Episode 44 – Runcas' Map
| 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 | The River Snag Hostel. |
| Date | 16th Planting, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late Afternoon. |
Craven remained with Maritai for the entire evening and most of the following day. The priest had healed Craven's physical wounds but, more importantly, he had quietened the voice inside the troubled warrior's head. Craven was at odds during the entire discourse, on the one hand he wanted to tell Maritai everything in the hope that the priest could quell or banish his episodes of violent rage. But, on the other hand, Craven was wary. He didn't want to frighten the friendly priest away with the facts or betray the confidences of the Family. And, strangely, Maritai accepted Craven's evasiveness without question or complaint.
By the time Craven was ready to leave, the Pelorian priest had done much to drive away Craven's demons. For the first time in a long time Craven was alone in his thoughts. The calling in his mind had quietened and he felt as though he had regained full control of his faculties. Happy that his troubles were behind him, Craven bade Maritai a heartfelt thanks and farewell and returned the River Snag Hostel.
| Keldirk | (sits up as Craven enters the room) Well, well, well. Look who's returned from the dead? |
| Azareth | (pushes his spellbook aside and stands) Where did you get to? |
| Craven | I went to visit a friend. A good friend. |
| Keldirk | You're the very picture of health, Craven. I am impressed. |
| Azareth | (studies Craven) Yes, you do look well. |
| Craven | To tell you the truth, I've never felt better. (smiles warmly) |
| Azareth | May I inquire as to the source of your newfound well-being? When last we met you were on the verge of collapse. |
| Craven | That isn't important right now. What is important is that I'm back. Back to my old self. (looks around) Where's Creighton? |
| Keldirk | Drinking, where else? |
| Azareth | Answer the question, Craven. |
| Keldirk | (laughs) Go get him, mage. |
| Craven | Very well. I have nothing to hide. |
| Keldirk | (laughs heartily) That'll be the day. |
| Azareth | So? |
| Craven | If you must know, I was healed by a priest of Pelor. |
| Azareth | A what? Are you mad? Do you have any idea... |
| Craven | Calm down, Azareth. There is no need for concern. |
| Azareth | No need for concern? (shakes his head in stunned disbelief) A priest of Pelor! What were you thinking, man? |
| Craven | Calm down. |
| Keldirk | Yes, calm down mage. The last thing we want is to anger dear old Craven; he's liable to bite your throat out. |
| Azareth | (ignores Keldirk and plonks down on his bed) Very well, Craven. (takes a deep breath) Please, continue. |
| Craven | Do you remember when we were separated in the sewers? |
| Azareth | (nods) |
| Craven | Well, to cut a long story short, I was rescued by a priest of Pelor. His name is Maritai. He took me in and tended my wounds. |
| Azareth | And what did you do for him? |
| Craven | He asked for nothing in return. |
| Keldirk | Nothing? Sure. I believe you. |
| Craven | I assure you, both of you, that this fellow's selflessness is a wonder to behold. He asked me nothing and I told him nothing. |
| Keldirk | (nods, obviously distrusting) |
| Craven | After the Van Darrin assassination I was... troubled. You have all seen the effects of my distress and for that I'm truly sorry. But when we reached shore I knew that Maritai would be able to help me. |
| Azareth | What about us? Me? Why couldn't you confide in me? |
| Craven | It's hard to explain. (scratches his head) To be honest, I've done nothing that requires confession. What I needed was clarity and a calming voice to chase my demons away. And, no disrespect intended, I didn't think I would garner such support from you. (flashes a quick glance at Keldirk) |
| Azareth | So, did this priest use his divine powers upon you? Do you feel alright? Be honest now. |
| Craven | Yes, Maritai did use his powers on me. (raises his shirt and shows Azareth the slight scar where Van Darrin's blade entered his body) But he only cast his healing magics upon me. |
| Keldirk | (moves around to examine Craven's wound, impressed that the near-fatal injury is all but healed) |
| Azareth | How can you be sure that he didn't charm you in some way? You took a big risk going to him, Craven. |
| Craven | (thinks) Perhaps. But it's a risk I felt I had to take. And don't worry, Azareth, I don't feel as though I am under Maritai's control. You will have to meet him some day. And, when you do, you will understand that he means no harm. |
| Azareth | That may be true. What I'm concerned about is that you seemed to have forged a strong friendship with a priest of Pelor. Hell, where do your loyalties stand now? |
| Craven | With the Family. Listen, if I were ordered to kill Maritai I would do it, without hesitation. Take my word for it, everything is okay. In fact, everything is better than okay. (smiles) |
| Keldirk | That remains to be seen. I've heard enough. I think I'll go and get drunk. |
| Azareth | Is that wise? |
| Keldirk | No. But that seems to be the trend. (casts a baleful glance at Craven before leaving the room) |
| Craven | Azareth, I am fine. You'll just have to trust me. My head is clearer now than it has been in a long time and I am confident that my episodes of rage are a thing of the past. |
| Azareth | (rubs his chin) How can you be so sure? Perhaps the priest has merely suppressed whatever ails you, not banished it. |
| Craven | I don't think so. I feel whole again. (sits down beside Azareth) It was different before. It was like there were two of me, two Cravens in constant battle. But now, now there is no conflict. |
| Azareth | (slaps Craven companionably on the back) Welcome back. |
| Craven | It's good to be back. (smiles) |
| Azareth | You'll forgive me, of course, if I continue to keep an eye on you. |
| Craven | I wouldn't have it any other way. |
In the Green Dragon, a few hours after sundown, the natives were growing restless.
The ale kegs were all but empty and the room was full of thirsty men. The publican, Gustov, was nervous. Already he had run out his usual swill and, much to the distaste of the patrons, forced to sell a substandard brew. He had expected an ale delivery before sunset but, due to an ongoing dockworkers' dispute, the liquor never arrived. Ever since the deaths of three stevedores at the claws of the Butcher of Del Docks, the Dockers' Union refused to unload ships after dark. So it was that Gustov's ale remained aboard a nondescript barge moored at the Del Mord docks.
| Gustov | Hey, boy! |
| boy | (hurries over) Yes, sir? |
| Gustov | (leans down and whispers into the lad's ear) Tell Helga to begin watering the ale. We have to make it last. |
| boy | (looks sideways at the loud crowd and gulps) Are you sure? |
| Gustov | (clips the boy behind the ears) Do as I say, boy. (smiles nervously) But do it quietly. |
In the centre of the common room, Creighton was pleased. He had just won his third round of Hydra and was yet to be called upon to buy a round of drinks. Shayne, Macca and Calahan, Creighton's regular drinking buddies, weren't quite so cheerful. They were down on their luck and their money was running low.
| Shayne | Anyone for a beer? |
| Creighton | Need you ask? |
| Shayne | (chuckles) I suppose not. (rises and moves across to the bar) |
| Macca | Listen, Creighton, what have you and your pals been doin' lately? |
| Creighton | Bit o' this, bit o' that. You know? |
| Macca | (laughs nervously and glances at Calahan) Calahan and me were wondering if you guys wanted to go adventuring. You know, engage in some dungeon crawling? |
| Creighton | Adventuring, hey? Yeah, I suppose we'd be interested in a bit of that. |
| Macca | We used to be, but ever since Shayne got smashed by that ogre a while back we've stopped adventuring. |
| Creighton | That's too bad. Adventuring can be fun. It's healthy to get out of town and breathe some country air every once in a while. And walloping kobolds and shit is always good for laugh. (chuckles) |
| Macca | (nods) Yeah, that's the spirit. |
| Calahan | Just tell him, Macca. |
| Creighton | Tell me what? |
| Macca | (casts Calahan a withering glare) I'm getting to it. Shut up. |
| Creighton | Tell me what, Macca? |
| Macca | Like I was saying, we three used to love adventuring. |
| Calahan | (nods) Yeah, we used to love it. |
| Macca | (drains his mug) But, like I was saying, since Shayne got beat up we don't get out much any more. |
| Creighton | So? What are you getting at? |
| Macca | The thing is. (coughs) We got this map. |
| Calahan | It's a good map. A treasure map. |
| Macca | Shut yer trap, Cal. Do you want the whole tavern to know? |
| Calahan | (sheepishly slumps back in his chair) |
| Creighton | (leans forward, intrigued) A map, you say? |
| Macca | Yep. And the good news is that it's for sale. |
| Creighton | Where does it lead? |
| Shayne | (returns to the table with two pitchers of ale) |
| Macca | North, into the hills. |
| Calahan | Northwest, actually. |
| Macca | Northwest, then. (rolls his eyes) It is a map to a crypt the legendary Finn Thrommel. |
| Creighton | Who? |
| Macca | The legendary Finn Thrommel. |
| Creighton | Never heard of him. |
| Macca | Oh. |
| Calahan | He was a real powerful knight, some high-up fella from Furyondy who died to protect one of the Arch Prelates. As a show of thanks, the Arch Prelate built him a grand crypt in the hills. |
| Creighton | A knight, huh? |
| Calahan | He's dead now. |
| Macca | Hence the crypt, you idiot. |
| Shayne | What are you talking about? |
| Calahan | The map. |
| Macca | Keep your bloody voice down. |
| Calahan | (slumps back in his chair again, mumbling to himself) |
| Creighton | So, why are you telling me? |
| Macca | We were wondering if you want to buy the map. |
| Creighton | Buy it? Why, what's so special about this crypt? |
| Macca | They say that Finn was buried with a powerful sword and they also say that his tomb hasn't been raided yet. We were going to go and get the sword ourselves but, um, we decided not to. |
| Creighton | (thinks) Where did you get the map? |
| Macca | Good question. |
| Creighton | (waits) Well? |
| Macca | I won it in a card game. |
| Creighton | Who from? |
| Macca | Some dwarves that breezed through town a while ago. The dwarves belonged to the clan that built the crypt. They couldn't pay their debt so we took the map as payment. |
| Calahan | (leans forward) It's a one of a kind. |
| Macca | So, are you interested? |
| Creighton | I'll have to think about it. I'll need to discuss it with my friends. |
| Macca | Well don't think about it too long. We are going to sell it real soon and we just figured we'd give you the first opportunity. |
| Creighton | Thanks, guys, I appreciate that. |
| Calahan | But if you jerk us around we'll sell it to somebody else. |
| Creighton | Fair enough. How much are you asking? |
| Macca | It's a bargain. |
| Calahan | A real bargain. |
| Macca | (leans closer to Creighton) For you, only one hundred and fifty gold. |
| Creighton | (whistles) How the hell am I supposed to come up with that kind of money? |
| Macca | We were thinking that you could ask you mates; they seem pretty flush. |
| Creighton | (rubs his forehead) Tell you what, I'll run it by the guys and get back to you tomorrow. Can you hold off until then? |
| Macca | (leans back in his chair) I don't know, buddy. |
| Creighton | Just one more day. |
| Macca | Alright. One more day. (smiles) |
| Creighton | Thanks. (takes a swig of his ale) Aw, this stuff is filth. What are they trying to sell us? |
| Macca | (tastes his drink) You're right, it does taste a little off. |
| Creighton | (drinks again, swirling the ale around in his mouth before swallowing) Oh well, it could be worse. |
| Macca | How so? |
| Creighton | It could be a non-alcoholic brew. (laughs) So, who's dealer? |
Keldirk spent the afternoon and most of the night drinking in the Warhorse. He watched a few fistfights in the alley out back, ate a mediocre meal of meat and vegetables before leaving the tavern to wander the streets of the Foreign Quarter. He knew that despite Craven's protestations to the contrary, the young duelist still couldn't be trusted. As he walked he tried to think of a way to cut through Craven's facade. If he could somehow expose Craven's lie then perhaps the family would have him removed. Keldirk knew that underneath Craven's surface the chaotic monster lurked still.
Even as Keldirk began the walk back to the River Quarter, he spied a familiar face amid the shadows. Once the man was alone, Keldirk approached.
| Keldirk | Slick. What's news? |
| Slick | (holds out his hand) Good to see ya again Valrorn. |
| Keldirk | (hands over a silver piece) Anything interesting happening? |
| Slick | (pockets the coin) Always. Let me think. The city has upped the ante on the Butcher. They're offering two hundred gold, dead or alive. |
| Keldirk | That'll get the bounty hunters interested. |
| Slick | Not you? |
| Keldirk | Hardly. I've got better things to do than perform community service. Anything else? |
| Slick | A nobleman's daughter was kidnapped last week. The kidnappers sent a ransom demand saying that if the nobleman contacted the authorities the girl would be killed. Needless to say they found her floating in the river a few days later. Some people don't know how to follow simple instructions. |
| Keldirk | (chuckles) Did they catch the kidnappers? |
| Slick | (shakes his head) Not yet. But security has been stepped up in the High Quarter as a result. |
| Keldirk | These kidnappers must be very good or very stupid to try something like that with the Inquisition in town. |
| Slick | I'll say. The guilds were very quick to deny any involvement in the matter. |
| Keldirk | So, the kidnappers are working freelance? |
| Slick | (nods) |
| Keldirk | Interesting. Tell me, did the Inquisitors find what they came here for? |
| Slick | Who knows? I'm sure they'll say that they did even if they didn't. You can't trust those religious types. |
| Keldirk | You can say that again. How much longer will they be in town? |
| Slick | Word in the street is that they'll be leaving in a week or so. |
| Keldirk | Anything else? |
| Slick | Just the usual crap. If you have any specific questions ask 'em. |
| Keldirk | As a matter of fact we have some unfinished business. |
| Slick | We do? |
| Keldirk | (nods) What did you find out about Furious Brown? |
| Slick | Ahh, Furious Brown. I did look into that for you. Let me think. (smoothes back his greasy hair) Nobody knew much about him down here. One fella said that Furious runs with a gang up in Tusk. Another said that he had a thing for brunettes. That's all I could find out. |
| Keldirk | Tusk, eh? |
| Slick | Rough place that, by all accounts. It's a frontier town on the outskirts of the Adri forest. |
| Keldirk | I know where it is. |
| Slick | So who's this Furious Brown fella? |
| Keldirk | You know better than to ask questions like that. |
| Slick | (smiles) It was worth a shot. |
| Keldirk | See ya 'round. |
The following evening, after another day's recuperation, the four assassins proceeded to the home of Saradock, the spice merchant and regional Vesper to the family of assassins. After an exchange of pleasantries and an exemplary meal of roasted pheasant, the five gathered in the sitting room to discuss business.
| Saradock | That will be all Caruthers. Leave the dishes; you can clean them tomorrow. |
| Caruthers | (bows) Very good, sir. (leaves) |
Saradock waited for his servant to leave then listened as Azareth recounted the events and ultimate death of Christian Van Darrin.
| Saradock | So, let me get this straight, you consider hacking a group of men to bits in the middle of the forest to be quick and painless? |
| Keldirk | The guy is dead, isn't he? |
| Saradock | Did you learn nothing in your schooling, master Keldirk? |
| Keldirk | (angry) What the hell is that supposed to mean? |
| Saradock | I'm disappointed in you. (shakes his head) It means that part of your job is to fulfill the terms of the contract. Our client specified that her husband's death was to be quick and painless. From what you have described Van Darrin's death was a grizzly affair, ill becoming our profession. I had hoped that my four star pupils would perform better than your account indicates. Perhaps there is some detail you have omitted that would illuminate your actions in a more favourable light. |
| Azareth | I'm sorry to say that there are no mitigating factors. Everything is as we have said. |
| Saradock | I find this troubling. I have no doubt our client will hold back on monies owing due to the savage nature of her husband's demise. I expected better from you, Azareth. |
| Azareth | (lost for words) |
| Keldirk | The contract was bullshit. The guy was practically untouchable. We trailed him for almost two weeks and our opportunities were limited. |
| Craven | To say the least. |
| Saradock | Nevertheless, a contract is a contract and you must abide by the terms. (pours himself a drink) I will have to report this matter to my superiors. (looks to Azareth) As leader of the group I will need you to ratify my account. |
| Keldirk | (spits out his mouthful of port) Leader! Since when has he been leader? |
| Saradock | (looks to Azareth, surprise evident) It is my understanding that The Marque de'Ahb selected you as the leader of this group. Am I to believe that you are yet to assume this position among your fellows? |
| Keldirk | (laughs heartily) Azareth, our leader? That's funny. |
| Azareth | (glares at Keldirk) |
| Keldirk | He can barely pick his nose without instruction. |
| Azareth | (chagrined, tries to regain his composure) I, um, never got around to discussing the matter. |
| Saradock | I see. (glares at Keldirk) Please control yourself. |
| Keldirk | (stifles another laugh) |
| Craven | Perhaps we should vote for a leader. |
| Keldirk | Bah! We don't even need a leader. Things are going along pretty well without one. |
| Saradock | I beg to differ. It is in the leader's charter to ensure that any contracts are fulfilled and your last effort demonstrates a distinct lack of leadership. I agree with Craven; a vote is in order. It will be an open ballot and I will break any deadlocks. Azareth, you may start. |
| Azareth | I nominate myself. |
| Saradock | One for Azareth. Creighton? |
| Creighton | I vote for Azareth. |
| Saradock | Two for Azareth. Craven? |
| Craven | I nominate myself. |
| Saradock | Two for Azareth, one for Craven. Keldirk? |
| Keldirk | If I must. (his lips curl in a cunning smile) I vote for Craven. |
| Azareth | (raises his eyebrows in genuine surprise) |
| Craven | (looks to Keldirk, baffled) |
| Saradock | Two each for Azareth and Craven. (sips on his drink for several long moments) Craven shall lead the group. Azareth, you have had your opportunity and failed, it is only fair that Craven get his chance. |
| Azareth | (obviously disappointed) I understand. |
| Craven | (humbled) Thankyou Vesper. |
| Saradock | A word of warning, young Craven. As leader your reputation rides on the performance of your colleagues. If the group succeeds you succeed; if they fail you fail. |
| Craven | I will do my best. |
| Keldirk | (smiles) |
Three days later the group assembled at the docks of Del Mord then set off in a small rowboat Azareth had hired. They were almost fully healed from their battle with Van Darrin and had decided to continue following Runcas' map. Instead of venturing into the sewers they agreed to pick up the trail at the sewer outlet that Maritai had identified.
| Craven | (hunched in the middle of the boat, his full attention on the map in his lap) Are we there yet? |
| Creighton | Look for yourself. |
| Craven | I'd rather not. |
| Azareth | Tell me, why are you scared of water? |
| Craven | I don't know, why is anybody scared of anything? It's just a phobia. Some people are scared of heights, right? Well I get a little, um, anxious around large bodies of water. |
| Keldirk | (winks at Creighton, then begins to rock the boat) |
| Creighton | (immediately joins in, shifting his considerable weight to his left then right) Whoa! Looks like we've hit a cross-current. |
| Craven | (hunches into a tight ball, covering his eyes with the map) |
| Azareth | Stop it, both of you. This behaviour is not amusing. |
| Creighton | (stops swaying, a broad grin on his face) |
| Keldirk | (chuckles evilly) I think it's bloody funny. Look at our illustrious leader. He's quite the inspiration. |
| Craven | (glares at Keldirk) Sometimes you can be a real arsehole. |
| Keldirk | (smiles) I try my best. |
| Azareth | (points) Look, there it is, there's the sewer that matches the symbol on the map. |
| Creighton | Whew. (drops the oars into his lap with a sigh) Now what? |
| Azareth | Well, we take an educated guess. |
| Keldirk | Educated guess? What are you talking about, mage? |
| Azareth | On a hunch, Craven and I had the writings on the map deciphered yesterday. (points to the map) These markings are actually a goblin runic language. Creighton, keep rowing that way and, Keldirk, keep your eyes peeled towards the riverbank. We're looking for a large clump of river reeds. That's what these goblin symbols mean, many reeds. |
| Keldirk | (shrugs) I suppose that's as good a plan as any. (slaps Creighton on the thigh) You heard the weasel, get rowing. |
| Creighton | (sighs) My pleasure. |
The assassins rowed up river leaving the Del Mord docks behind. Some hundred or so yards beyond the city walls, Keldirk spied a large collection of river reeds. Creighton maneuvered the rowboat to the shore and Keldirk tied the bow-rope to a nearby log. A shrub-covered hill rose away from the shore and the assassins clambered out of the boat and assembled on the incline.
| Keldirk | Well I don't know what I was expecting, but I was hoping for something more than this. |
| Creighton | (looking around) Maybe there's a secret tunnel or something. |
| Craven | (happy to be on solid land again) Let's spread out and search. We'll go in pairs; you go with Keldirk and I'll search with Azareth. |
| Keldirk | Suits me. (slaps Creighton on the back) Ready? |
| Creighton | Sure. |
| Craven | You guys search the hill, we'll give the reeds and the shoreline a thorough search. |
Two hours later Keldirk and Creighton wearily returned from their search of the hill. Keldirk raised an eyebrow when he spied Azareth and Craven lying on their backs, resting in the afternoon sun.
| Keldirk | You guys look busy. |
| Craven | Flat out. |
| Creighton | Well, I hope you found more than we did. There's nothing up that hill except brambles, mosquitoes and a swarm of bees. Down the other side of the hill there's a farm, corn I think. That's all we found. |
| Keldirk | (rubs the bee-sting on the back of his neck and winces) So, what did you guys find? |
| Azareth | We uncovered a submerged tunnel, hidden amongst those reeds. It appears to lead back and under the hill. |
| Keldirk | Did you follow it? |
| Craven | No, we thought we'd wait for you guys to return. |
| Keldirk | Why the hell didn't you come and get us when you found it? |
| Craven | (smiles at Azareth) We didn't want to interrupt your fun. |
| Keldirk | Oh, funny. |
| Creighton | So, what are we going to do? |
| Azareth | We're going to get wet, that's what. |
| Keldirk | (thumbs at Craven) Even him? |
| Craven | Yes, even me. |
| Keldirk | (unbuckles his armour) This I have to see. |
| 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. |