Episode 20: Shortcut Through the Mountain

**Episode 20: Shortcut Through the Mountain** (C1E20) is the twentieth episode of the first campaign of The Table is Yours: A Role-playing Adventure Show. The Faded Fates follow Rush, Willow, and Howl through the Midnora Pass as Isa hears a calling to go up the mountain...

## Synopsis

### Everyone Plays Not-So-Nice

Once everyone settles in at the camp, Willow asks what everyone knows about the Wilds. Terrance says they have only been in the Wilds once before, and Isa tells her that she has a friend who grew up there, but no one knows much past that. Wash wants to know what the mission is and tries to get answers from Rush, who doesn’t give Wash the answers he wants. He is frustrated with everyone being cryptic and rude, so he starts to walk away, followed closely behind by Codex. Rush calls Wash a “statue”, which is a derogatory term for Aasimars, and Wash turns around as if to throw hands with Rush. Willow calls out for everyone to stop; she explains that the Wilds are a dangerous place, especially for outsiders, and that this beast is no joke. Reports of this beast have circled for over 30 years, and they come from all over the Wilds. Bronzers were sent out to investigate multiple times, but few if any returned alive. Willow declares the party will be going to Carpedit, where the most recent reports of attacks originate.

### The Walk

With Willow and Rush in the lead, the group makes their way towards Carpedit. One decides to speak with Isa because they haven’t really had a chance to get to know each other after One returned from her solo mission. Little does One know, Isa is slowly succumbing to the voice growing ever louder in her head. She tries to make polite conversation with One but can’t focus. The sky flashes red, and she hears a voice tell her that she is “close”. It tells her to bring the smith (One) to the top of the mountain. A red path illuminates in front of her, showing her the way. “Cut my chain” the voice says in Isa’s mind. She is still trying to resist but feels talons pressing into her shoulders; the more she tries to resist, the more pain she feels.

Unaware of the situation behind them, Codex, Shae, and Howl walk together near the front, discussing magic. Shae and Howl had both been assistants and apprentices to professors at Summit. Howl worked with Professor Fasalor. Codex tells Howl that she is very close with the Fasalors and is best friends with his daughter. She asks Howl if he knows anything about wild magic because she thinks that is what she has. He tells her that he studied wild magic, but when Codex describes her experiences, he admits that it isn’t like anything he had studied before. This conversation is cut short when they hear Isa scream out in pain and, as they turn, watch her collapse to the ground.

### The Talk

Everyone quickly rushes to her aid, and even One isn’t sure what is happening. Willow examines Isa and asks what she is hiding. Isa confesses that she thinks there is a god influencing her behavior, and she is adamant that it will kill her if she doesn't go up the mountain. By herself. Willow is taken aback by the severity of the situation, and she does see a “scar” on Isa’s mind. She asks One if this is something that she, Rush, and Howl need to be involved with, and One says it is something the Faded Fates can handle. Willow nods and tells the party that they have two hours to go up the mountain and resolve this situation. Willow, Howl, and Rush remain at the foot of the mountain.

Isa and Shae lead the way up the mountain while everyone else follows. Shae tries to understand how Isa is feeling, but Isa is so confused with rage that she doesn't know what to say. Eventually she speaks and says: “I used to be happy”. Shae wants to help and tells Isa that she understands loss and that it’s not an easy thing to feel. Isa grits her teeth as she continues to experience both physical and mental strain and tells Shae that she has never felt anything like this before. Isa  doesn’t know how to cope with it and thanks Shae for her offer to discuss grief at a later time. The voice in Isa’s head says, “you know exactly how to feel this”. Isa feels the rage start to boil inside her, and she stops in the middle of the path. The party surrounds her, wanting to help, but Isa is about to break. The voice in her head screams at her: “I am you! You can’t push me out!” Shae reaches out to try and calm Isa, and at the same time, Wash suggests that she hit something. The voice in her head agrees, saying “that sounds like a good idea”. Isa does her best to continue fighting, but she loses. Isa grips the shaft of her greataxe and rears back, hatred filling her eyes, Shae realizes what is coming and disappears into smoke before Isa can hit her. As Shae dematerializes, Wash is left closest to a possessed Isa. Isa’s axe swings with the power of a god, straight through Wash’s torso, and with a sickening thud, he falls to the ground, both halves lifeless on the ground.