Episode 119 - In Living Memory

## Synopsis

Integrity Idleberry cast the spell Conjure Memory on the wand she had found in the Sunken Hatch. She saw a vision of a girl with short blonde hair, large piercing brown eyes, a sharp nose and biggish hands standing with the wand in the Sunken Hatch. Before her was a large snake skeleton, bigger than the one currently in the room. The word “worship” was written in Draconic on the wall. Integrity felt the girl’s sense of disappointment when she looked at Neska’s skeleton without the Orb of Reverence. A much younger version of Ferimel crawled in, holding his arm. His hair was short and brown, and his jaw sharper. The girl, whose name was revealed to Integrity as Enlee, had a conversation with Ferimel about the trials of the Sunken Hatch. While they spoke, the skeleton’s ribs turned to snakes, attacking Enlee. Integrity felt the other girl’s throbbing pain as the coiling snakes crushed her wand arm and started breaking all the bones in her body. As she pleaded for help from Ferimel, he ended his childhood friend’s life with an ice spell.

As the spell kept taking effect, now on the Orb of Reverence, Integrity saw a vision from old Sheora. The Progenitor was performing a horrible ritual involving the cutting off of his own hand, which promptly regrew. He handed the orb to Empress Terassis, informing her that a fourth orb had been created, and that he hoped it would help with the consecration of the shrine on the holy mountain. She told him to make sure the Ascendants know they were welcome when they made the pilgrimage to the holy mountain. The Progenitor asked for the village of Nadalensis as a sacrifice, which was granted without hesitation. He then said to destroy all effigies of old before their goddess came, as she would not like any worldly depictions of her.

As the spell ended Integrity heard Ferdinand say “what the fuck”, prompting angry responses from all of SWIM, who had entered in the meantime.

When they exited the room SWIM saw Semolai in pain and weakened, accusing them of stealing Isathil’s magic, thus robbing her of her life force. Winsler Wallaby healed her a little. Integrity tried to apologize, but Semolai reprimanded her angrily and hobbled off. Serinepth Sinderman told the culprit, Ferdinand, to return the water she had stolen or she would “take [her] outside and deal with [her].” Ferdinand cowered in fear and accused SWIM of not intending to honor their promise to protect her, which was why she had been stealing magic to power her own escape. Serinepth blew up at this, yelling that she was sick of everyone always running off on their own and fucking up. When she poured the stolen magic back out Serinepth heard a voice in her head asking why they had brought dark memories and people to the Loft. She explained that she hoped to make amends and that they were just trying to survive. The voice responded “ok, MORTAL, go survive then.” Winsler Wallaby started crying. Serinepth looked outside and saw hundreds of Grung making a bonfire. They had brought with them large cages filled with trees, animals and an imprisoned Melan. Laud the Slaad was pacing angrily in front of the gathered army.