Chapter 13 Breaking the Seals 17/11/24

 
Lucky finalised the ritual of severing, to dismantle the link between Harbinger artifact and Queen of Thorns.
Deep underground in the ritual chamber of Melkerech, above the Seal of Destruction, the ritual was cast, and with some surprise resulted in the body of a small young girl;
Aurelina, Child of Sun and Storm initially has no memory, but it returns quickly, a portal shortly opens and she is summoned home by her father Oberon.
Shadow learned that the Harbingers were twisted by the Queen of Thorns from the children of Oberon and Titania, and infused with her corruption into aspects of her form.
 
Aurelina, a willful spoiled child, was twisted into Destruction.
 
Job Done, a brief visit with Corvus, and the party went to the mines. On the way it was noted that Gunther Guldraugh the Dwarven Blacksmith had been kidnapped, getting the attention of a Purple Dragon named Callaster Prum to investigate went awry, as after arguing with the blacksmith Myrene there, proceeded to cite regulations at the party. Taking the regulations off him, Colmir launched it at the Smithy fire, missing spectacularly and hitting the blacksmith instead. Thinking the guard had 'thrown the book at her', and not metaphorically either, she proceeded to lay him out cold.
Searching for another Purple Dragon, lLucky found Alina Marcholl, a more competent and experienced dragon, and despite a bit of confusion as to what was needed, headed off to investigate.
 
With matters, somewhat in hand, the party continued to the Minroe Mines, where they met overseer Gorbec Ludstone, whom complained about someone had broken into his strongbox and stolen the miners wages (and definitely had nothing to do with the party looting his desk over a week ago).
With permission to enter the mines arranged, they party descended to the lower levels, the deep mines, where Dofaroc was buried in the initial explosion that detonated the mountain above, Solas led them past a trail leading to the northern corridor, with loose rocks moved, an older passageway was found leading into a cave.
 
Within this cave, villagers were found and bound together, guarded by Thornspawn; apparently not all were destroyed when Destruction died. Some subtle differences were noted, in that these did not dissolve, but splattered as, distinctly more powerful than the last time the party met these creatures, obliterated 4 of them within 6 seconds. The remaining two, turned two of the villagers into the larger Briarbound variant of thornspawn - large hulking creatures of sharp bone and sinew.
 
Embracing his feywild connections for the first time - Shadow stared one down, and it bent the knee to the surprise of the party unable to attack.
The second was obliterated by axe and produce flame launched at its head, splitting it apart by Colmir and Dofaroc.
 
Utilising his control over the creature, Shadow sent it to the naughty corner whilst the villagers were saved. Whereupon upon releasing control, was soundly thrashed by the party.
 
Solas attempted to attack the Seal of Madness and was met with a vision where he went eye to eye, seen by a powerful entity that sent shivers down his spine.
Solas recounted his vision, and Shadow detailed a vision of his own as he slept;
In this vision, Shadow took part in the Feywild War, and stood alongside Titania as they attempted to "hold the line" against the Queen of Thorns. The entity seen was the same that Solas saw, confirming the Queen of Thorns is already somewhat conscious - conscious enough to react to attacks.
 
The ritual was completed upon the seal of madness, and produced Madren, Child of Twilight and Whispers, a son to Oberon and Titania, as Aurelina was; confirming that the children of the Seelie court were stolen and twisted.
 
Returned again to Oberon, Shadow was given a pat on the shoulder.
 
The party victorious returned to town to complete various errands - however, as Shadow visited the Manor house, he was met by Baroness Krell and a young Kara-turan lady in a wheelchair who claimed to know Bob and Colmir.
 
The young woman, Alyssa Wyvernspur warned as a student of the war wizards, she received a sending, that the entire war wizard network receives, that the adventuring charter of Humboldt's Heroes (to be renamed the Stormhorn Guardians asap!) has been made enemies of the state by the War Wizard elite. Knowing that Bob and Colmir were good people, Alyssa was skeptical of the orders and instead risked coming to Minroe to warn them - a contingent of Battlemages led by a Alarphon. Alarphon's being a senior war wizard usually utilised as internal police and feared throughout the land.
 
Shadow went to find the others, finding Dofaroc buying shells from the market convinced it was magic. First engaging with Erdai Greenwind, a Purple Dragon a portly guard, to find Solas at the Church.
Meanwhile Solas is granted access to a holy weapon, and warned of the impending threat by Helm.
Lucky is directed to the church as well to find a builder and meets up with Solas, as an exhausted Erdai collapses on the ground nearby from running.
 
Colmir is picked up from the bar and as the party coalesces once more in the market place, it seems too much time was wasted - the war wizard contingent led by an Alarphon, flanked by three battlemages and a recruit have already arrived.
 
Recollecting his knowledge of the War Wizards, Lucky recalls that Alarphons are known to be dangerous high level casters, and battle mages themselves, veterans of battle could cause a serious threat to the party - although not known for violence, their abilities to dominate and control their targets is not to be underestimated, and with sword and magic, dangerous both at range and up close; A fight could prove the parties undoing - knowing when to run is an important skill;
However; War Wizards like it when you run.....this is what they train for