Episode One: New Taste

Walking down the alley mutes some of the ambient noise of the foot traffic. All (but PROWL) faintly smell grease and meat grilling, the smell emanating from inside. Sitting on the steps leading up to the side entrance is a typical man: bald, slight wrinkles around face, average height. He is currently looking at the clouds, enjoying a smoke break by the looks of it.

"Hmm?" He turns toward you, offering a friendly face. "Yeah, just taking my lunch break before the evening rush. You guys need something?" He points his cigarette-holding hand at the others, ashing his dart while hes at it.

"For real? Look man, I already got the cops on my ass aft- Oh, you must mean Tracy. give me a second." He stamps out his cigarette and enters the building. A couple minutes pass before you hear the door open with a squeak. Out walks a Half-orc, wearing a tank top, ripped jeans, black hair, and a half interested gaze. You see a haze around her body, indicating proper glamour use.

"You guys got something for us? We looking for unique pieces, game-changers only." With arms crossed she cuts to the chase.

She stares at Cole, silently judging your character. "Yeah? Fine, come with me." Apparently satisfied she leads everyone into the kitchen. It is abuzz with activity: Waiters easily maneuver around cooks to grab platters of food while cooks shout out to each other, asking for this or that. Tracy pays them no mind, walking to the east end. "I don't handle any of this business, but I get a cut of it all the same. I've never seen you guys before so I'm giving a fair warning: Be cool, and don't piss anyone off." Pulling out a key she unlocks tall double doors, pushing them open to reveal a small room with absolutely nothing, save a concrete staircase down. It smells...dusty, and the singular light bulb doesn't offer much brightness despite how cramped the room fells.

Another metal door is at the bottom of this narrow passageway which Tracy unlocks. Holding the door open she gestures inside. "Go, you will be called for business shortly." No turning back now, as you enter the entrance slams shut.

You find yourselves in the tavern from before. It might've been a little cozy with its simple wooden tables and plenty of free stools around the bar area, although the air lingers with that drab smell from the staircase, and the walls are sporting some gashes between the light fixtures and posters for rock bands. About 15 individuals litter the place, most are chatting quietly while a game of darts is underway. Above the racks of booze is a sign that reads "Take the swordsman's thirst challenge", a simple looking sword of white steel half exposed in it's sheath mounted next to it. Below this display is the only person to pay you any mind: the hobgoblin bartender, who has been sizing everyone up the moment they stepped in, twice even for Prowl.

He snickers at the suggestion, putting away some glasses while answering. "Oh that? Just a little game we like to play, and it helps settle arguments. Supposedly inspired by some traveling swordsmen who could do all these sword tricks in exchange for free booze. Whatcha do is take that sword and see if you can slice three bottle caps lined up in a row off of the bottles. Succeed, the drinks are on the house, plus everyone here will think it's pretty damn cool. If you fail, you buy the drinks, don't care how much glass fell into it." He makes a chopping motion with one of his hands, smacking a glass into the air and catching it during the descent.

"Well well, we got a swordsman lads!" The bartender shouts, garnering the attention of everyone. "Is he some sort of fighter?" "Pretty boy gonna cut up his nice clothes!" [b]"If he does it I'll buy everyone a round!" Soon enough a crowd forms around you, everyone looking excited, or at the very least interested in how this will play.

Placing three bottles of the finest cheap domestic beer along the counter, the bartender reaches for the sword, offering it to Rodrigo with two hands as if he was being knighted. A few laugh at the gesture. "Your blade."

Grasping it in your hands, this weapon feels extremely light, like it could fly right out of your hands.