3. Grow Fat From Strength
| "As always, it is a great honor to welcome members of your Guardian tribes to partake in my eminent accommodations. I do wish to deepen our relationship during your stay. Of course, I will do everything in my power to manifest my graciousness for you, my esteemed guests." - Emperor Calus |
Optional Objectives
| Objective | Completed? |
|---|---|
| Entertain Calus. | N |
Plot points/Scenes
- Arrival & Castellum
- Gauntlet
- Pleasure Gardens
- Royal Baths
- Imperial Audience
Structure
Exposition
After successfully retrieving the final artifact from Protheon, the party is offered respite and healing as the landing barge returns to Emperor Calus' Leviathan. Upon landing, Calus reaches out to all members of the party and speaks with them directly. He informs them that he is thankful for their return and that they have shown themselves to be so loyal to his Champion, Judge. He offers the rest of the party an opportunity to swear themselves as Champions as well, pending further conversation over a tour of his ship.
Conflict
The party must choose whether or not to entertain this tour of the Leviathan. Choosing not to do so will introduce a point of conflict with Calus. Calus does not take kindly to being told "no". The party must all choose together whether or not they will take the tour.
Rising Action
Should they accept the tour, the party is escorted to the Castellum where they are given a traditional welcoming ceremony. The nature of Calus' tour will then slowly become apparent. Calus subjects the party to a series of 3 tests of various attributes in order to make a judgement call on their worthiness to become his Shadows. He tests their Radiance with a sporting event, their Loyalty with a trip to his pleasure gardens, and their knowledge of War in his royal baths. All the while, Calus speaks with the party about their various talents and skills, prodding them to see if they are as sound in mind as they are in their Risen bodies.
Climax
After his three tests, Calus opens the doors to his imperial chambers and grants the party an audience in his court. Upon arriving, he unloads upon them a final challenge to match his Opulence in might. The party must defeat Calus in his throne room in order to be allowed to leave the Leviathan, sworn as a Shadow or not. By defeating Calus here, his automaton nature will be revealed and the party is granted a true audience with him in his private chambers.
Falling Action
Should the party choose not to participate in the tour, they arrive at this point wherein Judge experiences it alone.
Calus receives the party in his private chambers to discuss their membership of his Shadow organization, along with whatever other matters they ask of him. Independent and group conversations take place. At this point they are also paid for their completed bounties from the Inverted Spire mission.
Calus receives the party in his private chambers to discuss their membership of his Shadow organization, along with whatever other matters they ask of him. Independent and group conversations take place. At this point they are also paid for their completed bounties from the Inverted Spire mission.
Resolution
The party departs from the Leviathan with riches and knowledge, ready to go forward with whatever their next task will be.
Components
Goals
| Emperor Calus | Fireteam Crescendo |
| The main goal of Emperor Calus is to determine whether or not the other members of Fireteam Crescendo are worthy of becoming his Shadows. He wants all 5 unaffiliated Guardians to become one of his sworn Champions, and will not take no for an answer. He will not be overtly hostile to dissent, but he will make it clear that he will not help nor will he entertain anybody that lacks interest in joining him. | Fireteam Crescendo is participating in this visit to Calus at the request of Judge, who is seeking guidance regarding the book that had been in Zelle's possession. |
Hooks
- Calus desires that Fireteam Crescendo become his Shadows.
- The book in Zelle's possession courses with dark power. It also stinks of the Awoken Queen.
Stakes
- If the party does not become Shadows, only Judge is permitted to speak with Calus
- If only Judge speaks with Calus, the party will lose out on vital information about their book that Calus would only share with Zelle
Moral Quandaries
The party will need to make a decision on whether or not to join Calus. Calus is an untrustworthy being, and the party has already proven to be hesitant of his aid. The Emperor does have knowledge the party desires, but is that worth subjecting themselves to his will over?
Cruel Tricks
While Calus will be welcoming and friendly during the party's arrival, should they choose to accept his invitation to become Shadows, he will quickly turn malevolent as he attempts to weed out any weakness among them with his tests. Additionally, if the party pursues the contents of Zelle's book and aids Queen Mara, Calus will become indifferent to them and refuse them refuge on his ship in the future.
Red Herrings
Calus' information he shares will point the party to the Awoken Queen Mara, when in reality it was a fabrication by Riven.
Relations
Protagonists
- Arifaris Radelt
- Bentley Fender
- Ernesto Fettuccini
- Judge-17
- Kasgisk
- Zelle Phim
Competitors
- Emperor Calus
Adversaries
- Loyalists (temporary)
Backdrops
Locations
The Leviathan
- Landing Docks
- Castellum
- The Gauntlet
- Pleasure Gardens
- Royal Baths
- Throne Room
- Calus' Private Chambers
Psionic Mindscape
- Calus' Mindscape
Threats
Threats on the Leviathan come from Calus' Trials for new Shadow recruits. These manifest in the form of his Loyalist troops attacking, Psionic warriors inflicting psychological attacks & warping reality, and the various arenas the trials take place in. In conclusion, should all the Trials be completed, Calus himself becomes a threat to the party.
Encounters
- Combat / Engagement (Trials)
- Negotiation
- Discussion / Interaction
- Meeting / Introduction with cast
- Riddle Solving / Enigma
Plot type
Chapter: The Leviathan
Parent Plot
Related Characters
Related Organizations
Related Locations
Comments