Interlude 1
Even in dreams
(Choices included)
For the first time - in a very, very long while, to be honest - you feel safe. Your journey started not too long ago, yet you got far enough from Ravenhorn that you decide to rest a bit in the saddle. Your experience in that field isn't something that you could call useful, but rest is rest. You quickly warn Castor and Regreh about your decision and they nod to you, as they continue their long dispute about best qualities of food and drinks...
'Rest a bit, Weaver. - Regreh smiles to you. 'You will need it. Anyway, Castor, tell me, why are you so damn stubborn about those wines? Everyone knows that meads are best for any kind of meal! Meat, vegetables... anything goes great with mead!'
'Sir Regreh, I told you! Wines are also great for most meals. There are many types of wines. Oh, rest well, ma'am.' Castor also offers you a warm smile and even something more. He makes some gestures and you suddenly feel more... relaxed. - This spell will make your rest more... comfortable. I know how bad it is when you sleep like this. - he winces and shakes his head.
'Don't call me sir! I told you, boy, I'm damn Regreh for you now, after we fought next to each other!' - the dwarf laughs and hits the young wizard in his shoulder, making him almost fall from his horse. 'Anyway, maybe I will try those... wines. You know, I think it might be just the difference in what we ate when we were young... lik...e...'
You slowly fall into the realm of dreams, relaxed. Castor's spell really worked, it seems. Slowly, your senses weaken, but not enough to make you lose your balance or anything like that. 'Too many years of commanding a spy organization' - you chuckle to yourself in your thoughs.
Your dreams are just images from the past, at first. Training with Hiri. People from the first House of Servants. Some of your personal missions. Many, many things. Sometimes happy, sometimes bittersweet. You do not move as images appear and disappear, in a chaotic slow dance. Your memories... are yours. You are happy with them. This is your life.
But for some reason, you feel regret. At first, you don't know why this feeling appears in such a peaceful dream, but it doesn't fade. Regret. What do you regret?
Maybe those people that you left in pools of blood, murderer?
You stop... somehow. And look around, in darkness, a dark room... how did you? Is this still a dream? You ask yourself, but you don't hear any answers... did you really hear that voice, soft, but harsh? Your eyes close, as you try to focus on sounds around you. At first, you only hear wind.
Why you want to hear anything except your own voice, soulless?
You slowly turn your eyes at the source of voice, shrouded in darkness. Your mouth opens, but only wind come out of it. You don't know how you should respond. You try to come up with anything, but you just can't... why?
After all, the only thing that mattered for you... was just that, wasn't it? It was always like this... Remember the first House? Bagra, a great friend, oh yes, he was a great friend. A dwarf, probably the only one who ever managed to be better than you at creeping.
Only thanks to him your idea was a success. You knew that, didn't you? And what did you do? Left him to rot in a dungeon of some little landlord after one of your stunts.
This time, you respond. With anger in your voice. This memory hurts your heart. But it wasn't like this.
'I would never leave my friend in danger! Whoever you are, you are wrong! Barga escaped from that dungeon, leaning on my own shoulder! And that bastard that tortured him... I made him pay!' you yells into darkness, but the only responce you get a first is a quiet chuckle.
Oh, so you disagree with that he died after that? Didn't he meet his death in your arms, soon after that, bleeding from his wounds inflicted by tortures? Didn't he beg you to finish his agony? And what have you done? Nothing! NOTHING!!! You looked at his face and you didn't take the dagger in your hands... you could make this so easy for him... you could.
You shiver when the voice yells 'NOTHING'. But you don't lose your confidence... at least not all of it.
'I... I couldn't do it. I would never stab my friend, looking in his eyes... even if he begs me for it. I couldn't. Do you even know what is it like? Looking at their face, seeing the pain slowly draining their life away from their bodies?'
I'm pretty sure that you could be that pain.
You look into the darkness again, terrified. You know what this voice suggests. Slowly shaking your head, you look around.
'No... not to someone...'
Someone who is your friend? Someone dear to you? Someone... that you like? Oh, so this is how you feel... but what of those poor people that died by your hand... while you fed on their lives, their souls. And don't even try to say that they were guilty... some of them, yes. Some deserved that fate, maybe even worse. But what about this child, remember? That poor child that met a monster in a dark alley, a hungry monster. A monster trapped in a besieged city. Why couldn't you control your hunger for a little more? Why couldn't it be... someone else?
You feel everything around you change...
***
It was a hard mission, as you remember it. Trapped in Glazkam City, one of the towns in South Kingdoms, under siege. It was pure bad luck that it happened when you were there, alone. You don't even remember who attacked the city that time, almost as if it wasn't important. You let this knowledge fade away... but you had your reasons.
Patrols around the city were too tight to get away from them. You couldn't find anyone to suck their life energy, even a tiny bit. No one even wanted to hire a whore that you could pretend to be. Your hunger slowly grew inside of you. For two weeks... then a day after.
Two days.
Tree days.
Another week.
Three weeks without any life force. You didn't know you could handle that much without going insane. It isn't like normal hunger. It doesn't kill you right away. It makes you... forget. Who you are. Why you are. Where you are.
It leaves only a beast inside, hungry and angry.
That time you lost control. That was a bad night. The only thing you remember from your hunt for another soul is your desperation and determination to live. And the weather, the rain...
You remember how one of your agents, Blazik, always said about the rain - 'Heaven is crying over us.'
What a sarcastic bastard, considering that he murdered his best friend after he learned about you and the House by pure accident. You didn't even have a chance to stop him. Not that you would do that. He just asked one question to him.
'What did you hear, Tak?' his voice was... full of sadness.
'Blaz, we are friends. What do you want to do? Bla! - wait! PUT THAT KNIFE DOWN! Bla-!' a voice of a young man quickly turned into groans as a knife pierced his heart. You looked away and decided to take a walk. You knew that Blazik will need some time. They always do. When you came back, he still was looking at the body, sitting in one of the chairs nearby. This wasn't first time you saw a thing like that... sometimes, however, you were forced to do this yourself. To both your agent and victims. Sometimes... they just couldn't take it.
'Weaver...' he said, more to himself than to you. 'Is... is it always like this?' You looked at him, but Blaz' eyes were empty. And he didn't even look at you.
'This is why I asked you if you really wanted to be a part of this. There is always a possiblity that you will be forced to do that again. We are the House of Servants, Blazik. The only family and friends we have are other servants. We are the only people that can know... who was he?' Your voice didn't changed at all. You could never show anyone that you still feel. This is why you never responded to his question. Because the truth hurts. Always.
'He... His name was Takeo. I knew him for my entire life. Son of my father's friend. I dated his sister... Gods. What have I done... Weaver, what have I done? What have I... Wh-w.' - you looked at the young man's face and the tears slowly running down his cheek. You sighed and sat near him. You helped him lean on your shoulder and slowly led him to the door. He could barely walk.
'Burn this place down, Adbel. Sadly, one person died in fire and the second was never found.' Adbel, hidding in shadows near the entrance to the house, nodded to show you that he understands. Few moments later, he joined you on the steets. Crying Blazik, with a hood on his head, looked at the flames that slowly started to devour the house... and then, the rain started. Despite that, the explosion was powerful. You never liked Adbel's taste in 'subtle' dwarven grenades.
Adbel turned back, to look at the people running away from the house... maybe. He grinned to himself and you can swear you heard his voice whispering...
'Heaven crying over us, huh? Over us... or because of us?'
***
Don't try to escape from these memories, soulless. Or I will force you to go through it, again. That night.
You close your eyes, disturbed. You realize that you really tried to escape from first memory...
That night, when you lost control... when you woke up in one of the poorest city districts, you knew that you devoured someone. It was the only way for you to still exist, in that very moment. You looked around...
And fear hit your heart like a hammer hits anvil. You couldn't look away. Child's body... a girl. You would say that she was... maybe fourteen... fiveteen years old? Her eyes were full of fear. She feared her death.
You.
You. You. You. You. You. You. You. Murderer.
Tell me... would you want to meet your own victim... face to face?
You turn around... and take a few steps back. In darkness, somebody looks at you. A small person slowly comes out of the dark and looks at you, with nothing in their eyes. The girl's voice is empty. So empty that you aren't even sure that she speaks...
'So you are the person that killed me, aren't you?' she tilts her head a bit. 'I wonder, do you feel something about it? Do you even think about what you have done to me... or maybe I was just another body in a pile of others that died by your hand? I never had a chance to live my life, because of you. Tell me, what would you do, if I wanted to get my revenge for this?'
This time, however, you don't escape. You clean your mind of thoughs and respond. And it doesn't matter if she exists or not. You are honest with... yourself.
'I... I regret what I have done. I regret many things, and your death isn't less important than those. But I would do that again if I am forced to. You want to know why? Because I also have people that I love and care about. I will protect them. I will make those that harmed or will harm them pay. I lived for more years then you ever could and I'm sad because of your death. But it wasn't pointless. I will remember you... And if you want your revenge... you may try to get it. But know that I will protect myself. For my ideals and my loved ones. For my goals.'
As you keep talking, more and more people appear in the darkness. You know some of them... your agents. Your rivals. Your enemies. Everyone that died next to you or at your hand. They look at you and you feel that you are being judged. When you finish your speech, the girl slowly start walking toward you...
You cannot move... as her hands moves toward your throat, and you slowly kneel. 'So this is how it feels... powerless...' a thought crosses your mind when her fingers touch your neck.
And her hands slowly move to left and right, as she holds you in her hands, hugging you. Your feelings overpower you, as you start crying on her shoulder. You can't say anything... so instead, she speaks for you.
'Know that some of those that you killed deserved death. They were awful people... but some of us were just doing their jobs. Some of us were just enemies by fate. And some were just people who were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. But we... understand. We understand the pain that you feel. You regret, but you still go for your goals. You protect her... it is worth it. Worth our lives...' her voice is peaceful, almost comforting.
'Are we truly people that fought next to you or died by your hand? I don't know. Maybe we are little parts of their souls, trapped inside your empty, cold body. But know that... most of us think that it was worth to die. We feel your love, your determination... but also your lust for revenge. Remember that it may destroy you and your goals... Avenge them... but only if the price for it won't be too high. And know that we will be watching, always. Until you will die or until you get back your soul.'
You felt her arms warming you a bit, but after a while, you found yourself alone in the void. However, the warmth in your heart stayed with you. And then you turned around to look at the person that confronted you with those images.
Only to see yourself. In front of you, suprised and shocked... no. It isn't you.
It is person that you were, long ago. Person that died in March, after a hole in the very reality ended her life and trapped her... somewhere.
Both of you don't say anything... until a white void devours you both. You wake up.
***
You open your eyes when the sun shines on your face. You look around and yawn. Regreh and Castor are still arguing about something and it seems they have been at it for the whole night. Regreh turns his head to you and smiles.
'Aye, good day, Weaver! How do you feel after some rest? You were sleeping like a baby, probably thanks to our young companion!' the dwarf smiles warmly at you.
'I think it is mostly ma'am Weaver's experience in resting like that, Regreh.' you are suprised when you hear Regreh's name without a 'sir' before it... did those two really develop some kind of bond between them during the night? 'Anyway, ma'am, I hope you feel better now.'
'Thanks, Castor. It was a really good rest... anyway, how long did we ride for, now? How far are we from Larnmarn?'
'About 20 miles right now. At least, the signal stones suggest that.' you look at Castor, suprised.
'Damn it, only 20 miles? How the hell were we so fast? Over 40 miles in one night... Castor, should I assume this one is also your doing?' you look at him, faking an accusing glance. He scratches his head and shyly looks away.
'Well... yes, ma'am. I used some spells on us and our horses. I hope you aren't angry at me for that, but I wanted to get us away from that place as fast as I could.'
'Nay, I'm not angry. Well, maybe a bit, because you should wake me up and ask before doing something like this. But thanks anyway.' you, however, curse in your own mind. He really should have asked you before he did that... you hope that if anybody is following you, he wouldn't able to find you by tracing one of the spells. Not that this is going to stop you from reaching the city... actually, you hope that you will get to it faster now.
As time passes, you listen in on Regreh's and Castor's conversation, but it ends quickly as both of them are tired after riding on horseback all night. Your mind work again, making plans and connections... you still think about who could have sent you the message about a man that destroyed the House...
And after a while, you think you know who it might have been. One of your informers, calling himself "Silver Tounge", but you rather prefer how everyone else calls him - Warner "Bastard weasel" Kaizoku. Little, greedy bastard, like many people in Larnmarn... it is a part of the city's charm. You always look at Adam's (people that you work with in Larnmarn slang), but mostly to be sure that they didn't have any knives aimed at your back. You know that you can't just enter the city through the main gate... too many eyes watch those. But this isn't the first time you are in this kind of situation... there are ways that are hidden from most eyes... if you are willing to pay the price.
After that, you probably will go to one of your hideouts in the city. You have paid a lot of money for those, back in the day, so most of them should still be intact. You could also contact some old friends before you will try to talk with Warner. And before you start doing anything, you will collect information. About everything. You thank yourself for going to that damn armory and finding your gold. It will pay off in this city, city where gold is key to many doors.
1 Anyway, before you will get into Larnmarn, you much choose your way in.
a) You will go into sewers and try to find your way into city for free. This, however, will be dangerous as Larnmarn sewers are also labirynth full of hideouts, secret paths, smugglers roads and other things like that. You know some ways in those, but changes are part of their nature, so your roads may already disappear. (Free)
b) You will use one of smugglers roads, as many of people. You know some of them that will keep their mouth shut about you in city, but cost of it may be pretty high. Well, it is still safer then walking into sewers in little group. (100-200 gold coins for one person.
c) You will go to your old friend, innkeeper in one of taverns around the city. He have little tunel digged under walls and you used it many times. Of course, you will be forced to pay, but not so much... however, most of people around there know you and you may be sure that somebody will know you get into city. Informations are valuable in City of Wonders... and you may be sure if there will be someone willing to pay for them, he will get them. (200 for everyone)
d) You will use one of Thieves Highways - bridges, ropes and other ways made high above city walls. Those are part of city view, as high towers and buldings are. You can get on them only in night, as using in in daylight is asking for getting Thieves Guild on your head. However, you know Thieves Councilor in Council of Guilds and you may be able to get away with it... still, he may already change. And problems with demons in city could close Thieves Highways. (Unknown.)
e) You will go inside... by Main Gate. It isn't worth it to hide, after all. You will place everything on your skills and reputation... however, this may not be best idea considering that someone in this city could sold you for people in Ravenhord. (Nothing)
f) You will ask Regreh/Castor to get a way into the City. They may have better ideas then you, this time. (Unknown)
2. You will have to hide in one of hideouts. You decided to pick up from newest three, each one placed in different city Ward.
a) Little basement in Trade Ward. It is connected to some other exists in entire Ward so you will be able to get out of it everytime, Ward itself is full of people so you could hide pretty easy and you would have an unlimited occasions to get new things... after all, it is Trade Ward.
b) House in Circle Ward, next to Drunk Ward. It is probably full of mercenaries now, so you could try to act like one, with Castor and Regreh. It would also help you getting more informations about demons attacking city from first hand. It is also pretty close to Assassin Headquarters. And you may want to pay a visit to their leader, Alexander. He knows you as his... Auntie. Long story short - you know him well enough to ask him for help, but you can't be sure if he will help you. And it could be really dangerous if you would make assassins curious with you.
c) Little room above City Library in Dwarven Ward. It is on other part of town, so it would be pretty calm and you would have connections with some dwarfs that you know around there. Also, when you mention that part of town, Regreh says that he have some of friends there and they may be willing to help you... for right price. You are also almost sure that there are few information brokers in that part of town, so it would be preety easier for you to stay hidden from eyes that will search for you and your comrades. (Of course, assuming that person that will pay for your location will give them your name. You are well known in some parts of town, so they will search you there, mostly. Like in Trade Ward.)
3. You need informations about world and Larnmarn, after you disappeard for whole year. However, more information you will try to get, more attention you may bring on yourself. Also, if you want to hire someone for this and that person isn't Castor or Regreh, it will cost you. You will to get informations about:
a) Situation in Larnmarn, demons and changes in city.
b) Known World politics and problems.
c) About yourself, your disapperence and anything connected to your person.
d) Hiri/Agents that left after House was destoryed.
e) Circle and Masked.
f) Something connected to Blue Eyes death and messages that he left on his body.
e) Something else (write what).
d) Everything above.
3(I) You also must decide who you will send for getting informations (you may pick multiple answers):
a) Yourself.
b) You will ask Regreh.
c) Castor.
d) Your contacts in city. (Be aware that they will know it is you, if you send them message. Most of your sources are rather well hidden and sending Castor or Regreh to them is asking for troubles.
e) Information brokers.
f) Ask Thieves Guild for some interesting facts.
g) Whores Guild may have some interesting informations in their hands.
h) Beggars always listen to everyone... maybe it is worth to pay them a visit.
f) Freeform.
Information cost may be very different and even your character can't predict how much it will cost. However, you experience and instinct make you think that around 500 coins should be enough.
) Second thing - your choices may create story. Well, yes, I use some premade events that may or may not happend in gameworld, depending on your choices, but it is mostly written by you and your luck (rolls). Some example, without spoilers - if you would choose escaping with Masked in first chapter, he would act different towards you now. It was possible for you to get first to Blue Eyes and save him if you would choose different route back then. Damn, even your questions may change/add/close some choices, as it happend with Masked (you impressed him a bit with those questions, or rather by that you had big enough 'balls' to ask them after you learned who he may be).
If you mean KW - I don't know why you think Weaver was kicked out Dwarven Kingdom, but prehaps that is one of my mistakes. (or I forget something, but then I'm retarded and you need to shoot me in face for my stupid memory). Dwarfes are actually one of few people that don't think of souless people as someone much different then normal human. Well, maybe becouse sucking dwarf is like bitting cactus to get some water from it (at least for souless, I remember that I wrote about it back in some Index posts), but I don't think it was it.
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