Ashen Oath Chapter 4: Kora Path

Chapter 4 of the Ashen Oath storyline begins on October 25th as part of the Halloween Spectacle event. This final branch of the storyline will only appear for you if you doubted Namir and helped Kora in Chapter 3.

Depending on the choices made in this chapter, you made jump between this storyline branch and the Coven storyline branch. For this chapter to make the most sense, we strongly recommend that you click the storyline buttons to be taken to the next page for a specific branch, rather than scrolling.

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Wind lifts the fur along your spine, and you feel a sense of urgency come over you. The air has shifted and the energy of the world hums with anticipation-it is time.

You smell a familiar scent on the air and follow it. Kora sits proudly, eyes meeting yours as you pace into the clearing.

"We're ready, [Name]. It's time to stop the witches once and for all. The hour for the ritual is near-they will be preparing now."

Where's Namir?

Chapter 4 Page 1a

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Kora smiles.

"He's with the witches, helping them prepare. That's what they think, anyway," Her eyes are bright and eager-she's ready for this.

"He's preparing for the corruption ritual, but he's secretly putting the necessary ingredeients into place for cleansing at the same time. They're so focusing on twisting this world that they aren't paying attention to him. He's just their servant."

What will I do?

Chapter 4 Page 2a

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Kora gestures as she rises to her paws and starts heading toward the witches' grove. You follow, listening as she explains.

"You'll go to them, just like you've been doing. Namir will meet you, and we'll go from there. I imagine the witches will teach you their corruption ritual. At that point, once they being and are too absorbed to notice, you and Namir will begin the cleansing while I deal with Saligia."

She snarls briefly, and it only takes you a moment to realize what she means.

You're going to kill her?

Chapter 4 Page 3a

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Kora nods.

"It's the only way to cut her off from her sisters, thus severing the connection of power and halting the ritual. Without her, they are nothing-they won't be a threat. At that point they should go scampering back to whatever dark corner they came from...or they can choose to follow Saligia's fate."

The she-wolf shows no signs of backing down from her task. She is committed until the end.

Approach the grove

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The grove looms ahead, and Kora falls back, nodding you forward.

"You go. If they know I'm here before the ritual begins, it won't be good. Play along and make sure they believe it. We don't have time for poor acting. Make it good, [Name]."

With a pointed look, she trots into some brush just outside the entrance and all is quiet. You hear low voices and energy sizzles in the air-it's now or never.

Enter the grove

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The witches are busy preparing and their paw steps have an eager, excited energy to them. As you enter the grove, you spot Namir on the far side, gathering various ingredients and passing them to the witches as they pace back and forth, placing them in specific spots.

Your eyes meet, and he gives you a small nod. He's gotten things ready, and now it's up to you.

"[Name]! You're here!"

Saligia bounds over to you, fur bristling in anticipation. She look genuinely happy to see you-to her, you're a kindred spirit.

[Play dumb] Saligia, what's going on?

Say nothing

Warn Saligia about the plan

Chapter 4 Page 6a

Choosing "Warn Saligia about the plan" will allow the opportunity to switch sides to the coven. This storyline branch is visible at the bottom of this page, in the Warn Saligia section.

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The following pages appear if you clicked "[Play dumb] Saligia, what's going on?" on Page 6a.

She beams and shoves her head into your shoulder, directing you towards Namir.

"It's time to complete what we've been working towards-the last ritual, the one act that will transform this world to the way it should be.

As you approach Namir he glances warily at you, unsure of what Saligia wants.

"Namir is like you-a wolf whose eyes have been opened to the power within him. We need you both for this ritual. Should be succeed, you will both receive an incredible gift."

A gift? What sort of gift?

Chapter 4 Page 7a

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Saligia nods toward her sisters as they go about their duties, smiling proudly.

"When the ritual is complete, there will be no creature that poses a challenge to you. Nature itself will recognize your power, rendering you invulnerable. Flames will shrink back from touching you, and turbulent waters will spit you out to protect you from drowning. You will rise as a legendary leader, guiding your pack. Your heart will beat in harmony with ours, allowing you to become like us. An all-powerful being...a witch in full."

She looks at you pointedly, gauging your reaction.

Really? So I'll be as powerful as you?

Chapter 4 Page 8a

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The following page appears if you clicked "Say nothing" on Page 6a.

Saligia seems a bit unnerved by your lack of response, but nudges you towards Namir.

As you approach Namir he glances warily at you, unsure of what Saligia wants.

"Namir is like you-a wolf whose eyes have been opened to the power within him. We need you both for this ritual. Should be succeed, you will both receive an incredible gift."

You can tell your lack of enthusiasm worries her, and she narrows her eyes.

"You want to be a witch, don't you?"

Will I be as powerful as you?

Chapter 4 Page 7b

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With a laugh she shakes her head.

"Not quite, my friend. Nearly, but practice still makes perfect, after all."

A howl rings out, and Saligia looks like she's about to burst with excitement.

"It's time! Come, [Name]. Come, Namir. Our wonderful apprentices, it is time for you to come into your full power."

She strides to the middle of the grove, situating herself at the head of the circle. Her sisters follow suit, stationing themselves in even intervals where the ingredients have been place.

"Step forward, apprentices."

Step into the circle

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Without hesitation, Namir strides forward, quickly glancing at you as if to encourage you. There's no going back now. You pad along at his side, and your ears pick up slight at the edge of the grove as movement flickers at the edge of your vision.

It's hard not to turn and look, but you know it's Kora-she's ready, and if you give her away, all will be lost.

"Sit opposite one another in the center. Listen well: repeat my words and let the energy of the Earth consume and fuel you. Soon, all will be as it should."

Saligia closes her eyes and begins to howl the words of the ritual, and her sisters join in.

Repeat the words

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Locking eyes with Namir, you being the chant hesitantly-how long did it take? Would there be enough time to stop? Namir looks uncertain, but joins your howl.

The air crackles and you feel your pelt rise. The flow of energy is enough to make you gasp and twist your stomach as the corruption begins to spread. Where is Kora? Should she be-

Saligia's howl cuts off with a shriek, and you see a blur of gray tackle her to the ground.

The howls of the other witches cut off abruptly and the grove erupts into chaos.

Jump to your paws

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Saligia and Kora crash violently around the grove, and Namir is already leaping from your side to defend the she-wolf as the other witches descend upon her and their leader.

He is formidable, but he's only one wolf and doesn't stand a chance on his own.

Back away

Leap into the fray!

Chapter 4 Page 12a

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The following pages appear if you clicked "Back away" on Page 12a.

You aren't looking for a fight, and Kora never said anything about risking your own neck. You have your pack to think about!

Kora and Saligia are well-matched, and Namir seems to be managing on his own. There's no reason for you to get involved, despite the nasty looks Namir keeps giving you.

Let the fight play out

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You hover near the edge of the grove, not daring to get close to the snapping wolves.

At last, Namir scrapples with the last of the witches and with a yelp the witch pulls away and retreats. You can feel his eyes burning a hole in your head, but a snarl echoes through the grove and you both turn.

"You are a disgrace to all witches!"

Kora has Saligia pinned to the ground, jaws poised over her throat.

"Despicable. You should be ashamed."

Saligia pants heavily, bleeding from various wounds, but she manages to smirk.

"Ah, the lost one. You never did understand. Go on, kill me; see what that does."

No! Don't-

Chapter 4 Page 14a

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The following page appears if you clicked "Leap into the fray!" on Page 12a.

You snap at the last of the witches and they stumble back, injured and exchausted. Namir scrapples with another and with a yelp the witch pulls away and retreats.

"You are a disgrace to all witches!"

A snarl reaches you ears and you whip around to see Kora has Saligia pinned to the ground, jaws poised over her throat.

"Despicable. You should be ashamed."

Saligia pants heavily, bleeding from various wounds, but she manages to smirk.

"Ah, the lost one. You never did understand. Go on, kill me; see what that does."

Kora wait! Don't-

Chapter 4 Page 14b

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Kora bares her teeth at the witch, saliva dripping from her jaws.

"Not yet, witch. First, your sisters are going to help put the world back as it should be. You hear that, witches? Lend us your power or I will kill her!"

She closes her jaws more tightly around Saligia's throat, causing the witch to let out a choked breath.

"No! No...please, stop. We'll...we'll help." One of the sisters limps forward, her eyes terrified. She looks around the grove and the rest of the witches pull themselves to their paws. "We can't do it now, we need..."

"Everything is ready."

Turn to Namir

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Namir moves to stand at your side, intent on the witch before him.

"It is all prepared. I have the ingredients. Take your positions; I will get what we need."

The witch is too surprised to argue, and listens without a word. Namir goes to the ingredient pile, lifting things away and digging until he reaches a bundle that sits nestled under everything else.

"Traitor! How dare you--" Saligia hisses, but Kora shoves a paw over her jowls with a snarl.

Namir ignores her, taking the ingredients and placing them with each witch in the proper position.

Take your position in the middle

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Namir takes his place at the head of the circle, looking at Kora expectantly.

"Tell me the words and--"

"We know the spell. I will lead you." The witch who had spoken before holds her head high, her eyes challenging Namir to protest. She looks resigned, and maybe...relieved? You can't help but wonder if perhaps there's something more to all of this...

"Very well. Begin and we will follow."

The witch howls out the words to the chant with clear intent, and you feel your pelt prickle as the energy in the air begins to stir once again.

The spell is almost the same as the corrupting one--but like the purging spell, it differs in its intent and origin.

Repeat the words

Chapter 4 Page 17a

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You join the chant, feeling more alive than you ever have before. Unlike with the corruption ritual, your belly doesn't twist in fear and sickness. Instead you feel the air clearing, your chest feels lighter, and you can smell new life.

The spellwork only lasts a few moments before you can feel it ending. It's an unspoken word to stop, and the grove falls silent. The witches look exhausted and ready to collapse.

They pose no threat any more.

"Traitors! All of you will pay!" Saligia struggles, thrashing and flipping as she tries to get out of Kora's grasp. Kora wrestles her back down, her jaws closing around her throat with a hiss.

"Time to die, witch."

Spare her

Let her die

Chapter 4 Page 18a

The choice made here directly determines which story ending and rewards you get, so choose carefully!

If you select "Spare her", you will receive the below items.

Marking Set Applicator [Crawl]

Twisted Path

Kora

If you select "Let her die", you will receive the below items.

Marking Set Applicator [Crawl]

Twisted Path

Namir

Spare Saligia

Spare Saligia

You leap at Kora, shoving her roughly off of Saligia. The she-wolf stumbles but rights herself quickly, and Saligia pulls herself up to crawl away.

"[Name]! NO!" Anger consumes her, and without a second thought, Kora leaps at you.

Fight!

Chapter 4 Page 19a

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Battle Kora to continue with the storyline.

Ashen Oath

Chapter 4 Page 20a

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Kora stumbles back and collapses to the ground, beaten and exhausted. Energy fills you to the brim, courtesy of the spellwork. She never stood a chance.

"Serves you right, wench!" Saligia howls, but Avaritia snaps at her.

"Do you want her to kill you?" she murmurs, and with an irritated look, Saligia falls silent. "Thank you, [Name]. Your mercy will not go unnoticed. We are in your debt."

It's time for you to leave

Chapter 4 Page 21a

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Avaritia nods silently, resolved.

"You have my word. We will leave this place, as will Saligia."

The leader is about to argue, but a glare from Avaritia silences her. She knows they are too weak and beaten to put up any sort of a fight.

"And I will make sure of that," Namir says, stepping forward. Avaritia frowns, but nods after a moment in agreement. She helps Saligia to her feet, and the rest of the witches slowly make their way to them. They gather together, looking much less impressive than before. As a group they slowly make their way to the entrance of the grove with Namir following behind them.

Turn to Kora

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Kora is still slumped on the ground panting heavily. She looks at you thoughtfully, and you can't quite make out how she feels. Was she angry at your betrayal? Sad? Her amber eyes give nothing away.

"Thank you for your assistance, [Name]. You'll notice that things will look much better now; however, the world will still need your help to heal. The corruption is fast to spread and slow to cleanse. It's just the way of things."

She finally struggles to her paws and looks towards the entrance of the grove.

"I should follow. Good bye, [Name]."

Watch her leave

Chapter 4 Page 23a

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That simple farewell is all you get after everything you've done. There is no happy celebration, no pats on your back for a job well-done. Kora turns from you and never looks back, and you have a feeling you will never see her again. Just as the witches are moving on, so, too, will she.

The grove is still and quiet, and the disrupted circle on the ground as the ingredients are scattered gives it an abandoned feel. This place holds no pull over you anymore. The sense of finality is strong, and you feel your paws tugging you back to your pack.

You turn to leave, glancing back one last time at the grove as your paws carry you home.

You got a Marking Set Applicator [Crawl], a Twisted Path, a Kora and +50 ME!

Head home

Chapter 4 Page 24a

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Let Saligia Die

Let Saligia Die

You stay firmly in place, deciding not to intervene. There's no telling if Saligia will recover and regain her strength and return to wreck havoc once again. As cruel as it is, it's for the best.

Avaritia glances between you and Kora as if realizing what's about to happen. Her eyes are full of pain, but she turns away in silence.

Seeing that she faces no objection, Kora finishes Saligia with a single bite to the throat.

Turn away

Chapter 4 Page 19b

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You turn away and instead look at the reactions of the witches, which vary from horror to disgust to deep sadness.

"There! Take that as a warning, witches. Stay and continue twisting this world, and meet the same fate as your leader," Kora warns. She looks eerie with blood staining her teeth as she stands over the still form of Saligia.

"You've left us no choice, lost one," Avaritia snaps, and gestures stiffly toward the grove entrance. "Come, sisters. We cannot stay here where our sister's blood stains the dirt."

She turns abruptly and stalks away, her sisters following slowly.

Watch them leave

Chapter 4 Page 20b

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"I will follow them, to make sure they leave," Namir says softly, purposefully not looking at Kora. He almost seems...unnerved? He's fierce, but the unmerciful nature of the act must have rocked him.

He disappears, and you feel movement beside you: Kora. She stands beside you and stares at the entrance where the three wolves disappeared, not saying a word. You can smell Saligia's blood on her hot breath.

"Thank you, [Name]," she says finally. "It wasn't something I enjoyed doing, but..." She trails off, distracted, and shakes her head. "It doesn't matter now. You'll notice that things will look much better now; however, the world will still need your help to heal. The corruption is fast to spread and slow to cleanse. It's just the way of things."

I'll keep an eye out and cleanse everything I see

Chapter 4 Page 21b

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"Thank you." She turns and walks over to Saligia's body. Kora sits near her head, falling silent.

You watch her for a few moments, and when it's clear she has no plans to move any time soon, your paws pull you toward home.

With a sigh you make your way toward the entrance, glancing back one last time. The grove is quiet and still, and among the broken circle and scattered ingredients Kora sits, keeping vigil over Saligia's body. You wonder how long she will sit there, and if you'll ever see her again.

Your pack is waiting; it's time to head home.

You got a Marking Set Applicator [Crawl], a Twisted Path, a Namir and +50 ME!

Head home

Chapter 4 Page 22b

Warn Saligia

Warn Saligia

With her death looming at the back of your mind, the words tumble out of you in a rush. Saligia's eyes widen in surprise, and she turns on Namir with a snarl.

"Traitor!" Her howl rings out around the grove, and the other witches immediately go on the defense. Hackles raised, they begin to close in around Namir and Saligia, forming an impenetrable circle of malice.

"One more chance, [Name]. Are you with us? Or will you die a traitor's death, as he will?"

Namir is alone, and for the first time you see fear in his eyes. He is outnumbered and will die unless you stand with him.

Stick with Kora and Namir *

Stay out of it

Join the witches *

Chapter 4 Page 7c

Choosing "Stick with Kora and Namir *" will place you back on the general Kora path visible earlier on this page. Choosing "Stay out of it" will move you to a coven path, but you can still switch back to Kora in a couple of pages if you wish. Choosing "Join the witches *" will switch you to a coven path, visible on the Chapter 4: Coven Path page.

If you select "Join the witches", you are guaranteed to receive the below items, and you will not be able to switch your path again.

Marking Set Applicator [Notches]

Forest Clearing

Saligia

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The following page appears if you clicked "Stick with Kora and Namir *" on Page 7c.

Text needed

Text needed

Chapter 4 Page 8c

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The following pages appear if you clicked "Stay out of it" on Page 7c.

You back away, unable to choose. The witches offer power...but Namir is not a bad wolf. They will kill him.

Your hesitation enrages Saligia, and she goes to turn on you--

And her howl cuts off with a shriek as a blur of gray tackles her to the ground.

Kora!

The other witches leap into action to defend their leader, and the grove erupts into chaos.

Watch

Chapter 4 Page 9c

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Saligia and Kora crash violently around the grove, and Namir is already leaping from your side to defend the she-wolf as the other witches descend upon her and their leader.

Namir is no match for the witches without Kora's help. Kora is strong, but she no longer has the power of corruption on her side. They will likely fail without your help and succumb to the power of the witches...the power they've promised you.

Join in with the witches

It's not a fair fight! Help your companions!

Chapter 4 Page 10c

Choosing "It's not a fair fight! Help your companions!" will place you back on the general Kora path visible earlier on this page. Choosing "Join in with the witches" will move you to a coven path.

If you select "Join in with the witches", you are guaranteed to receive the below items.

Marking Set Applicator [Notches]

Forest Clearing

Corrupted Kora

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The following pages appear if you clicked "Join in with the witches" on Page 10c. These pages are the same as the last few in the Hesitate path on the Chapter 4: Coven page.

Kora and Namir don't deserve to die...but you see no other end. The witches will win, even if you did help Namir and Kora. Their power is too great...and if you have to join them to taste that power and protect your pack, so be it.

You face Kora and Namir alongside the witches, ready to take them down.

Fight!

Chapter 4 Page 11c

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Battle Kora & Namir to continue with the storyline.

Ashen Oath

Chapter 4 Page 12c

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Namir and Kora put up a good fight, but 8 against 2 isn't a fair fight, and they are quickly overwhelmed.

Saligia has Kora pinned, and Namir struggles under your own paws. His eyes are full of anger, but you can see something else there--fear.

You pause uncertainly. Did Saligia really mean to kill them? Surely they could be persuaded to back off?

"Don't kill him, [Name]. We need him. As for you..."

Saligia looks down at Kora with a malicious coldness that twists your stomach. She doesn't mean to--?

With a flash of teeth and a high-pitched shriek, Kora falls limp as Saligia's jaws snap her throat.

NO!

Chapter 4 Page 13c

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You feel Namir jerk in response, and keep him pinned as he struggles to escape from your grasp.

"Murderer! She wasn't corrupted anymore, there was no reason to--"

"Quiet, Namir. Quit your moaning. Clearly you're not the wolf I thought you were. Sniveling over the death of a traitor? Pathetic."

She spits on Kora's body and turns to you and Namir.

"Luckily you're useful. I'll use your power whether you like it or not. You can give it willingly and I may decide to spare you, or refuse and you'll just die after the ritual is complete. It makes no difference to me."

She didn't deserve to die!

Chapter 4 Page 14c

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Saligia leaps forward with a snarl, and nearly bites your nose clean off.

"And you! You're only loyal to yourself. I'm not stupid, [Name]. Shut your trap and prepare for the ritual; you have no choice if you want you and your pack to remain unchanged by corruption."

She stalks to the head of the circle, gesturing for her sisters to take their positions.

"Sisters! Let us begin."

Namir lays still under your paws, his will to resist completely gone. Saligia begins the chanting howl and you feel power rising up within you. All you have to do is let it go, and the ritual will greedily consume it and be complete.

Release your power

Chapter 4 Page 15c

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You release your power, letting the ritual consume the last vestiges of your energy.

You're vaguely aware of slumping to the ground and the witches moving around you. All is eventually quiet, and your sense of time is warped.

Minutes or hours, you're not sure which, pass before your senses return to you. You blink open your blurry eyes and look around the grove.

There's a chill in the air, and a hot, bitter taste at the back of your throat. The grove is oddly empty except for Kora's body in front of you.

Namir and the witches are nowhere to be found.

Rise to your paws

Chapter 4 Page 16c

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Gathering your strength, you pull yourself to your paws and take in the new world around you.

The trees, the sky, the ground...it's all twisted beyond recognition. Once-familiar sights, sounds, and smells no longer exist and everything is foreign.

There is no trace of the witches remaining in the grove. It sits abandoned, without even a hint of what it was before. Your body remains unchanged, and your mind clear.

Saligia had kept her word...or so it seemed. There was only one way to find out, and you'd have to face it alone.

Leave the grove

Chapter 4 Page 17c

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You turn to leave, glancing back at Kora's body with an ache in your chest. Surely it was better this way, so that she no longer suffered...but thoughts of what could have been bounce around in your head.

You head back to your pack, paws set firmly on the path before you.

You got a Marking Set Applicator [Notches], a Forest Clearing, a Corrupted Kora and +50 ME!

Head home

Chapter 4 Page 18c