Humility came to the village.  One by one, rogue factions came to reevaluate their situation.  The slums had been destroyed.  Sewers stripped for parts, businesses for their assets.  Almost every family in town had taken a critical blow, and the next big job required a stretch of the imagination.

The mayor had used them- Every able hand, to take what was worthless, and pave the way for someone else's vision.  Someone they could not see, nor influence.  They were helpless, and aimless.

Summer came, and the town was despondent.  The raids ended, and the political presence in the town went silent.  Landlords waited for the next slight.  For someone to bring up a thorn in their side, or offer insight to what the boogeyman might be after.

It was the calm before the storm, but where they expected execution, they found inspiration.

Hidden talent, and local artisans had the ear of the devil.  Those who bided their time and worked quietly for a lull in the chaos.

Suddenly, the butcher had food.  Artisans had merchandise.  Adolescents had work to do, and children had treatments made available.  All while the grifters were chasing their golden geese.

And the mayor kept giving them targets.  He brought before the landlords and proven leaders of the town, a list of potential marks outside of the village.

He offered them two versions of the same plan.  To destroy all that opposed them, and prey on weakness and misfortune.  To build alliances, and to become the most successful settlement in the region.  Daring even to rival the metropolitan cities.

The devil knew no half measure, and he spoke with a confidence that humbled them then and there.