Son of Sembia: A play by Vennis Haler

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Included in the Alizarin Academy reference library is a published script of the play Son of Sembia, written by Vennis Haler as the opening production of the phoenix Theatre in Arabel. It is an unorthodox production, including audience participation as an unseen member of the play, and a chance for the audience to decide the final arc of the story.


In this version, scribbled stage notes are clearly visible in the margins, reflecting the playwright's thoughts on the development of his idea.

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List of characters *this section is clearly intended to be notes for the director to anyone reading this*

Prison Guard – To act as a conduit between the audience and the play will explain the situation to the audience. Name and gender dependent on who we can find as an actor.

Juniper– A raucous, rowdy mercenary who is hard drinking and quick with her fists. She is a good fighter, and aggressive to the other two characters. She is also apparently skilled at smuggling in small objects as she has a bottle of strong spirits which she swigs from and can use to threaten the other two with. She argues that she will be able to beat a confession out of one of the traitor if it comes to it. In the course of the play it emerges that in the past she was part of gang of brigands led by the unmasked traitor and Son of Sembia Treggart Raythorn.

Vaspus – A devout yet troubled Hoarite investigator who is filled with guilt and self-loathing. He believes that his imprisonment is punishment by Hoar for past misdeeds, though he is adamant that he is not the traitor, and prone to outbursts of piety in dispersed with sado-masochistic self-punishment. He argues that by solving the mystery of the traitor he will earn a shot at redemption in the eyes of his god. In the course of the play it emerges that in the past he had gambling and prostitute debts to the traitor Treggart Raythorn.

Berwick – A high-minded and somewhat snooty mage, who looks down is nose at the other two characters he is imprisoned with. He tries to remain aloof from the other two and is sure that his superior intellect and fine breeding will see him out of this situation. As well as his superior education he is a man of independent wealth and has wide and varied business interests. He argues that his keen mind and sharp intellect will solve the mystery of who the traitor is. It emerges that Treggart Raythorn was one of his business partners and that he has various business interests and investments in Sembia.

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Introduction

Narrator: You will no doubt remember, dear audience, the terrible woes and tragedies suffered during the conflict between Cormyr and Sembia in 1377-1378[check]. And in particular that day of infamy , 20th of Marpenoth 1377, when Sembian forces led by Silver ravens and others launched a surprise attack on the town of Immersea, butchering its citizens, burning its buildings and robbing its bank.

This tragic history you may well know, but there is a twist to this story that you will not have heard of. There were traitors in the ranks of the Immersea militia that day, who opened the gates to Cormyr’s enemies, secret fifth columnists doing their duty as the Sons of Sembia.
Now in the scene that is about to unfold, one of the traitors has already met justice of a kind, his corpse cold. But who was his accomplice? One of the three about to be unveiled to you. Hopefully, dear audience, you will find out whom…

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Scene I

*The prison guard emerges from backstage holding a lantern. He/she turns to address the audience directly as if they are a character in the play themselves.*

Prison Guard: Ah hello there Inquisitor, I’d been told you’ll be arriving soon. An honour to meet one of your reputation and renowned judgement. Terrible business in Immersea, terrible business. As you will have heard we had traitors in the ranks of the militia, Sons of Sembia it seems. Opened the gates to the enemy let them storm right through, total massacre.
PG: Now we found one of the traitors, his corpse cold on the floor. Stab wound in the back and his throat slit. No sympathy for the bastard but it looks like one of his own could have done it to him. Was a Sergeant by the name of Treggart Raythorn. Influential fella by the looks of things, but dubious too as has been shown.

PG: Found a message on him which he seems to have been in the process of deliverin’. It says all had gone smoothly and that he had only one other accomplice in on it. Only one other traitor in the militia. Only two! Still it was enough for the poor souls to get butchered. Bastards!

PG: No names were mentioned but…we do have some leads. We’ve narrowed it down to three potential militia men and women. These three were the only three members of the militia reported as away from their posts for the whole of that night. So it has to be one of’em.

PG: Your job, as you know, is to work out which one of ‘em it is. We’ve already asked ‘em to rat out the traitor amongst themselves or they’ll all be hanged on the morrow. So you’ve got tonight only to find out the traitor and bring ‘em to justice.

PG: We’ve set up a scrying spell over their cell so you can see and hear everything that goes on in there without risk of them seein’ or hearing you yerself. Now let me introduce them to you.

[The Actor playing Juniper enters the stage facing the audience]

PG: Now that vicious looking woman, with the scar, she’s Juniper. Mercenary that got conscripted into the Immersea militia. A real handful I can tell you. Was reported away from her post on the night, drinking outside the town gates.

[The Actor playing Vaspus enters the stage facing the audience]

PG: That swivel eyed fella that’s Vaspus. Hoarite fanatic so I’m told, certainly bloody pious enough, but he seems a troubled soul. Was reported away from his post leaving a house in the city walls.

[The Actor playing Berwick enters the stage facing the audience]

PG: That superior looking chap who looks ever so pleased with himself, that’s Berwick. He’s a mage with the militia also a keen businessman, folks say. Was reported away from his post talking to a man on horseback.

PG: Well now you know who they are I’ll leave them to your observations. Hope the bastard reveals ‘emself, no doubt your sharp mind will see through their lies and misdirections. I’ll be around , just holler for me if you need anything Inquisitor.
[The Prison Guard Exits the stage leaving the audience to observe our three protagonists themselves]

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Scene II

[Juniper pulls at the iron bars, testing their strength, Berwick sits haughtily on a wooden stool and Vaspus is slouched in the corner muttering and whimpering to himself]

J: Damnit these bars ain’t shiftin’!

B: Well that is hardly surprising Miss Juniper. If they have gone to the efforts of warding this cell against the use of magic, they are hardly likely to use structural materials of a shoddy enough make that they can be broken by human hand. I would have thought that even someone of your limited intellectual capacity could have established that.

J: Hey smartarse at least I’m trying something. Unlike you sittin back on yer fat, arrogant butt, pontificatin’ in yer chair!

V:[suddenly standing] It matters not what you do! We are to be punished for our sins! The Doombringer has spoken, Lord of the Three Thunders will ensure we receive just retribution for our misdeeds. Do not fight it..oh Lord Hoar forgive me and my weaknesses. {breaks down weeping ]

J: Ah quit yer squealin’ god-boy, face it like a man [cuffs Vaspus round the ear]. No doubt we’ve all wronged a’ some point in our lives, don’t make me a traitor.

B: And that’s where you’re wrong Master Vespus. We are not helpless. There is something we, or rather more pertinently I, can do about it.

V: You cannot defeat the will of the doombringer! We shall all suffer the fate attributed to us for our misdeeds.

B: [Rolling his eyes] As the guards told us, they know that only one of us is the traitor. All I need do is establish which one of you two betrayed us to the Sembians and I can go free. A not entirely difficult task, as neither of you, as treacherous as you may be, can match me for wiles or reasoning.

J: Oh yeah?! Not if I can beat a confession out of either o’ you two first. Yeah reckon I can do that you ain’t strong enough ter resist that, neither o’ you. [cracks her knuckles]

V: Oh yes yes! Lord Hoar, you have shown me the path to redemption. I shall be your loyal servant once more. Let me uncover these lies and deceptions and bring justice to the one that betrayed Cormyr [his head and eyes raised, shouting up as if into the sky]. Let me be your vessel of Vengeance oh Doombringer, and bring doom to those that deserve it! [Hands raised wide open as he proclaims this]

J:Whatever pal, I got a vessel o’ vengeance o’my own [pulls out a glass bottle that she has seemingly concealed in her undergarments] And it gonna make you talk boys! [smashes it against the wall before driving it against Vespus’ head and battering Berwick with the sharp end]

[At this point the prison guard rushes into the cell bludgeon raised]

PG: Cease this at once!

[Bludgeons Juniper to the ground overpowering her, as the other two lay dazed and bloodied after their assaults. Scene fades to black]

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Scene III

[The prisoners sit in their cell. A battered Juniper now had manacles chaining her feet and wrists which are linked by a further chain to the wall meaning she cannot move further than a few feet. Berwick tends to his own wounds, while Vespus paces the room]

B: Well that was a rather ample demonstration of your crude and brutal person Miss Juniper. Our thanks for that reminder
[Juniper scowls but says nothing in return restricted as she is and presumably in pain herself]

V: We all suffered Hoar’s punishments in that fracas. Tis a reminder that we have all sinned.

B: Some more than others however...Which reminds me ..Miss Juniper you are no stranger to the bottle. As I recall you were away from your post just prior to the attack, unauthorised drinking just outside the city gates. Extreme incompetence and slackness of duty..from such an experienced soldier? Or perhaps something worse…

J: [Snarls] What ye’re sayin’ wizzer! That I’m the traitor! Yer just lucky I’ve got these chains on me now ter save yer neck.

V: So why did you go for a drink then? It’s bit suspicious that you went just before the attack.

J: What, you know what patrol’s like. Boring as hells! Yer can’t go doing it sober, yer needs a distraction. In my case its drink, ain’t nothing so outrageous about tha’. I certainly weren’t the only guard who wasn’t sober that day.

[The other two look at her suspiciously]

J: Anyways I weren’t the only one takin’ a break from me duties priest! Oh aye I saw yer coming out of tha’ house in the slums district on me way back. An’ don’t deny it!

V: Me? I ..I was attending to my prayers...and eh...ministrations, in preparation for the day. My spiritual duties…

J: Spirishual duties in a known whorehouse! Oh that’s likely. Don’t give me those lies..

V: [sags down to his knees , pulling at his hair and wailing, tears running down his eyes] Oh Doombringer! Yes I confess my failings that day. My weakness of the flesh, the lusts that ran through me, unworthy of a servant of yours. And here I am punished for my lapses, as we all are.

[Buries his head in his hands, weeping]

B: If it was whores you were seeing, of course. The slum part of the city is like a warren, with many interconnecting cellars and underground tunnels. A handy place to organise a secret invading army to spring up from. And we know some of the Sembian forces did indeed come through that district.

V: No! No! I would do no such thing. Worthless sinner I may be, but no traitor. [Raises his head, looking at Berwick]. And Berwick, was it not you I saw speaking with a horseman on my way back to barracks. You seemed to exchange a message with him as I recall. A letter.

B: hmm..what..well..yes . Of course it was official regimental business, relaying orders to the next unit along.

V: The horseman had no livery of the Immersea guard on him I noticed.

J: Yeah, and you ain’t authorised fer passin’ on orders an’ messages in the Guard. I know that fer a fact!

B: Hmm very well. It was my own private business I was attending to. Investments I needed doing , things move very fast in the mercantile world and cannot wait, even in times of war. And secrecy is paramount, lest a rival learn of one’s business plans and outmanoeuvre you.

[The other two look at him suspiciously]

B: Hmm..well I need a moment to think and reflect on what I have learnt. The hangman waits for no-one.

[Scene fades to black]

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Scene IV

[All three characters remain in their cell, sitting in silence until Juniper pipes up]

J: S’ getting’ lighter. Gonna be dawn soon. So..this traitor Sarge who was found dead, what’s his name…Troyden or somethin’.

B: Treggart Raythorn, that was him.

J: Aye that’s the fella. Stabbed inna back, an’ had his throat cut so they say. Either o’ you two know ‘im? Din’t know the bugger meself.

V: hmm..yes I have met him before, as part of my Inquisitorial duties. A few years back he was a crook and the head of a gang of brigands we were investigating. Anyway we went in hard, smashing them unawares when..[suddenly stops, looking at Juniper askance]

V: Lying snake woman! I know where I have seen you before. Bah you say you didn’t know him but you were in his gang of brigands! I remember it now clear as day. To think you could evade Hoar’s wrath with such treachery!

J: Hey arigh’ arigh’! So I used to run with ‘im years ago. Don’t mean bugger all now. An’ anyways [rounds on Vaspus] you let him go! Remember! Had a deal wi’ ‘im. No doubt yer still do wi that snake in the grass, helpin them sembans inter our town!

[Berwick looks between the two, a curious glint in his eye]

V: Let him go! That was a plea bargain. Treggart turned King’s evidence, informing on other, larger villains than himself, dangerous people who we were able to capture. In return we granted his freedom and a select few of his gang who he wished released. [Points at Juniper] And you were one of them! He must have had a very high opinion of you!

B: [Chuckles and begins pacing the room in excitement] Ah so now it gets interesting. Which one of you two is it? You both have links with the man. Is the woman who ran in his gang perhaps, and was favoured by him it seems, maybe still in contact today. [As he paces he gets a little too close to Juniper’s moving space]. Or maybe it’s the Investigating officer who cut a deal with him, maybe other deals were cu..oofff

[At this point in his speech Juniper pounces at him striking a blow to his stomach with her manacled arms and grabbing at him]

J: ‘Ave some o’ that you smug wizzer bastard!

[After a brief struggle Berwick is able to free himself from Juniper’s grip but before several papers are dislodged from one of his inner pockets which is torn during the scuffle and flutter to the floor. Juniper snatches at them ]

J: What’s this? Official lookin’ papers these [begins to read them]

B: pfft don’t even pretend you’re capable of literacy.

J: [Scowls] Interestin’ tek a look at these priest boy [handing them over to Vaspus after she reads each one] Each one a signed bizness ‘greement by th’ looks o’ things. Signed by Berwick ‘ere and…a certain Treggart Raythorn.

V: Yes this one’s an interesting one…importing stone quarried from Yhaunn. I imagine business would thrive for you if Sembia got a foothold in Cormyr.

B: Alright so I had business deals with the man, that does not make me a criminal. Or indeed a betrayer of Cormyr. Business flows across borders and boundaries, we’re both mercantile nations. It’s perfectly natural.

J: Looks suspec’ to me..

B: I’ll tell you what is suspect [his gaze turns to Vaspus]. Yes I was a business partner with him in some respects, but that does not mean I knew about his personal political beliefs or his affiliations with the Sons of Sembia. What I do know is that I’m not the only one who lied about their connections to him. You for a stat miss. And also..an error of omission on part Master Vespus.

V: What? Explain yourself or the Doombringer’s wrath will be even worse for you.

B: I shall explain myself , quite clearly. I admit I was a business partner with Treggart in some respects and had access to some of his own financial dealings. And I know about you Master Vaspus, oh yes you can be sure of that. Thirty thousand lions in debt to the late Mister Raythorn, from a mixture of his gambling and whoring pursuits. Yes oh pious priest I know the extent of your dues to Treggart and the hold he had over you. Imagine that, an Inquisitor and puritan follower of the Doombringer under the sway of a criminal he had let free years before, through his own squalid little yearnings.

V: [His shoulders slump with Berwick’s disclosures.Clasps his hands together as if in prayer] Lord of Three Thunders I know you bring this shame upon me as just punishment for my former weakness. But I shall scour myself of such ignoble past deeds with by ringing the traitor of Immersea to justice!

[With that a ray of light sweeps makes its way across the room]

J: Aye it’s the dawn! Time fer judgement.

[Scene fades away]

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Scene V

[The prison guard faces the audience]

PG: Well the sun’s rising, looks like its nearly time for your judgement your honour. Wonder what you made of that. Seems they’ve all lied about something, but who’s told the biggest lie of them all? Who is the traitor and Treggart Raythorn’s accomplice? Time to decide.

[The three suspects are on stage and arrange the audience to cluster around the character they think is the traitor. Final hanging scene to be written or improvised?]