It has been three months since the Blood Knives had recruited several new members into their organization. Some faded away like a shadow feeling the sun, while a few others showed tremendous promise. Yet a few more had been killed off in various assignments, clearly not worthy of their selection.
The Shadowed Dragon, one of the more prosperous taverns in the city even without its criminal connection, once more opened its obsidian doors to perhaps a new crop of recruits for the feared group who used it has a base of operations.
A shadowy slim figure slips through the crack of the Shadowed Dragon, her ebony skin blending seamlessly with her black leather vest and leggings. The click of her thigh high boots dance on the flagstone. Her eyes shift across the room measuring distance and assessing the situation, as she quickly locates a method of exiting. The dark elf walks to the bar sitting down at the middle, "Black firewater on the rocks, shaken."
A nod to a nearby half-orc. "Evening."
A massively large Half-Orc sits quietly at the bar of the Shadowed Dragon, in his normasl location. He secretly scans the room for the arrival of his felloow Blood Knives.
With recruitment happening again, there will be many newbloods seeking membership. Well, lookie here, a lovely drow approaches.
As she sits nearby and nods in his direction, Ragar flashes his toothy grin.
Good evening to you. I have not seen you around. Ragar's the name. Are you new to the Shadowed Dragon?
Her charcoal eyes take in the sight of the large man, Hey, at least there will be fun night of rolling around on the floor...all is not lost.
"Martil Nightwalker," she extends her hand toward the hulking man to kiss, "pleasure is mine...I'm sure. Join me for drink?" She appears to visibly relax her shoulders. "Yes, first time at the Shadowed Dragon, but it's reputation does proceed it. I hope to be a regular." She smiles Is he new like me or a regular? Looks too comfortable to be new. "A regular like you." She says confidently.
A handsome humanoid enters the common room via the stairwell behind the bar whispering to a human female. Though he looks mostly human, his deep purple eyes and small horns reveal his true demonic nature. His arm is resting around the shoulders of the human female who is dressed in black leathers and is giggling at whatever Kedrick is saying. After a moment of conversation, he kisses her and then walks over to Ragar.
He addresses Ragar: Sweet as usual.
He then looks around Ragar to the drow. Have you found a new friend?
The human female in leathers follows Kedrick to the bar and runs her hands through Ragar's hair as she crosses behind him. Stopping between Ragar and the drow, she leans in and whispers loud enough for the drow to hear. I thought you were in to humans. She laughs a little before she leans in and kisses his cheek. You losers missed out on all the action for the past month. Maybe you will get a call soon to see some action.
She looks around Ragar back at Kedrick. Until next time demon boy...
Ignoring the drow female alltogether, she walks out of the tavern.
One dark thin eyebrow raises, "Friend...perhaps, company absolutely. By all means joins us." He looks like an icewine drinker "Bartender, can I trouble you for an icewine, also, for the new arrival." She smiles pleasantly at both men. "Obviously, I'm the odd woman out, since the two of you are clearly acquainted." There is a short pause, "I'm Martil Nightwalker at your service." She holds her other hand out to the new arrival to be kissed.
"A woman with attitude...I like that." Both thin eyebrows raise to emphasize the point.
Kedrick leans over Ragar to take the lady's dark hand and lightly kisses it. Mmmmmmmmm. Tastes sweet....but I bet this rose has thorns. He smiles devilishly at the drow and then leans back into his own seat.
It is a pleasure Martil. What has brought you to this lovely establishment? You are far too well equipped to be the usual groupy.
Icewine...I like this girl already.
He takes the Icewine and toasts the girl. To new friends then!
"Every rose has thorns but there should always be a touch of pain with pleasure, " she smiles. "To new friends," she clinks her black firewater glass to theirs.
She giggles, "I've received an interesting invitation to this semiprivate club" She stresses the word invitation.
He's as easy as I envisioned. Most are. She straightens up ensuring her shoulder's are pushed backward to bring the focus of their lust to down her shapely body while innocently biting her full bottom lip.
The temperature in the tavern gets noticeably colder. The doors open to reveal a young woman, her stark white hair and slightly blue skin showing her as a jadwiga from Irrisen. Her light blue dress, short in the front, shows off her legs up to the tops off her knees, but long in the back and trails behind her as she enters. Her knee high leather boots make a light tap on the wooden floors as she enters.
Strapped to her waist is a golden knife, the pride of her collection. She notices Ragar and walks over to his table, ignoring the other two, one of which is obviously a new prospect. She grabs Ragar by the collar of his armor, plants a vicious kiss on his lips, and then smacks him across the face. She then sits down at the table and looks at Kedrick and the drow girl.
Her eyes raise slightly as she studies Martil, a slight hunger in her eyes as she takes in the ebony skin. She chuckles slightly as she realizes the girl means to use her body to entrap the minds of her male compatriots. A night alone with me, and you will forget about ever needing a man again
She turns to Ragar, "Looks like your still alive and in good health. Seems something big must be going on for the guild masters to pull me away from Irrisen..."
"Purrrfecttt" the unintentional gasp.
Ragar...you look like a popular man tonight..err I mean half orc.
Kedrick quickly notices the golden knife. She is obviously one of us. He nonchalantly taps the hilt of his own dagger as he looks at the jadwiga.
The drow's charcoal eyes drops to the golden dagger and the waist it is strapped to, then over to both men, noticing theirs. So the interview begins.
"I'm Martil Nightwaler," as she takes the young woman's hand and presses her full lips to the backside, the frigid touch sending a wave of chill down Martil's body. Her lips linger ...perhaps two seconds longer than is custom. "I've been invited to meet here today about a potential business proposition." A short pause, "Are the three of you my handlers?" A wicked smirk crosses her lips when she says this.
Whirrun looks up at the building Seems to be the place. Let's see if their reputation holds true
A shadow is cast through the doorway, and at the end of it stands an absolute mountain of a man. As he ducks to clear the doorway his features are more defined in the dim lighting. He has lanky pure white hair that's tied back, a patch of dark stubble across his face and he is wearing simple short sleeved travelers clothes that are unbuttoned at the top. Across his arm and chest are enough scars to make an orc proud, and it appears more of them were made by animals than anything else.
He frowns That's unnatural, it's colder in here he scans the room quickly and see's the collection of people at the bar. He runs them over, taking notes Drow, dark clothing, probably easy to lose in this kind of lighting. Horns, probably a spellcaster. Pale blue...ahh there's the source of the cold, her heart is probably much the same. And finally...well well, maybe somebody else had to duck on the way in.
Whirrun wastes no time and heads directly to the group, calling to the bartender "Throatburn, and something to eat" as he puts his hand on the table it's easy to see his nails are unnaturally thick and slightly pointed. He turns his attention to the group, and seeing three of them grouped up against the drow he sits next to her, leaning up against the bar "Whirrun Bligh" he takes a sip of the burning spirit
Well, I am always game to handle....well, whatever needs handled.
He nods at Kedrick.
You know the ladies, my friend, always lurking...especially this one. Lady Natalia, I have missed you dearly. Welcome back, dearest.
As for you, Martil, you would do well to get an invitation to join the likes of these folks. We have a way of getting things done, and enjoying ourselves immensely in the process. What skills do you possess?
He takes a long pull on his ale.
Barkeep, another, and one for each of my comrades.
The drow looks over Whirrun direct and demanding a man to note...competition for sure. "Welcome Whirrun....I'm Marti Nightwaler, it looks like we are here for the same purpose." She does not extend her hand to be kissed. "Pull up a chair...we are all just getting to know each other."
Well, I am always game to handle....well, whatever needs handled.
He nods at Kedrick.
You know the ladies, my friend, always lurking...especially this one. Lady Natalia, I have missed you dearly. Welcome back, dearest.
As for you, Martil, you would do well to get an invitation to join the likes of these folks. We have a way of getting things done, and enjoying ourselves immensely in the process. What skills do you possess?
He takes a long pull on his ale.
Barkeep, another, and one for each of my comrades.
Martil chuckles, then respectfully waits for the half-orc to finish his statement,"I'm a bit softer to handle then Whirrun but don't underestimate my my touch." Her left thumb points at Whirrun.
"I tend to blend into the shadows well, lending tactical support and needed strength and healing. I bend light into darkness, and enjoy enchanting weapons to inflict additional pain and discomfort." She smiles, "Oh...and a drow's kiss can cause so much discomfort if applied to the proper weapon."
Natalia takes the snake out from her bag and allows it to curl around her arm. Anyone can plainly see that it is a viper, much like his owner. At Ragar's offer for a drink, she looks to the bartender, "Chelish Red, something from Egorian. I've lost taste for Icewine. Everything in Irrisen is Icewine!"
Turning back to Martil, she continues to examine the curves of the young drow. "We won't be your handlers, merely your compatriots. Not to say you shouldn't worship us, as we have survived."
The scars are striking, but in some unwholesome way they suit Shula's features. They are so striking that it is not until a second look that the eye registers such things as a slender form, red hair, golden eyes, or the curved swords that hang from her hips. Her eyes follow the conversations in the room as though she had been there for some time, but she just appeared a moment ago.
"Surely a proper lady does not lurk," she says with a warm smile and a silky voice. She has a curious accent, a whisper of Minkai, perhaps? "Though I can't see what use anyone would have for a proper lady."
She spins and gives a graceful bow. "Shula Ayesha, at your service."
Now this is more like it. Please take my seat Shula. Kedrick stands and returns the bow as he slides his chair to the tiefling.
A quick nod to the northern lady, "Surviving is good....very good. What are your particular skill sets, if I could be so bold?"
As she finishes her statement her attention shifts to the opening door. She nods towards the unusual looking girl that entered the room, "Now her scars are...mmmm interesting."
Natalia appraises the female tiefling new comer with her intent eyes. Another one that I would like to see warming my bed...
She looks to Martil, her voice full of amusement. "Seems you have some intriguing competition..."
Intriguing...yes...competition..." she shrugs. A threesome...then spending a sideways glance a the three men or group party. ...it's entertainment at the least.'
"So Shula, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Martil Nightwalker. What particular skills were you recruited for if I may ask."
An older gentleman quietly walks into the dimly lit room. After standing apart from the group for a few minutes, he sits and simply orders a water. Calmly sipping his water, the man finally breaks his silence. Evening all, I assume we are all here for the same reason? The names Maudril.
From a darkened corner of the room a high pitch voice interrupts the warm welcomes. "The Almighty tells me to come here for work, so far all I see is a flirt fest.. Am I in the right place?" A small gnome dressed in brown/grey robes appears at a table in the corner.. Your almost certain he would have gone unnoticed had he remained silent.. "Names Zexil Blackheart and I heard rumors your squad was in need of an expert alchemist and user of the arcane arts, both of which I am.."
Water....hmmmm. Never trust a man who won't drink with you...or at least one that won't pretend to drink with you. The drow simply nods at the older man.
"I will gladly take what is so freely given, my pretty man," Shula says to Kedrick, her eyes appraising him in ways that a proper lady wouldn't.
She steps onto the seat of the chair and perches on the back, sitting straight to keep her balance. She catches Martil's nod with a glance and returns it slowly, her smile friendly, though lopsided, as one corner of her mouth seems too damaged to turn up. She turns that smile back to Kedrick.
"Plum wine, pretty man," she says, and then cocks her head thoughtfully. "You were going to offer me a drink, weren't you?"
Good lord...something big must be going on for the boss to bring in this many recruits.
"I will gladly take what is so freely given, my pretty man," Shula says to Kedrick, her eyes appraising him in ways that a proper lady wouldn't.
She steps onto the seat of the chair and perches on the back, sitting straight to keep her balance. She catches Martil's nod with a glance and returns it slowly, her smile friendly, though lopsided, as one corner of her mouth seems too damaged to turn up. She turns that smile back to Kedrick.
"Plum wine, pretty man," she says, and then cocks her head thoughtfully. "You were going to offer me a drink, weren't you?"
I like her style. Kedrick feigns excitement over the offer to be able to get the tiefling's drink. Why of course. He smiles warmly. It will be a shame to have to kill her if she isn't selected.
"Are we competing?" she says, pouting at the frosty lady. "But you're all so deliciously charming."
"I haven't really got any skills to speak of," she says to Martil, shrugging her shoulders and producing a dagger from a boot sheath. She makes a quick pass with the knife, and holds it up to show the blood dripping down the blade. She holds up her other hand and reveals that she has carved the words "Pick me," into her flesh. The cuts are shallow, but the blood trickles slowly down her fingertips.
"I just came to play," she says, turning to the gnome and licking her fingers. "But as long as people want to see other people hurt, I'll never really have to draw a line between work and play."
Kedrick chuckles as the tiefling calls Natalia charming tongue in cheek. He sets her drink down. One plumb wine. He looks at the gnome. Enjoy the flirt fest sir. You do not want to see this turn unfriendly. He rests his hand on the back of Shula's neck.
Natalia takes her wine and sips at it, siting back slightly in her chair next to Ragar. She examines all the new arrivals with interest, "Competition is the heart of all organizations. Ours is no different."
The old man smiles at the white haired woman, Well, why compete when you can remove that which is undesirable? Continuing to sip his drink the man grins a little further, Or you could just send them my why, I'm always willing to perform a little experiment or two.
"All work and no fun makes a stuffy work environment," she looks to the three members of the organization, "I do believe you all know how to mix pleasure into it's proper place." She sips her black firewater for the second time in the evening, "But never let pleasure interfere with a job." She cautions.
Maudril turns to the lithe drow women, Hence my lack of alcohol, I love a good drink as much as the next, but when meeting potential contacts or employers, I like to keep my wits about me.
Her eyes shift around the room, looking at everyone trying to notice each hidden blade and weapon in this den of organized crime.
What an odd statement...organized crime...a genius notion actually having runts committing crime for others that are higher up on the food chain. The higher you go, the less likely your hands are dirty and stained crimson. The one true type of law I'd willfully follow.
Ragar leans in close to Lady Natalia.
What do you make of them? See any worthies? I think there are some with potential.
He yells across the room,
Join us gnome, Zexil, unless the flirtatious atmosphere is too much for you?
Stirring out of her thoughts, "Yes, keeping your wits is important but then I can easily remedy the impurities within the alcohol with simple blessing." She cuts short her reference to which deity reigns within her blood...the one true deity...as deception is expected by her faithful. The Mistress of Insanity and Deception has chosen her and guided her to this organized crime outfit. Great things will happen.
Zexil listens to the tavern talk quietly seemingly neutral atm. "I was under the impression this was a job interview, not a social greeting, is all" A slight sneer develops "The Prince of Undeath has little time for small talk, if that's what this is than I'm afraid I've wasted my time" Zexil eyes the room "I'm came here to offer my services of death dealing and afterwards raising the dead, creating tokens of faith to my Lord and I apologize if if I'm a bit lacking in the social skills "
Zexil listens to the tavern talk quietly seemingly neutral atm. "I was under the impression this was a job interview, not a social greeting, is all" A slight sneer develops "The Prince of Undeath has little time for small talk, if that's what this is than I'm afraid I've wasted my time" Zexil eyes the room "I'm came here to offer my services of death dealing and afterwards raising the dead, creating tokens of faith to my Lord and I apologize if if I'm a bit lacking in the social skills "
We are not a bunch of thugs. Much can be accomplished through conversation. Many of our missions involve subtlety and persuasion. You may have wasted your time if you are only here to kill. That is a very small aspect of our business.
Seducing a target so they will reveal their secrets...Infiltrating an organization through disguise...Trailing a mark...Gathering information...The list goes on.
"Relax gnome haven't you heard the Andoran expression that you catch more flies with honey than bitters," she snickers, "we are the flies and they are the honey," motioning to crime family, " We need to bond, and get along, with the current members that appears to be the test, there will be plenty of blood to come."
Natalia leans closely to Ragar to whisper, "A few that I would take to my bed..." She eyes Martil and Shula. "And one or two I may like to feed to the winter wolves in Whitethrone... But is there anyone I would trust to take on a job? I'm afraid only you hold that position in my mind, old friend. Our lovely guildmasters will need to make that decision."
She sips from her wine, ignoring the comments of the gnome who smelled of death.
Zexil nods at Kedrick's response.. While im not to good at the persuasion part, i am rather good at the subtlety part. And while i understand not everything is about killing, it is my duty to offer souls to my Lord Orcus. With that said i would be a great ally when it comes to the none persuasion stuff and could potentially double our numbers in walking corpses should the need arise.
Kedrick responds to the gnome. Point well taken my friend.
Whirrun eyes the orc as he takes a sip "I think this is the only competition I've seen in a long time" he sets his drink down and cracks his knuckles, then turns and gives one of the most bone chilling, blood curdling smiles you've every seen. You can see now that his teeth are slightly pointed, similar to a wolves "So. What skills I can bring. Well I can snap a mans neck with my bare hands" he raises one hand to show his nails "And use these to rip their flesh apart" he leans back again and takes on his more casual demeanor "I move surprisingly quiet for my size, and I can normally get others to do what I want...in my own way" he says, with the hint of that twisted smile
Kedrick pulls a chair up behind Ragar, sits down, and sips his wine. Softly to Ragar: Can you imagine some of these guys trailing the Captain with us a few months back? Kedrick laughs to himself as he pulls out a book and starts reading.