Interlude VI: The Black Legion

"Interlude VI: The Black Legion" is episode 53 of SuperQuest Saga. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian are captives on the draconic ship The Terrenthraxis until some dark allies with ties to Archduke Ramazall help them escape. The Archduke has a mission for Sebastian, so the party The Starling to the smuggler outpost Jexik to gear up and prepare for the adventure. Echo learns some new tricks from his sister, Codename: Refrain, and Persephone learns her first Song from Rohorn and unlocks some memories from her past.

Introduction

 * Will Stark shall be your incarcerating dungeon master for this evening.
 * Josh Freeland is playing Sebastian Crenshaw, half-orc paladin Oathbreaker/Hexblade.
 * Your Special Guest Jake is playing Persephone Goldpetal, the Galactic druid firbolg.
 * Brian is Space Wizard Echo, who is also a Fighter/Rogue.

Recap
Last time a lot of stuff happened. The Singers on Arcadia sent the party on a mission to gain the waters of Thalassia in order to help heal Prim. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian had been journeying on the outskirts of society and found themselves in the boonies at Fraizer’s Waystation. They tried to order Spacey’s for delivery, Echo as Hank the Bullywug had to pick up the food, and as they were eating they realized something was wrong when the waystation started closing prematurely. Before they could react, six paladins dropped from the sky and kicked their asses. The party is now incarcerated by Captain Davarax and his Legionnaires.

The Terrenthraxis
Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian are escorted by two dragoons, some Legionnaires, and Captain Davarax to a polar harbor across the waystation to a draconic light cruiser named The Terrenthraxis. Though not a dragonforged ship, The Terrenthraxis is somewhat dragon-like in design. It is purple-black in color with a blade-like bow that slowly burgeons wider towards the stern. The ship has two hooking horn-like protrusions hanging down out and forward, around the two main exhausts of the ship are four fins that are similar to dragon wings.

Davarax tells Sebastian that he will be taken to Neo-Arkhosia where he will be court martialed by Commandant Kalon Reigos and the D.S.S. upper brass. Davarax instructs his soldiers to take Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian to the brig with full security restraints and two paladins on watch at all hours. They are marched to the bowels of the ship, placed in separate sealed rooms with heavy titanium doors, and they are bound by mechanical manacles to the wall foot to knee and hand to elbow in an extremely uncomfortable position.

They spend two days restrained with only four, monitored, breaks. Two paladins stand right outside each of their cells. Echo spends that time as Hank the Bullywug and waiting for a moment to escape. He can’t communicate with Persephone or Sebastian so he decides to wait until he can learn more before he risks his life escaping. Persephone also patiently waits for something to happen. After she was smacked out of her Cosmic Elemental form in the last fight against the paladins she is not confident that fighting their way out is a good option, but she remains at the ready. Sebastian tries to commune with Archduke Ramazall. He wants to warn that The Crawling Chaos is coming; if it continues spreading then it will eventually affect the number of souls being sent to Hell because it consumes and controls souls, it may even try to conquer Hell at some point. Sebastian gets no immediate response but he believes his message was received.

On the night of the second day of their incarceration Sebastian has a fever dream. Sebastian becomes aware that his body is burning with a searing heat. He feels an exhilarating thrill of violence in his heart. He stands in the center of a cathedral with polished marble floors, magnificent stained glass windows, and an opulent vaulted ceiling with mosaics of warriors. Surrounding him are scores of his former Legionnaire brethren. Weapons drawn, they charge him from all sides. Without hesitation he summons forth a blade of shadow and flame. Effortlessly, his blade passes through his brothers in arms as their eyes burn out and pathetic whimpers of horror escape their throats. But he cares not as elation washes over him and his vision runs red.

The Black Legion
Sebastian awakens, still in his bonds, but the smell of brimstone fills the air. The lights are out and the room is dark. The door to his cell is wide open and a dark, armored figure steps into view. The individual steps forward and undoes Sebastian’s bonds as another figure joins them. Both have heavy cowls obscuring their faces and the second figure speaks. “Greetings, brother, our mutual master sends his regards and requests your presence on the flight deck. You will find your companions in good health, you may free them if you wish.” Sebastian is freed and the one who unchained him gives him a key. As they turn to leave Sebastian catches a glimpse of one of their faces and it looks like Iron Legion Jake.

Sebastian leaves his room and checks his surroundings. The two figures who freed him have vanished and the two paladins who were guarding his door are lying on the floor dead with their eyes burned out. There are three doors in the hallway and all are open. Sebastian heads to the door directly across the hall and finds Echo, as Hank, asleep. Sebastian creeps up and tells Echo that he has a key and they need to get out of there. Echo tells Sebastian his shoe is untied and as Sebastian looks away, Echo uses Misty Step and pops up behind him. Sebastian tells Echo about his dream and that he thinks his Hell Brethren helped him escape. Echo is uncomfortable with the situation but this is convenient for escape.

Sebastian hands the key off to Echo and they search the hall for Persephone, finding her asleep in a room on the left. Sebastian wakes her up and she asks why he is out of his room. He explains his dream, the dark figures, and the dead paladins. Echo releases Percy and the three of them try to make their way to the flight deck. Along the way they find dead Legionnaires and Draconic Star Sovereignty soldiers with their eyes burned out. Sebastian notices that two of the dead dragonborn have been stripped of their armor and he surmises these are the dragoons and they’ve been robbed of their armor. Eventually they find their way to the upper decks and the elevator to the flight deck.

The flight deck is a room with four chairs, roughly the same size as the flight deck on the dragonforged. There are two dead crew members with their eyes burned out and lying on the pilot seat is one Captain Davarax. His eyes are not burned out but he has been stabbed in the chest with a longsword and his armor is soaked in blood. The flight console before him is completely dead with the exception of one flashing red button.

That Will Be All
Sebastian approaches the terminal and presses the button. A hologram depicting a swirling, undulating mass of red and black, giving an unmistakable impression of blood and smoke with two glowing eyes appears above the console. Archduke Ramazall speaks.

“''Greetings, Oathbreaker. Your gratitude is not necessary, I’ve only preserved you because it serves me to do so. You’re to repay me with your immediate service. If you have chosen to retain your allies, I call their favor due as well. Contracts with me, unlike your antecedent organization, are binding and forsaking oaths made to me demand swift retribution. It is on such a reckoning I am dispatching you.''

''Long ago I entered into a contract with a powerful sorceress who desired to become an unrivaled terror upon the galactic seas. Plunder and power paired with eternal life to enjoy it to its fullest. Upon her I bestowed an artifact of eldritch and abominable design, the Soul Eater, a device that can devour and store the souls of the weakened and the dead. With access to unlimited souls the sorceress could eternally maintain her undead form; in exchange for one in every ten souls she consumed, the Soul Eater would be hers.''

''It would seem her conceit and greed knew no limitations. I’ve not received payment in one year’s time, yet her ship eats fat upon the souls of the vanquished among this Great War. I will not be denied. You are to go to these coordinates by the 8th of Unum. Two massive armies are on the verge of open hostility, the death toll should be more than enough to draw out your quarry once the bloodshed is complete. You will know her when you see her; a massive black ship with a gaping maw open in endless hunger, The Bellerophon, and at its helm the Pirate Lich Queen Ryoka.''

''Infiltrate her ship. Retrieve the Soul Eater. You need not slay Ryoka, but if you do so you gain my favor. Fail me, and you will suffer my displeasure. Finally, I have left a gift for you, my young paladin. In the chair beside you I’m sure you’ve noticed your former commanding officer. He’s been left alive, albeit barely. Claim his soul in my name before you leave. That will be all.''”

Sebastian looks at Echo and Persephone and asks if they are ready to go on another adventure. Echo investigates Captain Davarax’s body and determines that he will probably be dead within the hour. Echo shifts the body so that his neck is leaning off the side and his head is looking up towards the ceiling. Persephone’s eyes are wide and she tells Sebastian they have to fulfill the contract or Ramazall will send someone after them, but she won’t watch Sebastian claim Davarax’s soul. She walks off the flight deck. Echo asks Sebastian if he’s going to do it; Davarax is dead either way. Sebastian purposely did not use the powers from Ramazall in their first fight but he has chosen this new path and he has to follow it. He has to do this. Echo pulls his sword from his pocket dimension and hands it to Sebastian since he doesn’t have any of his gear. Echo turns to go stand in the corner with his hands over his ears, he doesn’t want to watch either, and expresses condolences to Sebastian because it’s a bad situation.

Sebastian mumbles something in Orc under his breath and quickly plunges the sword into the back of Davarax’s head. Davarax’s eyes burn out as his soul is sent to Kaebooros. Sebastian stands over the body. Echo asks if Sebastian did it, he heard something but he wasn’t sure what. Sebastian confirms he did the thing.

We're Evil, Brian!
Echo plugs into the console and starts pulling data on where The Starling is and details about The Terrenthraxis. He is easily able to find a map and locates the hangar and storage caches where their gear is probably stored. He finds there is definitely a tracker on this ship and he’s not sure whether he can disable it. Echo decides it is not safe to keep the ship or stay on it long without intervention from parties they will not want to deal with. Sebastian downloads Ramazall’s message with the coordinates. He checks Davarax’s body and decides to grab the longsword that was embedded in his chest. Sebastian takes radiant damage and is unable to hold the holy sword. Echo kicks Sebastian away from the sword and shifts from Hank back to his normal appearance. He examines the sword and informs Sebastian that it has been christened by an opposing religious order and he is just not allowed to touch it anymore.

They find their equipment and find that The Starling is unhitched and ready for takeoff; someone prepped it for them. Echo asks if they want to do anything with The Terrenthraxis and Sebastian agrees that destroying it will erase any record they were here. Persephone suggests sending it into a nearby star and Echo is able to program a timed jump that will destroy the vessel. A communication request comes over The Starling’s radio. Echo tells everyone to be quiet as he accepts the request. A voice tells Sebastian he has done well and, as one last parting gift, warns him of the tracking device in his arm. The party looks up and sees a ship about a mile out and they watch as it jumps away. Exit Black Legion members Brian and Jake.

Sebastian checks his arm and finds the tracker that appears to have been on him since his trial on Sovereign. Sebastian tosses it into The Terrenthraxis to be destroyed when the ship goes down. Echo positions The Starling at a good viewing angle so they can watch the draconic light cruiser disintegrate as it flies into the sun.

Team Rocket's Hideout
It is currently Verdis the 35th and there are eight days until the 8th of Unum. The coordinates from Ramazall are five days away, well into Goblinoid Republic territory. Echo decides to take them to a safe place so they can plan and they head to the nearby moon of Jexik, a rogue city on a volcanic moon just outside Draconic Star Sovereignty territory. Over the two day journey Echo tries to teach Persephone and Sebastian some Thieves’ Cant. Sebastian picks up some but Persephone does not understand at all. Echo thinks she is having trouble because the inherent structure of the language is a lie.

The party arrives at Jexik and Echo secures cheap parking. The town is really run down, mainly used by smugglers and drug cartels. Echo leads them to his contact, Jimmy Ruffles, a duergar who runs an illegal arms shop. They wander into a small run-down shop called Granger’s Adventurer Supply, Echo knows the basic equipment on display is just a front. He heads straight for the back wall, lifts up a game poster, presses a switch, and a staircase opens up to his right.

The stairs lead to a small room with a countertop and a plexiglass screen in front of metal grating. Behind the counter is a well-muscled duergar with a short white beard and a cool white mohawk. The duergar greets Echo and says it’s been a long time. Echo tells Jimmy that they need help and pulls out the card he took from Veklani in Dr. Zahn’s lab on Shardlar. Jimmy runs it through the machine and after five minutes he reports they have 200,000 credits.

Jimmy gestures to the right to a doorway and he meets them on the other side. They enter into a large room with metal walls, floor, and ceiling. On the right wall is a large window made of thick glass, Jimmy is on the other side at a computer console. He welcomes them to the Hologram Armaments; he has a wide and varied stock and he can replicate anything they’re looking for. Echo asks for a catalog and Jimmy pulls up a hologram of the list of equipment available. Rare items cost 50,000 credits, Uncommon items cost 20,000, and Common items cost 10,000.

Echo looks at Sebastian with his big arms and shoulders, then at Persephone and imagines all the health her Wild Shapes grant her, and asks what they think of an item for him that would give him a constitution boost. Jimmy types something into the computer and a red talisman that can be pinned to the shoulder materializes in the air, Echo catches it as it falls. Jimmy tells Echo to try it on and Echo places the Amulet on his diaphragm. He immediately feels a magical energy boost fill him, he feels full of vigor. When Echo confirms he will buy the item, Jimmy enters it into the computer and the sample Echo tried on disappears.

Persephone is looking for an item to help with her defense and Jimmy pulls up the Bracers of Defense. They look like two plain bracers, but Jimmy is able to customize them in any pattern.

Jimmy looks at Sebastian’s arm and asks if it doubles as a cannon. Sebastian retracts his wrist and shows the cannon off, and Jimmy suggests some compatible upgrades. He pulls up the Supernova, a canister of a bright orange-red fluid, that can be attached to the forearm. Sebastian tests it out and he feels a heat come off his arm, the side panels glow red, and a Fireball explodes out. Jimmy tells him there are a couple other options, the Needler and the Fulminator. Sebastian wants to test the Fulminator next; the Supernova disappears and a canister of blue electric energy appears in its place. When he fires the Fulminator a Lightning Bolt is shot from his arm. The Needler canister is filled with pink liquid but also has pink crystals jutting out of the container that shoots Magic Missile when fired. Sebastian chooses the Supernova.

Echo has Jimmy pull up the Cloak of Protection. It can be customized to be any color and style but it is made of material that can project a forcefield. Echo draws out a design on his bracer jack that looks like blonde hair coming out of the back.

The Dankest Rope
Echo wants to have some credits leftover so he can repay the debt he owes Xaserbane Night, so Sebastian and Percy discuss how to divvy up the remainder. Persephone was looking at a Hat of Disguise but the Needler seems like it might be more beneficial so she tells Sebastian he can get that instead. Echo and Sebastian try to barter with Jimmy to get a little extra discount so they can get more items and still have some money leftover. Persephone puts her hand on Echo’s shoulder to cast Guidance and give him an extra boost. Echo tells Jimmy that his mom is really sick and he needs 3,000 credits to take back to her but he’s really interested in this rope. Jimmy decides that he’ll throw in the rope for free for an old friend.

Echo asks Jimmy if he can check out the rope to make sure it is what he’s looking for. He tells Jimmy it smells heavenly and asks what it’s made of. Jimmy tells him it’s made of the dankest shit he’s ever seen. Echo asks if the rope is good and if it’s magic, Jimmy hasn’t seen another like it. It’s the dankest rope.

Echo sidebars with Jimmy to see if he can get a deal on the Hat of Disguise. Jimmy can give them everything they want, but they won’t have any credits leftover. Echo tries the mom angle again and Jimmy tells him that it’s up to him whether he wants to help his mom or disguise his firbolg friend. Jimmy threw in a free rope but he can take that back if they want the other stuff. Persephone decides that she doesn’t need the hat so they can have some money leftover.

Jimmy meets them back in the other room and hands over their purchases; an Amulet of Health and Cloak of Protection for Echo, the Supernova and Needler for Sebastian, the Bracers of Defense for Persephone, and a free rope to be shared with the group.

Trixie
Sebastian wants to update his style before they leave. He cuts his hair into a short mohawk with and he gets “The Forsaken” in Orcish tattooed on the side of his head. Echo will pay for their tattoos and he takes them to his friend, a female goblin named Trixie. Persephone decides to add tattoos for her Mystic Grimaulkin, Yashi, Prism Snake, and Elemental forms.

As they leave Jexik they hear a news report that a massive engagement has commenced on the Dwarven-Goblin Front. Dwarven, Goblin, Elven, and Draconic forces are locked in a Pyrrhic battle; with eight full divisions engaging it is the biggest single conflict the war has seen thus far. The casualty count is expected to be the worst in living memory.

Level Up!
The characters are now level 12. Sebastian takes another level in paladin, so he is 11 Oathbreaker/1 Hexblade. He has an Improved Divine Smite.

Persephone is now a level 12 druid. Her Dexterity is increased to 14 and her AC is now 16. She can now Wild Shape into CR 4 forms.

Echo takes a level in Rogue to get his Cunning Action. He can Disengage, Hide, or Dash on a bonus action. He gets a bump in HP due to the Amulet he bought. His AC is 18. He has some stuff in the works for his armor magic item that he’s alluded to in a few episodes. Alloea is working on it.

Echo and Refrain
''"Codename: Echo, I hope you are well. I’ve completed the analysis of your most recent... acquisitions. They are compatible and will make for interesting additions to your particle card alongside my original proposals for upgrade."  "Sharp as ever. Thank you for taking the time to do this Alloe--" '' "hem hem" "Codename: Refrain. You know as well as I do this line is secure, yes?" "Hmph. You are too much like father, these protocols are set in place for a reason, yes?" "Yes, sister, they are." "Now. You received my circuit designs?" "I did." "And they are built to specification?" "To the very last detail." "Good. Processing should not take more than a few moments according to initial readouts. Are preparations completed on your end?" "Of course. You’re free to begin at your leisure, Refrain"

Bonding with The Starling complete. Integration process initialized.

''Echo takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Silver cloud of nanoparticles begins to form in front of him. Hovering over the items placed upon his workbench, the cloud floats downward on each of them. The particles rest amorphously before suddenly taking form in the exact likeness of each item, a silver replica enveloping what was.''

Elemental Circuit integration complete. Amulet of Health integration complete. Cloak of Protection integration complete. The Dankest Rope integration complete.

Another breath and the particles start to move again, becoming once more a nebula of glimmering specs before gradually disappearing, leaving no trace of the items in the workshop behind.

''"Go on, give it a test."

''Without a word, Echo activates his particle guard. A reflection of himself is projected from his ship. He eyes the cylindrical holster just above his left wrist, a new circular light glowing on his chest, and the billowing swaths of gold that now taper from his shoulders and neck.''

"It's a bit flashy, I like it. Powerful. As expected of you." "Now for the matter of your combat efficiency analysis, it is lacking. The fighting habits you have acquired on your travels, while versatile, are incompatible in terms of your untapped potential. Training and other physical aspects you’ve maintained could prove meaningful, but do not translate well to the intricacies of The Bladesong as things stand. I assume this is nothing you do not already know." "Yes, but there is no time for training now. There is too much to be done too soon for that. With the upgrades to my armor I am powerful enough now to do what must be done." "It is unwise of you to place such significance on the physical, Echo. You continue to forget our mother’s teachings; your mind is what makes you strong, and our bond as a people. I know it will take time but you must overcome your fears. But for now there may be something more I can do to help." "I am listening." "I have fought many battles in your absence. I have worked endlessly and have attained much. We are kin, and as such, share a bond stronger than most. It is because of these circumstances that I believe my experience can be passed on to you." "What exactly are you suggesting?" "The particle guard is the answer. That, and The Bladesong. I believe it is possible to overlay my battle experience, a detailed analysis of combat over the last ten years from my own P.G. can be uploaded to yours. Our unique compatibility along with an algorithm of my own design theoretically makes this possible. However…" "Risks?" "It will change you. It will rewrite memories, aspects of physical skill. It will substitute past experience with my own. I can target these memories with your assistance but I cannot make you any guarantee that it will work until we try it. And I do not wish to take from you what was earned, should you wish to keep it." "There is such little room for error. There are forces out of my control threatening the destruction of all we know. If I must sacrifice to make up for lost time, so be it. I will need every advantage I can take to protect what is truly important." "I understand." Algorithm XIX activated. Unification required before initialization. "You must remember what you wish to replace once unification is complete. Stay focused. Do not think about anything you do not wish to lose." "Understood." "We must speak our truth."

Brother and sister, the two activate their Bladesong.

"When shadows cast upon my heart, the light of mind remains. Our spirits summon forth our song, united once again. And with our power comes a call to forge the world anew. Ignite our mighty spirit and remind us of our truth."

Rewrite sequence initiated. Please maintain unification.

''Sacrifice in exchange for power. The price Echo is willing to pay to save those he wishes to protect. He remembers his time away learning new ways to fight. His old teachers. But then he remembers something else instead; the hard-fought battles of a warrior much like himself, or rather, who he used to be. And a piece of himself is reborn.''

Aglorithm XIX complete. Rewrite successful.

The Song of Grievance
Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian are on their way to the coordinates from Archduke Ramazall. Persephone finds herself feeling lost and vulnerable; the loss of Victoria, the reemergence of Carter, and the weight of the war have all taken a mental and spiritual toll on her. Normally the caretaker of the others in the group, Percy now finds herself in need of comfort and guidance. She does the only thing she can think to do, she takes the time to meditate and commune with the Galactic Spirit.

Percy finds herself on the edge of her spiritual sphere; stars above shining like diamonds in the sky reflecting off the infinite ocean that is her sphere. In patient meditation, Percy waits for the Galactic Spirit to commune with her. And she waits… and she waits… and she waits. But the Galactic Spirit does not come. Every time Percy has found herself in need, the Galactic Spirit has come to provide both guidance and comfort, but now the sky of the spiritual realm remains cold and indifferent. She attempts to reach out to a sphere she recognizes instead, Yuma. But try as she might, the distance sphere is closed to her, as if Yuma is distracted or unable to feel the call of her druidic sister. In this moment, Percy feels despair.

Like the days of her childhood she feels truly alone and abandoned in this moment. A stark, irrational fear grips her, and as she struggles to maintain her composure she nearly loses her connection with the spiritual realm. But then a low, deep voice from behind her distracts and startles the young druid.

"What troubles you, child? Why do you call out so brightly?"

Percy turns to see an older firbolg male standing behind her. She recognizes him as Rohorn, the Speaker of the firbolgs on Arcadia, though instead of the Council uniform she has seen him wearing, he is instead adorned in armor made of smooth and seamless white wood of what can only be a Seldarine tree. Green, living leaves adjoin the joints of the armor and a laurel crown rests upon his brow.

"Rohorn, how did you find me? What are you doing here?" "I was meditating upon my own spiritual sphere when I saw yours shine brightly. I recognized it was yours. Us Singers, especially us Speakers, are almost entirely of druidic order. It is not so hard to reach out to another druid which we have personally met." "I need to practice that, I only have drugs and other illicit means to get to this plane. I think I’ve gotten a little better at meditating to get here, but usually it is psychedelics." "I have heard of these chemicals that make reaching your spiritual state much easier, but as with most things, practice leads to mastery. Still, you’ve called me here. I saw your star shine brightly and I felt your pain. What is it that ails you so?" "I just… I just feel lost, Rohorn. We just lost the captain of our ship. The heart and soul of the team. And I also fear the orc paladin that you met on Arcadia, I fear he is going down a path that I won’t be able to follow if he continues down it. And I just don’t know how to proceed, I don’t know what to do."

Rohorn thinks on this for a moment. "It is one thing to understand that all life is one life, and that death and loss is the natural end of the time allotted to us before we must return. And an entirely other thing to have reached such enlightenment as to not to feel pain of grief. It is natural to feel the pain of loss. It is important to remember that loss is natural. This war has taken much from many, loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and I know something of this pain of grief you feel. I once had a brother but... he is gone now, taken from me." He mutters something under his breath and shakes his head.

"But this is not about my grief. Your friends must mean something very important to you, and your former captain, you honor her deeply with your grief. Grief is a terrible thing, but it is also a beautiful thing. It hurts deeply and profoundly and, yet, it is love persevering loss. Reminding you of something cherished. Still, it is something dangerous. A grief overindulged can be intoxicating; leading to acts of anger, resentment, self-pity, and self-harm. It is okay to grieve, young Percy, but do not grieve overmuch. It would dishonor your lost ones to do so." "You know, I got a very similar conversation with another druid that helped me the first time I lost a compatriot. I find myself prone to the acts of anger and leaning more into my animalistic side because it is the best way to, instead of keeping it in, it’s better just to let it out." "You’ve been relying on your survivalistic side, it seems." "Yes." "Though you are firbolg you are not of the Singers. I can sense that the Song does not thrum within you. Have you ever heard it?" "Uh, no. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Singers perform other than when  you guys were meditating or singing over Prim in the garden." "Mmm, yes. One of our Songs of Healing. The Song is… well it is complicated, and many spend their entire lives pondering upon the nature of the Song. But essentially, it is a rhythm and harmony that permeates all life. We, the Singers, have a natural predisposition to hear it, though I have heard tales of others successfully doing so. It changes and is ever changing. And we ourselves can change it, for it is many Songs. But there is one Song in particular I wish to speak of with you. It is named the Song of Grievance. It is a powerful song, and thus, one most easily heard. I would teach it to you if you wish, it may help you in finding your way. Though I warn you, it has the potential to unlock suppressed memories of pain. So much so that some have even come to call it the Song of Remembrance. I would have you know this before agreeing to learn." "I think… I think I’ll take any help I can get, and learning more about the Songs and Singers is something I’ve wanted ever since we got to this time. So please, Master Rohorn, help me."

He nods and takes a seat on her spiritual sphere in a meditation pose. He gestures for her to sit beside him. Rohorn closes his eyes and begins to speak.

"Listen to the sound of your heart. To the sonus of your breath. Feel the harmony of your emotions and the emotions of those around you."

And then Rohorn begins to sing. A rhythmic melody escaping his throat; low and mournful, slow and strong, tender and solemn. This Song has no words, and it needs no words, for hearing it draws tears from the eyes and causes an ache in the soul. Persephone is awash with emotion but she listens all the same. The Song seems familiar somehow as if she has sung it before, and soon, before she realizes how or when, the Song is escaping from her as well. She feels it to the core of her being. It vibrates to the base of her heart and her soul. It pours from her, it is her, and the memories pour from her as well.

Memories
''Persephone first hears the voice of a woman, angry and crying. Persephone becomes aware that she is sitting on a rug on a stone floor. She is wearing a simple cotton dress, she is also quite small, somewhere between 2-½ and 3-ft. tall. Before her on the floor are some small wooden toys. Looking around she sees a small, quaint, one-roomed cottage. Cozy...Home. A tall firbolg woman is speaking to a firbolg man dressed in green robes. The man looks stern and stoic. The woman looks distressed.''

"No. There has to be something else we can do. I can’t accept this… I won’t accept this. Go back to the Council and tell them I refuse." "Wrinna, you know I cannot do that. I mourn for you, I really do, but we must do as is called upon us to do." "She’s just a little girl! A baby… my baby…" "Yes, she is but a child, but a child born marked by The Wood for more. She bears the likeness of The White Stag. You knew this day would come sooner or later. You were witness, as we all were, to the calamitous sign in the sky: a burning, black star falling from the heavens. We have communed with The Wood. She has come calling, and we must listen." "But why? Why so soon? Tell me, why would she do this to me? I have honored her soil and nurtured her boughs and yet she pierces my heart in kind." "The Wood’s will is not so clear, even to I. She loves us and provides for us, but she sees beyond our short sight and short lives. She calls for a reason beyond what we are allowed to know. She calls for the girl, Wrinna, we must give her to the wood. You will have some time, three days. The Council will re-commune with The Wood but in all our time as Listeners, she has never changed her mind."

''The man leaves the cottage, and Persephone is left a moment, listening to the sound of a woman crying. She looks around her home, looks at her mother, and starts crying. Her mother hears her crying and rushes over to her, taking Persephone in her arms and the memory fades...''

''A new memory fades in… Persephone first hears the sound of rustling leaves and the soft crunch of boots on soil. She feels a deep chill in the air; around her a deep mist roils and the trees of an ominous forest stand stark and white. She is held in the arms of a female firbolg, Wrinna, the one from before; Persephone’s mother. Percy is still small. Over Wrinna’s shoulder Persephone sees a group of seven robed figures following. They travel like this for some time; her mother clutching her close. Eventually they come to a stop at a crossroads in The Wood. Persephone’s mother sets her down, her eyes red with freshly fallen tears. The seven robed figures stop 40-ft back. Wrinna kneels before Persephone, her dark brown eyes staring into Persephone’s.''

"Though you may never forgive me, know that you were never unwanted, my child, but were taken from me. You must go to The Wood for she is your mother now. If you can remember one thing I tell you, though you are still just a babe, you must learn to listen, my Persephone. Listen to The Wood and she will protect and provide. Listen to her Song, and I will listen too, and know that you and I are still connected through her. Remember to listen, my child."

''Wrinna hugs Persephone, stands and begins to walk away. As her mother’s form begins to fade in the fog, Persephone cries out and begins to make chase. In that moment a sudden, strong wind picks up and makes her fall. Dizzy, she slowly stands back up. She is still standing at the crossroad but the fog has grown thicker. The sound and the sight of her mother is nowhere to be found.''

''Persephone is alone and it is cold. She hears a sound to the west, a whistling wind. She hears a sound to the north, a babbling brook. She hears a sound to the east, the eerie cooing of mourning doves. Persephone heads north, water feels safe, essential.''

''She wanders down the path for some time and eventually the fog breaks, revealing a small stream running through The Wood. Standing at the stream, drinking from its cold waters, is an enormous White Stag. It towers over her as it looks up from drinking. When it sees her, it steps forward appearing to walk past her, but when it reaches her side it stops. It leans down on its knees and lays before her; it is apparent that it wants her to mount. She jumps on. The moment Persephone is on its back, it turns from whence it came and the two of them together travel deeper into The Wood. Here the memory fades...''

''A new memory fades in… Persephone first hears the snarl of a beast; a great boar stands before her. She is grown now, and strong. A survivor. Taught well in the ways of nature; shown her many forms by the wood. The boar charges, its tusks aiming to maim her. Persephone calls upon the form of a bear and becomes the bear. She swipes at the boar in one strong motion, and she tears out its throat with one more. Dinner. She spends the day taking the meat back to her quaint hovel. She skins and carves the beast; she cooks a hot meal and begins the preservation of the rest. Then she hears the call... The Wood. Persephone ventures outside to find the great White Stag waiting for her. Again it kneels and she mounts it. The Stag carries her through The Wood and over the rivers; through the night they travel til they find themselves at The Wood’s end. The Stag stops and kneels for her to dismount. Persephone does so, gives The Stag some scritches under his neck, and gives him some carrots and veggies. She says “Thank you for the ride,” and turns towards whatever is waiting for her. She finds herself at The Wood’s end and sees hilly plains out before her; this is further than she’s ever traveled, she’s never left The Wood before. Behind her, The Stag seems to stare into the distance, into the unknown outside. Persephone looks towards the horizon for a moment, and when she turns back, The Stag is gone. She feels a great sense of loss, she knows what The Wood is telling her: she must leave, it is time. She listens one last time and the Song of Grieving fills her heart, but is it her or The Wood that grieves? It is impossible to tell. She turns to walk away and the memory fades.''

Persephone awakens with tears in her eyes. She is back on her spiritual sphere, Rohorn is still beside her but above her someone has joined. Above her stands the Galactic Spirit, a great bird of cosmic light and life, and it lies its head down before her and looks deep into her eyes, the same way her mother did. It begins to sing, it is singing the Song of Grieving, the Song of Remembrance.

The Party

 * Sebastian Crenshaw: A half-orc level 11 Oathbreaker paladin, level 1 Hexblade warlock. Fucking metal as Hell.
 * Persephone Goldpetal: A firbolg level 12 Galactic druid. Was never not wanted.
 * Codename: Echo: An elf level 10 Bladesinger, level 2 rogue. Codename: Hank.

NPCS

 * Primina: A genetically engineered young woman. The MacGuffin. Currently a dragon in a coma.
 * Captain Arvan Davarax: A black dragonborn paladin. Captain of the Iron Legion on Outlaw's Horizon. A good man whose soul was sent to hell.
 * Iron Black Legion Brian and Jake: Legionnaires from Outlaw's Horizon. Super fans and Hell Brethren of Sebastian.
 * Archduke Ramazall: Archduke of Kaebooros and patron of Sebastian. Best not to cross this dude.
 * Jimmy Ruffles: A duergar illegal arms dealer. Not an aarakocra despite the ruffles.
 * Trixie: A female goblin tattoo artist and friend of Echo. She's the female gremlin from Gremlins 2.
 * Codename: Refrain: Alloea Galanthur. Echo's older sister.
 * Rohorn: A male firbolg and member of the Council on Arcadia. Seems like he's got a sad backstory too.
 * Wrinna: A female firbolg. Persephone's mother.
 * Firbolg Council: At least seven firbolg who commune with The Wood.

Music

 * SuperQuest Saga Theme - by Brian
 * Allegiance - by Brian
 * Message to Home (Echo's Theme) - by Brian
 * The Galactic Spirit - by Brian

Out of Character

 * Will had Brian, Freeland, and Special Guest Jake pick magic items from the Dungeon Master's Guide for the shopping excursion.
 * Will has banned Freeland from getting certain items because Sebastian would be too OP. One of those items is the Cloak of Displacement.
 * The Supernova upgrade is a Wand of Fireballs, the Fulminator upgrade is a Wand of Lightning Bolts, and the Needler is a Wand of Magic Missiles.
 * Brian swapped the 2 levels of fighter Echo had for 2 levels in wizard since they are using the updated rules from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

In Character

 * Echo put his new Amulet of Healing in his chest like Iron Man and his Cloak of Protection is styled to look like Zero from Mega Man.
 * Trixie looks like the female gremlin from Gremlins 2.