Episode 45 – Ixtha
| 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 | On the bank of the Harp River, a longbow shot from Del Mord's walls. |
| Date | 18th Planting, 582 CY (Common Year) |
| Time | Late Afternoon. |
Creighton lowered himself into the river and waded around in the shallows until his body acclimatised to the unseasonably chill water. Once his breathing became steady he tied a rope around his waist and asked Keldirk to pass him an air-filled wineskin. Taking a deep breath he winked at his companions, ducked under the water and swam into the water-filled tunnel.
Craven held the other end of the rope in an iron grip. It was agreed that if Creighton got into any trouble then he would tug twice on the rope and Craven would pull him out. The assassins hoped that the air-filled wineskin would provide Creighton with enough air to go some distance under water; far enough, at least, to determine where the cave led. Swimming under water was not a prospect that thrilled Craven but he knew that it might be a necessary evil if they are to reach the area shown on Runcas' map. And by facing his fears it might prove to the others - as well as himself - that he was in full control. Craven fed out the rope as Creighton swam and silently hoped that the big warrior was as good a swimmer as he boasted.
| Craven | He's taking ages, I hope he's alright. |
| Keldirk | (chewing on the end of a river-reed, his bare feet splashing in the shallows) He's still swimming aint he? |
| Azareth | Yes, try to relax, Craven. Creighton has only been gone a few seconds. |
| Craven | (feeding out the rope, worried) |
Creighton had to stop once to refill his lungs from the wineskin. It was completely dark in the water- filled tunnel and the big warrior had to move forward carefully lest he smash his head on some rocky outcropping or other. As he kicked his powerful legs, Creighton used his hands to probe ahead of him, feeling the way. Perhaps three minutes after he had entered the tunnel Creighton sensed that the tunnel had opened up into a cave or the like. He kicked upwards, raised his head out of the water and took in a much-needed lung-full of air.
Due to the absolute darkness Creighton could only guess at his surroundings but he figured that he had emerged in a subterranean cavern of some kind. He tentatively sniffed the air - it did not smell stale but there was a pervading stench of decay, somewhat like rotting meat. He listened intently but he could not hear anything but his own shallow breathing and the water lapping at what sounded like a nearby shore. He took a deep breath, tugged the rope twice and ducked under the water to begin swim back.
With Craven assisting him along it only took Creighton a few moments to exit the tunnel and rise into the tranquil, sunlit surrounds on the banks of the Harp River.
| Creighton | (shakes the water from his face and takes in several gulps of air) It's bloody dark down there. |
| Keldirk | (nods) How far could you go? |
| Creighton | There's a cave of some kind a little way in but I couldn't see anything. We'll need a torch. |
| Craven | A torch won't be any use, by the time you reach the cavern it will be wet through. |
| Keldirk | We can always wrap a torch in a oilskin or something. |
| Craven | Sure. Do you have an oilskin or something in your backpack, smart guy? |
| Keldirk | Can't say that I do. |
| Craven | Azareth, is there anything you can do? |
| Azareth | (nods) I believe I will be able to shed some light on the situation. (chuckles) Fortuitously I memorised a light spell this morning. But I only have one and it will probably be best if I cast it once I reach the cave. |
| Creighton | (nods) It's not that far. |
| Craven | Okay then. Creighton, you swim back to the cave and hold the rope firm. Azareth you go next and use the rope to pull yourself along, that should speed things up. Once you break the surface, cast your spell, give five solid tugs on the rope and Keldirk and I will follow. Creighton, did you have to stop for air? |
| Creighton | Yep, but only going in. I don't think you guys will need it, though. I wasted a lot of time feeling my way around down there. |
| Azareth | Nevertheless, I suggest we each take an air-filled wineskin. Just to be safe. |
| Craven | Two. We should each take two wineskins. |
| Keldirk | (smiles at Craven's growing nervousness) So, illustrious leader, aren't you a little nervous about getting wet? You must be a little concerned that you could lose it down there and go crazy? |
| Craven | That won't happen. (indicates the rope) Keldirk, go tie the end of the rope to that log. You can come in last, after me. |
| Keldirk | Do me a favour, Craven? |
| Craven | What's that? |
| Keldirk | Try not to drown and block my way with your corpse. |
| Craven | (flashes Keldirk his middle finger) |
| Creighton | What about all our equipment? |
| Craven | We'll hide it in those bushes by the river, that should keep it safe from casual observation. |
| Creighton | Are you planning to bring weapons? |
| Keldirk | Too right. (already having removed his leather armour, buckles his knife bandolier across his chest) You never know what we could meet down there. |
| Creighton | I suppose. Az, pass me my sword. |
| Azareth | You might want to tie the handle down first. The last thing you want is to have your long- sword slip out of its scabbard while you swim. |
| Creighton | Good thinking. |
After a few minutes of preparation Creighton refilled his wineskins with air and dived under the water. With more confidence than during his previous attempt, he quickly swam the length of the tunnel before breaking the surface of the water. He rose to his feet, listened for a moment and tugged once on the rope.
Craven felt the tug and signalled for Azareth to enter. The mage took a series of deep breaths then, he too, disappeared under the water. Craven passed the rope to Keldirk.
| Craven | Wipe that smile off your face or I'll do it for you. |
| Keldirk | (smiling widely at Craven's discomfort) Don't concern yourself with what I'm doing, grand leader. Concentrate on the task at hand. And don't forget to keep your mouth closed, I hear drowning is a horrible way to die. |
| Craven | (stares at Keldirk for a long moment before turning away) |
| Keldirk | (feels the rope jerk five times in quick succession) That's your signal, the mage has cast his light spell. Off you go. (chuckles) |
| Craven | (takes a few deep breaths to calm his growing apprehension) |
| Keldirk | Hey Craven? |
| Craven | What? |
| Keldirk | If I don't see you alive again I want you know that it's been a real pleasure working with you. |
| Craven | (ignores Keldirk's sarcasm and dives under water, two wineskins in one hand and the rope in the other) |
As soon as Craven's head sank beneath the water panic started to rise, threatening to shatter Craven's resolve. The young duelist struggled to keep from returning to the surface and it was only the fact that he would not give Keldirk the satisfaction of seeing just how much the situation bothered him that kept him under water. He kicked his legs and began the terrifying journey through the pitch-black, watery tunnel, the rope his only guide. About fifteen feet into the tunnel Craven's panic forced him to refill his lungs from his wineskins. His fingers betrayed him on the first attempt and the life-giving air escaped into the water before Craven had a chance to take a breath. But, with the second wineskin, Craven managed to regain mastery of his extremities and take in a much-needed lung-full of air. Some ten feet further along Craven spotted Azareth's magical light, little more than a dim glow in the murky water, and he redoubled his efforts to reach it.
Meanwhile Azareth and Creighton had their own problems.
A heartbeat after Azareth had completed his spell, bathing a small section of the cavern in a circle of light, the giant lizard-man attacked. Ixtha flew out of the darkness and tore at Creighton with unbridled savagery. One powerfully muscled arm swept down on Creighton's bare chest, claws raking huge gashes across the big man's body. Creighton would've died then and there if Azareth's light had not momentarily blinded the lizard-man. After recovering from the initial onslaught, Creighton simply leapt to his left to avoid another deadly attack. The lizard-man blinked in the light and tried vainly to shield its eyes. That minor distraction allowed Creighton to put some distance between them.
Azareth lowered himself until the waters were lapping at his chin. He figured that if he could remain unseen then he might be able to help Creighton with his spells. But if the lizard-man noticed him, and attacked him, Azareth knew that the remainder of his life would be measured in seconds, not years. His ploy worked and the mage carefully circled the two combatants coming to a stop in a nearby alcove. Creighton had managed to unsheathe his sword and was trying to keep the massive monster at bay.
It was at that moment when Craven broke the surface, rising into mayhem and confusion. His first hopeful gasp of air threatened to fill his lungs with water as his face was struck by a wave from the frenzied melee. Creighton's sword flashed in the magical light but Craven saw that the big warrior was already injured, blood flowing freely from his muscular torso. The lizard-man, too, looked wounded but its injuries appeared to be several days old and certainly not as life threatening as Creighton's lacerations.
As Craven waded towards the shallows he figured that Creighton was in trouble - big trouble. He scanned the area for Azareth and found the mage partially concealed in an alcove watching the combat intently. Craven's arrival seemed to go unnoticed so he carefully made his way forward hoping to take the giant lizard-man by surprise. As he approached the creature from behind he drew his stiletto and held it high, poised to strike.
Ixtha was mad with rage. The vile human had come to his very home, invaded that which was his sanctuary and that meant that the human must die. Ixtha rained blow after blow on Creighton but many were turned aside by the warrior's sword. But when Ixtha's claws found flesh they tore open long rents. Ixtha knew that the human would soon fall.
Creighton became painfully aware that that he would never be able to defeat this creature on his own. He fought the desire to call out for Azareth's help; he had full confidence that the mage would help when the time was right. He just hoped that the right time was soon. Very soon.
Craven slipped through the waist-deep water silently and thrust the point of his stiletto deep into the giant lizard-man's back. The lizard-man turned to face this new threat and howled in pain. With a quick flick of its wrist it battered Craven away, the duelist splashing into the water some five feet away. At that moment Creighton slashed at the lizard-man's exposed rear, opening a long gash on its rump.
Ixtha leapt out of the water and prepared to fight on solid ground. Craven and Creighton, sensing that they had their opponent on the back foot pressed their attack.
The combat was brutal. Creighton aimed blow after powerful blow at the seven-foot tall reptile only to have his attacks turned by the creature's tough hide or blocking arm. Craven hated this kind of fighting; no grace, no style, only frenzied cuts and thrusts aimed at weakening the opponent through a multitude of minor wounds. He stepped in and thrust his rapier low, hoping to stab the creature in the lower torso, but his strike was knocked wide by the lizard-man's muscled forearm. Craven's momentum carried him forward and he was forced to duck the lizard-man's deadly claws. As he tried to right himself, the creature's tail whisked around and knocked Craven from his feet. Immediately his mind was sent back to his rolling combat with the crocodile in the sewers. As Craven rolled to his feet he realised that he was in full control of his faculties. And that, he was sure, would make a big difference.
Creighton watched with horror as the lizard-man knocked Craven from his feet. But when he saw that that the lizard-man's attention was directed at the young duelist, Creighton launched a savage attack of his own. He brought his blade down across the lizard-man's flank and cut again on his backswing - opening two long, interconnecting gashes. The blade bit deep and Creighton felt the tearing of muscle with each blow. That was going to hurt, he thought.
Creighton's triumph was short lived, however, as the powerful reptile counterattacked. With supernatural speed it spun about to face Creighton and raked its clawed hands across the burly fighter's chest, adding another series of slashes to Creighton's already impressive array of cuts. It clenched a fist and slammed a stunning blow into Creighton's face, breaking his nose and sending the warrior reeling backward, almost falling into the water. Creighton, his eyes filled with stars and swirling lights, danced to his left to avoid the lizard-man's next attack.
But it never came.
Craven had regained his footing and sliced at the lizard-man's hamstrings even as the massive reptile moved to finish Creighton. The lizard-man left Creighton and concentrated his attacks on the petulant human.
From the relative safety of the pool, Azareth could see that Craven and Creighton were struggling to hold their own against the powerful lizard-man. He knew that unless he did something to sway the outcome in his colleagues' favour, things were going to go rapidly down hill. The mage already had the seed of an idea formed in his mind and, when he saw Keldirk's head break the surface, he knew he could act.
| Azareth | (softly) Keldirk, stay back. Don't get too close. |
| Keldirk | (appraising the situation) Don't worry, mage, that wasn't my plan. |
| Azareth | Well make sure that you don't. I need you. |
| Keldirk | (flashes Azareth a questioning look but turns back to the swirling melee when he spies the mage casting a spell) |
Azareth closed his eyes for a moment, visualised the cave before taking a deep breath and summoning the magical energies into his body. He uttered the arcane words and performed the intricate gestures required; he felt the power growing in him as the casting neared its completion. Once the ritual was complete he held the power for an instant, savouring its intoxicating effects, before he opened his eyes and released the spell.
At first nothing happened. Then suddenly Azareth stepped forward, raised both hands and pointed at the roof of the cave. Crackling bolts of white energy shot from his hands and crashed into the rocks above the combat. Immediately some of the rocks fell, directly onto the three combatants and the surrounding area.
Azareth was pleased; the display had served its purpose and he had their attention.
Again Azareth raised his hands and again bolts of power erupted from his fingertips. But this time the roof literally exploded, sending tons of dirt and rock onto the lizard-man, Creighton and Craven. The cavern filled with choking dust and Keldirk turned away to avoid the cloud. When he turned back all that could be seen where his two companions and the lizard-man once stood was a massive pile of stone.
| Keldirk | (stunned) What have you done? |
| Azareth | I've eliminated the threat, that's what I've done. |
| Keldirk | And killed two of our number in the process, you idiot! (wheels on Azareth, his short sword in his hand) When I'm finished with you... |
| Azareth | (smiles) You jump to conclusions. Wait and see. |
Instantly the huge pile of rocks and dirt vanished revealing the three unmoving bodies exactly where they fell. There was not a mark of damage upon them and the roof was solid once more, the stones and debris just things of memory.
| Azareth | (to Keldirk) Now, you do what you're trained to do - finish off the lizard-man. I will wake these two. |
| Keldirk | (stares blankly at the unmoving bodies) |
| Azareth | (inwardly smiles at Keldirk's confusion) They're not dead just unconscious. I don't expect you to understand, but I do expect you to follow simple instructions. So close your mouth and do as I bid, kill the lizard-man. |
| Keldirk | Don't gloat, mage, just tell me what happened. |
| Azareth | It's simple. So simple, in fact, that I expect even you could understand. The rockfall was but an illusion and, judging by everyone's reaction, an extremely convincing one at that. |
| Keldirk | I see. (approaches the lizard-man warily) How long will it stay like this? |
| Azareth | You only have one shot so make sure it counts. If you fail to kill the creature with your first strike it will wake and the combat will resume. |
| Keldirk | Then perhaps we should rouse the others first. I have to admit I'm not particuarly familiar with lizard-man biology. |
Azareth woke Craven and Creighton and ordered them to ready themselves lest Keldirk miss his mark. But, luckily for the assassins, Keldirk successfully eliminated the lizard-man without further incident.
After Azareth had told the two warriors what had transpired and tended to their wounds the group spread out to search the lizard-man's lair.
Azareth discovered some crude, albeit intricate, mud paintings upon one wall. One mural depicted many tailed-bipeds, presumably lizard-men, bowing in supplication to a massive insect-like creature. Upon closer inspection, and a quick count of the legs, Azareth determined that the creature was in fact an arachnid, not an insect. Another mud-mural represented a massive lizard-man standing atop a large mound of humanoids of varying sizes and races. The third and last work of art had the giant lizard- man standing triumphantly before a veritable sea of humanoids. At the lizard-man's right stood a smaller figure, possibly a goblin and, to its left, was the large spider.
Creighton ambled over to the creature's sleeping area and poked through its belongings with his sword. Amongst the bones, fur and miscellaneous junk he found a small pouch that he emptied on the dirt floor. Several gems and a few handfuls of coins tumbled out. Creighton scooped up the loot and placed it into his own belt pouch. A few yards from the lizard-man's sleeping space Creighton made a grisly discovery. Piled almost three feet high, in a semi-complete pyramid, were a multitude of skulls. Some of the skulls once belonged to dogs, cats, and other animals but, by far, the majority of skulls were those of children, demi-humans and humans. Out of interest Creighton began to count Ixtha's morbid trophies.
Craven proceeded to the rear of the cave where he found a large pool of murky water, perhaps twenty feet in diameter. He poked around in the pool with his rapier and determined that the pool deepened dramatically after only a few feet. Not wanting to risk further injury Craven left the pool and walked around the wall to his left, searching for any hidden nooks and crannies.
Keldirk proceeded directly to a small alcove whereupon he discovered a stone shelf and an iron- studded oaken chest. The stone shelf contained a dozen trinkets of varying size and description, none of which seemed of any particular value. The chest was of more interest to the young assassin and he immediately set about searching for traps. Finding none, Keldirk examined the lock. It was solidly constructed but Keldirk was confident that it would pose no problem to his lockpicking talents.
| Keldirk | (pokes his head out of the alcove) Creighton. What are you doing? |
| Creighton | (counting skulls and sorting them into groups) Forty one, forty two. Counting. |
| Keldirk | Well make yourself useful and drag that lizard-man over here. |
| Creighton | Why? |
| Keldirk | Because I said so. |
| Creighton | Drag it over yourself, I'm busy. Forty three, forty four... |
Keldirk rolled his eyes and went to retrieve Ixtha's corpse. After considerable effort - and swearing in Creighton's direction - the young assassin managed to drag the lizard-man into the alcove. He placed the corpse between himself and the chest and began to pick the lock. Just as he began his labour, Keldirk had a thought.
| Keldirk | Has anybody found a set of keys? |
| Creighton | Sixty one, sixty two, no, sixty three... |
| Azareth | No. |
| Craven | Nope. |
| Keldirk | Damn. Oh well, here goes. |
Keldirk picked the lock with relative ease then, using the lizard-man as a shield, he lifted the lid of the chest. A small click and thud confirmed his fears; despite his search the chest was indeed trapped. Keldirk moved away and waited before pulling the corpse aside. Embedded in the lizard-man's chest was a tiny dart. Keldirk re-examined the chest and discovered, partially hidden among the metal studs, a tiny hole from which the dart had sprung. With renewed confidence Keldirk opened the lid.
Inside the chest, covered by a tattered black cloth, lay a sack and four vials. Keldirk retrieved the sack and found within a score of acorns, two daggers, a short sword and a small, clay statue. Putting the sack aside, Keldirk examined the vials. The first was made of terracotta with two crossed tridents painted upon its surface. The second vial was made of darkened glass and sported a sunburst symbol etched into its surface. The third vial was a long tube, corked at one end. The liquid within this tube was strangely multi-coloured, swirling hues of red, green and yellow. The fourth vial was a small, round black bulb with a tiny neck and stopper. Depicted upon the inky black surface of the vial was a red cobra, poised to strike. Keldirk carefully placed the four vials into the sack and carried it to the centre of the cavern.
In the meantime Craven had uncovered a door, partially concealed behind a mesh of roots. He cut the roots away and examined the door before calling the others over.
| Azareth | Where do you suppose it leads? |
| Craven | No idea. |
| Creighton | (bends down and picks up a heavy steel bar) Whoa! This thing is heavy. |
| Craven | The locking bar for the door, I presume. Once that's in place it would take an army to break through. |
| Azareth | Put it down, Creighton, there's no need to exert yourself unnecessarily. |
| Keldirk | He's just showing off. |
| Creighton | (drops the steel bar with a clang) |
| Keldirk | (jumps back, barely avoiding having his toes crushed) Hey, watch it! |
| Creighton | (winks) |
| Azareth | Hmm. |
| Craven | What is it? Azareth: If the locking bar is on this side of the door then whatever is on the other side must be on the outside. |
| Keldirk | What the hell are you talking about, mage? |
| Azareth | Think about it. You come through this door and put the bar in place. Once you do that you know that nothing is getting through. I have a feeling that this cavern was once an inner sanctum or, given the tunnel that leads outside, perhaps it is an avenue for escape. If you are going to lock a door with a steel bar like that you are doing it to keep something out. |
| Craven | Or to keep something in. |
| Azareth | (nods) That's a point, it could be a prison. |
| Keldirk | Your commentary is as insightful as ever, mage. (turns away shaking his head) |
| Craven | So, do we go through? |
| Azareth | Perhaps we should return when you are feeling better. Creighton, for one, doesn't look very good. |
| Creighton | I'm alright. The chest is a little tender but I can still swing a sword. |
| Keldirk | (under his breath) More muscles than sense. |
| Creighton | What was that? |
| Keldirk | Nothing. |
| Azareth | Craven, how are you feeling? |
| Craven | I'll manage. How long will your light spell hold out? |
| Azareth | It should last another fifteen minutes. |
| Craven | Okay then, let's proceed. Creighton, you take point. |
Creighton opened the door and the assassins entered the corridor beyond. Unlike the lizard-man's cavern, the corridor was man-made. Wooden struts lined the corridor and the floor was covered with a ceramic tile. The air smelled musty and as they walked clouds of dust rose into the air.
| Creighton | This place hasn't seen much use. |
| Azareth | (covers his mouth with his sleeve) |
| Craven | (feels one of the wooden struts) Even the wood feels old. |
| Creighton | (peers down the corridor) I wonder where it leads. |
| Keldirk | Keep walking and you'll find out. |
Some sixty or seventy feet down the corridor Creighton stopped before an open pit. It completely filled the corridor and was perhaps fifteen feet across to the other side where the corridor continued into darkness. Creighton, Craven and Azareth crowded around the edge of the pit and peered down as Keldirk kept watch up and down the corridor.
| Creighton | It isn't too deep. |
| Azareth | If I was a betting man I would not say more than twenty feet. |
| Creighton | So how do we get across? |
| Azareth | We could climb down, walk across and climb up the other side. With the talents at our disposal that shouldn't pose much of a problem. |
| Craven | (points to the other side of the pit) Look over there - a plank. |
| Creighton | He's right. (leans closer) And it's got handles. |
| Craven | I wish we had more light. I'd like to see a little further up the corridor. |
| Azareth | Perhaps the plank is used to walk across the pit. |
| Creighton | But how do we get it? (rubs his chin thoughtfully) I know. We could go back and get more rope. |
| Azareth | There wasn't anything useful in the lizard-man's lair, was there? |
| Keldirk | Why don't we jump the pit? It's only fifteen feet. |
| Craven | No, there was nothing in the lair that would help us here. What we need is a grapnel and some rope. If we could latch onto that handle we could pull the plank toward us. |
| Creighton | So do you want me to go back and get some rope? I've got a spare one in my backpack. |
| Azareth | That will take a fair while. Remember my light spell will not last forever. |
| Keldirk | (growing impatient) You're right. The longer we stay here and debate the less time we have. |
| Craven | So, do we climb down, try to get the plank or risk a jump? |
| Azareth | I say one of us climbs down, walks across the bottom, climbs up and passes the plank across. |
| Creighton | (on hands and knees, peers into the pit) The floor looks solid enough. |
| Craven | If we go down we should test the floor for traps. There could be spikes or even a false floor. |
| Creighton | A false floor in the bottom of a pit? That would be tricky. |
| Keldirk | What's the decision? Are we climbing down or not? |
| Craven | Creighton and I will go back and get the lizard-man. We'll throw the corpse down and see what happens. |
| Keldirk | What about the reward? |
| Craven | What reward? |
| Creighton | Yeah, what reward? What are you talking about? |
| Keldirk | I think you guys have been whacked about the head a few too many times. |
| Azareth | (nods) I think I understand what Keldirk is talking about. And, thinking about it, he might be right. We should take care of the corpse. |
| Keldirk | I am right. |
| Creighton | What? |
| Azareth | I suspect that the lizard-man we killed is what the folk of Del Mord call 'The Butcher Of Del Docks". |
| Creighton | Really? And there was a reward? |
| Craven | The Butcher? I suppose you could be right. |
| Creighton | There were enough skulls lying around, I suppose. |
| Craven | Keldirk, how much for the reward? |
| Keldirk | Slick said a few hundred gold. |
| Craven | I still think we need to test the floor of the pit in case it is trapped. |
| Keldirk | (walks twenty feet back up the tunnel and turns around) Stand aside. |
| Craven | What are you doing? |
| Keldirk | What does it look like? I'm going to jump the pit |
| Craven | I thought we decided to climb down and walk across. |
| Keldirk | (tired of talking) Stand aside. |
As Keldirk charged down the corridor the others moved to the walls. Keldirk was an excellent jumper and had no doubt he could easily span the distance. What he didn't account for, however, and what became painfully obvious half way across the pit, was an invisible barrier. Keldirk crashed into the unseen obstruction at maximum velocity and, with little more than a soft whimper, dropped the twenty- odd feet into the pit below.
| Craven | (peers over the edge of the pit) He's still moving. |
| Azareth | (shakes his head) Remarkable. |
| Creighton | Huh? |
| Azareth | (turns to Creighton) Only two things are infinite; the multiverse and human stupidity. (watches as Keldirk climbs out of the pit, blood pouring out of his nose) And I am not sure about the multiverse. |
| Creighton | Heh, heh, heh. |
| Keldirk | (venomously) What are you laughing at? |
| Creighton | You. |
| Keldirk | Well shut your mouth. |
| Craven | Um, Keldirk. |
| Keldirk | What? (spits out some blood) |
| Craven | The least you could've done was climb up the other side of the pit. That is where the plank is, after all. (chuckles) |
| Keldirk | (wipes the blood from his chin) You're going to regret this for the rest of your life. Both seconds of it! |
| 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. |