Episode 20 – Who Ya Gonna Call?
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 1st Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 1st Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 1st/2nd LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 2nd level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The River Snag Hostel (Harry's). |
| Date | 3rd Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late afternoon |
The four assassins had arranged accommodations in the River Quarter at a run-down boarding house called The River Snag Hostel. The proprietor, a thin weed of a man called Harry, showed little interest in anything other than the one silver piece he charged for rent. The room was threadbare and ill-kept, the four pallets occupied the majority of the floorspace. The window was little more than a tiny slit, it allowed a small amount of light into the room and offered a limited view of the dark waters of the Harp.
| Azareth | (turns up his nose at his surrounds) I preferred the Silver Gauntlet. |
| Keldirk | Stop complaining. I think it's perfect. |
| Craven | (looks quizzically at Keldirk) You do? |
| Keldirk | Sure. The comforts of the larger taverns were making me soft. (looks around the room) Here I can keep my edge. |
| Azareth | I could have used a table. |
| Creighton | (shakes out his bed) Yeah, and a few less critters. |
Craven and Keldirk spent most of their time scouring themselves with pumice, soap and a disgusting herbal paste concocted by Azareth. After three days, the assassins were relieved to find the blue pigment had all but disappeared from their skin.
Azareth sent word to Saradock regarding their new address and arranged a meeting with Salvor Harding and set the wheels in motion to become a member of the Del Mord Academy of Magic. He socialised little and spent long hours studying the orb and the astrological charts within his spellbook.
Creighton spent his time familiarising himself with the local taverns and gambling halls of the River Quarter. His favourite tavern, by far, was the Green Dragon where he could do a little drinking and indulge in his favourite pastime - gambling. He made the acquaintance of three unruly individuals, Shayne, Macca and Calahan, each of which shared Creighton's love for cards, dice and beer.
After dinner on the third day of Coldeven Azareth organised for his three companions to meet in the room.
| Creighton | What's this all about. I've got a game of dice starting soon. |
| Azareth | I've reached a decision regarding the orb and the hundred platinum. |
| Keldirk | Oh you have, have you? Who died and made you boss? |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) Give it a rest. |
| Azareth | The orb is magical and while I am yet to unlock its secrets, I sense it could prove useful in future exploits. |
| Craven | What does it do? |
| Azareth | I'm not sure, yet. But there is a power in the orb that could be harnessed - I only have to figure out how it can be accessed. Once my entrance to the academy is finalised I will have access to their libraries. The books therein will be an invaluable resource and should assist me in my research. |
| Creighton | So what was the decision you made? |
| Azareth | I was getting to that. I think it would be unwise to hand over a potentially valuable resource such as this. (indicates the orb on his bed) |
| Craven | What if the guild know what was in the box? Keeping it from them could get us all killed. |
| Keldirk | Is it worth risking our lives over something we can't use? I'd rather keep the money. |
| Azareth | Here is what I have been thinking: if asked, we tell the guild exactly what we found - money and a box. We have to assume that they know about both items; it's the worst case scenario. Instead of denying possession we hand them this. (pulls out the box - scorched and damaged beyond repair) We tell them we opened the box and it exploded. (shrugs) It's the truth. |
| Creighton | (examines the damaged box) You did this? |
| Azareth | (nods) Yes. |
| Craven | (nods) That's fine with me. |
| Keldirk | But if they don't ask we get to keep the money, right? |
| Azareth | Correct. |
| Creighton | (looks bored) Can I go now? |
| Azareth | (nods) |
| Creighton | (leaves) |
| Craven | (to Azareth) When do you become a member of the academy? |
| Azareth | Soon. Very soon. |
| Keldirk | (thinks) Hey. We'd better contact someone from the thieves guild. They're not going to have a clue how to contact us. |
| Craven | Good thinking. I guess we could go to The Pit? |
| Keldirk | I was thinking we get in contact with Slade. In fact, I'll go and see Slick to arrange it. |
| Craven | I'll come. |
| Keldirk | Whatever - do what you want. |
| Azareth | I'll be here. |
| Keldirk | (to Azareth) Don't do anything stupid. |
Craven and Keldirk made their way through the streets of Del Mord to the Foreign Quarter, happy to finally be out of the confines of their room. It was still too early to make contact with the sleazy information merchant so they waited several hours at The Warhorse. After a few drinks Keldirk spied Slick standing at his usual spot and the two assassins left the tavern to meet him.
| Slick | (eyes the two newcomers warily) Evening gents. |
| Keldirk | (nods) Slick. |
| Slick | What can I do for ya? If it's women you want, my girls are busy but they'll be free soon enough. |
| Craven | (shakes his head) No. |
| Keldirk | (covering his mouth) We need you to contact Slade again. |
| Slick | (eyes narrow momentarily before he recognises the two assassins) Oh - it's you two. I would have thought you'd be able to contact him yourselves by now. |
| Keldirk | No, that's why we're here, stupid. |
| Slick | (smiles) Sure. (looks away whistling tunelessly) |
| Craven | Pay the man. (smiles) |
| Keldirk | (looks at Craven before removing one silver noble and handing it to Slick) That should cover it, and leave some left over for some information. |
| Slick | (taking the coin) What do you want to know? |
| Craven | It's been a while since we've spoken to you. What's some of the local news? |
| Slick | Things have been pretty quiet since that guy Sergeant Dunne was killed. The watch have increased patrols and arrested a few thieves. Two have been hanged and several more sent to the Workhouse. We had some merchant come into town last week who got himself attacked on the North road by goblins. Aside from that it's been a low news week, if you get my meaning. |
| Keldirk | (nods) Tell Slade we'll be in The Warhorse. |
| Slick | (nods and begins to walk away) |
| Craven | Hey, have you had any word from Jock? |
| Slick | No, should I? |
| Craven | We asked him to do something for us and he was going to contact us through you. |
| Slick | I haven't heard from him in a while. As soon as I do, I'll let you know. Where are you staying? |
| Craven | The River Snag Hostel. |
| Slick | Where's that? |
| Craven | The River Quarter - on Skullspin alley. |
| Slick | (nods and walks away) |
| Keldirk | (to Craven) We should get in good with Slick - he'll be able to keep us up to date with what's going on in town. You never know when his information could be useful. |
| Craven | (nods) Sure. |
The pair returned to The Warhorse and waited for Slick or Slade to find them. While they waited they consumed a few more ales and watched a fight out the back. The hours passed and the taproom was almost empty by the time Slick returned. He approached their table while signalling to a serving girl for an ale. He sat down and remained silent until his ale arrived.
| Slick | I've got a message for you. (he picks up the ale and begins to drink, ignoring the serving girl who waits patiently for her money. He finishes the drink and places the mug on her tray) |
| Waitress | (looks at Slick) The money? |
| Slick | What? Oh he'll pay for it. (indicates Craven) |
| Craven | (reaches into his pouch and pays for Slick's ale) |
| Slick | (waits for the girl to leave then leans in, his voice barely a whisper) Slade wants you to go to a gambling hall called The Pit, tomorrow night. He told me he wants all four of you there. |
| Craven | (to Slick) Was there anything else? |
| Slick | Nup. (stands and leaves the tavern) |
The following evening the four assassins left the River Quarter and made their way to The Pit. As usual a large crowd had gathered outside and it was the better part of an hour before the group entered The Wheel. Once inside they were ushered directly into Simpkin's office.
| Simpkin | Sit down, boys. (waits until they are all seated) You're no longer staying at the Silver Gauntlet which is good; where are you staying now? |
| Azareth | We have found alternate lodgings in the River Quarter, at a place called The River Snag Hostel. |
| Simpkin | (lights a cigar) Why did you choose the River Quarter? |
| Craven | (realises a wrong answer could prove dangerous) No real reason. We just wanted to make ourselves scarce. We wanted to maintain our anonymity until you decided what it was you want us to do. |
| Simpkin | Is painting a tavern room blue the way you remain anonymous? |
| Craven | That was ... unfortunate. |
| Simpkin | What happened? |
| Azareth | (cuts in) We had an accident. I found a box the other night and when we opened it, it exploded. The blue dye was a result of the detonation. |
| Simpkin | What was in the box? |
| Azareth | We don't know. The contents of the box are a mystery, whatever it may have been was destroyed in the blast. (reaches into his pouch and slides the broken box across Simpkin's massive desk) |
| Simpkin | Did you find anything else? |
| Azareth | A few coins. |
| Keldirk | (glares at Azareth in silent warning) |
| Simpkin | A few? (raises his bushy eyebrows) |
| Creighton | (coughs uncomfortably) |
| Craven | Quite a few coins. |
| Simpkin | Do I look like a girl to you? |
| Craven | No. |
| Simpkin | Then why are you trying to fuck me like a girl? Exactly how many coins did you find? |
| Azareth | One hundred. |
| Simpkin | One hundred gold; that's a lot of money. (leans back in his chair and puffs on his cigar) Where is the money? |
| Azareth | In a safe place - we'll bring it to you tomorrow. |
| Simpkin | (smiles) Good. Keep ten gold pieces for yourself. |
| Azareth | You are too generous, Simpkin. |
| Simpkin | I know - it's one of my failings. (exhales a cloud of smoke) Let's get one thing straight: when you work for me you don't hide anything. No one, but no one lies to me! Those that do never lie again! (pulls on a thin velvet cord that hangs from the ceiling) Pour yourselves a drink; I'll have brandy. |
A few moments later the secret door in the rear of Simpkin's office opened and a thin, well dressed man entered. He carried a leather satchel under one arm and extended his other to Simpkin. The halfling rose and shook the newcomer's hand indicating that he should take a seat.
| Simpkin | (indicates the newcomer) This is Mickey Amin Moritz, my business associate. |
| Mickey | (flashes a silken smile) Well met, gentlemen. I've heard a lot about you. |
| Keldirk | (confused) You have? |
| Mickey | (nods) Yes, Simpkin and I have been negotiating a potentially lucrative business deal, and we were waiting for the right people to help us close it. From what Simpkin has told me - you four are those people. |
| Azareth | We are? In what way? |
| Mickey | We needed people who did not have a reputation in Del Mord and who were not known to be affiliated with any guild. When Simpkin told me about you I thought you were perfect. Of course, Simpkin needed to be sure of your skills and loyalties, but now that's over the real work can begin. |
| Keldirk | What have you got in mind? (sips his drink) |
| Mickey | (smooths his suit) The guild has recently come into possession of the deed to a building in the River Quarter. (opens his satchel and removes several sheets of paper) It used to be a thriving tavern but was closed several years ago. It is currently occupied by vagrants and used by youths as a place to hide but that should not be a problem. We have a plan to renovate the building and re-open it. |
| Craven | And where do we fit in? |
| Mickey | You guys will be the owners. The business decisions will be made by me but for all intents and purposes the tavern will be yours, with me as the manager. |
| Craven | Somehow, this doesn't strike me as being all roses. What's the catch? |
| Mickey | The tavern was closed because of suspected hauntings. I'm not sure of the veracity of that information but, for whatever reason, the previous owner packed up and left Del Mord without caring to keep up the repayments. After a couple of months, the city took possession of the building and it has been held by them until we bought it. Due to the rumours of haunting, the building was purchased at a fraction of its actual value and we plan to use it to gain a foothold in the River Quarter. |
| Creighton | So is it haunted? |
| Mickey | I have no idea, that's what you are going to find out. |
| Azareth | What does the guild want with a tavern in the River Quarter? |
| Simpkin | Once you get it up and running, the River Quarter thieves guild will undoubtedly make contact with you and anything you learn will be forwarded to me. We will use it as a safe-house for any of my operatives who are in the area. It will also serve as a storage place, the River Quarter guild gain a lot of income from illicit cargoes and, basically, I want a piece of the action. |
| Creighton | What's the tavern called? |
| Mickey | It was called The Whistler, and I see no reason to change its name. I need each of you to sign this deed before we can proceed further. (passes the paper and quill around the table) |
| Simpkin | While the tavern will be run by Mickey Moritz, you will be given free room and board as payment for your part in this venture. What I want you to do now is clear the tavern of its current inhabitants, and verify that the place isn't haunted. |
| Creighton | What if it is haunted? |
| Simpkin | Then get rid of whatever is haunting it. Do I have spell out everything? (shakes his head) One other thing - I don't want you to come here anymore. The less contact you have with my guild, the better. If, for whatever reason, you need to contact the guild do so through Carmel's Pets in Burrow Heights. Tell the person behind the counter you are interested in purchasing a Blue Breasted, Bottle-Beaked Whistle Blower and you'll be taken care of. |
| Craven | (nods) |
| Mickey | (makes a note on a sheet of paper) I have an office in the River Quarter and I can be contacted there during business hours. (hands Craven the paper) My address is on there. I expect you to contact me as soon as the tavern is cleared to get the renovations underway. |
There was a knock at the door and a tall, well dressed croupier entered the room.
| Croupier | Excuse me Mr Furzear. We have a problem downstairs that requires your immediate attention. |
| Simpkin | (scowls) I'll be there in a minute. (to the assassins and Mickey Moritz) That will be all for now. |
The assassins left the Pit and gathered outside in a nearby alley.
| Craven | What now? |
| Creighton | Let's go check out our tavern. (smiles) I've always wanted to own a bar. Heck, I grew up in a tavern. |
| Azareth | If I recall correctly, you spent most of your time in the stables. |
| Creighton | Yeah - close enough. |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) What about you? |
| Keldirk | Let's go. I've got nothing else to do tonight. |
It was approaching midnight when the assassins found the large, seemingly abandoned building called The Whistler. It was situated on Harpview Road, just off The Strip - the main thoroughfare in the River Quarter. The lower level of the tavern was made of stone and the upper two stories constructed of wood. A wooden stable with loft stood beside and an alley along side it lead to the rear of the tavern. The windows were boarded over but it was apparent that the boards had been removed from the front doors.
| Creighton | Nice place. The stone construction is a bonus; it will look good with a little work. |
| Keldirk | A lot of work. |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) I'm going to go down the alley to scout around. Interested? |
| Keldirk | Yep. (to Azareth and Creighton) Watch the front doors, if you hear us yell come running. |
| Creighton | Okay. |
Craven and Keldirk moved down the narrow alley, their weapons drawn. At the rear of The Whistler the alley formed a crossroads. One branch continued straight for several yards before turning to the right, another went parallel with the rear of the tavern then turned and ran onto a main road, the third branch lead straight between two buildings and opened out onto The Strip.
The rear door of The Whistler was similarly stripped of its boarding and swung freely in the slight breeze.
| Keldirk | (meets Craven at the intersection) That's a bonus. |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | (thumbs down one branch of the alley) There's a manhole at that corner which gives us convenient sewer access. |
| Craven | Hmph. (motions to the door) Do you want to go in? |
| Keldirk | Without the others? |
| Craven | Why not? I don't expect much resistance. |
| Keldirk | (smiles) What about the ghost? |
| Craven | (sarcastically) Ooh, I'm scared. |
Craven lit his lantern, opened the rear door and allowed Keldirk to move silently inside.
| Keldirk | (whispers over his shoulder to Craven) It's an empty kitchen. There is light in the room beyond. You won't need your lantern. |
| Craven | (nods, shutters his lantern and places it by the door before following Keldirk inside) |
| Keldirk | (crosses the kitchen to a swinging door - pushes it open and peeks through. He turns back to Craven holding up four fingers) Two old men and two kids. There is a small woodfire in the centre of the room. You go first. |
| Craven | (steps past Keldirk, pushes open the door and enters the room) Stay where you are! If you run you die. (crosses the room to the startled inhabitants) |
| Old Man #1 | Wha? Who? Wha? (begins to rock back and forth, staring blankly into the fire) |
| Old Man #2 | It's the Reaper! We're doomed. |
| Child #1 | (screams and runs around Craven to the kitchen door) |
| Child #2 | (stunned) |
| Keldirk | (grabs Child #1 by his hair and slits the child's throat with his dagger) |
| Child #1 | (dies) |
| Keldirk | (tosses the limp body into the room) Anyone else want to die? |
| Child #2 | (screams) |
| Old Man #2 | (reaches for his wineskin and gulps down the contents) |
| Old Man #1 | (continues to rock, seemingly oblivious to his surrounds) |
| Craven | Does anybody know anything about a ghost? |
| Keldirk | (peers into the shadows and searches for other threats) |
| Old Man #2 | (his eyes glazed) Jessica, make sure the cows are in the top paddock. |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | He's drunk. (looks at the three people) They aren't going to be able to tell us anything. |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) So what do we do with them? |
| Keldirk | Kill them. |
| Craven | You're on your own with that. I'll go and check the rest of the building. |
After a quick search of the three storey building, Craven could find no other occupants. One room in the third level was filled with millions of insects and exuded a horrible stench. Craven surmised that someone had died in the room and the rotting corpse was providing food for the insect horde. Keldirk quickly dispatched the three squatters and dragged the four bodies to the kitchen just inside the back door. Craven met Keldirk in the common room and opened the front door to call Azareth and Creighton inside.
| Creighton | What happened: I heard screaming? |
| Keldirk | Nothing - just pest control. |
| Craven | The building is empty. Most of the furnishings have been pulled apart and used as firewood. |
| Creighton | Any sign of a ghost? |
| Craven | (shakes his head) Not as far as I can tell. (to Azareth) Can you sense any spiritual presence. |
| Azareth | No, I'm not a necromancer. |
| Keldirk | So what now? Do we move in? |
| Craven | I guess so - that way we'll be able to discourage anyone else from moving in. I don't mind moving again, that River Snag Hostel is a dive. |
| Azareth | Okay, it's settled we move in here tomorrow. |
As the assassins left the tavern, the air in the common room chilled appreciably. Two baleful, other-worldly eyes watched as the front door was closed.
| The Adventurers |
Agarat Kaak'erek Maximillian Reiken Selzcek |
| Locale | Unknown |
| Date | 3rd Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Unknown |
In a subterranean meeting hall, beneath the very streets of Del Mord, a sinister gathering was in progress. The room was dark except for an elaborate, wrought-iron candelabra that adorned the centre of the heavy oaken table. The red tallow candles illuminated only the hands and faces of those seated, lending further ambience to the already baneful atmosphere.
| Agarat | Well, gentleman, as always I have asked you here for a matter of some import. Our illustrious colleague has some portentous news. Mr Gobayuik... |
| Selczek | (the half-orc clasps his hands together, then speaks in a guttural drawl) I have made a discovery which, when perfected, will make us very wealthy men. One of the corpses we recently animated shows considerable promise over that of its fellows. This partic- |
| Maximillian | (jowls wobbling with each word) What kind of promise? |
| Selczek | (sneers) If you would stop interrupting, Lard Arse, you'll find out! |
| Maximillian | (waves of fat undulate as his temper rises) |
| Selczek | This particular zombie is different to the standard stock. Once the animation process was complete I noticed the zombie was faster, stronger and larger than any corpse we had previously animated. It had grown from five and a half feet to well over seven, and appears capable of independent thought- |
| Reiken | What! We don't want our zombies to think! We want them to follow orders. Who is going to buy a zombie that won't do what it's told? It defeats the purpose- |
| Agarat | Settle down, Reiken. We're not for one minute suggesting it will turn on its master, just that it will be able to perform better in a wide variety of situations. I assure you our zombies will be loyal to their owners. |
| Maximillian | I don't like it. (shakes his head, his fat lolling pendulously from side to side) Our customer's need to know they are safe- |
| Selczek | Don't you listen! The zombie does obey orders. What's more it decides how best to carry out those orders. I sent the zombie out last night to kill a beggar. I followed it from a discreet distance and was surprised to learn that the zombie picked up a barrel and crushed the beggar from a distance. |
| Maximillian | Why is that so special, half-breed? |
| Selczek | Because it picked up the barrel on its own accord. I merely pointed out the street-urchin and issued the command to kill. The zombie developed its own method of fulfilling the order, in this case hurling the barrel from a distance. |
| Maximillian | And our regular zombies would just walk up and rip the beggar to pieces? |
| Selczek | Correct. |
| Maximillian | Hmm, interesting. (adjusts one of the many garish rings on his chubby fingers) Where is this creation of yours? |
| Agarat | (looks to a female hobgoblin at his side) Kaak'erek, open the curtain. |
| Kaak'erek | (rises from the table and pulls aside a heavy, red curtain) |
The curtain opened to reveal a darkened alcove. The hobgoblin, Kaak'erek, removed one candle from the central candelabra and entered the area. She carefully lit two torches and returned the candle to the table. The five men seated around the table waited patiently as the torches flickered to life and illuminated the small area in a dim light. Within the alcove stood a man-like figure well over seven feet tall. It's grey pallor and fetid stench immediately betrayed the origin of the creature; a member of the undead. The Undertaker raised one hand and motioned for the creature to step forward.
After only a moment's hesitation the massive body sprung forward. The movement elicited a gasp from all but two of the observers as it leaped ten feet to the head of the table, well within the ring of light. The powerfully muscled limbs moved easily - with a fluid grace unprecendented in others of its ilk. The hands of the creature ended in veritible talons that looked sharp enough to slice through the sturdiest of armour. Perhaps the most remarkable feature, and the one that caused greatest shock to the onlookers, was the zombie's gruesome visage. The face of the towering creature was missing; in its place a terrible lipless mouth that was set into a permanent evil grin. The area which should have held the nose was little more than a hole in the monster's face, but most disturbing of all were its eyes. As the enormous zombie stood at the head of the polished wooden table its eyes turned to look at those seated before it, and in those eyes they saw the glimmer of intelligence.
| Reiken | (staring at the zombie) This is incredible Selczek! I have never seen anything like it. |
| Selczek | (smiles) Welcome to the future. If we manage to duplicate this result we will all but assure ourselves a place at Incabulos' side. |
| Maximillian | (shudders and tears his eyes from the fell creature and focuses on Selczek) What did you do with the face? |
| Selczek | (frowns and thinks for a moment before replying) That was how we found it when we dug it up. Stranger still, the face was there the day of its burial. |
| Maximillian | Are you sure? |
| Selczek | Yes. I performed the autopsy myself. |
| Maximillian | Then who ... or what ... took the face? |
| Selczek | I'm not sure ... yet. There were two people who claimed to be friends of the deceased and when I find them I have a feeling they will be able to assist me in my inquiries. |
| Reiken | It does provide for a frightening visage, Selczek. Perhaps we should do the same to all of our merchandise? (leans forward, clasping his hands before him) What do you plan to do with this? (indicates the zombie) |
| Agarat | We still have some tests to perform. As yet, we have no idea how it will fare against the misguided followers of light. Selczek and I plan to set the creature loose on the population of the old city - targeting temples and shrines until we can gauge its limitations ... and strengths. |
| Selczek | (looks with pride at the zombie) I have no doubt it will perform extremely well ... but there is no harm in being sure. If we're lucky we might even rid ourselves of a few priests. (smiles evilly) |
| Zombie | (flexes its claws) |
| 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. |