Episode 3 Sneak Peek #17

Here's a hefty preview from the Aeran branch! This occurs on a route where the MC remained hired and the mission is a go. Veyer, Aeran, and Malsara are present in the boat, but not Zenaida. 

Depending on Malsara's current mood towards the MC (this is set by Lethalis' general approval level or if the MC takes certain dialogue options with her in the section prior to this), Malsara will address them as either "Wayfarer $lastname" (respectful) or "$lastname" (pissed off). 

This sneak peeks has multiple flavour text flags within it, so when you encounter it in the game, you might experience something slightly different. This sneak peek has:

• High Aeran approval (friendship or romance reconciliation)
• Low Lethalis approval
• MC feels negative towards magic
• MC made a pact with Sophia Anaxas at the gala and asked for more money
• MC has made an impression Veyer

Veyer runs a hand across their chin. “Care to elaborate?” they ask. “Zenaida is one of the Guild’s most talented brightwardens. She crafted a portion of Mahanin’s wards herself; I have no doubt that if she wished to leave the palace, not even the archon could stop her—”

“She can and she has.”

They fall silent, brow furrowed with confusion.

“House Anaxas’ ties to the Arcanists’ Lodge are too strong, their researchers too eager, their engineers too clever,” Malsara continues, unbridled fury tinging her voice. “Her Grace is restrained until further notice. Should she attempt to leave her boundaries, her bonds will portal her back to her quarters. Not even my magic can circumvent it. She is effectively tethered to Mahanin. And while she is keen to find a loophole, I do not care to experiment. Protection and spatial magic have unexpected consequences when synergized—ones that could very well result in her death.”

You exchange looks with Aeran. He shrugs with disinterest and rolls his eyes. You can’t blame him. After the way Zenaida strung you along, concealed information about Lethalis, and held off on your payment, you understand where he’s coming from.

Magic is a boon, a tool, a fundamental part of the world’s natural laws. Without centuries of research and innovation into magical theory, modern society would not exist. Velantis itself would never have turned into the metropolis it is without it. Crucial though it is to the well-being of the world, magic is too easily corruptible. You’ve seen it time and time again. Magic is powerful, but whatever good is has done is outweighed by the warped and twisted forms it can take.

Regardless if what Malsara says is true, Sophia Anaxas has gotten what she wanted. Zenaida has been effectively removed from Lethalis without any effort on your part. Would she still pay you for services rendered? Unfortunate that you’re unlikely to ever find out—you have no intention of returning to Oriath District, let alone Mahanin Palace, once this is over.

[CHOICE] 1. “That’s reprehensible.”
2. The situation disgusts you, but you’ll keep your opinions to yourself. You’re here for one reason and one reason only.
3. Malsara’s opinion is notably biased. Without knowing more, it’s not something you’re willing to judge.

Veyer stiffens, twining their hands together twine their hands together as they tug at the ring on their index finger. They glance at you, a determined look flashing in their eyes.

“You would do well to keep that opinion to yourself, $wayfarer,” Malsara says grimly. “The river may protect you for now, but the archon has eyes and ears in even the least likely of places. She does not take insults lightly where her family and her House are concerned.”

They snort. “Sophia Anaxas has more important things to worry about than arbitrary gossip about her daughter,” they say, relaxing once more into a leisurely sprawl. “Not when she herself is the subject of Oriath’s latest scandal. Poor Lord Anaxas, ousted by a former mercenary and a Faran to boot. No wonder her court couldn’t keep their mouths shut last night. Erenvor will delight in this; there’s nothing more entertaining than disparaging self-centred provincial nobles. Tell me, Markal, is it traditional for Velantian aristocrats to bed their bodyguards, or is it a habit of Anaxas women?”

You pause, mouth half open, caught off-guard by the boldness of Veyer’s statement. Malsara looks ready to commit murder. If you were with anyone else, you would consider throwing yourself overboard to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

“You are not in a position to judge,” Malsara says. Amber light flares in her eyes, stoked by her quiet wrath. “I doubt someone with your kind of notoriety has the capacity to understand.”

They laugh, their mouth hardening into a grim smile. “Come now. Don’t say you’re in love with her. You and I both know it doesn’t work like that.”

“There is no oath to tie me, no vow to bind me, save the ones I made in private,” she hisses. “Take care with that wit you think is so clever, Krellion. I may have the stomach for it, but many do not. How long will it be before Lethalis no longer indulges you? The emperor’s favour allows you to behave however you please, but there will come a time when even his word cannot protect you.”

The smile vanishes. “His favour has granted Lethalis many privileges through me,” they say coldly, sitting upright for the first time since they boarded. “Privileges that have benefited the cause in more ways than one, privileges that would have otherwise been unattainable. The price was paid in kind. Lethalis knows this. But what of you, Markal? What have you done for them? Your record proves you care little for the organizations itself or its goals. Why would an Erebian operative care for a little thing like the Astrial? You are loyal because your sister and your lover are loyal. If it weren’t for them—”

“Zenaida has done more to further Lethalis’ cause than anyone in recent years,” Malsara snaps. “Do you understand how many months of preparation—how many years of research—went into her plan? She sacrificed her relationships and reputation to retrieve $wayfarer and Kellis from Rona, only to return to an unanticipated disaster and to be outplayed by an unlikely alliance at the eleventh hour. Though this is a mere shadow of her original proposal, be grateful for it. It’s thanks to her Lethalis can act at all.”

You stare over the gunnels at the rippling river, the sound of water rushing in your ears. There’s something about the way she says this that troubles you. Zenaida’s arrival in Rona was unprecedented, the kind of incident even the most talented augur couldn’t predict. The determination with which she pursued you and Aeran… She was never leaving Rona without you. Even had the incident in the town square had gone differently, she was never going to leave without you.

But why? She’s a highborn noble, the scion of one of the most important Great Houses in Arathia. She could have had a comfortable life, far from the Guild and the machinations of Lethalis and Solarath. And there is still the matter of her informant, the mysterious informant who pushed her in Aeran’s direction and lead her to Rona…

[CHOICE] 1. “What do you mean years of research? How long was Zenaida planning this?”
2. Catch Aeran’s eye. He must have his own questions. Maybe you can nudge him into asking…
3. Keep your mouth shut. Focus on the mission. That is all that’s required of you.

The boat rocks abruptly from side to side. “Very few Guild mages are interested in your kind, $wayfarer,” Malsara answers after a moment. “But where some would see you as a threat to all mages, Her Grace saw you as allies to be won. Your abilities are unique, a tool of untapped potential no one else could dream of utilizing.”

Your jaw clenches and your hand presses sharply into $blade’s hilt. “I don’t appreciate being called a tool.”

“Strange of you to take offense when you tout those skills as part of your mercenary prowess,” she says pointedly. “If you do not wish to be considered a tool, then do not label yourself as such.”

Anger flares in your chest, an ugly retort forming on your lips.

“Her Grace first suggested allying with Wayfarers some eight years ago,” Malsara continues, cutting across you. “It was not taken well, a proposal considered laughable at best. Many found it an affront to Guild principles and were resistant to the idea.”

“Oshiro, primarily,” Veyer interjects. “Though I’m sure that does not come as a surprise to you. Unfortunately for Her Grace, the archsage often has the loudest voice in the room. I certainly wasn’t resistant to the idea. A magianis is the obvious solution to the Astrial conundrum. Frankly, I’m surprised the idea has not occurred to Quirinus himself.”

Malsara sighs irritably. “It was not only Archsage Oshiro. Wayfarer movement through Imperial territories may have been recently permissible, many authorities refused to see it that way. At the time, inviting a Wayfarer into Velantis would have been difficult.”

Veyer shrugs, uninterested in her correction, and casually dips a hand over the gunnel. They occupy themself with the flowing water, as if the conversation has completely lost their interest. You aren’t fooled. From the angle of their head and the deliberateness of their movements, you’re certain they are keeping an ear out.

“Her Grace was resilient,” Malsara continues. “She was preparing to speak with a senior representative of your order when the Spire fell. Any plans she had in motion died with it. It was not until she was informed of Wayfarer Kellis’ survival that she could consider it possibility once more.”

You frown. Zenaida told you once she met both Sero and Varyn a decade ago. That meeting appears to have been influential.

Last night, Sophia called her daughter’s hunt for a Wayfarer all-encompassing, that it was her only concern for a year. You have no doubt that the timeline coincides with her hunt for Aeran. During that time, did she know of Varyn and Sirin’s appearances in the city? Did she attempt to track them down before she turned her attention to Aeran? Was he her only choice?

And why were you never part of the equation?

1. “This senior representative… who was it?”
2. “Why did Zenaida seek Aeran out? He has a reputation in the Empire, her informant must have known that. Not many Guild mages would risk that.”
3. “Zenaida didn’t know I was in Rona. For someone so interested in the Wayfarer Order, how is it—in all of her searching—she never found a trace of me?”
[Unlocked by progressing the question loop] 4. [PERSUASION] Ask her for the identity of Zenaida’s informant.
5. You have so many questions, but Malsara is unlikely to have the answers. You’re here now. Focus on the mission. 

The above dialogue loop can greatly impact your approval with Lethalis. Pursuing the #4 option will be difficult to do successfully and you will have to balance getting information vs Lethalis' rapport and Malsara's mood and temperament.