[IC] The Collapse
Vasati took a moment to ensure that he was alone. If it took hours, so be it. He was a patient man, when he had a need of it. It was a skill set often in high demand, for those of his chosen profession. More than six hundred years of imprisonment in a constantly shifting maze changes a man, and had he not developed the patience of a Saint, he would surely have gone mad. Only when he was assured that there were no prying eyes did he sit down upon the rubble within a shadowed alcove and begin unwrapping his scrolls. One by one, they emerged from his satchel, to be placed on the dusty ground. He also withdrew a pot of ink, and a long feathered pen. With quill in hand, he made the necessary changes to each scroll, letting the ink dry fully before resealing the scroll, replacing the caps, and putting each back in its proper place. He took his time, though he didn't need to, forming each intention perfectly before it rejoined his bounty. And when he was done? Twenty four newly formed souls stood before him among the rubble of Shantytown.
"Ah, Signori and Signore! You are all most welcome to the Vincio Alla Sabia!"
He clapped his hands together in delight, and the pulled out his silver cigarillo case.
"Smoke?"
He offered, and most of those gathered there accepted. The whole process took several minutes, with a great deal of chatter between the assembled personages. Eventually, all those who wished held a lit cigarillo, and the evening's business could begin.
"You are all here at an exciting time, a wonderful time. For in five days, the first Endless Market will take place! Twelve of you have been gifted the skills of talented artisans, each with a specialty in a particularly useful field to those of my own honored profession. Matteo here does wonderful work with hidden pockets in cloaks and jackets, while Lorenzo is more than familiar with the fashioning of lockpicks of all shapes and sizes. Of course, while you all have your tools, you don't have much inventory, and without start up funds you will be hard pressed to fashion it in just five days. Have no fear, you will see that a number of your companions wear a silver ring around their right pinky. Eleven of them, in fact. Get to know these Whispers, for you will find that they are talented errand runners. I will provide a modest sum to the Whispers, it is your responsibility to ensure that each of them has a list of what they might acquire for you. You will find work shops ready for you outside of the main hall here. Your inventories do not need to be grand, simply enough that should the Guild fail in their recruitment efforts, the Endless Market is still a valuable resource for any thief or trouble maker who finds their way to it. Get to know one another, confer among yourselves what you will require, and when you have consensus send the Whispers out into the world. We have five days, and oh so much to do! Let us get started!"
While the citizens of Vincio Alla Sabia conferred among themselves, he passed a letter of marque to one of his new Whispers, and then turned to the only among them whom he had not addressed. A strapping man in his forties, with streaks of silver in his raven black hair, and flashing eyes of silver under dark brows.
"And you, Vasati the Infinite, you must have questions. I will answer any and all that you might have, but for now know that I am not yet sure which path I may take, and I am very pleased to have such an esteemed companion as you up my sleeve."