Prologue: Once a Thief...

[brekkers]

OOC: This thread is Odell's.

You have travelled for days, along the road from Tremlor, finding company in a merchant caravan. The summer is nearing and the weather is quite hot. When you reach the small town outside the northeastern gate, the caravan stops at a small open market on what used to be a green lawn. All the merchants seem excited about the fact that they have finally reached Crown, and from their eager talk, it seems that they believe Crown will bring great wealth to each of them.

Before arriving there was already quite a few booths, but soon the wagons have been positioned and a labyrinth of shops lies ahead of you. They sell everything here, food, drink, weapons, cloth, in fact, you have never seen so many beaituful wares for the taking before.

[This thread is now open to Zombie!]

[Zombie-slag]

Odell meanders around, taking note of any wares he might like to pilfer or even buy at a later time.

Stopping at a booth that sells food and drink, Odell calls to the proprieter:

"Pardon me, might I have a pint of whatever you have and a bit of conversation to go with it?"

[brekkers]

A female halfling turns around, offering a broad smile, then says, "Of course, kind sir, I'll get you a glass of my finest spirit." She fills a small glass with a dark red liquid that has a very distinct smell, sweet.

She hands it to you, saying, "I call it Ashiraa, the Red Drink That Makes You Smile, and it'll make you smile alright, all the way to the court of the Queen! So, have you travelled far to reach our beloved city? I have family in the faraway lands of Dalaemorn, beyond the Redsmoke Mountains, in the shades of the tall Whitefirn trees..." For a moment the halfling tells you of her ancient lands, but from the way she speak of these lands, you gather that she has never actually been there herself.

Her talk winds on, and you notice that she is wearing a very beautiful silver ring with a single blue stone, must be worth a few hundred gold pieces.

[Zombie-slag]

"Amazing" says Odell, "I would very much like to see Dalaemorn someday, it sounds beauteous, and if it has half of the intoxicating affect that its spirits and maidens have, I think I could find a bit of happiness there indeed."

Odell grins his sweetest smile and leans closer to the barmaid

"Could I trouble you for a bit of information about this great city? You seem of a beautiful disposition and I could think of nothing more pleasing than to listen to you expound upon the intricacies of this place while I explore the depth of your beauty and the taste of your wares..."

[brekkers]

Your charm seem to work on the halfling maiden, who cannot help but smile even further, perhaps she is just not used to people taking such an interest in her and her tales.

"Kind sir, I can assure you that you will no place more beautiful in all of Kurana, not even the lands of the elves can measure up to that of Dalaemorn." She actually blushes, leaning in closer to you, her hand (wearing the ring) on the counter, very close to yours. She finds herself as intoxicated in your words as you may soon find yourself in her spirits, but then she starts to tell you of Crown, its various citizens, and especially about the beautiful elven Queen, Alayarra the Glorious, who rule all within.

That is one alluring and beautiful ring, that would surely fetch a very handsome price, however, could one really steal from such an innocent and gullible creature, and a halfling at that!

[Zombie-slag]

Odell brushes the maidens hair out of her eyes and puts his hand on hers, he leans in even closer and says in a soft voice, just above a whisper:

"Ah fair one, but where are my manners? My name is Odell, and I travel in seek of happiness and contentment. May I inquire of you your name and quest in this life?"

[brekkers]

"Of course you may!" The halfling looks deeply into your eyes, "My name is Belka Stumblefeet, and maybe I should put some more of my fine drink into your cup!"

With those words, Belka fills up your glass with the sweet Ashiraa.

Somewhere in the distance, your ears catch something, the sound of clashing swords, but from the howling of the spectators, it does not sounds like something to be worried about.

Also, a fat merchant wanders by, sweating like a pig.

[Zombie-slag]

"Well then, Beautiful Belka Stumblefeet, I hope to see you again soon, but for now I must part."

Odell downs the contents of his glass in one gulp, kisses the halfling square on the lips and walks away in a hurry, turning back to flash one final wink at the maiden.

Looking around, he finds the fat merchant that had walked by just a moment ago. Odell follows him, observing and studying.

[brekkers]

Belka is about to say something, but before she can, your lips is on hers. Her cheeks redden, and the smile on her face broadens even further. "Oh my, Mister Odell, aren't you sweet!"

As you leave her stall behind, she waves a hand at you, saying, "I do hope you come back, Mister Odell!"

She will find the coins later, but for now she doesn't appear to have realised anything at all, perhaps you could even have gotten away without paying, indeed, she might never have wanted you to pay.

The fat merchant seems a little distracted, he mumbles something to himself a bit further down the lane, but its almost impossible to hear over the noises of the city, you haven't yet gotten that close to him. Also, he doesn't appear to have noticed you at all.

[If you want to hear his mumblings, make a listen check!]

[Zombie-slag]

After making a mental note of the location of Belka's stall for later recall, I continue to follow the merchant, straining to hear what he is saying to himself.

[brekkers]

To hear what the merchant is mumbling, you must get closer, giving him a better chance of spotting you. However, as you watch his body language, you learn that its exactly as you expected...this merchant is hiding something, perhaps he is not even a true merchant as all.

His back is a little hunched, and somewhere underneath those robes, he is actually holding on to the hilt of what must be a shortsword, though you cannot see any details concerning the blade.

The fat merchant follows the main road towards the gate, but before reaching it, he heads down a small alley, stopping at the last house. He shakes his head, seemingly nervous, then knocks on the door, three fast knocks followed by a slow knock.

[Zombie-slag]

I stay out of the way, trying to find a good spot to see the fat man and the door whilst not being seen myself.

Hide (1d20+3=16) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1612409/)

I also survey the house to get as good a mental image of it as I can, location of windows, steps, doors, etc.

[brekkers]

The merchant looks down the alley, to where you are hiding, but it doesn't appear as if he has spotted you, luckily. The door opens a little later, and the merchant disappears inside.

The house is a two storey building, with windows on the second floor. From the bulkiness of the building, you imagine that its a warehouse, which means that there must be an even greater opening somewhere, but it also means that the offices must be located on the second floor, connected to most of the windows.

[Zombie-slag]

I look for a fairly inconspicuous way to climb to the second floor to peer into the windows (perhaps a ladder if I'm so lucky!).

[brekkers]

The warehouse is build fairly well for climbing, but it would be quite easy to see you from the main road.

[Zombie-slag]

I walk up to the door and knock, three fast knocks followed by a slow knock.

[brekkers]

There is silence, then after a minute, you hear a lock open and then you see a hooded human face. There is a look of disbelief in his eyes, but then he speaks in a pitchy voice, "I dont know you...what you want?"

You can see a lot of crates behind the hooded person, and a stairwell that must lead to the offices above, but the fat merchant is nowhere in sight.

[Zombie-slag]

Odell puts on his most aloof face and speaks directly to the hooded figure in a nonchalant manner:

"Hello, My name is Anark, I am looking for work in your area of business and was referred here by a surly bartender on the outskirts of town. Who's the boss around here?"

[brekkers]

[OOC: Make a bluff check, Zombie!]

[Zombie-slag]

Bluff (1d20-1=15) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1614785/)

[brekkers]

The hooded human listen to you, but does not seem overly convinced, then says, "business? what kind a business would that be? the "boss" ain't around.."

His eyes flicker nervously, looking into the alley behind you, but from the silence, you are pretty sure that there is nothing or no one there. You see another dark figure move inside the warehouse behind the human at the door.

[Zombie-slag]

I give the hooded human an annoyed look and say:

"What kind of business do you think? The kind that stays hidden in locked warehouses with hooded guards and secret coded knocks to gain entrance." I laugh as if what I just said was some sort of inside joke "Well, if the boss isn't here, then maybe you can help me, you seem like a loyal and intelligent fellow. Pass a message on for me, next time the boss is in. Tell him Anark was here, and is looking for work in this (I tilt my head towards the figure) kind of business. He can reach me by leaving a message with the hafling barmaid Belka Stumblefeet at a stand down the road. You'll know her by the silver ring she wears, it has a single blue stone in it."

With that, I turn to walk away.

[brekkers]

The figure listens carefully to your ramble, and even watches you as you walk away, but before you have taken four steps, you hear him whistle.

Another figure appears before you, at the end of the alley, blocking your path. Then you hear the hooded man speak from behind you, "You better come in...before your tongue falls into the wrong hands!" His tongue is sharp and deadly calm, this guy might not be the friend you had "hoped" for.

[Zombie-slag]

I turn around and follow into the warehouse, making sure to take in every aspect and detail of the place, include escape and entrance routes.

[brekkers]

As you enter the warehouse properly, you can see that you must be in sone kind of storage room in the back. Its filled with crates, sacks and barrels, and offers plenty of opportunities for a good hiding place. To your right is a stairwell leading up, possibly to the offices, and almost at the top, you see one other figure, in dark robes, his head hidden beneath a deep hood.

The door is closed behind you, and for a while your eyes have to adjust to the dim lighting; the only lightsource here are a few old filthy lanterns, one located near the stairwell, the other on the wall opposite the door you just passed through. A couple of large double doors is located to your left, leading possible to the main warehouse, but from what you can see they seem barred from this side.

"You better tell me what you know of...our business," the man who speaks is the robed figure on the stairwell, and you feel more eyes watching you from the shadowy corners. "We dont like...strangers at our door, especially someone who...speaks...so...freely." His words seem to be chosen with great care and precision, as if the wrong word could spell his own doom.

[Zombie-slag]

"It doesn't seem to me that people interested in acquisition of mystical items would have to hide so thoroughly like this, which tells me that your particular business is far more lucrative than the standard fare. With need for tight security and secrecy. As I said earlier, I would like to be employed by you. I have talents that would be of help in an operation such as this."

I look around and see the hooded figures looking at me, realizing something, I turn back to the figure on the stairwell:

"It also seems that my free speaking might be of help. It is much easier to sweet talk your way into a deal when you can actually, well, talk."

[brekkers]

There is silence, then finally the figure on the stairwell speaks, "I am not sure that you fully understand what it is we are doing here." The human makes a noise that you can only imagine is some kind of short and deep laugh, then continues, "you have wandered into the den of a pack of wolves, and now you want only to find your way out, but...it might not prove such an easy task, the Dragon has never been merciful to those who poked their noses into his business."

The robed figure approaches, and at the same time, you feel a hand grip your shoulder, not hard, but hard enough that you know its meaning well, no sudden movements.

"I shall give you a task then, that will prove your worth to those who follow the Dragon," He is right in front of you, then takes your left hand. You notice one thing, the man before you is cold, almost as if he was devoid of life itself, then you feel something in your palm, a small sharp item. Its a small bone, carved to resemble a dragon, with sharp horns, fangs and claws.

"Inside Crown you will find a man named Eskellan Dorus," his eyes are looking intensely at you, as if trying to see your inner thoughts. "He serves us, but not the Dragon. Bring this...token...to him, and I will know that you can be trusted."

[Zombie-slag]

Smiling and shrugging the hand off my shoulder I reply:

"Very well, a test to prove my worth. I will assume that I am not to know much about this person, this object I am holding, or (laughing) the amount of danger I am about to be in eh?"

I put the token in my pack.

"If you would be so kind as to give me a quarter that this Dorus might reside in, or shall I do the seeking as well as the delivering for my first assignment? I'll be after him as soon as I'm allowed."

[brekkers]

"You'll find Eskellan in the Old Temple Ward," the man watches you closely as you put the token back in your backpack. "you want a warning? Then heed this, you dont want the Watchmen to find this...token...on you, might spell your doom."

The man waves his hand in the direction of the man by the door, who then opens the door for you.

[Zombie-slag]

"Thanks for the advice, I'll return as soon as I finish my assignment."

I turn to walk out the door, as I reach the opening I turn again and say:

"I'm looking forward to working with you, I've been bored for far too long."

With that I depart and find my way back to Belka's stand, hoping to resume where I left off and perhaps garner some more information about Crown and now this strange dragon worshiping cult I seem to be working for. All the while looking for easy marks to pickpocket.

[brekkers]

As you walk through the crowd, back to the stall of Belka Stumblefeet, you hear the shouts of the spectators again, but this time you can hear that they are calling out for a man named Bear, calling for him to finish what he started. You get the feeling that someone is fighting, and that a lot of people has gathered to watch...this could possibly be a chance for some easy marks.

[OOC: If you approach the circle of battle, just head on over to the Challenge, if not, stay here and continue on to Belka's stall.]

[Zombie-slag]

[OOC: continuing to the Challenge]