Thieves Quest ~Gunther((Private))

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Gunther felt a chill even through his armor as he walked the streets of the city in the storm, his old man bones shivering. He carried the few extra gold coins and the strange figurine he had received from the magic parchment that had burst into flames, along with the voiced message. This one sounded a lot less cryptic to him compared to the other one. To him, a common man drowning his sorrows was something he himself was quite familiar with, partaking in the activity quite commonly. His stride was quick to get to where he wanted to go, but his hand still carefully rested on the hilt of Blutfang, his eyes darting around the corners. He was less concerned this time with his employer ambushing him and more concerned of some idiot or GROUP of idiots trying to ambush an old man in the middle of the night for what they might assume was free coin He hated going to the slums of the town, but to him, this was where "the common man" lived, and the "common man" would not be able to afford food and drink at The Bloody Mary, which, while larger then Gallows Inn, was certainly cheap enough for the common man...and the term "Gallows" struck a chord with him and the doll.


He eventually reached his destination, opening the door as the wind opened it with a loud BANG. The people in the tavern turned to look and stare at Gunther, several tough looking individuals scowling as they seemed t size him up. Gunther merely glared back, closing the door behind him carefully. Once it was established that he was well armed and wary, most everyone seemed to give him a wide berth as he made his way to a corner table, ordering stew and an ale, sitting down. His eyes scanned the room carefully, looking for anything that might resemble a bear, be it a statue, stuffed mantle piece, or just a large hairy individual, clutching the figurine inside his pouch in thought.

[Calix Hearthrow]

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Welcome to Gallows Inn Tavern 
part II of the Thieves Quest

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The Gallows Inn Tavern; it was almost as old as Nova itself. Originally it probably had a nicer name; probably looked nicer then to. The tavern was tucked away in the busiest section of the third district; with a front row seat to the square that held the gallows. It had an old tudor look to it, cream stucco walls stood out against dark timber. The front of the tavern was by no means bright and sunny; it had small slender windows along the side; barely a hands width. The doors solid pine; reinforced with cast iron. The third district was known to have a riot or to; the inn sometimes served as a safe haven when that happened. It was built to last. Probably why it survived the blast during one event, with minimal damage. Gallows Inn had two parts to it, the tavern, with some cheap rooms above it, and the inn; which had several more rooms for those staying longer than just a night. The buildings were separated by a wooden gate that had a small carriage way to the back where a small stable was held. Above the gates a large wooden sign shaped in the form of a hanging man swung.


In short Gallows Inn Tavern was in no ways small. Being one of the most affordable inns in Nova made it one of the more popular ones as well. It attracted all sorts; bar fights and the shady sort were not too uncommon to find skulking around the tavern. However most trouble was kept at bay by the taverns very large owner. Calix Hearthrow; rumor had it that he had giant blood in him somewhere, others said his father got too friendly with a bear and its unholy offspring was the hairy giant that manned the bar.



It was late, the busy hours had come and gone leaving only a few stragglers or those who were just too drunk to move. Calix eyed those who were there, most of them regulars. Others he had gathered were travelers from various outlining towns. In about an hour he’d be tossing the ones not staying for the night out on the streets; but for now he’d be beginning the process of cleaning up for the night.



Earlier that week he had been informed that the boss was conducting a little recruitment test. Building up the core group so to speak. Apparently the dunder head bandits the boss had running around right now were …less then competent. This time the boss wanted recruits with some heads on their shoulders; gods bless them; that was a hard thing to find. Most people in third district knew how to do a task or two and little else. So he’d be lying if he wasn’t curious to see who the King of Thieves would dig up. He HAD been told what was expected of the poor saps that were getting the run around; in fact part of what was needed was posted up on the wall. Mixed in with various wanted posters; one of which had a large X across it. Being that female that had been caught; it was a shame she had represented Ai. The girl had done little for the position she had fought to get.

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Upon closer inspection of the bored, one would find a mix of items. Mostly pictures of various wanted criminals, a few job adds written on blue pieces of paper, the job adds were mostly tailored for the illiterate folk, blue being the common color then just the persons who was posting the job’s coat of arms. But among the mess was a small discrete piece of paper with one simple message.

Pmldovwtv  rh  gl  yv  kilgvxgvw.

Below the bored was a box full of key slips, with a picture of a bed. On the slip there were boxes to check off how many nights, a place to write a name, and a place to write any requests. Customers looking to rent a room for the night usually filled these out and gave it to the barkeep.

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Gunther stared at the barkeeper for some time from the corner until his food came. It was obvious to him that this was the "bear" that had been spoken of in the message. No one else came close. The man did not seem to approach him, so he simply started to eat the stew and drink the ale that had been brought to him. The old man was surprised by the quality of the food, given the location of the establishment. It was certainly not the best he had ever had, but it was more then passable by his standards. As he ate, his eyes wandered toward the bounty board by force of habit, checking the listings to see if there was any extra coin to be made from bounty hunting or doing odd jobs. As he was reading, his keen eyes caught the message that had been scrawled and hidden among the jobs that had been listed, looking out of place. Seeing the familiar code, he sighed and began to piece it together in his hand letter by latter, not having anything to write with. He used the method he had figured out before, and soon enough had his message.

It was at this point that Gunther noticed the barkeep tossing everyone out, some people quite literally as they were too drunk to walk properly. The mercenary rose from his seat, wiping stew from his mustache as he grabbed one of the slips of paper from the board, writing his name, the intent to sleep for one night, and the words of the deciphered message on the slip of paper as he paid the innkeeper the coin he had received from the bowl. The message read "Knowledge is to be protected".

"A room, please. And more meal and drink if it's not too much trouble."

[Calix Hearthrow]

Calix looked over as the gentlemen; his eyebrow raising at the note. So this was one of her chosen ones? Well least they were observant; the man hadn’t even been here that long. Though truthfully he was told that the chosen ones could solve the riddle one or two ways. The man went for the simpler route and put the translation on the page. Missing the point of the second riddle; but answering it enough to pass. He just wouldn’t get as much information. ”Sure thing lad; I’ll have someone make up a room for yee in a moment”

He put in a last order for the kitchen and sent someone to prepare the man’s room. Coming back with the food and drink. He also grabbed a key with the number 12 on it. ”Third floor on the Inn side; your rooms number 12.”

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Room 12

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When Gunther finished his meal and go to his room, he would find a small but nicely furnished room. Nothing extravagant. But there were clean sheets on the bed, and plain brown stitched quilts on the bed. There was a dresser on one end of the room, with an empty bowl and a pitcher of water next to it. A couple of small hand towels signified it was for washing ones face in the morning; that or one could pour some of the water into a glass which was provided. On the foot of the bed a small wooden chest sat; upon the chest burned into the wood was a symbol of a crown with two daggers shoved threw it. The crest of the thieves of nova.

Inside the when he opened it was a set of lock picks, a black cloak, and a small packet of dust of tracelessness. The lock picks were of good make, pure black and made with a special matte finish so there was no glare. The cloak was made out of a light wool, perfect for summer nights. It had a large hood that did well for covering ones face. The cloak had numerous pockets sewn into it as well. The dust of tracelessness was in itself special, for it was an expensive find.

Tacked to the inside of the lid of the chest, another note sat.

Xlmtizgfozgrlmh uli nzprmt rg gsrh uzi; ru blfi ivzwrmt gsrh mlgv gszg nvzmh blf nrhhvw gsv srwwvm nvzmrmt rm Pmldovwtv nfhg yv kilgvxgvw. Sldvevi wl mlg uivg, blf hgroo kzhh lm gl gsv mvcg gvhg. Blfi gvhg lu qfwtnvmg rh fk mvcg; hl tvg kovmgb lu ivhg. Gsv gvhg droo gzpv kozxv zg mllm rm gsv nzipvg kozxv. Gsviv R droo kozmg gsivv xslrxvh, fklm gsivv fmhfhkvxgrmt rmwrerwfzoh. Blf droo yv ollprmt uli gsivv kvlkov xziibrmt z hnzoo yozxp nlmvb hzxp grvw drgs z kfikov xliw. Blf droo mvvw gl hgvvo lmv lu gsvhv; gsv hzxph droo yv rm kozrm ervd. Blf nfhg nzpv z qfwtnvmg lm dsl gl gzpv blfi hzxp uiln; xzfgrlm yvxzfhv gsrh rh dsviv blf nrtsg uzro nb gvhg. Tllw Ofxp.



Hrtmvw



Gsv Prmt lu Gsrvevh

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End of Part II

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