Transcript – Closed Eyes

[Quest of Ruin theme plays]

ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents:
Quest of Ruin
Episode Ten
Closed Eyes

[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 the players; Will –

WILL
Hey everyone.

GAME MASTER
Gina –

GINA
Hello again!

GAME MASTER
Leah –

LEAH
Hello!

GAME MASTER
Rosie –

ROSIE
What up!

GAME MASTER
And Matt.

MATT
Hello there.

GAME MASTER
[chuckling] Lovely. Okay, so, where were we?

MATT
Scarring Gina for life, I think?

GINA
Oh, you think so, do you? [quietly] Because the answer is yes.

[The party laughs.]

GAME MASTER
Ah yeah, that was it. So, we’d just left Snowbury and you’d met back up with Tesha, who has agreed to lead you to a village she knows about in the Blackstone Mountains.

ROSIE
She still hasn’t told us why she wanted us to kill that thing.

LEAH
Is “it killed the whole town” not a good enough reason for you?

ROSIE
No, I mean, was she from the town? Like, where did she come from?

GAME MASTER
You don’t know. She doesn’t tell you.

WILL
I’m really struggling to see why we’re trusting this person.

GINA
Because we have about a day’s worth of rations left and I don’t particularly want to die in the snow.

MATT
But apart from that, can’t think of a reason.

ROSIE
Can I try persuading her to tell us more about herself?

GAME MASTER
I mean, you can certainly try.

[Rosie rolls the dice.]

ROSIE
I got a… seventeen.

GAME MASTER
She says “not much to tell. Last time I checked…”

[Tesha’s voice fades in over the Game Master’s, echoing slightly.]

TESHA
… Last time I checked, I was born in Domstol, but then again, it might have been Caras Aeglir. I’ve been serving the Desperate Howl for, well, a long time. And that’s why I came looking for you. I heard from a mutual acquaintance that you could help.

MATT
Well that clears that up.

ROSIE
What the hell was all that?

GAME MASTER
Well, Will, you know the name Caras Aeglir. You remember that it was the biggest city in the country of Aladia.

WILL
… What?

GAME MASTER
And Rosie, you know that Domstol is a large town in the northern land of Norbaran.

ROSIE
Bu… wha… okay, fine, so she’s making no sense at all then?

GAME MASTER
Not to you, no. For now, you have arrived in the hidden valley of Nan Hethlu.

[The sounds of the gaming table fade to the sounds of the party’s footsteps, crunching through the snow.]

TESHA
And there it is, the village of Fallersby. Told you it was here.

[Birds twitter and water runs gently.]

LAETHAR
Gods alive.

YAELA
It’s…

VURIETH
Beautiful.

LAETHAR
Well, let’s not get carried away, it is just a village.

BALINK
Definitely a nice looking one though.

YAELA
How can you say “just a village”? Look, a clear running river, tall trees, even the snow is softer here. And see there? Green grass!

VURIETH
How does a place like this exist?

AIOLIN
It’s like she said. Look, the Blackstone Mountains rise up all around us. No one who doesn’t know it’s here would be able to find it.

TESHA
Well, it’s been a pleasure. I’ll have to be leaving you now.

BALINK
Wait, what?

LAETHAR
[suspiciously] Why?

TESHA
Because I’m not allowed here. I can just show you the way, which I’ve now done, so now I’m off.

VURIETH
But what if they don’t let us in, or give us food?

TESHA
Oh they will, they’re a very welcoming bunch.

YAELA
Just not to you?

TESHA
Precisely. Anyway, good luck to you.

[Tesha walks away.]

AIOLIN
… I can’t help but find that a little concerning.

BALINK
You think this is a trap?

YAELA
If our recent luck is anything to go by, yes.

LAETHAR
Not as though we have much of a choice though, is it? We’re down to the last of our rations.

VURIETH
So either we find food here or –

LAETHAR
Yes, we all know, you don’t need to say it.

YAELA
Well, we’d better hope for the best then.

[The group begins to move towards the village. Inside, people are laughing and talking, and a marketplace handles thriving business.]

LAETHAR
This is incredible. They have no wall, or barricade. They haven’t even got a defensive ditch. Anyone or anything could just walk in!

VILLAGER 1
Good morning!

VURIETH
… What was that?

YAELA
A greeting?

VILLAGER 2
Good morning!

BALINK
Don’t know if I like it.

LAETHAR
There’s no way these people can be this trusting.

YAELA
Well, Tesha did say that this place wasn’t touched by the war.

AIOLIN
And if no one can find it, they probably don’t need to be that careful.

VILLAGER 3
Hi there, you look like you’re not from around here.

AIOLIN
You could say that.

VILLAGER 3
Are you visiting?

YAELA
Um, we’re actually looking for somewhere we can buy some supplies.

VILLAGER 3
Oh, I see. You’ll want the General Store then.

YAELA
Uh, yes, yes, that would be…

VILLAGER 3
Just follow me, I’ll show you the way.

VURIETH
Oh, we don’t wish to inconvenience you.

VILLAGER 3
It’s no inconvenience. Please follow me, I’ll show you the way.

[They move away.]

LAETHAR
We should follow, yes?

YAELA
I suppose so.

[The sounds of the marketplace get louder.]

VILLAGER 3
Here we are. Carrow and Son’s, you’ll find everything you need in there.

VURIETH
Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.

VILLAGER 3
Aw, it’s my pleasure. You have a good day now!

[They walk away.]

YAELA
Well they were…

AIOLIN
… Very nice?

YAELA
Yes… yes… definitely.

LAETHAR
Come on, let’s just get what we need.

[He opens the door with a tinkle of a bell, and the party moves into the store.]

BALINK
Hello?

AIOLIN
Do we ring a bell or something?

LAETHAR
No idea.

CARROW
Good morning!

[The party lets out sounds of surprise.]

CARROW
[laughs] Oh, I’m sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.

LAETHAR
You’re Mister Carrow, I take it?

CARROW
That’s right. Latest in a long line. Been a long time since I’ve had any strangers in here.

LAETHAR
I imagine the village doesn’t get many visitors.

CARROW
Not since my grandfather’s day, no. Used to get the odd passer-by, he used to tell me, but then they just stopped coming. No one really knows why.

AIOLIN
Well, I imagine the war probably had something to do with it.

CARROW
War?

VURIETH
Well yes, the War of Destruction. The Harbinger’s Desolation.

CARROW
[laughs] As you say. So, what can I do for you?

YAELA
We need to purchase some supplies. We used up all our rations.

CARROW
Oh well, lucky you found us. That won’t be a problem. We had a good harvest before the snows set in. Not that we’ve ever had a bad one! [laughs]

LAETHAR
Well, indeed.

CARROW
I’ll go fetch them for you.

[He moves away.]

VURIETH
Well he seems very… friendly.

BALINK
Creepy, Vurieth, the word you’re looking for is creepy.

YAELA
Shh, Binks. There’s no reason to be like that.

BALINK
Were we just talking to the same guy?! He is so creepy.

AIOLIN
He is certainly a little odd.

LAETHAR
I have to say, I agree with Balink. I’d understand if they were just a little backwards, I hear that’s fairly normal for these isolated human settlements –

YAELA
Laethar!

LAETHAR
But you saw him. It was as if he had never heard of the War!

AIOLIN
That is strange. I mean, not being touched by the war is one thing but to have not heard of it at all?

YAELA
Look, it hardly matters. We’ll get our supplies and we can be on the road inside of an hour.

BALINK
But where are we going?

LAETHAR
I say we get out of the East Barrows and head west. There’s always work around Daeryn.

YAELA
[eagerly] Daeryn?

LAETHAR
[amused] I thought you’d like that.

BALINK
Sounds good to me.

AIOLIN
Daeryn’s the largest forest in the Weisscrag, isn’t it?

YAELA
It is. I went there once with my sisters many years ago. It’s a beautiful place. Deep and dark, and full of hidden glades and pools. It’s a little like the Fae Realm, in a way.

VURIETH
[nervously] Not too much like it, I hope?

YAELA
Oh, don’t be like that.

AIOLIN
Well, I would certainly like to see it. There aren’t many great forests left anymore.

YAELA
[sadly] No, no there aren’t.

[Carrow returns and lays a sack on the table.]

CARROW
Here you go folks. Should be enough in there to last each of you ten days out there on the road. Sorry it took so long.

LAETHAR
Not a problem, how much do we owe you –

CARROW
See, the reason it took so long is I was sending a few messages. It’s been so long since we’ve had any visitors I thought, while you’re in town, we might have a little party.

YAELA
Oh… I don’t know if –

CARROW
Easy enough to arrange, I have quite a lot of influence around here. I think everyone will enjoy a little celebration, maybe a small feast.

BALINK
[eagerly] A feast?!

LAETHAR
Now we couldn’t possibly –

AIOLIN
Hold on, Laethar. It might not be a bad idea.

LAETHAR
What?!

YAELA
I suppose it has been a while since we last had a proper meal.

LAETHAR
Oh, not you as well.

VURIETH
Well, I think, if these people are happy to celebrate –

CARROW
Oh, they are.

VURIETH
– then it would be rude to refuse, no?

LAETHAR
I thought you wanted to get to Feryn?

YAELA
I do, Laethar but I’m also tired and hungry. It wouldn’t do us any harm to rest for a day, right? 

CARROW
A day and a night, should you wish. The inn has some very soft beds.

VURIETH
Oh, Wanderer preserve me.

AIOLIN
Don’t remember the last time I had a soft bed.

BALINK
Yeah… been years for me.

[Yaela leads Laethar a little way away from the others.]

YAELA
Look, I know what’s bothering you.

LAETHAR
Do you?

YAELA
Of course. This is a human village.

LAETHAR
[sighs] Alright, yes. Yes, that’s putting me on edge, I – I just –

YAELA
I know, Laethar. I know. But these are not the people of Aladia, or any of the old kingdoms. They’re just simple people just living their lives. Granted they seem a bit… odd, but I think they’re earnest. And I think the others could use some time to relax.

LAETHAR
[grunts] Fine, fine. We can stay. But I’m not happy about this.

YAELA
I think I can live with that.

CARROW
Do I hear that we’ll be going ahead with the celebration?

LAETHAR
Yes, it seems that we will.

CARROW
Splendid! Everyone will be thrilled.

[The sound fades to music and merrymaking, as the town celebrates.]

CARROW
A toast to our honoured guests!

VILLAGERS
[cheering]

CARROW
You may not be here for long, but it is our hope that you make Fallersby your home while you are here.

YAELA
Thank you, Mister Carrow, you’ve been… most kind.

CARROW
It is a pleasure to have you here with us. Please, eat and drink your fill and let us all make merry.

[The villagers cheer again.]

VURIETH
They are certainly happy to have us here.

BALINK
Yep, and it ain’t creepy at all…

VURIETH
[aside to Balink] I do not disagree, but just because their ways are not our own does not mean we should scorn them.

BALINK
So, you agree, they’re creepy.

VURIETH
That is not entirely what I meant…

BALINK
Shoulda been.

VURIETH
Here, would you like some wine?

BALINK
Ooooh, yes please.

VURIETH
Here you are. Just… [whispering] do not let Yaela see you.

BALINK
Thanks!

VURIETH
How do you like it?

BALINK
Lovely.

VURIETH
Well just take it slow, you are quite little. Oop, watch out.

YAELA
[approaching] This is a wonderful feast you have all put together.

VILLAGER 2
Oh, thank you.

VILLAGER 1
Yes, thank you.

VILLAGER 3
We are so glad you like it!

LAETHAR
We are very grateful for your efforts.

AIOLIN
So, you said it’s been a long time since your village last had visitors?

CARROW
Indeed. Many, many years. But, it’s their loss. As you can see, we’re quite happy here.

AIOLIN
… Yes. But surely you know –

CARROW
Oh, you must all try some of our corn! Golden and delicious! Please!

[The party takes some.]

BALINK
[muffled through food] Bloody hell! This is brilliant!

CARROW
Cheers, all! To new friends!

VILLAGERS
Cheers!

[Everyone cheers, and breaks into chatter. The sounds hush and then rise as time passes.]

CARROW
And now the pies, specially made by our own Master Butterman.

[The villagers cheer.]

AIOLIN
Oh, they do look good.

LAETHAR
I must confess I’ve not eaten pies before.

CARROW
Oh, then you have been missing out. Butterman makes the best in all of Weisscrag.

YAELA
They certainly look tasty, Master Butterman. And was the cake your work as well?

CARROW
[amused] Oh no no no, the cake is for later.

YAELA
… I see.

BALINK
[mouth full] Spit and Salt, this is delicious.

VURIETH
Is this truly beef? How in the world did you get fresh meat all the way up here?

CARROW
Oh we maintain our own herds, Master Vurieth. Some of the best stock north of the mountains.

VURIETH
Amazing. We never could… were not able to thrive in the… um… [snaps fingers] the um. The place with all… the ash?

YAELA
…the Ashen Plains.

VURIETH
Yes, that is it. It was… never… I’m sorry, I lost track of what I was saying.

AIOLIN
Well it’s not surprising. Well, you know the Guide of… [annoyed grunt] y’know, I forgot the book’s name.

VURIETH
Too much drink, perhaps?

AIOLIN
Maybe you’re right. But then, what’s your excuse?

VURIETH
Oh, I am pleasantly full of good food. [yawning] Not really the best state for thinking.

YAELA
[unsure] I suppose not.

CARROW
Oh you are not too full, I hope. Mrs Dill has prepared a trifle in your honour.

AIOLIN
I’m not sure even I could manage a trifle and that cake.

CARROW
No no, the cake is for later.

AIOLIN
Oh, right. Well, in that case…

CARROW
Wonderful! Now eat up, then I’ll have someone show you where you’re sleeping.

[The sound fades to the party making their way to the inn.]

VILLAGER 2
Just up this way, I was told to prepare rooms for you.

BALINK
Thank you, Misses Innkeeper.

VURIETH
[cheerfully] Well, they tried their best to stuff us but I think we did well.

AIOLIN
Yep. A good feast indeed. Not surprised they’re still going. I’d be tempted to go back if I wasn’t so tired.

YAELA
It’ll be nice to leave tomorrow with a full stomach.

VURIETH
Yes… right…

YAELA
What?

VURIETH
Well, I was just thinking, do we have to leave so soon?

YAELA
What?

BALINK
They’re right.

YAELA
Don’t be silly, Binks. We can’t stay here.

AIOLIN
Why not? They’re friendly, they have good food and beds here. Why leave?

YAELA
Wait, now you’re saying we shouldn’t leave at all?

VURIETH
Well…

AIOLIN
You were saying we should stay a bit ago.

YAELA
Just for the night. I never said we should stay longer than that, never mind permanently. And then…

AIOLIN
What?

YAELA
Well, at the feast, I just got this… feeling.

AIOLIN
A feeling? You want us to leave this lovely place and go back out into the cold wilds because you have a feeling?

YAELA
Laethar, you must feel it too?

LAETHAR
Actually, Yaela, I can’t help but agree with the others.

YAELA
What?!

LAETHAR
Well, would it really be the worst thing to remain here?

YAELA
I can’t believe I’m hearing this. Just a while ago you were nervous about setting foot in this place.

LAETHAR
Well, you were right, Yaela. These people are different. Simple, yes, a little strange, but honest, good natured.

VURIETH
Now see, that is enough to prove that this is a good place, no?

YAELA
Well –

LAETHAR
Vurieth’s right. This is a nice, quiet place. We’ve found happiness here.

VILLAGER 2
I’m so happy to hear that. Perhaps you will stay. Forever.

AIOLIN
That would be nice.

YAELA
But…

VURIETH
Okay, Yaela is not convinced. We do no’t need to make a decision now. Perhaps we go to bed, think about it, and discuss it in the morning?

LAETHAR
An excellent idea. Come, good woman, show us to our beds.

VILLAGER 2
Right this way.

[In the morning, Yaela’s door opens.]

YAELA
[yawns] Where is everyone?

[There is the distant sound of laughter.]

YAELA
[furious] Oh, you can’t be serious!

[Yaela begins to run as we cut back to the banquet table.]

VURIETH
So you have been awake all night?

CARROW
I suppose so, and why not? Now is a time to be merry!

AIOLIN
Absolutely!

BALINK
[slyly] Talking of being merry all night, Laethar?

LAETHAR
What?

AIOLIN
[laughing] Oh come on, we all heard, you dog!

BALINK
No wonder you got such a smile on your face this morning!

AIOLIN
[claps Laethar on the back] We are glad for you!

BALINK
Yeah, maybe now you can stop being such a grumpy sourpuss!

LAETHAR
I – I do not – I – you all HEARD?!

AIOLIN
Well, not everything! But we all heard the – um…

BALINK
Moaning!

VURIETH
Moaning?!

BALINK
Oh yeah! Didn’t you hear? My room was all the way down the corridor and I heard it all night!

VURIETH
I suppose I must have been very tired.

AIOLIN
Slept right through, did you? Lucky.

VURIETH
Yes. Yes I was.

LAETHAR
[quickly] What about you, though, Balink? I heard some kind of shouting coming from your room this morning.

BALINK
Oh yeah! I finally got my new bombs working!

VURIETH
You did? Which ones?

BALINK
The – um – I dunno, I forgot.

VURIETH
Oh well, I am sure it will come back to you. Now, Master Carrow, will we finally be sampling that delicious-looking cake?

LAETHAR
[chuckling] Come now, that’s for later.

VURIETH
[laughing] Oh yes, of course, I forgot.

CARROW
Where’s that friend of yours – um, what’s her name?

LAETHAR
Oh, um…

VURIETH
Er, I cannot quite…

LAETHAR
Well, I’m sure she’s somewhere.

BALINK
Maybe we can ask her if she heard who Laethar convinced into bed with him!

LAETHAR
Now you listen here –

[The merriment fades to Yaela, running down the road from the inn.]

YAELA
I can’t believe they left me behind, they just went off with their new friend –

DYING VILLAGER
[wheezes]

YAELA
What the –

DYING VILLAGER
Help me. [coughing] Please help me.

YAELA
Oh spirits! Stay still, I have some medicine. Hey, hey – HEY, get off!

DYING VILLAGER
The Eye!

YAELA
What?

DYING VILLAGER
You must open the eye!

YAELA
What do you mean?

DYING VILLAGER
The village! It’s – [coughing]

YAELA
What?

DYING VILLAGER
It’s a feeding ground!

YAELA
Feeding ground? Feeding what?

DYING VILLAGER
The eye! You must open the eye!

YAELA
But what is it feeding on?

DYING VILLAGER
Knowledge. Thought and – [coughing]

YAELA
Yes?

DYING VILLAGER
Memory…

[At the banquet table, there is merriment.]

VURIETH
[laughing] I cannot believe you’ve been awake all night.

CARROW
Yes, I suppose we have, and why not? Now is a time to be merry!

AIOLIN
Absolutely!

VURIETH
So will we finally be sampling that delicious-looking cake?

LAETHAR
[chuckling] Come now, that’s for later.

VURIETH
[laughing] Oh yes, of course, I forgot.

BALINK
Plenty to enjoy before then, though. Right, Laethar?

LAETHAR
W-what? How did -?

AIOLIN
We all heard you last night, you sly fox!

LAETHAR
It was rather… unexpected…

BALINK
At least you’re not such a grumpuss now! Please make it last!

LAETHAR
Oh, hush now. Try this treacle tart.

CARROW
Oh, there’s that friend of yours. Um, what’s her name?

LAETHAR
Oh, um. What was it, it’s gone out of my head…

VURIETH
Errr, I can’t quite…

[Yaela approaches.]

YAELA
We have to leave, now.

BALINK
YAELA! That was it!

YAELA
Binks, what?

BALINK
I remembered! We all tried!

LAETHAR
Ah, well done, Bink. Try some of this treacle tart, Yala.

YAELA
No thank you. Look, everyone, will you just come with me?

CARROW
Now now, what’s all this?

YAELA
You just stay where you are!

AIOLIN
There is no need to be so rude.

VURIETH
Yes, come on, Yalea, these people are our friends.

YAELA
They are not. I just met someone on the way here. I knew there was something wrong with this place, and he told me what was going on.

VURIETH
Where is he now?

YAELA
He… died.

LAETHAR
What is the matter?

YAELA
We’ve been deceived, we have to go!

CARROW
[earnestly] Oh, but why would you want to leave?

BALINK
We don’t want to go!

VURIETH
What is this about?

YAELA
I just told you, we’ve been –

CARROW
More pie?

LAETHAR
Why yes, thank you.

YAELA
Would you please just listen?!

BALINK
More for me please!

YAELA
What has gotten into you?!

[There is merriment and chatter.]

VURIETH
Oh, Yaela, when did you get here? Come, sit.

YAELA
He said I needed to… open the eye… open the eye… open the eye? Open…

CARROW
Another slice of shepherd’s pie?

BALINK
Oh go on then!

AIOLIN
Perhaps a slice of cake to go with it?

CARROW
[chuckling] No, the cake is for later.

AIOLIN
Oh yes, of course, sorry.

YAELA
No. That – it couldn’t possibly… but there’s no harm in trying. You, Carrow, how about a slice of that cake?

EVERYONE
[in unison] The cake is for later.

YAELA
And when is later?

CARROW
Come now, there’s plenty of other treats to choose from.

YAELA
No, I’ll have some of that cake.

EVERYONE
[in unison] The cake is for later.

YAELA
Surely it will go bad if we do not eat it soon?

EVERYONE
[in unison] It’s for later!

YAELA
And why is it decorated like that? Rather an odd shape, is it not? It looks just like an eye…

CARROW
Cheers, everyone!

[The table cheers.]

YAELA
Open the eye… open the eye…

VURIETH
I cannot believe you’ve been awake all night.

YAELA
Open the eye? Perhaps…

CARROW
Hey now, that’s for later.

YAELA
Later is now.

CARROW
Stop, no!

[Yaela draws her shortsword and cuts the cake open. Wind blows furiously.]

LAETHAR
[waking-up noises] Yaela?

VURIETH
What? Where am – What’s going on?

BALINK
Oh spit! Look at the cake!

LAETHAR
Oh gods!

CARROW
[angrily] You clever little –

[Carrow and the other villagers begin screaming. Their screams fade and sand falls.]

[Dice roll at the gaming table. There is stunned silence.]

ROSIE
What just happened?

[The end theme plays and the Announcer recites the credits]