Legend
You sit in the Poisoned Blade Inn thinking. You figured all you had to worry about was the city guard not rival crime organizations. You almost wonder if you shouldn't just leave Holgard altogether. You don't really need this or anyone telling you what to do.
Your deep thought is interrupted when two of the Guild approach you. No threats, no crossbows to the back, just two people come to discuss things with you. It's a better start at least.
One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the small body type, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're definitely female.
"Hi, friend." The non-descript one says.
"Let me guess, you're from the Thieves Guild." You say.
"Well is it that obvious or are you just that perceptive?" he asks again
"Both, but what really tipped me off is some one eyed bastard said you'd come to speak with me."
At this point the Garrick tenses up, but then seem to relax again with your follow up remark.
"And had they not had crossbow to my back, I would've taken out his other eye."
"Ah, so you had the pleasure of meeting Falcon eh? Not too many meet him face to face and live. The Syndicate must really think you're special if they sent him to meet you."
"So does the Thieves Guild think I'm special, is that why they sent you?"
"Well, you have caught our attention with your recent exploits, but I didn't receive orders to meet you from some ironfisted crime lord if that's what you're thinking. This is more of a diplomatic visit. My name's Garrick and this is Tanya. You're probably thinking we're here to press gang you into joining, but we're not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves, we don't mind. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money."
"So why approach me, if this is all voluntary?"
"Since the Ebony Claw moved in, freelance thieves have been intimidated into joining them, killed, or scared out of the city. Those that stayed to join us joined more for protection than anything else. There is strength in numbers after all."
"So you think I need protection eh?"
"Hey if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck, but given that you've caught the attention of one of their most ruthless assassins, I can say I don't expect you to last the week. What've you got to lose? If you really don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. It's not like we'll force you to stay, that's already better than the Claw. If you joined the Claw, you'd have a tattoo making you a member for life."
While you get the impression they want you to strengthen their ranks, you don't really have anything better to do. You can play along for now and make a real decision later.
"I'm in." you say. A smile washes over Garrick's face.
"Good. Glad to have you on board. You'll find there are other perks to being a member, but you'll find that out after your next job which you really should be getting to doing later tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Of course, Tanya can tell you about that, but remember we're thieves not mass murdering thugs. We don't kill any innocent people unnecessarily! You look like you've been traveling outside of civilization for awhile, so maybe you need a reminder on that. You act like a professional. I'll trust you'll do that, if you want to remain with us. Okay then, I'll leave you to it and see you later."
Garrick leaves and you're left with Tanya who hasn't said anything the whole time Garrick was talking to you. She hasn't even taken her hood off which is still shrouding her face in darkness. You're guessing she's starring at you. You decide to break the silence.
"So is this silent act supposed to shed more light on the job we're supposed to pull or are you just fascinated by my good looks?"
You get an answer for your churlishness.
Your deep thought is interrupted when two of the Guild approach you. No threats, no crossbows to the back, just two people come to discuss things with you. It's a better start at least.
One of them is very non-descript and oldish looking, probably not a bad quality to have for blending in with the crowd during a quick getaway actually. The other you can't tell due to the hood, but judging from the small body type, and long white hair peeking out from the hood they're definitely female.
"Hi, friend." The non-descript one says.
"Let me guess, you're from the Thieves Guild." You say.
"Well is it that obvious or are you just that perceptive?" he asks again
"Both, but what really tipped me off is some one eyed bastard said you'd come to speak with me."
At this point the Garrick tenses up, but then seem to relax again with your follow up remark.
"And had they not had crossbow to my back, I would've taken out his other eye."
"Ah, so you had the pleasure of meeting Falcon eh? Not too many meet him face to face and live. The Syndicate must really think you're special if they sent him to meet you."
"So does the Thieves Guild think I'm special, is that why they sent you?"
"Well, you have caught our attention with your recent exploits, but I didn't receive orders to meet you from some ironfisted crime lord if that's what you're thinking. This is more of a diplomatic visit. My name's Garrick and this is Tanya. You're probably thinking we're here to press gang you into joining, but we're not. In fact there was a time when this place was filled with freelance thieves, we don't mind. The city is a big thriving place after all, plenty of loot to go around. Our Guild is more of a club of sorts rather than some sinister octopus organization. People join because they want to, well that and the fact that we do tend to pull off the more lucrative jobs and get better deals on selling stolen merchandise. You have to do a job for the good of the Guild every now and then, but even then you still get a cut of the money."
"So why approach me, if this is all voluntary?"
"Since the Ebony Claw moved in, freelance thieves have been intimidated into joining them, killed, or scared out of the city. Those that stayed to join us joined more for protection than anything else. There is strength in numbers after all."
"So you think I need protection eh?"
"Hey if you think you can handle the Syndicate all by yourself good luck, but given that you've caught the attention of one of their most ruthless assassins, I can say I don't expect you to last the week. What've you got to lose? If you really don't like it, you can always leave the city entirely. It's not like we'll force you to stay, that's already better than the Claw. If you joined the Claw, you'd have a tattoo making you a member for life."
While you get the impression they want you to strengthen their ranks, you don't really have anything better to do. You can play along for now and make a real decision later.
"I'm in." you say. A smile washes over Garrick's face.
"Good. Glad to have you on board. You'll find there are other perks to being a member, but you'll find that out after your next job which you really should be getting to doing later tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Of course, Tanya can tell you about that, but remember we're thieves not mass murdering thugs. We don't kill any innocent people unnecessarily! You look like you've been traveling outside of civilization for awhile, so maybe you need a reminder on that. You act like a professional. I'll trust you'll do that, if you want to remain with us. Okay then, I'll leave you to it and see you later."
Garrick leaves and you're left with Tanya who hasn't said anything the whole time Garrick was talking to you. She hasn't even taken her hood off which is still shrouding her face in darkness. You're guessing she's starring at you. You decide to break the silence.
"So is this silent act supposed to shed more light on the job we're supposed to pull or are you just fascinated by my good looks?"
You get an answer for your churlishness.