EVENT #18: ENDGAME PART 2/2
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Event #18: END GAME PART 2/2
Imperial soldiers are in high spirits as they board warships and pilots don armors. Their generals are at the helm, and even the Emperor makes an appearance in his large crimson and gold armor to lead those heading to Bavrecht and The Vault. Victory feels close.
The Corsairs are not alone in this battle though.
Citizens across both the Upper and Lower Isles have realized this might be their chance for freedom. Sympathetic groups had been reaching out to the Corsairs ever since the radio transmission had gone out, many of them those who had been protected by the Corsairs in some way before. Freed slaves and their loved ones, those who had been treated or given vaccines by Corsair healers, villagers who had been protected from natural disasters by the Corsairs, worshippers of the Old Religion, non-humans who had been second class citizens all their lives... Even some Bounty Hunters and Nobles reveal that they'd like to see things change.
With their new allies ready to take up arms and provide supplies, the Corsair leaders make plans to pincer attack the army, and bring Emery and the Will of Apollo home. The strongest of the Corsairs are entrusted to confront the leaders of the Empire and the Church of the Divine.
MISSIONS
Surround the Imperial Army: Once again, the Imperial Army descends on the Lower Isles with their generals leading the way. The fleets split, with warships heading for multiple isles where Corsairs were believed to be, and seeking out Flotsam once more. The Vault on Bavrecht draws the most firepower now that its location is known.
The Corsairs and their allies come at the army from two directions. Those waiting below on the Lower Isles and on sea, and those hiding in the Upper Isles, who will surprise the army with an attack from above.
Description: The Corsairs are spread across the map and will find battle in air, land, and sea. Defend The Vault or other Lower Isles locations, in the Upper Isles sneak into position to board ships and take the army from above. The Generals, including the Emperor's favorite, Quirin Blumstein, are all priority targets. The battle lasts several days, making it possible for characters to travel between battle sites at different times.
General Quirin Blumstein may be played by a log leader or written jointly by all participating players.
Additional General NPCs can be created by players and thrown into threads as desired. The Emperor can appear briefly but will not be seriously injured in this prompt, and his soldiers will enthusiastically intercept attacks aimed at him.
Additional NPC information is in the comments below.
Invade the Palace: Those who aided Odilo's escape from the capitol will remember the layout of the floating island and the expansive Varschein Palace occupying it. Last mission here had been outside and on the first couple levels of the palace. This time, the palace must be explored further to find Emery and any other allies being held prisoner there.
The palace has two known areas usually dedicated to holding people. One in the upper floors of a tower, the other in the underground floors. Spies have provided maps, and warn that both locations are miles from the easiest entrances to slip through. It could save time to attack the main entrance and go from there, but only if the Honor Guard there are neutralized quickly.
Spies also warn that the Pope of the Divine and a few other high ranking priests are guarding Emery. It's unclear where he'll be held at the moment the Corsairs arrive, as he has been moved a few times over several days. The Pope seems paranoid and is in a terrible mood despite being the safest one present, having been blessed with his own godly power. Emery has made no move to try escaping yet, but the Pope frets, regardless.
Description: Decide how to enter the palace. Take on those guarding the palace head on, or slip past them while others keep them distracted. Locate the dungeon where Emery is located and remove his power suppressing collar. From there, Corsairs must decide whether to leave the Palace or stay and fight any enemies not yet defeated.
Apollo's power cannot be used to attack the Honor Guard and other soldiers without cursing Emery, but it can shield the Corsairs. Apollo and Hades can, mysteriously, attack the Church of the Divine leaders without being cursed. Emery is currently an NPC. He and the Pope can be played by a log leader or shared among players.
Emery will be found in the tower prison, while other Corsairs who were taken are in the basement. Let the mods know if your character wants to open the Golden Door. See comments for more information on the locations.
The Emperor: Emperor Cladius Varschein II sees his generals begin to fall and is alerted to an attack on the palace. Enraged and bewildered, he returns to his palace to seek out his throne and conjure up his greatest power.
The final battle takes place in the throne room. Only those willing to give their lives should face him.
Status: Open
Description: Face the emperor in direct battle at risk of serious injury and possible death. Defeat him by either death or inability to fight.
2-4 participants may take part in this prompt. The Emperor will be played by the mod account.
Wildcard
Description: Not playing a fighter? There is much to prepare in anticipation of battle- traps to set, spells to cast on equipment and weapons, repairs to tune ups. Even an inspiring speech or a thoughtful battle plan for a specific island is in demand. Injured will need treatment and civilians who have little experience in battle might need help taking cover if they are overwhelmed.
OOC INFORMATION
-You may join as many open prompts as you desire. The final battles take long enough that someone might be called away to a different front as circumstances change.
-If you wish to kill your character (temporarily or permanently), feel free to DM
blessmefather about any desired interaction with Hades in the underworld.code credit
NPC & LOCATION INFORMATION
Date: 2026-02-17 11:09 am (UTC)Information available here.
The Church of the Divine and The Pope of the Divine
As some offworlder characters have wondered, there is a reason the Gods of Esthere bear names shared by gods in other worlds. Gods who had once been worshipped in other worlds left their homes after their religions faded, and wandered the void.
There a group of these fading deities found a plentiful gathering of ether, which together they used to create the world of Esthere and the peoples. The gods' power, and by extension their life forces, depended on the faith of their worshippers. It was their hope to extend their lives through the faith of the people on this new world.
But as the Corsairs have seen, the original gods have since passed on and left the traces of their powers to new generations. The Church of the Divine has attempted to erase the Old Religion and in turn erase all that remains of the original gods. This was the demand of The Divine they worship.
The old gods were not the only powerful beings to walk upon Esthere. A being known as Lucifer, who had escaped his prison, found Esthere while running from those who had locked him up for his evil deeds. A fallen angel who embodies betrayal, Lucifer found the hearts of the Imperials ripe for targeting and began siphoning the faith of the world for his own purposes, and he became The Divine.
The Pope of the Divine is Lucifer's chosen avatar, much like Emery is Apollo's or Matthias is Hades'. He has been granted great skill in light and divine magic, and angel wings. He is not a god though, and Lucifer is still not as powerful as the old gods, even now.
Lucifer speaks to the Pope in his mind, and has warned him of the danger of Apollo or Hades attacking. The gods will be cursed if they interfere with mortals by attacking the Empire, but an attack on the Church of the Divine would be an attack on Lucifer, and a punishment for his interference. The Corsairs must not find out about this vulnerability, and Emery must be kept locked up.
The Varschein Palace
Basic setting information available here.
Going further into the palace this time, the Corsairs will come across stairways up into the multiple towers and stairways that go down into the basement floors. The Throne Room is located in the largest, tallest tower near the center of the palace.
The Upper Dungeon
The Upper Dungeon in one of the palace towers is the aesthetically nicer prison of the two. The cells are slightly larger, there's are slit windows allowing some light, and the hall is wider. These cells are typically reserved for scaring misbehaving nobles that the Emperor doesn't want to punish quite as badly.
In this case, the width of the hall and the cells allow the priests guarding Emery to all fit comfortably and cast spells to reinforce his restraints without bumping into each other.
The Lower Dungeon and Something else...
The Lower Dungeon is very much the typical dark prison found in castles. Rows upon rows of cells are packed with enemies of the empire and subjects who disappointed the Emperor. Everyone is fitted with a power suppressing collar.
There's also a golden door adorned with the Empire's insignia about halfway down the stairs down to the lower dungeon. It's locked, but might be possible to force if Corsairs find time to explore. If you wish to open this door in "Invade the Palace" please tell the mods.
The Honor Guard
The Honor Guard are stationed around the outside of the palace and make rounds up and down the large halls throughout, with heavier concentration closer to the throne room.
All guards wear large armor built emphasizing steadiness and strength over speed. They will give their lives to protect the Emperor and other important leaders. Their specialty lies in melee combat, and an unarmored, regular person would suffer serious injury or death from a single landing blow. Magic spells are not their specialty and general healing spells are about as much as they know. They rely instead on their armors, physique, and enchanted weapons. Most carry swords or spears, but there are canon carriers as well.
Emperor Cladius Varschein II
The Emperor wears his own heavy armor, made of the finest metals and blessed to prevent damage. He wields a giant greatsword and a hand-cannon for ranged attacks. Like the Honor Guard, his melee attacks are powerful and likely to cause serious damage or death when they land.
Rumors claim his magic is considered the strongest in the empire, and it is said he has mastered every school taught by the Imperial Academy despite not being called a mage. Spies have reported that the Emperor is strongest when in his throne room, but it's not entirely clear how. The best guess of those who have been serving in the palace undercover is that he has some kind of ether reserve there, gathered from his most loyal subjects when they kneel before him.
MOD CONTACT / QUESTIONS
Date: 2026-02-17 11:09 am (UTC)SIGN UP FOR THE EMPEROR
Date: 2026-02-17 11:10 am (UTC)Re: SIGN UP FOR THE EMPEROR
Date: 2026-02-24 04:14 am (UTC)Re: SIGN UP FOR THE EMPEROR
Date: 2026-02-27 03:04 am (UTC)Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-02-25 01:51 am (UTC)Natalia opened the wings of the glider and descended, deep into the maw of anti-aircraft fire and ether-guided missilery that... Completely ignored her. At this point, she had to trust that the others were coming down after her, and could navigate the conditions.
She was loaded down, almost as hard as the glider could stand and still operate; one satchel charge, her magic weapon, an air-loading rifle, holdout pistol, a small coterie of explosives stolen from the labs, and a sense for the pulse of combat singing in her veins. Combine with the armor, and it's a wonder the glider caught lift at all.
And if she has a passenger....
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-10 01:39 am (UTC)"If I need to, I can bail us out, but..." but it meant less magic for any future fights.
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-10 05:29 am (UTC)"So do not worry. You are in safe hands, though I can only hope that some of these explosions are Kirishima's armored column."
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-14 12:28 am (UTC)Manic is fine. Manic is better than thinking about the level of risk they are taking.
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-14 01:39 am (UTC)Had to bleed some of this velocity, or when the time came to land all they'd have to show are a broken glider and broken bones.
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-14 02:28 pm (UTC)Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-17 10:15 pm (UTC)She sails over the wall, far, far too fast. The walls of the prison tower are rising up for them both. When's she going to pull up. when is she going to pull up!?
Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-20 01:37 pm (UTC)Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-21 09:22 am (UTC)Re: Rescuing Emery
Date: 2026-03-21 04:19 pm (UTC)Hopefully the Corsairs are used to Ilphyl's giant scorpion form; the guards might know the Corsairs have a shapechanger, but that still doesn't handle a scorpion the size of a horse advancing menacingly on them.
OTA
Date: 2026-02-27 03:02 am (UTC)As the Corsairs and their allies prepare for battle, Matthias makes stops to several of the Corsair strongholds around the Lower Isles to offer a blessing from Hades to help protect them. He's accompanied by a small group of older adults, all dressed in humble robes that are embroidered with a few symbols associated with the Old Gods.
People line up to receive the blessing, and speak with him. Matt puts on a brave face and tries to keep the mood light, though during breaks to eat or drink he sits off to the side lost in a brooding silence. "Matthias, Son, they're waiting for you," one of the priestesses reminds him after a while, resting her hands on his shoulders. He nods and returns to work.
Eventually some of the Corsairs he knows better have their turn for blessing. Matt smiles and beckons them closer. "Any spell requests?" he asks, only half joking. If he doesn't know the protection spell the Corsair wants, the priests and priestesses might.
Invade the Palace
On the ship flying to the Capitol Isle, Matt hands out coins to the other Corsairs. "These are enchanted so if you hold the coin and call out to me in your mind, I'll hear it and be able to find you. I can be there quickly by entering and exiting the Throne Room of Hades where you're located."
He straightens up his posture and pushes his glasses up his nose. "I'll be avoiding the guards for now, but if it comes to it, I'll fight even the Emperor himself, even if I'm cursed for breaking the old gods' rules about interfering with mortal politics. If he can be freed and access his power, Emery might be able to heal even that kind of curse. Either way, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make if it frees us all."
Re: OTA
Date: 2026-03-13 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-20 01:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-20 01:43 pm (UTC)"I know what clerics back home could do. But here there isn't a split between divine and arcane magic -- at least not in the Empire." Ilphyl doesn't know if Matt or Emery could empower clerics; they personally were already spoken for so anything more than what they'd ask from a fellow spellcaster couldn't be done.
OTA
Date: 2026-02-27 03:35 am (UTC)Atom joins the wave of Corsairs who come up on the Imperial forces from above. He hitches a ride on one of the many bounty hunter fighter ships on the way down, and prepares to fly swiftly down to clash with the Imperial armor pilots below.
But first, he might as well make an offer to the others. "Anyone want a lift onto one of the warships?"
Distracting and defeating a crew midair is a Corsair specialty after all.
Invade the Palace- Going Down
With Natalia's group gliding in from high up, Atom figures he should cover the lower areas and aim to check the basement dungeon. He has the blueprints that spies provided in his memory- thankfully accurate so far- making the Honor Guard the biggest concern on the way.
ZAP. THUD.
"Sorry," Atom whispers after tasing a servant who spotted him and nearly screamed. He hurries to drag the unconscious servant over to the nearest wall so they don't get trampled by accident. It's a little easier to do, he notices, thanks to his recently increased height. If they weren't in a hurry, he'd share the discovery with those accompanying him.
"If we have to rush away from some guards, I think I can fly us the rest of the way to the stairs down to the dungeon- if you don't mind being carried," he whispers to the nearest Corsair.
The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-09 01:55 pm (UTC)But the tides had changed. Now the generals he had hand picked were falling one by one to the counterattacks of Corsairs and the disloyal subjects who were following them. He could see where this was going despite how much blood his sword drew. For every Corsair ship he cut down, several more appeared. As the Imperial Army was picked away they were becoming the minority.
Then an urgent message reached him: the Corsairs had sent people to the palace to free the false god. Neither the Honor Guards, nor the High Priests, nor the Pope himself could hold them off completely. The battle was on all fronts then, and they were losing control.
He leaves the last of his generals, trusting their judgment and refusing to be the one to command a retreat, and flies to the capitol at high speed in his armor. There's no time for fanfare, only battle- instead of entering through the doors he comes crashing through the giant stained glass window above his throne. The shattering and landing thud echoes loudly through the palace halls. Guards pause in the middle of battle, recognizing what the sound likely was, looking almost relieved.
Standing in front of his throne, the Emperor sweeps his arm and the embedded ether crystals grow brighter as he draws in power. He starts with a location spell to reveal the location of each Corsair in the palace, closing his eyes and allowing the visions to pour in.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-09 04:09 pm (UTC)She, one of the greatest infiltrators on Esthere,
And one of the fiercest fighters, now revealed to be the same person.
A muzzle dances in hatred.
As ever, her weapons are stolen, her industry precise. As she has chosen for the few times she has openly taken the field, playing at a noble's rank.
And at that, for all she presses the Pope dearly--
Is she a diversion?
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-09 04:48 pm (UTC)This tends to be the last mistake they make, before cold blades cut them down.
Doors opened as locks shattered. And those unaware of Kaitlyn might think the icy cold was purely Natalia's.
Kaitlyn almost liked that. Or perhaps she was just too focused to take any credit for herself.
"We're getting closer. You ready?", she finally asks, her voice oddly quiet - her form concealed in snowdrifts now appearing within the palace itself, thanks to for example the occasional blasted hole in the wall.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-10 01:21 am (UTC)"Yes. Let's do this."
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-13 01:53 am (UTC)The battles going on throughout the capitol make walls and windows shake. He can sense defeated soldiers leaving the mortal realm and hear voices whispering spells between cries and crashes. When he pauses, seeking out signs of the souls within the palace, he picks up on large amounts of ether and spirit way up in one of the towers and somewhere down below. Emery could be either one of them. Thankfully, other Corsairs had headed to both areas.
He's just about choose a group to join when the Emperor comes crashing into the palace. Matt's heart sinks at the powerful presence that just entered. Emery's soul was powerful but had a gentleness to it. This soul was more of a sparking ember that could erupt into flame at any minute. It had to be the Emperor.
Matt turns and heads in the direction of the throne room. If the Corsairs had found Emery, they need to get his collar off quickly. If needed, Emery could hide in his throne room- even hide the others as well- but he'd have to recover some power first.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-13 02:03 am (UTC)The False God is no longer surrounded by the watchful eyes of the Pope and the High Priests. The Corsairs are there with him now.
Claudius raises his hands out in front of him and starts casting other spells. First, a flurry of magic arrows to take the Corsairs by surprise and distract them from their task. A flock of arrows form out of ether in the air above him and go whizzing out of the broken window above the throne towards the tower from multiple directions. In a minute, the arrows come breaking through the tower windows to fly at Emery and his rescuers.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-13 02:09 am (UTC)Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-13 08:57 am (UTC)Mind, that cloak now had some tatters through it, but-- "Now!"
Now, instead of fighting the Icedancer in melee with support from Kaitlyn, they were in the swirling snow-trap of Kaitlyn while Natalia opened fire with her rifle to keep their heads down.
She looked at Emery's suppression collar...
And laughed. "Two years and they haven't updated these things."
She takes the arrow-- "Hold still."
And puts all that force she has into the single critical point she'd annihilated so long ago, when they made her the target of the nobles' most dangerous game.
It might sting, but this was something only Natalia could do.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-16 06:05 am (UTC)Quickly, she switched from making more snow traps for the now downed Icedancer, to a solid wall of frost in front of her. Even that was pierced by an arrow, glancing at her side hard enough for her to cry out.
"Ngh-! Took a hit. Will be okay. Is he-?!"
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-18 01:56 am (UTC)Immediately, something is unusual about the Emperor's soul, or the ether flowing through him. Unlike usual, the reading doesn't come to him clearly; only pieces get through. Is it a defense mechanism? Matt wonders. But what were the chances a spell had been created that could disrupt the ability of Hades to judge souls as they really are? Is it the ether from the throne? he considers.
He needs to get closer...
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-03-20 01:45 am (UTC)The arrows stop coming for a minute while he adjusts his spell. Ice magic certainly made for a good defense against regular reinforced arrows. How would they deal with a delayed attack though?
He sends another wave of magic arrows flying to the tower again, seemingly the same attack again. But about thirty seconds after the arrows land- whether in a target or on the floor, they will send out a painful electric shock that could easily knock out Emery in his weakened state. Moisture, metal, or close proximity to the arrows are about to be a problem.
Deep in concentration, Claudius doesn't hear Matt creeping around near the door.
Re: The Emperor [closed]
Date: 2026-04-01 01:08 am (UTC)Matthias summons the entrance to the throne room of Hades and steps back into the dark clouds leading inside.
A minute later, he opens the throne room again to the tower where he can sense the coin he had given Ilphyl before. The familiar black fog starts to billow from one of the stone tower walls and spreads across the floor. A moment later, the others will be able to see Matt's hooded head emerging from the darkness in the wall, his arms stretched out to reach for Emery first.
"Everyone inside!" he yells before disappearing back into the dark, pulling Emery with him. If they move quickly enough, they might avoid at least some of the electric shock the scattered arrows are starting to spark with. Matt grits his teeth at the momentary burn and tensing of his muscles due to the sparks. Thankfully, momentum and gravity do the rest to heave Emery onto the smooth stone floor inside the pitch black throne room.