[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/PZT8Cf7g/Untitlfdgfdgded.png[/img]
[img]https://i.ibb.co/CK5yPDSk/dfgfdfg.jpg[/img][/center]


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[b][color=#50C878]Race:[/color][/b] Urban Halfling  
[b][color=#50C878]Class:[/color][/b] Rogue  
[b][color=#50C878]Location:[/color][/b] Port Verge 
[b][color=#50C878]Interactions:[/color][/b] @Tae


[b][color=#50C878]Equipment:[/color][/b]
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Hand crossbow  
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Shortsword  
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Coil of silk rope (lightweight, quiet)  
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Small lockpicking kit  
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Concealed shoulder satchel (documents & odds-and-ends)  
[color=black]⦾[/color]  Hooded travel cloak 

[b][color=#50C878]Attire:[/color][/b] Plain traveler’s shirt, tanned vest, dark trousers tucked into leather boots; hooded cloak worn or stowed depending on visibility.  Currently stowed to conceal weapons. - Patchwork old shirt (- concealment)

[b][color=#50C878]Gold Balance:[/color][/b]  39

[b][color=#50C878]Injuries:[/color][/b] None.

[b][color=#50C878]Current Emotion:[/color][/b] Resolute.

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[center][h2][color=#50C878]A farewell to isolation.[/color][/h2][/center]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/S4tvw0RW/Chat-GPT-Image-Jan-23-2026-08-37-31-PM.png[/img][/center]

Thomas wakes as the horizon shifts from speckled night to creeping grey. The darkness wanes ever so slightly as he frees his face and eyes of dirt and dust deposits gifted by the night's winds. Despite the stirring of the tavern below long into the night, he found the cool ocean air soothing enough to drift for a few hours. 

Rather than dreams of distant lands or exciting adventure which a younger Thomas once came to expect when he gave into the embrace of a soft bed. The dark of night brought memories forth in place of whimsy and fantasy. His mind bounced between the family he once cherished and the friend that left only a note in his place, anything sweet to dull the sting of knowing that chapter has concluded. At least long enough to stave off remembering months of hiding out in the jungles of Xen'drik evading a foe that laid claim to everything he had left. 

But on this night his mind did not seem intent on assaulting him with unpleasant recollections, despite being stranded in hostile territory Thomas was surprisingly at ease. Neither Saxton or his hounds were here, that much he was sure of. Without allies a meeting with him would spell a swift end; the thought dredged up the last meeting of Thomas and Count Saxton, his final words both promise and threat.

[b][center][color=#B400EB]”You’re free to go, as long as neither I nor my guards ever lay eyes on you again. But, that’s [i]if [/i] you survive the fall.”[/color][/center][/b]

Thomas shakes himself awake unsure if the cool breeze or the words ringing his ears sent the shiver up his spine. The tavern below sat still in stark contrast from the night before. The once loud and jovial sounds have fallen silent as the night's patrons either found their way to beds or remain seated having well exceeded their constitution before last call. Rather than wait for the group to rise, the patchwork shirt that found itself a place as a makeshift pillow needed to be returned to its owner. It does not take Thomas long to retrace his steps and return to the clothes line where the shirt was found, a relief to see that it is returned. Gently he dusts off the stolen goods and hangs it back where it was found the day before. 

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/21DfC3dp/Taverntopawake.png[/img][img]https://i.ibb.co/LGn6shv/Thomasshirtreturn.png[/img][/center]

The alleys of Port Verge remain quiet in the early hours, some dwellings have begun to stir but nothing of concern to Thomas as he saunters his way back to the tavern. Despite the shanty not providing many opportunities for needs to be filled on a budget, it does have its moments. Before Thomas lay a disheveled pirate slumped up against a crate, an empty bottle grasped firmly despite having been out cold for what must have been several hours. A deck of cards is scattered around and dice sit still next to a half eaten dinner and enough bottles for a small gathering. Thomas glanced over the plate and bottles relieved he would not have to go without sustenance for the morning. While he salivated at the chance to line his stomach a protrusion in the pirate's coat caught his eye. Lifting the coat reveals a moderately sized leather pouch that jingles when touched.

[center][color=#DC143C]"You either had a really good night, or a very shit one. Let’s find out."[/color][/center]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/LDzLh19b/Thomas-not-impressed.png[/img][img]https://i.ibb.co/YBcKRczN/anime-passed-out-pirate.png[/img][/center]

Thomas braced the pouch slithering his tiny halfling hand into the opening, in one swift silent motion it yielded twelve gold pieces. Despite knowing he could relieve this man of all his coin, he did not elect to take the whole pouch. Although, in his condition this man would not know he's been robbed for at least a few more hours. 

Thomas turned his attention to the plate of food, despite being left to the elements it retained the aroma of a delicious tavern seafood meal. Rather than risk the sound of utensils rousing the pirate, he quickly scooped food into his hand. A few mouthfuls deep the rice and fish dried by the open air wore against his throat sticking to the walls as if to scorn his theft. The array of half empty bottles offered some respite, but the contents presented another issue. Whether it be human, elvish, or dwarven brew; even small amounts of alcohol would hinder Thomas for several hours. Gerson's personal brew was strong enough to remove a barbarian from the general population; it alone was responsible for enough trouble in the past. 

Thomas scanned the bottles hoping at least one of last night's participants had left something that wasn’t also effective in sterilizing a wound. The first two bottles both stung as he brought the lip of each to his nose. The third however contained a wine so weak it was likely the cheapest available. Regardless, even just a few sips washed the food down as desired. With the plate mostly stripped clean and a belly full he figured it best to make himself scarce lest the pirate awaken prematurely. With a swift turn and face Thomas treks back down the alley turning a corner to return to his post. 

A few seconds pass before he turns back, returning to the scene, a hand thrusts into the pirate's coat with surgical precision, returning with the now liberated coin pouch. 

[center][color=#DC143C]"Seems the night treated you well sir, but all good things must come to an end."[/color][/center]

Thomas mused to himself, staring at the now coinless drunkard. Doubling back he stands before the patchwork shirt now heavier with the coin pouch weighing down its pocket. With moral compass satisfied the halfling thief returns down the slowly brightening alleys to await the rousing of the others. 

The sheet metal of the tavern roof digs into Thomas as he perches near an opening in the roof allowing him to peer down into the still quiet dining area. Obscured from anyone entering the tavern he sat patiently until either the group came into view or the pirates captain came to collect his prey, which by the end of day may include himself as well. The wait was not long, before the sun had even fully risen the faint but familiar sound of Beckett can be heard from the main street. Before long Thomas can see him flanked by the same woman and Orc from the day prior. Beckett does not make it hard to spot him, he enters the tavern and starts audibly flirting with the barkeep in a single stride. 

A hard thunk of Bastions foot diverts his attention to the stairs, one by one the group of gem holders descend the stairs. Beckett did not give them time to collect themselves or even the decency of allowing them a bite to eat.

[center][color=#1abc9c] “There you are… The Prince is expecting you.”[/color][/center]

He spoke calm but clear, this was an order not a request or statement. Leaving no room for negotiation or protest, Beckett leads everyone out of the Tavern and down the street. The port rises with the sun, the quiet of early dawn dies and gives way to the humdrum of daily life in the shanty. Fortunately for Thomas the group seems to have all the passerbys fixated on them, he tails the group from behind roughly ten paces. Despite being in the open the port dwellers do not notice the group's shadow, but one outlier stands out. The snake is an observant one, a subtle cocking of the head is enough for him to know he's been made once again. She waited until they were about to breach the gates leading to the Prince's domicile. 

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/QF1NNMQj/Thomas-Skulking.png[/img][/center]

[color=#7dbc89]”Hello again, Little Fox.”[/color] Meiyu’s whisper occupying the back of his mind, not that he needed the confirmation but it was somewhat reassuring that she was observing her surroundings. The keep was massive for a ramshackle construction, it looked even less sturdy than the shanty town as if the word “[i]moderation[/i]” is absent from the pirates vocabulary.
 
[center][color=#7dbc89]“Are you going to be my guardian angel today? Or are you just waiting for the leftovers?”[/color][/center]

Thomas smirked at the comment, while he knew what she meant, the events of his morning made the statement unintentionally ironic. He was not proud of how he got his meal, but between the two of them [i]one[/i] actually had breakfast. The iron doors began to shut threatening to cut Thomas off from the group and prince. He knew there was no particular need to lay eyes on the Prince but a need to know what the prince would say. However in the event everything started to go to shit, the gem that hummed behind his ear might be his only ticket to some security. 

The iron doors while the main thoroughfare for the keep were not the only option if you had the skills and an eye for infiltration. The make do design of the keep had holes and gaps which were exploitable. The guards at the doors and walls kept their eyes on the passing group which presented ample opportunity for covert ingress. Thomas watched how the guards around the walls patrolled but the early morning sun cascaded over the walls and towers of mismatched metal, stone, and ship parts leaving shadows to dance in. It did not take long for him to identify an opening, several guards stood facing the gate whispering between each other, it was child's play to slip over the wall and past them. The inner yard was not much better, while guards did patrol on the ground as well, refuse of unused building scraps littered the ground and sat in piles giving ample opportunities for cover. An upper floor stained glass window shimmers off the rising sun, the walls part stone but a ship hull makes up the roof like it has capsized mid air. As likely a place as any for the master to perch themselves.

By the time Thomas had found his way up the walls he could barely make out the conversation that was already well underway. An open balcony was available to get eyes into the room but offered little in terms of concealment from the patrolling guards. The warforged Bastion spoke asThomas finally got to listen into the room through a loose stone he found in the wall.

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/Q7W05sPm/Thomas-eavdropping.png[/img][/center]

[center][color=#30a4d9]”I will not be your property, child, and you will not bring harm to my companions… Or war it shall be again.”[/color][/center]

The tone of the room was rancid, Bastion was making a stand. Thomas had not considered the possibility that this meeting could turn hostile so fast. 

[center][color=#DC143C]"They either pissed off the prince, or the prince pissed them off."[/color][/center]

A familiar voice spoke up next, odd to Thomas as up until now he had only heard this voice appear in his head. 

[center][color=#7dbc89]”Meiyu”

“And if I am property, I hope you are a careful owner. I have a habit of outlasting my masters, and I’ve noticed that even the sturdiest thrones are built from the bones of things that thought they were invincible.”

“,you might find I’m the one leading you to the bottom of the sea…deep, cold, and breathless.”
[/color][/center]

Thomas was taken aback by her words and tone, after hearing her speak for a third time he settled on the notion that anything she says can be taken as a joke, threat, and seduction simultaneously. Although he was not sure if she had the capacity for joking, at least he should not assume so if he wanted to live long. 

Various voices of the group spoke in turn, some mediating while others stood defiant.
The prince let out a laugh, a genuine expression that his audience had amused him. As the conversation continued Thomas got a fairly complete idea of the situation, the prince had been testing the group's resolve, for reward he had provided his in kind. Complete the task to return his missing cargo and the ship will be repaired. Or refuse and face the wrath of the prince and his men. An ultimatum masquerading as a choice, more or less what he expected of pirate society. 

If that was all this situation had to offer this might be considered a simple endeavor, but the longer the discussion went on a new problem was making itself known. “Malik” they kept saying the name, one that did not arise during Tommy's eavesdropping from the tavern's roof. Running through the roster in his head and listening to the voices all male members should be accounted for, but this one was new. Thomas pondered between listening to the prince and the group, escalations growing as each voice poured into the fray. With one notable exception, the feline [i]Minerva[/i] was not speaking. Every encounter he had with her yesterday suggested she should have been the first to speak and likely to voice herself often, and yet not a word of any volume could be heard. A noticeable anxiety set in as he recalled the group traveling from the tavern to the keep, he had not seen her at all, she was not with them! This revelation, while peculiar, would have to be addressed later, for now he just had to wait for the meeting to end.

The prince had set his price for our escape, it seems an exit from the Principalities will remain out of reach for quite some time. At the very least Thomas feels relieved the prince has at least offered the means to repair the ship. Hearing the prospect of getting everyone out of this awful place he noticed over the last day he had spared no thoughts for the passengers also stranded on the shore. Despite his reservations about risking his own neck for those whose minds are only concerned with amassing wealth, the crew and innocent children stranded began to weigh on Thomas. In the midst of his contemplation the prince brought him back with a loud command.

[center][h3][color=#8FFFC3]“Get the fuck out of my throne room!”[/color][/h3][/center]

Thomas hears the prince followed by the opening of doors inside indicating the meeting was over, quickly he scouts the grounds around the keep, isolating a path and timing to execute an exodus. If there was a better time he could not think of it, no more vetting would bring him any peace. It was time to introduce himself to the others and start figuring out what the hell these gem shards are doing stuck to them. He did not assume they had much to offer in way of information but together they might in time be able to uncover the nature and meaning of the gems. 

Even with the group being in the keep the outer guards were sloppy in their coverage, some opting to stare off into the middle distance over scanning their surroundings. Thomas mused that despite the continent difference, some things seem to be consistent when it comes to people and their duties as he slips back over the keeps wall unnoticed. Outside the keep Thomas retraced the path he and the group were led through by Beckett, out of sight of the iron gates that would soon release his new potential allies he takes up post in a quiet spot to watch for the group to cross his path.

There was no escaping the Yuan-ti woman. Meiyu was already well aware of his antics, at least so far she has not taken any overt action against Thomas. Although he has no way of knowing if she had alerted the others to an interloper, figuring that they might be more at ease if they met someone less suspicious. With a deep sigh to calm himself. 

[center][color=#DC143C]"In that case."[/color][/center]

[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/ycycMBXJ/Tommy-pre-meeting.png[/img][/center]

[center][color=#50C878]”Hopefully they take to me well enough.”[/color][/center]