Elemental RP (Baum1300 & Punkrawkhawk)

[Baum1300]

Alright, some one on one time with me! Shopping and such! Oh, I will be posting the shops I have created in the OOC. Haven't created many, so if you come up with more just let me know.

[Baum1300]

Gerard

It is time for you to complete your entrance into the Shadow's Guild. There is a man who we have had a contract on for quite some time, a pirate from the east, by the name of Captain Shen Bao. We believe he is planning a coupe of The Council of Five. This is an act we cannot allow. For weeks we have been watching, tracking him. The captain frequents pubs along the wharfs between the Sailor's District and the Captain's Ward. Not one for subtly, he is always dressed in bright colors, often yellows with a green trim. A bald man, he never covers his head, displaying is long triangular beard and thin mustache proudly. Thus far it doesn't appear that he is aware of us and always travels alone. We have observed him in many brawls, his is an excellent fighter. Remove him from a distance. Engage only if you must. Salvage anything of value from his person. Be cautious though, for if you fail he will retreat to his ship, Jade Serpent. If this happens, chances of success will diminish greatly.

- Watcher Balthazar

P.S. We are all quite curious to hear about your recent travels outside of town. Report back to base when your deed is complete.

[punkrawkhawk]

In the privacy of his room Gerard read the note carefully acknowledging all the pertinent details. Satisfied, he flung the now crumpled note into the hearth before heading out into the city. As he strode out into the the afternoon sun, his mind was ablaze with thoughts. He had killed men before, in self defense, and others for a bounty, but those men had been unrepentant killers. This was different he was actively seeking this man demise, it was cold and impersonal compared to the necessity of the times before. A wave of unease swept over him, he had always wanted to be part of something bigger, protecting the innocent with a knife in the dark or an arrow from afar was something he would never have considered still living in the safety and peace of his village. The realization of how much he had truly changed from a naive farm boy starting his journey on the road to a man capable of dealing death to an unsuspecting stranger was sobering. But after travelling and seeing the depth and breadth of others evil, selfishness and greed he was ready to do something about it, and this was the next step in making the world a better place. He had seen too much suffering and misery while on the road, his shows and skills were a balm to the hearts of the victims of these atrocities but is was merely a bandage wrapped over a festering wound that was slowly growing across the land. His skills and mind were a weapon and the Shadow's were the hand that would guide him, he would just have to trust that their cause was just. This was his chance to prove himself to them to gain powerful allies in his search for justice, but nonetheless he would be going into the arrangement with both eyes open...

He shook his head, clearing his mind of the dark brooding thoughts and getting back into the business at hand he struck off through the city towards the docks he needed to scout the area around the pubs and plan his next steps carefully.

[Baum1300]

Strolling through the city streets was nice this time of night. Few people crowded the streets, markets were closed, and no minor peddlers were trying to hawk their wares; except for the back alley fences of the various guilds. Sailors and merchants from all over the world stumbled to and from bar to bar. Some had the fresh bruises of a parlor brawl, others triumphantly hoisted a tankard in their ally's names. But his quarry was no where insight, at least not yet.

Breathing in deeply, concentrating, the salt assaulted his nose, after years and years of being in the city he had recently became used to the sting of the ocean and the chill breezes it normally brought. Eying the wharfs Gerard looked up and down, looking for some sign of his target, the yellow coat or the bald head, any of the identifiers the Shadows had used. He needed to find this Captain Shen Bao, to study him, learn his habits, discover the appropriate time and place to strike. Realizing he was standing still he began to walk towards the docked ships, slowly though, still peering around for his prey. A flash of color from the left caught his eye; a yellow cloak, trimmed in green. Taking a chance to glance that direction he saw what he was looking for; it was him. There was no mistaking Shen from the description in the letter. Gerard watched as Shen proudly strutted from The Burning Fiend.

Ahead of the Shen, three men gathered at a corner eying the captain warily. They were planning something Gerard knew it. He had seen that look in many a thieves' eye before. Nights on the docks were a perfect place for such antics, and Gerard knew the routine well. The group would split up, the weakest would stagger into Shen, feigning a drunken stupor, when they collided the thief would attempt to cut a gold purse, or steal something of value. If the thief was confronted, the two larger men would step from the shadows and attack. Curious as to how Cpt. Shen Bao would handle himself, Gerard pulled his cloak tight over his head and sneaked into a shadowy corner.

Unlike a majority of the groups clients, Shen was not the drunk sailor they normal preyed on. His stance alone was clue to that, but they kept up the charade. Stumbling the first thief "tripped" over a rock, slamming into Shen. Knowing it was all a great ruse Shen slid a dagger from beneath his robe, punching out with the butt, slamming his attacker in the temple. From either side of Shen came the two brutes, bull rushed Shen in anger, swords drawn, for their downed friend. Deftly Shen dove forward, throwing himself into a roll to avoid the onslaught. Rising from his roll he pulled a highly decorated longsword from a sheath on his hip. Fear flashed across his enemies faces as they risked a glance at one another. Noticing the moment of doubt Shen struck, throwing his dagger into the nearest ones leg, freeing up his off hand. Further enraged the second man foolishly rushed Shen again, swinging his sword in large powerful arcs, fulling ignoring an semblance of defense. Shen easily dodged the mans blows. The openings were many, in which Shen could have easily dealt a mortal blow, but he resisted, kicking out at the knee and slapping the man on the rump with the flat of his sword. Laughing Shen egged the man on begging for him to attack, which he had no problem in attempting. Shen tired of the game, it was apparent upon his face. He came in raging, both hands around his longsword, looking for a swift and brutal kill upon Shen, but Shen would not have it. Coming in close, Shen deflected the mans blade up, coming around with a vicious left hook that sent the thief sprawling. Seeking to end it Shen bent low, whispered a few words Gerard could not understand, then proceeded to slit the man's throat. Standing he spit upon the corpse, cleaned his blade and was off into the night.