Thief King Quest

>>1233319
> Compact oil lantern (2 units)
> Telescopic periscope (1 unit)
> 2x Lockpick (1 unit)
> 2x Smoke bombs (1 unit)

>>1233329
Supporting

> 2 lockpicks (I dont see why we would have to risk going through a window. Better to play it safe for our exam)
> 1 Compact oil lantern ( Because drugs are bad, and fumbling through a house looking for the treasure is even worse. Besides, we can always try to lessen the amount of light with a cloth which would be readily available house or something)
>Blowpipe and 4 tranquilizer darts (Better to have a rifle and dont need that... )

>>1233329
You pick your chosen items and slot them into your toolbelt.

'Interesting.' Kuebel opens a satchel beneath his cloak, pulling out two small hourglasses. 'Use this to keep track of how much time you have left. When it runs out, the exam is over. If you don't have the goblet, you will have failed. Good luck pal.'

Kuebel turns both hourglasses, and hands you one.

The test has started.

> Survey the perimeter.
> Approach kitchen door.
> Approach a ground floor window (specify which room).
> Write in.

>>1233345
> Survey the perimeter.

>Approach room floor window to the parlor. The first one starting from the right corner

>>1233345
>Survey the perimeter.

>>1233358
>>1233368

You emerge from the shrubbery and begin to work your way around the house, surveying the property. The house is ancient and subsequently peculiar in the context of the rest of the street. Its flowery ornaments give it an air of lightheartedness. You also notice gutters running up the sides, but they are too thin to support a person’s weight.

On your way around, you approach the first window from the corner to the parlor room. The street behind you is silent, with all curtains drawn in the surrounding houses. The parlor room’s windows are bolted shut, with no way of opening them from the outside. It looks as if all windows on the ground floor are outwardly inaccessible, that is unless you broke the glass.

> Break parlor room window.
> Break through another window (specify).
> Go to front door.
> Go to kitchen door.
> Write in.

>>1233402
>> Go to kitchen door.

>>1233402
>Go to kitchen door.

>>1233407
>>1233411

Moving to the rear of the house, you go up the steps to a freshly painted red kitchen door- it’s sturdy and locked. You ought to be able to unlock it with a lockpick.

> Use lockpick.
> Turn on compact oil lantern and use lockpick (will increase odds of success).
> Try breaking through a window.
> Write in.

>>1233426
>Turn on compact oil lantern and use lockpick (will increase odds of success).

>>1233426
>Use lockpick.

>We should go back to the front door. Look for a mat or potted olant and a spare key.

What kind of thieves are you guys?

>>1233441
>>1233443

You turn on your compact oil lantern and keep the stray light from revealing you too much by covering the lantern with your cloak (the lantern is currently clipped to your tool-belt, allowing your hands to be free). You begin to pick the lock.

Please roll a d100- best of 3.

>>1233449 (This is a good idea, it should be tried if the lockpicking fails.)

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>1233499

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>1233499

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>1233503
>>1233521
Please be a roll under quest..

>>1233526
we still got one more lockpick. Think there might be something inside that will need to be picked like the display case. Search the perimeter of the house like >>1233449 said

>>1233503
>>1233521
>>1233526
>>1233537

Your tension wrench shatters as you apply too much pressure. The pick is also jammed in the lock.

You turn off your compact lantern (this can be turned back on at any time). You stay low and dart back to the front door. As hoped, there’s an array of potted plants- you first look beneath the lavender pot. Nothing. You try the jasmine. Beneath it, to your luck, is a key.

With one last look over your shoulder, wary of onlookers, you proceed to try the key. It works.

It feels as though around 2 minutes have passed so far in the exam- taking a quick glance to your 7 minute hourglass, you estimate a quarter of the sand has dropped.

> Go in.
> Use telescopic periscope.
> Other.

>>1233606
>Use telescopic periscope.
Can't believe that worked.

>>1233623

You take out your bronze telescopic periscope, open the door slightly, and insert it. All lights within the house are off and despite the darkness you can still make out that the hall within is clear. The door to the kitchen is also open.

> Go inside.
> Other.

>>1233648
>Go inside.

>>1233654

The interior is much more modest than the outside, with the hallway being almost entirely bare if it wasn’t for a small table adjacent to the door, stacked with unopened letters. You wonder whether the occupant has just moved in, but the severity of the letter pile suggests they have been here for months. It may be wise to check the ground floor is clear, but you are conscious of how much time you have.

> Check ground floor is clear.
> Go straight into the parlor room.
> Other.

>>1233712
>Go straight into the parlor room.

>>1233712
Bare furnishings and lots of accepted, but unopened, letters. Very, very strange, considering the ornamentation of the exterior. Not sure what conclusion to draw from this... Occupant destitute? Sick? Servants or caretakers taking letters in, but not opening?

>>1233742
Go to parlor room

The goblet is probably gone, this guy lost all his money and sold it

>>1233742
>>1233849

You move swiftly into the parlor room. The space is plush and overwhelmed with red and gold embroidered fabric. On the far wall, covering almost its entirety, is a flag bearing the Falwick quarter’s crest. The idea of seeing the crest here in Mosston almost makes you laugh. The Falwick quarter has become known for it’s fervent uprising, most recently aligned to enforce a re-election of the city’s governor.

It looks as though the space is regularly occupied with guests- there’s even an open poker set on a round table centering the room, but something’s amiss. All the furnishings are coated in dust.

To the side of the room, the aforementioned display cabinet is there, but empty.

You hear the floorboards above you creak.

The hourglass shows half the time has passed.

From here, you are not sure what to do. There’s still a possibility the goblet has been moved to another area of the house.

> Check the dining room.
> Check the kitchen.
> Check the study.
> Check the library.
> Go upstairs.

>>1233952
Examine the display and the floor closely. Is there any sign of the dust there being disturbed recently? Fingerprints, footprints or the like leading to or from? If so, follow the track. If not... We may have to check upstairs.

Floorboards creaking above could mean someone is moving. It could also mean that the house is settling, but best to be cautious.

>>1233974
I'm gonna spport this, this way we can see if it was moved recently. After that check upstairs

>>1233974

You examine the display, looking for any clues that could suggest where the goblet has been taken. The oak display case is immaculate, completely clean of dust. This must have been dusted recently- you can smell the polish. The same goes for the floor. Someone is cleaning the house, but avoiding the poker table. Using your compact lantern, you examine the floor closer. You can make out mud prints- they look fresh- did someone else get to the goblet first? The prints extend to the front door, and also lead into the hall, towards the stairs.

> Follow the prints upstairs.
> Check the other rooms downstairs.
> Other.

>>1234082
Follow

>>1234135

You proceed cautiously up the stairs, halfway up you hear a gurgling sound, coming from what sounds like where the master bedroom is.

> Investigate the noise- move into the master bedroom.
> Use your telescopic periscope on the door.
> Other.

>>1234143
Periscope

Do we have any weapon on us? Like a dagger of something, if we have we should ready it too

>>1234210

You have no weapons- if forced into a fight, you will have to improvise or use your fists. You also have smoke bombs at your disposal.

Whipping out your telescopic periscope, you scan the room with the door slightly ajar. The source of the gurgling sound is closer than you thought. There is a figure, hunched and twitching, with their back against the wall. They must have seen your periscope in their peripheral vision, and in an effort to speak, spits blood on the lense. You retract the periscope, almost falling backwards in shock.

> Go in and help.
> Other.

>>1234325
Go in and look for the goblet

This man has been attacked and is probably dying. An assassin? Is he still in the house?

Approach and examine, but be careful not to leave marks of our passing through. The assassin may still be here. Or, worse, this may be a set-up.

>>1234393
>>1234525

Becoming suspicious of the growing situation, you mind your step, trying to avoid treading in the blood creeping along the floor. The figure against the wall, a woman, in a no longer white dress, is clasping a goblet with one hand, and stifling the bleeding from her neck with the other. To the detriment of her self administered first aid, she turns her head towards the bed. You notice a man is lying there with his pillow soaked in blood.

People are running up the stairs.

> Take the goblet. (And specify an escape)
> Try to help stop the bleeding.
> Approach the man in the bed.
> Hide under the bed.
> Other.

Records say there is a single occupant. So what's going on here? At any rate, it's not our concern with those footsteps coming up. Grab the goblet, at least.

Options. Hide under the bed? Seems like a bad idea; no ability to get away quickly if we're found out. Go to the bathroom, close the door. Wait and listen to see who's investigating. Either wait them out, or smoke bomb and run past them in the confusion if they come into the bathroom.

>>1234701
Ammendum; if interlopers enter bathroom, throw smoke bomb, break window to misdirect them into thinking we've gone that way, then run past.

>>1234707

Alerted, you grab the goblet and move into the bathroom, shutting to the door as quickly and quietly as you can. Shutting the door entirely would make too much noise. Pressing yourself against the wall, you hide behind the door and wait for the suspected pursuers to enter the master bedroom.

They stop at the door, and are silent for a few seconds.

‘Steady, Ralph, go check the other bedroom.’ You hear whispered.

Ralph, it seems, starts to walk across to the other room.

‘Wait, come back.’ He sighs and adjusts himself. ‘Let’s clear this room first.’

You can’t help but think about the hourglass. Two thirds of the time must be up at least. Given the circumstances, are the results to this test even valid anymore?

The window to the right of you is too small to exit through. Putting the goblet down for a second, you pick up a bar of soap in reach, and ready a smoke bomb.

‘He’s not even here. I’m going for a piss.’ Ralph doesn’t bother containing his voice.

‘What?’ The second man’s whisper becomes sharper. ‘Keep your voice down, he’s in here. Get back!’

The two men scuffle momentarily,

‘Go check the other rooms!’ Ralph pushes.

Footsteps approach. The bathroom door is pushed open.

Roll a d100 to throw down a smoke bomb, break the window and run past.

(I have to go to bed, but will continue tomorrow)

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>1235057

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>1235057

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>1235057

>> 1235078
You crack the smoke bomb at your feet- it erupts, shrouding the room in thick white smoke. Following up, a firm throw of the soap cracks the window, but doesn’t break it.

>> 1236722
Ralph yelps blinded by the smoke and clangs his flintlock rifle against the doorframe. He takes a good panicked swing of his bayonet into the room, which you manage to evade leaning backwards. Exploiting his vulnerable footing, you trip him, sending him forward into the bath across the room. He tries to break his fall clutching to the shower curtain, but only rips it from the rail.

>> 1236741
The momentum of Ralph puts you off balance, making you face plant the floor. Whatever dramatic framing appearing from the smoke and the door has been lost.

‘F-Fuck! Elmed!’. Shouts Ralph, with himself and his gun are tangled in the curtain.

Trying to pick yourself up, you see Elmed, who is still in the master bedroom, turning to face you. He rattles his rifle, composing his attack, partially hesitating to take aim at you. His attire is that of the military police- dark blue leather, topped with a matching garrison hat.

‘Stop!’ Elmed loses his feet for a second, but finds them again. ‘You are under arrest. By the grace of the governor, I’m placing you-’. He is interrupted by a shallow breath, sending his eyes into a flicker.

> Full body tackle Elmed and escape.
> Try talking Elmed down. “Do you think I murdered these people? I’m innocent, I’m just a thief! We have to find the real killer! They could still be here!”.
> Lunge forward, punch Elmed in the face, disarm, and engage in a hand to hand combat fight with him.
> [Write in]

"I'm not the murderer, the real murderer is...god he's right there!" And throw out your hand to point. Letting loose anither smoke bomb right into his face.

>Then haul ass out of this house.

>>1236903
"I'm not the murderer, the real murderer is...god he's right there!" You point behind Elmed and deliver a convicted look of surprise. Elmed, still startled, turns around on reflex. Your second and last smoke bomb is primed, the capsule between your thumb and finger. Please roll a d100.

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>1236908

>>1236918

The smoke bomb hits Elmed’s chin, setting it off with a satisfying floof sound. He tries punting a defensive shot from his rifle, but it’s totally useless. The bullet hits the other side of the room.

You flee out the door and down the stairs. As you make contact with the ground floor, one of the kitchen window shatters. Kuebler is haphazardly, but thoroughly breaking the glass with his tool box as a battering ram. “Son- did you get the gobb- gobbolet?” His words are slurred, and it’s a miracle he hasn’t cut himself. While hopping up onto the kitchen counter to make your escape you realise Kuebler stinks of something familiar. “-did you put any in your tool-belt, any Moonmix? I need to take it back into inventory? I think some of it- we lost some of it somewhere. Forget about the gobbolet- WAIT! There’s men coming into the house!” Kuebler is no doubt high on several tinctures of Moonshade. Exhausted, he falls over into your arms. The sewer manhole from which you climbed from to get here is 20 yards from here. It’s in a cul de sac in the direction of the hill you started on.

You remembered to take the goblet with you when you escaped, but you are not sure whether you can carry everything. You will probably have to leave either the tool box, the goblet or Kuebler behind.

> Leave Kuebler, he’s a liability. Take the box and the goblet. Head for the sewer manhole.
> Sling Kuebler on your shoulder and take him with you to the sewer manhole, leaving either the tool box of the goblet behind.
> Try taking everything, giving the goblet to Kuebler (he’s now too weak to carry the tool box)
> [Write in]

>>1236952
> Try taking everything

>>1236952
> Sling Kuebler on your shoulder and take him with you to the sewer manhole, leaving either the tool box of the goblet behind.

>>1236952
Leave the toolbox but grab as much as you can carry from it.

>>1236952
>> Try taking everything, giving the goblet to Kuebler (he’s now too weak to carry the tool box)

can we put the goblet on our toolbelt so we can carry the toolbox?

if no just leave the box and bolt out of there

While sizing up the scenario, Kuebler continues to hobble and lean on you, only breaking his drug riddled coma to snatch the golden goblet from you. It looks like he’s ok keeping hold of it for now. He’s blubbering nonsense, you can’t avoid bits of dribble hitting your leather pants.

You are torn between leaving the toolbox or taking it- perhaps the band of thieves would frown at you for leaving it here, especially with what has happened at the house. If pushed, you could always ditch it.

You gradually get quite apt at taking strides, pulling Kuebler forward, then lifting and swinging the box- repeating this was effective. The hill and the shrubs required a bit of negotiation, but you managed to beat the incline. Kuebler twists his neck at the house like he’s forgotten something, looks bemused and flings his head back to his hand, sighing at the goblet. His eyes light up.

‘Wine? Does this gob-let come with w-wine?’

Before you can stop him, Kuebler kicks the goblet back and attempts to drink. He immediately splutters and spits, fortunately to the side and out into the grass.

The goblet still has droplets of blood from the dying woman inside.

‘Ffffuhh Fffuuhh!’ Kuebler sprays spit and brinks on an emotional breakdown, but settles again, resting his head on your shoulder.

You stagger into the cul de sac. Pausing to take a breath, long enough to allow your head to slowly sway back, and your pupils to adjust to see the stars. Your nerves wind down. There’s a slight moment of supple exhilaration, even though this wasn’t how you expected your exam to go, and more doubts of whether you’ll be accepted run around your mind.

The manhole is in front of you. Resting Kuebler down, you haul the metal cover off. Kuebler is impatient.

‘You’re time is up, rook-ie, the exam is o-ver.’ He points to your hourglass. He is indeed correct, the hourglass’ sand has completely drained into the lower half.

The toolbox is too heavy to take down alone, and Kuebler is in no state to assist.

The military police could be here any second.

> Drop toolbox down the sewer and hope it doesn’t break, it’s better than leaving up here. (Roll d100)
> Use rope and grappling hook from toolbox to lower it slowly. You might not have time for this. (Roll d100)
> Leave toolbox and re-equip, you can select 5 units worth of inventory equipment (options at the top of thread)

>>1237223
> Drop toolbox down the sewer and hope it doesn’t break, it’s better than leaving up here. (Roll d100)

>>1237223
Just thought a plan is needed to get Kuebler down the manhole as well. Write ins are welcome.

>>1237223
>Drop toolbox down the sewer and hope it doesn’t break, it’s better than leaving up here. (Roll d100)
Use rope and grappling hook for Kuebler.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>1237250
I agree

You take out a grappling hook and rope- the rope is high quality, premium grade nylon. You attach the hook to Kuebler’s belt, and lower him quickly and softly to the bottom of the manhole. Knowing that you are going to drop the toolbox down, you successfully swing Kuebler slightly off to the side, giving space for impact. You drop the rope down along with him.

Leveling the toolbox onto it’s side, you try to visual the trajectory and say one more silent and fictional prayer to the god of gravity. It lands with a loud clunk, but from here, it sounds like it didn’t explode, which is entirely possible since it’s full of smoke bombs.

You make your way down the manhole, a corner of the house you escaped is still visible during your descent, and slips away as you bring the metal cover over. There’s nothing now but the omnipresent stench and sound of gushing in the sewer. You turn your compact lantern on and proceed down the ladder.

Jumping off the ladder on the last few rungs, you fall to the ground into a proactive squat, ready to figure out what to do next.

The toolbox is fine, it landed perfectly and upright, but Kuebler is gone? No. He’s getting away! The end of the rope that was attached to him is scuttling around a corner, down into the depths of the sewer. You can hear him running in the echo of the curvature of the walls! He still has the golden goblet.

> Chase after the rope, and hopefully catch up with Kuebler.
> Last chance to get equipment from the toolbox.
> Let Kuebler go and make it back to the band of thieves.

Fuck Kuebler the old drunk. Lets get back to the safety of our thieves guild.

> 'Use this to keep track of how much time you have left. When it runs out, the exam is over. If you don't have the goblet, you will have failed. Good luck pal.'
The exam is over, and we passed.

>>1237318
> Let Kuebler go and make it back to the band of thieves.

>>1237318
>Let Kuebler go and make it back to the band of thieves.

You decide it’s best if you head back to the band of thieves, you know the route and it’s a 10 minute jog from here.

Accompanied with nothing but the sound of your footsteps, and the claggy slush of filth pumping alongside, you wonder whether Kuebler was just pretending to be high. How could he run off with the goblet? He knows that you need it to become a qualified thief and to be respected by the group. Is he trying to sabotage you? Just exactly how much is that thing worth? Maybe it's best to explain the situation to the other Fieldmasters.

The sewers branch off in what feels like ceramic spirals, it does that to you. It’s not unusual to find men down here, down here too long to find a way out. Men who need the legendary band of thieves. Those who seek riches. Those who seek justice. It all ends the same unless you can keep yourself together and find a way through.

The air is beginning to clear, you are getting close. You find the broken wall you’ve been looking for. The gateway. As it’s so narrow, it’s easy to miss. Entering it, it opens out into a tunnel- a tunnel mined by the founders of the band of thieves here.

Before too long, you are here. The absolute center of the thieving world in Ormsgill. Every Time you see it is like the first time. The sewer pipe you were navigating opens out into a wide expanse, with the walls, 2 storeys high, punctuated with arches. This looks to be built into a cave. The main space has a huge cauldron in the center, with communal tents and living spaces spanning outwards. You can see some of the other applicants lounging about, and spot Fieldmaster Val beside them.

You have hypothesized before of the original use of this underground space. It’s not connected to the sewer at all. Is this an elaborate cellar to a castle? A forgotten bunker for the privileged? Neither of those answers would explain why there are hot water streams, wide enough to sit in flowing through, troughed in the floor. You have asked the Fieldmasters before where this place is or what it used to be, but they refuse to give an answer. Perhaps even they do not know.

Though what is most intriguing aspect about this underground base is the fact it has electrical lighting, a phenomena you haven’t seen before- something that is usually reserved for only the most wealthy. And this guild is certainly wealthy.

> Go over and talk to Val.
> Talk to the other applicants.

>>1237506
>Go over and talk to Val.

>>1237506
> Go over and talk to Val.

>>1237564
>>1237581

You make your way over to Val, crossing a wooden bridge over a hot water stream on the way. The brick that covers the floor of the space is green, reminiscent of the back of a beetle dull with dirt- it’s also easy to slip on, so you watch your step.

Banjobe, or formally Jobe, is sitting among the applicants and clearly notices your arrival, launching him into playing his mandolin, providing ambience. He pretends to not notice you.

Val is there, with her clipboard, fully suited for duty, including her cloak, as always. She’s engrossed in whatever she’s reading on her board. It takes the other applicants quiet laughter while you wait to bump her back into the room.

‘Ahh! You’re back! Splendid!’ It looks like she’s ticking something off on her board. ‘Wasn’t Kuebel assigned as your examiner? Where is he?’

> Kuebel stole the goblet I stole. He’s in the wind.
> I think Kuebel has been kidnapped along with the target goblet.
> [Write in]

>>1237696
>Kuebel stole the goblet I stole. He’s in the wind.
Is it normal for an examiner to get high on the job?

>>1237696
>Kuebel took the goblet after the assignment and ran off.
I wouldn't use "stole", better to play dumb and make them think you think it's normal. Also important to mention that you passed the test.

>>1237720
>Is it normal for an examiner to get high on the job?
I wouldn't trust this guild if it was...

>>1237738
It's a rhetorical question.

‘Kuebel took the goblet after the assignment and ran away into the sewer system. He was... ’ You try to think the best way to say this. ‘He was under the influence of a significant amount of Moonshade. Is this normal for him?’

Some of the other applicants not talking overhear this and glance at one another. Banjobe’s music dips out of key momentarily and he goes bright red.

Fieldmaster Val’s eyes empty out and pan to the hub’s entrance. Her clipboard drops to her side. ‘I think it’s better if we talk about this somewhere quieter, please follow me.’

You follow Val through the gaps between the tall patchwork multicolor tents, leading you behind the center of the hub. From there you see the hall leading to the Field Master's private rooms. She stops at the iron gate, and starts to talk to you while staring down the hall. ‘I’m sorry that you had to deal with that. It’s best if you keep this quiet for now, I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention it to the other applicants. This… kind of behaviour isn’t unheard of from Kuebel, but for it to happen on duty is extremely embarrassing, not just for him, but the rest of the Fieldmasters- it reflects very poorly on us.’ She looks at you. ‘It’s best if you focus on the exams. If it is indeed true you passed your first practical, you will be well on your way to becoming an official thief. Was there anything else you wanted to tell me?’

> ‘The target house- I found 2 people dead in the master bedroom. I was also ambushed by the military police.’
> ‘The designated thief tool box had to be left near the house within a nearby sewer manhole. It needs to be retrieved.’
> ‘I think we should search for Kuebel (she doesn’t need to know anything else yet).’
> ‘No. What’s my next test?’

>>1237974
>‘The target house- I found 2 people dead in the master bedroom. I was also ambushed by the military police.’
Better tell her so we don't get accused of murder.

>>1237974
> ‘The target house- I found 2 people dead in the master bedroom. I was also ambushed by the military police.’

>>1237974
> ‘The target house- I found 2 people dead in the master bedroom. I was also ambushed by the military police.’

>>1237974
Mention the murder and how circumstances forced you to ditch the toolbox.

You’re just about to tell Val about the 2 dead people in the house, but someone starts talking to the back of your head. ‘Hey. I heard you passed you first practical exam. Congratulations.’ It’s Spencer walking towards you, he’s another applicant, currently in his given loungewear- elasticated pants and a cotton hooded top, all black. His head is clean shaven, and he’s drawn two lines parallel to his eyebrows on his forehead. Some kind of fashion thing.

‘Spencer, please, I’m trying to have a conversation.’ Val says

‘I’ll only be a second ma'am.’ It looked like he tried to wink at Val, but ended up half squinting, half winking.

‘Who told you I passed?’ You ask Spencer.

Spencer shrugs his arms out, leaning backwards and turning to look behind himself. ‘I don’t know, you? You just said you got the goblet. Well, you HAD the goblet. Looks like Kuebel wanted to prove himself more than you do... Anyway, you got us all up in the air at the moment.’ Spencer straightens his hands and jigs them around. ‘We all placed wagers on whether’d you’d pass or not and here you are neither way. All we’ve got is your word.’ Spencer looks around in front of himself, flustered. ‘What’s to say we won’t find Kuebel down a drain pipe and the goblet’s exact monetary value neatly stacked in your bank account, huh?’

Val, who is still present, interjects again. ‘Spencer, my patience has ran out, please go back to the cauldron. I’m trying to have a conversation here.’

‘Ok. Ok. I’m out.’ Spencer puts his hands up, turns away and walks back to the cauldron.

‘Where were we? Did you have anything else to tell me?’ Val inquires.

‘Yes, the target house- I found 2 people dead in the master bedroom. I was also ambushed by two military police officers.’ You say.

Val frowns, shaking her head and rushing he hands through her clipboard stack. ‘No, that can’t be. That house was... according to our field reports…’ She continues to flip through. ‘The house was a rank C case. The target properties in question usually have one occupant, no visitors. Extremely limited risk.’ She reads the page. ‘I.. I have to go look through the records, the papers I have here only give me brief summaries, but I’m sure I approved the property to be rank C based on the field scout reports. Please, go wait with the other applicants, I’ll be right back.’

It feels like she’s knows something.

She hurries off down the Field Master's hall. You haven’t been down there, but they must keep the records of the cases there as well.

> Go talk to the other applicants at the center of the hub.
> Go to your bunk and review the pamphlet for your next exam- they should have been given out today.
> [Write In]

>>1238095
>write-in

Find someone to get the toolbox for you while you relax and browse through the phamphlet.

You deserve this break after the day you've had.

>>1238095
>Go to your bunk and review the pamphlet for your next exam- they should have been given out today.

>>1238105
Seconded

The adrenaline is wearing off. Your legs are starting to shake. You decide it’s best to call it a day. There’s that loose end though... the abandoned toolbox. The only Field Master that you know is around is Val. Maybe the applicants know where another one is.

Working your way through the assorted tents, you find yourself back at the cauldron. Not all of the applicants are there, but you find Clarissa, Spencer and Banjobe sitting around a fire. The cauldron has been offset, food’s already been served earlier.

‘Have you lot seen any other Field Masters around?’ You ask.

Banjobe jumps slightly, almost knocking his stool over. ‘I think I saw Tanto rummaging around the Quartermaster’s armory. Why do you ask?’ He flicks his ponytail behind his shoulder.

‘Because of circumstances today, we had to leave a tool-box beneath a manhole.’

‘Where?’ Banjobe asks.

‘Duecrescent. ‘Duecrescent Way. It’s a cul de sac nea-’

‘Yes, I know where it is. You go and rest, I’ll let a Field Master know. You can count on me.’ Banjobe heads off.

Spencer’s scowling at Banjobe as he leaves. His eyes switch to you, and his face loosens up. ‘Hey, any update on whether you passed? We need to know!’

‘No.’ You respond.

‘Spencer, only you and Yujo did the bet. And Yujo isn’t here you fuckwit.’’ Clarissa, who is sat next to Spencer, adds her input.

Spencer’s face goes back to a sour look. He doesn’t say anything else.

‘Well, I’ve got to get some sleep, I’ll see you tomorrow, have a good night.’ You say as you begin to leave.

‘Wait.’ Spencer stares at you, in the eyes. ‘The reason I wanted to know... whether you passed...’ He pauses. ‘Is that I bet money on you passing. Because if the rumors I’ve heard about you are half true...’ He clasps his hands between his spread legs, lowering his gaze to the floor.

Spencer takes his time, and pulls his head up to lock eyes with you again. ‘Be honest, do you want to be the king of thieves?’

> Take off your hood, revealing you are a man. “Absolutely.”
> Take off your hood and reveal you are a woman. “No, the queen of thieves.”
> Walk away mysteriously without saying anything.
> [Write-in]

>>1238430
>Take off your hood, revealing you are a man. “Absolutely.”
I assumed our gender was male so I'll roll with it.

>>1238470
Thought so too until >>1238095 where I started wondering...

>>1238430
> Walk away mysteriously without saying anything.

>>1238430
> [Write-in]

>Take off your hood, revealing you as a cute androgynous human of indeterminable gender.
> Smiling impishly, "King, Queen, who's to say?"

>retract hood, revealing another hood

"It's a secret to everybody."

>>1238470
>>1238485
>>1238555
>>1238565

Roll a d100, highest number wins.

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>1238596

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>1238596
>>1238470

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>1238786
Oops wrong dice

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>1238470
I'll roll for this because this is my vote too

>>1238816
my id changed for some reason but i'm this guy:>>1234393

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>1238565
>>1238596

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>1238596
>>1238485

>>1239542

Standing with your feet shoulders width apart, you slowly slide back your hood. This reveals another hood beneath. You maintain eye contact with Spencer and remain silent. He betrays his recently found stoicism and allows himself to faintly smile and nod.
“It’s a secret to everybody.” You say to Spencer and Clarissa.

Clarissa’s mouth is open, twitching like she’s talking to herself. She juts in. “-Wait, is that… Is that the cloak of-” She stops herself, putting a hand on her mouth and shuts her eyes. “I...” Is she crying? She runs off into the array of tents before you can see.

“What the fuck was that about?” Spencer is still sat on a stool.

You remain silent. And begin walking away.

“What’s that cloak? What’s so special about it?” You don’t turn back. He adjusts his tack. “Clarissa! What-” He slips off in between the tents “Clarissa?”.

You walk over a hot water stream bridge, allowing the updraft to flutter your cloak a little. It’s unbelievable how clear the air is down here.

Just ahead is your tent. Since you were the last to apply, you managed to get a bunk without another occupant.

It’s been a long day. Inside your sleeping tent, you find your bed freshly made. Sitting on top of the duvet is the pamphlet for the next exam. You are exhausted. You don’t bother taking off your gear, thinking you’ll get up in 5 minutes to do it, but you do pinch the quick release clip on your tool belt, letting it sprawl onto the rug.

You pick up the pamphlet and collapse onto the bed. Lying back, you start to read it.

The pamphlet is handwritten, with the occasional detail of gold foil- especially on the logo, which was a gold stout moving ambiguously, like it’s doing a backflip. A latin motto is arced beneath. It says “Furari. Dare.” You don’t know what that means.

Inside the pamphlet you find the group's mission statements, details of the other applicants, and what you’ve been looking for, what the next exam will be.

“Aggressive pickpocketing.” It’s titled. There’s nothing else. That’s all it says.

You let the pamphlet fall with your arm to the bed, and before you know it, you drift off into sleep.

That’s the end of this session. If people are up for another one, I will probably start it on Saturday. Thanks everyone who played I hope you enjoyed it.

>>1240908
Thanks for running. It was interesting.
See you next session.

>>1240908
That was fun, I'd gladly join again.