The Year 1491 DR, 3rd of Marpenoth (October), Late Morning, Cool & Windy...Baldur's Gate, Outer City: Twin Songs
I gotta see Straightstick. Toss off Crosser.
"Really now? You have a meeting with Straightstick. Nice knowing ya, Blacktongue!" Butch says with a laugh.
Yarl just keeps walking, his anger threatening to get the best of him. But he knows he can be distracted, especially when meeting with the leader of the Faithless; a man known only as Straightstick.
Yarl reaches the end of Wyrm's Crossing faster than he had planned, his anger spurring him on. He slows down as he takes in the view when he feels the gravel under his feet again, knowing he has crossed over into enemy territory.
The Outer City town of Twin Songs resembles all of the others with one exception: there are temples and shrines to various gods on every corner and throughout the town proper. Almost as soon as he crosses the bridge, he realizes he is being watched. Taking a deep breath, Yarl saunters on, turning left along the river. He doesn't get far when three figures step out of the shadows of the buildings. He knows one of 'em, but the other two have unfamiliar faces. The familiar one is known as Chuckles...because he bears a constant scowl and never laughs, much less smiles. He is the right hand man of the kingpin, Straightstick.
"Figured you'd chicken out, Blacktongue. Rats don't have no backbone when they are by themselves." the man called Chuckles says. "My boys here are gonna search ya...just in case you were stupid and brung in some dragon's fire or some shit, you know, to kill off ol' Straightstick. So hold out yer arms and no sudden movements. You know the drill."
WelI guess I ain't the average rat then, eh Chuckles?" Yarl replies to humorless man. He keeps his attitude in check and complies while slowly lifting his arms as he is searched. I figure the only reason I got a meeting was cuz Straightstick knows I always keep my word.
Chuckles doesn't reply, but instead gives Yarl a rough check and then turns around. "Follow me. And keep that club on yer belt. You won't like it shoved up yer ass if ya do anything stupid."
The Faithless heavy leads Yarl to a rather large house up against the base of Dusthawk Hill. The house, like most of those on this side of the Chionthar, is up on stilts, but there is also a ramp that leads up to the door. At the top of the ramp stands a man everyone on both sides of the river knows well. He leans on a broken ship oar and is said to have been attacked by, and survived a battle with, Ol' Cholms, a huge turtle which, according to local legend, lives at the bottom of Gray Harbor.
Straightstick, a kingpin of the Guild and the leader of the Twin Songs Faithless, looks down at Yarl...and smiles. But unlike Chuckles, it is said when Straightstick smiles, someone is about to die...or worse.
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"Well now...a rat among the Faithless. Come on up, Blacktongue. Let's have a drink and a talk."
Yarl lets out a sigh. Sure, lets have a drink. He walks over as confidently as he can. "Why bother to bring me here if they want me dead?" he thinks to himself and tries his best to believe it. Out of nerves he adds "I'm here to square things Straightstick, none of us knew you had plans with the barge or we woulda left it alone.
Straightstick invites you into his room which is well protected by several members of the Faithless. Chuckles closes the door and gives you a look that says he will snap your neck if you try anything stupid.
Inside the kingpin's private room, you are surprised to see that Straightstick lives only slightly better than most folk. His chamber is sparsely furnished with a couple of chairs, a table with a crude map of Baldur's Gate spread out on it, and a simple bed in the corner. But there is a small fireplace and the room is warm...not that you really have to worry about that thanks to the ring on your finger.
Straightstick hums to himself as he pours two glasses of brandy from a thin wooden table on the wall near the fireplace, and hands one to you before sitting in one of the chairs close to the fire. He sips, looks at the glass, then looks at you.
Nervous, you say, "I'm here to square things Straightstick, none of us knew you had plans with the barge or we woulda left it alone."
The kingpin waves your words away and stares into the fire. "I already have another barge coming later tonight. It will be loaded with what I need to...to make my move. A move you will help me with, Yarl."
Your stomach turns over and to settle it, you take a sip of the brandy. It goes down smooth with very little burn on the back end, and you take another sip.
"The time has come for the Faithless to expand its territory. We have outgrown this wretched little town and we're tired of scraping for leftovers from the Guild. In two nights, we make our move."
Yarls mouth hang open in surprise.
Why would you need me? he asks dumbfoundedly. I can hold my own in a scrap but you must have dozens who could do the same. I'm a nobody...
He drains the brandy.
Straightstick smiles...gets up and walks to the small table and returns with the carafe of brandy. He pours another healthy shot into your glass and then sits down.
"Why would I need you, you ask? I need the Rats as extra muscle...to keep the Flaming Fist busy while the Faithless do what we came to do. For your help, I will forgive the incident with the barge. And..."
He pauses to take a sip of brandy. "And...since you are a professed nobody, I will make you a somebody, by supporting your claim to lead the Rats."
Another sip and another smile. "Do we have a deal?"
Yarl:
Yarl thinks for a moment and drains the brandy in one gulp. He might as well enjoy this last sip before what will probably end up with his death.
I'll help you however I can but I can't betray Sylmorn. He runs the Rats, not me. He looks down in defeat. I'll talk to him and try to bring him 'round. If the Rats won't help I'll fight by meself for ya. I'll give you everything I got but I can't... I just can't...
He looks up at Straightstick. I'm sorry but I won't backstab me crew. I ain't that man.
The man called Straightstick purses his lips...and then chuckles with a smile that does not reach his eyes.
"Who said anything about betrayal? If I thought you a person who would betray all they know for vain glory - and don't let anyone convince you glory is NOT about vanity! - then I would not have reached out to you for this particular mission. Because if that were the case, what would prevent you from doing the same thing to me?"
Straightstick stands and limps to the fireplace, grunting as he stoops to put few lumps of coal in the grate. His back still to you, he straightens with help of the broken oar he uses as a cane, and says over his shoulder. "No, that would not do, Yarl. When you speak with Sylmorn about this venture, he will no doubt shit on the idea at first. But when you tell him the rights to the river will go exclusively to those who help the Faithless, well then, how could he not see this is a win-win for the Rats?"
Straightstick returns to his chair and thumps his broken oar on the floorboards three times. The door opens almost as soon as the third thud is felt under foot, and Chuckles enters. "I will need your answer before midnight tonight. We make our move two hours before dawn tomorrow. You may leave now."
Assuming you have nothing else to say, Chuckles holds the door open for you to leave.
Yarl feels a small sense of relief that he won't be dead for at least a few more hours.
He rises and says to Straightstick I'll send word.before heading out, he gives a nod to Chuckles as he goes. He doesn't waste time, he heads directly to Sylmorn and the Rats. They need to have a serious talk and figure out the best way to stay alive through what is coming.