Insults Written in Song

Faced with a midnight deadline, Percy resolved to convert his faith to Nexus to secure power to protect the Vanguard, despite warnings from Diablo and Sanasha. Resting briefly at the Cog and Gage tavern, the party encountered Sylus of the Shattered Lyre, a bard performing slanderous songs and illusions about their exploits. To avoid public scrutiny and the growing infamy of the "Veiled Vanguard," the group adopted new temporary aliases—including "The Gilded Guardians"—and departed via a High Stellar-funded carriage for the Chantry of the Veiled Star.

At the Chantry, High Stellar Polaris led Percy through a dark baptismal rite alongside masked worshippers and Baron Blackshire himself. Held underwater until his heart stopped, Percy was buried in a fresh grave before clawing his way out as a reborn vampire, hearing Nexus accept his patron bond. Back at their inn, a rift split the Vanguard: while Emelyne and Naoki offered quiet support, an aggrieved Diablo confronted Percy over abandoning Torrah, and Sanasha glared with cold disapproval. The following morning, rebel leader Gideon Ironhand met them discreetly, paying for their meal before the party visited The Hourglass and Anvil to purchase upgrades—including gunmetal half-plate armor for Percy, a +1 halberd for Sanasha, superior healing potions, and a Ring of Water Walking for Emelyne.

Later, the Vanguard traveled to the Den La Luna in the Ironheart district to meet Gideon. After speaking the passcode, their table was lowered into a subterranean hideout on a rotating platform. Declaring his intent to eradicate all vampires and undead, Gideon offered them a bag of explosive powder to plant beneath the Blackshires' kitchen during their upcoming dinner. While Naoki and Emelyne expressed deep discomfort with mass casualties and total undead eradication, Sanasha, Renatus, and Diablo favored the rebel plot, leaving the party dangerously divided on the eve of their meeting with the Blackshires.