sphere of the sacred worm

Sketting on the Gyre

Way down, way down
water finds its way down
way down, way down
water finds its way

of all the world i've roamed
there's nowhere i can stay
where is my home?
water knows the way

my eyes have seen such tragedy
and still they cannot cry
the drought that's deep inside of me
has left my heart so dry

so when the rains fall from the sky
i lift my face to the storm
and where the rain falls from my eyes
that's where i'll know i'm home

way down, way down
water finds its way down
way down, way down
water finds its way

Rhodite descends; the Sleepers awaken; heaven and earth reach concordance with Chicory in between. The maelstrom recedes; the groves of the dead flourish; the hallow becomes ascendent; the hole begins to close. Break your fast of silence and drink to all above and below, but remember to pour out a share, that the gods know they do not labor alone.

As the storm dies down, Evangeline finds SUPERB in the high rooms of the castle keep, playing with small gods. They sit together as rain falls into a pond formed in the broken floor and talk about the rebellion, about the purpose of castles and building them up and tearing them down, and about their futures.

They leave, and the small gods intercede, leading them to an old grave. Evangeline encounters her old partner from the years of the rebellion, Softbirch. They parted on poor terms, yet Evangeline has carried feelings for them since, and they never found a conclusion until now. Softbirch tells of how they died, sparking the uprising that would overtake the castle, as well as how their health degraded and they passed away from poison. They asked if it was worth it, and Evangeline answered truthfully- she didn't know, but could only hope. Softbirch returned the orchid she gave them all those years ago, and they parted ways for the last time. SUPERB departed and Chicory joined her, and Evangeline spoke to her about her past and her memories of Softbirch.

The caravan retired and rose the following day, and ascended the transformed castle hill to visit with Ixa before departing. Chicory suggested they take a day (or morning, at least) off and play with SUPERB. Afterwards, she spoke to them of their journey and experiences, and how the world is full of beauty even as it is full of hurt as well, and invites them to join the caravan. Ixa accepts.

Valerie speaks with SUPERB, and lets fae know that she wants to follow and be with them; but also that she wishes to return to Amberfield to meet back with Sister Honey, whom she still has feelings for. SUPERB supports this, and they affirm their love for one another as adoptive family.

Later, we think, they all celebrate Evangeline's 38th birthday and finally crack open Valerie's jug of demon wine.

Epilogues

• Evangeline and Chicory one day settle in a larger town and set up a stationary shop. Chicory, we think, may become a schoolteacher while Evangeline, older but still a restless sort, is liable to dabble in the work of the moth-tenders and post
• Dandelion stays with them and helps run shop; she's basically Evangeline's son, and he doesn't want to leave the family business
• Ixa sticks around with Eva and Chicory a number of years, but one day, when they're an adult, returns to Sketting wiser to the world. No longer do they stay confined to the hallow, but travel all about.
• SUPERB and Valerie stay together, joined by Honey. Eventually, Valerie publishes her book and it takes the form of a blend of history, poem, and memoir of her travels. She also returns across the mountains and makes peace with her mother, and tells her that her brother is still alive. One day, we think, she makes way back to Ganister and the University in Marigolds and becomes a plumber, being skilled in dealing with demons and the Plumber's Cant both. SUPERB, a decade or so later, visits the village fae hailed from and leaves some kind of memorial.

Next Session

We prepare for Nishgranting Season 2 and give Ovida, Theremin, Liza, and assorted others miraculous arcs and talk about a time skip.

A few other details of the nature and aftermath of Chicory's transcendental experience as a conduit for reuniting primordial gods:

• The sword that had belonged to Aslind of the Rebellion (the one that Valerie had been carrying all this time), having been determined to not suit as a grave marker after all, ended up finding a purpose as the lightning rod for channeling Rhodite: a fundamentally healing and productive act, which also saw the sword permanently rooted in the center of the sacred spring. It became a different sort of memorial, marking the healing of a wound in the world.
• Chicory awoke lying at the overflowing edge of the sacred spring, the paw that had held the sword now bleached entirely white, with a jagged streak extending up her shoulder: a lingering mark of her contact with something that... well, likely would have killed her without Ixa's help.
• (Naturally, in the cold seasons when her fur goes ermine, the marking will be black instead.)

Truly a wonderful time all around; you know a game's themes have been potent when you find yourself echoing them—entirely without conscious plan—in an in-character speech. (I believe the part where the in-character speech is made to a timeless preteen alligator scion of gods is less essential.) Also, after so many times getting stabbed directly in the emotions by Geo, it was truly a pleasure to pick up Softbirch and return the favor.  😘🔪