Session 12 (The Pirates of Atlas)

 

"Session 12"
The Pirates of Atlas episode
Episode no.	Episode 12
Original air date	September 17, 2023 (2023-09-17)

"Session 12" is the twelfth session of the campaign The Pirates of Atlas.

Synopsis

Prior to the showdown with the Jesters, Death appears and suspends time. He returns with Pravuil and Zosteif and takes Vidro. Death presents them an option to be taken away momentarily to augur the future, revisit the past, or enjoy their time at his company's splash pool and beach. They decide to opt for the beach where they see large dunes and servants offering drinks and barbecue. Lockwood asks whether Death will miss her if she disappeared. Death grabs a straw hat and lei. He dons it on and says it is time for festivities. Zosteif asks Death how to defeat the Jesters and he tells her that in order to defeat the Jesters, they must be separated. They are only strong in numbers. Willem asks how to create a nuclear bomb and whether it would be effective against the Stormlords. Death explains the entire process and the merits to its usage. Willem proposes a team-building and a sandcastle building contest. Zosteif grabs a watermelon and munches on it. Durgl asks whether the Jesters attack only Vidro or everyone within the vicinity. Pravuil asks what is the best way to separate the Jesters. Death answers that they are stupid and animalistic, meaning it would be best to split up and fight each individually. They each proceed to build their own sandcastles. Zosteif makes the best sandcastle. Willem makes the worst sandcastle. Death tells Zosteif says she wins absolutely nothing except for the satisfaction of making the best sandcastle. After this, Death warns them he is about to send them back to the present in 15 seconds. After the time passes, they are sent back.

They find themselves teleported back where they were originally, outside of the throne room of the Ruby Queen in the balconied hallways, with the Jesters standing at each of the staircases nearby. The Jesters bounce about their feet and are surrounded with jack-in-the-boxes and stuffed animals. Death bids them farewell and restarts time. In front of them is the grand staircase which leads back to the rest of the kingdom.

Captain Willem challenges the most powerful Jester and casts a mark on him. A liquid ring emerges, surrounding the main Jester and pushing out all the other Jesters in the distance. The captain approaches the Jester toe-to-toe as they begin their own showdown. The captain then charges at the Jester and they begin fighting. Durgl recalls he has a warhorn at his disposal and tries to recall what it does. He blows the horn and it does nothing. He casts a banishment spell on them but it was unable to be effective against them. He casts bardic inspiration on Vidro.

The star-eyed jester uncovers his coat and reveals dozens of daggers. Hundreds more emerge and a red aura float around as he casts at them. Captain Willem's warhammer slams into his jester, crushing him but a crystal gem begins to radiate from the jester's mask. "You are strong Willem, good," he laughs menacingly.

Most of the team takes damage from the daggers. Pravuil immediately casts mass healing word, healing his crewmates, and then proceeds to cast a black hole from his devil fruit, which damages each of the Jesters, with one taking double damage. The red-nosed jester is infuriated and locks in on Lockwood. Tiny clowns begin to emerge and torment Lockwood as she is affected by psychic damage.

Vidro scopes around his surroundings to identify a location he could shoot safely from. He drinks a potion which sends him to an overhang he spots. He casts haste on himself and aims for the eye of one of the jesters. It hits successfully and blood begins to gush out of the jester who screams that it felt good.

One of the hooded jesters locks his eyes on Pravuil and screams that he will eat Pravuil. He swings with his axe three times, landing one of them on Pravuil.

Lockwood fights off the red-nosed jester and is able to dish out some damage.

The wickedly-smiled jester charges at Zosteif. He lashes at her but critically misses one of his swings, allowing Lockwood nearby, to quickly slash him with her weapon. Zosteif uses her fruit abilities to unleash wires around the jester. The jester is able to break through and deal additional bludgeoning damage.

The king jester reconstructs his bones after he was crushed by Willem. The sound of machinery emits as he stands back up. The gem which shone by him begins to disintegrate and a spectral form emerges which replicates the very same attack Willem dealt.

Lockwood brushes off the red-nosed jester and a gentle breeze begins to whirl around her as she begins to swing at the jester. While she does this, the formation of tiny jesters around her fire off their fang-like fingers and pierce her. She casts her weathering abilities to create the effects of autumn from her fruit power and its seasonal effects buff her allies. She levitates and then unveils her kitsune blade, casts unwavering mark on the star-eyed jester, and casts inspiring leadership for all of her crewmates. She pounces on the wall and dashes towards the curly-haired jester, Queen. She is able to deal grazing damage.

The king jester is able to deal a fearsome amount of bludgeoning damage. He says after he kills the captain, he looks forward to do terrible things against Vidro.

Zosteif is able to stab her assailant and as she deals damage, instead of expecting blood, hot oil bursts out. It falls as it shoots out sparks and collapses.

Captain Willem lurches back up and swings his warhammer against the king jester's crown. He is able to land his first blow and takes another swing towards the jester. One of its gems pop out as it is struck. Each of the flurry of blows hit perfectly until Willem deals a finishing blow before the jester is able to teleport away. The ring of water that surrounded them freezes, encasing the jester as it is entombed and on the verge of death. For the first time, it has the fear of death in its eyes.

Durgl casts his Will of the Kings ability. He casts mass healing word and heals a tremendous amount for his crewmates. He then casts a bard of inspiration to buff his allies.

The star-eyed jester freaks out and starts to run away. Vidro takes notice of this and shoots a lightning gun against the jester. The damage fries it and short-circuits it.

Pravuil casts Presence of the King but it is unable to affect them as they are robotic in nature. The large jester, Jack, that faces him off laughs at him.

Vidro leaps down with his feather fall. Imbued with ultra-fast movement speed due to all of his buffs, he is able to run by at lightning speed and pulls out his revenant blade and uses lightning whirlwind.

Jack says he is now the king and charges Pravuil. He swings but misses one of his hits. Vidro and Lockwood deal opportunity attacks against Jack. Zosteif and Lockwood also seize upon the opportunity, and Pravuil is able to land a lick. Jack is now heavily battered and on the verge of death.

The remaining jester which remains in relatively good condition surrenders and beams him out. He looks disappointedly at his mates and then looks at Vidro, telling him he will see him soon. Jack sees that jester has left and begins to cry while Queen sits about heavily damaged.

Zosteif casts her fruit ability and shoots a bunch of strings against Queen, turning her into a puppeteered marionette. Queen is now incapacitated for an hour.

Lockwood's seasonal ability begins to transition from fall to winter. Four glacial spikes begin to crystallize and form around the room. Her crewmates gain increased fortification. Spikes of ice bind against the feet of the enemy jesters. Lockwood begins to look different as she develops a look of insatiable bloodthirst. She summons her kitsune blade and dashes towards Queen, dealing torment on her. Queen gets completely obliterated. After Lockwood deals her incredible damage, she collapses and passes it out. Vidro catches her as her bloodthirst subsides and notices that her skin is cold to the touch. Her blade remains active, resonating.

Willem, exhausted, decides to rest against his warhammer. Durgl approaches King and asks him what is wrong. King says he feels sad because his mates abandoned him. He says he finds joy in killing. Durgl tries to convince him to go after his compatriots for abandoning him. King says his "boss-man" is terrifying. King pleads Durgl to just die so he can leave. Durgl tells King to cover his eyes with his hands and count to 100. He says his mother used to do the same. He says he can count to 1,000,000. As he begins to count, Durgl pulls out the Frogger and shoots him. He is decapitated by the shot and his body falls to the ground.

As soon as this happens, behind them the gates burst open as Reyen says he is ready for combat. He examines the room and Diana, the Ruby Queen, and other members of the Ruby Court walk in. Willem and Vidro explain what had transpired. Pravuil casts healing on his wounded and exhausted crewmates. The Ruby Queen asks what the jesters wanted to do with Vidro. Vidro explains his association with them and suspects that they were created in Mechagon. The Ruby Queen tells them she hopes they will clean up their mess. Vidro lets Lockwood piggyback her.

Willem asks for someone capable of fire casting abilities to thaw some of the ice encasing the king jester as he wants its crown. It laughs before Willem smashes its head away.

Vidro asks if Reyen can send them back to the ship. He says he is able to transport five of them back at a time. Diana and Ronin follow them. Diana asks if she could speak to the captain privately.

The Ruby Queen tells the crew that Elytra is all about second chances, and that they should ensure they do not create a mess again. Pravuil, Vidro, and the injured return to the ship while the rest clean up the room. After an hour, the entire crew returns to their ship where they convene in the ship's mess hall.

Lockwood and Durgl spend time in the medical bay. Vidro gives Lockwood an apple and takes away her blade, examining it. Upon grabbing the blade, he notices nothing yet. Suddenly, it teleports away. He grabs it again and is able to seal it, and takes it to the engineering bay for study by the warforges.

Reyen comes into the medical bay and asks how Durgl and Lockwood are doing, and Pravuil tells him that they are recuperating well. Reyen speaks to the captain and tells them they could invest in purchasing warforges to assist them.

The captain later goes inside the engineering bay to see Flynn and Vidro working on machinery and examining the bodies of the recovered jesters. Vidro asks Flynn if the robots have memory modules implanted in them. Flynn says each of them do not have it as they were perfectly shot out or destroyed upon taking head damage. Flynn says they could repurpose them and reactivate them, although worries they may still retain their killing intent. He says they could spend several days on it. Vidro also tells him to examine Lockwood's blade. Vidro also mentions to Flynn the marvels of Elytra's steam-powered technology and says he has spoken to the Ruby Queen to have access to some of the steam power knowledge. Reyen, sent on the captain's orders, examines the king jester's crown.

Lockwood wakes up, seeing Reyen's mirror image reading to her. It is a children's book and Lockwood feels insulted. Pravuil gives her a concoction of black liquid and it tastes incredibly bitter. Meanwhile, he gives Durgl apple juice instead.

The captain meets Reyen who learns that the crown can be powered by gems. Each of the gems allow the user to replicate an opponent's abilities. He tells him the gems are quite fragile. Reyen says they could take the crown somewhere and have it refurbished into a more suitable helmet for the captain. Reyen then hands the crown back to the captain.

Lara checks in on Lockwood and asks how they are doing. Lockwood explains what she remembers and then asks Pravuil what has been happening.

Zosteif asks what Ren is preparing for food.

Reyen then tells everyone over intercom (except for Lockwood) all hands on deck in 15 minutes at the mess hall. Reyen asks if the captain has had coffee-infused rum. The captain approaches Diana who hands him a drink. She tells him she had a talk with her sister who offered her a place in the Ruby Court. Diana says it did not feel right to take it and says that Azula had trained her. She says she could never return to a life of lavishness while knowing that Azula's killer is still out there. She says she wishes to take Azula's place. The captain says he sees no reason to oppose Diana remaining a permanent crewmate. The Ruby Queen told her not to expect any handouts. She also said that the Ruby Queen has been approached by their father several times and found out through one of the Durathyon butlers that he wishes to speak to them in Atlas. The captain says unless it is time-sensitive, they will have to head first to the Navy.

Vidro visits the medical bay to speak to Lockwood about her blade. He says he has discovered that the blade was forged from hell. Lockwood says during her time in Haki, she trained with two different factions and that the blade being examined was of demonic origin as she had trained with demons. Vidro says that he believes the blade is actually alive and warns her to be careful.

When it is time for meeting, Pravuil wheels Durgl and Lockwood upstairs. Vidro creates a bucket of water and places Durgl inside it. Vidro heats it up to turn it into a jacuzzi.

Willem starts the meeting by expressing his pleasure to see Lockwood and Durgl recovering. He says he knows Vidro wants to look into steam power for their ship and asks how long they could expect to learn such technology. He says they need to stay in Elytra for at least a week at a minimum. He says they need to figure out where Maren went. Reyen explains that the Ruby Queen agrees to join them in their mission against the Stormlord in exchange with them petitioning to the Navy to grant Elytra full independence and sovereignty. Reyen says he knows that Durgl is chasing after the Golden Ribbit which is located in the Wildlands which is not quite far. Vidro says they must talk about the organization he was dealing with. Lara offers her proposal to the captain to turn the ship into a "stealth ship" as a way to nuke the Stormlords.

They hear footsteps on the gangplank. Cannoneer and Elsa have returned. He wonders why no one went looking for them and tells them he has heard what has happened recently for the crew. He says if he and Elsa are allowed to return back into the fold and Willem says of course. The crew welcomes them back.

The captain tells everyone that the Stormlord has reached out to meet with him personally and has a week to respond to the invitation. The captain says it is a matter of transparency and suspects it could be a trap.

Ren suggests that the captain meets the Stormlord in private while the rest of the crew can launch a surprise raid Stormwind without the support of Elytra and the Navy. Reyen says he can take five of them back to Atlas to negotiate with the Navy while the rest goes to Stormwind. Lockwood asks if Reyen was capable of such power, why did he not just do that for their travels before. Reyen explains how teleportation circles work and says he can only teleport them safely to locations whose circles he has seen before.

Vidro explains further in depth what he did in the Coven. The Coven works with all corners of the world and is involved in the politics of Atlas, Elytra, and other entities. He says they are spying on everyone and are their own organization. He explains that the Jesters are just one of many task forces the Coven has and that the Coven will be tracking them. He tells them that they have safe spots throughout the world, such as the Haven. He says there are multiple entrances to their actual headquarters, including one in Atlas. One of them is Logon's Prime Fashion. He explains the lackeys within the organization, being masked, do not recognize one another's identities, but the higher ups will be able to know. With this in mind, they have a good chance sneaking in. Vidro says he suspects the bomb was forged in Mechagon.

They discuss among themselves what their next course of action should be. The captain decides that it is pointless to fight the Stormlord in the city, with or without the army. Flynn and Vidro will spend some time in the meantime to learn steam power and then send a party to Atlas.

Flynn and Vidro examine the note that the Ruby Queen gave them and walk into a well-established factory in Elytra. Its name is "Beret Technologies". They hear an instrumental playing as they see inventions everywhere. They see a well-dressed man standing in the center of the room as he hums to the music. He shifts away and greets them. His name is "Aldrich von Bett" and says he speaks Zemian. Vidro explains he wishes to learn more about their technology. Von Bett asks what Vidro is looking for. Destruction? Speed? Vidro says he is seeking speed. Von Bett suggests they could have a motorcade. He explains there are two ways to install motors onto the boat: the sides or the bottom of the ship. He says such installation would cost 7,000 gold. He says they will need a full ship to convert into a metallic boat. He also suggests they install weapons including cannons, explosives, and other artillery. He explains the cost of each of the weapons, enhancements, and features, each of which are quite expensive. Vidro tries to bargain with Von Bett. They eventually broker a deal for 16,000 gold.

Willem and Reyen return to the Ruby Queen's Court to meet Ashe, one of the Ruby Queen warriors. They are met again by the minotaur guard. He explains that female minotaurs are smaller in stature but are actually physically stronger and are the traditionally more dominant sex in his race. They are let back in and Reyen explains to the Court that he wishes to learn more about how Elytra works.

Willem goes outside in the courtyard where she sees Ashe training against test dummies. The captain says he wishes to learn from her. She says she learned from a master from a temple, the Paragon, which had a shrine for every deity in the known world. She says his name was Varen. She says he was searching for the first of the Acolytes and says if they uncover his tomb, they may be able to discover a great power within each of them. She casts one of her clones to conjure an image of the First Acolyte, Galdrich the Dark, whose tomb can be found in the Paragon. She asks what the captain intends to do with this special art of magic. He says he wishes to understand more about the power. She explains her master had the same perspective as him and says searching for darkness, one will find nothing in it, hence why it is known as darkness. She says if he still seeks the knowledge, the Paragon would be the place.

She says the voice he has been hearing in his dream is actually his own shadow. She says perhaps the voice in his head is not his god, but the shadow he summons. She conjectures perhaps the shadow is the one instructing him to die so that it may take his place in the mortal world. Willem appreciates the warning. She explains that each shadow is unique to its master in terms of appearance and capability. She says she can change her own shadow to change into any image or object she wishes.

The captain returns back to the ship to see Von Bett working on the ship. The captain is initially confused by Flynn explains that Vidro authorized Von Bett to come and retrofit the ship. Von Bett takes interest in Durgl and offers to hire him. Durgl declines the offer. The captain interjects, asking Von Bett if he could lower the price of the contract to 8,000 gold if Durgl worked for Von Bett for a whole week. Durgl does not wish for this. Von Bett informs the captain that this proposal would be illegal as a form of slavery. Willem says he is Durgl's agent. Durgl counters this. The captain says he has guardianship over Durgl who is only 3 years old. Von Bett says 3 grung years match up to 22 human years so Durgl is able to make his own decisions. Durgl negotiates his own term, working for a month, and the offer is sealed. The warforges seize Durgl and take him away.

Akula Jr. hisses at Von Bett and his crew. Von Bett tries to electrify it in order to neutralize it but is unable to affect it. Willem warns them not to mess with their pets. Von Bett suggests that Akula Jr. be brought into a scientist to be examined and offers to buy it for 100,000 gold. Reyen says if he is willing to pay such a high price, they will keep it.

Later in the day, Lockwood talks to Diana. Diana says Azula took care of her and was the only who acted like a sister her. She says she wants to avenge Azula's death. She wants to see the end with the death of the Stormlord. Diana tells her whatever Lockwood decides to do with the Ruby Queen is her choice. Ren gives her a cake. She eats it and it turns out to be black licorice-flavored. Ren says it was doctor's orders. Lockwood says she will punch Pravuil the next chance she sees him.

Meanwhile, Durgl is sent into the mines. While he clean the vents while working there, he hears a bell and sees a female walking in. He notices that she seems to be in her young 20s. It is Dr. Emelia. Aldrich says he wants her to examine a specimen.

Back on the ship, Willem says he noticed a flaw in his recent plan. He realized how far the Stormlord was. Willem says it would be logistically impossible and Vidro says he was already arguing that before. He says they could afford more time to handle other affairs with additional time available.

Fae arrives onboard with a letter from the Ruby Queen. She says that they will host a banquet in their honor. She says it is customary that people of certain power are afforded such a gala and that they expect, in return, successful results. Willem speaks to Roen and sees off Lockwood, Vidro, Zosteif, Pravuil, and Reyen as they make their way to Atlas.

Reyen and Willem discuss their plan in secret. Reyen explains the various forms of magic, and Willem instructs Reyen what to do in Atlas.

Durgl, in the mines, working on the ceiling, scrubs off rust. He overhears the doctor who speaks with Aldrich. The doctor questions whether the samples are correct and Aldrich insists it is true. Aldrich says to make sure that Durgl is not listening and does not realize Durgl is listening. Durgl realizes they are talking about Akula Jr. It is known as a terasc and he wishes to up the offer to Willem's Willies to 175,000 gold.

Aldrich returns to the ship with Durgl and offers the new proposition for Akula Jr right before Reyen and the others depart to Atlas. Willem says he wishes to take time to consider such an offer. Aldrich finds this acceptable and also states he is finished with Durgl's services and is now releasing him. Before Aldrich goes, he says he wishes to see Vidro and wants him to review the "Beret 5000", a new state-of-the-art weapon. Lockwood describes Vidro as the "greatest fighter" and Aldrich says he only seeks an arcane gunslinger. Vidro corrects him and says he is indeed an arcane gunslinger. Aldrich rebuffs Lockwood for being a liar. Lockwood insults him in Zemian. Aldrich is surprised and is smitten by the fact they share the same mother tongue. He offers her a night with him. Lockwood is initially resistant but his crew tries to persuade her to take the offer, perhaps if only to gain something from the date. She relents and decides to give him one chance. He says he will see her at 8:00 sharp when she least expects it.

Reyen and his party teleport away and Willem makes his preparation to meet the Stormlord. Willem says during the crew's absence, Durgl will assume command of the ship.

Willem goes to see the Stormlord and they each other face-to-face. The Stormlord says he has never failed twice. He says he is not offering him a position of general but merely a position to work alongside him. He says Willem must abandon his lowly crew. He says that no enemy will dare stand against either of them. He says that Willem was bred to be a warrior and is not fit for the Ruby Queen or the Navy, much less than pirates. He says he is worthy of being part of the Stormlords. The Stormlord is aware that the Ruby Queen and the Navy are after him and says Willem will be in the losing battle unless he stands with the Stormlord.

The Stormlord offers him everything from riches, kingdoms, and the Dreamwell. Willem asks what the Stormlord desires and why, if the Stormlord was so strong, he needs Willem. The Stormlord says the world has been protecting the weak for far too long. He says he works for the Coven who in turn protects the nobles. He says each noble is shittier than the other and says that because of this world system, it is led by the weak. He says the strong will inherit the world and that the Stormwind will be the seat of new global power. He says it is warriors, not tacticians or mages, who deserve the glory and power. Willem says he is mistaken with a number of things. He says that he would be wrong to assume that Willem is loyal to the Ruby Queen. He says he agrees that he does seek the Dreamwell but says he has no reason against the Ruby Queen because she has never once threatened or attacked his crewmates. Willem says the Stormlord had a chance until he attacked his crew. The Stormlord offers his vision of the world where each person should strive to be the apex and that the weak do not deserve to live. Willem says if the Stormlord is truly an apex, why does the Stormlord chooses to stay within his throne where he is protected. The Stormlord says he has a resolve unlike any other and has a sign, not of weakness, but of assurance. He says that everyone in his kingdom shall be assured clothed, fed, and betrothed. He says it would be an injustice not to recruit him. He says that countless of factions have failed him. Willem rejects the offer and defends his crew and his first mate. The Stormlord says he is a strong warrior but a man with a poor mind.

He says the next time they meet, he will kill him where he stands. He says that he is the monster the world needs and he will crusade against the weak. He implicitly threatens Willem's wife, inquiring whether Willem truly knows who she is, and says he hopes that she will be able to defend herself. He says plainly that if Willem will not join him, he will form Willem into a fighter who will seek to fight him and vindicate that he is the greatest warrior of all. The Stormlord says he serves his god, who is not merely a god, but is a godslayer. He says he will force Willem's hand one day by killing Maren. Willem is stuck in the dilemma and he says the command: "boogie down and get down with it" to activate the nuclear bomb. The command fails. The Stormlord is confused and asks whether it is a joke. Willem tries to explain it away upon noticing it has failed. He tries one more time but it fails. The Stormlord says if Willem's crew means so much to him, he may spare the crewmates as Willem's pets instead. They would be subjugated to the test of strength, which is to be struck by lightning. Willem turns down the offer. The Stormlord respects his resolve and his ability to not fear his strength.

Reyen asks who should do the talking in Atlas. Vidro casts location haki on Aldrin from the Navy and determines that he is located within the Palace of Atlas, which is located closer to the Parliament. He casts tracking on him. They make their way into the Atlantean naval headquarters. Reyen complains to himself that Willem's nuke did not work.

They are in the presence of Akore and present the Ruby Queen's demands to her. Akore says it is not within his authority to grant Elytra independence. Such authority rests with the Queen. They say that the Ruby Queen is an ambitious woman who offers a fair deal. Akore decides to send the message to the Ruby Queen and negotiate with her, after working with the Queen and Parliament. He proposes a private deal with the crew. He wishes to topple the corrupt factions within Parliament. He wishes them to uncover the conspiracy within Parliament and determine who they are working for. He says they will be given exemption status as long as they do not violate any humanitarian law and they fulfill their end of the deal. Most of Parliament are aligned with the old King Matias who was their puppet. Queen Kalia refuses to bow to their demands. This faction wishes to kill her but are unable to, and therefore take out their frustration against the Navy. He wishes to find out within Parliament is corrupt. Lockwood and Akore get into a heated debate before Lockwood recuses herself. Vidro, Pravuil, and Zosteif continue to speak and negotiate with Akore. Akore tells him that there is a cabal that has aligned themselves to the Zodiac, and are under the command of the Watcher.

Pravuil, with the authority of the captain, accepts the call of duty with Akore and will join forces with the Navy officially to war against the Stormlords, alongside the soon-to-be-independent Elytra, and possibly Mechagon.

Vidro says he has unfinished business to settle and needs to get the Nightingales off their case. Reyen whisks Lockwood back to the ship while Vidro, Pravuil, and Zosteif try to locate Aldrin, who is unmasked.

Everyone eventually returns to the ship and they discussed at their respective meetings. They agree they must prepare for the months ahead prior to the military campaign against the Stormlords.

Featured characters

Player characters

• Akula (absent)
• Anradeem Pravuil
• Durgl
• Jué Zosteif
• Ryul Vidro
• Serena Lockwood
• Maren (absent)
• Willem