Episode 1

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Craven, Keldirk and Argos (a human assassin) sip wine and nervously await their first audience with The Heart of Darkness - known to his followers as The Marque de'Ahb or Grandfather of All Assassins. Having recently finished their apprenticeships, they expect to learn where on the Flanaess they will begin their careers.

Craven	(looks anxiously at the huge bronze doors that lead to the audience chamber. He adjusts his collar for the tenth time)
Argos	So, what's he like?
Keldirk	Who? The Marque de'Ahb?
Argos	(nods)
Keldirk	How in hell am I supposed to know, I haven't met him either.
Craven	I once heard some of the elders talking about him, he's really old... ancient in fact, and extremely powerful. They said that he has been ruling over the family for over a century.
Argos	(whistles in amazement) He can't be human

Listening to their conversation from just outside the room was Shardan - the Chamberlain's assistant. He had been sent to speak with the graduates instructing them on the proper conduct when presented to their leader. He was also told to explain something of the Marque de'Ahb to them.

Shardan

(enters the room) Oh he's human enough... but more than that now I feel. You three will be presented to him in a short while and I have been instructed to prepare you. My name is Shardan, I am the assistant to the Chamberlain. The Marque de'Ahb is - as you know - the head of our Family. He wears the cloak of office which bestowes certain gifts to the wearer. One of the gifts is longevity. This cloak is called the Vilus Corumdak, translated it means "The Cloak of the Vanquished". It is made from the faces of our most prized targets, which have been removed from the victim as you have been taught. These faces are cured then sewn to the hem of the Cloak. It is believed that the Cloak allows the wearer to communicate with the spirits of those whose faces are part of it. (pauses to gauge the reaction of the three graduates) When the Chamberlain summons you, make sure you are ready; The Marque de'Ahb does not like to be kept waiting. Do not speak unless he invites you to do so and above all else show him the respect he deserves. The Grandfather has ruled our family for well over 100 years; he deserves and demands respect. In his time he has slain hundreds of people, from beggars to kings, and in recent times killed a number of insolent graduates. Watch what you say and do. This meeting is your final test. Survive this and you will truly be an assassin.

Shardan leaves and the three graduates are left alone to contemplate their future. Not only will this meeting formally mark the end of their apprenticship and elevate them to an active member of the family, but it will also define where they will spend the next several years. The prize for all assassins is to be posted to the Free City of Greyhawk. Ordinalrily a new graduate would never be posted there but rumour has it, one of the Family's operatives was recently killed in Greyhawk and it has been decided he be replaced by a graduate. That prize could be been given to any of the three who now sat waiting for their meeting.

* Argos - arguably the best proponent of the crossbow that the assassins have ever trained. This ability would serve him well in the crowded city affording him great opportunities to make the kill.
* Craven - graduated second overall, and his unique blend of combat and assassination make him a strong contender for the position.
* Keldirk - Graduated prematurely. His early initiation indicates that the elders have big plans for him. That could mean he is due to be posted to Greyhawk.

More time passed and the three gradutes are became increasingly restless. Keldirk resisted the urge to consume his fourth glass of wine, while Craven began pacing the length of the small antechamber. Argos, sat comfortably, seemingingly oblivious to the situation, only the constant twitching of his foot betrayed his nervousness.

Keldirk	I hate all this waiting... what is he doing?
Argos	(to Craven) You know that Xavier is in there?
Craven	What? Oh fuck... if that son-of-a-bitch says anything we could be looking at some serious trouble.
Argos	(looking innocent) What's this we business? It's you he hates.
Craven	Well the feeling is more than mutual.
Keldirk	Who's Xavier?
Argos	He's the guy who graduated ahead of Craven.
Keldirk	I like him already.
Craven	Ever since I beat him in the battle royale, he's been trying to make everyone think I cheated. He says that I organised his downfall with Argos... and that's the only way I managed to win.
Keldirk	Not a bad idea... I guess it worked.
Craven	It never happened! He lost because he got careless... and thats all there is to it. Its just that he can't accept that he got beaten. (to Argos) If he spreads his crap to the Marque de'Ahb we could be in deep trouble.
Argos	Again with this we business. Just leave me out of it... the last thing I want is for the Marque de'Ahb to focus his attention on me. If things go bad I'm afraid you're on your own.
Craven	Thanks buddy - It's good to know where your loyalties are.

Craven's statement was interrupted by the opening of the bronze doors that lead into the main audience chamber. A middle aged man entered their room and addressed the three of them.

Man	Gentlemen, I am Montlebahn Criss, the Marque de'Ahb's Chamberlain. The time has come for you to be presented to The Marque de'Ahb. Ready yourselves for I will announce you presently.
Keldirk	(stands and stretches his arms above his head)
Craven	(smoothes down his clothes and adjusts his weapons)
Argos	(quickly finishes his drink and rises)
Montlebahn	If you would follow me.

They walk into the audience chamber and are formally presented to the Marque de'Ahb, the Grandfather of All Assassins. He sat upon a large golden throne and beckoned them to rise from their position of supplication. The Vilus Corumdak all but covered the old, wizened man and all three take a quick intake of breath as they look upon his skeletal visage. Montelbahn Criss exits through a curtain.

Marque de'Ahb

(his voice barely a whisper) Welcome to my Family. You have each worked hard and long, and to stand before me is testimony to your discipline and prowess. I am proud. (looks to Craven) You have done well, Craven of Karaban. Bladesmaster Kyam counts you as the best student in many years. Your skills in assassination require some work; but I am confident they will come in time. (looks to Argos) You are somewhat of an enigma; your history is clouded but I cannot deny your courage or desire to succeed. Your loyalty to The Family was established on Kallmaird Beach; to which Craven will attest. I am pleased to call you Grandchild. (looking to Keldirk) You are a young graduate, by any standard and you are yet to complete your studies. But you, like your colleagues, have shown great promise and come to me with your Tutor's glowing recommendation. (looks at each assassin in turn, then slowly floats out of his chair, the 20' long Vilus Corumdak flowing like a macabre wedding train behind him. He floats to the rear of the chamber where a large mural hangs. The mural is a detailed map of the Flanaess) The situation on the continent is grave. Ordinarily I would offer you your choice of cities to begin your career. However, I no longer have that luxury. My agents in Rauxes have informed me that Mad Ivid and his council are preparing for war. This means more work for us, naturally. I have been forced to relocate an agent from the Prelacy of Almor to The Great Kingdom in anticipation of increased workload. This agent was very experienced, and you three will be taking her place in Eastern Almor. (waves a bony hand, little more than a claw, to the region known as The Prelacy of Almor) The Prelacy is trapped between hammer and anvil. To the East lies Ivid the Insane, his fiendish council and the multitude of power hungry Noble Families intent on conquest both within and without The Great Kingdom. To the West lies the Kingdom of Nyrond - with its armoured oppressors and war-loving King. In the middle lies The Prelacy of Almor, the once battle ground of these military giants. As you know the peace in the region relies upon Almor's neutrality and its willingness to side with the non aggressor in any war between the two. If war breaks out, say at the behest of Ivid, Almor will close it's borders to The Great Kingdom and welcome Nyrond. The peace also hinges on Ivid's constant need to defend his throne and the perpetual threat of The Bandit Kingdoms north of Nyrond... .. I have made arangements for you to leave for your posts in two days, time is of the essence and I can not afford you the luxury of rest before you become useful to us. Montlebahn will provide you the specifics of your assignment. For now, go with my blessing and know that you are being groomed for a more important duty.

The curtain opened again and the Chamberlain entered. He nodded before his lord and indicated to the three assassins that they were to follow. He lead them out of the audience hall, through the curtain and into another room which contained a desk and three chairs. He motioned for them to be seated and began hunting through some papers on his desk. The room was a shrine to order. The shelves, the desk even the tapestries which hung on the walls seemed to have been purposeply placed. There was no clutter anywhere, even though the desk was covered with items, everything was exactly where it was meant to be, and it was only seconds before Montlebahn had the paper he was looking for.

Montlebahn

You have been booked passage aboard a vessel called The Sea Swift. It will arrive off the main jetty at dawn the day after next. The journey is expected to take around two weeks at which time you will arrive in Chathold. Chathold is the capital city of Almor, it will appear strange to you as I know that none of you have been in a city of that size in many years. Once there you will contact a man called Don Lombard. He is a trader, he owns a business in the Trade Ward. He has requested that all contacts be made at his business, should it prove impossible to contact him there he resides in a house in the Common Quarter. The address is on here along with an inventory of provisions you will be issued with. (hands Craven a piece of paper) He is expecting you and he will provide you with additional instructions. I understand that there will be a celebration to mark your graduation tomorrow evening. I trust the three of you will be ready to leave the next day, I do not care if you are unconcious just do not miss that boat. Any questions?

Keldirk

Just one. Are we supposed to all work together? I was kind of hoping that I would get to work alone.

Montlebahn

(smiles) Ordinarilly, yes that would be the case... but in this situation you will be required to work as a team. On occasion it may be advantageous for one of you to work alone, but that will be determined by the situation. If there is nothing else, I will leave you to your own devices until you are due on board the ship. The equipment on that list will be delivered to your quarters tomorrow evening. Congratulations... you are dismissed.

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