Ironsides Family/Bowie/Unterstrom Stop

Black Market of Unterstrom

Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides

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It was after dusk when Bowie was admitted into the once legitimate Ducal Palace of Unterstrom. He marveled at how the Underground Lords managed to maintain such a city without proper nobility. It was something he made a mental note of. For all intensive purposes Unterstrom was a functioning city, the only thing was it was governed by rogues, thieves, and crime lords. In fact, a committee of crime lords governed various aspects of urban life. Tonight Bowie was not here to meet with the Head, only a lesser Chief who managed the food supply. His interest was meeting the operators of the Black Market.

Entering the Throne Chamber he acknowledged the lack of cordiality and formality given by the henchmen of the Chieftain. In the usual circumstances of an occasion as this there would be introductions, a reception, appetizers, and light entertainment. This was quite the stark contrast. It was not that Bowie had never dealt with commoners pretending to be nobles before, it was just that whenever they did it he always laughed at how awkward or completely ignorant of the social expectations they were. If they really wanted to be wealthy noblemen he would think they would do a better job as imitators. Instead, he finds brutes and filthy guides leading him through the hallways. It was only too soon he found the person he was looking for in the throneroom - Shule.

The fat man sat on his throne smiling, welcoming Bowie in. The throne that was once a symbol of authority and order, and a reflection of the wealth of a Duke, was noticeably missing jewels and had torn cushions. Perhaps it was a coveted seat but the ilk now in command of it showed little respect for what they possessed.

Shule spoke,

"What a pleasant meeting this is Lord Bowie, my most favourite noble of Dwilight. There are few who would care to give someone as low as me a moment of their time. Few would even waste their breath speaking with me. Unfortunately, as I am a busy man I may not have much time to share with you. Also, this sort of thing is not exactly approved of by our organization. Your presence here for me is dangerous. I hope this meeting is worth your time, and mine."

Bowie sneered a bit.

"You are a stinking bastard Shule and I can't believe I spent silver arranging a meeting with you. Don't think for a second you and your organization mean anything to me more than what you can offer. If I so felt it I would kill you and these three guys over here."

Shule looked over to the guards he had with him, there were more than three.

"What about the other two?" He asked, attempting to talk back to Bowie.

"I'd let them live to tell the story of how gruesome the death of Shule the Lesser was."

Shule's eyes shrunk to a stare but he said nothing. Bowie continued,

"You are the man who runs the food of Unterstrom, yes? I am here to get whatever food you have on the Black Market."

Shule readjusted in his chair, grinned and thought a moment. Then he spoke firm.

"We have nothing."

Bowie glared at him.

"You have nothing because you are hiding your share in warehouses? Or you have nothing because I have not made my offer yet? How much food do you have Shule?"

"The winter has set in and the harvest is over. We have nothing to sell. You have come much too late, I am afraid."

Although Shule was a miniscule cog in a greater machine, what he said was likely true. Even in a large city in a wealthy realm the winter would affect the food supply, and a poor ill gotten city as this would no doubt have nothing to offer.

"Damn," Bowie turned his back to Shule without saying anything more and left.

His trading would be a lot more difficult than he first planned.

Bowie Ironsides (Knight of Muspelheim)