The Wandering Isles: Session 102
The session begins with Boreal attempting to magically contact Boreal Paleclaw, but his spell to reach Remington receives no response at all. Unsure what this means, he shares the failed attempt with Hatsu, though neither of them can determine why the connection failed. Meanwhile, Dash reveals that he may know someone—or somewhere—that could help Eos better understand the visions that continue to plague her. He explains that these people hide their abilities well but likely possess gifts similar to hers. Although he offers to investigate first to ensure there is no danger, Eos feels that now is not the right time, believing the greater threats lie elsewhere. Instead, she expects Delphini will be the person she eventually confides in when it is safe to do so. Eldrin immediately offers to accompany her wherever she goes to ensure her safety, while the group reflects on the increasingly strange events surrounding Palperroth, including Dash's home mysteriously exploding without so much as a sound.
Boreal soon rejoins the others and recounts Remington's request for help, asking them to assist him in transcribing the message into his spellbook from an earlier encounter (Session 101). Dash notes the suspicious timing, especially when considered alongside Eos's latest dream. With that in mind, he outlines the day's plans: Hatsu will visit Asuka at the Elysium Academy before they all head to see Mirelle, though he insists on making a stop at the bakery first. Along the way, Eldrin wonders whether fabricating a dream might be a worthwhile way of testing the abilities of the mysterious person Dash wants Eos to meet. As they travel, Dash notices posters announcing the King's Purity Edict, promising protection for the people of Palperroth and the Isles, with the public gathering taking place in just two days. Based on everything they know, Dash believes Remington is most likely imprisoned beneath the palace, leading Hatsu to reluctantly conclude that rescuing him beforehand is probably impossible.
Dash, Boreal, and Hatsu arrive at the Elysium Academy, where Dash almost immediately pickpockets an arrogant student for two aurems. Hatsu locates Asuka in the mess hall, completely absorbed in reading seven books simultaneously while taking notes in two notebooks. Delighted to see both him and Boreal, she leads them back to her room. Dash carefully checks the room for any listening devices but finds none, allowing Boreal to explain Remington's situation in private. Hatsu asks where Boreal obtained the mysterious book, learning that it came directly from Remington. Attempting to contact Eos, Hatsu realises she is still back in the sewer hideout. Dash then shows Asuka the Purity Edict poster, while Hatsu explains that Eos's visions suggest Remington is destined to be beheaded during the event. Hatsu asks whether it would be wiser to rescue him beforehand or during the gathering itself, stressing that every time the group has ignored one of Eos's visions, events have turned out badly. They cannot afford to dismiss this warning.
Asuka explains just how impossible an assault on the palace would be. The palace guards vastly outmatch ordinary city guards, the entire structure is heavily warded against magic, thieves consistently fail to infiltrate it, and even its blueprints are unknown to the public. During the Edict gathering, security will be even tighter than usual. Boreal wonders whether Remington might simply need his magical collar removed in order to escape under his own power, but Dash points out they have not even confirmed he is inside the palace. Hatsu bitterly reflects on Remington's decision to accompany the Archon (Session 48). Boreal and Dash remind him that Remington only did so to protect them, yet Hatsu cannot accept the weight of that sacrifice, insisting that the people responsible have already taken both his father and Remington from him.
Asuka then asks for a complete breakdown of everyone's abilities. During the discussion, Dash asks whether she knows The Ninth Gate. Although she initially attempts to conceal her reaction, Dash immediately recognises the lie through his ability to read people, while Boreal and Hatsu know simply because she is their sister. She eventually admits she steals only from those who deserve it in order to help rebuild Saigo no Toshi. She also believes there are striking similarities between Saigo no Toshi and Thimarrot, suspecting that the kings of old played a role in erasing both from history. When Hatsu asks about the Solar Cleansing, she explains that its purpose is to reduce the remains of Saigo no Toshi to ash with the intensity of the sun. She warns that understanding the party's full capabilities may permanently mark them. Boreal remarks he was born marked for life, while Hatsu quietly admits the same. Boreal also asks how the palace suppresses magic, but Asuka believes he likely understands magical theory better than she does.
Back at the sewer hideout, Eldrin and Eos have a much quieter conversation. Eos recounts her very first vision in detail (Session 22), describing wolves, forests, silence, her father's ship under attack, and a mysterious stone resembling the one Weslyn recently touched. She explains that many parts of the vision have already come true. She believes Mishn represented the village, Drel Morrix symbolised the wolves, and that the events involving the ship and Weslyn have already unfolded, leaving her frightened about what remains. Eldrin suggests the visions may be symbolic rather than entirely literal, asking whether some elements might represent change instead of exact events. He also learns that these visions have haunted her ever since the events surrounding The Arcanum. The latest occurred only a few days ago, yet the vision involving Remington felt fundamentally different from all the others.
Eos also explains that she once entered trances to process her thoughts, but now she simply sleeps instead, leaving her unable to organise her emotions the way she once could. Eldrin recommends that she begin keeping a journal, explaining how writing helps him process difficult thoughts and strengthens his own mental resilience. Since she does not own one, they agree to buy her one later. Together they establish subtle sensory cues that Eos can use whenever she feels uncomfortable so Eldrin can recognise when she needs support without drawing attention. Their conversation becomes increasingly personal as Eldrin admits he misses his family, something Eos understands all too well. He also speaks about his strange power to guide people or help them find things, though he remains uncertain when it is safe to use such magic given the harsh punishments awaiting anyone caught.
Elsewhere, Dash visits the bakery and enthusiastically purchases an absurd quantity of cakes and baked goods before returning to the hideout. He gives Eos two aurems to buy a journal, despite that being far more money than one would actually cost. Eldrin proudly shows Dash his newly acquired sword, only to receive a dismissive and rather rude response. Boreal attempts to rob Dash in retaliation, but instead triggers one of Dash's traps, ending up with nothing more than a piece of gum attached to a snapping metal mechanism. Dash later meets with Lysa to relay everything the group has learned before returning to outline the next stage of their plans.
Eos worries that Mirelle may not appreciate working in such a foul-smelling part of the city, prompting Dash to unveil a business proposal involving Mirelle's perfume company. He suggests supplying sakura leaves to create exclusive perfumes, with the group taking only thirty percent of the profits. During the discussion, Eos casually asks Dash how old he is, only for him to realise he does not actually know before settling on twenty-eight. Before meeting Mirelle, Eos disguises herself with magic to appear human. Hatsu also notices Eldrin carrying his sword across his back and demonstrates why that is dangerous by pinning him in place. After learning Eldrin is left-handed, Hatsu advises him to wear the weapon on his right side and explains the importance of proper weapon placement.
When they finally meet Mirelle, Hatsu introduces himself under the alias "Donatello", Eos becomes "Francesca", Eldrin briefly forgets his alias and accidentally introduces himself as "Will" before correcting himself to "Gerald", thoroughly confusing Mirelle, while Boreal simply goes by "John". Dash presents the sakura proposal, offering exclusivity in exchange for a modest share of the profits. Mirelle agrees in principle and promises that her lawyer, Thaddeus Grimstone (Session 10), will prepare the paperwork after the Purity Edict announcement. Eos then immediately asks how Mirelle feels about magic users, visibly making Mirelle nervous, something both Dash and Eldrin immediately notice. Dash explains the paperwork will all be under Dorian's name, while Mirelle warns him that Grimstone is exceptionally thorough. Hatsu further improves the proposal by suggesting the group produce sakura oil rather than simply selling leaves, successfully persuading Mirelle.
Impressed by Dash, Mirelle invites him to dinner the following evening at eight o'clock. Dash admits that he was in disguise in Anbudon, leaving Mirelle confused but intrigued enough to request a private demonstration after dinner. Dash also asks about the Archon's relationship with the King, though Mirelle can only promise to make enquiries. She offers the group space in a booth roughly one hundred feet away during the upcoming event, and as they leave, Dash kisses her hand in farewell—a gesture witnessed by everyone present, including Lysa.
Afterwards, Lysa jokingly confronts Dash over his apparent dinner plans, teasing him as though she were his partner. Hatsu quietly gives her a throwing star for protection just in case. Lysa criticises Mirelle's security arrangements, pointing out multiple open windows and exposed ventilation routes. Thinking tactically, Dash begins considering what could realistically be accomplished from one hundred feet away, particularly whether someone could be removed from the area without drawing attention. Boreal admits subtlety is not exactly his strength, while Hatsu believes entering and escaping within that distance would be difficult, though perhaps only one direction would be feasible. He suggests Duckie's vessel or Vathros's book might provide possible solutions. Boreal instead argues that before anything else, they must understand exactly how the castle detects and suppresses magic. He recommends Dash and Lysa take a seemingly romantic walk through the palace square to observe guard towers, magical sigils, and other defences before the execution, and the pair head off immediately armed with the observations Boreal and Eldrin tell them to watch for.
Only afterwards does Dash realise he completely forgot to give Mirelle the bread he had bought, meaning he is still carrying bags full of baked goods. Eldrin finally gets his own small revenge for Dash's earlier rudeness by dramatically kissing the back of his own hand and waving goodbye in mock imitation.
As time passes, Eos is left alone at the hideout. She finally allows her magical disguise to fade, but something is terribly wrong. Not all of her appearance returns to normal. Portions of her skin remain purple while the rest changes back, leaving her staring at an unsettling transformation as the session comes to an end.
