Episode 6 – Warhorse
| The Assassins |
Argos - Rogue 1st level LE (NPC) Craven - Fighter/Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 1st level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The three assassins have just entered Del Mord after months of being on the road. They have entered the city as part the merchant caravan of Saradock. |
| Date | 21st Fireseek 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Mid morning |
Del Mord was a welcome sight for the three travellers, finally their seemingly endless journey had come to an end. After bidding farewell to Gratten and Harf they set about finding themselves some accomodation.
| Argos | Some of the other guards suggested that The Warhorse would be a good place to stay. |
| Craven | (shrugs) At this point one inn would be about as good as another. |
| Keldirk | I'm staying at another tavern. I've had enough of your company to last me a lifetime and I need some time alone. |
| Craven | Can't say I'll miss you much either. There is no reason for you to stay with us if you don't want to. |
| Argos | (to Keldirk) Which tavern are you going to be staying at? |
| Keldirk | One of the guards suggested the Silver Gauntlet. It sounded OK so I'm going there. Tonight, I'm going to have a few drinks and get an early night. (leaves) |
| Argos | (to Craven) What about you? |
| Craven | I have no intention of being alone tonight. (grins) |
Argos and Craven found their way to The Warhorse, it was a large stone building with many windows facing the street. An alley led beside the tavern and curved around to the back. Since it was mid-afternoon, the common room was almost empty. A large fire burned in the hearth on one side and stairs led to the rooms on the other. The bar was being tended by a small man who had a bored expression on his face. He did not even bother to look up when the two of them entered ignoring them completely until Craven banged on the wooden bar.
| Craven | Hello! Are you deaf? |
| Barman | What do you want? |
| Craven | We want a room and two beers. |
| Barman | How many? |
| Craven | I said two. |
| Barman | (sighs) No. How many will be staying in the room? |
| Craven | Two. (holding up two fingers) |
| Barman | We only have rooms for four. |
| Craven | Then why did you bother asking how many were staying in the room? |
| Barman | One gold each for the room and two copper for the beer. Wait here I'll bring you the key and your drinks. |
| Argos | (smiles) Is that two copper for one beer or two copper for two beers? |
The barman went to the taps and poured two glasses of beer and reached below the counter to retrieve the keys. Craven handed over the money and he and Argos sat down at one of the empty tables close to the fire.
| Argos | I am glad he caught you in a good mood. |
| Craven | I don't know... |
| Argos | What room are we in? |
| Craven | Eight. |
Meanwhile, Keldirk continued his trek up one of the main roads on his way to The Silver Gauntlet. After only a few blocks he reached his destination. The tavern was situated right next to another tavern called The Blue Dragon. With the exception of their names, they were almost identical from the outside. Keldirk noted this curious fact, entered the Silver Gauntlet and arranged for a room. Once he obtained the key he went immediately up to the room and slept. He was not going to waste his first night alone by laying idly in his bed... Tonight he was going exploring.
As the day wore on Craven and Argos spent some time becoming familiar with the area surrounding their tavern. Once they had finished scouting they went up to their room for some rest. It was a small room - not even as big as the cabin on the boat. The bulk of the space was occupied by four straw-filled sleeping pallets, a window provided a view out onto the alleyway and there were four small chests in which to store their gear.
When they finally came downstairs to the common room it was as though they had been transported into another tavern. The bar was packed, buxom barmaids patrolled the tables, served drinks and dished out slaps to over-zealous patrons. The tables were full and it was standing room only. The bar was being tended by four barmen and at the door stood the largest man they had ever seen. He was tall and extremely overweight, in his hands was a huge double-bladed battleaxe. The effect of his presence was obvious - despite the inebriated state of most of the patrons there was no trouble. Nobody was unduly aggressive and each group tended to keep to themselves.
Craven was fascinated by the affect that this man had on the crowd and approached him. The man eyed him casually as Craven introduced himself.
| Craven | We are staying in the rooms upstairs and I was wondering if we can count on your protection every night. |
| Bouncer | I protect the bar, not the people. If you cause trouble, you have me to deal with. If you have a beef with someone take it out the back. |
| Craven | What do they call you? |
| Bouncer | My name is Rexx. |
| Craven | What happens out the back? |
| Rexx | That's where we settle the disputes between our customers. If you want to have it out with someone, you just take 'em out back and go as hard as you want. But there are no weapons allowed. |
| Craven | How often does this happen? |
| Rexx | Can't say I remember a night when it didn't happen. Now get out of my face I've got work to do. |
Craven relayed his discussion with Rexx to Argos and they decided to spend the night here and see what goes on during one of the fights. Argos' money senses were tingling and he saw an opportunity to make some fast cash by gambling on the fights. They ate a hot meal and had several drinks before there was any action.
A bearded man was carrying some drinks back to his table when he tripped spilling the drinks over a bare-chested man sitting at a table. The bare-chested man rose and struck the bearded man a solid blow to the side of his head, rocking him back.
Rexx was instantly between them and the crowd began to cheer "Rexx, Rexx, Rexx". Rexx grabbed the bearded man by the shirt and dragged him through the door that lead to the back alley. The bare-chested man flexed his ample biceps to the crowd and followed behind clenching and unclenching his fists as he walked.
| Argos | I think we might be in for a bit of fun. |
| Craven | (downs his beer and joins the crowd that was building up in a small cul-de-sac outside) Who do you think'll win? |
| Argos | My money is on the big guy with no shirt. The other guy has already taken a hit and he looks too drunk to put up much of a fight. |
The bare-chested man waited patiently while Rexx laid out the rules. The other man was still recovering from the original punch and stood drunkenly with his hand up to his split lip.
| Rexx | You have two choices. Fight to yield or fight to unconciousness. |
| Man #1 | (blood flowing from his cut lip) Yield! |
| Rexx |
(without stopping) There will be no use of weapons and anyone in the crowd
who attempts to help either of the combatants will find themselves on the end
of my axe. (he turns and surveys the crowd) We will wait for a few moments while bets are taken - |
| Argos | (smiles) See ya (makes his way to the front of the crowd) |
| Rexx | - and then we shall begin. |
The fight lasted almost thirty heart beats. Most of that time was spent with the two combatants warily circling one another. Three rapid blows by the bare-chested man was all that was needed to knock his opponent unmoving to the ground. Few people were disappointed as the result was far from suprising and Argos returned to his table but a few copper richer.
Keldirk was getting tired. He had been wandering the streets Del Mord for a little over five hours, getting lost on several occasions, and muscles that he hadn't used in almost two months were beginning to complain. The young assassin had left his tavern and followed the sounds of the city down to what one local called "The River Quarter". Keldirk certainly didn't intend on wasting the opportunity to familiarise himself with his new surrounds.
He followed the street noise and soon found himself along a great curving road known as The Strip. Along this vast concourse were boarding houses, brothels, taverns, warehouses and a multitude of small shops and street stalls. The taverns were bursting to overflowing and street musicians plied their skills to the general populace, even at this late hour. Hawkers accosted everyone who came within reach trying to off-load various pieces of fine junk - each one a unique artefact of unsurpassed beauty - or so the hawkers claimed. Buxom wenches called to Keldirk from balconies, offering all sorts of worldly pleasures. Keldirk ignored them all. This was a reconnaissance mission not some self indulgent time wasting exercise - he'd leave that to Craven.
Keldirk decided he needed a rest and sat down on a small wharf that entered the fast-flowing Harp River. He took off his boots and rubbed his weary feet.
As far as Keldirk could determine The River Quarter was his kind of place. There were a seemingly infinite number of alleys and back-streets in the area where an assassin could disappear at a moment's notice. There were enough street lamps to ruin demi-human infravision but too few to eliminate the shadows. Perfect. The people seemed to vary from commoners to adventurers and only rarely had he come across the members of Del Mord Night Watch.
He had just put his boots back on when he heard the soft creak of leather on wood. He rolled to his left, rose to his haunches, and had a throwing dagger in his hand in an instant. There was a leather armoured man approaching Keldirk - he had just set foot upon the wharf.
| Man | (raising his empty hands ) Whoa! Steady pal. I don't mean any harm. |
| Keldirk | (closely scrutinising the leather armour clad man) Well bugger off, then. There's nothing here but me and I'm in no mood for chit-chat. |
| Man | Sorry Pal, no-can-do. My name's Stewy and I'm employed by Kyall Millington to guard this here stretch of wharves. If anyone is going to "bugger off" then it will be you! (Slowly lowers his hands) |
| Keldirk | (lowers his dagger) Ok. I was just resting. I'll be off. |
| Stewy | (scratching his beard) That's a strange accent; where'ya from? |
| Keldirk | None of your business. Damn, I must remember to study the local accent Stand aside and I'll be out of your way. |
| Stewy | (stands aside) |
Keldirk walked past the guard and began the long walk back to The Silver Gauntlet. It was well past midnight and he was in desperate need of sleep. He took no solace in the fact that some cleaning woman was bound to come knocking at his door at the crack of dawn; they all seemed to be early-morning people.
As he approached the front of his tavern a slender man emerged out of the shadows and approached him. Keldirk was annoyed he didn't notice the man earlier and eyed him carefully as he came closer. Keldirk placed one hand on his throwing dagger, the other on his sword.
The stranger was a revolting looking creature, not quite as physically repulsive as some he'd seen - but it was close. His hair was jet-black, greasy and pulled tightly into a thin ponytail that hung like a slug over his left shoulder. The man's face was heavily pock-marked and sported a rat- tail like beard. His eyes darted around as he slowly approached Keldirk. The assassin couldn't see any visible weapons on the stranger, but he counted four places where a knife could easily be hidden.
| Slender Man | Nice night, isn't it? |
| Keldirk | (changing his accent) Not really; it's cold and thoroughly unpleasant. Is there something that you want? |
| Slender Man | My name is Slick. You're new here and I reckon you wouldn't have heard of me - yet. The two men in the shadows are Howie Long and Mr Jones. They look after me. |
| Keldirk | (on edge, he peers into the darkness but is unable to see anyone) That's nice. Well, it's been a pleasure and I'm going to bed. |
| Slick | Not so fast. I just want to let you know a few things... |
| Keldirk | Make it quick. I'm tired and don't like being accosted by slimy little men in the middle of the night. |
| Slick | You've quite the tongue. You'd be well served if you kept it in check; some folks 'round here don't appreciate being called names. Me? I couldn't give a shit. (smiles exposing a row of pointy, yellowed teeth) |
| Keldirk | Thanks for the advice. See you around, Slick. |
| Slick | Wait. What's your name? |
| Keldirk | (pauses) Valrorn. Why? |
| Slick | Well met, Valrorn. I operate an information service in these parts. If there's anything you need to know just let me know. I have my finger on the pulse of the Foreign Quarter... |
| Keldirk | Foreign quarter, so that's where I am |
| Slick | ... and I know pretty much all there is to know about the area. |
| Keldirk | For a fee, of course. |
| Slick | Nothing's free in this world, buddy. Surely an intelligent warrior like yourself understands that? |
| Keldirk | (nods) Well, I'll be sure to keep you in mind. Where can you be found? |
| Slick | I work from that corner, (points) to where the Foreign Quarter borders the Artisans Quarter. I can be found along here somewhere anytime after sundown. |
| Keldirk | (fishes into his pouch and withdraws a copper piece and flips it to Slick.) Nice meeting you. |
Keldirk turned his back on Slick and entered The Silver Gauntlet. The common room was all but empty, the only occupant aside from the barman sat by the fire drinking from a steaming mug. As Keldirk made his way accross the room to the stairs, he could feel the figure's eyes follow. When he reached the foot of the stairs he paused, turned and met the gaze of the lone patron. It was clear that he was not human; possibly a dwarf or a gnome. The figure never averted his gaze and Keldirk eventually turned and climbed the stairs.
| Keldirk | strange... |
The following afternoon, there was a knock at Keldirk's door, he rolled out of bed and wrapped his cloak around his naked torso. He stumbled to to his weapons belt and buckled it around his waist. Yawning, he disabled the crossbow trap he had set up the night before. For a brief instant he toyed with the idea of unlocking the door and allowing whoever it was to wander into nine inches of hardened steel.
| Keldirk | Who is it? |
| Voice | The barman. I have a message. |
| Keldirk | Couldn't it wait until I came down. |
| Barman | I'm going off shift and I wanted to get it to you before I left. |
| Keldirk | (opens the door, a knife held behind his back) What is it? |
| Barman | (hands him a folded piece of parchment) |
| Keldirk | (recognising him as the barman from last night) Who was that dwarf drinking by the fire last night? |
| Barman | He's a gnome, actually. His name is Benhi the Leech; he's Del Mord's chief investigator. He lives up on the third floor. |
| Keldirk | (goes to his pouch belt and removes several coins) What the hell is an investigator? |
| Barman | He works for the courts, investigating crimes and stuff. Delva is his right hand man and happens to be downstairs if you want to speak to him. (taking the coins) |
Keldirk closed the door and completed dressing. The note was from Craven and said for him to come to The Warhorse after dinner. The remainder of the day passed without incident, and that evening he made his way to The Warhorse to meet his fellow assassins.
| Keldirk | (approaching Craven and Argos' table) Why the summons? |
| Argos | Good to see you again, too. What's with the accent? |
| Keldirk | When in Rome... |
| Argos | Where the fuck's "Rome"? |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) If we talk naturally people are going to know we're not from round these parts. I want to try and fit in. |
| Craven | Not with that accent, you won't. You sound like an idiot. |
| Keldirk | (reverting to his normal voice) What do you suggest, then? |
| Craven | It's obvious we're new here; why don't we just say we're from somewhere far away. |
| Keldirk | Like?... |
| Craven | Well, I was born in Veluna - so I'll use that. After all, it's the truth. |
| Argos | (to Keldirk) So, where are you from? |
| Keldirk | Ulek. You? |
| Argos | Um... (thinks for a moment) ... Furyondy. |
| Craven | Anyway, we have to decide what we are going to do about a "cover". |
| Keldirk | What have you got in mind? |
| Craven | Argos and I have been talking and decided that we'd go with your plan and join a theives guild. We need to make some contacts to get an introduction. |
| Keldirk | Come with me then - I've met someone already. |
| Argos | (raises his eyebrows) Already? |
| Keldirk | Like I always say; "time wasted is life wasted". |
| Craven | Whatever you say, Brother Keldirk. |
The trio leave The Warhorse and after a short time they find Slick who is standing on a corner talking to some 'ladies'.
| Keldirk | (points) That's him. His name is Slick and last night he claimed to have two buddies close by. |
| Craven | Well, let's go say hello. |
As they approach, Slick leaves the two ladies and meets them under a streetlamp.
| Slick | Evening - (searching for the name) - Valrorn? |
| Keldirk | (nods) These are two associates of mine... |
| Craven | Craven. |
| Argos | Argos. |
| Slick | I'm Slick. What can I do for you? |
| Craven | (gesturing to the two 'ladies') They yours? |
| Slick | They're anybodys - for a price. |
| Craven | How much? |
| Keldirk | (interrupting) We've got more important things to discuss, Craven. You've gotta stop thinking with your little head! (to Slick) We're interested in forming a relationship with the local... "union". |
| Slick | (pauses) Union, eh? What union do you mean? (fumbles with his vest button) |
| Keldirk | (adjusts his belt pouch, his fingers working feverishly) The union that represents acquisition and property. |
| Slick | (nodding) Ah, what about your two friends? |
| Keldirk | Associates. They're ok, too. We're all looking for employment. |
| Slick | I'll get right on it. This type of introductory service isn't cheap, you realise?! |
| Keldirk | (passes Slick two silver nobles) |
| Slick | Be at The Warhorse at midnight. I'll introduce you to a fellow who may be able to help. He'll decide if it goes any further. |
| Keldirk | Of course. |
| Slick | (turns to leave) |
| Keldirk | One more thing - what can you tell me about Benhi the Leech? |
| Slick | (stops, turns and looks blankly at Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | (hands over another silver) |
| Slick |
Ah, Benhi the Leech. Rough piece of work, that one. Damned good at what he does and doesn't care about how he gets the job done, just as long as it gets done. He doesn't work with the militia; he's got his own group of fellas who work to bring
criminals to justice. The courts cut him a lot of slack by turning a blind eye to his methods - but he gets results. He is often out of town or under cover; you never know if he's around. He hunts
big fish and leaves tadpoles like me to the militia. Don't mess with him. Don't even talk to him. Now if you want me to get this meeting happening I'd better be going. |
The three assassins wandered the streets until midnight, familiarising themselves further with the layout of the town. Keldirk filled the others in on his exploits last night and Craven returned the unexpected show of openess by telling Keldirk a bit about The Warhorse. In time, they entered The Warhorse.
| Keldirk | You're right. Rexx is one big mother. |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Argos | You guys get a table, I'll get the beer. |
Some time later Slick arrived with a sandy haired man in tow. They ordered some drinks and pulled up two seats at the assassin's table. The stranger was well built and dressed conservatively in black leather and dark cloak. The only visible weapon was a short sword at his waist. He carried himself with an air of confidence; which immediately grated on Keldirk's nerves.
| Slick | This is Slade. He is a "union representative" and should be able to handle any of your queries. (downs his ale) Ahh! (wipes his mouth with his sleeve) I'll leave the introductions to you. (leaves) |
| Keldirk | My name's Valrorn and this here is Argos and that's Craven. I guess you know why you're here? |
| Slade | Let's pretend I don't. What do you want? |
| Keldirk | (leans forward) To put it bluntly we wish entry into the guild. |
| Slade | What guild may that be? |
| Keldirk | Don't play games with me, stupid. You know full well what guild I mean! Stop fucking around. |
| Slade | (starts to rise) |
| Keldirk | Where are you going? |
| Craven | (to Slade) Don't leave yet. (to Keldirk) Stop being such an arsehole. We need this guy's help and your attitude isn't going to get us anywhere. (to Slade) Please? (gesturing to the seat) |
| Slade | (sits) |
| Craven | Listen, we've got "skills" that you might appreciate and we are looking for work. That's all. |
| Slade | (rubs his chin) You're not locals - that's obvious. But you have to understand that we don't go hiring just anybody. You could be moles or members of a rival guild, for all I know. (thinks for a moment) Be outside warehouse number seven on Candle Avenue tomorrow at sundown and I'll see what I can do. Bring your weapons and armour. (rises, then addresses Keldirk) You can leave your attitude at home! |
| Keldirk | (raises his middle finger) |
| 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. |