Paying the Dues
| MIN LEVEL | START LOCATION | START REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| 951 | Karthak (South Gate) (6, 10) | SK II Medallion (Complete A Simple Trade) |
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DetailsIn the distance sits a large city with a massive stone wall encircling it. As you approach you wonder how you were going to get into the City, when you see the huge Guard Tower straddling the road. The teeth of the heavy iron portcullis hangs above your head as you enter the South Gate, giving you a feeling of being swallowed whole. You are concerned how you are going to find Klines when you are stopped by a Karthak City Guard. He looks at you with officious disinterest, 'Please state why you wish to enter the City of Karthak.' The Gate Guard stares down at the Medallion, then his eyes roll. 'Oh, I see. One of those are you? Please come with me into the Office. There is an issue with SK Acquisitions.' He hands the Medallion back. You should follow the Gate Guard into the Office to see what the problem is. The small Office feels cramped and cold, you are relieved to see Klines staring back at you. 'Ah, good. I have just seen Nathon. He is very pleased with your work. Now I just need to notch your Medallion.' He takes the Medallion and adds a mark onto the shining disc with his enchanted knife. 'Take it back, but we have a more pressing problem I need to discuss.' Klines stands in the office fuming quietly, 'Are you ready for your next Contract?' He nods, 'Good, this is an odd one. The Contract is for me. The problem is Sathkaan of course. He has not paid his Gate Tax. Everyone must pay the Tax to enter or leave Karthak. They tell us it's a way of raising funds to arm the City Guard. But the tax uses its own currency, and the Guards set the exchange rates for the Gate Coins. It's a scam really, but what can you do. The Guards do need weapons and armor and it is better than other taxes I suppose.' Go pay Sathkaan's gate tax, you will need to acquire the relevant funds from the Guards. Do whatever you need to do. I need a Sathkaan Gate Receipt that shows the payment has been made. You will need this mark of Sathkaan to pay on his behalf. Return when you have resolved the issue.' You find a Guard sat by a battered wooden table, papers are strewn across the table. You hear him counting under his breath. Without looking up from his work he waves you away, 'I'm not ready for any more Gate Tallies yet.' The South Gate Accountant dismisses you with an annoyed wave, 'Go away, I can't accept this Tally for Sathkaan.' The Tally Scroll is in front of the Accountant. You throw the Bloody South Gate Emblem on top of it. Blood runs in thick trickles over the parchment. You see the Guards eyes widen. In a calm voice you whisper, 'I work for SK Associates, it's hard work. I need a pint. I get paid by Sathkaan. Without my pay I can't get my well earned Pint.' You stop, the Guard stares at the blood crawling over the scroll. He licks his lips nervously. You continue, 'Do I really need to tell you what happened to the last Guard who got between me and my Pint?' You see him hesitate, his eyes darting behind you looking for some help no doubt. You see the mask of fear fix on him. You lean in over the table, your shadow falls across it smothering him in blackness. In a low voice you growl, 'SK Associates, the 'S' stands for Sathkaan - don't forget it.' The Guard cowers before you, terrified. He gives a small whimper, then grabs a quill and starts to scrawl on a form. He hands it to you in quaking fingers, 'This... is to show the receipt of Gate Tax by Sathkaan. Ggg-good day.' You receive 1 x Sathkaan Gate Receipt You take the Scroll from him and smile at the cowering man. Maybe you went a bit far... You say 'Thank you for this, I never forget a friend.' You meant it honestly, but you see the blood drain from the Accountant's face. You guess he misunderstood you. You nod and turn quickly away. A Guard is talking animatedly to Klines, as you draw near he trails off into silence and stares at you. Klines smirks then turns pointedly toward you, 'Do you have proof of the payment of Sathkaan's Gate Tax?' He takes the Receipt from you. He has to stifle a smile, 'Did you have any problems getting this?' You shake your head, confused. Behind Klines you see the Guard look furtively around, as if looking for an exit. Klines turns back to the Guard, 'Here is the Receipt of Sathkaan's Gate Tax. No problems were encountered getting it. I will assume that no further issues with SK Acquisitions will occur in relation to Gate Taxes. Or I will be forced to assign my Hunter to return. You fully grasp my meaning?' The Gate Guard looks from Klines, then to you. Then back again. 'Fine! It looks like everything is in order. Good day.' He says curtly. You watch him leave. Klines leans in close and whispers, 'Apparently some Guards have been found dead, their Gate Coins stolen. The Guard Leader is very upset but he can't exactly admit that his mighty Gate Guard was bested by a mere Hunter. Then there is the ridiculous costs levied onto Sathkaan, which does seem to hint toward corruption.' He pats you on the arm, 'I am pleased, well done Hunter. Very well done indeed.' You enter a warm cozy pub, Klines is sat at the central table, he waves you over. You sit down and he hands you a drink, 'There you go. I bet you needed that. Right, I will not notch your Medallion for the last job as it was not for a Patron. The point of the Medallion is to show future Customers that you have completed jobs for Clients, I'm not really a client being one of the partners in the company. But I will give you this SK Ring as a thank you for all your hard work.' He digs into his cloak and gives you a tightly bound scroll. 'I also think that this will be of use. You can see the layout of Karthak and not wander round like an idiot. That's a waste of your time and therefore mine! But watch where you go. Some Quarters are more dangerous than others.'  'Now drink up, I need you on the next Contract. There seems to be a problem in the Market Square. I need you to meet Perry Tyler, you will find him in the Square. He'll be easy to find, he's the one looking angry. Come back here when you are finished.' |
