Shadow Spawn

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The merchant gives a bemused smile, looks to either side for an audience. The customers are too busy sifting through the various goods on the stall. "'Attitude!' Maybe if you'd BUY something, instead of blocking ACTUAL customers, then maybe I'd be a little more patient. Although...dressed the way you are," he says, looking you up and down, "I'd be surprised if you even had two gold coins to rub together." A shadow falls overhead. The stall is getting busier. You're not able to hold your position and feel yourself being dragged along with the crowd. The sentry guard above continues to shout at the laggards. "Thought as much," the merchant calls out. "Next!" [[March back and give him a piece of your mind]] [[Go with the crowd]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The merchant smiles, and leans forward, summoning you closer with a wave. [[Move closer]] [[Sorry. You're not my type]] [[Hold your position]] [[Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]]

The merchant scrutinizes you. "Alive or dead?" [[Why would I want it alive?]] [[It better be dead]]

"Everything you see here is special. Fresh fish just in from the Sword Coast this morning. Baked bread, still hot to the touch - my mothers own. Vegetables, plucked from the Sherlock Gardens two leagues from here. Beans- well, you can see for yourself." You cast your eye over all the goods and are painfully aware of your lack of finances. "Some fruit? Put some colour in your cheeks." [[How is the fish today?->Sorry, it's the heat. Hard to focus. Do you have any fish?]] [[Not exactly a picture of health, yourself->Sorry. You're not my type]]

You press against the wave of people. A look at the merchant's face suggests he isn't happy that you're returning. If anything, he seems concerned. You watch as he looks skyward, trying to attract the attention of the guard. [[Stare up at the Guard]] [[Can't pick your own fights, eh?]]

You walk on. There is an impasse ahead. A wooden cart has toppled over, sending dozens of apples rolling across the narrow path. The crowds have backed up. Some opportunistic walkers have managed to snag a fruit and are already headed in the opposite direction, hopeful of not being spotted by the sentry guard. You watch as a boy slithers between the legs of the man in front. Your legs are closed to his passage. You look down. He peers up at you and looks over your shoulder. A shiny red apple is gripped between his teeth. [[Let him through]] [[Stare up at the Guard]] [[Stealing? It's a slippery slope from here, kid]]

The guard is no longer focused on the market crowd. He is staring into the distance above the skyline of the buildings, hand raised to screen the sun. There is the sudden rumble of thunder. The sky darkens. You feel a tug at your shirt. A red-haired girl looks up at you with big bright eyes full of wonder. "It's happening, isn't it?" [[What's happening?]] [[You shouldn't be out here alone. Where's your mother?]] [[A little thunder never killed anyone]]

"No danger of you sparkling. Dressed the way you are, I would hazard a guess you don't even have two gold coins to your name." A shadow falls overhead. The crowd is getting thicker. You're not able to hold your position at the head of the stall and feel yourself being dragged along with the crowd. The sentry guard is barking orders from above. "Off you go, now. Go on," he shouts, "Waste someone else's time." [[March back and give him a piece of your mind]] [[Go with the crowd]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The merchant is taken aback - face flashing red. He quickly gathers himself when a customer asks for the price of a loaf. They quickly make the trade and the merchant slips the coins into the front pocket of his dirty apron. "Another happy customer," he says, patting his chest with pride. "Now, why don't you clear off if you're not going to buy anything?" [[Hold your position]] [[Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]]

The crowd presses against your back, fighting for space at the front of the stall. The gnome gives you a withering look. "Wait, aren't you one of those little vermin that raided the Three Old Kegs? Filled your pockets, you and your clan. Yes," he says pausing, "It was you wasn't it?" A space emerges around you. Murmurs among the crowd and then fingers pointing in your direction. An old woman in rags approaches from the sidelines and you watch as she brazenly pulls a loaf of bread from the table and tucks it under her garments. "Four of them," a tall handsome half-elf says, "At least, four that we know of. There must have been a mastermind. There usually is behind these orchestrated attacks." More chatter among the shoppers, all eyes now staring at you. "Oy! Where was that loaf that was there?" The crowd turn to a large woman with a ruddy red complexion. "Was there a minute ago it was. Bet it were him that took it an all! That vermin!" A space opens up around you. People walking past pause to see what the commotion is. "Maybe, I should call that guard up there," the gnome says. "I'm sure he would have fun getting the truth out of you." [[Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]] [[I didn't touch any bread you fool! It was the old woman!]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

"And I just want to be left alone to read my books. No, wait," the merchant says, "Those are long gone. Silly me! Up in smoke. MY business. And now I'm here, selling bread - harder than rocks - and fish, so rotten and been here so long, it wouldn't surprise me if it sprouted legs and walked away!" The merchant is shaking violently from the outburst. The crowd around the stall appear to have seen enough and begin to disperse. "And NOW look at what you did! I've got a right mind to call him down here." [[Stare up at the Guard]] [[Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning]] [[Calm down. There's no need to get the guard involved]] [[Slap the merchant in the face]]

He doesn't hear you. You elbow your way past the procession of people to get closer. It's becoming harder to gain ground. You notice that the crowd have stopped moving. Everyone is staring skyward. There is the sharp shrill of a whistle above you. [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The merchant stares at you, fuming. "You...how...that's IT! Guard!" [[Stare up at the Guard]]

"Should have thought of that before driving away all my customers! Guard!" [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The merchant recoils with the blow. After a moment, he composes himself and leans against the stall. "Get what you wanted?" An old woman in rags appears at your side, and approaches the stall. "Got enough." The woman unhooks a swollen bag from under her filthy shirt and tosses it to the merchant, who catches it. "Keep the wolf from the door nother few weeks 'least." "I assume this one didn't have anything worth taking?" The old woman laughs. "You MUST be joking." You search your pockets. They're empty. [[Stare up at the Guard]] [[You...robbed me!]]

"Call it evens," the merchant says. "Oh, and best not draw attention, or I'll have you taken in for assault. Plenty of witnesses that HE can call on." [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The child laughs and runs away, soon lost in the crowd. There is a scream. Followed by another. Those gathered look skyward. A metallic vessel appears, hovering above the horizon, long snake-like tentacles dangling from the sleek body. An eye of flaming orange pulses from it's centre. For a moment, everyone is still. Silent. Waiting. Suddenly, the object plummets toward the ground, thin straggly arms flapping wildly - darting out to those left standing in awe. At the touch, one person after another is vaporized - clouds of dust all that remain of their existence. The streets are filled with terrified screams - those not fast enough, trampled by the rushing crowd. You run, desperately fighting to get ahead of the pack. Around you, people are touched and disappear in a blink. You scan the side streets. Desperate. Searching for somewhere to hide. A sewer grate opens and a head peers out before quickly dropping below. A hand reaches up and waves you toward it. There is a screeching sound of metal scraping metal high above. Deafening. Tearing through your head. You run to the hole in the ground and look down. Two bright red eyes stare back. [[Who are you?]] [[Take the leap]] [[Return to the crowd and keep running]]

The child shrugs, runs away and is lost in the crowd. You shake your head. There is a scream. Followed by another. Those gathered look skyward. A metallic vessel appears, hovering above the horizon, long snake-like tentacles dangling from the sleek body. An eye of flaming orange pulses from it's centre. For a moment, everyone is still. Silent. Waiting. Suddenly, the object plummets toward the ground, thin straggly arms flapping wildly - darting out to those left standing in awe. At the touch, one person after another is vaporized - clouds of dust all that remain of their existence. The streets are filled with terrified screams - those not fast enough, trampled by the rushing crowd. You run, desperately fighting to get ahead of the pack. Around you, people are touched and disappear in a blink. You scan the side streets. Desperate. Searching for somewhere to hide. A sewer grate opens and a head peers out before quickly dropping below. A hand reaches up and waves you toward it. There is a screeching sound of metal scraping metal high above. Deafening. Tearing through your head. You run to the hole in the ground and look down. Two bright red eyes stare back. [[Who are you?]] [[Take the leap]] [[Return to the crowd and keep running]]

The child laughs. "You're funny!" She runs away, and is lost in the crowd. There is a scream. Followed by another. Those gathered look skyward. A metallic vessel appears, hovering above the horizon, long snake-like tentacles dangling from the sleek body. An eye of flaming orange pulses from it's centre. For a moment, everyone is still. Silent. Waiting. Suddenly, the object plummets toward the ground, thin straggly arms flapping wildly - darting out to those left standing in awe. At the touch, one person after another is vaporized - clouds of dust all that remain of their existence. The streets are filled with terrified screams - those not fast enough, trampled by the rushing crowd. You run, desperately fighting to get ahead of the pack. Around you, people are touched and disappear in a blink. You scan the side streets. Desperate. Searching for somewhere to hide. A sewer grate opens and a head peers out before quickly dropping below. A hand reaches up and waves you toward it. There is a screeching sound of metal scraping metal high above. Deafening. Tearing through your head. You run to the hole in the ground and look down. Two bright red eyes stare back. [[Who are you?]] [[Take the leap]] [[Return to the crowd and keep running]]

You widen your stance. The boy gives you a thumbs-up and slips through. There is the sudden rumble of thunder. The sky has darkened. There is a tug at your shirt. A red-haired girl looks up at you with big bright eyes full of wonder. "It's happening, isn't it?" [[What's happening?]] [[You shouldn't be out here alone. Where's your mother?]] [[A little thunder never killed anyone]]

The boy pauses, then reverses back the way he came. There is the sudden rumble of thunder. The sky has darkened. There is a tug at your shirt. A red-haired girl looks up at you with big bright eyes full of wonder. "It's happening, isn't it?" [[What's happening?]] [[You shouldn't be out here alone. Where's your mother?]] [[A little thunder never killed anyone]]

There is no response. You can barely hear yourself above the din. You look sideways and see the desperate and fruitless struggle as more people disappear. Clouds of ash fill the air. Screams cut short as the creature continues its merciless march forward applying it's deathly touch to all those left in its wake. [[Take the leap]] [[Return to the crowd and keep running]]

You jump. Your fall is cushioned by large arms that prop you back on your feet. "Guessing you is needin my help," a gruff voice says. "Those things don't look like they is takin prisoners. Looks to me s'like they is killin everyone. Feedin on us." [[And you are..?]] [[They...that thing blasted them away!]] [[Sounds like you know a little about what's behind it]]

The arms of the tentacled creature smash through the buildings in front of you. Debris is tossed across your path, making the journey impossible. Through the swirling dust and smoke, the amber eye of the creature spots you. It flashes wildly and darts toward you. [[Stand and fight]] [[Take the leap]]

"Looks like it don't it? Did they tell you as well then?" [[Tell me what?]] [[Of course they told me]]

"I knows what they let me know. I say, 'they' but they ain't been 'round for a long time. Long dead now 'spose. Small mercy. Didn't live to see this day. But I did. And now you will too." [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]] [[Who...what are you?]] [[We need to move fast. Follow me]]

"Nemtoth is what they calls me. I say, 'they' but they ain't been 'round for a long time. Long dead now 'spose. Small mercy. Didn't live to see this day. But I did. And now you will too." [[What are those things?]] [[Who are 'they'?]] [[We need to move fast. Follow me]]

"About them feedin. They tol me too. I say, 'they' but they ain't been 'round for a long time. I mean the original ones. Long dead now 'spose. Small mercy. Didn't live to see this day. But I did. And now, with a bitta luck, you will too." [[We need to move fast. Follow me]] [[Who are 'they'?]] [[Who...what are you?]] [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]]

"I knew they wouldn't leave me all alone! They promised!" There is a splashing sound with the large dark figure dancing and hopping around you in circles. "This is going to be much better with company! If only they could see me now." There is a large sigh and the figure in front of you swells in size. "Just a pity they didn't make it. Didn't live to see this day. But I did. And now you will too." [[We need to move fast. Follow me]] [[Who...what are you?]] [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]]

You root yourself to the spot, raise your fists and beckon the creature forward. It races toward you. Quick as a flash, one of its arms darts toward you. You leap to one side, falling to the ground. Before you turn to face it, you feel a sharp stab between your shoulder blades. [[Oh, sh...]] [[Rewind ten seconds->Return to the crowd and keep running]]

<<audio "battle" volume 0.50 fadeout>>You are standing at a market stall on a busy street in the city of Farnsworth. Traders load their goods onto wooden carts and drag them along the narrow streets. Moneylenders find shade to haggle with desperate clients. Curious shoppers line the stalls, eager to find a bargain. A member of the Neighbourhood Volunteer Force stands at a lookout post on a balcony high above, barking orders at slow shoppers to get moving. The sun is beating down - it's heat, sweltering. "Are you going to buy something or are you happy to just waste my time?" The merchant stares at you, impatient. "Well?" [[With an attitude like yours, I think I'll pass.]] [[That sparkling charm must really dazzle the customers]] [[Sorry, it's the heat. Hard to focus. Do you have any fish?]] [[What have you got on special?]]

"As a pet, of course. Not many animals as loyal as a fish. Can't say the same about some of the other degenerates that clog up these streets." The crowd presses against your back, fighting for space at the front of the stall. The merchant gives you a withering look. "Wait," he says, pausing. "Aren't you one of those little vermin that raided the Three Old Kegs? Filled your pockets, you and your clan. Yes, it was you wasn't it?" A space emerges around you. Murmurs among the crowd and then fingers pointing in your direction. An old woman in rags approaches from the sidelines and you watch as she brazenly pulls a loaf of bread from the table and tucks it under her garments. "Four of them," a tall handsome man says, "At least, four that we know of. There must have been a mastermind. There usually is behind these orchestrated attacks." "Oy! Where's my loaf gone?" The crowd turn to see a large woman with a ruddy red complexion. "Was there a minute ago it was. Bet it were him that took it an all! That vermin!" People walking past suddenly stop to watch the scene. "Maybe, I should call that guard up there," the merchant says. "I'm sure he would have fun getting the truth out of you." [[I don't want any trouble. I'm just here for some fish->Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]] [[I didn't touch any bread you fool! It was the old woman!]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

"Just checking. Never can tell with some of the sorts here." The crowd presses against your back, fighting for space at the front of the stall. The merchant gives you a withering look. "Wait," he says, pausing. "Aren't you one of those little vermin that raided the Three Old Kegs? Filled your pockets, you and your clan. Yes, it was you wasn't it?" A space emerges around you. Murmurs among the crowd and then fingers pointing in your direction. An old woman in rags approaches from the sidelines and you watch as she brazenly pulls a loaf of bread from the table and tucks it under her garments. "Four of them," a tall handsome man says, "At least, four that we know of. There must have been a mastermind. There usually is behind these orchestrated attacks." "Oy! Where's my loaf gone?" The crowd turn to see a large woman with a ruddy red complexion. "Was there a minute ago it was. Bet it were him that took it an all! That vermin!" People walking past suddenly stop to watch the scene. "Maybe, I should call that guard up there," the merchant says. "I'm sure he would have fun getting the truth out of you." [[Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]] [[I didn't touch any bread you fool! It was the old woman!]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

The merchant scoffs at the suggestion. "You're slippier than these fish. Devious one aren't you? Trying to get an old woman in trouble. You should be ashamed of yourself. I'm sure the guard will get to the bottom of all this." [[Listen. I just want fish. Got that?]] [[Stare up at the Guard]]

"Them there's what's gonna bring our world down. 'Shadow spawn' is what I call em. There be more where that came from. Ain't nothin'll hold em back. Unless..." [[Not sure I like the sound of that 'unless']] [[How come you know so much?]] [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]]

"Those be the Luben Elders. Them that guide us in the Dark Passages. They be the ones that predicted this long ago." [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]] [[How come you know so much?]] [[Who...what are you?]]

"Know these sewers better than most. How bout I lead? You just try and keep up. You'll be needin a shot of this first." The figure shoves a bottle into your hand. You stare down at it - the golden contents sloshing against the sides of the bottle. "Well? Ain't got all day." [[What's in it?]] [[Down the drink]]

"They spoke about someone who could bring 'em down. A spy o'sorts. Able to go behind enemy lines." The creature leans forward, features still cloaked in dark. You smell it's putrid breath on your face. [[We need to move fast. Follow me]] [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]] [[Who...what are you?]]

"Well. That be a story for another day. Maybe when we don't got those things turning your lot inside out." [[We need to move fast. Follow me]] [[Who...what are you?]] [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]]

"Lucky for you I knows a way. Ain't gonna be a scenic route. But it'll be a lot nicer than bein up there. Take some of this. It'll help with the smell." The figure shoves a bottle into your hand. You stare down at it - the golden contents sloshing against the sides of the bottle. "Well? Ain't got all day." [[What's in it?]] [[Down the drink]]

<<cacheaudio "battle" "http://aidanreid.com/twine/Epic-battle-music-grzegorz-majcherczyk-heroica.mp3">>

Your journey ends here. Better luck next time!

The figure steps forward, out of the shadows and into the tunnel of light streaming down from the street above. It has a large broad, hairless face, deeply lined with skin that resembles bark. There are two small slits for eyes with no discernible nose or ears. It blinks rapidly under the spotlight and the mouth creases slightly. You stagger backwards at the sight. Alarmed at your reaction, he steps back into the shadow. "And that's the reason you don't see me up top much." [[No time for talk. We need to find a way out]] [[We need to move fast. Follow me]]

"Somethin that'll take the edge off." You take a glug of the liquid and instantly regret it. The figure starts laughing and slaps you on the back as you lean forward, retching. "Hits the spot, don't it? Now," the figure says, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a small book. "'Cording to this, you'll be well able for these passages. Small test first." A page is handed to you which you take. "What's it say?" [[It says, 'The Shadow Passages are no place for mere mortals']] [[Looks like gibberish to me]] [[Why is my vision blurred?]]

You take a glug of the liquid and instantly regret it. The figure starts laughing and slaps you on the back as you lean forward, retching. "Hits the spot, don't it? Now," the figure says, reaching into a pocket and pulling out a small book. "'Cording to this, you'll be well able for these passages. Small test first." A page is handed to you which you take. "What's it say?" [[It says, 'The Shadow Passages are no place for mere mortals']] [[Looks like gibberish to me]] [[Why is my vision blurred?]]

"Ain't no reading aid. But 'least I knows that it's workin." A series of crashes overhead. You both look up as a shadow flits across the opening of the sewer. "Time we got busy," the creature whispers, ushering you away. "Follow me." END OF CHAPTER ONE - I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did and are feeling charitable, you can encourage me to continue the story by buying me a coffee: <a href ="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aidanjreid" ontarget="_blank">Buy a coffee</a> <<audio "battle" volume 0 fadein>> <a data-passage="" class="tooltip">Artist: Grzegorz Majcherczyk. Song:HeroicaMusic</a>

"Ain't that the truth." A series of crashes overhead. You both look up as a shadow flits across the opening of the sewer. "Time we got busy," the creature whispers, ushering you away. "Follow me." END OF CHAPTER ONE - I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did and are feeling charitable, you can encourage me to continue the story by buying me a coffee: <a href ="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aidanjreid" ontarget="_blank">Buy a coffee</a> <<audio "battle" volume 0 fadein>> <a data-passage="" class="tooltip">Artist: Grzegorz Majcherczyk. Song:HeroicaMusic</a>

"Side effect. It be gone in a minute or two." A series of crashes overhead. You both look up as a shadow flits across the opening of the sewer. "Time we got busy," the creature whispers, ushering you away. "Follow me." END OF CHAPTER ONE - I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did and are feeling charitable, you can encourage me to continue the story by buying me a coffee: <a href ="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/aidanjreid" ontarget="_blank">Buy a coffee</a> <<audio "battle" volume 0 fadein>> <a data-passage="" class="tooltip">Artist: Grzegorz Majcherczyk. Song:HeroicaMusic</a>