Transcript – The Free Temple
[Quest of Ruin Theme plays]
ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents
Quest of Ruin
Episode Three
The Free Temple
[Theme music fades to sounds of urban life]
GAME MASTER
Where the hell are they?
LEAH
Got stuck in traffic, they’ll be here soon.
[A doorbell rings]
MATT
Hey, speak of the devil.
[Carpeted footsteps as someone walks away, the door opens and closes, and more footsteps approach]
ROSIE
Hey! Hey, sorry we’re late.
WILL
Accident on the high street.
GAME MASTER
No worries, you’re here now.
GINA
Did you at least bring the snacks?
WILL
Oh, um, yeah. Uh, here you go.
[Will throws a packet of crisps over to Gina, who opens them immediately]
GINA
(sing-song) Thank you!
[Gina begins eating]
GAME MASTER
Okay let’s get started. Matt can you press record?
MATT
Mhm. Oh, it already is.
GAME MASTER
Oh right. Must’ve pressed it by accident.
GINA
No problem, we can edit this out later.
GAME MASTER
True, okay let’s get started. Hello and welcome back to Quest of Ruin, the fantasy roleplaying podcast run by me, and yeah, this lot are here too!
PLAYERS
[various hellos]
GAME MASTER
Alright, so, we left off when the party had just left Abnay Gearturner. With the money you got, you head to the largest inn you can find and decide to get an evening of well earned relaxation.
[Transition music with dice rolls plays, and the sound of wind through a grassy plain fades up]
YAELA
How many do you see?
LAETHAR
Couple of dozen perhaps.
VURIETH
I am not sure a direct assault like this is the wisest course of action.
LAETHAR
Well I’m not sure why you’re even here. You were paid what was promised, feel free to go.
YAELA
You know full well that we would not have a chance at this by ourselves.
VURIETH
And I could not well let my friends go into such danger without my aid.
LAETHAR
I’ve told you, we are not-
YAELA
Aiolin! How does it look?
[Aiolin approaches, rustling through the grass]
AIOLIN
It’s incredible. The layout is reminiscent of the hedonistic churches of the Ancient Empire, but it’s built into the mountain in a spiral shape! Just like the-
LAETHAR
Yes, yes, that’s all very interesting, but did you find where she’s being kept?
AIOLIN
Oh, er, yeah, sorry. She’s up in the main arena. Balink is in position.
LAETHAR
And is he out of sight? He knows his instructions?
YAELA
Will you relax? Binks can keep himself hidden and he won’t do anything until we get there. Although, I’m guessing he is preparing for something.
AIOLIN
He did say something about cluster bombs.
YAELA
Right, we’d best be quick then.
LAETHAR
Does everyone remember the plan?
PARTY
[variations on yes]
LAETHAR
Alright, then get to your positions. Quietly!
[Footsteps through the grass as everyone heads to their positions]
AIOLIN
Do you think this will work?
VURIETH
We counted carefully, we know their movements. I say we certainly have a good shot.
[Pause]
AIOLIN
Do you see Balink yet?
VURIETH
Not yet…
[Pause]
AIOLIN
Why are you here, Vurieth?
VURIETH
(sigh) You overheard Master Monrunn, I take it?
AIOLIN
A little bit, aye.
VURIETH
Then you heard my answer.
AIOLIN
Hmm. So you just want to help Yaela then?
VURIETH
Yes, but not just her. I meant all of what I said.
AIOLIN
You’d really consider the elf a friend? He sure as bone doesn’t think of you as one.
VURIETH
Well, perhaps not. But he is a friend of Yaela, so I shall continue to treat him as one.
AIOLIN
You’re far too forgiving.
[The wind fades down and then back up, across the other side of the plains, and there are footsteps through the grass. A sword is drawn]
YAELA
Two on the far side, three by the fire pit. One keeping watch by the rocks up on the trail. Three in the tent.
LAETHAR
Shouldn’t be too much trouble, assuming the Ashlander can do their part.
YAELA
You don’t give them enough credit.
LAETHAR
You give them too much.
YAELA
There was a time you would have embraced Vurieth like a sibling.
LAETHAR
That was a long time ago. I know better now.
YAELA
I keep telling you, they are not a human.
LAETHAR
That blood is still there. And I cannot, will not, bring myself to trust it. Not again. Not after ev-
[Laethar is cut off by a far-off explosion]
LAETHAR (ctd)
Well I suppose that’s our fault for letting the goblin get bored.
[Yaela draws and fires an arrow]
YAELA
Are you going to keep grumbling, or go do your part?
[In the background, a magic spell is heard]
YAELA (ctd)
Vurieth’s already doing theirs.
[The wind fades down and back up, with Balink running through the grass, panting as explosions set off behind him. He removes a pin, and lobs another explosive with a ‘hup’]
BALINK
One Cavernvault, two Cavernvault, three, four, FIVE!
[The explosive goes off perfectly on time, there is a shifting of rubble]
BALINK
There she goes!
[The rubble and wind fade down, and the wind fades back up on Aiolin and Vurieth battling together]
AIOLIN
Besides!
[Vureith is casting spells, Aiolin fighting off cult members as they charge the pair]
AIOLIN (ctd)
You think he would do the same for you? Blood, he spends most of his time trying to get rid of you.
VURIETH
(panting) That is why I must show him some grace. He has the wrong idea about me. I can show him that he is wrong, but I can only do so with friendship and trust.
AIOLIN
Far, far too forgiving!
VURIETH
You are entitled to your opin-AHH!
[Vurieth ducks a sword swinging at their head, and it clatters against a rock. Aiolin punches the cultist]
AIOLIN
Get off ‘em!
[Vurieth casts another spell]
AIOLIN
Look out! Another two are heading down the path!
[The wind fades down, then back up on Yaela and Laethar]
YAELA
There’s more of them!
LAETHAR
How many?
YAELA
Six or seven!
LAETHAR
Where abouts?
YAELA
Eastern side, they’re running for the- oh by the gods, they’re heading for Binks!
LAETHAR
Do they see him?!
YAELA
How should I know?!
[Laethar huffs, then starts running]
LAETHAR
You hold here, I’ll go and get the goblin!
[His voice then the wind fades away, the wind fading back up on Aiolin and Vurieth, who finishes casting a spell. Laethar approaches at speed]
VURIETH
Master Laethar? What are you doing over here?
LAETHAR
(panting] Balink!
VURIETH
What?
AIOLIN
What happened?
VURIETH
Laethar!
[Laethar runs past and away]
AIOLIN
You think things have gone wrong over there?
VURIETH
I hope not.
AIOLIN
Should we go after ‘im?
VURIETH
No… No. No, we must keep all the exits covered. If we let them get away and they have her with them…
AIOLIN
Blood! You’re right, but I don’t like just sitting here doing nothing.
[A crash in the background, more cultists charge the pair, Vurieth lets off a spell]
VURIETH
Ha. I doubt we shall be getting bored, my friend.
[Vurieth casts another spell as Aiolin fights a cultist off]
AIOLIN
They look a bit well armed for cultists!
VURIETH
They must have hired protection! I do not think I can deal with all of them.
[More cultists charge towards them]
AIOLIN
I’ll take any you miss.
[A huge explosion is set off, rubble and cracking stone begin as the temple starts to fall. Cultists scream in the background]
VURIETH
Sands preserve us!
AIOLIN
Blood, the whole thing’s gone down! That’s where Laethar was headed! D’you think-?
VURIETH
Oh dear…
[The wind fades down. The cold silence of a wreckage fades up as Balink makes his way through the rubble, coughing]
BALINK
Laethar? Laethar are you in there?
[Balink tugs at the rocks, causing some to fall and dust to trickle]
BALINK (ctd)
Laethar? Can you hear me?!
LAETHAR
(muffled and sounding weak) I’ve got her…
[Aiolin and Vurieth approach, panting]
VURIETH
Is he… is… he…?
BALINK
Yeah, I can’t get to him. He said he’s got the girl.
VURIETH
Oh, thank the Wanderer.
AIOLIN
Get out of the way. I can do it. Balink, go and fetch Yaela.
[Aiolin starts to shift and move the rubble, grunting with the effort]
BALINK
But what about them cultists?
VURIETH
I think any that have escaped the blast have run off. You should be safe.
[Balink scurries away, and Aiolin continues hauling rock]
AIOLIN
Come on, come on!
[Aiolin heaves a particularly large rock, creating a small gap through which we can hear Laethar’s laboured breathing and the crying of a young girl]
AIOLIN (ctd)
Laethar! Can you climb- oh, Blood…
VURIETH
Is he-? Is she-?
LAETHAR
(groans) Get her up.
AIOLIN
I can’t fit down there, I can move more of this rubble, but it’ll take a while. Vurieth?
VURIETH
Yes, I am going.
[Vurieth begins to make their way to where Laethar is while Aiolin continues to shift the rubble]
VURIETH (ctd)
Laethar! Laethar, can you hear me? It’s Vurieth.
LAETHAR
Just, take her.
ELLOIN
(Sniffling) Where are you taking me?
LAETHAR
They are going to take you home.
VURIETH
We are going to take you home. Laethar will be there too.
ELLOIN
H-he’s bleeding a lot.
VURIETH
I know. I know, but he is going to be alright. For now, we have to get you up out of this hole, then we can help Laethar. Do you understand?
ELLOIN
A-alright…
VURIETH
Come with me, just step up here…
[Elloin begins to climb up, the debris shifting under her feet slightly, and she squeaks]
LAETHAR
It’s alright, you’re doing just fine.
VURIETH
Yes, you are. Now just step up here. Yes, there you go. Now, see where my hand is?
[Vurieth’s voice fades away, and the focus is on Laethar’s laboured breathing. He coughs, and the cold air of the wreck fades away. The winds outside fade back up, and Yaela is still dealing with cultists]
YAELA
Don’t even think about it!
[She fires three arrows in quick succession, only a couple hitting their targets]
YAELA (ctd)
Damnit! I can still get those last two though.
[She fires two more arrows, only one hits its mark]
YAELA (ctd)
Well, I suppose one is better than two.
[Balink runs up through the grass, panting]
YAELA (ctd)
Binks! You’re alright! That was some amazing explosive work. A little earlier than planned but… What’s wrong?
BALINK
(Panting) Laethar got the girl, but he’s stuck. He couldn’t get clear before the bomb went off.
YAELA
What, under the temple?!
BALINK
Yeah.
YAELA
And the others?
BALINK
All fine, I think. They’re with him now.
YAELA
Right, take me to them.
BALINK
(tired) Okay!
[They both run off in the direction of the temple, and the winds fade down. The cold air of the temple’s ruins fades back up, Aiolin is still moving rocks]
VURIETH
Can you move anything?
LAETHAR
Not without considerable pain. Look, will you just take the girl and go? I think it should be quite obvious I won’t be making it out of this.
VURIETH
I do not accept that.
LAETHAR
Then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. Both my legs are probably shattered, I’m not going anywhere.
VURIETH
(stammers) When we get you out, I can heal you.
AIOLIN
Alright, we’re nearly there.
LAETHAR
Look, Ashlander, I will admit that you have decent enough skill with combat magic, but healing is a lot more refined and complex. Not something to be attempted by a half-trained wilding like yourself. No offence.
VURIETH
None taken.
AIOLIN
(muttering) Hm! There should be.
LAETHAR
My point is, I’m in quite enough pain already.
VURIETH
(insistent) I can help.
LAETHAR
I’m sure you want to and I don’t doubt you’d give it your all but-
[Laethar interrupts himself with a groan of pain]
ELLOIN
Why won’t you let them help you?
AIOLIN
A good question.
[One final grunt and cracking of stone]
AIOLIN (ctd)
I think I can reach him now.
[Aiolin reaches and grunts as he lifts Laethar out of the hole, and Laethar groans in pain as he is lifted]
ELLOIN
He said he can heal you, w-why wouldn’t you want him to?
VURIETH
Err…
LAETHAR
It’s not a simple matter, child.
ELLOIN
He’s an elf, he can heal you with magic.
VURIETH
Um… actually-
LAETHAR
Firstly, they are only a half-elf.
ELLOIN
Oh, sorry.
VURIETH
Do not worry about it.
LAETHAR
Secondly, they are a wilding.
ELLOIN
What does that mean?
VURIETH
It means I wasn’t taught how to use my magic in one of the old schools. I picked it up by myself.
ELLOIN
But you can do healing, right?
VURIETH
Yes, indeed.
ELLOIN
(frustrated) So what’s the problem?
AIOLIN
I’d quite like to know that too.
VURIETH
Aiolin!
[Balink and Yaela approach across the debris]
YAELA
Oh spirits, Laethar, you look like hell.
LAETHAR
Oh, well thank you, it’s lovely to see you too.
BALINK
His legs are busted.
VURIETH
We know.
BALINK
He ain’t gonna be able to walk very far.
AIOLIN
We know.
BALINK
Aiolin’ll have to carry him.
LAETHAR
Excuse me?!
BALINK
Well he ain’t gonna let Vurieth heal him, is he? So we’ll have to carry him.
YAELA
Why wouldn’t he let Vurieth heal him?
ELLOIN
Because he’s being stupid!
YAELA
(warningly) Laethar?
LAETHAR
Don’t look at me like that.
YAELA
Oh for pity’s sake. Vurieth, heal him.
LAETHAR
Yaela, I do not-
VURIETH
If he does not wish-
YAELA
Enough! I’ll not hear another word about it. Vurieth, heal him. Laethar, if you have a problem with this, you can take it out on me later.
LAETHAR
(sigh) Fine.
[The cold air under the temple fades away, before the sounds of the party walking along a dirt road fade up]
ELLOIN
I can’t believe my parents hired you to come after me.
VURIETH
They were very worried about you.
ELLOIN
But father never spends any money he doesn’t have to.
VURIETH
He did not hesitate, child.
AIOLIN
I don’t suppose you know why those cultists took you in the first place?
ELLOIN
No. None of them really spoke to me. Apart from one lady. Her name was Agrippesa? I think she was the leader.
VURIETH
Hm. Interesting…
AIOLIN
What did she say to you?
ELLOIN
She kept saying stuff like her time was over and a new soul must be claimed.
LAETHAR
Sounds like the usual cult nonsense.
YAELA
Did you see her? Before the explosion, I mean.
ELLOIN
No, I hadn’t seen her for a while. I think I heard one of the others say she’d gone to get someone?
VURIETH
So, the cult leader is still somewhere out there.
LAETHAR
Hm, maybe. Still, that hardly matters. We’ve done what we set out to do.
BALINK
Yes! It’s soft beds and lotsa drink, at last!
YAELA
You had quite enough last night, Binks.
BALINK
You can never have too much!
YAELA
You most certainly can.
BALINK
No, I don’t think that you can actually.
YAELA
Bink, you’re going to have to…
[Yaela and Balink carry on arguing, their voices fading as they walk ahead of the others]
ELLOIN
Hey, wait up!
[Elloin follows after them]
AIOLIN
You look troubled.
LAETHAR
Hm?
VURIETH
Are you thinking of the cultists?
LAETHAR
That obvious, am I?
AIOLIN
I thought you said they hardly matter?
LAETHAR
Well, I suppose they don’t really. Still, the fact that this Agrippesa is likely out there somewhere…
AIOLIN
Heh. Not like she can do anything. Pretty sure we killed most of her cult.
LAETHAR
We killed most of the cultists in that temple, but we don’t know if that was the only group of their church. We don’t really know anything about them.
VURIETH
Do we need to? They abducted someone, and who knows what they were going to do with her.
AIOLIN
I’ve read enough about cults to guess it wouldn’t have been good.
LAETHAR
But the why is important. Will they try again? Are there other groups? We don’t know.
AIOLIN
I’m surprised you’re so curious about it.
LAETHAR
I may be a mercenary, that doesn’t mean I don’t care… More kidnappings means more potential work.
AIOLIN
(chuckles) There’s the angle.
LAETHAR
And, if you two wished to join us for that work… well, you’d be welcome.
VURIETH
Oh, we know.
AIOLIN
Yaela already offered, and we accepted.
LAETHAR
(sigh) Of course she did.
AIOLIN
We’d best get a move on. It’s starting to get dark.
[Aiolin walks ahead, leaving Laethar and Vurieth to talk]
VURIETH
I appreciate the chance that you-
LAETHAR
Nothing’s changed, Ashlander.
VURIETH
What?
LAETHAR
Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for everything you did back in the temple and, though I am loath to admit it, you have proven that you are a skilled mage, if undisciplined.
VURIETH
Uhh… thank you?
LAETHAR
But the fact remains that I cannot trust you. If Yaela didn’t want you along so much, I would not be saying any of this, but since we are now going to be a real crew, I felt you should know all the facts.
VURIETH
May I ask why?
LAETHAR
You may not.
VURIETH
…Hm. I see. Well, I suppose I should thank you for telling me.
LAETHAR
I just wanted things to be clear.
VURIETH
I suppose they are.
[The sounds of the party walking on the road fade. A door squeaks, and the faint sounds of a tavern fade up]
MRS HILLFOOT
Elloin! Oh, thank goodness!
[Mrs Hillfoot hugs her daughter]
ELLOIN
I’m fine, Mummy!
MRS HILLFOOT
Are you? Did they hurt you? Did they feed you? Oh, what did they do to you?
ELLOIN
I said I’m fine, Mum!
MR HILLFOOT
You did it, you saved her!
YAELA
It was nothing, Mr Hillfoot.
BALINK
Nothing?!
YAELA
(pointedly) Yes, it was our pleasure to help.
BALINK
Uh, OH! Oh, right, yeah, we were happy to do it… you’re still gonna pay us though, right?
YAELA
Binks!
MR HILLFOOT
Oh yes, of course.
[A purse of coins exchanges hands]
MR HILLFOOT (ctd)
I hope you gave those buggers what for.
YAELA
I doubt they’ll be doing it again.
MRS HILLFOOT
Good! The thought of my little girl cooped up in a cage or something…
ELLOIN
I wasn’t in a cage, Mummy. Actually, as long as I didn’t leave the temple, they let me go about pretty much as I liked.
AIOLIN
They didn’t even lock you up at night?
ELLOIN
Mmmm, nuh-uh.
MR HILLFOOT
Hell’s Teeth, girl. Why didn’t you just escape?
MRS HILLFOOT
She was probably too scared to.
ELLOIN
No, it wasn’t that. I don’t really know why I didn’t. I guess it just didn’t occur to me.
MR HILLFOOT
“Didn’t occur to you” indeed. Do you know how much it cost to rescue you? And you could’ve just left at any time?
VURIETH
In fairness, there is a lot of wild country between here and that temple. It is unlikely, that if she had run, that she would have got very far.
AIOLIN
And that’s if the cultists hadn’t caught up with her first. Speaking of, if you were free to move around the temple, would you mind telling me about some of the things you saw?
ELLOIN
Well I-
MRS HILLFOOT
Absolutely not. Bad enough my poor daughter getting traumatised, without having to relive it.
ELLOIN
I wasn’t traumatised!
MR HILLFOOT
I don’t suppose you found out why they kidnapped Elloin?
LAETHAR
There wasn’t really much chance to ask.
AIOLIN
I would guess she was to be used in some sort of ritual, probably a sacrifice or offering.
MRS HILLFOOT
Oh my gods!
MR HILLFOOT
But why Elloin?!
AIOLIN
I’m afraid I couldn’t guess about that.
MRS HILLFOOT
Well it hardly matters anyway. What’s important is Elloin is back with us, and she’s safe and we can take the first cart back to Burrowton.
MR HILLFOOT
Quite right.
[Chairs scrape on the floor as the Hillfoots stand up]
MR HILLFOOT (ctd)
Once again, you have my thanks. I don’t know what I would have done without you.
MRS HILLFOOT
Well, Elloin, say thank you.
ELLOIN
Thank you.
YAELA
You’re very welcome. We shall take our leave now then, stay safe on the road to Burrowtown.
[The party begin to file out, Yaela pauses]
YAELA (ctd)
Are you coming?
LAETHAR
Uh, you go on ahead. I’ll catch up in a moment.
[He waits until they’ve all left]
LAETHAR
Elloin, here. Take this.
ELLOIN
What is it?
LAETHAR
It will help. If anyone ever tries to hurt you.
ELLOIN
Will those people come to take me away again?
LAETHAR
No. I do not think so. But this is… Just in case.
ELLOIN
Thank you, Laethar.
[Elloin surprises Laethar with a hug]
LAETHAR
Oh- uh. Hm.
ELLOIN
You’ll be safe too, won’t you?
LAETHAR
O-of course.
ELLOIN
Promise?
LAETHAR
Excuse me?
ELLOIN
Promise me!
LAETHAR
I-I promise.
ELLOIN
Will you come see me again one day?
LAETHAR
I shall certainly try.
ELLOIN
Good!
LAETHAR
I must be going. Take care of yourself, Elloin. And your parents.
[Laethar heads to the door]
ELLOIN
I will!
[Laethar’s footsteps retreat, and the sounds of the tavern fade away before fading back up again, louder than before as the party enjoy their payment]
BALINK
Cheers to a profitable operation!
YAELA
To getting Elloin home safely.
BALINK
And to great food and drink, at last!
AIOLIN
To all three, then.
[They clink tankards, and the three fall into a conversation in the background]
VURIETH
(To Laethar) What held you up back there, my friend?
LAETHAR
Oh. Just… Making sure of something.
VURIETH
Making sure of what?
LAETHAR
Making sure she will be safe.
VURIETH
That was kind of you.
LAETHAR
Well, she is only a child. They may well have left some imprint upon her.
VURIETH
You mean to check up on her then?
LAETHAR
I do.
VURIETH
You have a good heart, my friend.
[The other conversation comes back to full volume]
BALINK
But but but- did you see the way it fell?! One smooth crash!
AIOLIN
Yes, it was very good work.
YAELA
Binks, as ever, we are amazed by your ability to blow things to smithereens.
BALINK
To smithereens!!
LAETHAR
So. Where to next?
YAELA
I thought we could rest up here for a day or two, then maybe head north to Weisscrag. There’s always plenty of work up there.
AIOLIN
That would be interesting.
VURIETH
Indeed, our caravan never went that way.
BALINK
I’ve not been there either.
LAETHAR
It is harsh and cold but you’re not wrong about the work. I would not object to returning.
YAELA
Alright then.
[Transition music with dice rolls plays, fading to urban ambience]
GAME MASTER
And I think we’ll end it there.
ROSIE
Wait, hang on, who were the Hillfoots?
WILL
Yeah, I was wondering that.
GINA
Um… they were Elloin’s parents.
ROSIE
Did we meet them before?
LEAH
Well, yeah, they’re the ones who gave us the quest.
WILL
Did you tell them that before we got here?
GAME MASTER
… No. We were waiting on you, remember?
MATT
Maybe we should end the episode before we carry on?
GAME MASTER
Good shout. Okay. Well that’s the end of today’s episode, join us next time for the next chapter of the story, which will see our heroes travelling to the frozen north. Until then, goodbye.
PLAYERS
[variations on bye]
ROSIE
Alright, alright! So, the Hillfoots…
[The end theme plays over Rosie’s voice and the Announcer recites the credits.]