Crown of the Potentate

Crown of the Potentate is a Raid Event scheduled to start on April 1, 2017 at 8:00 PM (PST) and end on ?. It is the twenty fifth episode of the Dark Stigma story and thirteenth in the Malice Canon storyline.

Half-time Reward Calculation Period is from ?.

Feature Changes
Using characters from Richard Wagners's opera Das Rheingold.

Raid Bosses Skill Cards

 * Alberich, Taunted by Fate (UR) Anti-Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * ? (UR) Anti-Hidden Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * ? (UR) Anti-Secret Raid Boss Skill Card, obtained from the Oath of Survival Card Pack
 * Foul River Rheintal (UR) Special Evolution Card, Skill works against all Raid Bosses of the event, obtained from the Master of Fate Card Pack

Prologue
"It's true; there's not a soul to be seen. And it's such a splendid city, too..."

Elimval whispered as her eyes passed along the vacant buildings and streets. Their well kept visage gave the impression that the city would burst into activity at any moment, but a hushed pall resembling an ancient ruin hung heavy around you. The only hints of what had occurred lay in the stray blade marks and blood smears.

You heard it had been ruled by a young king. Proficient with sword as well as tongue, he brought his kingdom prosperity the likes of which were rarely seen. That was until he was inexplicably gripped by insanity and began killing his own people, resulting in a rapid, utter collapse.

"...Sounds like we aren't THAT alone."

The clashing of metal in the distance brought Salvador to a brief stop. With senses heightened, the group then hurried towards the din to investigate.

......

You peered from around the corner of a building out into the open square. A fair, youthful lad was surrounded by a large group of soldiers. In assessing the situation, you believed their overall appearance was familiar when Elimval squeaked with fright.

"...Lightholders!"

She was correct. The Imperial army had, for whatever reason, placed the lone fighter in a dire situation.

"He's pretty handy with that sword, but there's no way he can hold out much longer as beat up as he is."

As Salvador noted, there was a clear gash in his flank among several other nicks and cuts. You could not ignore anyone resisting the Lightholders, and so you ran to his aid by distracting the cowardly antagonists.

"Huh, who's this lout?"

"I-it's the murderer!"

Your appearance sent a wave of shock through the Lightholders. They hurriedly attempted to encircle you, but a few arrows from Salvador convinced them to retreat.

"Are you okay? Do you have any other injuries?"

Elimval then hastened to the side of the unfamiliar swordsman so she could tend to him.

"This place is far too dangerous! You all must leave at once!"

He accosted you between ragged breaths, but before anyone could respond, the echoing of uncoordinated footfalls on the stone filled the air. Everyone turned towards the entrance to the square to see more Lightholders were approaching.

"Heh, we can handle this sorry bunch. There's barely enough of 'em to get me warmed up."

"I was not referring to them! There is a much greater threat!"

He was speaking the truth. First, you noticed the Lightholders were not charging at you, but were fleeing from something. Then, you felt it -- the overpowering bloodlust of the Lightholders' pursuer just before entering into view. It was a beautiful woman dressed in religious raiment, gliding upon air. She threw a hand to the sky, and a bolt of lightning instantly struck the entire unit with a terrifying roar. It was as if a god of thunder had unleashed divine judgment upon a group of sinners.

"Wotan...!"

The wounded fighter muttered in a strained voice.

"So that's her name, huh? What's up with her?"

"She was one of the gods' emissaries, able to summon their power at will. Now, she wields it only to wreak disaster."

He explained through curled lips. It was then Wotan noticed him as well, and her expression changed to one of cruel amusement.

"Alberich, my beloved..."

"Enough of this, Wotan! Come to your senses and give me that cursed crown!"

But his bitter plea was only answered by cold laughter.

"Do you desire it enough to kill me? For that is the only way..."

"Grrr...!"

Alberich's grip on the hilt of his sword tightened, but he made no other movements. Wotan looked down upon him disdainfully.

"As I suspected. Then you are free to observe as I conquer this world! Ahahaha!"

She departed for destinations unknown, her loud laughter echoing as she went. When she was out of sight, Alberich fell to one knee with a great sigh. The gash in his side had continued to spill deep red fluid. Elimval gasped at the grim sight.

"That could become life-threatening! Please let me dress your wound!"

But he gently took hold of her wrist and shook his head.

"Never mind me. You all must leave before you become embroiled in this disaster."

"How about you tell us what's goin' on first and let us decide? If what that lady was spoutin' about conquerin' the world was true, we won't take it lyin' down. First off, who are you exactly, Albert?"

Noting Salvador's tenacity, the man sighed.

"My name is Alberich. I am the former monarch of this land."

Elimval's eyes widened at the revelation.

"Yes, your presumption is correct. I was the crazed king who put countless innocent people to the sword -- my own. For the unpardonable deeds I have done, I deserve not an iota of sympathy."

He began to recount his tragic tale. Shortly after being coronated, he was forced to defend his kingdom against a number of foreign powers. But for his troubles, along with overcoming a stubborn river spirit, he earned considerable fame and established his military as one of the continent's mightiest. It was only when the river spirit presented him with a crown as a sign of capitulation that everything was set on the path to ruin.

"It was called the Crown of the Potentate, created by the wicked goddess Loge. Whosoever wears it will gain immense strength, but will become so absorbed in it that they lose their sanity... and everything else as a result."

Alberich had also become captivated by the crown's cursed power, personally slaying most of his own subjects. This prompted a mass exodus among the survivors from the city overnight. Upon noticing his dominion was empty, he at last regained his right mind, but the crown seemed to have vanished. Feeling the only way to repent for his atrocity was to destroy the crown and prevent a similar massacre from recurring, he became a wandering warrior, always following its trail.

"And during my travels, I met Wotan. Having extensive knowledge of all gods and their works, she informed me the crown could not be destroyed. However, it was possible to seal it away so none could ever find it."

Alberich requested her services, but Wotan told him she wanted compensation... in the form of himself. She had developed a fondness for him and wished to wed.

"Her demand was out of the question. I am a base slaughterer, an unforgivable sinner. I have no right to love anyone, to say anything of being worthy to receive affection from another. Regardless, Wotan was unswayed, and so I managed to negotiate becoming her lover, although I never truly gave myself to her."

Wotan then used her powers to discern the crown's location, but the moment it had entered her grasp, it seized her mind. She declared her intent to rule the world, and commissioned a pair of castle-building alchemists to construct a place where she could call down the gods themselves.

"She planned to rule over everything with her amplified might, but I know all too well that only mass death will come about should she succeed. That is why I have sworn to stop her and bring an end to her ambitions. But to mock my defiance, she decided to establish her base here, in my old seat of power."

You and the others shuddered to hear of Wotan's ultimate goal. It was indeed something that should not be allowed to come to pass.

"But wait, why were Lightholders harassin' you just now? Was it because..."

Alberich nodded to affirm Salvador's conjecture.

"Exactly. Word of the crown being in Wotan's possession has somehow spread, and others seeking its power have assembled to claim it for themselves. The majority of them are affiliated with the Lightholders."

If the Empire was intent on taking the crown, there was not a moment to spare. You quickly explained your own circumstances to Alberich and offered to cooperate.

"It indeed seems your connection with that lot runs deep. And I cannot deny being impressed by the fighting talent you displayed. If you are extending your assistance, I would gladly accept."

He bowed deeply, and, after permitting Elimval to wrap his wound, the four of you set out through the city. Wotan's previous appearance out-of-doors was exceedingly rare; she would most likely be found within her Castle of the Gods near the city's center. You maintained your alertness, wary of any menace that awaited you in the silent streets...