Winedark, Chapter the Last

General Summary

Wherein the Blasters break the cycle

Preparations and Dreams

The mood of Awa Harbor was one of grim determination as the Vastblasters set sail to confront the Being Who Would Devour the World. The Blasters, well aware of the fight that lay ahead of them, prepared as best they could to meet that fight. For Pitch , that meant making sure the vessel was ship-shape and that everyone was prepared for whatever comes next. For Kharlo Chondricht, that meant cooking up a big batch of Kevin Stew. Irk, now a father, fretted about just what to do with baby Kharl. Luckily, fun Uncle Water was there to help Irk out as he navigated the perils of fatherhood. Kasula Neristina contemplated the meaning of Vastbloom and interconnectedness, making sure everyone had an ample supply of the material.
Then, they slept. Then, they dreamed.
As dreams are potent currency in this world, it surprised none of the Blasters that before the biggest battle of their lives, they dreamt of portents and auguries, promises and ephemera. The veil between the dream and conscious world was particularly thin on this night, with Gnet at its zenith.

• Pitch's dream featured Balar Dhusti, who named them Seeker, and told them that the battle will have three phases (Breach, Boil, Bleed). He named Kharlo Vessel, and the rest of the crew as Choir. These parts, are, apparently, sacred to this, which he called the Conduction. He advised Pitch to wear his mask, and that he would then see through her eyes, and she through his. 
• Kharlo, perhaps fatedly, dreamt of Tenkhi. But not Tenkhi as finial, but as a person. Right there, next to Instrument. The siblings had just enough time to remark how weird this is, and how little chance they foresaw for survival, before Kharlo woke. Before that happened, Tenkhi mentioned to Kharlo that, whatever the outcome tomorrow, he did all he could. And that matters.
• Irk's dream offered a much less welcome reunion, as Kizeth loomed large. She indulged in her usual pattern of insult and manipulation. But Irk was not swayed. This was a different Irk. A changed Irk. Kizeth flew off, away from Irk, and whatever is to come.
• Water found themselves in the presence of Sanska in their dream, doing their best to keep up with new, unfamiliar movements. Despite not fully being able to emulate Sanska's movements, Water felt the approving gaze of the tortle of Dance and Absurdity, as whatever they've done "follows the dance." 
• Kasula, contemplating her life above water as well as under it, dreamed of a coral city and of Ralph. They engaged in a discussion about intention and thought, both pensive and reflective in this, the night of nights. She woke, thinking of what lay beneath and what was right in front of her.

With that, the morning came. And the Battle for the Isles commenced. 

The Battle for the Isles

Facing down Vo'ku'a is less facing down a singular entity as much as a wall of squid and death. This became abundantly clear as the fleet approached the churn of Kogo's Gauntlet. Many of the ships were faced with horrible creatures boarding their vessels, and the VastBlaster did the best they could until, they, in turn were boarded. 
The first unwelcome visitor was a Roc, which Captain Pitch promptly Polymorphed into a "fucking anyfish" and tossed it over the side. TAKE THAT, DREADSQUID. The Froghemoth that came aboard next proved more formidable, but not insurmountable. 
During the entire battle, the Isles Fleet was directing cannon fire in a "weak spot" in the Squid Wall identified by Pitch thanks to Balar's mask. This segment of squid gave way under the continued onslaught and allowed the fleet to sail deeper into Vo'ku'a, and into the Breach phase.
The Blasters, however, are not the only Heroes of the Isles. There are other names to be remembered here, too. That Skirl, who sailed the Lament into the DreadSquid's embrace and detonated hidden bombs to make way for the Blasters. And that of Loshi Saltbloom, who called out to Baena to protect Skirl when he needed it most, an exertion from which she would not recover. Their names, like all of those lost during the battle, will be remembered.
The other casualty of the Breach was the VastBlaster itself, as it was smashed to oblivion as Vo'ku'a pulled these interlopers into its embrace. So began the Boil part of the Battle. The Blasters found themselves in a swirling whirlpool, confronting a very angry Eyedrake and a wizard, who was apparently conducting research? A fight commenced, because they didn't come here to talk. They made quickish work of these foes and found themselves swirling deeper into the maw of Vo'ku'a, coming face-to-face with the center of the Many-Fingered itself.
This heart-brain needed Instrument, so Kharlo wielded that weapon of legend as best he could and struck out at what seemed reasonable--the eye/brain/heart of this impossible creature. The problem was that Instrument needed some time to work, and needed Kharlo there to work it, so Kharlo ended up becoming part of it. This was all rather relayed through the Battle Mask of Balar Dhusti. The Choir's job, then, was to ensure that Kharlo could finish what he started. That entailed taking care of some Naga, and a smaller Kraken, and making sure Kharlo stayed alive to see whatever was at the end of this thing. 

Breaking the Cycle

And what was at the end of this thing was a choice for Kharlo. He could either take Instrument out, vanquish Vo'ku'a for now, and live to fight another day. Or he could break the cycle, swim through Instrument into Vo'ku'a, and ensure this violence stopped here. He choice the latter, with full knowledge that it might mean his oblivion. But he didn't swim alone. Tenkhi, and all the other departed Storntooths swam with and though Kharlo, pushing their energy into Vo'ku'a and destroying it for good. 
This was not without sacrifice, however, as the other Blasters saw Kharlo's corporal form consumed in lightning. Gone.
Vo'ku'a began to sink, to fade, to leach into nothingness. And there was much rejoicing for the remaining Fleet of the Isles. But much has been lost to bring this about: Skirl, Saltbloom, many others, and now Kharlo. His companions searched for him, and for his remains, but came up empty-handed.
But what Kharlo provided for them, for the Isles, was tomorrow. So they headed back to Awa Harbor to greet it.

What Tomorrow Brings

The days following the Battle for the Isles featured much merriment, and much sorrow. The funeral for Loshi Saltbloom was a subdued affair, attended by all the Blasters, and provided space for thinking about the future, given now that there is one.
Irk's future revolved around raising Kharl to be the best bird-dragon it could be. He did so, with help from fun Uncle Water and the other Blasters. He also established a Temple of Pantheism, far up in a tree, that posited a new way to understand the gods--not through singular devotion, but as a community of support. Later, Irk would serve as a Waterspeaker from Kalope, earning much respect for his measured, even-handed approach towards conflict. Kharl would go on to have their own children, and then grandchildren. Things march on, as they must.
Pitch was looking forward to a long-earned rest, but it seemed Saltbloom had a request of them from beyond the grave. The Isles requires leadership that will do the hard, unpopular thing. And Saltbloom believed Pitch to fit the bill. After some moments of reflection--and a consultation with the coven (who were, frankly, in awe of her)--she agreed to run for Waterspeaker from Bragaki. She won in a landslide, and her tenure was noted for its cunning approach to diplomacy and its fierce defense of the sovereignty of the Isles, her chosen home and her chosen people. At night, she played music. For herself. For those she lost, those she remembers, and those she builds this new world for. 
Water's path was one of movement. In time, they became less known as a Hero of the Isles and more known for their sweet skateboard tricks. They embarked, with Pink Sheep's backing, on a never-ending tour of Skateboarding and Absurdity, following Sanska and Dizmera as best they could, and checking in with the remaining Blasters from time to time. Years passed and Water settled down, establishing a Temple (of sorts) to the twin impulses of Absurdity and Radness. In time, as we all do, they died. But nothing stays truly dead, no fire truly goes out. A newborn tortle, headed toward the ocean, does a kickflip. And, as this happens, those passing swear they hear an inexplicable echo of laughter.
Kasula spent some time on the surface, mastering the subtle game of social politics, and becomes not an insignificant force in Isle happenings. She, however, realized that her true calling lay on the floor of The Vast, and returned to Amphora. There, she worked hard to break down the barriers between the surface world and the Vast floor. Her decades-long effort paid off, with Amphora--and, really, the whole of the Vast floor--recognized as part of the Isles and awarded its own Waterspeaker, its own voice in the happenings of the world. In quiet moments, Ralph and her would share space, looking out into the endless void. A new strain of Vastbloom would eventually be named after her. 
For Kharlo, the immediate future was one of dreamless slumber. No rumble of thunder. No hint of lightning. When he woke from this, he found himself alone, surrounded by pillows. Venturing out, he discovered he was on a massive vessel, sailing toward the unknown. Tenkhi was waiting for him and informed him that, through his actions, he not only broke the cycle of Vo'ku'a, but also created a place for all the misplaced Stormtooths of history--a kind of Stormtooth Valhalla. And all of them are there.  No longer lost. No longer disparate. Doing the things they want to do. Kharlo made this happen, has become known as “Kharlo the Catalyst” In time, due to his role in the Blaster's exploits, he becomes the God of Necessity, and has his own acolytes, his own understanding of what his new role means. He also appears on a branch in Irk's tree, and enjoys many conversations with his dear friend.
What happened, really, was that the Blasters became legends. They became Heroes of the Isles. As such, they became a part of that place, connected to it, through it. And, centuries (millennia?) later, when the Isles called, they were prepared to answer. All of them. Together. 

And That's Where We Left It

Maybe we'll see the VastBlasters again someday.

Character(s) interacted with

• Balar Dhusti, legendary Seeker of Vo'ku'a
• Tenki, Kharlo's sister
• Kizeth, a blue dragon
• Sanska, of Dance and Absurdity
• Craggerusamaralphamug (called Ralph), a "Reef" and guardian of Amphora, the coral city
• Marrowdall Twinstar, fixer

Created Content

from The Legend of the Blasters:
Darkness, once again. And blood. But this is a different threat—-there are always more threats. In a wine-seeped cove, among obsidian and coral and the smell of salt & fire, is Instrument. A woman, swimming against the roiling current, reaches out a tentative hand.

You see her—before her hands grasp what is needed—see you, each of you, looking on, speaking or not speaking as the moment requires it. Behind you, a thousand faces with a thousand histories and thousand tales. Reaching back far beyond understanding, perhaps past the need to understand or be understood. And you, at the head of this, whatever this is, this coterie, this pantheon, this gathering of assembled heroes. You’re woven in, connected in this and through this.
She wraps her fingers around Instrument, looks at you filled with long-forsaken hope. And you share with her some of what you know.

Report Date

01 Jun 2022

Primary Location

The Vast