Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas
Broken Quarter- Peach Pit
Aaron entered the office and closed the door before turning and studying the woman sitting behind the desk. She was about six feet tall and statuesque, if there were Amazons in this world, she would be a living example. Aaron knew the simple dress she wore was a facade to hide who she truly was. Princess of the Thieves Guild of the Drow people and the most powerful Thief in Zeren'gor. She was dangerous as hell and Aaron was certain if she wanted him dead, he could do very little to stop her. "I hear you hade a busy night. So is it done? Is the corruption within your Chapter cleansed or do I need to send a Commission?"
In other words, did she need to send the Thieves Guild equivalent of an Inquisitor and support kill team? "We are still combing through the remaining members of the Chapter. Most if not all the corruption has been neutralized. I have provided proof to the Smugglers, Assassins, and Beggers that I have dealt with the problem and informed them of any Immortals that have been corrupted as well." Aaron told her and she nodded her head before extending her hand.
"Give me the ring." Aaron gave her a tight smile and recalled it from his inventory and placed it on the desk between them causing her to smile in return.
"Jerimiah always said you could read more in any situation and once you got some experience under your belt, you would be a real power within the Guild. Someday maybe even Duke or higher...You are not there yet Aaron and before you judge me, you should be aware that Jerimiah wished to give you a chance to deal with the situation before I was forced too." the Princess told him before laying a letter down in front of Aaron and gesturing him to take it. After a moment Aaron picked up the paper and started reading.
Aaron,
If you are reading this, then the worst has happened.
I am dead.
I am sorry son, but there was nothing I could do about it. As hard as I was on Jonas, I could not kill him. You were both sons to me even though you were from a different world.
Dark times are coming for both the Guild and our world. A corruption that has infected our Guild is now spreading throughout the world.
Chaos is coming and her agents are working behind the scenes to secure power in every people and in every way of life. They can be anyone, anywhere. They are masters at infiltration and turning people to their cause. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THEM.
Cultivate your followers and earn their trust and love as I have taught you. Do not keep them at arm's length, treat them as family and they will never betray you. Become Vicount and maybe someday, something more.
Remember all the lessons I taught you. Trust Cynthia, she can be distant, but she is true and a real Thief.
Everything I am, or ever was, is yours now.
Jerimiah
Viscount and leader of the Nythi Thalas Chapter of the Thieves Guild
A couple of chicken scratches at the bottom of the letter confirmed it was from Jerimiah, the code was only known to him and his immediate family and never handed over to the Guild. "Everything he owned is yours now. I am asking you to take the ring and position of Viscount of the Nythi Thalas Chapter of the Thieves Guild. Will you accept this position?" Cynthia asked as she picked up the ring and offered it to him.
Alert...
You have been offered the Title of Viscount and position of Leader of the Nythi Thalas Chapter of the Thieves Guild. Will you accept? YES/NO
Alert...
Note* If your position within the Thieves Guild becomes general knowledge to the public, you will become a Wanted criminal. A Bounty will be placed on you for Capture and/or Death, and your Infamy will increase by 1,000 that cannot be decreased by Skills or Abilities
Note* If you accept this position, you will be responsible for all actions taken by Guild members within the city of Nythi Thalas.
Note* This is not a formal Title and is not recognized as such by the kingdom of Zeren'gor
"So are my suspicions correct? How far has it spread?" Aaron asked before accepting or denying the position.
Cynthia frowned and shook her head, "I don't know. I know I can trust you, but beyond that..."
Aaron cursed, "How can I trust you? How do I know you have not been compromised?" Aaron asked the leader of the Drow Thieves Guild.
Cynthia smiled, "If I was, you would be dead and you would never have succeeded at killing Jonas or stopping the invasion of the city. So, I must insist on your decision now or I will be forced to offer it to Quincy." Aaron grimaced and then mentally clicked on accept. More Notifications appeared but he minimized them to deal with them later. He still had to deal with everything after the battle as well, so he was developing a serious backlog.
"Thank you, Aaron, I hope I won't disappoint you and so far, you have not disappointed me. Now take a look at the bookshelf over there and tell me what you see." Cynthia told him and Aaron snorted.
"I have checked this room for hidden locations, I raided them all when Jonas went to ground earlier this week. There is nothing here." Aaron told her and Cynthia smiled.
"Third shelf down on the left. There is a knot of wood, push it in and to the side. It will reveal a hidden keyhole that can only be activated by your Vicount ring.' Cynthia told him before tossing him the ring with a laugh. 'You know a lot, but you don't know everything." She told Aaron who grumbled as he moved over to the bookshelf and easily found the knot of wood and checked it with his Rogue's Eye. It still looked like wood and it didn't glow at all in his eyes. Aaron shook his head at his own stupidity and canceled the Skill as he followed Cynthia's instructions revealing a small circular indention.
Aaron equipped the ring then inserted it in the slot and turned it. The bookcase moved too the side and the floor dropped down revealing a staircase that glowed subtly in his sight. Aaron activated his Rogues Eye and the glow intensified many times over and caused him to leap back from the entrance in fear of his life.
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Cynthia was laughing so hard she cried, "Don worry about the traps, the recognize you and will let you pass due to your rank within the Guild. Only Viscounts or higher ranked members can access that room safely." She told him after regaining control of herself.
Aaron glowered at her, "You could have told me this before I opened it." Aaron told her as he relaxed a little and moved forward slowly with his hands resting on his daggers.
"Do not worry too much, Jerimiah was the last recognized Vicount of this Chapter. I did not acknowledge Jonas as Vicount, thus he should never have been able to get access to this area." Cynthia stated as she followed behind him.
"How do you know for certain?" Aaron asked as he kept his pace slow and steady.
Cynthia smirked once again, "I know this because the defenses are tied into the Peach Pit itself. If someone unauthorized breached the defenses, the bar and inn above would have exploded taking the interlopers with it." Aaron stopped and looked at her with an arched eyebrow. Talk about overkill he thought before continuing.
"So what is this place?" Aaron asked.
"Safehouse, armory, bank, place where you can work, sleep, and rest when you need too. Being a Guild leader is demanding, but we take care of you as well and keep you safe." Cynthia replied as the entered a large office space and private quarters. It reflected Jerimiahs house. Subtle hints at wealth without too much in your face gelding.
"The wardrobe will contain some things you will need, make sure you wear them, you are representing the Guild now. I expect you to be dressed like a Viscount, I excuse your appearance today due to the circumstances, but it will not happen again. Now, this is Jerimiahs will, it confirms you are his Heir to his estate and wealth. If you encounter any problems, notify me and I will make them go away. Questions?" Cynthia asked as she handed over a sheaf of papers.
"How do we go about getting rid of the outside influence within the Guild," Aaron asked and Cynthia frowned.
"You will have to do that. I am watched constantly. I am supposed to be at a party right now in the capital, that is the only reason why I managed to slip away. I trust you to deal with it, just keep me in the loop as much as you can. As a new Vicount, you have a month to report in person too me. Take that time to get a plan together, and tell me then. Agreed?" Cynthia asked and Aaron frowned. He was taking all the risks but did he have a real choice in the matter...
"Agreed for now," Aaron told her and she smiled.
"Remember, clothing my Vicount, you are a leader and its time you looked like one." With a wave Cynthia took off down the short tunnel they had entered through leaving Aaron to his thoughts. He quickly finished inspecting and checking out the rooms. He found a second entrance which was just as heavily defended as the first, if not more so. The only time he ever saw defenses like this, were in prisons. Aaron shuddered and hoped he never was trapped down here. As comfortable as it was, it would be the equivalent of being buried alive.
Aaron stripped himself of his armor and threw it in the wardrobe, he would look at whatever Cynthia wanted him to see later. He needed a bath and sleep. He messaged Willy and asked that a dinner be sent to his office in thirty minutes so he could eat before sleeping. Then he started the tub, it wasn't a shower but a good long soak would help him relax and decompress as he started to read the Notifications and Alerts.
Secret Quest Complete: Atonement for the Dead
Description: Despite their efforts, you managed to slay both the Chaos Priest and Jonas. Jerimiah will hopefully rest easier now that his murderers are worm food.
Difficulty: Hard
Kill Jonas Ele'tharamas: 1/1
Kill 'Chaos Priest': 1/1
Success: Kill Jonas Ele'tharamas and the unknown Chaos Priest
Failure: Do not kill Jonas Ele'tharamas and the unknown Chaos Priest or let them escape
Rewards: 4,000 Experience, Vicount and Leader of the Nythi Thalas Chapter of the Thieves Guild available, Your Reputation with Silvia and the Nythi Thalas Chapter of the Assassins Guild has increased
Divine Quest Complete: Tangled Web (Stage 2)
Description: You cobbled together a large enough group and managed to foil the Chaos Priests plans to invade the city of Nythi Thalas. Congratulations on taking your first step in battling for the heart of the Thieves Guild and perhaps something more. See Priestess Thiera Lanthul about your reward and about Stage 3 of the Tangled Web Quest Line.
Time: 0 Days
Difficulty: Hard
Success: Stop the invasion of Nythi Thalas and foil Jonas Ele'tharamas plans
Failure: Do not stop the invasion of Nythi Thalas and foil Jonas Ele'tharamas plans or let the Chaos Priest and Jonas Ele'tharamas escape
Requirements: Level 32, Stage 2 cannot be completed alone. Gather Allies to fight by your side and save the city of Nythi Thalas from the forces of Chaos
Rewards: 5,000 Experience, 10 Gold, Increased Reputation with Lolth, Vhaeraun, See Priestess Thiera Lanthul
Secret Guild Quest Complete: Moving on Up!!!
Description: You have attained the lowest Management level rank within the Thieves Guild. This means more responsibilities but also more money and LOOT!!
Success: Attain the rank of Viscount within the Thieves Guild
Failure: Decline the rank of Viscount within the Thieves Guild
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, 500 Fame, You Reputation with all other Viscounts or higher ranked members within the Drow branch of the Thieves Guild is now Neutral
Secret Guild Quest Complete: Peace Keeping
Description: Despite the events that have happened, you proved both your own personal power and your ability to pursue what was right in the eyes of your fellow underworld leader within Nythi Thalas. You have averted an all-out war between the various underworld guilds. Good job?!?!?!
Success: Kill and supplant Jonas as leader of the Thieves Guild of Nythi Thalas
Failure: Do not kill or supplant Jonas as leader of the Thieves Guild of Nythi Thalas
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, 100 Fame, Your Reputation with the Assassins Guild, Beggers Union, and Smugglers Union Chapters of Nythi Thalas have increased and underworld operations can begin once again.
Alert...
Your Level has increased by...2. (Current Level 37)
Your Dexterity and Agility have increased by 2. You have gained 6 Stat Points and 2 Skill Points.
Alert...
Aaron snorted, between the fighting and Quests, he was not surprised his level had jumped again. A beep in his ear told him Willy had messaged him back saying his food was at his desk and that it was covered so it would stay warm until he got back. He also said that Cynthia had left and apparently put another dozen gold down for the Guilds tab for their celebration. Aaron chuckled, a lot of people were going to be hungover tomorrow when they woke up. He shook his head in amusement and pulled up the stats on his new signet ring.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Name: Signet Ring of the Viscount
Quality: Legendary
Accessory Type: Ring
Properties: Increase Dexterity and Agility by (Level X.3)
Properties: Increase Health/Stamina/Mana Regeneration by (Level X.25)
Properties: Increase the Chance that Pick Pocket/Lock Picking/Disarm Trap will Succeed by 5%
Properties: Increase Critical Hit Chance by +5%
Properties: Increase Luck sub-Stat by +5
Enchantment: Poison Ward*
Enchantment: Detection Ward*
Soulbound: Aaron Sumner
Requirement: Thief, Viscount Rank within the Thieves Guild
Description: The Harlequin is considered a fool and entertainer, let them laugh while you rob them blind. Distract and take what you want. Remember Thievery is an Art and the way.
Note* Poison Ward= The ring will vibrate if it detects poisoned food or drinks nearby.
Note* Detection Ward= Allows user access to certain Guild areas hidden from others.
Aaron smiled as he read the information then dismissed it as he got out of the bath. Time for food and then a long warranted sleep.