Decked Out

*Decked Out* is the title of the eighth episode of the seventh season of S.H.A.D.O.W. and the eightieth session of the entire game.

This session was played on July 22nd, 2020

## Decked Out

### Writer

Jonny Christie, Matt Christie, Rob Christie, Richie Maynard, Eric Rios

## Synopsis

Aragi is surrounded by a few deceased S.W.A.R.M. soldiers. He changes into one of their uniforms and heads west. Phylyco arrives in Brayden and updates his soldiers on their mission, feeding them quality food. Aragi is among the soldier but keeps his distance. He tests the food and it’s actually really good. He sticks with the soldiers returning and witnesses one smaller soldier being picked on. Everything in him tells him to help but he fights the urge and remains in character. Hezekiah arrives at the Bloodjaw and warns Lara that they are too compromised in this location. Aurora approaches him and he explains that they need a safer place to meet. Aurora suggests the new port city currently under construction. The two of them will go scope it out and confirm it’s safe. They decide to bring one other member of the council with them and choose Aelwin since he has the least connection to Lara. Aragi realizes the soldiers are taking the long way home so once they hit the mountains he breaks off and takes a path of his own, hoping to cut this journey short. Phylyco arrives in Stoneclaw city and sets a chair at the gate to wait for his expected guest.

Hezekiah and party arrive at the coast. They figure out quickly they don’t actually know where this town is being built but determine it is close so they follow the Zachar sea northbound. Aragi arrives a mile out of the city and is immediately assaulted by massive spikes protruding from the ground. He is able to get through the minefield but there is still a long way to go. He continues on and is enveloped by a black smoke. He hears a familiar voice that attempts to sway him and turn him around but he is stubborn and ignores it. It returns to him and begs him to just listen for once. If he just listens to those around him, he will get through this. Aragi agrees and as the smoke clears, he is at the gate. Hezekiah and the others find the town and he quickly finds the person he assumes is in charge. A Tortle named Surto. Hezekiah convinces him that he is there to replace Earthstone in overseeing the construction and Surto informs him that there is a bit of a homeless problem already growing and he could use help cleaning the streets. Hezekiah takes this as a challenge and begins slaughtering the people on the street. He gets to one that is heavily bandaged as Aurora runs up to pull him back from the murder path and they are interrupted by the bandaged man who walks past them towards the sea and removes his torn clothing, revealing himself to be a battle-torn Vargas.

Aelwin immediately bows but Vargas turns down his praise. Aurora and Hezekiah explain the situation, how they are at war, the forests are all but gone, and Lara is acting queen. Vargas doesn’t care. He doesn’t want to lead anymore. He doesn’t want to fight anymore. Aurora decides to leave him in his sorrow and Hezekiah attempts to sway him again but Aurora stops him. They leave him. He looks out to the shore, then back towards the forests, and he breaks out into a run. Aragi enters the city but does not see Phylyco waiting. He heads straight to the fortress and runs into an elf woman. He briefly speaks with her before Phylyco interrupts. Aragi confronts him about the war treaty and Phylyco doesn’t truly give him answers as Wroth soon enters after. He has Aragi pull a card but the stupidity only grows as he pulls two. The first card is a wish and the others look visibly concerned but he wastes it on wishing for more wishes. This breaks Wroth down and he shoots him in the arm in anger. Aragi is clearly in distress but he pulls the second card so that the S.W.A.R.M. troops are pulled from Aethel for one week. It lowers his abilities permanently but that is a sacrifice he accepts unwillingly. Wroth leaves and Phylyco summons Commander Winter to deal with Aragi. Phylyco leaves and Onyx attempts to patch the man before he stumbles back and cuts him free. Onyx helps Aragi get out of the city and Aragi realizes the same thing Onyx does in that moment. He is a resurrected Cain Emberstorm. Aragi attempts to take him with him but Onyx turns him down and has to face his demons. He sits down with Phylyco who reminds him that he died with Aragi, but he still lives with S.W.A.R.M.

## Cast

### Main

* Aragi Maxul
* Phylyco Brokenwhisper
* Lara Youngheart
* Vargas de Orion Highstar
* Sirobe
* Zinonna Murium
* Onyx Winter
* Hezekiah Silvergleam

### Supporting

* Amarel Jenella
* Saint Wroth
* Aurora Lightblade
* Bjorn Urregard
* Blaktar
* Aelwin Hauntcalling

### Guest

* Xylini the Charasmatic
* Elzu Glintingeye
* Niks
* Surto

## Trivia

* The Kobold that Aragi sees in the S.W.A.R.M. army is named Niks, though this is never established.