The Black Dragons' Den [New Management!]

[Ivius]

Rolun quietly stepped into the building. Finding an empty table, he produced a book from his cloak and began to read.

[Fenric]

Without warning, a long-disused door to the sewers bursts open, and a party of wererats burst out and proceed to put Traven's cronies to the sword.

LONG LIVE THE RAT KING!

[Deadly]

Chi walks in and looks around the place, oddly enough never having been here before. Not bad... he mutters

[MrEdwardNigma]

A horrid figure walks into the place and drags its dead feet to the bar. This figure is Aakor, an undead psychic, inhabited by various souls who use him as a vessel. He is dressed in a black cloak that seems to blend in with its surroundings and on his back he torses a heavy barrel of gunpowder for some reason. The undead mystic leans on the bar and says "I'll have one of yer Rat Meads, 'n quick! I have a thirst to quench, and I should be able to take the bloody liquor since the dead don't have much to fear from a strong beverage!"

[Fenric]

Daggernose serves the man's mead without comment.

[MrEdwardNigma]

"Ah, that's the stuff!". Aakor downs the rat mead in one big gulp.

[Deadly]

Chi considers the menu a bit, then shrugs slightly A glass of water, thanks. he says and hands over a cp

[Fenric]

Daggernose gives Chi a confused look, then gives him a glass of water.

[MrEdwardNigma]

((Aren't I supposed to win something for drinking the mead or something? And it says I'm supposed to make a save, but do I have to, cause i'm undead 'n stuff...Shouldn't it at least be easier for me? Oh, and if I have to make the save, how do I do that...?))

[Deadly]

Chi grins and takes the glass Thanks. He then sits down in a dark corner and watches the place in silence

[Fenric]

(( Heh. Forgot about that: hadn't read Lucky's first post in ages. ))

Daggernose hears the request and turns around to see the ridiculous sign still hanging. He turns wide-eyed to look at the corner booth, where a man in a hooded cloak is sitting wrapped in shadows.

Give him what he wants: it will come out of your pay.

Daggernose takes down the obsolete sign in a hurry

[Deadly]

Chi turns his attention slightly to the man in the shadowy corner booth, because such persons often are especially interresting to keep an eye on

[Fenric]

The man looks at Chi

You look as one not unfamiliar with places such as this.

[Deadly]

Chi nods slowly I would say I've seen my fair share of places like this, yes.

[Fenric]

The man looks at Daggernose in pretense of checking up on him

(assassin's cant) The old fathers have been sleeping, but they have not died. New children are needed

[Deadly]

Chi sips his water {assassin's cant} For some greater purpose, I assume?

[Fenric]

The man scowls at Daggernose, who scurries to clean the countertop

{cant} The misdeeds of a neighboring family demand a response.

[Deadly]

Chi looks thoughtful. He could certainly use something to do, especially if it paid off, and he was honestly getting a little bored around here. {assassin's cant} Which misdeeds is that?

[Fenric]

The master assassin snorts

{cant} As is right and proper, we have ruled this town for ages. Now this upstart group thinks that they can casually come in and begin terrorizing and killing as they please, under the guise of law. We are the true law, and we will not sit by and allow this to go unpunished.

[Deadly]

Chi can't help but smirk. It's a true classic, and Chi always liked classics. {cant} And who is this upstart?

[MrEdwardNigma]

The undead walks over to them. "What do you gents seem to be talking about?"

[Fenric]

The assassin nods

{cant} They are known as the K.N.A.V.E.S.

Then he gives the undead a narrow-eyed glance

It is generally unwise to interrupt a cconversation in this place. What is your business here?

[MrEdwardNigma]

"Unwise? Hah, I've died, a thousand times, what could you possibly do to me that hasn't been done yet? My business? I'm looking for something to do, some people to fry!"
"...Some buildings to blow up"

[Nightwing]

*a man comes in.*

Hi. Names Paul Blood. I herd you don't do fights here. If this is true then i would not like to compete.

[Deadly]

Chi glances at the undead as he continues {cant} I have heard of them. I might be interrested in helping you.

[MrEdwardNigma]

Aakor's face shifts to an angry glare. "Look, I don't like being ignored, okay? It makes me angry, ignitable, so to speak" says Aakor, and a fireballs shimmers in his hand.

[Fenric]

The master assassin shakes his head

Both of you seem to have us confused with that unnamed organization which does not, in fact, exist.

{ cant } Have you any references within the brotherhoods of other cities?

[Nightwing]

*Paul whistles and waits for a response*

[MrEdwardNigma]

"I don't really give a damn who you are, or aren't, but I know assassin's cant when I hear it, an' people who speak usually have plenty of jobs for people like me" The fireball flickers and dissapears from Aakor's hand.
"Oh, no, gentlemen, don't worry, I don't understand the first word you're saying, but I do recognise it". his eyes flicker a pearly white and he continues "I'd suggest you stop pretending, or things might be inclined to go...""Boom"

[Deadly]

Chi sighs at Aakor I am not ignoring you. Since you were talking to the other one here I saw no reason to add anything to your conversation.

He turns back to the assassin {cant} Not around here, no. I only arrived recently, from a place I fear is rather far removed from here.

[Fenric]

(( Seriously, guys: Assassins don't run around blowing things up. Now, weather depending, the goblins might start up a terrorist branch to give the KNAVES trouble - they would blow things up. ))

[AmberVael]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/LordIames/Gnarl.gif
Gnarl the bouncer looks over at Paul, giving him a narrow glare.
No we don't have fights in here, and it'd better stay that way.

[MrEdwardNigma]

((Aakor isn't an assasin...he can run around blowing sutff up all he likes. He doesn't know the cant, he's just heard it before. Besides, not all of Aakor blows stuff up...He's sort of shizophrenic, you know. In case you didn't notice the different coloured voices))

[Nightwing]

guess it was just a rumor tubby. oh and whatever diet you are on remind me to stay away from.

[AmberVael]

Gnarl stomps his hundreds of pounds of pure muscle over towards Paul and bends down from his vantage point of eight feet to look him in the eye while baring his wicked looking fangs.
He doesn't seem happy, but he does seem intimidating.
We don't tolerate insults here either...

[Fenric]

(( Ah... actually: I didn't. I have to tunnel through a text-mode browser to get here during the day... all black and white for me. Ah well... lacking alternate plots on this side...))

The master assassin decides that sometimes it is simply more prudent to play along

I will inquire among my fellows to see if there are any outstanding requests for someone of your talents. I do not presently know of any... let us say demolition jobs at this moment.

{ cant } We shall have to try your skills, then.

(( dang... I know someone who would most likely have an outstanding mark, too... Sorry, McBish. ))

{ cant } We have a mark. A boy who has given a local... businessman trouble. His name is Eric, and he looks like this:

The assassin describes Eric to Chi.

[Nightwing]

wow! I'm really impressed! this diet not only increases you Waite, it also decreases you intelligence.


*Paul smiles a big grin*

[MrEdwardNigma]

The undead smiles, seemingly satisfied and takes back up his seat at the bar. He sits there jolting fireballs from one hand to another.

[AmberVael]

One of Gnarl's massive hands deftly and skillfully grabs for Paul's arm as the bouncer tries to literally toss him out the door.
He looks like he has a damn good chance of succeeding, too.

[Deadly]

Chi nods, making sure to memorize all the little details {cant} And would you like me to handle this in any specific way?

[MrEdwardNigma]

Aakor gets up at the sight of what just might become a bar brawl. The bouncers have a weird way of preventing fights in their bar here.

[Nightwing]

*He teleports over to the door and leans against it. He yawns an looks at the bouncer with a board expression on his face.*

[Fenric]

The assassin shakes his head

{ cant } No, no apprentice games. Take the mark, and bring back reasonable proof. We expect punctuality and discretion.

He gazes at the altercation between the bouncer and the loudmouth.

[AmberVael]

Board expression indeed.
Gnarl slams the door shut in his face and then stomps back over to the bar.

[MrEdwardNigma]

Aakor's eyes flicker and he walks over to the orc. "Well handled, well handled indeed! But do tell me, what is an orc doing in what seems to be so obviously an assassin's guild, or hangout at least? You could hardly call an orc sneaky in general, am I not right?"

[Deadly]

Chi downs the last of his water and nods {cant} Very well. Do you have any information about his whereabouts and dealings?

[AmberVael]

Gnarl looks at Aakor with dull eyes.
I'm just the bouncer. I don't know what you're talking about.

[MrEdwardNigma]

"Ah, lets be honest, you work here every day, you don't look too stupid, you must have seen rather fishy things going on, have you not?"

[Nightwing]

*Paul teleports onto a stool in front of the bar.*

Come on! I wanted a real fight!

[AmberVael]

There are plenty of fish. We're on the docks.
Interestingly, unless Paul's teleporting relies on somethign entirely different from normal teleporting's power, he finds that there is a short delay before he appears inside.
During that time, Gnarl moves the stool Paul was going to appear on out of the way- letting the irritating brat fall to the floor.

[MrEdwardNigma]

The undead gets bored with the place and shuffles out.

[Nightwing]

* Paul lands on the floor and rolls away. he throws 3 poisoned daggers with incredibly accuracy at the bouncer.*

[Fenric]

The master gives Chi a steady look

A test

[Fenric]

Throwing daggers at the assassin's guild's bouncer is a life-limiting move.

A number of hand-crossbows are prepared with a series of small clicks from all around the room. People who were not obviously there before appear from behind tapestries, dark tables, behind the bar, and no less than seven secret doors.

The assassin's guild members all take careful aim.

[Deadly]

Chi smiles Of course. then glances at the fight and shakes his head a bit. He turns back to the assassin, stands up and bows slightly It was a pleasure. and with that he fades away in the shadows

[AmberVael]

Gnarl bats one dagger aside with a hand and lets the other two stab into his arm.
He looks singularly unaffected by poison, or even getting hit at all.
I'm going to break you like the twig you are.

[Nightwing]

Oh please! I would be surprised if you could come up with enough intelligence to walk and talk at the same time never mind kill me! I'm not afraid of you!

*He turns around and points to the cross bows*


That how ever is not in my best interests. see you around chubby!


*He teleports away*

[Fenric]

The master looks at Aakor with a serious expression as the assassins melt into the woodwork.

Destroy that man, and you are in.

[Nightwing]

*A man knocks on the door*

[Lucky]

((HOLY CARP! People still use this!?))

[McBish]

((Fenric stole it away from unuse recently.))

[Nightwing]

((yep. will some one just open the door.))

[McBish]

((It is a tavern. There is no doorman. Well there is but he just stabs people with a harpoon.))

[Lucky]

((Fenric's my hero))

[Nightwing]

*The man comes in*

My name is Baron Law. I am from KNAVES. I know a man named Paul Blood was here. Tell me were he is our you will all be killed.

[Lucky]

((Ah heck, I got nothing better to do.))

Traven, a face not seen around Town for a long time, walks into the tavern. He notices the strangers that seem to have taken over his bar. What the **** happened here?

[Nightwing]

Tell me were Paul blood is our you all die!

[Lucky]

Turning to Baron Law, Traven say, First off, who the hell are you, and what are you doing here? Second, any idea who the hell those people are? He says, pointing to the people in possession of what he rightfully took first.

[Nightwing]

I'm a member of KNAVES. I'm in a good mood so I may just cut of your limbs and leave you a head and torso. I will ask you one more time: were is Paul Blood.

[Lucky]

KNAVES? Traven asks, eyebrow raised with interest.

[Nightwing]

We are the bad guys. we are the most powerful group in the town. even the cops cant stop us. no one stops us.


*50 skeleton with swords run into the room*

Kill him.


*They all attack Traven*

[Lucky]

Hmmmm... Can't say I've heard of you. Traven says, as he mutters a couple words, flying up into the air, avoiding the skeletons. KNAVES... KNAVES... Anyone I would know in your group?

[Nightwing]

*20 Skeletons throw there swords at him*

I dont think so. who do you know?

[Lucky]

Traven's ability of flight seems to cut out for a split second, with him dropping down, expertly avoiding the swords. I know lots of people. If they're anyone of worth in the crime business, chances are I know them. Which is why I'm having trouble believing this "KNAVES" is actually anything for me to worry about. Who's your leader?

[Gnrlshrimp]

((Problem is KNAVES works in the law business not the crime business, but they are evil.))

[Lucky]

((Problem is KNAVES works in the law business not the crime business, but they are evil.))((Yes, I did read the KNAVES headquarters post.))

[Nightwing]

*10 more skeletons come in with bows. they aim and will fire if he flies. the other 30 run at him with there swords and attack*

A man named state.

[Lucky]

Hmmm... Doesn't ring a bell. Traven says as he flies into the air, avoiding all but one arrow, which sticks him in the shoulder. Ah bloody hell! What was that for? And here I thought we were having a friendly conversation!

[Gnrlshrimp]

((Where are all these skeletons coming from? KNAVES doesn't have that many.))

[Lucky]

((Where are all these skeletons coming from? KNAVES doesn't have that many.))((I would really like to know that too.))

[Nightwing]

If you surrender and tell me us about these criminals you said you new we will let you live.

*Another 10 arrows fly at him and the other skeletons are waiting for him if he comes down*


((the skeletons are Baron Law servants.))

[Lucky]

What's there to tell? Traven says, evading the arrows. You know, how about I stay up here, and you stop shooting me? Your skeletons' aim is terrible anyway.

[Nightwing]

Come with me to KNAVES or you will die.


*The skeletons fire 2 shots each this time*

[Lucky]

You lead the way, and I may well follow. Traven says, dodging the poorly fired arrows. AFTER, that is, you stop GODDAMN FIRING!

[Nightwing]

*The firing stops*

follow me.

[Lucky]

Finally, some decency. Traven says. He swears loudly as he pulls the arrow out of his shoulder, before landing on solid ground. Alright, where are we headed?

[Nightwing]

KNAVES HQ.

*He leads him out the door*


((Meet me in the thread))

[Lucky]

Well, know don't I feel special? Traven says sarcastically as he leaves the tavern.

[Fenric]

The wererat assassins hop up, drawing their poisoned rapiers...

... except it's an hour and a half too late. They sit back down and grumble.

[Nightwing]

*Paul Blood walks in*

Hi fellas!

[Fenric]

The rats look at each other

Who's he?
Explosives guy
We doing demo work now?
Not that I've heard.

They shrug

Hello.

[Nightwing]

Dont you remember me? I'm the one attack your fat bouncer!

[Fenric]

The brotherhood discusses recent events in hushed tones: Traven's unexpected personal return, the failure of the only recruit in nearly a year to find his mark yet. Only the chittering of an informant-rat breaks the near silence, and the news brings gloom.

There's too much law in this town for our work.

[Deadly]

Chi appears in the tavern and frowns as he tries to get the bandage on his arm right Shocking meddler. he mutters

[Fenric]

The assassins look at Chi

That was both well and poorly done.

[Deadly]

Chi frowns but nods, clearly agreeing fully with that assessment I really am losing the touch, it would seem. I've never failed that spectacularly before. Makes you wonder if perhaps it's time to retire.

[Fenric]

The rats shake their heads

The entire group sent to the enemy castle was eliminated. As far as we can tell, without producing a single casuality. We have greatly underestimated the target, a thing we are not wont to do.
Without our leader... we are fading

[Deadly]

Chi raises an eyebrow So atleast I'm not alone in having failed. he says and sits down, ordering a glass of water

[Fenric]

The grouchy silence that meets Chi's remark speaks more than words could manage.

[Deadly]

Chi ignores it as he thinks This place is so much different from my home. I'm used to sneaking in without being seen, killing quickly and silently, and sneaking back out. People never noticed until much too late. he sips his water This doesn't seem to work well around here. Either people spot you no matter how well you hide, or your target survives miraculously. That was a hell of a lot of poison he survived. he taps the glass and looks up It's like you have to be completely open and offensive around here. I don't do that well.

[Fenric]

This is our experience as well.

[Deadly]

Chi nods and thinks. There had to be some way to make it work. The Town really needed an effective and powerful assassins guild.

After a while he gets up and leaves.

[Timberwolf]

Nightstar Alexander throws open the door, walks in to the Den and looks around.

Good afternoon, I would like to see who's in charge concerning a job.

[Fenric]

A cloaked man in a corner booth looks at Nightstar

Subtelty is completely lost in this Town.

[Timberwolf]

Yes, well, I'm not in the mood for subtlty.

[Fenric]

The man shrugs

State your business.

[Timberwolf]

Well, it's pretty simple. I want to know who took out the contract on Eric Kidd, why and where I can find them.

[Fenric]

The man chuckles

I have no need to play games as he left gold, not his name. He was not someone I had seen before, though, for what little that is worth.

As to the reason, he said it was a matter of family honor - some nonsense about his daughter. I neither know nor care what the details were.

[Timberwolf]

I see. Did he leave a way of sending him a message at all ?

[Fenric]

The man tilts his head

That is not exactly common practice when contracting this sort of service. No: he did not.

[Timberwolf]

It was worth asking. I want to talk to him. Your boy told me this was the place. Now, I need some answers here. You haven't seen him before, maybe, but there must be something you can tell me

((back after England get thrashed at football))

[Fenric]

The man shrugs

He was not human, but I could not place his appearance. He had a bad grey wig on. He was dressed in a dock-workers greatcloak that he most likely stole on the way in and quite likely disposed of on the way out.

The quiet tick of a number of hand crossbows can be heard from around the room.

And that was one veiled threat too many. You may leave now.

[Timberwolf]

You know, people dismissing me really gets on my Moonlights. Oh, by the way, I don't go in for veiled threats. I make explicit ones. Like now. Want to know why I left the door open ?

She raises her hand, shadows fly to it and construct a blade. They reveal a sodding great big mithril head of a mechanical dragon poking through the door. The smell of napalm starts to permeate the place.

Meet Morag. Now, she's had a long day and doesn't want to have to come in here because she'd have to come through the wall to do it. By the way, I'm fireproof. You lot, I don't think so. Now, I highly doubt you lot had no clue who you were dealing with. That would be extremely sloppy and unprofessional. When I was working, I would never have operated like that. So, either you're lying or you're amateurs. By the way, you may be able to kill me but it'd take a lot more than those little crossbows and Morag will certainly burn the place down around your little wererat ears.

[Fenric]

(( Hey cool: Another paragraph for my "why eliminating gods is pointless" speech. ))

(( Oh, BTW: they're stunningly incompetant. ))

Faced with yet another Town super-character, the rats do the obvious thing: they shift into rats and disappear, allowing Nightstar to burn Traven's silly tavern to the ground should she feel like it.

[Timberwolf]

((She's human, only she got... altered. She's certainly not intended to be a god or super character. Pistol crossbow bolts'd bounce off but other stuff's another matter entirely. Think Major Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell style alterations only not as total as that or as technical. She's a kind of shadowcaster, hence the sword and concealing the dragons head with shadows. She's fireproof because of a dress she bought from the omnishop ages ago. The dragon was made by her employee Frank to be a guardian. She only comes out when there's real trouble.))

Nightstar leaves them to it. Morag looks disappointed and pulls her head out of the door.

[Metis]

Mortessa enters the tavern and looks around.

[Xssar]

Xssar ducks under the door after her.
It's certainly less busy than Trog's... he comments with a smile.

[Metis]

Mortessa smiles and nods to him, sitting down as she orders a Black Shadow.

[Xssar]

Xssar sort of... kneels down near her, and gets himself an ale.
How you been doing with your studies? he asks after taking a sip.

[Metis]

I think I'm on the verge of some progress... but I don't know.
Mortessa shrugs.

[Xssar]

Ah, ok then.
Xssar rets his club up against the bar and ruffles his own hair a bit to make it neater.

[Metis]

What do you want?
Mortessa orders some mushrooms as an after thought.

[Xssar]

Xssar takes another sip from his ale.
Hmm? Oh, I'll have some mushrooms too then. Might as well.

[Metis]

Mortessa nods and waits for the goblin servers to get back.
So have you found something to do around here yet?

[Xssar]

Not yet... I not been up to much anyways. Just looking around more of town.
He gives a slight shrug.

[Metis]

Mortessa nods to him and gets her drink and the mushrooms, passing some to him.

[Xssar]

Xssar takes a few in hand, and looks them over before eating one. He was familiar with the different types from his travels.

[Metis]

They happen to be morels. Pretty tasty, really.

Mortessa munches on a few of them.

[Xssar]

Xssar takes another couple and eats them, not taking long as they're bite-sized to him. He takes another sip of his ale.
I presume you found somewhere to stay here, yes? he says.

[Metis]

Mortessa nods to him.
I've got a pretty nice little place set up, actually.

[Xssar]

Oh really? What's it like?
He swallows down another mushroom.

[Metis]

A little run down fortress outside of town, pretty good, spacey, plenty of places to do more secretive stuff in.

[Xssar]

Ah, spacey. That is good thing for a home. Xssar says with a smirk.

[Metis]

Mortessa nods and looks at him.
What about you?

[Xssar]

Well, I was still deciding about whether to move on or not, but now I think I stay. I have to find somewhere yet. he says, his smile weakening a little.

[Metis]

Mortessa frowns.
There are a number of rooms in my stronghold if you need a place for a while...

[Xssar]

Xssar looks down, closing his eyes and raising his hand in polite refusal.
No, it's fine. I am used to sleeping in the outdoors.

[Metis]

Mortessa nods.
I understand.
She finishes her mushrooms with a sigh.

[Xssar]

Xssar tilts his head slightly at the sigh.
Is there something wrong, Mortessa?

[Metis]

Mortessa gives a tiny grin at him.
I'm out of mushrooms?

[Xssar]

Xssar chuckles heartily.
Ahaha, ok then. No matter, you can always get more.
He then, regrettably, slips into deadtime.

[Metis]

Mortessa grins, finishes up, and leaves.

[Rebonack]

"I'll take you up on that offer."

The voice isn't a sneer. Not an arrogant gaff. But certainly haughty to a degree. The source of this remark is a man clad from head to toe in cobalt blue full-plate, a snow white mantle draped down his back.

It hadn't been long since he had arrived. And someone attired as he certainly sticks out in a place like this. The make of the armor is certainly exquisite, the faceted surface shimmering fire-light.

Rebonack pushes back from his table, clomping toward Krag with a smirk spread across his face. Hidden by his visor, yes. But there none the less.

"How much money are you willing to stake on those watery sinews of yours?"