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FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

Iliskra, Leon, and Firoz met Elthel and Willory downstairs. Elthel revealed there had been one man downstairs passed out drunk that Willory dealt with. Firoz asked if there had been anything of note in the basement to which Willory said it was mostly just trash and assorted junk save for a few kegs of ale that he insisted they leave with.

“After we finish here, yes.” Elthel stated which pleased the halfling.

“What is there left to do?” Iliskra asked.

Elthel turned her head sharply, saying, “We want all the time we can gain for ourselves. We need to hide away the bodies of Gunalar’s men and make things seem… orderly as the usual here. Should anyone come here and find Gunalar’s men dead and he nowhere to be found it will spur his cohorts.”

“We should return to the alley you say you were trapped in and dispose of Gunalar’s body.” Firoz stated.

Elthel nodded, her eyes darting about in calculation. “Firoz, return and gather three of our number and bring them here. And then you and I will go to do away with Gunalar’s body. Willory, you and the others must hide the bodies here as best you can.”

“Any suggestion?” Willory asked.

“How many kegs of ale did we see? Eight?” Elthel asked, rubbing her chin.

“Y-Yes…” Willory stammered.

“Dismember the bodies and stuff them into the kegs and seal them. Anything that cannot fit inside you can toss into the fireplace or oven.”

“No!” Willory barked shrilly making everyone but Elthel wince back from him and look around nervously.

“Do as I say!” Elthel immediately snapped with a scolding point of her finger.

The halfling recoiled at her retort and then began to sulk but gave a nod of affirmation.

“And remember to salvage their weapons and armor.”

Another solemn nod from the downtrodden halfling.

“What about the chest we emptied upstairs?” Firoz asked, clutching one ear.

“Lock it back up. If you cannot then the others can stow it away in the basement.”

“I will set the crossbow trap back before we leave.” Firoz added.

Elthel nodded and then looked back to Iliskra and Leon.
“Your companion is out front, posing as a guard. We, as you can see, have much left to do this night. You handled yourselves well for the most part.”

“I am glad you think so.” Iliskra replied, stuffing her newly acquired sword, wand, and gemstones into her bag of holding.

“Zilaster will without doubt wish to speak with you soon. And I must admit we may have more to talk about as well,” Elthel lowered her hood for the first time, letting her thick red hair fall free around her shoulders and face, “the Dragon’s Tail tavern has rooms for rent. It lies in the center of this side of the city, you will see it. The owner pays his protection to Shagarm and keeps the place in running order. I will meet you there the morning after tomorrow - if you are interested in working with us further. And making solid coin.”

Iliskra nodded in understanding and looked to Leon.

“And just in case you happen to get the idea of going to Shagarm’s people - or someone else - with word about us,” Elthel smirked, “Zilaster has already been moved from beneath Yanoriim’s store and the underground passage sealed. And we do not take kindly to betrayers.”

FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

The only thing to be found in the wardrobe was a mess of dirty clothes and worn boots. Iliskra looked under the bed and found only more empty bottles and undergarments - the latter of which made her shudder - and on realizing there was nothing more Firoz started to work on the chest.

“It seems Gunalar was quite mindful of intrusion into his room.” Iliskra nodded towards the only bedroom window which was not only tightly boarded up but had a wicked-looking bear trap set on the floor just below it.

“The half-orc was the smartest of his band. Which does not say much.” Firoz chuckled as he rattled the lock against the chest in his efforts to pick it.

It did not take long for Firoz to get the chest open, the lock clattering to the floor followed by a loud creak as the lid was raised. Iliskra peeked over his shoulder to gaze at the contents within. There was a single bulging sack that clinked of coins which Firoz quickly pulled from the chest. Most of the rest of the contents within were miscellaneous - a keen-looking short sword, an amulet bundled in its own cord, a few trinket gems such as quartz and pearls, and a suspicious-looking wand. Iliskra quickly grabbed the wand and stepped back before Firoz could protest, though he did look over his shoulder at her with a raised brow.

“The gold goes to us,” Firoz quickly asserted as he stood, “and I will take this amulet as well.”

Iliskra reached back into the chest and took the short sword from where it lay. The blade was fine and dangerously sharp and the hilt and pommel sturdy and blunt. The blade felt strangely perfect in her hand, as if it were the finest sword ever made and that it was forged just for her. It was most likely enchanted, which meant that even if Iliskra or Leon neither wanted it they could sell it for a fair amount of coin. Iliskra scooped up the gems and left the amulet to Firoz. As the half-elf approached the doorway, sword and wand in each hand, she looked up and her eyes instantly widened.

“Firoz, the stairs!”

Coming up the stairs, just rounding the last flight, was a crouched man dressed in the same tattered clothes and cheap armor padding as the rest of Gunalar’s gang. Most likely he had heard the talking upstairs or found his dead fellows below and came up to investigate. When he saw Iliskra and heard her shout he impulsively drew his sword and came charging up the rest of the stairs - straight into Leon’s line of attack.

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FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

Firoz pulled the first door open, Iliskra holding for two breaths before opening the second door. Had there been anyone lurking just inside they would have very likely pounced on Firoz making them vulnerable to an attack by Iliskra and Leon. But no one came and the coast seemed clear.

“Watch your step,” Firoz pointed down with the tip of his blade, “tripwire.”

A thin, shin-high wire reached the full length of the doorway, pulled tight. Firoz stepped carefully over the wire followed by his two new counterparts. The wire was firmly tied to the trigger of a crossbow that sat perched on a small rack of a sort which was placed neck-high on the right side of the doorway. Anyone who tripped the wire would get a bolt to the side of the throat or skull. Firoz reached to disarm the trap while Iliskra and Leon looked the room over. As Leon had suspected it was the master bedroom, nearly three times the size of the other rooms. Even in the squalor and dishevelment of the bandit hideout it was more than clear that this was the abode of a half-orc.

“Elthel was not jesting at all.” Iliskra wrinkled her nose.

The room had a strong smell of bestial sweat and a musky scent that made Iliskra’s stomach roll inside her. The large bed that sat directly across from the door had only a stained heavy mattress and dirty sheets spread upon it - and scattered around the bed on the floor were without mistake women’s undergarments. Several in fact. Empty whiskey and ale bottles were carelessly cast about the floor and on a large end table to the right of the bed sat a silver platter with a stripped bird carcass on it, the bones dark and riddled with buzzing flies. To the left of the bed a heavy wooden chest sat against the wall with a bulky padlock sealing it shut. Next to the chest was a small desk with an accompanying chair. The desk had various items atop it; rolls of grimy paper and a writing well and quill, a stray dagger, a cracked silver amulet, what looked to be a shark tooth necklace, and a rather out of place neatly written note.

“What have we here?” Iliskra raised a brow as she snatched the note from the desk top. The half-elf’s eyes darted back and forth, right to left as she read - her expression turning noticeably intrigued. There was a soft thump as Firoz dismounted the crossbow from the wall having just cut the wire, and as he turned to face them Iliskra quickly passed the note to Leon.

“Did you find something?” Firoz asked.

“Just this locked trunk,” Iliskra motioned over her shoulder, “and perhaps that wardrobe over there has something interesting in it.”

NOTE

Gunalar,

You made the right choice in submitting yourself and your men to Shagarm. In this broken city of stubborn fools you have proven to be a shrewd leader. As part of the agreement of your integration Shagarm expects you to finish off the Ashaba Talons without delay. Those that have not relented have been slain and only a handful of loyalists remain with Zilaster, and with the loss of their guild hall and control of the river the Talons are breathing their last bloody breaths, so to speak. Zilaster is desperate and has run out of time and allies, something you might play to your advantage if you are hasty. Shagarm is aware of your history with the leader of the Talons and as an added gift for your loyalty you are left to put them down as you will. As already written though - do not delay.

Bring the head of Zilaster to Shagarm and you will be given your reward in full and granted the post you were promised. Should you fail or overly complicate things your head will hang on Shagarm’s wall next to Zilaster’s. Good hunting.

- J

FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

The far door on the right opened and suddenly Firoz emerged, a bloody dagger in his right hand. At first he tensed up on seeing another person in the hallway, though he quickly relaxed on seeing it was the masked Leon.

“Where is your companion?” Firoz asked as he gently closed the door behind him.

Firoz’s question was answered by the door between he and Leon swinging open and Iliskra stepped out rather boldly, her blade likewise bloodied. Using her right foot the half-elf pushed the door shut behind her, cleaning her blade off on the doorframe.

“I killed one that was asleep. What of you two?” Firoz asked, sheathing his dagger.

“As did I,” Iliskra said, “there was nothing of value in this one’s room though save for a few pairs of boots that most likely would not even be worth the effort of peddling.”

“Ah,” Firoz nodded, “the same. Well… there was this.” The Turmish man dangled a small bulging coin purse in the air before slipping it into his belt.

“I take it this must be Gunalar’s room.” Iliskra nodded towards the double door, approaching it with Leon and keeping her own dagger handy.. “Leon, did you find anything or anyone across the hall?”

FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

Elthel said nothing else for the moment, her head turning as she looked over the parlor. In all its’ splendor it must have been quite the fine drawing room. But after being abandoned by the owner, enduring through riots and fighting in the city streets, and now acting as a hideout for filthy bandits, the place was to say rundown and disgusting. The floorboards were starting to rot in places, the expensive wallpaper was peeled off in massive amounts revealing molded planks, and the furniture was stained and dirty. Only the mantle and fireplace seemed in decent order still, the latter of which crackled with glowing red embers that brought warmth to the room. Above the mantle piece on the wall were three crude circles drawn in the shape of a practice target which was lined with throwing knives and arrows.

“Firoz is upstairs,” Elthel finally spoke, “and Willory went around back to find a way down into the basement. I will go see to him and we will search this floor over. You two can look upstairs.”

Iliskra nodded and motioned for Leon to follow as she stepped out into the small foyer. Just down the hall - straight ahead from the front door - was a door on the right and the left. Directly across from the parlor door was a square-shaped staircase that reached up to the second floor. Hanging directly above the staircase was a dust-covered chandelier with candleholders encrusted with heavy layers of dried wax. Iliskra started up the stairs, noting the lack of decoration on the walls. Obviously anything of value had been taken with the original owners or looted during the riots and whatever may have been left behind was pawned off by Gunalar’s band. The place stank of body odor, spoiled food, ale, and unwashed clothing. Iliskra had dealt with the filthier ilk of bandits and thieves plenty of times before but that did not mean she ever truly grew comfortably accustomed to their dirty ways.

After ascending three flights of creaky stairs Iliskra and Leon reached the top floor. Directly across a hallway from the staircase was a double door entrance while to the right and left were two doors at each end of the hallway across from each other. Five upstairs rooms in total.

“I will take the two rooms down left hallway. You can take the right.” Iliskra said tightening her grip on her dagger.

FORGOTTEN REALMS - Gambit of Scoundrels

“Huh?”

Leon’s choice for an entrance could not have been worse. He had slinked his way right into the estates’ parlor - which two of Gunalar’s thugs were residing in at the very moment. The pair of crooks had been sitting slouched in matching dark brown comfortable chairs that were side-by-side with a small table nestled between them - on it rested a nearly empty bottle of whiskey and a smoking pipe.

The thug closer to the window had lazily turned his head, at first disregarding the movement he had seen in the corner of his eye as being his imagination or maybe a bird flying close by. When his eyes focused on Leon however he lurched upright in his chair and wobbled to a stand. “Who the Hells are-…” The man did not finish as his sharp call was cut short by a knife that came whirling from the far left through a nearby door and buried itself into the side of his skull with a sick pop. The man crumbled onto the dirty rug that adorned the wooden floor. His companion by now had also staggered up from his seat and on seeing his friend fall to the floor fumbled for the mace that was propped against the offside of his seat.

Elthel suddenly darted through the door to the left and set upon the other man, plunging her blade straight into his throat. With equal swiftness she delivered a sharp kick over the back of the chair that sent the man tumbling down onto his back, gurgling and spewing blood as he grasped at his neck. Iliskra stepped in after Elthel, her dagger drawn as she looked over her shoulder into the hallway behind her.

Once the second man’s last agonized breaths ended and he lay dead Elthel cleaned her blade off on the back of his chair and then turned to face Leon with a vile look on her face.

“Perhaps you should have allowed the one who has been here to take the lead and decide who goes where.” Elthel spat. “The front door was not guarded nor trapped. These are not the sharpest of criminals we are facing.”
Elthel stomped over to the first man and pulled her throwing knife free and cleaned it off as well, then slipping it back into her belt.