Rise of Drekis: Chapter 2 Episode 11

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==Synopsis==
In the aftermath of an orc raid, Elaine reflects on her initial distrust of Vincent's unconventional tactics, realizing he was acting to protect her. With renewed trust, they navigate through elemental upheaval, confronting fire elementals and negotiating with Geraldine Silverworth for peace. Eventually, a compromise is reached, leading to the departure of the orcs from Ethos. In a final act, Elaine seeks to enlighten Lord Campbell about the island's mysteries with the help of Skilee, the nereid, hoping to renew a sense of weight and responsibility to Campbells role as the Lord of Santa Barbara. 
== Recap ==
=== Discussion with Vincent: August 12th, 1517 ===
The evening after the orc raid, Elaine sits in her bed contemplating the events that led up to her distrust in Vincent. She thinks back to the time he suggested having a picnic right before negotiations with the enemy leader next to the lake that had signs of elemental activity. He argued they should rest at the enemy fort because they have diplomatic immunity, and surely if they asked to stay the night nothing bad would happen. These suggestions seemed so strange to Elaine that she began to think he was charmed. However, Elaine thinks back to her childhood and remembers that she was raised in a unique environment surrounded by decorated military commanders. She was raised as a soldier by soldiers. Vincent, on the other hand, is a cartographer from the capital city. After thinking it through, Elaine gets to her feet, fetches Crumpet, and heads to where Vincent and Vordren are tied up. 
Elaine explains to Vincent that she went towards the obvious ambush because she believed that waiting in the fort resting as Vincent suggested would result in the villagers getting caught up in the conflict. She then acknowledges that she was wrong to think Vincent was charmed and understands that he was trying to protect Elaine. She then returns the scrolls to Vincent and sets him and Vordren free, asking them if they are willing to continue the mission together. Vincent agrees.
=== Nature Attacks: August 18th, 1517 ===
The party spend the next several days resting in the fort, when on the 18th of August a massive earthquake shakes the land. The fort's structural integrity is compromised as two walls crumble, prompting a swift evacuation. Amidst the chaos, the emergence of several luminous entities on the distant hills catches the party's attention. Recognizing these phenomena as fire elementals, the group prays they will not advance towards Santa Barbara. The party make their way towards town and Vincent notices the fire elementals are scattering in random directions.
Upon reaching the town, they witness the aftermath of the earthquake, with buildings in disrepair and villagers gazing out at the receding ocean—a telltale sign of an impending tsunami. Vincent, discerning the imminent danger, issues a warning, urging everyone to seek higher ground. As the waves crash upon the town, causing widespread devastation, most residents manage to evacuate in time.
However, the looming threat persists, as Vincent notices a lone fire elemental advancing towards their location. In response, the party mobilizes, enlisting the aid of their seven archers to confront the fiery entity in the open plains. Prior to engaging in battle, both Elaine and Vincent deliver motivational speeches, each reflecting their distinct leadership styles. Elaine emphasizes the principles of honor and duty, while Vincent focuses on tactical strategies for combating the creature.
With resolve, the group ventures into the plains, launching a barrage of arrows upon the fire elemental upon reaching maximum range. However, their efforts prove futile as the creature demonstrates immunity to conventional weaponry. Recognizing the futility of direct confrontation, the party devises a strategic retreat, leading the elemental away from the town until it loses interest and retreats towards the mountains, ultimately dissipating from sight.
=== The Final Negotiation: August 20th, 1517 ===
After a couple days of rest and cleanup of the town, Elaine hears the voice of an invisible Nook Nook. The goblin relays a message from Geraldine Silverworth, inviting the leaders of the Drekisian forces to parley with them a mile outside of Santa Barbara. Despite Crumpet's anger towards Nook Nook for his perceived betrayal, the goblin is spared from retribution, albeit barely.
Accompanied by their contingent of 16 soldiers and 8 goblin slaves, the party follows Nook Nook along the lagoon to rendezvous with Silverworth. En route, they are intercepted by a mounted human adorned in plate mail, serving as an emissary. He directs them towards Silverworth's location to the north but stipulates that only the leaders are to proceed. Elaine rebuffs this demand, insisting that Silverworth should join them instead. Pledging her honor that their intentions are peaceful, Elaine persuades the knight, who returns shortly with an additional 3 guards wearing plate mail escorting Silverworth.
In the ensuing dialogue, Silverworth presents a proposition: the return of their ship and goblin slaves in exchange for a peaceful withdrawal of her orc forces back to Solum. If they decline this offer she tells them there are 100 orcs at the top of the mountains ready to descend on the town. Elaine probes further, inquiring about Silverworth's insights into Ethos. Silverworth shares her belief that the island was once inhabited by people thousands of years ago and thrusted beneath the sea, only to rise again in the last few years. She believes the fires, earthquakes, and storms are a result of the land continuing to be formed. Vincent asks if they caused the storms by killing the inhabitants of the forest. Silverworth responds to this by taking out a shawl and orders a nereid to appear. She explains how the nereids are weak creatures and then orders the nereid sit, which it obeys. Vincent asks if they found any magical items in their exploration. She tells them the only magical item they found was a magical trident that drove one of her bodyguards mad. After the incident she disposed of the weapon by tossing it into a crevasse. 
Subsequently, Elaine proposes a counteroffer: the return of the ship, provisions for their journey, and a pledge of Silverworth's abstention from Ethos in perpetuity. Silverworth tentatively agrees, with the condition of retaining the nereid as her personal servant. When Elaine declines, Silverworth requests Nook Nook as an alternative. Reluctantly, Elaine consents, sealing the deal by surrendering Nook Nook to Silverworth's custody.
=== The Orcs Leave Ethos: August 22nd, 1517 ===
A couple days later, 49 orcs and Silverworth with her 4 bodyguards arrive in Santa Barbara. As they load up the ship with supplies and drag it into the bay, Vincent casts only to find no magical items anywhere in sight. And just like that, the Voraci ship leaves Santa Barbara peacefully. 
The next day, Elaine brings Lord Campbell to the mountain pass where Skilee the nereid resides. Elaine introduces the Nereid to Campbell and asks her to explain the purpose of the island to him, hoping to renew a sense of weight and responsibility to Campbells role as the Lord of Santa Barbara.
==Experience==
No experience given this episode.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis