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Post by Kraft on Oct 27, 2007 7:03:22 GMT -6
Kraft was reading reports. He had some trouble finding money. He had spent too much. He needed money... His merc army and his official army -mainly consisting of 'normal' troups and an elite of very devout ones- were getting together nicely. Kraft made sure to keep the mercs in small groups. This way noone would notice an army was forming. The entire capital was filled with them.
Kraft made sure they didn't cause a lot of problems, though. There were some reports of mercs fighting in pubs, but they were severely punished. The church was also eating out of his hand. They believed everything he said. Well, except for the smarter ones, but he had replaced one of the leading priests by one of his followers.
He made a note about the money. He got up. He needed a drink. He grabbed a flacon of the finest liquor. He took a big gulp. He stared outside the window. The capital... a wonderful place. Outside there was a man getting excecuted. His name was Bilo. Kraft smiled. He remembered that brute, thanks to this brute he became what he was. A noble. He grinned when he saw the Bilo his head getting cut off. He laughed.
He thought back of the monastery. He had investigated it yesterday. The body of St. Elimine was lieing there, allright. He had panicked back then. He has sent his bodyguards away. The bodies were allready decomposed. Nobody noticed it was her. Kraft did. He didn't lose his faith, though. This was just another test. He knew that. She wasn't dead. She pretended to be. And in his most difficult moment she'd reappear.
He had taken the body with him and has set the church on fire. The body got ready to be preserved. People thought the body was of one of Kraft's friends. That's what he made them think. The body was wrapped up as if it was a mummy. He made sure that all organs were intact and that all wounds were restored. He then put her in a tomb. In the castle garden. There were guards all day, every hour of the week. He went there for inspiration and to pray.
He prayed a lot these days. His look had also certainly changed. He dressed darker, nowadays. More serious. And he wore silver rings. And then he got an idea.
"Brilliant." He said. He immidiately went outside.
"Thank you St. Elimine." He mumbled... This idea will make sure he'll get his money... fast.
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Post by Kraft on Oct 28, 2007 3:40:51 GMT -6
Kraft was very satisfied with his idea. It was very simple, really. He had given the order to write documents. These documents said that everyone who bought one was sure to win the gratitude of St. Elimine and will lower his chances on not going to heaven. In other words, your sins will be forgiven. Until you sin again, because you'll have to buy a new one then.
He decided to call these pieces of paper 'Soul Notes'. He commanded all available monks in his service to start writing as many as they could. He told them that St. Elimine had ordered him to do so. One 'Soul Note' costs 120g and was as big as a grown man's hand. Richer people bought more Soul Notes of course, and in some parts of Etruria people even started to use it as payment.
Kraft had sent these soul notes all over the country. Everyone heard of them but nobody was really sure who exactly gave the order to produce them. Some wanted to forbid them and in places where the local lord outlawed the soul notes, people just bought them when they didn't see it.
Money started rolling in. And kraft decided to bring the soul notes to other countries as well. The first shipments to Lycia, Bern and Bulgar were sent yesterday.
He was satisfied, allright.
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Post by Kraft on Nov 7, 2007 14:30:07 GMT -6
After his usual praying at St. Elimine's tomb, he went for a stroll in the city. He went incognito of course. Out of paranoia he made sure he had his elite guard with him; devout followers, all of them blond, with the best armor and they were all veterans, with superb fighting skills and dito condition. They would die for him, and that's what Kraft likes. Today they wore street clothes. Kraft enjoyed the sight of the city. The changes could already be felt. People were more... anxious. Jittery. They felt the change, the religious fever. They dreamed of monsters and salvation every night. This was good for business. Whores and bartenders made more money than ever. And Soul Notes sold as if it was bread and water.
Oh, he enjoyed this alright... After the walk he went back into the office, he worked. This was what he did most of the time and he rather liked it. He liked sitting behind the desk. It made him feel important. Today he had to bribe some people. And if that wouldn't work, he would make sure they got killed.
All the pieces were falling into place. Maybe in 2 years, 5 years or 10 years, Etruria would be his. He had already established some plans on how he would conquer and/or ally the other nations. But that was something to worry about later...
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Post by Kraft on Dec 12, 2007 4:22:15 GMT -6
Kraft had left the castle. With him were his 5 most trusted guards. Part of his elite. They were all dressed in black with white stripes, it was the ceremonial uniform Kraft had given to the loyal soldiers of St. Elimine. Kraft was going for a walk because he had some business to do, some nobles didn't want to pay and so Kraft decided to go there and arrange it himself for a change. Normally he'd sent a priest accompanied by some mercs and thugs who'd rough the poor noble up until he'd pay.
There was one thing he didn't like, though. He had to got through the poor part of town. People recognized him here as well, but instead of leaving him alone they would come to him, whispering, begging:
"That's the High Inquisitor" And they would bow. "Some money, sir, St. Elimine blesses you!" And they would bow and beg. "Oh mighty prophet! My child is sick, could you...?" And they would bow, beg and pray for him.
He had taken some money with him and commanded some of his elites, who had trouble keeping the people off, to give the money to the people. Greedily some people took the money and hurried off.
Kraft looked around and put his pouch away. He felt a bit sick. He hadn't had alcohohl for a few hours...
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 13, 2007 12:39:25 GMT -6
Hiro was combing the streets looking for his next paycheck. Something cought his eye, it was 5 guys dressed the same, all black with white stripes. They all were guarding a scruffy looking man. It took Hiro a few moments but he reconized the man. "That's that one dude everybody thinks is really really important... What's his blasted name. No matter his gold is as good as mine, but the problem is... Them punks are closer to him then flys on garbage. Time to find a way to ditch them."
Hiro barely got a man's wallet out of his pocket before he noticed, quickly scouting the crowd he found another guy and slipped the stolen wallet in his pocket. Hiro made sure he was out of the sight of Kraft and his gang while he did this. After a few moment he tapped the first man on the shoulder. "Um excuse me sir. You dropped your wallet a moment ago and that guy picked it up and watched you for a moment." Hiro pointed towards the second mand. "He shook his head and called you an idiot and took off with it.
Half drunk the first man was angred and attacked the second guy, he tackled him and got on top ready to pound his face in then the other guy rolled him off and got on top to do the same. The two rolled around trying to gain the upper hand untill they got too close to Kraft's party.
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Post by Kraft on Dec 13, 2007 13:35:29 GMT -6
Kraft didn't even bother paying attention to the fighting men. One of his captains yelled at the fighting men and he and two other of Kraft's bodyguards started fighting the two troublemakers. It was time they showed some respect. Didn't they notice the uniforms? They were synonym for DANGER and PAY RESPECT. One of the troublemakers was making a scene.
Kraft his only other two bodyguards who were standing next to him to the left and the right. His back was exposed. And his money. Kraft kept walking while he removed himself from the scene. His other bodyguards would catch up in a minute.
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 13, 2007 13:44:20 GMT -6
Seeing this as his only chance he called out a fake name and started to run in a direction. As he pasted Kraft towards this 'person' he made a quick reach for Kraft's back pocket swiftly taking his wallet. Hiro followed Kraft until all of his body guards were around him again.
Slowly approaching him Hiro still tried to remember his name but still couldn't. He heard it so many times but he just couldn't put his finger on it. "Sir. Excuse me sir could I have just a moment of your time?" Hiro plead to Kraft
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Post by Kraft on Dec 13, 2007 23:39:59 GMT -6
Kraft gave a brief look and looked at the young man. His bodyguards were getting tense. They didn't like this neighbourhood. To much scum. No, Kraft wasn't a man of the people. He was a noble now, and he acted like one. Kraft hold back one of the guards who wanted to push the young man aside.
"Speak." He said, highly uninterested.
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 14, 2007 8:45:06 GMT -6
Hiro tried his best to create a sob story. "I'm mighty thirsty and have no money to buy a drink, I've been sober for the part hour and that's an hour too long if you ask me. The bar tender will not let me start a tab, could you kind sir spare me a gold coin so I can have a decent drink?"
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Post by Kraft on Dec 14, 2007 10:45:18 GMT -6
It's been a long while since Kraft had a honest laugh. He grinned. He reached for his purse. He felt something familiar. Cutten strings. Someone had stolen his purse.
"Da- Tsch." He wanted to curse, but he had to be an example for his men. Kraft was a secret drinker as well, he never showed. That's why he barely got outside. Walking through the streets, sober, was a torture.
"I'm afraid I don't have money on me. My men will arrange something." He had to be a proper example, so he gave some money to some beggars sometimes. He whispered to his captain:
"I lost my purse."
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 14, 2007 10:50:41 GMT -6
It was either cockiness or stupidity Hiro threw a bag in the air grinning and catching it. "Oh you must be looking for this." Before he even finished his statement he turned and took off running.
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Post by Kraft on Dec 14, 2007 10:57:39 GMT -6
Three bodyguards got into movement. In one fluent movement they got out some sort of daggers made for close-combat and streetfighting situations. They were trained. Kraft was intrigued. Before he picked up his bag he yelled at the pursuing bodyguards to "Let the thief live". In astonishment he looked at his purse.
"Very skillful." He grinned. He hadn't seen this mastery in years since he got stuck in his old village. He could use this kid. His other bodyguards were higly alerted now, they felt as if they had failed. Of course, they had, and the captain will be severely punished. But for now, he had to see what that guy could do for him.
(OoC: the elites will catch you, is that good? You'll live, though.)
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 14, 2007 11:03:53 GMT -6
He lead them into an ally. Something Hiro had hoped wasn't going to happen. No exit, trapped like a rat. Turning around he looked into the eyes of the guards fearing for his life. "Here you keep the money, tell him I got away. Please let me live, I'm begging you. He's got a lot of gold in this bag, you'll be rich with it." He tried to hand the bag to one of the elite guards in an attempt in pleading for his life.
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Post by Kraft on Dec 14, 2007 16:03:41 GMT -6
The guards inspected Hiro. They were eager to teach him a lesson, but they had they orders. They adored Kraft. He was a prophet AND the High Inquisitor after all. They put away their daggers and took the money.
"You'll have to answer to the High Inquisitor, thief." One of them said. He didn't look pleased. He was probably afraid of the consequenses, he'll probably be punished by Kraft. The three elite guards carried the frightened Hiro to Kraft who was waiting around the corner.
"Thief. Name. Now." He ordered. He felt the power in his words. He loved it. He could use this young man. He could USE him. His skills were VERY interesting....
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Hiro
Rogue
I love stealing, I love taking things.
Posts: 216
Profession: Professional ladies man
OoC Alias: Hal
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Post by Hiro on Dec 16, 2007 9:52:15 GMT -6
Unharmed Hiro spoke to Kraft as if they in each others shoes. "I don't know who you think you're speaking to but nobody with fools as guards talks to Hiro, master theif like that. I can steal anything from anybody, even the innocess from a noble's dauther."
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