Episode 34 – The Inquisition
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 3rd Level LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 3rd Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 2nd / 2nd LE (CE emerging) (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 4th level NE (PC) |
| Locale | Two miles out of Del Mord, on the Ring-Roads road |
| Date | 28th Coldeven 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Dawn |
The sun had barely crested the horizon when they turned the corner and came into view of the gate guards.
Minutes later a young lad, no older than ten summers, poked his head into the Digger's Rest and shouted excitedly: "They're here, they're here!" All throughout the waking city similar heralds could be heard; young children rushed here and there and announced the arrival of the caravan. Farmers, labourers, bakers, beggars and nobles roused from their beds, dressed quickly and rushed outside. Nobody wanted to miss arrival of The Inquisition.
At the head of the procession marched the novice priests; their hands tucked in their sleeves as they strode solemnly through the growing throng. Their dark brown, burlap hoods were raised to cover their faces and their deep chanting voices blended in pious harmony. Next came the mounted soldiers, their immaculately groomed horses pranced as they trailed the young priests. Following the soldiers were five covered carriages, flanked by proud church knights in gleaming silver armour. Pennants flapped in the light breeze as they rode - the symbol of Pelor emblazoned upon their shields and breastplates. Of the Inquisitors, the people saw naught but not through any lack of trying.
The carriages, surrounded by their escort, rumbled through the main gates of Del Mord, along the Processional and all the way to the Del Mord Cathedral in the Garden Quarter. By the time they had reached their destination it was mid-morning and the crowd had grown so large that, in places, the Del Mord Militia were forced to push the crowd back from the road.
Once at the Cathedral, the procession came to a halt and the door to the first carriage opened. A woman stepped out and smoothed her robes before she surveyed the assembled crowd. She cast her eyes over the people and smiled, these were her flock. With her starburst symbol of Pelor shining brightly she motioned the crowd for silence.
| Woman | (waits for the crowd to hush) People of Del Mord, we have come as we were bidden. We come to drive the stain of heresy from this fair city. It is our charter to bring Del Mord closer to the divine power of Pelor, that same magnificent power that gives life to all living things. Our lord god has been neglected here, but with our help his glory will be brought back into your hearts and minds, the sinners and infidels purged and shown the error of their ways. Del Mord shall, once again, be pure. (lowers her hands) |
| Crowd | (cheers hysterically) |
The woman turned from the crowd and leaned back into the carriage. After a few brief words with someone inside, she returned her attention to the hushed crowd.
| Woman | People of Del Mord, join me in prayer. (clutches her golden sunburst symbol and closes her eyes) Pelor, we beseech thee to bring thy divine blessing upon the good and righteous people of Del Mord. Give your children the strength to free their hearts from the thrall of evil and help us, your humble servants, bring them closer to you. (releases her symbol and gazes at the crowd, her eyes piercing) What say you, people of Del Mord? The Inquisition has answered your call, but we seek your help to uncover the evil- doers. Will you help us return Pelor's burning light to this fair city? |
| Crowd | (in unison) Yes! |
| Woman | (smiles, her otherwise harsh expression smoothing noticeably) Then we shall do as you ask us. Hear me when I say none of us are beyond the reach of evil; heresy can take hold of each and every one of us if we are not vigilant. The Inquisition can only help you if you wish to be helped. Do you want to be helped, people of Del Mord? |
| Crowd | (resounding) Yes! |
| Woman | Then our mission here is vigilance. Each of you must watch and steer your neighbours on the righteous path. Help us help you. Embrace the teachings of our faith and bring forth those who need our help. It is these people which must be made the focus of our task in order that we remain true to the path of light. |
Without further ado she climbed back into the carriage and the procession continued into the Cathedral grounds.
Later that morning, Craven returned to the River Snag Hostel. Now that his training at Blademaster Anoir's estate was complete, he felt slight pangs of regret at once again having to endure the squalor of his lodgings. He pushed open the front door of the Hostel and climbed the stairs that lead up to his room. The proprietor, Harry, was asleep at the front counter, as always, which made Craven wonder how his business managed to survive at all. With a knock, Craven entered the room and found Keldirk asleep, his left arm bandaged with a splint. Creighton and Azareth were nowhere to be seen, so Craven sat on Creighton's pallet and stared, wide-eyed, at the charred mass that was his bed.
| Craven | (nudges Keldirk and indicates the splint on his arm) What happened to you? |
| Keldirk | (sleepily) What? Oh, it's you. What did you say? |
| Craven | I asked what happened? |
| Keldirk | (yawns and stretches, the action bringing a twinge of pain) Azareth and I had a small altercation with some undead a couple of nights ago. |
| Craven | Undead? Where? |
| Keldirk | The Paupers' Graveyard. Did you just get back? |
| Craven | Yes, just now. What were you doing at the graveyard? |
| Keldirk | About a week ago I followed some sewer workers to their workhouse and discovered that the work-gang were all zombies. I mentioned it to Azareth and we decided to go to the graveyard and check it out. No big deal. (rubs his eyes) Have you eaten yet? I'm starving. |
| Craven | Do I have to beat the story out of you, or are you going to tell me what happened without changing the subject after each sentence? |
| Keldirk | (his face hardening) Alright, no need to get angry. The first night nothing happened but the second night two priests attacked us. One was a female hobgoblin and the other one was a man, probably human. The goblin bitch gave me this broken arm and the male summoned some zombies from their graves to attack us. Azareth and I barely escaped, but we did and we're alive and that's all there is to it. |
| Craven | I see. Why didn't you take Creighton along? |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) I wasn't expecting any real trouble and, besides, I doubt he would have made much of a difference. (looks around for his backpack and begins to dress) I'm going to get something to eat. Azareth and Creighton should be back later today or tomorrow. |
| Craven | (nods at his bed) What happened to my bed? |
| Keldirk | (glances at it and shrugs) No idea. It was like that when we came back from the cemetery. (finishes dressing and limps out of the room) |
Since releasing the magic locked in his blind eye, Creighton's headaches had subsided completely, which meant he could concentrate on his training. The constant physical exertion suited him and he managed to lose some of the excess weight he had gained during the past several months. Through trial and error Creighton learned that the magical words would reappear in his vision each day. It was a little unnerving at first but before long he was able to ignore the spidery script unless he gave it conscious thought.
His swordmaster was well pleased with his progress and Creighton left the Fighters' Guild feeling much better than before he went in. He felt fit, strong and clear headed; three things he had almost forgotten about since his arrival in Del Mord. His last few encounters had not gone well: first the Argos-zombie, then Babyface and his cohorts, the goblin Runcas and finally the were-panther. Those few battles had taken their toll on the big warrior's confidence but now, after a week of training and exercise, he felt ready to take on the world.
Creighton meandered along the busy streets of the Foreign Quarter on his way to the River Snag Hostel. All around him workmen went about their daily chores and Creighton found himself reflecting on his youth with Auntie Adai and Uncle Bray in tiny village of Three-Trees. His life as a stableboy had never been pleasant and he was glad that that part of his life was behind him. Sure, he wanted to know about his heritage and how he had come to possess the magical eye, but those concerns could wait. Right now, Creighton's only worries were his next meal, his next ale and catching up with his companions.
Without conscious thought Creighton found himself standing before The Whistler. The sight of the familiar landmark broke him from his reverie and he stood in front of the rundown, three-storey building and stared at it. He closed his eyes and imagined the tavern as it might be. He smiled when he pictured himself standing behind the bar, pulling ales and telling stories. It was time we did something about that, he thought then continued his journey back home.
He arrived at the River Snag just as Craven was leaving. Creighton stopped the slender swordsman at the door.
| Creighton | (raises his arm in greeting) Long time, no see. |
| Craven | Um, sure. |
| Creighton | Where are you going? |
| Craven | To get something to eat. |
| Creighton | (decides that he is hungry) I'll go with you. |
| Craven | (nods and continues walking) How was your training? |
| Creighton | (flexes his arms and breathes deeply) Great, I haven't felt this good in ages. How was yours? |
| Craven | (sighs) I'm disappointed it's over. You cannot imagine how much I still have to learn. |
| Creighton | Oh, I have a fair idea. It seems the more you learn the more you realise you don't know. |
| Craven | (impressed) Very profound, Creighton. |
| Creighton | My swordmaster told me that. |
| Craven | Oh. |
| Creighton | You know, I think we should put some effort into cleaning out The Whistler. It's almost the end of the month and that Mickey guy's gonna be mightily pissed. |
| Craven | (chuckles) Yes, he is. |
| Creighton | What? |
| Craven | (shakes his head) Never mind. You're right, we should do something. Valrorn says that Azareth is due back tonight; we'll discuss it then. (looks up and spies a dockside tavern) This'll do. (turns and walks inside) |
Azareth took another sip from his steaming cup of tea, leaned back and soaked in the atmosphere of the Bookworm Cafe. All around people postulated theories as to the goals and actions of the Inquisition and Azareth made a few discreet inquiries into the matter. He learned that the Inquisition has absolute authority to detain and question any individual they desire, no matter their social standing or reputation. He was not surprised to hear that The Inquisition priests were experts at gleaning the truth or, at least, their version of the truth. He was shocked to learn that divination magic was only one tool in their considerable information-gathering arsenal. In hushed tones, no less than three individuals told Azareth of the Inquisition Torturers.
While some of the intellectuals at the Bookworm Cafe seemed to view the Inquisition as a threat to free speech and free expression, all agreed that its presence in Del Mord was an ill omen for the future.
| Azareth | (to a slightly inebriated patron) Any idea as to the duration of the Inquisition's tenure here in Del Mord? |
| Patron | (sits and thinks, taking a long pull on his herbal cigar) It's hard to fully understand the workings of the ecclesiastic mind, but I surmise that they will remain in Del Mord at least until the end of Planting. |
| Azareth | (raises his eyebrows) So long? |
| Patron | (nods) Rumour has it that the creature which prompted the call for The Inquisition was found in the rooms The Great Kingdom's ambassador. |
| Azareth | (gasps) It cannot be. |
| Patron | (rolls his eyes) Yes. The ironic thing is that this same ambassador left Del Mord yesterday, just one day before The Inquisition arrived. (takes another drag from his cigar) I would have thought it prudent he stay in town to give evidence to the very body called to investigate the matter. |
| Azareth | (sips his tea) That does seem strange. Was there any reason given for his departure? |
| Patron | From what I hear, he is meeting his entourage at Dashar Ghul then venturing on to Chathold. (leans forward) Apparently he plans to petition the Arch Prelate himself to intervene on his behalf in a matter of state. Good luck, I say. |
| Azareth | Where do you get such information? |
| Patron | (smiles, leans back on his chair and places his hands behind his head) I have friends and family in the halls of government. (leans back in toward Azareth) It always pays to stay informed on the happenings in the circles of power. You never know what you might be able to use to your advantage. |
| Azareth | (nods) A wise policy. (offers his hand for the patron to take) My name is Vincent Harstvarn, pleased to meet you. |
| Patron | (shakes Azareth's hand) Hectar Mellington, student of life. At your service. |
| Azareth | I must ask, Hectar, aren't you a little afraid who you talk to about such matters? As I see it, you risk much in talking so openly. I could be anybody and some of the things you have told me today could be considered sedition. |
| Hectar | (eyes narrow) I consider myself a good judge of character and I am confident that you would not betray my trust. (catches the eye of a passing waiter) Another glass of brandy, good man. (smiles warmly at Azareth) |
| Azareth | Brandy? (indicates himself to the waiter) Make it two. |
| Waiter | Yes, milords. |
Later that evening, the four assassins assembled in their River Snag room as a group for the first time in a little over a week. After exchanging pleasantries they informed each other on the week's events then sat down to discuss their plans.
| Craven | So it is agreed, we leave the gravers alone. |
| Keldirk | For now. |
| Craven | Yes, for now. |
| Azareth | (nods) As long as they don't mess with us, we don't mess with them. |
| Keldirk | (obviously disappointed) So, what now? |
| Craven | Well, I was talking to Creighton earlier and we think our next move should be against the ghost. |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Craven | We shouldn't forget that Mickey Moritz wants the ghost gone before month's end - and that's today. (smiles) And though I take great delight knowing I've pissed off Mickey, the last thing I want to do is get on Simpkin's wrong side. |
| Azareth | (winces, remembering his time with Toothless Andy, Simpkin's torturer) |
| Craven | Keldirk? |
| Keldirk | I suppose removing the ghost is as good a plan as any. (scratches his head thoughtfully) Though I'd like to check in with Vesper before we begin anything new; I'd hate to miss out on a real job. |
| Azareth | That has been taken care of. I spoke with Vesper earlier this week; there are no contracts at present. |
| Craven | Well, that settles it. |
| Azareth | We eliminate the goblin, Runcas, approach the ghost and attempt to determine its agenda. If, as we suspect, the goblin is the ghost's errand-runner then we'll be in a superior position to facilitate a bargain. |
| Creighton | (nods) |
| Azareth | But I believe it would be prudent for us to not approach the ghost immediately after slaying Runcas. |
| Creighton | Good thinkin'. The ghost'll be pretty pissed when it finds out its pal is dead. |
| Keldirk | Hmm, that's a point. Perhaps we should make every effort to hide the fact that we killed Runcas. |
| Azareth | Yes. If the ghost never learns who killed its friend then it might be more amenable to deal with us. |
| Craven | Agreed. |
| Creighton | So how do we find the goblin? |
| Craven | I'm not sure. |
| Keldirk | We work in pairs. One group watches the rear of the Whistler the other group watches the front. |
| Creighton | What, twenty four hours a day? You can't be serious? |
| Keldirk | Don't be stupid. The goblin is unlikely to venture out during daylight hours with all those people around. |
| Creighton | Who are you calling stupid, huh? |
| Keldirk | (ignores Creighton's interjection) Sooner or later the goblin will show itself and we make our strike. Alternatively, we follow it to wherever it goes and kill it there. Craven and I will watch from the front, on the roof of the supply shop. You two take the rear. |
| Azareth | Sound reasoning. You two are better able to hide yourselves than Creighton and I, and the front of The Whistler will see more traffic than the alley. |
| Craven | (to Keldirk) We'll need some weapon-black, dark cloaks and charcoal for our exposed areas. |
| Creighton | (without a hint of a smile) We can get the charcoal from Craven's bed. |
| Craven | Ha-dee-ha ha. |
| Creighton | The robes I can get from the market, the weapon stuff might be more difficult to get. |
| Keldirk | I'll pay a visit to the thieves guild for that. No problem. |
| Azareth | We'll need a signal. |
| Creighton | What for, Az? |
| Azareth | If one group spies the goblin we need to alert the other group somehow. May I suggest an owl blower? |
| Keldirk | A who-whater? |
| Azareth | Exactly. (smiles at his own little joke) There are animal whistles readily available at the market. I'll pick up two tomorrow. |
| Creighton | I get it. One group sees the goblin and we blow on the hooter. |
| Azareth | Exactly. |
| Creighton | But what if a real owl hoots? |
| Azareth | (looks sideways at Creighton but finds the warrior's expression serious) Then we agree to deliver three sharp hoots; it is highly unlikely an owl will hoot three times in quick succession. |
| Creighton | (nods, satisfied) |
| Keldirk | (unfolds a sheet of parchment and places it on the floor) This is a sketch-map of the Whistler area. |
| Craven | (leans in) You have been busy. |
| Keldirk | Someone has to work around here. |
| Craven | When did you do that? |
| Keldirk | A few nights after Simpkin told us our mission. (points to the building across the road from The Whistler) Craven and I will watch from the roof of this building, I suggest you two hide in shadows here. (points to a doorway in the back alley) There is sconce hanging here (points again) which is never lit and another one here that is. The torch-light will be close enough to ruin the goblin's night-sight, but far enough away to create deep shadow. (thumbs at Creighton) Even you should be able to hide in there. |
| Creighton | (sarcastically) Gee, boss, do you really think so? |
| Azareth | Don't worry about us, Keldirk, we'll be fine. We were trained how to hide in shadows, you know? |
| Keldirk | (sharply) Then you will have no excuses if you stuff up, then. |
A long moment passed as the assassins studied the map.
| Azareth | Perhaps we should attempt to subdue the goblin. |
| Keldirk | Huh? |
| Creighton | Huh? |
| Craven | Huh? |
| Azareth | If we can capture it, take it to safe place, we might be able to gather some valuable information. |
| Keldirk | (eyes light up) Good idea. I've got a new set of scalpels that I've been dying to try out. |
| Craven | (nods) Okay, if at all possible we attempt to subdue. |
| Creighton | Flat of the blade, huh? I can do that. It's not as satisfying but I can do it at a pinch. |
| Azareth | Please do so, big fellow, the goblin could be very useful to us alive. |
| Creighton | But if things get outa hand we kill him, right? We don't want to have to do this a second time? |
| Craven | Agreed. |
| Azareth | (nods) We kill if subjugation is not an option. |
| Keldirk | (a little disappointed at the thought of not being able to use his torture tools) Okay with me, I suppose. |
| Craven | So it's settled. We begin our surveillance tomorrow. |
| Creighton | (cracks his knuckles, looking forward to a fight) Excellent. |
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