6/30/2024 -- Operation Regroup 2

Season Three, Session 1 – Knewidi, 9th 715AR (6/30/2024)

STARRING: Andreas (AN), Angel (A), Bee (B), Bob (BOB), Charon (C), Corania (CO), Crane (CR), Fidelis (F) Koilos (K), Magion (M), Margeaux (MA), Radavon (R), Seth (S), Thomas (T), Zey (ZE)

• Where we start, here, is as all of you tumble through the Cosmic Stack. All around you are flashes of light and noise as you make your way through countless untold dimensions. Eventually, everything stops, growing still. You all look around, and find yourselves inside a realm with a light blue sky above you. In the distance there are mesas, rolling desert that has been punctured by the sudden appearance of a massive Ring. Now, as you all look, that ever ceaseless rain stops. Those clouds no longer over you. The water a distant memory. Here, in this place now, it is beginning to grow dark. Actually, now it is about sunset. And now those of you who have survived find yourselves still on the battlefield, in the aftermath, minus Andreas and Seth. What are you doing?
• Thomas collapses to his knees. He looks like a puppet without strings, head hung low, hands in his lap. The hand with his Torvian is smoking, looking almost burnt with all of the magical energy you forced through it. Your fingers are tight and tense, like they are hard to move. You took yourself to the extreme. You set out what you wanted to do, but at a great cost.
• Fidelis gathers people around, making sure that physically people are doing mostly okay.
• Zey offers Thomas a hand, to at least bring him back inside the walls. Thomas does not acknowledge him, but does not stop Zey from moving him.
• Ki stands up, finding Bee.
  • “Okay, Bee– are you okay?” – K
    • She nods.
  • “I think we need to regroup. I’m– I… I don’t think Ari is here, but I know Claudia is still back at camp. Is there anything you wanted to do before we go back?” – K
    • Bee shakes her head, and follows her.
• As you drag yourselves back in, you see that there are many casualties. Many dead. Destruction here having been vast. Of course, missing many of the leaders that you once knew. However, going forward you would also see, dragging himself out of the rubble, one Lord of Calamis, Magion. He surveys all of us.
  • “Hm. Ugh. Very well, all of you survived. This is good.” – M
    • “Yes, quite a few of us were… sent elsewhere it seems, though.” – K
  • “Yes. By a devil.” – T
• Magion slowly looks to Thomas.
  • “Where have you sent them?” – M
    • “I needed them to be safe. I didn’t care where.” – T
  • “Hm.” – M
• Magion walks over to you, placing a hand on your shoulder.
  • “I see. You’ve done well. Would you care to join us at the meeting? There is much we must discuss about our current situation. But… seems like you’ve been through a lot, Soldier. Perhaps rest is in order?” – M
    • “I’ll come. I don’t know how much help I’ll be though.” – T
  • “Can someone take this man, Thomas, is it? To the infirmary. Just get him patched up. We don’t need him keeling over after channeling that much magic.” – M
    • Zey obliges.
  • “Very well. Zey, is it? Meet us in the main command room in two hours.”
    • “Understood.” – ZE
    • He assists Thomas to the infirmary, giving him the healing he can offer.
• At this moment, Magion turns back to the rest of us.
  • “If any of you ever do something like that again, I will throw you into the deepest darkest dungeon I can possibly create. Do you understand?” – M
    • “Yes.”
  • “Good. Do not break a Ring. Do not make deals with Devils. Ugh.” – M
    • “Um… I may have, uh, a deal with a devil that will be a problem in six or seven days.” – A
  • “Which devil.” – M
    • “Bob.” – A
  • “You have to be kidding me.” – M
    • “...no. Um. I had to bargain for a little more time, but on the 16th my time in this body will be up, and… I don’t know what going back to my old body will do to me.” – A
  • “Mhm. Right. I see. And if you go back to your old body, will there be a swapping? Of souls.” – M
    • “I think the owner of this body would get it back. If I happen to die before that happens then… Bob gets this body for a while.” – A
  • “I see. I see. So what you are telling me, is in seven days you take a spiritual breadcrumb trail no matter what unless we deal with one of the most cunning and conniving beings in the Cosmic Stack. Is this correct?” – M
    • “Yes.” – A
  • “Everything is terrible here and I hate it. You. Ugh. I cannot determine whether you are more of a threat as Althara or what you are now. Okay. Another bridge to cross when we get to it. We also must know the exact terms of the deal with Mister Blithe.” – M
  • Charon warns him of the Niorax problem.
    • “Inside of you is Niorax. Is he trapped in some way? Watching everything. I see. If Niorax gets out he has an accurate account of everything we know, and everything I have said to all of you.” – M
  • Charon details their creation, and their ability to rewrite. And also having met Varuz. Magion blinks once at Charon.
    • “Right. The Betrayer. I do have knowledge of them. You meeting them is… not the greatest scenario for us. Well. Fidelis, please tell me you have better news.” – M
      • “Bob has a personal assistant here in camp.” – F
  • “Personal assistant. To the Broker of Despair. Well, I have things I must go attend to. We will all meet in the meeting room shortly. I will see each and every one of you there. Don’t. Make. Things. Worse.” – M
  • Ki raises her hand, Magion stops in his tracks and slowly turns to look at her.
    • “Um, well, I-I’m… I believe you already know all the details with me, Ari, and Bee. Is that correct?” – K
  • “I do. Yes. I was briefed.” – M
    • “The only real update on that is I believe Ari is– was taken. And is still with Zolona. But I don’t know the exact nature of what is going on for him now.” – K
  • “I see. The Emperor's Eyes Thalagar then. It is gone?” – M
    • “Yes.” – K
  • “If we are dealing with a missing body and the most powerful Thalagar in existence, that is what I need to know now. This is triage. We stand at the precipice of the dimensions coming under the rule of Titanic powers.” – M
    • “Speaking of Titanic Powers…” – F
  • “By the High Gods.” – M
    • “There are practitioners of a Titanic magic known as Ligiomancy in the camp.” – F
  • “Where?!” – M
    • “In the camp.” – F
  • “Just walking around?” – M
    • “Yes sir. They are, as far as we know, on our side.” – F
  • “Ugh. Okay. Right. Anything. Else. How. Deep. Are we, in, forgive me, in this heaping pile of excrement.” – M
    • “Radavon is here, in the Prison.” – ?
  • “Radavon Raze?!” – M
    • “Yeah…” – ?
  • “He is trapped?” – M
    • “I think it’s–” – ?
    • “That might be a strong word.” – ?
  • “The Umber Prince is walking around?” – M
    • “It seems like he was willingly working with–” – ?
  • “That is bullshit!” – M
• Magion begins walking away. Ki begins following, as she too has business with Radavon.
  • “What are you doing.” – M
    • “If you’re going to find Radavon, I need him to stop doing whatever he is doing to my friend Claudia.” – K
  • “Ugh. I can do that.” – M
• Magion teleports away. Quickly. Like a Material God can.
• Ki invites Bee to go search for the others, particularly Margeaux. She follows.
• As this is occurring, we will cut to a place seemingly so far away. We find ourselves at a little village, at the side of a river. As one Seth begins to slowly wake up. Rising on the banks. Your boots are a little wet, Seth, and as you look around you can see a sign that says:
  • “Welcome to Mudhollow.”
• Seth heads toward the sign. As he stands up, he hears a voice.
  • “I hope that this is to your liking. I thought that you liked places called ‘The Hollow,’” – BOB
  • As you turn around, at first you see an unfamiliar sight. But then you begin to recognize… The suit. The horns. The red flesh. You see the two sets of eyes. The long black hair. And the toothy grin. Seth, you come face to face with Bob. In the flesh.
• “Oh. It’s you again.” – S
  • “Of course, as per my deal with Thomas. So! What do you think? More to your speed? More to your liking? I always try to make sure my clients get the best.” – BOB
  • “My part of the deal was to take you away. To keep you safe. Safety is relative, but you are far far away from your friends and family now. I wonder if your Mother is okay, Seth.” – BOB
    • Seth transforms, angry.
  • “Ohoho. You poor poor thing. The Titans are free. I have regained my form. I don’t have to listen to the rules now.” – BOB
    • He snaps his fingers. He is forcibly transformed back into his normal self.
  • “Ohhh…” – BOB
    • He lifts a hand, and you begin to rise.
  • “Hm. I can do whatever I want now. Because here’s the thing about contracts, Seth, breaking them only matters if there's consequences. And there are no more strings on me. Hmhm.” – BOB
    • “What, so are you going to kill me now?” – S
  • “Well what is the fun in that?” – BOB
    • He flicks his fingers, and you fall down. Hitting the ground.
  • “Why kill you. The despair of you being stuck here as the Brigade wallows and suffers. Delectable.” – BOB
    • “Don’t worry. I’ll get out of here.” – S
  • “You can try, but I am also at liberty to keep you here myself. I hold all of the cards.” – BOB
    • “I refuse to be your prisoner here. I will escape.” – S
  • “You don’t have a choice! Don’t you see? None of you have a choice anymore. You’ve already made all of your choices, and your choices have led to despair. Now… I am the one who gets to make the choices. And do you know what I choose, Seth? I. Choose. Nothing! You see this whole little conflict, I’ve realized since the start, that if I could just get to this point… I’ve already won. You see, whichever side wins, it will be so terribly broken. Taken out at the knees. Mm. They won’t be able to manage anything. Let the Titans win. Let the Gods succeed. What follows next is the Age of the Infernals.” – BOB
    • NOW PLAYING: LILITH'S CHOIR
  • “You stay here. Run in place. You’ll keep me fed until that time comes, I’m sure. I require so little now. Now that I am full. Whole. Me.” – BOB
• The lower set of eyes, Seth, bright green with horizontal irises like a goat, focus on you. And there is a true malice in those eyes.
  • “So what now, are you just going to watch me?” – S
    • “Perhaps. Unless of course… you wish to make a deal.” – BOB
  • “Yeah, no.” – S
    • “Hm. Then good luck, Seth. Have fun in the mud.” – BOB
• Bob disappears in a burst of fire.
• “Is he serious? I can’t get out of here?” – S
  • As you say this, you look around. You don’t see the spirit. Then you see a small floating ball of red infernal fire with a tiny wolf trapped in it.
    • “Help. Help me, please.” – SPIRIT

• We cut back to the camp. Jonah is sorry.
• So, Ki and Bee. You are heading to find Margeaux?
• As you make your way through, both of you make physical or mental checks.
  • Bee – 4
  • Ki – 2
• Bee, you are the one who begins to look around, trying to look first at the survivors. Those who are unscathed. Then you look through those of the casualties. You don’t find her amongst the dead, but you find her in a medical tent. It seems like she suffered a bad leg injury, and is propped up on a cot. As she sees you coming, she sighs.
  • “You both lived.” – MA
    • “Oh Margeaux.” – K
• Ki runs in for a hug, she winces. It is good to see her too.
  • “God, I… I’m so glad that you’re okay. Well, alive at least.” – K
    • “Right. What happened? Where are we?” – MA
  • “Thomas broke the Ring in half. So many people got teleported out of here.” – K
    • “The Ring? It– it fully broke. Okay.” – MA
  • “And uh… Sin. Got us out of there. I think we… blew through the Cosmic Stack. But I think… Sin’s dead.” – K
• Margeaux blinks a few times.
  • “Yeah. That makes sense. I feel… not whole. Like something’s missing.” – MA
    • “I’m sorry.” – K
  • “So. Have we escaped them? Are we safe here?” – MA
    • “I think for now. Magion is holding a meeting in a few minutes in the Command Building. It is definitely a shitshow. But, hopefully we can get it back together.” – K
  • “Right. Right.” – MA
    • “Would you like to join the meeting? I can carry you.” – K
  • “I don’t really want to go anywhere. I have a hole in my leg.” – MA
    • “We’re going to rush to the meeting. Once it’s over I’ll give you a full recap.” – K
  • “Okay. Well. I’ll be waiting here, can’t really go far.” – MA
  • Ki promises to bring a deck of cards for Bunker Mole, and she sighs in exasperation.
• You make it inside just as the meeting is beginning. Inside is Magion, Mace Crane, and Corania. Fidelis sits next to Corania. Magion gives Ki and Bee a nod.
• “So. We have escaped the forces of the Titans thanks to the efforts of those seated here. But we have done so at a great cost. Currently the Dark Star has manifested within the High God formerly known as Ishin. Now… whatever it is is a far cry from a High God, certainly. We have, at the moment, no supplies, no medicine, morale is at an all time low, and our intelligence of the area is miniscule at best. So. We must devise courses of actions. Firstly, I would like to bring up to the group that our number one priority should be the blooming of the Tree of Change. The acquisition of the Solandis flower is now, more than ever, a necessity. If only to use it to break the Pact of the Twelfth. I suppose now that the Vitality War must truly begin in earnest. Do you all understand?” – M
  • Angel asks about the Pact of the Twelfth.
• “Ah, yes. Well I suppose we can speak openly and honestly now. The Pact of the Twelfth occurred after the end of the first Titanic War. It was done due to the newfound weaknesses of the High Gods, now upon further examination and upon meetings with the Maiden, the pact was done due to the fall of Ishin to the dark powers of the Titans, and the Dark Star. The High Gods made a pact. A series of Meropian seals to hide them away at the bounds of reality, making it so that they couldn’t directly act. Could not directly manifest into our world. Limiting their connection, their interactions, to all but the most grave of events. The manifestations that they could make made under a series of cosmic bindings so strict, so tight, that it allowed for almost no interaction with the mortals in the realm, but more so it was to keep it so the High Gods themselves could not be touched, could not be corrupted, in the same way their brethren, or Ishin had. Now, this pact has served them well over the years, as they have had agents to enact their will through their signs and signals while they have been able to maintain the universal concepts without much interference, without any interference. Now, this non-direct approach is their downfall. As, of course, with the Titans rising, and a true Being with the powers of a High God, and the intent of the Dark Star about, I believe that now only a Material God of significant power and strength could stand mere moments against what Ishin is. And to even begin to beat Ishin and Zolona and the rest… it will require a… loosening. I don’t believe the breaking of the pact is possible with just one Solandis flower. But a loosening. Yes. That just might be possible. Ugh. Now, I suppose we begin to reach our goals at the end of the day. The plan for the Solandis flower is as follows: to enter into the Sanctum of Elthrendil, find out what the tree is not flowering, and cause it to flower. Then, once we take this flower, we will conduct a ritual of unbinding with it to warp the nature of reality. This warping should allow us to undo the chains and binds of, ideally, one High God. With it, we will bring forth the Unknown Twelfth, and have them slay Ishin. Or, save them, if at all possible. This is the new mission of the Brigade. Do you understand?” – M
• “Very well. Now it can be argued that what we are doing is a divine sin, but Sin is no longer here. We hold right and wrong in our own hands now. I let you know this because what we seek to do has long been considered impossible, but in order to save the Cosmic Stack we will have to do just that. So. Now I suppose we talk about, as well, how we survive until we are able to do the impossible.” – M

• As Magion begins to talk, we cut once again. Andreas. You are in a dark place. Floating amongst great sheets of universal stars. As you’re here, you feel no temperature. You smell no smells. It is this… cold, almost empty sensation. But far off in the distance you are able to see… what appears to be this large shadowed figure. Maybe many light years away. Watching you from amongst the sheets of stars and galaxies.
• Andreas waves at the figure, shouting a greeting. His voice does not echo here. In fact, you watch as it seems to die and be taken by the surrounding nature of this area. Andreas presumes he did not get the figures' attention. He isn’t sure if there is much else out here, besides the stars.
  • PHYS CHECK – 2 Successes
• You look around, your eyes trying to adjust, in the distance you see a weird flickering star amongst the scape. You look further out, and you can see maybe… planets. Turning. There is so much here, Andreas. You’re not sure what to focus on, so you take your time, slowly moving your head around this space– taking in each successive star. To your embarrassment, it takes you a while before you see… the individual floating behind you. They wear white, Andreas. And have piercing blue eyes. A woman gazes into you. With intent. She opens her mouth to speak.

• We return. At this point, Corania stands.
  • “Thank you for the eloquence, Magion, and for finally at least being semi-not-obtuse. But now we must get to the matter of survival here. Currently the infrastructure in this area is… we will say lacking. Now, I have members of my Church present that have knowledge about the overall, uh, nature of civil engineering, but we will need to employ many more. Likely most of the force here in Widowstone will have to be reserved for purifying water, the acquisition of food, rebuilding of basic utilities, even things as simple as heating sources are of our utmost importance now. But, this is something I’m sure Speaker Fidelis will be able to walk you through at a different time. Is this right, Speaker?” – CO
    • “Yes, ma’am.” – F
  • “Now. We must look to the future. As, number one, venturing into the dungeon will require resources behind. Adventurers and those who probe the long forgotten tombs and crypts require more resources than your average mercenary or sellsword. They must be able to be self-sufficient and have lighting, rope, and rations. We will have to construct an economy on the surface in Widowstone Keep. But I believe it is even greater than this, you see given basic calculations– Widowstone Keep cannot remain here forever. While an incredible amount of force was used in its transportation, we will have to do so again. Likely soon. I do not believe that a High God, or whatever Ishin is, will be held back for long. She will probe every part of the Cosmic Stack looking for every trace of us. Civilization breeds fire, fire creates smoke, and smoke… well. That leads marauders to your location. Our smoke is that of our magic, of our activities, of our discoveries. Even our minds in the Noosphere. That is another priority we shall have. I have designs for a machine that might be able to thrust us once again through the Cosmic Stack, but we will need to be working tirelessly for it. It will require at least 20-30 days of labor, we will also need the resources and.. Hm. Rare ones at that. Emeralds, rubies, diamonds, zostrium if we can find it. But, that is still a necessity. So. All of you must be prepared to help in this endeavor as we must keep running. If the Titans find Widowstone they will surround us, and they will kill us. As the IO cannon is a powerful weapon, and I will be making upgrades to it myself, I believe I can triple its strength. That will still not be enough to dissuade Zolona and the others from attempting to breach our location, especially knowing they have Drach and the Arnyr. Apart from this as well, we must run into the matter of our missing compatriots. Balek Bones, Cordell, Helmuth von Grayz, and the Maiden. And many more.” – CO
    • She gives a nod to Thomas.
  • “Now, there have been thoughts and potential plans of the past that we might be able to use in this situation. I could attempt to construct a device to lock onto the specific aetheric signatures of our missing allies and… essentially hook onto them using this device so that we could pull them to our location. Now, this comes with its own host of problems, I’m aware, but problems I think we will nevertheless need to face. And, as well, we should not leave any of our allies behind. They would not do the same for us. So. We have much to build, resources are a must. That is the outlook. As well as, of course, exploring the surrounding area.” – CO
• Mace Crane gives an affirmative grunt.
  • “Yes, the area of this place, it might have other unforeseen dangers. We should send scouting parties to find these rare resources that you look for, as we have already mined everything around the mountains here on Widowstone Keep. We shall set out, take as much as we can from the surroundings before we move.” – CR
• Corania and Magion nod.
  • “Do any of you have any knowhow in the construction of magical items here?” – CO
    • “There is an Artificer down the street named Yamp.” – F
  • Charon states that they are more suited to scribe work.
  • “You’re the one who can rewrite reality, yes? The inscribing of arcane runes into metal is a skill you might be interested in learning. Those claws, are they sharp? Perhaps with your powers and abilities you might be able to help us accelerate our overall processes. If any of you have abilities that can help with the construction of devices or acquisition of resources, please come forward when possible.” – CO
  • “Now I believe it is time to give the floor to all of you. Myself and Corania have only just entered into the Brigade and we would like more of your input if possible.” – M
• Fidelis asks if we know where we are in the Cosmic Stack. This will require time and a scouting expedition. Crane says there are ruins on the mesas here. We can cross reference the databases of the Ard Magos and Corania.
• “What about Radavon?” – K?
  • “Ohoh. Yes. That one.” – M
  • At the moment, you watch as Magion reaches down and pulls out a sack. He opens it to reveal Radavon’s severed head. The severed head blinks.
    • “This is unbecoming, Magion.” – R
  • “Silence, you do not get a body. Umber Princes do not have body privileges.” – M
• “And he won’t be… putting the burden of his thirst on Claudia, anymore?” – K
  • “There is… at one time I would have tortured him relentlessly until he gave up all vestiges of his power, but… in recent decades I have gone on a journey of self discovery. I know that this might seem a bit ironic due to the severing of his head from his body, but he is the Umber Prince. But, there are still vestiges of his power that are tied to others. We will have to solve this problem, or rather, perhaps you will be able to solve this problem. As, from what I also understand given conversations with The Maiden and some mutual aquaintances, the condition of the Umber Prince in the past decade or so has been one of constant torture and thus I feel it would have depreciating results.” – M
    • [Jonah chuckles in the background]
  • “Would you like a tissue, Thomas? I hear you crying.” – M
• Bee asks where the body is. He says many locations.
  • “My thought process was that, if each bone is located in a separate area then it would be significantly harder for the underlying spirit to recongeel. He will, of course, grow back eventually. But thanks to the actions of the Outcast Battalion, Radavon burns in both daylight and moonlight, so any bit of flesh that is exposed to the surrounding environment will be burning. So that will make sure that our dearest guest will regenerate very slowly. And by very slowly I mean he will have his entire body back in about three hours. So. Unfortunately for all of us, I will have to perform this process many times over the course of each day.” – M
    • Bee says she could help, her teeth are very sharp. Magion says this can be her task and she clacks her jaws in happiness.
  • “Ah! Those are sharp jaws. Hm. Perhaps… Now, forgive me if this question is, perhaps, a little forward, but, would you be opposed to potentially Corania fashioning you some sharper teeth?” – M
    • “Magion!” – CO
  • “I feel like it is a reasonable question for our new… shredder.” – M
    • “Now, Magion, perhaps the creation of more weapons–” – CO
  • “We are at war. With Titans. Teeth.” – M
    • Corania takes a long, slow sigh.
    • “Yes. Teeth. Right. Not high on the list of priorities, but we will see if it is possible at some point.” – CO
  • Magion looks over to Bee and gives a nod. “I will make sure you have every tool necessary to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. The same goes for you, Koilos.”
• Bee inquires about the green lightning she produced. Magion knows what green lightning means, and he asks why Bee wants to know this.
  • “Ah. Let me elucidate this for you.” – M

• We cut over to Seth. The Spirit has been trapped by the Devil. They are unsure how Seth could free him.
  • “This devil. He violates divine law! Seth, we must return back to the Tree! You must find a way.” – SPIRIT
    • “I will get you out. You have my word.” – S
• He approaches a young, halfling woman. They are in the country of Gerkis[sic?]
  • “Are you feeling okay…?”
    • “No. I am not.” – S
  • “I can bring you to the local tavern, we can sit you down with some ale and I can get you a real hearty pie–”
    • “Just tell me where I am exactly.” – S
  • He freaks the lady out, asking for the other countries.
    • “I lost my memory. I got hit in the head.” – S
  • “We are near the country of Enord, it is on the border with Gerkis, and far over in the east is the Sea of, well, Glass.”
• Seth begins to brainstorm ways to return to his friends.
• “Connection to the Tree of Primordial Magic, that might be a way.” – SPIRIT
  • “How do I do that.” – S
    • “You’ll have to find a source of strong Primordial magic.” – SPIRIT
  • “How do I sense that?!” – S
    • “I do not know!” – SPIRIT
• Seth attempts a Spirit Check to attempt to locate sources of Primordial magic.
  • SPIRIT CHECK – 5 Successes
• As you are meditating, you are able to look up in the sky and… you see Null, the other Rings above, and the now broken Primordial Ring. It seems like it has just happened. It is dark, at this point people are trying to come to terms with all that is happening. As you meditate, and focus, there are sources of Primordial magic– you still have this link to the Tree of Primordial magic. If you had a way of increasing it somehow, and getting more power, you might be able to try and follow the link to try and recall yourself. It might be dangerous, but that is a possibility.
  • SPIRIT CHECK B1 – 4 Successes
• You come across a burial ground, of what appears to be for Druids. A grove for practitioners of Primordial magic to be laid to rest. Your Spirit grumbles.
  • “There is much power here, Seth. The latent energies… of dozens, maybe hundreds, of those who channeled the Tree like you did…” – SPIRIT
    • “Do you know where?” – S
  • “You’re in a graveyard you idiot. Below your feet!” – SPIRIT
• Sitting down, meditating…
  • SPIRIT CHECK – 5 Successes
• As you focus, eventually, Seth, you start to see these ghostly figures begin to appear all around you. One by one they begin to manifest. You feel that you now have an audience that you have summoned and connected with, as your Primordial Power and your intent has reached out.
  • “Spirits, my friends, I need your help.” – S
    • They are listening.
  • “I have been sent here not by choice, and my friends need my help, and I need your help to get me out.” – S
    • The Spirits begin to make their way closer, a bit intrigued.
  • “I am willing to do anything to get back to help my friends. My spirit friend is trapped. I am willing to learn.” – S
    • He gets on his knees and bows to them.
• As you say this, in the fading light, there is a moment where you take a breath. You pray, you hope, and then you feel a hand on your shoulder, Seth. As you look up… you come face to face with a familiar ghost. You see your brother, standing above you. This pale blue beginning to spiral around. Some of the other Spirits make their way toward you, placing a hand. Your brother gives a nod to you, Seth. Looking at the chest you can see a hole where the heart is missing. Now, this churn of energy, of magic, of Aether, starts to flow out. It starts to fill this surrounding area.
• You are attempting to return to the Primordial Tree, yes?
  • With the Spirit, yes, he cannot leave him behind.
• The energy starts to warp, and twist, you feel the Spirits trying to thrust you back, to have you descend down the Cosmic Stack. But… in this moment, you don’t know if there is enough power here. What are you trying to do to aid the Spirits in your return?
  • MENTAL CHECK – 0 Successes: You don’t know if there is anything you can do alone that will give you enough power to return.
  • It has been awhile since he has used his Blood Awakening. He invokes it, trying to connect with his Spirit and the other Spirits.
• He makes the connection stronger and stronger, as he attempts this Awakening–this is a moment of you trying to connect with the Primordial Tree deeply, at a fundamental level, to bring yourself back. Using the Awakening given to you by the Tree itself, you find that you are drawing power from it innately– from wherever it is. You realize it is not down. You went up the Cosmic Stack. That is what the Tree did. You are able to help redirect the Spirits and the energy in the right way, helping them hone in. As this is happening, Seth, you see Bob appear.
  • “Now Seth… I thought we had this conversation. Where are you going.” – BOB
    • “Home.” – S
  • “Hm. Home? You can’t go home, unless I say you can.” – BOB
    • “I didn’t even do anything to you.” – S
  • “Ohh… but you have. You exist.” – BOB
    • “What is that supposed to mean?” – S
  • “All these mortals… you don’t understand how good you have it.” – BOB
    • “I really don’t, though.” – S
  • “You think that you are free. And yet you bind yourself. All that you are, it disgusts me. And so, at the end of the day, it only makes sense for you to fall to despair. It is your lot in life, it is what you truly want. You don’t want to be happy. You want what I can provide.” – BOB
    • “Can I ask you a question, Bob?” – S
  • “Of course.” – BOB
    • “What is it that you want?” – S
  • “Ohh… What a question indeed. Hm. Many would assume that I crave power. But I think you know that’s not it.” – BOB
    • NOW PLAYING: HELLISH TORTURE
  • “What I want, Seth, is a world that operates correctly. That operates with all of the subtle beautiful nuances, a world that doesn’t break. You must only look around and see all the failings. But I will not fail, no. With me at the helm… I will bring the Cosmic Stack into beautiful order. And I will sit back, and I will be content, as every creature has its lot perfectly balanced. Perfectly calibrated. “ – BOB
    • “And what do you think I am trying to do?” – S
  • “You. You are attempting to find what you think is purpose. What you think is meant for you. Whether that be to help people or gain power, but that is the secret. You will find no salvation in this. At the end, you will only find more despair. Just like your brother did.” – BOB
    • Bob nods over to Damon.
    • “See, that is the difference between me and you. I don’t crave power. It just comes to me. I don’t want power, I just want to be alone with my family and clan. And I will not let anyone get in the way of that. Even you.” – S
  • “And who do you think will help you? Who is your clan? Your family? You can trust no one, at the end of the day, Seth. You have no pack. I’ve always viewed you as more of a lone wolf.” – BOB
    • “Sometimes you gotta walk the path alone.” – S
  • “Then that is what you’ll do now.” – BOB
    • “But you can never, ever be by yourself. You always have to have people around you. That is why you feel so lonely.” – S
  • “No one will have your back? At a moment's notice they will abandon you. That’s why you’re alone.” – BOB
• Bob begins to reach out. You feel Infernal power attempting to press against your ritual. Seth tries to fight back, his own power clashing against Bob’s. Bob feels immense, as his own Infernal fire is made up of the despair of an entire Ring breaking. What do you do, in the face of this?
  • Burn two Hero Points.
• Here is the question. As you burn these Hero Points, you are in conflict with Bob. And he has a thread on you, yes that is true, and as this power collides you feel something as you expend these two hero points. You gain a brief insight into all the others that are tied to Bob, that were a part of the deal Thomas made.
  • Who are you attempting to turn to for help amongst all that have been taken?
  • With two hero points spent, he calls upon Lavatera and Andreas.
• Andreas, would you support Seth?
  • 100%. My man. I’ll do whatever I can.
  • NOW PLAYING: SETH’S THEME
• Bob’s four eyes open a little wider, as more power gets added, along with Damon and the Spirits, and you hear another voice.
  • “Ohhh I knew you had talent.” – L
• She trusts you. She supports you. And as you feel so many others connect… Andreas, do you spend Hero Points to try and connect to others?
  • May I give up a power? To try and connect us all?
    • Andreas wishes to give up Famous or Warden. Famous fits very well.
• As you give up Famous, those in Widowstone feel this connection beginning to spread throughout the Cosmic Stack.
  • Bee throws in 4, Charon throws in 1, Storm throws in 7, Ki throws in 2, Lavatera throws in 9, Lydia throws in 2 hero points.
  • Thomas wishes to completely unlearn his Land School.
  • Fidelis wishes to drop Pyromancy I and two levels.
  • Ki directs her Torvian, Replace with Nothingness and Create Whole Nothingness, onto Bob.
  • Zey throws in a HP, snapping his Bob card, dropping 2 powers, and 2 levels.
  • Angel drops a power.
• Seth, what is your reaction as you feel Bob's overwhelming Infernal energy, about to snuff you out, and across the Cosmic Stack you feel a hundred. A thousand voices and souls rising up to your aid and defense? Because you are not alone.
  • Seth feels empowered. His body becomes golden from the assistance he receives, like Goku.
• As the power surges up, you hear Bob scream.
  • “NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! WHAT IS THIS?!” – BOB
    • “This was the difference between me and you. I have friends. And you work alone.” – S
• You feel a wave of infernal energy. But you are gone. You break through the chains as your body becomes but light, as you find yourself soaring through the Cosmic Stack– leaving Bob behind standing in the midst of a Druidic grove. Damon gives him the finger, and disappears.

• Floating in and amongst all of this celestial starlight… You. Andreas. You see this woman, in beautiful white. She looks at you. She smiles.
  • “Hi, Andreas.” – ?
    • “Um, hi. I’d introduce myself but you already know my name.” – AN
  • “I’m sorry… I don’t have much time. [Sigh]. I… My name is Ishin. We met, but not in the way I wanted.” – I
    • “Is this the real you?” – AN
  • “Yes. As much as there can be. Although I feel it all slipping… going out. I tried. I’m… I’m sorry for what has happened. But please. Please do not give up.” – I
    • “I won’t.” – AN
  • “Ah… I’m sorry to have put this burden on you. We are.” – I
    • “We?” – AN
• She looks to the dark figure further away.
  • “We tried to get you ready in time. But you were pulled away. We… We couldn’t do enough.” – I
    • “Well. I… There’s still hope, right? There is still a chance.” – AN
  • “Yes. There is. I have hope in you.” – I
• She places a hand on his chest.
  • “Andreas. You’re just a human.” – I
    • “That is true.” – AN
  • “You are not special.” – I
    • “Huh.” – AN
  • “Except for this.” – I
    • “Huh?” – AN
• She pats your chest.
  • “I chose you because of your heart. To bear it, the burden of the world. The Xeroxixia.” – I
    • Andreas’ mouth drops, in shock.
    • “As in– the most powerful Torvian? The one that has been prophesied?” – AN
• Ishin slowly shakes her head.
  • “No… that’s, that’s wrong… It’s not right. I’m sorry.” – I
    • “No, it’s alright.” – AN
  • “It’s incomplete. It’s still incomplete. You haven’t made the connections yet.” – I
    • “Ah. Well. Then I’ll need to find a way to make those connections, right?” – AN
• There is a booming voice from out in the darkness,
  • “You must save them. Protect them. And only by making something new can you ascend. You must understand why they are incomplete. Else we all shall fall.” – ?
    • “Well…” – AN
      • Andreas turns to Ishin.
    • “I will say that is an incredible burden but… I… Everyone is at stake, right? You all. Us. Thomas. Everyone there– the Maiden.” – AN
  • “She will be dead soon. Please.” – I
• Ishin steps forward and grabs him by the hands.
  • “Please. Save her. Please.” – I
    • “I will. I will do everything I can. Everything.” – AN
• There are tears forming in the eyes of this woman.
  • “I love her. Please tell her, for me.” – I
    • “It will be the first thing I tell her.” – AN
• With this long exhale, you watch as the body seems to turn to paper mache– as the white gets eaten by dark. It spreads up through the body, and the form of Ishin. You watch as she fades away, Andreas, as well as that darkened shadow. It leaves as well. You are floating there. As you feel our energy being siphoned off, to Seth, you feel yourself become but a mote of light. You hear Bob screaming out in the distance. How funny. How peculiar.

• And, with that, as you are pulled back… Seth, and Andreas, you both find yourselves standing in the meeting room in Widowstone Keep. Along with one Lady Lavatera, who is looking a little worse for wear, but is overall fine. She dusts herself off. She looks over to you, Seth.
  • “My my my! What a talented individual. How did you pull that off?” – L
    • “The power of friendship.” – S
  • “Oh that is just a little trite and obnoxious isn’t it?” – L
    • “Yeah.” – S
  • “Well, I don’t know if I would call us friends. Do you think we’re friends, Seth?” – L
    • “No, we are more than that. We are lovers.” – S
• She places a kiss on Seth's lips.
• “Ohh. Well. Where are we?” – L
  • “Widowstone.” – S
• “Yes. Very nice. Are we still on the Primordial Ring? I don’t believe so.” – L
  • Bee tells her they are somewhere in the Cosmic Stack, and that she was just talking about her. Lavatera extends a hand to her, and Bee flings herself toward Lavatera. She tries not to cry, and dirty her dress. Lavatera acknowledges this.
• She looks to Seth, and congratulates him. He then runs off to check on the Tree.
• Corania says Fidelis, and anyone with magic should come with her. They will need to construct a barrier, as we will likely have an angry devil on us eventually.
• “The Maiden is dying.” – AN
• All of the air leaves the room. Magion looks to Corania.
  • “Double time. Quickly.” – M
• Corania nods.
  • “Yes. As quick as we all can.” – CO
• As a flurry of motion begins, it is here where we will end our session for today.