One More Death

*One More Death* is the title of the tenth episode of the eighth season of S.H.A.D.O.W. and the ninety fourth session of the entire game.

This session was played on March 21st, 2021

## One More Death

### Writer

Jonny Christie, Matt Christie, Richie Maynard, Eric Rios

## Plot

Vargas returns to bring much needed discipline.

## Synopsis

BOOM. The sound of a rifle jolts Vargas awake. He looks over to see a hooded figure firing his father’s weapon and sit up to ask what the person is doing. They turn to him and return the rifle to him, asking where he found such a weapon. He doesn’t know the origin so the being tells him they are looking for such weapons and he has prototypes of his own, showing him their automatic crossbows. They introduce themselves as Mayon of the North and shows him blueprints for his crossbows and gets him some water. Vargas asks the man why he helped him and if he can help him once more with the agents of S.W.A.R.M. patrolling these forests. Mayon tells him he will not kill but he will help protect his village. Vargas does not know this person but that doesn’t mean he does not like him. Mayon gets him to his feet and they head to the village. Aragi and the others port at Meyn and come across an old pair of halfling merchants Aragi has bought from prior. They pay the Goodfingers to get their ship to the rendezvous. Vargas and Mayon make it to the town and as he feared, S.W.A.R.M. has found it. Mayon asks if this town has a name but Vargas is too preoccupied with the threat. They enter and find that Surto is being held by Qing Shu who warns the hidden village that if they do not join S.W.A.R.M. they will end up like him. He grabs the mayor’s head and crushes it, killing him.

Aragi and the others return to Maeurt and immediately Aragi has to deal with the guest at the gates, Darrow. The man cannot get past the barrier which is troubling so the two share words for the first time in cycles. Vargas has no time to mourn as he need to go find Gris so they head to his home where they find the gnome hogtieing a soldier all by herself. She’s four. They are impressed and even more so when Aurora makes a surprise appearance, searching for the former king. Vargas warns her that he cannot speak about anything else right now and she needs to get Gris out of here. She requests that once he’s done here to please come to Maeurt so they can speak. He agrees and she takes Gris to safety while Mayon and Vargas plan on how to dispose of the invaders. Vargas promises Mayon that none will die except for Shu. Blood for blood. Mayon understands and they begin their mission. They begin taking down some soldiers and have a bit of trouble with one Orc but they still manage to keep everyone alive. That is, until Qing Shu slits the throat of a worker for attempting to revolt prematurely. Mayon thinks quick to burn the ship in the port as a distraction so Vargas can finish the recruiter. The plan goes off without a hitch and Vargas is able to shoot Shu directly and stands proud, telling the people of “the town of Surto” that they can rise up and stop this assault and the people easily take down and capture the soldiers.

Aragi and Darrow continue their exchange and Aragi convinces the brash man to help them take down S.W.A.R.M. by sending him at one of his targets, Harvest. The icing on the cake is when the ranger convinces him that he killed Phylyco for betraying them and will not hesitate to do the same to him. Darrow walks by, finally being able to enter the barrier, no harm intended to the people within anymore. Vargas has the village gather the members of S.W.A.R.M. in the center of town and attempts to convince them that they can redeem themselves by joining him to retake Eris from Saint Wroth. The troublesome Orc speaks on behalf of them all and makes it clear that they do not break bonds in S.W.A.R.M. like others in a similar vain. He finally announces himself to the people as King Vargas once again and vows to save this country and continent. He summons the wife of the man who’s throat was slit and gives her control of the soldier’s fates. He and Mayon leave to meet with Aurora. Back in Maeurt, Aurora arrives and brings Aragi from the “celebration” they are having to Gris and discuss the deal she made. All they have to do is hope he comes to meet them. Thankfully, he arrives shortly after. Aragi greets him warmly and calls a meeting to discuss their final steps.

As the group gathers, Vargas speaks briefly with Tadal, having not gotten to speak in far too long. Aurora asks Mayon to go undercover in the ranks of S.W.A.R.M. and get information for them and in return, they will help him get the information he seeks regarding firearms. Aragi also quickly speaks with Abrus about the seed and summons Darrow for input related to it and he just wants to burn it but he actually makes a good point asking if they tried planting it. They do so and the amount of magic coming from it is staggering. The only thing they can do now is wait and everyone meets up for the plan. Even Zinonna arrives from the keep to make sure everyone is on the same page. Aragi catches the group up on where they assume the lieutenants are. They then set up everyone’s tasks. Aragi will take Darrow to the field to cause the distraction everyone else needs. Vargas and Fyria will build the army and train it as well for the complete assault. Mayon will lead a team into the mines of Stoneclaw to gather materials for Zinonna to build weapons on caliber with Vargas’ rifle and begin his task undercover. Finally, Banshee will take Sarya to Santis and gather the ships for their naval assault. They all know their jobs. For Maeurt. For Aethel. For Eris.

## Cast

### Main

* Aragi Maxul
* Vargas de Orion Highstar
* Sirobe
* Darrow Emberstorm
* Zinonna Murium
* Aurora Lightblade
* Banshee Black
* Mayon of the North

### Supporting

* Qing Shu
* Tadal
* Sarya Nameless
* Abrus
* Fyria Snowden
* Gris Soulspark

### Guest

* Surto
* Garfer Goodfinger
* Linton Goodfinger
* Drokk
* Kali

## Trivia

* This session reveals the name of the mysterious Changling is Mayon of the North.