Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- Outside the city of Nythi Thalas
Abandoned rundown temple my ass, patrols of armored Drow roamed in and around the grounds. Worse there were a few Driders as well. However, what caught his attention was the recent signs of battle that had occurred here. Scorch marks, bloodstains, pieces of ruined armor, all signs that someone had thrown down a fight to get into the temple.
Yet he still had a quest to infiltrate the place, and that is what he would do. Aaron activated Rogue's Eye as he studied the areas around the temple. Nothing other then a few hidden sentries jumped out at him. They were all well placed, but there were a few holes within the patrols. Aaron would have to be extra careful not to be spotted by the stealthed sentries, but the job was doable. Aaron continued to walk the perimeter for the next hour before finally settling on an approach. He was going to have one shot at this and if he got caught, it was all over.
Two hours later, he had figured out the guards' patrol routes, routine, and when the stealthe sentries moved or relieved. Aaron quickly moved forward, using Dash when needed to cover distances quickly. He had to be careful using it though, those under Stealth became vulnerable when using the Dash ability. It was similar to Teleport and Shadow Step, but far shorter ranged and with a cooldown that was far shorter than either teleport ability. The only thing that came close was a Mage's Blink Skill, but he was no Mage.
As Aaron approached the steps he slowed and activated Rogue's Eye if there were too many traps on the stairs he was screwed. There were two traps and three triggers, the triggers he could easily avoid, but the traps...He immediately got to work on them. Less then a minute later, he moved quickly and entered the basement, he was inside!!
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It was another hour to work his way through the various corridors to avoid the members of the temple and the few guards within. Yet his patience had ensured that he had managed to finally get to where he needed to go. Another ten minutes got him past all the magical and physical defenses of the door and inside the room. It also brought up his first real problem since he had entered the temple. Aaron rolled his eyes at that thought, the problem had been building since he had taken the Quest. It was a lesson Jerimiah Long had one day given to him after about six months of being in the guild.
"Boy, there are sometimes on a job when you are right before what you want or need to steal. However, your instincts tell you to don't do it. Some Thieves call it a conscious, others know its a thieves natural instincts that some scores are not worth it. When you get that feeling, listen and do what it tells you to do no matter what." Jerimiah had told him.
Aaron's instincts were screaming for him to walk away from the job and the guild. Why he had no idea but his former teacher had never steered him wrong. Plus the fact of the spider icon being displayed over the bed kinda grabbed his attention. One thing he had never been dumb enough to do, was to cross the priesthood of Lolth. Those Priests had a long repertoire of nasty spells and earning the grudge of the leader of the Drow Pantheon was not something he wanted to earn.
So...why was the scroll so important? Was Jonas trying to get him killed or earn a Divine Curse? If Jonas actually wanted the scroll, why? He was no Priest and only females could become Priests to Lolth, so he couldn't even use it if it was related to being a Priest. Too many questions and not enough answers for his taste.
From what Aaron could see he had three options, one cut and run. Leave the Thieves Guild behind and forget about everything he had done and built before he had gone to prison.
Two, he could ignore his instincts and steal the scroll. It was probably the worst option to choose but he could do it.
Three, he could go back empty-handed and try to wrest control of the guild from Jonas and hope he could drum up enough support to do it. Another really bad option...
Aaron looked at the sleeping figure on the bed and smiled, option four, get more information from another source. Aaron liked option four and his instincts thought he was foolish but the least bad option. Ten minutes later he was gazing at the furious Priestess bound, gagged, and blindfolded in front of him. "First off, can we dispense with you being pissed off. No threats, or anything like that. I know you want to shove a Divine Curse right up my ass, but we have more important things to do. I don't want to kill you, but I need answers and since you are here, I am hoping you will provide them. Nod if you understand.' Aaron prodded her with the knife in his hand. The Priestess growled something but the gag made it incoherent but she nodded her head. 'Now nod if you are willing to answer some questions. I don't want to know anything compromising about you, your Goddess, or your Priesthood I swear. Will, you answer my questions? Nod your head if you agree." Aaron prodded her once again and after some consideration, she nodded slowly.
Aaron smiled and withdrew the blade from her skin but kept it in hand. "Good, I appreciate the cooperation. Now if you haven't figured it out yet, I am here to acquire something. The scroll on the stand over there to be specific. However, I have some...reservations about this. A few things just don't add up about it. So I was hoping you could enlighten me about it and why someone would want it. Can you do this for me?" Aaron asked the bound Priestess who had frozen when he mentioned the scroll. After a few moments, she nodded her head in agreement.
Aaron smiled and looked at the scroll, it looked very ordinary and he couldn't determine anything special about it. "I assume it has no intrinsic value?' Aaron asked and the Priestess shook her head. 'This is not the first time someone had tried to come and steal it, correct?" Aaron asked and once again the Priestess shook her head, agreeing with the question.
Aaron frowned and shook his head in disgust. "I assume they tried brute force and you stopped the attempt, correct?' Aaron prodded and the Priestess nodded her head in agreement. 'That is why you have all the security outside and patrols within the temple...I really need to speak to you, will you parley with me? Will, you not attack me or use magic or scream for help if I remove your gag?" Aaron asked the Priestess who thought it over and begrudgingly nodded her head.
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Aaron removed the gag but slapped his hand over her mouth, "If you betray this parley, you will die first. Do not mistake my curiosity for this situation for weakness Priestess. Understand?" Aaron asked her as his dagger lay against her chest and could easily reach her heart.
Aaron slowly removed his hand but the Priestess did not scream out or use magic. "The scroll has little value to most people, but immeasurable wealth to some. It is one of the scrolls that can activate the magical defenses of the city of Nythi Thalas. There are four in total, two have gone missing over the last six months. We have no idea where they are located currently but I believe whoever hired you to do this job, wants them. Why I have no idea. Yes, there were two assaults on this temple, both were handily beaten back." the Priestess replied causing Aaron to frown.
"So a third party is at play...I don't like being used as a pawn in games.' Aaron mused as he studied the Priestess and smiled. 'What about we change the rules to the game. Add another player so to speak. Would you be amiable to this?" Aaron prodded the women and cocked her head.
"You? Why?" the Priestess asked and Aaron decided to be honest.
"I believe the Thieves Guild of Nythi Thalas is being manipulated from the outside or has been compromised. I feel a certain sense of responsibility because I should have been here and now I am trying to clean up the mess that has occurred because I was gone." Aaron replied and the Priestess frowned.
"You are an actual Thief and not one of the thugs that currently inhabit the city?" the Priestess replied and Aaron smiled.
"No, I am no thug but I have no problem killing when necessary. However, I was taught that it was a matter of pride and art to be able to steal something from someone without them knowing it or hurting them in the process. You can thank my teacher for that lesson, he was far from a good man but he had a good heart." Aaron mused as he recalled his memories of Jerimiah Long.
The Priestess smiled, "You were apprenticed with an actual gentlemen thief, then you know there are certain rules that should never be broken and others that should always be respected?"
"Of course Priestess, that is another reason why I am talking to you instead of stealing the scroll now stop wasting time, can we work together or not?" Aaron prodded her.
"Allies have more open and frank discussions. They also have trust." the Priestess replied and Aaron chuckled softly.
"You want me to trust you before we have made an agreement...I might be crazy for doing this much, but I am not stupid enough to do that." Aaron replied as he studied the room again as he felt like he was being watched.
"Too bad, this was going so well." the Priestess replied with a smirk just as something slammed into him from behind. The Priestess shrieked in surprise as they rolled over her as Aaron felt two fangs slam into his back and bite down causing half of his health to disappear in a blink of an eye.
Battle Alert...
Debuff Shadow Venom: 20 DPS (Duration 10 Seconds)
Debuff Shadow Grasp: Cannot activate Stealth (Duration 1 Minute)
Battle Alert...
Aaron cursed as he threw himself to the side to try in dislodge the spider but the damned thing hung on like a tick. He snarled and activated Step through Shadows and appeared above the smirking Priestess as he drove his boot into her jaw causing it to crack and ending her smug smile before turning back to face the spider. It was quickly reorienting on him and Aaron thrust his hand forward as he triggered Fan of Blades and conjured four blades as they shot out of his hand and slammed into the spider's face eating away about half of its health.
Aaron smiled as he drew his second blade and jumped forward as the spider hissed at him and moved out of the way before he could strike it. Before Aaron could close with it further it spat something at him and it slammed into his legs causing him to slow to a crawl.
Battle Alert...
Debuff Shadow Web: Decrease Attack/Movement Speed by 75% (Duration 30 Seconds)
Battle Alert...
Aaron cursed as he grabbed a Healing Potion and downed it in one gulp as he did his best to keep the spider in front of him. Aaron smirked at the spider as he activated Teleport and appeared behind it as he triggered Shank. Before the blade slammed into the spider though everything froze. "Please do not harm my child more than you already have. I do believe you asked for an alliance between you and one of my Priests. I do believe something can be arranged.' Aaron slowly turned and looked to see a beautiful Drow woman sitting on a chair staring at him. 'A mix of ruthlessness and brutality, I can work with you." she smiled as Aaron cursed, he was going to kill Jonas for this.