Sharp Winds

*Sharp Winds* is the title of the fourth episode of the fifth season of S.H.A.D.O.W. and the fifty second session of the entire game.

This session was played on May 26th, 2019

## Sharp Winds

### Writer

Jonny Christie, Matt Christie, Richie Maynard, Eric Rios, Corey Sexton

## Synopsis

Darrow is standing at the entrance to Stoneclaw. He stares at the carnage below for a moment before entering once again. Phylyco and Locus are following the trail of Sachayoj. They arrive at Maeurt and see what’s left of the paladins’ city. They quickly loot what’s left and continue north towards the monster. Meanwhile, Aguero and his allies are in the presence of the Wildens. Their leader, Trisimei, has caught them up on the true history of Sachayoj. Aguero asks her what they plan to do and suggests taking the fight to him but Mal reminds him that they would then have to find a way to get to the other plain which is impossible at this time. Aguero retorts that the Wildens are from the Vale but Trisimei informs him that there was a surge a few months prior that forced them to remain on the material plain and halt their magic. Grekkus asks if she is referring to the Persephone war but Aguero knows that it was actually S.H.A.D.O.W. when they “killed magic” on Karton Island. He realizes the issue and vows to fix this for not only them but all of Eris. Phylyco and Locus arrive at Kyesi. While on the road Phylyco begins to feel a bit drained and it starts to become a bit more physical. He gets a hint of a headache and starts to have trouble focusing. Darrow has arrived at the Stoneclaw mountains. He begins to climb and the weather begins to take a turn. A blizzard starts almost immediately and he gets caught in the winds. He presses on and ends up stumbling into a young Yeti. He battles and kills the beast then uses its body for shelter until the storm passes.

Aguero and the others continue their discussion as Bhalgus watches on from a short distance. No one really knows why he’s still there. Aguero intends to find the vessel Sachayoj is currently using and use his powers to get to him but Mal is absolutely against it. They argue about the dangers and Aguero refuses to back down and heads north. He will face his demons. Bhalgus gets up and follows the blind man and Grekkus soon follows. Mal plans to get the deal written by Giantscrippler to the Saint but he quickly realizes he can’t leave the others and follows. Phylyco and Locus are battling corrupted soldiers and Phylyco coughs for just a moment. It’s enough for Locus to notice that something is wrong. Locus gets his attention and gets him into a nearby building to hopefully treat his commander. While Darrow is sleeping in the corpse of this Yeti, he begins to feel motion. Something is rocking the body. As slow as he can, he crawls out of the body and attempts to escape in the heavy snow but he makes eye contact with the much larger Yeti and is still. He understands the predicament and his fight or flight instincts kick in. He chooses fight even though he is still injured from the first fight but he does not go down. He is prepared to die then and there but a hooded figure kills the mother. He looks up to see a brief glimpse of red hair.

Locus manages to halt the sickness in Phylyco but is unsure if it is a cure. They decide this is a good time to recon the city and decide to climb the building they are in. Locus briefly sees an amateur torture room and Phylyco finds a dwarf woman being devoured by corrupted dire wolves. He swiftly kills them and continues up, Locus on his tail. They get to a small office where a Drow is finishing off another of the corrupted. Phylyco instantly recognizes him and informs Locus that he once held Mal captive. The drow also reminds him that he was a member of S.H.A.D.O.W. long before the man and to remember his reasons for leaving. Phylyco warns him that he should get out of the city and heads to the roof with Locus. They don’t even take an extra moment before jumping back into the fight. Team Aguero are camping for the night and they finally ask Bhalgus what his deal is. He was told about a fight and he wants to fight so they will let him fight. They all go to bed and on Aguero’s watch he decides he can’t risk their lives for his mistakes so he leaves. Darrow is face-to-face with his brother, Cain. The supposed traitor. Darrow is not happy to see him but accepts his help getting him to his hut. Cain begins to cook while he lets his brother rest. Darrow asks how he knew he’d be here and Cain tells him Ike told him. Darrow threatens the man to never contact his family. Cain reminds him that they are family too but Darrow lashes out. Accusing Cain of taking Malek’s sword arm with malice. Cain asks him who was supposed to dull the sparring blades and Darrow gets up to leave. He warns him to stop speaking with Ike or any other members of their house. Cain informs him that he is out here in the Stoneclaw mountains and Darrow came to him. He was fine on his own until he appeared. He hands him a bowl of stew but Darrow tosses it. Fury in his eyes. He steps out of the hut. He thinks about his brother’s words and turns back. He challenges him to a duel.

Grekkus awakens to find that Aguero is missing. He immediately begins to look for him and catches his trail. Mal tells the paladin to leave it be. He clearly didn’t want them going with him. Grekkus does not accept that and follows the trail. Mal grabs Bhalgus (Who is mid push-up) and follows because at least they’re heading the direction of Aethel City. Aguero is meditating, seeking a way to find Sachayoj. He unlocks two paths. One heading north and one heading west. He decides to gamble and follow the west path even though he knows it’s not his goal. Phylyco and Locus are still deep in the fight for Kyesi. A large shadow looms over the city to reveal Arcos on the back of Cae. Phylyco has Locus carry him to the sky as he jumps onto the corrupted Kanon. He stabs the Man in the neck and Arcos, controlled fully now by Sachayoj, dives Cae to the ground. The Kamakazi destroys the bird but leaves the two in a battle on the street while Locus provides cover fire with his knives. Phylyco destroys the vessel and starts to feel the headache again. A familiar black smoke exits the corpse heading towards not Phylyco but Locus. He does not see it coming but fortunately for the halfling, the drow does and jumps in the way. As the possession begins, he screams at them to run and they do. Darrow and Cain are standing on the edge of a snowy mountain. The fight begins. Cain is visibly holding back but Darrow is not. He gets his brother to his knees and sentences him to death. Cain’s final words are “Stormcaller” as Darrow cuts him down. Right as he does, a bolt of lightning strike right behind him and standing in the clearing is none other than Aragi Maxul.

## Cast

### Main

* Aragi Maxul
* Phylyco Brokenwhisper
* Aguero Cryhawk
* Mal Bloodjaw
* Locus Fochuckl
* Darrow Emberstorm
* Grekkus Raisir

### Supporting

* The Demon Sachayoj
* Trisimei
* Cain Emberstorm

### Guest

* Cae
* Zakkandur
* Lorhick Silkspear

## Trivia

* This session marks the return of Aragi Maxul since his exile.
* This session kills off two of the Emberstorm siblings (Arcos and Cain), dropping the total number from Six to Four.