text: Year 29
  
  Lot can change in just a few years, some things you predicted, others not so much.
  
  The Church of Joachim being outlawed in the city wasn't too surprising given all the trouble that was caused and how Holgard in general tends more towards embracing sin and vice rather than moving away from it. Still, sort of funny that the faith is now in the company of it's eternal enemy, Neroth as far as being illegal.
  
  As for the other faiths, only the temples of Dorna and Fel maintain any presence in the city and in the Felians case, that's thanks to Shade dying soon after the war was over and the new leader Gloom, making an effort to strengthen their relationship with the upper echelons of the government, namely Baroness Ludmilla.
  
  Gloom has also extended a hand to the Nocturnal League, stating that the temple would be more than willing to come to an understanding like it had with the Ebony Claw Syndicate and train your members in shadow magic.
  
  You declined that offer though. You've always said members are free to pray to whoever they want, but if they're going to be wrapped up in Fel (or whoever) that hardcore then they can go take up some black robes and start living in their temple's meditation rooms. The less religion you have in your organization the better.
  
  Still, your cordial relationship with the temple has had benefits you hadn't intended. Due to the Felians being on better terms with the Baroness, some of that "understanding" has inadvertently trickled down towards you. As a result the Nocturnal League has freer reign over the city than it once did. Possibly similar to what the ECS once had.
  
  So things are going good for the Nocturnal League and business couldn't be better. You haven't had any decisions of the major kind lately, but for whatever reason this has caused you to sometimes over think the minor ones now that do crop up.
  
  Like right now for instance.
  
  "You were invited to the Baroness' yearly costume party? How the hell did that happen and why aren't you immediately making preparations to go?!" Vera asks.
  "Just one of the perks of being allied with the temple of Fel I suppose. Gloom had one of his members deliver this letter to me a week ago. Apparently Baroness Ludmilla has heard interesting things about me and would like me to show up at her party so she can see for herself." You say.
  "She thinks yer intresstin'? She really doesn't know youz at all." Warts snarks and chuckles at his own attempt at a joke.
  "Well, you have to go right? I mean it's the Baroness." Vera says.
  "I dunno. I mean I suppose I see why I should, just don't really feel up to it." You reply.
  "What? When the Baroness of Holgard calls you to court, you have to go!"
  "Never knew you were such a supporter of our dear ruler. You secretly harboring royalist admiration?"
  "No. It's not like that! I mean yeah she's royalty, but not really. I mean...  I dunno, I've always sort of admired how she took power from her father and brother I guess. She's a very powerful independent woman and has remained that way. I guess that's what I admire."
  "Hm. Well I guess I just see her as another corrupt aristocrat that used her position of power to gain even more power. Not that that's a bad thing, but nothing special. Lot harder to do when you aren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth."
  "Yes, yes, we all know. You cleverly lied, cheated, stole and murdered your way to your position. You're the epitome of a self made man. We're all very impressed. Truly. I'm wet just thinking about it. Still, I really think you should go to this party, if only so you don't inadvertently offend her which then will cause our current friendly relationship with the law to become unnecessarily complicated."
  "Yeah, I already took that into consideration. (Sigh) I suppose I'm going, though the letter also says I should bring one more person with me since that's apparently the rule of this event."
  
  As soon as you've said that, Vera's eyes light up.
  
  "Me! You gotta take me! Seriously I will seriously suck your dick if you take me to this party." Vera exclaims.
  "You mean aren't already?" Warts responds.
  "Wha? Why is that your go to action with me?" you say.
  "I'll do whatever you want to do then, look I don't care! I just really gotta go to this thing!"
  "Why? Wait a minute, you don't have a crush on the Baroness do you? I mean you were praising her pretty hard a moment ago."
  "No! This ain't about pussy bumpin! Its just... (sigh) nevermind you'll just make fun and if you don't I know damn well this ugly half breed will."
  "Oh fuck you, Vera."
  "Warts, step out of here. While there won't be any dick sucking involved, I am sort of interested in why Vera wants to go so badly."
  "Gruh, fine by me. I certainly don't wanna go. I gotta go see my kids anywayz, later."
  
  After Warts leaves you motion Vera to speak which she does though she's still a bit hesitant to do so, fearing that you'll make fun.
  
  Vera suddenly goes into more of her life story than you ever thought to ask of her.
  
  She mentions that her mother was once very briefly employed as a maid during the Baron's reign of the city. She goes on to say that her mother always told her that she once had a brief fling with him while she was cleaning one of the guest bedrooms. Unfortunately the Baron being the asshole he typically was, he had all the maids, including Vera's mother, replaced a week later because he claimed his palace wasn't getting clean enough.
  
  In any case, Vera said that shortly afterwards, her mother discovered she was pregnant and claimed to the day she died that Vera's real father was really the Baron.
  
  "Wait a minute... you're telling me you're actually bastard royalty?!" you ask.
  "I knew you'd make fun or not believe me." Vera says.
  "Honestly, it's not really that far fetched given what I've always heard about the old Baron. Though I'm just surprised you've never mentioned it before. Seems like something you'd brag about."
  "And get myself fucking killed?! No thanks! One of the big reasons my mother never told anyone or even tried to get financial support from the Baron is the fear of some assassin coming in to kill her and me. I mean I'm hardly the only illegitimate child the baron probably had and his son Farad was notorious for having suspected bastards killed. And if he didn't do it, I can't imagine Ludmilla was any different. Especially now."
  "I guess that makes sense."
  "Honestly, you're the ONLY person I've told about this and now that I've done it, I feel a little weird and vulnerable."
  "Well, I'm not going to say anything. Not like there would be anything to gain. Though I guess this is why you want to go to this party so badly huh? Experience what might have been? Possibly even briefly speak with your older half sister?"
  "... sort of. I know it's silly, but... sometimes I do think of a life that is different than this one."
  
  Vera's thoughtful words are a little out of the ordinary, but not lost on you. Not like you don't have similar thoughts on your own life at times.
  
  "Okay, I guess we'll go together then. Not like I can think of anyone else to take anyway. Says it'll be in three days so I suggest you prepare yourself." You say.
  "I will! Thank you for this boss!" Vera beams.
  "Don't mention it, princess." You mock.
  "So, what are you going to be wearing?"
  "I dunno. Some mask of some sort I imagine since it's a costume party. Which makes me wonder, how the hell is the Baroness going to know it's me if I'm wearing a mask?"
  "I imagine she's got some way of figuring it out. Make sure you dress nice though! I've heard about these things and if we go in looking like we crawled out of the sewers, they'll turn us away, invitation or not."
  "Yeah, yeah, I'll take a trip to the tailor's or something."
  
  A few days and a trip to the tailor's later, you're dressed and ready to go to this thing. You're not exactly comfortable in this type of clothing, but many League members compliment you on your new threads. Warts of course has something to say.
  
  "Oh well la de da, if it ain't da duke of da undaworld." Warts say.
  "Don't even start, where the hell is Vera, she's the one that made a bigger deal of all this?"
  "You ain't seen her yet? She's even fancier than you are right now. If it gets anymore highbrow here, we're gonna hafta forge all dat gold and silver we got inta fancy eatin' utensils."
  "Yeah, well this is a one time thing. So where's Vera again?"
  "She's in her room I think... um don't tell her I said so, but she iz sorta pretty. I mean she wouldn't be MY type, but y'know dressed like she iz right now, she looks like of doze princesses or sumthin. Hah, Vera a princess, dat's funny."
  "Yeah... hysterical. Later Warts."
  
  You shake your head and go get Vera.
  
  You don't even bother knocking on the door, you just enter and that's when you see Vera who turns around from her mirror to face you. She does indeed look a lot different than you're used to seeing her.
  
  "Wow. You look, really different." You say.
  "Good different or bad different?" Vera asks.
  "Neither... I mean good of course. Look, I'm just saying you could easily blend in with the rest of the aristocratic types. You're very pretty, like a princess and I'm not just saying that."
  "Thank you. You look... appropriate too."
  "The hell's that mean? I'll have you know I got a lot of compliments!"
  "Well of course you did, you're the boss. They're hardly going to tell you, you look like shit. Not that you do. You're fine. I guess we should get going, do you have your mask?"
  "Yeah, got one of those half masks. Don't really feel like struggling to breath with a full mask on that covers my mouth and nostrils. Still covers most of my face so I figure I'm good." You say and put it on.
  "I think most people will be wearing those so, you'll fit in fine. I got one too." Vera says and puts on her her mask and the pair of you are soon on your way.
  
  When you get to the palace you're sort of relieved since you half expect that you're going to get robbed on your way there. A guard stops you at the gates and you show your personalized invitation at which point you're waved through.
  
  You and Vera take a moment to sort of absorb the fact of where you actually are for a moment. The seat of rulership, the palace! The grounds are certainly well taken care of and it's obvious that every effort has been spared to make it look as festive as possible.
  
  The closer you get to the palace the more grandiose everything is. You also notice the increase in guards and you and Vera are patted down more than once.
  
  You get inside the palace and the elegance of the interior is about what you expect. Vera is practically enamored by everything. Right now, she's probably imagining herself as that princess you ribbed her about being. As for you, you're a bit more of a harder sell on being impressed by such things, but if you could run your organization from a place like this instead, you certainly wouldn't turn it down.
  
  You and Vera spend a bit of time just looking around until Vera wonders if you should start actively mingling with some of the other guests. You're of course against this idea, but you soon are forced into doing so anyway by someone you weren't expecting to talk to, or at least not so early.
  
  "Well, if it isn't the head of the Nocturnal League. Glad you could make it, I was hoping you would."
  
  And there you are standing before Baroness Ludmilla Varsakken. She wears no mask and at this close range you get a good look at her. She almost looks like she could be a vampire what with her skin on the paler side and the black hair accentuating it. She's beautiful of course, but just looking into her eyes a bit you can see a very ruthless woman before you. You also take a good look at her in general and then glance over at Vera.
  
  Now that you're looking at them both, there could very well be a family resemblance.
  
  "Well, you certainly like to stare." Ludmilla says, noticing your examination.
  "Oh, um, apologies. Just sort of... overwhelmed you know. Never thought I'd be before royalty." You say.
  "Hah, not the complete uncouth rogue I've heard our mutual Felian acquaintances tell me about I see. Good."
  "How did you know it was me anyway?"
  "I make it a point of knowing all my guests as they arrive. Not to mention your clothing isn't exactly shall we say refined enough. While I'm sure you thought it was very upscale looking, but the workmanship is obviously from one of the mediocre tailors in the city. Only a crimelord with no care for such extravagant airs would believe it to be sufficient for this party. Not to worry though, I will not hold it against you. You tried."
  "I appreciate that, and your invitation."
  "You quite welcome, and who is your companion here? She certainly seems to have a better grasp on the dress code. I dare say this dress is better than a few of the boring nobles here."
  "Thank you! I had it custom made a long time ago. Always knew I'd get to wear it some day!" Vera says a bit excitedly.
  "Now that's what I like to hear. A woman that plans in advance."
  
  At this point Ludmilla begins speaking to Vera and you excuse yourself to get a drink. While you don't normally do so, you get the impression you're going to need a bit of extra help to get through the night.
  
  You can't believe you're even in this situation, let alone acting the way you are. Still, you suppose it makes for an interesting change.
  
  Still, you really don't want to be here all night. You made your appearance and now you'd like nothing more than to leave. Vera however looks like she's having a good time and to be honest you don't want to ruin that. She does help you a lot with the League.
  
  So you go back to Vera and Ludmilla and stand nearby in an attempt to be social. Ludmilla goes back and forth speaking to you and Vera, though she surprisingly is more talkative to Vera. The Baroness seems to like to talk and can already guess that you're not exactly the most gregarious.
  
  Ludmilla and Vera talk for quite awhile, it's actually pretty amazing since it's about absolutely nothing. Or at least nothing you're much interested in. Ludmilla is mostly talking about herself and the troubles of being of noble birth. Goes on about how Vera's lucky to not have to worry about such things.
  
  Condescending of course, but if Vera noticed it, she's not fussed or at least not letting it show. It's sort of ironic anyway since Vera could very well HAVE had such problems if fate swung a different way.
  
  Eventually though Ludmilla tells the pair of you that while she was pleased to meet you both, she has other guests to see, even though they probably won't be as interesting you are.
  
  And the pair of you are left on your own.
  
  "Well that was interesting." You say.
  "Hm. Certainly was. Never thought I'd ever be directly in the presence of royalty before. Well not without my hands and feet in chains at least." Vera remarks.
  "Hah! Same here. So, you ready to go?"
  "What? Already? The party's just started and you want to leave?"
  "Well, I mean I dunno what else there really is to do here. I mean we came, we saw, we met the baroness. I mean we covered all the important shit. Not like I really have any desire to talk to any of the other assholes around here."
  "But, I wanted to stay a bit longer though. However, if you want to leave, I guess that's fine with me. You're the boss after all."
  "Alright, we can stay a little longer, but I'm going to find someplace away from most of these people. You can do what you like. I'll come looking for you in a while I guess."
  "Thanks boss, I'll see you later." Vera says and suddenly kisses you on the cheek before walking off to enjoy living the "high society life" for a little longer.
  
  As for you, you decide to just look around to waste time. You grab another drink and try to stick to less "populated" areas of the palace. Though obviously you're still limited to where you're allowed to go. Guards standby keeping an eye on everything.
  
  Time passes and while a few people attempt to speak to you, and few others seem to be talking about you (Mostly about your clothes) you basically ignore them all and just keep to your plan of moving about and sticking to areas where there are less people.
  
  While you're doing that however, you're also studying some of the lay out of the palace, or at least what you're able to. You also take notice of what valuable objects would be easy to take.
  
  You briefly flirt with the idea of stealing something from this place, but common sense soon wins out. Last thing you want to do is even risk pissing off the Baroness, especially since you're on good terms with her. Still, sometimes you miss the days of when you just stole things for a living.
  
  After wandering a bit more and entertaining the idea of pilfering the palace, you discard your usual procedure of avoiding the crowds and walk towards a room where you hear some music followed by a lot of clapping.
  
  You arrive just in time to see a crowd disperse before a group of musicians that apparently have just finished performing. Shame, from what little you heard, it sounded pretty good. You go and get yourself another drink and that's when you start to feel a little odd. Whatever this stuff is, it's apparently stronger than the taste would indicate. Still, it's a party right? Might as well try to loosen up.
  
  You realize you're not nearly as fun loving as you used to be when you were younger. In fact, you're downright stodgy at times. All you practically do is fucking work. Being a criminal isn't fun anymore, it's actually not even dangerous at this point, it's just well...  mundane.
  
  How the hell did it come to this? If you wanted to be mundane, you might as well have stayed in Teckleville and followed in your dad's footsteps. Maybe he was right after all.
  
  No. You've seen and done much in your life thanks to leaving that boring town. After all, you're here in baroness' palace! You're just in a rut that's all. When you get back, you're going to shake things up within the League. Maybe expand again, maybe even to a new city like Hessla or Klyton.
  
  Still, it's all pretty pointless without someone to share it with. You couldn't go back home and say "Look mom and dad, look at what I've done!" It sucks. Your sister would probably be impressed, but who knows where she is. You hope she's having more fun than you are right now. You miss her sometimes. Simpler times. Happier times.
  
  Fuck it, you need another drink.
  
  As you go to get another you bump into a couple that are making out.
  
  "Excuse me." You say.
  "Mmm... " the woman says and strokes your arm as you pass by. The guy she's kissing takes no notice; he's too focused on her.
  
  You briefly think of Vera and how she kissed you not too long ago. Makes you wonder if she's got more than a bit of attraction toward you. You know she's always making these sexual offers toward you, but as far as you know she's not really known to be the "good time" girl within the Nocturnal League. So it makes you wonder if she actually feels affection towards you on some level. Sometimes you think about her too, since you work so closely together. It's almost like you're an old married couple.
  
  Of course it could be a case that she's perfectly fine being a potential whore if it's going to benefit her in the long run. Since you're the boss, and the only one above her in rank, makes sense that she'd only be offering you such extra "benefits."
  
  Regardless, you probably would have made a move on her if it wasn't for your condition.
  
  You nearly bump into another couple also making out. By the time you grab your drink, you realize there are a lot of people kissing and hugging each other. And some of them are getting pretty hot and heavy.
  
  Now you think of Tanya.
  
  You wish Tanya was still around. You'd love to share your success with her, but you guess that she moved on a long time ago. She claimed you'd move on, but you haven't. How could you? She was everything to you. If it wasn't for her, it's debatable that you would have even did any of this. You probably would have fucked around in Holgard for a few years and then just left when the Ebony Claw Syndicate started taking notice of you. She kept you around and made you fall in love with her.
  
  But you can't hate her for that. It wasn't her fault. It just was her nature.
  
  You look around and now you see several people doing more than just kissing now.
  
  "What the fuck?" you say to yourself and get up to leave. You must have wandered into some weird orgy room.
  
  You make it to a hallway and that's when you're starting to feel really... excited.
  
  You've got an erection right now that you could stab someone to death with and you are about ready to murder the closest woman available and worse, they're just about ALL available.
  
  Hell, with the way you're feeling, you're starting to worry if you aren't going to just fuck everyone on your way to the exit because it's been YEARS since you've had sex and right now your dick isn't caring.
  
  It has to be the drinks. You're sure of it. This whole party is probably just an excuse for rich people to have decadent orgies anonymously with each other.
  
  You need to get out of here before you kill everyone at this party with your cursed dick. The problem is you aren't sure if you're even going to make it that far.
  
  The best you might be able to do is find a place with no people about and stay there until the effects of the drink wear off. (Whenever that is)
  > find a secluded room
  You aren't making it to the exit and even if you did, you still have to make it out the front gates, and through the streets of the city before you get home. Your "condition" isn't going allow you to get that far, you need to isolate yourself NOW.
  
  You quickly start opening doors to rooms in the hopes that at least one of them is completely empty. After stumbling into a couple rooms that are in the process of being used, you finally find a small guest room that seems to be empty since apparently people are dispensing with notions of privacy and content on fucking in public. You quickly enter and try to get over your condition.
  
  It's no use though, you had quite a few of those drinks and the urge is overwhelming. Since it isn't going away anytime soon, you do the only thing you can think of... 
  
  And then you do it again immediately after.
  
  ... and then a third AND fourth time.
  
  "What the fuck did they put in the damn drinks, ground up unicorn testicles?" you mutter.
  
  At this point the excitement still hasn't subsided, and you still don't think you'd make it outside. And if you bumped into Vera on the way, well you'd definitely be taking her up on all those blowjobs she's offered you in the past. (In fact you were thinking about her the second time around)
  
  Just as you're about to start round five, the door opens! You forgot to lock it and suddenly it's like that time you were a teenager and your sister walked in on you accidently. (Man, that was awkward)
  
  "Shit! Get out of here!" you say, though your eyes are already drawn to this woman's body, which is still covered up, but only by a very colorful form-fitting outfit.
  
  She wears a half mask similar to the one you're wearing and her long hair is freely flowing behind her and partially on her shoulders. It's not white, but it's blonde enough to vaguely remind you of Tanya. (Though at this point she's dominating your thoughts)
  
  While you're busy making mental images, you've neglected to cover yourself and this woman has been doing the same to you.
  
  "Shit." You say attempting to cover up with a pillow and then once again telling her to get out.
  "If I step out of this room I'm gonna end up fucking every person out there! Granted I'm usually up for a good time, but I still like them ONE at a time. There is some seriously decadent shit going on out there and I was THIS close to joining in on it. If I knew they were going to put something in the drinks here, I never would have agreed to come to this damn thing!" the masked woman says.
  "Well we're in agreement there."
  "SHIT!"
  "What?!"
  "As soon as I started feeling weird I put down some of my belongings and left them elsewhere. One of particular importance too! Fuck, I can't go get it now. Argh, I guess it'll be safe. Probably won't get stolen, but I sure hope somebody doesn't destroy it in an attempt to shove it up their ass or something. Look, I just need a place to hide for a while. At least until the effects wear off."
  "I don't think that's a good idea because if you haven't noticed, this is MY hiding spot! As for when the effects are going to wear off I have no idea. I just jerked off four times in a row and I'm still hard as a rock."
  
  "Four times? Fuck, that is fucking sexy... " The masked woman says and begins to touch herself while looking over your direction.
  "Hold on! Easy there girl!" you say backing up a bit on the bed.
  "Shit... this isn't going to work. We can't both stay here, or least we can't both stay here and not be fucking each other. To hell with it... "
  
  Without another word, the masked woman begins to take her clothes off.
  
  "What the hell?! This is NOT a good idea!" you shout.
  "Maybe not, but I can't take this feeling any longer. My plan was similar to yours, but apparently that hasn't worked for you either. We might as well alleviate the pressure and have some fun. And at least I'm not going to feel too bad about fucking a complete stranger as long as it's a one on one deal."
  
  The top part of her costume is off and you're about ready to go fondle her tits. In fact you're already standing up from the bed and walking towards her to do just that.
  
  "I seriously CAN'T do this." You say, barely stopping yourself.
  "And are you seriously telling me, you don't want THIS?" she says and forcefully puts your hands on her tits.
  
  As you caress her breast, you can feel the temptation overwhelming you. Her body is just... perfect to you right now.
  
  "Oh trust me, I want nothing more than to get you on all fours and thrust into you until you're crying from so much pleasure."
  "Well let's get on with that then, because that actually sounds like a lot of fun."
  "I... I can't! I really can't do this!" you say and pull your hands away, the woman's hands however go immediately to your crotch.
  
  "Your dick says otherwise. Come on, I'm fucking ready and I know you are." She says.
  "It would be dangerous." You say as you enjoy the scent of her this close up.
  "I sure hope so."
  
  Without another word, the woman kisses you and shoves her tongue in your mouth. You manage to briefly stop the grinding of your bodies long enough and pull your lips apart to speak.
  
  "Stop, stop! Seriously, this could be dangerous for you!" you say.
  "What? Wait, you don't have the fucking crotch rot do you?" she asks.
  "No, nothing like that, it's just... it's complicated and I don't have time to explain. You see, my girlfriend's a... "
  "Mmmm, I won't tell her if you don't." the woman says and begins going down on you.
  
  And it feels sooooooo good.
  
  You tried. You really tried. But you can't. You just can't any longer. The temptation is too great and this woman is too damn skilled, along with being very pretty. (At least from what you can tell, she's still partially covered with her mask)
  
  "Hold on, hold on, stop." You say one more time gently pushing her head away.
  "Fucking kidding me? What the hell now?" the woman asks.
  "If we're gonna do this... go lock the door at least. Last thing we need is more people wandering in and before we know it, it's not just us any longer."
  "Yeah, you got a point. Okay."
  
  As you watch her walk away, some guilt wells up inside you. You're going to kill this girl and you just don't have the willpower to stop yourself.
  
  The worst of it, is that guilt quickly goes away as you walk up behind her while she's locking the door and quickly strip off her panties before taking her on all fours on the bed like you promised.
  
  "Oh...  fuck yeah. That's what I'm talking about." She pants as you enter inside her.
  
  The session is quite unlike anything you've ever experienced. It's raw; it's passionate and practically animalistic.
  
  And that's saying something considering you used to have sex with a succubus.
  
  Somehow though, it's much different. With Tanya, she was always still dominant in some way. With this woman, it's... well hard to describe.
  
  Maybe you've just longed for intimacy for so long, maybe it's the drugged drinks enhancing the pleasure to an unnatural degree, maybe it's the anonymity, maybe this girl is actually a magical fairy with a magical vagina, or maybe it's a combination of several factors.
  
  In any case it's almost like your bodies are in perfect sync with each other. Like it feels so natural and right that you're achieving some sort of emotional and even spiritual fulfillment as well as a physical one.
  
  You're so damn delirious that at one point in between the huffing and puffing and panting and dirty talk you suddenly blurt out:
  
  "I love you."
  
  And to your equal surprise:
  
  "I love you too... don't stop." She replies, followed by a pleasured moan.
  
  Needless to say, you don't until you (and her) are completely spent.
  
  At which point you collapse nearly directly on top of her and fall asleep or rather lose consciousness.
  
  You don't know how long you're out for, but when you wake up you're by yourself and there is no sign of the woman you were with.
  
  You half wonder if you hallucinated her, but you see that there is a discarded mask so you're guessing she was actually here.
  
  You slowly get up and rip your own mask off your face and look around for your clothes. While you're getting dressed you start feeling a sight ache all over your body. You feel drained in fact, almost reminds you of how you used to feel with your sessions with Tanya.
  
  But that woman wasn't Tanya. Last night was just you and some beautiful stranger under the effects of a powerful aphrodisiac that pushed the limits of your endurance.
  
  And of course that beautiful stranger will soon be dead. Just as well as you never learned her name or even saw her face. Makes the fact that you just condemned her to death a lot easier to cope with. Not much that can be done anyway. At least she had fun; at least you believe she did given her squeals of ecstasy.
  
  You stumble out of the room and find that several servants are cleaning up everywhere along with several disheveled noble types walking around half dressed and hung over. Nobody pays much attention to you and just goes about their own business as you make your way to exit the palace.
  
  As you get to the front door of the palace you see Baroness Ludmilla standing nearby saying goodbye to all her guests that are staggering out. The baroness doesn't look any worse for wear. Either she didn't drink what everyone else did or she's got amazing recuperative powers. When she sees you, she waves you over.
  
  "Hello again! I was hoping to catch you before you left! And by your appearance, it looks like you had quite the experience last night! Hope it was fun for you!" Ludmilla says.
  "It was different I can say that much. Have you seen Vera?" you ask.
  "Hm? Oh you mean the girl you came here with? No, I haven't seen her since the festivities were just getting started."
  "Okay then, guess I'll see her back home then."
  "I'm sure that's where she is. Goodbye and again I'm glad you came. I'm just sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more, but you know what? We should meet again sometime. Just us two. Talk about life and shit."
  "Um, sure I guess. Goodbye."
  
  You give a small bow to the Baroness, believing that you probably should show some sort of deference to her station. She seems to like that, and then you turn to leave because honestly you can't get out of there fast enough.
  
  It's a long walk back home and you're thirsty as hell. Probably dehydrated from all the wild sex you had. Along the way you stop inside a tavern and order a drink. Nothing alcoholic this time though.
  
  When the tavern keeper pours you a cup of apple cider, you go to pay for it and find what little coin you had in your pocket is gone! You check you other pockets and still nothing.
  
  "I don't fucking believe this... she fucking robbed me? Bitch!" you exclaim.
  "Um, sir?" the tavern keeper says.
  "What?" you say still distracted by the fact that you can't believe you got robbed.
  "I... um...  know who you are sir, and um, there's no charge."
  "Oh, thanks."
  
  Well at least reputation has its benefits and now you're just irritated that you even spent any amount of energy feeling guilty about having sex with that thieving bitch.
  
  After drinking your fill and resting a moment, you eventually make your way back to the League headquarters where business is going on as usual. You ask various members if they've seen Vera, eventually you bump into her and she answers herself. She doesn't look any worse for wear.
  
  "Hey boss. There you are. Guess you found the party a lot more interesting than I did after all. What happened to you?" Vera remarks.
  "Never mind all that. What happened to you?" you ask.
  "Oh shortly after we separated I wandered and talked to a few people and even looked around seeing if I could steal anything, but there really wasn't a good opportunity, and then something weird happened."
  "Let me guess, everyone got all friendly?"
  "Yeah, REALLY friendly. Didn't know it was going to be that kind of party. Guessing something was in the drinks. Glad I hadn't drank anything while I was there. Still, I might have paired up with one of the horny aristocrat guys if it had just been a one on one thing, but then Ludmilla was around and she started hitting on me too and I got really creeped out. I mean she didn't know of course, but she could potentially be my half sister, and that just really put me out of the mood entirely. I ran out as soon as I could."
  "Yeah, potentially fucking a sibling, I can see where that would put a damper on things. Wish a damper was put on me last night."
  "So what DID happen to you? Did you get caught up in an orgy?" Vera asks with a grin.
  "No, but I did spend the entire night fucking some woman who apparently robbed me after I passed out."
  
  Vera starts immediately laughing at how someone like you fell prey to something like that.
  
  "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up." You grumble.
  "I'm sorry, but the fact you got caught like that is just hilarious." Vera says.
  "Yeah well, she's not getting too far."
  "Oh, you know who she is?"
  "Huh? Nah, I just have a strong feeling that fate is going to catch up to her. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on it anymore, let's just get to work. In fact before shit happened yesterday, I was thinking about potential expansion."
  "Where exactly? You thinking about getting a League chapter in the Delantium Kingdom?"
  "Maybe... but probably not. For whatever reason the Ebony Claw Syndicate has not fucked with us. If we start going into their territory, that could change. However I was thinking we could physically expand where isn't a strong organized criminal presence."
  "I suppose it's worth looking into, I've got a suggestion of where we should."
  "Oh?"
  "You ever heard of Jicol?"
  "Think I've heard some of the Hessla pirates we deal with mention it sometimes. Don't know much though."
  "It's a port town west of Hessla and from what I've heard it's wide open like a whore's legs. Nobody has tried to organize anything there and the city focuses so much on defending against potential pirate attacks that it doesn't have the heightened security like say Klyton does in recent years. I say we start there."
  
  Looks like you've got a new prospect.
  > time passes...
  Chapter 3D2 Power Struggle
  
  Year 31
  
  "When are they supposed to arrive again?" you ask.
  "Um, lesee...  the ECS rep is supposed to be here tomorrow by carriage." Warts says.
  "Okay. It's been what, like a decade that they haven't taken an interest in this place ever since they lost their chapter here, now all of a fucking sudden I'm receiving letters and having to meet with their reps."
  "Better dat den assassin blades."
  "I guess. Just wondering why now all of a sudden."
  "Maybe itz our expansion inta Jicol? We's startin' ta get bigger, dat shit kinda draws tenshun. Probably shoulda stayed small."
  "It was a risk, I suppose. Then again they might have fucked with us anyway. At least now we're a little stronger. Speaking of which, maybe we should get some of Gloom's people here tonight as extra security until this visit is over. Might as well put that alliance we have to good use."
  "Grh, I still don't trust dem shadow guyz. Dey used ta be allied wit da Syndicate."
  "Yeah. I know their faith is for the most part still chummy with the Syndicate, but ever since Shade split from the main faith, this particular temple seems to be independent and follow its own agenda. I guess we can get a feel of where their alliances lie at least. Sort of wish Vera was still around sometimes as an extra pair of hands and eyes, but she's more useful in Jicol. I think she needed the change of scenery anyway."
  "How iz things dere anyway?"
  "Last message I got from her she said there weren't any problems. Even starting to recruit a few of the locals there, which is good so we don't have to send any more people from here. Not to mention the profit she sent last month was the biggest yet."
  "You ever think she's skimmin'?"
  "Vera? Nah, but I'm sure she's probably running something on the side for herself. Which is fine by me if she is. I'd rather have her overlooking things there than anyone else."
  
  Later you go to the Temple of Fel to speak with Gloom about extra back up. Gloom as usual is always willing to assist you. You've always felt Gloom was way too friendly to be a Felian (Even his name is ironic) but better cordial than hostile you suppose.
  
  One thing you have noticed is that over the years, the Felians aren't quite the disciplined shadowy priests they once were. Not to say they wouldn't be formidable in a fight, but they definitely aren't like how they were under their previous leadership. Gloom wasn't even aware that the Syndicate was visiting. For a group that's generally known for being masters of secrets and such, they seem a bit out of the loop nowadays.
  
  After coming to an agreement with Gloom, you leave the temple and make your way back to your headquarters.
  
  The next day the ECS representative arrives. As mentioned in the correspondence to you, you meet in a "neutral" location at a tavern called the Bloody Bandit (Warts was right, why don't more of these places have inviting names?)
  
  You arrive with a few of the larger hobgoblins by your side. You weren't sure at first, but letting some of Wart's "buddies" from the Spiderfang tribe join was a good idea. They aren't as big as an ogre or as muscular as an orc but they're just as ugly and mean enough to intimidate most.
  
  You look around and notice that at least one of Gloom's people is here. There might be more, but if they are, they must be better at hiding themselves. In any case, you're satisfied that you have an advantage if it comes to a fight.
  
  Then you see who can only be who you're supposed to meet. A well dressed man with a thin mustache sitting all by himself and not looking very concerned about his surroundings. The fact that he's here by himself speaks of his confidence that he's either powerful enough to survive whatever you might have in store, or the consequences of him will be so severe that you won't even try. He's not drinking anything, but when he sees you he nods and waves you over. You tell your hobgoblin retinue to wait nearby and mentally prepare yourself.
  
  You sit down and the man briefly smiles.
  
  "Well, right on time. Always a good sign when someone is punctual. When I noticed the shadow blades come in here, I thought for a moment you were using some sort of weak psychological intimidation tactic and try to make me sweat while you came in late. Though I suppose you're just more concerned with security given your green buddies over there. Hobs are an unusual choice though. We usually use ogres or orcs, but then you use the savages you got access to right? I can appreciate a man who improvises. In any case, my name is Percy and I'm sure you want to get to it."
  "I do like to be direct."
  "So I've heard. Oh I've heard a lot about you actually. Don't know everything about you of course, but that's okay, a little mystery is always welcome. What do you say about mystery?"
  "Not a fan of it. I sort of prefer to know everything I can, so I'm not caught off guard."
  "Heh, and I knew that about you too! Maybe you're not so mysterious, but that's okay too!"
  
  Percy pats your hand from across the table in his enthusiasm. Honestly, you don't know if the guy is flirting with you at this point. Maybe it's a tactic to try to make you uncomfortable, whatever it is, you stay stoic.
  
  "So what is it that the Syndicate wishes of the Nocturnal League?" you ask.
  "Ah that is the question isn't it? What DOES the Syndicate want? I bet ever since you heard from us, you've been wondering. Is this a threat? Is this a deal? Is this an alliance? Is it a prelude to an attack? What COULD it be? Why has the Syndicate suddenly taken an interest in Holgard again after it abandoned it a decade ago? Well? Do YOU have any ideas?" Percy asks.
  "I'm a cynic so I'm guessing you're here to say you're taking over and this is my one warning to get out of the way. At best, you'll want me to still stick around. At worst, you've probably already poisoned me when you touched my hand."
  
  Percy laughs out loud.
  
  "You my friend have a very interesting imagination! I assure you, if we wanted you dead, we wouldn't even be talking right now. You are partially correct though." Percy says.
  "You're taking over." You remark.
  "No. Well not directly. We DO want you to stick around though. You see, we have done a little research on you. We know you came here years ago, we also know you were part of the Thieves' Guild here before that and were instrumental in its destruction which THEN led to you being part of the Syndicate chapter here. Before Rook apparently blundered and cocked everything up. During all that time though, up until you created this Nocturnal League, you at your core were a thief. A good one though from what I've heard."
  "Don't get to do it much anymore."
  "Mm, so to sum up, we have a simple thief who survived the destruction of not one, but two organizations that held the most sway in the underworld here. You then went on to create your own organization, which is now the only game in town. You also apparently managed to leverage an alliance with the Temple of Fel here. That is an interesting one considering the faithful of Fel and the Syndicate have been allies for many decades. Intertwined one might even say."
  "This group is a little different."
  "Indeed. I believe the High Shadow back in Delantium has had some issues with this particular branch in general, but that's an internal matter on their end. In any case back to you, it's all very impressive for someone of humble origins and very unusual how it all seemed to work out in your favor. One might even think you planned everything...  well either that or you had the gods on your side."
  "Never really planned to be in the position I'm currently in and the only god I've ever gave a few words to is Yag and even then not much."
  "Well, then he must be rolling well for you every time. Perhaps it is luck that drives success in this city after all. Strategy, logic and even simple might seem to eventually fail in this city. This place is has always been problematic ever since the late Baron Vlad Varsakken declared his independence from Delantium. Even when we had a chapter here, it was always the least profitable of all of our holdings even with all the corruption going on, so when the leadership finally collapsed here and the rest of the lower ranks scattered to the winds. People higher than myself decided to wash their hands of the whole thing, not unlike the Delantium Kingdom did before I guess. However, things change and one of those changes is you sharing in your obvious success."
  
  And here it is, the shakedown.
  
  "I can see by your face you aren't pleased with that last statement, but I think you should look upon it as a compliment. Just think, YOU managed to do what the Syndicate could not. You made a success here with no competition and you built it all from the ground up. Granted you did use some of our people and even altered our product... Purple Wish? Come on, we all know that's just an inferio