Quaestor Report

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Quaestor Report

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"Into The Underworld" by: DJM Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae Quaestor, House Tarentum Sith Order

SBL Zandro Savric Erinos Arconae Consul, Clan Arcona Sith Order

OP Wuntila Zratian Entar Proconsul, Clan Arcona Obelisk Order

2011 - Into The Underworld (A Tarcona Event)

The Asylum, that had formerly been home to the infamous Mystics of the Black Arts, that was now one of the foremost research centers for life and death and all projects that both Tarentum and Arcona had any interest in, was now the base of operations for the foray into the underworld that was Eden City. Arcona and Tarentum jointly occupied an entire wing of the massive facility, as members of both facets of the alliance delved into finding who had committed the crime and theft against Tarentum, and indirectly against Arcona, and sought to bring that criminal facet to justice.

The alliance had even received tips from an anonymous source that led them into various dens of criminal activity and into the might of the man known as Syrus Bek. A veritable war council was now underway, with the leaders and prime veterans of both Arcona and Tarentum gathered together to discuss both the information they had received and dug up on their own regarding Bek and his associates.

"The Kaervanese control their district with an iron fist," Zandro Erinos began pointing out various spots on the holographic map of Eden City. "Their money, enforcers, prostitutes, dealers, everything, it all permeates this district. There is, quite literally, no corner where these pests do not dwell. It's tough to find someone willing to sell out the Kaervanese, but fortunately, by finding so many of them, we've been able to determine something of their nature, their hierarchy, and even of Bek himself by... pressing forcefully on these people."

"Which is certainly appropriate, given that they tend to work more by strong arm tactics anyway," Archean nodded. "I'm sure they learn to understand you quickly."

"Of course."

"Tracking down some of the tips from this strange, anonymous source we continue to receive communication from is proving incredibly fruitful," Wuntila Entar continued the briefing. "Given the information that is being sent directly to Tarentum, we have been taking the more indirect approach, and we have been able to verify everything that is being sent to you on our own."

"I suppose it's good to know we can trust anonymous tips that seem to ferret out or weaken Syrus Bek," Anshar stood with his arms folded, staring intently at the map. "Someone certainly has a grudge against him, or the Kaervanese as a whole. I'm not entirely surprised."

Wuntila continued to comment on the various enterprises of the Kaervanese family, mentioning strongholds, key locations to their various scams and activities, and even a few key meeting houses that the covert operations of Arcona had been able to identify. Everything that was being funneled to Tarentum through their anonymous source seemed to be checking out. It was unsettling to a certain degree that no one knew exactly why they were being fed key details on the Kaervanese, or who it was that was providing them with what they needed to know. It was likely a rival or enemy of Bek's, which meant that everything they received needed to be treated as potentially dangerous for any involved members to investigate or delve into.

One specific location on the map remained highlighted, but everyone was well-aware that Wuntila was staying away from that marker, though it was up to interpretation as to why. As the meeting stretched on, the blinking red dot indicating a potential stronghold of the Kaervanese became almost a focus of curiosity, but it would not remain so for much longer.

"Finally, Tershik Hel and Sons," Wuntila waved to the final location marker. "This is a so-called 'activities firm' that deals with entertainment and pursuits of a most interesting kind. Tershik Hel and his family apparently deal with a wealthier class of scum that is looking for pursuits of any kind that would generally be considered outside of the bounds of law, but that remain perfectly acceptable in Eden City."

"I think you're going to have to explain," Oberst commented, drawing a quick glance from the Proconsul of Arcona.

"We've gained a lot of insight into the Hel family business through Oberst's forays there, coincidentally," Wuntila continued. "Oberst's more... aristocratic nature made him a perfect test candidate for our theory, and after more investigation, when we finally asked him for assistance..."

"The Hel family deals in fetishes and pursuits of a sadistic, morbid, or completely foul nature," Oberst hastened. "Anyone with enough financing behind them can purchase a family to murder, a harem of beauties to defile, or feed to a rancor, or whatever your personal interests are. The Hels are absolutely revolting people who want to entertain the darker fantasies and lusts of any perverted mind."

"Our kind of people, obviously," Sashar spoke up.

"I hear you have a rather large, personal account with them," Oberst glanced at the Arconae.

"Nothing near the investment you've had with them over the past three days," Sashar returned.

"The interesting fact about the Hel family business," Bloodfyre spoke up, interrupting the friendly jabs, "is that it seems that they have been acting as a repository for Syrus Bek's recent acquisitions. Our stolen items are said to be at this central facility for the family."

"With the pursuits in creatures beyond death, and whatever other grim pursuits have been going on at the Asylum," Zandro continued, "it seems that Bek has decided to let Tershik Hel and his children have at the researchers and the prizes they've stolen, to try and get our Asylum personnel to speak up and reveal the methods for animating and using your morbid creations."

"Syrus Bek wants to give his associate a new toy to play with," Archean commented.

"We need to get into the Hel family compound, and retrieve our property, or destroy the entire facility," Ronovi summed up the presentation. "Or maybe we just need to get to Tershik Hel, and claim him and his holdings for our own pursuits."

"That's precisely what we've been thinking, Ronovi," Zandro nodded. "We have people who are trying to stay working on the angles that Oberst, Sashar and the others have opened up for us, and we're working on as much intel as we can about the Hel family compound. Right now, what we believe is that the specific items and information that Bek acquired from the Asylum are at the Hel facility, and are potentially being unlocked to the Hels and the Kaervanese as we speak."

"We need to prepare our forces to move against the firm as quickly as possible," Wuntila added. "Members of both Arcona and Tarentum have the site monitored, and are potentially infiltrating as clientele as much as we can possibly do without arousing suspicions."

"Arousing something," a smirk from Rekio accentuated his remark as much as his silence accentuated his presence.

"The compound acts as a front for the activities of the firm," Arcona's Proconsul continued to brief everyone, "even though they have small offices in every district presumably to help direct Eden City's more perverse population to their door. The compound is highly militarized from the outside, with heavily-armed personnel that maintain a tight rotation to guard the perimeter. One the inside, however, it's as lush and extravagant as it is twisted and revolting."


"Please, come in gentlemen," a lithe, graceful young woman said to the trio of finely-dressed men coming through the doorway. "Welcome to the Hel family retreat, and allow me to extend the personnel welcome of my father to my own. I am Aryaan Hel, and my father Tershik says you are to be afforded every courtesy and luxury we have here."

The three men glanced around at what appeared to be the entry hall to perhaps the finest palace in Eden City. Artwork of every sort, decorations both outlandish and wondrous adorned the walls, stood on ornate tables and accentuated every inch of the Hel family compound. Statues of every sort were placed at intervals that whomever had decorated the compound would have understood, and each work represented perhaps a different pleasure that was pursued either personally by the Hel family, or by their clientele. Nude members of nearly every imaginable species were represented alongside exotic beasts, or vivid landscapes in painting, sculpture, and other methods of artistic pursuit.

"Your welcome is most appreciated, and I am pleased to meet you," a rather large, impressive man nodded slightly. He bore the dress of an officer of some faction for another that Aryaan seemed vaguely familiar with, though she couldn't place it at the moment. "I have been working with your father for several days now, though I have finally managed to convince my associates to come explore the offerings of your family's retreat for their own pursuits."

"Wonderful," Aryaan smiled brightly, though the poison in her eyes made men wonder whether she intended to carve them up into morsels for her own twisted pleasures. "I beg your forgiveness for not recognizing you, sir. I am often not at my family's compound here, since my father most often has me running errands to acquire new additions to our family's offerings."

"No apologies are necessary, I'm certain," the large gentleman noted.

"Well then, let's pull up your personal account, shall we?" Aryaan moved away from the trio of gentlemen and headed towards one of the office alcoves away from the entry. The three gentlemen followed behind, with the largest man leading the way, following several feet behind the eldest daughter of Tershik Hel. After ushering the three in, Aryaan closed the door, and headed behind her impressive, hand-crafted desk to call up the account ledgers, and begin whatever transactions the three would require.

"So, gentlemen, tell me what I can do for your today."

"My associates represent two large, wealthy families whose pursuits parallel those of your own family's," the massive speaker began, "and our families have unique interests that I'm certain can be provided by you and your family's resources here."

"Of course," Aryaan nodded. "Exactly what kind of activities do you and your associates pursue? Forgive me, I should have pulled up your account information, my lord. That would have helped me begin to define where to start our offerings with you. Name please?"

"Maxamillian von Oberst."

The name seemed to strike a cord with Aryaan, and she was certain her father must have mentioned him in passing. As she brought up the file on the man in front of her, a small smile crept across her lips. The man had tastes much like her own in many ways, and it began to dawn on the female's mind that it would probably be as interesting to provide for these gentlemen as it would be to indulge.

"Ah yes, Lord Oberst, welcome back. I'm sure my father would extend you his personal thanks for the amount of time and business you have invested with us thus far," Aryaan nodded deeply in respect, whether feigned or real. "And to your associates, welcome again. I'm sure we'll be happy to set you gentlemen and your families up with accounts and activities as you desire. Please, tell me. Exactly what kind of pursuits do you gentlemen wish to explore with us?"

Oberst glanced at the two men who sat to his left, a moment of silent communication passing between the three of them. Finally, one of the other two men leaned forward, a shadowed individual cloaked in robes of the deepest black, whose face was entirely masked by the darkness that seemed to originate from the hood covering his head. As he leaned forward, Aryaan thought she could now make out the chin, and eventually the lips and barely the tip of his nose, while the rest was entirely obscured by the shadows within the hood. And yet, two eyes seemed to glow from the darkness of the hood, and Aryaan was immediately caught within his gaze.

Perhaps the man had cast some kind of spell, or perhaps the intensity of his eyes had merely caught her gaze, and could not let go. Here, though, was a man of power, a man of dark tastes and exquisite pursuits. Here was a person not to be trifled with, and yet, the power and charisma surrounding the man at that very moment was almost intoxicating. When he finally spoke, it sent a chill up Aryaan's spine that left her wishing she'd had a private moment to completely indulge in the sensation she felt exploding in her core.

"We like to play with dead things."

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