Dire Escapes

Flynn and Ana reach the end of their precarious 300 ft. climb to the cliff bottom of the Western Ledgewarf with low vitality and an Enforcer not far behind. The Enforcer lights a signal torch which draws the attention of a Coast-Cutter ship which directs searchlights to the cliff bottom and joins the search for the fugitives.

Flynn and Ana manage to approach the docks undetected despite the crowd of onlookers that the spectacle of their chase has drawn. After some mild misadventures they are able to return to the Soaked Sail Inn unscathed. They learn from Dusty Chambers that their crewmates have likely been imprisoned in the Bastille of Fort Stormholde; the palace-like fortress that is built into the center of the ramparts of the city of Toraigh.

Meanwhile…

Reuben comes to consciousness in a prison cell and spots Rayna in the cell across from him, beholding her for the first time without her facemask. He sees that she is Afflicted, an unfortunate epithet used to describe those affected by the wild magics of miscast spells.

Shoal awakes to a sharp psychic pain that severs their connection with the whole of the swarm. Though not deadly or damaging: the existential threat it poses to them is terrifying and an indication that whatever force assaulting the integrity of their Hive is stronger here in the city.

Prison guards enter the cell block and cautiously bring Rayna into an interrogation room where she is introduced to Agent Oko, an Alp-luachra and Agent Romulus, a Shade, who interrogate her about her Affliction and presumed association to Wyldergod Cults in the area.

A disgruntled guard removes Reuben from his cell and moves him to a floor of his own for talking loudly with the other prisoners. Once alone, Lieutenant Commander Winston Rochester reveals himself. He chastises Reuben for getting caught and threatening the discovery of their undercover operation. Rochester then gives Reuben a set of prison keys and reveals that he’s set up conditions for a believable escape.