Tales from a Dead Man

**Tales from a Dead Man** is the sixteenth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest.* The party reconvenes after their encounter with the kelp drakes and decide where to go next, learning more about each other in the process.

## Tales from a Dead Man

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Haelley is having some wifi issues tonight so sorry in advance!
* ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
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* Since we will be missing one of our players, Jon will be running his own one shot Royale of Battles!

### **Part One**

With Tabernacle and RX in the water on one side of the boat, and Killian shunted in the water on the other side of the boat, by an effect of the *Shadow Twins*, Seren shouted man overboard. Tabernacle cast *Mage Hand* to move the rope Quincy had thrown over the side of the ship to RX, then Tabernacle used his previously activated *Claws of Vaust* to drag himself underneath the ship to the other side in the direction of Killian. Killian took the hit from landing in the water from a height and floated on his back for a moment as Tabernacle swam towards him, and despite Killian's protests, lifted him up with *The* *Claws of Vaust* and swam back to *The Misty Moon*. Back on the other side of the boat, RX grabbed the rope after some struggle, then Quincy stepped aside to let Seren grab the end she had tied to the balustrade, and helped pulled RX back up while they walked up the side. Tabernacle and Killian easily scaled the side of the boat as they have done so before and eventually everyone was reunited on the deck.

The party then heard gunshots go off in the hold and Quincy, despite being heavily bloodied, ran down to see what happened followed by Tabernacle and Killian and found several dead kelp drakes scattered about the hold. Kerrack wondered aloud what they should do with them and Tabernacle replied he knew a recipe for foie gras which they could make, which Killian added they could make due as snacks in times of need. Kerrack and Kylan told them that they didn't need to eat them, so Tabernacle suggested saving a few to chum the open water for fishing, which Kylan agreed with and decided to keep two of them. Tabernacle happily headed back up to the deck, while Kerrack called out to Quincy and shared an overdue hug. Quincy noticed that Kerrack was missing his pinky and ring fingers on his left hand, and joked Kerrack was no longer able to crack them at least as it was bad for their bones. Kerrack mentioned his desire to know what happened, but deciding it would be a far longer conversation then he wanted, asked Quincy if she was ok. Quincy replied she was alive and back on the ship, so pretty ok, and Kerrack happy with the answer noted he was hungry and headed to the Mess. As they headed up the stairs, Quincy asked Kylan if now was a good time to fill them in on what had been happening, which Kylan agreed. Kylan also asked about Quincy's "female associates" and Quincy noted that Kylan would like Fren, though she wasn't entirely sure what to do with them since they had nowhere to go, so Kylan suggested *Vayilcor* might be a good place, citing that "The Sisters" might be able to help.

Back on the deck, Seren, having noticed that Alaerith was still frozen from when he had stopped mid-battle seeing RX dive overboard, came back around to ask if Alaerith is alright, but got no response as he remained motionless. After checking RX was ok after his dip in the water, Seren assured Alaerith that RX was fine, then picked up the still catatonic Alaerith, brought him to the edge of the ship where Alaerith seemed to come out of his state. and hurriedly asked if RX was alright. Seren assured him that everything was fine and that Alaerith's state had him worried. Seren asked Alaerith what had happened, wondering what about seeing RX go over caused this, but Alaerith stammered as he replied he was fine, and would just like to go below the deck as he thought it would make him feel better, and seeing him sweat a little bit, Seren let the topic drop and agreed with going. At the same time Yashani was further away on the deck, repulsed by the smell of the kelp dragon goo on her hands, was violently vomiting over the side of the ship and Tabernacle, who had made his way up from below deck at this point, checked on her Yashani, then pulled Yashani in to the Mess Hall to clean her up, and offered her ginger to help her stomach, with Seren and Alaerith following soon after them. On the way Alaerith stopped for a second, looked around and asked if Seren had said something, which he replied in the negative, and then put it aside as they continued in.

As they all piled into the Mess, they saw Damen, Kerrack and Kylan, all across from Quincy and waited for her to explain. Quincy admitted there was a lot that happened since they has been gone, but nothing as important as what has happened in the last week. Kylan pointed out that the Empire would be angered that half a city burned down and was unaware who they would direct that at. At that point Yashani pulled down her wraps, showed the Ruined Moon mark and offered that perhaps people who have these marks. As some others revealed their marks, Yashani explained they met very bad people, and Kylan commented that they probably didn't do that voluntarily. Quincy then attempted to sum up recent events like how they met RX and Killian on a boat in *Kra'Kash,* in which she and Killian found RX in a box, had to stowaway in the box and was found by "the Web" and was taken to *The Underbelly*. Quincy admitted to have possibly pissed off Nom, which Kylan wasn't too happy about now likely now owing the Deep King a favor, and getting thrown into *The Underdark* rather than outright killed because of Kylan's influence. They then made their way through *The Underdark*, made friends, some not so friends, met the horrible trio, got chased out of *The Underdark* and thanks to the friends they made along the way, made it out. Knowing *Kra'Kash* was in imminent danger, they all tried to find ways to stop it, but found their effort made in vain.

Kylan asked how the marks came into play and Quincy told him about meeting one of the trio and how they were marked after, while Killian added that when the marks hurt, the city burned as Quincy had failed to mention. While everyone was discussing, Seren looked at the mark in his own palm and attempted to cast *Remove Curse* on it, his blue and purple light coalesced on it and sat for a moment before the mark absorbed and ingested the light and magical energy, leaving his palm feeling warm, but Seren was aware his attempt failed. Yashani told Kylan that the three terrible people were in the service of a devil, and while Killian implored Kylan's crew to stay away from the party as they brought destruction and ruin with them, RX also added that they were looking for a book and Yashani added that it was nine books specifically. Kylan took it all in, but decided to start with something more simple, asked them where they need to go, and after Tabernacle said they needed to converse on that, Kylan, Kerrack and Damen left the Mess to give them privacy. As they left, Seren approached Kylan, asked if he had seen a similar Tortle before that had been in *Kra'Kash* at one point and while Kylan regretfully said he hadn't come across one for a time, suggested Seren see Miasma in the *Clockwork Castle* in *Vayilcor*, as they kept records of every single person, that were magically kept up to date. He also noted there were a lot of wonderful things outside the Empire they should see.

As Seren returned and sat, the party noticed the sudden appearance of Aarcanii who explained she didn't come out because did did not know what she was on and was quite terrified. Yashani and Alaerith agreed that the boat was not their favorite, while Quincy did her best to explain what a boat was since Aarcanii's life in *The Underdark* means she had never seen one. Tabernacle stated that ships were rather ramshackle, but were still safe and Quincy took it as an attack against her ship in particular, while Seren at the same time made Aarcanii a plate of food and, with some over the shoulder help from Tabernacle, more explicitly explained what was around her. While Aarcanii ate she mentioned that didn't have any plans or any place to be and RX in turn asked what the party's plan was. Tabernacle said they had options on where to go next like *Vayilcor* or the wilderness and Quincy reminded him that there was also *Krapjess* to Tabernacles displeasure. Yashani ask for which of the options was the closest and on being told voted Krapjess voted for there, while Tabernacle countered that the wilderness Was technically right next to them along the river. Quincy stated that she wasn't going anywhere without a specific destination, which RX countered that their last "specific destination" burned down, but Quincy asserted that *Kra'Kash* was in danger whether they were there or not.

Seren pointed out that he had reason to go to *Vayilcor* and that it would be wise to examine the magical records of the devilish trio. Tabernacle pointed out that they may be wanted in the Skorian Empire for what happened in *Kra'Kash*, while Killian argued that going to *Vayilcor* could possibly be a repeat of that incident on a larger scale, though he understood wishing to go there eventually for the reasons Seren stated, but believed best action for right now was to go to somewhere secluded and less populated, like *Krapjess* to regroup. Seren stated that the same devastation could follow them anywhere, before Tabernacle reminded them that the *Ve'ji Outpost* was an option. Quincy said that *Krapjess* was already on course for the ship as she had a quick errand to run in the city, and Killian added that it would be a good break from Yashani for Yashani for a night, which she accepted, along with Alaerith. Tabernacle commented that if getting off the the ship quick was the goal, that the *Ve'ji Outpost* was rather far, which would be a trip longer then the group had even known each other, and that *Krapjess* wouldn't be too bad, except for being pretty cold at this time of year. He continued that any other option was off the table for now, then reluctantly admitted *Krapjess* was where he was from and that he had something he wanted to deliver, but wasn't planning to stay in the city for long. He also informed the party that it was the capital of ship construction in the Empire, was a hub of underground information, which included one of Nomzyo's friends, though he didn't remember his name. He finished by mentioning *Krapjess* also had the largest temple to Vile and that this would be of interest Alaerith as he believed it was his denomination, and might help him understand the roar that he had let out.

Alaerith confusedly asked why he was speaking of Vile, then asked what roar he spoke of. Seren explained that they mean the roar he let out in the fight with the drakes previously, which Quincy commented was pretty startling. RX also commented that it happened before he dove overboard and Killian mentioned it was before he went overboard as well, which Quincy warned him they would talk about later and Seren joined her on. Alaerith seemed genuinely confused, but understood that they weren't lying to him, and seemed to clear up why he saw one of the drakes he attacked looked frightened of him. Seren in turn understood Alaerith had no knowledge of what they spoke of. Seren cast *Detect Magic* focused on his necklace around his neck, *Vile's Fang* and also unintentionally learned that the Ruined Moon mark on their lefts hands was indeed magical, but it's aura was too muddy to understand what school of magic it might be. Seren steps forward to touch *Vile's Fang*, and casts *Remove Curse* on Alaerith, to no effect, but did feel a slight electric shock on contact, surprising the two of them. At the same time that happened, Killian quietly cast *Message* and told Quincy telepathically he would not discuss anything there, but could talk in his quarters if she needed know to his reasoning, which Quincy looked silently in acknowledgement of the message with no response and Killian winked back. Seren removed his hand, admitted his confusion his lack of understanding, how he was concerned for Alaerith's wellbeing and asked him to tell him if he knew.

Tabernacle stepped forward, asked to inspect the necklace, in an attempt to see if the "draw" reacted and touched it, but unlike the simple spark felt Seren, Tabernacle was electrified and nearly thrown back with the force of the shock, while the draw reacted strongly to it. Tabernacle asked what creature the tooth was from and Alaerith in response stammered a little and took a step back. Alaerith admitted he didn't know, that he was led to believe one thing when he recieved, then noted that Quincy and Tabernacle were sailors, having had experience on the water and stated that they had probably heard of the Leviathan, either in story or in mythology. Tabernacle and Quincy, along with Killian, recognized the mention of Leviathan from sailor myth and history as a creature in the ocean, but Tabernacle knew a little more from ages past, that the Leviathan was said to be Vane, the son of Vile, an all powerful sea dragon, and was known and recorded as a dark mass before destruction came such as sinking of ships, engulfing of boats, and sinker of galleons, with the only recorded sight being it's large, flicking, eel like finned tail.

Quincy said it was simply a story and Killian said there were pirates who liked to claim they had seen the Leviathan and lived to tell the tale, but pirates were historically braggarts. But Tabernacle stated it was more then a story and that with recent information he was sure if he *lived* necessarily to tell the tale, but might have seen it. Tabernacle had been hired to hunt a pirate captain north of the *Ve'ji Trading Post*, but something was different as the waters were dark, the sky was black and thunder rolled, but no rain fell and no light from the sky. His ship was torn apart, he watched as his crew stood in fear, as a crash was heard, his ship was split in twain, the mast fell and swept him off the ship, broke every bone in his body and watched every member torn apart and died before his eyes, including Corina and Hugo, and those who weren't dead when they hit the water quickly succumbed to the icy temperatures. Tabernacle noted that he saw a flicking eel-like tail before he fell unconsious himself. He continued that time passed and he woke up, whole and alive like nothing ever happened, but he was floating in the still freezing waters, as the scavenger birds would peck and the sea would damage his body before he would end up unable to move or think, and then he'd wake up again, whole and alive once more, over and over. When he finally made it to shore, he was told it had been three years and while he was fine, his heart was full of a burning vengeance that pulled him for years, with the first time in all these years that he had felt relief being when he met Alaerith and saw his necklace.

Tabernacle admitted he wasn't intelligent, but that all he knew was he was still living and still here. Yashani stepped forward and asked to feel Tabernacle's chest and with his permission to touch his chest and searched for something. Yashani had been trained all her life in an attempt to find oneness and was the way she learned to mastered herself and gained her ability to heal others, which was usually done by feeling the soul or life force within them, which was usually warm and flowed, but when she touched Tabernacle, she found his was unmoving and not as warms as it should be. Killian, who had his suspicions, activated his *Divine Sense* and detected an undead among them, but also detected seven devils, which originated from the marks on their hands, but kept the devilish presence information hidden. Yashani and Killian explained they weren't sure if Tabernacle was really alive or what he was considered to be, but when Tabernacle refused to believe that Quincy asked how he could reconcile his cycle at sea for three years as it was no mortal feat. Tabernacle insisted that he was alive, that he ate and breathed, but when he tried to purposefully pull in air he bent over and coughed up salt water. Yashani told him she thought he was cursed in some way, but had seen people exist with curses like this before.

Tabernacle, seeing Aarcanii's confusion and shock, admitted he was taken aback as well. Aarcanii told him that she had heard a story like that before, told to children of *The Underdark*, of a man who died protecting people in *The Underdark* from something called the looming shadow*,* but because he was so good and honorable he was brought back to finish the job. Aarcanii reiterated that it was only a story, but the man was known as the "champion of the undead". Tabernacle, confused and flustered, asks who Vaust was, saying he had heard the name and Seren explained he was the God of undeath. When asked what his symbol was, Aarcanii replied that it was an hourglass with skulls and black sand. Tabernacle asked if the sand looked like this, cast *Armor of Agathys,* which appeared as ice infused with black sand, and Aarcanii confirmed it was the same. Seren then clarified that the symbol was a *mushroom* covered hourglass, which caused Tabernacle to exclaims he wasn't crazy then for the weirdness at the mushroom garden in *Quarry Hold*. Tabernacle asked Aarcanii if the man from the story was still around and Aarcanii mentioned there was a statue of him in *Still Geyser*. Seren connected some dots between Tabernacle's general aura of necromantic energy and Vaust, along with what Ob meant about some Gods liking to meddle more than others, which combined allowed Seren to reasonably discern that Vaust brought Tabernacle back and was keeping him alive for a reason, but it did not mesh well with whatever was going on with Alaerith. Seren simply told Tabernacle that it was up to Tabernacle to determine what his purpose is.

Tabernacle commented on Vaust's interest in fate and that he was bound to have something in store for him, but while speaking of plans, mentioned that they should head to *Krapjess.* He noted that that he was unsure as to why Vaust would pick him as even though he considered himself a good, but he had killed a lot of bad people and murder was murder. Seren assured him that as Vaust was the "Enthralling Decay", he doubted Vaust would have much of a problem with Tabernacle's past. Tabernacle then said if they planned to go to *Krapjess* he wished to remain on the down low as he had a family in the city that he had to leave behind when his fishing vessel got commandeered by the military and was forced into work. He added that his wife was pregnant and that he likely had a kid out there, but does not want to meet him. Quincy questioned that decision and Tabernacle admitted he didn't think he would make much of a father, especially with his current condition. Quincy commented that whether or not he would be a good father should be up to his child, Tabernacle missed how this line of thought affected her, but Seren noticed that Quincy seemed to be deeply upset. Quincy agreed to help Tabernacle lay low, then turned to the group as a whole and asked if they even planned to go to *Krapjess*. Killian put it to a vote and *Krapjess* won the majority, though Quincy was quick to remind Seren that this didn't take *Vayilcor* entirely off the table.

Yashani then brought up when Seren contacted Killian's wife and asked why he had not tried contacting his messaging his sister, and Seren in response avoided his eyes on realizing what she was saying.

### **Break!**

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### **Part Two**

Seren explained to Yashani that after having not seen or heard from his sister for so long, he did not want their first connection to be through magical means, but in person. Of course that notion had been worn down at times and he had attempted it in the past, but had recieved no reply and was unsure if the messages were getting to her. Seren then quickly changed topic and asked Killian ask why he wound up in the water over a 100 feet away, to Alaerith's confusion. Killian said he doesn't know, but Seren asked if it had anything to do with the two new daggers he had and Killian admitted it was the only thing that has changed recently. Seren simply suggested not using them if he didn't don't know what they are and Quincy pointed out that during the fight Killian's eyes shifted from white to black, which was concerning even to her as not-so-religous person. When Seren asked where he got them, Killian simply said he found them, but everyone, other than Quincy and RX who were outside at the time, saw them stabbed into Killian's shoulders when he barrelled into them at *The Embassy*.

Seren, displeased with the response, said that they all knew that they were Esmeria's and asked why Killian defended them, before he sat down in a chair with his arms crossed. Killian explained that the devils need them, though he wasn't sure why, but they needed them alive and Killian would take whatever he could get to stay alive. Yashani clarified that while she did not prefer death she didn't understand why Killian would accept gifts from them. Killian stated he was willing to accept help where he could take it to keep himself safe, which Yashani replied being thrown into the river wasn't very safe and Killian countered that he didn't know they would do that. Tabernacle asked to see one of the *Shadow Twins* and when Killian was able to willingly hand it over without issue Tabernacle explained he was worried the *Shadow Twins* were cursed in a particular way, which they didn't appear to be, while at the same time Seren determined that the *Shadow Twins* had had conjuration based magic attached to them with the last minute of his *Detect Magic*, but mentioned nothing. Tabernacle reasoned that maybe until they could properly identify the *Shadow Twins* Killian should avoid using them and Seren suggested he should use his new halberd. Killian admitted the halberd was more symbolic for Avranti and he wasn't very effective at using it. Quincy noted he still had her rapier and should keep it and Tabernacle offered his club which had a wicked hook at the end for fishing. Killian quickly cast *Message* and told Quincy that the offer to talk still stood, before he then accepted Tabernacle's club, gently set it on the table and headed out of the Mess Hall to his quarters. Yashani called after him to remind him that he cannot keep acting as though his decisions do not affect everyone.

The remaining party confirmed *Krapjess* as their choice and Seren asked Quincy to relay their decision to her father, which she agreed to do. Tabernacle asked if anyone had mentioned needing to send a letter, which Seren reminded him that he was the one who mentioned the letter. Quincy commented that she never mentioned what her errand was in *Krapjess*, but did note it was a letter to be delivered and found it spooky. Tabernacle asked if she would take something to the post for him and though she hesitated for a moment Quincy accepted. Tabernacle handed a bulging envelope with what would appear to be all the money Tabernacle had and was addressed to Grace Gray. Quincy asked if he would like it put it into a proper parcel for him and he accepted. Quincy replied ok and addressed him as Mr. Gray, but Tabernacle was weirded out and Quincy promised to not so again. As Tabernacle started to hurry away to his room to rest, everyone else spotted a shorter woman with rather tan skin, thick ropes of golden hair in a teal dress with golden glyphs across her skin. The woman ran in to hug Quincy, who immediately winced at the amount of blood on her, but hugged her happily. The woman and Quincy had a little back and forth conversation before Quincy turned and went to make her a plate of food.

The woman introduced herself to the group as Kaziyea, a friend of Quincy's. RX happily introduced himself while Alaerith went between Quincy and Kaz and cast *Prestidigitation* on Quincy to clean off the blood, then on Kaz likewise before he sat back down. RX asked Kaz how she related to Quincy and Yashani helpfully piped up to say that they shared a bed last night when Kaz hesitated to answer. Kaz then turned to Yashani and simply told her that that was her job, which spurred confusion from Yashani and RX who didn't know what that meant. Quincy came back around with Kaz's food at this point and explained that it means Kaz dealt in "intimate matters of a variety of natures", and only frustrated RX with its vagueness, whiled Yashani asked if that means she should find a different room. Quincy stated that no matter how she answered that it would be weird and Yashani just decided she would find another room voluntarily. Tabernacle, having overheard some of this, hobbled back into the Mess and went bright red at what he heard. Kaz, having started to eat previously, stopped and explained that she liked Quincy and that it wasn't work, though Yashani said that was not why she offered to change rooms as it was more the offer of courtesy. Yashani apologized then, believing she had made things awkward, but Kaz seems entirely fine and said as much, but Yashani could tell Quincy was having a harder time about it as they blush a deep purple.

Quincy centred themself enough to explain that the ladies they brought onto *The* *Misty Moon* all did the same job and Kaz piped up, between bites of food, that the brothel burned down. RX, still utterly confused, noted that there were several terms put out that he did not understand. Alaerith finally understanding what was being spoken about, tried and failed to redirect RX and likewise blushed a dark purple colour, with a little darker under the scales, but Kaz stepped in and explained to him that a brothel was a place where people go to pay for intimate and sexual services from people like her, which Tabernacle noted was a classy way to put it, while RX admonished everyone for not being so straightforward. Yashani commented that Quincy must have been a frequenter, but Kaz corrected her in that Quincy was their bodyguard that worked for them. Tabernacle made a crude joke in response and Quincy noted she had never been so close to wanting to shoot him in cold blood. Tabernacle tries to cast *Gaseous Form* to apparate in front of Quincy to dare her if she wanted to, but unaware of the limitations of the magic forcing him to concentrate for a full minute before he could reappear in full form to face her and speak. RX said that Quincy was never this forward and Kaz asked why not with RX mimicking Kaz. Quincy exasperatedly explained he asked the strangest questions. Kaz reminded Quincy that she didn't like it when she did "that", and after Quincy asked to elaborate Kaz noted she referred to her cracking her knuckles and Quincy softly apologized.

Seren had remained sitting with his chin in the palm of his hand, lost in thought during the conversation. Kaz asked where they were going and Quincy told her a bit about *Krapjess*. Kaz quickly complained that she didn't like the cold and Quincy apologized while she covered Kaz in their own coat when the woman began to pout a bit. As Kaz went back to eating, Quincy asked if she remembers the stories Quincy used to tell her and admitted that they might be on the boat for some time. Quincy said she had yet to talk to Fren, but they would need to find a new place to settle. Kaz said that *Kra'Kash* was too wild anyhow, with the circus so close and everything so loud and bright, but was happy to be with Quincy and Quincy responded the same before she looked to her friends who still awkwardly circled around her. At that point Tabernacle managed to apparate back out of his *Gaseous Form,* but quickly realized he'd missed his moment. RX then butted in to say he was happy to meet Kaz as she was a wonderful source of information. Quincy warned Kaz that RX was essentially a baby, which confused Kaz though she did recognize him as someone from *Vayilcor*. Quincy stated they were the one to power him on when they accidentally left *Kra'Kash* which seemed to be a sore spot for Kaz.

Tabernacle jumped in to ask how old RX thought he was, but RX was unable to determine much past being awoken in the box. RX didn't dwell on it for very long before he turned back to Kaz and asked about *Vayilcor*. Kaz told him it was a wondrous sight to see and the place of utmost knowledge in Palamoa. Kaz dropped through the floor in a wash of sand, which most everyone would recognize as something as an ability of Sand Genasi and Quincy noted it was rather annoying when she did when losing a card game. Quincy also mentioned that it was adorable and Tabernacle teased her saying "Quincy and the sand bitch" which earned him a prompt slap from Quincy as he quickly amended that he meant to say "lass". Quincy then excused herself, citing that it had been a long morning and wished to sit and read a book. Yashani commented that someone might be waiting for her in her room as she smiled having found it all rather amusing.

Seren followed Quincy out of the Mess, having heard but not registered much of anything that had happened, and helped direct Quincy out of the room. Quincy tensed up before Seren trailed off to the deck, still lost in thought and leaving her alone. Quincy seeing no one watching her, stealthily headed to Killian's room and not wanting to be seen, forwent knocking and stepped into his room, which a hand over their eyes just in case. When Killian told them they were clear, she opened her eyes to see him sitting on his bed with his *Honor Crest* in one hand and twirling one of the *Shadow Twins*, on the crest with the other. Killian asked if Quincy would like to hear a story, since he heard she enjoyed stories, and she agreed on the condition of no bullshit. Killian agreed, put his *Honor Crest* away, tossed the *Shadow Twins* on the bed behind him and began his tale.

*"In the pirate city of Zhai, there was once a boy who was called Red. An orphan on the streets, gave himself that name. Long story short, the boy stowed away on to a pirate ship. And throughout this boy's childhood, he had always had a will. No, not a will, a* hunger*, for success, to be not just better, but the best. And so, stowed away on this pirate ship and saw it had lackluster leadership, so one fateful night he sneaks into the captain's quarters, takes a rusty piece of metal he found below deck and slits the captain's throat.*

*At this point, Red had gained favor of most the crew, so the mutiny was less of a mutiny and more of a acceptance of a passing of torches. And Red became the captain of a ship called* The Crimson Head. *And to most people that would be satisfactory. To be a captain of a ship, it's all anyone on Zhai could ever dream of, but that hunger came back. Red went on to become the most feared pirate in all of Palamoa, slaughtering every single ship he came across. So much so, he gained the moniker,* The Blood-Stained Blade*. Eventually, as all things do, karma caught up with him and everything that Red had built was stolen out from under him by yet another young man whose hunger was very similar.*

*And when that happened, Red decided within himself that he would change for the better, become as honest of a man as he could be. He made a family for himself, in a genuine city that wasn't surrounded by pirates. But that hunger persisted.*

*What I'm trying to say, Quincy, is that no matter how much you attempt to change, who you are at the core of yourself, that will never disappear. You can push it down all you like, you can try to convince yourself that you are a different person, but, it..it all comes out one way or another."*

Killian picked one of the *Shadow Twins* back up and stated that the daggers didn't dictate who he was, if anything they simply heightened "a certain wrath" he had always had buried. He continued that he did not want to be that person he was, and as he held Quincy's gifted rapier, stated he will take that option because he wished to be that better man. Quincy commented that his didn't story sound finished, yet he already had such strong opinions on what it meant. Killian joked that there were many lessons in the life of Red, that might come up later and if so, they could maybe discuss more in the future. Quincy admitted she didn't know how to respond, but noted that not everything needed a response and she was happy he shared it with her. Killian admitted that Quincy reminded him of someone, who metaphorically and literally, stabbed him in the back and he sincerely hoped history did not repeat itself for a third time, because before the boy stabbed him he saw someone who needed help, someone who had gone through similar struggles and wanted to them both off a path that will lead to either of them being stabbed in the back.

Quincy, confused now, asked Killian what he thought of her when he discovered she had a history with piracy. Killian replied that he thought she had ambition and that similar hunger to be the best like he did. Quincy apologized and stated that his story has been told under false assumptions, because piracy to her was not hunger or something she was proud of, but was a last resort. Quincy stated that she didn't consider herself a great person and considered herself more a scoundrel, but considered herself a scoundrel in that not everyone could do things the "right" way. She continued that sometimes getting your hands bloody was the only option you had left, but still she did what she does out of love and not hunger. Killian commented that maybe she would be the one to set him on the right path and Quincy promised him a story some time. Quincy stood and headed for the door, asking if he would be keeping the rapier and Killian replied he would until he knew more about the *Shadow Twins*. Quincy told him that while she had once told him that she was confused by him, with every passing hour and every decision he made, her image of him had grown clearer and she promised it was less scary than he seemed to think.

Down the hall a ways, Tabernacle approached Alaerith and Seren's room and was stopped short by the sound of music coming from behind the door, which he could tell was a stringed instrument and the melody played had a somber tone, which at times incorporated a tune similar to what Seren usually hummed before sleep. Tabernacle listened for some time before knocking on the door, and the sounds of Alaerith shuffling around the room before he responded. Tabernacle opened the door and asked if Alaerith would help him fish for a while on deck, which Alaerith agreed. Tabernacle and Alaerith made their way to the deck, threw the nets over and Tabernacle spent some time trying to explain the finer details of shrimp fishing. Soon on he gave up the pretence and commented that he didn't know Alaerith, which caught him off guard that he had been heard, and when asked about how he learned Alaerith, sheepishly admitted he was mostly self taught. Tabernacle complemented him on his ability and went on to tell him he was a "good kid", which Alaerith seemed to tense up at the words. Tabernacle went on to say that Alaerith was a part of the crew and that Tabernacle admired him for his understanding of his magic, adding that Tabernacle didn't even realize he could turn into gas before Quincy had made him mad and he just sort of did it. Tabernacle said he likes seeing what Alaerith could do, knew he could do so much more and wondered what was stopping him from doing that, but Alaerith replied nothing good would come of it. Tabernacle immediately laughed, but realizing that Alaerith wasn't joking, went on to say that he was the "champion of undeath" and if anyone was destined for evil its him, and yet still managed to do some good like save Quincy and Killian. Tabernacle said that they might not fit in, but they were still heroes, which seemed to upset Alaerith and asked him to use that word around him. Tabernacle apologized, as did Alaerith, but still caused the moment to be tense as Alaerith commented that the shrimp weren't around yet. Tabernacle told him that it might take a while, but Alaerith could stick around with Tabernacle for a bit if he would like.

Further down on the deck, Yashani made a place for herself. Still uncomfortable after touching Tabernacle and feeling the stillness of his life force, Yashani worked through some aerobic movements to help her feel more in tune with her own blood in her veins and quietly prayed in Celestial -

*"Daily your lifeblood sustains,*
*Constant is it's work,*
*in peace and in struggle.*
*A gift from the giver,*
*of their own being.*
*Thanks to the Lifeblood,*
*as long as it flows."*
After the conversation with Tabernacle on the deck, Alaerith went back below deck, and grabbed his things from the room he shared with Seren and found his own room. Alaerith sat down, looked at his bag, looked at the mark on his hand and examined when he noticed it looked stranger then before, with the word "hero" from Tabernacle and "only bringing destruction" from Killian along with old memories that flooded his mind, he reached in his bag for his lyre and prepares to smash it on the ground, but stopped, collapsed in on himself and cried.

1. ↑ The daggers that Esmeria "gave" to Killian in "Magical Markings & A Misty Moon"
2. ↑ Tabernacle referenced to how he had covertly seen Alaerith interact with Vile's Statue in *Quarry Hold's Church of Demigods* in "Quarry Hold"
3. ↑ Tabernacle referenced the *Dragon Roar* Alaerith had unintentionally used in the fight with the kelp drakes in "Desmar's & Drake Hunting".
4. ↑ These are notably the ghosts Tabernacle has summoned using his spell *Summon Undead*
5. ↑ From the episode "QuarryHold" as Tabernacle was drawn to a mushroom garden near Masq's shop and proceeded to shoot several of them when left alone there (taking psychic damage each time)
6. ↑ A Zac goof as he didn't realize Tabernacle wasn't privy to that knowledge, but was quickly fixed as Tabernacle getting confused and Quincy just accepting that Tabernacle was strange
7. ↑ Technical difficulties in the VOD, oops!