Into the Fire Conclusion
On the way to the Crow’s Nest, the tower at the center of the district of Crow’s Foot, you sign to Marissa to slip away and copy down as much of the notes as possible. She nods and turns into an alley. You and Kelyir, with Harin between you, walk in the diminished crowd. It is deep in the night, hard men and women walk on their way to work passing carousing toughs drinking their way to oblivion. You breathe deep and taste the ash and smog on the air, the cities’ breathe. It tastes of possibility and ambition.
You glance at Kelyir, his longer stride taking him a bit ahead. You can notice even from here the way his bright eyes dissect everything.
Marissa joins you as you come into the intersection which surrounded the Crow’s nest. A spire rising into the sky, rumor has it that it used to be a wizard’s tower, and the Crow’s were the caretaker’s and inheritor's once the wizard died. Personally you were inclined to believe it was an entirely mundane tower, and the Crow’s spread the rumor to increase their own prestige. But even you have to admit the Nest is an intimidating site, formed of pitted black stone. From personal experience you knew that it was still sharp enough to draw blood from uncovered skin. Surrounding the base is a brick warehouse, with an open ground floor and rooms above. Surrounding the ground floor is a wrought iron fence, with gates to the north and south.
Even at this hour, carriages ride to and from the tower, and when you walk to the main gate it is opened adroitly. You spot Bell, the second command for the Crow’s, and march over to him.
With a bow and a broad grin, you sweep your arm to indicate the abashed Harin, “Your wayward officer, delivered as promised.”
Bell’s face reflects none of the joy he must surely be feeling on the fulfillment of your charge. He is an imposing man, with large muscles and clean shaven head. He raises an eyebrow, “ And the papers?”
Marissa presents them without a single flourish, and hands without fanfare to Bell. He accepts them with a quick nod. He gestures to two thugs standing quietly by, and they roughly take Harin in hand. He turns back to you, “We will bring out your payment as agreed.”
“Ahh my dear Harin!” The woman’s voice, falsely sweet, send shivers down your spine. You look and see a woman, dressed in the well worn leather coat of the Crows, festered with pistols and blades. Her black hair is tied back into a ponytail, and blue eyes glittering with malice. She strides over to him over the cobblestones, his handlers maintaining their tight grip. She grips his face in her hands, he winces slightly at the pressure. “You cost us quite a bit getting you out of there. You owe me quite a bit now.” She slaps him, the crack echoing across the courtyard.
She turns to you then. You do your best to keep a friendly smile on your face. This is Lyssa, leader of the Crows. Rumored to have killed her predecessor, and seeing her in person, you are inclined to believe it. She returns a predatory grin. Oh you hope she doesn’t recognize you.
“So who might you be?” She asks.
“You may call me Lark, and we are the Conspiracy of Silence.”
Lyssa only nods a bit and meanders to the chest of coins that contains your pay. “That sounds new to me. Remember that good service is rewarded and,” she gestures at Harin being dragged into the tower, “inconsistent service is punished.”
She fishes out one coin, then another one. You feel the smile on your face freeze. Lyssa chuckles, “One coin for your. . . initiation fee, and another as part of your payout to us.” Her eyes flash, “Best not forget that every score you do, a part of that goes to us. Any problem with that?”
You hear Kelyir growl, but you respond before he can, “Yes, we . . . understand.” It is frowned upon to take a cut from the payment you are giving, but you are in no mood or position to argue about it now.
“Good! I’m sure I can expect a fruitful relationship to develop in the future.” With that she turns and walks back to the tower. Taking your payment in hand, you and your crew disappear into the darkness, back to your lair.
Now any Crew worth the name has a lair, where they can stash ill-gotten goods and plan their next heist. What is your Lair?
A. A half sunken grotto, accessed by underground canal.
B. An old watchtower, abandoned ages ago.
C. A hidden room in maze of apartments.
D. Something else? Currently your Lair has the Traits Hidden and Quarters, meaning it is hard for enemies to find your lair, and you can sleep there protected. Currently your gang is Tier 0 so you don’t have many nice things, so just keep that in mind in making suggestions. Possible to get a bonus for cool suggestions.
Rewards!
Earned 6 (+2 stolen) coins and 4 Rep! 3 XP gained
2 Heat gained.
Next up, assisting in invention and planning the next score!
Author
Topic: Shadows and Fortunes (SG-Blades in the Dark) (Read 4758 times)