Journal

Living Life in the Shadows

A Rogue's Journal
My life as a Pickpocket.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suddenly the shadows begin to move and shift as you do. You glance around nervously. Certain that you saw a figure in the mist. You feel something brush against your back. You spin around quickly only to discover darkness. The sudden chill in the air makes you gasp. You search. You see the darkness shift. Faint footsteps surround you. Or was it only your imagination. The candle flickers as a silent breeze creeps through the room. Warmth touches the back of your neck. You spin. A shadow slides into dimness. Soft whispers drift about the room.

Who are you? You ask. A darkened figure appears in the candlelight and places a scroll on the table. Fingers gently slide across the back of your neck. You turn. Nothing. You turn back around quickly to catch a glimpse of a figure slip through the door and into the night. You reach down and pick up the scroll and unroll it. And read the words, The keeper of Secrets.

_______________________________________________________

Shortly after my Lord and Lady left for the Isle I was a bit low when it came to silver. So I ventured off to the busy center of the landing and mixed in with the crowd and watched for a mark I thought would be carrying a bundle of silver. So I sat and observed the crowd for a period of time. Shortly a well, dressed gentleman stumbled into the square, humming a tune and drinking from a flask, obviously drunk. So I figured he would make and easy enough mark. So I following him around the square trying to get close enough, so I could reach into his coin pouch. He staggered a bit, so I positioned myself and bumped into the drunken man while reaching into his pockets and pulling out several silver coins.

He grumbled and slurred, "Excuse me son, I had a wee bit too much to drink."

I smiled and offered to help him to the bench. He spoke slowly, "That'd be very kind of thee, lad." I helped the older gentleman to the bench and slipped my hand into his pouch and pulled out a nice sparkling gem, then tucking the gem into my shirt. He swayed a bit and fell over onto the bench. I moved quickly out of the square to count my silver and to find a gem dealer to appraise my newly acquired gem. I ducked into the local stables and started to count my silver, when suddenly I saw a glint of steel out of the corner of my eye, followed by a hard object crashing into the side of my head. My vision grew hazy and then blurred into darkness.

When I came to I was lying on my back staring up at dusty, rustic looking ceiling. I rubbed my aching temple and pulled myself to my knees. When my vision cleared, I realized I was not alone. A dozen individuals sat in chairs, riffling through chests, trunks, and coin purses. Sitting at a corner table of this what appeared to be an old warehouse was the drunken gentleman I had stolen from earlier. He smiled softly at me, and said, "Come sit with me son." I stood up and walked over to the table and sat in a wooden chair across from the man. Everyone else continued sorting through the containers and never even glanced my way. The man across the table leaned back his chair and asked, "So son, what is thy name?"

I cleared my throat and replied nervously, "Armic Greylant".

The man reached down beside his chair and picked up a bottle of whisky and two glasses. Well lad", he said, with a crooked grin, I am Mustelo and these fine lads and ladies are my associates so to speak.

Chuckling echoed throughout the room. Mustelo then poured us both a drink.

Mustelo grinned coldly and said, "Son, you impressed me in the square today. You did everything like a trained thief, except you didnt choose your mark wisely." Mustelo leaned forward, "There are rogues all about and you'll need to learn to spot these thieves. Remember deception is the key to our survival.

Mustelo shifted in his chair and grinned, "Obviously you were shown the streets at some point, but if youd like to learn more about our fine art, we happen to have a vacancy within our so-called society."

And this is when my life of crime took off, per se.

This brings me to my first bit of advice. If you ever get a chance to become a member of a group of Rogues, Do it. I have been a member of a group of fellow thieves most of life, and it has been the most exciting and fun times I've experienced in the lands. Another note, while living your life in the shadows youre going to meet, get-to-know, and become friends with many of the thieves that stalk our fine cities. There is a lot of honor among thieves, believe it or not. Try to live within honor code and you'll have a fine life.

Stealing is simple Type ::Steal Person:: That is all! But this does not make you a thief. It is style, respect, and a love for the art of pick pocketing that makes you talented thief. Anyone can pick pockets, and many come and go everyday in the lands. But it takes a special character to be a successful Thief.

Anyway, I could preach all day on this subject, so Ill give you some tips.

When I started stealing I would go to the square, park, or other well trafficed areas and look around at all the different folks and seek out a mark I thought would be a good choice for me to try out my luck. Well this is all fine and dandy, but it became a bit redundant...

So I thought it would make more In Character sense to let the mark come to me per se. What I mean by this is, I'll wait for an adventurer to count their coins or put a nice sparkly gem into their pouch. Now what thief wouldn't notice a person counting their silver coins in public or the light playing off a fine gem as it's stuffed into a container. I notice. I size em up. Move into position. And make a move for the prize they just so carelessly flashed before my eyes in a public place. Just a fun way to totally emerse yourself into the role of a thief.

Most importantly... Learn to choose your marks wisely.

Get to know your fellow Rogues/Thieves. And learn from your elders and the street smart pickpockets.

Move stolen gems from one hand to the other before reaching into another marks pockets.

Be polite to the magistrate.

Weary and exhausted adventurers make easy targets.

Dont abuse the skill by bleeding everyone dry that you come across.

Drunken Nobles tend to carry spare coins and they won't remember where they misplaced their coin pouch in the morning, anyway.

Conduct yourself with dignity, poise, and style. Role-play is the name of the Game.

Greed is thy enemy.

Keep your identity a secret from the local officials. Be discreet.

And lastly... Have a blasted good time!


				*Living Life in the Shadows* *Journal*



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		A Rogue's Journal My life as a Pickpocket. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Suddenly the shadows begin to move and shift as you do. You glance around nervously. Certain that you saw a figure in the mist. You feel something brush against your back. You spin around quickly only to discover darkness. The sudden chill in the air makes you gasp. You search. You see the darkness shift. Faint footsteps surround you. Or was it only your imagination. The candle flickers as a silent breeze creeps through the room. Warmth touches the back of your neck. You spin. A shadow slides into dimness. Soft whispers drift about the room. Who are you? You ask. A darkened figure appears in the candlelight and places a scroll on the table. Fingers gently slide across the back of your neck. You turn. Nothing. You turn back around quickly to catch a glimpse of a figure slip through the door and into the night. You reach down and pick up the scroll and unroll it. And read the words, The keeper of Secrets. _______________________________________________________ Shortly after my Lord and Lady left for the Isle I was a bit low when it came to silver. So I ventured off to the busy center of the landing and mixed in with the crowd and watched for a mark I thought would be carrying a bundle of silver. So I sat and observed the crowd for a period of time. Shortly a well, dressed gentleman stumbled into the square, humming a tune and drinking from a flask, obviously drunk. So I figured he would make and easy enough mark. So I following him around the square trying to get close enough, so I could reach into his coin pouch. He staggered a bit, so I positioned myself and bumped into the drunken man while reaching into his pockets and pulling out several silver coins. He grumbled and slurred, "Excuse me son, I had a wee bit too much to drink." I smiled and offered to help him to the bench. He spoke slowly, "That'd be very kind of thee, lad." I helped the older gentleman to the bench and slipped my hand into his pouch and pulled out a nice sparkling gem, then tucking the gem into my shirt. He swayed a bit and fell over onto the bench. I moved quickly out of the square to count my silver and to find a gem dealer to appraise my newly acquired gem. I ducked into the local stables and started to count my silver, when suddenly I saw a glint of steel out of the corner of my eye, followed by a hard object crashing into the side of my head. My vision grew hazy and then blurred into darkness. When I came to I was lying on my back staring up at dusty, rustic looking ceiling. I rubbed my aching temple and pulled myself to my knees. When my vision cleared, I realized I was not alone. A dozen individuals sat in chairs, riffling through chests, trunks, and coin purses. Sitting at a corner table of this what appeared to be an old warehouse was the drunken gentleman I had stolen from earlier. He smiled softly at me, and said, "Come sit with me son." I stood up and walked over to the table and sat in a wooden chair across from the man. Everyone else continued sorting through the containers and never even glanced my way. The man across the table leaned back his chair and asked, "So son, what is thy name?" I cleared my throat and replied nervously, "Armic Greylant". The man reached down beside his chair and picked up a bottle of whisky and two glasses. Well lad", he said, with a crooked grin, I am Mustelo and these fine lads and ladies are my associates so to speak. Chuckling echoed throughout the room. Mustelo then poured us both a drink. Mustelo grinned coldly and said, "Son, you impressed me in the square today. You did everything like a trained thief, except you didnt choose your mark wisely." Mustelo leaned forward, "There are rogues all about and you'll need to learn to spot these thieves. Remember deception is the key to our survival. Mustelo shifted in his chair and grinned, "Obviously you were shown the streets at some point, but if youd like to learn more about our fine art, we happen to have a vacancy within our so-called society." And this is when my life of crime took off, per se.



		This brings me to my first bit of advice. If you ever get a chance to become a member of a group of Rogues, Do it. I have been a member of a group of fellow thieves most of life, and it has been the most exciting and fun times I've experienced in the lands. Another note, while living your life in the shadows youre going to meet, get-to-know, and become friends with many of the thieves that stalk our fine cities. There is a lot of honor among thieves, believe it or not. Try to live within honor code and you'll have a fine life. Stealing is simple Type ::Steal Person:: That is all! But this does not make you a thief. It is style, respect, and a love for the art of pick pocketing that makes you talented thief. Anyone can pick pockets, and many come and go everyday in the lands. But it takes a special character to be a successful Thief. Anyway, I could preach all day on this subject, so Ill give you some tips. When I started stealing I would go to the square, park, or other well trafficed areas and look around at all the different folks and seek out a mark I thought would be a good choice for me to try out my luck. Well this is all fine and dandy, but it became a bit redundant... So I thought it would make more In Character sense to let the mark come to me per se. What I mean by this is, I'll wait for an adventurer to count their coins or put a nice sparkly gem into their pouch. Now what thief wouldn't notice a person counting their silver coins in public or the light playing off a fine gem as it's stuffed into a container. I notice. I size em up. Move into position. And make a move for the prize they just so carelessly flashed before my eyes in a public place. Just a fun way to totally emerse yourself into the role of a thief. Most importantly... Learn to choose your marks wisely. Get to know your fellow Rogues/Thieves. And learn from your elders and the street smart pickpockets. Move stolen gems from one hand to the other before reaching into another marks pockets. Be polite to the magistrate. Weary and exhausted adventurers make easy targets. Dont abuse the skill by bleeding everyone dry that you come across. Drunken Nobles tend to carry spare coins and they won't remember where they misplaced their coin pouch in the morning, anyway. Conduct yourself with dignity, poise, and style. Role-play is the name of the Game. Greed is thy enemy. Keep your identity a secret from the local officials. Be discreet. And lastly... Have a blasted good time!