A Disgruntled Mercenary in King Anthor's Court

[Bobby the Hatchet]

Let's make this official, seein' as I aim to set here a quick spell.

King Anthor and Dances With Kevin Costner recently meddled in the mercenaries' affairs in Raktam, there were various declarations of war all the while and a series of attacks on the mercenaries while they were supposely on rest and recuperation in Derby. I say all that big talkin' ain't worth doodly squat, so to make good on my honor and my word, I'll be taking my vacation in Wiksik. There will likely be less drinkin', less women, and a lot more shootin', but that's okay with me.

I aim to kill Knights of the Kingdom of Wiksik until I've had my fill. All other savages should be fine so long as they mind their tact. Any man or group of men that cares to interfere or utter a discouraging word my way shall face the brunt of my wrath as well, although I'll likely be dealing with them later, on my terms. You won't be distracting me that easily.

So there you have it. Hide the women and children and get ready to eat crow. The pale face has arrived.

You attack Anthor with a heavy sword for 5 damage. They die. You gain 38 XP.
Underworld log successful .
The Prisoner slides in from the thick underbrush, swiping the sword clean through your mid-section. Pink mist sprays into the sky, forming a morbid rainbow in the sunlight. "About time you showed up."
The Prisoner rises to his trench-rotten feet, flipping the blade artfully into it's sheath. He stands over the already festering corpse and lights a smoke. "If you build it, they will come..."
The Prisoner takes a drag and exhales thoughtfully, "Same goes for if you shoot and stab the hell out of it...lot's more fun too."
The Prisoner looks out over the clearing, "Well, I guess it's about that time..." He produces a set of bolt-cutters from his pack, kneeling down with surgical resolve.
You say “I usually go for the trigger fingers, but you don't look like much of a marksman. I'll take them thumbs, jes' so ye' can't hitch a ride out of the we're about to rain down on you and yours.”
The Prisoner squints one eye and works the tool of his barbaric trade. Two audible pops later and minus the digits and he's looking quite pleased with himself.
The Prisoner tucks the thumbs into his belt pouch. "Of course you realize, this means war."
The Prisoner spits on the broken corpse and strolls off into the jungle. You hear the warning cry of a rare, endangered jungle bird, followed by a violent thrashing, a "Whooh dawgy!", then silence.

[Anthor]

You attack Iwashere with a knife for 2 damage. They die.

Anthor stabs Iwashere in the eyes, plucking them out and nailing them to the mango tree next to his corpse.

Carved on a nearby tree is some writing. It reads “To The Prisoner: An eye for an eye, or in this case two. Don't worry, I'm coming for you. - Anthor”.

[iwashere]

I'm actually going to thank you for that one. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I was more than a little lost.

[Dani]

Though you say you are on a vacation, I would nonetheless wish to pay for the death of the King of Kafirs. 100 gc will be paid when you bring me his hands.

Dani al-Ghazali

[Bobby the Hatchet]

Well, I didn't aim to kill no stragglers, but seein' that Dirty a slash away from death and the two savages huddled over him lookin' puzzled, figured I'd do the community a service. That'll be 25 gold coins, by the way, you can have your king put it on my tab.

And that's an ayfirm on them hands. Won't leave without the pair. You'll know they're a king's on account of how soft and dainty they are.

You attack Mr. Dirty with a heavy sword for 5 damage. They die. You gain 43 XP.
Underworld log successful .
The Prisoner steals the kill with a grin. "Don't mind if'n I do. Can't have that little one gettin' in the way of a Workin' Man."
You attack Blowme Darts with a knife for 2 damage. They die. You gain 43 XP.
Underworld log successful .
The Prisoner casually sinks the blade in the savage's gut, to the hilt. He exhales a plume of smoke into the man's face, cigarette dangling from his crooked, smirking lips. "Sorry about that one, really I am."
The Prisoner sneers derisively as he kicks the corpse into the shallow edge of the pool. "Leave it to a Workin' Man to have to defend a village from murderers while attackin' it's Knights at the same time."
The Prisoner drags the second corpse and heaves it into the pool with a splash. He winks at Mentallo. "Give em one last soak, eh?"
The Prisoner slings his heavy sword and cracks his neck. "Ye' can keep them drinks, muscleman, I'm runnin' on straight bourbon."
The Prisoner takes a swig from his flask and hollers over at Darts, "Ye' remember what I said 'bout that nosey king of yours. It's a matter of business and pride is all."
The Prisoner tips his invisible hat and staggers out towards the light, leaving a trail of smoke. He seems to be amused with making owl noises and hearing them echo throughout the cavern along the way.
You step outside.

[Anthor]

Jungle

Dense jungle with a few tall trees and plenty of vines hanging from them.

Carved on a nearby tree is some writing. It reads “To the Prisoner: Your Cowardice will be your undoing. Your cohorts drop, one by one, and as the runes fall on sand, your days are numbered.”

There is 1 body here. You recognise Otyr(E).

You attack Otyr with a knife for 2 damage. They die. You gain 45 XP.
Anthor leaps down from a tree and stabs Otyr through the eyeball, nailing him directly to the tall tree.
Anthor looks solemn as the blood drains from Otyr's face, his lifeforce leaving his now empty shell.
Anthor closes Otyr's remaining eye and slips quietly back into the darkness.

[Anthor]

You attack The Prisoner with a wooden club for 3 damage. They die. You gain 43 XP.

Vengeance is mine. You chose the wrong King to mess with. Give up, or enjoy your time in Hell.

[Anthor]

Another Merc bites the dust

You attack Iwashere with a wooden club for 3 damage. They die.
Underworld log successful .
Anthor crushes Iwashere's head with a wooden club
Anthor uses some of the blood to write a message on the wall
You carve To NAMG: You're making it too easy. onto the wall.

[iwashere]

Not bad. Only took four days of me sleeping in the same building while offering help to people around Wiksik for their benevolent king to kill me.

Good sir, just because one man kills your people do you believe that you have the right to kill everyone that shares his beliefs? There are several mercenaries who are just trying to live as citizens of this village, a village which you promised would accept everyone, even outsiders.

We all agree that what happened last week was a tragedy, but the culprit has been punished and there have been no further offenses. All I can see here is a clear prejudice against those who fight for money.

[Etherdrifter]

Such things do seem to be true, however since at even the drop of the hat a mercenary could turn upon you for a reward offered I think I understand Anthor's unease.  Past transgressions are also generally weighed at this time and the mercenaries have a long service record of fighting against the KOW for money.  Their record for killing guild members and offering naught but insults is also kept and thus the main purpose of this post.

The Dark Council declares all mercenaries actively attacking the KOW to be enemies of the guild.  Those mercenaries who have peaceful intentions are asked to visit the spirit hut and state this clearly to both myself and Jahnam.

[Bobby the Hatchet]

The Dark Council declares all mercenaries actively attacking the KOW to be enemies of the guild. Those mercenaries who have peaceful intentions are asked to visit the spirit hut and state this clearly to both myself and Jahnam.

So, "mercenaries who have peaceful intentions", does this include mercenaries attacking the Kingdom of Wiksik and fulfilling other contracts in town but not a direct threat towards the Necromancer's Guild? Or is any mercenary currently in town on active business considered an enemy of the guild?

- The Prisoner

[Etherdrifter]

A mercenary on business in, or around wiksik, to kill either a member of the NG or a member of the KOW is considered non-peaceful.

[iwashere]

Not to sound like a three year old, but our business against Anthor in the past was started by him. We were paid to defend an island, he shows up. We were paid to attack Raktam, he shows up. We were paid to DEFEND Raktam, he shows up. We were ON VACATION. He shows up. If you look at the records, he's been harassing us for near 3 years now, and we're not allowed to defend ourselves?

As for "Turning against you at the drop of a hat." It is a point of pride that if I get paid for a job I finish that job. If I'm working for you, I wont turn against you because a better deal is offered. Naturally, the best way to ensure that I don't fight you is to keep me employed, not actively fight me.

[Iceman]

Hah! And so the mouldering old corpse-buggerer finally blows the cobwebs from his tongue. I owe the Puppy a few coins, I thought you'd have your bony fingers in this pie a long bloody time ago.

So let me get this straight, Bones. Because me and you've had words in the past - which you bloody started, since my Guild never had any bloody issue with yours up until that point - and because the Mad King of Wiksik has made a bad habit of sticking his nose into my Guild's business - again, despite the bloody fact that none of mine was bloody any of his - I can't come and teach him a bloody lesson or three? I don't bloody think so.

Here's the deal, Bones. You wind your bony neck in, and I won't snap it. I'm happy to leave your coffin-dodgers alone, to play dress-up and fondle goats' entrails in that gloomy little pile of stones you call home, if you'll do me the same bloody courtesy.

~SP

[Raffles]

Just out of interest, does the Necromancers Guild have any money? I wish to know for purely hypothetical reasons.