Episode 3 Finale Sneak Peek #1

SPOILER WARNING

The following preview is of the Episode 3 finale. If you have not played the alpha build up to the very end of its current content, or if you would like to avoid major spoilers for how things play out, you may want to skip this post. As the finale is very dependent on companion and approval levels, prior actions, and player choice, the following is only a sample of what may occur on some routes.

Conditions:

• Low Solarath approval (below 50)

• High Lethalis approval (above 50)

• Threatened Sabien Quirinus on the ferry ride to Mahanin

• Did not meet Allegra Arantir at the gala, but spotted her in the crowd

• Punched Quirinus in the face at the gala

• Did not receive the option to make a deal with Veyer for the Astrial

• MC destroyed the shroud

• MC is carrying the Astrial

• Escaped the Astrial’s tower by climbing down the side

Notes:

The dialogue options at the end of this preview show the first instance of a new type of stat check which combines two stats together. In this case, you must pass both an agility and a perception check in order to pass the check.

“I suppose it was too much to hope for a Wayfarer not to make a fool of $himself,” a cool voice says. “Come now. On your feet. Best not embarrass yourself further while we decide your fate.” 

You bristle at the insult and your jaw clenches, your mouth and nostrils still full of dust, crushed stone pressing painfully into your palms. There’s something familiar about the woman at Quirinus’ side, but you can’t place her—and it doesn’t take much for you to decide you do not like her. 

Tall, haughty, and with kohl-lined green eyes that watch you like a hawk, the woman exudes the same aura of power and beauty you’ve come to expect from Velantian mages. She is human, mature, in her late forties or early fifties. Her olive complexion is deeply tanned in the sun and her shiny auburn hair has been cropped severely at the chin. Beneath the flowing silks of her serithan, her body is wrapped tightly in glinting chainmail that reaches up the length of her throat. A gold chain bracelet flashes on her hand; it is similar to the one Umbria wore, thought the gemstone at its heart glows red.   

She must be Quirinus’ second-in-command. 

You shove the butt of the Astrial into the ground and rise to your feet. This is what they’ve come here for. If you can’t hide it, you might as well make a show of it. “Couldn’t think of an introduction before insulting me?” you say. 

The woman throws back her head and laughs, amusement glittering in her vibrant green eyes. “You’re delightful, $lastname, truly,” she replies. “Such a shame we could not be friends. Perhaps if you had sought me out at the gala last night, you would have had a change of heart.” 

So that’s it… You must have run into her in the pavilions. “Shame you made such an unmemorable impression, maybe I would have changed my mind. Who are you again?” 

“Allegra Arantir,” Aeran grunts, his voice barely audible. “Imperial general. Battlemage.” 

Allegra smirks. “So good of you to remember me, Aeran,” she says, her gaze passing over him to narrow in on the staff in your hands. “How did your evening last night fare?” 

“Shut up.” 

Her smile widens. 

You frown, a dozen questions circling your mind. Whatever the reason for their familiarity, you don’t have time to question it now. “I suppose it would be too much to ask you to get out of our way?” you grunt. “You can’t imagine the day I had.” 

Her gaze turns to you. “No,” she says coldly. “I can’t. And you know full well that such a request is an impossibility while you carry Diradan’s Astrial.” 

Worth a shot. It is taking every inch of your self-control not to reach for your sword and attack. But any sudden movement would be to your detriment; your immunity will protect you, but it will do little to shield you if she smites the ground at your feet in retaliation. Battlemage… godsdamn it. Though that can account for anything, there is a good chance she is a soulweaver or a spiritbreaker, which means you’ll be dealing with creation or force magic. And that’s without throwing Quirinus into the mix. You may have landed a surprise hit on him last night, but you doubt you will manage such a thing again. 

You recall his warning from yesterday. 

I command the power of three spheres… You cannot touch me. Even if you survived, what then? What do you think you could accomplish by murdering the Grand Archsage in his own city? Every guard, assassin, and mercenary-for-hire would be searching for you. You wouldn’t last a week. 

Fucking hells. This is more of the same, isn’t it. The bastard has you trapped. 

Sweat drips down the nape of your neck. This is no deal with Cere Nalos, no confrontation with a mercenary band. The Order of Solarath has come for the Astrial, and they will get it, one way or another. You could hand it to them, buy safe passage through their ranks in exchange for not making their lives hell. You would be free of Diradan, free of the Astrial… 

But can you do it? Betray Lethalis? After you’ve come all this way, after Zenaida and her people plucked you from Rona and arguably saved your life. Though you hate to admit it, the Order of Lethalis isn’t terrible as far as mages go. You can admire Umbria and Zenaida for their ambition and drive, their desire to protect their city from disorder and chaos. You can respect Malsara’s devotion to Zenaida, the lengths she will go to support her mission. Even Veyer’s sardonic approach to life is something you can appreciate. 

Fuck. You promised them the Astrial, they promised you crowns and freedom. Even without accounting for your scruples, you are in a bind. The gold Malsara paid you this morning is a start, but it won’t go far enough to secure a way out of the city. Especially not with an angry Lethalis on your tail. If you fail here, if you do not prevent the very thing Umbria feared so much, they will come after you. Malsara on her own would be enough to contend with; you’d hate to see what the Order’s ire looks like. 

And you have no idea what Quirinus would be capable of with the Astrial in his possession. It’s not just Velantis that is at stake. You could doom all of Rhesainia by saving your own neck.   

Fuck, fuck, fuck. You catch Aeran’s eye, hoping for some silent advice, some indication of what to do—but there is nothing. He stand still, hands slack at his sides, eyes blankly trained on the ground at Quirinus’ feet. His manic energy has evaporated, replaced with hollow acceptance. As if he has already decided you are too late. 

You wet your lower lip, running your tongue over dry, cracked skin. “You know what, maybe thanks are in order,” you say, desperately stalling for time. “Forget the Astrial, you have your tower back thanks to me. I should be charging you for services rendered.” 

“You know I cannot do that.” She regards you with such powerful self-assurance you doubt she has any doubts. She has already imagined how this encounter will play out; there will be no straying from the course. “For what it’s worth, I did very much enjoy our conversation last night. How regretful that Lethalis got to you first.” 

You bite back a laugh. Funny, how close Lethalis is and yet not close enough. They’re just beyond the walls. If only you could get the other side, there’s a slim chance you could get the Astrial into Malsara’s hands. She could spirit it away while you and the others make your escape. Or you could stall for more time. The shroud’s destruction is too large an event for Veyer to mask. They and Ashani must have sensed something has gone terribly awry by now. 

Your gaze lands on Quirinus. He observes you quietly with folded arms, his smile smug, his golden hair impossibly brilliant in the sun. Clearly he is enjoying how your conversation with Allegra has played out. 

1. “Hey Quirinus, leash your attack dog. Let’s have a real conversation.”
2. “Your silence speaks volumes, Grand Archsage. Do you have an opinion on this or are you going to let Arantir do all the work?”
3. Stay silent. Maybe if you let Allegra talk herself hoarse you’ll have enough time to come up with a plan.
4. [AGILITY & PERCEPTION] Cast a covert glance around the premises. Look for an advantage, a way out, anything. There has to be something you can use here.