New land mass!
People in Foothold are … surprised!
Back in Foothold …
Montage …
Carabas … in a tavern, being toasted (and toasting others), and actually … remarkably content.
Xeric … short-term … something of a loss, what fresh ass to be kicked … trying to drink (and overindulging).
And Carabas is okay with that. Except maybe for Xeric suddenly becoming a happy drunk.
Seirus … is researching about the newly unmisted land. A lot of … concern. Willing to … collaborate, but mainly trying to confirm his hypothesis that Atlanteans came originally from the surface … of which there is a lot more now…
The other Atlantean …
Auoy … checks the body was thrown down into the Mists … but then joins in the celebration, as a Quiet Drunk.
The Imperials have been driven back.
Confusion and uncertainty about Impies. Also, not just an isolated island …
We have ways to help Foothold defend itself.
The Temples are part of the lower land structure.
We have four elemental dragons …
Harness their power to protect Foothold?
Temples influencing more than just Foothold?
Temples turned into protectors, rather than overseers.
Barry and his grouip … an over-exuberent martial arts teacher.
Morally flexible … a pathway where he can make money and do things he likes.
Influence Barry … or the Mist Miners (to influence Barry).
The Custodian!
A bad villain showing back up late next season. Maybe with a cult growing around him … and leading to the fracture of the Empire.
Individual Questions
Seirus … the threat of the Atlantean Partisans! They go back to lick their wounds, amidst much controversy over their defiance of traditions. With the mist now gone, harder for them to be fully isolated down below.
Auoy … with the death of the Eldashi Elder, what does that mean? Why does our culture work this way? Children, isolationism. Not sure it requires an appearance – bearer of information, though. And shows the Imperials are not worthy of support. Show up with new mask, new poise … and then turn their back.
Carabas … has Carabas finally escaped his past? Or will his work for the Empire always haunt him?
… It will always be there, to prick his conscience or create a plot complication. But … he’s found people that seem willing to accept and even trust him, and he’s found ways to use his talents to actually protect others. That’s no small thing. And he struck a nice blow at the Empire, which further assuages his conscience.
He’s not going to be “red in the ledger” sort of compulsive like some others. He’s changed his course, he has people who put up with him, and vice-versa. Things are going in the right direction.
Had actually given thought to retiring to Foothold. Maybe even actually becoming part of the community there. Teach fencing lessons. Hang around the dockside tavern. Take out threats to the city if need be. Have the very bestest home for trick-or-treaters to visit.
Of course, he’d be bored out of his skull within a week or two.
But this opportunity … well, curiosity and cats and all that. If the company is good, he’s up for some more exploratory adventures down below.
That fencing studio will always be there when he’s actually ready to retire.
Xeric … what about Gwin? How does the Empire not just take over these lands? Entrepreneurial folk, faster, etc. So, trouble-shooter.
Gwin - takes over the Mist Miners … and makes them part of reasonable society in Foothold.
Foothold as a central hub. Protected by … us?
Any questions remaining?
Carabas: AUOY! WHAT IS THE DARK, TERRIBLE SECRET I KNOW YOU HAVE!?
Auoy: Wine-Away cleans up blood stains.
Carabas: That’s surprisingly useful to know.
Last Image
The mist skiff floats by the side of the wharf, slowly rising and falling with the aether. Gwin stands at the wheel, ready to give the order to cast off to a pair of Mist Miners serving as her mates. The Great Continent floats below them, no longer obscured by the Mist.
Xeric, Seirus, Auoy, each look at each other. After a few moments …
“Knew he’d flake out on us.”
“He said he’d be here.”
“Yeah, probably off to something more profitable.”
“Well, we should let Gwin --”
The tawny figure doesn’t exactly fly down the wharf, but bounds along, bouncing off each ship along the way, before lighting on the foredeck of Gwin’s mist skiff.
“A thousand apologies,” Carabas says, sounding at least half-apologetic. "Ruffians were accosting the shop of Miss Graevel, who sells that remarkable hot cocoa on the corner. Had to both dissuade them and make it an experience they would remember. Are we ready to go?"
The others look at each other for a moment. With grins – or what are assumed to be grins for those whose faces are not visible – they nod.
And so they do go … to the next adventure …
