The Prince's Awakening
Description
DescriptionPrince Vis Villier, long known for his passivity and preference for disappearing north, takes decisive action for perhaps the first time in his political life. Moved by Caelum's complaint about tortured guards and Thalara's earlier advice about mercy, he agrees to strip Lady Ruben of her Inquisition authority and remain in the capital for the season. The transformation culminates in a moment of raw power: he steps into the truth circle and it simply dies against his golden light, then severs Ruben's connection to the Inquisitors with visible celestial magic. Yet his melancholy remains—he admits to being lonely, having no friends except now these unlikely companions. The prince has been pulled from his comfortable withdrawal into active governance, anchored by newfound connections that might finally give him reason to stay. Session 9 update: Prince Vis continues emerging from isolation into active engagement with the court and specific individuals. His boat conversation with Caelum reveals someone genuinely interested in connection rather than just performing royal duty. He takes the oars himself—serving rather than being served—and speaks candidly about wanting companions with diverse talents for northern expeditions. He demonstrates political awareness by immediately identifying Lady Ruben's manipulation behind the false engagement, showing he's more observant than his usual passivity suggests. The invitation for Caelum and his companions to join northern campaigns represents genuine interest in specific people, not generic recruitment. His admission of loneliness in previous sessions finds potential answer here: he's building actual friendships rather than maintaining distant royal relationships. The Prince who preferred disappearing north is finding reasons to stay engaged in the capital. Session 14 update: Prince Vis Villier continues his transformation from passive royal to engaged leader, but the weight of responsibility is crushing him. Thalara's confrontation demands he become a revolutionary symbol, which terrifies him—he fears power corrupts and refuses to be its vessel. Yet he cannot remain passive while people he cares about suffer. This session finds him at breaking point: destroying furniture in rage, admitting he wishes he could just disappear north, but ultimately still choosing to help those who have become his friends. The prince who preferred withdrawal is being forced to choose what kind of leader he will be. Session 15 update: Prince Vis Villier continues his painful transformation from passive royal to engaged leader, but the weight of expectation is crushing him. Thalara's demand that he become a revolutionary symbol terrifies him—he fears power corrupts and refuses to be its vessel. Yet he cannot remain passive while people he cares about suffer. This session finds him at breaking point: destroying furniture in rage, admitting he wishes he could disappear north, but ultimately still choosing to help. The prince who preferred withdrawal is being forced to choose what kind of leader—and what kind of man—he will be.
Timeline
The Prince's Golden Secret
The prince receives the party's complaint, showing no surprise at Ruben's methods but making the decision to act—first time following Thalara's advice leads to second intervention
The Fall of an Inquisitor
The prince personally confronts Ruben, demonstrating his celestial power by severing her authority and claiming the Inquisition for himself
The Prince's Oar
The Prince rows Caelum personally and speaks with genuine warmth about wanting the young lord and his companions for future expeditions. He demonstrates political acumen by immediately connecting the false engagement to Lady Ruben, showing active observation beneath his usual withdrawn demeanor.
Blood and Alibis
Prince Vis personally fights the shapeshifting creature, taking severe wounds that require healing. When he sees Daria and Caelum hiding in the flooded room, he makes a split-second choice—he closes the door to protect them, then advances alone to fight. This moment crystallizes his transformation from passive royal to someone willing to make morally complex choices to protect specific individuals.
The Prince's Reckoning
The Prince arrives at Daria's home in his terrible disguise, revealing that he saw her at the prison and wants answers—but approaches with questions rather than accusations. When he realizes they were infiltrating the Gloaming Guild at Lady Kadir's request, he face-palms at the misunderstanding. His visit to check on the wounded Caelum transforms into something warmer: announcing the council meeting, pledging support, speaking of friendship and future travels together. He eats common pancakes with childlike enthusiasm, discovering simple pleasures denied to royalty. The prince is learning to see people rather than just subjects.
A Lord's Testimony
Prince Vis rises to speak for Caelum with uncharacteristic passion, praising his character, tactical mind, and genuine care for his people. Most significantly, he argues that even without the ancient oaths, Caelum represents 'the finest fit for the Liege Lordship of the Rift.' The prince who once preferred disappearing north now stakes his public reputation on supporting an unlikely friend, demonstrating how far he's come from passive observer to active participant in governance.
A Prince's Quiet Support
In the aftermath of the council's rejection, Prince Vis offers Caelum support and disagrees with his sister's decision. He promises to hear the full story of Lady Ruben's death later, demonstrating continued engagement rather than withdrawal.
Fire and Fury at the Prince's Door
Thalara confronts Vis with devastating emotional honesty about the broken system and his responsibility. She throws Lady Ruben's bone sword at him, demanding he 'fight for someone other than yourself.' The confrontation strips both to their cores.
The Prophet's Curse Takes Root
Daria and Thomas find Vis mid-breakdown, disheveled and sweating, violently attacking his bed with an ancient sword while raging about being forced into revolutionary symbolism. Daria confronts him with sharp honesty before revealing Thalara's curse.
Ashes of the Council
Prince Vis approaches Caelum after the crushing council rejection with unexpected kindness, offering encouragement and promising to hear the full account of Lady Ruben's death later. His genuine bow and concern for Daria show a man choosing compassion over royal distance.
A Plea for Revolution
Thalara's confrontation strikes at the heart of Vis's paralysis. She throws a bone sword across his pool and demands he fight for someone other than himself, challenging him to become the revolutionary symbol his divine heritage demands. The Prince resists with anguished honesty: he fears power corrupts, refuses to dismantle systems without plans, and cannot simply will change into existence. The argument ends unresolved, both wounded.
The Prophet's Curse
When Daria and Thalara arrive seeking help, they find the Prince destroying furniture in rage-fueled breakdown. Disheveled and furious from Thalara's earlier words, he admits he's overwhelmed by everyone's burdens and expectations. Yet despite his tantrum, he examines Thalara's wound with clinical precision and provides crucial information about seeking healing. Even at breaking point, he chooses to help those who have become his friends.