Session 19
General Summary
01.01.4A 502
The Fracture of Silence
The session opens within the Bloody Ale, the former tavern of Scarlet’s family. Isolated in her room, Scarlet prepares herself for the night ahead, fastening her dolphin brooch. As she rises, a coin falls from beneath her bed. Upon inspection, she recalls stealing it long ago from her father, Thorne. The object lingers in her thoughts as she rejoins the others.
The party returns to the Jarl’s Longhouse in Nifleheim, where the final night of celebration unfolds. Chloe and Scarlet take to dancing, while Cael, Rollo, and Winry indulge in drink and food. Amid the festivities, Scarlet approaches Stongaar Halra-Vossk to offer an apology for the events of Silent Day. In doing so, she commits a grave error, speaking aloud matters that were meant to remain unspoken. The surrounding crowd reacts with visible unease, marking the moment as a serious breach.
As the night continues, Scarlet withdraws early. Chloe departs for the docks, seeking solitude away from the overwhelming crowd. Sitting at the edge of the freezing sea, she dips her feet into the water, where small fish gather and circle her. Attempting to summon her wolf companions, Geri and Freki, she instead attracts a stray city dog. With nothing to offer it, she sends it away with the promise of food upon its return. She later retrieves food from the Longhouse and leaves it at the docks, though the animal is not seen again.
Elsewhere, Winry, Rollo, and Cael mistakenly return to the Bloody Ale instead of the house provided by the Jarl. Struggling with locked doors and an overwhelming collection of keys, they eventually gain entry through trial and error. The process proves physically taxing for Winry, who repeatedly strikes her head against beams, doorframes, and even the floor. The group takes a long rest, only realizing the following morning that they had occupied the wrong building entirely.
They return to the Longhouse district, gaining entry through the display of the Grimwulf signet ring. At Miriam’s house, Chloe tends to Winry’s injuries, alleviating the bruising though not the lingering pain. After regrouping and preparing themselves, the party proceeds to the Jarl’s Longhouse for a formal audience.
They find the Jarl alone at a vast banquet table. He presents them with a sealed parchment addressed to Regent Servius Livia, instructing that it must not be opened under any circumstances. The party accepts the task.
The tone of the meeting shifts immediately thereafter.
The Jarl addresses Scarlet directly, declaring that her actions on Silent Day constitute a violation of a sacred Skarnn law. The sanctity of that day demands absolute secrecy, and her public disclosure is deemed a transgression beyond all established laws, including those of the Arena and Raudi Anvarr. The prescribed punishment is death.
In place of execution, the Jarl invokes exile.
Scarlet is banished from Nifleheim and all Skarnn lands. She is to receive no aid, no shelter, and no recognition. Any return will result in immediate execution. Even her past deeds, including her victories in the Arena, are to be erased from memory.
She accepts the sentence.
Granted one hour, Scarlet goes to her family home to say her final farewell. There, she returns the stolen coin to her father. Thorne reveals its significance as a family heirloom, passed through generations. Upon flipping the coin, reality shifts.
They find themselves aboard a small wooden boat drifting through complete darkness, illuminated only by a single lantern. Thorne appears altered, his form cloaked, his face absent. The boat carries them to a dock where silent figures wait in line. A miner steps forward. Thorne hands him the coin, which is flipped, its result unseen. The miner boards the vessel.
They arrive at another dock, where a second hooded figure waits. Thorne guides the miner ashore, where he is received and led into the darkness beyond. Scarlet is unable to interact with any of them, her presence intangible and unheard.
The vision ends as abruptly as it began.
Back in the living room, father and daughter share their final words before Thorne and Scarlet’s mother turn away from her, honoring the terms of her exile. Scarlet leaves alone.
Meanwhile, Winry and Cael conduct last-minute business at a blacksmith, acquiring materials despite Cael’s persistent interference and disregard for the smith’s warnings.
Chloe and Rollo depart the city, traveling to the outskirts of Ravenwood. There, Chloe performs the Verdant Passage ritual, opening a portal leading toward the Needles near Caelbruck Hold. The party regroups, and after understanding the limitations of the ritual, leaves their yaks behind.
They emerge along the road between Ravenhold and Caelbruck Hold, immediately noticing heavy signs of movement. Deep cart tracks and countless footprints indicate a large-scale mobilization toward the Hold.
As they travel, they encounter a solitary figure.
Sarevok.
His presence overrides their instincts, compelling them forward rather than allowing retreat. He engages them in conversation, already aware of the Cryptex and the names within it, having observed Rollo through scrying. He speaks of Alderon, gesturing toward a crucified body nearby, though Chloe quickly discerns it is not him.
Sarevok’s purpose becomes clear. He desires Rollo.
He invites him to come willingly. Rollo initially agrees, then delays, claiming unfinished business. Sarevok accepts this without resistance, stating he will return the following day at the same location. He departs, leaving the group shaken.
They press onward through the night, arriving at Caelbruck Hold by morning. Presenting the Jarl’s sealed letter, they gain immediate access to Servius. Upon reading the contents, Servius reacts with visible alarm and exits abruptly. Cael attempts to read the letter but cannot understand its Skarnn script. Scarlet translates its contents, revealing a message of de-escalation: the Skarnn seek no war and propose a diplomatic meeting within a month.
Seeking further aid, the party visits a mage to send a message to Titus. The mage refuses, revealing a colleague who suffered horrific consequences after attempting the same. Despite this, he agrees to send a limited message.
Chloe returns to her garden, only to find it destroyed by encampments. She replants it regardless, entrusting its future use to the local tavernkeeper, Thorgma.
During this time, Scarlet meets privately with Servius.
She demands the truth of her origin.
Servius retrieves a gilded Aurellian record and reveals her lineage. Scarlet is the daughter of Emperor Uriel III and Octavia Aurellian. Anticipating their deaths, her parents entrusted her to Servius, who hid her in Nifleheim beyond the reach of the Imperators.
Scarlet Nightshade is revealed as Scarlet Aurellian.
Servius offers her the family record. She inscribes her name within it, formally reclaiming her identity.
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