Ep. 2 Armistice Day

## Watch

Armistice Day | Khyber Shards #2 | D&D 5e Actual Play

—Esri

Soryn ends combat training early to share some big news with the team: the war is over, and as such, the Blackwheel program will be taking them in a new direction. He starts leading them to a new area of the facility, but tensions rise when the team notices Deneith guards following them, and then on top of that, Blackwheel heroes Thora and Daine appear, looking like they might be about to spring into action. Shade kicks things off by casting thunderwave in a panic, and it becomes clear(at least to most of the party) that Soryn was leading them not to a new form of training, but possibly to their deaths.

Thora holds off both Soryn and the guards long enough for Daine to lead the team into a hangar, where they intend to take some skiffs and flee, but they're stopped by a line of guards.

## Synopsis

Soryn dismisses Falko. Training time is over; he has something to tell them. Esri sends some termites after Falko as he leaves. Soryn leads them into a sort of antechamber; there are weapons on the walls, dressing rooms, etc. He tells them the war is over; there's been an agreement of peace, and all armed forces have been told to hold in position. Their need for securing the resources valuable to the Twelve is no more. Therefore, they're moving onto the next phase of training. He starts leading them through the hall. Pog and Shade follow right after him, but Esri and Ari linger for a moment, confused at the situation.

Soryn leads them down a hallway in the massive facility. Occassionally they see another pod of recruits being led by their overseer. Shade wonders where they're going, and Soryn lets them know that the combat aspect of their training is behind them; they're going to be moving students to different quarters with facilities that are more suited to the classroom and other sorts of training, as the new world will afford a lot of opportunities for the Houses. Other tasks like security, retrieval, and getting things from Cyre. Their training needs to be broadened and generalized.

They take another turn and see big double doors with the Rekindler symbol on it. As they approach a side door opens, and they see Thora Tavin and Daine.

Esri notices something about Soryn's posture stiffen as the two come near them. There's a look passed between Thora and Daine. A pair of Deneith guards are following the team. Ari notices and tenses up, ready to run. When the guards notice Esri noticing them, they pointedly look away. Esri is looking panicked when he simply asks, *"Soryn?"* Soryn's eyes stay on Thora and Daine, though. Shade picks up on it, and a Thunderwave emanates from her.

As she turns, there's a rumbling shaking as the air rolls out from her towards the guards. Soryn turns with a look of alarm, and at exactly that moment, Daine and Thora move. Thora reaches into her belt and a pair of glowing daggers form in her hands. She flicks them at the guards that are flying towards the wall. The daggers sink into their chests. Daine's mark flares to life and a wave of force similar to Shade's slams into Soryn. His head hits the wall as he falls unconscious.

Thora turns to the group and tells them to get out. Esri moves to check on Soryn, but Thora says to leave him. Esri is the only one who lingers when they flee down the hall, but not knowing what else to do, he eventually follows them, after taking the swords off the dead guards. He gives one to Pog.

Daine opens the door and shoos them through just as Soryn is picking himself up again. His mark glows, and he reaches down for a wand at his belt. More guards come around the corner. Thora tells Daine to go. Soryn begins casting a spell, directing a wave of energy at Thora. The mark on her face glows intensely and bursts into flame. She draws her blades and runs down the hall to the guards.

Daine tells them there's an exit with a skydock, and they run down the hall, hearing screaming as they go. They pass bodies in the corridor, both Deneith guards and some other recruits—some they knew, even. They get to the hangar and Daine runs to the skiffs, shouting for the others to follow him. A line of guards bar the way.

## Spells

* **Shade**
	+ Thunderwave *0:37:09*

## Quotes

"You know, when he said 'take care of' at first I thought it didn't mean kill…"
"He wouldn't kill us. I mean…I don't think he would."
*—Esri and Shade* *0:16:25*

## Trivia

* This episode was originally uploaded as *Prologue Chapter Two: "Armistice Day."*