RP:A Con Job Turned Murder
Synopsis: Heading to Vailkrin, Trent seeks to hire someone to help him obtain a few items from the locked down Schezerade. He meets a woman named Rinn who decides to double cross him and the results turn fatal.
Date: 06-11-2018
Hanging Corpse Tavern
This once-timber tavern has been rebuilt in sturdily vitrified blackstone and imbued with powerful protective magics that prevent occult fire and several other potentially harmful spells being cast within its walls. No effort has been spared to make what might otherwise be a bleak interior comfortable. The bar is made of polished stone with an oaken inlay, the space behind filled with a bustle of attractive barmaids, sundry barrels and a dazzling array of coloured bottles that glint in the light cast by a large wrought-iron chandelier suspended from the ceiling overhead. Here, the one-eyed Steadman stands, ready to take orders for food or drink. Beyond the bar, stout tables are firmly bolted to the floor, though the high-backed chairs are freestanding. The hearth is a true feature, seeming to be cast from black lava into the shape of a colossal, laughing goblin's head, its maw gaping wide and deep, usually containing a merrily crackling fire. A delicious scent of roasting meats drifts in from the kitchens and a winding staircase leads to rooms upstairs. To the south are set cellar doors, usually kept locked unless a special event is taking place, and up the stairs are various rooms for rent. The walls are hung with thick, richly woven tapestries depicting persons and events in the history of Vailkrin and the vampiric race. There's also a notice-board near the entrance, where one may leave messages. Unobtrusive but ever-present are the security staff, staunch fighters ever ready to toss troublemakers out.
Rinn entered the Hanging corpse with a solid shove through the doors. She was a petite little thing in all black with a rucksack upon her back and a shovel secured to the dark hide of her bag. A wide stride paired with the sharp taps of her boots carried her to the bar, though it seemed dirt would rain off her with each step. Both her arms crossed on top of the woodgrain counter as she rocked to her toes to pull herself closer to the bars inventory, "Hello, love." She greeted the Steadman with a sweet smile as she batted her long lashes. "If it isn't the handsomest man of the realm." The keep ignored her attempts at sweet talking and just held out his hand, "Coin first." His voice was as ridged as he. "Aw...what?" Rinn pouted as she tilted her head back to try to catch his gaze, "Don't trust me anymore?" It was the exchanging of gold that reanimated the large bartender, "Rum, please!" She grinned with a wink of her eye while her finger nails drummed away at the bar top. As he fetched her order she retrieved a second gold token and slid it across the counter, "For last time." The dead pan stare that met her offering earned him an additional four gold pieces, "And that time before."
Trent was not far behind with his entrance, catching the door on its return swing with that taloned gauntlet of curse. He entered with caution, unsure as to what sort of locals he might meet inside; Rumours had been that this was a seedy establishment, and that those not of the region were at risk of harm for being so bold. The stranger's hood was drawn well over his head to conceal his gaze, the leather of which was attached to a long flowing coat that reached to his knees. New to his attire, Trent had recently purchased a black steel chestplate to protect himself from mortal wounds, and a new black gauntlet to armor his free hand. Times were growing dangerous as of late, and without a proper weapon, it was best to at least have some sort of added layer of security. Light footfalls lead the spellblade toward the bar where the keep and the previous stranger were locked in amusing little exchange of sort; Trent taking his time and waiting for Steadmen to be free. When his opportunity arose, the man asked, "Excuse me. I've heard word that... less than reputable sorts tend to pass through this way. You know of any that are skilled with acquiring items of importance?"
Rinn was a nosy sort so the newcomber's question might has we have been directed towards her. "What kind of items?" She didn't skip a beat as she pivoted around sneak a peek of who produced the voice. Pale blues studied Trent's face for a moment, did didn't look familiar but she still had to ask, "Have we met before?" After he would confirm her suspensions she would offer the man a smile while gesturing towards a near by table, "Step into my office." Again she would grin as she pulled out a chair for herself to claim. Rinn tossed her pack to the floor and fell hard into the wooden frame which erupted another cloud of dust which had her hand moving to double as a cover for her beverage, "Heh, gardening." She cleared her throat while a hand patted down her frame in search for something, "I'm a gardener...horticulturist..."She paused as she revealed a silver case and clicked it open to pluck a cigarette, "You know, something like that...Here." She offered Trent a rollie as well before clicking the case shut and resting it on the table beside her glass of rum, "So what are the details?" She asked again from behind a lit match stick.
Trent noted when Steadmen basically shrugged the man off, mostly because Rinn had already stepped in to snag the job for herself. Metal digits lift and pull back the hood, leaving a tangle mess of blonde in its wake. He returned an observational glance to the woman, one shoulder slightly propped with his answer. "I... am uncertain. Perhaps in passing? Or another life? Or... perhaps not." He followed when she made gesture for one of the table close by, his steel blues traversing the rest of the patrons as the went about their business. Some gave him dirty looks- The sort that told him that outsiders were quite unwelcome. Yet, even in this, there were the odd couple that would seem to offer something more in depth; A recognition, or even fear for some strange reason. Trent sat, a curious look when she claimed the role of gardener- He wasn't exactly all to keen to believe such a thing. Lifting his black armored hand, two fingers extend to brush off the offer if the rollie. "I don't smoke." He was a killjoy apparently. "There is a library in the city of Schezerade, the home of the avians. I am looking for material. A series of books of a historical nature; Record of wars recent and those that may host information of the ranks regarding certain long disbanded clans. The Forsaken Knights, specifically." Trent's tongue wetted his lower lip and he leaned his forearms upon the table. "The city is currently off limits to most. There is some sort of turmoil, or preparation for war happening. Word is that an evil force has taken control of the government, and it is dangerous for outsiders to venture in the city limits. I would imagine that the library would be well guarded."
Rinn crossed her right leg over her left as she fell silent with a few puffs of her cigarette. She pondered over the needed task and what sort of pay outs she could harvest, "So all you need is to get into the library?" She asked lofting a brow as her icy gaze studied Trent's frame. Rinn's eye's seemed to linger unnecessarily long upon the man as she bit at her bottom lip, "You just seem to big to smuggle somewhere..." She finally spoke directing her attention to her rum, "And too heavy with all that metal....What are you willing to pay?" She asked through a cloud of smoke as the corners of her lips curled up. She pondered the man's worth as she asked about the fibers of his fabric. She wondered what he carried under his cloak if there were any valuables, how heavy or how strong he was, if anyone one knew of his whereabouts. "You know we might want to find a safer place to talk." Rinn offered with a glance about the room, "There are little eyes and ears everywhere."
Trent leaned forward in his chair, causing a crystal quartz amulet to dangle like a pendulum between the table and his chest. It hummed softly with a gentle glow of azure; A ghostly heart pulsing rhythmically with every inhale and exhale the man took. "I... assumed so. I am not the most subtle thing around. I assumed that someone skilled enough with espionage could sneak in and obtain anything of relevance. I know that the library is protected against magic, so even if I could get in, I... might set off any sort of alarm or alert the guard to my presence." The metal digits of silver on his left hand seemed to grow impatient and began to fidget, with the index finger digging into the surface of the table a small circular pattern. "Whatever it takes to get the job done, I suppose." he replied to the question regarding payment. Trent's gaze followed Rinn's around the establishment, noting precisely that he was a bit outnumbered should anything come to blows. "I am unfamiliar with the territory. Do you have a place in mind?"
Rinn noted the pendant immediately and mirrored him by leaning forward as her wide eyes followed it's swinging motion with interest. "I might know a safer spot." She replied, like the hole I dug last night, with a sweet smile as she snuffed out her cigarette and finished her rum. Rinn would return the glass to the edge of the table for it to intentionally fall and possibly shatter, she was testing Trent's reflexes. Regardless if he caught it or not she would rise to her feet and swing her pack back over her shoulders and head for the door only to glance invitingly over her shoulder. Here kitty kitty kitty. Rinn would blow the Steadman a kiss just before slipping out into the city of vampires with Trent at her heels. "So you'll pay whatever it takes, huh?" She revisited with curiosity as they strolled towards the blood fountain to only hang a left, heading right for the graveyard.
Shards of glass exploded all over the place when the glass fell and hit the floor. Trent had been too busy watching his surroundings that he hadn't been prepared for that slick little maneuver. He looked down to observe the mess before rising to his feet and following the woman to her chosen destination. "Yes. It is quite important and I will get whatever coin that I can- Within reason." The entire walk was one of caution, Trent continuously looking over his shoulder for any that might have been stalking the pair, or intending to attack. He wasn't too worried about theft exactly. He held only a minuscule amount of gold tonight, and he did not carry his satchel which usually contained his belongings. If any sort of would be thief were to attempt to rob him, they might at most stumble upon the shield-like badge in his left breast pocket. Those that have been in the land long enough would instantly recognize the Fosaken Knights ensignia and most likely think twice about what they were doing. The reputation of the Dark Avatar's former clan was still embedded far and wide, and those that knew better would not take their chances with any that bear their mark. Those that knew better being the key words, here. As they passed into the graveyard gates, Trent began to grow suspicious. The soft glow of his amulet began to pick up in pace, almost tattling on his rising fear. "Interesting location of choice for privacy." he commented.
Main Graveyard Area
You now stand in the main area of the graveyard, various tombstones and grave spread out across this place, many of the graves have been dug up, and empty caskets lay about the cold ground. Why have they been dug up you may think, but it's clear this place is hardly ever used to rest the dead, but more of a recruiting grounds for the necromancers that inhabit this town, somehow it feels disturbing to you, unless you happen to be a necromancer yourself? To the south is an old looking temple of some kind.
Rinn nodded energetically as he commented on their new surroundings, "What's that saying, love?" She purred as she watched the mans jewelry spaz, "Dead men tell no tales." There she'd tilt her head back as she innocently batt her lashes in his direction. "Don't worry." She chuckled while reaching for the man's forearm for a squeeze, "We can keep each other safe." The contact she offered the man would come across as an attempt to comfort him but in reality she was frisking the man to see what tricks he might have up his sleeves. "See there's a nice tree over there." She extended a digit across the tomb stoned field. Rinn continued towards her destination only to shrug off her back at the base of the tree, "Oh no!" She exclaimed while one hand grasped the other, "I lost my mothers ring." Her eyes began to scan the grass at her feet before she crouched beside her ruck sack looking frantically around her bag for any signs of a ring.
Trent was far too trusting for his own good on most days. He was so eager to find answers that he held no regard for the danger he often put himself in. The woman's playful nature was met with a forced smile and the tip of his head. "I'm sure." With her wandering hands, Rinn would be quick to find nothing of danger on the man. He concealed no daggers or tools, no wands or anything else that could be used to attack or defend. Just the solid metal of his gauntlets; one black, one silver. His jacket was left undone, showcasing that he was not equipped with any sort of scabbard for a sword, not did any sort of hilts poke out from any of the pockets on the inside of the thick leather garment. As far as all were concerned, Trent was unarmed. His gaze fell between the rows of tombstones as they headed for the tree, the path taken only to halt when the woman began to search for a lost ring. "You have? What does it look like?" he asked in an unspoken offer to help search for the item. Steel blues dropped to the earth at his feet and carefully tried to scan for any traces of jewelry that could be seen in the soft light of the moon above.
Rinn worked panic into her tone as she continued to rake through the grass with her fingers, "It's small...silver." She would wait patently for Trent to join her on hands and knees before drifting back towards her pack where her shovel had been discreetly untied. "Maybe it's somewhere over there." She pointed away from herself to make her ambush easier. Quiet movements had her back up right with her shovel in hand. With the sun down there was a shadow to give her away so she raised both hands over her head and swung down with all her might hoping to clock Trent over the head so that she might collect that pretty blue pendent that called her name, ever so sweetly. If she was able to stun him or render him unconscious to grab the jewelry she would, either way she'd have to think up a quick escape plan.
Trent was by definition a complete and utter sucker. He hunkered down into a squat, combing along the thick reeds of grass in an effort to help as best he could. The subtle glow of his amulet helped a little in the darkness, lighting small area around the human to make the search a tad easier. However, there was nothing to be found. "Are you sure you lost it here, and no elsewhere? The tavern perhaps?" he asked, changing position and heading over to wear she had pointed. Again he squatted down to look, leaving him wide open for attack. It was only with a little luck of losing his balance that he moved slightly to the right, taking half of the impact of the shovel to the side of his head rather than square on top. He cried out loud, right hand clutching at his skull where strands of yellow began to stain orange- She had gashed him pretty good. Trent lie now upon his back with his vision in a spin, the amulet hanging out and over the front of his jacket. It was pulsating rapidly, the brightness of the light inside at full capacity. Trent was, as far as the unscrupulous woman would be able to tell, unable to defend himself and ripe for the picking.
Rinn almost felt bad for the poor gullible fool, unfortunately she had run this game so many times she was completely desensitized, "Sorry dear, really it's nothing personal." She said as she quickly moved behind Trent and grasped the chain in her hand while a boot braced against his rear, she yanked violently hoping to break the chain and claim her prize. She would be sure to remain out of arms reach, she learned that lesson earlier this week when she clubbed a minotaur over the head with a rock. She lucked out of that one with the old dirt in the eyes trick.
Trent didn't get a chance to react. Not in the way that he had hoped. Not once had the amulet been removed from around his neck. Any attempt prior had always resorted in some sort of dire reaction- And this time would be no different. The chain broke and the amulet came free, allowing the woman to claim her prize without much effort. Trent began to gasp and wheeze in a frantic manner, the pain from the blow to the head set upon the backburner as he struggled to breathe. The man scrambled to all fours and crawled closer to the tree, barely able to turn and rest is back against the trunk. His face began to sink inward, flesh brittle and flaking from sinew. The blonde man's head fell backward and he stared upon the thieving woman with pleading eyes. It would be of no use, however. There was no time. Trent began to crumble in place, his body now having turned to dust. "Take it." A dry, Raspy voice called out from the east. Pushing past Rinn were two armored figures, their faces concealed by the tattered hoods of the black flowing cloaks. They acted as if she were not even there, instead placing focus on the now fallen spellblade's ashen remains. One of the strange ghoulish figures reached down and into the jacket, pulling forth from it the badge and that silver gauntlet that now showcased the long series of runes on the forearm. Despite having none ot wield it, each rune seemed to softly glow with that soft familiar haze. With the metallic arm in their possession, the pair of black armored figured moved back toward the east to a third party that had been waiting. From behind the shadow of its hood it stared upon Rinn, eyes glowing bright in lime green. It made no effort to speak, no effort to attack nor make any sort of statement as to what she had done. Instead, it turned and began to walk south, further into the graveyard, with its two partners in tow.
Rinn watched on in horror and disgust as the man completely changed before her eyes. "What tha…" She questioned holding the amulet at arms length. How bizarre that such a handsome well built man turned to be so fragile by losing his necklace. As the voice whispered for her to take the amulet she shrugged, she though it were her enchanted earrings at work until she saw the figures push forwards to remove more things, "Hey!....I did all the work." She grumbled though she wasn't willing to fight whatever those beings were. So quickly she scooped up her shovel and flung her pack on her back and booked it out of the graveyard. She was ready for a stiff drink. "Sorry, mate."