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.