Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas
Inner City- Temple District
Quest: Eliminate the Competition
Description: Jonas has allied himself with Priests of Chaos. You cannot get to them, yet, but you can weaken his position. Eliminate the former Priestesses of Lolth that are assisting him so that they cannot create anymore forced converts.
Corrupted Priests Slain: 0/4
Success: All 4 Corrupted Priests are Slain
Failure: Either the Priests escape or warn Jonas of your actions
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, Increased Reputation with Lolth
Aaron watched as the four Priestess's walk along the streets, their hoods pulled up to hide their identities, but Aaron already knew who they were and what they were doing. After some manipulations, Aaron had gotten both the Priestess Thiera and Lolth herself to sign the kill orders to get the Assassins Guild to assist with hunting down and killing the corrupt Priests. It would protect the Assassins Guild from any reprisals hopefully and it made Silvia Foxwright happy.
Joe was across the streets deep in the shadows of the alleyway there, Aaron could see a faint outline but beyond that, he couldn't see anything else of the man. Two more Assassins were stationed up the street and another two were trailing behind the four corrupt Priestess's to make sure none of them got away. They needed to die quickly, if they got time, they could fight back and maybe even escape. So the plan was to hit them hard and fast, for the Assassins it would be easy with their Poisons and combat-oriented classes. Aaron was the weak link in the plan, which made Natash's offer to train him all the more tempting.
Aaron dismissed the thoughts as he concentrated on the here and now, becoming a Duelist could wait, first, he had to survive this. Aaron pulled his knives from their sheaths as he moved forward as he triggered Dash as he closed with the cloaked figures while Joe triggered Shadow Step appearing behind the other trailing Priestess. Both their daggers lashed out as they both triggered Backstab, causing both women to gasp as their legs collapsed as spines were severed. Aaron twisted the knife ruthlessly before burying his off-hand knife in the Priestess's throat as her health bar nose-dived.
Aaron triggered Step through Shadows as the lead Priestess started to turn and buried both daggers into the woman's kidneys causing her to freeze up in pain as her companion started to turn and cast a spell. A golden cord looped around her head though and cut off whatever spell she had started to cast as Joe triggered Garrot. The thin wire charged with Mana sliced through the woman's throat and deep into her flesh causing blood to fountain outwards. Aaron triggered Shank and slammed his main-hand knife deep into the woman's side causing her to groan and collapse.
Aaron quickly moved to slit throats and loot the two bodies as Joe followed his example, they had to get out of there quick. As far as the Temple of Lolth was concerned, these were 'loyal' Priests and their deaths would be deployed but the investigations in their deaths would go nowhere. "You know he will know someone is moving against him when these four don't show up." Joe pointed out as they walked away from the looted corpses.
"Jonas knew his time was ending as soon as I showed up. He knows I would know something was wrong within the Thieves Guild as soon as I arrived. I plan on organizing those I think are free of his influence. Get them stronger and geared for when we take down those that have been twisted by him and those Priests." Aaron replied before offering his hand to the Assassin. The man smiled and shook it.
"Goodluck brother, we are limited in what we can do, but Silvia is green lighting any kills on those we know have been corrupted by Jonas or his Priests. Watch your back." Joe told him and disappeared into the darkness. Aaron looked around one last time and followed the Assassins example.
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"The answer is no. I have gone legit, I own a shop now, I have no interest in getting involved with the Guild again." Robert told him in response.
"Come on Robert, we both know there is no better pick-pocket in the city than you. A couple of years of walking the strait and narrow, will not have changed that." Aaron told the man who glowered at him.
"It's not only that. I have a wife and kids now. I want to watch them grow up. I cannot do that if I die or end up in jail now can I?" Robert replied and Aaron frowned but understood the man's stance. If he had been in his shoes, he would have probably chosen the same.
"Ok, well you can't blame me for trying. I understand and will respect your choices, my old friend. What about any of the other guys?" Aaron asked and Robert snorted.
"Those that lived through accidents or unexplained deaths you mean...Those that lived through Jonas taking power fled for the most part. The lucky few that stayed, are all on the legal side of the street now. None of us want to take the chance to lose our various businesses or families.' Robert replied as he studied Aaron. 'Listen, Aaron, you are a good guy and would make a good Viscount. With everything that happened though, no one that got out is coming back. You are going to have to recruit your own circle of lieutenants to trust and rebuild the Thieves Guild around. For what its worth, good luck." Robert told him and Aaron nodded his head and placed his purchases in his inventory before leaving the general store.
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Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- Outside the city of Nythi Thalas
Minor Temple of Lolth
"Your four wayward sisters are taken care of. How are things going on your end?" Aaron asked Thiera.
The Priestess glared at him, "I am doing as well as I can within the parameters you have set. I have three other Priests and a dozen Temple Guards I can bring to the fight. How many Thieves can you bring to the fight?" Thiera asked in return.
"Not enough, and most will be lowbies, but I am certain they are all free of Jonas and the influence of the Chaos Priests. I have them all running Dungeons in and around the city trying to get them to a higher level and their Skill Trees unlocked, but it takes time and we only have the week to do it. So maybe a dozen or so, when its all said and done. We need more people, people that can survive in a fight." Aaron responded and Thiera nodded her head in agreement.
"We might have to bring some of the Houses into this." Thiera pointed out and Aaron snorted in contempt.
"Yes, because the Matrons are the examples of trust and the Chaos Priests would never think of recruiting one of the cities Houses into his schemes...." Aaron replied causing Thiera to glare at him as she blushed.
"What do you suggest?" Thiera replied as her fingers drummed on her knife hilt and whip as Aaron was sure she was thinking of what she would do to him after this fight was over and the city was secure.
"I have reached out to some old friends to see if they are willing to help out. Most are out or have no interest but I am still waiting on some others to respond. What do you know of Jerimiah's relationship with House Bourne?" Aaron replied in return.
Thiera frowned, "Nothing, they had no relationship with Jerimiah or the Thieves Guild as far as I am aware. Why?"
Aaron dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. "Message me if you need me, I am going to try and track down some possible help I can pull in. I will be gone a day at least." Aaron told her as he pulled up his hood and left the office, more questions and thoughts on his mind then there had been.
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Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- Western Passages outside the village of Kin'lan
"Come on Quincy!!! I know you are out there!!!" Aaron yelled out as he slowly walked through the Underdark tunnel. Quincy had been Jerimiah's chief Enforcer and trainer for new Enforcers before Jonas had come to power. Apparently, a job had gone bad and he had almost died two months before Jerimiah had died. The man had fled with a core group of people he trusted after Jerimiah had died, leaving Nythi Thalas and its troubles behind him. He had quickly set himself up as a brigand and mercenary.
Now Aaron was trying to reel him back in, or at least get his support for one last fight. Aaron was hoping revenge would prove to be a good motivator. Two men and a woman stepped out of the darkness to surround him, "What do you want boy?" the woman asked and Aaron gave her his best charming smile as he activated Magnetic Personality while keeping his eyes on her.
"I am just an old friend of Quincy. I was hoping to talk to him. If he wants me to leave him alone after that, I will gladly leave without a fuss afterward." Aaron replied and the woman looked at her two companions who shrugged.
The woman's eyes came back to him as her hand drifted to the sword and knife hilts, "What if he doesn't want to talk to you."
"I am certain if he doesn't wish to speak to me, he will have no problem telling me himself. Plus we are old acquaintances, we used to work together a long time ago. Tell him Aaron Sumner wishes to speak to him. If he says no, I will be on my way." Aaron replied with his best congenial smile while he was prepared to use Fan of Blades. The woman took a small step back and Aaron could see she was doing something with her interface, and assuming their camp was close enough, she was probably messaging Quincy directly or someone who was near him.
"You can come, put the sack over his head though. Put your weapons in your inventory, otherwise, I will get them." the woman told Aaron after a few moments. Aaron sighed but complied with her demands as one of the men took course sackcloth and covered his head. The woman grabbed his hand and started leading him deeper into the Underdark. Aaron just hoped they were not ambushed or attacked by anything or anyone along the way.
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Aaron tried not to sneeze, but failed as the hood was removed, much to the amusement of the others around him. "Sorry Quincy, give me a second," Aaron told him between bouts of sneezing.
"Take your time!!" the large Drow responded as he lost his usual scowl and laughed as Aaron gained control of his breathing.
"Did you put anything in that hood?" Aaron asked as he took deep breaths.
"Nope, but that was a great way to break the ice. I will have to remember that one." Quincy replied as he sat down on a crate.
"Glad I can still amuse you. I assume you know why I am here?" Aaron prodded and Quincy nodded his head.
"Yes, you want my support in taking out Jonas and his ilk. What do I get in return?" Quincy asked and Aaron considered his options.
"What do you want?" Aaron asked, better to figure out what he wanted to see the position he was in.
"Jonas appointed some little toady as Baron of Kin'lan and the surrounding area. I want him gone one way or the other. Once he is gone and Jonas is gone, I want to be appointed Baron of Kin'lan and the surrounding area. I will kick up fifteen percent until you get out of debt with the Guild. Once we are ok, it will drop down to the normal ten percent." Quincy replied and Aaron winced.
"Twenty percent until the Guild is no longer breathing down our necks. I want you and a dozen of your best, any magic support you are willing to lend as well, to help take out Jonas and his people. I also want your recommendation on someone to head up the Enforcers of Nythi Thalas. Someone we both can trust to fill the position and can train new people." Aaron countered and Quincy leaned backward and looked at two Drow with him. They both nodded after a few moments in the agreement of Aaron's conditions. The art of compromise, no one was completely happy with the end.
"Agreed," Quincy replied and offered his hand to shake as a Quest appeared.
Guild Quest Issued: Cleaning House
Description: Part of being in charge of the Thieves Guild requires the art of compromise and being able to make hard choices. The local Baron of Kin'lan was appointed by Jonas and is loyal to him only. Quincy has agreed to help in your insurrection of Jonas and his people if you remove Adrian Johnson from power in the local area.
Kill Adrian Johnson: ---
Success: Kill or discredit Adrian Johnson
Failure: Do not Kill or discredit Adrian Johnson
Rewards: 2,000 Experience, Quincy and a group of his Enforcers/Bandits will assist you in your attack on Jonas and his loyalists