S4E1 - The Plan

Hello again adventurers, Its me Cordelia Shieldheart! This episode was made possible by our supporters and patrons, JD Rose, Daniel Nichols, Hayley Munoz, Brian Dowling, Storm Cone, and Joleen Fresquez. You can also help support the show by joining us at patreon.com slash dice tower theatre or even better yet by telling a friend to check out the show! Last season ended with us retaking Garnet Keep where we Shieldhearts were born and a great celebration took place. But there's a dark storm waiting to the south they can't avoid for too much longer. And that storm is the Dark Army. NAR - KELDOR Dawn of Dragons Season 4 Episode 4 The Plan The ancient mead hall that stood during the time of Benedict’s father echoed with voices of merriment once again. The heroes had returned to the halls of Garnet Keep. Over the following week we rebuilt what we could to make the keep livable, and tonight was a time to celebrate. While everyone joyfully carried on throughout the night we, the party of adventurers, met in the war room. When I entered the room I noticed my armor dancing gold in the candlelight. Elloveve entered behind me dressed in leather armor emblazoned with the Sword and Crown befitting a decorated Scout Archer. She was with a young woman from the ranks of our forces. A mage, if I remember right... and also a fellow elf from the Silver Maple Woods in the north of Trull... Where Vix was from, if memory serves. KELDOR It has come to our attention, my friends, that we must infiltrate Enruk, the City of Doom. Isenatha is here to assist in planning this dire mission. NAR - KELDOR Isenatha looked at us all carefully as she took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. ISENATHA (slowly, carefully, worried about saying too much. She carries a secret.) In the... in the south of Trull is a... ERALIN (coughs, clears throat. a bit condescending) Ahem... Excuse me. ISENATHA (angrily) Do I bore you? ERALIN (defensively) Woah, you haven't even started yet. (snidely) Buuuut I'm laying money on it. ISENATHA Figures. Of course you would. Money is everything, am I right? You and the rest of your kind only care about yourselves and staying out of the way of progress. Tell me, Eralin. (beat) Where... HAVE you been? 2. Created using Celtx CORDELIA (trying to diffuse) Wait a moment Isenatha, is that really necessary to... ISENATHA (defensively) It... *sigh* (beat then deep breath) You are right... Cordelia. My apologies. NAR - KELDOR Looking around the room she saw the faces of her new friends. These weren't her enemies, she reminded herself, as she continued to slowly let her blood cool, pointing at a small dot on the map at the southern tip of the Garnet Mountains where they met the sea. She smiled slightly, realizing she must tell them everything. At least as much as she knew, which may free her of the burden... then finally closed her eyes, resolute and calm. ISENATHA This happened many years ago in the city known as Enruk. Enruk is surrounded by 2 volcanoes and is known for its... DABRIA (interrupting) Pits. (beat as everyone shuffles nervously) Gladiator pits. ISENATHA (cold and sharp) Yes. Their beloved blood pits. But more importantly, I know of some allies currently imprisoned there who can help us... DABRIA (slight chuckle then snidely) And WHO exactly would help us? I know for a fact all the prisoners there are doomed to meet the same fate. Death in the pits... you see, they would be dead by now. (beat) *sigh* This is pointless. NAR - KELDOR Isenatha's fists clenched into balls, seeing the former Officer of the Dark Army. She still wasn't at ease with her presence. Then, drawing a breath, she continued. ISENATHA (deep breath) You may have known much... as a commander of Dekkion's Dead Army... but I fear you did not know everything. Dabria... we MUST assume nothing and investigate. 3. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR If I didn't know better, something in those words confused Dabria - I saw her stone cold visage quake slightly - but not as much as what took place next. UNA She's right. (beat) There were many things kept from us, my sister. My guide tells me much of his... love for secrets. (chuckle, then gasp like an ice cube struck the skin) NAR - KELDOR Una stood leaning on her spear as if it were now a staff. The dark hood of her robes cloaked her scarred face in shadow, frozen save for the tremble of a single corner of her mouth. Her eyes opened wide, staring into the fireplace. The smell of the ash and pine burning seemed to dull in that moment. UNA (in a painful trance) I'm...I'm being told we must return to the doomed city. It is key to his unraveling. DABRIA (seriously) Dekkion's? UNA (hushed from pain) Y..yes... th..the Dead Lord himself and Zorin's father. NAR - KELDOR Zorin didn't look up. But I felt his body tense at the mention of his hated father. The one who had selfishly destroyed so many lives. UNA (continuing) We must seek the truth... The truth beneath the temple. DABRIA (cold) Well... That's ALL I needed to know. (beat and breath) When do we leave? SOPHIE (shifting the conversation) Isenatha, do you have a plan for this? ISENATHA (Regaining control of the room) Yes, Thank you Sophie. We must divide into two groups. One group (MORE) 4. Created using Celtx ISENATHA (CONT'D) will travel south along the Garnet Mountains toward the sea, and through the North Pass. The other will first sail out of Whitford around Trull itself and into the bay. I will lead the group coming into the North Pass and we will proceed to the Temple. For we believe it is somewhere beneath that the prisoners are being held. The other party, a much smaller party, will dress like human mercenaries and infiltrate to find out if there is any chance for driving a rebellion. UNA I know the Temple. I served much time within its walls when we were training. ISENATHA This is good. You and I will be together in this then. NAR - KELDOR She looked at Eralin. ISENATHA I can only hope... you won’t be as selfish as I think you are, but I need to trust you to help them. (seriously) Again, this is to give you a chance for redemption... I want you to help lead the smaller party coming in by ship since yourself and Zorin know the sea so well. ERALIN (cocky) Of course we do, consider it... ISENATHA (interrupting) Not to mention your skill at 'Deception' (sigh before continuing) Zorin, no one knows your father like you do. You should go with Eralin but you will need a guide. Dabria, one of his most trusted commanders, will do nicely. You will also need a light in the darkness to go with you. I recommend Benedict. And with us, Skotmir and Sophie will be our defenders. NAR - KELDOR At that moment I looked around for Benedict and remembered he was in his prayers. KELDOR Um, maybe it’s best I tell him about the change in... his armor. He may not take it so well. 5. Created using Celtx SFX - DOOR TRANSITION NAR - KELDOR Later that evening, the party went to the Armory to outfit and get more equipment. As Zorin was browsing I saw Benedict enter the Armory to see where he could help or assist with the various gathered equipment and weapons. An interesting approach as I think he was having issues actually accepting his role here. (chuckle) I suppose all the more reason he needed to go on this mission. His heart wasn't ready to just lead. He needed to affect it directly. ARMORER Milord! What are you in here for? BENEDICT I wish to simply help, not purchase. NAR - KELDOR Benedict was eyeing some of the damaged and bent longswords in a pile in the corner. It was then that I went to him. KELDOR Benedict, there's something I wish to tell you about your upcoming Adventure.. (shrugging cautiously) You will need to wear a disguise. BENEDICT What? KELDOR Son, you must change out of your your treasured and accepted armor into a set of... well its only a disguise... of sorts... You must dress like an evil officer of the Dark Army. NAR - KELDOR He stared at me, thinking. I knew he wouldn't like it. BENEDICT I hate this idea, Keldor. But... it makes sense if we are infiltrating. Knightlord forgive me. KELDOR The Knightlord will forgive your fashion choices, I'm (MORE) 6. Created using Celtx KELDOR (CONT'D) sure Benedict. Despite what you may have heard, clothes rarely make the person. It is weighed only on your actions. BENEDICT Yes... (smiling) I will accept this as just another challenge, Keldor. No problem from me. (beat) Now I would like to ask you... good sir... if you wouldn't mind me throwing some hot steel around? I do miss the craft. ARMORER Of course... er... (grunt) umm.. step right up milord! TRANSITION NAR - KELDOR Lorvana was in the garden looking up at the stars and humming an old traveler's tune. She loved the moon and the stars... and it was nice to have something this peaceful to look at... Elloveve approached gracefully, like a soft wind in the night air. LORVANA (humming a traveler's tune) NAR - KELDOR Lorvana walked through the poorly maintained garden beds toward the old tree. She smiled as the moonlight danced on her old trusted lute. As she walked, she absentmindedly twisted it slightly to catch the bluewhite glow of the moon and stars across the bronze and sinew strings. The deep cherrywood created a violet tone in gentle waves across the fretboard. Elloveve sat on the exposed roots of the ancient tree, smiling at her little song. She toyed with the silver Horse head cuff adorning one pointed ear. LORVANA (gasp) Oh! ELLOVEVE Oh don't stop because of me! (smiles) I truly enjoy that tune. LORVANA Really?! Oh... (pause) Excuse me... Jade. (smiles) I really wanted to tell you... 7. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR She paused. Truth be told she was enamored with the Strong elf woman. She was a living legend and was one she could actually talk to. LORVANA You... (pause) (exhaling) ...are just amazing. (giggles) ELLOVEVE (laughing) Hahaha! Oh you are amazing too Lorvana! Thank you for all you've done. If it wasn't for you, I may have never found my way back. (pause) Sit here with me a moment please? LORVANA Oh yes! Of course... (grunt as she climbs up to sit on the root) NAR - KELDOR Elloveve smiled as Lorvana climbed up the short root. Although a decent seat for those of Elloveve's height, it was a bit out of the way for Lorvana's three and a half foot stature. She offered a hand and then placed it on her shoulder gently. ELLOVEVE (hushed and loving) Little one, I have a present for you. First is this gem. If you hold it up at the light just right it can show the edge of most secrets. (pause) There see over there? The wall... LORVANA Umm.. (pause gasp) Oh! I see letters... or... or something. Blue ones! ELLOVEVE That's it! It's the words of magic. Old magic, but still serves its purpose. And then there's this. (pause) This arrow has been part of my quiver for many years, and it now reminds me of you. LORVANA (in awe) Woooowwww. NAR - KELDOR She produced an arrow made from a rose's thorny stem, straight and true. The arrow's head was more like a (MORE) 8. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR (CONT'D) blade. One, Lorvana remarked, that hooked back almost like a glaive on one side but perfectly balanced on the other with a swooping point. The Fletching was black with purple tips from some magical and unknown bird. (Zorin grunting far off) ZORIN (distant and faded) Oh come on... Just... latch.... New leather.. always such a pain. Where's some water? ELLOVEVE (chuckling) Well I better give him a hand. LORVANA Thank you Jade. I love it. ELLOVEVE I'm glad you do. It will hold your quarry in place with thorny vines.. at least for a moment (smiles) Good luck tomorrow. NAR - KELDOR Jade walked to Zorin who was looking over some of his new weapons. She could tell by the look on his face he was picturing how they would look buried in his hated father, Lord Pallus. ELLOVEVE I hope you find closure Zorin. (pause) That's different... NAR - KELDOR She paused, looking at the new rapier in his hand. ZORIN Me too. (questioning) Er...oh, you mean this? (pause) Its not as balanced as I'd like and the blade has way too much flex for my liking... (pause) It's not like her. ELLOVEVE (Questioning) Her? ZORIN (hiding) Oh!... ah... there was a sword I thought I held once that was... (pause) nevermind. This will do... (imagining his target) ...just fine. NAR - KELDOR He remained focused on the outstretched sharpened tip (MORE) 9. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR (CONT'D) of the steel blade, imagining a look of surprise or, better yet, fear... at the other end. She gently turned his chin. He remembered her doing this when Zane and he would need ‘instruction’. He could smell the flowers and honey that always seemed to follow her, and the embroidered vines on the glove pressed gently to his face. ELLOVEVE (sweetly hushed) Be calm though, (pause) don’t let impatience and hatred take the best of you away. (Pause) I always viewed you... as my son. And I always will. ZORIN (Sigh) You've always been there for me, NAR - KELDOR He wrapped her in a big hug, his pulse slowing in her arms. His vision became more clear as the feelings of anger slowly melted away and he regained control. ZORIN Thanks for being you. TRANSITION NAR - KELDOR Benedict walked the stone wall circling the keep. He noted how he was reversing the steps he took when he first came to the stairs. Peering down, he remembered telling Una and the others to go to the front. That's now where he was heading, to the front overlooking the great canyon below. Though the rubble and filth had been cleaned up over the last week, he looked back at the broken walls and its jagged scars. Windows that were broken were now being replaced by the glassworkers and blacksmiths. Masons cut new bricks and stone to replace the old. The Mistgaurd barricades made of skulls and furs had been either burned, melted down for re-purpose or thrown over the side of the long stone bridge, falling 1000 feet to splash in the river below. Benedict helped by overseeing the design and rebuild of the keep. He oversaw the development of the rooms' design in the main keep itself and the barracks. He rebuilt the smithy and began rebuilding the chapel to the Knightlord. The stables were patched up first and our horses were grateful. As he walked he noted there was still so much to do. Standing by the left forward (MORE) 10. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR (CONT'D) ballista stood a single figure. She was staring at a point into the distance northward, looking past the bridge to the large meadow on the other side known as Bear Trap. From here she could see where the path disappeared down the far side of the mountain. In the far distance the rolling foothills gave way to the vast Glen valley. BENEDICT (greeting) Hello Mother. (smiles) Good morning...How are you? NAR - KELDOR She turned towards him, the cool wind catching her gold and silver hair gently in the breeze. It was now cropped at the shoulder, the way she always wore it... at least how Zane would describe her to him. Her armor was polished now and a white Tunic of a Knight Major adorned her chest. 3 red stripes. She was the one in charge and given what she had been through no one questioned it. Her trusted advisors were Keldor and Elloveve and the collected input of the keep itself. In her hand, the familiar tall magical glaive stood polished. He could make out the name Tempest across the oiled hardwood pole. Her blue eyes smiled in the red gold of the dawn's sunlight. She lingered there for a moment longer than what would normally be comfortable, taking in that moment of thankfulness for what it was. ELONA (happily) Good morning... my son. (back to the watch) You've done much in this week. BENEDICT Has it only been a week. It feels like... ELONA A lifetime for me. (smiles) A life that YOU returned to me. I can never thank you enough. (pause) Your memory kept me alive until you returned to me. (sigh) Thank you. NAR - KELDOR Elona steeled herself for her next statement. BENEDICT I... I wanted to tell you that I can't stay right now that... 11. Created using Celtx ELONA Shhhh... (pause) You are a knight now. The son of two warriors. (chuckles) Two warriors I might add that made their own path. Two warriors who never said goodbye (pause) not even... NAR - KELDOR She stopped herself for a moment, thinking of seeing her beloved's body on those steps... lifeless. She winced slightly. BENEDICT I didn't mean to.. ELONA No, (sniff) this is good... Benedict. (chuckle) ha... Now… I can truly grieve... but where I thought I lost everything... I found you. NAR - KELDOR She turned back to him and placed a hand gently on her son's cheek. ELONA My angel... I was so sure I lost...(sigh) you too. (ease into and embrace and slowly sob into a muffled arm for 15 sec before ending with:) sob... (sigh) I miss you. NAR - KELDOR Benedict brought her close in a warm embrace. She gently pulled her face into his shoulder. (close with "I miss you" line) TRANSITION DABRIA We will ride together southeast about a fortnight until we reach the fork to Whitford. And there we will part ways. (simple questioning) Zorin, are you familiar with the Black Skiffs? ZORIN Fastest ships in the world, from what I've heard. They were the ones that would take our supplies out of Whitford to Enruk in a matter of days. (pause) The shallow reefs south of the old country wouldn't allow the larger frigates and merchantmen I sailed on to travel. 12. Created using Celtx SOPHIE Why not just use them instead to begin with? DABRIA You can... But they become a leaf drifting on the ocean, violently tossed and re-tossed until they were nothing but toothpicks and drowned dead... SOPHIE Well make it your goal,Dabria,to bring my brothers back safe. DABRIA Fine. (pause) You do the same for my sister. (chuckle) UNA (chuckle) NAR - KELDOR We watched them all mount. Elloveve, Elona and I. Little Lorvana handed Elona a small purple flower and giggled as she mounted a small pony alongside Skotmir. Elona smiled and nodded at the bard as I address these brave adventurers. KELDOR Godspeed my friends. We will expect to see you return with the next moon! CORDELIA Goodbye! NAR - KELDOR Something struck Benedict as he looked at everyone in that moment... and suddenly he understood. BENEDICT Actually Cordelia... We don't say goodbye. NAR - KELDOR Elloveve, Elona and Myself looked at each other... 3 remaining members of the 6 winds... and we smiled. TRANSITION NAR - KELDOR On the 3rd day, Una and Dabria parted ways. The harsh heat on the road in that noon hour helped kick up dust in the muggy road. They didn't seem to notice (MORE) 13. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR (CONT'D) though. They solemnly nodded at each other before Dabria snapped in DABRIA Eralin, Zorin and Benedict. (pause) Let's go. NAR - KELDOR They all parted ways. Sophie knew something was about to change, and some of them were not meant to come back the same. (travelling montage sounds) NAR - KELDOR Another week's journey passed as Una and Isenatha led Cordelia, Sophie, Skotmir and Lorvana deep into the violent hills of southwest Trull. The grasses were dry and smelled of dust and sour springs. Skotmir made mention of the Garnet Mountains as they headed beyond their hidden passes. His voice was soft and reverent. SKOTMIR These are the halls of my ancestors. They always seem so solemn... and lonely. ISENATHA (climbing breath) Una... those dark clouds... UNA (climbing breath) Yes... that's where we will go... Climb up, up ,up... into the mountains...(pause) Into the storm. SOPHIE (climbing breath) (concerned) Is it... Rain? UNA (climbing breath)(correcting) No... Fire. TRANSITION (Wind and Sea. Should feel fast.) NAR - KELDOR Dabria stood on the deck of the black-sailed ship with her companions. Sleek and streamlined, the Minotaur captain grinned menacingly as he held the helm steady with a stone solid and gray muscular arm. (MORE) 14. Created using Celtx NAR - KELDOR (CONT'D) She saw the dark clouds thickening on the horizon... DABRIA (to herself) Hmmm... MINOTAUR CAPTAIN (yelling) Mistress Dabria! In 3 Hours and a turn we will be making port. Best make your preparations! (to another crew member) Fasten lines and check the wake! SAILOR1 Aye aye Captain! She's running shallow and smooth. MINOTAUR CAPTAIN Good! Let's bring her home then! NAR - KELDOR He pointed to the forming roots of the great volcanoes at the foot of the Garnet Mountains. Gradually they grew as they approached on the speedy craft. She turned to Benedict. He was dressed as a human officer of Squib's army. The uniform was collected from the Celestine Tower's dead, she assumed. Zorin and Eralin, on the other hand, looked like low ranking mercenaries. She had seen hundreds of their kind, and they should also go unnoticed here. Even the tall Eralin was enough of a cold blooded individual to pass his elven blood through. Elves were less common than even Halflings as mercenaries for whatever reason. DABRIA Enruk is a cesspool of the world's forgotten and forlorn. Those that walk that twilight between life and death thrive here... (chuckle then serious) Before Pallus came it was ruled by Kobolds who traded with the local Orc tribes to the east, some Dwarves to the north and the mysterious Chikarans to the west. When Pallus came he taught them to no longer be simple kobolds by showing them how to thrive in commerce. NAR - KELDOR She hesitated for a moment, thinking of Sharptooth. DABRIA They began to view him as a savior, one who promised to lead them into a new and wealthy future. Maldros the Dark brought fighters from Bloodwood to train here and they opened up their own arena. 15. Created using Celtx ZORIN Zane spoke of the pits in Bloodwood. Were these... DABRIA Worse. (pause) Much worse. In Bloodwood... even occupied Bloodwood... there is bureaucracy from the fighters and the trainers that even Maldros himself couldn't completely overcome. Here he had thousands of bloodthirsty volunteers (pause) or those willing to do the unspeakable to turn a profit. Sacrificing them to the sport answered his dreams. Soon, the bloodpit came to rival any other, standing as the most impressive arena in the world... (Tensely with venom) Built on the shoulders of the dead gladiators he committed to the bloodstained banner of entertainment. NAR - KELDOR She turned her gaze out over the ocean where, in the distance, a deep gray haze lie on the horizon. Unclenching her fist slowly, she took a breath and continued. DABRIA During the day a small amount of sunlight, filtered reddish-brown by the heavy clouds, illuminates the city with a... certain twilight... which doesn't change much once night falls. The city itself is a sprawling slum featuring 2 major buildings. The Arena and the Temple. There are now a few rough taverns and Inns that treat the officers of his great lordship... quite well. It is recommended that you all... watch your backs. This town is more than rough. It is evil (pause) and... BENEDICT (coughing fit) NAR - KELDOR Benedict coughed slightly as the smell of sulfur assaulted his nose, sending burning sensations back into his throat. She smiled crookedly, her gold eyes cutting through the thickening haze. DABRIA (chuckle) It is also what I called home.