Episode 43

Episode 43: Dreams Of Glory

A new day comes, with Wood preparing to meet a new crew that will escort them to the Hostrea Arch. As the Shepherd will be staying put in Kahlessi to guard the recently injured Callisto, Scrungus and Ganymede, Wood’s quest will take place with some new adventurers. He awakes with a burst of energy to go greet the new crew with zeal and enthusiasm.

Wood approaches the other boat that has docked at Kahlessi, talking very much to himself as he strides. He rambles on about unforeseen adventures and possible rivals he may meet. He promises that he is unmatched in combat by any new rival he meets, very absent minded of his surroundings. He calls out to the seas to bear witness to his heroic might and signature moves, flashing his sword Raijin Tide as he walks. As he turns towards the other boat, he is met with two people directly in front of him, a man with a sly grin and silver hair, and an uninterested woman with long, red hair done up in two ponytails. Wood drops character, becoming very emotional as he sees two childhood friends of his. In front of him are Azure and Luna, his best friends while growing up in the Hostrea Arch.

However, not everyone seems to be on the same wavelength of positivity. While Wood monologues to himself, Baird seems a little on edge, and Gemevieve tries to understand the problem with him. He seems very out of it, trying to brush off whatever he’s feeling in favor of trying to be excited for the quest. He explains that, with the Godslayer out there, he’s got a bit of a bad feeling about the quest. Gemevieve suggests that, considering that they were busy destroying Lah’Tekai just a day before, they shouldn’t have the time to get to the Hostrea Arch and find them that quickly. Gem offers that if they happen to show up, to not even bother fighting. Baird, almost sad, seems to truly think that running won’t be an option the next time they encounter The Godslayer. Baird tries to shake off these bad feelings and tries to believe that history is on their side, and that everything will be okay. Gem even mentions Luxx, Baird’s ancestor, and the troubles he must have overcome in his time. This lets Baird relax a bit, remembering the historic Cavanids that have come before him in the bloodline.

Meanwhile, Wood continues to get caught with his Azure and Luna, getting acquainted with one another for the first time in years. Wood shakes as he pulls them into a large hug. Regaining his fantastical composure, Wood brings his old friends over to his Shepherd friends. Taylansta, Baird, Praxis and Gem come over to meet Azure and Luna, who Wood enthusiastically introduces. He introduces Azure O’Lian, a charismatic man with silver hair and a warm smile. Once an entertainer and a dancer, Wood now describes Azure as a friendly rival, skilled in both dance and swordsmanship. Azure, flashy just like Wood, bows and kindly greets everyone. Then, Wood introduces Luna Jaylor, the easily irritated redhead to Azure’s side. She is fierce and cold, harboring a heavy impatience and unamused sneer. Wood questions how they’ve ended up here in the first place, in Kahlessi of all places. Azure explains they wanted to make a brief stop here before taking on any more work, but that work has oddly found them reuniting with Wood and his friends. They’ve been tasked with escorting them to the Hostrea Arch on their own little boat. Luna, aggravated but jokingly, prods him with the heavy hitting truth: Wood left them ten years ago without even saying goodbye, and expects her and Azure to carry on with them like it never happened. While she does tease, she does bring up a good point, that Wood has been away for years and many things have since changed. Despite this, she and Azure have missed him, and are glad to accompany and help Wood in whatever way he can.

Wood then introduces his Shepherd crewmates to his childhood allies. Azure interrupts his lengthy introduction of his friends and allows for the Shepherd crew to get their first impressions, and vice versa. Praxis boldly asks if they could be pirates on this adventure, strongly announcing her place on this adventure. Gem meekly comes forward, Wood helping her be friendly towards the new crew. Despite her anxiety, she greets the two of them, Luna even flatly telling her her outfit is nice. However, Taylansta and Baird are exchanging looks, a sting of jealousy and melancholy marinating between the two of them. Baird wonders why Wood hasn’t mentioned these two in the whole ten years that he’s been away from them. Wood questions them on their unease, to which Baird tries to brush off his secret feelings. He tries to give a small wave to Azure and Luna, and is met with a respective smile and a wink from Azure and an eye roll from Luna. Taylansta strides up to them, looming over them with xyr 12 foot height, and gives them an intimidating greeting. Xey ask how they know Wood in the first place, and Wood quickly interrupts to tell the tale. He details how, as young children, they were somewhat heroes for hire, helping people as much as they could. While speaking, Wood notices their ship, almost as big as The Shepherd is. Azure tells Wood their vessel is called The Whirlwrecker, to Wood’s overwhelming excitement and joy. As he leaps onto the boat, everyone prepares for their venture over the seas. Along with three other familiar crewmates- a Cavanid and Sombrean counterpart from Ikar, and a Borokai from the Kenai Pass- the crew begins their preparations. Baird and Taylansta give some looks to Azure and Luna as they pass them. Praxis takes the wheel of the boat, announcing that she is now the captain, and the boat speedily rushes across the water. Using her wind power, the boat pushes through the ocean faster than maybe it should be going.

The Hostrea Arch, a closely knit system of nine islands, is the destination. During their travel, Wood examines the poem that is leading them to the Arch in the first place: “Azure sky’s full moon glitters on cobalt sea. Shoreward ship’s ancient mariner comes home”. Azure explains that the island this might be referring to might be The Isle de Felo. This island is mainly populated by lion Kreolyns like Praxis. They conclude that this will be their first stop, and begin making their way there.

The Whirlwrecker eventually docks itself at an island port in The Hostrea Arch. They hop off at Porto Leuel, the “Port of Lions”, and find themselves in a seaside town full of Lion and some other mixed cat folks. Praxis wanders off, enthralled by the amount of lions she sees, while Wood, Azure and Luna mull over the poem more. While they talk, Gem talks to Taylansta and Baird, commenting on how nice Azure and Luna seem. Gem picks up some hostility towards them from Taylansta, curious as to where this is coming from. Baird is uncharacteristically quiet until prodded by Taylansta, asking him what’s up. Baird comments how he’s still kind of let down and sad that Wood has never mentioned these people before and was so quick to jump right back into the fray with them. Baird, overwhelmed with his own feelings, walks away from his friends to clear his head just as Praxis comes running back. She exclaims that she’s met someone that might be able to help them. The group makes their way over to their first, initial lead.

The crew makes their way over to an eccentric lion man that Praxis leads them all to. He’s a lot like Wood, theatrical and over the top with his dramatic persona. He introduces himself as Calpurnico of the Maelstromskies, a master of the water and the sky. He claims to have knowledge of a nearby tower known as the Mariner's Rest, which Wood’s poem may be referring to. He also runs a little shop, full of cool clothes, and offers tours of the island as well. Praxis picks up some cool, pirate-esque clothes for herself, Baird picks up a navy captain’s jacket for his brother Railund, and Luna even picks out an outfit for Gemevieve. Calpurnico offers to give the group a tour of the island as well, to which Wood enthusiastically accepts. Calpurnico, as boisterous and fantastical as Wood is, leads them off, transforming his shop stand into a magical little crate at whim. He details he received this magic item from the hands of the Headmaster of the Royal Enclave, but no one is really sure if this is true. He shows them through the town, and into the woods nearby to take them to the Mariner’s Rest.

Calpurnico leads the crew through the town and into the woods, which seems serene and peaceful at first. However, Taylansta notices movement in the treetops, thanks to xyr heightened stature. Everyone freezes, and are all of a sudden ambushed by some strange foes. Clad in green clothes and harboring sinister energy, four cultists drop from the trees, with the same allegiance as the cultists who set fire to Ikar. This time, they make it very clear who they are, and what they’re here for: They are from the cult known as The Repentence, and they are after Wood’s eyes for his future sight abilities. They lunge to attack, all with deeply powerful, cryptic abilities. The battle is brief but packed with action, with everyone getting a chance to show off their unique abilities. The cultists have seemingly been doing training, as their skills are much more honed and dangerous than previously thought. However, they quickly realize their disadvantage, as Calpurnico unleashes a flood over the battlefield, complete with icy spiars and tunnels of wind knocking the cultists down. The Repentents decide to flee, seeing Calpurnico’s might. Despite the forfeited victory, the crew promises to stay on guard just in case Repentence cultists show back up again. It seems they might be serious about Wood’s eyes…

Calpurnico leads the crew forward, Wood in awe of Calpurnico’s heightened mastery of wind and water. They promise to work together throughout this venture, a heroic allyship planted. The lion leads everyone forward and out of the woods peacefully, bringing them quickly to a looming tower by the sea. With a daunting spiral staircase leading all the way to the top, the party climbs, eager to explore the hut at the top of the tower. The mysteries and questions the Mariner’s Rest holds will soon be answered…