Code Of The Rats
"From Spuds To Studs"

16. Room of Trust

By Dave Dollar
Art by Chris Myers

The plaque on this open door says, "Trust." Inside is a massive iron chair with chains (also of heavy black iron) attached to its armrests and front legs.

Manacled to the chair by these chains is a hugely muscled, snaggle-toothed, greenskinned reptilian humanoid. The claws on his webbed hands and feet appear to have been filed to blunt harmlessness. The chains on his wrists and ankles give him only about a foot of mobility with each limb. Yellow, slitted eyes widen at your approach.

Gamemaster

Since after the Reversal room, all the plaques reverse their meanings, the real theme this room is Mistrust. This should be a learning experience, for the party. The chair is authentic iron and is securely bolted to the floor. The chains and manacles, however, are solid gold -- only painted to look like iron. The monster's name is Boaseth: he is a master of vocal mimicry.

Boaseth spies the party, he will look immediately for the gold dagger. Upon seeing it, he will give a, stunningly authentic puppy-dog whine and beckon to the character carrying the precious trinket. Without actually speaking, Boaseth will do his absolute best to beg or borrow the golden dagger from the party. He will whimper. He will whine. He will cry (crocodile tears). He will rattle his chains pathetically. If questioned: he will only shrug and nod his head in response to queries.

The instant he gets the dagger in his hand, the reptile will, in one murderously fluid motion, slash the chain on his knife hand, and bury, the golden blade pommel-deep in his benefactor's throat. He will then, fully free himself and go after the rest of the party. Killing people is not something he enjoys, but he knows his duty. He may not pursue the characters farther than the door.

The ideal solution is to mistrust Boaseth and leave him right where he is.

Very little is known of Boaseth's race. He is a member of a very warlike, tribal society called the Gorata, native to the jungles far to the south. After his tribe was destroyed, he was found, and adopted, by Roshia. His education was rapid and intense -- schooling him in the ways of human society. In addition to being an exceptional knifeman (knifebeing), he is also highly educated, literate, and fluent in several languages. His normal duty is to guard Roshia's magical laboratory. He is very grateful for his treatment at the hands of Roshia and will fight to the death to protect her.

Score Chart

+5 For first player who notes the significance of the reversed plaque and deduces the room's true meaning. This score is available even if the player does not notice the reversal of themes until several rooms later (if he lives that long).

+5 For scraping Boaseth's chains to reveal their gold construction.

-10 For attempting to slay the helpless prisoner.

-5 For attempting to fight Boaseth after he is freed.

-10 For player giving him the gold dagger (i. e., dying).

+5 For best role player.

Note: If the party abandons the gold dagger in the room (likely), Boaseth will open the door a crack and hand it out to them. "Dreadfully sorry," he will say. When his role is complete, he will return to his chair and await further orders from Roshia. He can tell the party nothing of what lies ahead.

More Code of the Rats Introductory Fantasy Adventure

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