Info dump

When you and Melora emerge, you find Ferra, Alex, and Victor all waiting. Victor eyes the two of you for a moment, and then leads Melora away. Alex surprisingly restrains herself from asking what you talked about, instead chattering about ‘big plans’ for the evening. Ferra simply moves to your side, taking your hand as she usually does.

Left to your own devices, you decide it’s time you gathered more information on what you’ll be heading into with your plans. Moving around the village, you speak with as many people as you can, getting a clearer understanding of the Order and the prison ships you’ll be assaulting.

The more you hear of the Order, the more you’re convinced that you’re on the correct side of the conflict. Ruling through a combination of brutal, draconian laws, and corrupt, power hungry nobles, they have a huge area in their fist. The upper echelons of the Order are a mystery, with a shadowy council sending out proclamations and setting the laws. It’s rumored, however, that there is a singular person at the top that actually makes the decisions.

Despite all this, the Order would be a minor, despotic nation if it wasn’t for their real power. Somehow, they have been able to defy the laws of magic, fusing magic with technology in a way that shouldn’t be possible. Magic and technology are usually anathema to each other, and generally tech breaks down in the presence of magic. And yet, as seen by the steam engine that you freed Alex from, they are able to meld the two without issue.

Unfortunately, something that could be used to make wonders is instead turned to create horrors. You find that everyone else who has attempted to release a spirit from one of the Order’s engines has died in a fiery conflagration. You know that somehow, your talent protected you from an embarrassing death.

That talent will likely continue to serve you well, as you find that the captains of the prison ships are always mages. Serving as a captain is an easy way for a mage to gain status within the Order. Almost without exception, these are ambitious, cruel men, arrogant and dangerous. The safeguards in place protect them from mutiny, and they are provided with an array of items to secure their position further. Any attempt to attack one of those ships begins and ends with the mage-captain.

You learn this through stories from dozens, tales of pain and sadness. Families ripped apart, children left behind, friends and lovers abandoned. Despite it all, there’s a spark of hope being rekindled, simply by your arrival. You hope you can turn that spark into a fire, but there’s a long way to go, and a lot of suffering to overcome.

As you mull all this over, Ferra walks by your side, comforting you with her simple presence. Alex disappeared at some point, stating simply, “Gotta get things ready!”

As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, you and Ferra head towards your cabin. Before you open the door, Ferra squeezes your hand. When you look at her, she smiles.

“This is a good thing we are doing, Nicholas. I am glad I can aid in this. These are…good people. Thank you.”

You smile back at her. “Thanks for…”

She squeezes your hand again. “For being a good person, and teaching me to be one as well. I am happy. Happy I am your companion, your protector, your lover. I will always be by your side, Nicholas.”

You hug the smiling golem girl, and she sighs happily. Then, the door swings open, and a grinning Alex stands in the doorway.

Naked.

“Enough sappy stuff! It’s time for some stress relief!”