Session 15: Torn Apart Report

General Summary

With Melody's sleep spell having failed, Virion activates his bladesong. It feels far stronger, and he hears a "phantom" beat note resulting from the spirits' resolve to defeat the Cult of the Crushing Wave. Immediately, Virion speaks to Bayleaf in elvish, bribing him for 50pp to turn to The Party's side and fight against the cult. Bayleaf accepts as Virion casts Hold Person on Fishcod, successfully restraining his suspect comrade.

Bayleaf runs over towards the party, insulting Ozymandius. Melody, meanwhile, tries to convince Lilian to leave with her - but her wife refuses. Melody then uses her own Hold Person to restrain her wife, dragging Lilian towards the ship and apologizing profusely. Fishcod is unable to resist Virion's magic, wholly taken by surprise.

Ozymandius fumbles for his focus and, in the chaos, Mystan casts Bless at 2nd level, targeting Virion, Melody, and Bayleaf. Mystan then grabs Fishcod and the group tries to make for Oceanus and Major Ursa, twenty-fice hundred feet to the West.

Virion takes this opportunity to cast Lightning Bolt on Ozymandius, who staggers backwards, his chest blackened. Flipping Ozymandius off, Virion passes to Melody who adds insult to injury by using a pejorative term for humans. Bayleaf attempts to use Vicious Mockery on Ozymandius - who resists - and he stands behind the party to cover their retreat.

Raiden then aids Mystan while Melody gives the fossilized egg to Bimms, who flies like the wind towards their allies. Melody then takes Lilian up in her arms and dashes away. Fishcod and Lilian then break free of the Hold Person magic, but while Lilian argues with Melody, Fishcod remains still, faking paralysis.

Ozymandius uses Ice Knife to assault Virion and Mystan, but only succeeds in injuring Fishcod and revealing their ruse. Ozymandius then ducks behind the ruins. Meanwhile, Mystan grapples and Fishcod and succeeds only with the aid of Raiden, Bless and Melody's Bardic Inspiration. Virion helps by binding Fishcod's wrists and ankles with suspicious speed and skill.

Bayleaf then casts Shatter, knocking the wind out of Ozymandius and killing a guard. Melody and Lilian, meanwhile, strike a deal: Melody will stay behind if Lilian listens to her about Saltmarsh. Lilian agrees, but clearly has something up her sleeve.

Fishcod uses Misty Step to get out of Mystan's arms and towards Ozymandius, landing in the ruins still tied up. Lilian then says that her protection does not extend to Melody's friends. Picking up a ceremonial helmet mask of a serpent and putting it on, she melts into a puddle of water. Ozymandius, meanwhile, casts Sleet Storm to slow his enemies down - but Mystan uses Dispel Magic to get rid of it. Mystan flees back towards the ship but Lilian, now a water-serpent, tries to grab his ankles.

Virion then charges into the ruin, slashing Ozymandius across the chest. Ozymandius, ears bleeding, chest blackened and lacerated, then declares himself "King of Kings" and demands Virion "look upon my works and-" but Virion runs him through, demanding he shut up. Ozymandius falls, dead. Virion immedately begins apologizing to Fishcod over and over.

Melody imparts bardic inspiration to Mystan, and retreats to a larger section of ruin. Fishcod then summons a small knife as a pact weapon in their hands and begins arguing wih Virion about why he did everything he just did. Using Hold Person, killing Ozymandius, they wanted to know what the hell had gotten into him. He retorts that they're in a dangerous cult and are going to kill lots of people. Fishcod points out how hyporcritcal it is for Virion to say that, calling him a coward (which Virion admits too), telling him to go back to dancing and calling him a pussy. A rich boy in a war he doesn't understand. The apocalypse is long term, Virion doesn't care about hurting anybody in the now.

Virion, speechless, considers Fishcod's words. Mystan turns to go back to his allies, while Virion makes to cut Fishcod free - only to hear his bladesong grow more discordant. So he scoops Fishcod up and begins to run towards Mystan and the ship.

Bayleaf stabs through a remaining guard, aided by Mystan's Channel Divinity. Melody then summons and stringed instrument and sings Lilian's favorite song: a traditional Jan Pana tale about a man falling in love with a woman from the River Otter Clan.

Fishcod tries to cut free themself, failing. Lilian appreciates the music and hesitates, while Virion and Fishcod continue to debate the justifications for killing and when the ends justify the means. Mystan then asks Fishcod if they will follow the party if their restraints come undone. They tell Mystan that they only want to get off this isle alive, and will abbsolutely follow if unrestrained - and would quite like that, thank you.

Suddenly, out from the basement burst Olivia, Ovidio, and two more cultists. Virion responds by immediately killing the latter three with a fireball, while Bayleaf taunts Olivia (again, it fails). Melody then swaps to salsa music (a fusion of Mazite and Keoish traditions), and a dance of a battle ensues.

Fishcod uses Armor of Shadows, fleeing. Olivia goes up to Mystan and attempts to stab him with three seperate spears - missing, dropping one, and the third glancing off of Mystan's armor. Mystan summons a Spiritual Weapon and slashes up her middle. He then turns and retreats. Virion tries to use Sleep on Olivia, but she shrugs it off. He too flees.

Melody keeps playing, seeking Lilian's attention. It eventually works, and she reaches out to her and promises they'll stay together this time - while Lilian promises they can avenge their village.

The rest of the party, meanwhile, is able to outrun Olivia, hide in the ruins left by the pirates, and slip out towards their rowboat. Bayleaf, however, is not so lucky. Olivia catches up with him, and they have a tense confrontation. Sword and spear clash, Bayleaf uses Thunderwave to force Olivia to back off, and he escapes towards the party that hired him.

After safely arriving in the boat, Oceanus and Major Ursa pepper them with questions - largely who Bayleaf is and where the hell Melody went. They don't respond, merely saying that Melody stayed and they need to return to the @[Sea Ghost]vehicle:99326e3c-5647-4ae0-8237-3546b76d2949).

Once aboard, a little more information is given to Captain Esmeralda. Melody stayed by choice, Bayleaf was bribed, and they are returning to Saltmarsh to regroup. The party retires to their respective quarters, Melody's remaining empty, and Virion grabs two glasses, a bottle of wine, and heads in to talk with Fishcod.

Fishcod sees the alcohol as an attempt to loosen them up and refuses - Virion decides that just means more for him. They discuss Fishcod's matron, Zuggtmoy, and her plans. Fishcod rails against money, and they both compare the Empire of Keoland with the Cult of Zuggutmoy; Fishcod trying to show that Virion isn't better than them, Virion trying to demonstrate the stark differences between an apocalyptic cult and an imperial regime. Fishcod points out that, under the Lady of Rot and Decay, all will be mycelia and incapable of feeling. Under the Empire, all are workers and slaves. "You can't suffer if you can't feel."

Virion pivots to stressing loyalty, seeking certainty Fishcod won't stab the party in the back. Fishcod points out that they are loyal; Zuggtmoy saved their life, and they are NOT throwing away a community again. They promise not to betray the party; it wouldn't benefit them, and they don't enjoy killing anyways.

Virion leaves, remarking "Either way, we've both thrown our souls away."

Fishcod responds, "Yes, but I am happy, Virion."

Rewards Granted

After leaving the isle, three of the party were rewarded by divine patrons (Fishcod's reward comes upon the completion of their own duties)

• Mystan's Piety score was increased to ten for stamping out a cell of the Cult of the Crushing Wave.
  
• A spirit-seagull gave Melody a Charm of Animal Conjuring
  
• A spirit-dolphin bounced a Quaal's Feather Token (Hatchet) to Virion
  

Character(s) interacted with

Cult of the Crushing Wave:

• Ozymandias
  
• Ovidio
  
• Olivia
  
• Lilian Turin
  

• Major Ursa
  

• Oceanus
  

• Esmeralda Losoya
  
• Citali Darkarch