Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas
District of Pleasure- Last Chance
Aaron strolled around the table as he looked around the room, not much had changed just some artwork and paint. "If you cannot tell, Thiera, this place is special. It encourages truthfulness and honesty. It...discourages people who choose to lie. So I would recommend that you be as honest as a Priestess of Lolth can be. Now, that works both ways, I cannot lie to you either. Now, let's keep the questions simple.' Aaron explained before sitting down from the Priestess. 'Do you think or believe that Lolth is playing both sides? Remember, yes or no." Aaron asked Thiera's bloody and beaten form.
Few were willing to kidnap a Priestess of Lolth, but they had more than one volunteer to soften her up once she was here. "Why are you playing these games. We are allies, are we not?" Thiera asked in return before spitting out a glob of blood.
Aaron smiled, "If you are not lying to me or manipulating me, then yes I am your ally. Now answer my question, do you think Lolth is playing both sides? Yes or no please." Aaron responded causing the Priestess to fidget.
"I don't know," she responded.
Aaron frowned and conjured a knife, "Answer the question, anything other then yes or no and this knife will find itself in your throat. Do you think Lolth is playing both sides?"
"I don't know the answer to that question!! Does she have the capacity? Yes. Is she? I have no idea!!!" Thiera yelled back.
"Are you really allied with me?" Aaron asked the Priestess.
"YES!!" Thiera shouted back with a glare.
"Then why is it that I found four of your sisters in the Undercity working with Jonas and his group? They were doing something to the more...reluctant members of their group to bring them over to their way of thinking. Why are Priestess's of Lolth working with them if your Goddess ordered you to assist me?" Aaron responded causing the woman to pale and slump back in her chair.
"Describe them in detail," Thiera responded softly as her face firmed and a different look came over her face. Aaron shrugged and started.
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Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas
Inner City
Aaron was receiving hard looks from more than one city guard or house guard, but he didn't care. It had been a shitty day and he knew Jonas wouldn't do anything to him within the Inner City. One of the guards or Matrons could kill him and get away with it, but the Thieves Guild was in enough trouble as is without adding murder within the more densely populated and better off portion of the city. So Aaron strolled along the popular streets and drank as he tried to think of a way to end the current situation. He was not thinking about the fact someone he once trusted killed a friend and helped engineer his imprisonment on Earth.
He was also not ignoring the Quest notifications that were blinking on his HUD waiting for him to finish reading whatever updates they provided. Aaron finished the bottle of wine and switched it out with a fresh one when someone slammed into him. Aaron shook his head to clear it as he gazed upwards to a towering man glaring at him then he looked down at the broken wine bottle and smiled. "You broke my drink, and I had just opened it," Aaron told him.
"Well, maybe you houseless should stay out of my way." the man replied with a sneer.
Aaron gave him a winning smile, "I didn't know assholes had an official House now. Truly you must be proud the Queen recognizes that you are a huge gaping asshole. I am sure the Matrons appreciate you taking one for the team." Aaron replied causing the warrior to glare at him as he reached for the sword on his back.
"Truly House Lethan has fallen far as they have decided to kill drunks wandering the streets. Tell me, does your Matron give you so much time that you can walk around and kill these people randomly? Perhaps your House should start looking for a new First Sword?" another older male asked as his hands drummed on a pair of sword hilts.
The asshole took a step forward as his sword cleared its sheath, "I would expect nothing less from a bastard from House Bourne to try and protect a piece of trash in the street. He is a commoner and unaffiliated with any House. He should not be here." the larger man spat back causing the older man to chuckle but he did not draw his blades.
"We allow you to walk the streets, so I do not understand why you find the fact that this Houseless is walking a streets a problem." the older man replied as Aaron continued to study the broken bottle before final rolling to his feet and noticed House Lethan warrior was backed by three others while the House Bourne was backed by nobody. Great...
"How about this, you owe me two silver for the wine bottle and we all go our own separate ways. I won't even demand an apology for the party foul of breaking my drink." Aaron added to the conversation.
The large warrior took a step forward but then the older man matched him as his blades cleared their sheaths, "I am your opponent this day if you choose to press the issue."
Aaron studied the mans' back, "Thanks old man, I like playing with assholes as much as the next guy, but even I would be hard-pressed to take care of four of them at one time." Aaron quipped causing the older man to smile as the large Warrior of House Lethan darted forward and the old man met him, his swords a blur.
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Aaron looked at the three charging companions and thrust his hand forward as he triggered Fan of Blades. The leading man screamed in pain as all four blades slammed into his chest and Aaron followed right behind the conjured blades as he darted forward Ruin and Slash in his hands, stabbing and slashing. The two unwounded men tried to box Aaron in but he triggered Step through Darkness causing the Warriors to stumble a little bit as their swings found nothing but air.
Aaron smiled as he triggered Backstab, the man in front of him screamed as Ruin pierced his spine, but it turned into a gurgle as Slash slid across his throat before Aaron danced around the dying man and engaged the remaining two men. Aaron looked back and could see the older man dancing around the House Lethan as he parried and slashed absently while studying Aaron. Aaron discarded the man and his fight and concentrated on his own, he still faced one unwounded opponent.
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Less then five minutes later, Aaron was walking away with his new companion and four colling corpses were behind him. "Do not worry about the city doing anything, that fight would be considered House politics, although House Lethan might do something about it. I am Natash, First Sword of House House Bourne." the man offered.
"Thank you for your assistance Natash, I am Aaron Sumner of no House," Aaron replied as the man studied him and their surroundings as they continued to move. Aaron grimaced at the few new cuts on his armor and clothing.
"So, besides getting drunk, why were you here in the Inner City? I thought the apprentice of Jerimiah Long would be more...cautious in his choices." Natash responded and Aaron shrugged.
"It's been one of those days where it has gone from bad to worse. I needed a drink and I felt like walking without having to wonder if my enemies were right behind me. Thus the Inner City stroll.' Aaron replied quickly. 'Now how do you know Jerimiah?" Aaron prodded and Natash smiled.
"Both on a personal level and professional, he was what I would consider a true friend and ally at times. That does not mean he wouldn't rob my House blind if we had anything he truly wanted though." He added with a chuckle.
"So you know that I am a Thief, most of those aligned with one House or another would just walk away. Why didn't you?" Aaron responded as they neared the gates of the Inner City.
Natash smiled, "I know what a crucial service you Thieves provide in certain niches of our society and I also know that the Underworld of this city is on the brink of war and that you were supposed to take over if anything happened to my old friend but you stopped coming to Ithea for some reason. Now you are back and I am hoping you will take up his former position. If so, I do believe you will find unspoken support from the Houses if you can stabilize the situation. I will even train you if you wish and no I will not expect you to join House Bourne." the older male responded and another Quest notification popped up.
Class Quest Issued: A Duelists Offer
Description: Natash, First Sword of House Bourne, has offered to train you as a Duelist. This is an Advanced Class and takes true skill to master.
Success: Accept Natash's training
Failure: Do not accept Natash's training
Requires: Level 7 in two Weapons Proficiencies
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, Unlock Duelist Advanced Class, Unlock Duelist Skill Tree
Will you accept this Quest? YES/NO
Aaron considered the offer and accepted it, as a Thief he seriously lacked any combat-oriented Skills and his combat build as it was, already complimented him towards the class itself. "I accept, but I have things I have to deal with before I can undergo any training."
"That is perfectly fine, I understand responsibilities and duties. Message me when you can train and if you need assistance in sorting out certain problems, let me know and I will assist you." Natash told him before bowing slightly and leaving.
Aaron dismissed the Quest information as he thought about it, then pulled up the other Notifications.
Guild Quest Complete: Dark Secrets
Description: You managed to infiltrate and scout out what Jonas was doing in the Undercity. Jonas has allied himself with Priests of Chaos. They are building stationary Portals under the city and forcibly converting people to their cause.
Success: Find out what Jonas is up too in the undercity
Failure: Do not find out what Jonas is up too in the undercity
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, Increased Reputation with the Thieves Guild
Secret Quest Complete: Justice for the Dead
Description: You found out through investigating your former friend Jonas, attacked and killed Jerimiah Long with the assistance of a Chaos Priest. Jonas helped kill Jeimiah in exchange for control of the Thieves Guild of Chapter of Nythi Thalas.
Difficulty: Hard
Why was Jerimiah Long killed: So Jonas Ele'tharamas could take control of the Thieves Guild of Nythi Thalas
How was Jerimiah Long killed: Fighting, Stabbed in the back and throat was slit
Who killed Jerimiah Long: Jonas Ele'tharamas and 'Chaos Priest'
Success: Find out Why, How, and Who murdered the former Viscount Jerimiah Long of the Thieves Guild Chapter of Nythi Thalas
Failure: Do not find out Why, How, and Who murdered the former Viscount Jerimiah Long of the Thieves Guild Chapter of Nythi Thalas
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, Secret Quest Atonement for the Dead
Secret Quest Issued: Atonement for the Dead
Description: You have found out that not only did Jonas Ele'tharamas betray the Thieves Guild to outsiders, but he also helped kill the former Viscount Jerimiah Long, your friend, and mentor. Hunt down and kill Jonas and the Chaos Priest for what they have done.
Difficulty: Hard
Kill Jonas Ele'tharamas: 0/1
Kill 'Chaos Priest': 0/1
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, Unknown
Note* This Quest is mandatory due to the Divine Quest Tangled Web
Divine Quest Complete: Tangled Web (Stage 1)
Description: You managed to figure out what is going on within the Thieves Guild Chapter of Nythi Thalas. It has been compromised and its leader, Jonas Ele'tharamas, has allied with the forces of Chaos. Worse, the Priests of Lolth within the city have been compromised, how extensive they have been compromised you do not know.
Difficulty: Hard
Success: Find out who is manipulating the Thieves Guild and/or has infiltrated their ranks.
Failure: Do not find out who is manipulating the Thieves Guild and/or has infiltrated their ranks.
Requirements: Level 30, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you find some allies within the Thieves Guild to assist you
Rewards: 5,000 Experience, 10 Gold, Increased Reputation with Lolth, Vhaeraun, Tangled Web (Stage 2)
Divine Quest Issued: Tangled Web (Stage 2)
Description: Due to the events that led to the current situation, the Assassins Guild, Smugglers Union, and Beggers Union see the current situation as an internal matter and will not interfere directly. Gather a force large enough and assault the Chaos foothold and stop them from completing their plans at all costs.
Time: 7 Days (Current Time: 6 Days, 12 Hours, 13 Minutes)
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, Unknown
Aaron finished reading the Quest information and dismissed the information, it was time to start organizing help with what people were willing to help.