Legend
Knowing that merchants are a prime target in times like these you head to where most of them are located. Once again you find exactly what you expected, more criminals. Except these ones are a lot more organized. You notice many have tattoos signifying them as members of the Ebony Claw Syndicate, an organization you've heard about dedicated to all the major crime in Holgard. In this case though, they seem to be defending the merchants, or rather defending their own investments no doubt, after all if these merchants get killed and robbed, they'll lose money on their protection racket. One of them sees you arrive and approaches.
"Damn shame about these dissidents causing trouble like this. This kind of thing isn't good for anybody and it certainly isn't good for business. I can see you're working for the Baron and trying to restore order and that's good. You don't need to worry about this area though; we're doing our part for the city and defending it."
"Oh just regular patriots eh?" you say.
"Despite our misunderstood view on the law, we don't have any grudge against the government. We aren't the enemy here."
"You're still criminals."
"And? What're you going to do fight us? We aren't some lowly street gang; you'll have more than a fight on your hands. And even if you win, then what? You'll more than likely have less soldiers after the battle and still have to bring order to other parts of the city. And what of this area? Without anyone to defend it, it'll be attacked by common thugs. Do the smart thing, leave this area to us. Everyone will be safe here as long as we're around and it gives you one less place to worry about."
You look around and the Syndicate does seem to have everything under control, the district will be safe for now, but what about afterward? It'll be business as usual. The merchants look at you, but you can't tell if it's a look of "Leave everything alone, and don't make things worse." Or "Help us please and get rid of these extortionists once and for all!"
"Damn shame about these dissidents causing trouble like this. This kind of thing isn't good for anybody and it certainly isn't good for business. I can see you're working for the Baron and trying to restore order and that's good. You don't need to worry about this area though; we're doing our part for the city and defending it."
"Oh just regular patriots eh?" you say.
"Despite our misunderstood view on the law, we don't have any grudge against the government. We aren't the enemy here."
"You're still criminals."
"And? What're you going to do fight us? We aren't some lowly street gang; you'll have more than a fight on your hands. And even if you win, then what? You'll more than likely have less soldiers after the battle and still have to bring order to other parts of the city. And what of this area? Without anyone to defend it, it'll be attacked by common thugs. Do the smart thing, leave this area to us. Everyone will be safe here as long as we're around and it gives you one less place to worry about."
You look around and the Syndicate does seem to have everything under control, the district will be safe for now, but what about afterward? It'll be business as usual. The merchants look at you, but you can't tell if it's a look of "Leave everything alone, and don't make things worse." Or "Help us please and get rid of these extortionists once and for all!"