The Inn of the Clowns in Bloodstone City had been demolished, attacked, burned down and rebuilt more times than Aethia could remember. Still with each new incarnation and each new owner the Inn always offered the same services. Cheap but hearty food, terrible ale, worse beds and a list of bounties for the region. Years passed these bounties paid well and were plentiful but with the flock of adventurers seeking glory and coin over the past two score of years business eventually ran dry. The tourists left, seeking their fortunes elsewhere and left the natives of the frozen wastes without work or reason to seek bounties. There was no coin offered for goblins anymore and no one seemed to care about a stray pack of mangy kobolds out in the woods.

Which left the more urban bounties, thief catching and hunting down criminals on the run. There were enough of them in Damara; it seemed a popular area for those wanted by the law in other nations to come and hide but those were not the criminals which paid. Crimes against the law of Bloodstone were the paying bounties, good gold offered for the capture and return of wanted criminals. It was hardly exciting work, but it kept the gold coming in and the only worry was becoming too used to the comfort of the city. Always on the move in the frozen wastes, chasing the next bounty and purse of coin that was not something that a person in Aethia's profession could afford. Comfort didn't pay.

This evening Aethia was seeking information on one slippery halfling known as 'Shortstuff'.  The bounty was only posted recently, and the coin was fair for what seemed an evening’s work stalking through the icy backstreets of Bloodstone City. The notice advised to speak to Kana Wrathfire, the half-orcish current owner of the Inn of Clowns. Aethia stood within the common room, a minstrel sang in one corner and multiple hearths were lit to provide warmth to the room, too much warmth. The common room was half full, humans, dwarves and halflings drank and joked at the tables. Coin flashed as card games were won and lost. Kana stood behind the bar, serving ale and laughing loudly with a pair of humans who had already clearly had too much, she was the woman to see about more information on bounties posted.

For a while now Aethia Longbow had sat and drank, caught up on some gossip and mostly drank cheap ale. Now, boots on the table, she watched the room and simmered. She was angry. Of late she often was, working herself up over nothing. It could be her clothes sticking with old sweat, it could be the sight of some freak. It could be her boot not slipping on fast enough. Aethia was angry. Most of it had to do with the mess the milksops had made of the place. The bloody tourists taking up her bounties had driven all business away. Not a proper monster or beastie to kill for coin was left. When the little shits were done, having had their adventure, they up and left again back to mommy's skirt for the most part, with the most obnoxious ones sticking around to polish their giant egos over things she had done for a living ever since she was old enough to hold a crossbow.

And now Aethia, once respected monster hunter, had been reduced to hunting mere criminals. She really resisted to the last on that. At least she had something to take out her anger onto, although her marks wouldn't thank her for it. Couldn't even kill most of them. Wanted alive, the whoresons. No, this was a rotten life. She wanted to be out there! Sticking something pointy into some monster that howls its rage at her in its dying breath. That's what she was made for. Not... this.

A burning halfling. If she got the little toelicker it would be howling too, that was for sure.

With resentment showing she got up and took her mug to the bar. She slammed it down with more force then necessary and looked over.
"Ey. Over here!"

It was the barkeep she wanted the attention of. The one called Kana. She didn't like the new owner of course. Who could like a halfblood orc? But Aethia had enough sense to keep her opinions to herself, especially when business was on the line. She waited for the woman to come over to refill her mug. As she had her attention she asked what needed asking.
"I'm looking fer bounties. Tell me ya got some beastie to kill or lost caravan to find. And if not, tell me where I can find a little shit called Shortstuff."

The common room was getting crowded as the evening rush started and although the other patrons passed her table most gave her wide berth as if simply a look at Aethia was enough to give them pause. None of course offered to share her table. However, when she rose and approached the bar it was not long before her table was claimed by others who gave cautious glances in her direction as if to make sure she had really left.

Kana had poured another drink for one of the humans by the bar when Aethia slammed her mug down. The half-orc looked over to Aethia as she called out but poured one more drink, perhaps deliberately slower than usual, and passed it to the second human before she tossed a bar cloth over a shoulder and walked down to Aethia. She stood across the bar and poured a drink, looking up to the huntress as she made enquiries about the most recent bounty and the possibility of more.

Kana may not have liked Aethia but it seemed she respected her, enough at least to now offer an interesting tip. "Alright Hardass, I got somethin' for ye tonight." She grinned, "Take care'a Shortstuff and I'll give ye the finer details." She leaned forward on her elbows and lowered her voice, "I've heard rumor a bounty's goin' up for a band of goblins terrorisin' one of the frontier towns. Not yer usual band o' scamps neither. They're organised like. Somethin' smart leadin' 'em." She leaned back and chuckled a deep laugh, "Though ye gonna need friends for this one. Job is big enough had to get the King's approval. I should have the job on the morn tomorrow."

She started wiping down the counter, "You take care o' Shortstuff for me and I'll make sure ye get first call on the new bounty and all the info ye need tomorrow."

"As for where the 'little shit' is, he likes to hang aroun' the guilds up in the north of the city." Aethia was familiar with the area, higher than the rest of the city by two flights of steps the area was carved out of the side of a mountain. It was slightly upper class as far as Bloodstone goes with actual cobblestone paved streets, the cleanest area in the whole city. "As for who he is. Well, slippery as he is ye can't miss him. Shortstuff's got a peg leg."

A real bounty? Killing goblins and whatever was whipping them around? That lit her face up. Gods, it had been too long. Hells, she was just about ready to head off now. Aethia could guess what region to look in, and then the stories would lead her there. But she wasn't leaving tonight, so why not pick up the little blighter and do this proper? A halfling on a peg leg. That should be easy enough to find. Aethia sniffed and rubbed her nose, then leaned on the bar.
"Alright, ya got my attention. Ya want the little licker alive I bet? Where do I dump him? Off at the dungeons?"

Kana grinned, "Alive, yes." She shrugged, "You can pass 'im off to any guard for all I care but the dungeons are probably best."

She continued, "Last I heard he was doin' his deals around the back of the guildhalls. He's roped in a couple others too, so don't expect him to be alone. I'm sure a few halflings won't be much trouble for a woman like you though."

She nodded to the mug, "Ale's free until you leave. It'll be good to not see the damn crook for a few years. Sick of 'im hangin' around to be honest." She picked up a jug from under the counter, "If you need anythin' else let me know."

She left to fill up the mugs of a few patrons waiting by the bar.

It really shouldn't be hard. That's what Aethia thought while she drained her mug with some haste. The ale wasn't good but it sure was better then what she got out on the road so she wasn't about to let it go to waste. Then she went up to her room. She had stayed at the inn for a bit, mostly because this was one she knew well enough despite its regular redecoration. The rooms were cramped and cheap which was good enough for her. Usually by the time she went to sleep she was drunk enough not to care. But now she entered the room and retrieved her halberd and crossbow. Her sword she had left on, you never knew when trouble decided to show its ugly mutt, but sitting in a common room with a halberd and crossbow in addition to that was just too much. Such an overkill in weapons would however make a suitable impression on any witless halfling cornered by her. And double so did her helmet. It was really a rather plain helmet, but over it was draped the hide of of a fierce white mountain lion. The creature's head rested on top of her own, and its furry paws draped over her shoulders. It really tended to scare the shit out of some goblins, which was always good fun and made the killing easier.

Slinging the crossbow on her back by the strap, she took up the heavy halberd. It had been hers for quite a few years now and it had been her weapon of choice when dealing with anything seriously dangerous. It had a long reach, and a good swing of the weapon could piece even plate armor let alone a beast's hide. It was a weapon made to kill in one blow and that was good, since some of the critters out there could do the same to her. Kill before yer killed, as dear old dad always says. Resting it on top of the paw draped over her right shoulder, the weight was second nature to her from carrying it for all the time she has owned it.

Then she was ready to head out. Eyes followed her as she passed through the common room. Goblins weren't the only things that caught a fright when they saw her ready for a fight. Aethia liked it. Made folk remember their place, and hers. Not like those little cockroaches who stole her trade and bragged all night long. She was the real thing, and she wanted folk to know it without her saying a word.

The cold night air met her like an old friend. With confident step she turned north and headed for the back of the guildhalls..
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Mon 14 June 2021.

Uneasy eyes followed Aethia was she walked through the common room, glances were mixed between the lionhead pelt over her shoulders and the large halberd by her side. Conversation quietened as she walked by but it wasn't long after she had passed that the patrons returned to their usual cheer.

Most of Bloodstone City was still a village, even all these years later since King Dragonsbane had taken residence. The buildings of the village were mostly single floor log structures with peaked roofs and wooden shuttered windows. It had a definite frontier feel to it; at least the lower, older part of the City did. Streets were mud and snow and only the area around the markets and traders had long wooden boards down to reduce the slush from passing wagons. All in all it was much like any other village or town in Damara.

Most of the King's investment had been in expanding the village into the mountains behind the city, to the north. Two tiers had been built so far, each about thirty foot above the the previous level and joined by a multitude of stairways which curved up to the higher tier. The first tier was mostly guild halls and homes of some of the more wealthy merchants and adventurous nobles who took residence since the King started on his palace halls. This tier was known as Makers Terrace as all the smithing, tool work and armor crafting took place among the guilds and merchant halls. Makers Terrace was as large as the village below and was under constant expansion excavating into and around the mountain to create space for the growing wealthy populace trying to escape the village below. The second tier was the King's Palace, a tier which shared the same name as it's purpose. It was much smaller than Makers Terrace and guards kept anyone from climbing the stairs unless they had a purpose at the Palace. King Dragonbane, his family, retainers, staff and the nobles on the Council had their homes in the Palace; strictly no business was to be conducted on this level.

The back of the guildhalls was a mazelike network of tunnels and dead-ends known as the Warrens. Some led to half-finished and long abandoned buildings with excavation forgotten; others led to current and ongoing construction. The guards patrolled constantly to try and keep the undesirables off the Makers Terrace but the tunnels were warm, quiet and dark; the perfect place for vagrants and criminals to hideaway or do business. The guards were very lackadaisical in their patrols however, and didn't seem to take clearing the Warrens too seriously.

Two guards stood with torches in their hand beside the 'Meticulous Mall of Woodcrafters and Staffiers'. It was just one of the many ways into the Warrens, both east and west had options to go deeper north. East held more of the guildhalls while west were the noble houses and merchants.

The irony of the scum hiding in dark tunnels was not lost on Aethia. It was just like a goblin warren. Somehow every burning blighter wanted to crawl somewhere dark. Perhaps because the guards had no stomach to follow them there? Big strong guardsmen, afraid of a few shadows. Typical. But more likely the guards had figured out they weren't getting paid more if they went through the effort. Why bother then?

With confidence sauntered up to the pair so bravely making a show of guarding the entrance to one of the hidey-holes. She relaxed a little, these weren't the ones she wanted a fight with. They might even know where to find Shortstuff..

"Ey. You seen a halfling with a peg leg here? E's a wanted one and I'm here ta fetch the little toelicker."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:06, Tue 15 June 2021.

The guards turned to Aethia as she approached. While not concerned about her they did straighten up and puff out their chests slightly. One rested his hand on the pommel of his sword.

Waving the torch in her face the second squinted at Aethia, "Halfling huh?" He looked to the other guard and back, "Pegleg? You seekin' that bounty?" He looked back to the other guard with a smirk, "Girl's got balls headin' into the Warrens."

The first guard barked a laugh and stepped forward. "Rich bounty on that one."

The second nodded, "Haven't seen 'im tonight but he usually hangs around behind the guilds" He points to the east. "Check around the Hall of Frosted Tools and the Luxurious Leather Lingerie Fitters.”

Girl? Seems this was another of those idiots. No matter. She'd soon have something to take out her anger onto. Aethia looked over to the indicated buildings. She had noted that the guard knew about the bounty and decided not to pick it up. Odd. Perhaps they couldn't collect it themselves? Still, a smart man would find a way around that. Guess these guys weren't smart.

With a grunt she turned east, to go look behind the indicated guildhalls. She wondered a moment what frosted tools were. Some dumb city nonsense no doubt. Along with lingerie. Granted, most women would find her armor more uncomfortable to wear than that, but for Aethia it was the other way around. Besides, the life of a hunter wasn't kind on the body's appearances. Constant frost, scars, endless marching and a decade of wearing heavy armor and weapons changed one's build considerably. She looked nothing like her sisters now. Not that it mattered. She wasn't looking for a man any time soon. Not one for keeping, anyway.

As she wandered down the alley between the buildings she became more alert and pressed down wayward thought. It was time to hunt, and while a one-legged halfling was hardly dangerous, getting complacent was. And so she let her eyes wander across her surroundings, watching for trouble. If this was a warren like the ones goblins tend to have there might be traps or alarms, maybe some sort of guards. But they probably weren't expecting a hunter to come knocking either..

The guards did not move as Aethia walked off towards the alley and just resumed their quiet discussion. Walking the alley between the two buildings Aethia reached the end after around 80ft. The Leather Lingerie building was closed and dark, however a series of short explosive sounds came from the Frosted Tools which was lit up from within. The alley split into a T with it continuing around the back of either building. To the left was a dark alley which opened into three other dark passages heading north, to the right a single passage stretched across the back of the Hall of Frosted Tools and then headed north.

Perhaps it was the explosions from the Hall of Frosted Tools or perhaps the halfing guard was just falling asleep but Aethia spotted him sitting on the ground against the building before he noticed her heavily armored form. The explosions were accompanied by a flash of light which lit the dark back alley through open windows, dim light was thrown over the halfling which showed that he was idly picking at his fingernails with a dagger. He was currently unaware of Aethia and was about 30ft away.

As expected. Aethia wasted no time and took a few hasty steps forward and swung her halberd. She could've taken the halfling's head clean off with that swipe, but it stopped short a few inches. No one would weep for another piece of dung down the drain, except maybe the dung's family, the little tykes liked to breed after all. But it was best not murder half the warren population to get her mark. Folk who actually mattered might get upset..

Not that she was going soft and all that. Her voice was icy and the hopelessly outmatched halfling had only a moment to appreciate the half-moon blade that had come so close to putting an end to his miserable life.
"Drop the knife ya little shit. Quietly. One wrong pip outta ya and yer another foot shorter.."

While surprised the halfling looked at the blade by his neck and turned his head slowly. He looked up to Aethia and raised both his hands, dagger in one. He made a move to drop the dagger but quickly pushed back against the wall before trying to roll away.

He barely got a shout out before Aethia acted. "THERE..."

Stupid little shite! Did that idiot really want to die so badly to warn his pals? Aethia took a step forward to follow the halfling's move and whipped the iron pommel of her halberd around to smash the halfling in the teeth.

The halfling moved to stand, looking to flee from Aethia however the woman was too quick with her weapon. Smashing the butt of the shaft into the halfling's jaw there was a crack of bone and a few white teeth fell over the cobblestone street.

The halfling raised his hand to his mouth and looked up in horror, "My teef." He mumbled through bloody fingers as he covered his mouth.

He did remain still, lying on the ground with his back against the wall. "Why? Wha' you wan'."

Without pity Aethia stepped forward, moved her halberd to her left hand and grabbed hold of the halfling's hair. She yanked back his head and looked down on his bloody face, and all he saw was her pitiless eyes.

"Where's Shortstuff?" She hissed angrily.