Chapter Summaries

Danitz considered how to learn Dutanese while Klein encountered Daly on the airship and heard her speak about her feelings for a friend. In the City of Silver, Derrick learned that patrols had been ordered away from the former Chief’s mausoleum, then was summoned to the Round Tower.

• Danitz considered removing his black glove but decided to ask the innkeeper for a dictionary, while Anderson offered to teach him a ritual that would help him understand Dutanese.
• Klein met Daly in the airship’s hall, and she told him about her feelings for a conservative friend whose eyes resembled his.
• Daly returned to the lounge, where Leonard warned her that Dawn Dantès had many secrets, and she replied that she knew.
• Derrick thought about his unfinished goals, treated his bruises with ointment, and accepted Valee’s invitation to exercise after learning their patrol had been ordered away from the former Chief’s mausoleum.
• A figure emerged from a dark spot and told Derrick that the Chief wanted to see him at the Round Tower.

Derrick recalled the rituals he performed while possessed by Amon and gave Colin Iliad the details, while Klein sent him instructions for making a Fate Siphon charm. Colin prepared to act on the information, with his intentions still unclear.

• Colin Iliad asked Derrick about the rituals he performed while Amon possessed him, hoping to find a way to use Amon's Worms of Time as a secret trump card against dangers in the City of Silver.
• Derrick recognized Colin's hints about his connection to Amon and went to a quiet room to pray to The Fool for help.
• Klein received Derrick's prayer and sent him the procedure for making a Fate Siphon charm, deciding that revealing The Fool's honorific name to Colin posed little risk.
• Derrick returned to Colin and described the ritual materials and The Fool's honorific name, which Colin interrupted before Derrick finished reciting it.
• After Derrick left, Colin studied the Worms of Time and a notebook bearing a secret symbol, then took out three candles.

Colin Iliad performed a ritual to The Fool and received two charms made from Amon's avatar, while witnessing a projection of the Spirit World and the gray fog. Derrick discovered that Colin had explored a distant region where a monster resembling the Trickmaster lived, and Klein fell asleep after expending his spirituality.

• Colin Iliad prepared two charms and invoked The Fool, using Proof of Glory to protect the City of Silver in case the ritual went wrong.
• The ritual revealed the Spirit World, the Seven Lights, the gray fog, and an ancient palace before transforming the charms into black crystal.
• Colin thanked The Fool and reflected on the 2,583 years since the City of Silver had received a normal response, remembering family members he had killed.
• Derrick found a notebook describing a dangerous Shapeshifter and learned that Colin Iliad had joined the expeditions that encountered it.
• Klein returned to his room exhausted from enhancing the ritual's effects, fell asleep, and woke in the afternoon when his stomach rumbled.

Klein traveled through the dangerous Spirit World of the Raging Sea to reach Port Bodo, where the Azik Copper Whistle began to react. Meanwhile, Colin Iliad, Waite Chirmont, and Lovia entered a mausoleum outside the City of Silver and encountered the dead, including Colin’s brother.

• Klein navigated the Spirit World's safe sea route, avoided a monstrous creature made of skulls, and reached Port Bodo.
• The Azik Copper Whistle trembled and grew hot as Klein traveled through the Spirit World, then began to cool when he examined it.
• Colin Iliad, Waite Chirmont, and Lovia prepared to enter the overgrown mausoleum and used the Dragon-Hunting Bow to break open its doors.
• The three elders descended through the mausoleum and found an illusory river crowded with strange creatures and figures waiting on its bank.
• Colin recognized his deceased brother among the figures, while an illusory armored knight appeared behind Lovia.

Klein investigated the copper whistle’s strange reaction and learned that the Black Emperor was recruiting after a battle with the Pritz. Meanwhile, Colin Iliad and the other City of Silver elders crossed a spectral river to reach the former Chief’s coffin, where Waite began growing strange hairs; Klein prepared to divine the whistle’s behavior above the gray fog.

• Klein reasoned that the Azik Copper Whistle might have reacted to something connected to Death’s remains in the Raging Sea.
• In Port Bodo, Klein learned that the Black Emperor had lost many crew members in a battle with the Pritz and was recruiting, while a tattooed pirate said he planned to join for supernatural powers.
• Colin Iliad, Waite, and Lovia defeated their targets and boarded a spectral boat to cross the illusory river toward the former Chief’s mausoleum.
• The three elders reached the altar and iron-black coffin, and Waite noticed greasy white hairs growing from the back of his hand.
• Klein fed Creeping Hunger, rented a room in Port Bodo, went above the gray fog, and prepared to divine why the Azik Copper Whistle had behaved strangely.

Klein’s divination through the Azik Copper Whistle’s projection revealed a deadly mausoleum and left him with a mutated paper figurine, while connecting the vision to a past prophecy involving Mr. Azik. In the City of Silver, Waite Chirmont’s attack failed to affect the former Chief, who emerged from his coffin transformed and linked to black fog.

• Klein divined the Azik Copper Whistle’s abnormal behavior through its projection and saw feather-covered corpses connected by black tubes to a breathing fog.
• The vision attacked Klein and shattered the whistle’s projection, whose remnants fused with a Paper Angel to create a mutated paper figurine.
• Klein recalled an earlier divination in which he and Mr. Azik searched a similar mausoleum, and decided to describe his new vision vaguely when they next met.
• Waite Chirmont fired a radiant arrow at the iron-black coffin, but the attack failed and the darkness around the altar deepened.
• The former Chief rose from the coffin covered in greasy white feathers and connected to distant black fog as his body began transforming.

Colin Iliad and the City of Silver elders fought the transformed former chief, while Klein’s divination provoked a supernatural storm over Port Bodo. In Bayam, Alger visited the recovered Artisan Sharif, who said he planned to move because the area no longer seemed safe.

• Colin Iliad transformed into a Giant and joined Waite Chirmont and Lovia in attacking the monstrous former chief at the altar.
• Klein saw an apocalyptic storm and supernatural creatures appear over Port Bodo, then sacrificed the Azik Copper Whistle above the gray fog to keep the mausoleum’s presence from tracking him.
• Lovia’s shadow tried to seize the black tube extending from the former chief, but a voice said “Fate,” causing it to attack Colin instead.
• Colin and the City of Silver’s radiance destroyed Lovia’s shadow, and Colin continued channeling light into his swords embedded in the former chief.
• Alger visited Sharif in Bayam after evading possible watchers, and Sharif said he had recovered and intended to move.

Alger investigated Sharif’s residence and learned that someone hidden in the basement was being moved, while Danitz obtained Comprehend Languages charms and Anderson received a long reading list from a bishop. As Klein traveled toward East Balam, The Hanged Man asked Mr. Fool to warn The Hermit that the Artisan appeared to be controlled by a cult or secret organization.

• Alger searched Sharif’s home, spotted Southern Continent plants, and later overheard Sharif arrange for someone in the basement to move.
• Danitz followed Anderson Hood’s advice and visited a Church of Knowledge bishop to ask for Comprehend Languages charms.
• The bishop gave Danitz four charms and explained that Vice Admiral Iceberg Edwina had contacted him on Danitz’s behalf.
• Danitz told Anderson that the bishop had assigned him a two-year reading list, leaving Anderson’s smile frozen.
• Klein boarded a passenger ship from Port Escoson toward East Balam and noticed the Loen fleet patrolling the Raging Sea.
• The Hanged Man asked Mr. Fool to inform The Hermit that the Artisan seemed to be under the control of a cult or secret organization.

Klein linked the City of Silver’s former Chief’s mutation to the Spirituality Religion’s Artificial Death project and concluded that Colin Iliad had thwarted Lovia’s attempt to contaminate Death’s legacy. As Cattleya redirected the Future toward Bayam and Klein continued his voyage, he noticed a suspicious passenger preparing to board at Harman.

• Klein relayed The Hanged Man’s prayer to The Hermit, then heard Derrick recount the City of Silver elders’ exploration of the former Chief’s mausoleum.
• Klein connected the former Chief’s mutation and the illusory black tubes to the Spirituality Religion’s Artificial Death project, and suspected Lovia had tried to use them to reach Death’s legacy.
• Klein learned that Colin Iliad had used a Fate Siphon charm to foil the scheme, and that the elders had recovered a powerful Sealed Artifact from the former Chief.
• Klein confirmed by divination that the Shapeshifters Derrick described were likely Trickmasters, while Derrick said he was ready to exchange merit points for a Vampire characteristic.
• Cattleya ordered the Future to change course for Bayam and worried that Frank Lee might misuse an Artisan’s help for his experiments.
• At Harman, Klein spotted a heavily disguised man with luggage preparing to board his passenger liner.

Klein traveled aboard a passenger liner through the Raging Sea, where a demigod pursued a man who had used a decoy to mislead him. At a later harbor, Klein spotted Ince Zangwill and sent a message reporting his whereabouts on Midseashire Island.

• Klein divined that his voyage would go smoothly, then watched the liner leave Harman's harbor as a violent storm cut it off from the docks.
• A demigod arrived aboard as a flaming spear and confronted the scarf-wearing passenger, who said someone had paid him to serve as a decoy.
• The demigod flew back toward Harman's harbor, and Klein concluded that the pursued man had used the decoy and storm to conceal his real movements.
• At another harbor, Klein recognized Ince Zangwill disembarking and realized he had been aboard the ship all along.
• Klein summoned Reinette Tinekerr and sent a note to Backlund reporting that Mr. Dawn Dantès had found Ince Zangwill on Midseashire Island.

Leonard received Klein’s warning about Ince Zangwill and sent Klein an indirect warning about 0-08, which could learn about anyone who knew too much. After reaching Gurain City, Klein planned to acquire two marionettes and evade the military observers following him.

• Pallez told Leonard that Klein’s letter reported Dawn Dantès had found traces of Ince Zangwill on Midseashire Island, and warned Leonard not to pursue him directly.
• Pallez explained that 0-08 could learn of plans to capture Ince Zangwill and that knowledge of the artifact could draw people into its story.
• Leonard wrote Klein an indirect warning that he would not yet inform the Church about Ince Zangwill and added, “Once you know it, it knows you.”
• Klein interpreted Leonard’s message as a warning about 0-08 and decided to digest his Marionettist potion by acquiring two marionettes in the Southern Continent.
• Klein arrived in Gurain City and resolved to obtain two marionettes before leaving, first shaking off the military followers observing him.

Klein used his new marionette Enuni to escape his military tails, then followed a divination toward a place where he hoped to find another marionette. Meanwhile, Leonard Mitchell, Daly Simone, and Soest prepared to raid a Spirituality Religion member’s home in Gurain City.

• Klein slipped away from his military tails by changing his appearance and leaving the bar through its main entrance.
• Klein used his Marionettist powers to stop a man assaulting a girl, then made the man his new marionette and named him Enuni.
• Klein settled into an inn, stored most of his cash above the Gray Fog, and retrieved Azik’s copper whistle and iron cigarette case.
• Klein used a dowsing rod and divination to find a deserted staircase, then left Enuni there while he hid nearby.
• Soest briefed Leonard Mitchell, Daly Simone, and the Red Gloves team on their planned operation against Ulrika, a Spirituality Religion member living at house number thirteen.

The Church of Evernight raided Ulrika’s home, stopping his attempt to open a supernatural bronze door and capturing him after Soest’s light destroyed the spirit attached to him. Enzo escaped the raid, but Soest ordered Leonard and Daly to hunt him down, and Daly learned he had fled down a cliff.

• Ulrika tried to open a mysterious bronze door while a spirit girl and the Nightmare’s influence left him barely able to resist.
• Soest used a golden sundial to bathe the house in supernatural light, destroying the spirit girl and making the bronze door disappear.
• Ulrika’s transformed body fled through a secret passage, but Daly summoned a Lady of the Lake spirit that put him to sleep.
• Enzo escaped the raid and recalled that he had come to Gurain for the Rose School of Thought to negotiate with the Spirituality Religion.
• Soest told Leonard and Daly to find and capture Enzo, and Daly reported that witnesses had seen someone flee down the cliff.

Klein confronted Enzo, a Winner fleeing the Nighthawks, and used his marionette Enuni and carefully prepared attacks to overcome Enzo’s lucky escapes. After gaining control of Enzo, Klein made him clean up the scene and left with his new marionette.

• Enzo sensed Klein’s ambush and dodged the fiery attack, then shot Enuni in the chest.
• Klein repeatedly blocked Enzo’s escape routes while secretly manipulating his Spirit Body Threads, but Enzo’s luck and intuition helped him resist.
• Enzo used a spiritual storm to drive Klein away and tried to flee, but Enuni recovered with the Flower of Blood ring and attacked him.
• Enuni exploded in a Flesh Bomb, and Klein used his corrupted glove to slow Enzo and overwhelm him with a horrifying sight.
• Klein established control over Enzo, who retrieved the Flower of Blood ring and cleared away the evidence before leaving with Klein.

Daly Simone and Leonard Mitchell found Enzo dead after pursuing him, while Klein examined the new marionette he had made from Enzo, a Sequence 5 Winner of the Monster pathway. Klein disguised his plans for using Enzo and wondered what the marionette could see when it looked at him.

• Daly Simone used her listening ability to learn that Enzo had been killed, and she and Leonard searched the area for clues.
• Leonard asked Pallez Zoroast what he had noticed, and Pallez said Enzo had screamed after seeing something terrifying that damaged and corrupted his Spirit Body.
• Klein returned to his hotel room with Enzo as a marionette and decided to disguise him rather than use him as bait for the Rose School of Thought.
• Klein identified Enzo as a Sequence 5 Winner and reviewed the Monster pathway’s powers, abilities, and potential dangers.
• Klein examined Enzo’s possessions, including the Viridescent ring, then considered whether he could safely look through Enzo’s eyes at himself.

Klein used Enzo’s eyes to examine the mysterious manifestation visible to Fate pathway Beyonders, suffered a brief loss of consciousness and severe wounds, then recovered and considered what he had seen. Meanwhile, Alger met Admiral of Stars Cattleya in Bayam to ask for help with the Artisan and revealed his suspicion that Moon Primordial worshippers controlled him.

• Klein prepared a protected room, put on the Flower of Blood ring, and had Enzo look at him; he saw a bluish-black light door made of overlapping spheres and twisted worms before losing consciousness.
• Klein woke on the floor with wounds across his body, which rapidly healed; he removed the Flower of Blood ring after finding his written reminder.
• Klein pondered whether the vision represented a Mythical Creature Form linked to the space above the Gray Fog, but found no clear answer and went there to examine himself and Enzo further.
• Cattleya received Alger in a dilapidated room in Bayam and remarked that his hooded disguise would attract the Church of Storms; Alger replied that she also risked being recognized.
• Alger thanked Cattleya for offering help and said he did not want the Artisan’s situation to become a topic of discussion.
• Alger said he suspected Moon Primordial worshippers, rather than School of Life traitors, controlled the Artisan, and Cattleya asked why he had not approached Mr. Moon.

Alger told Cattleya how the Moon Primordial’s followers had taken control of the Artisan Sharif, and Cattleya suspected Sharif might descend from Emperor Roselle’s eldest son. After Cattleya sent Heath Doyle to investigate, Klein’s search for a second marionette stalled until Azik arrived and asked if he was ready.

• Cattleya questioned Alger about the Artisan and learned that Sharif had once left the Church of Steam and was now under the influence of the Moon Primordial’s followers.
• Alger suspected Sharif had been targeted because of a Werewolf Beyonder characteristic he had sold him, while Cattleya decided to observe before acting.
• Cattleya connected Sharif to Emperor Roselle’s eldest son and said she could confirm the ancestry if she obtained Sharif’s blood.
• Cattleya sent Heath Doyle to investigate Sharif and warned him to stay away from Frank’s stalled mushroom experiments.
• Klein failed to divine the location of a second marionette, considered leaving Gurain City, and continued disguising Enzo.
• Azik arrived beside Enzo, and Klein realized he had come to meet him; Azik asked whether Klein was ready.

Klein and Azik prepared to confront Admiral of Hell Ludwell, sealing Creeping Hunger and traveling to the Black Tulip after checking for danger. They arrived before Ludwell, whose ring reacted to Azik and caused him to prostrate himself.

• Azik resealed Creeping Hunger, and Klein explained how he used mushrooms to suppress its hunger.
• Klein told Azik about his recurring dream of a mausoleum in the Raging Sea, and Azik connected it to Death’s legacy and the Spirituality Religion’s Artificial Death project.
• Klein transformed into Gehrman Sparrow, and he and Azik traveled through the Spirit World with Enzo to locate Ludwell’s ship.
• Azik declared the area safe, and they emerged aboard the Black Tulip before Admiral of Hell Ludwell and his crew.
• Ludwell’s dark ring trembled, and he prostrated himself before Azik and kissed the deck.

Azik subdued Admiral of Hell Ludwell and made him serve as Klein’s Marionette for a year. Guided by a voice calling from the Raging Sea, Azik brought Klein and the Marionettes to a mausoleum, where he recalled his past as a ruthless Death Consul and said he felt himself returning to that state.

• Ludwell surrendered to Azik, answered questions about the Artificial Death Project, and gave him the ring left behind by Death.
• Azik ordered Ludwell to serve as Klein’s Marionette for one year, and Klein took control of him.
• A Living Corpse returned Klein’s Merfolk Cufflink, and Azik brought Klein and his two Marionettes into the Spirit World.
• Azik said the ring, copper whistle, and his intuition could lead them to where Death fell, while Klein warned that the place was dangerous.
• Azik followed a voice into the Raging Sea, and the group was pulled into a dark mausoleum filled with open coffins and feathered corpses.
• Azik recalled ruling over the dead in the Fourth Epoch and told Klein that he felt himself returning to that former self.

Azik recounted the lives and loved ones he gained after each death, and Klein suggested those lives might anchor him against madness. Azik entered the mausoleum to seek answers, where a colossal feathered serpent with another Azik Eggers’s face awaited him.

• Azik described his first life after returning from death, when he became a knight, married a noblewoman, and raised a son.
• Azik recalled how his memories returned across later lives, leaving him conflicted over the loved ones and identities he had taken.
• Klein suggested Azik’s new lives were anchors that helped him resist madness and losing control.
• Azik decided to enter the mausoleum and discover what had caused his repeated deaths and memory loss.
• Azik descended into the mausoleum as the black fog parted, revealing a colossal feathered serpent with Azik Eggers’s face.