Transcript – The Wyrm
[Quest of Ruin theme plays]
ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents
Quest of Ruin
Episode Four
The Wyrm
[Theme fades to urban background noise, with sounds of stationery and dice in the foreground]
GAME MASTER
Hello and welcome to Quest of Ruin, the post-apocalyptic fantasy roleplaying podcast. I am your host and Game Master and joining me, once again, are these people.
PLAYERS
[varied greetings]
GAME MASTER
So, last time you saved Elloin, the halfling girl, from a group of mysterious cultists and delivered her back to her parents.
ROSIE
I mean, okay, that much I remember.
MATT
Oh don’t start that again.
[Leah and Gina also groan]
WILL
Look, When did we meet the halflings? Tell me that!
GINA
At the start, we were in the tavern!
ROSIE
I’m telling you-
LEAH
Look, can we not do this?
GAME MASTER
Yep, I’m not having this conversation again. So, after all that, you decided you were going to head north to look for work in the region of Weisscrag.
WILL
And I’m all in favour, oh sorry.
(Will clears his throat and, in his Laethar voice:)
I’m all in favour of taking a cart.
GAME MASTER
Travelling by cart is quite expensive these days.
LEAH
Well, we still have the money from Abnay.
GAME MASTER
Okay, fair enough. So asking around the various taverns, you finally find a merchant who’s heading north and he agrees to take you along. You travel north and everyone make a check for observation.
[The players roll their dice]
ROSIE
Seven!
GAME MASTER
(laughs) Okay.
WILL
Eighteen!
GAME MASTER
Nice.
MATT
I got sixteen.
GAME MASTER
Cool.
LEAH
Three…
GAME MASTER
Standard for Balink.
GINA
Ooh, I got a seventeen.
GAME MASTER
Nice! Okay.
[He shifts some paper around]
GAME MASTER (ctd)
Okay, so… Uh, Yaela, the ranger, doesn’t see anything. [laughs] Uh, neither does Balink, I guess you’re just staring at your shoes.
[Laughter from the players]
GAME MASTER (ctd)
But Vurieth, Aiolin and Laethar, you do see something. Or rather, you kinda notice as you’re going north there’s a lot of ruined buildings by the side of the road, um, scorched earth which gets progressively worse the further north you go. You can see that a lot of the land along the northern road has been scarred by fire, and you can see the ruins and wreckage of what appear to be other carts that have gone before you. But then, as you get closer to Stonehelm, all of that kind of stops, so that it has all basically returned to a peaceful northern road by the time you reach the walls of Stonehelm.
[Transition music with dice rolls plays, and sounds of horse hooves and a rolling cart along a well-travelled road fade up. The wind is cold.]
MERCHANT
Woah there, girl
[The horse whinnies, and both the horse and cart come to a halt]
MERCHANT
(relieved sigh) Here we are then. The Unbroken Gate of the Last City, Ostigond. The Seat of King Iswald, of the line of Aelfsige. ‘Course, these days it’s better known by its Common name.
VURIETH
Stonehelm.
[Triumphant and regal music begins to play]
MERCHANT
Quite a sight, eh? Thank the gods we made it.
YAELA
What?
VURIETH
It is incredible.
AIOLIN
I didn’t know places like this still existed.
LAETHAR
They don’t. There’s a reason it’s called the Last City.
VURIETH
Were all cities like this?
LAETHAR
(scoff) Hardly. Narolin had walls twice as high and shimmered like crystal in the sunlight. That is, until the Horde was finished with it.
YAELA
Can we admire and walk? It’s bloody freezing.
BALINK
(shivering) ‘Course it’s freezing, we’re in the north.
VURIETH
(shivering) Indeed, and a long way from the Ashen Plains. In every way.
LAETHAR
Quite so. Our thanks, noble merchant. Fair fortune go with you.
MERCHANT
Fair travels, friends.
[The horse snorts and begins to walk away, taking the cart and merchant with it.]
MERCHANT (ctd)
May the gods go with you.
AIOLIN
We need to get you some warmer clothes. I assume there will be traders here?
BALINK
Yeah, there’s probably someone who can sell us some furs.
YAELA
Oh yes. Maybe even an ursa pelt. There’s nothing that keeps you warmer than ursa fur.
VURIETH
I must confess to being a little uncomfortable at the idea of wearing animal skin. It is not something my people normally agree with.
AIOLIN
That makes sense. Not much call for wearing fur in the desert.
YAELA
There will be some good woollens too. I’m sure we’ll find something you can wear.
BALINK
Well come on then, before it starts snowing and I’m buried!
[The party start to walk up to Stonehelm, and the music fades down. The noise of a busy street fade up]
VURIETH
Not a very friendly looking place, is it?
YAELA
They don’t have much cause to be friendly. Especially to outsiders.
AIOLIN
No, it’s more than that. I’ve seen hostility before. This is more…
BALINK
They look scared.
LAETHAR
Well, if they’re scared, it means there’s something to be scared of. Which means possible work for us.
AIOLIN
You think we should ask around?
YAELA
I’m not asking anybody anything unless it’s “where can I buy a thick cloak?”
LAETHAR
Let’s split up. Yaela, you and the Ashlander can go find some warmer clothes. Aiolin, Balink and I can find a tavern.
BALINK
Oooooh yes!
LAETHAR
To ask around for information.
BALINK
I mean, yeah but… if we’re there anyway.
LAETHAR
Maybe.
BALINK
I’ll take that!
LAETHAR
We can meet back here in a couple of hours.
YAELA
Alright, but don’t go getting into trouble.
[Yaela and Vurieth walk away on the snow-lined street]
AIOLIN
Okay, so where’s the best one to start with, do you think?
LAETHAR
I think we shou-
BALINK
That one!
[Balink runs off]
LAETHAR
(sigh) I suppose we’re going to that one.
[The main street sounds fade down, the noise of a market fade up]
YAELA
(sighs contentedly) That’s much better.
VURIETH
Agreed. And at such a good price, especially for your cloak. I’d always heard fur was expensive.
YAELA
(thoughtfully) Hm, that’s true. Normally it is.
GELEBRAND
Excuse me.
YAELA
Oh, hello.
GELEBRAND
I don’t mean to intrude, but you two have the look of mercenaries.
VURIETH
And so we are. Does something trouble you, my friend?
GELEBRAND
Me? Ha. There’s something troubling all of the East Barrows!
YAELA
Perhaps you’d best tell us the whole story.
[The market fades down, the sounds of a street fade up, the wind colder than before]
BALINK
(shivering) I- I don’t see why we couldn’t wait inside.
LAETHAR
Because we said we’d meet them here.
BALINK
I never agreed to that.
AIOLIN
Well too bad. You can wait for your drink.
LAETHAR
Not that it would do us much good to go back in there. I’ve seen some closed-mouthed people in my time but that lot could take rocks to ke-
YAELA
(approaching) Laethar!
LAETHAR
About time, where have you been?
AIOLIN
Who’s this?
YAELA
You need to hear this.
[The street fades away. The bitter wind on a quiet street fades up, a door opens]
GELEBRAND
Inside, inside quick!
LAETHAR
What’s the rush?
VURIETH
We will explain
YAELA
Just get inside.
[The door slams, cutting out the noise of the wind. A fire crackles in the hearth]
BALINK
Ooh. Nice place.
AIOLIN
What is all this?
LAETHAR
I think introductions are in order first.
[The six of them all take seats]
GELEBRAND
Quite so. My name is Gelebrand. Until recently, I was captain of the city guard
LAETHAR
You look familiar. Are you any relation of the warrior Gelheard?
GELEBRAND
My father’s father. I understand you fought beside him in the Westlands, Lord Laethar?
LAETHAR
I am no lord.
YAELA
(warningly) Laethar.
LAETHAR
Yes I did. He was a great warrior, I was honoured to fight alongside him.
AIOLIN
Look I’m all for history, but what’s this about?
GELEBRAND
Apologies. In truth it is difficult to know where to begin.
YAELA
Just tell them what you told us.
GELEBRAND
Right, right. Okay. So, you might have noticed that everyone in the city is acting a bit, well, wary?
AIOLIN
We’d picked up on it, aye.
GELEBRAND
Well, there’s a reason for that. You see, there is a beast that nests in the mountains nearby. A great wyrm.
AIOLIN
Blood.
BALINK
Oh stink!
VURIETH
You see now?
BALINK
I heard stories about a wyrm what got into Orgobel, years ago. The whole place was burned to the ground.
LAETHAR
How long ago did it move in?
GELEBRAND
It’s been there for months. Ever since, well, ever since the fall of the Last Resistance.
[There is an awkward pause]
YAELA
Laethar?
LAETHAR
It’s fine.
AIOLIN
You know-
LAETHAR
Just drop it. Please. We need to focus on the matter at hand. I’m assuming that this wyrm is the reason everyone is so afraid?
GELEBRAND
Of course it is. Everyone’s too scared to leave the city. Which has led to another problem.
AIOLIN
What do you mean?
YAELA
Well, think about it. There’s… how many people living here? And they all need to eat. And where’s the food coming from if the countryside keeps getting roasted and no one’s going out to harvest?
GELEBRAND
We’ve had to rely on merchants to bring food here. But several were killed and there are now few who will dare make the journey. Too few. And the treasury is starting to run low.
YAELA
Which explains why our driver was so relieved we made it.
BALINK
And why he charged us so much.
LAETHAR
So why not just go and deal with the beast? I know the war took its toll but I’m sure King Iswald still has enough troops at his command to fight off a wyrm.
GELEBRAND
I suggested we do just that. My sister, Gelebrien, and I even offered to lead the force ourselves. And for that offer, we were rewarded by being dismissed from the guard.
LAETHAR
What?
GELEBRAND
King Iswald will do nothing. He said he will not attack the wyrm and commanded that no one should go near.
LAETHAR
But why?
GELEBRAND
He wouldn’t say.
LAETHAR
This is unacceptable!
[Laethar slams his fist on the table]
LAETHAR (ctd)
He does nothing while this creature burns his land and kills his people!? I’m going to have a word with this so-called king.
[Laethar’s chair scrapes along the floor as he stands up]
YAELA
It won’t do any good, Laethar.
LAETHAR
Why not?
GELEBRAND
Because King Iswald has barred the castle. None may enter or leave.
AIOLIN
What?
YAELA
There’s more.
VURIETH
Go on, my friend.
GELEBRAND
When the castle was locked, Gelebrien, my sister, well, she said the king had abandoned his people, left us to our death, either by starvation or the wyrm’s wrath. She believed this was unacceptable.
[Laethar sits back down]
LAETHAR
I find it hard to disagree. Do you?
GELEBRAND
No, no, I agreed. But I didn’t see what we could do about it. Without the king’s soldiers, what could we do? But Gelebrien said that was no excuse. She was, is, a bolder warrior than I. I tried to stop her but… She went to fight the wyrm alone.
AIOLIN
Blood and Bone.
BALINK
That’s crazy!
LAETHAR
How long ago was this?
GELEBRAND
A couple of days. I thought she would realise how stupid her idea was and then come back but… then she didn’t. That’s why I approached you. None of the others will talk of what’s going on. They know our situation is hopeless but they dare not leave for fear of the beast. So they stay and try to ignore it all. But you might help. I know you can’t save us from the wyrm, but if my sister lives, if you can bring her back…
LAETHAR
I understand.
GELEBRAND
I- I have money, too, I can pay well.
YAELA
So, what do you think?
LAETHAR
Save your money. Until we get back.
GELEBRAND
You will do it? You will help me?
[soft, dramatic music plays in the background]
LAETHAR
I assume that is what you want to do?
YAELA
Well obviously.
LAETHAR
Ashlander?
VURIETH
(surprised) Well, yes, of course I want to help.
AIOLIN
I’ll come too. The Remnant Library has records of wyrm encounters, but most of the information about them was lost in the war. A first hand account of one would be a great addition.
BALINK
Well, good luck, see you when you get back!
[Balinks begins to leave]
YAELA
Binks!
[Aiolin moves to stop him and there’s a slight scuffle]
AIOLIN
I’ve got ‘im.
BALINK
Get off me! Put me down.
LAETHAR
Do you have a map of the area?
GELEBRAND
You won’t need one. I know the way.
LAETHAR
You’re coming?
GELEBRAND
Y-yes. (sigh) She’s my sister. I can’t just wait around hoping.
YAELA
Let’s get going.
[The sounds of Gelebrand’s home fades down, and the cold bitter wind of the mountains fade up, accompanied by the group’s footsteps through the thick snow]
BALINK
(grumpy) I’ve found it!
[They stop]
GELEBRAND
Aye… that’s the place.
YAELA
How deep does it go?
GELEBRAND
No one knows. Or at least, anyone who does hasn’t been seen again.
VURIETH
Is there any sign of your sister?
GELEBRAND
… No.
BALINK
Well, we tried.
[Balink starts to walk away but is stopped by Aiolin]
BALINK (ctd)
Oh come on!
YAELA
We have to be certain.
LAETHAR
Well let’s not hang about. True, there’s a monster down there but at least it’ll be out of the snow.
[They begin walking again, which fades down. The footsteps of them inside the cave fade up, echoing slightly]
LAETHAR
Yaela, you scout ahead, see if you can find any tracks. Everyone else, stay together but be prepared to fan out if anything moves.
[Yaela runs ahead, the rest continue at a slower pace]
VURIETH
Looks like it gets pretty dark up ahead.
LAETHAR
Then light a torch.
VURIETH
Do we have any?
[Aiolin rummages in his bag]
AIOLIN
Here you go.
VURIETH
My thanks. (incanting) Parvignis!
[There is a small spark, and the torch catches alight, crackling in the background]
GELEBRAND
What is the strategy, if we do come across the beast?
LAETHAR
Honestly? The best I can come up with is… try not to die.
GELEBRAND
… I see.
BALINK
I’m gonna throw this and run.
[Balink grabs one of his explosives, as Yaela returns]
YAELA
I found something.
LAETHAR
That was quick.
AIOLIN
Bring the light closer, Vurieth.
BALINK
What is it?
GELEBRAND
That’s a dagger of the Stonehelm guard. I carry one myself.
VURIETH
You think it is your sister’s?
GELEBRAND
It must be. None of the others will have come up here.
AIOLIN
Maybe she just dropped it.
YAELA
Oh she’s definitely dropped it. And not too long ago.
LAETHAR
How can you tell?
YAELA
There’s a lot of dust fall in here. If it had been lying there a while, it’d probably be more dusty, but there’s barely any on it.
GELEBRAND
So you mean…?
YAELA
There’s a good chance your sister is still alive
GELEBRAND
Well then what are we waiting for? Let’s go.
[Gelebrand starts to hurry ahead]
BALINK
Yay!
LAETHAR
Turn around, goblin. Wait, Gelebrand!
[The rest of the party shout warnings to Gelebrand]
GELEBRAND
(from a distance) What the-?
[The wyrm is here, it roars unhappily]
AIOLIN
Oh Blood!
YAELA
Binks get back!
LAETHAR
Fan out!
[Running footsteps approach]
VURIETH
Who-
GELEBRIEN
Get down!
GELEBRAND
Gelebrien?
[The wyrm releases a torrent of fire, forcing them to duck, Vurieth drops the torch]
GELEBRIEN
What do you think you’re playing at?
GELEBRAND
What?
[The wyrm growls loudly in the background]
GELEBRIEN
Oh never mind, just don’t get in the way!
VURIETH
Wait, we’re here to assist.
GELEBRIEN
I don’t need-
LAETHAR
Watch out!
GELEBRIEN
Hey!
[A burst of flame from the wyrm rushes past]
VURIETH
You were saying?
LAETHAR
You have no chance by yourself against a wyrm. In truth, I’m not sure the whole lot of us will be enough.
GELEBRIEN
Ugh, very well. But we do need to move. Now.
LAETHAR
Go!
[The group run, the wyrm’s growling fading somewhat as they distance themselves from it]
LAETHAR (ctd)
Just around here.
[The party round a corner, the wrym further away]
LAETHAR (ctd)
Alright, we should be safe here for a while.
GELEBRAND
Gods, sister, have you been sleeping in here?
GELEBRIEN
Here and wherever else I could get my head down for a couple of hours. I don’t even know how long I’ve been down here.
GELEBRAND
Days, Sister, days. Gods, why didn’t you come back? You must know you can’t kill it.
GELEBRIEN
I can do it. It’s just proving a bit more complicated than I thought, that’s all.
VURIETH
And I suppose there is no chance we can convince you to leave with us?
GELEBRIEN
I can’t just give up! Not after all this!
LAETHAR
Yes, I thought that might be your attitude.
BALINK
She seems sure, why not let her have a go?
YAELA
Binks, did you not see the thing?
[The wyrm begins to stomp closer]
BALINK
No. Was too busy running.
YAELA
Well it’s very big.
[The thudding steps of the wyrm are even closer]
YAELA (ctd)
Very, very big.
VURIETH
Aiolin! What are you doing?
AIOLIN
I need to get a look at it.
[The wyrm’s food thuds nearby, causing Aiolin to fall over with a grunt]
GELEBRIEN
How about we wait till it’s dead, big fella?
[The wyrm lets out a short burst of fire]
LAETHAR
You have a plan for that?
GELEBRIEN
I do.
YAELA
I’m not sure anything we could do could even hurt it.
GELEBRIEN
We have plenty.
[She draws her sword]
GELEBRIEN (ctd)
Elven weapons can pierce its hide. And I see three elven blades. We just need to get close enough to stab it.
[Laethar makes a small sound of realisation, also drawing his sword]
GELEBRAND
(sarcastically) Oh, is that all we have to do?
GELEBRIEN
Follow my lead. Ranger, lay down some cover for us.
BALINK
Cover? Oh! OH! I can help too, I can help too!
GELEBRIEN
What is that?!
LAETHAR
Some form of bomb, I’d imagine.
GELEBRAND
Gods above.
GELEBRIEN
That’ll work.
LAETHAR
Well if you say so.
[The wyrm roars, sounding like it’s moved past them]
GELEBRIEN
Go. Now!
[Epic music plays as the party charge, letting out war cries]
GELEBRIEN
Watch the claw, watch the claw!
GELEBRAND
Which one?!
[The wyrm roars]
LAETHAR
Balink!
[Clinks as Balinks sets up his bombs]
BALINK
Nearly there!
GELEBRAND
Duck!
[The wyrm crashes its tail into a load of junk, which topples noisily. Yaela fires an arrow]
YAELA
How is it moving its arms so fast? It’s like they’re everywhere at once
LAETHAR
I’ll ask and let you know!
BALINK
Okay, that’s all of them!
LAETHAR
Get back!
YAELA
Vurieth, light them up!
VURIETH
(muttering incantation) … ignatus’Ro!
[The spell sets off the fuses of the bombs, which explode one after another. The wyrm roars painfully]
GELEBRIEN
That’s it! Go!
[Gelebrien, Gelebrand and Laethar charge at the wyrm, slashing and stabbing at it as much as they can. The wyrm writhes and roars, but the assault is successful. It collapses heavily onto the ground, letting out one last pained roar, as the cave rumbles with its weight. The party are exhausted]
YAELA
Nice work.
VURIETH
Thanks. You were rather impressive yourself.
GELEBRAND
(panting) You did it Sister, the East Barrows are safe once more… Sister?
LAETHAR
Aiolin? Wha-what are you staring at?
[Eerie music begins to play in the background]
GELEBRIEN
You see it too, don’t you?
AIOLIN
Aye.
BALINK
What is it?
AIOLIN
That isn’t a wyrm.
GELEBRAND
What?
BALINK
‘Course it’s a wyrm, look at it! What else could it be? Can’t be a dragon, no wings.
LAETHAR
Aiolin, how do you know this isn’t a wyrm. I thought you said that information was lost in the war?
AIOLIN
Most of it, I said. But you don’t have to be an expert on them to know that wyrms are reptilian.
YAELA
Well this thing is, isn’t it. Look at it, it has scales. And the tail-
VURIETH
Umm, Yaela.
AIOLIN
That part does. But this arm has fur.
BALINK
So does this one.
YAELA
Wait, how many arms does it have?
GELEBRAND
(softly) It has five arms. I couldn’t see before, it was moving too quick.
BALINK
And, ashes! Its claws are metal!
LAETHAR
You mean they’re like metal?
[Balink draws a dagger and taps on the claws]
BALINK
Nope. Actual metal.
LAETHAR
But that’s impossible!
GELEBRIEN
And look at the head.
YAELA
Spirits preserve us.
GELEBRAND
But everyone, King Iswald, they… they all said it was a wyrm.
AIOLIN
And how many actually saw it up close?
GELEBRAND
Well, I suppose none of them
AIOLIN
I thought not. My guess is the folks who first saw it glimpsed maybe the tail, heard it roaring, maybe saw its fire breath and just guessed it was a wyrm. Underground fire breather and all that, easy assumption to make.
LAETHAR
Either that, or there’s something else down here.
VURIETH
Do not joke about such things.
LAETHAR
Who said I was joking?
GELEBRAND
This one, at least, is dead. And one is enough for one day.
GELEBRIEN
(softly) You think so?
[The eerie music is replaced briefly by something ominous]
GELEBRAND
Sister?
[Pause, the ominous music peaks]
GELEBRIEN
Nothing. We should head back
[The ominous notes fade]
VURIETH
You know the way out?
GELEBRIEN
I do. We just need to get to the end of this tunnel and it loops back past the treasure room and up.
BALINK
‘Scuuuse me? Did you just say treasure?
GELEBRIEN
I did.
LAETHAR
You’re not going to tell me this thing was hoarding valuables?
GELEBRIEN
(chuckles) No, I don’t think so. It was definitely nesting in there but, by the looks of it, that treasure’s been down here for years. Maybe even decades.
BALINK
Is there a lot?
GELEBRIEN
Oh, there’s a fortune in there.
BALINK
Well that sounds like a payday to me.
YAELA
Could you show us the way?
GELEBRIEN
Right. This way.
[Gelebrien begins to lead them to the treasure room. Transition music with dice rolls plays and urban ambience replaces the cave]
GAME MASTER
So. Gelebrien leads you through the caves and caverns until you finally arrive in a wide, open cave that is, just as she said, full of treasure.
ROSIE
What do we see?
GAME MASTER
Roll for observation.
[The players roll their dice.]
ROSIE
Eleven.
LEAH
Uh, eight.
MATT
Hm, a two.
GINA
Fourteen?
WILL
Nineteen.
[The Game Master notes the numbers down]
GAME MASTER
Oookay. So, the first thing you notice is that there is a lot of gold. Now, sadly, gold isn’t so valuable these days. Since the end of the war, gold became harder to get hold of so it stopped being used as currency and was replaced by the ebony mark.
LEAH
So, do we find anything valuable?
GAME MASTER
Yes indeed.
[The Game Master shuffles some paper]
GAME MASTER (ctd)
In and around the gold, you find these valuable objects.
WILL
Cool. Shame about, y’know, the gold though.
GAME MASTER
Well you wouldn’t be able to move it anyway.
MATT
What do you mean?
[Eerie music begins to play]
GAME MASTER
So, you guys who rolled thirteen or higher inspect the gold that’s lying around and you notice that, though it used to be all separate pieces, like coins and bars and so on, they’ve now all fused together into one huge piece. Laethar, by chance you find a place where the gold has not only fused together, but has begun twisting together, merging into what appears to be a snake-like form.
WILL
Uh… (nervous laugh) Nope!
GAME MASTER
Now you naturally turn to ask Gelebrien if she knows what it is but…
[The ominous notes from before return]
GAME MASTER (ctd)
That’s when you see that she has not actually joined you in the treasure room. She is still standing at the mouth of the cave, as if something is holding her back. She is, however, looking straight in your direction. Or, more specifically, at the twisted shape beside you. And you see that there is a look of total hatred on her face. And that’s all we’ve got time for.
[The ominous notes fade back to urban ambience]
GINA
Wait, what? What about the treasure?
MATT
No worries, we can divvy it up next time.
GAME MASTER
Exactly. So, thanks for listening everyone. Join us next episode for the next chapter of the story. Until then, goodbye.
PLAYERS
[various farewells]
[The end theme plays and the Announcer recites the credits]