[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=#A75EBB][b]Black Maw Syndicate[/b] [/color][/h1][/center]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/9LT9JdH.png[/img][/center]
[center][sub][@JJ Doe] [@Mole][/sub][/center]
[hr]

The lodge's warm interior did little to mask the undercurrent of tension that thickened the air. The fire crackled in the hearth, but shadows moved in every corner, and whispers of something dark, dangerous, and inevitable hovered over the scene. Sensing a change in the atmosphere, the clerk suddenly ducked behind the desk.

Seated in the far corner of the lodge, the [b]Black Maw Syndicate[/b] watched with cold, predatory eyes. They were an infamous gang in Avalia, a pack of cutthroats made up of demi-humans, orcs, and dark elves, who thrived on smuggling, extortion, and drugs. Vasco had already danced too close to the flames, unknowingly pulling his companion, Rowan, into the fire. 

At the head of the group sat Kaelin Vore, a dark-elf with slicked-back silver hair and cruel violet eyes. He leaned back in his chair, his lips twisted into a permanent smirk, as if always one step ahead of everyone around him. 

Flanking him was Zarnak, a towering, muscular lizardman with scaled skin and a demeanor that screamed violence. His long, black claws tapped against the table as he watched Vasco and Rowan with a predator’s patience. His slit yellow eyes were fixed on Vasco, and the hunger for blood was unmistakable.

By Kaelin’s side, Shira, a sleek feline demihuman, lounged lazily, her amber eyes half-lidded but always sharp. Her tail flicked back and forth as she purred under her breath, her claws gently raking the wood of her chair. 

A hulking figure loomed near the door: Gorruk, an orc with jagged teeth and scars crisscrossing his greenish-grey skin, each a trophy from his brutal life. His fists were like boulders, and he cracked his knuckles as he eyed the newcomers, eager for a fight.

The moment Vasco swaggered into the lodge, Kaelin tilted his head slightly, the smirk deepening. He flicked a finger toward Zarnak, signaling the start of the hunt.

Zarnak rose from his seat, his heavy footsteps echoing across the wooden floor as he approached Vasco and Rowan. The lizardman’s snarl curled his lips, his fangs glinting in the low light.

[b][color=green]“Well, well, look what the gutter dragged in,”[/color][/b] sneered Zarnak, stepping forward. His gleaming eyes locked onto Vasco. [b][color=green]“You’ve been causing trouble, haven’t you? Running around without paying your dues. And now... you bring a new friend.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=#8B1A1A]“This one looks... valuable,”[/color][/b] Gorruk rumbled. [b][color=#8B1A1A]“Bet the rich boy’ll fetch a nice price for our troubles.”[/color][/b]

Meanwhile, Shira circled around Rowan, her eyes sparkled with cruel amusement.

Zarnak took a step closer, his breath cold on Vasco’s face.

[b][color=#A75EBB]“See, boy, your mess comes with consequences. We don’t appreciate debt, and since you’ve been running up quite the tab, it’s time to collect. And this elf—”[/color][/b] Zarnak's eyes flicked to Rowan,[b][color=#A75EBB]“—he’s going to help pay your way out.”[/color][/b]

The gang members subsequently moved with silent coordination. Gorruk, the massive orc, cracked his knuckles again as he approached Rowan. His heavy footfalls echoed through the lodge.

[b][color=#8B1A1A]“You're coming with us, rich boy,”[/color][/b] Gorruk growled as he stepped behind Rowan, yanking his arms back and binding them roughly with a coarse rope. The elf struggled, his lithe form twisting, but the brute strength of the orc was overwhelming.

Shira leaned in close, her feline eyes glittering with cruel amusement. [b][color=pink]“Don’t fight it,”[/color][/b] she purred, her voice a dangerous whisper. [b][color=pink]“You’ll only make things worse.”[/color][/b] She brushed a claw lightly against Rowan’s cheek before stepping back, leaving a thin red line where her claw had kissed his skin.

Meanwhile, Zarnak’s attention shifted back to Vasco. His towering form blocked any escape, and with a sinister smirk, he drew a sleek blade from his belt, its edge gleaming in the light. He pointed it directly at Vasco.

[b][color=green]“You’ve made a mess,”[/color][/b] Zarnak sneered. [b][color=green]“And now your little friend here is going to pay the price. Unless, of course, you have a better idea. Do you?”[/color][/b]

The cold steel hovered inches from Vasco’s neck, as Kaelin, still lounging in his chair, watched the scene unfold with a twisted grin. [b][color=green]“Time to see if you’ve got anything worth offering, boy. Or maybe we’ll just take the elf and leave you to rot.”[/color][/b][/color]