V’neef Kai summons Tepet Sanzo, ostensibly to discuss Saffron Veil. But upon his arrival, Kai questions him directly about his true nature and identity, asking how he has become such an important force inside House Tepet. Sanzo attempts to placate Kai by pointing out that he was originally hired as a spy, and ultimately insists on keeping his secrets.

Peleps Maera and Cathak Shao Dun meet after returning to the barracks. Shao expresses his frustration that the kinship is preventing him from killing Saffron Veil. After arguing about the rightful place of the Dragon-Blooded in the world and the kinship’s attitude to the Lunar, Maera allows herself to express her vulnerability, the pain she feels that her father may be among the host marching on them from Thorns.

Mnemon Sarissa creates a lightning gun firewand, using blue jade, with a greystone stock, shot through with veins of quartz from the remains of an earth elemental. The weapon combines designs from the blueprints of several previous projects. As always, Sarissa’s astonishing capacities for patience and concentration are applied to her work.

Before she is able to finish, Mnemon Zuri visits her. Sarissa informs her of the apparent destruction of Peleps Fleet, the Realm’s loss of Sarkarn to Thorns, and expresses her fear that Jiara may be the next target of the encroaching undead. She asks Zuri for help securing another audience with the Prince, and agrees to send Mnemon a letter informing her of recent developments.

After his combative conversation with Maera, Shao meets with Laconic Ibis. The two thoroughly break down the tactical challenges presented by Thorns and the political instability in Jiara.

Maera returns to Kai’s villa, annoyed by Shao’s stubbornness. Kai meets with her in one of his gardens, giving her a chance to vent her frustrations. Kai tells her that Shao and Sarissa may never see or understand the Realm and the world as they do, and vice versa, but he believes there is at least a chance.

Sanzo meets with Saffron Veil and tells her that he agrees with her belief that the Realm is deeply corrupt and needs to be destroyed. When he tells her that he intends to turn House Tepet into a champion of outcasts, allied with anathema, she cannot conceal her surprise. A modicum of something close to trust begins to develop between the two, based on their shared values.

Maera writes a letter to the Peleps Admiralty, thoroughly detailing the destruction of Peleps Polin’s fleet and the loss of Sarkarn. She then writes to her mother, detailing considerably more personal matters.

V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Mnemon Sarissa

Lynn
Laconic Ibis
Ozria Khidara

The kinship gathers to determine what to do about the Lunar anathema posing as Prince Ozria Khidara. After careful consideration, and over Cathak Shao Dun’s objections, they decide to visit her, together, in hopes of learning more about her motivations.

V’neef Kai prepares an introductory letter for the Prince, to assure her that the Dragon-Blooded come to visit her in peace.

The Prince holds an audience for the Dragon-Blooded, and bows with respect as the kinship arrives. She allows them a private meeting, although her guards remain. The encounter is tense, as the Prince accuses the five, along with all Dragon-blooded, of being tyrants, and tells them she cannot tolerate the continuation of the status quo. Her attempts to convince them of the legitimacy of her perspective meet with limited success.

Critically, the Dragon-Blooded learn that the Prince is not connected to the horrors sent from Thorns, and is disturbed to learn of their approach. After some discussion, the two sides agree to a temporary alliance against Thorns, although everyone understands it will be a fragile and unstable thing.

As the audience comes to an end, the Lunar masquerading as the Prince reveals a new name for herself: Saffron Veil.

Tepet Sanzo
V’neef Kai
Mnemon Sarissa
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun

Saffron Veil
Ozria Khidara
Firat

Episode Link: Kinship Reunited

In the aftermath of the Prince’s ball, Mnemon Sarissa engages herself in a crafting project, creating an intricate flame piece, concealable, the size of a derringer. The construction process is exceptionally difficult and complicated, but after several days of tenacious work, Sarissa is successful.

Three days after the ball, the Leviathan’s Paradise returns to Jiara, the mood still grim. Peleps Maera and Cathak Shao Dun take time to reflect upon the horrors on the ocean.

V’neef Kai comforts Maera with a luxurious bath, as she remains deeply disturbed from her memory of the smell of the bloody storm. Afterwards, they share their recollections of recent events, while Tepet Sanzo eavesdrops on the conversation.

Shao meditates and performs a purification ritual to cleanse himself of the spiritual stench left by the storm.

Tepet Sanzo meets with Lynn, and in a rare moment of open and emotional honesty, he confides in her his fears of the encroaching danger from Thorns.

The kinship gathers at Kai’s villa in what proves to be a sobering reunion; the happiness the five feel at being reunited is somewhat tainted by the revelations that Prince Ozria is a Lunar anathema, and the sinking of the Peleps fleet by the dreadful forces of Thorns. But as the discussion goes on, the unified kinship feel their collective strength, and a sense of hope rises, as the Dragon-Blooded prepare to confront the revealed threats.

Mnemon Sarissa
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo

Desai Pavrani
Lynn

Episode Link: Pearl and Silver

V’neef Kai, Mnemon Sarissa, and Tepet Sanzo arrive at the Prince’s ball in their most resplendent finery. The Dragon-Blooded are led into a grand courtyard with the other guests. Sanzo slips away from the others, finds Tepet suitor, Delak, and offers a few words of encouragement.

Onboard the Leviathan’s Paradise, Peleps Maera and Cathak Shao Dun deal with the aftermath of their horrific encounter with the undead monstrosity that attacked the Peleps Wood Fleet fleet. As they return to the port of Sarkarn, the mood is universally grim.

The Prince arrives at her ball wearing shimmering silver and graciously acknowledges her guests. To Sanzo’s surprise, she greets him personally and honors him with conversation, while simultaneously probing his attentions.

After a ritual Jiaran sword dance, the suitors introduce themselves to the Prince, all making strong impressions.

Maera and Shao confront the Queen of Sarkarn with information about the Lintha, and the apparent destruction of the Peleps fleet by the necrotic whale. After a testy exchange, they discover that she has terminated her relationship with House Peleps, and has allied herself with Thorns.

The Prince’s ball passes peacefully and pleasantly, although Kai and Sanzo are somewhat vexed that they cannot read the Prince’s intentions, and remain unsure of her true attitude toward the suitors.

V’neef Kai
Mnemon Sarissa
Tepet Sanzo
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun

Ozria Khidara
Tepet Delak
Cathak Jul-To
Ledaal Yasmet Silver Grace
Desai Kadajin
Soraya Taraneh

Episode Link: Between Breeze and Bough

Mnemon Sarissa meets V’neef Kai to discuss his recent encounter with the Prince. As they stroll through the villa’s splendid gardens, Kai informs her that the Prince is aware the Dragon-Blooded know her true identity. The perplexed Sarissa listens as he expresses sympathy with the Prince’s stated ideals, and dissatisfaction with the leadership of the Realm. While Sarissa still trusts Kai, she is not convinced his point of view is sound.

Elsewhere, Sanzo goes to Gauntlet and asks him to determine if the Lunar anathema’s professed belief that she genuinely cares for the people of the Realm is true, or a deception. He also wishes to understand whether his plans with Gauntlet conflict with or complement the Lunar’s schemes. Ultimately, Sanzo believes either possibility will serve him well.

Sarissa visits monk Mnemon Hoji to learn more about the nature of the anathema. He tells her that Lunars do not necessarily need to kill those they impersonate, but may steal the forms of of their victims through other dark arts.

Sanzo visits Tepet Indaro, who introduces him to Tepet Ejava, the Roseblack, an exceptionally promising member of the House. Indaro leaves, while Sanzo and Roseblack discuss potential strategy in case a clash with the anathema becomes inevitable.

Kai and Tovin discuss the great houses. Tovin, whose political views are even more radical than Kai’s, insists they must be destroyed. Before the discussion goes too far, the passion the two feel for each other rises, and they abandon talk to deal with the more important and pressing matter of love.

Mnemon Sarissa
V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo

Gauntlet
Tepet Indaro
Mnemon Hoji
Salana Tovin

Episode Link: Crowned in Silver

V’neef Kai writes a letter to Prince Ozria Khidara, ostensibly to remind her of their good relationship, and of his willingness to help her if she needs it. In reality, he hopes to meet with her to determine whether she is the Lunar Anathema that the Dragon-Blooded have been hunting. The Prince replies by offering Kai a warm invitation for a visit.

Kai brings the invitation to Tepet Sanzo, who in turn takes the letter to Curry. The kinship’s worst fears are confirmed: the Prince is indeed a Lunar.

Mnemon Sarissa bides her time. She expends her anxiety-driven energy by throwing herself into a crafting project: a collapsible, concealable short spear.

Kai, filled with apprehension, pays his visit to the Prince. The conversation is at first filled with friendly banter, until he subtly but unambiguously informs her that he knows her true nature. As she becomes wary, he stresses that he remains her friend. She discusses her belief that the forces governing the Realm are irredeemably corrupt and must be destroyed, a position Kai sympathizes with. They part without hostility, and Kai promises to warn her if his kin prepare to move against her.

In the aftermath of the confirmation of the Prince’s identity, Sanzo and Kai meet, a pall hanging over them. Kai maintains his trusting, optimistic feelings toward the Prince. Sanzo is disturbed by Kai’s attitude, and deeply skeptical of the Lunar’s good intentions.

The conversation comes to a close with Kai and Sanzo trying to decide how to break the news to the rest of the kinship.

V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo
Mnemon Sarissa
Ozria Khidara
Curry
Lynn

Episode Link: Blood on the Seas

In the aftermath of the victory over the Lintha, Admiral Peleps Polin boards the Leviathan’s Paradise and congratulates Peleps Maera and Cathak Shao Dun. Maera expresses her nervousness that the Lintha were active so close to Peleps territory.

Peleps Polin interrogates the prisoners and discovers that the Lintha are not alone in the area, although the nature of their allies and mission remain unclear.

As Maera and Polin examine captured Lintha hide charts, a disturbing revelation is revealed: the Lintha appear to have allied with Thorns. Rain begins to fall—a rain and a storm of blood.

The storm, clearly a work of dark sorcery, intensifies. Polin returns to her vessel. Maera issues emergency orders, doing her best to restore calm as fear spreads through the crew.

As the horrified Maera looks on, a great shape rises out of the ocean and destroys a ship from the Peleps fleet.

Drawing upon his knowledge of the occult, Cathak Shao Dun is reminded of the Siege of Thorns. He concludes that an undead whale, animated by necromancy, has been summoned to destroy the Peleps fleet.

Polin calls out and orders the Leviathan’s Paradise to sail for Sarkarn and warn the Queen. Maera obeys her orders. The fate of the Admiral and her fleet is unknown, concealed by the worsening storm.

Peleps Meara
Peleps Polin
Cathak Shao Dun
Desai Pavrani

Episode Link: Pirates of Sarkarn

The expedition to root out coastal pirates commences. Peleps Maera and Cathak Shao Dun set out in the Leviathan’s Paradise. Temporarily separated from their kinship, they prepare for whatever may come.

Cathak Shao Dun and Desai Pavrani spar on the ship’s deck as they wait for the coming battle.

As Maera and Shao stand together looking over the ocean, they reflect on the good times and happy memories formed during their past voyages together. They feel a deep, shared sense of sentimentality, a longing for the simpler life they have left behind, but they also understand that those times are over and they must look forward to the future.

The Leviathan’s Paradise reaches the pirate-plagued satropy of Sarkarn, where they meet Admiral Peleps Polin. The three discuss strategic goals for the inevitable encounter with the lintha.

The expedition resumes, and Maera spies a pirate hiding place. As the fleet changes course and moves into position, a mighty Lintha lamprey-beast rises out of the sea, and battle is joined.

Thanks to Maera’s expert leadership and deft maritime skills, the Leviathan’s Paradise outmaneuvers the pirates. The Peleps marines, led by Shao and Pavrani, board the enemy vessel. Storms of Lintha javelins and the great lamprey beast are no match for the Dragon-Blooded, and the battle ends with the surviving Lintha being prepared for interrogation as their ship is consumed in flame.

Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Desai Pavrani
Peleps Polin

Episode Link: Journeys and Revelations

Peleps Maera decides to test Desai Pavrani’s worthiness to join herself and Cathak Shao Dun on the upcoming pirate-hunting expedition. She defeats her in an intense sparring match, but is impressed enough with Pavrani’s skill that she formally invites her along.

As the hour of the expedition dawns, Maera inspires the crew of the Leviathan’s Paradise with a rousing speech. The great ship sets sail, and the hunt begins.

The three Dragon-Blooded remaining on land convene to discuss the developing political situation. They stumble upon a disturbing revelation after Sarissa quips offhandedly that Prince Ozria Khidara herself could have been replaced by a Lunar, as the possibility dawns on the group that this could actually be true. Obtaining a sample of the Prince’s handwriting to determine her identity is suddenly of paramount importance to the kinship.

As night falls, Sanzo seeks out Kai and tries to convince him that the Prince should select the Tepet suitor. He argues that it would give him, and therefore the kinship, considerable power and influence. Kai, distracted and under substantial pressure, is noncommittal.

Sanzo meets with Tepet Indaro. They plot and scheme with and against each other under the veneer of a discussion on how best to strengthen House Tepet.

Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Desai Pavrani
Mnemon Sarissa
V’neef Kai
Tepet Sanzo
Tepet Indaro

Episode Link: Not the Usual Suspects?

After some coaching from Tepet Sanzo and V’neef Kai, Mnemon Sarissa sets up a meeting with her fellow Mnemon, Zuri. While she waits, she heads to her workshop and begins to craft a tea set for Sanzo.

Sanzo meets with Curry the Raccoon, who once again licks the guestbook from the Leviathan’s Paradise and confirms that, as far as he can tell, there were no Lunars aboard during Kai’s party.

Peleps Maera finds Kai wandering the halls of his estate and informs him that Peleps Admiral Polin has invited her out on a pirate hunting expedition. They discuss the wisdom of bringing Shao and possibly Desai Pavrani along on the expedition, and the two part affectionately.

Maera heads to the barracks, where she finds Cathak Shao Dun in high spirits as he prepares her soldiers for the expedition. She questions him about Desai Pavrani, and he suggests she speak to her. Maera takes him up on this, and asks him to set up a meeting between the three of them.

Sarissa arrives right on time for her meeting with Zuri, seeking, as the discussion goes forward, to understand Zuri’s unspoken intentions and motivations. As they touch upon a wide range of political subjects, the coaching she received from Kai and Sanzo pays off, and she is left with a strong impression that Zuri is unaware of Arkan Khidara’s supposed dealings with House Mnemon.

Tepet Sanzo arranges a brief, clandestine meeting with Gauntlet, who informs him that her organization wants him to seek a seat on the Council of Elders. He updates her on the progress of his investigations, and lets her know he expects they will be seeing more of each other in the future.

Tepet Sanzo
V’neef Kai
Mnemon Sarissa
Curry
Peleps Meara
Cathak Shao Dun
Mnemon Zuri
Gauntlet