The Wandering Isles: Session 80
Weslyn Theiwyse begins by reaching out across the veil of dreams, seeking Amelia. In her sleep, he asks for help with the Bastion and the growing number of new townsfolk. He is uncertain whether she understands the message as anything more than a strange dream, but the attempt is made all the same.
Not stopping there, Weslyn next turns his focus to Delphini Urging, a teacher from the Arcanum. He contacts her to explain that refugees have gathered on the Pearl, hoping she might be able to offer aid through food, resources, or her network of connections. Delphini responds with concern first, asking if the location is safe and if Weslyn himself is alright. She makes it clear that she is willing to help where she can. However, she also confirms troubling news. Remington Maleficum is missing, and without him, the teachers of the Arcanum cannot be fully brought together. Despite this, plans are made. Weslyn arranges to pick Delphini up in two weeks’ time from Anbudon.
Elsewhere, Dash Heidmann meets with Elandor Thistlenook. The two quickly abandon formality, dropping their accents and pretenses to speak plainly. Elandor congratulates Dash on the new additions to his family, expressing genuine happiness that these children are his. He remarks that this will fuel Dash’s dreams more powerfully than anything else ever could. As a gift, Elandor presents Dash with a remarkable suit. The garment is magical and adaptive, able to shift into different forms depending on Dash’s needs, including protection from winter cold, water travel, extreme heat, stealth, and even a refined version suitable for social gatherings. It is both beautiful and deeply practical, a gift clearly chosen with care.
At the lake, Eos and Duckie take time to wash and clean up. It is here, or perhaps shortly after, that something far stranger occurs. Time itself begins to slow, and then stop entirely, for everyone except Amaedrianna Blüdfist, Dash, Eldrin Drosk, Ekdíkisi Tintreach, Hatsu Toshitsugu, Weslyn Theiwyse, and Chicken the Fox.
Sensing urgency, Weslyn rushes to prepare what he can. Moonlight tightens and focuses until it forms a clear spotlight over a table he has set for a meal. This meeting, impossibly enough, was planned a week earlier, arranged with a squirrel of all things. The moment reveals itself as something more than coincidence. It is a convergence, an in-between space, a crossing point where this world brushes against another.
From the surrounding darkness, a massive figure steps into the light. Virethorn emerges, a towering being of wood and bark, his red eyes glowing with quiet intensity. The discussion begins plainly, with the idea of laying all cards on the table. The squirrel requests that Virethorn be allowed to keep watch over the group, and after consideration, this is agreed to.
Weslyn then speaks, delivering a carefully structured vow. He offers to gather the stones only he can read, to act as needle and thread to mend what is broken and halt the spread of ruin unraveling the cosmic weave. In return, he lays down firm boundaries. His mind, flesh, and spirit may serve as archive, script, and working hand, but no fundamental truth of who he is will be unmade. No virtue, memory, or essence will be sacrificed. The mending is for the wound alone. He binds himself to the labor, not to erasure. He claims ownership of his name, his mind, and his soul, refusing to leave them behind. He also names his companions as sovereign to their own fates, declaring that no threat, snare, or leverage may be used against them to bend his path. By root and stone, by star and sea, he asks that this be sworn and agreed.
After this declaration, the squirrel gives the group time to talk among themselves. It explains that others are searching for the same relics, objects capable of rewriting the fabric of existence itself.
Amaedrianna remains deeply skeptical. She voices that granting anything the power to become a god should never be taken lightly. The rest of the group leans more toward trust, though cautiously so. Hatsu, in particular, tries to find something hopeful and constructive within the being’s words.
Weslyn shares his belief that Emilia Harrow is also searching for these relics, or at least that all signs point in that direction. Amaedrianna confirms this aligns with what she knows of her father’s pursuits as well.
Eos offers her perspective, noting that while she is not in the same position as Weslyn, the squirrel-like being has caused no harm. She sees no reason not to place faith in the honesty of something so clearly powerful, especially when its actions so far have shown restraint.
Amaedrianna then asks the being directly for his name. He answers simply. Xerathis.
As the discussion settles, a theme becomes clear. The exchange is not one of domination or coercion, but of mutual trust. Xerathis seeks trust. Weslyn seeks trust. And for the moment, that fragile understanding holds.
