Arcadia

"Arcadia" is episode 51 of SuperQuest Saga. With Primina in a coma the party is left to drift in space and process their recent trauma. Echo sends a distress signal to Arcadia and an escort of elves arrives to take them to Haven, the city in the desert. Watt gets drunk, and Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian explore the town while waiting for their audience with the Council. The Council hears them out and decides they cannot stay but their Singers will heal Primina if the party can fetch a powerful item. Before they head out, Echo meets with a council member who shows him some unusual refugees who claim sanctuary in the city.

## Synopsis

### Introduction

* Will Stark shall be your marooned dungeon master for this evening.
* Josh Freeland is playing Sebastian Crenshaw, half-orc paladin Oathbreaker Hexblade.
* Your Special Guest Jake is playing Persephone Goldpetal the firbolg space druid.
* Brian is playing Codename: Echo, a space wizard, a wizard in space. Also a fighter and a rogue.

### Recap

Last time a lot of shit happened. The party found a dragonforged vessel, managed to psychically link to it, and punched through the ice. They fought two illithid cruisers alongside Victoria in *The Brunhilde* but were overwhelmed as they tried to escape Shardlar. In a heroic sacrifice Victoria gave up her life to give them a chance to jump, and they jumped away as Primina screamed.

### Feedback Loop of Sadness and Pain

They managed one jump away from Shardlar towards Echo’s planet, but Primina fell into a comatose state before they could jump closer. Primina is no longer humanoid, she has transformed into a full-sized dragon with blue scales, white feathered wings, and a small blue flame glowing at the end of her tail. The szuldar lines still glow on her body but they are broken, fractured, and asymmetrical. The psychic network dropped the second Primina fell into the coma.

Sebastian feels a mixture of sadness and extreme anger and disappointment. He feels that he is, once again, not strong enough to protect those around him and he let everyone down. His Hexblade’s Curse kicks in and his eyes turn black and burn with hell fire as he gives into his anger. Persephone is sobbing. In the psychic network the others can see flashes of a young Persephone crying alone in the forest after being abandoned as Percy associates losing Victoria with this early memory. She is full of remorse and regret that they didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or try to convince Victoria not to sacrifice herself.

Echo becomes unhinged as he feels both Sebastian and Persephone’s grief across their psychic link. The overwhelming feelings trigger an emotional trauma that he has been avoiding for a long time.

> *It’s a day Echo does not like to remember. He was so full of hope and pride, a newly appointed Commander with his flock in formation. Their mission was a simple one: locate an Elven Empire weapons shipment and destroy it. It had been done before and with capable leadership, that he would now provide, they should be back home before the Empire even realized they had been hit. They arrived at the agreed coordinates where the ambush was to take place.*
>
>
> *“I gave the signal, but it was already too late. We had unknowingly been detected, the moment came and we made our move, but we were already surrounded. Half of my comrades were killed in an instant. She saved me… Codename: Labyrinth. No...no, her name was Hellea. She provided a window of opportunity in hopes I would continue on. She sacrificed herself for me. Just like Victoria. I was helpless, I am still helpless. Persephone, Sebastian, Watt, Primina… they’re all going to die… they’ll be ripped apart, no. Here I am still helpless, they’ll be torn to shreds, I’ll be forced to watch…they’ll be...”*
>
>
>
> *Echo is overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts and sharp anxiety that takes hold of his emotions. It is vice-like, it is all encompassing, it is horrific, and it is excruciating. He has no choice but to sit and endure it. He’s forced to relive the day he lost his greatest love. The day he decided to abandon his people for ten long years.*
>
>

Emanating from Primina’s end of the psychic spectrum is unadulterated anguish and despair. She is disappointed in herself and confused as to why this is her lot in life. Everyone she seems to know and love dies. Watt is in shock. The feedback loop of emotions and pain causes the party to take psychic damage from the stress.

### The Next Three Days

Over the next three days Persephone checks on everyone to make sure they’re all okay, and see if there is anything she can do about Primina now that she is a dragon. Watt is in a state of silent shock, he has a glazed look in his eyes and Percy is not sure how aware he is of the things she says to him. Percy tries to give him a hug and put her hands on his face to talk to him as much as possible to encourage him to help figure out what’s going on. He nods and agrees. They are able to see Primina’s vitals on the monitor outside the isolation tank and everything looks fine except they don’t know why she is comatose. Persephone remembers that Primina was exhausted after that first jump they made into the future and tries to see if this is similar, but there are so many different factors that she is unable to make a determination.

After the jump, Sebastian becomes cold and distant. He explores the ship a little but sets up a watch next to Primina so he can see if anything happens and process the thoughts in his head.

Echo does a preliminary check on everyone after he recovers from his panic and tries his best to make sure everyone is okay. He sees Persephone checking on Primina and takes a look as well. He observes that the spell or sigil that’s on Primina’s body is broken and he thinks that is a big factor contributing to her condition. He thinks the spell repair requires intervention of some sort. Echo also starts looking around the ship for things to do to take his mind off his trauma as the party realizes they are stranded since the ship cannot jump.

The dragonforged ship still has regular fuel for some travel, but it won’t get them far. *The Starling* made the jump alongside and is waiting outside so Echo docks it in the larger vessel. He spends a lot of time tooling around on *The Starling* since it is his safe space, and is able to send an encoded message to his people on the second day they are stranded.

As they wait for a response, Persephone tries very hard to make sure nobody isolates themselves, so she organizes group meals and pulls people into common areas of the ship. Echo is responsive to her efforts, Sebastian is hesitant but will reluctantly join in, and Watt will do what they nudge him to so he joins as well.

During their first group meal Echo will ask if they want to say anything or have any sort of ceremony for Victoria since it feels wrong to leave things like this. Persephone grabs some booze and glasses and pours for everyone. She raises a glass and says Vicky was the first person they met when they were blasted into the future. She helped them acclimate and she became a home for them, she will be missed. And Persephone loves her. Sebastian and Echo raise their glasses. Echo says she reminded him what it meant to have family, welcoming him onto her ship and she didn’t even know him. The predicament at hand was dire but the party welcomed him and he will not be forgetting that any time soon. Sebastian says Vicky saved them more than once. She was family to all of them. He doesn’t know how he will process this, but he will not let her death be in vain and there will be repercussions. He grabs the glass and pours one out for the homies. Watt doesn’t say anything but empties his glass. He’s not ready to talk.

On the fifth day they are stranded *The Starling* gets a signal. Echo sends the appropriate response to open communications and ten minutes later three Arcadian patrol vessels appear in front of the dragonforged. The ships are made from Seldarine wood, like Imperial vessels, but they are shaped like the pronged end of a bident. A voice is heard on the receiver. “Arcadion Galanthur, we have heard your call. Please respond.” Echo is awaiting in *The Starling* outside the dragonforged vessel and says hello. Once he responds a flash happens outside as a larger vehicle appears. This is a cruiser sized vessel, slightly bigger than the dragonforged. A female voice comes in. “This is Captain Eileen, captain of *The Abellio*. We are here to take you to Haven.”

Sebastian looks to Echo to get confirmation that these elven vessels are his people and not the Empire. Echo confirms and tells everyone to be cool, they’re embarrassing him. Captain Eileen tells Echo to return *The Starling* to the dragonforged, and the three scouting vessels move into a triangular formation around the ship. Each one generates and extends an energy field that join together to form a bubble around the dragonforged to lock it in stasis. *The Abellio* positions itself in front and extends lines of iridescent light, almost like spider-silk, into different parts of the sphere. *The Abellio* moves forward and the lines go taut as the dragonforged is towed. The captain counts down and they jump away.

### Three More Days

The Arcadian System is a middle-sized yellow sun on the furthest outskirts of the ethereal arm of the galaxy. There are four rocky planets that orbit this peripheral star, and only one is in the habitable zone but just barely. It is a three day journey.

Echo takes this time to brief the party so they don’t freak out when they see the elves. Sebastian is on edge and asks if Echo is still in good-standing with his people since they all saw Echo's memory. He wants to know if they should be concerned or prepared for anything to go down. Echo finds the question understandable, but he thinks it will be okay. He called home a while back and let them know there was potential for his return and was told there would be preparations made. He is not sure what has changed in these ten years but he does not think they will be attacked when they arrive. Sebastian tells him to let them know if anything is out of place and they will have his back since he is family. Echo tells them they are the first outsiders that are not from the Empire, so there may be some stares. He tells Persephone she may meet some free Singers. She beams and expresses excitement to finally speak with her future people. Persephone tells Echo that they haven’t been in charge of people’s lives before now and wants to echo Sebastian’s sentiment that they’re family. She asks Echo if it’s okay to hug him. Echo isn’t a hugger and Percy doesn’t want to force it on him. Since she has already hugged him once before Echo awkwardly says “I guess it’s fine,” and Percy gives him an enthusiastic hug.

A golden planet of dusty dunes and vast expanses of sand seas lies below the descending ships. The party descends into the southern hemisphere of the desert planet, and, for a time, nothing but an endless golden brown sea stretches in every direction. Eventually the shadow of a large structure can be seen in the distance. This structure is made of the same wood as elven ships; the main mass of it is shaped like a pointed dome, almost helmet-like in form, and six curled, wooden towers rise from the dome and the sand around it. There are two much smaller and rounder wooden domes standing on either side of the main structure, and all around the mega-structure is a sprawling town of white sandstone buildings. Standing out in stark contrast against the golden sand and white sandstone is the sheer amount of green wildlife flourishing between every building and around the town itself. A voice on the ship’s intercom says “All of you, welcome to Haven. Arcadion, welcome home.”

### It's Tummy Time

They sail over the town to a grassy meadow on the outskirts of the town and their ship is set down outside of Haven. They can see a small crowd gathering outside the ship. Echo says it is nice to see home, he hopes everyone enjoys themselves if they have the opportunity. He’s not sure what to expect but it looks like a warm welcome is in place. Persephone remarks that it looks beautiful. Sebastian is on edge. Even though Echo has explained that his people dissent from the views of the Elven Empire, Sebastian still views them as descendants of the elves who eradicated the orcs and remains standoffish. Echo says it’s time to go and as they descend the ramp from the belly of the ship.

The party exits onto the green meadow outside of Haven and are greeted by a small crowd and a group of seven prominent looking individuals in beige and gold ceremonial garb. There are two firbolg, two humans, one dwarf, one gnome, and one Imperial-looking elf. As the party steps forward, a human male with short brown hair steps forward and bows, welcoming Echo home and extending interim guest rights to Persephone, Sebastian, and Watt. Tonight they will be called to stand in front of the Council to tell their story so the Council can resolve their presence in Haven. For now, they are free to enjoy the town.

Echo recognizes the man as Jendrick, and congratulates him on his promotion to First among the Council. Jendrick stoically responds that he is honored to fill the role, and Echo bows in respect. The Council bows and turns to walk back to the city.

### The Dusty Dunes

The crowd loiters around, watching and whispering. Echo thanks everyone for coming and asks that they pay the party no mind. It is nice to be home and nice to be welcomed but the attention is not necessary, though it is appreciated. Most of the crowd disperses but some of Echo’s old friends and acquaintances stay to make small talk. Echo learns that his parents are out of town, due back within the week.

The population is a mix of elves, dwarves, gnomes, humans, firbolgs. Half the elves have an appearance like Echo and half look Imperial. Echo notices that things have changed in the past ten years. It’s been a long time since Persephone has encountered nature so she runs up to all the trees to say hello and casts Druidcraft on the grass making alien dandelions grow. She can tell that all the plant life is young and fresh. Sebastian smiles and encourages Persephone to enjoy herself. Percy gives him some dandelions and states that it’s nice to be in a safe place.

Watt turns to Echo and asks if there is a tavern in the city. Echo recommends The Dusty Dunes or the Sand Sea Tavern across the street. As soon as Watt has the directions he wanders off. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian decide to follow him. They travel through the town, the architecture and buildings are very desert-like but there is a network of green, fresh foliage. Watt wanders into The Dusty Dunes and orders a stiff double. Echo asks Persephone and Sebastian if they knew that Watt had money, and if they have money. Persephone thinks they gave all their money to Savvy Jack Scratch, Sebastian has 666 credits and can cover Echo and Percy. Persephone asks what the signature drink is and Echo recommends the dust devil, it’s a tequila based drink that has cinnamon in it that sits on the bottom like sand and when you stir it the spices swirl like a dust devil. After fifteen minutes it becomes apparent that Watt is intent on drinking himself under the table. Sebastian sighs because he will probably have to carry him out and Persephone agrees. Watt tells them to go on without him, he’ll find his way back to the ship. Sebastian and Persephone trust him but Echo is hesitant to leave him alone. Watt insists he will be fine and the party decides to move along with their sightseeing.

Sebastian is interested in the militia training grounds, Echo says they can look but outsiders are not allowed inside. Echo suggests the markets or the Museum of Exodus, and Persephone is interested in visiting the gardens. Echo tells them that the market is a kind of breezeway for the military areas and the gardens so they could head that way first.

### The Sun Gardens

The open market is like a farmer’s market; people selling the things they’re growing, general goods, and stuff for everyday consumption. It is weird for everyone but Echo to see an Imperial elf dressed in humble garb selling fruit next to a shop with a couple gnomes selling household gadgets and tools. Echo starts recommending his favorite fruits and the vendors give out free samples. Persephone grabs some fruit to start a new garden. Haven has a spectacular type of pomegranate that heals, power poms or pom-poms for short. Echo tells Percy about a plant he knows that doesn’t grow in the town that he will get for her. It has lots of uses and can be made into rope.

They head to the gardens next. The Sun Gardens are walled off by large sandstone walls with exaggerated pointed designs. The main gateway is wide open and the party walks through. Within is a spectacular garden, mainly of large Seldarine trees with their white trunks and blue-green leafage that droops down almost like a willow. Between these gorgeous trees is lush bushes, ferns, and brooks. There are white walkways and fountains where the paths intersect. Firbolgs in robes wander about and attend to the plants. Persephone doesn’t know where to go first and Echo suggests a path he likes to take. They hear birdsong and also songs being sung by the Singers that sound very siren-like in cadence. Eventually the paths wind around to a bridge that crosses a larger stream and they see there are five bridges leading to an island. The island is a mostly empty meadow except for the largest Seldarine tree they have seen so far, some firbolg seem to be on their knees meditating around it.

Persephone walks up to the other firbolg to respectfully sit near them and she casts Speak with Plants on the large tree. She is immediately overwhelmed by the vastness of this tree’s intellectual awareness; it is smarter than her, and wiser than her, and has lived an extraordinarily long time. She sees flashes of its life from its time as a sapling being sung to life by the Singers aboard an elven vessel thousands of years ago, to being the main tree of a cruising vessel, and finally to being saved and transplanted here by the Singers after that cruiser crashed. All the other trees in the garden are its offspring. Persephone takes in all the history and tells the tree it has a beautiful family. The communication from the tree is in the form of a melodic humming and it expresses happiness that she is there, and she feels love from all the trees around her. Percy basks in the benevolent feelings for several minutes.

After about ten minutes the three firbolgs rise up, the one in the center turns and speaks quietly to the other two, and they move on without him. He turns to the party and they recognize him as one of the firbolgs on the Council. He greets Percy with a bow and introduces himself as Rohorn, Speaker for the firbolgs in this community. Persephone introduces herself and exchanges greetings. He asks her if she was part of an Imperial Choir or if she was born free. She responds that she was born free, she will cover the logistics of it tonight. Rohorn will be in the gardens until sunset if they have any questions.

Persephone turns to Echo and Sebastian and says that she could stay here all day so if they want her to go somewhere else they will need to make the decision for her. Echo drops a location pin on the map for his house in case anyone wants to go off solo and meet there later. Watt probably needs to know the location when he’s done at the bar as well. He tells Percy she can stay here or she can join them when they go to the Bladesong Academy. She’ll stay a little longer and catch up with them later.

### The First Child of The Bladesong

Echo and Sebastian get to the Academy and Echo gives him a tour ending in the training grounds. The young Arcadian elves are doing their training round with wooden swords, overseen by a female Arcadian elf, Echo’s sister Alloea, Codename: Refrain. She sternly barks instructions at the students.

Echo is nervous to see his sister but walks into her blindside as she works with a student, and gently corrects the stance of another student. Alloea turns around and yells in Elven for her students to halt, and they all step to the side. She steps towards Echo and draws her blade, saying “Let us see how much you have improved, brother.” Sebastian has no idea what is going on so his hand goes to the hilt of his sword. Echo gestures for Sebastian to stand down as he draws his sword from the pocket dimension and takes a fighting stance preparing to spar.

Alloea goes on the offensive and Echo cannot dodge her blows. Echo starts moving away and she starts to lose him, but then she starts to predict his movements and gets ahead of him, blocking his escape. Echo plants his feet on the ground and intentionally leaves an opening for her, when she takes the opportunity his shield magic deflects her blow. She is caught off guard and drops her blade as she bounces off the shield. Echo smiles at her. She says “Enough” and puts her blade away, Echo follows suit, and Alloea tells him he was adequate. She is still very angry at him but it is good to have him home. Echo understands and suggests they catch up later. She returns to her class and Echo can see the glisten of tears in her eyes but she does not cry. The students are in awe of their sparring and Echo gives them a thumbs up.

Sebastian has a huge grin on his face and tells Echo that was fantastic. Persephone joins them at this point and Sebastian asks her if she saw the match. Echo thanks them but as soon as they are out of sight of the building he winces in pain. Persephone asks what she missed and Echo explains that it was his elder sister, Alloea, the First Child of The Bladesong. She was the first to master the Bladesong and Echo learned much from her. Persephone asks if she kicked his butt and Sebastian says she started off strong but Echo got her in the end.

The party walks by the military buildings next, they see that it is pretty secure and only authorized personnel are allowed entry. Sebastian asks Echo what to expect at the meeting that night. Echo explains he has ten years of unaccounted time and now he’s brought strangers home. When he called his parents he didn’t explain the finer points of what has happened, and he will have to explain himself to the Council. He tells Percy and Sebastian to be ready to tell their story since Echo can’t convey what they’ve experienced as well as they can. He warns them there may be punishment coming his way as well. The group decides to check on Watt.

When they return to The Dusty Dunes they discover Watt is no longer there. They check if his location is visible on their bracer jacks and see that he is back on the ship. Persephone thinks he needs some time alone and asks if Echo thinks it is acceptable for only Sebastian and her to attend the meeting. They can explain that they lost their captain very recently and hopefully the Council will understand. Echo says there are worse things that could happen than Watt not attending the meeting and agrees to leave him on his own. Echo invites them to head over to his place to await the summons.

### Pickleball?

Echo has a ping pong table in his house. He pulls the hilt of his sword and looks at Sebastian with intent in his eyes. As he draws his sword the blade becomes a paddle and he asks if Sebastian wants to play. Bas has never played but is willing to give it a try. Before they start to play Echo quickly cleans his house with Prestidigitation. He finds his Roomba at the edge of the stairs and tries to turn on, but it hasn’t been plugged in so it is dead. Echo beats Sebastian pretty soundly. Persephone plays next and beats Echo. Sebastian and Percy play and she beats him as well. Echo plays against his hologram as well.

Sunset comes and a runner knocks on the door. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian are expected at the Mestarine Hall at their earliest convenience and they head right over. The inside of the building reminds the party of the time they were aboard *The Amlath' Hana* because this, too, was an elven ship before it became a building. Echo explains that a group of twenty Imperial elves with as many slaves as they could take stole a cruiser to escape the Empire. They landed the ship in the desert and the ship is responsible for terra-forming the area into a habitable location, facilitated by the Singers. The ship itself has become the Hall.

### Except for the Hell Stuff

The party is led upstairs to a large circular room with windows overlooking the town below. They see orange lights in the sandstone windows and doors of the community. There are seven chairs encircling the room, each has a council member in it. Jendrick invites them to enter and Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian move into the center of the room. He reintroduces himself as Jendrick, First Councilman of Haven, and turns to address Echo and asks why he has been away for so long and why he has broken protocol to bring outsiders in.

Echo starts with the incident that instigated his departure. He is ashamed to say he could not face his people after what happened, until now. He is also ashamed to say this meeting is born from necessity; he’s brought the outsiders here because there are dire circumstances happening in the galaxy at this time. It might shed more insight if the Council hears the history of his companions: Persephone Goldpetal is strongly connected to the spirit of the galaxy in a way Echo has never seen, and Sebastian Crenshaw is the last of his kind. Echo bows out to give them time to speak.

Over the next couple hours Persephone and Sebastian tell their story. Persephone is more open about the time travel than Sebastian, but he does not stop her from revealing anything. The only thing they omit is Sebastian’s connection to Archduke Ramazall. When they are done Jendrick decides the Council will need to convene, likely overnight, to discuss the information they have received. He instructs them to return at dawn and the Council will have a decision on whether they can stay or not.

When they return the next morning Jendrick informs them that only Arcadion can stay in Haven. The Council recognizes that Persephone and Sebastian are not enemies and will, for now, refrain from wiping their minds of Haven’s location. The Council will also provide assistance so they can leave as soon as possible. It is their understanding that the ship relies on Primina to travel and Rohorn has volunteered his Singers to apply their healing services. If the party finds that agreeable, arrangements will be made to transport Primina to the Sun Gardens for healing. Echo bows and responds that the party is humbled by the Council’s hospitality and generosity, and they gladly accept the decision. Persephone asks to be in the Sun Garden with Primina while Rohorn and the Singers take a look at her. Jendrick looks at Rohorn, and Rohorn nods at Percy. She thanks the Speaker. Jendrick tells them that the Council will not put a strict deadline on the departure of the party, but sooner is better than later. Echo, Persephone, and Sebastian leave the room and Jendrick follows them out. He would like to speak to Echo privately, and Echo agrees to meet him after they settle Primina’s transport.

### Main Quest Side Quest

Back at the ship Echo casts Dimension Door to get Primina in her dragon form outside and into the meadow, and a team of ten Singers use magic to levitate her and transport her through town to the garden. They take her to the heart of the garden and sit Primina down before the large Seldarine tree, Ryu-Oh. The team of Singers start inspecting her szuldar and ask questions about Prim. Persephone and Sebastian share the information they received from Lightsong and Brightwind when they mapped the original song.

After several hours of research and questions Rohorn confers with his Singers and approaches the party. He tells them they are dealing with a powerful song of sealing and this seal, like all songs, was designed to end at some point. This song ended prematurely. Unfortunately Primina has become tangled within the seal itself and so she seems to be trapped in some intermittent state. This is beyond the capabilities of his Singers as they are now; untangling her from this is going to require a powerful focus as well as a deep connection. The deep connection is the party’s bond, but the Singers will require something with exceptionally powerful healing properties. There is only one item Rohorn knows of that is attainable by the public. Deep in Draconic Star territory is a world called Thalassia where a water spirit known as The Lady of the Sunlit Shallows dwells. Within her temple a person worthy of her gifts can receive some of her waters, the Water of Thalassia, a powerful healing agent and natural focus. If the party can get this focus it would increase the probability that the Singers can save Primina. To attempt the healing process without this focus is incredibly dangerous and could result in Primina’s death. Percy says they’ll do anything to bring Prim back. Rohorn says they will begin preparations on their end and take care of Primina until the party returns.

Persephone and Sebastian go back to the ship to update Watt while Echo goes to meet with Jendrick in front of the Mestarine Hall. Jendrick leads Echo through town, avoiding questions Echo has by telling him it will be easier to show him. Echo can tell Jendrick is apprehensive but doesn’t know why. Outside the main gates is a structure near the outskirts of town, a newer domed house Echo is not familiar with, and Jendrick knocks on the door in a specific pattern. After a moment the latch opens and he tells Echo that what he is about to see must remain between the two of them. Those inside this house have been given full sanctuary and Jendrick believes Echo should know what is inside based on Persephone and Sebastian’s story. He opens the door and they step inside. Echo sees five illithids in plain clothing sitting around a fire turn to look at them as they enter.

## Characters

### The Party

* Sebastian Crenshaw: A half-orc paladin/warlock. Good at cheering on his friends.
* Persephone Goldpetal: A firbolg druid. Disney princess-ing it up with this foliage.
* Echo: An elf wizard/fighter/rogue. Showing his friends all the best spots in town.

### NPCS

* Primina: A genetically engineered young woman. A sleeping charizard.
* Watt Wainwright: An elderly gnome. Much sadness and many drinks.
* Captain Eileen: Captain of *The Abellio*, takes the party to Haven.
* Jendrick: A human male with brown hair. First Among the Council.
* Rohorn: A firbolg. Speaker of the firbolgs on the Council.
* Alloea, Codename: Refrain: Echo's older sister, First Child of The Bladesong.

## Trivia

### World Building

* Haven's population is about 50% elves, and half of those are Imperial elves and half are Arcadian, those born free from the Empire.