Episode 17 – The Weasel
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/1st LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 2nd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | Somewhere in Del Mord. |
| Date | 25th Readying 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Mid-Morning |
| Azareth | (opening his eyes, the light shooting pain into his brain) Arghh! Where... am... I? |
| Voice | Good, you're awake, now I can get down to business. |
Azareth averted his gaze from the blinding light - perhaps a lantern - and sought the comfort of darkness. He was dimly aware of a door slamming shut. In time his vision returned and he began to make out shapes. There was a table and a cupboard, or was it a statue? He could see several oddly shaped, shiny objects on the table which he was unable to identify. Beyond the table was a stone wall that glistened in the lantern light; perhaps the walls were covered in water or slime, Azareth reasoned. The mage wiggled his fingers and toes, relieved to have them respond. Another jolt of pain blinded Azareth when he tried to roll over. His head felt as though it were split in twain, and he dimly remembered the events that lead up to his predicament. He knew that the best thing he could do was clear his mind and try to regain the use of his mental faculty; if he couldn't move at least he could think! He called on his years of training and began some complex thought exercises which he knew would bring calm and understanding.
| Azareth | (his mind clearing) Ahh, that's better. Now - where am I? (breathes deeply through his nose) I can smell offal, faeces and mildew - perhaps I am underground - near the sewer. (Listens intently) Yes, a sewer! That would explain the sound of running water and the wet walls. (Tries to separate his arms and legs but finds them bound.) So, I am bound too. It feels like... rope... or cord. (tries to slide one wrist from his bonds but finds he can barely move and inch) At least they haven't gagged me. Hmm, who is they? (tries to recall the name of the man who accosted him)Gregor. Never heard of him - but he sure knew me. He knew my Vincent alias and he knew the others would be engaged which meant... Gregor was part of the Thieves Guild! Or at least he knew enough about the Guild to know there was a job on tonight. So, what does the guild want with me? |
Azareth's thoughts were interrupted as a door opened and he heard the sound of approaching feet. He heard the sloshing of liquid in a bucket before he was drenched in foul smelling water.
| Voice | Wake up! Time to die! |
| Azareth | (coughing and spluttering) |
| Voice | At this point I usually like to introduce me'self. Me name's Toothless Andy. I'm here to ask a few... questions. |
| Azareth | (opening his eyes he sees an overweight, bare-chested man standing before him) What do you want to know? (coughs and winces in pain) |
| Toothless Andy | (laughs) Everything. I want to know everything. Let's start with the basics. What is your name? |
| Azareth | (realises truth could be his best weapon) Azareth. |
| Toothless Andy | Where are you from? |
| Azareth | Westwall. |
| Toothless Andy | Huh? Where's that? |
| Azareth | A small, port city in the Hold of The Sea Princes. |
| Toothless Andy | Are you shitting me? |
| Azareth | (does nothing to hide his fear) Noooo. Never. Just don't hurt me! |
| Toothless Andy | You keep answering my questions and you might just walk outa here alive! Now, why are you in Del Mord? |
| Azareth | I seek employment and hope to join the mage's academy. |
| Toothless Andy | What kind of employment? |
| Azareth | (hesitates) I'm not sure, yet. Maybe hire myself out as a bodyguard. |
| Toothless Andy | Hmmm. |
There was a long pause before another voice broke the silence.
| Voice | I am going to ask you several questions. I will not repeat myself. You will answer each one succinctly and without bullshit. If I have reason to believe you are lying, Azareth, I will have Andy remove your tongue. That would make spellcasting difficult, wouldn't it? |
| Azareth | (nods) Yes. |
| Voice | You know about the Thieves Guild. What exactly do you know? Who told you? What is your relationship with the man who shares your room and the two fellows who occupy room number five? Why are you really in Del Mord? |
| Azareth | (swallows hard) Three associates of mine petitioned for entry into the Thieves Guild. I don't know much more about it. (hurries on) I know that the guild is run by thieves who conduct all manner of nefarious business but that's about all. (decides to gamble) I know of one thief; but I refuse to divulge his name. My colleague, Creighton, asked me if I would be interested in joining the guild. I declined the offer. I was present when a meeting between my colleagues and a thief begun but was asked to leave before guild business was discussed. Creighton, the man I share a room with, was my travelling companion. I met Craven and Valrorn in a tavern called The Warhorse. I came to Del Mord in the hopes to make my fortune and join the academy of magic. |
| Voice | I almost believe you. Almost. Andy, see if you can loosen his tongue. Find out why he is here in Del Mord, who he works for and what interest he, or his friends, have in the guild. If he isn't forthcoming with information, you have my permission to kill him. |
| Toothless Andy | Oh, thank you Haldar. I will get the truth out of him if it's the last thing he does. (laughs gleefully) |
| Haldar | (leaves) |
Azareth withstood the horrible torture for some hours, drawing upon otherworldy assistance to see him through. Every assassin was trained in a special form of meditation should they ever be tortured, but only a select few assassins knew that divine aid came from Vypre - the patron of assassins. Azareth stuck to his story in the hope his life would be spared.
| Toothless Andy | (inspecting his handiwork) Well mage, I do believe you're telling the truth. (smiles a toothless smile) Heh! I must be getting better; most folks are either dead by now or telling me anything to get me to stop. (splashes water on Azareth) There, that's better. Not so red. Hmm, perhaps I should tend to your wounds. Ha! Not bloody likely. Rest up, Azareth, I'll be back in a few hours. If you're still alive then you'll probably get to live. (leaves the room) |
| Azareth | (smiles as hear the door slam shut - then falls unconscious) |
Craven, Keldirk and Creighton returned to their rooms at the Silver Gauntlet, a little battered and bruised but still riding the wave of excitement that accompanied the combat. They had washed most of the blood off their cloaks and exposed areas in a horse trough before entering the tavern. The last thing they wanted was to run into Benhi the Leach while covered in gore.
Craven followed Creighton up the stairs to his room. He could not help but be impressed with the warrior's brute strength and could tell that Keldirk was similarly affected. Creighton was now a valued member of the Craven-Keldirk team and Craven silently hoped that it would not take long for Azareth to prove himself in Keldirk's eyes. As far as Craven was concerned, the sooner they could work in harmony - the better.
Craven had just removed his weapon belt in preparation for sleep when there was a knock at the door.
| Keldirk | (loads his crossbow) |
| Craven | (buckles his sword belt back on) Yes? |
| Creighton | It's me, Creighton. Open the door. |
| Craven | (opens the door and motions for Creighton to enter) |
| Creighton | Azareth isn't in the room. His backpack is there but his spellbook is gone. Do you guys know where he is? |
| Keldirk | (unloads his crossbow and yawns) Is that all? Fuck. Azareth's a big boy, Creighton. He's old enough to look after himself; forget about him and get some sleep. |
| Craven | (to Creighton) The last time I saw him he was at Vesper's place. Perhaps he had something to do. I wouldn't worry about him. You might want to check with Vesper tomorrow. Until then get some sleep. There's nothing we can do about Azareth now. |
| Creighton | (thinks for a moment before answering) You're probably right. I've been with him for so long I kind of got used to him being around. (nods and opens the door to leave) I'll see you in the morning. (leaves) |
Creighton returned to his room and left Craven and Keldirk to sleep. The warrior removed his weapons and armour and tried to bandage his wounds as best as he could. He cleaned both longswords thoroughly and then climbed into his inviting bed. He was bone tired, more tired than ever before and it wasn't long before he was fast asleep.
When he woke he discovered that Azareth had still not returned. Creighton buckled on his chainmail and swords and headed to the common room. He ordered a meal and joined Craven and Keldirk at their table.
| Creighton | He's still not back. |
| Craven | Who? Azareth? |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Craven | (looks to Keldirk) Do you think we should go and look for him? |
| Keldirk | Nup. |
| Creighton | (ignores Keldirk and addresses Craven quietly) You said last night we might want to ask Vesper if he has seen him? |
| Keldirk | (slams his fork into the table) Listen! (drops his voice to a whisper and covers his mouth with his hand) If we go to Saradock every time something strange happens he'll think we are unable to look after ourselves. Shit - if I was to run to Vesper every time Craven didn't return home for the night I would already be on my way back to the Olmans. |
| Craven | (to Creighton) He has a point. It's possible Azareth spent the night with a whore. You never know - he might come strolling back in here any time with a big satisfied smile on his face. |
| Creighton | (shakes his head) Nah, Azareth isn't the type to go wenching. I'm going to go to Saradock and see if he knows anything. |
| Keldirk | Don't be stupid, Creighton. If the mage has gotten himself in trouble then that's his bad luck. There's nothing we can do about it. What do think Saradock will tell you? |
| Creighton | I don't know. Maybe he asked Azareth to do something for him? |
| Keldirk | (nods) Okay. Now think about it. If Azareth is doing a job for Saradock - and we weren't told - then maybe we aren't supposed to know! Just forget about him. |
| Craven | He's right, Creighton. There's nothing we can do right now. If he hasn't turned up in a few days we'll go to Saradock. Okay? |
| Creighton | I suppose. |
The three assassins finished their breakfast then went shopping. They had to replace their bloodied cloaks and various other sundry items. When they returned to the Silver Gauntlet, a little before lunch, the barman waved them over.
| Creighton | What? |
| Barman | The man in the far corner wants to speak with the three of you. (nods his head toward a lone figure seated at a round table) |
| Creighton | Thanks. (crosses the tavern to the table) |
| Craven | (hands the barman a copper piece, then follows Creighton) |
| Keldirk | (pulls up a stool by the bar and orders a drink) |
| Barman | Aren't you going to go over. |
| Keldirk | Mind your business, arsehole. |
| Barman | Screw you! (walks away) |
The lone figure watched as Creighton and Craven approached. His eyes narrowed when he saw Creighton had clenched his knuckles.
| Creighton | (pulls up a chair at the lone man's table) I'm Creighton. Who are you? |
| Craven | (stands next to Creighton, a hand on his sabre) |
| Man | I am a friend of Slade. He asked me to give you a message. |
| Creighton | Well spit it out, man. What are you waiting for? |
| Man | (smiles and leans back in his chair) |
| Craven | (hands over 2 copper pieces) |
| Man | (sweeps up the coins) Have you ever heard of The Pit? |
| Creighton | Yes. Go on. |
| Man | (covers his mouth with his sleave and lowers his voice) Be there tonight - at seven bells. Slade has arranged a meeting for you with a man called Simpkin. (leans forward) He is an extremely powerful individual and your lives are in his hands. Don't fuck up! (stands up and leaves) |
Creighton nodded and watched as the man left the tavern. Keldirk approached the table and sat down alongside Craven.
| Keldirk | (in hushed tones) What was that all about? |
| Craven | We have a meeting with someone called Simpkin. Heard of him? |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) When? |
| Craven | Tonight. At seven bells. |
| Creighton | Do you think it has something to do with Azareth? |
| Craven | No, I don't think so. He mentioned Slade's name and Azareth has nothing to do with Slade. |
| Keldirk | (snorts derisively) Will you just forget about Azareth! We're better off without him. With any luck he's floating face down in a sewer- |
| Creighton | (grabs Keldirk by the collar and twists his wrist, causing Keldirk to choke) If you continue with this 'I hate Azareth bullshit' I'll knock your head off. (pushes Keldirk backward, almost tipping him off his chair) |
| Keldirk | (regains his composure) And I thought you were smart. (shakes his head) |
| Craven | Cut it out, guys. (to Keldirk) I think this Simpkin chap is a senior guild member. I guess they're going to grant us entry to the guild. They must've been happy with our efforts last night. (smiles) |
| Keldirk | (laughs sarcastically) Considering what they do to those who fail, I damned well hope they're happy! |
| Creighton | What does that mean? |
| Keldirk | One of the other thugs who were guarding last night ran away as the watchmen arrived. Croweye killed him before he clear. I guess failure was not an option for us last night. |
| Craven | Shit. They could've told us. |
| Keldirk | Don't be ridiculous. Of course they weren't going to tell us the price of failure. They wanted to test our loyalties and skill without any undue pressure. (shrugs) They wanted to see if we'd stick around no matter how hot things got. |
| Craven | (looks to Creighton) It's a good thing the fight went our way. Hell, when the guards arrived I was thinking about leaving - that is, until Creighton here leaped into the fray. |
| Creighton | I'm not one to hang back. (smiles) |
The sun was low on the horizon when the three assassins approached a large stone building on a major street in Del Mord's Foreign Quarter. Despite the coolness of the day, Craven had decided not to wear his new cloak for the breeze had a hint of warmth and blew through the streets like a herald of warmer weather. He was beginning to regret that decision as his money pouches were likely to make an inviting target for any cutpurses in the busy street. The streets were crowded as revellers began the nightly search for entertainment after a long day's work and with each passing step more and more people seemed to converge at the entrance to the building.
| Creighton | This looks like the place. |
| Keldirk | What gave it away - the address or the bloody big sign that says "The Pit"? |
| Creighton | Get Stuffed. |
| Craven | Looks pretty popular. |
| Keldirk | I'll say. Hold on to your purses. |
The three assassins waited in line then climbed the bluestone stairs that lead to the entrance of The Pit. The building was double story and very well presented. Red drapes hung from the windows and torches bathed the area with a flickering light and gave off a subtle perfumed fragrance. At the top of the stairs, in a small foyer with three curtained exits, stood four burly, heavily armed and armoured men.
| Bouncer #1 | Evening chaps. Been here before? |
| Craven | (shakes his head in the negative) What have you got to offer? |
| Bouncer #1 | (looking at the assassins' cache of weapons) First things first. We don't permit weaponry in The Pit and we charge a holding fee if you want to leave it with us. Most people leave their weapons at home when coming here. May I suggest next time you do the same; it will save you a few coins. The Pit is actually three places in one. To my left is The Palace; a tavern where semi-naked women dance to exotic music and the beer flows freely. There is a cover charge of one golden orb for entry but the ale is subsidised. Fighting is not permitted and any attempt to do so will just get you bruised and a night in the Foreign Quarter Holding Pens. For this reason, The Palace is a safe place for people to have a drink and watch beautiful women dance - without worrying about trouble-makers. The clientele is mostly well-to-do commoners or adventurers, like yourselves, who are looking for a quiet night out. |
| Craven | This has to be the most well-spoken, well-informed, polite bouncer in the history of the Oerth! |
| Bouncer #1 | (continuing with his spiel) Behind me is the entrance to The Pit; a gladiatorial arena that operates every weekend. The owner of the Arena brings in monsters and the like to battle the resident warriors. Once a month we open the arena to the public. These fights are very popular and strictly governed. It gives people the opportunity to air their grievances without having to worry about permanent injury or death. The Master of the Pit has healing magics on hand to cope with unexpected accidents, but on the whole the fights run pretty smoothly. Of course, there is an entry fee - also a gold piece - but betting is allowed; in fact encouraged. To my right is The Wheel Room. It is a gambling hall with low table limits that allows commoners to experience the joys of gambling, something they cannot afford to do in other gambling halls. Meals can be ordered and there is a well stocked bar if you would like a drink. There is a sizeable lounge area where you can rest, talk with your colleagues and eat your meal. |
| Keldirk | We've got a meeting with a man called Simpkin; he is expecting us. Where will we find him? |
| Bouncer #1 | Ah. Simpkin is the manager of The Wheel - you'll find him through there. (points to the opening on his right) Just tell one of the serving girls your names and that you have a meeting with Mr Furzear and take a seat in the lounge. |
| Craven | Thanks. (begins to walk through the curtain, but is stopped by the bouncer) |
| Bouncer #1 | Your weapons, gentlemen? |
The three assassins checked in their weapons and paid the holding fee before entering The Wheel. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim light. The room was lavishly appointed but where money was spent on furnishings it was saved on lighting. Only the gambling tables and the bar were illuminated, the rest of the room was cloaked in semi-darkness. This fact, of course, suited the three assassins just fine.
The trio walked down a few stairs to a lounge, sat down and took in their surroundings. The Wheel Room was surprisingly large with no less than twenty gaming tables, a long mahogany bar that run fully two thirds the length of the room and a sizeable lounge area. Along one wall rose a wooden staircase that lead to a large, overhanging room which overlooked the gambling hall. Nothing could been seen through the smoked glass windows of this room, but the assassins knew that was where Simpkin would be. Formally dressed waitresses and croupiers worked diligently to cater to the patrons' every need who - in turn - were returning the favour, it seemed, by spending up big on drinks and gambling freely.
Several moments passed before a waitress came to the assassins' lounge for an order. Craven told her their names and said that Simpkin Furzear was expecting them. She hurried up the stairs to the room that overlooked the gambling hall, knocked on the door and entered.
| Craven | Remember, Keldirk, leave the talking to me. You have a nasty habit of getting under people's skin and we don't want to burn our bridge before we get to it. |
| Keldirk | Yeah, yeah - whatever you say Mr. Personality. |
The door to the overhanging room opened and the waitress emerged. She came down the stairs and straight to the assassin's table.
| Waitress | Mr Furzear will see you now. |
| Keldirk | Thanks love. How about a kiss? (closes his eyes and opens his lips, his tongue moving from side to side like some demented worm) |
| Craven | Leave her alone, you idiot. Come on, let's go. |
The trio climbed the stairs and Craven knocked lightly on the lacquered door. The door was opened and a small, gaudily dressed halfling motioned for them to enter. Once they had entered the room the halfling closed, and locked, the door behind them.
| Halfling | I am Simpkin Furzear. Some people call me Simpkin the Weasel. Those that do mustn't enjoy walking in the land of the living. Take a seat (gestures to a black leather, bucket-seated lounge) and help yourself to a drink. (points to a carafe of wine and three glasses on a nearby table, then walks behind his large desk and sits in a tall, high-backed chair) |
| Keldirk | (leans on the arm of the couch) I'd rather stand, thank you all the same. |
| Simpkin | (looks up at Keldirk and scowls) Perhaps you didn't hear me. I said take a seat! |
| Keldirk | And I said, I'd rather stand, thank you |
| Simpkin | Sit down, or get out! |
| Keldirk | (grudgingly sits down and is surprised to see that Simpkin now sits above him) Ah, now I understand: this little halfling has an height complex; how cute. |
| Simpkin | (lights a cigar and draws on it deeply) Slade has told me of your exploits and has petitioned for you to join our club. It just so happens that I am in need of new recruits so perhaps we can strike a deal. But first, I would like to know a bit more about you; please introduce yourselves. |
| Craven | (rises to shake Simpkin's hand, drawing himself up to his full height as he does) I am Craven of Karaban. I am trained in both thievery and swordplay and believe I will make an excellent addition to your ranks. Like my colleagues I have only recently arrived in Del Mord and, as such, come to you with no reputation or infamy; rival guilds will have no idea who we are. This (pointing to Creighton) is Creighton who hails originally- |
| Simpkin | He has a mouth, I presume? Let him speak for himself. Take a seat, Craven. I won't have mutated giants towering over me in my own office. |
| Craven | (smiles wryly) But of course, Mr Furzear. |
| Simpkin | (exhaling clouds of smoke he looks to Creighton) Well... .? |
| Creighton | My name is Creighton. I'm not really sure where I come from and I fight. As long as I am paid, I am content. I enjoy what I do and give my all to everything I set out to achieve; you can't ask for more than that from a fella, can you? |
| Simpkin | No, Creighton, I guess I can't. And you... .? (looks to Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | (lounges back in his seat, he takes a long draught from his glass - making Simpkin wait) Ah, a fine wine you have here, Simpkin. Thank you. So, you want to know a bit about me? Well, I am a simple man; what you see is what you get. I won't put on any airs or graces - I'll tell you how it is and I won't put up with any shit. That's all. |
| Simpkin | Are you trained? |
| Keldirk | Of course. |
| Simpkin | Well. (looks from man to man) Your collective anonymity is a blessing. I envisage a use for you three in the very near future. (scratches his ear with a stubby finger) I would like to suggest one thing, however. I'm not comfortable with the idea of you staying at the Silver Gauntlet. Being in such close proximity to Benhi the Leach can often make manoeuvring difficult. I want you to consider changing taverns. The Warhorse is not far away and will serve as a much less threatening home base for now. |
| Craven | (nods) We can do that. |
| Keldirk | How many thieves guilds are there in Del Mord? |
| Simpkin | (billowing clouds of smoke) Let me see. (using his cigar to count of fingers on his left hand) There is mine of course, the Foreign Quarter Guild. We number approximately forty members, give or take a dozen. There is a guild in the High Quarter, and the Garden Quarter - both beyond the Inner Wall. Another in the Artisan's quarter, though they don't tend to involve themselves with business outside their district, getting most of their income from protection money and the like. The Old City has the largest guild but the members there are relatively unskilled and don't venture outside their boundaries all that often. (swapping hands he continues to count of the guilds) The River Quarter guild poses the biggest problem as they are very aggressive in their thievery, often encroaching on my territory. So, what is that... .six guilds in one town. Oh, I almost forgot, there is also a Beggar's Union. So seven. Seven guilds. |
| Craven | Why hasn't one guildmaster taken control of the others - surely that would be a more equitable solution in the long run... .? |
| Simpkin | Of course, but things aren't quite so clear cut. Each guildmaster protects his or her own territory with extreme force which makes information gathering within that territory a virtually impossible task. Many years ago the River Quarter guild launched an attack on our stronghold; only to find the warehouse empty of everything except lethal traps. Heh, heh. Even after all these years that memory makes me smile. (smiles broadly and blows a smoke ring into the already cloudy atmosphere) |
| Craven | But you sent us into the River Quarter last night to steal a waterclock? Won't that precipitate another war. |
| Simpkin | (laughs) Hell no. The only full member of my guild who took part last night was Croweye and, by all accounts, he stayed well back. |
| Keldirk | Bullshit - he unlocked the gates. |
| Simpkin | (glares at Keldirk - his voice flat but full of danger) Don't ever contradict me, human. You have been warned. (forces a smile) Like I was saying, none of the thieves were members of my guild which means none of the bodies will be recognised. They will complain and whine about territorial infringements but who cares? The cart got away and, I am assured, it was not followed. In fact, Slade tells me it all went quite well. Each of you killed members of the city watch and at least one member of the River Quarter Guild. That pleases me no end. (smiles evilly, smoke trailing from his nostrils) But before I grant you membership in my august guild, there is a small matter I want to discuss. |
| Craven | Yes? |
| Simpkin | (pulls on a velvet cord that hung from the ceiling) |
Suddenly a secret door in the back of the room swung open and Azareth was flung on the floor at the assassins' feet. He was bloodied and bruised and looked barely alive. Craven placed a restraining hand on Creighton who, it seemed, was about to run to the mage's aid.
| Simpkin | (leans forward and smiles menacingly) I see you recognise him. We need to talk. |
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