The party awakens to find the artifacts they carry have grown even more tarnished by corruption. One of the Red Oracles hands Jin a letter from Gimbol, who explains he had to leave suddenly because Durim required his assistance. Along with the note, the oracle provides a scroll that Gimbol did not wish to take with him, the Coronation Scroll. Outside, the Red Oracles are seen collecting the remains of zombies, presumably to burn them.
The party travels to a local tavern to gather information. There, they speak with the Red Oracle wearing the Eyed Mask regarding the spreading corruption. The figure suggests that Parsons played a role in it, possibly corrupting objects to harm those who retrieve them. They discuss a “seed” capable of mending the corruption and learn that JB is now working alongside Parsons, and probably has the Scepter of Oaths.
The Red Oracle reveals a prophecy:
When three anchors awaken, the world is thrown into turmoil and the battle begins. Heroes rise not by blood or crown, but by burden, exile, and scars. They will carry a curse, and they will need to retrieve the seed of renewal.
The oracle explains that in this time of need, the Red Oracles are permitted to act. They admit that Parsons' plan began to unravel when the party rescued Durim. While one of the Red Oracles, a heavily muscled man with tattoos and long hair, assumes the party will fail, the Red Oracle clarifies their role: they cannot intervene directly when the party fights Parsons, but they exist to even the sides until the party is ready. The Red Oracle created the Flame as a means to watch over the gods and the emperor. When Moss asks about the remaining gods, the oracle admits they neither know nor care.
At Moss's request, the Red Oracle teleports the party to a heavily fortified town near Moss's grove. Upon arrival, the guards demand to know who they are. Moss identifies himself as being from the grove, but the guards are skeptical, claiming the grove is gone and overrun by monstrosities. Moss insists he has business with tifAHNy.
A voice calls out from above, identifying as tifAHNy, and commands the guards to let them in. However, the guards insist that everyone must leave their weapons and armor behind. Moss argues, and the guards specifically target Jin, claiming he can fight without equipment. They fire an arrow at him; Jin deflects it with ease, proving his skill, which the guards use to justify their caution. They then fire an arrow at Vesper, who is struck and crumples. The party decides to make camp outside the walls instead.
tifAHNy emerges with her entourage to set up a lavish camp complete with kegs of alcohol. She is visibly excited to see Moss. She shares grim news about the grove: it has been withering for four or five years, and those who remain have grown deranged. Thistlegrim, the Grovemaster, has descended into madness, while the Heartkeeper struggles to protect the seed and the tree of life.
tifAHNy mentions she will be staying at a nearby chateau for a time and invites Moss's “friends” to meet her there. Throughout the encounter, Moss does his best to avoid her persistent advances. She eventually turns her attention to Jin, calling him one of the best warriors she has seen and suggesting he should shirtless oil wrestle her guard captain.
In a sudden shift, tifAHNy speaks to Jin in a different voice—one he recognizes from his past. A demonic image flickers around her. The demon offers Jin an out, taunting him that his friends mean more than he thinks. The demon demands Jin's Shadowsong coin and Moss's soul as the stakes for a contest. If Jin wins, Moss gets the town; if the guard captain wins, the demon takes Moss. Jin is roped into the deal and chooses to hold the fight that very night.
After the demon fades, tifAHNy returns to normal, seemingly unaware of the demonic presence. She begins preparing a feast for the party and her entourage.
During the feast, the Guard Captain—whom to some of the party appears to be the demon in disguise—taunts Jin, claiming his friends don't know him well and trust him too much. He also approaches Sol, offering to lose the fight on purpose for the right price.
As the contest begins, tifAHNy offers Moss a chance to pull out, but he refuses. Jin enters the ring against the Guard Captain, who reveals his true form as demon to those who can see it. Sol feels a familiar warmth on her shoulder and hears a voice:
It's been a long time, darling. Watch this.
The demon suddenly transforms into a pathetic kobold, and Jin obliterates him instantly. The scene is impressive to onlookers, as the guard Captain still appeared normally to them. tifAHNy honors the deal: Moss now owns the town. The party informs the guards of the change in leadership and is guided to a manor within the town.
That night, Jin is interrupted by the demon again, who asks if he wishes to end their feud or continue it. The demon expresses interest in Jin's friends and the artifacts they carry. Meanwhile, Sol suffers from nightmares of the webs she's woven through her life strangling her.
The next morning, the party discusses the logistics of running the town with the man who had apparently been doing the real work behind the scenes. Moss renames the town Mossville. They begin the journey toward the grove, noticing the lush green landscape turn to a diseased grey. Animals appear branching and curling like claws.
They arrive at the part of the grove where Moss grew up. The people there are covered in warts and disease. Thistlegrim appears, his voice booming as he blames Moss for the death of Bartholomew, and for leading Parsons to the grove. He declares that Moss must die but first must face the Heartkeeper.
The party is taken to the Tree of Life, which is now a dead, decaying husk. The guards shove Moss down before it. As they approach, the artifacts react: Vesper feels the Chalice of Concord shake, Sol hears the Orb of the First Dawn groan, but Moss hears nothing from the Crown of Stars.
The Heartkeeper, a massive and diseased tree-person, rises from the ground. It speaks:
You should not be here, but the seed remembers you… remembers betrayal, remembers loss.
The party sees visions of Moss's past within the trees. The Heartkeeper claims the seed is its to guard. The grove's council turns their back on Moss, but Bebop the toad hops out to the druids, and the party attempts to convince the Heartkeeper that the ruin was caused by Parsons, not Moss.
Moss finally proves his intent by producing the head of Bartholomew, explaining that Parsons sent it to him. The Heartkeeper finally believes him. Moss explains they need the seed to cleanse the corrupted artifacts. The Heartkeeper warns that taking the seed will result in its death, but eventually agrees. The party retrieves the 🗝️ Seed of Renewal, knowing they have only six hours to use it.
The party sends a message to the Red Oracles to meet them in the city. Upon arrival, they find the archers pointed inward toward the square rather than out, in the direction of the Red Oracles. Moss reassures the guards, and they proceed to a manor with the oracles.
Valera uses bones to form runes on the ground, crimson light creating a pedestal of bones. The four oracles take their positions at the corners. Thren, the warrior oracle, warns:
This is no gift. If it fails, you are all dead.
Valera opens a tome and begins the incantation. The Seed of Renewal begins to crack and expand. The Orb of the First Dawn spins, the Chalice of Concord thrashes, and the Crown of Stars radiates heat. Valera declares:
The seed will cleanse, but it demands truth, sacrifice, and unity. Face yourselves or be consumed.
The party members face their trials:
Corruption explodes from the Chalice of Concord, dealing psychic damage to Jin as he catches it. The anchors feel their blood boiling as the process continues. Jin and Vesper collapse, but Moss and Sol manage to heal them, purging the corruption. Vesper hesitantly retrieves the now-cleansed 🗝️ Chalice of Concord, which speaks to them:
Drink from me when you're hurt; I will help you.
Valera applauds, noting that this was an outcome they could not foresee. Moss's hand is restored, though it remains permanently “crispy” and scarred. The oracles state that while the prophecy has ended, they will remain available if needed, though they warn that “all is not as it seems.”, seeming to be looking at Jin in particular.
A messenger arrives with an official summons for Lord Moss from Chancellor Valeris of the Royal Council. The leaders of the realm request a meeting at a location of the party's choice to discuss the new leader of Marrow, the Ashen Coven, and the artifacts.
As Moss holds the 🗝️ Official Summons, he notices his fingers are covered in ash. He declares that the meeting will take place in Mossville in one week's time.