Leaving Vikasha

It is the last day Makar has in Vikasha, a massive corporate-occupied port city that is the first victim of their adversary - the Rot (disease maker, plague king, the ocean of sin, unmaker of souls, etc). Things appear stable after Makar helped his new associate, Zenkara, ascend to become corporate minister of health for Aludarzir Shipping, but he lost his companion Zofara during an investigation and must retrieve him before leaving.

Finding the Cult Leader

Zofara was last seen investigating the largest Faithful Society (paramilitary religious populist group) in the city, a cult known as the Garden of the Reborn. Makar's investigations the day before found that Zofara had been captured by the cult and was being held in their leader's private compound. In order to find this bunker, Makar needed someone who knew the city's paramilitary underbelly, and began searching the city an ally who might be able to help.
After several hours of searching with Dailio, Makar was able to track down someone who knew the location of the cult leader Anarsha. This guide was a low-level dracomancer by the name of Kamatu, who met them in a seedy tavern at the edge of town. Kamatu was willing to negotiate a meeting, and in exchange Makar agreed to help Kamatu escape the city aboard their vessel. The two headed off to Arnasha's compound, which was concealed behind an allied prism hold. Makar decided not to take the cult front door in, as that would likely end with them being detained before an audience would be granted. Instead, they went to the leader of the prism-clan, an influential elder known as Henkiri, to plead for support in getting Zofara back. 
Makar took on a prism form and went to talk to Henkiri as a kind of plague specialist. At first, Henkiri seemed skeptical - he was as much a sugar baron and mafioso as community leader - but he slowly came around to Makar's point of view. Alarmed at the idea of a plague that could affect prisms, Henkiri offered to retrieve Zofara for them if they poisoned or damaged an aqueduct that took the prism's spring water to the greater city (thereby allowing the aqueduct to be shut down and the prisms to hoard the uncontaminated water for themselves). Makar declined and was able to just get an audience with Arnasha. 

Arnasha the Thrice Born

The audience with Arnasha was tense. While Makar had largely dropped the plan to murder Arnasha at this point, the two hardly saw eye to eye. Arnasha interpreted Makar's ominous hints at his divine power as him being a fledgling cult leader - and seemed to relate to what Makar was going through. Makar felt that Arnasha was an egotist, but had some hope that she could be convinced to dial down the authoritarianism. Philosophy was discussed, both parties tried to powerplay, all that jazz. In a surprise turn of events, it turned out that Arnasha also knew about the plague and seemed to be preparing for it - and had previously encountered Makar's associate-turned-health-czar, Zenkara. According to Arnasha, Zenkara had previously undisclosed magical abilities as well as horrible vibes and their brief attempt to work together had ended horrifically. While Arnasha seemed egotistical and delusional enough to make this testimony suspect, it was food for thought. Also, as a note about the plague: it turned out that a sufficiently strong immune system has a small chance of not being destroyed by the plague. The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to a pact of neutrality, and Zofara being handed over. 
Zofara was returned to the ship, but Makar's suspicions of Zenkara needed settling before they headed out. Makar met up with Zenkara in her new, swanky office, and began talking over the possibility of rot cultists. Zenkara was able to somewhat muddy the waters, but a lucky catch by Makar revealed that Zenkara had been lying about not being a spellcaster- and was actively magically monitoring Makar and lying to him. Makar accused Zenkara of being a rot cultist, she denied his accusations, and he left suspecting that she was a manipulative wizard profiting off her new position. 

The Flooded District... 2!

Makar then went to the Flooded District to say goodbye to their post-infection child, Awazala. The quarantined district was not much improved since the last time Makar had visited: while the residents now had more supplies, the guards were seemingly prioritizing military control over actually providing aid. The tavern was burnt down and its misbehaving attendants slaughtered; the emergency assembly had been disbanded; and the guard captain in charge seemed apathetic and suspicious towards the residents. Makar met up with the mayor of the district, Tashaba, who was worried that the district would stop following their leadership after they had failed to save the tavern-goers. The two talked for a while, and Tashaba's determination to organize and protect the district was renewed. Makar also came to a realization during that conversation: that Zenkara had misguided him into believing that she was a wizard, when she was probably actually a warlock. And if leviathans could be a warlock patron, the Rot likely could as well: Zenkara really was the Rot cultist they were looking for. 
Makar then went to Awazala's hideout, only to find a grim scene: the apartment empty and Awazala's last bits of corpse down in the dark below, in the swarming rats and vermin of the first floor. Investigating the crime scene, it became clear that someone had ambushed Awazala after Makar had left the day before, thrown him to the rats, and then cleaned the crime scene to make it look like an accident. The most likely candidate was the invisible creature that Awazala had said was on the roof - what was looking to be a warlock's familiar. Before Makar could investigate further, he noticed that the entire area was being transmuted into fleshy, living tissue - that something massive was growing in the flooded district, beneath the layer of rotting city. Makar fled before it could potentially do anything, and decided to focus on Zenkara instead. 

Confrontation

Makar returned to the boat and rallied his allies for one last task in the city: to interrogate and possible kill Zenkara. With Yago and Uyazi, Makar headed to Zenkara's office, where her secretary informed them that she was touring the freshwater reserves of the city. The squad raced after her, and together they headed to the Clifftown Resevoir - an artificial enclosed reservoir used to store rainwater and distribute it through the city. Makar was able to distract the guards by claiming that there was an attempt to damage the aqueducts underway, and in the chaos was able to corner Zenkara on top of the reservoir. The squad tried surrounding Zenkara, who feigned ignorance but was also preparing for a fight - and she drew first, blasting Uyazi off the reservoir and calling her imp into the battle. The imp distracted Yago while Makar hurled spelled at Zenkara, dealing significant damage. 
Yago dispatched the imp quickly, but Zenkara began focus-firing him, blasting him backwards and almost forcing him off the reservoir as well. With all of his effort, Makar was able to distract her while Yago closed in, landing an axe blow into her shoulder. While Zenkara was horribly injured by Yago's relentless attacks, more powerful magic knocked him away while she made a run for the hatch into the reservoir, leaping into the water with the hope that it would save her. Makar was able to kill her with his quarterstaff while she fled - depleted of spellslots, allies down or almost down, and horribly injured himself. 

The Aftermath

Uyazi was able to survive by catching the side of the reservoir and climbing up into the aqueduct mechanism, but was also injured in the process. The three gathered together and were arrested not long after by the guards. Makar called for the intervention of Arbiter Sunaba, and the guards (knowing that the Arbiter, Makar, and Zenkara were all close) decided to do that rather than risk a political incident. After a few hours, Sunaba arrived. She immediately brought in her people and took over the situation, and interrogated Makar about what actually happened. Sunaba had her own bad news that led her to agree with Makar: Zenkara had, in her short stint as health czar, already told the major corporate leaders that the infected could be used as a workforce and shared all her knowledge of the plague's transmission. It was unknown what else she had planned with them, but it was likely pretty bad. 
Sunaba and Makar agreed to plant evidence indicating that Zenkara was actually killed by someone who could be traced back to Arnasha - pinning the entire event on the cult and keeping both Sunaba and Makar as far from the crime as possible. Makar then wrote a letter for Princess Maina Eramzir claiming that one or all of the corporations had killed Zenkara in a conspiracy and then blamed the crime on Arnasha. If all went according to plan, this might encourage the Zeruans to intervene directly in Vikasha, which Makar and Sunaba hoped could bring order to the city and contain the plague. Sunaba was, in the short run, going to wage a war on the Faithful societies and take over Zenkara's role as public health leader. While the Arbiter was unfamiliar with public health, she agreed to follow some basic guidelines and to bring in as many paladins and priests as possible to balance out the corporate presence. Nonetheless, Sunaba was skeptical of her ability to contain the plague and urged Makar to return with reinforcements when possible. 
After some shennanigans explaining the Architects and germ theory to Sunaba, Makar headed off with the Aranu, finally leaving the city of Vikasha. The city was on the verge of crisis still: the plague still spreading, the great mass in the flooded district still growing, social divisions deepening, and intrigue spinning. But Makar now knew many of the Rot's tricks, and had prevented a dangerous Rot cultist from turning Vikasha into her private domain of decay. Onto the horizon!

Components

Goals

QUEST GOALS

• Investigate the trouble in Vikasha
• Create a disease response in the city
• Rescue Zofara from the Garden of the Reborn Cult
• Rescue the recovered child, Awazala
• Skip town to continue the journey

Relations

Protagonists

Makar: incarnation of the Masked One, a shapeshifting sorcerer born to Windweavers in Etekamo. Learned magic under Princess Maina Eramzir

Allies

Ezia of Aizari: Ezia was a neighbor and childhood friend of Makar. She is shy, bookish, and curious, always drawn to learning more about foreign lands and new things but held back by her social anxiety. Much of that anxiety melts away when she is around her friends, who she will follow to the ends of the Earth. Ezia comes from a brewing family with connections to The Circles. Knows the truth about Makar.
Dailio: Dailio is a selkie outpost child, raised in Echereko. Dailio is extroverted, polite, and open-minded, a bold and cheery business boy who hopes to one day be a merchant like his parents. Dailio is sharp of eye and has basic dueling training, but is a relentless rules-follower when not balanced out by Ezia or Makar. Knows the truth about Makar.
Zofara Nightwalker: Zofara is a mercenary Warlock hired by the crew at the urging of Princess Maina Eramzir . Zofara prioritizes their style (dark and mysterious) and was initially cold and aloof. After Makar revealed themselves, Zofara has become outright deferent. Their goal is the same as Makar's: to investigate the disturbances in Makal and protect the seas from the Adversary.
Yago of Imzira: A big friendly security hire from Ibith who has left his home on a massive quest to to inform The Khilaia that sharks are sentient. Has made many enemies despite his humble and quiet demeanor.
Uyazi Hakona: A bard. No, not the magic kind. More of a courtier that can also do music and is good at writing stories. Signed up for security onboard the Aranu when they heard Princess Maina Eramzir was sending someone to Samvara, as they want ground floor on whatever is going on.
Kamatu Templesborn: A pious human Kamadan dragon sorcerer with a history in criminal groups and a collected and cool attitude. Joined the crew of the Aranu with his four-year-old daughter, Mitheta.

Neutrals/Bystanders

Captain Yamoa: The selkie captain of the Aranu; merchant, pirate, and profiteer of dubious morals.
Tashaba: The de-facto mayor of the flooded district. A compassionate and idealistic woman who considers the government immoral and their quarantine ineffective. She seeks to rebel, and sees quarantine as something to be done once everyone is properly fed and safe from corporate violence.
Arbiter Sunaba: Once a voice for the people, Sunaba has gained a reputation as a magnet for corruption and scandal. She likes to pick fights for drama's sake, and she curates a small cult of personality that sees her as the messenger of the people's will. Hated by the commonfolk as a sellout.

Adversaries

The Rot: An apocalyptic nightmare entity theoretically capable of ending the world itself, that has recently arrived in Vikasha. Sows disease and has begun infecting the dockworkers of Vikasha with something. Seems to be planning something big.
Zenkara: A recent arrival in Vikasha. Was able to secure a position as a public health advisor for the Aludarzir Corporation. Became an ally of Makar and rose to prominence in city politics. Charismatic, smart, and driven. Turned out to be a rot warlock, though her true motives and plans were never revealed before her death.
Arnasha the Thrice-Born: Leader of the Garden Reborn, a cult that has risen to prominence as the largest Faithful Society. Joined the cult at a young age before being 'revealed' to be the reincarnation of Arnasha, and has spent her life ruthlessly leading the cult to glory. Sees herself as the only hope for the city.

Backdrops

Threats

Notes on the Rot so Far:

• Spread by water primarily, though possibly close enough contact as well
• Can infect any species
• Initial symptoms are similar to a light flu, as well as an incredibly overwhelming thirst
• Worsening symptoms include sudden tiredness, cold sweats, and periods of lost time
• During this heightened infection, the victim has a chance of recovery IF they rest continually, have access to nutritious food and water, are treated with medicines such as Kilusha, and have warm shelter. Those with better immune systems are more likely to recover 
• Those who do not recover have their personalities and sentience repressed. They will obey the last directions given, but will otherwise do nothing. These infected will still produce more plague and can be possessed by the Rot
• Those who recover are permanently psychically connected to the Rot - capable of detecting it in others and being detected by it, and dreaming of its words. Those who agree to serve it can become rot warlocks, but this isn't all of them.
• The rot in Vikasha seemed to attract and control vermin, and cats seemed to be attacked on sight by them
• The rot in the Flooded district was making some kind of big organism, though the details of what are poorly understood

Plot type

QUEST

Parent Plot

The Creeping Rot

Subplots

• Moon Talks

Related Organizations

• Kingdom of Rakara

Related Locations

• Vikasha