Mission 15

Legacy of the Lost
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- 	M15 - Part 2	
__TOC__
Meanwhile... Farewell at the Gates
Despite sending a letter to Sa'Perah Ah to alert her that she’d soon have some Aetherian guests, Alaric isn’t content wasting time to wait for a response from Khetmaat’s ruler - he was determined to go, with or without her approval. Some, read first and foremost Bál, wouldn’t deem such an action to be wise, but even he wouldn’t deny that with no knowledge of what timeframe they had to turn the tides of the future, haste was necessary. Dissuading Alaric from his decision would prove even more fruitless than opposing his choice to personally head the venture.
… not that Bál had actually had the time to try to sway the king from his course. The badger had disappeared suddenly nearly a month ago with not as much as a word to his usual companions, leaving Alaric with company that overwhelmingly supported the expedition for one reason or another. No doubt Bál would be handling damage control in the future, but for now, only Tara and Nicholas were there to give Alaric and his entourage their send off…
As the group readied themselves with caravans and pack animals by the city’s main gate, Osmund, Cecil, Matteo and Gawain stand off to the side, absentmindedly watching the preparations and keeping an eye on the king; Alaric himself, slithers back and forth, regularly looking back into the city as if he expects to see someone, or something.
: ...I think everyone who wanted to come should be here now-
: Wonderful, then we can depart!
: I worry this library business has turned you into a fusty dirt rag. I hope you can continue to at least watch your back-
: Oh? I do believe that’s what we brought you here for.
: (snorts) Aye, that’s right, Bál tricked me into acting as your bloody fanger.
: Speakin’ of, where’s th’ fraudulent blob of goo? He caused this, ‘least he could do is show up so I could glare at his mug. And then there’s th’ bug, where’s he supposed to be at-
: Who knows…
Alaric doesn’t speak any further, and slithers away from the group over towards his wife and son. Gawain huffs and a small trail of smoke rises from his nostrils.
: Excellent, more drama I missed out on. Ya’d think my time wit’ those Veethfölnirish fools woulda’ raised my endurance for this woodness, but Aether’s just as bad-
: Bál has relayed to me on several accounts that the bears personify a special type of chaos, but they’ve driven others into their drama… their games on the other paw…
: (grunts) Any news on Adil? Or Francišek?
: Aah, is now the best time to be discussing-
: We’ll get to your precious library soon enough, this is th’ last possible time for me to get updates in a while, so I’ll be takin’ advantage of it, if it’s all th’ same to you.
: Or, you could remain here and allow me to handle everything in Khetmaat.
: Normally, I’d take ya’ up on that offer, but with th’ king going himself…
: It’s understandable, Sir Gawain.
: There’s been no news on Adil, though we believe that Umbra wasn’t involved-
: I disagree.
: … in his disappearance.
: Doubt that with all of the salt of being. I knew Bál would have you cover for the fox, but you could at least try to be clever about it.
: I can confirm Umbra’s innocence-
: (growls) Aye, his “innocence,” that of a known spy, thief, and murderer. Tell me, does no one here have the ability to use their brains for more than a half a second? It’s the only reason I can think of why people would so blindly trust the opinions of two biased ‘mons.
: Think someone should remind you that it was you who smashed up th’ barracks - or did you forget how Adil was able to escape?
: How are you picking their side on this?
: Let’s all agree that mistakes were made. Adil got away, but we still have people trying to track him, I guarantee Umbra didn’t touch him after-
: He’d be gloating about it all over town if he did, I guarantee you would have heard about it.
: I suppose… but that’s no excuse for you and Bál harboring a criminal.
: You’ll find that we aren’t-
: Not turning him over is the same as harboring him - you’re guarding him from the justice that he rightfully deserves.
: I don’t have time to listen to this argument again for th’ upteeth time this week.
: Then I suggest that we change topics.
: (hums) Very well. As for Francišek, his arrest hasn’t changed much outside of the capital. His operation was - or rather, still is - extensive, and connects to other practices and trades that the Free Sword’s has been trying to end for a while, but it’s difficult to with certain jurisdictions and laws in place.
: The relationship between the warriors and citizens of the outskirts will remain a problem. Many still believe the warriors turned a blind eye to the situation and the overall treatment the outskirt citizens faced until others got involved; and with Adil’s escape... people are talking.
: And, unfortunately, the view of Dark types has only gotten worse. People are saying all sorts of things after Adil-
: Fopdoodles are always talking guff, blatant discrimination is nothing new.
: I’ve arranged extra eyes on th’ prince in our absence, just to be sure-
: If I recall correctly, you enlisted the help of Jackson, yes? A Ghost type…
: To set th’ record straight, I didn’t ask him, he volunteered when I was instructing other guards.
: The guild will continue to have people working the case-
: Haven’t had th’ time to discuss it with you, but ya’ are lookin’ into Pausanius and Dracul too, aye? Th’ king’s been goin’ on ‘bout them both not being’ present to accept or answer his letters.
: Yes. Bál too was… agitated by the letters he received from them.
: (cocks a brow) Letters?
: (nods) The bears each returned with a letter from Pausanius and Dracul respectively, and Bál left immediately after reading Dracul’s letter. I had hoped to hear from him by now, but there hasn’t been any word from him, so I believe I should investigate myself. 
: Also about-
: Gawain, can you come here for a moment?
: Wha? But-
: Go speak to the Queen, I’ll see to Dracul and Pausanius, you have my word.
With a nod of thanks Gawain turns around and walks towards Tara, who slithers to meet him halfway, Alaric seems to be conversing with Nicholas… as well as Jackson, who pokes just enough of himself out of the ground to be noticeable.
: What is it, your highness?
: I wisssh to give you sssomething before you go.
She leans down and sticks her face into a small satchel by her side, and rises again with the corner of a couvrechief clenched between her teeth. She gently and fondly spits it into Gawain’s awaiting claws.
: Your handke- uh… mouthkerchief? (he tries not to touch the spit-covered parts)
: A token of luck for you on your journey.
: Right.
: ...What for?
The Arbok stretches herself upwards and leans in close to the dragon.
: Asss a reminder that I’m placssing my trussst in you to get him home sssafe. No matter the cossst, get the king - get my husssband back to Aether alive.
: (nods) I can promise you that, Tara, I swear it on my life and honour as captain of the guard... and his friend.
: Good.
She leans back and gives the Charizard a nod of her own before she slithers back to Alaric. The two snakes coil around each other for a moment before they separate and exchange a few hushed words. Alaric says something quickly to Nicholas, who simply smiles in reply, and then moves to Gawain.
The two friends walk back to their group of travelers together. Osmund, on seeing them, stands up from where he had been leaning against the wall and claps his hands together loudly to get everyone’s attention.
: Now, if everyone is ready, we'd best get this disaster on the road.
: (nods) We’re off then, to change the future itself.
: Quite literally.
Mission 15 - Part 1
----
Back to the Beginning
From the blistering hot sands that shift like flames in the sunlight, to the icy glittering grains illuminated by the cold glow of moonlight: through the two extremes the party from Aether transverses the desert of Khetmaat towards its capital and palace of the Pharaoh, the shiny Flygon known as Sa’Perah Ah.
Last Alaric visited these lands - as far as he could currently recall - was to complete the third and final trial, the Trial of Mesprit, a test of emotion: a test that Alaric initially failed and would have been the end of the prophecy right then and there, if not for his son’s interference. Though he had been advised to keep this from the public, a few knew of it. Sa’Perah Ah shouldn’t, but it would be a lie to say that Alaric wasn’t somewhat apprehensive to face her and to return here; it reminded him of his vulnerabilities and painful memories.
Or maybe it’s just the heat getting to him. Despite the protective clothing, he sorely missed the carts that had gotten stuck in the sands some hours prior, and regretted his decision to not waste time waiting for them to get freed, splitting his people into those that would keep attempting to get them unstuck and those, including himself, who'd continue to the palace.
Now the temperature is already climbing again for another day of travel as he leads their current voyage, together with Gawain. He wonders what his companion is thinking: Gawain had, after all, not even attempted the trial. Of course Alaric didn’t fault him for it; if he had not been the “king of serpentine,” he too would have turned tail at even the idea of such a test.
He concludes that the dragon doesn’t appear any less scowly than usual, which for him is probably a good sign things were normal. However, seeing as the Charizard isn’t seemingly going to instigate any conversations, the Serperior instead lets his thoughts wander to his wife… but that only leads him to think of their last “private” conversation, which makes him feel even more flustered than the desert sun already did.
The king shakes away his distracting thoughts as he increases his pace, silently scolding himself: there are more important things to worry about than his own feelings. Now that he could think again, it would be better to focus on the mission and get it done as soon as possible, for all their sakes.
But his suddenly-increasing, somewhat-frantic pace and his flustered appearance gives the appearance that he’s suffering from some kind of heatstroke, if the worrying glances Osmund and Matteo, resting on the aforementioned’s shield, shoot him and each other are any indication. Gawain even joins in this odd glancing game while matching the king’s pace. Whilst the snake remains unaware of the looks of the former, Gawain is much less subtle in these things.
: Yes, Gawain, what is it you want to say?
: Uh, nothing, though, maybe, maybe you should rest.
: We’d benefit from reaching the palace while the day is young to avoid the brunt of the heat or risk delaying our arrival further. Rest would be more bountiful out of the sun and sand as well.
Despite their own worried glances, the Pikachu cheerfully pops up behind the two, with a gruff from his unwilling steed that did not enjoy the jog needed to catch up to the front of the party.
: You just want to get t’ yer library asap, I swear, just as bad as Gaius-
: Hmm.
: Oh right, tha’ is still, what’ver tha’ is.
: Ahem, yes, well, at the moment, I’d most just want some solid ground. We Pikachu were not made for long distances or deserts.
: And we Chesnaught were not made to be mules for ungrateful little-
: Sa’Perah Ah’s palace is close, an hour at most with our current pace.
: Geez, don’t pop up like that-
The Lucario brushes some sand off his fur that had accumulated while scouting ahead, then turns to Osmund with a slight quirk of his eyebrows.
: Oh, I assumed you saw me. Blue doesn’t really blend in all that well in this environment.
: Regardless, I do not require any rest-
: No, indeed, as the king so claimed, he wouldn’t hold us back when he so insisted he’d come, despite everyone calling it ludicrous, which it is. Get your extra crispy king here.
: Osmund, please-
: As I said, I do not require rest. If the palace is close, I’d rather we make haste to get there.
: That’s the first good idea I've heard all day. Let's get out of this sun before I roast.
: Like a Ches-naught over a campfire?
: Seems I'm not the only one suffering from the heat.
: Well, less talkin’ an’ more walkin’, then.
: Follow me, I'll lead the way.
True to the Lucario's word, they arrived in town and made their way to the palace within the hour. Ignoring most of the whispers and chatter of the locals, they enter the looming shadow cast by the palace, a welcome relief from the harsh sunlight.
Only to be greeted by, well… it certainly wasn't the Pharaoh.
: Oh, no… Wha’ are they doin’ here?
: Well, I do hail from these lands, you know, and as their future ruler-
: Pardon me, but who is this raving delusional child?
: (hopping off of Osmund’s shoulder) Oh my, if it isn't Yubel! I see you did indeed return to Khetmaat then after you- uhm, ran off.
: More like was run off ‘fore every structure was de-structured.
: Gawain.
: Osmund, Yubel spent some time in Aether after the trial here concluded, she-
: Restored the town of Aether in a single night? My great reputation indeed proceeds me, you must have lived under a rock if you did not hear about me all over the town.
: That is why I had to return home, however, I was so sorely missed.
: "Sorely" surely, better them than us.
: (hissing through his teeth) Gawain!
: Oh great, is this "that" one? Bibro wasn't kidding, what a drag.
While speaking, Osmund walks up to the Kirlia and grabs her up by the back of her robe, hoisting her so suddenly she has no time to react, merely sputtering in indignation a jumbled mess about Pharaohs as she is held level with the Chesnaught's face.
: Osmund! What are you doing?
: Put her down.
: If you could stop livin' in your fantasies for a moment, be a good lassie and go find your master for us, ye? We travelled a damn-long way through the heat and sand to speak with the Pharaoh - the real one, not your little play-pretend version - so we'd like to do that. Now. So run along and fetch ‘em.
Yubel seems about to lose it, pointing a shaking finger at Osmund and opening her mouth - but is cut off by laughter from the palace guards and personnel in the area. The Kirlia’s posture deflates, though her face hardens in a battle of anger and embarrassment.
However, whatever laughter had withstood Osmund's pointed glare ceases as a flustered Hippopotas enters the room.
: I am so sorry, uhm. Uh, I mean, my name, uh no, I'm Sa- I mean, the Pharaoh's personal handmaiden, and I'm, I'm named Shani. I was supposed to welcome you, to the palace I mean, today, that is, just now, she was expecting you, Sa- I mean the Pharaoh- uhm I mean.
: H-hello?
: Hello, uh, Shani, was it?
: Yes, I'm Shani, what is happening-?
She sees Yubel still dangling from Osmund’s grasp.
: Oh no, I am, uhm, sorry for Yubel, I mean-
: No, you could really end th’ sentence there.
: No, she's a good child, truly-
: (in a decreasingly-softer voice) I mean, she did lock me in a closet so she could greet you all instead, but I’m sure that, uhm, she was just excited to see you again…?
: Oh good, now I feel slightly less bad about all this.
He drops Yubel who scurries off with an audible shriek of outrage, cloak fluttering in her wake. Shani watches her go anxiously - and her nervousness increases as Matteo loudly clears his throat, quivering as she turns to look at the mouse.
: Shani, would it be a bother to ask for some refreshments? We are rather parched and we don't want to insult the Pharaoh with our less than ideal state.
: Actually we are in a hurry to see Sa'Perah Ah.
: Ah yes, uhm, sorry- actually if your leaders would follow me? I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience, but it will be a while before the Pharaoh's meeting is over and this isn't really the most accommodating place to wait.
: Uhm, yes, but surely she has read my letter, it is really quite important-
: As might be the thing Sa'Perah Ah is dealing with.
: More to the point, we can't exactly continue our journey without a break. I'd say going along would be most time efficient. Besides, travelling at this time of day would be inadvisable.
: I… suppose not.
: Wha’ ‘bout our forces?
: They will be provided some refreshments in the hall to our right - they are to wait there.
: I'll backtrack to see if there is progress on the carts once everyone is relocated.
: Good, thank you, Cecil - then Shani, please do lead the way.
The Hippopotas toddles to the left, showing the quartet to a lavish sitting room with several low benches for sitting, silk curtains hung on either side of the entryway to a courtyard outside, and a table with a tall pitcher of water. Gawain makes a beeline for the water pitcher - and downs it almost instantly, requiring Shani to call for another. Osmund grunts as he plops himself on one of the benches, eyes narrowing as he catches Gawain covertly wiping his sweaty brow with the curtains, and Matteo looks curiously at the reed-filled pool in the center of the courtyard.
But Alaric can’t keep still. He begins to pace, imagining a groove beginning to appear in the floor as he moves back and forth. A few times, Gawain or Osmund attempt to get him to relax; they give up quickly. And poor Shani can do nothing but watch as the snake’s ire grows like the sweltering heat waves across the desert.
An hour passes in this manner - and Alaric’s pacing has been enhanced by complaining, some muttered, most grumbled. The other three worry for the sanity of the Hippopotas who sees no escape from her spot in the corner attempting to hide from Alaric’s annoyance. To their and the small Ground Pokémon's relief, salvation comes in the shape of Yubel high-stepping into the room, followed by Pharaoh Sa'Perah Ah in all her opulence.
But having lost all inhibition in the waiting process, the Serperior starts his accusatory interrogation before the other leader's tail even passes the doorway:
: Did you not get my letter? Do you not understand what is at stake? We risked our own health, leaving behind our transport to get here as soon as possible, having us wait like this is unacceptable-
This causes his three companions to speed through various reactions from shock, to internally cursing and groaning, to preparing to placate the Flygon with honey-laced words and explanations - mainly Matteo, for the latter. Poor Shani looks lost for words, and Yubel bursts out laughing obnoxiously loud at one look of the Flygon's expression, which was an odd face stuck between entirely displeased and the forced diplomatic smile that she had worn the moment she entered the room.
And being blessed by Yubel's existence, the pharaoh is quite used to rude outbursts: thus the smile won out, though it looked more like a grimace and a little like a threatening sneer.
: Well met again, Lord Alaric. I assume this outburst to be a lingering result of your recent mental ailment, therefore I shall overlook it "this" time.
: For when in the right mind, I'd assume you'd understand that as a leader, I can not simply drop every other problem when faced with a new one.
: (with a sigh of relief) Of course we understand, especially with what's been happening in your nation and-
: No, I don't think I do understand - rather, I don't think you understand Sa'Perah Ah, how important this matter is-
: Here we go.
: Alaric, if I may-
: You may not! Do NONE of you comprehend? This affects all of Avalon, this isn't just "a problem!”
: Listen well, I have been quite patient with you in the past and presently, but I am in no way obligated nor willing to put up with you coming into my domain and insulting me with these tantrums much longer.
: I am so sorry-
: Spare me. None of your warnings from your messenger quite prepared me for this. I thought he was mostly fixed? Or is this how he acts nowadays?
: Beats me, he's been obnoxious for as long as I've known him-
: Which is not long, also not helping, he-
: Can speak for himself, and doesn't appreciate these "warnings" having been sent without my knowledge.
: Enough! Listen, I've known ‘im longer than almost anyone in Avalon. He wasn't fixed, some statue-lookin’ kid-
: Ene, an Elegym-
: Sure, an Elegym sealed many o’ his "visions,” but his mind itself is still a bit o’ a jumbled mess.
: And plenty traumatised - but yes, that's true.
: Were you ALL in on this messenger?!
: Then he would have been wise to stay home and not damage his nation's relations by his behaviour.
: Ye, as you can see, we lost that battle already.
: What a joke, he's even worse of a ruler than you!
: Enough, we need to make a plan to reach the li-
: Silence. Shani, take Yubel outside; this matter should be discussed privately.
: What? But I want to hear!
: To where?
: To wherever she can't eavesdrop.
Once Yubel and Shani are out of earshot, the Flygon moves to one of the benches and sits with a slight unfurling of her wings. She waits yet another beat - a deliberate act against Alaric’s clearly agitated state - then turns to the Serperior with a practiced stare.
: I can't allow you to just waltz into the desert. And I can't spare my forces on such an endeavor.
Alaric prepares to open his mouth for another tirade but is cut off as she holds up a claw for silence.
: Furthermore, if this "place" is as important as you say, you should first of all not be telling me all about it in a letter which could easily fall into the wrong hands. Secondly, what if your prodding leads to other people finding access to this place? What if the rebel forces in my nation found it? Have you even paused to consider the well-being of my people and my position as their Pharaoh?
: This is more important than just one nation's conflict!
: A "conflict" you likely know nothing about, unless you truly think the blood of my people, not just my forces but innocent civilians, children, staining the sand is truly insignificant. Unless you think their fear and suffering as they are chased from their homes and separated from their loved ones means nothing.
: And you ask of me to risk them even more, based on some vague visions you hardly understand yourself, as they brought you to the brink of insanity? Yet I must trust my people to your whim? I don't have some prophecy to keep me in power, and a mere birthright does not stand against the faith of the people. In my current position, a revolt ends my reign, and what then happens to my nation?
: We could have helped you much sooner with this conflict, and Aether is still willing to aid. We are supposed to be allies, yet you told us nothing nor asked for our aid!
: Neither did you keep yourself informed on the status of your "allies" once you concluded your business here. Furthermore, despite our trade accords that I established out of respect for Pausanius' faith in you, I have never quite felt we were allies. 
: Because quite frankly, Lord Alaric, I have not been given any good reason to trust you: only the word of others, but I have not seen your worth, certainly not from our trial either.
: (thinking) “So she DID know…”
: So rest assured, and feel no guilt, my nation is none of your business, not when you already are so preoccupied creating more problems for your own by sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. But my nation is MY business, and I do value the lives of my people.
: (huffing) Well, this is a disaster.
: (under his breath) Oh heavens, can this get any worse?
: This isn't what I meant- of course, that is horrible- we tried to contact Pausanius but he stopped responding-
: Was that supposed to be news to me? As if I didn't know about my single foremost ally disappearing. While you were waging war in Sazanami with Gāng Tiě and travelling through the far corners of Avalon to insert yourself in highly delicate political clashes, my people were being slaughtered.
: Are being slaughtered, as we speak. Yet here you are, wasting my time. So no, I won't be letting you interfere when so much is on the line for Khetmaat.
: (with a frustrated sigh) I shall discuss the library search later, once I have dealt with my own "problems." For now, I hope you or your companions can see yourselves out, because I don't have the time.
: We can help-!
Sa'Perah Ah, however, has already left, rising fluidly from the bench and practically gliding from the room, leaving Alaric shouting at an empty doorway.
: Yeh, I'm afraid you burned that bridge. And before you even start hassling the rat, that messenger kept the Pharaoh from decimating you, so rather thank him for his foresight.
: Or it just made me seem insane in her eyes.
: Because you needed help with that.
: None of you have seen- no, have experienced what I have. If we do nothing-
: No, we have not seen, therefore it was of the utmost importance we convey the importance of our quest without undermining those in Khetmaat in a civil and sane manner, the kind that actually gets people to listen.
: Sa'Perah Ah did say she would discuss it later... for now, perhaps we wait and all calm down.
: Not necessarily.
: Meaning?
: Matteo, do you think you could convince her to let me an’ some o’ my men help with th’ rebel attacks?
: Well, she did not seem very open to that idea-
: If anyone can convince someone, it is probably you, and that isn't a compliment.
: It might be a little late for that.
Everyone jumps at the unexpected voice. Gawain and Osmund both cock their fists, Matteo’s cheeks crackle with electricity, and Alaric prepares a vine to attack, more than ready to release some of his frustration… But they halt when a Yamask drifts into view, staring at them blankly.
: Wha’ in th’-?
: Please do not be alarmed. I’m one of the Pharaoh's handmaidens.
: Yet when she sent the others away, you stayed behind to-
: Eavesdrop.
: Well, at least she's honest.
: Why?
: Please, do not misunderstand. I am loyal to Lady Sa’Perah. But she needs help. The rebel forces are too strong. No matter how many fall in battle, they will return with even greater numbers-
: We were willing to help, but as you heard, your Pharaoh did not permit us.
: Your mere numbers will make no difference. However, perhaps if you were to accomplish your goal… Avalonian legends say powerful knowledge is hidden in the vaults of the Library of Thales.
: Without the Pharaoh's permission and the hazardous environment, looking for it blindly is madness.
: Unless… you are here with a solution for that?
: So you understand why I am truly here.
: Please explain.
: Your visit has not been the only recent mention of the library. Not too long ago, three ‘mons came from the depth of the desert claiming to have entered the library.
: So the pharaoh already knew about the library?!
: Not exactly. She knows nothing of it...
: Were they a Scraggy, Croagunk, and Murkrow?
: So I've heard. But these three never came to the palace. They were found and guided out of the desert by a merchant, who, unlike those three, hails from these lands and knows their way around the shifting sands. They would likely be able to take you to where they found those three.
: Which would be at least near the library?
: Yes, it would at least narrow the search.
: Hold up, why would you not tell Sa'Perah Ah ‘bout this, or anyone else ‘fore us-?
: Unless you HAVE. Who else knows about this?
: I have told nobody, and I overheard it straight from the source. I wasn't sure who to trust with the information because-
: Because?
: I am not sure if all within the Pharaoh's ranks are truly on her side. Even if they were not aligned with the rebels, the current instability of the regime and the idea of the library could perhaps cause them to seek to take power for themselves.
: Riiiight, so you kept this information from the Pharaoh to what? Not burden her with making the choice of who to trust, potentially providing a knife to stab her in the back with?
: Where can we find the merchant?
: Hey now, are we really running with this?
: He was last seen at Herep-inet. It's a Krokorok by the name of Husani.
: A "Krokorok", ‘course it is, wha’ timin’…
: What's the "but"?
: The place is currently under siege. That’s what the Pharaoh was so stressed about earlier. Her forces are losing and she needs to decide to either send back up and weaken her personal guard even more by spreading them out and losing more men, or abandon the village.
: So we kill two birds wit’ one stone by helpin’ Sa'Perah Ah take back th’ village, earnin’ her trust, an’ findin’ this merchant.
: Or we wander out into a rebel-filled desert and get killed.
: Can you give us directions?
: Of course, thank you. Please meet me with your people at the town's gate.
: Oh great, back into th’ sand we go.
Alaric and Gawain leave with the ghost, and Osmund turns to follow… but glances at Matteo, surprised to see an introspective frown on the Pikachu’s face. The mouse stiffens, realizes Osmund is staring, and hesitates briefly before leaping onto the guard’s shoulder, hanging on as the Chesnaught jostles him with a shrug.
: Thought you'd be happy, finally getting closer to your library.
: Yes, well, we'll see...
The Aetherians gather a little ways from the village of Herep-inet, after about a one hour trek through the desert. Though Jendayi’s directions proved true, it proved a bit much for their king, however, as the Serperior was suffering from consideringly severe dehydration. Fortunately they had reunited with Cecil and the wagons, one of which now provided Alaric with shelter, and if their attempt to free the village was successful, even better resources were within reach.
The king had protested against not helping in this attempt, but Gawain had threatened to loop him around the wagon in a knot if he dared “help,” and Gawain’s threats were hardly empty, king or not. Some guards stayed aside with the king, while everyone else gathered around Gawain, Osmund, Cecil and Matteo as they discussed their plan of attack.
: Alright, here we are, behind th’ heap o’ sand-
: Dunes, captain.
: Sure, but tha’s not th’ point. Behind these dunes is th’ village we are tryin’ to liberate from th’ rebels.
: And we are trying to save the villagers and make a good impression, so maybe don’t destroy the place.
: Which is why I had Cecil help me scout the village in order for me to make a map.
: Alright, let’s see it then. Also Cecil, if you can let us know ‘bout rebel an’ villager locations as well. That will help us decide wha’ order we should target these rebels in.
: Certainly, I’ll tell you all I know.
: Either way, it is imperative we let none o’ these rebels get away, or they might get reinforcements.
: Better get to it, then. It is for the best if we don’t give Alaric the time to decide to play hero after all.
Part 1 Journal
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Alright folks, let’s get to work! In this mission, your characters are going to be taking back the village of Herep-inet from this force of rebel invaders. During this part of the mission, you can do as many or few of these mini prompts as you wish. We do highly encourage you guys to take on as much as you are able to, as submissions for this part that are posted during the time limit will have an effect on how things will play out in part 2, so keep that in mind! Bonuses will also be added to a members rewards based on how well you use the assets in each prompt, your creativity, and how well you can work things together. We also highly encourage working together for this part of the mission, as there is a lot of ground for characters to cover during this. Speaking of a lot of ground to cover, here’s all the info you need to help you take down these rebels and free the village. Good luck guys, let us know if you have questions!
Your objective is to take down and capture as many rebels as you are able to!
All Rebels wear an assortment of sandy brown cloaks and wrappings, to help protect against the sun, sand and cold of the desert night, as well as to camouflage themselves in the environment. Some wear more than others, depending on how well their species is at home in the desert.
They also wear what appears to be wooden mask to further protect their eyes, identity and sometimes bright-coloured faces. These masks are modeled after the individual rebel’s species and are form-fitting, painted to be a golden colour. Every rebel seems to wear a mark of a black five-fingered hand print somewhere on their being, usually on their clothing. A quick example can be found below:
The masks and mark indicate that these rebels indeed belong to the rebel faction that has been waging war against Khetmaat’s current regime. As for where they can be found and their behaviour, see below:
1) Houses :
Using the cluster of flat topped homes to their advantage, these rebels are more than happy to take pot shots from windows and roofs at anyone intruding into the area. If one comes under attack, they will all know and will fight back in force and can be hard to spot initially.
The rebels that can be found here are: a Whimsicott, Kingler, Magmortar, Aegislash, and Mudbray. The rebels seem to occasionally switch location, so it might be hard to pinpoint who is where without some extra eyes or assistance.
Though most of the houses have had their tenants forcibly evicted, there is one where the actual villagers are hulled up together; hidden among them are also a small handful of town guards, though they are weakened from dehydration and injuries. While these villagers know their own homes like the back of their hand and the guards could be willing to assist you, they have barricaded the entrances, letting nobody inside.
If you want to use some assistance, Matteo can coax the villagers to let you in, allowing you to use their knowledge of their own homes and entrances to your advantage. Alternatively, Cecil can help pinpoint where each rebel is within a house, making it easier to take them by surprise and avoid an ambush. Gawain will be able to rally the guards to come out to help assist you as a distraction or as full frontal assault.
2) Weaver’s Shop :
The beautiful carpets and tapestries, as well as some cloaks, shoes, and a variety of other clothing, line almost every surface of this building, including the looms that show off pieces still in the work. Near the ceiling, underneath a small straw roof stand several pots with various dyes in them that don’t really smell pleasant in the slightest. 
As for the rebel, a solitary Nidoqueen, she was supposed to take inventory of the spoils, but instead she seems to be enjoying trying on various things. This poses a problem, as first she stood out within the shop in the dirty, sand-covered and coloured rebel retallia, but she now blends in quite well with her surroundings. Her big ears are not for show either; she has surely heard the clamour from outside and hid herself in order to wait out the opportune moment for a sneak attack. Don’t think you’ve won if you manage to find her either, she’s steadfast and aggressive and will stand her ground. 
To make matters worse, she is not alone: some village kids are hiding in a corner near the door, hidden underneath an assortment of the shop’s products. It doesn’t appear the rebel is aware of their presence yet, but they seem to be quite distressed, so it is only a matter of time before they give away their location.
This is a delicate situation, and if you were to use assistance, Matteo might be able to sneak into the building due to his small size in order to calm the kids down so that they don’t give themselves or your presence away. Alternatively, Osmund could help fight off the rebel if you have a plan to find her and protect the kids.
3) Beer House (ʿt ḥnḳt) :
The house’s keeper, a female Maractus named Midge, is reluctantly serving three rebels: an Umbreon, Chansey, and Persian, who are all seated and having quite the marvelous time drinking and making fun.
There is a fourth Pokémon hidden in the corner, a Cacturne. While he is clad in the same rebel robes, he doesn’t seem as merry. In fact, if you were to listen at the door, you could hear him warn the others to leave the keeper alone when they get a little to close, or that they have no need to harm the villagers if they comply.
Perhaps this Cacturne proves a potential ally, as he won’t alert the others of your presence if he spots you, and if the Maractus seems to be able to keep her cool, she could distract the three while you hatch some sort of plan.
If the three rebels spot you, however, be warned: you're interrupting their good time and they are not happy about it. Though they will fight, they will make a run for it if they see that they are losing, though their combination of attack, defense, and ability to heal might prove a problem, especially since they are fully hydrated and cool while you come in from the blistering heat.
If you wish to use some assistance, Cecil can knock out the rebels as long as they are distracted, though three at once seems a bit much. Alternatively, Gawain is right at home and always up for a good bar fight; lots of flammables could be useful but could also prove dangerous for the Grass types there, so be cautious.
4) Town Well :
This rebel makes absolutely no attempt to hide himself. The Tauros stands, posturing at the town's center along the short rock wall that makes up the community's well, clearly gatekeeping both who has access to water and who can even get into the village itself. He looks ready for a fight, which he will absolutely start should he catch so much as a glimpse of you. Ready to take this bull by the horns?
Do you risk alerting the other rebels by taking him on front and center, counting on his aggressive nature and eagerness to fight you all by himself? Or do you devise another plan to take him unaware? Getting to the well quickly would allow you to replenish your stamina and focus by quenching your thirst, which might help for the rest of the rebels as well as help King Alaric. Besides, by the rules of the desert, whoever controls the water controls life; everyone needs water, including these rebels.
At least it doesn’t seem you will have to worry about this rebel running or hiding, he seems rooted in the spot, gazing straight in front of him, daring anyone to challenge him.
No villagers would dare get close, despite their need for the water; however, if you wish to use some assistance, Gawain is always ready to lend a hand in a fight. His wings might prove advantageous, and the bull might have the water, but the dear captain brings the flames, though a fight between these two could draw some attention. Osmund will lend a hand in a fight as well, though he stresses safeguarding and securing the water is the most important goal, his defense against the Tauros’s assaults will be quite useful to stall the beast while you figure out a plan.
5) Bakery and Granary/Storehouses : 
Despite the town’s turmoil, the smell of baked delights drifts out of the Bakery of Herep-inet that day, clearly showing the attack came unexpectedly. Though perhaps it is what lured this particular rebel to it.
The Amoonguss rebel is hiding among the different fixtures around the bakery, having quite a grand time eating away at the town’s resources while pretending to take stock to distribute among the other rebel forces.
This rebel isn’t the strongest fighter and will likely prefer to attempt to hide and eventually sneak away. Be warned however; while they are quite slow and plump, especially due to their ongoing meal, their use of spores are dangerous, especially in some of the larger storage spaces. Finding the rebel in these darker more cluttered areas in order to not be surprised by their spores or allowing them to sneak off is a challenge on its own.
The only benefit seems to be that there are no villagers present that could be in danger due to the spores.
If you so choose to use his assistance, Cecil could pick out where the rebel is hiding easily and by working together with other members or an NPC, you can try to block off the exits and flush them out, though the spores remain a problem. Osmund is also ready to take this nuisance down, should you have a solid plan to both get the rebel and make sure that no more spores further contaminate the food supplies. He also passes a friendly reminder your way that his typing makes him immune to powder based moves, if push comes to shove.
6) Agricultural Fields :
At first this rebel seems like an easy target: the small Meditite is just floating cross legged, patrolling around the area, guarding what they gained from this hostile take-over. It isn’t until you pay closer attention that you see some of the crops disappear into the ground with a rumble and a swoop as they get dragged down below the earth accompanied by an annoyed shout from the Meditite.
Cecil let us know that below the ground a Dugtrio rebel patrols, one that is either annoyed by the roots of the crops he bumps into or has found amusement in his, to his current knowledge, otherwise uneventful job by annoying the Meditite rebel. Either way the fields are littered by holes connecting to his tunnels now.
The Meditite is quite on edge and has no commitment in assisting the Dugtrio when push comes to shove, certainly fleeing the scene to gather reinforcements if he spots intruders. As for the Dugtrio, despite being underground it takes but a second to pop his head up which he does quite frequently and unless you are lucky and he just happens to have his vision obscured by crops (or you are a Dugtrio yourself), you might not even notice you have been spotted before the assault from below starts. The only benefit it seems is that this underground ‘mon is quite aggressive and won’t make a run for it despite his excellent chances of getting away. 
Cecil noted that the Dugtrio rebel is always following relatively near the Meditite, unless they are passing near the water source of the field canals. Whenever their path is blocked by a canal, they will dig deeper into the earth to go below it without getting even slightly wet, and pop up a moment later to see where the Meditite is.
A local Bunnelby farmer is secretly trying to gather some water from the field canals, since the well is being guarded. They seem very nervous of being spotted but too desperate to quit.
If you want some assistance, Matteo can easily gain the trust of the farmer and persuade them to use one of their earth disrupting moves to help, like Dig or Earthquake. Cecil, on the other hand, has an easier time sneaking up on the above ground rebel and telling you exactly where they are, deep below on their way up.
7) Animal Pen :
Though only one of them is clearly visible, make no mistake, three rebels occupy this area. The clearly visible rebel is a Slowbro; we are unsure how a Slowbro ended up as a desert rebel traversing the actual desert, the rebel seems to be doubting his life choices as well, looking worse for wear and thirsty. According to Cecil, the water Pokémon got into a fight with the rebel guarding the well earlier, and seems all but ready to make a mad dash back to it as soon as he can.
Though he’s dozing inside the animal’s drinking troth right now and would be no problem to deal with if asleep, and awake he’d still be so slow that an escape is unlikely, but his psychic powers could prove a lot of trouble. And unfortunately he is occasionally woken by one of his two hidden companions, as he is supposed to be watching the shack, but will instead peer longingly at the well before dozing off again.
As for why he is supposed to be watching the shack, the animal keepers have barricaded themselves up inside their small dwelling. Speaking of the livestock, one of the rebels, a Mareep, hides among them, hard to spot, and fully willing to cause a stampede with her electricity in case she needs to make a quick escape to get reinforcements. Though she herself isn’t all that quick, a stampede would cause chaos and has a chance to alert other rebels of a problem. And the sound will surely wake the Slowbro who can blast the pen gate off its hinges. 
Perhaps more dangerous though is the quick Staravia, who is perched on a small overhang leaning against the wall of the pen, facing the shack as well, sitting so still they almost appear a statue. However, the heat proves too much for them and they will periodically hide in the shade of the overhang or take a quick dip in the water of the troth as well. The bird is quite flighty and will surely warn then abandon its comrades and fly away to get reinforcements if they spot you.
If you decide to use assistance, Matteo could be able to coax the animal keepers out of their shack, and they could help control the animals. Gawain or Osmund are willing to lend a hand as well when it comes to catching either the flying or stampeding rebels respectively.
Using Assistance:
You can only use 1 of the suggested S.NPCs listed in a prompt’s description and only once each during this part of the mission. Once they help you out in a prompt, they’ll become occupied with securing the area and keeping track of the rebels and won’t be able to help out again. This means you’ll be able to get 4 assists, 1 from each S.NPC, for all the different prompts in total, so choose wisely!
However, members also have access to 1 additional assist from an S.NPC based on their character’s class. See the table below in who can lend your character an extra hand:
Matteo: Denizens. A careful planner and persuasive fellow. Small, smart and swift.
Cecil: Rogues. He can tell you the exact location of rebels. Stealthy and silent.
Gawain: Warriors. Good at a fight, rally or chase. Strong, tough and fast in the skies.
Osmund: Tradesmen. Can keep resources and civilians from harm. Steadfast, strong and smart.
The additional assist can be used both in the prompts where the S.NPC is mentioned and in ones they are not. An example would be: having Matteo help in fighting the Tauros rebel (though this exact combo would be horribly ill-advised).
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Category:Missions
Category:Arc 2
Category:Khetmaat