Event Episode - Event 1.8: Isle of the Dead

Introduction:

This is a recap of Event 1.8: Isle of the Dead. This is for those who were unable to attend, but have been part of the events that led up to this event or want to join in the events.

In this event, the Heroes were given several choices. Based on the choice made by each Hero, a different event will take place. While one choice can be selected the most, everyone is encouraged to select the choice that their character would take. If they find they have split from the group, there will still be events set up for that choice.

Due to the time relationship with the events before and after this one, those who wish to make a choice, they will need to make that choice prior to Event 1.9: The Heroes' Choice. The player must inform the DM (McCay / Elaut) of the choice so the event can be set up. If the DM is not informed, and the DM has no knowledge of that choice being selected, no event will be set up for that choice.

For characters who were on Horizon, the ship of Captain Foal, and were unable to make it to the event. There are a few options storywise. They can read the event below, make their choice, and inform the DM. They can say they stayed on the island when everyone went into the portal. They could have explored the island or gotten lost on the island. The other options will be listed below since it is part of the story.

Important note:

This is based on what I remember and the information shared from those who were there. If anything is slightly different from what is written or something your character did was missed, let me know and I can adjust the story.

Event Episode - Event 1.8: Isle of the Dead:

Isle of the Dead:

The heroes stand aboard Captain Foal ship, the Horizon. The previous day's events of fighting off the sea creature still weighs on the minds of several heroes. As they gather on the deck, they prepare to face whatever the Isle of the Dead has for them. They climb aboard the row boat and head to the shore.

Once on the island, the heroes notice that the sun shines brightly and there is a cool breeze. Several small crabs creep across the beach. The beach cuts through the mountain, giving the heroes one path to take. The heroes head deeper into the island.

As the heroes venture deeper, they are suddenly attacked by waves of skeletons. These skeletons were the dead sailors and pirates who happened upon this cursed island. Their souls unable to ever rest. Their hands burst from the sand around the heroes. The white of the bones shined in the constant sunlight as they rose from beneath the surface.

Ezrah and Elaut used their swords to dispatch as many skeletons as they could. Aphaine and Ric used their powerful spells to fight back against the skeletons. Nahli fought against the skeletons. During the third wave of attacks, she ran towards a nearby large rock. As the third wave of skeletons were stopped, the skeletons withdrew into the sands.

While victorious, the heroes remained cautious. They found Nahli by the large boulder and continued deeper into the island.

At the end of the island, the mountains gave way to a large body of water. In the water, tons of ships, torn apart by the rocks or the sea creature, rested in this ship graveyard. The heroes approached the shore line carefully, ready for whatever could come next.

Nahli spotted something shiny in the sands. She stealthily walked over and poked it with her sword, revealing a strange coin. The markings were foreign. The metal, at that time, was unknown. She picked it up and returned to the group.

As before, tons of skeletons reached up through the sands and climbed up to face the heroes again. As they gathered around the heroes, slowly marching towards them.

Suddenly, they stopped and turned towards the shore line. In a flash of light, a portal of swirling light appeared. The skeletons just stared at the portal. Aphaine walked forward, as to see if the skeletons would react. However, they did not.

She approached the portal and raised her hand to it, attempting to attune to it. As she was doing this, Nahli was flipping her new found treasure. Ezrah caught sight of the coin and wanted to see it. Once Nahli flipped it to Ezrah, he tossed it, like a skipping stone, into the portal. The coin instantly vanished. Nahli appeared to be disappointed in her lost treasure.

During this time, Aphiane began to speak to someone the others could not hear. Elaut walked up next to her, checking to make sure she was okay. From the portal, Aphiane could feel a welcoming presence. It was inviting her and her friends to join him.

Aphiane realized that she was speaking with Iglax Sudont and started to ask him questions. She was told that the portal would lead to the Keeper's Sphere.

While Aphiane was speaking with Iglax Sudont, Nahli moved around the skeletons and the heroes towards the portal. As she stuck her head into the portal, she was transported away. Aphiane was approaching the portal and walked in a second later, disappearing as well. Elaut, Ezrah and Ric followed quickly after.

The Keeper's Sphere:

The heroes reappeared in a vast empty area. They couldn't see anything in any direction, nor could they see what they were standing on. Slowly tiny dots of lights appeared all around them. It was like looking up at a clear night sky in every direction.

A short individual that appears to be a Hyur male, wearing a black cloak appeared from another portal in front of the heroes. His voice was gravelly.

The cloaked person speaks. "Ask your questions. However, while the first question, you may feel is the most important, it is also the least important. I know you wanted to meet me. I wanted to meet you again as well."

The group would ask the cloaked man what is his name and if he is Iglax Sudont. He would reply. "I've gone by many names over the years. Each one has fallen off like wore out clothing. That name was the name the captain that brought you here saw me as. You can called me Quinn Wolfe."

Ezrah decided that the name Quinn Wolfe was a stupid name and called the cloaked man Monty instead. The cloaked man didn't seem to care.

Nahli saw her coin a few steps ahead of the group. She moved closer and knelt down, reacquiring her treasure.

Quinn claimed that they were in what he called the Keeper's Sphere. He told the heroes that the god Althyk built it. He said that he was trapped there for centuries. Quinn claimed that he was tricked by a god and sent here. "Time, space, reality, they have no meaning here." He would say. "There is only so much power left in the Keeper's Sphere and it will go inactive again."

When the heroes asked how he got free, Quinn said that someone or something reactivated the portals and he was able to leave. However, the world he remembered was gone and the Eorzea of old had returned. He decided to find those who could help in the fight ahead.

Quinn spoke of a future where the gods and primals rule the land and that they have destroyed so much of the world. He told them how he tried to fight against the gods and failed. He was like them that he wanted to save the world. But he realized that he couldn't stop it. So, he as working on a plan to fight the gods after the destruction of the world. "I've lost a lot. I know what it is like to lose. To feel that what you fight for is so right, and yet to fail all the same. Dread it and run from it. Destiny still comes."

Quinn claimed to have met the heroes long ago. He was but a boy lost in ruins. And he was saved.

He would be asked if he was the one who was poisoning people. This question would make Quinn laugh. "The captain lied to you." He would say matter of factly. "Since they dropped you off, they have left you here on this island. Your allies are most likely on the shore."

When he was asked about the creature that attacked the ship, Quinn would respond. "It is not highly intelligent, but it protects that cursed island. It does whatever mother does when its nest is threatened."

He would speak of choices and protecting the future since the upcoming end of the world cannot be stopped.

"You have four choices before you." He would motion to the heroes left. A portal would activitate. "If you feel you must fight me, enter this portal and we shall fight. However, you will not be successful. You will be defeated. Some of you may die."

Quinn would motion to a new portal to the heroes right. "If you choose this portal, it will take you to the ship that you came here on. You should be aware that the captain and the crew will go on to pillage, attack, and hurt people. Plus they now have a powerful crystal that you gave to them. You can get revenge or stop them from doing all this by selecting this portal."

He would then point to the portal he came from. "Or you can join me and choose this portal." The portal behind him would light up. "We cannot save this world. The gods cannot be stopped. At least not now. However, after the destruction, we can fight back. If you join me, we will gain power and prepare for that moment. And yes, people will die. There is no stopping that."

Quinn would then point towards the portal that the heroes came in. It would activate again. "Or you can return to where you were. On the cursed island. And do whatever you want."

He would continue speaking about seeing the end of the world and it breaking him, seeing all that the world was to be gone.

Each hero there would think about what to do.

The Hero's Choice

The following is the actions and words of the heroes that were in attendance. Their choice is listed as a spoiler. Feel free to read what each person did. However, it is up to you if you want their choice to influence your character's choice. The characters are listed in the order of who made their choice.

Nahli

Nahli was the first to decide which portal to select. She selected the portal on the heroes' right and ran into it. Nahli went to deal with the pirates. She disappeared from the Keeper's Sphere.

Aphiane

Aphiane moved away from the heroes as she considered what Quinn had said.

Aphiane closes her eyes. "Indeed... the Phoenix purpose is to help people...right? Bathing into aether to gain more power is a seductive choice, but that wouldn't be my power. Besides, I already got a revenge to plan on my own; Gods can wait." She turns towards the closest portal to her. "I'm going home, where I belong as a Phoenix... Nahli will need help."

Aphiane walked into the portal on the heroes right. She disappears from the Keeper's Sphere.

Ezrah

Ezrah walks towards the portal on the right of the Heroes. He turns and speaks to Quinn before he leaves.

"Bye Monty." He enters the portal to face the pirates along with Nahli and Aphiane. Ezrah disappeared from the Keeper's Sphere.

Ric'aldo and Elaut

Ric would look at Elaut. "Which one are you thinking about?"

Elaut would be uncertain as he looks down. "I don't know."

Ric says, "I don't know either. If one were clever, all these choices have been laid out to lead to one outcome."

Elaut would look at Ric and say, "It is just that quest, to find my father, is what brought me here. To save him."

Ric replies, "And you have many who still remain behind. I'll take care of them, so do what you need to." Ric runs into the portal on the right of the heroes, to face the pirates. He disappears from the Keeper's Sphere.

Elaut looks at the different portals. "Sorry father. I may never find you." He heads towards the portal that the rest took, to face the pirates. He disappeared from the Keeper's Sphere.

Additional Note:

If your character stayed on the ship. There are two options for your character to jump back into the event. Either they were kept as a prisoner on the ship and thus the Heroes will be rescuing you during the battle on the Horizon. You will be able to participate in that battle too. Or you can have been thrown off the ship and be on the shore of the Isle of the Dead. If that is the option picked, your character will have an event that will deal with that.

If your character stayed behind on the island and didn't go through the portal on the island. Your character would be on the Isle of the Dead. There will be an event having to deal with the residence of the island.

The DM must be informed to what choice you make, if it is the portal choice or island/ship choice. If the DM isn't informed prior to Event 1.9: The Heroes Choice, the default option, prisoners will be selected.