this day and that's enough for now. > You time passes... Year 35 A hand reaches for the pouch on your nearby dresser; you grab it and open your eyes. "Nope, still not quick or stealthy enough." You say and let go of Mara's hand. "How the hell do you do that? I know I was dead silent that time!" Mara remarks. "Just comes with natural talent I suppose." Mara at this point playfully punches your arm and sits on the side of the bed, as you sit up. "A little early to be harassing me like this don't you think?" you say. "It's the afternoon as usual." Mara tells you. "Well unless the Ebony Claws have been sighted, you know I don't like getting up early…they haven't have they?" "Not that I've heard. Though Sneaks wants to talk to you about a matter concerning that." "Yeah, yeah, he's been wanting to talk for a few days now. Guess I better get over to him today. He's been acting sort of odd lately. Well I guess I better get going…um…Mara?" "What?" "I gotta get dressed." "So don't let me stop you." "Well what I mean is, I sort of need privacy, I mean I'm covered by the sheets right now." "Oh, it's nothing I haven't seen before." "Okay…don't really want to hear or know about any little boyfriends you've been seeing." "I wasn't talking about boyfriends." Mara says with a smirk. Now the conversation has really gotten strange. "Wait a minute, you haven't been spying on me have you?" you exclaim. "Relax, I accidently walked in on you asleep once and you were, shall we say less covered up." Mara says. You feel sort of weird. Slightly embarrassed even. This causes some amusement from Mara. "Okay, I'll leave. You're oddly reserved at times." Mara says and then kisses you on cheek before she leaves. Honestly, you've been getting some weird vibes from Mara lately. Sometimes it feels like she's flirting with you. Which under normal circumstances, you'd probably be perfectly fine with some pretty nineteen year old girl doing that, however in Mara's case you have severe mixed feelings about it. Of course maybe you're just reading too much into things, and you're just the pervert thinking dirty thoughts. Which doesn't make it much better because that's been also increasing lately. Trying not to think about any of that too much longer, you get dressed and head to where Sneaks likes to drink. He tends to be in there a lot so you figure you've got a good chance of catching him there. You're in luck and you do in fact see him. He sees you and waves you over. Ten minutes later… "Are you fucking serious Sneaks?" you exclaim. "Sorry it had to come to this, but after that devastating ECS attack last year, it was decided that you shouldn't be in charge of the Jicol Alliance anymore." Sneaks remarks. "I wasn't really in charge of it before as I remember. It was just supposed to be a loose agreement that we unite whenever the Ebony Claws attack. All I did was organize shit." "Yeah well it was also decided that the Jicol Alliance should be a more permanent institution given the constant threat that the ECS poses." "What?! And when was all this decided?" "I don't really think that's relevant. What is relevant is it's done and you're out. Now of course you're allowed to continue to help in the unified defense of our interests in this city. You and your girlfriend…" "Daughter!" "Yes, of course, my mistake. As I was saying you of course will be allowed in contributing to help when the ECS inevitably comes to attack again. I believe forty percent of your earnings monthly should provide an adequate sum to go towards our defense. Perhaps it could be used to bribe the Captain of the Watch. Get the law to work for us for a change…" You knew it. You knew all those years ago you should have just shot this asshole in that altar room. He's built up his own little circle of friends and turned the Jicol Alliance into a thieves's guild with himself as head of it of course. Angered by what Sneaks is trying to pull here, you stand up and point you finger in his face. Nearby tavern dwellers take notice and you also notice some of them look ready to pull their weapons. Some are new but many are familiar faces. Part of the new Jicol Alliance of course. "Look, you want to form your own guild with yourself as leader, fine. You can have that fucking headache. You want me to help out when the ECS shows up, fine, I'll help. What you're NOT going to do however is start trying to fucking extort me." You say. "Hm, sorry you feel that way, but I'm afraid that this isn't up for negotiation. This is unfortunately for you this is a with us or against us situation. Of course your other option is to leave, I certainly wouldn't stop you. I respect you enough to do that at least." Sneaks responds. "Yeah, thank you and fuck you." Sneaks' expression now turns to one of irritation. "Okay, I'm going to let that slide because I know this is all pretty upsetting for you." Sneaks says. "Upset? Upset? We're pretty much past fucking upset! I should just fucking kill you right now, and don't think I wouldn't be fast enough." You respond. "You're completely right of course, but you'd never make it out of here alive. Even if you somehow did, you'd be on the run from the Jicol Watch for killing me in public." "At least I'd have the satisfaction of killing you." "Y'know while I'm sure you're not probably not interested I could try to explain why I did what I did. Wasn't like I had this planned from the beginning." "Oh great the rationale to clear your guilt. Pfft. Well fine, might as well hear it. I could use a good laugh after all this." "Have I ever told you about my friend Garrick?" Sneaks asks. "Yeah maybe, said you and he ran the thieves' guild in Holgard." You answer in exasperation. "Garrick was a thief, but he had a strong sense of honor, probably too much in our line of work. You actually reminded me of him when you first came proposing the Jicol Alliance to take the fight to the Ebony Claws. Guess that's another reason why I stuck around. I always was a bit too idealistic, even in my old age now. You, much like him, made it really sound like we would win and drive out the Claws. I was ready to follow and I did for many years." "So what did you do? Stab him in the back too?" "As a matter of fact I didn't, though I always wondered if I shouldn't have been so loyal and blindly accepting of his orders as he made one foolish decision after another that eventually got himself and almost everyone else wiped out by the ECS. Maybe if I had, I'd still be in Holgard, perhaps even running things there." "So that's what this is all about? Your boring desire for power?" "That's more of a side benefit and if I THOUGHT you were still the leader you were the first time we opposed the Ebony Claws, I wouldn't have even done this. Each year they've attacked, we've suffered more losses. I don't even know if we're going to survive another, but I know if YOU'RE in charge we won't, so you had to be removed. Look, I'm probably older than I have any right to be in our line of work, but I've learned this. I like living, I like surviving, and the only way I'm going to feel like I'm going to continue doing that is if I have complete control over my fate, rather than it being in your hands." "If you wanted to be in charge, you could have just fucking asked. Instead of all this shit you've pulled and extorting me on top of all of it." "I dunno, maybe you're right. Maybe I've handled this poorly, but it's been my experience that men in power, no matter how reluctant or how miniscule, do not give it up willingly. Garrick certainly wouldn't have and he wasn't a power hungry man, just like you're not. However, a good leader needs to be focused and much like Garrick, you are not focused." "Oh well apologies that my life doesn't revolve around you all the damn time." "That's not exactly what I mean…" "I don't give a shit what you mean, I'm done listening to your long winded story about your excuses." As you start to stand up to leave, Sneaks suddenly shouts at you to stop. Sneaks usually never shouts so actually gets your attention (along with several other people in the tavern) "You wanna know another thing you and Garrick had in common? You both had a young girl in your care. A daughter of sorts if you will. One that you do your best to try treat as adult, but always have that streak of overprotective fatherly love for her. It's an admirable trait, but it's at odds for that other emotion in you. And that's a love for her as a regular woman, because that's what she is now. Maybe young, but she's a woman nonetheless given what's she's seen and done. I see it and you REALLY see it." Sneaks says. "Sneaks, you don't want to go there…" "Yeah, and neither do you. Garrick didn't either and it compromised his ability to lead. Besides all the inner turmoil the man probably felt about the morality of the situation, he constantly tried to make sure his little girl was safe…never mind that in his case she was half fucking demon in question, but the problem you both have is the same. You're always going to place your girlfriend over the organization. Last year that was never more apparent." "How the fuck can you say that? She's risking her life along with everyone else!" "Yes, but only in a limited capacity. You always make sure she's on the less dangerous tasks. I'm not even mad about it. As I said, it's completely understandable that you want to protect your girlfriend." "You call her my girlfriend one more time and you're going to have a short lived reign as Alliance leader." You say leaning forward into the table. Sneaks leans forward as well, meeting your gaze. "I'm not judging you. She's not really your…y'know what? This isn't my business. Sort out your own personal issues on this situation, but I think your real fear is the girl might just feel the same way. In any case, I'll be expecting my cut by the end of this month. If I have the coin, then I'll know I have your cooperation, if I don't receive the payment, then I'll know that I don't." Sneaks then motions for you to leave as if now you can leave. You gladly do so, swearing the whole time. Your mind races about what you can do, what you need to do, what you should do. You really didn't need this right now. Not when your mind has been preoccupied with other things. Other things that Sneaks also got in your head about. You've got an incredible headache by the time you make it home. You just hope Mara isn't lingering around, because you don't think you have the energy to deal with all this yet. She's probably going to want to fight rather than leave. As you open the door to your home, you suddenly feel the sharp jab of a crossbow pointed right at your lower back. "Don't turn around, just get inside." A low voice says to you. You raise your hands and slowly walk inside your home where you see a man completely dressed in black leather and wearing an eye patch. You don't know who this person is, but you can guess where they're from. "Ebony Claw…great. Perfect end to a fucked up day." You say. "Hm, seems I caught the leader of the Jicol Alliance at a bad time? Well too bad, we've got shit to discuss. Bolt, you can leave, I'll take it from here." The man says. You feel the pressure taken off of your lower back and then the front door closing behind you. "Gotta say, figured the Alliance leader would have a better place than this, but then I guess you're not doing too badly. Anyway have a seat, as I said we've got shit to discuss." This asshole no doubt has shadow powers like Nathan and a couple of the other ECS lieutenants you've faced in the past. Still, like all of their type he's arrogant enough to not even relieved you of your weapons and doesn't even have another person with him save for the guy that just left. Whatever he's going to say is most likely going to just be some sort of lie or unreasonable offer. Not to mention the fact that you aren't exactly the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore and if he knows that, then he's going to wonder what the point is with dealing with you. Still, he could be more powerful than what you've usually faced, or he might even have some advantage like say having Mara hostage somewhere. He seems to know something about you after all. You could at least listen to him while you figure out a better plan than just trying to be quicker on the draw than he is. > You shoot him No sooner have you pulled your pistol, when the man quickly speaks something and waves his hand making all your surroundings go pitch black. You fire wildly and miss him of course. Then you feel a blade going into your neck. The unnatural darkness lifts hen you fall to the ground and see the man standing over you as you choke on your own blood "That was a very silly thing to do. I was going to offer you a deal. Now your rashness has doomed your precious Alliance when you might have saved it." He says shaking his head. It hardly matters that he doesn't know the truth since you're dead before he walks back out the door to methodically murder the rest of the Jicol Alliance himself.

Year 35 A hand reaches for the pouch on your nearby dresser; you grab it and open your eyes. "Nope, still not quick or stealthy enough." You say and let go of Mara's hand. "How the hell do you do that? I know I was dead silent that time!" Mara remarks. "Just comes with natural talent I suppose." Mara at this point playfully punches your arm and sits on the side of the bed, as you sit up. "A little early to be harassing me like this don't you think?" you say. "It's the afternoon as usual." Mara tells you. "Well unless the Ebony Claws have been sighted, you know I don't like getting up early…they haven't have they?" "Not that I've heard. Though Sneaks wants to talk to you about a matter concerning that." "Yeah, yeah, he's been wanting to talk for a few days now. Guess I better get over to him today. He's been acting sort of odd lately. Well I guess I better get going…um…Mara?" "What?" "I gotta get dressed." "So don't let me stop you." "Well what I mean is, I sort of need privacy, I mean I'm covered by the sheets right now." "Oh, it's nothing I haven't seen before." "Okay…don't really want to hear or know about any little boyfriends you've been seeing." "I wasn't talking about boyfriends." Mara says with a smirk. Now the conversation has really gotten strange. "Wait a minute, you haven't been spying on me have you?" you exclaim. "Relax, I accidently walked in on you asleep once and you were, shall we say less covered up." Mara says. You feel sort of weird. Slightly embarrassed even. This causes some amusement from Mara. "Okay, I'll leave. You're oddly reserved at times." Mara says and then kisses you on cheek before she leaves. Honestly, you've been getting some weird vibes from Mara lately. Sometimes it feels like she's flirting with you. Which under normal circumstances, you'd probably be perfectly fine with some pretty nineteen year old girl doing that, however in Mara's case you have severe mixed feelings about it. Of course maybe you're just reading too much into things, and you're just the pervert thinking dirty thoughts. Which doesn't make it much better because that's been also increasing lately. Trying not to think about any of that too much longer, you get dressed and head to where Sneaks likes to drink. He tends to be in there a lot so you figure you've got a good chance of catching him there. You're in luck and you do in fact see him. He sees you and waves you over. Ten minutes later… "Are you fucking serious Sneaks?" you exclaim. "Sorry it had to come to this, but after that devastating ECS attack last year, it was decided that you shouldn't be in charge of the Jicol Alliance anymore." Sneaks remarks. "I wasn't really in charge of it before as I remember. It was just supposed to be a loose agreement that we unite whenever the Ebony Claws attack. All I did was organize shit." "Yeah well it was also decided that the Jicol Alliance should be a more permanent institution given the constant threat that the ECS poses." "What?! And when was all this decided?" "I don't really think that's relevant. What is relevant is it's done and you're out. Now of course you're allowed to continue to help in the unified defense of our interests in this city. You and your girlfriend…" "Daughter!" "Yes, of course, my mistake. As I was saying you of course will be allowed in contributing to help when the ECS inevitably comes to attack again. I believe forty percent of your earnings monthly should provide an adequate sum to go towards our defense. Perhaps it could be used to bribe the Captain of the Watch. Get the law to work for us for a change…" You knew it. You knew all those years ago you should have just shot this asshole in that altar room. He's built up his own little circle of friends and turned the Jicol Alliance into a thieves's guild with himself as head of it of course. Angered by what Sneaks is trying to pull here, you stand up and point you finger in his face. Nearby tavern dwellers take notice and you also notice some of them look ready to pull their weapons. Some are new but many are familiar faces. Part of the new Jicol Alliance of course. "Look, you want to form your own guild with yourself as leader, fine. You can have that fucking headache. You want me to help out when the ECS shows up, fine, I'll help. What you're NOT going to do however is start trying to fucking extort me." You say. "Hm, sorry you feel that way, but I'm afraid that this isn't up for negotiation. This is unfortunately for you this is a with us or against us situation. Of course your other option is to leave, I certainly wouldn't stop you. I respect you enough to do that at least." Sneaks responds. "Yeah, thank you and fuck you." Sneaks' expression now turns to one of irritation. "Okay, I'm going to let that slide because I know this is all pretty upsetting for you." Sneaks says. "Upset? Upset? We're pretty much past fucking upset! I should just fucking kill you right now, and don't think I wouldn't be fast enough." You respond. "You're completely right of course, but you'd never make it out of here alive. Even if you somehow did, you'd be on the run from the Jicol Watch for killing me in public." "At least I'd have the satisfaction of killing you." "Y'know while I'm sure you're not probably not interested I could try to explain why I did what I did. Wasn't like I had this planned from the beginning." "Oh great the rationale to clear your guilt. Pfft. Well fine, might as well hear it. I could use a good laugh after all this." "Have I ever told you about my friend Garrick?" Sneaks asks. "Yeah maybe, said you and he ran the thieves' guild in Holgard." You answer in exasperation. "Garrick was a thief, but he had a strong sense of honor, probably too much in our line of work. You actually reminded me of him when you first came proposing the Jicol Alliance to take the fight to the Ebony Claws. Guess that's another reason why I stuck around. I always was a bit too idealistic, even in my old age now. You, much like him, made it really sound like we would win and drive out the Claws. I was ready to follow and I did for many years." "So what did you do? Stab him in the back too?" "As a matter of fact I didn't, though I always wondered if I shouldn't have been so loyal and blindly accepting of his orders as he made one foolish decision after another that eventually got himself and almost everyone else wiped out by the ECS. Maybe if I had, I'd still be in Holgard, perhaps even running things there." "So that's what this is all about? Your boring desire for power?" "That's more of a side benefit and if I THOUGHT you were still the leader you were the first time we opposed the Ebony Claws, I wouldn't have even done this. Each year they've attacked, we've suffered more losses. I don't even know if we're going to survive another, but I know if YOU'RE in charge we won't, so you had to be removed. Look, I'm probably older than I have any right to be in our line of work, but I've learned this. I like living, I like surviving, and the only way I'm going to feel like I'm going to continue doing that is if I have complete control over my fate, rather than it being in your hands." "If you wanted to be in charge, you could have just fucking asked. Instead of all this shit you've pulled and extorting me on top of all of it." "I dunno, maybe you're right. Maybe I've handled this poorly, but it's been my experience that men in power, no matter how reluctant or how miniscule, do not give it up willingly. Garrick certainly wouldn't have and he wasn't a power hungry man, just like you're not. However, a good leader needs to be focused and much like Garrick, you are not focused." "Oh well apologies that my life doesn't revolve around you all the damn time." "That's not exactly what I mean…" "I don't give a shit what you mean, I'm done listening to your long winded story about your excuses." As you start to stand up to leave, Sneaks suddenly shouts at you to stop. Sneaks usually never shouts so actually gets your attention (along with several other people in the tavern) "You wanna know another thing you and Garrick had in common? You both had a young girl in your care. A daughter of sorts if you will. One that you do your best to try treat as adult, but always have that streak of overprotective fatherly love for her. It's an admirable trait, but it's at odds for that other emotion in you. And that's a love for her as a regular woman, because that's what she is now. Maybe young, but she's a woman nonetheless given what's she's seen and done. I see it and you REALLY see it." Sneaks says. "Sneaks, you don't want to go there…" "Yeah, and neither do you. Garrick didn't either and it compromised his ability to lead. Besides all the inner turmoil the man probably felt about the morality of the situation, he constantly tried to make sure his little girl was safe…never mind that in his case she was half fucking demon in question, but the problem you both have is the same. You're always going to place your girlfriend over the organization. Last year that was never more apparent." "How the fuck can you say that? She's risking her life along with everyone else!" "Yes, but only in a limited capacity. You always make sure she's on the less dangerous tasks. I'm not even mad about it. As I said, it's completely understandable that you want to protect your girlfriend." "You call her my girlfriend one more time and you're going to have a short lived reign as Alliance leader." You say leaning forward into the table. Sneaks leans forward as well, meeting your gaze. "I'm not judging you. She's not really your…y'know what? This isn't my business. Sort out your own personal issues on this situation, but I think your real fear is the girl might just feel the same way. In any case, I'll be expecting my cut by the end of this month. If I have the coin, then I'll know I have your cooperation, if I don't receive the payment, then I'll know that I don't." Sneaks then motions for you to leave as if now you can leave. You gladly do so, swearing the whole time. Your mind races about what you can do, what you need to do, what you should do. You really didn't need this right now. Not when your mind has been preoccupied with other things. Other things that Sneaks also got in your head about. You've got an incredible headache by the time you make it home. You just hope Mara isn't lingering around, because you don't think you have the energy to deal with all this yet. She's probably going to want to fight rather than leave. As you open the door to your home, you suddenly feel the sharp jab of a crossbow pointed right at your lower back. "Don't turn around, just get inside." A low voice says to you. You raise your hands and slowly walk inside your home where you see a man completely dressed in black leather and wearing an eye patch. You don't know who this person is, but you can guess where they're from. "Ebony Claw…great. Perfect end to a fucked up day." You say. "Hm, seems I caught the leader of the Jicol Alliance at a bad time? Well too bad, we've got shit to discuss. Bolt, you can leave, I'll take it from here." The man says. You feel the pressure taken off of your lower back and then the front door closing behind you. "Gotta say, figured the Alliance leader would have a better place than this, but then I guess you're not doing too badly. Anyway have a seat, as I said we've got shit to discuss." This asshole no doubt has shadow powers like Nathan and a couple of the other ECS lieutenants you've faced in the past. Still, like all of their type he's arrogant enough to not even relieved you of your weapons and doesn't even have another person with him save for the guy that just left. Whatever he's going to say is most likely going to just be some sort of lie or unreasonable offer. Not to mention the fact that you aren't exactly the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore and if he knows that, then he's going to wonder what the point is with dealing with you. Still, he could be more powerful than what you've usually faced, or he might even have some advantage like say having Mara hostage somewhere. He seems to know something about you after all. You could at least listen to him while you figure out a better plan than just trying to be quicker on the draw than he is. > You listen to him With the day it's been, you might as well. You take a seat and watch the Syndicate rep take a few steps back and forth before pulling up a nearby chair to sit as well. You didn't expect him to be so casual. "Okay, first off, my name is Rook and you're probably wondering why I haven't just killed you immediately." Rook says. "I'm listening." You answer. "Information on you lot is always fucking spotty thanks to your location and the fact you've been fairly successful at keeping us off this island and that's been an advantage. I, however have been doing my own leg work for a few days, and while I don't know everything about you lot yet, I know enough that you're the leader, and you've got a pretty young girlfriend." Rook says. "Actually she's my daughter." You remark. "Truly? Hm, the way you two interact…well I'm not here to judge your family business. In any case, sooner or later the Syndicate leadership is going to get it's head out of its collective ass and actually implement a plan that works instead of trying the same damn thing over and over believing that it will. I swear, it's like fucking Holgard all over again." Rook shakes his head at his remark before continuing. "However, before that happens I'm here to offer you a one time deal mainly because change in ECS leadership can only come when dedicated individuals take the initiative on squandered opportunities, such as this place. Especially when they can do it with minimal resource waste." At this point you're wondering if Rook's henchman should have just killed you with a bolt to the back, because this fucker loves the sound of his own pontificating so much that he's killing you with boredom. "You are obviously a dedicated man of convictions. I imagine you believe that the ECS is going to just come in and take away what you consider freedom hence why you've fought us for several years now. Well, I'm here to tell you, you're right BUT if you make a deal with me right now, I will make sure this city remains more or less out of the eye of the Syndicate. You will just give me personally forty percent of what the Jicol Alliance earns monthly and of course there will be some of my people to oversee things just to make sure there are no more attempts at opposing us." Rook says. "You personally? Won't the Syndicate high ups object to that?" you ask. "Oh the appropriate people will be getting a cut too, you don't need to worry about that." "I suppose if I say no, you'll kill me right now." "Not at all, I'll just leave and let you wait for the inevitable. As I said, I'm here on my own accord. I don't particularly have any grand interest in this place unless it's a potential extra moneymaker for me with minimal effort. I promise you though; the Syndicate will take this place eventually. So it's either deal with me now and endure indentured servitude or deal with the Syndicate later and face extinction." It's good deal actually; it's so good in fact you start laughing due to the fact that you can't agree to it, but you do come up with a different one. "Rook, I've got an even better deal for you. How about you and all your people just take this place over completely, but I don't have to give you anything at all and my family just continues to do their own business without interference?" you ask. "Wha…what are you talking about?" Rook asks. "I'm unfortunately not the leader of the Jicol Alliance anymore. One of my closest advisors basically just deposed me and it's now officially a guild rather than a loose collection of vagabonds only united for self-defense." "Wait, when the fuck did this happen!?" "Not long before you ambushed me. If you're thinking about going to him with the same deal though I wouldn't bother." "Oh? And why the fuck shouldn't I? In fact is there any reason why I shouldn't kill you for wasting my time? "Because the guy currently in charge said he fought you lot in Holgard and has no intention on ever giving up to you. In fact part of the reason he strong-armed his way as leader is because he felt I wasn't doing a good enough job. Should have known you couldn't trust a guy that calls himself Sneaks." Rook's one good eye widens and stands up suddenly. "Did you just say Sneaks?" Rook asks. "Yeah." you answer. "That fucker is here? In this city?" "Yeah, you know him?" "Know him? That's the sonofabitch that took out my fucking eye! He was part of the Holgard Guild that gave me fucking grief for YEARS! I've been trying to track down that cocksucker for so long that I can't even believe you're telling me that he's right here!" "I know where he stays and how many other Alliance members there are." "I didn't bring anyone else along on this trip save for my friend Bolt and while I don't doubt we couldn't handle this ourselves, but I'll tell you what, as an act of trust if you come help us, you've got a deal that all your family's business dealings and activities will not be taxed by the Syndicate or even by me personally. I swear to Fel and all the shadows that this will be so." Rook says making some sort of weird gesture afterwards. Normally you'd be skeptical about such a thing, but Rook seems really dedicated to Fel and making declarations like that before one's god is usually a pretty serious thing so you're fairly sure he's being truthful. Not to mention he sounds like he hates Sneaks more than anything else. You give Rook all the necessary information and he tells you to meet him at Sneak's favorite tavern in thirty minutes. You remind Rook that this is a public place, but he tells you once again, not to worry about it and leaves. As you're taking the opportunity to get ready for this (and feeling a little upbeat at the same time about it) Mara comes walking in. "Hey dad, who was that guy who just came from the house? He looked really creepy. Almost reminded me of one of those Ebony Claw guys that have the shadow powers." Mara says. "That's probably because he was." You say. "WHAT!?" "Yeah, I expected that response. I can't go into too much detail, but A LOT happened from between the time you left this afternoon and now." "Well you're going to have to at least try to explain it to me!" As quickly as you can (And most of it is walking and talking) you fill her in on everything that's happened. It's a lot for her to take in, but her main concern seems to be you and her. "How can we trust this Rook guy? I mean we've been fighting the ECS for years and he's just going to let us go?" Mara says. "That's the deal. As I said, Rook seems to be more interested in building up his own personal powerbase than as the ECS as a whole. And right now he seems to be more interested in revenge. I'd say we're the least of his concerns. He doesn't even need me to help, he just said if I did, he'd honor the deal and considering he made it before his shadow god that's another reason I don't have cause to doubt him." You say. "Well…if you think so." "I have to say, I thought you'd be more opposed to the idea." "Well I'm not exactly thrilled with it, but given that Sneaks and the rest betrayed you, I can see the wisdom in just making a deal to protect our own asses. Personally I'm still hoping they all kill each other, but I'll personally make sure not to target any Ebony Claw members." "You don't really need to come, it's just me that promised." "No, I'm coming too, I'm not going to miss a chance of getting a measure of revenge on the lot that betrayed us too. But I do always think it's sweet that you always try to keep me safe. You always look out for me." Mara says and puts her arm around you briefly and gives you a peck on the cheek. Even in this bit of grim business that you're about to engage in, Mara's actions manage to still make you feel the more anxious than anything else. The way she looks at you with love in her eyes… Sneaks was right. That's what this is and it's clearly there between there between the pair of you. This is probably wrong, but you might very well die in a few minutes so… You grab Mara around the waist and kiss her deeply. When you finally come up for air you both stare at each other. "That was wrong wasn't it?" you ask. "Yeah, probably." Mara replies. "I keep having inappropriate thoughts about you." "Do they involve taking me from behind and slapping my ass while I call you daddy?" "They do now." "Then we better hurry up and kill these assholes then." You and Mara rush to where you're supposed to meet Rook. When you arrive he tells you that there aren't any of the Jicol Watch around and there won't be, so the place is going to be fair game. He mentions don't worry about anyone trying to escape either since Bolt will be outside taking care of that. "I don't see your friend." You say. "And neither will anyone else. I see you brought your daughter along. Good. Extra help is always welcome." "Actually she's my girlfriend." You say proudly causing a bit of a smile from Mara. Rook just stares for a moment, opens his mouth and then stops. "Nevermind. I'm too anxious to kill Sneaks right now. Which brings me to another thing, don't kill him! You can cripple him, maim him or whatever to stop him from attacking you. I don't give a good fuck what condition he's in, just as long as he's alive long enough for me to piss in his face before he dies." "Understood."" "Good, you two go in, I'll be right behind you." You and Mara go into the tavern. No sooner has Sneaks seen the pair of you, he already calls for his people to start attacking. Say what you want about Sneaks, but he's not stupid and knows an attack when he sees it. Of course unfortunately for him, you've got very dedicated follower of Fel on your side. Before you even engage one of Sneaks' men, he has already killed two of them using his shadow magic enhanced speed. It's a damn good thing you didn't attack this guy. He's way more powerful than any of the others you faced in the past. He's not just a blur, he's practically invisible. All non-combatants just try to keep their head down as the carnage ensues. Sneaks himself tries to run out the back, but you manage to get in a good shot to the side of his leg, specifically around the knee area. Such an effective place, Sneaks goes crashing to the floor immediately screaming the whole time. He goes for his own pistol, but Mara grabs his hands and stabs daggers through both palms and into the floor. "No, please don't kill me …(sob) I'll leave!" Sneaks whimpers. "Too late for that I'm afraid. But I should think you for being right about one thing. Mara and I decided to give into our feelings after all. When all this is over with, we're going to REALLY give into them. Thanks for showing me the light, now I think it's time I show you the shadows. I think you know this guy. Apparently he's been looking for you for a long time." Rook suddenly becomes more visible to your eyes and stands over Sneaks who looks like he's seen a ghost from the past. "…YOU! No! Please no! Not him!" Sneaks screams at you. "Good, you remember me. Now you remember this cocksucker?" Rook shouts and then flips up his eye patch revealing a solid black gem, which then shoots a black light into one of Sneaks' own eyes. Sneaks screams in agony that you kill him as his eye gets destroyed by the black light. Sensing that Rook is going to take his time, you decide to ask if you're done. "So, should we just leave you to it then?" you ask. "Yeah, we're good. Bolt and I can hunt down the rest myself. Talk to you later before I leave." Rook says waving you away and now getting ready to burn out Sneaks' other eye. You and Mara leave the tavern with Sneaks' screams still in both of your ears. Surprisingly there's nobody even remotely around nearby outside and you know there was quite a bit of noise made inside. You dunno what the hell Rook did to make that happened, but you can't help think he did some sort of shadow magic shit. None of that matter right now to you though, and by the time you get home, the only thing that matters is what's going between you and Mara in the bed.

You got run out of your home town, you got run out of Klyton, you're sick of running even if the ECS aren't driving you out in the traditional sense. Plus you just reunited with Mara, it would probably be best if you stuck by her if you want to continue a good relationship with her. "Mara, maybe you're right I think we need to fight." You say. "I agree, though I'll admit I'm a little scared." Mara replies. "Well good. You should be scared, because this is going to be dangerous. However, think of it this way. Right now we've got a numerical advantage and the element of surprise. The guy that spoke to me, Nathan seems to labor under the impression that I'm going to comply with his wishes to tell everyone to join them. Obviously I'm going to do the opposite." "Do you think it will work?" "Like I said, it's not going to be easy. I'm going to put out feelers for the ones who I know will resist first. In the meantime, I want you to go tell your boyfriend AND urge to him how serious this is. We need to all coordinate an attack plan and strike only when the time is right. If we go in half assed on this, we're all going to hang. Now are you absolutely sure he and the rest of the Black Hooks aren't going to be likely to join the ECS?" "Very sure. I certainly don't want to and Marco isn't my boyfriend." "…he's not? Hm, guess my information is severely out of date and Dolan isn't as thorough as he claims." "Well… things change, and it hasn't been long. In fact nobody in the Black Hooks really knows yet." "Oh. Um, you okay? I mean is there something really bad that happened that you're not telling me?" "Yeah. It wasn't a bad split or anything like that. Just wasn't working out. Anyway, I think we got more important things to worry about with the Claws." "So we do. Okay, you know what to do and I'm sure we'll be speaking again sometime in the near future. Oh and I suppose you can go ahead and tell Dolan that he doesn't need to worry about spying anymore." "Okay." Before you part ways, you hug Mara who returns it. You tell her to be careful and that you're glad to be speaking with her again. You get to work immediately and eventually you manage to get together a group that you're sure is going to be receptive to opposing the ECS, however a few of them have other concerns. "So who's leading this resistance? You?" one of them asks. "Well I'm more of an organizer, but I suppose we can all contribute ideas." You say. "A council? That sound like a terrible idea. Things like this a lot better with a defined leader." Another says. "I dunno, isn't this the sort of thing we're trying to avoid? I mean we're essentially forming a gang to oppose the ECS. And say we actually succeed, then what? We just avoided getting assimilated or eliminated at the cost of being independent in the first place." yet another responds. "And what about those Black Hook bastards? You said they're going to be involved? Can't say I'm looking forward to that." A fourth says. "I'm telling you one thing right now if that little shit Marco is supposed to be in charge of this, I'm out right now." A fifth says. You can see how difficult is going to be already. "Okay, people, people! I understand all these concerns, but let me address some right now! First, this isn't going to be a gang, its not even going to be a guild. This is just going to be a mutually beneficial alliance. We ALL agree to work together to oppose the ECS or any other threat to our interests. After said threat is gone, we can all go back to being little special grains of sand. As for the Black Hooks, we're going to be allying with them as well, even if they're their own separate entity. We just all need to coordinate and get as many people on board with this as possible." You say. "Can I just say something?" an older man you only know as "Sneaks" asks. "Go ahead." "I faced the ECS on a regular basis many years ago back in Holgard. I belonged to the Thieves Guild there that opposed them. We tried our best, but ultimately they wiped us out. I dare say I'm one of the few that got away to my knowledge. Now I already knew they were in this city before you even called this meeting. I actually planned on catching first ship out of here just because I didn't want to go through this mess again. However, while they might be powerful the ECS tends to abandon places if it's going to cost them more effort than it's worth." The old thief stands up from his chair to continue his speech. "So I think you're correct in that if we do act now before they get entrenched like they did in Holgard, we might just stop them. I'm going to go try to convince a few others that respect my opinion to join us in this task. I urge you all to do the same because if we just let the ECS come in here, it's going to be worse than you think if we just comply." Between you and Sneaks' speeches the rest seem more convinced of this cause. You realize it's still going to take some hammering out all the details, but this is a good start. A bit more discussion goes on and eventually the group breaks up for the night. You tell Sneaks to stick around though since you want to speak with him a little more. "Hey, a lot of your words really helped I think. Pretty sure some of them would have left otherwise." You say. "Well you put all this together so I think you're more responsible than anyone else for this resistance." Sneaks replies. "Funny enough I was seriously considering in just complying when the ECS first approached me, it was someone else who felt fighting was a more worthy pursuit. Glad she did now." "Mmm, glad she did too. I think you would have found life under ECS yoke far less desirable than even fighting them. I was thinking that while it's been well established that this is just a temporary alliance, a couple people were correct in that we probably should have a single leader instead of all of us just shouting ideas. More will get accomplished quicker if you just become the leader. I doubt if anyone is going to have any major objections." "Oh. Well I guess it probably makes the most sense. You seem to have genuine experience in fighting the ECS though, sure you don't want to do it?" you half joke. "Nah, I've never been a leader. I have been an advisor on more than one occasion though, so I'll do that if you need." A few days after you've had your meeting with the independents, you meet up with Mara who has brought Marco with her. You haven't been looking forward to this meeting. You only met him in person once before the first time Mara brought him around two years ago, but he's grown as well. He still has that tone of arrogance in his voice like he knows everything of course. If anything he's even worse. "I don't see why we're waiting around for a bunch of old fucks before striking at these assholes. Word has it, that they've been setting up in a general store on Typhoon street. Me and my Black Hooks could easily take them out! We've been waiting for something like this, we got the gear and we're ready!" Marco says. "Yeah? Well you'll be even more ready if you're just a bit more patient Marco. We need to coordinate plans, not go in half assed. I figured Mara explained this already to you." You reply. Marco scowls a bit. "Hey look, I know this guy is your dad and he deals fairly with us with fencing shit, but he needs to know he can't just tell me what to do. I'M the leader of the Black Hooks and after we're done wiping out these Ebony Claw assholes, we're going to be stepping things up to run this entire city!" "Great, so Mara have the Claw been in contact with any Black Hooks?" you say already getting sick of talking to Marco and deciding to speak with Mara instead. "HEY! I'm the fucking leader! You supposed to be fucking talking to ME about this shit, not my girlfriend!" "First off, I'll talk to who the fuck I want, especially my daughter. Second, I thought you guys broke up." Marco's face drops and he looks more scared than angry. "You…you told him?! You promised you wouldn't say anything!" Marco says. "No! No! I just told him we broke up!" Mara says. "I think I'm missing something here." You say. The rest of the short meeting mostly consists of Mara trying to calm Marco down. You don't know what it's all about, but you've gotten the impression that it's something embarrassing. By the time Marco does calm down, he's even pissier with you and now he's upset with Mara (Though he doesn't get outright angry) Ultimately he grudgingly accepts the plan of waiting until everyone is ready. You nearly ask Mara what that was all about after he leaves, but you figure maybe it should wait for now. You just tell her to continue to be the rational influence in the Black Hooks. You have another meeting later on that week with Sneaks who has already gathered a bit of information on the ECS. He tells you contrary to what Marco believes, they are NOT all gathered in a general store on Typhoon Street. He mentions that's just some front they're already starting to set up. He mentions their real base isn't even in the city; it's in some small ruin on the island. "You followed them outside the city?" you ask. "Yeah, looks like an abandoned temple of Fel. I'm really not surprised given their history." "What do you mean?" "Some of the ECS, mostly the higher ranking ones, have connections to Fel. You're aware of who that is right?" "Sure, god of shadows. Some rogues are into him though most pray to Yag." "Well that's probably because most rogues aren't actively religious and it's easier to say few half assed praises to a god who's just rolling the dice anyway. Dedication to Fel, and I mean true dedication to Fel is a little more involved, but it does seem to have benefits and I've seen those unfortunately in action when I was in Holgard." "Shit. Are you telling me these folks have divine powers?" "No, not all of them, not even most of them. In fact I doubt if any of the ones sent here do. I'm just saying there is a history for high ranking leaders to have shadow powers. In any case, I believe there about thirty or so of them here. It's definitely going to be a fight whenever we attack." "Thirty is a lot more than I expected." "Yeah well they probably were keeping stuff like that secret so if anyone tried anything now, they could determine who was going to be a problem and retaliate in force if they needed to." Sneaks goes on to suggest that perhaps the Black Hooks should lead the assault since Marco is so eager. In fact he actually goes so far to not so subtly suggest that something should happen to Marco in particular. "I'm sort of wondering where this conversation is going Sneaks." You say. "Okay, we both know the Black Hooks are a potential problem in the future. I mean yeah they won't be the ECS, but they could start getting pretty territorial really fast if left unchecked. I'm just saying that the rest of us do a little less to help them and let them take most of the casualties. And if some of them just happen to accidentally get shot by a stray bullet or bolt…well shit happens." Sneaks remarks. "That's…pretty damn shady. Though I have to admit, I do see the logic in it, and I might actually consider it except for one major thing." "What's that?" "Mara is in the Black Hooks and I'm not exactly keen on using her as fodder." "Okay, so I'll just let everyone else know that your daughter is off limits and is not to be targeted." "I dunno. I mean its one thing to let the Black Hooks take the brunt of the casualties, but it's completely another thing to actively kill them in the middle of the fight when we're supposed to be on the same side. Also while Mara might get spared, it's going to be awfully suspicious if she's the only Black Hook survivor. We may not be fond of them, but some of these people are her friends. She isn't a stupid girl and will make her own conclusions." "Well, I suppose it's up to you, but I just don't see it as a bad idea." > You use treachery Sneaks is correct, the Black Hooks are going to be just as big of an issue later on. Sure they may be just a bunch of obnoxious teenagers that are half assed thugs and thieves now, but eventually they're going to get smarter, better and more aggressive. And you already know that Marco has ideas about his gang eventually controlling the entire city. "Yeah, it's grim business, but we probably should. We'll let the Black Hooks go charging in first. I'm going to try to keep Mara close to me, but if she should get away from me, I don't have to tell you that she isn't to be targeted. Also you need to make sure she doesn't see anyone killing a Black Hook member." you say. "Goes without saying. So should we go over when and how we're going to plan this attack?" Sneaks asks. You and Sneaks first go over the plans a few times, then you share this information with the rest of the Jicol Alliance, after sharing it with them, you share it with the Black Hooks. You still aren't sure of when to attack since you want to make sure to get most if not all in one area and not have to chase any down, given how impatient Marco is getting and the fact that you're really never going to know for sure when the best time is, you just decide to do it sooner rather than later, especially since you're as ready as you all are going to get. You spend the day before the attack mostly getting yourself mentally prepared for this. You haven't killed anyone since Klint and murder in general wasn't really something you ever wanted make a habit of doing. However, you do know it's within you to do it and you're going to have to do it multiple times soon. You just take into consideration that Mara is going to be in danger the whole time and you're going to have to kill in order to make sure she doesn't die. Not that you think she's going to be helpless, but it's a better frame of mind to put yourself in if you're thinking that way for this task. Your forces attack the ECS hideout at night. You tell the Black Hooks to take the lead and eliminate the outside sentries first. They almost succeed in doing it stealthy, but of course some of them fail in a quiet kill and an alarm has already been raised. The fight on the first floor isn't too bad, but by the time you get to the underground level which is like a maze, the Black Hooks are dropping like flies. Besides getting killed by Ebony Claws lurking around every corner, they're not paying attention to how trapped this place is. At the rate they're dying, nobody will have to bother stabbing any in the back. The whole time this is going on, you're still trying to keep an eye on Mara who you've seen take out at least one person. You aren't sure if she's done that before or this is her first time. You guess you'll ask after this is all over. Bullets, bolts, arrows, blades and traps of all kinds are dodged or blocked many times in this battle. The Ebony Claws fight back with everything they got, which includes several, fire powder bombs that take out a large part of your forces, enough to tip the odds in their favor mainly because the Black Hooks have been completely decimated and now the Alliance is starting to take the casualties. While you planned on killing Marco yourself, he's already dead from getting blown to pieces by a firebomb. Say what you want about the guy, he actually was keeping the remaining Black Hooks from running away. You have no doubt that the run aways will be killed by Alliance members lagging behind, though you're starting to think that employing treachery might not have been the way to go about this. Eventually you and Mara, reach what you believe to be an altar room of some sort. You see Nathan and his friend that came with him when they first met you. "You fucking idiots. You have no idea of the deep shit you're all in. You really think even if you some how manage to kill all of us this day, that you're going to get away with it? Kill the bitch, I'm gonna take my time with this one." Nathan shouts while pointing at you. Nathan at this point spout some sort of gibberish and become blurry and you're having a hard time focusing on him. It would seem that Sneaks wasn't entirely correct about none of their number having access to shadow magic. I'll deal with the magic asshole, you cut the other one down and then help me!" you shout to Mara. Nathan is moving at a speed that you can barely defend against. He slashes you across the face with his knife, kicks you in the balls and then slams you to the floor. He then punches you multiple times in the face before blinding you completely by stabbing you in both eyes. You're left screaming and bloody on the floor and in darkness when Mara knocks Nathan off of you. Mara has only given you temporary relief since Nathan quickly dispatches her. You crawl around on the floor and hear Nathan gloat about what he's done to you and how he's going to make you suffer even more, and that's when you hear a gunshot, followed by the slumping of a body. The gloating has ceased. "MARA?! MARA?! Are you there!?" you scream out, hoping that she's still alive. Hoping she's the one that shot Nathan. "She's dead I'm afraid." You hear Sneaks say. "No!" you cry out. Between your physical pain and now your emotional pain, you're a gibbering wreck. Sneaks, without another word reloads his flintlock and shoots you. Whether that's because he's a treacherous bastard or whether he was putting you out of your misery, you'll never know. Doesn't matter since in those last moments, you wanted to die.

This really goes against everything you tend to believe in, but maybe due to a combination of several bad things you've experienced lately, you're still hoping that MAYBE somehow doing something half way "decent" that the gods or fate or whatever will reward you in some way. (Even though you don't really believe in a lot of that anyway) First thing you do is calm the little girl down and ask her name since this will be a whole lot easier if you know what to call her. "Mara." She says. "Okay, first question. Do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?" you ask. "I dunno, mostly the taverns?" the little girl asks. "…that really narrows it down…(sigh) alright, I guess I can just try the closest ones in the area. I'll also need a physical description of her." "She's real pretty. She has a flower name too, Violet. Her hair is black like mine and she…um…her chest is sort of large." Well you weren't expecting her to give that description of her mom, but you suppose it does help narrow things down a bit more. "Okay, that helps a little…hey wait a minute. Did you ask Virgil to help?" you ask. "The friendly old priest that smells funny? Yeah, I went to his room, but he wouldn't move no matter how much I pushed him. He just kept snoring." Mara replies. "Well this is important, and I'll go wake him up. He's supposed to be doing good deeds anyway. In the meantime you just stay here and Elana will keep you company." "Will you come back with her?" "I promise that I'll come back." Is all you can say to her before you bid her goodbye. Of course before you leave, you head to where Virgil sleeps in this church. Sure enough he's snoring soundly. Not excessively loud, but he's definitely flat out. You don't bother with the pushing or yelling to wake him up; you just drag him out of bed by his crusty feet. He wakes up just before he hits the floor. "Hey what the…OW! Shit! You?! What the fuck are you dragging me out of bed for?!" Virgil exclaims. You actually sort of smile since that's more along the line of the old Virgil that you were familiar with. "Aren't you supposed to be cutting down on the vulgarities now that you're all holy again? You've woke me up plenty of times in the past banging on my door, so consider this payback. Besides, a little girl needs help and you're supposed to be doing this sort of shit anyway." You say. "Little girl? What's going on?" You explain the situation to Virgil, who slowly starts becoming more alert. As you explain, he seems to remember Violet quite well. (Or her tits at least) "Yes, yes, I know who you're talking about. I'm not sure what to say though. Violet is a prostitute or at least she was trying to get out of that life for the sake of her daughter as far as I know. I mean I know she was trying to get a job as a waitress with little success, but if she's disappeared during the night, she might have sadly gone back to her old ways and strayed from Joachim's path." Virgil remarks. Raven haired beauty with big tits and worked as a whore, now you're wondering how the hell you never noticed her before. "Well let's try the taverns first I guess." You say. "Why am I going with you?" Virgil asks. "Because isn't it your damn job to help the downtrodden and innocent? Besides, you being an ex-drunk, I figure that you know where ALL the closest taverns are. Also the militia is on my ass constantly, and if they catch me walking around at night, they'll probably just beat my head in and throw me in jail. I figure if I'm walking around with a priest I shouldn't get harassed as much. Not like you have anything better to do anyway." "Um…yeah, but…you're talking about going to several taverns…I'm just not sure I should be around that much temptation." "Oh for…just come on! If you start getting thirsty, I'll slap you in the back of the head to remind you of Joachim's light or something." Virgil reluctantly agrees to help, and soon the pair of you are off to go tavern hopping, but not in the good way. You go to several taverns and while a couple people say they remember seeing her or even interacting with her, they tell you they haven't seen her today. Virgil meanwhile looks longingly at every mug, glass and bottle containing alcohol. It isn't excessively hard to pull him away, but it's obviously a struggle. "I beseech you, no more taverns! The temptation is getting to me and it's taking all my faith in Joachim to give me strength to resist!" Virgil begs. "Okay, okay…(sigh) might as well give up anyway. We've covered a lot more ground than I thought we were and still haven't found shit. I guess we can start trying to brothels." You say. "Um, I don't think so." "What? Are the whores going to be too much temptation too? I thought your weakness was the booze, not the women." "No, it's not that. It's just I doubt very seriously that she's working in one of the Klyton brothels. At least none of the legal ones. If she was back to whoring, she'd be doing it illegally and who knows where." "I don't understand, Mara said her mom was pretty and you even seemed to confirm that. Wouldn't she be good enough of one of those places? She a Yellow Devil addict or something?" "No, nothing like that. In fact she used to work at Madam Moonlight's place, but she did something that severely pissed off Moonlight. I dunno what, but it was bad enough to get her fired and Moonlight apparently pulled strings at every other sanctioned brothel to not hire her." "Hm, I guess that makes sense, I've seen Moonlight get pissed at unruly customers and makes them sorry they got out of line. Guess the same goes for her employees. Still surprised I've never bumped into this woman before. Well I'm out of ideas, I mean we can't realistically go to every inn or back alley, to look for her." "I think the only thing that can be done is to go back. Sometimes we must just place faith in Joachim that he will influence events to a positive end. I'm sure the girl's mother will come back, she may already be back for all we know." "Yeah maybe…" You suddenly remember something terrible. "SHIT!" you exclaim. "What?" Virgil asks. "In all the rush to help the girl, I left all my shit at the church and I didn't even bother to hide it before I left! My savings!" "I doubt very seriously that anyone is going to ransack your belongings and steal what you have. All of those folks are Joachim fearing and righteous." "Oh? Then what am I doing there then?" "Erm…well on the other hand it would be quite amusing if Joachim balanced things by taking away your wealth." "What the hell? Why are you condoning theft just because it's me?!" "I'm not, but I'm just saying there would be a kind of justice if it did occur, considering your own profession…speaking of which…Brother Thadius has expressed concerns about you continuing to sleep in the church. I've tried to assure him that you're looking for real work, but I think we both know that isn't true and I hate lying to the man. I'm already under scrutiny for…" "I can't discuss this right now, I gotta go!" You run off to leave Virgil behind and race back to the church. Unfortunately along the way you nearly bump straight into two militiamen who happen to be patrolling. They see you running and jump to their own conclusions. "HALT!" one of them shouts. You haven't done anything wrong and you don't even have anything stolen on you since you left all your stuff at the church. Legally they can't really do anything to you…however that's never stopped the militia from severely fucking with you before. > You run You immediately make a break for it and the militia is soon in pursuit and shouting for any of their fellows within earshot to help them. It's actually easier than usual to lose the militia since the darkness is more your friend. After a short chase, a few turns down side streets and backtracks later and you've lost them. Then you turn a corner and get an unexpected elbow in the face. You stagger back and fall on your ass. Before you can get up though, two militia men have grabbed you. "See? Told you, this one isn't half as clever as he thinks he is. He's been doing the same tricks to elude us for the past week, well not this time. Anticipated your ass didn't we?" one of the militia sneers. "Whatever…you still don't have anything on me. I didn't steal shit tonight." "Silent! We're going to find out soon." While the two men are roughly searching you, another one comes running up to them. "Hey! What the hell are you two doing? You're supposed to be down in the sewers helping with taking out those Talon bastards. The captain's been looking all over for you and he's pissed!" he remarks. "What? We got assigned street patrol duty tonight!" "Well you've got new orders then, come on let's go. Who's this one?" "This is the sneak thief who ratted on the Talons in the first place to save his own hide. Claims he doesn't have anything stolen on him, but I KNOW he's been up to something!" "Well knock him out and quickly throw him in a cell because we need to get into the sewers before the shit goes down. He can be dealt with later." And with those words, you get smashed in the back of the head causing you to go unconscious. When you wake up, you find yourself lying on the dirty smelly floor of a jail cell. Nearby another man sits on a bench with his attention draw towards you now that you're awake. "You okay there friend? When they brought you in last night I thought they were dragging in a corpse. Your head was bloody and you were flat out." He says. You groggily sit up and rub the back of your head which now has dried blood on it. (and so does the floor you just got off of) They really clobbered you a good one. Now you're just wondering if you're heading for deeper shit soon. "So, what are you in here for?" the man asks. "Misunderstanding." You respond "Hah, that's an understatement I'll bet. Still, those militia bastards will find any excuse to bust someone's skull open. They got me in here for drunk and disorderly conduct. I'd only had a few drinks and some asshole got in my face so I punched him. Next thing I knew I was getting hauled in here by a couple of militia dicks who just happened to be heading into that tavern for a quick drink. Just my fucking bad luck right?" "Hm, that's rough." You say as you start to get up off the floor and use the cell bars as leverage. "I'll say. But then my luck never has been the best. I think Yag must be perpetually rolling snake eyes for me. I'm probably going to be in more trouble when I get out of here. I was supposed to meet up with my buddies last night. Bah, I guess I'll just have to deal with the consequences, whatever they may be." As your overly talkative cellmate goes on about his unlucky lot in life, you are more concerned with your own. You are surprised to soon see Captain Branik himself walk down the hallway with a ring of keys in hand. This could be good or bad. "Ah, you're up. Apologies about the overzealousness of my men last night, but then again they did have to make sure you weren't up to your usual criminal activity. Especially not when we had a whole ring of criminals to round up and eliminate. You'll be happy to know that I found all your information to be very helpful. The raid was a complete success." Branik says. "What's going on now?" you ask. "The raid on the Crimson Talon hideout. We went in and laid waste to the place and the criminal scum within it." "Wait, you destroyed the Talons last night? As in they're all dead?" your cellmate asks, eavesdropping on the conversation. "Oh yes. They all violently resist arrest and there was nothing else to be done, though I imagine most of their crimes would have just gotten them the hanging cages or execution anyway. Probably for the best. Saves time and paperwork." Captain Branik chuckles at his last remark and unlocks your cell door. "Wow. They were the biggest criminal organization in Klyton and had been around for decades. And now they're all just gone. Guess Yag finally rolled snake eyes for them." Your cellmate remarks. "Are you SURE they're ALL gone?" you ask Branik, still thinking about the potential repercussions of snitching on them. "Worry not snitchy, they're all fucking dead. We're very thorough when it comes to cleaning out the filth. Speaking of cleaning out the filth, I suppose you're free to go now and I'd advise you to leave the city. Consider this your payment for helping out the Klyton militia." "Great. Always my pleasure to help out the men of the law." You remark leaving the cell. "You're free to go too, drunky, and you better learn how behave yourself in the future or else you'll get a stiffer penalty than just getting thrown in a nice cell to dry out in!" Branik says. You waste no time in leaving the militia barracks and start pondering your next move. You need to get back to the church to make sure if any of your shit is still there. You fully expect to find that your savings has been ransacked in your absence, but either way from there, you're leaving this fucking city. As you're walking and thinking a familiar voice pipes up next to you. "Man, I'm surprised they let either one of us out of there. The militia are usually reluctant to ever let anyone leave their cells unless it's to go into a hanging cage or a hangman's rope." Your former cellmate says. "Uh huh." You remark. "So, back there, captain asshole said that you gave them information about the Crimson Talons to take them down? Man, that took some big balls to do! There's no way I could ever do something like that! I'd be way too concerned about one of them killing me for snitching." "Yeah well, they're all dead now. No more worries." "True. You know what else takes big balls though?" "What?!" you respond exasperated and wondering why this dickhead is still talking to you. You get your answer and quick stab to the side of your neck. "Shanking a snitch bitch in broad daylight only a few steps away from the militia barracks!" he says and runs off before your body even falls to the ground. Your last moments as you bleed out and gurgle up blood are the sight of slack jawed onlookers watching you die and the shouting of others calling for the militia.

You can't believe that you're actually leaning towards being the "responsible" one here. "Look, I get that this is all very exciting for you seeing as you've lived a sheltered rich life and all…" "I am not rich or sheltered! My father has to bust his ass making my tuition payments!" "…yeah…in any case. I've been to this town before and its reputation is well earned. There are people here that make the dregs of Klyton look like priests of Joachim and if you run afoul of them, it isn't going to be good for you." "Pfft, I can handle trouble." Kelium says and flexes his muscles a bit and pulls a sword out of his bag. "Yeah, maybe you could handle one person, but the problem is these sort don't travel alone, they ALWAYS travel in packs and I can honestly say that YOU are not going to handle five or even three by yourself." "Well wouldn't you help me? I mean isn't that why you're here?" "Your job or assignment is to get some monster crab eggs. MY job is to help you in that task. My job is NOT however looking after your ass while you look for fun or trouble. Now I suggest you get some rest which is what I'm going to do because giant snail monsters that spit poison sound like they need full attention." You fully expect Kelium to argue some more with you, but he doesn't. You also expect him to just leave the room by himself, but he doesn't do that either thankfully. He just says he thought you were going to be fun and starts reading through some of his papers. Feeling a little pleased with yourself, you lay down on your bed and attempt to get to sleep before Kelium genuinely starts to get tired again, because if he starts snoring there is no way you're going to get any sleep. Much later, you groggily wake up and find that your speech was less effective than you thought. Kelium is not in your room. In fact, it doesn't even look like his bed has been slept in. You just shake your head and groan. "Stupid fucker probably got himself enslaved or his throat cut." you mutter, as you get yourself prepared to go look for this idiot. The first stop you make is Yvette's room. "Hey Yvette." You say knocking on the door. "Um…yes?" she answers, but not opening the door. "Is Kelium in there?" "No, why would he be? What are you implying?" "…what? Nothing! I'm just asking because he's gone, and it doesn't look like he's slept in his bed either. I'm guessing he took off to have fun in the middle of the night." "Oh dear. Um…well hold on, I have to get ready. I'll be out soon." Yvette says. You half wonder if Kelium is in there and he's climbing out of a window. If that is the case, it's going to be real obvious if he and Yvette slept together last night. You aren't sure why Yvette would bother hiding it though; it isn't like you really give a shit. As it turns out however, that isn't the case at all and you don't even have far to go to find Kelium. You find him just outside the Sea Dog, stripped nearly naked and lying unconscious by the street. "Well, at least that's one less thing to worry about." You say to yourself and begin the undesirable task of dragging his ass back inside. It's sometime at this point, Kelium begins to rouse from his unconsciousness. In between the name-calling and laughter by the locals, you manage to get him back to the room where Yvette joins you both. Kelium has a wicked hang over, but manages to explain what he remembers. He says that after you fell asleep he went out to explore the town and soon found himself in a card game at some place that he can't remember the name of. He claims he was winning and also says that someone must have drugged his drink and robbed him of everything. "I told you not to go out. You're just lucky that getting robbed blind was all that happened to you." You say. "Yeah, yeah, fuck. You sound like some old bitch. Shit. My head. Alright fine. Just let me get my spare clothes, and we can go get these fucking eggs." Kelium says. "Wait, we're going now? Are you in condition to do this? Maybe we should wait a day." Yvette asks. "I'll be fucking fine! Besides, I just lost all my money. We can't afford to stay here another night. We need to get these eggs today and then get the fuck outta this shitty town." You don't even ask HOW you're supposed to get back to Klyton if he's lost all his money. Though you've brought a little with you, so you suppose you'll be footing the carriage bill. Like Yvette, you aren't sure if Kelium is in the best condition to go do this, but you're certainly not going to be paying for more time at the inn either, so if he thinks he's good to go, then you are too. Besides, you're going to be happy when this is over with and you're questioning why you ever decided to do this again. "Adventurous…I should have that drunk Virgil check me for demonic possession." You mutter. After Kelium gets dressed and gathers his supplies (Which at least he's carrying), the three of you set off on your journey to get these eggs. Unfortunately, its not just a simple matter of sticking to the coast and finding them along the shore, Kelium says you'll probably have to go into a cave seeing as they like to lay their eggs some place dark, wet and safe. "Um, we have to enter a cave?" Yvette asks. "Yeah, what's the big deal?" Kelium asks. What Yvette doesn't answer right away, you step in. "I think Yvette is a bit uncomfortable with small spaces, especially dark ones crawling with monsters." You say. "Huh? Well that's just tough because she signed up for this task voluntarily. Nobody held a flintlock to her head. Besides, it's most likely a big open cave given how large blueshell creptians are." Kelium remarks. "Oh, well that changes everything." You travel a bit longer until you start climbing up a small hill. Kelium occasionally looks at the ground and tries to find signs of creptians. He seems to know what he's doing, despite his condition, though at this point you're more on the look out of other potential bad types like say bandits or something similar. Meanwhile Yvette looks like she's expecting trouble everywhere since she's looking around constantly. "Yvette, calm yourself. Out of the three of us, you've probably got the most power here to deal with anything." You say. "I dunno what you think I can do. I know. I'm not some high mage like in the old stories. As I told you, I'm just starting out and I haven't even been out of the city before." "Hm, so you can't just summon a ball of flame or shoot lighting?" "Um…well not what you're probably thinking. I mean maybe I could conjure a small palm sized ball of flame. Not sure if that would take down a Blueshell Creptian though, and it takes all my focus just to do it." "Better than nothing I suppose." Suddenly you hear Kelium yelling about something. You were so busy speaking with Yvette you didn't even notice Kelium disappeared…again. "HEY COME HELP ME! SHIT!" Kelium shouts. You and Yvette run over to the other side of the hill you were on and see Kelium with his sword in hand and scrambling for cover behind a rock. You also see what you can only guess is a blueshell creptian. It looks exactly how you pictured. A big snail, with big crab like claws and a blue shell. Nearby the creptian you see a large sloping hole in the ground, you can only imagine that's where it has made its home. "HEY! MOVE IN MAN! ATTACK!" You hear Kelium shout as a glob of blueshell spit hits the rock he's hiding behind. You pull out your flintlock and fire at the blueshell and find that the shot doesn't even penetrate its hard shell. In fact it doesn't even turn its attention to you, so far it's just slowly crawling over to Kelium's position. "Yvette, can you cast some sort of light spell or cause something to glow?" you ask. "Yeah, but how is that going to help?" Yvette says. "It'll help me search that cave for the eggs while it's distracted." "Wait, you're going in there alone? What happens if there's another one in there?" "Well, I'll be running out of there really quick I guess. You just try to distract that blueshell and when I get the eggs we can all get the hell out of here." "I dunno, I think maybe we should try to work together to kill the blueshell, then deal with the cave." "And I don't think we're going to be able to, or at least not with what we got. Look, I'm going to be as quick as I can. All you have to do is stay away from that thing and find some cover. It doesn't move that fast." "I dunno…" Obviously Yvette has some doubt about this plan and if she does there's a chance she could panic, but you really don't have confidence in her plan either especially since it means you'd have to get closer or at least aim for a place that isn't armor plated. > You work together Yvette could be right about another one being in the cave. Even something only half the size as the one you're seeing now wouldn't be good to run into in a cramped area. Plus you'd rather keep one of Gossey's assistant safe this time since it seems like Yvette will just run off without everyone helping. "Alright, I'm going to try to give that overgrown snail a big hole in its body, in the meantime, you need to start trying every spell you can to kill that thing!" you say. Still keeping a good distance, you move into a better position where you might actually be able to hit the thing in a soft fleshy area. You get behind a tree and reload your flintlock as you hear the crackling of lightning and Kelium still shouting for assistance. You fire again at the creature, but once again fail to make any real impact, as it seems to instinctively block your shot with one of its armor plated claws. Yvette is still casting her little fireballs at it, but that's not having much effect, you yell at her to try something else. However, you're going to have to get closer unfortunately. You run towards a closer large tree and see Kelium stupidly getting up to move towards you. "NO! Stay the fuck do…" you start to say and then you're suddenly hit in the side of the head with something half solid, half liquid. You were so busy paying attention to Kelium and making noise, that the creptian spit in your direction and got a solid hit. The translucent goo now covering half your head is extremely poisonous and takes effect immediately. You collapse to the ground and begin to feel your whole body seizing up. You attempt to grab your anti-venom in your pack, but it wouldn't do any good even if you weren't practically paralyzed since the poison has already been absorbed into your brain. The pain is great but mercifully short before you die.

Tempting, but you might as well stick with it out a little while longer. Oddly part of you doesn't want to dishonor the agreement with Dr. Gossey even if her assistant is a bitch. Elana doesn't make many more complaints fortunately and when she does it's mostly at the driver anyway, though you can imagine you'll soon be on the receiving end completely. By the time you reach Hessla, night is starting to fall. Elana orders the carriage to stop and then asks the driver where is the best place to stay in the town. The driver suggests the Cozy Krak Inn. He mentions that it is fairly expensive though that usually means it's never completely filled, but Elana tells him she isn't worried about the price. The carriage makes its way through Hessla, which is definitely not how you expected it look. You imagined pirates and vagabonds of all types getting into fights and drinking in the streets, but just like the driver said, it isn't actually all that bad. When you get to the Cozy Krak Inn, you see a large decorated building, which wouldn't be out of place in the richer areas of Klyton. It's actually a little more creative looking since it has a whole sea theme complete with some wall murals of sailors battling a giant squid and the inn sign also being in the shape of a squid. "Ugh, how gauche. I suppose it will have to do." Elana remarks and gets out of the carriage. You step off from the top. "I'm going to go in and getting the room, you grab the supplies from the carriage." "Wait a minute. I'm just supposed to be here for protection. I didn't hear anything about being your porter. Besides, doesn't a place like this usually have someone to do that?" "Maybe, but I'm telling YOU to do it. I'm not risking having the locals run off with valuable equipment and you're getting paid to protect EVERYTHING, so do your job and look out for the stuff!" Elana remarks and doesn't even give you a chance to retort before she's entered the inn. You just stand there speechless for a moment. "Um…there's a cart over there which should help you get it in all one trip." The driver points out in an attempt to be sympathetic to your plight. "Thanks." You grumble and begin to unload the carriage. You should have just hijacked it. After you're done unloading everything, the driver mentions that if you're looking for a place to unwind, the Sultry Siren is a good location. He then bids you good night and takes his leave. You enter the inn and find that it resembles more of a mansion than any inn you've ever seen. No creaky wooden floors, dim lighting or drunken louts sitting at a nearby bar. You see a desk where Elana is talking with someone and a couple of mean looking men holding poleaxes standing just inside the doorway. You arrive just in time for Elana to finish bitching at the desk clerk and start bitching at you instead. She first goes on to complain that there is no lift so she has to walk to her room on the top floor like a commoner. This is even worse news for you since now you have to lug everything up several flights of stairs. After getting to the room, she complains that it doesn't match anything she's used to in Klyton and goes on about how inferior it is. You almost feel like saying you live in a place run by a cranky old man and how your closest neighbors consist of a drunken priest and a whore. Trying to make the best of this, you remain upbeat. "Well, we aren't going to be here long hopefully. Let's just try to get some rest." You say. "What are you doing?" Elana says. "I'm just laying down." "Not on the bed you're not!" "But there are TWO beds and I'm not going to try anything!" "Pfft. I'm not worried about that." Elana says and then brandishes a small ornate pistol. Smaller than other ones you've seen actually, but you still don't want to risk getting shot by it and move out of the way when she thoughtlessly points it at you. "Will you stop waving that thing around?" you say. "I told Dr. Gossey I didn't need an escort and could take care of myself." Elana remarks. "Yeah, okay you're not a woman to be messed with, got it. But I don't see why I have to sleep on the floor when there are two beds." "The floor? You're not sleeping on the floor either. This is MY room. You want a room here, you pay for it yourself!" "…What? Are you serious? Dr. Gossey said this trip was paid for!" "Maybe for me, never said anything about you. Your payment is AFTER the job is done. In fact, shouldn't you just be standing guard outside my door?" You have no words. You just don't. You thought dealing with the lowlifes that hang around the Welcome Mat was a chore, but it still pales in comparison to this. If this wasn't a paying job, there is no way you'd deal with this. However, since it is, you don't say anything and just grab a chair in the room and exit. Placing the chair nearby, you sit down and make a mental note about never working a real job ever again. The kicker is, you still have a bunch of over grown rats to acquire. Still, you agreed to this so you continue to make the effort and sit outside like a loser. Eventually enough time passes and you start feeling tired or at least bored enough that you'd rather be doing something else. You briefly think about finding another place to stay or even going to the Sultry Siren like the driver suggested, but you really don't feel like dealing with the stairs again or spending your money. You then wonder if maybe you shouldn't take this opportunity to break into some of the other rooms. As you're pondering potential criminal activity, you spot a group of five rough looking men walking down the corridor. They don't look the sort who would stay here. "Is this the room?" one of them says. "No, it's further up the hall." Another remarks. "What? Where that guy in the hood is sitting?" "Yeah, I believe so." "What the fuck, Metzger. I thought you said this was an easy one." "There's just one guy there and he's smaller than all of us. You really think he's going to give us trouble? Metzger says. "What if he's some highly skilled assassin? I mean he's got a hooded cloak and all…" "By Dolak's barnacle encrusted balls, if you were any dumber…(Sigh) Just because someone is wearing a hooded cloak don't make them a highly skilled assassin. Besides, assassins kill people not sit outside hallways like guard dogs." Metzger remarks. At this point these five men are nearby you, yet are still talking like you aren't here. You feel like you should stand up at this point. "I can't help but notice you lot seem to be talking about me." You say. "Yeah, and what if we are?" Metzger asks. "Well, I suppose I might need to show off my assassin skills." "Hah! You're no assassin and even if you are, you're too damn young to have been at it for very long, let alone skilled enough to take on five of us. My guess is, you're that rich bitch's escort or something. Not sure why she'd take a little thing like you though as a guard. Guess being rich doesn't mean being smart which is evident by the very fact she's staying here." "What do you mean?" "Nobody stays at the Cozy Krak Inn, or rather no right thinking Hessla native does, unless they want to be taken as a fucking slave. Fucking clueless visitors." Metzger laughs. Well this isn't good. "So you guys are all slavers huh?" you ask. "Yeah, and since I'm in a generous mood I'm going to LET you walk away from this, because Yrid said you weren't the target." Metzger remarks. "Who's Yrid?" "The guy who drove you here. Sheesh, didn't you even bother to ask his name? In fact you weren't even supposed to be here, he said you'd probably be at the Sultry Siren fucking a whore or getting drunk given how much your boss was bitching at you." "Trust me, I'm starting to think that was a better idea right now." "Hah, got that right. So, I trust you're stepping aside then…" Metger says and starts advancing with his buddies. This is a really difficult situation. As much as Elana has been a complete bitch to you, you aren't sure if her getting sold into slavery isn't disproportionate retribution. > You buy some time You have to try. "Okay. Okay. Hold on guys. I get it and I won't try to stop you…but uh…" you say trailing off "But what?" Metzger asks. "Well she's not quite as defenseless as you think. She's sleeping with not just one, but two pistols in there. Not to mention she's a crack shot with them." "Bullshit." "I'm fucking serious. You think I'm some bodyguard when all I really am is her glorified porter. I don't think you're aware of all the bitching I have to hear on a regular basis." "So what are you saying exactly?" "I'm saying let ME go in there and get her. If you lot go barging in, she's going to shoot at least two of you in the head before you subdue her. If I go in, she'll bitch me, but I can get in close enough and knock her ass out before she can do shit. Tired of working for her ass anyway, it'll be my damn pleasure to turn her over to you personally." "So let me get this straight, you hate your employer so much that you're willing to risk getting shot just to turn her over to a bunch of slavers?" "Yes." "Hmmm…." Metzger looks up and places his hand under his chin as if thinking really hard about this. Your mind races with ideas of what you're going to do as soon as you enter Elana's room and how much time you're going to have to slip out of a window before Metzger and his crew break down the door when you hastily barricade it. That last minute planning is all for naught when you suddenly feel a fist to your face, knocking you on your ass. Before you can even get up, Metzger signals to his men to quickly subdue and shackle you. "How stupid do you think I am boy? You go in there and warn her and make all of our jobs harder than it needs to be. Fuck that. I gave you a chance to leave and you chose to be a hero. Well, hope whoever buys your ass likes fucking heroes, because I anticipate you'll fetch a good price to some of those degenerates." Metzger's men waste no time in relieving you of all your weapons and anything of value, then they put a bag over your head and knock you out. By the time you come too, you're practically naked and shackled to two other miserable looking souls in a long line of other hopeless and depressed looking individuals. From what you can tell, you're probably on a ship. You don't see Elana, but you can only imagine that they got her too. When you ask one of the other captives where you're going, nobody has a clue or they just don't answer at all. Wherever you're going though, it's going to be a long way from here and an even longer time before you'll be able to make an escape, assuming you ever get the chance. This is a horrible situation and one you definitely never saw in your future. All you wish is that you were back home with your family. You stifle some of your crying and try to remember that you need to remain strong if you ever hope to get out of this one day. Your life may not be over yet, but your life as a rogue certainly is.

Chapter 2B: The More Things Change Year 17 "Yeah, yeah, here's the rent." You say handing over a few silvers to Trobart. The innkeeper takes the silver and gives you a scornful look. "Bout fucking time! You're always late! And don't think I don't know how you get this!" Trobart says. "Of course you know how I get this, but it doesn't stop you from taking the money anyway, you mean old bastard." You answer. "Watch yer, fuckin' tongue! One word from me, and the militia would take your ass in quick!" "Pfft, yeah right. You call the militia and they'd probably shut this whole place down. You're selling booze without a license in the basement and one of your rooms is being used by an unlicensed whore." "Fuck you cunt face!" Trobart shouts and stomps off. You just shake your head at the old man's misplaced anger. You head to your room with no more distractions, and then wearily sit on your shitty straw mattress and count what's left of your ill-gotten loot. Enough to eat for a few days. Granted this hasn't been the best month, but you swear you thought you'd be doing a lot better than this by now. This city unfortunately though is proving a lot more vigilant than you'd like. You certainly aren't in Teckleville anymore. What's really not helping is the Crimson Talons running around carelessly committing clumsy burglaries and heists and bringing the militia down even harder on everything. You're sort of glad you didn't join up with them now, because at this rate, the militia is probably going to track them down and execute the lot of them. Still, that doesn't solve your current problem. Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe? While you're pondering your possible future here, you get a knock on the door. "Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare….coppers fer the faith?" Great, it's that drunken priest that has a room across from you. You thought the men of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions. "No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout. "Yeah…but no…but I got some (hic) news…" Virgil answers. "Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process." "I did? Geez, sorry son…but this is different! (hic) Some…somebody…" "Somebody what?" "Somebody was lookin' fer ya." Well that peaked your interest. "Oh?" you answer. "Yeah…(hic)." "Hold on." You say and go answer the door. No sooner have you opened the door when the odor of Virgil hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth. "Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say. "Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?" "Maybe, so what's all this about someone looking for me?" "Oh, that. Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age." "Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?" "Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties…I think…yeah…" "Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?" Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative. "No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who…who…what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith…(hic)" At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away, bumps into the door to his room and then after a few tries he finally gets it open and slams it behind him. You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too. You close the door and think on who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you. Maybe it was Tom from the Crimson Talons? You can't imagine what he'd want to see you directly for though. You'd imagine if he were trying to recruit you again he'd send an underling to invite you to see him. Tom wasn't a huge guy either; of course given that Virgil is on the short and scrawny side, he probably thinks you're a big guy too. Other than those two, you're drawing a blank. It's a little concerning that some big guy is looking for you though. You hear another knock on the door. "Virgil?" you ask. "No, it's Randi. I got some information that you might want to know." A woman's voice says Randi is the red headed whore that lives down the hall. Unusual that she'd seek you out, since she's snotty with you at the best of times. You guess it's because you turned down her overly aggressive offer the first time you stepped into this inn. You answer the door and she's as scuzzy as ever. You feel like you're catching something just by standing this close to her. "Okay, so what's this information? Because if it's some big guy that was looking for me, I already know because Virgil told me." You say. "Oh? Well did he tell you what this big guy wanted too?" Randi asks. "No." "You'll want to know then." "…Well?" "Well what?" "(Sigh) I know you're not used to hearing this, but spit it out! Tell me what this guy wanted." "I'm not your fucking secretary. You want to know, you need to pay, ten silvers." "Ten fucking silvers? You don't charge that much for a blowjob!" "Yeah well if you want a blowjob, then you can pay half that price, but if you want to know what that guy wanted, it's ten silvers." While you're wondering who this guy is and why he's looking for you, you're not exactly keen on giving away most of your hard earned money to some whore who you're not even fucking. "Yeah well go find two dicks to suck then, because you're not getting ten silver from me." You say and shut the door on Randi who shouts some obscenities at you from the hallway. You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. You might have to offer a couple coppers, but it's far cry from ten silvers. For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled, and the poor areas are…still patrolled and the folks don't have shit. It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat. Later… You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund. You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active. After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think. You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either. It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances. Out of curiosity you pay a visit to the section to where the medical school is located. Seems weird that your father spent so much money and time putting himself through the place while you're here basically casing it. You're not that well versed in the value of medical supplies and drugs, but you figure the Crimson Talons could be willing to fence whatever you bring. Hell, you probably could just sell the stuff yourself. You know more than enough folks in your area that bitch about not being able to afford shit from the local apothecary, let alone proper medicine. Of course since this is your first time here, you're still getting used to all the twisting corridors that this university seems to favor. You end up stepping into a class in session a couple times, before stumbling upon an unattended supply room where you pilfer various bottles of pills and liquids. When you attempt to leave the facility, you go in the direction where you think you came from, but soon find that you made a wrong turn somewhere. Somehow you manage to find yourself in what you think must be an office area since you see various doors with names on them. (All of them with "Dr." in front) As you're passing one, the door opens and you find yourself face to face with an older woman with gray hair. "Hey. You here about the job?" the woman asks. "Huh? What?" you answer. "I put out several announcements around campus for an escort job. Hmmm….you don't look like a warrior and you're a little young. You one of those students over from the magic college?" "Um, no actually, I just got lost. I'm trying to find my way out of this place." "Lost? What were you doing here in the first place?" "Well my father used to go here and I…" "Wait a minute…you do you look a little familiar. What's your father's name?" You tell this woman your father's name and she instantly lights up. "Hah! I knew it. You look a lot like your father. He was in my microbiology class when I used to teach it. Did very well too. How he doing?" the woman asks. "Oh he's doing fine uh Miss…umm…" you reply "Oh I go by Dr. Gossey and nowadays I focus purely on zoology and the biology of the creatures and animals that live in our fascinating world! So are you a student here too and trying to follow in your dad's footsteps?" "Something like that I suppose. I'm actually just checking out my options right now. You know, to see what I might be interested in." "Good. Good. Glad to see a young person thinking about their future. Hey, would you consider yourself to be an adventurous spirit?" "I suppose in some ways I am." "Well I've got a job that needs doing and I don't have time to do it myself and I'd rather not send my assistant there by herself. You familiar with qweepas?" "Aren't they some really ugly oversized rats?" "In simple terms basically, but they're much more than that. They're actually much more intelligent than the average rat. They aren't even native to the continent, but a lot of them over the years have undoubtedly snuck aboard Hessla pirate ships and now they're slowly starting to gain a foothold as a pest on the coast. One can only imagine how far they will have spread in another ten years." "So what is it that you need exactly?" "I need someone to go into Hessla or around that area with my assistant and get me some live specimens. About ten should do. Like I said, I'd send my assistant alone, but I know how dangerous Hessla is especially for a single female, so it would be better if someone went with her." "So, am I just to be there as hired muscle?" "Yes, though as I noticed before, you don't seem to be a physical type…not to say you aren't well proportioned for a young man your age, it's just I was hoping to get a taker from the gladiator team or someone of similar intimidating size. I only mentioned this at all to you because for one, I haven't had anyone else come in as strange as that may be. And two I knew your father. I figured it wouldn't be polite to not offer his son a chance to earn some money towards his education goals, whatever they may be. You could even get a jump start on potential class credits." This is getting a little strange, but you might as well ask. "So what's this job pay then?" you ask. "Thirty gold pieces upon completion." Dr. Gossey replies. "And all I have to do is escort your assistant?" "Yes, and make sure the qweepa specimens get here alive. Those are very important to my research. My assistant will have everything else required for this job and the trip will essentially be completely paid for." "Do you need a decision now?" "Well it would be nice, but I understand if you need to think on it. Hessla isn't a safe place and knowing your father, I'm sure he wanted better for you and you grew up in a protected environment and are probably less familiar with handling folks with a more criminal mentality." Dr. Gossey's assessment of you nearly makes you laugh. While this is technically a "real" job, you can't say you aren't totally unopposed to performing it. Thirty gold is certainly better than what you've done in most weeks since your time here and it would give you a chance to go to Hessla for free. Maybe see if things are potentially more lucrative over there. > You don't take the job While the pay seems okay, this doesn't really seem like your sort of thing. Running around catching rats and escorting some student that lacks common sense on top of it doesn't sound too fun. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think this is for me." You say. "Completely understandable. Well, good luck on whatever it is that you're deciding to go into, and say hello to your father next time you see him." Dr. Gossey says. "I will." You say and bid her goodbye. After leaving the medical building you decide to just call it a day at the university. You've had an okay haul today and you think the university will be your stomping grounds now. When you finally get back to the neighborhood, you revert back your cautious ways until you finally enter the Welcome Mat and your room. You manage to make it without being accosted by any of its denizens this time. The next day you start your routine of heading to the university and then after a productive day you make your way back home. As you're heading home in the middle of the night, you suddenly feel uneasy. Like you're being watched. You look around constantly, but never see anything out of the ordinary. There isn't anyone following you, though you suppose if they are they're really good at staying hidden. Your thoughts go back to the man who was looking for you a few days ago. You still don't know what that was all about and if this is someone meaning you harm. You're paranoid for the rest of your way home. You don't change your routine too much other than perhaps taking different ways to get to the university and back home. You still feel uneasy at times, but again nothing happens. However on one of your more mundane trips to get some food, one of the local food merchants who doesn't normally make much small talk, breaks that habit when you're looking over the fruit cart. "Hey, some big guy was looking for you yesterday." The merchant remarks. "So I've heard. Got a better description than that?" you ask. "Uh, sort of a bushy beard, but the rest of his face was obviously pretty weathered. Shaved head. Probably in his forties or fifties, but still pretty fit. Carried a pack with him, but no weapons. Well at least none out in the open. Said to tell you that he'd carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn." "Hmmm, and that's it?" "As far as I know." "Thanks. I'll just be taking these today." You say and pay the merchant for your food before leaving. Just keeps getting weirder. All you know about the Raggedy Man Inn is that it's in a worse part of Klyton than even you stay at. If this guy is some sort of courier, surely he should know where to find you, especially if this is an urgent message from your family. And you can't begin to know what that might be if true. Part of you wants to just head to the Raggedy Man Inn to confront this person once and for all, but all of this sounds so damn suspicious that you can't imagine going there would do you any good other than getting caught in a trap. You keep up your usual caution and after about a week passes, nobody is coming up to tell you that some guy is looking for you anymore. You end up wondering if it was some message from your family after all. In any case, you relax slightly and continue with your usual life. After a month, the whole thing seems to be forgotten by anyone that spoke to you about it. In fact you aren't even thinking about it as much anymore either. You're mostly thinking about how you're really making a killing at the university. You come home from another successful night and enter your room… No sooner have you opened the door, when a hand strongly grips your hand and yanks you inside. You feel a foot trip you and you go plunging face first into the floor and hear the door being shut behind you. "Now hol…" you start to say before you feel a boot kicking you in the side of the head. "Stop talking, I don't want to hear your voice. This has to happen." You hear a voice say. You manage to roll over and see a muscular older man with a beard standing over you with a very large knife. This is the man that was looking for you. "Who…" you start to say again before the man descends on top of your body and punches you in the face with his free hand. "I said shut up! I thought about this. I thought about the pros and cons for a long time. The right and wrong. And ultimately it all comes back to justice." The man says. You never put it together based on the vague descriptions by other people before, but you know who this man is. He's Klint's father. "You took away my son and not only did you escape, but I see you merely plying your criminal ways here too. I could have easily told the Klyton militia about you, but no, I want to perform this justice myself. Not just for my son you murdered, but for ALL those you've hurt!" With those final words, Klint's father begins stabbing the hell out of you repeatedly with his knife. You scream out several times, but he doesn't care. In fact he wants to hear your pleas and begging. By the time the militia is called to check on the noise, Klint's father stabbed you to death and is covered in your blood. He merely turns his head and says that justice has been served.

You figure it might be best to head somewhere that you can at least get your bearings about what you're going to do in the long term with your life. Still, it would be best to stay off the road and stick to the wilderness. With a new goal, you head in the direction of Klyton and hoping nobody from Teckleville is tracking you. You stick to the woods figuring that it will provide you with more cover. You keep alert for possible denizens that lurk in the woods themselves, but besides a lot of birds and a few normal animals, you don't encounter anything out of the ordinary. You even manage to get a good night's sleep, well as good as you can get with as paranoid as you are. Unfortunately the woods eventually begins to thin and if you continue walking the way you are going, you're going to be in the open plains and if you're going to march across the open fields, you might as well just walk on the road since you'll be just as exposed. Since you're not exactly in danger of starving or anything and the woods themselves seem fairly safe, you decide to play it cautiously by staying in the woods for the rest of the day and travel in the open at night. Hopefully it won't be a much longer trek to Klyton. You take the opportunity to rest up some more and when the only light in the sky is that of the dim moon, that's when you leave the edge of the woods. The trees around you soon disappear and all that's left is you in the open countryside and the occasional sounds of nocturnal animals. You walk across the fields for a while, but as the grass starts getting knee high, you start hearing unfamiliar sounds. While you hope it is only a harmless nocturnal animal (or rather several of them judging by the noises) you get concerned that you might be at a disadvantage if it isn't, so you quickly make your way back towards the road where you have better vision of any potential low to the ground threats. The road is just as empty as the plains you just left. You continue to keep aware of your surroundings by keeping an ear out for various sounds. You still have this idea that you're suddenly going to hear Teckleville watchmen on horses galloping on your position. You continue down the road and once again you see something out of the ordinary. This time though it's a hanging cage along side the road. You've heard of those before. Klyton apparently uses them when the jails are full and the criminal hasn't done anything bad enough to deserve outright death. So they get put in these cages until they eventually die of starvation, exposure or someone grants the mercy of killing them. Either way they aren't the city's problem anymore. Seems like it would be kinder to kill them immediately. You walk a little further and you see a few more of them on both sides of the road. Well if there's anyone inside them, they're going to be safely locked in a cage. First couple cages you pass are empty. The next one has a decaying smell as you pass, but nobody is in it. You notice on the other side of the road a couple of the cages have bodies in them, but seeing as they aren't moving, you can only guess you're probably walking by corpses. At least you think you are. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any extra water would you?" you suddenly hear one of the slumping figures in the cage say. Well you may have decided to travel at night, but it would seem you're encountering more people than you thought. "Uh, no not really." You answer. "That sounded really convincing there son. Come on, if you got any you could spare some. You always got the luxury of grabbing yourself a drink at the first tavern in Klyton…assuming you're even old enough...I can't quite see you, but you sound fairly young." The figure in the cage says. "I'm not young, I'm a grown man!" you exclaim. "Oh. Well apologies then. So can you please spare any water, I'm dying of thirst over here." "Why should I trust you? You're in a cage meant for criminals." "So? What, do you think I'm going to suddenly attack you or something? Even if I had the strength to grab you from between the bars and choked you out or something, that wouldn't exactly help my situation now would it? If anything it would just be harder to beg for water from the next person that passed by given that your corpse would be near my cage." Strangely that logic makes a bit of sense to you. "I'm not a violent criminal anyway. I'm just in here because I was a little down on my luck and stole some food. Unfortunately Klyton is pretty overzealous when it comes to their laws." The man goes on to say. "So you're a thief?" you ask. "Only out of survival." "Explains why you got caught. You're not a professional." You say. "Oh? Well more apologies then, I didn't realize I was speaking to a master fucking thief. Of course if you're so good, why the hell are you wandering out here in the boonies? Shouldn't you be stealing the King of Delantium's jeweled chamber pot or something?" "Hey, if you're still expecting me to give you any water you're doing a piss poor job at convincing me." You say getting a bit agitated and stepping closer to the cage. From this distance you get a better visual on the man in the cage. He looks about of average build, and he's a lot older than you. In fact he looks like he might be around your dad's age. Of course he gets a better look at you as well. "Heh. You barely have any stubble on your face! I knew you were just a kid! Something about you though…you look strangely familiar." The man remarks. "I don't think so, I've never been to Klyton." You say. "No, you don't look like you have. You look more like someone from a small town…say you wouldn't be from Teckleville would you? That is the closest town around here." "…um no why?" you say and then silently cursing yourself that your lie didn't come out natural. "I'll take that slight pause as a yes and you really need to work on your attempts at misdirection and lying. What sort of thief are you?" "Better one than you obviously, you can't even pick the easy lock on your cage." "Yeah, yeah, so Teckleville huh? Hmm….wait a minute!" The man suddenly asks if you know a doctor from Teckleville, and then goes into a description somewhat matching your dad, even mentions him by name. Does this man know your father? Since you seem to be messing up on your lies right now, you just go ahead and confirm his suspicions. "The gods are truly merciful this night! I knew your father! You look a lot like him when he was young. My name's Tom and I used to go to school with your father!" "You mean in the university?" "No, I used to go to primary and high school with him. I was one of his friends during childhood. I mean sure we drifted apart obviously, even more so when I dropped out altogether, but me and him were always alright with each other! I heard he moved to Teckleville years ago and had a family. Didn't know his son was a thief though…how the hell did that happen?" "Long story." "Hm, I'll bet…so you were saying this big ass lock on my cage looked easy?" "Yeah, I've picked more complex merchant lockboxes." You say confidently. At this point Tom stops slouching and begins to move towards you as much as he can in his cage. "That's good…that's good….so hey instead of water, how about you set me free?" "What? Why should I do that?" "Oh come on! I was a friend of your father's! Surely he's mentioned all the fond memories of us playing smash sphere after school." "Well, actually my father doesn't speak much about Klyton or the past at all. He prefers to forget it. Says it was mostly stressful." "Oh....well hey how about this deal then? You've never been to Klyton, so how about in exchange for my freedom I give you some basic information on some of the neighborhoods and potential places you could easily go burgle. I mean obviously I'm rubbish at it, but if you're as good as you say you are, they should be easy for you. You might have less of a problem with releasing him if you could somehow confirm he is who he says he is. Tom certainly seems to know bits about your father that would be hard to know by some complete stranger. Your father never said anything about former childhood friends though, or if he did you weren't paying attention. > You leave Tom Even if he is a childhood friend of your father, you just don't trust Tom enough to set him free. "Look, I got my own problems right now and I can't be taking on someone else's, so I'm saying goodbye to you." "Wait! Okay, I get it, I get it. You don't trust me, but can't you at least give me that water?" Tom asks. "And I told you I don't have it to spare! Look, I'm going, maybe the next person will be more generous." You say. "Fine. I can see you're nothing like your dad. He would have at least given me the water." Tom mutters and then mumbles some swears as you leave. You continue along the road and fortunately you don't have any more late night encounters. Eventually Klyton is in sight and you quicken your pace, anxious to get to your destination. When you get to the city gates, you find them to be heavily guarded and you're stopped. "Halt, you don't look like a merchant or anyone else that has a real job. In fact you look a bit suspicious sneaking about the city at this time of night." One of the guards says. "Sneaking around? But I'm going through the main gate!" you say. "You giving me lip boy? I'm asking the questions here! We don't need anymore scum like you in this city!" the guard says and pushes you. You're smart enough not to start a fight with an armored guard, but you're starting to wonder if you're going to even get in the city. Fortunately, not all the guards are power drunk assholes and one steps forward to pull the asshole one back a bit. "Oh for fuck's sake Clyde, calm down and leave the boy alone. Judging by the look of him he's just a snot nosed kid. Probably ran away from home or something. Hey, kid you got any money on you?" While you normally wouldn't announce such things, you figure they want a bribe to leave you alone. "Um, yeah…look I don't have much, but you can have what I…" you start to say. "What? No, we're not trying to shake you down. This isn't Holgard son. I just wanted to know so I can tell you which inn you should probably check in at. Seeing as you said you don't have much, I'd recommend the Welcome Mat, which isn't that far from the main gate, you really can't miss it.. The place is cheap and pretty safe. If you still can't afford their low prices, they'll probably have some tasks you can do to earn a place on their flop room floor at least." "Oh, okay. Thanks." "No problem, but I'm going to warn you once now. I certainly HOPE if you're sticking around the city, that you have every intention of being a productive citizens. Because if you don't, well…let's just say we don't take kindly to crime around here. I trust you saw all those cages down the road." "Yes, sir." "Hm, well that'll be where you're heading if you have ill intent in this city. And that's if you're lucky." "Yes, I certainly understand sir." You say. "Very well, off you go son." You start to walk towards the city entrance, when Clyde can't resist talking more shit at you. "Remember what we said! You fuck up and I'm gonna fuck YOU up! You hear me you little shit? I'll be on your ass! I'll be on you ALL fucking night and day!" "Yeah, yeah, I got it." You say. While some of the other guards are chuckling and Clyde's buddy is telling him to cease his almost rape like threats, Clyde isn't even paying attention anymore, he HATES your dismissive tone and all he's feeling is disrespect to his authority. "You fucking little scumbag bitch! Fucking dismiss me will you?" Clyde mutters and before you know it he's punched you hard with his gauntlet-encased fist. You drop like a sack of potatoes. "NO Clyde! STOP! Shit! Get Clyde off of him!" Clyde's buddy shouts to everyone, as Clyde is kicking your head in. Eventually they get Clyde off of you, but it's too late. He's stomped your head into mush. You can't even see anymore and you're already losing your hearing. You think you hear someone shout for a medic, but by then everything goes black.

You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway. After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were. You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger. Part of you is only just now starting to feel the various negative emotions involving your parents and Annah. You can only imagine the shitstorm they're facing because of your actions. You just hope that they don't suffer the consequences of what you did. Then there's Annah. You feel like you should be feeling a lot sadder about her, maybe even crying a bit, but maybe you got all those emotions out of your system when you killed Klint. Still seems a bit surreal that you killed someone. Not just anyone, but someone you knew since childhood, even if you didn't like him. You definitely don't feel bad about it and while that can be due to several understandable factors, you can't help but wonder if you could do it again under different circumstances. You may have to, especially now, though your mind certainly went to a dark place during that time. Whatever the near future holds, you'll have to deal with it when it happens. Right now you have to make a decision on where you're going to go because you're not exactly hot on the idea of staying out here in the wilderness. Your first thought is to head west to the city-state of Klyton. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look. Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time. Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date. Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes. The Delantium Kingdom to the east isn't really high on your choice list. For one thing, you'd have to backtrack around Teckleville to go in that direction. From what you've overheard, the kingdom has been slowly trying to expand again which sounds a lot like more soldier types running around and that's the last thing you need. Still, the kingdom is a big place and they can't possibly be everywhere. Sivak is the closest major city there. The only other nearby bastion of major civilization you can think of that's close is another city state by the name of Holgard. It's to the south and in terms of existence, it's only a little older than you are. It was founded by a noble from the Delantium Kingdom. Originally it was most likely supposed to be some sort of outpost or colony for the DK. But whatever the original intent, the noble soon set himself up as absolute ruler with no ties to the kingdom at all. For whatever reason, the DK hasn't taken any action against him, whether that's because the cost wouldn't be worth it, they've got more important things to deal with or they're simply glad to have him gone is unknown. The third possibility isn't entirely out of the question either, since you've overheard travelling merchants say that Baron Varsakken is a very unlikable man and it's amazing he hasn't suffered any assassination attempts. His children are apparently little better. Still, you've also heard the place is filled with corruption so it would probably be a better place to do your work than Klyton. > You holgard From what little you know of Holgard, it sounds more like a city you could thrive in. The first problem is going to be getting there though. Holgard is still located in a wilder region of the land so road maintenance isn't always an option due to marauding monsters or bandits. In fact it might not even be safe to stay on the road. In any case it's a ways there, so you get on with it. Your couple of days of travel are uneventful. Just you and an empty road. When night falls you always get off the road and attempt to find a safe place to sleep in the trees nearby. Though you never really sleep easily and are constantly waking up at various sounds. Third day is a little different as you hear the clopping of horses behind you. At first you get concerned that someone from Teckleville is galloping your way, but a quick glance shows it's just a merchant caravan. A fairly big one too since you see several men on horseback along with a carriage and large wagon behind it. An idea comes to you and you wait for the caravan to reach your location. It gets a little closer and then stops completely. A couple of the men on horseback speak to someone in the carriage and then both of those men ride out to meet you. Both of them are carrying crossbows and wearing full plate mail. No insignia though so they're probably mercenaries. "Hey you! What are you doing?" one asks. "I was waiting for your caravan." You answer. "Yeah? For what purpose?" "Depends. What are you guys selling?" "Nothing to the likes of you. You don't look like you could afford it anyway." "I can't even look?" "No. In fact you're acting really fucking suspicious just waiting around on the road like this. I'm warning you right now that if this some sort of ambush tactic, you and your bandit buddies are far from equipped to take us on. And I can guarantee YOU are going to be the first one to die." One mercenary says as he points his crossbow at you. You slightly raise your arms a bit. "Hold on! I'm no bandit! I'm just a traveller a bit down on his luck. I know this road is dangerous, I was just wondering maybe if I could travel with you guys, you're going to Holgard right?" "No, we're hired to protect that caravan, not baby sit every stranger along the way." "You wouldn't be baby sitting me! I know how to fight, its just safety in numbers. I mean if we run into any trouble I'll even help. I'm not asking to get paid either." The mercenaries both glance at each other and don't look too enticed by your offer, but fortunately they aren't entirely calling the shots. "Hold on, we'll have to ask the boss first." One says and then they both gallop back to the carriage. You don't wait long before they return. "Okay son, the boss says you can travel with us, in fact he says you can ride with him in the carriage." The mercenary says. "Wow, really? Well I wasn't expecting that. Awfully nice of him." "Yeah…nice. (snort)" the merc says with a slight grin. The other merc chuckles a bit as well and you follow the pair of them back. The closer you get to the carriage; you see that it's pretty ornate looking. Obviously the merchant who owns this one is very wealthy. When you finally enter the carriage it's even more luxurious inside. Soft fur lines the seat, the curtains covering the windows are silk and the carriage floor and ceiling are gold plated. A perfumed smell also fills interior. And to your left, is where you see the owner sitting. He's a grossly fat berk dressed in fancy colorful clothing and a couple of jeweled rings on his fingers. He smiles in your direction denoting friendliness, but he's looking at you in a way that…well you aren't used to. "Well hello my dear boy. When they told me there was a young boy out on this ghastly road by himself, I knew I had to provide help. However, their description of you doesn't do you justice. You are certainly are very fit and firm looking." He says staring you up and down. Now you know why the mercs were smirking earlier. You sit down across from him and he tells his driver to get on their way before turning his attention completely to you. "So, what a fine lad like you doing on this road by himself? Don't you know there are bandits and worse about?" the merchant asks. "Yeah, but it's the only way I know to Holgard." You say "Well still. A boy like you should be careful. These bandits are terrible brutes. They don't just rob people, they usually kill them too. Sometimes they do even worse things. Why I shudder to think what they'd do to a handsome lad like yourself. You'd find yourself stripped, beaten and violated several times over before they finally slit your throat…and then perhaps violated repeatedly again…I mean who could stop them if they caught you all alone?" "Nobody I guess." "Exactly. But we needn't dwell on such morbid situations now. You are safe with me and I shall make sure no harm will come to your…body…" The merchant licks his lips as he stares at you and it is at this moment you think you now have a general idea of how your sister and Annah must have felt when they had merchants fawning all over them. Fortunately, the merchant doesn't press whatever unnatural lust he has for you and proceeds to just speak about himself. He mentions his name Graham Oren famous wine merchant (Or at least he thinks he's famous) and that he's coming from the Delantium Kingdom to do a bit of business in Holgard. You're a little disappointed since you were hoping to rip the caravan off in some way, but knowing he's just hauling wine casks makes stealing those large wooden things a little difficult to do. He goes on to say that normally he wouldn't bother to travel to the doomed city, but sometimes an in person presence is required to appease certain clients. "Doomed city? Why do you say that?" you ask. "I'm guessing you don't keep up on politics, m'boy, but then why would someone like you really need to, but yes the city is doomed. The Baron's days are numbered. Honestly it must only be by Yag's luck that he's survived as long as he has." "Is the Delantium Kingdom coming to take back the city?" Graham looks a little impressed by your basic knowledge of the political landscape. "Well…it would seem you are just full of surprises and here I was thinking you were just another pretty face. But to answer your question, I do believe they have their sights on it, but not necessarily through force. Something about annexing it peacefully so they don't have to waste the manpower. Probably through the help of one of his children, but given how treacherous they all are, that's not necessarily a certainty. Still, whether they take it or not, the Baron himself is going to be out of the picture soon. There is a growing discontent in the air by every faction and everyone that has an agenda there. He can't possibly keep control for much longer." Well that's a bit of interesting information about the city, though a bit concerning. You wonder if you're going to find yourself in the middle of a citywide revolt when you get to Holgard. While you're pondering that possibility, Graham begins speaking again. "But enough about these things. Let us talk more about you…" Graham says leaning his girth towards you and being bold enough now to put his hand on your leg, which you immediately pull away. "Look, I don't like being fucking touched and I'm not fucking interested." "Oh come on, don't be like that. You knew what you were getting into when you entered this carriage." Graham remarks and tries to touch your leg again. "I'm serious, don't do that again." "Or what? You'll leave? What if I don't let you?" Graham remarks and then reveals a decorative and strange looking pistol with multiple barrels. Firearms aren't common and you've only ever seen your grandfather's old non-working troll gun hanging up in your house, but it's obvious that this fat bastard is rich enough to have some sort of custom made one. It's enough to make you freeze up, but you maintain a cool head and don't panic. "That's right little lamb, you're going to stay right here and…" Suddenly a lot of noise and shouting can be heard from outside and one of the mercs rides up to the window. "Sir! Stay inside! We're being attacked!" he shouts This is enough time to distract Graham and allowing you to act. > You run out of the carriage Only having escape in your mind, you attempt to rush out of the carriage, unfortunately you're not quite quick enough opening up the door and Graham fires his pistol at you. You feel a hot burn on the right side of your head before you tumble out of the carriage. It takes you a moment to actually realize you haven't suffered a fatal wound, but only a "graze" that's taken off your right ear and skin. Your vision is blurry, you feel dizzy, your head is in pain and ringing and the rest of your body isn't doing much better since you fell pretty hard and twisted your ankle. To top it all off there is a skirmish going on around you. You barely manage to stand yourself up and you nearly fall over several times as you hold your head and try to get out danger. Blood covers one side of your face and you can still feel some of it dripping from the hole where your ear used to be. With a muted ring still going on in your head, you don't hear the sound of a run away horse galloping your way. You're trampled by the beast and feel the full weight of its hooves stepping on you and crushing some of your ribs in the process. Now nearly crippled, you don't even have the strength to get up again, but it hardly matters since one bandit who was sneaking about and trying to avoid the heavier fighting notices that you're still breathing. He of course has no problem in finishing off a target that can't fight back.

From what little you know of Holgard, it sounds more like a city you could thrive in. The first problem is going to be getting there though. Holgard is still located in a wilder region of the land so road maintenance isn't always an option due to marauding monsters or bandits. In fact it might not even be safe to stay on the road. In any case it's a ways there, so you get on with it. Your couple of days of travel are uneventful. Just you and an empty road. When night falls you always get off the road and attempt to find a safe place to sleep in the trees nearby. Though you never really sleep easily and are constantly waking up at various sounds. Third day is a little different as you hear the clopping of horses behind you. At first you get concerned that someone from Teckleville is galloping your way, but a quick glance shows it's just a merchant caravan. A fairly big one too since you see several men on horseback along with a carriage and large wagon behind it. An idea comes to you and you wait for the caravan to reach your location. It gets a little closer and then stops completely. A couple of the men on horseback speak to someone in the carriage and then both of those men ride out to meet you. Both of them are carrying crossbows and wearing full plate mail. No insignia though so they're probably mercenaries. "Hey you! What are you doing?" one asks. "I was waiting for your caravan." You answer. "Yeah? For what purpose?" "Depends. What are you guys selling?" "Nothing to the likes of you. You don't look like you could afford it anyway." "I can't even look?" "No. In fact you're acting really fucking suspicious just waiting around on the road like this. I'm warning you right now that if this some sort of ambush tactic, you and your bandit buddies are far from equipped to take us on. And I can guarantee YOU are going to be the first one to die." One mercenary says as he points his crossbow at you. You slightly raise your arms a bit. "Hold on! I'm no bandit! I'm just a traveller a bit down on his luck. I know this road is dangerous, I was just wondering maybe if I could travel with you guys, you're going to Holgard right?" "No, we're hired to protect that caravan, not baby sit every stranger along the way." "You wouldn't be baby sitting me! I know how to fight, its just safety in numbers. I mean if we run into any trouble I'll even help. I'm not asking to get paid either." The mercenaries both glance at each other and don't look too enticed by your offer, but fortunately they aren't entirely calling the shots. "Hold on, we'll have to ask the boss first." One says and then they both gallop back to the carriage. You don't wait long before they return. "Okay son, the boss says you can travel with us, in fact he says you can ride with him in the carriage." The mercenary says. "Wow, really? Well I wasn't expecting that. Awfully nice of him." "Yeah…nice. (snort)" the merc says with a slight grin. The other merc chuckles a bit as well and you follow the pair of them back. The closer you get to the carriage; you see that it's pretty ornate looking. Obviously the merchant who owns this one is very wealthy. When you finally enter the carriage it's even more luxurious inside. Soft fur lines the seat, the curtains covering the windows are silk and the carriage floor and ceiling are gold plated. A perfumed smell also fills interior. And to your left, is where you see the owner sitting. He's a grossly fat berk dressed in fancy colorful clothing and a couple of jeweled rings on his fingers. He smiles in your direction denoting friendliness, but he's looking at you in a way that…well you aren't used to. "Well hello my dear boy. When they told me there was a young boy out on this ghastly road by himself, I knew I had to provide help. However, their description of you doesn't do you justice. You are certainly are very fit and firm looking." He says staring you up and down. Now you know why the mercs were smirking earlier. You sit down across from him and he tells his driver to get on their way before turning his attention completely to you. "So, what a fine lad like you doing on this road by himself? Don't you know there are bandits and worse about?" the merchant asks. "Yeah, but it's the only way I know to Holgard." You say "Well still. A boy like you should be careful. These bandits are terrible brutes. They don't just rob people, they usually kill them too. Sometimes they do even worse things. Why I shudder to think what they'd do to a handsome lad like yourself. You'd find yourself stripped, beaten and violated several times over before they finally slit your throat…and then perhaps violated repeatedly again…I mean who could stop them if they caught you all alone?" "Nobody I guess." "Exactly. But we needn't dwell on such morbid situations now. You are safe with me and I shall make sure no harm will come to your…body…" The merchant licks his lips as he stares at you and it is at this moment you think you now have a general idea of how your sister and Annah must have felt when they had merchants fawning all over them. Fortunately, the merchant doesn't press whatever unnatural lust he has for you and proceeds to just speak about himself. He mentions his name Graham Oren famous wine merchant (Or at least he thinks he's famous) and that he's coming from the Delantium Kingdom to do a bit of business in Holgard. You're a little disappointed since you were hoping to rip the caravan off in some way, but knowing he's just hauling wine casks makes stealing those large wooden things a little difficult to do. He goes on to say that normally he wouldn't bother to travel to the doomed city, but sometimes an in person presence is required to appease certain clients. "Doomed city? Why do you say that?" you ask. "I'm guessing you don't keep up on politics, m'boy, but then why would someone like you really need to, but yes the city is doomed. The Baron's days are numbered. Honestly it must only be by Yag's luck that he's survived as long as he has." "Is the Delantium Kingdom coming to take back the city?" Graham looks a little impressed by your basic knowledge of the political landscape. "Well…it would seem you are just full of surprises and here I was thinking you were just another pretty face. But to answer your question, I do believe they have their sights on it, but not necessarily through force. Something about annexing it peacefully so they don't have to waste the manpower. Probably through the help of one of his children, but given how treacherous they all are, that's not necessarily a certainty. Still, whether they take it or not, the Baron himself is going to be out of the picture soon. There is a growing discontent in the air by every faction and everyone that has an agenda there. He can't possibly keep control for much longer." Well that's a bit of interesting information about the city, though a bit concerning. You wonder if you're going to find yourself in the middle of a citywide revolt when you get to Holgard. While you're pondering that possibility, Graham begins speaking again. "But enough about these things. Let us talk more about you…" Graham says leaning his girth towards you and being bold enough now to put his hand on your leg, which you immediately pull away. "Look, I don't like being fucking touched and I'm not fucking interested." "Oh come on, don't be like that. You knew what you were getting into when you entered this carriage." Graham remarks and tries to touch your leg again. "I'm serious, don't do that again." "Or what? You'll leave? What if I don't let you?" Graham remarks and then reveals a decorative and strange looking pistol with multiple barrels. Firearms aren't common and you've only ever seen your grandfather's old non-working troll gun hanging up in your house, but it's obvious that this fat bastard is rich enough to have some sort of custom made one. It's enough to make you freeze up, but you maintain a cool head and don't panic. "That's right little lamb, you're going to stay right here and…" Suddenly a lot of noise and shouting can be heard from outside and one of the mercs rides up to the window. "Sir! Stay inside! We're being attacked!" he shouts This is enough time to distract Graham and allowing you to act. > You atack Graham You aren't going to let this fat fuck get a chance to possibly shoot you in the back, plus you're too pissed about him trying to molest you. With a couple quick moves you pull out your dagger, stab him in his arm and relieve him of his fancy pistol. Graham screams out like a little girl and now pleads for his miserable life. "Please! No, don't kill me!" he whimpers pathetically. Once again, much like how it was Klint, you show no remorse and pull the trigger of the pistol. It's the first time you've ever used one; so the unexpected kickback nearly causes you nearly drop it. You also weren't expecting it blow half of Graham's stinking face off. His obese corpse slumps lifelessly against the carriage wall. "Shit." You remark to yourself being in awe of the power of the weapon. Never being one to miss an opportunity, you quickly deprive Graham's body of the jeweled rings on his fingers. You then also go through the pockets that you can get to and get a bag full of gold coins. After looting Graham's body, you remember that there is a skirmish going on outside. A quick glance shows several bandit types fighting the mercs. The mercs are out numbered, but thanks to their armor and better training, they're doing a good job of fending off the bandits. You get out of the carriage with the intent of just running off into the woods, but then you might get lost. It occurs to you that you do have an advantage that will allow you get away a lot faster and still stay on your course. While one of the mounted mercs bashes in the head of a bandit you take the opportunity to shoot him while his back is turned. The merc's armor is of no protection and he cries out as he falls from his horse. "Who the hell is that guy?" one of the bandits shouts. "Dunno, but who cares, he's killing their side!" another says. You quickly run to the now ownerless horse and clumsily get on. You're a bit vulnerable for a few seconds, but fortunately the bandits seem to now think you're on their side and don't focus on you (and the remaining mercs have their hands full) You soon manage to control the horse (which is anxious to get away from the chaos anyway) and gallop away until the skirmish is far behind you and you're basically left alone again. Unfortunately your horse suddenly starts wheeze and wobble. You manage to hastily get off before it collapses. There on it's left side you see what the problem is. In all the ensuing the chaos, the horse actually took a few crossbow bolts. Probably damage to vital organs and its adrenaline is finally wearing off. Bad luck for you and even worse luck for the horse. Not having many more options, you start walking. In any case there's two more bodies to your count now. Granted Graham deserved it, but that merc…well he made a living risking his life, it just happened that today his time was up. You had to survive a dangerous situation and that's it. That's how you're justifying that one anyway. Still, you at least acquired a few goodies for your troubles. You're going to have to learn more about how to take proper care of this pistol because it's far too valuable of a weapon to neglect. It'll certainly make dealing with shit in Holgard a bit more manageable. The rings are what surprise you most. You're no jeweler, but you have stolen enough cheap baubles in the past that you can tell a fake when you examine it in greater detail. The gems in the rings are actually common, but altered slightly (especially their color) to resemble more valuable ones. Even the ring is gold plated rather than pure. Looks like Graham wasn't as rich as he made out. However, the little pouch of coins is real money so there's that at least. You continue along the road, which as you guessed starts alternating from being intact, to dirt with a few stones to being little more than a well worn path in the grass. Even the occasional signs aren't much help given that many are flat out damaged in some way. Your natural instinct to just keep going in a straight line like you were doing, but unfortunately for you, the path completely disappears into forest. Doesn't help that the road also branches into several paths that twist in different directions. You weren't expecting that so you aren't sure which way to go. While you're pondering this decision, a voice calls out to you. "Hey! Where youz tryin' to get to?" You then see a person dressed in simple clothing coming out of the forest. He's a little shorter than you, in fact he's a little greener than you too. Doesn't look like an orc though, not nearly big or massive enough. Goblin perhaps, but he's taller than one and almost a bit human looking. A short green human with a few warts on his face and a bigger than average nose. In any case, you maintain your usual caution. "Okay, that's far enough. Who are you?" you ask. "Me? I'm just Warts." He answers picking his big nose. "Appropriate name." "Grhm. So youz tryin' to get to Holgard?" "Yeah, why?" "Well cuz, I can lead you to it. Lotz o' paths in this forest lead lotz o' places. Easy to get lost if you don't know da way." "You know the way huh? How do I know you aren't going to lead me into an ambush?" "Youz don't I suppoze. Take yer chances going alone an' getting lost, don't care. I just try to earn a little extra coin for drink an' leadin' clueless humies like yerself gets me some…well when they aren't throwin' rocks at me that is." "What are you exactly?" you ask. "Huh? What you mean?" Warts replies. "I mean, you don't look quite like any greenskin I've ever seen." "You seen a lot o them have ya?" "Well no, but I've heard tales…" "Then you don't really know nuthin' then do ya?" Warts says in a perturbed tone. Actually he's got a bit of a point. You decide to get right to the matter. "Alright, assuming I take you up on your generous offer, how much is it?" you ask. "Oh, yeah price…hmm, you want to go to Holgard right? Five gold coins." Warts answers. "Five gold coins just to lead me through the forest? That's fucking outrageous!" "Holgard is tricky to get to if you don't know the way. Lot of false paths get made. Besides, you lot usually have more than enough gold. I see you humies travelling all over in your rolly boxes filled with goods." "Do I look like I'm in a rolly box carting around a wagon full of treasures? I'm just a simple traveller down on his luck." "Down on luck huh? You should pray to Yag more. Anywayz five gold. Final offer." This greenskin obviously has no concept of haggling. It really isn't like you don't have the coin, it's more like you don't want to give so much to the likes of him after being fortunate enough to acquire it in the first place. Ultimately, he's either telling the truth about the forest being that treacherous or he's completely bullshitting you. You'll just have to decide for yourself. > You pay Warts He might be bullshitting you, but you're not exactly familiar with this area, so you might as well not take chances. Still, you got a better idea on payment. "Hey Warts, I don't have the five gold coins, but I do have these." You say and hold out Graham's rings to Warts. Warts approaches cautiously and then takes one of the rings from your hand. He inspects it and then speaks. "Grm. Okay, sure these will do. Stupid hobgoblin tribe around here always likes pretty jewelry even if it fakesy." He says and takes the other one from your hand. "Fake?" you say in a completely surprised tone, though not completely put on since you didn't think someone like Warts would know. "Yeah, fake… youz really didn't know?" "No, I'm afraid I come from a small town and don't have a good eye for that sort of thing. The merchant passing through was very convincing when he was selling them. I bought them for a girl I liked, but alas, I was unlucky in love too, so I just kept them." "Grm. Youz gotta have a better eye and pray to Yag more. Anywayz, come on let's get goin, don't wanna stand out here tooz long. Dis path is da one." You start following Warts who leads the way. "So…there are hobgoblins in this area?" you ask. "Oh yeah, the Spider Fang tribe, but there don't really come around the way we're goin' so no need to worry about getting' eaten. Can't wait to get back to them though. With these rings, Snuffit will allow me at least ten ruts with 'er. Way better than getting' drunk…well sometimes better anyway." Warts remarks. "Are you a member of the Spider Fangs?" "Me? Nah…too much humie blood. Can't ever be part of tribe proper. Good thing mum good fighter and loves me, otherwise tribe probably would 'ave eaten me when I was born." "Wait, your mom is a hobgoblin? Who was your father then?" "Dunno, some humie bandit that attacked and tried to rut with her in the forest. Me mum said it was dark and he seemed pretty surprised when he realized she wasn't another human. Mentioned he tasted like cheap beer after she was done wit him, so I guess he liked to drink." Since you have no words for that story, you just silently continue to follow. Warts and you trudge along a dirt path for quite sometime until it disappears completely. "Okay, from here, we go…dis way…no wait dis way…I think…" Warts says. "You think? Don't you know?" you reply. "Yeah, yeah, I just haven't used this way in a long time. Gotta pass a haunted cabin. Accidently passed out there once, ended up shitting my good pants, though not sure if that was just because of the ghost." "Haunted cabin? Why the hell are we going near it then?" "Cause it's the safest way. Even the bandit types don't like goin' near it and nobody from the Spider Fang tribe is brave enough either. Sides, it's really only haunted sometimes." "Sometimes? But what if today is that day?" "Well hope youz brought extra pants den. Really though, it's a lot safer. Da ghost really only messes with people that go in that cabin. I mean if you wanna risk it, we could go another way I know, but there's been a lotta bandits travelling back an through that area. Normally, I'd just go that way since I know all da best hidin' places and even if they did see me, I'd disappear again before they could even mount an attack. However you're probably not as stealthy as me, so you'd probably get yerself seen and gutted. Might even rut wit youz first, some of these bandits aren't picky." "I'm actually no stranger to being stealthy myself when I have to be." "Truly? Grm. Well it's up to you." "I'd rather take my chances sneaking pass some bandits than possibly dealing with something I can't even hurt." "Okay, hope yer as sneaky as you claim, cuz all bets are off if the bandits catch sight of ya. Dis way." Once again Warts leads the way and you follow. You trudge through the forest for quite sometime and eventually it gets dark, but you still haven't seen any signs of bandits or anyone else really. Warts doesn't seem to be concerned, but you're constantly alert, thinking behind every tree lies an ambush. "Gettin' pitch black, gonna have to stop soon." Warts says. "What? We're not walking through the night? In fact won't it be easier to slip by any potential hostiles in the dark?" you ask. "You want to continue, be my guest, but I'm gonna get some sleep. I'm tired. Sides, looks like we got lucky. Guess the bandit crew that was wandering around this area moved on. Praise Yag." "As you say." You reply, still looking around. While you're half tempted to go on without Warts, you're still holding on to the slight hope that he actually knows where he's going, so you start looking for a tree to climb and sleep in. "Hey, what youz doin? You think youz a squirrel or somethin'?" Warts asks. "I'm not sleeping down here on the ground. What if something wanders by before I can properly react? I'll be in a tree so I can at least be somewhat out of immediate sight." "Youz gonna fall out and break yo' neck too. All youz gotta do is cover yerself in dirt and leaves and shit. Hides youz just fine." Warts says and begins doing just that. "Yeah well when you're already green and smell like the outdoors, I suppose it's a lot easier to camouflage yourself with little effort. I'll take my chances in a high tree." Warts shakes his head unconvinced and continues to cover himself. You have to admit, if you didn't know he was there, you probably wouldn't notice him if you were just wandering by. As for you, you climb to a sturdy and large enough branch that will support your weight and you can at least somewhat perch yourself on. You already know you aren't going to sleep deep tonight, but you figure that's sort of been the standard problem while out here. "I'll be so damn glad to be out of the damn wilderness." You say to yourself. You're up for quite awhile, but hear nothing except the usual sounds of various insects, owls and other nocturnal animals. Eventually sleep catches up with you and you close your eyes. You aren't sure how long you're asleep, but you open your eyes when you start hearing voices nearby. "I told ya, I heard something." "Probably just another raccoon. I don't know why we gotta patrol over here anyway." "Cause the boss said so that's why! You know there are savage greenskins that live in this forest. We're supposed to make sure none of them get too close to the main cam…I knew it. I knew I heard something! Snoring! And it's coming from over there!" At this point you're awake enough to see everything that's going on below. You see two men who you guess are bandits. Seems like Warts didn't take into account that his camouflage attempt would all be for naught due to his large honker making noise. It doesn't take long before they kick and prod at his hidden location, waking him up. "Hah! A filthy greenskin! Probably a scout! Kill him!" one of the bandits shouts. Warts just barely avoids their attacks and tries to scramble away from his prone position, but one of the bandits manages to trip him up before he can run and it isn't looking good as he gets kicked in the face by the other one. Not that you have any loyalty to Warts and he's been pretty snarky towards you in general, but he's still your guide and if you don't want to get lost… You waste no time and try to climb down your tree as fast as you can. Fortunately, the bandits are have decided to have a little fun before killing him directly. They proceed to continue kicking Warts and don't notice you at all. > You shoot the bandits One thing you've learned since acquiring your new weapon is how easy it kills folks with minimal effort on your part. You shoot one of the bandits in the back before anyone knows what's going on. He falls to the ground screaming out in pain. He isn't dead yet, but he might as well be. The other bandit at this point has turned around and raised his arms though still holding on to his weapon. "Shit. Okay…look this ain't got nothin' to do with you son. So why don't you put that thing away and…ARGH!" Warts has wasted no time and already cut into back the bandit's legs. The bandit falls and you kick away his dropped weapon while Warts proceeds to crawl on the bandit's back and repeatedly stab the hell out of him. Meanwhile you go over the other incapacitated bandit and finish him off by slitting his throat. By the time you've done that, Warts has already finished off the other one. "Quick let's loot the bodies and get outta here. All that noise your shooty gun made might have attracted something else!" Warts exclaims. The bandit you killed doesn't really have anything of value on him, though you do take his short sword since one can never have too many weapons. After that's done, Warts tells you to follow him and the pair of you are off again. You keep up the brisk pace for the remainder of the night, which soon starts turning to day again. You also can now see a break in the trees. You've finally reached the end of this blasted forest and a large walled city is now in sight! "See? Told ya I'd get ya to Holgard." Warts proudly remarks. "You wouldn't have been getting me anywhere if I hadn't saved your life a few moments ago." You say. "Bah…if youz let me die, you woulda been lost." "Perhaps, but you would have been still dead." "Grh. Well…maybe I do owe ya some thanks…I'm not given back these rings you paid me with though!" "Didn't expect you to. Just wanted you to remember that I saved your ass." "Okay, okay…anyway, the main road's over that way. I trust youz can make it from here." "Yeah." "Good. Oh, word of advice, don't go flashin' dat shooty around unless you're gonna use it. The guards don't take kindly to folks just carrying those things around." "Can't I just bribe them to look the other way?" "Sure, but unless you're someone of importance, or have connections or something, they'll probably just take it from youz anyway. 'Specially with as fancy as that one you got is. Never seen one like yers before. Youz not really a down on your luck traveller from a small town are you?" "Well, I am from a small town, but I may have had a little more fortune than I let on when we first met. Not much more though." "Grm, well lyin' will serve you well in Holgard. The city has a lotz o' opportunities, for someone like you." "Someone like me?" "Yeah, youz stealthy, youz a liar and I saw ya kill someone without hesitation. Youz no doubt a rogue, possibly even an assassin, but you seem a little young to have been one of those for very long. In any case, you'll be able to hone whatever skill you do have. Just don't piss off the Ebony Claw Syndicate in the process." "Who are they?" "They run the underworld of Holgard, though I think they're still trying to stamp out a few other lingering organizations. They don't much care for freelancer types either. I guess you could try to join them, but don't ask me how, I'm not familiar with their initiation practices." "Any suggestions on where to go first when I get to the city?" "Um, the Hell's Own Inn might be good for the likes of you. Despite its name, it's fairly safe. Sort of neutral ground too, so youz won't be stompin' around in someone's territory." With that last bit of advice, Warts says he's heading off to see Snuffit and the two of you part company. You follow the road to Holgard and of course when you get to the city gates you get stopped. "Sorry friend, but we can't just let anyone in this fine city. Well not before checking you first." The guard says with a smirk. "Sure, I understand…just let me…whoops." You say and drop a few of your gold coins on the ground. The guard slowly picks one up. "Y'know, I think we can dispense with the check. You look like an okay lad. Off you go." He says and finishes picking up the rest of your coins. You didn't really want to let go of your coin like that, but you couldn't risk being searched. You're just glad he wasn't a greedy asshole. Well you've finally reached your destination and you now have an entire city of corruption to perform your work in. First thing you're going to do though is find that inn Warts mentioned. You'd really like to sleep in a proper bed if only for a little while, then you can take it from there. It doesn't take you long to find the place; it isn't even in too bad of an area. When you enter a few people watch you, but don't say anything. The burly looking innkeeper just asks you what you want and when you say a room for a day, he asks for payment, which you hand to him in exchange for a key. The room isn't the same luxury you had back home, but it isn't bad considering the price. Between this room and the recent bribe however, you realize you're going to have to start getting to work fairly soon because your money is already starting to run low. You sort of wonder if maybe you should seek out some sort of connection to see about joining the Ebony Claws, but then you figure you should probably get to know the city first before joining anyone. Not to mention that while you get the idea that this Ebony Claw Syndicate is the big swingin' dick around here, you're not really keen on the whole idea of having to "work" for someone else. The whole point of being a rogue was so you didn't HAVE to get a real job and have a boss in the first place! If you get wrapped up in an organization like the Ebony Claws, you're also likely to be in it "for life" and that's a bit too much commitment for you. No, the best thing to do is to keep a low profile and make your own way for now. It's a big city and you're ready to take what you can. (And not draw any unwanted attention in the process) > You time passes... 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 take Warts with you You might as well go together at this point, you knew he wasn't going to be the ideal partner to begin with. Who knows, maybe you can use him as bait or something. "Alright, come on let's go." You say. "Hold on a minute." Warts says and finishes off one of the mugs that wasn't quite empty yet. "Seriously?" "Hey, I'm thirsty. Alright NOW let's go." Warts and you leave the inn and after looking around a bit and scratching his head he beckons you to follow him. He walking just fine, so maybe he isn't that bad off. You continue to follow without another word, until he gets to a secluded spot with a sewer covering. "What the hell are you doing? You ask. "Tryin' to take dis thing off, wat's it look like ya idjit? Help me over here." Warts says trying to take off the sewer lid. "No, I mean why the fuck are we entering the sewers?" "Cuz, it's the best way to get into Reginald's house. He's got a secret passage to it down here." "How the hell you know this?" "Cuz people talk shit all the time and not even realize ol' Warts is even there to lissen. Waz in a garbage bin and heard these two weird guys in red robes talkin about it in an alley awhile back." "…okay I'm not even going to ask why the hell you were in a garbage bin, but weird guys in red robes, secret passages…are you sure Reginald isn't part of some fucking cult? I mean this is starting to sound a lot more complicated and dangerous." "Well, why ya think I wanted someone else to come along?" "YOU said this was for MY benefit!" "Oh yeah…well it is! Look humie, ya gotta take big risks in dis profession. I don't doubt yer skilled. You've lasted longer than most independently in dis city. But I'm tellin ya, there's more out there that yer missin. I mean, sure it's foolish ta go head to head against da ECS, but robbin some rich asshole that may or may not be a wizard? Well dat's different." "I really don't see how since both can get you killed. However, I do see your point to a small degree. I have been playing it a bit on the safe side. Still, if this is looking to be more trouble than it's worth then I'm getting the hell out as quick as possible." "Sounds like a plan ta me." You help Warts with the sewer covering and the pair of you descend into the smelly depths. It actually isn't too bad, but that might be because you're standing next to Warts and his own stench is cancelling out that of the sewers. Warts gets slightly more talkative as you walk to your destination. He mentions that the Thieves Guild has their hideout somewhere down here, but he doesn't know where. Neither does the ECS, since they'd probably mount an attack if they could. Warts also goes on about how he's not fond of the ECS since a lot of them tend to have ties to Fel while he's dedicated to Yag. Says that worshipping Fel if you're a thief is like cheating since he's the god of shadows and all. Though he's not so much opposed to that, so much as he doesn't like all the dedication Fel seems to want. Yag on the other hand doesn't really require anything and he not might bless you anyway, but then he might give you a lot even if you don't do much. Warts claims that ALL the gods are like that, so he might as well pray to one that is at least honest about it all. "Why worship any god at all?" you ask. "Wat? You crazy or sumthin? You don't pick a god, youz gonna be in trouble when ya die! Even pickin' some stupid god like Karn would be better than nuthin! You don't believe in anything an' who knows WHERE yer soul goes! Nah, better to pick somethin' just in case." It's a little surprising just how serious Warts takes religion, well as serious as a follower to the God of Luck and Chance can be anyway. (It also occurs to you how it's weird how everyone's been getting religious on you lately) "Eh, I guess I can sort of see that logic. I'm not really religious, but occasionally I have said the odd thanks to Yag." You say. "That's all ya need man. He's lissening, even if he doesn't do anything." Warts says. You and Warts continue a little longer and then he stops. "Okay, think wez gettin' close. Should be a secret wall around here from what I heard." Warts says and begins pushing on the wall nearby. "This seems a bit unprotected." You say looking around for potential traps. "It's a secret door, maybe he didn't anticipate anyone finding it." "You said the Thieves Guild is down here, surely they would have found it if this is their territory." "It's a big ass sewer and they're the Thieves Guild not the Holgard Watch. Dey don't exactly patrol da place. They're all most likely up top breaking into shit. Besides, I told ya, they ain't the ECS. They aren't very territorial anyway. Dat's why we can walk around here without as much concern…well except for giant rats and such." Just as you're about to ask Warts another question about the Thieves' Guild, Warts finds what you're looking for and when he does so a large bolt just whizzes over his head and into the wall behind him. "Man, good thing Yag lissened to me." Warts says. "Good thing you're short and constantly walk around slightly hunched over most of the time. Oddly, this makes me feel slightly better. If there weren't any traps at all I'd be even more paranoid about how easy this was. So far it seems like this guy just has shitty security, but then we haven't actually gone inside yet." You respond. You and Warts both enter the passage and soon find yourself in a cellar with a bunch of wine barrels. Tons of them. Warts looks like he's hit a gold mine and immediately starts grabbing wine bottles. "Hey, leave some room for actual valuable, you're supposed to be carrying shit for me, remember?" "I am grabbing valuables! You realize how much old bottles of wine go fer?" "Okay, point taken, just don't drink them all." While Warts plays wine expert, you take a look around the room and find that there are stairs leading up and a solid metal door to your left, which is locked. Since you don't want to go too far from Warts while he's alone with a bunch of wine, you stay in the cellar and pick the lock of the metal door, which is surprisingly easy. You enter the dimly lit room and find what could only be a room dedicated to dark magical endeavors of some sort. There's two demonic looking idols starring at you and the pentagrams and symbols on the floor aren't any you recognize. There's also blood splatters on them. From what little you now know of this Reginald, this guy is into some dark shit. Everything about this makes you want to just get the hell out right now, but you're already here now and you'd hate to just leave with wine bottles. You walk carefully around the room making sure you don't step on any symbols or inside any circles just in case. You also keep an eye on the demonic idols, which still feel like they're watching you. There isn't much else in the room itself, though there is another door off to the side, this one isn't locked and you open it. However, you soon wish you hadn't. You see a row of cages and various torture devices along with dead bodies in most of them. "Fucking hell, I came here to rob some shit, not take a tour of a slaughterhouse." You say to yourself. Just as you're about to shut the door a voice calls out. "Stranger! You're not one of them! Not one those red robed freaks! (sob) Please! Help me! I can't die here, not like this! I watched my…(choke) just please…help. Who knows when they'll be back!" a nearly naked young girl in a cage begs. She reaches out to you desperately hoping that you'll rescue her. You definitely didn't sign up for this…however given what you've seen here, you'd be quite the heartless dick if you just left her here to this horrible fate. "Curse my parents for some of their morality getting through…" you say and head over to the cage. The lock isn't that difficult to pick and you soon get it open causing the girl to not even wait around, she just runs past you, out the torture room and beyond. You suppose you can understand her not wanting to stick around, but a thank you would have been nice. So much for good deeds. Seeing as there isn't anything else in here, you return to the wine room where you unsurprisingly see Warts drinking. "Hey, some humie gal just ran through here an into da sewers wearin' practically nuthin'." Warts says. "Yeah and I'm glad to see that didn't interrupt your important work. Thought you were supposed to be helping." You say. "Wat's yer problem? I am helpin'! Sides dese valuable bottles, I found out one of the barrels had a hollowish sound. Smashed it open and there was a body inside, idiots didn't bother looting it and he had some good stuff still on him." Warts answers and takes another swig from a bottle. "Warts, you're telling me you found a body in one of these barrels and you're STILL drinking the fucking wine?" Warts suddenly stops drinking. He ponders your words a bit and then sniffs the top of the bottle. Then he promptly gives a little shrug. "Still tastes alright ta me." Warts says "Of course it does. Look, we're getting the hell out of here. This place has been a big fat zero." You say. "What about all these valuable bottles of wine? An' ya haven't even checked da upstairs yet!" "Yeah well I've checked enough of the basement to know that most likely there isn't going to be anything that precious up there that's going to make me want to stay another moment in this fucking house. There's some dark magic going on here and I'm not sticking around for it rub off on me." "Just say a prayer ta Yag, you'll be fine." "And as you like to point out, he might not listen." "Fine, we can leave if you really wants, but I'm just sayin' we haven't gone through the entire house yet." Funny how Warts is content on letting you do all the exploration. He could have easily been searching the upstairs while you were stumbling upon sacrificial captives. > You leave now Warts can stay and get drunk here if he wants, but you're not sticking around. You're also not leaving without something for your trouble, you take Wart's pack on a table stuffed with bottles and leave. "Ey! Dat's my shit!" Warts shouts and immediately begins to follow you. You make your way back through the sewers as quick as you can, while Warts is complaining. "Look, I knows ya didn't wanna stick around, but some of dose bottles is my cut!" Warts says. "As far as I'm concerned, you drank more than your cut back at the house! Besides, you told me you looted some body you found in one of the barrels, I'd say you came out ahead." You respond. "Alright, alright, but can ya at least gimme my pack back?!" "I'll give it back to you when we get to safety, staying around here is just not a good idea…shit!" You suddenly hear the sounds of multiple footsteps heading your direction and you immediately find an alcove to hide in and pull out your pistol. Warts of course crowds your hiding spot, you just hope the smell of the sewers masks his own odor from whoever is approaching. And it's not just one either, it's a whole group of them. "Reginald said we need to get another sacrifice for the next ritual to Neroth. You know Reginald is very particular about these things." A red robed individual says passing by. "Then Reginald can stop buttfucking the baron's son for one second and start doing his own dirty work. I know he likes to think he's some sort of high priest of Neroth and all, but he's a fucking dabbling ponce. Him and his noble boyfriend have no real idea of how this shit works." Another one says. "Say that to his face." "Don't worry I will when the time comes. The only reason why I'm following this fool, is because he's got connections. When this city is in our grasp, then all bets are off, and you, ALL of you had best know what side you stand on. A true believer in the ways of Neroth or a fucking pretender. Neroth isn't about sacrifices and decadent orgies. It's about fucking chaos. It's about bringing ruin to civilization. To spit in the eye of all things dedicated to order and good, even to the smallest degree. The Baron's son is free to take over this city if he wants, but I guarantee the only thing he's going to be ruling over is a smoldering pile of rubble. I suggest you ALL remember that." The group of red robed folks don't say much to their more passionate comrade, but a couple give some quieter acknowledgements of agreement. Meanwhile you're still hiding in the darkness wondering if you'll get lucky and get a kill with every bullet before they take you down. Fortunately they move on past you without seeing you. After waiting a bit, you leave your hiding spot and make your way back even quicker than before. Even Warts isn't complaining anymore and is focused on escape. You don't stop to rest until you get back up top. "Shit…thank Yag we got outta there when we did." Warts says catching his breath. "Thank ME, that we got out when we did. I can only imagine the shit we would have been in had we still been in the house when they got back to it." "Yeah, suppose that was good thinkin' on yer part. Guess you do deserve most of the loot." "I was taking it anyway, such as it is. Damn, guess Yinen was right about Neroth cultists though. Just one more fucked up thing in this city. Probably best if I don't tell him where I got these bottles of wine." You transfer the bottles out of Wart's pack and into your own and after a few exchanged words, you and he parts ways. You can't say this was the best night out, though you'd be lying if a small part of you didn't get a minor thrill out of it all. You might have even enjoyed all this, if you made out with more stuff. You return to Hell's Own and take the rest of the night off. Hopefully you can get a good price for the wine otherwise it really will have been all pretty pointless. The next morning as soon as you make your way down stairs to go see Yinen, you're approached by two figures. One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking man, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the smaller body type with more curves, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're probably female. "Hi, friend." The older one says. "Okay, I already know anyone who starts calling me friend as a greeting is probably the exact opposite." You say. "My, you're a suspicious one. Though understandable and smart. However, if you give the pair of us time, you will soon see there is no need for animosity." "Don't see why I should give you time at all." "Well maybe it's because you've been operating on our turf for quite some time now." Your hearts sinks when you hear this and then you instinctively start to go for your weapon. However the older man backs off and raises his hands. "Relax. That wasn't a threat. That was just to get your attention. We're not the Ebony Claw if that's what you're worried about." He says. "Thieves Guild. Thought you guys didn't have turf." You say not really relaxing too much. "Officially we don't, but ever since the ECS, well it helps to label things. At least until they're gone anyway. In any case my name is Garrick and your recent exploits, along with your ongoing ones have caught our attention, so if you don't mind, can we sit down to speak?" You didn't plan on this, but it would probably be better if you didn't cause a scene, so you, Garrick and his quiet friend all sit at table. "So, this is Thieves Guild territory now? I always thought this place was supposed to be neutral." You say. "It is for the most part it is, though officially it's ours. Really it just gets spread around that this is neutral territory to keep the new non-aligned thieves feeling safe. You're not exactly the only new one that's come through here thinking they don't have to join a side if they want to continue to ply their trade. You've just lasted longer and shown more skill than most." "Wait a minute, is Warts part of the Thieves Guild?" "Heh, Warts is more of a outside ally. He's actually spoken highly of you. As has Yinen. That's why I've come to see you for myself." Well this just goes to show how wet behind the ears you still are that you never thought that you'd been in a Thieves Guild haven the whole time. Even Warts managed to fool you. Though it does explain a few things. Maybe this whole thing was a test. "So are you the leader of the Thieves Guild?" "I'm more of its…yes, well I guess leader would be the term, but honestly I hate it. You're probably thinking I'm here to press gang you into joining, but I'm not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money. But I'm sure to some extent, you're aware of some of this." "Yeah, I am, but this still feels like recruitment." "Times are harder since the Ebony Claw moved in, and I won't lie, there is a war going on. And there is also strength and protection in numbers. "So which do you think is more necessary? Your protection or my strength?" "Why not both? Look I can see you're in a bit of a hurry to sell off your loot, so how about this token of good will, I'll give you five platinum pieces what you got in your bag." "Five plat?" Garrick dumps the coins in front of you, which you immediately inspect. They're real and a lot more than what you were expecting to get for your trouble. Garrick's friend turns her head a bit towards him, but doesn't say anything. You get the impression she doesn't approve. Meanwhile, you waste no time in handing over the bottles to Garrick. "So, you're really not here to force me to join you? This isn't a trick?" you ask. "If it was, do you think we'd tell you? However, if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck. I'm sure if you haven't caught their attention by now, you soon will. The ECS is fairly efficient that way. In any case, we're reaching a hand out to you because we think you'd be an asset to the Guild. If you don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. That's already better than the Claw. Once you join them, it's for life." Garrick remarks. "Wasn't planning on joining them either." "Glad to hear it, but will you at least think about our offer? If you change your mind, just let Yinen know. In any case, pleasure meeting you and doing business. Hope we can do it again on a regular basis." And with those last words, Garrick and his associate get up and make their exit, leaving you to ponder your next decision. Which of course is to go spend your new wealth. You spend the next few days not doing much of anything other than buying some things you need and spending a little extra on better quality food than you normally do. You also visit one of the better brothels in the city and as it turns out when you enter you're met with a lot of positivity by the madam and some of the other ladies. At first you figure they're just being nice to get more money out of you, but as it turns out the girl you set free back in Reginald's house was a worker here. (She's thoughtfully been given a couple days off so she can get her head back in the game again) As a result of your actions, you get a discount, which you take full advantage of. You leave the brothel feeling like robbing that cultist's house wasn't a bad thing after all. You even entertain the idea that Yag has blessed you a bit. Then not five minutes later after leaving the brothel you're attacked on the street by three thugs catching you slipping. A crushing blow to your head is felt, though fortunately not enough to knock you out completely, just enough to cause you to fall to the ground. "This the one Mantis mentioned. Quick, let's finish him off." One says. "You idiot, we were supposed to drag him someplace quiet and not draw a fucking crowd in front of us." The second remarks. "What difference does it make? Not like any of the people around are going to stop us anyway." The third adds. "The difference is we're supposed to be at least somewhat discreet." "Fuck that. This sends a message to everyone not to fuck with us!" "Okay then how about this? The Holgard Watch might look the other way every now and then, but they'll stop doing that if we're blatantly murdering people in the streets. Only they get to do that. You want to answer to Mantis when he's bitching about one of our Blue Dream houses getting raided suddenly?" "Eh, fine. Better disarm this…ARGH!" one of the thugs shouts as you jam your dagger into his leg up to the hilt. You scramble away and manage to get back up, but one of the thugs is already upon you. The whole time slack jawed gawkers either just watch in silence or they run off not wishing to be caught up in this. You feel a punch to the face sending to back to the ground, but fortunately away from the pair of them. The two thugs ignore their companion still screaming with a dagger in his leg and advance on you again. You aren't completely drained of energy, and you probably could try to run, they were arguing about not killing you in the street and given all the commotion going on, they may abandon their task if you prove to be too much trouble right now. Of course you don't have a pistol for nothing. > You run If you start killing people in the middle of the street in front of everyone, you're just going to bring unwanted heat on you by the Holgard Watch and unlike the Syndicate you don't have the luxury of having them in your pocket to look the other way. You pick yourself up and begin running again. "Shit, is this asshole really going to make me run? Fuck this." one of them says. In a perfect world, this would be followed by them ceasing their harassment of you. In your world however, it means one of the thugs threw a dagger into your back. You drop instantly. "Quick, get him now!" Groaning in pain, you fumble to grab your pistol. You manage to turn over and get off a shot, dropping one of your assailants, but the other quickly wrestles the weapon from you and begins beating you in the face with it. Your attempts to struggle soon come to an end as he begins destroying your nose along with the rest of your face with it. The Ebony Claw Syndicate certainly sent a reminder to all onlookers that they are the not to be opposed.

Warts can stay and get drunk here if he wants, but you're not sticking around. You're also not leaving without something for your trouble, you take Wart's pack on a table stuffed with bottles and leave. "Ey! Dat's my shit!" Warts shouts and immediately begins to follow you. You make your way back through the sewers as quick as you can, while Warts is complaining. "Look, I knows ya didn't wanna stick around, but some of dose bottles is my cut!" Warts says. "As far as I'm concerned, you drank more than your cut back at the house! Besides, you told me you looted some body you found in one of the barrels, I'd say you came out ahead." You respond. "Alright, alright, but can ya at least gimme my pack back?!" "I'll give it back to you when we get to safety, staying around here is just not a good idea…shit!" You suddenly hear the sounds of multiple footsteps heading your direction and you immediately find an alcove to hide in and pull out your pistol. Warts of course crowds your hiding spot, you just hope the smell of the sewers masks his own odor from whoever is approaching. And it's not just one either, it's a whole group of them. "Reginald said we need to get another sacrifice for the next ritual to Neroth. You know Reginald is very particular about these things." A red robed individual says passing by. "Then Reginald can stop buttfucking the baron's son for one second and start doing his own dirty work. I know he likes to think he's some sort of high priest of Neroth and all, but he's a fucking dabbling ponce. Him and his noble boyfriend have no real idea of how this shit works." Another one says. "Say that to his face." "Don't worry I will when the time comes. The only reason why I'm following this fool, is because he's got connections. When this city is in our grasp, then all bets are off, and you, ALL of you had best know what side you stand on. A true believer in the ways of Neroth or a fucking pretender. Neroth isn't about sacrifices and decadent orgies. It's about fucking chaos. It's about bringing ruin to civilization. To spit in the eye of all things dedicated to order and good, even to the smallest degree. The Baron's son is free to take over this city if he wants, but I guarantee the only thing he's going to be ruling over is a smoldering pile of rubble. I suggest you ALL remember that." The group of red robed folks don't say much to their more passionate comrade, but a couple give some quieter acknowledgements of agreement. Meanwhile you're still hiding in the darkness wondering if you'll get lucky and get a kill with every bullet before they take you down. Fortunately they move on past you without seeing you. After waiting a bit, you leave your hiding spot and make your way back even quicker than before. Even Warts isn't complaining anymore and is focused on escape. You don't stop to rest until you get back up top. "Shit…thank Yag we got outta there when we did." Warts says catching his breath. "Thank ME, that we got out when we did. I can only imagine the shit we would have been in had we still been in the house when they got back to it." "Yeah, suppose that was good thinkin' on yer part. Guess you do deserve most of the loot." "I was taking it anyway, such as it is. Damn, guess Yinen was right about Neroth cultists though. Just one more fucked up thing in this city. Probably best if I don't tell him where I got these bottles of wine." You transfer the bottles out of Wart's pack and into your own and after a few exchanged words, you and he parts ways. You can't say this was the best night out, though you'd be lying if a small part of you didn't get a minor thrill out of it all. You might have even enjoyed all this, if you made out with more stuff. You return to Hell's Own and take the rest of the night off. Hopefully you can get a good price for the wine otherwise it really will have been all pretty pointless. The next morning as soon as you make your way down stairs to go see Yinen, you're approached by two figures. One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking man, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the smaller body type with more curves, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're probably female. "Hi, friend." The older one says. "Okay, I already know anyone who starts calling me friend as a greeting is probably the exact opposite." You say. "My, you're a suspicious one. Though understandable and smart. However, if you give the pair of us time, you will soon see there is no need for animosity." "Don't see why I should give you time at all." "Well maybe it's because you've been operating on our turf for quite some time now." Your hearts sinks when you hear this and then you instinctively start to go for your weapon. However the older man backs off and raises his hands. "Relax. That wasn't a threat. That was just to get your attention. We're not the Ebony Claw if that's what you're worried about." He says. "Thieves Guild. Thought you guys didn't have turf." You say not really relaxing too much. "Officially we don't, but ever since the ECS, well it helps to label things. At least until they're gone anyway. In any case my name is Garrick and your recent exploits, along with your ongoing ones have caught our attention, so if you don't mind, can we sit down to speak?" You didn't plan on this, but it would probably be better if you didn't cause a scene, so you, Garrick and his quiet friend all sit at table. "So, this is Thieves Guild territory now? I always thought this place was supposed to be neutral." You say. "It is for the most part it is, though officially it's ours. Really it just gets spread around that this is neutral territory to keep the new non-aligned thieves feeling safe. You're not exactly the only new one that's come through here thinking they don't have to join a side if they want to continue to ply their trade. You've just lasted longer and shown more skill than most." "Wait a minute, is Warts part of the Thieves Guild?" "Heh, Warts is more of a outside ally. He's actually spoken highly of you. As has Yinen. That's why I've come to see you for myself." Well this just goes to show how wet behind the ears you still are that you never thought that you'd been in a Thieves Guild haven the whole time. Even Warts managed to fool you. Though it does explain a few things. Maybe this whole thing was a test. "So are you the leader of the Thieves Guild?" "I'm more of its…yes, well I guess leader would be the term, but honestly I hate it. You're probably thinking I'm here to press gang you into joining, but I'm not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money. But I'm sure to some extent, you're aware of some of this." "Yeah, I am, but this still feels like recruitment." "Times are harder since the Ebony Claw moved in, and I won't lie, there is a war going on. And there is also strength and protection in numbers. "So which do you think is more necessary? Your protection or my strength?" "Why not both? Look I can see you're in a bit of a hurry to sell off your loot, so how about this token of good will, I'll give you five platinum pieces what you got in your bag." "Five plat?" Garrick dumps the coins in front of you, which you immediately inspect. They're real and a lot more than what you were expecting to get for your trouble. Garrick's friend turns her head a bit towards him, but doesn't say anything. You get the impression she doesn't approve. Meanwhile, you waste no time in handing over the bottles to Garrick. "So, you're really not here to force me to join you? This isn't a trick?" you ask. "If it was, do you think we'd tell you? However, if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck. I'm sure if you haven't caught their attention by now, you soon will. The ECS is fairly efficient that way. In any case, we're reaching a hand out to you because we think you'd be an asset to the Guild. If you don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. That's already better than the Claw. Once you join them, it's for life." Garrick remarks. "Wasn't planning on joining them either." "Glad to hear it, but will you at least think about our offer? If you change your mind, just let Yinen know. In any case, pleasure meeting you and doing business. Hope we can do it again on a regular basis." And with those last words, Garrick and his associate get up and make their exit, leaving you to ponder your next decision. Which of course is to go spend your new wealth. You spend the next few days not doing much of anything other than buying some things you need and spending a little extra on better quality food than you normally do. You also visit one of the better brothels in the city and as it turns out when you enter you're met with a lot of positivity by the madam and some of the other ladies. At first you figure they're just being nice to get more money out of you, but as it turns out the girl you set free back in Reginald's house was a worker here. (She's thoughtfully been given a couple days off so she can get her head back in the game again) As a result of your actions, you get a discount, which you take full advantage of. You leave the brothel feeling like robbing that cultist's house wasn't a bad thing after all. You even entertain the idea that Yag has blessed you a bit. Then not five minutes later after leaving the brothel you're attacked on the street by three thugs catching you slipping. A crushing blow to your head is felt, though fortunately not enough to knock you out completely, just enough to cause you to fall to the ground. "This the one Mantis mentioned. Quick, let's finish him off." One says. "You idiot, we were supposed to drag him someplace quiet and not draw a fucking crowd in front of us." The second remarks. "What difference does it make? Not like any of the people around are going to stop us anyway." The third adds. "The difference is we're supposed to be at least somewhat discreet." "Fuck that. This sends a message to everyone not to fuck with us!" "Okay then how about this? The Holgard Watch might look the other way every now and then, but they'll stop doing that if we're blatantly murdering people in the streets. Only they get to do that. You want to answer to Mantis when he's bitching about one of our Blue Dream houses getting raided suddenly?" "Eh, fine. Better disarm this…ARGH!" one of the thugs shouts as you jam your dagger into his leg up to the hilt. You scramble away and manage to get back up, but one of the thugs is already upon you. The whole time slack jawed gawkers either just watch in silence or they run off not wishing to be caught up in this. You feel a punch to the face sending to back to the ground, but fortunately away from the pair of them. The two thugs ignore their companion still screaming with a dagger in his leg and advance on you again. You aren't completely drained of energy, and you probably could try to run, they were arguing about not killing you in the street and given all the commotion going on, they may abandon their task if you prove to be too much trouble right now. Of course you don't have a pistol for nothing. > You shoot These people are already trying to kill you in broad daylight in front of people, all bets are fucking off. You sit up and pull out your pistol which causes the closest thug's eyes to widen. "Shi…" is all he utters before you blast him in the chest. As he falls, his comrade has already turned and ran, but you fire off another shot as soon as you stand back up and land a hit to the back of his skull. The one you hit in the chest lies bleeding, clutching his blood soaked shirt and still convulsing. He's dying, but you're not waiting that long and shoot him in the head. You pass by the other one you shot in the back of the head and towards the one still screaming about his leg. Except now, he's not crying about his leg now so much as he's begging for mercy. "Wait! Stop! If you kill me, the Ebony Claw Syndicate will continue to hound you! Let me live and I can…" he says before you interrupt. "Fuck you. You're nobody important and I'd wager the ECS would look MORE favorable on me by culling their ranks of pieces of shit that can't even do their job right." You say, and then shoot him twice in the head. With your last assailant dead, you grab your dagger out of his leg and get the hell out of the area since you've become more aware of your surroundings which are people screaming, yelling and generally running away. While this place might be a crime cesspit, the fact that you openly killed three Ebony Claw members in front of everyone (Which is something at least one of them was trying to avoid doing to you) you probably look crazier than the usual type of criminal around here, especially since you aren't even in the worst part of the city. Besides all that, you don't exactly have any protection from the Holgard Watch so they aren't likely to just look away in your case. You take several side streets and even backtrack a few times, before you eventually just go down one of the sewer openings in the hopes of hiding for a while. You actually wander down there for a while since it isn't like you're an expert in navigating your way around in the sewers. You run into a few bums, some really destitute Blue Dream junkies, and some oversized fauna, but nobody of any major importance. Eventually you get to a part of the sewer that seems familiar from the last time you were here and you make your way back up. When you exit, you find that you're not too far from Hell's Own Inn, so you get back there as soon as possible since you think you need to reconsider an option you were given earlier. You head straight to Yinen who assumes you're to meet him for business as usual. "Hey, I got those bullets and that cleaning kit you wanted." Sinin says. "Yeah, that's great, I might be needing that soon, look I gotta talk to you. Garrick approached me a couple days ago." You say. "Yeah I know, I told him that I didn't think you'd be interested in joining…wait I hope you're not mad at me for not telling you about having connections to the Guild. I assumed you probably knew somewhere in the back of your mind and I wasn't supposed to be announcing that anyway." "Shut up for a minute, I'm trying to tell you that I want to join." "You do?" "Yeah, Garrick told me to talk to you if I changed my mind." "Oh, okay. Yeah sure, what caused you to change your mind?" "I dunno, I guess the safety in numbers thing. So when do I get to go to the big hideout?" "Hold on there! Just because you join doesn't mean you get to go to the main base of operations. If every new recruit got to go there after they joined, the ECS probably would have discovered its location by capturing and torturing one of them. There's also a process of weeding out potential spies. Certainly hope you didn't run off and join the ECS and then hope to get in good with them by doing that." "I don't think the ECS is going to let me join anytime soon considering I just shot three of them." "You what?" "Three of them jumped me and I had to defend myself." "Are they dead?" "I certainly hope so since I shot them all in the head to make sure." You explain in a little more detail about what happened and Yinen starts to look more concerned. "Shit. Man, you're going to definitely be marked now. I'm surprised you didn't just leave the city." Sinin says. "I thought about it as I was stomping around the sewers, but what good would that do? If the ECS is going to be as pissed at me as I think they'll probably be, it's not like they won't send assassins after me elsewhere. If I'm here and join you guys at least there's a chance." You respond. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder, but I guess I shouldn't talk like that. Shit, I can't believe that you…well I'll definitely inform Garrick. I can't say if this is going to get you into the Guild lair itself, but it probably will make Garrick look favorably upon you. Just stay in this inn for a while, , all your food and drink will be taken care of. Someone more important than me will contact you. Here, take your bullets and kit while you're at it." You take your stuff and head to your room where you immediately reload your pistol and start organizing your belongings and items, just in case you need to leave in a hurry. You spend a lot of time in your room basically pacing the floor, wondering if you've made the right decision, but you try not to think about it too much since it's done now and you'll hopefully have new allies that will at least watch your back. Eventually you get tired of being in your room and decide to go take advantage of your free food and drink. You find an empty table, put your back against the wall and partake in your meal. You constantly watch the door expecting trouble to come in. Of course while you were so busy watching the door, you completely didn't notice the person coming up to your table and sits down across from you. It's the woman that was with Garrick earlier. You still can't quite make out her face, it's as if the hood completely shrouds it in darkness. The white hair still peaks out though. As she sits across from you, she says nothing. She just stares. Or at least you assume she's staring at you, you can't see her eyes. "Hey. I remember you. You're Garrick's friend. Guess you're the one he sent to contact me." You say. You get no answer. You take a drink and try again. "Um, never did get your name." No answer. You wait for a little while expecting something, but just silence. You're a little on edge as it is, so you fall back to mild churlishness. "So…is this silent act supposed to shed more light on whether or not I'm in the Guild or not or are you just fascinated by my good looks?" Suddenly a dagger comes short of severing the finger from your hand while the woman reaches over the table to grab you by your shirt. She's a lot stronger than she would appear since you're partially yanked out of your seat towards her. You finally see her face due to being so close to her now. She's quite pretty. Unnaturally alluring might be a more accurate word, but obviously she isn't entirely human. Besides her hair being pure white, her eyes now give away an otherworldly appearance and right now her eyes are glowing a reddish color and look like they could twist mithril with the stare they're giving you. "Listen up, because I'm only saying this once! Maybe Garrick thinks you're an asset to the Guild, but I'm not convinced. You better show me something better than the pitiful displays you've shown since you got here." She says. Every logical fiber of your being tells you that you should just shut the fuck up, but maybe it's your nerves or you feel like this is some sort of test or maybe its this woman herself…but whatever the reason… you don't shut the fuck up. "So, been watching me since I got here huh? Good to know." You see her roll her eyes and she releases you and sits back down. "Please, I didn't even know about you until recently and that's only because you and that lowly halfbreed foolishly went and half assed robbed a rich Neroth cultist." the woman says. "Hey that wasn't my idea." You point out. "Well then you're shit at picking a partner and I question your wisdom." "Okay, fair, but I'd say I made the best of the situation AND got out of there without getting caught." "So what? You ended up saving a whore who then blabbed to her fellow whores about the so-called noble thief that saved her life! You do realize that you're probably not JUST on the ECS hit list, but you've probably just made enemies with certain members of what passes for the aristocracy around here along with a cult of fanatics." "So what you're saying is I should have just left the girl to get tortured and killed. I'll remember that for next time." "What I'm saying is it was fucking sloppy and you're not half as good as you think you are." "Okay, but I know I can't be as bad as you're making out either. If I was so horrible, your boss wouldn't be considering me." "First off, Garrick is NOT my fucking boss. I don't have a boss. Second, if you were any worse, I'd seriously be questioning Garrick's decision on this. Arguably the ONLY thing in your favor as far as I'm concerned is the fact you killed three ECS members. And you did that sloppy as well and it isn't making me inclined to impress me any more than when I first had the displeasure of laying eyes on you." This girl REALLY dislikes you to a point where you're almost wondering if you did something to her personally or something. Then again you've had people try to kill you for less. Yet…you can't help it…there's something about her that just… "Well I hope I can impress you in the future since now that I have laid eyes upon your lovely face, I can definitely say that it has not been a displeasure." The hooded woman sits back a bit as if you've actually succeeded in making her slightly uncomfortable. "Maybe you feeble charm works on whores, but you'll find that I'm unimpressed by such attempts." She says dismissively. "Maybe I need to try harder then." You respond. At this point you succeed in making her angry again, she actually sits up and snatches her dagger out of the table and waves it at you. "And maybe you need to learn your limitations." she exclaims. "Maybe I'm just setting my sights higher. If I'm joining your Guild, I'm going to have to be better than I am. That means taking more risks even when there is potential danger." You look at her dead serious when you say this. You actually don't even know where all this is coming from honestly. It's almost like you're under a spell. The hooded woman doesn't even acknowledge what you're saying. "Tomorrow night, be prepared to go on a job with a Guild member. A REAL Guild member. He will meet you here and from there we'll see if we need to waste anymore time with you." She says. "It won't be you? A pity, well I'll be looking forward to the day when we can do a job together." You respond. Without even realizing it, you've touched her other hand that's on the table. She of course immediately notices this and for a split second she probably considers breaking or stabbing your hand, but instead she just pulls her hand away and then steps back from the table altogether. "You…you are not going to last that long." She says and then leaves. As soon as she steps out of the inn, you sit there in a daze for a while, but then you suddenly snap out of it. "What the fuck was wrong with me? I could have gotten myself killed, flirting like that." You briefly wonder if maybe you drank too much, but that definitely wasn't it. You'd say it was the woman herself that was causing you to do that, but she didn't seem like she wanted anything to do with you on that front. You head back to your room and you can't get your mind off of her. You'd visit a brothel, but that didn't work out so well last time. So you take the matter in hand… By the time the tomorrow night rolls around, you're sort of glad to meet up with the other Guild member since you're hoping it will clear your mind. The Guild member in question calls himself Sneaks. He's an older man, though certainly still younger than Garrick. Says he's been friends with Garrick for a long time and also mentions that he hopes you're as promising as he's heard. The job that you and Sneaks are to perform doesn't sound all that difficult, which is just as well since you're still having problems focusing. When he asks if you have any questions, you just have one and that's what's the name of the hooded woman who spoke to you yesterday. Immediately Sneaks shakes his head. "Oh for…you saw her face and looked straight into her eyes didn't you? Fuck. Well that explains why she came back all pissed off and not very talkative yesterday. Though she's surly at the best of times. It's a temporary effect kid, try to just focus on the job okay?" "I don't understand." Sneaks sighs a bit. "Okay, real quick. Her name is Tanya and if you want to make yourself happy, you will NOT pursue that one. Just forget about her. I know it's difficult right now, but you'll be better off. Trust me." Sneaks says. "Is she involved with someone else?" you ask. "Not exactly, but…look she's got some demon blood in her. I mean surely you realized that she wasn't quite human right?" "Well yeah, but demon didn't come to mind, but so what? I don't care, I want to get to know her…" "Hah! I know how YOU want to get to know her! Trust me, you aren't the first to try, and you probably won't be the last, but so far every guy I've seen try has failed. Just walk away. Now get your mind off her ass and back to business." While Sneaks' advice is well meaning, it wasn't exactly Tanya's ass that was clouding your mind, but rather her face. Fortunately Sneaks is also correct in that the effect does seem to dissipate. As for the job, it goes a lot better than the one you did with Warts that's for sure. Sneaks says that it'll still be awhile before you're allowed to actually go to the Guild proper, he says that as long as you keep up the good work, you'll eventually get to see it. However, at this point you just want to see Tanya again. Looks like she didn't leave your thoughts completely. Probably for the best that she's still lingering in your mind, because if you really thought about just how deep of shit you probably are as far as powerful enemies you've made, you'd probably be a lot more depressed. > You time passes... Year 18 "Yep, Garrick's been very impressed with you. I'd say a few more jobs and you'll finally get invited to where all the magic takes place." Sneaks says. "I can hardly wait." You say. "Well geez son, don't sound so enthusiastic. Last year you kept asking me if you were any closer to getting into the Guild headquarters." "Last year, I was still a bit more optimistic about my choice in joining the guild." "Oh? And how exactly did we fail you your majesty?" "That's not exactly what I mean, but if we're going that route, I just thought I'd be doing slightly better while aligned with you lot." Sneaks starts laughing. "Well that's your first problem right there. Joining a criminal organization that's currently feuding with another one isn't exactly a stable future son." Sneaks says. "I know that too, it's just…okay…I'm just a little concerned that we aren't doing too much directly against the Ebony Claw Syndicate. I mean shouldn't we be doing something more to decrease their power? Their presence hasn't exactly decreased in the city and if anything it has only gotten stronger." You respond. "I dunno about that, I'd say they're probably struggling like everyone else currently. If they were truly stronger in presence they'd be directly attacking us and some of our hangouts more often." "Well that's still a problem since it's still not progress, it's just keeping the status quo." "So, what are you going to do? Shoot them all?" "Well considering how many I have shot, I'd say it's not a bad plan. Not to mention it's something I could have easily done on my own." "And you would have been dead already on your own. But if you really feel like you could do better on your own then nothing is holding back from leaving. Why stay?" "Because obviously I'm still an optimistic idiot." "I don't believe that, I believe its MORE likely you're just sticking around because you're an infatuated idiot." "What?" "Don't play dumb with me, I know you still got a thing for Tanya after I told you to just walk away. I remember when we all had to work on that job together three months ago, I swear at one point with how hard you were starin' at her, I thought you were going to whip your dick out and start wackin' it right there." You laugh at that remark. "You laugh because you know it's true." Sneaks says. "Yeah well it certainly is a better reason than anything else I could come up with, and I'm not totally convinced that goal isn't at least as possible as wiping out the ECS as a force in this city." You respond. "I dunno about that. You've at least killed Ebony Claw members, you haven't even gotten a kind word from Tanya yet." "Yes I did! She said she couldn't believe I was still alive and that I had to be the idiot bastard son of Yag eternally blessed with more luck than actual ability." "Hm. Well actually coming from her that IS a kind word. Congrats. At the risk of inflating your ego even more…and she'd probably kill me if I told you…she actually would somewhat agree with you on your views about the Ebony Claw. She sort of wishes we took the fight more to them too. Actually you could probably count me in that group as well." "So why the hell aren't we doing more then and why isn't Garrick being pro-active?" "He actually is, just not in the way you think. He thinks an all out gang war would be a mistake due to them having the numbers. He might be right, I don't know. But all that shit we steal and the Guild gets a cut of? That doesn't all just go towards equipment and extra casks of booze for the headquarters. Some of that money goes towards more important things like bribes, paying off the Watch and getting a few underpaid bean counters on our side to muddle paper work on occasion." "Well that's great and all, but how's that fuck up the Ebony Claw?" "It doesn't, but it keeps a balance. You don't think they don't do the same thing? Try to manipulate the law in their favor? The only reason why the Holgard Watch doesn't mess with either side much is because they're taking bribes from both sides. They got best racket in this city. They practically never even have to do their fucking jobs! Garrick HOPES that one day he'll be able to manipulate the right people that will cripple the EC, but I can say right now, he's doomed to failure, because at his core, he's too fucking nice. Bribery only gets you so far. To do what he wants to do, he'd need to rely more on blackmail and extortion, which isn't something he's too fond of getting heavily into." "Surprised nobody's tried to kill him and take power from him." "I said he's nice, not a pussy. There have been a few who have tried over the years, mostly before the EC established a greater presence, but the man isn't unskilled in the ways of defending himself. Besides the Thieves Guild isn't the Ebony Claw and because Garrick is so fucking nice, people generally like him enough that they'd rather keep him as head of the organization. Not to mention we don't exactly have the most ambitious bunch in the Guild. Most of the really ruthless, kill their own mother types to get ahead join the EC. We're not Joachimites, but I'd still wager that most of us in the Guild have just a few more scruples than the average EC member." "Yeah, well scruples doesn't win wars." "No argument there. Look kid, I'm not sure what to tell you, except I do hope you stick with us. I don't care what your reasons are, whether its for safety, or riches or your ongoing failed pursuit of Tanya's demon pussy. We need more…for the lack of a better word…warrior types in the Guild." "Never considered myself a warrior before, but I suppose I'll take it as a compliment." "Of course you will, that's how I meant it. Anyway, I gotta go. Garrick's holding some sort of meeting for some of us important elite. Tell ya what, I'll try to convince Garrick to let you in the Guild's inner sanctum already. I know it's not Tanya's inner sanctum, but here's something that might help you in that goal, she's supposed to be casing the Museum of the Ancients tonight. Who knows, maybe if you get there quick enough she might even let you help." As your eyes light up, Sneaks smiles and parts ways with you. You of course don't waste any time heading to the Museum of the Ancients. You've never considered burglarizing that place before, but you suppose it makes sense that there would be some pretty valuable stuff in there. Though you imagine that it's more protected than even some of the banks here. You've only had the fortune of working with Tanya a couple times before and that was always in a group and she of course always limited her contact with you in those cases. You still don't exactly know WHY you're as drawn to her as you are. Well you do and it's probably due to her demonic heritage and whatever powers of charm she put on you. (Accidently you guess given her stand offish personality towards you) Sneaks said the effects should have worn off by now since you don't even see her that much. Granted you aren't thinking about her all the time, but if you ever have the chance to be around her (Like you do now) you're going to take it. Luckily you manage to arrive unaccosted by anyone, the law or otherwise. Now you're just hoping you find Tanya before the fun begins. The surrounding area outside the museum, the place is more or less empty. There aren't too many other people in the area other than a few Holgard Watchmen patrolling around which you keep clear of. You look around to see where Tanya might be, but again its possible she already went inside. You bet she went in from the rooftop. Every time you've worked with her, she's always favoring the rooftops. Of course you prefer a more grounded approach so as soon as it looks safe, you simply run up to the front door and pick the lock, which is a lot easier than you thought it would be. You look around the museum and mostly see a lot of oversized items that you'd need at least two people to carry to get out of here. Statues, suits of rusty armor, oversized tapestries and the like. While you're sure some of this stuff is valuable to someone, it wouldn't exactly be the easiest to just lift out of here. Though you haven't seen or heard any night guards of any kind at all. Seems weird that this place doesn't have any security. You try to keep an ear out for anyone that might be walk around, but it's nothing but silence. You start to wonder if she came and left already or maybe this was all Sneaks idea of a practical joke. Wouldn't be the first time. Since you can't find her or detect anyone else roaming these halls, you decide that you might as well see if there actually is anything here that you might be worth taking. Eventually after wandering a bit, you stumble into an area that seems more promising. "Royal treasures of Old Galpatis" you say to yourself as you read the sign to exhibit room. You don't know too much about Galpatis except shit that your sister sometimes spoke about from some book she read. It was supposed to be a great empire thousands of years ago that destroyed itself as all these ancient civilizations tend to do for whatever reason. Probably had something to do with necromancy or something. In any case you enter and see in the dim torchlight you see proper treasure that you could actually carry out of here. A lot of old necklaces, bracelets, crowns with gems and similar items behind glass, though some, like the weapons are mounted securely on the wall. A couple of weapons that catch your eye are a pair of ornate looking dagger. Not even tarnished and definitely still usable. You probably could easily pry them from the walls though you'd have to reach a bit since they're little higher than you. Of course you do have your trusty glasscutter with you and you could just start getting to work on grabbing what you can from the displays. > You get the daggers It suddenly occurs to you that maybe there are traps about, but they're magical in nature. You start cutting the glass and who knows what might happen. The daggers seem like there is possibly less danger involved seeing as they just fastened them to the wall. Of course it isn't just an easy matter of ripping the dagger from the wall, you grab a prybar from your pack and start to get to work, but given their height above you, it's awkward. You pry and pry, but don't seem to be making any headway. You begin to think that the daggers are being held in place by magic and you might be right considering that you suddenly feel a force knock the prybar from your hand and as you try to grab it you stumble into one of the isolated stands with a glass case knocking it over and falling on the broken glass. Fortunately you're mostly protected by your clothing, though you're still picking glass out of bits of your body. However, you don't do that for long since you notice the diamond necklace that has now been released from its cage. You might as well grab that instead. No sooner have you picked it up and that's when you feel an unnatural chill in the air. "That's not good." You say and get the hell out of the Galpatis exhibit room. Doesn't help though, you're still feeling like the unnatural cold is following you. You get the very real feeling that SOMETHING is following you, but you don't dare look behind you, all you want to do is get out of the museum and HOPE that whatever this is doesn't follow you outside. You see the exit in the distance and then you see a wispy green glow materialize in front of it. A malevolent face briefly appears and then one of the statues closest to you comes to life! "Shit!" you exclaim and just barely manage to avoid getting your head smashed in. You look around and see that now several of the statues are coming to life. The exit is blocked by that ghostly thing so even if you could maneuver past the statues, you aren't getting out that way. "HEY! Grab the damn rope!" a voice shouts from above. You look up and see Tanya on the second floor throwing a rope to you over the railing. You waste no time in grabbing and climbing up it while she pulls you up. The statues try to grab you at first, but then soon realize the best way to get you is going up the stairs. As you grab the railing, Tanya grabs your arm and hoists you over it. You almost feel like she's going to yank your arm off, but of course you see a glimpse of her face again as she's pulling you up and you're almost smitten enough to forget all about the extreme danger you're currently in. Hurry you fool before I regret saving you!" Tanya shouts and runs towards another rope that hangs from an opening she's made in the glass dome on the roof Following her lead you make your way to the rope and quickly climb up it where you're staring directly at Tanya's ass the entire time. Again, probably a good thing since your focus isn't on the invisible horrors that are desperately trying to get your attention by whispering demoralizing things in your ears to cause you to give up hope and stop trying to escape. Doesn't work though, Tanya's ass is literally saving your own. Eventually you manage to get to the roof where you and Tanya both start leaping across the tops of nearby buildings. When you get far enough away, Tanya at last stops to take a breather and then also punches you in the face. "What was that for?" you ask. "Do you even need to ask?! Your incompetent bumbling nearly got not just yourself killed, but ME as well! What the fuck were you even doing there? Did you KNOW I was going to be there?" Tanya asks. "Well…" "Let me guess, Sneaks told you…I'm going to kill him." "Where were you anyway? I looked for you for awhile." "I was in the basement stealing the Tivan Crystal." "Oh. I didn't think to check the basement." "Given all the security you set off, it's apparent you didn't think at all! I was just on my way to leave when I heard glass breaking and the scampering of your feet. Did you really think you could just smash and grab shit in a place like that without consequence?" "I didn't mean to at first. It was an accident. I just wanted to get you something since I couldn't find you. Here." You say and pull the diamond necklace out of your bag. "You're joking right? I could steal, and have stolen items a lot more valuable than this!" "Yes, I'm sure you have, but its value is not the point, this is my gift to you. The motivation behind it is important." "You expect me to believe you stole this for me?" "Believe what you wish, the point is that it's yours now my dear." You say and put the necklace in her hand. Tanya looks at the necklace in disbelief, and addresses you again. "So…wait…you REALLY think I'm going to wear this? Surely even someone of your intelligence can see that I'm not some dainty aristocrat who dresses in fancy gowns and adores myself with jewelry." "You may do whatever you wish with it. You may throw it away, keep it and wear it, keep it and then sell it or just keep it period. It doesn't matter. It was just my way of thanking you for not just saving my life, but also the pleasure of being in the glow of your beauty." Tanya is now looking at you in disbelief. "…you…you…I…" Tayna starts to say. "Yes?" you ask. "Look! I don't know what the hell your game is, but I'm not playing, and I'm not fooled!" "But I'm not trying to fool you, it's merely a gift to…" "Stop it! Stop it right now! And stop looking at me like that, if you want to keep your eyesight! I don't want to hear anymore of your honeyed words! We part ways here and don't you dare try to follow me!" Tanya yells and pulls her hood even more over her head, before leaping to the next building. You naturally ignore her and start following her anyway. You must hop across three rooftops before Tanya stops again. "LOOK, this is NOT going to…" A bolt whizzing by suddenly interrupts Tanya's words. At first you think briefly that it's the guardian museum and it's followed you, but it turns out to be a more tangible enemy instead. Several men with crossbows suddenly materialize on the roofs nearby and a few of them even on the roof you're currently on. You both instantly duck down and try to find cover. Several other bolts follow though fortunately the ECS has not employed skilled marksmen. "Bah! All those bolts and you lot couldn't hit a behemoth's butt with a bass fiddle! I told you fuckers to practice! Just fucking close in for the kill!" you hear someone shout. You and Tanya can't go in any direction without facing ECS members, but given the state you're in right now, you're not exactly avoiding a fight and neither is Tanya. "Looks like some of the EC are begging to be declawed. I'm always up for whittling down their ranks." You say. "First thing you've said, that I agree with." Tanya remarks. While the EC might be terrible shots, you certainly aren't, you shoot three of them before they even manage to close in. Tanya on the other hand is perfectly content on taking on five of the assassins in close combat. One of the members however is standing back and still blinking in and out of existence. He's obviously using that blasted shadow magic. He's mainly giving orders right now, but if he gets in the fight, you don't anticipate things going well. You try to take aim at him, but you're stopped by two EC members who both nearly stab you. After dodging their blows, you shoot the pair of them. Seeing as you've only got one shot left and no real time to reload, you turn your attention back to the EC leader, who is now gone. Tanya is still working on two other EC members and you're about to go over to help her, when a magic missile of some sort hits you. You drop your weapon and collapse. You almost feel like all the energy has been drained out of you. You're so weak, you can hardly even push yourself back up, though a hefty kick soon stops that attempt. "Finally got your ass! It's like they always say, you want something done right, ya gotta do it yourself. So you think you can just get away with shooting our members like some cowardly sonofabitch?" the shadow magic wielder remarks. "You…you just hit me with a fucking magic missile!" you wheeze, pointing out his hypocrisy. This of course isn't appreciated and you soon receive another kick. "Silence! I'm gonna enjoy this." Fortunately, he doesn't get the chance due to all his gloating which was enough time for Tanya to finish off her last opponent and run over to help you again. However, he's quick enough to avoid her attacks. The pair of them duel while you lie there trying to gather your strength. You're really woozy and weak. You eventually manage to stand up, but you feel like you're going to teeter over again. Tanya is still fighting the EC leader, but she's not making much progress. In fact, he might even have a slight advantage since he hasn't been exerting himself as much as she has tonight. You look over to your right and see your pistol lying nearby. You've got one shot in it and you're not exactly in the best condition as far as accurately aiming anything right now. Of course you could just try to help Tanya in the more traditional way and try to backstab him. Still not ideal, but if you miss, you're not likely to hit Tanya by accident. > You get your pistol In the condition you're in and how quick he's moving, you question if you'll even be able to hit him, but you also know you're currently not much good in a straight up fight right now. You stagger over to your pistol and nearly fall over just trying to pick it up. You look over at the duel and Tanya's still holding her own, but the bastard's shadow magic is giving him the edge. You try to aim, but you can't get a clear shot and when you do, he's already moved out of the way or you're suffering from dizziness. You try to get a little closer and every inch of you is struggling to not slip into unconsciousness. You see the EC member block several of Tanya's attacks and then manages to knock her down with some sort of glowing magic from his hand. He moves in for the kill as she hits the ground, but it's best opening you've got now. You fire and hope the figure in the center is the real one before you collapse again. You aren't unconscious for long as Tanya soon slaps you awake. "Hey, get up! We need to get out of here, before more of these assholes show up." Tanya says. "Guh, did I get that sonofabitch?" you utter and slowly sit up. "Yeah, you blew half of his head off. Pretty sure that was Mantis." "Mantis…I think I heard that name before." "You should, he was one of the Ebony Claw's lieutenants. Explains why he had access to shadow magic." "Yeah well his magic couldn't stop a bullet. You okay?" As you ask this, you touch Tanya's arm, which she retracts. "Yeah, I'm fine! Get your hands off me! And I could have taken him without your help you know." Tanya exclaims. "I know, just trying to help." You reply. "Yeah, well your help could have gotten me killed what with you stumbling all over the place." "Apologies." "Hm. Well, I guess you did do your part. Almost makes up for the bumbling you did back at the museum. Anyway I highly recommend that YOU go home as soon as you can, I'm going to go report everything to the Guild." "Why don't I come with you?" "Hah, nice try, but there are still questions out on you." "I've been fucking killing EC members since I joined and I just shot one of their leaders in the face. Fairly certain I'm on your side." "Well it's not up to me." "Oh, so you're saying if it WAS up to you, you'd let me in?" "I didn't say that, and I'm going to address something else. While I know its unfortunate that my…ugh… condition has made you more drawn to me, you need to fucking snap out of it. It's been two years and even those I work with closely don't behave this way around me." "From the stories Sneaks has told me, you've put so much fear in would be suitors that they're too scared to make any advances on you. Just because they're not being obvious about it, doesn't mean the desire isn't there." "First, Sneaks talks too much and second, well maybe YOU need to start internalizing some of that desire as well. Get control of yourself. It'll get better and go away over time." "Maybe my feelings are genuine, you ever think of that?" "Yeah right. You barely even know me." "Maybe not, but I'd like to get to know you better. I mean you think I'm a complete fucking idiot? I know that your little demon aura or whatever is probably affecting me, but that's really not having as much of an effect on this as you think. Especially since I don't just think about us in a sexual manner. I think about us just talking and…" Tanya looks at you very irritated by your words. "Okay, I don't want to hear anymore. Shut up and don't bring up my condition again! Stick to jacking off or get yourself a whore, I don't give a fuck WHAT you do, just fucking do it and get yourself under fucking control! You flirt with me again and it'll be the last fucking time, got it?!" Tanya doesn't even give you a chance to respond, she just turns away from you and takes off across the rooftops again. You don't follow, not due to fearing for any violent repercussion, but more because you're not exactly feeling up to leaping across rooftops right now. Instead, you go ahead and loot the Ebony Claw members' bodies. Sort of makes up for not getting anything from the museum. By the time you're done, you feel your strength has returned enough that you can safely climb down from your position and get back to street level again. You look at your full coin pouch and ponder your next move. "Well, I guess the night is still young. Might as well." A few minutes later you arrive at your destination. "Hey! Haven't seen you here in a long time! How's the scourge of the Ebony Claw?" the madam asks. "Is that what I'm being called now?" you respond. "I'm sure in certain circles you are, the EC more likely has more colorful names for you, but let's not dwell on that. You're here for fun. What would you like tonight?" "Uh, I kind of have a special request. I know it's short notice, but…" "Say no more! We'll do everything to try to accommodate your needs as long as you have the coin and don't worry, your discount is still in place!" "Thanks." You start going into an elaborate description of what you want the girl to look like. The madam nods a few times. "Yeah, we can accommodate that, and I know just the right girl too. Head on upstairs third door on your right. She'll be with you soon." You head upstairs feeling a little weird about all this, while you're waiting you almost have second thoughts, then the girl comes in. You see a girl wearing nothing but a black open cloak. All her fun parts are fully exposed to you, save for her face, which is partially hidden due to a hood over the top half of her head. Long white hair can be seen peeking out though. They did a pretty good job in matching your description. "Hello. I'm Tanya and…" the girl says. "Stop. Don't say anymore. Your voice doesn't sound like hers and you're already too friendly. I don't want to ruin the illusion so let's just get to it." Without another word, fake Tanya approaches you and you waste no time spinning her around, lifting her cloak up, and doing her on all fours, mainly because it's easier to immerse yourself if you aren't looking at her face which might work from a distance, but isn't going work very well if you're staring full on at her. In any case, the session is pretty intense. Afterwards you're collapsed on the bed, while "Tanya" professionally starts to collect herself. "I know you got other customers, I'll get up in a second, I just gotta catch my breath for a moment." You say. "Take your time, I wasn't shoving you out the door just yet. I know you didn't want me to talk, but I felt like I should at least thank you before we parted ways here." She says. "Thank me? For what?" "For saving my life of course." "Tanya" takes off the hood and white wig revealing her natural brown hair. Now that you've got a full look at her, you recognize her, even if the voice wasn't immediately familiar. "It's you! You were the one I freed from that cage!" you say. "Yep, it's me. I actually worried that you MIGHT recognize me and it would break your illusion, glad that it didn't." "No, you were just about perfect…shit…so how have you been?" "Oh. Okay I guess. A lot more paranoid, still have nightmares sometimes, but at least I'm still alive and attractive enough to still whore." "Damn…well let me at least pay full price, I know the madam said I had a discount, but…" "Oh no. This one's on me. No charge at all and I'll just make up the difference elsewhere. Honestly, I wanted to reward you before, but I missed you the first time you came here and then you never came back here until tonight." "Yeah, I suppose I've been a bit busy what with fighting the ECS and all." "Hm. We all got our struggles. Well, I guess we better get going, time and money and all. You did have a good time though right?" "Huh? Oh yeah! Yes, it was good. There were definitely times where I thought I was with…well someone else." "Good. I'm glad. That's what I'm here for." You don't say anything else and just focus on getting dressed. As you start to leave, you ask one more question. "What is your real name?" "Naji." You don't exchange any more words with her and you exit the establishment. Been a weird night for you. Granted you've had more than your fair share of such nights, but this one will probably stand out in your mind. Especially due to what happens next. "Don't turn around. Into that alley now. You try anything, and you'll have a bolt through the back. Move." A voice whispers as you feel a crossbow shoved into your back. You didn't even see anyone around, but you don't have much choice except to comply for now. When you get to the alley you're met by a scarred looking man with an eye patch. "Ah there you are, we have much to discuss. My name is Rook." He says. Rook looks like an assassin of some sort, but it's obvious that he's also a man that prides himself on how he looks since even in this dirty alley he stands out as being dressed more like a government official rather than some lowly thug. His eye patch has a claw symbol on it. His comrade with the crossbow is still unknown to you since you haven't turned around at all. About all you tell is that they're very fond of that crossbow. After sizing you up a bit, Rook speaks again. "You've been busy during your stay here in Holgard. Pick pocketing, burglary, and all those other activities that are frowned upon by the law. Not to mention all the Ebony Claw members you've been murdering. So tell me, do you feel that you can just rob this city blind and do as you please?" Rook asks. "Basically." You retort. "Why?" " Because I can." "Ah, I see. You feel your skills are a waste if not practiced. I can identify with that." At this point, Rook slugs you in the stomach, dropping you to your knees. You didn't even see it coming since he was standing far enough a way that he wasn't in reach and then suddenly he was in front of you. As you struggle back up, you feel that blasted crossbow still at your back. "Normally someone like you would be disposed of, however many of my peers are short sighted and don't always see opportunity clearly. The fact that you've managed to survive this long either means you're incredibly lucky or you're more intelligent than you appear. I'm hoping it's the latter since if you are intelligent that means you have untapped potential." Rook says. "I sure hope so at this point." You respond still trying to gather yourself from Rook's punch. "I do too, because despite what you may have heard about us, you will soon see that if you're in this line of work, joining the Ebony Claw really is the way of the future. As I'm sure you're somewhat aware, you've come at an interesting time. There are some changes going on in this city. Rebellion in the air, rumors of demonic cultists, but none of that matters. Business is what matters. What matters is that WE come out on top when smoke clears. The best way we can do that, is by controlling as much of the criminal activity as possible. By uniting the Underworld under one organization we will be able to survive whatever chaos is to come. That is the goal of the Ebony Claw Syndicate…well at least one of the goals anyway." "So I take it you're the head of the Ebony Claw?" This comment makes Rook smirk a little. "Oh no. I'm merely one of the more important people in this particular city. There are far more higher ranking people than myself all over, but we all perform our tasks for things we believe in and our various loyalties right?" Rook says. "I suppose." You answer. "The Thieves Guild is one of the chief obstacles that stands in the way of my task. This relic of the past still holds on to their shortsighted archaic ideas and morals. Their antics bring unnecessary chaos, which is certainly something we don't need more of in this city. Still, they aren't complete fools as they have managed to hide within the city and we still can't locate their hideout. Surprisingly even the ones we've captured have either managed to kill themselves or been dedicated enough that they have not revealed its location. I also am working with less than ideal resources available. If things were different…but…ah I get off topic. In any case, I am looking for alternative solutions. One of these involves you." "I hate to break this to you, but they haven't even let me in their little clubhouse yet." "Oh, I'm sure that will change soon. I mean from what I can tell, you're a rising star in their organization. I have full confidence that you will be soon accepted." "You're more optimistic than me then." "You find that in this line of work, optimism helps keep you going at times, which is why I'm also optimistic that when the time comes you WILL see the advantage of joining US." "Why would I do that?" "Because, you're not just a mere rogue. You're a killer. You could even be an assassin if you wanted to be. Granted you're not exactly subtle what with your love of firearms, but sometimes that isn't important. The Thieves Guild is limited. The Ebony Claw? WE are everywhere! You have the potential to really rise up in ranks. You want money? Infamy? Power? It's all available if you're smart and skilled enough." "I feel like this is a trick." "And you wouldn't be wrong to think that. Paranoia is good and healthy, but I promise you that this is a real offer. I know you'll need to think about this though, so I don't expect you to agree right now. However, if you want some sort of assurance that I'm telling the truth, all hits on you are called off. As of right now unless you're attacking an EC member and they're acting in self defense, you will not be targeted." Now this really sounds like a trick. "Bullshit." You say. "Nope, it's true. Wish I could have stopped that fool Mantis BEFORE we met, but seems like you took care of that. Oh and thanks for eliminating a rival tonight. Anyway, I trust you'll be making the right decision, because it would be a shame if I had to kill you the next time we see each other." Rook then chuckles a bit at his comment. "What am I saying? You wouldn't see me, if I killed you." With that last threat, Rook takes his leave, you don't feel the crossbow anymore so you slowly turn around, but as expected nobody is there. The next day just when you think your life can't get any more complicated… "Hey kid! Good news! You're in! We were debating about letting you in early and a lot of people were against it since they felt you needed to spend more paying dues as it were, but then Tanya came back and spoke about what you did last night against the Ebony Claw and her opinions pushed Garrick, who was just bending to popular opinion anyway, to make a final decision to let you in! Ain't that great?" Sneaks says. "Yeah…great." You remark. > You time passes... Year 19 "That's the third large group of cultists we've had to evade in our own fucking sewers. Something needs to be done about those shitheads because not even the EC is giving us this much trouble down here." Sneaks says. "Agreed. They've been spreading all over the damn place. Granted I'm not much for religion, but given what I know from what Yinen has said about Neroth AND seen what these fanatics do first hand, I'm not exactly keen on them spreading any further." You add. "I understand the concerns, but we're already warring with the EC, the last thing we need is to open up a front against a bunch of Neroth worshipers." Garrick says. "We don't need to open up a front, because they've already made it quite clear that they've already done so. I don't know about anyone else, but every time I bump into those fanatics they attack on sight." Sneaks says. "If you're just bumping into them accidentally, then you're lucky because I know by their personalized threats they're specifically targeting me." You add. "I told you that rescuing that whore would catch up to you." Tanya says. "That was years ago and they didn't even see me do it!" "Yeah, but that tart and her friends spread the word about your deeds a long time ago. I'm more surprised they you weren't targeted sooner by them." "Well apparently they were too busy with other things than bothering with the likes of the kid here. In any case I'm just saying we need to thin out their ranks or something because while I know we aren't officially territorial, we shouldn't have to deal with daggers at our throats right outside our front door." Sneaks says. "Exactly. And if left unchecked who is to say they won't find this place? Not to mention these assholes worship a dark god. The last thing we need is for them to do is gather enough power to start summoning shit. Last thing we need is demons running around down here." You add. As soon as you say that, everyone looks at you and then also looks at Tanya who is also looking in your direction with her head cocked to the side almost intrigued by what you're going to say next. "Shhhhit..." you quietly say which causes a snicker from Sneaks. Tanya doesn't even address what you said she instead turns her attention back to Garrick. "Word fumbling aside, he has a point Garrick. They all do. We can't ignore this potential threat any longer." Tanya says. "Maybe… (Sigh) I just don't want to lose any more people especially when we may need them in the future." Garrick says. After a brief moment of silence, Garrick speaks again. "Okay, fine. Maybe we need to do something. The question is what exactly? I'm still loathe to go all out gang war on a bunch of fanatics, because you know they're only going to hit back with more fervor…maybe…wait a minute. We could set it up so it looks like the Ebony Claw is targeting them. That will hopefully draw some heat off of us on both sides." Garrick says. Garrick begins to go into a plan to start ambushing the cultists, but also to ambush a few Ebony Claws and plant their bodies among the dead cultists so the living ones can stumble upon them and vice versa. In the meantime he says he's going to try to grease the right palms to gain some sort of meeting with Reginald and appear as an "ally" against the Ebony Claw so Reginald will tell his people to leave the Guild alone. It's not a bad plan, though you're really not sure on the whole "allying" with Reginald bit. "Um, I'm not sure if this Reginald is ally material." You say. "Well we need to try, because if you haven't noticed, we are at a bit of a disadvantage. Reginald is Farrad's boyfriend. You know, the baron's son? The one who is probably going to attempt a coup on his father soon? If he's actually successful it's probably best that we're not on his bad side at least." Garrick retorts with annoyance. "I can see that logic, but I still have concerns if allying with religious fanatics that participate in human sacrifice is a good idea. I mean hell, I'd rather temporarily ally with the Ebony Claw against the cultists at this point…" "Well it's a damn good thing that YOU don't have to make the fucking decisions isn't it then?!" Garrick's sudden snap causes you to shut up immediately and everyone else to stand in silence. You certainly weren't expecting it, but then Garrick in general has been less than friendly with you, as your time in the Guild proper has come about. He's certainly nowhere near like he was when he first offered his hand to you in joining. You have some theories about why, but for now you just answer: "Your call. Apologies." Garrick gives you a dirty look and starts assigning tasks to people. He doesn't give one to you though. As everyone starts to leave, you go up to Tanya and offer to help her on her assignment and that's when you get a scolding voice again. "Hey! Leave her be." Garrick orders. "But I was just…" you start to say before you're interrupted again. "Did I assign you and Tanya to work together? No I didn't." "Garrick, it's actually okay, I can…" Tanya says before Garrick interrupts her as well. "Stay out of this Tanya! Everyone get to work! Except YOU." Tanya looks at you a little sympathetically as she leaves with the rest, which is definitely not the norm, and part of what you imagine is the problem Garrick is having with you. Soon it's just you and Garrick and he wastes no time in speaking. "You know when I brought you in, I thought you'd be an asset to us. Sure you weren't exactly what I normally look for, but your actions against the Ebony Claw couldn't be ignored. Your ongoing work to prove yourself worthy of becoming one of the inner circle couldn't be ignored. Granted, I was still a little hesitant at the time since I was starting to have some doubts since so many thought you should continue to prove yourself, but Tanya's words in your favor…well those couldn't be ignored either." You don't say anything. "I also can't ignore how you look at her and more importantly how she looks at you." Garrick says. "I don't think she looks at me with anything but scorn." You say in an effort to deflect. "Bullshit. Maybe at one time she did. Not anymore. You're not so stupid to not realize that. Hell, she tried to speak up for you just now. I don't know HOW you did it, but you've actually been getting through that normally solid brick wall she puts up to shield herself again all would be suitors. I have seen MANY try and while I imagine that she leaves a lasting impression due to her nature, I have seen NONE continue to pursue her, or those that have, have met with physical violence that either put a definite stop to it. Somehow you have miraculously avoided that. Somehow YOU have defied what shouldn't be possible." You continue to stand there and say nothing, which only causes Garrick to throw something at you, which you narrowly dodge. "WELL? Aren't you going to say anything?!" Garrick shouts. "I'm not sure what to say. Anything I say, you're not going to like." You answer. "Well permission to speak fucking freely then." "Okay, well I don't see how this is any of your concern. Tanya, from what I can tell is a full grown woman that's MORE than capable of taking care of herself and dealing with the likes of me. And as far as I know, you're not her father either even if you see her as some sort of surrogate daughter." "It…it doesn't make sense! WHY YOU?! There have been FAR better suitors in the past!" "You mean like you?" "W…what?" "Oh come on! I think given your increasing hostility towards me this is going beyond a father-daughter type of protectiveness. You're acting like a jealous boyfriend or something. I'm succeeding where you and so many others obviously failed." Garrick just starts shaking his head. "No, I…I never…I never…" "Or maybe I'm succeeding in something you never had the guts to do at all? That's it isn't it? You've never made any sort of advance on her, and just admired her from afar since you were always secure in the fact that she always drove everyone away. I'm guessing perhaps you thought one day Tanya would come to you of her own accord and…" Now Garrick lifts up the table and flips it at you. For an older guy, he's certainly fit. "You think you know everything don't you? Well let me tell you something, you don't know shit. YOU are still a BOY and YOU are not worthy of Tanya." Garrick says getting in your face. "Okay. Then what would make me worthy…in your eyes?" you ask. Garrick starts laughing. "Are…are you actually asking me? You seem to have all the answers, you figure it out. But while you're trying to figure it out, go do what you're actually good at and go kill our enemies. GO! Get the fuck outta my sight!" You leave Garrick and exit the meeting room somewhat expecting there to be a few people hanging around outside listening to the conversation, but it would appear that nobody wanted to be around for Garrick's anger to be directed towards them as well. Not even Sneaks lingered behind. Since you didn't even get paired up with a full fledged Guild member, you suppose you could just go gather a few associates to help you, though you believe you're probably more than capable of performing the task yourself. Honestly though, you're ready to just dispense with the plan and do something else instead like try to kill Reginald. Those assholes have been targeting you anyway. Also seems like it would solve the problem a lot better than trying to be friends with him. Cutting off the head of a cult usually results in it falling apart. The problem of course is he isn't as easy to get to anymore. The secret passage to his home no longer exists as one person in the Guild soon learned when he tried to break in that way thinking that it would be an easy job and nearly got himself killed in the process. If there's another secret passage to the house, you have no idea where it is and it's probably better protected now. Which would mean a more traditional approach, but again, he's got security up the ass and has his own personal retinue of guards around his home. Perks of fucking minor nobility you suppose. In any case, you'd be doing this alone though because nobody would help you in this task. Say what you want about Garrick, but everyone listens to him and this would definitely be going against his plans. Though you do have another option, and that's going to the Ebony Claw Syndicate for help. Rook called off the hit and so far other than a few unavoidable skirmishes here and there, the EC has not been actively targeting you. You never thought you'd feel this way, but you've actually considered joining them lately mainly because things have been just so miserable in the Guild. If it weren't for Tanya, you probably would have done it already. Rook has never followed up on your last meeting, you don't know exactly what his game is, but you imagine if you come in for help, he's going to want that inside information on the Guild. > You kill Reginald yourself As much as you've been toying with the idea, you're still not quite sure about throwing your lot in with the EC yet. You're walking a pretty traitorous line as it is just by not telling anyone that they ever approached you, but then it isn't like you can exactly tell them, can you? Killing Reginald is going to take some scouting and planning. As far as you know the man is rarely ever leaving his house anymore or if he is, he's not seen doing it. Since you're not exactly getting any further with Tanya at the moment, Garrick's pissed at you and you're essentially doing your own thing, you might as well stay somewhere other than the Guild while you do this. You head to Hell's Own Inn since it's at least some place that you know and can consider hospitable. Bruno, the innkeeper nods when he sees you. Funny how you never really learned his name until after you stopped living here on a regular basis. "Hey Bruno, I'll have a room. My old one if it's currently available." You say. "A room? Thought you were living in the Guild quarters ever since they let you into inner circle." Bruno says. "Yeah well I've got something I need to do on my own and I can't be creeping in and out of sewers to do it. Where's Yinen, I might have a few things to trade with him." "Yinen? Haven't seen him in days." "You haven't seen him? He practically never leaves this place." "I know, which is why it's weird that I didn't even see him leave. Unless he left in the middle of the night, but none of the staff saw him leave either." "Nobody has thought to look into this?" "What am I going to do, call the Holgard Watch?" "No, but we could at least get somebody from the Guild or even one of the associates to look in on this. I mean he's one of our best fences. Seems like for all the Guild's talk of solidarity, they're dropping the ball on this one." "He hasn't been gone THAT long. I figured maybe he had a special delivery or deal to take care of elsewhere. If he's gone for much longer I guess one of the associates can go look for him." "What about Warts? He tends to not have much to do." "He's been gone longer than Yinen. Though I think in his case he's deliberately staying away. Last thing he mentioned to me is that bad things are going to happen here soon and he doesn't want to be around when they do. Can't say as I blame him either. I'm still surprised this place hasn't gotten hit yet by the Ebony Claw. What the hell is Garrick doing about them anyway? Because as far as I can tell, they're not dropping in presence." "I dunno, we've been taking the fight to them, but the rumors are that they're getting reinforcements from the Delantium Kingdom. Also, we've been having problems with cultists running around in the sewers." "Yeah, I've been reading about a couple of brutal murders in the paper that are thought to be the work of Neroth cultists. Actually, maybe that explains Yinen's disappearance. He always was a little nervous when it came to anything relating to Neroth. Maybe he took off like Warts did." "Maybe so. I feel like he might have told someone first. Guess he might have been really scared though." "In any case, you're in luck. Your old room is available, but I'll be needing some rent for it. Business is a little slow what with not many folks coming to visit the city as much now." "Are you kidding me? (Sigh) Fine. Whatever. Here, take this, but not a silver more." Bruno takes your payment and you head to your old room. You take a quick inventory of your equipment and make plans to go case Reginald's home, but then you hear noise outside and a quick peek out your window reveals that the Holgard Watch are putting down a group of dissidents and decide to stay put for a little while. That's been a more common sight too nowadays. Even on your way here, you were trying to avoid getting caught up the various groups of protesters that have been more frequent. Part of you wonders if Warts doesn't have the right idea, but at this point you've got a few loose ends that need to be tied up first. One of which is killing the head of this cult that's been trying to kill you. It's odd that you feel so strongly about this given that the EC was trying to kill you for years, but then maybe that's because you knew the EC was an enemy that from you can gather is much bigger than you could ever hope to fight. You consider it a victory that you even managed to get them to stop attacking you though you know you're going to have to deal with them again eventually. You just don't know how yet. These fanatics however, there's a limit to their power for now. Right now they've grown and if left unchecked, who knows, they may take over the city. Sure you could flee and maybe you'd be fine. But you might also be running for the rest of your life as cults tend to not be satisfied with staying in one place and love to spread. Add their desire to summon demons and such into that mix and it might be best to nip this in the bud right now. It's funny how you never really used to think that far ahead before, but you suppose you've seen and done a lot since your simple days in Teckleville. "Certainly hope you're having an easier time of it than I am sis." You say to yourself. Over the course of the next three days you make visits to Reginald's home and spend hours watching the place. You never see anyone come in or out of the place though. Indeed, you've never seen Reginald at all except from descriptions of him. Holgard Watch patrols the grounds night and day, but you don't see them ever enter the home either. You wonder if they even know what's going on in there or more likely they do, but don't care. Eventually you spend an entire day and night on a nearby rooftop watching the place, hoping that you'll see him come out. He never does though. In your state of weariness, you barely react in time to hear someone approaching. "You can put that away, it's just me. Glad to see you're more alert than you appear though." Tanya says when you spin around pointing your pistol at her. "What're you doing here? I sort of thought if anyone was going to check up on me, it would be Sneaks." You say putting your weapon down. "Hah, like you'd get him to climb up on rooftops, let alone jumping from them nowadays." "Guess you're right. So what do you want?" "What do I want? No comments about my beauty? No flirty statements? If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd finally shaken off the effects. So you must be in a really shitty mood." "What's the point? You've made it quite clear you're not interested and others have also made it quite clear as well, so why bother beating my head up against a wall?" Tanya doesn't answer you immediately as your answer has caught her off guard a bit. "What happened between you and Garrick after the meeting?" Tanya asks. "Nothing." You answer. "Doesn't seem like nothing considering you're disobeying orders. It seems to me you're trying to figure out a way to take out Reginald directly. That's why you've been spying on his house for the past few days." "Looks like I'm not the only one that's been spying." "I've been keeping track of what every main group is doing, don't flatter yourself." "Be that as it may, I thought the Guild was supposed to just be a loose alliance anyway and Garrick wasn't officially our boss. And if he isn't our boss, then that means I can do what the hell I want." "You know that's not exactly true." "Maybe not, but I'm not following orders this time. And it's not ONLY because these fuckers have been targeting me. These Neroth cultists are a bigger danger than the EC. Maybe they haven't been fucking with us as long, but if their leader or high priest or whatever is fucking the Baron's son then who is to say their goal isn't to turn the city into a theocracy? If something like that happens I can bet that there won't be any freedom to do anything here and they certainly aren't going to be dealing with the likes of us and quite frankly Garrick's an idiot if he believes he can somehow reason with them on some level, I've seen what the hell they do." "I see your point, but I somewhat understand his logic for attempting to make an alliance. However he's relying on something that I already told him isn't going to make a difference." "What do you mean?" "Well you said it yourself. They worship a dark god and are probably trying to summon infernal beings if they haven't done so already. I believe Garrick thinks that having me by his side if he ever got to meet with Reginald, would help since y'know…being half infernal and all." "Hm. Didn't consider that. Would that work?" "Probably not. I even told Garrick as much when he first approached me about the plan earlier. At best Reginald might temporarily ally in an effort to separate me from the rest of the Guild and probably attempt to convince me to join them and embrace my heritage or some shit. I don't even like…my condition. Last thing I want to do is embrace it. Already had to deal with that once before, don't feel like dealing with it again." "Deal with it again?" "Yes, and we're not talking about it. In any case, I'm here to help you in your plan, because I believe you're completely right about this. These cultists need to be destroyed and taking their leader out will at least severely lessen their power." You nod silence and with a somewhat uplifted spirit. "Thanks. I didn't expect any help, least of all from you." You say. "Well, we're on the same side aren't we? However, I do think YOU should get some rest before we attempt this. So you head back to Hells Own, get some sleep and tomorrow night, you and I will meet up outside here. In the meantime, I'm going to talk to Sneaks and few others to see if I can't get them to make a bit of extra distraction for Neroth's most loyal. I'm not going to let too many in on this plan though for obvious reasons." Tanya remarks. "Good idea, again thanks. I really appreciate this." "Hm, well off you go. We've got a big night tomorrow so be prepared as much as you can." You bid Tanya goodbye who just nods an acknowledgment and leaves. Since you've got your orders to rest, you climb down from your spot and head back to the inn. You get a couple of blocks and suddenly you feel like you're being watched. You start to look around, but nobody is around. You quicken your pace and a couple seconds later, you feel a crossbow in your back. "Shit." You say. "Don't turn around. Alley. Now." A familiar voice says. Once again you obey the man with the crossbow and enter the nearby alley where once again, you see Rook. "Glad we could meet again." Rook says. "It's not like I ever had a choice." You answer. "Not true! You could always choose to escape, I wouldn't bet on your chances, but you can't say you don't have a choice. You also have a choice to give me information on the location of the Thieves' Guild or not. I know for a fact you've long been a member of their inner circle so you should have lots of information on the layout along with the location." "Um…well…I don't know ALL of the layout…you see there was some debate about even letting me in, so they still don't trust me completely and as such they haven't allowed me full access." "No problem. Just the location will do. It's not ideal, but I have more than enough confidence that we'll be able to take it anyway." You're silent. You can't think of anyway to lie or stall. It's either betray the Guild or die. You feel the crossbow still in your back, Rook inspects you as you struggle with the morality of this decision. "Tell me, why do you hesitate? Do you have close friends in the Guild? I can only imagine that the answer is yes, because if the answer was no, you would be spilling your guts right now. In fact, you probably would have done so on our first meeting. It's obvious you have no real love for the organization itself because if you did, you wouldn't even be considering any of this in the first place. You would be a good little Guild soldier and tell me how you'd never betray Garrick or the Guild. At which point I'd stop wasting my time and kill you. So you must have emotional attachment to someone there. Tell me who it is, and perhaps an arrangement can be made." Rook says. "What sort of arrangement?" you ask. "The Ebony Claw doesn't like to waste potential talent. Or at least I don't, hence why we're having this pleasant conversation. If you can convince your friend or friends to join you in seeing that the future is the Ebony Claw, then I have no problem with them joining as well. Quite frankly, we'll probably need the manpower." "I don't think she…" Rook interrupts you and you realize you've already given away too much. "She? Oh wait…." Rook chuckles. "Of course. It's her isn't it? Garrick's little demonkin. This explains everything! Did you fall in love with her?" "Well I…" "Ha ha! You poor silly enchanted fool! She's half succubus you know. That's why you're all fucked up and not thinking straight. Why I'll bet if it wasn't for her charming everyone, Garrick wouldn't have half the people in his Guild." "She didn't enchant me! In fact she doesn't even like using her powers like that!" you say getting agitated and temporarily forgetting that you're at Rook's mercy. "Oh of course she doesn't. That's all part of her act. The puritanical demon seductress. Gets everyone hot an bothered and keeps them on a string by not actually putting out. How better to control the average man? I'll tell you what, we could use someone like her in the EC. Would make things easier to a certain extent." You don't say anything, while Rook continues to chuckle. "Okay, I'll give you a little more time because you seem to believe that yours is true love. If you do manage to convince the demonkin to join though, well that will just prove I was right in seeing your potential. However, I can't walk away from this meeting without nothing, so I still need you to do something for me or at least provide some sort of information." Rook responds. "What did you have in mind?" you ask. "I don't know, you tell me. A plan of some sort perhaps. I'll decide if it's important enough or not." Currently the Guild doesn't have any plans other than the one involving the Neroth worshippers and making it look like the EC are attacking them. The only other plan you can tell Rook is your plan directly against Reginald, you just aren't sure Rook's going to find that one important enough and you'll end up having give out the Guild's plan anyway. > You give away the Guild's plan Rook might be testing you to see if you'll lie to him or not. You'd rather not take that chance so you better just come clean now. "We're mounting an attack on the Neroth cultists because they've been fucking with us. More specifically, we're mounting an attack on the Neroth cultists and going to make it look like Syndicate did it. We're also going try to ally with them, though to be honest that's the shit part of the plan." You say. "I see. Well that is a very important bit of information. I thank you for telling me, though it would have been more impressive if I didn't have to initially pull it from you. No matter, give me the details and how you're involved exactly." "I'm not. I'm doing my own thing because I'm not really into Garrick's plan in the first place. The Neroth cultists have been targeting me specifically longer than they've been fucking with the Guild, so I was going to just go take out Reginald and be done with it." "Interesting. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her." "Wait…you mean…Naji is…" "A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow." "What, really?" "Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw." You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up. "Well then I guess this concludes our business again. I suppose I'll be sending some of my people to start actively hunting down groups of Guild members based on the information you told me. Next time we see each other though, I trust you'll have that other vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away. You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again. You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya. When you get the place you were going to meet you find that she's not there. You wait around for awhile, but still no sign of her. You wonder if she changed her mind, then you wonder if she went in already because you also noticed that Reginald's house doesn't have the extra Holgard Watch security around it. (Rook was true to his word) "Shit, I hope not. I've been standing around like a dumb ass if that's the case." You mutter and rush back down to street level again. You open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier. You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere. Still no sign of Tanya. You begin to worry if something happened to her if she came here at all. It also crosses you mind that it's possible she got held up before coming here. Rook did say he was sending some of his people to go actively hunt Guild members. For all you know she ran afoul of one of those groups or had to help other Guild members. While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm. You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out. You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark. You then feel several hands grab at you You manage to fire off your pistol once before several hands take it from you. "Fuck!" You say and begin to struggle. "Restrain the unbeliever!" "Don't kill him, this infidel must be properly sacrificed! Since you have no intention of going quietly, you fight your assailants. It's hard to see in the dark, but you're doing the best you can. Eventually you manage to get your arms free and draw your blade. You slash blindly, hitting someone before you try to make your way back downstairs. You're half way down the stairs with footsteps and yelling not far behind. You then suddenly feel a force of a person grabbing and tackling you with abandon. The pair of you goes rolling down the stairs and don't stop until you hit the bottom. You feel a sharp pain in your right leg when you try to move it. Doesn't take long before you realize it's broken. Your assailant was less lucky and managed to break his neck during the tumble down the stairs. That doesn't help you that much though since his body is partially holding you down and his buddies are already almost upon you. "Shit, he killed Daniel!" Gotta love the "outrage" by a bunch of demon worshippers, not to mention the fact that Daniel killed himself by tackling you in the first place! You crawl the best you can from out under Daniel's body and swing your blade at anyone coming near, but it's no use. There are just too many and despite hacking a couple of them at the legs, they soon begin stomping and kicking you. The best you can do is try to cover yourself until eventually one person tells them all to stop. You raise your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him. Granted everyone around you is wearing red, but it's obvious that this is the one you were looking for. This is Reginald. He motions the others to pick you up which they do despite you struggling and the agony of a broken leg. Reginald walks towards you. "So, you've returned. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. Not sure why you stupidly decided to believe you could get away with walking in here alone again, but you'll soon learn that was a very grave mistake. Going to have something very special planned for you." Before you can answer with some sort of defiant reply, two of the red robed assholes holding you go down to throwing daggers in their faces from above! Of course this also means you fall to the floor as well since your leg is broken and you can't stand. It's still dark, but even from your prone position and in your one eye that hasn't closed shut you can see a figure running about on the second floor balcony and throwing more daggers. It has to be Tanya. "Damnit, it's a full on assault! Take this asshole to the dungeons, the rest of you get whoever that is and be on the look out for others!" Reginald orders. Several cultists try to pick you up again, but you do everything you can to prevent them from doing so. Eventually you get walloped and kicked in the head enough times that you're unable to do much of anything except struggle to stay conscious. You're dragged across the floor and down some steps while the chaos of shouting and running is around you. Eventually you no longer feel a wooden floor but cold stone. As you are continually dragged across the cellar area, you are now starting to black out. Your only thoughts are that you hope Tanya will be okay and save your ass on top of everything else. Unfortunately, those are the last thoughts you ever have. The cultists dragging you to the dungeon cell aren't exactly being the most gentle and your already battered head takes a few more hits, then when they throw you in the cell, they give you a couple more kicks as well. You don't feel the pain any longer since you're unconscious by this point. It's just as well that you soon die from internal head trauma since Tanya isn't even successful in retrieving your body.

As much as you've been toying with the idea, you're still not quite sure about throwing your lot in with the EC yet. You're walking a pretty traitorous line as it is just by not telling anyone that they ever approached you, but then it isn't like you can exactly tell them, can you? Killing Reginald is going to take some scouting and planning. As far as you know the man is rarely ever leaving his house anymore or if he is, he's not seen doing it. Since you're not exactly getting any further with Tanya at the moment, Garrick's pissed at you and you're essentially doing your own thing, you might as well stay somewhere other than the Guild while you do this. You head to Hell's Own Inn since it's at least some place that you know and can consider hospitable. Bruno, the innkeeper nods when he sees you. Funny how you never really learned his name until after you stopped living here on a regular basis. "Hey Bruno, I'll have a room. My old one if it's currently available." You say. "A room? Thought you were living in the Guild quarters ever since they let you into inner circle." Bruno says. "Yeah well I've got something I need to do on my own and I can't be creeping in and out of sewers to do it. Where's Yinen, I might have a few things to trade with him." "Yinen? Haven't seen him in days." "You haven't seen him? He practically never leaves this place." "I know, which is why it's weird that I didn't even see him leave. Unless he left in the middle of the night, but none of the staff saw him leave either." "Nobody has thought to look into this?" "What am I going to do, call the Holgard Watch?" "No, but we could at least get somebody from the Guild or even one of the associates to look in on this. I mean he's one of our best fences. Seems like for all the Guild's talk of solidarity, they're dropping the ball on this one." "He hasn't been gone THAT long. I figured maybe he had a special delivery or deal to take care of elsewhere. If he's gone for much longer I guess one of the associates can go look for him." "What about Warts? He tends to not have much to do." "He's been gone longer than Yinen. Though I think in his case he's deliberately staying away. Last thing he mentioned to me is that bad things are going to happen here soon and he doesn't want to be around when they do. Can't say as I blame him either. I'm still surprised this place hasn't gotten hit yet by the Ebony Claw. What the hell is Garrick doing about them anyway? Because as far as I can tell, they're not dropping in presence." "I dunno, we've been taking the fight to them, but the rumors are that they're getting reinforcements from the Delantium Kingdom. Also, we've been having problems with cultists running around in the sewers." "Yeah, I've been reading about a couple of brutal murders in the paper that are thought to be the work of Neroth cultists. Actually, maybe that explains Yinen's disappearance. He always was a little nervous when it came to anything relating to Neroth. Maybe he took off like Warts did." "Maybe so. I feel like he might have told someone first. Guess he might have been really scared though." "In any case, you're in luck. Your old room is available, but I'll be needing some rent for it. Business is a little slow what with not many folks coming to visit the city as much now." "Are you kidding me? (Sigh) Fine. Whatever. Here, take this, but not a silver more." Bruno takes your payment and you head to your old room. You take a quick inventory of your equipment and make plans to go case Reginald's home, but then you hear noise outside and a quick peek out your window reveals that the Holgard Watch are putting down a group of dissidents and decide to stay put for a little while. That's been a more common sight too nowadays. Even on your way here, you were trying to avoid getting caught up the various groups of protesters that have been more frequent. Part of you wonders if Warts doesn't have the right idea, but at this point you've got a few loose ends that need to be tied up first. One of which is killing the head of this cult that's been trying to kill you. It's odd that you feel so strongly about this given that the EC was trying to kill you for years, but then maybe that's because you knew the EC was an enemy that from you can gather is much bigger than you could ever hope to fight. You consider it a victory that you even managed to get them to stop attacking you though you know you're going to have to deal with them again eventually. You just don't know how yet. These fanatics however, there's a limit to their power for now. Right now they've grown and if left unchecked, who knows, they may take over the city. Sure you could flee and maybe you'd be fine. But you might also be running for the rest of your life as cults tend to not be satisfied with staying in one place and love to spread. Add their desire to summon demons and such into that mix and it might be best to nip this in the bud right now. It's funny how you never really used to think that far ahead before, but you suppose you've seen and done a lot since your simple days in Teckleville. "Certainly hope you're having an easier time of it than I am sis." You say to yourself. Over the course of the next three days you make visits to Reginald's home and spend hours watching the place. You never see anyone come in or out of the place though. Indeed, you've never seen Reginald at all except from descriptions of him. Holgard Watch patrols the grounds night and day, but you don't see them ever enter the home either. You wonder if they even know what's going on in there or more likely they do, but don't care. Eventually you spend an entire day and night on a nearby rooftop watching the place, hoping that you'll see him come out. He never does though. In your state of weariness, you barely react in time to hear someone approaching. "You can put that away, it's just me. Glad to see you're more alert than you appear though." Tanya says when you spin around pointing your pistol at her. "What're you doing here? I sort of thought if anyone was going to check up on me, it would be Sneaks." You say putting your weapon down. "Hah, like you'd get him to climb up on rooftops, let alone jumping from them nowadays." "Guess you're right. So what do you want?" "What do I want? No comments about my beauty? No flirty statements? If I didn't know better, I'd think you'd finally shaken off the effects. So you must be in a really shitty mood." "What's the point? You've made it quite clear you're not interested and others have also made it quite clear as well, so why bother beating my head up against a wall?" Tanya doesn't answer you immediately as your answer has caught her off guard a bit. "What happened between you and Garrick after the meeting?" Tanya asks. "Nothing." You answer. "Doesn't seem like nothing considering you're disobeying orders. It seems to me you're trying to figure out a way to take out Reginald directly. That's why you've been spying on his house for the past few days." "Looks like I'm not the only one that's been spying." "I've been keeping track of what every main group is doing, don't flatter yourself." "Be that as it may, I thought the Guild was supposed to just be a loose alliance anyway and Garrick wasn't officially our boss. And if he isn't our boss, then that means I can do what the hell I want." "You know that's not exactly true." "Maybe not, but I'm not following orders this time. And it's not ONLY because these fuckers have been targeting me. These Neroth cultists are a bigger danger than the EC. Maybe they haven't been fucking with us as long, but if their leader or high priest or whatever is fucking the Baron's son then who is to say their goal isn't to turn the city into a theocracy? If something like that happens I can bet that there won't be any freedom to do anything here and they certainly aren't going to be dealing with the likes of us and quite frankly Garrick's an idiot if he believes he can somehow reason with them on some level, I've seen what the hell they do." "I see your point, but I somewhat understand his logic for attempting to make an alliance. However he's relying on something that I already told him isn't going to make a difference." "What do you mean?" "Well you said it yourself. They worship a dark god and are probably trying to summon infernal beings if they haven't done so already. I believe Garrick thinks that having me by his side if he ever got to meet with Reginald, would help since y'know…being half infernal and all." "Hm. Didn't consider that. Would that work?" "Probably not. I even told Garrick as much when he first approached me about the plan earlier. At best Reginald might temporarily ally in an effort to separate me from the rest of the Guild and probably attempt to convince me to join them and embrace my heritage or some shit. I don't even like…my condition. Last thing I want to do is embrace it. Already had to deal with that once before, don't feel like dealing with it again." "Deal with it again?" "Yes, and we're not talking about it. In any case, I'm here to help you in your plan, because I believe you're completely right about this. These cultists need to be destroyed and taking their leader out will at least severely lessen their power." You nod silence and with a somewhat uplifted spirit. "Thanks. I didn't expect any help, least of all from you." You say. "Well, we're on the same side aren't we? However, I do think YOU should get some rest before we attempt this. So you head back to Hells Own, get some sleep and tomorrow night, you and I will meet up outside here. In the meantime, I'm going to talk to Sneaks and few others to see if I can't get them to make a bit of extra distraction for Neroth's most loyal. I'm not going to let too many in on this plan though for obvious reasons." Tanya remarks. "Good idea, again thanks. I really appreciate this." "Hm, well off you go. We've got a big night tomorrow so be prepared as much as you can." You bid Tanya goodbye who just nods an acknowledgment and leaves. Since you've got your orders to rest, you climb down from your spot and head back to the inn. You get a couple of blocks and suddenly you feel like you're being watched. You start to look around, but nobody is around. You quicken your pace and a couple seconds later, you feel a crossbow in your back. "Shit." You say. "Don't turn around. Alley. Now." A familiar voice says. Once again you obey the man with the crossbow and enter the nearby alley where once again, you see Rook. "Glad we could meet again." Rook says. "It's not like I ever had a choice." You answer. "Not true! You could always choose to escape, I wouldn't bet on your chances, but you can't say you don't have a choice. You also have a choice to give me information on the location of the Thieves' Guild or not. I know for a fact you've long been a member of their inner circle so you should have lots of information on the layout along with the location." "Um…well…I don't know ALL of the layout…you see there was some debate about even letting me in, so they still don't trust me completely and as such they haven't allowed me full access." "No problem. Just the location will do. It's not ideal, but I have more than enough confidence that we'll be able to take it anyway." You're silent. You can't think of anyway to lie or stall. It's either betray the Guild or die. You feel the crossbow still in your back, Rook inspects you as you struggle with the morality of this decision. "Tell me, why do you hesitate? Do you have close friends in the Guild? I can only imagine that the answer is yes, because if the answer was no, you would be spilling your guts right now. In fact, you probably would have done so on our first meeting. It's obvious you have no real love for the organization itself because if you did, you wouldn't even be considering any of this in the first place. You would be a good little Guild soldier and tell me how you'd never betray Garrick or the Guild. At which point I'd stop wasting my time and kill you. So you must have emotional attachment to someone there. Tell me who it is, and perhaps an arrangement can be made." Rook says. "What sort of arrangement?" you ask. "The Ebony Claw doesn't like to waste potential talent. Or at least I don't, hence why we're having this pleasant conversation. If you can convince your friend or friends to join you in seeing that the future is the Ebony Claw, then I have no problem with them joining as well. Quite frankly, we'll probably need the manpower." "I don't think she…" Rook interrupts you and you realize you've already given away too much. "She? Oh wait…." Rook chuckles. "Of course. It's her isn't it? Garrick's little demonkin. This explains everything! Did you fall in love with her?" "Well I…" "Ha ha! You poor silly enchanted fool! She's half succubus you know. That's why you're all fucked up and not thinking straight. Why I'll bet if it wasn't for her charming everyone, Garrick wouldn't have half the people in his Guild." "She didn't enchant me! In fact she doesn't even like using her powers like that!" you say getting agitated and temporarily forgetting that you're at Rook's mercy. "Oh of course she doesn't. That's all part of her act. The puritanical demon seductress. Gets everyone hot an bothered and keeps them on a string by not actually putting out. How better to control the average man? I'll tell you what, we could use someone like her in the EC. Would make things easier to a certain extent." You don't say anything, while Rook continues to chuckle. "Okay, I'll give you a little more time because you seem to believe that yours is true love. If you do manage to convince the demonkin to join though, well that will just prove I was right in seeing your potential. However, I can't walk away from this meeting without nothing, so I still need you to do something for me or at least provide some sort of information." Rook responds. "What did you have in mind?" you ask. "I don't know, you tell me. A plan of some sort perhaps. I'll decide if it's important enough or not." Currently the Guild doesn't have any plans other than the one involving the Neroth worshippers and making it look like the EC are attacking them. The only other plan you can tell Rook is your plan directly against Reginald, you just aren't sure Rook's going to find that one important enough and you'll end up having give out the Guild's plan anyway. > You give away your own plan You're pretty much fucked either way, but you're going to gamble that Rook will be satisfied with revealing your plan, with some embellishments of course. "Garrick sent me on a mission to kill Reginald." "The cult leader that seduced his way into high society? Interesting." "Yes, the Neroth cult is getting out of hand and the Guild is having severe problems with them so I was ordered to take out the leader. Been spending a few days staking out his home in an effort to figure out the best approach, but he's got guards every fucking where." "Hmm, I see. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her." "Wait…you mean…Naji is…" "A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. So while normally I would love to see two enemies kill each other and making things a lot easier for us, it would be best if the followers of Neroth were curtailed. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow." "What, really?" "Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw." You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up. "Well then I guess this concludes our business again. Next time we see each other, I trust you'll have that vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away. You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again. You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya. She's of course on the rooftop where you were yesterday. "I was expecting you here earlier, it's not like you to leave things at the last moment." Tanya remarks. "I guess I was more tired than I thought." You say. "I nearly went in before you, because a perfect opportunity just opened up ten minutes ago. All of the guards left." "What?" "All of the guards just left. I saw a couple of them speak to each other and then one called to some of the others and they all just collectively left. I couldn't believe it myself. That's why I was hoping you'd hurry up since who knows how long they'll be gone." Well looks like Rook wasn't a liar and he came through. Almost makes you start to wonder WHY he's being so helpful. He doesn't fit what you know about the EC at all. True, this is probably just all to get you to rat on the Guild, but it still seems above and beyond. Of course he might think now that you'll be able to talk Tanya into switching sides too. He didn't seem convinced you'd be able to do it, but then maybe it's a small effort on his part for large potential gain. Honestly, you aren't even sure how or if you'd ever be able to approach the subject with Tanya. As far as you know she's always been pretty dedicated to the Guild even if she's aloof to most of the members. But this is a problem for another time; right now you've got a cult priest to assassinate. Tanya says she's still going with her original plan of leaping to the roof of the house and breaking in that way. You doubt if you could make it since the distance is a little farther than average, but then you aren't blessed with infernal blood allowing you to do shit like that. You say you're going to just go in the front door now that everyone is gone. Assuming he's not in the cellar or not there at all, you're guessing you'll be able to catch him upstairs or down. Besides the unknown factor of his location, there's also the unknown factor of what abilities he has or what else is in the house. At best you're hoping he's just some mouthpiece for bloodthirsty cult. At worst he's going to be summoning demons and have all sorts of other dark magic at his disposal. You make your way down to street level again, open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier. You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere. While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm. You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out. You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark. "Oh shit." You say to yourself and immediately turn your head towards the direction of the chandelier. Then when you turn your head back forward, you nearly fall backwards when you see Tanya standing right in front of you. "Fuck!" you utter out loud and then Tanya grabs your tunic so you don't fall. "Thanks." You say. Tanya doesn't seem to acknowledge your gratitude though; instead she pulls you closer to her. At this distance, even in the darkness, you can make out her normally shrouded face. The first time you saw it at this range you were partially enchanted. This time is no different, but you're still aware enough that this isn't normal behavior for her, especially in these circumstances. "Tanya?" you utter. You get no answer, what you do get is a kiss on your lips. The feeling is unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's very pleasant, but as it goes on, you start to feel weak. In fact you try to pull away, but when you do so, Tanya's eyes glow red, she makes a growling sound and then shoves your away. You tumble down the stairs and while you fortunately don't break anything, you unfortunately smack your head so hard you're dazed. If you could actually see anything in this darkness, you'd probably be seeing double. You hear a bunch of footsteps and then you feel a couple sets of hands lifting you up and finally a fist coming straight at your face. When you wake up, you're in a cell, completely naked. A brief look at your surroundings and you know exactly where you are. It's the torture chamber where you saved Naji. In fact, you're in the exact same cell. You look around, but there's nothing in your cell that you find useful, you do notice that there is someone else in the next cell over. They're sitting in a corner rocking back and forth mumbling. While the person has obviously been through hell and you've definitely never seen this person naked before, the face and hair are still recognizable despite some of the fresh wounds. You can hardly believe it. "Yinen?" you ask. Yinen briefly looks at you and while he knows who you are, he returns to his rocking and mumbling. You can't even tell what he's saying, but he sounds like he saying something religious. You hear Joachim's name being mentioned a few times. Well this explains where Yinen has been. Poor bastard's probably been tortured for quite awhile. You still don't know what happened with Tanya either. Was a spell cast on her? She is half succubus, was the "presence of Neroth" forcing her to act more within her nature? You don't know, but what you do know is you need to get the hell out of here. You're not filled with confidence that you're going to survive whatever is to come, but you sure hope whatever they have planned its quick. Grabing a hold of the door in a vain attempt to open it and feeling a little hopeless yourself, you say your own prayer though yours is more along the lines of "I sure hope Yag is throwing a seven for me tonight." "Ah, prayer! The last refuge of a scoundrel as they say. I've always disagreed with that though. Prayer can be a powerful tool. I should know as my dark father has blessed me with much since my dedicated prayer to him." A voice says. You turn your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him. "However I think you shall find that your prayers will go unanswered here. Neroth holds complete sway as he soon will over this city and eventually the world!" Given his superior attitude and boasting, you can only imagine this is Reginald. He gives you a look that reminds you of that fat perverted merchant you had to kill years ago. You instinctively cover yourself. "Oh we have a shy one do we? I must say, you shouldn't be, given your body. However, as much as I would love to throw you over the altar in front of my congregation and introduce my dick to your ass while slitting your throat as I released, I've got something better planned for you." Reginald remarks. "Hope its better than ass rape." You say. "Hah. Depends on your viewpoint I suppose. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. However when you walked in here of your own accord, and with that infernal spawn…well that almost makes up for all the years you were able to go on breathing." Reginald motions the two large men to open the cell door. You back up ready to fight, though Reginald shakes his head and makes some gestures with his hand and your body completely tenses up like you're paralyzed. "We don't have time for that, important work must be done. That half-breed you walked in with has only begun to realize the untapped potential of her powers. Honestly, I don't know how she has managed to suppress her infernal side for so long. Most daughters of true succubi by her age have long since gone on to embrace their infernal heritage. This one was obviously lost, but no more." Reginald says. "What did you do to her?" you ask as the two men grab your arms and start dragging you out. "Me? I did nothing other than speak a few truths to her guided by Neroth's wisdom, though as I said, his presence in this house is stronger than most. I believe she felt it, just as all who follow do. However, she's still not complete, that's where you will come in. She will complete her transformation with you as the sacrifice and we will ALL witness it, and it shall be glorious to see a higher being achieve freedom!" Reginald motions the two men to drag you to the room with the altar and large pentagram on the floor. When you enter, you're thrown into said pentagram. A crowd of red robed individuals watches silently. When you get your head up off the floor, the paralysis is wearing off, but now you see Tanya in front of you looking at you like a predator with its prey. She definitely doesn't seem like herself. "Daughter of Neroth! Embrace your true heritage and kill this sacrifice in the name of your dark father! We shall all bask in the glory of your transformation!" Reginald shouts followed by several of his followers. You manage to stand up, but you doubt if you're going to be much match for Tanya. Even if you weren't naked and unarmed, you probably wouldn't be a match. Despite the fact that death is most likely imminent, you've still got this unnatural attraction to Tanya, or rather genuine attraction, but unnatural due to the situation at hand. This is really looking like the end for you, unless you can come up with something. > You try to reason with Tanya You'd never be able to take her in a fight, your only chance is talk your way out of this. Try to make her remember who she is and not what these cultists are trying to make her. "Tanya, it's me! You gotta snap out of this! These people are trying to control you!" you say. Tanya however isn't responsive; she just approaches in a seductive way that is making it very hard for you to focus on anything else except the obvious. Tanya moves closer to you and runs her fingers through your hair and then lifts your head up with one hand and puts another hand to her lips in a "shhhhh" motion. It's apparent she's toying with you like a cat would with a mouse. "Tanya, you…have to remember…" you utter and then Tanya shuts you up with one of her kisses. You can't resist. You embrace Tanya as she guides you down to the floor, still continuing to press her lips against yours. And once again you begin to feel the effects of her succubus kiss. Tanya mounts you and begins grinding her body into yours. While it's everything you ever hoped it would be, a part of you still knows this is killing you. Meanwhile the chanting of the Neroth cultists grows louder. "Tanya…" She doesn't answer you, she just continues with her actions which are now beginning to get faster and rougher. Her eyes glow red once again and she slams your arms down to the floor. You can feel her talons digging into your flesh. The mixture of pain and pleasure is almost too much to handle. You begin to feel very drained and dyhydrated. You gasp for Tanya to stop, but she doesn't. She has now taken on a less human looking appearance and the noises she's making definitely aren't loving moans of ecstasy. "DAUGHTER OF NEROTH FINISH OFF THIS INFIDEL AND EMBRACE YOUR TRUE NATURE AT LAST!" Reginald shouts above the rest of the chanting. Tanya looks down at you and even in your hazy condition you no longer see any glimpse of the girl you knew in her eyes any longer. All that remains is a beast out for blood. Tanya quenches that desire when she brings her fangs down on your throat and rips it out. The mercy of a quick death was perhaps her last gift to you.

You're pretty much fucked either way, but you're going to gamble that Rook will be satisfied with revealing your plan, with some embellishments of course. "Garrick sent me on a mission to kill Reginald." "The cult leader that seduced his way into high society? Interesting." "Yes, the Neroth cult is getting out of hand and the Guild is having severe problems with them so I was ordered to take out the leader. Been spending a few days staking out his home in an effort to figure out the best approach, but he's got guards every fucking where." "Hmm, I see. To be honest those Neroth worshipping assholes DO need to be dealt with. While some in the Ebony Claw don't consider them top priority, I see them as a potential problem in the future. Especially since we've started to have our own run ins with them. Though I may be a bit biased considering they did kidnap my cousin once. Oh, by the way, always meant to thank you for rescuing her." "Wait…you mean…Naji is…" "A whore that doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life, but she's still my cousin and she should finally get a little justice. So while normally I would love to see two enemies kill each other and making things a lot easier for us, it would be best if the followers of Neroth were curtailed. This city already has more than enough gods competing, and as a dedicated disciple to Fel, I see no reason why I shouldn't aid directly in their fall. Consider the Holgard Watch taken care of by tomorrow." "What, really?" "Yes. Obviously you're still going to have to kill Reginald and whatever fanatics he has in the house with him, but the Holgard Watch? They can always change loyalties and those that can't, well they'll be dealt with. Consider this another favor from your friends at the Ebony Claw." You silently acknowledge Rook's words. While this is certainly going to help you out, you're not sure if you're going to be able to afford all these "favors" when it comes time to pay up. "Well then I guess this concludes our business again. Next time we see each other, I trust you'll have that vital information for me. Time is growing short you know, and I would hate to see you on the wrong side." Rook says and pats you hard on the side of your face a couple times before walking away. You soon no longer feel the crossbow at your back and that's when you know it's okay to move again. You make your way back to the inn where you're supposed to be getting some rest like Tanya suggested, but after your encounter with Rook, you're more wound up than ever. Eventually you do fall asleep and by the time you wake up, it's night and you're rushing to go meet Tanya. She's of course on the rooftop where you were yesterday. "I was expecting you here earlier, it's not like you to leave things at the last moment." Tanya remarks. "I guess I was more tired than I thought." You say. "I nearly went in before you, because a perfect opportunity just opened up ten minutes ago. All of the guards left." "What?" "All of the guards just left. I saw a couple of them speak to each other and then one called to some of the others and they all just collectively left. I couldn't believe it myself. That's why I was hoping you'd hurry up since who knows how long they'll be gone." Well looks like Rook wasn't a liar and he came through. Almost makes you start to wonder WHY he's being so helpful. He doesn't fit what you know about the EC at all. True, this is probably just all to get you to rat on the Guild, but it still seems above and beyond. Of course he might think now that you'll be able to talk Tanya into switching sides too. He didn't seem convinced you'd be able to do it, but then maybe it's a small effort on his part for large potential gain. Honestly, you aren't even sure how or if you'd ever be able to approach the subject with Tanya. As far as you know she's always been pretty dedicated to the Guild even if she's aloof to most of the members. But this is a problem for another time; right now you've got a cult priest to assassinate. Tanya says she's still going with her original plan of leaping to the roof of the house and breaking in that way. You doubt if you could make it since the distance is a little farther than average, but then you aren't blessed with infernal blood allowing you to do shit like that. You say you're going to just go in the front door now that everyone is gone. Assuming he's not in the cellar or not there at all, you're guessing you'll be able to catch him upstairs or down. Besides the unknown factor of his location, there's also the unknown factor of what abilities he has or what else is in the house. At best you're hoping he's just some mouthpiece for bloodthirsty cult. At worst he's going to be summoning demons and have all sorts of other dark magic at his disposal. You make your way down to street level again, open the gate (which the guards helpfully left unlocked) and go to the front door which you lockpick with ease. You'd think even with the guards he would have gotten a better lock, but whatever makes your task easier. You slowly walk into the dimly lit foyer with your weapon drawn. You search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, but don't find any one. In the back of your mind you wish this was just a simple breaking and entering job because you're seeing a lot fancy decoration and you're sure Reginald has more portable valuables laying around in a safe or something somewhere. While you're looking around for stairs to the cellar, you hear some thumping coming from the upstairs. Things have been more or less silent so far, so this it cause to give you alarm. You immediately head back to the large set of stairs that lead up in the foyer. As you're heading up the stairs, you notice that the lighting is becoming much darker. It's almost as if the candles from the chandelier are going out. You get to near the top of the landing and then it goes completely dark. "Oh shit." You say to yourself and immediately turn your head towards the direction of the chandelier. Then when you turn your head back forward, you nearly fall backwards when you see Tanya standing right in front of you. "Fuck!" you utter out loud and then Tanya grabs your tunic so you don't fall. "Thanks." You say. Tanya doesn't seem to acknowledge your gratitude though; instead she pulls you closer to her. At this distance, even in the darkness, you can make out her normally shrouded face. The first time you saw it at this range you were partially enchanted. This time is no different, but you're still aware enough that this isn't normal behavior for her, especially in these circumstances. "Tanya?" you utter. You get no answer, what you do get is a kiss on your lips. The feeling is unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's very pleasant, but as it goes on, you start to feel weak. In fact you try to pull away, but when you do so, Tanya's eyes glow red, she makes a growling sound and then shoves your away. You tumble down the stairs and while you fortunately don't break anything, you unfortunately smack your head so hard you're dazed. If you could actually see anything in this darkness, you'd probably be seeing double. You hear a bunch of footsteps and then you feel a couple sets of hands lifting you up and finally a fist coming straight at your face. When you wake up, you're in a cell, completely naked. A brief look at your surroundings and you know exactly where you are. It's the torture chamber where you saved Naji. In fact, you're in the exact same cell. You look around, but there's nothing in your cell that you find useful, you do notice that there is someone else in the next cell over. They're sitting in a corner rocking back and forth mumbling. While the person has obviously been through hell and you've definitely never seen this person naked before, the face and hair are still recognizable despite some of the fresh wounds. You can hardly believe it. "Yinen?" you ask. Yinen briefly looks at you and while he knows who you are, he returns to his rocking and mumbling. You can't even tell what he's saying, but he sounds like he saying something religious. You hear Joachim's name being mentioned a few times. Well this explains where Yinen has been. Poor bastard's probably been tortured for quite awhile. You still don't know what happened with Tanya either. Was a spell cast on her? She is half succubus, was the "presence of Neroth" forcing her to act more within her nature? You don't know, but what you do know is you need to get the hell out of here. You're not filled with confidence that you're going to survive whatever is to come, but you sure hope whatever they have planned its quick. Grabing a hold of the door in a vain attempt to open it and feeling a little hopeless yourself, you say your own prayer though yours is more along the lines of "I sure hope Yag is throwing a seven for me tonight." "Ah, prayer! The last refuge of a scoundrel as they say. I've always disagreed with that though. Prayer can be a powerful tool. I should know as my dark father has blessed me with much since my dedicated prayer to him." A voice says. You turn your head and see a man with a goatee in a red robe. A couple of other larger men in red robes stand behind him. "However I think you shall find that your prayers will go unanswered here. Neroth holds complete sway as he soon will over this city and eventually the world!" Given his superior attitude and boasting, you can only imagine this is Reginald. He gives you a look that reminds you of that fat perverted merchant you had to kill years ago. You instinctively cover yourself. "Oh we have a shy one do we? I must say, you shouldn't be, given your body. However, as much as I would love to throw you over the altar in front of my congregation and introduce my dick to your ass while slitting your throat as I released, I've got something better planned for you." Reginald remarks. "Hope its better than ass rape." You say. "Hah. Depends on your viewpoint I suppose. I know you're the one that so rudely broke into my home and stole that girl years ago. We were a little pre-occupied in nabbing you before and you seem to be skilled enough to fight off our recent attempts. However when you walked in here of your own accord, and with that infernal spawn…well that almost makes up for all the years you were able to go on breathing." Reginald motions the two large men to open the cell door. You back up ready to fight, though Reginald shakes his head and makes some gestures with his hand and your body completely tenses up like you're paralyzed. "We don't have time for that, important work must be done. That half-breed you walked in with has only begun to realize the untapped potential of her powers. Honestly, I don't know how she has managed to suppress her infernal side for so long. Most daughters of true succubi by her age have long since gone on to embrace their infernal heritage. This one was obviously lost, but no more." Reginald says. "What did you do to her?" you ask as the two men grab your arms and start dragging you out. "Me? I did nothing other than speak a few truths to her guided by Neroth's wisdom, though as I said, his presence in this house is stronger than most. I believe she felt it, just as all who follow do. However, she's still not complete, that's where you will come in. She will complete her transformation with you as the sacrifice and we will ALL witness it, and it shall be glorious to see a higher being achieve freedom!" Reginald motions the two men to drag you to the room with the altar and large pentagram on the floor. When you enter, you're thrown into said pentagram. A crowd of red robed individuals watches silently. When you get your head up off the floor, the paralysis is wearing off, but now you see Tanya in front of you looking at you like a predator with its prey. She definitely doesn't seem like herself. "Daughter of Neroth! Embrace your true heritage and kill this sacrifice in the name of your dark father! We shall all bask in the glory of your transformation!" Reginald shouts followed by several of his followers. You manage to stand up, but you doubt if you're going to be much match for Tanya. Even if you weren't naked and unarmed, you probably wouldn't be a match. Despite the fact that death is most likely imminent, you've still got this unnatural attraction to Tanya, or rather genuine attraction, but unnatural due to the situation at hand. This is really looking like the end for you, unless you can come up with something. > You fight for your life While talking might work under normal circumstances, you're literally having a hard enough time trying to focus on your own sense of self-preservation because part of you wants to just embrace her and go out fucking if your semi-erection is any indication. You're probably going to die anyway, but at least in your head you can take comfort in the fact that you tried. "Tanya…Tanya…please…." You say and hang your head down in an effort to look defeated. Tanya moves closer to you and runs her fingers through your hair and then lifts your head up with one hand and puts another hand to her lips in a "shhhhh" motion. It's apparent she's toying with you like a cat would with a mouse, but something about it is very alluring. So much so that you almost forget to punch her right in the face. This is more than enough to surprise her and cause her reel back a bit. You immediately look around for a way to escape. However the crowd is converging on you, including Reginald, but he's instead telling everyone to back off. "No! Let her finish him off! His impotent fighting will only prolong the inevitable and make her transformation all the more sweeter as she will tear him apart with no mercy!" he shouts. By this point Tanya has recovered and with how pissed she looks right now Reginald may be right on that last part. You stand your ground with your fists up, and Tanya runs towards you. You throw another punch, but she dodges and gives you a swift punch to your stomach and knocks all the wind out of you. Now while you're hunched over trying to catch your breath, she grabs your throat with one hand and your balls with the other. Just as you're thinking you're going to be soon singing soprano, something unexpected happens. Instead of crushing your manhood, she instead lifts you up over her head, not that this isn't still painful of course. But the next thing she does is even more unexpected. Instead of slamming you into the floor or something similar she instead throws you at Reginald who is taken completely off guard by this. "Wha fuck!" he utters before you go crashing into him. With you and Reginald on the floor, the congregation is now really getting agitated. Those two large cultists that dragged you from the cell immediately go to get you off of Reginald, but before they can, you hear grunts and howls of pain as Tanya has stabbed them both. Blood has now sprayed all over the place and you feel the crushing weight of a dead body falling on you. "You and that half breed bitch will pay for this! Kill them both!" Reginald shouts. Reginald isn't exactly in the best position to give any orders however as he's in an even worse position than you since he's now buried under two bodies rather than just yours. He struggles to get his arms free and while you're trying to do the same you get another idea. Your head is at his chest level right now, and mustering all your strength you manage to move your entire body forward and slam the top of your head up into his jaw repeatedly. He tries to stop you, but he still can't get his arms entirely free. You're naked and you've got one dead man on top of you and you're currently rubbing up against another one trying kill you, if someone had told you that you'd ever be in this situation you never would have believed it. Eventually you break his jaw causing him to moan and wail, or at least the best he can do with a broken jaw. You take the opportunity to roll sideway and wiggle out from under the dead cultist. You catch a few short punches to your side, but you eventually get free. Reginald despite being in pain begins to do likewise. Wasting no time, you take advantage of his still prone position and use the heel of your foot to bring it down on Reginald's nose. If you didn't break it the first time, you certainly do the second. By the third and forth time you've stomped it into mush. Your balls still ache, the top of your head is sore, your foot hurts like hell and you're pretty sure you've got a bone fragment in it, but Reginald is currently choking on his own blood and struggling to breath with a mashed up nose and broken jaw so you're currently doing much better than he is. You take his head and start smashing it as hard as you can on the stone floor. Reginald tries to feebly stop you, but he's too weak at this point and with the back of his skull being caved in and his brains starting to leak out of his head he soon loses consciousness forever. After finishing the bloody deed, you take a moment to catch your breath. You finally get a chance to be more aware of your surroundings and see Tanya has been making short work of the remaining cultists that have still stuck around. After finishing off the last cultist she turns to face you and once again you're still a little concerned about as you have no idea if she's actually still on your side again or she just decided to go on killing rampage. "Well don't just stand there with a stupid look on your face, we need to get the hell out here and at least take a robe off of one of these assholes and put it on. I've seen way more of you than I ever wanted to!" She appears to be back to normal. "Wait a minute, what the hell happened to you a few moments ago? In fact what the hell happened to you period?" "I…I don't want to talk about it, look we need to get the fuck outta here. I don't like it here and I don't…feel right just being here. We need to fucking go NOW." "Alright, alright, shit…robe…robe…" As you're stripping off a robe of one of the corpses, Tanya's looking around as if she's expecting more trouble. While that might very well be the case, you can tell it's more than that. "Shit! Yinen! He's still in the fucking cage back there, we need to let him out." You say as you're putting on the robe. "What? I don't have the damn keys and we don't have time to search all these fuckers." Tanya exclaims. "Well I'd pick the lock, but it's not like I have a lockpick anymore, do you have any?" "Here, but hurry the hell up I'm not sticking around here any longer than I have to." You catch the lockpick that Tanya tosses at you and run back to the torture chamber. You go back to Yinen's cell and start opening the cell, but he just continues to do the usual rocking back and forth and mumbling. "Yinen! Come on! We gotta get the hell out of here! Yinen!" you say and approach him. Yinen finally realizes someone is there with him, but instead of jumping at the chance to be free, he starts screaming. "NO! NO! I WON'T GO WITH YOU! GET AWAY! PLEASE! JOACHIM SAVE ME!" At first you're confused to as why he's acting this way and doesn't see that it's you, but then you think it might be the fact that you're wearing a red robe. "Yinen! It's me! I'm not one of them! I'm…" "NO! LIES! NEROTH IS THE FATHER OF LIES AND EVIL! JOACHIM! BRING DOWN YOUR HOLY VENGENCE AND SAVE ME!" Yinen shouts and suddenly lunges at you. You fend off his attack in an effort not to hurt him too badly, but he isn't so much interested in fighting as he is escaping. He runs off yelling after he manages to maneuver around you. You hear Tanya shout something in the next room and you run back to her. "Was that him? He ran right past me screaming." Tanya asks. "Yeah, I dunno, the guy's head is all fucked up. They really did something to him, I dunno if he's going to be the same." You say. "He's not the only one, now WE need to leave." Tanya doesn't wait any longer, she runs into the room with all the wine barrels and you follow as close as possible. You'd suggest looking for the passage to the sewers for a quicker exit, but you aren't even sure if it exists anymore, besides she's already made her way up the stairs to the ground floor. Yinen must have known the way out since the door is already open, or rather the hidden bookshelf door that was hiding the stairs to the cellar. From here, you both make your way out the house (And again, find the door already open) You don't exactly know where Tanya's running to, but you continue to follow her and eventually she stops somewhere secluded. Then she start going through her clothing. "Here. Take this thing and leave me be." She says and hands you back your pistol. In all the ensuing mayhem you completely forgot that you had potentially lost your favorite weapon. "Thanks…but where did you get this?" you ask. "I took it when they were stripping your clothes off, I dunno why I did. I really don't understand why I did anything. I thought I was past this. I need to get my head together and figure this shit out." Tanya says. "Tanya can you at least tell me something? I mean did Reginald case a spell or what? I mean was all his babbling true, Neroth is your father in some way?" "No! And I'm not just saying that because I don't want that to be true. I'm saying that, because my real father from what my succubus bitch of a mother told me was some drunk dickhead that she killed immediately after mating with and because Reginald doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. While he may have been sucking Neroth's infernal cock in the spiritual sense, I still know more about the infernal realm more than he EVER could have and trust me, if he had known, he wouldn't have been worshipping Neroth or whatever petty infernal warlord that's setting himself up as a god to mortals at any given time." "Wait, you've been there? You've actually crossed into a different plane?" "No, but I don't need to physically be there and I hope I never do. I saw enough based on what my mother showed me and I resisted the lure of it then and I'm going to continue to do so." "You keep bringing up your mother, I thought you were an orphan." "I was. Wasn't like she took care of me, she tossed me aside as soon as I was born and I suppose I was lucky to be born female and she wasn't hungry at the time. Look, while I'm sure this is all very intriguing for you, I am fucking done talking about this. If you want to know what happened to me, I don't fucking know! Maybe all the demonic ties that Reginald and by proxy his home had to the infernal realm had some effect and I lost control because I've let my guard down to it over the years. I guess I was lucky that you punched me in the face to snap me out of it. Thanks, but just because you know some shit about me doesn't mean we're getting closer!" "I wasn't even thinking about that…" "Bullshit! That's ALL you ever think about. I know you do. You can't even help yourself. Pfft, your earlier lie about not being interested me anymore when we were on the rooftop before all this happened was laughable. I know for a fact that you regularly have sex with some whore that tries to look like me. In fact isn't she the same one you saved? Boy you must LOVE that. It's almost like you can pretend that you saved me like some hero." "Um…" "What? You embarrassed? You're not THAT embarrassed if you're still doing it. Besides, it's not like you'd be the first, you just happen to be one of the few that's been doing it the longest." "Tanya, I really don't know what you want from me at this point. I mean I'm really trying my best. I thought we were at least getting along." "And THAT'S a failing on my part. If anything I've allowed you to get TOO close lately! I need to fucking redouble my efforts, I see that now. I should have known to keep my distance from you and I should have NEVER offered to help you on this task!" You can see this is a losing battle and you're tired so you decide to bow out. "Ok Tanya, you've made your point, I'm leaving. Thanks for saving me again, see you later." You start to leave, but Tanya spins you around. "Don't you turn your back on me, and this is for punching me in the fucking face!" Tanya says and kicks you hard in the balls. You crumple to the ground and Tanya starts to say something, but then stops and then starts again. "I'm…sorry…I just…I can't… just stay away from me." She says and quickly runs off. After vomiting a little bit you eventually stand back up and stagger back to the Hell's Own Inn. Thankfully you aren't accosted by anyone along the way. When you get back, Bruno sees you and gives you a sideways glance at first. "Okay, it's you. I saw a red robe and got a little nervous. What's with the red robe anyway, aren't those the ones that Neroth cultists wear?" Bruno asks. "Yeah, I just joined so you better watch out." You say. "Ha ha funny guy. What's the real story?" "I don't want to even get into it right now, I'll tell you another time, I just want to go rest." "Sure, whatever." You start making your way upstairs, but stop to ask one question. "Hey Bruno, Yinen didn't come in here by any chance did?" you ask. "I told you, I haven't seen him in days. He probably left the city." Bruno says. "I bet he wishes he did." You mumble and head to your room. You take off the blood stained and rank red robe and collapse on your bed. You've spent a lot of the night naked tonight, and not in a good way. The only good thing about tonight is you killed the top asshole of the cult that was trying to kill you. You imagine there are still others around, but you can't worry about it right now. As you slowly drift off with your hand covering your abused testicles, you think about how things are just fucked up with Tanya now. It's like you're back to square one, but maybe you were just deluding yourself anyway. Of course despite all this AND the fact that she tried to kill you today, you still go to sleep dreaming about her. > You time passes... Year 20 "I'm not obsessed." You exclaim which causes a look of skepticism from Sneaks. "Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but not in the way you're saying." You say. "Look kid, I'll let you in on a little secret, I've jerked off thinking about Tanya too. I don't think there's a man that's been in contact with her for any length of time that hasn't. Hell, there's been guys in the Guild into men and they STILL admitted to having thoughts about her. She had a dick of course in their fantasies, but my point is, she still had an effect. It's part of her demon heritage, but the effects should have long since worn off and I'm telling you the way you're going is not fucking healthy." "But my feelings for her are not just physical. I mean yeah that's part of it, but I've been getting to know her and I feel a real connection with her." Now Sneaks is totally confused. "I thought you were staying away from her ever since you took out Reginald." Sneaks asks. "I have! But I keep seeing her in my dreams! And those dreams have been becoming more frequent lately. In these dreams, we spend time together and talk and laugh and…" "And fuck. Probably a lot of fucking. Look, sounds like you're having some nice dreams, but dreams aren't real and with some of the ones you've described they sound impossible. Just go back to fucking that whore that dresses like her, it's the closest you're going to get." "I can't even do that anymore, I feel like I'm cheating on Tanya. I'm telling you, this is really happening. I don't know how, but it is. I mean don't succubi invade dreams? I mean maybe she's trying to tell me something even if she isn't doing it in the real world." "Real world being the key word here. Are you listening to yourself? Look, I don't know what to tell you man, I mean…(sigh) okay say for the sake of argument this IS all true, have you even spoken to her directly about it?" "Well no, I've been trying to stay away and respect her wishes to leave her alone." Sneaks slaps you upside the head. "What the hell?!" you say. "That's without a doubt, the stupidest fucking shit you've ever said involving Tanya. I've known you since you joined the Guild and you've flirted with her shamelessly beyond a point where others have gotten shanked by her for their troubles. The ONLY other person I know who's gotten this obsessed with Tanya and lived is Garrick, though Yag knows he'd NEVER fucking admit that." Sneaks says. "So…I was right about Garrick?" "Of course you were right about him. Why do you think he still holds a grudge against you even though you're staying away from Tanya? I mean in his case, I don't think it started out that way…shit I HOPE it didn't start out that way since he took her in when she was a young teenager, but in any case. Garrick has been in love with Tanya for a very long time now. He'll never make a move of course, which is why I'm telling YOU that if you REALLY think you've got a shot with Tanya, then you need to just go talk to her, because the non-confrontational routine? Yeah that doesn't work and it isn't your style anyway." "Weren't you the one that once told me once to forget about her?" "Yeah well I'm hoping you'll listen to me on this advice this time because it's apparent that you're bound for a path of destruction. At least if you go talk to her you'll get that over quickly and who knows, maybe just MAYBE, you're right about all this. In any case, I'm going to go see if there's anyone around to play cards with." "I think a lot of the members are out enjoying the riots." "Yeah fuck that, it's absolute chaos out there. Surprised the Baron's managed to still keep control of some of the city. Mostly the merchant's district, rich areas and his palace of course, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I would leave the city, but unfortunately I've still got a streak of loyalty and I'd never just abandon Garrick. Too much history, even if I don't agree with him sometimes. Anyway, see you later and good luck." Sneaks leaves you and you immediately go to see if Tanya is in her quarters. You already know what you're going to say, because you've been saying it in your mind for a long time now, you're just mentally preparing yourself the verbal (and possibly physical) repercussions of your confrontation. Has to be done though because this has gone on long enough and if Tanya genuinely has no interest in you then you're not going to stick around just to have something you desire greatly dangling in front of you everyday and can't do anything about it. As you approach Tanya's quarters you hear voices coming from it. You slow your pace and strain your ears to listen and eventually hide just outside her door. "Tanya, I can throw him out of the Guild, if he's been bothering you again. Honestly I would have done it sooner had you not told me not to after that stunt with the Neroth cultists." You hear Garrick say. "He hasn't been bothering me Garrick, if anything he's been honoring my wishes. He's been a perfect fucking gentleman…or at least as close as he can get to one." "Be that as it may, I know something is wrong." "I'm fine Garrick, stop fussing." "Tanya, I KNOW something is going on with you. I've known you since you were girl and I know when you're more troubled than usual. I mean if you don't tell me, I can't help…" "That's fucking right Garrick, you CAN'T fucking help! Nobody can! So stop playing the over protective dad role trying to save his little girl and just get the hell out of my quarters." "Tanya, you forget that…" "Yes, Garrick I fucking know. You brought me in off the streets when I was some poor dirty orphan stealing food and had run away from the home for the umpteenth time! How long are you going to bring that up? I've never said I wasn't appreciative, I think my time staying here has proven that, but if you think I OWE you something more, then you've been a fool for a longer time than even he has! Worse even." "Tanya! I've never…" Before Garrick can complete his statement, you finally enter the room causing an immediate hostile look from Garrick and a look of exasperation from Tanya. "Oh great…" Tanya says. "YOU! Get out of here, we're having a private conversation!" Garrick yells. "Tanya, WE need to talk. There's something going on between us and I have to think you know what I mean. This has been a long time coming and I can't just continue to walk around here in silence any longer." You say. "I'll tell you what, you don't need to be walking around here anymore period. You're out of the Guild! You've been nothing a headache since I allowed you in here! I can't believe I was so blind to think you would be an asset in the first place!" "Garrick, I'm not even arguing with you and I'll be more than happy to leave this shitty Guild, but I've got to speak to Tanya first." "Go ahead then." Tanya says a bit defeated. "Tanya, I've been having dreams about you for past few months ever since everything that went down with the Neroth cultists. Now I dunno if you're doing it on purpose or what, but these dreams have been more than just dreams, it's like…it's like they're real somehow. You're talking to me. WE'RE talking to each other about, well everything. My past, your past, our likes, our dislikes. I swear it's like we've been dating without actually going out." "Bullshit. You don't know shit about Tanya. You've been making shit up in your delusional mind. Wishful thinking about shit that's never going to happen! Okay asshole, if you know so much, why don't you give us a little history lesson?" "Gladly." You begin with a description of the orphanage Tanya grew up in and the apathetic lady who ran it. You mention how Tanya had to beat up two older boys when she was six because they were accusing her of stealing their food. After she broke one boy's arms and the nose of the other boy, the other children remained afraid of her. She ran away from the orphanage altogether by the time she was nine and lived on the streets until she was around thirteen where upon Garrick caught her trying to pick his pocket. You even describe the type of day it was, mentioning that it was lightly raining. After he caught Tanya he offered her a place in the Guild. At this point Tanya and Garrick are just silent as you relay this information. Garrick's mouth nearly hangs open as he knows you're exactly right about everything. He can't believe that you know all this. Tanya even looks a away a couple times. "And you told me, that you've remained loyal for the past twenty some odd years since that time at first because you originally felt obligated to Garrick for giving you a home and helping you when nobody else was, but there was a point when you started to feel less satisfied here and you considered leaving." You say. "Tanya! You never told me this! Is this true?!" Garrick remarks. Tanya doesn't answer, she just looks at you like you're going to tell him anyway, so why stop? "She never told anyone that. She would have left too, but then her mother showed up and after her brief meeting, she stayed with the Guild. Not because she had great attachment to it, but because she feared what she might do without it keeping her somewhat grounded. The Guild became a sort of sanctuary against her infernal nature. Sure, thievery isn't exactly the most noble of professions, but it's a far cry from what infernals like to engage in." you say. Garrick turns back to Tanya. "Tanya, you could have told me this! Why didn't you? I could have…" Garrick starts to say before he's interrupted. "You could have what Garrick? Tried to make everything better like you always think you can? This is what I was talking about earlier, you CAN'T FUCKING HELP ME! Nobody can! I mean just look at what's occurred…I'm meeting this infatuated loser in his dreams and telling him my whole life story and I was only barely aware of some of it! How long before I have complete control over it? My infernal nature is coming out and it can't be stopped. Stop trying to fucking save me because I'm NEVER going to love you Garrick or at least not in the way YOU want." Tanya shouts Garrick says nothing; he just staggers back a bit against a table like all the wind has been knocked out of him. Tanya now turns her attention towards you. "And as for you, your best option would be running far away from this place and from me before it gets worse. I don't care how much you THINK you're in love with me." Tanya says. "Or even how much you might be in love with me?" you answer. "Now THAT is wishful thinking and not what is happening." "Okay, maybe love isn't the right word, but I have a hard time believing that you didn't contact me in my dreams for shits and giggles. You're actually fun in those dreams and I know you well enough in the real world that you never do anything remotely fun. It's like you wanted me to see another side of you that nobody else does. Arguably the closest person you were close to before I showed up was Garrick, and you only see him as a father figure at best. You didn't contact him in his dreams. You didn't show up in anyone else's either. You showed up in mine because you obviously have a fondness for…" "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Garrick suddenly shouts and lunges at you. He tackles you to the floor and you roll around briefly with him, but you soon get him off of you. However, he's managed to pilfer your pistol that was tucked in your clothing. "Garrick! Put that down!" Tanya shouts. "Why?! Just so you can go off with this dickhead? No! How many people have fallen for you Tanya? How many? I've lost count. Why does THIS one get your affection?" Garrick screams and then starts laughing. "I WAS the one who took you in! I WAS the one who gave you purpose and apparently I was the one who gave you salvation! Don't you see Tanya? I'M the one who loves you! I always did! But if I can't have you…then I suppose I'll have to accept that…but what I won't accept is someone else having you instead!" Garrick is pointing the pistol right at you and ready to fire. You might be quick enough to stop him, or you might not. Tanya looks like she might do something, but who knows? > You grab the gun from Garrick You take that chance that you're quick enough and Garrick is so emotional right now that he's not focused like he should. You lunge for the pistol. A loud sound is heard followed by the sensation of a burning force hitting you hard in the lower chest. Still working on adrenaline you don't stop and continue to try to wrestle the pistol from Garrick. He fires again, but this time misses as you move his arm and then break his wrist completely causing him to drop it. Tanya at this point intervenes and tackles Garrick and you all go tumbling on the floor. Tanya starts screaming at Garrick and punching him in the face while he unsuccessfully tries to fend her off. You on the other hand are now coming to realize that you've been shot pretty badly and your adrenaline has worn off. You cough blood and wheeze as death is finally catching up to you. Tanya goes over to you and starts telling you to hold on while she frantically attempts to look for something in her room to help you, but there isn't anything and it wouldn't help anyway. You look over to your left and see Garrick's face mashed into bloody mush. Not being able to find anything to help your wound, Tanya attempts to lift you up, but you tell her to stop. "Tanya, stop. You're not going to get me to an infirmary or the apothecary in time." You say. "But…it can't end like this! Not now! Not when I…(sob)" "Just wasn't (cough) meant to be…but it's okay. At least I know finally." And with those last words your eyes begin to close and you feel the taste of Tanya's lips on your own before you pass on.

Year 20 "I'm not obsessed." You exclaim which causes a look of skepticism from Sneaks. "Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed, but not in the way you're saying." You say. "Look kid, I'll let you in on a little secret, I've jerked off thinking about Tanya too. I don't think there's a man that's been in contact with her for any length of time that hasn't. Hell, there's been guys in the Guild into men and they STILL admitted to having thoughts about her. She had a dick of course in their fantasies, but my point is, she still had an effect. It's part of her demon heritage, but the effects should have long since worn off and I'm telling you the way you're going is not fucking healthy." "But my feelings for her are not just physical. I mean yeah that's part of it, but I've been getting to know her and I feel a real connection with her." Now Sneaks is totally confused. "I thought you were staying away from her ever since you took out Reginald." Sneaks asks. "I have! But I keep seeing her in my dreams! And those dreams have been becoming more frequent lately. In these dreams, we spend time together and talk and laugh and…" "And fuck. Probably a lot of fucking. Look, sounds like you're having some nice dreams, but dreams aren't real and with some of the ones you've described they sound impossible. Just go back to fucking that whore that dresses like her, it's the closest you're going to get." "I can't even do that anymore, I feel like I'm cheating on Tanya. I'm telling you, this is really happening. I don't know how, but it is. I mean don't succubi invade dreams? I mean maybe she's trying to tell me something even if she isn't doing it in the real world." "Real world being the key word here. Are you listening to yourself? Look, I don't know what to tell you man, I mean…(sigh) okay say for the sake of argument this IS all true, have you even spoken to her directly about it?" "Well no, I've been trying to stay away and respect her wishes to leave her alone." Sneaks slaps you upside the head. "What the hell?!" you say. "That's without a doubt, the stupidest fucking shit you've ever said involving Tanya. I've known you since you joined the Guild and you've flirted with her shamelessly beyond a point where others have gotten shanked by her for their troubles. The ONLY other person I know who's gotten this obsessed with Tanya and lived is Garrick, though Yag knows he'd NEVER fucking admit that." Sneaks says. "So…I was right about Garrick?" "Of course you were right about him. Why do you think he still holds a grudge against you even though you're staying away from Tanya? I mean in his case, I don't think it started out that way…shit I HOPE it didn't start out that way since he took her in when she was a young teenager, but in any case. Garrick has been in love with Tanya for a very long time now. He'll never make a move of course, which is why I'm telling YOU that if you REALLY think you've got a shot with Tanya, then you need to just go talk to her, because the non-confrontational routine? Yeah that doesn't work and it isn't your style anyway." "Weren't you the one that once told me once to forget about her?" "Yeah well I'm hoping you'll listen to me on this advice this time because it's apparent that you're bound for a path of destruction. At least if you go talk to her you'll get that over quickly and who knows, maybe just MAYBE, you're right about all this. In any case, I'm going to go see if there's anyone around to play cards with." "I think a lot of the members are out enjoying the riots." "Yeah fuck that, it's absolute chaos out there. Surprised the Baron's managed to still keep control of some of the city. Mostly the merchant's district, rich areas and his palace of course, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I would leave the city, but unfortunately I've still got a streak of loyalty and I'd never just abandon Garrick. Too much history, even if I don't agree with him sometimes. Anyway, see you later and good luck." Sneaks leaves you and you immediately go to see if Tanya is in her quarters. You already know what you're going to say, because you've been saying it in your mind for a long time now, you're just mentally preparing yourself the verbal (and possibly physical) repercussions of your confrontation. Has to be done though because this has gone on long enough and if Tanya genuinely has no interest in you then you're not going to stick around just to have something you desire greatly dangling in front of you everyday and can't do anything about it. As you approach Tanya's quarters you hear voices coming from it. You slow your pace and strain your ears to listen and eventually hide just outside her door. "Tanya, I can throw him out of the Guild, if he's been bothering you again. Honestly I would have done it sooner had you not told me not to after that stunt with the Neroth cultists." You hear Garrick say. "He hasn't been bothering me Garrick, if anything he's been honoring my wishes. He's been a perfect fucking gentleman…or at least as close as he can get to one." "Be that as it may, I know something is wrong." "I'm fine Garrick, stop fussing." "Tanya, I KNOW something is going on with you. I've known you since you were girl and I know when you're more troubled than usual. I mean if you don't tell me, I can't help…" "That's fucking right Garrick, you CAN'T fucking help! Nobody can! So stop playing the over protective dad role trying to save his little girl and just get the hell out of my quarters." "Tanya, you forget that…" "Yes, Garrick I fucking know. You brought me in off the streets when I was some poor dirty orphan stealing food and had run away from the home for the umpteenth time! How long are you going to bring that up? I've never said I wasn't appreciative, I think my time staying here has proven that, but if you think I OWE you something more, then you've been a fool for a longer time than even he has! Worse even." "Tanya! I've never…" Before Garrick can complete his statement, you finally enter the room causing an immediate hostile look from Garrick and a look of exasperation from Tanya. "Oh great…" Tanya says. "YOU! Get out of here, we're having a private conversation!" Garrick yells. "Tanya, WE need to talk. There's something going on between us and I have to think you know what I mean. This has been a long time coming and I can't just continue to walk around here in silence any longer." You say. "I'll tell you what, you don't need to be walking around here anymore period. You're out of the Guild! You've been nothing a headache since I allowed you in here! I can't believe I was so blind to think you would be an asset in the first place!" "Garrick, I'm not even arguing with you and I'll be more than happy to leave this shitty Guild, but I've got to speak to Tanya first." "Go ahead then." Tanya says a bit defeated. "Tanya, I've been having dreams about you for past few months ever since everything that went down with the Neroth cultists. Now I dunno if you're doing it on purpose or what, but these dreams have been more than just dreams, it's like…it's like they're real somehow. You're talking to me. WE'RE talking to each other about, well everything. My past, your past, our likes, our dislikes. I swear it's like we've been dating without actually going out." "Bullshit. You don't know shit about Tanya. You've been making shit up in your delusional mind. Wishful thinking about shit that's never going to happen! Okay asshole, if you know so much, why don't you give us a little history lesson?" "Gladly." You begin with a description of the orphanage Tanya grew up in and the apathetic lady who ran it. You mention how Tanya had to beat up two older boys when she was six because they were accusing her of stealing their food. After she broke one boy's arms and the nose of the other boy, the other children remained afraid of her. She ran away from the orphanage altogether by the time she was nine and lived on the streets until she was around thirteen where upon Garrick caught her trying to pick his pocket. You even describe the type of day it was, mentioning that it was lightly raining. After he caught Tanya he offered her a place in the Guild. At this point Tanya and Garrick are just silent as you relay this information. Garrick's mouth nearly hangs open as he knows you're exactly right about everything. He can't believe that you know all this. Tanya even looks a away a couple times. "And you told me, that you've remained loyal for the past twenty some odd years since that time at first because you originally felt obligated to Garrick for giving you a home and helping you when nobody else was, but there was a point when you started to feel less satisfied here and you considered leaving." You say. "Tanya! You never told me this! Is this true?!" Garrick remarks. Tanya doesn't answer, she just looks at you like you're going to tell him anyway, so why stop? "She never told anyone that. She would have left too, but then her mother showed up and after her brief meeting, she stayed with the Guild. Not because she had great attachment to it, but because she feared what she might do without it keeping her somewhat grounded. The Guild became a sort of sanctuary against her infernal nature. Sure, thievery isn't exactly the most noble of professions, but it's a far cry from what infernals like to engage in." you say. Garrick turns back to Tanya. "Tanya, you could have told me this! Why didn't you? I could have…" Garrick starts to say before he's interrupted. "You could have what Garrick? Tried to make everything better like you always think you can? This is what I was talking about earlier, you CAN'T FUCKING HELP ME! Nobody can! I mean just look at what's occurred…I'm meeting this infatuated loser in his dreams and telling him my whole life story and I was only barely aware of some of it! How long before I have complete control over it? My infernal nature is coming out and it can't be stopped. Stop trying to fucking save me because I'm NEVER going to love you Garrick or at least not in the way YOU want." Tanya shouts Garrick says nothing; he just staggers back a bit against a table like all the wind has been knocked out of him. Tanya now turns her attention towards you. "And as for you, your best option would be running far away from this place and from me before it gets worse. I don't care how much you THINK you're in love with me." Tanya says. "Or even how much you might be in love with me?" you answer. "Now THAT is wishful thinking and not what is happening." "Okay, maybe love isn't the right word, but I have a hard time believing that you didn't contact me in my dreams for shits and giggles. You're actually fun in those dreams and I know you well enough in the real world that you never do anything remotely fun. It's like you wanted me to see another side of you that nobody else does. Arguably the closest person you were close to before I showed up was Garrick, and you only see him as a father figure at best. You didn't contact him in his dreams. You didn't show up in anyone else's either. You showed up in mine because you obviously have a fondness for…" "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" Garrick suddenly shouts and lunges at you. He tackles you to the floor and you roll around briefly with him, but you soon get him off of you. However, he's managed to pilfer your pistol that was tucked in your clothing. "Garrick! Put that down!" Tanya shouts. "Why?! Just so you can go off with this dickhead? No! How many people have fallen for you Tanya? How many? I've lost count. Why does THIS one get your affection?" Garrick screams and then starts laughing. "I WAS the one who took you in! I WAS the one who gave you purpose and apparently I was the one who gave you salvation! Don't you see Tanya? I'M the one who loves you! I always did! But if I can't have you…then I suppose I'll have to accept that…but what I won't accept is someone else having you instead!" Garrick is pointing the pistol right at you and ready to fire. You might be quick enough to stop him, or you might not. Tanya looks like she might do something, but who knows? > You wait You're putting a lot of trust into Tanya right now… Since you aren't going for the gun, you attempt to stall for time. "Garrick, look, she isn't exactly tripping over herself for me either despite me revealing all this information. If anything she probably dislikes me even more now. She's not worth dying for so you want me gone, fine, I'm going. And if it will suffice, my apologies." You say and start backing away with your hands up. "I'm afraid that will NOT suffice!" Garrick exclaims before Tanya tackles him. Tanya knocks the pistol from his hand and easily subdues him while you grab your weapon off the floor. He struggles for a bit, but then eventually just stops and starts crying. "Tanya, move out of the way." You say fully intent on killing Garrick "No! I know what he did, but you're not killing him! Despite everything, the man DID help me at one time and I'm not going to just forget that. Just leave us." Tanya says. "What about…you know what, forget it." You're done. You might still have strong feelings for Tanya, but obviously you're going to have to get over them and hopefully in time they will eventually dissipate by putting as much space as you can between you and her. You also hope the dreams will come to an end because if they don't that's going to make the process a lot harder, if not impossible. Troubles for another time however and you'll deal with it when you have to. You make your way out of the Thieves' Guild as quick as you can, into the sewers and to the closest manhole cover. One thing you aren't going to miss and that's mucking around in the damn sewers. You look around and see a few stores that have been looted, some in the process of being looted, but nothing excessive. The city isn't on fire or anything. (Just a couple of buildings) Your goal is to get the hell out and as far as possible from this damn city because there really isn't anything holding you here now. You attempt to avoid potential trouble by taking the quieter side streets. Midway through you half wonder if you should have just used the sewers until you got closer to the front gate, but it's too late now. You turn down an alleyway to avoid a Holgard Watch patrol rounding up dissidents, and that's when you bump right into Tanya. While you are caught off guard a bit, there's a small part of you that was sort of hoping you'd see her. "Do I even need to ask how you even tracked me in all this chaos?" you ask. "If you're already dreaming about me, I think you know the answer. I've pretty much imprinted on you at this point, though I suppose not completely." Tanya replies. "What does that mean exactly?" "It means if you wanted to, you could still get away. You would eventually in time get away from me or any feelings relating to me. Even the dreams would disappear eventually. Probably would be the best option for you because I can't imagine it getting any better for you, if you stayed." "Yeah, well I always sort of figured those might be my options anyway, but what do YOU want? I mean I get the reasons for you pushing me away, but is that what you really want?" "I don't know. Not really. I would like to have a close relationship with you, I probably have even before the cultist incident. I mean now especially considering I know nearly everything about your life just like you know most of mine. Like you said, we've practically been dating, just without the hassle of going out." "I don't think we're really dating types anyway." "Hah, probably not. I just don't know though. I mean how do I know if your feelings are real for me, or if it's all just infernal magic? How do I know that my feelings for you are genuine or if I'm just luring you in and going to just suck out your soul eventually?" "I've asked myself the same question multiple times as I'm sure you have. I mean I'm sure some of it is infernal influence, since I was just about to leave and now here I am completely re-considering. However, I think this is the important difference. I NEED to know if you really feel the same way. If don't, even to the smallest degree, then I'll know that I should leave. It won't be easy, but I'll deal with it. If I was completely under your spell, I don't think I'd even have the capacity to even think about leaving." "Well that's just it, you're not completely under my spell or influence, but I'm worried that one day you might get that way! I mean I want you to be a freethinking being. There's so much shit going on and I'm experiencing changes a lot faster than I ever have before. Look!" And this point Tanya takes her hood off and you not only see her lovely face clearly, but two little horns. She must go to great lengths to arrange her hair to cover them, along with wearing the hood. "Uh, how long have you had those?" you ask. "A few weeks now." Tanya remarks. "Oh. Well you shouldn't cover them, I find them to be cute." You say trying to bring a little levity to the situation. "I'm going to gore you with them if you don't start taking this seriously! I mean I just killed Garrick and I don't even feel that bad about it. I mean shouldn't I feel something?" "Wait. He's fucking dead? You stopped ME from killing him. What the hell happened?" "I spoke with Garrick a little in an attempt to calm him down, but the man was a complete emotional wreck. He practically begged me to kill him at that point since he claimed he couldn't go on living the way he was living. So I honored his wishes. It was the least I could do." "So…it was a kindness. I mean it's a little unorthodox, and granted I'm certainly not shedding any tears, but it wasn't like you killed him in cold blood." "Yeah, but for better or worse, the man WAS my father in a way. I mean ignoring all the rest of his unwanted feelings, I do remember the positives. Despite all that, I haven't even cried. Shouldn't I cry?" "I dunno, maybe his recent actions muted your feelings or maybe you're just dealing with them in another way…um are able to cry? Serious question." "Yes. Just haven't done it since I was a child though. I guess it's not important anyway. My point is I'm worried that I might become a complete monster and I don't want you to be in my path when that happens since you'll most likely be the first victim." "Well the fact that you're so concerned about me, is a pretty good indication that you're no heartless monster and you're talking about something that MIGHT happen, not that it will. Besides, despite all of what we've shared you still don't know everything about me either." "What? You a shapeshifter or something?" "No, I wish it was that interesting. But what I'm referring to is something a lot more mundane. Just a secret of my own I've been harboring and if we're going to be together, I might as well come clean right now." You explain your dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate, constantly pointing out that you are NOT actually a member and that you haven't even done anything that would harm the Guild, though you wonder if that even matters anymore given that Tanya just killed Garrick. Tanya's reaction is one of shock. For a moment it looks like she's going to punch you, but then she just shakes her head and actually chuckles. You think it's the first time you've seen her remotely laugh. "Fuck it. I mean at one time I would have killed you as a hypocritical traitor, but what difference does it make now? I already killed the head of the Guild. I'm hardly in a position to judge. If anything, I think I feel better about all this." Tanya says. "What do you mean?" you ask. "Well here I was worrying that my infernal influence was slowly turning you into my slave or something, but obviously I don't have that much influence if you're able to keep a pretty big secret like that from me." "Um, well I did just confess to you." "Oh right. Shit." "I knew I shouldn't have pointed that out. I do want to stress though I never actually betrayed the Guild though, I always wanted to tell you because I felt it was the honest thing to do. I just never could figure out a good way to do it and then for awhile you wanted me to leave you alone and…" "Just stop. As I said, it hardly matters now. (Sigh) The next question, is where does this all leave us? I mean seeing as you're a half spy for the Syndicate and I just murdered the leader of the Guild, it's not like either of us can go back." "Before you caught up to me, I was about ready to leave the city." "It's not a bad idea, though I've never left Holgard. There's also the fact that you have some unfinished business with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Aren't you worried they might hunt you down?" "Well if I stay here, they're even more likely to find me. They probably aren't going to bother looking for me anyway. And wouldn't you be with me?" "I suppose I would. However, I'm still reluctant to leave Holgard." "Why? What's holding you here now?" "Nothing I suppose, but maybe I wouldn't mind leaving Holgard if it didn't feel like running. I mean I've spent so many years fighting the Ebony Claw, I'd hate to just hand the fucking city over to them. Yeah, I know it's foolish, and maybe I'm just feeling the need to at least avenge the Guild considering I practically just destroyed it myself." "I think they were always going to win. They just have the numbers and now you're suggesting just the two of us going against them?" "I don't see why not and I mean we probably could do a lot more damage with just the two of us no longer being restrained by Garrick's caution. We can make a plan. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I really want to do this. I feel like giving myself this purpose would be a good way of directing my energy. Granted it's not exactly the most virtuous way, but surely it's still a positive thing taking down a criminal organization that engages in various violent and illegal activity, right?" Seems Tanya is trying to figure out a few things in light of trying to handle all her recent actions and physical changes. She tells you that she would like you to stay to help her, but she would completely understand if all you want to do is put as much distance as you can between yourself and this place. Infernal influence or not, you're not going to let her go into this alone. Besides you wouldn't mind taking out that one eyed asshole, or at least that fucker that keeps shoving a crossbow in your back. "Okay. I'm in. I stayed here for you this long and I'm not going to leave when you need my help the most. So, let's get to this plan of yours." Tanya smiles a bit and then hugs you. A bit sudden, but certainly not unwelcome. You have to admit, you're already glad you've made this decision even if you're dreading the danger that's to come from it. "So, what's the plan and what's it all going to entail exactly?" "Let's go some place else to discuss this. Probably not at the Guild headquarters or Hell's Own, though, um…let's go the Lighthouse." Tanya says. "The Lighthouse?" "Yeah, it's an inn close to the docks area and they probably aren't getting much business anymore what with less ships coming in right now. We can use that as our meeting and planning place for right now." Tanya says and puts her hood back up. The pair of you travels there without any problems. It seems the rioting and civil unrest has died down for the rest of the night. The owner of The Lighthouse seems pretty surprised (and happy) that anyone is checking in since the place is practically empty. You pay for your one room and the pair of you head to it. No sooner have you entered the room and you're about to ask Tanya about what she has planned, you see her taking her clothing off. "Tanya, wha…what're you doing?" you ask. "What's it look like? I'm getting ready to make love to you. In fact why are you still dressed? I would have thought you'd be the first one to have your pants off by now." Tanya says. "I…well I just didn't know we were getting into that tonight, I mean I figured you might need a little time. Plus, I figured we were going to discuss the plan to take down the Ebony Claw Syndicate which is not going to be an easy task. "All the more reason to do this now. One of us could die when we start seriously pursuing this path. Now I know maybe this isn't going to be a big deal to you, but I think I'd like to actually experience sex in the flesh to see what all the fuss is about." "Wait….you've never?" "No. Why would I? I've never fancied anyone before and I've been fighting my succubus heritage remember? That means no sex of any kind. Hell, up until that incident with the cultists, I hadn't even kissed anyone before." "I was your first kiss too?" "Yep, looks like you're conquering the rest of the virgin territory tonight. Hope that's not too much pressure, but then why would it be? Not like I can compare you to anyone else right?" "Um, sure I guess so." "Hm. Anyway, take off your clothes, I really want to get to this." You have to admit, after all the times you've fantasized and dreamed about these encounters, none of them ever were like this. The two of you soon get to it and it's fairly interesting. Tanya might be a virgin, but she's obviously a natural. Of course being half succubus might have something to do with that. The session goes on for quite awhile. While you definitely don't want to disappoint, you find that you're struggling in the endurance department, though you're not sure if it's because Tanya's taking out decades of pent up sexual energy on you or again, it's because she's part succubus and she's actively draining your own energy. She can tell you're obviously feeling ill effects and finishes you off before she possibly inadvertently kills you. "Are you okay?! You look really pale, I have some water in my pack." "I'm…(wheeze) fine…I'll take that water though." You struggle to say. As you down the water, Tanya cuddles up next to you lovingly. "So was it like you imagined?" she asks. "It was good of course, but definitely more intense. What about you?" you ask. "It was okay." "Oh." "No! I don't mean that as an insult! You were fine and enjoyed all the closeness and it was pleasurable, but somehow I was expecting more given how much people talk about it." "Well we can try again later after... shit, I'm tired. I dunno if I'm in any condition to process a plan right now." "Don't worry about that. You get your rest, I'll just be right here beside you." You slowly start to drift off as you feel Tanya rubbing against your body and almost wrapping herself around you like a second skin. She then whispers "I love you." in your ear and makes some odd noises which aren't exactly the most human sounding, however they do sound content, so at least there's that. While there wasn't a ceremony of any kind, you suddenly get the very real impression that you're married now. > You on to business The next day, you surprisingly wake up in the afternoon. Tanya apparently has been awake for quite awhile though, but she's basically been watching you sleep for most of that time. While you'd think that would probably be creepy, but considering what she is, you can't say you're all that surprised. Besides, she went to the trouble to go get you food. "Well this is a nice surprise." You say taking the nearby tray. "I just got what they sell here at the inn. I want to make sure you've got your strength up for tonight's assault on the Guild. I know I drained you during our…closeness last night. I really didn't mean to." Tanya says. "I know. It's okay." "But I have concerns about our future intimacy, if I'm going to nearly be killing you every time." "I'm sure there are potions to help. Quick trip to the apothecary and all that." "I hope so." While Tanya has her worries about your sex life together, you're actually feeling a bit more positive about all this. Tanya's concern for your well-being at least shows she's not going to eat your soul anytime soon. You and Tanya spend the rest of your time talking about her plan. It's actually fairly simple. She tells you to go back to Rook and report everything you know about the Guild. Location and everything. She says when your information pans out to be true, and what remains of the Guild is destroyed then you'll be in the Ebony Claw with no problems and from that point onward, you can tell relay vital information which she can use. "Wait a moment, what about all the thieves in the Guild headquarters when the Claw comes to take it down?" you ask. "Well I thought about that and…well they're just going to have to be losses for the greater goal. I mean I could warn everyone, but if it's empty then that's going to look might suspicious for you." "Are you sure the place is going to be packed anyway? I mean you did just kill Garrick, surely someone has found his body by now. People might be a bit suspicious and not wish to hang around." "Um. No, they probably didn't. First off, nobody but Garrick would dare enter my quarters in the first place. Second, I made sure to hide it from immediate sight after the deed was done." "You hid his…nevermind. Probably good thinking on your part given what we're planning." "Do you have a problem with this plan?" "Me? Well other than the danger of becoming a mole in the EC, I suppose not, though you do realize how ruthless this plan is if you're willingly sacrificing those you once called comrades for years right?" "Yes, and I already came to the conclusion that I never was really close to most of them anyway. True, maybe I saw the Guild as my family in some way, but ultimately I was pretty much always alone. I never bothered to interact with any of them except on a job and still always kept to myself. I'm sure you saw that as well." "True. Still though. Not even Sneaks?" "Not really. I think you were closer to Sneaks than I ever was. That going to be a problem?" "Not exactly going to be taking any pleasure in it, but I'm with you all the way on this, so it's gotta be done." Tanya nods at your pragmatism on the situation and tells you that you should go report to Rook and get the ball rolling on the first phase of this plan. You leave the Lighthouse and head to the Poisoned Blade Inn which is the well known Ebony Claw hang out in the city. Granted you don't know if Rook is actually going to be there, but given that's the only way you can think of to get into contact with him, that's where you go. Unsurprisingly before you even get in the place, you're getting a lot of dirty looks from obvious Ebony Claw members on the streets. Your reception is no warmer when you get inside and you get stopped instantly by a group of EC members. "You better have a REAL good reason for coming in here." One of them says shoving your shoulder a bit. "I do actually. I'm looking for Rook, I got important business with the man and I don't exactly know how to contact him so I came here." "Is that so? Well if you don't know how to properly contact him, maybe YOU shouldn't be looking for him, let alone coming in here uninvited." At this point you're shoved again, this time hard enough to move you back a bit. "Alright fine, I'll go and one of you can relay the message that I need to see him." "We ain't your fucking messengers!" the man says and before he can lay another hand on you, you pull your pistol. "I got six shots here, maybe I'm not making it out of here alive, but six of you are going down with me, and YOU are definitely first." You say and then you feel a familiar object shoved in your back. The rest of the EC members back away from you at this point. "Y'know, I wonder how effective of a killer you would be without that fancy pistol of yours." A voice whispers. "One might ask the same of someone who does nothing but remain invisible and bushwacks people from behind with a crossbow." You say. "What do you want to see Rook for?" "It's about the Thieves Guild." "Alright. I'll take you to him then." You suddenly feel a blow to the back of your head and you go unconscious. When you wake up, you're in a chair at a table with Rook sitting across from you. "Shit…was that really necessary?" you ask rubbing the back of your head. "My right hand isn't entirely convinced of your potential and so wanted to keep directions to our current location secret. He's a bit of a hard sell, however let's get on with it. You said you had important information about the Guild yes?" Rook asks. You begin to go into detail about the Thieves Guild and it's location. You also mention you already killed Garrick and Tanya which is why you left. Rook's eyebrow rises at this revelation. "Truly? And how did this come about?" Rook asks. "In my attempt to convince Tanya, things unfortunately turned…violent. I was lucky to get off a headshot before she landed a hit on me. Don't worry, nobody else knows about me and I got rid of the bodies." You say. "Hm, Just as well as you killed that demonkin I suppose. She might have been a bit of a wildcard. In any case you can finish off the rest when you lead the attack tomorrow. "So, you're sending me along to finish the job huh?" you ask. "Did you really expect any less? I mean shouldn't be too hard considering you already killed your girlfriend. Besides, you're still the best one who knows about the place, so it would still be helpful if you were there in person." Rook says. "What're you going to be doing?" "A lot more important things than rolling around in the sewers with some thieves that's for sure. Don't worry; there will be someone to supervise this mission. You won't see them, but you can be sure they'll be there handy with a crossbow when the time comes." "If you're talking about who I think you are, they better not be jamming it into my back considering we're supposed to be on the same side now." You say. "Well do a good job, and you won't ever have to worry about Bolt ever again. Now go prepare yourselves, or whatever you have to do and meet the crew in the sewers tomorrow morning at this location." Rook says pointing at the map. "Okay, sounds like a plan." "Oh one more thing, I want that asshole Sneaks alive. I got unfinished business with him." Rook says tapping his eyepatch. Never occurred to you that Rook was the one Sneaks was talking about when he said he stabbed an EC lieutenant in the eye once. After a few more words, Rook escorts you out of the room and you soon learn you're at a bigger Ebony Claw headquarters that leads up into a warehouse and then eventually between the poor area of Holgard and the merchant district. From there you return to The Lighthouse where you get some rest for tomorrow. Tanya isn't around though, but maybe she really wants to keep a low profile now. The next morning you arrive at the appointed location where other Ebony Claw members are waiting for you. "Took you long enough. Other members are in various places in the sewers ready to ambush any escaping Guild members." One of them says. "Alright, let's do this then." You say. You lead the way, completely surprising several thieves when you arrive. The battle, if you can still call it that isn't much of one. What made you such a vicious killer of Ebony Claw members, has also made you an equally vicious killer Guild members. Combined with the Ebony Claw backup, it's no contest. Without Garrick around there's no organization whatsoever and most of them attempt to flee rather than fight. Garrick himself is still hidden in Tanya's room, you drag out his body and shoot it a couple times as "proof" you killed him earlier. You look all over the place for Sneaks, but you don't find him at all. In fact, when you go to his room, some of his stuff is even gone. You wonder if he sensed something amiss and just quietly left on his own. As you're exiting Sneaks room, a grubby dwarf walks up to you. "Hey, you. You see any more Guild members run this way?" he asks. "No, I think we got all of them that were here. I can't find Sneaks though. He's nowhere to be found." You answer. "Hm. Rook's not going to be happy about that. Oh well, maybe he'll pop up somewhere. Roaches always do. Guess all that's left is the looting which I think the boys are doing a good job of right now. The Syndicate has been thinking of expanding into slave trade here and this place will probably make a good location with some additions. Anyway, we should get back to Rook." You didn't recognize it immediately, but this man's voice is familiar, You then also notice the crossbow he's holding. "You Bolt?" you ask which causes a smirk across his face. "I was wondering when you'd recognize me." You return to Rook who is full of praise and goes on about how you're going to go far in this organization. He tells you he'll be in contact with you again soon for a more permanent future assignment and even hands you a pouch full of gold. "Go ahead, take some of that and celebrate with Naji or something. My cousin's actually been missing you at the brothel. I dare say I think the girl had a genuine crush on you. Maybe you can get a new girlfriend to replace your demonkin one, but you know what they say, you can't turn a whore into a housewife. Hah!" He says before dismissing you. You head back to the Lighthouse where you once again don't find Tanya. When you bed down for the night however, she finds you in your dreams which now are a lot more vivid of her. "Where are you?" you ask. "I'm in a safe place, don't worry, I'll meet with you person when there is need to do so. In the meantime, I think this is one of the best ways for us to communicate don't you think?" "Well I suppose nobody will suddenly catch me talking to you, that's for sure. Anyway, it's done." "I know. We can talk about the next phase of the plan later, right now let us just spend relaxing time together. I know, tell me more about the little village you came from." "Really? That place is so fucking boring." "I imagine it probably was, but from some reason, I find tales of your youthful antics amusing." "Hm, glad someone does, because nobody in Teckleville certainly did at the time, except for maybe for me and my sister. Okay, I guess there's more than a few stories I haven't told yet…" As you and Tanya spend time together in your dream, somewhere else in your mind is concerned with just how much danger you've put yourself in being a mole in the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Never mind the fact that you've got an increasingly more powerful half succubus that can access you in your dreams now. You just hope you never get on her bad side. > You time passes… Year 21 It's amazing what changes can happen in just a year and that's not even counting the fact that Holgard is in complete anarchy right now, though it probably helps quite a bit. With your ongoing information, Tanya has carried out one woman attacks on various ECS locations and been more or less successful in the endeavor. Though perhaps not entirely "one woman" she's been using the chaos and the various factions of the city to her advantage, mostly the remaining disorganized followers of Neroth that have still been skulking around, though she's been luring even the Holgard Watch to do her bidding sometimes. While you haven't brought it up to her, you think Tanya's lost sight of her "original goal" of simply taking down the Ebony Claw Syndicate. She may have even believed that's what she was doing at first, but now? She's just been enjoying the chaos. She's enjoying making people kill and fight. Granted they probably were going to do that anyway, but she's not exactly curtailing what's currently going on right now. Still, she always returns to you excitedly going on about what she's done and what she's planning and everything else. When you meet in person, it's always a special event (If literally draining). You remember how hostile she was towards you for years, but now she only ever looks at you with affection. You must have told your mundane stories about your life in Teckleville more than a few times to her, but for whatever reason she seems to enjoy them. Maybe it's due to her own childhood being less fun since despite everything you didn't really have it all that bad. In fact if you'd just obeyed the rules, you would have had a pretty easy life. (You certainly wouldn't be in this situation) You aren't sure how succubi are supposed to act and granted she's not a full blood one, but it's very strange that despite her obvious descent into morally questionable actions, she's still very attached to you. (Or maybe you're just not used to a very loving girlfriend, your only one before Tanya was Annah) She's also starting to change physically. Her horns for one are a little bigger and her eyes now have a permanent other worldly look. Most obvious though is her wings. They started off as two little lumps on her back that you noticed during one of your intimacy sessions. The next time you saw her, she had two small wings and are probably going to get even larger. As for you, you've basically been just trying to keep a low profile as you go about your ECS duties, which are currently as an enforcer at a profitable Blue Dream house in the poor district. It's a rather lowly position for someone of your talents, but on the plus side, it's so unimportant that Rook doesn't even suspect you of any wrong doing and it helps that at least a few of the top Blue Dream distributors at the place have diarrhea of the mouth due to ongoing sampling of some of the drug and never shut the fuck up about sensitive ECS information. Rook has been trying to keep things together, but he's been obviously losing control. The ECS leadership in the Delantium Kingdom has refused to help with reinforcements any more. They've told him that he needs to work with what he has and if he fails, it's not going to be good for him. You know he's been trying to gain more help from the Temple of Fel, but that's been having mixed results mainly due to the fact that while they may all worship the same God of Shadows, the pure dedicated followers don't necessarily share the same goals as the Ebony Claw. Still, they've been contributing enough help to "lend" Shadow Blades to act as extra protection. Them, along with Bolt and Rook's own shadow magic abilities are going to make him quite formidable. Which is sort of a problem now that Tanya has decided that it's time to actually take out the Ebony Claw leadership for good. Arguably, she probably could have wiped out the Ebony Claw Syndicate with your help (Or at least this increasingly smaller chapter of it) months ago. But she got so distracted with enjoying the bedlam, that it allowed Rook to fortify like he has. Of course Tanya's not at all worried about any of this, but that's easy for her to say when she's got all her new infernal powers now. Even with her help, it isn't like you've got much defense against a bunch of highly trained shadow magic using killers. To her credit, she's told you to stay behind on this one, claiming that she can take care of it herself. You have your doubts though. It would be a tough fight even for her. You'd hate to just stand by while she got herself killed, not to mention if she failed, it would be really obvious that you were involved considering you told Rook you killed her. So you'd have to help anyway, and you still don't fancy your chances. You do have one idea, but it's a long shot and possibly one that could get you killed immediately. You could go try to talk to the head of the Temple of Fel. You don't know exactly what you'd say, but your hope would be to try to convince him that supporting the Ebony Claw, isn't in the best interest of the temple. "What?! No! That's a stupid idea! I told you, I'll take care of it by myself, I don't need your help, let alone the help of my enemies." Tanya shouts. "Tanya, I'm serious. This is a really BAD idea, assaulting Rook's home by yourself. I mean don't you even at least have those cultists you can send, or maybe someone else?" "The last of the Neroth cultists died weeks ago and are probably enduring unimaginable torture right now as their reward and as for sending anyone else, I'm a little tired of acting from behind the scenes, I want to enjoy a bit of hands on mayhem for a change." "Tanya, are you listening to yourself? You're starting to lose control and getting drunk on the chaos. Maybe I should have said something earlier, but you've been this way for quite sometime now. I love you and all, but you REALLY need to get a grip. You're not even thinking strategically anymore." Your defiant words aren't something she hears very often, at first she looks surprised, even slightly hurt, but then that turns to anger very quickly. She grabs you and throws you against the wall very hard. "…shit…" is all you can utter as you hit the stone and slump to the floor. "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU QUESTION MY IDEAS! I'm the one in control here! YOU follow MY lead! YOU are only allowed the magnificence of my presence because I allow it and you should be grateful!" Tanya bellows and her voice seems to invade your very mind a bit. You look up from your position and focus on Tanya. She's changed physically again. Her wings are bigger for one thing (you called that one) and now her skin has a reddish hue. If you didn't know better, you'd think her eyes were going to burn a hole in you with how she's staring at you. Reminds of the old days when she used to get pissed at you, though she never slammed you this hard into a wall before. The dominating voice you just heard is also a bit new. As a half succubus she always had a bit of a seductive tone, but this is different. Her voice just now sent a chill of fear within you. Maybe she's not completely embracing her "succubus side" but she's certainly embracing the demonic heritage. Still, this is the girl you chose, so if this is how you're going out then so be it. You struggle to get back up and lean against the wall as you address her. "Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you can take them alone. You're obviously in full control of yourself, what with putting a mere mortal like me in my place and all. No need for my help anymore. I see that now." Tanya's stance towards you softens a bit, but not by much. She doesn't even apologize; she just leaves the ruined house you were meeting her in and takes to the air. She apparently has decided to give absolutely zero fucks about being seen anymore. You don't know how much time you have or even if it's going to matter, but you still feel compelled to help in some way. Maybe she isn't the Tanya that you fell in love with anymore, but for better or worse, you're going to help her whether that means directly or indirectly. > You help directly For all her change, you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan. Two things you think about first is that she may be right in that going to the Fel Temple is a bad idea. If they were willing to help Rook (no matter how reluctantly) they probably aren't going to listen to someone who isn't actually a follower. The other thing is, Tanya has changed so much now that she probably isn't recognizable anymore, not that she really made her face visible in the first place, but she looks more like a traditional demon now rather than the half breed she actually is. You think you can spin a lie… You go to your "place of work" where the usual group of lowly Ebony Claw thugs stand around keeping the Blue Dream addicts in line. Meanwhile you head to the two assholes who run the place. Dreamweaver and Mr. Dream. The unimaginative idiots must have thought they were being real clever with those names. One of them looks up as he's counting coins while the other is sorting out blue dream vials. Neither one of them particularly likes you, so this will be all the more simple. "The fuck do you want fancy boy? Don't you have addicts to keep in line out front or managing the rest of those other losers?" Mr. Dream asks. "Not today." You say. "The fuck you mean by that? I'm in no mood for your attitude today. I don't even know why the hell you were even allowed in our organization after what you've done. You put several of my friends in the ground you fucker!" "Good news then. Today, you get to join them." "Wha…shit!" Mr. Dream is too late to draw his own flintlock as you plant a bullet in his head and Dreamweaver fairs no better. You've killed the pair of them and predictably the shots draw the attention of some of the others. Using your former bosses' firearms, you take out two EC thugs and then use the remainder of your own bullets to take out three more. A couple of the thugs probably just flat out ran off, so you don't waste much time and cut off the heads of the two Dreams and shoving them in nearby sack holding a bunch of Blue Dream which you dump out first. After helping yourself to some of the gold, you walk out of the office and through the rest of building until you get to the courtyard where several of junkies are still lingering about despite all the gunshots. "Hey…can I go in to get my fix yet? I've been waiting out here for hours!" one remarks. "Actually all of you can go in and help yourself to all the Blue Dream you want, but one of you has to come with me and for that to happen, I need the worst of you lot to do something for a lot of coin, so who's done the most awful thing here?" You ask. The various addicts excited by the prospect of getting free drugs immediately start telling on each other. A couple of them confess what they've done since they apparently are thinking long term and want the coin rather than just the drugs. A lot of them haven't done much except steal or perform sexual favors. A couple of them have killed, but none catch your attention until one of them starts accusing another one of having sex with children. He denies it and so it goes back and forth though a couple of the others back up the accuser. "Enough! Is this even remotely true? I got shit to do and I need to know now. So if everyone here wants to get their free drugs, you need to fucking confess or step aside and let someone else earn this coin. I'm not going to judge you anyway." The one who was accused slowly steps forward. "Well, it was just one time. She was ten and she wanted to know about sex and I figured it was my duty as a parent to…" You don't even wait, you just shoot him. This causes the rest to run a bit or take cover, but they don't go far. You quickly go to the sick fuck's body and cut off his head with your short sword and shove it in your bag of heads. The addict stand around gawking for a moment, but then quickly realize they should go get their free drugs and run inside the house, leaving you to head over to Rook's place. While normally walking about in the open during the day with a bag of heads where the blood is leaking through might cause some issues, but given the state of the city, it just serves as a warning for people not to mess with you. Rook, nowadays rarely leaves his mansion. You aren't sure who had it before he did, but you do know he just took it over soon after the Guild was wiped out. You're stopped at the front gate by one of the Ebony Claw members. "What do you want and what the hell is in the bag?" she asks. "Severed heads of fucking loudmouths and spies. Look, I got important shit to talk to Rook about and I just dragged my ass through riots to get here, so let me the fuck in." you say. "You don't give the damn orders here! Nobody gets in to see Rook without his say so! So you're just going to have wait until one of us goes to see if it's okay first and I don't particularly feel motivated to do so and neither does anyone else, let alone for the likes of you." "I don't have time for this. Bitch, you will LET me in there because if you don't I'm going to do to YOU and the rest of these assholes what I did to these fuckers." At this point you dump out the contents of the bag and bloody heads drop out. "SHIT! That's Mr. Dream!" one of them exclaims. "And that one's Dreamweaver! He fucking killed them!" another exclaims. The female Claw member who was talking to you before now looks a little more concerned by your presence and starts going for her weapon. "Do not even fucking think about it sweetheart. I will fucking shoot you in both tits and then after I'm done killing the rest of these sorry excuses for Syndicate members, I will violate your dying body and the last thing you're going to feel before you leave this shitty earth is me coming inside your ass and laughing while doing it." You threaten. "Shit…fuck man. There's no need for damn rape threats. Fine, you wanna go see Rook you crazy fucker, be my fucking guest. You're still not getting past those Shadow Blade guys though and if you do, Rook's going to be pissed at you for killing some of his top Blue Dream dealers anyway. I hope he fucking cuts your dick and balls off and shoves them down your throat!" The female Claw member says and starts motioning for the others to open the gates while you collect the bloody heads and shove them back the bag. As you walk through the gates and towards the mansion, you shake your head. "Shit, that was a bit dark for me, but hell, no wonder the Syndicate is going to shit, if they're backing down from a threat like that." You say. You get to the front door and you are immediately stopped by some cloaked individuals who just suddenly appear around you. You fight the instinct to immediately go for your weapon, not that you'd be fast enough anyway since two of them have already grabbed your arms, while another takes your bag and all your weapons. "What's you business here?" one of them asks. Taking a politer approach you explain everything or rather you spin your lie which isn't completely a lie since the two Dreams were pair of loudmouth assholes that blabbed shit so freely that's what allowed you to relay most inside information to Tanya in the first place. You add the extra bit that the head of the Blue Dream addict was a Neroth cultist spy and explain that's how come groups of Neroth cultists have been fucking up Ebony Claw interests as of late. The head Shadow Blade whispers to one of his comrades who enters the mansion. "He'll be back in a moment, then we'll proceed from there." He says and then motions for the ones holding your arms to let you go. They don't give you back your weapons (or the bag) though. You wait in silence for a bit, and then eventually the other one comes out and nods. "Okay, looks like you're in the clear for now. Follow him inside and if you survive your meeting with Rook and he okays it, then you'll get your weapons back." The lead Shadow Blade says. As you start to head in, the lead Shadow Blade grabs your shoulder and whispers to you. "All secrets are eventually uncovered by Fel." He says and then lets go of your shoulder. The pair of you look at each other briefly, and its almost like the Shadow Blade is telling you already that he thinks you're lying. It's enough to put some fear into you though you hold it together and go inside the mansion. After following the Shadow Blade through a series of halls and eventually to Rook's office. He sits behind a desk with Bolt on his right side and slightly behind his chair. Rook is talking with another skinny man off to the side that you've never seen before, but judging by all the books on the desk, you guess that he might be some beancounter that tracks the accounts and such. "Rook, we are hemorrhaging coin. We are not going to have enough to kick up to the Syndicate Directors this month. This state of anarchy is really bad for business and the deal you made with the Temple of Fel REALLY took a large chunk out of our treasury." "And what the fuck was I supposed to do Lloyd? We had a manpower shortage, and I was getting no fucking help from the directors! Those fuckers have been sitting on their fat asses in the Delantium Kingdom for so fucking long they don't even know what it's really like to struggle any fucking more. The Temple of Fel is an ally to the Syndicate and apparently the only reliable one I have right now besides Bolt here. And THIS asshole, who I may have put too much trust in, apparently just took it upon himself to waste two of my best distributors!" Rook says turning his attention to you. Rook at this point stands up. "Now I was already told the little story that you told everyone outside in order to get in here, but why don't you go over it again with me directly so I can try to grasp it myself and attempt to understand your logic." You're on the spot and now you suddenly don't feel very sure about this plan, but you're here now so you better be convincing. > You tell the story again with complete confidence Adding more lies is only going to trip you up on details if further questioned. Better to stick with the same story. You tell Rook the same story you told the Shadow Blade outside and try to remain as calm as possible the whole time. You manage, but it's stressful as hell as Rook is studying you the entire time along with Bolt staring at you with that typical grim dwarven expression and even this Lloyd person who occasionally makes a brief frown. Eventually you finish which is followed by some uncomfortable silence. Rook looks over at Bolt who shrugs, then over to Lloyd who is quite vocal. "This guy's talking bullshit. I dunno what his game is, but I don't like his story and I think you should kill him." Lloyd says. "Who the fuck are you to call me a liar!? You weren't there, that's what happened!" you exclaim. "Doubt it. I've seen the best liars in action and you aren't one of them. Your whole story sounds suspicious and given what I already have heard about you, I'm not sure why Rook ever trusted you." This little smug asshole's tone is enough to cause you to nearly go at him, but Rook and Bolt both react in a manner that suggest that you shouldn't even attempt it. "Rook, I'm telling you the damn truth." "Yeah, well I'm not sure if I'm quite convinced. I mean there are some things about your story that feel a little weak and I don't have the luxury of interrogating Mr. Dream or Weaver, because you killed them both. All I got is your word and right now, that's not much." "Well what do you want me to do? Swear to the gods? I mean I'll swear to Fel if that will…" This remark causes Rook to give you a stare that could burn a hole through you. "The fuck did you say?" he asks. Before you can even answer, Rook smashes his fist into your face and begins kicking you on the floor. He also starts ranting at you about disrespecting the name of Fel. Saying that an unbeliever such as yourself attempting to invoke the name in order to gain some sort of leverage because of his own faith is offensive to him. Rook now really doesn't believe anything you have to say, so the only chance you hope to have is to hold out until Tanya gets here. Unfortunately Rook is so mad, that he's intent on killing you now. Before you can beg, fight back or attempt to talk your way out of this, Rook removes his eyepatch revealing a black gem in his eye socket. A solid black beam of dark energy emits from it and hits you in your head. The dark energy liquefies your brain while having the added bonus of creating horrifying visions as you die. You scream and writhe in physical and mental agony for a few minutes before your body gives out completely.

For all her change, you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan. Two things you think about first is that she may be right in that going to the Fel Temple is a bad idea. If they were willing to help Rook (no matter how reluctantly) they probably aren't going to listen to someone who isn't actually a follower. The other thing is, Tanya has changed so much now that she probably isn't recognizable anymore, not that she really made her face visible in the first place, but she looks more like a traditional demon now rather than the half breed she actually is. You think you can spin a lie… You go to your "place of work" where the usual group of lowly Ebony Claw thugs stand around keeping the Blue Dream addicts in line. Meanwhile you head to the two assholes who run the place. Dreamweaver and Mr. Dream. The unimaginative idiots must have thought they were being real clever with those names. One of them looks up as he's counting coins while the other is sorting out blue dream vials. Neither one of them particularly likes you, so this will be all the more simple. "The fuck do you want fancy boy? Don't you have addicts to keep in line out front or managing the rest of those other losers?" Mr. Dream asks. "Not today." You say. "The fuck you mean by that? I'm in no mood for your attitude today. I don't even know why the hell you were even allowed in our organization after what you've done. You put several of my friends in the ground you fucker!" "Good news then. Today, you get to join them." "Wha…shit!" Mr. Dream is too late to draw his own flintlock as you plant a bullet in his head and Dreamweaver fairs no better. You've killed the pair of them and predictably the shots draw the attention of some of the others. Using your former bosses' firearms, you take out two EC thugs and then use the remainder of your own bullets to take out three more. A couple of the thugs probably just flat out ran off, so you don't waste much time and cut off the heads of the two Dreams and shoving them in nearby sack holding a bunch of Blue Dream which you dump out first. After helping yourself to some of the gold, you walk out of the office and through the rest of building until you get to the courtyard where several of junkies are still lingering about despite all the gunshots. "Hey…can I go in to get my fix yet? I've been waiting out here for hours!" one remarks. "Actually all of you can go in and help yourself to all the Blue Dream you want, but one of you has to come with me and for that to happen, I need the worst of you lot to do something for a lot of coin, so who's done the most awful thing here?" You ask. The various addicts excited by the prospect of getting free drugs immediately start telling on each other. A couple of them confess what they've done since they apparently are thinking long term and want the coin rather than just the drugs. A lot of them haven't done much except steal or perform sexual favors. A couple of them have killed, but none catch your attention until one of them starts accusing another one of having sex with children. He denies it and so it goes back and forth though a couple of the others back up the accuser. "Enough! Is this even remotely true? I got shit to do and I need to know now. So if everyone here wants to get their free drugs, you need to fucking confess or step aside and let someone else earn this coin. I'm not going to judge you anyway." The one who was accused slowly steps forward. "Well, it was just one time. She was ten and she wanted to know about sex and I figured it was my duty as a parent to…" You don't even wait, you just shoot him. This causes the rest to run a bit or take cover, but they don't go far. You quickly go to the sick fuck's body and cut off his head with your short sword and shove it in your bag of heads. The addict stand around gawking for a moment, but then quickly realize they should go get their free drugs and run inside the house, leaving you to head over to Rook's place. While normally walking about in the open during the day with a bag of heads where the blood is leaking through might cause some issues, but given the state of the city, it just serves as a warning for people not to mess with you. Rook, nowadays rarely leaves his mansion. You aren't sure who had it before he did, but you do know he just took it over soon after the Guild was wiped out. You're stopped at the front gate by one of the Ebony Claw members. "What do you want and what the hell is in the bag?" she asks. "Severed heads of fucking loudmouths and spies. Look, I got important shit to talk to Rook about and I just dragged my ass through riots to get here, so let me the fuck in." you say. "You don't give the damn orders here! Nobody gets in to see Rook without his say so! So you're just going to have wait until one of us goes to see if it's okay first and I don't particularly feel motivated to do so and neither does anyone else, let alone for the likes of you." "I don't have time for this. Bitch, you will LET me in there because if you don't I'm going to do to YOU and the rest of these assholes what I did to these fuckers." At this point you dump out the contents of the bag and bloody heads drop out. "SHIT! That's Mr. Dream!" one of them exclaims. "And that one's Dreamweaver! He fucking killed them!" another exclaims. The female Claw member who was talking to you before now looks a little more concerned by your presence and starts going for her weapon. "Do not even fucking think about it sweetheart. I will fucking shoot you in both tits and then after I'm done killing the rest of these sorry excuses for Syndicate members, I will violate your dying body and the last thing you're going to feel before you leave this shitty earth is me coming inside your ass and laughing while doing it." You threaten. "Shit…fuck man. There's no need for damn rape threats. Fine, you wanna go see Rook you crazy fucker, be my fucking guest. You're still not getting past those Shadow Blade guys though and if you do, Rook's going to be pissed at you for killing some of his top Blue Dream dealers anyway. I hope he fucking cuts your dick and balls off and shoves them down your throat!" The female Claw member says and starts motioning for the others to open the gates while you collect the bloody heads and shove them back the bag. As you walk through the gates and towards the mansion, you shake your head. "Shit, that was a bit dark for me, but hell, no wonder the Syndicate is going to shit, if they're backing down from a threat like that." You say. You get to the front door and you are immediately stopped by some cloaked individuals who just suddenly appear around you. You fight the instinct to immediately go for your weapon, not that you'd be fast enough anyway since two of them have already grabbed your arms, while another takes your bag and all your weapons. "What's you business here?" one of them asks. Taking a politer approach you explain everything or rather you spin your lie which isn't completely a lie since the two Dreams were pair of loudmouth assholes that blabbed shit so freely that's what allowed you to relay most inside information to Tanya in the first place. You add the extra bit that the head of the Blue Dream addict was a Neroth cultist spy and explain that's how come groups of Neroth cultists have been fucking up Ebony Claw interests as of late. The head Shadow Blade whispers to one of his comrades who enters the mansion. "He'll be back in a moment, then we'll proceed from there." He says and then motions for the ones holding your arms to let you go. They don't give you back your weapons (or the bag) though. You wait in silence for a bit, and then eventually the other one comes out and nods. "Okay, looks like you're in the clear for now. Follow him inside and if you survive your meeting with Rook and he okays it, then you'll get your weapons back." The lead Shadow Blade says. As you start to head in, the lead Shadow Blade grabs your shoulder and whispers to you. "All secrets are eventually uncovered by Fel." He says and then lets go of your shoulder. The pair of you look at each other briefly, and its almost like the Shadow Blade is telling you already that he thinks you're lying. It's enough to put some fear into you though you hold it together and go inside the mansion. After following the Shadow Blade through a series of halls and eventually to Rook's office. He sits behind a desk with Bolt on his right side and slightly behind his chair. Rook is talking with another skinny man off to the side that you've never seen before, but judging by all the books on the desk, you guess that he might be some beancounter that tracks the accounts and such. "Rook, we are hemorrhaging coin. We are not going to have enough to kick up to the Syndicate Directors this month. This state of anarchy is really bad for business and the deal you made with the Temple of Fel REALLY took a large chunk out of our treasury." "And what the fuck was I supposed to do Lloyd? We had a manpower shortage, and I was getting no fucking help from the directors! Those fuckers have been sitting on their fat asses in the Delantium Kingdom for so fucking long they don't even know what it's really like to struggle any fucking more. The Temple of Fel is an ally to the Syndicate and apparently the only reliable one I have right now besides Bolt here. And THIS asshole, who I may have put too much trust in, apparently just took it upon himself to waste two of my best distributors!" Rook says turning his attention to you. Rook at this point stands up. "Now I was already told the little story that you told everyone outside in order to get in here, but why don't you go over it again with me directly so I can try to grasp it myself and attempt to understand your logic." You're on the spot and now you suddenly don't feel very sure about this plan, but you're here now so you better be convincing. > You take a risk with even more lies Fel might be uncover all secrets, but he can't find you if you keep one step ahead by piling on more bullshit to hide under. "This is Lloyd?" you ask. Your question catches Rook and Lloyd off guard. Bolt just remains stoic. "Yes, that's fucking Lloyd, but how is that fucking relevant t to your situation?" Rook exclaims. "It's very relevant, because apparently this asshole has been skimming money for himself for years." You say. Now Rook and Bolt both look over at hapless Lloyd who is now on the verge of shitting his pants and you haven't even gotten started. "Wha…what?! That's absurd!" Lloyd says. "That's not what Mr. Dream said. He said you've been ripping off the Syndicate for years and just shuffling the book around or whatever it is you do. I don't quite understand all that mathy stuff myself, but I guess you're good at it, if you got away with it for so long…" you say. "This asshole is lying Rook!" "In fact Mr. Dream said he wouldn't have known if you hadn't caved in to take a hit of Blue Dream on a dare two years ago when you were getting the take and they dared you to try a hit of Blue Dream. You ended up caving in and got so high you started bragging to him and Dreamweaver about your genius system. Where upon they blackmailed you into giving them a cut…" "ROOK! You're not seriously listening to this?! This man has told a story about Mr. Dream and Dreamweaver being snitches! Now he's claiming we were all ripping you off!" "No, I never said the Dreams were snitches, I said they were loudmouth assholes that blabbed so much they let a Neroth spy catch wind of all our operations so they could fuck them up. And as for you lot ripping off the Syndicate, well why the hell else would this chapter be hemorrhaging coin as you put it? I work at that Blue Dream House and I know damn well we make more than THIS." At this point you empty your pockets and coin pouch of some of the gold you took from the Blue Dream House and dump in all on the floor. "That is all I found in the safe after I killed those two idiots. I looked all over for a hiding place, thinking they might have it elsewhere, but I guess they weren't dumb enough to hide it on the premises. In any case it's pretty obvious Rook should be getting way more coin than he's been getting and you're obviously trying to get him killed by the directors…" "ROOK! I swear to Fel I am NOT doing that! This…" "Lloyd. Calm yourself and sit the fuck down before you have a heart attack. Have drink or something while you're at it." Rook says. While Lloyd pours himself a glass of some sort of liquor and sits down, Rook steps out from behind his desk and approaches you. "Okay, this is a very elaborate story you're telling. My question is this though. How do you know all this shit in the first place? I mean I only have your word on this. I can't obviously interrogate Mr. Dream or Weaver about this, because you fucking killed them. Lloyd here is obviously hysterical and going to plead his innocence. I'm NOT even saying what you're saying is a lie because we ARE all a bunch of fucking criminals when it comes down to it, but I'm gonna need a little more convincing." Rook says. "Well, I'm not sure what else I can do." "That's not a great start, however let me help you. For instance, if Mr. Dream and Weaver were these loudmouths that you claim they were, why the hell didn't you report any of this sooner?" "Well for one thing, I was always kept in the fucking courtyard for the most part. I didn't really catch wind of a lot of this until recently and I still didn't know what was bullshit and what wasn't. Mr. Dream once bragged that he shut down a brothel once because he wore out all the women that night, and I know damn well that didn't happen because he barely could last five minutes with the Blue Dream whores if the jokes were any indication. I wanted to collect more information first before moving forward on it." "They were potentially fucking stealing money and talking about sensitive information, what the fuck else were you waiting for?!" "Okay fine. I fucked up. Maybe I should have moved sooner. That's on me and I'll take whatever punishment you decide. However as soon as I found out about the Neroth spy skulking about, I acted. I mean maybe I should have come to you first, but I was so pissed after I interrogated that dickhead that I just lost it. I cut off that fuckers feet and hands and he was still laughing about how stupid we were for letting our secrets slip so easily." "Okay, but that's the other part of your story I don't entirely understand. Why the hell are the Neroth cultists have such a damn hard on for us anyway? I mean granted we aren't buddies, but it's not like we've gone out of our way to fuck with them." "From what I can tell they see us as the biggest threat to control over the city. The spy admitted it and I mean their previous actions over the past few months have proven that due to all their attacks. Not to mention the Syndicate is allied with the Temple of Fel which is a rival god, so it makes perfect sense to take out two enemies so closely linked. And I suppose perhaps maybe I am to blame as well. The cult of Neroth and I have sort of a history and it probably doesn't help the Syndicate that they have a personal vendetta against me. I still get the odd cultist trying to assassinate me every now and then." "Hm, I suppose that makes sense. Didn't realize there were that many left though. Figured we killed them all by now." "Um, yeah that's the other bit and the main reason why I came to warn you directly. There aren't many of them left and so they're desperate. One of the things the cultist laughed about before he died was the fact that all this chaos has allowed them to summon a greater infernal or something. He didn't say what it was exactly, just that it was coming to wreak havoc on the Syndicate. And I hate to step out of line here, because I know I've already probably pissed you off, but the more time we waste with trying to determine if I'm a liar or not, is less time we have preparing for this attack." Rook looks at you for a while. You know that he's trying to see if you're lying about all this. You maintain your composure. He looks over at Bolt who seems to shrug, then he looks over at Lloyd who continues to nervously drink. Rook finally turns his attention back to you. "Okay, I'll have more of the members brought here to protect the place." Rook remarks. "No! That's not what you should do!" you exclaim. "Why the fuck not? You just said there's a fucking demon coming to attack us." "There is, but think about it. I mean this is your home, there's no business conducted here or at least not in the direct sense. That demon is probably going to hit our Blue Dream Houses, our brothels, whatever businesses we're collecting protection on and what about that brand new slave market that opened up in the old Thieves Guild?" "So you're saying we need more protection on all of our interests. Well that's great and all, but we don't exactly have that many more people. Any extra we do have are protecting this place." "Well…" "Wait, are you seriously telling me I should lower my own fucking security? What the hell happens if the demon does strike here?!" "Well I mean you're skilled at fighting, you can do all that shadow magic stuff. Bolt here obviously has his talents as a marksman. I mean I'll help too, granted I'm not as good as you two, but I HAVE had experience in fighting a demon before…okay she was a half demon and I got lucky, but who knows I might lucky again. I'm just saying that the three of us are better equipped to fight a demon than the regular Syndicate members at other locations. I think they could benefit with at least some help from a Shadow Blade assigned to them." Rook is rubbing his face at all the information you've been dropping on him. On top of all his other concerns, this is all a bit overwhelming. Meanwhile Lloyd has managed to calm himself down long enough for him to start talking again. "Rook, I don't understand why you're listening to this man. He was KILLING us for years before he joined and he hasn't stopped! He just walked in here with the heads of two of our best people and is accusing me of ripping off the Syndicate! I've dedicated my LIFE to this organization and you should know that because you've known me for a lot longer than you've known this fucking liar!" Lloyd says. "Lloyd, I've honestly only known you only a little longer than I've known this guy. YOU were sent here from the Delantium Kingdom as so called help with the money matters and all that other shit. For all I know you've been sent here to spy on me and setting me up to fail." "WHAT?!" "You heard me! I get absolutely no fucking support from the directors when I need it the most. You claim we don't have enough money to send back when we should damn well have a surplus! At this point I'm less inclined to trust YOU than I am him." "Rook! I know you're under a lot of stress right now, but listen to reason! I…" "Bolt." Without another word, Bolt shoots Lloyd in the throat, who clutches his neck and gurgles a bit before he slumps down dead. "Bolt, tell our Shadow Blade friends outside that each one of them needs to go to our most profitable locations. Probably not enough of them to cover them all, but we got what we got." Rook says. "What about the members at the gate?" Bolt asks. "Oh, they can stay. If the demon does show up here, maybe they can hurt it a bit before it kills them." "Okay Rook." "And get this man's weapons back while you're at it." Bolt walks out the door and now it's just you and Rook. "As for you, make yourself useful and dispose of Lloyd's body, I don't care what you do with it, just get it out of my office." Rook orders. "You got it." You say. As you're dragging Lloyd's carcass away all you can do is thank Yag that Rook's paranoia was placed in a direction other than yourself. Eventually you dump Lloyd's body somewhere in the backyard and turn around to return to the mansion only to find the Shadow Blade leader standing before you. You try to be taken too much by surprised, but you can't help be a little startled. "Here are your weapons. Bolt told me that Rook said it was okay to give them back to you. I guess you'll be needing them anyway if this place comes under attack by demons and all." He says handing them over to you. You cautiously take them while the Shadow Blade just continues to study you. "I suppose I will be bidding you goodbye and off to defend your distasteful slave market, apparently Rook wants the best of us there. Pity, you seem fairly more interesting now that you're still alive. I can only imagine what story you must have told Rook for him to believe you as well killing one of his top advisors. Very impressive." You don't reply. "Bolt seems to have more doubt judging by his demeanor, but then dwarves tend to be skeptical by nature. Fortunately for you, dwarves are also very loyal and he won't deviate from Rook's orders too much." You continue to not respond and just walk past the Shadow Blade. "Tell me, do you think you could take them both?" he asks. "What?" you ask. "Simple question. Do you think you could take them both? I mean I'm not counting those idiots at the gate, they wouldn't get to the fight in time before you or the other two were dead anyway. But without us here, it would be a perfect opportunity to assassinate them. True, they both weld a bit of shadow magic, but let's be honest…they pale in comparison to a true follower of Fel. And if anything this life has taught me, it's that anyone can be killed at anytime by anyone. Just need the right combination and the perfect time to strike." "Are you trying to tell me something?" "I don't know. Am I? I thought I was merely asking a question." "Your question is accusatory and I don't know what you're talking about with all this assassination business. If you believe that my intentions are not what they seem then why not act?" "Just as Bolt follows his orders loyally, I do as well. Not to Rook, but to the Temple and ultimately to Fel. My immediate superior told me to perform a task and that's to help the Ebony Claw against its enemies wherever possible. It so happens that Rook is the head of the EC so if he wants us elsewhere and for you to stay here, who am I to argue? Perhaps I have misjudged you, if so then apologies my friend." The Shadow Blade leader gives a small bow and leaves. You really don't know what to make of that one. It seems as if he probably knew you were lying, but ultimately didn't give a shit because he doesn't really want to be helping the Ebony Claw anyway. Of course this leave you with the question of whether you SHOULD kill Rook and Bolt now while you have the element of surprise or if you should wait for Tanya because you know it won't be that long before she decides to attack anyway. > You kill Bolt and Rook You still don't know when Tanya's going to arrive and you already dodged one close call. The longer you stick around here, the more likely Rook's going to figure out why you're really here. Time to end this now. You return to Rook who is currently going through a few of Lloyd's books. Bolt is nowhere to be found, though for all you know he's around somewhere in the room. He's going to be the dangerous one, because as soon as you kill Rook, he's going to be firing on you from somewhere. You'll have do some sort of acrobatics when you take Rook by surprise. Meanwhile Rook is just shaking his head as he tosses one of the books aside. "I can't even be bothered to go through this shit right now." Rook says. You don't reply, you just unload several bullets into his chest before he can even react. You then duck and roll to the side hoping that you'll avoid getting hit by Bolt's crossbow. Rook's body drops to the floor and you also hear the noise of a bolt going into Rook's desk. If you hadn't moved, that would have gone right into you. You turn around and fire from your prone position, but Bolt once again blinks out of sight. Having the disadvantage again, you now duck behind Rook's desk and attempt to push his body aside. To your surprise, Rook isn't quite dead yet! "You…(wheeze) fuck…" he utters as he weakly grabs you with one hand and attempts to get his eye patch off with the other. You have no idea why he's doing that, but you hardly care. You briefly struggle with Rook and put another bullet in him, this time to his face, which certainly kills him this time. However your victory is short lived since it gave Bolt just enough time to reload and run over to your location and put a bolt through the back of your neck. You actually manage to survive just long enough to see a winged figure crash through the large window in the room before your vision goes completely black forever.

Fel might be uncover all secrets, but he can't find you if you keep one step ahead by piling on more bullshit to hide under. "This is Lloyd?" you ask. Your question catches Rook and Lloyd off guard. Bolt just remains stoic. "Yes, that's fucking Lloyd, but how is that fucking relevant t to your situation?" Rook exclaims. "It's very relevant, because apparently this asshole has been skimming money for himself for years." You say. Now Rook and Bolt both look over at hapless Lloyd who is now on the verge of shitting his pants and you haven't even gotten started. "Wha…what?! That's absurd!" Lloyd says. "That's not what Mr. Dream said. He said you've been ripping off the Syndicate for years and just shuffling the book around or whatever it is you do. I don't quite understand all that mathy stuff myself, but I guess you're good at it, if you got away with it for so long…" you say. "This asshole is lying Rook!" "In fact Mr. Dream said he wouldn't have known if you hadn't caved in to take a hit of Blue Dream on a dare two years ago when you were getting the take and they dared you to try a hit of Blue Dream. You ended up caving in and got so high you started bragging to him and Dreamweaver about your genius system. Where upon they blackmailed you into giving them a cut…" "ROOK! You're not seriously listening to this?! This man has told a story about Mr. Dream and Dreamweaver being snitches! Now he's claiming we were all ripping you off!" "No, I never said the Dreams were snitches, I said they were loudmouth assholes that blabbed so much they let a Neroth spy catch wind of all our operations so they could fuck them up. And as for you lot ripping off the Syndicate, well why the hell else would this chapter be hemorrhaging coin as you put it? I work at that Blue Dream House and I know damn well we make more than THIS." At this point you empty your pockets and coin pouch of some of the gold you took from the Blue Dream House and dump in all on the floor. "That is all I found in the safe after I killed those two idiots. I looked all over for a hiding place, thinking they might have it elsewhere, but I guess they weren't dumb enough to hide it on the premises. In any case it's pretty obvious Rook should be getting way more coin than he's been getting and you're obviously trying to get him killed by the directors…" "ROOK! I swear to Fel I am NOT doing that! This…" "Lloyd. Calm yourself and sit the fuck down before you have a heart attack. Have drink or something while you're at it." Rook says. While Lloyd pours himself a glass of some sort of liquor and sits down, Rook steps out from behind his desk and approaches you. "Okay, this is a very elaborate story you're telling. My question is this though. How do you know all this shit in the first place? I mean I only have your word on this. I can't obviously interrogate Mr. Dream or Weaver about this, because you fucking killed them. Lloyd here is obviously hysterical and going to plead his innocence. I'm NOT even saying what you're saying is a lie because we ARE all a bunch of fucking criminals when it comes down to it, but I'm gonna need a little more convincing." Rook says. "Well, I'm not sure what else I can do." "That's not a great start, however let me help you. For instance, if Mr. Dream and Weaver were these loudmouths that you claim they were, why the hell didn't you report any of this sooner?" "Well for one thing, I was always kept in the fucking courtyard for the most part. I didn't really catch wind of a lot of this until recently and I still didn't know what was bullshit and what wasn't. Mr. Dream once bragged that he shut down a brothel once because he wore out all the women that night, and I know damn well that didn't happen because he barely could last five minutes with the Blue Dream whores if the jokes were any indication. I wanted to collect more information first before moving forward on it." "They were potentially fucking stealing money and talking about sensitive information, what the fuck else were you waiting for?!" "Okay fine. I fucked up. Maybe I should have moved sooner. That's on me and I'll take whatever punishment you decide. However as soon as I found out about the Neroth spy skulking about, I acted. I mean maybe I should have come to you first, but I was so pissed after I interrogated that dickhead that I just lost it. I cut off that fuckers feet and hands and he was still laughing about how stupid we were for letting our secrets slip so easily." "Okay, but that's the other part of your story I don't entirely understand. Why the hell are the Neroth cultists have such a damn hard on for us anyway? I mean granted we aren't buddies, but it's not like we've gone out of our way to fuck with them." "From what I can tell they see us as the biggest threat to control over the city. The spy admitted it and I mean their previous actions over the past few months have proven that due to all their attacks. Not to mention the Syndicate is allied with the Temple of Fel which is a rival god, so it makes perfect sense to take out two enemies so closely linked. And I suppose perhaps maybe I am to blame as well. The cult of Neroth and I have sort of a history and it probably doesn't help the Syndicate that they have a personal vendetta against me. I still get the odd cultist trying to assassinate me every now and then." "Hm, I suppose that makes sense. Didn't realize there were that many left though. Figured we killed them all by now." "Um, yeah that's the other bit and the main reason why I came to warn you directly. There aren't many of them left and so they're desperate. One of the things the cultist laughed about before he died was the fact that all this chaos has allowed them to summon a greater infernal or something. He didn't say what it was exactly, just that it was coming to wreak havoc on the Syndicate. And I hate to step out of line here, because I know I've already probably pissed you off, but the more time we waste with trying to determine if I'm a liar or not, is less time we have preparing for this attack." Rook looks at you for a while. You know that he's trying to see if you're lying about all this. You maintain your composure. He looks over at Bolt who seems to shrug, then he looks over at Lloyd who continues to nervously drink. Rook finally turns his attention back to you. "Okay, I'll have more of the members brought here to protect the place." Rook remarks. "No! That's not what you should do!" you exclaim. "Why the fuck not? You just said there's a fucking demon coming to attack us." "There is, but think about it. I mean this is your home, there's no business conducted here or at least not in the direct sense. That demon is probably going to hit our Blue Dream Houses, our brothels, whatever businesses we're collecting protection on and what about that brand new slave market that opened up in the old Thieves Guild?" "So you're saying we need more protection on all of our interests. Well that's great and all, but we don't exactly have that many more people. Any extra we do have are protecting this place." "Well…" "Wait, are you seriously telling me I should lower my own fucking security? What the hell happens if the demon does strike here?!" "Well I mean you're skilled at fighting, you can do all that shadow magic stuff. Bolt here obviously has his talents as a marksman. I mean I'll help too, granted I'm not as good as you two, but I HAVE had experience in fighting a demon before…okay she was a half demon and I got lucky, but who knows I might lucky again. I'm just saying that the three of us are better equipped to fight a demon than the regular Syndicate members at other locations. I think they could benefit with at least some help from a Shadow Blade assigned to them." Rook is rubbing his face at all the information you've been dropping on him. On top of all his other concerns, this is all a bit overwhelming. Meanwhile Lloyd has managed to calm himself down long enough for him to start talking again. "Rook, I don't understand why you're listening to this man. He was KILLING us for years before he joined and he hasn't stopped! He just walked in here with the heads of two of our best people and is accusing me of ripping off the Syndicate! I've dedicated my LIFE to this organization and you should know that because you've known me for a lot longer than you've known this fucking liar!" Lloyd says. "Lloyd, I've honestly only known you only a little longer than I've known this guy. YOU were sent here from the Delantium Kingdom as so called help with the money matters and all that other shit. For all I know you've been sent here to spy on me and setting me up to fail." "WHAT?!" "You heard me! I get absolutely no fucking support from the directors when I need it the most. You claim we don't have enough money to send back when we should damn well have a surplus! At this point I'm less inclined to trust YOU than I am him." "Rook! I know you're under a lot of stress right now, but listen to reason! I…" "Bolt." Without another word, Bolt shoots Lloyd in the throat, who clutches his neck and gurgles a bit before he slumps down dead. "Bolt, tell our Shadow Blade friends outside that each one of them needs to go to our most profitable locations. Probably not enough of them to cover them all, but we got what we got." Rook says. "What about the members at the gate?" Bolt asks. "Oh, they can stay. If the demon does show up here, maybe they can hurt it a bit before it kills them." "Okay Rook." "And get this man's weapons back while you're at it." Bolt walks out the door and now it's just you and Rook. "As for you, make yourself useful and dispose of Lloyd's body, I don't care what you do with it, just get it out of my office." Rook orders. "You got it." You say. As you're dragging Lloyd's carcass away all you can do is thank Yag that Rook's paranoia was placed in a direction other than yourself. Eventually you dump Lloyd's body somewhere in the backyard and turn around to return to the mansion only to find the Shadow Blade leader standing before you. You try to be taken too much by surprised, but you can't help be a little startled. "Here are your weapons. Bolt told me that Rook said it was okay to give them back to you. I guess you'll be needing them anyway if this place comes under attack by demons and all." He says handing them over to you. You cautiously take them while the Shadow Blade just continues to study you. "I suppose I will be bidding you goodbye and off to defend your distasteful slave market, apparently Rook wants the best of us there. Pity, you seem fairly more interesting now that you're still alive. I can only imagine what story you must have told Rook for him to believe you as well killing one of his top advisors. Very impressive." You don't reply. "Bolt seems to have more doubt judging by his demeanor, but then dwarves tend to be skeptical by nature. Fortunately for you, dwarves are also very loyal and he won't deviate from Rook's orders too much." You continue to not respond and just walk past the Shadow Blade. "Tell me, do you think you could take them both?" he asks. "What?" you ask. "Simple question. Do you think you could take them both? I mean I'm not counting those idiots at the gate, they wouldn't get to the fight in time before you or the other two were dead anyway. But without us here, it would be a perfect opportunity to assassinate them. True, they both weld a bit of shadow magic, but let's be honest…they pale in comparison to a true follower of Fel. And if anything this life has taught me, it's that anyone can be killed at anytime by anyone. Just need the right combination and the perfect time to strike." "Are you trying to tell me something?" "I don't know. Am I? I thought I was merely asking a question." "Your question is accusatory and I don't know what you're talking about with all this assassination business. If you believe that my intentions are not what they seem then why not act?" "Just as Bolt follows his orders loyally, I do as well. Not to Rook, but to the Temple and ultimately to Fel. My immediate superior told me to perform a task and that's to help the Ebony Claw against its enemies wherever possible. It so happens that Rook is the head of the EC so if he wants us elsewhere and for you to stay here, who am I to argue? Perhaps I have misjudged you, if so then apologies my friend." The Shadow Blade leader gives a small bow and leaves. You really don't know what to make of that one. It seems as if he probably knew you were lying, but ultimately didn't give a shit because he doesn't really want to be helping the Ebony Claw anyway. Of course this leave you with the question of whether you SHOULD kill Rook and Bolt now while you have the element of surprise or if you should wait for Tanya because you know it won't be that long before she decides to attack anyway. > You wait for Tanya Very tempting, but while you think you could get the drop on one, you don't think you'd be able to get both of them, which you suppose answers the Shadow Blade's question earlier. When Tanya is here though, you'll better be able to take advantage of the situation. You just hope you haven't misjudged her and she'll actually rethink her position on attacking Rook, though if enough time passes, you're going to just have to risk acting on your own anyway. You return to Rook who is currently going through a few of Lloyd's books. Bolt is nowhere to be found, though for all you know he's around somewhere in the room. Rook is just shaking his head as he tosses one of the books aside. "I can't even be bothered to go through this shit right now." Rook says. "Probably all bullshit anyway considering Lloyd was stealing from the Syndicate." You answer. "Yeah well at this point I'm starting to think if Lloyd had just cut me in on that deal as well he might still be alive, because I'm seriously starting to wonder why I'm bothering anymore. It's obvious that I am not getting the support I need and it's almost like Holgard is an afterthought for them. I mean if they don't even want a fucking chapter here then fine with me, I got other interests." Rook doesn't elaborate on that, but you stay silent. Rook watches you for a moment and then speaks again. "Fuck it, you've been one of the few that's actually been useful to me. How do you feel about starting something new?" Rook asks. "New how?" you ask. "I'm talking a new organization. I mean this revolution is going to be over eventually and frankly after everything that's gone on, I'm not seeing a good reason to even stay with the Ebony Claw Syndicate anymore." "If we went out on our own, aren't we going to have to worry about retaliation?" "Yeah, but fuck. How is going to be any different than any other rival? They obviously don't even give that much of a shit about this place anyway and we'll have a complete monopoly on the underworld here. We will definitely be entrenched and they'll have to send an army which I don't see them doing." "What about the Temple of Fel? I mean I'm still hazy on how what the ECS and their temple's relationship is, but aren't they allies?" "Not as close as you think and as I am a dedicated follower to Fel, I believe my strong relationship to them would help me more. At worst they would stay neutral. At best, well let's just say I've got very strong ties to the temple here and I know for a fact that being aligned with Fel is going to be the way of the future here in Holgard. I don't take it you're a believer yet though." "Well not as such no, but I certainly wouldn't be one to piss any of his faithful off." "Heh, well that's a start…" Suddenly the large window behind Rook shatters as two small fireballs break through. Still being near the doorway, you're not in immediate danger, but you duck behind the entryway anyway. You peek around the corner and see Rook's desk full of books on fire, and Rook himself has fallen flat on the ground, but otherwise unhurt. Then you see her fly in. It's Tanya and her transformation is now complete. Gone are any vestiges of "modesty" as she's completely naked. Her skin has become a deep red, she has shiny black wings, and her horns are certainly prominent through her long white hair. She has sharp teeth that now accompany her deadly seductress face and sharp talons far superior to any manmade weapon she might've used at one time. Not that she necessarily needs them because apparently she can create little fireballs from her palms and is preparing to throw another at Rook. Rook rips off his eye patch revealing a black gem which he then directs his attention to Tanya and blasts her with a beam of black energy. Halting her fireball attack for a moment. Wasting no time, you enter the room and shoot Rook several times with your pistol. He doesn't even know what hit him as the bullets hit his body and he slumps to the floor. You then feel a bolt going into your back and then another one just narrowly grazing the back of your head. You fall to the floor and you probably would be dead right there if not for Tanya who has already recovered from Rook's attack. You don't see what happens next, but you certainly hear it when a guttural scream is heard followed by the sound of flesh being ripped, bones being cracked and then a piece of arm being tossed over your head. Then you soon feel the bolt in your back being forcefully pulled out, followed by her hand touching the wound and burning it, causing you to yell out. You close your eyes and breathe hard for a moment trying to ignore the pain and then you're suddenly lifted up. "Foolish mortal, you could have gotten yourself killed." Tanya growls and then with you in her arms, she takes flight back out the window. You look down on the city from the sky and it's a surreal feeling. You might even appreciate it if you weren't in a lot of pain right now. You fly around for a bit and eventually she starts her decent downward. Because you're not quite used to this sensation you close your eyes again almost thinking you're going smash in the ground. Instead however, she lands near the abandoned and semi-ruined inn the Lighthouse and places you on one of the empty beds there. "Can you move around? Can you feel anything?" Tanya asks. "Fuck, of course I can feel, my whole fucking body hurts, especially my back. As far as moving around is concerned, yeah, I can, but I don't fucking want to. See? I'm moving my foot!" "Okay, good. At least you're not paralyzed then. I would have hated to have to put you out of your misery." "Wouldn't have been fun for me either. Sheesh. You couldn't just heal me you're your new infernal magic abilities instead?" "As far as I know I don't have that ability and I doubt healing magic is something that most infernals have anyway given their destructive nature." "I suppose you're right." You wince in pain as you attempt to shift position on the bed. Tanya just looks at you with a stare that feels very oppressive. "I'm guessing you're just looking on me with distain of how weak of a human I am right about now." You say. "No…well partly that, but I was thinking more of how this was where we spent our first time of intimacy together. That was such a special moment for me, in more ways than one I think." Tanya says. "What do you mean?" "I dunno, I think it became a turning point in my reluctance to accept my heritage. I started to realize that I really should be embracing my potential not hiding from it. Something definitely changed that's for sure, but I suppose not everything did." Tanya holds your hand, which is very warm to the touch. When you look at her face again, you can still sort of see the old Tanya there. You still feel very close to her, though you're a little worried about what might come next. "I can't stay here." Tanya says. "I can see how a flying demon might very well attract attention in a civilized area." You say. "Not just this city. This…world. I'm feeling very drawn to my roots as it were. Never thought I'd be longing to go to such an awful place, but I feel I must, if only to learn more about myself." "I see. So you're going home then? Can you do that?" "I feel like I should be able to soon. When I do leave, you'll probably experience a bit of a longing, but I think it shouldn't be too crippling. The further away I am from you physically the better you'll be able to get over it and move on." "I didn't get over it when I first saw you. You really think I'm going to now? You said we bonded." "I suppose we did…though I don't believe this is going to impact you as much as it will me. My bond with you is only supposed to be temporary so I can access you better at which point I should be draining your life force and eating your soul, or whatever it is I'm supposed to do. I can't very well go around being a proper succubus if I'm monogamous." "I sort of was afraid you'd say something like that." Tanya's hand releases yours and moves over you to your face. You fully expect her to do something violent, but instead she just caresses your cheek. "You worry too much, I'm severely broken anyway. If I had embraced all this years before when my mother first approached me, then you might have cause for concern. However, there's still too much ugh…mortal in me. I am forever going to be at war with myself, though perhaps it's this internal struggle and late blooming that's causing my rapid transformation and surge in power. I look at you for example and still feel love. I shouldn't, but I do. I even hate myself a little for being so weak, but at the same time I don't care. All these conflicting thoughts and torment are probably helping me be a better infernal because hatred, even self-hatred is a great quality to have as an infernal." "So…you're not going to kill me?" "Not today, probably not ever. I shall learn to live with this weakness and I'll refocus my energy into other worthy endeavors. Fucking men and leading them astray isn't something I find all that appealing anyway. Besides, you're human and your kind have pitifully short life spans. You'll live, what? Sixty more years at most and in your case of being a professional criminal, it is doubtful you'll live to old age. Then after you're dead, there will be no more weakness. I can be patient. It's a good trait for an infernal anyway." You nearly laugh at how matter a factly Tanya says this. "Well I appreciate your patience Tanya, and it's certainly better than the alternative." Tanya sits next to you on the bed and now her eyes look less hard, the non-infernal side is showing. "Our time together wasn't long enough." She says with sadness. "Maybe, but I enjoyed what time there was. Besides, you said it yourself that we're bonded. So our time together isn't really over, it's just different I suppose." You say. Tanya hugs you, and you ignore the pain you feel when she applies her squeeze around you. She then carefully kisses you on the lips. You don't even feel the drain. She then wipes her eyes and stands up. "Move on from me. Goodbye my love." She says and leaves. You continue to lie on the bed mostly motionless just thinking about how she's really gone now and allow yourself to weep a bit. Eventually enough time passes that you get ahold of yourself and you feel a little rested enough to sit up. You reach into your small bag still on your person and check to see if you've still got your water skin or food since you're getting a little hungry and thirsty As you're rummaging through, you find something you definitely didn't put in there. A large black gem. Actually it's a little sticky from blood on it, but this could only be from Rook's eye socket. Tanya must have ripped it out while you had your eyes closed from after she pulled the bolt from your back. You never felt her put anything in your bag though, then again you weren't exactly paying attention. You smile at this parting gift from Tanya. "Goodbye Tanya." > You time passes... 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 patience and Diplomacy If you're really serious about doing this, then going in guns blazing might be counter productive, even fatal if you're attempting to do it alone. Better you should at least make some other alliances first before taking on the slavers. While you're mentally preparing yourself for this potential problem for later, 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. Anyway, I leave you to it. I probably should start preparing what I'm going to say. Ugh, wish my sister was here, she'd probably be able to write an inspiring speech for me or something." 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. Days pass and eventually the time has come for you to convince everyone that they need to join you. You aren't sure if it's going to be entirely successful, but hopefully you can convince most of them if only to mount an assault on the slavers. "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." 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 dis all about?" A third says. "Glad you asked. You see, while Warts was inviting you all here in a civilized manner to join me, I was planning for all of our futures." 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. "You'll get that money back and more if you just follow me. I have a vision for this city and if we unify we could be greater than the Guild or the Syndicate ever was!" "Yeah an maybe the elf queen will let me fuck her in the ass while we're at it. This is a lot of bullshit. I'm doing fine on my own." At this point you try to go into the benefits of uniting, but barely anyone is listening. Even the ones that are more receptive have their issues. "Look, I'm not saying it isn't a nice idea, but I'm still not seeing why we should be following you. I mean I know you've got a bit of a reputation as a skilled killer and I'm certainly not going to fuck with you, but there's a difference between being a killer and a leader. I haven't seen any evidence that you're a leader." One of them says. "Yeah, I mean I'd sooner join up with Elias who runs the slave market. The only reason why I haven't is because he's a fucking asshole." Another remarks. "Glad you brought that up, because Elias' days are numbered. I intend on taking him out." You say. "Oh yeah? You and what army?" "Us! I mean that's what I've been saying this whole time! If we join forces, nobody can stop us! Taking out Elias and taking his wealth and his place is just the first step in getting this new organization up and running. So? Who's with me?" Not many apparently, as most of them don't even bother replying and just leave. "What seriously? We could fucking take him together!" you exclaim in anger. "Maybe, maybe not, but again, I don't see why we should be following you to do it. A lot of us are still going to get killed and for what? There's no profit in this." "I just explained there's a shitload of profit in this!" "Well I'm not convinced and I don't think most of us are either. I mean if you got the balls to go take him out yourself, then I'll be the first one to sign up afterwards." "If I take him out myself, then you might want to worry about your future in this city for rejecting my offer now." "Yeah, well I guess I'll have to deal with that when it comes to pass." "You'll deal with it now!" You pull out your pistol and shoot the man you were speaking to in the back. This is soon followed by several other people pulling their own weapons and others just outright running away. You put down those that attack you and probably scared everyone, but you don't think you convinced anyone. Even Warts apparently ran off during the shooting. You curse that this didn't go better. The owner of the Blackheart is pissed enough that he yells about you ruining his place with a mess of bodies. He surprisingly even has the courage to say you're no longer welcome to stay in his establishment and possibly bringing heat down on his place. You don't bother arguing; you already know what you have to do. You need to just take out Elias and after you do that, you'll have your own place, everyone else will fall in line and that will be that. Patience and diplomacy have failed. You go to your room and pack all your shit. In particular all the firearms you've acquired and head to another inn to get a night's rest before taking on the slavers. 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. When you get closer to where the entrance would be located you start to wonder where anyone is since surely there would be guards or lookouts posted outside to let people in (or keep people out). You approach the entrance and then you hear footstep behind you. You turn around and open fire managing to hit one of your assailants while the others duck behind the walls. The door to the slave market then opens up and you just narrowly avoid getting blasted with a musket. You fall to the floor and manage to put another attacker down with your pistol, but it's apparent that someone from last night's meeting tipped off Elias because his people were waiting for you. You scramble back to your feet, but you're in a very bad position. You're trapped in a narrow corridor with people shooting at you behind and ahead. Even with your skills, you have no cover and you soon take a couple shots that put you down. Refusing to give up you manage to get off one more shot before Elias' people finally finish you off.

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.

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 find Warts Vera's made her point clear and quite frankly you don't really think its worth it to convince her if she's got that much bad feelings toward you. You'd be better off starting from scratch. Hopefully, you won't have to though since again there's a chance some of your people might be still in the woods somewhere. After skulking about in the sewers for an unfortunate length of time, you finally manage to sneak out and away from the city entirely. You think about going to your private stash you have buried, but decide if you really need monetary incentive to convince anyone to still follow you, then it probably won't be worth it or you can do it as a last resort. You try to go to the last known places where your people had camps, but you have to spend most of your time avoiding the Holgard Watch who are patrolling the nearby area a lot more. After having to kill a few of them, you find remnants of one of the League's camps which display signs of battle what with the bloody bodies of your people lying around. It's apparent that the Watch isn't bothering to take prisoners. Doesn't look like they took out the League hob camp though since you don't find them among the dead (you do find some of the Watch dead though). Given that they're probably a lot more experienced outdoors they probably retreated further into the forest. While you're not exactly some wilderness tracker, hobs aren't exactly the cleanest and tend to leave trash around. You begin to follow the trail as best you can. You continue your search, but it's been awhile since you've been stomping about in the wilderness and it's soon apparent that you're not exactly prepared since you get turned around several times. You spend the next few days in the forest getting yourself more lost despite the fact that you thought you were logically following a trail. You imagine they headed to Spiderfang territory but its not like you even know if you're close to there or not. You're tired, dirty, hungry, thirsty and just all around miserable. Eventually you decide to just give up and try to make your way back. You THINK you might know how to get back to the main road and from there you're going to go back to dig up your stash and make your way elsewhere entirely because this has been a complete disaster. You're starting to wonder if you should have just tried to convince Vera to join you. In your haste to try to get your bearings, you're slightly less observant of the little things and unfortunately for you that results in worse than just being lost. You step into a pit trap and fall directly onto several sharpened branches. The pain is excruciating since you weren't lucky enough for the wooden spikes to kill you right away. You howl out in agony for hours, but nobody comes. Eventually the blood loss and organ damage takes enough of a toll on you that you begin to lose consciousness. You're dying and at this point you don't even care anymore. Your last thoughts are how it's an ignoble death to die like some animal out in the middle of the woods, but it's a lot better than continuing to be in pain. You wish you had done a lot of things differently in your life, but it's too late for that now. A day later your body is found by some hobs who were in the League and Warts soon learns of your demise when they bring your body to the hobgoblin village for food where he and the rest retreated to. Apparently you had stumbled into Spiderfang territory after all. Out of respect, Warts insists that you be properly buried rather than eaten. At least there was a little dignity after all.

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 inside Holgard Everything else aside, Vera did have point about Wart's plan which doesn't seem very efficient. If anything engaging in more banditry on the roads to Holgard might cause the government to increase security so trade isn't hampered. Better you should stick to things that won't directly fuck with the government too much directly and Vera already has experience in the whole slave market thing so you're confident she'll know how to run it properly. The only thing you do have concerns about is…well the whole slavery thing. You don't profess to be a saint of Joachim, but this seems a bit too far even for you. You aren't even sure where you're going to be getting these slaves from in the first place. Since she's the expert, you decide to have another discussion with Vera about all this before making a final decision, but not right now. You figure after what happened you probably should wait a bit before seeing her again. The next day you meet with her in your office again and she seems surprised that you're entertaining her idea. "Wow, I just thought after yesterday, you weren't interested. Well this is great, you'll see!" Vera remarks. "Well I'm still going to need convincing if this is something we need to get into. So you'll need to persuade me why this is worth pursuing AND I don't mean with your body." You say. "Very well. What did you have concerns with exactly?" "Warts mentioned that keeping captives costs coin. I mean how much are we going to be spending to keep them before selling them?" "Oh, not that much. Really all you have to do is provide the bare minimum most of the time." "But doesn't that sort of decrease the quality?" "Yes if enough time passes, but that's why you try to sell as quickly as possible. Obviously women typically sell for a lot more than men and they sell faster." "So where are we getting these slaves anyway?" "Well back when I was working for Elias, we usually nabbed people off the street. Get 'em drunk at a tavern. Trick 'em into a dark alley. Y'know like robbing someone except instead of taking just their money, you take them too. Sometimes we bought them off of Hessla pirates and sold them for a higher profit to someone else. I'll have to get re-connect with my Hessla contacts before we can do that though." You look down a bit and frown. "What's wrong?" Vera asks. "I dunno, maybe this is just not something I feel comfortable with." "Wait a minute. You've got a moral quandary about THIS too? If I didn't know any better I'd start thinking I had joined Joachim's church!" "Look, I told you that YOU needed to convince me. So convince me." "Okay so what are you having a problem with exactly? Wait, let me guess. It's the whole sex thing isn't it? Geez, you got some weird hang ups about sex." "Well that IS what these women are going to be sold for right?" "How is that different than the brothels we run?" "It's a big fucking difference! For one, the whores at least have a say in things." "Does it make a difference that some of the guys are probably used for fuck holes too?" "Not really." "Okay, then would it make a difference if ALL the slaves were just being used to go get worked to death in some iron mine?" "Well…at least I'd feel like we were at least contributing to the economy in some way as opposed to just feeling like we're running one big rape factory." "Oh and I suppose our protection rackets and our Purple Wish dens are great contributions to society as well." "Call it my own twisted sense of honor, but at least our extortion of businesses isn't completely one sided. I mean we ARE offering protection. Also we're not shoving Purple Wish down anyone's throat. If people want to get high, we're providing a product. If people want to be idiots and get addicted well that's on them. Our gambling places work the same way. Nobody is forcing anyone to go into debt." "Hmm, maybe not, but I still think we should re-open a slave market. Sex slaves are just too profitable to not get into." "Well wait a minute. What about fighting slaves? Y'know slaves that fight each other and people bet on who wins." "You mean like for underground gladiator matches? Eh…yeah we bought a few of pit slaves once and it didn't go so well. You want to talk about upkeep, those bastards need upkeep because you need to keep them in good condition for a potential buyer. Not to mention on almost every occasion they tried to escape or kill one of us. One of them actually succeeded in killing four people under Elias before being subdued. I don't think it's worth it and I find it funny that you're perfectly okay with that brand of slavery as opposed to the sexual kind. You really are a prude aren't you?" "Maybe I am, but I'm also still not entirely convinced of the upkeep costs being low. I mean if we're going to go into this, I would prefer our slaves to be known as being good quality and not half starving and dirty." "Well if you're worried about that, we could always stick to children." "Children?!" "Sure! We used to sell more than a few back in the old days and they're really low upkeep and easy to nab as well." You're done. "No. We are NOT capturing and selling fucking kids! THAT is where I'm drawing the damn line. In fact I'm thinking this whole thing is a bad idea." You say. "So…what then? You're going to go with Wart's idea?" Vera asks. "No, that's retarded for different reasons. I'm going with my own idea. We're going to hold underground gladiator matches." "I thought you said we weren't getting into slaves." "We aren't, this will all be voluntary. Plenty of stupid assholes that are willing to try to prove they're tough for a bit of coin. If they get themselves killed, well that's on them and either way, we don't need to worry about keeping anyone in good condition, unless we're fixing a particular fight. Hell, we could also use people that are falling behind in their debts to participate rather than breaking their legs. So no slaves needed." "I dunno, if we're pressing potential deadbeats into fights, that's sort of like enslaving them isn't it?" "Okay, maybe it is, but at least we're just trying to make our money back from said deadbeat as opposed to snatching some hapless girl off the streets." "Well we could always apply this to our brothel whores too. I mean if a whore doesn't make enough money for the month then she gets her ass thrown into slavery for slacking off." You never knew that Vera is REALLY into this whole slave trade business. Though you suppose given that she worked as one for so long, it makes sense she wants to stick with it. You're not going to hold it against her, but you've definitely realized that you've still got some scruples, scant though they may be. "We're not peddling sex slaves of any kind, Vera. That's it." You say. "You sure you're in the right business, boss?" Vera asks. "I could always cut your head off and let you decide." "Okay, okay, no need for threats, I know you're a badass. It's just that I'm finding out that you're strangely principled in ways that I'm not used to in our line of work. I guess maybe that's a good thing. Shows you aren't some complete psycho I suppose." "Oh, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion, but at least you can take comfort in the fact that IF you ever fail me, I'm not going to have you stripped naked and sell your ass to pirates." "Well that's one less thing to worry about at least." After going over some more details, you tell Vera to gather up a crew and start setting things up. It isn't what she exactly envisioned she'd be doing, but then she's not running things. A few months pass and you're making a good amount of coin with this new venture and you can take a little relief that there's still some things you aren't going to do even in your position… "Hey boss, I got some hobs from da Spider Fangs dat wanna join the fights tonight." 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." "Well sure, we always got room. In fact why are you coming to me about it, and not Vera anyway?" "Well I did, an' she told me to come ta youz cuz youz might object to sum of dem." "What would I object to, I'm no racist." "Nah, not dat. It's just a few of dem are young teenagers and Vera said youz might have a problem with dat." "Oh." Before you can give a more thorough answer 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 fightin', 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…" "Um, yeah, they're fighting age to be sure. An' remember these are hobgoblin children that have been livin' in da wild all their lives. I guarantee they've all probably killed already." "I suppose that's true. Do their parents know about this?" "I think most of dem are orphans due to the feud with da elves an' they're here to either start a new life or tryin' ta make some coin for da tribe." You think about this a few moments and then throw up your hands. "Fuck it, if they wanna fight. Not gonna stop them. Anyway, go talk to Vera about the match details of who to pair them up against." Actually you should get her to set them up with an elven opponent if possible. Should incite a little more bloodthirst." 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. > You time passes... Year 27 While conflict can be good for business, there sometimes is a point when it starts becoming a hindrance. Especially when the wrong side is winning. "The Joachimites are starting to break this stalemate and win this religious war you know. The Yagites are gone and so are the followers of Karn. The Dornans are still around, but they've decided to just put up a force field around their temple and ride it all out. That just leaves the Temple of Fel and rumors are that they expended a lot of their power taking down the Karnites." Vera says. "Dey ain't gonna last long against dem purity fanatics. They're worse than those Neroth cultists were and there is a lot more of dem." Warts adds. "Yeah, an' more people are starting to join. Maybe not in their fighting ranks, but that isn't our problem. What IS our problem is these folks are the same ones preaching for purity and living a clean life to everyone. We're going to start having serious complications if they win and have complete influence over the city as the only religion." The concerns that Vera and Warts both bring up aren't lost on you, in fact you've been having them yourself. You've already been seeing a drop in profit in most of your business ventures. You were hoping to avoid getting involved and you certainly didn't anticipate the Joachimites being so violently fanatical as they've been. Then again nobody really did. What you don't understand is why the hell they've even been allowed to get this far. There was always the rumor that Baroness Varsakken herself was a worshipper of Fel so you would have thought she might have intervened in some direct way. But maybe it was just rumors. You can't help but wonder if the Ebony Claw Syndicate was still around if the Temple of Fel would be doing much better than they are. It might be a case that you're going to have to be the ones to help instead. You're not exactly on friendly terms with the Felians, but you've never really had any problems with them either. Your issues with them are just like you have with any religion and that's that you find them to be too restrictive. Honestly, if you had it to do over again, you might have sided with the Yagites since they seemed the least fanatical, though even Warts didn't think much of them claiming that people shouldn't organize to worship Yag in the first place. In any case, you aren't even sure if the Felians will be receptive to an alliance or what it might even entail. You have to try though because you can't afford to just sit by and do nothing anymore. "Guess I need to have a meeting with whoever is the head of the Temple of Fel. Do we have any actual information on that?" Vera remarks. "Um, not really boss. You know the Felians, they're a pretty secretive bunch. In fact, don't even know where they're all holding out at actually now ever since their temple was directly attacked and partially destroyed." "Mm, well put the word out that I want to talk with the high priest or whoever. I'm sure it'll get back to them eventually." Your orders are carried out and life continues as usual for you. Weeks pass and for a while you think you're probably not going to get an answer. In fact you start to wonder if the Joachimites already succeeded in wiping them all out. However, one night when you're in bed you awaken and sit up with your pistol drawn from under your pillow. A dark figure that you can barely make out sits in the corner of the room. "Not sure why you're bothering with that thing. I could have killed you several times over already and that's even before you actually woke up. My name is Shade." The figure says. "Appropriate name. Was wondering when one of you lot would show up." You say, lowering your weapon. "We've been a little pre-occupied as of late. Defending the faith of Fel is a tireless cause, but one we take very seriously." "I suppose its even more tiring when you're on the losing side." "It may appear that way to the ignorant faithless, but I assure you that is not the case. We are merely biding our time and will strike when the time is right." "Sure you are. And that's why you're here wondering what I might have to say to help quicken that wait time." "You presume much for a petty criminal." "Pet…okay, you know what. I'm sick of this. We can sit here all night and verbally kick each other in the balls, but the point is, I wanted to speak with you about a mutual enemy, which are those fanatical Joachimites. Now they haven't been a direct threat to me and mine yet, but I imagine when they finally are through with you, we'll be next in their purity crusade. Since I'd rather not have to deal with them by myself, I reached out to you for a possible alliance. I figured since you once had a similar set up with the Ebony Claw Syndicate, you wouldn't be opposed to the idea." You hear a snort of laughter when you mention the ECS. "Something funny?" you ask. "Yes, irony is always funny." Shade says. "What do you mean?" "Not everyone was keen on our alliance with the Syndicate. In fact I was very vocal against our alliance with them. I felt it sullied our faith to associate with such criminals. Allowing some of them into our shadow magic secrets. It was a disgrace to Fel's name. Joachimite's foolishly believe they have the cornerstone on the concept of purity. Let me tell you, purity isn't only found in the so called light." "Well I can see that you have some strong feelings on all this." "Damn right I do. Which is why I didn't kill you immediately even though I could tell you had your own agenda against the Ebony Claw Syndicate the first time I met you. Now here I am dealing with you again despite our temple's break from alliances with the unworthy." You pause and realize who you're talking to exactly. You remember at the time after everything that happened with the ECS you wondered if you'd have to deal with this man again. You never thought it would be in this capacity though. "So, you were sent by the Fel leadership to deal with yet another criminal group. Yeah, I can see where that would piss you off." You say. "It's even worse since I AM the Temple's leadership this time. Shortly after the ECS started to collapse with the death of their boss which I have no doubt you had a hand in, there was another debate on whether or not help. It was then when I decided that our temple should seize the chance to discard our alliance and go back to basics. Let's just say the disagreement with the leadership at the time got heated and I took our temple back to what it should be focusing on." Shade says. "And it looks like that worked out real well for you." "It did. At least for a time. In any case, all of my actions would seem to have been for naught since I'm here. While perhaps I believe outside influences are a corrupting influence on our faith, I must also be pragmatic if our faith is to survive in this city." "What I don't understand is how you lot let yourselves get in this position in the first place. I mean you fuckers sneak about silently, turn invisible, and are one with the shadows. I mean arguably that's why the Ebony Claw was so feared in the first place, due to your alliance along with its top leaders being practitioners of Shadow magic, and I imagine they couldn't even do everything your top followers could. What about other Fel temples elsewhere? You can't just call on help from them? Not to mention I thought you lot even had government influence. I mean I always heard the rumor that Baroness Ludmilla was a follower of Fel." "Well the part of that is easy to answer, because it relates back to my break away from outside influence. You see, the next closest chapter, which exists in the Delantium Kingdom where they still maintain close ties to the ECS, doesn't exactly approve of THIS particular chapter. Hence I can expect no help from them. As for the Baroness, well let's just say she's a politician first and even more of a dabbler than a typical ECS lieutenant. It probably doesn't help that I cut most ties with her on our temple other than bare minimum cordial tolerance for her superficial intrigue on our faith." "If you hadn't been so much of a fanatic, you might have had a few more friends to help you now." "I remind you, that if I hadn't been so much of a fanatic, I would have killed you a long time ago. However, you are right of course unfortunately. Lately I've been wondering if all of this that has happened is Fel's way of punishing me for my hubris and past transgressions. I suppose it is equally amusing that my own rigid fanaticism caused my temple's downfall, while that same rigid fanaticism is causing the Joachimites' churches resurgence. Their god has been blessing them not just in the martial ways, but of magic as well. Our own shadow magic is practically rendered useless when faced with their light magic. Can't even get anyone close enough to stealthily assassinate their known top priests. Let alone the one who's actually leading them." "Who is leading them anyway? I mean we've only got a few rumors and names." "A bit of an enigma. So much so, it would actually make Fel proud. All we know is they call themselves The Inquisitor." "That's the same name I've heard a few times." "Yeah and that's about all that's known about him, assuming it's a guy. Have no real clue since whenever there have been sightings of the Inquisitor; the person is wearing a white mask along with a long white robe. Could be anything under there." "You can't assassinate him?" "Besides the fact that he moves around a lot, we've tried several times and we can't get close enough. He's also got some sort of magical protection that deflects projectiles of any kind. I suppose if we had more people maybe we could try to overwhelm him, but those damn Joachimites…they do not go down easy. Some of them rival a Karnite priest in their stubbornness to die and I should know because I've had to fight several of each. Yes, they are definitely not the peace and love pacifists they once were. I guess perhaps the Neroth cultists that were plaguing the city years ago lit that spark of hate back in them." While all this is mildly fascinating, you think it's time to get to business. "Shit, I was hoping this might be easier if we aligned. The way you're talking you make it sound like this Inquisitor is nigh invulnerable." You say. "I'm sure he's not invulnerable. Peel away all that protection and I'm sure he bleeds like everyone else. It's just getting through it, that's all. As much as I'm loathed to admit, your help WOULD probably go a long way in the Joachimites' eventual defeat. For one thing they aren't expecting an attack from your group. Set it up right and you could probably do a lot of damage with your first attack. Be prepared for the retaliation though, because it will be fierce. Hope you're ready to take some personnel losses." Shade says. "I'm more concerned by financial losses, but better to take a big loss now than a complete loss later if we don't help at all. Just wish there was another way rather than the slog that's going to ensue. If we could take out this Inquisitor leader immediately, I would imagine the rest might lose some of their fight." "Don't be so sure. Remember, all of these people are motivated by their love and faith of Joachim, not this Inquisitor. He's just leading the charge. However, you may have a point in that if he was out of the picture quicker, then perhaps those of lesser conviction may indeed be shaken enough to no longer be a concern. While our attempts at breaking through the Inquisitor's magic defenses have failed, I can think of one group who might be able to and that's the Dornans." "And I take it you're not on good terms with them either." "No, however you are a neutral party and if you're willing, you might be able to talk with them. Of course there's a bit of a danger though. The Dornans as you might know have taken a cocoon like approach to this whole event with their protective barrier around their own temple. Only Holgard Watchmen who patrol through the area at times are allowed anywhere near the place. The Joachimites attempted an attack on it once and they were incinerated almost instantly. Even they haven't dared to do it again." "So if I go to talk with them, at best they'll probably ignore me, at worst they'll turn me into ash." "Essentially, yes. Up to you though if you want to take that risk. If you do and assuming you're successful, I believe on my end we can track down the latest where abouts of the Inquisitor and hit him hard. This brings me to my question to you. Regardless of what approach we go with, what exactly is it that you want of the Temple of Fel in exchange for your assistance in this matter?" "Oh that. Well I haven't made up my mind on that exactly yet. Don't worry though, I have no intention on insisting that you teach me or any Nocturnal League members shadow magic or otherwise intertwine our two organizations. All I ask for is if there comes a day where I need a really need a big favor, I expect you to honor it." You say. "How big exactly?" Shade asks. "Oh not bigger than saving an entire organization from extinction I assure you. In any case, I know you're obviously a man of great faith so I expect you to make this promise to Fel that you will help me whenever that day comes. Do this and I will take your word as true." You hear nothing for a moment followed by a loud sigh. This has to be killing Shade, but better his pride dies tonight than the meager remains of his temple. "Very well. Assuming you succeed in helping us, I swear by the purity of the shadows provided by Fel that give us protection against our enemies that I will help you when you call upon it in the future and extend that protection to you. Now, do you have an idea of which way you want to go with the attack?" > You war of attrition While there may be more Joachimites than Felians, you know there aren't more of them than the Nocturnal League. It'll just be a matter of keeping up the pressure and whittling them down. Eventually there won't be enough of them to defend this Inquisitor properly and that's when you'll make the killing strike. When you explain this to Shade however, he's less than enthusiastic about your rather laid back plan. "Honestly I had hoped you had a better idea than just simply trying to wear them down." Shade remarks. "Well all your attempts at going in for the kill immediately have failed so maybe a new approach is what is needed." You reply. "If you haven't noticed, my organization is fighting for its survival and we don't have time to sit on our hands and wait for the enemy to overwhelm us!" "They won't now, you've got our help. With our forces together the Joachimites will eventually crumble. I don't care who this Inquisitor asshole is, he won't be shit after all his buddies start dying." Shade doesn't look convinced, but he reluctantly agrees with your plan. You don't wait too long before you put your plan into action. Also doesn't take long before the Joachimites are on the defensive. Your first few attacks are particularly devastating to their ranks. This isn't without cost however. As time goes on, the Joachimites manage to drum up more support in the form of their non-combative followers. All those regular Joachim fearing Holgard citizens that weren't directly involved are now becoming more of a problem as several start openly standing up to Nocturnal League members in the streets preaching about how the League is a blight on this godless city and divine justice will soon be upon you. This never goes well for them of course, but it's not doing wonders for you either. With so many standing up to the League, it's harder to maintain the natural fear you were instilling in the population. Relying on more brutal methods to keep people in check works, but unfortunately you can't collect money from the dead and the violence from your organization is getting so bad that even the normally corrupt Holgard Watch has to step in to maintain some semblance of order and you begin to lose business. In fact it gets to a point where the Baroness demands that ALL hostilities between the religious factions come to a halt or she'll be sending in soldiers to deal with everyone involved. This goes about as well as you might expect. The Inquisitor, still as zealous as ever makes a rare public appearance calling for a holy crusade on the city itself and that anyone who truly believes in Joachim's light, should follow or be cast down into darkness like the rest of the infidels. It is during this speech that the Felians, attempt to launch one more direct attack upon him. Shade himself even leads the charge. You would have helped had you known about it, but coordinated efforts between you and Shade haven't been the best since you agreed to join him in the first place. You weren't there to witness it first hand, but the assassination attempt is a failure. Shade is even killed in the process, brought down by some sort of divine light that utterly melted him. The sight was so impressive that anyone who was on the fence about joining the Joachimites became a believer that day. With the Felians broken, any of them alive after that point flee their temple and the city itself. Which ultimately leaves you and the Baroness to combat this religious mad man. (The Dornans continue to remain fiercely neutral and refuse to see anyone, remaining behind a magical barrier around their temple. The Nocturnal League isn't out of the fight, but many of the members are seriously starting to question your leadership since nobody is making as much coin with religious fanaticism taking root and your businesses no longer being the draw they used to. A couple foolishly attempt to challenge you (which results in their death) but more of them are just thinking about leaving the city for better pickings. Warts ends up being one of those since he just disappears one day and doesn't return. It's possible he's dead, but you remember he did this before during the last major Holgard conflict. Vera's pissed and you are too to a small degree, but you aren't excessively surprised. You continue your fight with the Joachimites and fortunately get a little relief from the government since Ludmilla finally calls a halt to ongoing hostilities towards the League since the Joachimites are a greater threat. However your activities are severely limited to just running brothels and gambling. Other activities such as extortion or dealing drugs are to no longer be tolerated. You don't have much choice in the matter since much like the government; you can't fight a war on two fronts and are just managing to keep the League from collapsing internally. After a few months, you maintain a more defensive posture and focus on consolidation of your own forces while Ludmilla spares no expensive in stomping out the Joachimite religion in the city. Eventually enough oppressive laws along with Ludmilla somehow coming to a deal with the Dornans to provide minor assistance the Inquisitor's last holdout with his most fanatical followers are tracked down and defeated. All religion save for the temple of Dorna are outlawed and anyone holding Joachimite beliefs is sentenced to death, putting a final end to the religious faction war in the city once and for all. As for you and the League, it's been a war of attrition indeed and you curse the fact that you allowed yourself to get wrapped up in this in the first place, but then again who knows if this wouldn't have happened eventually anyway and at least the Joachimites will no longer plague the city. You're in a much weaker position now, but you imagine that you can hopefully bounce back from it. You just need time. Year 28 "Maybe the halfbreed really is dead if he hasn't returned yet. I certainly hope that's the case." Vera remarks. "Possibly, but it's only been a year and things still aren't really settled yet in this city. He's probably just waiting it all out a little longer. In any case, what was it that you wanted to suggest?" you ask. "I was going to suggest that maybe it's time we start looking to better opportunities because Holgard in its current state isn't getting any better for us. That baroness bitch has become miss law and order all of a sudden and she's even employing more magic in this task now thanks to her new alliance with the Dornans!" "Well last I heard Klyton isn't exactly that great for rogues like us and Hessla is a piss poor pirate town. The Delantium Kingdom is Ebony Claw territory, so that doesn't give many options to expand." "I was thinking of Jicol." "Where?" "Jicol is a port city on an island west of Hessla. They've got a large enough navy to fend off pirates, but as far as I know, they don't really focus on their land based security as much." "How do you know this?" "I got some pirate contacts who tell me shit from time to time. Honestly, I'm thinking we should just take the whole operation there, but I'm guessing you might be a little reluctant to just leave Holgard entirely." "Well yeah, but I've always trusted your judgement and you've stuck with this organization through some rough times, so if this Jicol is open like you're claiming, then maybe we should check it out. I guess I'd send you with some people to get started." Vera smiles a bit when you approve of her idea so quickly. You try not to think about it too much, but you're pretty certain that Vera is genuinely attracted to you and not just on a physical or "career" level. You don't really want to ever think about it due to the whole fact that you're cursed. Something you haven't really had time to think about too much, but you need to fix it someday if you ever want to have any sort of relationship again. Maybe you could try to go see the Dornans about getting it lifted or something. In the meantime, Vera also springs some extra news on you that you weren't expecting. "Oh, some man with a shaved head and several burn scars on his face and hands was asking about you by name at one of our brothels. He said he knew you from the old days." Vera says. "Oh? Wait, this wasn't an older guy was it?" you ask, suddenly wondering if it was Sneaks. (You never did learn what happened to him) "No, this guy said his name was Yinen. Said he used to do some business with you…name sounds familiar." "Yinen? Yeah I know him! He was a fence for the Thieves Guild. Well for the Syndicate too really, maybe that's why the name sounds familar, but in any case the last time I saw him was when I rescued him from a Neroth torture cell. Never did know what happened to him either, where the hell has he been?" "I dunno, this is second hand info I got from some of our people. All I know is he wants to speak with you about settling some debts." "Debts? The only one I can think of between us is him repaying me for saving his life." "Well maybe that's what he wants to do. Here." Vera gives you a small piece of parchment with some writing on it. "He gave this to our people and this apparently is an address of where he's currently staying at and said you can meet him there at anytime. You want me to just have some people bring him here though?" "Nah, I can make the trip down there. He's not Nocturnal League anyway, so he doesn't need to know our hideout. Though who knows, maybe we'll have a new member. Could use the help right about now. Anyway, why don't you start making the arrangements for your trip to Jicol." As Vera sets out to follow your orders, you decide to go visit Yinen now while you've got the time. You're sort of wondering what Yinen's meeting is all about. Last time you saw him, it wasn't under the best circumstances and he was ranting like a madman after his torture by the Neroth cult. Hopefully he's gotten over all that. You soon arrive at a run down house in a lower class district. The house itself looks like it suffered through the recent conflicts in the city. Wouldn't be the only property in this city to do so. You knock on the door and soon it opens and that's when you see Yinen. "Yinen? What the hell happened to you?" you say remarking about several things applying to him. "Hello old comrade, as for what happened to me, that's a long story. First though, come on in and let me say I want to apologize for attacking you that day you saved me from that wretched cell." "It's fine. It was a long time ago…but I don't remember the Nerothians burning you. Where did you get all these burn marks on your hands and face?" "That's an even longer story and I'll tell you about that too, but rest assured, what you see on my hands and face is just a fraction of what is practically all over. Doesn't matter though, I healed and grew stronger. I had far greater losses than any superficial physical appearance." You step inside and Yinen closes the door before walking into a humble living area. "You'll have to excuse the mess and disrepair of this place. Used to be my parents until they died." Yinen says. "Oh. Didn't know your parents lived here." You answer. "Why would you? I tended to keep my old business life as private as possible. They were good Joachim fearing folks that didn't have much to do with me anyway. Of course that's also what got them killed. Ludmilla didn't show much mercy to any of those faithful to Joachim and my parents while peaceful would never willingly give up their faith. You can guess what happened." "Yeeah…I imagine that would suck. So they died during that conflict?" "Yes, last year towards the end of it, before the Inquisitor was finally brought down by Ludmilla's troops. I only heard about my parents a few months after everything had died down. I was a little pre-occupied with something else at the time, but I rushed back here to this accursed city as soon as possible to take care of various affairs." Yinen at this point goes over to a small box and pulls a couple ornamental objects out of it. They look like symbols dedicated to Joachim. "Careful with those, you get caught with them and it's the death penalty rather than just a fine and jail time. Sort of surprised those objects weren't destroyed when your parents were…killed." You say. "Oh these didn't belong to them. These are mine. This house was either filled with broken furniture or garbage until I moved in. Apparently the government didn't bother repurposing it or even seizing the property for housing someone else. Just left abandoned." Yinen says. "Your stuff and you snuck it in here? Are you crazy?" "I suppose to many I am. I have even questioned my own sanity at times, but then I remember, Joachim has given me his guidance and holy mission. And no matter what, I will not fail in that mission. I have learned from my failures and will follow a new path to bring his divine justice." At this point Yinen's voice sounds more fanatical even if it remains calm and you get a very uneasy feeling. So uneasy in fact that you go for your weapon. Yinen turns around and before you know it, your pistol burns so hot in your hand that you drop it. You go for your blade, but once again you burn your hand. "Joachim's will cannot be stopped and this city WILL learn this. I regret that I must destroy you who once saved my life. Indeed if not for you, I would not be on my holy path that I am today. For that I thank you, but you are one of the many symptoms of wickedness in this city. Perhaps if you had not attacked my flock so brutally a parley might have been possible, but then I should know that one cannot suffer a sinner. One can only cleanse them." Yinen says raising his hands, which are emanating a white glowing light. "Shit…it was you. You were the…" "When the baroness' men tried to kill me by setting my last church on fire and barricading me inside, they should have known that fire only purifies and will never kill those on the right path or those whose work is not yet done. All that happened in my near death experience was my focus became even clearer with the will of Joachim. I give you the only mercy I can to an infidel. I give you a quick death and may Joachim forgive you." You attempt to run out the door, but before you even reach it, your whole body spontaneously combusts into flames. You scream in agony as the fire completely engulfs your body.

Year 27 While conflict can be good for business, there sometimes is a point when it starts becoming a hindrance. Especially when the wrong side is winning. "The Joachimites are starting to break this stalemate and win this religious war you know. The Yagites are gone and so are the followers of Karn. The Dornans are still around, but they've decided to just put up a force field around their temple and ride it all out. That just leaves the Temple of Fel and rumors are that they expended a lot of their power taking down the Karnites." Vera says. "Dey ain't gonna last long against dem purity fanatics. They're worse than those Neroth cultists were and there is a lot more of dem." Warts adds. "Yeah, an' more people are starting to join. Maybe not in their fighting ranks, but that isn't our problem. What IS our problem is these folks are the same ones preaching for purity and living a clean life to everyone. We're going to start having serious complications if they win and have complete influence over the city as the only religion." The concerns that Vera and Warts both bring up aren't lost on you, in fact you've been having them yourself. You've already been seeing a drop in profit in most of your business ventures. You were hoping to avoid getting involved and you certainly didn't anticipate the Joachimites being so violently fanatical as they've been. Then again nobody really did. What you don't understand is why the hell they've even been allowed to get this far. There was always the rumor that Baroness Varsakken herself was a worshipper of Fel so you would have thought she might have intervened in some direct way. But maybe it was just rumors. You can't help but wonder if the Ebony Claw Syndicate was still around if the Temple of Fel would be doing much better than they are. It might be a case that you're going to have to be the ones to help instead. You're not exactly on friendly terms with the Felians, but you've never really had any problems with them either. Your issues with them are just like you have with any religion and that's that you find them to be too restrictive. Honestly, if you had it to do over again, you might have sided with the Yagites since they seemed the least fanatical, though even Warts didn't think much of them claiming that people shouldn't organize to worship Yag in the first place. In any case, you aren't even sure if the Felians will be receptive to an alliance or what it might even entail. You have to try though because you can't afford to just sit by and do nothing anymore. "Guess I need to have a meeting with whoever is the head of the Temple of Fel. Do we have any actual information on that?" Vera remarks. "Um, not really boss. You know the Felians, they're a pretty secretive bunch. In fact, don't even know where they're all holding out at actually now ever since their temple was directly attacked and partially destroyed." "Mm, well put the word out that I want to talk with the high priest or whoever. I'm sure it'll get back to them eventually." Your orders are carried out and life continues as usual for you. Weeks pass and for a while you think you're probably not going to get an answer. In fact you start to wonder if the Joachimites already succeeded in wiping them all out. However, one night when you're in bed you awaken and sit up with your pistol drawn from under your pillow. A dark figure that you can barely make out sits in the corner of the room. "Not sure why you're bothering with that thing. I could have killed you several times over already and that's even before you actually woke up. My name is Shade." The figure says. "Appropriate name. Was wondering when one of you lot would show up." You say, lowering your weapon. "We've been a little pre-occupied as of late. Defending the faith of Fel is a tireless cause, but one we take very seriously." "I suppose its even more tiring when you're on the losing side." "It may appear that way to the ignorant faithless, but I assure you that is not the case. We are merely biding our time and will strike when the time is right." "Sure you are. And that's why you're here wondering what I might have to say to help quicken that wait time." "You presume much for a petty criminal." "Pet…okay, you know what. I'm sick of this. We can sit here all night and verbally kick each other in the balls, but the point is, I wanted to speak with you about a mutual enemy, which are those fanatical Joachimites. Now they haven't been a direct threat to me and mine yet, but I imagine when they finally are through with you, we'll be next in their purity crusade. Since I'd rather not have to deal with them by myself, I reached out to you for a possible alliance. I figured since you once had a similar set up with the Ebony Claw Syndicate, you wouldn't be opposed to the idea." You hear a snort of laughter when you mention the ECS. "Something funny?" you ask. "Yes, irony is always funny." Shade says. "What do you mean?" "Not everyone was keen on our alliance with the Syndicate. In fact I was very vocal against our alliance with them. I felt it sullied our faith to associate with such criminals. Allowing some of them into our shadow magic secrets. It was a disgrace to Fel's name. Joachimite's foolishly believe they have the cornerstone on the concept of purity. Let me tell you, purity isn't only found in the so called light." "Well I can see that you have some strong feelings on all this." "Damn right I do. Which is why I didn't kill you immediately even though I could tell you had your own agenda against the Ebony Claw Syndicate the first time I met you. Now here I am dealing with you again despite our temple's break from alliances with the unworthy." You pause and realize who you're talking to exactly. You remember at the time after everything that happened with the ECS you wondered if you'd have to deal with this man again. You never thought it would be in this capacity though. "So, you were sent by the Fel leadership to deal with yet another criminal group. Yeah, I can see where that would piss you off." You say. "It's even worse since I AM the Temple's leadership this time. Shortly after the ECS started to collapse with the death of their boss which I have no doubt you had a hand in, there was another debate on whether or not help. It was then when I decided that our temple should seize the chance to discard our alliance and go back to basics. Let's just say the disagreement with the leadership at the time got heated and I took our temple back to what it should be focusing on." Shade says. "And it looks like that worked out real well for you." "It did. At least for a time. In any case, all of my actions would seem to have been for naught since I'm here. While perhaps I believe outside influences are a corrupting influence on our faith, I must also be pragmatic if our faith is to survive in this city." "What I don't understand is how you lot let yourselves get in this position in the first place. I mean you fuckers sneak about silently, turn invisible, and are one with the shadows. I mean arguably that's why the Ebony Claw was so feared in the first place, due to your alliance along with its top leaders being practitioners of Shadow magic, and I imagine they couldn't even do everything your top followers could. What about other Fel temples elsewhere? You can't just call on help from them? Not to mention I thought you lot even had government influence. I mean I always heard the rumor that Baroness Ludmilla was a follower of Fel." "Well the part of that is easy to answer, because it relates back to my break away from outside influence. You see, the next closest chapter, which exists in the Delantium Kingdom where they still maintain close ties to the ECS, doesn't exactly approve of THIS particular chapter. Hence I can expect no help from them. As for the Baroness, well let's just say she's a politician first and even more of a dabbler than a typical ECS lieutenant. It probably doesn't help that I cut most ties with her on our temple other than bare minimum cordial tolerance for her superficial intrigue on our faith." "If you hadn't been so much of a fanatic, you might have had a few more friends to help you now." "I remind you, that if I hadn't been so much of a fanatic, I would have killed you a long time ago. However, you are right of course unfortunately. Lately I've been wondering if all of this that has happened is Fel's way of punishing me for my hubris and past transgressions. I suppose it is equally amusing that my own rigid fanaticism caused my temple's downfall, while that same rigid fanaticism is causing the Joachimites' churches resurgence. Their god has been blessing them not just in the martial ways, but of magic as well. Our own shadow magic is practically rendered useless when faced with their light magic. Can't even get anyone close enough to stealthily assassinate their known top priests. Let alone the one who's actually leading them." "Who is leading them anyway? I mean we've only got a few rumors and names." "A bit of an enigma. So much so, it would actually make Fel proud. All we know is they call themselves The Inquisitor." "That's the same name I've heard a few times." "Yeah and that's about all that's known about him, assuming it's a guy. Have no real clue since whenever there have been sightings of the Inquisitor; the person is wearing a white mask along with a long white robe. Could be anything under there." "You can't assassinate him?" "Besides the fact that he moves around a lot, we've tried several times and we can't get close enough. He's also got some sort of magical protection that deflects projectiles of any kind. I suppose if we had more people maybe we could try to overwhelm him, but those damn Joachimites…they do not go down easy. Some of them rival a Karnite priest in their stubbornness to die and I should know because I've had to fight several of each. Yes, they are definitely not the peace and love pacifists they once were. I guess perhaps the Neroth cultists that were plaguing the city years ago lit that spark of hate back in them." While all this is mildly fascinating, you think it's time to get to business. "Shit, I was hoping this might be easier if we aligned. The way you're talking you make it sound like this Inquisitor is nigh invulnerable." You say. "I'm sure he's not invulnerable. Peel away all that protection and I'm sure he bleeds like everyone else. It's just getting through it, that's all. As much as I'm loathed to admit, your help WOULD probably go a long way in the Joachimites' eventual defeat. For one thing they aren't expecting an attack from your group. Set it up right and you could probably do a lot of damage with your first attack. Be prepared for the retaliation though, because it will be fierce. Hope you're ready to take some personnel losses." Shade says. "I'm more concerned by financial losses, but better to take a big loss now than a complete loss later if we don't help at all. Just wish there was another way rather than the slog that's going to ensue. If we could take out this Inquisitor leader immediately, I would imagine the rest might lose some of their fight." "Don't be so sure. Remember, all of these people are motivated by their love and faith of Joachim, not this Inquisitor. He's just leading the charge. However, you may have a point in that if he was out of the picture quicker, then perhaps those of lesser conviction may indeed be shaken enough to no longer be a concern. While our attempts at breaking through the Inquisitor's magic defenses have failed, I can think of one group who might be able to and that's the Dornans." "And I take it you're not on good terms with them either." "No, however you are a neutral party and if you're willing, you might be able to talk with them. Of course there's a bit of a danger though. The Dornans as you might know have taken a cocoon like approach to this whole event with their protective barrier around their own temple. Only Holgard Watchmen who patrol through the area at times are allowed anywhere near the place. The Joachimites attempted an attack on it once and they were incinerated almost instantly. Even they haven't dared to do it again." "So if I go to talk with them, at best they'll probably ignore me, at worst they'll turn me into ash." "Essentially, yes. Up to you though if you want to take that risk. If you do and assuming you're successful, I believe on my end we can track down the latest where abouts of the Inquisitor and hit him hard. This brings me to my question to you. Regardless of what approach we go with, what exactly is it that you want of the Temple of Fel in exchange for your assistance in this matter?" "Oh that. Well I haven't made up my mind on that exactly yet. Don't worry though, I have no intention on insisting that you teach me or any Nocturnal League members shadow magic or otherwise intertwine our two organizations. All I ask for is if there comes a day where I need a really need a big favor, I expect you to honor it." You say. "How big exactly?" Shade asks. "Oh not bigger than saving an entire organization from extinction I assure you. In any case, I know you're obviously a man of great faith so I expect you to make this promise to Fel that you will help me whenever that day comes. Do this and I will take your word as true." You hear nothing for a moment followed by a loud sigh. This has to be killing Shade, but better his pride dies tonight than the meager remains of his temple. "Very well. Assuming you succeed in helping us, I swear by the purity of the shadows provided by Fel that give us protection against our enemies that I will help you when you call upon it in the future and extend that protection to you. Now, do you have an idea of which way you want to go with the attack?" > You decisive Strike If you have a chance to take down the Joachimites in an expedient manner then you're going to take it. Last thing you want is this to drag out any longer than you have to. You tell Shade that you're going to try to meet with the Dornans. Shade sounds a bit surprised when you tell him but agrees that it is worth a try along with saying that they probably won't kill you just for asking for an audience. (You sure hope he's right.) He goes on to tell you that their high priest is Elder Flynn and he tends to be a bit aloof and always involved in some magic experiment so you might not even get to speak to him directly as he prefers to let one of his subordinates take care of things. Shade also mentions if you've got anything magical laying around, that might help you get a meeting with any of them since they love collecting magic items. Shade then tells you he'll be preparing things on his side and in the unlikely event that you actually manage to get Dornan help and depending on how much help, you two can plan out your next move at that time. With those last words, Shade seemingly disappears into the darkness completely. The next day you explain the situation to Vera and Warts. Neither one is exactly enthused about the idea, but they're just glad you're not asking either of them to do it. "Hope Yag's rolling in yer favor." Warts says. "If he is, I hope he does better than he did for his loyal worshippers. Just wish I had something more than this pair of dried unicorn balls as a possible offering...Warts are you even sure this shit is magical?" You say. "Itz from a unicorn ain't it? Itz magic trust me. Witch doctors grind dem up and make inta potions dat make yer dick HARD. Youz can last fer hours let me tell ya. One time wit Snuffit, I…" "That's okay, don't need to hear the details. Anyway, guess it'll have to do." "At the risk that you'll take me with you, are you sure you should go attempt to do this alone?" Vera asks. "I'm literally going to speak to a bunch of people that practically eat, sleep and shit magic. If they decide to kill me, there is little anyone else in the League is going to be able to do to help so there's really no point in anyone else getting potentially disintegrated. That's probably not going to happen, but in case shit does go south and I don't come back, I guess it'll be up to you lead this organization." "What seriously?" "Well you and Warts are the closest thing I have to seconds and I doubt if Warts wants the commitment. So you're the obvious choice." "Got dat right. Barely wanna do the shit I hafta." Warts interjects. "Wow, that's a huge responsibility and a lot of trust in me. I'm not sure what to say, thanks I guess." Vera says responding to you. "Well I'm not dead yet, so don't start sweating or celebrating prematurely. Okay, I'm off." You set off to the temple of Dorna. Along the way you see several groups of Joachimite fanatics preaching their faith to passersby. Most of the citizens are just trying to go about their day and are meekly just accepting the various pamphlets the Joachimites are aggressively distributing. Your own League members should be so intimidating. Yep, their ranks definitely need to be whittled down severely. You're just hoping the Dornans will help. That's what you're most concerned about, because if you don't get their help in some meaningful way, you know full well you'll be taking some losses if it turns into a straight up fight with the Joachimites. The closer you get to the area of Dorna's temple, the less people you see around in general. The force field that shimmers in and out of existence and surrounds the temple has certainly done its job in keeping everyone away. When you get so close to the place that you could actually touch the field if you wanted to, you notice that beyond the field there is a robed individual sitting on steps to the entrance and reading a book. 'Hello?" you say in order to get their attention. The robed individual looks up and you see it's a woman. She puts her books aside to address you. "Oh hello. Not many people even walk this way anymore let alone get this close. Last ones who tried were those silly Joachimites. They learned the hard way of course. So anyway, my name is Heather and what brings the leader of the infamous Nocturnal League here?" she says. "You know who I am?" "Oh yes of course! We're the worshippers of Dorna! Goddess of not just magic but of knowledge! We try to make it a point of knowing everything and everyone that might be important for one never knows when the knowledge may come in handy." "Hm, never realized I actually was all that important really." "You're an underworld boss who not only orchestrated the downfall of the Thieves Guild, but also the Ebony Claw Syndicate chapter in this city. THEN you created your own organization, which has quickly started to gain the same influence as the ECS once did here. You are also known to be very dangerous with firearms, particularly your custom made one. While you're probably not important in the grand scheme of the world, you're definitely important in this city at least." You chuckle at that brief history of yourself. "Well I suppose that's all true, though I had good reasons for everything." You say. "Of course you did. And I imagine you're also here for another good reason. So what is it that you want?" Heather asks. "To cut to the chase, I wish to speak to your Elder Flynn as I'm seeking your help in taking down the Joachimites. I believe it is in everyone's best interest that they aren't allowed to spread in this city. Plus, I figure your group of all people would finally want to put an end to this religious war." "Hm, well seeing as we've already made it impossible for the Joachimites or anyone else for that matter to attack us, the war is already over as far as we're concerned." "But if the Joachimites win, they'll be coming for you next and just because they were turned back by your barrier before doesn't mean they won't try when they have no more opponents left. Hell, if they become very influential they may even gain the help of the government to kick you out." "I do not believe that will happen. You are allied with the Felians are you not?" "We came to an understanding, yes." "Then the predictions came true. Elder Flynn was correct in predicting that eventually your group would get involved and side with what's left of the worshippers of Fel. He also predicted that such an alliance would result in your side's victory. So with that in mind, I don't believe the Elder would have any more to speak on the matter. The Joachimites will be destroyed. The Felians will be in no condition to do anything to us assuming they survive at all and your organization will be so weakened that even if you were any sort of rival to us, you wouldn't be able to do anything either." "Look, I'm not asking you to put your asses on the line at all. I was just told that you'd have something to help take down this Inquisitor asshole who seemingly has almost as much magical protection as you lot do. I mean I can pay you guys." "You have anything magical on you?" Heather asks. "I got these!" you say and hold up a large leather pouch containing the unicorn testicles. Meanwhile Heather stands behind the barrier doing something with her hands. When you realize she might be casting a spell, you get nervous. "What're you doing?" you ask. "Checking something. Hmm, interesting. Very interesting. Perhaps Elder Flynn will be interested in helping you after all." Heather says and suddenly an opening in the barrier appears. "Well? Come on in, I'm not supposed to leave this open for very long!" Wasting no time, you enter and the barrier closes behind you. Heather tells you to follow her. "Did you want these now?" you ask shoving the leather pouch at her. "What? No and Elder Flynn isn't going to want those things either. In fact, just put those away." "Then why did you let me in?" "Because you've got something far more magical than a pair of glorified horse balls. You've got ties to the infernal realm! You were marked by a succubus!" "…um…oh. Uh…" is about all you can spit out since you're taken off guard by the statement. Also you're not exactly sure what this means exactly. Heather seems pretty excited though. "And it appears that you've been marked for quite awhile. Succubi aren't known for keeping their mortal mates alive for very long. Maybe a year a most and most non-magical humans can't withstand the drain for extended periods of time. How did you pull this off? Nevermind, you can tell Flynn all about it when I bring you to him, he'll be just as interested in all this as I am." Heather leads you into the temple which almost resembles more of a library than a place of worship. Several other Dornans see Heather and you and disapproval already ensues. "Heather! What the hell are you doing?!" one yells "Why have you let an infidel inside our sanctum?" another adds. "Guys relax! He's no threat to us and I have a good reason! Elder Flynn will want to meet this one!" Heather says. "Oh? I will, will I?" another voice says before a set of double doors opens up. There you see an old man in robes. He looks very much like what you'd think a wizard would look like, or in his case priest-wizard. Heather wastes no time in telling him (and everyone else) that you've been marked by a succubus and also how you want help against the Joachimites. Elder Flynn does a similar thing with his hands that you saw Heather do and he comes to the same conclusion. "I see. Well our criminal friend here certainly does have a unique condition. I would be very interested in learning how this came about exactly." Elder Flynn remarks. "May I sit in on this Elder?" Heather asks. "Very well, you may observe, but do not speak. As for the rest of you, return to your tasks. I will call upon you when needed. Now then you, follow me into my chambers and tell me your tale. Then perhaps we can come to some sort of deal." You and Heather follow Elder Flynn into his chambers which contains a lot of tables filled with bottles, jars, and other laboratory equipment. More books of course and several strange markings on the floor. Elder Flynn motions you to take a seat and you do so before explaining "your tale" as it were. You talk about Tanya for quite awhile. Honestly, it's kind of nice to talk about her as you've never done so before. Not even to Warts, even though you know he's aware about what occurred between you two. Flynn sits and listens very intently, never interrupting and just writing notes on parchment. Heather on the other hand looks like she wants to ask you all sorts of questions and is doing her best to not speak. While talking about Tanya is nice, you also remind yourself of the loss you feel without her around. You explain that it's not as bad as it was when you first parted ways, but every now and then you have that empty feeling. You also mention "the curse" which peaks Flynn's interest even more. He asks you several questions on that, which you answer. "Interesting. It would seem that despite your girlfriend going against her nature she still managed to leave behind something that ultimately causes harm, even if it wasn't to you directly. Anyway, fascinating tale and I believe this is your lucky day." Flynn remarks. "It is?" you ask. "Yes, how would you like my help AND get rid of your curse?" "You can do that?" "I believe it is possible, however you'd have to undergo a ritual first." "Um, what sort of ritual?" "You're bonded with a demon. Doesn't matter if she wasn't born a pure blood anymore because she's obviously embraced her heritage fully now. That bond might be dormant and perhaps even non-malignant, but it exists. Which means at any time she can reach you, but it also means YOU can reach her. You of course don't have the means, but I on other hand do. I'm proposing that we perform a ritual to bring this Tanya back here." This proposal is getting strange and giving you all sorts of mixed feelings. On one hand you'd like nothing more than to see her again, but on the other… "Um, okay so when Tanya is brought back here, then what?" you ask. "Well I bind her of course." Flynn remarks. "What?!" "Properly bound infernals can be very useful sources of knowledge as well as servants. She'll be a good addition to the temple. Also when I bind her, her hold on you will also be broken and you'll be free." At this point you stand up and have to do everything within your power to not attack Flynn. You know he'd probably easily disintegrate you before you could even do anything, but the temptation is still there. However you aren't adverse to verbal abuse. "No, fuck you and fuck this plan." You say as calm as you can. "(Sigh) I thought you might say that. You're missing the big picture." Flynn remarks. "What big picture?! You're talking about enslaving my fucking girlfriend! You didn't think I might get pissed about that?" "Please just calm down. We were getting along before." Heather remarks. "Yeah? Well that's probably because you lot weren't talking about imprisoning my girlfriend before and having me play a role in that! How would you like it if you had to be part of a magic ritual you didn't want any part in?" "If it was in pursuit of greater knowledge and wisdom, I'd be willing to make that sacrifice." "Glad to hear you say that Heather, because I will need your assistance in this ritual." Flynn remarks. "Huh?" "I need something to help call the demon back to this realm just to give the spell a little more power. Usually for most demons this requires a sacrifice of some sort, however given that Tanya is a succubus, I don't think blood will be necessary, so fortunately I just need you to have sex with him inside the circle." Heather's face looks completely dumb struck. She has no words. You on the other hand are just shaking your head and giving a cynical laugh about it all. "This just gets better and better. Tell me, are you going to be jacking your old wrinkled dick the whole time too?" Your crude remark is enough to finally set off Elder Flynn's temper. "Look, you glorified cut throat, just THINK for a moment! The Tanya you knew is GONE. She left you for the infernal realm a LONG time ago and probably forgotten about you. In fact you're very lucky she has because I guarantee that she is NOT the same woman you knew. She has most likely become a being of pure evil, no matter what she might have told you before she left. Any concept of love would be gone by now along with any affection for you." Flynn rants. "You don't know that." You say. "No, I DO know that! I've done far more studies and forgotten more about infernals than you'll ever know and there is one constant, they always…ALWAYS become creatures of mayhem, chaos and destruction in one way or another, and have no affection for ANYONE, let alone anyone far weaker than themselves." Elder Flynn says this with such conviction that you don't respond and are just wondering if you're going to be able to get out of here alive. "Now I know this is all very emotional for you, but I think you're smart enough to see that I know what the hell I'm talking about on this subject. And if that doesn't convince you, then consider this. By participating in this ritual, you'll be free of Tanya's grip on you. No longer will you feel the loss of her presence and better yet, you'll be able to love another without putting their life in danger. Doesn't that alone sound worthwhile? And I'm not even counting the help I will give you against the Joachimites. So you see, there is no downside to this deal." You have to admit, Flynn is making a pretty sound argument. There have been many times you'd like to "move on" but it's obvious that you can't unless you go through with this ritual. > You do the ritual Not exactly ideal circumstances but if this is what it's going to take to break the curse along with gaining help from the Dornans then this is what you need to do. Part of you still feels bad about betraying Tanya like this and you're not looking forward to when you "meet" her again. Still, Flynn is probably correct in that she is most likely not the same girl anymore. "Very well, if this is the only way." You say. "Glad to see you're finally thinking rationally. Okay, let's not waste anymore time, I'm going to have my acolytes prepare the summoning room. Heather can take you to it in about ten minutes or so. Since she's going to be directly involved in this ritual, I would recommend that you take that time to start getting yourself ready. I trust you like girls and I assume that Heather is attractive enough for you. However, I understand if these conditions are making you feel a little under pressure so if Heather's physical charms aren't enough, we can resort to magic means if necessary. I'd rather we didn't though since these types of things always work better under natural conditions." Elder Flynn remarks. "Um, I think I can manage, but what about Heather? I mean are you fine to go along with this?" you ask. "We all make sacrifices in the pursuit of Dorna's wisdom." Heather says and looks a little embarrassed and resigned by this whole situation. "Indeed. I'll see you both soon." Flynn says and leaves. You look at Heather as she looks at you. "Heather we really don't have to if…" you start to say before she's all over you. You don't really resist at this point though you do have to eventually stop her. "Okay, okay, I'm suitably in the mood if that was what you were trying to accomplish, I think we better get to the summoning room before the magic happens prematurely." You say. Heather just acknowledges the obvious and tells you to follow her. She seems to be trying to maintain a certain detachment about all this. You can honestly say if you were her, you certainly wouldn't be doing it, then again you've never had that much dedication to a deity either which seems to be her main motivation and perhaps intimidation by Flynn. When you get to the summoning room, Flynn is already there with some of his people. Flynn nods when he sees you and Heather. "Ah, there you are, if you two can get undressed and get in that circle, you can commence with the consummation." Flynn says. "Um, is there anything else we have to do?" "No. You two just focus on the physical part of this ritual and we'll be doing the rest. Though it is going to be vital that you last at least more than two minutes." "Yeah, yeah, I'll manage. Sheesh." "Very well. Also, and I feel I need to stress this again, when your succubus appears, it is vital that you DO NOT LISTEN to ANYTHING she has to say! In fact, you should just get the hell out of the room as soon as possible. You can wait elsewhere in the temple while we finish binding the demon." You almost want to say something, specifically argue with Flynn, but you know that's not going to help and will be useless. You need to let Tanya go even if it is hard to do. This is going to be for your own good. It's also going to get you help with the Joachimites, which is sort of the main reason why you came here in the first place, but that seems more like a secondary concern now. As you're getting undressed, Heather briefly says that she'd like to be on top during all this. You see no reason to disagree since it's all going to get the job done and you figure maybe it eases her mind that she at least is going to have some "control" over the situation. (Or maybe she's just more comfortable that way) Soon you and Heather are in position and it's almost like she's read your mind about the awkwardness of an audience since she whispers in your ear… "It's just me and you here, just relax and ignore everything else except me, I'm your whole world right now." She then follows that up with a fairly passionate kiss and rhythmic motion of her body. You don't know if Heather is using some sort of magic on you after all, or she's just that good, either way she knows what the hell she's doing and you're completely at ease and able to ignore the weird chanting of Flynn and his people. Time passes and eventually in-between the moaning and grunting, suddenly Heather begins to cough and she starts to wheeze. "You okay?" you ask. "Yeah…I'm…fine…" Heather remarks. "You don't seem fine, maybe…OW SHIT!" Heather suddenly starts to dig her nails into your arms and is actively holding you down. It's enough for you to try to resist, but somehow she's a lot stronger than she appears. Not to mention she is putting all her weight on you and got you in locked in quite securely with her lower body. In fact it almost feels like she's crushing you. "Heather, what the fuck! This is really fucking hurting! Get the hell off me! FLYNN!" Flynn does absolutely nothing and just continues chanting, meanwhile Heather continues to look unwell and go on with her task. She starts to cough up blood on you. "Oh fuck, we need to stop this right now!" you shout. "Can't…gotta…finish…ugh…I feel…insides are on fire." And at this point blood is no longer just coming out of her mouth and given some of the other orifices, it isn't all blood either. You are covered in blood, shit and vomit from nearly head to toe and that's not the worst of it. The worst of it is whatever is happening to Heather isn't just expressing itself with bodily excretions, Heather's magical powers are also starting to go wild. Her nails that were digging into your flesh now feel like hot coals as you can see her hands starting to glow a red color. Fighting the urge not to vomit yourself, you desperately try to get Heather off of you, but again she's firmly wrapped around you and pinning you down. You call for Flynn to help you and even Heather starts to scream for assistance as it seems she is not completely in control of her own body. No help comes though and it's apparent that Flynn doesn't give a shit about either one of you at this point. You manage to finally get one of your arms free, but it's a little late since now part of your own flesh is in flames. Punching Heather in the face a few times only results in her instinctively retaliating with blast of lightning to YOUR face. You collapse back to the floor as Heather's screams get fainter to your ears and your last sight before your vision fades, is Heather's body literally ripping and exploding into bloody chunks of gore and now a different form looms over you. You can't make any detail out except the outline of a much taller impressive demonic looking figure. "Tanya…I'm…sorry…" you utter before you pass the world.

If you have a chance to take down the Joachimites in an expedient manner then you're going to take it. Last thing you want is this to drag out any longer than you have to. You tell Shade that you're going to try to meet with the Dornans. Shade sounds a bit surprised when you tell him but agrees that it is worth a try along with saying that they probably won't kill you just for asking for an audience. (You sure hope he's right.) He goes on to tell you that their high priest is Elder Flynn and he tends to be a bit aloof and always involved in some magic experiment so you might not even get to speak to him directly as he prefers to let one of his subordinates take care of things. Shade also mentions if you've got anything magical laying around, that might help you get a meeting with any of them since they love collecting magic items. Shade then tells you he'll be preparing things on his side and in the unlikely event that you actually manage to get Dornan help and depending on how much help, you two can plan out your next move at that time. With those last words, Shade seemingly disappears into the darkness completely. The next day you explain the situation to Vera and Warts. Neither one is exactly enthused about the idea, but they're just glad you're not asking either of them to do it. "Hope Yag's rolling in yer favor." Warts says. "If he is, I hope he does better than he did for his loyal worshippers. Just wish I had something more than this pair of dried unicorn balls as a possible offering...Warts are you even sure this shit is magical?" You say. "Itz from a unicorn ain't it? Itz magic trust me. Witch doctors grind dem up and make inta potions dat make yer dick HARD. Youz can last fer hours let me tell ya. One time wit Snuffit, I…" "That's okay, don't need to hear the details. Anyway, guess it'll have to do." "At the risk that you'll take me with you, are you sure you should go attempt to do this alone?" Vera asks. "I'm literally going to speak to a bunch of people that practically eat, sleep and shit magic. If they decide to kill me, there is little anyone else in the League is going to be able to do to help so there's really no point in anyone else getting potentially disintegrated. That's probably not going to happen, but in case shit does go south and I don't come back, I guess it'll be up to you lead this organization." "What seriously?" "Well you and Warts are the closest thing I have to seconds and I doubt if Warts wants the commitment. So you're the obvious choice." "Got dat right. Barely wanna do the shit I hafta." Warts interjects. "Wow, that's a huge responsibility and a lot of trust in me. I'm not sure what to say, thanks I guess." Vera says responding to you. "Well I'm not dead yet, so don't start sweating or celebrating prematurely. Okay, I'm off." You set off to the temple of Dorna. Along the way you see several groups of Joachimite fanatics preaching their faith to passersby. Most of the citizens are just trying to go about their day and are meekly just accepting the various pamphlets the Joachimites are aggressively distributing. Your own League members should be so intimidating. Yep, their ranks definitely need to be whittled down severely. You're just hoping the Dornans will help. That's what you're most concerned about, because if you don't get their help in some meaningful way, you know full well you'll be taking some losses if it turns into a straight up fight with the Joachimites. The closer you get to the area of Dorna's temple, the less people you see around in general. The force field that shimmers in and out of existence and surrounds the temple has certainly done its job in keeping everyone away. When you get so close to the place that you could actually touch the field if you wanted to, you notice that beyond the field there is a robed individual sitting on steps to the entrance and reading a book. 'Hello?" you say in order to get their attention. The robed individual looks up and you see it's a woman. She puts her books aside to address you. "Oh hello. Not many people even walk this way anymore let alone get this close. Last ones who tried were those silly Joachimites. They learned the hard way of course. So anyway, my name is Heather and what brings the leader of the infamous Nocturnal League here?" she says. "You know who I am?" "Oh yes of course! We're the worshippers of Dorna! Goddess of not just magic but of knowledge! We try to make it a point of knowing everything and everyone that might be important for one never knows when the knowledge may come in handy." "Hm, never realized I actually was all that important really." "You're an underworld boss who not only orchestrated the downfall of the Thieves Guild, but also the Ebony Claw Syndicate chapter in this city. THEN you created your own organization, which has quickly started to gain the same influence as the ECS once did here. You are also known to be very dangerous with firearms, particularly your custom made one. While you're probably not important in the grand scheme of the world, you're definitely important in this city at least." You chuckle at that brief history of yourself. "Well I suppose that's all true, though I had good reasons for everything." You say. "Of course you did. And I imagine you're also here for another good reason. So what is it that you want?" Heather asks. "To cut to the chase, I wish to speak to your Elder Flynn as I'm seeking your help in taking down the Joachimites. I believe it is in everyone's best interest that they aren't allowed to spread in this city. Plus, I figure your group of all people would finally want to put an end to this religious war." "Hm, well seeing as we've already made it impossible for the Joachimites or anyone else for that matter to attack us, the war is already over as far as we're concerned." "But if the Joachimites win, they'll be coming for you next and just because they were turned back by your barrier before doesn't mean they won't try when they have no more opponents left. Hell, if they become very influential they may even gain the help of the government to kick you out." "I do not believe that will happen. You are allied with the Felians are you not?" "We came to an understanding, yes." "Then the predictions came true. Elder Flynn was correct in predicting that eventually your group would get involved and side with what's left of the worshippers of Fel. He also predicted that such an alliance would result in your side's victory. So with that in mind, I don't believe the Elder would have any more to speak on the matter. The Joachimites will be destroyed. The Felians will be in no condition to do anything to us assuming they survive at all and your organization will be so weakened that even if you were any sort of rival to us, you wouldn't be able to do anything either." "Look, I'm not asking you to put your asses on the line at all. I was just told that you'd have something to help take down this Inquisitor asshole who seemingly has almost as much magical protection as you lot do. I mean I can pay you guys." "You have anything magical on you?" Heather asks. "I got these!" you say and hold up a large leather pouch containing the unicorn testicles. Meanwhile Heather stands behind the barrier doing something with her hands. When you realize she might be casting a spell, you get nervous. "What're you doing?" you ask. "Checking something. Hmm, interesting. Very interesting. Perhaps Elder Flynn will be interested in helping you after all." Heather says and suddenly an opening in the barrier appears. "Well? Come on in, I'm not supposed to leave this open for very long!" Wasting no time, you enter and the barrier closes behind you. Heather tells you to follow her. "Did you want these now?" you ask shoving the leather pouch at her. "What? No and Elder Flynn isn't going to want those things either. In fact, just put those away." "Then why did you let me in?" "Because you've got something far more magical than a pair of glorified horse balls. You've got ties to the infernal realm! You were marked by a succubus!" "…um…oh. Uh…" is about all you can spit out since you're taken off guard by the statement. Also you're not exactly sure what this means exactly. Heather seems pretty excited though. "And it appears that you've been marked for quite awhile. Succubi aren't known for keeping their mortal mates alive for very long. Maybe a year a most and most non-magical humans can't withstand the drain for extended periods of time. How did you pull this off? Nevermind, you can tell Flynn all about it when I bring you to him, he'll be just as interested in all this as I am." Heather leads you into the temple which almost resembles more of a library than a place of worship. Several other Dornans see Heather and you and disapproval already ensues. "Heather! What the hell are you doing?!" one yells "Why have you let an infidel inside our sanctum?" another adds. "Guys relax! He's no threat to us and I have a good reason! Elder Flynn will want to meet this one!" Heather says. "Oh? I will, will I?" another voice says before a set of double doors opens up. There you see an old man in robes. He looks very much like what you'd think a wizard would look like, or in his case priest-wizard. Heather wastes no time in telling him (and everyone else) that you've been marked by a succubus and also how you want help against the Joachimites. Elder Flynn does a similar thing with his hands that you saw Heather do and he comes to the same conclusion. "I see. Well our criminal friend here certainly does have a unique condition. I would be very interested in learning how this came about exactly." Elder Flynn remarks. "May I sit in on this Elder?" Heather asks. "Very well, you may observe, but do not speak. As for the rest of you, return to your tasks. I will call upon you when needed. Now then you, follow me into my chambers and tell me your tale. Then perhaps we can come to some sort of deal." You and Heather follow Elder Flynn into his chambers which contains a lot of tables filled with bottles, jars, and other laboratory equipment. More books of course and several strange markings on the floor. Elder Flynn motions you to take a seat and you do so before explaining "your tale" as it were. You talk about Tanya for quite awhile. Honestly, it's kind of nice to talk about her as you've never done so before. Not even to Warts, even though you know he's aware about what occurred between you two. Flynn sits and listens very intently, never interrupting and just writing notes on parchment. Heather on the other hand looks like she wants to ask you all sorts of questions and is doing her best to not speak. While talking about Tanya is nice, you also remind yourself of the loss you feel without her around. You explain that it's not as bad as it was when you first parted ways, but every now and then you have that empty feeling. You also mention "the curse" which peaks Flynn's interest even more. He asks you several questions on that, which you answer. "Interesting. It would seem that despite your girlfriend going against her nature she still managed to leave behind something that ultimately causes harm, even if it wasn't to you directly. Anyway, fascinating tale and I believe this is your lucky day." Flynn remarks. "It is?" you ask. "Yes, how would you like my help AND get rid of your curse?" "You can do that?" "I believe it is possible, however you'd have to undergo a ritual first." "Um, what sort of ritual?" "You're bonded with a demon. Doesn't matter if she wasn't born a pure blood anymore because she's obviously embraced her heritage fully now. That bond might be dormant and perhaps even non-malignant, but it exists. Which means at any time she can reach you, but it also means YOU can reach her. You of course don't have the means, but I on other hand do. I'm proposing that we perform a ritual to bring this Tanya back here." This proposal is getting strange and giving you all sorts of mixed feelings. On one hand you'd like nothing more than to see her again, but on the other… "Um, okay so when Tanya is brought back here, then what?" you ask. "Well I bind her of course." Flynn remarks. "What?!" "Properly bound infernals can be very useful sources of knowledge as well as servants. She'll be a good addition to the temple. Also when I bind her, her hold on you will also be broken and you'll be free." At this point you stand up and have to do everything within your power to not attack Flynn. You know he'd probably easily disintegrate you before you could even do anything, but the temptation is still there. However you aren't adverse to verbal abuse. "No, fuck you and fuck this plan." You say as calm as you can. "(Sigh) I thought you might say that. You're missing the big picture." Flynn remarks. "What big picture?! You're talking about enslaving my fucking girlfriend! You didn't think I might get pissed about that?" "Please just calm down. We were getting along before." Heather remarks. "Yeah? Well that's probably because you lot weren't talking about imprisoning my girlfriend before and having me play a role in that! How would you like it if you had to be part of a magic ritual you didn't want any part in?" "If it was in pursuit of greater knowledge and wisdom, I'd be willing to make that sacrifice." "Glad to hear you say that Heather, because I will need your assistance in this ritual." Flynn remarks. "Huh?" "I need something to help call the demon back to this realm just to give the spell a little more power. Usually for most demons this requires a sacrifice of some sort, however given that Tanya is a succubus, I don't think blood will be necessary, so fortunately I just need you to have sex with him inside the circle." Heather's face looks completely dumb struck. She has no words. You on the other hand are just shaking your head and giving a cynical laugh about it all. "This just gets better and better. Tell me, are you going to be jacking your old wrinkled dick the whole time too?" Your crude remark is enough to finally set off Elder Flynn's temper. "Look, you glorified cut throat, just THINK for a moment! The Tanya you knew is GONE. She left you for the infernal realm a LONG time ago and probably forgotten about you. In fact you're very lucky she has because I guarantee that she is NOT the same woman you knew. She has most likely become a being of pure evil, no matter what she might have told you before she left. Any concept of love would be gone by now along with any affection for you." Flynn rants. "You don't know that." You say. "No, I DO know that! I've done far more studies and forgotten more about infernals than you'll ever know and there is one constant, they always…ALWAYS become creatures of mayhem, chaos and destruction in one way or another, and have no affection for ANYONE, let alone anyone far weaker than themselves." Elder Flynn says this with such conviction that you don't respond and are just wondering if you're going to be able to get out of here alive. "Now I know this is all very emotional for you, but I think you're smart enough to see that I know what the hell I'm talking about on this subject. And if that doesn't convince you, then consider this. By participating in this ritual, you'll be free of Tanya's grip on you. No longer will you feel the loss of her presence and better yet, you'll be able to love another without putting their life in danger. Doesn't that alone sound worthwhile? And I'm not even counting the help I will give you against the Joachimites. So you see, there is no downside to this deal." You have to admit, Flynn is making a pretty sound argument. There have been many times you'd like to "move on" but it's obvious that you can't unless you go through with this ritual. > You refuse to do the ritual Maybe you're not thinking rationally and you're also still holding on to lingering feelings for Tanya, but that doesn't also stop you from being suspicious of this ritual anyway. The fact that you have to fuck one of Flynn's disciples for this is already enough to raise an eyebrow from you, but even if this is all on the level and Flynn is being completely truthful, you can't bring yourself to do this only for Tanya to be enslaved to this asshole. Tanya may very well be a creature of evil that's doing horrible things and no longer cares about you, but that doesn't negate the memories that you have of her. You remember that one of her stronger traits is that she cherished her freedom. If you sentenced her to magical enslavement, you'd feel pretty damn shitty about yourself and you're fairly certain you'd just replace your sense of loss with a bigger sense of guilt. Hell, it probably would be better just to kill her. (You also never realized how very against slavery you are no matter what form or who it is. You suppose love of freedom is something) There is also the fact that you have no idea if Flynn's spell is going to keep her imprisoned forever or if it's even going to work. If you go ripping Tanya from wherever she is into a magical prison, you can bet that you're going to be right near the top of her shit list if she ever escapes and you don't fancy your chances if Flynn turns out to be no match for her. So you're not doing this for various reasons. Still, you have your concerns about getting out of here so you calm yourself down and address Flynn in a civil manner again. "Elder Flynn, I apologize for my outburst towards you earlier. Out was out of line, but as you can tell my feelings in all this are very intertwined. I can't easily separate them even if I know it would be rational to do so. I loved and still love Tanya no matter what she's become. Maybe…maybe I just need more time to think about it, but I cannot bring myself to do this thing. At least not now." Elder Flynn stares at you a bit, strokes his beard and then finally answers you. "Very well. I believe you are being foolish about all this, but then those that do not follow Dorna are often mere babes in their cribs when it comes to greater wisdom. I certainly hope you do change your mind, but if you do come here again, you had best make sure you are VERY certain to go through with it. I will not be so understanding on a second intrusion. Heather, escort our guest out." Heather motions you towards the door quietly and you nod once more at Flynn before exiting. Your walk to the temple entrance is silent as a few acolytes watch you leave, but say nothing. Finally when you're outside, Heather speaks. "You're not coming back are you?" Heather says. "If you were in my position, would you?" you replies "Probably not. I want to say though it was very wise of you to address Elder Flynn in a respectful manner and I even understand your feelings on this matter." "Hm, for all the good it's going to do. Oh well, I'm at least getting out of here in one piece, and I'm sure you're glad you don't have to fuck a complete stranger." Heather makes a nervous laugh. "Yes, well there is that. Not that you're unattractive mind you, but…well it was a bit awkward. Under different circumstances it might have been fun, but I suppose you're forever bound to another." Heather says. "Looks that way." You answer. Heather opens a hole in the barrier, which you step through. Before you make your way back home, Heather asks if you can wait a moment and then runs back inside the temple. You're not exactly sure what Heather is up to, but you put some space between you and the barrier in the meantime. She comes back out fairly quickly and after making another hole in the barrier she hands you a solid black glass sphere through it. "What's this?" you ask. "It's an null orb and it's from my own personal collection." Heather says. "What's it do?" "When you break it, it will completely nullify all magic in the immediate area for a time. I'm fairly certain it should take down whatever the magic defenses that the Joachimite Inquisitor might have. You'll still have to get in close and you've got one shot, but you've got a chance." You look at the orb for a moment as if you're going to see something other than utter blackness before putting it away. "Thank you Heather. This is more than I expected. I'll remember this." You say. Heather nods and you finally put this whole odd meeting behind you. When you get back to the League Lair, Vera looks like she's relieved that you made it back. You guess she was still sort of overwhelmed by the idea that she might be running things. "You made it back alive, so I'm guessing you were successful?" Vera asks. "Well, I wasn't unsuccessful. I've got something that supposedly will help against this Inquisitor, but it's a one shot deal. The next step is speaking with Shade again though and how we're going to set up this attack." You say. In the next few days Shade finally manages to get around to speaking with you again. He tells you he's been placing what little remains of his manpower in gathering information and has determined exactly where the Inquisitor is currently staying which apparently is a humble house where a normal Joachim fearing couple lives. He says nothing is special about this couple and has no idea why the Inquisitor is staying there, but that's where he's been. Shade also mentions that looks are very deceiving however on the external security front. Shade says it took all of his willpower to keep up his shadow magic to remain undetected (And apparently years off his life given that he looks older than he should now), but he learned that the Inquisitor has been using similar illusionary magic to make Joachimite fanatics invisible as well. Several of these invisible holy warriors are just laying in wait in case of an attack. "Now, I doubt either side is going to remain hidden for very long from each other but as soon as we attack, the Inquisitor will soon intervene directly and then we'll be at a complete disadvantage." Shade says. "It's okay, I've got something that's going to make magic in general completely useless to everyone." You say. "So you were successful then. Mind telling me what you have?" "It's an item that you need to break within the vicinity of the Inquisitor. You just need to get in close enough to do it though. As long as that happens however, his defenses will go down and he'll be vulnerable to everything. Here." You say and hand the orb to Shade. Shade doesn't take it and instead gives you a bit of a suspicious look. "What? It's not a trick." You exclaim. "Maybe not, but forgive me if I'm less trusting of the Dornans than you are." "Shade, YOU told me to seek their aid if possible and I got it. What more do you want?" "Nothing, but I have no idea if that thing strips magic ability permanently or what. For all I know Flynn is setting us all up." "He's not, because I didn't get this from fucking Flynn, I got this from a different Dornan." "Oh, that makes me feel even better. You got it from one of his lessers. To be honest, IF this IS indeed the powerful item you believe it to be, I'm a little leery that you're so freely giving it to me, rather than keeping it for yourself." You know this isn't going to help matters, but given what you've been through already… "I'm giving it to you because your weak ass magic is already going to be fucked by the Inquisitor so you don't have anything to lose. Not to mention that between the pair of us, YOU are the close combat expert so you'll most likely get in closer than I'll be able to since we still have to fight through all those fanatics. Fucking hell Shade, I'm doing YOU a fucking favor, so stop being a paranoid asshole and take the damn orb in the spirit of our fucking alliance that its being offered!" Shade's stare softens a bit and he even smirks a bit before taking the orb. "Very well, you've made your point. Let it be known though if something goes wrong and we both survive it, I'm going to kill you." Shade says. "Fair enough. Anyway I'll be hand picking my own people for the attack along with still being there in person since it'll be the only way I'll feel comfortable that my orders are going to be carried out. We probably should look at a map of this area to go over the details better." You say. You spend a couple more days planning and preparing. Despite his magic going to be rendered impotent, Shade still wants to attack at night since he feels his people are still going to hold advantage over the Joachimites during that time. Since you don't have any real preference, you agree. The night of the attack comes and you lie in wait from a distance with your people. You soon hear the scuffles and shouts of battle. Unlike the faithful of Fel, the faithful of Joachim aren't exactly the most quiet when they fight. You soon join the fight and find that there are indeed a lot of Joachimites that seem to be coming out nowhere. They are screaming their deity's name and how they're going to purge all unbelievers, still they seem a little take off guard when you arrive. Shade so far is holding the advantage due to him and his people teleporting all over the place, but you imagine that won't last long. In the meantime, you order your people to stay together and not get surrounded. After about twenty minutes of combat, the streets are starting to pile up with bodies. You half expect the Watch to arrive with all the noise going on, but then the government has for the most part taken a slightly hands off approach to the religious conflict since it started, which explains why it's gone on as long as it has. And then the Inquisitor finally makes his arrival. You've never seen the guy before, but he certainly makes an impression especially since he emanates a white light from his person making him visible to all even in this darkness. He looks exactly like how Shade described him, though he's also carrying a mace in his hand. "FOUL FOLLOWERS OF FEL! LET TONIGHT BE YOUR LAST!" his voice booms and then suddenly several beams of light from the sky seem to target every Felian in the street, as soon as you see this, you tell your own people to find cover wherever they can. Shade's people are unable to simply teleport or even turn invisible. A few barely manage to find cover before the beams of light completely ignite the unfortunate ones that couldn't escape. "BURN IN THE PURE LIGHT OF JOACHIM! THERE IS NO ESCAPE FROM HIS TRUTH!" Shade himself is unfortunate enough to not react in time before being caught in this light. He is set aflame, however fortunately for you he has enough in him to take out the null orb and throw it to ground. It shatters and suddenly the white light surrounding the Inquisitor disappears and so do the beams of white light coming from the sky. The Inquisitor starts screaming prayers to Joachim, but nothing happens, the rest of his people seem confused by this sudden "disappearance" of their divine weapon, but you're not confused and you urge your people to press the advantage since Shade is obviously no longer in any shape to do so. You keep your eyes on the Inquisitor (Who is still pretty visible in the dark due to his white robes) and unsurprisingly realizing he doesn't have his magic advantage anymore, he runs away. Though you were expecting him to just start running down the street, instead he runs back in the house he was staying at. You waste no time in following him, fighting and dodging along the way. You kick the door in and you find the Inquisitor standing in the middle of the room with his mace held ready for battle. An old couple stands further behind, frightened out of their minds and holding each other. "YOU! I knew you were an infidel, but I didn't know you'd thrown your lot in with the blasphemous shadow worshippers! No matter, you too shall face the righteous justice of…" While the Inquisitor is giving a monologue, you take the opportunity to end this by shooting him several times. He falls backwards crashing into a table and knocking over several other items as well. The old woman screams and begins sobbing. You walk over to the Inquisitor's body to make sure he's dead and see that he is indeed still alive, but he won't be for long. In between his gasping and wheezing he tries to speak. "Don't…ki…please…not…" he says. "Little late for that." You reply reloading your pistol. "Not me…par…ents…for…old times…please…" You look over at the old couple and guess the Inquisitor means them. You suppose you know why he came running back in here now. What you don't get is that he seems to know you and not just by reputation. At this point the Inquisitor's parents run over and kneel by him. Both are sobbing and his mother lifts his head a bit and removes the white mask he was wearing. "I'm…coming home…Joachim…I see his light…" Yinen remarks and then he dies. You did not see that one coming. Of course you never knew his parents either. You aren't even sure how you feel about it. What caused this radical transformation? You can somewhat guess that perhaps Yinen never quite got over his experience of getting captured by the Neroth cultists. His return to his Joachimite upbringing to the point of zealotry was the result. You wish you had known Yinen was the inquisitor the whole time. Maybe you could have spoke to him. Maybe not. Doesn't matter now, it's done. You leave Yinen's parents to their grief and dead son. As for the battle outside, it's winding down with your side winning, but you've suffered more than few losses. Still, could have been worse. The few Felians still left have managed to bring Shade back from the brink of death, but he's a mess, what with burns all over his body and the fact he previously pre-maturely aged himself. This war has cost him quite dearly. You actually don't think he'll live too much longer or if he does, he's going to be spending the rest of his days as a cripple. However, apparently he's pleased that this was a "win." He even manages to say a genuine statement of gratitude. Saying that the Temple of Fel will come to the aid of the Nocturnal League if you ever need it. You imagine this "war" won't entirely be over just by the events tonight, but this was definitely a big turning point and probably in a few months, it'll be over completely and then you can refocus back on business. > You time passes... Year 29 Lot can change in just a few years, some things you predicted, others not so much. The Church of Joachim being outlawed in the city wasn't too surprising given all the trouble that was caused and how Holgard in general tends more towards embracing sin and vice rather than moving away from it. Still, sort of funny that the faith is now in the company of it's eternal enemy, Neroth as far as being illegal. As for the other faiths, only the temples of Dorna and Fel maintain any presence in the city and in the Felians case, that's thanks to Shade dying soon after the war was over and the new leader Gloom, making an effort to strengthen their relationship with the upper echelons of the government, namely Baroness Ludmilla. Gloom has also extended a hand to the Nocturnal League, stating that the temple would be more than willing to come to an understanding like it had with the Ebony Claw Syndicate and train your members in shadow magic. You declined that offer though. You've always said members are free to pray to whoever they want, but if they're going to be wrapped up in Fel (or whoever) that hardcore then they can go take up some black robes and start living in their temple's meditation rooms. The less religion you have in your organization the better. Still, your cordial relationship with the temple has had benefits you hadn't intended. Due to the Felians being on better terms with the Baroness, some of that "understanding" has inadvertently trickled down towards you. As a result the Nocturnal League has freer reign over the city than it once did. Possibly similar to what the ECS once had. So things are going good for the Nocturnal League and business couldn't be better. You haven't had any decisions of the major kind lately, but for whatever reason this has caused you to sometimes over think the minor ones now that do crop up. Like right now for instance. "You were invited to the Baroness' yearly costume party? How the hell did that happen and why aren't you immediately making preparations to go?!" Vera asks. "Just one of the perks of being allied with the temple of Fel I suppose. Gloom had one of his members deliver this letter to me a week ago. Apparently Baroness Ludmilla has heard interesting things about me and would like me to show up at her party so she can see for herself." You say. "She thinks yer intresstin'? She really doesn't know youz at all." Warts snarks and chuckles at his own attempt at a joke. "Well, you have to go right? I mean it's the Baroness." Vera says. "I dunno. I mean I suppose I see why I should, just don't really feel up to it." You reply. "What? When the Baroness of Holgard calls you to court, you have to go!" "Never knew you were such a supporter of our dear ruler. You secretly harboring royalist admiration?" "No. It's not like that! I mean yeah she's royalty, but not really. I mean… I dunno, I've always sort of admired how she took power from her father and brother I guess. She's a very powerful independent woman and has remained that way. I guess that's what I admire." "Hm. Well I guess I just see her as another corrupt aristocrat that used her position of power to gain even more power. Not that that's a bad thing, but nothing special. Lot harder to do when you aren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth." "Yes, yes, we all know. You cleverly lied, cheated, stole and murdered your way to your position. You're the epitome of a self made man. We're all very impressed. Truly. I'm wet just thinking about it. Still, I really think you should go to this party, if only so you don't inadvertently offend her which then will cause our current friendly relationship with the law to become unnecessarily complicated." "Yeah, I already took that into consideration. (Sigh) I suppose I'm going, though the letter also says I should bring one more person with me since that's apparently the rule of this event." As soon as you've said that, Vera's eyes light up. "Me! You gotta take me! Seriously I will seriously suck your dick if you take me to this party." Vera exclaims. "You mean aren't already?" Warts responds. "Wha? Why is that your go to action with me?" you say. "I'll do whatever you want to do then, look I don't care! I just really gotta go to this thing!" "Why? Wait a minute, you don't have a crush on the Baroness do you? I mean you were praising her pretty hard a moment ago." "No! This ain't about pussy bumpin! Its just…(sigh) nevermind you'll just make fun and if you don't I know damn well this ugly half breed will." "Oh fuck you, Vera." "Warts, step out of here. While there won't be any dick sucking involved, I am sort of interested in why Vera wants to go so badly." "Gruh, fine by me. I certainly don't wanna go. I gotta go see my kids anywayz, later." After Warts leaves you motion Vera to speak which she does though she's still a bit hesitant to do so, fearing that you'll make fun. Vera suddenly goes into more of her life story than you ever thought to ask of her. She mentions that her mother was once very briefly employed as a maid during the Baron's reign of the city. She goes on to say that her mother always told her that she once had a brief fling with him while she was cleaning one of the guest bedrooms. Unfortunately the Baron being the asshole he typically was, he had all the maids, including Vera's mother, replaced a week later because he claimed his palace wasn't getting clean enough. In any case, Vera said that shortly afterwards, her mother discovered she was pregnant and claimed to the day she died that Vera's real father was really the Baron. "Wait a minute…you're telling me you're actually bastard royalty?!" you ask. "I knew you'd make fun or not believe me." Vera says. "Honestly, it's not really that far fetched given what I've always heard about the old Baron. Though I'm just surprised you've never mentioned it before. Seems like something you'd brag about." "And get myself fucking killed?! No thanks! One of the big reasons my mother never told anyone or even tried to get financial support from the Baron is the fear of some assassin coming in to kill her and me. I mean I'm hardly the only illegitimate child the baron probably had and his son Farad was notorious for having suspected bastards killed. And if he didn't do it, I can't imagine Ludmilla was any different. Especially now." "I guess that makes sense." "Honestly, you're the ONLY person I've told about this and now that I've done it, I feel a little weird and vulnerable." "Well, I'm not going to say anything. Not like there would be anything to gain. Though I guess this is why you want to go to this party so badly huh? Experience what might have been? Possibly even briefly speak with your older half sister?" "…sort of. I know it's silly, but…sometimes I do think of a life that is different than this one." Vera's thoughtful words are a little out of the ordinary, but not lost on you. Not like you don't have similar thoughts on your own life at times. "Okay, I guess we'll go together then. Not like I can think of anyone else to take anyway. Says it'll be in three days so I suggest you prepare yourself." You say. "I will! Thank you for this boss!" Vera beams. "Don't mention it, princess." You mock. "So, what are you going to be wearing?" "I dunno. Some mask of some sort I imagine since it's a costume party. Which makes me wonder, how the hell is the Baroness going to know it's me if I'm wearing a mask?" "I imagine she's got some way of figuring it out. Make sure you dress nice though! I've heard about these things and if we go in looking like we crawled out of the sewers, they'll turn us away, invitation or not." "Yeah, yeah, I'll take a trip to the tailor's or something." A few days and a trip to the tailor's later, you're dressed and ready to go to this thing. You're not exactly comfortable in this type of clothing, but many League members compliment you on your new threads. Warts of course has something to say. "Oh well la de da, if it ain't da duke of da undaworld." Warts say. "Don't even start, where the hell is Vera, she's the one that made a bigger deal of all this?" "You ain't seen her yet? She's even fancier than you are right now. If it gets anymore highbrow here, we're gonna hafta forge all dat gold and silver we got inta fancy eatin' utensils." "Yeah, well this is a one time thing. So where's Vera again?" "She's in her room I think…um don't tell her I said so, but she iz sorta pretty. I mean she wouldn't be MY type, but y'know dressed like she iz right now, she looks like of doze princesses or sumthin. Hah, Vera a princess, dat's funny." "Yeah…hysterical. Later Warts." You shake your head and go get Vera. You don't even bother knocking on the door, you just enter and that's when you see Vera who turns around from her mirror to face you. She does indeed look a lot different than you're used to seeing her. "Wow. You look, really different." You say. "Good different or bad different?" Vera asks. "Neither…I mean good of course. Look, I'm just saying you could easily blend in with the rest of the aristocratic types. You're very pretty, like a princess and I'm not just saying that." "Thank you. You look…appropriate too." "The hell's that mean? I'll have you know I got a lot of compliments!" "Well of course you did, you're the boss. They're hardly going to tell you, you look like shit. Not that you do. You're fine. I guess we should get going, do you have your mask?" "Yeah, got one of those half masks. Don't really feel like struggling to breath with a full mask on that covers my mouth and nostrils. Still covers most of my face so I figure I'm good." You say and put it on. "I think most people will be wearing those so, you'll fit in fine. I got one too." Vera says and puts on her her mask and the pair of you are soon on your way. When you get to the palace you're sort of relieved since you half expect that you're going to get robbed on your way there. A guard stops you at the gates and you show your personalized invitation at which point you're waved through. You and Vera take a moment to sort of absorb the fact of where you actually are for a moment. The seat of rulership, the palace! The grounds are certainly well taken care of and it's obvious that every effort has been spared to make it look as festive as possible. The closer you get to the palace the more grandiose everything is. You also notice the increase in guards and you and Vera are patted down more than once. You get inside the palace and the elegance of the interior is about what you expect. Vera is practically enamored by everything. Right now, she's probably imagining herself as that princess you ribbed her about being. As for you, you're a bit more of a harder sell on being impressed by such things, but if you could run your organization from a place like this instead, you certainly wouldn't turn it down. You and Vera spend a bit of time just looking around until Vera wonders if you should start actively mingling with some of the other guests. You're of course against this idea, but you soon are forced into doing so anyway by someone you weren't expecting to talk to, or at least not so early. "Well, if it isn't the head of the Nocturnal League. Glad you could make it, I was hoping you would." And there you are standing before Baroness Ludmilla Varsakken. She wears no mask and at this close range you get a good look at her. She almost looks like she could be a vampire what with her skin on the paler side and the black hair accentuating it. She's beautiful of course, but just looking into her eyes a bit you can see a very ruthless woman before you. You also take a good look at her in general and then glance over at Vera. Now that you're looking at them both, there could very well be a family resemblance. "Well, you certainly like to stare." Ludmilla says, noticing your examination. "Oh, um, apologies. Just sort of…overwhelmed you know. Never thought I'd be before royalty." You say. "Hah, not the complete uncouth rogue I've heard our mutual Felian acquaintances tell me about I see. Good." "How did you know it was me anyway?" "I make it a point of knowing all my guests as they arrive. Not to mention your clothing isn't exactly shall we say refined enough. While I'm sure you thought it was very upscale looking, but the workmanship is obviously from one of the mediocre tailors in the city. Only a crimelord with no care for such extravagant airs would believe it to be sufficient for this party. Not to worry though, I will not hold it against you. You tried." "I appreciate that, and your invitation." "You quite welcome, and who is your companion here? She certainly seems to have a better grasp on the dress code. I dare say this dress is better than a few of the boring nobles here." "Thank you! I had it custom made a long time ago. Always knew I'd get to wear it some day!" Vera says a bit excitedly. "Now that's what I like to hear. A woman that plans in advance." At this point Ludmilla begins speaking to Vera and you excuse yourself to get a drink. While you don't normally do so, you get the impression you're going to need a bit of extra help to get through the night. You can't believe you're even in this situation, let alone acting the way you are. Still, you suppose it makes for an interesting change. Still, you really don't want to be here all night. You made your appearance and now you'd like nothing more than to leave. Vera however looks like she's having a good time and to be honest you don't want to ruin that. She does help you a lot with the League. So you go back to Vera and Ludmilla and stand nearby in an attempt to be social. Ludmilla goes back and forth speaking to you and Vera, though she surprisingly is more talkative to Vera. The Baroness seems to like to talk and can already guess that you're not exactly the most gregarious. Ludmilla and Vera talk for quite awhile, it's actually pretty amazing since it's about absolutely nothing. Or at least nothing you're much interested in. Ludmilla is mostly talking about herself and the troubles of being of noble birth. Goes on about how Vera's lucky to not have to worry about such things. Condescending of course, but if Vera noticed it, she's not fussed or at least not letting it show. It's sort of ironic anyway since Vera could very well HAVE had such problems if fate swung a different way. Eventually though Ludmilla tells the pair of you that while she was pleased to meet you both, she has other guests to see, even though they probably won't be as interesting you are. And the pair of you are left on your own. "Well that was interesting." You say. "Hm. Certainly was. Never thought I'd ever be directly in the presence of royalty before. Well not without my hands and feet in chains at least." Vera remarks. "Hah! Same here. So, you ready to go?" "What? Already? The party's just started and you want to leave?" "Well, I mean I dunno what else there really is to do here. I mean we came, we saw, we met the baroness. I mean we covered all the important shit. Not like I really have any desire to talk to any of the other assholes around here." "But, I wanted to stay a bit longer though. However, if you want to leave, I guess that's fine with me. You're the boss after all." "Alright, we can stay a little longer, but I'm going to find someplace away from most of these people. You can do what you like. I'll come looking for you in a while I guess." "Thanks boss, I'll see you later." Vera says and suddenly kisses you on the cheek before walking off to enjoy living the "high society life" for a little longer. As for you, you decide to just look around to waste time. You grab another drink and try to stick to less "populated" areas of the palace. Though obviously you're still limited to where you're allowed to go. Guards standby keeping an eye on everything. Time passes and while a few people attempt to speak to you, and few others seem to be talking about you (Mostly about your clothes) you basically ignore them all and just keep to your plan of moving about and sticking to areas where there are less people. While you're doing that however, you're also studying some of the lay out of the palace, or at least what you're able to. You also take notice of what valuable objects would be easy to take. You briefly flirt with the idea of stealing something from this place, but common sense soon wins out. Last thing you want to do is even risk pissing off the Baroness, especially since you're on good terms with her. Still, sometimes you miss the days of when you just stole things for a living. After wandering a bit more and entertaining the idea of pilfering the palace, you discard your usual procedure of avoiding the crowds and walk towards a room where you hear some music followed by a lot of clapping. You arrive just in time to see a crowd disperse before a group of musicians that apparently have just finished performing. Shame, from what little you heard, it sounded pretty good. You go and get yourself another drink and that's when you start to feel a little odd. Whatever this stuff is, it's apparently stronger than the taste would indicate. Still, it's a party right? Might as well try to loosen up. You realize you're not nearly as fun loving as you used to be when you were younger. In fact, you're downright stodgy at times. All you practically do is fucking work. Being a criminal isn't fun anymore, it's actually not even dangerous at this point, it's just well… mundane. How the hell did it come to this? If you wanted to be mundane, you might as well have stayed in Teckleville and followed in your dad's footsteps. Maybe he was right after all. No. You've seen and done much in your life thanks to leaving that boring town. After all, you're here in baroness' palace! You're just in a rut that's all. When you get back, you're going to shake things up within the League. Maybe expand again, maybe even to a new city like Hessla or Klyton. Still, it's all pretty pointless without someone to share it with. You couldn't go back home and say "Look mom and dad, look at what I've done!" It sucks. Your sister would probably be impressed, but who knows where she is. You hope she's having more fun than you are right now. You miss her sometimes. Simpler times. Happier times. Fuck it, you need another drink. As you go to get another you bump into a couple that are making out. "Excuse me." You say. "Mmm…" the woman says and strokes your arm as you pass by. The guy she's kissing takes no notice; he's too focused on her. You briefly think of Vera and how she kissed you not too long ago. Makes you wonder if she's got more than a bit of attraction toward you. You know she's always making these sexual offers toward you, but as far as you know she's not really known to be the "good time" girl within the Nocturnal League. So it makes you wonder if she actually feels affection towards you on some level. Sometimes you think about her too, since you work so closely together. It's almost like you're an old married couple. Of course it could be a case that she's perfectly fine being a potential whore if it's going to benefit her in the long run. Since you're the boss, and the only one above her in rank, makes sense that she'd only be offering you such extra "benefits." Regardless, you probably would have made a move on her if it wasn't for your condition. You nearly bump into another couple also making out. By the time you grab your drink, you realize there are a lot of people kissing and hugging each other. And some of them are getting pretty hot and heavy. Now you think of Tanya. You wish Tanya was still around. You'd love to share your success with her, but you guess that she moved on a long time ago. She claimed you'd move on, but you haven't. How could you? She was everything to you. If it wasn't for her, it's debatable that you would have even did any of this. You probably would have fucked around in Holgard for a few years and then just left when the Ebony Claw Syndicate started taking notice of you. She kept you around and made you fall in love with her. But you can't hate her for that. It wasn't her fault. It just was her nature. You look around and now you see several people doing more than just kissing now. "What the fuck?" you say to yourself and get up to leave. You must have wandered into some weird orgy room. You make it to a hallway and that's when you're starting to feel really…excited. You've got an erection right now that you could stab someone to death with and you are about ready to murder the closest woman available and worse, they're just about ALL available. Hell, with the way you're feeling, you're starting to worry if you aren't going to just fuck everyone on your way to the exit because it's been YEARS since you've had sex and right now your dick isn't caring. It has to be the drinks. You're sure of it. This whole party is probably just an excuse for rich people to have decadent orgies anonymously with each other. You need to get out of here before you kill everyone at this party with your cursed dick. The problem is you aren't sure if you're even going to make it that far. The best you might be able to do is find a place with no people about and stay there until the effects of the drink wear off. (Whenever that is) > You run to the exit You need to just get the hell out of here, because staying is surely going to doom someone. You continue your trip to the exit, trying not to look at any of the people having sexual encounters along the way. Several times you have to push people away after they grab at you. Eventually you just start punching them, and for a couple of them that just turns them on even more. "Uhn yeah, beat me harder! I like it like that!" "This is fucked." You mutter. You try to think of the most unattractive and least erotic things you can think of like the Holgard sewers, and similar things. You also hit yourself in crotch a few times and unlike the masochist freaks, that works to lessen your arousal. Doesn't get rid of it entirely though and you're not doing that too much more because it hurts like a sonofabitch. Eventually you make it out of the palace. The guards don't even react when they see you and just shrug as you continue to run from the palace and out the gates into the city. As soon as you're in the public area of the city again, you realize now you've got another problem. Instead of having a strong sexual desire around a bunch of other people who are also suffering the same condition, you're now potentially around a bunch of people who aren't suffering it at all. You try to walk down the more isolated street with nobody about, but you need to get off them entirely before you potentially start molesting someone or worse. You'd go to a brothel, but if you did, you'd just end up killing all your employees. "Hey, didn't expect to bump into you. I didn't realize you left the party too. Figured you were bedding some aristocrat or something." You spin around and see Vera. "Vera, what the hell are you doing here?" you ask. "I was on my way back home. Shortly after we separated I wandered and talked to a few people and even looked around seeing if I could steal anything, but there really wasn't a good opportunity, and then something weird happened." Vera says. "Let me guess, everyone got all friendly?" "Yeah, REALLY friendly. Didn't know it was going to be that kind of party. Guessing something was in the drinks. Glad I hadn't drank anything while I was there. Still, I might have paired up with one of the horny aristocrat guys if it had just been a one on one thing, but then Ludmilla was around and she started hitting on me too and I got really creeped out. I mean she didn't know of course, but she could potentially be my half sister, and that just really put me out of the mood entirely. I ran out as soon as I could." "Yeah, potentially fucking a sibling, I can see where that would put a damper on things…" you say barely able to contain yourself "Um, what's wrong with you? You're fidgeting and sweating. You keep putting your hand on your crotch…wait a minute. Did you have the drinks?" "Vera, I'm telling you, you need to leave me right now, because I'm having a REALLY hard time here." Vera smiles a bit and grabs at the obvious bulge in your pants. You nearly don't back away. "Shit. You ARE having a hard time. Well hell, come on let's put that to good use." "Vera, you need to seriously stop!" you say. "Oh come on! I don't see what the hell is wrong with me! I mean shit; you act like I got the fucking plague! You're a real fucking asshole you know that?" "Vera…" "No! I'm going to say some shit that YOU need to hear! I know all about your ex-girlfriend. Warts mentioned that you were really head over heels for a demonkin once when he suggested that I was banging my head up against a wall with you. Said that's probably the real reason why you don't have any relationships at all because you're still in love with the infernal bitch." "Yeah well Warts don't know the whole fucking story." "What's to know? You're obviously still holding a candle for her like a fucking idiot. You think she gives a shit about you? No. She was a DEMON. They don't give a shit about anything! And here you are still being faithful for a girl that isn't around meanwhile you outright continue to ignore people who ARE here and do care for you. Someone who knows your likes and dislikes. Someone who has done more than she would normally do and would probably do a lot more stupid shit because for some fucked up reason she really likes you." Vera at this point looks down a bit and rubs her eyes. "No. LOVES you. More than you'll ever damn well know." You don't really know what to say. You always knew Vera had some attraction to you, but you didn't think it extended this far. Even with everything that's going on with your body right now, this information has made you focus on something other than sex. "Vera, I really don't know what to say, except if you believe that I haven't ever thought about us, well you don't know me as well as you think. Hell, tonight I even enjoyed pretending a bit that we were going out on some fancy date, well until the drugged drinks that is." "Then what the hell's the problem?" "The problem is, I'll fucking kill you! My dick is fucking cursed!" "What?!" "Look, I'm having a difficult time as it is trying not to be all over you right now, so here's the short version." You quickly explain how you came to learn about your unfortunate condition and everything else relating to it. When Vera asks about a cure, you explain that the cost is too high from what you know about the one time it was offered to you. "So you see? I haven't been avoiding a relationship with you for no damn reason. I've been trying to keep you alive! And if you want to stay that way, I'd suggest you fucking leave right this minute. I need to go jerk off or something in an alley right now." You say. Vera is silent for a moment "Okay, well why don't I at least help you with that?" Vera suddenly says. "What?" you say. "Why don't you at least let me jerk you off? I mean it's not sex right? You're not penetrating me. I'm just going to be lending a helping hand as it were." "Vera, while I appreciate the offer, I'm still not sure if that's a good idea." "Look, you know how I feel about you. And you're saying you have feelings for me, so isn't this the type of shit couples are supposed to do for one another? Help each other out?" You aren't sure if it's the drink that's breaking down your willpower or Vera's fairly convincing argument, but you can't hold back anymore. "Okay. Okay. I guess maybe you make a solid point. I'm still really worried about you though." "Don't worry about me. You just try to relax as I take care of everything. Let's go over there, that looks like a secluded spot." You and Vera duck into an alleyway and soon Vera is helping you out directly. And then again. And then a third and FOURTH time and you're still not sated. "What the hell did they put into those drinks? Ground up unicorn testicles?" Vera says wiping her hands. "Shit, this isn't working. Fuck what if its permanent?" "No, this has to wear off eventually. We're just going to have to do something else." Vera begins to lower herself. "What the hell are you doing?!" you exclaim. "What does it look like?" she asks "You can't do that! You'll die!" "It's not sex right? I mean not really. I'll be fine." "I'm pretty sure it counts, some of those other women blew me too." "Yeah, but you also fucked them, and we're not doing that, so again just relax and let me take care of it." "But…oh shit…" You can't even argue anymore as you feel the glory that is Vera's oral skills. Given how many times she's offered this to you in the past, this has got to be a major fantasy for her or something. Soon… "Fuck. That was a lot. You good?" Vera says wiping off her mouth a bit. "I really wish I could say I was, but you're going to have to stay down there a little longer." "Yeah, as much fun as that was, I'm not sucking your dick all night. You're putting that thing to better use." At this point Vera begins lifting her dress up and grinding herself into you. "Vera! Shit! We REALLY can't do this! You WILL die!" you say, but still holding on to her body tightly. "Y'know what I've been thinking? I think you're fucking imagining things. I think all those girls were just a bad coincidence and you jumped to conclusions because as I said, you're still holding a torch for your ex and felt guilty about it." Vera responds. "What? Where do you get that idea from?" "I get that idea from the fact that you have no damn proof that your dick is cursed from what you've told me. I mean if it really was cursed, I'd think those women would have melted shortly after or something, not died from common shit like drug overdoses or fires. You just had a string of bad luck and made assumptions." "Vera, you can't know that." "Yeah, well I've never been one to play it too safe, so if this is it for me, there are worse ways. Might as well at least be because you fucked me. Now let's do this already." "Right here in this dirty ass alley?" "You didn't seem to have any objections before when your dick was in my mouth." "I still think this is a really bad idea…" "I guess we'll see, now fuck me like it's my last night here, because it might very well be." Against your better judgment (or any judgment really) you finally give what Vera's always wanted from you. "Oh… shit. Fuck, this is going to be good." She says as you enter inside her. You've barely gotten started fucking her up against a nearby wall and she's already trying not to make a lot of noise and failing at it. This session quite unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's raw; it's dirty and it almost feels violent. As you're giving it to Vera hard, she still manages to surprise you. "Put your hands around my throat." She suddenly says. "What?!" you ask. "Oh and call me a whore too. I want to imagine you're raping me in this alley. Y'know like when you pretend threaten to do when we first met?" "That's…sort of fucked up Vera" "I'm attracted to the likes of you, are you really all that surprised that I'm a little fucked up?" You're starting to get the impression that Vera's love for you is a little more twisted that you originally believed. You sort of wonder if it's been borderline obsession and she's just done a good job of keeping it together. You're just not sure if this is such a good idea given that the women you have sex with tend to die afterwards. > You decline the request As horny as you are, there some things you don't really want to risk doing. "Vera, I'm not going to start choking you. I practically feel like I'm killing you already." You say. "Not stopping you though is it? Come on, just choke me a little, I can take it." "Vera I really don't want to, can we just get on with this…" Vera suddenly slaps you. "Vera…" Vera then slaps you again harder. "Okay stop that!" Vera doesn't and instead leans in and bites your ear so hard she draws blood. "VERA WHAT THE FUCK!? THAT FUCKING HURT!" you exclaim holding your ear. "Help! I'm being raped!" Vera shouts. "Shhhh! What the fuck are you doing!? You trying to get me…" "RAPE! RAPE! RAPE!" At this point you slam Vera against the wall and put your hand to her mouth. "Shut the fuck up! You trying to get the Watch to arrest us? Ow! My fingers!" you exclaim as Vera manages to bite your fingers. At this point you're genuinely angry. Under normal circumstances, you'd probably just completely disengage, but seeing as you're still aroused, you decide to give into Vera's obvious kink. "Fine, I'll give you what you want if only to shut you up!" "Well stop talking lover and just do it…ulp…yeah…just like that…" You place your hands around Vera's throat and begin choking her. At first it's only light, but as your thrusting gets quicker and harder, you begin tightening your grip. "Okay…you can…loosen up…a bit…" Vera gasps. But you don't. In fact your mind has gone into a very dark place. You start seeing images of death. Not just hers though. You see the deaths of all the other women you had sex with since Tanya. "St…op…" Vera says and begins to struggle. You don't even reply, you just continue strangling her. Vera now is fighting for her life, but despite kneeing you in the crotch several times, you're not even fazed. Even your desire for sex has been muted over your desire to kill her. "You'll never replace her! NEVER!" you start to shout. You are then suddenly smashed in the back of the head by something, causing you to collapse. "Lady are you alright? We were watching over there and saw him getting too rough!" someone says, meanwhile someone else is still kicking you. While Vera is recovering and coughing, you pull your pistol. "Watch out!" Vera barely manages to utter before you blast the asshole that's currently kicking you. The bum falls to the ground, and then the other tries to run, but you easily shoot him as well. Vera, realizing that she can't run, tries to appeal to you. "Please, you have to stop this!" she says. You are really not thinking straight however. The drugs in your body combined with being pushed into aggressiveness and some unknown factor that's really causing you to have bloody thoughts, and it's a volatile combination. Still, it's almost like you aren't completely yourself. Part of you feels like you've done something like this before, and that you always tried to stop it, but couldn't. There is a brief moment of clarity and then only overwhelming guilt followed by rage. "Why? This is what you wanted and I warned you of the consequences. You thought you were going to be different. YOU thought you were going to steal me away from Tanya! But YOU were wrong! They ALL were! I made sure of that!" you exclaim and point your pistol at Vera. Now you've completely lost it. A loud shot is heard, but it isn't from your pistol. It's from the musket of a Holgard watchman who overheard all the noise and came running. In typical Holgard Watch fashion he shot first and didn't even bother asking questions. You fall to the ground a final time with a bloody hole in the side of your head.

You need to just get the hell out of here, because staying is surely going to doom someone. You continue your trip to the exit, trying not to look at any of the people having sexual encounters along the way. Several times you have to push people away after they grab at you. Eventually you just start punching them, and for a couple of them that just turns them on even more. "Uhn yeah, beat me harder! I like it like that!" "This is fucked." You mutter. You try to think of the most unattractive and least erotic things you can think of like the Holgard sewers, and similar things. You also hit yourself in crotch a few times and unlike the masochist freaks, that works to lessen your arousal. Doesn't get rid of it entirely though and you're not doing that too much more because it hurts like a sonofabitch. Eventually you make it out of the palace. The guards don't even react when they see you and just shrug as you continue to run from the palace and out the gates into the city. As soon as you're in the public area of the city again, you realize now you've got another problem. Instead of having a strong sexual desire around a bunch of other people who are also suffering the same condition, you're now potentially around a bunch of people who aren't suffering it at all. You try to walk down the more isolated street with nobody about, but you need to get off them entirely before you potentially start molesting someone or worse. You'd go to a brothel, but if you did, you'd just end up killing all your employees. "Hey, didn't expect to bump into you. I didn't realize you left the party too. Figured you were bedding some aristocrat or something." You spin around and see Vera. "Vera, what the hell are you doing here?" you ask. "I was on my way back home. Shortly after we separated I wandered and talked to a few people and even looked around seeing if I could steal anything, but there really wasn't a good opportunity, and then something weird happened." Vera says. "Let me guess, everyone got all friendly?" "Yeah, REALLY friendly. Didn't know it was going to be that kind of party. Guessing something was in the drinks. Glad I hadn't drank anything while I was there. Still, I might have paired up with one of the horny aristocrat guys if it had just been a one on one thing, but then Ludmilla was around and she started hitting on me too and I got really creeped out. I mean she didn't know of course, but she could potentially be my half sister, and that just really put me out of the mood entirely. I ran out as soon as I could." "Yeah, potentially fucking a sibling, I can see where that would put a damper on things…" you say barely able to contain yourself "Um, what's wrong with you? You're fidgeting and sweating. You keep putting your hand on your crotch…wait a minute. Did you have the drinks?" "Vera, I'm telling you, you need to leave me right now, because I'm having a REALLY hard time here." Vera smiles a bit and grabs at the obvious bulge in your pants. You nearly don't back away. "Shit. You ARE having a hard time. Well hell, come on let's put that to good use." "Vera, you need to seriously stop!" you say. "Oh come on! I don't see what the hell is wrong with me! I mean shit; you act like I got the fucking plague! You're a real fucking asshole you know that?" "Vera…" "No! I'm going to say some shit that YOU need to hear! I know all about your ex-girlfriend. Warts mentioned that you were really head over heels for a demonkin once when he suggested that I was banging my head up against a wall with you. Said that's probably the real reason why you don't have any relationships at all because you're still in love with the infernal bitch." "Yeah well Warts don't know the whole fucking story." "What's to know? You're obviously still holding a candle for her like a fucking idiot. You think she gives a shit about you? No. She was a DEMON. They don't give a shit about anything! And here you are still being faithful for a girl that isn't around meanwhile you outright continue to ignore people who ARE here and do care for you. Someone who knows your likes and dislikes. Someone who has done more than she would normally do and would probably do a lot more stupid shit because for some fucked up reason she really likes you." Vera at this point looks down a bit and rubs her eyes. "No. LOVES you. More than you'll ever damn well know." You don't really know what to say. You always knew Vera had some attraction to you, but you didn't think it extended this far. Even with everything that's going on with your body right now, this information has made you focus on something other than sex. "Vera, I really don't know what to say, except if you believe that I haven't ever thought about us, well you don't know me as well as you think. Hell, tonight I even enjoyed pretending a bit that we were going out on some fancy date, well until the drugged drinks that is." "Then what the hell's the problem?" "The problem is, I'll fucking kill you! My dick is fucking cursed!" "What?!" "Look, I'm having a difficult time as it is trying not to be all over you right now, so here's the short version." You quickly explain how you came to learn about your unfortunate condition and everything else relating to it. When Vera asks about a cure, you explain that the cost is too high from what you know about the one time it was offered to you. "So you see? I haven't been avoiding a relationship with you for no damn reason. I've been trying to keep you alive! And if you want to stay that way, I'd suggest you fucking leave right this minute. I need to go jerk off or something in an alley right now." You say. Vera is silent for a moment "Okay, well why don't I at least help you with that?" Vera suddenly says. "What?" you say. "Why don't you at least let me jerk you off? I mean it's not sex right? You're not penetrating me. I'm just going to be lending a helping hand as it were." "Vera, while I appreciate the offer, I'm still not sure if that's a good idea." "Look, you know how I feel about you. And you're saying you have feelings for me, so isn't this the type of shit couples are supposed to do for one another? Help each other out?" You aren't sure if it's the drink that's breaking down your willpower or Vera's fairly convincing argument, but you can't hold back anymore. "Okay. Okay. I guess maybe you make a solid point. I'm still really worried about you though." "Don't worry about me. You just try to relax as I take care of everything. Let's go over there, that looks like a secluded spot." You and Vera duck into an alleyway and soon Vera is helping you out directly. And then again. And then a third and FOURTH time and you're still not sated. "What the hell did they put into those drinks? Ground up unicorn testicles?" Vera says wiping her hands. "Shit, this isn't working. Fuck what if its permanent?" "No, this has to wear off eventually. We're just going to have to do something else." Vera begins to lower herself. "What the hell are you doing?!" you exclaim. "What does it look like?" she asks "You can't do that! You'll die!" "It's not sex right? I mean not really. I'll be fine." "I'm pretty sure it counts, some of those other women blew me too." "Yeah, but you also fucked them, and we're not doing that, so again just relax and let me take care of it." "But…oh shit…" You can't even argue anymore as you feel the glory that is Vera's oral skills. Given how many times she's offered this to you in the past, this has got to be a major fantasy for her or something. Soon… "Fuck. That was a lot. You good?" Vera says wiping off her mouth a bit. "I really wish I could say I was, but you're going to have to stay down there a little longer." "Yeah, as much fun as that was, I'm not sucking your dick all night. You're putting that thing to better use." At this point Vera begins lifting her dress up and grinding herself into you. "Vera! Shit! We REALLY can't do this! You WILL die!" you say, but still holding on to her body tightly. "Y'know what I've been thinking? I think you're fucking imagining things. I think all those girls were just a bad coincidence and you jumped to conclusions because as I said, you're still holding a torch for your ex and felt guilty about it." Vera responds. "What? Where do you get that idea from?" "I get that idea from the fact that you have no damn proof that your dick is cursed from what you've told me. I mean if it really was cursed, I'd think those women would have melted shortly after or something, not died from common shit like drug overdoses or fires. You just had a string of bad luck and made assumptions." "Vera, you can't know that." "Yeah, well I've never been one to play it too safe, so if this is it for me, there are worse ways. Might as well at least be because you fucked me. Now let's do this already." "Right here in this dirty ass alley?" "You didn't seem to have any objections before when your dick was in my mouth." "I still think this is a really bad idea…" "I guess we'll see, now fuck me like it's my last night here, because it might very well be." Against your better judgment (or any judgment really) you finally give what Vera's always wanted from you. "Oh… shit. Fuck, this is going to be good." She says as you enter inside her. You've barely gotten started fucking her up against a nearby wall and she's already trying not to make a lot of noise and failing at it. This session quite unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's raw; it's dirty and it almost feels violent. As you're giving it to Vera hard, she still manages to surprise you. "Put your hands around my throat." She suddenly says. "What?!" you ask. "Oh and call me a whore too. I want to imagine you're raping me in this alley. Y'know like when you pretend threaten to do when we first met?" "That's…sort of fucked up Vera" "I'm attracted to the likes of you, are you really all that surprised that I'm a little fucked up?" You're starting to get the impression that Vera's love for you is a little more twisted that you originally believed. You sort of wonder if it's been borderline obsession and she's just done a good job of keeping it together. You're just not sure if this is such a good idea given that the women you have sex with tend to die afterwards. > You fulfill the request Never let be said you won't honor a lady's request. You put your hands around Vera's neck, but are very aware of not to actually choke her (Even if she is telling you to squeeze a little harder at times). As fucked up as Vera might be for requesting this, you're definitely thinking that you're probably worse since you're starting to enjoy this. Your thoughts even goes to a dark place during this and you partially struggle to keep in mind that you shouldn't actually be trying to strangle her to death. In any case you and Vera continue your sexual activities and even though you're the weakly choking her a bit, you're the one that starts feeling delirious and out of breath. At one point you actually blurt out: "I love you." "Shut up, you're breaking the fantasy." Vera replies. "Um, I mean you dirty whore, you're fit only to be fucked and killed!" While this seems to really do it for Vera, you still think this is a really bad idea considering that she may very well really die after all this. Doesn't stop you though and you continue until you (and her) are completely spent. At which point you collapse nearly directly on top of her and lose consciousness right there in the alley. When you wake up you surprisingly find yourself back at headquarters in your bed. You feel very drained and thirsty. Reminds you of when you were with Tanya. You look over to your right and nearly jump when you find Vera lying next to you just staring. "What the hell?! How did we get here?" you ask. "Well after you collapsed, I paid some bums who apparently had been watching us the whole time to help me drag you to the nearest brothel, from there I found some of our people and they carried you the rest of the way here." "Great. Now I have to worry about my reputation along with you as well." "I hardly think some bums are going to be a concern, and so some of the gang carried you home, big deal. It's not like you got the shit kicked out of you. You just passed out from a mixture of alcohol and wild sex. In fact I went on about how you were giving it to me really good last night. If anything your reputation just increased a bit. Even better, because I wasn't even lying." Vera remarks and moves in to caress your body. "And you?" "And me what? Oh you still worried about the whole curse thing? Obviously I'm still here and doing fine, so obviously your concern is misplaced. I told you that you've probably been living like a monk for years for no reason and there is no curse. We could've been having fun a long time ago, but better late than never right?" "Vera, I told you, the curse doesn't work like that. You could die tomorrow or even a month from now." "Yeah, and I could also die a year from now. You going to blame that on a so called curse as well? Shit happens. And that's exactly what happened to those girls. I mean none of the ones you told me about were exactly in the safest of positions. Whores, tavern wenches, one was another thief. I mean it's a cruel world and living in Holgard doesn't make it any easier. Just because they happened to die shortly after you fucked them, doesn't mean your dick is cursed." You don't answer, but you don't look convinced. "I mean I know you. You typically think things out before making any major decisions, surely you must have considered that this was just in your head and you weren't cursed?" Vera says. "Yeah I did. Several times in fact, but there were just too many coincidences for me to not come to the conclusion I did. Not to mention I still think about Tanya from time to time. I mean it's certainly not as strong as it once was, but she's still there. And if she's still in my head, what else was left behind?" you ask. "Well of course you're still going to think about her. From what I can tell, she had fucking demon powers that aided in fucking with your head. Not to mention it sounds like you had a genuine relationship with her. Those things mixed together are going to cause some lingering feelings. I mean shit, I remember this asshole boyfriend I had back when I was a teenager. He wasn't even a demon and he knew how to say all the right shit to me and I was fool enough to fall for it most of the time. And despite the fact he's no longer in my life, there's still a part of me that remembers the few really good times with him." "What happened to him?" "Got himself killed by being a dumb ass during a robbery. I cried over him for days, and like I said sometimes I still even think about him but my point is I got over him and moved on. And I think that's what you're having a hard time doing. You got some sort of weird loyalty going on with this demon chick. Reminds me of those widows that wear black forever after their husbands die. Life's too damn short to live in the past, which is why I'm not going to fucking worry about a curse and YOU shouldn't either. We should have gotten together a long time ago." You know Vera made a brief argument last night about this. At the time you weren't really thinking straight to really take it into proper consideration and you half believed she just really wanted your dick. And while that still might be true, it doesn't mean she isn't wrong. Even if she doesn't necessarily believe everything she's saying and is just hedging her bets that you aren't cursed, she must REALLY be into you if she's risking potential death. You can't help but be pretty attracted to that sort of dedication. In fact, if you weren't still feeling so drained you'd probably have with Vera again right now. "You're right, I have been hanging on to a memory and making excuses. Time put everything from the past aside and see what happens." You reply. After getting something to drink, you muster up as much energy you can to get around to dictating orders for everyone today, though you end up letting Vera taking over those duties for the most part today while you're still recovering from yesterday. (Which she's happy to do) As much as you're trying to put the past aside and focus on your new relationship with Vera which is seemingly going well, it's not entirely simple. For whatever reason Tanya keeps popping up in your head. Actually more frequently that she has in quite awhile. Like when you weren't with anyone you only thought about her briefly once every month or so. Now? She's passing through your mind at least once a day. Sometimes more. You continue to try to ignore it, but then your mind starts going to a darker place. You begin to see the images of the women you had sex with in the past after Tanya and their deaths. Honestly before recently when you started explaining all this Vera you hadn't given them much thought. You never actually saw them die when you were informed of their deaths, yet now you're seeing their deaths quite clearly, like you were actually there. Worse, now you're starting to visualize Vera's death and it all comes to a head when you have very real nightmare involving you stabbing her to death. "Argh! Fuck!" you exclaim waking up. "What the hell?" Vera says waking up next to you. "Oh shit. Thank the gods, you're still alive!" you say and immediately hold her tight. "Of course I'm still alive. Wait, have you still been worrying about that curse I told you was bullshit?" "Yeah, for awhile now. But I don't think its bullshit. For the past month I've been having these really dark thoughts and I keep seeing the deaths of those girls and the worst part about all of that is I'm starting to think that I killed them." "I told you, you didn't. Those were all accidents or coincidences, not a fucking curse!" "No! That's not what I'm saying! I'm saying, the girl that died in the fire? I SAW myself light the place up! The other that died of an overdose of Yellow Devil? I fucking injected her with it! And now I've been seeing myself stab you to death! This is worse that I thought! Before I thought maybe it was just demonic forces doing their work independently, but now it's ME directly! I mean I'm not sure what's worse, the fact that maybe there's a curse on me causing me to kill these women OR something is fucked up in my head and it's just been me the whole time! Either way, you're not safe around me!" Despite this revelation and you being obviously upset, Vera is silent and doesn't move from her spot. "Okay. We can still work through this." She replies calmly. "Are you serious?" "Fuck yes I'm serious! As far as I know all couples have their issues, yours just happens to be more complicated. Okay first thing you need to do is go fuck some whores." "What?!" "You heard me. I want you to go fuck a bunch of whores. Pick a brothel we own and fuck as many as you can. I mean I know you didn't do it before because you didn't want to put their lives in jeopardy and that's very sweet of you. One of your endearing qualities, but we need to see if any of this is true once and for all. Obviously if they start dying off then maybe this curse business has some merit and if it IS you doing it, then it's going to be really obvious soon enough. I mean maybe you'll get some of them, but no way in hell you're going to be able to kill them all without getting caught." This is insane. "But, what if I target you first? I mean I'm already thinking about it!" "You're not going to kill me. And if you try I think you know I can take care of myself. And even in the off chance you do, well then it's not going to matter because I'll be dead." "But what about me?! Don't you think I'll feel really bad about killing you?!" Vera touches your face. "I'm sure you will. You'll probably even cry over me for a while. The sadder thing is, it'll still be more emotion than anyone else has ever shown me. I told you I'm in this for the long haul. So if that means you if I have to temporarily let you fuck other women and all this still possibly resulting in my death, then so fucking be it." Vera's unbelievably fanatical devotion to you is really starting to reach a level that you didn't think was possible. Whatever "condition" is fucking with your head, it's going to have a really difficult time in getting you to actually kill her "Now you want me to go with you to the brothel? Will it help if I'm there?" Vera asks. "Um, no. I'll go there by myself. Um, what if this all turns out to be true?" you ask. "Well, then I guess you'll have to get the priests of Dorna to cure you. I know you said you declined before since it all felt a little sketchy and you didn't feel right about the ritual, but desperate times and all that." "Yeah, I suppose it'll be the only way. Shit…" "Hey, we'll get through this." Vera kisses you and you're soon on your way to one of the brothels. When you arrive, you're greeted warmly since it's been a long time since you've been to it and not just because you own the place. And so begins "the test." The first time, it takes awhile for you to get into it mainly because now you feel like you're not just cheating on Tanya, but that you're also cheating on Vera! Then again, it's not cheating at all is it? Tanya isn't in the picture anymore and hasn't been for years and Vera gave you permission. Once you settle that in your mind you're able to get on with it, with fewer issues. You still end up having some thoughts about those dead women, and even Vera and the whores you were with today. Except it wasn't quite as vivid. You repeat the process and by the time a week passes you're experiencing the thoughts even less. Now Vera isn't even showing up. Oddly some of the whores still are, but again it's very minor. You aren't thinking about Tanya either. A month passes and you haven't had any dark thoughts and nothing has happened to any of the whores or Vera. The dead women however are still with you. The images of you being there now feel more like a faint memory. You get the terrible feeling you DID kill them. You aren't sure if it's due to a curse or some mental break down you had after the break up with Tanya, but they aren't going away. You're going to just have to try to rebury those thoughts again. Vera's been pretty understanding through all this so that's certainly helping, but you're wondering if maybe it would help even more if you weren't in Holgard any longer. "Expansion? Where?" Vera asks. "I dunno, but besides all the other shit going on in my head, I have been thinking about business matters too." You say. "Okay, so were you thinking about starting a League chapter in the Delantium Kingdom? "No. For whatever reason the Ebony Claw Syndicate has not fucked with us. If we start going into their territory, that could change. Besides this this isn't really expansion so much as relocation. I really think for my own mental health I need a change of location. Too many fucked up memories and baggage here." "Hm, I see. Well you ever heard of Jicol?" "Think I've heard some of the Hessla pirates we deal with mention it sometimes. Don't know much though." "It's a port town west of Hessla and from what I've heard it's wide open like a whore's legs. Nobody has tried to organize anything there and the city focuses so much on defending against potential pirate attacks that it doesn't have the heightened security like say Klyton does in recent years. I say we start there." "That sounds good." "Okay, so are we not keeping a presence at all here?" "I thought about it, but again, I don't want too many ties to this place. I mean I'd keep Warts in charge of a chapter here, but I doubt that he'll want the headache of running it. I figure I'll just pass the businesses off to the next most qualified person who can start a new organization and we'll take the half of the treasury and whoever wants to come with us to relocate." "What if nobody comes?" "Well we'll still have the coin and we can still restart in Jicol with all new people. Or it can just end up being just us. I don't care. My mental well being and my relationship with you is more important than coin." "More important than coin? Wow, you really do care about me." "Of course I do, why would you doubt that?" "Well I know how I feel, and I can make good guesses on your feelings, but it's never a sure thing you know? But I'm happy to have confirmation. In any case, I go where you go. We'll start over in Jicol and be successful, in fact I've already got my own ideas about what can get us a good head start…" With Vera by your side, a new prospect on the horizon and your "condition" either subdued or gone completely you're feeling more positive about the future. > You time passes... Chapter 3D1: Nocturnal Ambitions Year 30 Properly getting with Vera and relocating is the best decision you could have made you think. You definitely feel more at ease and not as stressed out all the time. And more importantly you've finally shaken off the effects of whatever it was that was fucking with your head before. Still, there always problems that crop up in your line of work. Nothing that can be done to eliminate that. "These Black Hooks are dumb ass snot nosed kids." You say. "Perhaps, but you know those type tend to be very eager to prove themselves." Vera says. "Maybe so, but I'm just not sure I want that lot incorporated into our organization." "Well the only other option is to wipe them out then, because I think you know from direct experience that two major criminal organizations in one city tends to lead to a whole lot of conflict." "Hah, I'd hardly call the Black Hooks a major anything. They're a gang of wannabes, but I guess you do have a point and everyone does have to start somewhere. Yeah, probably should try to recruit them now when they're young and moldable. Might be good to have some more local people and bolster our ranks a bit more." "Okay, so how do you want to do this?" "Talk to the leader and his lieutenants I guess. Martin is his name?" "Marco actually." "Whatever. Have some of our people go to one of their little hangouts to set up a meeting and explain to them if they don't accept the invitation then I'll have my answer of how to deal with them. Now are we certain that they are the only other organization in the city?" "Yeah, all other criminal activity in the city is mostly by independents and unorganized." "Okay, well we probably should start gathering them too in time, but we'll deal with the Black Hooks first. Vera kisses you goodbye to go perform her regular duties and get things rolling on the Black Hooks situation. A couple days pass and you've finally gotten your answer from the Black Hooks and apparently despite some tough talk by Marco, he's agreed to meet with you, just outside the city. Given what you know of him and the Black Hooks, they're a gang of youths that engage in a lot of petty crime such as punching old ladies and taking their coin bags. You're also aware that more than a few of them though are getting hooked on Purple Wish so that might play a part in negotiations. Though as far as you're concerned, this isn't going to be much of a negotiation, it's going to be you telling these wannabes if they want to be continue along their path of delinquency, they're going to have to start falling in line. You naturally get to the meeting a little early and have some of your people hiding nearby in case something happens, but honestly you're not worried. Eventually Marco and three of his people of them arrive. Two of them look a little jittery. Another one is female and given that she's hanging on Marco's arm, it must be his little trashy girlfriend. Marco gives you the hard stare to which of course you're quite unimpressed by. "I trust you know who I am." You say. "Yeah, you run that new gang called the Nocturnal League." "Oh, we're a lot more than just a gang." "Okay, whatever. So we're here. What the fuck did you want to talk about?" Marco says. "Hm, I'll ignore the bluster and chalk it up to nerves." "Hey! I'm not nervous! There's four of us out here and just one of you!" Marco exclaims, not knowing just how close he is to death at anytime. "Relax, it wasn't an insult, but tell me Marco, where do you see the Black Hooks in five years?" "Five years?" "Yes, that's what I said. Where do you see yourself and your gang in that time? What's the plan? Do you have a plan?" Marco just looks at you and then at his buddies with a blank expression. Predictable. Stupid ass teenager doesn't have a plan. "Well? Come on boy think! I know you lot engages in minor thievery and pointless vandalism. Were you planning on moving into drugs and whores? Get into the Qweepa fights perhaps? Unite all the criminals in the city into your little gang and take over all of Jicol's underworld?" "Um…" "Um? Um is not a plan you halfwit. Am I just wasting my time here?" "Okay! Fuck! I dunno! I mean I guess we want to be pirates." You shake your head. "Okay, you lot want to be pirates. Alright, do you own a ship?" "No." "You have no ship. Are you saving coin to buy one?" "Um…" "I'll take that as a no. Do you know how to sail?" "No." "Fucking hell, do any of you losers at least KNOW any fucking pirates?" "I do!" the girl says. "Hm, I bet you do." You reply. "Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Marco asks. "It means your little girlfriend is the only one here that at least has any connections, and since I'm a gentleman I won't elaborate any further since it's none of my concern anyway. My point is you fuckers have no damn ambition. You lot probably haven't even left this island have you?" The four of them again look down and at each other. "I thought so. When I was your age I had already killed several men, left home and was travelling the world!" Travelling the world might be pushing it, but travelling to Holgard is still more than these little shits have done. At this point you begin lecturing Marco about how their criminal activity is petty and amateur along with bringing unnecessary heat down by the Jicol Watch. Something about this seems familiar… "Hey! Get off our fucking asses! What gives you the right to yell at us? You're not our fucking dad!" And yep, that's what seemed familiar. Shit, you never thought you'd sound like your father, but you guess the old man's personality is there after all. In any case, you hope you're a little more successful than he was in getting some unruly teenagers in line. "Yeah, I'm not your dad, but here's the thing, I AM in charge. From now on, the Nocturnal League is taking over everything and you can either be part of that, or you can get the hell out of the way. The choice is yours. What you don't want is to be IN our way. Now I'm telling you lot this first because you're closest thing to an organization in this city so you're officially the biggest competition, as laughable as that is. You're also getting the chance to join a REAL one along with better training for all your youthful activity that the law disapproves of. So, you with me or not?" "So what happens if I say no?" Marco asks. "You're free to leave. Though I'd suggest that you go get a regular job like a barrel maker or go try to be a cabin boy on a pirate ship and pursue that dream because as I said, the Black Hooks as of now are a thing of the past." You reply. "So we have no choice." "Sure you do, just not the one you want. Look, I get that this is going to be the hardest for you since you're in a leadership position and you probably don't like people telling you what to do and all I can say to that is well tough shit. You're either going to have to suck it up or as I said, get the hell out of my way. Now if it'll lessen the sting to your pride, I can say, you may retain some of your leadership role in a limited capacity. I'm going to need help in assimilating the rest of your people and the smoother this goes down, the better off we'll ALL be." This ultimatum is met with some silence and then the four of them begin whispering amongst themselves. It's actually sort of amusing to you. Marco turns to you and speaks. "Fuck you. We're not joining." Marco says. You just sigh thinking that this was going so well too. "Oh? And that's what all of you have decided?" you say. "That's what I'VE decided." "Funny, because I could have swore I saw you conversing with your friends which signifies to me that maybe you AREN'T the leader you claim if you have to speak with anyone before making a final decision as important as this." "I AM the leader and I'm not following some asshole that's trying to scare me. I know some shit about you. You only just got here and only have a handful of people. The Black Hooks have WAY more than you. You don't look so tough and if you didn't have that pistol, I'd kick your ass." "Is that right?" Well you expected some resistance, but you figured it would be half assed negotiation, not Marco finding the balls to stand up to you. The simple thing would be to shoot him and get this over with since you're fairly sure the rest are going to fall in line, but you'll make greater point by actually humoring this asshole. Besides, he's annoyed you enough that you'll take some delight in kicking his ass. "Okay then, but first." You say and whistle for your people to come out of hiding. Marco and his people look a little surprised which just proves how dumb they really are if they thought you were out here alone. "Since I'm fairly certain as soon as I'm kicking Marco's ass, he's going to call for help, I want you two to make sure this is indeed a fair fight. Shoot anyone who interferes." "Wait, how do I know they won't shoot us, if I win?" "Don't worry, you won't win." You say and hand your pistol over to one of your people. Marco pulls a knife and begins to look for an opening to which to attack. You just watch him. "I want you three to pay attention, because what I do to Marco, I'll also do to you if you choose to follow him…well not you. You can have a position in the brothel." You say to Marco's buddies. Predictably this enrages him and he swings wildly at you with his knife, you easily dodge his clumsy attacks and with a few punches to his face, he's already on the ground. You then step on his wrist and take the knife from him. "Too fucking easy." At this point Marco attempts to punch you in the balls with his other hand, but instead you stomp him in the face. You then proceed to break his arm, he screams in pain and his girlfriend looks away while his buddies look like they've just realized how serious this is. You point Marco's own knife at his face and he's already crying and begging for his life. "No! (sob) Please! I don't wanna die! I apologize! I… (sob)" Marco screams. "Shut up! Shut the fuck up. YOU brought this on yourself. Up until now, you've just been playing, but this is what happens when you make bad fucking choices. There are consequences." you say as you prod the knife into his face so it bleeds. "However, you're fortunate that today those consequences aren't fatal." You stand up and step back while Marco's people slowly go see to him. "You change your mind?" Marco of course says he does and his people do as well. "Good, now go back and tell the rest of your gang about the change in leadership. Also assure them that they all stand to make more coin and who knows maybe you lot will actually scrape enough to buy a ship one day. In the meantime Marco, I'm going to be counting on you to make this transition smooth. I don't want to have to straighten out the rest of your gang the way I had to with you, I don't have the fucking time. Understand?" Marco nods his head and thanks you for not killing him. "Yes, well I am the nice one. Now get the hell out of here." Marco and his crew leave as quick as they can and head back to Jicol. After chuckling a bit with your own people and taking your pistol back, you do start to do likewise. Or at least you try to. You're not used to stomping about the jungle area outside Jicol and unfortunately you end up getting turned around and lost. You begin cursing as your two underlings try not to anger you any further by staying silent. As you're still wandering through the jungle you stumble upon a ruined structure. Looks like a temple and by its design it looks like one dedicated to Fel. Seeing as it's starting to get dark, you half wonder if you shouldn't just take shelter in here for the night and start fresh tomorrow. Not to mention there could be something of value in there. > You take shelter You've always hated the wilderness. You still have the bad memories of when you had to trounce about the forests on your way to Holgard. It's so easy to get lost, especially at night. Better to stay in a structure until day break when you can at least see better. You can only imagine how concerned Vera is right now. Hell, she might have even declared war on the Black Hooks believing them to have killed you, but there isn't much you can do about that at the moment. You tell your two people you're going to take shelter in the temple and you all head inside. After lighting a couple torches, you get a better look at your surroundings and the place looks about like what you'd expect, though it's obviously much bigger than the temple in Holgard. It's also covered in spiderwebs. It's a long shot, but you think about the possibility of some valuable items still here. Temples usually have that sort of thing lying around. You might as well take a look given that you'll be spending the night here. "Let's have a look around. Grab anything that looks like it might have some value." You say. You all search the immediate nearby rooms and areas, but don't find much save for a lot more cobwebs. You enter one room, you find a couple of old vases that look like they might hold value. As you're looking at those, one of your people ends up finding a stairway leading down. "Hey boss. Found something." "Hm, I suppose if there is anything of value, it might be down there. Of course who knows what might be down there, so we should be careful. I wouldn't be surprised if there were traps." You and your two people slowly head down the steps, when suddenly you start to hear squeaking. At first you think it might be rats, but the squeak is a bit of a lower tone. You soon see several sources of the squeaking running at you from the darkness of the bottom of the stairwell. "Shit, there's a fucking shitload of qweepas!" Your underling instinctively starts swinging his torch at them, but qweepas tend to be a bit more fearless than normal rats especially in a large pack like this and merely just avoid the flames by running around his swing radius. Doesn't take long before one of them has managed to get to his legs and bite him. He shouts in pain and slips down the stairs. While this wasn't enough to kill him, the old traps that were at the bottom of said stairs well and you see a swinging spike impaling him. Meanwhile there are more qweepas coming up from the stairs. A lot of them. You and your other underling immediately run back up the stairs, while qweepas are biting at your heels the whole time. Some of them are even managing to leap on your back. You both get to the top of the stairs and have to stop to get the damn things off of you before they gnaw through your clothes and your body. You start stabbing, burning and throwing the oversized rats against the walls. You've got bites all over you and you're bleeding all over, but that's nothing compared to your surviving underling who isn't quite so lucky when a qweepa manages to bite into his neck, puncturing an artery. Flailing and crying out, he falls to the floor mobbed by several qweepas who are eager to finish him off. You manage to get away, but the qweepas haven't given up yet. You end up getting a couple more leaping on you, which causes you to have to slow down your pace again to get them off. In the process, you drop your torch and fumble around in a corridor desperately trying to avoid an ignoble fate of getting eaten by these things. As you're doing this, you've moved far enough away from your dropped light source that you can't even see what's around you clearly. In your thrashing you've stumbled down a corridor you didn't explore and specifically into a larger gathering of spiderwebs. You were pretty careful about avoiding those before and burning the smaller patches that were in your way earlier, but now you've fallen into right into one big patch. The webbing is incredibly sticky, and now you're having a hard time even moving at all. Despite this impediment, you manage to get rid of the last of the qweepas, and fortunately for you, there doesn't seem to be any more qweepas attacking you. Unfortunately that's because even most qweepas know better than to go near the spider webs. As you're trying to pull yourself free, you soon find out that these webs weren't just made by multitudes of little spiders, or even several big ones. A vibration on the web is felt as you're still fumbling around in the dark and you look just in time to see a very large mass descend upon you. You can't see it clearly, but fear over takes you since you know what it could only be. And much like spiders of the smaller variety, it injects a poison, which paralyzes you, but it doesn't bother wrapping you up and save you for later. It's hungry now and just decides to eat you alive right then and there.

Chapter 3D1: Nocturnal Ambitions Year 30 Properly getting with Vera and relocating is the best decision you could have made you think. You definitely feel more at ease and not as stressed out all the time. And more importantly you've finally shaken off the effects of whatever it was that was fucking with your head before. Still, there always problems that crop up in your line of work. Nothing that can be done to eliminate that. "These Black Hooks are dumb ass snot nosed kids." You say. "Perhaps, but you know those type tend to be very eager to prove themselves." Vera says. "Maybe so, but I'm just not sure I want that lot incorporated into our organization." "Well the only other option is to wipe them out then, because I think you know from direct experience that two major criminal organizations in one city tends to lead to a whole lot of conflict." "Hah, I'd hardly call the Black Hooks a major anything. They're a gang of wannabes, but I guess you do have a point and everyone does have to start somewhere. Yeah, probably should try to recruit them now when they're young and moldable. Might be good to have some more local people and bolster our ranks a bit more." "Okay, so how do you want to do this?" "Talk to the leader and his lieutenants I guess. Martin is his name?" "Marco actually." "Whatever. Have some of our people go to one of their little hangouts to set up a meeting and explain to them if they don't accept the invitation then I'll have my answer of how to deal with them. Now are we certain that they are the only other organization in the city?" "Yeah, all other criminal activity in the city is mostly by independents and unorganized." "Okay, well we probably should start gathering them too in time, but we'll deal with the Black Hooks first. Vera kisses you goodbye to go perform her regular duties and get things rolling on the Black Hooks situation. A couple days pass and you've finally gotten your answer from the Black Hooks and apparently despite some tough talk by Marco, he's agreed to meet with you, just outside the city. Given what you know of him and the Black Hooks, they're a gang of youths that engage in a lot of petty crime such as punching old ladies and taking their coin bags. You're also aware that more than a few of them though are getting hooked on Purple Wish so that might play a part in negotiations. Though as far as you're concerned, this isn't going to be much of a negotiation, it's going to be you telling these wannabes if they want to be continue along their path of delinquency, they're going to have to start falling in line. You naturally get to the meeting a little early and have some of your people hiding nearby in case something happens, but honestly you're not worried. Eventually Marco and three of his people of them arrive. Two of them look a little jittery. Another one is female and given that she's hanging on Marco's arm, it must be his little trashy girlfriend. Marco gives you the hard stare to which of course you're quite unimpressed by. "I trust you know who I am." You say. "Yeah, you run that new gang called the Nocturnal League." "Oh, we're a lot more than just a gang." "Okay, whatever. So we're here. What the fuck did you want to talk about?" Marco says. "Hm, I'll ignore the bluster and chalk it up to nerves." "Hey! I'm not nervous! There's four of us out here and just one of you!" Marco exclaims, not knowing just how close he is to death at anytime. "Relax, it wasn't an insult, but tell me Marco, where do you see the Black Hooks in five years?" "Five years?" "Yes, that's what I said. Where do you see yourself and your gang in that time? What's the plan? Do you have a plan?" Marco just looks at you and then at his buddies with a blank expression. Predictable. Stupid ass teenager doesn't have a plan. "Well? Come on boy think! I know you lot engages in minor thievery and pointless vandalism. Were you planning on moving into drugs and whores? Get into the Qweepa fights perhaps? Unite all the criminals in the city into your little gang and take over all of Jicol's underworld?" "Um…" "Um? Um is not a plan you halfwit. Am I just wasting my time here?" "Okay! Fuck! I dunno! I mean I guess we want to be pirates." You shake your head. "Okay, you lot want to be pirates. Alright, do you own a ship?" "No." "You have no ship. Are you saving coin to buy one?" "Um…" "I'll take that as a no. Do you know how to sail?" "No." "Fucking hell, do any of you losers at least KNOW any fucking pirates?" "I do!" the girl says. "Hm, I bet you do." You reply. "Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Marco asks. "It means your little girlfriend is the only one here that at least has any connections, and since I'm a gentleman I won't elaborate any further since it's none of my concern anyway. My point is you fuckers have no damn ambition. You lot probably haven't even left this island have you?" The four of them again look down and at each other. "I thought so. When I was your age I had already killed several men, left home and was travelling the world!" Travelling the world might be pushing it, but travelling to Holgard is still more than these little shits have done. At this point you begin lecturing Marco about how their criminal activity is petty and amateur along with bringing unnecessary heat down by the Jicol Watch. Something about this seems familiar… "Hey! Get off our fucking asses! What gives you the right to yell at us? You're not our fucking dad!" And yep, that's what seemed familiar. Shit, you never thought you'd sound like your father, but you guess the old man's personality is there after all. In any case, you hope you're a little more successful than he was in getting some unruly teenagers in line. "Yeah, I'm not your dad, but here's the thing, I AM in charge. From now on, the Nocturnal League is taking over everything and you can either be part of that, or you can get the hell out of the way. The choice is yours. What you don't want is to be IN our way. Now I'm telling you lot this first because you're closest thing to an organization in this city so you're officially the biggest competition, as laughable as that is. You're also getting the chance to join a REAL one along with better training for all your youthful activity that the law disapproves of. So, you with me or not?" "So what happens if I say no?" Marco asks. "You're free to leave. Though I'd suggest that you go get a regular job like a barrel maker or go try to be a cabin boy on a pirate ship and pursue that dream because as I said, the Black Hooks as of now are a thing of the past." You reply. "So we have no choice." "Sure you do, just not the one you want. Look, I get that this is going to be the hardest for you since you're in a leadership position and you probably don't like people telling you what to do and all I can say to that is well tough shit. You're either going to have to suck it up or as I said, get the hell out of my way. Now if it'll lessen the sting to your pride, I can say, you may retain some of your leadership role in a limited capacity. I'm going to need help in assimilating the rest of your people and the smoother this goes down, the better off we'll ALL be." This ultimatum is met with some silence and then the four of them begin whispering amongst themselves. It's actually sort of amusing to you. Marco turns to you and speaks. "Fuck you. We're not joining." Marco says. You just sigh thinking that this was going so well too. "Oh? And that's what all of you have decided?" you say. "That's what I'VE decided." "Funny, because I could have swore I saw you conversing with your friends which signifies to me that maybe you AREN'T the leader you claim if you have to speak with anyone before making a final decision as important as this." "I AM the leader and I'm not following some asshole that's trying to scare me. I know some shit about you. You only just got here and only have a handful of people. The Black Hooks have WAY more than you. You don't look so tough and if you didn't have that pistol, I'd kick your ass." "Is that right?" Well you expected some resistance, but you figured it would be half assed negotiation, not Marco finding the balls to stand up to you. The simple thing would be to shoot him and get this over with since you're fairly sure the rest are going to fall in line, but you'll make greater point by actually humoring this asshole. Besides, he's annoyed you enough that you'll take some delight in kicking his ass. "Okay then, but first." You say and whistle for your people to come out of hiding. Marco and his people look a little surprised which just proves how dumb they really are if they thought you were out here alone. "Since I'm fairly certain as soon as I'm kicking Marco's ass, he's going to call for help, I want you two to make sure this is indeed a fair fight. Shoot anyone who interferes." "Wait, how do I know they won't shoot us, if I win?" "Don't worry, you won't win." You say and hand your pistol over to one of your people. Marco pulls a knife and begins to look for an opening to which to attack. You just watch him. "I want you three to pay attention, because what I do to Marco, I'll also do to you if you choose to follow him…well not you. You can have a position in the brothel." You say to Marco's buddies. Predictably this enrages him and he swings wildly at you with his knife, you easily dodge his clumsy attacks and with a few punches to his face, he's already on the ground. You then step on his wrist and take the knife from him. "Too fucking easy." At this point Marco attempts to punch you in the balls with his other hand, but instead you stomp him in the face. You then proceed to break his arm, he screams in pain and his girlfriend looks away while his buddies look like they've just realized how serious this is. You point Marco's own knife at his face and he's already crying and begging for his life. "No! (sob) Please! I don't wanna die! I apologize! I… (sob)" Marco screams. "Shut up! Shut the fuck up. YOU brought this on yourself. Up until now, you've just been playing, but this is what happens when you make bad fucking choices. There are consequences." you say as you prod the knife into his face so it bleeds. "However, you're fortunate that today those consequences aren't fatal." You stand up and step back while Marco's people slowly go see to him. "You change your mind?" Marco of course says he does and his people do as well. "Good, now go back and tell the rest of your gang about the change in leadership. Also assure them that they all stand to make more coin and who knows maybe you lot will actually scrape enough to buy a ship one day. In the meantime Marco, I'm going to be counting on you to make this transition smooth. I don't want to have to straighten out the rest of your gang the way I had to with you, I don't have the fucking time. Understand?" Marco nods his head and thanks you for not killing him. "Yes, well I am the nice one. Now get the hell out of here." Marco and his crew leave as quick as they can and head back to Jicol. After chuckling a bit with your own people and taking your pistol back, you do start to do likewise. Or at least you try to. You're not used to stomping about the jungle area outside Jicol and unfortunately you end up getting turned around and lost. You begin cursing as your two underlings try not to anger you any further by staying silent. As you're still wandering through the jungle you stumble upon a ruined structure. Looks like a temple and by its design it looks like one dedicated to Fel. Seeing as it's starting to get dark, you half wonder if you shouldn't just take shelter in here for the night and start fresh tomorrow. Not to mention there could be something of value in there. > You get back to Jicol You need to get back home as soon as possible; you really don't want to be out in the jungle after dark, especially in some ruined temple. Who knows what the hell is living in that thing. After a big of retracing and thinking, you and your people eventually remember the way back to Jicol and you're breathing a sigh of relief since it truly would have been a silly thing to get yourself lost and killed in the wilderness. When you get back to Vera she asks what the hell happened since you were gone so long. She nearly called the rest of the League to go attack the Black Hooks. You explain everything. "You let him live? You sure he's not going to try to get revenge someday?" Vera asks. "He might, but I'm not particularly worried that he will. Right now he's got proper fear in him and he'll get the rest of the Black Hooks in line with the League. They've been following him this long so they'll listen and in time his influence will be less as we split them up and have them work with other people. I mean yeah I could have shot him, but I think not killing him was the better play in the long run." You say. "I guess we'll see." In the months to follow, the Black Hooks do indeed fall in line and you've expanded the League greatly as far as membership is concerned. Of course there's a lot of training involved, but thankfully many of them are quick learners after all. It's also one of the major competitors out of the way and when you get better consolidated you'll be able to move on to the independent folks as well. You'll soon have this city's entire underworld under the Nocturnal League's control at this pace. Year 31 "What the fuck, I thought nobody else here was organized!" you exclaim. "They weren't, but I guess when word got around about what happened with the Black Hooks, the independents formed a loose alliance. They call themselves the Jicol Coalition of Rogues." Vera remarks. "They can't actually believe they'll win." You say. "Maybe not, but I believe that they at least think they'll make things harder. Maybe even to the point that you'll give up." Vera remarks. "Yeah, that's not happening." "Well that means war then, but I have to remind you, we can't just start stabbing people in the streets. The Jicol Watch isn't as corrupt as the Holgard Watch was, in fact they've been starting to become a pain in the ass and I'm getting concerned that they're going to actually raid our headquarters one day." "Yeah, I know. It's been a concern of mine too. Now that the League is bigger, we're probably attracting a lot more attention. "Maybe we need to relocate." "Well we could do that, but the city is only so big. Eventually we'll have to relocate again. (Sigh) One of the things I didn't think I'd miss is the spacious sewers of Holgard." "Didn't you say you saw a structure outside the city, in the jungle?" "Yes after meeting with Marco, when I got lost I found that ruined temple. We didn't explore it really though. Actually always meant to go back to give it a proper look though. I believe it was dedicated to Fel." "Oh. Well I was going to suggest that we make our base there. I mean regardless of what they do in the city, the Jicol Watch are definitely not going to harass us out there, but I'm not sure if I want to do that if it was a temple dedicated to Fel." "Hm, that's not a bad idea though. I mean it might it be a bit of a trip and take some work in cleaning up, but having something defensible like that would be a lot better than the current tavern front we're operating out of." "That sounds fairly labor intensive, not to mention dangerous and I'm still leery about making Fel Temple our base. I was part of the Syndicate and saw some of the shit Rook could do with Fel's divine power. I wouldn't want to piss off a god." "Yeah I've seen shadow magic as well by EC members and the actual priests, but honestly, I'm more concerned with more corporal trouble than divine right now." "Again, I suppose it's up to you and I'll support your decision, but I feel like this is also going to take time away from combating the JCR." For all the issues with this, you're convinced that this is going to be better in the long run. "We're taking that temple and as for the JCR, there hasn't been any real aggression yet. I mean from what you've said, they aren't really united except in defense against assimilation. Unless they attack, we'll hold off for now, and perhaps in time, we can lure some over without the need for combat. There will be a day of reckoning though." The month clearing out the ruined temple is a grueling process. It fortunately isn't inhabited by anything worse than some over sized spiders and a shitload of qweepas. You mostly use the ex-Black Hooks to do a lot of the grunt work, even if they grumble a lot. Marco's keeps the louder ones in line, but eventually even he has to complain when it turns out there are a lot of traps in the lower passages of the temple that have killed a few of them. After a bit of going back and forth of explaining that disarming traps is part of their training, you ultimately give them a break by stepping in and helping out directly. When you get down to the lower passages, you can sort of see their complaints, considering it's like a maze down here. You nearly trip some of the traps yourself, but thanks to your years of skill, you avoid any injury (and impress some of these ex-Hooks all the more) What is more interesting to you however is when you stumble upon rooms still filled with a few objects. Mostly vases and such, but you do find some more valuable items as well. Soon you've got a bunch of teenagers arguing over treasure and you have to remind them… "Not sure what you lot are arguing about, all this shit is going to me first, especially since I was the one who disarmed most of these traps in the first place. In any event we can probably get a good price for most of this stuff and the League could always use more coin in the general treasury." You say. At this point you tell everyone that they can finally head back to the city to return to their former duties, which they seem relieved about. You spend the next day just you by yourself in your new future headquarters as you go through the various valuable objects trying to appraise how much you should be able to get for them. As you're putting a vase aside, you suddenly hear something and you draw your pistol. "Before you start shooting, it's just me. I see I came just in time to see you giving the children a break." Vera says slowly entering the room. "Vera? Didn't expect you to come here so soon." You remark. "Yeah, well I figured I needed to get over my fears if this is going to be our new headquarters. I have to say, it is a lot better than that front we're currently using. I still have my concerns though. Are you really sure we're not pissing off some divine being doing this?" "I dunno, but I'm guessing if Fel really didn't like it, he would have already killed all of us with shadow monsters by now." "Not necessarily, he could just do it over time. He is a god after all." "True, but I remember something you said. We could all die randomly at anytime, but it doesn't necessarily mean there's any curse or greater reason behind it. Just means shit happens." "I suppose that's true. Still, if we do start seeing shadow monsters, I think we should just get the hell off the island and not look back." "Works for me. So any information of what's going on with this new coalition of independent rogues? Like maybe who the leader is? "Nothing new. Still can't figure out who is the leader yet. Then again it's supposed to be a defensive alliance against us, not a proper organization." "Yeah and that's bullshit. The Thieves' Guild was supposed to be a so called alliance of independent rogues as well and they definitely had a leader. Someone always has to be calling the shots at the top of the pyramid. The fact that we haven't found this person yet indicates to me that they got much more in mind than simple defense. My other concern is the Jicol Watch. While this temple will keep us from getting completely fucked over if they ever come down hard on us, it still doesn't change that all of our businesses could still be fucked in the city." Vera starts to speak and then stops. "Seems like you have something to say. Out with it, I think we've gotten to a place in our relationship where we can talk about anything now." You say. "Well I was just thinking, I over heard some of the Black Hooks saying once that there was an abandoned dock not far from this temple that nobody uses anymore. We could probably fix it up. Strong arm some carpenters and wood workers to do it and get some of our people to do any extra needed labor." Vera says. "Hmmm, I see where you're going with this. You're saying we wouldn't have to rely on Jicol's docks to trade with pirates, smugglers and some corrupt merchants if shit really went bad for us. Good idea, but I can't imagine the government is going to just let us get away doing that." "The Jicol's government is fairly hands off at times. Considering they let pirates dock in the city as long as they aren't pillaging or causing trouble, they probably aren't going to care about what we're doing out here. I mean that's why we're setting up a base out here right? In fact, I'd say they'd probably prefer it if those type came over here instead. In time we could probably build up a small trading outpost and move some of our businesses out of Jicol entirely." "Sounds like you're talking about building a city." "Maybe nothing so grand as a city, but something like a smaller version of Hessla except with us in charge." "That's a nice idea, but this all seems pretty damn expensive and keep in mind we still don't even have control over all the criminal activity here." "Yeah I was thinking about other potential avenues of revenue too and while I know you were against it before, I REALLY think we should go into it now…" You already know what Vera is suggesting. "Slave trade." You say. "Look, I know how you feel about this and back in Holgard it didn't matter as much since it was a bigger city with more options, but here? We're in a perfect position to take advantage of the thriving slave trade in this area." Vera remarks. "Thriving slave trade? As far as I know there aren't any slave rings in Jicol." "Exactly! There has never been enough organization to do it right here. We could set up shop and as I said, slaver and pirate ships come here all the time for supplies or rest and he Jicol government doesn't give a shit as long as they aren't trying to pillage the place. If we have our own dock, we could easily start selling slaves without even the hassle of potentially getting shit from the Jicol government." "So where are we getting these slaves again?" "Well we are at war with the independents right? I figure we can start with them. We got this big new base now, plenty of places to keep them in chains." Vera's suggestion solves a few issues you suppose. Maybe it's due to recently discovering that you murdered several innocent women and blacked it out that's changed things, but for whatever reason engaging in slave trade just doesn't seem to repulse you so much anymore. If word gets out that you're selling your enemies into slavery that could scare a lot of folks into joining. Getting killed is one thing, but getting turned into a slave might be enough to give some people pause. "Okay Vera, I can see some advantages for us going into this business and since you've got all the expertise, I'm going to hand this task for you to oversee." you say. "Great. I'll start letting my pirate contacts know that we're in the slave trade business. Word will spread and I can't wait to get started!" "Hm, well I guess we better get started on getting all this up and running. I guess I should ask though, what is it with you and the slave trade anyway? Not that I would ever profess to be a Jochim saint, but I can't say I'm going to necessarily enjoy this." "I dunno, I guess because when I did it before I was really good at it." "Well you're good at a lot of other things too, but you're not volunteering for a position at a whore house." "Ha ha. Fortunately for you, I enjoy doing that for free." "Pfft, not that free. I'm paying half of everything everyday." "Best coin you'll ever spend. Anyway as I was saying, I wasn't just good, I dare say I was damn near the best. I could talk of some of those so called master slavers from Hessla into a deal in my favor. Always felt a great sense of accomplishment when I took advantage of one of those fat bastards. I think I never got a chance to truly shine though because Elias was a controlling asshole, but with you I know this will be different. Everything is different now that we're finally together." Without another word, Vera hugs and kisses you lovingly, which then leads to sex. You can't help but think that the whole slave trade subject must turn her on in some way which is another reason for her enthusiasm, but it's hardly surprising given what you know about her. Vera's got some fucked up sexual quirks. You really know how to pick 'em. You went from a demonkin who tried to turn you away at every opportunity to a woman who practically adores you so much that she gets off on you "raping" her. Maybe you just weren't meant to have an average girlfriend, let alone an average relationship. Makes sense given that you don't lead an average life either. However that magical moment of passion in the ruins of a structure dedicated to a deity of shadows, leads to a very average outcome. Soon… "WHAT?! How the hell did that happen?!" you exclaim. "The usual way I suspect." Vera remarks. "I know that, I just mean…I thought you couldn't get pregnant! Something about your lady innards being barren." "Well I thought so to, I mean I've had sex tons of other times with other guys before you and then we've had it a lot when we got together and nothing. I can't imagine what changed." "Well I mean are you sure? I mean your belly isn't big." "It's still too early for me to start looking like an ogre after feeding time at the halfling trough, but I have been feeling nauseous and peeing a lot more. Also my tits feel tender sometimes." "Well that explains why you bitched at me so much when went up and suddenly squeezed them a couple days ago." "I mean just to be really sure I actually saw a physician in Jicol and he pretty much confirmed it." "Shit, well how much does he charge to solve the problem?" "What? No! I don't want to get rid of it!" "What seriously? You want to keep it?" "Well I admit, I never really saw myself as a mother, but I mean…I dunno…we already got roots in place, we might well have a family." "But…but what about the slave trade? You said you were going to be in charge of that!" "And I still will be. Nothing's changed on that front. I'll just have a midwife or some shit nearby. Y'know I think one our people has some experience in that matter. Apparently she was the oldest of fifteen siblings and had to help deliver most of them. Can you imagine? I'm telling you right now, we are NOT having fourteen more of these fuckers." Right now you're having difficulty even imagining having one! Your mind is going all over the place and you're having a hard time coming to grips with this. You certainly never saw yourself as a father. Should you even be bringing up a kid in this sort of life? While being a criminal and having a family isn't something new, it rarely works out well as enemies see it as an added potential weakness to pounce on. Vera can see you're having some problems with this and tries to calm you. "It's going to be okay you know. I mean so far we've been making a lot of progress with little resistance so far. I mean I know there is the Jicol Coalition of Rogues that needs to be dealt with, but there are already whispers of some of them about to jump ship. If you're worried about me, don't be. I'll be fine to do my job. If anything I'll be safer by being closer to our headquarters since the slave shit is going to just be run from here directly and to the rebuilt docks. I won't even have to travel to Jicol." Vera says. "I suppose that's true." "And after I actually have the baby? Again, it's not going to be a problem. Even if we're in the middle of a gang war, I'll strap the little bugger on my back and fight off potential assassins if I have to. My point is, I'm in this with you all the way. Motherhood isn't going to change me drastically." Well even if you were going to try to talk Vera out of this, you doubt if you'd succeed or at least you doubt you'd succeed without a lot of drama which might very well result in something pretty devastating for everyone. Not that you were going to though since Vera's words have convinced you that everything will indeed be fine, or at least manageable. You aren't sure what sort of father you're going to make, but you suppose you'll find out. You end the conversation on a positive note of looking forward to this unexpected upcoming event. You suppose since Vera's going to need extra help, you have more of the ex-Black Hooks help her with getting the docks fixed and ready and tell some of your old veterans to start capturing these Coalition fuckers and bringing them back to the temple in chains. You also tell them that if the opportunity presents itself and it isn't going to cause a lot of problems, to capture a few pretty ladies as well. You may not be the smooth talker or have the expertise that Vera has, but you know pretty females are always in demand somewhere and they should give Vera a good start on this venture. All this dwelling on you starting a new family makes you think about your pre-existing one and how they're all doing. It's strange you suppose, but you get the urge to write to your parents. You don't give them all the details, but you tell them that you're doing okay and that you're finally "settling down" with a family of your own. You also apologize for how events unfolded that caused you to leave in the first place and that you know that they both tried to raise you the best they could and were lucky to have them for parents. You finish the letter by telling them you love them and if they see sis, that you love her too. You send the letter off and have no idea if it'll ever actually reach them and even if it does, you probably won't ever get an answer back, but you feel better about making the attempt. > You time passes... Year 32 "Okay, we're heading out to finish these assholes for good. You stay here and keep things running here as you do." You say. "Oh sure, keep me at home, to look after the kids while you go out and have fun." Vera says. "Well, it's important that you know your place as a woman. Speaking of kids, where's Kol?" "Gertrude is currently looking after him." "I swear I don't really like you leaving our son with her." "He's fine and she's been nothing but helpful. I mean hell, she's probably one of the few people I'd trust with him." "Dangerous to go around trusting the lot we associate with, but something about her bothers me." "You didn't even know who the hell she was until she was promoted to midwife and babysitter. Which is amazing since she's one of our older members that stuck with us since Holgard." "Alright, alright, if you trust her then I guess that's good enough for me." "No it isn't." "Yeah, probably not, but I don't have time to worry about it right now." "Why are you even going on this task? You said you had people in Jicol located at the docks to make sure he didn't try to get away and there are more than enough people to attack where the JCR are making their headquarters." "I want to make sure everything goes right. I can't just sit around barking orders while getting old and fat. That's how crime bosses assassinated. I need to keep in practice and my skills sharp." "Hm, I suppose that makes sense, but I'd say you're not really in any danger of being perceived as weak by any of our underlings right now." "And I intend to keep it that way." "I'd prefer it if you took less risks, besides if anyone was going to challenge your position you'd be dead before you even knew what was going on since I'd just poison your food and the shit would be over with." "Poison? Really? I would have thought if it was going to be you, you'd probably stab me while in the middle of sex." "Mm, too risky. Besides, that would just be foreplay not murder." "Well let's not do that either." "You're always so reserved. But if you're really insisting on going, be careful and don't lead the charge." Vera has been overly concerned with your safety ever since she had Kol. You suppose you get why she is now due to you being the father of her child and all, but sometimes it's a bit too much. "I'll be fine Vera, stop fussing!" you exclaim. "You sure you're not also going out of revenge?" Vera asks. "Revenge?" "Yeah, Revenge tends make people a little reckless and I mean this has been sort of personal since you learned who the leader of JCR is." "Mm, I mean it certainly was unexpected when I found out. Perhaps less unexpected when he wouldn't even hear me out, but I can't say this is out of revenge. I imagine he would be more motivated by revenge than I would, hence why he stuck around to fight. I'd say if anything I'm more motivated by tying up an old loose end that doesn't come back to bite us in the ass in the future." "I suppose that makes sense. Okay then, apologies for my fussing as you put it.." You kiss Vera goodbye and say one more thing before leaving. "Gotta say though when Sneaks ran away all those years ago, I never expected it was to Jicol." You head to Jicol to go meet Marco and the rest. Along the way you think about how history is sort of repeating itself here. A larger criminal organization crushing a smaller one. The only difference is you're the leader of the larger one this time. You have to wonder why Sneaks didn't just take off like he did last time. Unless he really is that pissed at you, which you assume he is, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered with all this and you would have easily taken over long before now. When you get to the simple home that the JCR was using as a main headquarters, you find that your people are currently arguing with some of the Jicol Watch. Great. "Keep talking to me like that you little shit, and I'll just run all of your assess in. I still remember you and your gang of hooligans breaking several windows and punching old people in the face a couple years ago!" one of the guards says. "Yeah well things are different now and YOU don't tell us what to do anymore!" Marco exclaims. You smack Marco upside the head when you arrive. "Yeah, but I do. Now shut the fuck up Marco, and what's the problem here?" you ask. "The problem is, your little crime war was supposed to be kept to a dull fucking roar and for the past couple months you lot have been murdering each other in the streets and scaring the shit out of the civvies! You also got gangs of thugs like these loitering around. Now I know we have an agreement that will keep most of the scum out of this city for good, but the mayor is getting very weary of this conflict and is wondering if he shouldn't just have all parties involved executed." The watchman captain says. "The same mayor that allows pirates and the like to use his docks? Please, the mayor is no fucking Joachimite saint. We moved all of our shit out of Jicol and now we're doing the job that YOU lot couldn't. We're almost done with finishing off these assholes, we just need to clean out this place and get their leader." "And we're here to see it gets done thoroughly because this needs to be finished TODAY." The watchman captain at this point signals to his platoon that all draw their weapons and then turns back to you as if daring you to argue. "Fine. If you want to help, I'm not going to stop you, but stay out of our way." "Oh I wouldn't worry about that, because you lot will be taking the lead anyway. Not about to have you bunch sneaking about behind us." Marco starts to say something, but you stop him. "But boss…" Marco says. "Shut up Marco. Alright, let's finish these fuckers for good." You say to your people and motion to enter the place. No sooner has one of your people stepped into the front door and they nearly get beheaded by a swinging axe trap. Unfortunately, they still get skewered by the spear trap when they ducked and dodged to the left. You shake your head. "For fuck's sake people, this place is going to have traps up the ass, keep alert!" you shout. For at least the next hour, you search the house disarming traps and uncovering secret doors. You don't find anyone though. Meanwhile the Jicol Watch is still standing in the front room getting impatient. "Well?" the captain remarks. "Well what?" you answer. "I thought you said the leader was here and so far this place is empty." "Yeah well I imagine there's a hidden trapdoor that we haven't uncovered yet. They're probably either hiding underground, or maybe even escaped through a tunnel." "Underground tunnel? There isn't much they could dig without risking hitting water and flooding said tunnels. In case you didn't realize, we're on a fucking island." "I'm aware, but that doesn't mean they still didn't do it. Besides all that, the leader has experience with underground dwellings that are half submerged in water." Before you can have any further discussion, Marco comes back to you. "Hey boss, we found a trapdoor, looks like it goes down into a cellar. Um, we also lost Orin. Got a bunch of spikes in the face when he opened the trap door." "Idiot. Anyway, see? I told you there was going to be a trapdoor." You say. "Hm, well you're still leading the way." The Watchman captain says. After a few more of your people check out the immediate room below, you descend down the ladder. You give a quick look and see that this room wasn't dug out recently. It was actually part of the original house since it actually has solid walls and a solid floor. However, to your left, is where you start to see the construction. You examine the entrance of the dug out tunnel in an attempt to detect any traps but find nothing. Your people go a little further and soon discover that there are tunnels going in several different directions. "Well, have to hand it to you Sneaks, you didn't just sit on your hands. You literally dug in deep to make it difficult to root the last of you fuckers out." You think to yourself. Given the extensive amount of tunnels, you're actually surprised he didn't end up flooding Jicol with a misplaced dig like the Watchman captain was talking about. You briefly go down one of the tunnels and soon find that you're ankle deep in water. This is going to be a mess hunting Sneaks and whoever else down here. In fact, you're starting to wonder if Vera was right and you shouldn't even bother being here. Especially with the Jicol Watch being involved as well. > You leave Yeah, fuck this. You start walking down these tunnels and who knows what the hell is in store for you. For all you know Sneaks has traps set to collapse the damn things. "Marco, we're getting the hell out of here. We're also getting all of our people that we got posted at the docks, I got a better idea." You say. "What about this Sneaks asshole?" Marco asks. "Oh, I haven't forgotten about him, but running through this little rat maze he's created isn't in my game plan. The JRC at this point is dead and he's not going to resurrect it in any capacity. Even if he tries, the Jicol Watch is so fed up with all of us, they'll crack down hard on them and we won't have to do shit. No, Sneaks is going to either try to escape off the island OR possibly try to assassinate me eventually. If it's the first one, I have a better idea of how to prevent that. If it's the second, he better hope he gets it right." You and your people turn back and proceed to climb back up to the ground floor where the Jicol Watchmen are still milling about. "What are you lot doing? Don't tell me you finished them off already." The Watchman captain remarks. "No, but I doubt that they're going very far. We'll get the rest of them later." You respond. "What?! Maybe we weren't clear, but this shit is ending TODAY." "Okay, well you lot go down there and end it today then. Isn't that why you're here? I never said I was going to stand in your way." You attempt to leave, but the captain stands in your way. It's obvious now that there were other plans in play here. "Okay, I see and I get it. You saw an opportunity and you were going to take advantage. Well, that opportunity is gone now, and there are enough of us to make this a problematic fight. Killing me won't bring down the Nocturnal League anyway. My wife is more than able to handle the leadership position and she's not going to spare any expense in getting revenge. Not to mention, regardless of the outcome, I am more than fast enough to take YOU out. You sure you want to do this?" The captain thinks about going for his own flintlock, while you're confident that you'll take him and at least a couple of his people out before you get mobbed. If you're lucky, your people will move in quick enough that you'll be able to fight your way through the chaos and run your ass out of Jicol. It's not the best odds, but you've been in worse situations. However, the captain isn't exactly eager to risk his own life this day. "Get your people out of this city and back to that fucking broken down temple in the jungle you call home. I never want to see you or your kind in this city again. If I do, you'll be executed on sight. The Nocturnal League and whatever other gang of criminal cutthroats that tries to form in Jicol are through here. Understand?" the captain warns. "Sure. You have your clean law abiding city and that will always be he case. No need to ever worry about the likes of us again." You say sarcastically. At this point the captain and his people let you pass and you immediately tell Marco and the rest to go contact your other League members milling about at the Jicol docks to go back home. Meanwhile you'll going to speak to some of the pirate contacts you have that might be currently in port. Not long after you conclude your last remaining business in Jicol, an explosion is heard followed by a loud rumble. Sounds like it's coming from the direction you just came from. Doesn't take long before people are running and screaming about the city sinking since whatever happened, the streets are being filled with water. You can probably guess what happened though. The Jicol Watch went ahead and fumbled down in Sneaks' rat maze and probably triggered a trap, which collapsed the tunnels just like you figured they would. It probably also caused enough water to flood everything and rise high enough to start flooding the nearby area as well. While it probably isn't going to cause the city to sink like how everyone is currently shouting and panicking about, it's certainly going be a lot of damage to repair. Also a big positive is the fact that in times of disasters, crime usually goes up. You imagine that some of the Jicol Watch is now down quite a few people too, so you predict that the League's forays into Jicol will still go relatively unscathed as long as you keep a low profile. When you get back home, you explain what happened, though Vera is just pleased to see you and says she's doesn't know why she worried in the first place. "Well, your words did help rein me in a bit. You were right, no need to take unnecessary chances if I don't need to, hence why I just left." You say. "Glad to hear it, but what about Sneaks? You think he's dead?" "Oh I imagine he had an escape plan in all this. We'll catch up to him again sooner or later, I'm not worried. I made preparations." "Okay then, if you say it's handled then I guess it is." Two months later... "Yeah, he's in there boss. Hasn't been too roughed up, like you said." Marco says. "Okay, good." You say and then enter the room. Upon entering you see an old defeated looking man in a chair, though not completely broken. Sneaks looks at you without hate, but more with an attitude of "Let's just get this over with already." However, you're not quite done yet. "I was starting to wonder when you'd ever try to get off the island. There was a bet going on that you would come here to try to assassinate me, but I always knew you'd try to run. It was the smartest play after what happened of course. What took you so long?" "Well if you hadn't noticed. I'm not just a wanted criminal for being the ex-leader of the JRC, but also for causing severe destruction to Jicol. Was a little difficult raising the coin to bribe my way onto a merchant ship since I knew you probably had all your pirate and smuggler buddies on the look out for me. Even trying to sneak aboard a ship was impossible. Maybe if I had been younger…fucking old age." "Yeah it sucks." "I should have known that you had connections everywhere, but I couldn't scrounge a damn living in the half drowned remnants of Jicol anymore. So I took a risk and got captured by a opportunistic merchant rather than a pirate or slaver, the result is the same I suppose." "If you had been smart, you would have left long before this even happened rather than forming the JRC in the first place. Shit, I didn't even know you were here until that happened. Why'd you bother? You usually always played things smart. Did revenge cloud your judgment?" "That was part of it I suppose. Imagine my surprise that I found out it was you of all people starting up a new organization here. All my old thoughts of remembering how you and Tanya betrayed all of us…well that made me feel like something needed to be done to stop you. If you had just been some random asshole, I wouldn't have bothered." "I guess I should be flattered." "I also really thought we could win. Wasn't like you were the ECS after all." "True, but you're forgetting that I also brought down the ECS in Holgard." "So I heard. I gotta admit, when I first met you, I thought you might go far in this profession…but I didn't see you quite as ruthless as all this. I mean maybe you aren't ECS, but you're sure copying their rulebook. What exactly did we DO to you anyway? Weren't we always good to you in the Guild? I mean I know Garrick was an asshole to you about Tanya but was betrayal really necessary? Couldn't you just let her go?" "At the time, I couldn't. Tried. Couldn't." "So basically Tanya is your excuse for your actions?" "No. Tanya's in the past. Has been for a long time. She left me long ago to seek her destiny in hell. This, is all me, though perhaps I am being influenced by another woman in my life, but then I have a son with her, so you could say I'm securing a future with my family." "Well it certainly is a legacy to be proud of. Slave trading …even that's something I wouldn't have thought you capable of. Then again you already proved to be a traitor without any honor so I guess it isn't too surprising." At this point you're getting annoyed with Sneak's disappointed routine. Especially when it's meaningless. "You have no idea of what I'm capable of Sneaks. Honestly, I wouldn't even rank slave trading as the worst thing I've ever done. But since you're pointing the finger and moralizing like a Joachimite priest, let's turn this back on you for a moment. The day before I helped wipe out the Thieves Guild, YOU were gone. You must have already known the shit was going to get hot really quick and you turned tail and fled. You talk about how I betrayed everyone, but what about you? I was only a member for a few years and not even liked by Garrick. Why the fuck would I stay loyal? Tanya? She was a demonkin, you know demons can't be trusted. YOU were supposed to be Garrick's best friend and dedicated to his organization. Where the fuck were YOU?" Sneaks looks down and doesn't answer. "Did you even warn anyone that there might be an attack soon? Or did you just pick up your shit and run as fast as you could as soon as you figured it out? In fact aren't YOU the one who said Garrick was a fool for having too much of a moral code?" you say. "Yes, you're right of course. There is no real honor among rogues. I ran like the preverbal thief in the night to save my own ass, and it was the smartest thing I ever did. I should have done it again as soon as I learned about you being here instead of letting sentimentality of my old friend and wounded pride cloud my judgment." Sneaks snorts and chuckles. "Thought that MAYBE I could even get some redemption for at least not dying with my friends years ago. Guess I finally get to make good on that now…unless you're planning on selling me into slavery like you have with so many others." You draw your pistol as you walk over to Sneaks. "No. I figure I at least owe you a quick death for old times sake. Not to mention you wrecking Jicol the way you did, you've given me even less to have to worry about since now that place doesn't even have the strong law enforcement numbers it once did, meaning the Nocturnal League's influence on it isn't even gone. Besides, I doubt even Vera would be able to talk a slaver into buying you for much anyway." You point your pistol right at Sneak's forhead as he looks up at you. "Any last words?" you ask. "Just a question. If I hadn't run all those years ago, would you have still killed me during the attack on the Guild?" Sneaks asks. You pause for a moment. You've gone over this scenario in the past a few times and you already know the answer. "Yes." "Hm, I guess this was worth it then." You shoot Sneaks causing his body to jerk back with enough force that he falls back on his chair to the floor. Never thought he'd be a loose end you'd have to tie up, but life is always full of surprises. In any case, the JCR is finally finished and with Jicol still trying to rebuild, you're in a stronger position than ever. Which is good, because you've recently heard news that the Ebony Claw Syndicate has recently retaken it's position back in Holgard by either re-assimilating the "Holgard League" (As your splinter group called itself) or crushing those that opposed the re-assimilation. You can only imagine that it's just a matter of time before they come sniffing around here eventually. Maybe it won't happen, but better that you be prepared so you don't end up like the Thieves' Guild or the JRC since that would be quite the ironic fate indeed. > You time passes... Year 33 You've had to deal with many struggles during your life and not all of them of the mundane criminal variety. If that were the case, your life would have probably been a lot simpler. The worst you believe was whenever you had to deal with magic shit. Specifically that time when you had to deal with the Neroth cultists. You really thought you were dead that night. If it hadn't been for Tanya, you would have. Hell, you would have been dead without her when you dealt with that bushwacking shadow magic using asshole Bolt as well. Then there was the time you had to deal with the Joachimites and while Tanya wasn't there for that, you still had some magical assistance of your own to take out Yinin. The point is, you always at least had a way to deal with magical threats. This however you have no idea… "Are you absolutely sure?" you ask. "Yes. I was sitting there watching Kol playing on the floor with some blocks and stacking them. Then I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because it looked like he was interacting with the shadows cast by the blocks due to the candle light. Then I realized that's exactly what he was doing." Vera remarks and she holds on to Kol who looks fairly unfazed by any of what you're discussing. He just smiles at you. You rub your hands on your head. "I told you making our home in a fucking Fel temple wasn't going to be a good idea." Vera remarks. "Duly noted, but that's not really helpful right now. What we need to do is go find someone with more magical knowledge than you or I to look at Kol." "Well who might that be? This island doesn't exactly have a lot of priests or wizard types." "There's that witch that runs that shop in Jicol." "Didn't her place get destroyed during the flood? Even if it didn't I'm not sure what some witch could do if Fel cursed our son." Suddenly a voice speaks causing you both to look toward the entryway of the room. "Your son hasn't been cursed by Fel, quite the opposite in fact. Your son has actually been blessed by him and he's now displaying the affects." Gertrude says. If you didn't like Gertrude acting as a "babysitter" on occasion before, the way she's speaking doesn't make you like her any better. You immediately start to move towards her. Meanwhile Gertrude immediately puts her hands up and backs away. "Boss! I'm not the enemy! Honest!" she quickly says as Vera grabs your shoulder to stop you. "Very well Gert, but you need to speak quickly NOW." Vera says. Gertrude breathes a sigh of relief and starts talking. "Okay, don't get mad, but I thought I saw the signs that your son had the shadow gift a few times before." Gertrude says. "Wait, you KNEW and didn't fucking tell us?!" you exclaim. "I wasn't sure! Like your wife, I thought maybe it was just my eyes playing tricks on me or I was overly tired. However a couple days ago something happened that couldn't possibly be the case. I saw Kol making shadows on the wall with his hands. At first it just seemed to be him trying to figure out what was going on and not realizing it was the candlelight causing it, but then the shadows began acting independent of what his hands were doing. Soon they became little figures which he watched and was amused by, and then they disappeared altogether. I would have told you sooner, but…I dunno I was sort of shook up myself about it and I couldn't figure out how to approach it and I kept going over…" "Alright, alright, fine, Gert. Does anyone else know?" Vera says. "Not to my knowledge. But again, this isn't a bad thing! This is a good thing! Your son obviously has natural shadow magic ability." "You seem to know a lot of about this, why is that exactly?" you say once again moving towards Gertrude. "Well, as I told your wife before, I came from a large family and my one of my younger brothers became a Felian priest. Oscar displayed similar signs of having shadow magic abilities, as he grew older. Bit more of a late bloomer than your son though, but they were still present. He of course went to the temple in Holgard, where they started training him immediately, but I guess he was really showing some talent because he ended up getting transferred to the main temple in the Delantium Kingdom. Haven't really spoken to him since, but I always figured that didn't hurt my own standing in the ECS at the time seeing as the two organizations were allies." "Okay, that explains a few things, but do you know how this happened exactly? I mean is it just because we're inhabiting a Fel Temple?" "I don't know. I mean I'm not an expert on the whole will of the gods thing. I imagine it probably is playing a part. When Oscar was born my mom went into labor right in front of the Fel Temple in Holgard, so I assume maybe something similar is going on here. Maybe infants just catch Fel's attention, but as I said, I'm no expert. We'd need to contact a priest of Fel to gain further information on all this stuff. In fact, you're probably going to want to do that anyway since his abilities are probably going to get stronger and he'll need the guidance. Don't really know any Fel priests on this island though." Gertrude says. You start shaking your head. "No, I'm not having my son joining a bunch of fanatics." You say. "Okay, but his powers might become uncontrollable without proper guidance and I think you both know just how dangerous shadow magic can be. He's obviously been chosen by Fel, so I don't think you have choice." Gertrude remarks. "That's bullshit, there's always a choice." "Gert, can you excuse us for a moment?" Vera asks. "Oh. Yeah sure." Gertrude leaves while Vera goes to put Kol (Who has fallen asleep during all this) in his basket. "Look Vera, I know you're close with Gertrude and she's been helpful, but I'm NOT inviting religious fanatics here, let alone having my son join them." You say. "Not sure why you're yelling, considering I agree, but I'm still leery about seeing some witch. I almost feel like we should just try to handle this ourselves." Vera remarks. "Well, it doesn't hurt to have a non-aligned magic user give their opinion, but if I feel like things are shady there, like her demanding his blood or something, then I'll be walking out of there as well." "Okay, but I'm still concerned about this." The next day, you gather up Kol and prepare to head to Jicol. You ask if Vera wants to come, but she says she has a bunch of slaves she needs to sell and besides all that she says if something goes wrong and you are both killed, she'll still be around to take revenge. Walking through the jungle nowadays is a lot safer nowadays, though that probably can't be said for Jicol. Ever since the city got half flooded, it's been having criminal activity problems, though not really coming from your end of things, since you've practically got your own small town now (Still trying to think of an official name for it). It's more along the lines of people who lost everything in the disaster are preying upon each other and other citizens in general. Between trying to still keep a strong naval force to ward off pirates and cleaning up after the disaster, Jicol's order attempts have been lack luster. So much for their plans of having a "clean city." You're not really concerned though since you're still capable of taking care of yourself and three of your people have offered to come with you, which seems wise just in case the desperate think about messing with you. Even the Jicol Watch isn't going to hassle you when they got people killing each other over qweepa meat. When you get to Jicol, it's looking about as well as it did the last time you bothered to come here. It's a bit of a chore to get to your destination since it's right around where most of the flooding occurred so you have to take a small boat to the area. One thing that's on the strange side is probably Kol. You were sort of expecting him to make a lot of noise or otherwise be lively during this whole thing, especially since this is his first real trip outside the temple, but he's been fairly quiet. Then again he's thankfully never been a loud child. Makes you wonder if his quietness also has something to do with Fel. You still haven't seen any of the evidence of shadow magic like your wife or Gertrude have though. You eventually find the shop you're looking for "Elegant Elixirs." You tell your people to wait outside and you open the door and you're immediately assaulted by the strong smell of herbs and who knows what else. It actually causes you to cough a bit. "Hm? Who is that? Better not be you Timothy, I told you I wouldn't have that endurance potion ready until tomorrow. The whores will just have to wait…" an old lady says as she comes out from another room. She sees you and she looks a bit surprised, but not overly so. "Oh. Well haven't seen you in here before. What brings the head of the Nocturnal League to my humble shop?" "You know who I am?" "Doesn't everyone? You're arguably better known than the Mayor of Jicol, ol' whatshisname. Probably more popular at this point too. Surprised you haven't just taken this city over, or what's left of it anyway." "Eh, I'm good with what I got right now. Anyway, I'm here to see you since you're the closest person I know to a wizard on this island." "Am I now? Funny, I usually get called a hedge witch at best and a charlatan that sells distilled goblin dung at worst…well I suppose that last bit is true, but I save that for the asshole customers." "Well as I said, I'm not here for potions, I'm here to see if you can assist me with my son's condition which I doubt if any potion is going to cure and a doctor isn't going to be able to help either." "Hm, I did notice you carrying a little one on you back. Son huh? Well sit him on the table over there and tell me what's going on then." You sit Kol on the table and being your tale, while the old witch begins studying him. As you're telling your tale, the witch does some sort of motion with her hands which briefly causes her to turn invisible. She then smiles and tells Kol to make the same hand gesture. "What are you doing?" You ask. "Shh, quiet." The witch says. Kol smiles back and he seems to understand what the witch wants him to do. After a couple of fumbled tries, he repeats the same thing the witch did and sure enough he too very briefly blinks out of existence. Then he laughs about it. "Well that checks out." "Shit. That's the first time I've actually seen Kol do any shadow magic stuff. So should I be concerned?" "About what exactly? Your son just happens to be the lucky few, that has natural magical talent. Just happens to be shadow oriented, though with a little training, he could probably become skilled in other types as well. I imagine some place like the magic university in Delantium would be a good place to send him if he really wants to take advantage of his abilities. Though I suppose the one in Klyton is okay if you want to save money." "But what about Fel?" "What about him? Oh you worried that your son is some chosen one or something? Let me tell you about Fel, he's like all the rest of the gods, doesn't really give a shit about any of us except as a source of amusement. You worship him or something?" "Not really, just wondered if we pissed him off by using his temple for something other than worship." "Unless you're openly cursing Fel name, I doubt if he's concerned. You would have certainly known by now. I mean I do agree that you probably caught his attention in some manner since your son is definitely skilled. Was he conceived in that temple by any chance?" "Uh, yeah. The timing is about right. It was odd too since my wife didn't think she was fertile." "She might not have been, Fel might have seen fit to give her a little help, hence why the boy has powers." You suddenly get a horrible thought. "Wait…you saying Fel fucked my wife and this is actually his son?" you ask. "No! Sheesh, you can't tell that the kid looks like you? My eyesight is shit and even I see the resemblance. I'm saying Fel just provided a little magical or in this case divine assistance as far as the baby process is concerned. Your intimacy caught Fel's attention since it probably was the first time in decades anything like that went on in the place. Why you might ask? Well because it's a little known fact that Fel gets bored very easily and he probably did it just to amuse himself. Seriously, if most of the Felians knew what Fel was REALLY like, that would change the whole damn religion forever. Or maybe some of them do, but don't care since it's convenient to keep the hierarchy structure in place." "You seem to know a lot about the Felians." "That's because I used to be one. In fact I was a member of that very temple you're currently using when I was young and foolish. Even had one of those silly names they all like using. Grayhaze. I suppose it was better than my original name at least. Don't ask." "Wait, before we moved in, hasn't that temple been abandoned for at least over a couple hundred years?" "Yeah?" Grayhaze says as if you're going to ask her age next. "Um, never mind. So you're saying Fel isn't going to bother us at all?" Grayhaze exhales a bit, scratches her brow before answering. "Well…I wouldn't necessarily say that. However, it's not going to be in the form of shadow demons or anything like that. That's actually not how he works despite what the reputation might be. Now once again, do you two worship Fel or acknowledge him in small some way?" "As I said, no. My wife didn't even like the idea of making the temple a headquarters." "Okay, good, then he's not going to fuck with either of you directly through your dreams. Though honestly Fel is more of a voyeur most of the time anyway. It's his minions that do all the heavy lifting so you'll want to avoid them. In fact, I'd say you shouldn't involve ANY Fel worshippers at all in this shit. They'd probably try to take your son away or something. Speaking of your son, now Fel MIGHT take more of a direct interest in him since he is linked to shadow magic, but again it's mostly going be in the form of petty mind games of manipulation. Still, that might be concerning since he's an impressionable child and all." "Great." "Could be worse. I mean Fel's an asshole, but at least it's not Neroth right? However, I think I can help you. It's going to cost you though." "Money's no object." "Oh well money's certainly nice, but I don't really need any. I do however need ingredients for my potions. Lots of useful stuff out in the jungle, but I don't get out much anymore, especially with this place being half submerged nowadays. I got a garden, but just can't grow certain things in these conditions you know?" "So you want me to gather plants for you?" "Well you can send your underlings to do it for all I care, but what I want is a free lifetime supply of alchemy supplies and the like. I know you're a man of means so should be pretty easy for you. Again, I don't care where you get them from, but I'm going to make a list and that's what I want. And when I run out or need something else, I'm going to want you to provide it for free." "This better be some really good help if you're making all these demands." "Oh it is, I assure you. I don't get much call for enchantments, probably because nobody bothers to ask, but I got a medallion lying around that I can enchant for your son to wear so when he goes to sleep it should block out any potential mental meddling." You look at Kol and you look at Grayhaze and you can't help but have more questions. "What about his magical powers?" "What about them? I mean he'll continue to have those. That's a separate issue." "Should he have training so he doesn't accidently blow something up?" "Well I hope you aren't asking me to train him, I'm far too old and like my free time too much. Honestly, he's probably not going to display too much power until he's a little older than he is right now. However, I suppose I do have an old magic tome I can sell you. I don't need it anymore and I have a few more, but he should probably start off with something simple when it looks like his abilities are getting a bit out of hand. While you may not be magical yourself, you can still assist him. Don't worry, it's in common so you or your wife can at least read the words in it, assuming you're both literate." "Yes we can read." You say with annoyance. "I'll take the book too." "Very good. Okay, so our deal for the medallion and a hundred gold for the book. It'll take me some time to enchant the medallion so come back in an hour unless you want to wait." "Nah, I'll come back, I have to go get the coin anyway. Come on Kol." You take Kol and head back outside. You wonder where your people are since they're nowhere to be found. Since you know that they know better than to just fuck off while they're supposed to be helping you, you can only imagine one possibility… "Don't move." You turn and see Gertrude standing nearby with the people you came with and all of them are pointing flintlocks at you. "Knew you were untrustworthy." You say. "Well a good leader tends to have good instincts. If it's any consolation, I really didn't want it to go down this way and it's nothing personal." Gertrude remarks. "Nothing personal? Not sure if I believe that given that you're pointing a pistol at me." "Look, I was part of the Ebony Claw and you know how powerful they are. When they dissolved in Holgard I could hardly believe it. When I learned that you had a hand in that to some degree and you stepped in with building the Nocturnal League, I thought that maybe you were definitely a man worth following. I even thought relocating was a good idea than staying in Holgard." "Is this the part where you tell me why exactly you decided to be a traitorous piece of shit? Because if it is, then hurry up." Gertrude laughs. "Traitor? You're calling ME a traitor? What the fuck did you do? You betrayed not only the Thieves Guild, but the Ebony Claw Syndicate as well! All of which I might add is ALL catching up with you. Your old pal that escaped the Guild purge recently opposed you and now the Syndicate has retaken Holgard. How long is it going to be, before THEY decide they want revenge on you as well? Fuck that, I'm making a deal before they send in the assassin squad and murder us all in that temple." Gertrude says. "You really think the Syndicate is going to just accept you back into its ranks?" you respond. "I don't see why not actually. I never actually betrayed them, however, your son is going to be a nice bonus. If I take him to my brother, I'm pretty sure I can get him to pull some strings so I don't just get accepted but also a higher position in the Syndicate as well. So you see, this isn't being a traitor, this is improving my situation in life, that's what you did right?" "The difference is you're not going to live to see the results because if you think I'm going to just hand my son over, you're fucking delusional." "You put up a fight and you may not be the only casualty. Hand Kol over and I can assure you that your son will most likely have a better life than he would with you. The priests will probably see him as a chosen of Fel or something. Surely you would rather have your son be in his own position of power some day rather than a dead brat at the bottom of the Jicol bay." > You shield Kol from harm You're not handing Kol over and you sure as hell aren't going to let any harm come to him. You immediately turn with Kol in your arms and duck down while trying to run back into the store. And you are not quick enough as two shots go right into your back causing you to fall but somehow you miraculously manage to shift your weight so you don't completely crush Kol in the process, though he's definitely under you and not happy about it because he's crying quite loudly. You almost want to join him given how much pain you're currently in. "What the fuck are you idiots doing!? You could have hurt the baby! We need him alive!" you hear Gertrude remark "Sorry Gert." One says. "Don't be sorry, just fucking get the baby and let's…shit he's not dead!" You interrupt their little spat by managing to turn over and barely sitting yourself up. You manage to fire off your pistol, killing two of them. Gertrude fires and the last one however manage to hit you again just before your last shots bring them both down as well. Your body once again falls back to the ground in pain causing you to shout out. Though the pain now is only in your upper body since the lower half has gone numb, you can't even move your legs. Your son cries nearby and you don't think you're surviving this one. Probably due to the shooting, nobody is around of course. You feel like all the strength is leaving your body and lacking any other ideas, you call out Grayhaze's name in the hopes that maybe she can help you. You do this for quite some time, but she doesn't arrive, neither does anyone else and you're starting to get sleepy. You try to calm Kol down with an increasingly weaker voice. Just as you're starting to lose consciousness, Grayhaze comes out of her store. She sees you and shakes her head. "Shit. I was hoping I was hearing things when I heard my name being called. Especially when not that many know it. I can't do anything for you. Your wounds are too severe and there isn't enough time." Grayhaze says. "Just…t…ake Kol…conta…ct…Vera…in the…League…" That's your last request, you can only hope that Grayhaze follows it.

Year 33 You've had to deal with many struggles during your life and not all of them of the mundane criminal variety. If that were the case, your life would have probably been a lot simpler. The worst you believe was whenever you had to deal with magic shit. Specifically that time when you had to deal with the Neroth cultists. You really thought you were dead that night. If it hadn't been for Tanya, you would have. Hell, you would have been dead without her when you dealt with that bushwacking shadow magic using asshole Bolt as well. Then there was the time you had to deal with the Joachimites and while Tanya wasn't there for that, you still had some magical assistance of your own to take out Yinin. The point is, you always at least had a way to deal with magical threats. This however you have no idea… "Are you absolutely sure?" you ask. "Yes. I was sitting there watching Kol playing on the floor with some blocks and stacking them. Then I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me because it looked like he was interacting with the shadows cast by the blocks due to the candle light. Then I realized that's exactly what he was doing." Vera remarks and she holds on to Kol who looks fairly unfazed by any of what you're discussing. He just smiles at you. You rub your hands on your head. "I told you making our home in a fucking Fel temple wasn't going to be a good idea." Vera remarks. "Duly noted, but that's not really helpful right now. What we need to do is go find someone with more magical knowledge than you or I to look at Kol." "Well who might that be? This island doesn't exactly have a lot of priests or wizard types." "There's that witch that runs that shop in Jicol." "Didn't her place get destroyed during the flood? Even if it didn't I'm not sure what some witch could do if Fel cursed our son." Suddenly a voice speaks causing you both to look toward the entryway of the room. "Your son hasn't been cursed by Fel, quite the opposite in fact. Your son has actually been blessed by him and he's now displaying the affects." Gertrude says. If you didn't like Gertrude acting as a "babysitter" on occasion before, the way she's speaking doesn't make you like her any better. You immediately start to move towards her. Meanwhile Gertrude immediately puts her hands up and backs away. "Boss! I'm not the enemy! Honest!" she quickly says as Vera grabs your shoulder to stop you. "Very well Gert, but you need to speak quickly NOW." Vera says. Gertrude breathes a sigh of relief and starts talking. "Okay, don't get mad, but I thought I saw the signs that your son had the shadow gift a few times before." Gertrude says. "Wait, you KNEW and didn't fucking tell us?!" you exclaim. "I wasn't sure! Like your wife, I thought maybe it was just my eyes playing tricks on me or I was overly tired. However a couple days ago something happened that couldn't possibly be the case. I saw Kol making shadows on the wall with his hands. At first it just seemed to be him trying to figure out what was going on and not realizing it was the candlelight causing it, but then the shadows began acting independent of what his hands were doing. Soon they became little figures which he watched and was amused by, and then they disappeared altogether. I would have told you sooner, but…I dunno I was sort of shook up myself about it and I couldn't figure out how to approach it and I kept going over…" "Alright, alright, fine, Gert. Does anyone else know?" Vera says. "Not to my knowledge. But again, this isn't a bad thing! This is a good thing! Your son obviously has natural shadow magic ability." "You seem to know a lot of about this, why is that exactly?" you say once again moving towards Gertrude. "Well, as I told your wife before, I came from a large family and my one of my younger brothers became a Felian priest. Oscar displayed similar signs of having shadow magic abilities, as he grew older. Bit more of a late bloomer than your son though, but they were still present. He of course went to the temple in Holgard, where they started training him immediately, but I guess he was really showing some talent because he ended up getting transferred to the main temple in the Delantium Kingdom. Haven't really spoken to him since, but I always figured that didn't hurt my own standing in the ECS at the time seeing as the two organizations were allies." "Okay, that explains a few things, but do you know how this happened exactly? I mean is it just because we're inhabiting a Fel Temple?" "I don't know. I mean I'm not an expert on the whole will of the gods thing. I imagine it probably is playing a part. When Oscar was born my mom went into labor right in front of the Fel Temple in Holgard, so I assume maybe something similar is going on here. Maybe infants just catch Fel's attention, but as I said, I'm no expert. We'd need to contact a priest of Fel to gain further information on all this stuff. In fact, you're probably going to want to do that anyway since his abilities are probably going to get stronger and he'll need the guidance. Don't really know any Fel priests on this island though." Gertrude says. You start shaking your head. "No, I'm not having my son joining a bunch of fanatics." You say. "Okay, but his powers might become uncontrollable without proper guidance and I think you both know just how dangerous shadow magic can be. He's obviously been chosen by Fel, so I don't think you have choice." Gertrude remarks. "That's bullshit, there's always a choice." "Gert, can you excuse us for a moment?" Vera asks. "Oh. Yeah sure." Gertrude leaves while Vera goes to put Kol (Who has fallen asleep during all this) in his basket. "Look Vera, I know you're close with Gertrude and she's been helpful, but I'm NOT inviting religious fanatics here, let alone having my son join them." You say. "Not sure why you're yelling, considering I agree, but I'm still leery about seeing some witch. I almost feel like we should just try to handle this ourselves." Vera remarks. "Well, it doesn't hurt to have a non-aligned magic user give their opinion, but if I feel like things are shady there, like her demanding his blood or something, then I'll be walking out of there as well." "Okay, but I'm still concerned about this." The next day, you gather up Kol and prepare to head to Jicol. You ask if Vera wants to come, but she says she has a bunch of slaves she needs to sell and besides all that she says if something goes wrong and you are both killed, she'll still be around to take revenge. Walking through the jungle nowadays is a lot safer nowadays, though that probably can't be said for Jicol. Ever since the city got half flooded, it's been having criminal activity problems, though not really coming from your end of things, since you've practically got your own small town now (Still trying to think of an official name for it). It's more along the lines of people who lost everything in the disaster are preying upon each other and other citizens in general. Between trying to still keep a strong naval force to ward off pirates and cleaning up after the disaster, Jicol's order attempts have been lack luster. So much for their plans of having a "clean city." You're not really concerned though since you're still capable of taking care of yourself and three of your people have offered to come with you, which seems wise just in case the desperate think about messing with you. Even the Jicol Watch isn't going to hassle you when they got people killing each other over qweepa meat. When you get to Jicol, it's looking about as well as it did the last time you bothered to come here. It's a bit of a chore to get to your destination since it's right around where most of the flooding occurred so you have to take a small boat to the area. One thing that's on the strange side is probably Kol. You were sort of expecting him to make a lot of noise or otherwise be lively during this whole thing, especially since this is his first real trip outside the temple, but he's been fairly quiet. Then again he's thankfully never been a loud child. Makes you wonder if his quietness also has something to do with Fel. You still haven't seen any of the evidence of shadow magic like your wife or Gertrude have though. You eventually find the shop you're looking for "Elegant Elixirs." You tell your people to wait outside and you open the door and you're immediately assaulted by the strong smell of herbs and who knows what else. It actually causes you to cough a bit. "Hm? Who is that? Better not be you Timothy, I told you I wouldn't have that endurance potion ready until tomorrow. The whores will just have to wait…" an old lady says as she comes out from another room. She sees you and she looks a bit surprised, but not overly so. "Oh. Well haven't seen you in here before. What brings the head of the Nocturnal League to my humble shop?" "You know who I am?" "Doesn't everyone? You're arguably better known than the Mayor of Jicol, ol' whatshisname. Probably more popular at this point too. Surprised you haven't just taken this city over, or what's left of it anyway." "Eh, I'm good with what I got right now. Anyway, I'm here to see you since you're the closest person I know to a wizard on this island." "Am I now? Funny, I usually get called a hedge witch at best and a charlatan that sells distilled goblin dung at worst…well I suppose that last bit is true, but I save that for the asshole customers." "Well as I said, I'm not here for potions, I'm here to see if you can assist me with my son's condition which I doubt if any potion is going to cure and a doctor isn't going to be able to help either." "Hm, I did notice you carrying a little one on you back. Son huh? Well sit him on the table over there and tell me what's going on then." You sit Kol on the table and being your tale, while the old witch begins studying him. As you're telling your tale, the witch does some sort of motion with her hands which briefly causes her to turn invisible. She then smiles and tells Kol to make the same hand gesture. "What are you doing?" You ask. "Shh, quiet." The witch says. Kol smiles back and he seems to understand what the witch wants him to do. After a couple of fumbled tries, he repeats the same thing the witch did and sure enough he too very briefly blinks out of existence. Then he laughs about it. "Well that checks out." "Shit. That's the first time I've actually seen Kol do any shadow magic stuff. So should I be concerned?" "About what exactly? Your son just happens to be the lucky few, that has natural magical talent. Just happens to be shadow oriented, though with a little training, he could probably become skilled in other types as well. I imagine some place like the magic university in Delantium would be a good place to send him if he really wants to take advantage of his abilities. Though I suppose the one in Klyton is okay if you want to save money." "But what about Fel?" "What about him? Oh you worried that your son is some chosen one or something? Let me tell you about Fel, he's like all the rest of the gods, doesn't really give a shit about any of us except as a source of amusement. You worship him or something?" "Not really, just wondered if we pissed him off by using his temple for something other than worship." "Unless you're openly cursing Fel name, I doubt if he's concerned. You would have certainly known by now. I mean I do agree that you probably caught his attention in some manner since your son is definitely skilled. Was he conceived in that temple by any chance?" "Uh, yeah. The timing is about right. It was odd too since my wife didn't think she was fertile." "She might not have been, Fel might have seen fit to give her a little help, hence why the boy has powers." You suddenly get a horrible thought. "Wait…you saying Fel fucked my wife and this is actually his son?" you ask. "No! Sheesh, you can't tell that the kid looks like you? My eyesight is shit and even I see the resemblance. I'm saying Fel just provided a little magical or in this case divine assistance as far as the baby process is concerned. Your intimacy caught Fel's attention since it probably was the first time in decades anything like that went on in the place. Why you might ask? Well because it's a little known fact that Fel gets bored very easily and he probably did it just to amuse himself. Seriously, if most of the Felians knew what Fel was REALLY like, that would change the whole damn religion forever. Or maybe some of them do, but don't care since it's convenient to keep the hierarchy structure in place." "You seem to know a lot about the Felians." "That's because I used to be one. In fact I was a member of that very temple you're currently using when I was young and foolish. Even had one of those silly names they all like using. Grayhaze. I suppose it was better than my original name at least. Don't ask." "Wait, before we moved in, hasn't that temple been abandoned for at least over a couple hundred years?" "Yeah?" Grayhaze says as if you're going to ask her age next. "Um, never mind. So you're saying Fel isn't going to bother us at all?" Grayhaze exhales a bit, scratches her brow before answering. "Well…I wouldn't necessarily say that. However, it's not going to be in the form of shadow demons or anything like that. That's actually not how he works despite what the reputation might be. Now once again, do you two worship Fel or acknowledge him in small some way?" "As I said, no. My wife didn't even like the idea of making the temple a headquarters." "Okay, good, then he's not going to fuck with either of you directly through your dreams. Though honestly Fel is more of a voyeur most of the time anyway. It's his minions that do all the heavy lifting so you'll want to avoid them. In fact, I'd say you shouldn't involve ANY Fel worshippers at all in this shit. They'd probably try to take your son away or something. Speaking of your son, now Fel MIGHT take more of a direct interest in him since he is linked to shadow magic, but again it's mostly going be in the form of petty mind games of manipulation. Still, that might be concerning since he's an impressionable child and all." "Great." "Could be worse. I mean Fel's an asshole, but at least it's not Neroth right? However, I think I can help you. It's going to cost you though." "Money's no object." "Oh well money's certainly nice, but I don't really need any. I do however need ingredients for my potions. Lots of useful stuff out in the jungle, but I don't get out much anymore, especially with this place being half submerged nowadays. I got a garden, but just can't grow certain things in these conditions you know?" "So you want me to gather plants for you?" "Well you can send your underlings to do it for all I care, but what I want is a free lifetime supply of alchemy supplies and the like. I know you're a man of means so should be pretty easy for you. Again, I don't care where you get them from, but I'm going to make a list and that's what I want. And when I run out or need something else, I'm going to want you to provide it for free." "This better be some really good help if you're making all these demands." "Oh it is, I assure you. I don't get much call for enchantments, probably because nobody bothers to ask, but I got a medallion lying around that I can enchant for your son to wear so when he goes to sleep it should block out any potential mental meddling." You look at Kol and you look at Grayhaze and you can't help but have more questions. "What about his magical powers?" "What about them? I mean he'll continue to have those. That's a separate issue." "Should he have training so he doesn't accidently blow something up?" "Well I hope you aren't asking me to train him, I'm far too old and like my free time too much. Honestly, he's probably not going to display too much power until he's a little older than he is right now. However, I suppose I do have an old magic tome I can sell you. I don't need it anymore and I have a few more, but he should probably start off with something simple when it looks like his abilities are getting a bit out of hand. While you may not be magical yourself, you can still assist him. Don't worry, it's in common so you or your wife can at least read the words in it, assuming you're both literate." "Yes we can read." You say with annoyance. "I'll take the book too." "Very good. Okay, so our deal for the medallion and a hundred gold for the book. It'll take me some time to enchant the medallion so come back in an hour unless you want to wait." "Nah, I'll come back, I have to go get the coin anyway. Come on Kol." You take Kol and head back outside. You wonder where your people are since they're nowhere to be found. Since you know that they know better than to just fuck off while they're supposed to be helping you, you can only imagine one possibility… "Don't move." You turn and see Gertrude standing nearby with the people you came with and all of them are pointing flintlocks at you. "Knew you were untrustworthy." You say. "Well a good leader tends to have good instincts. If it's any consolation, I really didn't want it to go down this way and it's nothing personal." Gertrude remarks. "Nothing personal? Not sure if I believe that given that you're pointing a pistol at me." "Look, I was part of the Ebony Claw and you know how powerful they are. When they dissolved in Holgard I could hardly believe it. When I learned that you had a hand in that to some degree and you stepped in with building the Nocturnal League, I thought that maybe you were definitely a man worth following. I even thought relocating was a good idea than staying in Holgard." "Is this the part where you tell me why exactly you decided to be a traitorous piece of shit? Because if it is, then hurry up." Gertrude laughs. "Traitor? You're calling ME a traitor? What the fuck did you do? You betrayed not only the Thieves Guild, but the Ebony Claw Syndicate as well! All of which I might add is ALL catching up with you. Your old pal that escaped the Guild purge recently opposed you and now the Syndicate has retaken Holgard. How long is it going to be, before THEY decide they want revenge on you as well? Fuck that, I'm making a deal before they send in the assassin squad and murder us all in that temple." Gertrude says. "You really think the Syndicate is going to just accept you back into its ranks?" you respond. "I don't see why not actually. I never actually betrayed them, however, your son is going to be a nice bonus. If I take him to my brother, I'm pretty sure I can get him to pull some strings so I don't just get accepted but also a higher position in the Syndicate as well. So you see, this isn't being a traitor, this is improving my situation in life, that's what you did right?" "The difference is you're not going to live to see the results because if you think I'm going to just hand my son over, you're fucking delusional." "You put up a fight and you may not be the only casualty. Hand Kol over and I can assure you that your son will most likely have a better life than he would with you. The priests will probably see him as a chosen of Fel or something. Surely you would rather have your son be in his own position of power some day rather than a dead brat at the bottom of the Jicol bay." > You use Kol as a shield This is probably the biggest risk that you are EVER going to take, or at least one of the most questionable ones. You can't even believe you're considering it, but given that Gert and the rest have the drop on you, it might be your only chance. You're going to bet that despite her threat, Gertrude is NOT going to risk shooting your son. Besides wanting him to advance her own status, she probably did develop some form of connection while she was baby-sitting and you're not convinced she's going to be that ruthless anyway. You hold Kol close who doesn't know quite what's going on and to your surprise… "Dada!" Kol says. "Fucking great. Your first words. Look, if we both get out of this alive, never tell your mother about this." You say, and kiss his forehead. You then crouch down and stretch your arms out to place Kol in front of you and begin moving back and forth in a jerky motion. Gertrude's expression would almost be funny if this wasn't so serious. "Wha…SERIOUSLY? You are fucked up! NO, DON'T!" Gertrude shouts and prevents one of the other traitors from firing at you, or rather pushes his arm so the shot goes wild. While they're arguing amongst themselves, this gives you the split second you need to drop Kol (Which since you're crouching, isn't far at all) and pull your own pistol. "SHIT!" Gertrude shouts and at this point loses all of her confidence and tries to run. You shoot the two traitors that didn't fire yet and then on the one that did. Then you shoot Gertrude in the back. With all your assailants down, you immediately check on Kol who isn't physically hurt, but is upset by all the loud noise. "Yeah, I know, the bad people made a lot of loud noise. Shhhh, it's okay. It's over now. Well actually let's make sure." You pick Kol up in one arm and walk over to the bodies of the traitors who are indeed dead. A little further up though you see Gertrude still moving a little and groaning. You quicken your pace and stop her from trying to get in a shot at you as her last act. "Shit…fuck…agh…" Gertrude utters as you step on her wrist, take away her weapon and kick her over. "Good, you're not dead yet. Now, you need to tell me who else was involved in this little scheme or I'm going to pop into that hag's shop and buy something to keep you alive so I can torture the shit out of you until you DO tell me everything." You threaten. "Please…no…" "Start talking then bitch." "But…how do I know you won't believe me and torture me anyway?" "You don't! But if you don't start talking, I'm going to keep you alive for years to torture on general principle! Each day will be a living hell and you'll be praying to ALL the gods for the merciful release of death!" "Okay! There's nobody else! I barely even trusted these fuckers enough to follow me with this plan." "You in contact with the Felians or the ECS?" "No…I was planning on…agh…doing that when I got to the mainland." "Anything else?" "Nothing else, I swear!" "You know what Gert?" "…what?" "I believe you." Gertrude closes her eyes, and grits her teeth, bracing for her death as you put two in her head. No sign of the Jicol Watch, in fact no sign of anyone. You use this opportunity to loot the bodies of whatever valuables they might have had on them since you need the coin for the book anyway. Happily Gertrude seemed to have a nice sized sapphire on her, which should definitely cover the cost in addition to the gold you do have. Since it's one less thing for you to worry about, you figure you'll go in and just wait in Grayhaze's shop for the remainder of your time here. You head back into Grayhaze's shop as you continue to attempt to calm Kol down. Doesn't take long before she comes out of the back to see what's going on. "If you expect me to get this enchantment finished in a timely manner, you're going to have to keep the noise down." Grayhaze says. "Apologies, I've almost got him quiet." You respond. "I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about whatever it is that happened outside. I might be old, but my hearing isn't. I heard shouting and several gunshots. I'm guessing that you had something to do with that. Hope you didn't leave a mess right outside my door because the Jicol Watch rarely comes out this way to clean up anything." "Well the bodies aren't exactly outside your front door, more like just near your shop. One of them is just outside the butcher's shop a few doors down though." "Great, I'll have to remember to go get my meat from elsewhere for the next month, because I know what the cheapskate owner's going to do. Though I suppose things are tough all over…if you could, drag those bodies that ARE outside my shop in here. I'll knock off a few coins for the book." "Uh, sure I suppose I can do that. I won't overlook a chance to get a discount." "Glad to hear it. And because I can already see it running through your mind, no I am NOT going to eat the bodies. I'm going to harvest some of the organs for potion ingredients." "Hey, I don't care what you do with them, though aren't you really just making other people into cannibals if you're using corpse parts to make potions?" "Eh, by that time, it'll be a diluted mixture filled with so much other stuff that it's not worth even considering. Besides, it's really no worse than what I put into some of my potions. If some of these customers knew what I used in my sexual prowess potions, I guarantee they'd probably rather go lacking in that area." After a period of dragging bodies, keeping Kol entertained and general waiting around, eventually Grayhaze is finished with her task and comes back with a small black medallion and a small book. "It's finished. This chain is small enough that it should go around the boy's neck without it falling off in his sleep. However, I'm not a blacksmith so if you're concerned with it breaking, you might want to get a better one made. Obviously the boy is going to grow, so you'll obviously have to get a bigger chain eventually anyway. It's the medallion that's enchanted though, so no need to worry about losing the magic." "Okay, do I need to bring this in to recharge it at some point?" "You shouldn't need to. However, I can do this enchantment on any item. So if you brought in a ring, which might be a more secure item for your son to wear in the future, it won't cost anything as long as you stick to the deal. You don't however and you can forget about me doing you any sort of business with you ever again." "Sounds good to me." "Good, here's the book, the list of the various ingredients I'll be needing is in it." "And here's the coin, hope you'll accept a sapphire." "Yeah that's fine." After a few more moments of Grayhaze explaining when Kol should probably start actively training from the book and how you can assist in this manner, you take your leave. It isn't until night that you finally get back to which Vera is relieved to see you both. Kol actually fell asleep on the journey. "I was about to send some people to Jicol to go after you guys. What's this around Kol's neck?" Vera says as she takes Kol from you. "Protection, in fact we've a lot to discuss. However, I think things are going to be fine." "Glad it turned out well then. Tell me all about it. But first, things have been busy here and I think Marco and the rest of his immediate crew wanted to see you tomorrow to ask about building their own ship or something. Says he's got an idea that will make us bunch of coin. Who knows though. I've also got some slavers coming in so I'll be busy as well tomorrow." "It's fine. I'll take Kol with me." "You will? Um, okay. Usually you don't." "It's fine. I probably should spend more time with him anyway." Vera smiles a bit. "Well this is a nice side to see of you. Still, you sure? I mean I'm sure Gertrude can look after him if you find that you've got more to do than you planned." Vera says. "Yeah, I'm sure because I just fired Gertrude." You say. "Fired? Wait…really?" Vera says suddenly coming to the understanding of your words very quickly. "Yep, just one of the many changes that were needed for Kol's future well being. That one was probably the most fun though." > You times passes… Year 34 "I gotta say Marco, I was skeptical when you first brought the idea to me and going by the story you're telling me, I'd say I was completely right. Fortunately for you Yag smiles on fools and it worked out anyway." You remark. "Yeah…I suppose so." Marco says standing before you looking completely disheveled. "What I don't understand is why you came so clean with everything. I mean given the haul you brought in, I wasn't even going to bother asking you too many in depth questions." "Uh, yeah I know, but I was afraid if you thought everything went completely well, you would have sent us out again." "Hm, I suppose that was a bit of forward thinking on your part then, because you're probably right. Guess this is one of those rare cases where honesty was the best policy after all. Well I guess you and your little friends have finally gotten your pirate dreams out of your heads now." "Yeah, it sucks. Months out at sea, nothing to do. Rationing food and water. And the worst is getting lost. As I said, it was a good thing that merchant ship came when it did, our boat was starting to sink." "Certainly an unconventional way of taking over a ship. Signaling for help legitimately, being invited aboard as an act of mercy and then when you were feeling slightly better, you just held them all at gunpoint. Still, not only did you bring back an entire new ship intact, you brought back most of the crew as slaves, as well as all the loot. Not sure what we're going to do with crates of scrolls with Nichan writing all over them, but I'm sure someone is going to have an interest in this stuff. Always a market for something." Marco just nods silently, he's obviously just glad you aren't punishing him and he's back on dry land. You didn't think much of Marco and his "gang" when you first met them, and to be honest you still don't, but you suppose they've come a long way since those days or at least the ones that have survived have. "Alright Marco, I guess you and what's left of your group friends can go take some time or whatever for the next couple days. Don't go too far though, never know when some extra bodies might be needed." You say. "Thanks boss." Marco replies and takes his leave. With Marco's shit out of the way, you go about inspecting the latest expansions around the temple, which is now starting to resemble a "town hall" since there are separate buildings popping up all around it. These aren't just criminal types either opening up brothels or gambling centers. You've actually got a some ex-Jicol citizens opening up legitimate businesses since Jicol is on the downturn and they've lost their homes and businesses in that city thanks to the flooding disaster that the city STILL hasn't completely recovered from. Doesn't really hurt to have cooks, blacksmiths and the like around so you've assured that they will not be harassed as long as they pay the usual "protection tax." While it's not exactly a proper town, already people are starting to give it the name of Nightfall. You imagine the name is related to the Nocturnal League's name as well as the deity that the temple was once dedicated to. Speaking of Fel, you've been checking to make sure Kol hasn't been having any odd dreams or anything. So far so good, and Grayhaze's medallion is obviously working. He still casts his little shadow tricks every now and then, but again nothing major. You figure in another couple years he'll be ready to start learning from Grayhaze's book proper. As for you, the only concerns you've been having, as of late is the Ebony Claw Syndicate and to a lesser extent, the Jicol government. The ECS is always a looming threat in the back of your mind. You know there is going to be a reckoning with them soon and it's probably going to initially come in the form of intimidation first. So far they haven't even contacted you, though you imagine when they do it's probably going to be in the form of several shadow magic trained assassins. If they're feeling benevolent, they'll try to intimidate you first into paying them a cut of your profits and then get rid of you later. You suppose you could be big enough and out of the way enough that a take over might be considered costly for them and not worth it, but you can't help but believe that they'll try anyway. Your more immediate concern however is the Mayor of Jicol who has implemented draconian measures in rebuilding Jicol due to the fact that people were starting to leave the city and even coming to Nightfall. He's completely shut the gates to the city and not allowing anyone in or out unless it's by ship and even then it's only legitimate trade as Jicol has now banned all pirates and the like from using their harbor anymore. In fact if they come within a certain range of the city, they'll be fired upon. This has put a bit of a crimp in your own businesses a bit. Your own "habor" isn't nearly big enough to accommodate all the visitors you might get. You're trying to expand, but there is so much else to do. Not to mention slaver ships and pirates now have to sail all the way around the island to dock at Nightfall so they don't get fired on now. It's a pain in the ass for everyone involved. Getting Grayhaze's supplies to her is also a concern, you'll need to get those to her somehow and with the city locked down, the only option is to somehow sneak in which means either digging a tunnel and risking another flood, or taking a small boat and trying row around to one of the open areas where the sea and the city have no barrier, but that would be incredibly risky given the heightened security. Using swimmers would probably be less risky, but not much better. It was suggested a few times in the past that the League should just try to take over Jicol, but honestly it's not like that would have been really feasible or cost effective to even attempt. However, it's starting to look like you might have to do something though. You envision that it would be possible to have your people sneak in during the night and employ hit and run assassination tactics against the Jicol Watch, and ultimately open the gates to let the rest of your people in. Still, your numbers still aren't overwhelming enough to make the potential victory to not be costly. This isn't even counting the small fortress that the mayor of Jicol never leaves which again isn't a problem to get into, but who know what the hell is in store for you inside. Even if you take Jicol, you're still left with its naval forces. Who knows if they'll just surrender or not. Any plan to attack Jicol is going to come at a cost. Since you aren't sure what to do, you ask the only person you trust about all this. "I don't know." Vera says. "Great, I was hoping for some enlightenment on this situation." You remark. "Well I mean you've explained the pros and cons of everything and I more or less agree with everything, including not being sure of what the best approach is." "Well in any case, I gotta get the supplies to Grayhaze. Last thing I need is to piss off an old witch on top of everything." "Sneaking in the city shouldn't be an issue should it?" "Eh, it's going to be a pain in the ass, but it can be done. It's also possible that this is going to just be temporary and even if it isn't, it probably won't hurt our business too much and we'll survive." "Yeah, but…wait a minute. What about that merchant ship that Marco just brought in?" "What about it?" "Couldn't we use it to get into the Jicol harbor?" "Maybe once, and then they'd probably execute everyone on board. Our people aren't exactly the most subtle, if you were thinking about having them masquerade as merchants." "I dunno, Marco managed to do it and he's an idiot." "Marco and his crew were also genuinely in danger at the time so it was a lot more believable that they needed help." "Well why don't we do that?" "Do what?" "Put the ship in danger?" "What are you suggesting then?" "I'm saying we hire some pirates to attack our ship as it approaches Jicol. Naturally the Jicol navy is going to go into action and our ship safely gets in the harbor while they're distracted." "And then?" "Well then our people come screaming out of it and start wreaking havoc in the city." "Hm, certainly a different idea I had about infiltrating the city which involved sending a few to scale the walls or swim around and attack silently over the course of a few days." "Could work too. I mean if we did attack, we probably should go all the way with it so employing both tactics would be best. Also if we were going this route, with hiring pirates to provide back up, I think I can convince one I know Zamed, to lead." "Hm. I know who you're talking about. Never trusted him." "Well he's a pirate, of course he's not trust worthy, but he's had the most experience with doing privateer work for the Delantium Kingdom, so he'd probably be able to organize a small group of ships to harass our enemies effectively. Of course it would be very expensive to secure their reliability." "I dunno. I mean the plan with the merchant ship sounds okay, but I'm not sure if I want to pay out any more coin for pirate assistance. Also I don't see them lasting too long against the Jicol navy and that seems like a waste." "Well you wouldn't pay them all of it obviously and you could promise them some of the spoils. Either one of two things is going to happen. Either none of them survive and you won't have to pay them or some of them survive which means they turned out to be a better investment after all and you still probably won't have to pay much since I can't imagine there will be that many survivors." Well there's a couple ways you could go if you did decide to take over Jicol, though maybe the best solution is to just leave it be. > You attack Jicol with assistance Vera's right, if you're going to do this, you need to exploit every resource you can. "Alright, you have any idea if Zamed is coming around anytime soon?" you ask. "I believe he's probably due in a week or so. He's been getting sort of predictable as of late." Vera says. "Hate waiting, but fine. I suppose in the meantime I'll start getting shit ready on our side of things, since even if Zamed falls through, we're still doing this. Guess I better inform Marco that his days at sea aren't quite finished yet since he'll be the one to take the merchant ship seeing as he's got the most experience with it and nobody else here is much of a sailor." "Neither is Marco apparently from what you mentioned on his attempt to be a pirate." "Hm, I'm confident that he'll have at least enough experience to pull this off, since that's not going to be the hard part anyway, it's getting off the ship and out of the harbor area alive as soon as he enters it." Later when you inform Marco, (who was just starting to enjoy his time off) he is indeed not happy about hearing what his latest task is going to be, but you don't need him to be happy about it, just compliant. Which of course he is. He does carouse extra harder though for the remainder of the time off you've given him though. You inform the rest of the League of your plan and assign your most skilled to start finding ways (or making ways) of sneaking into the city now. You tell them not to engage anyone and to keep a low profile while they're scouting the security and such. You then tell them you want a report on everything within the next few days. Eventually the large dark skinned pirate known as Zamed comes into dock and you have a meeting with him as soon as he gets off the ship. He's a little surprised, but intrigued. "I have to say, I'm wondering what this is all about, you don't usually speak with me like Vera has in the past. How is she anyway? Last time I saw her she looked pretty fit. Glad to see having a child did not ruin her figure." Zamed says obviously trying to prod you. "Yep, she is and still as limber too. I'm very lucky man, but enough about her, let's talk about business. Sit." You say not even blinking an eye. Zamed snorts and sits down and you go into your plan and his place in it. Already he takes umbrage to the fact that you're including him even though he hasn't agreed to anything. "Wait a second, you're making a lot of assumptions here. I haven't agreed to this little plan of yours and I'm not sure what makes you think that I'm going to." Zamed remarks. "Because you like coin and you're not adverse to great risk. Why else would you have hired yourself out as a privateer for the Delantium Kingdom and getting in the middle of their war with Nichan? You could have easily made a comfortable living robbing fat merchant ships. Given all that, with my plan you stand to make a lot of coin and for significantly less risk." "I'm not so sure about that. I wasn't ever directly attacking a single Nichan city or facing the full might of their fleet. I just harassed and plundered their isolated ships, not to mention I planned out ambushes. Attacking Jicol is greater risk and you know it is, otherwise you wouldn't even be asking for help from the likes of me." "You're right. It IS a risk, but you're not doing this alone. The entire Nocturnal League is going to be assaulting the city at the same time you and whoever of your grog swilling buddies you can muster up for this task. As I said, there will be a sizable amount of coin for all of you in addition to whatever plunder you wish from the town itself…well except Elegant Elixirs." "Hrm. Why is that shop run by that old hag off limits?" "I have a deal with her." "Okay…well not really interested in such things anyway. And while your offer is interesting, I'm still not convinced going up against the Jicol navy is a good use of my time. You still haven't given an amount you intend to pay me and while plunder is nice, Jicol isn't exactly the most booming trading port anymore. They're having their own economy issues and stealing from poor cities that can put up a good fight isn't exactly profitable." "You're right about Jicol of course, but that's another reason why this isn't going to be as dangerous as you believe. While Jicol certainly has enough ships to still look impressive, I don't think you've been around lately to know what condition their fleet is truly in. They've had to forego their expensive upkeep and in some cases even downsize their crews. Jicol's small flotilla is a hollow version of its former self." "Is that right? I had heard that rumor a few months ago." "It's been a fact even before they closed their gates and tightened their security. Last gasp of a frightened government that knows its days are numbered. I mean it hasn't even fought anyone is quite sometime, how ready are they really without ongoing conflict to keep the skills sharp? You and I both know if you want to stay at the top of your field, you have to practice." "True." "And if you want to know the exact amount I'm ready to pay you, twenty thousand in gold coin. And that's just for you personally. Every captain you get under your command for this will get ten. However we both know there is going to be casualties, so YOU will get half of any dead captains' share. Now I'm sure you can do the math and realize that will be a shitload of riches correct?" Zamed's eyes glaze over at the fortune he stands to make from all this. "I suppose…with that sort of reward, the risk is worth it. However, I'd like to have half of my payment now." "Yeah and you not show up at all? Not risking that. The best I can do is give you a thousand for hearing me out as your taste of the rewards to come." "Well I had to try. So is there an exact timeframe for this assault?" You continue your discussion of your plan… A few months pass and eventually Zamed returns with six more ships, Marco and his crew are about as ready as they're going to be and your spies that have been sneaking in and out of Jicol, have made steps in opening the gates along with just creating as much havoc for ground forces as possible during the actual attack. As far as your involvement, you're going to take a lesson from the last time you led one of these attacks. Meaning you're not going to put yourself on the front lines and going to stay at a camp a mile away from Jicol's gates. The day of the attack within the first hour you can hear cannons going off even from your position further in the jungle. With any luck Marco's crew will manage to make it to the Jicol harbor without getting sunk in the crossfire. In another couple hours, a runner comes to you with news that your people have opened the gates and fighting is going on all over the city. Marco and his crew successfully entered the harbor and managed to fool the Jicol Watch long enough to break through, meanwhile Zamed's force has drawn away most of the Jicol ships, which are now fighting, in the open sea. No sooner has this runner given you this information when a loud explosion is heard along with a visible black cloud in the distance of the city, you surmise that Marco's merchant ship that was also full of explosives was set off in the harbor. A few days pass and you finally step foot into Jicol proper. The Jicol navy has been either put out of action at the bottom of the sea or sailed away. Zamed and his own people have already begun pillaging the city. There is resistance still of course, but so far things are looking completely in your favor and apparently the Mayor of Jicol's small fortress has already been breached. You head there immediately and find Marco standing outside giving orders though he looks almost as bad as he did when he came back from his foray as a pirate. "Marco! This may surprise you, but I am actually glad to see you're alive." You say. "Thanks boss, um we've almost taken the city, just trying to make our way to the mayor's inner sanctum." "Good, you remember the order was to keep him alive right?" "Yeah boss." "Okay. I heard Zamed lives, but do you know of the other pirate captains?" "Um, not sure. At least one of them I suppose." "Alright, you take some people and go find all those sea dogs and tell them I want to see them as soon as possible, I'll take it from here with the mayor here." Marco nods and you begin overseeing the final death knell of Jicol's government…at least as it currently exists. After forty five minutes of observing the chaos around you and waiting, eventually the Mayor of Jicol is presented before you. He's about as unimpressive as his title. An overweight older man with spectacles. On the paler side of things, which makes sense given how reclusive he was. Obviously more of a planner and bureaucrat than any sort of fighting ruler. And yet a stare of defiance still exists in his eye as he's being hauled out to you. "I should have had the Watch stomp out your organization years ago while you were in your infancy." He says. "I certainly would have. To be fair though this probably wouldn't have been possible if not for that flooding disaster. Never did quite recover from that." You say and then look at the destruction around you. "Wonder if this place will recover from this, going to take a lot to rebuild this place. I guess we'll see." You remark. "Just get it over with." "No, no, no, this isn't how we're playing this. At least not yet. We're both going to just stand here and talk while we wait for some of my people to come back." Since the mayor is in no mood to be talkative, you start things off by mentioning that it was a major mistake closing off his city in the way he did. You understand the reasoning, but by that time it just caused more enemies that might not have otherwise been. Like the pirates for one example. "Being a friendly harbor to pirates and the like made you fairly safe from them. I dare say it was a bigger deterrent than your navy in some respects. Changing what wasn't broken was foolish." You say. "Guess I'll remember that for the next city I oversee." The mayor remarks. "Glad you're staying optimistic." You talk to the mayor for a little while longer about how you've come to understand the struggles of running a town of sorts and how even though taking control of this place, you are not looking forward to the operations of it. The mayor just looks at you with a continued defiance until a couple of your people bring a woman in her late middle age to you. She probably was prettier back when she was younger. Now the mayor's eye betray him slightly as a glint of concern crosses his face before returning to defiance. "We all have someone we care about mayor. It's a weakness, but an unavoidable one for most I think. You're not married and this one is one of the few non military and non government people that had been seen entering this place on many occasions. So guessing this woman is a long time girlfriend? Perhaps even a daughter? Not both I hope…" "Whatever you have planned, I'm not playing your game." "This isn't a game mayor, but I think we're about to see one. Marco! You're back with Zamed and whoever these other people are." You say turning your attention away from the mayor and the woman for a moment. Marco and the people with him nod and stand back as Zamed and two other scruffy looking men stand before you. All three of them look annoyed that you've taken them away from whatever else they were doing. "I hope this is about our payment." Zamed says. "Oh it is. So out of the seven ships, you three are what's left huh? Didn't catch your names." You say. "Captain Elias of the Kraken." A fat bearded man slightly shorter than Zamed says. "Captain Nimi of the Seadragon." A weathered looking elf with odd coral looking armor says. "Wow, those are some impressive names for ships. Bet you lot gave hell to the Jicol navy." "Damn straight we did and those that we didn't sailed away like scared guppies!" Elias laughs. "As I recall, YOU nearly ran away like a scared guppy until I saved your fat ass." Nimi remarks. "I should cut yer tongue out for saying such lies, ya pointy eared boy lover!" "Gentlemen! I'm sure you both played your role." "Yes, but I'M the lead commander here! And I think it's time to pay the coin, have you brought it with you on a baggage cart somewhere?" "Oh I would never bring such a large sum with me. It can be picked up when you dock your ship at Nightfall. Let's see, four dead captains means you get an extra ten on top of the twenty you're already getting Zamed. And you two get ten apiece…now which one of you two nearly sailed away from battle again?" Nimi immediately says Elias who once again protests to the point where he's looking like he'l get violent. Meanwhile Zamed tells them both to shut up. "I saw the entire battle from the deck of my own ship and Elias you WERE about to sail away. In fact your ship and crew took the least damage out of everyone here! You oughta be glad that I'm not shooting you and taking half your share!" Zamed says. "Now that's a grand idea there Zamed. Marco…" you say. Zamed's eyes widen and he goes for his weapon. "N…" is all he gets out before you outdraw him and put three in his face. Meanwhile marco has killed the elf captain with a shot to the back of his head making his armor useless. Captain Elias stands there in shock as two of your men disarm him. He really is a big coward. "Shit! Don't…" Elias utters. "Shut up. Now I trust twenty thousand gold is enough for you and enough to throw at your crew and the crews of these dead captains to ensure their loyalty under your new command of two more ships now?" you ask. "Um…sure! Yeah! That's more than enough for me and my…larger crew now!" "Glad to hear it. I suggest you go tell everyone of your good fortune and meet me at Nightfall in a day for your payment." Captain Elias and grovels gratitude before leaving. You snort a bit of laughter before walking over to the mayor and the woman who have been watching the entire time. "Now as I was saying, this isn't a game. You think I really want to run the boring day to day shit of a city, even a half destroyed one? I barely like doing it for the little town I run. No, better to leave that in the hands of someone with experience, someone like you. Of course this place will have to have new security now that all yours are dead, but I can provide that. Of course if you don't want the job…" you say and then look at the woman. "Fine. I'll do it." The mayor says probably rethinking everything after what everything he's seen. "Glad to hear it and don't worry, you'll have as much help as you need to rebuild this place. Come to think of it, we do have a surplus of slaves. Maybe Jicol could start using such cheap labor on a regular basis. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see an old woman who has probably been wondering where her supply shipment has been for months." People have been suggesting it for years, but Jicol is finally under the grip of the Nocturnal League, meaning this entire island is under your control. If the Ebony Claw Syndicate sets foot on here now, you'll be in a stronger position to deal with them. At least that's the general idea. > You time passes... Year 35 Talking to two Syndicate representatives isn't exactly what you want to be doing right now, but this day was coming one way or another. The well-dressed man with a thin mustache is Percy and has been the more talkative of the two. The other by the name of Toz is some sort of greenskin halfbreed also well dressed. Probably of orc heritage since he's much bigger than Warts was. He also doesn't talk much and mainly just stands around looking intimidating. Unsurprisingly the pair of them have shadow magic powers. However you anticipated that which why you had Grayhaze enchant something that would at least even up the odds. A ring. Not quite an anti-magic field, but something to dull the shadow magic around you. Probably wouldn't be enough to stop them if they really wanted to kill you, but along with all your more mundane security, it's enough to give them pause if they tried. However if that were the intent, you probably wouldn't be having a conversation at all. "I have to say, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when the Syndicate sent me here, but I am a little impressed with what your organization has accomplished in such a short amount of time. You certainly have not just carved out this little island for yourself, but much of sea paths on this side of the world. You're practically like your own nation." Percy remarks. "Never thought about it that way, but I suppose you might be right. I also suppose I should be wondering if the Delantium Kingdom will be declaring war on me to put an outpost here." You say with a mild chuckle. "I believe they have their hands quite full still with Nichan, though I hear you're starting to have more trouble with Hessla nowadays. I imagine you would be major competition for their once near monopoly on business for this part of the world." "Hm, I guess you could say relations are strained with Hessla, but we offered them a fair deal. Their Governor is the one that decided to be greedy and reject it. His unwillingness to embrace in a positive manner change is what is causing people to do less business there. He probably fears that I'm going to come there with a fleet and take his city like I did with Jicol, but it's not even the same situation. The Nocturnal League doesn't seek to expand past our reach. This island is more than enough territory for us." "They say it's a wise man who knows his limitations. Perhaps by making your home in an old temple once dedicated to Fel has resulted in him providing that wisdom. Ah, tis a shame that the Syndicate only just started sending people this way. Reclaiming a lost temple to his great shadow would have been not just a boon to the Syndicate, but to the glory of Fel." You always hate how intertwined the Syndicate is with the whole Fel religion. Makes dealing with them always uncertain. Are they interested in profit or are they interested in spreading faith? "Oh well, the Syndicate's loss for being too slow when opportunity called I suppose. Doesn't happen often, but we hope to correct that by hopefully having a working relationship with your organization." Percy remarks. "Well I certainly want an amicable relationship with the Syndicate and as I said, I have no intention on expanding into your territory." "Yes, so you've said. However, your island is becoming very popular in terms of the slave trade. It's just one of the big reason why Hessla is so angry with you. The Syndicate has never relied on the slave trade as our main source of income, indeed for whatever reason it's just never been a cornerstone. One of the few things we're just dabblers in. We're trying again however, and while Hessla in the past has always been a stubborn partner in such thing in the past, we're hoping the League's rising status in this part of the world will be more open in such matters." "So basically what you're saying is instead of you having to deal with independent slavers all the time, you want to just deal with us." 'We find that it's always better to deal with a single reliable source rather than all these unwashed disorganized types. We would of course bring our own ship here for pick up. Also we've notice that the drug of choice here on this island is either Green Lotus or that very poor substitute of Blue Dream, Purple Wish. As part of our new arrangement we could provide Blue Dream for you to distribute here. Makes a lot of money, we should know after all." And here it is, the Syndicate trying to get their foot just enough in the door. "Yes, I suppose you've given me a lot to think about as far as business is concerned." You say. "Oh sure, we understand. We're going to be in Jicol for awhile so we can sort out details then. Honestly, I'd prefer to stay here in Nightfall closer to the temple, but Toz here is a little on the paranoid side and doesn't wish to sleep in the heart of… let's just say, an unproven ally's home, but I'm sure that will change soon! Besides, Fel's shadow is everywhere after all and his dark blessing is with his faithful always." Percy remarks. At this point Percy says a few more pleasantries and then remarks about looking forward to the meeting with you in a few days. Toz on the other hand just stares at you with the typical hostile greenskin eyes and follows Percy. After they leave, several of your people escort them out of the room and anyone else left, seems to relax slightly. "So that's the average Syndicate member, boss?" Marco asks. "Not the average. They wouldn't send their average. They send their more threatening to talk to someone like me. They also sent an extra one, which I guess means I'm really special. Lucky me." You say. "So you think we should just kill them?" "Ideally that would be the safest move in the short term, but not in the long term and if we are going to war with them, I'd like to be sure that it's necessary. So far they haven't given any indication that they're planning anything other than an aggressive business exchange that would have them visiting here on occasion…which granted could lead to problems in the future. In any case, we'll wait for now." You tell Marco to keep everyone extra alert while the Syndicate is visiting and then go see Vera who is down in the slave den as usual. Right now she's speaking with one of her overseers. "What the hell have you been doing with these elves, Halford? They look like shit and nobody wants elven bitches that look like shit, they want them to look like they just came out of the fairy kingdom farting rainbows and sunshine." Vera remarks. "Apologies Countess, some of the new recruits thought to take advantage of a few of them last night. They've already been dealt with, even sold the ringleader this morning." Halford replies. "Hrm, well release the rest then, and remind them that these slaves are not their personal fuck toys unless they're actually going to be paying for them out of pocket. As for these elves, well have them cleaned as much as you can and hopefully some of the buyers aren't picky about bruises." Halford nods and complies with Vera's orders and as he's leaving he also nods in respect to you. "I see you weren't joking about wanting to be called countess." you remark. "Well we do run an entire island, seems perfectly reasonable to declare ourselves the rulers of it." Vera says. "True, though interesting you've picked a royal title though." "Well I don't know about you, but a title like governor or mayor doesn't sound nearly as impressive. Besides if you remember I do have royal blood in my veins." "Ah yes. Your father may have been the late Baron Varsakken. Still, even if true, you've given yourself the title of countess rather than baroness." "Well unlike the rest of that Varsakken clan, I'm actually in control of an entire island rather than just a city. I think that calls for a higher title status." "Heh, well why not queen then?" "Too predictable and self-important. I'm still grounded enough to know who and what I am." "Well glad to see you're staying grounded. Where is Kol?" "He's studying from that book you got him in my office and Layla is watching him." You shake your head especially since this seems very familiar. "I know you spoke to me about this before, but I'm not convinced having a slave looking after our son is the best idea." "Well you said, you had to meet with those ECS assholes and didn't want Kol around during that. And I couldn't supervise Kol's studies. This isn't like Gertrude, Layla was from some well to do family that Elias' crew apparently slaughtered on a transport ship. From the moment she was brought here she's basically been willing to do anything from getting sold as a fuck hole to some rich pervert or something similar." "Sort of surprised Elias didn't use her as a personal fuck hole if he was the one that brought her here." "Elias likes dick." "Really? Huh, didn't know that. Well anyway, compliant frightened slave girl or not, I'm wary about this." "Fine, if you're that concerned they're in the next room, you go speak with them both and get a feel for her. And when I say feel, I don't mean fucking her." "What?" "Oh relax. I know you aren't really going to fuck her! She's a slave after all not royalty like me. She is very pretty though and the image of fucking her is probably going to pass through your mind. I'll be expecting you to lay it down really good tonight." "Uh…okay…" "In any case, as I said speak with her yourself and if you still don't think she's a suitable sitter then we can sell her ass. Anyway tell me about your meeting with the ECS afterwards, I'll be free soon. Just have to check on one more slave shipment." Vera kisses you goodbye and heads off to the next group of cages while you head to her office. Upon opening the door, you see your son fidgeting in his seat his in front of his spell book. He looks up and over at you before quickly returning to his book. Glad to see he knows that you really want him to focus on his studies. The girl who you're guessing is Layla doesn't look that old. She looks to be in her late teens and is probably from some far off land given her darker complexion and some of her facial features. She's also still dressed in clothing that doesn't match her current slave status. (At least for most of them around here) Vera was right though, she is pretty. "Um, you're the Count right?" Layla utters. "Count? Oh. Right, Vera, Countess, whatever. No, unlike my wife, I see no need for formal titles. You're my son's new sitter from what she's told me." "Yes, I have been doing my best in seeing to it that Kol here is practicing his…erm, shadow magic." "Can I play with my shadow creatures dad?" Kol asks. "Has it been three hours yet?" "I don't know…" "You know that it hasn't. You have to learn other magic, not just the shadow stuff even if you find it easier. Layla, has he been practicing?" you ask, while Kol goes back to his book. "Um, yes I think so." "You think so? Either he has or hasn't." "Erm, I just mean I don't know much about this magic stuff. I've just been making sure he's been reading this book. I did see him create a small ball of light briefly though." "Hm, okay. So Layla, do you have any other family? I mean besides the ones that those pirates killed?" "Yes, I have an uncle back in Harazan." "Where the hell is that?" "Far to the south and west." "He rich?" "I imagine he is now. He's wanted my father's business and fortune for years. With everyone dead, and me stuck here, he's next in line to get everything." "I'm guessing he won't be looking for you anytime soon." "…no…" Layla says looking downward. "So tell me Layla, what is your plan?" "My plan?" "Yes, I mean surely you're not content on being a slave. Who would be? And I can tell even in your less than perfect condition, you obviously came from wealth. You certainly look more royal than my wife. You're probably at least of noble birth. In any case, you are definitely not cut out to be a slave of any kind." "What you say is partly true I suppose. I very much would not like to be a slave, but I fear I have little choice in the matter. I was raised…not sheltered, but very much protected. I don't have many skills that would be of practical use. I suppose its of some blessing that the pirate captain who spared me saw me as fetching a good price rather than to be something passed around by his crew." "Hm, Yag certainly threw a seven for you." "Your wife probably would have sold me until I noticed how she was struggling with looking after your son while conducting her business. I quickly begged to help her by explaining I looked after my own little brother many times. I'm still not sure how I convinced her, but here we are." "Yes, here we are." "If you're concerned that I'm plotting to escape, I'm not sure how I could without you knowing and I do not believe I'd make it very far. I fear that this is my life now and can only hope that you and your wife are merciful masters." "You're surprisingly resigned and calm about all this." "I have already mourned over my family and continue to do so in the night when I cry myself to sleep. However, it is said that Ahamed has a reason for every event. I am hoping that I might see and understand this one and from there gain greater wisdom. My own family owned a few slaves for basic tasks, perhaps I am to learn how they felt." "Ahamed?" "Yes, he who burns brighter than the sun and shows the way of peace." "Oh, a god." "The only true god." "Yeah, I've heard that one before, just not that particular one. Great. Well at least you aren't a Felian I guess." "Did you say Fel?" "Felian, followers of Fel, god of shadows." "Are you a worshipper of this…god?" "No. I just said I was glad that you weren't, why the hell would I be?" "Oh, because your son was telling me before you came in that this Fel was speaking with him and…" Your eyes immediately widen and your whole body tenses up. "WHAT?!" you exclaim causing Layla to cringe in her chair, but your attention is towards Kol. You immediately start interrogating the boy and her. After five minutes Kol and Layla are both in tears from your demanding questioning, however you have learned a few things. Apparently Kol's medallion has been coming off in the middle the night and for the past week Fel has been speaking to Kol. Not to a great extent, but he's definitely been visiting your son and remarking about how great shadow magic is compared to all other forms of magic. He's also been trying to convince Kol of keeping the medallion off as soon as he goes to sleep. However the most alarming part is Fel asking your son if he would like to go be with Felians as he could see to it that they treat him very well. He even mentions possibly having agents that would come get him. Now you're wondering if this means Percy and the other one are here to take away your son…or is Fel referring to other agents that he hasn't sent yet? Kol was apparently afraid to tell you or Vera this since he thought you'd both be angry, but he opened up to Layla since she seemed nice. Meanwhile your mind is racing on how to handle all this. > You have the ECS representatives killed You've got all the information you need. No need to prolong this and besides, this was always a possibility anyway. Looks like you'll be going to war with the Syndicate. You figure it'll take them at least a month or two before they figure out something has gone wrong when they don't return. You'll have time to prepare at least. In the meantime you need to calm your son (and Layla) down. "Alright, alright, Kol. I'm not mad. Calm down. In fact, you calm down as well, you're not getting sold anytime soon Layla." You say addressing the both of them. "Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you or mom. I'll make sure the medallion is around my neck good." Kol says. "Actually might be time to get you a ring, but don't worry about that right now. Just go back to your studies for now." You then turn to Layla. "And I trust you aren't going to speak of this." You say. "Of course not! I don't even talk much with the other slaves! I swear to Ahmed as I do not want my situation to become even worse." Layla remarks. "Good, that's the proper way to feel." You immediately leave and call for Marco who arrives shortly. "I want you to gather the best and most skilled assassin types we have and send them to kill those two ECS fuckers. Then I want you to send a group of twenty more of the next best along with them. I don't care how they're killed, just do it quickly. Also I want all ships to not leave this fucking island until they're dead. We are not fucking this up." "We're going to war with the Syndicate? I thought everything was going well, boss." "Shit changes. Now do what I tell you. Oh and I want their heads as proof." "Okay boss, I'll get right on it. Um, what if any of them are currently helping the Countess?" "I don't give a shit, you reassign them anyway, if my wife has a problem she can come talk to me." Marco takes his leave and you begin to mentally make preparations of how you're going to have to prepare your defenses. You figure you'll have a few months before the Syndicate realizes something has happened to their people and get their shit together to send a force after you. Doesn't take long before Vera comes to see you. "What the hell is going on? Marco just came in and took a few of my best slave minders and said if I had any complaint, I need to see you because he's just following orders." Vera says. You explain the situation to Vera who is probably more concerned about Kol than any war with the Syndicate. She even asks you where Kol is and how he's doing. After giving your answer about that, she gets a little pissed that you haven't made the arrangements to get a ring enchanted for him and goes off to see Kol immediately. Doesn't take long before the task is underway. You eventually get a report from Marco that unfortunately despite the unexpected attack and all the people you sent, you only managed to get one of them, and it was the orc since they tried to take him out first believing he'd be a tougher target, turned out to be true since he killed most of the people you sent before succumbing to the multiple shots to his body and head in the initial attack. Percy apparently didn't even try to help his friend and just ran off. He still cut down a few people along the way, but nobody can guess where he is now. Being more paranoid than ever, you order that everyone from Nightfall to Jicol be on the look out. You also make sure Kol is kept under watch as all times. A few days pass and several of the pirates, merchants, slavers and sailors begin to protest that you won't let them leave the island, but in order to somewhat alleviate their complaints you wave any costs they might have. This helps somewhat, but many of them still aren't very happy. The slavers especially since they feel like they're being held captive and of course they know all about doing that to others. Meanwhile you're getting increasingly agitated with the fact that Percy still hasn't been found. He could be anywhere. You even order searches of the deeper jungle areas, which doesn't do much except get some of your people killed by dangerous wildlife. Even if he was hiding in the jungle, they probably wouldn't find him anyway. You insist on Kol being kept locked up in his room at all times. Vera isn't sure if that's the best idea, but she doesn't have a better one. She's mainly just as frustrated about this situation as you are and you're both lashing out at each other a lot. Another week passes and still no sign of him at all. There haven't even been any "mysterious" deaths. However, you soon get some not so mysterious deaths when a couple of the pirate captains kill some of your people while leaving the island. You manage to sink one of the ships, but one manages to sail away. This situation is getting bad for business because opening fire on your usual partners is a sure way to have them never come back or worse seek revenge. Though you half wonder if Percy eventually got to these folks anyway. Perhaps promising a reward from the Syndicate if they got him off the island. If that's the case, you can only hope he was on the ship you managed to sink. With things also starting to get restless in Jicol, you don't really have much choice but to ease up on the restrictions. One way or another he's probably getting off the island if he hasn't already and you'll just have to be prepared quicker. A month passes and the entire island feels like it's under the shadow of the Syndicate. Everyone is on edge expecting a Syndicate attack even if it is a little too early. You still keep Kol locked up for his own safety, but he's obviously not happy about it. At this point he's wearing an anti-magic ring to nullify any potential contact with Fel since the last thing you need is a god whispering in your son's ear. Vera becomes concerned about you and tells you that you need to relax even if the situation isn't ideal because the last thing the Nocturnal League needs right now is an unstable leader. You take her words under advisement, which is much more reasonable than she hoped for. You know she's right after all; it isn't going to do anyone any good if you're in the state you're in now. Another month passes and things have settled down slightly. You constantly ask for news updates from the mainland, but nothing of major importance is reported. No rumors of the Syndicate preparing for an attack or anything. By the middle of the year, things are almost back to normal on the island. You've still got a lot of extra security around the temple, but restrictions have loosened a bit to the point where you're not keeping Kol locked up anymore. You still have not heard a single thing about the Syndicate. No threats, no rumors, nothing. Or at least nothing concerning you. True they could be playing it close to the vest, but you think you would have gotten at least something by now. Either the Syndicate is just making you sweat or they've decided it wouldn't be worth their time or resources in going to war with you. While things are still pretty tense, you continue to try to get on with your business. While you're going over some of your expenses, you hear a knock at your office door. "Marco, I told you just come in if you got something important to report." You remark. "It's not Marco, he's been killed!" a voice says from the other side of the door. "What?!" "He's been killed! A lot of people have, you need to come this! I think it's an attack!" "Are Vera and Kol safe!?" you say starting to get up. "I'm not sure about Vera, but Kol is definitely safe." "Hold on…fuck…" you mutter realizing that today must be the fucking day that the entire Syndicate declares war. However, you were wrong. You open the door and immediately you see a familiar face staring at you and before you can do anything a blade strikes quickly across your throat. You manage to raise your pistol before Percy easily grabs it from your hand as you fall to the floor choking on your own blood. It was just one. "You know, it would have been easy to kill you months ago, but I think my time here in hiding has provided me with all the necessary information to give to the Syndicate to best effectively attack your organization. Well that and it was nice to see the shocked look on your face when you saw me again. Didn't have to be this way, but you can take solace in the fact that your son will not be harmed. His destiny with Fel is greater than what fate will befall the rest of this island." With that last cold response of a man who was determined to take away everything important to you, your vision goes dark.

Year 35 Talking to two Syndicate representatives isn't exactly what you want to be doing right now, but this day was coming one way or another. The well-dressed man with a thin mustache is Percy and has been the more talkative of the two. The other by the name of Toz is some sort of greenskin halfbreed also well dressed. Probably of orc heritage since he's much bigger than Warts was. He also doesn't talk much and mainly just stands around looking intimidating. Unsurprisingly the pair of them have shadow magic powers. However you anticipated that which why you had Grayhaze enchant something that would at least even up the odds. A ring. Not quite an anti-magic field, but something to dull the shadow magic around you. Probably wouldn't be enough to stop them if they really wanted to kill you, but along with all your more mundane security, it's enough to give them pause if they tried. However if that were the intent, you probably wouldn't be having a conversation at all. "I have to say, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when the Syndicate sent me here, but I am a little impressed with what your organization has accomplished in such a short amount of time. You certainly have not just carved out this little island for yourself, but much of sea paths on this side of the world. You're practically like your own nation." Percy remarks. "Never thought about it that way, but I suppose you might be right. I also suppose I should be wondering if the Delantium Kingdom will be declaring war on me to put an outpost here." You say with a mild chuckle. "I believe they have their hands quite full still with Nichan, though I hear you're starting to have more trouble with Hessla nowadays. I imagine you would be major competition for their once near monopoly on business for this part of the world." "Hm, I guess you could say relations are strained with Hessla, but we offered them a fair deal. Their Governor is the one that decided to be greedy and reject it. His unwillingness to embrace in a positive manner change is what is causing people to do less business there. He probably fears that I'm going to come there with a fleet and take his city like I did with Jicol, but it's not even the same situation. The Nocturnal League doesn't seek to expand past our reach. This island is more than enough territory for us." "They say it's a wise man who knows his limitations. Perhaps by making your home in an old temple once dedicated to Fel has resulted in him providing that wisdom. Ah, tis a shame that the Syndicate only just started sending people this way. Reclaiming a lost temple to his great shadow would have been not just a boon to the Syndicate, but to the glory of Fel." You always hate how intertwined the Syndicate is with the whole Fel religion. Makes dealing with them always uncertain. Are they interested in profit or are they interested in spreading faith? "Oh well, the Syndicate's loss for being too slow when opportunity called I suppose. Doesn't happen often, but we hope to correct that by hopefully having a working relationship with your organization." Percy remarks. "Well I certainly want an amicable relationship with the Syndicate and as I said, I have no intention on expanding into your territory." "Yes, so you've said. However, your island is becoming very popular in terms of the slave trade. It's just one of the big reason why Hessla is so angry with you. The Syndicate has never relied on the slave trade as our main source of income, indeed for whatever reason it's just never been a cornerstone. One of the few things we're just dabblers in. We're trying again however, and while Hessla in the past has always been a stubborn partner in such thing in the past, we're hoping the League's rising status in this part of the world will be more open in such matters." "So basically what you're saying is instead of you having to deal with independent slavers all the time, you want to just deal with us." 'We find that it's always better to deal with a single reliable source rather than all these unwashed disorganized types. We would of course bring our own ship here for pick up. Also we've notice that the drug of choice here on this island is either Green Lotus or that very poor substitute of Blue Dream, Purple Wish. As part of our new arrangement we could provide Blue Dream for you to distribute here. Makes a lot of money, we should know after all." And here it is, the Syndicate trying to get their foot just enough in the door. "Yes, I suppose you've given me a lot to think about as far as business is concerned." You say. "Oh sure, we understand. We're going to be in Jicol for awhile so we can sort out details then. Honestly, I'd prefer to stay here in Nightfall closer to the temple, but Toz here is a little on the paranoid side and doesn't wish to sleep in the heart of… let's just say, an unproven ally's home, but I'm sure that will change soon! Besides, Fel's shadow is everywhere after all and his dark blessing is with his faithful always." Percy remarks. At this point Percy says a few more pleasantries and then remarks about looking forward to the meeting with you in a few days. Toz on the other hand just stares at you with the typical hostile greenskin eyes and follows Percy. After they leave, several of your people escort them out of the room and anyone else left, seems to relax slightly. "So that's the average Syndicate member, boss?" Marco asks. "Not the average. They wouldn't send their average. They send their more threatening to talk to someone like me. They also sent an extra one, which I guess means I'm really special. Lucky me." You say. "So you think we should just kill them?" "Ideally that would be the safest move in the short term, but not in the long term and if we are going to war with them, I'd like to be sure that it's necessary. So far they haven't given any indication that they're planning anything other than an aggressive business exchange that would have them visiting here on occasion…which granted could lead to problems in the future. In any case, we'll wait for now." You tell Marco to keep everyone extra alert while the Syndicate is visiting and then go see Vera who is down in the slave den as usual. Right now she's speaking with one of her overseers. "What the hell have you been doing with these elves, Halford? They look like shit and nobody wants elven bitches that look like shit, they want them to look like they just came out of the fairy kingdom farting rainbows and sunshine." Vera remarks. "Apologies Countess, some of the new recruits thought to take advantage of a few of them last night. They've already been dealt with, even sold the ringleader this morning." Halford replies. "Hrm, well release the rest then, and remind them that these slaves are not their personal fuck toys unless they're actually going to be paying for them out of pocket. As for these elves, well have them cleaned as much as you can and hopefully some of the buyers aren't picky about bruises." Halford nods and complies with Vera's orders and as he's leaving he also nods in respect to you. "I see you weren't joking about wanting to be called countess." you remark. "Well we do run an entire island, seems perfectly reasonable to declare ourselves the rulers of it." Vera says. "True, though interesting you've picked a royal title though." "Well I don't know about you, but a title like governor or mayor doesn't sound nearly as impressive. Besides if you remember I do have royal blood in my veins." "Ah yes. Your father may have been the late Baron Varsakken. Still, even if true, you've given yourself the title of countess rather than baroness." "Well unlike the rest of that Varsakken clan, I'm actually in control of an entire island rather than just a city. I think that calls for a higher title status." "Heh, well why not queen then?" "Too predictable and self-important. I'm still grounded enough to know who and what I am." "Well glad to see you're staying grounded. Where is Kol?" "He's studying from that book you got him in my office and Layla is watching him." You shake your head especially since this seems very familiar. "I know you spoke to me about this before, but I'm not convinced having a slave looking after our son is the best idea." "Well you said, you had to meet with those ECS assholes and didn't want Kol around during that. And I couldn't supervise Kol's studies. This isn't like Gertrude, Layla was from some well to do family that Elias' crew apparently slaughtered on a transport ship. From the moment she was brought here she's basically been willing to do anything from getting sold as a fuck hole to some rich pervert or something similar." "Sort of surprised Elias didn't use her as a personal fuck hole if he was the one that brought her here." "Elias likes dick." "Really? Huh, didn't know that. Well anyway, compliant frightened slave girl or not, I'm wary about this." "Fine, if you're that concerned they're in the next room, you go speak with them both and get a feel for her. And when I say feel, I don't mean fucking her." "What?" "Oh relax. I know you aren't really going to fuck her! She's a slave after all not royalty like me. She is very pretty though and the image of fucking her is probably going to pass through your mind. I'll be expecting you to lay it down really good tonight." "Uh…okay…" "In any case, as I said speak with her yourself and if you still don't think she's a suitable sitter then we can sell her ass. Anyway tell me about your meeting with the ECS afterwards, I'll be free soon. Just have to check on one more slave shipment." Vera kisses you goodbye and heads off to the next group of cages while you head to her office. Upon opening the door, you see your son fidgeting in his seat his in front of his spell book. He looks up and over at you before quickly returning to his book. Glad to see he knows that you really want him to focus on his studies. The girl who you're guessing is Layla doesn't look that old. She looks to be in her late teens and is probably from some far off land given her darker complexion and some of her facial features. She's also still dressed in clothing that doesn't match her current slave status. (At least for most of them around here) Vera was right though, she is pretty. "Um, you're the Count right?" Layla utters. "Count? Oh. Right, Vera, Countess, whatever. No, unlike my wife, I see no need for formal titles. You're my son's new sitter from what she's told me." "Yes, I have been doing my best in seeing to it that Kol here is practicing his…erm, shadow magic." "Can I play with my shadow creatures dad?" Kol asks. "Has it been three hours yet?" "I don't know…" "You know that it hasn't. You have to learn other magic, not just the shadow stuff even if you find it easier. Layla, has he been practicing?" you ask, while Kol goes back to his book. "Um, yes I think so." "You think so? Either he has or hasn't." "Erm, I just mean I don't know much about this magic stuff. I've just been making sure he's been reading this book. I did see him create a small ball of light briefly though." "Hm, okay. So Layla, do you have any other family? I mean besides the ones that those pirates killed?" "Yes, I have an uncle back in Harazan." "Where the hell is that?" "Far to the south and west." "He rich?" "I imagine he is now. He's wanted my father's business and fortune for years. With everyone dead, and me stuck here, he's next in line to get everything." "I'm guessing he won't be looking for you anytime soon." "…no…" Layla says looking downward. "So tell me Layla, what is your plan?" "My plan?" "Yes, I mean surely you're not content on being a slave. Who would be? And I can tell even in your less than perfect condition, you obviously came from wealth. You certainly look more royal than my wife. You're probably at least of noble birth. In any case, you are definitely not cut out to be a slave of any kind." "What you say is partly true I suppose. I very much would not like to be a slave, but I fear I have little choice in the matter. I was raised…not sheltered, but very much protected. I don't have many skills that would be of practical use. I suppose its of some blessing that the pirate captain who spared me saw me as fetching a good price rather than to be something passed around by his crew." "Hm, Yag certainly threw a seven for you." "Your wife probably would have sold me until I noticed how she was struggling with looking after your son while conducting her business. I quickly begged to help her by explaining I looked after my own little brother many times. I'm still not sure how I convinced her, but here we are." "Yes, here we are." "If you're concerned that I'm plotting to escape, I'm not sure how I could without you knowing and I do not believe I'd make it very far. I fear that this is my life now and can only hope that you and your wife are merciful masters." "You're surprisingly resigned and calm about all this." "I have already mourned over my family and continue to do so in the night when I cry myself to sleep. However, it is said that Ahamed has a reason for every event. I am hoping that I might see and understand this one and from there gain greater wisdom. My own family owned a few slaves for basic tasks, perhaps I am to learn how they felt." "Ahamed?" "Yes, he who burns brighter than the sun and shows the way of peace." "Oh, a god." "The only true god." "Yeah, I've heard that one before, just not that particular one. Great. Well at least you aren't a Felian I guess." "Did you say Fel?" "Felian, followers of Fel, god of shadows." "Are you a worshipper of this…god?" "No. I just said I was glad that you weren't, why the hell would I be?" "Oh, because your son was telling me before you came in that this Fel was speaking with him and…" Your eyes immediately widen and your whole body tenses up. "WHAT?!" you exclaim causing Layla to cringe in her chair, but your attention is towards Kol. You immediately start interrogating the boy and her. After five minutes Kol and Layla are both in tears from your demanding questioning, however you have learned a few things. Apparently Kol's medallion has been coming off in the middle the night and for the past week Fel has been speaking to Kol. Not to a great extent, but he's definitely been visiting your son and remarking about how great shadow magic is compared to all other forms of magic. He's also been trying to convince Kol of keeping the medallion off as soon as he goes to sleep. However the most alarming part is Fel asking your son if he would like to go be with Felians as he could see to it that they treat him very well. He even mentions possibly having agents that would come get him. Now you're wondering if this means Percy and the other one are here to take away your son…or is Fel referring to other agents that he hasn't sent yet? Kol was apparently afraid to tell you or Vera this since he thought you'd both be angry, but he opened up to Layla since she seemed nice. Meanwhile your mind is racing on how to handle all this. > You gather more information first Again, if you're going to move to make war on the ECS, you're going to be absolutely sure. Also you've now just upset your son and while this is very serious, you might need to employ less aggressive tactics. "Alright, alright, Kol. I'm not mad. Calm down. In fact, you calm down as well, you're not getting sold anytime soon Layla." You say addressing the both of them. The pair of the them begin to calm down and cease crying while you're coming up with a risky idea. "Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you or mom. I'll make sure the medallion is around my neck good." Kol says. "Actually might be time to get you a ring, however maybe not right away. Tell me more about Fel son. How is he exactly towards you? Does he scare you?" you ask. "Um, he's kinda scary. I've never seen him. It's just like…I dunno…a voice. It's loud, but it's like whispery. I don't know if he means to be scary though." "What do you mean?" "He's not mean to me. He just talks to me. It's just really dark and his voice is creepy and that's scary. He says he wants to be my friend." "Hmm, do you talk to him back?" "Yes, I asked him if he had a mom and dad, but he just laughed and said a god has no parents. I asked him if he had any friends, and he said he just had followers in places like this temple, but said they weren't nearly as amusing as you and mom." "Amusing? Why does Fel find us so amusing?" "Um, he said he thinks what you did with the temple is a lot more fun than his other temples because of all those people you put in cages." "I see. Glad we could entertain I guess." "Fel also says that he wishes he could speak to me more often." "And I'll just bet he wants you to go to sleep without the medallion. Tell you what, when you go to sleep tonight don't wear the medallion." "Really?" "Yes, you have my permission, however, and this is very important. When you talk to Fel tonight, I want you to ask him who is going to take you away so you know what they look like." "But dad I don't want to go away! I want to stay here with you and mom! Honest!" "Yes, I know son and I won't let anyone take you away. But this is just pretend and I want you to ask Fel anyway okay?" "Okay." "Kol, I think that's been enough studying for today, you can go play. Don't forget to put away your spell book though." Kol nods and runs off with his book. "Hope I know what the hell I'm doing." You mutter to yourself before turning your attention to Layla who is still sitting quietly and wondering what you're going to do next. "I trust you know to keep your mouth shut about this." You say to Layla. "Yes, of course! Who would I even tell? I don't even understand what exactly is going on." Layla remarks. "I dunno, you might talk casually with your fellow slaves." "I'm not exactly friends with anyone here. Ever since your wife had me looking after your son, she keeps me isolated from the rest of the slaves. If anything they probably dislike me more for having better living conditions. Sir, I swear to Ahmed I will not say anything you say or do if you don't wish it. My situation is very dire compared to my previous life, but I certainly don't want it to get any worse by angering you or your wife." "Hm, well see that you continue with that line of thinking. In any case, you can go tell my wife that I want to talk with her and that you'll do as a sitter for Kol when needed. At least until further notice." "Very well." Layla remarks obediently and leaves. You wait for Vera still pondering your decision. When Vera arrives and you explain everything, she of course has her own strong opinions on it. "What?! After everything you said and did to prevent Fel from contacting Kol, you're now saying it's perfectly fine?" Vera remarks. "No! That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying…gah…look it's already happening and unfortunately it's probably going to happen from time to time anyway. Even if I get that enchanted ring for Kol, I can almost guarantee he's going to take it off at some point when we aren't around. Maybe he'll be curious, maybe he'll be pissed and do it to spite us. I'm already envisioning what a problem he's going to potentially be when he gets older what with his magic abilities. I'm just thinking that MAYBE restricting him too much is an exercise in failure. I know it obviously was with my parents." You say. "Okay, I get what you mean on that, but this plan of yours still seems pretty dangerous. Not only are we risking war with the ECS, the Felians, but the god itself." "Might as well go big. If Kol is going to speak with Fel, we might as well try to use it to our benefit. According to Kol, Fel finds what we've done with the temple to be amusing, so we can't be completely on his bad side. Look, I'm going to speak with Kol again before he goes to bed and really, this isn't going to be a regular thing. If Kol gets the information he needs, then the enchanted medallion or ring when I get it is going right back on the next time he sleeps." Vera has a bit of apprehension in the eyes, but as usual she tend to side with your decision, which is good since you don't need to be second guessing yourself anymore than you already are in your head. Later that night when Kol goes to bed, you and Vera both speak with him and say generally positive things to him. You also go on about the plan and to remember that no matter what Fel says, he will never love Kol as much as you and Vera will. This seems to put the Kol at ease and he goes to sleep fairly quickly. You and Vera however definitely don't that night. The pair of you can't sleep so you both engage in the usual intimate pastime, but after that fails to completely distract you, you both go check on Kol, who is actually sleeping pretty soundly. The pair of you watch over him for some time, though eventually you start getting a little restless and tell Vera you're going to get some work accomplished. Vera however, insists on staying with Kol. When morning arrives, you're still awake and you check on Kol, and find that Vera has fallen asleep in a chair next to Kol, who is still sleeping. Your arrival wakes her up though. "Wha? You're back. How long was I asleep?" Vera asks rubbing her eyes. "I dunno, this is the first time I've checked on you both. You son wakes up hearing both your voices. "Mom? Dad? What are you both doing in my room?" he asks. You immediately ask him how did he sleep and about his dreams. Naturally the boy is still groggy, but he soon answers your questions since he thankfully remembers his conversation with Fel who did indeed visit him. Kol tells you that he asked Fel about being taken away by Fel's agents, to which he asked further questions if he was sure that was what he wanted and why. Kol tells you he didn't really know how to answer other than "I don't know" You grimace a bit, thinking that this plan of yours probably didn't work, but apparently Fel indulged the boy anyway explaining the benefits of such a thing, oddly he also explained the benefits of staying here too. Then he told Kol that if he was really serious, he should contact a well dressed man with a thin mustache and he will be able to get him off the island before anyone figures it out since he knows what to do already. The description already sounds like Percy. "Kol, is that the only agent that Fel described to you? Didn't say anything about an orc?" you ask. "No dad. Just the man." Kol says. "That's odd. Wouldn't he have sent both of them?" Vera remarks. "Have no idea. I can't know the mind of a god. For all we know he could be lying about everything." You say. "Should we really start second guessing ourselves? I mean wasn't the whole plan to learn this information and act on it?" "Yes, but…argh…this is really…fuck it, let's do this. I want those two summoned back here and tell them I'm ready to talk about a deal. I also want you to take Kol away from here and go to the armory or something with several of our best and wait until this is over." "Do you really think you need to handle this directly? I mean we've got several people; surely it would be just a simple matter of having one of them sneakily pop them in the back of the head with a single shot. Or shit, we could just send a bunch of people to overwhelm them right now where they're staying. I mean it just seems safer for all of us." Vera might have a point, though part of you finds this pretty personal enough that you'd rather take care of this directly. "I…I don't want to leave you guys. I want to stay here." Your son suddenly says. "You will son. You win." You answer reassuringly. "We're not taking any chances with them somehow escaping, I want to see this done right. I'm going to have enough people with me that the odds are going to be heavily in my favor though." Vera reluctantly agrees to your plan, though she says she'd prefer to just ambush the pair of them. You set things in motion and have some of your people go fetch the ECS reps. You aren't exactly sure how this is going to play out, but you put on extra body armor and armed yourself with a couple extra blades and pistols and have Marco and everyone that's going to be with you do likewise. Honestly, you aren't sure how good your ring is going to be, but you hope it's good enough to keep you alive. If nothing else, they aren't surviving this. Time passes and eventually Percy and Toz arrive. Percy looks as jovial as he has since he got here, while Toz looks about as grim serious as he always has. You still aren't sure what to do about him. Fel didn't mention him, but you can't imagine that you aren't going to have to kill him as well. Looks like you'll be going to war with the ECS and you'll be firing the first shot. Really wish you could have avoided this, but that's no other way. Percy looks at his surroundings and with a smile he begins to speak. "I'm getting the impression, you don't want to talk about a deal with the Syndicate after all." Percy says, which causes Toz to immediately stand a little straighter and the rest of your people to put their hands to their weapons. You don't even bother to make the pretense and pull your pistol immediately and point it at Percy. Percy doesn't seem bothered though and even puts his hand on Toz to keep him from attacking. "You realize you're killing yourself right? And I don't mean starting a war with the Syndicate, because you aren't going to live to see that anyway. Even with your advantage and weak anti-magic ring, I…WE have more than enough power and skill to overcome what's just in this room. True, we probably won't survive, but we'll do enough damage to this entire place that when our absence is noticed, the Syndicate WILL assume the worst and send people to mop up what's left. Terrible way to do business." Percy says. "That's a possibility I considered long before you ever showed up. However, this isn't business. This is personal." You remark. "Oh? Interesting. Have I offended you directly in some way? Perhaps Toz here has? I know he's a little on the impersonal side, but…" "Cut the shit. You're here to steal my son. You know about him and you're here to take him to back to your main temple. Not happening." Percy seems surprised to hear you accuse him of this, but he soon returns to his smiling self. Toz on the other hand is showing a stone face looking like he really wants to get on with the fighting. "Alright. Well, I can see this IS personal. On both sides. I mean I can't very well disobey a direct order from my god can I? I can only guess you must have found this out from your son who is also in contact with our shadowy lord. I wouldn't expect a godless heathen like you to understand, but if Fel is speaking to the boy then that only PROVES that he's destined for greatness! Think of it, your son is one of Fel's chosen! Surely you want what's best for your son. No harm would come to him." Percy says. "You seriously expect me to just hand him over?" you ask. "Yes! Because it's your ONLY logical move. I am willing to forget all this as…an over protective parent outburst. Completely understandable. I will even work out a better deal between you and the Syndicate. Your son will no doubt rise in the ranks of our order. Just think, YOU will have a powerful ally on the inside, close to the Temple of Fel in the years to come. If you ever have trouble with the Syndicate, you will able to get support from our order to smooth anything over. It seems like a winning situation for all of us." "Perhaps, but that's still not happening." Finished with talking, you open fire and nearly instantly you feel like everything is slowing down in front of you. You see your first bullet actually hanging in the air and then Percy moving to the left. What torchlight there was in the room, goes out completely. You begin swearing and shouting orders, desperately trying to adjust your eyes to the darkness. You already hear noises of men being killed and unfortunately they sound like yours. All you can make out is a bunch of dark figures struggling with each other. You suppose you could just fire blindly and hope you get them or maybe try to retreat out the exit where there is more light. > You fire You're probably going to hit some of your own people, but oh well. You fire the remainder of your shots and from the sound of things you probably hit at least a couple people. The problem is you can't be sure who so you take this opportunity to head towards the nearest exit and at least get to a better lit area. The entire temple to on alert anyway, so you should be getting reinforcements soon. While your ring might not seem like it's helping, you're actually moving at your own speed rather than suffering from whatever slow effects that were cast. Unfortunately for you, not fast enough as you feel several sharp objects go into your back before you even make it out the room. You fall to the floor face first and then attempt to crawl towards the better-lit corridor, but the last thing you hear is Percy whispering "Could have settled this a lot easier, but take solace that your bad choices will not affect your son." Then he slits your throat.

Again, if you're going to move to make war on the ECS, you're going to be absolutely sure. Also you've now just upset your son and while this is very serious, you might need to employ less aggressive tactics. "Alright, alright, Kol. I'm not mad. Calm down. In fact, you calm down as well, you're not getting sold anytime soon Layla." You say addressing the both of them. The pair of the them begin to calm down and cease crying while you're coming up with a risky idea. "Dad, I'm sorry I didn't tell you or mom. I'll make sure the medallion is around my neck good." Kol says. "Actually might be time to get you a ring, however maybe not right away. Tell me more about Fel son. How is he exactly towards you? Does he scare you?" you ask. "Um, he's kinda scary. I've never seen him. It's just like…I dunno…a voice. It's loud, but it's like whispery. I don't know if he means to be scary though." "What do you mean?" "He's not mean to me. He just talks to me. It's just really dark and his voice is creepy and that's scary. He says he wants to be my friend." "Hmm, do you talk to him back?" "Yes, I asked him if he had a mom and dad, but he just laughed and said a god has no parents. I asked him if he had any friends, and he said he just had followers in places like this temple, but said they weren't nearly as amusing as you and mom." "Amusing? Why does Fel find us so amusing?" "Um, he said he thinks what you did with the temple is a lot more fun than his other temples because of all those people you put in cages." "I see. Glad we could entertain I guess." "Fel also says that he wishes he could speak to me more often." "And I'll just bet he wants you to go to sleep without the medallion. Tell you what, when you go to sleep tonight don't wear the medallion." "Really?" "Yes, you have my permission, however, and this is very important. When you talk to Fel tonight, I want you to ask him who is going to take you away so you know what they look like." "But dad I don't want to go away! I want to stay here with you and mom! Honest!" "Yes, I know son and I won't let anyone take you away. But this is just pretend and I want you to ask Fel anyway okay?" "Okay." "Kol, I think that's been enough studying for today, you can go play. Don't forget to put away your spell book though." Kol nods and runs off with his book. "Hope I know what the hell I'm doing." You mutter to yourself before turning your attention to Layla who is still sitting quietly and wondering what you're going to do next. "I trust you know to keep your mouth shut about this." You say to Layla. "Yes, of course! Who would I even tell? I don't even understand what exactly is going on." Layla remarks. "I dunno, you might talk casually with your fellow slaves." "I'm not exactly friends with anyone here. Ever since your wife had me looking after your son, she keeps me isolated from the rest of the slaves. If anything they probably dislike me more for having better living conditions. Sir, I swear to Ahmed I will not say anything you say or do if you don't wish it. My situation is very dire compared to my previous life, but I certainly don't want it to get any worse by angering you or your wife." "Hm, well see that you continue with that line of thinking. In any case, you can go tell my wife that I want to talk with her and that you'll do as a sitter for Kol when needed. At least until further notice." "Very well." Layla remarks obediently and leaves. You wait for Vera still pondering your decision. When Vera arrives and you explain everything, she of course has her own strong opinions on it. "What?! After everything you said and did to prevent Fel from contacting Kol, you're now saying it's perfectly fine?" Vera remarks. "No! That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying…gah…look it's already happening and unfortunately it's probably going to happen from time to time anyway. Even if I get that enchanted ring for Kol, I can almost guarantee he's going to take it off at some point when we aren't around. Maybe he'll be curious, maybe he'll be pissed and do it to spite us. I'm already envisioning what a problem he's going to potentially be when he gets older what with his magic abilities. I'm just thinking that MAYBE restricting him too much is an exercise in failure. I know it obviously was with my parents." You say. "Okay, I get what you mean on that, but this plan of yours still seems pretty dangerous. Not only are we risking war with the ECS, the Felians, but the god itself." "Might as well go big. If Kol is going to speak with Fel, we might as well try to use it to our benefit. According to Kol, Fel finds what we've done with the temple to be amusing, so we can't be completely on his bad side. Look, I'm going to speak with Kol again before he goes to bed and really, this isn't going to be a regular thing. If Kol gets the information he needs, then the enchanted medallion or ring when I get it is going right back on the next time he sleeps." Vera has a bit of apprehension in the eyes, but as usual she tend to side with your decision, which is good since you don't need to be second guessing yourself anymore than you already are in your head. Later that night when Kol goes to bed, you and Vera both speak with him and say generally positive things to him. You also go on about the plan and to remember that no matter what Fel says, he will never love Kol as much as you and Vera will. This seems to put the Kol at ease and he goes to sleep fairly quickly. You and Vera however definitely don't that night. The pair of you can't sleep so you both engage in the usual intimate pastime, but after that fails to completely distract you, you both go check on Kol, who is actually sleeping pretty soundly. The pair of you watch over him for some time, though eventually you start getting a little restless and tell Vera you're going to get some work accomplished. Vera however, insists on staying with Kol. When morning arrives, you're still awake and you check on Kol, and find that Vera has fallen asleep in a chair next to Kol, who is still sleeping. Your arrival wakes her up though. "Wha? You're back. How long was I asleep?" Vera asks rubbing her eyes. "I dunno, this is the first time I've checked on you both. You son wakes up hearing both your voices. "Mom? Dad? What are you both doing in my room?" he asks. You immediately ask him how did he sleep and about his dreams. Naturally the boy is still groggy, but he soon answers your questions since he thankfully remembers his conversation with Fel who did indeed visit him. Kol tells you that he asked Fel about being taken away by Fel's agents, to which he asked further questions if he was sure that was what he wanted and why. Kol tells you he didn't really know how to answer other than "I don't know" You grimace a bit, thinking that this plan of yours probably didn't work, but apparently Fel indulged the boy anyway explaining the benefits of such a thing, oddly he also explained the benefits of staying here too. Then he told Kol that if he was really serious, he should contact a well dressed man with a thin mustache and he will be able to get him off the island before anyone figures it out since he knows what to do already. The description already sounds like Percy. "Kol, is that the only agent that Fel described to you? Didn't say anything about an orc?" you ask. "No dad. Just the man." Kol says. "That's odd. Wouldn't he have sent both of them?" Vera remarks. "Have no idea. I can't know the mind of a god. For all we know he could be lying about everything." You say. "Should we really start second guessing ourselves? I mean wasn't the whole plan to learn this information and act on it?" "Yes, but…argh…this is really…fuck it, let's do this. I want those two summoned back here and tell them I'm ready to talk about a deal. I also want you to take Kol away from here and go to the armory or something with several of our best and wait until this is over." "Do you really think you need to handle this directly? I mean we've got several people; surely it would be just a simple matter of having one of them sneakily pop them in the back of the head with a single shot. Or shit, we could just send a bunch of people to overwhelm them right now where they're staying. I mean it just seems safer for all of us." Vera might have a point, though part of you finds this pretty personal enough that you'd rather take care of this directly. "I…I don't want to leave you guys. I want to stay here." Your son suddenly says. "You will son. You win." You answer reassuringly. "We're not taking any chances with them somehow escaping, I want to see this done right. I'm going to have enough people with me that the odds are going to be heavily in my favor though." Vera reluctantly agrees to your plan, though she says she'd prefer to just ambush the pair of them. You set things in motion and have some of your people go fetch the ECS reps. You aren't exactly sure how this is going to play out, but you put on extra body armor and armed yourself with a couple extra blades and pistols and have Marco and everyone that's going to be with you do likewise. Honestly, you aren't sure how good your ring is going to be, but you hope it's good enough to keep you alive. If nothing else, they aren't surviving this. Time passes and eventually Percy and Toz arrive. Percy looks as jovial as he has since he got here, while Toz looks about as grim serious as he always has. You still aren't sure what to do about him. Fel didn't mention him, but you can't imagine that you aren't going to have to kill him as well. Looks like you'll be going to war with the ECS and you'll be firing the first shot. Really wish you could have avoided this, but that's no other way. Percy looks at his surroundings and with a smile he begins to speak. "I'm getting the impression, you don't want to talk about a deal with the Syndicate after all." Percy says, which causes Toz to immediately stand a little straighter and the rest of your people to put their hands to their weapons. You don't even bother to make the pretense and pull your pistol immediately and point it at Percy. Percy doesn't seem bothered though and even puts his hand on Toz to keep him from attacking. "You realize you're killing yourself right? And I don't mean starting a war with the Syndicate, because you aren't going to live to see that anyway. Even with your advantage and weak anti-magic ring, I…WE have more than enough power and skill to overcome what's just in this room. True, we probably won't survive, but we'll do enough damage to this entire place that when our absence is noticed, the Syndicate WILL assume the worst and send people to mop up what's left. Terrible way to do business." Percy says. "That's a possibility I considered long before you ever showed up. However, this isn't business. This is personal." You remark. "Oh? Interesting. Have I offended you directly in some way? Perhaps Toz here has? I know he's a little on the impersonal side, but…" "Cut the shit. You're here to steal my son. You know about him and you're here to take him to back to your main temple. Not happening." Percy seems surprised to hear you accuse him of this, but he soon returns to his smiling self. Toz on the other hand is showing a stone face looking like he really wants to get on with the fighting. "Alright. Well, I can see this IS personal. On both sides. I mean I can't very well disobey a direct order from my god can I? I can only guess you must have found this out from your son who is also in contact with our shadowy lord. I wouldn't expect a godless heathen like you to understand, but if Fel is speaking to the boy then that only PROVES that he's destined for greatness! Think of it, your son is one of Fel's chosen! Surely you want what's best for your son. No harm would come to him." Percy says. "You seriously expect me to just hand him over?" you ask. "Yes! Because it's your ONLY logical move. I am willing to forget all this as…an over protective parent outburst. Completely understandable. I will even work out a better deal between you and the Syndicate. Your son will no doubt rise in the ranks of our order. Just think, YOU will have a powerful ally on the inside, close to the Temple of Fel in the years to come. If you ever have trouble with the Syndicate, you will able to get support from our order to smooth anything over. It seems like a winning situation for all of us." "Perhaps, but that's still not happening." Finished with talking, you open fire and nearly instantly you feel like everything is slowing down in front of you. You see your first bullet actually hanging in the air and then Percy moving to the left. What torchlight there was in the room, goes out completely. You begin swearing and shouting orders, desperately trying to adjust your eyes to the darkness. You already hear noises of men being killed and unfortunately they sound like yours. All you can make out is a bunch of dark figures struggling with each other. You suppose you could just fire blindly and hope you get them or maybe try to retreat out the exit where there is more light. > You retreat While your enemies are distracted, you need to get to a better location. The entire temple to on alert anyway, so you should be getting reinforcements soon. While your ring might not seem like it's helping, you're actually moving at your own speed rather than suffering from whatever slow effects that were cast. You run to where you know the closest exit to be and run towards the better-lit corridor. Already several of your people are heading in your direction. "The fuckers are in there and…SHIT!" The torches go out leaving you in complete darkness again. You instinctively duck down and sure enough you hear the whizzing of several things, followed by the gurgling of the men near you in the corridor. One of them falls on you as you try to fire blindly in the dark towards the direction behind you. Other footsteps run off, retreating from your position and you're about to do the same when you suddenly feel a strong grip on your wrist and slamming your hand against the wall causing you to drop your pistol. You swing at your assailant, who you now can see is Percy, but your punch is blocked and you're knocked to the floor. You manage to see the glint of a blade in the darkness and then Percy drops hi knees in your stomach, knocking the air out of you and attempts to stab you. He's quick, but despite your state of gasping for air you're just quick enough to grab ahold of the knife-wielding arm from stabbing you in the face, though it's now just inches from it. You attempt to roll and kick, but all of Percy's weight is on you. "Your fucking ring still won't save you. Could have settled this a lot easier, but take solace that your bad choices will not affect your son. Now…ugh…" You hear the sound of a sharp object going into flesh, but it isn't yours. Even in this dark, you can see the dead expression of Percy whose mouth now hangs open slack jawed and dripping blood all over you. His neck is also dripping blood and his body is even heavier on you. At first you think one of your people saved you, but then the torches suddenly light again and there you see standing over you and Percy's corpse is Toz in the process of removing his blade from Percy's neck. You go for your pistol, but Toz immediately sees this. More of your people arrive at the end of the corridor ready to open fire. Even with shadow magic, he's bound to get hit without much space to dodge in. "Call off your men, or this will not end well." Toz says. "Maybe not, but I'm not handing over my son to you." You remark. "I don't want him. That's not why I'm here. Now call off your people, I've killed your enemy as you can see." You wave a hand down in the direction of your people from your prone position. "Yeah, why did you do that?" you ask. "As I said, that's not why I'm here. I'm here on behalf of the Ebony Claw Syndicate, not the Order of Fel. I was given no instructions by them or their god, and even if I was, my loyalty is always with the Syndicate first. They really do want a deal. Any past animosity you may or may not have had with them has been waved. This is business and everyone involved can make lots of money." Toz says. "That's very pragmatic of the Syndicate, but unusual for the Order of Fel. I mean you guys that are heavily into the shadow magic side of things tend to follow that first." "And orcs tend to be brutish thugs that speak in short sentences, but there are exceptions as you can see." "Alright, I suppose we can talk more. Just let me get this corpse off of me." You verbally order your men to stand down, but approach slowly as you push Percy's body off of you. Toz stands back and keeps his guard up. Eventually you both return to the original room where you find everyone dead. You also see Marco lying near another body face down. "Damn Marco." You say and go over to him. "I trust you realize that I was just defending myself during the chaos." Toz says. "Yes, we've already established all that. But still, he was a valued employee. Improved much since the first time I met him…wait a minute…he's breathing." You quickly turn Marco over and he's moaning about being in pain, which is probably true since his face has a hole in it where you guess he was stabbed. Fortunately it just missed his eye and the blade went into his upper cheek instead. "Boss…ugh…dying…" he utters spitting up a little blood. "You are not fucking dying. This isn't a fatal wound you sissy. Get up and get yourself patched up." You say and start motioning him to get up. "K…ooogh…hurts…" Marco slowly gets up holding the side of his face and is helped by a couple others out the room. You turn your attention to Toz. "Let's get on with this deal which I hope you know isn't going to be the same one that Percy first proposed when you both first got here, however it'll still be good for the Syndicate." After only an hour of discussion you and Toz come to an acceptable deal. You don't think Toz wanted to stay any longer than he needed to since he says he'll be leaving right away. You can't help but ask though… "Won't the Order of Fel be pissed at you and in general?" you say. "I don't see why. Percy died on the way here when the ship was attacked by mermaids and he jumped overboard when hearing their deadly song." "Hm, well I suppose that's one way to explain away everything. Will it work?" "The Syndicate won't care as long as the this deal is pleasing to them which it should be. As for the Order, well the goals and the Syndicate's goals clash at times. It's an ongoing struggle, but I believe with this deal, your son will not be whisked away in the middle of the night or something similar." Toz replies. "I'll be on guard nonetheless." "Well that's wise anyway. Though Percy never even told me this plan. I only learned about it the moment it was revealed in this room. I do not even believe the Order gave this command as Percy claimed he heard it directly from Fel himself. Though your words indicated that Fel spoke to your son as well. I cannot know why a god would give one a command, but only to sabotage it. Seems contradictory, but I've never pretended to be the most fanatical follower. I worship purely for the extra power that the god gives me for whatever reason and use that power to support the Syndicate." Toz at this point bids you goodbye and soon you go find Vera in the armory where she waits with several of your best fighters and your son. The pair of them are pretty happy to see you, even if Kol doesn't quite know everything that's going on. "You okay dad?" Kol asks coming up to you. "Yes, I'm fine son. And you don't need to worry anymore either." You reply and give him a pat on the head. Vera approaches you. "I heard fighting and wanted to help, but you insisted I stay here." Vera says. "Yeah, glad you listened, it got a little closer than I thought it would, but it's all worked out now." You answer. "You sure?" "Well you can never be completely sure about these things, but we'll keep our guard up as usual and keep an extra special eye on Kol just in case. Maybe Grayhaze has something for that. We need to go to her anyway and get a ring enchanted to block out Fel again." "You don't think that we've angered a god by thwarting his plans?" "Well from what I can tell, Fel's plans mainly consist of him amusing himself. That was probably satisfied today from what I've heard of him. Anyway, can't rage against the gods, just can only hope they don't fuck you up too much. Still a pain in the ass though." "Sometimes I wonder if maybe our lives got more complicated after we left Holgard." "Perhaps in some ways, but its all been worth it. No point in wondering what if. In fact, given where I was mentally before we actually got together, I'm glad this is where choices led me." You give Vera an embrace and a kiss, which she returns. With today's crisis averted, everyone soon goes back to their routines, though you take the rest of day off to spend time with your family. It'll be a brief break, but at least a pleasant one and given the life you've chosen it's best you cherish those when you can. Long gone are the days of being a simple rogue. You've risen to a station even you never imagined.

Year 34 "I gotta say Marco, I was skeptical when you first brought the idea to me and going by the story you're telling me, I'd say I was completely right. Fortunately for you Yag smiles on fools and it worked out anyway." You remark. "Yeah…I suppose so." Marco says standing before you looking completely disheveled. "What I don't understand is why you came so clean with everything. I mean given the haul you brought in, I wasn't even going to bother asking you too many in depth questions." "Uh, yeah I know, but I was afraid if you thought everything went completely well, you would have sent us out again." "Hm, I suppose that was a bit of forward thinking on your part then, because you're probably right. Guess this is one of those rare cases where honesty was the best policy after all. Well I guess you and your little friends have finally gotten your pirate dreams out of your heads now." "Yeah, it sucks. Months out at sea, nothing to do. Rationing food and water. And the worst is getting lost. As I said, it was a good thing that merchant ship came when it did, our boat was starting to sink." "Certainly an unconventional way of taking over a ship. Signaling for help legitimately, being invited aboard as an act of mercy and then when you were feeling slightly better, you just held them all at gunpoint. Still, not only did you bring back an entire new ship intact, you brought back most of the crew as slaves, as well as all the loot. Not sure what we're going to do with crates of scrolls with Nichan writing all over them, but I'm sure someone is going to have an interest in this stuff. Always a market for something." Marco just nods silently, he's obviously just glad you aren't punishing him and he's back on dry land. You didn't think much of Marco and his "gang" when you first met them, and to be honest you still don't, but you suppose they've come a long way since those days or at least the ones that have survived have. "Alright Marco, I guess you and what's left of your group friends can go take some time or whatever for the next couple days. Don't go too far though, never know when some extra bodies might be needed." You say. "Thanks boss." Marco replies and takes his leave. With Marco's shit out of the way, you go about inspecting the latest expansions around the temple, which is now starting to resemble a "town hall" since there are separate buildings popping up all around it. These aren't just criminal types either opening up brothels or gambling centers. You've actually got a some ex-Jicol citizens opening up legitimate businesses since Jicol is on the downturn and they've lost their homes and businesses in that city thanks to the flooding disaster that the city STILL hasn't completely recovered from. Doesn't really hurt to have cooks, blacksmiths and the like around so you've assured that they will not be harassed as long as they pay the usual "protection tax." While it's not exactly a proper town, already people are starting to give it the name of Nightfall. You imagine the name is related to the Nocturnal League's name as well as the deity that the temple was once dedicated to. Speaking of Fel, you've been checking to make sure Kol hasn't been having any odd dreams or anything. So far so good, and Grayhaze's medallion is obviously working. He still casts his little shadow tricks every now and then, but again nothing major. You figure in another couple years he'll be ready to start learning from Grayhaze's book proper. As for you, the only concerns you've been having, as of late is the Ebony Claw Syndicate and to a lesser extent, the Jicol government. The ECS is always a looming threat in the back of your mind. You know there is going to be a reckoning with them soon and it's probably going to initially come in the form of intimidation first. So far they haven't even contacted you, though you imagine when they do it's probably going to be in the form of several shadow magic trained assassins. If they're feeling benevolent, they'll try to intimidate you first into paying them a cut of your profits and then get rid of you later. You suppose you could be big enough and out of the way enough that a take over might be considered costly for them and not worth it, but you can't help but believe that they'll try anyway. Your more immediate concern however is the Mayor of Jicol who has implemented draconian measures in rebuilding Jicol due to the fact that people were starting to leave the city and even coming to Nightfall. He's completely shut the gates to the city and not allowing anyone in or out unless it's by ship and even then it's only legitimate trade as Jicol has now banned all pirates and the like from using their harbor anymore. In fact if they come within a certain range of the city, they'll be fired upon. This has put a bit of a crimp in your own businesses a bit. Your own "habor" isn't nearly big enough to accommodate all the visitors you might get. You're trying to expand, but there is so much else to do. Not to mention slaver ships and pirates now have to sail all the way around the island to dock at Nightfall so they don't get fired on now. It's a pain in the ass for everyone involved. Getting Grayhaze's supplies to her is also a concern, you'll need to get those to her somehow and with the city locked down, the only option is to somehow sneak in which means either digging a tunnel and risking another flood, or taking a small boat and trying row around to one of the open areas where the sea and the city have no barrier, but that would be incredibly risky given the heightened security. Using swimmers would probably be less risky, but not much better. It was suggested a few times in the past that the League should just try to take over Jicol, but honestly it's not like that would have been really feasible or cost effective to even attempt. However, it's starting to look like you might have to do something though. You envision that it would be possible to have your people sneak in during the night and employ hit and run assassination tactics against the Jicol Watch, and ultimately open the gates to let the rest of your people in. Still, your numbers still aren't overwhelming enough to make the potential victory to not be costly. This isn't even counting the small fortress that the mayor of Jicol never leaves which again isn't a problem to get into, but who know what the hell is in store for you inside. Even if you take Jicol, you're still left with its naval forces. Who knows if they'll just surrender or not. Any plan to attack Jicol is going to come at a cost. Since you aren't sure what to do, you ask the only person you trust about all this. "I don't know." Vera says. "Great, I was hoping for some enlightenment on this situation." You remark. "Well I mean you've explained the pros and cons of everything and I more or less agree with everything, including not being sure of what the best approach is." "Well in any case, I gotta get the supplies to Grayhaze. Last thing I need is to piss off an old witch on top of everything." "Sneaking in the city shouldn't be an issue should it?" "Eh, it's going to be a pain in the ass, but it can be done. It's also possible that this is going to just be temporary and even if it isn't, it probably won't hurt our business too much and we'll survive." "Yeah, but…wait a minute. What about that merchant ship that Marco just brought in?" "What about it?" "Couldn't we use it to get into the Jicol harbor?" "Maybe once, and then they'd probably execute everyone on board. Our people aren't exactly the most subtle, if you were thinking about having them masquerade as merchants." "I dunno, Marco managed to do it and he's an idiot." "Marco and his crew were also genuinely in danger at the time so it was a lot more believable that they needed help." "Well why don't we do that?" "Do what?" "Put the ship in danger?" "What are you suggesting then?" "I'm saying we hire some pirates to attack our ship as it approaches Jicol. Naturally the Jicol navy is going to go into action and our ship safely gets in the harbor while they're distracted." "And then?" "Well then our people come screaming out of it and start wreaking havoc in the city." "Hm, certainly a different idea I had about infiltrating the city which involved sending a few to scale the walls or swim around and attack silently over the course of a few days." "Could work too. I mean if we did attack, we probably should go all the way with it so employing both tactics would be best. Also if we were going this route, with hiring pirates to provide back up, I think I can convince one I know Zamed, to lead." "Hm. I know who you're talking about. Never trusted him." "Well he's a pirate, of course he's not trust worthy, but he's had the most experience with doing privateer work for the Delantium Kingdom, so he'd probably be able to organize a small group of ships to harass our enemies effectively. Of course it would be very expensive to secure their reliability." "I dunno. I mean the plan with the merchant ship sounds okay, but I'm not sure if I want to pay out any more coin for pirate assistance. Also I don't see them lasting too long against the Jicol navy and that seems like a waste." "Well you wouldn't pay them all of it obviously and you could promise them some of the spoils. Either one of two things is going to happen. Either none of them survive and you won't have to pay them or some of them survive which means they turned out to be a better investment after all and you still probably won't have to pay much since I can't imagine there will be that many survivors." Well there's a couple ways you could go if you did decide to take over Jicol, though maybe the best solution is to just leave it be. > You attack Jicol without assistance You think you need to keep this all in the family so to speak. No need to hire a bunch of pirates who might not be reliable anyway. "We're doing this ourselves. I don't want to rely on outside help, also we can get this plan underway a lot quicker with just us involved." You say. "Well if you think that's best." Vera remarks. "I think it is. Guess I better inform Marco that his days at sea aren't quite finished yet since he'll be the one to take the merchant ship seeing as he's got the most experience with it and nobody else here is much of a sailor." "Neither is Marco apparently from what you mentioned on his attempt to be a pirate." "Hm, I'm confident that he'll have at least enough experience to pull this off, since that's not going to be the hard part anyway, it's getting off the ship and out of the harbor area alive as soon as he enters it." Later when you inform Marco, (who was just starting to enjoy his time off) he is indeed not happy about hearing what his latest task is going to be, but you don't need him to be happy about it, just compliant. Which of course he is. He does carouse extra harder though for the remainder of the time off you've given him though. You inform the rest of the League of your plan and assign your most skilled to start finding ways (or making ways) of sneaking into the city now. You tell them not to engage anyone and to keep a low profile while they're scouting the security and such. You then tell them you want a report on everything within the next few days. A month passes and Marco and his crew are about as ready as they're going to be and your spies that have been sneaking in and out of Jicol, have made steps in opening the gates along with just creating as much havoc for ground forces as possible during the actual attack. As far as your involvement, you're going to take a lesson from the last time you led one of these attacks. Meaning you're not going to put yourself on the front lines and going to stay at a camp a mile away from Jicol's gates. The day of the attack within the first hour you wait anxiously for a report. With any luck Marco's crew will manage to make it off their ship before they're all slaughtered. In another couple hours, a runner finally comes to you with news that your people have opened the gates and fighting is going on all over the city. Marco and his crew successfully entered the harbor and managed to fool the Jicol Watch long enough to break through and start joining the attack on the city. No sooner has this runner given you this information when a loud explosion is heard along with a visible black cloud in the distance of the city, you surmise that Marco's merchant ship that was also full of explosives was set off in the harbor. A few days pass and the fighting is still going on and it's not going well. The Jicol forces have managed to maintain a stalemate. Marco has apparently died in the fighting as well. You're still at the camp, not having set foot in the city yet and you're starting to wonder if this was a good idea. You might have to hire pirates and mercenaries to finish this job if things continue to go this way. Suddenly you hear several loud explosions, but this time coming from the direction of Nightfall! You immediately start running back in that direction and bump into one of your people along the way. "Boss! Boss! Jicol has mounted a counter attack! They're blasting us with cannons from their ships and we can't do shit about it!" he says. "Are their no pirates docked in our harbor?" "No, and the one slaver ship was sunk during the initial volley." "Why the fuck wasn't I informed soon…" More explosions are heard and now you're seeing chunks of stone flying overhead. "Shit!" you say and push your underling aside and continue to run towards Nightfall. When you arrive, you find several dead bodies and people running about in panic. Some of your men ask you for further instructions, but you're not even paying attention, you're just looking at the temple, which is half in ruins. You don't see Vera or Kol and you're sure they would be out of the temple by now. You run towards the temple even though some are telling you not to go in since its being targeted, but you don't listen or care. You run through the increasingly unstable temple which is already starting to collapse from weakened structure in an attempt to find your wife and child. And you do, but no longer alive. You find the pair of them not far apart from each other. Their broken bodies are partially covered by several large stones, which you assume killed them instantly. You collapse in despair and begin to weep, ignoring the several new explosions causing more of the temple to crumble around you. You brought all of this on them. While you probably could get out in time, you don't bother, choosing to die along side your family in the same manner they died.

Year 32 "Okay, we're heading out to finish these assholes for good. You stay here and keep things running here as you do." You say. "Oh sure, keep me at home, to look after the kids while you go out and have fun." Vera says. "Well, it's important that you know your place as a woman. Speaking of kids, where's Kol?" "Gertrude is currently looking after him." "I swear I don't really like you leaving our son with her." "He's fine and she's been nothing but helpful. I mean hell, she's probably one of the few people I'd trust with him." "Dangerous to go around trusting the lot we associate with, but something about her bothers me." "You didn't even know who the hell she was until she was promoted to midwife and babysitter. Which is amazing since she's one of our older members that stuck with us since Holgard." "Alright, alright, if you trust her then I guess that's good enough for me." "No it isn't." "Yeah, probably not, but I don't have time to worry about it right now." "Why are you even going on this task? You said you had people in Jicol located at the docks to make sure he didn't try to get away and there are more than enough people to attack where the JCR are making their headquarters." "I want to make sure everything goes right. I can't just sit around barking orders while getting old and fat. That's how crime bosses assassinated. I need to keep in practice and my skills sharp." "Hm, I suppose that makes sense, but I'd say you're not really in any danger of being perceived as weak by any of our underlings right now." "And I intend to keep it that way." "I'd prefer it if you took less risks, besides if anyone was going to challenge your position you'd be dead before you even knew what was going on since I'd just poison your food and the shit would be over with." "Poison? Really? I would have thought if it was going to be you, you'd probably stab me while in the middle of sex." "Mm, too risky. Besides, that would just be foreplay not murder." "Well let's not do that either." "You're always so reserved. But if you're really insisting on going, be careful and don't lead the charge." Vera has been overly concerned with your safety ever since she had Kol. You suppose you get why she is now due to you being the father of her child and all, but sometimes it's a bit too much. "I'll be fine Vera, stop fussing!" you exclaim. "You sure you're not also going out of revenge?" Vera asks. "Revenge?" "Yeah, Revenge tends make people a little reckless and I mean this has been sort of personal since you learned who the leader of JCR is." "Mm, I mean it certainly was unexpected when I found out. Perhaps less unexpected when he wouldn't even hear me out, but I can't say this is out of revenge. I imagine he would be more motivated by revenge than I would, hence why he stuck around to fight. I'd say if anything I'm more motivated by tying up an old loose end that doesn't come back to bite us in the ass in the future." "I suppose that makes sense. Okay then, apologies for my fussing as you put it.." You kiss Vera goodbye and say one more thing before leaving. "Gotta say though when Sneaks ran away all those years ago, I never expected it was to Jicol." You head to Jicol to go meet Marco and the rest. Along the way you think about how history is sort of repeating itself here. A larger criminal organization crushing a smaller one. The only difference is you're the leader of the larger one this time. You have to wonder why Sneaks didn't just take off like he did last time. Unless he really is that pissed at you, which you assume he is, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered with all this and you would have easily taken over long before now. When you get to the simple home that the JCR was using as a main headquarters, you find that your people are currently arguing with some of the Jicol Watch. Great. "Keep talking to me like that you little shit, and I'll just run all of your assess in. I still remember you and your gang of hooligans breaking several windows and punching old people in the face a couple years ago!" one of the guards says. "Yeah well things are different now and YOU don't tell us what to do anymore!" Marco exclaims. You smack Marco upside the head when you arrive. "Yeah, but I do. Now shut the fuck up Marco, and what's the problem here?" you ask. "The problem is, your little crime war was supposed to be kept to a dull fucking roar and for the past couple months you lot have been murdering each other in the streets and scaring the shit out of the civvies! You also got gangs of thugs like these loitering around. Now I know we have an agreement that will keep most of the scum out of this city for good, but the mayor is getting very weary of this conflict and is wondering if he shouldn't just have all parties involved executed." The watchman captain says. "The same mayor that allows pirates and the like to use his docks? Please, the mayor is no fucking Joachimite saint. We moved all of our shit out of Jicol and now we're doing the job that YOU lot couldn't. We're almost done with finishing off these assholes, we just need to clean out this place and get their leader." "And we're here to see it gets done thoroughly because this needs to be finished TODAY." The watchman captain at this point signals to his platoon that all draw their weapons and then turns back to you as if daring you to argue. "Fine. If you want to help, I'm not going to stop you, but stay out of our way." "Oh I wouldn't worry about that, because you lot will be taking the lead anyway. Not about to have you bunch sneaking about behind us." Marco starts to say something, but you stop him. "But boss…" Marco says. "Shut up Marco. Alright, let's finish these fuckers for good." You say to your people and motion to enter the place. No sooner has one of your people stepped into the front door and they nearly get beheaded by a swinging axe trap. Unfortunately, they still get skewered by the spear trap when they ducked and dodged to the left. You shake your head. "For fuck's sake people, this place is going to have traps up the ass, keep alert!" you shout. For at least the next hour, you search the house disarming traps and uncovering secret doors. You don't find anyone though. Meanwhile the Jicol Watch is still standing in the front room getting impatient. "Well?" the captain remarks. "Well what?" you answer. "I thought you said the leader was here and so far this place is empty." "Yeah well I imagine there's a hidden trapdoor that we haven't uncovered yet. They're probably either hiding underground, or maybe even escaped through a tunnel." "Underground tunnel? There isn't much they could dig without risking hitting water and flooding said tunnels. In case you didn't realize, we're on a fucking island." "I'm aware, but that doesn't mean they still didn't do it. Besides all that, the leader has experience with underground dwellings that are half submerged in water." Before you can have any further discussion, Marco comes back to you. "Hey boss, we found a trapdoor, looks like it goes down into a cellar. Um, we also lost Orin. Got a bunch of spikes in the face when he opened the trap door." "Idiot. Anyway, see? I told you there was going to be a trapdoor." You say. "Hm, well you're still leading the way." The Watchman captain says. After a few more of your people check out the immediate room below, you descend down the ladder. You give a quick look and see that this room wasn't dug out recently. It was actually part of the original house since it actually has solid walls and a solid floor. However, to your left, is where you start to see the construction. You examine the entrance of the dug out tunnel in an attempt to detect any traps but find nothing. Your people go a little further and soon discover that there are tunnels going in several different directions. "Well, have to hand it to you Sneaks, you didn't just sit on your hands. You literally dug in deep to make it difficult to root the last of you fuckers out." You think to yourself. Given the extensive amount of tunnels, you're actually surprised he didn't end up flooding Jicol with a misplaced dig like the Watchman captain was talking about. You briefly go down one of the tunnels and soon find that you're ankle deep in water. This is going to be a mess hunting Sneaks and whoever else down here. In fact, you're starting to wonder if Vera was right and you shouldn't even bother being here. Especially with the Jicol Watch being involved as well. > You finish the job You're here now, you might as well finish it. Besides, it would be best if you saw to eliminating Sneaks because you sure as hell don't want him escaping somehow to give you grief later. You tell your people to extra careful for traps and to keep alert, you then proceed to hunt down the last of the JCR. Things go very slowly, but initially at least people aren't getting themselves killed. Trouble comes when you actually come up against the remnants of the JCR who have made several cubbyholes and the like to launch ambush attacks. Not to mention you're practically waist deep in water now and as far as the Jicol Watch is concerned, there is no sign of them. Apparently they've all just decided to stay up top and let you take the beating. On top of all that, you still haven't found Sneaks. With only you, Marco and a couple others left, you're finally done. "Fuck this Marco, we're going back. This has been a fool's errand and we're done with it." You say. "But Boss, what about…" Marco starts to say before a loud explosion from one of the corridors suddenly interrupts him. You soon look on in horror as a surge of water starts coming at you. You don't even have time to run. More explosions are heard and then the water hits you hard. You struggle to swim as the torrent takes you, but with now water seemingly rising and pouring in from everywhere, you can't even find an air pocket. Several minutes pass and you eventually can't hold your breath any longer giving into a watery death.

Year 29 Lot can change in just a few years, some things you predicted, others not so much. The Church of Joachim being outlawed in the city wasn't too surprising given all the trouble that was caused and how Holgard in general tends more towards embracing sin and vice rather than moving away from it. Still, sort of funny that the faith is now in the company of it's eternal enemy, Neroth as far as being illegal. As for the other faiths, only the temples of Dorna and Fel maintain any presence in the city and in the Felians case, that's thanks to Shade dying soon after the war was over and the new leader Gloom, making an effort to strengthen their relationship with the upper echelons of the government, namely Baroness Ludmilla. Gloom has also extended a hand to the Nocturnal League, stating that the temple would be more than willing to come to an understanding like it had with the Ebony Claw Syndicate and train your members in shadow magic. You declined that offer though. You've always said members are free to pray to whoever they want, but if they're going to be wrapped up in Fel (or whoever) that hardcore then they can go take up some black robes and start living in their temple's meditation rooms. The less religion you have in your organization the better. Still, your cordial relationship with the temple has had benefits you hadn't intended. Due to the Felians being on better terms with the Baroness, some of that "understanding" has inadvertently trickled down towards you. As a result the Nocturnal League has freer reign over the city than it once did. Possibly similar to what the ECS once had. So things are going good for the Nocturnal League and business couldn't be better. You haven't had any decisions of the major kind lately, but for whatever reason this has caused you to sometimes over think the minor ones now that do crop up. Like right now for instance. "You were invited to the Baroness' yearly costume party? How the hell did that happen and why aren't you immediately making preparations to go?!" Vera asks. "Just one of the perks of being allied with the temple of Fel I suppose. Gloom had one of his members deliver this letter to me a week ago. Apparently Baroness Ludmilla has heard interesting things about me and would like me to show up at her party so she can see for herself." You say. "She thinks yer intresstin'? She really doesn't know youz at all." Warts snarks and chuckles at his own attempt at a joke. "Well, you have to go right? I mean it's the Baroness." Vera says. "I dunno. I mean I suppose I see why I should, just don't really feel up to it." You reply. "What? When the Baroness of Holgard calls you to court, you have to go!" "Never knew you were such a supporter of our dear ruler. You secretly harboring royalist admiration?" "No. It's not like that! I mean yeah she's royalty, but not really. I mean… I dunno, I've always sort of admired how she took power from her father and brother I guess. She's a very powerful independent woman and has remained that way. I guess that's what I admire." "Hm. Well I guess I just see her as another corrupt aristocrat that used her position of power to gain even more power. Not that that's a bad thing, but nothing special. Lot harder to do when you aren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth." "Yes, yes, we all know. You cleverly lied, cheated, stole and murdered your way to your position. You're the epitome of a self made man. We're all very impressed. Truly. I'm wet just thinking about it. Still, I really think you should go to this party, if only so you don't inadvertently offend her which then will cause our current friendly relationship with the law to become unnecessarily complicated." "Yeah, I already took that into consideration. (Sigh) I suppose I'm going, though the letter also says I should bring one more person with me since that's apparently the rule of this event." As soon as you've said that, Vera's eyes light up. "Me! You gotta take me! Seriously I will seriously suck your dick if you take me to this party." Vera exclaims. "You mean aren't already?" Warts responds. "Wha? Why is that your go to action with me?" you say. "I'll do whatever you want to do then, look I don't care! I just really gotta go to this thing!" "Why? Wait a minute, you don't have a crush on the Baroness do you? I mean you were praising her pretty hard a moment ago." "No! This ain't about pussy bumpin! Its just…(sigh) nevermind you'll just make fun and if you don't I know damn well this ugly half breed will." "Oh fuck you, Vera." "Warts, step out of here. While there won't be any dick sucking involved, I am sort of interested in why Vera wants to go so badly." "Gruh, fine by me. I certainly don't wanna go. I gotta go see my kids anywayz, later." After Warts leaves you motion Vera to speak which she does though she's still a bit hesitant to do so, fearing that you'll make fun. Vera suddenly goes into more of her life story than you ever thought to ask of her. She mentions that her mother was once very briefly employed as a maid during the Baron's reign of the city. She goes on to say that her mother always told her that she once had a brief fling with him while she was cleaning one of the guest bedrooms. Unfortunately the Baron being the asshole he typically was, he had all the maids, including Vera's mother, replaced a week later because he claimed his palace wasn't getting clean enough. In any case, Vera said that shortly afterwards, her mother discovered she was pregnant and claimed to the day she died that Vera's real father was really the Baron. "Wait a minute…you're telling me you're actually bastard royalty?!" you ask. "I knew you'd make fun or not believe me." Vera says. "Honestly, it's not really that far fetched given what I've always heard about the old Baron. Though I'm just surprised you've never mentioned it before. Seems like something you'd brag about." "And get myself fucking killed?! No thanks! One of the big reasons my mother never told anyone or even tried to get financial support from the Baron is the fear of some assassin coming in to kill her and me. I mean I'm hardly the only illegitimate child the baron probably had and his son Farad was notorious for having suspected bastards killed. And if he didn't do it, I can't imagine Ludmilla was any different. Especially now." "I guess that makes sense." "Honestly, you're the ONLY person I've told about this and now that I've done it, I feel a little weird and vulnerable." "Well, I'm not going to say anything. Not like there would be anything to gain. Though I guess this is why you want to go to this party so badly huh? Experience what might have been? Possibly even briefly speak with your older half sister?" "…sort of. I know it's silly, but…sometimes I do think of a life that is different than this one." Vera's thoughtful words are a little out of the ordinary, but not lost on you. Not like you don't have similar thoughts on your own life at times. "Okay, I guess we'll go together then. Not like I can think of anyone else to take anyway. Says it'll be in three days so I suggest you prepare yourself." You say. "I will! Thank you for this boss!" Vera beams. "Don't mention it, princess." You mock. "So, what are you going to be wearing?" "I dunno. Some mask of some sort I imagine since it's a costume party. Which makes me wonder, how the hell is the Baroness going to know it's me if I'm wearing a mask?" "I imagine she's got some way of figuring it out. Make sure you dress nice though! I've heard about these things and if we go in looking like we crawled out of the sewers, they'll turn us away, invitation or not." "Yeah, yeah, I'll take a trip to the tailor's or something." A few days and a trip to the tailor's later, you're dressed and ready to go to this thing. You're not exactly comfortable in this type of clothing, but many League members compliment you on your new threads. Warts of course has something to say. "Oh well la de da, if it ain't da duke of da undaworld." Warts say. "Don't even start, where the hell is Vera, she's the one that made a bigger deal of all this?" "You ain't seen her yet? She's even fancier than you are right now. If it gets anymore highbrow here, we're gonna hafta forge all dat gold and silver we got inta fancy eatin' utensils." "Yeah, well this is a one time thing. So where's Vera again?" "She's in her room I think…um don't tell her I said so, but she iz sorta pretty. I mean she wouldn't be MY type, but y'know dressed like she iz right now, she looks like of doze princesses or sumthin. Hah, Vera a princess, dat's funny." "Yeah…hysterical. Later Warts." You shake your head and go get Vera. You don't even bother knocking on the door, you just enter and that's when you see Vera who turns around from her mirror to face you. She does indeed look a lot different than you're used to seeing her. "Wow. You look, really different." You say. "Good different or bad different?" Vera asks. "Neither…I mean good of course. Look, I'm just saying you could easily blend in with the rest of the aristocratic types. You're very pretty, like a princess and I'm not just saying that." "Thank you. You look…appropriate too." "The hell's that mean? I'll have you know I got a lot of compliments!" "Well of course you did, you're the boss. They're hardly going to tell you, you look like shit. Not that you do. You're fine. I guess we should get going, do you have your mask?" "Yeah, got one of those half masks. Don't really feel like struggling to breath with a full mask on that covers my mouth and nostrils. Still covers most of my face so I figure I'm good." You say and put it on. "I think most people will be wearing those so, you'll fit in fine. I got one too." Vera says and puts on her her mask and the pair of you are soon on your way. When you get to the palace you're sort of relieved since you half expect that you're going to get robbed on your way there. A guard stops you at the gates and you show your personalized invitation at which point you're waved through. You and Vera take a moment to sort of absorb the fact of where you actually are for a moment. The seat of rulership, the palace! The grounds are certainly well taken care of and it's obvious that every effort has been spared to make it look as festive as possible. The closer you get to the palace the more grandiose everything is. You also notice the increase in guards and you and Vera are patted down more than once. You get inside the palace and the elegance of the interior is about what you expect. Vera is practically enamored by everything. Right now, she's probably imagining herself as that princess you ribbed her about being. As for you, you're a bit more of a harder sell on being impressed by such things, but if you could run your organization from a place like this instead, you certainly wouldn't turn it down. You and Vera spend a bit of time just looking around until Vera wonders if you should start actively mingling with some of the other guests. You're of course against this idea, but you soon are forced into doing so anyway by someone you weren't expecting to talk to, or at least not so early. "Well, if it isn't the head of the Nocturnal League. Glad you could make it, I was hoping you would." And there you are standing before Baroness Ludmilla Varsakken. She wears no mask and at this close range you get a good look at her. She almost looks like she could be a vampire what with her skin on the paler side and the black hair accentuating it. She's beautiful of course, but just looking into her eyes a bit you can see a very ruthless woman before you. You also take a good look at her in general and then glance over at Vera. Now that you're looking at them both, there could very well be a family resemblance. "Well, you certainly like to stare." Ludmilla says, noticing your examination. "Oh, um, apologies. Just sort of…overwhelmed you know. Never thought I'd be before royalty." You say. "Hah, not the complete uncouth rogue I've heard our mutual Felian acquaintances tell me about I see. Good." "How did you know it was me anyway?" "I make it a point of knowing all my guests as they arrive. Not to mention your clothing isn't exactly shall we say refined enough. While I'm sure you thought it was very upscale looking, but the workmanship is obviously from one of the mediocre tailors in the city. Only a crimelord with no care for such extravagant airs would believe it to be sufficient for this party. Not to worry though, I will not hold it against you. You tried." "I appreciate that, and your invitation." "You quite welcome, and who is your companion here? She certainly seems to have a better grasp on the dress code. I dare say this dress is better than a few of the boring nobles here." "Thank you! I had it custom made a long time ago. Always knew I'd get to wear it some day!" Vera says a bit excitedly. "Now that's what I like to hear. A woman that plans in advance." At this point Ludmilla begins speaking to Vera and you excuse yourself to get a drink. While you don't normally do so, you get the impression you're going to need a bit of extra help to get through the night. You can't believe you're even in this situation, let alone acting the way you are. Still, you suppose it makes for an interesting change. Still, you really don't want to be here all night. You made your appearance and now you'd like nothing more than to leave. Vera however looks like she's having a good time and to be honest you don't want to ruin that. She does help you a lot with the League. So you go back to Vera and Ludmilla and stand nearby in an attempt to be social. Ludmilla goes back and forth speaking to you and Vera, though she surprisingly is more talkative to Vera. The Baroness seems to like to talk and can already guess that you're not exactly the most gregarious. Ludmilla and Vera talk for quite awhile, it's actually pretty amazing since it's about absolutely nothing. Or at least nothing you're much interested in. Ludmilla is mostly talking about herself and the troubles of being of noble birth. Goes on about how Vera's lucky to not have to worry about such things. Condescending of course, but if Vera noticed it, she's not fussed or at least not letting it show. It's sort of ironic anyway since Vera could very well HAVE had such problems if fate swung a different way. Eventually though Ludmilla tells the pair of you that while she was pleased to meet you both, she has other guests to see, even though they probably won't be as interesting you are. And the pair of you are left on your own. "Well that was interesting." You say. "Hm. Certainly was. Never thought I'd ever be directly in the presence of royalty before. Well not without my hands and feet in chains at least." Vera remarks. "Hah! Same here. So, you ready to go?" "What? Already? The party's just started and you want to leave?" "Well, I mean I dunno what else there really is to do here. I mean we came, we saw, we met the baroness. I mean we covered all the important shit. Not like I really have any desire to talk to any of the other assholes around here." "But, I wanted to stay a bit longer though. However, if you want to leave, I guess that's fine with me. You're the boss after all." "Alright, we can stay a little longer, but I'm going to find someplace away from most of these people. You can do what you like. I'll come looking for you in a while I guess." "Thanks boss, I'll see you later." Vera says and suddenly kisses you on the cheek before walking off to enjoy living the "high society life" for a little longer. As for you, you decide to just look around to waste time. You grab another drink and try to stick to less "populated" areas of the palace. Though obviously you're still limited to where you're allowed to go. Guards standby keeping an eye on everything. Time passes and while a few people attempt to speak to you, and few others seem to be talking about you (Mostly about your clothes) you basically ignore them all and just keep to your plan of moving about and sticking to areas where there are less people. While you're doing that however, you're also studying some of the lay out of the palace, or at least what you're able to. You also take notice of what valuable objects would be easy to take. You briefly flirt with the idea of stealing something from this place, but common sense soon wins out. Last thing you want to do is even risk pissing off the Baroness, especially since you're on good terms with her. Still, sometimes you miss the days of when you just stole things for a living. After wandering a bit more and entertaining the idea of pilfering the palace, you discard your usual procedure of avoiding the crowds and walk towards a room where you hear some music followed by a lot of clapping. You arrive just in time to see a crowd disperse before a group of musicians that apparently have just finished performing. Shame, from what little you heard, it sounded pretty good. You go and get yourself another drink and that's when you start to feel a little odd. Whatever this stuff is, it's apparently stronger than the taste would indicate. Still, it's a party right? Might as well try to loosen up. You realize you're not nearly as fun loving as you used to be when you were younger. In fact, you're downright stodgy at times. All you practically do is fucking work. Being a criminal isn't fun anymore, it's actually not even dangerous at this point, it's just well… mundane. How the hell did it come to this? If you wanted to be mundane, you might as well have stayed in Teckleville and followed in your dad's footsteps. Maybe he was right after all. No. You've seen and done much in your life thanks to leaving that boring town. After all, you're here in baroness' palace! You're just in a rut that's all. When you get back, you're going to shake things up within the League. Maybe expand again, maybe even to a new city like Hessla or Klyton. Still, it's all pretty pointless without someone to share it with. You couldn't go back home and say "Look mom and dad, look at what I've done!" It sucks. Your sister would probably be impressed, but who knows where she is. You hope she's having more fun than you are right now. You miss her sometimes. Simpler times. Happier times. Fuck it, you need another drink. As you go to get another you bump into a couple that are making out. "Excuse me." You say. "Mmm…" the woman says and strokes your arm as you pass by. The guy she's kissing takes no notice; he's too focused on her. You briefly think of Vera and how she kissed you not too long ago. Makes you wonder if she's got more than a bit of attraction toward you. You know she's always making these sexual offers toward you, but as far as you know she's not really known to be the "good time" girl within the Nocturnal League. So it makes you wonder if she actually feels affection towards you on some level. Sometimes you think about her too, since you work so closely together. It's almost like you're an old married couple. Of course it could be a case that she's perfectly fine being a potential whore if it's going to benefit her in the long run. Since you're the boss, and the only one above her in rank, makes sense that she'd only be offering you such extra "benefits." Regardless, you probably would have made a move on her if it wasn't for your condition. You nearly bump into another couple also making out. By the time you grab your drink, you realize there are a lot of people kissing and hugging each other. And some of them are getting pretty hot and heavy. Now you think of Tanya. You wish Tanya was still around. You'd love to share your success with her, but you guess that she moved on a long time ago. She claimed you'd move on, but you haven't. How could you? She was everything to you. If it wasn't for her, it's debatable that you would have even did any of this. You probably would have fucked around in Holgard for a few years and then just left when the Ebony Claw Syndicate started taking notice of you. She kept you around and made you fall in love with her. But you can't hate her for that. It wasn't her fault. It just was her nature. You look around and now you see several people doing more than just kissing now. "What the fuck?" you say to yourself and get up to leave. You must have wandered into some weird orgy room. You make it to a hallway and that's when you're starting to feel really…excited. You've got an erection right now that you could stab someone to death with and you are about ready to murder the closest woman available and worse, they're just about ALL available. Hell, with the way you're feeling, you're starting to worry if you aren't going to just fuck everyone on your way to the exit because it's been YEARS since you've had sex and right now your dick isn't caring. It has to be the drinks. You're sure of it. This whole party is probably just an excuse for rich people to have decadent orgies anonymously with each other. You need to get out of here before you kill everyone at this party with your cursed dick. The problem is you aren't sure if you're even going to make it that far. The best you might be able to do is find a place with no people about and stay there until the effects of the drink wear off. (Whenever that is) > You find a secluded room You aren't making it to the exit and even if you did, you still have to make it out the front gates, and through the streets of the city before you get home. Your "condition" isn't going allow you to get that far, you need to isolate yourself NOW. You quickly start opening doors to rooms in the hopes that at least one of them is completely empty. After stumbling into a couple rooms that are in the process of being used, you finally find a small guest room that seems to be empty since apparently people are dispensing with notions of privacy and content on fucking in public. You quickly enter and try to get over your condition. It's no use though, you had quite a few of those drinks and the urge is overwhelming. Since it isn't going away anytime soon, you do the only thing you can think of… And then you do it again immediately after. …and then a third AND fourth time. "What the fuck did they put in the damn drinks, ground up unicorn testicles?" you mutter. At this point the excitement still hasn't subsided, and you still don't think you'd make it outside. And if you bumped into Vera on the way, well you'd definitely be taking her up on all those blowjobs she's offered you in the past. (In fact you were thinking about her the second time around) Just as you're about to start round five, the door opens! You forgot to lock it and suddenly it's like that time you were a teenager and your sister walked in on you accidently. (Man, that was awkward) "Shit! Get out of here!" you say, though your eyes are already drawn to this woman's body, which is still covered up, but only by a very colorful form-fitting outfit. She wears a half mask similar to the one you're wearing and her long hair is freely flowing behind her and partially on her shoulders. It's not white, but it's blonde enough to vaguely remind you of Tanya. (Though at this point she's dominating your thoughts) While you're busy making mental images, you've neglected to cover yourself and this woman has been doing the same to you. "Shit." You say attempting to cover up with a pillow and then once again telling her to get out. "If I step out of this room I'm gonna end up fucking every person out there! Granted I'm usually up for a good time, but I still like them ONE at a time. There is some seriously decadent shit going on out there and I was THIS close to joining in on it. If I knew they were going to put something in the drinks here, I never would have agreed to come to this damn thing!" the masked woman says. "Well we're in agreement there." "SHIT!" "What?!" "As soon as I started feeling weird I put down some of my belongings and left them elsewhere. One of particular importance too! Fuck, I can't go get it now. Argh, I guess it'll be safe. Probably won't get stolen, but I sure hope somebody doesn't destroy it in an attempt to shove it up their ass or something. Look, I just need a place to hide for a while. At least until the effects wear off." "I don't think that's a good idea because if you haven't noticed, this is MY hiding spot! As for when the effects are going to wear off I have no idea. I just jerked off four times in a row and I'm still hard as a rock." "Four times? Fuck, that is fucking sexy…" The masked woman says and begins to touch herself while looking over your direction. "Hold on! Easy there girl!" you say backing up a bit on the bed. "Shit…this isn't going to work. We can't both stay here, or least we can't both stay here and not be fucking each other. To hell with it…" Without another word, the masked woman begins to take her clothes off. "What the hell?! This is NOT a good idea!" you shout. "Maybe not, but I can't take this feeling any longer. My plan was similar to yours, but apparently that hasn't worked for you either. We might as well alleviate the pressure and have some fun. And at least I'm not going to feel too bad about fucking a complete stranger as long as it's a one on one deal." The top part of her costume is off and you're about ready to go fondle her tits. In fact you're already standing up from the bed and walking towards her to do just that. "I seriously CAN'T do this." You say, barely stopping yourself. "And are you seriously telling me, you don't want THIS?" she says and forcefully puts your hands on her tits. As you caress her breast, you can feel the temptation overwhelming you. Her body is just…perfect to you right now. "Oh trust me, I want nothing more than to get you on all fours and thrust into you until you're crying from so much pleasure." "Well let's get on with that then, because that actually sounds like a lot of fun." "I…I can't! I really can't do this!" you say and pull your hands away, the woman's hands however go immediately to your crotch. "Your dick says otherwise. Come on, I'm fucking ready and I know you are." She says. "It would be dangerous." You say as you enjoy the scent of her this close up. "I sure hope so." Without another word, the woman kisses you and shoves her tongue in your mouth. You manage to briefly stop the grinding of your bodies long enough and pull your lips apart to speak. "Stop, stop! Seriously, this could be dangerous for you!" you say. "What? Wait, you don't have the fucking crotch rot do you?" she asks. "No, nothing like that, it's just…it's complicated and I don't have time to explain. You see, my girlfriend's a…" "Mmmm, I won't tell her if you don't." the woman says and begins going down on you. And it feels sooooooo good. You tried. You really tried. But you can't. You just can't any longer. The temptation is too great and this woman is too damn skilled, along with being very pretty. (At least from what you can tell, she's still partially covered with her mask) "Hold on, hold on, stop." You say one more time gently pushing her head away. "Fucking kidding me? What the hell now?" the woman asks. "If we're gonna do this…go lock the door at least. Last thing we need is more people wandering in and before we know it, it's not just us any longer." "Yeah, you got a point. Okay." As you watch her walk away, some guilt wells up inside you. You're going to kill this girl and you just don't have the willpower to stop yourself. The worst of it, is that guilt quickly goes away as you walk up behind her while she's locking the door and quickly strip off her panties before taking her on all fours on the bed like you promised. "Oh… fuck yeah. That's what I'm talking about." She pants as you enter inside her. The session is quite unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's raw; it's passionate and practically animalistic. And that's saying something considering you used to have sex with a succubus. Somehow though, it's much different. With Tanya, she was always still dominant in some way. With this woman, it's…well hard to describe. Maybe you've just longed for intimacy for so long, maybe it's the drugged drinks enhancing the pleasure to an unnatural degree, maybe it's the anonymity, maybe this girl is actually a magical fairy with a magical vagina, or maybe it's a combination of several factors. In any case it's almost like your bodies are in perfect sync with each other. Like it feels so natural and right that you're achieving some sort of emotional and even spiritual fulfillment as well as a physical one. You're so damn delirious that at one point in between the huffing and puffing and panting and dirty talk you suddenly blurt out: "I love you." And to your equal surprise: "I love you too…don't stop." She replies, followed by a pleasured moan. Needless to say, you don't until you (and her) are completely spent. At which point you collapse nearly directly on top of her and fall asleep or rather lose consciousness. You don't know how long you're out for, but when you wake up you're by yourself and there is no sign of the woman you were with. You half wonder if you hallucinated her, but you see that there is a discarded mask so you're guessing she was actually here. You slowly get up and rip your own mask off your face and look around for your clothes. While you're getting dressed you start feeling a sight ache all over your body. You feel drained in fact, almost reminds you of how you used to feel with your sessions with Tanya. But that woman wasn't Tanya. Last night was just you and some beautiful stranger under the effects of a powerful aphrodisiac that pushed the limits of your endurance. And of course that beautiful stranger will soon be dead. Just as well as you never learned her name or even saw her face. Makes the fact that you just condemned her to death a lot easier to cope with. Not much that can be done anyway. At least she had fun; at least you believe she did given her squeals of ecstasy. You stumble out of the room and find that several servants are cleaning up everywhere along with several disheveled noble types walking around half dressed and hung over. Nobody pays much attention to you and just goes about their own business as you make your way to exit the palace. As you get to the front door of the palace you see Baroness Ludmilla standing nearby saying goodbye to all her guests that are staggering out. The baroness doesn't look any worse for wear. Either she didn't drink what everyone else did or she's got amazing recuperative powers. When she sees you, she waves you over. "Hello again! I was hoping to catch you before you left! And by your appearance, it looks like you had quite the experience last night! Hope it was fun for you!" Ludmilla says. "It was different I can say that much. Have you seen Vera?" you ask. "Hm? Oh you mean the girl you came here with? No, I haven't seen her since the festivities were just getting started." "Okay then, guess I'll see her back home then." "I'm sure that's where she is. Goodbye and again I'm glad you came. I'm just sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more, but you know what? We should meet again sometime. Just us two. Talk about life and shit." "Um, sure I guess. Goodbye." You give a small bow to the Baroness, believing that you probably should show some sort of deference to her station. She seems to like that, and then you turn to leave because honestly you can't get out of there fast enough. It's a long walk back home and you're thirsty as hell. Probably dehydrated from all the wild sex you had. Along the way you stop inside a tavern and order a drink. Nothing alcoholic this time though. When the tavern keeper pours you a cup of apple cider, you go to pay for it and find what little coin you had in your pocket is gone! You check you other pockets and still nothing. "I don't fucking believe this…she fucking robbed me? Bitch!" you exclaim. "Um, sir?" the tavern keeper says. "What?" you say still distracted by the fact that you can't believe you got robbed. "I…um… know who you are sir, and um, there's no charge." "Oh, thanks." Well at least reputation has its benefits and now you're just irritated that you even spent any amount of energy feeling guilty about having sex with that thieving bitch. After drinking your fill and resting a moment, you eventually make your way back to the League headquarters where business is going on as usual. You ask various members if they've seen Vera, eventually you bump into her and she answers herself. She doesn't look any worse for wear. "Hey boss. There you are. Guess you found the party a lot more interesting than I did after all. What happened to you?" Vera remarks. "Never mind all that. What happened to you?" you ask. "Oh shortly after we separated I wandered and talked to a few people and even looked around seeing if I could steal anything, but there really wasn't a good opportunity, and then something weird happened." "Let me guess, everyone got all friendly?" "Yeah, REALLY friendly. Didn't know it was going to be that kind of party. Guessing something was in the drinks. Glad I hadn't drank anything while I was there. Still, I might have paired up with one of the horny aristocrat guys if it had just been a one on one thing, but then Ludmilla was around and she started hitting on me too and I got really creeped out. I mean she didn't know of course, but she could potentially be my half sister, and that just really put me out of the mood entirely. I ran out as soon as I could." "Yeah, potentially fucking a sibling, I can see where that would put a damper on things. Wish a damper was put on me last night." "So what DID happen to you? Did you get caught up in an orgy?" Vera asks with a grin. "No, but I did spend the entire night fucking some woman who apparently robbed me after I passed out." Vera starts immediately laughing at how someone like you fell prey to something like that. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." You grumble. "I'm sorry, but the fact you got caught like that is just hilarious." Vera says. "Yeah well, she's not getting too far." "Oh, you know who she is?" "Huh? Nah, I just have a strong feeling that fate is going to catch up to her. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on it anymore, let's just get to work. In fact before shit happened yesterday, I was thinking about potential expansion." "Where exactly? You thinking about getting a League chapter in the Delantium Kingdom?" "Maybe…but probably not. For whatever reason the Ebony Claw Syndicate has not fucked with us. If we start going into their territory, that could change. However I was thinking we could physically expand where isn't a strong organized criminal presence." "I suppose it's worth looking into, I've got a suggestion of where we should." "Oh?" "You ever heard of Jicol?" "Think I've heard some of the Hessla pirates we deal with mention it sometimes. Don't know much though." "It's a port town west of Hessla and from what I've heard it's wide open like a whore's legs. Nobody has tried to organize anything there and the city focuses so much on defending against potential pirate attacks that it doesn't have the heightened security like say Klyton does in recent years. I say we start there." Looks like you've got a new prospect. > You time passes... Chapter 3D2 Power Struggle Year 31 "When are they supposed to arrive again?" you ask. "Um, lesee… the ECS rep is supposed to be here tomorrow by carriage." Warts says. "Okay. It's been what, like a decade that they haven't taken an interest in this place ever since they lost their chapter here, now all of a fucking sudden I'm receiving letters and having to meet with their reps." "Better dat den assassin blades." "I guess. Just wondering why now all of a sudden." "Maybe itz our expansion inta Jicol? We's startin' ta get bigger, dat shit kinda draws tenshun. Probably shoulda stayed small." "It was a risk, I suppose. Then again they might have fucked with us anyway. At least now we're a little stronger. Speaking of which, maybe we should get some of Gloom's people here tonight as extra security until this visit is over. Might as well put that alliance we have to good use." "Grh, I still don't trust dem shadow guyz. Dey used ta be allied wit da Syndicate." "Yeah. I know their faith is for the most part still chummy with the Syndicate, but ever since Shade split from the main faith, this particular temple seems to be independent and follow its own agenda. I guess we can get a feel of where their alliances lie at least. Sort of wish Vera was still around sometimes as an extra pair of hands and eyes, but she's more useful in Jicol. I think she needed the change of scenery anyway." "How iz things dere anyway?" "Last message I got from her she said there weren't any problems. Even starting to recruit a few of the locals there, which is good so we don't have to send any more people from here. Not to mention the profit she sent last month was the biggest yet." "You ever think she's skimmin'?" "Vera? Nah, but I'm sure she's probably running something on the side for herself. Which is fine by me if she is. I'd rather have her overlooking things there than anyone else." Later you go to the Temple of Fel to speak with Gloom about extra back up. Gloom as usual is always willing to assist you. You've always felt Gloom was way too friendly to be a Felian (Even his name is ironic) but better cordial than hostile you suppose. One thing you have noticed is that over the years, the Felians aren't quite the disciplined shadowy priests they once were. Not to say they wouldn't be formidable in a fight, but they definitely aren't like how they were under their previous leadership. Gloom wasn't even aware that the Syndicate was visiting. For a group that's generally known for being masters of secrets and such, they seem a bit out of the loop nowadays. After coming to an agreement with Gloom, you leave the temple and make your way back to your headquarters. The next day the ECS representative arrives. As mentioned in the correspondence to you, you meet in a "neutral" location at a tavern called the Bloody Bandit (Warts was right, why don't more of these places have inviting names?) You arrive with a few of the larger hobgoblins by your side. You weren't sure at first, but letting some of Wart's "buddies" from the Spiderfang tribe join was a good idea. They aren't as big as an ogre or as muscular as an orc but they're just as ugly and mean enough to intimidate most. You look around and notice that at least one of Gloom's people is here. There might be more, but if they are, they must be better at hiding themselves. In any case, you're satisfied that you have an advantage if it comes to a fight. Then you see who can only be who you're supposed to meet. A well dressed man with a thin mustache sitting all by himself and not looking very concerned about his surroundings. The fact that he's here by himself speaks of his confidence that he's either powerful enough to survive whatever you might have in store, or the consequences of him will be so severe that you won't even try. He's not drinking anything, but when he sees you he nods and waves you over. You tell your hobgoblin retinue to wait nearby and mentally prepare yourself. You sit down and the man briefly smiles. "Well, right on time. Always a good sign when someone is punctual. When I noticed the shadow blades come in here, I thought for a moment you were using some sort of weak psychological intimidation tactic and try to make me sweat while you came in late. Though I suppose you're just more concerned with security given your green buddies over there. Hobs are an unusual choice though. We usually use ogres or orcs, but then you use the savages you got access to right? I can appreciate a man who improvises. In any case, my name is Percy and I'm sure you want to get to it." "I do like to be direct." "So I've heard. Oh I've heard a lot about you actually. Don't know everything about you of course, but that's okay, a little mystery is always welcome. What do you say about mystery?" "Not a fan of it. I sort of prefer to know everything I can, so I'm not caught off guard." "Heh, and I knew that about you too! Maybe you're not so mysterious, but that's okay too!" Percy pats your hand from across the table in his enthusiasm. Honestly, you don't know if the guy is flirting with you at this point. Maybe it's a tactic to try to make you uncomfortable, whatever it is, you stay stoic. "So what is it that the Syndicate wishes of the Nocturnal League?" you ask. "Ah that is the question isn't it? What DOES the Syndicate want? I bet ever since you heard from us, you've been wondering. Is this a threat? Is this a deal? Is this an alliance? Is it a prelude to an attack? What COULD it be? Why has the Syndicate suddenly taken an interest in Holgard again after it abandoned it a decade ago? Well? Do YOU have any ideas?" Percy asks. "I'm a cynic so I'm guessing you're here to say you're taking over and this is my one warning to get out of the way. At best, you'll want me to still stick around. At worst, you've probably already poisoned me when you touched my hand." Percy laughs out loud. "You my friend have a very interesting imagination! I assure you, if we wanted you dead, we wouldn't even be talking right now. You are partially correct though." Percy says. "You're taking over." You remark. "No. Well not directly. We DO want you to stick around though. You see, we have done a little research on you. We know you came here years ago, we also know you were part of the Thieves' Guild here before that and were instrumental in its destruction which THEN led to you being part of the Syndicate chapter here. Before Rook apparently blundered and cocked everything up. During all that time though, up until you created this Nocturnal League, you at your core were a thief. A good one though from what I've heard." "Don't get to do it much anymore." "Mm, so to sum up, we have a simple thief who survived the destruction of not one, but two organizations that held the most sway in the underworld here. You then went on to create your own organization, which is now the only game in town. You also apparently managed to leverage an alliance with the Temple of Fel here. That is an interesting one considering the faithful of Fel and the Syndicate have been allies for many decades. Intertwined one might even say." "This group is a little different." "Indeed. I believe the High Shadow back in Delantium has had some issues with this particular branch in general, but that's an internal matter on their end. In any case back to you, it's all very impressive for someone of humble origins and very unusual how it all seemed to work out in your favor. One might even think you planned everything… well either that or you had the gods on your side." "Never really planned to be in the position I'm currently in and the only god I've ever gave a few words to is Yag and even then not much." "Well, then he must be rolling well for you every time. Perhaps it is luck that drives success in this city after all. Strategy, logic and even simple might seem to eventually fail in this city. This place is has always been problematic ever since the late Baron Vlad Varsakken declared his independence from Delantium. Even when we had a chapter here, it was always the least profitable of all of our holdings even with all the corruption going on, so when the leadership finally collapsed here and the rest of the lower ranks scattered to the winds. People higher than myself decided to wash their hands of the whole thing, not unlike the Delantium Kingdom did before I guess. However, things change and one of those changes is you sharing in your obvious success." And here it is, the shakedown. "I can see by your face you aren't pleased with that last statement, but I think you should look upon it as a compliment. Just think, YOU managed to do what the Syndicate could not. You made a success here with no competition and you built it all from the ground up. Granted you did use some of our people and even altered our product…Purple Wish? Come on, we all know that's just an inferior version of Blue Dream, but it's probably for the best that you didn't try to rip us off directly. We might have very well sent assassins in that case." Percy says. "I had considered that, hence why I suggested changing the formula." You say. "See always thinking! Which is why a direct take over wouldn't be as efficient. I mean why come in here and stomp about establishing our dominance and wasting manpower and resources when you're here? A perfectly reasonable and intelligent man more than capable of running things and knowing to give us our due." "Also knowing I don't have choice in the matter either." "But there is ALWAYS choice! I just know you'll make the right one! I'm going to give you a sum and you can tell me if it's fair or rip it up. What you can't do is negotiate though. I'm afraid I'm not here to do that." With this statement, Percy suddenly takes a small piece of parchment out of his pocket and moves it across the table. You take it and look at it. It's not unreasonable, but it's not exactly something you'd be looking forward to paying every month. Especially when you're already kicking bribes to the Holgard government. Still, you're getting a lot of leeway all things considered. For now you're going to accept. You can always figure something out later. "Very well I accept." You say. "Good! I knew you would! You didn't get where you are by being an idiot! Now that business is over, I'm going to be in the city a few more days before coming to see you again for the first payment. Now I know you're a busy man with busy people, so I don't expect you lot to see to me and I'm more than capable of protecting myself. However, I would like some suggestions on where all the good spots to have fun and unwind are here." After giving Percy some suggestions he shakes your hand and thanks you before leaving. As for you, you don't feel like going back to work right away either. You dismiss your hob crew and tell the Felians to just go back to whatever it is they do since you just want a moment by yourself (Even if you are still in a tavern) While you're racking your brain on how to deal with this new situation, you get another visitor. "Tough day in the underworld?" You look and see a woman in Dorna robes. It's been awhile, but you recognize her immediately. It's Heather. "Heather? This is unexpected. How did you know I was even here?" You say. "Magic is a very handy thing to be skilled in when locating someone. I've been meaning to see you for a while now. In fact I was coming to see you today and I'm glad I caught you when I did since it seems like you've been meeting with others. Like that man from the Syndicate." Heather remarks. "You seem to have a lot of interest in me all of a sudden. Is this personal, or did Elder Flynn send you on behalf of your temple?" "Oh this is temple business, but Elder Flynn didn't send me. In fact he's no longer in charge. I am." "I see. Did you…" "Kill him? Oh no. There was a large magical disturbance last year at a known wizard's home miles outside Holgard. An old acquaintance of the Elder actually. Flynn, myself and several other high ranking members went to investigate and let's just say it didn't go well and I was the only survivor. However it did mean there was now need of a new leader and since I still was the most experienced. I took charge. Well, took charge of the few that remained of our order at least." "Hm. Didn't know that. Then again you lot are always insular so I just assumed you were being bookworms as usual and never leaving your temple. I'm surprised you told me that your temple isn't as strong as it once was. Still, I would have thought the Felians would at least have knowledge of this and been all over it, but then they're hardly the order they once were too." "You're right about that one, in fact that's why I'm proposing you need a new ally and abandon your old ones." "New ally…wait…what, your people?" "Why not? We've worked together before and obviously I trust you enough to reveal my temple's status to you." "Yes, which is why I'm less than enthused. I mean no offense, but if your order only mainly consists of you and a few acolytes now, why would I abandon the Felians for you lot? This seems like you're just wanting to wipe out the Felians and you need my numbers to help you do it. And why now anyway? You two haven't had any problems. Even during the faith war here, you two didn't have any trouble." "Because the Felians DO know that we're currently weak and they've already been conspiring to finish us off. Why they haven't revealed such info to your organization I couldn't say. Perhaps they felt that this didn't concern you or you wouldn't care. However, the shadow lurking fools are as you say, definitely not the order they once were. Even with our lesser strength we've already fought off several assassination attempts. Still, it's only a matter of time before they DO ask for assistance and that's most likely going to be you…or the Syndicate. They are back in this city are they not?" Now this meeting just became a little more serious. Heather seems to know a lot about your situation, but then given that she's got magic coming out her ass, you aren't that surprised. "Yes, they are. What are you exactly proposing Heather?" you ask. "The Fel temple is rogue in many ways. I don't propose to be an expert on their beliefs, but even I know that by breaking with its long time Syndicate alliance, it is only a matter of time before they are reabsorbed back into their faith's proper doctrine. That's either going to happen because we will eventually manage to do enough harm that they'll beg for help from their father temple in Delantium or they'll slowly be forced back into submission when the Syndicate eventually starts pushing their weight here. That is what they're doing aren't they?" Heather says. "Somewhat…yes." "My proposal is this. WE ally against the Felians. They aren't going to expect an attack from you and you probably know when and where best to strike. We will provide back up of course to minimize the losses. In return you get allies that are much more powerful in the ways of magic and aren't likely to backstab you in the future. Our goal aren't the same, but don't conflict either, so I'd say that already makes us better than the Felians." "For the sake of argument, let's say I agree to this. I still don't see how this helps me all that much. I'm going to be taking most of the risk and damage and if anything the Syndicate might get a little suspicious if I start wiping out former allies." "I think you and I both know they're going to be suspicious of you anyway, but if this helps, I will personally assist you in anyway I can in any matter. I mean maybe I never said this properly years ago, but I did appreciate that you turned down Elder Flynn's ritual suggestion. Not something I ever forgot." Heather looks at you with a mixture of anticipation and hopefulness. Perhaps even a bit of desperation. The fact that she's asking you at all says to you that she's not exactly confident that she'll win without your help. Honestly, you aren't sure about all this. While Heather has brought up some concerning points. The Felians ARE your allies and granted in this business such things can be fleeting, you start stabbing them in the back and where does it end? You also aren't so sure about replacing a solid known ally with an uncertain one, especially if they aren't exactly any better than the ones you have. Gloom also hasn't really ever given you any reason to suddenly turn on him. Unless you're going to count the fact that his people never said they were waging a private war to finish off the Dornans. Then again, maybe Gloom considered it an internal matter and didn't feel the need to bother you with it. And the Syndicate just complicates matters. How are they going to react or will they even care at all? Percy did mention the temple here was frowned upon by the faithful in Delantium. Maybe it wouldn't matter if you wiped them out. > You ally with Heather The more you think about it, the more this makes sense in a ruthless pragmatic sort of way. The temple of Fel here could very well become an arm of the Syndicate again, maybe not today or tomorrow, but when it happens, you're going to be in a much more dangerous position. You still aren't exactly sure about the Dornans, but you're willing to give Heather the benefit of the doubt that she has genuine intentions. This still could all backfire of course, but you'll have to take that chance too. However, being an ally is a two way street and Heather did say she would help you in any way she could. "Okay Heather, I'm going to risk this, but as a show of good will I'm going to need something from you too." You say. "Of course. What is it?" Heather asks. "There's a representative from the Syndicate here as you know. Now I have to pay him an amount of coin that I don't particularly want to before he leaves in a few days." "Wait, so you want me to kill him?" "Well, you probably would be better equipped since I do have reason to believe that he's probably highly skilled in shadow magic. While maybe with a bit of preparation my people could take him since he's alone, but it wouldn't be pretty. However, that wouldn't really solve my problem. The Syndicate would just rightfully assume I killed him and then have good reason to be pissed at me and that wouldn't be good." "So what are you asking exactly?" "Any way you could alter his mind or something similar?" "Well there are spells that can do all sorts of things, but again, did you have an idea of what you wanted exactly?" You and Heather start to discuss each other's plans. Your situation with Percy is easy enough Heather says, and assures you that she will be able to implement something with the help of her people. Gloom and his people will be a little more difficult, but the pair of you come up with something that should work. It'll just require a little bullshit on your part, but you've been doing that for so long that you're definitely an expert in it. In any event, you're going to go meet with Gloom while Heather plans to ambush Percy. The next day you head to the Temple of Fel. Several Felians don't even seem to be bothered by your intrusion, which would be a much different story if Shade or his predecessors were running things. When one of them asks what your business is at the temple, you simply tell them that you wish to see Gloom at which point they go check to see if he's available and fortunately he is so you can get this over with today hopefully. (Along with it going smoothly) You walk through the dark temple and eventually to Gloom's chambers where he sits writing something. When you enter he smiles and greets you. (You've always found his general friendly personality to not quite match his name, let alone his faith) "Come in, come in, I was just finishing up my latest sermon. Have my faithful been providing an adequate job with your extra security? There haven't been any issues have there?" Gloom asks. "No, not at all. In fact I was going to tell you I won't be needing them after all, seems I overreacted with the Syndicate visit." You answer. "Ah, I see. Well better safe than sorry. So how did your meeting with the Syndicate go?" "Better than I hoped. Worse than I feared. So has the Syndicate been to see you?" "Us? No. I don't see why they would. Why do you ask?" "Oh, I figured while the Syndicate isn't making a direct threatening presence, I figure they might still be snooping about and trying to stir up animosity between allies." "Ah, yes I can see where that would be a concern, but I assure you we have no dealings with them even if the Temple of Fel has been considered the Syndicate's traditional ally. As you know while we are faithful to Fel, we believe in following our own path. We are your allies, not the Syndicate." "Yes, this particular temple has been engaged in the concept of flexibility for quite some time now. And I appreciate your dedication to our partnership, which is why I'm puzzled that you did not ask for our help on your own matter." "Our matter?" "Well your attempt to wipe out the Dornans of course." Gloom drops his friendly persona, though not to a hostile expression, but more of a serious one. "I considered that as a private conflict between faith and saw no reason to bother you with it, I know you're very busy and all. Though I do wonder how you found out about it, since we've very good about keeping this quiet. The Baroness would come down on everyone if the two remaining religious factions in the city were openly fighting in the streets." Gloom says. "Because the leader of the Dornans came to me yesterday begging for an alliance. She wants me to turn on you. She even gave me one of these again." You pull out a solid black orb causing Gloom's eyes to widen. He remembers a similar magic object was used during the final battle with the Joachimites. You continue to speak quickly before Gloom makes any rash moves. "Don't worry my friend, obviously I'm not here for treachery. Besides, I'm here by myself. Even without your magic I would never succeed so it would be a pretty poor plan indeed. I am however giving it to you. Just like I gave this to Shade when we fought the Inquisitor. Here you go." Gloom warily looks at you as he slowly takes the orb. When he finally grabs it, he seems to relax a little more, but he's definitely not comfortable. Still he hasn't killed you yet, so that's a good sign. Meanwhile you're doing your best to remain calm yourself under these conditions, so you continue to speak. "I have to say I was a little surprised that the Dornan high priestess came to me though. I figured with all their magic they would be more than able to take care of themselves." You say. "They're in a vulnerable state so they need all the help they can get right now. However, they're still very dangerous. In fact I thought that with their new leadership, they would soon collapse altogether, but as it turned out they have proved more resilient than I thought. They're attempting to rebuild and I'm not just talking about their numbers, I'm talking about their influence in this city." Gloom remarks. "What do you mean?" "The Dornan high priestess or matriarch as her followers call her now, has made steps in meeting with Baroness Varsakken over the past few months. She obviously intends on gaining favor with Ludmilla and eventually get rid of us and that can't happen." "Wow. Didn't know that, but isn't the Baroness a dedicated follower of Fel?" "Eh, the Baroness has always been a dabbler. Her faith in Fel isn't the most dedicated. Indeed she probably has always been more interested in learning shadow magic rather than revering Fel. Still, it was useful to have ruler that was friendly towards us. Unfortunately the new Dornan leadership seems have opened their own doors to teaching the ways of magic and Ludmilla is all too eager to jump on such an offer even if it means paying lip service to both gods." "Won't one of these divine beings eventually punish Ludmillia for her fickle nature?" you say mildly jokingly. "Perhaps, but it my experience the gods do things in their own time and as a mortal I can't wait that long. In any case it would seem that perhaps Fel has assisted in the more direct destruction of the immediate threat that are the Dornans." Gloom examines the orb in his hand after his statement before continuing. "So what exactly was the plan anyway? How did she even trust you enough?" Gloom asks. "Oh, she was trying to prey upon my paranoia with the Syndicate, claiming that you would eventually turn against me and other shit. Also during that whole getting Dornan help against the Joachimites, I fucked her once." You say. "Truly?" "Yeah, the Elder at the time was being sort of a dick to her and I bumped into her crying about it. Seeing an opportunity, I sort of reassured her of her worth and well you know how women fall for that sort of thing. One thing lead to another and I think she's always been a little sweet on me after that. As for the plan, I was supposed to just come in here with my people, break the orb so you couldn't use any magic and then make sure all of you were dead." "Hm, she might as well have placed her faith in Dorna rather than you for all good either would do her. The Dornans do have powerful magic to be sure, but they are poor fighters. Evening the odds with this object and they stand no chance. I'm going to personally enjoy this I believe and you've proven that our alliance is indeed a strong one. We will strike their temple in force. I want to make sure none escape, then we'll destroy it." "Did you want the League's assistance?" "Well, you've done enough already and I never even asked for it. I see now that I probably should have though. I believe we can do this ourselves, however if you still wish to help, I will not turn it down." "I'll be there with a few of my people. Couldn't hurt." Gloom tells you that he'll organize an attack in a few days, you tell him that works for you since you have some other business to attend to. A couple days pass and that other business finally comes to pass and this is what you've been more concerned about. You meet Percy at the same tavern with the payment. Once again he's very friendly. "On time as usual. Very glad that you value promptness as I am in a bit of a hurry. I believe I may have had too much fun here and I should be getting back. I thank you for your suggestions on where to go." Percy says. "No problem, so will you be back next month at this time?" you ask. "Probably not me, but someone will. Probably of much lesser importance of course. I was just here this time to extend the hand and make the deal as it were. Still glad we came to one." "Yes, I agree. Better for business all around." "Yes! Yes exactly!" "Anyway, I have your payment. Um, just so we're clear how much was it again?" "Oh come on now. You trying one last try at lowering the price? I told you I wasn't here to haggle. You know it was a thousand gold pieces." "Yes, I knew, and I have it here. Just a poor attempt at a joke I suppose." "Hm, well jokes are fine, but never about the Syndicate business. I hope you remember that." "I will." You have two of your hobgoblin muscle show Percy a large chest of gold to which he nods and you tell them to load it on the carriage outside. "And with that, our business is concluded. I bid you good day and wish you well in your future endeavors, especially if it's going to make the Syndicate money!" Percy stands up, shaking your hand and leaves. You can't believe that worked. You don't know what the hell Heather did to him, but he actually believed he only asked you for a thousand gold monthly payment as opposed to the much larger sum he asked before. You can imagine his superiors are going to be upset, but it won't be at you, it'll be at him for fucking up a deal that they're stuck with now. Well at least you hope they won't try to re-negotiate immediately. You've bought yourself a little more time at least. Meanwhile, you still have to go stab the Felians in the back though you're sort of wondering about still going through with that now what you've heard about Heather cozying up to the Baroness. Seems like now more than ever she's attempting to use you as a pawn. Granted she was allying with you for mutual benefit before, but this seems a little different now. What exactly is she planning? Then again, if she is getting friendly with the Baroness, is it really going to make a difference to you? And Heather did just come through for you on the Syndicate thing. > You stick with the deal One double cross is enough for now, no need to complicate matters. Besides, regardless of Heather's own agenda, she's probably not wrong about the Felians. Going to be interesting when you see the look on Gloom's face when he realizes the orb you gave him doesn't work. The night of the attack comes and you meet with Gloom just a few blocks away from the Dornan Temple, you have your usual hob retinue with you. (You're really getting used to having these guys around nowadays) Gloom is with a few of his own people, but even without magic powers you can sense some are probably nearby in the shadows. "Once again, glad that this is a joint effort though I don't think it was necessary to bring as many people with you as you did. The orb is going to nullify all magic and when that happens, those Dornan priests aren't going to be much match for us." Gloom says. "Yeah, well I want to be on the safe side. My people are going to remain outside anyway, you know just in case any try to escape. I'll come in with your people. Speaking of which are you really bringing them all?" you ask. "Yes, this is something that's been a long time coming and nobody who is a true follower of Fel should miss out on. Honestly, it was foolish to believe they wouldn't be a problem. Shadow Master Shade warned me to always watch them you know, just before he died. A few of his interpretations of the faith may have been a bit too restrictive, but he had his own wisdom on practical matters." "Well, after tonight, you won't need to worry about watching them ever again." With those last words all of you march towards the temple. The few wanderers still outside in the area immediately go find shelter when they see a group of mean looking hobgoblins and Felians walking down the street. The Dornan Temple doesn't even have their usual lookout standing outside, though you imagine the Dornans have some sort of magical detection going on and this plan has already been expected. Gloom blasts the temple's doors off their hinges with a dark magic bolt of some sort. Then he takes the lead, you tell your hobgoblins to stand guard outside and kill anyone who tries to escape. They faithfully obey and you enter with the crowd of Felians that are entering the temple, staying close to the back of course. Heather and her much smaller group are already there to meet the Felians. "It ends today and the faith of Fel will rule supreme in the city at last!" Gloom shouts and throws down the orb. A bit more dramatic than you'd expect from a Felian, but then Gloom's whole attack tonight is a bit more theatrical than a typical Felian would go about this. Good thing too, since if he behaved more like his predecessors he wouldn't be going in so recklessly like this. No sooner has Gloom made his announcement, a white light washes over the room and suddenly all of Gloom's previously shadow cloaked people are now visible. Naturally Gloom just assumes this is just the effects of the orb, but he's soon very surprised to learn that the Dornans have not lost any of their magic abilities at all. Several of them are incinerated instantly by Dornan spells. Gloom himself manages to cut down a single acolyte before he's finally brought down by some spell that causes him to age rapidly and then fall over dead. They may be a small group, but this temple is where their magic is the most powerful and you're getting to witness a lot of it first hand, you're just glad you're not on the receiving end. While the remaining Felians realize that this is a lost cause and attempt to run, you do you part in shooting a few of them while your hob crew enthusiastically cuts down these lesser Felians that have more fear than fight left in them. A Holgard watch patrol shows up, but doesn't intervene, instead they just turn right back around, probably thinking they don't get paid enough to deal with this level of conflict. Soon, it's all over and the Felians are no more as a force in this city and you're just hoping you made the right choice in allies. Heather commands her people to start cleaning up the bodies before she goes over to speak to you. She looks a little worn and tired, but then you guess magic takes its toll just as much as regular combat. "Told you the plan would work as long as you got them in here." Heather remarks. "Yeah, thankfully Gloom was a trusting fool and practically a heretic of his own faith which generally goes about things in a much subtler manner." You answer. "I suppose that did make things easier. Thanks again for you help on this. The expression on Gloom's face was priceless when he realized the orb didn't work!" "Mm, didn't see it, I was just concerned about not getting caught in the cross fire of a stray magic missile or possible a Felian blade after realizing they had been had." "Oh, you never in any true danger. Even if you had gotten wounded we could have easily fixed you up with healing magic." "As you say…well in any case I certainly hope you're as chummy with the Baroness as you're supposed to be, because this little fight did attract attention and last I heard any open fighting between the religious faiths was frowned upon. Not to mention the League was involved and I certainly down want repercussions of this to cause my organization to suffer for it." Heather looks at you as if you weren't supposed to know her dealings with the Baroness. "Know about that do you?" she asks. "Gloom might have mentioned it. He never elaborated and what you were talking about with her, but I get the impression he didn't know and just feared a power grab and wanted to strike first before you had the whole city worshipping Dorna." You answer. "I see. His sudden attacks make a lot more sense now, though if he had come to me directly, we probably could have even come to an agreement." "Doubt it. He was still very dedicated to Fel even if he wasn't a stickler for doctrine." "But that's just it, my conversations with the Baroness weren't about religious faith. They were about magic in general. I was urging that she should seriously consider setting up a magic school here. Especially since I know she's very interested in the subject." "A magic school?" "Why not? The Delantium Kingdom has a very well established university; even Klyton has a small one. Surely a city as large as Holgard is worthy of one." "I guess? Little bit out of my area of expertise. So wait, you aren't planning on making Dorna the only goddess to worship in the city?" "Not really. I mean that seems to be a side effect of all this, but honestly I don't care who worships what. I believe the pursuit of keeping magic alive is more important than worship at this point. I'm not sure if you realize it, but magic isn't exactly a common thing nowadays and has been in decline. In a couple hundred years after the last few powerful wizards die out, what then? Dorna is a the goddess of magic and knowledge, I can better serve her through teaching rather than just worship." Sort of an interesting goal you weren't expecting from Heather. Not really one that directly interferes with your own business either, perhaps it could even be a new opportunity, if it ever gets off the ground. Heather goes on to say that she will of course smooth all this over with Ludmilla and more importantly make sure there are no repercussions for the League. A couple weeks pass and sure enough, you haven't been harassed by the Holgard Watch (Well within reason). After a month rolls around a Syndicate collector comes by and asks for the thousand, very no-nonsense and anxious to be on his way. When you name drop Percy, just to see if you can get any information on what might have happened to him, the rep says he doesn't even know the man. You pay him with the chest full of coin and he's on his way. Nothing else is mentioned or happens. Meanwhile one of the requests to Heather is asking if she can figure out a way to lift your curse. She says she doesn't know other than the ritual Elder Flynn suggested that time and apparently he never did give the exact details about what it all entailed as far as the words to say and such. (And she's not exactly keen on bringing up the other known detail you both know about) However, she says she still has a lot of his notes and writing to go through, so she will try to find out how to do it and perhaps maybe there are other ways to lift it as well. Looks like you picked your new allies wisely. Hopefully this all proves to be even more useful in the future. > You time passes... Year 32 It's been awhile, but it's good to see Vera again even if she's just here for a visit. She's got some strong opinions on some of the changes that have happened recently though. "I still can't believe the Felians are gone completely. I mean I just remember them always being here. Then again, so were a lot of groups I suppose. Still, sort of surprised you managed to gain an alliance with the Dornans." Vera remarks. "Don't see why it's really all that surprising. Heather helped us in the past and she's running things now. The Dornans aren't even very religious anymore; they turned their temple into a school of sorts. Don't think they've got many takers yet though." You say. "Hm. I'm also still a little concerned about what you did with the Syndicate though. Might have been better in the long run to just pay their price." "Are you kidding me Vera? You didn't see what they were trying to extort from us. Besides, we've been okay so far and they haven't even suddenly tried to raise the rate." "I dunno. I know you have a lucky habit of getting over on the Syndicate, but I feel like this is pushing it. I have to think they must know something, but they're biding their time to lull you into a false sense of security before they strike." "Oh trust me, ever since I stepped foot into this city, I've been on my guard constantly. Don't really know any other way to live at this point. However I'm going to soon be hiring a lot of cheap muscle in the form of all the hobgoblins, so I'm slightly less concerned about the Syndicate." "What? You can't seriously be considering recruiting MORE hobs." "Why not? They'll actually be perfect for this. Most of them either come here just itching to break someone's legs or they go join the fight arena. Though a few odd ones join the Holgard Watch instead, go figure." "Maybe, but I've noticed a severe increase in hobs in this organization since I came back to Holgard. Just don't want this place turning into the Roach Leg Tribe." "It's Spiderfang Tribe actually and they're still far outnumbered for that to happen. Well, for now at least. In any case, most of them have been migrating to Holgard quite a bit over the years. I guess most are learning that city life isn't all that bad and you can still be just as much of a violent asshole here as you can out in the wild and get routinely paid for it. Hmm, actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess it makes sense that a few of them join the Holgard Watch after all." "Well your call I guess, at least I don't have deal with them. Dealing with Warts was enough for me. Though I'm not convinced a bunch of unruly hobs are going to be the end all of extra protection." "Hence why we're also close allies to a group of wizards." "You seem pretty confident in our new wizard allies. Just how friendly are you with this Heather? I mean are you fucking her or something?" "No I'm not actually." "Ah, so you're TRYING to fuck her." "Actually I'm not, but I'm not sure what difference it would make to you if I was." "None I suppose, though I was just trying to figure out what might have been the motivator to throw your lot in with trusting this sorceress and her adepts. But if you say it was purely a practical and strategic move for the good of the League, then that's good enough for me." "Speaking of fucking, who was that big dark skinned guy who you were reluctant to leave when you were getting off the ship?" "Oh, that's Zamed. He's the captain of the Traveler. He's a Hessla pirate, we tend to have business with a lot of them in Jicol, but Zamed's been about the only one I've really taken a shine to lately. Still, it's just as well as he's a pirate. Don't think I'd want him around ALL the time. Best to keep these sort of things free and flexible." "Interesting. Though I thought Jicol was supposed to be pirate free." "Eh, it's pirate free in that the city doesn't have to worry about them ever attacking the place, but that doesn't mean they can't stop there for supplies as long as they behave. Besides, Zamed's been more of a privateer recently, though I suppose it's a thin line. He's been doing a lot of work for the Delantium Kingdom in their war against Nichan. Which is something I sort of want to bring up with you because it could possibly affect the League." "Well guess I better hear it then." Vera takes a drink of the rum she's brought with her from Jicol before continuing. "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let's see…what do you know of Peter Varsakken? Youngest son of Vlad." Vera asks. "Um, nothing actually. Didn't know there was another one of Vlad's spawn running around. Wait, is this another one of his bastards, like you?" you ask with a smirk. "Oh no. He's very much legitimate. It's just that after he had a disagreement with his father and fled the city, all records were pretty much erased of him. He's basically been living in exile in the Delantium Kingdom. Peter's disagreement with his father involved the whole breaking away from the Delantium Kingdom in the first place. Peter was the only one who saw it as treason and remained loyal to Delantium. Over the years Peter has been trying to amass an army to take back the city." "It's my understanding that the Delantium Kingdom hasn't exactly been in a big hurry to retake this place. I mean it's been decades hasn't it?" "Well they've been sort of busy with other things, like their recent war with Nichan for example. While the ruling class over there doesn't want to spend their resources and treasury to take this place back, they certainly won't turn down someone else willing to do the job, and that's where Peter comes in. He's of noble birth, loyal to the kingdom and would be an excellent governor for this city and absorb it back into Delantium's fold." "I see, and how do you know all this?" "As I said Zamed has been privateering for the Delantium Kingdom and he was contacted by Peter who is still trying to amass a conquering force of men and ships to take back his birthright. In fact Zamed is supposed to be organizing the majority of a flotilla of Hessla privateers" "And you trust this pirate?" "Of course not, but I trust the fact that I know how to lay it down good enough that he told me all this stuff in the bedroom without me even asking." "Okay, I don't need details on that part." "Anyway, Peter's been at this for years ever since he got exiled. He's suffered many set backs in his quest to retake Holgard. Every time he's been on the verge of being ready, something has happened. This was partially thanks to the Ebony Claw Syndicate sabotaging his efforts in Delantium, and sometimes even the Temple of Fel would hinder his efforts as well. However, since things have changed drastically over the years in this city, he's in the best position he's ever been in to retake this place." "What makes you think he won't get sabotaged again by either group? I mean the Ebony Claw might not have a direct presence here, but they're still making some coin from us. Same is some what true of the Felians, though different reasons. They're allies with the ECS, so they tend to help them." "I don't think they care this time. I mean thanks to your magical shenanigans they don't make enough from us for it to make much difference either way I suppose. If the League suffers severely from this invasion, the ECS will most likely just come in directly and finish it off." "Well that's presumptuous that we're going to get the shit kicked out of us. As long as we don't stand toe to toe with an invading force and stay out of the damn way, I imagine we'll get through it. Hell, it isn't like we don't have routes out of the city if need be. Honestly though unless this Peter is bringing the full force of the Delantium army, I don't see him winning. Ludmilla counts wizards among her allies and has a strong fleet of her own, so I question if this Peter is even going to succeed. And say Peter does win, then what? Is this guy some law and order fanatic? He's a Varsakken and from what I can tell every single one of their family members are corrupt. So it would just be a matter of coming to an understanding with him so business continues as usual." "Well that might be easier to do if we dealt with him now then. In fact I sort of wanted to address that idea." "Oh?" Vera goes into the explanation that from the information she's gathered from Zamed, Peter is most likely going to win. While he doesn't have the Delantium army at his command, he does have several orc mercenary companies along with a few wizards that he's managed to make friends with from the Delantium magic university. She also has heard that while Peter isn't exactly a Joachimite purity zealot, his time in the Delantium Kingdom has probably given him more of an appreciation for a more orderly society as opposed to one that embraces rampant corruption so readily. So he's most likely not going to look favorably upon the Nocturnal League. However, he's still pragmatic enough that he'd probably give leniency to a group that actively helped him and a deal could very well be made as you said. Vera goes on to say she truly believes that this is the best chance for the Nocturnal League to survive in Holgard. "You seem to have given this some thought, and while I do often appreciate your input on things, the one problem I have in this case is you're getting all of this information second hand from a pirate. Now I know you said your vertical smile caused the guy to go all stupid over you, so you're certain he's on the up and up. However, HIS information might also be mixed with rumors, half-truths and outright lies that he's overheard. I mean if you were fucking Peter Varsakken himself and getting this information from him, I might believe the situation is as hopeless as you're saying." You say. "I thought you might feel that way, so how about this then…Peter Varsakken is meeting Zamed. We could go to this meeting as well and we could hash out our demands." Vera remarks. "Wait. You're telling me that you were planning on going to meet with this Peter without me?" "No! Of course not! I came here first because I wanted to see what your decision would be on this. I mean look, I understand what you're saying, but based on everything I've learned, the outcome seems grim even if we managed to keep our head down during the initial invasion. But, you're right too, I am getting all this information second hand, so maybe it would be a good idea to actually talk with this Peter in person, before coming to any sort of decision. If we did, you and I could both make an assessment of whether to throw our lot in or not." "I dunno…(Sigh) yeah I suppose it couldn't hurt, though I'm just wondering about the people we already have alliances with. I mean pissing off the Holgard magic school isn't something I exactly want to do, also you mentioned the ECS has been thwarting this guy's efforts for a long time, and I'm still not convinced that they won't still do that even if they haven't done it yet. By siding with Peter, we could piss them off which wouldn't be any good either." "Well…it's your call I suppose boss. I just don't want us to get swept away in the flood of this upcoming conflict. I want to see us survive." "Pretty sure we all want that." You swear if it isn't a rebellion or faction war, it's a fucking invasion in this city. It's enough to make you want to pick up and just leave everything behind rather than deal with this shit. However, you've built something here, so you're not doing that until all else fails. Whether or not you can strike a good deal with Peter or not, there is one very personal reason you'd prefer to stay loyal to your current allies and that's the fact that so far Heather is your only sure lead on getting fixed from your curse. If you backstab them and live, you're still fucked because there goes a potential cure. It's selfish, but it's a pretty strong motivator. While Vera has said that Peter has wizard connections as well, that's not a sure thing that you can get help from them. They're assisting Peter and have no reason to do the same for you. About the only thing you can do is try to see if Heather and her people might join Peter's invasion. Hell, if that's the case then you'd definitely be willing to help Peter as well. Of course doing that might not go over well either and you'd tip your hand pretty severely. Might be better to talk to Peter first and get all the information from him and then go speak to Heather so you'd at least have something that might be useful to her if worse came to worst in your meeting. > You talk to Heather first Maybe you're a little paranoid but you don't feel comfortable going to a meeting in unfamiliar territory with someone who you know virtually nothing about save for what Vera's managed to tell you. Peter could see this as an opportunity to take you out as a potential obstacle to his conquest. Vera by herself on the other hand is less of a target, not to mention she's got a pirate boyfriend with her. "I'm not going to this meeting, however since you're so friendly with this Zamed and he's going anyway, you can continue to accompany him. Then you can come back here and tell me what you think." You say. "You don't want to go yourself? I would have thought this would be something so important that you'd want to directly deal with it." Vera says. "While it would be nice to just have unlimited power to deal with everything directly, I've got a bunch of shit to take care of here. I trust that you'll be fine and I trust you'll be able to assess the situation and give me proper feedback of our best options." "Okay. That's a lot of confidence in me, boss." "Well, if I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have put you in charge of our chapter at Jicol, which obviously has been thriving under your management. You've always been an asset to the Nocturnal League…and hell you're probably one of the few people I consider a friend." Vera looks a bit moved by your words. Honestly, you didn't really plan to say something like that, but it felt right under the circumstances. Vera nods and agrees with your words and then moves in to hug you which you return. It's a bit of a longer than average hug and it's pretty obvious that there has always been a little something there between the two of you, but thanks to your curse you've never tried to pursue it. Vera herself probably believes that you're just not interested in her that way at this point. What might have been you suppose, but then again who knows? You still hold out hope that you'll get cured one day so the future isn't set in stone yet. But first things first and that's preparing for this invasion and how you're going to go about it. After seeing Vera off, you go to the Temple of Dorna, which of course has now been transformed, into a school. Still looks practically the same and there still aren't many people in the place. Seems that not many have taken advantage of the chance to learn magic, or more likely, nobody in this scum-ridden city has the talent for it. (Or the money) You don't get far before you're stopped by two teenagers. "Hey you, this isn't a fucking Purple Wish Den! This place is for wizards only!" a pimply faced young man says. The young woman with him gives you a dirty look with an amused sneer. "It is? I thought it was a brothel. Good thing it isn't though because I don't need a blowjob that badly." You say, then you look over at the girl with him. "Well, maybe you'd be okay after a couple ales." "HEY! That's my girlfriend, you asshole!" "Oh? Well I'm sure she'll appreciate someone taking longer than two minutes for a change." "Ew! Fucking perv! You think you're funny? You won't be so funny after I set your balls on fire." The young woman says. "Ah, you've got the crotch rot then, okay then I'll pass. Look, while all this has been amusing, I'm not here for either one of you snotnosed brats, I'm here to see Heather." "That's Grand Matriarch to you and I don't see why she'd want to see you at all." Before you can respond, the pimply man suddenly points a finger at you and zaps you in the chest with a lightning bolt! Well lighting bolt isn't exactly the right word, since you aren't exactly knocked on your ass, but it is a tiny jolt that catches off guard and it did hurt. "OW!" you shout. "Yeah! How ya like that goblin fucker? You mess with us an, SHIT! AAARGH!" the young man starts to say before you grab his finger which he was still pointing at you and break it. Like the sissy he is, he breaks down crying on the floor clutching his broken finger, meanwhile you've already drawn your pistol on the teenage girl. "Don't even think about it sweetheart. I can pull this trigger before you can utter an incantation." You say. "What in Dorna's name is going on here?" a voice shouts. You look away briefly and see Heather with a couple of other wizard behind her. "Apologies Heather, but…well fuck, these two pissed me off and I didn't have time for their bullshit." You say. "Obviously. Cooper! Gwen! Step away from that man. I told you two before to never mistake your magic for invincibility. And that mindset works even more against you when you insist on being within reach of the head of the Nocturnal League. He could have very well killed the pair of you before I even showed up." Heather says. "Shit, you're the leader of the infamous League? Um, we're sorry we didn't mean anything!" Gwen says. "Gwen, stop groveling and take your boyfriend to go practice your healing magic for a change." As Gwen picks her sniveling boyfriend off the floor, Heather tells the other wizards behind her to return to their lessons and approaches you. "I swear, I could make life a living hell for that girl and she apologizes to you rather than me." Heather says shaking her head. "Well she probably knows you aren't going to kill her, meanwhile I was pointing a gun at her head." You say. "Meh, knowing that one, she'll probably develop a fantasy about you. She's got a thing for bad boys." "And the one with the broken finger is a bad boy?" "Closest thing to one around here I suppose. Anyway, thanks for not doing any major damage to them, I don't have many students as it is. Now I assume you're here to see me, so let's head to my office." You follow Heather to her office, which of course resembles more of a lab, however its kept in a much more organized manner than when you were in Elder Flynn's lab. Heather sits down and moves some papers and books around on her desk while addressing you. "I haven't forgotten you and our deal, just so you know. I just haven't made much progress on searching for a way to lift your curse. I did find Elder Flynn's notes on the subject when you came in here, but honestly he was a little sketchy on the details concerning the curse part. Though I imagine once your ex was called in and bound, she would be able to be commanded to lift whatever curse she put on you. Still, he was probably more concerned with capturing a demon than curing you and after reading what would have happened to me, I'm even happier that you declined the ritual." "Yeah, I know. You wouldn't want sex with me." "That's actually not the part I'm talking about. In fact if it were JUST that, I'd be willing to get naked with you while my highly trained assistants performed the incantations for the ritual right now. However, what the Elder neglected to mention is the fact that this ritual would result in the poor girl's death." "What?" "Yeah, your succubus ex, wouldn't just be summoned forth into this world, she'd be brought forth into the body of the girl you'd be having sex with." "You mean like possession?" "I mean like the girl would literally explode into chunks gore and blood, when your ex arrived and chances are your ex wouldn't be too happy with you either and you probably wouldn't have much time to get out of her immediate vicinity before she killed you too." "Shit…that's fucked up." "Yeah. And I would have been willing to just go along with it, not knowing shit. By Dorna was I a fucking fool back then. Anyway, I hope this news isn't too disappointing for you." "Well…it's a bit disheartening…however I wasn't even here about that." "Oh?" "Yeah, and since there's no other way to say it, I'm going to just be right up front with you, like you were up front with me." You explain everything you've learned about Peter Varsakken's invasion, which immediately catches Heather's attention. You don't go into detail about sending one of your people to meet with Peter, but you do ask the direct question if she's supporting Ludmilla. "Well, appreciate you coming to me with this. When the invasion comes, it will be important for us to coordinate." Heather remarks. "So I take it you're not worried about this and siding with Ludmilla?" "Worried? Hmm…perhaps a little cautious, but the situation isn't nearly as grim as your sources told you which you said was from a pirate captain he hired?" "That was the source, yes. Wait, you seem like you know something about this." "I do and so does Ludmilla. I mean she might be a bit flakey at times, but the woman is not dim. She's been making her own preparations and so have we. Honestly I'm sort of surprised given your new connections to the Ebony Claw, you would have learned of this plan long ago." "They aren't exactly forth coming with information. Our relationship isn't the most open. I don't even know if they're planning on sabotaging Peter this time like I've been told they have in the past." "Mm, that's always a possibility. Though our own information says Peter's come to some sort of understanding with them this time and they won't interfere, however that doesn't matter. Peter's invasion isn't going to succeed." "You seem very sure and very well informed on this. Have you increased your telepathic powers or something?" "Hah! I wish. No, but I have been in contact with the Delantium Kingdom's magic University and made a couple friends there while trying to get this school up and running. I've been told the TWO wizards he's hired were drop outs from the university and while I wouldn't suggest that you go up against them, I'm secure that my people will be able to handle them. So no, he doesn't even have a squad of wizards at his command. If anything his orc mercs are going to be a bigger problem assuming they even make it to the fight that is. A lot can happen between Delantium and Holgard." "Okay…well that does sound less hopeless than I heard." "Make no mistake, this city IS going to suffer some shit, but I can't imagine that it's going to be any worse than the last time the Varsakken's had it out with each other. Reports say he'll probably be ready next year. So let me ask you, were you considering joining Peter's invasion then?" You chuckle at the thought of saying "yes" at this point. "Well let's just say I was keeping my options open based on which way you were going." You say. "Aw, that's sweet, upholding our alliance. And who says there isn't honor in the underworld." Heather says. "Yeah, well I can't backstab everyone, it might hurt my reputation." "Indeed. You're already responsible for the demise of the Thieves' Guild, an ECS chapter, the Joachimites and the Felians." "Hey, I was never affiliated with the Joachimites." "True. You had better sense than that. Well if that's all, I should be getting back. Have to train these folks in battle magic after all, I assume if you come across and new information, you'll share it." You bid Heather goodbye and make your way back home where you get back to business. Though you're a little concerned about Vera getting back okay. A month passes and she does indeed make it back of which you're most relieved. She tells you that you were right all along and that siding with Peter isn't the best way to go on this based on the meeting she had. Vera tells you that his terms weren't even very good, just basic amnesty for anything done before he takes back the city and perhaps a bit of leniency on softer criminal activity, but not continued free reign like you have now. However she said that she was given permission to accept Peter's deal for you, so as far as he knows, you're on his side. "Good, nice thinking Vera." You say. "Well I figured it shouldn't be a wasted trip. So what have you been up to?" "Speaking with our magical allies. Seems they got more information on Peter than we do. The guy only has two wizards at his command for example and the Baroness is well aware of Peter's plans." "I see. Well guess all that's left now is for us is the year to prepare, what do you need me to do?" "I need you back in Jicol where you can keep an eye on things there. Also, I want to make sure if shit goes really bad here, this organization will still exist in some form at least and there will be somewhere to retreat to. If possible try to convince some of those pirates you deal with not to join Zamed's flotilla. I hope you weren't too attached to him." "Meh, I was done with him anyway. I suppose I'll be taking another ship back to Jicol though." After spending a few more days in Holgard, Vera finally takes her leave and she's gone again. You'll definitely miss her being around, you hope the next time you see her it'll be under better circumstances. In fact you just hope you'll actually survive to see her again, or hell just survive period. While Heather did reassure you of some of your concerns, there is still an invasion to "look forward to." You've survived a lot in this city and sometimes you wonder if it really is Yag rolling well for you, but you're hoping that you really are just that good at all this. > You time passes... Year 33 "Shit, these fucking orcs don't die like they should." You say after putting two more shots in a large greenskin trying to get back up. "Don't think it matters boss, this brothel's fucked, and not in a good way. Just bout every whore in here is dead." Warts says. "All of them?" "Well there were a couple survivors, but I think their whorin' days are over." "Damnit, that's another one destroyed." "An wez lost a few purple wish houses and sum gambling dens too. Hopefully we can save da rest before we don't have anything left." You look around at the destruction of the brothel you're currently in and try to temporarily ignore the loud chaos going on outside as you gather your thoughts on what to do next. "Damnit." You say seeing a familiar woman on the floor with an axe wound in her head. "Wat?" Warts asks. "I know this whore or rather I did. Name was Naji. She was that girl that I rescued back when you talked me into ripping off Reginald's house." "Sheesh, dat wuz a long time ago boss. Yer memory iz good if you can member whores. I can't even member when my weddin' anniversary is, though I wuz drunk at the time an' Snuffit reminds me anyway." "Well she was a bit special for awhile, but as you might know my heart always really belonged to Tanya. I knew Naji was still whoring, and after we got the Nocturnal League set up I made sure she always had a job in one of our brothels, but I never did speak with her again in person. Always thought about it sometimes, but just figured I could get around to it when I wasn't busy. Guess it's too late now. Seems rather pointless that I even rescued her given that she just wound up dead anyway." "Well look on da bright side boss, it looks like she got a cleaner death with a quick axe strike as opposed to wat dose cultist fuckers woulda did." "I suppose. She also was Rook's cousin, which probably saved me from him killing me. In any case, I'm having serious concerns about this attack." "Well yeah boss, da whole cities goin' ta shit again." "No, I mean why the fuck are we even being attacked? I mean yeah I get orcs tend to be enthusiastic about their marauding, but something about the fact that OUR businesses are getting attacked like they were military targets seems really fucking suspicious." "Mebbe dat Peter knew we weren't really gonna help him." "Well that's definitely possible, but it still doesn't explain why we would be targeted so much and so accurately. I would think he'd want to focus his forces on taking the palace or taking out the mage school. Also his invasion force was a lot larger than first reports mentioned." "I guess Vera wasn't too successful in convincin' other pirates to not join her ex-boyfriend." "I'm a little concerned about her too, since the last message we got was six months ago from her and she said she was having some success in her endeavors." "Well she must be okay, because we wuz still gettin' da cut from her even last month." "I suppose, but at the rate shit is going down here, we might not even be able to pay the pittance that the ECS asks for every month." "You sayin' you don't have a secret personal stash?" "Of course, but I'll be damned if I'm going to part with my shit to pay the damn ECS. I'm sure you'd feel the same way about your stash." "Pfft, I ain't got no personal stash. Snuffit takes it all. Speakin' of her, I think I'll be getting back to her. Seems like this city is a lost cause an' if you're smart you should just get the hell out too." "What the fuck Warts. You're just gonna abandon everything?" "Well yeah. I don't exactly have some bond with dis place. I mean it wuz fun while it lasted, but looks like its come to an end. I mean maybe dis place will be better again in a couple years or so. An' didn't you make plans to retreat to Jicol is shit started to go wrong?" "Yeah, but again, I'm still not sure if everything there is okay." "Bah, Vera's fine, she's probably just really fuckin' busy. I mean you know how it is. Look dis iz the ways I sees da situation…" Warts steps over a couple bodies before addressing you again. He gives you a more serious look than he normally does. "Youz gotta be the luckiest Yag blessed bastard I know, beside myself. You shoulda died so many times, Yag musta been rollin' loaded dice. However, an' don't say dis offen but dere iz a time ta step away from da table and dis iz one o' dem times. I myself have stayed alive as long as I have cuz I knew when ta walk away." Warts says. "And you think this is one of those times, you don't think there's still a chance to turn this around?" you ask. "Well yeah, there's always a chance, such are the whimsical ways of Yag, but the odds just ain't lookin' good enough for me to take da risk, so I'm off whether you're sticking around or not, but I'd rather you leave with me, because…" Warts coughs a bit and looks away. You hear a sniffle. "Warts…are you crying?" you ask. "NO! I'm not cryin' like sum sissy elf! It's all dis dust bein kicked up due to da battle! Anyway, we've known each other a long ass time, made a lotta coin, did a lotta stupid stuff, an' in sum cases even saved me from getting' killed. Sometime youz waz an asshole, but you still were better than most an' especially anyone in da Spiderfang Tribe. Yer, the closest thing I've had to a friend, an I'd rather our parting of ways go with me knowing dat yer on yer way ta Jicol rather than dying here over nuthin'." Warts says. "So you wouldn't be coming to Jicol?" "Nah, too far. I'll probably just find work in Spider Fang territory, open a tradin' post maybe. Most of da folks dat hated me are dead now anyway so it ain't like I gotta worry bout bein' a halfbreed anymore. I should be closer to my family anyway. In fact dat's another reason youz should go to Jicol. Start a family with Vera, I know you likes her. Forget dat demon girl that's still plaguin' yer mind, she's gone." Warts doesn't really know the whole story to that of course, and you don't really have time to go into it right now, but despite all that, Warts does raise some good points. You're not out of the fight yet though and you've been through two city upheavals already, you can easily survive a third as long as you're smart about all this. You ran away from home once before, you're not doing it again, especially not now when you've built a life here. Might not be ideal to most, but it's yours. "Warts, you do what you gotta do, but I'm gonna do what I gotta do. Just remember whether the Nocturnal League survives or not, I'm still going to be here if you want to work with me again the future." Warts shakes his head while giving a slight broken tooth grin. "Suppose I shouldn't expected any less from ya. Youz haz a death wish. Always haz fightin' dangerous groups of cutthroats, goin' head ta head with religious fanatics, fucking demon bitches… youz gonna get yerself killed one day and it ain't gonna be a pretty death when it happens. But guess I gotta respect all dat. I hope Yag's still usin' loaded dice, cuz yer gonna need 'em." Warts says. "We'll see each other again Warts." You respond. Warts nods at your confidence which you return before he takes his leave. Now alone, you briefly check the rest of the brothel for any remaining survivors. You don't find any, but you do tell the couple that Warts mentioned to go find a better place to hide if they can. While you could just start jumping back into the action, you'd still rather have some back up and the only place you're going to be certain to find some is back at the Nocturnal League's headquarters where you're probably going to find the rest of your remaining members hiding or attempting to wait this out. Good thing you're already not in the greatest of moods because you don't imagine it getting any better when you have to deal with your "employees." When you get back, most of them are a bit on edge, but others are just lazing about playing cards or just generally doing nothing. "Oh, uh hey boss. You're alive." "Yeah well I can see you're really glad that I am. Why the fuck are you assholes sitting around playing cards, you do realize there is a siege going on and our businesses are getting all fucked up right?" you say. "You said we should guard this place." "I said SOME of you and as I remember, you weren't one of them. In fact, most of you should be up there defending our interests. I'm not even asking you to be a fucking hero or defend the city because I know damn well that's a pointless endeavor." "Boss, I don't see why we should risk our lives when we can just wait shit out down here." And there it is. The excuse you've been expecting. "Oh this should be good. Go on about why you feel this way…whatever the fuck your name is." "I'm really not trying to be disrespectful boss, but it seems like we can just pick up the pieces after all this is over. If anything we'll be in a stronger position since the populace won't be in any condition to oppose us and it'll take awhile before the new ruler imposes any sort of order. And this Peter is another Varsakken right? He's probably not going to be any better than his sister, so it'll be business as usual." "That's a nice thought. I see you really thought this out while sitting on your chair playing cards and drinking your ale. Here's another thought though. While we're sitting here playing cards, telling jokes and jerking each other off, all of our business interests are getting fucked up. All our Purple Wish dens? Destroyed. That's a shitload of our income right there and it can't be easily made up. Our whores? Slaughtered. Again can't easily be made up, unless you lot are gonna start selling your asses to make up the loss and I guarantee it wouldn't. Our protection rackets? Well you can't extort corpses, and that's what A LOT of them are right now thanks to orcs just killing everything in sight. I mean fuck, we ARE supposed to be protecting these hapless suckers if not out of the goodness of our hearts then at least for our own pockets! Shit, that's the whole damn point!" Your voice continues to rise as you walk around the room admonishing your people. "This idea that we'll just pick up everything after everything is over is laughable, because there won't be that much left and what IS left, Peter Varsakken is going to be establishing order over, and I'm telling you right now, whether he's as corrupt as the rest of his family or not isn't the issue. The issue is, we DON'T have a good working relationship with him like we do with his sister. Shit like that takes time and trust, both of which we are in short supply of. And to top it all off the ECS is going to still be breathing down our necks telling us we better pay up by the end of the month. How are we going to fucking do that if all of our income has turned to fucking rubble? Is ANY of this getting through or am I talking to a bunch of fucking retards?" Suddenly another one stands up. "Well gee boss, why don't you get your precious hobs to fucking do all this shit?" "Because most of the hobs are fucking dead that's why, which is another loss since a lot of them were our best pit fighters. And I highly recommend you take it way down, before I take YOU down." Now several others stand up to join the troublemaker. Though a few of them look unsure. Some don't take a side and just quietly slink back into a place where they might be safe from the fighting. One thing you are noticing is nobody seems to be siding with you. This is worse than you thought. You already have your hand on your weapon. "No! You've been bossing us about for months getting prepared for this fucking invasion and none of us see why we should even be involved. You do this ALL the damn time, dragging us into these unnecessary conflicts instead of just staying the fuck out of it. You did this with the religious faction war, you did this with the Felians, who were supposed to be our allies and now you're doing it here. And who is on the losing end of all of this shit? US! That's who! We're the ones fucking dying! Well no fucking more! We're all staying down here and riding this out, and if you don't like it, tough shit, because if you haven't noticed by now, you're fresh outta friends and you don't even have your filthy hob scum to protect your ass anymore." "Seriously, you ALL feel this way? You fuckers are the most short sighted assholes ever if you've decided that right now would be the best time to pull a double cross and MORE fool you that you didn't kill me right away." "Well we can take care of that right now, and you don't have enough bullets to kill us all." "I don't need to kill you all, I'm just gonna kill you and I don't need hobs to do my work." The troublemaker's eyes widen and he goes for his own flintlock, but he's too slow of course and you've already killed him and three others before everyone has taken cover. Nobody else is returning fire or attempting to attack, which means you've probably asserted your dominance once again. "That's what I thought. Now contrary to this dead fucker's words, I've been risking my ass more than ANY of you since day fucking one! Who the hell was it that was leading the damn charge when we took out the Joachimites and Felians? As I remember it was me. And what the hell have I been doing while you lot were hiding like cowards, I've been trying to keep this organization together by defending our shit! So don't give me this bullshit that I've been leading from the back. Maybe the real problem is you shitheads have all gotten lazy because you have no regular opposition. Scared of a real fight. Y'know what? Fuck all of you. I'm going back up there to try to salvage what this organization still has left. The rest of you can either help or get the fuck out of the way, but what you can't do is stay here. Because when I come back, I find ANYONE still here, you'll be joining these troublemakers on the floor." With those last words you leave. You have no idea if you're even going to have an organization left if you survive all this, but that doesn't matter right now. Right now you're going to do something even more foolish and find out what the hell's going on with Heather and her crew of wannabes because if you can get the wizards to help you in this chaos, staying here will have at least been worth the effort. Tracking them down is fairly easy because it's the part of the city that EVERYONE is avoiding, lot of explosions, debris flying in the air, fire, strange lights and even stranger noises in general. When you arrive in the general vicinity, you finally get a good look at what's going on. You see several creatures that remind you of some sort of demonic dwarves since they're about the same height, and pretty stocky. They're attacking a group of wizards wearing purple robes which you're guessing are Heather's people though you don't see her. Heather's people are holding their own, but the problem is the demons don't stay dead or rather as soon as one is killed another one materializes. They can't possibly keep this up forever. A little bit in the distance you also catch sight of a man in a shabby brown robe. You're guessing this is the one summoning the demons. He must have some strong protection up, because demons aren't known to enjoy being summoned by mortals. You also see two figures battling it out on top of one of the few standing buildings left in the area. You see all manner of magic being thrown about and most of it hitting nearby parts of the city. You can't quite make out the figures, but you're guessing one of those might be Heather. The way you see it, you can either climb up the building to try to help Heather or try to help her students. > You help Heather Honestly, Heather is still your best chance at getting cured, so if she's dead then you might as well have left Holgard when this all happened. Besides, you don't fancy your chances against multiple demons and a wizard. You figure if you're quiet and careful enough you'll be able to sneak up to the top of the building and just shoot the wizard opposing Heather in the back. Well that's the ideal plan anyway. You duck into the building that Heather and her opponent are fighting on top of and avoid the demon-wizard battle completely. Surprisingly the inside of the building (which you think is Holgard's hall of records. Some sort of government building anyway, you have no idea, never been here or paid attention to it before) isn't too torn up by the fighting, though it looks like the people hiding here didn't fair too well since you're seeing a lot of dead bodies that look like they have the life drained out of them. You on the other hand are feeling a little weird. Not like your life is suddenly being drained out of you, but more like a feeling of energy around you. Almost like your hair is starting to stand on end. Must be all the magic being thrown about. You're just about to head up to the second floor and that's when you hear a groaning noise. You look back, but you already know what you're going to see. Several of the corpses you just passed are now getting up and they're all making their way towards you. "Of course. Shit." You say and quicken your pace and the corpses do likewise. With a bunch of undead now chasing you, it's a very good thing that government buildings tend to have the same layouts making it at least easy for you to keep finding the next flight of stairs. This is counter balanced by more corpses of the government officials stirring whenever you reach a new floor. By the time you make it to the top floor, you've got a horde chasing you. You scramble up the ladder to the roof and fling open the hatch. There upon the roof, you see Heather and her antagonist throwing bolts of magic and blocking each other's attacks. It would seem they're evenly matched and neither one is paying any attention to you. Meanwhile, corpses are making their way up the ladder. You shoot the first one in the head and then slam the hatch down and stomp on it a couple times. It's not going to hold them for long, and you can't stand here forever keeping all your weight on it. The noise of your pistol now causes the opposing wizard to take notice of you. He doesn't waste any time in throwing a bolt of energy at you. You try to get out of the way, but you still get hit with a blast strong enough to cause you to go flying backwards. You ignore the pain in your chest as you desperately attempt to not fall off the side of the roof. The top half of your body hangs over the edge as you struggle to move from your precarious position. You manage to sit up just in time to see the wizard throwing another magic bolt your way. This probably would have been the end of you had the hatch not opened back up and corpses crawling out of it. Instead of hitting you, the bolt hits a couple of the corpses instead and you scramble out of the way so as not to get hit by flying body parts heading your way. As the horde continues to pour onto the roof, your visibility of the other wizard and Heather is starting to be blocked by said horde. You desperately shoot at the horde, but unlike your previous experience back at the League headquarters, you're not going to intimidate them by killing a few. There's nowhere to go either. The closest building isn't close enough that you could easily jump to it, even if it was still intact. At best, from this height you MIGHT survive a fall with several broken bones and given what else is going on down in the streets, you probably wouldn't survive too much longer. "Fuck. Looks like Warts was right. Yag's crapped out." You say to yourself, drawing your blade for a final stand. Just as one of the slack jawed dead eyed corpses gets within reach of you, you're suddenly floating upward! After lingering in the air for a moment, you slowly start floating over the street causing the rest of the corpses to follow and go right over the side of the building. It's fascinating and scary as hell at the same time since you could easily be dropping to your own death right now. From your position, you see Heather on the far side of the building with one raised hand in your direction. You also see the other wizard lying on the roof smoldering and still burning. You didn't see it because you were too occupied with fighting corpses, but it would appear your arrival was enough distraction that allowed Heather to get the upper hand over her opponent. With all the undead now a pile of splattered bodies on the street (Well most of them anyway) and no longer a threat, Heather pulls you forward and gently places you back on the rooftop where upon you walk over to her. "Thanks." You say. "Thank you for the distraction. Shit, I'm fucking exhausted dealing with asshole." Heather says and indeed looking very worn. In fact, she even looks a bit older. "I was actually coming to do more than just be a distraction, but suddenly I was getting attacked by a hundred dead bean counters." "Yeah, the repercussions of wild dark magic being thrown around. This building might have some strong magic protection, but it didn't do shit for the people inside." "It does?" "Well yeah. It's where all the records to the city are held. Last thing the government wants is stuff like that getting destroyed. I put the protection wards up myself when Ludmilla requested it months ago. Why do you think the building is still more or less intact?" "Hm, thought it was unusual. Anyway, your students are having their own problem with demons that they're fighting in the streets right now. I think the other wizard keeps summoning them." "Of course he is. Y'know, that's probably why these idiots got themselves kicked out of the Delantium University in the first place, dabbling with necromancy and demonology. That shit could potentially destroy a world if used as reckless as it has been here. Well guess I better sort this out, before taking a break." You tell Heather where you saw the fighting going on and she goes over to the right side of the building and sees for herself. It's still a stalemate from what you can tell and fortunately Heather says this will be easy to take care of. She conjures up a fireball and directs it towards the other wizard in the street below. He's not even looking in that direction so he takes the hit. You then see a figure screaming and burning which is then followed by one of the demons leaping on him and ripping him apart. Heather's people take advantage of the situation and blast the demons with all they have. Without the other wizard up keeping the spell, they aren't materializing any longer and stay permanently dead. Though you do see one leap away from the battle and out of sight. Looks like that will just be one more evil thing brought into this world. (Not that it's going to make much of a difference) With the immediate threat over with, you and Heather head back down the ladder where thankfully there aren't anymore walking dead lurking about. Heather's students soon meet up with the both of you. They look even more tired than she does and you notice there are significantly less of them than the last time you remember. "Grand Matriarch! Are you hurt!? I can heal you!" Gwen asks. "I'm fine Gwen, see to our friend though, maybe he's hurt, I saw him take a magic bolt to the chest." Heather remarks. Gwen goes over to you and starts to check you out, but you don't feel like you really need any tending to either. "Thanks, but I'm really okay." You say. "Let me just cast a minor healing spell, you look like you could use it. Were you fighting before you got here?" Gwen remarks and starts casting something over you. "Yeah, mostly orcs, some humans. All assholes." "Wow, orcs huh? That takes some courage to go toe to toe with the likes of those big green guys." "Eh, I had some green guys of my own. A little on smaller side though. Hm, starting to feel a lot better. At least not aching in pain anymore. Guess I did need that after all. Thanks." "You're welcome!" Gwen's attitude is a lot different than you last remember. "Where's your boyfriend?" "Huh? Oh Cooper? He's not my boyfriend anymore, he ran off a couple months ago. He didn't want to stick around during the invasion. He was a big coward after all, not like you." "Um, yeah. I think I'm okay right now Gwen." "You sure?" "Yeah, thanks." "The man said he doesn't need any more attention so stop hovering over him and go back over there with the rest of your class." Gwen gives you a small smile before leaving you to go back to the rest of her, causing Heather to make an eye roll. "Called it." Heather says. "Hm, well I guess better that she's friendly now." You say. "She's still fucking annoying. If she didn't show such natural talent for magic, I'd probably just throw her ass out of the school." "Wow, I would think you'd want everyone you could get. I mean there aren't many of you after all." "Yeah well you don't have to deal with her on a daily basis. However, you are correct in that pragmatism did also influence the decision to keep her around. I'm about the last very experienced wizard in this city now anyway. The few remaining true Dornans either left when I first got the school started or died during this invasion. Still it'll be enough to turn back the tide. It's just really taking its toll on me. Pretty sure you can already tell." "Well I wasn't going to say anything." "You didn't need to. Magic has a habit of making you old before your time. That's why whenever you someone talks about wizards; the stereotype is some decrepit old person. It's not that far off, except the old person usually isn't all that old in years at least. But such is the price we pay for being skilled in the gift that Dorna bestowed upon this world." Heather, yourself and her group take this moment to rest up and talk a bit of strategy. The current situation is bad, but not entirely unwinnable. You just have to make one major attack to turn the tide. Heather is in favor of helping what little remains of Ludmilla's defenses at her palace. Heather says breaking up the attack going on there should destroy the rest of Peter's forces or at least the majority of them. At that point he won't have enough people to take the city, let alone hold it given that Ludmilla will still be alive at that point. When you ask if there is any other alternative, Heather says, you all could attack Peter directly since he's probably still aboard his ship. The problem with that is, there is still a good-sized fleet near the Holgard docks. Heather says casting magic at the ships might bring a few of them down, but not before the rest of them start firing cannonballs back, and who knows if you're going to get Peter or not. Still, if you take out Peter then it isn't like you're going to have to worry about him ever trying this in another five to ten years and having to deal with it again. > You defend the palace What Peter may or may not do in the future is something you'll just have to face then, but right now it's probably best to make sure Ludmilla is still in power after all this. "Let's go bail out the baroness I guess. Though it's not exactly like I got magic to throw around like the rest of you, not sure how much help I'll be." You say. "Well since it's an incredibly bad idea to summon demons or raise corpses for protection, it can't hurt for you to provide a little extra protection. Where is the rest of your crew anyway?" Heather asks. "Don't ask, in fact after this is all over I might not even have one anymore. Anyway, let's get on with this." With as much rest as you're going to get under these conditions, you and the wizards are soon on your way to the palace. You actually don't have many problems on the way there, but you do come across a few unexpected faces. It's some of the Nocturnal League. They look like they've already been in a few scrapes. "There you are boss! We've been looking all over for ya!" one of them remarks. "Well, you've found me, and I hope for your sake, you've come to help." You say. "We have! Um, we've managed to save couple of our brothels from getting too fucked up. We've also been having people take the whores back to headquarters and stay there until it's safe." "Glad to hear we're making Holgard safe for whores again at least. Come on, you've all got a new task. We're heading to the palace and making sure to keep these spell slingers safe along the way because they need to save their strength for what lies ahead." Not questioning your leadership again, your people follow you. As you get closer to the palace, you start coming across more of the fighting again. This must be where the rest of the orc mercs were sent when they weren't tearing up your shit. Ludmilla's people have been holding out pretty well all things considering. The orcs haven't even breached the palace yet thankfully. If you hadn't come along when you did though, they might have. Seeing as you're not actually soldiers you stick to your plan of just protecting Heather and her students while they do the heavy lifting. Dozens of orc and human mercs go down by magical means be it fire, lightning, frost, or even giant weasel. (Somehow one of the Heather's people summoned giant hostile weasel in the middle of the battle area, certainly was an unexpected sight) As for you, you do your best in keeping skirmishers from getting in close. Several of your League underlings don't survive though and after it's all said and done, you're pretty much the last man standing from your group, but the day is won and what little remains of the invasion force flees. You aren't sure if they're going to regroup later, but there probably isn't enough for them to do so at this point. Peter will probably have to abandon his plans of retaking his "birthright" and try again another day. Hopefully not anytime soon. You look over at your wizard allies and all of them are alive or more importantly Heather is still alive. She's looking even worse now though. She's roughly around your age, and now she looks about fifteen years older. You ask her if she's okay and she snaps at you which is slightly out of character for her, but you suppose this all has really taken a toll on her. With the immediate threat gone, the battered palace doors are finally opened up and you're all urged to enter since the baroness wishes to speak with you all When you enter, you surprisingly see Baroness dressed for battle; no fancy royal robes, she's wearing finely made armor. A sword even hangs by her side. Apparently she was fully prepared to not go quietly if need be. First thing she does is address Heather and her people and going on about how she is thankful for their help. Heather is doing her best to look cordial, but it's obvious that she barely even wants to be here anymore. Doesn't help when Ludmilla mentions Heather's obvious aging through magic use and mentions that she made sure to use her own magic sparingly so as not to over exert herself. You can imagine that if this was anyone else but the baroness, Heather would be igniting her on fire for her words since Ludmilla's coming off like she's just as knowledgable about magic as Heather is. After a brief discussion about sweeping up the remainder of the invasion force she finally turns her attention to you. Heather and the rest leave since they more work to do and Heather looks anxious to get out of there in the first place. "So, we meet again nocturnal one. Glad to see even our criminal element has a sliver of patriotism in them to defend this great city as opposed to just taking advantage of the chaos." Ludmilla remarks. "Well, honestly, it was probably more stubbornness and pragmatism on my part rather than patriotism." You answer. "Hm, well whatever works I say. Your service here will not be forgotten whatever your reasons may be. You can be assured that this government's relationship with your organization will continue to be a positive one after all this is finally over." "Glad to hear it, but I don't think I've got an organization anymore. Most of them are dead, and the rest that are still alive I don't even want to be bothered to manage anymore." "Truly? Are you going into a new line of work then?" "Probably not, I wouldn't know what else I could use my skills for anyway." "You ever thought about working for me directly?" You didn't expect that. "Work for you? Doing what exactly?" you ask. "Well it occurs to me, the intel that I received on this invasion wasn't completely accurate. And this inaccuracy could have easily resulted in a loss. I need a better intelligence system, The Felians were good at this, but Heather convinced me that their…departure would make things better. I've mostly relied on her divination and contacts within the Delantium Kingdom University. However, I feel this may be putting too much pressure on her since I'm sure you agree, all of this has been an ordeal for her." Ludmilla remarks. "Looks that way." "Indeed, so I believe some of the burden should go to someone that obviously has more flexibility and hands on skill in spying and lurking about and I have to believe someone like you has experience in shadowy works and underhanded ways of gathering vital information when necessary." "I suppose my skills would come in handy for such a task." "Yes, I'm glad you see it that way and I would also remind you that while perhaps many of your numbers have been decimated, not all of them have and you already have a great system in place to draw from. I mean your brothels alone should be a beacon of information." "Those always did come in handy for blackmail." "And just think, you will now have MORE resources at your disposal and no longer need to worry about the law…not that you did before, but that specter still loomed over you even if it was a friendly one." Ludmilla takes your hand, though you don't get an impression of an attempt at seduction or attraction, just more of a way of getting your attention. It's working. "But even a friendly dragon can crush a village whenever it feels like it. I know someone like you probably cherishes the freedom that most living outside the law come to embrace. But I tell you now that living outside the law is nothing compared to using it to rule over others. Bending it to your will as you see fit and never having to answer for it. Why? Because you make the rules and they're completely legitimate. Don't be a villager living near a friendly dragon, BE the dragon." You smile a bit. The baroness certainly has a way with words. "I understand what you're saying baroness, however even if I take you up on your offer, I don't think I'm the friendly dragon in the scenario. That would still be you." You say, causing her to laugh a bit. "Well, this is why you'd make a good spymaster. You're a realist that doesn't have delusions of grandeur! You're right of course, I am the friendly dragon, but you at least wouldn't have to worry about the friendly dragon's minions because you'd indirectly be in charge of them, to a limited degree of course. Better to stand with the dragon than be under its talons." This is just so surreal to you right now. Never in your life did you ever think you'd get an offer like this. Then again never in your life did you ever think you would ever do this much fighting either, but you guess on that day when you took your first life and had to run your ass out of Teckleville, it's been a path of increasing bloodshed ever since. Why should Ludmilla's offer be any stranger? Sure it's shady and corrupt, but actually working for a government with a "real job" it's a scenario ALMOST what your parents always wanted and at this point, why not? Might make a nice change of pace. "Well…when you put it like that, I suppose how can I say no?" In the weeks to come, you settle into your new job without much difficulty. Your main task at first is helping in reinforcing order in the city after the invasion since there is a decrease in Holgard soldiers that can patrol the streets. Establishing spies and informants about the various goings on in the city is fairly easy since the few Nocturnal League folks that remained loyal (and were still alive) are practically begging you for a chance to join. While you still aren't sure what happened to Vera, you write a letter to her, informing her of the situation. Telling her that she's in charge of the Nocturnal League now or whatever she wants to call it as you have moved on. You also tell her you'd like to meet with her in person if possible since you believe you still need to hammer out some details. Eventually the ECS representative comes calling for their cut (with back interest), they find that the Nocturnal League is no more in the city and they can't do shit to you about it because you're practically the right hand of the baroness. You aren't sure what the repercussions though might be. You take it for granted that assassination might always be a possibility, but you're about as prepared for that as you're going to be. You're more of the mind that they may just start leaning on Vera directly. Within the next two months, you've ironically eliminated most of the random crime in the city thanks to your secret police system. It's probably the most orderly the city has ever been. Ludmilla certainly approves and gives you praise for being so efficient in your new position. You also finally get a response back from Vera though it's brief. She tells you that everything is fine, but she herself has been preoccupied lately with a power struggle from some upstarts trying to start a new organization and the Jicol law enforcement being more vigilant as of late. She also says that she will watch out for the ECS and will visit Holgard as soon as she is able and wishes you well in your new position. Nothing else is said. No personal thoughts on the new situation, just facts and explanations. You half wonder if it's even her, but the terrible handwriting is unmistakable. You chalk it up to her being perhaps very surprised by everything combined with being busy. In any case you know she's alive. In between your new job and your concerns about your past comrade. You've also been thinking a lot about your family. You can imagine that your parents wouldn't exactly be thrilled about your new position even if you did officially "go legit. While it would be easy to just forget about them, as you haven't seen them in nearly two decades now, you can't just dismiss them completely. After all, despite everything your mother probably still loves you and your father…well he DID bail you out of trouble for years. You decide to write a letter to them. You're going to keep it short and vague and you don't expect any attempt at contact back, but at least they'll know that you're alive and doing well. (Even if they're skeptical about how you explain things in your letter to them) You'd like to send a letter to your sister too, but who knows where she is, so you end the letter to your parents saying you send your love to your sister as well and to let her know if they ever see her. > You time passes... Year 34 Ever since the invasion last year, Heather's demeanor has changed considerably, though you imagine her premature aging and heavy task load don't help… "No, I still haven't found a way to undo your curse I've been really fucking busy lately in case you haven't noticed." Heather says. "Okay! No need to snap at me. I just thought I'd ask since it's been awhile since we were in the same location." You say. "Yeah well I got other shit to do. Not only do I have the thankless AND hopeless task of training what pathetic remnants of what passes for wizards nowadays, but I also have a lot of tasks from the baroness who wants protection spells all over the walls of this fucking city." "Hm, Ludmilla is very big on defense nowadays. Understandable though given what happened." "I thought that's what she had you for. Sneaking about snatching dissidents and potential threats off the streets." "I can snatch malcontents off the streets all I want or even send assassins out, but it's never going to be enough for Ludmilla. She really wants to be safe and your magic spells greatly enhance that." "Safe. Pfft. I could fry her brain inside her skull with minimal effort and all her protection would be for naught." "Watch it there, treasonous words. Though any particular reason why you haven't?" "Because I went to so much damn effort to keep her in power and ally with her, it seems pretty counter productive to just kill her now." "Well you could take over." "Hah. Funny guy. I'd rather fry my own brain than have the even more thankless task of running a city. I have enough on my hands running a school." "Ludmilla seems to enjoy rulership of this city." "She would. Look, I'd love to stand around and just bullshit with you, but as I said, I'm fucking busy today and I'd like to get in a nap first." "Okay, fine. But you really haven't found ANY way to dispel my curse yet?" "No, unless you want to go through Flynn's ritual and go get yourself an unsuspecting girl to sacrifice." "(Sigh) I know it might seem really weird, but I'm just not THAT much of a bastard yet." "Suit yourself. Though if you ever change your mind and you really want to do me a favor, ask Gwen to help. She doesn't have any knowledge of what will happen and I'm almost certain that she'd jump at the chance to fuck you." "Sheesh, what did that poor girl do to you now?" "She's fucking annoying and that's enough. I curse the fact that she's so naturally talented, so I'm reluctant to do anything worse than just verbally abuse her." "But…you just offered to sacrifice her to cure me." "Yeah well, if Elder Flynn thought it was good enough for me, it's good enough for her." "Wow. Okay then. I'll leave you be." Heather doesn't even acknowledge your goodbye and just turns away to leave, walking a lot slower than she used to. She has truly become a very bitter woman. You're a little concerned about her talking so freely killing the baroness. Not really because you have some great love of serving the baroness, but more the fact that such talk and your knowledge of it without doing anything about it could potentially get you in trouble if it somehow got overheard by someone else. Not to mention her general more miserable attitude nowadays puts you on less comfortable footing with her. Nothing worse than a cranky wizard. Still, you guess she's fine for now. In any case you're looking forward to finally meeting up with Vera in another day or so. She's finally had time from her busy schedule of being a crime boss to come to Holgard. You're sort of interested in learning more about what's going on in Jicol since your new position has gotten a bit slow in Holgard, you've started sending out agents to various other places to keep apprised of the events going on there. So far you've only sent one to Klyton and a few to Delantium. You figured there was no immediate point in sending one to Jicol since in the few letters Vera sent back she's given you brief reports herself and says that everything has been going better there and she's suffered no visits from the ECS, which you're glad to hear since you were sure she would. Seeing as you have nothing else to do today you decide to go relax for a few hours at the Unwavering Unicorn which is the only known tavern in Holgard that has managed to survive every form of major strife that's occurred in this city. It wasn't actually called that though until after this latest attack though. You guess the owner decided a name modification was in order. Makes a change from picking the usual unwelcoming violent names like Bloodbath Inn though. You take a seat in the back with your drink and enjoy the musicians currently on the stage. In the old days you probably would have preferred to spend your off time at a brothel, but you're starting to get to a point where you're not even missing sex any more. Which is a bit worrying on a certain level. Maybe you need to seek out new help on this situation. Maybe give your agents a new side mission of contacting the magic schools. Delantium and Klyton both have one after all. While your feelings for Tanya have certainly diminished over time, she's certainly always going to be in your thoughts thanks to this curse. While you're thinking about that, a man dressed in a dark hooded cloak nearly sneaks up on you and you're just quick enough to pull your pistol out on him before he reaches your table. Given that you didn't see him until the last minute, you can only imagine that he's a shadow blade from the temple of Fel and most likely here on the orders of the ECS. You quickly look around. "Oh don't worry. It's just me and I'm not here to harm you. I doubt if I would be in any condition to do so anymore even with my magic now. Couldn't even sneak up on you." The man says. The chipper voice is familiar and now when you get a good look at the figure so is the face, even if it is partially disfigured now on one side. The man places a small box on the table with a hand that has two missing fingers. "Percy." You say, though you don't put your weapon away. "Glad you recognized me, even though I'm a little less than I originally was when we first met. But then I have you or more specifically your little wizard allies to thank for that don't I? Ugh, I'm sitting down, feel free to keep your weapon on me though if it makes you feel better. Fucking wooden leg…" Percy sits down and you're wondering what all this is about. "In that box you will find the noses of your agents you sent to Delantium. While the ECS recognizes that you are obviously a hard to kill man with powerful enough allies to cause more trouble than it's worth to keep fucking with you, they will NOT tolerate you spying on their territory. Do it again, and it won't matter who your friends in high places are. Consider this a respectful warning." Percy says shoving the box a little closer to you. "Well, that was certainly generous of them. Were they generous enough to keep my agents alive?" you say. "After they were done with them, I'd say they were generous enough to put them out their misery. Sometimes I wish they'd done the same to me, but I guess I was just too important. Lucky me." "At least you still have your nose." "The physical deformities you see and even the some you don't pale in comparison to the mental scars I have along with the ongoing headaches and nightmares thanks to you and your wizard bitch. The Ebony Claw leadership in conjunction with the Temple of Fel spent months probing and prodding my brain to learn what exactly happened to me during my first trip here. I wish every fucking day they had just killed me for incompetence. At least then I would have died in ignorance. But hey, I'm not bitter and it's all in the past." At this point Percy calls a waitress over and orders a drink. "So they knew." You say. "Of course they knew! Did you really think you got away with it?" Percy says. "Well I figured if they ever learned the truth they would waste no time in getting their revenge." "Oh the ECS is good at being patient when it wants to be. Revenge was planned, but they wanted to come up with something suitable. Now of course the standby for a less direct approach at revenge was doing something horrible to your family and loved ones…" You remain deadpan and show no expression when this is brought up, but a deep anxiety wells up inside you and you fear the worst. "However after asking around at that backwards little town you grew up in, it seemed that you left not on the best of terms anyway. Apparently you were a complete disappointment to your parents. Hell, from what I heard, not a single person spoke well of you, except for some trashy barmaid that claimed to be your girlfriend at one time." Huh. You guess your father DID manage to save Annah. You'd show more expression of being happy to hear that, but you know you can't right now. "In any case, killing your parents that you never seemed to give a shit about and some old ex that you fucked as a teenager hardly seemed like revenge at that point and certainly wouldn't have meant much to you. Now your sister on the other hand was a slightly different story. It would appear that you got along very well with her since most from Teckleville said as much. Partners in crime during your youth from what I heard." You don't know if you can keep up this stonewall face much longer… "However, she was fortunate enough to have at one time save the life of someone currently in the top ECS leadership. He apparently has always been a little smitten with her too. So thanks to all that she was safe." You now relax a little. Your worst fears are now over though Percy still hasn't finished his story of revenge so you know SOMETHING bad must still be coming. "Other loved ones, friends or family of note were looked into, but the only other major one we ever learned about was a demonkin girl by the name of Tanya." Percy says as he takes his drink from the returning waitress. "Good luck with that one." You say barely able to contain a smile. "Hm, Indeed. You keep interesting allies. Also explains how you've survived so long. In any case, about this time a plain old assassination attempt was planned, but then that ongoing failure Peter Varsakken was slowly starting to gather enough forces to invade Holgard. In the past ECS had problems with him doing this, but at that time? Not so much, and it was looking like maybe an agreement could be reached. Peter was just happy we wouldn't be sabotaging him this time." You start nodding. "I knew those orcs were specifically targeting Nocturnal League businesses." You say. "Well tearing down everything you had built before you died was only part of it. The next part was supposed to be the stinger, but it wasn't anticipated that you'd actually STAY in this forsaken city and fight to the bitter end rather than run off to Jicol. And it certainly wasn't anticipated that you'd move up in status. After it was all said and done the ECS leadership decided everything evened out and they washed their hands of it. You were out of their hair as far as business competition anymore." "Okay, but the Nocturnal League still exists and if I had retreated to Jicol I would have just been running it there, unless you had assassins waiting for me on the way." At this point Percy takes a big drink from his mug and gives you a big smug smile. "Y'know it's probably too late at this point for it to matter and the Syndicate would probably prefer this to remain a secret just in case they want to use this person in the future, but given all the shit I had to go through because of you AND the Syndicate, I'm giving a big fuck you to both and telling you because at this point what is the worst either of you could do to me?" And here it comes… "There was one other person that we found that you seemed to have a bit of affection for, though killing her wouldn't have really changed much. Sure you would have been pissed, maybe a little upset, but it wouldn't have devastated you. If anything you would have just tried to retaliate, wasting more of our time." "Vera." You say. "Yes, your once second in command and dare I say…friend? Maybe even a little more? In any case, we had an interesting discussion with her and it didn't even take much for her to agree to betray you when the time came. Guess once Ebony Claw, always Ebony Claw. She works with us now, indirectly of course, but we're making more profit from her than we ever were with you that's for sure." "Bullshit." "Is it? Think about it. Wasn't Peter's fleet just a little bigger than you planned despite all of Vera's promises that she was going to convince Hessla pirates otherwise?" "That doesn't prove anything." "Didn't she also try to convince you that siding with Peter would be a good idea and that you should go talk with him? That was actually the first bait, which you obviously didn't take. The original plan was to try to kill you while aboard the ship. Second plan was when you retreated to Jicol, she would have killed you there, but as usual you've got the luck of Yag constantly with you. I sometimes think maybe that's who I should have picked as a deity instead. I might not be all fucked up now." Considering you thought your family might be dead or in danger, this information isn't nearly as bad, but it's still pretty hard hitting and half of the problem is you don't know if Percy isn't just telling you this to fuck with you. The other half is you can't dismiss it either. In fact, his story is more plausible than you'd care to admit. Vera's letters to you since the invasion have always been a bit vague and come off less "close" than they did in the past and Peter's large fleet is something you always wondered about since you know Vera could be convincing when she wanted to be. It just might have been in the wrong way. Plus even the fact that she hasn't told you that she's been dealing with the ECS is suspect. While you're pondering all this, Percy finishes up his drink. "Well I can see you got a lot to think about. Whatever it is you decide to do isn't going to matter to the ECS. So kill her if you wish, there's probably someone even more pliable in the Nocturnal League that's more than willing to continue working with us. If I were you though? I'd do something worse than kill her because as you can see with me, there are worse things than dying." With those words Percy gets up, wincing in a bit of pain as he does. "Remember, no more of your people in Delantium." As Percy hobbles away, you briefly consider opening the small box he left, but don't bother, instead throwing it away. You also briefly consider shooting Percy, but given the pathetic state he's already in and potential problems it could bring, you decide against it. He's just the messenger anyway. It isn't until you get home that you allow yourself an emotional release. Within your explosive rage of breaking a few things and yelling, you eventually calm down. > You confrontation Maybe it's paranoia and maybe you're feeling the emotional effects of possibly being betrayed, but as far as you're concerned, even if you find out that you're wrong and she gets pissed about you even accusing her and never speaks to you ever again, you're still going to feel better about all this. You're going to find out one way or another after she gets off that ship. You're a bundle of energy until the day Vera arrives. When she does its all smiles and hugs like you're both so happy to see each other. Maybe she's even being sincere, you don't know yet. "Glad to finally see you here. How are things in Jicol?" you ask. "Oh you know, it's the same old thing. Some good days, some bad, but can't complain. The Nocturnal League isn't the same without you though." Vera remarks. "I'll bet. So is there any place you wanted to go first?" "You a tour guide for Holgard now too? Well, I suppose after all the shit that happened during the invasion resulted in a lot of damage and rebuilding, so I'm almost betting my favorite tavern isn't even standing anymore." "The Blackheart? Nah. Totally destroyed. I think there's a new weapon shop there now." "Oh well. I suppose the old Nocturnal headquarters is gone now too?" "Not gone, but it's currently under construction. Trying to turn it into a proper place to train any future agents. Bunch of dwarves there right now, and they aren't fond of anyone getting in the way of their work. Warts suggested getting goblins since it would be much cheaper, but I figured the extra money would be worth sturdier construction." "Wow, really taking your new job seriously huh? Well in any case I don't have any preference on where to go, so whatever you decide, we can do that." "Well I was thinking of taking you back to my place." Vera looks at you with a smile. "Well that's very forward of you. You didn't even offer me dinner first." Vera remarks. "I didn't ask if you if you were currently with anyone either." You say. "Would it really matter to you if I was?" "Not really." "Well I guess let's go then." Vera takes your arm and the pair of you walk to your home. Along the way you and her talk about some of changes in the city. The discussion is fairly light and superficial, though Vera's demeanor is pretty affectionate. You went into this with a flirty approach since you wanted to see if there was a complete personality change with her. So far though, she's acting about how you've always known her to. You're getting the impression that she might not be faking all of it or if she is, she's doing a very good job. Whether she is or not though doesn't matter, you're still learning the facts today. When you get to your home, you show her around a bit makes a lot of comments about how nice the place is and that it's better than her own current dwelling. "Ah the bar, I'll just help myself if you don't mind." Vera says pouring herself a drink. "Go ahead." You answer. "Is that a real Daquala head on the wall?" "Yeah, Warts gave me that as a house warming gift. Didn't like the ugly thing at first, but eh, it's sort of grown on me now." "So how is the halfbreed anyway?" "He's fine. Runs some trading post with his family in Spiderfang territory. He exchanges information for coin with me from time to time." "Sheesh, Warts a family man with a regular job, you working for the government. So much has changed here and it all seems so odd." "In some ways I suppose it is, but then Holgard was never a beacon of justice. I mean I'm still involved in a lot of shady dealings. I just got legal permission to do it now." "Hah, I suppose that's true." "So how about you?" "How about me what?" "I've been going on and on about myself and you haven't told me about what's going on with you." "Oh, like I said, nothing much. Just dealing with smugglers and pirates, staying a step ahead of the law when I have to, trying to keep the organization together and keep turning a profit. You know the routine, you had to do it." "Mm, and you said you haven't had any trouble from the Ebony Claw Syndicate?" "Nope. Not a peep from them. Guess they just don't care about the League since it's so small and not really a threat to them." "I suppose not, but still I thought for sure they would pay you a visit after they found out, the League's only remaining holdings were in Jicol and under new management." "I dunno. Maybe they're preoccupied with other things…hey so since you work directly for Ludmilla now, have you been invited to any more of her fancy parties?" Okay. She was pretty quick to change the subject… You entertain some more of Vera's questions and the pair of you also proceed to talk about the "old days. The pair of you laughs about various events that occurred while you two worked together. You're having such a good time reminiscing that you almost forget that you're probably talking to someone who betrayed you. However, it's always still in the back of your mind and you haven't forgotten. You suppose as much as you want to find out, you're trying to enjoy "what once was" while you still can. Meanwhile Vera's gotten a little tipsier and a whole lot flirtier. "So. We finally gonna fuck or what?" Vera asks, moving in a little closer on you. "Now who's being forward?" you say. "Well I mean you invited me over, you're showing off your big house and you're plying me with alcohol. You don't need to wait until I pass out, I'm more than willing right now." "Hm, I can tell. Though you actually started drinking without me giving it to you." "I suppose I did. I guess I always have taken the initiative in our relationship." "You always did have a thing for me didn't you?" "I'd tell you not to flatter yourself, but I think you know I have always found you quite attractive. Don't even know why exactly, considering the first time we met you threatened me with rape." "Oh come on, I told you a long time ago that I wasn't actually going to do that." "I know, but I'm fucked up enough to find that enticing in some weird way, but only if it was you of course." "Wow, that is fucked up. Maybe I should wait until you're passed out then." Vera laughs a bit. "No, I want to be fully awake for when you ravish me." "Sure I'm not going to be pissing off any pirate boyfriends of yours?" "None that matter. And if you meant Zamed, I'm pretty sure he's not going to object since I heard he died pissing off the Governor of Hessla months ago. Not like I'd seen him since we went with your idea to side with Ludmilla anyway. Seems like it was the right choice given the circumstances." Vera moves in to kiss you, and you slightly move away. "Funny you should bring that up since I heard an interesting story about all that recently." You say. "Oh?" Vera asks with a mild annoyance that you didn't kiss her back. "Yeah, a Syndicate member paid me a visit recently. Said you've been dealing with them. Said you've been dealing with them for awhile now." Vera sits back and you look at her face. It's like all the color has drained from it and it's at that moment you know, no matter what she tells you, she's betrayed you. You're just wondering if she's going to admit to it. "Well?" "Um…shit…I didn't want to tell you. I thought you'd be mad. But…" Vera exhales deeply and then continues. "I have had dealings with the ECS, but I sort of had to. I mean they still wanted a cut of the profits, what could I do? I know you would understand that part, but I'm guessing you're not too pleased to find out I was slave trading again." Your eyes briefly widen and go back to normal when she admits to that. You didn't actually know about the slave trading, though you suppose you aren't too surprised. It's what she did before she joined with you and you imagine that it's pretty lucrative what with all the pirate types she has to do business with. She probably was doing it the whole time she was sent to Jicol. Honestly you don't really give a shit though. What is more telling is she's admitting to it now meaning that she's trying to admit a "lesser" offense to distract from a greater one she's hiding. It's one of the oldest criminal tricks in the book. You look at Vera and it's very apparent she's hoping that you'll believe this partial truth and let it go. You won't though, and she probably knows that too. "Vera. Before we continue, I'm going to have to ask you to disarm. I know that…" Before you can get another word in, Vera suddenly throws the rest of her drink in your face and springs from your couch and tries to run for the front door. She doesn't get far though thanks to her balance not being the best due to her alcohol intake. She trips and slams hard on the floor and then promptly throws up as well. Meanwhile all you've done is stand up and drawn your pistol. You walk over to her, as she crawls away from the liquid mess she's left on the floor. She turns over and sits on the floor with her knees to her chest and her back against the wall. She looks at you and then starts to cry. You can hardly believe this is the same woman you once trusted with your life. "(Sob) You…you know (sob) don't you?" Vera says. "Well I know what the smug asshole ECS rep told me and you've pretty much confirmed it with your actions. In fact I sort of figured you'd outright deny everything or put up more of a fight. Didn't think it would be this easy. Guessing you must feel guilty about all this on some level. Again before we continue, I'm going to have to ask you disarm." Vera nods and slowly throws away her blades and her own flintlock far enough away that she wouldn't reach them in time. You thought you were going to be far angrier about all this, but now you're almost feeling pity, but maybe that'll change when you question her. "Okay, so here's the ultimate question. Why?" you ask. "I…don't know." Vera says. "You're REALLY going to have to do better than that Vera." "I don't know! I guess I was pissed at you okay?" "You were pissed at me? For what?! I thought we got along really well!" "Yeah as friends. You always KNEW I wanted to be more than that and instead of being direct, you just sent me away to a fucking island while you were fucking that wizard chick." "Vera…what the hell? This isn't even making any sense! I was direct with you multiple times if you recall. As I remember I never even lead you on in any way. And for the record I was not fucking Heather. In any case I hardly see how that's an excuse for you trying to have me killed!" "I didn't try to have you killed! I just wanted us to be close again! You were supposed to retreat back to Jicol, not stay here and be the fucking hero of Holgard!" "Okay, some of this still isn't making any sense. Actually a lot of it, but this is a much different version of what was going to happen to me when I got back to Jicol. I was told you were going to kill me." "I wasn't going to kill you! And I would have stood up to the ECS if they tried!" "That's not what I heard." "And you believe the ECS about everything? Don't you think that they might be lying about some of it just to fuck with you? To turn us against each other?" "Well, yeah I considered that, but considering some of their story has already been confirmed as true, I'm finding it a little easier to believe an organization that has made no pretenses of being pissed with me than a woman who is obviously more mentally unstable than I ever could have known. And they already turned us against each other when you agreed to deal with them! Either you're so delusional that you believed working with the ECS would somehow bring us together, and I'm really struggling to believe you're that stupid, or you're just lying about everything. At this point either one wouldn't surprise me." Vera makes one last outburst. "Why didn't you just let this go? (sob) There was no more danger to you any more and I certainly wasn't going to conspire against you again. I felt sick the first time I did it. Obviously I STILL feel sick about it. I felt this way ever since I realized how deep I was getting. I was just so…I don't know…. (sniffle) I would always think about that time we got to go to the baroness' party. I remember mentally believing myself to be a princess and you a prince. How I wished it were you and me that night instead of you and some random whore. I really think things could have been different between us. We could have been more than friends. Even now, I wish we could just forget everything and just live in this house together as husband and wife. I don't understand, I did everything for you. Why couldn't you just…love me? (Sob)" As Vera breaks down again into tears, you're almost at a loss for words at this point. Your relationship with women has always been "complicated" but this is a new one on you. You never realized just how damn deep Vera's feelings were for you and honestly it's still a bit of a mystery to you. Especially given that she betrayed you. And she did betray you. No matter what her twisted logic may dictate, you can't forget that. And you can't forgive it. Even if you are genuinely feeling sorry for Vera right now. The ECS may not have gotten the most hurtful revenge on you, but they didn't exactly fail. You can't even be mad at them. Maybe in some weird way this is finally all your good luck crapping out on you. You have done a lot of treacherous shit yourself after all. In any case, you also remember Percy's advice about doing something worse than killing her. You aren't sure if it'll make you feel any better about this, but you're fairly certain it isn't going to make you feel any worse. > You mercy Whatever Vera has done to you, you're not going to torture her anymore. What's done is done and there is no need in drawing this out. You put away your pistol and crouch down besides Vera who is still upset and probably expecting you to kill her. "Vera…Vera…shhhhh…calm down…" you say. Vera still doesn't look in your direction still crying. You run your hand briefly over her hair and then move in closer to hug her. Vera immediately hugs you back, you feel her squeeze you as if her life depended on it. "Don't let go…don't let go…just hold me forever…" she says in between the tears. "I got you Vera." You say. "(sob) I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "I know." Vera mumbles more things about how she wishes you both could do everything all over. She then feels something against the side of her head. She moves her head back enough and looks at you with tears in her eyes. "I love you…" she says. You pull the trigger, blowing Vera's brains out the other side of her head onto the wall and also getting blood on you in the process. You sit with Vera's body for a moment saddened that this was necessary at all. You wipe your own eyes and eventually stand up and compose yourself. You get some of your people to dispose of Vera's body making some comment that she was an enemy to Holgard. (Not that they were going to question you anyway) And that's it. There's nothing more to it. You'd like to forget about this dark day as soon as possible, but you know that's going to take a bit of time. To get your mind off it, you focus on your other problem, which is the curse you're still dealing with. Honestly, if it hadn't been for that, things might have been different with Vera in the first place. Since Heather doesn't seem to be very helpful right now, you go back to wondering if you should seek help from other magic types which again makes you consider sending someone to ask around Klyton or the magic University in Delantium. You already got an agent that reports on Klyton so that's no problem. Delantium however is another story since Percy just said the ECS killed everyone you sent there. While you don't want to piss off the ECS severely, you also don't like being told where you can't go. You decide to hold off on sending anyone to Delantium until you get word back from your agent in Klyton. Based on his report, you can make your decision to risk sending some to Delantium or not. A month passes and eventually you get word from your agent in Klyton. She mentions that the Klyton magic school is barely better than the one in Holgard and the only main difference is they have a nicer looking school and tend to be more "scholarly" as opposed to "battle ready." Your agent says that they were interested in based on the sealed letter you had her deliver to them. However it would require you to take a trip to Klyton. A bit unusual for you considering you haven't left Holgard in…well since you got here nearly twenty years ago. You imagine you could get the time to leave though if you wanted. This brings you back to pondering if you should still send an agent to the Delantium magic university. Chances are, if they're interested they're going to just ask you to do what the robes in Klyton want you to do. Namely go there yourself and that's probably even going to be even more dangerous than just sending an agent there. > You send an agent to Delantium You might as well explore all your options and you really don't feel like being intimidated. You'll just pick your most competent agent and tell him to be extremely careful and to not linger there anymore than he has to or he's going to suffer a horrible fate After sending your agenr off, once again you play the waiting game. During this time you're pretty paranoid, expecting ECS assassins to strike at any moment. You increase security and generally don't get much sleep. On the plus side, it's kept your mind off Vera completely. Eventually in a month your agent returns to you none the worse for wear. He explains he had no problems whatsoever. Also says that he delivered your message and explains to you that a wizard going by the name High Mage Teklis says he's interested in your situation and will meet with you in a week since he was supposed to visit the Holgard magic school anyway for a potential exchange of ideas. Your agent then gives you a sealed letter saying Teklis provided details for you within it. You open it up and it just explains that he'll be bringing various objects to detect and dispel any curses you might have brought on by infernal creatures. He goes on to assure you that he's studied infernals and has all the confidence that he can fix it. Of course he also gives you a price too for his time. It's actually a pretty high number, and you're sort of surprised that a wizard would be interested in such "mundane" rewards, but in any case, it's doable and certainly no object for getting rid of a curse. You spend the time before he arrives going about your regular business and squeezing a little extra money from the citizens under the guise of a mandatory "defense tax" so you don't lose most of your current savings paying the wizard. You have your people tell you when Teklis arrives in the city, though to your surprise when he finally does, he comes directly to your home escorted by one of your people. You see a very well dressed older man in a suit rather than wizard robes standing before you. He also carries a satchel with him. After he greets you, you return the greeting and dismiss your agent who escorted him. "You seem surprised to see me, you were expecting me correct?" Teklis says. "Yes, however I was also told that you were meeting with the head of the wizard school here and I figured that would be your first priority of your trip." You say. "I can already tell how that's going to go. A lot of attempts by the one in charge trying to convince me that they are an upstanding place of learning when it's probably going to consist of a group little more than organized hedge mages or a large coven." "Wow. Don't mince words do you?" "Just telling you what I'm expecting." "Far be it from me to get involved in your wizard standards, but the head of the school and her students did protect this city not too long ago." "Oh I don't mean to say they won't have talent at all, but I can imagine in a place like this that they won't be the most disciplined of magic users. It's really not their fault and at least they have practical experience rather than that dying school in Klyton where all they seemingly do is read old dusty books and argue about theory all day." Apparently the Delantium Kingdom wizards think very highly of themselves. "However, apologies if I have insulted your friend. My understanding is that you are friends with…Heather is it?" "Well nowadays I'd say that wouldn't exactly be the term I'd use, but yes we do have a working relationship. In any case, your views on her school are not my concern; you can take that up with her. I'm just glad that you agreed to meet me." "Yes, when your agent came to the university asking questions and I caught wind of it, I was intrigued and then when I found out a little bit more of your situation in the letter I was even more interested. So hence why I'm here to meet you first. We can actually get started right away as long we aren't going to be disturbed." "No I can't imagine we will be. Do we need to clear furniture for you to make a circle on the floor or something?" Teklis laughs as he puts his satchel on a table and pulling out objects. "Oh no. None of that. Well at least not yet since I don't know how back this curse you say is. Now I know you went over some of it your condition in your letter, but I get the impression you didn't tell me everything and I'm going to need to know everything if I'm going to properly help you." You begin to explain in the shortest detail possible about your relationship with Tanya and the after effects. While you're doing that, Teklis occasionally holds up some strange objects at you, some of which glow. He also says a few words and does a lot of hand motions in front of you, occasionally telling you to just continue your story and not to worry about what he's doing. Eventually you complete your tale and Teklis completes whatever it is he was doing. "Well?" you ask. "Well, I got good news and bad news." Teklis says. "Well, give me the good since I haven't had much of that lately." "Okay, well you aren't cursed." "What?" "You aren't cursed. I detect no curses on you. Infernal or otherwise." "Are you sure?" "Quite sure. I've studied infernals long enough to know that you haven't been cursed by one. Now I do detect traces of infernal presence on you, but given what you told me about your relationship with this Tanya girl, that's hardly surprising and that's always going to be there." "Well…maybe she gave me a disease? Like demon crotch rot or something?" Teklis laughs again. "Trust me m'boy if you had demon crotch rot, you would know immediately and we wouldn't be having this pleasant conversation. No, you don't have anything. I mean I can't explain why those women died after you had sex with them. Maybe it was just bad coincidence and you jumped to conclusions because somewhere in your mind you missed Tanya so much and it was easier for you not to pursue someone else. If you got a curse, it's just the one you made up in your mind." Well this is a bizarre outcome. You almost can't believe it. "I have to say, never met someone who had a relationship with a succubus and gone on to live a relatively normal life. Usually they're either killed by said succubus or less common, they commit suicide after an extended period time of separation. Of course I guess it helped you met her before she completely transformed. I imagine your short lived relationship with her was very special." Teklis says. "Yeah…it was. It's been years now and for the most part I do get on with my life, but there really isn't a day that goes by that an image of her doesn't briefly pop up in my mind. I don't necessarily always feel the loss, but she's there in my head you know?" you say. Teklis nods and puts away a couple of his magic objects. "So is that the bad news? That I'll always have a vague sense of loss that won't ever go away?" you ask. "No, the bad news is much worse than that." Teklis says. "Shit, what is it? Am I going to start feeling a greater sense of loss as time goes on? Am I going to die of a broken heart in a few years or something?" "Oh you're going to die, but not in a few years and certainly not of a broken heart." Suddenly Teklis waves his hand and everything seems to slow to a crawl and the room begins to darken. You instinctively go for your pistol, but every move you make is a snails pace compared to Teklis who is now directing his hands towards you. You are hit by a solid black beam of dark energy and feel your life force not just draining, but being ripped from you. Every part of you feels like its being eaten alive which might be somewhat true as your body begins to shrivel and you collapse to the floor, too weak to stand up any longer, let alone hold your weapon. "The Syndicate should have done this years ago." Teklis says. Those words are the last you hear before everything goes black forever.

Whatever Vera has done to you, you're not going to torture her anymore. What's done is done and there is no need in drawing this out. You put away your pistol and crouch down besides Vera who is still upset and probably expecting you to kill her. "Vera…Vera…shhhhh…calm down…" you say. Vera still doesn't look in your direction still crying. You run your hand briefly over her hair and then move in closer to hug her. Vera immediately hugs you back, you feel her squeeze you as if her life depended on it. "Don't let go…don't let go…just hold me forever…" she says in between the tears. "I got you Vera." You say. "(sob) I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." "I know." Vera mumbles more things about how she wishes you both could do everything all over. She then feels something against the side of her head. She moves her head back enough and looks at you with tears in her eyes. "I love you…" she says. You pull the trigger, blowing Vera's brains out the other side of her head onto the wall and also getting blood on you in the process. You sit with Vera's body for a moment saddened that this was necessary at all. You wipe your own eyes and eventually stand up and compose yourself. You get some of your people to dispose of Vera's body making some comment that she was an enemy to Holgard. (Not that they were going to question you anyway) And that's it. There's nothing more to it. You'd like to forget about this dark day as soon as possible, but you know that's going to take a bit of time. To get your mind off it, you focus on your other problem, which is the curse you're still dealing with. Honestly, if it hadn't been for that, things might have been different with Vera in the first place. Since Heather doesn't seem to be very helpful right now, you go back to wondering if you should seek help from other magic types which again makes you consider sending someone to ask around Klyton or the magic University in Delantium. You already got an agent that reports on Klyton so that's no problem. Delantium however is another story since Percy just said the ECS killed everyone you sent there. While you don't want to piss off the ECS severely, you also don't like being told where you can't go. You decide to hold off on sending anyone to Delantium until you get word back from your agent in Klyton. Based on his report, you can make your decision to risk sending some to Delantium or not. A month passes and eventually you get word from your agent in Klyton. She mentions that the Klyton magic school is barely better than the one in Holgard and the only main difference is they have a nicer looking school and tend to be more "scholarly" as opposed to "battle ready." Your agent says that they were interested in based on the sealed letter you had her deliver to them. However it would require you to take a trip to Klyton. A bit unusual for you considering you haven't left Holgard in…well since you got here nearly twenty years ago. You imagine you could get the time to leave though if you wanted. This brings you back to pondering if you should still send an agent to the Delantium magic university. Chances are, if they're interested they're going to just ask you to do what the robes in Klyton want you to do. Namely go there yourself and that's probably even going to be even more dangerous than just sending an agent there. > You just head to Klyton After all you've been through, maybe some time away from Holgard is exactly what you need right now. Plus you're not exactly anxious to go pissing off the Ebony Claw Syndicate again after they basically left you off with a warning. So you write a letter back to the Klyton magic university and explain that you'll be heading that way as soon as possible. You also write a letter to your agent there saying that you want her to meet you and make arrangements for when you arrive next week. You then pack a few things and give notice to the baroness that you're leaving for Klyton making something up about rumors that her brother Peter is potentially working with the Klyton government in order to form his next invasion. Being the paranoid sort she is, she's perfectly fine with you going there personally to check things out. Of course as you predicted, you still have to stick around a bit to take care of some of your current business. After a few days of taking care of your mundane tasks you catch the next carriage out of Klyton and you're soon on your way. The trip to Klyton is uneventful, but it gives you plenty of time to think and even appreciate the countryside somewhat. You haven't left the city in so long, you almost forgot what wilderness looked like. A lot of the wooded area that used to surround Holgard is gone now thanks to years of Ludmilla expanding the roads and building the fleet to protect the city. Just as well as Warts runs his trading post now as he won't get many offers as a guide anymore. By nightfall, the woods disappear completely and become more open field. It's at this point you drift in and out of sleep a bit. You see a few random homes and eventually you see the city. Much like Holgard, great walls surround it and the tops of tall structures can be seen looming above, though such structures already look fancier than any in Holgard. When you're within the gates it's dawn and you can see that the city is a lot cleaner and organized looking than Holgard. Granted since you've risen in status, Holgard has gotten a bit better about this, but this is definitely a city that has never undergone the same struggles Holgard ever has. Also unlike Holgard there are a lot more carriages not only going in and out of the city, but also within it. Public transportation was never a high priority in Holgard for various reasons, you're wondering though if it should start. Your parents differed on speaking about their old home to you and your sister. Your mother sometimes would talk about fond memories in Klyton, but your father not so much. As far as he was concerned the best thing about the city was meeting your mother. Makes you wonder though how things might have been different if you'd run to Klyton instead of Holgard. In any case, you're not here to sight see; you're here in the hopes that your condition can get cured or dispelled or whatever they have to do. You exit the carriage and your agent is soon there to greet you. "Hello sir. Your trip was without trouble I trust?" she asks. "It was." You answer. "Good to hear. I have you booked at the Galloping Mare Inn. It's one of the better places in this city." "That's fine. Just as long as it isn't infested with vermin. I'd rather get a bit of rest without potentially getting bitten. (Yawn) So how far is it…apologies what's your name again?" "I'm Claire, and it's not far sir, we can take a carriage to there quicker. It's also fairly close to the university so when you're rested I can take you over there." You nod and soon the pair of you are in another carriage and heading over to your inn. You arrive at the Galloping Mare where Claire leads you to your room and you immediately head over to the bed and get some rest. You figure you won't sleep too long since you already slept a little on the ride to Klyton. You wake up in a few hours and fortunately its still light outside. Probably afternoon by now though. After preparing yourself, you leave your room and find Claire downstairs having a drink with some merchant type. When she sees you approach she excuses herself and immediately goes to see you. "You're awake sir, are you ready to go?" Claire asks. "Yes, who was that?" you ask. "Oh just one of my contacts for information sir. I can give you a full report of what's been going on here after you've completed your business with the wizards if you like." "Sure, might as well. Okay let's go." Doesn't take long for you to get there and soon you're at your dad's old place of higher learning. You never thought you'd ever be here. Claire then takes you to the magic school area of the campus and that's where you part ways with her. She tells you she'll be back at the inn. You step inside one of the magic university buildings and expect to be stopped or "greeted" much like how you were in Holgard by Heather's underlings. Instead you encounter nobody and walk down several empty corridors almost wondering if the place has been abandoned. Eventually you see some old guy in a robe and figure he must be someone of importance. You call out and he slowly turns to you and making motions with his hands. "Hold on! Hold on! I'm not here to do anything sinister! I'm the director of Holgard security and I'm here about a curse. I have one on me. I sent two letters to this place and my agent gave them both to your people. I was told you agreed to meet me and could help." "Hm, must have been High Mage Thomas. He tends to like to speak for the rest of us whether we want him too or not. The man for some reason believes magic should mainly be used for altruistic reasons. The man might as well be a Joachimite Priest if he's going to believe such nonsense." The grumpy wizard says, but puts down his hands. "Isn't this a school? Where is everyone?" "It is a school, but I'm not sure what you were expecting. Magic isn't exactly a common force in the world that it used to be so you're not going to find with place overflowing with people. If it were, things would be severely different in this city. Not to mention the government isn't exactly the most keen on supporting it. If it wasn't for one of our own on the Klyton Council, I dare say this place would have been shutdown entirely." "That's rather short sighted, wizards can be useful allies in case of an attack." "Hm, well glad to see you have some sense at least from a pragmatic standpoint, which is more than can be said for those fools on the Klyton Council. Though there's currently a man running for a spot on there. He seems to be more in favor of relaxing the magic restrictions in this city. I might actually vote for him. Anyway you said had a curse or some such bother?" "Yes." "Well, I guess since you're here, might as well take a look at you. Indeed I'm currently the only one here to do so. Come with me." The old wizard motions you to follow him and mentions that his name is Ahmed. When you ask where are all the other wizards, he says that most of the staff are at some conference and as for any students, the few that they do have are currently out performing their field assignments for classes so they wouldn't really be lingering around here. "I'm sure there are a couple of other staff actually around, but probably locked up in their labs either performing experiments or reading. That's how it usually is for us nowadays though. Seems like we're all just studying magic rather than actually using it for any real purpose." "But you said you send the students on field assignments." "And depending on the wizard, even that could be fairly easy. Personally I send them to at least bring down a beast of some sort, but many staff member have gotten so complacent they usually just tell them to go hunt down various plants. Honestly it'll probably be the most excitement they'll ever get if they stay in Klyton. And if they do stay, they'll probably become staff and they'll send their students on some piss easy task, because hey that's what they had to do so why break the cycle? Feh, it's really fucking pathetic of what this institution has become." Ahmed sounds really bitter. Makes you wonder why he's still here Soon you enter a small lab and he motions you to sit in a chair and asks you to tell him exactly about your condition and how it's affecting you and how you acquired it. You go into your story about Tanya and most of what that entails. While you're speaking Ahmed occasionally holds up a glowing magic object to you and mumbles a few incantations. He just ignores you whenever you ask what he's doing and finally he speaks. "You don't have a curse on you." Ahmed says. "What?" you say. "I detect no curses. Infernal or otherwise." "Are you sure?" "I'd take that as an insult if I actually thought you knew what you were questioning. However, yes I am quite sure." Well maybe it's not a curse, maybe it's a magic disease like demon crotch rot or something." "Trust me, if THAT was your problem, you wouldn't even be here right now." "But…but all those girls. They all died." "Yeah, well shit happens. Look, I can't explain that since I wasn't there. All I can tell you is you don't have any curses on you. As for the girls, well it sounds like you weren't exactly going with the most morally upstanding ones and violent death is usually a common one amongst the lower class and lesser born. I'd chalk it up to bad coincidence." Well this is a bizarre outcome. You almost can't believe it. "However, there IS something." Ahmed adds. "Shit, I knew it." You respond. "Well calm down it's not actually bad, or at least not actively bad." "What is it?" "Your relationship with a succubus is extremely unusual and while she didn't curse you, she DID leave a mark on you. Now most of the time when this happens, the victim usually dies after the succubus finally tires of them and kills them personally or in a much rarer case, the victim falls into a deep depression and commits suicide after an extended period time of separation because the succubus has abandoned them." "So is that going to happen to me?" "Well, you've already lived much longer than someone marked by a succubus. Now I imagine in your case it helped immensely that you developed a loving relationship with this Tanya before she fully changed, but I'm sure you still feel the loss correct?" "It is still there from time to time. Yes." "Mm. Well I wouldn't want to assume that you're going to be fine just because you've severely beaten the odds. You're still marked and who knows what that could do if it ever really kicked in. However, we can purge that from you. If we did you probably wouldn't feel as bad and a great weight would be lifted." "That can be done? Wait, do I have to have sex with some girl in a circle while you perform the ritual to summon Tanya?" "What?! No! Where did you get that idea? We don't need to summon anything, but it's still going to take a little prep work on my end first. I would like you to come back here in a couple days and see me if possible." You think about it at first wondering if you should go through with it. Then you think that that's pretty much why you came here in the first place and it would be good to finally rid yourself of all of Tanya's "presence" even if you were fond of her. Plus now this sounds even less risky than it did before. "Sure. Might as well have a clean slate." "Good, glad to hear it. Okay, you can leave now, I should start preparing." You part ways with Ahmed and feeling slightly more upbeat you rush out of the magic school and head back to the inn where you find Claire speaking with a couple people. "Claire! Where's the nearest brothel in this city?!" you ask. "Um, a couple blocks south of here sir. The Fancy Tickler" Claire responds. "Thanks!" Before she can even respond back, you're gone and already on your way. When you get to the Fancy Tickler, you immediately start throwing coin around so that the ladies can start throwing their pussy your way. You spend practically the whole night at the place. Then the next day you do it all over again. It truly is a wonderful thing to be free! Third day in Klyton and you figure Ahmed should have his shit together by now and you're ready to get this taken care of completely. You enter the magic school which is still relatively empty and head to Ahmed's lab. When you arrive, you see Ahmed speaking with a very well dress man with a goatee. They both turn towards you. "I'm here. What's going on and who is this?" you ask. "This is Mr. Reynolds. I believe I mentioned him the last time we spoke. He's running for a spot on the Klyton Council." Ahmed says. "Oh." Mr. Reynolds begins to move closer towards you, studying you even. "You…you look very familiar. Almost like someone I once did business with…tell me someone in your family ever own an inn here?" Mr. Reynolds asks. "Um…yeah my grandparents, though my dad also worked there." You say. "Hah! Yes! That's where you looked familiar. I loaned your grandfather money which your father ended up paying off. Well, this is a nice coincidence, or perhaps fate?" Searching your memory, you remember in one of your mother's stories about the inn she mentioned a Mr. Reynolds before. You never knew much detail though since you never really paid much attention. Mr. Reynolds flashes a smile at you, which really puts you at unease. In fact you're starting to smell something not unlike brimstone. And that smell can only mean one thing. "Fuck! Infernal!" you shout and before you can even get your pistol out, Ahmed's already cast a spell that's frozen you in place. Mr. Reynolds sniffs the air around you a bit and then speaks. "Yes, this one certain does have a tether to the infernal realm and I can certain use such a thing for the upcoming election, though hardly need the entire body, just the heart will do." You look on helplessly as Mr. Reynolds slowly puts his hand into your chest and pulls out your still beating heart. He then thanks Ahmed for this and says he will definitely honor his agreement to push magic as a greater force in this city. As for you, your body slumps lifelessly to the floor and will play no more role in world events whatever those may be.

Maybe it's paranoia and maybe you're feeling the emotional effects of possibly being betrayed, but as far as you're concerned, even if you find out that you're wrong and she gets pissed about you even accusing her and never speaks to you ever again, you're still going to feel better about all this. You're going to find out one way or another after she gets off that ship. You're a bundle of energy until the day Vera arrives. When she does its all smiles and hugs like you're both so happy to see each other. Maybe she's even being sincere, you don't know yet. "Glad to finally see you here. How are things in Jicol?" you ask. "Oh you know, it's the same old thing. Some good days, some bad, but can't complain. The Nocturnal League isn't the same without you though." Vera remarks. "I'll bet. So is there any place you wanted to go first?" "You a tour guide for Holgard now too? Well, I suppose after all the shit that happened during the invasion resulted in a lot of damage and rebuilding, so I'm almost betting my favorite tavern isn't even standing anymore." "The Blackheart? Nah. Totally destroyed. I think there's a new weapon shop there now." "Oh well. I suppose the old Nocturnal headquarters is gone now too?" "Not gone, but it's currently under construction. Trying to turn it into a proper place to train any future agents. Bunch of dwarves there right now, and they aren't fond of anyone getting in the way of their work. Warts suggested getting goblins since it would be much cheaper, but I figured the extra money would be worth sturdier construction." "Wow, really taking your new job seriously huh? Well in any case I don't have any preference on where to go, so whatever you decide, we can do that." "Well I was thinking of taking you back to my place." Vera looks at you with a smile. "Well that's very forward of you. You didn't even offer me dinner first." Vera remarks. "I didn't ask if you if you were currently with anyone either." You say. "Would it really matter to you if I was?" "Not really." "Well I guess let's go then." Vera takes your arm and the pair of you walk to your home. Along the way you and her talk about some of changes in the city. The discussion is fairly light and superficial, though Vera's demeanor is pretty affectionate. You went into this with a flirty approach since you wanted to see if there was a complete personality change with her. So far though, she's acting about how you've always known her to. You're getting the impression that she might not be faking all of it or if she is, she's doing a very good job. Whether she is or not though doesn't matter, you're still learning the facts today. When you get to your home, you show her around a bit makes a lot of comments about how nice the place is and that it's better than her own current dwelling. "Ah the bar, I'll just help myself if you don't mind." Vera says pouring herself a drink. "Go ahead." You answer. "Is that a real Daquala head on the wall?" "Yeah, Warts gave me that as a house warming gift. Didn't like the ugly thing at first, but eh, it's sort of grown on me now." "So how is the halfbreed anyway?" "He's fine. Runs some trading post with his family in Spiderfang territory. He exchanges information for coin with me from time to time." "Sheesh, Warts a family man with a regular job, you working for the government. So much has changed here and it all seems so odd." "In some ways I suppose it is, but then Holgard was never a beacon of justice. I mean I'm still involved in a lot of shady dealings. I just got legal permission to do it now." "Hah, I suppose that's true." "So how about you?" "How about me what?" "I've been going on and on about myself and you haven't told me about what's going on with you." "Oh, like I said, nothing much. Just dealing with smugglers and pirates, staying a step ahead of the law when I have to, trying to keep the organization together and keep turning a profit. You know the routine, you had to do it." "Mm, and you said you haven't had any trouble from the Ebony Claw Syndicate?" "Nope. Not a peep from them. Guess they just don't care about the League since it's so small and not really a threat to them." "I suppose not, but still I thought for sure they would pay you a visit after they found out, the League's only remaining holdings were in Jicol and under new management." "I dunno. Maybe they're preoccupied with other things…hey so since you work directly for Ludmilla now, have you been invited to any more of her fancy parties?" Okay. She was pretty quick to change the subject… You entertain some more of Vera's questions and the pair of you also proceed to talk about the "old days. The pair of you laughs about various events that occurred while you two worked together. You're having such a good time reminiscing that you almost forget that you're probably talking to someone who betrayed you. However, it's always still in the back of your mind and you haven't forgotten. You suppose as much as you want to find out, you're trying to enjoy "what once was" while you still can. Meanwhile Vera's gotten a little tipsier and a whole lot flirtier. "So. We finally gonna fuck or what?" Vera asks, moving in a little closer on you. "Now who's being forward?" you say. "Well I mean you invited me over, you're showing off your big house and you're plying me with alcohol. You don't need to wait until I pass out, I'm more than willing right now." "Hm, I can tell. Though you actually started drinking without me giving it to you." "I suppose I did. I guess I always have taken the initiative in our relationship." "You always did have a thing for me didn't you?" "I'd tell you not to flatter yourself, but I think you know I have always found you quite attractive. Don't even know why exactly, considering the first time we met you threatened me with rape." "Oh come on, I told you a long time ago that I wasn't actually going to do that." "I know, but I'm fucked up enough to find that enticing in some weird way, but only if it was you of course." "Wow, that is fucked up. Maybe I should wait until you're passed out then." Vera laughs a bit. "No, I want to be fully awake for when you ravish me." "Sure I'm not going to be pissing off any pirate boyfriends of yours?" "None that matter. And if you meant Zamed, I'm pretty sure he's not going to object since I heard he died pissing off the Governor of Hessla months ago. Not like I'd seen him since we went with your idea to side with Ludmilla anyway. Seems like it was the right choice given the circumstances." Vera moves in to kiss you, and you slightly move away. "Funny you should bring that up since I heard an interesting story about all that recently." You say. "Oh?" Vera asks with a mild annoyance that you didn't kiss her back. "Yeah, a Syndicate member paid me a visit recently. Said you've been dealing with them. Said you've been dealing with them for awhile now." Vera sits back and you look at her face. It's like all the color has drained from it and it's at that moment you know, no matter what she tells you, she's betrayed you. You're just wondering if she's going to admit to it. "Well?" "Um…shit…I didn't want to tell you. I thought you'd be mad. But…" Vera exhales deeply and then continues. "I have had dealings with the ECS, but I sort of had to. I mean they still wanted a cut of the profits, what could I do? I know you would understand that part, but I'm guessing you're not too pleased to find out I was slave trading again." Your eyes briefly widen and go back to normal when she admits to that. You didn't actually know about the slave trading, though you suppose you aren't too surprised. It's what she did before she joined with you and you imagine that it's pretty lucrative what with all the pirate types she has to do business with. She probably was doing it the whole time she was sent to Jicol. Honestly you don't really give a shit though. What is more telling is she's admitting to it now meaning that she's trying to admit a "lesser" offense to distract from a greater one she's hiding. It's one of the oldest criminal tricks in the book. You look at Vera and it's very apparent she's hoping that you'll believe this partial truth and let it go. You won't though, and she probably knows that too. "Vera. Before we continue, I'm going to have to ask you to disarm. I know that…" Before you can get another word in, Vera suddenly throws the rest of her drink in your face and springs from your couch and tries to run for the front door. She doesn't get far though thanks to her balance not being the best due to her alcohol intake. She trips and slams hard on the floor and then promptly throws up as well. Meanwhile all you've done is stand up and drawn your pistol. You walk over to her, as she crawls away from the liquid mess she's left on the floor. She turns over and sits on the floor with her knees to her chest and her back against the wall. She looks at you and then starts to cry. You can hardly believe this is the same woman you once trusted with your life. "(Sob) You…you know (sob) don't you?" Vera says. "Well I know what the smug asshole ECS rep told me and you've pretty much confirmed it with your actions. In fact I sort of figured you'd outright deny everything or put up more of a fight. Didn't think it would be this easy. Guessing you must feel guilty about all this on some level. Again before we continue, I'm going to have to ask you disarm." Vera nods and slowly throws away her blades and her own flintlock far enough away that she wouldn't reach them in time. You thought you were going to be far angrier about all this, but now you're almost feeling pity, but maybe that'll change when you question her. "Okay, so here's the ultimate question. Why?" you ask. "I…don't know." Vera says. "You're REALLY going to have to do better than that Vera." "I don't know! I guess I was pissed at you okay?" "You were pissed at me? For what?! I thought we got along really well!" "Yeah as friends. You always KNEW I wanted to be more than that and instead of being direct, you just sent me away to a fucking island while you were fucking that wizard chick." "Vera…what the hell? This isn't even making any sense! I was direct with you multiple times if you recall. As I remember I never even lead you on in any way. And for the record I was not fucking Heather. In any case I hardly see how that's an excuse for you trying to have me killed!" "I didn't try to have you killed! I just wanted us to be close again! You were supposed to retreat back to Jicol, not stay here and be the fucking hero of Holgard!" "Okay, some of this still isn't making any sense. Actually a lot of it, but this is a much different version of what was going to happen to me when I got back to Jicol. I was told you were going to kill me." "I wasn't going to kill you! And I would have stood up to the ECS if they tried!" "That's not what I heard." "And you believe the ECS about everything? Don't you think that they might be lying about some of it just to fuck with you? To turn us against each other?" "Well, yeah I considered that, but considering some of their story has already been confirmed as true, I'm finding it a little easier to believe an organization that has made no pretenses of being pissed with me than a woman who is obviously more mentally unstable than I ever could have known. And they already turned us against each other when you agreed to deal with them! Either you're so delusional that you believed working with the ECS would somehow bring us together, and I'm really struggling to believe you're that stupid, or you're just lying about everything. At this point either one wouldn't surprise me." Vera makes one last outburst. "Why didn't you just let this go? (sob) There was no more danger to you any more and I certainly wasn't going to conspire against you again. I felt sick the first time I did it. Obviously I STILL feel sick about it. I felt this way ever since I realized how deep I was getting. I was just so…I don't know…. (sniffle) I would always think about that time we got to go to the baroness' party. I remember mentally believing myself to be a princess and you a prince. How I wished it were you and me that night instead of you and some random whore. I really think things could have been different between us. We could have been more than friends. Even now, I wish we could just forget everything and just live in this house together as husband and wife. I don't understand, I did everything for you. Why couldn't you just…love me? (Sob)" As Vera breaks down again into tears, you're almost at a loss for words at this point. Your relationship with women has always been "complicated" but this is a new one on you. You never realized just how damn deep Vera's feelings were for you and honestly it's still a bit of a mystery to you. Especially given that she betrayed you. And she did betray you. No matter what her twisted logic may dictate, you can't forget that. And you can't forgive it. Even if you are genuinely feeling sorry for Vera right now. The ECS may not have gotten the most hurtful revenge on you, but they didn't exactly fail. You can't even be mad at them. Maybe in some weird way this is finally all your good luck crapping out on you. You have done a lot of treacherous shit yourself after all. In any case, you also remember Percy's advice about doing something worse than killing her. You aren't sure if it'll make you feel any better about this, but you're fairly certain it isn't going to make you feel any worse. > You revenge It would be much kinder to just kill Vera now and be done with it and perhaps you would under normal circumstance. However, you have another problem that doesn't seem to be getting solved another way anytime soon and as grim as the current solution is, this is probably about the only time you're going to feel someone is deserving of it. You put away your pistol and crouch down besides Vera who is still upset and probably expecting you to kill her. "Vera…Vera…shhhhh…calm down…I'm not going to hurt you." "(sniffle) You're…you're not?" "No…I mean you REALLY fucked up. Like seriously fucked up. But I guess in your own warped way you thought you were doing something good. Actually I don't even understand it all, but it really doesn't matter since maybe some of this is my fault. I should have told you a long time ago." "Wait, what? Tell me what?" "(Sigh) Well while I tried my best to never lead you on, you would be correct in thinking that I did have some affection for you as well. I mean how could I not? We were practically like an old married couple at times." Vera's expression begins to change from one of despair to one of hope. "You did? I knew it! But, why didn't you ever return it? Why didn't you ever tell me?" Vera asks. "Because I'm fucking cursed that's why and that's what I should have just told you. If I had maybe this could have all been avoided." You say. "Cursed? How?" "It's a long story…" And so you finally explain to Vera starting at the beginning when you first met Tanya. You tell her about your odd relationship with the demon girl you fell in love with. Vera never interrupts much except to say that Warts did tell her about Tanya very briefly once, but not in too much detail since he never paid much attention to your love life. Vera seems genuinely fascinated by it all. She's even sympathetic. You suppose in some ways your obsession with Tanya mirrors her obsession with you a bit. (Though obviously in a vastly different way) Part of you wonders if things really would have been different if you told Vera this before. Too late now you guess. While you're telling the stories of Tanya to Vera, you're also partially reliving some of the good times you experienced with her. You actually haven't thought about those in awhile seeing as you were trying to keep her "out of your head" as much as you could. Finally you get to when you finally parted ways with Tanya, along with what you soon discovered whenever you were intimate with another girl. Vera now looks very stunned. "Shit. I never knew. I mean… fuck. You've been trying not to kill me for years." Vera says. "Yeah. Shame you couldn't return the favor." Vera looks away after your comment and goes silent. Her face is one of guilt and shame. "Okay, maybe that was unnecessary. But I can't just forget what you did. However, I do think I know how you can make it right, but it might be a little too weird for you." You say. "What, weirder than this?" Vera asks. "Yeah, it's a possible cure and I think you can help." "A cure? Of course I'll help! What is it that you need? I'll do it! It's the least I can do after what I put you through." "Well you do this for me, and you can consider us even. We can even have a fresh start." You take Vera's hand and look into her eyes. "Together." Vera probably just got really wet right now as she grabs your hand with her other one. "As I said. I'll do it. What do you need?" You explain that one of the reasons you were so friendly with Heather wasn't because you were fucking her, but because she could potentially lift the curse. It just was taking her awhile to research it. You then explain that she recently discovered that it can be lifted only by performing a ritual that involves an act of intimacy with one that loves you. "Wait, so are you saying we have to be fucking during this spell?" Vera asks. "We have to be fucking inside a magic circle to be precise. That's to keep us safe. Heather's going to be there the whole time doing her magic thing of lifting my curse. I know it's weird, but that's how the spell works I guess." "And after that you'll be cured? You won't be cursed anymore?" "Yes." "Okay then. If this is the last thing that needs to be done for us to be together then let's do it. I mean it's the least I can do after all the shit I did anyway." "Let's not dwell on the past any more okay? Let's just dwell on the future." With those words you move in and finally kiss Vera on the lips. She embraces the kiss and grabs your head as you do so as if this is all she's ever wanted. And it probably is. It probably would be more enjoyable for you as well if things were different. (And if she hadn't just vomited) You explain that the pair of you should head to the magic school right away so you can get on with your lives together so that's exactly what you both do. When you get to the school, you're not stopped by rebellious teenage wizards this time. Though you are stopped by… "Hey! It's me Gwen! Remember me? I healed you up during the invasion! Do you need healing again?!" Gwen beams. "Hi Gwen, ah no healing today, but I really do need to see Heather, is she around?" "Yes, but she's very cranky." "When isn't she cranky? Tell her I'm here I'm about that thing she was researching for me and I'm here to go through with it. She'll know what I'm talking about." "Oh. Um, hadn't heard much about this, but then the Grand Matriarch doesn't tell everyone everything I suppose. I'll go get her." While Gwen walks away to get Heather, Vera squeezes your hand a bit. The pair of you wait in silence and soon you see Heather slowly walking towards you both, yelling at Gwen about something who goes running off elsewhere. "Wait, is that Heather? I remember seeing her a couple times and she didn't look like that! What the fuck happened to her?" Vera asks. "Magic is a bitch to the aging process apparently." You say. Eventually Heather gets to you both giving you both the stink eye. "So. You're going through with the ritual huh?" Heather asks you. "Yes. Vera and I have finally realized after all these years that we love each other and thanks to that love, the necessary last element is in place for you to perform this ritual so that you may lift the curse." You answer. "I see…is this true?" Heather asks Vera. "Yes. Our relationship hasn't always been the most stable, but I know I've loved this man for quite sometime and I know with his self sacrificing actions of turning me away and suffering in silence for years, that he loves me as well." Vera says. Heather is silent for a moment. You think she's trying to stifle a laugh, which would probably be the first time she's done that in awhile. Gwen soon comes back saying she's prepped the room. "Okay then. Vera, you go with Gwen who will take you to the summoning room and give you a couple of other instructions. We'll be there shortly, I just need to speak to you about something unrelated that the Baroness brought up first." Heather remarks. "Um, okay. I'll see you soon Vera." You say. "We'll be seeing a lot more of each other after this." Vera says and gives you another kiss before her and Gwen leave. Heather is just shaking her head the whole time and then turns to you with a smile. "I gotta say, I did not see that one coming. That was your second in command at one time right?" Heather asks. "Yes." You answer. "Shit. I mean after all your talk about not wanting to sacrifice some unsuspecting girl, you pick her? A woman that obviously loves you?" "Yes." "Fuck, that is some cold blooded ruthless evil shit that a Neroth cultist would be proud of. I can't imagine what she did exactly to piss you off. She did piss you off right?" "Yes, are we going to get on with this?" "Alright, alright, yeah. I just want to make sure this is something you REALLY want, because once I start this ritual I can't have you having second thoughts in the middle of it. It would be bad for ALL involved." "Trust me, I'm made my decision and she deserves this and I fucking deserve my freedom." "Alright I'm going to explain a few things before hand. First off I suggest you fuck Vera from behind, because I'm not sure exactly how pissed your ex is going to be when she's transported from her dimension and you're going to want to be getting out of their as soon as you can. What you don't want is Vera to start grabbing you tightly and preventing you to leave as she dies horribly from the inside out desperately holding on to the only thing she loves and then suddenly you're covered in blood and gore and face to face with your pissed off demon ex instead. In fact I highly recommend you get out of there when Vera starts screaming and convulsing and not in the good way." "Got it." "Also, this ritual is going to still take a little time, so I really hope you can last longer than two minutes. It's not going to work at all if you're releasing before I can even get the first incantation out." "Thanks for your confidence, but I think I can manage." "I hope so. Lastly I don't give a shit what you your feelings were for your ex, you NEED to remember that she's a fucking demon. So don't fucking listen to ANY thing she says. You just let me take care of her." "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to be holding her at bay and hopefully sending her back because if I can't then we're all going to be fucked. Anyway, let's do this." You and Heather proceed to the summoning room and when the door is opened there you see Gwen standing near a table with a few books and Vera in all her naked glory standing in a large circle with symbols in it. Never seen her like this before and it's a bit of a surprise. "Undress please, we'll be starting soon." Heather says to you before addressing Gwen. "Gwen did you make the other circles?" "Yes Grand Matriarch, perfect just like you said." "Better damn well be. Well? Get in your circle if you want to assist!" "But I'm not even familiar with what's going on exactly." "(Sigh) Yeah sometimes spontaneity happens in magic. Look, just grab that top book on the table, turn to page thirteen and recite the words when I give you the signal. You won't have much to do and it's a simple enough task even for you." "Yes, Grand Matriarch." As you're getting undressed, you're mentally preparing yourself for all this. Sex in front of an "audience", sacrificing a former friend, summoning your demon ex, lifting a curse…it's a lot to all process. If anything you're slightly concerned not so much of finishing to quick, but getting started! When you're naked you step into the circle with Vera who immediately begins to embrace you. "Okay, you two can start anytime now." Heather says. "I guess we better get to it then. Um, I guess I'll help you out." Vera remarks. And like that, Vera immediately does what she's offered to do to you several times before in the past. It doesn't take long before you're more than ready for the main act, and given how good she apparently is, you need to stop her anyway. You spin Vera around and as you caress her body, and then suddenly pulling her hair you whisper in her ear. "You deserve this." You say. "Mmmm…yes…I do…give it to me hard lover." And so the hate fucking begins. Though Vera is blissfully unaware of this and just thinks it's all to heighten the experience. While you're thrusting in and out of Vera, Heather and Gwen are reciting a bunch of words that you're trying to drown out so you can focus on the task at hand. It's funny because you're actually giving Vera what she's always wanted; it's just that she's not going to like the end result. It's almost like you're stabbing her to death considering you're practically killing this woman with your cock right now. And as fucked up as that all sounds, it's actually helping in keeping you in the mood and making you more enthusiastic. (The combo of going this long without sex and under these circumstances you think have really warped you) Time passes and eventually in-between the moaning and grunting, suddenly Vera begins to cough and she nearly collapses to the floor, but you prevent that by holding her up, though you can tell it's starting. "You need to finish now! Hurry!" Heather suddenly shouts before returning to her chanting. Following instructions, you do just that, though at this point Vera is definitely beginning to not feel well and suddenly coughs up blood. "Shit…ugh something's wrong! My entire body feels like its on fire! (Sob) Please…I..ARGH!" It's a good thing you finish right at that moment, because Vera's own release was not just from her mouth this time. Your mid to lower half is now covered in a mixture of blood and shit causing you to recoil in horror and disgust. You promptly scramble away from Vera and puke your own guts out, though fortunately in your case it isn't blood. Gwen, always the helpful one casts some sort of spell on you that cleans you off, causing Heather to snap. "GWEN! FUCKING CONCENTRATE!" Vera at this point has collapsed completely inside the circle and she begins making horrible screams and wails as her body begins to bleed not just from every orifice, but also from her pores. You watch a little dumbfounded. Partially still recovering from being sick and what you're witnessing. Vera's cries and pleads for you to help her, but there isn't much you'd be able to do anyway. You force yourself to watch this brutal spectacle and you even shed a few tears thinking that maybe she didn't deserve this. Vera's body eventually contorts into an unnatural state and she unleashes a shriek that is definitely not human sounding. She can take no more and with that, her body splits and explodes. You manage to avoid getting pelted by gore again by hiding behind an alchemical counter. When you look again, that's when you see her. Tanya. And she's much different looking now. Even before when she transformed here in this world there was still a human quality about her. Now? She's at least a foot taller than you and her wings along with her horns even bigger and more impressive. She has hooves rather than proper feet. Her body looks more muscular and athletic looking rather than traditionally curvy and sexy. In fact she's not even naked, she's wearing some sort of form fitting armor and a wicked looking sword hangs by her side. She looks more like a demonic knight of some sort rather than her succubus origins would imply. One of the few things though that remains recognizable to you is her long white hair and her face. And once she gets the general idea of her new surroundings, her eyes finally meet yours. "You." She says in a voice slightly deeper than you remember. "Hello Tanya." You reply, not quite sure of how to react. > You reunion While you're fumbling to at least get your underwear and pants back on, Tanya looks around again, still staying in the circle of course. She examines the gory chunks of flesh that once were Vera and reaches down with a taloned hand. She tastes some of the blood and then pops the whole thing into her mouth. "If you're going to get rid of your curse, you best do it now while she's trapped. While she's in that circle you can command her to release you and she has no choice but to do so. So get on with it!" Heather exclaims. With your pants now back on, you approach Tanya, who stares at you from the circle. She doesn't look pleased, but then you aren't sure if that's just here natural look now. "Tanya, I command you to take off this curse you put on me." You say trying to be as authoritative as you can, but honestly you're scared shitless. And Tanya knows it. In fact she just steps closer to the edge of the circle. "You command ME? Have you grown so arrogant in your meager mortal life that you believe you can even do that?" Tanya asks. "No, but…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "Then you've just grown stupider." "Tanya…" "That isn't even my name anymore worm. I have become something much greater and I have long shed any connection to my pathetic mortal years." "Even me?" Tanya doesn't answer you, but instead just gives a huffing growl. "The one on the floor who I tasted. This one loved you, yet you obviously sacrificed her to summon me. Why?" Tanya asks. "I told you, I want you to lift the curse that…" you begin to answer. "No! I mean why did you sacrifice her?" "She betrayed me." "I see. And you felt that she deserved this horrible fate?" You're about to answer yes, but then on reflection you stop yourself. "No. She probably didn't, but I made a pragmatic decision because I needed something and she was the best way to get it." Tanya nods at your answer, meanwhile Heather is getting impatient. "For fuck's sake stop talking so much and just COMMAND it to lift the fucking curse! The more you talk, the more it's going to beguile you into doing something stupid, like stepping into the circle with it!" Heather yells. "Silence wizard! I will deal with YOU later. If my former…human wishes to speak with me, then he will do so until our business is done. Now then, before we move on to this curse you speak of, I wish to ask more questions about you, one of which is why have you not moved on from me? I asked you to do so." Tanya says. "I can't! You put a curse on me that prevents me from having sex with any other woman! Anytime I do, they wind up dead a few days later!" you answer. "So why blame me? I haven't been anywhere on this world until you summoned me." "Well who else would it be? Yag fucking around with his magic dice? I mean I have a hard time believing its coincidence; there were too many women that died! I mean maybe you didn't mean to place it on me, maybe it was some sort of after effect of your power of something." "Oh I assure you human, I'm fully aware of my powers, but placing curses? Not my style and never will be. I learned a long time ago, even when I was here in my last remaining years tethered to this world that I enjoy direct bloodshed." "But…it had to be you…I mean…wasn't it?" "Maybe it was YOU." This accusation causes you to step back a bit. "Me? That's absurd." You say. "Is it? Think hard now." Tanya replies. "I think I'd know if I had killed all those women and some of those were accidents!" "Or maybe you made them look like they were. It's Holgard, not like the Watch was going to double check for barmaids and whores." "I can't believe it." "Okay…if it makes you feel any better, perhaps I AM to blame indirectly. Obviously you didn't get over me the way I told you too and were still obsessed with my magnificence. I suppose I can't fault you, after all a mere mortal woman would pale in comparison. But those women? I had no direct hand in causing their deaths. That was ALL you. Even now I can see it in your mind." "What?!" "I can see into your mind. We're bonded remember? Now granted that bond was severely weakened when I left this realm, but now? You're like an open book. I can see shit in your mind that you've blocked out which is exactly what you did when you were on your whore killing spree." "But…" "Why? Because you love me madly obviously and you always will. You killed those women out of fear that you were betraying that love. However, you have a strange morality about you and that caused you to block it out. How you did it so easily, well that's probably thanks to our bond and you gaining a very tiny bit of my mental powers. Except you didn't even realize you were using it of course." "But if all this is true, I must have moved on because I stopped doing it." "Well yes, but that's mainly because your conscious mind came to the conclusion that I must have put a curse on you so you used THAT as an excuse to not get involved with another woman again. Even this Vera woman, that you obviously had a lot of affection for. I dare say if you had actually given it a chance you might have even broke the cycle. Enough time had passed between us by then and your feelings for Vera were much stronger than they were for the other women. But your love for me just proved too strong. Think about it. Even though she betrayed you, you could have just killed her or even forgave her if you so desired. Instead, you sacrificed her to summon me." "But I did it because I HAD to see you!" Tanya folds her arms and smiles a bit. "And there it is…and here I am." Tanya says. "By the gods…" you say suddenly coming to an epiphany. "You are a fool to listen to this demon and when she eats your soul, I am not going to be able to help you." Heather interjects. You might be a fool, but unfortunately Tanya's words are proving correct. Your memories are all suddenly flooding back. You see the murders as clear as yesterday now. You see what you did and how you even enjoyed doing it at times. It was you. It was you the entire time and you blacked it all out. You slowly slump to the floor trying to process everything and you can't do it. You just stutter a couple of words and trail off. "You cannot command me to lift a curse that I never placed on you mortal. The only curse you have is your love of me and I can't help you with that. I wish I could, but you didn't listen to me when I told you not to pursue me in the first place and this is where we are now." Tanya says with a bit of sympathy in her voice. While you're coming to grips with your uncovered memories, Heather is done with this whole thing. "Enough! We've apparently solved your problem, now we're moving on. Demon, I command YOU to transfer the life essence of that woman over there to me." Heather yells. "WHAT?! Grand Matriarch you can't mean that!" Gwen answers. "Oh shut up! This shouldn't even be a surprise to you, never liked you anyway. I'm tired of looking and feeling like an old bat while I'm only in my thirties!" Give me this woman's youth and then you may return to your own realm." Gwen attempts to leave her circle but soon learns that she's trapped within it. Attempts at casting a spell to escape or even attack Heather similarly fail. Lacking any other means of freedom, Gwen panics and begins to plead for her life. "You keep interesting female company since we parted mortal. Based on the mewling waif, the old hag over there and the meat chunks on the floor apparently they've all been a bunch of treacherous backstabbing bitches, pathetic naïve weaklings or both. No wonder you still long for me. At least even with my infernal heritage I never lied to you." Tanya says. "Demon! I AM in charge here! I COMMAND YOU in Dorna's name to perform my task!" Tanya starts to laugh. "I don't recognize your gods and that's not how it works! That's not how ANY of this works!" Tanya says. "What?!" Heather remarks. "Someone isn't up on their guide to infernals because you can't command me to do shit for you. This one probably isn't in most books about us because it isn't a common occurrence, but you cannot command an infernal whose heart belongs to someone. And my heart unfortunately belongs to this mortal until he dies or purposely breaks it. And in any case, this circle you made to hold me doesn't even have the correct symbols on it…" And with those words Tanya slowly steps out of the circle to Heather's horror. "Oh shit! Gwen you fucking idiot!" Heather shouts and quickly begins to call for help, along with casting a beam of frost at Tanya. Tanya blocks the beam with one hand and then waves her other arm and suddenly most of the furniture in the room is thrown against the door to barricade it. Meanwhile you get out of the way so you don't get hit by Heather's magic or get stepped on by Tanya's cloven hooves. You look on in slight awe as you see Tanya draw her sword, which is now on fire and Heather just barely blocking it from cleaving her in two by casting a magic shield. "Please! Help me out of this circle!" you suddenly hear. You forgot all about Gwen who out of everyone here is innocent in all this. You aren't sure how this magic circle shit works, but you can't think of anything else to do except try to pull Gwen out of it. And to your amazement it actually works. "Come on, we need to get the hell out of here." You say and rush to the barricaded door, though some books on the floor suddenly distract Gwen. "What the fuck are you doing?! We gotta get out of here before those two bring this whole place down on our heads!" you shout. "If Heather doesn't win, then we're going to need something to stop your ex, I'm looking for some sort of spell. Just focus on unbarricading the door. Hopefully the other students are working on the other side to get in here." Gwen says as she hastily goes through book pages. Lacking any other plan, you go with Gwen's and start trying to move the various desks, tables, chairs and cabinets agaist the door. You can hear shouting on the other side to which you yell back for them to blow the damn door open and get their asses in here. You've moved and thrown aside exactly one large desk and that's when you hear a scream. You slowly turn your head and see that Tanya has broken through whatever magical defenses Heather had and cut her in half. Heather was no slouch as a wizard, for Tanya to have easily killed her like that...it just defies words of how powerful she's gotten. Be that as it may, it would seem that Gwen found something to harm Tanya because she unleashes a blast of magic energy straight into her back causing a monstrous howl. It slows her down, but not much as she's already spun around to face Gwen. She stomps on the ground causing the floor to crack and forcing Gwen to jump out of the way lest she fall into the Holgard sewers, though maybe that would have been a better idea. At least then there would have been multiple escape routes. At this point some of the other students have manages to blast part of the door open. Several begin trying to climb over the furniture still in the way. "BURN." Tanya utters and you jump back just in time to see all of the furniture barricade go up in flames along with unfortunate wizards that were climbing over it at the time. The screams of burning wizards are soon drowned out by another bellow of pain by Tanya when Gwen hits her with another blast of whatever magic she's using. This time Tanya falls to one knee briefly, but it isn't enough and now she's heading straight for Gwen like an angry charging minotaur. Gwen however is surprisingly holding her ground and preparing another magic blast. You spy your pistol on the floor and you grab it, but as strange as it may be, you aren't sure who to use it on. The whole time during Tanya's arrival, you've had a stirring within you again. Namely your obsessive love for Tanya. Even this monstrous demonic form, she is still the object of everything you desire in heart and you don't want to see her hurt no matter how well she's able to defend herself. But you'll never be free if you hang on to the idea of a relationship that can never be. > You aim for Tanya It's time to be free, no matter what the cost. You empty your pistol at Tanya. You know you hit her at three times in the head and that's enough to cause her charge at Gwen to halt temporarily when she collapses on the floor. Gwen doesn't miss a step and unleashes her magic. Tanya once again makes an unearthly scream as she's hit by the blast. It's enough to shake the room a bit and hurt your ears. Gwen looks exhausted, but unfortunately despite her wounds, Tanya is just getting started Tanya suddenly gets back up and even with one eye left and a broken horn from your bullets, she flat out ignores the pain of having a hole burned straight through her armor and body as Gwen attempts to stop her second charge at her. Gwen attempts to put up some sort of magic protection, but Tanya picks her up with ease and smashes her into the wall several times like a rag doll. There is no scream, just the flopping about of a bloody broken body. You are attempting to reload your pistol, but you already know it's not going do any good when Tanya is finally done tormenting Gwen's body in death and tosses it aside to turn her attention towards you. You can't even run as there is a barrier of fire blocking the exit. The best you can do is get off one more shot before Tanya is upon you and breaks your arm in two and then ripping part of it off. The physical pain is unlike anything you've ever experienced before, but perhaps it still pales in comparison to the inner you still have for a love that could never be and is now gone forever. Tanya picks you up by the other good arm and dangles you above the ground like a slab of meat. You look into her one good eye and see a fury that isn't just one of normal hate or even demonic rage. It's the stare of one who has been betrayed by their one true love. This is the end you know it. "I…I'm sorry Tanya…" is all you can say. And somewhere even now you see a spark of what Tanya once was. "No. Thank you mortal. You've freed us both." Tanya replies. With no more feelings left for you, Tanya appropriately pulls your heart from you chest and eats it before your eyes. You die just before Tanya drops you back to the floor again.

While you're fumbling to at least get your underwear and pants back on, Tanya looks around again, still staying in the circle of course. She examines the gory chunks of flesh that once were Vera and reaches down with a taloned hand. She tastes some of the blood and then pops the whole thing into her mouth. "If you're going to get rid of your curse, you best do it now while she's trapped. While she's in that circle you can command her to release you and she has no choice but to do so. So get on with it!" Heather exclaims. With your pants now back on, you approach Tanya, who stares at you from the circle. She doesn't look pleased, but then you aren't sure if that's just here natural look now. "Tanya, I command you to take off this curse you put on me." You say trying to be as authoritative as you can, but honestly you're scared shitless. And Tanya knows it. In fact she just steps closer to the edge of the circle. "You command ME? Have you grown so arrogant in your meager mortal life that you believe you can even do that?" Tanya asks. "No, but…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "Then you've just grown stupider." "Tanya…" "That isn't even my name anymore worm. I have become something much greater and I have long shed any connection to my pathetic mortal years." "Even me?" Tanya doesn't answer you, but instead just gives a huffing growl. "The one on the floor who I tasted. This one loved you, yet you obviously sacrificed her to summon me. Why?" Tanya asks. "I told you, I want you to lift the curse that…" you begin to answer. "No! I mean why did you sacrifice her?" "She betrayed me." "I see. And you felt that she deserved this horrible fate?" You're about to answer yes, but then on reflection you stop yourself. "No. She probably didn't, but I made a pragmatic decision because I needed something and she was the best way to get it." Tanya nods at your answer, meanwhile Heather is getting impatient. "For fuck's sake stop talking so much and just COMMAND it to lift the fucking curse! The more you talk, the more it's going to beguile you into doing something stupid, like stepping into the circle with it!" Heather yells. "Silence wizard! I will deal with YOU later. If my former…human wishes to speak with me, then he will do so until our business is done. Now then, before we move on to this curse you speak of, I wish to ask more questions about you, one of which is why have you not moved on from me? I asked you to do so." Tanya says. "I can't! You put a curse on me that prevents me from having sex with any other woman! Anytime I do, they wind up dead a few days later!" you answer. "So why blame me? I haven't been anywhere on this world until you summoned me." "Well who else would it be? Yag fucking around with his magic dice? I mean I have a hard time believing its coincidence; there were too many women that died! I mean maybe you didn't mean to place it on me, maybe it was some sort of after effect of your power of something." "Oh I assure you human, I'm fully aware of my powers, but placing curses? Not my style and never will be. I learned a long time ago, even when I was here in my last remaining years tethered to this world that I enjoy direct bloodshed." "But…it had to be you…I mean…wasn't it?" "Maybe it was YOU." This accusation causes you to step back a bit. "Me? That's absurd." You say. "Is it? Think hard now." Tanya replies. "I think I'd know if I had killed all those women and some of those were accidents!" "Or maybe you made them look like they were. It's Holgard, not like the Watch was going to double check for barmaids and whores." "I can't believe it." "Okay…if it makes you feel any better, perhaps I AM to blame indirectly. Obviously you didn't get over me the way I told you too and were still obsessed with my magnificence. I suppose I can't fault you, after all a mere mortal woman would pale in comparison. But those women? I had no direct hand in causing their deaths. That was ALL you. Even now I can see it in your mind." "What?!" "I can see into your mind. We're bonded remember? Now granted that bond was severely weakened when I left this realm, but now? You're like an open book. I can see shit in your mind that you've blocked out which is exactly what you did when you were on your whore killing spree." "But…" "Why? Because you love me madly obviously and you always will. You killed those women out of fear that you were betraying that love. However, you have a strange morality about you and that caused you to block it out. How you did it so easily, well that's probably thanks to our bond and you gaining a very tiny bit of my mental powers. Except you didn't even realize you were using it of course." "But if all this is true, I must have moved on because I stopped doing it." "Well yes, but that's mainly because your conscious mind came to the conclusion that I must have put a curse on you so you used THAT as an excuse to not get involved with another woman again. Even this Vera woman, that you obviously had a lot of affection for. I dare say if you had actually given it a chance you might have even broke the cycle. Enough time had passed between us by then and your feelings for Vera were much stronger than they were for the other women. But your love for me just proved too strong. Think about it. Even though she betrayed you, you could have just killed her or even forgave her if you so desired. Instead, you sacrificed her to summon me." "But I did it because I HAD to see you!" Tanya folds her arms and smiles a bit. "And there it is…and here I am." Tanya says. "By the gods…" you say suddenly coming to an epiphany. "You are a fool to listen to this demon and when she eats your soul, I am not going to be able to help you." Heather interjects. You might be a fool, but unfortunately Tanya's words are proving correct. Your memories are all suddenly flooding back. You see the murders as clear as yesterday now. You see what you did and how you even enjoyed doing it at times. It was you. It was you the entire time and you blacked it all out. You slowly slump to the floor trying to process everything and you can't do it. You just stutter a couple of words and trail off. "You cannot command me to lift a curse that I never placed on you mortal. The only curse you have is your love of me and I can't help you with that. I wish I could, but you didn't listen to me when I told you not to pursue me in the first place and this is where we are now." Tanya says with a bit of sympathy in her voice. While you're coming to grips with your uncovered memories, Heather is done with this whole thing. "Enough! We've apparently solved your problem, now we're moving on. Demon, I command YOU to transfer the life essence of that woman over there to me." Heather yells. "WHAT?! Grand Matriarch you can't mean that!" Gwen answers. "Oh shut up! This shouldn't even be a surprise to you, never liked you anyway. I'm tired of looking and feeling like an old bat while I'm only in my thirties!" Give me this woman's youth and then you may return to your own realm." Gwen attempts to leave her circle but soon learns that she's trapped within it. Attempts at casting a spell to escape or even attack Heather similarly fail. Lacking any other means of freedom, Gwen panics and begins to plead for her life. "You keep interesting female company since we parted mortal. Based on the mewling waif, the old hag over there and the meat chunks on the floor apparently they've all been a bunch of treacherous backstabbing bitches, pathetic naïve weaklings or both. No wonder you still long for me. At least even with my infernal heritage I never lied to you." Tanya says. "Demon! I AM in charge here! I COMMAND YOU in Dorna's name to perform my task!" Tanya starts to laugh. "I don't recognize your gods and that's not how it works! That's not how ANY of this works!" Tanya says. "What?!" Heather remarks. "Someone isn't up on their guide to infernals because you can't command me to do shit for you. This one probably isn't in most books about us because it isn't a common occurrence, but you cannot command an infernal whose heart belongs to someone. And my heart unfortunately belongs to this mortal until he dies or purposely breaks it. And in any case, this circle you made to hold me doesn't even have the correct symbols on it…" And with those words Tanya slowly steps out of the circle to Heather's horror. "Oh shit! Gwen you fucking idiot!" Heather shouts and quickly begins to call for help, along with casting a beam of frost at Tanya. Tanya blocks the beam with one hand and then waves her other arm and suddenly most of the furniture in the room is thrown against the door to barricade it. Meanwhile you get out of the way so you don't get hit by Heather's magic or get stepped on by Tanya's cloven hooves. You look on in slight awe as you see Tanya draw her sword, which is now on fire and Heather just barely blocking it from cleaving her in two by casting a magic shield. "Please! Help me out of this circle!" you suddenly hear. You forgot all about Gwen who out of everyone here is innocent in all this. You aren't sure how this magic circle shit works, but you can't think of anything else to do except try to pull Gwen out of it. And to your amazement it actually works. "Come on, we need to get the hell out of here." You say and rush to the barricaded door, though some books on the floor suddenly distract Gwen. "What the fuck are you doing?! We gotta get out of here before those two bring this whole place down on our heads!" you shout. "If Heather doesn't win, then we're going to need something to stop your ex, I'm looking for some sort of spell. Just focus on unbarricading the door. Hopefully the other students are working on the other side to get in here." Gwen says as she hastily goes through book pages. Lacking any other plan, you go with Gwen's and start trying to move the various desks, tables, chairs and cabinets agaist the door. You can hear shouting on the other side to which you yell back for them to blow the damn door open and get their asses in here. You've moved and thrown aside exactly one large desk and that's when you hear a scream. You slowly turn your head and see that Tanya has broken through whatever magical defenses Heather had and cut her in half. Heather was no slouch as a wizard, for Tanya to have easily killed her like that...it just defies words of how powerful she's gotten. Be that as it may, it would seem that Gwen found something to harm Tanya because she unleashes a blast of magic energy straight into her back causing a monstrous howl. It slows her down, but not much as she's already spun around to face Gwen. She stomps on the ground causing the floor to crack and forcing Gwen to jump out of the way lest she fall into the Holgard sewers, though maybe that would have been a better idea. At least then there would have been multiple escape routes. At this point some of the other students have manages to blast part of the door open. Several begin trying to climb over the furniture still in the way. "BURN." Tanya utters and you jump back just in time to see all of the furniture barricade go up in flames along with unfortunate wizards that were climbing over it at the time. The screams of burning wizards are soon drowned out by another bellow of pain by Tanya when Gwen hits her with another blast of whatever magic she's using. This time Tanya falls to one knee briefly, but it isn't enough and now she's heading straight for Gwen like an angry charging minotaur. Gwen however is surprisingly holding her ground and preparing another magic blast. You spy your pistol on the floor and you grab it, but as strange as it may be, you aren't sure who to use it on. The whole time during Tanya's arrival, you've had a stirring within you again. Namely your obsessive love for Tanya. Even this monstrous demonic form, she is still the object of everything you desire in heart and you don't want to see her hurt no matter how well she's able to defend herself. But you'll never be free if you hang on to the idea of a relationship that can never be. > You aim for Gwen That's it; you'll always be a slave to loving Tanya. You were doomed when you first laid eyes on her. You've also learned that you did a bunch of terrible shit because of it and what you did to Vera was terrible too despite what she did to you. You're not a virtuous person and you most likely never will be, but never let it be said that you're all bad. You aim for Gwen, but not a kill shot, instead you shoot just so the bullet whizzes in front of her face causing her to break her concentration and even stumble back a bit. Then you quickly address Tanya. "TANYA STOP! DO NOT KILL THIS WOMAN! I COMMAND YOU!" you shout. Just a few paces away from Gwen with her sword in hand, she manages to stop herself from trampling over her. She snorts and turns a scowling face towards you. "Why do you stop me mortal?! Do you love this woman?" Tanya asks. "No. I don't, but she doesn't deserve to die either." You say and walk towards the pair of them. You see Gwen attempting to cast another spell and that's when you really point your pistol at her. "Gwen, you will NOT harm Tanya. If you continue to attack, I'll kill you myself." You say. "But…but we've got her! She can't do shit right now! I can kill her and then you'll finally be free, isn't that what you wanted?" Gwen remarks. "No. I love this woman. Why would I want to be free of that?" "Because she's a demon that is incapable of it?" "If that were true she would be ripping my head off right now. Gwen, I saved your life twice today, you can do me this favor." Gwen backs off and nods. "Very well, but I'm not sticking around and I suggest you and your…love leave as soon as possible, because I doubt the Holgard Watch is going to be as understanding when they arrive." Gwen replies and quickly runs over to the burning barricade and casts a spell to put it out before proceeding out the destroyed door opening. Now you're alone with Tanya who doesn't look pleased with you. You're about to speak when she suddenly grabs you and suddenly jumps in the air and takes to flight. Using her wings as a shield she envelopes herself (and you) as she breaks through the ceiling of the school. Afterward, she spreads her wings our again and flies high above the city. You never thought you'd see Holgard from this view again. Tanya is silent the whole time as she holds you close to her body and flies away from Holgard and eventually landing in a spot not far outside it, but away from anyone else. She drops you to the ground when you're close enough and finally she speaks when she lands near you. "You're a fool. A complete and utter fool. You always were." Tanya says. "I know." You answer. "I wish you had shot at me instead, then you would have ended both of our torment when I ripped you apart for breaking my heart." "Couldn't do that." "If you REALLY loved me as much as you claim, you would have! Do you realize how hard it is for me to ignore my feelings for you? Why do you think I look like a soldier of war rather than a seductress now? I tried to eliminate everything and anything that even reminded me of intimacy. I had to fight and struggle not only to block you out of my mind and the weakness that entailed with it, but also endure the taunts and challenges of other infernals who refused to see me as anything other than a succubus with human blood in my veins." "But you proved them wrong didn't you?" "Yes! I proved them all wrong. I thrived on the hate, their hate, my hate, all of it. I used it to achieve greatness. I am now a general in the Infernal Legions! I have personally beheaded and carved up celestials and won battles against seemingly impossible enemies. I am no mere succubus. I am a personification of rage, war, and hate." "I always knew you'd do well." "And you know what I really hate? YOU. I hate the day I ever met you. I hate that you were instrumental in my current status. I hate that you summoned me back to this pathetic world. I HATE the fact that I love you." "But without it, where would you be?" Your last words are too much and Tanya takes a step towards you and backhands you across the face. She probably wasn't even using half of her strength either and you go sprawling to the ground in a daze. After spitting a bit of blood and rubbing your head a bit, you slowly get back up and that's when you hear quiet sobbing. You look and you see Tanya sitting on the ground with her knees tucked in and her head buried in her arms. Except this isn't the demon of war form that you've been seeing. This isn't even her succubus form. It's the form of the girl you fell love with. Even her clothes are the same. "Tanya…" you say and walk over to her, but she pulls away a bit when you go to touch her. "But what I hate…(sob) most of all… is…that we can't be together…" You don't know what to say. There isn't anything you can say. She's right and it sucks. Instead you just sit next to her and hold her. She holds on to you back, finally giving in to her human feelings for you, no matter how buried they were. "I have to go back." Tanya says with a sniffle. "I know, but you could stay, just for a little while. Let's just enjoy what we have right here. Right now. Hey, we never watched the sunset together, why don't we do that?" You say. Tanya wipes her eyes and nods. "Okay." The pair of you just sit and hold each other in silence for quite awhile as you watch the sunset and then later the stars. One of the benefits of being bonded is not even having to speak. Sometimes one of you remembers a fond moment from your collective past and you both give a smile at each other, even an occasional laugh. During one of those moments, you both look deep into each other's eyes and you finally move in to kiss. From there, you both do what lovers tend to do. And for those moments of intimacy under the night sky, the pair of you has blocked out everything else and it's just you two. Afterwards, the pair of you fall asleep under the stars. The next day you wake up. You feel some of the aches from yesterday's events, but you're not too bad off. You look and Tanya isn't next to you and you expect her to be gone, but after looking around a bit, you see her standing by herself (still in her human form) over looking a small cliff by the sea. You walk over to her. "I sort of figured you'd be gone when I woke up." You say. "Couldn't leave it like that. You deserve a proper goodbye." Tanya says still looking at the ocean. "No way you can stay a little longer I guess." "As nice as last night was, it's best I don't get used to it. The longer I stay here, the more I'll lose myself. I can't afford that weakness. I know to you I'll always be that girl you fell in love with, but I assure you I am much more now and very different. I have responsibilities that you couldn't hope to know." "Well I can imagine leading hell armies is pretty taxing." Tanya turns to you. "You really don't judge do you?" Tanya says. "Isn't that what unconditional love is all about?" you say. "I suppose. But it's one thing to love someone despite them being say a thief. It's quite another to love someone who has committed genocide on a whole populace." "I'm guessing they had it coming." Tanya chuckles at your remark. "You always did know how to make me laugh despite my best efforts not to." Tanya says. "Besides, you just informed me that I murdered a bunch of innocent women that I had sex with and blocked it out. I'm hardly in a position to judge you." You reply. "Oh you didn't kill all of them." "What?!" "You didn't kill all of them. You missed one, but I sort of get the weird impression that you wouldn't have anyway. It's odd. You had some real harmony with that one and it was just a one-night stand. I dare say you didn't even get to that level with that Vera girl and you knew her quite well." You think for a moment of who Tanya could even be talking about. At first you think it might be Naji, but you only had sex with her before Tanya left. Then you remember. "Wait. That masked blonde at the baroness' party? Fuck! If I wanted to kill any of them, it would have been her! That bitch fucking picked my pockets while I was asleep and ran off!" you exclaim. "Heh, smart girl. In any case, I never saw in your mind that you killed her, so who knows, maybe if you ever meet her again you should hang on to her, she might just be the one that allows you to get over me." "I don't think there's going to ever be a girl that does that." Tanya strokes your face with her hand and gives a faint smile. "No. Probably not." She says and then kisses you one last time. "Please do not summon me ever again. Goodbye my love." She steps away from you and before your eyes you see her disappear in a small red flash. And she's gone again. This time forever. You sit on the ground and stare at the ocean for awhile. You weep a bit at your loss and a sense of depression hangs over you. You even briefly consider heading over the cliff, but you dismiss that idea pretty quickly. Suicidal thoughts have never been something you've dwelled on and you can only imagine how disgusted Tanya would be with you if you did. She'd want you to move on not give up and that's what you'll try to do. You eventually get back up and decide you probably should be making your way back to Holgard, you can only imagine the shitstorm that's going on there right now. Though you guess that Gwen will take the initiative and blame everything on Heather (Which is sort of true anyway; you didn't expect that twist) and take over what's left of the school. You sort of wonder if maybe you should follow up on Gwen's flirting now, but then would she even be interested any more given what she's learned about you? You suppose the best way to find out is to just go for it. If she isn't then you'll move on to someone else. If she is, well you'll have to remember not to try to kill her and blackout about it. With a new positive attitude in mind, you set off towards Holgard. "Goodbye Tanya." You say.

Honestly, Heather is still your best chance at getting cured, so if she's dead then you might as well have left Holgard when this all happened. Besides, you don't fancy your chances against multiple demons and a wizard. You figure if you're quiet and careful enough you'll be able to sneak up to the top of the building and just shoot the wizard opposing Heather in the back. Well that's the ideal plan anyway. You duck into the building that Heather and her opponent are fighting on top of and avoid the demon-wizard battle completely. Surprisingly the inside of the building (which you think is Holgard's hall of records. Some sort of government building anyway, you have no idea, never been here or paid attention to it before) isn't too torn up by the fighting, though it looks like the people hiding here didn't fair too well since you're seeing a lot of dead bodies that look like they have the life drained out of them. You on the other hand are feeling a little weird. Not like your life is suddenly being drained out of you, but more like a feeling of energy around you. Almost like your hair is starting to stand on end. Must be all the magic being thrown about. You're just about to head up to the second floor and that's when you hear a groaning noise. You look back, but you already know what you're going to see. Several of the corpses you just passed are now getting up and they're all making their way towards you. "Of course. Shit." You say and quicken your pace and the corpses do likewise. With a bunch of undead now chasing you, it's a very good thing that government buildings tend to have the same layouts making it at least easy for you to keep finding the next flight of stairs. This is counter balanced by more corpses of the government officials stirring whenever you reach a new floor. By the time you make it to the top floor, you've got a horde chasing you. You scramble up the ladder to the roof and fling open the hatch. There upon the roof, you see Heather and her antagonist throwing bolts of magic and blocking each other's attacks. It would seem they're evenly matched and neither one is paying any attention to you. Meanwhile, corpses are making their way up the ladder. You shoot the first one in the head and then slam the hatch down and stomp on it a couple times. It's not going to hold them for long, and you can't stand here forever keeping all your weight on it. The noise of your pistol now causes the opposing wizard to take notice of you. He doesn't waste any time in throwing a bolt of energy at you. You try to get out of the way, but you still get hit with a blast strong enough to cause you to go flying backwards. You ignore the pain in your chest as you desperately attempt to not fall off the side of the roof. The top half of your body hangs over the edge as you struggle to move from your precarious position. You manage to sit up just in time to see the wizard throwing another magic bolt your way. This probably would have been the end of you had the hatch not opened back up and corpses crawling out of it. Instead of hitting you, the bolt hits a couple of the corpses instead and you scramble out of the way so as not to get hit by flying body parts heading your way. As the horde continues to pour onto the roof, your visibility of the other wizard and Heather is starting to be blocked by said horde. You desperately shoot at the horde, but unlike your previous experience back at the League headquarters, you're not going to intimidate them by killing a few. There's nowhere to go either. The closest building isn't close enough that you could easily jump to it, even if it was still intact. At best, from this height you MIGHT survive a fall with several broken bones and given what else is going on down in the streets, you probably wouldn't survive too much longer. "Fuck. Looks like Warts was right. Yag's crapped out." You say to yourself, drawing your blade for a final stand. Just as one of the slack jawed dead eyed corpses gets within reach of you, you're suddenly floating upward! After lingering in the air for a moment, you slowly start floating over the street causing the rest of the corpses to follow and go right over the side of the building. It's fascinating and scary as hell at the same time since you could easily be dropping to your own death right now. From your position, you see Heather on the far side of the building with one raised hand in your direction. You also see the other wizard lying on the roof smoldering and still burning. You didn't see it because you were too occupied with fighting corpses, but it would appear your arrival was enough distraction that allowed Heather to get the upper hand over her opponent. With all the undead now a pile of splattered bodies on the street (Well most of them anyway) and no longer a threat, Heather pulls you forward and gently places you back on the rooftop where upon you walk over to her. "Thanks." You say. "Thank you for the distraction. Shit, I'm fucking exhausted dealing with asshole." Heather says and indeed looking very worn. In fact, she even looks a bit older. "I was actually coming to do more than just be a distraction, but suddenly I was getting attacked by a hundred dead bean counters." "Yeah, the repercussions of wild dark magic being thrown around. This building might have some strong magic protection, but it didn't do shit for the people inside." "It does?" "Well yeah. It's where all the records to the city are held. Last thing the government wants is stuff like that getting destroyed. I put the protection wards up myself when Ludmilla requested it months ago. Why do you think the building is still more or less intact?" "Hm, thought it was unusual. Anyway, your students are having their own problem with demons that they're fighting in the streets right now. I think the other wizard keeps summoning them." "Of course he is. Y'know, that's probably why these idiots got themselves kicked out of the Delantium University in the first place, dabbling with necromancy and demonology. That shit could potentially destroy a world if used as reckless as it has been here. Well guess I better sort this out, before taking a break." You tell Heather where you saw the fighting going on and she goes over to the right side of the building and sees for herself. It's still a stalemate from what you can tell and fortunately Heather says this will be easy to take care of. She conjures up a fireball and directs it towards the other wizard in the street below. He's not even looking in that direction so he takes the hit. You then see a figure screaming and burning which is then followed by one of the demons leaping on him and ripping him apart. Heather's people take advantage of the situation and blast the demons with all they have. Without the other wizard up keeping the spell, they aren't materializing any longer and stay permanently dead. Though you do see one leap away from the battle and out of sight. Looks like that will just be one more evil thing brought into this world. (Not that it's going to make much of a difference) With the immediate threat over with, you and Heather head back down the ladder where thankfully there aren't anymore walking dead lurking about. Heather's students soon meet up with the both of you. They look even more tired than she does and you notice there are significantly less of them than the last time you remember. "Grand Matriarch! Are you hurt!? I can heal you!" Gwen asks. "I'm fine Gwen, see to our friend though, maybe he's hurt, I saw him take a magic bolt to the chest." Heather remarks. Gwen goes over to you and starts to check you out, but you don't feel like you really need any tending to either. "Thanks, but I'm really okay." You say. "Let me just cast a minor healing spell, you look like you could use it. Were you fighting before you got here?" Gwen remarks and starts casting something over you. "Yeah, mostly orcs, some humans. All assholes." "Wow, orcs huh? That takes some courage to go toe to toe with the likes of those big green guys." "Eh, I had some green guys of my own. A little on smaller side though. Hm, starting to feel a lot better. At least not aching in pain anymore. Guess I did need that after all. Thanks." "You're welcome!" Gwen's attitude is a lot different than you last remember. "Where's your boyfriend?" "Huh? Oh Cooper? He's not my boyfriend anymore, he ran off a couple months ago. He didn't want to stick around during the invasion. He was a big coward after all, not like you." "Um, yeah. I think I'm okay right now Gwen." "You sure?" "Yeah, thanks." "The man said he doesn't need any more attention so stop hovering over him and go back over there with the rest of your class." Gwen gives you a small smile before leaving you to go back to the rest of her, causing Heather to make an eye roll. "Called it." Heather says. "Hm, well I guess better that she's friendly now." You say. "She's still fucking annoying. If she didn't show such natural talent for magic, I'd probably just throw her ass out of the school." "Wow, I would think you'd want everyone you could get. I mean there aren't many of you after all." "Yeah well you don't have to deal with her on a daily basis. However, you are correct in that pragmatism did also influence the decision to keep her around. I'm about the last very experienced wizard in this city now anyway. The few remaining true Dornans either left when I first got the school started or died during this invasion. Still it'll be enough to turn back the tide. It's just really taking its toll on me. Pretty sure you can already tell." "Well I wasn't going to say anything." "You didn't need to. Magic has a habit of making you old before your time. That's why whenever you someone talks about wizards; the stereotype is some decrepit old person. It's not that far off, except the old person usually isn't all that old in years at least. But such is the price we pay for being skilled in the gift that Dorna bestowed upon this world." Heather, yourself and her group take this moment to rest up and talk a bit of strategy. The current situation is bad, but not entirely unwinnable. You just have to make one major attack to turn the tide. Heather is in favor of helping what little remains of Ludmilla's defenses at her palace. Heather says breaking up the attack going on there should destroy the rest of Peter's forces or at least the majority of them. At that point he won't have enough people to take the city, let alone hold it given that Ludmilla will still be alive at that point. When you ask if there is any other alternative, Heather says, you all could attack Peter directly since he's probably still aboard his ship. The problem with that is, there is still a good-sized fleet near the Holgard docks. Heather says casting magic at the ships might bring a few of them down, but not before the rest of them start firing cannonballs back, and who knows if you're going to get Peter or not. Still, if you take out Peter then it isn't like you're going to have to worry about him ever trying this in another five to ten years and having to deal with it again. > You attack the fleet Cut off the head and the rest is going to follow. "We need to take out that fleet. If Peter gets away, turning back this invasion isn't going to matter." You say. "And if Ludmilla dies, then what?" Heather remarks. "Well I dunno, but worst case scenario, one of us picks up the pieces and takes over the city instead. Not like we'd do any worse." Heather's a little surprised to hear you say that, though you just sort of came up with it in the moment. "I still feel very strongly that we should help the baroness. However I guess you have a point about Peter. It's not ideal, but I guess we'll have to split up." "Split up?" "Yes, seeing as my students held their own against a trained diabolist I'd hope they'd be able to handle some mundane orcs." "That's a terrible idea, we're going to need all the firepower we can get!" "Don't worry, I can handle it myself. Besides, it'll be a lot harder for them to focus on a single smaller target rather than a group. You should go with my students however. They probably should have someone to back them up for protection. I mean there's not much you can do to help against a bunch of ships anyway. Speaking of crews, where is the rest of your people?" Heather asks. "Don't ask, in fact after this is all over I might not even have any people. Anyway, I still think splitting up is a bad idea, but I guess if you say you can handle it yourself, I trust you." With as much rest as you're going to get under these conditions, you and the student wizards are soon on your way to the palace. Heather parts ways with you, but you really wish she didn't. She still looked very tired for one thing and you're not entirely convinced that you shouldn't focus on one thing instead of splitting up. You don't have many problems on the way there, but you do come across a few unexpected faces. It's some of the Nocturnal League. They look like they've already been in a few scrapes. "There you are boss! We've been looking all over for ya!" one of them remarks. "Well, you've found me, and I hope for your sake, you've come to help." You say. "We have! Um, we've managed to save couple of our brothels from getting too fucked up. We've also been having people take the whores back to headquarters and stay there until it's safe." "Glad to hear we're making Holgard safe for whores again at least." You get an idea. "Okay, you lot are going with these wizards to the palace. I want you to do everything in your power to protect them. Seriously, it's the most important thing in the world right now." You say and start walking off. "Wait, where are you going boss?" "I got protection of my own to do. Don't worry about me. Just do what I tell you!" Not questioning your leadership again, your people follow your orders and you run off towards the docks. You just hope Heather managed to get there since your own trip to the docks isn't without struggle. When you finally get within sight of the docks you see several ships burning and sinking into the water. Looks like Heather is already getting to work as you see a lone figure running about casting magic into the bay area. You run towards her and then immediately have to take cover as the sounds of several cannons are fired in Heather's (and your) direction. The area was already half destroyed from the initial attack and pillaging, but with Heather's recent attack on his fleet, Peter is determined to destroy the entire harbor and then some. As you hide behind a partially destroyed building. Deafening explosions are all around you. Temporary loss of hearing aside, you're otherwise fine. You look out from the rubble and still see Heather encased in a glowing blue shield of some sort. However, you also see several smaller boats rowing towards docks. Heather's putting up a good fight, but you need to go help her. You run towards Heather and another cannon explosion hits not far from you. The force is enough to throw you to the ground and you're pelted by bits of debris. With your head now bleeding and feeling dizzy, you slowly stand back up only for another nearby explosion to knock you back down again. This time you struggle to push yourself up and look up just in time to see Heather fighting off some of the sailors that have managed to get to the docks (or what's left of them). You stand up and begin firing wildly at the sailors though Heather is easily destroying them with a chain lightning spell. With the wave of Peter's men dead, Heather takes a quick breather and it's at that moment she finally notices you. She nods. You nod. And then another volley of cannons fires off and completely obliterates everything in front of you. You fly backwards and eventually slam into something made of harder stuff than you are and you go unconscious. You're out for who knows how long, but by the time you wake up it's dark and the sounds of battle have died down though your hearing still isn't very good and your head is throbbing. You stagger around a bit before getting your bearings. In this darkness several burning fires provide most of the nearby illumination. It's nothing but destruction everywhere. "Hey! Hey you!" a voice calls out. You spin around and see five men dressed for battle. They don't look like Holgard Watch either. You nearly go for your pistol and that's when you realize you don't have it anymore. The only weapon you currently have on you is a dagger still in its sheath and you're not likely to succeed a confrontation in your condition. You could run, but you're still a bit dazed and they're already almost on you. "Who are you? We're trying to clear the streets of people right now and don't need anyone skulking about! Where is your home?" one of them says. "Huh? I…I live…um…in Teckleville." You say desperately trying to find the words to get out of this. "Teckleville? Never heard of it! What the hell are you doing out here then?" "I was… I was visiting my sister." "Visiting your sister? Was she a whore here?" the man laughs along with his fellows. "No…I look…my head really hurts and I'm a little dizzy…" The man suddenly grabs you by the shirt and slams you up against a nearby destroyed wall. "More than your head is going to hurt if you don't start answering my questions! You say you were here to visit your sister, but that smells like bullshit to me! You look like a common thief trying to take advantage of the chaos! Well that shit ain't gonna pass now that Baron Peter Varsakken is in charge!" "Peter Varsakken?" you ask. "Yeah! He visited his sister too and decided he liked the city so much that he took it in the name of the Delantium Kingdom!" Well that's it. The struggle has been lost and you need to get the hell out of here somehow. "Please, I'm no thief! I'm just a bard and I was just here visiting my sister when the…liberation began. The baroness' men wouldn't let anyone leave and killed anyone who tried! Not to mention my sister was scared so of course I stayed with her. When the fighting got really bad even her home wasn't safe and looters…(choke) took her. I tried to fight, but I'm not a fighting man and it was just luck that I was only smashed in the head and left for dead. I later got up and tried to find her, but…the violence…I never saw so much violence before…I thought of my sister…and…(Sniffle)." The man that grabbed you relents slightly with his grip. "I just sort of got lost trying to hide from the bloodshed and before I knew it there was an explosion and I woke up here. Now I don't know where my sister is and I fear the worst…(sob)." You say really trying to put on the tears by rubbing your eyes a lot. The military soldiers look at each other and the one that grabbed you pulls you off the wall and begins motioning you to go. "Fine. Get out of here. Go on back to your village or wherever you come from bard. And remember to sing the song of Peter Varsakken's glorious victory here today!" the man shouts and give you one last shove before moving on. Now free, you hurry along the way and find the quickest sewer entrance and enter. You figure you can move around down there with less hassle and get out of the city quicker. You briefly wonder if you should go back to your headquarters to check if there is anyone there, but really it's still better to just get the hell out as quickly as possible. Besides, the Nocturnal League has practically got to be dead here now. Might as well move on to your back up plan, which is to head to Jicol. You eventually get out of Holgard and with your hands you dig up your private stash that you hid in the nearby wilderness. You figure you got enough coin for a trip to Jicol though you're going to have to walk to the nearest city which Klyton. It's a long walk too, but fortunately the route from Holgard is no longer impeded as much by a lot of woods and roads are much more prominent now. With any luck, you'll run into a Klyton carriage on its way to Holgard and you can tell them the news and get a ride back. One month later... "Jicol huh? Yeah I guess I can take you along, but not for free obviously." The trader says. "Will this suffice?" you reply and show him a few platinum coins. "Yeah, that will do it. You'll have to sleep in the cargo hold though and if I find out you've messed about with any of the goods down there, well if you aren't familiar with the term keelhauling, you'll become very familiar. We leave tomorrow morning. Don't be late." You leave the trader and head back to where you've been currently staying in Hessla. You thought you'd never get a ship to take you to Jicol. Less ships have been coming through Hessla lately thanks to the invasion at Holgard. Also all known pirates have been banned from entering Jicol. You guess that's why not many ships from here are currently allowed to travel there. The next day you board the trader ship and make your way to the cargo hold which contains mostly spices and cloth material that you'd have no interest in stealing anyway. You imagine it's going to be months before you actually arrive in Jicol, and it's probably not going to be a comfortable trip either. On the plus side, you'll be glad to eventually see Vera after this miserable time. Days pass into weeks and you more or less keep to yourself and just eat with the rest of the crew when its time then go back to your place in the cargo hold. Then as you're sleeping one day… "Oh come on! This is bullshit! I'm a fucking registered citizen of Hessla you can't fucking rob me!" a voice says. Sounds like the trader. "Apologies, but shit is tough all over nowadays. Besides you need to relax, we're not taking all of it. Just a little bit." A deeper voice says. "The Governor of Hessla is going to hear about this Zamed! There are certain laws in place for a reason!" "Telling the Governor of Hessla? You think that's a wise thing to be threatening me with Flint given the circumstances?" You hear the name Zamed and your immediately sit up and accidently hit your head, cursing in the process. "Who else is down here Flint?!" Zamed says "Just some extra passenger that paid coin." Flint responds. Before you know it, you see Zamed and some of his people along with the trader. You aren't sure how this is going to go, but you're ready to pull your pistol. You just wish it was multiple shots like your old one. Zamed squints a little and then speaks. "Wait a minute. I know you. Shit, thought you died in Holgard." Zamed says. "Almost did." You answer. "Well Flint, this is your lucky day. You can keep all your cargo, I'll just be taking this one." "I thought pirates were currently banned from Jicol." "Jicol? Oh wait, you actually think I was going to take you there? To Vera?" "Call me an optimist." "Wrong day for optimism, friend. No, gonna take you to the Syndicate. They'll pay a nice price for you. Not sure what you did to piss them off, but they really got it in for you." "I figured those orcs weren't just wrecking my businesses on accident." "Indeed. Well we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours." "Not gonna be the easy way I can tell you that, and if you attempt to do this the hard way, you'll have a bullet in your head before you can make another step." "Pfft, Vera always went on about how great you were with a pistol. She always bragged about you. The way I see it, if you were so great then why the hell did she betray you?" "What the hell are you on about?" "Clueless idiot. Vera's been in cahoots with the Syndicate for a long time now. She was also in on the whole invasion. If anything I'm saving you time because if you got to Jicol, she would have only turned your ass in to the Syndicate herself." "What? I don't believe you. Vera would never betray me, let alone hand me over to the Syndicate!" "It's of minor importance. However, you may be right about her not turning you in, she always was a little too sweet on you. Talking about you even after we…y'know what? Fuck this, I can just bring in your head…" Zamed pulls his pistol and you fire landing one right between his eyes as promised. However this isn't enough to deter the rest of his men who rush at you. You fight with your sword as best you can, but eventually you are cut down.

Year 33 "Shit, these fucking orcs don't die like they should." You say after putting two more shots in a large greenskin trying to get back up. "Don't think it matters boss, this brothel's fucked, and not in a good way. Just bout every whore in here is dead." Warts says. "All of them?" "Well there were a couple survivors, but I think their whorin' days are over." "Damnit, that's another one destroyed." "An wez lost a few purple wish houses and sum gambling dens too. Hopefully we can save da rest before we don't have anything left." You look around at the destruction of the brothel you're currently in and try to temporarily ignore the loud chaos going on outside as you gather your thoughts on what to do next. "Damnit." You say seeing a familiar woman on the floor with an axe wound in her head. "Wat?" Warts asks. "I know this whore or rather I did. Name was Naji. She was that girl that I rescued back when you talked me into ripping off Reginald's house." "Sheesh, dat wuz a long time ago boss. Yer memory iz good if you can member whores. I can't even member when my weddin' anniversary is, though I wuz drunk at the time an' Snuffit reminds me anyway." "Well she was a bit special for awhile, but as you might know my heart always really belonged to Tanya. I knew Naji was still whoring, and after we got the Nocturnal League set up I made sure she always had a job in one of our brothels, but I never did speak with her again in person. Always thought about it sometimes, but just figured I could get around to it when I wasn't busy. Guess it's too late now. Seems rather pointless that I even rescued her given that she just wound up dead anyway." "Well look on da bright side boss, it looks like she got a cleaner death with a quick axe strike as opposed to wat dose cultist fuckers woulda did." "I suppose. She also was Rook's cousin, which probably saved me from him killing me. In any case, I'm having serious concerns about this attack." "Well yeah boss, da whole cities goin' ta shit again." "No, I mean why the fuck are we even being attacked? I mean yeah I get orcs tend to be enthusiastic about their marauding, but something about the fact that OUR businesses are getting attacked like they were military targets seems really fucking suspicious." "Mebbe dat Peter knew we weren't really gonna help him." "Well that's definitely possible, but it still doesn't explain why we would be targeted so much and so accurately. I would think he'd want to focus his forces on taking the palace or taking out the mage school. Also his invasion force was a lot larger than first reports mentioned." "I guess Vera wasn't too successful in convincin' other pirates to not join her ex-boyfriend." "I'm a little concerned about her too, since the last message we got was six months ago from her and she said she was having some success in her endeavors." "Well she must be okay, because we wuz still gettin' da cut from her even last month." "I suppose, but at the rate shit is going down here, we might not even be able to pay the pittance that the ECS asks for every month." "You sayin' you don't have a secret personal stash?" "Of course, but I'll be damned if I'm going to part with my shit to pay the damn ECS. I'm sure you'd feel the same way about your stash." "Pfft, I ain't got no personal stash. Snuffit takes it all. Speakin' of her, I think I'll be getting back to her. Seems like this city is a lost cause an' if you're smart you should just get the hell out too." "What the fuck Warts. You're just gonna abandon everything?" "Well yeah. I don't exactly have some bond with dis place. I mean it wuz fun while it lasted, but looks like its come to an end. I mean maybe dis place will be better again in a couple years or so. An' didn't you make plans to retreat to Jicol is shit started to go wrong?" "Yeah, but again, I'm still not sure if everything there is okay." "Bah, Vera's fine, she's probably just really fuckin' busy. I mean you know how it is. Look dis iz the ways I sees da situation…" Warts steps over a couple bodies before addressing you again. He gives you a more serious look than he normally does. "Youz gotta be the luckiest Yag blessed bastard I know, beside myself. You shoulda died so many times, Yag musta been rollin' loaded dice. However, an' don't say dis offen but dere iz a time ta step away from da table and dis iz one o' dem times. I myself have stayed alive as long as I have cuz I knew when ta walk away." Warts says. "And you think this is one of those times, you don't think there's still a chance to turn this around?" you ask. "Well yeah, there's always a chance, such are the whimsical ways of Yag, but the odds just ain't lookin' good enough for me to take da risk, so I'm off whether you're sticking around or not, but I'd rather you leave with me, because…" Warts coughs a bit and looks away. You hear a sniffle. "Warts…are you crying?" you ask. "NO! I'm not cryin' like sum sissy elf! It's all dis dust bein kicked up due to da battle! Anyway, we've known each other a long ass time, made a lotta coin, did a lotta stupid stuff, an' in sum cases even saved me from getting' killed. Sometime youz waz an asshole, but you still were better than most an' especially anyone in da Spiderfang Tribe. Yer, the closest thing I've had to a friend, an I'd rather our parting of ways go with me knowing dat yer on yer way ta Jicol rather than dying here over nuthin'." Warts says. "So you wouldn't be coming to Jicol?" "Nah, too far. I'll probably just find work in Spider Fang territory, open a tradin' post maybe. Most of da folks dat hated me are dead now anyway so it ain't like I gotta worry bout bein' a halfbreed anymore. I should be closer to my family anyway. In fact dat's another reason youz should go to Jicol. Start a family with Vera, I know you likes her. Forget dat demon girl that's still plaguin' yer mind, she's gone." Warts doesn't really know the whole story to that of course, and you don't really have time to go into it right now, but despite all that, Warts does raise some good points. You're not out of the fight yet though and you've been through two city upheavals already, you can easily survive a third as long as you're smart about all this. You ran away from home once before, you're not doing it again, especially not now when you've built a life here. Might not be ideal to most, but it's yours. "Warts, you do what you gotta do, but I'm gonna do what I gotta do. Just remember whether the Nocturnal League survives or not, I'm still going to be here if you want to work with me again the future." Warts shakes his head while giving a slight broken tooth grin. "Suppose I shouldn't expected any less from ya. Youz haz a death wish. Always haz fightin' dangerous groups of cutthroats, goin' head ta head with religious fanatics, fucking demon bitches… youz gonna get yerself killed one day and it ain't gonna be a pretty death when it happens. But guess I gotta respect all dat. I hope Yag's still usin' loaded dice, cuz yer gonna need 'em." Warts says. "We'll see each other again Warts." You respond. Warts nods at your confidence which you return before he takes his leave. Now alone, you briefly check the rest of the brothel for any remaining survivors. You don't find any, but you do tell the couple that Warts mentioned to go find a better place to hide if they can. While you could just start jumping back into the action, you'd still rather have some back up and the only place you're going to be certain to find some is back at the Nocturnal League's headquarters where you're probably going to find the rest of your remaining members hiding or attempting to wait this out. Good thing you're already not in the greatest of moods because you don't imagine it getting any better when you have to deal with your "employees." When you get back, most of them are a bit on edge, but others are just lazing about playing cards or just generally doing nothing. "Oh, uh hey boss. You're alive." "Yeah well I can see you're really glad that I am. Why the fuck are you assholes sitting around playing cards, you do realize there is a siege going on and our businesses are getting all fucked up right?" you say. "You said we should guard this place." "I said SOME of you and as I remember, you weren't one of them. In fact, most of you should be up there defending our interests. I'm not even asking you to be a fucking hero or defend the city because I know damn well that's a pointless endeavor." "Boss, I don't see why we should risk our lives when we can just wait shit out down here." And there it is. The excuse you've been expecting. "Oh this should be good. Go on about why you feel this way…whatever the fuck your name is." "I'm really not trying to be disrespectful boss, but it seems like we can just pick up the pieces after all this is over. If anything we'll be in a stronger position since the populace won't be in any condition to oppose us and it'll take awhile before the new ruler imposes any sort of order. And this Peter is another Varsakken right? He's probably not going to be any better than his sister, so it'll be business as usual." "That's a nice thought. I see you really thought this out while sitting on your chair playing cards and drinking your ale. Here's another thought though. While we're sitting here playing cards, telling jokes and jerking each other off, all of our business interests are getting fucked up. All our Purple Wish dens? Destroyed. That's a shitload of our income right there and it can't be easily made up. Our whores? Slaughtered. Again can't easily be made up, unless you lot are gonna start selling your asses to make up the loss and I guarantee it wouldn't. Our protection rackets? Well you can't extort corpses, and that's what A LOT of them are right now thanks to orcs just killing everything in sight. I mean fuck, we ARE supposed to be protecting these hapless suckers if not out of the goodness of our hearts then at least for our own pockets! Shit, that's the whole damn point!" Your voice continues to rise as you walk around the room admonishing your people. "This idea that we'll just pick up everything after everything is over is laughable, because there won't be that much left and what IS left, Peter Varsakken is going to be establishing order over, and I'm telling you right now, whether he's as corrupt as the rest of his family or not isn't the issue. The issue is, we DON'T have a good working relationship with him like we do with his sister. Shit like that takes time and trust, both of which we are in short supply of. And to top it all off the ECS is going to still be breathing down our necks telling us we better pay up by the end of the month. How are we going to fucking do that if all of our income has turned to fucking rubble? Is ANY of this getting through or am I talking to a bunch of fucking retards?" Suddenly another one stands up. "Well gee boss, why don't you get your precious hobs to fucking do all this shit?" "Because most of the hobs are fucking dead that's why, which is another loss since a lot of them were our best pit fighters. And I highly recommend you take it way down, before I take YOU down." Now several others stand up to join the troublemaker. Though a few of them look unsure. Some don't take a side and just quietly slink back into a place where they might be safe from the fighting. One thing you are noticing is nobody seems to be siding with you. This is worse than you thought. You already have your hand on your weapon. "No! You've been bossing us about for months getting prepared for this fucking invasion and none of us see why we should even be involved. You do this ALL the damn time, dragging us into these unnecessary conflicts instead of just staying the fuck out of it. You did this with the religious faction war, you did this with the Felians, who were supposed to be our allies and now you're doing it here. And who is on the losing end of all of this shit? US! That's who! We're the ones fucking dying! Well no fucking more! We're all staying down here and riding this out, and if you don't like it, tough shit, because if you haven't noticed by now, you're fresh outta friends and you don't even have your filthy hob scum to protect your ass anymore." "Seriously, you ALL feel this way? You fuckers are the most short sighted assholes ever if you've decided that right now would be the best time to pull a double cross and MORE fool you that you didn't kill me right away." "Well we can take care of that right now, and you don't have enough bullets to kill us all." "I don't need to kill you all, I'm just gonna kill you and I don't need hobs to do my work." The troublemaker's eyes widen and he goes for his own flintlock, but he's too slow of course and you've already killed him and three others before everyone has taken cover. Nobody else is returning fire or attempting to attack, which means you've probably asserted your dominance once again. "That's what I thought. Now contrary to this dead fucker's words, I've been risking my ass more than ANY of you since day fucking one! Who the hell was it that was leading the damn charge when we took out the Joachimites and Felians? As I remember it was me. And what the hell have I been doing while you lot were hiding like cowards, I've been trying to keep this organization together by defending our shit! So don't give me this bullshit that I've been leading from the back. Maybe the real problem is you shitheads have all gotten lazy because you have no regular opposition. Scared of a real fight. Y'know what? Fuck all of you. I'm going back up there to try to salvage what this organization still has left. The rest of you can either help or get the fuck out of the way, but what you can't do is stay here. Because when I come back, I find ANYONE still here, you'll be joining these troublemakers on the floor." With those last words you leave. You have no idea if you're even going to have an organization left if you survive all this, but that doesn't matter right now. Right now you're going to do something even more foolish and find out what the hell's going on with Heather and her crew of wannabes because if you can get the wizards to help you in this chaos, staying here will have at least been worth the effort. Tracking them down is fairly easy because it's the part of the city that EVERYONE is avoiding, lot of explosions, debris flying in the air, fire, strange lights and even stranger noises in general. When you arrive in the general vicinity, you finally get a good look at what's going on. You see several creatures that remind you of some sort of demonic dwarves since they're about the same height, and pretty stocky. They're attacking a group of wizards wearing purple robes which you're guessing are Heather's people though you don't see her. Heather's people are holding their own, but the problem is the demons don't stay dead or rather as soon as one is killed another one materializes. They can't possibly keep this up forever. A little bit in the distance you also catch sight of a man in a shabby brown robe. You're guessing this is the one summoning the demons. He must have some strong protection up, because demons aren't known to enjoy being summoned by mortals. You also see two figures battling it out on top of one of the few standing buildings left in the area. You see all manner of magic being thrown about and most of it hitting nearby parts of the city. You can't quite make out the figures, but you're guessing one of those might be Heather. The way you see it, you can either climb up the building to try to help Heather or try to help her students. > You help her students Heather's a powerful wizard and can probably take care of herself. Her students on the other hand you're not so sure of and you're going to need all the magic help possible if you're going to turn back this invasion. If you can take out the opposing wizard, that would probably break the stalemate and then you all can help Heather if still necessary. You figure if you can sneak in range and get off a shot, you'll kill the wizard and dispel the demons he keeps warping in. Well that's the ideal plan anyway. You sneak around a few buildings trying to stay away from the direction of the fighting and getting closer hoping the whole time nobody notices you. Eventually you go into a partially destroyed building and get to the third floor of it to take your shot since you figure you'll at least be out of immediate danger of the demons suddenly turning around and attacking you. Taking aim, your pull the trigger and shoot the wizard in the back. You were aiming for his head, but it seems to have done the trick anyway as the wizard goes down. All that magic and you figured he neglected a protection spell against more mundane dangers. Whether the bullet killed him or not doesn't really matter since the demons warping in aren't under his control anymore and instead of immediately getting themselves killed by the students, a couple of them attack the easy prey on the ground instead. You watch a couple of them take chunks from the wizard and go bounding away. The students make quick work of most of the remaining demons that do insist on continuing their attack. Meanwhile, you're making your way back down to go meet up with the students now that the demon threat is over with. You exit the partially destroyed building and still see that Heather is fighting her opponent on the roof of the intact building. She needs help fast and you begin shouting at the students when you get closer to them. "Hey! Hey! I'm on your side! Heather needs help! Look!" you shout pointing up and towards the roof. No sooner have you done that, when they start shouting back and it looks like they're prepping spells. "What the fuc…shit!" Feeling in danger you immediately start firing at the students. A couple of them go down, cuasing the rest to scatter a bit and a few magic bolts go wild in your direction missing you. Unfortunately they also miss the demons they were trying to hit behind you. Your shouting caused the escaped demons that you thought left the area to come back for seconds on another easy target. You hear the growls and turn around just in time for one of them to almost be on you. The last thing you see are inhuman jaws enclosing on your face followed by a sickening crunch sound.

Year 32 It's been awhile, but it's good to see Vera again even if she's just here for a visit. She's got some strong opinions on some of the changes that have happened recently though. "I still can't believe the Felians are gone completely. I mean I just remember them always being here. Then again, so were a lot of groups I suppose. Still, sort of surprised you managed to gain an alliance with the Dornans." Vera remarks. "Don't see why it's really all that surprising. Heather helped us in the past and she's running things now. The Dornans aren't even very religious anymore; they turned their temple into a school of sorts. Don't think they've got many takers yet though." You say. "Hm. I'm also still a little concerned about what you did with the Syndicate though. Might have been better in the long run to just pay their price." "Are you kidding me Vera? You didn't see what they were trying to extort from us. Besides, we've been okay so far and they haven't even suddenly tried to raise the rate." "I dunno. I know you have a lucky habit of getting over on the Syndicate, but I feel like this is pushing it. I have to think they must know something, but they're biding their time to lull you into a false sense of security before they strike." "Oh trust me, ever since I stepped foot into this city, I've been on my guard constantly. Don't really know any other way to live at this point. However I'm going to soon be hiring a lot of cheap muscle in the form of all the hobgoblins, so I'm slightly less concerned about the Syndicate." "What? You can't seriously be considering recruiting MORE hobs." "Why not? They'll actually be perfect for this. Most of them either come here just itching to break someone's legs or they go join the fight arena. Though a few odd ones join the Holgard Watch instead, go figure." "Maybe, but I've noticed a severe increase in hobs in this organization since I came back to Holgard. Just don't want this place turning into the Roach Leg Tribe." "It's Spiderfang Tribe actually and they're still far outnumbered for that to happen. Well, for now at least. In any case, most of them have been migrating to Holgard quite a bit over the years. I guess most are learning that city life isn't all that bad and you can still be just as much of a violent asshole here as you can out in the wild and get routinely paid for it. Hmm, actually, now that I'm thinking about it, I guess it makes sense that a few of them join the Holgard Watch after all." "Well your call I guess, at least I don't have deal with them. Dealing with Warts was enough for me. Though I'm not convinced a bunch of unruly hobs are going to be the end all of extra protection." "Hence why we're also close allies to a group of wizards." "You seem pretty confident in our new wizard allies. Just how friendly are you with this Heather? I mean are you fucking her or something?" "No I'm not actually." "Ah, so you're TRYING to fuck her." "Actually I'm not, but I'm not sure what difference it would make to you if I was." "None I suppose, though I was just trying to figure out what might have been the motivator to throw your lot in with trusting this sorceress and her adepts. But if you say it was purely a practical and strategic move for the good of the League, then that's good enough for me." "Speaking of fucking, who was that big dark skinned guy who you were reluctant to leave when you were getting off the ship?" "Oh, that's Zamed. He's the captain of the Traveler. He's a Hessla pirate, we tend to have business with a lot of them in Jicol, but Zamed's been about the only one I've really taken a shine to lately. Still, it's just as well as he's a pirate. Don't think I'd want him around ALL the time. Best to keep these sort of things free and flexible." "Interesting. Though I thought Jicol was supposed to be pirate free." "Eh, it's pirate free in that the city doesn't have to worry about them ever attacking the place, but that doesn't mean they can't stop there for supplies as long as they behave. Besides, Zamed's been more of a privateer recently, though I suppose it's a thin line. He's been doing a lot of work for the Delantium Kingdom in their war against Nichan. Which is something I sort of want to bring up with you because it could possibly affect the League." "Well guess I better hear it then." Vera takes a drink of the rum she's brought with her from Jicol before continuing. "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let's see…what do you know of Peter Varsakken? Youngest son of Vlad." Vera asks. "Um, nothing actually. Didn't know there was another one of Vlad's spawn running around. Wait, is this another one of his bastards, like you?" you ask with a smirk. "Oh no. He's very much legitimate. It's just that after he had a disagreement with his father and fled the city, all records were pretty much erased of him. He's basically been living in exile in the Delantium Kingdom. Peter's disagreement with his father involved the whole breaking away from the Delantium Kingdom in the first place. Peter was the only one who saw it as treason and remained loyal to Delantium. Over the years Peter has been trying to amass an army to take back the city." "It's my understanding that the Delantium Kingdom hasn't exactly been in a big hurry to retake this place. I mean it's been decades hasn't it?" "Well they've been sort of busy with other things, like their recent war with Nichan for example. While the ruling class over there doesn't want to spend their resources and treasury to take this place back, they certainly won't turn down someone else willing to do the job, and that's where Peter comes in. He's of noble birth, loyal to the kingdom and would be an excellent governor for this city and absorb it back into Delantium's fold." "I see, and how do you know all this?" "As I said Zamed has been privateering for the Delantium Kingdom and he was contacted by Peter who is still trying to amass a conquering force of men and ships to take back his birthright. In fact Zamed is supposed to be organizing the majority of a flotilla of Hessla privateers" "And you trust this pirate?" "Of course not, but I trust the fact that I know how to lay it down good enough that he told me all this stuff in the bedroom without me even asking." "Okay, I don't need details on that part." "Anyway, Peter's been at this for years ever since he got exiled. He's suffered many set backs in his quest to retake Holgard. Every time he's been on the verge of being ready, something has happened. This was partially thanks to the Ebony Claw Syndicate sabotaging his efforts in Delantium, and sometimes even the Temple of Fel would hinder his efforts as well. However, since things have changed drastically over the years in this city, he's in the best position he's ever been in to retake this place." "What makes you think he won't get sabotaged again by either group? I mean the Ebony Claw might not have a direct presence here, but they're still making some coin from us. Same is some what true of the Felians, though different reasons. They're allies with the ECS, so they tend to help them." "I don't think they care this time. I mean thanks to your magical shenanigans they don't make enough from us for it to make much difference either way I suppose. If the League suffers severely from this invasion, the ECS will most likely just come in directly and finish it off." "Well that's presumptuous that we're going to get the shit kicked out of us. As long as we don't stand toe to toe with an invading force and stay out of the damn way, I imagine we'll get through it. Hell, it isn't like we don't have routes out of the city if need be. Honestly though unless this Peter is bringing the full force of the Delantium army, I don't see him winning. Ludmilla counts wizards among her allies and has a strong fleet of her own, so I question if this Peter is even going to succeed. And say Peter does win, then what? Is this guy some law and order fanatic? He's a Varsakken and from what I can tell every single one of their family members are corrupt. So it would just be a matter of coming to an understanding with him so business continues as usual." "Well that might be easier to do if we dealt with him now then. In fact I sort of wanted to address that idea." "Oh?" Vera goes into the explanation that from the information she's gathered from Zamed, Peter is most likely going to win. While he doesn't have the Delantium army at his command, he does have several orc mercenary companies along with a few wizards that he's managed to make friends with from the Delantium magic university. She also has heard that while Peter isn't exactly a Joachimite purity zealot, his time in the Delantium Kingdom has probably given him more of an appreciation for a more orderly society as opposed to one that embraces rampant corruption so readily. So he's most likely not going to look favorably upon the Nocturnal League. However, he's still pragmatic enough that he'd probably give leniency to a group that actively helped him and a deal could very well be made as you said. Vera goes on to say she truly believes that this is the best chance for the Nocturnal League to survive in Holgard. "You seem to have given this some thought, and while I do often appreciate your input on things, the one problem I have in this case is you're getting all of this information second hand from a pirate. Now I know you said your vertical smile caused the guy to go all stupid over you, so you're certain he's on the up and up. However, HIS information might also be mixed with rumors, half-truths and outright lies that he's overheard. I mean if you were fucking Peter Varsakken himself and getting this information from him, I might believe the situation is as hopeless as you're saying." You say. "I thought you might feel that way, so how about this then…Peter Varsakken is meeting Zamed. We could go to this meeting as well and we could hash out our demands." Vera remarks. "Wait. You're telling me that you were planning on going to meet with this Peter without me?" "No! Of course not! I came here first because I wanted to see what your decision would be on this. I mean look, I understand what you're saying, but based on everything I've learned, the outcome seems grim even if we managed to keep our head down during the initial invasion. But, you're right too, I am getting all this information second hand, so maybe it would be a good idea to actually talk with this Peter in person, before coming to any sort of decision. If we did, you and I could both make an assessment of whether to throw our lot in or not." "I dunno…(Sigh) yeah I suppose it couldn't hurt, though I'm just wondering about the people we already have alliances with. I mean pissing off the Holgard magic school isn't something I exactly want to do, also you mentioned the ECS has been thwarting this guy's efforts for a long time, and I'm still not convinced that they won't still do that even if they haven't done it yet. By siding with Peter, we could piss them off which wouldn't be any good either." "Well…it's your call I suppose boss. I just don't want us to get swept away in the flood of this upcoming conflict. I want to see us survive." "Pretty sure we all want that." You swear if it isn't a rebellion or faction war, it's a fucking invasion in this city. It's enough to make you want to pick up and just leave everything behind rather than deal with this shit. However, you've built something here, so you're not doing that until all else fails. Whether or not you can strike a good deal with Peter or not, there is one very personal reason you'd prefer to stay loyal to your current allies and that's the fact that so far Heather is your only sure lead on getting fixed from your curse. If you backstab them and live, you're still fucked because there goes a potential cure. It's selfish, but it's a pretty strong motivator. While Vera has said that Peter has wizard connections as well, that's not a sure thing that you can get help from them. They're assisting Peter and have no reason to do the same for you. About the only thing you can do is try to see if Heather and her people might join Peter's invasion. Hell, if that's the case then you'd definitely be willing to help Peter as well. Of course doing that might not go over well either and you'd tip your hand pretty severely. Might be better to talk to Peter first and get all the information from him and then go speak to Heather so you'd at least have something that might be useful to her if worse came to worst in your meeting. > You talk to Peter first Vera's usually got good instincts, if she's saying that you should at least speak with Peter, then you probably should do it. You can always speak to Heather after you come back depending on how the meeting goes. "Alright Vera, I'll meet with Peter. However, I want you to stay here." You say. "Wait, why?" Vera asks. "Because if anything happens I want to make sure someone competent is still in charge of the League. I trust Zamed will be fine in taking just me correct?" "Yeah, I'll talk to him, though I really think it would be better if we both went." "Again, as I said, I want someone in charge around here. I certainly can't entrust it all to Warts can I?" "Hah, guess not. Okay, I'll speak to Zamed that went he leaves, you'll be coming with him and he can come pick me up when you return." "Yeah, and tell him to make room for ten hobs as well. No way in hell I'm going without at least some back up even if this Peter's got a whole army behind him." Vera nods and leaves to go presumably talk to Zamed. Meanwhile you've got to get ready for your first trip aboard a ship. When you finally board the Traveller, Zamed greets you and shows you to where you'll be staying on his ship. "This will be fine." You say. "I should certainly hope so, these are the quarters of some of my own crew. As a favor to Vera, I have allowed you to bring aboard your…greenskins and provided comfortable accommodations. I certainly hope your savages don't get sick all over my ship." Zamed's comments are enough to draw some mean looks from your hobs. "I'd watch your choice of words if you want the greenskins to remain less savage." You say. "Pfft. This is MY fucking ship. I'll speak how I please. You all had best remember that." Zamed replies. "And YOU had best remember that if anything out of the ordinary should happen to me on this trip, you're not going to survive long enough to enjoy it." Zamed now gives you a look like he wants to do something, but instead spits near your feet and walks away. You tell your hobs to keep close to you and be ready for anything. You certainly hope your meeting with Peter goes better. Your time aboard the Traveller goes by slowly as there isn't much to do except wait. You don't interact much with Zamed and the rest of the crew for obvious reasons. The only thing Zamed tells you is you're heading towards an island with a small fishing town called Seabreeze which is under Delantium dominion. Peter apparently wants to keep major meetings with criminals away from the mainland for whatever reason. Hobs are great at protection, but not much for conversation (And unfortunately most of them DO get sick on the trip, apparently hobs don't take well to sailing), so you mainly just do a lot of thinking about what you're going to say to Peter when you finally meet him. After a couple weeks pass you finally get to your destination. An even larger ship is in the all too small harbor of Seabreeze. That one must be Peter's. Between his ship and the Traveller, there's barely any room for the small fishing boats to squeeze in. Eventually you disembark and several armored men equipped with muskets and swords meet you and Zamed. "You are Zamed, correct?" one of the higher ranking looking ones asks. "Yes." Zamed answers. "The rightful Baron Peter Varsakken has half of your payment ready. You will receive the other half afterwards as agreed. If you follow these men, they will take you to it. Your men will stay here." Zamed doesn't look too concerned about going by himself and just shrugs and follows the Delantium soldiers. The one who was speaking now turns to you. "You can return to your ship. Your captain will be back shortly." "He's not my captain. I came here on behalf of the Nocturnal League organization in Holgard." You say. The man is taken aback. "I see. I did not know that such a meeting had been arranged." The man says. "Neither did I, this was sort of sprung on me at the last second. I was however told by a subordinate that Peter…" you start to say before you're interrupted. "BARON PETER." "…the Baron…was looking for all the allies he could get in his quest to take back what was rightfully stolen from him." "Hmm, indeed he was seeking out potential allies on the inside. I was not however aware that it was more criminals. We have enough of that lot with these pirates masquerading as privateers. Still, Baron Peter Varsakken is a pragmatic man and will listen to what you have to say. Your greenskins will have to stay here and you will turn your weapons over to me obviously." You really don't like this idea, but you're here now so you might as well go all the way with it. However, you're not giving your weapons over to this Delantium tight ass. You instead hand them to one of your hobs and tell them to go back to the ship. This is fine with the Delantium solder and he tells you to follow him. You take a brief walk through the small town of Seabreeze which seems like this is the most attention it's received in a long time. The inhabitants watch everything. Soon, you stop at a run down little tavern called the Jolly Lobster. (A much happier sounding name than taverns in Holgard that's for sure) Surprisingly the place is filled with more Delantium soldiers not doing much of anything except enjoying their drink. Among them is a regal looking man who is probably about your age. You're guessing that's probably Peter. He doesn't look quite how you expected. He seems like he would be more than capable in a fight. The soldier who escorted you here explains to Peter the situation and his attention is immediately caught. He tells the rest of the soldiers at his table to clear so that you may sit and talk. As you do so, Peter is already studying you. Delantium soldiers sitting nearby also stare at you. "You nervous?" Peter asks. "I'd be a fool if I didn't have some concerns about my current situation. Though I wasn't really here to insult you or show disrespect, I was here about a potential alliance. My intentions are nothing but positive." "Your intentions are nothing but self serving. You sense change is coming and you want to be on the right side when it comes. It's perfectly understandable. You are the leader of the infamous Nocturnal League correct?" "Yes." Peter nods. "I don't have much information on you, but I do have enough to know that you have an uncanny knack of survival. The Ebony Claw Syndicate provided some of that information." "Hm, from what I heard, you weren't exactly friendly with them." "Well, let's just say things change. Sometimes old antagonists can be new allies, or at least non-antagonists. In fact you happen to be one reason why the Syndicate isn't actively sabotaging me this time. Indeed, when I liberate Holgard, some of the orc mercenaries that the Syndicate provided will be actively targeting the Nocturnal League. They aren't exactly happy with you for some reason." Well this is news. You aren't sure if you should be happy or uneasy that Peter is so freely admitting this. "I have an idea of why, but what I don't understand is why you would tell me directly." "Because I have no real love for the Syndicate. Honestly, I'm just using them for their help in taking back Holgard. I really don't care if they succeed in their petty revenge against you. That being said, I don't care about you either. Your organization, if it survives will be a thorn in the Delantium law I intend to re-establish in Holgard and will be dealt with eventually anyway. With this information you could stay and fight which will result in your death either during or after the liberation or you could leave to save yourself. Either way, your organization will not plague Holgard." "Sounds like you've made up your mind." "Not at all. You're here so I figure you have something to say. Perhaps you can convince me of your worth." Peter looks at you and leans in. "So convince me." You take a moment to gather up some of the things you thought about saying to Peter and then throw out most of it before you speak. You tell Peter that a criminal element will always exist in some way in a city as large as Holgard. Better that he deal with a friendly crime lord who can maintain order over it rather than wasting time attempting to stomp it all out. You also remind him that without you around, the Syndicate will definitely attempt to re-establish a presence back in the city and they engage in activities much worse like slave trading than your organization does. You also say you can easily provide skirmish support as your group is very familiar with the city and the sewers in particular. You'd be able to help pick off Ludmilla's troops. Peter seems in intrigued by your arguments, but he doesn't show any positivity in your favor until you mention that you might be able to get the mages in Holgard on his side. "If you manage to do that, I will certainly take your organization's right to exist in Holgard into consideration." And that's about the best you do with Peter. The rest of the discussion is mainly him going on about what he intends to change and similar things. He surprisingly doesn't ask you much about Ludmilla even though you mention that you met her. Soon, he says that he has more important business to attend to and dismisses you at which point several soldiers escort you out and most of the way to the Traveller. The only thing going through your mind during this is that you'd probably be better off not allying with Peter. Even if Heather is receptive to the idea of switching sides, it's still no safety guarantee for you. The question remains if you're going to stay in Holgard and fight or just run off to Jicol and run things there. It's certainly the easier and safer solution. When you finally board the Traveller, you're getting harder stares than you normally are by Zamed's crew. You also notice a few of them look a little beat up and their clothing is torn. You chalk it up to perhaps some internal squabble and then when you return to your quarters that's when you realize what's happened. The quarters where you and the hobs were staying at is a wreck. While there aren't any bodies it's obvious what happened with all the blood everywhere. You immediately search the quarters hoping that you can find a weapon of some sort. "It's a good thing your hobs still weren't feeling their best, might have been a more difficult fight. Looking for this?" Zamed says. You turn around and see him holding your repeating pistol. "Excellent workmanship. Not sure how you came across it, but rest assured it will be in better hands, much like Vera." Zamed says. "Is this what this is about? I've never even fucked Vera and never made a move on her!" you say. "Perhaps not, but she talks about you constantly. Always goes on about how great you are. The way I see it, if you were so great then why the hell did she betray you?" "What the hell are you on about?" "Clueless idiot. Vera's been in cahoots with the Syndicate for a long time now. In fact that's what this is really about anyway. I'm turning your ass in to the Syndicate for a shitload of coin." "What? I don't believe you. Vera would never betray me!" "It's of minor importance. However, you might be right, she might still be a little too sweet on you and I doubt if she'll believe any story I come up with. Better to just not bother picking her up. Oh well. It was good while it lasted, but as for you, you're on your way out." Zamed points your pistol at you and fires hitting you in the chest. You fall backwards and struggle to breathe for a moment until Zamed walks over and finishes the job by putting two shots more in your head.

The more you think about it, the more this makes sense in a ruthless pragmatic sort of way. The temple of Fel here could very well become an arm of the Syndicate again, maybe not today or tomorrow, but when it happens, you're going to be in a much more dangerous position. You still aren't exactly sure about the Dornans, but you're willing to give Heather the benefit of the doubt that she has genuine intentions. This still could all backfire of course, but you'll have to take that chance too. However, being an ally is a two way street and Heather did say she would help you in any way she could. "Okay Heather, I'm going to risk this, but as a show of good will I'm going to need something from you too." You say. "Of course. What is it?" Heather asks. "There's a representative from the Syndicate here as you know. Now I have to pay him an amount of coin that I don't particularly want to before he leaves in a few days." "Wait, so you want me to kill him?" "Well, you probably would be better equipped since I do have reason to believe that he's probably highly skilled in shadow magic. While maybe with a bit of preparation my people could take him since he's alone, but it wouldn't be pretty. However, that wouldn't really solve my problem. The Syndicate would just rightfully assume I killed him and then have good reason to be pissed at me and that wouldn't be good." "So what are you asking exactly?" "Any way you could alter his mind or something similar?" "Well there are spells that can do all sorts of things, but again, did you have an idea of what you wanted exactly?" You and Heather start to discuss each other's plans. Your situation with Percy is easy enough Heather says, and assures you that she will be able to implement something with the help of her people. Gloom and his people will be a little more difficult, but the pair of you come up with something that should work. It'll just require a little bullshit on your part, but you've been doing that for so long that you're definitely an expert in it. In any event, you're going to go meet with Gloom while Heather plans to ambush Percy. The next day you head to the Temple of Fel. Several Felians don't even seem to be bothered by your intrusion, which would be a much different story if Shade or his predecessors were running things. When one of them asks what your business is at the temple, you simply tell them that you wish to see Gloom at which point they go check to see if he's available and fortunately he is so you can get this over with today hopefully. (Along with it going smoothly) You walk through the dark temple and eventually to Gloom's chambers where he sits writing something. When you enter he smiles and greets you. (You've always found his general friendly personality to not quite match his name, let alone his faith) "Come in, come in, I was just finishing up my latest sermon. Have my faithful been providing an adequate job with your extra security? There haven't been any issues have there?" Gloom asks. "No, not at all. In fact I was going to tell you I won't be needing them after all, seems I overreacted with the Syndicate visit." You answer. "Ah, I see. Well better safe than sorry. So how did your meeting with the Syndicate go?" "Better than I hoped. Worse than I feared. So has the Syndicate been to see you?" "Us? No. I don't see why they would. Why do you ask?" "Oh, I figured while the Syndicate isn't making a direct threatening presence, I figure they might still be snooping about and trying to stir up animosity between allies." "Ah, yes I can see where that would be a concern, but I assure you we have no dealings with them even if the Temple of Fel has been considered the Syndicate's traditional ally. As you know while we are faithful to Fel, we believe in following our own path. We are your allies, not the Syndicate." "Yes, this particular temple has been engaged in the concept of flexibility for quite some time now. And I appreciate your dedication to our partnership, which is why I'm puzzled that you did not ask for our help on your own matter." "Our matter?" "Well your attempt to wipe out the Dornans of course." Gloom drops his friendly persona, though not to a hostile expression, but more of a serious one. "I considered that as a private conflict between faith and saw no reason to bother you with it, I know you're very busy and all. Though I do wonder how you found out about it, since we've very good about keeping this quiet. The Baroness would come down on everyone if the two remaining religious factions in the city were openly fighting in the streets." Gloom says. "Because the leader of the Dornans came to me yesterday begging for an alliance. She wants me to turn on you. She even gave me one of these again." You pull out a solid black orb causing Gloom's eyes to widen. He remembers a similar magic object was used during the final battle with the Joachimites. You continue to speak quickly before Gloom makes any rash moves. "Don't worry my friend, obviously I'm not here for treachery. Besides, I'm here by myself. Even without your magic I would never succeed so it would be a pretty poor plan indeed. I am however giving it to you. Just like I gave this to Shade when we fought the Inquisitor. Here you go." Gloom warily looks at you as he slowly takes the orb. When he finally grabs it, he seems to relax a little more, but he's definitely not comfortable. Still he hasn't killed you yet, so that's a good sign. Meanwhile you're doing your best to remain calm yourself under these conditions, so you continue to speak. "I have to say I was a little surprised that the Dornan high priestess came to me though. I figured with all their magic they would be more than able to take care of themselves." You say. "They're in a vulnerable state so they need all the help they can get right now. However, they're still very dangerous. In fact I thought that with their new leadership, they would soon collapse altogether, but as it turned out they have proved more resilient than I thought. They're attempting to rebuild and I'm not just talking about their numbers, I'm talking about their influence in this city." Gloom remarks. "What do you mean?" "The Dornan high priestess or matriarch as her followers call her now, has made steps in meeting with Baroness Varsakken over the past few months. She obviously intends on gaining favor with Ludmilla and eventually get rid of us and that can't happen." "Wow. Didn't know that, but isn't the Baroness a dedicated follower of Fel?" "Eh, the Baroness has always been a dabbler. Her faith in Fel isn't the most dedicated. Indeed she probably has always been more interested in learning shadow magic rather than revering Fel. Still, it was useful to have ruler that was friendly towards us. Unfortunately the new Dornan leadership seems have opened their own doors to teaching the ways of magic and Ludmilla is all too eager to jump on such an offer even if it means paying lip service to both gods." "Won't one of these divine beings eventually punish Ludmillia for her fickle nature?" you say mildly jokingly. "Perhaps, but it my experience the gods do things in their own time and as a mortal I can't wait that long. In any case it would seem that perhaps Fel has assisted in the more direct destruction of the immediate threat that are the Dornans." Gloom examines the orb in his hand after his statement before continuing. "So what exactly was the plan anyway? How did she even trust you enough?" Gloom asks. "Oh, she was trying to prey upon my paranoia with the Syndicate, claiming that you would eventually turn against me and other shit. Also during that whole getting Dornan help against the Joachimites, I fucked her once." You say. "Truly?" "Yeah, the Elder at the time was being sort of a dick to her and I bumped into her crying about it. Seeing an opportunity, I sort of reassured her of her worth and well you know how women fall for that sort of thing. One thing lead to another and I think she's always been a little sweet on me after that. As for the plan, I was supposed to just come in here with my people, break the orb so you couldn't use any magic and then make sure all of you were dead." "Hm, she might as well have placed her faith in Dorna rather than you for all good either would do her. The Dornans do have powerful magic to be sure, but they are poor fighters. Evening the odds with this object and they stand no chance. I'm going to personally enjoy this I believe and you've proven that our alliance is indeed a strong one. We will strike their temple in force. I want to make sure none escape, then we'll destroy it." "Did you want the League's assistance?" "Well, you've done enough already and I never even asked for it. I see now that I probably should have though. I believe we can do this ourselves, however if you still wish to help, I will not turn it down." "I'll be there with a few of my people. Couldn't hurt." Gloom tells you that he'll organize an attack in a few days, you tell him that works for you since you have some other business to attend to. A couple days pass and that other business finally comes to pass and this is what you've been more concerned about. You meet Percy at the same tavern with the payment. Once again he's very friendly. "On time as usual. Very glad that you value promptness as I am in a bit of a hurry. I believe I may have had too much fun here and I should be getting back. I thank you for your suggestions on where to go." Percy says. "No problem, so will you be back next month at this time?" you ask. "Probably not me, but someone will. Probably of much lesser importance of course. I was just here this time to extend the hand and make the deal as it were. Still glad we came to one." "Yes, I agree. Better for business all around." "Yes! Yes exactly!" "Anyway, I have your payment. Um, just so we're clear how much was it again?" "Oh come on now. You trying one last try at lowering the price? I told you I wasn't here to haggle. You know it was a thousand gold pieces." "Yes, I knew, and I have it here. Just a poor attempt at a joke I suppose." "Hm, well jokes are fine, but never about the Syndicate business. I hope you remember that." "I will." You have two of your hobgoblin muscle show Percy a large chest of gold to which he nods and you tell them to load it on the carriage outside. "And with that, our business is concluded. I bid you good day and wish you well in your future endeavors, especially if it's going to make the Syndicate money!" Percy stands up, shaking your hand and leaves. You can't believe that worked. You don't know what the hell Heather did to him, but he actually believed he only asked you for a thousand gold monthly payment as opposed to the much larger sum he asked before. You can imagine his superiors are going to be upset, but it won't be at you, it'll be at him for fucking up a deal that they're stuck with now. Well at least you hope they won't try to re-negotiate immediately. You've bought yourself a little more time at least. Meanwhile, you still have to go stab the Felians in the back though you're sort of wondering about still going through with that now what you've heard about Heather cozying up to the Baroness. Seems like now more than ever she's attempting to use you as a pawn. Granted she was allying with you for mutual benefit before, but this seems a little different now. What exactly is she planning? Then again, if she is getting friendly with the Baroness, is it really going to make a difference to you? And Heather did just come through for you on the Syndicate thing. > You change your mind You got what you wanted from Heather as far as the Syndicate was concerned. It's a shitty situation, but you're doing what you got to do to survive it. Not that you have some great love for the Felians, and you don't even mind Heather, but who knows what the hell her real agenda is if she's making friends in high places. Plus better the devil you know than the one you don't. All that remains is somehow warning Gloom about the orb. It's going to be tough considering you convinced him to take it in the first place. Last thing you want to happen is to arouse suspicion from him. Upon thinking about it you decide you'll just have to take Heather by surprise when you accompany Gloom on his invasion of the temple. She'll be expecting you to be on her side, so you should have the drop on her and her people. You'll need to make those shots count and attempt to take cover immediately. After the battle, you can claim ignorance about the orb and just tell Gloom that she must have been attempting to kill you by giving you a non-working one in the first place. The night of the attack comes and you meet with Gloom just a few blocks away from the Dornan Temple, you have your usual hob retinue with you. (You're really getting used to having these guys around nowadays) Gloom is with a few of his own people, but even without magic powers you can sense some are probably nearby in the shadows. "Once again, glad that this is a joint effort though I don't think it was necessary to bring as many people with you as you did. The orb is going to nullify all magic and when that happens, those Dornan priests aren't going to be much match for us." Gloom says. "Yeah, well I want to be on the safe side. We'll come in with your people." You say. "I appreciate it. This is something that's been a long time coming. Honestly, it was foolish to believe they wouldn't be a problem. Shadow Master Shade warned me to always watch them you know, just before he died. A few of his interpretations of the faith may have been a bit too restrictive, but he had his own wisdom on practical matters." With those last words all of you march towards the temple. The few wanderers still outside in the area immediately go find shelter when they see a group of mean looking hobgoblins and Felians walking down the street. The Dornan Temple doesn't even have their usual lookout standing outside, though you imagine the Dornans have some sort of magical detection going on and this plan has already been expected. Gloom blasts the temple's doors off their hinges with a dark magic bolt of some sort. Then he takes the lead, you tell your hobgoblins to rush forward for the kill as soon as the orb is dropped. They faithfully obey and you all enter with the crowd of Felians that are entering the temple. Heather and her much smaller group are already there to meet the Felians. "It ends today and the faith of Fel will rule supreme in the city at last!" Gloom shouts and throws down the orb. A bit more dramatic than you'd expect from a Felian, but then Gloom's whole attack tonight is a bit more theatrical than a typical Felian would go about this. Good thing too, since if he behaved more like his predecessors he wouldn't be going in so recklessly like this. No sooner has Gloom made his announcement, a white light washes over the room and suddenly all of Gloom's previously shadow cloaked people are now visible. Naturally Gloom just assumes this is just the effects of the orb, but he's soon very surprised to learn that the Dornans have not lost any of their magic abilities at all. Knowing what's really going on, you waste no time in firing at Heather while your hobs rush forward to attack. A couple of the Dornan acolytes are cut down as they were caught completely off guard by this, however your own attack has proven ineffective against Heather who apparently had a protective spell up just in case you decided to betray her. In fact as the bullets fail to hurt her, she just turns her head and looks at you with a minor head shake. "Shit…" They may be a small group, but this temple is where their magic is the most powerful. Most of your hobs are incinerated instantly by the remaining Dornan spells. A lot of the Felians too, before Gloom orders a retreat. He doesn't make it out though before he's brought down by some spell that causes him to age rapidly and then fall over dead. You don't make it out either. A spell freezes you in place and while you helplessly watch others escape or die in front of you, you can only imagine what grim fate Heather has in store for you after this is over. As it turns out, Heather's imagination is a lot darker than yours. She manages to punish you for a week before she contacts the Syndicate about your double cross on them and hands you over. They're more than happy to finish the job of putting you out of your misery.

Chapter 3D2 Power Struggle Year 31 "When are they supposed to arrive again?" you ask. "Um, lesee… the ECS rep is supposed to be here tomorrow by carriage." Warts says. "Okay. It's been what, like a decade that they haven't taken an interest in this place ever since they lost their chapter here, now all of a fucking sudden I'm receiving letters and having to meet with their reps." "Better dat den assassin blades." "I guess. Just wondering why now all of a sudden." "Maybe itz our expansion inta Jicol? We's startin' ta get bigger, dat shit kinda draws tenshun. Probably shoulda stayed small." "It was a risk, I suppose. Then again they might have fucked with us anyway. At least now we're a little stronger. Speaking of which, maybe we should get some of Gloom's people here tonight as extra security until this visit is over. Might as well put that alliance we have to good use." "Grh, I still don't trust dem shadow guyz. Dey used ta be allied wit da Syndicate." "Yeah. I know their faith is for the most part still chummy with the Syndicate, but ever since Shade split from the main faith, this particular temple seems to be independent and follow its own agenda. I guess we can get a feel of where their alliances lie at least. Sort of wish Vera was still around sometimes as an extra pair of hands and eyes, but she's more useful in Jicol. I think she needed the change of scenery anyway." "How iz things dere anyway?" "Last message I got from her she said there weren't any problems. Even starting to recruit a few of the locals there, which is good so we don't have to send any more people from here. Not to mention the profit she sent last month was the biggest yet." "You ever think she's skimmin'?" "Vera? Nah, but I'm sure she's probably running something on the side for herself. Which is fine by me if she is. I'd rather have her overlooking things there than anyone else." Later you go to the Temple of Fel to speak with Gloom about extra back up. Gloom as usual is always willing to assist you. You've always felt Gloom was way too friendly to be a Felian (Even his name is ironic) but better cordial than hostile you suppose. One thing you have noticed is that over the years, the Felians aren't quite the disciplined shadowy priests they once were. Not to say they wouldn't be formidable in a fight, but they definitely aren't like how they were under their previous leadership. Gloom wasn't even aware that the Syndicate was visiting. For a group that's generally known for being masters of secrets and such, they seem a bit out of the loop nowadays. After coming to an agreement with Gloom, you leave the temple and make your way back to your headquarters. The next day the ECS representative arrives. As mentioned in the correspondence to you, you meet in a "neutral" location at a tavern called the Bloody Bandit (Warts was right, why don't more of these places have inviting names?) You arrive with a few of the larger hobgoblins by your side. You weren't sure at first, but letting some of Wart's "buddies" from the Spiderfang tribe join was a good idea. They aren't as big as an ogre or as muscular as an orc but they're just as ugly and mean enough to intimidate most. You look around and notice that at least one of Gloom's people is here. There might be more, but if they are, they must be better at hiding themselves. In any case, you're satisfied that you have an advantage if it comes to a fight. Then you see who can only be who you're supposed to meet. A well dressed man with a thin mustache sitting all by himself and not looking very concerned about his surroundings. The fact that he's here by himself speaks of his confidence that he's either powerful enough to survive whatever you might have in store, or the consequences of him will be so severe that you won't even try. He's not drinking anything, but when he sees you he nods and waves you over. You tell your hobgoblin retinue to wait nearby and mentally prepare yourself. You sit down and the man briefly smiles. "Well, right on time. Always a good sign when someone is punctual. When I noticed the shadow blades come in here, I thought for a moment you were using some sort of weak psychological intimidation tactic and try to make me sweat while you came in late. Though I suppose you're just more concerned with security given your green buddies over there. Hobs are an unusual choice though. We usually use ogres or orcs, but then you use the savages you got access to right? I can appreciate a man who improvises. In any case, my name is Percy and I'm sure you want to get to it." "I do like to be direct." "So I've heard. Oh I've heard a lot about you actually. Don't know everything about you of course, but that's okay, a little mystery is always welcome. What do you say about mystery?" "Not a fan of it. I sort of prefer to know everything I can, so I'm not caught off guard." "Heh, and I knew that about you too! Maybe you're not so mysterious, but that's okay too!" Percy pats your hand from across the table in his enthusiasm. Honestly, you don't know if the guy is flirting with you at this point. Maybe it's a tactic to try to make you uncomfortable, whatever it is, you stay stoic. "So what is it that the Syndicate wishes of the Nocturnal League?" you ask. "Ah that is the question isn't it? What DOES the Syndicate want? I bet ever since you heard from us, you've been wondering. Is this a threat? Is this a deal? Is this an alliance? Is it a prelude to an attack? What COULD it be? Why has the Syndicate suddenly taken an interest in Holgard again after it abandoned it a decade ago? Well? Do YOU have any ideas?" Percy asks. "I'm a cynic so I'm guessing you're here to say you're taking over and this is my one warning to get out of the way. At best, you'll want me to still stick around. At worst, you've probably already poisoned me when you touched my hand." Percy laughs out loud. "You my friend have a very interesting imagination! I assure you, if we wanted you dead, we wouldn't even be talking right now. You are partially correct though." Percy says. "You're taking over." You remark. "No. Well not directly. We DO want you to stick around though. You see, we have done a little research on you. We know you came here years ago, we also know you were part of the Thieves' Guild here before that and were instrumental in its destruction which THEN led to you being part of the Syndicate chapter here. Before Rook apparently blundered and cocked everything up. During all that time though, up until you created this Nocturnal League, you at your core were a thief. A good one though from what I've heard." "Don't get to do it much anymore." "Mm, so to sum up, we have a simple thief who survived the destruction of not one, but two organizations that held the most sway in the underworld here. You then went on to create your own organization, which is now the only game in town. You also apparently managed to leverage an alliance with the Temple of Fel here. That is an interesting one considering the faithful of Fel and the Syndicate have been allies for many decades. Intertwined one might even say." "This group is a little different." "Indeed. I believe the High Shadow back in Delantium has had some issues with this particular branch in general, but that's an internal matter on their end. In any case back to you, it's all very impressive for someone of humble origins and very unusual how it all seemed to work out in your favor. One might even think you planned everything… well either that or you had the gods on your side." "Never really planned to be in the position I'm currently in and the only god I've ever gave a few words to is Yag and even then not much." "Well, then he must be rolling well for you every time. Perhaps it is luck that drives success in this city after all. Strategy, logic and even simple might seem to eventually fail in this city. This place is has always been problematic ever since the late Baron Vlad Varsakken declared his independence from Delantium. Even when we had a chapter here, it was always the least profitable of all of our holdings even with all the corruption going on, so when the leadership finally collapsed here and the rest of the lower ranks scattered to the winds. People higher than myself decided to wash their hands of the whole thing, not unlike the Delantium Kingdom did before I guess. However, things change and one of those changes is you sharing in your obvious success." And here it is, the shakedown. "I can see by your face you aren't pleased with that last statement, but I think you should look upon it as a compliment. Just think, YOU managed to do what the Syndicate could not. You made a success here with no competition and you built it all from the ground up. Granted you did use some of our people and even altered our product…Purple Wish? Come on, we all know that's just an inferior version of Blue Dream, but it's probably for the best that you didn't try to rip us off directly. We might have very well sent assassins in that case." Percy says. "I had considered that, hence why I suggested changing the formula." You say. "See always thinking! Which is why a direct take over wouldn't be as efficient. I mean why come in here and stomp about establishing our dominance and wasting manpower and resources when you're here? A perfectly reasonable and intelligent man more than capable of running things and knowing to give us our due." "Also knowing I don't have choice in the matter either." "But there is ALWAYS choice! I just know you'll make the right one! I'm going to give you a sum and you can tell me if it's fair or rip it up. What you can't do is negotiate though. I'm afraid I'm not here to do that." With this statement, Percy suddenly takes a small piece of parchment out of his pocket and moves it across the table. You take it and look at it. It's not unreasonable, but it's not exactly something you'd be looking forward to paying every month. Especially when you're already kicking bribes to the Holgard government. Still, you're getting a lot of leeway all things considered. For now you're going to accept. You can always figure something out later. "Very well I accept." You say. "Good! I knew you would! You didn't get where you are by being an idiot! Now that business is over, I'm going to be in the city a few more days before coming to see you again for the first payment. Now I know you're a busy man with busy people, so I don't expect you lot to see to me and I'm more than capable of protecting myself. However, I would like some suggestions on where all the good spots to have fun and unwind are here." After giving Percy some suggestions he shakes your hand and thanks you before leaving. As for you, you don't feel like going back to work right away either. You dismiss your hob crew and tell the Felians to just go back to whatever it is they do since you just want a moment by yourself (Even if you are still in a tavern) While you're racking your brain on how to deal with this new situation, you get another visitor. "Tough day in the underworld?" You look and see a woman in Dorna robes. It's been awhile, but you recognize her immediately. It's Heather. "Heather? This is unexpected. How did you know I was even here?" You say. "Magic is a very handy thing to be skilled in when locating someone. I've been meaning to see you for a while now. In fact I was coming to see you today and I'm glad I caught you when I did since it seems like you've been meeting with others. Like that man from the Syndicate." Heather remarks. "You seem to have a lot of interest in me all of a sudden. Is this personal, or did Elder Flynn send you on behalf of your temple?" "Oh this is temple business, but Elder Flynn didn't send me. In fact he's no longer in charge. I am." "I see. Did you…" "Kill him? Oh no. There was a large magical disturbance last year at a known wizard's home miles outside Holgard. An old acquaintance of the Elder actually. Flynn, myself and several other high ranking members went to investigate and let's just say it didn't go well and I was the only survivor. However it did mean there was now need of a new leader and since I still was the most experienced. I took charge. Well, took charge of the few that remained of our order at least." "Hm. Didn't know that. Then again you lot are always insular so I just assumed you were being bookworms as usual and never leaving your temple. I'm surprised you told me that your temple isn't as strong as it once was. Still, I would have thought the Felians would at least have knowledge of this and been all over it, but then they're hardly the order they once were too." "You're right about that one, in fact that's why I'm proposing you need a new ally and abandon your old ones." "New ally…wait…what, your people?" "Why not? We've worked together before and obviously I trust you enough to reveal my temple's status to you." "Yes, which is why I'm less than enthused. I mean no offense, but if your order only mainly consists of you and a few acolytes now, why would I abandon the Felians for you lot? This seems like you're just wanting to wipe out the Felians and you need my numbers to help you do it. And why now anyway? You two haven't had any problems. Even during the faith war here, you two didn't have any trouble." "Because the Felians DO know that we're currently weak and they've already been conspiring to finish us off. Why they haven't revealed such info to your organization I couldn't say. Perhaps they felt that this didn't concern you or you wouldn't care. However, the shadow lurking fools are as you say, definitely not the order they once were. Even with our lesser strength we've already fought off several assassination attempts. Still, it's only a matter of time before they DO ask for assistance and that's most likely going to be you…or the Syndicate. They are back in this city are they not?" Now this meeting just became a little more serious. Heather seems to know a lot about your situation, but then given that she's got magic coming out her ass, you aren't that surprised. "Yes, they are. What are you exactly proposing Heather?" you ask. "The Fel temple is rogue in many ways. I don't propose to be an expert on their beliefs, but even I know that by breaking with its long time Syndicate alliance, it is only a matter of time before they are reabsorbed back into their faith's proper doctrine. That's either going to happen because we will eventually manage to do enough harm that they'll beg for help from their father temple in Delantium or they'll slowly be forced back into submission when the Syndicate eventually starts pushing their weight here. That is what they're doing aren't they?" Heather says. "Somewhat…yes." "My proposal is this. WE ally against the Felians. They aren't going to expect an attack from you and you probably know when and where best to strike. We will provide back up of course to minimize the losses. In return you get allies that are much more powerful in the ways of magic and aren't likely to backstab you in the future. Our goal aren't the same, but don't conflict either, so I'd say that already makes us better than the Felians." "For the sake of argument, let's say I agree to this. I still don't see how this helps me all that much. I'm going to be taking most of the risk and damage and if anything the Syndicate might get a little suspicious if I start wiping out former allies." "I think you and I both know they're going to be suspicious of you anyway, but if this helps, I will personally assist you in anyway I can in any matter. I mean maybe I never said this properly years ago, but I did appreciate that you turned down Elder Flynn's ritual suggestion. Not something I ever forgot." Heather looks at you with a mixture of anticipation and hopefulness. Perhaps even a bit of desperation. The fact that she's asking you at all says to you that she's not exactly confident that she'll win without your help. Honestly, you aren't sure about all this. While Heather has brought up some concerning points. The Felians ARE your allies and granted in this business such things can be fleeting, you start stabbing them in the back and where does it end? You also aren't so sure about replacing a solid known ally with an uncertain one, especially if they aren't exactly any better than the ones you have. Gloom also hasn't really ever given you any reason to suddenly turn on him. Unless you're going to count the fact that his people never said they were waging a private war to finish off the Dornans. Then again, maybe Gloom considered it an internal matter and didn't feel the need to bother you with it. And the Syndicate just complicates matters. How are they going to react or will they even care at all? Percy did mention the temple here was frowned upon by the faithful in Delantium. Maybe it wouldn't matter if you wiped them out. > You stay with Gloom It's a tempting offer, but if you double cross everyone you're going to soon find yourself with enemies on all sides. "I appreciate you being up front with me with this offer and perhaps under better circumstances, I'd be more than happy to have you as allies, but think about it. If I backstab the Felians so easily after being allied with them, would you ever truly trust me?" you say. Heather's look of hopefulness drops. "No. No I suppose I wouldn't. But…I'm sure you wouldn't really want us as enemies." Heather says, "Well that sounds like a threat." You say. "It wasn't! That's not how I meant it! I just mean, if you're allied with the Felians, then we're going to eventually butt heads and I'd rather not have to fight you for practical and personal reasons." "Well as you know the Felians haven't come to us for help. The best I can do if they do ask for help is tell them that their little war with you is their own affair and not in the best business interest of the League. What happens after that…well I'll still be here to assist the survivors should they need it." "That's very…pragmatic of you. Though I suppose your word that you at least won't help the Felians is the best I can hope for. Very well, I shall leave you to your business. Good day." Heather leaves and you're finally left alone. It's been a busy day. A couple days pass and the time to meet up with Percy is at hand and you haven't been looking forward to it. You meet Percy at the same tavern with the payment. Once again he's very friendly. "On time as usual. Very glad that you value promptness as I am in a bit of a hurry. I believe I may have had too much fun here and I should be getting back. I thank you for your suggestions on where to go." Percy says. "No problem, so will you be back next month at this time?" you ask. "Probably not me, but someone will. Probably of much lesser importance of course. I was just here this time to extend the hand and make the deal as it were. Still glad we came to one." "Yes, I agree. Better for business all around." "Yes! Yes exactly!" "Anyway, I have your payment. It's right outside loaded on that carriage you probably passed on your way in here." "Yes, I trust the correct amount is in those chests. I mean I'm sure it is, but I think you know the issues that would occur if that wasn't the case." "Yes, I'm quite aware. "Good, and with that, our business is concluded. I bid you good day and wish you well in your future endeavors, especially if it's going to make the Syndicate money!" Percy stands up, shakes your hand and leaves. You're really going to hate this new arrangement. You send a message off to Vera explaining the situation. Over the next few months, you start to really hate it as you start to feel the crunch of not having that extra surplus anymore. It's not really much of a problem for you personally per say, but the rest of the League members aren't exactly happy paying more dues as it were. In fact when the Felians actually come to you for assistance on wiping out the Dornans, you legitimately have an excuse that you can't spare the people and it's not cost effective to do so. As expected Gloom is not very happy with you not helping, though you point out that you're not happy that he just suddenly sprung this on you and attempt to deflect the blame by claiming he was keeping secrets from you about his private war with the Dornans. The ultimate results of that skirmish is eventual defeat of the Dornans, though with a very high cost to the Felians. The Felians wind up having less numbers than the Dornans had when the faction war was restarted. Little more than a handful and Gloom isn't counted among them any longer. The new leader Dusk doesn't even renew contact with you and instead the temple returns to an isolationist mindset, keeping to themselves. You guess you've lost the Felians as an ally, but you're not quite concerned about that given how low their numbers are. Around this time you get a message back from Vera who expresses concern about the new developments with the Syndicate. She goes on to say that she'll be in Holgard in a few months with her usual cut. She says when she gets there you and her should speak more on this since it's a conversation that should take place in person. You'll be looking forward to her thoughts on this matter since while things haven't gone to complete shit yet, you get the impression it won't be long. > You time passes... Year 32 It's been awhile, but it's good to see Vera again even if she's just here for a visit. She's got some strong opinions on some of the changes that have happened recently though. "I'm not sure if staying neutral was the best decision. We probably should have directly helped the Felians. They were our allies after all and now we don't have any." Vera says. "We still have an understanding with the Baroness. So, we're not that bad off." You say. "I suppose, but…" "But what?" "Well that's something I need to talk to you about because it could possibly affect the League." "Well guess I better hear it then." Vera takes a drink of the rum she's brought with her from Jicol before continuing. "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let's see…what do you know of Peter Varsakken? Youngest son of Vlad." Vera asks. "Um, nothing actually. Didn't know there was another one of Vlad's spawn running around. Wait, is this another one of his bastards, like you?" you ask with a smirk. "Oh no. He's very much legitimate. It's just that after he had a disagreement with his father and fled the city, all records were pretty much erased of him. He's basically been living in exile in the Delantium Kingdom. Peter's disagreement with his father involved the whole breaking away from the Delantium Kingdom in the first place. Peter was the only one who saw it as treason and remained loyal to Delantium. Over the years Peter has been trying to amass an army to take back the city." "It's my understanding that the Delantium Kingdom hasn't exactly been in a big hurry to retake this place. I mean it's been decades hasn't it?" "Well they've been sort of busy with other things, like their recent war with Nichan for example. While the ruling class over there doesn't want to spend their resources and treasury to take this place back, they certainly won't turn down someone else willing to do the job, and that's where Peter comes in. He's of noble birth, loyal to the kingdom and would be an excellent governor for this city and absorb it back into Delantium's fold." "I see, and how do you know all this?" "The captain who brought me here, Zamed has been privateering for the Delantium Kingdom. He was contacted by Peter who is still trying to amass a conquering force of men and ships to take back his birthright. In fact Zamed is supposed to be organizing the majority of a flotilla of Hessla privateers" "And you trust this pirate?" "Of course not, but I trust the fact that I know how to lay it down good enough that he told me all this stuff in the bedroom without me even asking." "Okay, I don't need details on that part." "Anyway, Peter's been at this for years ever since he got exiled. He's suffered many set backs in his quest to retake Holgard. Every time he's been on the verge of being ready, something has happened. This was partially thanks to the Ebony Claw Syndicate sabotaging his efforts in Delantium, and sometimes even the Temple of Fel would hinder his efforts as well. However, since things have changed drastically over the years in this city, he's in the best position he's ever been in to retake this place." "What makes you think he won't get sabotaged again by either group? I mean the Ebony Claw might not have a direct presence here, but they're still making some coin from us. Same is somewhat true of the Felians, though different reasons. They're allies with the ECS, so they tend to help them and it isn't like the Felian Temple here is our enemy even if they aren't aligned or in any position to do anything in the first place." "Perhaps, but I'm just not sure if the Baroness is a sure thing in the future. If Peter invades and assuming the League here survives the chaos of it, from what I've heard Peter is lot more of a law and order fanatic than his father and siblings. He's going to re-establish Delantium law here and that means a whole lot less freedom." "So you think I should make a deal with this Peter Varsakken?" "Heh, if I thought that might help, I might suggest it, but even if that was successful, you're still kicking a hell of a lot of coin to not just the Holgard government in bribes, but to the ECS for their cut as well. And that will be true even if Peter doesn't invade Holgard or fails." "So what are you suggesting?" Vera touches you hand. "Leave here and come to Jicol." Vera says. "What? I can't do that, I got shit to run here. Who am I going to leave in charge? Warts?" "Leave whoever you want in charge. I'm suggesting that you completely abandon Holgard. I dunno, maybe make a deal with the Syndicate. Hand Holgard over to them as a one time pay off to not be taxed anymore. Our territory can be Jicol and they can have the rest. Seems like they might go for that." "That would be severe pay cut and I'm not fond of the idea of running away." "Oh come on, that's pride talking. Fuck pride. I mean this place is potentially standing in the way of a shitstorm and I'd rather pull you out of its direction. And while it might be a drop in coin, trust me we do just fine in Jicol. We'll do even better if we aren't paying off the Syndicate anymore too." "Hmm, I'm interested in just HOW well you're doing in Jicol. I mean I figured you were always holding back a bit." "What?! I'll have you know that I've NEVER skimmed off the top! While it is true much coin has been made under my management of the League, you've always gotten your cut! However…if you decide to come to Jicol, you may as well know, I do have a side business for my own independent of the League." "Of your own, what would…" You suddenly know immediately what Vera is engaged in. "…oh wait. Shit. You're in the slave trade again aren't you?" Vera's hand doesn't move away from yours, instead she just squeezes yours a bit more. "I know! I know! I should have told you sooner, but it seemed cowardly in a letter and I felt I should at least tell you in person! I know you're not fond of slavery, but the location and demand was too good to pass up in Jicol. I'd be a fool if I didn't excel in something I was skilled in." "Well I suppose I can't fault you for that. (Sigh)" "You aren't yelling and screaming, I trust you're not mad?" "No. I mean I'm hardly in a position to judge on any moral grounds and I don't even give a shit about the extra coin you're making. It's just…I dunno. Slavery is just one of those things I feel…icky about. Don't ask me why." "How is it any different than making some dumb ass addicted to Purple Wish? They basically become a slave to the drug." "The dumb asses getting addicted to Purple Wish have a choice. Look, as I said, I'm not pissed or anything like that, but if I was to come to Jicol, I'd have some strong feeling about you continuing your slave trade business. In any case I'm still not convinced that I should just run away. Speaking with Peter Varsakken would at least be a better idea, though I'm not exactly sure how I'd go about setting up a meeting with him…wait a minute, that pirate of yours Zamed. He wouldn't happen to be meeting him anytime soon would he?" "I believe he's going to meet him after he leaves. In fact he tried to convince me that I should go with him, but I didn't see much point with the League attempting to ally with Peter for the same reasons I told you." "Hmm, maybe I should go with him and try to meet with Peter. Feel him out and see if there is any potential there." "I dunno. That really seems like a bad idea. I really wish you would just come to Jicol instead." It's apparent that Vera's desire for you to go to Jicol is more than just pragmatic reasons. The girl is obviously carrying feelings for you. Always has most likely. If things were different, you might be more inclined to jump at the chance, but this fucking curse is sort of preventing you from such a thing, but that's not really your immediate concern right now. Still, you aren't totally dismissing that idea. Vera usually has good instincts about this sort of thing so it might very well be a good idea to get the hell out of Holgard. Then again, there's no certainty that Peter's even going to win, assuming he even invades in the first place. It would be pretty wasteful to just abandon everything you built here. > You leave Holgard Making impulsive decisions based on other people's suggestions isn't something you normally do, but things here in Holgard have been one headache after another. Even if everything involving this potential invasion goes well, what's going to be the next major incident? A freak tidal wave destroying the city? Seems like there is always some major shit going on in Holgard that affects the whole damn place and you're starting to wonder if it isn't just you that's cursed, but the whole fucking city. Fuck it, why not? Maybe it's time for a change. "Vera, okay. I'll come to Jicol." You say. "I didn't think you'd actually listen to me about this." Vera says with a smile. "Yeah well, I'm starting to re-examine things going on in my life and cutting down on potential problems even at great cost is a lot more inviting everyday. However, I obviously still can't just pick up a leave, I need to get shit together first. Might take a few weeks considering that I have to contact the Syndicate and who knows how long they'll take to get back with me, though I'm hoping fairly quick if I'm telling them about handing over Holgard to them." "Oh of course. The rumors about Peter's invasion are he won't be ready for another year at least." "Hm, well in any case, I'm still going to try to speed this up with the Syndicate. After that, then I can get the hell out of this city." Vera at this point goes on about how she's glad that you're doing this. She also apologizes if she over stepped a boundary by touching your hand the way she did since she's aware of your whole "not fucking co-workers" policy. She goes on to say that she just sometimes feels very close to you and probably due to not seeing you for awhile combined with all the mess that's been going on caused her to briefly display greater affection. She says it won't happen again. You aren't sure about Vera's feelings towards you or her slave trading, but you can address those later when you get there. The first major step is negotiating with the Syndicate since you aren't sure if they're actually going to let you walk away or not. If they don't, well that might put a crimp in your plans. You soon say goodbye to Vera and start getting things in order. The Syndicate rep should be by in another week, you figure you can tell him directly that you wish to speak with someone higher up on the food chain about turning your holdings over. When that day comes, the rep doesn't give you much argument about it and states that he will report this to his superiors immediately since he's sure that they will be very interested. He anticipates that you will probably get a message for a meeting time soon after he reports to them. While you're waiting for that meeting, you keep going back and forth on when you should tell your own people about this. You figure that you should probably at least wait until after the meeting since it doesn't do any good getting them in a tizzy if things don't work out. You anticipate that it's going to be a mixed reaction at best. Still, there is one person you tell since you figure they deserve to know. "Geez, didn't expect dat." Wartz says. "You pissed?" you ask. "Pissed? Nah. I mean I sort of had a feelin' sumthin' like dis wuz comin. Shit in Holgard never stays stable fer long. Best ta get out now if dere's gonna be an invasion." "You could come to Jicol, it isn't like the League is disappearing. It's just relocating." "Naw, too far an' I don't wanna be on sum ship. Just thinkin' about bein surrounded by water makes me queasy. I guess I'm gonna just look inta opening up that trading post in Spiderfang territory like Snuffit suggested I do not too long ago. Probably should be closer ta family anywayz." "Well I certainly wish you luck if that's what you're going to do." "Luck? Got dat shit in abundance as long as I keep Yag's faith. I suggest you do the same. An' I'd also suggest dat youz just leave and not tell anyone else when da time comes." "What, seriously?" "Yeah seriously. You'll have a fuckin' riot on yer hands as soon as you break da news. Sum are gonna feel betrayed. Sum don't like the Syndicate. Others are gonna be tryin' ta take power. An all doze hobs you recruited? Theys just gonna be confused. Let da Syndicate handle the mess. I mean I trust dat Vera's already got people in Jicol right? Not like you need any of them from here anyway." "So take off like a thief in the night then, I suppose I can do that. This is actually starting to sound easier and easier now. I'm just hoping that my meeting with the Syndicate goes well." In a few days you get a message delivered to you from the ECS. It says that someone will meet you at the Blood Bandit in another week. You get the impression you know who that's going to be. A week passes and sure enough while you're waiting at the Bloody Bandit, Percy comes walking in. He's as upbeat as he was the last time you met with him. He sits down and immediately orders a drink. "Ah here on time as always. Glad to see you continue with that habit. And I also see that you've brought no other protection with you either for this meeting. Very interesting that you should be so trusting, but then your relationship with the Syndicate has been a cordial one so why should there be animosity?" Percy says. "I want out." You reply. "Excuse me?" "I want out, and I'm willing to give up Holgard to the Syndicate completely in order to get out." Percy sits back with a intrigued look on his face. "I see. Well this is slightly different bit of business than I thought you had in mind. I thought perhaps you wanted to try to renegotiate our payment terms or perhaps ask for assistance in expanding to Klyton. A complete surrender of one's business to us without any force or influence at all is extremely rare. May I ask, why you're doing it?" "Does it matter?" "It may, because for all we know you might have some hidden agenda." "There's no agenda, I'm just getting sick of this fucking city. I'm also sick of paying off the Syndicate. Since you consider this your territory anyway, you might as well have the headache of running it, because I'm done." "Once you're in this game, you don't easily get out like you're proposing, but I don't think you're leaving anyway. The Syndicate is well aware that you have part of your organization on Jicol. We thought about expanding there ourselves on occasion." "Okay, let's talk plain then. I'm handing over Holgard and ALL its holdings to you directly. That means you can take all the profits from here, influence shit how you see fit and probably do a much better job than I ever could. In exchange, you leave Jicol to the Nocturnal League." "And why would we leave Jicol alone?" "Because we're not a damn threat? We've never been a threat." "Maybe the Nocturnal League by itself isn't a threat, but YOU on the other hand…I dunno…you have a reputation. I mean while this all looks advantageous to us, something about letting you run off to an island while you plot and scheme away from our immediate attention, well that seems fairly dangerous. Maybe you can't do anything to us now, but who can say in the years to come? It's best to keep and eye on you." "You greatly overestimate my ambition and motivation to take on an organization such as the Syndicate." "And you greatly underestimate our generosity and intelligence if you believe we'd just let you walk away." While you're realizing this isn't going well. Percy happily takes his drink from the barmaid. "I don't understand why you're fucking with me, don't you have an usurper to sabotage?" you blurt out getting frustrated. "Usurper…ohhh, you know about Peter Varsakken's plans do you? Is that the real reason why you're leaving? Well if you were concerned that he was coming here to wreck the place you need not have been. You have my assurance that Peter will fail in his invasion as usual. Business here will not be disrupted." Percy remarks. "Look, I don't really give a shit. I'm just saying that I'm OUT of Holgard regardless of that happening or not." "Okay. Fine. Consider this a pardon from the Syndicate. You are free to leave, but what you won't be doing is running the Nocturnal League from Jicol. As far as the Syndicate is concerned, the Nocturnal League is just a tool for us to use as we see fit. We'll get someone else to run it. Maybe your second in command will be more receptive, we were thinking about contacting her anyway. She was an ex-Claw after all." "Fuck, alright! Alright! You win, I'll stay here. If there isn't going to be an invasion I guess it won't be…" "No." Percy says finishing off his drink. Percy's remark catching you off guard. "No? No what?" you reply. "No. You won't be staying here. Clearly you're unhappy in Holgard and you're really unhappy with our business arrangement. Not really a good idea to keep someone on that's a ball of anger and frustration. So as I said, you are a free man and the world is your oyster. I'd advise you not entering the Delantium Kingdom, Holgard or Jicol though as you are no longer welcome in ECS territory." Percy says. This asshole's not even negotiating anymore. "Well I guess concludes our business and it looks like I'm going to be staying here a little longer to sort things out. I'll give you the day to gather your belongings and leave the city. Hmmmm, maybe I should contact that rogue Temple to Fel while I'm here too. They probably should be brought back into the fold…" At this point Percy leaves the table and doesn't pay any more attention to you. You can't believe what just happened. EVERYTHING has just been stripped away from you and worse. This isn't what you wanted and you all you can feel is that frustration and anger Percy referenced earlier. So much so that you waste no time in standing up and pulling out your pistol with every intention of shooting Percy in the back. You know you're going to be hunted forever by the ECS after this, but you don't even care. They were imposing so much on your life anyway, you feel you have nothing to lose. You empty your pistol into Percy's back as he's walking towards the door. The few tavern patrons run for cover and every shot hits him. Or at least they would have if it were actually him. Whatever shadow magic tricks he was using have fooled you completely as the shots pass right through the false image and into the solid oak door. You then feel two sharp blades thrust hard into your back. You crumple to the floor instantly. "Thank you for that. This was a much easier course of action rather than potentially having to deal with you later down the road." Percy crouches down next to you as you attempt to crawl away. "Not the most noble of ends, but still better than most in our line of work. And if it's any consolation, Sydicate leadership was thinking about having you done away with eventually anyway. Honestly, they should have done it a long time ago, but…well I'm but a servant to a greater purpose." With those last words, Percy grabs you by the hair to lift your head up and slits your throat.

Year 32 It's been awhile, but it's good to see Vera again even if she's just here for a visit. She's got some strong opinions on some of the changes that have happened recently though. "I'm not sure if staying neutral was the best decision. We probably should have directly helped the Felians. They were our allies after all and now we don't have any." Vera says. "We still have an understanding with the Baroness. So, we're not that bad off." You say. "I suppose, but…" "But what?" "Well that's something I need to talk to you about because it could possibly affect the League." "Well guess I better hear it then." Vera takes a drink of the rum she's brought with her from Jicol before continuing. "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning. Let's see…what do you know of Peter Varsakken? Youngest son of Vlad." Vera asks. "Um, nothing actually. Didn't know there was another one of Vlad's spawn running around. Wait, is this another one of his bastards, like you?" you ask with a smirk. "Oh no. He's very much legitimate. It's just that after he had a disagreement with his father and fled the city, all records were pretty much erased of him. He's basically been living in exile in the Delantium Kingdom. Peter's disagreement with his father involved the whole breaking away from the Delantium Kingdom in the first place. Peter was the only one who saw it as treason and remained loyal to Delantium. Over the years Peter has been trying to amass an army to take back the city." "It's my understanding that the Delantium Kingdom hasn't exactly been in a big hurry to retake this place. I mean it's been decades hasn't it?" "Well they've been sort of busy with other things, like their recent war with Nichan for example. While the ruling class over there doesn't want to spend their resources and treasury to take this place back, they certainly won't turn down someone else willing to do the job, and that's where Peter comes in. He's of noble birth, loyal to the kingdom and would be an excellent governor for this city and absorb it back into Delantium's fold." "I see, and how do you know all this?" "The captain who brought me here, Zamed has been privateering for the Delantium Kingdom. He was contacted by Peter who is still trying to amass a conquering force of men and ships to take back his birthright. In fact Zamed is supposed to be organizing the majority of a flotilla of Hessla privateers" "And you trust this pirate?" "Of course not, but I trust the fact that I know how to lay it down good enough that he told me all this stuff in the bedroom without me even asking." "Okay, I don't need details on that part." "Anyway, Peter's been at this for years ever since he got exiled. He's suffered many set backs in his quest to retake Holgard. Every time he's been on the verge of being ready, something has happened. This was partially thanks to the Ebony Claw Syndicate sabotaging his efforts in Delantium, and sometimes even the Temple of Fel would hinder his efforts as well. However, since things have changed drastically over the years in this city, he's in the best position he's ever been in to retake this place." "What makes you think he won't get sabotaged again by either group? I mean the Ebony Claw might not have a direct presence here, but they're still making some coin from us. Same is somewhat true of the Felians, though different reasons. They're allies with the ECS, so they tend to help them and it isn't like the Felian Temple here is our enemy even if they aren't aligned or in any position to do anything in the first place." "Perhaps, but I'm just not sure if the Baroness is a sure thing in the future. If Peter invades and assuming the League here survives the chaos of it, from what I've heard Peter is lot more of a law and order fanatic than his father and siblings. He's going to re-establish Delantium law here and that means a whole lot less freedom." "So you think I should make a deal with this Peter Varsakken?" "Heh, if I thought that might help, I might suggest it, but even if that was successful, you're still kicking a hell of a lot of coin to not just the Holgard government in bribes, but to the ECS for their cut as well. And that will be true even if Peter doesn't invade Holgard or fails." "So what are you suggesting?" Vera touches you hand. "Leave here and come to Jicol." Vera says. "What? I can't do that, I got shit to run here. Who am I going to leave in charge? Warts?" "Leave whoever you want in charge. I'm suggesting that you completely abandon Holgard. I dunno, maybe make a deal with the Syndicate. Hand Holgard over to them as a one time pay off to not be taxed anymore. Our territory can be Jicol and they can have the rest. Seems like they might go for that." "That would be severe pay cut and I'm not fond of the idea of running away." "Oh come on, that's pride talking. Fuck pride. I mean this place is potentially standing in the way of a shitstorm and I'd rather pull you out of its direction. And while it might be a drop in coin, trust me we do just fine in Jicol. We'll do even better if we aren't paying off the Syndicate anymore too." "Hmm, I'm interested in just HOW well you're doing in Jicol. I mean I figured you were always holding back a bit." "What?! I'll have you know that I've NEVER skimmed off the top! While it is true much coin has been made under my management of the League, you've always gotten your cut! However…if you decide to come to Jicol, you may as well know, I do have a side business for my own independent of the League." "Of your own, what would…" You suddenly know immediately what Vera is engaged in. "…oh wait. Shit. You're in the slave trade again aren't you?" Vera's hand doesn't move away from yours, instead she just squeezes yours a bit more. "I know! I know! I should have told you sooner, but it seemed cowardly in a letter and I felt I should at least tell you in person! I know you're not fond of slavery, but the location and demand was too good to pass up in Jicol. I'd be a fool if I didn't excel in something I was skilled in." "Well I suppose I can't fault you for that. (Sigh)" "You aren't yelling and screaming, I trust you're not mad?" "No. I mean I'm hardly in a position to judge on any moral grounds and I don't even give a shit about the extra coin you're making. It's just…I dunno. Slavery is just one of those things I feel…icky about. Don't ask me why." "How is it any different than making some dumb ass addicted to Purple Wish? They basically become a slave to the drug." "The dumb asses getting addicted to Purple Wish have a choice. Look, as I said, I'm not pissed or anything like that, but if I was to come to Jicol, I'd have some strong feeling about you continuing your slave trade business. In any case I'm still not convinced that I should just run away. Speaking with Peter Varsakken would at least be a better idea, though I'm not exactly sure how I'd go about setting up a meeting with him…wait a minute, that pirate of yours Zamed. He wouldn't happen to be meeting him anytime soon would he?" "I believe he's going to meet him after he leaves. In fact he tried to convince me that I should go with him, but I didn't see much point with the League attempting to ally with Peter for the same reasons I told you." "Hmm, maybe I should go with him and try to meet with Peter. Feel him out and see if there is any potential there." "I dunno. That really seems like a bad idea. I really wish you would just come to Jicol instead." It's apparent that Vera's desire for you to go to Jicol is more than just pragmatic reasons. The girl is obviously carrying feelings for you. Always has most likely. If things were different, you might be more inclined to jump at the chance, but this fucking curse is sort of preventing you from such a thing, but that's not really your immediate concern right now. Still, you aren't totally dismissing that idea. Vera usually has good instincts about this sort of thing so it might very well be a good idea to get the hell out of Holgard. Then again, there's no certainty that Peter's even going to win, assuming he even invades in the first place. It would be pretty wasteful to just abandon everything you built here. > You stay in Holgard As much as your current situation isn't exactly the most ideal, you're not really ready to just cut and run just yet. Not to mention you doubt if the Syndicate is going to just let you walk away even if you offered them Holgard. It's like they say, you can't just walk away from this life unless you're planning on going into hiding in a far away land. In any case, Peter's invasion is probably going to be sabotaged again by the Syndicate since they're going to want to protect their business here. "Vera, thanks for the information and I'll take steps to prepare just in case, but I'm not just abandoning Holgard unless it's really hopeless." You say. "(Sigh) I figured you'd say that. Well I don't suppose there is much more I can convince you then since you seem to be immune to my other charms. Um… sorry about touching your hand like that, I sometimes forget our boundaries. I just…worry sometimes." Vera remarks. "It's fine. Anyway, looks like I'll need to get some more hobs on the payroll." "What? You can't seriously be considering hiring more hobs." "Well if an invasion does occur then they're going to be my best personal defense. You wouldn't happen to know how long before Peter gets his shit together do you?" "The rumor is at least by next year." "Okay should be plenty of time to prepare. Guess that's it then." "Guess so. "You going to leave with your pirate boyfriend?" "Who Zamed? He's not my boyfriend, he was just a convenient dick. He's on his way to meet with Peter anyway so I'm leaving on another ship in a few days. Tried to convince me to do so as well, but I saw no reason for that and even if I did I'd at least bring it to your attention first. I suppose you might be right about all this possibly not even panning out anyway. I probably could even help on that front by convincing some of the pirates I do business with to not join Zamed's flotilla." "Certainly couldn't hurt." You and Vera talk a bit more about less important matters before you eventually part ways due to having business to take care of. You see Vera one more time before she leaves where upon she says that she tells you to be careful and hugs you goodbye. A few months pass and besides hiring more hobs, it's pretty much business as usual. About a week after the latest visit by the Syndicate rep to pick up their cut, you get a surprising request from the Temple of Fel to meet with you. Apparently Dusk wants to speak about re-establishing an alliance. Since it seems like a good time to boost your ranks you agree to meet though you do it on your own territory since you're not fool enough to meet with a shadow priest with no back up. Honestly, you don't know much about Dusk other than he's significantly younger than both of his predecessors that took power. When he arrives you intend on expanding your knowledge on him and what his temple has been up to lately. As it turns out, not much. He states that he thought inward reflection might help them find greater meaning of Fel's plan, which in turn made him realize that without allies the Temple is doomed to die a slow lingering death. "What makes you say that? It isn't like there are anymore religious factions in this city anymore." You ask. "True, but it isn't like there are flocks of people stepping up to join us either. Religion, perhaps even the gods themselves have seemingly abandoned this city. I suppose with all the strife I can't really blame them either. I try to keep the faith, but it's getting harder every day." "So what are you getting at?" "What I'm getting at is that while what remains of our temple may still hold Fel's dark wisdom, the truth is, we cannot possibly continue as a congregation here. Our temple has started to fall into decay. The baroness who once was a dabbler in our faith has even abandoned us. We got a message not too long ago about a new law taxing religious organizations, which we can't pay of course. Of course if we don't, the government is going to just demolish our temple to build a new inn there or something." "Wait, are you asking the Nocturnal League for a loan?" Dusk's face turns to one of embarrassment. "Sad to say, but in a sense yes. Honestly, we're asking for a little more than that. We want you to take over our temple's taxes just so we still have a roof over our heads. The temple has been our home for quite awhile along with having special meaning spiritually for the remainder of us, so we are very reluctant to leave it. In exchange, we will act as soldiers for the Nocturnal League. Whatever you need done, we'll do it. I'm sure you could use our talents in your line of work. If you wish, we will even teach shadow magic to those willing to learn and have the talent. Well this is a little different than you were expecting. You thought this was going to be a negotiation, not begging for a hand out. The temple of Fel really has fallen on hard times if they've been reduced to this state. While the whole point of being a criminal is to not pay taxes to begin with, you do see the potential here. It really couldn't hurt to have some shadow priests indebted to you especially if Peter invades. Plus that temple could very well be used for other things. You ask how much the taxes are which Dusk tells you and you find a little on the high side, but you're able to do it. You actually give them the stipulation that you're turning the temple into a new brothel (though they will still have their own living quarters) and you don't want them preaching about Fel to any League members. You still don't want your organization being mixed too much with religious fanaticism. Dusk doesn't even blink at your request, he just agrees. Truly a beaten man from a beaten organization. In any case at least this gives you a bit of magic leverage if trouble comes your way in whatever form. Year 33 Peter Varsakken's invasion has been going on for a few weeks now, and so far the he's succeeded in is destroying Ludmilla's fleet and Holgard's docks. The one time you want the Ebony Claw to be effective, they slack off. So much for protecting their own interests. Still, on the plus side, Peter's failed miserably on getting much further mainly because he doesn't have enough men to hold this place. Most of his mercenaries have been killed and while he does have two wizards to help him, they are literally the only thing that's keeping him in the fight. Ludmilla's palace might as well be impregnable. She's using her own elite troops and magic to protect it, which is probably a mix of shadow and whatever she managed to learn from the Dornans before they got wiped out. As for you, you've mostly managed to keep away from the majority of the fighting. You've only taken a bit of collateral damage from a couple of your businesses getting destroyed, but that was to be expected. All in all, you've been doing okay. Since it's in your interest to not have Peter win, you've ordered Dusk and his friends to take out Peter's wizards. With them out of the way things can go back to normal or as normal as they get here. In the meantime you mostly wait around in your headquarters getting reports from people while the chaos goes on above. Warts surprisingly has stuck by your side rather than running off though he says he was sorely tempted. Things just aren't quite grim enough for him to do it yet though. "Hey boss, dat Dusky shadow iz at the door sayin he's got important news about the task you sent him on." Warts says. "Yeah, I sent him and his people to kill Peter's wizards. Did he do it?" you ask. "I dunno, but he's the only one standing outside in da sewers and he looks half dead." "Shit, that doesn't sound good. Well send him in here, maybe he killed at least one of them." Eventually Warts returns with Dusk who indeed looks very battle worn. The robe he wears is in tatters making him look more like a begger and his skin that's exposed is obviously burned. His face even has several fresh wounds on it. "Shit, Warts wasn't lying, you do look half dead." You say. "Better half than all." Dusk replies while wincing a bit from his pain. "The other Felians?" "Yes, dead. All of them. I'm the only one who survived. I can only hope my lost brothers and sisters are with Fel now." "Fuck, did you at least kill one of the bastards?" "Killed both of them. They are no longer an issue. I anticipate that Peter will have no choice but to abandon his invasion now." A weight is lifted when you hear this news. You were expecting Dusk to tell you something bad, so you have to ask again. "Wait, so you were successful? You killed them both?" you ask. "Wouldn't be here if I didn't." Dusk says. "Hell yeah! This is fucking great! Warts, take the rest of the hobs here go on a street cleaning mission. There probably shouldn't be too many of Peter's men at this point, but the quicker these shitheads are gone, the better. Also make the rounds at all of our businesses too." "You want me to take even them?" Warts asks pointing at your hob bodyguards. "Yeah, I want to speak with Dusk privately anyway." Warts shrugs and waves the two hobs standing nearby to come with him leaving you and Dusk alone. "You need medical attention or something? I thin we've got someone with some minor skills in that field around here." You ask. "No, I'm good really. Shit…I just need to rest for awhile. Gather my strength again." Dusk replies. "Sure. Sure. Take your time. You certainly earned it. Why don't you tell me what happened, I'm sure it was a difficult battle." Dusk with some effort tells you about his conflict with both of the wizards. The way he tells it is actually pretty impressive. You doubt if you could have faced two wizards like that. As he gets towards the end of his tale he starts to sound a little better. "That's one hell of a tale Dusk." You say. "And it's not even over yet." Dusk says. "Yeah, but it soon will be. Like you said, Peter will probably realize he can't hold this place." "That wasn't what I was talking about." "What did you mean then?" Dusk puts one finger to his lips and says "Shhhhh" At this point the candle light in your office goes out, immediately causing you to yell out, but no sound is made and instead you feel a blade going into you several times before you can even draw your weapon. As you collapse on the floor, wheezing and coughing up blood, Dusk's whispering voice can be heard. "Fel will now forgive the transgressions of my temple for breaking away from the true faith and embrace me as a proper member of the fold. Fel will become a power once again in this city." You feel one more sharp stab into your body before footsteps run off and out your office door. By the time any of your people realize something is amiss, you're dead.

Year 21 It's amazing what changes can happen in just a year and that's not even counting the fact that Holgard is in complete anarchy right now, though it probably helps quite a bit. With your ongoing information, Tanya has carried out one woman attacks on various ECS locations and been more or less successful in the endeavor. Though perhaps not entirely "one woman" she's been using the chaos and the various factions of the city to her advantage, mostly the remaining disorganized followers of Neroth that have still been skulking around, though she's been luring even the Holgard Watch to do her bidding sometimes. While you haven't brought it up to her, you think Tanya's lost sight of her "original goal" of simply taking down the Ebony Claw Syndicate. She may have even believed that's what she was doing at first, but now? She's just been enjoying the chaos. She's enjoying making people kill and fight. Granted they probably were going to do that anyway, but she's not exactly curtailing what's currently going on right now. Still, she always returns to you excitedly going on about what she's done and what she's planning and everything else. When you meet in person, it's always a special event (If literally draining). You remember how hostile she was towards you for years, but now she only ever looks at you with affection. You must have told your mundane stories about your life in Teckleville more than a few times to her, but for whatever reason she seems to enjoy them. Maybe it's due to her own childhood being less fun since despite everything you didn't really have it all that bad. In fact if you'd just obeyed the rules, you would have had a pretty easy life. (You certainly wouldn't be in this situation) You aren't sure how succubi are supposed to act and granted she's not a full blood one, but it's very strange that despite her obvious descent into morally questionable actions, she's still very attached to you. (Or maybe you're just not used to a very loving girlfriend, your only one before Tanya was Annah) She's also starting to change physically. Her horns for one are a little bigger and her eyes now have a permanent other worldly look. Most obvious though is her wings. They started off as two little lumps on her back that you noticed during one of your intimacy sessions. The next time you saw her, she had two small wings and are probably going to get even larger. As for you, you've basically been just trying to keep a low profile as you go about your ECS duties, which are currently as an enforcer at a profitable Blue Dream house in the poor district. It's a rather lowly position for someone of your talents, but on the plus side, it's so unimportant that Rook doesn't even suspect you of any wrong doing and it helps that at least a few of the top Blue Dream distributors at the place have diarrhea of the mouth due to ongoing sampling of some of the drug and never shut the fuck up about sensitive ECS information. Rook has been trying to keep things together, but he's been obviously losing control. The ECS leadership in the Delantium Kingdom has refused to help with reinforcements any more. They've told him that he needs to work with what he has and if he fails, it's not going to be good for him. You know he's been trying to gain more help from the Temple of Fel, but that's been having mixed results mainly due to the fact that while they may all worship the same God of Shadows, the pure dedicated followers don't necessarily share the same goals as the Ebony Claw. Still, they've been contributing enough help to "lend" Shadow Blades to act as extra protection. Them, along with Bolt and Rook's own shadow magic abilities are going to make him quite formidable. Which is sort of a problem now that Tanya has decided that it's time to actually take out the Ebony Claw leadership for good. Arguably, she probably could have wiped out the Ebony Claw Syndicate with your help (Or at least this increasingly smaller chapter of it) months ago. But she got so distracted with enjoying the bedlam, that it allowed Rook to fortify like he has. Of course Tanya's not at all worried about any of this, but that's easy for her to say when she's got all her new infernal powers now. Even with her help, it isn't like you've got much defense against a bunch of highly trained shadow magic using killers. To her credit, she's told you to stay behind on this one, claiming that she can take care of it herself. You have your doubts though. It would be a tough fight even for her. You'd hate to just stand by while she got herself killed, not to mention if she failed, it would be really obvious that you were involved considering you told Rook you killed her. So you'd have to help anyway, and you still don't fancy your chances. You do have one idea, but it's a long shot and possibly one that could get you killed immediately. You could go try to talk to the head of the Temple of Fel. You don't know exactly what you'd say, but your hope would be to try to convince him that supporting the Ebony Claw, isn't in the best interest of the temple. "What?! No! That's a stupid idea! I told you, I'll take care of it by myself, I don't need your help, let alone the help of my enemies." Tanya shouts. "Tanya, I'm serious. This is a really BAD idea, assaulting Rook's home by yourself. I mean don't you even at least have those cultists you can send, or maybe someone else?" "The last of the Neroth cultists died weeks ago and are probably enduring unimaginable torture right now as their reward and as for sending anyone else, I'm a little tired of acting from behind the scenes, I want to enjoy a bit of hands on mayhem for a change." "Tanya, are you listening to yourself? You're starting to lose control and getting drunk on the chaos. Maybe I should have said something earlier, but you've been this way for quite sometime now. I love you and all, but you REALLY need to get a grip. You're not even thinking strategically anymore." Your defiant words aren't something she hears very often, at first she looks surprised, even slightly hurt, but then that turns to anger very quickly. She grabs you and throws you against the wall very hard. "…shit…" is all you can utter as you hit the stone and slump to the floor. "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU QUESTION MY IDEAS! I'm the one in control here! YOU follow MY lead! YOU are only allowed the magnificence of my presence because I allow it and you should be grateful!" Tanya bellows and her voice seems to invade your very mind a bit. You look up from your position and focus on Tanya. She's changed physically again. Her wings are bigger for one thing (you called that one) and now her skin has a reddish hue. If you didn't know better, you'd think her eyes were going to burn a hole in you with how she's staring at you. Reminds of the old days when she used to get pissed at you, though she never slammed you this hard into a wall before. The dominating voice you just heard is also a bit new. As a half succubus she always had a bit of a seductive tone, but this is different. Her voice just now sent a chill of fear within you. Maybe she's not completely embracing her "succubus side" but she's certainly embracing the demonic heritage. Still, this is the girl you chose, so if this is how you're going out then so be it. You struggle to get back up and lean against the wall as you address her. "Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe you can take them alone. You're obviously in full control of yourself, what with putting a mere mortal like me in my place and all. No need for my help anymore. I see that now." Tanya's stance towards you softens a bit, but not by much. She doesn't even apologize; she just leaves the ruined house you were meeting her in and takes to the air. She apparently has decided to give absolutely zero fucks about being seen anymore. You don't know how much time you have or even if it's going to matter, but you still feel compelled to help in some way. Maybe she isn't the Tanya that you fell in love with anymore, but for better or worse, you're going to help her whether that means directly or indirectly. > You go directly to the Temple of Fel This might even be more dangerous than trying to take out Rook directly, but you still think it's your best shot. You probably still got time since for all her changes you know that Tanya's probably still considering your last statement to her. Which means she probably isn't going to attack Rook immediately giving you a bit of time to form a plan. You head to the Temple of Fel which isn't exactly easy considering there are several riots going on, but eventually you get there. The area of the temple is fairly quiet compared to other parts of the city. Perhaps even the average rebel knows better than to fuck around it. Which makes you question your own sanity of why you've insisted on coming here. But you didn't make this trip for nothing, so you take a deep breath and head up the steps to the door and then suddenly your arms are grabbed by two Felians who suddenly appear. Your first instinct is to fight, but you resist the urge to struggle. Wouldn't do you any good anyway. "It's okay, it's okay, I'm with the Ebony Claw Syndicate!" You say. "And? You think that makes it okay for you to just enter? If you haven't noticed there's a lot of strife currently going on in the city and we aren't just letting anyone come inside." One of the Felians says. "I get it, but I really need to talk to your high priest or whoever is in charge." "You want to speak with the high priest? Why in Fel's name would we let you do that? You might be ECS, but you aren't even one of the faithful! I can tell! You better get out of here before you're unable to do so!" "But…I really need…" Before you can say another word, the two Fel priests roughly toss you down the stairs. Normally such a spill wouldn't be that bad. Maybe a few scrapes and bruises, but the luck of Yag isn't with you at this moment. You end up tumbling down the stone steps and twisting your neck in a manner that it's not supposed to twist. Another bounce down the steps and you break it. By the time your reach the bottom, you're already dead. Even the two priests are a bit alarmed by their unintended actions, but they just dispose of your body away from the temple and in a nearby alleyway where it will most likely be assumed that you were killed by the various acts of violence currently going on in the city, assuming stray dogs or rats don't eat it first.

Year 19 "That's the third large group of cultists we've had to evade in our own fucking sewers. Something needs to be done about those shitheads because not even the EC is giving us this much trouble down here." Sneaks says. "Agreed. They've been spreading all over the damn place. Granted I'm not much for religion, but given what I know from what Yinen has said about Neroth AND seen what these fanatics do first hand, I'm not exactly keen on them spreading any further." You add. "I understand the concerns, but we're already warring with the EC, the last thing we need is to open up a front against a bunch of Neroth worshipers." Garrick says. "We don't need to open up a front, because they've already made it quite clear that they've already done so. I don't know about anyone else, but every time I bump into those fanatics they attack on sight." Sneaks says. "If you're just bumping into them accidentally, then you're lucky because I know by their personalized threats they're specifically targeting me." You add. "I told you that rescuing that whore would catch up to you." Tanya says. "That was years ago and they didn't even see me do it!" "Yeah, but that tart and her friends spread the word about your deeds a long time ago. I'm more surprised they you weren't targeted sooner by them." "Well apparently they were too busy with other things than bothering with the likes of the kid here. In any case I'm just saying we need to thin out their ranks or something because while I know we aren't officially territorial, we shouldn't have to deal with daggers at our throats right outside our front door." Sneaks says. "Exactly. And if left unchecked who is to say they won't find this place? Not to mention these assholes worship a dark god. The last thing we need is for them to do is gather enough power to start summoning shit. Last thing we need is demons running around down here." You add. As soon as you say that, everyone looks at you and then also looks at Tanya who is also looking in your direction with her head cocked to the side almost intrigued by what you're going to say next. "Shhhhit..." you quietly say which causes a snicker from Sneaks. Tanya doesn't even address what you said she instead turns her attention back to Garrick. "Word fumbling aside, he has a point Garrick. They all do. We can't ignore this potential threat any longer." Tanya says. "Maybe… (Sigh) I just don't want to lose any more people especially when we may need them in the future." Garrick says. After a brief moment of silence, Garrick speaks again. "Okay, fine. Maybe we need to do something. The question is what exactly? I'm still loathe to go all out gang war on a bunch of fanatics, because you know they're only going to hit back with more fervor…maybe…wait a minute. We could set it up so it looks like the Ebony Claw is targeting them. That will hopefully draw some heat off of us on both sides." Garrick says. Garrick begins to go into a plan to start ambushing the cultists, but also to ambush a few Ebony Claws and plant their bodies among the dead cultists so the living ones can stumble upon them and vice versa. In the meantime he says he's going to try to grease the right palms to gain some sort of meeting with Reginald and appear as an "ally" against the Ebony Claw so Reginald will tell his people to leave the Guild alone. It's not a bad plan, though you're really not sure on the whole "allying" with Reginald bit. "Um, I'm not sure if this Reginald is ally material." You say. "Well we need to try, because if you haven't noticed, we are at a bit of a disadvantage. Reginald is Farrad's boyfriend. You know, the baron's son? The one who is probably going to attempt a coup on his father soon? If he's actually successful it's probably best that we're not on his bad side at least." Garrick retorts with annoyance. "I can see that logic, but I still have concerns if allying with religious fanatics that participate in human sacrifice is a good idea. I mean hell, I'd rather temporarily ally with the Ebony Claw against the cultists at this point…" "Well it's a damn good thing that YOU don't have to make the fucking decisions isn't it then?!" Garrick's sudden snap causes you to shut up immediately and everyone else to stand in silence. You certainly weren't expecting it, but then Garrick in general has been less than friendly with you, as your time in the Guild proper has come about. He's certainly nowhere near like he was when he first offered his hand to you in joining. You have some theories about why, but for now you just answer: "Your call. Apologies." Garrick gives you a dirty look and starts assigning tasks to people. He doesn't give one to you though. As everyone starts to leave, you go up to Tanya and offer to help her on her assignment and that's when you get a scolding voice again. "Hey! Leave her be." Garrick orders. "But I was just…" you start to say before you're interrupted again. "Did I assign you and Tanya to work together? No I didn't." "Garrick, it's actually okay, I can…" Tanya says before Garrick interrupts her as well. "Stay out of this Tanya! Everyone get to work! Except YOU." Tanya looks at you a little sympathetically as she leaves with the rest, which is definitely not the norm, and part of what you imagine is the problem Garrick is having with you. Soon it's just you and Garrick and he wastes no time in speaking. "You know when I brought you in, I thought you'd be an asset to us. Sure you weren't exactly what I normally look for, but your actions against the Ebony Claw couldn't be ignored. Your ongoing work to prove yourself worthy of becoming one of the inner circle couldn't be ignored. Granted, I was still a little hesitant at the time since I was starting to have some doubts since so many thought you should continue to prove yourself, but Tanya's words in your favor…well those couldn't be ignored either." You don't say anything. "I also can't ignore how you look at her and more importantly how she looks at you." Garrick says. "I don't think she looks at me with anything but scorn." You say in an effort to deflect. "Bullshit. Maybe at one time she did. Not anymore. You're not so stupid to not realize that. Hell, she tried to speak up for you just now. I don't know HOW you did it, but you've actually been getting through that normally solid brick wall she puts up to shield herself again all would be suitors. I have seen MANY try and while I imagine that she leaves a lasting impression due to her nature, I have seen NONE continue to pursue her, or those that have, have met with physical violence that either put a definite stop to it. Somehow you have miraculously avoided that. Somehow YOU have defied what shouldn't be possible." You continue to stand there and say nothing, which only causes Garrick to throw something at you, which you narrowly dodge. "WELL? Aren't you going to say anything?!" Garrick shouts. "I'm not sure what to say. Anything I say, you're not going to like." You answer. "Well permission to speak fucking freely then." "Okay, well I don't see how this is any of your concern. Tanya, from what I can tell is a full grown woman that's MORE than capable of taking care of herself and dealing with the likes of me. And as far as I know, you're not her father either even if you see her as some sort of surrogate daughter." "It…it doesn't make sense! WHY YOU?! There have been FAR better suitors in the past!" "You mean like you?" "W…what?" "Oh come on! I think given your increasing hostility towards me this is going beyond a father-daughter type of protectiveness. You're acting like a jealous boyfriend or something. I'm succeeding where you and so many others obviously failed." Garrick just starts shaking his head. "No, I…I never…I never…" "Or maybe I'm succeeding in something you never had the guts to do at all? That's it isn't it? You've never made any sort of advance on her, and just admired her from afar since you were always secure in the fact that she always drove everyone away. I'm guessing perhaps you thought one day Tanya would come to you of her own accord and…" Now Garrick lifts up the table and flips it at you. For an older guy, he's certainly fit. "You think you know everything don't you? Well let me tell you something, you don't know shit. YOU are still a BOY and YOU are not worthy of Tanya." Garrick says getting in your face. "Okay. Then what would make me worthy…in your eyes?" you ask. Garrick starts laughing. "Are…are you actually asking me? You seem to have all the answers, you figure it out. But while you're trying to figure it out, go do what you're actually good at and go kill our enemies. GO! Get the fuck outta my sight!" You leave Garrick and exit the meeting room somewhat expecting there to be a few people hanging around outside listening to the conversation, but it would appear that nobody wanted to be around for Garrick's anger to be directed towards them as well. Not even Sneaks lingered behind. Since you didn't even get paired up with a full fledged Guild member, you suppose you could just go gather a few associates to help you, though you believe you're probably more than capable of performing the task yourself. Honestly though, you're ready to just dispense with the plan and do something else instead like try to kill Reginald. Those assholes have been targeting you anyway. Also seems like it would solve the problem a lot better than trying to be friends with him. Cutting off the head of a cult usually results in it falling apart. The problem of course is he isn't as easy to get to anymore. The secret passage to his home no longer exists as one person in the Guild soon learned when he tried to break in that way thinking that it would be an easy job and nearly got himself killed in the process. If there's another secret passage to the house, you have no idea where it is and it's probably better protected now. Which would mean a more traditional approach, but again, he's got security up the ass and has his own personal retinue of guards around his home. Perks of fucking minor nobility you suppose. In any case, you'd be doing this alone though because nobody would help you in this task. Say what you want about Garrick, but everyone listens to him and this would definitely be going against his plans. Though you do have another option, and that's going to the Ebony Claw Syndicate for help. Rook called off the hit and so far other than a few unavoidable skirmishes here and there, the EC has not been actively targeting you. You never thought you'd feel this way, but you've actually considered joining them lately mainly because things have been just so miserable in the Guild. If it weren't for Tanya, you probably would have done it already. Rook has never followed up on your last meeting, you don't know exactly what his game is, but you imagine if you come in for help, he's going to want that inside information on the Guild. > You get help from the Ebony Claw If Rook is already extending his hand, you might as well take it at this point. You're at least on better terms with him than you are with Garrick. As for Tanya, well you're going to have to just cut your losses you think on that one. It's obvious that isn't going to work out and you need to accept that despite how you might feel. Since you aren't exactly sure how to contact Rook, the only place you can think of to go is the Poison Blade Inn since that's the best known Ebony Claw Syndicate hang out. You don't know what kind of greeting you're going to get, but you're going to have to be on your guard, but then you always are. You make your way to the Poison Blade Inn and along the way, you soon start getting hostile stares at various people. You're definitely not in a friendly neighborhood. When you actually enter the Poison Blade, everyone immediately looks at you. "What the fuck do you want?" one of them demands. "I need to contact a man by the name of Rook, I have important business with him. Specifically information." You reply. "Is that so? Well how about you tell me and I'll go relay it to him and he can decide. Rook is much too busy to be dealing with the likes of you." "Uh huh, look I dunno what your problem is with me exactly but I'm not your enemy, we're on the same damn side so…" At this point the one speaking to you spits on your boots and gets in your face. Several more members close in on you at this point. This could get really ugly. "My problem…OUR problem with you is you fucking killed many of our friends and associates. Now you just walk in here like you think you own the place? You're Guild scum, no you're worse than Guild scum. You're a fucking rat. You think if you sell out those assholes that's going to make you good with us? Better think again. I don't give a fuck what deal you made, you're not coming in here demanding shit. If you got important information for Rook, he'll contact you directly himself. YOU wait for him. Now I suggest you walk right back out that door and don't come back unless you're actually invited." Sensing that despite being taken off the hit list, your "immunity" only gets you so far. If you caused trouble here, you are not making it out alive. You just nod and back slowly out of the Poison Blade Inn and make your way out of the neighborhood as quick as possible. After leaving immediate danger, you start to wonder if joining the EC is the way to go after all since it seems like everyone in it hates you. On one hand you can't be too surprised, but on the other now it seems like a less favorable choice. Instead of having the boss angry at you, you'll have the rest of the damn organization angry at you. You can't fucking win, maybe you need to just get the hell out of the city altogether. That would certainly solve a lot of problems. In the mean time, you might as well find a new place to stay while you figure things out. You head to Hell's Own Inn since it's at least some place that you know and can consider hospitable. Before you can however, you are suddenly grabbed while passing an alley and slammed up against a wall. You're then punched several times before you can even react and your pistol is taken away. "Go for your sword and it gets shoved up your ass traitor!" Tanaya says. "Tanya, wha…" you utter and then get another fist in the face causing you to crumple. Tanya then begins kicking you and you curl up while shouting for mercy and asking what the hell is going on. "STOP! STOP! What the hell did I do?!" you utter. "You have the balls to ask that? You know what the fuck you did! You've been talking with the Syndicate!" "Tanya…I…" "Don't insult me by fucking lying! I SAW you! I've been following what you were up to since I didn't think you'd meekly accept Garrick's orders. I didn't however believe that you'd go full fucking traitor! How the hell was I so damn stupid to trust you?!" "Tanya, it's not what it seems! I'm…I'm…" You can't even come up with a good lie though it doesn't matter since Tanya isn't really in a mood to listen, let alone believe you. She grabs your neck with one hand is slowly crushing your windpipe as you dangle off the ground. Her eyes are even giving off a faint reddish glow, it's like you've unleashed her demonic side. You try to beg for her to listen one last time. "Tan…(cough) (ack)" "Shut up, just shut up! I should have known better! Should have known you weren't different! Didn't think you'd be worse though!" If you weren't on the verge of dying, you'd swear that Tanya's words aren't just about your betrayal of the Guild. She's obviously taking this personally. Your suspicions are confirmed when you see Tanya's eyes water a bit just before she breaks your neck.

It suddenly occurs to you that maybe there are traps about, but they're magical in nature. You start cutting the glass and who knows what might happen. The daggers seem like there is possibly less danger involved seeing as they just fastened them to the wall. Of course it isn't just an easy matter of ripping the dagger from the wall, you grab a prybar from your pack and start to get to work, but given their height above you, it's awkward. You pry and pry, but don't seem to be making any headway. You begin to think that the daggers are being held in place by magic and you might be right considering that you suddenly feel a force knock the prybar from your hand and as you try to grab it you stumble into one of the isolated stands with a glass case knocking it over and falling on the broken glass. Fortunately you're mostly protected by your clothing, though you're still picking glass out of bits of your body. However, you don't do that for long since you notice the diamond necklace that has now been released from its cage. You might as well grab that instead. No sooner have you picked it up and that's when you feel an unnatural chill in the air. "That's not good." You say and get the hell out of the Galpatis exhibit room. Doesn't help though, you're still feeling like the unnatural cold is following you. You get the very real feeling that SOMETHING is following you, but you don't dare look behind you, all you want to do is get out of the museum and HOPE that whatever this is doesn't follow you outside. You see the exit in the distance and then you see a wispy green glow materialize in front of it. A malevolent face briefly appears and then one of the statues closest to you comes to life! "Shit!" you exclaim and just barely manage to avoid getting your head smashed in. You look around and see that now several of the statues are coming to life. The exit is blocked by that ghostly thing so even if you could maneuver past the statues, you aren't getting out that way. "HEY! Grab the damn rope!" a voice shouts from above. You look up and see Tanya on the second floor throwing a rope to you over the railing. You waste no time in grabbing and climbing up it while she pulls you up. The statues try to grab you at first, but then soon realize the best way to get you is going up the stairs. As you grab the railing, Tanya grabs your arm and hoists you over it. You almost feel like she's going to yank your arm off, but of course you see a glimpse of her face again as she's pulling you up and you're almost smitten enough to forget all about the extreme danger you're currently in. Hurry you fool before I regret saving you!" Tanya shouts and runs towards another rope that hangs from an opening she's made in the glass dome on the roof Following her lead you make your way to the rope and quickly climb up it where you're staring directly at Tanya's ass the entire time. Again, probably a good thing since your focus isn't on the invisible horrors that are desperately trying to get your attention by whispering demoralizing things in your ears to cause you to give up hope and stop trying to escape. Doesn't work though, Tanya's ass is literally saving your own. Eventually you manage to get to the roof where you and Tanya both start leaping across the tops of nearby buildings. When you get far enough away, Tanya at last stops to take a breather and then also punches you in the face. "What was that for?" you ask. "Do you even need to ask?! Your incompetent bumbling nearly got not just yourself killed, but ME as well! What the fuck were you even doing there? Did you KNOW I was going to be there?" Tanya asks. "Well…" "Let me guess, Sneaks told you…I'm going to kill him." "Where were you anyway? I looked for you for awhile." "I was in the basement stealing the Tivan Crystal." "Oh. I didn't think to check the basement." "Given all the security you set off, it's apparent you didn't think at all! I was just on my way to leave when I heard glass breaking and the scampering of your feet. Did you really think you could just smash and grab shit in a place like that without consequence?" "I didn't mean to at first. It was an accident. I just wanted to get you something since I couldn't find you. Here." You say and pull the diamond necklace out of your bag. "You're joking right? I could steal, and have stolen items a lot more valuable than this!" "Yes, I'm sure you have, but its value is not the point, this is my gift to you. The motivation behind it is important." "You expect me to believe you stole this for me?" "Believe what you wish, the point is that it's yours now my dear." You say and put the necklace in her hand. Tanya looks at the necklace in disbelief, and addresses you again. "So…wait…you REALLY think I'm going to wear this? Surely even someone of your intelligence can see that I'm not some dainty aristocrat who dresses in fancy gowns and adores myself with jewelry." "You may do whatever you wish with it. You may throw it away, keep it and wear it, keep it and then sell it or just keep it period. It doesn't matter. It was just my way of thanking you for not just saving my life, but also the pleasure of being in the glow of your beauty." Tanya is now looking at you in disbelief. "…you…you…I…" Tayna starts to say. "Yes?" you ask. "Look! I don't know what the hell your game is, but I'm not playing, and I'm not fooled!" "But I'm not trying to fool you, it's merely a gift to…" "Stop it! Stop it right now! And stop looking at me like that, if you want to keep your eyesight! I don't want to hear anymore of your honeyed words! We part ways here and don't you dare try to follow me!" Tanya yells and pulls her hood even more over her head, before leaping to the next building. You naturally ignore her and start following her anyway. You must hop across three rooftops before Tanya stops again. "LOOK, this is NOT going to…" A bolt whizzing by suddenly interrupts Tanya's words. At first you think briefly that it's the guardian museum and it's followed you, but it turns out to be a more tangible enemy instead. Several men with crossbows suddenly materialize on the roofs nearby and a few of them even on the roof you're currently on. You both instantly duck down and try to find cover. Several other bolts follow though fortunately the ECS has not employed skilled marksmen. "Bah! All those bolts and you lot couldn't hit a behemoth's butt with a bass fiddle! I told you fuckers to practice! Just fucking close in for the kill!" you hear someone shout. You and Tanya can't go in any direction without facing ECS members, but given the state you're in right now, you're not exactly avoiding a fight and neither is Tanya. "Looks like some of the EC are begging to be declawed. I'm always up for whittling down their ranks." You say. "First thing you've said, that I agree with." Tanya remarks. While the EC might be terrible shots, you certainly aren't, you shoot three of them before they even manage to close in. Tanya on the other hand is perfectly content on taking on five of the assassins in close combat. One of the members however is standing back and still blinking in and out of existence. He's obviously using that blasted shadow magic. He's mainly giving orders right now, but if he gets in the fight, you don't anticipate things going well. You try to take aim at him, but you're stopped by two EC members who both nearly stab you. After dodging their blows, you shoot the pair of them. Seeing as you've only got one shot left and no real time to reload, you turn your attention back to the EC leader, who is now gone. Tanya is still working on two other EC members and you're about to go over to help her, when a magic missile of some sort hits you. You drop your weapon and collapse. You almost feel like all the energy has been drained out of you. You're so weak, you can hardly even push yourself back up, though a hefty kick soon stops that attempt. "Finally got your ass! It's like they always say, you want something done right, ya gotta do it yourself. So you think you can just get away with shooting our members like some cowardly sonofabitch?" the shadow magic wielder remarks. "You…you just hit me with a fucking magic missile!" you wheeze, pointing out his hypocrisy. This of course isn't appreciated and you soon receive another kick. "Silence! I'm gonna enjoy this." Fortunately, he doesn't get the chance due to all his gloating which was enough time for Tanya to finish off her last opponent and run over to help you again. However, he's quick enough to avoid her attacks. The pair of them duel while you lie there trying to gather your strength. You're really woozy and weak. You eventually manage to stand up, but you feel like you're going to teeter over again. Tanya is still fighting the EC leader, but she's not making much progress. In fact, he might even have a slight advantage since he hasn't been exerting himself as much as she has tonight. You look over to your right and see your pistol lying nearby. You've got one shot in it and you're not exactly in the best condition as far as accurately aiming anything right now. Of course you could just try to help Tanya in the more traditional way and try to backstab him. Still not ideal, but if you miss, you're not likely to hit Tanya by accident. > You backstab You'd rather not risk hitting Tanya, you need to get in close. As you attempt to move forward, you have a bit of trouble trying to keep your balance since you're still very woozy. Tanya's still holding her own, but the bastard's shadow magic is giving him the edge. Fortunately his back is still towards you. You try to get a little closer and every inch of you is struggling to not slip into unconsciousness. You see the EC member block several of Tanya's attacks and then manages to knock her down with some sort of glowing magic from his hand. You see him going in for the kill and that's when you make your own lunging attack. And promptly trip over yourself only to fall next to him. The EC member is distracted enough that he doesn't attack Tanaya in her prone position; he does however attack you instead. This time the magic missile hits you directly in the side of the head on top of being at point blank range. The flesh is burned off followed by your skull cracking and brain partially melting. This might have given Tanya enough time to recover and press her own advantage, but you're out of fight and more importantly this existence.

Year 18 "Yep, Garrick's been very impressed with you. I'd say a few more jobs and you'll finally get invited to where all the magic takes place." Sneaks says. "I can hardly wait." You say. "Well geez son, don't sound so enthusiastic. Last year you kept asking me if you were any closer to getting into the Guild headquarters." "Last year, I was still a bit more optimistic about my choice in joining the guild." "Oh? And how exactly did we fail you your majesty?" "That's not exactly what I mean, but if we're going that route, I just thought I'd be doing slightly better while aligned with you lot." Sneaks starts laughing. "Well that's your first problem right there. Joining a criminal organization that's currently feuding with another one isn't exactly a stable future son." Sneaks says. "I know that too, it's just…okay…I'm just a little concerned that we aren't doing too much directly against the Ebony Claw Syndicate. I mean shouldn't we be doing something more to decrease their power? Their presence hasn't exactly decreased in the city and if anything it has only gotten stronger." You respond. "I dunno about that, I'd say they're probably struggling like everyone else currently. If they were truly stronger in presence they'd be directly attacking us and some of our hangouts more often." "Well that's still a problem since it's still not progress, it's just keeping the status quo." "So, what are you going to do? Shoot them all?" "Well considering how many I have shot, I'd say it's not a bad plan. Not to mention it's something I could have easily done on my own." "And you would have been dead already on your own. But if you really feel like you could do better on your own then nothing is holding back from leaving. Why stay?" "Because obviously I'm still an optimistic idiot." "I don't believe that, I believe its MORE likely you're just sticking around because you're an infatuated idiot." "What?" "Don't play dumb with me, I know you still got a thing for Tanya after I told you to just walk away. I remember when we all had to work on that job together three months ago, I swear at one point with how hard you were starin' at her, I thought you were going to whip your dick out and start wackin' it right there." You laugh at that remark. "You laugh because you know it's true." Sneaks says. "Yeah well it certainly is a better reason than anything else I could come up with, and I'm not totally convinced that goal isn't at least as possible as wiping out the ECS as a force in this city." You respond. "I dunno about that. You've at least killed Ebony Claw members, you haven't even gotten a kind word from Tanya yet." "Yes I did! She said she couldn't believe I was still alive and that I had to be the idiot bastard son of Yag eternally blessed with more luck than actual ability." "Hm. Well actually coming from her that IS a kind word. Congrats. At the risk of inflating your ego even more…and she'd probably kill me if I told you…she actually would somewhat agree with you on your views about the Ebony Claw. She sort of wishes we took the fight more to them too. Actually you could probably count me in that group as well." "So why the hell aren't we doing more then and why isn't Garrick being pro-active?" "He actually is, just not in the way you think. He thinks an all out gang war would be a mistake due to them having the numbers. He might be right, I don't know. But all that shit we steal and the Guild gets a cut of? That doesn't all just go towards equipment and extra casks of booze for the headquarters. Some of that money goes towards more important things like bribes, paying off the Watch and getting a few underpaid bean counters on our side to muddle paper work on occasion." "Well that's great and all, but how's that fuck up the Ebony Claw?" "It doesn't, but it keeps a balance. You don't think they don't do the same thing? Try to manipulate the law in their favor? The only reason why the Holgard Watch doesn't mess with either side much is because they're taking bribes from both sides. They got best racket in this city. They practically never even have to do their fucking jobs! Garrick HOPES that one day he'll be able to manipulate the right people that will cripple the EC, but I can say right now, he's doomed to failure, because at his core, he's too fucking nice. Bribery only gets you so far. To do what he wants to do, he'd need to rely more on blackmail and extortion, which isn't something he's too fond of getting heavily into." "Surprised nobody's tried to kill him and take power from him." "I said he's nice, not a pussy. There have been a few who have tried over the years, mostly before the EC established a greater presence, but the man isn't unskilled in the ways of defending himself. Besides the Thieves Guild isn't the Ebony Claw and because Garrick is so fucking nice, people generally like him enough that they'd rather keep him as head of the organization. Not to mention we don't exactly have the most ambitious bunch in the Guild. Most of the really ruthless, kill their own mother types to get ahead join the EC. We're not Joachimites, but I'd still wager that most of us in the Guild have just a few more scruples than the average EC member." "Yeah, well scruples doesn't win wars." "No argument there. Look kid, I'm not sure what to tell you, except I do hope you stick with us. I don't care what your reasons are, whether its for safety, or riches or your ongoing failed pursuit of Tanya's demon pussy. We need more…for the lack of a better word…warrior types in the Guild." "Never considered myself a warrior before, but I suppose I'll take it as a compliment." "Of course you will, that's how I meant it. Anyway, I gotta go. Garrick's holding some sort of meeting for some of us important elite. Tell ya what, I'll try to convince Garrick to let you in the Guild's inner sanctum already. I know it's not Tanya's inner sanctum, but here's something that might help you in that goal, she's supposed to be casing the Museum of the Ancients tonight. Who knows, maybe if you get there quick enough she might even let you help." As your eyes light up, Sneaks smiles and parts ways with you. You of course don't waste any time heading to the Museum of the Ancients. You've never considered burglarizing that place before, but you suppose it makes sense that there would be some pretty valuable stuff in there. Though you imagine that it's more protected than even some of the banks here. You've only had the fortune of working with Tanya a couple times before and that was always in a group and she of course always limited her contact with you in those cases. You still don't exactly know WHY you're as drawn to her as you are. Well you do and it's probably due to her demonic heritage and whatever powers of charm she put on you. (Accidently you guess given her stand offish personality towards you) Sneaks said the effects should have worn off by now since you don't even see her that much. Granted you aren't thinking about her all the time, but if you ever have the chance to be around her (Like you do now) you're going to take it. Luckily you manage to arrive unaccosted by anyone, the law or otherwise. Now you're just hoping you find Tanya before the fun begins. The surrounding area outside the museum, the place is more or less empty. There aren't too many other people in the area other than a few Holgard Watchmen patrolling around which you keep clear of. You look around to see where Tanya might be, but again its possible she already went inside. You bet she went in from the rooftop. Every time you've worked with her, she's always favoring the rooftops. Of course you prefer a more grounded approach so as soon as it looks safe, you simply run up to the front door and pick the lock, which is a lot easier than you thought it would be. You look around the museum and mostly see a lot of oversized items that you'd need at least two people to carry to get out of here. Statues, suits of rusty armor, oversized tapestries and the like. While you're sure some of this stuff is valuable to someone, it wouldn't exactly be the easiest to just lift out of here. Though you haven't seen or heard any night guards of any kind at all. Seems weird that this place doesn't have any security. You try to keep an ear out for anyone that might be walk around, but it's nothing but silence. You start to wonder if she came and left already or maybe this was all Sneaks idea of a practical joke. Wouldn't be the first time. Since you can't find her or detect anyone else roaming these halls, you decide that you might as well see if there actually is anything here that you might be worth taking. Eventually after wandering a bit, you stumble into an area that seems more promising. "Royal treasures of Old Galpatis" you say to yourself as you read the sign to exhibit room. You don't know too much about Galpatis except shit that your sister sometimes spoke about from some book she read. It was supposed to be a great empire thousands of years ago that destroyed itself as all these ancient civilizations tend to do for whatever reason. Probably had something to do with necromancy or something. In any case you enter and see in the dim torchlight you see proper treasure that you could actually carry out of here. A lot of old necklaces, bracelets, crowns with gems and similar items behind glass, though some, like the weapons are mounted securely on the wall. A couple of weapons that catch your eye are a pair of ornate looking dagger. Not even tarnished and definitely still usable. You probably could easily pry them from the walls though you'd have to reach a bit since they're little higher than you. Of course you do have your trusty glasscutter with you and you could just start getting to work on grabbing what you can from the displays. > You cut the glass You've already got enough daggers; you don't really need to waste time getting some slightly fancier ones while there are obviously more valuable objects that you can pilfer. You look around for potential traps or alarms around the display cases and find nothing, so you get started and begin carefully cutting the glass. The jeweled crown is what really catches your eye. The regular jewelry is going to bring a nice price of course, but that crown isn't like something you've ever stolen before. You remove the glass and grab the crown. No sooner have you picked it up and that's when you feel an unnatural chill in the air and you're struck by a powerful vision. You see a sprawling city though it's much larger than any sort of city you've ever been to (granted you've only been to Holgard, but you can tell it's much bigger than that). Also unlike Holgard everything is very orderly and the buildings are in much better condition in general. At first you wonder if you're seeing some city in the Delantium Kingdom since you've never been there, but something about this place seems different. Like you don't think you're even in the same time period. The people are dressed very different than you know. The building architecture isn't like anything you've ever seen. Once again searching your memory again of your sister's old stories, you think you're seeing Galpatis. Or at least some portion of the old empire. Currently, you're seeing everything from above. Almost like you're flying over the city, but you're not actually there. The only thing that is certain is that you're still holding the crown in your hand. Before you can ponder what exactly is going on, a voice suddenly pierces your mind. "THIEF! DISCARD ME NOW OR FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR GREED!" Well that command couldn't be much clearer. As far as you know you aren't in any immediate danger, but then right now you're seeing a vision and you don't know what's going on in the "real world." For all you know you could be surrounded by guards. The "voice" you're hearing could even be some sort of protection to scare rogues such as yourself into dropping the crown. You're either going to have to mentally break the illusion you're experiencing or drop the crown and give up on this prize. > You drop the crown There is some strange magic at work here and it's obviously best if you didn't fuck around with it. You play it safe and release the crown. No sooner that you do so that you feel like you're falling and then you suddenly back in the museum room again and the crown is back in its case with the glass once again intact. "Shit, that was weird." You say and stare at the crown a bit. You then immediately notice how much colder it is in this room. You aren't even sure how long you've been actually sitting here. Feeling uneasy, you stand up and head towards the exit of this room only to be stopped by a living statue. "Fuck!" you shout, only narrowly dodging the statue's swing at your head. You turn to run out the other side of the room, but you then see two more statues blocking that way as well. You desperately try to fight your way out, expending all your shots and destroying a good portion of one of the statues, but more of them come into the room and block your escape. All it takes is one of them to get in a good hit. The bones in the left side of your face shatter as you go down to the floor from one of their punches. You try to get up, but the rest of your skull is crushed under a statue's stone foot.

You've already got enough daggers; you don't really need to waste time getting some slightly fancier ones while there are obviously more valuable objects that you can pilfer. You look around for potential traps or alarms around the display cases and find nothing, so you get started and begin carefully cutting the glass. The jeweled crown is what really catches your eye. The regular jewelry is going to bring a nice price of course, but that crown isn't like something you've ever stolen before. You remove the glass and grab the crown. No sooner have you picked it up and that's when you feel an unnatural chill in the air and you're struck by a powerful vision. You see a sprawling city though it's much larger than any sort of city you've ever been to (granted you've only been to Holgard, but you can tell it's much bigger than that). Also unlike Holgard everything is very orderly and the buildings are in much better condition in general. At first you wonder if you're seeing some city in the Delantium Kingdom since you've never been there, but something about this place seems different. Like you don't think you're even in the same time period. The people are dressed very different than you know. The building architecture isn't like anything you've ever seen. Once again searching your memory again of your sister's old stories, you think you're seeing Galpatis. Or at least some portion of the old empire. Currently, you're seeing everything from above. Almost like you're flying over the city, but you're not actually there. The only thing that is certain is that you're still holding the crown in your hand. Before you can ponder what exactly is going on, a voice suddenly pierces your mind. "THIEF! DISCARD ME NOW OR FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR GREED!" Well that command couldn't be much clearer. As far as you know you aren't in any immediate danger, but then right now you're seeing a vision and you don't know what's going on in the "real world." For all you know you could be surrounded by guards. The "voice" you're hearing could even be some sort of protection to scare rogues such as yourself into dropping the crown. You're either going to have to mentally break the illusion you're experiencing or drop the crown and give up on this prize. > You keep the crown This is a unique form of security, but you're no weak willed fool. You begin to try to disbelieve your surroundings and try to move. Seeing as you're in the air, it's almost like you're swimming. It's all pretty surreal and you're expecting this illusion to end. "FOOL! IF YOU WANT THE SACRED TREASURES OF GALPATIS SO BAD THEN EXPERIENCE ITS TRUE GLORY!" The voice booms and suddenly you're falling towards the city! The shock causes you to panic because now this doesn't feel like an illusion. You immediately drop the crown believing that it might correct things, but all that happens is the crown starts falling to the ground too. At first you think you're going to die, but then you notice that you're falling not just towards the city, but you're over an area which looks to have some large trees. With a little luck, MAYBE you can slow your descent before hitting the ground. Shifting your weight slightly, you brace for painful impact of attempting to hit every branch on the way down. When you're within reach of the top of the tree, you desperately start grabbing at extended branches just within reach. You unsurprisingly break several of them trying to hang on, along with ripping your hands up pretty good. You're very lucky you don't get impaled and eventually you hit the ground bruising most of your body. You curse when you notice your pistol has broken into two pieces. However, you're still alive. Though in your dazed state, you realize that your "arrival" didn't go unnoticed with several strangely dressed onlookers pointing at you. A couple of them even shout over at you. You sit up and using the base of the tree you stand yourself up. You're in a lot of pain right now, and it's at this moment that you realize you can't understand what any of these gawkers are saying to each other or you. Some of the words sound similar to ones you know, but it's almost like they're all speaking a different language. You at first wonder if you hit the ground so hard that it damaged your head so you can't understand what people are saying anymore, but given where you are and how everyone is dressed, you've got a bad feeling that you're a LONG way from Holgard anymore. And for all you know this could still all be some elaborate illusion. In any case, you're drawing a crowd and you've had enough experience to know that's never a good thing. You quickly make your escape away from the crowd, especially when you hear more shouting coming towards your position. You don't know where the hell you are, but you're guessing it must be a park of some sort inside the city. You need to find a secluded place and get your bearings. As you move as quickly as you can with a twisted ankle and sore feet, you spy out the corner of your eye, the crown laying in the grass by some bushes. Seeing as this is what got you into this in the first place, you figure you might as well retrieve it. No sooner have you picked it up again, you hear the voice again. "STILL ALIVE THIEF? YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU LOOK." "End this illusion…whatever you are!" you sputter. "THIS IS NO ILLUSION. WHAT YOU SEE IS VERY REAL. JUST LIKE YOUR PAIN. YOU WANTED A GREAT TREASURE OF OLD GALPATIS. THERE IS NO GREATER TREASURE THAN LIVING DURING THE APEX OF ITS GLORY. TIS MORE THAN A SCOUNDREL LIKE YOU DESERVES!" "Wait. You're…you're saying I'm actually here? I traveled back in fucking time?! Bullshit, this has to be an illusion!" "DISBELIEVE AT YOUR OWN PERIL, BUT THERE ARE NO LIES AND THERE IS NO RETURN. YOU LOST THAT OPTION WHEN YOU STUCK WITH YOUR GREED. YOUR LIFE OF GREED HAS ALREADY COST YOU DEARLY. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE THE CHANCE AT A NEW LIFE IF YOU LET GO. CONTINUE ON YOUR PATH AND YOU WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE DOOMED." This is a lot to take in. You truly do not know what to make of all this. If this crown, or voice, or whatever is telling the truth, you are in deeper shit than you could have ever imagined. You're stuck not just in an unknown city or even a foreign land, you're in a whole other time period! You've got to think. Of course, while you're thinking about how you're going to survive in this new situation, you still might need a lot of coin to make it a little easier. You look at the crown. > You keep the crown Again, this crown got you into this mess; you might as well keep it at this point. You tuck the crown away in your pack hoping that it stops speaking to you. You limp away and eventually find your way out of the park. (Or what you assume was a park anyway) You walk down a street catching a lot of glances. Most of the inhabitants of this city are human (Though you're seeing a couple of races that you've never even seen before) so you're not standing out so much on that aspect, but the way you're dressed is definitely cause for intrigue. Unfortunately for you, you're so intriguing that when several military looking men come running in your direction they immediately begin shouting at you in a language that you still can't understand. You aren't really in any condition to run and there are enough of them that you don't think you could fight them all. You don't even have the advantage of your pistol any longer. Having no other choice, you attempt to play it dumb and make gestures that you don't understand them. It isn't really a plan, so much as it's the lack of one since you really can't understand them. Though eventually when they get exasperated enough, you understand them all too well. One of the soldiers grabs you while another begins grabbing your belongings such as your weapons and your pack. They toss everything out, but when they see the crown, all of their eyes narrow and you know enough that you're in even deeper shit. You can't make out everything they say in between the beating, but you think you understood some of the words as older forms of various swears. You also heard "emperor" which is very bad since as far as you can figure, the crown belongs to the emperor of Galpatis Empire. While you expect to be killed right there in the streets, the soldiers eventually stop beating you and take you away in chains. Apparently they uphold a very civilized legal system here and you are to be properly judged rather than just executed immediately. You spend months in a dungeon waiting for judgment. During those first few weeks you try to find a way to escape. When you never find an opening of any sort, you just give up. After all what would you escape to? You're nowhere near home or anything else that you know. You are a man out of time. Resigned to your situation, you spend the remainder of your time learning some of the language to crudely communicate with the guards or other prisoners. You learn manage to learn a few things that your sister would find very interesting seeing as she did read a few things about Galpatis. Your chances of ever telling her are nil of course. Still, you hope she's doing a lot better than you currently are. Eventually your day arrives and predictably your case is pretty cut and dry. You're found guilty of stealing one of the emperor's royal crowns (You guess he has several) and the sentence is death. You have to wonder why it took so damn long to sentence you seeing as they found it on you. You can only guess this place has a really backed up legal system on top of it being "civilized." While it doesn't help you out, it makes you wonder if this was "meant to happen." Like were you supposed to go back in time and steal this crown? Did this originally happen? But then you didn't really steal it at all or at least you didn't steal it in this time period. The guards just found it on you, but they clearly were LOOKING for a thief. So what happened to the original one? You eventually stop worrying about it; it's not going to matter anyway. The waiting period for the execution is happily a lot swifter and by the time you walk to the chopping block; you're ready to accept your fate.

This is a unique form of security, but you're no weak willed fool. You begin to try to disbelieve your surroundings and try to move. Seeing as you're in the air, it's almost like you're swimming. It's all pretty surreal and you're expecting this illusion to end. "FOOL! IF YOU WANT THE SACRED TREASURES OF GALPATIS SO BAD THEN EXPERIENCE ITS TRUE GLORY!" The voice booms and suddenly you're falling towards the city! The shock causes you to panic because now this doesn't feel like an illusion. You immediately drop the crown believing that it might correct things, but all that happens is the crown starts falling to the ground too. At first you think you're going to die, but then you notice that you're falling not just towards the city, but you're over an area which looks to have some large trees. With a little luck, MAYBE you can slow your descent before hitting the ground. Shifting your weight slightly, you brace for painful impact of attempting to hit every branch on the way down. When you're within reach of the top of the tree, you desperately start grabbing at extended branches just within reach. You unsurprisingly break several of them trying to hang on, along with ripping your hands up pretty good. You're very lucky you don't get impaled and eventually you hit the ground bruising most of your body. You curse when you notice your pistol has broken into two pieces. However, you're still alive. Though in your dazed state, you realize that your "arrival" didn't go unnoticed with several strangely dressed onlookers pointing at you. A couple of them even shout over at you. You sit up and using the base of the tree you stand yourself up. You're in a lot of pain right now, and it's at this moment that you realize you can't understand what any of these gawkers are saying to each other or you. Some of the words sound similar to ones you know, but it's almost like they're all speaking a different language. You at first wonder if you hit the ground so hard that it damaged your head so you can't understand what people are saying anymore, but given where you are and how everyone is dressed, you've got a bad feeling that you're a LONG way from Holgard anymore. And for all you know this could still all be some elaborate illusion. In any case, you're drawing a crowd and you've had enough experience to know that's never a good thing. You quickly make your escape away from the crowd, especially when you hear more shouting coming towards your position. You don't know where the hell you are, but you're guessing it must be a park of some sort inside the city. You need to find a secluded place and get your bearings. As you move as quickly as you can with a twisted ankle and sore feet, you spy out the corner of your eye, the crown laying in the grass by some bushes. Seeing as this is what got you into this in the first place, you figure you might as well retrieve it. No sooner have you picked it up again, you hear the voice again. "STILL ALIVE THIEF? YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU LOOK." "End this illusion…whatever you are!" you sputter. "THIS IS NO ILLUSION. WHAT YOU SEE IS VERY REAL. JUST LIKE YOUR PAIN. YOU WANTED A GREAT TREASURE OF OLD GALPATIS. THERE IS NO GREATER TREASURE THAN LIVING DURING THE APEX OF ITS GLORY. TIS MORE THAN A SCOUNDREL LIKE YOU DESERVES!" "Wait. You're…you're saying I'm actually here? I traveled back in fucking time?! Bullshit, this has to be an illusion!" "DISBELIEVE AT YOUR OWN PERIL, BUT THERE ARE NO LIES AND THERE IS NO RETURN. YOU LOST THAT OPTION WHEN YOU STUCK WITH YOUR GREED. YOUR LIFE OF GREED HAS ALREADY COST YOU DEARLY. HOWEVER, YOU HAVE THE CHANCE AT A NEW LIFE IF YOU LET GO. CONTINUE ON YOUR PATH AND YOU WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE DOOMED." This is a lot to take in. You truly do not know what to make of all this. If this crown, or voice, or whatever is telling the truth, you are in deeper shit than you could have ever imagined. You're stuck not just in an unknown city or even a foreign land, you're in a whole other time period! You've got to think. Of course, while you're thinking about how you're going to survive in this new situation, you still might need a lot of coin to make it a little easier. You look at the crown. > You discard it The crown's been nothing but trouble and you're likely just going to suffer more by keeping the damn thing. Not to mention you don't really want to put up with its scolding advice again. Throwing the crown into the bushes you limp away and eventually find your way out of the park. (Or what you assume was a park anyway) You walk down a street catching a lot of glances. Most of the inhabitants of this city are human (Though you're seeing a couple of races that you've never even seen before) so you're not standing out so much on that aspect, but the way you're dressed is definitely cause for intrigue. Unfortunately for you, you're so intriguing that when several military looking men come running in your direction they immediately begin shouting at you in a language that you still can't understand. You aren't really in any condition to run and there are enough of them that you don't think you could fight them all. You don't even have the advantage of your pistol any longer. Having no other choice, you attempt to play it dumb and make gestures that you don't understand them. It isn't really a plan; so much as it's the lack of one since you really can't understand them. Though eventually when they get exasperated enough, you understand them all too well. One of the soldiers grabs you while another begins grabbing your belongings such as your weapons and your pack. They dump everything out and then after a few words to each other, one of them points in a different direction and they all leave. Whatever it is they were looking for you didn't have, though you get the very real impression that it was a good idea to leave that crown behind after all. Of course your situation is still pretty damn dire. You're stuck in the past and unless you get access to some really powerful magic, you're going to be living the rest of your life here no matter what else you achieve. You're also at a disadvantage of not knowing the language or even your general location let alone how things work around here. The best you have to go on is a few old stories your sister told you and that's going to have to be enough for now The voice in the crown told you that you'd have to give up your roguish ways and start a new life, but that's really not going to be possible even if you wanted to. Right now you can see that you're going to have to steal to survive. Possibly even the basics like new clothes because you are really sticking out with what you're currently wearing. Once you get that down, then maybe you can figure out a way to get back to your own time. > You time passes... Year 21 "Oh come on Saldinius you can't do better than that?" you say. "Sorry, but times are hard right now, that's the best I can offer!" Saldinius replies making a shrugging motion. "Bah, fine. You're lucky I got more important shit to do." You take your coin from Saldinius and make your way back to your humble room back at an inn. (Some things never change) The Galpatis Empire might be going through a "Golden Age" but from what you can tell life is pretty much the same here as it was in your time. The poor bastards are struggling to survive, the rich bastards are sitting on their fat asses reaping all the benefits and everyone in between is just trying to make their own way to be a rich bastard and avoid becoming one of the poor bastards. Still, you suppose you could have wound up in a worse city when you got stuck here. Galapolis is the shining jewel and seat of the Empire and it's easily five times the size of Holgard ever was. There is no shortage of opportunity for a rogue like yourself here. Crime doesn't change too much after all and if anything you're probably a little more skilled at it than most. That first year was really hard though. You sometimes didn't know if you were going to make it or not. It wasn't really the survival aspect, but more the mental aspect. True you didn't exactly have a "good life" in your own time, but you still had ties. Many nights you thought about your family and how you'd possibly never see them again. You even cried on more than one occasion. Maybe you left on bad terms, but probably in the back of you mind somewhere you thought that maybe you'd reconcile somehow with your mom and dad. Of course there was your sister as well, though you probably thought about her more since you used some of the knowledge from her stories to help you through this. You found the inner strength to carry on by learning the language, the surroundings and everything else you could. It's quite the accomplishment really. Unfortunately the only thing you haven't learned is how to get back home. You haven't lost hope on that dream though. Magic seems to be more common, or rather more impressive from what you've seen of it. The city of Galpatolis is protected by a giant invisible shield for example and when a dragon attacked (You nearly shit your pants when you saw one of those for the first time especially since it was much larger than the stories you heard) the beast couldn't even penetrate the defenses and its breath attack was reflected back. Eventually it was brought down by more magical defenses that disintegrated it completely. If the magic here has that power, then surely there might be a way back home with it. The main problem is magic seems to be highly restricted to the upper class. Like nobles and such. It isn't even like you've ever found any practicing hedge wizards or witches. Those types apparently get rounded up fairly quickly or they probably live far away from the Empire, which is pretty damn large. (As far as you can tell you're currently located where the Delantium Kingdom would be located and Galpatis Empire stretches much more than that.) There doesn't even seem to be any "divine magic" either or religion as you know it anyway. The citizens of the Empire all seem to worship the current Emperor as a "living god." (The body just being a vessel for him until he discards it for a new one) Deities in any other sense seem to be fringe beliefs at best or considered to be reserved for uncivilized barbarians that live outside the empire. In any case, you've asked around and done as much research as you can on the matter and there is one place in the Empire which has slightly more relaxed rules on magic and that's the town of Arcanius. Though it's not so much of a town as it is a giant magic testing area. There is where all the less disciplined, unwanted bastard children of nobles who have minor abilities or just downright anti-social wizards go to practice their skills without as much supervision though apparently there is still a powerful warden that oversees everything. The funny thing is, it isn't restricted to go there, but there is little reason for the average non-magical person to do so. For one thing it's a very long journey and not in the most hospitable place of the Empire (Close to the Cloudpeake Mountains) Second, it isn't like the average Empire citizen wants to hang around a bunch of unhinged miscreant magic types. Though for you, it's probably your only possible chance at getting back home. In any event, you've raised enough coin and made the right shady connections to gain rare passage there. The use of carriages is a lot more exclusive during this time, let alone using them to travel to another city. However seeing as you're heading to a town not many want to go to anyway, your obvious lack of nobility isn't as much of an issue. Indeed you'll probably be assumed to be another bastard. The ride leaves tomorrow and you need to be on it so you need to get your rest. You spend the rest of the day and night packing everything you plan on taking, because if all goes to plan, you won't be coming back. You head to where the carriages are getting ready to leave and with a few extra bribes, bullshit explanations, and general apathy of the soldiers, you're waved into one of the carriages heading to Arcanius. It's going to be a several day journey from what you know so you're glad when you find that you have a carriage all to yourself. You'll be able to stretch out. Eventually there is some shouting heard outside, along with the crack of several whips. Before you know it you're on your way. You never were much of a reader before, but seeing how long this trip is going to be, you figured it would be a good idea to take some literature with you along the way. If you do manage to get back, you might even be able to sell this stuff for a hefty profit. Galpatis items would no doubt go for a lot. (And you've collected a few other small items with this in mind) As you spend a few days reading some books (and improve your basic understanding of the Empire's language in general) your thoughts start to wander a bit. What if you've changed the future just by being here? You've never pondered this before, but maybe it's due to reading too much philosophy during the trip, but what if you've changed things? You can't imagine that you've changed that much since you've surprisingly haven't even killed anyone since being here. You've stolen a lot of things, but is any of that really going to make a difference in the long run? You don't know. What if you go back and there is nothing to go back to? Or more specifically what if you made changes here to the point that you don't exist? "Oh shit." You mutter as you ponder this new possibility. At first you were concerned that you might not be able to get back home. Now you're concerned that maybe you shouldn't go back home! You go back and forth on this many times. Staying here has always been something you thought might be inevitable anyway so would it really matter? You get the impression that if you stayed here, you could probably carve out a future for yourself. You think with time and effort you could rise to be greater than your current status in the criminal world. Hell, you probably could get your own organization started. For all you know you're the founder of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Now you start to wonder if you were MEANT to be here. "What the hell am I thinking? I need to go back! I can't fucking stay here…can I?" you say to yourself. In any case your struggles with metaphysical matters soon turn into very real struggles because your carriage (along with the rest) are suddenly attacked! You hear shouting and the galloping of several horses. A look outside your window and you see a bunch of figures on horseback armed with spear type weapons and bows. At this range you think they might be green skinned. Probably orcs given the noises they're making. So much for Empire territory being safe everywhere. Granted you are currently closer to one of its borders, but you'd think that would just mean they'd protect it a hell of a lot better. The carriage you're currently on goes faster, but it's obvious that the orc raiders are going to attempt to cut everyone off assuming they don't kill everyone with arrows first. Several of said arrows go into your carriage and you try to get as flat as possible. You really wish you still had your pistol. You'd at least be able to fire back. "THEY'RE GOING TO CATCH UP TO US! EVERYONE TO ARMS!" you hear someone shout and the carriage comes to a halt. Last time you looked, there was a hell of a lot of orcs. Granted you have some of the Empire's soldiers with you and hopefully a few of the bastard passengers in the other carriages are above average with their lack of formal magic training, but it's not going to be an easy fight. You almost wonder if you should just run for your life. As strange as it is, you haven't been in a real life or death fight in years since you've been here. You're probably a little rusty. There's also the fact that most of the people you ever fought with were other humans. Orcs are a whole different story. Especially this blood thirsty looking lot. > You help fight off the orcs You need to get to Arcanius. If you run and these assholes lose, then you're in for a long walk. If you run away and they live, you can't imagine that the survivors aren't going to be keen on taking you along after you abandoned them, also resulting in a long walk. You're going to have to at least make the attempt, as much as you'd rather just run. Still, there's no reason to go rushing headlong into battle. On top of being on horseback, the orcs are armed with bows, spears and javelins. You aren't some heavily armored soldier and you don't have magic powers to fire back. If you still had your pistol this might not be as big of a deal since you could easily fire back at them. Since you don't have any of those things, you figure you'll continue to hide in the carriage until you see a suitable opening to attack. You remain low to the floor in the carriage, occasionally looking out the window. You mostly the orcs circling about on horseback and using their bows to their advantage, though a couple of the novice mages are breaking up that advantage by slinging a few magic missile spells while hiding behind the shield wall that the soldiers have created. For a while it looks like you might survive all this and not even have to fight after all. Unfortunately that's when the leader shows up. He's not riding a horse either, but a chariot pulled by what looks like giant armored boars. Several of his people rally in front of him and they all make a beeline charge towards the soldiers, while others ride around to flank the sides. To their credit, the soldiers hold the wall and a few of the mages don't even run and instead try to take out the main force approaching, but ultimately the orcs have more numbers and the leader is tough. His chariot crashes spectacularly into the shield wall, breaking through and trampling several of the soldiers. The boars and chariot aren't in the best of shape either of course, but that doesn't matter since the leader has already jumped off it and begin chopping people up directly with a huge axe. "Shit. Should have left when I had the chance." You say and leave the carriage as quick as you can. Realizing that this is a lost battle, you quickly start trying to free one of the living horses still attached to one of the carriages (and desperately trying to get free of the chaos by trying to drag the carriage despite the fact that it's dead fellows along side it are preventing such a thing) Of course while you're trying to do this one of the mounted orcs appears and gallops straight towards you. You try to get back in the carriage to avoid being trampled or cut down, but instead the orc grabs the last javelin on his back and throws it at you. Predictably he's a good shot and you're impaled through the back and out your chest. Your death is instantaneous.

Year 21 "Oh come on Saldinius you can't do better than that?" you say. "Sorry, but times are hard right now, that's the best I can offer!" Saldinius replies making a shrugging motion. "Bah, fine. You're lucky I got more important shit to do." You take your coin from Saldinius and make your way back to your humble room back at an inn. (Some things never change) The Galpatis Empire might be going through a "Golden Age" but from what you can tell life is pretty much the same here as it was in your time. The poor bastards are struggling to survive, the rich bastards are sitting on their fat asses reaping all the benefits and everyone in between is just trying to make their own way to be a rich bastard and avoid becoming one of the poor bastards. Still, you suppose you could have wound up in a worse city when you got stuck here. Galapolis is the shining jewel and seat of the Empire and it's easily five times the size of Holgard ever was. There is no shortage of opportunity for a rogue like yourself here. Crime doesn't change too much after all and if anything you're probably a little more skilled at it than most. That first year was really hard though. You sometimes didn't know if you were going to make it or not. It wasn't really the survival aspect, but more the mental aspect. True you didn't exactly have a "good life" in your own time, but you still had ties. Many nights you thought about your family and how you'd possibly never see them again. You even cried on more than one occasion. Maybe you left on bad terms, but probably in the back of you mind somewhere you thought that maybe you'd reconcile somehow with your mom and dad. Of course there was your sister as well, though you probably thought about her more since you used some of the knowledge from her stories to help you through this. You found the inner strength to carry on by learning the language, the surroundings and everything else you could. It's quite the accomplishment really. Unfortunately the only thing you haven't learned is how to get back home. You haven't lost hope on that dream though. Magic seems to be more common, or rather more impressive from what you've seen of it. The city of Galpatolis is protected by a giant invisible shield for example and when a dragon attacked (You nearly shit your pants when you saw one of those for the first time especially since it was much larger than the stories you heard) the beast couldn't even penetrate the defenses and its breath attack was reflected back. Eventually it was brought down by more magical defenses that disintegrated it completely. If the magic here has that power, then surely there might be a way back home with it. The main problem is magic seems to be highly restricted to the upper class. Like nobles and such. It isn't even like you've ever found any practicing hedge wizards or witches. Those types apparently get rounded up fairly quickly or they probably live far away from the Empire, which is pretty damn large. (As far as you can tell you're currently located where the Delantium Kingdom would be located and Galpatis Empire stretches much more than that.) There doesn't even seem to be any "divine magic" either or religion as you know it anyway. The citizens of the Empire all seem to worship the current Emperor as a "living god." (The body just being a vessel for him until he discards it for a new one) Deities in any other sense seem to be fringe beliefs at best or considered to be reserved for uncivilized barbarians that live outside the empire. In any case, you've asked around and done as much research as you can on the matter and there is one place in the Empire which has slightly more relaxed rules on magic and that's the town of Arcanius. Though it's not so much of a town as it is a giant magic testing area. There is where all the less disciplined, unwanted bastard children of nobles who have minor abilities or just downright anti-social wizards go to practice their skills without as much supervision though apparently there is still a powerful warden that oversees everything. The funny thing is, it isn't restricted to go there, but there is little reason for the average non-magical person to do so. For one thing it's a very long journey and not in the most hospitable place of the Empire (Close to the Cloudpeake Mountains) Second, it isn't like the average Empire citizen wants to hang around a bunch of unhinged miscreant magic types. Though for you, it's probably your only possible chance at getting back home. In any event, you've raised enough coin and made the right shady connections to gain rare passage there. The use of carriages is a lot more exclusive during this time, let alone using them to travel to another city. However seeing as you're heading to a town not many want to go to anyway, your obvious lack of nobility isn't as much of an issue. Indeed you'll probably be assumed to be another bastard. The ride leaves tomorrow and you need to be on it so you need to get your rest. You spend the rest of the day and night packing everything you plan on taking, because if all goes to plan, you won't be coming back. You head to where the carriages are getting ready to leave and with a few extra bribes, bullshit explanations, and general apathy of the soldiers, you're waved into one of the carriages heading to Arcanius. It's going to be a several day journey from what you know so you're glad when you find that you have a carriage all to yourself. You'll be able to stretch out. Eventually there is some shouting heard outside, along with the crack of several whips. Before you know it you're on your way. You never were much of a reader before, but seeing how long this trip is going to be, you figured it would be a good idea to take some literature with you along the way. If you do manage to get back, you might even be able to sell this stuff for a hefty profit. Galpatis items would no doubt go for a lot. (And you've collected a few other small items with this in mind) As you spend a few days reading some books (and improve your basic understanding of the Empire's language in general) your thoughts start to wander a bit. What if you've changed the future just by being here? You've never pondered this before, but maybe it's due to reading too much philosophy during the trip, but what if you've changed things? You can't imagine that you've changed that much since you've surprisingly haven't even killed anyone since being here. You've stolen a lot of things, but is any of that really going to make a difference in the long run? You don't know. What if you go back and there is nothing to go back to? Or more specifically what if you made changes here to the point that you don't exist? "Oh shit." You mutter as you ponder this new possibility. At first you were concerned that you might not be able to get back home. Now you're concerned that maybe you shouldn't go back home! You go back and forth on this many times. Staying here has always been something you thought might be inevitable anyway so would it really matter? You get the impression that if you stayed here, you could probably carve out a future for yourself. You think with time and effort you could rise to be greater than your current status in the criminal world. Hell, you probably could get your own organization started. For all you know you're the founder of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. Now you start to wonder if you were MEANT to be here. "What the hell am I thinking? I need to go back! I can't fucking stay here…can I?" you say to yourself. In any case your struggles with metaphysical matters soon turn into very real struggles because your carriage (along with the rest) are suddenly attacked! You hear shouting and the galloping of several horses. A look outside your window and you see a bunch of figures on horseback armed with spear type weapons and bows. At this range you think they might be green skinned. Probably orcs given the noises they're making. So much for Empire territory being safe everywhere. Granted you are currently closer to one of its borders, but you'd think that would just mean they'd protect it a hell of a lot better. The carriage you're currently on goes faster, but it's obvious that the orc raiders are going to attempt to cut everyone off assuming they don't kill everyone with arrows first. Several of said arrows go into your carriage and you try to get as flat as possible. You really wish you still had your pistol. You'd at least be able to fire back. "THEY'RE GOING TO CATCH UP TO US! EVERYONE TO ARMS!" you hear someone shout and the carriage comes to a halt. Last time you looked, there was a hell of a lot of orcs. Granted you have some of the Empire's soldiers with you and hopefully a few of the bastard passengers in the other carriages are above average with their lack of formal magic training, but it's not going to be an easy fight. You almost wonder if you should just run for your life. As strange as it is, you haven't been in a real life or death fight in years since you've been here. You're probably a little rusty. There's also the fact that most of the people you ever fought with were other humans. Orcs are a whole different story. Especially this blood thirsty looking lot. > You run Remembering when your other carriage ride was attacked by bandits, you didn't stick around and fight them, you took off and ran and it worked out (more or less). Seems like the same strategy should apply here. You get out of the carriage and start unhooking one of the horses tied to your carriage. The driver who is still nearby sees what you're doing. "Hey! What the hell are you doing? You need to start slinging spells at those orcs!" the driver shouts. "Yeah, well that won't be happening." You say. The driver at this point grabs your arm. "And why the fuck not?" "Because I'm not a fucking wizard asshole!" you reply and then slug the driver in face. He falls to the ground and you successfully get the horse free. You're about to mount it when the driver once again attempts to stop you. "Cowardly sonof…" That's all he gets out before you shove a dagger in his throat and kick him to the ground again. You don't bother to retrieve the dagger as you see orcs quickly swaming the area, you just get on the horse and gallop away. Your next plan is to follow the road and hopefully you'll eventually reach your destination. It's not ideal and you're still not exactly sure of the directions, but you're hoping you can figure it out as you go or hope that the Empire at least has signs on their more isolated roads even if they apparently don't have proper security on them. You haven't gotten far when a javelin whizzes past you. You look behind and see two orcs in pursuit. You can't really do much except duck as low as you can and try to outpace them. You see a bridge in the distance and head towards it. You feel something hit your back, or rather your backpack. Fortunate that you were wearing it to block the arrow. One of the orcs has dispensed with ranged attacks and is concentrating on closing the gap. When you get to the bridge, he's almost on you and swinging a morning star. You draw your sword and try to swing it at the orc. Unfortunately the orc's morning star partially wraps around it. Between riding and awkwardly trying to fight, you don't have enough grip to pull the sword back, especially since the orc is much stronger and pulling his own weapon back as well. So you do the only logical thing and let go of the sword causing the orc to pull too much on his end, lose his balance; fall off his horse and over the side of bridge. You don't have too much time to celebrate however since the other orc hasn't given up on ranged attacks and throws his last javelin at you. On the plus side it doesn't hit you. The bad news is it hits the horse causing it to flail and causing you to also lose balance and go over the side of the bridge! The water isn't excessively deep, but the current in the river is strong that it instantly starts carrying your away. You no idea where the hell it's taking you, but your main concern is trying not to drown. You tread water for a while in your attempt to get to shore despite the strong current. Eventually you manage to grab on to a fallen tree trunk and drag yourself to shore. You're soaked, you're cold, and you're exhausted. You lost your pack during your time in the river and you have no idea where you are now, but you're too tired to care. You lie motionless on the muddy bank you're on for a moment just trying to gather yourself, but as they say, no rest for the wicked. "Shit!" you shout just barely rolling out of the way of the large branch wielded by the orc who also fell off the bridge. You don't know where he came from and you didn't even hear him, but none of that matters right now. What matters is how you're going to survive his assault. Miraculously, despite losing nearly all your other possessions in the river, you still have one extra dagger on your person. You draw it, but you don't have a positive feeling about your chances. As tired as you are, the orc is fairly clumsy about swinging his branch at you so you manage to dodge. Obviously more used to fighting on horseback. Still, the orc has a lot more endurance than you do and eventually he catches you with a glancing blow upside your head. You fall to the ground, dazed. Expecting the next hit to crush your skull, you hear the orc make a more anguished cry. You look and see a woman dressed in fur clothing with a bow and she's currently getting another arrow ready now that the orc's attention is directed towards her and didn't go down from the first shot. She hits it again, but it keeps coming. Now she begins to panic, but still attempts to get off another shot. She misses though. Meanwhile, you've managed to recover a bit, and once again you can take the opportunity to run while the orc's attention is divided. > You run Having no pride and a strong sense of self-preservation, you muster up all your remaining energy and run in the opposite direction of the orc and woman. You run a good distance through some trees, but you soon find yourself very winded and you have to stop. You don't hear anything following you, so you take that as a good sign. The problem now however is you are completely lost. You're not even by the river anymore and you're reluctant to retrace your steps lest you run into your greenskin friend again. You rest a moment and figure afterwards you'll get your bearings though you're now so drained that the moment you lay up against a tree and close your eyes, you fall asleep. When you wake up, it's dark and you're still in pain, along with being cold, the only good thing is you think you must have lost the orc since you doubt if you have reawakened at all Since attempting to travel in this darkness would be foolish in your condition, you don't try. You just continue to try to get some more rest and hope you can find your way back to some sort of civilization at this point because you still really hate the wilderness. You close your eyes again and manage to get back to sleep. At some point you wake up again. This time you couldn't have been asleep too long since it's still dark. However that's not the important part. The important part is the fact that two red eyes are staring at you in the darkness. And it certainly isn't an orc. You grab your dagger and rise to your feet, and that's about all you manage to do before whatever the creature is rushes forward and completely overwhelms you. Your screams are brief before its claws tear through your soft skin and its teeth rip out your tasty organs.

Remembering when your other carriage ride was attacked by bandits, you didn't stick around and fight them, you took off and ran and it worked out (more or less). Seems like the same strategy should apply here. You get out of the carriage and start unhooking one of the horses tied to your carriage. The driver who is still nearby sees what you're doing. "Hey! What the hell are you doing? You need to start slinging spells at those orcs!" the driver shouts. "Yeah, well that won't be happening." You say. The driver at this point grabs your arm. "And why the fuck not?" "Because I'm not a fucking wizard asshole!" you reply and then slug the driver in face. He falls to the ground and you successfully get the horse free. You're about to mount it when the driver once again attempts to stop you. "Cowardly sonof…" That's all he gets out before you shove a dagger in his throat and kick him to the ground again. You don't bother to retrieve the dagger as you see orcs quickly swaming the area, you just get on the horse and gallop away. Your next plan is to follow the road and hopefully you'll eventually reach your destination. It's not ideal and you're still not exactly sure of the directions, but you're hoping you can figure it out as you go or hope that the Empire at least has signs on their more isolated roads even if they apparently don't have proper security on them. You haven't gotten far when a javelin whizzes past you. You look behind and see two orcs in pursuit. You can't really do much except duck as low as you can and try to outpace them. You see a bridge in the distance and head towards it. You feel something hit your back, or rather your backpack. Fortunate that you were wearing it to block the arrow. One of the orcs has dispensed with ranged attacks and is concentrating on closing the gap. When you get to the bridge, he's almost on you and swinging a morning star. You draw your sword and try to swing it at the orc. Unfortunately the orc's morning star partially wraps around it. Between riding and awkwardly trying to fight, you don't have enough grip to pull the sword back, especially since the orc is much stronger and pulling his own weapon back as well. So you do the only logical thing and let go of the sword causing the orc to pull too much on his end, lose his balance; fall off his horse and over the side of bridge. You don't have too much time to celebrate however since the other orc hasn't given up on ranged attacks and throws his last javelin at you. On the plus side it doesn't hit you. The bad news is it hits the horse causing it to flail and causing you to also lose balance and go over the side of the bridge! The water isn't excessively deep, but the current in the river is strong that it instantly starts carrying your away. You no idea where the hell it's taking you, but your main concern is trying not to drown. You tread water for a while in your attempt to get to shore despite the strong current. Eventually you manage to grab on to a fallen tree trunk and drag yourself to shore. You're soaked, you're cold, and you're exhausted. You lost your pack during your time in the river and you have no idea where you are now, but you're too tired to care. You lie motionless on the muddy bank you're on for a moment just trying to gather yourself, but as they say, no rest for the wicked. "Shit!" you shout just barely rolling out of the way of the large branch wielded by the orc who also fell off the bridge. You don't know where he came from and you didn't even hear him, but none of that matters right now. What matters is how you're going to survive his assault. Miraculously, despite losing nearly all your other possessions in the river, you still have one extra dagger on your person. You draw it, but you don't have a positive feeling about your chances. As tired as you are, the orc is fairly clumsy about swinging his branch at you so you manage to dodge. Obviously more used to fighting on horseback. Still, the orc has a lot more endurance than you do and eventually he catches you with a glancing blow upside your head. You fall to the ground, dazed. Expecting the next hit to crush your skull, you hear the orc make a more anguished cry. You look and see a woman dressed in fur clothing with a bow and she's currently getting another arrow ready now that the orc's attention is directed towards her and didn't go down from the first shot. She hits it again, but it keeps coming. Now she begins to panic, but still attempts to get off another shot. She misses though. Meanwhile, you've managed to recover a bit, and once again you can take the opportunity to run while the orc's attention is divided. > You finish off the orc While normally you'd take this opportunity to run, you're pissed enough at the orc for trying to kill you in the first place and grateful enough that this woman just probably saved your life. You run at the orc with your dagger in hand and manage to get it to the ground in its weakened state. You stab it in the back multiple times and don't stop until the woman calls out to you. "Okay. I think you killed it." She shouts. You snap out of your killing trance for a moment and see you've made quite the mess. You stand up breathing heavily. "Fucking greenskins." You exclaim, kicking the dead body. "I hope this isn't a possible invasion. We saw another one a few months ago, though he was much smaller and ran off when he saw us. He was nowhere near as big as this one." The woman remarks. "Fortunately for you that you weren't where I just was, because there was a bunch of orcs that size on horseback about to destroy the Caravan I was part of." The woman shakes her head. "I thought the empire was supposed to be making the land safe. So much for their promises, well anyway, thanks for saving my life. I froze up a bit when that orc didn't go down with the second arrow." The woman says. "You're welcome, but I'd say you saved mine first seeing as that orc would have caved my skull in if you hadn't shown up." You respond. "Hm, I suppose that's true enough. Guess we helped each other. So where was this Caravan and where were you going?" "Shit, I don't even know now. I know I was probably north east of here. There was a stone bridge and then I fell into the river and wound up here. I was travelling from Galpatolis and going to Arcanius." The woman's eyes widen when you say that. "I see. Why?" "I got business there. I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me how I could get there from here." You say walking towards her, but then you experience a moment of fatigue and your legs give out causing you to partially collapse to the ground. The woman goes to help you up. "Hey, you still don't look that great. Look, you're barely in any condition to walk anywhere let along travelling all the way to Arcanius. Why don't you come back with me where you can at least rest and heal up? I mean as I said, you did help me kill the orc. My village isn't that far away." "Okay, yeah that sounds fine." You say not really wishing to argue since she's right about you not being in the best condition right now. The woman tells you her name is Keira and her village is Tarvo. She goes on about how it was absorbed by the Empire decades ago and how they used to even have a sizable amount of soldiers there, but eventually they realized the village was never going to be a problem as far as rebellions go. As it stands there are only a few soldiers and a single Galpatis official who probably got sent there because he pissed someone off. As a result he doesn't really enforce many official Galpatian laws other than something obvious like murder or rape and allows everyone to go about their normal lives. Eventually you get to the village, which is fairly humble. It's probably smaller than your old home of Teckleville. "Hey Keira, you catch that hunting this time?" some other woman asks and points at you. "Sort of. He was fighting an orc and we both brought it down together." Keira replies. "An orc? This close to the village?! Shit. We need to tell the magistrate about that! Not that I really want soldiers stomping about here, but if orcs are going to be a problem then I'd rather we have better defenses then we have!" "Mm. Well, I need to get back to my home and patch him up." "Okay, but don't Ardan see you taking another man inside your home! He might get the wrong idea!" Keira makes a minor laugh and waves at the woman, though you notice Keira also rolling her eyes when she turns her head away. You soon get to Keira's home which isn't large, but you suppose it's big enough to serve Keira's needs since she's living here alone. She gets a fire started and you welcome the warmth since you've been near freezing since you got out of the water. "You know you'll get warmer quicker if you get your clothes off. Those are going to need to dry properly anyway." Keira says. "Um what?" a little taken by surprise. "What? Is what you got under those clothes so impressive that you think I just won't be able to contain myself? Or perhaps you're just shy?" "Well, after the day I had, I really wasn't expecting it to end with a pretty woman asking me to take my clothes off. I'm half expecting you to turn into a monster of some sort which would be more in line with my luck lately." Keira chuckles a bit. "Well that won't happen, so perhaps your luck is better than you think. Perhaps even Yaz is looking over you." "Did you say Yag?" "No, I said Yaz. You know, the god of fortune? I don't suppose he's worshipped in Galpatolis." "No, but he's called Yag where I come from." "Ah. Interesting. I suppose divine beings go by many names though. Glad to know you weren't one of those silly people that worships the emperor though I didn't think you were really from Galpatolis since you don't look like you are." "You could tell just by looking at me?" "I could tell just by how you speak and act. You speak the language like you only just learned it. You're obviously not a native Galpatian. Where are you from originally?" "Eh, I'm originally from a small village far to the south. It's so small, nobody really knows it exists." "Hm, I guess the Empire came and annexed your people too huh?" "Something like that…ouch!" you say feeling the aches and pains in your body. "Okay, I think it's time you took your clothes off, you probably got some wounds that need patching up and I can get to them better if you're naked." "I gotta say, this is still pretty unusual for me. That other woman mentioned someone called Ardan, I mean I don't want your husband…" "Ardan is NOT my husband." "Okay, well boyfriend then." "He's barely that, and if he does come in here, he can just step right back out, because he pissed me off recently anyway. I don't want to talk about that though. Besides, nothing is happening between us anyway. I don't just become involved with strange men I find in the wilderness, so let's get you fixed up." "Okay then if you insist." You still feel a bit weird about all this, but honestly with as much pain you're in right now, you really aren't thinking about Keira in that way. (Well at least not immediately) Eventually Keira stitches up some of your wounds and places some sort of healing salve on them. She then gives you some spare furs to wrap yourself up in while your clothing dries. She tells you that you can stay here for a few days so you can heal up. As much as you're in a hurry to get to Arcanius, it probably would be best if you rested. As the days pass Keira says with you here, she's probably spent more time in her home than she has since her mother died since she had to be around more to take care of her. Apparently Keira prefers being outdoors hunting even when she doesn't need to, even sleeping outside under the stars at times rather than coming home. She says that sometimes she'd like to travel, but she says she's never quite had the nerve to do it. She's not sure why exactly seeing as there isn't much to tie her here except Ardan though once again she doesn't speak much more about him. Keira asks you a few questions about yourself, which you keep vague with half truths, misdirections and outright lies. You don't want to discuss your real situation anymore than she wants to discuss Ardan. Keira also tells you how to get to Arcanius though she doesn't ask why you're going again. Going by her directions, it's going to still be a long ass trip, especially with no horse or other mode of transportation now. You don't even have any supplies for such a journey though maybe Keira will give you some before you leave. When you're feeling slightly better you insist on walking about the village which Keira is happy to see since she doesn't feel the need to check up on you. You wander the village a bit and are mostly met with stares, but nothing more. A few people actually have heard about you since news spread in this village fairly quickly. It's mostly positive, since killing an orc is something to be celebrated here. In fact a few people are so nice they actually give you some free food. As you're accepting a few of these free gifts, a couple of soldiers approach saying that you're the one they've been hearing about and how the magistrate wants to see you about the orc found near the village since a few people have expressed concern to him about it. Seeing as you aren't really doing anything better right now and in no condition to resist. You go with the soldiers and follow to a slightly better looking building than the rest of the village. The magistrate doesn't look like the typical noble that you've seen many times before back in Galpatolis. He's got more facial hair and a general less kept appearance. It's apparent he barely gives a shit about formalities anymore since he gives his nose a quick pick and blows it out before even speaking to you. The meeting isn't very long. The magistrate just asks you some general questions about yourself and how you came to be in the situation where you were fighting an orc in the first place. You give him the same story you told Keira and he seems to accept that as a suitable explanation. He doesn't even ask why you were going to Arcanius. The man just seems to be fulfilling the basics of his duties. "I see. So the orc you were fighting was separated from his fellows. Which means these villagers are jumping to conclusions that there is an imminent attack from orc savages. Glad to hear it, since I doubt if those assholes in the capital would bother sending anyone up here anyway. Very well. You're dismissed." The magistrate says. "Okay. Um, is there any transportation from here to Arcanius?" "Sure, put one foot in front of the other and start walking. What? Did you think we'd give you a horse for killing a single orc that you apparently lead near here in the first place? I got more important matters to care of. Out." And with those words, the magistrate's soldiers start escorting you out the office and soon out the building as well. Well at least the law isn't trying to arrest you for a change. In any case, you get the strong impression you'll have to steal a horse before you leave this place. Not before at least another day of rest though. You wander the village a bit more before heading back to Keira's home. When you arrive, she's still not back yet, though she did say now that you're feeling better, she might be gone a little longer. That's awfully trusting of her to just assume some stranger isn't going to take her stuff. You guess thieves aren't a real problem around here since everyone knows one another and she probably believes you to be an upstanding person. She doesn't have much that you'd want to take anyway, not to mention you'd be quite the scoundrel indeed if you stole from a woman who has done nothing but help you. You aren't quite that much of an asshole. Still, doesn't prevent you from being a little nosey and you look through some of her belonging that are more out in open. As you're picking up what looks to be a flute sitting on a small table by her bed, you hear footsteps behind you. "So you're the guy that killed an orc and has been living here with Keira? You are far less impressive than I heard about." A voice says. You turn around and see a large older man standing in the entryway with a small axe in his hand. You just can't catch a break. "And you're Ardan I presume. Surprised I haven't seen you sooner." You say. "I was out hunting and I come back after a few days only to find that another man is trying to steal MY woman!" Ardan exclaims. "Okay look, I'm not stealing your woman. She's just letting me stay here until I recover. In fact I should be leaving by tomorrow." "Oh so you think you can just fuck my woman and leave then?" "I haven't fucked her! In fact NOTHING has happened between us!" "Oh we're going to see about that. Come on." "What?" "Come on. We're going to both go see Keira. I know her better than anyone and I'll know if she's lying or not when I confront her with you there." "But she's out hunting." "So? I know what grounds she prefers and that's where we're going. Now you're coming with me or I'm going to break your legs and drag you out of here." Ardan grips his axe tightly after threatening you. Well he's no orc, but you doubt if he'd be an easy fight either. The guy is predictably crazy jealous and you suppose to can understand his view point, but that doesn't change the fact that for all you know he's going to just take you out to a more secluded place and murder you there. > You go with Ardan If Ardan has plans on killing you, he doesn't seem like he'd be averse to doing it right here if need be. If you need to run, better that you're not in an enclosed space to more easily get away. "Okay, I'm coming with you. I really don't want any trouble. When we get to Keira, you'll see that nothing is going on." You say and raise your hands up. Ardan is still giving you a look that could kill but seems to calm down enough that he opens the door to let you go through it first. "And don't think about trying to run, I can split a grizzly's skull with this axe from a large distance. Wouldn't take much to do the same to the likes of you." Ardan says as you pass him. The pair of you walk out of the village and in this light and at this range, you see his face better and something about him looks very familiar. "What the fuck are you staring at me for?" Ardan asks. "Nothing! Sheesh, I mean we are walking together and sometimes I'm going to look over at you. You really need to relax, you're going to see that Keira loves you, not me." You say trying to calm him again. "She doesn't love me! If she did, she wouldn't make me angry all the time!" "Well what does she do?" "What does she do? What the hell doesn't she do?! She's constantly having these ideas!" "A dangerous past time indeed." You say and fortunately Ardan doesn't realize your sarcasm and instead continues to rant. "I know! She does silly things like try to play that flute thing instead of focusing on more important matters!" "Like what?" "Like not wasting her time playing a flute for one thing! She's horrible at it anyway and when I helpfully point this out to save her time, she gets pissed at me!" "Wow, I can't imagine why." "Also she wants to leave the village like there's something more out there for her! There's nothing that she needs outside the village that I can't provide! I mean…" If it wasn't obvious before, it's very apparent now that this Ardan is incredibly insecure and most likely controlling. You can see why Kiera didn't want to talk about him. Oddly, he's ranting about her so much now that it's almost like he's angrier at her than he is at you now. A step up you suppose, you figure maybe there might be hope to get out of this without a fight after all. Again though, he seems familiar somehow. Even his voice is starting to remind you of someone you know. "She wants to leave me after all I've fucking done for her! I taught her how to hunt better! I was by her side when her mother was dying! And fucking another man is how she repays me?" "Ardan, I didn't have sex with Keira." "It doesn't even fucking matter if you did or not. My point is, she's letting a damn stranger live with her before ME! That just shits all over our relationship as far as I'm concerned! And another thing…" And then it hits you. You can't even believe it. You recognize this man. Or at least you recognize his facial features and voice. The beard was throwing you before, but there can be no mistake. This Ardan could easily pass for your dad if your dad was more muscular and taller. You've also been yelled at your father enough that the voice is even similar. Ardan has to be an ancestor of yours! What the hell are the chances? Yag must have flipped the coin on the edge for you this time. And if this man is indeed some ancestor of yours that means Keira is also! (You feel a little weird being naked in front of her now) It makes sense; she has similar traits that your sister has. Hell, now that you're thinking about it, Keira does have a similar nose as her. Ardan is obviously older than Keira by probably at least twenty years since she's probably about your age. You sort of wonder how this relationship even got started, but then again an older guy with a much younger woman isn't that uncommon. Still, this is all almost too much for you to comprehend. A few days ago you were pondering if you were meant to be here, well maybe THIS is the reason! Your ancestors are obviously having problems; maybe YOU need to fix them. Meanwhile Ardan is still complaining. "Hey! Are you listening to me? We're going this way!" Ardan shouts. "Oh. Apologies. I was just thinking about your situation and I was wondering if you've tried being more supportive of her." "Supportive? I just told you all the shit I've done for her!" "Yes, but it always seems like you're doing these things and expecting a certain consistent behavior. I mean she's a woman not a dog." "What do you mean?" "What I mean is, it sounds like she just wants you to not yell at her so much when she wants to try something new. You telling her that she sucks at the flute might be the truth, but you could approach it a different way and not just tell her to give it up. You need to be more…sensitive." You can't believe you just gave that as advice, but if that's what it's going to take to make sure you exist, then so be it. Ardan scoffs as you continue. "I mean if she wants to leave the village why not go with her? You're both hunters no? Surely between the pair of you, you would have no trouble in the foraging for food and water aspect or even overcoming dangers." "Because I've lived here all my life and never felt the need to travel. I'm happy where I'm at and SHE needs to be happy too!" "It doesn't really work that way." "What the fuck would you know about it?" "Okay, I'm not saying I'm an expert, but I know that talking to Keira the way you've been telling me you've been doing isn't going to win her over. I mean I've spoke with her and…" "So what then? You telling me YOU know how to talk better to my woman than I do? Is that what you're getting at?" You can't believe your ancestor is THIS much of a stubborn asshole. Or rather you can, but you're almost starting to feel sorry for your great grandmother many times over if this is the guy she's going to have to continue sleeping with so you eventually exist. "You're not understanding me." You say almost immediately realizing your poor choice of words. "So you're saying I'm stupid as well? You know what, you've been doing a lot of fucking talking, trying to fool me. Well I'm not fooled. You've obviously charmed Keira with your words and turned her against me!" "Wha…how?! I only just got here! You were having problems with her long before I arrived!" "Yeah well when I get rid of you that will be one less problem!" "Oh shit!" With a throaty yell, Ardan attacks you with his axe. Fortunately you're a lot more agile than he is, so you manage to dodge his swings. You can't even fight back, since you doubt if you could overpower him physically and you certainly can't kill him. "Ardan! Listen to me! I'm not your enemy!" you shout, but he isn't listening. You continue to back away and dodge, but you aren't sure how much longer you can keep this up because Ardan seems to have a lot of energy in trying to kill you. "Ardan! Stop" you say and just barely manage to duck Ardan's axe. Taking a risk, you draw your dagger and try to stab his weapon arm so he'll at least drop it. You succeed and he drops his axe. When you go to pick it up however, Ardan just decides to tackle you, however the pair of you are near a slope and as a result, both of you go tumbling down a steep hill. You both roll down it gaining speed and eventually even separating from each other. You fortunately manage to grab on to some bushes growing along the slope. Ardan however keeps rolling and that's when you see that the slope doesn't stop on flat ground, but instead what looks to be a long drop over a cliff. "Oh fuck!" you say Ardan just manages to stop himself from going over the side completely by grabbing the cliff edge. You try to run down as fast as you can without tumbling again. "Ardan! Hold on! I'm coming!" you shout. You get just in range and then that's when you see his fingers slip followed by a yell. Your heart sinks and you can only hope that the drop wasn't as far as you think. The yell stops and you slowly look over the side. And that's when you see Ardan's broken body on a pile of rocks. This is a complete disaster. You feel sick and you actually throw up. If your time here hasn't changed history before, it certainly has now, because your family as you know it, is dead. You sort of expect yourself to blink out of existence, but that doesn't happen. You don't know why, but maybe it doesn't work like that because you're still in the past. But what happens now if you return to the future? Even if the mages at Arcanius can help you, you certainly can't return to your time now. You run through a gamut of thoughts and emotions just thinking about all this. In between the thinking you keep kicking yourself for stealing that fucking crown. It warned you and you didn't listen. You then ponder the idea that you keep going back to, "What if you're meant to be here?" and that's when you come to a damning realization. "Shit. It's the only way now." You mutter to yourself and mentally prepare yourself. When you get back to Keira's home, you find that she's home. "Hey, there you are! I was thinking you left for Arcanius without saying goodbye. I mean not that you need to, but it would be the polite thing to do." "Oh, I wouldn't do that. Not when you've done so much for me. In fact I was sort of wondering if you'd come with me." "Come with you? To Arcanius?" "Nah, I've decided a change of plans and I'm just going to head back to Galpatolis. I know how much you said you wanted to travel and see new places, so I figured I'd ask if you wanted to come." Keira looks a bit surprised by all this. "I…I don't really know." Keira remarks. "What are you afraid of? You obviously have a wanderlust that needs to be sated and I'm willing to travel with you so you won't be alone on the journey. I mean we can go to different places if you like, but I figured we'd start with Galpatolis since it's a place I know very well and there's plenty to do there. I mean you could even bring your flute if you like. I noticed one sitting on your table. Didn't even knew you played, I wouldn't mind hearing you." Keira briefly looks over at it and her eyes widen as if this encouragement is the first she's heard in awhile from anyone. You take a deep breath and approach her closer. "Look, I know this is a big change, but sometimes when big changes present themselves, your best bet is to embrace them. I know I haven't known you long and maybe I'm over stepping a boundary here, but I think you're meant for things outside of this simple village." Keira smiles a bit at you. "You're lucky you're cute, otherwise I might not be so swayed by your charming words. However, I sense that you're being genuine with me and I think you're right anyway. I SHOULD follow my desires. I shall pack immediately!" Keira suddenly kisses you on the cheek and excitedly goes to pack. Since you're a little tired from accidently killing your ancestor and all, you tell her you want to get some sleep and start the journey tomorrow. She agrees and continues to pack. The next day, Keira wakes you up at the crack of dawn and the pair of you leave Tarvo. While you're still a little groggy, Keira is very talkative and still very excited about all this. You figure with as good of terms you're on with her, by the time your reach Galpatolis the pair of you should have already consummated your relationship. A little on the optimistic side perhaps, but you really need to seal this deal because it's not really your life you're worried about anymore, it's your entire lineage. Sure you feel pretty weird about the fact that you're going to be sexing up what is your distant relative, but you remind yourself, that this is the only way. Plus it doesn't hurt that she's attractive and has a pleasant personality. "Hey I meant to ask you before you made your suggestion last night, as I was coming home yesterday, someone told me they thought they saw you coming out of my home with Ardan earlier." Keira remarks. "Ardan? Never saw him. They must have been mistaken, though I'm surprised I never saw him." You reply. "Hm. Yes, it is strange. I thought he'd at least show up threatening you or something similar. He was very jealous and possessive." "Who knows. Hey, how about you play something on your flute?" you say quickly changing the subject. "Oh I don't know. I'm not very good and I only know a few songs that my mother taught me." "Well you can't get good unless you practice!" "I suppose that's true. Okay! I'll play The Laughing Elf and his Talking Unicorn." "I don't believe I know that one. Okay, go ahead." Keira excitedly starts to play her song. And she's fucking terrible. You feel like your ears are being raped. You suffer in silence as she continues to play horribly all the while thinking, she has to get better in her later years. At least you hope she does because it's going to be a punishment if musicianship skips this generation. You also hope her poor skills on the flute don't also match other skills involving blowing. "How does it sound?" Keira asks. "Like nothing I've ever heard before. Just keep at it." You say with a smile. While you're not sure if your life as a rogue is over, but it certainly has taken a very different turn.

While normally you'd take this opportunity to run, you're pissed enough at the orc for trying to kill you in the first place and grateful enough that this woman just probably saved your life. You run at the orc with your dagger in hand and manage to get it to the ground in its weakened state. You stab it in the back multiple times and don't stop until the woman calls out to you. "Okay. I think you killed it." She shouts. You snap out of your killing trance for a moment and see you've made quite the mess. You stand up breathing heavily. "Fucking greenskins." You exclaim, kicking the dead body. "I hope this isn't a possible invasion. We saw another one a few months ago, though he was much smaller and ran off when he saw us. He was nowhere near as big as this one." The woman remarks. "Fortunately for you that you weren't where I just was, because there was a bunch of orcs that size on horseback about to destroy the Caravan I was part of." The woman shakes her head. "I thought the empire was supposed to be making the land safe. So much for their promises, well anyway, thanks for saving my life. I froze up a bit when that orc didn't go down with the second arrow." The woman says. "You're welcome, but I'd say you saved mine first seeing as that orc would have caved my skull in if you hadn't shown up." You respond. "Hm, I suppose that's true enough. Guess we helped each other. So where was this Caravan and where were you going?" "Shit, I don't even know now. I know I was probably north east of here. There was a stone bridge and then I fell into the river and wound up here. I was travelling from Galpatolis and going to Arcanius." The woman's eyes widen when you say that. "I see. Why?" "I got business there. I'd really appreciate it if you could tell me how I could get there from here." You say walking towards her, but then you experience a moment of fatigue and your legs give out causing you to partially collapse to the ground. The woman goes to help you up. "Hey, you still don't look that great. Look, you're barely in any condition to walk anywhere let along travelling all the way to Arcanius. Why don't you come back with me where you can at least rest and heal up? I mean as I said, you did help me kill the orc. My village isn't that far away." "Okay, yeah that sounds fine." You say not really wishing to argue since she's right about you not being in the best condition right now. The woman tells you her name is Keira and her village is Tarvo. She goes on about how it was absorbed by the Empire decades ago and how they used to even have a sizable amount of soldiers there, but eventually they realized the village was never going to be a problem as far as rebellions go. As it stands there are only a few soldiers and a single Galpatis official who probably got sent there because he pissed someone off. As a result he doesn't really enforce many official Galpatian laws other than something obvious like murder or rape and allows everyone to go about their normal lives. Eventually you get to the village, which is fairly humble. It's probably smaller than your old home of Teckleville. "Hey Keira, you catch that hunting this time?" some other woman asks and points at you. "Sort of. He was fighting an orc and we both brought it down together." Keira replies. "An orc? This close to the village?! Shit. We need to tell the magistrate about that! Not that I really want soldiers stomping about here, but if orcs are going to be a problem then I'd rather we have better defenses then we have!" "Mm. Well, I need to get back to my home and patch him up." "Okay, but don't Ardan see you taking another man inside your home! He might get the wrong idea!" Keira makes a minor laugh and waves at the woman, though you notice Keira also rolling her eyes when she turns her head away. You soon get to Keira's home which isn't large, but you suppose it's big enough to serve Keira's needs since she's living here alone. She gets a fire started and you welcome the warmth since you've been near freezing since you got out of the water. "You know you'll get warmer quicker if you get your clothes off. Those are going to need to dry properly anyway." Keira says. "Um what?" a little taken by surprise. "What? Is what you got under those clothes so impressive that you think I just won't be able to contain myself? Or perhaps you're just shy?" "Well, after the day I had, I really wasn't expecting it to end with a pretty woman asking me to take my clothes off. I'm half expecting you to turn into a monster of some sort which would be more in line with my luck lately." Keira chuckles a bit. "Well that won't happen, so perhaps your luck is better than you think. Perhaps even Yaz is looking over you." "Did you say Yag?" "No, I said Yaz. You know, the god of fortune? I don't suppose he's worshipped in Galpatolis." "No, but he's called Yag where I come from." "Ah. Interesting. I suppose divine beings go by many names though. Glad to know you weren't one of those silly people that worships the emperor though I didn't think you were really from Galpatolis since you don't look like you are." "You could tell just by looking at me?" "I could tell just by how you speak and act. You speak the language like you only just learned it. You're obviously not a native Galpatian. Where are you from originally?" "Eh, I'm originally from a small village far to the south. It's so small, nobody really knows it exists." "Hm, I guess the Empire came and annexed your people too huh?" "Something like that…ouch!" you say feeling the aches and pains in your body. "Okay, I think it's time you took your clothes off, you probably got some wounds that need patching up and I can get to them better if you're naked." "I gotta say, this is still pretty unusual for me. That other woman mentioned someone called Ardan, I mean I don't want your husband…" "Ardan is NOT my husband." "Okay, well boyfriend then." "He's barely that, and if he does come in here, he can just step right back out, because he pissed me off recently anyway. I don't want to talk about that though. Besides, nothing is happening between us anyway. I don't just become involved with strange men I find in the wilderness, so let's get you fixed up." "Okay then if you insist." You still feel a bit weird about all this, but honestly with as much pain you're in right now, you really aren't thinking about Keira in that way. (Well at least not immediately) Eventually Keira stitches up some of your wounds and places some sort of healing salve on them. She then gives you some spare furs to wrap yourself up in while your clothing dries. She tells you that you can stay here for a few days so you can heal up. As much as you're in a hurry to get to Arcanius, it probably would be best if you rested. As the days pass Keira says with you here, she's probably spent more time in her home than she has since her mother died since she had to be around more to take care of her. Apparently Keira prefers being outdoors hunting even when she doesn't need to, even sleeping outside under the stars at times rather than coming home. She says that sometimes she'd like to travel, but she says she's never quite had the nerve to do it. She's not sure why exactly seeing as there isn't much to tie her here except Ardan though once again she doesn't speak much more about him. Keira asks you a few questions about yourself, which you keep vague with half truths, misdirections and outright lies. You don't want to discuss your real situation anymore than she wants to discuss Ardan. Keira also tells you how to get to Arcanius though she doesn't ask why you're going again. Going by her directions, it's going to still be a long ass trip, especially with no horse or other mode of transportation now. You don't even have any supplies for such a journey though maybe Keira will give you some before you leave. When you're feeling slightly better you insist on walking about the village which Keira is happy to see since she doesn't feel the need to check up on you. You wander the village a bit and are mostly met with stares, but nothing more. A few people actually have heard about you since news spread in this village fairly quickly. It's mostly positive, since killing an orc is something to be celebrated here. In fact a few people are so nice they actually give you some free food. As you're accepting a few of these free gifts, a couple of soldiers approach saying that you're the one they've been hearing about and how the magistrate wants to see you about the orc found near the village since a few people have expressed concern to him about it. Seeing as you aren't really doing anything better right now and in no condition to resist. You go with the soldiers and follow to a slightly better looking building than the rest of the village. The magistrate doesn't look like the typical noble that you've seen many times before back in Galpatolis. He's got more facial hair and a general less kept appearance. It's apparent he barely gives a shit about formalities anymore since he gives his nose a quick pick and blows it out before even speaking to you. The meeting isn't very long. The magistrate just asks you some general questions about yourself and how you came to be in the situation where you were fighting an orc in the first place. You give him the same story you told Keira and he seems to accept that as a suitable explanation. He doesn't even ask why you were going to Arcanius. The man just seems to be fulfilling the basics of his duties. "I see. So the orc you were fighting was separated from his fellows. Which means these villagers are jumping to conclusions that there is an imminent attack from orc savages. Glad to hear it, since I doubt if those assholes in the capital would bother sending anyone up here anyway. Very well. You're dismissed." The magistrate says. "Okay. Um, is there any transportation from here to Arcanius?" "Sure, put one foot in front of the other and start walking. What? Did you think we'd give you a horse for killing a single orc that you apparently lead near here in the first place? I got more important matters to care of. Out." And with those words, the magistrate's soldiers start escorting you out the office and soon out the building as well. Well at least the law isn't trying to arrest you for a change. In any case, you get the strong impression you'll have to steal a horse before you leave this place. Not before at least another day of rest though. You wander the village a bit more before heading back to Keira's home. When you arrive, she's still not back yet, though she did say now that you're feeling better, she might be gone a little longer. That's awfully trusting of her to just assume some stranger isn't going to take her stuff. You guess thieves aren't a real problem around here since everyone knows one another and she probably believes you to be an upstanding person. She doesn't have much that you'd want to take anyway, not to mention you'd be quite the scoundrel indeed if you stole from a woman who has done nothing but help you. You aren't quite that much of an asshole. Still, doesn't prevent you from being a little nosey and you look through some of her belonging that are more out in open. As you're picking up what looks to be a flute sitting on a small table by her bed, you hear footsteps behind you. "So you're the guy that killed an orc and has been living here with Keira? You are far less impressive than I heard about." A voice says. You turn around and see a large older man standing in the entryway with a small axe in his hand. You just can't catch a break. "And you're Ardan I presume. Surprised I haven't seen you sooner." You say. "I was out hunting and I come back after a few days only to find that another man is trying to steal MY woman!" Ardan exclaims. "Okay look, I'm not stealing your woman. She's just letting me stay here until I recover. In fact I should be leaving by tomorrow." "Oh so you think you can just fuck my woman and leave then?" "I haven't fucked her! In fact NOTHING has happened between us!" "Oh we're going to see about that. Come on." "What?" "Come on. We're going to both go see Keira. I know her better than anyone and I'll know if she's lying or not when I confront her with you there." "But she's out hunting." "So? I know what grounds she prefers and that's where we're going. Now you're coming with me or I'm going to break your legs and drag you out of here." Ardan grips his axe tightly after threatening you. Well he's no orc, but you doubt if he'd be an easy fight either. The guy is predictably crazy jealous and you suppose to can understand his view point, but that doesn't change the fact that for all you know he's going to just take you out to a more secluded place and murder you there. > You stay put You doubt if you're going to go meet Keira and if Ardan's going to kill you, you're not going to make it easy for him by going where it's isolated. "Yeah, I got a better idea. Let's just wait for Keira to come back home." You say. "No, this needs to be settled now and I'm not going to wait around." Ardan replies. "Well if you think I'm going into the woods with you alone, you're sadly mistaken." "You should have thought about that before you decided to move in on my woman." "Again, I didn't move in on her!" "You're living here and you expect me to believe that?" "Fuck this. Your mind is obviously made up about me, so if you're going to try to kill me, you better just try to do it now, otherwise I'm going to just leave." "You're not going anywhere." Ardan now moves towards you and he looks fully intent on using that axe now. "Well then I guess you've made your choice." You say. "Guess I have." Ardan answers. You draw your dagger and then throw a nearby cup on the small table at Ardan. He blocks his face and then swings his axe at you. In these close quarters its difficult to avoid him, but you're still a lot more agile than him. You honestly don't intend on fighting him, your goal is to get around him and out the door so you can get outside. Ardan swings a few more times and you duck and roll. You stab Ardan in the leg and while he's fallen to one knee due to that wound, you achieve your goal of getting around him and out the door. Your next move is to try to find a horse, which as far as you know the few that are in town are near the magistrate building. You run back towards that way, meanwhile Ardan has recovered from his wound and begins shouting. "STOP THAT FUCKER! HE JUST TRIED TO KILL ME!" he shouts. Unbelievable. Hoping that nobody takes him seriously, you continue to run and then you feel a hard force hit you in the back of the head. You fall to the ground and hear screams of people nearby. Your vision begins to darken as your hands try to feel the back of your head, which of course has Ardan's axe in it. You then hear several people shouting and then nothing at all.

You might as well go together at this point, you knew he wasn't going to be the ideal partner to begin with. Who knows, maybe you can use him as bait or something. "Alright, come on let's go." You say. "Hold on a minute." Warts says and finishes off one of the mugs that wasn't quite empty yet. "Seriously?" "Hey, I'm thirsty. Alright NOW let's go." Warts and you leave the inn and after looking around a bit and scratching his head he beckons you to follow him. He walking just fine, so maybe he isn't that bad off. You continue to follow without another word, until he gets to a secluded spot with a sewer covering. "What the hell are you doing? You ask. "Tryin' to take dis thing off, wat's it look like ya idjit? Help me over here." Warts says trying to take off the sewer lid. "No, I mean why the fuck are we entering the sewers?" "Cuz, it's the best way to get into Reginald's house. He's got a secret passage to it down here." "How the hell you know this?" "Cuz people talk shit all the time and not even realize ol' Warts is even there to lissen. Waz in a garbage bin and heard these two weird guys in red robes talkin about it in an alley awhile back." "…okay I'm not even going to ask why the hell you were in a garbage bin, but weird guys in red robes, secret passages…are you sure Reginald isn't part of some fucking cult? I mean this is starting to sound a lot more complicated and dangerous." "Well, why ya think I wanted someone else to come along?" "YOU said this was for MY benefit!" "Oh yeah…well it is! Look humie, ya gotta take big risks in dis profession. I don't doubt yer skilled. You've lasted longer than most independently in dis city. But I'm tellin ya, there's more out there that yer missin. I mean, sure it's foolish ta go head to head against da ECS, but robbin some rich asshole that may or may not be a wizard? Well dat's different." "I really don't see how since both can get you killed. However, I do see your point to a small degree. I have been playing it a bit on the safe side. Still, if this is looking to be more trouble than it's worth then I'm getting the hell out as quick as possible." "Sounds like a plan ta me." You help Warts with the sewer covering and the pair of you descend into the smelly depths. It actually isn't too bad, but that might be because you're standing next to Warts and his own stench is cancelling out that of the sewers. Warts gets slightly more talkative as you walk to your destination. He mentions that the Thieves Guild has their hideout somewhere down here, but he doesn't know where. Neither does the ECS, since they'd probably mount an attack if they could. Warts also goes on about how he's not fond of the ECS since a lot of them tend to have ties to Fel while he's dedicated to Yag. Says that worshipping Fel if you're a thief is like cheating since he's the god of shadows and all. Though he's not so much opposed to that, so much as he doesn't like all the dedication Fel seems to want. Yag on the other hand doesn't really require anything and he not might bless you anyway, but then he might give you a lot even if you don't do much. Warts claims that ALL the gods are like that, so he might as well pray to one that is at least honest about it all. "Why worship any god at all?" you ask. "Wat? You crazy or sumthin? You don't pick a god, youz gonna be in trouble when ya die! Even pickin' some stupid god like Karn would be better than nuthin! You don't believe in anything an' who knows WHERE yer soul goes! Nah, better to pick somethin' just in case." It's a little surprising just how serious Warts takes religion, well as serious as a follower to the God of Luck and Chance can be anyway. (It also occurs to you how it's weird how everyone's been getting religious on you lately) "Eh, I guess I can sort of see that logic. I'm not really religious, but occasionally I have said the odd thanks to Yag." You say. "That's all ya need man. He's lissening, even if he doesn't do anything." Warts says. You and Warts continue a little longer and then he stops. "Okay, think wez gettin' close. Should be a secret wall around here from what I heard." Warts says and begins pushing on the wall nearby. "This seems a bit unprotected." You say looking around for potential traps. "It's a secret door, maybe he didn't anticipate anyone finding it." "You said the Thieves Guild is down here, surely they would have found it if this is their territory." "It's a big ass sewer and they're the Thieves Guild not the Holgard Watch. Dey don't exactly patrol da place. They're all most likely up top breaking into shit. Besides, I told ya, they ain't the ECS. They aren't very territorial anyway. Dat's why we can walk around here without as much concern…well except for giant rats and such." Just as you're about to ask Warts another question about the Thieves' Guild, Warts finds what you're looking for and when he does so a large bolt just whizzes over his head and into the wall behind him. "Man, good thing Yag lissened to me." Warts says. "Good thing you're short and constantly walk around slightly hunched over most of the time. Oddly, this makes me feel slightly better. If there weren't any traps at all I'd be even more paranoid about how easy this was. So far it seems like this guy just has shitty security, but then we haven't actually gone inside yet." You respond. You and Warts both enter the passage and soon find yourself in a cellar with a bunch of wine barrels. Tons of them. Warts looks like he's hit a gold mine and immediately starts grabbing wine bottles. "Hey, leave some room for actual valuable, you're supposed to be carrying shit for me, remember?" "I am grabbing valuables! You realize how much old bottles of wine go fer?" "Okay, point taken, just don't drink them all." While Warts plays wine expert, you take a look around the room and find that there are stairs leading up and a solid metal door to your left, which is locked. Since you don't want to go too far from Warts while he's alone with a bunch of wine, you stay in the cellar and pick the lock of the metal door, which is surprisingly easy. You enter the dimly lit room and find what could only be a room dedicated to dark magical endeavors of some sort. There's two demonic looking idols starring at you and the pentagrams and symbols on the floor aren't any you recognize. There's also blood splatters on them. From what little you now know of this Reginald, this guy is into some dark shit. Everything about this makes you want to just get the hell out right now, but you're already here now and you'd hate to just leave with wine bottles. You walk carefully around the room making sure you don't step on any symbols or inside any circles just in case. You also keep an eye on the demonic idols, which still feel like they're watching you. There isn't much else in the room itself, though there is another door off to the side, this one isn't locked and you open it. However, you soon wish you hadn't. You see a row of cages and various torture devices along with dead bodies in most of them. "Fucking hell, I came here to rob some shit, not take a tour of a slaughterhouse." You say to yourself. Just as you're about to shut the door a voice calls out. "Stranger! You're not one of them! Not one those red robed freaks! (sob) Please! Help me! I can't die here, not like this! I watched my…(choke) just please…help. Who knows when they'll be back!" a nearly naked young girl in a cage begs. She reaches out to you desperately hoping that you'll rescue her. You definitely didn't sign up for this…however given what you've seen here, you'd be quite the heartless dick if you just left her here to this horrible fate. "Curse my parents for some of their morality getting through…" you say and head over to the cage. The lock isn't that difficult to pick and you soon get it open causing the girl to not even wait around, she just runs past you, out the torture room and beyond. You suppose you can understand her not wanting to stick around, but a thank you would have been nice. So much for good deeds. Seeing as there isn't anything else in here, you return to the wine room where you unsurprisingly see Warts drinking. "Hey, some humie gal just ran through here an into da sewers wearin' practically nuthin'." Warts says. "Yeah and I'm glad to see that didn't interrupt your important work. Thought you were supposed to be helping." You say. "Wat's yer problem? I am helpin'! Sides dese valuable bottles, I found out one of the barrels had a hollowish sound. Smashed it open and there was a body inside, idiots didn't bother looting it and he had some good stuff still on him." Warts answers and takes another swig from a bottle. "Warts, you're telling me you found a body in one of these barrels and you're STILL drinking the fucking wine?" Warts suddenly stops drinking. He ponders your words a bit and then sniffs the top of the bottle. Then he promptly gives a little shrug. "Still tastes alright ta me." Warts says "Of course it does. Look, we're getting the hell out of here. This place has been a big fat zero." You say. "What about all these valuable bottles of wine? An' ya haven't even checked da upstairs yet!" "Yeah well I've checked enough of the basement to know that most likely there isn't going to be anything that precious up there that's going to make me want to stay another moment in this fucking house. There's some dark magic going on here and I'm not sticking around for it rub off on me." "Just say a prayer ta Yag, you'll be fine." "And as you like to point out, he might not listen." "Fine, we can leave if you really wants, but I'm just sayin' we haven't gone through the entire house yet." Funny how Warts is content on letting you do all the exploration. He could have easily been searching the upstairs while you were stumbling upon sacrificial captives. > You search the rest of the house Well in for a copper in for a trove. "Fine, but whatever I find I'm keeping. You stay here and continue getting drunk seeing that that's what you're good at." You say and make your way up the stairs while Warts continues to do what you suggested. You get to the ground floor and begin to search the downstairs cautiously and methodically, all the while grabbing whatever looks valuable. By the time you're finished, you've more or less filled your pack, you're starting to think that Warts had the right idea after all, but you decide you've pushed your luck enough and that it's time to go, even if there is a second floor to loot. As you're making your way back down the stairs, Warts suddenly is running up them. "Warts, what the hell?" you ask "Up! Go back! Up! We gotta… HRUP!" Warts vomits all over your legs and boots. You're about to yell at him, but then you soon see what's caused all this excitement from him in the first place. Several people in red robes are shouting and running after him, and now most likely you too now that they've seen you. You immediately turn around and run back up the stairs, though Wart is busily trying to get past you. In between that, the heavier pack and the vomit still covering your boots, you end up slipping and tumbling down the stairs and into the cultists. While the cultists cushion your fall down the stairs, it doesn't do much on improving your situation overall. There are enough of them that after the fall to the bottom, you're immediately nabbed, beaten and stripped. And not just your of your weapons, you're stripped of your all your clothing and throw you into one of the cells that you rescued that girl. They're even less pleased when they learn that you released her. You aren't killed right away, but after a couple of weeks you wish you had. By the time you're sacrificed, you're a babbling mess that is grateful for death.

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.

He might be bullshitting you, but you're not exactly familiar with this area, so you might as well not take chances. Still, you got a better idea on payment. "Hey Warts, I don't have the five gold coins, but I do have these." You say and hold out Graham's rings to Warts. Warts approaches cautiously and then takes one of the rings from your hand. He inspects it and then speaks. "Grm. Okay, sure these will do. Stupid hobgoblin tribe around here always likes pretty jewelry even if it fakesy." He says and takes the other one from your hand. "Fake?" you say in a completely surprised tone, though not completely put on since you didn't think someone like Warts would know. "Yeah, fake… youz really didn't know?" "No, I'm afraid I come from a small town and don't have a good eye for that sort of thing. The merchant passing through was very convincing when he was selling them. I bought them for a girl I liked, but alas, I was unlucky in love too, so I just kept them." "Grm. Youz gotta have a better eye and pray to Yag more. Anywayz, come on let's get goin, don't wanna stand out here tooz long. Dis path is da one." You start following Warts who leads the way. "So…there are hobgoblins in this area?" you ask. "Oh yeah, the Spider Fang tribe, but there don't really come around the way we're goin' so no need to worry about getting' eaten. Can't wait to get back to them though. With these rings, Snuffit will allow me at least ten ruts with 'er. Way better than getting' drunk…well sometimes better anyway." Warts remarks. "Are you a member of the Spider Fangs?" "Me? Nah…too much humie blood. Can't ever be part of tribe proper. Good thing mum good fighter and loves me, otherwise tribe probably would 'ave eaten me when I was born." "Wait, your mom is a hobgoblin? Who was your father then?" "Dunno, some humie bandit that attacked and tried to rut with her in the forest. Me mum said it was dark and he seemed pretty surprised when he realized she wasn't another human. Mentioned he tasted like cheap beer after she was done wit him, so I guess he liked to drink." Since you have no words for that story, you just silently continue to follow. Warts and you trudge along a dirt path for quite sometime until it disappears completely. "Okay, from here, we go…dis way…no wait dis way…I think…" Warts says. "You think? Don't you know?" you reply. "Yeah, yeah, I just haven't used this way in a long time. Gotta pass a haunted cabin. Accidently passed out there once, ended up shitting my good pants, though not sure if that was just because of the ghost." "Haunted cabin? Why the hell are we going near it then?" "Cause it's the safest way. Even the bandit types don't like goin' near it and nobody from the Spider Fang tribe is brave enough either. Sides, it's really only haunted sometimes." "Sometimes? But what if today is that day?" "Well hope youz brought extra pants den. Really though, it's a lot safer. Da ghost really only messes with people that go in that cabin. I mean if you wanna risk it, we could go another way I know, but there's been a lotta bandits travelling back an through that area. Normally, I'd just go that way since I know all da best hidin' places and even if they did see me, I'd disappear again before they could even mount an attack. However you're probably not as stealthy as me, so you'd probably get yerself seen and gutted. Might even rut wit youz first, some of these bandits aren't picky." "I'm actually no stranger to being stealthy myself when I have to be." "Truly? Grm. Well it's up to you." "I'd rather take my chances sneaking pass some bandits than possibly dealing with something I can't even hurt." "Okay, hope yer as sneaky as you claim, cuz all bets are off if the bandits catch sight of ya. Dis way." Once again Warts leads the way and you follow. You trudge through the forest for quite sometime and eventually it gets dark, but you still haven't seen any signs of bandits or anyone else really. Warts doesn't seem to be concerned, but you're constantly alert, thinking behind every tree lies an ambush. "Gettin' pitch black, gonna have to stop soon." Warts says. "What? We're not walking through the night? In fact won't it be easier to slip by any potential hostiles in the dark?" you ask. "You want to continue, be my guest, but I'm gonna get some sleep. I'm tired. Sides, looks like we got lucky. Guess the bandit crew that was wandering around this area moved on. Praise Yag." "As you say." You reply, still looking around. While you're half tempted to go on without Warts, you're still holding on to the slight hope that he actually knows where he's going, so you start looking for a tree to climb and sleep in. "Hey, what youz doin? You think youz a squirrel or somethin'?" Warts asks. "I'm not sleeping down here on the ground. What if something wanders by before I can properly react? I'll be in a tree so I can at least be somewhat out of immediate sight." "Youz gonna fall out and break yo' neck too. All youz gotta do is cover yerself in dirt and leaves and shit. Hides youz just fine." Warts says and begins doing just that. "Yeah well when you're already green and smell like the outdoors, I suppose it's a lot easier to camouflage yourself with little effort. I'll take my chances in a high tree." Warts shakes his head unconvinced and continues to cover himself. You have to admit, if you didn't know he was there, you probably wouldn't notice him if you were just wandering by. As for you, you climb to a sturdy and large enough branch that will support your weight and you can at least somewhat perch yourself on. You already know you aren't going to sleep deep tonight, but you figure that's sort of been the standard problem while out here. "I'll be so damn glad to be out of the damn wilderness." You say to yourself. You're up for quite awhile, but hear nothing except the usual sounds of various insects, owls and other nocturnal animals. Eventually sleep catches up with you and you close your eyes. You aren't sure how long you're asleep, but you open your eyes when you start hearing voices nearby. "I told ya, I heard something." "Probably just another raccoon. I don't know why we gotta patrol over here anyway." "Cause the boss said so that's why! You know there are savage greenskins that live in this forest. We're supposed to make sure none of them get too close to the main cam…I knew it. I knew I heard something! Snoring! And it's coming from over there!" At this point you're awake enough to see everything that's going on below. You see two men who you guess are bandits. Seems like Warts didn't take into account that his camouflage attempt would all be for naught due to his large honker making noise. It doesn't take long before they kick and prod at his hidden location, waking him up. "Hah! A filthy greenskin! Probably a scout! Kill him!" one of the bandits shouts. Warts just barely avoids their attacks and tries to scramble away from his prone position, but one of the bandits manages to trip him up before he can run and it isn't looking good as he gets kicked in the face by the other one. Not that you have any loyalty to Warts and he's been pretty snarky towards you in general, but he's still your guide and if you don't want to get lost… You waste no time and try to climb down your tree as fast as you can. Fortunately, the bandits are have decided to have a little fun before killing him directly. They proceed to continue kicking Warts and don't notice you at all. > You attempt to silently slit their throats You figure if you start shooting, you might attract more of their fellows or something worse. Better to do this silently, even if it means getting closer. You manage to creep up on the first bandit and grab him. You aren't exactly accustomed to do this though, so your technique isn't perfect. You struggle a bit before managing to messily slit his throat. This all of course has alerted the other bandit who doesn't waste anytime in attacking you. He starts off by kicking his buddy who you're still holding to. The dead weight of a dying man being pushed hard in your direction is enough to cause you to lose balance and fall backwards with a body on top of you. You struggle to get out from under the dead body and going for your pistol, but the bandit has already taken advantage of your prone situation, by kicking you in the head. He then crotches down to punch you in the face several times before grabbing your pistol. You're in a half conscious state and you can only hope Warts does something, but unlike you, he takes the opportunity to run rather than help. "Well, what's this you were going for? (Whistle) Shit, never seen one like this before and I ain't seen many. Dumbass kid, shoulda used this to begin with. Bet you'll never make that mistake again." The bandit says then drives his sword in your throat.

You aren't going to let this fat fuck get a chance to possibly shoot you in the back, plus you're too pissed about him trying to molest you. With a couple quick moves you pull out your dagger, stab him in his arm and relieve him of his fancy pistol. Graham screams out like a little girl and now pleads for his miserable life. "Please! No, don't kill me!" he whimpers pathetically. Once again, much like how it was Klint, you show no remorse and pull the trigger of the pistol. It's the first time you've ever used one; so the unexpected kickback nearly causes you nearly drop it. You also weren't expecting it blow half of Graham's stinking face off. His obese corpse slumps lifelessly against the carriage wall. "Shit." You remark to yourself being in awe of the power of the weapon. Never being one to miss an opportunity, you quickly deprive Graham's body of the jeweled rings on his fingers. You then also go through the pockets that you can get to and get a bag full of gold coins. After looting Graham's body, you remember that there is a skirmish going on outside. A quick glance shows several bandit types fighting the mercs. The mercs are out numbered, but thanks to their armor and better training, they're doing a good job of fending off the bandits. You get out of the carriage with the intent of just running off into the woods, but then you might get lost. It occurs to you that you do have an advantage that will allow you get away a lot faster and still stay on your course. While one of the mounted mercs bashes in the head of a bandit you take the opportunity to shoot him while his back is turned. The merc's armor is of no protection and he cries out as he falls from his horse. "Who the hell is that guy?" one of the bandits shouts. "Dunno, but who cares, he's killing their side!" another says. You quickly run to the now ownerless horse and clumsily get on. You're a bit vulnerable for a few seconds, but fortunately the bandits seem to now think you're on their side and don't focus on you (and the remaining mercs have their hands full) You soon manage to control the horse (which is anxious to get away from the chaos anyway) and gallop away until the skirmish is far behind you and you're basically left alone again. Unfortunately your horse suddenly starts wheeze and wobble. You manage to hastily get off before it collapses. There on it's left side you see what the problem is. In all the ensuing the chaos, the horse actually took a few crossbow bolts. Probably damage to vital organs and its adrenaline is finally wearing off. Bad luck for you and even worse luck for the horse. Not having many more options, you start walking. In any case there's two more bodies to your count now. Granted Graham deserved it, but that merc…well he made a living risking his life, it just happened that today his time was up. You had to survive a dangerous situation and that's it. That's how you're justifying that one anyway. Still, you at least acquired a few goodies for your troubles. You're going to have to learn more about how to take proper care of this pistol because it's far too valuable of a weapon to neglect. It'll certainly make dealing with shit in Holgard a bit more manageable. The rings are what surprise you most. You're no jeweler, but you have stolen enough cheap baubles in the past that you can tell a fake when you examine it in greater detail. The gems in the rings are actually common, but altered slightly (especially their color) to resemble more valuable ones. Even the ring is gold plated rather than pure. Looks like Graham wasn't as rich as he made out. However, the little pouch of coins is real money so there's that at least. You continue along the road, which as you guessed starts alternating from being intact, to dirt with a few stones to being little more than a well worn path in the grass. Even the occasional signs aren't much help given that many are flat out damaged in some way. Your natural instinct to just keep going in a straight line like you were doing, but unfortunately for you, the path completely disappears into forest. Doesn't help that the road also branches into several paths that twist in different directions. You weren't expecting that so you aren't sure which way to go. While you're pondering this decision, a voice calls out to you. "Hey! Where youz tryin' to get to?" You then see a person dressed in simple clothing coming out of the forest. He's a little shorter than you, in fact he's a little greener than you too. Doesn't look like an orc though, not nearly big or massive enough. Goblin perhaps, but he's taller than one and almost a bit human looking. A short green human with a few warts on his face and a bigger than average nose. In any case, you maintain your usual caution. "Okay, that's far enough. Who are you?" you ask. "Me? I'm just Warts." He answers picking his big nose. "Appropriate name." "Grhm. So youz tryin' to get to Holgard?" "Yeah, why?" "Well cuz, I can lead you to it. Lotz o' paths in this forest lead lotz o' places. Easy to get lost if you don't know da way." "You know the way huh? How do I know you aren't going to lead me into an ambush?" "Youz don't I suppoze. Take yer chances going alone an' getting lost, don't care. I just try to earn a little extra coin for drink an' leadin' clueless humies like yerself gets me some…well when they aren't throwin' rocks at me that is." "What are you exactly?" you ask. "Huh? What you mean?" Warts replies. "I mean, you don't look quite like any greenskin I've ever seen." "You seen a lot o them have ya?" "Well no, but I've heard tales…" "Then you don't really know nuthin' then do ya?" Warts says in a perturbed tone. Actually he's got a bit of a point. You decide to get right to the matter. "Alright, assuming I take you up on your generous offer, how much is it?" you ask. "Oh, yeah price…hmm, you want to go to Holgard right? Five gold coins." Warts answers. "Five gold coins just to lead me through the forest? That's fucking outrageous!" "Holgard is tricky to get to if you don't know the way. Lot of false paths get made. Besides, you lot usually have more than enough gold. I see you humies travelling all over in your rolly boxes filled with goods." "Do I look like I'm in a rolly box carting around a wagon full of treasures? I'm just a simple traveller down on his luck." "Down on luck huh? You should pray to Yag more. Anywayz five gold. Final offer." This greenskin obviously has no concept of haggling. It really isn't like you don't have the coin, it's more like you don't want to give so much to the likes of him after being fortunate enough to acquire it in the first place. Ultimately, he's either telling the truth about the forest being that treacherous or he's completely bullshitting you. You'll just have to decide for yourself. > You go it alone You're not paying him shit, this is probably some sort of set up. "Yeah, I think I'm good on my own." You say. "Grm. Suit yerself." Warts says and then without another word he disappears back into the forest. You thought for sure he'd at least try to lower his price if you declined his help, but you guess not. In any case you still aren't sure of which way to go, so you gamble and just pick a path that looks the most promising. You figure you could always backtrack if feels like you're going the wrong way. (You hope) You walk along your chosen path for a while, still keeping an eye out for any potential ambushes. In fact you don't even walk directly on the path, you mostly just stick close like you were following a river. Speaking of which you eventually come across a real river with a bridge and everything. There even looks to be a sign post nearby, which makes you think that you are probably going in the right direction. Unfortunately it also looks like a group of four bandits has boldly decided to set up a blockade of sorts here. They haven't seen you yet, so that's at least one good thing in your favor. Of course while you only see four bandits, who knows if there are more hiding nearby with bows or something. In fact you probably shouldn't linger here too long. You slink away and head upstream hoping you'll find another way. (And not get too lost in the process) You don't have too much luck for the most part, but then you see one area where the water looks low enough to cross. You decide to make the attempt. All goes well until it turns out the water wasn't as low as you thought and you're now knee deep in it. You're already a third way across however and you press on. By the time the water is nearly up to your chest, the current begins to pull you and you're soon not walking across the river bottom anymore. You try to maintain control of the situation, but the current is swifter than you anticipated, not to mention you don't know how to swim. You're fortunate in that you don't get pulled too far downstream or go completely underwater before you manage to grab hold of a rock which is close enough to the other side that you pull yourself to the other side of the river bank. Your possessions are another story however. You've lost your coin bag, along with the pistol you just managed to acquire. About the only thing you have left is your dagger. You curse your luck along with the forest, the river and your situation in general. After releasing a torrent of swearing, you move on. Eventually night falls and along with now being cold and wet, you're also starting to feel tired. You aren't even sure if you're heading in the right direction anymore since you got a bit discombobulated when you were struggling not to drown. Still, you press on and that's when you think you see a slight respite in this mess. You see a cabin, though probably an abandoned one as there is no light coming from it. You just hope there isn't anyone or anything lurking inside. You cautiously approach the cabin and while you have a feeling of unease the entire time, when you explore around it, you don't find anything out of the ordinary. Of course it is dark, so maybe you're missing something, but so far it doesn't look like anyone is making camp here. As soon as you try the door though all your senses start to scream danger and you draw your dagger and spin around. You are met with the sight of a man in a robe standing nearby. It's hard to see his face, but the light of the moon shows he's a lot older than you. You lift your dagger up in a defensive stance, but the man isn't moving. "Put that away son, it wouldn't do you any good again me or anything else out around here I'd wager. In fact you shouldn't even be around this cabin. Bad things happen here." The man says. "Yeah? Well what're you doing out here then?" you ask. "Good help is hard to find nowadays. What's your story, you look a little worse for wear." "What's it to you?" "Sheesh, just trying to make conversation. You don't look like one of the many bandits out here. You ain't green, so you aren't hobgoblin. Can't see any points in those ears, so not an elf either. Given your age though, what you do look like is a lost lamb in the woods. Is that what you are?" "No and I'm doing just fine out here." "Bullshit, kid. You look like a half drowned rat. What'd you do, fall in the river?" he says and starts to step forward. "Get the fuck back old man! I'm no damn lamb in the woods, I've killed people!" you say thrusting your dagger in his direction a bit. "Is that right? Hmm, perhaps you could be useful. You just a fighter? You got any other skills?" "Yeah…I mean what the hell you wanna know for?" "Because as I said, good help is hard to find and I got a lot of tasks that need doing. Now I know you're lost out here, but I'll tell ya what, I'll get you out of this forest and set you up with a place to stay and whatever else you might need if you help me in my tasks." "No thanks, I already killed one old pervert in exchange for his so called help." "Well that explains why you're so mistrustful. Look kid, I barely even think about that anymore and you don't have the right equipment anyway. I'm a wizard and I do a lot research and experiments. Unfortunately, the material that I sometimes need requires me to come outside which I'd rather not do. I used to have an apprentice of sorts to help out on that front, but well let's just say shit happens." "A wizard that does experiments? And how do I know that I'm not going to be one of those experiments?" "Because if I wanted you for that purpose, I would have already cast a spell to immobilize you and taken you back to my place already. I'm just looking for someone to help me do the grunt work I don't want to be bothered to do. I can also promise to pay you, if saving your life just isn't good enough." "How much?" "We can discuss that later, but I need to know if you want the job, because I'm not staying out here all night." "Well where is your place? Holgard?" "Pfft, not that cess pit. Though it isn't too far from there." "How far is it?" "Oh, don't worry about that, I can get us there real quick. So you in or not?" > You go with the wizard "(Sigh) It seems like I don't have that much of a choice seeing as I'm pretty fucked out here." You say. "So that's a yes I take it?" the wizard remarks. "Yeah, I'll accept your help." "Great, now hold still." Before you even know what's happening, a bright light flashes before your eyes and encompasses you. You're blind for a few moments and then when you open your eyes again, you find yourself in a room with fancy paintings, expensive furniture and some heads of creatures unknown to you. Just as you're admiring the new view, you're spun around and find yourself face to face with your "savior." He briefly grabs your left wrist and you feel a tingling sensation on it. Needless to say you pull away and step back. "What the fuck?!" you exclaim rubbing your wrist. "Really, I hardly think that's anyway to talk to the man who just saved your life." The wizard remarks Your wrist stops tingling and when you look down at it, you notice a new little symbol on your skin that resembles an eight. "What the hell did you just do to me?" you ask. "Nothing bad I assure you, but I suppose much like you I'm a bit on the mistrustful side, so I wanted to secure the agreement we made." The wizard says. "What did you DO?" "Put a geas on you. Don't worry though you still have lots of freedom." "What the hell's a geas? And what do you mean by I still have lots of freedom? Did you just magically enslave me or some shit?!" "(Sigh) I hate it when it's put like that. I suppose if you want to look at it that way, then yes. I'm the only one who can take it off though so you might as well not kick up about it." "Oh? Well I can imagine the spell also doesn't work when you're dead either." You say and draw your dagger. However as soon as you do, you feel as if you've been dealt a hefty kick to the crotch. You fall to the floor holding on to your nether regions. "That was a very silly thing to do. Even if I couldn't blast you into ash before you'd even reach me with that pig sticker, the geas prevents you from harming me in the first place. You're just lucky I'm not fond of pointless cruelty. Most of the time when one tries to directly defy a geas, it causes extreme pain throughout your entire body. I altered the spell of course." The wizard remarks. "So I'm supposed to be glad you're only magically kicking me in the balls instead?" you ask as the pain slowly begins to fade. The wizard at this point puts a hand to his face and shakes his head. He paces a bit and then speaks again. "Okay look, let's start over. Hello my name's Ral and I'm your new employer until I feel our contract is done. In return for your service, you will receive lodgings and food. Quality lodgings too I might add. I will also provide whatever equipment you need for whatever task I send you on. If I don't have it, well I'll provide coin so you can go buy whatever you need at that cess pit Holgard which as I mentioned I don't live too far from." Ral pauses a bit before continuing. "Now before you start arguing with me again, let me tell you about the exact nature of your geas. First of all, you've still got all the freedom you want. You want to leave my home and go drown your sorrows in whores and booze, go right ahead. Holgard's just a couple days away and I'm not going to stop you. In fact you can go on a three-day bender if you want, but after that, I'd advise you to start making your way back before you start feeling the effects of the spell. The pain will start in your genitals as you've already experienced, but the longer you resist, the geas is going to start taking on a more traditional role and you will feel that pain all over your body. Depending on your constitution you MIGHT be able to last up to three weeks of defiance. No more than that though and you really don't want to know what happens." "What happens if something else prevents me from reaching you or I'm otherwise detained?" "Well I suggest you don't let it detain you for over a week." "That's fucking bullshit. You claim I got all this freedom, but you've just stated I'm practically tethered to the area!" "Y'know I would have thought someone in your situation would see this as an opportunity, not a reason to complain. Not to mention being grateful that I just saved your life. Despite your boasts of being a killer, you stink more of common thief. You're on the youngish side, so you were probably originally from a boring small backwoods town and going to Holgard to make a name for yourself or whatever. Well guess what? You would have been just one of many cutthroat vagabond thugs there. Your chances of succeeding would have been minute at best. If the Ebony Claw Syndicate didn't do away with you for encroaching on their territory, they would have used you up and spat you out if you were dumb enough to join them. Not to mention the whole city is a mass riot waiting to happen. Mark my words, you'll be thanking me that I did you this favor by next year." At this point Ral tells you he's done speaking on this matter right now as he has important work to get back to. He tells you the lay out of his home, where your bedroom is and how you can help yourself to whatever food and drink you want in the kitchen. His home is your home as he puts it. He then mentions that Holgard is west of his home if you need to go there. He also says there's a small village called Dert to the east as well which is actually a lot closer, but his opinion of that place is even lower. From his descriptions, it sounds similar to your hometown, but smaller, poorer and even more insular. "I'll give you a month to get accustomed to the surrounding area and your situation, but I fully expect you to be ready to perform my tasks by that time, and none of this ungratefulness any longer." He says and then leaves you alone in his living room. You just slump down in one of the cushy chairs and despair at your new situation. Your eyes wander the room for a bit until they fixate on one of the stuffed creature heads. "Well at least my head isn't up on a wall yet I guess." You say with a sigh. > You time passes... Chapter 2C: Indentured Servitude Year 17 A year. A year of this magical slavery has passed already and you're far from thanking Ral for this despite what he told you. It hasn't been as bad as it could be, but it certainly could be a hell of a lot better. Boredom and tedium are the main enemies mainly because Ral has you doing an endless amount of mundane tasks such as cleaning his home or gathering shit for him and unfortunately, that usually consists of various plants in the forest. Which you suppose has made you a bit more knowledgeable about the outdoors, but that isn't exactly knowledge you ever desired! If you're lucky, he'll send you to Holgard to acquire something and that's really the only time you bother going to that city. Only having a week of "slack" doesn't give you a whole lot of time to go venturing out to Holgard like you probably would on a regular basis. Two days to get there, two day back. It's hardly worth it most of the time hence why you tend to do all your thievery during these mundane trips. The thing is, you don't even really need to steal anything since everything is provided for you. You aren't really doing it for the thrills either because you're forever pissed about your situation. You're more or less doing it just to stay in practice. The only good thing is you believe your time there is so infrequent and your mark so insignificant, that you haven't ever drawn the ire or even the attention of any of the other criminal organizations in Holgard, let alone what passes for the law there. Sometimes you'll go to Dert to "practice" though you don't really like to mainly because there's no challenge. You suppose it's just as well as you just doing it to keep your skills from rusting, because you certainly wouldn't be getting rich from taking anything from those poor bastards that live there. The people there aren't exactly welcoming to you either and you feel like you're going to get lynched at any time. If that ever actually figured it out that you've been stealing from the place as opposed to passing yourself off as a "herbalist." (All that time gathering plants has at least come in handy for something) You've been trying to figure out some way of escape, but there doesn't seem to be anything for it. You actually did disappear for more than a week once, but you returned pretty quickly after two days of increasing pain. You can't imagine what you would have felt any longer than that. Ral didn't even seem fussed that you attempted it. Killing Ral is out of the question since about the only thing you can do is briefly think about it on occasion. You've wondered if he has anything lying around that could break the spell, but even if you got lucky and found something of Ral's that could help you (and could actually figure out how to use it), Ral keeps important rooms like his lab and his library magically locked. (And who knows what other protection he has) So you're stuck for now. In the meantime… "Ah, you're here good." Ral says poking his head into your room "Where else would I be? Not like I can go too far. Can't you just track my location with the spell anyway?" You say. "More or less, but considering it's easy enough for me to just peek in the rooms of the house you have access to, I didn't really see the need to do it immediately. Anyway, I have a job for you." "I just gathered a bunch of plants for you yesterday!" "I'm actually in need something on the rarer side, that's harder to get a hold of, I need you to get a plant called gray blossom. Fortunately I know someone who has it. Unfortunately, they probably won't be willing to give it up very easily." "Oh? So I'm actually going to use my natural talents for a change?" "In a manner of speaking yes, though if you can steal from a vampire, I'd be very impressed." "Did you just say vampire?" "Yes, she's the only person I know that has the plant that I need for my experiments. Or at least within the area and least amount of trouble to get it. Easy for him to say, he isn't the one that has to get it. "I'm sure you're aware that dismal village Dert has that huge graveyard not far from it, well she lives in one of the old crypts there. Now if you really feel your skills are up to the task, you could try to sneak in there while she's asleep during the day and get the gray blossom, but I had a more conventional trade in mind." Ral says and then produces a jar of red liquid. You can already take a guess what it is. "Wait, she'll just readily accept a jar of blood as payment?" you ask. "This isn't just regular blood, it's a jar of sprite blood. She loves the stuff." Ral answers "Aren't sprites really small? Looks like a lot of blood for a sprite." "Obviously that's because it's at least thirty of the little buggers. Now Isabella will probably try to use her vampire abilities on you like mesmerism, but don't worry, that spell you hate so much will keep you perfectly safe from such attempts at charm or mind control." "Oh yeah? Well what if she decides to just rip my head off instead?" "No it wouldn't protect you from that of course. Though she doesn't just go around killing people on a whim, indeed that's why Dert still exists at all. This is also why I'm suggesting that you just give her this blood for the blossom. She might be difficult and try to barter with you or even imply violence if she got up on the wrong side of the coffin, but she's not likely to just kill you. If she catches you stealing however, well her violent reaction is going to be on you." "Not sure if that wouldn't be an improvement on my current situation." You remark. "You'll find her in a mausoleum that says Mablava at the top front of it. From there, you'll have to fumble around and find the secret button revealing the stairs that lead to the underground crypt where she makes her home proper. I think it's somewhere on the bottom right wall. It's been awhile. Anyway, I'm sure you'll find it. I'd advise you to announce your presence and state your business right away before you even descend. Probably would be best to do this at dusk when she's just getting up. If you do it in the day, she'll be asleep and she won't be pleased about you disturbing her slumber. If you wait until night, you might miss her since she might have left her home. Now assuming you didn't piss her off, I'll expect you back fairly soon. Off you go." Having given you your orders and the sprite blood, Ral starts to take his leave as if nothing else needs to be said, but you still have some concerns. "Hey wait! That's it? I mean shouldn't you be giving me some magical weapon, or something silver at least?" you ask. "What for? Wouldn't do you any good anyway. Do you even know anything about vampires, or just what you've heard from stories? Look, if I actually thought your life was in any real danger, I'd provide you with either the proper equipment or the coin so you could go buy it. I dare say even if you do something foolish like try to steal from her and get caught, if you drop my name she'll probably still let you off the hook, though perhaps with a nasty scar. This should be a simple enough task that you aren't going to have any difficulties." Ral says. You don't bother arguing any more since you know Ral's made his mind up and is barking the orders that you're going to have to obey anyway. You can only hope he's correct about his vampire associate. You make your way to Dert, which doesn't take long. By the time you which the vicinity of the area, it's still day time which means you still have time to spare waiting around before meeting up with this Isabella. Since you don't especially feel like putting up with suspicious dumb ass yokels today, you decide that you'll just head straight to the graveyard and wait there. When you arrive, you never realized just how damn big the place was as you've only ever glanced at it from afar and certainly never had any reason to go there. In fact, it's almost the same size as Dert itself, in fact, it may even be the same size. You can't imagine why the village would need that big of a graveyard. Was Dert bigger at one point? Plague perhaps? In any case you spend some time looking for the mausoleum and eventually you find it. It isn't very big; though you imagine that underneath it is where all the space is. Must be for a family, though they must have been richer than everyone else in that village. This all makes you wonder if Isabella is an original inhabitant of this village or maybe she's just making her home her in this place. You also start wondering if there are other creatures potentially lurking about here. Ghouls? Ghosts? You haven't seen or heard anything since you've got here and the entire place has been as empty and silent as a well…tomb. As you creep yourself out, you're getting less enthusiastic about just hanging around a graveyard waiting for night to come. Maybe you should just steal the gray blossom now while day still exists. > You steal the Gray Blossom Meeting a vampire at night just seems like a bad idea even if you were properly prepared. No, you're going to go with your instinct on this rather than Ral's suggestions. You begin looking for the secret button on the right wall. As it turns out, this uses up a lot of time because you have a hell of a time finding the damn thing since it's in a near inaccessible place behind a solid stone sarcophagus. At this point you're hoping you get out before the sun sets. After stretching and reaching for the thing, you hear a click and a section of the floor on the left side opens up. You look down, but only see a dimly lit stairway, which you hope doesn't lead you through some catacomb maze. When you get to the bottom, you find a better-lit crypt that is fairly clean all things considered. You see several sturdy coffins lining the walls and you can also smell a faint whiff of some sort of flower. Nobody is here, though you see another entryway, which looks like it leads further into the bowels of this place. As much as you don't like the idea, you'll have to go further in because there doesn't seem to be any plant life here or at least none that resembles what you were tasked to find. You go through a long corridor which occasionally has smaller rooms off to the side, but you don't find much in any save for some neatly placed furnishings. Other than the coffins you already passed you haven't seen anything else like that, so you aren't sure if this Isabella sleeps in one of those and you already passed her or she's deeper within this place. Either way, you just want to be out of here before she wakes up. You continue further and unfortunately just like you thought you start getting to forks in path. Still not knowing where to look, you just pick a path and hope for the best. You eventually come to a room, you sort of wish you hadn't. You see several naked people chained up and the room stained with blood. The people aren't screaming or calling for help though. They're just standing there in a trance condition. You can only guess this must be some sort of feeding room for Isabella. You don't linger too long. You continue to go through twisting corridors, which increasingly start becoming less "polished" with a lot less torches and you also feel like you're starting to go deeper underground. You're starting to feel like you're not going to find what you're looking for if you keep heading this way, so you decide to turn back. And then you suddenly stop when you hear a voice coming from the direction that you are currently heading: "I know someone is here, lurking about in my home. Hope you're a very well prepared group of adventurers or skilled vampire hunters because it's not going to be good when I eventually find you. And I WILL find you." You genuinely piss yourself at that point and in desperation you immediately run back into darkness. You have no idea where you're going and you end up stumbling and tripping quite a bit as you make your hopeless escape. "Only one of you huh? That was quite foolish. You realize that you're making a lot of noise correct? I'm a lot faster than you are and know my home better than you do, if I wanted to catch you right now, I could. You should probably save yourself time and just sit put. If you do, I'll promise to make it quick and not keep you around as a blood slave." You hear Isabella's voice say. You don't know how close she is now, but she doesn't sound as far away as before. Alone, scared and in pitch darkness, you scream out. "Isabella, please! I don't want to die! Have mercy!" "Don't want to die? Then why the hell did you intrude on my home in the way you did? In fact, how the hell do you know my name or even how to get in here in the first place?" "Ral! Ral sent me! He even gave me a gift to give to you!" There is silence for a moment. "Ah, that explains some of this then. The old bastard must want something from me, and he sent a lackey to do the job. However, he must either not value your life or he's gotten forgetful in his old age, because I can't imagine that he would have told you to come wandering down here without at least announcing yourself." "He did! He did!" "Oh? Then YOU must be stupid or not a very good servant to Ral if you didn't follow his instructions. Either way, I don't think he's going to miss you. This might have gone very differently had you not rudely trespassed on my domain. Don't bother begging anymore, I'm not listening." With this confirmation that you are well and truly fucked, you gather your remaining strength and continue to run blindly in the dark. You're stopped when you hit something. It isn't a wall though, it's softer than that, but much deadlier. It's pitch dark, but even at this close range, you see the faint glow of inhuman eyes along with pearly white teeth that sink right into your neck. The life literally drains from your body as Isabella feeds upon you.

Chapter 2C: Indentured Servitude Year 17 A year. A year of this magical slavery has passed already and you're far from thanking Ral for this despite what he told you. It hasn't been as bad as it could be, but it certainly could be a hell of a lot better. Boredom and tedium are the main enemies mainly because Ral has you doing an endless amount of mundane tasks such as cleaning his home or gathering shit for him and unfortunately, that usually consists of various plants in the forest. Which you suppose has made you a bit more knowledgeable about the outdoors, but that isn't exactly knowledge you ever desired! If you're lucky, he'll send you to Holgard to acquire something and that's really the only time you bother going to that city. Only having a week of "slack" doesn't give you a whole lot of time to go venturing out to Holgard like you probably would on a regular basis. Two days to get there, two day back. It's hardly worth it most of the time hence why you tend to do all your thievery during these mundane trips. The thing is, you don't even really need to steal anything since everything is provided for you. You aren't really doing it for the thrills either because you're forever pissed about your situation. You're more or less doing it just to stay in practice. The only good thing is you believe your time there is so infrequent and your mark so insignificant, that you haven't ever drawn the ire or even the attention of any of the other criminal organizations in Holgard, let alone what passes for the law there. Sometimes you'll go to Dert to "practice" though you don't really like to mainly because there's no challenge. You suppose it's just as well as you just doing it to keep your skills from rusting, because you certainly wouldn't be getting rich from taking anything from those poor bastards that live there. The people there aren't exactly welcoming to you either and you feel like you're going to get lynched at any time. If that ever actually figured it out that you've been stealing from the place as opposed to passing yourself off as a "herbalist." (All that time gathering plants has at least come in handy for something) You've been trying to figure out some way of escape, but there doesn't seem to be anything for it. You actually did disappear for more than a week once, but you returned pretty quickly after two days of increasing pain. You can't imagine what you would have felt any longer than that. Ral didn't even seem fussed that you attempted it. Killing Ral is out of the question since about the only thing you can do is briefly think about it on occasion. You've wondered if he has anything lying around that could break the spell, but even if you got lucky and found something of Ral's that could help you (and could actually figure out how to use it), Ral keeps important rooms like his lab and his library magically locked. (And who knows what other protection he has) So you're stuck for now. In the meantime… "Ah, you're here good." Ral says poking his head into your room "Where else would I be? Not like I can go too far. Can't you just track my location with the spell anyway?" You say. "More or less, but considering it's easy enough for me to just peek in the rooms of the house you have access to, I didn't really see the need to do it immediately. Anyway, I have a job for you." "I just gathered a bunch of plants for you yesterday!" "I'm actually in need something on the rarer side, that's harder to get a hold of, I need you to get a plant called gray blossom. Fortunately I know someone who has it. Unfortunately, they probably won't be willing to give it up very easily." "Oh? So I'm actually going to use my natural talents for a change?" "In a manner of speaking yes, though if you can steal from a vampire, I'd be very impressed." "Did you just say vampire?" "Yes, she's the only person I know that has the plant that I need for my experiments. Or at least within the area and least amount of trouble to get it. Easy for him to say, he isn't the one that has to get it. "I'm sure you're aware that dismal village Dert has that huge graveyard not far from it, well she lives in one of the old crypts there. Now if you really feel your skills are up to the task, you could try to sneak in there while she's asleep during the day and get the gray blossom, but I had a more conventional trade in mind." Ral says and then produces a jar of red liquid. You can already take a guess what it is. "Wait, she'll just readily accept a jar of blood as payment?" you ask. "This isn't just regular blood, it's a jar of sprite blood. She loves the stuff." Ral answers "Aren't sprites really small? Looks like a lot of blood for a sprite." "Obviously that's because it's at least thirty of the little buggers. Now Isabella will probably try to use her vampire abilities on you like mesmerism, but don't worry, that spell you hate so much will keep you perfectly safe from such attempts at charm or mind control." "Oh yeah? Well what if she decides to just rip my head off instead?" "No it wouldn't protect you from that of course. Though she doesn't just go around killing people on a whim, indeed that's why Dert still exists at all. This is also why I'm suggesting that you just give her this blood for the blossom. She might be difficult and try to barter with you or even imply violence if she got up on the wrong side of the coffin, but she's not likely to just kill you. If she catches you stealing however, well her violent reaction is going to be on you." "Not sure if that wouldn't be an improvement on my current situation." You remark. "You'll find her in a mausoleum that says Mablava at the top front of it. From there, you'll have to fumble around and find the secret button revealing the stairs that lead to the underground crypt where she makes her home proper. I think it's somewhere on the bottom right wall. It's been awhile. Anyway, I'm sure you'll find it. I'd advise you to announce your presence and state your business right away before you even descend. Probably would be best to do this at dusk when she's just getting up. If you do it in the day, she'll be asleep and she won't be pleased about you disturbing her slumber. If you wait until night, you might miss her since she might have left her home. Now assuming you didn't piss her off, I'll expect you back fairly soon. Off you go." Having given you your orders and the sprite blood, Ral starts to take his leave as if nothing else needs to be said, but you still have some concerns. "Hey wait! That's it? I mean shouldn't you be giving me some magical weapon, or something silver at least?" you ask. "What for? Wouldn't do you any good anyway. Do you even know anything about vampires, or just what you've heard from stories? Look, if I actually thought your life was in any real danger, I'd provide you with either the proper equipment or the coin so you could go buy it. I dare say even if you do something foolish like try to steal from her and get caught, if you drop my name she'll probably still let you off the hook, though perhaps with a nasty scar. This should be a simple enough task that you aren't going to have any difficulties." Ral says. You don't bother arguing any more since you know Ral's made his mind up and is barking the orders that you're going to have to obey anyway. You can only hope he's correct about his vampire associate. You make your way to Dert, which doesn't take long. By the time you which the vicinity of the area, it's still day time which means you still have time to spare waiting around before meeting up with this Isabella. Since you don't especially feel like putting up with suspicious dumb ass yokels today, you decide that you'll just head straight to the graveyard and wait there. When you arrive, you never realized just how damn big the place was as you've only ever glanced at it from afar and certainly never had any reason to go there. In fact, it's almost the same size as Dert itself, in fact, it may even be the same size. You can't imagine why the village would need that big of a graveyard. Was Dert bigger at one point? Plague perhaps? In any case you spend some time looking for the mausoleum and eventually you find it. It isn't very big; though you imagine that underneath it is where all the space is. Must be for a family, though they must have been richer than everyone else in that village. This all makes you wonder if Isabella is an original inhabitant of this village or maybe she's just making her home her in this place. You also start wondering if there are other creatures potentially lurking about here. Ghouls? Ghosts? You haven't seen or heard anything since you've got here and the entire place has been as empty and silent as a well…tomb. As you creep yourself out, you're getting less enthusiastic about just hanging around a graveyard waiting for night to come. Maybe you should just steal the gray blossom now while day still exists. > You wait Stealing from a vampire just seems like a bad idea even if you were properly prepared. No, you're going to follow the rules to the letter on this one. Time passes and eventually the sun starts setting and you begin looking for the secret button on the right wall. As it turns out, this uses up plenty of time because you have a hell of a time finding the damn thing since it's in a near inaccessible place behind a solid stone sarcophagus. After stretching and reaching for the thing, you hear a click and a section of the floor on the left side opens up. You look down, but only see a dimly lit stairway, which you hope leads immediately to Isabella since you don't really want to potentially work your way through some catacomb maze. You walk down a few steps and then call out to Isabella. "Isabella?!" you shout. A few seconds later you get a response. "A visitor that knows me? This is a surprise. Your voice doesn't sound familiar however, so I can only assume someone who knows me must have sent you and I can guess who that might have been." You hear Isabella call back. "Um, Ral sent me." You say. "(Sigh) I thought so. He's too cowardly to face me in person, yet he probably wants something from me. Well come on down, I promise I won't bite." You're still a bit nervous about all this, but this is the task you've been given, so down you go. When you get to the bottom, you find a better-lit crypt that is fairly clean all things considered. You see several sturdy coffins lining the walls and you can also smell a faint whiff of some sort of flower. Nobody is here, though you see another entryway, which looks like it leads further into the bowels of this place. "Stay in the foyer! I don't want you wandering about my home! I'll be there in a moment." you hear Isabella shout from that direction. You aren't kept waiting long when a woman appears from the crypt entryway. Ivory skin and long raven hair, beautiful and young looking though certainly older than you. Isabella is the exact idea of what people have in mind when (and if they bother to) think of a vampire, the only thing that's missing is the royal or elegant clothes which isn't wearing. In fact she's not wearing clothes at all. You might be more inclined to look at her naked body if she weren't a vampire, but since she is, you aren't sure what the etiquette is. "Okay, you can stop adverting your eyes, I'm a vampire not a medusa. Besides, you know you want to look anyway." Well that answers that question. "Well? You going to tell me what Ral wants or are you going to just stare at my tits all night?" Isabella asks. "Is this a trick question?" you ask. "Look, I'm going to give you exactly one minute to tell me what the hell Ral wants or I'm going to start getting angry." "Apologies, I just wasn't quite expecting this. Ral wants some of your gray blossom and in exchange he's given me this, to give to you." You say and pull out the jar of sprite blood from your pack. Isabella walks over to you and when she's right in front of you, you feel very anxious as she stares at you. You know Ral said she can't charm you, but you feel like she's doing SOMETHING to your mind. She takes the jar from your hand and opens it, giving it a sniff. Her nose turns up and her demeanor becomes more annoyed. "Ugh, what is this shit? Is…is this sprite blood?" she asks. "Yeah, Ral said you liked it." You say. "Then he's a forgetful fool or deliberately trying to insult me. I hate sprite, it was brownie blood that I liked! Either way it's apparent he cares nothing for our time together and just wants something as usual. Biggest mistake in the recent century was going out with him." While that's a bit of interesting information, you're far more concerned about your own ass now that Isabella seems displeased. "Okay, well I guess I'll just leave and let him know then…" you say. "Wait, where are you going?" Isabella suddenly grabs your arm. It isn't a hurtful grip, but it is strong and cold. Her expression is predatory and you feel like you're about to become dinner. Maybe she isn't able to control your mind, but she's doing a good enough job of putting fear into you anyway. "I…don't suppose it wouldn't do me any good to beg would it?" you ask. "No. However, I can see by this symbol on your arm, you are magically enslaved to Ral and despite him being disrespectful to me, I shall not act in kind and kill you since I know how hard good servants are to come by. I haven't had one in decades. However, YOU have to make up for Ral's failings." Isabella says. "So, what do I need to do? Go collect some brownies?" "Hah, well that would be ideal. But you'd have to travel all the way to Gnarlwood to even find a population of them and even then I doubt you would have the means to even capture one, let alone enough to fill a jar. Not to mention that would take far too long and we need a quicker solution." "And what would that be?" "You need to go get me dinner and the closest location is Dert obviously." "So you want me to go bring someone to you?" "Ah, no. Not just anyone. I want you to bring me a child. Girl, boy, doesn't matter. Youthful blood is always the best when it comes to humans." While you probably would have had some difficulties even bringing in a regular Dert citizen, you believe you could have justified it if you brought in one that tends to be an asshole towards you every time you visit. But a child? You're a little hesitant on that request. "I…I um…I'm not sure…" you say. "Why not? If Ral told you he needed you to kill a child you'd do it." Isabella remarks. "And that's only because this fucking spell would compel me to, it wouldn't be like I'd enjoy it." "Tch. That's an excuse. You could easily kill yourself rather than kill a child. The geas doesn't prevent that." "Can't you just do it?" "Sure I could, but I'm asking YOU to do it. Now if you want the gray blossom, you're getting that child for me, although…" Isabella at this point presses her entire body against yours and sniffs you, particularly your neck. "You're a teenager, so I suppose your blood would do. It doesn't smell like you've been befouling it with a bad diet at least." "I thought you said you weren't going to kill me?" "I'm not. I'm just going to drink a little of your blood and I'm not even going to bite you unless you ask me to. I'm giving you an out here. You can either let me feed on you, or go round me up a kid from the village." "How do I know you won't just kill me or get so excited that you won't stop feeding on me?" Isabella chuckles a bit. "You think your blood is going to be just so tasty that I'm going to lose all sense of control? You certainly have a high opinion of yourself! But honestly? You don't know. But isn't the mystery of the unknown making it all the more curious for you?" Isabella asks with a cold touch of her hand to your cheek. "Not really." You say. "Well tough shit, because those are your options." > You get a child "Okay, okay, I'll do it. I'll get a kid." You say. "Very well, although I was a little curious to see what you tasted like. Now don't take too long, but then I imagine you won't be able to anyway, what with your tether and all. Off you go and for your sake you better not make a scene and if you do, you better not lead a peasant mob here!" Isabella remarks. You leave Isabella's crypt glad that you made it out alive, but with very mixed feelings about what you'll need to do next. With night having fully fallen now, you expect that most in Dert are going to be in their homes. You try to remember which families have children, because in all your visits to the place, it isn't like you've ever paid much attention to that aspect. After a bit of thought one family comes to mind, middle-aged couple who have a simpleton for a son who has actually bothered you in the past with questions which you believe should make your task a lot easier. You aren't sure if just breaking in and snatching him in the middle of the night is the way to go though. Maybe you should take the less forceful approach on this since the boy is likely just going to scream out even if he is stupid. You wait a bit longer in the graveyard before making your way to Dert, which by the time you reach it, is just as silent as the graveyard. You sneak about the village until you reach what you think is the right house. After peeping into the open windows, you find that you were correct. The one you're looking for is asleep on his cheap straw mattress. You can't remember the boy's name though, so you just start whispering "boy" to him Eventually you wake the idiot up. "Huh, whut?" the boy answers. "Come on, its time to go." You say. "Aren't you herb man? What you doing here?" "Yes, I'm collecting a special kind of herb that only grows at night, but I need help finding it, specifically your help." You're sort of winging it here, so you're just making shit up as you go along and hoping for the best. It isn't like you have much experience in kidnapping. "But (Yawn) I'm not supposed to go anywhere after night. Mommy and daddy said I'm supposed to be in bed or else I'll be whipped." The boy remarks. "It's okay, I spoke to them already. They said you can help me, now come to the window, I'll lift you out." You say. "I dunno…" "Come on, aren't you always asking me questions about what herbs, roots and flowers I collect for my profession? Come with me and you'll find out." "Well…" "Just come on, you can trust me. You see me all the time." "Okay." The boy gets up and goes to the window. The little shit is heavier than he looks, but with some effort you lift the boy up and outside. You still can't remember what his name is. "Where do we go now herb man?" he asks. "Just follow me, and be REALLY quiet." You say and soon the pair of you making your way out of the village as quick as you can. Naturally as soon as you leave the village though, the boy starts to hesitate. "Um…I'm not supposed to leave the village. Mommy and daddy said…" the boy says. "Look, I said I already talked to them, they said its fine, now come on." You exclaim "But…but it's really dark out here and there might be monsters deeper in the woods." "We're not going too much farther, just follow me a little more." "…that way is to the graveyard! I'm not going there!" At this point your patience has worn thin and you're having difficulties with doing this anyway. Something inside you snaps and you punch the boy in the face! The boy falls to the ground, but he's tougher than you thought since it doesn't knock him out. He does start wailing very loudly and running from you as soon as he gets up though. "Shit!" you shout and start chasing him back to the village. You catch up to him fairly quickly, but unfortunately for you, his cries have called the attention of the village, along with his parents who thought they heard noises earlier around their house anyway. As you're struggling with the boy and punching him in the face a couple more times to shut him up, an angry mob has already formed to lynch a child abductor such as yourself. You abandon your task and just try to get the hell out of there, but several stones thrown at you impede your escape when one hits you in the head doing enough damage to cause you to collapse to the ground. This is all the mob needs in order to catch up to you. No amount of pleading or explanation will appease this mob and they don't even bother to lynch you anyway, they just stomp you to death as you lay on the ground and then set your battered corpse on fire.

Stealing from a vampire just seems like a bad idea even if you were properly prepared. No, you're going to follow the rules to the letter on this one. Time passes and eventually the sun starts setting and you begin looking for the secret button on the right wall. As it turns out, this uses up plenty of time because you have a hell of a time finding the damn thing since it's in a near inaccessible place behind a solid stone sarcophagus. After stretching and reaching for the thing, you hear a click and a section of the floor on the left side opens up. You look down, but only see a dimly lit stairway, which you hope leads immediately to Isabella since you don't really want to potentially work your way through some catacomb maze. You walk down a few steps and then call out to Isabella. "Isabella?!" you shout. A few seconds later you get a response. "A visitor that knows me? This is a surprise. Your voice doesn't sound familiar however, so I can only assume someone who knows me must have sent you and I can guess who that might have been." You hear Isabella call back. "Um, Ral sent me." You say. "(Sigh) I thought so. He's too cowardly to face me in person, yet he probably wants something from me. Well come on down, I promise I won't bite." You're still a bit nervous about all this, but this is the task you've been given, so down you go. When you get to the bottom, you find a better-lit crypt that is fairly clean all things considered. You see several sturdy coffins lining the walls and you can also smell a faint whiff of some sort of flower. Nobody is here, though you see another entryway, which looks like it leads further into the bowels of this place. "Stay in the foyer! I don't want you wandering about my home! I'll be there in a moment." you hear Isabella shout from that direction. You aren't kept waiting long when a woman appears from the crypt entryway. Ivory skin and long raven hair, beautiful and young looking though certainly older than you. Isabella is the exact idea of what people have in mind when (and if they bother to) think of a vampire, the only thing that's missing is the royal or elegant clothes which isn't wearing. In fact she's not wearing clothes at all. You might be more inclined to look at her naked body if she weren't a vampire, but since she is, you aren't sure what the etiquette is. "Okay, you can stop adverting your eyes, I'm a vampire not a medusa. Besides, you know you want to look anyway." Well that answers that question. "Well? You going to tell me what Ral wants or are you going to just stare at my tits all night?" Isabella asks. "Is this a trick question?" you ask. "Look, I'm going to give you exactly one minute to tell me what the hell Ral wants or I'm going to start getting angry." "Apologies, I just wasn't quite expecting this. Ral wants some of your gray blossom and in exchange he's given me this, to give to you." You say and pull out the jar of sprite blood from your pack. Isabella walks over to you and when she's right in front of you, you feel very anxious as she stares at you. You know Ral said she can't charm you, but you feel like she's doing SOMETHING to your mind. She takes the jar from your hand and opens it, giving it a sniff. Her nose turns up and her demeanor becomes more annoyed. "Ugh, what is this shit? Is…is this sprite blood?" she asks. "Yeah, Ral said you liked it." You say. "Then he's a forgetful fool or deliberately trying to insult me. I hate sprite, it was brownie blood that I liked! Either way it's apparent he cares nothing for our time together and just wants something as usual. Biggest mistake in the recent century was going out with him." While that's a bit of interesting information, you're far more concerned about your own ass now that Isabella seems displeased. "Okay, well I guess I'll just leave and let him know then…" you say. "Wait, where are you going?" Isabella suddenly grabs your arm. It isn't a hurtful grip, but it is strong and cold. Her expression is predatory and you feel like you're about to become dinner. Maybe she isn't able to control your mind, but she's doing a good enough job of putting fear into you anyway. "I…don't suppose it wouldn't do me any good to beg would it?" you ask. "No. However, I can see by this symbol on your arm, you are magically enslaved to Ral and despite him being disrespectful to me, I shall not act in kind and kill you since I know how hard good servants are to come by. I haven't had one in decades. However, YOU have to make up for Ral's failings." Isabella says. "So, what do I need to do? Go collect some brownies?" "Hah, well that would be ideal. But you'd have to travel all the way to Gnarlwood to even find a population of them and even then I doubt you would have the means to even capture one, let alone enough to fill a jar. Not to mention that would take far too long and we need a quicker solution." "And what would that be?" "You need to go get me dinner and the closest location is Dert obviously." "So you want me to go bring someone to you?" "Ah, no. Not just anyone. I want you to bring me a child. Girl, boy, doesn't matter. Youthful blood is always the best when it comes to humans." While you probably would have had some difficulties even bringing in a regular Dert citizen, you believe you could have justified it if you brought in one that tends to be an asshole towards you every time you visit. But a child? You're a little hesitant on that request. "I…I um…I'm not sure…" you say. "Why not? If Ral told you he needed you to kill a child you'd do it." Isabella remarks. "And that's only because this fucking spell would compel me to, it wouldn't be like I'd enjoy it." "Tch. That's an excuse. You could easily kill yourself rather than kill a child. The geas doesn't prevent that." "Can't you just do it?" "Sure I could, but I'm asking YOU to do it. Now if you want the gray blossom, you're getting that child for me, although…" Isabella at this point presses her entire body against yours and sniffs you, particularly your neck. "You're a teenager, so I suppose your blood would do. It doesn't smell like you've been befouling it with a bad diet at least." "I thought you said you weren't going to kill me?" "I'm not. I'm just going to drink a little of your blood and I'm not even going to bite you unless you ask me to. I'm giving you an out here. You can either let me feed on you, or go round me up a kid from the village." "How do I know you won't just kill me or get so excited that you won't stop feeding on me?" Isabella chuckles a bit. "You think your blood is going to be just so tasty that I'm going to lose all sense of control? You certainly have a high opinion of yourself! But honestly? You don't know. But isn't the mystery of the unknown making it all the more curious for you?" Isabella asks with a cold touch of her hand to your cheek. "Not really." You say. "Well tough shit, because those are your options." > You let her bite you "I can't do it. I mean I'm flexible on a lot of shit, but yeah I just don't think I can go get a kid for you to chow down on. I mean I'm not judging since I know that's what you have to do, but I can't be a part of that." You say. "Hm, how wonderfully moral of you. So does that mean I have your invitation to bite you?" Isabella asks. "I…I guess so. I'm just going to roll the dice here and hope to Yag that you're honest." "Oh I'm honest." Isabella smiles and at last you see her perfect white teeth complete with the slightly large fangs. You just hope this isn't the last thing you see. Isabella pushes you up against a wall and presses up against you in a half seductive half predatory fashion. "So…are you ready?" she whispers in your ear. "As much as I can be I suppose." You answer. "I want to hear you say it. I want you to beg me to penetrate your skin with my teeth and feast upon you like the chattel you are." Isabella demands. "Wha…what?!" "Say it!" "Okay! Okay! I want your fangs inside me! I want it so badly! Give it to me!" you exclaim. Without another word, Isabella bites down on you and you feel her fangs enter. It hurts at first and then it's uncomfortable, but after a few seconds of Isabella sucking, you're starting to just feel weird. It's kind of sexy really. As she's doing her thing on you, you start to feel dizzy and light headed. You think you might collapse, but Isabella is holding you up so you don't fall. Oddly despite believing that you're very likely going to die, you decide to at least get one thrill out of the situation and wrap your arms around Isabella's lovely naked body and grab her ass in the process. Then you pass out. The next day you wake up in the middle of the graveyard. Your neck is sore and you've got a letter in your hand. You read it soon after you realize you're not dead. Thank you for a lovely evening. Your blood was quite delicious; I suppose you were right to worry that I may not be able to contain myself, however I resisted much to your relief no doubt. In your pack, you will find several gray blossoms from my garden, I hope Ral finds that adequate because he's not getting any more from me and you can tell him he's still an asshole. I have also kept the sprite blood. I don't like to drink it, but I know of other uses for it. May your servitude to Ral end soon. Isabella P.S. Don't be a stranger, now that you know the way. A dubious offer to be sure, but at least she seems to like you, or your blood at any rate. It's a little sad that vampire violation is the best thing that's happened to you since leaving Teckleville. At least you didn't kill a kid you suppose and you got to touch a vampire's ass. So, that's something. After checking your pack for the gray blossom, you get up off the ground, rub your neck a bit, and set off back towards Ral's place. When you arrive, Ral is in his lab so you just go lay down since you still feel a bit lightheaded from the blood loss. Eventually Ral finds you. "You're back. Well?" he asks. "There are a bunch of gray blossoms sitting on the table over there." You say. Ral looks and goes to gather them. "Hm, didn't expect to get this much. Guess she really liked the blood." Ral says. "I'll say." You snort. "You didn't have any trouble?" "Not really. She was very accommodating." "I am very surprised to hear that." "Oh, she did tell me to tell you that you're still an asshole." "Ah, well that does sound more like her." Ral, satisfied with your explanation and quite frankly just happy you got him what he sent you to get, takes his leave. You suppose you could have told him the whole story, but would it have even mattered or would he have even cared? No to both. Besides, you figure what happened between you and Isabella was "special" enough that it should just remain between the two of you. > You time passes... Year 19 "…and stay away from my daughter, mage minion!" you hear the angry farmer shout as you run away and still attempting to get your pants back on. You soon make it out of Dert and take a breather. Ever since the citizens of Dert finally realized that you were "working" for Ral, (Nobody ever really bought the herbalist story) their attitude towards you hasn't gotten any better. If anything they're even less friendly. Good thing for you they're a bunch of ignorant cowards at heart because they're reluctant to just string you up since they think it might draw Ral's ire somehow. A few even believe you're magical. You aren't really going deter that sort of thinking despite the reality that Ral could probably give a shit if you got killed or not. Of course some (like bored wayward farmers' daughters) find your "mysterious aura" enticing. Another type of thinking you aren't exactly going to deter either. Still, you probably shouldn't push your luck. Fear and hesitation can easily be overridden in a quick moment of violence. Then again, it's not like you've got much else to do with your time. You return to Ral's home and find that he's actually expecting you AND he doesn't have a menial task for you for a change. "I need you to go get me a blood gem." Ral says. "Blood gem? Gee, that sounds like it involves vampires again." You answer. "No, no, no. There aren't any vampires this time around, just a lot of sotakians or lizard folk as you might call them." "Didn't know there were any sotakians in the area." "There aren't, you'll be going to Sotak Swamp. The sotakians use blood gems in their idols, so just seek out one of those and you should be good." "Uh, not that I don't live to serve thanks to the spell that forces me to, but isn't that pretty far away? I don't think I'm making it back in a week and that's if I even knew how to get around there in the first place." "Don't worry about that, you're going to have a guide and you're going to be teleported to a relatively close to where you need to be. When you get the item and back to the original location, you'll be teleported back here." "Hm, well I guess that makes things slightly easier, who is this guide?" Ral points to a small winged being flying in from the next room. You guess he's a fairy of some sort, but you couldn't guess what kind. He doesn't look happy. "This is Tych, your sprite guide. He'll be able to direct you to where you need to go." Ral says. "Sprite huh? Weird to see one alive this time rather than just the blood." You say. "Yes, Tych you could say was most inspired to save his own life when I first encountered him. In return for his servitude rather than death, it was he who gathered twenty of his kind in one place and made that process a whole lot easier." "Wait, how long has Tych been here and where's he been? This is the first time I've seen him." "Oh he's been here maybe about as long as you have and you haven't seen him because I tend to keep him in my lab where I can keep a better eye on him. Sprites, like most fairy folk tend to be tricksters and Tych in particular is one of the more treacherous of his kind. In fact you may find him to be very friendly towards you since he'll probably be trying to convince you that you two should work together to escape. I of course advise you not to listen to such nonsense that will only get you into more trouble." "Great, and you're sending this little devious bastard to guide me?" "As long as you insist on sticking to the task I've given you, he won't be able to resist helping. So don't listen to anything else he says and you'll be fine. Think of it this way, you're his direct superior and what you say goes." You're not sure about this, but as always you have little choice in the matter so you gather up what equipment you believe is going to be useful and return to Ral who says a few words and before you know it, you're blinded by a flash of light. As you're still shaking off the effects of temporary blindness, your guide is in no hurry. "Take your time plivik. It's been awhile since I've been outside so I'm going to enjoy every moment we're out here." Tych says in a high pitched squeaky voice that almost makes you want to laugh. "Where exactly are we anyway?" you ask finally getting over your condition and finding yourself in new surroundings. "Oh we're in Gnarlwood Forest, not too far from the border of Sotak Swamp. More specifically we're in a fairy circle or an old abandoned one at least. Of course even abandoned ones have magic to them, probably why Ral sent me with you too. Makes the teleportation connection easier for him to cast. He's not nearly as powerful of a wizard as he thinks he is." "Hm, well he's still got the pair of us doing his dirty work." "True plivik, but that won't last forever. If we work together we'll be able to overcome his magic that's binding the both of us to him." "Oh? How so?" Tych giggles a bit. "Ral has made a big mistake in letting me come back here! We fairy folk as you may know are magical by nature, but I cannot break our magical chains by myself. However, my village isn't too far from here and it would help the both of us plivik. With their help, Ral's spell could easily be overcome." Tych says. "Why would they help me? I'm not a sprite." You ask. "What does that matter plivik? You're still a being in need of help. I can see you're not a bad person, and just like me, you are just forced to serve a bad master. If you tell me to guide you to the other sprites, we can go right now." "You keep calling me plivik, what does that mean?" "Oh, it's just a word in my native tongue. Just means friend." "We're friends all of a sudden?" "We both don't like Ral and wish to be free of his chains correct? I'd say that already makes us have enough in common to be friends even if we just met, plivik." "Ral said you would be friendly towards me to do something underhanded and that I shouldn't pay any attention to what you have to say unless it directly involves the task." "Well of course he's going to say that, plivik. He wants to keep us divided. He also told you that I lead twenty of my people to be ground up into into blood paste. I guarantee that I would never do such a hideous thing even to save my own life! He used a spell to capture us all and it was only by pure luck that he decided to keep me around as a pet to torment. You know he keeps me in a glass jar on his lab desk and shakes it around?" You can see how this is going to go. You're going to have to play "Who's the liar?" the whole time during this task. "I think we should stick to the task for now." You say. "Oh I understand your hesitation. How about this, we go get the blood gem first and when we return here then you can decide to return to Ral or go to the sprite community I mentioned. That should give you time to decide whether I'm trustworthy or not. Just think about it okay?" Tych says. "Hm, I suppose that's reasonable." "Great! Now let's get this task underway then." Tych goes on to tell you due to his own capture, he's hoping that his information about the area is still the same. He tells you that from your position he knows that there should be a sotakian place of worship within a day's walk. "Now if we head north and then west there's a clearer path to where we need to get to. We're going to have to be careful to avoid elven patrols though. Just hope they aren't on heightened alert because that's going to make sneaking around a lot harder." Tych says. "I don't suppose the fact that we're planning on desecrating one of their enemy's idols would make them friendly?" you say. "A good idea, but it wouldn't make any difference. Elves are a bunch of territorial assholes. They think EVERYTHING in Gnarlwood forest is under their control. As a human, you'd still be seen as an interloper and most likely killed. And as for me, well let's just say it wouldn't be much better than Ral's magical enslavement." "Sounds like it would just be easier to immediately go west and bypass the patrols." "You would think that, but chances are it would take just as long due to all the high marshes and sinking bogs in the area. That's not even counting whatever creatures are lurking there. Not even the sotakians make their homes that way and consider it sacred ground due to the daquala population in the area." "Wait, what's a daquala?" "Oh, they're a creature about the size of one of your dogs but a whole lot more vicious and meaner. They can also camouflage themselves to practically be invisible. However, I don't think they would necessarily be a problem, they tend to sleep a lot and most of them should be hibernating this time of year. You're more likely to get swallowed by quicksand or a giant swamp serpent honestly. Still, I suppose if we got lucky it would cut our time by half. Up to you, plivik." > You go through the swamp Either way sounds dangerous, but if one way is going to be quicker, you might as well take that one though you have one major concern. "You sure these daquala things are hibernating?" you ask. "As I said, most of them probably are this time of year, but that's not certain. I still say the quicksand and sinkholes are more of a hazard, since I'm going to be able to tell you if daqualas are in the area. Their camouflage doesn't work so well against Sprite eyes." Tych remarks. "Good, then you keep a look out for those things and let me worry about where I step." "Very well plivik." Before you set off, you break off a piece of a low hanging branch so you at least have a good sized piece of wood to test solid ground with. Doesn't take too long before you and Tych get to the edge of the forest where the ground is starting to become more noticeably wet and softer. You start using the branch as well as relying on Tych to scout ahead. Tych goes on to say, he's fairly certain that there is a smaller sotakian village if you keep heading west. He also mentions that it should still have some sort of idol since the sotakians are pretty serious about their worship. As you and Tych travel through the swamp, you find that Tych is a bit overly talkative in general. He even acknowledges that he is, but he's just so happy to talk to ANYONE who isn't Ral. Most of his talk concerns Gnarlwood and Sotak swamp and how elves are a bunch of assholes, so it isn't completely useless banter though you're more concerned with his chatter calling attention to you what with the invisible monsters possibly around. "Hey look, while I get that you like to talk, I also like to live. I'm already not happy about being ankle deep in water, so cut with the chatter and keep an eye out for those invisible things or whatever your magical pixie eyes show you." You snap. "Pixie? I'm fucking sprite, not a fucking pixie you fucking plivik!" Tych angrily responds. "…fucking friend…what? Wait a minute, what does plivik REALLY mean?!" "Take a guess asshole! Fucking pixie…" "Alright! Alright! I fucking apologize! Shit, I didn't realize there was that much of a damn difference!" Tych sputters for a moment, as he's too angry to even speak about your ignorance on the matter. "There are a shitload of differences!" he exclaims. "Well how would I know, both of you guys are tiny and fly around with your little wings right?" you say. "How would you like it if I called you an orc instead of a human because to me you're both big, ugly and stomp around on your feet because you're not blessed enough to even have wings in the first place?!" "Ah, but orcs are green and that's a very obvious difference!" "And pixies have less shiny wings! Have you even SEEN a pixie? They're not as pretty as we are and live around fucking fungus! If they didn't have wings they'd be as low as brownies!" "Okay, keep your voice down, you're getting all excited and the whole point I was trying to make in the first place was for you to shut the hell up." "No! I'm not going to shut the hell up when it comes to…" And then right before your eyes, you see the side of a large reptilian face pass right in front of you as it swallows Tych whole. The rest of its long legless body follows as it splashes back into the water. It might not have been a daquala, but Tych did mention large water serpents in the area. The serpent makes a second pass and while you block with the branch you have, you still get knocked down. Now that you're in a more prone position, he serpent attempts to coil around you. You pull out your short sword at this point and give it a few hacks, which is enough to cause it to swim away though you aren't entirely sure if it's gone. Not like the water is transparent enough to see through given how muddy it is. You stand up and make your way out of the area as quick as you can. You dropped your branch somewhere in the water when you got knocked over and with Tych dead, you try to go back the way you came because you certainly aren't going to be able to navigate through the swamps this way. Your only hope is get back to the forest and follow the road into the swamp and hopefully from there you'll be able to find a better path to a lizard village. This isn't a good situation. And of course it only gets worse when it gets darker and you're jumping at every unfamiliar sound thinking that it's some beast ready to pounce. Naturally you end up going thigh deep into mud thanks to being preoccupied. You curse and struggle at first until you remember that you're not supposed to struggle when in this situation. Of course you're waist high by the time you remember. You stop struggling and try to find something solid to grab on to so you can pull yourself out. For once you get lucky and manage to slowly drag and twist yourself so you can grab ahold of a rotten stump. "Okay. Okay. I can get out of this…" you say to yourself. It takes awhile and sometimes it feels like you're being pulled in deeper by some force other than just nature, but eventually you make it and drag yourself out. You're soaking wet, muddy and tired, but you're out. "Shit…thank Yag…damn…" you pant. Not wishing to be in this part of swamp by the time its pitch dark, you get up using the stump once again as leverage, along with a nearby soft rock. Soft rock? And that when you find out your left hand was not on a "soft rock" at all, but a sleeping daquala who completely drops the camouflage when you wake it up. It's so quick that you don't quite see what it really looks like except that it has many teeth. Many MANY sharp teeth.