Den of Thieves

Sui

Sui

Retired Asshole

-Den of Thieves-


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​




They call me Mad.


Mad?!


Ha! Well maybe I am. But you would hope to be if you were to pull off something like this!


Gentlemen!


...and the lovely Lady


I have called you together because you were once the best.


You were Legends each in your own day, and I have a job made only for legends.


There is something that I need stolen. And I have a plan.


In one week, the Emperor himself will be hosting a dance in the Imperial Palace, that will be our only opportunity.


Most of the Scarlet Cloaks will be pulling security at the Palace at that time and I need two things done during that short time.


I need a scroll from the Scarlet Cloaks own tower.


...and I need a sample of the Emperor's own blood.
 
(You could try looking for a signup thread,in the character sheets section. That's how things work around here.)


Mordecai Tannis,otherwise known as The Panther,was intrigued by the offer. So,he pursued the contractor,and was briefed. He chuckled. Of course he was one of the best. There wasn't a door yet that could stop him for more than a minute. A scroll would be easy enough to grab,so long as there weren't any magicked doors,but the Emperor's blood? That one would be tough. Mordecai looked at his mad contractor,and said, "I'm assuming you're going to tell us what the mark is?" He crossed his armc over his chest,and shrugged,causing the prybar over his shoulder to rattle a bit. His outfit was perfect for the local weather,warm,waterproof,and full of folds for concealing small items...Such as lockpicks and probes. "And when are we getting paid?"
 
Stayne Almist, also known as Silver Tongue Stayne was somewhat interested in this job, and left to find the contractor and was briefed on the information. "I don't know why, but it's humorous that you would call out to me for such a delicate job, Stayne said. "I am known for naught for but my honeyed words. What makes me so qualified for a job like this, and what am I to steal for you?" He felt unsure about this job, being a great talker was a good trait, but perhaps not good enough for whatever this contractor. He was unsure about his latent abilities.
 
Serian Drothe, Better known as the "Black Mage", and the man who was trying to put together the operation gave a short barking laugh.


"Ha? you're worried about getting payed? Let me tell you. when this job is said and done, we will be the only group in history to have cracked open the Imperial Magical Treasury itself. Take what you want. I care not."


He drove a short silver dagger through the Imperial Palace location on the map resting on the wooden table between them.


"There's only one thing in there I want. the rest is yours to split. That is whatever you manage to carry out of there alive..."


"As for you, my silver tongued friend. We need you to get us into the dance. The dance my be large, but only the most prestigions will attend. We need a forged copy on an invite before we can even get close to the Emperor. We need to either steal an existing one to alter, or borrow one long enough to forge our own. "


 
"Get you into the Emperor's grand party?, Stayne asked, feeling his talents were really needed. "That I can do and MUCH more", ​Stayne said, feeling good.
 
Straying off to one side, listening to the Procter speak, but not going close to the others, the woman examined her nails briefly Cocking an eyebrow, she glanced over at the table, noting the location of the blade. Folding her arms, her expression set into a thought glance. So, the harder of the tasks was the blood, clearly, but they'd rather question things like payment and use. Gesturing into the air roughly with her right hand, before refolding them, she spoke softly.


"What good is the blood of Emperor to a man dealing with thieves and cons?"
 
Serian leaned forward across the table and whispered to the group as if afraid to say it out loud.


"The Emperor's blood is a requirement to undo a powerful seal he made long ago. The real prize is not gold or silver, or even magical artifacts. The real prize for me is some long unfinished business with the throne. And merely killing the Emperor won't accomplish that."


He leaned back and resumed his normal dark tone of speaking.


"I have a plan for it, but it's dangerous and you need not concern yourself with it, for it is something only I can risk. Just get me the tools I need, and I can open a door to a prize unlike any heist you've ever dreamed of"
 
Stayne lets out a silent laugh, even though he knew how serious this job. "Unfinished business, you say", Stayne said, making a sinister smile. "Of course this has nothing to do about means to our financial ends. ​I am impressed!"
 
Laekus Cusoe, mostly known as Laekus, followed the pattern of near everyone else present, staking out a little piece of wall to protect his back and keep him separate from everyone else. As he listened to the largely directionless jabber of the handful present, he tucked his weak leg casually behind the other, balancing his weight easily. He had been cautious to respond to the invitation to the meeting at all, and the more he heard, the less satisfied he felt. His role was never breaking into the treasure rooms and safes; ‘taking what he could carry’ would guarantee him zero payment.


Still, the challenge had some appeal and Laekus was willing to hear if there was an alternative before he carefully ducked out. The last few words of the somewhat-notorious Stayne left Laekus without confidence entirely, but his voice was even and his expression neutral when he said, “I don’t need you to contrive anything for me to get to the gala. I have already been requested.” More than three decades of being a renowned performer had its perks.


Having broken his silence, Laekus looked to the uncertain leader, the ominously named Black Mage and calmly remarked, “I do not work on a ‘pay yourself’ basis, sir.” Information like what the woman asked sometimes paid for itself, but along with the Black Mage’s uninspiring response, Laekus was not convinced this would be the case.
 
Mordecai looked at Laekus,an old contact of his. A very good fence. "We could sell our takings through you,Laekus. You'd make a killing from your network of buyers." Intrigued by Laekus' invitation to the party,he chuckled. "You are a right magnificent bastard." Turning his gaze back to the Black Mage,he said, "I'm assuming the Cloak job is first. What's the scroll,where would it be held,and do you have any info on what's inside the tower?" Approaching the table,Mordecai looked at the map. He pulled out the silver dagger and set it down beside the map,observing the area around the tower,marked in red ink with brown spots...Marked in blood? His mace bumped against the table,but he paid it no mind.
 
Serian tapped the tip of his knife idly on the table, making tiny groves in the wood grain as he spoke.


"The scroll contains both a spell and a map. The map reveals something of much value to me, and the blood is required to activate the spell.


The spell is actually the key to opening the Imperial Magic Treasury which is were your cut of the job will come from. The secret crown jewels of the Empire, and something the Emperor has spent FAR too many years obsessively putting together.


Even the smallest of the items taken there could make you very powerful or very rich, depending on your agenda."


Reaching into the depths of his robes Serian pulled out several heavy coin pouches, each plump with solid gold marks and tossed them onto the table in front of each of the thieves.


"If you don't believe me, walk out now. If you're in, have a down payment to help you with the job ahead. Just keep in mind, this is nothing compared to the end prize, should we succeed."
 
Stayne looks at Serian sternly, and then looks around the room for a moment. He then takes one coin pouch. He actually felt that Serian trusted him. "When a contact of mine told me about you, I laughed so hard at the thought. And I asked myself, "Why would you, of all people wish to hire someone as deceptive as me?". "I thought you calling for me was a gamble at very long odds for a minute", Stayne said."I am willing to bet that many people told you it was a bad idea, and you still called me anyway." Stayne then reached out his hand for Serian to shake. "It seems you DO trust me, so I gladly take on this job."
 
What an odd situation. Pallas had stayed quiet most of the time that they stood there, only thinking to themselves. When the invitation had come to them, they were confused, ‘Pallas’ was merely a household name now. The thief hadn’t been up to anything as of late, although that didn’t stop the public eye from passing the blame on. Maybe that’s why the invitation had come to them, and Pallas couldn’t resist the temptation of it.


It seemed to have good reason, as the man who invited the lot of them there had an interesting proposition. They were to capture a scroll from the red cloak’s tower and, the more intriguing part, the emperor’s own blood. They let everyone else talk first, as much of them each had their own queries about the job. Pallas was intrigued already though; it would indeed be the job to end their career. At least in Pallas’ eyes that is…


Many of the folk in the room they already knew by their stories, as the Panther and the silver-tongued had spoken first. Then it was the Black mage, the fellow that had actually invited them all there, answering the questions of payment and why he had picked the men. Pallas was more interested in the prior part, delighted to hear they’d be breaking into the Imperial Magical Treasury. The stores they’ve heard about what was in there seemed enough payment for them.


Although there was a part about forgery they heard in the second query that had their interest…an invite to the dance? Pallas found no problem in copying such easy documents. It seemed one of the people here already had one, the performer Laekus, and they made note of that as they continued to stand by. It seemed the job had intrigued both the panther and the silver tongue, where anyone else stood, Pallas wasn’t sure.


The group seemed to talk amongst each other, and the black mage finally let them in on the exact plan. It seemed like the man actually trusted them with this, although half of them were known better by their lying and cheating ways. Silver tongue made note of that before finally accepting his deal, sticking his hand out. Rather than Pallas saying anything, they simply approached the table and grabbed a bag, fingering the contents before pulling it open.


Only because this would be the ultimate test of trust, they pulled a coin and examined the surface before biting it. Nodding their head, they dropped the coin back in and tightened the strap, pocketing the money in a safe place. Without a word, it seemed that Pallas was on board, finally taking a seat at the table and giving the mage a rather plain look.
 
Plucking up his bag of coins,he jangled it,and gave a whistle in admiration. "So,how much money do you make moving magical goods? Sounds like a lot...At least five hundered Sovereigns in here..." He slid the pouch under his cowl and tied it off there. Returning his gaze to the map,he growled in frustration. "The tower's only bordering a single street. Unless we got easy rooftops near the tower,our chances of getting in are slim. And I doubt they'll fall for a couple of us wearing bogus robes. Are the windows fortified?"
 
Tipping his head to acknowledge the Panther’s observation and compliment as his due, Laekus settled in to listen to the further prattle. There was a lot of risk involved in the plan the Black Mage was laying down, and a lot of delayed payment, but, uncharacteristically, Laekus found himself feeling intrigued and just the littlest bit excited. He did know a client or two who would sell the souls of their loved ones for Imperial treasures, even as hot as they would be from the source. He had a decision to make and he had to make it fast: as much information as he had now he could make a bright coin or two and go on as he had for the last thirty four years. Or he could take the payment and have a little adventure.


Following suit of the mysterious sixth figure, Laekus silently took the pouch in payment, but held it loosely in his fist dangling by his hip. He’d nix the bag later and purify the coins. It nearly didn’t matter how many were within; this job would be the payoff of a lifetime.


“I can help whistle up a tune and encourage more of the Cloaks to be in attendance at the Palace,” he offered generously.
 
A soft hint of a smirk graced her lips, before being hidden by them being drawn into a tight line of thought. She waited until others had taken coins, watching one verify they were indeed real, before taking her own. She neither weighed it nor took the contents out, and opted instead to drop it into her own bag. Resuming her position on the wall, a smirk took form instead, hidden behind the mask held tight against it.


"The tower's only bordering a single street. Unless we got easy rooftops near the tower,our chances of getting in are slim. And I doubt they'll fall for a couple of us wearing bogus robes. Are the windows fortified?"


"Windows and rooftops are nothing to worry about. Perception and vigilance on the other hand, well, you're in the trade. Besides, once you have one inside, it becomes almost child's play to get other's in, even more so if you can climb."
 
Stayne looked at the mysterious and yet dangerous woman in the room, and then turned his attention back to Serian. "Hearing her talk actually breaks the ice. I am actually inclined to agree with her", Stayne thought to himself. Well, have any ideas of how we'll get inside?", Stayne asked.
 
Serian folded his hands in front of him, confident that he had gathered their interest.


"We need to break into groups, one to scale the tower, one to infiltrate the base, and one to attend the party. Here, I have managed to secure these three enchanted crystals."


He dropped three identical small cloudy white crystals on the table.


"They are all enchanted to resonate at the same frequency, that means that if you speak into one, your voice can be heard on the other two, if you smash one, the others will share their fate. We can use these to communicate between groups since it will transmit the vibrations of your voice, so long as you are careful."


Serian glared at each of his fellow thieves in turn.


"And try not to loose them, they were very expensive to make.


Once you divide into your groups, each group can take one crystal. Hide them on your person or disguise them as jewelry, but whatever you do, don't let them fall into the hands of the Scarlet Robes."
 
"We can use the stones to keep in touch, and if the need arrives help another group out of a tight situation", Stayne thought to himself. He knew that Serian took a lot of time to prepare for this job. Stayne was a bit relaxed about the drawback about the stones since he always had several in case of serious jobs. "You're right", Stayne said. "It would be risky if we all go in one group. " Stayne knew Serian trusted him, but whether his fellow thieves was a different story. But if Serian found him trustworthy, then what else was there to be concerned of. As the group were concerned, he was prepared to work with anyone in this room.
 
“If the musician would be so kind as to lend me his invitation, I can make copies for those attending” Pallas notes, in case their skill in forging is unknown. The topic had finally shifted to the job at hand and Pallas was willing to give contributions to it. They were going to be splitting into groups and it was already given that one would be working its way through a high-rise window. The other two would be attending the party or infiltrating the base, “It matter not what group I’m to be placed in” they admit.


The sweet talker was right about it being risky if they all go in one group and Pallas quickly took inventory. The female would probably be one to climb the tower, and given that it was the sweet talker’s trade, he’d be in with the musician at the party. As for the other three, Pallas knew The Panther was good at breaking locks…or doors, which ever really came first for the man.


So now, it was the classic question for the man in charge; kicking down the door or looting the room?
 
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