The Light and the Shadow is the fourth episode of season 16 of Dimension 20, The Ravening War.
Over the course of five years, the Ravening War takes a heavy toll on all of Calorum.
Introduction[]
Five years of violence shall pass as bloodshed has now engulfed the entirety of Calorum. As the six kingdoms clash in all out open conflict, with the death of Queen Pamela Rocks, Candia formally declares war, and joins the Dairy Islands against the forces of Ceresia, The Meat Lands, and Fructera. Archmage Lazuli of Candia has a vision within this time of a man capable of ending this war: Gustavo Uvano. Around this same period, Count Tomaté's attempts to straddle his positions and spread his influence too thin causes the leadership of Fructera to begin to crumble.
Synopsis[]
Upon returning to Comida after the assassination of the Queen of Candia, Lady Amangeaux Epicée du Peche, shaken to her core by the events, sends word to Chutney to get her baby son, revealing to her faithful servant for the first time that he exists. Back at the safehouse, Amangeaux finds Karna Solara, and tells her of her intentions: to flee the city, as she knows Candia will now enter the Ravening War, blaming Fructera for the death of their monarch. All of Solara's actions up until this point have been about ensuring Amangeaux's marriage to Count Jacques Tomaté. Du Peche's plans essentially throw all of that work away. After a heated back and forth, Karna tells Amangeux that, if she doesn't keep up her end of the bargin, she will tell the count about Amangeaux's hidden child, something the lady laughs that she had just been planning to tell Karna about. She further explains that, as a mother, she will keep her child safe, something Count Tomaté is too weak to ensure, especially with the new threat of Candian invasion. As the conversation continues to be even more heated, Amangeaux admits the worthlessness of royalty, and kneels before Karna, pleading with her to go to her son and leave. Karna, knowing she is about to lose everything, bitterly gets out of the way of the door she's been blocking, and walks away. Amangeaux stealthily leaves to the Pomegrano House, takes her son, and heads off towards Uvano, not even telling her other family that she's there. (She does tell Bishop Raphaniel Charlock that she's leaving, though not saying to where.) In the years that follow, she resolves herself to three things: keep her son safe, that she is never fooled again, and that she somehow make things right, and spending her time researching anything she could use to know her enemy, and become more educated than she has ever been before.
However, she knows she can't stay hidden with her child forever, and not trusting Raphaniel Charlock or Karna Solara with her whereabouts, she ended up going to the House Uvano, pleading for sanctuary. As allies of House du Peche, they take the fallen queen in. They set her to work, which she takes graciously, no longer wishing to be nobility. While with the Uvanos, she confesses to the young Lord Gustavo that, when King Arthur Cardoon was ill, she slept with a mutal friend, Van Pinnonoir, one night, resulting in her son. Being a grape as well, she asks Gustavo to raise her son as an Uvano for his safety, which he warmly agrees. In gratitude, Amangeaux offers all the knowledge and research she had previously assertained to aid the Uvanos in the war effort. In the months that pass, she is increasingly included in trainings of the Fructeran knights, honing herself into a skilled fighter. On top of that, due to her guilt over her part in the assassination of Queen Pamelia Rocks, she helps broker the alliance between House Rocks and House Uvano.
Karna, meanwhile, knows that she is ruined. Alone, she heads off to Ceresia, ending up in Pangranos, to start over with a new identity (though she still keeps in touch with Thane Delissandro Katzon and Charlock). With the rise of the narcissistic warlord, Imperator Focaccia, things are difficult. Through the years of war, he has rallied a fanatical and ferocious nationalism that the people increasingly get behind, and, in turn, decreasing the power of the Senate until it's pretty much nonexistent. While trying to rebuild her network, she still feels the isolation Karna feels from the racism directed at a Fructeran like her. However, the beliefs the Fellowship of Destiny's Architects revealed to her, particularly the concept of Sanctus Putris, has resonated with her. In her last meeting with them, Karna was able to pick up the same scent Thane Delissandro Katzon was able to smell, and, furthermore, was able to catch his recognition of it. Now in Ceresia, she picks it up again during a procession to Foccacia: the perfume of Senator Ariana Gemelli who has fallen in step with the Imperator's rise. When Solara finds Gemelli, she's in a place similar to that of a luxurious harem room being catered to by servants. Karna telepathically reaches out to her, saying, "You seem to be doing well for yourself here." After dimissing her help, Karna shows herself to the senator who quickly recognizes the pepper. After implying to Ariana that she knows her position in the FDA, she asks for a position of power, and an ability to make something of herself in the chaos of the war. The senator then says here might be some work the young spymaster could fulfill.
The progress is slow, but within the next year, Karna is able to rebuild her network, making her way through the ranks of the Pangranos elite (except, notably, to the Imperator himself), and getting closer and closer to her understanding of the Sanctus Putris. However, this questioning increasingly makes Senator Gemelli uncomfortable until one day, she finally snaps, and tells her that, if she really wants to "give [herself] over to the Bulbian light to cleanse these lands," she needs to talk to Archbishop Camille Colliflour. As there is a gathering with the archbishop in a few days, Ariana assures Karna that she will be included, and sends her away.
After the events of the assassination, Raphaniel Charlock is now a shriveled shell of the radish he once was. Before leaving to Ceresia, Karna meets with him, revealing the entirity of the situation with Lady Amangeaux, including that of having a nursing baby, a baby Raphaniel points out is too young to be the heir to the former king. After musing about the intents of the former Queen du Peche, Raphaniel asks Karna where her connection to the spiritual comes from. Karna playfully deflects the question back to him, causing Charlock to point out that even the Heart of the World couldn't answer that question. He then announces that he will return to Greenhold to try and answer all the unanswerable questions. He wishes Karna well and, hopes that, if they ever meet again, it will be as allies. Solara responds with a hug, though which the Charlock is able to feel the rot on the young pepper's body. The bishop says to her, ""It is a cruel thing, I think, to discover that our gifts are capable to devouring us." The spymaster agrees, "It's weird to be afraid to die when that's already happened." After some quiet musings on the nature of Bulbian truth, the two wish each other a final 'good luck,' and goes off to Greenhold to get audience with the Archbishop Camille.
As for the Meatlanders, immediately after their meeting with the FDA, the Skáld Colin Provolone and Thane Delissandro Katzon meet back at the safehouse. The thane sits in front of a fire in a daze, frantically explaining to his bodyguard that, as the impliments of the Architects, they will be supported back in Carn, moving swiftly and forcefully against their enemies. As Provolone tries to protest, Deli tries to intimidate his skáld into his way of thinking; that there is no longer any need to hold back after what they have done, and, not asking, but telling Colin that he will be there in the coming war. In response, Provolone takes off his sword belt with his cheese rind dagger, and drops it in front of the prince. He explains that he initially thought the worst thing that could happen was if the FDA revealed the secret that they were blackmailing him with. Now he understands that what they did is far worse. He then goes on to explain that he had promised Chieftess Cleva Katzon to watch over her son because she thought he would make a great leader. However, he can't stand at the side of a warlord. Angrily, Deli screams that he is better without Colin anyway. Colin gets up to go, but before he leaves, he tells Deli his secret. Colin's grandfather was the revolutionary trying to help the Dairy Islanders fight against an oppressive regime. However, he was ultimately melted in the middle of the streets of Lacramor. His secret son, Colin's abusive father, raised him on the streets, forcing him to cheat and steal. That is, until his dad drunkenly admitted whom his father was, and was killed for it. For years, Colin kept this secret in fear. But now, he just didn't care anymore. He wishes his old friend well, but tells him him he cannot be a part of what Katzon has planned. Deli once again tells him to go, which he does, with a determination to try and make things right with the others that were also dragged into this. In trying to figure out how, he goes to the smartest person he knows: Bishop Raphaniel Charlock.
The next day, Delissandro, now the only one of the group left in the city, takes the transport Colin had prepared back to Carn, replaying the previous night over and over again. For the first time, he realizes that he is truly alone, and that he no longer has to deal with the obligations of friends and family. "He" is the tool of destiny, and no one else needs to be considered. With this new resolve, Katzon goes off to find who would be the most acceptable leader of the Meat Lands, his mother having proven herself unworthy of the position. This ends up being the emerging warlord, Basha Myaso, whom Deli seeks out as soon as possible. In the meeting with the rising warlord, Katzon persuades him that he is the one to unite the Meat Lands, Deli and his mainland connections at his side. In the years to come, Deli finally feels the respect of his peers, no longer in the shadow of his family. Cleva Katzon stops speaking to Delissandro after his change of allegiance, no longer recognizing the person her son has become, and, when he finally becomes chief of his own clan, she, no longer chieftess, leaves him completely. She ends up walking northward up the Meat Lands, and is never seen again.
While the The Scrumptious Scoundrels are carrying out their personal interests, a notable battle occurs: the Battle of Vinolia. During the haphazard retreat of the Fructeran army, Count Jacques Tomaté is intercepted and killed by the Vegetanians, resulting in House Uvano as the ruling house of Fructera. Belvedere Cabbage is crowned King of Vegetania, uniting his people in way they haven't been for a long time. His first act as king is to form a political alliance with Imperator Foccacia, creating a military powerhouse that threatens all of Calorum.
In the chaotic restructuring of the country following the crowning of King Cabbage, it's hard to get a meeting with Archbishop Colliflour. However, in a brief moment of calm, Bishop Raphaniel is able to squeeze a casual audience with the Bulbian leader. Breaking down, he confronts her role as a member of the The Fellowship of Destiny's Architects, demanding to know how killing the Queen of Candia and bringing them into the war is at all in the service of The Bulb, and why was he made a pawn in it. She gently explains that the Church is merely a tool for the political machinations of the Bulb. Is it she and the FDA who know the real Truth (ie Sanctus Putris), and that Truth is higher than anything corporeal to the heretical and hedonistic people of Calorum. Raphaniel was not initally told of the FDA's intentions because he was not ready for it. Furthermore, he's still not fully ready for the enormity of the full Truth; of what lurks in the shadows beyond where the Bulb's Light can reach. One day, though, if he lives long enough, he might become ready, and might be worthy to join her in the holy work that she and the FDA do. While the bishop genuflects his hope towards the archbishop's wishes, secretly he vows to spend the rest of his life corrupting everything Colliflour and the Fellowship stands for, warping the Church to burn her and her vision of it from the land. As he makes this vow, visions of Camille and tearing blades flash aross his mind as the archbishop excuses Raphaniel from her chambers.
That night, Bishop Charlock takes every piece of research he had collected through the years about the FDA, knowing that it is likely made up of what the Fellowship wanted him to believe, and in the middle of an abandoned cathedral outside of Greenhold, maniacally burns it all to ash. He then holds his hand into the flame, allowing it to burn. As he's doing so, Charlock proclaims, "Outside of this world is a steel not made of any food. Meat, fruit, vegetable; in the great blender of the void, can all things be made one!" He then shifts his study to that of the Ramsian Doctrine; to study of apocalypse and the final destiny of the soul. Becoming devout for the first time in his life, he spends the next years learning everything he can on how to trigger the end of the world. "The smoothie of this world must be blended, and made ready to be devoured in one fell gulp." The conflict between The Bulb and The Hungry One must come to pass, and, rather than go back to his books, he turns to the knowledge of the dead to find his answers on Sanctus Putris. Through thsi new research, he is able to find instances going back 150 years of events similar to the one that drew him into Queen Rocks' assassination. By exhuming the bodies of those believed to be involved in these events, Raphaniel is able to discover that they were able to ascend in life based on them fully believing in the cause of the Sanctus Putris, and aquiring enough political power while not gaining any attention doing so to be gifted a mask (ie becoming a member) of the Fellowship of Destiny's Architects. While he isn't able to find the body of anyone who wore a mask, he is able to find those that worked with them before being killed. None of them are names that the bishop recognizes, but they all turn out to be types of servants and laymen that sit close to those in high positions of power, but prefer to work from the shadows. Raphaniel transfers out of Greenhold, and with his newfound passion and knowledge, begins to create a circle of people he feels are sturdy enough to create a faction within the Church.
However, his actions are not unnoticed by Archbishop Camille. In the year of the Bulb 1192, while he is in the process of creating his network, Bishop Charlock recieves a message from the Church sending him from Vegetania permanently to Comida as the Bulbian Church begins to make a foothold in the area. Furthermore, he is no longer a bishop, but is demoted to archdeacon. Knowing his actions have been discovered, Raphaniel arrives in Comida as a commoner. While they have bumped into each other through the years, Charlock makes his first real connection with Colin Provolone since the assassination while in Comida in this disgraced state. After explaining his frustration of the Bulbian Churches corruption, he finds an ally with Provolone. The fromer Skáld agrees to go with the archdeacon to the cave of rot that they had previously found while hiding along the Glucian Road. Before they leave, though, Raphaniel sends a recommendation for Colin to recieve holy orders, allowing the cheese a guise to follow through on any vengence against the Church he sees fit. Through Charlock's network, Provolone receives a holy knighthood as these orders are ultimately granted.
When the two arrive back to the cave of rot, they find it closed to them, sealed off with rock and partically grown over as though it were never there. In a frenzied rage, Raphaniel tries to shatter the rock apart, and reaches into the stone to try and regain the connection with the Heart of the World he once had. However, all he is able to get back from it is collateral damage from the broken rocks. He almost falls apart when Colin jolts the radish back to reality, saying, "You're really that weak?" Collecting himself, Charlock makes a vow to stop playing the games of the Bulbian Church; that he will no longer take their bait, and instead work to carry out his goals through manipulation of the Ravening War. Before heading out, though, Colin asks to make a pit stop: an attempt to make amends to the family of the banana boatman he had killed. After walking for several hours, they come upon a small village. There, he meets a young banana child named Jarry to whom he gives a bag of gold as reparation right before his mother calls him into the house.
Colin Provolone, now Sir, easily rises through the ranks of the Bulbian Order of Knights. As loyal a guard he was to Deli, he guards Raphaniel with the same determination, who, in turn, fanatically follows the knight. With the rise of the Bulbian Order of Knights in the aftermath of many a battle, Archdeacon Raphaniel acts as a mouthpiece for the people, spreading the messsge of the suffering of the people, pointing out Imperator Foccacia merely wishes to conquer, and they must unite the nations against him, as they are all one under the Bulb. Publicly, Raphaniel comes across as nothing more than the actions of a powerhungry archdeacon. Meanwhile, increasingly obsessed with the end of the world and destroying the Sanctis Putris, Charlockspends his nights secretly writing everything he can on the fallacy on their theology and The Prophidian Heresy. Sir Colin does warn him, however, of the ferver of his fanaticsm, pointing out the power of being able to wait Charlock is hesitant, saying that, if a person waits too long for the wrong thing it may never come. Provolone simply hopes that what they're fighting for isn't the wrong thing, and they head out for what would become the Battle of Pangranos, expressing Bulbian Church support of House Uvano and Fructera.
After Deli is made Chief alongside warlord Basha Myaso, it isn't long before Sapphria, the youngest princess of House Rocks, plans to journey to the Meat Lands and Carn in secret. Knowing how important the presence of the princess is, Chief Deli writes to Karna Solara to come to the Meat Lands. Karna, now an adult, arrives, Delissandro explains what he needs in killing the princess. The assassination would give Basha Myaso the leg up he needs to truly take control, and, therefore, have the power to face Ceresia. She agrees without hesitation, and Karna easily discovers the princess' travel plans and timetable. The two agree that, while they have the ability to make it discreet, the assassination of Princess Sapphria needs to be known by the world. After meeting with the Speaker of the Hen whom she implores for aid and alliance, Sapphria is left unanswered for a week while the Speaker contemplates the request. In this week, she is easily murdered by Karna, her body being discovered four hours later. In the years to follow, Deli would only know war. So would Karna (now a red, fully ripened Carolina Reaper), whom never left Delissandro's side once she was summoned to it. Her devotion to Delissanrdo becomes so great, she earns Provolone's previous title of Skáld.
News of the murder of Princess Sapphria is very quick to spread. Knowing she had previously sought an audience with the Speaker of the Hen, Myaso challenges the Speaker in a fight to the death, a fight he succeeds. This victory raises Basha Myaso's prestige and power to that of the true warlord of the land, uniting all the clans of the Meat Lands. His first act as leader is retaliation on their former ally, now enemy: Ceresia. After the ascension of Basha Myaso, Archdeacon Charlock sends a message to Deli warning him that, after the Ravening War is over, there needs to be a power great enough to unite all the six kingdoms from the aftermath of the fighting. Myaso is not that kind of leader if he thinks only for the Meat Lands, and not the whole of Calorum. While he ultimately agrees with the radish, Deli confides with Karna that now is not the time to challenge their leader's leadership. Karna replies that, maybe not, but he might be if he's bold enough.
Away from noble life, Amangeaux keeps a low profile, not thinking about her previous connections until unexpectedly seeing Charlock and Provolone on the way to Ceresia. She clearly sees the negative changes in her old friend, and, after Colin's persuading, attempts to reach out to the fallen bishop. After a warm greeting, she apologizes for leaving him behind. After Raphaniel indicates that he knows about Amangeaux's son, she begins to clear the air. She tells him that she didn't tell him about the child because she was both afraid of his reaction, and afraid of what danger the knowledge of her son would put him in. While he later asks of the boy's parentage, Amangeaux does not respond. As the two reconnect, Charlock mentions that he is only there to administer spiritual advice and comfort to the soliders who fight. Du Peche replies in his mind, "We both know you are much more than that." Raphaniel simpy responds back, "I don't know how long that will be true."
Soon after the death of her sister, Princess Citrina goes to King Cabbage in an attempt to broker peace. However, she is instead martyred in the streets of Vegetania. Her death prompts King Cabbage to reach out to King Uvano of Fructera, and, for the first time since the very beginning of the war, the two nations decide to stop fighting. Furthermore, Citrina being such an important and revered figure within the Bulbian Church, Vegetania withdraws from the Ravening War entirely.
With the murders of so many members of their royalty, Candia allies itself with the Meat Lands against Ceresia, notably during the Battle of Gumdrop Pass, making their way into the heart of Ceresia itself. In the five years since the assassination Queen Pamelia Rocks, Candia, alongside the united Meat Lands, Fructera, and the Diary Islands, make their way to the captial city of Pangranos for their final assault on Ceresia in an attempt to finally end the war. These forces include the Scrumptious Scoundrels, all older and more hardened from the years of hardship. While the soldiers prepare themselves for battle, Raphaniel's night, much like every night, is spent restless, images of metallic teeth haunting his dreams. In this night, though, within the grinding sounds, it almost feels like it's saying a name. Thinking that, after all these years, this force might actually be trying to speak to him, he concentrates on what this being is trying to tell him. However, his concentration is broken with the dawning day, and Colin entering the radish's tent.
The next morning, the leaders of the various nations meet together to plan for the coming battle. The first to arrive is Warlord Basha Myaso of the Meat Lands, Chief Delissandro Katzon and Skáld Karna Solara standing watch. Next is the Prince Tarthur Cheddar of the Dairy Islands. Representing Fructera comes Lord Gustavo Uvano, bringing Amangeaux Epicée du Peche as his own watch. Amangeaux acts as though she is a stranger to her former companions, and Deli, while confused by the lack of recognition, can't help but respect the battle forged visage of the former queen. Rounding out the group is the heir to the throne of Candia, General Rococoa of House Rocks, and her brother, Prince Amethar. The prine's dear buddy, Manta Ray Jack, trials along with them, but he is not allowed in the tent, instead standing guard with Amangeaux, Deli, and Karna (though he quickly leaves to take care of his own bodily functions). The three left, fully reunited for the first time since the assassination, set about reconnecting, starting with du Peche apologzing for not publicaly recognizing them before.
Meanwhile Raphaniel and Colin are walking around camp. The archdeacon glances in the distance, and sees a figure similar to the mold person they had encountered (and murdered) all those years ago. Without explination, he takes off after it, sending mental messages to Amangeaux and Karna with Colin closely behind chasing him. With Charlock in the lead, the Scrumpteous Scoundrels chase after the rot as it ducks ducks behind a hill. No, not a hill, but a ring with a freshly dug opening in the middle that descends into the earth. While Amangeaux tries to stop him, Charlock is so determined, he rushes into the hole, Colin dutifully following behind. Deli enters once Raphaniel messages him that the mycelium network they had both touched was present in the cave walls. Karna loyally follows him, and Amangeaux makes up the rear as they descend into the tunnels of old, stale bread. When he travels down far enough, Raphaniel encounters three of the mold creatures, each made up of a differnet type of fungus wearing masks of scavenged bone, digging in the tunnel. As gently as he can, he tells them that he is not a threat. However, the only message Charlock gets back is one of fear. Amangeaux tries next, sending them messages of motherly warmth. While two back away, one walks up, and sprays Raphaniel with a cloud of spores. This acts as a translator, turning the fungus language of emotion into understandable words, specifically words of welcome. However, the being also tells him that the group shouldn't be there as the fungal people are forbidden to be seen by outsiders. Frantically, Charlock explains about his encounter with the Heart of the World, and how, while back then he wasn't, he is now ready to use its power to destroy all of their enemies. The creature is confused by the archdeacon's intent, saying that the "Heart of the World," is the heart of their world, Saprophus. He continues that "they" promised Saprophus would be protected.
At this moment, another figure comes around the bend. He is not a fungal creature, but one wearing the robes of the The Fellowship of Destiny's Architects, and is caught offguard by the presence of the Scrumptous Scoundrels. Before he can leave, Charlock casts Shatter on them (though this is negated at the beginning of the next episode).
Timeline & Locations within Calorum[]
Timeline[]
- The years of the Bulb 1190 - 1195
- 9th & 10th days of Frostdusk, in the year of the Bulb 1190
- Directly after the assassination of Queen Pamelia Rocks
- The Battle of Vinolia
- The coronation of King Belvedere Cabbage
- The assassination of Princess Sapphria of House Rocks
- The martyrdom of Princess Citrina of House Rocks
- peace treaty between Vegetania and Fructera
- Vegetania's withdrawl from the Ravening War
- The Battle of Gumdrop Pass
- The night and morning before the Battle of Pangranos
- 9th & 10th days of Frostdusk, in the year of the Bulb 1190
Candia[]
- Gumdrop Pass (mentioned)
Ceresia[]
- Pangranos
- Cave into Saprophus
The Dairy Islands[]
- Lacramor (mentioned)
Fructera[]
- Comida
- Cathedral of Saint Arugula (mentioned)
- dockyards
- Karna's safehouse
- Pomegrano House
- Pulp Bay (mentioned)
- Glucian Road
- Cave into Saprophus
- Uvano
The Meat Lands[]
- Carn
- Sangre River (mentioned)
Saprophus[]
- The under hollows
Vegetania[]
- Brightgarden (mentioned)
- Greenhold
Featured Characters[]
The Scrumptious Scoundrels[]
- Amangeaux Epicée du Peche
- Sir Colin Provolone
- Chief Delissandro Katzon
- Skáld Karna Solara
- Archdeacon Raphaniel Charlock
New[]
- Jerry
- Jerry's mother
- Porrum (*unnamed in the episode)
- unnamed dinner roll servant
- three unnamed Saprophians
Returning[]
- Senator Ariana Gemelli
- Archbishop Camille Colliflour
- Imperator Focaccia
- Lady Amangeaux's unnamed wine grape baby
Returning (from A Crown of Candy)[]
- Prince Amethar of House Rocks
- Basha Myaso
- Lord Gustavo Uvano
- Manta Ray Jack
- General Rococoa of House Rocks
- Prince Tarthur Cheddar
Mentioned[]
- Aaron Fontina (believed to be †)
- King Arthur Cardoon (†)
- King Belvedere Cabbage
- Chutney
- Saint Citrina of House Rocks (†)
- Chieftess Cleva Katzon (fate unknown)
- Count Jacques Tomaté (†)
- Archmage Lazuli of House Rocks (†)
- Lucas Fontina (†)
- Queen Pamelia Rocks (†)
- Princess Sapphria of House Rocks (†)
- Speaker of the Hen (†)
- Van Pinnonoir (†)
- unnamed banana boatman (†)
Quotes[]
- "Today, much will be asked of each and every one of you. But you do not fight alone. For the first time in a very long time, many of these kingdoms come together for a common cause. And should we be willing to make these sacrifices, we will be six as one." - Lord Gustav Uvano