CR Arcadum S2E17: The Great Beyond

The Great Beyond
Episode Statistics
Season	2
Episode	17/29
Playlist(s)
Episode Cast
DM(s)	Arcadum, SciFri, Qyr, Gigabits
Actors	Callous Row Season 2 Characters
Episode guide
Previous	S2E16: A Token of Gratitude
Next	S2E19: Licking Wounds

Episode 17: The Great Beyond

Voxene, an emissary for "the witch" Ciara?

Bartending

At the bar Captain Willian tells Rook that he got access to some warp gate codes and pitched an idea of hijacking a Sonitii ship. With help from Dagu and A2:s crew they would also need Faye to tag along. He puts it on hold for the time being and ask if Rook knows anything about a thing called "Titan". Its been messing with the systems of his bot Mika. The only thing he said he knows from what Faye could gather is that its some kind of blast program, nothing more.

A Synth saying they run an acquisition bussines claimed to be sent by "The Witch" Ciara and asking about a certain box of mage slaying rounds - the one they recovered last year. Distrusting he them nothing and reasoned that if Ciara is not coming herself she's probably in trouble. Ciara being Fayes former teacher he tasks her to check up if the synth is legit or not.

Phil asks about "something descrete" and Faye joins him.

Scrap Town visit

Heading down to Scrap Town to ask about corporate presence Charles offers to lend his aid, and joins him as a tracker with Jim the old robot as backup.

Approaching the locals of the town they meet Hank and Catherine at the local hospital. They direct any questions regarding the corporation towards their council leader "Henderson", a big burly man who Charles is familiar with. Unfortunately an audiance is out of the question as Henderson is currently caught up having been captured by wasteland raiders. Rook ever suspicious and blaming corpos speculated they may be funding the raiders and decides to aid the locals.

It appears Ryzy wont be able to guide them... for reasons

Asking around who would join them as guides Rook meets Ryzy, a goblin wearing a cone around her neck after suffering a previous unjury and Batharra Ront, a fellow orc who runs the local garages. Ront recaps that they tried a rescue operation yesterday with mixed success but knows the location of the camp and that there is only a single way in and out. Most vehicles are missing or damaged they freed all captured except Henderson who had initially assisted in the rescue. Needing a medic or healer Sheila is timely around and agrees to join them. Jim making a lot of noise, and when told to be quiet he remarks that stealth kind of went out the window the moment when they consider to bring him along, they bring him with anyway. As they head out Hadwyn, another councilmember tells them that he had already planned to send out a team but he is waved off as the crew speeds away out through the gates.

Bandit camp

Preparing for the ambush

Rook, Charles, Sheila and Jim with Ront driving them, knows the locaiton of the bandits from having been a captive herself for 3 days before she was freed. On their way out they are hit by a sandstorm and Rook has to cover his mouth from the imposing sand. Gathering and parking close by the plan is to sneak in and have Charles who is strong enough to try and carry Henderson as he's likely injured. Ront waits at the vehicle ready to go once they return while Jim is told to keep a distance but be ready to lay down covering fire at all time if their cover is blown. Rook suggests Sheila having no armor should stay behind but she keeps a close distance. Climbing up the maglev ramp they are in very poor visibility from the sandstorm but this aids them in a stealthy approach. Going through hand signals they head out.

Jim before the ambush on the bandit camp

Charles and Rook in the sand storm

Approaching the entrance the camp gates are broken off its hingest with scorch marks on its frame and as a scout approaches he is stabbed to death silently by Rook. Taking out on raider after another Rook and Charles approach a building with muffled conversation of people having food and drink inside. Someone of the raiders decides to go looking for their missing sentries and with the element of surprise to their aid Rook and Charles charges in. Firing one after another the two orcs manage to get to Henderson, grab him and get out while taking countless gunshot wounds.

Gritting through the pain thanks to their orcish heritage Rook has a stash of autoinjectors mixed with adrenaline to keep them going. Jabbing one into Henderson the large man wakes and can walk himself, going into an angered frenzy. Sheila healing them on their way one of the vehicles used to take cover gets so damaged that it is renderd useless. In the chaos she gets separated from the rest of the group. Not intending another rescue Rook tells Jim to engage in medic mode and do what he can for Charles and goes in looking for Sheila by himself. Climbing up a rock to get a better vantage point it does him no good in the storm but searching he eventually finds her tied up in one of the buildings. He frees her from her bonds, gives her an adrenaline shot to keep going and kills some more raiders on their way.

Recovery

Rook on retreat with Ront and Henderson

Making it to the vehicle Ront is prepared for a quick getaway. On the way back Rook falls unconscious from taking countless gunshot wounds. Back in town Charles, Sheila and Rook have to be carried to the hospital for emergency care. The medic Hank has to decide if hes going to treat Rooks eyes or his legs - and decides to save his legs. Rook loses whats left for his bad eye but survives.

Vessas healing magic saves Charles and Sheila. In the Scrap Town hospital with Wit, Sten and Hank

Sheila and Charles look worse for wear but thanks to the chance arrival of a healer, Vessa. Her water magic is especially strong having been blessed by water spirits. She heals Charles and in doing so a wild surge of mana begin to flow in all directions until forming together on Sheila's blue hand - healing her fully.

DM: The Spirit Realm

Reeza in the spirit realm

Ahi, Reeza, Tynan and Sheila having entered the spirit realm from the Nathraki ruins, feel magic flow freely around them, enhancing their magical capabilities. Voices which they could barely hear before are now audibly clear, the cocophany of voices forming a soothing wind.

Is Tynan connected to this place?

Walking through the strange land there are buildings in the distance and Reeza tells that she learned from the runes of Nathraki, the lost people used to make this place their homes. Tynan observes a tower in the distance recembling a bracelet of his which sparked the question if he happened to hail from this place. He didn't seem to believe so, having his family back in Savior City.

Sheila, Ahi, Reeza and Tynan wander the Spirit World

A soul shrine

Walking through the place they encounter various spirits, approaching carefully they express having no hostile intentions and remain uninterrupted. Eventually coming upon a shrine of sorts it turns out to be the manifestation of Reeza's soul embodied as a building in this strange realm. Approaching the shrine Reeza feels the emanations of her powers increase and as she places her hands on it, it's energies flow out around her, her mana expands and powers begin to grow. Glowing with power her friends are worried for her well being but she tells them that they are safe and she is alright. Continuing onwards going through a dark forest they happen upon more spirits and eventually another shrine covered with animal bones, this time it's Sheilas manifestation of her soul. Repeating the same thing Reeza did Sheila goes through the same experience, capable of healing more each day. Exploring more Ahi finds hers, and it empowers her fire magic. Tynan happen upon his as well and learns a new skill - he can now summon fourth spiritual energy on his blade.

The ferryman adresses Tynan

The ferryman adresses Ahi

The ferryman adresses Reeza

Eventually they come to a dead end with a cloaked figure standing next to a boat on a bridge. Surrounded by an ocean of floating cylinders and detached islands in the sky - he tells them that he has no name but has been referred to as "Charon", "the ferryman" and among other things. He addresses them one by one, offering cryptic advice which he tells them to return to their own world.

• Tynans fate is bound in blood and suffering and with more to be spilled he wonders if his guilt will make him drown unless he comes to terms with it.
• Ahi, carries fire flowing through her he questions how many she have burned for her own weakness and how many she has yet to burn. Seeing a benevolent gaze and like the fire she weilds, they are a warmth she can share. Her compassion will be tested.
• Reeza, the speaker of the first people, the seer of the runes, the wind beckons you home with each passing moment. Soon this whole realm will be washed with souls and if you wish to prevent the rising tide you must look towars those who seat above you - seek them and converse with them - share only your runes with those whose hearts have pure intent lest you doom that which you try to stop.
• Adressing Sheila he mumbles "the spirit walker". Having travelling far a storm approaches which shall tear this world apart, fire will awaken and the clouds will awashen. The world will not survive unless yo can calm it. All must turn to seek the enemy of the sky - they are coming. Your own realm is in your hands.

Charon "The ferryman"

Having addressed each of them he tells them that none of them are ready to cross his ferry yet - for their lives would end. Having been chosen by the spirits their wishes will be heeded instead. He grants them a second chance of life that would otherwise be snuffed out in case they perish - once they face the mountains nightmare they will need it if they are to quell its fires.

Arcadum did not attend Episode 18. Watch the point-of-view of other players.

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