Codename: Sleeping Alley, Report the Twenty-Sixth

General Summary

We met the Alley Sleepers, one last time, in the crackling arc of danger, having just bested a manifestation of the Sovereign in Fellminster and liberated a bunch of captives from a literal soul-sucking torment. Aletha of the Flintclaw's parents were reunited, and the meeting was frosty at best. But that's to be expected when the mother of your child has spent time enacting the will of the Ascendency. Svo'Kool and Hama vu Ivory Bee engaged Izzrikorizarikiz in conversation vis a vis what the hell to do next. Iz mentioned that everyone seems to be headed to Riverskint, either for protection or in anticipation of the conflict with the Ascendency that is sure to come. On the way out, our crew grabbed up some strange canisters filled with a white colored energy. Just for funsies.

Prepare for Battle

So, to Riverskint, then. The Sleepers led a ragtag assembly of refugees and militia to the gates of the city. On the way, Aletha witnessed the frosty relationship between her parents, but there wasn't any time to think about that now. Svo'Kool, perhaps missing Grex the Indomitable a bit, operated as both slapdash general and hype man, trying his best to rally whatever kind of troops these will turn out to be. Hama, ever-mindful of Gnet, prayed for guidance. He received in the form of an inextricable pull towards Riverskint and whatever the future held in that combustible city.
At those gates, our heroes encountered "Beans", The Decree mole whose family used to own and operate The Ivory Bee, now destroyed. Whoops! Not great stewardship there. Luckily, Svo'Kool managed to convince him that the destruction of the meadery--and all his childhood memories--was in service of the greater good: revolution! And Hama assured Beans that there will be a time for rebuilding. That seems to reassure "Beans" and he entreats our crew to seek out "Smallcastle" and Olddom Zethergyll in Civility, now Brass Lamb and Skint resistance HQ. After some back and forth about the ruthlessness of Riverskint's recapture, the Brass Lamb leadership--now Skint Revolutionaries--asked the Sleepers to help plan the defense of the city. Turns out, they're outnumbered and outgunned, so they've got to outsmart the Alerki Ascendency. Hama plans to help by just going apeshit on the roads with some Plant Growth, slowing down the Ascendency's march toward Riverskint. Nice! Aletha is going to see about getting a sneaky ballista set up in Isle Skint, and entreating the makeshift soldiers staffing the ballista to act with Xun's blessing. Svo'Kool, meanwhile, decided to see what is going on with these strange canisters, so he hauled them over to Coldstamp, magic expert at Gnet's Eyebrow in Gnet's Line. She wasn't sure what the hell these canisters were, but whatever was in them was powerful, and unpredictable. With that in mind, Svo'Kool decided to stash them at the docks to maybe use them in case ships became a problem. 
With that, our Sleepers spent their last night before a battle that is going to decide the fate of Skint and the Ascendency, one way or the other. Hama worshipped Gnet in the oldest of ways, by liberating a particularly nasty Ascendency soldier and "opening his heart" to Gnet. The augurs proved one thing conclusively--tomorrow is about change. Aletha communed with Xun in her own way, and felt that this is exactly where she should be, the spear of vengeance on behalf of the orphaned and destroyed. In a very on brand moment, Svo'Kool decided to just have a goddamn rager, trying to raise spirits and morale before the deadly confrontation tomorrow. He somehow avoided a brutal hangover.
Then, morning came, and with it The Battle for Riverskint began.

Fly Like an Eagle and Unleash The Fury of Whatever the Fuck

It quickly became apparent that our crew was needed down at the docks--ships loaded with soldiers were making headway at the harbor. Our Sleepers had time quick three fist bump, some encouraging words, and a powerful heartful moment before it was time to find a way to unleash whatever the hell is in these cans at the ships. To do that, Hama, perhaps drunk with his newly enriched Wild Shape abilities, turned into a giant eagle and just kinda dropped them on the ships. And the effect was remarkable. The first cannister exploded, blinking a ship right out of existence. Hope it didn't end up wherever Grex is. The second attempt summoned the soul/ghost/thing of Thar Leerstrom, 100 feet high and wielding a giant axe. He promptly cut two ships just right in half before winking and disappearing. The third can had mixed effects. Sure, it obliterated a whole ship's crew, but it also arced toward Riverskint, presumably killing some people in the city, too. Well, fuck. 
The Sleepers didn't have time to drop another eaglebomb, though, as their help was needed with a grave threat up near the Lean Gate. Sprinting through the streets revealed mass combat and some familiar faces. Svo'Kool spied Doxia and Athoz, fighting side by side, with Athoz saving Doxia from a fatal blow. He just had time to yell "love is real!" and be on his way. Aletha spotted Mimgee Grimeye, of the Abiding Black and giant lizard fame, duking it out in the streets. Hama was greeted with the most distressing site as he rushed to the gate: "Beans" with a spear through his chest, experiencing his last moments. He lamented that he wouldn't get to be a part of rebuilding with Hama. Hama did what he could to alleviate "Beans" suffering, including writing SKINT LIVES in the sky to shepherd "Beans" to his rest. This war would always feature a steep price, it was just a question of who was going to pay it.

The End and Osben

As expected, the scene at the Lean Gate was chaotic fighting. One figure, however, stood out amidst the bloodshed. Preceptor Osben, now decked out in some horrifying mechanical contraption powered by malevolent energies and bearing down on the good people of Skint. Battle commenced and it was here that the mettle of our Sleepers would be tested one last time.
Osben was no slouch, slamming our heroes and shooting them with an ever-increasing array of cannons. Our crew, however, was also on their a-game, giving not quite as good as they got. It became clear, then, that a drastic measure was needed to save the day. Luckily, such a measure was on hand: the last white energy cannister. It was a team effort to crack this thing, but when they did, both Aletha and Osben were in the blast zone. Aletha took some major damage, but survived. Osben wasn't so fortunate, and was completely obliterated by the blast (except for some wolf shinguards that Svo'Kool promptly expropriated).
Zethergyll, arriving on the scene, promptly declared the battle to be won and proclaimed the formation of the 2nd Republic of Skint.
The Ascendency is broken. Skint has been returned to its people. The Alley Sleepers have tasted victory, but it has come with a cost. Many are dead, including several friends: "Beans," Svennson of the Thricedead, Keencloud, proprietress of Phoban's Rest. It is but poor solace, but Skint Will Remember their names.
For the Sleepers, however, a new chapter emerges. What to do after saving a nation? Where do you go from here?

Welcome Home, Hama

Hama stuck around Riverskint in the month following the battle, healing and mending as best he could. Ultimately, however, it was time for him to move on. As much was signaled to him through Gnet's departure from the sky, an event that Hama felt with great relief. In the wake of that departure, however, Hama felt a new pull. This time, he knew where it was taking him: back to The Icehost. Back to Brightstep and its guardian.
He returned to the Icehost, though, a changed person. Changed by Gnet and the "looseland," Hama now seeks to make this old, ancient land into something new, to mix the ice and soil. White and green. The centaur formerly known as Brightstep assists in this task, aided by the relics Hama has collected in his journey: a scoop of dirt from Curragan's Shame with purple flecks in it, a gilded acorn made by Svo'Kool, a vial of Boomwell water, and two dryad leaf plants. The effect is remarkable, something altogether new. Not frozen, but not "loose," but in a fascinating liminal space between those concepts. 
The centaur, aware of the portents of this development, then asked Hama a very pointed question. She asked him his name. He replied that he is Hama vu Brightstep. She nodded welcomed him home. 

A Playwright is Forged

Svo'Kool spent some time after the Battle of Riverskint fulfilling a need to build, specifically, the need to rebuild The Ivory Bee. Eventually, the meadery got up and running again, and in the stewardship of Izzrikorizarikiz, Svo'Kool decided to track down The Tallymook Ensemble and see about joining that illustrious number.
He did just that, starting off as a lowly backup juggler and moving up through the various positions of the traveling troupe. Eventually, he even felt encouraged to share some of his original material. Under the tutelage of Azorias Gracenote, the famed playwright (actually Garzara, the "fixer"), Svo'Kool's work got better and better, eventually landing him a coveted spot in the Dridrooz Drama Competition in his hometown of Zoodov. He wrote a completely original play for this, "The Purple Worm," and it is the story of his experiences, full of drama and pathos and deep catharsis. It is a resounding success, winning the competition and the respect of the town that once shunned him. On stage, receiving a robust standing ovation, Svo'Kool suddenly realized that he hasn't been angry in years. 

Building a New Skint

The months after the battle found Aletha enacting vengeance upon the remains of the Ascendency, eradicating their presence in Skint. After that, Aletha concerned herself with rebuilding. Her efforts went beyond physical construction, however, and reached into repairing fractured communities. She did part of this work as a member of the Skint Council, representing the people of The Break. She became renowned for her wisdom and her resolute pursuit of equity.
Her role as a Chosen of Xun also continued to evolve, resulting in the construction of a refuge for the "lost, broken, and unwanted." More than an orphanage, it served as a place of healing and understanding, a place for the rudderless to plot their course. Nestled in the foothills of the The Broken Bastard, she called it The Eyeless Crow.

Skint Will Remember

Aletha, in her role as council member, is actually present for an important event: the unveiling of a statue commemorating the efforts of The Alley Sleepers. The proceedings of this day are in official Skint records: The Alley Sleepers, a fire in the dark. 
And with that, the story of The Alley Sleepers comes to a close. Maybe we'll see them again some day.

Rewards Granted

Level 10!

Missions/Quests Completed

Operation: MoonPolis, the restoration of Riverskint--and thus, The Skint Republic itself--as an independent state, free from Ascendency influence or control.

Character(s) interacted with

• "Beans", undercover Lamb operative in The Decree
• "Porter", Brass Lamb fixer
• "Smallcastle", Lamb agent provocateur
•  Olddom Zethergyll, Lamb figurehead, 1st Holder of Skint in the 2nd Skint Republic
• Izzrikorizarikiz 
• Coldstamp, owner of Gnet's Eyebrow in Gnet's Line  

Report Date

11 Apr 2021

Primary Location

Riverskint