Interaction between Shade McNightshade and Madame Liora Moonshadow

Setting: The dimly lit back room of Liora's tavern, "The Shadow's Haven," where the guild conducts its business. The room is furnished with plush chairs, a large wooden table, and shelves lined with various books and trinkets. Liora sits behind the table, her fingers steepled, as Shade McNightshade, a fellow guild member, stands before her.

Shade McNightshade: (leaning against the wall, arms crossed) "You summoned me, Madame Moonshadow?"

Madame Liora Moonshadow: (with a sly smile) "Ah, Shade, always punctual. Please, have a seat. I have some interesting news that might pique your curiosity."

Shade: (sitting down, curious) "What is it this time, Liora? Another heist opportunity?"

Liora: (shaking her head) "Not quite. This is more... peculiar. It seems the priests of Pholtus are in quite a tizzy."

Shade: (raising an eyebrow) "The priests? What's got them so worked up?"

Liora: (leaning forward, her eyes gleaming with intrigue) "A young woman has been bestowed clerical abilities by Pholtus. This is highly unusual because all priests of Pholtus are traditionally male."

Shade: (interested) "That's certainly something. But why would that cause such a stir?"

Liora: (with a smirk) "It gets more intriguing. While she was being questioned by the High Priest, she was able to pick up a holy item—a rod of some sorts—and use its powers without any training. The rod has since bonded with her, and the church cannot recover it."

Shade: (whistling softly) "That must be one powerful artifact. Any idea how much it's worth?"

Liora: "The church values it at over a thousand gold sovereigns, at the very least. Possibly more."

Shade: (leaning back, contemplating) "And you’re telling me this because…?"

Liora: "Because information is power, Shade. The church's predicament could be an opportunity for us. If we play our cards right, we might be able to turn this situation to our advantage. Perhaps we can negotiate with the church or find a way to retrieve the artifact ourselves."

Shade: (nodding slowly) "A risky move, but the reward could be worth it. Do we know anything about the girl?"

Liora: (sighing) "Not much yet. She seems to have come out of nowhere. The church is being very tight-lipped about her, but my informants are digging for more details. It’s only a matter of time."

Shade: (leaning forward, intrigued) "What exactly did she do with the rod?"

Liora: "From what I gather, she channeled divine energy through it. The High Priest claims she performed a miracle—healing wounds, dispelling darkness, even creating light. All without any formal training. The rod has bonded to her, making it impossible for the church to retrieve it without her cooperation."

Shade: (smirking) "And they're desperate to get it back, I assume."

Liora: "Desperate and embarrassed. A young woman, untrained and unauthorized, wielding such power under their very noses? It’s a scandal waiting to happen."

Shade: (standing up, determination in his eyes) "So, what’s the plan? How do we leverage this?"

Liora: (standing as well, matching his intensity) "We need to find out more about the girl first. Her background, her motives, and how she’s handling this sudden power. Then, we can decide whether to approach the church with an offer or perhaps deal with the girl directly. Either way, it’s a delicate situation. We must proceed with caution."

Shade: (nodding) "Agreed. I’ll start making discreet inquiries around the town. Maybe some of the locals have noticed something."

Liora: "Good. And Shade, remember—this could be a game-changer for us. The church is powerful, but so is information. We need to use it wisely."

Shade: (with a confident smile) "When am I ever not careful?"

Liora: (laughing softly) "True. Now, go. I’ll send for you when we have more information."

Shade: (nodding) "Until then, Madame Moonshadow."

Shade exits the room, leaving Liora to her thoughts. The seeds of a new scheme are planted, with the potential to shake the very foundations of the church and increase the Thieves' Guild's power in Rakervale.

New NPC - Madame Liora Moonshadow

Madame Liora Moonshadow, head of the Rakervale Thievesguild - Madame Liora is a cunning and resourceful rogue, leading the secretive Thieves' Guild in Rakervale. Born in the city's underbelly, she climbed her way to the top through wit and guile. Liora maintains a delicate balance between criminal activities and keeping the peace with the town's authorities. She has a network of spies and informants, making her an invaluable source of information for those who can afford her services