lostcompass | conclusion.

AND THE RAINS QUIETED

In the end, it takes a small hand and a little knife.

Her father’s inadvertent part in her demise revealed, Cosette entrusts Benedict with her final wishes: freedom and justice delivered to Matthias, creator of the undead. Wrathion recovers the blade Matthias had used to carve out his own limbs and scatter them as magical anchors for the dark water across the realms of Akhuras — the dagger is used, after Matthias is lured out by the party with illusions and false appearances of Cosette.

After, the world unfolds. All of the creatures and demons summoned through Matthias’ power — including the rebel Messalina, warlord Rathakku and the distant, ever-fleeing Huntress — are unsummoned, either disappear or dissolving into ashes. The Child, whose power was not born of Matthias, wanders.

And the blood rains of Hatthevar wane to a halt.

The dead who were fully revived retain their life — but still require aid to reacclimate to living, while various citadels ask help with reconstructing their settlements and trade routes, as well as burying and exorcising the last of their dead and their demons, now asleep. Work waits for those willing to linger.

Those who participated in Matthias’ capture and killing inherit, inevitably, fractions of his power. Many choose to direct that ability to disperse it, after they entrap the wind warlord Anurr — who has been assailing Hatthevar and the Brotherhood — in his human flesh, stripping him of his powers. He haunts the city now, more animal than man, howling his rage, his grief, his madness. Only a large polar bear, who has been chasing the party at various junctions on the road, keeps him company. Vanessa, who retains her part of Matthias’ ability, is warned of the risk that she might bring the power of the ever insidious dark water into her own world.

The beacons of Hatthevar, some controlled by party members, are sturdy enough that Karsa can proceed with returning everyone to their home worlds. They may keep their recollections of Akhuras on departure, if they choose so, by consuming an elixir prepared with the memory ingredient recovered by Red. They may also stay. Weakened by Matthias’ last summons, the beacons will take a week to restart — party members are peacefully hosted in the better inns of Hatthevar until then and may speak their farewells.

The Merchant joins the citadel: a frail man, despite his bearing, and often accusing chills. He asks to see the body of Matthias, but does not bury him.

Image source.

...and murder, they repeatedly wrote! Three years, a wrap, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s played along for a wild ride spanning the (un)dead, dark wetlands, sand worms, sorcery, witches, time travel, droids and dragons, foxes everywhere, pirates, assassins, that one time of killing not-Caesar and the holiday that started it all, in a brothel of grudging hospitality.

Everyone’s been amazing, throwing down with mystery and/or murder, and outlandishly creative down to Anurr’s bitter last. Special shout out to everyone who stuck it out til the end to kick undead creator Matthias into a ditch — it’s been awesome. I hope you had at least a fraction of the fun playing that I did modding.

A final nod to the inevitable practicalities:

■ The game communities will stay open until 23:59 GMT on 29 February, if you want to do any IC network or log posts for character farewells. There won't be any further modded plots in this period.

■ The game closes officially on 1 March, and its discord server will also be retired at that time. eta: You can wrap up your threads beyond that deadline, if you want, but the community will no longer be moderated.

■ Our Story has been updated to include the summary of the last Arc. You can always check out the events of the previous Arcs, too, if you feel nostalgic!

Lastly... HATTHEVAR