[Event] The Night Rogue Strikes!

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

A notice is placed outside Kada El's tavern by Jefecra:

It is rumored that a rogue is robbing people at knife point. This rogue seems to have some magic ability or at least items that allow him to slip away unseen. If you have had an experience with the Night Rogue of Hydlaa please recount it here so other citizens may beware until we have apprehended this criminal.

[A number of blank pages are tacked below with a quill and inkwell tied below the notice.]

[Vorodie]

i was robbed in the middle of the plaza!

he took my tria and disappear... where the guards look???

i heard someone was robbed just behind bevons's back....

[Torias Reethu]

I am another victim of the Rogue. Here's what i can tell:
I stopped at the plaza to see what was going on there. The guards were talking to a guy who was attacked there, that's what i overheard. They weren't optimistic to catch the offender soon, so they left to warn Allelia and the people in the tavern. Most of the people had already walked away, but there was still a handful of people left, so i felt safe enough. As a peaceful citizen, i had sheltered my weapons, like always. That's why i couldn't react when he appeared behind me and pointed a knife at my throat, demanding all my money. Well, i realized that i had no other chance and gave him my purse... Then... i'm not exactly sure what happened next, but i fell down and when i looked up, the thief has disappeared...
Some others were standing near me, but it was too dangerous to interfere... at least they told me so. Then i went to the tavern to report to the guards, but they had already left... later i met Lieutenant Harcrit and informed him of the crime, but it was too late to follow the thief...

[Orgonwukh]

*Orgonwukh walks by, growling to himself, a hand on his neck, some blood running through his fingers. Then he reads the posts and grabs a blank page, starting to write...*

I was assaulted by a cloaked thug in the arena. He attacked me from behind although I did not see him coming into the pit I was in. He uses daggers and hits harder than an Ulbernaut. It seems that he has supernatural powers and one man is unable to bring him down.

Where are the guards when we need them? In tavern, guarding Alleliia's mugs?

Please report any information concerning this thug to me as well. I really want this guy punished.

Orgonwukh

*Orgonwukh pins the blood stained page below the other ones*

[Skardellinus]

Skardellinus sighs, when he reports...
"I was guarding two friends of mine in a hidden and dark location behind the Kada-El area...I had only little luck with already having wielded my pair of short swords while I was watching and guarding the mentioned area...Thus I seemed being too concentrated of getting aware of the dark person, who immediately appeared out of the darkness...He or she had a black cloak and looked like a necromancer, who I have seen on my travels already...Our conversation - at least, what I am remembering - was the following:
I said: "Who are you, sir?"
Qia stands protectively in front of Mrokii
The dark person said: "You sir, are to surrender your tria or die where you stand"
I said: "I won't do anything, sir...just feel challenged"
Then he hit me with one of the hardest strikes, that I have ever experienced. I suppose, at least only Raithen at the Bronze Doors Eagle or a Talad-Ulbernauth-Chimera in their young years might have had such a power... [20k damage, lol]...while exhaling my last breathe, I only had time to say..."Let the ladies alive"
He looted my whole money...But now I am back in Hydlaa again and report this therefor to the local officers. Thank you for your attention, I hope, the ladies have been able to escape..."

[Hrothbert]

Hrothbert in search of some way to inform others as well as the guards about his experience walked by the message board and noticed the bloodstained note. When he finished reading all the previous posts he grabbed the quill and hurriedly wrote:

I was just passing through Hydlaa back to Oja Veda on an errand, just as I was entering East Hydlaa, I felt the sharp point of a slim knife between the links of my armour. Then a voice, very monotone, which neither sounded male nor female demanded my tria or my blood; I tried to persuade them otherwise, I even took my time to allow witnesses to stop and see what was happening; After they took my tria they pushed me forward, said "thanks for the business", and vanished with some sort of spell.

Anyone who saw this happen please add to this and let the guards know all you can.

I have tried to get Taulim to inform his octarchal charge but said he would not bother them at that hour it was nigh on midnight.

Hrothbert walks off more wary of his surroundings, now more than ever

[Eurac]

Upon leaving Kada Els on night I was witness to this foul scums antics, He robbed two poor citizens as a crowd gathered. I now none of those present but around 6 or 7 witnessed the robbery. The Night rogue tried to run but was chased down by the mob and corner. He then vanished before our eyes. Some dark magic is afoot in Hydlaa.

Take care out there citizens.

[Illysia]

[From Zandral's (alt) Point of view]

I was sleeping in Kada El's tavern with the door quite unfortunately open by mistake. He [the word written in bold letters] came in to the room at some point, bringing a distinct smell with him, and held a knife to my throat. He woke me up. Around this point someone outside of the tavern also cried out, apparently they were being robbed as well.

The rogue asked me where the money was and I told him it was under the bed. As a matter of course, I wouldn't just challenge an attacker like that since I was so clearly at the disadvantage. He went under the bed and after not finding it made me get it.

I tried to run but he stopped me so I headed back to the bed. I saw the candle on the table  behind the bed and started to form a plan... I Made a smart comment about using a candle to see under the bed and then grabbed the bag.

I waited for him to approach me for the bag and when he got close enough, I attempted to push the candle in his face and distract him... It didn't work. He gave me one last chance to to hand over the bag and I gave it to him. He snatched it very fast, spilled about half the contents, and rushed out. He seemed to be under the impression that the guards were right on his heels....

I can attest to the contrary....

   ___

        Miss Caterean

[Thidin]

Thidin walks up to the post and smiles and she goes to the next blank spot and writes;

I saw him run out towards the east gate. As I followed he stopped by a camp by the river close to Oja. I think he goes there after every night.

After a robbery I saw him hide into the shadows but then appear by the east gate everytime.

Thidin giggles slightly and walks back into the tavern

[Eurac]

Myself, and many citizens, have witnessed many of the Night Rogues attacks last night and the night before. He kills and robs at will.
I have so far discovered that he is indeed powerful and can appear and vanish at will.
It is said that he smells of smoke and it is suspected that he reside at the camp on the Oja road during the day.
He seems only to attack at night and within the Hydlaa City Walls.
Last night he announced outside Harnquists that we should speak with our guards to negotiate the release of his brothers. He vowed to keep killing every night until his demands are met.

Be careful at night citizens, the safest place is your homes.

[Merina Kutha]

A report by Merina

I was working at Harnquist's forge, the one closest to his house, when suddenly a rogue appeared behind me and put a knife to my throat demanding my money or my life. As there were other citizens around that helped to distract him I had the opportunity to headbutt him twice in the face and give him a bloody lip. I tried to draw my sword to stab him in the foot but he then cut my throat.I did get a brief glimpse of him though. I will try to have an artist draw a sketch.

signed,
/V\erina |<utha

[StitchedChin]

Talalas walks up to the plaza fountain, a slight smile almost hidden beneath his beard.  Hopping up on the numbered, stone block facing Harnquist's shop, he clears his throat.

"Citizens, one rogue has made us all on edge, one rogue!!  How can this be?!  We must stand together, we must work together, we must fight for our freedom and our city together.  We need answers and until we know the right questions to ask, we need to have armed patrols around the plaza at night to help protect the innocent.  He has taken by dagger point what wasn't his from a fellow Hammer, he crossed the line.  He has taken innocent lives with no regard, his line for negotiations has been erased.

We have been given the okay from the guards to protect ourselves, with magic or steel.  I believe we should have multiple groups of four or more well trained warriors patrolling from the East gate to the North gate at night.  The Night Rogue has murdered many citizens in all parts of Hydlaa, sometimes right in front of witnesses.  Yahh of the Bloodstone Brethern was able to wound the Night Rogue, just before falling to the rogue's deadly blow, so the Night Rogue can be hurt, he is mortal.  Together we can take him down and send a message to any other that feels they can do what they wish in the city.  The citizens of Hydlaa should not stand by and should never adhere to his demands.  If he wants to be with his brothers, then maybe he should join them in jail or learn how to read because he'll be spending a lot of time in the library in the Death Realm."

Talalas takes a draw from his beer mug.  Wiping the froth from his beard, he watches to see if anyone is paying attention.  Holding his head high, he continues.

"With the ability to hide and even vanish out of thin air, he must be using the many shadows at night to get around undetected.  We need answers, we need to find how he can hide so effectively, and how we can hinder his ability.  I think we need to find a way to light the city better at night.  Maybe Raithen or Levrus will know of a way to shine light into the shadows so we can track or deter this Night Rogue.  Not everyone needs to wield weapons and use glyphs either, we can use everyone's help to set up traps.  Anything that can slow the Rogue down, distract his concentration, brighten his dark clothing, louden his steps, ruin his escaping ability.  This should be done and ready to go before it gets dark.  Come together people of Yliakum or we will continue to fall individually.  You'll find me in the plaza at night and searching for him at the encampments during the early morning.  He is one, we are many.  Bring this Night Rogue to justice or he will suffer his fate at the end of our swords, the force of our axes and the power of our magic."

Talalas hops down from the stone block, looks for any volunteers and begins to get to work.

[Cilay_mecur]

Cilay takes the quil and starts to write his experiance with this dark rogue

I was standing serving customers at my shop located at the north gates, it was a fine day but the even grew on, just as the night was setting in and the crystal light dimming, I felt the cold sharp edge of steel against my throat!

The Dark rogue, he appeared from out of no where, holding a dagger to my throat, he hissed at the frightened customers and threatend to spill my blood if i didn't give him my stock and tria.
Fearing my life and the dakrus curse, i handing over a few weapons and all my tria...

With an evil thank you and a cloud of dark mist he vanished into the night...

[Zetsumei]

Zetsumei grabs the quill and begins to write about his run-in

I was sleeping behind the Iron Temple, when I was rudely awakened just before sunrise by the smell of campfire, and a knife to my neck.  The Night Thief asked, in a sarcastically polite manner, for my tria purse, which I eventually gave to him.  I should interject here and mention that I merely assume the rogue was male; to be perfectly honest, not only could I not determine it's gender, but even it's height and build were somehow being masked; about the only thing I could discern were its lips, which were bloodied, though I can't say whether that was from a fight, or from...something else.  Anyway, He seemed concerned about completing our exchange before the sun had fully risen, and perhaps with good reason; I could've sworn it's eyes began to smolder and burn as the light hit them.   It's clothes were singed as well, though I can't tell whether that was related to the  scent of campfire, or the incident with his eyes.  After that particular event, he pressed his knife a bit harder against my neck, which prompted me to give him my purse.  He was in for a bit of a shock though. 

I'd heard the reports of him, or his kind, I don't know how many there are, and had prepared for such an event by storing all of my valuables at the bank.  So when I tossed him my purse, it was entirely empty, which amused me to no end, and I'm sure aggravated the rogue.  However, I'd sadly forgotten about the fact that Battle Helms are valuable objects, and was...persuaded to hand it over.  The thief thanked me for our little business transaction, and then vanished.

Zetsumei puts the quill down, and begins his hunt for a new Helm, and a way to get back at the rogue.

[OOC]Our thief asked me to read his description, and most of it is worked into the above tale.  He also asked me to take a screenshot of the event, so here it is.

[Satha]

I was taking a late night walk, and as I passed by Jayose's library, suddenly someone's there behind me demanding my coin purse! He stuck a knife to my back, and I couldn't do much else but hand it over. Then just as suddenly, he was gone, as if vanished to thin air. I didn't get a chance to look at him, unfortunately. A man came just as he left, and told me others had died from a robbing just the night before... I think I will try to cut down on my late walks.