The Story Guide to Season 1

This is a comprehensive and lore-heavy guide to the story of season 1. Hope you all enjoy.

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A quick foreword

Hi, I'm deykuzor, and if you're reading this, you likely have seen my other guide to season 1. That was six years ago, and I was playing it up for laughs, but I do genuinely think that Vindictus is a solid (sometimes) story told by an idiot. While I think The F*** You Guide to Season 1 and related guides have their place, honestly, I felt bad I never bothered to really explain Vindictus properly. (and yes, I am actively working on the 3rd installment of that). You can see some attempts at trying to amend this in the later guide in the F*** You series but obviously, it's not the right vehicle for it. I don't play this game much anymore, but a friend of mine started to recently, and she was trying to understand the story. So here is my attempt at a proper retelling: Enjoy.

Notes: Vindictus has gone through several updates at this point, changing a lot of the key elements of the story. Because of this, it is impractical to go through every single element of plot in this game in case things change again. There will be some indepth plot mentioned, but some things will be glossed over.

The "forgotten story" section is dedicated to content inaccessible to new players now, but are still accessible to characters created and in the process of completing those questlines.

The "side story" section is dedicated to an optional sidequest that is meant to take place during Season 1 Episode 8. Because I think it is narratively important, it is included here. Unfortunately, I do not want to have the side story contained within the Episode 8 section (which is already prohibitively long), so some dialogue tweaks have been made to make the section make narrative sense, even if it is not wholly true to the game. Sorry for the liberties taken.
Season 2 has a story guide as well you can check out here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2579808847

S3
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2583546184

S4
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2603229482

Note about the content of the Prologue: Someone has accused me of plagiarism of this post:

https://forums.vindictus.nexon.net/discussion/1904/vindictus-main-story-summary.

I assure you it is not, it's actually my own translation of this:
https://youtu.be/advikQgk5TM

Which is actually what I assume they also translated from since they also link that same video. There's just a limit to how you can translate it and make it sound nice when translating one to one. For full disclaimer though, while I was born in Korea, my hangugeo is poor, and a lot of this was checking my translation again in naver and google translate to be certain.

Changelog: Aug 8 2021: Release Version 1. (To Do: Record updated versions of specific cutscenes, since the voice acting change).

Aug 17 2021: Updated all the videos and hosted them myself and fixed some errors/grammar mistakes.

April 14 2024: Clarifications, edits, additional context, changed lines, improvements to readability.

Preface

Ages past, in the land of Erinn, Elchulus reigned. God of the Fomors, he ruled over time itself. No mortal dared to face a god.

Fomors of the land of Erinn are categorized as a sentient collection of races with monstrous appearances. Humans and certain other races have not typically aligned themselves with Fomorian beliefs.

The Fomorian god, however, was confronted by a god of humans, Morrighan; Goddess of War and Vengeance. Eventually Morrighan succeeded in sealing away Elchulus, but in her efforts, herself was sealed.



In the wake of a cruel world, ravaged with suffering, and small conflict and skirmishes between the humans and the monstrous Fomorians, the Pontiff Court was established...

There were strong winds. The land was barren... and people came together to survive.
Still, people had reason to live. There was a legend.
And people kept the legend alive within their hearts:
One day, we will go to Erinn.
One day, we will go to paradise.
And with a promise, they would wait:
A goddess who will defeat the Fomors would lead them to paradise, Morrighan.
She who had dark wings.
No one remembers when the the legend began.
All that is remembered is the prophecy:
Wipe out the Fomors.
when the last drop of Fomorian blood runs cold,
The Goddess will return and guide humanity to paradise, Erinn.

The nights were filled with the blood of the defeated.
But the goddess did not appear.
Perhaps the legend is wrong.
Or perhaps the promise has not yet been met.


War has begun.

Prologue

The Guardian of the town of Colhen, Wenshardt, runs amok, requiring the Crimson Blade Mercenaries stationed near the town to attempt to take him down at the old Bell Tower on the road between Colhen and Rocheste.

While Aodhan, captain of the Crimson Blades demands use of Ballistae, he is stopped by the town's Oracle, Tieve.

"Stop!" she begs, reminding the captain that the monstrous white spider is not usually aggressive. Marrec, second in command, hesitates, but convinces Aodhan to escort Tieve inside to calm the beast down. Aodhan brings a group of his mercenaries with him into the bell tower, but they are ambushed by Fomorian Gnolls. Only one mercenary manages to continue up the tower; Tieve in tow.

At the top, Tieve appears to be able to calm Wenshardt down, and asks it about what frightened it.



As she appears to calm the spider down, a sudden Fomorian mind control symbol appears on the beast's head, requiring the Crimson Blades to slay it. The rookie is taken to Colhen, where they will be residing for a while.

A robed figure leaves, after watching from the distance.

Episode 1: The Crimson Blades

With the discovery of Gnolls at the bell tower, the Crimson Blades immediately launch an investigation on the Fomorians occupying the nearby Perilous Ruins.

While typically, the Gnolls had left nearby Colhen alone, investigations indicate an aggressive force forming within the ruins. The new mercenary and other members of the Crimson Blades are sent to fend back the Gnolls, eventually killing their Chieftain. However, the Royal Army of Rocheste descends onto Colhen, and reprimands you for attacking the relatively peaceful faction of gnolls, and begins to use Colhen as a forward garrison against Fomorian troops.

Episode 2: Shadow of the Fomors

The citizens of Colhen ask the rookie to go to Hoarfrost Hollow for a special ice used in a popular drink in town. When the rookie visits, they find the icy caverns filled with Kobolds.

The rookie is reprimanded again by the Royal Army's Captain Gwynn, but because of their findings, is asked to continue investigations. During this, plans are revealed about an amassing force of Kobolds looking for Night Shade.

During this time, Nyle disappears from Colhen, and Gallagher gives the Rookie a strange ring, telling the Rookie he intends to sell it.

The Royal Army and the Crimson Blades lead a pre-emptive strike before the Kobolds are properly prepared.

When the Royal Army leaves, believing their forces victorious, the Rookie remains behind. A Kobold - Strong Ekelch - applauds the violence, from his perch above. He cackles and then launches a counteroffensive, bringing with him The Brothers Ebeloch, and Gloomy Echapelch - a mind controlled Kobold, fighting for control against the Gloomy Spider atop his head. The Rookie is nearly overwhelmed, but suddenly, the strange ring vibrates, unleashing power from within. The Rookie is transformed into a dark warrior and manages to escape.

Meanwhile, a legendary beastly Bear stalks the travelers within the caverns.

Episode 3: Piercing the Crescent Moon

"Ainle was beautiful, like a lovely summer evening. You could smell the sweetness of ripe wine everywhere." -Fenella

Ainle was a lost town that has been abandoned within the past ten years, with the Royal Army restricting any and all access to it.

A young cadet, Ellis, takes an interest in exploring the town of Ainle after being coerced with pancakes, and together with the Rookie, the two investigate.



In Ainle, the rookie discovers a ruined, burned down town, but as they explore, the town turns out to not be as empty as initially believed. Goblins roam the streets... But not sentient, intelligent Goblins as the race is known to be... But strange, mindless, ambling Goblins. As if under the control of something else.

The rookie returns to be reprimanded yet again by the Royal Army. The Rookie and Ellis continue to investigate. The two manage to find evidence of some inter-dimensional portal, before being harshly admonished by Captain Gwynn to stop the search.

Ellis decides to ignore orders, and the Rookie chases after him. He is killed by a Goblin leader.

The rookie continues a personal exploration of Ainle, but eventually is forced to stop as the town becomes progressively more and more dangerous. Nyle, the mysterious man who resides in Colhen at the Magic Shop, and Gallagher, of the Crimson Blades, reveal their membership to the Silent Brotherhood, claiming that Wenshardt the Spider was their guardian for the Oracle.

Nyle sends the rookie out to investigate more portals opening in Ainle, as Vampires emerge into the world. After defeating the Blood Prince, the Blood Emperor emerges. The rookie fights against the dark power of the ring, and as it is about to engulf them, a new power erupts from it. Holy power rejects the vengeful ways of the Dark Knight and succeeds in driving back the Blood Emperor.



"Beware... My father... comes... He will be here."

The rookie is warned of a choice on how to protect the Oracle, vengeful, and uncompromising, or as a protector, with a heart of compassion, Nyle would accept the rookie's resolve, but as more portals open over Ainle, Nyle tells the rookie to leave. That Ainle would be taken care of.

Episode 4: The King of the Gnolls

Gallagher sends the rookie to Fobellow Prairie to collect mushrooms, and while there, the rookie discovers an assembly of Gnolls. Documents discovered reveal two competing Gnoll factions:

The Gnolls chased out towards the Eastern Perilous Ruins led by the Gnoll Chieftain were a peaceful coalition that largely wished to be left alone;

and the Gnolls amassing and allying their forces with the Ogre Fomorian Commander Shakarr, led by the Gnoll Warchief Black Scar.



The rookie is called back to Ainle as more invaders arrive. Nyle asks the rookie what conclusion had been reached. Regardless of what the rookie had decided, the emerging threat of the Blood Lord requires one last stand by the rookie and the Silent Brotherhood with the power of the ring.



The rookie, the Crimson Blades, and the Royal Army return to face Black Scar's forces in the Fobellow Prairie, forcing them back into a retreat towards the Ruins of Sanctity.

Deep in the Ruins, behind the giant doors, something stirs:

Forgotten Story - Pact

The following is only applicable prior to the RISE Update and was superceded by changes to Chapter 2: Shadow of the Fomor, and Chapter 3: Piercing the Crescent Moon. It remains here as some still exist in that timeline, where the Pact questline had been started:

Oracle Tieve begins falling asleep sporadically, and while the Rocheste Magician Jarlath is unable to cure her, the Silent Brotherhood, of which Nyle is revealed to be a member, accepts the Rookie's request to join the brotherhood in hopes of curing Tieve. The Rookie's final test is to slay Gallagher, who is revealed to be acting of his own accord within the Brotherhood.

While completing Pacts, the Rookie found journals:

Whatever I write here is my truth,
and it comes from my heart.

This is the guide that I make for myself,
and it is the hand of fate that will guide my destiny.

The travels that will determine my future
have just begun...

The Silent Brotherhood... Our purpose is to
protect the Oracle and the coming of Erinn.

All actions are decided by the organization.
To fully serve our cause, you must
give up not only greed, but justice.
We fight against the corrupted legend
and seek the truth.
That is what defines the Silent Brotherhood.

And we are the weapons, the "Eight Swords."

As I told you, everything in the Silent Brotherhood
is determined by the group.

There isn't any room for personal feelings,
and there is no sense of one's own life.

It is my calling to protect the oracle.
I haven't the slightest doubt.

But...
Is it right for others to die for the oracle?

Could we ever justify all the murders...?
Oh, Morrigan... Is this really what you ask of us?

Gallagher will survive this humiliation, but for the Rookie's considerable determination: The Rookie's choice binds them to a path either belonging to the Silent Brotherhood, to protect the Oracle of Morrighan, or... carving another path separate from the Brotherhood.

Episode 5: The Lost Holy Artifact

Gwynn assigns the rookie to patrol the deep depths of the Hoarfrost Hollow, during which, the rookie discovers not only a deeper entrenched occupation of Kobolds than previously thought, but also a snow... monster? Yeti are discovered deep within Hoarfrost Hollow.

While fighting off the Kobold hordes, a Holy Artifact, a Statue of the Goddess is stolen from the Pontiff's Court, and the Rookie is sent to retrieve it. The Rookie returns from this endeavor as a hero.

The Yeti - who were woken by the activities of Kobolds in their lair - launch an assault on the invaders, with tensions rising towards full-blown war. The rookie faces down the Yeti King - Rockjaw and comes back victorious, breaking their will to aggress on the humans.

Extra Episode: The Trolls of Hilder Forest

The Rookie enlists in the Royal Army. After defeating Black Belly - a revived yeti which the entirety of the Royal Army stationed at Colhen could not, the Rookie becomes recognized as a cadet.

The Rookie returns to Colhen and meets Aodhan's friend, Lord Ingkells, the famed "Maelstrom" of the Ortel Castle in the Hilder Forest. An invading band of Trolls have appeared within the Hilder Forest Ruins, causing Ingkells and his assistant, Silberin, to come to Colhen to seek help from Aodhan.



A Bloody Shade is discovered, which appears to have been cultivated within the Hilder Forest by the Trolls. The plant appears to cause a frenzy in the Trolls, making them much more dangerous and monstrous than before. After the Trolls are routed, Ingkells speaks with the Rookie, expressing dissatisfaction with the Pontiff's Court.

"This is where the oracle is. Do you believe the Goddess will come? Oh? Why, I envy you." - Ingkells, Lord of Ortel Castle.

Ingkells and Silberin take their leave.

Episode 6: Colhen in Flames

Six months after their triumph in Hoarfrost, the Rookie arrives in Rocheste as a new Cadet for the Royal Army. While in an environment new to the Rookie, they have very little time to unpack and unwind. A large multi-army force has stationed itself in Fobellow Prairie. The Rookie is sent to investigate.

While the Royal Army is preoccupied with fighting off the combined forces of Gremlins, Ogres and Goblins, Colhen is attacked and set ablaze.

The Rookie hurries back to Colhen after returning from a tiring battle with Goblin Commander Kakrish to a large Ogre - Blood Fist - ransacking the town. Managing to dispatch of the brute, the Rookie is relieved to hear... most of Colhen is safe and the residents are alive... Except -
some women are missing?

Clodagh, the girl who runs the sewing service at the Colhen General Store and Colhen's Oracle, Tieve, are nowhere to be found!

Far away from Colhen, back in the Fomorian Stronghold in Fobellow Prairie, the Ogre Warlord, Black Hammer, argues with Shakarr - Commander of the Fomorian Army - about what to do with this girl who was accidentally kidnapped instead of the Oracle.

Keaghan, Commander of the Royal Army, leads an assault on the Fomorian Base in an attempt to rescue the missing women. Upon failing to stop Black Hammer from escaping, they return to Colhen to find Tieve had managed to evade capture - happening to have been at the Temple during the attack on Colhen. Keaghan and the Rookie return to the Fomorian Base to fight off Black Hammer and to rescue Clodagh.

Extra Episode: The Titan

Continuing the assault in Fobellow Prairie against the Goblins, the Rookie begins discovering fragments of a mirror.

The continued investigation reveals these fragments have the seal of a contract with an Ogre, Black Hammer?

Black Hammer converses with someone standing in the shadows of his lair:

"...Did you say the humans collected all 4 fragments?"

"Yes."

"Damn... So be it.

Release Titan."

"Are you serious?"

"If we wait any longer, Shakarr will find out
about Larken. This is the only way to hide
Larken's existence.

If you want to hide a tree, you should
hide it in the forest.

The appearance of Titan will prevent Shakarr from finding out anything about Larken."

"...."

"Move quickly. We have no time."

"Yes, sir."

"Human...," Black Hammer trembles with anger, "I will remember this."

The Rookie, Gwynn and some Royal Knights run into a fearsome Goblin with powerful firey swords.

"He's a goblin, not an ogre. Why was it so hard just to find him? Is he the head of the goblins? No, he's not. Then, is he a summoner? A secret weapon? ...E-everything is shaking! " - Gwynn

As Larken fell, a great one-eyed beast with crimson skin emerged. The Titan had been unleashed.

Episode 7: The Second Oracle

A short time after defeating the Titan, and during a brief time of relative peace in Fobellow Prairie, the Pontiff's Court calls for all Oracles of the Goddess Morrighan to make pilgrimage to Rocheste. The Oracle of Prophecy would soon reveal their self. Murmurs of excitement are exchanged amongst the battered peoples - is this the sign of the Goddess' return?

On the way to Rocheste, a carriage is assaulted by a strange race of Reptilian assassins. The Rookie manages to fend off the assassination attempt, and save Laurys, the Pontiff himself. The Rookie is named the Guardian of the Church for their heroism, however, a report from a beggar of a woman being taken into the sewers of Rocheste by some men with lizard-like faces casts a shadow on the occasion. While Riordan, Deputy Commander of the Royal Army, does not pay heed to the beggar, the Rookie decides to investigate.

Deep in the sewers, the Rookie finds Lizardmen, as described, just like the ones that attacked the Pontiff's carriage, as well as Ratmen - enslaved by the Lizardmen invaders. Commander of the Royal Army, Keaghan, also investigates with the Rookie, and a sealing stone is found, but what is now unsealed remains unclear. Keaghan gives the broken sealing stone fragment to the Rookie for safe keeping.

After several attempts to delve deeper into the sewers, the Rookie comes across a ritual ceremony. A young woman with Black hair wearing robes of the Oracle lays upon a stone table. Fighting the Lizardman - Shadow Shaman Ingkara - the Rookie is able to save the woman. In the chaos, a white robed Lizardman slinks away.

Upon returning to Rocheste proper, the Pontiff declares the Rookie a hero for saving the prophecized Oracle. Additionally, Ronaun - Lord of Rocheste - appoints the Rookie to Captain, with Keaghan, Commander of the Royal Army, appointing Gwynn to the Rookie's right hand.

Episode 8: Not Even if You Kill Us All (part 1)

Traitors! Vile monsters who would instigate heresy! That is what the Rookie hears of Lord Ingkells and the soldiers at Ortel Castle.

Ingkells has stood before the people living in his lands, and declared the Prophecy is a falsehood, that the Goddess will not come, and that the Pontiff's Court is deceiving the people. As the Royal Army marches on his land to execute him for treason, Ingkells instructs his loyal men to ingest the Bloody Shades, transforming them into inhuman monsters.

Soldiers of Ortel Castle, you know better than
anyone that we have not started a rebellion.

You also know that the Prontiff's Court is spreading lies.
The prophecy is wrong, and they know it.

It is too late for us. Even if we surrender, they will not spare our lives. We know too much.

Soldiers of Ortel if we must die, we will not go down easily! We will fight!

That is what Morrighan would have commanded of us! - Lord Ingkells

The Royal Army, led by the Rookie under order of Keaghan, is stopped by Ahglan, the Stone Guardian of Ortel, and Cloyan, famed swordsman under Lord Ingkells. Upon finding a key fragment, the Rookie is able to take another key fragment held by Aodhan and complete the key to Lord Ingkell's Central Garden.

The Rookie and some soldiers of the Royal Army take up arms and storm Ingkell's Castle, entering the Central Garden.... When Ingkells - transformed by the Bloody Shade - emerges and attacks. The powerful Lord became a brutish, monstrous warrior, with skin like stone and enraged movements. After much effort, the Lord of Ortel Castle falls.

You...! It is you...I see...You have become a soldier...
(Ingkells pants heavily.)
Please...You must discover why we had to do this. The
goddess...will not come...not even if you kill us all.
(Ingkells places something in your hands. It is a Catacombs Fragment.)
Oh, how I long for...just one more sip...of Iced Strawberry Brandy...

(Ingkell's hand falls to the ground. He is gone.)

As Riordan and the court celebrate their victory over Ortel Castle, Keaghan and Aodhan share a solemn quiet moment together.

"Did we do the right thing? They were Fomors..No longer human. Yet he was someone you respected."

"...."

"But the prophecy says that only when every last drop of Fomor blood has been spilt can we enter Erinn. So killing them was the right to do, yes? But then, why does this weigh so heavily upon me? I don't know what's right or wrong anymore, Aodhan..."

Episode 8: Not Even If You Kill Us All (part 2)

Seeking answers, Keaghan examines the Catacomb Fragment given to the Rookie by Ingkells. Unsure what to make of it, the two go to visit the Prophecized Oracle Seanna about if the prophecy is completely understood - however, the Pontiff, Laurys, interjects:

"Wipe out the Fomors.
Their blood will open the gates of Erinn.

On the day the last drop of their blood is shed, the goddess will spread her wings and reveal herself."

Keaghan turns over the Catacomb Fragment to the Pontiff, as the Fragment is inscribed with the Court's seal. Dissatisfied with the answers he received from the Pontiff, however, Keaghan asks the Rookie to go see the Court's Magician - Jarlath.

Jarlath informs the pair that the fragment came from the Catacombs beneath Ainle. Keaghan, still dissatisfied with the answers the Royal Army and the Pontiff's Court has given for Ortel's rebellion, takes the Rookie and Gwynn to Ainle to investigate.

After a cryptic hint from Brynn in Colhen, they realize the entrance of the Catacombs only opens during the day. During a cold day in Ainle, the trio journey to the Catacombs.

Deep in the Catacombs, a monstrous form lies chained to the floor and dormant. Yet as they approach, it twitches. It moves.

A mighty monster, an Avatar of Destruction attacks, forcing the trio to fight it back. After a difficult fight, the monster is quelled, and the trio return to the surface...

With Gwynn dead, Keaghan and the Rookie find themselves wanted fugitives, traitors to the Royal Army and the Pontiff's Court.

Side Story: Remnant

The Rookie bursts into the Magic Laboratory. Brynn looks up briefly from his research before resuming his work. The Rookie slumps to the ground.

"Did you go? I am certain I already know the answer. You make it quite difficult for me to tell if you are incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. They say the greatest fools can be mistaken for great heroes, and I'm starting to see that myself. Regardless, it is high time you knew the truth. That place was once sealed by the Silent Brotherhood.

When the fabric of reality began to weaken, the Pontiff's Court broke the seal and attempted a summoning. I imagine they were trying to summon the goddess, as I attempted to do when I was younger."

The Rookie stares at Brynn in disbelief. Brynn just ignores the stare, and gazes longingly out the window. In front of the Inn, Tieve is checking on the mail. A place he cannot go, trapped within the walls of his laboratory - atonement for the sins he had accrued. He snaps his head back to his work, and continues:

"This, of course, begs the question of WHY they would try to summon something that is already prophesied to come. Anyway, as you have seen, they failed, and unleashed an invasion of hell upon Ainle and its inhabitants. The only benefit to this disaster is that the Pontiff's Court was unable to study what I had summoned instead of Erinn in the chaos. If they had, there is no telling how their power could increase with such knowledge..."

Brynn sighs, and remains silent as the Rookie leaves the chain of Glas Ghaibhleann on his desk before leaving to find Keaghan again.

Episode 9: The Song of Doom

Keaghan wants to find out by whose orders was Riordan following them, and who is responsible for Gwynn's death. He goes to see the Pontiff Laurys.

Laurys claims he knows nothing of the order to kill Keaghan. Confused, Keaghan goes back to the Magic Lab in Colhen and finds Naveen the prophet .

Naveen tells Keaghan that the Pontiff's Court has ordered Keaghan's execution . The prophet describes a summoning attempt to call upon the Goddess Morrighan early, but failed. This failed summoning brought forth the Avatar of Destruction - Glas Ghaibhleann. The weakened portals between realms also brought forth the invading entities that plague the town of Ainle now.

"Summon the Goddess?! But the prophecy declares that she will come when the Fomors have been eradicated! There is nothing in the prophecy about a ritual..."

"Correct! The Pontiff's Court HAS a prophecy, yet they attempted to summon the Goddess anyway...Why might that be?"

(Keaghan thinks for a moment, then his expression turns disbelieving.)

"Does that mean that...the prophecy is wrong? Impossible!"

(The woman cackles in glee.)
"Do you want to know the TRUE prophecy? If you do, you'll have to hear it from those who are...not human. Speak to the leader of the Fomors and learn the truth."

Keaghan and the Rookie go to find Shakarr, commander of the Fomorian army and speak to him. Shakarr relays a prophecy passed down amongst the Fomorians:

"Your...prophecy... Your human prophecy...

It says that your Goddess will summon forth paradise when the Fomors have been eradicated...

But you are not the only ones with such a prophecy.

Eradicate the humans! Then the god of the Fomors will return! Yes, human, it is true.

We have a prophecy just like yours. We are fighting to eradicate you, even as you try to eradicate us.

But how can we know which prophecy is true? Perhaps neither...

But this I know! If Erinn is brought here, then our god will return. Our god... Cichol."

As Keaghan and the Rookie leave to process this information, Black Hammer approaches the Formorian Commander.

"Don't tell me you're still spouting that nonsense about eradicating the humans no longer being important..."

"They will find the true prophecy...and fulfill it. The truth of our own prophecy is suspect. We cannot fulfill it. But they can."

"Your weakness does not suit you, Shakarr! If we don't kill them first, they will kill us! Do you WANT to be killed by spineless human maggots?"

"Fate is stronger than any other force in the world. What you see, what you know...may not be the full story."

"You sound as if your mind is set."

"It is. And I will not regret it, even if I am betrayed... even if I am slain in cold blood."

"Then you know what I have planned."

"If you truly believe in what you claim, then it is only right for you to do what you feel must be done. Strike me down. I am prepared to die."

And Shakarr was no more.

Back in Colhen, Naveen explains that it is shortsighted to not realize the Fomors also had a prophecy, but Keaghan objects by saying Fomors have no god. Naveen corrects Keaghan that the Fomors have merely lost their god, and that their passion for the return of their god drives their prophecy.

"Does the Pontiff's Court know about this!?"

"..."

(Keaghan slumps back in defeat.)
"B-but how can they? I don't understand. Why is the Pontiff's Court against me? There is a way to bring Erinn to us. Why didn't they act on it?"

"Think, child. Think! Right now, they are the mouthpiece of the gods, heavenly messengers! But what would happen to them if their goddess could communicate directly with her people? If the Goddess arrives, they no longer have a reason to exist. They will lose their power...

On the surface, they cry out to the Goddess and claim to protect the oracles...
But in the dark, they are searching for the TRUE oracle... So they can eliminate her."

Naveen warns that the ones with no god have broken the seal to the door to Albey. A sealing stone, found in the sewers of Rocheste by a certain Rookie... The Lizardmen have succeeded in their schemes.

Keaghan refuses to stop the Lizardmen, because the Lizardmen have opened a path to Erinn - Paradise, and that stopping the Lizardmen would only aid the Pontiff's Court.

The Rookie and Keaghan go to find Tieve, but when they arrive, a ghostly figure fades in and out before them.



Desperate to save Tieve from disappearing, Keaghan goes back to the Prophet. Naveen tells Keaghan and the Rookie to go stop the Lizardmen from perfecting the magic and summoning “the evil one”. The Lizardmen are trying to go to where time has stopped.

Verafim a white robed Lizardman, and Black Hammer are talking when Gilliam, Bishop of the Pontiff's Court, interjects. Black Hammer is confused and the Fomorian mind control symbol appears upon the Ogre's head. Verafim laughs - as had been when he had practiced on Wenshardt the Guardian Spider - so too had the Great Black Hammer easily fallen under his control. He sets Black Hammer as the guardian of the entrance to Albey, just past the entrance in the Rocheste Sewer, and he and Gilliam leave.

Keaghan and the Rookie chase down the Lizardmen in Rocheste Sewers, only to run into a Controlled Black Hammer. Defeating the guardian, the Rookie continues after Gilliam and Verafim into Albey. Keaghan returns to Naveen, asking her if Tieve is the true Oracle of Prophecy.

"You are correct, young soldier. The Colhen oracle is the prophesized oracle. Prophecies work in strange ways.

Your friend who left...was probably called to Colhen in the first place because of the same prophecy..."

"Is that why Tieve keeps falling asleep? She is... She is losing herself! I saw it!"

"Ah, the destiny of the prophesized Oracle is to go to Erinn. Half of her body and spirit remain here...

But the rest resides in Erinn. As time passes, more and more of her will be transported to Erinn."

Gilliam tells Verafim that he will now have control over the Fomors without the Lizardman and demands the Fomorian Emblem used in the spell. The secret plot by the Pontiff's Court to control an endless war between the Fomors and the humans while they search for the true Oracle has been set - with Commanders and any who would question the new prophecies either controlled or eliminated.

"...Fomor Domination is now at the fingertips of the Lizardmen. I must thank you, foolish human, for all of your hard work."

Verafim betrays the Court, intending to use the Evil One - Lionotus - to destroy the Fomors, while summoning Erinn to take the Fomorian god that was prophecized for the Lizardmen. Angry, and shocked, Gilliam flees.

The Rookie runs into Lionotus and Verafim, but succeeds in defeating the Evil One, forcing Verafim to retreat. Upon returning to Naveen, he learns Keaghan has gone to stop the return of Erinn, in order to save Tieve.

Keaghan goes to see the defeated Verafim. The Lizardman, while initially defensive, changes his mind, and teaches Keaghan how to summon Erinn. When Keaghan asks why he is teaching him this, Verafim explains that he had intended to bring forth Erinn and when the god of Fomors comes, wipe out the Fomors to take their god. The Lizardman tells Keaghan that he realized something after seeing him...

Episode 10: God Slayer

Keaghan asks Brynn for The Paradise Chronicles . Brynn is surprised, and explains it was a book that described how to summon Erinn. Brynn had realized that Tieve was the true Oracle as a child, and had attempted to summon Erinn so she would be free of her duties as the Oracle with the support of the previous Pontiff's Court. However, he fails to summon Erinn instead mistakenly summoning Glas Ghaibhleann instead. His failure led to the destruction of Ainle, and a body so weak, he can no longer leave the Laboratory. The book had been given to him by Naveen, with the prophecy that a true hero would come to take it. He gladly gives it to Keaghan, hoping Keaghan would be able to summon Erinn without the loss of Tieve.


Reading through the book, Keaghan takes the Ancient Sealing Stone that was found in the sewers of Rocheste from Brynn, who had been examining it.


Keaghan goes to see Tieve at the Inn. When Keaghan hands the stone to Tieve, it vanishes, confirming what he had feared.



"...I'll protect you."

(Tieve presses herself deeper into Keaghan's embrace.)

"It's okay. I trust you."

Bringing the Oracle, as the Paradise Chronicles mention only the Oracle can find the path to Paradise, the Rookie and Keaghan go about facing two Dragons guarding seals in the East and West.

Beyond the Gates of Oblivion does the God of Time reside. Disbelievers wish for the gods to fall into forgotten memory. Fallow men will wish upon the god's dissolution. Weak men will spread lie of the god's death. Hopeless men will wait for the god's return. But the fated soul will force the god's deliverance. The fated soul will seek the god and thus find the god. The remnant of the past will be the key, the compass, and the Gate that leads to Oblivion. The remnant will appear as but a common stone, but with it, the fated shall call forth a god....

The guardians of paradise lay dormant in time, held forever still by their ruthless master. Only their lives will awaken him. Only an end to their torment will goad him from his lair. When Siglint of the East has fallen, Beokros of the West will awaken. And when both lay shattered upon the earth... the everlasting dragon will arise. But in his blood is the key to paradise. And once that blood is set free, fate will consume us all.- The Paradise Chronicles

A floating island in the sky, where time stands still. An ancient god of Time, Elchulus, stands before Keaghan, Tieve, and the Rookie.

"You know how to summon Erinn! Tell me how!"

"... You've already summoned Erinn... Look around. Your paradise has arrived. You have freed me, the Guardian of Time, and I have given you a land where Time is frozen. I have given you Erinn. The End of Pain and Sorrow. By releasing me, you have also freed the one who locked me here... Morrighan returns!"

Tieve begins to struggle, as Morrighan begins to reincarnate within her body.

The seals broken, Keaghan and the Rookie attack Elchulus, in a final bid to save their friend from bringing forth the Goddess... Believing if they kill the dragon, perhaps Morrighan will be resealed, as Elchulus and Morrighan had been before.

Keaghan, not strong enough to kill Elchulus, falls. In his final stand against Elchulus, Verafim appears.

Verafim promises the power to kill Elchulus, and Keaghan, listening to the Lizardman, rips out Verafims heart, and ingests it.



Consumed by power, Keaghan immediately takes on a vengeful transformation and beats down Elchulus. The Rookie, realizing something is amiss, stands in front of their former ally, and the two have a fight in the land where Time stands still.

Elchulus and Morrighan revived, the Rookie and Keaghan had not succeeded in bringing Tieve back. Tieve was gone. Erinn, the promised land Morrighan would lead the humans to, was not as it was promised. Keaghan, in his anguish, accepts the dark power from within Verafim's heart, and is reborn as Cichol - taking the name of the lost god of the Fomors, promising to rescue Tieve... And disappears.

Epilogue

In the town of Colhen, an Oracle arrives. Her black hair and white robes make her a natural vessel to communicate the will of the Goddess, Morrighan. Her name is Seanna, and she is the first Oracle of Colhen. Nothing of a blonde haired Oracle of Colhen - bar a small photograph on a Magician's desk - remains.


A memory of a picnic comes to the Rookie's mind:


"Come here."

"Don't rush, Tieve. You'll trip."

"Oh, relax. It's been so long since we've gone out like this.
It's nice to have ??? with us, isn't it Keaghan?"

"Yeah, whatever..."

"The sun feels incredible."

"It's so quiet here.
It's like time just stopped here."

"Wouldn't it be great if time really did stop? No more wars... no more broken-hearted farewells...
Just quiet peace. It sounds nice, doesn't it? I think I'll remember this peaceful little moment for the rest of my life."

"I thought this was supposed to be a fun picnic. You don't have to be so somber and emotional."

(Tieve blushes and sweeps her hair back with a flourish.)

"Hehe, you're right. The beautiful scenery is making me feel so wistful.

Thank you both for spending your days with me.
It makes me realize what wonderful friends I have.

I know I can face anything with you two at my side. I'm okay now...

and I won't forget."