BACKGROUND: DATE AND TIME: June 8th, mid afternoon LOCATION: The Broken Mug Tavern, east side of Chuza, close to the seaport.
Kicked off with a quick summary of Captain Brin assigning the task of apprehending a drug peddler, by the name of Shirdrella, to the three law enforcement Agents.
“It’s unusual for someone like Shirdrella to burst onto the scene – normally there is a history or at least word on the street of the new player. But the drow has been identified as a rising influence in the Kleet Sung Sing’s (The Kleet) expansion from Paraisopolis.”
Captain Brin, Section 18
“The Kleet have usually kept to themselves in the Paraisopolis but recently we’ve seen more activity in the neighbouring Sections. Mostly extortion and drugs. Looks like this petite troublemaker has decided to push the expansion of their turf into our Section. There needs to be an example set before other gangs follow the lead – she needs to be caught and tried. Word on the street is that she ventures out personally to seal the larger transactions. Or promote a new product. Like that new ‘Twitch’ that’s been cropping up. The Broken Mug may be a good OP (observational post).”
And who are these fearless Agents stepping up to the task?
Crowe, Hawke and Raven.
Yes… they are the ‘Flying Squad’. Groan.
OPENING SCENE:
The Agents begin on the middle floor of an apartment block opposite the Broken Mug Tavern.
The top floor was too far from the street to make out details, coupled with the blinding sunlight and baking heat.
The ground floor had too many obstructions.
The middle floor is in the Goldilocks zone and seems to be just right.
The street below is a potent mix for the senses. Bright summer sunlight accompanies the aromas of cooked fish and spiced meats from the street stalls.
Dotted along the thoroughfare are jugglers, beggars and various street entertainers, vying for attention or ‘donations’, and adding to the general clamour. And scent.
The last couple of days on observation duty were particularly challenging on both an environmental and emotional level. Endless hours of being cooped up in the oppressively hot, cramped, muggy bed-sit have begun to take their toll. Sarcastic comments from Raven [Fighter], the way Hawke [Ranger] crunched on breadsticks, and the irritating pacing of Crowe [Rogue] were beginning to get on everyone’s nerves. Someone was going to snap.
But today is different. Today, the Agents found their mark! After nearly three weeks of staking out the Broken Mug Tavern, Jimmy Gibbs juniors’ lead has paid off. The shifty, ferret of a man isn’t pleasant to deal with, but his information is usually sound. But after so many days, the Agents were starting to have doubts.
And then Shirdrella shows up – casually sitting on the back of a refuse wagon as it slows to a stop, next to a set of large fly-covered, metal bins near the entrance of the Broken Mug
The good news is that the stall Agent Crowe infiltrated that morning, affords a good view of anyone entering the bar tavern. And he is the first to spy her as she climbs off the wagon. The bad news is that the stall trades fish, turtles, and small alligators – the nasty reek will take days to remove, no matter how many washes.
WHAT HAPPENED
Shirdrella leapt down from the refuse wagon and strode into the Broken Mug tavern.
Outside, the Agents gathered swiftly in the bustling street, their formation tight and purposeful. Without hesitation, they advanced toward the taproom. Raven peeled off, circling to cover the rear kitchen entrance. Hawke and Crowe stormed through the front door, cutting off a bard mid-verse as he began to recite an epic tale.
A tense silence gripped the room—broken only when Thom, the bartender, nervously offered the Agents a cooling beverage. Hawke declined with a curt gesture, flashing his Agency credentials and announcing their pursuit of a dark-skinned elven woman.
Thom nodded toward the back gaming area.
Crowe drew his KemerCannon and crept down the hallway, eyes scanning every shadow. Meanwhile, Raven forced her way through the kitchen entrance into the public bar, silencing any protest from the staff with her badge—and a withering glare.
Crowe parted the metallic beaded curtain and slipped into the gaming room. Dim Coraman crystal light flickered from wall sconces, illuminating a dark-skinned woman seated on the bar plinth. An open satchel lay beside her, its contents being examined by two “kitchen staff.” Nearby, two gang-affiliated card players eyed the scene warily.
Crowe initiated arrest procedures, his KemerCannon lending weight to his authority. One of the card players dropped his crossbow and scrambled to a booth, hands raised in surrender. The other, along with Shirdrella and the disguised Brothers Grimm, resisted.
Initiative was rolled.
In the chaos that followed, Tarek attempted to flank Raven but was swiftly incapacitated by Hawke. Marek fought viciously before finally surrendering under the combined assault of Raven and Hawke. Crowe landed a critical hit on the remaining card player—no further resistance.
Shirdrella bolted, vanishing through a concealed fire exit with Hawke hot on her heels. The satchel and a dozen vials of thick, yellowish liquid were left behind on the bar.
As Crowe rushed outside to assist, Raven began manacling the bloodied Marek to his dying brother, Tarek.
In the sweltering back alley, Hawke summoned his canine companion, Siric, to aid in the pursuit. Together, he and Crowe charged through the crowded streets, sweat pouring down their faces as they chased Shirdrella northward. Hawke cast Longstrider, his speed surging as he began to close the gap.
