Episode 41: Endless Night
General Summary
| Quest Log | fin? | What is up with that? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explore the Atlas of Kings' connection to the Stone Circles | Head in a Jar | ||
| House party at the Beacon | Who was Elias talking to? | ||
| Find the Pathfinder | Project Lazarus | ||
| Break Mab's hold on Astronomea |
Clocks
| Event | Segments |
|---|---|
| The Nightbringers reach the Sentinel (days) | |
| Moonbreaker repair (HP) | at 211 of 250 |
| Valan's card expertiese (weeks) | 1 of 100 |
| Valan's smithing proficiency (days) | 38 of 70 |
| Pharos' Goblin lessons (days) | 17 of 70 |
Act I: Of Air and Darkness
Winter's Third Turning, Ninth Moon, 1511
The Flamebringers worked with the leaders of Solheim to break Mab's hold on Astronomea, releasing the Rose Protectorate from her hold. Dexter and Ilyana, hosted the party at the Council of Nine with information delivered to the group by Reylin Leysbane. Reylin explained that there is a focal point to Mab's magic, and if it can be destroyed, her hold on the Mortal plane will be loosened. After some discussion, they decided that the best way would be to assault her stronghold in the Spire is to sneak in during the Turning Gala, an event that welcomes nobility of all lands to an enormous ball. Reylin provided them with a blueprint of the Spire, complete with guard patrols and various traps they might encounter marked on it. Many eladrin died for that information. After a wardrobe change, the group secured an invitation, but was faced with an adventuring party's true nemisis: a riddle on the invitation. On a whim, Valan guessed the answer was "love." Lucky guess. Upon entering the gala, they immediately noted a lack of security check. While this offered the reassurance of carrying their own weapons with them, they were highly unsettled that a) that means everyone else also has their weapons and b) they were not afraid of someone who is walking in fully armed. They were immediately noticed by the Green Knight, who happily walked over to them and engaged in hearty conversation like an old friend, not a powerful creature they had just narrowly escaped the domain of. He was happy to see them. The group asked if he had any insight or ability to help them with their current issue, but he told them he was unfortunately here as an official representative from the Summer Court, so he cannot engage in any subterfuge. But, he could make a scene if they needed him too, he's good for, and known for, that. Notably, he yet again had a silver string attached to the base of his neck. Looking over the ballroom of the gala, the group also noted Mab was there, a similar silver cord attached to her own neck. The group pointedly avoided the ballroom for the rest of the heist, fearing Mab's gaze. They spent some time in the trophy hall, where Mab displayed her many spoils of war. While Pharos stayed there, talking to the floor until the party came back (there was a magic mouth), the others investigated the library, where Tyra found, and stole, one of Mab's journals from the around year 0 for the fey.Quick note, the current year by Mortal count is 3033. The fey calendar has the year at 1511. So the fey's year 0 is 1525 to Mortals.
When the party rejoined Pharos in the treasure room, Pharos showed them that he had found the Morningstar; however, this one appeared to be an illusion, probably a copy of one hidden nearby. Luckily, there is a place marked "vault" on the map. As the party made their way there, they noticed the guards were strangely passive. Or in some cases, dead. As they reached the vault, they found that they had been National Treasured; someone else had already stolen the Raiment, though had left behind everything else in the vault, while there was a pedestal in the center of the room with a suspiciously Morningstar-shaped indent missing.
Heedless of curse or trap, they pulled the other artifacts into Valan's bag of holding, not learning any lesson from the Platinum Rose incident.
Now on high alert, they progressed to the upper levels of the gala, searching for the weakpoint in Mab's magic. Upstairs was filled with a dense white fog, preventing any from seeing through, though there were some guests who seemed to move through it as if it weren't there at all. Tyra used their Divine Sight to see through the fog, planning their movements with the other figures they could see. The group only had to take out one guard before finding a large, ornate door...
...that seemed to be in the progress of already being broken into.
A deep gnome, an eladrin, two high elves, a human, a tiefling, and a water genasi crowded around the door, where the tiefling appeared to be working the lock. Jules, with his truesight, noted that the group was wearing a glamor; a seeming spell had been cast on them to make them look like partygoers. In fact, they were dressed as adventurers ready for a fight. The tiefling, the one picking the lock, wore the Morningstar wrapped around her waist like a belt. The deep gnome seemed to have already noticed the party and was preparing a spell, but the eladrin, aligned to Winter, stopped them and stepped forward.
She introduced herself as Amara Venterus, and the group as a whole as the Omens. If she couldn't guess any better, she would assume that the Flamebringers are here for some purpose similar to their own, to face Mab. She can see that the two groups might have some tension, noting the calculating glances cast towards the Morningstar, but she encouraged the group to wait until after Mab's hold on Astronomea has been weakened to fight each other, to which the group assented. Charles sheathed Stormdancer.
The rest of the group introduced themselves, the deep gnome Andromeda Orion inquired if the group had ever seen stars, and, enraptured, listened to Tyra's tales of Myrr where stars still filled the sky. It was unsettling to watch. Their big, wide eyes drank in every detail. And so did the eyes on their robes.
The tiefling at the door didn't talk to the group, they were too busy rushing through the task at hand, but Amara introduced them as Lorelai Wyncliff. One high elf is an alchemist named Ilya , the other a wizard named Dorian Marius. The human turned out to be an aasimar paladin, Khorvis , oddly enough bearing the mark of the Pathfinders, and the water genasi is a deaf bard named Augustana Lulani.
Queen of Air and Darkness
Upon entering the chamber, they found themselves faced with the confluence at the center of the room, channeling all of Mabs magic between the two realms, and Mab seated on a throne a level above them in a seemingly open air throne room. She welcomed the two groups, told them they would regret this, and launched into combat. After a back and forth that saw Valan nearly freeze attempting to grab hold of the confluence and Charles fulminate into a barrier around the inflection point, Olette was able to dispel the magic binding the two realms. Mab, in her giant form, grew dour in mood. The air stilled before raging, causing the tower to rise around them, colorful winds tearing at the two parties. Mab began to levitate off the ground before whispering two words which rang throughout the open throne room: "I wish..." The group scrambled to stop her from completing her desire, but she finished "...that the Omens and Flamebringers were perfectly encased in an ice only I can release them from." She congratulated both groups for forcing her to utilize the apex of her power to defeat them. She first turned to the Flamebringers and offered them a deal. If one of them would become her champion, her Winter Knight, she would not only release them, she would even leave Astronomea and heal the lands of the Rose Protectorate; long has she been wanting for a champion. She allowed them time to deliberate, removing the ice from their mouths and ears so they could speak to one another, and Pharos volunteered himself for the role. She released him from his icy bonds, and as she did so, kissed him ever so softly on the forehead. In an instant, Pharos felt himself forever changed. A cold blanket of frost blossomed across his mind, swirling like a blizzard across his skull. A cascade of snow fell across his feathers, shifting them to a platinum white and frosted blue, his eyes beginning to shine with a steely white light. The air around him noticeably chilled as whirls of hoarfrost decorated his armor. Inside, he felt his emotions shift as the frost filled the gaps in his psyche. Fear, pain, and anguish fell away, and focus, vitality, and pride rose; but something undeniably fell away. Fell away in such a way that Pharos couldn't begin to remember what was there before it fell. And with that, and a wave of her hand, Mab dismissed the Flamebringers to the Mortal plane with a smile, a wink, and a promise to see them soon.The Land of Wine and Roses
The Rose Protectorate was much as you remembered it. Verdant, green, covered in the purple blossoms of wisteria trees, freed from the icy confines of frost. Sunlight danced across the bodies of slain frost giants, their blue blood watering the daylilies that stretched their leaves in the welcome warmth. The Sunstrider drifted lazily over a rushing river, once the moat of the Spire, now happily giggling as it flows, its nymph bouncing on the breeze, carrying its laughter to you. Nearby, a wall of shrubbery shifted, revealing a firbolg. They stepped out from behind the well-crafted blind, nervously looking around as if worried a winter storm will strike at any second. A huyman child stepped up behind them, clinging to their leg and matching their nervous air. The firbolg made a firm face, closed their eyes, and took one trepedacious step forward, before melting into a grin in the warmth of the sun, lifting up their child into a spinning embrace. In the area around you, more blinds shifted. The people of the Rose Protectorate leave their shelters for the first time in years. Nervous at first, then quicker as the crowds get larger, cheers and laughter can be heard throughout the countryside as people strip off cold weather clothing, dancing, singing, leaping into streams, and enjoy their liberation. Solheim still shines in the distance, a beacon of hope for those seaking guidance in this new Astronomea. The world is a harsh place, full of injustices and cruel fates. But today, because of the actions of the Flamebringers, the people of Astronomea have a happy ending.Act II: Ashes of Empire
Vinum 10 to Vinum 24, 3033: Year of Liberation
Boarding the Sunstrider, the Flamebringers took the last few days to prepare for their confrontation with the Nightbringers. To save time, they had Vanderlith take the Sunstrider directly to the Sentinel, while they used the door to get to their home in the Hollow Mountain. From there, they took the old ship, dubbed the Moonbreaker, out of dry dock repairs to fly it to Kyrix to head off the Nightbringers. They set course to head them off in the ruins, whatever they might be doing there, and prepared themselves over the intervening 13 days. During the day, the black sands of the desert become so hot they cannot support life on the surface, and colossal worms, spotted by Tyra, trundle on their routes beneath the surface, so the Flamebringers planned to arrive at night.Remember, with the new way we are doing downtime, go to the Silent Soliloquy Downtime discussion board if there is anything you would like to do. This will free up table time for play rather than downtime book keeping. You can find the board here:
Arriving the night of Vinum 23, the Flamebringers could see Kyrix lit up by torches, held by members of the Nightbringers, interspersed throughout the ruins. One main campfire illuminated the hulking mass of the Depthdrinker's profile for the first time. The creature hovered a dozen feet off the ground, its tendrils sweeping lazily across the sand. It looks like a colossal leviathan has swallowed the aft portion of the ship, moving into it like a hermit crab moves into a shell. Sinews of flash bind the two together, and occassionally a tendril snaps, grabbing something from the sands, and lifting it to a mouth hidden somewhere in its mass.
Seated by that fire, softly playing a harmonica, is Sildurflame, Valan's brother. It had been a while since the party saw him and, all things considered, he looked like he is doing well. His silver rapier is planted in the black sand on, firelight dancing on its blade, and a simple canvas folding stool is set across from him. As the party approached, stealthily from a distance, he seemed to look up at them, then gesture to the open seat. Valan moved to fill it.
Andali
Discussion Boards
Downtime
The Silent Soliloquy Downtime
Sat, May 17th 2025 06:23
A board to track what the Lords Flamebringer get up to when they are not globetrotting to save the world.
Oh Brother Who Art Thou?
Sildurflame started by apologizing to Valan and to the Flamebringers as a whole. Traveling with Cirque de Stille, he and the others committed unspeakable acts and even tried to kill them under the the guidance of a zealous, misguided hand. With the fall of Zhestia and his introduction to House Nightbringer, things have changed. The Nightbringers told him who he is. A kindred of the Distortion, and a potential vessel. As he said this, he moved his hand and it split in two, stringy bits of flesh and muccus remaining connected, before the two snapped back into sync. Sildurflame admitted that their work with Reharis was misguided, that the slaughter of changelings was always a ruse, from the start. From Honeywell all the way back to those whispers on the night all those years ago. He said that what we did cannot be forgiven, and this is his penance. Their plan is to release all the Apostates, those who stand against the gods, and bring balance to Andali. Valan reacted sharply to this, but Sildurflame continued, pointing out that "even at the end of the War, was it really the end? Aurelius assassinated, the Rose Protectorate frozen over, war in the west, oppression in the north, Fulminaria marching to reclaim Stormdancer; it hasn't happened but it will, Nicodemus is marshalling his troops as we speak. All that in just the last two years. "The War brought stability. The Peace has a people who know nothing but war looking for somewhere to point their blade. The key actors in the Peace are dead and the world is filled with young Mortals looking to prove themselves with memories too short to remember the horrors that war brings. It is only a matter of time before war returns. The Apostates should be here for it. He continued: "Zantelar says the Dark speaks to him. Tells him that while the gods live, They are bound to certain courses of action, obeying some set of cosmic rules. The Apostates exist to ensure they adhere to those rules. This very desert is a testament to the need for that balance. Null was locked away, the Dark was in a vessel, and the Monarch torched half a continent. We need the Apostates to keep the gods in check." He sighed, looking back towards the group. "If you tried to take us here and now, you'd lose. If you race the nautiloid, the beast will easily overtake them. Quit while you're ahead. Join, or leave to live a quiet life." Valan simply said he couldn't do that. He appreciates the olive branch, but the best he can do is offer one in return and hope Sildurflame takes it. He doesn't believe that anyone should have the Raiments, but he can't be a part of releasing these cosmic beings. After a little more discussion and some quiet time sipping whiskey out of tin cups, Sildurflame turned to Valan and asked about Aisha. If he was sweet on her, becuase she is certainly sweet on him. He took one more moment to try to convice Valan and the Flamebringers to call it, saying he should just leave now while he can and live out a quiet life with Aisha, but was unsuccessful, and so only left Valan with these parting words: "I have embraced who I am, 'Valan.' Will you?"Peer Review
From where the rest of the group was watching from, they could just barely catch whispers of Valans' conversation. But they could hear when someone was trying, poorly, to sneak up on them. Turning from their prone position, grabbing weapons, they saw Draxis Deveraux approaching from behind, but he held up his hands. He just wanted to talk to Olette. She agreed to go on a walk with him. Draxis noted that this reminds him of old times, moonlit walks beneath the Aurora. Sometimes he misses those days, before Olette had to flee Arcanus. Things were simpler then. Well, more complicated in a simpler way. A way he understood. Now, tangled in this cosmic war of balance between the Apostates and the gods, things keep getting heavier. Weighing on his mind. He knows she must feel it, too. He then, with flourish, produced a letter. To Olette, from Mari. He had it intercepted before House Devereaux had to flee Arcanus. He read it aloud in a dramatic retelling of Mari's words, but it boiled down to an analysis of the worm Olette had sent her. It's human. Human flesh. In worm form. Mari didn't know what to make of it, but Draxis does. He told Olette that it's one of them; one of the Nightbringers. The faithful of the Omniscient Dawn that didn't cling to Elaria's fickle teachings, those ones went on to found Olette's precious Scribes of the Six, but those who grew beyond her teachings, who built on them. The ones who were cursed by the Damnation Memori, cast into hideous form by a union of gods and man in the Concord Dawn. They are freed from this form by the power of the Divine Raiments. Draxis moved then to his elevator pitch. He knows Olette was working on this, and would have discovered it on her own without his help if he hadn't withheld information from her. Think of what she could do if she joined them. They could be incredible together. He said he knows she holds such fierce curiosity within her, and while it's gotten her in trouble before, it would serve her well within the Nightbringers. "You have questions. We have answers. But we will only divulge them to the faithful." He left that offer hanging in the air, but turned back to reminiscing about times gone by in Arcanus as they began to meander back to the Flamebringers.My Father's Keeper
Next to softly pad up the black sands to the group was Onvyr, Tyra's father. He expressed an interest in speaking to Tyra, who told him in no uncertain terms how disinterested in that prospect they were. Onvyr said that the world may be about to fundamentally change, and with it so too would their relationship. He acknowledged that he was never much of a father to Tyra, and there is nothing he can do to repair that at this point, but would like to take steps to meet Tyra where they are at. Tyra got up and went with. Onvyr awkwardly remarked at how much Tyra reminds him of their mother. Headstrong, brilliant. Tired of Onvyr. He said that when Remnik pulled them from the orphanage, everyone could see in their eyes they were his; but everything else is of their mother. Perhaps that is for the better. Onvyr still doesn't know how he thought he could make things ever work with her. She could make the sun sing her name if she tried, but he never knew her to. She simply made all those in her presence wish to be better. Maybe that's what drew him to her; he hoped he was a better man. And maybe she did love the man he was, not the man he became. He never saw what she saw in him, and in time he lost her favor. But he knows what he sees in Tyra. He reminded them what he had repeated to them time and again throughout their youth when they were finally raised up into the family: they are made for so much more than this. Together, they could be something incredible. He won't try to pretend that he thinks they could be a family, the two of them are well beyond that point, but as an organization they could do so much for this world. They waste their potential with these Flamebringers. But are they happy? Tyra thinks they are. They think that in time, Onvyr will realize the error of his actions. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someday.The Old Men and the Sea
Finally, Captain Eammonn McGreggor approached, looking to speak to Charles. He led by apologizing for stealing their ship back in the Hollow Mountain, but it looks like they got a fine replacement. He said he would doubt old Nessie would give up the Depthdrinker at this point, anyway. What a fine fleet they'd make. Eammonn and Charles talked about working together, but not in the way the others did. They talked about running to the sunset, sailing a fleet of ships beyond the Horizon Line, or the Ghost Line as the pirates call it, and never coming back. They agreed that this debate of balance seemed to be a young man's game, for those who don't remember, or don't want to admit, the horrific concequences it will bring. Eammonn revealed in this moment that he is old. Even older than he looks. And he is tired. He wants this to end, one way or another. He respects that Charles has chosen a side, and Charles felt the same, understanding the kinship Eammonn must feel with the Deep. They made an agreement, if they are to fall, it should be by the other's blade. But if they do survive, they will find out what's beyond the Ghost Line together. They spend the rest of the night exchanging old sailors' tales and sharing a stiff drink.The Sword and the Stone
Pharos, seemingly of his own accord, wandered off, leaving Jules and Callisto very confused. Pharos, however, felt a calling in his chest. A pull towards something nearby. As he drew closer, Dawnfire began to almost hum in resonance with something nearby. Pulling it out, flames alit on a nearby stone, appearing as if burned on to the ancient column. Fiery letters trimmed with gold spread across the standing stone's surface. "Nine by nine heroes, bound by sin..." as he brought Dawnfire closer, it spread like flame across a plain. "Rise to fall to begin again." The rest trailed off, as if it is a single part of a larger whole. He approached, placing his hand on the rough surface of the stone. It was warm to the touch, and suddenly filled his mind with a vision. Somewhere high above the ground, he was soaring. Ahead, spires of gold, blue, and white rose above the clouds. Aaracokra danced on the air currents, flitting between towers, and air genasi hovered, tending hanging gardens beneath the spires. The vision shifted, bringing him to a central square where cloud giants conversed overhead while merchants from every nation unloaded goods from airships for sale to the elevated city. His perspective walked forward, through the bustling market, past kenku repeating advertisements for various shops and goods, to a large row of temples, the central one rising far above the others. Veins of thick, polished amnethyst ran through each of the buildings in delicate shaped patterns. The doors to the central temple opened, revealing a full circle of standing stones set into the center of the main chamber, cordoned off from the rest of the room and standing on a bed of jet black obsidian sand. The stones lettering began to glow at his approach, but the vision ended and pharos pulled back his hand. A soft imprint was left on his heart, tugging him to somewhere in the distance. The location of the rest of this ring of standing stones. The Flamebringers do not know what the Nightbringers are searching for in this desert, but perhaps Pharos stumbled across it.Fly By Night
Having finished their conversations, the Flamebringers and the Nightbringers parted ways, each with the understanding that they are at a diverging path together. A decision is made. The Flamebringers must beat the Nightbringers to the Sentinel.Act III: The Final Gambit of the Green Knight
Vinum 27, 3033: Year of Liberation
Arriving at the Arborscar, it was much changed since the resonant dream Emrys showed the party. A massive rift is driven through the center of the tower, and swirls of massive, trunk-like vines break in and out of the structure. It looks almost as if a stiff gale could cast it into the sea. It is both beautiful and terrible at the same time. The battle between the Wanderer and the Dark scarred the land, pushing it up and down in twisting pillars and arches that the Sunstrider soars through and around on approach. Islands of rock hover in the air, kept in place by the residual magic of the Wanderer creating as fast as the Dark could destroy. The sea has risen to swallow the land around the tower, sinking what was the peaceful Golden Isles. But above the waves, a verdant forest rises, sprouting from the ruined Old World structure, breathing life into what was the home for an order so vile the gods themselves were called upon to erase it from history. At its apex, a crown of trees with golden green leaves pierce the panels of the dome that once stood there. The tower, truly split in half from its core, offers a portion of space to land where a tree has fallen through the walls as if extending a hand to the Moonbreaker.Flamebearer
As they landed, a familiar projection of the Green Knight alighted on their ship, asking what brings them to the Arborscar. He looked saddened by their answer, as if worried that had been the case. And then he told them a story:Once, in a time before time, the Muse turned Their Cauldron, beginning the recipe that would one day become magic. Once, They tipped Their pot while sturring it, and out spilt and pure, untamed magic. Still of the Call, yet alive in a way no other magic is. The other gods, they thought They should wipe away the stain, but the Wanderer saw potential. They opened There Sphere of Sylva to it, pouring out Their own magic to mingle with that of the Muse, and created the Feywild, and with it, all fey things big and small."We owe the Wanderer everything," the Green Knight continued after the tale's conclusion. "We fought and died with Them during the Battle of Black Sands, routing the Omniscient Dawn while the Wanderer imprisoned their monster before any more of Their creation could be tainted." Callisto cringed at the "their monster" comment. "And I fear that you are about to discover one of the many ways our debt is being repaid." And with a solemn nod, he disappeared, fading in the direction of the sun as it set over the Sentinel. Which was strange; the party had never seen him disappear before. Of course, they knew he had to have, but it had always been under the pretense that he had teleported, or somehow hidden behind the tree he walked behind. He never just vanished. Walking into the Sentinel, they saw why. Before the chasm that splits the tower, blocking the only passage across, a narrow bridge of wooden trunk, a single figure stands. A great horned helm towers above the party, and a cloak of green vines stretch behind him. In the distance, illuminated by a perfect ray of golden light, stood Respite, driven into the ground, a spiderwebn of cracks spreading around it. The figure spoke, and for the first time you truly heard the Green Knight: "Flamebringers," he said, voice echoing throughout the abandoned chamber. "I am the Green Knight, sworn sword of Queen Titania, Lady of Sun and Sky. I am not to let a soul pass me, nor lay a hand upon the gift of the Wanderer." Saying this, he stood and summoned an enormous elven longsword, swinging it behind him to sever the cloak of leaves before holding it before him in challenge. "The threads of fate bid our paths cross, and I would meet you in glorious combat!" He gave a flourishing salute, "May light guide your blade." He tensed, then sprung, light trailing behind him as he did so.
Give me all you have!And they gave it. Hand over fist, tooth and nail, the Flamebringers fought the Green Knight to shouts of "Prove you are worthy of your glorious purpose," "Show you you can be the Flame that holds the forces of Night at bay," and "Prove to me you are the champions the world claims you to be," until they emerged victorious. The Green Knight, bloodied and broken, was defeated. The last ray of sunset shone through the crowded foliage of the Arborscar, dappling the trail of bright crimson that streaked across the verdant green of the Sentinel's interior. The Green Knight slowly dragged himself into a sitting position, bracing himelf against the stone wall. He pawed weakly at his helmet, eventually unclipping it, sending the antlered helm tumbling to the floor and revealing a swath of golden brown hair. He was younger than the party expected, blessed with an eladrin's eternal youth. Sunlight danced on his smiling, spring-green eyes, and soft lines of golden thread traced vine-like patterns across his neck and cheeks. Though blood leaked from his mouth, he was still smiling. "Flamebringers, you fought well. Bested me in my gambit." His voice lacks the resonating presence it used to have, and he paused, leaning to cough up blood that splashes across his armor. "Unfortunately, I won't live long enough to see my final gambit come to fruition. And I won't get to make good on our deal. I was so looking forward to visiting. To watching you grow. "This world faces peril tantamount to none it has faced before, and with my passing, the guardians that have guided it through its darkest hours have each in turn met their fate, yet the horizon is darker still. You must now be the flame in the night that guards the realms of men. A beacon Mortals can flock to for protection from a Darkness that would recreate this world in its image. "You are next; you are the Sentinels at the Edge of Night now." He sighed, leaning back in his resting place. "Do not overburden yourself with my death. You did what you had to do, and I did what I had to do; we held true to our oaths. You did well, Flamebringers. "I had fun." A slow breath of air released from his lips and his features went slack. He closed his eyes as grass encircled his legs, climbing up his arms. Bark coated his armor, creaping across his neck and face. Vines of wisteria wrapped around this living memorial, flowers bursting in his silhouette. A crown of morning glories bloomed upon his head, and his final smil is immortalized on his lips. In his hand, he still clutched his sword. Tilted forward, hilt out, almost as if he was offering it out to the party. It is the only part of him the bark left untouched.
Oaths of the Ancients
Tyra reached down, grasping the hilt of the sword. As they did so, their body knelt of its own accord, and a voice rang out in their mind, "Who are you that you would seek to wield the Summer's Flame? By what claim would you don the mantle of Summer Knight? Swear your oaths and rise." Tyra swore to six oaths, each spoken to them by a different spectre of the blade's former wielders:- Valus. Swear yourself, in heart and mind, to Queen Titania of the Court of Sun and Sky
- Onvyr. Pledge to defend the people, beasts, and borders of the Summer Court
- Lucia. Through your acts of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, kindle the light of hope in the world, beating back despair
- Caspian. Where there is good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world, stand against the wickedness that would swallow it. Where life flourishes, stand against the forces that would render it barren
- Vanderlith. Delight in song and laughter, in beauty and art. If you allow the light to die in your own heart, you can't preserve it in the world
- Alberron. Live as a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. Let the light of your joy and courage shine forth in all your deeds
Days of Future, Past
Crossing the bridge to where Respite stands, the Flamebringers stood at the apex of a tower they had only seen in their dreams. In the depths of the tower, split through to its core, they could see creatures scurrying along the walls; like rats or spiders from above, but certainly more intimidating up close. At the very depths, there is an enormous door with a single mark on it, like a rising star, surrounded by eight slot-like indentations. On the dome above them, the party was finally able to see, unobscured by the Damnation Memori as it was in Vanderlith's resonant dream, the murals that decorated the dome. Though three of the four have deteriorated with time or fallen into the chasm, the dome above Respite remains intact. Jules rushed towards it, the golden calculations of his gyroscope swirling. Ten figures are depicted above in an archaic art style; nine below, one above. The nine below stand in a row, depicted from the waste up. The first, the Warrior, an elf holding a golden, glowing sword aloft, a hand print burned into their collarbone. Next, the Wizard, another elf, wreathed in a halo of swords, wearing a woven silver crown. Third, the Bard, a short haired elf clutching a lute to their chest and raising their other hand aloft, surrounded by a glowing light that seems to emanate from a simple gold band on their hand. The Warden, a human woman with flowing red hair, holding a sword that crackles with lightning over her head. In the center, the Planeswalker, hands held over their head conjures a rich purple energy, wearing armor not dissimilar to that of the Pathfinder's. The Druid, covered in or even seemingly made of vines, holding the staff which now stands before you; Respite. The Trickster, a dark elf with braided gary hair, whose long whip swirls around them with burning hellfire. The Magus, a human with burning green eyes and a scythe-like staff leaned over their shoulder. The final figure, holding Melody aloft, is Jules, depicted in pristine ivory and gold paints. They face off against a single dark figure, floating down from above, tendrils of dark, cosmic magic drifting out of its outstretched hand. There is a diamond-shaped mark in the center of its chest, depicted in bloodred mosaic, and from it nine droplets of night-black blood leak down. Jules looks up at the mosaic, the runes of his cypher drifting around him, some settling into place. "I remember these people. I fought with them on a day wihtout sun. They're from the memories that are mine, yet do not belong to me. I can remember them, but almost as if from a fleeting dream." "I think they were my friends. They were like you," he said, turning to look back at the group. "Heroes."Endless Night
As the Flamebringers surrounded the Wanderer's Raiment, a shadow eclipsed the light of the rising Aurora. Silent as the night, the Depthdrinker settled into the place where the Moonbreaker was parked, now suspiciously absent. The leviathan braced two tentacles against the opening, and with a colossal cracking sound an a chorus of falling branches, it widened the breach, shaking the tower and forcing its way in. In a flash of purply black dust, the Nightbringers manifested on the ground in front of the ship, striding confidently in formation, black cloaks flapping around them. Zantelar led the tip of the spear, flanked by Olivier and Sildurflame, their lieutenants spread out around them. Captain Eammon McGreggor stands atop the Depthdrinker, braced against the helm holding a massive set of sinewy reigns to hold the creature in check as its tendrils lazily pulse above the heads of house Nightbringer. Zantelar offers the classic villain out, saying they will be spaired if they lay down their arms. No one did. There was a moment of poignant silence, the Depthdrinker slowly creeping in to close the distance between the two parties, hungry tentacles reaching out. The silence is broken by a crash from overhead as the Sunstrider bursts through the foliage. Zantelar, almost in slow motion, mouths "what the fuck" as Vanderlith, his once dead enemy, flips him double fingers through the glass of the navigation chamber. Vlask and Marx cling to one of the harpoon guns, legs flapping in the air, as they desperately aimed it towards the Depthdrinker, burying a harpoon in its flesh. Vanderlith's dragons, Aurus and Argentus, flank the Moonbreaker as Nolgoth Chal fires a barrage into the rear of the Depthdrinker. Vanderlith releases a gout of flame from the Sunstrider's figurehead, bathing the Depthdrinker's deck in fire, raising a shout from Eammonn as he loses control, and the Sunstrider soared out the widened opening, the Depthdrinker howling in bestial anguish and turning to pursue, both enraged and dragged along by the harpoon. The following is a turn-by-turn retelling of the combat:>Goes south immediately, Devereaux is up first, drops a flame strike on the party, everyone except Valan and Aisha fails
>Valan is up next, posted next to Respite, buffs himself
>The Knifemaster follows, bonus action dashing and action dashing to reach the outcropping where Respite is kept
>>this will be important later
>Silderflame, Valan's brother, also takes the dash cunning action to get across the chasm, and makes an attack roll but misses
>Olette skewers Silderflame with the Mercurial Mind as a bonus action, then as her full action casts haste on Pharos (who has a new, frosty miniature)
>Next is Charles casts Stormsphere with Stormdancer, capturing Draxis, Comstock, Onvyr, Zantelar, and Peter
>With his bonus action, Charles deals an extra lightning bolt blow to Draxis
>Draxis is up next, but holds his turn
>Peter teleports everyone but himself out of the storm sphere and into the fray
>Draxis' held turn goes off, and he uses it to do nothing but issue a challenge to Olette, pointing at her and giving the kung fu come hither
>Zantelar begins to chant, palms upturned, slightly hovering above the ground, starting a ritual. It draws all light into a Singularity above his head, rendering the battlefield completely dark
>Everyone is very concerned
>Onvyr charges Tyra, telling them they were made for so much more than this before laying into them
>Tyra transforms their new blade into a shield, blocking all but one attack
>Onvyr asks, shocked, where they got that blade, but Tyra does not answer
>>Sandesh comments that it's concerning that it's already been an hour and we haven't even gotten through a round of combat
>>Uh oh
>Pharos ignites Dawnfire, soaring above the conflict, a torch of radiant light, radiant hope, against the Darkness
>Pharos casts Zephyr Strike, laying into Deveraux with hasted attacks, then flies up 30 feet
>Passing the Singularity, he feels as if all warmth has been drained from him and happiness has never existed in the world
>Tyra turns to their father and says "I hope you see that you were on the wrong side of history in the next life"
>Tyra divine smites their father
>He doesn't die, but says "I hope the same for you," before beginning to whisper something under his breath
>Black mist begins to pour from his mouth, floating back to the Singularity
>Everyone is very concerned
>Zachariah Comstock eats Olette
>Deveraux also begins to chant, black smoke of his own joining the Singularity
>Jules fires Melody once at Deveraux
>It has a volitile misfire
>Casts Blade of Disaster
>Slams it into Zantelar
>Zantelar keeps chanting
>Devereaux invokes his duplicities, placing two of them beside Respite
>One of them pushed Valan off the pedestal
>Valan casts Silence on Zantelar, silencing him and stopping the ritual
>Valan action surges, moves to shoot the Knifemaster in the head
>Does not kill him, but hurts him a fair amount
>>This is when the Knifemaster's initial sprint to the mound becomes important
>Knifemaster uses his cunning action to disengage
>Scrambles up the hill with his knives and a dash action
>Grabs Respite
>>Uh oh
>Calls up Sildurflame
>Sildurflame uses a cunning action dash
>Doesn't provoke opportunity attack because Olette is currently engulfed by Comstock
>Swallowed by Cumsock
>Sildurflame takes Respite from the Knifemaster, who reverently hands it over to him
>Silderflame looks to Valan
>"Remember, brother. You need only ask"
>Releases the Dark
>Time slows
>Callisto shouts, leaping towards Sildurflame, a shadowblade coursing in his hand
>But the shadow disapates as he brings it down
>Too late
>All are unmade in an instant
>Flamebringer and Nightbringer alike
>Blinding white fills your vision, until nothing is left but the silhouettes of your companions
>Until nothing is left at all
>And in another instant you are reforged
>Placed back together atom by atom
>Your ears ring as you stumble back into existence, stunned, eyes adjusting back to normal lighting
>Everyone stands around you, Flamebringer and Nightbringer alike
>Still
>Gazing at the figure that now stands where Callisto once stood
>Slender, with Callisto's notable features, the Dark, the Not!Callisto, now stands in his place
>He wears an elegant black suit, not dissimilar to the regal garb Callisto reserved for special occasions, though trimmed with dark, almost serpentine features rather than the bright red phoenixes; still yet symbols of rebirth, but far less colorful than those Callisto favored
>His hair, once red, is a mesmerizing jet black that you could lose yourself in
>Exposed by the deep, deep, DEEP revealing V of his unbuttoned shirt, you can see a dark ouroboros tattoo snaking around Callisto's body, along the scars where he once removed it
>His eyes hold black irises, with white pupils that blaze with the dying light of a thousand thousand stars, leaving trails in the air as he moves
>The thing that used to be your friend, the Not!Callisto, lets out a sigh
>A deep, satisfied, crooning sound
>"Hello, world. How I've missed you"
>ALl the Nightbringers each in turn bend knee to him
>But not Peter who looks almost...
>Ashamed?
>"I see I need no introduction to House Nightbringer," he says
>"But to you, Flamebringers; you may know me as the Dark. The Dawnless Night. The Walking Fracture. Desolation
>"But I assure you, I am far less terrible than the legends say.
>"You may simply call me Dusk.
>"You were good to my vessel in my absence. So much so, that with our freshly reforged bond, I don't think he would allow me to kill you if I tried"
>As he says this, he raises his hand as if to cast a spell
>Green bands of energy appear around his forearm, wrist, and fingers, preventing them from moving
>>"Callisto is still in there," Sandesh gasps
>"Please, take this as a parting gift: my mercy, freely given. Once. No promises for our future encounters.
>"Peter, if you would?"
>Peter casts teleportation
>Draxis holds his hand out to Olette
>"Now or never. You have questions, we have answers"
>She thinks about it
>The circle expands
>She thinks about it
>The magic reaches Draxis' feet
>She thinks about it
>The lavender glow begins to cover Draxis' body
>She thinks about it
>The glow of the spell has consumed all but Draxis' forearm
>She takes his hand
>The Nightbringers disappear
>Valan is up next, posted next to Respite, buffs himself
>The Knifemaster follows, bonus action dashing and action dashing to reach the outcropping where Respite is kept
>>this will be important later
>Silderflame, Valan's brother, also takes the dash cunning action to get across the chasm, and makes an attack roll but misses
>Olette skewers Silderflame with the Mercurial Mind as a bonus action, then as her full action casts haste on Pharos (who has a new, frosty miniature)
>Next is Charles casts Stormsphere with Stormdancer, capturing Draxis, Comstock, Onvyr, Zantelar, and Peter
>With his bonus action, Charles deals an extra lightning bolt blow to Draxis
>Draxis is up next, but holds his turn
>Peter teleports everyone but himself out of the storm sphere and into the fray
>Draxis' held turn goes off, and he uses it to do nothing but issue a challenge to Olette, pointing at her and giving the kung fu come hither
>Zantelar begins to chant, palms upturned, slightly hovering above the ground, starting a ritual. It draws all light into a Singularity above his head, rendering the battlefield completely dark
>Everyone is very concerned
>Onvyr charges Tyra, telling them they were made for so much more than this before laying into them
>Tyra transforms their new blade into a shield, blocking all but one attack
>Onvyr asks, shocked, where they got that blade, but Tyra does not answer
>>Sandesh comments that it's concerning that it's already been an hour and we haven't even gotten through a round of combat
>>Uh oh
>Pharos ignites Dawnfire, soaring above the conflict, a torch of radiant light, radiant hope, against the Darkness
>Pharos casts Zephyr Strike, laying into Deveraux with hasted attacks, then flies up 30 feet
>Passing the Singularity, he feels as if all warmth has been drained from him and happiness has never existed in the world
>Tyra turns to their father and says "I hope you see that you were on the wrong side of history in the next life"
>Tyra divine smites their father
>He doesn't die, but says "I hope the same for you," before beginning to whisper something under his breath
>Black mist begins to pour from his mouth, floating back to the Singularity
>Everyone is very concerned
>Zachariah Comstock eats Olette
>Deveraux also begins to chant, black smoke of his own joining the Singularity
>Jules fires Melody once at Deveraux
>It has a volitile misfire
>Casts Blade of Disaster
>Slams it into Zantelar
>Zantelar keeps chanting
>Devereaux invokes his duplicities, placing two of them beside Respite
>One of them pushed Valan off the pedestal
>Valan casts Silence on Zantelar, silencing him and stopping the ritual
>Valan action surges, moves to shoot the Knifemaster in the head
>Does not kill him, but hurts him a fair amount
>>This is when the Knifemaster's initial sprint to the mound becomes important
>Knifemaster uses his cunning action to disengage
>Scrambles up the hill with his knives and a dash action
>Grabs Respite
>>Uh oh
>Calls up Sildurflame
>Sildurflame uses a cunning action dash
>Doesn't provoke opportunity attack because Olette is currently engulfed by Comstock
>Swallowed by Cumsock
>Sildurflame takes Respite from the Knifemaster, who reverently hands it over to him
>Silderflame looks to Valan
>"Remember, brother. You need only ask"
>Releases the Dark
>Time slows
>Callisto shouts, leaping towards Sildurflame, a shadowblade coursing in his hand
>But the shadow disapates as he brings it down
>Too late
>All are unmade in an instant
>Flamebringer and Nightbringer alike
>Blinding white fills your vision, until nothing is left but the silhouettes of your companions
>Until nothing is left at all
>And in another instant you are reforged
>Placed back together atom by atom
>Your ears ring as you stumble back into existence, stunned, eyes adjusting back to normal lighting
>Everyone stands around you, Flamebringer and Nightbringer alike
>Still
>Gazing at the figure that now stands where Callisto once stood
>Slender, with Callisto's notable features, the Dark, the Not!Callisto, now stands in his place
>He wears an elegant black suit, not dissimilar to the regal garb Callisto reserved for special occasions, though trimmed with dark, almost serpentine features rather than the bright red phoenixes; still yet symbols of rebirth, but far less colorful than those Callisto favored
>His hair, once red, is a mesmerizing jet black that you could lose yourself in
>Exposed by the deep, deep, DEEP revealing V of his unbuttoned shirt, you can see a dark ouroboros tattoo snaking around Callisto's body, along the scars where he once removed it
>His eyes hold black irises, with white pupils that blaze with the dying light of a thousand thousand stars, leaving trails in the air as he moves
>The thing that used to be your friend, the Not!Callisto, lets out a sigh
>A deep, satisfied, crooning sound
>"Hello, world. How I've missed you"
>ALl the Nightbringers each in turn bend knee to him
>But not Peter who looks almost...
>Ashamed?
>"I see I need no introduction to House Nightbringer," he says
>"But to you, Flamebringers; you may know me as the Dark. The Dawnless Night. The Walking Fracture. Desolation
>"But I assure you, I am far less terrible than the legends say.
>"You may simply call me Dusk.
>"You were good to my vessel in my absence. So much so, that with our freshly reforged bond, I don't think he would allow me to kill you if I tried"
>As he says this, he raises his hand as if to cast a spell
>Green bands of energy appear around his forearm, wrist, and fingers, preventing them from moving
>>"Callisto is still in there," Sandesh gasps
>"Please, take this as a parting gift: my mercy, freely given. Once. No promises for our future encounters.
>"Peter, if you would?"
>Peter casts teleportation
>Draxis holds his hand out to Olette
>"Now or never. You have questions, we have answers"
>She thinks about it
>The circle expands
>She thinks about it
>The magic reaches Draxis' feet
>She thinks about it
>The lavender glow begins to cover Draxis' body
>She thinks about it
>The glow of the spell has consumed all but Draxis' forearm
>She takes his hand
>The Nightbringers disappear
All That Remains
Dahlia Dreux standing on the royal balcony beneath the Tree of Silver Boughs. Slithering mist fills the sky, like a sheet of black fog, spitting out white lightning that strikes against the tree, illuminating her with its harsh, fluorescent light. The people of the city stop in the streets, watching the storm’s approach as the living branches of metal twist in pain. Dexter Stormfist and Ilyana Dawnbringer stand together, marshaling their troops back into the Vault as the wave of darkness washes over the skies above Solheim. The tree’s light fights a losing battle against the encroaching darkness, and soldiers shout in their ranks as white lightning draws closer. In the Hollow Mountain, thunder rumbles outside as the citizens brace fresh masonry and scaffolding against the quakes that rock the city. Dust falls from the cavern above as another quake shakes a column lose, falling to be caught by Galahad, who tosses it from the path so Doromir can usher a group of builders to safety in the city’s bunkers. In the towers of Helorix, Leonidas stands with Lythea, representative of the Summer Court, and Vyria Dreux, empress potentate. They watch the as the tendrils of darkness fly across the sky, smothering the light of the Aurora as they do. Back in the Sentinel, the darkness approaches, but your attention is turned to what is left on the ground where Dusk disappeared. A final goodbye; a gift from the most powerful mage Andali has ever known. Wreathed in a sheath of green energy, Respite lays where your companion Callisto once stood, cast out of Peter’s teleportation spell by his magic. As you touch it, the energy dissipates, and you hear your friend’s voice resonate around you. You move to stand at the edge of the Sentinel, wind whipping your hair, silhouetted against the darkness in the flashes of white lightning. Above Arcanus, Arborea, Aurelia, and Fulminaria, the darkness that filled the atmosphere withdraws. As it leaves the Sentinel, heavy rain begins to fall, soaking you to the bone. "That wasn't an attack," Jules says. "It was a signal" As the light of the Aurora struggles to cut through the clouds above the roiling ocean below, Callisto's final words ring in your mind: "Burn bright, Flamebringers. "Burn hot."Created Content
Notes
Valan Sildurflame
Charles Aurus Valoric
Tyra Dawnbreaker
()
8 / 8 HP
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
Olette Etienne
Pharos
Report Date
14 Dec 2024
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Comments