Underdark- Black Web Region

Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- Outside the city of Nythi Thalas

Minor Temple of Lolth

"Please sit down." Lolth gestured to a chair that she conjured as Aaron paced back and forth. 

Aaron looked at the Goddes then the chair and smirked. "Yeah, I am good standing." He tried to smile but gave up on it as the Goddes smirked and sat forward a little bit. 

"As you wish. Did you have to be so hard on my Priestess?' Lolth asked as she waved her hand at the bound women and energy surrounded her healing her instantly and slicing through her bonds. 

The Priestess came awake with a snarl on her face and glared at Aaron but before she could say or do anything Lolth spoke, "You will do no harm to this man. He is a welcome guest and a possible ally. You will treat him as such until I say otherwise, is that understood girl?" 

The Priestess was instantly mollified as she regained control of her anger she bowed to the Goddess but she still glared at Aaron. "Of course mistress, it will be as you say. How may I serve?" 

Lolth smiled, "Since our guest has declined the offer, please sit down. Now as far as a temporary alliance between my priests and you to get to the bottom of why the Thieves Guild has changed and is acting against the interests of this city, yes I believe I can support this alliance. It serves my interests to get to the bottom of this and I know Vhaeraun wishes to know what is going on within the Thieves Guild as well." Lolth stated but Aaron smirked at the Goddess coy smile. 

Everything about her was a lie and manipulation, he wouldn't trust anything from her or her Priests he didn't have too. Lie's and manipulations were Lolth's bread and butter, if she was acting in good faith, she wanted something more...but what. "You don't trust me?" Lolth asked with amusement. 

Aaron snorted, "Would you if you were me? Your staple is to make a temporary alliance with someone and then when the opportune moment strikes, you stab them in the back. You rarely ever leave an ally alive and you only ally with someone because you want something. So...I am considering withdrawing my petition to ally with you." Aaron told the Goddes who's smile grew with every word. 

"I don't know if I would consider that a compliment or insult," Lolth replied. 

"Neither, these are simple facts. You use people, then cast them aside when they are no longer useful to you. I might, just might, have been able to work with your priests to figure out what is going on, but with you in the mix...I think I would be healthier in the long run if I bowed out and left you all to destroy yourselves." Aaron replied and Lolth frowned. 

"I want to live. I want my children to live. That is what I want. The Thieves Guild might be compromised, but I am unsure. They do not fall under my purview so I need someone within the inside to determine if they are compromised or not." Lolth responded and the Priestess gasped at her before regaining control of her emotions. 

"Who?" Aaron prodded and the Goddess shook her head.

"I want you to investigate the Guild. I will not influence that with what might be. Figure it out on your own." Lolth responded and Aaron nodded his head. 

"I need that scroll to retain membership within the Thieves Guild. Since its a key part of this cities defenses, I am hesitant to steal it. Is their anyway you can copy it so I can succeed in my quest and regain my full membership of the guild?" Aaron asked and Lolth tapped her lips as she thought and made a gesture as she studied the scroll and another scroll just like it appeared before Aaron.

"Take that, it will pass a basic examination but a more studious examination will not be fooled. Also if anyone tries to use it, it will of course not work. Now, my Priestess here will be my contact with you. Report anything you find to her and if you need any assistance, she will organize it. Find out what is going on with the Thieves Guild before its too late." Lolth stated and a Quest notification appeared. 

Divine Quest Issued: Tangled Web (Stage 1)

Description: The Thieves Guild of Nythi Thalas is either being influenced by a third party and/or has been compromised. Lolth has charged you with finding out what is going on and report back to Priestess Thiera Lanthul. She will also provide any assistance that you need in your endeavors. 

Difficulty: Hard

Success: Find out who is manipulating the Thieves Guild and/or has infiltrated their ranks.

Failure: Do not find out who is manipulating the Thieves Guild and/or has infiltrated their ranks.

Requirements: Level 30, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you find some allies within the Thieves Guild to assist you

Rewards: 5,000 Experience, 10 Gold, Increased Reputation with Lolth, Vhaeraun, Unknown

Will you accept? YES/NO

Note* Divine Quests are usually more difficult than any other type of Quest on Ithea. Undertake them with the understanding they almost always require multiple stages and that they are almost impossible to complete alone. 

Aaron grimaced, "Once we figure this out and root it out, we are free and clear of your influence. We are not turning the Thieves Guild into a recruiting ground for you or any god, is that understood?" Aaron asked the Goddess who smiled and winked causing him to growl and take a step towards her as he knives appeared in his hands. The spider and the Priestess both moved to intercept him but stopped at Lolths gesture. 

The Goddess studied him and nodded her head, "You would have made an amazing Priestess, to bad you are a man. Yes, I understand and will not influence your Guild in any way." Aaron accepted the Quest and looked at the Priestess. 

"What do you know about the death of Jerimiah Long?" Aaron asked her causing her to frown. 

"He was murdered and whoever did it, burned the body and damaged his home in the process. The Assassins Guild watches over his former home and deters anyone from going within and kills anyone who tries. No one, not even the Thieves Guild, has tried to claim it from them. Why do you ask?" Thiera replied. 

"He was my mentor before I had some problems of my own. His murder might have something to do with what is going on now, I won't know until I solve his murder though." Aaron replied as he grabbed the fake scroll and put it into his inventory as he moved to the door. 

Underdark- Black Web Region

Kingdom of Zeren'gor Territory- City of Nythi Thalas

Outer City

Aaron studied the house, it was in the merchant's quarters in a well to do neighborhood. Nowhere near as upscale as one of the Noble House's and Matron, but a sense of wealth had surrounded it. Now it was scarred and one whole wing was damaged and partially collapsed from what had happened here years ago. Aaron clenched his fists as he studied the home from the outside looking for anyone laying in wait. So far, he hadn't spotted anyone but that didn't mean that no one was there. As he took his first step forward he felt a knife materialize against his neck and back as someone dropped out of Stealth behind him. 

"This is your one and only warning friend. FUCK OFF and don't ever come back here." the Assassin hissed in his ear. 

Aaron cocked his head and smiled, "Is that any way to say 'hello' to an old friend Joe?" Aaron asked causing the man to jerk back and turn him around. The Assassins eye widened in recognition as he pulled his hood back and pulled him into a hug as he laughed.

"DUDE!!! Where the hell have you been? I heard rumors, but no one would ever tell me anything." Joe Mendez was the Assassins Guild equivalent to where Aaron had been when he had been sent to Nevada.

"Yeah, well you don't get to come to Ithea when you are living in Nevada. As far as rumors go, well if any of them mention my brother and ex set me up for a murder, then yes they were true." Aaron replied and Joe paled and considering he was a Drow, that was saying something about an Assassin. 

"Damn man, how and why? Do you know? How are you here if you got sent away, that is an automatic life sentence." Joe replied as he leaned against a nearby wall. 

"Why, I have no idea. My ex spun a story about how she and my brother were in love and they wanted to steal my money, but it was all bullshit. I had a good friend keeping an eye on all my financials and them, they were never together, so I still don't know why. As far as how I got out, my brother made a death bed confession and got me out. It cleared me and they pulled me out of Nevada within a week. Considering what was going on in the world, it wasn't exactly the best thing, but it gave me a chance to come here...which apparently is a shit show." Aaron told the Assassin who snorted in amusement. 

"Well, I am sorry they set you up and yeah, the Thieves Guild is a shit show ever since he died and your old buddy took over. Why are you here Aaron?" Joe asked all business. 

"I am trying to figure out who killed Jerimiah. He was my friend and mentor within the Thieves Guild. I owe him this much. Will you let me pass?" Aaron asked Joe who smiled and nodded. 

"Standing orders, you are the only one that can enter. I just never thought I could actually follow them. Good luck and be on your guard, Jerimiah was a clever bastard and whatever secrets he left behind, they will be well guarded." Joe said before turning and disappearing back into Stealth. Aaron looked back at Jerimiah's house and prowled forward low and slow as he activated Rogue's Eye, nothing popped out at him but that meant nothing. If he was a betting man, Aaron would bet everything that the inside of the house was far different from the outside.