Episode 56 – The Tower of Guldar Heel
| The Assassins |
Azareth - Wizard 4th Level LE (PC) Craven - Fighter / Rogue 3rd / 3rd LE (PC) Creighton - Fighter 4th Level LE (PC) Keldirk - Rogue 5th level NE (PC) |
| Locale | The Assassins' room, third level of 'The Whistler', Del Mord, Prelacy of Almor |
| Date | 24th Wealsun 582 CY |
| Time | Midday |
Azareth sat on the edge of his bed and pondered the strange turn of events that had transpired in recent months. He looked around him and marveled at just how far removed he was from the safe, familiar study halls on the small Family island in the Olmans.
The assassins' room on the third level of "The Whistler" could only be described as luxurious compared to the hovel that defined their previous residence. Practically an entire wing of the top level had been reserved for their use and it didn't take long for Creighton to grow into their new space. Already vast quantities of the warrior's junk was strewn across the carpeted floor. Amongst the filth were food scraps, beer mugs, weapons, clothes, various pieces of armour and, oddly, the taxidermed head of large, wild pig. The mage shuddered and forced his eyes away.
Across the room Azareth spied Keldirk's bed and the neat pile of equipment at its foot. Keldirk had moved his bed against one wall, as far removed from the others as physically possible, and had threatened to kill anyone who disturbed his belongings. Azareth couldn't help but wonder if it there was some truth to the threat.
Azareth looked over to Craven's bed where the young duelist lay. The death of Natasha - his vampire mistress - had taken its toll leaving the once strong and healthy swordsman weak as a newborn babe. It had been five days since Natasha's death and only now was Craven beginning to show any sign of recovery. Azareth took solace in the fact that it would only be a matter of time before his duelist colleague was restored to his former self.
While Azareth sat and contemplated the events of the past few days, Keldirk busied himself with the maintenance of his weapons and thieving equipment. Creighton marveled at the care and attention the young man lavished on the tools of his trade, quite at odds to his normally abrupt manner.
| Creighton | (walks over to Keldirk and sits down on his bed) What are we going to do next? |
| Keldirk | Get off my bed. |
| Creighton | (lies down and puts his feet up) Well? |
| Keldirk | Are you hard of hearing or just plain stupid? I said get off my bed. |
| Creighton | I'm hard of hearing. (fluffs Keldirk's pillow and makes himself comfortable) What are we going to do? |
| Keldirk | We'll do what we normally do. Stop asking stupid questions. |
| Creighton | No, I mean specifically. What are we going to do, specifically? Everything over the past few weeks has been leading up to us getting the tavern open and finding out what was happening to Craven. Both those things seem done now. |
| Keldirk | We get the staff for the ghost, that's what. I had a visit from our resident spirit and he was most displeased with our apparent lack of progress. |
| Azareth | You spoke to Varashar? When? |
| Keldirk | The night of the Grand Opening. |
| Azareth | And you tell us this now? Why didn't you say something earlier? |
| Keldirk | Because I don't report to you, that's why. Besides, I just told you about it so stop your complaining. |
| Azareth | Actually you do report to me. Sapphire made that quite clear. Until the new Vesper arrives I am in charge. |
| Keldirk | (sighs) I thought that was just a bad dream. |
| Azareth | (coolly) Reality is often cruel. |
| Creighton | Refresh my memory, what does the ghost want? |
| Azareth | We have been chartered to retrieve the Cardass Staff for Varashar. That was the bargain we struck in order for the ghost to allow work to begin on the refurbishment of the tavern. |
| Creighton | Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about that. |
| Azareth | (to Keldirk) Have there been any other developments that you would like to share with us? |
| Keldirk | I found out where the mage's tower is. It's in the Artisans' Quarter, at the intersection of five streets. It's well located, offering the occupants a great view of all possible approaches, day or night. It will be a difficult place to break into when we consider the potential magical protections. Mage's towers are a thief's nightmare. |
| Azareth | (nods) My investigations have revealed that Guldar Heel has not been seen for many months. In fact, from what I gather at the Academy, Heel has been wandering the Hellfurnaces in search of a magical trinket. So, and correct me if I am wrong master thief, if ever there is a time to invade a mage's tower then it would be when the mage is far from home. |
| Creighton | What if he's taken the staff with him? |
| Azareth | We will not know that unless we look. His absence provides us with the opportunity to gather accurate intelligence and, I suppose, it is an opportunity that we should not ignore. If Heel does indeed have the staff with him then perhaps we could prepare an uncomfortable welcome for him. |
| Creighton | Sounds good. When do we make our move? |
| Azareth | As soon as Craven has recovered, I suppose. It would be prudent for us to be at full strength for this assault. |
| Keldirk | I'm not ready to trust Craven with anything as important as this. |
| Azareth | Well I am. I have every faith that Craven is free of his curse. I believe that the death of Natasha ended his transformation and he is now well down the road to recovery. |
| Keldirk | That's crap. (looks over at Craven's sleeping form) He's just as unreliable now as ever. |
| Azareth | You are basing this assumption on what, exactly? |
| Keldirk | Instinct. When you are as good as I am you learn to go with your gut. My sixth sense has served me well so far. (raises a finger) Don't forget that it was I who maintained my distrust of him while the two of you were content to place your necks upon the executioner's block. |
| Creighton | What the hell are you talking about? |
| Keldirk | (to Creighton) Shutup, adults are talking. |
| Creighton | (stands up, annoyed) |
| Azareth | Whatever prejudices you harbour towards Craven must be put aside. We are Family. And until that situation changes I expect... no, I demand that you change your attitude. |
| Keldirk | Neither you, Craven, nor this stupid oaf can dictate terms to me. |
| Creighton | (punches Keldirk solidly in the face) |
| Keldirk | (falls onto his backside, blood flowing freely from his nose) |
| Creighton | I've taken about as much shit from you as I can stomach. You're in desperate need of friends, buddy boy, and we're the only candidates you have. As I see it you've got two choices; pick up your gear and get the hell out of here or stick around and try to be nice. We're all we've got - so get used to it. |
| Keldirk | (rises indignantly to his feet) If you ever hit me again- |
| Creighton | (punches Keldirk in the nose a second time) |
| Keldirk | (reels back against the wall) |
| Creighton | And another thing: those threats of yours, well, they're getting tired. |
| Azareth | (suppresses a smile) Well now that that is all settled, I suggest we try for Guldar Heel's tower tomorrow night. Assuming Craven is feeling up to it, of course. |
| Keldirk | (pushes past Azareth and leaves the room) |
A little before midday the following day Craven woke and stumbled out of bed. His body was hit by a wave of nausea as he rose to his feet. As quickly as his pain-filled limbs would take him, Craven staggered around the new surroundings barely making it to his chamber pot in time. He had done the same thing, day in day out, as his body recovered from the effects of Natasha's curse. Thankfully he was beginning to recover but, from the way he felt each and every morning, full recovery always seemed a long way off. Craven slid the chamber pot, and it's greeny-orange contents, under the table and returned to bed.
Craven's retching disrupted Azareth from his study. The mage pushed his spell book aside and approached Craven who sat on the edge of his bed, doubled over and clutching his stomach.
| Craven | I wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy. |
| Azareth | (smiles) Be grateful for it; the pain reminds you that you are alive. |
| Craven | I don't need to be reminded of that, trust me. (groans) These last few months are something of a jumble. I remember some things but there are significant gaps. |
| Azareth | I imagine everything will come back to you in time. You have undergone quite an ordeal. It is only natural that there will be significant side effects. I have asked the cooks to prepare a potent herbal broth. I noted in the text that its taste is less than inspiring but, if what the master herbalist wrote is true, the broth will settle your stomach. And then you can begin to eat in earnest. Perhaps you would be game to try it now? |
| Craven | No. (shudders) Not just yet. |
| Azareth | Very well, but you must eat something sooner or later. Your body requires energy to heal itself and if you continue to refuse food you will never completely recover. |
| Craven | (nods) How long has it been? |
| Azareth | This is the sixth morning since Ambassador Shade ended Natasha's life. |
| Craven | Six days. (closes his eyes) I can still see her. She was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You have no idea, Azareth, no idea at all. She consumed me - heart, body and soul. I would've done anything for her. |
| Azareth | You must push her from your mind. She was a monster, Craven, and the sooner you realise that the better off you will be. |
| Craven | Tell me, why would the Ambassador want her dead? |
| Azareth | Creighton said that the two were talking during the fight, but he only caught snippets of their conversation. From what Creighton gathered she had slighted him in some way and Shade sought revenge. Whatever the reason I imagine that we are in some danger now that he suspects we know his secret. |
| Craven | (thinks) No, I don't think so. He could have killed us all by now if that was what he wanted. Think about it, he knows exactly who we are. He was there at the Grand Opening of The Whistler after all and, thanks to Mickey Moritz, everybody who attended knows our names and faces. I think that as long as we keep quiet about what we know, then he will continue to leave us alone. |
| Azareth | I certainly hope you are right, but I will not be so naive as to believe we are out of the woods just yet. I think it would be prudent for us to keep a watchful eye on Ambassador Shade. (pats Craven companionably on the back) But right now we have more pressing concerns. The ghost has begun to get impatient and we need to take action if we hope to keep this tavern for ourselves and keep in the good books with Simpkin. We have decided to retrieve the Cardass Staff from Guldar Heel as soon as you feel well enough to join us. Keldirk has determined the location of his tower and I have reason to believe that the mage will be out of town for several weeks. Because of this we feel that now is an opportune time for us to gain entry into his tower and have a look around. |
| Craven | That makes good sense. We should make our move sooner rather than later. (sits up straight and grimaces in pain) Perhaps I should have that broth after all. |
| Azareth | (smiles) |
The streets of the Artisans' quarter were all but deserted. With the onset of darkness the stores, workshops and street-side markets had closed. The common folk had long since retreated to their houses and only those on their way to places of entertainment walked the darkened streets. During the day the Artisans' Quarter was a bubbling hive of activity, by night a veritable graveyard. Even the city watch were spread lightly in this area, preferring instead to walk in numbers in the more conventional trouble spots of Del Mord, such as the River District or throughout the Foreign Quarter's Tavern ward.
But there were some folk in the Artisans' Quarter with trouble on their minds.
Four figures moved stealthily along the streets, slipping from shadow to shadow, careful to conceal their identities and presence. From the mouth of an alleyway they surveyed the area before them. Three alleyways and two streets opened into a large cobbled area. Dominating the intervening expanse stood a tall, oval-shaped stone tower surrounded by a sturdy black iron fence and moat. A dull red glow emanated from the still waters that leant a sinister aspect to the scene. The tower was perhaps four storeys high and rose approximately ninety feet into the air.
The tower's presence in the Artisans' Quarter was a curiosity. It was out of place among the short, timber and stone businesses that filled the streets. But such was the tower's aura of importance that, somehow, it seemed that the surrounding buildings were misplaced and that, the tower was indeed in its rightful location.
One of four figures darted from the cobbled lane, across the small space to the tower and disappeared into the darkness by the front gate. After a few minutes the gate was unlocked and the figure signaled to the others who then carefully crossed the road. Once the four men stood on the wooden bridge spanning the eerie, red liquid they closed the street gate and concentrated on the tower's front door.
A pair of iron-banded, weather-scarred roanwood doors formed the entrance to the tower. Large rings of twisted iron were fixed to the center of each door and the oversized hinges were crafted in a similar blackened metal. The walls of the tower were made from immense squares of some dark stone. The mortar between some of the blocks had long since crumbled away and these cracks and niches were filled with a curious blend of some strange looking moss and lichen.
| Azareth | We can not afford to tarry here too long. Keldirk says that a regular patrol passes through this square every half an hour or so. How long will it take to get the doors open? |
| Keldirk | (examining the lock) I'm not sure. Craven? |
| Craven | (pushes forward) It's a good lock, it might take some time. Somebody give me some light. |
| Keldirk | (holds his hand lamp to the lock) |
| Craven | (to Azareth) Now you're positive that there are no magics upon the door? |
| Azareth | Positive. |
| Craven | I hope you're right. (begins to work with his tools) |
| Creighton | That looks weird. (points to the symbol above the door) It looks like its watching us. |
Fashioned into the wall above the door was a strange symbol. An inverted triangle framed a raised circular pattern fashioned to look like a cat's eye. The craftsmanship was exemplary and the whole symbol did indeed give the impression that it watched as the assassins sought entry into the tower. The entire scene would have made a far greater impression had Azareth's divinations indicated that the symbol was enchanted, but in reality it was little more than decoration.
| Creighton | What do you think it is? |
| Azareth | My studies suggest that this might well be the symbol of the Heel family. For generations there has been a Heel mage in Del Mord and this tower has always been their family home. That symbol is referred to in a number of texts and it would be safe to conclude that it is in fact the traditional symbol of the Heel Magus. As is evidenced from the apparent weather damage this tower has stood here for many, many years. One tome even suggests - |
| Craven | (interrupting) If the history lesson is over? I have opened the front doors. |
| Azareth | That was quick. |
| Craven | (slides his tools away) I must be getting better. (smiles) |
Creighton pushed open the door and stepped inside Guldar Heel's tower, drawing his sword as he did so. A quick check of the room yielded no immediate threats and the hulking warrior signaled for the others to follow. In a matter of moments the four assassins were inside and the front doors closed.
A strange light illuminated the room. A thin strip of blue luminescent stone lined the cornices of each wall. The dull glow was enough to see by and Azareth shuttered his lantern and turned it down.
The room was comfortably furnished. Five high-backed chairs covered in a plush red velvet surrounded a highly polished, wooden table. A hat-stand stood in the northeastern corner of the room, upon which hung two robes, one red the other yellow with prominent red piping. A weather-beaten wide brimmed leather hat sat askew atop the hat-stand. A smaller second table was located against the curved wall to the west, beside it sat another high-backed chair. Upon the table's small circular surface rested an ashtray, various pipes and other smoking paraphernalia as well as a leather-bound book entitled "A Treatise On Tobacco Preparation". Despite the apparent luxury of the room no effort was made to adorn the walls and this gave the room a generally uncomfortable feel. A single door broke the otherwise featureless wall to the north.
| Azareth | Craven, check the bottles on the main table. Keldirk, you check the robes and I will examine the book. |
| Creighton | What about me? |
| Azareth | Keep your eyes and ears open. If there is any trouble be sure to open this. (hands Creighton the shuttered lantern) I suspect that the master of the tower could choose to negate this strange illumination at will. |
| Creighton | (takes the lantern) Good thinkin' boss. |
The search revealed nothing of any consequence. The bottles on the table contained expensive yet commonly available wines while the book and the robes were exactly what they appeared. Minutes later, Keldirk checked the only other exit to the room and allowed Creighton to open the door.
| Craven | (places a hand on Creighton's shoulder) Before we go any further I suggest we decide upon a course of action when confronted by a standard obstacle or barrier - like this door. |
| Azareth | Sound reasoning. What do you suggest? |
| Craven | I propose that Keldirk tests the door for traps and determines whether it is locked. If the door is untrapped but locked then either he or I attempt to unlock it. Given my superior knowledge of locks I should make the initial attempt. In any event, once the door has been checked and unlocked Creighton - with his natural immunity to fire, bullish constitution and sturdier armour - should then open the door. I will be nearby to lend assistance where required and I suggest that you and Keldirk remain a short way from the door until we give the all clear. It will be Keldirk's responsibility to maintain a rear guard. |
| Azareth | Excellent. It sounds as though you have thought this through. Naturally, some roles may need to be altered based upon an individual's health and, or, special circumstance. |
| Craven | Naturally. |
| Azareth | Does anyone have any objections? |
| Keldirk | Only that this isn't really the time or place to have this discussion. Your lack of professionalism appalls me. If it's alright with you, let's continue. |
| Azareth | Of course. (looks to Creighton) You look troubled. |
| Creighton | I'm just working on something. (holds up a hand) Hang on. |
| Keldirk | (rolls his eyes, slumps in a chair and taps his fingers impatiently on his thigh) |
| Craven | (several moments later) I don't mean to be rude but is this likely to take long Creighton? |
| Creighton | (snaps his fingers) Got it! We stop and fart. |
| Azareth | What? |
| Craven | Stop and fart? |
| Creighton | Standard operating procedure. Find and remove traps. Stop and Fart. (looks around at his companions confused faces) What? It's funny. |
| Keldirk | You're an imbecile. (stands) Now open the goddamned door. |
Creighton handed the lantern back to Azareth and, hand on hilt, pushed open the door.
| Creighton | (whispers over his shoulder) A corridor. Looks empty. |
| Craven | (nods his head, indicating Creighton should move on in) |
The assassins filed into the corridor and peered around nervously. If nothing else Guldar Heel's sense of decor had the assassins on edge. The corridor could only be described in terms of blue. The tiles on the floor were blue, the walls were blue, the long, rectangular rug was blue and even the eight-foot tall ceramic statue was blue. The corridor, as in the entry-room, was bathed in a dull blue light.
| Creighton | This guy needs to get himself a girlfriend. He's got absolutely no taste. |
| Azareth | Shush. (whispers to Keldirk) Please, check out the statue. Look for any engravings or symbols. We'll wait here. |
As annoying as Keldirk was most of the time, Azareth knew that in situations such as this the headstrong young assassin could be relied upon. Keldirk knew his strengths, and weaknesses, and would know as well as Azareth that he was the best choice to stealthily pad the fifteen or so feet to the statue. Without a word of complaint, Keldirk did as he was instructed then returned to the group.
| Keldirk | It's unremarkable. It's fashioned into the likeness of a savage. There are no magical wards or engravings and no sign that the statue has been moved in recent times. It is in excellent condition. |
| Azareth | Very well. Which door? |
| Craven | Let's be systematic. Keldirk, stop and fart on that door. |
| Creighton | (chuckles) That's the spirit. |
| Keldirk | (rolls his eyes and pads across to the door) |
Moments later the four assassins entered another room, much larger than the first. Dominating the centre of the room was a grand, redwood table circled by nine chairs. On the curved wall to the north, depicting a dining room similar to this, hung a massive framed mural. Painted upon the canvas, nine robed figures sat at the table and faced the viewer. Behind each figure was an animal; a bear, an eagle, a panther, a lion, a rat, a snake, a buffalo, a crocodile and a large, saw-toothed fish. Of the nine figures, three were female.
Against the west wall sat an ornate mahogany cabinet that was home to nine sets of silverware, glasses and associated dining accoutrements. The south wall was fully occupied by a massive wine-rack, all but filled with bottles of all colors, shapes and sizes. To the east, the wall furthest from the assassins, sat a massive, ornate marble fireplace. Upon its mantelpiece sat nine immaculately crafted replica towers made of crystal. Covering the stone floor lay a plush tightly woven carpet portraying the inky-black face of a great hunting cat. A burgundy curtain hung from an archway to the south of the fireplace.
| Creighton | Okay, which one is Heel? (indicates the mural) |
| Azareth | (rubs his chin) |
| Keldirk | (bored, moves stealthily across the room to the fireplace) |
| Craven | (quietly closes the door) |
| Azareth | I suspect Guldar Heel is the gentleman seated before the panther. |
| Craven | Or the lion, perhaps? |
| Azareth | (shakes his head) I do not think so. If you examine your surroundings a little closer you will come to understand my hypothesis. |
| Creighton | I haven't got time to think, just tell me. |
| Azareth | It is elementary, my dear Creighton. Recall the symbol above the entrance to this place? Did it not resemble the eye of a cat? |
| Creighton | Yep. |
| Azareth | Note, then, the image weaved into the rug beneath the table. A finer representation of a panther you are unlikely to see. |
| Craven | (holds up a dinner plate) And each place setting is embossed with the likeness of a panther. (examines another plate and whistles quietly) Each design is different, this stuff would cost a fortune. |
| Azareth | The Heel family have had centuries to accumulate their wealth, it is hardly surprising to find such opulence evident in their family home. |
| Creighton | (whispers) Hey, check out master thief. |
The three assassins turned to watch Keldirk wrap one of the nine crystal towers in cloth then slip it into his backpack. Creighton, Craven and Azareth quickly crossed the room to where Keldirk stood.
| Craven | What do you think you're doing? |
| Keldirk | What does it look like? I'm taking one of the towers. |
| Craven | Why? |
| Keldirk | (looks blankly at Craven) Are you daft? |
| Craven | Remember where you are, you idiot. |
| Keldirk | If you have something to say then say it. |
| Craven | Put the goddamn tower back. |
| Keldirk | No. |
| Azareth | Please, Keldirk, Craven is right. This is not the time to- |
| Keldirk | Shut up. I'm taking the tower. Let's keep moving. |
| Creighton | Put the tower back. And put it back now. |
| Keldirk | (pushes Creighton away) Get out of my face. All of you. |
| Craven | Put the bloody tower back, now! |
| Keldirk | I said no. |
| Azareth | Keep your voices down, gentlemen, and let us think about this for a minute. |
| Keldirk | The discussion is closed. There are more towers there, take one of them if you want. |
| Azareth | You have missed the point. And if you can bite your tongue for a moment I will explain our concern. |
| Keldirk | Go ahead. |
| Azareth | Now is not the time to be pilfering Heel's belongings. If, as we suspect, the mage is still abroad then we may have to return at a later date or, perhaps, lay in wait for his return. It would be prudent for us not to disturb anything until we have the Cardass Staff in our hands or the blood of Guldar Heel on our blades. Do you understand? |
| Keldirk | (sneers) |
| Craven | Azareth is making good sense. And he has asked you politely. Do as he says. |
| Keldirk | Or? |
| Creighton | (resolutely) Don't go there. |
| Craven | There is no 'or', Keldirk. Just put the tower back on the mantelpiece and let's move on. This is not the time to be stubborn. |
Keldirk reached into his backpack, unwrapped the tower and returned it to the mantelpiece.
| Azareth | Now, Keldirk, if you please let us continue. We need to move through this tower quickly and efficiently; it is too dangerous to waste valuable time arguing. Let us proceed. (indicates the curtain) |
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