Interlude VII: Of Water & Fire

"Interlude VII: Of Water & Fire" is episode 62 of SuperQuest Saga. The Starling descends over a world of water in search of an Ancient Primal as the party finally reaches Thalassia. Sebastian checks in with the Archduke, Persephone expands her spiritual knowledge, and Echo speaks with his father.

Introduction

 * Will Stark shall be your aquatic dungeon master for this evening.
 * Josh Freeland is playing Sebastian Crenshaw, half-orc Oathbreaker/Hexblade.
 * Your Special Guest Jake is playing Persephone Goldpetal the firbolg druid.
 * Brian is Han Solo (not really). He is a space wizard named Echo.

Recap
Last time a lot of things happened. The party fought and almost killed Ryoka. Kamisa got in the way and helped them not kill her daughter, then gifted them the Soul Eater. The party had discussion time to decide what to do with it, and then they threw it into a sun, which obliterated both the sun and the Soul Eater. Now they are left to their own devices and are able to resume their mission to get the holy waters of Thalassia to heal Primina.

Preparing The Blue Marine
It has been three days aboard The Starling and the party arrives in the Isthecia system, deep in Draconic Star Sovereignty territory. A singular blue orb spinning around a deep yellow sun: Thalassia. Thalassia has no land masses, only a wide-open endless blue-green ocean. No islands dot its expanse, no continents break up its interminable distance. The only indicator for The Starling’s location as it soars above the seas of Thalassia are the map and radar instruments on its onboard computer, and the marker indicating the Temple of The Lady.

When they arrive at their destination, according to the map and instruments, they find nothing but open sea and open sky. Echo informs Persephone and Sebastian that The Starling is not built for underwater travel. Persephone casts a spell that will allow them to breathe in any environment, and the party dons their space suits and dive in. Persephone does a front flip into the water, Sebastian does a cannon ball and makes the biggest splash, Echo does a triple axel and lands so smoothly in the water that it doesn’t splash.

They check out their surroundings; Sebastian is completely out of his element, but Echo and Percy swim down a little and spot a wide cavern in an underwater cliff to the east. Echo starts making gestures with his hands to indicate they should swim that way, but Percy interrupts him over their suit comms to ask what he’s saying. Echo forgot they could still talk to each other, and tells them about the cave.

Sebastian is moving slowly because of his heavy armor. Echo throws him the dankest rope, it smells like weed under the water, and tows Sebastian behind him. Sebastian lounges back and lets Echo pull him. Persephone swims up to Sebastian and touches his shoulder to cast Freedom of Movement so that he can move freely in the difficult terrain for an hour. Echo retracts the rope, annoyed.

The seafloor is pretty rich in flora; there are various types of kelp, coral, and seaweed with various fish. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian race to the entrance of the cave and Echo wins by using his grappling glove. Inside they see a wide and flat cavern lit by bioluminescent fish and underwater flora. Echo thinks that it is weird. Persephone swims down to say hello to all the plants and animals. The seaweed gives off happy vibes, they’re luxuriously lounging in these nutrient-rich waters; this place is flourishing, probably due to magical assistance. Percy reports to the other two that the cave is safe, and they venture in.

Give Me a Cephalopod, Please
With the Freedom of Movement effect, Sebastian is actually swimming faster than Echo and Percy at this point. Echo uses the dankest rope to hitch a ride from him. The party moves through the cavern, following as it descends slightly, and after about half a mile of travel, Persephone senses the time on Freedom of Movement is about half up. Persephone casts Conjure Animals and summons two hunter sharks, named Hunter and Shawn, to help ferry Sebastian and Echo through the water. Before she Wild Shapes herself, Echo stops her and suggests that he hitch a ride between the two sharks using the dankest rope. Echo does cool tricks while he’s towed behind Percy and Sebastian.

The party makes excellent time and reaches an air pocket at the end of the cavern in five minutes. Sebastian moves forward and exits the cavern while Percy instructs Shawn and Hunter to hang close because the party might need a ride back out. When Sebastian breaks the surface of the water he finds himself in a cool, misty cavern. There are white marble stairs at the edge of the shallow pool that rise 50 ft. up to a platform covered in green trees, vines, and ferns. Through the misty air he can make out 150-ft tall white marble pillars that stand among the greenery. He sees natural sunlight coming from somewhere and can faintly hear the sound of rushing water.

Sebastian gives a thumbs up to Echo and Percy, and they join him above the surface. Percy is super stoked about the sacred vibe of this oasis. Sebastian and Echo note that there are two robed figures with glaives in their hands at the top of the stairs. Sebastian waves, but the figures do not move. Persephone does not notice them, so Echo grabs her face and directs her attention towards them. She asks who they are, and Sebastian tells her he thinks they’re assholes since they didn’t wave back to him. Echo calls out “Hail and well met yon statuesque… hey what’s up?” They don’t respond.

Echo thinks about what they know about this place. The party was sent to this holy site, the home of a major elemental spirit of water. This place is said to have unparalleled healing water, and visitors may be gifted the waters of Thalassia if they ask the spirit. Echo looks to Percy and suggests she do some nature magic, but Percy is so eager that she had already moved ahead before he could say anything.

But I Am a Weapon
When Persephone gets within 15 ft. of the figures, they say “Halt, Pilgrim. Many seek, few are seen by The Lady of Sunlit Shallows. Leave all weapons and tools of war and you may pass.” Percy turns around and tells Echo and Sebastian to leave their weapons. Sebastian asks what he’s supposed to do since he is a weapon, but he puts his equipment down, leaving his arm on. Echo leaves his sword with some nanobots and his guns behind. Percy drops her staff and gun at the bottom of the stairs. The two figures move aside, Percy notes they have a blue-tinged skin but cannot tell what species they are, and the party moves forward.

As the party moves forward, crossing from the marble stairwell onto natural earth, Sebastian’s entire body freezes. The two guards walk up and say “You seem to have forgotten something, warrior.” Sebastian apologizes that he forgot and moves back to remove his cybernetic arm. When he is done, he looks to the guards and asks where they want it. The guards take the arm and promise to watch over it. Percy leads the way as they venture into the grove.

The party moves deeper into the grove of trees and the sound of water gets louder. Eventually there is an opening and inside is an enormous pool of water 70 ft. in diameter. At its center is a pillar of falling water 15 ft. wide; looking up, it is impossible to see where the water is pouring from as bright sunlight and mist inhibit the view. The air here is cool and serene. Sebastian says “Nice.”

Sebastian has learned of the legends of Thalassia, and every legend states that the water must be gifted by The Lady. He is pretty sure this is the water that they need but he’s not sure what they need to do to receive the gift. Persephone moves forward to the pool and gently submerges one hand in the water. She calls out “Oh, Lady of the Sunlit Shallows, me and my compatriots have journeyed her to humbly request usage of your waters to help our dear friend, Primina.” A moment passes and Percy feels a subtle change in the current from below the pool.

The Lady of Sunlit Shallows
Looking down into the water, Percy does not see a bottom; it is like peering into an endless pool, like the Elemental Plane of Water. Suddenly there is an explosion of water out of the pool as a colossal blue and purple aquatic serpent with expansive, pointed wing-like fins emerges. Its eyes are a deep aquamarine and its back half appears to be made of water. A corona of prismatic light encircles its head. It does not move its mouth to speak, yet all Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian all hear its voice.

“Three powerful souls with powerful anima have come this day to the Sunlit Shallows, no doubt to take from the waters of my home. You have called, and I have come. For what purpose doest thou seekest my waters?”

Persephone responds. “Lady, we request the waters as our friend is broken and your waters are the only way we can heal her and bring her back to her former self. She expended herself helping us in a battle for the soul of the galaxy. We need her back.” Sebastian chimes in. “We believe she is the key to saving the galaxy from this Crawling Chaos that is spreading quickly. We feel like she is the key and we want to save our friend so she can help save the galaxy.” Echo casts Prestidigitation on his friends so they glow while they speak to highlight the righteousness of their mission.

The primal directs its attention at Percy. “Your words are heard, galactic Exarch, but Thalassian waters once gone never returneth. What have you to giveth in exchange?” Persephone states that she would give up anything to have their friend back, what would The Lady ask of her? The Lady wants something to enrichen the waters of its homes, something to add, to grow, to cultivate.

Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian confer about what to give in exchange. Echo has a lot of money, but Percy doesn’t think The Lady is interested in material wealth. Persephone suggests that she could help the grove grow using magic. Sebastian asks if Percy has any herbs or seeds on her. She has a cutting of the Seldarine tree that she can grow into a sapling. This pleases The Lady and it asks if the other two have anything to give. Echo has something enriching; he calls Jhank out, and Jhank goes to the nearest plant and poops to fertilize the ground. This is not what The Lady had in mind. Echo offers up the dankest rope, and The Lady accepts the gift. Sebastian only has magical items that are for destruction; The Lady states that destruction is part of nature, to an extent, and his items would be acceptable. Sebastian has the modifications to his arms that shoot fire and magic; The Lady hisses that this is not a place for fire. Percy offers her staff instead as a tribute for Seb, and The Lady accepts.

The staff and the dankest rope vanish, and The Lady allows Percy to plant the Seldarine. She finds a nice area and casts Plant Growth to enrich the soil and help the seedling grow. The spirit addresses Percy. “Galactic Exarch, hold out thine hands.” Percy does so, and cascading blue water falls from the sunlit ceiling onto her hands. It is cool and soothing, and when the water stops, she is left with a blue and white glass orb in her palms. The orb glows faintly; the white swirls like clouds on the perimeter and the blue forms a smaller orb inside the first made of water that ripples strangely. After a moment’s observation, Percy realizes it looks like a living, miniature replication of the planet of Thalassia. At this point, The Lady rises out of the water, as if swimming into the air, before turning and splashing down, disappearing into the pool.

Persephone holds the orb and nods her head in reverence towards the pool. She thinks that this is what they needed, so it’s time to save their girl. Echo senses powerful magic from the orb; he feels there is more to the orb than simple healing waters within, he senses it is a very powerful, magical implement used to cast druidic spells. Percy will hold onto it, and Echo pulls out a noisy bag from the grocery store to hold it in.

As they leave, the two guards step forward and one informs them that all pilgrims are allowed a day and a night to rest in their accommodations if they wish. Sebastian expresses interest since they’ve been cramped in Echo’s ship. Echo thinks it sounds good, but they might be low on time. He asks Sebastian when Archduke Ramazall will check in, and Sebastian is unsure. Echo votes to leave. Persephone also would like to leave, they need to get to Prim as fast as they can. Sebastian agrees with the others, and even though it looks comfortable, they all leave.

The Audacity
The party returns to The Starling and starts their seven day journey back to Arcadia. Sebastian’s legs are getting cramped. Echo tells Sebastian that he can go down near the kitchenette where there’s more space.

Sebastian finds a moment when the others are asleep and makes his way to the multi-purpose room to perform a ritual to check in with Ramazall. The ritual is similar to what Xaserbane Night did before with a pentagram and candles. Sebastian strips to just his pants and mutters incantations while meditating heavily; he is drenched in sweat by the time he is done. Above the sigil on the floor, he hears the sound of a rip or tear as a gap in reality opens. On the other side, he sees an undulating mass of red and black giving the unmistakable impression of blood and smoke, two glowing, red eyes emanating from within. There is a brief moment of silence before he hears a voice.

“I am displeased by your deliberate delay of our communications, Paladin. My eyes and ears lost all signs of Ryoka and the Soul Eater these past days. Tell me, have you accomplished your charge?”

“I was unable to retrieve the Soul Eater, unfortunately.” The second that Sebastian replies, the eyes shine bright and the smoke and blood whirl violently. He begins to convulse in pain as Ramazall yells. “Tell me! What has transpired?”

“I was moments away from striking down Ryoka, and then her mother Kamisa stepped in and stopped everything that was transpiring. She saved her daughter. And in the moment that I could have struck her down, she got the Soul Eater and she told us that they were going out of this universe somewhere else. And then she wanted to dispose of the Soul Eater.”

“The audacity astounds me that one of my warlocks think they can lie to me!” Sebastian cries out in agony as his left eye is consumed in crimson Hellfire. The smell of burning flesh fills the ship as half of his face blisters and chars. Visions fill Sebastian’s mind. Sebastian sees himself kneeling and swearing fealty and his soul for the power of Ramazall. Then the vision of him in his dreams filled with the thrill of claiming souls. Finally, the stabbing of Davarax as the dragonborn’s eyes are burned out into smoke. He hears Ramazall speak.

“You were warned; contracts with me are binding and oaths broken demand swift retribution. You have been stripped of your privilege and station. You have broken the terms of your contract, and thus all claims to my power and obligation of Kaebooros to you has been abolished. Your soul is forfeit. The souls of your companions are forfeit. Expect my collector to come calling soon, mortal. I look forward to reforging your soul in the pits of inferno.” Ramazall vanishes in a burst of fire; Sebastian is left with an agonizing, smoldering burn and he will never see out of his left eye again.

Echo and Persephone are awoken by Sebastian’s screams and Ramazall’s yelling. Echo throws open the doors from the sleeping area and sees Sebastian on the floor writhing in pain. He calls for Persephone to get a heal on as he casts Prestidigitation to get the smell of burnt flesh out of the air and reaches into his work closet. Persephone runs straight for Sebastian, holds his face and casts Heal. She had a feeling something like this was coming. Sebastian feels the pain soothing a little, but the burns refuse to heal. Echo pulls out a healing potion from the cabinet and throws it all over Sebastian.

Echo and Percy realize there is a lot going on with these wounds; the direct power of the entity who inflicted them, the contract that was broken and the binding law that makes it difficult to remove the cursed wounds. It would take a team of experts and rituals to fully heal Sebastian. Echo will do some research, and he asks what Sebastian happened.

Sebastian tells them it did not go well, he can’t see out of his left eye. Percy and Echo tell him that it does not look good. Sebastian played with fire and he got burned. Persephone asks what the plan is, Echo asks if Seb got fired. Sebastian got his ass kicked out the door and is incapable of using his warlock abilities. They decide to table the discussion so Sebastian can rest.

Wing Chun
On another day of their journey, Echo is practicing Wing Chun and sees Sebastian. Echo calls out, “Hey big guy, how’s your face?” Sebastian responds, “Crispy. Feels a little tight. I try to smile but only half my face moves, it’s a little weird.” Since the incident, Sebastian has just been resting, and Echo tries to convince him to exercise.

Echo asks how Sebastian is doing, and Sebastian replies that he has been better. He’s a little lost right now. He thought he had a good game plan to try to harness the powers of Hell, but that didn’t work out. Echo tells Seb he is a big, strong, powerful guy who keeps persevering through all these hardships. Echo asks what drives him, what keeps him going. Sebastian feels he is the protector of the party, that he was meant to be here to be the strong one and lead the charge. Everything he’s done in the past has been something he thought would give him tools to do his job better, but every decision he’s made so far feels counterproductive. The things he thought would add to his skills and strength have not. He’s not sure if he’s meant to be the protector of the group.

Echo notes that it is noble to be pursuing strength for his comrades. He asks what happens if everyone else dies, what happens to Sebastian? Sebastian does not know. At this point he feels his soul is damned to Hell. Echo reassures Sebastian that they are working on some magic to try to help him. They’re smart back on Arcadia. Sebastian thanks Echo for the reassurance and states that he just feels lost. Echo says that they’re on a big job that it seems they have all taken upon themselves to see through. Echo tells Sebastian it is time to start doing things the right way, and he is proud of Sebastian and proud to have stood and fought by his side. Sebastian battles his demons face to face. Sebastian laughs “Half my face anyway.” Echo laughs and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Sebastian, if I have learned anything it is to be more like you; to stand in my truth and to do what is necessary. It takes bold action to come as far as you have. Sebastian and Persephone give Echo hope.

Sebastian thanks Echo for his words. He admits he had doubts about Echo joining the group at first because of his suspicion of elves, but Echo has proven to be a good comrade and family member. Sebastian appreciates everything Echo brings to the group. Echo tells him to keep that instinct close, don’t trust elves, except for the ones in his home.

Therapy Dogs
Since their adventure in The Bellerophon was so crazy and Echo has not been feeling like himself, and Sebastian’s check in with Ramazall went poorly, Persephone approaches the guys to ask if they’d like her to summon some therapy critters to help lift the mood. She can summon some cuddly creatures, like a furry caterpillar she saw at the animaltorium or a pile of wolves. Jhank stares at her angrily from Echo’s shoulder. Percy notices and says that she can summon more Jhanks also. Jhank turns his head and leaves. Echo tries to reassure him that Percy did not mean to insult him and asks Jhank to come back. As soon as Jhank is out of sight, though, Echo tells Percy to do it. Sebastian can’t sleep so he is willing to give it a shot. So every night, Percy casts Conjure Animal to summon some space therapy wolves for an hour.

Why Are We There?!
Since Rohorn’s visit to her spiritual sphere, Persephone has been pondering the limitations of her own meditations. If those she’s met can venture to her, then perhaps she can venture to them. On the fourth night, Percy finds herself standing upon the iridescent sea of her spiritual sphere, gazing up at the infinite light-strewn expanse of the spiritual realm above, looking for a particular soul.

She puts her hands down into the sea and concentrates on Primina, focusing on finding her friend. She does this for almost an hour; at first, it doesn’t seem to be working, but then as she stares up at the expanse one of the stars, a small blue orb, seems to shine a little brighter than the others. Percy focuses on the star, and as she does, it shines even brighter. She feels drawn to it, and the star begins to grow larger, closer. She is no longer standing on her sphere; she is instead sailing through the spiritual sea. The luminosity of her destination draws closer, taking up more and more of the horizon of her vision, and then she is there.

Persephone lands gently on what at first appears to be a frozen blue ocean, but upon closer inspection, it appears to be a sapphire crystal sea. Beneath the surface of the crystal, she can see flowing water. Persephone looks around; she is oddly alone, Primina is not in sight. She can see faint movement in the water below, but she isn’t picking up much. Persephone calls out for Prim, and her voice echoes across the expanse of the hard crystal floor; she receives no response. Persephone calls for the Galactic Spirit to help find her friend. The Galactic Spirit does not directly respond, but she receives a guiding feeling that draws her to look down into the sphere; Primina is down inside. Persephone tries to will herself into the sphere, but she knows it is odd that the crystal is in the way. She puts her hand on the crystal and casts Stone Shape, trying to make a door for herself, and she is able to pass through. She dives into the cool water and wills herself deeper.

She passes through the deep blue waters of the spiritual sphere; as she descends, many large, silver bubbles pass. These bubbles appear to be filled with worlds; some contain scenes that Persephone is familiar with. The aquarium on Syllog where the party saw the Prismatic Serpent, the Stellar Dragons landing on the tower and becoming people, Stranger Things fighting the Jewel Janissaries in Starworm City. Eventually, the blue of the water begins to darken and the light above fades until all is black. Percy’s feet land on cold, black stone; she is no longer submerged underwater. Looking around, she appears to be in a dark, wet cavern. There is a path ahead and a path behind, and she can hear a slow dripping from somewhere.

Persephone uses Druidcraft to create a small light and calls for Prim. Her voice echoes and she hears no response. She tries the forward path. The path serpentines for a bit, eventually expanding into an enormous chamber. At its center is a terrible sight; a blue scaled dragon with white feathered wings lies sprawled out on the floor, Primina. The floor around her is soaked in blood, iron spikes have been driven through her wings, legs, and tail. The cavern is large enough so that Percy cannot see its edges, and there is an inexplicable light around Primina. Persephone drops her light and runs forward to Primina, asking if she is okay.

Upon inspection, Primina is breathing and semi-conscious. Persephone casts Enhance Ability on herself to gain some strength and tries to pull out one of the spikes on Primina’s arm. Primina whimpers as the spike is removed, and Percy hears a whistling in the air as another spike lands right back in her arm. Primina lets out a horrible scream. Persephone takes a step back and notices seven shadowy figures standing at the periphery of the visible area. She is not sure when they arrived or if they were always there.

One is a pale man with dark hair in a three-piece suit with hollow eyes, one is a tall, golden haired elf with green, glowing eyes, one is a black-robed, purple skinned illithid, one is a warforged with a cape and large oculi, and then there is an armored half-orc, an albino firbolg, and a tanned, dark-haired elf. The figures just stand there, still as statues. Persephone turns to the figures and asks what they have done to Primina. None of the figures respond, but the three that represent Echo, Sebastian, and herself, bow their heads as if in disgust or disgrace, and turn and walk away. Primina lets out a whimper. The four other figures stand still.

Persephone starts to realize that Primina is imprisoning herself; she is imprisoned by her fears, her shame, her pain, this is what is keeping her in a comatose state. Her transformation was physically traumatizing, but the death of Victoria and everything that has transpired since the party met her has been piling on and she is mentally traumatized as well. Persephone kneels by Primina’s head, cradling her as best she can, and starts consoling her; Primina welcomes the consolation.

Persephone starts singing the Song of Remembrance, the Song of Grieving, fills the cavern and the reverberation harmonizes with itself in a very beautiful manner. Persephone thinks of the party after the Blood Gala, where the group really started to bond and accept their status as a family. Primina begins to sing along with Persephone in a very sonorous, celestial voice, and Percy senses a form of healing as they bond. After some time, Primina’s singing is cut short with a gutteral snarl of pain and fear. Before Persephone can react, she feels herself hurled upwards, through the darkness, through the sea, through the sapphire crystal, and into the void of the spiritual realm.

Persephone reflects on the realization that fear is holding Primina back, and thinks about what she or the Galactic Spirit can do to console that fear. She hears the cry of the Galactic Spirit; and the spirit offers a ride back to Percy’s spiritual sphere. Persephone hugs the back of the spirit and takes a moment to express her sorrow and grief at the loss of all the life due to the war. She apologizes for not doing more for the lost lives; Persephone barely understands the gravity of what happened, and realizes that when she felt the loss of souls at the Crucible of Khullnar that she was feeling only a portion of what The Galactic Spirit must feel every day. The spirit sings a song in response, a song that Percy is not familiar with, but Persephone gets a sense that her message was heard. Since Persephone has learned one song, she feels closer to the Galactic Spirit, and like the Galactic Spirit has grown closer to her as well.

One Day Again
''We enter in the middle of a private conversation between Echo and his father. Echo regales him with the tales of what’s happened since meeting his friends; Ramazall, The Voidharrow, Xaserbane Night, Carter Huttenburg, Nyarlathotep, a threat to the universe, robotic bounty hunters, Primina, Victoria, all of it firsthand, and finally, Ryoka, The Bellerophon, Kamisa, The Meijin.''

"...get these capsules to get what we needed. I...I told them what happened, or at least how I felt, after everything that happened with my squadron and Hellea. They took something in return. I’ve always heeded your warnings, father, not to give those untrustworthy my name, it could give them power over me. But this… this feels like that… perhaps… like they hold some sort of power over me, some sort of grip. It’s like I can no longer know peace. All I can think about are my sorrows, that I am helpless. That if I don’t spend every waking second striving to become stronger to accomplish our goals to save what’s left, that I would not deserve my breath. I’m… I’m so angry and I don’t know why. Why?! I was sent on a mission to die with my comrades, so why am I here? I should be with them! And if I’m alive, they should be too!" "Echo, your mother and I, and your sister, we feel the same w-" "No! No! I…I don’t want to hear that from you! You are the ones who sent us. We embarked on intel that you verified." "Arcadion, when the mission failed, we felt the guilt and shame of our failure. Your mother and I explained our misstep to the Council, as well as the families of each of your comrades. We sought you out, but you had blocked tracking and communications. You disguised yourself well, we could not find you. We kept hope that you would one day return so we could see your face and tell you how sorry we were. How sorry we are, my son. We convinced the Council to be patient, that Arcadia’s first son would someday return home. It was ten long years, but our wishes were respected, and at last you did come home. We are blessed to be who we are. To be represented by those who would allow for such grace and forgiveness. It is worth continuing on for.. despite all we’ve lost along the way." "I’m sorry… I know you and mother would not put me in an impossible situation intentionally. This is what I mean, I can’t keep it down anymore. I used to be able to...to think about nothing, or anything, and now it is only this. It...it rings in my head and I...I cannot escape." "You will know peace again, my child. You have endured much, but the life of an elf is long, and you will be asked to endure much more. You cannot run from it any longer, so do what must be done. Face your spirit in the darkness that has crept inside. Accept what is, change what must. Learn to live alongside your past. These are not simple tasks, they will take time and care. Your family and your people are here to guide you, as they always have been, lean on us in your times of need. Your healing has already begun, Arcadion. You have found new comrades and new family,  you are on a path of righteousness. You must help stay the course as they have helped you. Cherish them, cherish yourself, and do not be afraid. We believe you can do what must be done. When the time comes, call, we will do all we can. Do not forget, child, do not forget our love for you" "I won’t." "Let us light our path, Arcadion." Tears still in his eyes, Echo activates his Bladesong. "When shadows cast upon my heart, the light of mind remains. My spirit summons forth our song, united once again. And with our power comes the call to forge the world anew. Ignite our mighty spirit and remind us of our truth."

"Tell me, child, what is it you see beyond the shadows." "I see truth." "And what is that truth?" "I am Arcadion Galanthur, son of Arcadia, son of Archaeon, the Second Child of Haven and The Bladesong. I wield the might of our people and I will cut down whatever evils stand against us." "And what else?" "I am Arcadion Galanthur! And I shall one day again know peace."

Confirmation of Attendance
"Order! I said order! We will now commence the Galactic Assembly of the Coalition of Star Systems. In the interest of posterity, all events, actions, and discussions henceforth will be chronicled. This is merely an unprecedented convention of the greatest galactic powers not seen since the Treaty of Ten Nations. We will begin with a confirmation of attendance. Kalon Reigos, Lord Commandant of the Iron Legion" "Present." Torodin Quen, Commander in Chief of the Goblinoid Forces of Acheron." "Myself and my Council of Eight are all in attendance." Sorgwen Anar, Prime Minister of Syllog and Representative of the Union of Free Star Systems." "Present." "Their Majesties King Kalagath, King Ebonskaith, and King Raudhrskal, the Triarchy of Neo-Arkhosia and Rulers of the Draconic Star Sovereignty." "We are present."

"Let us now begin the discourse over the nature of this Alliance’s conjoint invasion of the elven capital of Arvandor."

The Party

 * Sebastian Crenshaw: a half-orc paladin. Literally fired from his warlock job and now questioning all his decisions.
 * Persephone Goldpetal: an albino firbolg druid. She is one with the galaxy and the galaxy is with her.
 * Codename: Echo: an elf wizard/rogue. Here to remind us that taking care of our mental health is incredibly important.

NPCS

 * Shawn and Hunter: a pair of space sharks summoned by Persephone.
 * Unnamed Temple Guards: a pair of guards who stand watch over the Temple of Sunlit Shadows. They have blue-tinged skin.
 * The Lady of Sunlit Shallows: a powerful Elemental Primal, can gift the Waters of Thalassia to those with worthy gifts. Does not appreciate fertilizer.
 * Archduke Ramazall: Archduke of Kaebooros and former patron of Sebastian. He's coming for their asses now.
 * Primina: a genetically engineered young woman/dragon. The MacGuffin. A prisoner of her own mind.
 * Archaeon: Echo's father. A former imperial elf who helped lead a resistance and found Haven on Arcadia.
 * The Galactic Assembly of the Coalition of Star Systems: a gathering of powerful NPCS getting ready to take down the Elven Empire.

Music

 * SuperQuest Saga Theme - by Brian
 * One Day Again - by Brian

Worldbuilding

 * There are capsule beds on The Starling. The lower deck has a multi-purpose room in the belly of the ship where Echo goes to train. There is also a utility closet, kitchenette, and workbench area where Echo goes to make phone calls.