Part 12: 10.A: Worthy

: Jodariel’s been having a bit of a rough time of it lately. Hopefully that last performance will lift her spirits – not only did she slap Sandra around after she called her old, but it involved beating three Harps into the dirt. And she got one of Soliam Murr’s very own horns as a trophy.

: Now that we’re rested and reinvigorated, let’s get back to trying to find Sandalwood.

: You find nothing of interest while sifting through the tall brush of the Underthicket. But then…

: What is it, Ti’zo?

: (Ti’zo seems to have found a clue to the whereabouts of The Lone Minstrel’s client.)

: The little imp brings to you a strip of bark. It does not seem unusual at first, until you notice a message carved onto the inside.




: And it’s worth ten bucks! Good work, Ti’zo!

: Actually, that’s got me thinking. This bark doesn’t have Sandalwood’s signature, but it’s a safe bet that it’s from him. If you’ve ever seen an episode of Pawn Shop or whatever, you’d know that letters or parchment or whatever that has a famous person’s signature on it is worth something. I wonder: if you could prove that the letter in question was written by someone famous, but it did not have their signature, I wonder how much it’d be worth.



: Seems that way. Which way to Cinderroot?

: It is due northwest. Perhaps we can set forth early tomorrow, when the woods are still.

: Sounds good. Everyone, rest up. Big day coming up.



: This one is a bit of a tough call, I thought. We’re not immediately hurting for money (although we will be soon), so I don’t feel the need to scrounge right this moment. So it comes down to tutoring one of my allies, or going for a global bonus.

: I really want to do the tutoring. Both Gilman and Pamitha are on the cusp of a level-up, and a tutoring session would put them well-over and get us a perk. But my hesitation comes down to a pretty simple question: which one do I tutor?

: The easy answer is ‘one of those two,’ but that doesn’t actually help me. We haven’t voted on who to use for the next Rite yet, and we might not invite either Gilman or Pamitha at all. I could choose someone else entirely, but that would be wasteful, I think, considering that we have two companions that need it more desperately.

: So, I decided: fuck it.



Gfy




: For the most part, I’m fine with our current weaknesses and strengths when it comes to Quickness and Presence. That’s not to say that we don’t need or want them, of course; just that, I feel like we’re fine with regards to those stats right this red-hot moment.

: But, the valuable lesson I learned from Flagging Hands is still with me: you can never have too much Hope. And besides, we can only upgrade one stat from Vocations twice; might as well polish Hope off.



: You extract a deeper meaning from the words and teachings of the Book of Rites, one you feel in your core, yet struggle to articulate.

: Inspiration comes to you in a flash; whether from the Book or from within, you cannot tell.



: Moving on!



Gfy

: You arrive on the outskirts of Cinderroot, but once again, the informant Sandalwood is nowhere to be found. You sense the hopes of your companions waning as your search through the area yields nothing.

: Then, something startles the little imp Ti’zo.

: (Ti’zo seems to be crying out in surprise. He has spotted something, or someone.)

: A tall figure strides forward from the trees, making a sound like laughter. The imp charges toward him…

: …and, leaps right into the figure’s arms. They embrace.


: Music: Certain Plan

: The tall Sap produces something that the imp swallows immediately and with great pleasure. The Lone Minstrel nods his head in affirmation.

: Everyone… I wish to introduce you to my client, Volfred Sandalwood.

: Hey, Fred.

: It has been too long, Volfred, sir.

: Too long indeed, Tariq. I trust your new companions bring some color to your days?

: They do, sir. I think that you shall find them worthy of the Nightwings.



: We shall see.

: Then he turns to you.

: You must be the Reader. I’m certain that we all appreciate your efforts here, my boy, though we shall manage on our own from here on out. You’re welcome to continue on with us, of course, though you are free to go. I trust you have been adequately compensated for your time? Thanks as well for looking after all my books.

: You consider what to say to all of this.

: ‘Free to go,’ he says. ‘Adequately compensated,’ he says. We’re trying to bust out of prison here. And if I’m a ‘boy’ to him, he must be an old man to me.

: If the option to punch Fred in his immaculate jaw comes up, I’m gonna take it.



: Well. If the option to deck Fred in his perfect lips isn’t there, then I’m just not going to give him the satisfaction of any answer at all.



: You stare back at Volfred, attempting to glean a deeper insight into what drives him, though you remain unable to sense anything further. Still, you refuse to budge at his behest.

: Hold on.

: Volfred, sir. I’m Hedwyn. My companions and I are the ones you answered your call. We followed the signs you left for us.

: Now we’re here. Thanks to you, and also to this Reader.

: Not just a Reader, he… he is our friend. My friend. He’s not disposable. We made him a promise, and our freedoms are now intertwined.

: Volfred smirks at this.

: Freedom’s not something to be traded or exchanged, my boy. I’d hoped that you’d have come to grasp this much by now.

: Then surely you’d appreciate my bartering skills when I tell you to eat shit.

: He breathes a sigh.



: You have a Rite to get to, do you not? I’ll come along, though shall not interfere. For it seems you have a kinship with this Reader of yours.

: …Now, then, Tariq?

: Aye, Volfred sir?

: Come, let’s have a chat.

: Of course, sir.

: Volfred strides toward the blackwagon, which must have belonged to him. You sense many conflicting emotions among your companions.




Gfy

: Your wagon cuts through a clearing to arrive at the Glade of Lu, where the stars directed you. Volfred nods his approval but leaves everyone to their devices.



: Lots to do here in the Glade of Lu. Which is good; I’m in a bit of a touchy mood after that altercation, and I could use the time to get my mind off Volfr–



: … I’m gonna read a book.


Gfy



: … As much as I don’t really want to look at Fred and his amazing cheekbones, I can’t avoid him forever. I may as well give him the time of day.

: Also, the man smokes some huge goddamn pipes, oh my Lord.

: As you approach Volfred Sandalwood, you feel very much aware that you reside within his blackwagon, rather than he in yours. He studies you in silence for a time, then…

: Tariq, if you have a moment…?

: Aye, Volfred sir, what is it?

: This Reader… you deem him worthy, by your estimation?

: The Lone Minstrel tilts his hat in your direction.



: Of course… it is not entirely for me to say, but I have seen this Reader integrating with the others well. I believe that his achievements are self-evident in having reached Black Basin. Your instructions were deliberately difficult to follow, yet, he and the others followed them.

: Indeed… your words make sense as ever, Tariq.

: And, what does little Ti’zo think of him, I wonder…?

: (Ti’zo indicates that, as a matter of fact, he is happy to have you around.)

: …There you have it, sir.

: I see.

: He continues to examine you.



: Now, pardon us. Tariq and I have matters to discuss.

: They leave without another word, although you think you notice The Lone Minstrel look your way over his shoulder.



: I guess that wasn’t as painful as it could have been, although that’s through no effort on Fred’s part. He’s putting Tariq’s and Ti’zo’s opinions first – which I can’t blame, he’s more familiar with them than he is with me – and they seem to like me, so that’s reassuring.

: Before we start looking into beginning this Rite, let’s give our pal Ron a quick visit.



: Oh, and, hey there, Mister Sandalwood.

: Good day to you as well, Ron.



: Ron’s got a new Pinch of Stardust available for 16 Sol, along with a new Talisman. This new Pinch is his cheapest right now, so I might as well take it. And, while we’re here, we can offload that stripe of bark that has Fred’s handwriting on it to offset the Stardust a little bit.

: The new Talisman available is called the Rite Lite, and it’s basically a Last Stand kind of Talisman: once per Rite, if my Pyre should be extinguished, it’s instead restored by 5 HP. It can also stack with any other Masteries or Talismans that restore my Pyre.

: Like I said before, ideally, I should never be in a position where I’m losing to that point, and even if I were, I’m not so sure another five points is going to rescue me from whatever hole I’ve fallen into. It’s relatively cheap at 25 Sol, but it’s not worth it to me.

: The really good stuff – namely, the Lunar Glass, which allows the bearer to move 10% faster while holding the Orb – is well outside my current price range, so, I guess that wraps up my business with Ron. He’s made a whole six dollars from me today.



: Ron’s pretty delightful to be around sometimes. He loves his dad and he loves running his business. How can you hate that?



: You and your fellow exiles arrived at the sacred site called Glade of Lu, and now look to the stars in the sky to signal the beginning of the next Rite.

: The woods about you bring a sense of tranquility you have not felt in some time. But then, you notice one of the trees move. It shuffles toward you, and regards you with an exaggerated bow.



: Music: Grand Ceremony

: Oh, but where are my manners, hmm? One moment!

: The Sap claws at his mask with his wispy fingers.



: H. Manley Tinderstauf, at your service! Perhaps you’ve heard of me?

: Well… at least he looks like he’s having a good time.

: My fellows and myself, you perhaps know us as the Chastity. We soon shall stand against you in the Rites!! For now I am just whiling away the time, making small talk!

: Now, then, as I have introduced myself, your turns!! To whom am I speaking?



: <Manley Tinderstauf is not to be trusted. Reveal neither yourselves to him, nor me.>

: Well…?

: Beneath her mask, Jodariel stares back at him in silence. You suspect Volfred’s message may have reached every member of the group.

: Why, now, how very rude, indeed. Well, fine! Ignore me, but you do so at your peril!

: Anyhow, once this evening’s Rite commences, any moment now, then I’m afraid ignoring me won’t be an option any longer. Oh! And now I do believe the sky is beginning to show. We’ll have to chat again some other time! Now come along, come along!

: Manley bows again and wanders off into a clearing, as the stars begin to burn.


Gfy

: It’s time, indeed, for us to face off against Manley and the Chastity, here in the Glade of Lu.

: This time, we have no temporary bonuses or penalties, and every single one of our triumvirate is available and willing to compete in the Rites. Who do we bring into this match against the Chastity?

: Our options are Hedwyn, Rukey, Jodariel, Mae, Ti’zo, Sir Gilman, and Pamitha. You cannot vote for Jodariel and Pamitha at the same time; you must pick one or the other. First to five votes gets their spot guaranteed, and remember, the order you vote for them in matters!