Posh emerges through a narrow side passage into a lamplit thieves’ den. Crates, velvet pouches, and jeweled fragments of the merchant’s missing treasure divide the room between wary cloaked figures.
A fallen paladin blocks the only obvious exit, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man in battered silver armor beneath a dark travel cloak. His broken holy emblem hangs at his throat.
the fallen paladin
You there. Stop and listen. They possess what was stolen, and they will surrender it before anyone leaves.
The thieves tighten their circle around the treasure. One cloaked thief, a young adult man with a lean build, olive skin, and cropped dark hair beneath a charcoal hood, wears a close-fitted brown tunic and soft black boots, quietly slips a palm-sized black artifact to another, who conceals it beneath a folded sash.
the cloaked thief
We have no bargain with you, oathbreaker. Your threats do not make this relic yours.
The paladin’s gauntlet closes around his sword hilt, though he does not draw. His attention remains fixed on Posh, measuring her as witness, ally, or complication.
the fallen paladin
Fox, you arrived before the exchange was complete. Tell me plainly: did you come for something they promised you?
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the black artifact
✓ Quest Accepted
Convince the Fallen paladin to back off and retrieve Posh’s requested artifact
““Oh me? I’m just here to do a pick up, nothing too out of the ordinary. Right guys?” She says the last part to the gathered thieves.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +1)
Posh
Oh me? I’m just here to do a pickup, nothing too out of the ordinary. Right, guys?
The gathered thieves exchange guarded looks. Then the lean young man in the charcoal hood gives a small, reluctant nod, while the hidden artifact remains beneath the sash.
the cloaked thief
That is right. She has business here, and it is none of yours, oathbreaker.
the fallen paladin
A routine pickup, you say? Conveniently timed, with stolen treasure scattered at their feet.
A gray-haired thief near the crates raises both hands, palms outward, and several others murmur agreement. Their circle loosens around Posh, treating her claim as ordinary enough.
the gathered thieves
She came for a pickup. We know her business. Let her collect it and go.
the fallen paladin
They accept her cover too quickly. Either she belongs among them, or this den fears what she might reveal.
““So where’s the package for pick up? Let us get this done with so we can all about our business, ya?””
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +0)
Posh
So where’s the package for pickup? Let’s get this done with so we can all be about our business, ya?
The question cuts through the den’s murmurs. The lean thief glances toward the sash, then steps away from the others and draws out the palm-sized black artifact.
the cloaked thief
Here. The agreed package, untouched since it came into our hands.
He crosses the open space and places the artifact into Posh’s waiting possession. Its dark surface is cold, etched with minute silver markings that seem to shift in the lamplight.
the fallen paladin
That is no common parcel. I know the sigil worked into its face, and it was not taken from any honest merchant’s vault.
the cloaked thief
Her business is concluded. The rest of the treasure remains here, and we would prefer she leave before your sermon becomes a charge.
The gathered thieves part toward the side passage, clearing Posh a visible route out. Behind them, the scattered merchant goods remain gathered beneath wary watch.
Quest Complete
Secure the black artifact
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Good→Great
+ New Item Acquired
Black artifact
““Thank ya’ll for your business as always, do you need any help dealing with this…. Meddler?” Glances towards the fallen paladin as she speaks the last word. It seems as though the act as been dropped now that she has the artifact in her possession”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Posh
Thank ya’ll for your business as always. Do you need any help dealing with this... meddler?
Posh glances toward the fallen paladin on the final word. The thieves’ pretense of routine drops away, and hands move closer to hidden knives and concealed charms.
the cloaked thief
Aye. Keep his attention here while we secure the rest. He is less dangerous when he believes himself heard.
the fallen paladin
So the fox admits there is an arrangement. Put down the relic, and perhaps I will believe this help is not complicity.
The artifact’s silver markings flare against Posh’s palm, sending a sharp chill through her fingers. Across the room, the paladin notices the answering sigil.
the cloaked thief
Do not let him name what he sees. If that relic wakes fully, every ward in the district may answer it.
the fallen paladin
Then you know what she carries. Step aside, fox. I will not draw steel unless you force the matter.
“Posh pockets the artifact”
Posh slips the black artifact into an inner pocket, securing it beneath the folds of her gothic coat. The chill fades, though the silver markings leave a phantom glimmer in her palm.
the fallen paladin
You pocket it despite my warning. Then hear this plainly: that relic is a key, not a trinket, and someone will come seeking its lock.
the cloaked thief
Enough. Her parcel is paid for and delivered. We have no wish to lose the rest of the night explaining ourselves to an oathbreaker.
The gathered thieves begin gathering velvet pouches and jeweled fragments into travel sacks. Their movements stay guarded, but the immediate handoff is complete.
the fallen paladin
Merchant’s treasure lies behind me, and you carry the piece that stirred this den. If you mean to recover what was stolen, do not trust their accounting.
the cloaked thief
Do not listen to his sanctimony. The merchant’s goods are here, and we will return what was agreed. The relic is separate business.
A narrow space remains open toward the side passage, while the paladin holds his ground before the exit. Every face turns toward Posh, waiting to see whom she answers first.
““Why would I ever trust the words of an pathbreaking? I suggest you beat it before you waste any more of these fellows’ time” Posh seems to be taking the side of the thieves and is telling the interloper to leave”
FAILURE (Good Willpower, rolled -3)
Posh
Why would I ever trust the words of a pathbreaking? Beat it before you waste any more of these fellows’ time.
The gathered thieves’ hands pause over their sacks. A few nod at Posh’s apparent loyalty, but the fallen paladin’s expression hardens instead of yielding.
the fallen paladin
You mistake refusal for authority, fox. I will not leave while that key remains hidden beneath your coat.
the cloaked thief
Careful, oathbreaker. She has chosen her side, and your insistence is making this den less patient by the breath.
The fallen paladin steps aside from the exit, not to depart but to expose the narrow passage behind him. His gauntlet leaves the sword hilt and rises toward the ceiling wards.
the fallen paladin
Then let the den witness this plainly. I name the relic a consecrated key, and I bar no one from hearing what follows.
Silver lines awaken across the ceiling stones, answering the artifact through Posh’s coat. The gathered thieves stop packing, their escape route suddenly marked by pale, trembling light.
“Posh casts counter spell on the paladin”
SUCCESS (Good Arcana, rolled +1)
Posh raises her hand toward the awakened ceiling wards and shapes a counterspell through the artifact’s cold resonance. Silver light folds inward, fighting the paladin’s invocation.
The spell breaks across the den with a sound like cracking ice. The ceiling lines go dark, and the passage is no longer marked or barred by magic.
the fallen paladin
You unmake a consecrated ward with a thief’s relic? Then you are no bystander, fox.
The counterspell succeeds, but its backlash bites through Posh’s palm and leaves a thin red welt beneath the hidden key. The artifact grows warm against her coat.
the cloaked thief
Move, all of you. The ward is gone, and his holy tricks will not return it.
The thieves seize their sacks and reform around the merchant’s scattered goods. Their gratitude is brief; their eyes now track Posh with wary respect.
the fallen paladin
You have bought them a breath, not absolution. Tell me where the merchant’s treasure goes, and I may yet follow your lead.
““Shut up oath breaker, get the fuck out of here. You have no right to be spouting holy nonsense you stupid fucking idiot. I am sick of your shit, I leaked the info on where the merchant’s goods would be to these guys in exchange for the artifact. You are just as bad if not worse than us, so whats it to you?””
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Posh
Shut up, oathbreaker. Get the fuck out of here. You have no right to spout holy nonsense, you stupid fucking idiot. I leaked word of the merchant’s goods to these men in exchange for the artifact. You are just as bad, if not worse, than us, so what’s it to you?
Her confession strikes harder than the spell. The thieves freeze around their sacks, while the fallen paladin studies her with grim, wounded certainty. The backlash welt splits and stains her palm red.
the fallen paladin
There it is. Not innocence, but a bargain dressed in cleverness. You have named your crime plainly, fox, and I will not pretend your honesty makes it holy.
the fallen paladin
Keep the key. Keep this den’s company. I am leaving, because I will not turn a merchant’s recovery into a slaughterhouse for pride.
He steps into the unmarked passage and lowers his hand from the dead wards. At the threshold, he looks back once, then disappears into the lamplit tunnels.
the cloaked thief
You might have mentioned the leak before we trusted you with the relic. Still, the oathbreaker is gone, and the goods remain ours to move.
the cloaked thief
Now choose carefully, fox. If you want the merchant’s treasure recovered, explain which part of this haul you promised away.
✓ Quest Accepted
Leave the thieves’ den
Quest Complete
Convince the Fallen paladin to back off and retrieve Posh’s requested artifact
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great
““Nah it’s all yours, but would definitely love to do business with you guys in the future” she holds out a slip of paper with an address and details”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Posh retrieves a blank scrap and charcoal from a nearby crate, then writes an address and concise details before extending the paper toward the lean thief.
Posh
Nah, it’s all yours, but I’d definitely love to do business with you guys in the future.
the cloaked thief
All of it? That is a generous correction to your earlier bargain. We can work with generous.
The lean thief accepts the slip, scanning the address while another thief draws the final velvet pouch into a travel sack. The merchant’s goods remain entirely in their possession.
the cloaked thief
This place is discreet enough. If the details are sound, send word there when you have another interesting delivery.
the cloaked thief
She betrayed a merchant, defied a consecrated ward, and now offers future work without haggling. Either she is reckless, or exceptionally useful.
the cloaked thief
One question before we part, fox. What sort of business do you intend to bring us next?
+ New Item Acquired
Charcoal
““Well I do love magical artifacts of a particular variety, unholy or Undeath specifically. So I may contact you in the future if I here of any well off merchants carrying any””
SUCCESS (Great Reasoning, rolled +4)
Posh
I have a particular fondness for magical artifacts, especially unholy or undead ones. If I hear of wealthy merchants carrying such things, I may contact you.
The lean thief’s guarded expression sharpens into genuine interest. He folds the address into his inner vest instead of adding it to the common pouch.
the cloaked thief
Unholy and undead relics. That is a narrower market, but a profitable one. We can find buyers, sellers, and people careless enough to carry them.
the cloaked thief
She has the taste for dangerous curiosities, and enough nerve to say so plainly. Better business than stolen silver.
He taps the paper once, then lowers his voice as the other thieves finish securing the merchant’s goods. A small brass token appears between his fingers, stamped with a three-eyed crow.
the cloaked thief
Show this at the Crooked Bell in three nights. Ask for a catalogue called the Widow’s Index. There is already one undead artifact listed, and its owner believes it harmless.
the cloaked thief
Bring no paladin, bring no vows, and bring coin if you want details. If your interest is genuine, fox, that token is your first invitation.
“She takes the Thief’s token and tosses him a silver coin as she turns to leave”
FAILURE (Mediocre Agility, rolled -3)
Posh takes the brass token from his fingers and turns toward the side passage. Her other hand searches for the promised silver coin, finding only empty fabric.
She makes the tossing motion anyway, but nothing leaves her hand. The empty gesture leaves the cloaked thief staring at her, token already secured between her fingers.
the cloaked thief
Was that meant to be payment, fox, or a final joke at my expense?
His voice hardens. Two nearby thieves shift their sacks aside and angle themselves across the passage, not attacking, but no longer treating her departure as casual.
the cloaked thief
You have the invitation, but not the courtesy that usually accompanies it. Hand back the token, or give me something worth its place.
the cloaked thief
She may be bold enough for dangerous relics, but leaving without paying makes her a liability before the first meeting.
+ New Item Acquired
Brass token
““Uhm, sorry. I’m kinda clumsy sometimes, I reached into the wrong pocket is all” she replies nervously as she reaches into another pocket to fetch a silver coin to give him”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Posh
Uhm, sorry. I’m kinda clumsy sometimes. I reached into the wrong pocket, is all.
Posh reaches into another pocket and finds a silver coin. She places it in the cloaked thief’s waiting hand, where it catches the amber lamplight.
the cloaked thief
That is better. A mistake I can understand, especially when corrected before it becomes a habit.
His fingers close over the coin. The two thieves blocking the passage relax their stance, leaving the route open while keeping watch on Posh’s coat.
the cloaked thief
Keep the token, then. It marks you as invited, not trusted. Those are different currencies in our trade.
the cloaked thief
She pays when challenged, and dangerous relics already interest her. That makes her worth watching, not dismissing.
the cloaked thief
When you return to the Crooked Bell, ask for me by the three-eyed crow. We can discuss what you find, and what you hope to acquire.
““A good night to you all” she leaves with a semi-formal farewell”
SUCCESS (Fair Noble manners, rolled +4)
Posh
A good night to you all. May your dealings prove profitable, and your curiosities less troublesome than mine.
Posh gives the den a semi-formal farewell and passes through the open side passage. The thieves make room without protest, their suspicion tempered by the silver coin and the invitation token.
the cloaked thief
A good night, fox. One useful warning before you vanish: the Widow’s Index changes hands before every new moon.
The passage carries Posh away from the amber-lit den into colder tunnels smelling of rain, dust, and old stone. Behind her, sacks shift and the thieves resume their hurried preparations.
the cloaked thief
Ask for the catalogue quickly, or you may find its undead listing belongs to someone who no longer has a pulse.
At the tunnel’s end, a concealed grate opens onto a moonlit alley behind the Crooked Bell. Its rear door stands unbarred, offering Posh a discreet route into the district.
the cloaked thief
She leaves with the token, the secret, and no debt between us. If she returns, the den will be ready.
Learn which undead artifact is listed in the Widow’s Index
Quest Complete
Leave the thieves’ den
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb