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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4267579" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>The Consequences of Vice: Part 4b – Finn’s Syndicate</strong></p><p></p><p>An unadorned, brick building in the center of the Eastern District was the headquarters of the Undir Benevolent Association. People were coming and going from the front entrance. Many, but not all of them, had the distinctive physical characteristics of Undir. There we no obvious guards or other apparent security measures.</p><p></p><p>Kham had visited the Undir Benevolent Association before. It was a poor disguise for a powerful criminal organization. </p><p></p><p>Upon entering the building, Kham found himself in a wide hallway with columns every ten feet down the center. To his right was a blank wall, but to his left was an opening into a noisy cafeteria. </p><p></p><p>A well-armed young woman approached him. Her eyes were a startling bright blue, her ears were pointed, and there was something odd about her hands. </p><p></p><p>“Hi Kham,” she said. “Back so soon?”</p><p></p><p>“Hi Touldrix,” Kham replied. “I’ve got an invitation.” He started to fish the note out of his pockets.</p><p></p><p>“No need,” she said. “Follow me please.” </p><p></p><p>Touldrix led him down a hallway to Finn val’Borda’s office. She gestured at the door and left.</p><p></p><p>Kham knocked lightly on the door labeled “Finn.” Finn’s raspy voice summoned him in.</p><p></p><p>As always, the short and chubby val’Borda sat at what might as well have been his throne. The guards that were never far from him closed the door behind Kham.</p><p></p><p>“Good to see you again, Kham.” Finn’s hangdog expression didn’t match his words. “Have a seat.”</p><p></p><p>Kham did as he was told.</p><p></p><p>Finn sighed. “You must understand that this is a terrible thing, what this Well-Dressed Man has done. He has killed someone who owed me money. That is just bad form.”</p><p></p><p>“You mean Frederick Haddon.”</p><p></p><p>Finn nodded. “But on top of that, he impersonated my organization. And for him to do such a thing is inexcusable. I am very angry with this man. And so I come to you.”</p><p></p><p>Kham straightened up. This time, he had nothing of value Finn could take from him. Not even Beldin’s Sign of Drac. Well, there was always Fleshripper, but he preferred not to think about what might happen if they tried to take it from him.</p><p></p><p>“My men didn’t kill Frederick. You know how I operate. Killing people is bad for business. I take pieces of people until they remember they should pay their debts. But they can’t pay their debts if they’re dead.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ve seen your work,” said Kham.</p><p></p><p>“This Well-Dressed Man, he sells this drink.” Finn sighed again. “It’s instantly addictive. Once you get hooked, you never get off of it. On the street, they call it Ghoul Juice. I call it poison.”</p><p></p><p>Kham swallowed. “I’ve…heard of it.”</p><p></p><p>“You are probably wondering why I asked you here. I will tell you: it’s because you will do what needs to be done. Ordinarily, I know that you would provide such a service for free, but because I know we are friends, I will give you another piece of information: the Well-Dressed Man has a hostage. And that hostage’s name is Corinalous val’Abebi.”</p><p></p><p>Kham nearly stood up in shock. Then he remembered himself. What was his father doing in Freeport?</p><p></p><p>Finn nodded at Kham’s reaction. “I do not understand why this man would branch out into kidnapping. But this man has no honor.” Finn’s lip curled into a sneer. “I wish you to explain to this well-dressed dealer that the clothes do not make the man.”</p><p></p><p>Kham struggled not to just get up and run out the door. He managed to say, “No problem, Finn.”</p><p></p><p>“My men have tracked the rat to his lair. He holes up in Rudolph’s Exotic Book Shoppe, in Scurvytown. Getting to the bookshop is easy. You need a password to get in. The password is, ‘I’d like to see your exotic-book reading room, please.’ I don’t do drugs of course; this is just what I have been told.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course.”</p><p></p><p>“Be sure to let this man know who it is that sent you.” Finn turned away, finished with him. “I don’t expect to hear his response.”</p><p></p><p>Kham turned to go, his hand on Fleshripper’s hilt. It seemed to pulse with the same rage he felt beating in his chest. “We’ll be sure to deliver the message.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 4267579, member: 3285"] [b]The Consequences of Vice: Part 4b – Finn’s Syndicate[/b] An unadorned, brick building in the center of the Eastern District was the headquarters of the Undir Benevolent Association. People were coming and going from the front entrance. Many, but not all of them, had the distinctive physical characteristics of Undir. There we no obvious guards or other apparent security measures. Kham had visited the Undir Benevolent Association before. It was a poor disguise for a powerful criminal organization. Upon entering the building, Kham found himself in a wide hallway with columns every ten feet down the center. To his right was a blank wall, but to his left was an opening into a noisy cafeteria. A well-armed young woman approached him. Her eyes were a startling bright blue, her ears were pointed, and there was something odd about her hands. “Hi Kham,” she said. “Back so soon?” “Hi Touldrix,” Kham replied. “I’ve got an invitation.” He started to fish the note out of his pockets. “No need,” she said. “Follow me please.” Touldrix led him down a hallway to Finn val’Borda’s office. She gestured at the door and left. Kham knocked lightly on the door labeled “Finn.” Finn’s raspy voice summoned him in. As always, the short and chubby val’Borda sat at what might as well have been his throne. The guards that were never far from him closed the door behind Kham. “Good to see you again, Kham.” Finn’s hangdog expression didn’t match his words. “Have a seat.” Kham did as he was told. Finn sighed. “You must understand that this is a terrible thing, what this Well-Dressed Man has done. He has killed someone who owed me money. That is just bad form.” “You mean Frederick Haddon.” Finn nodded. “But on top of that, he impersonated my organization. And for him to do such a thing is inexcusable. I am very angry with this man. And so I come to you.” Kham straightened up. This time, he had nothing of value Finn could take from him. Not even Beldin’s Sign of Drac. Well, there was always Fleshripper, but he preferred not to think about what might happen if they tried to take it from him. “My men didn’t kill Frederick. You know how I operate. Killing people is bad for business. I take pieces of people until they remember they should pay their debts. But they can’t pay their debts if they’re dead.” “I’ve seen your work,” said Kham. “This Well-Dressed Man, he sells this drink.” Finn sighed again. “It’s instantly addictive. Once you get hooked, you never get off of it. On the street, they call it Ghoul Juice. I call it poison.” Kham swallowed. “I’ve…heard of it.” “You are probably wondering why I asked you here. I will tell you: it’s because you will do what needs to be done. Ordinarily, I know that you would provide such a service for free, but because I know we are friends, I will give you another piece of information: the Well-Dressed Man has a hostage. And that hostage’s name is Corinalous val’Abebi.” Kham nearly stood up in shock. Then he remembered himself. What was his father doing in Freeport? Finn nodded at Kham’s reaction. “I do not understand why this man would branch out into kidnapping. But this man has no honor.” Finn’s lip curled into a sneer. “I wish you to explain to this well-dressed dealer that the clothes do not make the man.” Kham struggled not to just get up and run out the door. He managed to say, “No problem, Finn.” “My men have tracked the rat to his lair. He holes up in Rudolph’s Exotic Book Shoppe, in Scurvytown. Getting to the bookshop is easy. You need a password to get in. The password is, ‘I’d like to see your exotic-book reading room, please.’ I don’t do drugs of course; this is just what I have been told.” “Of course.” “Be sure to let this man know who it is that sent you.” Finn turned away, finished with him. “I don’t expect to hear his response.” Kham turned to go, his hand on Fleshripper’s hilt. It seemed to pulse with the same rage he felt beating in his chest. “We’ll be sure to deliver the message.” [/QUOTE]
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