Story Time/Open RP: New City, same old scum.
Daigo had been on the rooftop for a few hours. He was using a spy glass to get the lay of the land, as well as scope out the castle of the ruling family of the city. Sounded like the Baron liked to live on the wild side if the local gossip was to be believed. Hansel Redmane was his name and apparently if there was one thing this man loved more than anything it was throwing massive parties where everyone had a little too much wine and far too little clothing. Same old story really. Apparently this Baron’s partying came with quite a high price tag and it was the citizens who usually footed the bill. The pretty ones got to enjoy the party too if they tickled the right lord or ladies fancies. Daigo lowered his spy glass and sighed. Taking out guys like this is what got him booted from the collective in the first place. To be honest he never understood why they objected so much to ensuring that people who exploit others for personal gain getting what was coming to them. But no matter. He was out of the guild now, though not fully unscathed. He had scars lining his hands and arms, as well as a rope burn scar around his neck. Charming gifts from his former compatriots. But no matter. If he dwelt on the past again he’d be up on that roof for hours. Well, more hours anyway. He put on his skull mask and pulled his hood up and slid off the roof down to a nearby wall. He then skid down the side of it and then leapt off of it, landing on the stone walkway down below. From what he had gathered, the castle was heavily defended. Soldiers in armor from head to toe, battlements with spikes on the top of each wall making it impossible to climb over. There were also arbalest crossbowmen on each tower as well. Not the fastest of shooters but they punch with the force of a small explosive. Then of course there were the guests themselves. Sorcerer’s, witches, wealthy lords and ladies, champion fighters, and peasants who were lucky to be born prettier than the rest. All enjoyed in the Baron’s revelries. Each one despite their appetites could be dangerous in their own rights. He had good armor, powerful magics, and a sword sharp enough to cut through almost anything as if it were cold air. But while it was true that even in greater numbers weaklings were weaklings still... That was a bit more than Daigo could handle on his own. He was going to need backup.
Daigo was down in the ratway tunnels later that evening. Every major city had a place like this. A hidden underground city where the more honest scum and villains lived. And by honest he meant did not hide their true colors behind a pious title or churchly apparel. Now most criminal area’s such as this depended on the royalty mostly because they kept civilians in line and from playing outside the rules like they did. This ensured that they always had a field advantage when exploiting the people. He’d come for all of them down here soon enough. But in the meanwhile he would need to recruit some of the more talented rats down here. Eventually he found what he was looking for. A wooden door that was quite frankly....far too crappy for a sewer. Almost standing out with how much work was put into making it look...unremarkable. Ironic how the opposite goal is achieved when one tries to accomplish something. He knocked on the wall and a plank of wood slid to the side. “Password?” the bouncer behind the door asked. Daigo simply held up a Mythril coin.
“Well all right then, come on in friend.” the door opened and Daigo walked through. Where at first he had been in a huge sewer, he now saw a large underground district. The tunnel itself was several stories tall, and the walls were lined with buildings, apartments, stores, and eateries, each one with large windows so one could see the goods inside. From food to products, from treasures to weapons, from fine clothes to finer flesh Daigo was able to see the red sun distrcit of the city. A river ran down the middle of the way and was navigated by gold plated gondalas. Daigo was impressed. One would think building something this intricate would draw more attention. Daigo kept his mask and hood up. His armor was a bit...dirty however. From road mud to rain water splattering all over his apparel. He supposed his first order of business was to get a place to stay. Quite the ironic twist that he felt more comfortable sleeping among a den of lions than he was a pack of foolish sheep. He made his way to one of the massive wall buildings of the tunnel. He looked up and found one with a name he rather liked. “The Black Rose.” Daigo said, reading the name of the establishment.
Daigo approached the front desk. A portly man with a narrow nose, slim framed glasses, pointed ears, and eyes that squinted to the point of almost looking closed saw him...and hoisted his nose upwards. “If you are seeking lodging sir, you may wish to try the brothel down on the river level.” He said with disdain.
Daigo simply walked up, and placed ten mythril coins on the table top. “Or I can get top floor suite, some new clothes, a good meal, and perhaps a bottle of Black Wine.” He said in a straight tone.
The Clerk looked at the coins wide eyed. “Uh...well....yes! Yes of course!” He said greedily, his eyes now very visible.
“Does Sir have any luggage he would like taken up?” The clerk asked, far more friendly now than he was moments ago.
“No. This is all I have. However if you could get me a list of all the stores in town, I would greatly appreciate it.” Daigo responded.
The Clerk nodded. “Very good Mr...?”
“Belfir. Daigo Belfir.” He answered.
The clerk nodded. “Very good Master Belfir. And if it would please sir, we have a wide selection of...other gentlemanly delights if it would so please you.” He said with a tongue in cheek grin.
“No.” Daigo said flatly, sternly, and without any room of misunderstanding.
The clerk nodded quickly, realizing he had made a mistake. “Yes sir, my apologies.” He quickly waddled away.
Sometime later, Daigo came out of the private bath of his suite. On his bed were red silk pajamas with a black rose embroiderd on the left breast pocket. He dried off from his bath, and got dressed. He walked up to the wall of his bedroom that was simply one giant window and looked down. People walked along lantern lit roads in fine apparel. There was a tragic irony to all this. The Baron uptop was bleeding the people with his legal taxes to fund his life style. While the scum of the earth leeched off of the exact same people down below. Innocents were being bled from both sides. But if his goal was achieved, he’d make sure the wealth made it back to the people in the middle. He looked around at the other large buildings that lined the three story tall tunnel. All were lined with open windows with gilded gold framework. Apparently in a city hidden from the sun nothing was hidden from each other save their faces which all seemed to be covered in a mask down here. He could see some people eating in one window, another training with fighters in another. Other’s were hawking their wares while others still engaged in vices of the flesh for all to see. He had to admit that while they were evil. They did not hide what they were from each other. Which meant that finding the right kind of cohorts for his plan to steal from the baron should not be all that difficult.
The next day a notice was placed on all the message boards down below...
“WANTED, SKILLED THIEVES FOR HEIST OF THE CENTURY. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED MEET ME AT THE GALLOWS TREE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY.” And there Daigo was, waiting to see if anyone would answer the call to treasure...
----open RP! available to all! keep it civil though.
