westwhere | the tithe

the tithe

The Arc III finale stretches until 2 June — and it’s erupt to no good.

THE TITHE

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THIS HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE

The Ke-Waicai believers prepare for human sacrifice rites to prevent the eruption of the Ke-Sanwon volcano. They will lead tributes to the volcanic crater, which is lidded by the grounds of a decrepit haunted temple — known as the House of Ravens.

At the heart of the temple is a trodden dais that comprises four slowly receding plates. Numerous temple columns and deteriorating walls offer overnight hiding places, but beware the flinching statues and irritable large ravens. Meat, blood or shiny offerings can distract the birds.

■ Use the three previously gained keys to infiltrate the House of Ravens at night through forest pathways revealed by the Huntress.

■ Entrants to the House of Ravens are fully or partially depowered. Their ancestral curse is immediately lifted. Their strength is pulled into the Ke-Sanwon crater, which brims with raw magical power.

■ Hide on temple grounds until dawns, when the dais plates fully open to reveal a 10-metre entryway into the volcanic crater.

■ Overnight, characters are relentlessly tempted by mirages that only they witness: the eerie voice of a loved one might coax them to commit their greatest sin, or they could repeatedly relive memories that led them to such follies.

■ Characters guilty of drunkenness and gluttony feel deathly parched, starved and drawn to a lavish spread that is constantly far out — and ends up comprising raw corn and stale water, when they finally reach it. The lustful find their companions irresistible, or trail after a delectable beauty, who dissolves when touched. The wrathful mull violence, while the envious suspect their companions possess what they most desire. The proud are contemptuously incited to prove their superiority or independence, while the slothful give in to callous indifference towards their peers.

■ The stone statues that decorate the House of Ravens retaliate once visitors succumb to their sins: smaller sculptures throw stones or throttle nearby sinners, but only move when you do not look into their eyes. Larger 4m-tall statues exit the walls and give (slow) chase, retreating after 10-15 minutes. The statues stop attacking at dawns.

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LET THERE BE BLOOD

CONTENT WARNING: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NPC PAIN, TRANSFORMATION

By dawns, the believers of Ke-Waicai have rallied their tributes — each crowned with wreaths of branches and crops — before the open dais. Roughly two hundred villagers attend the rites, along with eight powerful priests who use elemental magic.

■ A first sacrifice walks a long narrow plank that starts from the dais and goes a few metres into the mouth of the volcano. The plank shivers under from heat, but withstands weight.

■ During 15 minutes of exposure, the volcanic magic enshrouds the sacrifice, who painfully transforms into one of the animalistic tar creatures housed in the labyrinths of Ke-Sanwon.

■ Magically sensitive characters can feel this tribute now hosts volcanic magic, and that Ke-Sanwon’s power has slightly diminished.

■ The rites are interrupted by the significantly weaker, but wrathful Beastmaster, whose xenomorphic creatures attack the temple and seek his missing son

■ Characters should free the remaining tributes during the skirmish. They can be as nerfed as you need (if at all) during the rest of their stay in the House of Ravens.

■ The dais must stay open to access the volcano. You can take control of it and of the House by defeating the magically endowed priests, (literally) shouldering the head priest’s ancient white raven and holding its leash.

■ Pass the raven around and defend the bird’s current holder! Whoever carries the raven is often targeted by the village mob and the Beastmaster’s creatures.

■ The clashes last a few hours, until the Beastmaster and villagers exhaust their forces.

■ Diego Hargreeves, Xie Lian, Wrathion, Daenerys and Jon Snow apprehend the Beastmaster, slaying him, when he refuses to relinquish the Brotherhood. Decide who lands the killing blow. His last words: ”You’ve… seen this place. My animals… our dead… have more compassion than these living.”

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FIRE AND BRIMSTONE?

The volume of magical energy and tormented spirits inside the volcano weighs heavily on the fracturing dark water mirror that has prevented Ke-Sanwon’s eruption so far. It’s going to blow, unless you:

■ Throw more dark water in to fix the mirror fissure. You can get dark water from volcanic cracks, dried wells and creepy crop fields.

■ Use ice / cold magic and ol’ science to cool down the volcano and help the mirror heal. Or lend Moiraine and Magnus a hand as they work with cold magic, and protect them while they cast.

■ Help Wrath and Wei Wuxian exorcise the volcano’s ancient spirits. Many have lost consciousness, reduced to memory fragments and feelings of wrath, pain and resent.

■ Guide villagers to bring sea water. Anduin (on top of the dragon Wrathion) and the harpy Eda are flying in supplies. Viktor is coaxing shipments from his werewolf friends of Ke-Waiar. Large phoenixes are also up for grabs for deliveries. Ensure couriers can safely arrive and quickly discharge their water.

■ Several characters are set to each absorb some of the magical power contained within the volcano, developing aftereffects. They must walk the wobbly plank and stay exposed to the volcano magic for under 15 minutes to avoid transformation: the longer they linger, the more power they take in, feeling as if they are burning from within. Exit quickly and rest copiously after. Those who spend over 10 minutes exposed suffer intense fevers and require immediate medical assistance to cool down.

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WILL SOMEONE THINK OF THE CIVILIANS?

Beyond the House of Ravens, assist villagers who want to safeguard their possessions or evacuate by sea.

■ The gradual spread of Ke-Sanwon’s magic infects some villagers with temporary animal traits. These effects dissipate within three-four hours.

■ Characters who remain in the villages may feel more irritable and resentful, overcome by the feelings of the volcanic spirits.

■ Coordinate water and supply deliveries with those at the House of Ravens.

■ The Hok-Shinn are divided in their response: some resort to daylight robbery to secure the funds for their own safe departure; citing security, the men of Sairen unsympathetically rally commoners into designated parts of the village, often splitting apart families that then need help finding relatives; alone, Weisi’s followers keep the peace, but are frequently overwhelmed by waves of panicked villagers, thugs and animal hybrids.

■ The magical spillage overwhelms the forest fox spirits, leaving some enraged and prone to attack. Others assume the shape of beautiful wo/men and ask escort into Ke-Waihu for shelter, without disclosing their fox natures. These ethereal strangers betray their origins with cold smiles, glimpses of fleetingly sharp teeth, a fondness for chicken, and… is that an extra set of ears? No harm befalls those who bring a fox into the village, though s/he may insist on now being your lawful spouse.

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THE AFTERMATH

With the clashes and Ke-Sanwon subdued, the villagers of Ke-Waicai request back their temple keys and white raven. They lead the party to the beacon of the House of Ravens — the beautifully carved and now-closed dais above the volcano.

■ Party companion Hatisse confirms the beacon can be revived within days.

■ She warns that an eruption was prevented by depleting the volcanic magic now, but that the threat could recur within five to 10 years.

■ All character curses (ancestral or individual) are lifted, and powers return completely.

■ Spend some downtime in the villages. Ke-Waicai offers the most luxurious, but frosty accommodations, while the werewolves of Ke-Waiar are tired, but thrilled hosts. Those who suffer from lycanthropy are now experiencing fewer and fewer ‘nocturnal episodes.’

■ In Ke-Waihu, villagers have now calmed and are grateful for help with reaping the fresh harvest and watering their crops, as well flows revive. Every other night, Hok-Shinn Weisi organises a bonfire with village musicians, hearty dances, fresh bread and ale. Villagers seek to marry off their… alluring spawn to their saviours.

■ Within days, Hatisse summons the party to the activated beacon: a pool of white energy, in which one must slowly descend. Characters who were dropped or AC swept in May enter the beacon first and are presumed returned to their home worlds. Characters set for a canon update follow in — but are spat back by the portal and return within minutes.

■ Inevitably, the remaining volatile magic of the volcano disrupts the beacon and ruins the dais. Happily for you, the Merchant will soon get in touch with your next ticket east.

QUESTIONS

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His eyes flit out into the crowd, following Anduin's gaze, and narrow as he spots the pair of them. The fighting is chaotic, cultists and followers of the Beastmaster and their own party members all engaged in various formations.

"Stay here with them."

Wrathion shoots a last glance back at Anduin and the two tributes with him then disappears in a whirl of smoke, reappearing near to the girl and cutting the priest down as the spell freezing him in place begins to fade. The girl lets out an exclamation of terror, one that he cannot blame her for, and Wrathion sheathes his blade again and turns to grab for her. He winces as she struggles, hands beating against his arms and shoulders, and draws the attention of people around them. There's another whirl of smoke, and then he's closer to Anduin again, looking around warily as he tries to set her down.

"We need to move."

"Agreed," Anduin replies, tightly.

He shifts the child in his arms to reach out toward the girl struggling in Wrathion's arms, placing a hand on her back and reaching out with the Light to gently soothe her terror. They don't have time to fight her on this, not when there are so many other lives on the line.

"Hush now," he says, his tone gentle but firm as he addresses the child. "You're safe. We're getting you out of here. We're getting you all out of here."

He glances to Wrathion, reaching to grab for the hand of the little boy who has been obediently glued to his side through this exchange.

"Is there anywhere nearby where you can change forms?" he asks. "How much space do you need?" There's still the matter of securing the children, but. Perhaps he can use his belt? His jacket? He'll find a way...

Edited (repetition why) 2022-05-29 22:26 (UTC)

"Further away from the dias," Wrathion says, a little terse. "There are too many of the Beastmaster's creatures here. We need to head further down."

Space is one thing, he could technically change with less space and just make people run, but Wrathon is more worried about being swarmed when he changes. Not just for himself, but for his passengers. If they destabilise him enough that his flying becomes erratic it will be more difficult for them to stay secure.

Anduin gives Wrathion a brief nod to show he understands. Further down, away from the dias, away from the chaos and the creatures that might turn on Wrathion himself. So far they seem to have left him alone, but that may not stay the case if he is to change into his true form.

"Then let's go," he replies. "I will follow you to wherever you need to go, and do my best to keep them off of you once you have changed. Can you handle her?"

The at his side has been fairly calm this whole while. If they need to swap children, Wrathion needs to say so now. Anduin can't manage all of them as they run, but they can swap, if need be.

He glances at her, red eyes meeting darker ones.

"Will you behave?" he prompts, and she glowers silently in answer.

Well, she isn't struggling and scratching at him anymore. He'll take it.

"We'll be fine," Wrathion says, "this way."

Wrathion rests a hand on the back of her shoulders and gently but insistently guides her along as they make their way out of the ruins. There's pockets of fighting along the path, and he draws his weapon again just in case it turns on them -- or on any of their charges. He doesn't think the cultists here have an interest in hurting their own people, just in sacrificing them, but he'd really rather leave nothing to chance.

"I don't like it here," the girl murmurs.

"The feeling is quite mutual, I assure you."

Anduin would be amused by the exchange between Wrathion and the child if he were not feeling so tightly wound up in this moment.

It's probably for the best that he isn't in the habit of carrying Shalamayne with him, as he doesn't really have the hands free to wield such a weapon just now himself. Picking his way along the path behind Wrathion, Anduin does his best not to move too fast for the little boy at his side, though he does have to pause when the child loses his footing, Anduin's grip on his hand the only thing keeping him from pitching forward onto his face.

"You're being very brave," Anduin reassures him as he helps him to his feet and continues to hurry him along. "Wrathion and I need you to be strong for us and the little ones for the journey ahead. Can you do that?"

The girl that Wrathion is shepherding is debatably older than the boy himself, but the boy -- white-faced and nearly shaking with fear -- gives Anduin a nod before answering quietly, "Yes, sir."

"Good."

Anduin squeezes his fingers gently, calling up shielding around the lot of them just in case, as they pick their way through towards the outer edges of the ruins.

Wrathion's pace is quick, but he pauses every time he thinks they're losing their passengers -- guiding them out and way through the forest until he thinks they're clear and out of sight. He waves the girl back toward Anduin, moves to try and find a clearing with enough space. The soft, warm glow of Anduin's shield is a mild comfort as he hesitates. He has the shrine pieces, of course, but regardless he's at risk of drawing attention.

Yet there's no time to reconsider now.

His eyes drop down to Anduin's from where they'd be fixed absently on the sky and he nods, takes a steadying breath and lets his visage vanish in a burst of gold-flecked smoke that swirls and slowly reshapes.

The girl takes a step back toward Anduin, looking up at him in confusion, then another one quickly as Wrathion's true shape begins to appear from within the smoke.

His tail lashes out, and a tree shudders.

"Quickly," he says, and flattens himself as much to the ground as he can so they can climb on.

Anduin doesn't know how to prepare the children for the emergence of the dragon from the smoke, so he doesn't take the time to try. The little girl clutched to his chest, the smallest and most frightened of the lot of them, predictably does let out a high, trembling wail of fear at the deep reverberations of the dragon's voice. Anduin shushes her gently, using more of the Light's warmth to soothe her fragile nerves.

"Come now," he urges the children. "We will get you out of here, but we do not have much time. Now quickly -- hold her for a moment."

Anduin passes the little girl to the older children, having to gently pry her fingers off of his jacket before he takes quick stock of the situation and proceeds to slide his jacket off of his shoulders, bunching it up into as much of a saddle-like shape as he can. He knows it isn't going to be perfect, but he needs to firstly, not lose it mid-flight and secondly, not gore himself on those spikes down Wrathion's back mid-flight either. Once he's done the best he can, he takes hold of one of Wrathion's horns for balance and moves to sit astride Wrathion's shoulders.

If they were not in something of a life or death situation, Anduin would stop and savor this moment -- the first that he had truly cashed in on Wrathion's long-ago offer to take him flying with him. For now, however, he holds his hands out to reach to take the little girl from the children and haul her up to his lap, before holding out his hand for the next child.

"I'll help you climb on," he says. "Sit behind me and hold onto my belt. The other, sit in front and I'll hold onto yours. I'll keep you safe. You won't fall off, I promise, you just have to hold on for me. Can you do that?"

The two children look as though they don't know whether to run or cry, but eventually the little boy nods and holds up his hand for Anduin to haul him up -- where he immediately clutches onto his shoulders instead of his back. Ah, well. He reaches for the girl next, wincing slightly as her feet scrabble against Wrathion's scales, before he gets her tucked in front of him, seated backwards so that she can clutch at his belt and allow him to have at least one hand free for holding on. It will have to do...

"Are you ready?" he asks, placing said hand on Wrathion's neck to indicate he is himself, and tightening his legs in place, hoping that he will have enough support for this.

Wrathion resists the urge, barely, to flinch as his horns are pulled on and his body is scrabbled all over by small creatures. He grumbles in answer, pushing up off the ground to begin slowly walking forward.

"I'll need to break through the canopy," he warns. There's not really a big enough clearing to get a good, clean lift -- so they may be lashed by branches. A small price to pay, he thinks, but a price never the less. He slows, braces himself, then in a display of sheer body strength launches himself straight off the ground and begins to beat his wings. The lift is slowed by branches that scratch at him, then they burst through the trees and he turns -- lifting a little higher to catch a current and turning to glide over back towards Key-Waihu. Gliding as far as he can, he thinks, is likely the best for his passengers. The smoothest ride, when they're already anxious.

Anduin tightens his knees on Wrathion's shoulders, tightening his grip on the children before calling out to the dragon in return.

"Don't worry about us," he says. "I'll keep an eye out for those creatures. Do what you must."

The initial liftoff is -- jarring. This is not some gryphon ride from Stormwind's stables. It's all that he can do to keep holding on and keep the children in place as Wrathion's wings beat -- once, twice, then send them crashing through the canopy and up above it.

"It's okay," Anduin soothes, soothing all three of them with the Light just for good measure as the smallest child quakes at his chest. "Everyone, hold on tight!"

Then, in something of a less than soothing tone, to Wrathion, his knees digging further in at another flap of Wrathion's wings, "Wrathion, the quicker you can get us there, the better...!"

Edited 2022-06-05 01:14 (UTC)

Wrathion growls, a long and low sound of irritation. Does Anduin think he's deliberately going slow? Does he not realise going faster will actually make it more difficult?

"You will fall," he insists. "Gliding may not the fastest I can travel, but it is the smoothest."

If Anduin wants him to speed up, he'll have to begin beating his wings more aggressively. The wind will be stronger in his face, and most likely the children will be more alarmed. This is still much faster than walking, and surely it is fast enough? They only need to last a few minutes. Can he not hold on that long?

Anduin grits his teeth as he adjusts his grip on the smallest child, who seems to be growing heavier in his arms by the moment. He will concede that Wrathion knows more about flying than he does. Nevertheless, it's a long drop if even one of the children should slip off. He hopes that Wrathion will forgive him for feeling on edge.

He takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, allowing himself to settle -- as much as he can -- in his seat on Wrathion's shoulders.

"Yes, of course," Anduin allows. "I trust that you will take care of us. And I will do my best to return the favor in kind."

Nothing appears to be following them yet, but they have only just begun their journey, and Anduin doesn't suppose they will be able to escape entirely unscathed.

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