Hardly Heroes: Episode 13

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==Synopsis==
Luther and Pigeon, while spending their days at Rusty's Hook awaiting their trials to join Steal Team Six, are approached by a man named Sett, who offers them gold in exchange for information about the team's residence. Pigeon follows Sett and discovers his hideout, later reporting back to Eraser, who reveals this was their first test of trustworthiness. Completing further trials, including a lock-picking challenge and an oath to Ponos, they officially join Steal Team Six and are introduced to members Percival, Sierra, and Helmet. The group retrieves Luther and Pigeon's belongings from Harrow Way and settle into the team's lair. They consider finding a wizard to identify stolen weapons, but concerns about safety arise. Discussions of new job opportunities lead to a plan where Luther and Pigeon will act as bait to trap Copperheads, aiming to rob them based on gathered information.
==Recap==
=== Trial of Secrecy ===
Luther and Pigeon spend their days at Rusty's Hook, awaiting a meeting with Eraser to learn about the trials required to join Steal Team Six. One evening, a well-dressed man named Sett approaches them, offering payment for information about Steal Team Six, specifically their residence and the layout of their house. Sett believes there is considerable wealth in their lair and promises a cut of the stolen coin in exchange for this information. He gives Luther 10 gold pieces, instructing him to provide the details once they have them, and then leaves the tavern.
After Sett's departure, Pigeon follows him while Luther speaks with Gromme. Luther inquires whether Sett is part of the Pittmen, and Gromme assures him that he is not. Meanwhile, Pigeon successfully tracks Sett to a building, unnoticed, and observes him entering a door in an alleyway. Pigeon then returns to Rusty's Hook and reunites with Luther.
Around this time, Steal Team Six arrives at Rusty's Hook, but the tavern is busy, and no seats are available. Luther and Pigeon attempt to intimidate some halflings into giving up their seats but fail embarrassingly. Pigeon shrugs off the incident and informs Eraser about Sett's offer, including the location where he followed Sett.
Steal Team Six and the Party head to the alley where Pigeon saw Sett enter. Upon arrival, Eraser knocks on one of the doors in the alley, which Sett opens. Eraser shakes Sett's hand and reveals that this was Luther and Pigeon's first trial to ensure their trustworthiness.
=== Blood Oath ===
August 24, 1519. A few days later, Luther and Pigeon meet with Steal Team Six to complete their remaining trials. Eraser explains that two more trials remain. The first trial is a lock-picking challenge, which Pigeon passes effortlessly. The second and final trial requires both to make an oath to Ponos, the god of suffering, pledging never to betray Steal Team Six.
Steal Team Six and the party proceed to the territory of the Temple Guardians. They enter a smaller temple adjacent to the main one, where they are greeted by a priestess of Ponos. The priestess hands Eraser a knife, which he uses to cut his hand. He then passes the knife to another member of Steal Team Six. Each member cuts their hand in turn, including Luther and Pigeon. Eraser then declares that they are now blood brothers and asks them to repeat after him:
“I, Luther/Pigeon, swear on my immortal soul that I will never betray Steal Team Six. If I break this oath, may Ponos take my soul to be your plaything for all time and to suffer whatever damnation you desires. I will share all my treasures, past and future, with my brothers. I will take no husband nor wives except those I share with my brothers. From this day until my last, I devote myself to my brothers.”
The priestess begins to speak in ancient common as the sphere in her hand glows with light. She then takes all the hands of Steal Team Six and binds them together with her blindfold, stating: “Your oaths have been heard, your oaths have been bound, the gods have seen all.”
=== Welcome to Steal Team Six ===
With the trials complete, Eraser formally introduces Luther and Pigeon to the three other members of the team: Percival, Sierra, and Helmet. The group then heads to Luther and Pigeon’s old house and to their stash on Harrow Way to gather all their supplies and wealth to bring back to Steal Team Six’s headquarters. Inside the base, located under a bar, Eraser shows Luther and Pigeon the Steal Team Six lair. He leads them down a staircase to a tunnel filled with traps. Beyond the traps is a small room where all the team's wealth is stored.
After settling in, Luther and Pigeon propose finding a wizard to identify the weapons they stole from Carlo Vallejo. Percival, who comes from a highborn family, mentions knowing a wizard in his hometown of Confluence. However, Luther and Eraser are wary of leaving the city's safe confines, with Eraser particularly noting the high number of Kobolds in the Thistle Forest. Luther asks Eraser about his familiarity with Gromme. Eraser admits he doesn’t know Gromme well but is aware that Gromme’s boss is a significant player, rumored to have stolen from kings and queens, traveled beyond the sea, and even beyond the stars. Eraser also mentions a second tavern run by the Pittmen, kept secret from most people, called the Grimy Gremlin.
The group then discusses new job opportunities. Pigeon mentions that they are wanted by the Copperheads for killing Mickey, which gives Eraser an idea. He suggests that Luther and Pigeon act as bait in the Copperhead district to lure some Copperheads into a trap. Once they capture one, they can extract information on where the Copperheads store their loot and then rob them.
A few days later, the money from Hudson arrives.
==Loot==
1,062.5 gold from Hudson.
==Experience==
==== Luther ====
* Gains 2,563 exp for a total of 12,785
* Levels up to level 5
* Gains 6 HP
==== Pigeon ====
* Gains 3,094 exp for a total of 14,670
* Levels up to level 5
* Gains 7 HP
Category:Save Or Die: Hardly Heroes Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes
Category:Save Or Die: Hardly Heroes