Episode 45 - "The clock is ticking! Your times up Alder!"

**"The clock is ticking! Your times up Alder!"** is session #45 of the Cydir Campaign. It takes place during **The Culloville Arc**

**Date of Session:** 08/18/2020

**Recording**: [www.youtube.com Link]

## **Description**

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## **Summary**

Yet again, Plan B is a step behind their newly proclaimed nemesis. Before they can act, he and the masked man vanish.

The party investigates the cavern to find a freshly deceased Hilda with a curious phrase "Find the Branded" tattooed in her arm. Yuri conveys that the Branded are a tribe marked by deformation and savagery. Oddly, Taro recalls his temple aiding these people.

They continue on to investigate the machine finding that the a red orb is used as offering and a large crack in the side of it. Yuri peaks his head in only to be afflicted by a searing headache. Plan B theorizes that this offering released....something.

Meanwhile Taro digs a grave to respectfully bury Katheyrn and Hilda. After Nick says his final goodbye the party makes their way back up to hovel.

They attempt to glean some more information from the Jovann and Rolf but are met with expected opposition. Plan B opts to leave them there.

The party decides to leave town to avoid any suspicious eyes. Nick goes to the Rose Petina to retrieve Daniel (the dog) and is by his elusive companion: The Bolt. The Bolt urges Nick to join him and finish what they started.

Returning with a change of plans, Nick offers his old home a place to rest for the evening. Once other members fall asleep, Nick informs Akmenos of his plan to infiltrate the Burnished Bastion and proceeds to steal Heckler's boomstick. Akmenos sends his familiar to follow Nick and wakes the party.

In a fit of rage, Heckler storms off to find Nick as the others follow behind him. They attempt to make their way into the secret entrance of the Burnished Bastion but through a series of unfortunate (and bad rolls), the guards are alerted and begin to detain Plan B.

Nick and the Bolt make trek up the Burnished Bastion. Along the way way Bolt suggests Nick call his backup, his Plan B.

Stuck between a rock and hard place, they engage in combat which concludes with an all too familiar sight: Heckler inadvertently kills one of the guards in Taro's arms. Taro furiously grabs Heckler, drags him to front gates and yells for Nick.

Akmenos receives a message for Nick, formally requesting the parties aid. They put their current confrontation behind and make their way into the castle.

Arriving at the top floor, Bolt enters Alder's study to confront him. He wrecked with pain and tossed to the side by Alder. Nick kicks the door down and aims the boomstick at Alder. The old decrepit man is taken aback by the sight but Nick unfortunately misses his shot.

The Rest of Plan B hear the shot ring out and rush to aid their comrade. A battle ensues between Plan B and Alder (and Nick and Heckler) but Alder is eventually overwhelmed by their unorthodox synergy.

Heckler finally retrieves his gun and makes it abundantly clear that this is to never happen again.

Alder rambles about the Five becoming Six and the Branded being they key to unlocking the information needed. He glances at Taro's handed and identifies him as one of the Branded.

Investigating Alder's study the party finds a necromantic ritual prepared and a curiously enchanted clock.

As Nick and Akmenos look dispel the clock's enchantment and look for a way in, Yuri encourages to Taro to complete the ritual. With his a blood accepted a coin with the visage of Kaizuku is formed and placed in the ritual circle. Suddenly the clock figure opens and NickMenos proclaim their success.

Inside the vault they find a map detailing the 4 large blue lights in Ashenvale, Carthus, Cynari River and Xanthir. Similarly there are 3 smaller lights in Ashevale, Culloville and Lys. This aligns with the machines they've found so far.

Additionally, a scroll was recounting the of the Vessel, a prophet for a greater being. Soon after the bell of the Burnished Bastion begins to ring out.

For the first time, Plan B is one step ahead.

## **Notes**

### **Important**

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### **General**

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