A Favor for a Favor – Ergin Brockskuter and Menace
Aug 6, 2019 11:14:50 GMT
Daisy, Markas Virnala, and 3 more like this
Post by Ian (Menace) on Aug 6, 2019 11:14:50 GMT
Ergin is seated in the most remote corner of Seashank Tavern he could find. "Seated" next to him is his latest purchase. A heavy crossbow peaking up the over the rim of a shield propped against the feet of the chair.
Waiting for Menace, his sight moves from above his light ale scrutinizing the patrons enjoying the place today.
Menace ambles up, an easy smile on his face. "Ergin, dearest of all my friends! How have you been? Recovered well from our Kundar expedition, I hope?"
He takes a seat at the table, stretching out his legs. "So, what did you want to talk about? I always have an ear for my friends."
"So, if we are friends, doesn't that mean we shouldn't keep secrets from one another?"
Menace graciously accepts the cup. "Why, of course, my friend. What troubles you? How can I be of help?"
Ergin straightens himself and begins. "I am starting anew in Kantas and I need people I can trust. Like you, I have ambition but I need to settle some family score along the way…How about you? It's clear you have big plans ahead but what about your past? Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine."
Menace leans back, taking a sip of ale. "Mine is an unremarkable story. I have always been in Port Ffirst and know no other home. A business man, who turns a profit wherever he finds it. I have great hopes for this town and seek to make my mark here. The people... They deserve better, and I plan to make it so. Better." He smiles at the thought and takes another sip.
"I see..." Ergin says, raised eyebrow signaling a measure of doubt."What do you think of this half burnt letter fragments?"
Menace pores over the letter fragments. No complete sentences form, but an idea comes together nonetheless. "Fascinating... Where did you find this? It seems to me... That this is a call for help? Slaves held... Maybe in the Frog Bog? By a band of Gnolls? I speculate, but this sounds like the beginning of an adventure!" He beams.
Ergin takes a big breath and exhales in a manner expressing both his resolution and of resignation. Then lowering his voice he asks... "Have you heard of the Treasonous Three"?
Menace forehead wrinkles as he tries to recall the details of a rumor overheard. "I can't say I'm familiar with them personally, but I heard that they are fugitives from the law, well…" he waves dismissively, "…the law from someplace very far away, in any case... They passed through Port Ffirst a while ago. What of it?"
"I recently took on a job alongside Arcadius, Sheryl who you might remember, alongside three others Cheats, Cwyn and Tazmuk... Anyway..." Ergin recounts the tale.
"The job was for an investigation bureau setup here by the Crown of Tethyr to capture the Three. The job was to recover to corpse of one of them.” Ergin takes a deep breath.
"That deceased Treasonous Three was my father. And I found these letter fragments in his place without the other noticing or informing the bureau. I took advantage of an attack by weird ghouls. Ghouls in the middle of the day, can you imagine?” He concludes matter-of-factly.
Menace puts on a somber face. "My condolences, my friend. That cannot have been easy for you. But you did well to keep the fragments. What do you plan to do?"
"From then I'm not really fussed about what they do. If they turn out to be assholes I'll sell their asses to Tethyr's bureau." Ergin says with a dry smile.
"However, I was hoping more the weird things going on at this batcave, the letter, the ghouls, could be opportunities to shine in Kantas which is what I want ultimately. Make a name of myself, the one I picked which is not my father's, and form my own mercenary company."
Menace leans back, stapling his fingers. "That is a worthy goal. And it seems, there is never a shortage for armed men in Kantas" he says, sipping from his ale, "and I wish you good fortune in this endeavor. But what do you need from me? I am more of a business man, dealing in goods and information, rather than in cold steel, though of course" he shrugs lazily, "sometimes the quick thrust of a blade is the easiest way to the heart of a matter. What did you have in mind?"
Ergin leans across the table, "I don't know my way around riddles and intrigue... ...but I can lead fighters. Help me to sort out those letter fragments and find the remaining Three, and I will turn those hirelings you recruited on the road into a fierce unit."
Menace smiles, and nods. "That will work; that will work very well... You've got yourself a deal Ergin!"
They shake hands, trading a favor for a favor.
"Of course all of this is secret" Ergin says, still gripping the Tiefling’s hand. "Also the less the Tethyr investigation bureau is involved the better. They tend to seize spoils as "evidence". They kept a silver medallion I wanted, despite my protests and offer of compensation. "
Menace gives his toothy grin again, "Ah, but my friend, worry not - secrets are my specialty."
"I still wonder what are your own secrets... ...dear unremarkable businessman…" Ergin says, his brow raised again.
"Nothing to concern yourself with, merely transactions of varying natures." There is that grin again, "but I am a man of my word, and a deal is a deal. Let us drink to it, shall we?"
