Episode 3 – The Others
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) |
| Locale | An antechamber somewhere in the Olman Islands, the secret home of The Family; a worldwide network of assassins. |
| Date | 19th Sunsebb 581 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Mid-Afternoon |
The air was hot and humid, as it often was in the Olman Islands, and the massive warrior wiped his sweaty brow with his tunic sleave. He was unaccustomed to the restrictive, formal clothes that he had been forced to wear, prefering a functional jerkin or suit of mail.
Creighton looked at the robed man, Azareth was his name, who sat silently across the table reading from a large tome.
| Creighton | Hey buddy, you hot in that robe? |
| Azareth | (shakes his head almost imperceptably, licks his finger and flips another page) |
Creighton initially never liked mages, they weren't to be trusted. As part of his training he had been taught how to foil a mage's spell weaving; get in close and hit them hard. But he had also been taught how dangerous they could be if allowed time and space to work their magic. Swordmaster Heal had spent several weeks instructing Creighton's class on methods to disrupt a mage or a priest when casting their spells. The Swordmaster then spent the next weeks teaching Creighton how to complement a mage in combat.
Not for the first time this morning Creighton wondered why the mage was here with him. Creighton's swordmaster had told him that the Marque de'Ahb required an audience and the warrior just assumed he'd be alone.
In time the two graduates were presented to the Marque de'Ahb by Montelbahn Criss.
| Marque de'Ahb |
(coughs weakly, and speaks his voice but a whisper) You have caught me on a bad day, My children. The gods have been fickle of late and are calling in some of my debts.
(looks to Azareth) You come before me with an exceptional academic record. Ghaas counts you as his finest student and is sorry to see you go. But you are being called to fulfill a greater purpose. I will speak with you later on this matter. (looks to Creighton and coughs) Know that you have been chosen above your peers by me. I have seen your skills in the fighting halls and your brutality and raw physical power is unparalleled for a man of your age. But know that have not selected you on these facts alone; you have shown remarkable progress in both stealth and concealment. You are ready for the world. |
| Creighton | But is the world ready for me?(smiles) |
| Marque de'Ahb | I hope the world is not ready for you; I want you to make an impression. I'm sure you will. |
| Creighton | (freaks out) |
| Marque de'Ahb |
(addressing both graduates) You are being sent to Northern Almor to join two other recent graduates. There is much work to be done and your skills in both sword and sorcery will be invaluable.
(looks to Creighton) You may leave, my son. You have my blessing. Welcome to My Family. |
| Creighton | (bows then leaves) |
| Marque de'Ahb | (beckons Azareth closer) My voice is failing, approach me. |
| Azareth | (approaches the dais, unsure as to whether he should climb the stairs) |
| Marque de'Ahb |
What I tell you now has been told only to one person outside the Inner Circle. That person leads a group of brothers in the City of
Greyhawk. This man, Xavier, shows the potential for greatness that usually
comes but once in a lifetime. We have been blessed with two such
individuals. You, Azareth, are the second!
You see, My child, you will lead one group and Xavier another. Your groups compete for the honour to serve The Family in a role beyond even your wildest imaginings. So important is this role that I have to ensure it is performed by only the most competant and cohesive group. Creighton and the two you will join in Del Mord are amongst our elite Graduates in recent years. I would hope that you assume control of this group and lead them to realise their full potential. Disorder is your greatest enemy and comes in many guises. You must be ever vigilant if you are to defeat this enemy. As I see it your greatest test will be to maintain group harmony and understand that other members of your group each have their own egos and personal quirks. Do not let these distract you from your goal. The others in your group have not been told of this arrangement, as I do not want to distract them from their duty. As I have told Xavier, I grant you permission to disclose what I have told you if you deem it neccessary. Your Vesper will be instructed to report to the Inner Circle on your group's progress. When the time is right one group will be chosen above the other and will be summoned before me. To fail in this is not to fail me - for already you are beloved. To not live up to your potential will be the real tragedy for both yourselves and My Family. You have my blessing and my love. Go now and make me proud. |
Azareth left the audience chamber with his heart in his mouth. He had always expected such an honour would be bestowed upon him, but never had he thought it would be by the Marque de'Ahb himself. He met with Montelbahn Criss who led him to his office where Creighton sat awkwardly on a small chair, sipping wine from a delicate crystal glass.
| Montelbahn | Help yourself to some wine. It is a lovely Tokay from the vinyards of Celene, matured in oak and fortified by the finest dwarven spirits - very expensive. I trust you find it to your liking, Creighton. |
| Creighton | It's a little sweet for me - got any ale? |
| Azareth | (looks to Montelbahn, smiling) |
| Montelbahn | Unfortunately my tastes have evolved... Barley and hops may be sufficient to whet your appetite but my pallete craves more complex flavours. |
| Creighton | Yeah, whatever... |
| Azareth | (pours himself a glass and savours the flavour) |
| Montelbahn |
(sighs) You will be leaving for the Prelacy of Almor tomorrow morning. The boat has already docked and is taking on supplies. After the voyage you will land outside Chathold and will make your way to a man called Don Lombard. He will give
you further instructions. The address is on this parchment (hands parchment to Azareth) and some starting money is in this pouch (passes a black velvet bag to Creighton). You should be ready before first light, until then you may do as you please.
Any questions? |
| Azareth | I am satisfied that everything has been taken care of. (looks to Creighton) |
| Creighton | I'm fine... |
Creighton and Azareth leave the office of the Chamberlain and exit the main council chambers. They begin the short walk to the village.
| Creighton | I'm going for a beer to whet my simple pallete - wanna come? |
| Azareth | Sure. We will be spending the next several months together, why not get to know each other? |
They entered the village and made their way to Mother's Kitchen, the only tavern on the island. The place was run by an extraordinarily tall male dwarf known to everyone as Mother. Nobody knows exactly where Mother came from but the popular myth was that his mother had a daliance with a hill giant. Mother was ostracized from birth, but the real reason he left his clan was because he kept knocking himself out on the low tunnel ceilings. For this reason Mother's Kitchen has sixteen foot ceilings in case, as the story goes, his father ever shows up.
| Creighton | (takes a chair next to Azareth) Two ales, Mother! |
| Azareth | (looking around) Is it always this full? |
| Creighton | Yeah, pretty much. Haven't you been here before? |
| Azareth | My studies have kept me fairly isolated... I didn't get much exposure to everyday life. What is that smell? |
| Creighton | (points at Azareth) Pull my finger. |
| Azareth | (looks bemused and pulls his finger) |
| Creighton | (lifts one leg and farts - loudly) Just me. That complex elven shit has gone straight through me. (laughs) |
| Azareth | what have I got myself into? |
Time passed and the two new companions drank heartily until well past sundown. Food arrived and Creighton demolished his meal so quickly that it would have appeared to an observer that he had inhaled it. Azareth, looking decidely ill, offered his food to Creighton who happily wolfed it down with similar gusto.
| Creighton | (burps - loudly) |
| Azareth | I think I've drunk too much... I'm not feeling well. |
| Man | (stands and approaches their table, placing a hand on Creighton's shoulder) I've been watching you eat like a pig, burp and fart like a mule and I have had to put up with your stench and ugly face all night - and frankly I'm sick to death of it. You either get the hell outside on your own or I'll kick yours, and your stupid lookin' mate's arse out there me'self! |
| Azareth | (stares blankly at the man's face) how does he manage to get his face that red? |
| Creighton | (points at Man) Pull my finger. |
| Man | (draws back his fist and launches into attack striking Creighton a viscious blow to the cheek) |
| Creighton | (falls from his chair but rolls easily to his feet shaking his head) You're gonna have to do better than that, pretty boy. (dives at the man knocking him to the ground) |
The two grappled for several minutes before Creighton managed to get his knee onto the man's chest pinning him to the floor. After slapping him tauntingly across the face he drew back his fist and splayed the man's nose all over his face. Blood flowed instantly, rivers of crimson cascading from the man's ruined face as Creighton dragged him by the hair out the door.
| Creighton | (looks to Mother who is bringing out a mop) Some people should really learn to hold their liquor. |
| Azareth | (collapses head first onto the table and vomits) |
The next morning Creighton and a haggard Azareth were rowed to the boat which would take them to Chathold. Azareth felt like the gentle waves were rolling thunder and the squeaking of the oars were legions of Dwarves hammering in his skull.
| Azareth | errrrrgggghhhhh! |
| Creighton | (looks confused) You don't look so good. What's the matter - sea sick? |
| Azareth | (too hung-over to reply) errrrrgggghhhh! |
They boarded the boat and were introduced to the Captain, a man with a decidely evil grin.
| Captain | Welcome aboard gentlemen, I am Captain Morely. (steps aside to reveal a man with a bandage wrapped over his nose) I believe you have already met my first mate. |
| Creighton | This is going to be a long trip... |
| Azareth | errrrrgggghhhhh! |
| 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. |