After the events of Finn's betrayal, Lieutenant Kira Scott and Jr Lieutenant Estelle Arkell arrived at Ascension Academy bearing news from Ancestra. The headquarters of the CAF has been under siege by what is believed to be The Dark Order for a month and a half at the time. A section of the outer wall was lost in the initial attack, though the forces on the wall were successfully withdrawn thanks to the sacrifice of Colonel Aleksi, who was promoted to Colonel posthumously.
In the throes of this conflict, the Cross-Allied Forces has begun slowly withdrawing CROSS from across the world, recalling them back to Ancestra in an attempt to silently break the siege before the rest of the world learns. One such location, locked in political turmoil of its own, is Fallbrook.
Following the turning of the Eldest Heir by a Vampire, the line of succession was thrown into question. Some time after his turning, the Middle Heir was bitten and turned by an unknown Werewolf, bringing even greater chaos. Now that their father has died, the city is leaderless and the matter of succession, which was being negotiated by the CAF, falls into the hands of Ascension Academy- sent to relieve the officers present so they may join the fight in Ancestra.
Participants []
Events []
Day 1: Camping[]
Ascension sets up camp on their way to Fallbrook
Following their departure by boat, Ascension sailed for four days and docked at a village near the United Sanctuary, where they would begin their march to Fallbrook. On their second day of marching, they found a suitable site to set up a camp for the next few days. The professors divvied up the squads to collect wood, build a perimeter, and set up tents. After that, Professor Berion sent out two squads for scouting and hunting.
Later on in the day, Professor Rainer spots a group traveling towards the camp and tasks a group of cadets to meet them. Stark, Zack, Risei, and Euphy make their way down the hill and halt the travelers. Before them were two armored individuals leading horses. Stark inquired about their travel while informing them of the camp. They told the group that they were traveling to Fallbrook. They introduce themselves as Julius and Caesar Belamont of the Inquisition. Stark escorts them to the camp, where they are greeted by Professor Berion and given water before they continue their travel.
A group of merchants also travels through the camp, although they are leaving Fallbrook and heading to the United Sanctuary. An accompanying guard informs Hannah of the state of Fallbrook and warns her about the lycans, as there is a sickness spreading, turning them feral.
Turf War[]
As the night falls, the camp relaxes, eating dinner and socializing with one another. In one of the watch towers, Leneth and Lux hear a howl echo through the mountains. They grow concerned and agree to leave the camp to assess the situation. The duo, now joined by Hoshi, travel through the woods, where they run into Gavin and Zackary, who previously went out for a stroll. Zack confirms that they were not the ones howling. The newly formed group begins to search the area for werewolves and wander a great distance from the camp. As they approach the outskirts of the mountains, strange noises repel them from the area, prompting them to return to the camp.
The cadets become separated; Zack and Gavin walk together while the rest lag behind. Gavin cracks a joke about the werewolves being in the ruins in front of them before witnessing a werewolf bolt through said ruins. Barreling behind the lone wolf is a group of vampires. The two watch the vampires swarm the werewolf as the rest of the group joins. Gavin hesitates on intervening, looking to Zack for a decision, but Zackary stresses that they should go back to camp, as choosing a side could endanger their mission. The cadets retreat to the camp where the academy has been watching the fight. After hearing Zackary's report, Professor Blazeheart orders the cadets to defend the camp.
Fortunately for them, the fight did not turn towards the camp. Though it did not go down alone, the werewolf succumbs to the rest of the vampires' attacks and is feasted upon. As the feral vampires leave the area, Professor Cassidy, Arbor, Aida, Narali, and Zack investigate the bodies. Zack confirms that both parties were feral, and the werewolf had a sickness similar to mange. To prevent further complications, Cassidy burns the creatures leaving nothing but scorched bodies on the road.
Day 2: Extended Stay[]
Students defend against attacks of feral vampires.
After three days of residing in the area, the students find themselves under attack by feral vampires and a humanoid creature capable of extruding black smoke that blinds people, but after some struggle, they manage to defeat them easily. Chipz and Victor Heinrich, keenly attuned to the scent of vampires and fresh blood, detect the presence of one nearby the camp. They decide to investigate, alongside Leneth Monomyle as he was tasked by the teachers to form a squad to do it. Leneth, posing as a vampire cattle, joins them to ensure the unknown vampire wouldn't be suspicious of encountering a human alongside their kind.
Evee ambushes Leneth
Venturing out, the trio stumbles upon a recently deceased body. While they investigate, a woman suddenly appears behind Leneth, brandishing a knife at his throat. She demands to know their purpose in the area. Chipz intervenes, claiming Leneth as Victor's "property," implying that as a vampire, she should refrain from harming him and she retracts her knife. After that, she tells the squad that she got injured by silver from hunters before she took care of them herself. She requests help for her silver wounds, and the squad decides to bring her to camp, reminding her to behave as the people were just assaulted by ferals a few hours ago. She agrees and introduces herself as Evelyn Ludwig, or Evee.
As they journey back to camp, Evee inquires about the purpose of the students in the area while they exchange introductions. Chipz asks about her sire, and she laughs, saying it's a long story....
Day 3: Arrival in Fallbrook[]
Arrival[]
After their two-week journey, Ascension Academy finally reaches Fallbrook. The city guards meet them at a gate and direct them toward their captain, Lorio Dimitri, who escorts them through the Human District to greet Lord Kane. At the keep, they meet Lord Alekai Kane, the youngest human brother, and Lord Ciaphas Kane, the eldest vampire brother who invited himself in. Alekai decides to get Ascension their rooms before discussing their objective further and orders Dimitri to guide them to the inn. There, they get settled in and meet Lord Rodrick Kane, the middle lycan brother, who appeared frustrated that nobody told him that Ascension had arrived. Nevertheless, he happily greeted everyone before they dispersed into the district.
The Padfoot Incident[]
The townsfolk and the academy gathered in the market area as the three brothers approached a stage to deliver an address. Ciaphas led, telling the crowd about the late Joshua Kane, his ambitions for the city, and how he, Ciaphas, wanted to uphold those ambitions. Ciaphas states his goal of unity between the communities before handing it off to Rodrick. Rodrick begins his speech, greeting the town; however, he is interrupted by a roar as a cage holding a raptor-like creature is unlocked, unleashing the beast into the city. A small, hooded figure is seen running away from the cage. A portion of the academy chases the creature into an alley, grabbing it from all sides before Flora releases her spores on the creature, putting it to sleep.
Meanwhile, Vevina chases the figure through the city and uses her webbing to lasso him to the ground. Vevina keeps him still until a guard arrives; she explains the situation to the guard and releases the culprit to him after webbing his hands, legs, and mouth.
Protect Pepper[]
During a boxing event at night, a large armored lycan enters the town and makes his way near the inn. He encounters Shizuko and asks her if she's seen a little girl with white hair and red eyes. Shizuko tells him the girl is at the boxing match, assuring him she cannot lie. Not knowing where the boxing match is, he wanders the district searching for the girl.
The lycan runs into Chipz and Hannah, introducing himself as Garm and telling them that the little girl had run away from her home. Aware of his intentions, they claim to not know where the girl is but will "search" for her. An armored vampire, Blackwin, antagonizes Garm while the duo leaves for the boxing arena.
Hannah approaches Pepper and Cinnamon
Chipz and Hannah make their way up the district and find the white-haired girl known as Pepper, a lycan, along with a brown-haired lycan, Cinnamon. Hannah informs the two that Garm is around looking for Pepper. Fearful, Pepper reveals that she is not related to Garm and that he is trying to hurt her; he even growls and drools like he wants to eat her.
Professor Rainer alerts Hannah of someone watching them from the roof (this may have been Blackwin who was spotted on the roofs earlier in the day) and that they should head somewhere more secluded. Morgan suggests they take the kids to the inn, and Hannah moves ahead to scout for Garm.
Ascension becomes skeptical of Garm
Morgan, Rainer, Pepper, and Cinnamon move through the district, evading the open areas and sticking to the sides. As they approach the inn, Blackwin appears in front of them with his hand out. The group stops in their tracks, confused. Unbeknownst to them, Garm was in front of the inn talking to Hannah, Chipz, and Euphemy.
The group returns to the inn, having taken a different path, and finds Blackwin still and staring at Garm. He motions to wait, but Morgan seizes the opportunity to rush the kids into the inn and barely makes it without being seen. More students and professors arrive, taking note of the situation and congregating around the inn door.
Later on in the night, a group of students are discussing the situation with Garm when Rainer enters to give a briefing. All of the teachers present agreed to have the children escorted home, but they'll need to wait until morning for Berion's confirmation. Until then, Rainer plans to have himself, Zack, Narali, and Morgan escort them in the early morning.
Day 4: Red Light District[]
The next morning, Professor Berion called all squad leaders for a meeting. Before they start, Dimitri and Alekai Kane enter. Dimitri explains that the padfoot, the person who released the beast during the speech, had escaped. Somebody had broken into the dungeon and knocked out all of the guards. The padfoot didn't take their possessions, a buckler, dagger, and 20 tin-coated coins, before escaping to presumably the Red Light District, so it was seized by the guards.
Zackary proposes to keep one of the items and use its scent to find the padfoot; both Berion and Dimitri allow this so long as Zack returns the item. The leaders continue the meeting, touching on matters like the groups in town and the lycan children being chased by Garm. Berion releases the squad leaders, ordering them to dress casually and discreetly search the Red Light District with their squads.
The Padfoot Investigation[]
Ascension talks to the brothel madam
The cadets are released into the city and slowly funnel into the Red Light District to keep suspicion low. Entering first is Zack, Lyshteia, and Ryder, dubbed "Team Virgins", equipped with the padfoot's dagger. Unfortunately, the district is pungent with perfume, preventing Zack from identifying scents.
Stark, Liang, Bile, Jamie, and Lux enter later, and as they step foot in the district, three hooded figures throw a body into the streets and quickly leave. Jamie investigates the pale victim, finding a single puncture in his neck, and drags them out of the area to tend to the wound.
The rest of the academy filters in, viewing the locations and the drunkards, and eventually gathers at the brothel. They enjoy themselves, watching the dancers, drinking, and chatting with each other. Some groups try to get information from the brothel owner, Diavana Al Din, but she seems to be just as in the dark as they are.
Ryder, Tia, and Zackary find a pool of blood
Other cadets spent their time outside, such as Zackary's group, who felt more comfortable away from the brothel. In an alley, the group finds a pool of blood behind some boxes. Zack inspects the blood, noting that it belonged to a human and was at most 20 minutes old. Behind them, Lucina Zelna, the sire and lover of Ciaphas Kane announces her presence, warning them about the dangerous people in Red Light.
Zack searches other corners of the alley and finds a large, broken syringe-like tool; it smells like blood as well. Meanwhile, a small, old humanoid man approaches Tia, telling her about the "Siphoners," a group that hangs in the alleys and drains their victims' blood with a syringe. The group decides to have Ryder roam around as bait, and Zack and Tia leave to inform other cadets of their findings and a plan.
Ascension apprehends the Siphoners
Later on, Ryder continues to patrol the district. In the alley, he turns a corner and finds four hooded figures, who all rush him immediately. Ryder defends himself from the attackers as Arbor, Hannah, and Lucina come to his aid. Lucina is quick, stabbing and disarming the figures. However, one eludes them, running past Chipz and Hoshi, escaping through a large gate. More cadets show up, seeing the remaining three Siphoners held at gunpoint by Arbor and Hannah. Ryder taunts them, and unexpectedly breaks the leg of each one. Some cadets tell Ryder to stop, while others watch him break their legs.
Zackary takes one of the Siphoners away from the group to interrogate him, offering two gold and his freedom if he gives information about the padfoot incident. He tells Zackary that there were three guys, and two of them were too well-dressed to be natives. The last person was small and dressed like a common pickpocket. Meanwhile, as Rana heals one of the Siphoners, he claims to have heard people in the brothel talking about the padfoot. Rana relinquishes the two Siphoners to Lucina who leads them out of the district, and Zackary lets the last one leave, keeping his promise.
Fishing Village Ambush[]
After an assembly back in the tavern, Professor Berion is asked by the owner, Caine Descartes, to check up on his supplier in the fishing village. They usually get the shipment in by the evening, but they haven't arrived yet. It feels abnormal to Caine because his supplier, Roger, has not missed a shipment in 5 years. Berion calls on Ignis and Gallant to take up the task, and they head out along with Professor Blazeheart.
On their way to the village, they meet Lucina who joins them. As they enter the village, Lucina finds an injured man sitting under a cliff with multiple cuts and slashes on his body. Vevina tends to his wounds while everyone else holds a perimeter around her. Liang calls out movement on the hills, and looming over is a giant, armored lycan who Chipz and Hoshi recognize immediately as Garm.
Garm emits an ear-piercing roar as more lycans appear, surrounding the group. Chipz wastes no time to order Ignis back into the village. The lycans rush the cadets, slashing at their formation, but Ignis holds the line. Chipz orders to push back further, but Rana alerts him to Leneth who is isolated. Before they begin to clash, Hoshi and Bile retrieve Leneth, pulling him behind Ignis. However, Gallant Squad separates from the village, and in an attempt to rally them together, Ignis gets spread out as well.
The vampires arrive to the battle
Emerging from the shadows is the group of vampires from Fallbrook, Lenora, Blackwin, and Edgar coming to assist the cadets. Garm and the lycans converge on the groups, but with the help of their vampire cavalry, they are able to fend them off. During the battle, Lucina alerts the group of a fire which has started to break out in the village. Amid the chaos, Blazeheart orders a retreat. Gallant retreats, but Chipz and Rana plead to go back in, as they did not clear the village for survivors. Eventually, Blazeheart is convinced and orders the squads to reengage; Gallant would hold a line while Ignis searches the village.
Ascension arrives as reinforcements
The bells in Fallbrook ring out, and soon after, the rest of Ascension arrives at the fight, called in by Lucina. Garm's pack dwindles in numbers, but they still put up a fight, especially Garm, tanking multiple silver strikes and wolfsbane, thrown by Cortez. Eventually, he is overwhelmed and apprehended by the cadets.
Berion gathers Vanguard for one last sweep of the village; they find nothing, as all the remaining survivors escaped by boat. Ascension escorts Garm to the guards, passing by the residents of the city including Cinnamon and Pepper, who expressed that she wanted to talk and get answers out of Garm.
Meanwhile, Arbor, Ryder, and Dars, escort Samantha Higgins, the town alchemist, to the village as she requested to examine the wolf bodies. She finds that there were a mix a healthy and infected werewolves in the battle. Samantha collects samples from the bodies and returns to town to test them.
Runaway Lycans[]
Flora comforts Cinnamon and Pepper
Outside the tavern, Flora and Tia sit with Pepper and Cinnamon. The fact that they were supposed to leave that day and the ambush from Garm has worried the two about their family. Pepper says that when Garm walked next to her earlier, he smelled like her and Cinnamon. Ellie asks if he's ever smelled like them, and Pepper says he hasn't. She begs Flora to let them check on their family, but Flora states it is too dangerous.
Silent, Cinnamon starts to inch away from the group. She mutters, "I'm sorry," before sprinting away from the group. Flora runs after Cinnamon but is too slow to catch her. Cinnamon climbs the walls of the district and escapes from the town. Flora runs to find Professor Rainer, but when Pepper sees her without Cinnamon, she starts to grow worried and impatient. Ellie attempts to calm Pepper down, assuring her Flora knows what she is doing and they'll get Cinnamon back; then, Pepper sinks her teeth into Ellie's arm and attempts to escape her grasp. Morgan and Tia try to calm Pepper down again, but she runs through the city and out of Fallbrook.
Flora, Tia, Morgan, Iris, Lux, and Rainer chase after her, but she is too fast for all of them and is lost in the fog. Back at the tavern, Professor Blazeheart is informed of the incident and makes a decision: the previous group, with the addition of Zackary, will go out to retrieve the girls.
Iris and Lyshteia help an injured lycan
The team heads out, led by Zackary tracking the scent of the two lycans. They travel deep into the woods until they see a small campfire in the distance. Morgan rushes over to the two children; Cinnamon, weak from running so long, rests on Pepper's lap. Morgan and Flora comfort the kids while the rest keep watch.
Tia notices a bunch of footprints, human and wolf, heading away from the camp. It seems like there was a scuffle between the two groups. She informs Rainer of the footprints and he, Zack, Iris, and Tia leave to investigate. They find several lycan bodies, ripped apart and eaten. Some of them are warped in a half-way transformation.
Iris sees a figure in the distance, sitting next to a tree. As she approaches, she finds a man unconscious and battered. Tia, Rainer, and Zack catch up as Iris gives him a healing potion. He wakes and begins to thrash around in fear. Luckily, Tia and Iris are able to calm him down and continue the treatment along with Morgan's healing. Iris puts the man on her back and the group walks back to the camp. She asks if he knows Pepper and Cinnamon, and he does, saying that they are from the same pack. At the camp, Cinnamon perks up at the sight of the man, yelling his name, "Haze!" The group assures her that he is alright, and they escort the lycans back to Fallbrook and treat them within the safe confines of the tavern.
Day 5: High Tensions[]
Ambush Aftermath[]
A memorial for the victims of the lycan attack
The next day, Ascension returned to the fishing village early in the morning to assist the villagers in rebuilding their homes. The villagers had already built a memorial for the twelve victims who died in the attack. One of the surviving families went around to greet the academy. A father and his enthusiastic son thanked multiple people for saving the village. The mother, however, found a deep hatred for Zackary Fang. She doesn't hesitate to bring up her concerns and talks to Professor Cassidy and Professor Berion, requesting that they remove Zackary from the town, though they do not.
A lot of topics are brought up during the squad meeting. Chipz, Liang, and Professor Blazeheart report on the ambush attack, and Stark reports insubordination towards Professor Cassidy, noting that he shouted about how Berion's orders were stupid, and expressed those thoughts to the vampires. Zack requests for a signal to be made when wolfsbane is used in battle. Berion says that he'll work on these matters in his own time and continues the discussion with the Garm situation.
Berion wants to talk to Garm but can only select a few people to join him. Zack and Madame Minerva volunteer themselves, and Liang and Stark recommend Narali and Shizuko, respectively. Lastly, Chipz brings up a concern. He doesn't agree with how Ascension was operating the previous day. He points out how people were willing to leave the village during the ambush and the incident with Ryder and the Siphoners. Most of them agree that Ryder was out of line, but Stark expresses the opposite, saying the Siphoners are low-life scum, and he doesn't care if they are hurt. Minerva brings a new perspective to the situation: if people see that Ascension is harming their prisoners, others will be less likely to surrender in the future.
After the meeting ends, Berion holds Zack to show him a newspaper documenting the village attack. With the headline: "Ravenous Feral Werewolves Brutually Attack Innocent Fishing Village," it becomes clear where the public's view of werewolves is going.
During a meeting with the Kane brothers, Berion mentions the newspaper. The parties involved, Ascension Academy, Lenora, Blackwin, Edgar, and Garm, and the death count were supposedly leaked to the press; to Berion's knowledge, nobody from Ascension spoke on the matter. Arbor notes that despite the newspaper labeling the werewolves as feral, Samantha reported that less than a third of the werewolves were sick. The brothers claim to not know where the sources came from but say they will look into the leaks.
Visiting Garm[]
Shortly after the meetings, Professor Berion, Madame Minerva, Zackary, Narali, and Shizuko join the Kane brothers to meet Garm in the prison. In the prison, Zack requests that the brothers ask their questions first and leave Ascension to talk to Garm privately. Alekai and Rodrick allow them to, but Ciaphas refuses. Zackary assures him that he'll be the first to know about any new information, and Ciaphas leads him out of earshot of Garm.
Ciaphas reveals that Garm talked to him about something deep in the forest that would overthrow their rule. Ciaphas believes it is other ferals that Garm figured out how to control. Meanwhile, Garm talks to Berion about priests wearing red and white that have shown up in Valendor; they worship the human god, Zarus, and wish for slavery or death for all non-humans.
A group of Ascension interrogates Garm in the prison
Zack returns to begin his questioning, using Ciaphas's information to help him. When Zack asks about the forest, Garm says that the Kanes know what is in the forest and are lying to Zack. Garm explains that he only wants Pepper to fulfill a prophecy given to him by "The Great Furred One," also known as Malar. He wants to emulate them, and the heart of Pepper, which he reveals is a dire lycan, would give him the power to do so.
Garm then points out Zack's markings, referring to them as artwork by Malar and calling Zack a tapestry. Garm beckons Narali towards him to talk. Narali introduces herself and her faith to Gaia. Garm then calls her a traitor who serves a false god. Narali refutes this, saying that she wouldn't exist if it weren't for Gaia.
Before Narali can ask about Malar, Garm asks why Ascension is in Fallbrook. They tell him they are there to help everyone in Fallbrook, regardless of who they are. Garm scoffs at their beliefs of unity and tries to negotiate with the group; if Zackary frees and follows Garm, he will show Zack power, and if they give him Pepper, he will lead the ferals away from Fallbrook. The group declines as this would only endanger other people. Garm says they were cast out from Fallbrook because of "The Creeping Ebon Night," the werewolf disease that came from the north, made by human and vampire scientists as a bioweapon against werewolves.
Zack asks if Garm will take the academy to the forest if they release him, but since it does not include Pepper, Garm doesn't entertain the idea and tells the group that there are people in the city who have fought alongside them who should not be trusted. To everyone else in the room, that is all Garm says before growling. However, Zack hears a language from Garm that he can understand, yet has not heard before, "Upon the full moon, set me free, and I will show you power."
Berion wraps up the questioning, mentioning that a huntress is waiting to question Garm. He tries to get one last answer out of Garm himself, but Garm doesn't budge, and Berion insults him, attempting to rile him up. The group leaves the dungeon, meets the huntress, Avice, and informs the brothers about the interrogation before dispersing.
The Ancient Returns[]
Victor kneels in front of Godfrey
Later on in the night, Victor walks around the city, meeting with Octavia Baldassare who joins him. Before they can get far into their chat, Edgar appears to inform Victor that he has been requested by someone. Victor follows Edgar through the vampire district into the residence of Lord Godfrey who he has not seen since his visit to the Gates of Faust.
Victor kneels before Godfrey, telling him that he was expecting him to be in Fallbrook. Godfrey asks what the academy is doing in Fallbrook; Victor says that they're there to calm the conflicts between the races in Fallbrook. He then reveals that they are also searching for the Necronomicon, an artifact that they believe is in Valendor and one that the Dark Order is searching for. Godfrey reveals that he is also looking for the book and asks about the status of Chipz. Victor, sounding disgusted at the mention of his name, calls him ignorant and says that he has him and Ascension wrapped around his finger.
Victor informs Godfrey of the events so far, including the village attack and the capture of Garm. He also tells Godfrey of the Dark Order's attacks on the academy, recalling Professor Finn, who was corrupted by the Darkness. Then, he mentions that a Darkness General escaped during Year 2, and the Cross-Allied Forces believes that it has made its way past Valendor. Lastly, Victor asks if Godfrey has brought the Black Roses, his legion, to Fallbrook, and Godfrey says that they are in a process. Their chat ends, and Victor leaves the Vampire District.
Day 6: Werewolf District[]
Blindsiding Meeting[]
The next morning, the squad leaders and Ellie, substituting for Stark, gather in the professors' dorm for their meeting. Joining them is Alekai and Ciaphas Kane, who report on the status of Garm's pack. Alekai's hunters discovered that the number of werewolves in a remote quarantine has lessened; he thinks it's possible that Garm is pulling from those camps. Ciaphas reports that the remaining pack is scattered and disorganized.
On that, Professor Berion opens the floor to the leaders, and Chipz interjects, asking if the squad second-in-commands are supposed to be present as Cortez had walked in earlier. Berion and Professor Rainer allow it, possibly forgetting that Cortez isn't a second, and Berion asks the brothers if they have decided on a plan regarding Garm.
The night before, Berion proposed two ideas to the brothers: the Academy frees Garm and follows him into the forest to figure out what he's hiding, or they pick someone to fight Garm and take his position as alpha. With the exception of Zackary, the squad leaders did not know this happened. As Zack asks to speak, Berion assures him that he did not forget about his idea. Zackary doesn't elaborate on this and tells everyone that Garm asked to be freed on the full moon; Zack assures that they will be betrayed by Garm.
Rodrick requests that the Academy visits the Werewolf District and get to know the lycans as it may help them decide what to do next. Berion accepts his invitation, and Rodrick asks them to meet him at his temple before leaving the room.
Next, Alekai says Diavana told him about an incident within the Red Light District that was not reported. Berion, forgetting the events, asks Zack to report on the incident. Zack gives a full report, but when he says that Siphoners were in the brothers' possession, Alekai states that they haven't received any prisoners. This statement confuses some people in the room. Zackary states that he saw them get taken away, but could not remember by whom as he was talking with the Siphoner he pulled away.
Berion calls on Cortez to speak as he had a proposal regarding Garm the previous night. Cortez, being a hunter, proposes that he could have Garm be signed over to the Cortez family so that Ascension would have complete jurisdiction over him, and the Kanes wouldn't have to worry about what to do with him. However, the brothers say that Garm is widely known in the werewolf district, and there are many who support and hate Garm. He promises to think over Cortez's idea, and the meeting ends as the leaders prepare to go to the Werewolf District.
As everyone leaves, Chipz stays behind to clear up what he thought was confusion. He reminds the professors that Cortez isn't a second, but Berion says that Cortez was permitted to be present because of his offer for the brothers and his political sway with his family. Chipz says he thought the meetings were to keep leaders informed, and Berion agrees, still believing Cortez's presence was appropriate. Unsatisfied with Berion's answer, Chipz leaves the room.
Plight of the Werewolves[]
The Cadets gathered in the Werewolf District
The academy enters the Werewolf District, a locale that is more open than the Human District, embracing the nature around it. A giant tree marks the middle of the market area, and under it is a group of protestors calling for the freedom of Garm.
Everybody splits off to explore the district before meeting with Rodrick. Some cadets were harrased during their exploration; Chipz and Victor faced racist remarks because they were vampires, and Narali was insulted by a Malar wolf because of her faith to Gaia.
A small group gathered in the temple to talk about the werewolves with Rodrick. Rodrick tells them to talk to Thalia, an elder werewolf who manages the encampments outside of the city for her opinion on the plague and Garm. He also wishes that Fallbrook does not "become another Withermourne." Through Vevina's questioning, they are told that the sickness started in the south and moved northbound and suspect that the werewolves may have gotten sick through contamination as there are multiple sources of water that combine into a stream.
Hannah suggests that they find a source of water that they can purify in hopes of reducing infection. Then, Victor asks why Rodrick doesn't kill Garm to solve the problem. Rodrick says that it would only cause more division within the district and would make Garm a martyr. While he doesn't like Garm, Rodrick wants him to be dealt with peacefully or fairly.
Ascension explores the district a bit more, some investigate the quarantine zones to get information, and Ignis Squad helps with supplying purified water for the district. Later on, everyone groups up and are escorted outside of Fallbrook to meet Thalia.
Ascension Academy gathered to meet the Elder Werewolf
The academy meets Thalia in a small settlement away from the city. There, they ask her questions about the disease and Withermourne. They learn that Withermourne was the location where the outbreak occurred. It was a city filled with humans and werewolves, and it was a popular commerce spot. Despite the earlier theory, the disease isn't spread through water as the feral werewolves share the same water as Thalia and her pack.
Professor Blazeheart offers the academy's assistance wherever Thalia needs; she requests help in hunting for her pack and intervening with Garm's pack that has been heading north to Withermourne. She fears that his pack will grow in numbers if they reach the city. Blazeheart accepts her first request, but says that they would have to plan more for the second.
As night falls and howls echo through the woods, the academy heads back to Fallbrook. Zackary stays behind to talk with Thalia and arrives later.
Squad Leader Recap[]
Rainer talks to the cadets about the ongoing rumor.
When Ascension returns to Fallbrook, Professor Rainer orders everyone to the tavern so he can speak with them. Rainer informs everybody about the rumors of Zackary's "secret plan" and shuts down any lingering concerns about it. He says that he'll talk to Zack about it and inform the leaders.
Then, he tells everyone to stop complaining about Ryder's incident, as having school punishments done during the mission wouldn't look good for the academy. He says that punishments will happen at the academy, but for the time being, everyone needs to focus on the mission. He realizes that the cadets weren't taught how to de-escalate or know when and when not to strike and says that he will plan a lesson for these topics. Then, Zack walks in, and Rainer pulls him upstairs as the rest of the academy relaxes in the tavern.
A few minutes later, Zack pulls the available leaders and Professor Cassidy into Vanguard's dorm, where he would clear up the concerns, and everyone could express their own. First, Zack explains his plan to the leaders: he would break Garm out on the full moon as requested and follow him into the forest with the backing of the rest of Ascension. Zack pitched this plan to Professor Berion and the Kane brothers, but he didn't want to speak on it as he had no authority to make decisions. Chipz relays his worry about communication, as nobody knew about Zack or Cortez's plan before the brothers did. Bile confirms he did not know of his squadmate's plan, nor did Cassidy of Zack's.
Ellie tells Chipz that Vevina was the person who said Zack was keeping secrets, and Cassidy says that she said this to the professors, including Berion. Chipz tells them that he relays information from the leader meeting to his squad, and she was probably bringing up a concern which he will not punish her for. After hearing Zack's plan again, Chipz asks if there is any way to distinguish the sick werewolves from the feral werewolves so that no one is unnecessarily hurt. Arbor says Medical Squad is working with Samantha to perform autopsies and identify the diseased.
Zackary holds an impromptu squad meeting
Zack informs everyone about his current sickness, unrelated to the plague in Fallbrook. During the break between Year 2 and Year 3, Zack went to a town named Ironwood. There, he found a tutor to help him control his instinctual side. He was given markings that were supposed to help with this, but on every full moon, they glow, and black patches appear on his skin. During his fight with Victor, his body changed drastically and he started to vomit black ooze. Since his time in Fallbrook, Garm and multiple Malar werewolves told him that his markings are significant. During his talk with Thalia, she told him that his markings were ritualistic and that he was a sign that Malar would return.
Professor Cassidy asks everyone about their opinions on the brothers. After hearing their fairly neutral opinions, Cassidy tells them about the newspaper that had unreleased information about the village attack. He tells them that there may be someone higher up manipulating the brothers and to keep an eye out.
Cassidy leaves so Zack can talk to the leaders privately. Zack mentions the possibility of a professor being afflicted by the Darkness, but they agree that none of the professors have raised suspicions. The cadets agree that Berion might be overwhelmed as he's forgetting things and not relaying information. They decide to quickly touch base when they can, preferably during dinner, so everyone is on the same page.
Party Precautions[]
Throughout their time in Fallbrook, multiple members of Ascension were approached by Bouldernash, a gargoyle owned by Lucina Zelna, and invited to a party in the Vampire District. Those invited were: Cortez, Vevina, Chipz, Hoshi, Victor, Jamie, Shizuko, Dars, Coretta, Gavin, Professor Rainer, and Morgan as a helper. Coretta gathered as many people as she could to discuss potential problems and precautions for the party.
As this is party is in the Vampire District, they will make sure to stay in small groups, avoid getting drunk, and will deny any vampires looking for a meal. Victor tells them to keep an eye out for the Black Roses, Godfrey's house, and the Dark Order.
Day 6.5: Withermourne Estate Approach[]
Participants[]
Entering Withermourne[]
Approaching the outskirts of Withermourne.
The next morning, a select group of cadets and professors were dispatched to investigate Withermourne, a once popular city overrun by the werewolf plague, now abandoned. Their objective is to find clues about the plague and deter Garm's pack from traveling further. The team hikes for hours, passing through a canyon and into a valley where night falls.
In the distance, Professor Blazeheart sees a light and a caravan beside it. The team takes cover at a large tree and sends out Professor Blair, Coretta, and Bile to scout the area. They see a building with lights on, a small group of humanoids patrolling the area, and another humanoid in a fruit stall. The scouts come back, and they send half of the team to meet the humanoids while the other half stays behind. The first team is met by two men and a woman plated in armor.
Learning of the Brightmourne family's past from Jane.
Blazeheart tells them that they are investigating Withermourne, and the woman, later known as Jane, scoffs, pointing out how dead the area is. She says they were hired to guard the man in the fruit stall and have been fighting lycans for the past half-day. She motions to her companion, Will, who lost his arm as a result. Blazeheart offers medical aid for the man, and Jane accepts.
As Bile retrieves the rest of the team, the man, dressed in a jester costume, introduces himself as Solomon the Fool. Jane mentions that they are employed by the Xander house. Everyone heads to the building to sit down, and so Hannah can treat Will. Jane asks about their occupations, and Professor Blazeheart explains that they are a military academy under the CAF, stationed in Fallbrook.
Jane explains the rumors that circulate about the town. She says the plague did through the town, but the worst case was with the Brightmournes, a noble family in Withermourne. Their daughter was infected, possibly one of the first in Withermourne. They hired a group of people to research a cure in their manor, but they failed. She says they can investigate the crypt that runs under the town as strange noises have been emitting from it, and it will also get them to the manor quicker.
Meanwhile, Deeta, Hannah, Bile, and Professor Nisha, descend into the basement after Solomon tells Deeta that they left werewolf bodies in there. The basement floor is splattered with blood, and they see corpses in the corner, all showing signs of the sickness including patchy fur and a gaunt body. Deeta and Nisha take blood and flesh samples off the wolves.
Later, the team is escorted by Gregor, one of the hunters alongside Jane, to the crypt.
A Friendly Face in the Manor[]
Ascension fights feral vampires in the crypt
Ascension enters a small building and descends into the deep, dark, cobweb-filled crypt. Strange noises echo through the hall and a growl is heard to the left. Suddenly, a large feral vampire charges the line, but it is staved off. More ferals swarm the team, temporarily splitting them apart. Dars shields himself from one of the larger vampires, but others flank him, stabbing him in his back. Coretta and Mason assist him, and the rest of Ascension clears the final wave.
They continue through the crypt and up a stairwell where Hoshi and Lux hear a scuffle outside. Peeking out, they see a feral vampire being killed by a werewolf. The team rushes out to attack the werewolf and the rest of its pack emerges from the buildings and trees. Once again, Ascension finds themselves surrounded; they defeat the feral werewolves, but Augusta suffers a deep bite to her shoulder.
Ascension finds Edgar burning boxes and papers in the manor.
Ascension runs up the hill toward the manor, still stalked by wolves. As they funnel into the building, they find Edgar burning boxes and papers in the main hall. The cadets form a line at the door while medical tends to the wounded. Professor Nisha asks why Edgar is there, and he says that he's "making a promise to an old friend."
Edgar moves closer to the crowd to tell them that the daughter was infected by lycanthropy, and the researchers couldn't save her before the plague showed up. All the researchers moved away trying to figure out a cure, but it's unknown if they were making a cure for the plague. Nisha pulls Edgar aside and asks what he's burning; he says they're just old diary entries from friends, but Nisha expresses her doubt. Edgar tells Professor Blazeheart that there is a keep nearby where they held the daughter, and after a short respite, the team heads out.
Battle at the Sanctuary[]
A hooded creature in the sanctuary
The team runs through the city facing multiple battles with feral werewolves. Eventually, they reach the large sanctuary. The windows are smashed, the carpet torn, and candles thrown over. They enter the main hall and see a large hooded figure at an altar. It paces, mumbling to itself before Professor Blazeheart calls out to it. The creature roars, drawing its blade and charging at Ascension. The creature emits an aura, and the cadets feel blood draining from their wounds. Feral vampires swarm through the entrance, attacking the backline. The team takes a lot of damage, but they're able to kill the weaker ones and focus on the main creature.
Hannah and Cortez move to the altar to figure out what the creature was doing. A symbol is burned into the pedestal, jagged, yet cursive; it seems to be written in Nosferat. Cortez sketches the symbol, but the creature rushes him. Thankfully, the rest of the team catches up and Blazeheart slices through its neck. The creature falls down the stairs, decapitated, and dissolves into dust. Cortez continues to sketch the engraving, and he recognizes it as a blood magic symbol.
Cortez and Deeta inspect the pedestal
Hannah relays an order to destroy the pedestal, and Deeta dries it off before scratching it up with her daggers. Lux discovers three crates behind the pedestal. He and Cortez open them and find a stockpile of medical supplies and potions. They grab the medical supplies but only salvage three potions: health, mana, and stamina. They return to the rest of the team who are being treated by medical.
The professors decide on what to do next. Everyone is injured, Coretta took a deep stab to the leg and can't walk, and Augusta suffered too many cuts and bites to perform. Hoshi and Professor Blair scouted the keep entrance earlier with Dars and Bile Valistar, and they say that the keep is filled with creatures and they don't have the numbers to take it on. Professor Blazeheart orders a retreat to Fallbrook to return another day with the rest of the academy.
Ascension leaves Withermourne, briefly running into Edgar again before their march back to Fallbrook. They did not get much new information on the plague, and it is unknown if Garm's pack made it to the keep.
Day 7: Laying Plans, Digging Graves[]
The Withermourne team returns to Fallbrook the next morning, using Ardent Veil's dorm as a med bay, and the squad leader meeting is light as Professor Blazeheart reports on the mission. The day is dedicated to assisting the injured and the town in general matters.
Afterward, Professor Berion, Blazeheart, Rainer, and Madame Minerva discuss the dynamic between the professors and the students. Rainer is disappointed because he was told that the squad leaders want to have their own meeting as the professors seem at odds with each other. Rainer tells Berion that he is working too much and needs to spread out his tasks, but a larger part of that decision is Professor Nisha and Professor Cassidy. Cassidy as of late has been short-tempered tempered and he and Nisha have been arguing. Rainer says that Arbor and Aida, who he frequently interacts with, agree that Cassidy's actions have been inadequate. Minerva and Berion suggest that they look towards the students for aid and adopt a supportive role, similar to when professors were a part of the squads.
Desperate Times, Desperate Measures[]
A group of Ascension plans the mission involving Garm.
Professor Berion moves on to more pressing matters. The full moon is tomorrow and they need to decide what they will do with Garm. They decide to go through with Zackary's plan, provided they get permission from the brothers and other parties involved. They will use Cortez's letter to gain control of Garm.
Blazeheart and Rainer search for the cadets involved with the main plan: Zackary Fang, Cortez, Flora Lumi, Vevina Ciseris, Narali Lagomora, Bile Valistar, Victor Heinrich, and Aida.
The operation is explained to the cadets. With the help of Garm being signed to Cortez, Zack will "break him out" and the stealth team will follow them to the forest. A larger group will be following behind where they can relay any information. Once the stealth team has reached the location, they will collect information about this secret and ready themselves for an anticipated ambush so that they can counter it. A small group will stay in Fallbrook in case anything happens.
Vevina is concerned about the potential outcomes of the mission, releasing Garm on the full moon will make it extremely difficult to recapture him, and if he dies, he will become a martyr. However, Berion says that Garm repeatedly asked for death in battle, so if they do kill him at his full power, it'll show his pack that he was weak. To aid this operation, Shizuko had the idea of disguising as Pepper and fleeing Fallbrook with an escort, drawing Garm's forces away. Once his forces are defeated, the remaining fighters will reinforce the fight against Garm.
Rainer asks Zackary if in the event there is power being offered by Garm, he will decline. Zackary says that he can't, as he won't be in control of himself on the full moon. Due to circumstances in his past, Zack's instinctual and rational sides have become such opposites that they've become split personalities of a sort. This instinctual side has called himself Alpha, but Zack assures them that Alpha is still someone they can communicate with.
The volunteers that step up are Narali, Bile, Aida, and Flora. Vevina reveals that the vampire party is the same night, so she and Victor can't be a part of the operation. Finally, Berion asks the stealth team one last question, "Are you ready to die?" Everybody agrees that they're ready, and Berion dismisses them to relay the information to their squads.
Raising Concerns[]
Chipz confronts Rainer and Berion about the plan.
Afterwards, Victor told Chipz, Hoshi, and Risei about the plan, and Chipz was not happy. Later, he held a squad meeting to put his thoughts on the table. He's confused that there was no mention of the operation in the squad meeting, yet there is now a solidified plan that was made without his knowledge. Chipz doesn't want to be part of a slaughter and will make his point known at the next meeting. Everyone in Ignis agrees that the plan is stupid, and Chipz decides to talk to the professors immediately.
Chipz, accompanied by Hoshi, pulls Professor Berion and Professor Rainer into their dorm to talk to them. The two reexplain the plan to Chipz, but he's furious that none of the squad leaders were present for the plan. He feels disrespected by the professors not coming to squad leads or him for important matters. He tells him that he doesn't want to kill Garm, and says they are operating on too many unknown variables.
The professors are confident that due to his extremism and the full moon, an attack is bound to happen, and acting first will be better than waiting. Additionally, if Garm is defeated the town is released of another conflict. Hoshi asks if they can prevent the plan from happening, and Berion says they can if they come up with a better one. Most importantly, Chipz is disgusted that they are manipulating Garm's fate and using him for their benefit.
Before the discussion ends, Berion says that Chipz can not participate and stay at the party, but Chipz asks, "And if I happen to be there to stop someone, are they gonna kill me?" Rainer responds, "No, they're not gonna kill you."
Day 8 Part 1: Dissent and Action[]
An Elder's Charm[]
In the prison, Garm sits in his cell, waiting for the full moon. He starts to wonder if Zackary will break him out when Godfrey appears in front of his cell. The two insult each other, and Garm threatens Godfrey. He asks what an elder vampire would want with him. Godfrey says he wants to free Garm by the night's end, but Garm denies his advance. Godfrey insists and begins to inform Garm of what he will do, but Garm interrupts him, threatening to eat his heart. He then, ironically, tries to negotiate with Godfrey, saying they will ascend together if he eats Godfrey's heart.
Godfrey grows impatient and moves closer to Garm, telling him that when he is freed, he'll return to his pack and form a siege on Fallbrook. Garm laughs at Godfrey's command, asking what makes him think he will listen. Godfrey responds, "Any dog can be trained if done correctly." A blood-red magic emits from Godfrey's hands. Garm tries to resist, feeling himself losing control of his mind, but his efforts are useless as Godfrey overpowers him. Godfrey restates his commands, and Garm obliges, "It will be done." Godfrey laughs as he disappears, leaving Garm in his cell.
Divisive Meeting[]
Professor Berion gathers the cadets in the tavern for an assembly. He informs everyone of events that he was not previously aware of, those being the destruction of a lycan village and the upcoming party in the Vampire District. He then gives a rundown of the current situations within Fallbrook.
The tension between the three races in Fallbrook is growing, and the werewolves are now at the center of the conflict. That combined with the current plague and Garm has created a time limit. According to the autopsy after the fishing village ambush, only a third of his pack are feral, meaning the rest are cohesive and have a reason to be at his side. However, they will be operating as if Garm is in a religious cult.
Berion explains the plan discussed on the previous day. He adds Shizu's plan of creating a fake Pepper and asks that the cadets openly talk about escorting her at sundown. Combat will be strictly defensive, and the stealth team will send a signal once there is conflict.
Berion opens the floor to the squad leaders for suggestions and comments about the plan. Gavin says that there are too many unknowns in the plan, and it shouldn't be relying on Ascension alone. Berion says that the brothers have approved and accounted for the event. Gavin is slightly relieved, but still thinks they should defend the city on the full moon and let the town handle Garm lawfully. Coretta and Stark warn that this could cause a political imbalance as they would be against the lycans.
Dars interjects to tell Berion that he's talked to Garm supporters who said that Garm has helped them build homes, and they don't follow him for strength alone. Zackary stands up to tell people that the reason he thinks this is important is that Garm could be harboring an item related to the Darkness, though he does not directly mention it as civilians are in the room.
Arbor and Deeta doubt that Garm's pack will stop following him via word of mouth, and Garm will die a martyr regardless of what they say. Chipz agrees with Gavin's suggestion and Hoshi tries to gather a group to think up one last plan, but she is shut down by Berion.
Hannah reveals that Medical Squad discovered that blood magic is easier to use on ferals. She suggests that vampires might be controlling the werewolves instead of Garm. Flora strongly advocates for the plan, saying that Garm has destroyed villages just to get to Cinnamon and Pepper. She pushes that Garm has to die.
Ryder says that with all of the odds stacked against them, it seems that Berion is sending them to their deaths, and Aida agrees, saying that Berion's done that already, recalling the Ardent Veil and Crystal Thorn punishment where they fought until an illusioned death.
After some discourse, Berion finalizes three options for the cadets to vote for: Enact the plan to kill Garm, scrap the plan and defend the city, or enact the plan, but subdue Garm instead. Subduing Garm yields the most votes, and the academy begins to plan. Because Shizuko has to attend the vampire party, Rana will be glamoured into a fake Pepper.
A Party and Escort[]
The cadets attend a party in the vampire district
The full moon rises and the invitees, and Leneth who snuck in, head out into the Vampire District. There, they see new and familiar faces including Diavana and Blake from the Red Light District. They stick relatively close to their groups and chat with the vampires before a guest arrives.
As Octavia plays the organ, everyone stands by to await the guest. Lord Godfrey enters the room, followed by Lenora, Edgar, and Blackwin. Bouldernash brings in a large dire bat, held by two gargoyles who hold it in front of Godfrey. Some of the students are taken aback by the creature, but all the vampires delight in its "cuteness." As a performance, Godfrey uses his charm to turn the wild dire bat into a harmless pet.
The escort team battles werewolves in the forest
The partygoers are moved towards the table to feast, and nothing out of the ordinary happens. Godfrey reunites with Chipz and Jamie finds himself a vampire admirer named Elizabeth. After eating, Chipz and Victor disappear unannounced; Leneth and Cortez leave the party to "get some air" and return to the tavern in the Human District. Eventually, the party dies down and everyone leaves. As thanks for helping with the party, Lucina gifts Morgan a small gargoyle.
In the middle of this, the rest of the academy, along with Rainer who left the party early, departed Fallbrook with Rana, glamoured into Pepper. They march into the wild, encountering many werewolves that they fend off. They continue to fight, awaiting the signal from the stealth team.
Garm's Jailbreak[]
Leneth and Cortez return to the tavern where the stealth team and Professor Cassidy are waiting. After the last preparations, the stealth team goes to the front gates, Leneth, Cortez, and Alpha go to the prison, and Cassidy waits at the tavern, planning to meet up with Leneth and Cortez. Thanks to the enacted curfew, they sneakily make their way to the keep. As they approach the prison, Cortez tells Alpha to attack him on the spiral stairs when he releases Garm. Leneth hides close by to watch.
Alpha confronts Chipz in the prison
As the two peek into the prison, they see Chipz standing in front of the jail doors, protected with an arcane lock. Cortez descends and meets Chipz at the doors. He says that he is transferring Garm, but Chipz denies it. Trying to get him to move, Cortez points his gun at Chipz, but Chipz stays with his hands up. The two argue, and Chipz explains that what they are doing is wrong, and he's drawing the line.
Cortez goes to the top and explains the situation to Alpha and Leneth. They try to get a teacher, but Leneth says no one's around and doesn't want to waste his time finding one. Alpha says they will move Chipz by force and open the door.
Chipz falls to his knees and turns into ash.
The three walk down again, and Cortez uses his fire magic to burn the adjacent cell bars, ignoring the lock. Chipz tries to get him to stop, but Alpha slams Chipz into the wall and throws him into a table. Leneth tries to reason with Chipz, but his words are unheard. Chipz runs back to the cell with his hands raised. Cortez deploys a silver bomb, dissipating silver around Chipz. Chipz looks towards Alpha and holds his hand out, "Zaza... I'm sorry." He falls to the ground, disintegrating into ash.
The three are taken aback, Leneth the most worried. Alpha thinks it to be an illusion and tells Cortez to open the gate. He shoots the lock off, and Alpha rips the door open. Cortez orders Alpha back upstairs, and Leneth sneaks out back to his spot. Cortez unlocks the cell door when Alpha sprints down the stairs and slashes at Cortez, seemingly incapacitating him. He urges Garm to move, but Garm takes his time to retrieve his armor and sword. Hoshi enters to check on Chipz, but runs away at the sight in the room.
Garm successfully escapes Fallbrook
Alpha leads Garm out of the keep and through the market where they are seen by many people. As they leave the front gate, Garm emits a loud howl that is met by many roars within Fallbrook. The bells ring out, signaling danger in Fallbrook. The two run off into the forest, followed by the stealth team shortly after. Leneth returns to Cortez to pick him up, and Hoshi comes back, asking where Chipz went. They say he puffed into smoke, and Hoshi acknowledges. Leneth and Cortez leave Fallbrook to pursue Garm and Alpha.
Meanwhile, the partygoers, except Victor, return to the tavern, where Cassidy is visibly worried. Godfrey and his subordinates visited the tavern shortly after Cassidy sent out the stealth team. He has not heard or seen anything from the three in the keep, and the plan relied on nobody being in the streets during the party. Gavin enters, telling them he saw Zack or Garm running through the city.
Everybody is astonished that Garm and the stealth team haven't left. Then, they hear the roars and bells from the outside. They exit the tavern and meet Lenora who witnessed the breakout and revealed that Chipz was in the prison, yet did not leave. With all of the uproar, Cassidy orders the cadets to protect the tavern.
Day 8 Part 2: A Full Moon to Remember[]
Stealth Team: Through the Woods[]
Alpha and Garm trek through the forest, secretly followed by the rest of the stealth team. Here, Alpha questions Garm's motives and ideals and says he's actively harming the reputation of werewolves. Garm says people should fear them for their power, and they will siege Fallbrook to obtain Pepper. Alpha reveals that Pepper left Fallbrook hours ago. Garm is skeptical but says they can still siege and kill the elder vampire, Godfrey.
Zack and Garm travel through the woods on the full moon.
Garm smells something and starts looking around, but Alpha assures him the academy is not following as they would endanger Pepper. He adds that Ascension would probably behead him for freeing Garm. Garm asks if Alpha killed Chipz. Alpha denies it, but Garm says he saw the ash, and there is blood on Alpha's hands either way.
Getting closer, Garm reveals that once they pass the creek, they will reach Withermourne. Alpha asks about his markings and why they're slowly killing him. Garm says that he must consume the strong to survive and be given power by Malar. The two start to smell other scents; Garm is certain they are being tracked, and they continue walking. As they approach some ruins, Alpha asks if Garm has betrayed his people before, and Garm snaps to defend himself, claiming that he was outcast by his pack and left to die.
The two head into the ruins and out of the forest. They walk several miles, still followed by the stealth team, and approach Withermourne Estate.
Fallbrook Team: Town Defense[]
Back in Fallbrook, a masked Victor appears in the corner of the prison. He kneels beside the broken cell door where Chipz died and calls out, "Chipz? Are you there?" The room is silent. Victor draws his rapier and ascends the prison stairs before morphing into a swarm of bats and flying away.
Victor and Godfrey's group arrive at the tavern
At the tavern, Professor Cassidy has left and relinquished command to Vevina and Coretta. They are joined by a few other members and Pepper. While contemplating what to do, Alekai and Ciaphas Kane meet them at the entrance and report that civilians are being escorted to the guards' keep.
Victor arrives and shortly after, Godfrey arrives, followed by Edgar, Octavia, and Vulcan. Godfrey suggests that he use his honor guard to secure the Vampire District, and Ciaphas accepts.
The group begins to move towards the market area when werewolves ambush them from the rooftops. Coretta tells them to keep moving and Vevina leads the group through the district. As they approach the staircase to the keep, more werewolves surround them and the town guards. To assist the fight, Pepper transforms into her wolf form, towering over everyone in the battle. Coretta tells them to avoid killing blows if possible, but Victor chases down a werewolf, killing them in a fit of anger.
A woman runs out of the Red Light District but is pinned by another werewolf. Vevina and Professor Blair try to help her, killing the werewolf in the process. Looking at the woman, they see that she was crushed by the wolf during the scuffle.
Guard Capitan fights ferals
The team moves up to the keep where they drop off Pepper and search the surrounding area, figuring out their next plan. The students guarding the gate grow impatient, as they can hear the screams of civilians and guards fighting at the market. Eventually, the cadets move out and reinforce the guards once more, now joined by Octavia and hunters in Fallbrook.
Gavin and Jin clash with two werewolves when a dark green werewolf and a reddish brown werewolf pull them away from the students. They tell some of the lycans to return to the Werewolf District, and the fighting soon ends. After a short respite, they continue searching the town before heading to the doors of the Werewolf District, and the friendly werewolves, recognized as Denby and Nollo, continue persuading others to return home.
As the group approaches the Werewolf District, they see that the bars keeping the doors shut have broken. Then, a werewolf on the wall roars, followed by the charge of werewolves from the district. Ascension holds a line as Dimitri, Gavin, and Vevina attempt to push the lycans back into the district. Vevina and Gavin hold one back, directing them to go home, but Victor emerges, plunging his sword through the werewolf's chest. Vevina pushes him away, shouting at Victor for killing the werewolf when another grabs her leg, biting and ripping it off. Victor shouts that they're savage animals, slashing at the one attacking Vevina.
A werewolf surrenders to Ascension
As the fighting continues, Shizuko checks up on Victor, replenishing his mana. He tells her that he saw Chipz turn to ash, dying in the prison. Shizuko begins to rage, sprinting around the battlefield attacking the werewolves. Meanwhile, Mason sets an arcane lock on the door to prevent more werewolves from entering.
Finally, they clear the werewolves from the area; some were able to return home, but many more died in the battle. As they tend to their wounds, two more werewolves come limping towards them. Shizuko and Hoshi are quick to guard, but the lycans surrender, wishing to go back to their district. Victor walks up to them but is held back by Morgan who goes to treat their wounds. Mason and Morgan take them to the keep while Victor and Octavia try to reattach Vevina's legs, however, Octavia leaves and Victor is unable to reattach her legs properly.
The team decides to reinforce the stealth squad, although Vevina stays behind as she is not fit to fight anymore, and they leave the gates of Fallbrook.
A Moonlit Confrontation[]
Alpha and Garm move through the deep forest, where Alpha can see Garm drooling profusely. Garm asks about his past, and Alpha says he was held captive by vampires but doesn't know where. They continue walking when they reach an encampment inhabited by a few wolves. Garm points to Withermourne Keep and informs Alpha about Brightmournes' daughter. By being in Withermourne, Alpha has likely contracted the werewolf plague, but the daughter's flesh keeps the afflicted sane. Garm leads Alpha towards an obelisk, surrounded by a pit of bones and spikes. As they step between the ribcage entrance, the moonlight reflects off the obelisk and shines on them, giving them a surge of power.
Garm betrays Zackary, trying to eat him
Garm starts to twitch and mutter to himself, "retrieve the pack, lay siege to Fallbrook." Alpha questions if Garm is sound of mind, and Garm defends himself. He says he will return to Fallbrook to consume Pepper and everyone in Ascension.
Garm drools more, explaining that he and his pack grow hungry and that there is not much to eat. He then eyes Alpha, wondering what he tastes like. Suddenly, Garm lunges at Alpha, grabbing him. He sinks his claws into Alpha's left arm and in one fell swoop, rips it off, drinking the blood from it. Garm says that Alpha will be a worthy sacrifice.
Then, Alpha shifts into his human form but feels himself changing again. Bones extrude from his body, his fur grows exponentially, and Alpha is wrapped in black smoke. As it dissipates, Alpha has two giant, beastly arms, and his head morphs into a werewolf head.
The stealth team engages in battle against Garm
In the distance, Aida fires a flare, prompting the stealth team to move in. Flora, Narali, and Bile jump from the cliffs, slashing at Garm and his hounds. Leneth moves in while Cortez engages at range. Although stricken with many wounds, Garm's natural healing outpaces their damage. The team battles and endures Garm's pack, waiting for the escort team to arrive. During this, Bile takes a devastating slash to his eye, blinding him.
Near the obelisk, a shimmer of light expands into a portal with the escort team on the other side. Arbor, with a severed arm, tries to hold the portal open, but she, Lux, Stark, and Iris are the only ones to make it through before it closes. More werewolves swarm the cadets and Flora struggles against a one as it bites her arm off. She gathers some cadets to the center of the fighting and begins stressing herself out. The ground then rumbles and large vines burst out in a vast area, clearing out some of the werewolves. Flora passes out and the vines retract.
Lux and Iris defend Arbor from Garm
Following Aida's suggestion, Cortez shoots the obelisk multiple times, shattering it and dimming the moonlight. Minutes later, the rest of the escort team shows up, turning the tides of battle.
Amidst the fighting, Rana, still disguised as Pepper, calls out to Garm, gaining his attention. He chases Rana towards Withermourne Keep as more werewolves reinforce the main fight. Back at the obelisk, a small triage has been made to treat the injured. Hannah spots Aida passed out under a cliff and sprints to her aid. She tries to pick Aida up, but Aida's form dissolves into the air. Hannah tells Arbor, remembering that Aida once disappeared during a class with Former Professor Finn.
Rainer duels Garm during the fight
Near Withermourne Keep, Garm backs Rana into a wall but gets surrounded by a few cadets. In a moment of distraction, Rana changes to herself and lets out an ear-piercing scream at Garm. The students all attack Garm, aided by more who follow. Werewolves rush out of Withermourne Keep, creating a large battleground outside the keep.
In the middle of the fight, one of Liang's ribs breaks, puncturing his lung and Stark suffers a deep gash in his shoulder. They are both tended to by Medical Squad, and Stark reengages in battle. Arbor exerts herself while healing and falls unconscious. Overwhelmed, Garm calls for more reinforcements and begins to eat the flesh of the werewolves.
After taking several hits from the academy, Garm retreats to the broken obelisk, pursued by Stark and Iris. His pack aids him, enclosing around the cadets, but they fend them off. Garm tries to gain power from the broken obelisk, but Stark uses wind magic to push him into the pit, impaling Garm on multiple spikes. A mass of werewolves pile on the two as Stark becomes critically injured again. Lux reinforces them, the duo retreats, and the werewolves retrieve Garm from the pit.
With his heightened senses, Garm alerts his pack of academy reinforcements, and soon after, the remaining team from Fallbrook, rejoined by Professor Cassidy enters the fray. Garm's pack dwindles in numbers as the full force of the academy begins to overcome them. Garm faces an onslaught of attacks from the academy and desperately swings his blade around, catching Risei's core in the slashing. He retreats to the obelisk again, but unfortunately, the light has dimmed drastically, and Garm has spent all of his energy.
Iris throws Vevina's web net on Garm, and Lux disarms him. Garm demands Ascension to kill him, and Leneth obliges, expelling his lightning at Garm. Gavin quickly shields Garm from the attack, and Lux kicks Leneth's hand away. The other cadets properly subdue Garm, and he tries to warn them about facing the Brightmourne daughter but is muzzled promptly.
Sacrifices, But At What Cost?[]
Meanwhile, Medical Squad carries the injured to a large tree to treat them. More cadets arrive seeking medical attention and Med Squad scrambles to treat everyone. After a while, Arbor suddenly wakes up, and she starts to cry, saying she cannot feel Aida's presence. Her body cracks as she is comforted and treated by Mason and Morgan.
Iris, injured after the battle
At the obelisk, Gavin heals Garm, preventing him from bleeding out. Cortez asks Garm who he's talked to for the past day. Unmuzzled, Garm lists Zack and everybody in the prison, making sure to note that Cortez killed the "pretty vampire." Madame Minerva is confused for a second, but Cortez keeps questioning. Garm mutters again, "retrieve the pack, siege Fallbrook." Cortez and Hoshi conclude that Garm has been mind-controlled, and Hoshi believes Godfrey is the culprit.
Gavin approaches Garm and casts Protection from Good and Evil to free Garm from a potential charm. Garm's mind clears, and he reveals that he talked to someone in the prison. He doesn't know who but says they spoke powerful words to him, sending him into a rage. Minerva asks if there is anything they can obtain from the area. Garm points to Withermoune Keep and says the answers are within. Professor Berion gathers the cadets and they decide to set up a camp in the forest. In the early morning, they will return to the keep to secure the cure.
Professor Berion relieves Arbor of her duty
Everyone disperses and Berion pulls Arbor aside, asking about Aida. Arbor explains that she and Aida could feel each other's presence, but that connection is gone. She says that this wasn't the first time Aida's disappeared, but it felt different than the last occurrence. Berion asks what Arbor believes as of the situation. Broken, she responds, "I believe, sir, that you've killed her for a second time."
Berion looks down in sorrow then tells Arbor to get herself cleaned up. Before she leaves, Berion relieves Arbor of duty out of concern for her well-being, and Mason Morris will be Ardent Veil's squad leader for the time being.
During this time, news about Chipz is slowly spreading. Alpha briefly told Professor Rainer about the events that transpired, believing Chipz truly died. Cortez gave a more vague explanation to a group of students, still skeptical about his death. Later on, Garm fully explained the jailbreak to Gavin and Hoshi. Gavin asks if vampires leave their clothes when they turn to ash. Garm says they leave their clothes, yet Chipz turned to ash with his clothes.
Professor Berion and Cortez try to mend Risei's core
Meanwhile, Arbor stares at the campfire, silent. Professor Cassidy approaches her and she tells him that she's been relieved of duty. Cassidy seems confused, but Arbor says she might be able to find Aida this way. Cassidy offers his residence if she ever needs a place to stay.
Arbor holds her hand out, and a small rift appears in front of her. Her body starts to crack more as it manifests. Cassidy watches her step through the portal, and just before it closes, he sees her getting ripped apart, and her body shatters into pieces.
At the triage area, Risei starts to flail wildly in her sleep, muttering. Rana calls Berion over who inspects her core. He finds that her core has cracked more since the Garm battle and gets Cortez. Berion supplies Risei with mana while he and Cortez try to mend her core using a shard of light crystal.
As Cortez pushes the shard into Risei's body, she begins to twitch in pain but eventually stops. After a while, she starts to scream and thrash as her core melds with the light crystal, yet tries to reject it as well. She finally wakes up, but Risei's speech becomes limited, and her personality changes to a slightly joyful manner.
Day 9: Return to Withermourne Estate[]
Mid Mission Reports[]
Early the next morning, the cadets wake up in preparation for their excursion to Withermourne Keep. At the front gates, Madame Minerva, Deeta, and Mason return after leaving for Fallbrook the previous night. The three obtained supplies for the camp and picked up Jamie and Ryder. Thalia arrives at their camp later to get an explanation about the mission from Professor Berion.
Cortez, Leneth, Zack, and Hoshi report to Berion about Chipz.
Afterwards, Berion pulls Zackary, Cortez, Leneth, and Hoshi into a tent, requesting a report of the events after the decoy team left Fallbrook. The three outline the events of the party and Garm's jailbreak, including Chipz's death. Hoshi explains that she was scouting around the town, warning Chipz about Godfrey and his group, and later arrived at the aftermath of the conflict in the jail. Leneth believes Chipz and Alpha's scuffle weakened Chipz just enough for the silver bomb to kill him.
After further discussion, Berion dismisses the cadets, and Rana approaches Berion, asking what he did to Risei the previous night. He explains that he and Cortez tried to mend Risei's core with a carved light mana crystal. Rana tells him that Risei's memory has been set back. She recognizes everyone, but she believes she is on a field mission and says she isn't used to her name.
Later, Berion holds a squad leader meeting to report on the status of the academy. Six of their members are critically injured, including a comatose Stark and Vevina with three severed legs which had been promptly reattached, but improperly. Arbor and Aida are missing in action, though Aida is believed to be dead. Finally, Berion reports to the leaders that Chipz was killed in action, following potential treason. Gavin tries to tell Berion about his talk with Garm regarding Chipz, but Berion cuts him off. With Arbor gone, Mason is officially squad leader of Ardent Veil. Zackary states he is unfit to fight, leaving Ryder and Jamie as the rest of Vanguard. Since most of their stealth cadets are unable to fight, Berion opts for a frontal march into the keep.
Head First into the Keep[]
After a mission brief, Ascension, joined by Thalia heads out towards the keep. As they approach, the entrance is barred by a portcullis with werewolves on the other side. Professor Berion tries talking to the werewolves, requesting that they open the gate, but his words go unheard by the ferals. The academy forces their way in, blasting and melting the metal bars to pieces, and slaying the werewolves that attack them.
Crossing the bridge, they find a large door secured by an arcane lock. Mason tries to unweave the lock while the academy covers him. As he works, a loud knock emits from the door and out through the forest around them. He unlocks the door and the academy enters the keep.
As Ascension descends the stairs, they witness werewolves scratching and smearing runes on the walls. Examining them closer, the cadets find that these werewolves are completely devoid of their minds, possibly due to the lasting effects of the disease. Unable to open the locked doors, they backtrack up the keep.
During a battle on the top floor, Cortez and Misty find a lever marked with a gemstone similar to the door downstairs. With permission, Misty pulls it.
Downstairs, the door with the gemstone has opened, and the academy descends further into the keep after defeating the werewolves. They enter a large hall with another door locked by a gemstone. Far from them, two werewolves emerge from the second floor. They watch the academy, and one mutters, "Must... protect.. my daughter," the other, "Must... protect... my sister."
The werewolves jump down and attack the cadets, reinforced by more feral werewolves. However, their efforts are futile as the academy cuts them down. After treating their wounds, they proceed to the next room.
Patient Zero[]
The next room seems to be an alchemy room, filled with tubes connecting from different areas, giant, bubbling cauldrons, and a workstation littered with books. Professor Blazeheart examines a burned and blood-stained journal. It speaks of a researcher named Kalleach who used blood magic and a tomb they found to progress the cure exponentially. Another book outlines the recipe for a deterrent for a creature they locked up, but the pages are damaged and some of the steps are unreadable.
Other students find a locked door that leads into a giant cave. More tubes fill the room, and a giant, bipedal beast with a skull for a head sits dormant in the middle. As they figure out what to do, a few feral werewolves run past them and break open the gate, charging towards the creature.
Professor Nisha and Blazeheart stay behind to figure out how to make the deterrent while the rest of the academy engages the creature. In the cave, the beast defends itself from the students. Eventually, it begins to shoot a beam out of its chest to ward off the cadets. As the battle continues, a lot of the cadets sustain injuries.
Shizuko returns to the two in the alchemist's room, telling them to turn on the gas. Having finished the concoction, they release the gas into the cave. The creature staggers and falls, and the academy capitalizes on the opportunity, finishing off the creature.
Slain, the body of the creature morphs, and it briefly reveals its human features. Those who witness learn who they had just killed: a young woman in her 20s, assumed to be the Brightmourne's daughter. Blazeheart takes a sample of her blood for the cure.
Day 10: Trickery and Damage Control[]
An Unwelcoming Return[]
After a day of rest, Ascension Academy returns to Fallbrook. The town is quiet, recovering from the siege a couple of nights ago. They greet the tavern owner Caine who seems irritated. The cadets learn why as he shows them the latest newspaper that documented the events of the siege, and unexpectedly, the conflict within the dungeon.
Although the information is true, some cadets question the newspaper's writing choices. For example, the paper mentions Zackary Fang and Emanuel Cortez as the ones in the dungeon, but fails to mention Leneth Monomyle who was present. Additionally, it only mentions how Godfrey's Strigoi Guard helped defend the town when both the town guard and the hunters helped. Lastly, the newspaper reveals Chipz's lord status and his connection to Queen Tess, something most of the cadets did not know.
Later on, the academy is summoned to the town hall by the lords. As they enter, the room is filled with civilians—murmuring and insulting the academy; the three lords face them, and Godfrey sits on the late Joshua Kane's throne above. Ciaphas calls attention to the academy's operation and its results, as outlined by the news. Professor Berion defends their actions and shows his sympathy for Chipz and the city's losses, offering help in any way. The crowd riles up, heckling Berion and mocking his profession as a paladin. Berion takes full responsibility for everything that happened, prompting Ciaphas to enforce his decision.
Ciaphas places Professor Berion under arrest, as Captain Dimitri places him in handcuffs. Vevina and Hannah try to intervene but are quickly silenced. The rest of Godfrey's group appears, and Lenora suggests that Berion is imprisoned in vhe Vampire District. Blackwin and the Strigoi Guard then escort him to the Vampire District, and Ascension, low-spirited, returns to the tavern.
Look Within Yourself[]
Before the assembly, Victor located Chipz's scar in Ignis dorm. Presenting this to Risei and Rana, he revealed that scars normally disappear when their owners die. Since Chipz's scar is still intact, it is either cursed, or he is still alive. He later told this to Shizuko, and they planned to investigate the prison along with Ellie. Coincidentally, Madame Minerva and Professor Nisha had the same plan, and the five of them made their way to the prison after the assembly.
In the prison, Shizuko, holding Chipz's scar, tries to search for his soul; however, the feeling of death and suffering permeates the room. Shizuko sees the souls screaming and begging to be freed; she prays, eventually guiding them to the afterlife and clearing the room of the energy. Attempting to search again, Shizuko senses a familiar soul, and something resonates within the scar. Victor and Ellie suddenly fall unconscious, and Shizuko seems to disappear from inside the prison.
The trio finds themselves in a large hall with no doors and windows that lead to nothing. Across from them, a woman sits, playing the piano. Victor recognizes the area, revealing that Shizuko transported them into his mindscape, and his scar is the woman on the piano. The cadets approach, and Victor's scar happily greets them, ecstatic at the sight of Ellie, and introduces herself as Vow.
Vow explains that when Chipz turned to ash, she felt his scar start to resonate within her. Vow, Victor, and Shizu try to sense Chipz's scar, and Vow discovers that she and Chipz are still alive somewhere. Vow takes Chipz's sword and opens a rift, where they return to the prison cells.
The Search for Chipz[]
The three cadets wake up to Madame Minerva and Gavin watching over them. Victor tells them Chipz is still alive. Shizuko pours her mana into his scar and leaves the prison toward Chipz. The group follows her through the district, and they end up at the doors of Vampire District. The rest hesitate, but Shizuko runs in before being stopped by a Strigoi guard. Victor negotiates by telling the guard he is showing the group around the district. The guard allows them entry, escorting them to Lord Godfrey.
When they arrive at the manor, Blackwin appears at the door, gesturing to enter. The party enters and sees Godfrey sitting next to a fireplace. Victor kneels, explaining to Godfrey that they wanted a tour of the district; he adds that this could help relations between Ascension and the vampires. Godfrey is disappointed, reminding Victor that cattle shouldn't be allowed to be in the manor and telling Blackwin to teach Victor a lesson.
Blackwin picks up Victor and slams him into the coffee table. He continues to kick and punch Victor in front of the cadets, and Victor antagonizes Blackwin, prompting him to slam Victor's head into the wall repeatedly. Ellie becomes infuriated, but Gavin holds her close. Bloody and broken, Victor returns to Godfrey, who allows him to give the group a basic tour. In the main hall, Minerva looks over Victor's wounds, finding that too many bones are broken to treat. Despite his injuries, Victor continues with the tour around the manor.
On their way back to the Human District, Shizuko feels a pull towards a door. She moves closer to the origin but is blocked by a guard. The rest of the party briefly meets Ciaphas, Alekai, and Diavana, who are surprised at their presence. Afterward, Victor tells the group to leave the district. Gavin tries to get Shizuko's attention, but Victor says he'll handle her and tells Gavin to leave. The guard leaves Victor and Shizu alone, and she tells him that Chipz is alive, right under their feet. Seizing the opportunity, Shizuko sinks to the floor, and Victor turns invisible, following her in hopes of finding their friend.
From the Ashes[]
tbd
Day 11: Working Against the Clock[]
Grueling Training[]
tbd
Day 11.5: Honey Hill[]
Participants[]
tbd
Day 12: Woodland Excursion[]
Goblin Shenanigans[]
Day 13: The Arena[]
Berion and Chipz Cage Match[]
Day 14: Blood and Poison[]
Blood Tithe[]
tbd
Poison Seller[]
Day 15: An Unwelcome Visitor[]
Inquisitor's Visit[]
tbd
Alchemical Breakthrough[]
tbd
The Light is Snuffed Out[]
tbd
Day 15.5: Temple of the Eventide[]
Participants[]
Day 16: The Point of No Return[]
The First Cure[]
tbd
Father's Funeral[]
tbd
Hot off the Presses[]
tbd
The Last Straw[]
tbd
Day 17 Part 1: Fallbrook's Boiling Point[]
Roderick Kane has been assassinated, by Victor Heinrich under Lord Godfrey’s orders. Meanwhile a determined Professor Berion escaped his jailers and returned to the Academy. Ciaphas and Alekai Kane have mobilized Ascension Academy and the Town Guard to confront Lord Godfrey and his forces. Entering the Vampire District, the Academy finds it empty & confronts Lord Godfrey, Lenora, Blackwin and Edgar within the Mansion. However, a trap was set, as both Chipz and Victor were summoned to betray their comrades. Victor accepted, while Chipz resisted and futilely attacked Godfrey. With Victor’s betrayal, the Academy is ambushed as Lord Godfrey flees towards the Catacombs of Fallbrook.
Fighting their way out of the District, a still-charmed Rana is ordered by the Vampiress Lenora to attack her own professor Berion, heavily wounding the returned Paladin. The Town erupts into chaos as Feral Vampires begin to surge out from the sewers attacking all in sight. The Academy valiantly fought off the Ferals and have pushed back the Lieutenants. They have seemly lost an ally in Victor but have gained a new one in Octavia, who has went against her Masters and assists the Academy. Berion remains unconscious and several are injured.
Day 17 Part 2: A Showdown for the Ages[]
After treachery and the assassination, Ascension Academy gave chase into the catacombs of Fallbrook to put a stop to the Vampire's plan. Fighting through waves of Ferals, surviving an encounter with a Varghiest and battling the lieutenants, the Academy discovered a ritual. In his failed attempt at finding the Necronomicon, The Vampire Lord planned to enact an ancient ritual and spell to subjugate all of the Ferals under Fallbrook, creating himself an army.
Entering a spiral staircase, The Acadmy encountered caged humans who attacked them after being charmed by Lenora. Using the distraction, the Lieutenants grievously injured Professor Nisha. AA rushed to her aid and barely managed to stabilize her. But needing to carry on and stop the Ritual the Academy promised to return for her.
Meanwhile the duplicitous Victor sprung his own plan. Leading Chipz, Hannah and Ellie to a secret tunnel with the goal of stopping Lord Godfrey once and for all.
With a combined effort the Academy assaulted the ritual platform and fought the Lieutenants, while Victor, Chipz, Hannah and Ellie battled Godfrey. At the climax of the fight Victor made a killing blow and defeated the Vampire Lord putting a stop to the ritual, and effectively succeeding his Master.
The young Vampire ordered the Academy and Lieutenants to cease fighting, though there are several who still seek revenge. Blackwin and Lenora begrudgingly obeyed, however Edgar's whereabouts are unknown. Retrieving Nisha, the Academy hastily returned to the surface and closed any passageways they could find.
Day 18: Farewell, Fallbrook[]
Bittersweet Results[]
Human citizens are lukewarm with the results the AA cadets have brought to Fallbrook. While AA did indeed save many citizens from death during Godfrey's massacre, many are still very unhappy with how AA decided to resolve the Garm situation.
Werewolf citizens are more grateful to AA, as they finally have a usable cure to their plague. Any gripes about Garm are quickly silenced in the face of such a massive accomplishment.
Vampire citizen reacts are very hard to tell, due to their secretive nature. Most are unsettled that Godfrey was killed and usurped by an outsider. But such is the nature of vampire politics, and many are content to scheme from the shadows about the future of vampires in Fallbrook.
The Lord's Coronation[]
All of the AA students and teachers are gathered for one last meeting at the town hall. It is there that Ciaphas Kane is crowned ruler of Fallbrook. While Ciaphas thanks AA for the help in curing the werewolf plague, as well as to help keep the peace in town, he still intends for Fallbrook to remain out of the CAF's jurisdiction. While not every citizen agrees with the decision to have another vampire as a ruler, most are at least satisfied with having Godfrey removed.
A Murder Most Foul[]
As the day came to a close, the vampire Elizabeth met again with Jamie Mulberry, with the intention to explain herself and tell him her feelings. Jamie lured Elizabeth out of Fallbrook with the guise of showing her a magic coin trick. It was then that Elizabeth let her guard down, and Jamie was able to kill her instantly by launching a silver coin into her head. Her body then turned to ash.
Jamie was almost able to get away with the murder, but Misty Flame (using her hellhound senses) was able to uncover Elizabeth's possessions and link the murder to Jamie. Misty then proceeded to tell the rest of Gallant Squad about the murder, who then in turn told Professor Berion Gelinnas. Berion proceeded to arrest and confine Jamie to his sleeping quarters, with the intention of investigating further in the morning.
Until We Meet Again[]
Everyone in AA says their goodbyes to all the many Fallbrook citizens they have come to know during their stay. Hannah Hart also announces she is leaving AA and staying permanently in Fallbrook. Due to the combination of her knowledge of creating the cure for the werewolf plague and the fact that the previous alchemist Samantha Higgins has died, Hannah intends to become the replacement head alchemist in Fallbrook. Everyone says their goodbyes, and wishes her the best for the future.
With their goodbyes said, the cadets stay in the inn for one final night, and then leave Fallbrook in the morning. They spend the next 3 weeks traveling over land and sea, before finally returning safely to Ascension Academy.
Overall Mission Results []
- Ciaphas Kane is crowned ruler of Fallbrook.
- Rodrick Kane is dead, assassinated by an agent of Godfrey.
- Godfrey is dead, slain by Victor Heinrich, Chipz, Hannah Hart, and Ellie Esca
- By killing Godfrey, Victor Heinrich now holds control over Lenora Valaine, Blackwin The Immortal, and Edgar Van Richten.
- Hundreds of citizens dead, including the town alchemist, Samantha Higgins.
- Ascension successfully produces a cure for the werewolf plague.
- The padfoot's whereabouts remain unknown.
- The Siphoners' whereabouts remain unknown.
- Arbor and Aida are missing in action.
- Hannah Hart resigns from Ascension Academy. They intend to stay in Fallbrook as the replacement alchemist.
- Jamie Mulberry is arrested for the murder of a Fallbrook citizen.
- Neither the Necronomicon nor a suspected Darkness General was located.
Trivia[]
- Evelyn Ludwig makes her first on-screen appearance, she was first mentioned in a wanted poster during Year 1.
- This is the biggest and longest single mission in Ascension, lasting 23 sessions in 5 months.
Vod's[]
Ignis[]
- Chipz's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Victor's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 (1), (2) / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 (1), (2) / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Vevina's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 6 / Day 7 (1), (2) / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 (1), (2) / Day 13 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Risei's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 (1), (2) / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Hoshi's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
Ardent Veil[]
- Arbor's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2
- Hannah's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 (1), (2) / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Deeta's POV: Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 (1), (2) / Day 10 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 (1), (2) / Day 18
- Dars' POV: Day 2 / Day 3 (1), (2) / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 15 / Day 17 Pt. 1 (1), (2) / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
Vanguard[]
- Zackary's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 12 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1
- Augusta's POV: Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 18
- Ryder's POV: Day 5 / Day 13 / Day 17 Pt. 2
- Jamie's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Iris' POV: Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Lyshteia's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 12 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
Crystal Thorn[]
- Flora's POV: Day 1 (1), (2) / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 (1), (2) / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Morgan's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 (1), (2) / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Lux's POV: Day 1 (1), (2) / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
Gallant[]
- Bile's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 (1), (2) / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 13 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 18
- Narali's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 (1), (2) / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 18
- Misty's POV: Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Cortez's POV: Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 (1), (2) / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Leneth's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16* / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
General[]
- Gavin's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 12 / Day 17 Pt. 2
- Coretta's POV: Day 1 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 11
- Euphemy's POV: Day 3 / Day 4
Teachers[]
- Professor Berion's POV: Day 1 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 11 / Day 13 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Professor Blazeheart's POV: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 10 (1), (2), (3) / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Professor Nisha's POV: Day 3 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
Army of Darkness[]
- Evee's POV: Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1
- Lucina's POV: Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 8 Pt. 1 (1), (2) / Day 11 / Day 18
- Octavia's POV: Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1* / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Edgar's POV: Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 (1), (2) / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 (1), (2) Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
- Anabelle Morris's POV: Day 10
- Howlcifer's POV (DM/Garm/Solomon): Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 11 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15.5 / Day 18
- Ariyana's POV (Bouldernash/Jane): Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 11 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 18
- The_Friendliest's POV (Blackwin/Haze): Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 11 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
- WittyKitty's POV (Lenora/Cinnamon): Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 10 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
- MM_016's POV (Lorio Dimitri/Blake Salazar): Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 2 / Day 9 / Day 12 / Day 13 / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 (1), (2) / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- Lt Dan's POV (Samantha Higgins/Elizabeth Martielle): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLizieVOnP18Za-1WMZ2baGvOmRqwS7K9i
- ZexalNexus's POV (Raven Law/Reese): Day 1 (1), (2) / Day 2 / Day 3 (1), (2) / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 6.5 / Day 7 / Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 (1), (2) / Day 9 / Day 10 / Day 11 / Day 11.5 / Day 12 / Day 13 (1), (2) / Day 14 / Day 15 / Day 15.5 / Day 16 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2 / Day 18
- CyberZs's POV (Alastor Phantomhive): Day 8 Pt. 1 / Day 8 Pt. 2 (1), (2)
- NiFaux's POV (Vow/Witch Ranni): Day 15 / Day 17 Pt. 1 / Day 17 Pt. 2
*These VODs are unhighlighted and subject to deletion.
Clips[]
- Forestry skills? nah I'm from the streets
- Zack Gonna Get Euphy Killed
- Telling the feral off
- Hot Gods
- You look...
- I may not be your leader any longer
- The urge to bite
- Euphemy LaCroix, Professional Haggler
- Majestic
- Euphy delivers a Severe Burn
- He got moves
- You mid
- Don't make eye contact
- Are we the good guys? / Cassidy grills Ryder
- The Pleading
- Good luck, dog.
- Zack has no filter
- God Damn, Chipz
- Office meetings be like
- "I don't believe I gave you permission to stand"
- Professor Blair is based
- Coretta stare
- That did nothing
- MOVE, MALE
- Arbor opens up
- Haven't said this in a while
- New side excitement
- Chipz goes poof
- Brother's call
- It means he's dead
- Aida vanishes
- Thank you leader of Ardent Veil: Arbor
- Gottem
Gallery[]
Day 1[]
Day 2[]
Day 3[]
Day 4[]
Day 5[]
Day 6[]
Day 6.5[]
Day 7[]
Day 8[]
Day 18[]
Miscellaneous[]
