text: cts, owls and other nocturnal animals. Eventually sleep catches up with you and you close your eyes.
  
  You aren't sure how long you're asleep, but you open your eyes when you start hearing voices nearby.
  
  "I told ya, I heard something."
  "Probably just another raccoon. I don't know why we gotta patrol over here anyway."
  "Cause the boss said so that's why! You know there are savage greenskins that live in this forest. We're supposed to make sure none of them get too close to the main cam... I knew it. I knew I heard something! Snoring! And it's coming from over there!"
  
  At this point you're awake enough to see everything that's going on below. You see two men who you guess are bandits.
  
  Seems like Warts didn't take into account that his camouflage attempt would all be for naught due to his large honker making noise. It doesn't take long before they kick and prod at his hidden location, waking him up.
  
  "Hah! A filthy greenskin! Probably a scout! Kill him!" one of the bandits shouts.
  
  Warts just barely avoids their attacks and tries to scramble away from his prone position, but one of the bandits manages to trip him up before he can run and it isn't looking good as he gets kicked in the face by the other one.
  
  Not that you have any loyalty to Warts and he's been pretty snarky towards you in general, but he's still your guide and if you don't want to get lost... 
  
  You waste no time and try to climb down your tree as fast as you can. Fortunately, the bandits are have decided to have a little fun before killing him directly. They proceed to continue kicking Warts and don't notice you at all.
  > shoot the bandits
  One thing you've learned since acquiring your new weapon is how easy it kills folks with minimal effort on your part.
  
  You shoot one of the bandits in the back before anyone knows what's going on. He falls to the ground screaming out in pain. He isn't dead yet, but he might as well be.
  
  The other bandit at this point has turned around and raised his arms though still holding on to his weapon.
  
  "Shit. Okay... look this ain't got nothin' to do with you son. So why don't you put that thing away and... ARGH!"
  
  Warts has wasted no time and already cut into back the bandit's legs. The bandit falls and you kick away his dropped weapon while Warts proceeds to crawl on the bandit's back and repeatedly stab the hell out of him.
  
  Meanwhile you go over the other incapacitated bandit and finish him off by slitting his throat. By the time you've done that, Warts has already finished off the other one.
  
  "Quick let's loot the bodies and get outta here. All that noise your shooty gun made might have attracted something else!" Warts exclaims.
  
  The bandit you killed doesn't really have anything of value on him, though you do take his short sword since one can never have too many weapons. After that's done, Warts tells you to follow him and the pair of you are off again.
  
  You keep up the brisk pace for the remainder of the night, which soon starts turning to day again. You also can now see a break in the trees. You've finally reached the end of this blasted forest and a large walled city is now in sight!
  
  "See? Told ya I'd get ya to Holgard." Warts proudly remarks.
  "You wouldn't have been getting me anywhere if I hadn't saved your life a few moments ago." You say.
  "Bah... if youz let me die, you woulda been lost."
  "Perhaps, but you would have been still dead."
  "Grh. Well... maybe I do owe ya some thanks... I'm not given back these rings you paid me with though!"
  "Didn't expect you to. Just wanted you to remember that I saved your ass."
  "Okay, okay... anyway, the main road's over that way. I trust youz can make it from here."
  "Yeah."
  "Good. Oh, word of advice, don't go flashin' dat shooty around unless you're gonna use it. The guards don't take kindly to folks just carrying those things around."
  "Can't I just bribe them to look the other way?"
  "Sure, but unless you're someone of importance, or have connections or something, they'll probably just take it from youz anyway. 'Specially with as fancy as that one you got is. Never seen one like yers before. Youz not really a down on your luck traveller from a small town are you?"
  "Well, I am from a small town, but I may have had a little more fortune than I let on when we first met. Not much more though."
  "Grm, well lyin' will serve you well in Holgard. The city has a lotz o' opportunities, for someone like you."
  "Someone like me?"
  "Yeah, youz stealthy, youz a liar and I saw ya kill someone without hesitation. Youz no doubt a rogue, possibly even an assassin, but you seem a little young to have been one of those for very long. In any case, you'll be able to hone whatever skill you do have. Just don't piss off the Ebony Claw Syndicate in the process."
  "Who are they?"
  "They run the underworld of Holgard, though I think they're still trying to stamp out a few other lingering organizations. They don't much care for freelancer types either. I guess you could try to join them, but don't ask me how, I'm not familiar with their initiation practices."
  "Any suggestions on where to go first when I get to the city?"
  "Um, the Hell's Own Inn might be good for the likes of you. Despite its name, it's fairly safe. Sort of neutral ground too, so youz won't be stompin' around in someone's territory."
  
  With that last bit of advice, Warts says he's heading off to see Snuffit and the two of you part company.
  
  You follow the road to Holgard and of course when you get to the city gates you get stopped.
  
  "Sorry friend, but we can't just let anyone in this fine city. Well not before checking you first." The guard says with a smirk.
  "Sure, I understand... just let me... whoops." You say and drop a few of your gold coins on the ground. The guard slowly picks one up.
  
  "Y'know, I think we can dispense with the check. You look like an okay lad. Off you go." He says and finishes picking up the rest of your coins.
  
  You didn't really want to let go of your coin like that, but you couldn't risk being searched. You're just glad he wasn't a greedy asshole.
  
  Well you've finally reached your destination and you now have an entire city of corruption to perform your work in. First thing you're going to do though is find that inn Warts mentioned. You'd really like to sleep in a proper bed if only for a little while, then you can take it from there.
  
  It doesn't take you long to find the place; it isn't even in too bad of an area. When you enter a few people watch you, but don't say anything. The burly looking innkeeper just asks you what you want and when you say a room for a day, he asks for payment, which you hand to him in exchange for a key.
  
  The room isn't the same luxury you had back home, but it isn't bad considering the price. Between this room and the recent bribe however, you realize you're going to have to start getting to work fairly soon because your money is already starting to run low.
  
  You sort of wonder if maybe you should seek out some sort of connection to see about joining the Ebony Claws, but then you figure you should probably get to know the city first before joining anyone.
  
  Not to mention that while you get the idea that this Ebony Claw Syndicate is the big swingin' dick around here, you're not really keen on the whole idea of having to "work" for someone else.
  
  The whole point of being a rogue was so you didn't HAVE to get a real job and have a boss in the first place! If you get wrapped up in an organization like the Ebony Claws, you're also likely to be in it "for life" and that's a bit too much commitment for you.
  
  No, the best thing to do is to keep a low profile and make your own way for now.
  
  It's a big city and you're ready to take what you can. (And not draw any unwanted attention in the process)
  > time passes...
  Chapter 2D: Unwanted Attention
  
  Year 17
  
  This city is a violent crime ridden pit of corruption.
  
  And while you don't actually mind all that, what you do wish is that you didn't have to concern yourself with potentially stumbling into Ebony Claw Syndicate territory, which according to most of them is basically the entire city. They're more of a danger than the Holgard Watch.
  
  There's also the Thieves' Guild, which is the ECS chief rival from what you've learned. Apparently the Thieves Guild was established here first, but when the ECS moved in with their Blue Dream trade, they've been slowly winning the fight over the underworld
  
  Originally, the Guild was more of a loose confederation of thieves and such. Nobody ever forced anyone to join, but there were benefits if you did such as not having to worry about paying extra for fencing stolen goods, ease of bribing guards for major crimes, etc.
  
  As the Thieves' Guild has been losing ground however, they've been less "free spirited" and have been actively trying to recruit any freelance thief, burglar, pick pocket they can. However, they're more reasonable about it than the ECS since they still don't force you to join and will let you remain independent. As opposed to the ECs who normally just beat the hell out of any freelancers as a warning once and if they get caught again, it ends much worse.
  
  There are a few other smaller factions, but they're so low that they're barely worth considering.
  
  Fortunately so far you've managed to avoid the attention of any group mainly due to focusing on stealing actual coin and dealing primarily with a non-aligned fence by the name of Yinen for your stolen valuables. You met him at the Hell's Own Inn where you still reside at. Funny thing is you didn't seek him out; he came to you asking if you needed a fence.
  
  After a bit of suspicion and getting over some trust issues (Which you still have concerning him) you agreed and he's been taking all your business. You aren't sure who he's selling your stolen goods to and he's probably taking a little more than he should, but it's worth it just so you don't have to worry about selling the stuff yourself or seeking one out and having to get involved with one of the major factions in the city.
  
  In any case, you've been more or less making a decent living here and despite a healthy amount of paranoia, you actually like it here. It's definitely not Teckleville.
  
  "Yeah, these will fetch you a nice price. Might take a few days though. You alright with waiting?" Yinen remarks examining your gems.
  "Yeah, that's fine. Just get me the value in bullets and a pistol cleaning kit." You say.
  "Oh. Okay, sure. But more bullets again? Are you planning to shoot everyone in Holgard? I didn't realize you used it so much, I would think such a loud weapon would incur too much noise in your profession."
  "I don't use it much actually, but it makes me feel safe."
  "Well, can't argue with that. Things in this city have been feeling a little more tense than usual. Rumors are that there are dark forces gathering to stage a coup on the Baron."
  "Dark forces? What, as opposed to the dark forces under the Baron's control?"
  "Nah, I mean like REAL dark forces. There's just rumors about religion being involved, it's very weird."
  "What, you mean like Fel, the god of shadows? You told me their temple has ties to the ECS. You saying the Ebony Claw Syndicate is going to take over the city directly?"
  "I dunno, but I don't think it's them we should worry about. Tell me, have you ever heard of Neroth?"
  "Not really religious so no."
  "Not surprised, most people don't unless they're really into the old text dedicated to Joachim. You familiar with him right?"
  "Yeah, it's general a religion that preaches peace and shit."
  "Well there was a time when it didn't and that's mainly due to Neroth. Neroth was like the opposite of Joachim. Good verses evil type shit. People forget that it was only a couple hundred years ago when the Church of Joachim was burning and crusading on a regular basis due to their desire to stomp out any followers of Neroth and things they generally tied to him such as the supernatural. Nowadays the Joachimites are generally peace loving pacifists for the most part, but that's only due being mostly successful in destroying those that follow Neroth and then subsequently going so overboard that some of the Joachimites finally realized they needed to rein it in before they became like their hated enemies."
  "Hm, didn't realize you were a theologian. How do you know all this?" you ask.
  "Eh, I grew up in a Joachim household. Didn't take obviously, but still I don't like hearing rumors of Neroth worshippers being in the city. I mean say what you want about Karn or even Fel, but they aren't actively evil deities. Neroth is bad news man."
  
  Before you can respond you're suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice.
  
  "Bah, none of doze gods compare to Yag. No point worrying about shit, when you've run outta luck, yer time iz up and that's all there iz to it."
  
  You look and see Warts standing nearby clutching something in his hand. Looks like a bunch of small figurines of some sort.
  
  "Warts? What're you doing here?" you ask.
  "Sellin these figures. Found 'em in da woods with a bunch of broken boxes. Probably somethin off a Caravan that bandits were tryin to steal from. Dunno why dey didn't take these. Tried to use dem for barter with Spiderfangs, but dey dumb. Think these things iz cursed. Superstitious idjits." Warts remarks and hands five figurines to Yinen who takes them.
  
  "Hmm, odd. They look like something that you'd find in some tribal village. I'd say Sotakian, but these don't look reptilian enough and I've never known the lizards to have craft stuff out of valuable material. You got Ivory, jade, gold, silver and platinum here. Wonder if they're a complete set. Well I'm sure I'll find someone interested."
  
  Yinen hands Warts a bag of coins, which Warts takes and then looks displeased about.
  
  "Ey! Wat's dis then? I may be just some dumb halfbreed hobgob, but I know damn well that shit is worth more!" Warts exclaims.
  "I gave you MORE than enough Warts. I still have find someone interested in this shit as you put it." Yinen remarks.
  "Bah, you humies always tryin' ta cheat. Fine. Should be enuff for drink and Snuffit for awhile anyways."
  
  You take your leave to head up to your room, you figure you'll stay in a couple days waiting for Yinen's payment. You've got enough to take a break for a while.
  
  As you're half way to your room, you hear the patter of feet running behind you and you quickly turn around with your pistol.
  
  "EY! Don't shoot!" Warts says.
  "Warts, what the hell, you should know better than to run up on me like that! Why are you following me anyway?"
  "I wanted ta catch ya before I left. I noze I still owez youz a debt, well I'm here ta repay."
  "Oh?"
  "Yeah, I wuz thinkin' I could help ya on a job or sumthin."
  "Help? No I don't think so. I work alone."
  "An howzat workin' out? Doesn't look like yer doin' all that well if yer still livin' here. If I had ta guess, youz still small time."
  "I do alright halfbreed, and what's it to you anyway?"
  "I'm just sayin' you could be doin' better if you went fer better targets. Have you even broken into one of dem nobles' homes yet?"
  "Well, no... but I'm working up to it."
  "Pfft. Wat kinda thief are ya?"
  "Look, I've cased the high class rich area several times and the homes got security up the ass. The aristocrats got more watchmen on their payroll than the average merchant. I know I'm no slouch, but if I can get enough coin with lower risk targets, why take the fucking chance? Besides, I'm trying to keep a low profile anyway."
  "Well what about Lord Reginald?"
  "Who?"
  "Sheesh, youz been in dis city for a year and you don't even know the major players! Lord Reginald is some well off guy dat got a title becuz he's dah Baron's son's friend. Hear he's more than dat though."
  "Yeah so what's this all got to do with me?"
  "Well he lives more on the edge of da high end district. He doesn't even own a mansion, just a modest house. He has no family an' he also doesn't pay for any extra guards. Not even mercs, which prolly means he's got more coin than it appears"
  "There has to be a catch. I mean if he's well off and a special friend of the Baron's son, then he's gotta have connections and protection."
  "Well, dere's some rumors about him and not just about him pokin' the Baron's son like a woman. Like he's got magic powers or sumthin'. Guess makes sense he don't need extra help."
  "So you're saying we should got rob a wizard."
  "Nah, he's no wizard, he's just got some magic powers. Prolly just rumors anyway. Sides, should be easiest stealin' from one lone man, than one who has a shitload of guards right?"
  "A lone man, who might be able to turn me into ash with a flick of a finger and has who knows whatever else in his home. Assuming I even go for this, why do I need you to come along again? I didn't realize you were actually a thief, figured you were more of an opportunistic scavenger."
  "Pfft, I've been sneakin' around, nicking stuff long before youz was even thought about! You try growin up as a half breed in a mostly hostile tribe. I had ta steal to survive sometimes! Sides I could carry more stuff for ya! Also, if ya getz inta trouble I could help. Like last time!"
  "Last time I helped YOU."
  "Yeah, well I'm offerin' anyway. I don't even want dat big of a cut... "
  
  And THERE it is. Warts definitely isn't doing this solely for altruistic reasons.
  
  "Thought you said you were helping me out?"
  "I am! You don't expect me to do it fer free do ya? Come on, give a hob halfbreed a break. The place is ripe fer the pluckin' an best of all ya don't have ta worry if its Ebony Claw territory."
  
  You shake your head that you're considering this.
  
  "Okay, okay, we can go do this, but I'm getting some rest first, just tell me where the place is exactly and I'll meet you there later. When is the best time to break into this place anyway?"
  
  Warts gives you some directions and then says it probably would be best to meet him there around midnight since he says he's seen this Reginald person leave at night and stay out until dawn. Sounds more like something you do, but if he's not going to be there then that's when you need to be there.
  
  You part ways with Warts and get some sleep.
  
  Hours pass and when you wake up you find that it's night time, still too early though. You stay your room a bit going over all your tools and equipment and making sure everything is in order. Eventually you decide that you're going to be as ready as you're going to be and leave.
  
  You head downstairs and find that the inn has the usual crowd with one important difference.
  
  You see Warts lying under a table with a couple of big mugs of alcohol on it. Surprisingly, the owner has not thrown him out; unsurprisingly everyone is avoiding that table.
  
  You walk over to the halfbreed and kick him in the foot, which causes him to stir, so he's not completely out of it.
  
  "Warts! What the hell are you doing here?" you ask.
  "Huh? I... uh... buh... I waz just... " Warts slurs as he sits up and just manages to not hit his head on the table.
  
  "You were just what? What were you doing Warts? Fixing the table leg? Counting the number of nails in the wood? Having an out of body experience and travelling a different plane of existence? You talked me into doing this job and now I find you in no condition to do anything."
  "Ey! I'm up! I'm up! I ain't forgot wat we're supposed ta do, an' I'm more than ready! I'm not drunk, I just had a little rest like you did."
  
  You have your doubts about that, though Warts stands up without too much trouble.
  > take Warts with you
  You might as well go together at this point, you knew he wasn't going to be the ideal partner to begin with. Who knows, maybe you can use him as bait or something.
  
  "Alright, come on let's go." You say.
  "Hold on a minute." Warts says and finishes off one of the mugs that wasn't quite empty yet.
  "Seriously?"
  "Hey, I'm thirsty. Alright NOW let's go."
  
  Warts and you leave the inn and after looking around a bit and scratching his head he beckons you to follow him. He walking just fine, so maybe he isn't that bad off.
  
  You continue to follow without another word, until he gets to a secluded spot with a sewer covering.
  
  "What the hell are you doing? You ask.
  "Tryin' to take dis thing off, wat's it look like ya idjit? Help me over here." Warts says trying to take off the sewer lid.
  "No, I mean why the fuck are we entering the sewers?"
  "Cuz, it's the best way to get into Reginald's house. He's got a secret passage to it down here."
  "How the hell you know this?"
  "Cuz people talk shit all the time and not even realize ol' Warts is even there to lissen. Waz in a garbage bin and heard these two weird guys in red robes talkin about it in an alley awhile back."
  "... okay I'm not even going to ask why the hell you were in a garbage bin, but weird guys in red robes, secret passages... are you sure Reginald isn't part of some fucking cult? I mean this is starting to sound a lot more complicated and dangerous."
  "Well, why ya think I wanted someone else to come along?"
  "YOU said this was for MY benefit!"
  "Oh yeah... well it is! Look humie, ya gotta take big risks in dis profession. I don't doubt yer skilled. You'v