Session 14 (The Pirates of Atlas)

 

"Session 14"
The Pirates of Atlas episode
Episode no.	Episode 14
Original air date	November 5, 2023 (2023-11-05)

"Session 14" is the fourteenth session of the campaign The Pirates of Atlas.

Synopsis

As the crew continues their fight on the ship, Lockwood, on horseback, slays the last of her enemies. Vidro watches in horror as Durgl appears lifeless on the ship deck. Time suddenly stops as Death returns and says there has been change of plans. Death informs the crew that Pravuil, Vidro, and Lockwood must be whisked off and explains that he received these directives from the angels above. They are struck by a sleeping spell. Vidro pretends to sleep as he is immune to such spell but must pretend under threat of Death. Three days pass.

Vidro is the first to come back to his senses after the three days elapse. During this time, he was counting how many seconds were passing. He finds himself in the medical bay. He sees that Pravuil is also in the medical bay, this time not as a doctor but as a patient himself. He notices that Reyen is holding one of Pravuil's medical books. In Pravuil's slumber, he has a vision. Pravuil hears a chant, soft in the distance, a holy choir that fills his soul with purpose, with warm feeling of relief, a weight lifted off of his shoulders. As he slowly gains vision, he sees within a town filled with residents. He sees an obscure building, at first blurry in its sight, but as the holy music gets louder, it becomes clear in its view and finds a midnight blue sky, torches lit up in the church. He notices robed men walking about with scepters. He then hears a voice, "Come find me." He then wakes up.

Reyen, holding a syringe, sees Pravuil is awake and gives him the syringe, greeting him. Pravuil immediately plunges the syringe into his own chest. Unfortunately, the syringe is filled with poison. Pravuil quickly rummages through the cabinets for an antidote. Lockwood wakes up as well, briefly believing she has met her death. Reyen brings them all back up to speed as to what has transpired. They have been at sea for three days.

Vidro steps outside to the mess hall and sees the other members of the crew. Cannoneer sees him and welcomes him. The crew assembles over for lunch. Reyen gives her an onyx-emblazoned letter. She opens it up and at first, it is empty but then scarlet-lit glyphs begin to appear. She hears a voice in her head. It is Fae from the Ruby Court. Lockwood is to be assigned a mission. The Ruby Queen wants Lockwood to talk with the Blairwinds but warns her that it will be a dangerous mission as they can be ruthless. They live in the town of Parakis, a town next to Winestead. Lockwood accepts the mission. She convinces them that they must go to Parakis due to Ruby Queen's orders. Reyen teleports them to a teleportation circle in Atlas. They are then whisked to a teleportation circle in the Library of Atlas.

As they walk around the library, they notice a group of wizards reading and carrying books. Vidro goes to the bathroom to put on a disguise. Lockwood goes to talk to the receptionist and she finds a new person, Mortima, at the front desk. Vidro changes into his disguise and notices that there are light footsteps coming into the stall he is in next to him. Vidro readies one of his weapons but continues to change. Suddenly, a voice whispers. "Are you Ryul?" He asks who is the person asking. The person asks him if he has heard "Tulip". He gets his weapon ready but the voice tells him to stop because they have been posted here for three days and they have been on the lookout for them. However, someone else informed them to simply give Vidro a letter and to leave him alone. They listened to her and decided to not harm Vidro. They then leave the letter and leave. Vidro takes a moment to ease his nerves. He then goes into the stall which the voice was in and discovers the enveloped letter which has no visible glyphs or marks in it. He opens it and uncovers just one word: "Parakis", and a white feather falls out onto his hand.

He steps out of the stall and sees a fat janitor tell him if Vidro was the one stinking up the restroom. Vidro denies it and leaves. He returns with his crew and they step out of the library, into the streets of Atlas. Vidro tells Lockwood that he also now has business in Parakis. As they continue, they notice a rowdy crowd and people acting in a panicked manner. They hear Markello cry out as child thieves steal his goods from his shop. Lockwood intervenes and grabs the crates away. Vidro notices that there is a larger presence of guards in the area and that there are a dozens of guards patrolling in the alley adjacent to theirs. He notices that the guards here appear to be more confrontational and aggressive.

Lockwood catches up with Markello, returning his wares and he welcomes her. She asks how he has been and he says, not good, and invites her in to explain why. As they go inside and he places the wares back and offers her a cup of hot chocolate, he asks how Lara has been. Lockwood lets him know that she is doing well. She asks how the boy she had placed under Markello's care has been and says he has been sent off to the Navy to fight in the war against the Blight. Lockwood explains her business back in Atlas as they are seeking for a wizard who is capable of sending them closer to Parakis. Markello tells her a place where she could find some wizards but warns them about the checkpoints throughout the city by the military. Markello tells her that in Atlas, a new martial law has been declared where all wares are to be bought by the Army at their prices. Businesses can only make even when they sell their goods to the military. With the new restrictions, it can only be bypassed if they are considered a citizen. Markello says that the Parliament has passed a new law to distinguish civilians from citizens. Civilians have lesser rights than citizens. Those who wish to be citizens are to be compelled and conscripted into military service. Days after this law, rebels began to attack, thus necessitating stricter security lockdown measures by the Navy. Lockwood decides to investigate and figure more about this rebel organization.

Pravuil heads into a wareshop. He notices that the prices have been drastically gouged. He asks why the prices have increased and the shopkeeper explains and rants about the political and economic circumstances have caused this.

Vidro notices a family being searched by soldiers under command of the First Lord. Vidro decides to imbue a pebble with a strongly-scented odor and leaves behind a smoke bomb into the streets. He throws the pebble. People panic and disperses, trampling over one another. The guards, holding onto the father, are distracted by the sight of the dispersing crowds, but continue to restrain him. Vidro, now invisible, casts heat on one of the guards. The guard starts noticing his breastplate heating up and panics, taking it off. The other guard tries to help him. The family, unhanded, run away into the alleyway. Vidro decides to follow them. He notices that they head off into a latched basement door and the father does a special knock as they go inside. Vidro tries to memorize the sequence of the knock. After they head in, the doors slam lock.

Lockwood inquires how to obtain citizenship and is informed she must head to the city towers.

Pravuil and Lockwood notices the smoke bomb. Vidro sees them both and decides to cast a message to Pravuil. He informs him to meet him northwest in an alleyway. The crowds grow more and more panicked. They meet up and start catching up after Lockwood. As they make their way further down, they notice the crowds are getting less rowdy. They meet up and discuss about the situation in Atlas, including the apparent resistance.

Vidro tells them that he believes he knows where the alleged rebels may be located. He tells Pravuil to follow him. Lockwood says she will meet them up later as she must go on to the towers to investigate and obtain citizenship.

As Lockwood approaches the towers, she notices it is heavily fortified and filled with guards. These guards however, are not dressed in the typical Atlantean uniform, but are in fact, dressed clad in metal, black feathers, and red robes. She notices two commanders and immediately is able to tell that there are high in the chain of command, and recognizes one of them as a guest at the Ruby Queen's banquet, and remembered that he had a confrontation with Vidro. She sees a line of citizens walking forward towards the military formation, angered.

Vidro and Pravuil push through the crowd and make their way to the alleyway. They hear the crowds chanting and marching. They see people wounded and even killed, and the commoners are furious. Pravuil notices people trying to tend to one another's wounds. Pravuil, with a sense of duty, decides to assist as he is a doctor. Vidro decides to also help and sets up a makeshift tent for patients.

Lockwood demands to speak to the First Lord. A voice addresses her as a civilian to back up and will be arrested if she does not leave. She defies the order, steps back, and then prepares to activate one of her weathering spell. Suddenly a voice pierces through her head and a set of eyes in her vision. The voice says that if she is willing to fight, he is willing to cast bloodshed of the innocents. He tells her if she is able to have the civilians stand down and back up, then she may have an audience with him. She decides to accept this offer.

Pravuil and Vidro continue tending the wound and the healed thank them. Pravuil tells them to thank the Lord who had sent him to care for them.

Lockwood grabs the crowd's attention and implores them to stand down to avoid bloodshed but that she shares their anger. The crowd roars with mixed feelings. Among the crowd is an Atlantean guard who says that the mercenaries before them are not Atlantean and that he did not sign up for them to lord over them. She is able to persuade the crowd to stand down as she continues her impassioned plea.

Vidro and Pravuil, as they are helping the wounded, meet a harengon who asks if he may assist. They accept. Shortly after, a blonde-haired woman approaches them and says she is a cleric and asks if she may help as well. They accept and they form a larger group to help the wounded.

Lockwood demands her audience with the commander and she is allowed through. As she walks past them, she notices the soldiers shoulder-to-shoulder.

Vidro ignores the harengon who tries to make small talk with him. Pravuil and the cleric experience a moment of difference over theology as she notices his magic is red and he tells her which god he serves. When she tells her she belongs to a henotheistic faith of a large pantheon, Pravuil accuses her as a heretic and a heathen. Suddenly, Pravuil and Vidro are tapped on the shoulder by a thick-coated, eyepatched monster hunter. He tells them that his people would like a word with them and that his people will tend them. He informs them that their leader would like a word with them. They are led through a tunnel filled with all classes of people mingling about. They see three people who seem to be relatively important in status and two others.

One of them, an iron-clad woman with a large warhammer slams down the table and argues with one of the others. The old monk tells them they must be wise and careful when they fight. The headhunter introduces Vidro and Pravuil to them. They hear as the group continues to debate tactics and strategy. They explain the Grand Admiral is absent to fight the war in the Blight while the Queen has been suppressed, leaving the First Lord and his sycophants in Parliament in power. They need to obtain the secret ledger that contains the names of all of the members of Parliament who initiated the new regime and martial law. Vidro gives them valuable information on a family in Flairwind that may help them gather intel in Atlas.

They learn that there are rebel groups not just in Atlas, but ones in Apolis, Flairwind, and Parakis. The orc says they need to unite these rebel groups as one but the main issue is that Atlas has been on lockdown, making communication with these groups hard to do. The group further explains the hardship the people of Atlas have suffered since the martial law was imposed.

Lockwood ascends the spiral staircase and notices guard upon guard upon guard as she makes her way up towards the commander's chamber. She is met by a guard who informs her she must surrender her weapons and be handcuffed to avoid casting any spell. She agrees to surrender her weapons but does not wish to comply with the demand to be handcuffed. She questions why the First Lord would be so worried about his own safety against her and to renege on his honor to allow her to meet him at equal standing. They insist it is for matters of safety and that she will have to make do with a blade next to her neck. They then escort her in where she meets the First Lord Tarren himself.

Lockwood demands to know what is the meaning of all the carnage in Atlas. He explains that he wishes for Atlas to stop fighting and that it is in the middle of a two-front war with the Blight and the Stormlord. He says it is his duty as the First Lord to recruit people to die in a war he does not know even exists. He says he knows full well the guilt as he tells parents that their sent-off sons and daughters are still alive. He continues to comply nonetheless at the order of Parliament and to protect the walls. He however has questioned why he is sending civilians off to their deaths. He is skeptical of the Blight and the purpose of any war. He says he imposed martial law to give purpose to "war" and to bring people back to the city. He disagrees with the commandship of his fellow Second Lord Haru. Lockwood is baffled by the seeming sheer incompetence at the high level of Atlantean leadership.

First Lord Tarren continues to explain his rationale behind martial law and his desire for the people of Atlas to live. He says all he may control is order, not policy. He disagrees with the policy but he is doing what he is allowed to do to save lives. He says he does not have authority to recall soldiers back to avoid their almost certain deaths. The spartans outside are not the First Lord's men and are contracted by an outside army with Parliament.

Lockwood and the First Lord have a heated discussion as there seems to be a misunderstanding between them.

The private army outnumber Atlas 20-to-1 and those who remain are untrained, while the rest of the Atlantean military are far-off in distant lands. Lockwood tries to suggest a solution in her perspective but the First Lord disagrees, saying her plans are suicidal.

The First Lord explains he has been the one ensuring the resistance is not to be snuffed out in order to prevent more deaths. After they have said their peace, the meeting is over.

Lockwood is then escorted out and as she makes her way out of the streets, she is met by the headhunter from the resistance, who leads them to her crewmates.

There, they are in agreement to join the resistance and to go after the Parliament. They agree to assemble an all-star team composed of different squads for each major town in the Atlantean Empire. They are to reach out to each of the towns' resistance groups. They have one week to execute the mission or the group will storm the gates of Atlas to take hands into their own hands from Parliament. They form the resistance group formally, name pending.

Pravuil and Vidro then are teleported to Parakis to reach out to the resistance group there. They are led through a tunnel to a teleportation circle. They notice they are underneath the bustling streets of Atlas and as they walk, Vidro understands mentally to keep track of the distance of how far they go through the tunnel, he knows that they are near the harbor. As they descend further down, they notice low-quality armored guards. They go through a trapdoor and hear the sounds of a tavern above. They are introduced to the group's court mage. Their escort asks if they need anything before they depart to Parakis. They say they do not. They then enter the tavern and the butcher greets them in the Salty Shores Tavern and are instructed to sit by a corner table with a red napkin there.

As they sit, a server places down plates of food and tells them that the food is on the house. Vidro inspects the food and purifies it, and determines that it is not poisonous. Pravuil prays during Vidro's purification process. After eleven minutes, they start to eat. A caned gentleman sits next to them and then they hear a voice in their heads. This man tells them that they cannot see the court mage but they can see them. He tells them that they are to be agents sent to Parakis. He informs them that the resistance group is located in a church there and that although the crew has their back, they cannot help them immediately, but if they do this, the Queen will be them. He tells them that the Queen has been secretly imprisoned and that Parliament is responsible for this. He tells them that Parakis is a remote village, relatively isolated. However, it is Atlas's breadbasket, responsible for most of the empire's agriculture. He tells them that one of his old teachers, Zetis, is a point of contact they must meet when they arrive to Parakis. Vidro requests the man to cast a sending to Reyen Goldscribe, to let him know and the rest of the crew that Pravuil and Vidro are safe. The man then sends the casting. Reyen indirectly responds back that they may do what they must do, reminding them that they are still months from the Wildlands. They are then informed to hold hands, click a ring given to them, and be ready to be teleported. A bright blue light flashes and they are then teleported to Parakis.

They then smell the scent of grain and earthy dirt. They find themselves surrounded by beautiful forestry with wildlife in abundance, including birds and deer. It is dusk. They see in the distance a quaint village with white-colored walled buildings and merchants milling about. They take a moment to appreciate the landscape's beauty before they head towards the village of Parakis. Vidro casts Phantom Seed and suddenly, a black phantom horse is summoned. They then ride the horse. Pravuil casts a Death Ward on Vidro as a safety measure.

As they ride, they approach a river filled with people on boats, carrying cargo. Then they arrive in the village and see half-plated guards with spears who are patrolling the streets. The guards do not take any mind of them as they continue about. They notice that Parakis is a tight-knit, well-spoken community who are busying about, minding their own business. Vidro uses his observation haki to locate a denser mass of population and is able to hear a hymnal chanting in the distance. Vidro follows after the source of this sound and Pravuil follows. They then arrive to a church, which Pravuil immediately recognizes as one that he has seen in his dreams. Pravuil, in a trance-like state, begins to walk towards the church.

They find people stepping in an urgent manner who cover up their faces as they enter the building. Those who are armed lay down their weapons by the doors. As they approach the church, it seems that the building enlarges in size and perception of it seems to be illusory. Pravuil notices Celestial text and it reads "The Pantheon" which is devoted to multiple gods. He is displeased. Vidro meanwhile feels a chilling feeling from his haki as this place seems to be familiar. Vidro winces in pain. He has an uncanny feeling that this archway seems to be familiar. As they step forth towards the hallway, they see well-dressed guards with white capes. They stand with blue-crested swords who keep guard of the church's armory. They are informed that this is a place of worship and that all weapons should be surrendered in the armory if they wish to proceed. They comply and are ushered in. They find themselves in an encircled room filled with icons and statutes dedicated to various gods. Vidro looks up and sees many men with crossbows. They notice in the dead center of the room is a spherical, radiating, golden ball with various writings that keeps changing. Pravuil inspects the sphere while Vidro walks around to eavesdrop on the worshippers. Vidro hears a lot of religious talk but also hears tales and stories that this church is a place meant to stop religious warfare by uniting religion as one. They find that in worshipping any god, they are nonetheless unified in worship. He learns that it was founded by Titus and Raul. He also learns that Salabaster is training his troops.

Pravuil notices that some of the letters are lighting up black and gold. He picks up three words: Curse, Betrayer, End. He then hears a voice to the right of him. He finds a female paladin with her sword down who is also peering into the ball. She tells him that no one has been able to read it. She says that the relic speaks to one and only one, and no two people gets the same message. She says it is more than the gods speaking, but fate and the universe telling what one is. She says that this place of worship where one feels, rather than who believes. She says she was brought here by Titus and saved her. She says he is not necessarily kind but is a man who must carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. She says her name is Bailey and he says his name is Anradeem Pravuil. She recognizes his family name and says she had read about his ancestor, Artorious. Pravuil and Vidro meet up again and they confer, agreeing that they must seek the man named Titus. They walk out of the grand chamber and step forward into a hallway that leads to various rooms. They walk down the hall and they find three rooms. One room is heavily guarded and unsure what it leads to. The room straight ahead is filled with a great crowd of congregants. To the left, they find a room entitled the "Shrine for All" with various worshippers. Pravuil and Vidro splits.

Pravuil, entering the Shrine for All, notices that worshippers who enter phasing in as almost spirit-like. As Pravuil steps in, he enters a room and notices rows of pews. As he steps in, the room morphs and a holy light shines brightly, and then suddenly becomes more dark and grim. He starts to hear whispers and dark entities dancing around which take form. Pravuil suddenly finds himself in a much different area. He finds himself alone. Pravuil casts spirit guardians but immediately they are snuffed out. A voice suddenly speaks "Your god is not here". The voice tells him that this shrine is a room to find his god. It tells him that he is Anradeem Pravuil, who carries the blade of his family. Two swords suddenly appear. The choice to embrace his family legacy or to become a blade of darkness for his god. He prays but he is unable to reach his god. Pravuil ultimately decides to choose his family and lightness. The dark temple suddenly becomes consecrated and filled with brilliant sunlight and feels a sense of warmth radiating. He feels lighter and is able to breathe better. He feels holiness and the sun shines brighter and the ground begins to evaporate. He feels a presence behind him. He turns around and sees a winged beast, a figure descending down before him. The angelic being nods at him and she says, "I am the Arbiter, you wish to ascend. Bring back the Pravuil name. It is by my decreed, by my eyes, you are worthy of such a feat. I will be watching you. I will be reporting you. And when the time comes, you face judgment." She says she will excise the darkness within him. He senses her as she lays a gauntlet and thumb against his chest, and his veins start coursing through and his wings springing out and wings sprouting in gold. His pain suddenly becomes purified and feeling open, powerful. As the wings retreat back, the entity pulls her hand out and says he is now approved. She says it can be revoked by his actions. If his wings turn white, he has become pure. If his wings turn black, he has become corrupted. She asks him if he wishes to be his family's god's blade or speaker. He chooses to be his god's blade and his vision then recedes back to reality.

Vidro heads in the great crowd of congregants and pushes through the crowd. He finds himself in a great chamber of people assembled. He sees two main figures at the center of the room. One of them, he notices, is floating with aasimar wings and a sword orbiting around him. He is filled with holy light. The other person has his back turned to the aasimar and remains steadfastly looking forward towards a shrine. He appears more as a dark knight.

Vidro infers that the aasimar is 7 feet in height while the dark knight is 9 feet. The aasimar speaks, "No, the time is now, we have set around, let injustice spread around the people. We must fight, we must take the war now". The other figure grabs a relic and says, "And to what end, Raul? We would be fighting a war based on our beliefs, not the beliefs of the war. How many will die in the sake of our name? We will leave this place undefended, and with that, our people will be undefended. I hear your intentions, you are right, there is a call to arms, but we are not an army. We are not conquerors. We will leave our people here and you and I will descend forth. You and me are what makes this place defended. Either we bring everyone or no one. We all must fight in this holy war. My god has declared so."

"Gods are not allowed in our affairs. They may champion us and arm us. You remember the last time when a god intervened?" the aasimar says. He then addresses to the great crowd and informs the people of the Pantheon to be prepared, should they decide to pursue holy war. A cleric then appears and informs everyone to recess and return to their chambers for the time being, before a decision by Titus and Raul is made. Vidro notices Raul inspecting the relic while Titus flying off. One of the onlookers explains Vidro about the holy war that was being discussed. The onlooker informs him that Apolis has recently attacked the church and worshippers had been slain. Mechagon had started the war who believed that their idea of religion is the only true one. Vidro asks if he knows anything about the resistance. The onlooker says the resistance does not factor much into this holy war. Vidro tries to speak to a guard who is about to dismiss him, but Titus beckons them and Pravuil to come before him. They stand before Titus and Raul.

Vidro explains their state of business regarding what has happened in Atlas. He tells the two that there is a resistance there against Parliament. He tells them they were told that they had to come to Parakis to seek an alliance. Raul explains they left Atlas because of its corruption. He said they tried to plead with the people but they ignored them because of their beliefs. Vidro explains time has changed and everyone should be given a second chance. Raul asks Vidro sees the beauty in religion and that it has a code, an oath one holds, not only to one's self, but to their enemies as well, both foolish and wise. His religion is of justice and mercy, meted out equally. It is his duty to protect the people of Atlas under the tyranny they now face. However, his men are warriors and knights who fight war and what Vidro proposes is a rebellion that is in secret. They are not warriors of stealth but one of open combat. Vidro explains the situation further and convinces the two to join in their force. Raul informs them that Atlas must offer sanctuary for religious believers and they shall consecrate a temple to the Pantheon. He then informs Vidro that he is marked and used to be associated with this church. He shifts his hand and helps Vidro remember. Childhood memories rush in as he hears a woman screaming for help before the church's front archway. He finds his child self brought before a room of clerics standing before him. He finds blood oozing from his body and his eyes darken back to Raul. Raul tells him he has been here before. Vidro denies that these memories are his. Raul asks what has caused him to be so forgetful and ignorant. Vidro is then transported to another memory as a child. A young elven girl passes the ball to him. He hears another voice telling her not to speak to her brother that way. He picks up the ball. He is brought back to his senses. Pravuil attempts to console Vidro. Pulsating memories pierce through him as he winces in pain. Pravuil casts lesser restoration on Vidro and the pain suddenly dissipates. Vidro faints and Pravuil is commanded to heal him. He brings him back up. Raul informs him that Vidro is not ready to face the truth of his past yet and if he is to know now, it would kill him. Nonetheless, he must ultimately learn and face the truth gradually. He is informed to control himself or to be forever lost in his way. As they walk away, Vidro is stricken with more pain and as Pravuil attempts to lead him away. Suddenly, swords flash and Titus stops him. He tells Pravuil that he recalls the day when Vidro came and a woman came with him. No signs of his parents. Vidro had come in injured, cut, and burned. He tells him that he was there that day, 350 years. Vidro is much older than one would expect. One of the people who lived before the Harrowing. Once he was healed, he was sent to a family to be adopted. Pravuil asks what could be the source of his forgetfulness and pain. Raul says it is possibly a curse, one that is fatal, and that they are cast by the Nightingales. Children are taken at an early age and that their leader, Cypher, chairs a coalition opposed to them. Raul informs Pravuil that the Nightingale wishes to bring about the Blight and that Parliament wants the war to end because they wish to see the Blight to win. Mechagon is dedicated to a religion of destruction. He learns that gods used to mingle with mortals, and a mortal decided to rise to the power of a deity as a godslayer and declared the mortal plane to be a sanctuary opposed to the gods. This figure became worshipped, even by the Stormlord himself. This being is evoked only by wrath and darkness, and when called onto power, it can cast great power. Raul proposes that Mechagon be baited into conceding their divine powers. Vidro, of elven descent, lives for many generations, and the elves live within the Wildlands, and this is where Vidro's village could possibly be. Druids also live a long time and an elf-druid can live up to 7,000 years. Raul suspects his village is underneath the tides where the Old World prior to the Harrowing still exists. He says he witnessed for himself that the world before the Harrowing was flooded. Pravuil asks more inquisitively and asks if Raul knows about the signs and the Zodiac. The Zodiac wishes for possession of the Dreamwell. It is not a well but a machine, unparalleled in power to grant wishes. Some believe that the Dreamwell belonged to the King of the Stars to send it down to annihilate the world. Others believe it is an act of faith so that humanity would have the tools and paths to emancipate themselves and purge the great evil that seeks to destroy them. The signs are beginning to wake up and may begin to ravage about. Time is of the essence. He informs them about Aldrin and how Pravuil has perhaps been called to be his people's savior. Raul pleads him to stay loyal and faithful, and to be a dispatch of justice. He tells Pravuil that he may one day be called upon as an angel for their god one day. He tells him to tend Vidro and let him inform the Resistance to ring the bells seven times. Pravuil asks if they know of the Spartans and whom they owe their allegiance to. He asks if they wish to take up the roles of ambassadors to unite the factions. He agrees to form a partnership with them and that they may call upon the strongest paladins, but are in need of the strongest druids, mages, and rogues.

Pravuil is then guided back to Vidro who is being stirred awake again. He observes the clerics tending to him. Pravuil informs him what he had learned. Vidro, in deep denial, phases away and tries to locate Heather. He senses that Heather is nearby, perplexed, he sees a feather slowly float down. He hears Heather walking up to him, masked, appearing much older than usual, and she tilts her head, speaking, "So is your little dysfunction over yet?" Vidro says it isn't and she saunters over the rooftop and she casts magic, and floats about playfully. She flicks him and teases him. He says he is in disbelief he is 350 years old. Heather says he may be biologically 30 years old but must have been suspended for chronological centuries. She tells him what their organization has been feeling since Vidro betrayed them. She says she had left herself. He tells her he did not defect on his own but because they had betrayed him first. Vidro says he had believed they were meant for the greater good but they turned out to be a farce. She tells him they were told they were for the greater good, but it turned out to be the good for them. She says she knows he is plotting for the demise of the shadow government and was sent to spy on the Stormlord. She says there is a mage there who taught her all that there is know to be skilled at stealth and spying. Vidro says he was worried for her and thought Aldrich cared for them. She says it was his mistake to believing so. He informs her that he had seen Aldrich recently and he has gone down the wrong path. She says she has seen many people seeking to escape the organization and desiring to stand up against the organization they once belonged. Vidro turns down her implied offer that he take the charge and lead. She says she already has thirty people who are willing to join their cause and have defected or will defect. She says she knows he is part of a crew sailing the seas and will not try to force him to take upon such obligations. He tells her when he first stepped foot in Parakis, he felt unnatural here and realized he never took the time to appreciate the smaller things. He contemplates retirement but says he cannot do that while the Nightingales are after him. He wonders who is next after they had defeated the Jesters. She says only one of the Jesters survived of course, but if he wishes for a new life, she has a spell for him that can do just the trick. She says she can turn him into a new people and it is up to him if he wishes to preserve his memories and live an entirely new life. She says he would have to leave his crew but he would be free to do whatever he desires. Vidro says that he was always the butt of jokes in his crew but says while it may be in jest, it is true. He is bad with interacting with other people and may know how to act around people, he does not know how to build an actual relationship with them. She says this is typical for those who were reared under the Nightingales. She says someone will step up eventually to take up the helm to defy the Nightingales and understand Vidro's hesitation. She acknowledges his track record and would not contest if he chose to live a life of peace. He tells her he already died twice and how he does not wish to ever cross paths against the Stormlords again. He says that his crew is planning to confront the Stormlord again. She asks why he chooses to stay with them if they are taking down this path. He says emotions are a difficult thing. She says he may feel these conflicting feelings but something is not right, but that there is an inner strength nonetheless to bear this. She says it is up to him to decide what path he takes.

He decides he will discover the truth of his origins and to stick with his crew. She says if he does this, he will close the door of opportunity to live a quiet life and peace. She then tells him that there will be a large war in Atlas and it is their opportunity to sneak in there and let them in during the state of confusion. She says she has ears within to let them in. Vidro reminds her that the Watcher is allied with the Grand Admiral and remains bitter that the Watcher attempted to kill him. Heather is unsure why he would do such a thing, but does not spend too much time to ponder. She wonders why Vidro means so much to Cypher and jokes perhaps he is not so important after all. He then hugs her and she tenses up, not being used to hugs. She then disappears into a bundle of feathers. One of the feathers, purple-colored, lands in his hair and as he watches the night sky, he sees shooting stars land and he wonders what life would have been like if he settled down. Perhaps, he would have been an artificer, a food vendor, a cook, an author, or a shop owner. He then hears a guard cry out to tell him to climb down the building.

He returns to the town and observes the people, including a book-reading cat. He chances upon a fisherman on a boat. He smells raw tobacco and fish. He notices the name "Akula" inscribed on his shoulder. He calls upon him and takes notice of his tattoo. The fisherman says that Akula is his hero and says he looks up to him. He asks if Akula is still alive and he says that Akula will be the king of sharks and all hunters look up to him. He says that if he is ever interested in seeing him, he will be found in the Sea of Fallen Stars. The fisherman returns back to his business. He notices an artificer shop and a dwarf working on gadgets and tools there. The dwarf is working on contraptions that are much similar to Vidro's own smoke bombs. The dwarf, smoking a pipe, asks why Vidro is staring at him. Vidro pulls out a smoke bomb much like the dwarf's, which the dwarf calls "apple pies". He says he will be sending these off to Atlas to aid the resistance. The dwarf is an aspiring artificer and is basing the apple pies on a patent created by Ryul, submitted by Flynn. Vidro decides to conceal his identity, offering only his lesser known surname.

Pravuil finds Vidro and they talk, as Vidro contemplates his life. Pravuil offers him words of encouragement, appearing more tolerant and understanding than ever before. As they talk, Vidro suddenly experiences a moment of clarity and notices visions. He finds himself in a cavern with sunlight barely peaking through. He is surrounded by cultists and one of them stabs themselves as blood drips down. He sees hundreds of the cultists offering blood into the stone they surround. He sees a figure rises up who burns through the seals encasing it. He sees two wings sprout out. As it grabs the stones, he sees it is 20-feet in height around the surviving cultists and behind it, he sees an object light up as the figure turns around. The worshipper praise the figure's resurrection and the figure draws its swords and slashes towards Vidro. He is violently sent back to his senses. He realizes that he has witnessed the resurrection of the sign of Scorpio.

They are then approached by a black-haired woman, dressed in roses, who asks how they are doing. Pravuil explains to them that they have secured an alliance with the Pantheon. They are then whisked back towards Atlas as they find themselves surrounded by commoners arming themselves and preparing for rebellion. They see Atlas now in a full of state of rebellion and revolution. Throngs of people fight. They find themselves back in the tavern they had been sent, seeing the leadership of the resistance huddled, discussing their plans. They are welcomed again and are informed they must ready their crew to join the fight.

Featured characters

Player characters

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