Episode 21 – No Walk in the Park
| 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 Whistler. |
| Date | 5th Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Midday. |
Craven was thankful that they had left the squalor of The River Snag Hostel. By midday, they had cleaned out the common room of The Whistler and had layed out their bed-rolls on the stone floor. Azareth announced that he was going to spend the afternoon at the Del Mord Academy of Magic and left the others to their own devices. Creighton took his dice with him and went to the Green Dragon hoping to catch up with Shayne, Macca and Calahan. Craven went to the Scholar's Quarter and signed up with a fencing instructor while Keldirk located Carmel's Pets and purchased some much needed thieving equipment. Soon after sunset, the four assassins gathered in their new home.
| Craven | We should probably set watch in case something does show up. |
| Keldirk | (nods) I'm taking first watch. |
| Craven | I'll take the second. |
| Azareth | I will take the last watch; it gives me an opportunity to study. |
| Creighton | So I get number three. I finally get to spend the night in a haunted house. (laughs) Speaking of haunted houses, I remember one time back in Two Trees when farmer Carl- |
| Azareth | I'm not in the mood for one of your anecdotes, Creighton. |
| Creighton | (snorts) |
| Craven | (looks around the common room of the Whistler) We have been handed a golden opportunity. Not only do we have a place to stay, close affiliations with a resourceful thieves guild, a legitimate business front but also the freedom to do pretty much as we please. (smiles) This situation should have little effect on our Family affairs; we couldn't have arranged this any better if we tried. |
| Keldirk | Yeah, things have worked out quite well assuming, of course, this place isn't haunted. (smiles) |
| Azareth | You don't think it is, Master Keldirk? |
| Keldirk | No, I don't. If this place is haunted do you think the squatters would have been living here? |
| Craven | Good point. (settles down in his bed-roll) Perhaps tonight will provide some answers. |
| Creighton | Why don't we stay in one of the rooms? This stone floor is as hard as... well... stone. |
| Craven | Have you been upstairs Creighton? |
| Creighton | Nup. |
| Craven | Well they stink to high heaven. Gods, one of the rooms has more bugs than Mack Osex! |
| Creighton | Who the hell is Mack Osex? |
| Azareth | He's The Family's poison expert back on the Olmans. He has the largest collection of bugs you are ever likely to see. |
| Creighton | That's revolting. |
| Craven | He's clever though. He makes them look like features in his room, if you didn't know what to look for you wouldn't even know they were bugs. |
An hour into Keldirk's watch there was a noise upstairs - as though someone had stepped on a loose floorboard. Keldirk was on his feet instantly, a knife in each hand.
| Keldirk | (nudges Creighton in the ribs with his foot) Suit up, Creighton, we have company. |
| Creighton | Wha? (shakes off his slumber and begins to don his armour) What is it? |
| Keldirk | (kicks Craven awake) I heard- |
| Voice | (from upstairs) Mariak'duk Diol'mios Na na Reahk. |
| Creighton | (tumbles to the stone floor, magically held) |
| Keldirk | -something upstairs. (kicks Azareth awake) Craven, up the stairs! |
| Craven | (tears his rapier and sabre from their sheathes and charges up the rickety stairs - taking three steps at a time) |
| Keldirk | (follows Craven at a safe distance) |
| Azareth | (buckles on his component belt, and checks Creighton) |
| Craven | (peers around the corner at the top of the stairs - sees nothing) |
| Keldirk | (whispers) I'm right behind you. |
| Craven | I'll go straight - you go right and check that corridor. |
| Keldirk | Gotcha |
| Azareth | (finds Creighton frozen but otherwise unharmed) Creighton - can you hear me? |
| Creighton | (unable to respond to Azareth's query) |
| Azareth | (hears a sound above and behind him - looks up to see a large hole in the ceiling and beyond a goblin taking aim with a hand crossbow) What the... ? |
| Goblin | (shoots - striking Azareth in the shoulder) |
| Azareth | (falls on his back - gravely wounded) Arrghhh! (Azareth screams - all logical thought banished in an instant of intense agony) Goblin! Upstairs! |
| Craven | (hears Azareth's cry - crouches low and moves along the rear wall of the tavern) |
| Keldirk | (peers into each room along the corridor - finds nothing and returns to the stairs) |
| Goblin | (hears Craven's footfalls in the corridor and reloads his crossbow) |
| Craven | (carefully creeps down the centre corridor - checking each room) |
| Goblin | (spins out of the room and fires at Craven - striking him in the thigh) |
| Craven | (staggers back then lurches forward) |
| Keldirk | (hears the commotion, runs back to the stairs) Craven? |
| Goblin | (spins back into the room and flees through a hole in the wall to an adjoining room) |
| Craven | (looks into the dark room and sees a small figure exit through the hole) Keldirk! It's coming your way! |
| Keldirk | (moves forward and crouches low behind the rear chimney - ready to throw - his eyes straining in the darkness) |
| Goblin | (sprints across the corridor to the stairs leading to the top level) |
| Keldirk | (sees movement - throws his knives but misses) |
| Goblin | (unharmed - flees upstairs) |
| Keldirk | It's gone upstairs. (turns around and calls downstairs) We need some light up here! |
| Azareth | (feeling faint, stuggles upright and tries to ignite his lantern) |
| Craven | (limps out into the main corridor) Keldirk - I'm coming out. |
| Keldirk | (moves to greet Craven) It went upstairs. (sees the bolt in Craven's right leg) Are you okay? |
| Craven | (snarls) Yes - I want to kill that little prick. |
| Keldirk | (steps aside) Well, what are you waiting for. (motions for Craven to proceed) |
| Craven | (carefully begins to ascend the stairs) |
| Keldirk | (taps Craven on the shoulder) I'm going to check outside. |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | I want to cut it off if it gets to the roof |
| Craven | (grunts) Okay - tell Azareth to get his arse up here with a lantern. I can't see a damned thing. |
| Keldirk | (nods and runs downstairs) |
| Craven | (waits, not wanting to proceed further without a light source) |
| Keldirk | Mage - make yourself useful for a change: light a lantern and go upstairs. |
| Azareth | I'm trying. (continues to fumble with his tinderbox - finding it difficult to control his shaking hands) |
| Keldirk | (runs out the front door, a knife in each hand. Crosses the street, turns and scans the roof of The Whistler) |
| Azareth | (sweating profusely - finds it hard to concentrate on anything other than the pain in his shoulder) Come on! Get a grip! (continues, unsuccessfully, to light the lantern) |
| Keldirk | (sees a crouched figure emerge from one of the chimney stacks and disappear from sight) Damn! (runs down the alley to the rear of the tavern and peers carefully around the corner but sees nothing) |
| Craven | (slides down the wall - his wounded leg cramping) Hurry up, Azareth |
| Keldirk | (finishes searching the alley then enters the tavern through the backdoor - tripping on a vagrant's corpse) Fuck - forgot about them. (enters the common room) We lost him. He got out through the roof. (looks at Azareth and Creighton) What are you two doing?! |
| Azareth | (frustrated) I'm trying to light this damned lantern. |
| Keldirk | (approaches the mage and looks at Creighton's unmoving form) Is he alive? |
| Azareth | (looking momentarily confused) Yes - he has been ensorcelled. |
| Keldirk | (grabs the tinderbox off Azareth and deftly ignites the lantern) You're baggage, Azareth. It's a shame that bolt didn't kill you. (heads upstairs) |
| Azareth | (looks dejected) What is wrong with me? |
| Craven | (sees Keldirk approach with a lantern) What happened? |
| Keldirk | The goblin escaped across the roof. |
| Craven | Are Azareth and Creighton okay? |
| Keldirk | Creighton is under some sort of spell and can't move. Azareth is as useless as always. |
| Craven | (leans on Keldirk and proceeds downstairs) |
After Craven and Azareth had tended to their wounds, Creighton began to shake off the effects of the spell.
| Creighton | (flexing his arms) That was... strange. |
| Craven | (to Creighton) What happened? |
| Creighton | I couldn't move my arms or legs. It was awful. |
| Azareth | It sounds like you were suffering from the effects of a magical paralysis or enchantment. Did anybody see or hear a spellcaster? |
| Keldirk | There was some mumbo-jumbo after I woke Creighton. |
| Craven | I didn't see anyone but the goblin. |
| Keldirk | Well, I think we've found our ghost. (smiles) He won't be coming back anytime soon. |
| Craven | I didn't hurt him; did you? |
| Keldirk | No. |
| Craven | Then why did he run away? |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) |
| Azareth | The goblin shaman probably perpetuated the myth of ghostly infestation which ensured him a relatively private existence in the heart of a human community. Quite ingenious really. |
| Craven | Well, if I see it again I'll kill it. |
| Creighton | I think that goes for all of us. |
| Keldirk | (confronts Azareth) What is your problem? How long can it take someone to light a lantern? |
| Azareth | I... um... the wound... my hands... I don't know. I just froze. |
| Keldirk | You froze! (spits on the floor) That is unacceptable. Did you learn anything during your apprenticeship? |
| Azareth | (stung by Keldirk's words) Of course; I learnt many things- |
| Keldirk | Not how to react under pressure, it seems. That was the most pathetic display I've ever seen from an assassin. Your tutor should be ashamed! |
| Azareth | It's the wound. (rubs his shoulder gingerly) I was damned near killed! I'd like to see how you react with six inches of steel in you. |
| Keldirk | I'd be able to light a lantern, that's for sure. |
| Azareth | (now angry) You think you are so fucking cool, don't you? You think you are so fucking cool. But just once, I would like to hear you scream in pain- |
| Craven | (feels the air temperature suddenly drop) Can you feel that? (stands) |
| Creighton | (pulls his cloak around his shoulder) What is it? |
| Craven | I don't know - Azareth? |
| Azareth | (his anger forgotten, feels the frigid floor with the palm of his hand) It's not natural- |
| Voice | (little more than a whisper) Leave this tavern! |
The assassins spun around saw a ghostly figure floating nearby. There was a mad scramble for weapons but the figure remained unmoved.
| Keldirk | Who the hell are you? |
| Creighton | What the hell are you? |
| Azareth | (eyes narrow as he tries to determine if the apparition is real or a creature of illusion) |
The ghostly figure floated nearer to the assassins and the temperature dropped appreciably. The ghost had elven features though it was impossible to tell if it was male or female; even its voice gave no clue. Its flowing robes were translucent and rippled in a phantom wind. Its skin, hair, eyes and clothes were brilliant white.
| Ghost | Begone! If you have harmed Runcas you will die. (floats towards the assassins - its hands extended menacingly before it) |
| Craven | (to Azareth) What do we do? |
| Azareth | We get the hell out of here. If it touches you - you die! |
| Ghost | Never return. |
The assassins quickly gathered their belongings, fled the tavern then assembled in a nearby alley.
| Craven | (sarcastically) We handled that well. |
| Azareth | Clearly there is more to this haunting than we originally believed. I think some research is in order. The local history might give us some clue as to the origin of this spectre and from that we may discover a way to get rid of it. |
| Creighton | Who's Runcas? |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) The goblin? |
| Craven | Perhaps. |
| Creighton | So where do we sleep tonight? |
| Keldirk | We paid for a week at Harry's and we have a few days left. |
| Craven | (sarcastically) This just keeps getting better. |
They returned to The River Snag Hostel, grabbed the key from Harry and tried to get some sleep. The next day the assassins woke early and discussed their plans.
| Azareth | I'll visit the Del Mord library and investigate local history. With any luck there will be some useful information concerning The Whistler and its ghostly inhabitant. Perhaps, Creighton, you could speak with the locals and see what they know. (to Craven and Keldirk) You two should make contact with the local elven community and see if they know anything. |
| Keldirk | Local elven community? |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) Vesper might be able to point us in the right direction; I haven't seen many elves in Del Mord but he should know where we could start looking. |
| Keldirk | (nods). |
| Creighton | (feels the onset of a headache) I'll visit a few taverns and mention The Whistler in idle conversation and see what happens. |
After meeting with Saradock, Craven and Keldirk were told that the only place in Del Mord which specifically catered for the elven community was an inn situated in the High Quarter called Saehlir lin-Alhiadyor - an elven name which translated loosely to "Sorrow of Aliador". Craven thanked Saradock and he and Keldirk went to buy some appropriate High Quarter attire. After they had changed Craven and Keldirk sought entrance to the High Quarter. When they reached the gates which separated the High Quarter from the rest of Del Mord, they were stopped by one of the guards.
| Guard | Good afternoon, gentlemen. |
| Craven | Hello. |
| Guard | (looks the now well dressed assassins up and down) Where are you headed? |
| Craven | To an inn called Sorrow of Aliador. |
| Guard | (chuckles) You'll get no good reception there I'm afraid. |
| Craven | (nods) Unfortunately we have little choice in the matter. We are meeting some friends there. Perhaps you could direct us. |
| Guard | Continue up this street until you reach the Del Mord City Gardens, take the first right and you'll be on a street called Parksway. The inn is located in a small copse of trees which back on to the gardens. The building is difficult to see from the street because of the excessive tree cover. There is a sign out front but it's written in elvish. (shrugs) I'm going to have to ask for your weapons, before I can let you through. |
| Keldirk | Why do you need our weapons? We've done nothing wrong. |
| Guard | I'd like to keep it that way. Do you live in the High Quarter? |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head) No. |
| Guard | Then I'm going to have to take your weapons. They will be returned to you when you leave, its just a precaution. The populace expects a certain degree of safety and the fewer weapons in the hands of non-residents the better, as far as they are concerned. |
| Craven | (removes his weapon belt and offers it to the guard) |
| Guard | (takes Craven's weapons) Your name? |
| Craven | Craven. |
| Guard | (looks to Keldirk) And you, Sir? |
| Keldirk | (scowls before removing his own sword belt) I'm Valrorn. |
| Guard | (nods) If either of you are carrying concealed weapons I suggest you give them to me also. If anything does happen and you are found to be armed - things will not go well for you. |
| Craven | I have no other weapons. |
| Keldirk | (shakes his head and lies) You have all I carry. |
| Guard | (shrugs) You can collect them on your way out. Welcome to the High Quarter. |
The High Quarter of Del Mord was almost a city within a city. A wall completely encircled the well manicured gardens and clean well-crafted buildings, acting as a visible indication that those within these walls were in some way better than the masses which surrounded it. The streets were wide and clean, a sharp contrast to the often filth choked streets of some other parts of Del Mord. They followed the directions the guard provided and eventually found the elven inn. The design and construction of the large building was unlike anything the two assassins had seen before. The trees and bushes which surrounded it seemed to form part of the structure. Spires and curved rooflines were apparent and it seemed as though every effort had been taken to make the actual construction compliment the abundant flora which surrounded it. To some it would be considered quite beautiful, but to the assassins it was merely another fact to be stored away for future reference.
It was just after midday when Craven and Keldirk walked down the path which led to the main entrance, the door opened and two elves stepped out. They noticed the two approaching humans and stared at them with undisguised distaste. It seemed as though they were not going to allow the assassins to enter the building but stood aside at the last moment almost as if the thought of touching the humans was more repulsive than allowing them to gain entrance. The elves continued to stare as Craven pushed open the door and the two assassins entered the building.
The effect of their entrance was remarkable - within seconds all conversation in the popular eating room ceased and every patron was staring at the newcomers. It was quite unnerving and Craven was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable under the combined gaze of over fifty pairs of elven eyes. After the initial shock had worn off, one elf stepped out from behind the bar and approached the two humans.
| Barman | What do you want here? |
| Craven | We wish to ask you some questions. It should not take up much of your time. |
| Barman | I'm rather busy now. To be honest your presence is putting some of my patrons off their food. Come back in about two hours. I will talk with you then. (opens the door and indicates that they should leave) |
| Craven | We will return in two hours. (leaves) |
| Keldirk | (leaves) |
They walked for two hours through the paved streets and tree lined avenues of the High Quarter. The High Quarter was actually two districts in one; the lavish parklands of the Garden Quarter and High Quarter proper. The Garden Quarter formed a great arc about the High Quarter which overlooked the colourful and fragrant gardens. The assassins were unable to determine where one district ended and the other began and soon found themselves walking up the steep incline of The Promenade toward the grand edifice of the cathedral.
| Keldirk | (looks at the manors and estates alongside the road) These places would have cost a fortune. |
| Craven | (points to a stable) Even the animals have a better quality of life than those in the Old City. |
| Keldirk | It makes me sick. |
| Craven | It doesn't bother me, there must always be a division between the classes. Without social structure there is no reason to strive. |
| Keldirk | (points to a massive fountain) It just seems like a wicked waste of money. |
When they returned to the Sorrow of Aliador, the common room was occupied only by the cleaning staff and the barman. The barman took three chairs from a table and called the assassins over.
| Barman | My name is Erianthonnel Sylrionde, the owner of this establishment. What is it you want? |
| Craven | A moment of your time. |
| Erianthonnel | I'll be honest, I don't have much to say to your kind. |
| Keldirk | (sneers) What does that mean? |
| Erianthonnel | Put simply, I find humans rude, abrupt, obnoxious with little or no concern for anything other than their own grievances and petty needs. This is an elven establishment and is perhaps the only bastion in this city where we can avoid human influence. |
| Keldirk | (caustically) If you feel that way, why come to Del Mord in the first place? |
| Erianthonnel | I feel obliged to offer those of my kind - who have no choice but associate with humankind - a place where they can feel at home. Our forests are ever diminishing and the human plague ever expanding; we can no longer ignore your presence in our traditional lands and integration is unavoidable. |
| Keldirk | That's a pretty narrowminded thing to say, elf. Humans have as much right to this land as anyone, the difference is we fight to protect it - to the victor goes the spoils. If your kind are too weak to protect the things they value then they deserve their fate. |
| Erianthonnel | (angry) You speak with the ignorance that typifies your race! It was we elves which opened our borders to the Flan, tutored them in the ways of magic and, as thanks, you humans committed genocide against the children of Galitholian. (spits) Humans have brought nothing but misery and destruction to the Flanaess! |
| Craven | (holds up his hands nonthreateningly) We did not come here for a socio-political discussion. I was hoping to ask you a few quick questions and then leave. But, listening to your words, I can understand the reason for this tavern's strange name. If my memory serves me correctly, you invoke the name of one of the four ancient realms. |
| Erianthonnel | (nods, obviously impressed with Craven's grasp of elven history) Yes, that is correct. I will answer your questions as long as he (indicates Keldirk) removes himself from my presence! |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) Valrorn, wait for me outside. |
| Keldirk | (leaves) |
| Erianthonnel | What do you want? |
| Craven | I'll get straight to the point. I have come into possession of a tavern called The Whistler. |
| Erianthonnel | I've not heard of it. |
| Craven | It's located in the River Quarter. The reason I have come here is to find out any information you may have regarding an elven ghost which haunts this place. |
| Erianthonnel | An elven ghost? There is no such thing. |
| Craven | I have seen it with my own eyes. There is most definitely a ghost and it is most definitely elven. I am hoping you will be able to help me grant this ghost eternal rest. |
| Erianthonnel | How so? |
| Craven | (pauses) I'm not exactly sure. Is there some kind of ritual which must be performed? |
| Erianthonnel | When an elf dies, there is no soul which can be bound to this world. An elven spirit once freed from the confines of its mortal coil will transcend to a higher plane. But I am not a theologian and have no experience in these matters. I will ask some of my friends what they know of elven ghosts and send word should the information prove enlightening. Where can you be contacted? |
| Craven | The River Snag Hostel, on Skullspin alley in The River Quarter. Ask for Craven. (reaches into his pouchbelt to withdraw some coins) |
| Erianthonnel | Put your money away, there is no need for payment. If what you say is true, then an elf's spirit has been chained against its will and we must try to end its torment. |
| Craven | (stands) Thankyou. I look forward to hearing from you. |
| Erianthonnel | (places a hand on Craven's shoulder) Why the interest? |
| Craven | I simply wish to see an end to its torment. (smiles pleasantly and leaves) |
Later that evening, the four assassins met in their room to discuss their findings.
| Craven | ... and the tavern owner said he would contact me here if he learned anything. What about you, Creighton? |
| Creighton | (a little drunk) I had a great day. (smiles) I visited lots of taverns but didn't learn much. (leans back on his chair and belches) |
| Azareth | (waits a moment) Well, Creighton? What did you learn? |
| Creighton | Not much. A few of the locals knew the place was haunted, but didn't know any details. One guy said he'd seen the ghost but when I asked him to describe it he was way off. |
| Keldirk | Anything else? |
| Creighton | Yeah, don't eat the shrimp cocktail at the Fisherman's Net. Erghhh... |
| Azareth | I had considerable success. The library contains a detailed account of the history of The Whistler back to when Del Mord was founded. I directed the scribes to provide me with a copy. I have it here. |
Azareth reached into his pack and withdrew a bone scroll-case. He opened it and withdrew several sheets of parchment passing them around for the others to read. The flowery script read as follows;
Date of issue: 582 C.Y.
Being An Historical account of The Whistler
In 402 CY, when Del Mord was nothing but a small village in a forested region, Hurmond Rethbone and his sons set about building a tavern to service the loggers, trappers and fisher-folk who were swarming into the region. Rather than build a simple tavern they decided to build it from the very stones of the Harp River, and the wood of the grandest tree in Del Forest. They believed this would give the tavern an intrinsic quality that would drawpeople from miles around. To this end, they felled the largest Ipt tree in the area - perhaps the largest such tree documented in the Flanaess. The long bar within the tavern was made entirely from the wood from this tree, as were the walls, floor and supports of the second level. In fact, the tavern was built directly on the site where the mighty Ipt once grew.
The tavern was opened to the public in a grand ceremony in 403 CY and was called the Harp River Inn.
The tavern was renamed by its second owner, Iron Joe, in 498 CY to "The Anvil and Brew". Its name was again changed to "The Del Mord Grand" in 524 CY by the fourth owner Stuey Foltburg and again to "The Whistler" in 545 CY by Durvad Bane - a bard of no small repute. Despite numerous modifications and rebuilds - most notably after a serious fire in 550 CY and a third level extension in 553 CY - the architecture remains close to the original design.
The Whistler was closed by Tristan Ruddyblock, the most recent owner, in 577 CY due to "financial difficulties and unforseen pressures". Rumours at the time suggested that The Whistler was closed due one or more of the following:
- continued hauntings
- infestation of an insectoidal nature
- an increase in the incidence of theft
- lack of patronage
The Ghost at The Whistler:
Few details exist about the ghost who once resided in or about The Whistler. The fact that the ghost did exist is irrefutable, however. In 573 CY Prelate Millius Wyndosmirth II and Grand Mayor Pontum Fharsiak ordered a formal exorcism of The Whistler. It was conducted by high priest Governs and his two assistants Priest Chapman and Priestess Kambard. For a little over two months the ghost was absent, but it returned to slay three construction workers who were under contract by Tristan Ruddyblock. All three of the workers - dwarven miners - were discovered frozen and greatly aged (symptoms of a ghostly attack).
A second excorcism was commisioned, and again the ghost was absent for a time. In the winter months of 574 CY The Whistler was subject to strange noises and other inexplicable events that suggested the ghost's return. Later that year the ghost slaughtered an adventuring priest of Heironeous (Axiam Cleft - a personal friend of Mr Ruddyblock) who had been asked to remove the ghost. Axiam's party overheard the ghost refer to himself as Shar (or Shlar or Ashlar) during a conversation the ghost held with Axiam.
Later that year The Whistler was plagued with swarms of insects and rodents. All attempts to erradicate these pests failed. Thefts increased to unprecedented levels and by 575 CY Mr Ruddyblock ceased the boarding aspect of his business. For two years The Whistler opened only for dinner and evening drinks. By 577 CY the tavern, too, was closed and formal trading ceased.
Mr Ruddyblock became obsessed with the ghost and - it is said - the two had many late night discussions after the tavern's closure. All of Mr Ruddyblock's attempts to learn more about the ghost failed. Whatever transpired between Mr Ruddyblock and the ghost was lost with Mr Ruddyblock's departure. He said to a friend that he planned to travel with his family to Chathold and then by boat to an undisclosed western country.
Before his departure in 578 CY Mr Ruddyblock sold the deed of the tavern to Sir Runcas Fairbloom of Millhall
Millhall is a small estate outside of the small town of Fir Tree Hollow in the Kingdom of Furyondy. Locals have since confirmed that there is no Runcas Fairbloom at the Millhall estate. However, the state reclaimed the deed after three years had passed without a single permit or tax being paid.
The shire of Del Mord believe the ghost was banished during the formal exorcism in 573 CY and has declared the matter officially closed.
| Craven | Sir Runcas Fairbloom? That doesn't sound like a goblin name. Perhaps the ghost was talking about someone else. (to Keldirk) Maybe even one of the old men you killed when we first got there. |
| Keldirk | (snorts) One thing is for certain. If all those high powered priests and mages couldn't get rid of the ghost this isn't going to be a walk in the park. |
| 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. |