Chapter Sixteen: Lesser Theologians

Tokodin, captive in an Estertok Range cave, oscillates between death and aiding the Colok over three days. Initially favoring death due to shoulder pain, he overdoses on Pimun Bark, hallucinating flight before vomiting, guided by Mecum’s warnings. On the third day, hungover and desperate, he demands answers, tossing dice futilely for guidance. Mecum debates Tokodin’s fate—suggesting the Coward’s Hell—revealing a scroll to Ulrikt about crypt excavations in the Treaty Lands for the Sliver of Star, tied to the Codex and Ailing Stars Prophecy. Shadows possess bodies, not Wakened Dead, feeding on flesh, and Colok fear Ulrikt summoning Zwimfokum. Zjin announces the Steaming Lakes camp’s movement, implying the Sliver’s find, urging Tokodin to warn the Choerkin. Mecum offers poison to avoid betraying the gods, leaving Tokodin torn between dying to preserve faith or living to stop Ulrikt’s potential heresy, dice and flask in hand.

Chapter 15 — The Archival Con
Chapter 17 — Swing Sling Wasting Whiskey

Eve of Snows — Full Chapter Listing