Chapter #426

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                                  +
                                +   +
                              +       +
                            +           +
                          +               +
                        +                   +
                      +                       +
                    +      THE ADVENTURERS      +
                      +                       +
                        +      Epic III     +
                          +               +
                            +           +
                              +       +
                                +   +
                                  +

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+    Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and      +
+  other terms used in these stories are the property of TSR, Inc.  +
+  However, this does not mean that TSR in any way endorses or      +
+  authorizes their use, and any such items contained within these  +
+  stories should not be considered representative of TSR in any    +
+  way, shape, or form.                                             +
+    The player characters contained in these writings are copy-    +
+  right 1991-6 by Thomas Miller.  Any resemblance to any persons   +
+  or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental.  +
+  Copying and/or distribution of these tales is permissible only   +
+  under the sole condition that no part of them will be used or    +
+  sold for profit.  In that case, I hope you enjoy them...         +
+                                                                   +
+                                  Thomas Miller                    +
+                                  tmiller@cimmeria.ns.gatech.edu   +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  Peldor          20th level human thief                       (N) +
+    Tanya          5th/11th level female human fighter/thief   (N) +
+    Bosco         11th level halfling thief                   (CN) +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  Date:        4/15/576 C.Y. (Common Year)                         +
+  Time:        early evening                                       +
+  Place:       the Green Dragon Inn, in Greyhawk                   +
+  Climate:     pleasant                                            +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  "I understand you're very upset."                                +
+  "You've never _seen_ me very upset!"                             +
+                                  - from _Mission:  Impossible_    +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++





                     CDXXVI.  Rogue Rogue





  On an otherwise good day, Peldor has received some very bad news
indeed...

Peldor:  (pacing his bedroom, fuming)  Those _bastards_!
Tanya:  Now, calm down.  Get a grip.
Peldor:  To hell with that!  How could they do this to me?!?  What
  gives them the right to-
Tanya:  (regarding him sternly)
Peldor:  Sorry, hon.  (he slumps down into a chair)  It's just that
  I was expecting to be named Guildmaster, or at least acting Guild-
  master.  I'm the most experienced - I'm sure of it - and I've got
  a proven track record.  Everyone else in the running was either
  underqualified or dishonest.
Tanya:  What thief is honest, though?
Peldor:  There are honest thieves, and there are lying, cheating,
  greedy scum!
Tanya:  At least you're not throwing things around the room.
Peldor:  Believe me, I'm thinking about it.
Tanya:  Yeah, I'll bet...so you quit your job?  No more River Quarter
  Master Thief?
Peldor:  That's right.  Other people might be content with getting
  seconds after the main course has been dished out, but not me.  Not
  this thief.  I'm out of there.  They can find a new River Quarter
  Master...and they can all go to hell!  (he stands again)
Tanya:  (puts her hand on his shoulder, calming him down somewhat)
  You know I'll back you, whatever you do.  (she frowns)  So...what
  _are_ you going to do?
Peldor:  I have no idea.  (he sits down again)  Maybe I'll just stay
  here in Greyhawk, as an independent businessman...you know, run the
  Green Dragon and all that.
Tanya:  Hmm.
Peldor:  Or, I - we - could roam the world, having adventures.
Tanya:  We.  Yes, definitely "we."  We _are_ married now.
Peldor:  I can't believe those moronic fools had to ruin this day for
  me-
Tanya:  Us.  And it's not entirely ruined.
Peldor:  -us, by breaking the news today.  I don't care what he says,
  Nerof knew exactly what he was doing.  All of them did.
Tanya:  Was it the Oligarchs who made the decision, then?
Peldor:  Some of them...the ones who knew Org, most likely.  Nerof
  himself, plus Turin Deathstalker, maybe Glodreddi...anybody who has
  ties to the thieves' guild.  At least three or four Oligarchs.  Yep,
  it's safe to say that I have enemies within that august body.
Tanya:  That's too bad.
Peldor:  And the worst part is, Nerof could have pushed for me, over-
  ridden the others.  But he didn't.
Tanya:  Maybe he couldn't.
Peldor:  Bah.  Nerof Gasgal can do damn near anything he wants, in
  this city.
Tanya:  (looks around sadly)
Peldor:  You know, I used to think I had a future here.  But now...I'm
  not so sure.  (he shakes his head)
Tanya:  I understand.  Who'd want to try to thrive and survive in a
  city where foes lurk like vipers beneath a chest?
Peldor:  Especially when the vipers are disguised as friends.  (he
  rubs his chin thoughtfully)  Maybe I could sell the inn...
Tanya:  That would be a fairly assertive break from the city.
Peldor:  (throws up his hands)  What to do?  I don't want to lose all
  that I've invested in the Green Dragon, and yet, I want to be gone
  from here for a while - a long while!
Tanya:  (her eyes light up)  Aha!  I think I've got an idea.
Peldor:  (turns to her)  Go on, please.
Tanya:  Remember the night you proposed to me...?
Peldor:  Sure.  What about it?

  A short while later, in Peldor's office within the inn...

Bosco:  What?!?
Peldor:  You heard me, Bosco.  We're taking an extended honeymoon...
  a fairly long one.
Bosco:  When're you coming back?
Tanya:  Whenever we feel like it.
Peldor:  (shrugs)  Maybe never.
Bosco:  And you want _me_ to run the inn while you're gone?
Peldor:  (nods)
Bosco:  All by myself?
Peldor:  (nods)
Bosco:  Aaaaaa!  (he dashes around in circles)
Peldor:  (to Tanya)  I didn't think he'd react like this.
Tanya:  How did you think he'd react?
Peldor:  (shrugs)  I really don't know.
Bosco:  (stops his pacing)  Me!  In charge of the inn!
Peldor:  You're starting to get the idea.
Tanya:  Are you going to be okay, Bosco?
Bosco:  Shit yeah!
Peldor:  Ah.  (to Tanya)  He likes it.
Tanya:  Yeah, I can see.
Bosco:  When do I start?  When do you leave?  What's gonna be for
  dinner tonight?
Peldor:  Calm down, Bosco.  Everything will be okay.
Tanya:  We're leaving soon...tonight.  As soon as we can get our
  things packed.
Bosco:  (his eyes dancing)  Oh, boy...have you told Vinnie and Leo and
  all the staff?
Peldor:  Some of them...all of the important ones, at any rate.  (he
  hands the halfling a scroll)  This is a copy of the current financial
  records.  (he hands over a key, as well)  This is for the safe in the
  basement.  In that safe you'll find masterkeys, profit breakdowns,
  and other things you'll need in the weeks to come.
Bosco:  So, do I get your bedroom?
Tanya:  No.
Peldor:  When we come back, we'll want our room back, so it's better
  to leave it as it is.
Bosco:  Gotcha.  What about Felicia?  She'll need someone to take
  care of her, and-
Tanya:  We put her in the care of Alindyar.
Bosco:  Oh.
Peldor:  (frowns)  It was either him or Ged, and I don't want Ged
  corrupting her.
Tanya:  Heck, maybe she'll even learn some magic...
Bosco:  I see.  Uh, what about the guild here in Greyhawk?
Peldor:  Taken care of.  You're not involved with them, and vice versa.
  Nerof has copies of all my guild-related financial records, and I've
  handed over the various tokens of office.
Bosco:  Oh.
Peldor:  Don't get any bright ideas, Bosco.  When I come back, this
  inn had better NOT be involved with the Guild in any way.
Bosco:  I read you, boss.  Loud and clear.
Peldor:  Good.  I want a clean break, and I don't trust anyone in the
  Guild.  That's why I gave extra copies of the records to all of the
  Quarter Master thieves - everyone knows everything about everything
  I did while in charge of the River Quarter.  My ass is covered.
Bosco:  (nods)
Peldor:  Don't listen to anything Nerof or any of the other thieves
  says.  Just stay out of it altogether.
Bosco:  Right.
Tanya:  And if you need anything, talk to Alindyar and Lyra.  They'll
  be glad to help you...and more than able.
Peldor:  Yeah.  (he looks around, then turns to Tanya)  It's almost
  time, I'm thinking.
Tanya:  Yes...
Bosco:  You can't possibly carry much with you.
Tanya:  No - just ourselves, our packs, and what's in our horses'
  saddlebags.
Bosco:  How will you live?  How will you thrive?
Peldor:  We're making that part up as we go.
Tanya:  (nods, smiling)  Should be fun.
Bosco:  Can't deny that.
Tanya:  It's been a while, anyway.
Peldor:  Well, Bosco, this is just about it.  We're on the way out,
  and you're in charge.  (he shakes hands with the halfling)  Make us
  proud, and make us money!
Bosco:  No problem, I've got it covered.
Tanya:  (hugs Bosco)  Until we meet again...

  The couple left the inn then, and Bosco stood in the inn's front
doorway, watching them go.

Bosco:  Good luck, you two.  (a tear rolls down his cheek)





next:      the first stop after leaving Greyhawk
ftp:       ftp.digex.net in /pub/access/dpm/rpg/stories/adventurers
           ftp.nol.net in /pub/users/zac/rpg/adventurers/
           ftp.tas.gov.au/misc/stories
www:       http://www.access.digex.net/~dpm
           http://www3.hmc.edu/~kshobaki/adventurers
homepage:  http://www.gatech.edu/oit/oe/design/thomas/adv.html
mail:      tmiller@cimmeria.ns.gatech.edu       (preferred)
           thomas.miller@oit.gatech.edu         (emergency)
notes:     I guess bad luck hits these characters in cycles.  First
  Alindyar and Lyra, who had more than their share of ill fortune in
  a relatively short span of time.  Next, Belphanior, who lost his
  public image, his eye, and even now still has a powerful enemy out
  there in the Abyss.  Now it's Peldor's turn, it seems.
    I really don't plan these things like this.  The stories just
  write themselves.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


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