Transcript – A Bloody Hand

[Quest of Ruin theme plays]

ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents:
Quest of Ruin
Episode Twenty-Five
A Bloody Hand

[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 once again here to lead these intrepid adventurers through the world of Toor.

WILL
Yep, we’re here, we’re ready, let’s do this!

GAME MASTER
Alright, we shall. So you’ve been travelling down the river from the Sonrai College, looking for the settlement of Sacara. You had run across a dam made of the corpses of dead wasters who then attacked.

MATT
Yep, and you were right, definitely scarier than that one we met in Stonehelm.

GAME MASTER
Well, quite. Anyway, you were about to be overrun when you were rescued by a unit of archers who took out the wasters with a volley.

WILL
Rescued being an interesting way to put it.

GINA
I was thinking – did all my research stuff survive? I didn’t take it with me when I jumped in the water, right?

GAME MASTER
Yes, it was in your satchel which you left on the raft. It might have been hit by an arrow but nothing permanent.

GINA
Okay, good.

GAME MASTER
So, the wasters are all dead, the immediate threat is over. What would you like to do first?

WILL
I’ll tell you what I’m going to do first!

[Transitioning to the game, a river runs, and Laethar sloshes through it, wading ashore.]

LAETHAR
What in the nine hells of Mornnaur were you playing at, human?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Ridding my land of the taint of Wasters, as is my duty. Now, unless you wish to join them, you will tell me what business you and your… crew have in Sacara, elf.

AIOLIN
So we made it? This is Sacara?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I am asking the questions, orc.

LAETHAR
And who are you to ask such questions?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I am Captain Duilio Custodio Jose Abarca, Marshal of The East Wall and Warden of the Riverbank and, in the name of Blessed Ilaheld, you will tell me who you are or I will have you shot.

BALINK
Well, there’s your answer.

YAELA
Forgive my companion, Captain. Long years on the road have left him mistrustful and have rather worn away at his manners.

LAETHAR
But not his ears. I can hear you, you know.

YAELA
My name is Yaela Tangleweave. Me and my friends have come here in hopes of –

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You are of the fae?

YAELA
[pleased] Yes, I am.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You need not smile. We have had little dealings with your people, none of them good.

YAELA
Oh.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
And who are these others? This ill-mannered elf of yours?

YAELA
This is Laethar Monrunn, and besides him is Aiolin Skullfumpa of the Remnant Library.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I have not heard of this library. I did not know there were orc scholars in the world.

AIOLIN
[annoyed] Well, there are a few of us.

YAELA
This is Balink of Kapulbaur.

BALINK
How do you do?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You intend to come to Sacara?

YAELA
Um… yes?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Then you will keep your goblin under control. If I hear of thievery, I will know where to come.

BALINK
Excuse me?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
And the same goes for this one, this viajante who stands with you. We know of their kind and their ways.

VURIETH
Me? 

YAELA
[annoyed] Their name is Vurieth!

CAPTAIN DUILIO
If you are indeed coming to Sacara, you will accompany us now. We will make our way back to the Holy City together.

LAETHAR
All the better to keep your eye on us, eh Captain?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Just so. Regiment! We march back to the city.

[Soldiers begin to march.]

YAELA
We’ll catch up. Just need to retrieve our belongings from the raft.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
See that you do not take too long. The gates of Sacara are sealed until the morning. If you do not wish to camp outside the walls, you had best be accompanying us.

[They march on.]

BALINK
Think I’d rather camp outside if they’re all like that.

AIOLIN
We did try and tell you. Sacarans aren’t known for being welcoming.

YAELA
I didn’t expect they would be quite so… well, hostile isn’t the right word but –

BALINK
Seemed pretty hostile to me.

VURIETH
To me also. And they claim to know of my people but I am sure none of the caravans ever came this far north.

LAETHAR
Oh I’m certain not a one of them has ever had dealings with an actual Ashlander. They’ve heard stories and speculation and formed an opinion based on that alone. You know how these things go.

VURIETH
That is disappointing. Oh, but, one other thing I noticed – he called Sacara “the Holy City”. I was under the impression there were no real cities anymore apart from Stonehelm.

AIOLIN
There aren’t. Stonehelm is the last city. Sacara would have been called a large town in the old days. But, it is the centre of their religion and “Holy Town” doesn’t sound quite as impressive as “Holy City”, so they built high walls around their settlement, a huge temple in the middle of it, call it a city and flare up at any who point out otherwise.

BALINK
Ash and Oil, I thought you must be exaggerating. But after that guy over there… I’m really starting to have second thoughts about this lot.

YAELA
Well, we’re here now. We’ll just have to do the best we can until we can move on. Come on, let’s grab our gear and catch up.

[As night approaches, the regiment and the party approach the gate to Sacara.]

GUARD
Who comes to the eastern gate?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
It is I, Marshall of this wall.

GUARD
Approach, Lord Captain. And who are these who come with you?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Visitors to our lands, waylaid on the Riverbank.

GUARD
And you did not leave them to their fate?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
They claim they are here to visit the Holy City.

GUARD
If you vouch them safe, Captain, then the gate is opened!

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You will lock it behind us!

GUARD
It shall be done, sir!

[The gates are opened.]

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Move.

LAETHAR
Excuse you.

YAELA
Laethar, just walk.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
And you shall get down.

BALINK
Aw, what, why?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Because I say so.

AIOLIN
Surely, if you wish to keep an eye on our goblin in case of… thievery, then having him up here on my shoulders where he is clearly visible is a better idea?

BALINK
Yeah!

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You misunderstand me. This is not up for debate or question. I have given you a command, and you will obey. Unless, of course, you wish to leave the city and not come in at all?

[Balink mutters loudly in goblin, and climbs down from Aiolin’s shoulders.]

VURIETH
Will you walk with me, little one?

BALINK
Sure!

VURIETH
These people stare a lot. I must confess it makes me rather uncomfortable.

BALINK
We can be stared at together then.

VURIETH
I appreciate the solidarity, my friend.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Move!

[Everyone walks into Sacara, and the gates swing shut behind them with a bang.]

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You will follow this man here. He will take you to an inn where you may buy room and board for the night.

YAELA
We can find a place for ourselves.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I do not doubt it. But this way, I know where you are. In the morning, you may go where you wish. But, be warned, any law breaking will be strictly punished, no matter your status out there, and we will be watching.

LAETHAR
Yes, thank you captain, understood.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I hope it is. Now, I shall bid you good evening.

[Armoured footsteps walk away.]

YAELA
I did not care for him.

BALINK
What a total –

LAETHAR
Yes, I think we can all agree his manners left much to be desired.

AIOLIN
I think we should brace ourselves for most of the folk here acting much the same way.

YAELA
Well, we can deal with that in the morning. For now, let’s just go and get what sleep we can.

[We fade to the next day, in the Sacaran market – people talk as they move down the bustling streets.]

VURIETH
Well, it certainly seems a prosperous place.

BALINK
Lots more staring now though.

LAETHAR
Let’s just get what we need and get out of here.

YAELA
And where exactly are we getting out of here to?

AIOLIN
Well, if we stock up on rations, we could get a fair distance.

BALINK
Suits me fine.

AIOLIN
Well, no point heading back north and I know going west would be a bad idea.

LAETHAR
Agreed.

AIOLIN
So then our choices are either south or east.

VURIETH
South would take us towards the Ashen Plains and the Sealine Lands. We might have good luck there. Plenty of monsters that require slaying and the Merchant Lords are always looking for guards.

YAELA
That does sound promising. What of the east?

AIOLIN
Eastward lies Nan Amrun and then Khran Dur. Probably a few opportunities that way too. Plus I could check in at the Remnant Library, make sure everything’s still running smoothly.

LAETHAR
Both sound promising. What was left of my people moved to the Sealine Lands after the war. It might be nice to see them again.

BALINK
Well, before you get too excited, let’s get some food first?

VURIETH
Yes, a good point.

YAELA
Alright, um, excuse me, hello?… I’d like to buy some food… Am I invisible?

LAETHAR
No, she’s just determined not to see us. I suppose we should have expected as much. These people don’t seem eager to talk to us.

BALINK
Oh, is that what’s happening? I was starting to think I’d stepped in something.

LAETHAR
Aiolin, would you mind being very hard to miss?

AIOLIN
What did you have in mind?

YAELA
[worried hissing] Just don’t do anything that will get us arrested!

LAETHAR
Oh, you needn’t do much. But you do have a good foot and a half or so on her, and you do loom very well.

AIOLIN
Right.

[Aiolin moves towards the stall.]

AIOLIN
Excuse me.

[The merchant makes a scared noise.]

AIOLIN
We were hoping to buy some food, if that’s alright?

MERCHANT
W-well, I suppose so. What is it you want?

YAELA
We need travel rations. Dried meats, nuts, oats and seeds and then some fresh vegetables, cheese and bread. Enough for ten days.

MERCHANT
You have money?

YAELA
We do.

[Yaela’s purse jingles.]

YAELA
How much?

MERCHANT
You want ten days rations for the five of you? Then that’ll be four hundred marks.

LAETHAR
[incredulously] How much?

BALINK
That’s insane!

MERCHANT
This is good quality food.

LAETHAR
I don’t care if it was made by the High King of the Aearon himself, there is no way it costs that much.

AIOLIN
That’s twice what it should cost!

MERCHANT
If you don’t like it, move along. But I can assure you, you won’t find a better price in the city.

LAETHAR
You know that, do you?

MERCHANT
Oh, I guarantee it.

LAETHAR
Marvellous.

VURIETH
I do not understand.

AIOLIN
She’s ripping us off because she knows we have no other options.

VURIETH
[incredulous] How despicable.

MERCHANT
Oh, it’s not that much really. Besides, I’m sure a band of adventuring types like you can afford it.

LAETHAR
That’s hardly the point.

YAELA
Please, good woman, be reasonable. You must see that that’s not a fair price.

MERCHANT
I must see nothing of the sort. The price is the price, take it or leave it.

VURIETH
[with an edge to their voice] I really think you should reconsider.

MERCHANT
Well… perhaps –

[A scream cuts through the bustle.]

YAELA
Spirits!

BALINK
What was that?

LAETHAR
Let’s find out.

[The party runs down an alley off the marketplace. Laethar draws his sword.]

LAETHAR
Hello? Is anyone down here? Are you hurt?

BALINK
Or are you dangerous? Come out come out whatever you are!

VURIETH
I cannot hear anything.

YAELA
Nor I.

AIOLIN
That scream sounded nasty though.

YAELA
Perhaps… perhaps it was children playing?

BALINK
You think any of the kids here play?

VURIETH
[quietly] I certainly doubt it.

YAELA
Vurieth. We may not enjoy these people’s company ourselves, but that does not mean –

LAETHAR
Hold up! Look there –

BALINK
Hello?

LAETHAR
You there, miss? Do you require help?

[There is no response. Laethar moves forward.]

LAETHAR
She’s dead.

[Balink snorts.]

BALINK
You was talking to a dead body.

YAELA
Hush, Binks. Laethar, was she…?

LAETHAR
Murdered? Yes. Look here, around her mouth.

[More villagers begin to gather, murmuring amongst themselves.]

AIOLIN
Poison.

VURIETH
Perhaps she took it herself?

LAETHAR
No, I don’t think so. Look at her eyes.

YAELA
She was afraid. And there’s the scream. Bit strange to poison yourself and then scream about it.

BALINK
Oh, woah this is cool!

LAETHAR
A poisoned woman is ‘cool’?

BALINK
Not like that, just – look – poison is kinda like bang-bangs.

LAETHAR
How is that?

VILLAGER
Did they kill her?

BALINK
Well, you get the measurements off just a little and you mess the whole thing up. Try for a quiet no-fuss quick poison and could wind up with a drawn-out slow burning agonising –

YAELA
Yes, Binks, thank you.

BALINK
I just respect the craftsmanship, is all.

LAETHAR
I think I can understand. But a woman has been murdered, we must do somethi – wait, what is this?

[Laethar picks up a piece of paper.]

BALINK
No way! Did the killer leave a note? Or did she write it? What’s it say?

LAETHAR
Aiolin?

BALINK
Aiolin? It says his name?

YAELA
No, quiet Binks.

AIOLIN
Yes?

LAETHAR
What do you make of this?

[Aiolin takes the paper.]

AIOLIN
Hmm, no writing or anything. It’s just a handprint… is this blood?

LAETHAR
Looks that way. I once heard a story of a killer who used a similar symbol to announce themselves. I was wondering if you’d heard of anything like that?

AIOLIN
I… think I might have, I’m not sure. Sorry, I’ve been so focused on translating the Caled’elu stone these past few days, it’s difficult to think about anything else. It does sound familiar though.

VURIETH
We should sound the alarm, I think.

[Soldiers in armour approach.]

YAELA
I think that’s already been taken care of.

BALINK
Ugh, how bad do you want to bet our luck is?

VURIETH
What do you mean?

BALINK
You’ll find out.

[A crowd forms.]

GUARD
So, what have we here? A dead body and a group of outlanders!

[The crowd hisses suspiciously.]

BALINK
This. This is what I meant.

VURIETH
I see.

AIOLIN
Who is she?

GUARD
Adalia Corona Aritza, heiress of the noble Aritza family. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

YAELA
Excuse me? We had nothing to do with this.

GUARD
A likely story. A group of outlanders, a goblin and a viajante among them, and eyewitnesses say you were discovered beside the body. I think we have finally caught our murderer.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
No, you have not.

GUARD
Captain! Thank Ilaheld you are here. We have… wait, what do you mean?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
These outlanders only arrived yesterday. They cannot be who we are looking for.

VILLAGER
Maybe they snuck into the city and killed the other two!

CAPTAIN DUILIO
You dare suggest holy Ilaheld allowed the walls to be crossed so easily? Think of what you are saying, fool!

[The crowd rustles in disapproval.]

CAPTAIN DUILIO
However, today’s murder is a different story.

LAETHAR
You can’t be serious –

CAPTAIN DUILIO
But whatever the case, I have been passed word by the High Council. Sacara is to be locked down. The gates secured. No one enters, no one leaves. Under any circumstance.

BALINK
What?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
See to it, will you? I shall handle the outlanders.

GUARD
[affirmatively] Sir!

[The guard leaves.]

YAELA
Captain, you must believe us-

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Quiet! I must believe nothing. You were discovered at the scene of the crime beside a freshly murdered member of the city’s aristocracy. However, I do believe that Lady Aritza was killed in the same manner as the two others. And I believe it unlikely you could have replicated this method of killing so soon after arriving.

AIOLIN
… So… where does this leave us?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Well, the city is locked. You cannot leave. I should imprison you on suspicion of murder. However, I do not think it was you and, though I hate to admit it, we need help uncovering this murderer and a fresh perspective might be just what we need. So, I suggest this. If you are able to discover this murderer, this poisoner, then you will be free to leave. I shall even speak with the merchants’ guild and convince them to reduce their prices.

VURIETH
How did you –

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I told you I would be watching.

LAETHAR
Perhaps you should have been watching for the murderer instead.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Do not get clever with me, elf. I can still arrest you should I wish.

AIOLIN
Where do you suggest we start?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Two other noble houses have lost people to this poisoner. Bolivar and Ortega. I suggest you start with them. Here.

YAELA
What is this?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
A writ of entry. You will need it to get into the upper district.

VURIETH
Thank you, Captain.

CAPTAIN DUILIO
I am not doing this for you, I do this for Holy Sacara.

LAETHAR
Of course.

[The party begins to walk away.]

CAPTAIN DUILIO
Oh, one other thing.

BALINK
What?

CAPTAIN DUILIO
This is not a sanctioned action. You may go to the upper district and ask questions, but you may not claim to be doing so in any official capacity. And if you cause trouble for yourselves, I, nor any of the guards, will help you.

YAELA
Understood, Captain.

[The captain leaves.]

YAELA
I really do not care for him.

[In the upper districts of Sacara, a fountain runs, and birds twitter.]

AIOLIN
Blood above, this place is almost the size of the Library.

VURIETH
This is all one house?

LAETHAR
It is a bit much.

YAELA
Oh don’t give me that. I remember your old house, back in Narolin.

LAETHAR
I was a lord of the line of Ithilim, I had to keep up appearances.

YAELA
Whoever lives here would probably say something similar.

BALINK
Look, are we doing this or what?

LAETHAR
Yes, yes, alright.

VURIETH
Who’s going to knock?

AIOLIN
Depends. Which one of us will make the best impression?

[There is a pause.]

YAELA
Maybe we should have asked the captain to come with us.

VURIETH
Investigating is going to be difficult if they will not speak to us.

BALINK
These folks are gonna be posh, right?

AIOLIN
I mean… probably.

BALINK
Well, Laethar sounds the poshest. And if we cover up his ears, he could pass as human.

LAETHAR
Excuse me?

VURIETH
Yes, good idea. I have a spare headscarf in my pack.

LAETHAR
Even if I agreed to do this, which I haven’t, what am I supposed to say. Oh yes, hello fellow human, I’m out for a stroll with my friends, the orc, the fae, the goblin and the Ashlander? By the way, did anyone in your family die recently?

YAELA
You can say we’re helping the guards and you’re helping us.

LAETHAR
And you think that’s believable do you? That one of that lot would help a band of non-human outsiders?

VURIETH
The Captain is helping us… in a way.

AIOLIN
Because he has no choice.

YAELA
Look, Laethar, I know you don’t like it, but I don’t think we have any other options.

LAETHAR
Oh, very well, give it here.

[Material rustles.]

VURIETH
Do you need any help?

LAETHAR
[sighs] Yes, thank you.

[Vurieth wraps the headscarf around Laethar’s head.]

YAELA
Alright so, you go in, introduce yourself, make some polite conversation.

LAETHAR
Yes, alright, I promise, I’ll be perfectly lovely.

AIOLIN
Then ask about the murder.

LAETHAR
I understand. Do we know who was killed here?

BALINK
I asked one of the guards on our way in. It was the patriarch of the Bolivar family. Apparently he was high up in the council, one of the masters of the coin, I think.

LAETHAR
[sarcastic] A banker, wonderful.

YAELA
Be nice!

VURIETH
Ah. Alright, done.

AIOLIN
Not bad.

BALINK
So it’s easy to remember- just nicey nicey chit chat chat, whatever humans talk about and then casually bring up murder!

LAETHAR
Let’s just get this over with.

[Their footsteps move along the gravel path.]

VURIETH
Is it strange that there are no guards here?

AIOLIN
Now you mention it, that is a bit odd. ‘Specially given how many there were at the entrance to the district.

LAETHAR
The people living here probably don’t wish to see armed guards patrolling up and down around their estates. I imagine they think it ruins the aesthetic.

BALINK
[incredulous] So, there’s nothing stopping someone in this district from breaking into one of the other houses?

LAETHAR
[sarcastic] Oh, but Balink, didn’t you know, someone of this class would never do such a thing. After all, crime is something only grubby peasants do and they’re not allowed in here.

AIOLIN
… I’m amazed there’s anyone still alive here.

YAELA
Humans are very strange.

LAETHAR
Well, we’re about to make nice with one of the strangest of them. An upper-class human.

[The knocker raps against the wooden door.]

EMILIO
Yes?

LAETHAR
Umm, good afternoon. I am here to see Lady Bolivar?

EMILIO
You are?

LAETHAR
Yes.

EMILIO
And who might you be?

AIOLIN
Quiet your mouth, you impertinent little man.

BALINK
Well so much for making nice.

YAELA
What –

AIOLIN
You are addressing an agent of the Holy Inquisition of Ilaheld!

EMILIO
[flustered] An Inquisitor? Oh, I do apologise, your holiness. I will fetch the mistress, immediately!

LAETHAR
Well… see that you do.

[Emilio walks away.]

YAELA
Nice work, Aiolin, how did you know about the Inquisition?

AIOLIN
Honestly, I once read a book about Sacaran architecture and the Inquisition building was briefly mentioned.

YAELA
… That was a bit of a gamble.

AIOLIN
Well, it worked didn’t it?

[Footsteps descend down a staircase.]

BALINK
Ooo! Here she comes!

LAETHAR
… Good lord.

BALINK
Who answers the door wearing something like that?

YAELA
Shush!

LADY BOLIVAR
You are the Inquisitor?

LAETHAR
I am, yes, um –

AIOLIN
Inquisitor Leoncio Buscadore Alfonso… Monrunnio.

BALINK
[snickering] Monrunnio?

AIOLIN
Shut up.

LAETHAR
You are Lady Bolivar?

LADY BOLIVAR
I am. Are you here about the murder of my husband?

LAETHAR
Yes, yes, that’s right. Some… evidence has come to light that we need to discuss. May we talk?

LADY BOLIVAR
Yes, of course, please come in. Oh, these others, are they…?

LAETHAR
Oh, they are the ones who highlighted the new evidence. They are assisting me with the investigation.

LADY BOLIVAR
I see… I am surprised to see an inquisitor working with outsiders.

LAETHAR
[whispering] If I may be frank with you, my lady, they arrived suddenly and so I am keeping them with me to ensure no funny business occurs.

LADY BOLIVAR
[understanding] Ah, I see. Do you wish me to call my house servants? They can keep them under guard while we talk.

LAETHAR
Hm, no. No disrespect meant, but I’d rather keep them where I can see them.

LADY BOLIVAR
I understand, of course. Please come in.

[Their footsteps cross the wooden floor.]

LADY BOLIVAR
Emilio! Bring watered wine for our guest and his… assistants.

[Dice roll and clatter at the gaming table.]

WILL
So everyone in this place is just a straight up arsehole.

GAME MASTER
Yep, pretty much.

WILL
She totally did it.

GINA
Oh yeah, totally.
[She writes down a note]
Okay, so what happens next?

GAME MASTER
Right, we’re nearly out of time so I’ll wrap it up here. You follow Lady Bolivar into a very grandiose living room. The servants bring out drinks which are given to each of you. Balink and Vurieth, you guys are getting some very suspicious looks, Aiolin, you’re getting nervous looks and Yaela, you’re catching some wary glances. Lady Bolivar takes a seat and invites you, Laethar, to take the seat opposite. And that’s where we shall stop for today.

LEAH
Cool.

ROSIE
So, I guess we’re just standing awkwardly in the background?

GAME MASTER
If you like.

GINA
We’re relying on Laethar for this?

LEAH
I’m regretting my idea.

[Will and the Game Master laugh.]

GAME MASTER
Well, we shall have to find out next time if your idea pays off or not. Thank you to all of you who joined us this week. Join us again, next time.

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