Part 31: Not One Of Them

: Before we get to brass tacks, I just want to get something out of the way first.

: Our team, as decided by the thread, is Ti’zo as our forward, and flanked by Bertrude and Sir Gilman. Which is fine, but before we move into our match with Oralech – an opponent we’ve never met before and can’t afford to underestimate – I think one of us could use a bit of a boost.



: This Wisdom Trace will put Ti’zo over the threshold for another level-up, giving him a perk to help us against this new opponent. So, let’s give it to him. We still have another one to spare, after all.





: The options available to us are the first-level perk Moon Sign; the second-level perk Titan’s Rage; and the third-level perk Inner Glory.

: Inner Glory gives Ti’zo a straight +10 buff to Glory, putting him on par with Bertrude (before any of her own perks or Talismans). That’s actually really nutty, and Ti’zo having so much Glory would mean that he would be dishing it out almost as hard as Jodariel was. Which is crazy to think about considering how fast the little guy can move.

: But… Ti’zo’s best position isn’t on offense. He can’t clear a way forward for himself with his Aura because he doesn’t cast it normally. Despite his quickness, his best position is on defense.

: With that in mind, and against Oralech, I think the safer bet is to take Titan’s Rage. Ti’zo will be able to deny a significantly larger area around him with this perk, making him much harder to approach, no matter how large Oralech’s Presence is.



: With that done, I do believe we have a date with destiny.


: Not One Of Them – Gameplay



: I am afraid so. I can only begin to imagine what he has been through all these years.

: Reader. As you can see, Oralech and I, we have some years in common. A story for another day. I need some time to look at how all this affects our Plan.

: Uh, it shouldn’t affect it at all, should it? What’s Oralech gonna do? He needs to get past us in order to get into the Commonwealth in the first place, and even if he does, who’s toes is he gonna step on to get in our way?

: Reader sir. Oralech is a principled person. His freedom was denied him just when it was in his grasp. A doleful tale. Volfred shall tell you more of him in due time, of that I have no doubt…. For now, it seems the stars beseech you once again, outside.

: There, deep in the infinite dark, once more you see a single star shining brighter than the rest.




: I think, like second Liberation Rite, we’ll appreciate who our opponent is this time.




: Our next Liberation Rite will be the only opponent this game to make a mark against us: Dalbert, his son Almer, and the Fate.

: Although, if you check Dalbert’s win:loss ratio, it actually says that he lost his most recent Rite, but his win over us at the Isle of Khaylmer was enough to keep his lead ahead of Tamitha regardless. Talk about a stroke of luck there!

: In some ways, it kind of sucks that we have to play against him. I mean, it was bound to happen eventually, but still, it means that either one of us has to stay down here, or he has to stay down here. Both of those options aren’t very fun. And Dalbert wasn’t fortunate enough to join the Nightwings; because of how punishing losing a Liberation Rite is for your favour with the Scribes, if Dalbert loses, it’s highly unlikely he’ll get a second chance again, especially if the Rites are on their way out.


Gfy

: Once more, then, unto the Fall of Soliam… excellent.

: Our Plan proceeds at pace. We need but continue to make good on all such opportunities the stars present, so much as possible. Then, our ranks within the Commonwealth may yet grow strong enough that we shall sway the people toward our cause.

: You know, if you haven’t been paying attention.

: It shall be difficult. But the people have their hearts and consciences, and the Commonwealth has long since lost its way.



: The burning of books, the outlawing of literacy… these are corruptions of the teachings of the Scribes. Together, we shall prove it, soon enough.

: To be fair, if something could bestow supernatural powers on a person the way literacy can, I could probably understand wanting to put something of a limit on it.

: …Volfred, sir… what of Oralech?

: Volfred says nothing in response, at first, but then…

: Oralech appears to have his own agenda, now. We shall have to try and keep an eye on him, although… our Plan remains the same.

: Anyway… we have a mountain which we need to climb. Let’s all rest up a bit, if possible, this night. We fly at break of dawn.



: My, that’s quite a bit of new content for the book. And… I guess I missed Unfathomed Plurnes in there somewhere? Whatever, better late than never, I guess.



: Looks like Ti’zo’s got something on his mind. It’s been a while since we had a sit-down with him; maybe we can help him work through it. After all, he and Oralech go way back, too.

: Ti’zo seems despondent following the confrontation with Oralech.

: (Ti’zo is filled with mixed emotions at having seen Oralech again. Like Volfred, he thought for sure that Oralech had perished long ago.)

: (Ti’zo is angry that Oralech acted so unfriendly with everyone.)

: You know, if you had approached Oralech with that sort of tenacity and energy, you might have had an easier time getting him to listen. Oralech seemed to respect you far more than Volfred.

: Then, the little imp looks at you with sadness in his eyes, but says no more. He skitters up to the rafters.



: Okay, I guess this isn’t a problem we can talk through. Which is fair; this might be one of those issues that the person might have a better (not necessarily an easier) time working through on their own. And Oralech doesn’t seem like the type to be reasoned with words, anyway – sometimes, you just gotta reason with a guy with your fists.

: We unlocked a whole slew of pages for the Book, so let’s take a look at some of those before we embark for Mount Alodiel.


Gfy




: You have to hand it to Underking Ores; he sure knows how to sell a story. He doesn’t know how to tell one, but if he were to come up to me and say ‘hey, read this awesome story about my buddy Gol Golathanian and how he killed a serpent the size of a large valley!’ I’d probably do it.



: We have a Rite to get to. A very important one.



: Like before, our journey back to Mount Alodiel is completely eventless. There are no triumvirates in the skies; there are none in the locales beneath us, having their own Rites; there are no more points of interest for us to examine. It’s an empty, listless journey up through Flagging Hands, the Sea of Solis, and Black Basin.



: Mount Alodiel is starting to look like a rather familiar place, now. This will be the third time we’ve got to choose between Emperor’s Ascent and Emperor’s Fall.

: And, let me guess: one of the options favours Pamitha?




: I’m pretty sure she’s three-for-three for being an option on our first stop on this mountain. But, as far as us actually going with her for our route, she’s currently one-for-three, because we had used Sir Gilman against Oralech just a few minutes ago. So, we’ll be going with him, through Emperor’s Fall this time.



: Thus begins our third ascent to the Fall of Soliam. My agents in the Commonwealth report our Plan is proceeding. Let us strive again to liberate one of our own, and raise its chances.



: It’s something of a sombre thought, but you can tell we’re approaching the endgame because everyone in our crew is starting to get all talked out. Despite our recent confrontation with Oralech and despite the fact that our next Liberation Rite is looming, nobody, not even Volfred, has anything to share with us right now.

: We could read the Book some more, but, I figure, I might as well save that for later, when we hit the summit. No point in keeping Sir Gilman hanging.



: With some time to spare after having landed, you join Sir Gilman on a brief expedition to the monument of Soliam Murr.

: <Is an exile self-imposed still worthy of your blessings, O, good Scribes? This knight most certainly hopes so! His compatriots so yearn to once again be free that this knight’s heart goes out to each of them. Please, help him to help them…!>

: Soon, you and he are finished paying your respects. You return to the wagon in silence, feeling as though Soliam Murr has shown you favor. You shall soon begin your ascent, though there is time as yet to pursue your Vocations.




: Speak of the devil.

: Also, ‘self-imposed?’ That’s an interesting development: was Sir Gilman actually formally charged with anything? Or did he forgo the system and just… swim down the Sclorian River? Whatever the answer, the crime he committed must have been very shameful, maybe even embarrassing.

: On that note, it’s probably him that wants to talk to us in the wagon.



: How about that.

: Sir Gilman is fuming in anger over something, so much so that you are hesitant to approach him. But, you approach him anyway.

: EXILE IS TOO LIGHT A SENTENCE FOR THIS KNIGHT!!

: Whoa.

: He notices you then, and seizes up. He begins acting rather nonchalant, as though his outburst did not just transpire.

: Oh! Greetings to you, noble Master-Reader! What brings you to this knight this afternoon?



: Gilman has never not been intense, ever since we met him in the Sea of Solis, but now that we’re so close to our next Liberation Rite, and now that we know that his exile is self-imposed, an outburst like that was a little excessive even for someone like him. Maybe the Downside is starting to get to him?

: Telling him to calm down sounds like an order, which he might actually be more receptive to acquiescing, being a knight and all, but it’s still kind of an aggressive thing to say – like I’m demanding that he calm down. It might be better to try and approach him from a more empathetic angle.



: You maintain a gentle tone with him, and ask whether there is something he might wish to discuss. Sir Gilman perhaps could benefit from talking through his woes.

: He stands there for a time, silent and dejected. But then…

: Master-Reader, this knight cannot escape the horrors of his past. It seems that you would hear them. Then, you have this knight’s apologies ahead of time for burdening you further with his troubles.

: You… are aware of where you are, right? The group you’re travelling with?



: You are, of course, familiar with the Siege of Spiral Sanctum. For this knight… the memory of it is like a wound which will not close. This knight stood there on the front lines whilst the Highwing Remnants descended upon us. So furious was their assault that our chain of command was ruptured, instantly.

: We of the Sea-Dominion, we require orders to perform our duty… without such order, why… we surely made a very easy target, there, that eve.

: One by one, then two by two, they picked us off, becoming bolder, some of them, shrieking with laughter all the while. This knight, he saw his comrades cast aside like sea-flies.

: How this knight survived, he does not know for certain, even now. Perhaps it was that he attempted to pursue, and to detain, his own knight-commander, whom you met, when you first met this knight.

: That cursed Sir Deluge…! If not for his craven cowardice, the Spiral Sanctum, it might have held, at least a while longer.



: And, as for this knight… he failed to catch his knight-commander… he must have looked a coward, too.

: Thus came the time for penance, and this knight, why, he insisted on the only course of action reasonable. He insisted on the sentence to the Downside.

: And, as you can plainly see, his wish was then fulfilled. How absurd, that he should re-encounter his old knight-commander here, soon after. Thus did this knight become obliged once more to Sir Deluge.

: We took to the waters in the Sea of Solis, where soon, we met the Pyrehearts. A triumvirate exclusive to our kind. It was plain to see that they lacked wherewithal, and Sir Deluge, they thought he could provide it… the leadership they sought. And his was too much of a coward to decline.

: As for this knight! Being of the Sea-Dominion, he had little choice but to comply…. Or so, at first, he thought!



: With so little honor left to lose, and so much left to gain, it became eminently clear that this knight stood a better chance within your ranks than those of Sir Deluge.

: And, there is little left to say. This knight cannot escape his past, and yet… he chooses to believe that he was spared that day not merely by coincidence.

: …Perhaps Underking Ores yet has plans in store, in which this knight may play a part.

: This knight, he clings, however vainly, to that hope.

: He slithers away, his head bowed low. It seems best to leave him be for now. You sense he feels relieved at having shared all this.




: So, to recap: Sir Gilman hasn’t actually committed a crime. He was a frontline soldier, tasked with defending a location within the Commonwealth, when his platoon was ambushed and his superior, Sir Deluge, was too useless to try and rally. And Gilman took full responsibility for everything.

: Frankly… I was expecting something pretty intense, as far as crimes go, for Sir Gilman to be so hard on himself all the time. But, honestly, him taking the brunt of the punishment for a crime he didn’t commit sounds like something he’d do.

: Not a lot of people in the Nightwings (or, hell, in any of the triumvirates) deserve to be down here, but Sir Gilman literally deserves it the least. His listed crime is ‘none’ and his motive is ‘not applicable.’ Dude is just incapable of putting his own needs and necessities first. Which is an admirable quality, but, you know, you really should draw the line somewhere.

: In a way, I’m kind of disappointed in Sir Gilman. If he were to ask me to exclude him from consideration at another Liberation Rite, I’d tell him to shut up, and he’d probably do it.



: We can catch up on reading when we get to the summit. For now, I got some Vocations to think about.

: We still have a Wisdom Trace banked, so I don’t need to do any tutoring this time around. It comes down to reading the Book for a buff, or to scavenge for something new to either use in a Rite, or to sell to Ron.

: I chose to scavenge. It’s been a while since I did that; last time we had a Vocation, I read the Book, so we’re still ‘on schedule’ for that; and, frankly, I’d just like some more money to throw around. Mount Alodiel is a pretty important landmark in the Downside; surely it’s got something cool for me to find lying around?



: Gleaming Frost will get me another Wisdom Trace, while Petrified Woods has vendor trash. The trash is what I’m here for, so:



: Not a bad haul at all. The Feats of Glory, which are always active and will always provide a source of income (provided I complete them), can vary in difficulty and reward. This one flower will get me as much money as the previous Feat of Glory against Oralech four times over, so this should provide me a good, healthy chunk of float right there.



: This being Mount Alodiel, there’s going to be a second fork for us to take. Let’s see who our options are this time.





: Let’s see. The last time we saw both of these characters was in our match against the Fate on the Isle of Khaylmer. Sir Gilman was our forward that match, flanked by both Mae and Rukey, but we had voted to put in Mae first. So, off we go to the cistern for the third time in a row.




Gfy



: <Thanks be to each of you, Eight Scribes, for it is you who have united us, together, in this, your most-sacred tradition! The path and the outcome are the same, is that not so? But, I need not ask, for I am sure of it! And so, I shall follow unflinchingly the path you have prepared for me…!>

: Whoa now, ‘the path and the outcome are the same?’ The journey is the same as the destination? I…

: … guess that’s correct, actually. In this case, at least. Everyone is explicitly working towards the endgoal of escaping the Downside, and that’s been the end-objective ever since the very first Liberation after the Scribes.

: Soon, you and she are finished paying your respects. As you prepare to continue your ascent, you sense that Molten Milithe has shown you favor.




Gfy

: You and your companions arrive again at the Scribesgate, before an archway carved of stone.

: Shall we, Reader?

: The minstrel leads you toward his counterpart, who seems unsurprised to see you all approach.

: Yeah. We’re the Nightwings. We could have a perfect-zero record and we’d always show up here, because that’s how the Scribes decided their rituals would be maximally fair.

: The exiles of the Nightwings… and you, again, Tariq.

: Greetings, Celeste. Aye, we have returned.

: The stars shine darkly these past nights. Nothing more than a portent of your arrival, is it?

:

: …Likely nothing more. Now, they are ready for you.

: Tariq, buddy, maybe it’s time you let this one go.



: Wait…. You.

: She points to Bertrude.

: You are new amongst this group. You shall go first.

: Please, do as she asks, Bertrude, madam.

: …We are known throughout the Downside as Big Bertrude. We follow Sandalwood, for we are fond of him. He led us into exile, and he shall lead us out.

: That was a particularly straight-laced answer. But then, I guess, all of them have been at Scribesgate.

: The Gate Guardian acknowledges her, and motions for the rest of you to proceed. Everyone does so, as before, including you…. Once you all have declared yourselves, she regards you all for another moment, and beckons toward the mountain’s top.

: The Eight Scribes bid the Nightwings welcome. Go forth with glory.

: Thank you, Celeste.

: …Until the summit, Tariq.




Gfy

: Once again, nobody in our troupe is in a talkative mood. And unlike last time, there’s nothing to give any one of us a little boost to put someone into a mood. The only things to do here are to shop at Ron’s, and to read the Book.

: So, might as well thumb the pages a bit.


Gfy




: Of the eight storytellers in this Book, Ores is definitely my favourite.



: I dunno if we’ll be buying anything from Ron this time around, but at least we have a pretty flower that he’s probably interested in.

: Hey, welcome back, you guys, you know, I guess this is a pretty decent spot, for business, all the sudden? ‘Cause used to be, it was real bad up here, you know? I’d be here and just wait, and wait, and wait, and sometimes it gets real, real cold, like I was telling before, and stuff like that, so anyway, you buying anything, or what?



: Oh! That’s new.



: Oooooh, that sounds interesting! The wording on this is kind of vague, though. Where does the bearer return? Is it instantaneous? Is it once per game, or once per round, or forever? What’s the deal, here?

: I think I can assume that this Talisman isn’t quite as strong as I hope it is, considering it’s only 45 Sol and I can’t level it up with Stardust. But, that said, the description has me curious! 45 Sol won’t be a terribly large amount after I sell the Golden Alodiel, so yeah, I think I’ll bite on this one.




: Let’s see how well it works against the Fate. Hopefully it’s not too shitty. Thanks for the sale, Ron!



: That new page can wait. Now, we have a brand new Liberation Rite to begin. Someone gets to go home today.



: Again you have reached the Fall of Soliam, where one among you can go free, provided you prevail against the Fate in the Liberation Rite.

: Reader… we would ask a moment of your time.

: We have to talk.

: As darkness falls, the minstrel and Volfred pull you aside.

: We have some news that is, depending upon how you look at it, potentially unfortunate.

: So, then, it’s unfortunate.

: The Lone Minstrel directs your attention towards the dark night sky.

: The stars… are fading.

: It is true. With the advent of the Titan Stars, visibly fewer stars seem to be shining than once you saw in the sky above.



: The light of the stars… without it, the Rites would be unable to commence….

: And, how could this be construed as ‘potentially fortunate?’

: Anyway, that is the bad news…. The good news is there are a lot of stars to go. How many Liberation Rites remain, I do not know as yet. The arithmetic is… complicated.

: An estimation of the number of the stars… the rate at which they face… the accelerating rate at which we’re being summoned here. Anyway… I’ll work it out as soon as possible.

: For now, I felt that you should be aware. We can inform the others in due time. At the moment, though, they have this Rite to think about. And so do you…. Look forth!

: As the stars above begin to shine, Volfred’s words begin to sink in. It seems you have a limited number of chances remaining to liberate your companions. Including this one, now.



: This sky is getting pretty crowded…



: Hmm… that’s a pretty shitty advantage to give my adversaries, for sure, but overall, it’s not as intense as it sounds. Nowadays, if my opponents get into such a position that they can get a dunk into my Pyre, they’d probably toss it in and save themselves from banishment anyway. Them having this Titan Star active would suck, but I don’t think it’s necessarily as back-breaking as Limbless Arizech or Unfathomed Plurnes.

: Well, may as well toss it on. We need to prevail with the stars active in order to unlock their pages, after all. We’ll see how intense this match against Dalbert will be with an advantage like this one.





: The Pyres burn, and each of the triumvirates is present and prepared.

: I concur. The Pyres burn, and each of the triumvirates is present and prepared.

: Then, anointed one of the Fate! Come forth, now, and declare yourself, and pay any respect you have unto your adversaries, the Nightwings.

: Music: Glorious Tradition

: The bent old cur, Dalbert, steps forward, and struggles for a moment with his mask.



: It is the greatest honor of my years to stand upon this sacred site, upon which the Eight Scribes first anointed these glorious proceedings. Nightwings! We are honored to be in your presence once more!

: Father! They are our adversaries, not our hosts! We need not be so gentle with them! They shall do their utmost to keep you from your freedom!

: Dalbert! Your son speaks out of turn. Control him.

: …My sincerest apologies for his unnecessary outburst. Almer, please… we have worked toward this opportunity, and we must make the most of it.

: He puts his mask back on.

: My son and I stand ready to begin.



: Of course he has an Imp.

: As for you, Nightwings. You bring darkness with you. What have you wrought upon the stars?

: Whoa, tone down the sass, there, woman. We could just as easily not show up at all, if you’d rather. Then, nobody gets anything.

: Celeste… please… we do not know what is amiss here. The Nightwings have come only to see that the Liberation is carried out.

: …Indeed. Then, make your choice, Nightwings. Who among you is to be anointed here?





: Once again, we are given the choice of anointing one of our own to be liberated from the Downside. To be absolved of all their misdeeds; to leave the Downside and its harshness; and to re-join civilization (such that it is, knowing the Commonwealth) on the other side.

Who do we choose?



Rukey is a bit of a fast-talker and is quick to spin a tall tale about himself and his family’s financial and social standing, but the truth of it is that he loves his friends and family, particularly his mother, and is one of our hardest workers, often being the one to scrounge for goods whenever he has the opportunity. He’s a cur with connections… but with those connections come some debts. Rukey’s crime is that he was a simple clerk-turned-smuggler, sending illicit goods into the Downside in exchange for a king’s ransom, which he used to provide for his family. Now, all Rukey wants is to escape the Downside and reunite with his mother, and start his life over with a blank slate, to make better decisions.

Do we anoint Rukey?



Mae has a spiritual connection with the Scribes and the world around her that nobody, least of all herself, can properly describe. She meets all challenges and peoples with a warm smile, a hearty dance, and some laughter, and she’s attuned to her companions so deeply that she shares in their misery as much as their happiness. She’s even taken to calling the blackwagon itself her ‘little brother.’ Her crime is vagrancy – she was simply seen as too ‘different’ to be accepted in the social graces of the Commonwealth, and when she wouldn’t adhere to their demands that she change herself, she was cast to the Downside, where they would no longer have to suffer her uniqueness.

Do we anoint Mae?



Ti’zo is a simple imp that was born and raised in the Downside. He has been with the Nightwings since Volfred’s time, and is therefore more attuned to their practices and properties than anyone else in the triumvirate. Imps of Ti’zo’s intelligence and wit are very rare, and it’s been implied that Ti’zo is directly descended from Ha’ub the Swallow, the first Scribe and author of the Book of Rites, himself. He has committed no crime: as a native born in the Downside, he has no home in the Commonwealth and his only aspiration for freedom is to one day see the world beyond the Downside.

Do we anoint Ti’zo?

One of these three candidates must be the frontman for our triumvirate, although any of the rest of the Nightwings may also participate to help see their anointed companion gain their freedom.

Should we succeed against Dalbert and the Fate, our anointed frontman will be permanently removed from the game.

Twenty-four hours. Choose wisely.