A message has been working its subtle way around the city - first, distributed only to those in the know, but then inevitably finding its way to nearly everyone with any kind of contact:

'I need some good, combat-capable people of a certain moral flexibility to help with a job in the Barrens. Compensation should be reasonable. Meet at the pub on the border: the Underwhelming Swallow. Weaklings need not apply.'

Mordecai of the Rod
Gemini Doubt
Eli Jin
Mabel Bembroke

The players make their way to the appointed location: one of the pubs on the very border of the Barrens: The Underwhelming Swallow. This is one of a couple of places where ne’er-do-wells in the Barrens get business from the rest of the city; occasionally, there’ll be someone looking to get a job done in a less-than-legal manner. Here, after engaging in half a card game, they meet Flavia, leader of the Blazing Bolts: their prospective employer. She makes a show of not believing them to be up to the job, and suggests they 'audition' by fighting the pubgoers. After the party make an impressive showing in said fight, she is forced to concede that they might be stronger than they look.

Before they leave, Mordecai pauses to finish (and win) their card game.

Initially, Flavia regales them with a rather vague story about hiring the party as bodyguards. She also explains that the Barrens are divided into “Districts” akin to those of the rest of the city; they are currently in “Rom”. However, after an encounter with another gang leader, Aphra, a little more light is shed on Flavia's motivations.

Upon the promise of further payment, the party defend Flavia against Aphra - who, once defeated, agrees to do things her way. Flavia then explains what she didn't tell them.

Several months ago, her brother Gaius joined a job organised by a gang from the “Esteban” of the Barrens: The Counting House. Unfortunately, due to incompetent planning on the part of the latter, Gaius was killed, and the two gangs have been feuding ever since. As per the Day of the Burying of Regrets, the leading Tyrants of both Districts (rulers and members of House Keelan) have arranged to negotiate and make peace between the two gangs. However, Flavia, frustrated at the thought that there might not be proper retribution, seditiously took matters into her own hands.

Over the past few months, a rogue thief has been causing trouble for the “Rom” District. Normally, those who live in the Barrens make it a point of pride that they will not steal from each other - just the people outside. All theft is organised by one’s direct superior in the strict Barrens hierarchy. Honour amongst thieves. However, this man, Maximus, along with his team, The True Outlaws, claim that this is anathema to a truly free lifestyle, and has been making a name for himself by attacking other thieves.

Flavia hired this individual to kill the two members of The Counting House. However, later came the news that her Tyrant (Laverna) had negotiated to have the two punished more severely than anticipated. Now, she is bitterly regretful of what she has done, and determined to make things right without alerting her Tyrant to the fact that she betrayed them.

The party, thought dubious as to the logic of this venture, agree to help her.

The players travel further into the “Rom” of the Barrens. The area is a directionless cluster of ramshackle, makeshift buildings and dimly-lit passageways. Half of these seem to be made of old industrial barracks with handmade augmentations. Bridges and underground roads loop in and around one another. Passersby eye them interestedly; it is clear they don’t get too many outsiders here.

It is suggested that they form a gang themselves, in order to fit in; Eli, after all, has already made a bit of a name for herself in the Barrens. They fix upon The Woodcutters, and establish a series of surprisingly useful combat-oriented codes. Most of them also draw catchy slogans on their knuckles.

Later, they are passing through one of the winding back-alleys when they almost stumble over a pile of recently-slaughtered thieves. Flavia knows the victims - they are members of another gang: Dawn’s Lights. Appearing from the shadows in order to surround them are a series of thugs with a distinct circle tattoo on their cheeks. The tattoo looks almost as if it is a mock Mark of the Blessed. Flavia recognises these as the True Outlaws.

The Outlaws, already weighed down with loot and spotting fresh pickings, seize upon them. Initially, the party fare badly, and it seems all might be lost when Mordecai is taken hostage - however, they manage to take out all of their assailants (and, indeed, all of the party) via a well-timed blow that fells the bridge under which they are standing.

They arrive at the Tyrant’s Lair. The upper half of the building seems to be a chaotic mess of buildings clumped together: a kind of makeshift palace that looks as if it has had rooms added piece by piece, and haphazardly. There is a defiant sort of grandeur to it.

They are led into a vast, candlelit hall that is absolutely awash with miscellaneous items of value that have clearly been taken from elsewhere in the city: ornaments, jewellery, pieces of art, weaponry - even furniture. Here, the Tyrant Laverna keeps her court. She is accompanied by Petronax, Tyrant of “Esteban”. They have finished negotiations, and are ready to enact the deal that will restore harmony between the two feuding gangs.

The party are introduced as bodyguards who potentially wish to form an official gang within “Rom”. Laverna seems amenable to this request; it seems that if they work well now, she may look favourably on them later.

Unfortunately, the meet and greet cut short when, as expected, Maximus' outlaws come crashing into the building via the windows. Maximus himself appears, but speedily retreats - swiftly pursued by Laverna. Meanwhile, the party, despite valiant efforts to fend off the thieves, allow the “Esteban” hostages to be murdered - though they do make short work of the True Outlaws.

Flavia leads them to find Laverna - only to be cornered by another group of True Outlaws. Not to worry! She has a Conflict ritual prepped!

The party watch in horror as the ritual visibly misfires, rendering the True Outlaws supernaturally strong. One taunts them by revealing the severed head of Laverna.

Upon defeating the outlaws, the party capture and interrogate one. Through this, they learn that Maximus plans to establish himself as tyrant - and that Aphra, though vanished, seemingly has no hand in this.

Mordecai contacts the Order of the Rod in order to see what can be gleaned about Maximus. They learn he was once a member of the Order, but vanished a long while ago: rumour has it that he became an official member of House Keelan. Mordecai then draws apart in order to consult the Rod as to what they think of them pursuing and defeating Maximus. They receive a vision of someone weaker beating up someone stronger. It seems the Rod does not disapprove of the prospect of a fight. Probably.