Session 20: Through the Gate
General Summary
A Crisis Averted
With Dulb incapacitated after the devastating battle with Arameth, we found ourselves at a crossroads. The essence of Narthos had taken root in his soul, a dark power far beyond what any of us had bargained for. While Goq and Warby argued over whether we should destroy Dulb to rid ourselves of Narthos' influence, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was still hope for him.
Dulb, barely conscious, finally managed to speak. With the party's united persuasion—and, perhaps, some measure of his own will—he performed an exorcism, dispelling Narthos’ presence by offering his icon to the void. The offering was masterful, fully removing Narthos. To us, it appeared the dark god’s grip was broken. With the immediate crisis passed, we turned back to Arameth for answers.
The Record of the Shadowstones
Arameth explained what Goq had glimpsed through the void surrounding the Heart of Narthos: the three Shadowstones—Mind, Will, and Soul—were the key to the god's essence. The Will stone, as we deduced, was the artifact stolen by Melkorion in Dawnhold. The other two stones remained hidden: the Mind in the dark forests of the east and the Soul deep within a mountain. Arameth asked what we intended to do should we gather the Shadowstones ourselves.
Though we gave a vague and noncommittal answer (honestly, we’re making this up as we go), he seemed satisfied. He directed us to the Nexus, an ancient Dawnbreaker teleportation network that could transport us across Thallindor. With little time to lose, we bid Arameth farewell and set out to activate the Nexus.
Jealous Guardians of the Nexus
The Nexus chamber was awe-inspiring, though it carried the same sense of foreboding as the rest of the Shattered Keep. As we approached the central platform to activate the teleportation system, we were attacked by spectral figures. These were the Hellshadows, former Narthos worshippers who had tried to use the Nexus to flee the Dawnbreakers’ assault but failed. Their spirits had lingered in envy and malice, jealous of anyone who might escape where they could not.
The battle was fierce, their wailing attacks cutting deep into our will and strength, but together, we put them to rest. As the room fell silent, the Nexus lit up, its ancient runes glowing with power. Using the Twilight Lens and Aeon Stone, we activated the system and selected our destination: Illuminar.
Arrival in Illuminar
In a flash, the chaotic void of the Nexus gave way to the brilliant, sunlit skyline of Illuminar, the grand capital of Aethoria. We found ourselves on the top of a towering spire, greeted by an elderly attendant who seemed surprised—but not entirely shocked—by our arrival. It seemed others had used the Nexus before us. He welcomed us cautiously and directed us to the Solstice Palace or the Grand Arcanum, both located in the Hotford District at the city’s center.
As we descended into the bustling streets of Illuminar, we were awestruck. The city pulsed with life, artifice, and magic. Traders hawked enchanted wares, fountains spilled shimmering water, and streets glowed with arcane lamps. It was as if the city itself was alive, a perfect blend of art and sorcery. However, our purpose here was no sightseeing trip. We headed straight for the Solstice Palace to seek an audience with the King.
Securing an Audience with the King
Gaining entry to the Solstice Palace was no easy task. The Chamberlain informed us we were not scheduled for an audience and therefore could not meet with the King. Frustrated but undeterred, we mingled in the audience chamber, seeking alternative means to gain entry. Several nobles offered to help in exchange for favors or services, but most of their requests were either too time-consuming or outright suspicious.
Eventually, an older general by the name of Drakos Velthren intervened. Hearing our pleas, he decided to take matters into his own hands. With a theatrical flourish, he kicked open the King’s chamber doors, shoving aside the guards with surprising strength for a man of his age. Holding the guards at bay, he yelled, “I'll keep them away!” before winking at us and causing just enough of a distraction for us to slip inside.
An Audience with the King
The King of Aethoria was in the middle of a meeting, discussing troubling reports of Darkscale activity near Eastwind, but he turned his attention to us once we entered. We quickly relayed our journey, detailing the Shattered Keep, Melkorion, the Shadowstones, and the growing threat of Narthos and the All-God. Of course, we omitted anything that might incriminate Dulb (or ourselves) or suggest we had dealt with Narthos more closely than we let on.
The King, calm but clearly concerned, made a swift decision: we were to meet with the commander of M.I.S.T., the elite Aethorian task force designed to handle the kingdom's greatest threats. Armed with his authority, we were given free rein to act in service of the realm and secure its safety against the rising darkness.
Drakos Velthren’s True Identity
As we left the audience chamber, we encountered Drakos Velthren once again. This time, we found him pinning a royal guard to the ground. With a sheepish grin, he dusted himself off and offered to escort us out. It was then that he revealed his true role: not just a general, but an Inquisitor within M.I.S.T., tasked with rooting out threats to Aethoria from within and without.
He shook Warby’s hand in a “predator handshake,” exuding confidence and camaraderie, before leading us to the Grand Arcanum. Beneath its fantastical halls lay the true headquarters of M.I.S.T., hidden in the space between Veils, accessible only through a carefully guarded crossover point.
The Road Ahead
As we descended into the mysterious headquarters of M.I.S.T., I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’d come—and how much further we had to go. The stakes had never been higher. The fate of Thallindor rested on our ability to navigate a web of alliances, uncover the remaining Shadowstones, and face the growing threat of Melkorion and Narthos.
This wasn’t just about stopping one god or one man anymore. The balance of the world itself was at stake, and we were running out of time. We were still going to go shopping though.
Sera
Sunny Grannach
Brazen White Bulb Conquering Red Blossom
Dulb the Deckhand
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