Season 1: Stellarium

## Background

Season 1 was the first full season of roleplay for Cardwaithe, launching on 5 February 2021 with a new custom map by Gruber called Stellarium. New members were added to the server in waves or by referrals, so things were in a constant state of flux. The server owner also added an admin to help facilitate smooth-running server activities, while learning and adding a large amount of plugins.

## Main Story Arc

As far as the islanders knew, Don Vacone was dead. Some were aware of an incoming "King" and others had met the Sky God. The lands of Cardwaithe had changed, as per the discretion of this "King" and the Sky God, called Stellarium. It was soon revealed that the "King" was a man who went by the name of King Wexley. He slowly introduced himself to the islanders individually before his first address. He offered several the opportunity to audition for the role of "Kingsguard" among other potential positions.

Wexley eventually delivered his first (and subsequently only) address to the people of Cardwaithe. He offered support to small business and wanted to run an election for mayor to help run the day-to-day operations of the island. He then abruptly disappeared, and in his place, Marv the Wizard appeared. Marv revealed that he is a counsel to the King and offered to teach islanders the ways of magic, as well as enchant their items to improve them. The King then set up some mailboxes for business proposals (receiving only one), and then mysteriously disappeared for some time. It was also during this time that The Sky God was unreachable, sending many islanders worrying that The Demon had done something to him.

While Wexley disappeared, the islanders had to fend for themselves. Zeez built a hostel to help house the less fortunate and took on a leadership role to help the islanders survive. It was during this time that tragedy befell Cardwaithe, as Zeez, Lia, and Wetsuit were involved in the accidental killing of Priestess Celeste. Between that and the king's abandonment, resentment grew amongst the islanders. Soon, *Operation Chickenpox* was hatched, which was a plan to kill the king.

Meanwhile, there were many other happenings on the island. Two islanders, Lia & Le Champion, took an interest in Marv's magic lesson. Marv obliged and put them through several trials, including bears, scientists, and a robot, until he bestowed wands upon them and taught them the ways of magic. Additionally, newcomer Justine Bezos opened Cardwaithe's first mall, which offered many of the goods needed for survival. However, Justine was brash and clever. She hid bear traps under the bearskin rugs to entice players to purchase her medical supplies.

When the king suddenly returned, he met many of the islanders at Wahoo's. After some discussion of his absense, the islanders shared their grievances with him as a final chance for him to explain himself. Arrogant as ever, Wexley offered no explanations or apologies, as he felt there was no need to with "peasants." This cemented the plan for *Operation Chickenpox* in their eyes. Additionally, the islanders revealed that Priestess Celeste had died, and that Zeez, Lia, and Wetsuit were responsible. This rightfully angered Wexley, but there were other matters to attend first.

There were sudden plane crashes and strange events that resulted in a group of hostile scientists inside of one of the cliffsides near the Sky Church. Many islanders accompanied the king to the top floor, where Wexley asked Zeez if he could take Celeste's place to unlock some of Wexley's magic. When Zeez refused, it allowed Wexley to realize he could do it alone. Wexley suddenly floated, entered the cliffside, and dispatched the cliffside with rockets from his glowing eyes. Afterwards, Wexley cornered Zeez, Wetsuit, and Lia and convicted them of murder against Celeste. He immediately used those same rocket eyes to kill them where they stood, and readily disappeared into his castle. This infuriated the islanders.

Wexley appeared before Justine Bezos at her mall. He offered her a deal. If she could get Lia, Wetsuit, and Zeez into her mall at the same time, he would guarantee her funding and resources beyond her wildest desires after the island changes. Justine tentatively agreed to the deal, and did attempt to lure the three into her mall. Unfortunately, she was never able to get Lia there in time, as far as Wexley knew.

As the Purge Event began and the island destabilized, the islanders, led by Zeez and Sydney, charged the castle. Some quick maneuvering by Wetsuit allowed them to land atop Swamp Mountain, narrowly avoiding being destroyed by Wexley's SAM Sites. They were able to disable the castle's defenses and eventually made their way to Wexley's Hold. As Zeez was berating Wexley for his actions, and his disappearance, Sydney revealed that he discovered the man who ordered his family dead. With a gun aimed carefully at Wexley's head, Sydney revealed that man was Wexley. Wexley began to laugh and revealed a wand. He explained that he had captured the Sky God and kept him trapped via The Sky God's skull. He relished in the fact that there was nothing anyone could do to stop him. It was at that moment that Zeez reminded him that it was belief and faith in the Sky God that gave him strength, causing Wexley's eyes to stop glowing. Once this happened, Wexley let out a final cry and attempted to use lightning magic to kill them all. In a panic, Sydney pulled his trigger, instantly killing Wexley. Confused, those in the room breathed a sigh of relief, before they heard the one laugh they never wanted to hear again...

The Demon phased in through the wall, picking up Wexley's wand while laughing maniacally. He revealed that Wexley and Celeste were merely conduits to the Sky God's power. By killing both of them, The Demon had direct access. In a flurry of madness and bullets, The Demon unleashed his rocket eyes in the room, killing everyone instantly, before disappearing.

When Zeez regenerated, he was greeted by a weakened but very thankful Sky God. The Sky God revealed that Wexley had imprisoned him after being shown how to use his power. By killing Wexley, the islanders had freed the Sky God, but not before The Demon absorbed nearly all his strength. The Sky God awarded Zeez with the rank of "priest" and charged him with building a church to house believers of the Sky God once the island changed. He warned that The Demon would not be restricted to the Purge Event, and that the next island will be dangerous and... hot.