The Offer You Cant Refuse – Downtime writeup 02.08.2019

The events of this write-up took place a week ago, after the events of “Break-In News” and before “Whaaat? Zentharim in Port Ffirst?”
The night is dark and full of sounds: the barking of stray dogs; the laughter of drunken sailors; the alluring calls of ladies plying their trade; and the occasional, short cries of pain coming out of a dark alley. Menace takes it all in as he strides purposefully through the streets of New Town, toward a large, fenced mansion, surrounded by an exquisitely tended garden. The gravel path winding up to the large oaken doors of the estate make the usually silent steps of the Tiefling clearly audible for what must be a dozen concealed guards on the mansion’s ground. Waiting at the door is Donovan, the butler, who with a curt nod beckons Menace inside, from where he is swiftly taken to the basement. Five more heavily armed guards stand at attention as Donovan leads on. There, behind an imposing, reinforced metal door, a small room awaits: walls covered in grey-white plaster that has seen better days; a single oil lamp hanging from the ceiling; and three simple wooden chairs, two of which are occupied. Sitting in one of the chairs, not restrained at all, is man of medium height and build; his features are entirely unremarkable, and yet Menace recognizes him at once as the Zentharim agent captured during the rooftop pursuit. The second chair is occupied by a Tiefling woman with pale, blue skin, slick straight horns and piercing purple eyes currently engaged in conversation with the man.

As Menace enters, the Tiefling turns and says: "Ah you must be the one my friend here was chatting about all morning. Come, come, have a seat" she gestures towards a third chair "We might have business to discuss."

Menace gives a short whistle at the sight and then makes an elaborate bow. "My lady, I was not expecting to see you here, the Countess herself. I profess myself your most ardent admirer and thank you for welcoming me into your house. The name is Mace - at your service", Menace says with an easy smile, then does as he is bid and takes the chair.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Mace. I have been chatting to this lovely fellow over here” gesturing toward the Zenth, “and after some persuading he has confirmed your allegations that he is indeed an initiated Agent of the Zentharim. We have discussed what we have to discuss and I think he knows what he has to do” she gently pats his face a couple of times “right?! Anyway, I was more taken aback by his stories about an adventurer that spoke to him in Thieves' Cant and said he might able to help him, a very well-spoken Tiefling. Needless to say I was intrigued and here we sit, the three of us in this room…” she lets the words linger before continuing, making Menace recall in a hot flash the five guards just beyond the door “So, tell me Mace, what do you wish to take out of this conversation? How can we be mutually of service to each other?"

The Countess lips curve into a smile. "Ah! Marvelous! I like you already - this is extremely close to what I would want to propose to you. You see, our friend and I came to an agreement, an agreement that would let him walk out of this house a free man. Now, I am aware that word travels fast and that your 'colleagues' “she accentuates the word in a mocking manner, “have already spread the word of me holding a Zentharim Agent in my basement. I would like to turn this rumor into something else, perhaps and escape... or the captive took his own life... I'm open to ideas. But of course, the main point being that this story needs to travel and who better to do that than an adventurer like you Mr. Mace?" She smiles again and her purple irises vibrate with enthusiasm. "So, what say you? Are you the man for the job?"

"My lady, I am at your service!" Menace exclaims. "May I suggest following the staged escape as the most prudent course of action? If his colleagues are still in the city, they will hear of it, and can be contacted. My... acquaintances on the other hand, could be lead on a wild goose chase; or they could be led to take care of the remaining agents; Whatever my lady desires, I have many little birds who could sing that song. May I ask, what have you learned? Why are the Zentharim in Port Ffirst?"

The Countess nods, "That does sounds very good indeed. A wild goose chase might be exactly what we need, perhaps followed by a mild discredit of the adventurers - I will think about this and let you know via letter if that is agreeable? Meanwhile I've heard rumors about adventurers wanting to start hunting for the two remaining agents? I think it would be prudent if you were to partake in this mission - make sure the wild goose chase is correctly implemented? And I can see, you are a curious one all right, would this information about the Zentharim be your payment for your aid in this little project then?" she looks at the Agent, almost as if awaiting permission to reveal information.

"Your word is my command, my lady. It shall be done as you wish, and I will set my considerable talents to the task; the other adventurers will not find what they are looking for..." Menace pauses, weighing options in his mind, "however, I will require the knowledge about the Zentharim in order to properly complete this task for you, if I am not to stumble like a fool in the dark. It is valuable on its own, but may I be so bold and ask for a further boon from you, my lady? Perhaps, you will also grant me permission to open a business front in one of your properties that you may lease to me? I have need of an office to further grow my business, and it would be my utmost honor if I could do so under your roof, in a manner of speaking." Menace says, looking at the countess expectantly.

"Hmmm that does make sense to an extent…” she says as she eyes Menace in turn, before nodding once, “All right, I believe we have ourselves a deal." She lingers her gaze on the agent a while longer and then turns to you. "The Zentharim are intrigued by the potential of Port Ffirst and the colonization of Kantas. As they normally do, they decided to scope out the competition and see how they could best invest in a rapidly growing town. For what I've understood, correct me if I'm wrong here Mr. Babysitter, the Zentharim incursion will be done over the course of the next few years so it doesn't seem it is something we need to worry about for now but if we set this one free then we'll have periodical updates on the process and may be able to plan and grow taking their plan into account." - the man nods along.
"About your business, that seems like a very doable request! We would need to sign some papers and have some actual money transaction to make it all official and legal but if we are in agreement than let us go upstairs to my office where we can discuss your requirements and maybe look at some properties."

Menace considers this information and nods in turn. "You are wise to strike this deal with our new friend here. His information will prove very valuable beyond any doubt. More so if the LeNoirs do not learn of it. I have always found their hold on Port Ffirst somewhat... restricting. These will be good times for the city. And I am honored that you will let me play my part in it." He gestures to rise from the chair. "Shall we go upstairs then? Our pecuniary details need not concern our new friend here. What is his name anyway? May I walk him to the door later? Just to make sure we get our stories straight for the goose chase to come." he says with his toothy smile.

"Well of course, I see no harm in it." she turns to the man. "The name is Francis Drumond." - he replies, “remember it.”