15 // Zero Start

Chappy’s Morning Stroll

At dawn, Chappy quietly slips through the old Concourse Station where resistance fighters sleep wherever they can find space. He steps into the crisp morning air of Fey Ember as the sun begins to rise, casting golden light over a city on the edge.

Restless with thoughts of the upcoming trial, Chappy’s mind races: What evidence do I have against Agdon Longscarf? Can I summon witnesses? What happens if I win? Or lose?

He wanders through the slumbering city until he reaches the western wall, where green-sashed Inner Guards recognize him and allow him to ascend the battlements. From there, Chappy sees the growing Onyx Order army massing to the north.

Ignoring the guards’ warnings, he descends and exits the city’s southern wall into the Forlorn—an impoverished sprawl where the lost and desperate Fey dwell. There, he encounters a horse approaching from the south. Riding it are Livi and Sabaan, newly arrived from besieged Fey Glade Crossing. Sabaan assures Chappy that Lady Saraphene can hold the line, and their journey to Fey Ember was a precaution.

⸻

Flashback - Trial Context

Councilmember Chester Swiftwind arrested Agdon Longscarf on charges of treason, citing a conspiracy between the Mercantile District and the Onyx Order to overthrow the government. Longscarf was caught laundering money through a black market ring dealing in rare magical items. A ledger found in his possession detailed the illicit transactions.

In response, Councilmember Elijah Gimble invoked a rare procedural rule to summon an Arch Fey to adjudicate the internal Council dispute. He claimed Swiftwind and Mayor Basil Scrambleton manufactured the crisis to justify Longscarf’s arrest. This is only the third time the rule has ever been used:

1. Founding of Fey Ember - The Arch Fey Lurue intervened in a dispute over rulership, resulting in the tripartite district system.

2. Burning of Fey Emebr - Centuries later, a deranged district leader’s plea led to the city nearly burning down; records of the incident are scarce, including which Arch Fey presided.

   
   

Now, the Arch Fey known as the Lord of Antlers has accepted the summons. Gimble will represent the Mercantile District. Chappy will argue the case on behalf of the Adventure District.

⸻

Fert, Daygan, and a Set of Keys

Fert awakens still chained by the wrists in a dark chamber—only now, Daygan sits before him.

Daygan rises and, with arrogant candor, explains how his carefully orchestrated plan is unraveling. He reveals himself as a Zhentarim agent, long embedded in the city’s undercurrent. He had manipulated Gimble, brought in the Onyx Order to bankroll and muscle the takeover, and worked for years to seize control from the shadows.

Now, it’s all falling apart:

1. Gimble’s foolish invocation of the Arch Fey introduced chaotic uncertainty.

2. The Outer Force survived the Onyx Order’s traps and may return.

3. The Onyx Order’s rash plan to sack the city is a desperate overreaction.

4. The Flame continues to upset narratives, inspire resistance, and undo his schemes.

   
   

Daygan insists he never wanted Fey Ember destroyed—only to control it quietly. Fert urges him to switch sides, but Daygan refuses, declaring the city’s ruin inevitable. He places a ring of keys just out of Fert’s reach and says if Fert has the will to escape, then perhaps the Flame will surprise him yet again.

Daygan departs.

Moments later, Neb crawls from beneath the table and frees Fert from his chains.

⸻

Scraat, Smurk, and Lionel – Gear Up & Go

Back in the resistance hideout, Smurk jolts awake after receiving word of Fert’s capture. He messages Chappy, confirming he’s safe, then contacts Fert. Fert replies from the base of The Kept, preparing an escape. With quiet resolve, they end the communication to preserve their remaining Ember Earring charges.

Smurk rouses Scraat and Templeton, and they begin prepping for the day. Scraat outfits himself for the descent into the prison. Templeton readies for his rendezvous with Chester Swiftwind at the northern wall.

Scraat and Smurk link up with Captain Lionel Lightfoot, whose intensity puts them on edge—until he calms and outlines the rescue plan:

1. Smurk will fly above The Kept, providing cover and distractions.

2. Scraat will infiltrate the facility, locate the control terminals, and open escape routes.

3. Lionel will extract Fert and escort freed prisoners through the path carved by Smurk and Scraat.

   
   

Scraat asks for details. Smurk just grins and requests “bones and bombs.” He’s handed both. With the bones, he summons two goblin skeletons. Then, grabbing two flying brooms and a magic carpet, he assembles the Goblin Air Force—ready to distract, disrupt, and demolish the Kept’s defenses from above.