World of Embrel: Knights of Magic - Episode 10

== Summary ==
After playing a decisive role in the defense of Wilderest from invading giants, the party became Knights of the Vanguard, knighted by the king of Oldirin himself. The Vanguard then tasked the party with a new adventure: to find a ship that will carry them south of the Summer Sea. There, they would find an isle with a shrine to the Goddess of Magic, where they might learn why magic in Embrel was dying—and how to prevent that death.
In this episode, the party dumped most of their wealth to stave off the wrath of the Sea Terror. Though Lucia Bonebeard abandoned them and the ship, eventually they reached Sunward, where they negotiated with Duke Julio Anthnal to secure the Coral Breaker. With his blessing and sponsorship, the Knights would use the Coral Breaker to sail south and save magic, making Duke Anthnal famous. But things took a dire turn when Kartuk discovered Duke Anthnal dead in the night. His murderer? Otto von Daxon, the Immortal Man.
== Death at Sea ==
For days, Kartuk was unconscious due to Rotter’s Blight, but a steady application of Wellbloom revived her just in time to be thrown out of her hammock on the Coral Breaker, tossed by a massive storm. She went above deck and found her party staring at the Sea Terror, a massive eldritch being with muscles that seemed to be made of kelp and detritus. The Sea Terror raised its hands above the water, poised to crush the ship.
A sailor himself, Lugo knew what to do. He commanded the party to gather all the wealth they could find and dump it overboard. Most ships carried a Terror’s Take, a portion of wealth and goods to dump as an offering to the Sea Terror, but the party would have to make due with whatever they had in their pockets.
Uno threw a random barrel of fish, along with 50 gold he had taken from the dragon of Tidesbane’s lair. The other 50 gold he kept to himself. Linus threw 100 gold—also taken from the dragon’s lair—Tuk threw 70, Xochiquetzal threw 93, Lugo threw 143, and Ferrah threw 44 gold along with a fancy dress. The merchants they had previously rescued threw 16 gold as well. In total, 516 ounces of gold disappeared into the depths.
The Sea Terror nearly hit the ship, but retracted and sunk into the ocean. The storm still raged, however, and the displacement of the water tipped Ferrah and Xochi overboard. Uno flew down and rescued Ferrah by grabbing her friendship ribbons. He threatened to drop her on the way back. Ferrah was unamused.
Lugo cast levitate on Xochi so that she would float above the water. She had nothing to propel herself, however. She Wildshaped into a dolphin but was still floating, stuck in the air, so she concentrated and willed the levitation to break, falling back into the ocean.
After Xochi failed to majestically leap onto the deck and dislodged a ladder, Face tied a rope to himself and Linus tied the rope to the ship. Face jumped off the ship to rescue Xochi, but the railing to which he was tied broke off. Tuk threw a rope tied to herself. Xochi grabbed that rope, but was unable to grab Face.
Uno went below deck and began practicing condolences for Xochi losing her boyfriend, Face.
Xochi reverted to a Drow and climbed the rope. Then she stomped down to Uno and asked him to save Face.
Linus and Ferrah put the sails up. Lugo noticed Lucia not at the helm and took control of the ship, making a hard turn back to where Face had disappeared. Xochi had been keeping track of how long they were moving and directed him.
Linus asked Toad to find Face, though Toad was reticent and still upset at Linus. The familiar dove overboard anyway.
Both Toad and Uno failed to find Face, so Xochi turned into a whale and slid off the ship. She dove for fifteen minutes to reach the ocean floor and found Face’s rope trailing northeast. She found Face walking along the seafloor towards Sunward. Face put on his smooch mask and Xochi booped him with her forehead. Fifteen minutes later, they surfaced.
Linus recalled Toad, who had an octopus stuck to him. Uno claimed the octopus as food and stuffed it in his pocket.
Once all were back on the ship they found the dinghy was gone. Lucia had taken it.
Lugo asked Linus and Uno to grab a merchant to direct them to Sunward. Uno found all five merchants dead, their throats slit. Uno looked for clues and discerned that it was a surprise attack with barely a struggle. He also heard a scared meow. Cat was hiding behind a barrel. Uno fed it an octopus tentacle, then reported the bad news to the party. They thought it was Lucia's doing, trying to keep them lost.
Xochi cast Speak with Animals, but Cat appeared to be a cosmic entity who could speak to her without the casting of the spell. Xochi tried to get Cat to tell her what happened, but Cat said little more than "friend." Cat did go to Lucia’s hammock, so Xochi broke into Lucia’s trunk of belongings and found journals full of research on the Coven of Witches.
After Xochi called everyone down, Ferrah started reading and learned that the Coven consisted of the nine Witches, ancient and immortal beings. A Witch’s energy would bind to a host, only leaving when the host died. The Witch's energy then travelled to find another host to which it could bind. The Witch held the memories of the hosts and the self, experiencing time unilaterally, remembering the memories of its past lives in tandem with the aging of the current host. One Witch oversaw secrets, another fear. Others included death, creation, change, and fury. Witches didn’t often interfere with the outside world.
Nythlyn was the Witch of Fury, also known as the Sea Witch.
Lucia did not know which Witch had inhabited her daughter.
Though Face didn’t think killing merchants fit Lucia’s character, there was no evidence of anyone else on the ship.
Uno cast Ceremony on the bodies to perform death rites. He collected candles and lit them in the room, laid bodies down like a regular funeral, waited until next night for a wake, then at midnight said some words: "Sure is a tragedy these find folk died, they were loved and special in their own way. Most importantly I don't want them to come back as undead." He splashed ocean water on their foreheads and put out the candles.
Later Linus discussed Toad’s grievances. Xochi stated that Toad didn’t feel appreciated, always summoned for favours rather than love. Ferrah passed Linus a ribbon for Toad. Linus and Toad had quality time together on the way back to Sunward. He made Toad a super fancy dinner of bugs, as well as a Tiny Hut to use as a resting spot. The party also played hopscotch with Toad.
On the last night before reaching Sunward, Linus remembered that he'd forgotten to call Hazzel every night. He used the communing bowl and found Lovich there. Lovich looked excellent having imbued himself with the essence of his youth. It was old magic that stole his future days to give him greater health in the present. It was something Harrint the Pure, Court Mage of Abishot, had taught him.
Lovich informed them that the Coral Breaker was Sunward's ship and they'd have to throw their authority around to keep it. The party told of the dragon turned into a cat and the Sea Terror, along with the dead bodies. Lovich would have the Sisters of Lianda on the docks to take the bodies.
== Securing Sunward’s Aid ==
The next day, the party reached Sunward, the city in which they had all met. It was the largest port city in Oldirin and had very uniform architecture.
Due to the party’s reputation and the fact that the Coral Breaker was the gem of Sunward's navy before it had been stolen by Lucia Bonebeard, crowds gathered on the dock to meet them. They held a bunch of rumors, including:
* Záchálas had been put in its place. Soon Oldirin would get a bit more of their take and things would be even.
* Lugo took down an entire crime family.
* Xochi was in a relationship with a rock.
* Uno’s healing skills in battle were excellent.
* The Knights were actually a bunch of pirates, stealing wherever they went.
* Uno was a grave robber who had taken many artifacts.
A group of soldiers greeted the party, calling them the Audacity, the name given to them by the King of Oldirin. The soldiers shuffled them to the palace where Duke Julio Anthnal was waiting to reward them for their brave actions.
A familiar face met them there. Di'Thranshalla Anthnal loped towards Lugo. Di was Lugo’s date to a gala he had attended while a squire and was still infatuated with him. Lugo unconsciously rotated his shoulder, remembering the arrow with which she had shot him.
Di hugged Lugo, though he leaned out of it. She insisted on showing Lugo her room. In spite of the party's protests, Lugo was willing and left with her.
The rest were led to a dining hall where Duke Anthnal awaited. Anthnal welcomed them eagerly, excited that they had recovered the Coral Breaker. A feast had been prepared with six different wines. It had been such an insult for the ship to have been stolen.
Upon noticing that Lugo was missing, the party explained that Di had confiscated him. Anthnal stormed off to find them while the others feasted.
Palace Dobermans sniffed at Uno's feet. Uno picked one up. All tried to eat his pocket. He pulled out the three-day-old octopus and fed it to the dogs.
Linus enjoyed the stellar biscuits, marmalade, and yak butter. Xochi ate amazing garlic twist bread rolls and was wowed to see that a star of Embrel Bake-Off had made the centerpiece. Ferrah ate a clear soup that tasted like vegetable broth.
Lovich came to the dining hall and hugged each of them, excited that they were okay. They had accomplished a lot in their first two years of being Vanguard. Hazzel wasn’t there because he was running an errand for Lovich: the Augurists said the party’s names had appeared in oracles. Each had the choice to read their prophecies, but Lovich tried to keep away from that stuff. Hazzel would return that evening with their prophecies.
Ferrah asked if Lovich had asked Duke Anthnal about taking the Coral Breaker. Lovich hadn't, wanting the party to do it. He had bad history with the Duke, having slept with the Duke’s wife sometime in the past. The wife was now dead, and the whole subject was a touchy area.
Uno asked if the party would get paid, since most had lost their money supplying the Terror's Take. Lovich gave them each 12 ounces of gold.
Linus asked what a Goblin was since the dragon had called him one. Goblins were an ancient species that had come to Embrel to stop an extraplanar creature. Goblins had a warrior form and could switch forms at will, though Linus didn't seem to have that ability. Linus also asked about the Duke. The Duke was vain, loved his daughter, and loved his navy. Linus said they might be able to use that to their advantage. The group would attempt getting the Duke to sponsor their journey south in the Coral Breaker.
Lugo had snuck down to the feast covered in blue lipstick kisses. He crammed toast and ceviche into his mouth, then drank huge gulps of wine.
Lovich welcomed Lugo and said they were all there for him no matter how hard things got. Lugo said he appreciated it, but the only thing they needed to figure out was how to keep his ship, the Coral Breaker.
Uno said that because it was his and Lugo's birthdays, he would disregard that Lugo had claimed the ship as his own. Lugo said it would be the best birthday present to get that ship. They all toasted to Uno's and Lugo's birthdays.
Lovich heard Duke Anthnal coming back to the feast and scuttled away.
The Duke walked in with Di, who was saying that she only gave Lugo a tour. Lugo pulled her chair out for her. Then he bowed his head to Duke Anthnal. Everyone moved their chairs so Lugo had to sit across from Di. Di played aggressive footsies under the table.
The group buttered up Anthnal, asking him to tell of his naval exploration exploits. He told them of the Ice Breaker, a ship that would explore past the northern ices to reach a passage to Eastern A’lune. The Duke was excited for trade opportunities with civilizations they had never met.
The group tried to persuade the Duke to let them take the Coral Breaker to lead a southern expedition working with the Vanguard. That would let them work to save magic, making the Duke famous throughout history.
The Duke made Di leave the room. A cloaked mage, Oyliv, secured the room. The Duke agreed with little hesitation. Maybe it was the wine talking, but since the King of Oldirin only had a comatose heir, the fame of saving magic might set the Duke up to become the next ruler.
Noting that Lucia could still be a problem, Anthnal told Oyliv to put the word out to search for and capture Lucia Bonebeard.
The party continued feasting, the deal secured. At about one in the morning, Anthnal retired for the night.
== Dealings in the Night ==
=== Uno and Ferrah: Report to Lovich ===
Uno and Ferrah went to Lovich’s room to let him know that they succeeded. Hazzel welcomed them. Lovich was asleep. Hazzel was in good spirits, closer than ever to saving the soul of his lover—the son of Oldirin’s King. Then both of them could die and move on.
Uno was curious about how things had been going. Hazzel confided that Lovich was worried. This was their last chance to save magic. Uno asked what would happen if they failed. Hazzel stated that most people with Talent would get Rotter's Blight.
The group noted in the room an octopus that was in a globe. Hazzel informed them that it was a Hollow, similar to Uno’s mace.
Hazzel reported that he didn't think the Immortal Man was immortal, though Ferrah stated that Rose thought he was immortal. Lovich however had discovered that the Immortal Man simply healed quickly. He needed to be damaged massively to kill him. Hazzel also said that the Immortal Man was reported to be able to change his shape.
Hazzel then retired for the night.
=== Xochiquetzal and Face: Bunking Together ===
Xochi made use of the standing tub bubble bath. Linus swore that he would use it later.
Face waited outside of Xochi's room, saying that he hadn't been given a room. Xochi let him bunk with her. Xochi said that however he liked to spend the night, he could do that without worrying about weirding her out.
Face laid on a bed pretending to snore. Xochi taught him to jump on the bed. Di heard that interaction while hiding in a corner outside the room and was jealous. She set out to find Lugo.
=== Lugo and Linus: Visiting Dagney Kwon ===
Lugo went with Linus to visit Dagney Kwon who was working on the second Ice Breaker, as the first had gone missing on its expedition. They arrived in the Ice Breaker workshop. A tall Gnome with a massive fire-red mustache overlooked plans. He had twelve different pens in his hat. It was Dagney Kwon.
Linus introduced himself and Lugo as the ones who brought the Coral Breaker back. Dagney thanked the Gods and gave them hugs. Linus asked for tips and tricks on how to use the Coral Breaker. Dagney told them about grave quartz, which is what the nails of the Coral Breaker were made out of. The wood was also made of everwood, and along with the runes, that was how the Coral Breaker was so strong. He told them not to go into freezing waters, as that would pull the Coral Breaker apart.
Linus gave Dagney some biscuits since he missed dinner. Dagney gave them some samples of fyrite, wightsilver, wailstone, ashrock, angel's jade, and grave quartz. He said it had been a pleasure meeting them, then asked them to autograph the original blueprints of the Coral Breaker. Lugo signed using a bright blue pen. Linus said that the paper had been made by his family. This caused a whole other discussion, and it wasn’t until far into the night when the two Knights finally left.
=== Kartuk: Discovering the Immortal Man ===
Tuk took an open bottle of wine, put on pajamas, made sure she had five knives in her thigh holster, and wandered the halls, snooping. She looked for Duke Anthnal's office, moving with the grace of a cat. She reached the hall in which the office resided and realized that all of the gas lamps had been turned off. The door to the office was ajar.
Tuk stealthily opened the door and realized she couldn’t hear anything, being in the presence of a Silence spell. But she could hardly focus on that. On the ground she found the dead body of Duke Julio Anthnal. Beyond him stood Otto von Daxon, the Immortal Man.
== Unknowns ==
=== Current ===
* Why was Lucia Bonebeard imprisoned?
=== Completed or Removed ===
* Complete: What gives the Coral Breaker the ability to break through coral?
* Complete: Where are Lovich and Hazzel? How are they doing?
* Complete: Where is the ancient Blue Dragon?
* Complete: Where has the Immortal Man gone?
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Knights of Magic - 10