Oshuamp - Episode 12: Anointed and Awakened

Recap
Nesgrim uses Lay on Hands to restore some health to Corrin as they assist him to the corner of upturned earth. Unwilling to abandon him in his grievously injured state, they make preparations to defend him against whatever threat looms.

They hear hushed voices and soft footsteps in the snow as they prepare a trap in the hallway, and are horrified as the door opens, revealing a black cloud that rolls down the stairs towards them. They rush back inside, barring the door, and Buck sets a snare trap on the landing. As they conclude their final defensive spells and Ritora transforms into a bear once more, the door creaks opening, and the sight of the looming sphere of darkness occupies the entire space of the door frame, and spills inside.

Unable to see their foe, the group attacks the darkness itself, failing to make contact. The shadow seemingly steps forward in a blink, dodging Buck’s trap, and appearing within the crowd, striking Ritora with an illustrious silver crescent moon blade held in the man’s hand. As Ethir attempts to cast a spell, he realizes he is unable to hear anything, and unable to complete his spell.

The battle grows vicious as the pair of shadowy figures utilize their silver blades and fists, stunning Yahlumlo and Ritora, and preventing the party from relying on their magic or their sight. Nesgrim is knocked unconscious, and Ethir is able to sufficiently wound the hooded figure to conclude the Silence in the area, permitting him to use Healing Word to restore Nesgrim. The first enemy is defeated in a flurry of attacks, and the lone enemy prepares to strike and flee.

Nesgrim, though bloodied, seeks to defend his comparatively injured friends, and uses Compelled Duel, and the silver spoked moon strikes into his throat, twisting and spilling the contents of his throat onto the ground. Ritora furiously swipes again, enraged at the sight of her dead friend.

As the hooded figure falls, the crew gathers around their comrade, beginning to mourn the courage of Nesgrim. Corrin begins to stir as they weep, and offers to help them, in the only way he believes he can. Ritora panics as she contemplates if this transformation may be something Nesgrim would even want, or if he would prefer to stay dead.

Realizing how much there is that Nesgrim wanted to accomplish, she begs Corrin for help. He instructs her to search through the casket near the bottom for a small crown. She feverishly tosses skulls aside and discovers a tiny tiara laid with diamonds, and returns it to him. He sorrowfully confesses that this was to be the first gift that he and Karoyln would have given to Marybelle at her birth. Aware that the party has given him a chance to spend time with his daughter is more valuable than the memory the trinket conveys, Corrin cracks it in his hand, laying the diamond and its dust on Nesgrim’s chest, restoring him to life and consuming the precious diamond.

Among the possessions of the two dead figures, is a note addressed to a Beloved Brother, from Lauren, asking for a few days away from the Library to assist with the reception of new orphaned children. Corrin warns them that there may be more who were informed by these two, and he must abandon his home, fleeing somewhere with Marybelle, before venturing into the Felwood to search for the Hags, to bargain for his daughter’s life in exchange for his own eternal servitude.

As they bid him farewell, Yahlumlo offers to keep pursuing his good work and discover what they can for him, should he return. He asks Corrin for his journals that held his research, musings, and discoveries, and he thanks them for all they have done to help him and his daughter find peace.

He swoops her into his great white cloak, and ascends into the City. As they gather the weapons of the Awakened, a magical item, and some maggots from the desecrated earth, the vines that were fed skulls and blood suddenly grasp at the ankle of Ritora.