Fortress

*Fortress* is the title of the eleventh episode of the seventh season of S.H.A.D.O.W. and the eighty third session of the entire game.

This session was played on August 30th, 2020

## Fortress

### Writer

Jonny Christie, Matt Christie, Richie Maynard

## Synopsis

Aragi, Aurora, and Zinonna are all bracing for the news. They discover Marfalcon has died. Aragi and Aurora argue the reason for even being here but it doesn’t matter. Someone needs to take charge of the keep but the remaining Emberstorms are all MIA. Zinonna sighs and knows she’s now the most qualified but also the only one who can. Before they can continue the discussion however, The Stormcaller is summoned by Abrus. The attack on Maeurt has begun. Leading the S.W.A.R.M. soldiers is Captain Thoren and Commander Winter. Aragi prepares the forces and sends a flurry of wolf arrows into the sky, raining on the attackers. Onyx is unphased and the army continues to charge until they are stopped by an invisible barrier. Only Winter can move through it and Aragi begs him to remember who he is and stop this before it’s too late. Onyx tells him that they have his Brother and he has no choice but to continue. Aragi retreats to the wall as Onyx pursues. Meanwhile, Captain Thoren finds a way through the barrier with the army and they assault. They are held back briefly by what Aragi assumes is Abrus, only to discover it is Tadal boasting new sylvan abilities. Onyx drops Aragi and leaves, his task complete but the rest plan to descimate the city.

He gets back up quickly and Despite this, they are still out matched but once again they are saved when the army of Aethel arrives led by Lara. Thoren and a handful of others move deeper into the city to retreat as S.W.A.R.M. is the one surrounded now and defeated. No survivors.

Aragi thanks Lara and the man with her, known as Bose, gives him a pendent and tells him to come to Santis when the eyes on it glow. Aragi is not finished though and goes to find Thoren, accompanied by team Sirobe. They find him and his men assaulting Abrus. They do their best to defend but it appears that Abrus is killed when he shrivels and turns grey. Aragi in a rage swings at Thoren, who catches his bow and takes it, retreating. Aragi begins to chase him but he realizes he could still save Abrus and lets him leave. He does manage to save the Treant but the cost is massive. Aguero’s bow is gone.

Aragi is brought to Lara, ready to continue the fight but she tells him to rest. She asked for a meeting with Phylyco and he agreed on the condition he meet Aragi one-on-one at Fort Tidus. Aragi is certain this is a trap but Lara counters that since that’s so obvious they just have to ambush him first. Aragi is not convinced. He believes it’ll just be another trap beyond that. She explains that they already made a deal with Elbije and explains to him that Phylyco is the domino that will crumble S.W.A.R.M.’s army. He is not 100% convinced but he doesn’t argue yet. She tells him to rest but he is ready to go now and kisses her. She knocks him out so he will sleep and when he wakes up, he agrees to listen to her plan. She sends Team Sirobe to the south to sneak in and save the Emberstorm brothers and gather any more information. She leads a small group to Tidus with Aragi, Bjorn, Tadal, and about two hundred men. When they arrive Aragi pleads with her to give him ten minutes and then they can do whatever they need to do. She agrees and he enters the Fort. Phylyco is nowhere in sight. The allotted time passes and the soldiers set up their flank. Aragi begs her to get the men out of there but she is convinced this is the best plan they have and He is still not listening to reason. He goes up to the roof for a better view and she joins him. They argue again and again and again. Neither of them standing down. He starts to break down and pleads for her to listen to him and hugs her. Her expression changes and she calls for the men to retreat. They make love as the sunsets. As the Sun rises, Phylyco arrives. Aragi goes back into the Fort to meet him and hundreds of men come out of the shadows. Aragi expected this but when Phylyco says he thought they had a deal; he realizes it’s still his own people. Lara apologizes but she will not take any more chances because Aragi is playing hero. Phylyco begins his speech, summoning Singula to him and showing Aragi that he has been with them the whole time. Lara preps her men to fire on him but before they can attack, Phylyco shares his reason for being with S.W.A.R.M. and references Saint Hylophagous before dropping a bead of force. Aragi embraces Lara as the building explodes, sending him out the window.

## Cast

### Main

* Aragi Maxul
* Phylyco Brokenwhisper
* Lara Youngheart
* Sirobe
* Zinonna Murium
* Onyx Winter

### Supporting

* Singula
* Tadal
* Aurora Lightblade
* Bjorn Urregard
* Sarya Nameless
* Villberg
* Abrus

### Guest

* Thoren
* Pagos
* Bose

## Trivia

* Final appearance of Lara Youngheart, the longest running ally of the Party.
* Both Abrus and Tadal were initially meant to die in this session but they were saved by the dice.