Episode 44

Episode 44: The Ocean’s Choir

The party piles into the Mariner’s Rest with the intention of finding clues left by heroes past to determine the location of Wood’s Divine Weapon. The hut is only a couple of rooms, fairly small without much in them. However, it seems that there are mysterious parts of the hut that seem to be keeping out certain party members from exploring. The second room in the hut, complete with a faintly glowing magical circle on the floor, keeps out those like Taylansta and Gemevieve. Only Wood, Baird, and Calpurnico are able to move on forward without worry, concluding that those in tune with the Aquan water element are able to traverse the hut with ease.

The three move forward, and come to what may have been a work station for a prior resident of this hut. There is a table littered with scrawlings and illustrations of creatures native to the Hostrea Arch, including a migrating sea animal known as a Tempest Ray, a stingray that is sure to be passing through the islands of the Hostrea Arch within days. Another magical rune within the floor faintly glows on the other side of the room, encasing a book shelf with some sort of note on it. Only Wood is able to pass through this rune, going to the other side and picking up the note. It seems to have a written verse on it, very similar to the poem he’s used to get to this point. It reads, “Ashen skies and sharkfin seas seeking forth a place not meant to be. Returning hence, I long to lay my mariner’s head to its gentle rest”. The page has a notable hole through it, where the “e” in the word “rest” is. With Calpurnico’s help, Wood discovers this hole may just be part of a puzzle. Calpurnico shifts through the papers around the hut and discovers a map of the Hostrea Arch, on a paper the same size as the poem just found. Upon layering the poem over the map, the hole highlights another location in the Hostrea Arch: the nearby island of Medrum Island. This island is usually thought to be uninhabited due to a high population of poisonous creatures known as Deathcarrin Crabs. However, the island is home to an abandoned ranch that just may lead to Wood’s next clue. With some flashy theatrics from Calpurnico, the group is off for their next destination.

From Isle de Felo to Medrum Island, the Whirlwrecker travels the open seas of the Hostrea Arch with speedy ease. The rumors may prove to be true: the ranch where they land is seemingly desolate from the outside, with creaky doors and no signs of civilization. Taylansta, feeling quite violent and sinister as the two suns rise, decides to stay outside while everyone else explores the ranch house.

The inside of the house is a bit cluttered, but leaves many things to investigate. Directly ahead, the party finds a main hall, perhaps once used for dining. Baird discovers that they may have been lied to: the food laid out on the dining table seems to be fresher than it should be. Someone was in here semi recently, so to be on guard is the best course of action.

On a nearby desk, Baird also finds another note, in the same penmanship of the poems Wood has gathered in his quest. The note is more scrawled, with messy lines and scribbles over the words. It seems that the author couldn’t quite get the verse on this one. Wood suspects that the Repentence cultists may have attacked someone here, or perhaps are bunkering here…

In another, nearby room, Wood discovers another barrier that keeps out those not attuned with the water element. In here, another note, seemingly the finished version of the poet’s third verse of their poem: “Within the chest, lies the key. It lies before you in a place unseen. Though many have come to see what’s false, truth is what you make of yourself.” Confused, Wood is determined to explore more and figure out what this key refers to.

The heroes discover more throughout the ranch house. For example, attached to the dining hall is a small room, with a mysterious cauldron in the center of it. It contains a dusty smell broth water, with crab shells floating around in it. Fearing that this may be the nefarious work of the Repentence, Wood moves to look in other places.

In another hall, Wood finds a room lined with wooden treasure chests, some closed, some locked, and some ajar. Perhaps it was one of these chests the poem was referring to. However, at the other end of the room is a large, stone tablet encircled by a glowing rune on the floor. Wood cautiously goes around to investigate the chests, but doesn’t find much other than regular household items like clothing and food, and some weapons. As he makes his way around the room, he has a bubbling feeling in his chest. The alter seems to pull him forward, beckoning him with a strange energy. The tablet features a groove that seems fit for someone to lay upon. Even just to the touch, the altar evokes a strange feeling to the hero. Calpurnico suggests Wood reading his newest poem, seeming to have knowledge on it. Wood, still confused, doesn’t seem to understand what this “key” might be. He tries to search the rest of the chests for another clue, but the altar signals for him to interact again. The feeling in his chest appears and disappears as he enters and leaves the vicinity of the stone tablet. Finally, he gives in to his instinct, and lays down on the stone tablet.

A piercing blue light appears from the center of Wood’s ribcage, lighting up the room. It seems to be that Wood was the key that was needed. “Truth is what you make of yourself,” Calpurnico repeats. Wood questions Calpurnico’s knowledge on the poem, noticing his keen sense on these mysterious writings. Calpurnico details that he has seen them before in his travels, but he knew upon meeting Wood and his friends that it would be him to follow it and discover its secrets as a chosen one.

Wood takes out all of his papers, the poems and the maps and shines them through the light being created. He notices that when all three pages of the poem are lined up, there is one spot in the parchments where the light shines through the clearest. And finally, upon layering the three pages on the map, the light shines onto a spot in the ocean of the Hostrea’s Arch. A large whirlpool on the other side of the Hostrea Arch, between five other islands is shown at this spot. Wood declares this whirlpool as their final destination, and the place where his Divine Weapon should be located.

Calpurnico notes that the whirlpool is a bit of a longer journey than their previous endeavors, so that resting for the night is the best course of action. Calpurnico prepares a dinner for everyone as they mostly pack it in for the night.

While Praxis guards and Calpurnico cooks, Wood catches up with his older friends, Azure and Luna. Wood, bubbling with excitement, is brought back down to his senses by his childhood friends. Azure comments how wonderful it's been to travel with him once more, reminded of their childhood together. The two do comment that Wood’s new friends have made this adventure more interesting as well. Wood also tells them about his other friends that also travel on the Shepherd, including Callisto, Toraleth, Cici, and Scrungus. He reads from his journal, the “Divine Manuscript of Heroic Justice”, but gets caught up in his own theatrics while Azure and Luna steal the journal from under Wood’s nose. Luna comments that it was them that even got him this journal, for his birthday right before he left them. They tease him about it briefly, reading it on their own while Wood protests. Azure reads a passage detailing some of how Wood’s relationship with other party members can influence his battling and power. Luna reads another page that describes different moves and techniques that demonstrate his abilities.

Azure brings up a slightly new topic, asking Wood if any of his companions have caught his eye in particular. Wood denies any feelings for his friends, but asks Azure the same in return. Azure takes off his gauntlet to reveal an engagement ring, taking Luna’s hand in his, an identical ring on her finger. Wood hugs them in celebration, excitedly asking them the details of what he has missed in this department. Luna tells him that it’s been about a year or two for them now. Azure pulls the two of them close, commenting that perhaps, something different may have happened involving all three of them if Wood had not left all of those years ago. Wood doesn’t seem to catch this, but Azure doesn’t let him truly know what he meant. He suggests that Wood should rest up in order to prepare for his upcoming adventure. The three chat for the night.

At some point in the night, Baird sneaks away from the ranch. The only person who sees him is Taylansta, who follows him far behind as he goes. For the entire day, Taylansta has been outside, violently writhing and thrashing with their strange, dark dagger given to xem by Onyx. Xey catch Baird darting from the ranch, and try to trail behind him. When xey find him, he is meditating on a nearby beach, sitting in the water. The Tempest Rays, the stingrays that Calpurnico told him about, are circling him, pulsing small amounts of electricity throughout the water.

Taylansta admits that xey were just coming to check up on him, stepping into the water a bit behind him. Baird turns, and it's clear that his eyes are glossy, the water's reflection glittering in it. He says that he wanted to see the Tempest Rays migrate before they go. He pets one of the rays, detailing how friendly they are. When Taylansta goes to pet one, a violent urge comes over xem, almost hurting the ray instead of being friendly with it. Baird asks how xey’ve been, considering the weapon, and Taylansta details the worst xey’ve felt since xey received the dagger. Baird tries to reassure xem, saying a new day is on the way. Even with a thunderstorm brewing over the sea, Baird tries to stay optimistic, seeing the upcoming storm as a sign of good change. Perhaps even Taylansta’s feelings will be a sign of change, but whether this change is good or bad is out of his field of vision.

Baird begins to tell Taylansta a story from when he was younger. Baird explains that, at a young age, he once saw someone, unlike anything he’s ever seen. A hound in white that seemed to be recording something, he explains. They were only there for a split second, but the feeling they gave Baird he will never forget. He knew, upon looking at this mysterious person, that they were documenting an important part of history. They had a strange song echoing from them, something that Baird refers to as Fate’s Chorus. As Baird speaks, that very song seems to play for Baird and Taylansta as they stand on the beach. Baird is sure that things will be okay.

Taylansta seems frustrated with all of this, being confused as to what’s happening and what it all means. Baird reassures them again, saying that while they are there to get Wood’s divine weapon, pretty sure it will be their turns as well. Taylansta fiddles with their dagger, Neant, staring at it as they ask if Baird is sure. He is, he says, beginning to speak about what their quests truly mean. He comments on what a huge deal this really is, and how they might be the change that’s coming. He realizes not only how their own lives will change, but how it will impact all of Velstrana. While there’s something scary about it, there’s also something beautiful about it.

Taylansta, still confused and frustrated, throws Neant into the sand and sits on the beach. Baird, seeing xyr frustration, asks his friend if xey want to hurt them, seemingly more sad than he was before. Taylansta explains that xey personally don’t, but sometimes xyr dreams and nightmares prove otherwise. Despite this, Baird comes up to sit with xem, calling Taylansta his best buddy and putting a hand out to xem. Taylansta holds Baird’s shoulder, and the two reconfirm their friendship and loyalty to one another.

Glancing over at the oncoming thunderstorm, the two decide to head back to the ranch soon. Baird pets the rays one last time, making sure to get a good look at them before it's too late. He attempts to thank them in his native Cavanid language, but some other, instinctual, unfamiliar language comes out instead. The ocean itself seems to move in reply. Watching the rays go out to sea, Baird and Taylansta head back to the ranch for a night of rest. Deathcarrin crabs scuttle along the floors, sheltering from the upcoming storm, but don’t offer any inconvenience.

Morning comes, the storm gone by sunrise. Wood approaches Taylansta in the morning, checking in on xyr condition. He understands that things have been difficult, gesturing to Neant, but that wants to make sure xey were okay as xey can be. He apologizes for not talking to the Shepherd crew as much since Azure and Luna have shown up, and offers that both his old and new friends should get along better. Taylansta jokes a bit about fighting him head on, and the two joke about sparring with one another. Wood even offers for an actual combat session between the two of them, for a chance for them to learn from one another and master each other’s abilities. Luna even wanders over during this, admitting they may have gotten off on the wrong foot. The two decide that perhaps they can get along with one another because they both have a mean streak. Wood is overjoyed to see his friends getting along better this time, even getting a bit emotional about it. Even Azure approaches Baird, who’s sitting a bit away. Azure comments that Wood has been in good hands for these past ten years, and that Wood talks a lot about him. Azure even admits some jealousy that Wood has nothing but good things to say about him, and all of those things are genuine. Baird thanks him, and also offers an apology for possibly being a bit grumpy towards him. Everyone gathers together happily for a moment, getting ready for a day of adventuring ahead of them.

However, there’s something strange lingering in the air. Everyone hears a melody bouncing along in the air, the same one Baird and Taylansta had heard the night before. However, only Taylansta notices the figure that appears along with it. In the corner of the room is a lanky, white figure, canine in appearance, with purple undertones and a ghostly haze around them. They appear to be recording something. As they look at Taylansta, the melody grows discordant, violently ringing in Taylansta’s ears. Just as quickly as they were seen, they were gone. Taylansta holds xyr ears, almost pained. Baird and Taylansta look at one another, Baird clearly knowing what just happened. He mouths that everything will be okay to xem. It seems that no one else saw the figure, and Wood inquires about what Taylansta is reacting to. Baird covers for xem, but does do some looking around to see if he can see them again.

With this, the party heads out for the last leg of their adventure, setting course for the whirlpool on the other side of the Hostrea Arch. The Tempest Rays swim alongside them as they sail. They pass other islands until finally, they see a whirlpool in the distance. The waves grow incredibly rocky as they pass through the tides. Just as they think they might be pulled asunder, a light erupts from Wood’s chest, and the waves seemingly calm themselves. Wood’s aura parts the waves and lets the Whirlwrecker pass through with no trouble. The ship enters into the whirlpool to find a tiny island in the center. A strange pile at the center of the island calls out, beckoning Wood Taiji forward.