Rise of Drekis: Chapter 5 Episode 04

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==Synopsis==
Vincent attends a meeting with the most important people in the Drekis Empire. He explains about the warlock and the dragon, and how the dragon wants Drekis to take drastic action. Vincent thinks that to free the Dragon requires Drekis to act a certain way and they are trying to bait Drekis into doing it.
Vincent and Lord Marshall arrange to smuggle Vincent back into Akuba, via Redport, pretending it is just for another order of marble. However the ship is intercepted by the Necromancer King Malcifer Winter. Vincent negotiates the surrender of the ship to the necromancer, who drains 2 people and marks Vincent and leaves the ship to go freely.
The ship arrives at Pike's Point. After buying the marble for Lord Marshall, Vincent meets with the local representative for the noble family that registers and monitors wizards inside Akuba. He is little help to Vincent since Vincent has nothing to give him in return.
==Recap==
===Meeting with the Empress===
In the great halls of the royal castle, Vincent Mapper stands before Empress Vuularia Wikk of Drekis, with the empire's most influential figures observing. The empress inquires about Vincent's proposed solution concerning the Spice Islands and Eid-Ryeah.
Vincent outlines the reasons behind Drekis's loss of influence over the Spice Islanders, attributing it to the tragedies of the war, which allowed Eid-Ryeah to seize control of the islands. He clarifies that Akuba played no part in these events and emphasizes the importance of their cooperation in understanding Eid-Ryeah's actions. Vincent then directs a question to the gold dragon Shine, who is in human form, regarding her knowledge of Brimstone the Red dragon. Shine responds that her knowledge of Brimstone is limited but asserts that he is not one to be negotiated with. Following Shine's input, Vincent continues to outline his proposed solution, asserting that Eid-Ryeah is solely to blame and suggesting that the assassination of the warlock would resolve the issue.
Richard Marshal, standing beside Vincent, offers a differing perspective. He argues that assassination alone would only deepen the islanders' resentment towards Drekis. Instead, he proposes that Vincent must first earn the trust of the islanders, or at least sow distrust in Eid-Ryeah, before carrying out the assassination.
After considering the proposals presented by Vincent and Richard, Empress Vuularia Wikk surveys the room and notices disapproving expressions, including from Shine. The empress calls on Shine to express her concerns. Shine articulates that resorting to violence and murder should always be a last resort, and she criticizes the plan to assassinate Eid-Ryeah without first gathering more information about him as unwise.
Imrik McGary, known in recent years as the "King of Flowers," then steps forward, pushing Shine aside to take her place. He declares his support for the assassination of Eid-Ryeah, offering to undertake the task himself if Vincent is unwilling. Imrik also voices his belief that Akuba is responsible for Eid-Ryeah's actions and should be held accountable.
Following McGary's statement, Lady Pentalin steps forward to caution Empress Wikk. She reminds the empress that Drekis is still recovering from the recent war and strongly advises against initiating a new conflict with Akuba.
Empress Wikk takes all the advice into account and then turns to Vincent with a direct question, asking if he is capable of bringing the Spice Islands back under Drekisian control and eliminating Eid-Ryeah. Vincent responds that he cannot provide an answer until more information about Eid-Ryeah is obtained. The empress agrees and orders Vincent to travel to Akuba to gather intelligence.
After the meeting concludes and the empress departs, Richard finds himself surrounded by individuals seeking Vincent's assistance in various diplomatic matters. One person requests Vincent's help in negotiating with the goblins near Whiteshore, while another mentions the need for aid with the gnomes of GNoME.
===Journey to Redport ===
After the meeting with the empress, Vincent Mapper has a private discussion with Lord Richard Marshal to finalize arrangements for his covert entry into Akuba. The plan involves Vincent traveling first to Redport, where he will board a Redport ship headed to Pike's Point under the guise of purchasing marble. Once in Akuba, Vincent will conduct his investigation, with a contact of Lord Marshal waiting in Pike's Point to facilitate his escape from the country if necessary.
While awaiting a ship to take him to Redport, Vincent meets his new bodyguard, Coora, a 40-year-old former mountaineer. Coora, motivated by the need to support her large family, makes it clear that she is committed to her duty and will not allow herself to suffer the same fate as Vincent's previous bodyguard, Vordren.
January 15, 1522. Vincent departs from Bon’ Theris aboard one of Richard Marshal’s vessels and arrives in Redport after a 14-day voyage. In Redport, he meets Aurora, the captain of the ship that will take him to Pike’s Point. Vincent gathers information about Akuba from her and procures supplies for the upcoming journey. After spending five days in Redport, Vincent embarks on the northward voyage to Pike’s Point.
===The Curse of the Strait of Amon===
February 10, 1522. During the passage through the Strait of Amon, the ship encounters a violent storm that forces them to beach on the shore between the Dusky Woods and the Emerald Forest. The following day, Vincent prepares spells such as and , which enable the crew to push the ship back into the strait and continue their journey.
February 11, 1522. Later that night, Vincent Mapper notices hundreds of bats swarming above the ship. After a few minutes, the bats begin flying into the lower deck, followed by a scream. Vincent rushes below deck to find a shirtless man holding a sailor by the neck, draining his soul.
A battle ensues as several sailors attack the necromancer, but their efforts prove futile. In retaliation, the necromancer finishes draining the life force from one sailor and kills another with his bare hand. Vincent attempts to cast on the necromancer, but the spell has no effect. Realizing the situation's dire nature, Vincent offers to surrender if the necromancer agrees to spare their lives. The necromancer demands three young men as sacrifices in exchange for leaving the crew unharmed. Vincent attempts to negotiates the number down to one, which seems to amuse the necromancer. He agrees to the deal, on the condition that Vincent allows him to mark him so they can meet again in the future. Additionally, the necromancer promises to protect the ship from the storms frequently encountered in the Strait of Amon.
Vincent consents, and the necromancer carves a mark of alternating zigzags down Vincent’s spine. Afterward, the necromancer drains the soul of another sailor and transforms into a bat, disappearing into the night.
Following the necromancer's departure, the terrified crew collectively decides never to speak of the incident again.
===Pike's Point===
March 3, 1522. The ship docks at Pike's Point, where Captain Aurora acknowledges that Vincent Mapper saved their lives during the journey but expresses her discomfort with the methods he used. They exchange a handshake before parting ways.
Vincent then meets with Samir to order marble on behalf of Lord Richard Marshal. Afterward, Vincent inquires about traveling to the Akuban capital of Sandashar to consult with the wizards there regarding Warlock Eid-Ryeah. Samir informs him that Mok Sha'zhar, the current leader of the Sha'zhar family, oversees the order of wizards in Akuba and is based in Sandashar. However, a local representative of the Sha'zhar family, Pod Sha'zhar, is present in Pike's Point. Vincent decides to meet with Pod Sha'zhar first.
March 6, 1522. Before the meeting, Samir briefs Vincent on Lord Pod Sha'zhar. Pod enjoyed significant autonomy during the Akuban Civil War but now resents being under Mok Sha'zhar's command since the war's end. Although Pod is not a spellcaster, he is a 65-year-old with career ambitions, dissatisfied with merely overseeing Pike's Point.
Vincent meets with Lord Pod in his small palace in Pike's Point and inquires about Eid-Ryeah. Pod indicates he could investigate the matter but demands something in return, which Vincent is unable to provide. When Vincent reveals his association with Richard Marshal, Pod discloses that his nephew was killed by William Marshal, Richard's son-in-law (see Frozen Frontier Episode 25). Pod demands that Richard Marshal come to apologize personally, knowing full well that Marshal will not, and labels him a coward. Vincent agrees that Lord Marshal is unlikely to come.
Vincent then explains who Eid-Ryeah is—a wizard or possibly a warlock who wields power in the Spice Islands. However, Lord Pod remains adamant that he will not assist unless he receives something in exchange.
Vincent leaves the palace, contemplating the conversation but realizing that he has not obtained any direct information about Eid-Ryeah.
Vincent inquires with Samir about the wizard education system in Akuba. Samir explains that Akuba relies on an apprentice system rather than formal schools. Apprentices often endure harsh treatment during their training but eventually learn to wield magic. All spellcasters are registered and tracked by the Sha'zhar family.
Vincent then considers the possibility of finding the wizard who served as Eid-Ryeah's mentor. Samir informs him that such records would only be available through the Sha'zhar. The alternative would be for Vincent to travel across all of Akuba, visiting each location personally in search of clues.
Contemplating this challenge, Vincent considers the option of traveling to all eight major towns and cities in Akuba to speak with local wizards and gather information himself. He begins his search in Pike's Point.
==Experience==
No experience given this episode.
Category:Rise of Drekis Episodes
Category:Rise of Drekis