Under his guidance, Altador has consistently fallen at the bottom end of the scoreboard, and apparently the impact hit him hard enough for him to take a leave of absence from the team. After retreating to the Isle of Yooyu, Foltaggio reflected on his time leading his team. “Even when we placed 2nd and 1st in Cups VIII and XVI,” he said when asked of his trip, “when I looked back at those years, I couldn’t help but feel as though those wins were flukes. Exceptions, not rules. I was convinced all I had ever done for Team Altador was let them down.”

Foltaggio continued on to say that his guilt stems in part from how Salayne Ritad had done so well in stepping up to help him out when he wasn’t at the top of his game. Not only that, but Salayne had been taking more responsibility even outside of the team, acting as an emissary to the visiting rulers of other lands. Foltaggio expressed his remorse in having shrunk back from his duties, rather than face them head-on. By the end of his retreat, he said had his answer: that he would step down as captain, and offer the position to Salayne Ritad instead.

When he announced his decision, however, his team met him first with protest: “You know us better than anyone!” Winberto Seliz said, while Lyvon Cibaire lamented, “How are we supposed to win without your guidance?”

But Salayne Ritad understood Foltaggio’s need to rest and reorient himself. He agreed to step up as captain – but only until Foltaggio was ready to resume his position.