Squad Games — A Mercenary Company Turn-Based/Tactical LitRPG

Wade

Name

Trent Wade

Nickname

Wade

Race/Nationality

Human/Durnish

Age

35

Daily Wage

7 pence

Action Stats

EXP Level

3

Action Points

4

Hit Points

21

Core Stats

Might

7

Agility

9

Grit

11

Intellect

5

Skills

Thievery, Knives (proficient)

Equipment

Weapons

Dagger (damage 3-12)

Armour

None

Other

Lockpicking and other tools of the trade

The Baron

Name

?

Nickname

The Baron

Race/Nationality

Human/Durnish

Age

31

Daily Wage

7 pence

Action Stats

EXP Level

3

Action Points

3

Hit Points

13

Core Stats

Might

5

Agility

11

Grit

5

Intellect

11

Skills

Thievery, Knives (competent)

Equipment

Weapons

Dagger (damage 2-8)

Armour

Padded

Other

Lockpicking and other tools of the trade

‘I say. It’s a pleasure to meet a fellow Durnishman. There aren’t so many of us here.’

Wade gave the man a dubious look. ‘There aren’t so many as there are in Durnost, that’s true enough. Still more than enough for my liking. Anyway, name’s Wade. You?’

‘They call me The Baron.’

Wade studied the man. He wore the finest clothes he had seen in Avolo. That wasn’t saying much. He spoke posh, like a nobleman—at least Wade assumed so, having never met a nobleman in his life. But if he was really a baron, then Wade was a nun.

And I’m not a nun.

‘Who calls you The Baron? And why? Never mind, I’m not interested. All I ken is, I cannae be calling you that! How about your real name?’

For some reason, the man looked offended. ‘Sorry, old boy. I can’t reveal that. It would mean putting the lives of others in danger.’

Well. This one is a deluded eejit. But I’ve worked with my fair share of cranks.

‘Anyways. I know the miserable kind of criminals who would rob a woman of her brooch. I’ll find out who has it in no time. Then we can decide how best to retrieve it.’

‘I know all the art and jewellery dealers in Avolo,’ The Baron replied. ‘That’s where it will have ended up. I’ll let you know when I find out.’

This eejit was starting to annoy Wade more than a little now. ‘Are you saying you’re better ’n me?’

‘No.’ The Baron narrowed his eyes. ‘Why? Are you insinuating you’re better than me?’

They were both Level 3 rogues. But Wade was clearly the superior thief of the two. ‘Let’s find out, shall we?’

Most people will spill their guts when they’re drunk. Especially when you buy them their next pint. Suddenly, they’re your best friend.

Wade found the trio who had taken the brooch. Though, the way they told it, they had bought it from the owner. He got the name of the dealer they had sold it to, as well. All without raising any suspicions about his interest.

It had cost him a few pennies in drinks, that was true. But that would be worth it if this Stiff fella was satisfied with his efforts. The Hargon had promised there would be regular work in the future for those who proved themselves reliable.

That was music to Wade’s ears. The options in Gal’azu had turned out to be even more limited than his old life. He could join one of the gangs of petty criminals in Avolo, and carry on with his old ways. But he had come to Gal’azu to escape that life. The alternative was to go out into the country and work for a living. Ploughing, and sowing, and chopping wood. His back twinged at the thought of it.

But Stiff offered a career. Progress. Success. Respect, even. That was what Wade wanted.

He would do things the right way for a change. So he decided to meet The Baron eejit where they had agreed. By the docks, where it was loud and busy, and no one could eavesdrop.

Wade slouched against the side of a warehouse, keeping to the shadows. It wasn’t long before he caught sight of his accomplice. Still draped in his fancy clothes, The Baron walked down the centre of the street, attracting everyone’s attention.

Wade sighed. What kind of thief is he?

‘Well met, Wade.’

‘Hi. You’ll be pleased to know I found the item. It’s in the possession of—’

‘—One-eyed Boris,’ said The Baron, looking inordinately pleased with himself.

‘Huh,’ said Wade, pausing to grate his teeth together. ‘So, you found it, too.’

‘I did. The Baron likes shopping. I spotted it amongst Boris’s wares. Do you know, he’s charging twelve shillings for it?’

Wade whistled. ‘That’s a lot of money.’

‘It is. Now, I know you’ll be tempted to keep it for yourself. But I have to tell you, I fully intend to deliver the treasure to Stiff. Apart from anything else, it’s the honourable thing to do.’

‘I have every intention of delivering it to Stiff,’ Wade snarled.

The Baron had the nerve to look about, as if it was Wade who was drawing attention to their conflab. ‘Wonderful. Then we’re in agreement. The only thing left to decide is how we take it. I say we have two options.’

‘First,’ Wade interrupted, ‘break into his place at night. But even then, his valuables will likely be guarded. The other option is to take it in plain sight somehow. You could cause a distraction and allow me to grab it.’

‘Or you could cause the distraction. The problem is, Boris knows me. I don’t want The Baron becoming a suspect. It would ruin my persona.’

‘If you don’t want to become a suspect, why meet me here at the docks?’

‘This was your idea, Wade,’ The Baron reminded him, as if talking to a forgetful greybeard. ‘If it were up to me, we’d be meeting somewhere much more private.’

Wade was fuming now. ‘If you had just let me find the brooch, the distraction idea could have worked. Now you’ve gone bumbling in already, it’s off the table.’

The Baron looked at him. Wade was expecting another retort. ‘You’re right,’ The Baron admitted. ‘I was a little hasty. I think, because I wanted to prove I was your equal. But not to worry. It just means our choice is made for us. A night-time break-in, it is.’

‘Huh. I suppose so.’

Wade met The Baron in the dead of night, when even the most inebriated revellers had stumbled off somewhere to sleep it off.

He was relieved to see The Baron’s flouncy outfit was gone. It was replaced by dark clothes, more suitable for their mission. Indeed, everything the man wore was pitch black, all the way up to a black hood that covered his face, save for eye openings.

They made their way to the rear of the property, where the row of shops shared a yard. It was especially dark here, the buildings overhanging the space. Like most townhouses, Boris’s shop was narrow and tall, three stories high.

Wade studied the barely visible roofing. It was often a good method of gaining entry. But this one had slate tiles, not easy to remove without making a noise.

The Baron began to climb. An attached storage shed proved very helpful in getting him started. From the shed’s roof, he clambered up, using the wooden beams for support. He was a good climber. I have to admit, he’s more agile than me.

This was no time for professional jealousy. Instead, Wade felt more confidence in his partner. We might just do this without getting caught. Or killed.

The Baron clambered up to the roof. He’d made some noise, but that didn’t matter too much. He began to remove the overlapping slates.

Time for my part, Wade told himself.