Ashen Oath Chapter 4: Kora Path
From Grouse House Wiki
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 Kora 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.
You smell a familiar scent on the air and follow it. Kora sits proudly, eyes meeting yours as you pace into the clearing.
"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.
"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."
"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."
"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]."
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!"
"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.
"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."
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.
"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.
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."
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.
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.
"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.
"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..."
"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.
"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 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.
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.
If you select "Let her die", you will receive the below items.
Spare Saligia
Spare Saligia
Battle Kora to continue with the storyline.|
Ashen Oath |
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"Serves you right, wench!" Saligia howls, but Avaritia snaps at her.
"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.
"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.
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!
Let Saligia Die
Let Saligia Die
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.
"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."
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.
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!