Episode 43 – Fallout
| 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 | A riverside clearing five miles outside Del Mord. |
| Date | 15th Planting, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Just after noon. |
Keldirk returned from his hunt in the forest in a foul mood; the young boy, Dickson, had escaped. But during his absence Azareth and Creighton had been busy. Azareth had tended Craven's grievous wounds as best he could and placed the young duellist in their boat where he lay slipping in and out of consciousness. And while the assassins had no real need for Van Darrin's belongings, they had to make it look like bandits were responsible for the nobleman's murder. To that end Creighton had stripped the bodies of their victim's wealth and placed it into a sack that lay next to Craven. The bodies were left where they fell, save Gunther who had been dragged out of the water and placed near Van Darrin's brutalised corpse.
| Azareth | (to Keldirk) Any luck? |
| Keldirk | No, the little shit escaped. I really wanted to hurt that kid. |
| Creighton | Do you want me to go look for him? |
| Keldirk | (sneers) What makes you think you can find him? |
| Creighton | Well, for one thing, I've been taught how to track. |
| Keldirk | So go. Stop standing around flapping your gums. |
| Creighton | (shrugs) I'll be back. (enters the forest) |
| Keldirk | (strolls over to the boat and peers inside at Craven's motionless form) Is he dead? |
| Azareth | No. |
| Keldirk | Damn. |
| Azareth | (taken aback) You would be well served to keep in mind that Craven is a member of our family. We are not supposed to wish each other ill. Having said that I am surprised he is still alive. |
| Keldirk | (lifts the blanket covering Craven) What happened to him? |
| Azareth | Van Darrin skewered him. |
| Keldirk | Looks bad. With any luck he'll be dead by the time we make it back to Del Mord. |
| Azareth | (gives Keldirk a disapproving look) |
| Keldirk | Don't give me that. (strides to Azareth and pokes his index finger into the mage's chest) Listen mage, I'm not going to kill him but I'm sure as hell not gonna bust my gut to keep him alive. He's unpredictable and that's a dangerous quality for someone in our business. We'd be better served if we had him replaced. |
| Azareth | He does his job, what more can we ask? |
| Keldirk | That he does it without endangering all our lives. Hells, even you must have seen the change in him. He's a psychopath. |
| Azareth | I concede that there have been episodes of erratic behaviour, but he is hardly psychotic. Listen, do me a favour and give Craven the benefit of the doubt. I will have a chat to him and try to determine the root of his problem. Leave him to me. |
| Keldirk | (drops the blanket) |
Creighton returned an hour or so later. He, like Keldirk, had been unable to find the boy. They decided not to waste any more time searching for him and once Creighton climbed aboard the boat the four assassins began their journey back to Del Mord. Halfway back, Craven woke.
| Craven | (clutches his stomach) Van Darrin? Is he dead? |
| Creighton | (rowing the boat) I'll say. |
| Azareth | Do not attempt to sit up, your wounds are quite serious and you risk further injury by moving. Just lie back and rest. |
| Craven | (slumps back) Will... will I live? |
| Keldirk | Unfortunately. |
| Creighton | Craven, I have to ask... |
| Azareth | Be quiet Creighton, now is not the time for this discussion. |
| Craven | Have to ask what? |
| Creighton | What happened to you back there? I mean, you bit the guy's throat out. (shudders) You have to admit that's pretty weird. |
| Craven | (tries to recall the events) I don't know. I don't remember. |
| Keldirk | You don't remember? (laughs) That's convenient. I seem to recall you used that defense last time. |
| Azareth | Keldirk, Creighton, now is not the time. Let him rest. |
| Craven | (turns to Keldirk, hate in his eyes) If you've got something to say then say it. Your snide remarks are becoming tiresome. |
| Keldirk | Yeah I got something to say. |
| Azareth | Keldirk, no! |
| Keldirk | (ignores Azareth's protestations, and leans toward Craven) You're a sick bastard. You can't be trusted and we three would be better off with you dead. |
| Craven | (defiant) So who's going to kill me? You? (laughs and coughs up some blood) |
| Keldirk | If it weren't against Family Law I'd throw you out of the boat right now. (smiles insincerely) But you don't need me to kill you, Craven. As I see it, you'll kill yourself soon enough. |
| Creighton | So why did you do it? I mean what drove you to bite out a guy's throat? |
| Craven | (tired and annoyed) Just shutup and row Creighton. I don't need to answer to you. I don't need to answer to anybody. |
| Azareth | Well, that is not technically correct, is it? We must all answer to The Family at some stage. |
| Craven | So what are you saying, Azareth? Are you telling me you agree with Keldirk? Are you going to run to Vesper and tell him that I'm crazy? Is that your plan? (laughs) |
| Azareth | Well, um, you have been a little erratic lately. |
| Keldirk | Erratic, pah! That's a joke. He's a bloody lunatic and the sooner we're through with him the better. |
| Azareth | (trying to soothe the situation) Perhaps if you tell us what's wrong with you Craven, we'll be able to help. |
| Craven | Just leave me alone. I neither need nor want your help. |
| Azareth | I believe you do. |
| Craven | Well your help is not wanted. Just shutup and leave me alone. |
The rest of the boat trip was made in silence. Only when they neared the wharves did Craven sit up, much to Azareth's surprise.
| Craven | Creighton, don't dock yet. |
| Creighton | Huh? |
| Azareth | Why not? |
| Craven | Remember Runcas' map? Maritai said that the sewer opened somewhere near the docks and we'd be able to recognise the outlet from the symbol etched in stone above the grate. Now is a perfect opportunity to find the outlet. |
| Keldirk | Who's Maritai? |
| Azareth | Do you remember what the symbol looked like? |
| Craven | I'll know it when I see it, just keep rowing until we find it. |
Eventually the assassin's did find the outlet; a large tunnel with a steel grate covering the opening. They committed the location to memory and rowed back to the docks. Azareth collected their deposit from the dock-master as the others unpacked. Craven was happy to be on solid ground again and Creighton had to marvel at the young swordsman's rapid recovery; an hour ago he was barely alive but now he could stand without assistance.
| Craven | (to Creighton) I'll meet you back at the room tonight. |
| Creighton | Where are you going? |
| Keldirk | (listens intently) |
| Craven | I'm going to get my wounds looked at by a professional. |
| Creighton | Who? |
| Craven | I'll meet you later. (leaves) |
Keldirk waited until Craven rounded the corner before patting Creighton on the shoulder.
| Keldirk | I'm going to follow him. |
| Creighton | Um, sure. Okay. I'll tell Az. |
Craven half-walked, half-stumbled his way to Maritai's home. He had lost a lot of blood and was suffering a severe case of tunnel vision. On more than one occasion he bumped into a passer-by but was only dimly aware of their horrified reaction to his still-bloodied clothes and his deathly pale skin. The afternoon sunlight burned his eyes and Craven was forced to seek respite in the shadows. He never felt more wretched. But, in time, he was at Maritai's door.
| Craven | (knocks wearily on the door and waits) |
| Maritai | (opens the door and looks on with surprise) Craven! |
| Craven | (his head pounding) Can I come in? |
| voice | (inside Craven's head) Come to me. Come to me. |
| Maritai | Of course, Craven, come in. (steps aside) |
| Craven | (takes one step then collapses into Maritai's arms) |
From an alcove some thirty feet away, hidden in the shadows, a cloaked figure watched.
| Keldirk | Interesting. |
| The Bounty Hunters |
Koons - Human Fighter, 4th Level LN Quirrith - Elven Archer, 3rd Level CG (NPC) Hammer - Fighter 5th Level N (NPC) Brom - Fighter 4th Level N (NPC) Korrd - Rogue 3rd level NG (NPC) Draagor - Priest of Hieroneous 5th Level NG (NPC) Desparthian - Wizard 6th Level NG (NPC) |
| Date | 15th Planting, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Evening |
Inspector Koons was genuinely excited.
For the first time in almost five weeks he saw an end to the horror that had all but paralysed the residents of Del Mord in fear. A short while ago a figure matching the description of the so-called "Butcher of Del Docks" was seen in the River Quarter, creeping around in the shadows. As soon as the breathless messenger had arrived Koons had summoned his hunting force; a collection of highly drilled, professional bounty hunters.
The investigator looked about the room and was pleased. The group had assembled in less than three minutes, fully equipped and ready to hunt. To his right sat the cool, controlled mage Desparthian and to his left the quick-minded rogue, Korrd. Next in line stood the elven archer Quirrith and next to him the fierce priest of Hieroneous, Draagor. The two stoic warrior-brothers, Brom and Hammer, completed the group. Inspector Koons cleared his throat and addressed the men gathered before him.
| Koons | Gentlemen, the Butcher has been sighted in the River Quarter. The local militia has circled the area and word has just arrived that the beast is trapped within a warehouse on Fishhook Road. This is our best opportunity to end the terror. Are you ready? (waits for his men to respond) Excellent. Let's go. |
The seven men left the Chapter House, climbed onto their waiting steeds and galloped down to the River Quarter. The ride was quick and uneventful and, before long, the group had reached their destination. Investigator Koons immediately rode up to the waiting sergeant.
| Koons | Report! |
| Sergeant | Sergeant Elstad, sir. |
| Koons | Yes, yes. What of the Butcher? |
| Sergeant Elstad | We think it's still in there, sir. (points to a warehouse) We have men surrounding the place and they have orders to sound the alarm if the beast is spotted. |
| Koons | Is that all? |
| Sergeant Elstad | No. (indicates a group of frightened children, huddled in nearby doorway) Those boys claim that the beast took one of their friends in there. |
| Koons | (looks over his shoulder to the bounty hunters) We have a hostage situation here, gentlemen. You know what to do. (looks back to the Sergeant) Wait here, Sergeant, we won't be long. |
| Sergeant Elstad | Um, shouldn't we wait for reinforcements? |
| Koons | Don't be stupid, man. There's a child's life at stake! (draws his sword) Okay men, let's do it. |
The bounty hunters spread out and prepared for the hunt. One of the two double-doors at the front of the warehouse was slightly ajar and the group decided to enter the warehouse there. While Koons was desperate to keep the kidnapped child alive some of the bounty hunters had no such compulsion. Quickly and efficiently the group readied their arsenal. Brom retrieved his net of entrapment from his backpack and Hammer hefted his mighty magical hammer. Korrd drew his enchanted dagger and wrapped himself in his cloak of shadows. Quirrith nocked an arrow into his magical bow while Draagor drew his favoured sword, Revenant.
Before the group entered the warehouse, Draagor had them gather around whilst he garnered the favour of his god. The priest dabbed each man's forehead with holy water while uttering a magical request for divine blessing. It was a pre-arranged ceremony that took but a few seconds to complete but whose benefits would remain in effect for a considerable time.
Once the priest had completed his rite, the two brothers moved to the fore. They had been adventuring together ever since they left their mother's apron-strings and those who knew them marvelled at their degree of understanding and silent communication. Brom opened the door and Hammer stepped inside. His hammer afforded him magical night-site and, after quickly scanning the warehouse, he had pinpointed the Butcher's location.
| Hammer | (quietly over his shoulder) It's near the centre of the room, some sixty feet away and has the child in its arms. |
| Desparthian | (steps forward) Dur Marrs'tian Loth Lormiad Khul, Ak Ul Lormdian Vor |
The mage's strange gyrations culminated in the release of a spell designed to immobilise humanoids. Ixtha, the massive lizard man born of a magical cocktail, felt its' joints stiffen. With a growl and a shrug of its powerful shoulders it shook off the effects of the dweomer and glared angrily at the doorway.
| Desparthian | Damn. (steps back) The spell failed. |
The group charged into the warehouse. The two warriors, Inspector Koons and the priest fanned out to form an impressive line, while Korrd slunk away to his left and into the shadows. Desparthian remained back, withdrew a feather from his pouch and began to cast a spell of flight. The elven archer, Quirrith, moved to the right and released an arrow that struck the Butcher in the shoulder.
The lizard man howled in anger and tore out the arrow. It dropped the child to the floor and charged the approaching warriors, death gleaming in its eyes. Brom hung back and tossed his magical net at the oncoming beast, but he mistimed his shot and the net flew uselessly over Ixtha's head.
| Koons | No mercy, gentlemen. (slides to his left to expose the lizard-man's right flank) |
Hammer stood before the creature and delivered a powerful blow with his warhammer even as Draagor moved around to the lizard-man's exposed left side. Ixtha, almost surrounded, reeled from the hammer blow. It bunched its legs and leapt at Brom, grappling the warrior to the ground. Immediately it sunk its teeth into the man's shoulder, tearing muscle and sinew. Hammer turned and tried to pull the creature off his brother but with a sweep of its powerful tail, Ixtha buffeted him aside. Koons' stepped forward and slashed with his sword but his blade was partially turned aside by the creature's thick scales.
Ixtha raised one hand, extended its claws then brought its arm down in a wide arc, tearing out the Brom's throat. The warrior, choking to death in his own blood, feebly raised his hand out to his brother.
Draagor clutched his sword, "Revenant", in both hands and thrust savagely at the lizard-man's side; the enchanted blade's keen edge slid through the reptile's hide and cut deeply. Sorely wounded and completely surrounded Ixtha howled in pain. With incredible speed it leapt out of the circle of bounty hunters and onto a nearby crate. Quirrith, who was hanging back waiting for just such an opportunity, loosed a second arrow taking the creature in the shoulder as it landed.
Desparthian completed his spell and rose into the air. He surveyed the scene and decided against going to the aid of the child. With one of his fellows down and the lizard-man out of melee range, he chose to go on the offensive. With a few arcane words Desparthian sent three bolts of magical energy into the massive reptile.
Korrd couldn't believe his luck. The lizard-man had leapt onto the very crate he was hiding behind. With an eye on the creature's hamstrings, the rogue lashed out with his trusty dagger. The steel flared to life as it cut through the air and into the lizard-man's flesh. Unfortunately Korrd's aim was off and what he hoped to be a crippling wound only served to alert the monster to the rogue's presence.
Ixtha swung its head toward Kord and howled in fury. Its fetid breath reeked of death and caused the rogue to cough uncontrollably. Instantly, the lithe man tumbled to his left, he had no intention of attacking the massive lizard-man directly. Quirrith let fly with another arrow but his aim was awry and the arrow thudded harmlessly into the base of the crate. Ixtha leapt after the tumbling human, its powerful legs propelling it high into the air and onto the rolling man, its claws tearing at his back. Koons ran to Korrd's aid, his sword brandished high, but was too late to help the stricken rogue.
| Koons | Kill it! It mustn't get away! Elstad, get your guards in here. Now! |
Hammer rose from the body of his dead brother, his face betraying his sadness and fury. He gripped his warhammer tightly, knuckles whitening on the metal haft and charged to Ixtha. He pushed Koons aside as he let out a mighty roar. But as quick as Hammer was, Ixtha was quicker. The lizard-man climbed off the dead rogue and shook the gore from its claws and fangs before turning to face his enemies.
Desparthian flew to the ceiling of the warehouse to get a clear view of the combat.
| Desparthian | Comt Airakan Khea Jair Soth Jalaran |
Three more magical bolts shot from Despartian's extended hand and flew unerringly into the lizard- man. Hammer brought his warhammer around in a powerful arc but missed as the Butcher swayed back on its heels. Hammer, off balance, struggled to regain his footing even as Ixtha lashed out with its claws, opening a long gash in the warrior's face. Koons continued to move around the combat, unable to get close enough to Ixtha to land a blow.
Ixtha was becoming frantic. Never before had he engaged such fierce opposition. The men were wearing him down and the lizard-man's natural instincts for survival surpassed his primal lust for blood. With two powerful leaps the lizard-man crossed the warehouse at near impossible speed, leaving the human's languishing behind.
Frantically the Butcher searched for any means of escape. It assumed both exits would be blocked so it leapt twenty feet up and onto the loft. It figured that if it could get out through the roof then it had a chance.
| Koons | Mage! Stop it! |
| Desparthian | (withdraws a small ball of spider's web from his pouch) Arachne'Ak Dyre shadow- hor Khe Var, iom neh-durak |
At that moment Sergeant Elstad and his men entered the warehouse. The Sergeant quickly assessed the situation and directed his men to cover the exits. Hammer, ignoring the pain from his facial wound, sprinted toward the ladder and climbed up to the loft.
As Ixtha began to tear the shingles away a many-layered mass of strong, sticky strands appeared. The web all but halted the lizard-man's desperate escape. Even as Ixtha struggled against the gluey fibres, Hammer reached the loft. The warrior peered into the giant web frustrated that his quarry was so close yet out of reach.
| Hammer | Mage, I can't get to it. Dispel this thing! |
| Koons | (climbing the ladder to the loft, appraises the situation) Quirrith, take the archers outside; it's trying to escape via the rooftops. |
| Quirrith | Follow me! (leads a contingent of militia crossbowmen outside) |
| Ixtha | (tears at the web, slowly but surely freeing itself) |
| Hammer | (unable to strike, slams his hammer into a hay-bale in frustration) It's getting away! Get rid of this infernal web! |
| Koons | No! The archers need time to get into position. |
| Hammer | (pleadingly) But I can kill it. Just give me a chance! |
| Draagor | (climbs the ladder and casts a spell of holding) Dir'Mandarn Seah Koth, Hel'for Dzi Darkan |
| Ixtha | (shakes off the effects of the spell and breaks free of the web) |
| Hammer | It's free of the web. Mage, dispel this thing! |
Desparthian made a slight gesture with his hand and the web vanished. Hammer charged at Ixtha who had created a hole in the roof and was starting to climb through. Hammer brought his magical warhammer down upon the lizard man's arm with all of his might. The force of the blow was such that everyone in the warehouse heard the snap of bone and the subsequent howl from the seriously injured creature. Ixtha, in agony from the wound, swung its tail and knocked the warrior off his feet. With a snarl at Koons, Ixtha climbed through the hole and out onto the roof.
Outside the warehouse Quirrith marshaled the militia crossbowmen and waited.
| Quirrith | As soon as you see the beast, take your shot. |
| guards | (raise their crossbows) |
| Quirrith | (nocks an arrow and pulls the string taut) |
Ixtha was no fool. As soon as the lizard-man clambered onto the rooftop it reached into its belt pouch and withdrew a small vial. Ixtha's onetime companion, Runcas, said to drink the contents when escape was the only alternative. The goblin had said that once the potion was swallowed the drinker would be rendered invisible. With that in mind, Ixtha crawled along the rooftop and swallowed the contents of the vial. In seconds he vanished from sight.
| Draagor | (climbs onto the roof and peers around - unable to spot the lizard-man) Quirrith! Did you get it? |
| Quirrith | (puzzled) No. |
| Draagor | (pokes his head through the hole) What do you mean, no? |
| Quirrith | It never appeared. |
| Draagor | (over his shoulder, to Koons and Hammer) It got away. |
| Hammer | (cries out in anguish) Noooo!! |
| Koons | (slams his fist into the wall) Damn. |
| 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. |