Inspired by Magic the Gathering. This is an unofficial fan-series. All rights belong to Wizards of the Coast and their affiliates.
Author: Erix Summerdown.
Mild language. Violence.
Now to the untrained eye, "Mannar's Smithing" is just the next smith-shop on the block, which sells a few harmless blades and turns a meager profit. But if you've got the Rakdos sigil like I do, this place is the head-quarters for all the bounty hunters, hit-men, anarchists, streetfighters, and all those good fellas in between. Everything and everyone you could need for an uprising is just inside.
Sitting behind the counter is an old pal of mine, a ceratok of a woman and damn good bouncer. "Just in time, Dridge." she says, "there's a two-fer-one special on hand-knives in the back of the store," which is code for 'boss wants to talk about two jobs he wants you to do.'
I groan irritated. I love this job too much to quit, though I'd say it's killing me. "Great. ...I came just in time for the sale, Sal. ...I guess," I moan. Sal just chuckles a bit, she's said before how my sounds of annoyance amuse her.
"Well c'mon then, these deals won't last much longer." She says. She leans back and knocks on the wall behind her, which slides away and shows off the 'head office' corridor. She nods as I step through it.
Here's the demon I've been looking for: a threat to society, and the property values of the entire city, Jelv's about as wanted a name as mine is. "Ah, Dridge! So glad you could come on such short notice, and through such trials - I hear the Azorius stopped all traffic on one of their walkways." Demons, Jelv especially, are quick to tell what's buggin' ya. They thrive off all kinds of anger and love to stir a little up in most people - I figured he'd know about that little stop soon as I walked in. He grins a little winder.
"Eh. Some Izzet kid... caught speeding, probably smugglin' their crazy inventions... Look, let's just skip ahead a little. Where's my cut?"
"All right then. Not too thrilled to recall your street tour then. I'd have suggested a few tourist points, but that'd be a waste. Heh, yes I remember that splendid show you had in The Eaves."
He leers, but in that professional way most Orzhovan employers do - he's picked up a lot of habits from those guys. "Something fascinating has come up, and I just can't pay you yet."
"What are you, docking my pay?"
"More like dangling it in front of your nose," he laughs. "I have a few new tasks for you before payday.
"First, something you'll enjoy. I need you to help set up an act in the city center. I'm sending the circus troupe: the scythejugglers, burnouts, and the like."
"Something special about this performance, Jelv?" I lean hard on his desk. A job from Jelv is never as easy as it sounds, and he knows I don't roll with the circus troupe.
Jelv folds his hands togther, relishing the mystery he just cooked up. "Well you know me best, human. That Izzet lad, the one caught 'probably smugglin' their crazy inventions' earlier today, he delivered a few of them to me recently. While you're helping the troupe set up with their new intruments, you're also going to take a few along for your next task."
"Which'd be what now?" I ask.
"Knocking down the Irden Energy Line."
I stood up surprised. He's put me through some insane things before, but not at this scale, and just after another gig. He's cruel, but even he has us all cool down every so often. "You want me to destroy the city's power grid?!" I almost yell. Gotta be careful not to - Azoria listens when things get too loud - "I mean, how in Krokt's sake do you expect me to even get in?"
"You won't be going alone if that's what your worried about, I assure you. I'm sending a ...friend... of yours to help." He curls his wings, the way he always does when he knows your innermost secret, and knows you're thinking about it too.
"...You mean-"
"Yes... I do... Most would excuse the Dimir as a myth, but I know better than that, Dridge."
I'd say I was horrified but,.. I was dealing with a demon here, and the Dimir too. I shouldn't be surprised that they'd put their heads together for something this mad.
"Now this isn't all my idea, but I liked how your little friend put it. And as you say, Dridge, 'anything to drive the city nuts.'"
Author: Erix Summerdown.
Mild language. Violence.
Now to the untrained eye, "Mannar's Smithing" is just the next smith-shop on the block, which sells a few harmless blades and turns a meager profit. But if you've got the Rakdos sigil like I do, this place is the head-quarters for all the bounty hunters, hit-men, anarchists, streetfighters, and all those good fellas in between. Everything and everyone you could need for an uprising is just inside.
Sitting behind the counter is an old pal of mine, a ceratok of a woman and damn good bouncer. "Just in time, Dridge." she says, "there's a two-fer-one special on hand-knives in the back of the store," which is code for 'boss wants to talk about two jobs he wants you to do.'
I groan irritated. I love this job too much to quit, though I'd say it's killing me. "Great. ...I came just in time for the sale, Sal. ...I guess," I moan. Sal just chuckles a bit, she's said before how my sounds of annoyance amuse her.
"Well c'mon then, these deals won't last much longer." She says. She leans back and knocks on the wall behind her, which slides away and shows off the 'head office' corridor. She nods as I step through it.
Here's the demon I've been looking for: a threat to society, and the property values of the entire city, Jelv's about as wanted a name as mine is. "Ah, Dridge! So glad you could come on such short notice, and through such trials - I hear the Azorius stopped all traffic on one of their walkways." Demons, Jelv especially, are quick to tell what's buggin' ya. They thrive off all kinds of anger and love to stir a little up in most people - I figured he'd know about that little stop soon as I walked in. He grins a little winder.
"Eh. Some Izzet kid... caught speeding, probably smugglin' their crazy inventions... Look, let's just skip ahead a little. Where's my cut?"
"All right then. Not too thrilled to recall your street tour then. I'd have suggested a few tourist points, but that'd be a waste. Heh, yes I remember that splendid show you had in The Eaves."
He leers, but in that professional way most Orzhovan employers do - he's picked up a lot of habits from those guys. "Something fascinating has come up, and I just can't pay you yet."
"What are you, docking my pay?"
"More like dangling it in front of your nose," he laughs. "I have a few new tasks for you before payday.
"First, something you'll enjoy. I need you to help set up an act in the city center. I'm sending the circus troupe: the scythejugglers, burnouts, and the like."
"Something special about this performance, Jelv?" I lean hard on his desk. A job from Jelv is never as easy as it sounds, and he knows I don't roll with the circus troupe.
Jelv folds his hands togther, relishing the mystery he just cooked up. "Well you know me best, human. That Izzet lad, the one caught 'probably smugglin' their crazy inventions' earlier today, he delivered a few of them to me recently. While you're helping the troupe set up with their new intruments, you're also going to take a few along for your next task."
"Which'd be what now?" I ask.
"Knocking down the Irden Energy Line."
I stood up surprised. He's put me through some insane things before, but not at this scale, and just after another gig. He's cruel, but even he has us all cool down every so often. "You want me to destroy the city's power grid?!" I almost yell. Gotta be careful not to - Azoria listens when things get too loud - "I mean, how in Krokt's sake do you expect me to even get in?"
"You won't be going alone if that's what your worried about, I assure you. I'm sending a ...friend... of yours to help." He curls his wings, the way he always does when he knows your innermost secret, and knows you're thinking about it too.
"...You mean-"
"Yes... I do... Most would excuse the Dimir as a myth, but I know better than that, Dridge."
I'd say I was horrified but,.. I was dealing with a demon here, and the Dimir too. I shouldn't be surprised that they'd put their heads together for something this mad.
"Now this isn't all my idea, but I liked how your little friend put it. And as you say, Dridge, 'anything to drive the city nuts.'"
