Session 20 Report

General Summary

* Underground fight with Duke Gaius von Falken and Vaelen Xyndra.   The party attempted to lure the captors out of the obelisk chamber. They fought eventually felling Duke Guias. Shortly after that Valen collapsed to the ground, his shadow demon evaporating as he falls. Huugar ties up the Duke’s body, and then raises him with his newly found divine power. The remaining prisoners are freed. Grim Eye leaned into his face, demanding answers about Zarius’ actions and their collaboration. Wanting to know what was going on with the scroll. Duke Guias revealed that Zarius was helping to decipher the language of the obelisk. Reading the scroll, Grim Eye saw the following:     “Amidst the shadowed plane we stand where darkness meets the mortal strand Nefaric Nexus essence thrum, converging realms the dance begun. Abyssal Conflux power blend Orcus' realm to ours extend Orcus' Veil unbound shall be the bridge between let eyes now see Ebon Covenant binding deep a pact with dread our secrets keep Shadowed Oath our promise true to bring his realm to light anew Gloomfire Nexus beacon bright guiding his essence through the night. Abyssal Pulse the heartbeat's call through veiled embrace the worlds enthrall Stygian Resonance melodies entwined with mortal harmonies combine. Infernal Merge let spirits blend as realms combine our path we wend Oblivions Embrace a shroud unfurl The underworlds enigmatic swirl Umbral Ascendance rise we As Orcus' touch turns realms to dust Abyssal Nexus Manifest culmination of the sacred quest through incantations darkness parts Orcus' realm now joins our hearts “   Grim Eye’s accusation of apocalyptic overreach by the members of the cult was met with disdain by the Duke. He explains that the cult is serving Orcus, and seek to provide him a seat of power on the prime material plane. That they will be rewarded with eternal undeath, remaining to serve at his leisure. The others will be brought into the eternal undeath, though without the prominent place of his lieutenants. Zarius was being given the opportunity to swap permanently with Grim Eye. The prisoners are unwilling members, working to excavate the nexus of power.   Huugar asked if the obelisk was being damaged during the excavation, and realized it appeared to be undagmaged. He suggested that they should bring the Duke in for a trial.   Grim Eye, seeing the party had no further questions thanked the Duke for providing information, and stabbed him through his heart, and stepped away, as Huugar said a prayer over the Duke’s dead body.     Nedda and Ava spoke with the prisoners they had just released, learning they are from Silvercrest. They reveal their stories of how they came to be captives. As they told their stories, Ava realized they had all be to the Tinker’s guild within a day of being taken. The cultists were vary interested in what the obelisk said, but couldn’t read until Zarius arrived. The prisoners accept Ava’s offer to follow the group out of the cavern.   The party searched the bodies of the dead. Huugar suggests burning the bodies, either burning them in the cavern or pulling out for air. On the bodies the party finds a fair bit of gold, Armor of Gleaming, Shadow Sword, Arrows, Great Sword, Short Sword, Longbow, Keys, a Signet Ring, Studded Leather, Chain Shirt, hand crossbow, and a letter which read:   “G I am pleased to report that the re-education of the children in Silvercrest is progressing as planned. Our methods may seem harsh to outsiders, but they are necessary to ensure that these young minds are fully aligned with our cause. The children are being taught the proper reverence for our Lord and the Glory of His Emergence. The loss of the troupe bound for Liriope was unfortunate, but I have had word that those heading towards our facilities in Silverquill and Tarim are making good progress.”