✨ You know I'm here to save you

But you ain't through crying yet

Look at your pretty face

All red and soaking wet

I'm gonna try and make him

Just a memory

Come on, baby, let's get started

First thing you got to see

… Oh, he ain't worth missing

Oh, we should be kissing

Stop all this foolish wishing

He ain't worth missing

I know your head is turning

I know your heart is burning

Girl, you gotta listen

So- When I joined the campaign, I had in Nom's backstory a toxic ex (now we decided ex Husband) that was a Dhampir pirate. And when Nom escaped, Kar would probably be looking to get him back. And I was told he's definitely show up, but I was not expecting quite the level of an impact/entrance he'd make!

So- to try and make a long story short. The party had gotten some hints about Nom's toxic relationship and got some glaring red flags about this guy. Also- Kar's father is the one who turned Ralek into a vampire before he was able to break free. And Echo is Ralek's girlfriend. So she doubly hates the guy and his father.

Through- unpleasant realizations and reasons Nom and the party had to sneak aboard Kar's ship, trying to find out what he was up to and what the deal with the crates were/try and make sure they didn't know where Ralek was. Once on board Nom and the party realize the crates are full of mutilated corpses that had been made to look like Nom before being tortured and then drained of blood. So- Kar had obviously not taken the break up well............

When we went to leave however, we were ambushed. And brought to see Kar, who only had eyes for Nom. And when a fight broke out he started wiping the floor with the rest of the party... Even getting Oliver down to 1HP. So- Nom said he'd come back if Kar didn't kill them. Kar agreed and immediately had them try to get captured but not killed. The party did not take to that well and combat began anew... This time with both Ma'Rishka and Oliver being downed. And Nom managed to distract Kar long enough to let Echo escape.

When she returned at night, she brought backup in the form of a demon cat, Honesty, Ralek, Mina (not pictured) and Nikolai. And after a long fight, with eventually Nom/Oliver/Ma'Rishka re-joining. Kar broke down in front of Nom. Saying how "his heart beats only for Nom". And essentially, so heartbroken, he assists Nom in stabbing/killing him. Which Nom is very conflicted about/heartbroken as well, but he would do anything to protect his new friends he cares so much about already.

Meanwhile Ralek, being played by Echo's player for the fight, drank some magic/immortal blood. And promptly collapsed mid-fight and began seizing. With both Echo and his best friend Nikolai rushing over to protect him and check on him. Where they soon realize the blood is curing him of his vampirism and returning him to being mortal again.

Thus the piece is titled "New Beginnings". As that chapter of Nom's life closed, his next chapter can start with his new found family (Though Kar's father had................ Different plans on that ending. But that's a story for another day). And Ralek now alive and mortal, and Echo able to enjoy this new life alongside him.