This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
Mother of Wisdom was an Assassin mission that took place in 2016.[1]
As the Descendants emerge from the Simulation, relief washes over them, but their respite is short-lived. A new threat awaits them outside the Animus in the form of the Instruments of the First Will. These fanatical followers are determined to seize their mistress' vessel and eliminate the PCs.
A glimmer of hope remains. Juno, though present within Regina, has yet to fully possess her. There is still a window of opportunity to free Regina from the clutches of the Precursor and prevent Juno's complete domination. The fate of both Regina and the Descendants hangs in the balance.
As you emerge from the Simulation, a cacophony of muffled voices and blaring alarms fills the lab. Your attention is immediately drawn to the shattered containment tube, fragments of glass, machinery and caustic-smelling liquid strewn across the lab floor.
Flashing red lights illuminate Regina crouched on the ground, her hands clasping her head in distress. Next to her stands a group of armed men. One of them is clearly in charge. "Eliminate the Assassins and take the Mother of Wisdom to safety."
The PCs must stop a dozen, well-armed and ready-to-fight Instruments of the First Will and prevent them from escaping with Regina. With their leader aiding Regina and preparing to leave the lab, the rest of the soldiers unleash a hail of bullets. Gunfire fills the air.
Challenges
Heavy Firepower: The Instruments of the First Will are a formidable group of zealous individuals, armed to the teeth and unwavering in their commitment to their cause. Defeating them requires 3 separate Approach checks with 1 Raise.
Don't Let Them Get Away!: The Instruments leader is escaping with Regina.
Weaknesses
Exploit the Instrument's Fanaticism (minor): The Descendants have just experienced direct contact with Juno, and may attempt to impress the Instruments—for example, one of them might pretend to be possessed by the Precursor, creating a moment of distraction. The required checks to face them are made without the 1 Raise indicated. This triggers the Juno Manifestation Setback.
The PCs must find a way to free Regina from Juno's yoke. Either of the Challenges below make it possible to resolve the situation.
Special
Once Regina is fully possessed by Juno, she instantly regenerates any wounds suffered and can't be injured or killed.
Regina utters a piercing scream, and a profound and unsettling transformation begins to take place. Her countenance becomes a swirling canvas of emotions, shifting rapidly from agony to seething anger, from fearful grimaces to satisfied smiles. The tumultuous battle unfolding within her threatens to eclipse the chaos reigning in the lab.
Challenges
Restore Regina's Will: It is possible to briefly return Regina to consciousness and control of her own actions. This requires a successful Social check with 1 Raise. If successful, Regina's conscience emerges, but her mind is scourged by the intrusion of the Isu's consciousness, and she begs the PCs to put an end to her suffering. If they try to kill Regina, the PCs must make 2 separate Action checks with 1 Raise due to Juno's opposition. If they fail, Juno will regain control, triggering the Juno Manifestation Setback.
Taunt Juno: Juno's hold on Regina might be disrupted by provoking her and causing her to overextend her powers. Instigating a distraction or triggering a situation that challenges Juno's control may create instability in her grasp over Regina. This can be attempted with 2 separate successful Wits or Social checks with 2 Raises, but they trigger the Juno Manifestation Setback once for each check made. If the PCs overcome this Challenge, they free Regina from Juno's control.
Weaknesses
Pieces of Eden (minor): An Apple of Eden or a Piece of Eden capable of influencing the mind would avoid any Social checks required to call for Regina or Juno's mind.
As the blaring alarms pierce the complex, their urgency underscored by the approaching wails of police sirens, the realization dawns upon you—it's time for a hasty retreat. Your duty is clear: inform your Master Assassin of the situation.
The Descendants' mission is over, and this adventure could easily end here. However, depending on how they've handled things, and based on the Reader's plans for future sessions, several doors might be left open. Some suggestions follow.
Where is Anjali? Should the Reader wish to continue this storyline, Anjali could have easily escaped and brought all the operation data to his mentor. Is the mentor the SageKumar? Or maybe the Templar Álvaro Gramática, a scientist intending to sequence a full Isu genome?
Has Juno's plan been stopped for good? This question could have numerous answers depending on how the Descendants resolved the last Sequence. If Regina survived, who knows what effects Juno's possession might have had. Will the Instruments of the First Will still be on her trail? Someone in the Assassin Brotherhood may have a say in this regard, finding its very existence too dangerous. If Regina died, could her DNA still hold the secret to bringing Juno back to life?
