Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Ep. 03 - Wildheart - Interregnum II: Darro
13 Plays6 hours ago
Darro is true to his word when he said that Crosswind Town was a backwater of Hentis miscreants… Just as he likes it. Can he and Nessia manage one more swindle to set up an easy retirement? If only Selk would listen to the riptidin' plan.
Become part of the community: www.fellowshipofthetabletop.co.uk
Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to 'Wild Hearts'
00:00:01
Speaker
In wild hearts
00:00:30
Speaker
The world moves in cycles.
00:00:55
Speaker
world moves in cycles And between them, stories wait. This is one that rises from the silence.
00:01:07
Speaker
Interregnum
Life in Crosswind Town
00:01:08
Speaker
2. two Darrow.
00:01:13
Speaker
Crosswind Town clung to the edge of Wild Heart like a splinter in a beast's hide. It's perpetually on the verge of being shaken loose by the raw chaos of the land.
00:01:24
Speaker
It wasn't a place people came for peace or comfort. No one in the right mind set down roots here unless they had no other choice. But for all its grit and desperation, Crosswind Town was alive.
00:01:36
Speaker
The rickety wooden buildings leaned at odd angles as though the town itself were unsure of its place in the world. Streets of uneven cobblestones wound haphazardly through the sprawl, carved more by habit than design.
00:01:51
Speaker
A single watchtower, warped by years of rain and sun and surge, rose above the shacks like a drunken sentinel, its timbers creaking in the wind.
00:02:03
Speaker
Despite its rough appearance, the Crosswind thrived in its own way. Merchants from the Haral Empire barked out prices in heavily accented common, their stalls brimming with exotic goods, spiced meats, rare silks, and bottles of surge water that glowed faintly in the dim light.
00:02:23
Speaker
Farmers from the hinterlands bartered for tools and salt, their sunburned faces wary of the slick-tongued traders. the Dust Bowl Tavern, the heart of the town, hummed with life day and night, its crooked sign swaying in the breeze.
Darrow's Mysterious Charm
00:02:42
Speaker
Darrow, three fingers gallin, stood outside the tavern, leaning against a splintered post. He chewed on a strip of dried surgefish, savouring the salty tang like it was a ah delicacy rather than the cheapest food money could buy.
00:03:00
Speaker
The nickname was a relic from his days in the Horal Empire's army, where a poorly timed encounter with a mechanised siege claw had left him two fingers short on his left hand. He didn't mind.
00:03:12
Speaker
Losing fingers was better than losing life, and besides, it gave him an air of mystery. Or so he liked to think. The midday sun cast long shadows over the town, and Darrow watched the chaos unfold with lazy amusement.
Conflict with Merchant Selk
00:03:29
Speaker
A farmer argued loudly with a merchant over the price of grain. A pair of scavengers haggled over a rusty piece of machinery salvaged from Wildheart. Somewhere down the street, the unmistakable clang of steel on steel rang out, another brawl spilling into the open.
00:03:46
Speaker
"'Why are you looking like you've got coin to burn?' The voice came from behind. Darrow turned his head, his weathered face splitting into a crooked grin.
00:04:00
Speaker
Nessia Nails Thorn stood there. Arms crossed, eyes as sharp as a hawk. Her short dark hair framed her face that was all angles and quiet menace.
00:04:12
Speaker
She was dressed in her usual rough leather jacket, a belt bristling with tools and knives hanging low on her hip. Nessia was as tough as they came. A shadow-mend exile, with a talent for trouble and a reputation for precision.
00:04:27
Speaker
Her nickname wasn't just for show. She could drive a nail through wood, or a man's hand, from ten paces. "'Just taking it all in, Nails,' Darrow drawled, gesturing to the bustling street with his half-eaten strip of surgefish.
00:04:44
Speaker
"'Feels like the kind of day where something interesting might happen.' Nessia arched an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smile. "'Interesting or profitable?' Darrow shrugged, his grin widening.
00:04:59
Speaker
"'Why not both?' "'Look, you're either a prophet or a fool,' Nessia muttered, shifting her weight. "'Cause a haram merchant's hollering your name down by the market and he don't look happy.' Darrow straightened, his grin faltering for the briefest of moments before he plastered it back into place.
00:05:17
Speaker
"'A raw merchant, eh?' "'Let me guess. "'Selk.' "'Who else?' Nessia said with a smirk.
Planning the Ambush
00:05:27
Speaker
"'It didn't take long to spot Hagrom's silk.
00:05:30
Speaker
"'The merchant was impossible to miss, "'a squat, red-faced man with a bristly moustache "'that twitched like an angry caterpillar whenever he talked. "'He was in the middle of a shouting match with a group of locals, "'gesticulating wildly at a cart piled high with barrels.' When Selk's eyes landed on Darrow, his face turned an impressive shade of crimson. "'Golin!' he bellowed, his voice cutting through the market din.
00:05:59
Speaker
"'You no good thieving bastard!' Darrow plastered on his most disarming smile, raised his hands as a gesture of innocence. "'Now, Selk!' Let's not start throwing accusations without hearing my side of things.
00:06:15
Speaker
Your side? Selk stormed over, jabbing a finger into Darrow's chest. You sold me spoiled surge water. My whole shipment's ruined. Do you have any idea what that cost me?
00:06:30
Speaker
Darrow took a careful, single step back, his grin never wavering. Selk? Buddy? "'There's been a misunderstanding. That wasn't my shipment.
00:06:42
Speaker
It was a delivery mix-up. Blame old Grent at the docks.' "'Grent's too drunk to tie his boots, let alone swindle me Selk growled. "'You owe me compensation!' Nessia leaned in, her voice low enough that only Darrow could hear. "'We run or fight?' "'Neither,' Darrow murmured, his grin sharpening.
00:07:09
Speaker
"'We charm.' "'Darrow clapped Selk on the shoulder, ignoring the merchant's glare. "'Now, now, let's not get worked up. You're right, you're right. You've been wronged.
00:07:20
Speaker
"'And they say two wrongs don't make a right, "'but how about a rare import from Sleetgard that only I know about?' "'Selk's eyes narrowed, his moustache twitching suspiciously.
00:07:32
Speaker
"'I'm listening.' There's talk of a wagon train from the Slitgard Pass. Loaded with supplies. Real rare stuff heading this way. Could make up for your losses tenfold.
00:07:45
Speaker
Selk frowned, his hand drifting to his moustache as he stroked it thoughtfully. And why haven't how I heard about this? Because it's hush-hush, Nessier interjected smoothly.
00:07:59
Speaker
But we're willing to share the opportunity... All we ask is a little partnership. And a cut. Silk eyed them both warily.
00:08:11
Speaker
And who's guarding this wagon train? Darrow grinned, leaning in. Some new blood from Hural. Real green.
00:08:22
Speaker
They'll never see us coming. Silk hesitated for a moment longer. who were finally nodding. Fine, but if this goes sideways, I'm holding you two responsible.
Chaos and Discovery
00:08:35
Speaker
Darrow clapped him on the back again. Trust me, Selk. What could possibly go wrong?
00:08:43
Speaker
Riftstone Hollow. The narrow stretch of road wound between cliffs so high and sheer they seemed to slice the sky in half. It was the perfect place for an ambush.
00:08:55
Speaker
Darrow crouched behind a cluster of boulders near the roadside, his crossbow resting lightly in his hands. He peered through the gap in the rocks, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon for the wagon train.
00:09:08
Speaker
Beside him, Nessia checked the edge of one of her throwing knives, the faint metallic ring of her sharpening stone cutting through the stillness. Selk's hired muscle, two burly haral enforcers named Renwick and Hod or something like that, stood a few places away, their broad shoulders hunched and their hands resting on the pommels of their swords.
00:09:31
Speaker
They looked uncomfortable, unused to the quiet and the wilderness after years spent in the bustling cities of the Empire. "'Green, huh?' Nessia muttered, her voice barely more than a whisper.
00:09:46
Speaker
She gestured with a knife toward the ridge, where the distant figures of the wagon guards had just come into view. Their armour gleamed in the fading light, and even from this distance it was clear they moved with a disciplined precision that spoke of experience.
00:10:04
Speaker
Tharrow shrugged, his grin returning despite the nervous flutter in his gut. the "'Greenish!' "'Greenish!' Nessia replied dryly.
00:10:14
Speaker
"'Ye've outdone yourself this time, Three Fingers!' Before Darrow could respond, Selk sidled up next to them, his round face slick with sweat despite the cool evening air.
00:10:25
Speaker
He looked anxious, his eyes darting between the approaching wagon train and the cliffs above. "'This had better work,' Selk hissed. "'It'll work,' Darrow said, though his voice lacked the easy confidence he usually projected.
00:10:40
Speaker
"'Just stick to the plan.' The plan, in theory, was simple. block the road, overwhelm the guards, and make off with the wagon.
00:10:53
Speaker
Rennick and Hod were tasked with rolling a massive boulder into the path of the wagon as it approached, forcing it to stop. From there, Darrow and Nessia would flank the guards, while Selk provided cover with his crossbow.
00:11:06
Speaker
Simple. In execution, however, things with Darrow rarely went according to plan. The wagon train rolled closer, the sound of creaking wheels and clinking harnesses breaking the silence of the ravine.
00:11:20
Speaker
There were three wagons in total, each pulled by sturdy draft of horses and guarded by a small contingent of soldiers. Darrow counted six guards, two on horseback and four walking alongside the wagon.
00:11:32
Speaker
Their armour did gleam in the light, and their weapons did look well maintained.
00:11:38
Speaker
"'Darrow sighed. "'Here we go,' Darrow murmured, signalling to Rennick and Hod. "'The two enforcers grunted in acknowledgement and moved to the edge of the road, "'positioning themselves behind the boulder they had pried loose from the cliffside earlier.
00:11:53
Speaker
"'At Darrow's signal, they moved the heavy rock, grunting with effort. "'The boulder rolled into the road with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust. "'The lead wagon jolted to a stop, and the horses reared and whinnied in surprise.' "'Now!' Darrow whispered.
00:12:10
Speaker
He and Nessia darted out from behind their hiding spots, moving quickly and silently along the edges of the road. Selk stayed behind, his crossbow raised, his eyes fixed on the wagons.
00:12:21
Speaker
The guards reacted quickly, fanning out around the wagons and drawing their weapons. The two mounted soldiers dismounted, their boots crunching against the gravel as they moved to join their comrades. "'Who's there?' One of the guards called, his voice steady but edged with tension.
00:12:38
Speaker
"'Show yourselves!' Darrow didn't answer. Instead, he raised a crossbow and fired. The bolt struck one of the guards in the shoulder, knocking him off balance. He cried out, clutching at the wound, but he didn't go down.
00:12:52
Speaker
His comrades immediately raised their shields, forming a defensive line around the wagons. Great shot, Nessia murmured, her tone heavy with sarcasm. it Could have been worse, Darrow replied, reloading.
00:13:05
Speaker
The fight erupted in a blur of movement and sound. Renick and Hod charged in from one side, their swords swinging in wide arcs. The guards met them head on, the clash of steel echoing off the cliffs.
00:13:18
Speaker
Nessia moved like a shadow, darting between the wagons, hurling her knives with deadly precision. Two guards went down quickly, one clutching his throat, the other his leg.
00:13:30
Speaker
Darrow kept his distance. picking off targets with his crossbow. He wasn't a frontline fighter, and he knew it. The remaining guards fought fiercely, their movements disciplined and efficient. One of them, a tall woman with a scar running down her face, seemed to be in charge.
00:13:46
Speaker
She barked orders in a clipped, haral dialect, directing her comrades with practised ease. Really not green, Darrow muttered, ducking behind a boulder as an arrow whizzed past his ear.
00:13:58
Speaker
Great observation, Nessia snapped, narrowly avoiding a sword thrust. Despite their initial advantage, the tide of the battle did begin to turn. The guards were better trained and better equipped than Darrow had anticipated.
00:14:10
Speaker
and their determination to protect the wagon was strangely unshakable. We're losing this! Nessia growled, her breath coming in sharp bursts. Not yet, Darrow said, though he wasn't sure he believed it.
00:14:24
Speaker
The turning point came with Selk. Selk, in his eagerness to secure the loot, broke from cover and bimbled towards the wagon. Selk, you idiot!
00:14:36
Speaker
Darrow shouted, but it was too late. Selk scrambled onto the lead wagon and fumbled with the tarp that covered its contents. The guards, bemused, immediately turned their attention to him, leaving Darrow and the others momentarily unchallenged.
00:14:52
Speaker
Now! Nessia barked, throwing another knife. Darrow cursed under his breath and loosed another bolt, taking down another guard who was closing in on Selk. In a swift movement, Nessia managed to take down the final guard.
00:15:07
Speaker
Darrow cursed again under his breath. What are you doing? Darrow yelled. But Selk didn't answer. Selk finally managed to pull back the tarp, revealing a pile of goods, crates, barrels, and a single dark box.
00:15:26
Speaker
The sight of the box made Selk freeze, his eyes widening. The box was unlike anything Darrow had ever seen.
The Mysterious Box
00:15:34
Speaker
Its surface was smooth and black, etched with glowing runes that seemed to shift and writhe.
00:15:41
Speaker
The air around it was unnaturally cold. and Darrow felt a chill crawl down his spine even from that distance. "'That ain't normal,' Nessia muttered, her voice uneasy.
00:15:56
Speaker
Selk reached for the box, his hands trembling. As his fingers brushed the surface, a faint, chilling howl echoed through the hollow. The sound seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once, vibrating in Darrow's chest and making his vision swim.'
00:16:17
Speaker
"'What was that?' Nessia whispered, her usual sharpness replaced with fear. Selk staggered back, clutching the box to his chest.
00:16:28
Speaker
His face was pale, his eyes wide, with a mixture of awe and terror. "'I don't know,' Selk said, his voice trembling. "'But it's ours now!' Darrow's grin faltered, and for the first time that day he felt truly uneasy.
00:16:48
Speaker
It's tomorrow's problem, Nessia muttered, though the words felt hollow. Darrow shot her a look. I think tomorrow's problem has just become today's.
Engaging the Audience
00:17:05
Speaker
Thank you for listening. As we continue to share the stories of Wild Heart, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If this tale has sparked your interest and you'd like to learn more about the characters, let us know.
00:17:15
Speaker
We've got a revamped site, fellowshipofthetabletop.co.uk, where you can read more lore, see more maps, and read a new blog entry from both Bellum Draconis and Wild Heart. Either way, we'd love for you to reach out. Your input could help shape the stories we tell next.
00:17:29
Speaker
Until next time, farewell.