Transcript – Fallen Light

[Quest of Ruin theme plays]

ANNOUNCER
Scroll and Dagger presents:
Quest of Ruin
Episode Twenty-Nine
Fallen Light

[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 you join our heroes as they journey northwards into Nan Ûcalad where the salvation of all of Toor may lie hidden in the Tower of the Harbinger.

GINA
Right, just need to get through the horde of enemies that’s probably waiting for us.

WILL
Yup, which will be real easy with a mage who’s magic isn’t working.

MATT
Not reliably working, you mean.

LEAH
That’s true. They could cast one of their super-powered fireballs and wipe all of them out.

WILL
Yeah, or do absolutely nothing.

MATT
That is also a possibility, yes.

ROSIE
Well, we have to get there first, right?

GAME MASTER
Very true. So, we’ll pick up where we left off. You’d just arrived at the Caladnîn river. You’ve replenished your water and now you turn your attention northwards.

[Transitioning to the river, the water rushes at the riverbank.]

BALINK
How much further?

LAETHAR
Nearest I can guess, maybe five more days until we reach the Sea of Nara.

BALINK
What? We’ve been going for flipping miles!

AIOLIN
And there’s more miles to come, little fella. Even when we reach the sea, it’ll be a few more days before we reach the tower itself.

BALINK
Oh, you’re joking!

VURIETH
Let us hope the rations hold out.

YAELA
Indeed. The land is going to get significantly less pleasant the closer we get to that tower. We’re not likely to find much game to hunt.

VURIETH
This earth is damaged. It has seen much of the vile hatred the Harbinger forged.

AIOLIN
What do you think are our chances of encountering wasters?

LAETHAR
Rather high, I’d say. This is, after all, where the Horde was made. But I think that may be the least of our worries. This land is cursed, as Vurieth says. Who knows what dreadful creatures may have arisen or evolved from the dirt here.

BALINK
So… you’re saying…?

ABNAY
He’s saying we gotta tread real careful, or else wind up a pile of scattered bones and blood.

BALINK
Hm.

AIOLIN
I’m sure we’ll manage, long as we all keep our wits about us.

BALINK
… Can you explode something trying to explode you?

ABNAY
Don’t even think it.

[Balink grumbles.]

YAELA
Not unless in dire circumstances.

VURIETH
I have every faith in you, little one. But I have to agree, not unless we have no other option.

BALINK
Fine, fine, fine.

[Outside Nan Ûcalad, the wind whistles and howls, and the horses begin to whinny and neigh.]

YAELA
Whoa!

[The harness jingles.]

YAELA
There’s something in the air. They’re unsettled.

ABNAY
[soothingly] Shh! Shh! Etavren, Surefoot, Stepper! Etavren. Etavren.

[The horses calm down.]

BALINK
They understand dwarvish?

ABNAY
Of course. They’re dwarven horses. Ours might not be as fast as the elven steeds of old but they’re strong and they’re smart.

[The horses nicker in approval.]

AIOLIN
I have not seen many animals for a while, do you think they all abandoned this place?

VURIETH
It would not surprise me.

LAETHAR
They have the right idea.

BALINK
So, what, the land’s gonna be like, empty?

AIOLIN
There’s no way we’re that lucky.

LAETHAR
We’re likely to meet something at some point. Being honest, I’m surprised we haven’t already.

ABNAY
Let’s hope our luck holds out.

[The horses whinny nervously.]

YAELA
Should we let them go?

VURIETH
You’d turn them loose? Here?

YAELA
Here might be safer than where we’re going.

ABNAY
You want to pull the cart yourself?

YAELA
Perhaps we can make do without, go on foot. We’ve done it before.

ABNAY
Yeah but not everything on this cart is yours. There’s stuff I’m going to need while I wait for you.

BALINK
What d’you mean?

VURIETH
While you wait for us?

ABNAY
You didn’t think I was going into the tower, did you? Hell’s Drum! If I was up to that, why would I need you lot?

YAELA
[sighing] Well I suppose that makes sense.

ABNAY
Anyway, we might need it for carrying away the ceredh. Who knows how big or heavy something like that is.

AIOLIN
That is a good point.

BALINK
You only want to keep that wagon so you don’t have to leave any of those books behind.

AIOLIN
Well, there is something to that.

ABNAY
You just be careful with those, Master Skullfumpa. Those are for King Iswald’s collection. I won’t have you turning any of them into weapons like you have with that mace of yours.

AIOLIN
Wouldn’t dream of it.

YAELA
Alright, we keep the wagon then. Though I don’t like the idea of bringing these poor creatures into danger.

ABNAY
Oh they’ll be fine, stop your fussing.

LAETHAR
If you say so. Vurieth, we shall do some training when we stop for the night.

VURIETH
That would be good, thank you my friend.

LAETHAR
How is your magic today? The further we move into this place, the more likely it is that we shall run into trouble.

VURIETH
Should I test myself? I do not feel any different.

LAETHAR
A small spell, perhaps, just to see.

VURIETH
Very well.

[They cast a small spell – it sputters but goes off.]

LAETHAR
Hmm. Well, it worked I suppose. That is something we can work with.

VURIETH
Not good enough, though.

YAELA
It will get better, Vurieth. We will do all we can to help you.

VURIETH
Thank you.

[The horses and cart begin moving again.]

ABNAY
Come on then, just a bit further. We might come into sight of the Sea of Nara by the end of the day.

LAETHAR
Hmph. Won’t that be a joy?

[A short pause.]

AIOLIN
When was the last time you saw it?

LAETHAR
It’s been a long time.

YAELA
Maybe thirty years?

LAETHAR
Yes, that sounds about right.

[Later, the waves crash into the beach, at the Sea of Nara. Balink takes a deep breath.]

BALINK
Well, that’s a new smell.

AIOLIN
Mm, and not a bad one.

LAETHAR
Don’t get distracted. Remember where we are.

YAELA
We know where we are. But – well, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the moment, is there?

LAETHAR
There might be if there’s a pack of Wasters nearby! Now come on, Abnay has already hitched the horses –

VURIETH
Wait, look!

AIOLIN
What, where?

VURIETH
Over there! Across the water.

BALINK
What, that light?

VURIETH
Is that…?

LAETHAR
[sighing] Yes. The light of the Dannengwath. The Harbinger’s tower. The place that was once the Lighthouse, Gailesgar.

AIOLIN
It can’t be. That must still be a hundred miles away.

LAETHAR
Oh it is. But the light can still be seen from here.

YAELA
And felt. I can hear the Fae through it. Like… like a whisper on the air.

BALINK
I can’t hear nothing.

VURIETH
I think you must be fae to be able to, my friend.

AIOLIN
Wait, I have a thought. The light of the Lighthouse is really a portal to the Fae Realm, isn’t it?

YAELA
Yes.

AIOLIN
So, if we get closer to it, will that help Vurieth? If they’re closer to a Lighthouse maybe that will overpower the Monolith?

VURIETH
Yes, of course!

LAETHAR
No.

VURIETH
Oh.

YAELA
It’s a good idea, and with another Lighthouse it might work.

BALINK
Why won’t it work?

LAETHAR
When the Harbinger claimed Gailesgar, made it the Dannengwath, he did something to the Lamp, the portal to the Fae Realm. Only he can draw upon it now.

AIOLIN
Oh.

VURIETH
Oh well, it was a good idea. Come, we should catch up to Abnay.

AIOLIN
Yeah, let’s go.

BALINK
Right behind you.

[The three of them leave, and there is a pause.]

YAELA
Are you alright?

LAETHAR
As soon as we get into that tower, he’ll know we’re there. And I doubt he’ll just let us walk off with the seed.

YAELA
We’ve faced him before.

LAETHAR
Yes, and look how that went.

[Thunder rumbles in the distance.]

YAELA
It will be different this time.

LAETHAR
How will it be different? I haven’t miraculously regained my magic. We don’t even have an army this time. And he’s still… him.

YAELA
We’ll be smarter this time. We won’t be angry or betrayed. We can think it through.

LAETHAR
I wish I had your confidence.

YAELA
We will do this. We – we can do this. Trust me.

LAETHAR
[sighing] I do.

[The wheels of the cart turn, and the horses’ hooves clop, as the sea crashes faintly in the distance.]

LAETHAR
Nearly two days now and still nothing.

BALINK
And that’s a problem?

VURIETH
I did not think I would ever say so. But yes.

AIOLIN
I’m with them. I’d almost welcome something attacking us at this point. Not sure I can take the tension anymore.

ABNAY
Careful what you wish for. I myself am none too keen to have a waster clan find us.

VURIETH
I think I will be more at ease when Yaela returns. If she has seen nothing then we will at least know-

[Yaela shadesteps to them.]

YAELA
Stop!

LAETHAR
Why, what is it?

YAELA
Wasters.

BALINK
Snot!

AIOLIN
I suppose it was only a matter of time.

LAETHAR
How many?

YAELA
Actually not that many. There’s only around a dozen.

BALINK
That’s still a dozen more than I’d like.

LAETHAR
But it’s not a full war pack. If we’re smart, this should be doable.

ABNAY
I can do you one better than smart.

[Abnay climbs into the wagon – there is a mechanical ticking and whirring, and then the sound of a cocking gun.]

BALINK
[covetously] What is that?

ABNAY
Automated heavy gatling gun, weapon of my own design.

VURIETH
Reminds me of the weapon that goblin had back in Kapulbaur.

ABNAY
Excuse me?

YAELA
We can discuss this later. Those Wasters will be here any minute.

ABNAY
Right. Vurieth, get the horses behind the cart.

VURIETH
Yes, of course!

[The harnesses jangle as the horses are led behind the cart.]

LAETHAR
Wait, did you see any other Wasters close by? Or anything else?

ABNAY
Ah, yeah, good thought. This thing is quite loud.

YAELA
No, I saw nothing.

BALINK
Excellent. So, Ab. You know how we’re friends now…?

ABNAY
Not a chance.

BALINK
Aw!

AIOLIN
There they are.

VURIETH
They’ve seen us!

[In the distance, the Wasters snarl and scream angrily, steadily getting closer as the fight goes on.]

LAETHAR
And they’re coming right at us. Right, Yaela and Abnay, take out as many as you can. Balink, explosives when they come into range. Aiolin and I will deal with any that get too close.

[A bow is drawn and the arrow loosed.]

YAELA
That’s one less.

ABNAY
Reckon I can do better!

[The gun roars into life, firing in bursts.]

ABNAY
Not so easy to run without your legs, is it?

AIOLIN
They’re still coming!

LAETHAR
Balink. You remember those nail bombs you showed me?

BALINK
Yes!

LAETHAR
Aiolin, throw him!

AIOLIN
On it!

[Balink giggles as Aiolin grabs him and launches him into the air.]

BALINK
Wheeeeeeee!

[Objects whistle through the air.]

LAETHAR
Get ready to catch him!

VURIETH
Laethar, watch out!

[There’s a crackle of magic, and a javelin impacts the shield Vurieth magically throws up.]

LAETHAR
… Gods, I didn’t even see that.

BALINK
Incoming!

AIOLIN
I got him!

[Balink lands in Aiolin’s arms.]

BALINK
Now, watch this!

[There is a series of explosions.]

BALINK
Oho, they didn’t like that!

YAELA
I can’t imagine why.

AIOLIN
That one’s still determined.

LAETHAR
My turn.

[Laethar shouts a war cry and charges in. Swords clash as Wasters snarl.]

AIOLIN
I’d better go help.

[Aiolin charges off, and his mace takes out a Waster.]

BALINK
Woah, did you see that? His head just flew off there.

VURIETH
[queasy] Yes. So it did.

YAELA
Don’t relax just yet.

[Yaela looses another arrow.]

YAELA
There’s still a couple more.

ABNAY
Looks like those two have it under control though.

[Aiolin roars as he clubs another Waster down.]

ABNAY
Are those really just books on that mace?

YAELA
Yes. The Encyclopaedia of Nor, I think he said? He got it in the Fae Realm.

ABNAY
I don’t know what your kind makes books out of but it’s clearly heavy stuff.

YAELA
Right, I’m going to do a quick scout of the area, make sure there aren’t any others nearby. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

BALINK
Righto.

[Yaela shadesteps away. Laethar runs up, out of breath.]

LAETHAR
We should start looking for a place to rest for the night. It’s starting to get dark.

VURIETH
Agreed. I shall assist Abnay with the horses so we can go as soon as Yaela returns.

[Fading out, the wind blows harshly, the cart wheels turn, and the horses move.]

YAELA
Another day maybe?

VURIETH
More or less, I should think. [pausing] It’s quite an intimidating sight, isn’t it?

YAELA
Is this the first time you’ve seen one of the Lighthouses?

VURIETH
I did once see the tower of Rhunenaur. My caravan was passing through the southern Plains on our way to Stonebank and my zaeim pointed it out to me. It was a long way off though. It’s quite different to see one up close.

YAELA
That’s true. I’ve been to all four of them at one time or another. It’s still a little overwhelming.

AIOLIN
I’d have thought you’d love the sight of them. It’s the closest you can get to the Fae Realm literally existing in our world.

YAELA
I do and I don’t. Seeing the light of the Fae here is wonderful. But the Lighthouses are a reminder of… well, something bad that happened a long time ago, something my people still regret.

VURIETH
What was it?

YAELA
A mistake. A really stupid mistake.

VURIETH
Yaela –

YAELA
Is Laethar back yet?

AIOLIN
Not yet. I got the impression he was going to take his time.

VURIETH
He really doesn’t like this place, does he?

YAELA
Well, this land was once his home. If you carry on along the coast you’d eventually reach Narolin. Or, what’s left of it.

AIOLIN
This was where it all began. The Harbinger’s ascension. The Aeari elves who lived here would have been the first to face the Horde.

VURIETH
So Laethar was facing the Harbinger since the beginning. I suppose I can see why he became as he did.

YAELA
[undertone] You have no idea.

AIOLIN
Sorry, Yaela, what was that?

YAELA
Hm? Oh, I was just wondering where Balink has gone?

AIOLIN
Him and Abnay are still arguing.

YAELA
About that gun thing? Do they have any idea how the goblins got hold of the design?

ABNAY
[distantly] …Thieving little goblins!…

AIOLIN
Abnay has his theories.

YAELA
Oh for heaven’s sake!

[Yaela and the other two run to catch up.]

BALINK
… and anyway, you have no snotting proof that –

YAELA
Will the pair of you shut up? Have you forgotten where we are?

ABNAY
I haven’t forgotten anything.

BALINK
We ain’t seen anyone for miles, don’t be so worried!

YAELA
Seeing them and them being nearby are two different things. Please hush, the both of you.

ABNAY
Well, he started it!

BALINK
Did not!

ABNAY
Did t-

VURIETH
It does not matter who started this round, what matters is keeping our presence in this place as undetected as possible. Perhaps, Balink, you could come and help me?

BALINK
Help with what?

VURIETH
If you stop arguing you can come and see.

BALINK
Hm. Deal.

VURIETH
Come then.

[They walk away.]

YAELA
I do wish you two could just agree to disagree.

ABNAY
That sounds like something the losing side says when they have run out of good arguments!

YAELA
[sighing] Perhaps Laethar will be in a better mood when he returns.

AIOLIN
I wouldn’t count on it, look –

[Laethar shouts in the distance.]

YAELA
What is he saying?

ABNAY
He better get told off for shouting too.

YAELA
He will unless there is a good reas – oh no…

[Laethar’s yelling is getting closer.]

AIOLIN
What the –

LAETHAR
Don’t set up the tents!

YAELA
Why?

LAETHAR
[panting] The ground – fights back here…

YAELA
The ground fights back?

ABNAY
Barzul-di-orodum!

AIOLIN
What do you mean?

LAETHAR
Just that! See how compact the soil is here? Just long expanses of grey? Do not dig down into it. Do not scrape it or damage it in any way.

YAELA
What happened? How can we set up shelter if we cannot hammer the sticks down?

LAETHAR
I don’t know, but we will find another way. Sleep in shifts on the cart or something, I don’t know. We could press on to find where this stretch of earth ends, but that could take us into the night.

YAELA
But what happened?

LAETHAR
The ground broke apart. It was as though an earthquake was hitting just the spot where I stood. If I had been any slower, I would not have escaped.

YAELA
Oh no…

AIOLIN
What was it, like a pit below?

LAETHAR
Exactly that, yes. I saw just a long drop of dark nothingness, and well I didn’t hang around to see more.

YAELA
We must warn the others.

[Balink and Vurieth talk, a little way away.]

VURIETH
– And the first to score ten wins.

BALINK
And you’re sure you didn’t just make this game up to get me away from arguing?

VURIETH
Absolutely not. I thought you would like to learn how to play as I did in the deserts.

BALINK
Hm… so I just gotta get this rock…

VURIETH
Yes.

BALINK
… past your feet…

VURIETH
Indeed.

BALINK
… then I get points?

VURIETH
You’ve got it!

BALINK
Do I get bonus points if I make you fall over?

VURIETH
Actually, we used to deduct points for that.

[Balink makes a disgruntled noise, and the others approach.]

YAELA
You two! Come here, we need to tell you something!

[Fading out, they talk by the cart.]

BALINK
Whoa.

VURIETH
Oh my…

LAETHAR
Indeed. So we must keep our wits about us, and either find another way to camp for the night or press on.

AIOLIN
I do not mind either way.

YAELA
I am tempted to keep going. The closer we get to that tower the sooner this could all be over.

VURIETH
I have the energy to carry on walking tonight, if everyone else does?

BALINK
Hold up a minute! Laethar, what did you do to make the ground mad?

LAETHAR
What?

BALINK
You said we can’t ram the tents in the earth like we normally do, but you didn’t have the tents. You just went off to have a look round and be broody. What did you stick in the ground?

ABNAY
That is a good point there.

YAELA
What did you do, Laethar?

LAETHAR
[sighing] Very well. But you must not laugh.

BALINK
Would we ever?

LAETHAR
… I was walking, and thinking-

BALINK
Brooding.

YAELA
Hush.

LAETHAR
And I became rather overwhelmed with it all. Anger at the past, at all that has been done to this beautiful place. And I… well…

BALINK
You stabbed the ground.

LAETHAR
Yes.

BALINK
And the ground said not today!

LAETHAR
Quite.

BALINK
Well… probably best you did it before we put the tents up. Thanks Laethar.

LAETHAR
[sighs] You’re welcome.

YAELA
Alright, then we keep going. Abnay, will the horses be able to handle that?

ABNAY
Absolutely. These two would carry on for hours if they had to.

YAELA
Okay, good. I’ll go on ahead but if there’s any sign of trouble, I’ll come straight back.

LAETHAR
Understood.

[Fading out, the cart wheels turn.]

LAETHAR
Gods, I hate this. As if it wasn’t bad enough what happened to my homeland, now the very earth itself is turned against me.

BALINK
To be fair, you did stab it.

VURIETH
It is a hard thing when the place you called home seems so hostile.

AIOLIN
If it helps, I understand how you feel. I went through the same thing when we visited the Sonrai College.

LAETHAR
My thanks, Aiolin. But I’m afraid it is not the same.

AIOLIN
How so?

LAETHAR
While the College was ruined, the last piece of it, the statue of Aiolin Sonrai, remained untainted, a reminder of the greatness that had once been there. Here, however, there is only that.

VURIETH
The Lighthouse?

LAETHAR
The Lighthouse, Gailesgar. It was once the crown jewel of my people. From all points on the Nara Sea, its light could be seen. It was a symbol of strength and safety. It was used as the heraldry of the royal house. All that was twisted by the Harbinger and now the Dannangwath, the Tower of Fallen Light, stands as reminder of our failure. An insult to all my people.

AIOLIN
Hm, I see what you mean.

BALINK
Maybe when we find the seed, we can blow it up. Would that make you feel better?

LAETHAR
[chuckles] It certainly would but, I’m afraid –

AIOLIN
The Lighthouses are imperishable. They are formed of the bedrock of the earth itself. At least, that’s what I always heard.

BALINK
Oh, well that’s just cheating!

LAETHAR
I think I’d just like to get this whole business over with. The sooner we’re away from this land, the happier I shall be.

VURIETH
Well it cannot be much further now.

YAELA
You’re right!

[Everyone reacts with shock.]

LAETHAR
Where did you come from?

YAELA
I’ve been behind you for the last two minutes.

AIOLIN
I thought you were scouting ahead?

YAELA
I was, I just came back. We’re nearly at the lighthouse. Just over that next ridge and we’ll see the door.

LAETHAR
Oh… good.

BALINK
How many Wasters are there?

YAELA
Strangely, none.

VURIETH
What?

AIOLIN
None at all?

VURIETH
I thought we would have to fight our way in.

YAELA
So did I, but apparently the fates are smiling on us.

LAETHAR
Debatable.

ABNAY
Well, even if there are no guards, this is where we part ways. I shall keep the wagon here and await your return.

VURIETH
You are sure you will be safe?

ABNAY
Oh I think so. We can keep out of sight when we need to. And, if all else fails, I still have the gun.

VURIETH
A good point.

BALINK
Well, stay safe, Ab. We’ll be back before you know it.

ABNAY
I shall count the moments of peace I have left then.

YAELA
Alright. Is everyone ready?

AIOLIN
Think about as ready as we can be.

YAELA
Laethar?

LAETHAR
Yes. Yes, let’s get this done.

YAELA
Right. Let’s go.

[Dice roll and clatter at the gaming table.]

WILL
I really don’t like this.

GINA
Hm? What do you mean?

WILL
I mean that we’re about to walk into essentially the Harbinger’s base and there’s nothing stopping us.

MATT
That is a bit weird.

WILL
Right? There’s no army or traps or enchantments or bloody tentacle monsters or anything?

ROSIE
Yeah, I’m rolling observation again.

GAME MASTER
Again?

ROSIE
You got a problem?

GAME MASTER
No, go ahead.

[The die clatters.]

ROSIE
Seventeen.

GAME MASTER
Like I told you the last multiple times, there is nothing between you and the tower. You can see and sense nothing coming towards you, all is quiet.

ROSIE
… See, why don’t I believe you?

GAME MASTER
Because you’re paranoid, I don’t know.

LEAH
So, we can just walk right in?

GAME MASTER
Well, yes and no.

ROSIE
Oh here we go.

GAME MASTER
There is nothing overtly stopping you from going in but the door won’t just open for you. There is a barrier.

GINA
Ah.

WILL
And our mage can’t just break it anymore.

GAME MASTER
Correct. However, we have run out of time. So, we shall pick this up next time.

GINA
Oh, I can’t make it next week. I’ve got plans with –

GAME MASTER
[forcefully] No, you’re wrong.

[Suspenseful music plays softly.]

GINA
[dreamily] Oh yeah… of course… don’t know why I…

MATT
You alright?

GINA
Yeah, yeah, I’m just feeling a bit… a bit weird.

LEAH
Maybe you just need to lie down for a bit.

GINA
Yeah… yeah I think that’s a good idea.

[A pause in the conversation, and footsteps as Gina leaves, and the tense music fades away.]

GAME MASTER
Join us again, next time.

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