Episode 1 The Heart of Darkness
| The Assassins |
Argos - Rogue 1st Level LE (NPC) Craven - Fighter/Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 1st level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The antechamber of the Marque de'Ahb, somewhere in the Olman Islands |
| Date | 3rd Ready'reat 581 CY |
| Time | Early-afternoon. |
Argos held his mug absently while Craven refilled it for the third time.
No matter how much he drank Argos' mouth remained dry, and he felt warm despite the cool afternoon breeze. Argos was forced to admit he was nervous and as he looked around the room he could tell he wasn't the only one; Argos had known Craven for many years and Argos could read his moods with ease. The other one, Keldirk, was more of a mystery but he made no attempt to disguise his mood. Argos wondered not for the first time if Keldirk's acid tongue was the result of being nervous or if the acerbic young man was always like that, he had barely said two civil words to the others since he entered the room, preferring instead to keep to himself on the other side of the room.
Argos turned to study Craven, the young swordsman gripped his own glass tightly his blue eyes practically burning a hole through the large double doors that led to the audience chamber. Argos knew what was on Craven's mind and he was right to be worried. Ever since Craven's victory at the Grande Melee, the final test before graduation, the rumours began; rumours spread no doubt by Xavier, the student who graduated top of the class this year.
Throughout their studies Xavier and Craven had been great rivals, each of them finishing in the top two or three for every assessment and each of them resenting the other for beating them. Craven had the advantage with the blade while Xavier had the edge in stealth but in many other things the pair was equally matched. Their rivalry pushed them to excel and this season's Grande Melee was a highly anticipated event. Most people expected Xavier to win but nobody expected him to place lower than second.
The shock result of Xavier finishing third was almost too much for the young man's ego to bare and he began to spread rumours that Craven had cheated; after all how could Argos Craven's best friend have possibly finished above the mighty Xavier unless the pair had teamed up against him, something that was strictly against the rules of the Grande Melee.
Argos watched Craven as he waited, watched as his future may well be being decided behind those heavy wooden doors for Xavier was meeting their master; the Marque de'Ahb Grandfather of all Assassins. No sense in worrying thought Argos, either Xavier will convince their master that Craven had broken the rules or he would not, there was little that either of them could do about it but few people were able to detach themselves from worry the way Argos could and he sympathised with what his friend was going through. Despite this Argos could not seem to escape the fact that he too was nervous and the feeling unsettled him.
| Keldirk | So, what's he like? |
The question snapped Argos from his reverie and back to reality. He turned to face the sharp featured young man and replied.
| Argos | Who? The Marque de'Ahb? |
| Keldirk | Yes the Marque de'Ahb, who in the hell else would I be asking about? |
| Argos | I have no idea, I have never met him before. |
| Keldirk | What about you pretty boy? Have you seen him before? |
| Craven | (shakes his head) I once heard some of the elders talking about him. They say he's really old, and extremely powerful. He's been ruling over the family for over a century. |
| Argos | Over a century? He must be an elf or something, he can't be human. |
Shardan, the chamberlain's assistant was listening to their conversation from just outside the room. He had been instructed to alert the graduates that they would soon be presented before their master and they needed to understand the proper protocol. The trio looked up as he entered the room.
| Shardan | Oh, he's human enough at least he was in the beginning but I feel that he is somehow more than that now. You three will be presented to him in a short while and I have been told to prepare you. |
| Keldirk | Who are you? |
| Shardan |
My name is Shardan, I am the assistant to
Montelbahn Criss the Chamberlain to the Marque de'Ahb.
The Marque de'Ahb is as you know the head of our family.
His title means the Heart of Darkness in the old tongue
and he is a very powerful man. He wears the cloak of
office which bestows certain gifts to its wearer and but
one of those gifts is longevity.
The cloak is called the Vilus Corumdak or Cloak of the Vanquished and it is indeed a wonderous article. It is comprised of the faces of our most prized targets and it is a great honour for any assassin to be asked to remove the face of their victim to have it added to the cloak. You have each been taught the technique for the proper removal and curing of the face which will then be sewn onto the hem of the cloak by the Druaghi. It is believed that the Cloak allows the wearer to communicate with the spirit of those whose faces are part of it. |
| Argos | (whistles in amazment) |
| Shardan | When the chamberlain summons you, make sure you are ready. Do not speak unless you are requested to do so and above all show him your respect. The Marque de'Ahb has ruled over the family for well over on hundred years and in his time has slain hundreds of people from beggars to kings; a few insolent graduates will not trouble him in the least. Watch what you say and do, in many ways this meeting is your final test, survive it and you will truly be part of the family. |
With that Shardan left and the trio were free to contemplate their future. This meeting will mark the end of their studies and elevate them to an active member of the family of assassins. It was an important step and one that will define where they will spend the next few years of their lives.
The prize for all assassins was to be posted to the Free City of Greyhawk. Ordinarily this would not be something that would be offered to a new graduate as it is an important and dangerous place, but if the rumours were true that would be changing this year.
Time passed and the three became increasingly restless. Argos resisted the urge to consume his fourth glass of water while Craven began pacing the length of the small antechamber. Keldirk sat apart from the others seemingly oblivious to the situation, only the constant tapping of his foot betrayed his mood.
The three looked up when one of the large wooden doors cracked open. Xavier stepped out of the audience chamber and entered the antechamber with a wry smile on his face. He looked up and noticed Craven in the room and his face broke into a broad self indulgent grin. Ignoring the others he approached Craven and extended his hand.
| Xavier | No hard feelings eh? |
| Craven | What are you talking about? |
| Xavier | Nothing, you'll find out soon enough. I just wanted to tell you that now that we are no longer students I bare no malice towards you. In every situation there are winners and losers it's the mark of a man to accept their fate, whether they be one or the other. |
| Argos | What are you talking about you pompous windbag? |
| Xavier | (turns to regard the others) The Grande Melee of course; I don't care anymore, you won and I didn't, its over. I just don't want there to be any bad blood between us what's done is done. Let's look to the future with a clean slate. |
| Craven | (accepts Xavier's hand and shakes it) Let this be an end to it then. |
| Xavier | Agreed. Now, if you'll forgive me I have to prepare, I leave for Greyhawk at first light. |
With a smile the self assured young man left the room. Craven sat in stunned silence unsure of what just happened.
| Argos | That bastard. |
| Keldirk | That was you two? I knew I'd heard your names before, kudos to both of you nice idea to team up and take out the major threat. You have my admiration on that. |
| Craven | (turns to face Keldirk) I don't want or need anything from you. I won that contest fair and clear, Xavier lost because he got careless and he met a better opponent. That's all there is to it, now kindly keep your opinions to yourself. |
| Keldirk | Or what? |
| Man | Or nothing master Keldirk. |
The trio were surprised by the arrival of the newcomer. He entered the room and instantly the group fell silent. He was a middle-aged human who carried himself with a confidence that was borne out by years of experience, the three young assassins new instantly that he was not a person to be trifled with.
| Man | Gentlemen, I am Montlebahn Criss, Chamberlain to the Marque de'Ahb. |
| Craven | A pleasure to meet you, sir. |
| Montlebahn | The time has come for you to be presented to the Marque de'Ahb; ready yourselves and I will announce you presently. Please follow me. |
The three graduates rose and straightened their clothes, even Keldirk who was not normally a fastidious individual when it came to his appearance smoothed down his shirt. The chamberlain strode to the large double doors and opened them wide, ushering the trio inside.
The room beyond was large, lit only by a series of flickering torches attached to the four enormous columns that held aloft the high ceiling. At the far end of the room was a raised dais upon which sat a large golden throne. It was not the ostentatious sight of the gold that captivated the trio but rather the wizened old man who sat calmly regarding the group as the drew near. He raised a skeletal hand and indicated that they should approach no further. The Vilus Corumdak encased his impossibly thin frame and extended to the floor all but covering the top three steps of the dais.
| Montlebahn | May I present your children; Craven, the winner of this year's Grande Melee, Argos, the student Aranis rated as the best student of the crossbow he has yet trained, and Keldirk the brightest of our next batch of students. |
| Marque de'Ahb | Thankyou Montlebahn, you may go. |
| Montlebahn | (bows deeply and exits the room) |
The Marque de'Ahb studied each of them in turn, his penetrating stare moving from one to the next as he waited.
| Marque de'Ahb |
Welcome to my family children. You have
each worked hard and long to be here, and to stand before
me now is a testament to your discipline and skill. I am
proud of you.
Craven of Karaban, you have done well. Blademaster Kyam counts you as one of his best and sees great ability in your swordsmanship. Your skills with both blade and stealth will hold you in good stead as your talents continue to grow. Argos, my child, you are something of an enigma to me; your history is clouded but I cannot deny your courage or your commitment. Your loyalty to my family was established on Kallmaird Beach and I am pleased to welcome you to the fold. Keldirk, you are young and you are impetuous, I understand that you are yet to complete your studies but your tutors have recommended you to me and I trust their judgement. Each of you have shown great promise and it is for this reason that I have selected you for an important and unusual task. |
As he completed his speech the Marque de'Ahb floated effortlessly from his throne. The Vilus Corumdak trailed behind him like a macabre wedding train as he crossed to the rear of the room, stopping beside a large mural depicting the entire Flanaess.
| Marque de'Ahb |
The situation on the continent is grave,
ordinarily I would offer each of you your choice of posts
to begin your career but as I said I have other plans for
you. My agents in Rauxes tell me that mad King Ivid and
his council are preparing for war, this means that I have
been forced to relocate one of my most experienced agents
from the Prelacy of Almor to the Great Kingdom in
anticipation of the increased workload. I have decided
then to replace her with the three of you.
The Prelacy of Almor is trapped between the hammer and the anvil. To the east lies the Great Kingdom, ruled by Ivid and his fiendish council, a constant melting pot of political activity and driven by desires for conquest. To the west lies the Kingdom of Nyrond, with its armour clad oppressors and war loving king. In the middle we have the Prelacy of Almor which has often served as I am sure it will again as the battleground for these two military giants. Peace in the region is possible only because Almor remains neutral and will side with whoever is the non- aggressor in any conflict. Also the Great Kingdom itself is in constant inner turmoil with King Ivid frequently required to defend his throne from pretenders and the like. Arrangements have been made to transport you to your post in two days time. As time is of the essence I can not afford you the luxury of rest before you must become useful to the family. Montlebahn will provide you with the details specific to your assignment. For now, go with my blessing and know that you are being groomed for a more important duty. |
The double doors were opened and the Chamberlain entered. He nodded before his lord and indicated for the three young assassins to follow him. He led the trio through another door in the waiting area and into an office. The room was a shrine to order, the shelves, desk and even the chairs seemed to have been deliberately positioned exactly where they were. There was no clutter anywhere, even though the desk was covered with items, each was stacked neatly or labelled with a coloured ribbon.
The chamberlain walked behind his desk, opened a drawer without looking and retrieved a sheet of parchment.
| 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 tomorrow, your journey to
Chathold is expected to take two weeks. Chathold is the
capital of the Prelacy of Almor and to all of you it will
most likely appear strange; as I know it has been a long
while since any of you have seen a large city.
Once there you are to contact a man named Don Lombard, he is a merchant by trade and owns a business in the trade ward. He is also a member of the family and will provide you with additional instructions. I understand that there is a party scheduled for tomorrow evening to celebrate this year's graduation. Since you did not graduate Keldirk you would not normally be permitted to attend the festivities but I have made an exception in this instance. I trust that all three of you will be ready to leave the next day; I do not care if you are unconscious just as long as you do not miss that boat. Do I make myself clear? Now does anyone have any questions? |
| Keldirk | Just one. Are we supposed to all work together once we reach Almor? I was under the impression that we assassins usually worked alone. |
| Montlebahn |
(smiles) Ordinarilly yes, that would be
the case. But in this situation you are expected to work
as a team. On occasion it may be advantageous for one of
you to work alone but that will happen on a case by case
basis.
If there is nothing else I will leave you to your own devices. Your equipment will be delivered to your quarters before the celebration. Congratulations, you are dismissed. |
| Normal Text | Character's words or descriptive text if part of a paragraph |
| Italic Text | Character's thoughts or actions if surrounded by parenthesis |
| Bold Text | Character is shouting. |