18: Bloodstains
Contains spoilersOverview
Darrow and the Howlers infiltrate the Augustus villa during a Praetorian-Bellona purge. Outmatched, Darrow reveals their hostage—Lysander—and forces Aja to halt the slaughter and allow an evacuation by shuttle. The Sovereign vows future retribution through Aja, who exacts immediate revenge by brutally attacking Quinn as the escape begins.
Summary
Darrow leads the Howlers into the storm, skirting the Citadel to reach the Augustus villa under blackout. Inside, they find empty rooms and then a jamField goes up. The team discovers massacred servants and scattered fighting as Praetorians and Bellona hunt Augustans through the lower levels.
Realizing a stand-up fight would be fatal, Darrow ascends with the Howlers and calls out Aja au Grimmus. Confronted by Praetorians and Bellona, he stalls Sevro’s urge to attack and demands to see Aja. When she arrives, Aja reveals the Augustans are hiding in the hot lagoon with failing air. Darrow counters by producing Sevro’s “present”: Lysander au Lune, kidnapped by Mustang.
With a razor at Lysander’s throat, Darrow compels Aja to cease the killing, clear the skies, and allow a stork to extract survivors. Aja complies under the Sovereign’s implicit calculation. The Howlers ferry Augustus, the Jackal, Victra, Roque, Theodora, Tactus, and others into the hovering shuttle. Victra vows vengeance; Roque and Theodora survive; Tactus is wounded.
As the evacuation proceeds, the Sovereign speaks through Aja, threatening to hunt Darrow to the ends of the system and reminding him that Lysander is his sole bargaining chip. Darrow retreats skyward guarding the hostage while Quinn covers him.
Seizing an opening, Aja lashes out and brutally smashes Quinn to the ground, leaving her convulsing. Darrow, forced to prioritize the escape and still leveraging Lysander, departs as Aja’s assault marks a grim counterstroke to his tactical victory.
Who Appears
- Darrow au Andromedus
Leads the Howlers into the villa, leverages Lysander to halt the purge, orchestrates the evacuation.
- Aja au Grimmus
Protean Knight commanding the purge; negotiates under duress, relays the Sovereign’s threats, brutalizes Quinn.
- Sevro au Barca
Howler leader; scouts, coordinates the team, summons Weed with the bag, verifies survivors, aids extraction.
- Quinn
Howler tactician; pushes rooftop incursion, guards Lysander and Darrow, is savagely attacked by Aja.
- Lysander au Lune
Sovereign’s grandson; kidnapped by Mustang and used as Darrow’s leverage to secure safe passage.
- Virginia ‘Mustang’ au Augustus
Offstage architect; abducts Lysander and arranges the slow stork shuttle that enables the extraction.
- Nero au Augustus
ArchGovernor; found hiding in the lagoon and evacuated by the Howlers.
- Adrius ‘The Jackal’ au Augustus
Rescued from the lagoon and lifted to the shuttle amid the chaos.
- Victra au Julii
Wounded but defiant; rescued and vows future vengeance against Aja and the Sovereign’s forces.
- Roque au Fabii
Rescued from the lagoon; shares a brief, hopeful moment with Quinn before evacuation.
- Theodora
Darrow’s aide; feared dead among servants but found alive and evacuated with Roque.
- Karnus au Bellona
Bellona warlord inside the villa; his forces help execute the purge and diversions.
- Varga
Obsidian Stained Praetorian who confronts Darrow; stands down at Aja’s command.
- Weed
Howler who carries the bag containing Lysander, delivering the leverage to Aja.
- Thistle
Howler scout and fighter; helps neutralize threats and assists in the rescue.