was in vain. Clive announced that he wished the defeat of the
Shadow Baron and could assure it happening if Assias trained himself
and Pascal in certain Exodesian and Piscean arts of dark alchemy.
Oswin had no desire to learn and Javier was already well-versed.
Assias agreed, and Dharma and Pascal trained for one year in
Exodesia. During this time, Arch Priest Urias was in America working
for SkullCorp and assembling a new Damnation Brigade to plague the
Aggregate. This was fortunate as he coveted the secrets of the Black
Cabal himself. Assias was not a member of the Obscuros; thus, Clive
and Javier correctly believed that he could be trusted.

Oswin was housed in
Exodesia's Azure City, a place where Exodesians of a more benign bent
than the Obscuros dwelt. Assias was the prime minister of sorts of
Azure City.Javier finally felt at home somewhere in Exodesia. The
year at Azure City went by quickly and surprisingly well for Clive's
party, especially given the dark forces at work all around them.
Oswin attributed much of this to Clive's talisman, which Oswin
believed gave Clive a certain aura that protected the group. Though
this seemed to be mere speculation on the part of a layman, it
actually was a correct assumption.

In the summer of 1980 Clive
“graduated” from his studies in Exodesia. The next stop for the
Dharma party was Hallmark. Pascal was sent to the London office to
meet with Stephanie. He was to work there, while Gault and Oswin took
care of business with Cary Bradcroft. Javier bowed out of the whole
affair, but thanked all for helping him actually have a decent
experience in Exodesia. Clive now