Ivan Skaald

Ivan Skaald runs the Queen's Row Inn at Malac's Cross in Betrayal at Krondor. He can first be encountered in Chapter 1.

Overview

A plain-spoken, decisive man, Ivan has been troubled by rowdy students from the Abbaye Ishap in the past. He keeps the Queen's Row under a set of strict rules, threatening to spit and roast transgressors. Fights, weapons, any animals which might upset his dogs during the dinner hour, and the controversial en passah chess move are forbidden in his establishment.

Chapter 1

Food

Ivan calls Daphne, the barmaid, to list the food available at the inn.

Abbaye Ishap

While the Abbaye produces a few fine minds who become fine dukes and nobles and fully realize the promise of the tactical education which is the establishment's speciality, Ivan derides the general student body as a refuse heap for nobles who want their runty sons out of their way.

Chess

When Locklear asks for a friendly game, Ivan insists on gambling in Emeralds. If the party has none, Ivan predicts that they'll be back later to accept his challenge. If they can meet the wager, Ivan wins unless they have already learned Sandau's Retreat from Navon du Sandau. If they win, Ivan gives them an Emerald of 100% value.

En Passah

Ivan first encountered the move in a game against someone from Durbin. The game was in Ivan's favor until the opponent moved his pawn behind the pawn Ivan was counting on, claiming to have captured it and launching a three-hour argument about the move's legitimacy. Finally, a student ran back to the Abbaye for a old book in which the game's original rules, written in Keshian all the way in the back, did include en passah. The game cost Ivan two diamonds and nearly the inn itself, and he has barred it from games played there ever since. The last person who tried to use it on him was Navon du Sandau, who had also invented an incredible move called Sandau's Retreat which Ivan can no longer remember.

Statue (after visiting it)

Ivan relates that "old Malac's kill" was once very near to the main row of Malac's Cross, but when the town's center was moved inside the see of the Abbaye Ishap to to escape from the Keshian raiders sailing over the Sea of Dreams, the statue was left in the wilderness where it stood. The move was successful, since worship of Ishap originated in Kesh and the raiders now leave it alone, but recent visitors to the original site have described strange occurrences and claimed that the dragon had talked to them.

Chapter 2

When the party enters, Ivan says that a wondrous chess match just ended, in which Jamie Tiller defended his title against snot-nosed Kyle Fischer from the Abbaye. James's remarks on his recap impress Ivan, and James credits his skill to memorization, honed by playing against Prince Arutha at times when no chessboard was available.

Double (after talking with Petrumh)

Ivan confirms that a man named Lysle Rigger bears an uncanny resemblance to James, and says Rigger is running some sort of errand, but does not know what or for whom. He does know that if Rigger disappeared, he would probably be hiding in the common storage bins in Darkmoor, and should emerge if they call out that Ivan sent them. He warns, however, that trouble follows Rigger and they should be prepared for a rumble if they seek him.

Lost&Found

If a customer loses something in the inn, Ivan keeps it if it is interesting or if he expects them to come back. The party offers to buy anything he doesn't believe will be retrieved by its owner, and he agrees to sell such items to them sight unseen for 50 sovereigns, to be delivered upon departure if they accept. The items in question are a Light Bowstring and a 100% copy of Psalms of Dala.

Challenge

James asks if he is up for a game of chess, and Ivan warns that he learned new moves from a book borrowed from the Abbaye and that emeralds are the only stakes he accepts.

Abbar's Gambit

Asked about a similar but more powerful move, Ivan describes Abbar's Turn as a brave gambit and the most powerful structure to use in the right place, but costing dearly if misused. He refuses to teach it to James, saying that it would make him too powerful to compete with.

Advice

Asked about rumors, he mentions hearing that Lord Lyton sent tax collectors to demand a large amount of gold from strangers entering and leaving Lyton, sending them away or killing them if they cannot pay the fee. He believes, however, that the merchants have found a way around the guards or they would not be tolerating the extra expense.