Episode 47

Episode 47: Rising Dawn

Praxis swiftly brings The Shepherd over to the reformed city of Zada, where Praxis hurriedly hops off and storms in. Praxis runs off without a care, and Cici, Callisto, Wood, and even Dae try to follow behind her. The guards in the city recognize them as they enter, showing some of the changes that have been put into place since Atlas has taken over.

Praxis charges right for the Venom Wraith base, the familiar guards noting their return, and allowing them to speak with Atlas. Inside, they find, instead of Belladonna, Atlas is sitting at the main desk alone. He looks incredibly stressed, his head in his hands, as Praxis takes everyone into his office.

Praxis throws Neant at Atlas, who quickly grabs it before it hits him and stabs it into his desk. He asks for the details, and how it ended up with them anyways. Wood explains that Onyx had found it and given it to the late Taylansta, who wielded it for a short amount of time before xyr untimely death. Praxis then demands to know how to get Taylansta back, as Wood explains that xey were killed by the knife itself, at the hands of the Godslayer. While they believe Godslayer is dead, the party believes that it may be possible for Atlas to get Taylansta back, given the weapon’s shadowy abilities.

Atlas gives them the unfortunate reality of the situation: unless they have someone meant to wield Neant, then they have no way of getting Taylansta back. However, the good news is that Taylansta may still actually be alive, but just not physically with them. Atlas details that when Pallas wielded it, he told him that when someone is killed with Neant, their soul is separated from their body, and it goes somewhere else; a place Pallas had called The Fracture. Unless they know of someone destined to wield Neant, there is nothing they can do for now. According to Atlas, Neant was created by a demon named Hazma, and that demon gave it to Pallas directly. Hazma controls the void that Taylansta’s soul should have been sent to. This is the first time the Shepherd party learns that not only can Gods create weapons, but the Grand Demons of Velstrana can as well. This weapon is the only way in and out of The Fracture, but they have no one who can fully open the door. Atlas can only open up The Fracture void so much, and gives everyone a peek inside: a loud static like noise is all that can be heard inside.

Atlas then asks to know more about The Godslayer, to which everyone is a bit lost upon. Wood tells him that it seemed like Godslayer was only after them, and that many others in their group were also gravely hurt by them. Wood finds himself distraught, feeling that they are only trying to do the right thing. Callisto adds that Godslayer may have even been more interested in the weapons than them as people.

Atlas, a bit worried about the safety of the Shepherd crew, offers someone that may offer some protection. Atlas whistles, and a giant eagle owl flies into the room and perches on Atlas’s shoulders. The bird then hops off and transforms into a hulking, tall man right in front of everyone. Atlas introduces his right hand, Vanth, and tells everyone that Vanth will be accompanying them on their journey going forwards. Vanth will serve as a party member, but also a direct link to Atlas if they ever need to get in touch with him for anything. Vanth excitedly introduces themself to everyone, energetic and happy to meet new friends. Vanth lets everyone know right away that he doesn’t have any memories from over a year ago, suffering from some severe amnesia. Despite this, Vanth is a quick, athletic, positive guy, and seems thrilled to be joining the crew.

Even though Vanth is loaded with energy, some of the others aren’t too sure. Callisto talks to Atlas privately before they head back out, voicing some of his concerns. While Callisto trusts Atlas, and trusts his belief in Vanth, Callisto isn’t sure that gaining a new member right after one of their own just died is the best course of action. While Atlas reassures him of Vanth’s ability to protect himself, Callisto retorts, saying that Taylansta was just as skilled, and knew how to defend xemself, and to look at the result. Atlas takes off a pendant and hands it over to Callisto: a necklace with a scythe at the bottom. Atlas assures that when the reaper comes calling, that Callisto will know what to do. Atlas asks for him not to show it to Methandi, to which Callisto remarks he never shows Methandi anything anyways. Callisto tries to bury his concerns, and sends Vanth in to speak with Atlas after he is done.

Atlas then speaks to Vanth one last time, before sending him out with everyone. Atlas asks for Vanth to keep track of what everyone on the Shepherd does, and to report back to him on whatever he finds out. He also asks Vanth to keep them as safe as they can. Vanth agrees, referring to Atlas as his father multiple times. Atlas, despite telling him he is not his father, warmly sends Vanth away for his new adventure.

As they go, Atlas suggests that they get a view of the new Zada before leaving, and to spend some time shopping and preparing for whatever lies ahead of them. Heeding his advice, everyone heads for the center of the reformed city to do some stocking.

Vanth leads everyone around the city, getting easily distracted as he briskly goes about the city. In their travels, they encounter the large rodent creature that Rasmesus used to own, who has been renamed Shubert by Moth, one of the escapees from the circus that kidnapped Gemevieve. They are starting a circus of their own in the city, and have found new lives since being freed by everyone. They even offer them some money for helping them both out so much. While they talk with their old friends, Praxis and Dae run off, and disappear into the city for a little while.

As they travel throughout the city, Vanth demonstrates not just his athletic running abilities, but also his animal shape shifting skills. He brings everyone to the center, and what was formally the gallows is now a gazebo marketplace, pleasant and quaint. It is occupied by some familiar faces of those formally displaced by the fire that destroyed the small village of Ikar all those months ago. In the market, they pick up some potions, including one that makes Cici incredibly lethargic, a nice, purple cloak for Vanth, and a tattered, red cloak for Callisto. While they shop, Vanth starts to cheer up Wood, who has been noticeably low energy during this trip. Vanth transforms into Wood’s favorite bird, a mallard, for him to lift his spirits. Vanth seems eccastic that he is making friends so quickly.

As they finish their shopping, a goat-like person bumps into them as they go. As the party tries to make their way back to the Shepherd, they begin to notice how much lighter they are feeling. Upon inspection, they find that their gold is missing, along with some other belongings. No one in the party knows where they went, and the shopkeepers admit they haven’t seen anything as well. Thanks to a not so handy Cavanid sniffing out the area for them, they deduce that their belongings have been stolen from them. With Cici’s calmness, Wood’s low energy, and Vanth’s bird antics, Callisto is frustrated and panicked.

However, their new friend proves to be the answer. Callisto has Vanth transform into an eagle to scout the area for anyone that looks suspicious. During his flight, he notices a guard, but in two places at the same time, seemingly cloned or replicated somehow. He also notices Praxis sitting out by the water’s edge, sitting with a bird and a letter. She seems a bit distraught by something, not taking the time to talk to Vanth when they approach. Vanth instead zooms back, noticing one of those clone guards disappearing behind a building and possibly turn into Cici. Vanth returns to everyone, and relays the information about the guard possibly being a shapeshifter. Just a ways away, they see another Cici, holding all of their gold and belongings, who just looks at them and runs.

They all try to chase behind the imposter, being lead to the corner where Moth was with the giant shrew creature. Now, Moth is there twice, one real and one fake. From voices alone, it’s not hard to distinguish the fake one. The fake one detransforms, revealing themself to be the goat person that had bumped into them earlier. The Tauren, named Avalon, seems guilty, telling them they just needed some money to live, and didn’t know how else to get it. Callisto offers to spot Avalon some money for their troubles. Callisto lets them know that they have resources and places to go if they need help. Avalon suddenly remembers them, from when they were going to be hung back when Belladonna was in charge. Avalon tells them that there was someone on that day who also saved them; a cloaked person who sent the crescent that cut their nooses and saved them. Callisto thanks them, and sends them off to get what they need with that money. Callisto shows his allegiance with Atlas, saying that he will make sure things in Zada continue to get better.

With this, everyone makes their way back to the docks to hop aboard The Shepherd, so Vanth can meet everyone else. They meet back up with Dae, who seems a bit bored, and Praxis, who returns with a crumpled up note. Praxis announces that she has to head home as soon as possible, as her mother’s illness is getting worse. She also should tell everyone that Taylansta is gone, seeing as they were cousins. She seems to want to have some friends to go with her, for moral support.

Vanth begins to make his rounds meeting everyone else on the boat. They meet with Gemevieve first, who seems just as confused and she is intimidated by him at first. Despite Gem’s awkwardness, Vanth and her seem on track to becoming good friends, bonding over their love of animals. Vanth does some animal transformations for her, calming Gem’s nerves quickly. Gem helps show Vanth around to the rest of the crew.

Next, Vanth meets Scrungus and Andrew, excitedly bounding up to them. Confused, Andrew still urges Scrungus to introduce himself. Vanth is excited by Scrungus’s height and size, even despite the hulking kronon’s confusion and irritation. Despite their differences, Vanth still tries his best to make a friend of Scrungus, only met with Scrungus’s intimidating silence. Andrew explains that Scrungus isn’t much of a talker, but is working on being better about interacting with others. Andrew advises giving Scrungus some space just in case he decides to fight him.

After bonding with Analai and their love of eating fish together, Vanth goes up to Railund and Methandi, a rare sight to see out of their quarters. Vanth is in awe of Methandi’s fatherly instincts and appearance. Railund explains that some of the crew may be somber still over Taylansta’s death, but Vanth tries to promise to be friendly and bring everyone up again. As Methandi turns to go, a little feather drops from him and lands near Vanth. Vanth notices it, gasping as he realizes that he and Methandi may be related, possibly having found his actual father. Methandi asserts that he and Railund have not had a child of their own, giving him no way to be Vanth’s father. Vanth remarks not just on their similar appearances, but also on the feather he dropped, to which Methandi quickly refutes. Methandi disappears into the cabin before Vanth can ask anymore questions. Railund reassures that he and Methandi have had no children of their own, but Vanth seems to be too enthused by the possibility.

Vanth then meets up with Baird, who is currently talking to Praxis on the top deck. He seems a bit confused but also still distraught by Taylansta’s death, asking if Vanth is here to fill the void. Baird makes it clear that he may need some time, but Vanth tries his best to cheer him up, transforming into a manatee stingray hybrid right on the deck. Baird tries so hard to socialize with Vanth, but just finds himself getting depressed with every sentence. Vanth’s energy is a stark contrast for him lately, trying to explain his interests to Vanth in order to bond with him. Praxis helps break Baird out of his shell a bit, helping him do a backflip to impress Vanth. The two bond together over their athletic natures and promise to train together. Despite how hard it’s been, Baird appreciates Vanth’s energy, and him and Praxis offer to bring Vanth along to Kreolon, where Praxis’s home is.

With Vanth getting used to the place, Praxis sets sail for her home land of Kreolon to see her family back home.