Rising Shadows

[Achilles 892]

A man in a ragged duster, hood concealing his identity; he appears to be waiting. The wind blows, the chill freezing to the bone. He pulls his rappings higher over his mouth to shield himself from the environment. “Lo, Righteous.” coming from behind him. He turns to see Jack, another Shadow among the group. “Glad you got my message Jack.” He holds out his hand to him as they shake.

“What is the deal with it? Pretty brief... are we on the job?” He tilts his head cracking it then leaning against the wall.

“Yes, waiting for Kite now.... he said he would be back in a minute.” sighs disgruntled while tapping his foot against the stone dwarven crafted floors. Suddenly an Elf taller than the two humans lands, planting his two feet firmly on the ground.

“Well that was a doozy” murmurs Kite. He walks up to the gathered men, Righteous peeks his hand into his satchel pulling out a small leather bound book.

“The maps inside were correct Kite. Great find..” he holds it out to him as it is taken. “Keep it safe.” Righteous nods to him giving him a serious look.

“Will do.” Kite says as he slips it away into his knapsack.

Righteous pulls off his gloves and blows into his hands before speaking “We’re to head into the Temple district... it should be quick and easy. Guards around this time are low, the watcher at the gate shouldn’t be around as well.” the other two nod to him in agreement. “Remember to keep light on your feet. I’ll lead. Jack watch for any wanders and turn them away. Kite its your time to shine, you’ll be taking charge of the locks. Now... any questions?” Hearing no response Righteous gestures with his thumb towards the opening and whistles. He turns and begins to move along the side of the road swiftly. Walking down the many stairs the heat intensifies, his brow dampening at the now sweltering warmth. “Stay together we’re close.” He said as he continues walking.

Coming up along the gate no one is in sight. “Its dead here.” Says Jack, “No fun at all.” he turns around then pulls up his hood. Righteous and Kite move in towards the gateway to the Temple district. Kite kneels over looking in through the window of the door. “No ones home.” he grins then kneels in more looking over the lock. He opens his knapsack and rolls out an array of tools, he looks over them tentatively. His hand sprawls over the tools before picking out a torsion wrench and snake pick. He breathes deeply “Here goes nothing.” he goes to insert his pick and wrench into the lock. He begins to fiddle around with it, listening in for the tumblers. He goes for his chance and with luck and perhaps more than a little skill; he hears the lock click satisfyingly, opening cleanly.

Righteous walks over to Kite patting him on the shoulder, “You got it?” Kite stands and nods as he gently pushes the door open. “Splendid.. let's head inside, shall we?” they step in and move around to the other end of the gateway. Finally inside the district, “Now the fun begins.” Righteous says. They begin to roam around the area melding with the background, keeping out of sight. They needed to pick a target, and soon they did. Kite points to a sign above what seemed to be a guild hall. Stormbreaker Clan scrolled across the sign hanging above the archway. They look at each other and shrug.

“That’ll work.. I guess.” Kite murmurs to Righteous.

“Alright, I got your back. Take your time and make sure you leave the mark.” Kite gives him a thumbs up as he moves towards the room labeled Guild Vault. Kite sighs to himself,

“They really do make it clear cut these days.” he smiles and begins to search through his knapsack. He rolls out his tools once again and grabs his Torsion wrench and hovers over a snake pick before deciding to grab his diamond pick. He inserts his pick and sighs, Righteous pokes his head into the room. “Everything alright in here?” Kite begins to fiddle with the tumblers before snapping his pick.

“Guess not,” he sighs before wiping the sweat under his brow “Keep at it mate, take your time. Like Jack said.. its dead here.”

Agile pulls out a separate tool and fishes out the broken pick. He hover over a ball pick and picks it up. He begins to slowly turn it in the lock with his wrench before hearing a crunching noise. His pick snaps once again inside the lock, he examines the lock once again and reaches for his snake pick. He begins to fiddle carefully with the tumbler, he closes his eyes as he hears the satisfying click of the lock. He smiles almost bursting into joy as he stands, Righteous walks in holding his hands up.

“Splendid!” He walks in and closes the wooden door behind him. “Lets see what they got back here.”

Kite picks up his tools and puts them away, he stands and pushes the door open. Inside were many chests to pick from. Amazingly all of them weren’t fitted with a lock. The two shadows scavenged through and took what they could carry. Kite holds up a disk like object, Righteous smiles.

“My favorite tune! Now we can use that record player in the library.” he laughs quietly before lugging the sack they filled with riches. The two begin to walk back to their shadow at watch. Crammed in the lock of the door to the vault is a gold coin. The Coin holds the mark of The Master Thieves Guild. A small parchment is wrapped around it, it reads...

We have stalked in the shadows long enough. We return, with a vengeance; none shall be safe. The shadows have beckoned, we have answered. The Era of thieves has begun.

[Phelrin 60]

"After hearing of this robber during the trial of Gorum, Phelrin hastens to the vault to confirm the rumor. As he has been told, the vault has been robbed clean. Enraged that he could have let thieves into the Temple under his very nose, Phelrin slams his weight against the door in an outburst of fury. As the door closes, he goes to open it to further investigate the vault. To his bewilderment, the door remains firm in place. Look into the lock, he notices something wedged between the mechanisms. Pulling out the object he sees it's a coin wrapped in parchment. Unwrapping the parchment, he reads the writing that is on it. Finishing the message, Phelrins expression turns from on of angry, to a strangely sadistic smile. He begins talking to himself, though loud enough for anyone around him to hear

"You think you are the only ones who can strike from the shadows? Rest assured, the Clergy has its ways to see through shadow, into the monstrosities it hides. Whoever you are, we will find you. The Gods shall have their equity, and when they do, I will enjoy watching as your souls are devoured in their wrath"

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

In the darkest corner of the room, where the torchlight does not shine; two icy blue eyes open and a hooded figure emerges from the shadows and silently approaches Phelrin from the rear, tapping on his shoulder and whispering into his ear.

"'ello Phelrin..."

The voice is both commanding and sadistic.

"'and meh t'at coin. Ah've uses fer 'et. Rest assured we be un teh same soide friend; an' ah've an idea.

Bael takes a step back and extends his arm out and opens his fist, the palm inviting the golden coin into it. Even from beneath the hood that conceals much of his face, a rough, unkept beard hangs from a mouth which hold a stoic, but vicious and knowing expression.

"Teh coin."

[Arbrek the Ancient 140]

"What teh 'ell are ye doin', Bael?"

Standing at the doorway of his small brightly lit Clan Hall, the High Prophet glowered at the young Dwarf acting like a fool to Phelrin, a Dwarf quite senior to Bael in age and placement within the Clergy, and tossed him a coin.

"They left three. One in teh door of the Gate, one in th Vault Door, and one in the chest. I have engineers craftin' new doors an' gates fer us as well."

[Phelrin 60]

Phelrin is momentarily suspicious. Although he knows Bael, at a time like this, anyone should draw suspicion. He slowly turns his hand to drop the coin into Bael's hand. Noticing Kazraden out of the corner of his eye, Phelrin quickly retracts his hand. He responses to Bael in a low voice, one which is hard to distinguish if intentional or not

"I 'ope we can be of service to each other in this endeavor. It t'will be easier den trying te find dese blasphemers on our own"

[Nefarious Aus Shitpost 891]

Bael slides the coin into his pocket and turns to the two older dwarfs, first to Phelrin.

"Ah'm quite sure ah can foind w'o did t'is an' wunce I foind t'em ah'll leave teh bluud tuu yer. Ash fer teh coin... meh uses fer 'et may nev'r be clear... dish ish teh ferst ah've 'eard uv teh guild fer a long toime, dey will be luukin' fer new bluud - an' ah'll deliver - an' in wun fell swoop all teh blesphemers will be eliminat'd an' we will reach teh bottom uv t'is."

Turning to Kazraden he bows before correcting his posture, readjusting his hood and walking out the door.

[Boomack21 124]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.