[X] Try to bribe them
Quickly you think over your options, trying to devise the one that best achieves your goals. Fighting is out automatically, not with the position you're starting from. That would just be the best way to end up dead, which is not exactly the best way to top off a daring escape like the one that you pulled. That also removes running away as an option, though it's slightly more likely to succeed.
The next option you come up with is name dropping Kendra in the hope that that gets you somewhere, but that's risky as well. At this point she isn't the most liked person in certain elements of the underworld, so it could just make your situation worse if they think you're an associate of hers. Guilt by association is not great.
Which leaves one option; bribery. Now your ship isn't worth much, at least to a thieves guild, but there is something you have in your possession that you're sure would be very useful to them. Even if at the moment it is something of a limited currency, but if it gets you what you want then it's best to spend it while you have it.
That thing is very simple, yet very powerful. It's information.
"Hang on guys," you say quickly before they can strike. "If you kill me now, your boss is gonna be pretty disappointed that you killed one of the few people that knows where the Ring of Karrakh is."
The two exchange wordless glances, but to your satisfaction they don't try to kill you just yet. Seems the promise of lost relics is as enticing as ever. "How do we know you're telling the truth?" That's the other guy, revealing that he can speak after all. For some reason you had actually wondered that.
You flash the speaker a grin as you gesture around. "Well, I managed to find this place didn't I? I know a bunch of other places too, like how to get into the secret vault beneath the Arsenal for example. So unless your bosses want to lose out on this opportunity, you'll leave me alone. Besides, you can always finish me off later if you feel like it."
Admittedly that isn't exactly a reason as to why they should believe you, but apparently the opportunity is enough to make them back off for the moment. They don't go far of course, gesturing for you to head forwards before falling in alongside you. "You guys need to work on your people skills," you note as you begin moving forward once again.
The stone tunnels run on past where you were stopped, twisting and turning in the beginning of what you know to be a maze of catacombs that extend beneath the city. A lot of stuff falls between the cracks here, which makes it the perfect hiding spot for a lot of people. It's no coincidence that the guild is down here too.
A damp chill continues to grow as you move along, letting your escorts guide you from the rear. Things seem mundane enough, but you wouldn't put it past them to have plenty of traps that you could wander into. It isn't hard for your mind to devise some for these tight corners and enclosed spaces as you walk along.
Soon you arrive in a dead end, one that looks like many of the various sealed halls that exist in this place. But you know better, and step to the side so your escorts can shift two bricks, causing a hidden door to swing back. Impressive, if only because of what it must have taken to install this down here without anyone noticing.
"And here we are," you say, more to yourself than anyone else as you move on through. The following tunnel is a bit more cramped but is also comparatively shorter, and you are forced to lead the way once again. Fortunately it doesn't go on for too long and you soon emerge into a much wider space beyond it. What purpose it used to serve you can't say, but now it's been modified into a thieves den with a high vaulted roof, surface entrance, and various rooms for sleeping, storage, and even some training. As far as secret lairs go it isn't half bad.
The guards nod, taking up a looser formation as you look around at the others already present. Right, they don't have to be as alert because there's a whole lot more people here to deal with you if you do something suspicious. "He's on the second level," they tell you, though you wonder how they know that. They've been with you, haven't they?
Well there's nothing to be don by it, so you head around and move up stone stairs to the second level. And indeed their
leader is waiting there, standing next to a wooden table near the center of the facility as he looks over some forms laid down in front of him. "So, you're Jericho," you call out with a grin, not expecting to get away with sneaking up on him.
Jericho is a taller individual, sporting a stubble that is on its way to becoming a full goatee. He's got a cloak on with the hood up, a tunic, boots, and bracers on his arms. If he's going for the stereotypical look then he's definitely doing a good job at it.
He turns to face you, though the direction of the light from above combined with the cloak makes it basically impossible to see the upper portion of his face. But that's alright, you'll manage somehow. "And you must be the great Genevieve Kadwell. I heard you'd arrived in town." His sources must work fast if he's heard that already.
You grin, bowing as you accept the compliment. "The one and only. I see my reputation precedes me."
Jericho shifts into a smirk, which doesn't quite put you at ease. "Indeed it does. I'd ask what business Amanox wants with me, but the fact that you showed up in a ship full of hols indicates that that relationship isn't very strong at the moment."
A shake of the head conveys your opinion of that assessment. "I decided that working for a genocidal maniac wasn't best for my long term career prospects," you inform him. With that explanation out of the way you move on to the reason that you're really here. "I need to find Evander and the other champions. Do you know where they are?"
"I may have some idea," Jericho admits as he glances over to the your escorts. "What makes you think they want to meet you though?"
That's a thought you are unwilling to entertain. "I have information they want if they're going to stop Amanox. I mean, I did work for the guy and all."
"She knows where the Ring is," one of your guards interjects, leaving you to shrug and wait to see what kind of reaction that gets. You'd hoped to hold on to that a bit longer for if he proved difficult, but there's no helping it after all.
That smirk he has on doesn't diminish, leaving you to impatiently wait for some kind of response. "Is that so? She wouldn't be the first one to make such a claim, but I suppose working for Amanox might have given her some information that we don't have yet. Do you know how to get it?"
You nod, crossing your arms over your chest whilst resisting the urge to tap your foot in annoyance. "A general idea." Well, you did have to go and get the damn thing as part of the original plan to stop Amanox. The Ring strengthens the bond between the user and more spiritual planes, giving you a greater access to magic which you used in the final battle.
Jericho audibly hums, scratching his chin in silent consideration. "Alright," he says at last. "I can give you what you need to know. But you have to help me out in turn. Go with some of my people and get the Ring from wherever it is, and bring it back here."
A possibility, though not one you relish all that much since you'll probably need the Ring at some point. "What if I don't want to do that? It's a bit much just for some map info," you point out.
"Fair enough," he cedes without argument. "Otherwise, I have a different problem you can help solve. One of my smuggling routes has been cut off, and with how the city is doing I know it wasn't the authorities. Go find out why and fix it. Then I'll tell you what you need to know."
Dangerous, but a lot less difficult than going to retrieve a long lost relic. You might even be able to get something out of it besides information in the process. Who knows what smugglers might have left behind?
For now Jericho stands waiting. It isn't the only option you have, but he's going to want a decision soon regardless of what you choose.
[ ] Go retrieve the Ring
[ ] Investigate the smuggling route
[ ] Try to work out a different arrangement
[ ] Refuse and leave
