《Blood and Honor: Honor among Thieves》Chapter 19- Broken Contracts
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Underdark- Black Web Region
Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas
Broken Quarter- Peach Pit
Aaron groaned and stretched, everything had gone well for the first part of his plan. The second part would be even more difficult. How Jonas had acquired the scroll from the cities Keep was still unknown. Their best guess was that Jonas had either bribed someone or the Chaos Priests had turned someone high ranked within the garrison.
The city Keep was independent of all House Politics and its soldiers were drawn from all the Houses of the city so that no one House could gain control of it. It was heavily guarded and fortified both from Physical and Magical means. Getting in would be a pain in the ass, to say the least. Even the city Engineers did not have the complete plans of the structure. Aaron took a sip of his water and sat back as he reviewed his options. Infiltration would be his last resort, if Jonas had bribed someone, that would be his best bet to get the scroll back within the Keep itself. If Chaos had an agent inside the Keep, he was screwed because they could just take it again.
Aaron dismissed his thoughts for now. The scroll was locked away in the private suite buried below the Peach Pit. No one could get there without getting past the defenses even he could not crack. Time to deal with other things, he still had six Skill Points to invest and it was time to invest them properly now that he had the time to do so. He brought up the Rogue Skill tree and started to scan through it. After some consideration and thought, he invested two points in Fan of Blades, it was just too useful to be able to conjure a weapon. Dual Strike, Kill Chain, and Lucky Bastard each got one point before he moved onto the Thief Skill Tree. Vault Breaking received one point and gave him a useful active Skill that could prove invaluable for almost any job, the cooldown was a killer though.
Spoiler: Spoiler
Rogue Skill Tree...
Scrappy Fighter Branch...
Name: Fan of Blades
Tier: Adept
Description: Did you do that on purpose...I am sorry, I get premature knifing, but hey, he is dead.
Damage: 80 + (Melee Damage X.75) per Blade
Benefit 1: Launch up too (6) Conjured blades at a target or targeted area
Benefit 2: Increase Chance to cause Bleeding Damage by 10%
Range: 10 Feet
Cast Time: Instant
Cost: 50 Stamina and Mana per Blade
Cooldown: 45 Seconds
Name: Dual Strike
Tier: Initiate
Description: Yes!! I did it. I stabbed him in the eye, throat, ear, guts, all over!! He farted and it stunk!!!
Damage: 150 + (Melee Damage X2) per Blade
Benefit 1: +25% Chance to cause Bleeding/Open Wounds
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Benefit 2: +10% Critical Hit Chance
Range: Melee
Cast Time: Instant
Requires: Dual Wielding
Cost: 200 Stamina
Cooldown: 3 Minute
Name: Kill Chain
Tier: Initiate
Description: Everyone has to die sometime, I am just helping them along.
Benefit 1: Increase Melee/Ranged Damage by (Level X.25) (Passive)
Benefit 2: Increase Critical Hit Chance by 1% (Passive)
Active Effect: Increase Melee/Ranged Damage by 25%, Increase Critical Hit Chance by 10%
Range: Self
Duration: 30 Seconds
Cast Time: Instant
Cost: 500 Stamina and Mana
Cooldown: 1 Hour
Name: Lucky Bastard
Tier: Initiate
Description: That damned bastard, how did he do that.
Benefit 1: Damage Immunity (Duration 5 Seconds)
Benefit 2: Recover 10% Health
Benefit 3: Increase Health Regeneration by 25% (Duration 20 Seconds)
Requirement: Killing Blow
Cost: Passive, N/A
Cooldown: 6 Hours
Thief Skill Tree...
Cat Burglar Branch...
Name: Vault Breaking
Tier: Initiate
Description: If they can lock it away, you can break into it.
Benefit 1: Increase Lock Picking, Trap Detection, Trap Disarm Chance of Success by 25%
Benefit 2: Decrease Chance that you will trigger Trapped Lock by 10%
Benefit 3: Decrease Chance Lock Picks will break by 10%
Range: Self
Duration: 30 Seconds
Cast Time: Instant
Cost: 400 Stamina and Mana
Cooldown: 6 Hours
Lucky Bastard was one of those Skills that was almost a waste. It was a useless skill to have, but when you needed it, t was more valuable than almost anything. Aaron closed out his Skill Trees as he stood and stretched his arms. He was started to grow accustomed to the new armor, but the weapons although superior to his own, he was still hesitant to use. Aaron drew the ornate blades and studied them, both the long knife and the drow short sword were ornate with gems, precious metals, but their blades were razor sharp.
Aaron considered going to the Thieves Guild training Warehouse to practice with the new blades but before he could make a decision someone opened the door without knocking causing Aaron to go on his guard immediately. The big bruiser's eyes bulged as he saw the two razor-sharp blades in Aaron's hands, "Sorry boss, but there are some people here to see you. They are demanding to speak to Jonas." the man said before closing the door. Aaron let out a growl of frustration before shoving the weapons back in their sheaths and switching them out for his old daggers, Ruin and Slash. Once they were secure on his belt he straightened his clothing before striding out of the office and towards the front room.
The Peach Pit didn't have many Guild Members in it currently, most were off on various jobs, training, Dungeon dives, or personal business. The four-armed and armored Immortals standing in the middle of the floor were not associated with them in any way. The hostility between them and what few Guild members were going to turn into a fight if he didn't defuse this soon. 'Theatrics and deception are two powerful tools that can be used almost on anything and anyone. Remember this.' Jerimiah had taught him and it had both save his life and defused more than one situation.
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Aaron drew his blades and flourished them as he jumped and flipped onto the bar top. "WELCOME WEARY TRAVELERS TO OUR HUMBLE ABODE!!!' Aaron called out as bowed slight and threw out his cape. 'How can we be of service to you?" Aaron asked as he looked at them.
The four interlopers shook themselves, "Yeah, we had an agreement with Jonas. He was going to hire a specialist for us, and his time is up to get this safecracker. Where is he? We need to speak to him...Who the fuck are you?" the man replied.
Aaron looked at Willy who frowned and shook his head. Aaron let his eyes travel across the room to all the Thieves and few Enforcers, "Ladies and Gents, do any of you know what this man is talking about?' Aaron asked looking around. No one spoke up and the previous hostility had cooled and turned into a slow burn. 'No one has any idea what you are talking about. So if you want to speak, you come in here and ask to talk to a representative. You don't come here loaded for war. Understand?" Aaron prompted that man who gave a begrudging nod.
"Now as far as talking to Jonas, he made some very bad choices and investments. The powers that be decided to call him to account for everything.' Aaron told them as he pointed to the head on the spike. 'You are going to have a tough time talking to him and I don't think any Necromancer or Priest can bring him back from where he currently is." Aaron told them and the four Immortals looked at each other.
"It doesn't matter, this was a business arrangement we made with the Thieves Guild. We expect the contract to be fulfilled." the Tank responded and Aaron frowned.
"Do you have a copy of this so-called contract?' Aaron asked and the Priestess shook her head. 'Then you do not have any agreement with the Guild. See for those looking to hire the services of a Thief for a Dungeon, we have contracts for that. Actual documentation. If you do not have that, you never had an agreement with the Guild." Aaron explained to them.
"Can we hire someone for a job?" the Priestess asked.
Aaron gave his most winning smile and bowed slightly, "Of course dear lady, we might be bastards and gentlemen, but above all else were are businessmen.' Aaron told her before hopping off the bar and approaching with his hand out. The Tank growled as his hand darted to his sword but Aaron was quicker and his dagger was against the man's throat, 'That would be a mistake, my friend. We can be business partners, but if you draw that weapon in here, your just dead. Your names will be circulated within the Guild and you will never get our services here or anywhere else." Aaron warned him.
"JAMES!!' the Priestess admonished him and offered her hand to Aaron as she gave him a coy smile while glaring at the tank. 'Do not interfere, we need a Thief." Aaron gave her a wink before withdrawing his dagger from the tank's throat, free of any blood of course. The other relaxed as Aaron took the offered hand and led the woman to his office, and the front of the Thieves Guild.
"So, what place, vault, or chest are you trying to crack open?" Aaron asked as he poured two cups of wine, giving her one.
"The Black Chest." the Priestess responded and Aaron gaped at her before laughing. The Black Chest was infamous, it was located in the Broken Maw Dungeon. It had never been cracked because it was in a particular cave within the Dungeon. As soon as you entered it, a count down started in which the cave would collapse. No one knew what was within in it and it was not a bugged chest or cavern, just extremely difficult to get into.
"It's an impossible job. The lock on the Black Chest is either Master or Grand Master Quality. The people that can crack it won't do it for less than ten thousand gold, and either twenty-fiver percent of the contents worth or at least one item. That's if they can beat the timer of the caves defenses and get out in time." Aaron explained.
"Why doesn't anyone just grab it then?" the Priestess countered and Aaron smiled as if indulging the whims of a child. Like the Ghost, the Black Chest and its contents were legendary and myth.
"It's fused to the floor of the cavern. Even if you broke it out, the cavern collapses immediately. Someone tried that, they suffocated to death instead of dying in the collapse, not a good death for even us Immortals. Apparently, the guy who tried it developed claustrophobia from the experience.' Aaron told her causing the Priestess to frown. 'I am sorry, but Jonas swindled you. He gave you a pipe dream. Believe me, I would love to crack that thing open. Any Thief worth the name would love to have that notch on their belt, but it's impossible." Aaron explained to her and it left her with a contemplative look on her face before she downed her drink and thanked him for his time before leaving.
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