Session Preface:
As the chaos of battle concludes, the dimly lit vault is filled with the haggard groans and difficult gasps of air. Thava lies unconscious, her scales soaked in blood and covered in blisters. Madlyn collapses to the ground nearby, conscious but straining with each bated breath.
With a strenuous effort, Straza stands to his feet, moving towards the door. Through broken teeth and a busted lip, the dragonborn mutters the necessary key phrase and inserts the key into place. The massive round platinum door swings open.
Over the grinding screech of the door turning on its hinges, a familiar and dreaded thaumaturgic voice booms through the chamber, the gravely voice filled with noble distinction and confidence.
"Avraathe, the final offering has been made. Revel in your freedom. Let the Night of Radiant Light mark the beginning of a new Avraathe no longer burdened from the tyranny of the judges, the lawmakers, and the warmongers who would wish you complacent and controlled for their own gain. Though I now depart you with my task complete, may you rise untethered and claim that which is rightfully yours."
As the words fade, Vyodaar rises to his feet. "I must see to Supreme Commander Maldur. Colonel Eso was on active duty beyond the wall, so if she is within the city, I fear it is not on her own voli-"
The general's words are cut short as he enters the hallway beyond the vault and takes a step back with a sharp gasp.
"Tiamat take him." Vyodaar spits as you follow his gaze to the floor where the head of the Colonel Eso stares back, frozen in a moment of terror. Above, draconic runes scrawled in blood read, "The consequence of cowardice."
Next to you, Parathraaj collapses to the ground, muttering to himself. "Platinum Dragon, what have I wrought?"
Session Summary:
After discovering the message left for Parathraaj, several allies go their own way to deal with matters and ensure the safety of others while Parathrax, Parathraaj, Endriel, and Beldan head towards the Library of Libations. Vorothruun escorts Thava home, thanking her for her willingness to help and then inquiring about her bethrothed Grellen's worthiness of her. Thava describes him as "kind, honest, and brilliant." In his emotional volatility, Vorothruun punches a stone wall, tearing open the scales on his knuckles as he walks to meet the rest of the party at the tavern.
Despite the library being locked, the party finds Professer Balasar reading and drinking tea in a booth. He quickly catches them up to date on recent events outside of the vault. Namely, Colonel Eso's sacrifice on the spire as well as General Maldur's assault as well as his survival. Vorothruun shares with Balasar mention of Telzuun's green crystalline sphere, which leads Balasur back to his studies to look into the matter.
At the bar, Beldan provides Parathrax his "shitty day usual" of three shots of a blended beverage. After Endriel sips the shot poured for him, Beldarn provides an elderberry and lavender wine in its place. Vorothruun partakes in a strong, homebrewed beverage of the dwarf's creation while his father slowly nurses an ale. The party makes plans and discuss their next steps.
Endriel is then interupted by Durth, who explains the growing unrest in the northern sectors of the city. Per Durth's observations, some have taken Telzuun's invitation to freedom and revelry to heart, leading to riots and looting in the streets of the Workman's Ward. Some Scalers try to keep the peace while others instigate or escalate violence and unrest. At the center of the worst of the riots is Lakra, an outspoken half-orc who has been displeased with the conditions for some time. Endriel resolves to bolster the efforts to entice some of the disgruntled miners to serve in the Talons of Justice by investing into the organization with an incentive program and improved pay, providing the necessary details and funds to Madlyn and Parathraaj to see the system implemented.
The party then reconvenes at the Temple of Bahamut, where High Priest Ozen announces the Night of Radiant Light will be postponed by one day so the following day can be one of mourning and remembrance for the three fallen community members. He also announces the vacancy left by Councilor Tedrog has been filled unanimously by the new High Priest Porath, who then gives a short speech of gratitude.
Following the announcement, Parathraaj is able to aid the party in getting a brief meeting with the new High Priest. The party shares the events of the vault while Porath confirms the reports of the city's other events. The two sides agree pursuing Telzuun is the best course of action, especially since the Platinum Order and Talon's strength has already been ordered back into the city. Porath assures the party the Council will be taking swift action to show a sign of strength and that there are plans in place to help grant the city a new sense of purpose and focus after these chaotic and trying times.
The party then goes their separate ways for rest and recuperation. During this time, Parathrax learns the full details of Telzuun's time in Avraathe from his father.
During the Assault on Hellgate Keep, a devil escaped and took up residence within an abandoned tower. When a strike force went to destroy the creature, the team was lost and the only surviving member, Parathraaj's mother, held captive. A second team, including Parathraaj's father, was sent in to rescue her and complete the mission and were ultimately successful in rescuing, but only managed to escape the devilish monstrosity.
Shortly there after, Telzuun was born and it quickly became clear from his barbed tail, shrunken wings, and other protruding features he was not fully dragonborn. Parathraaj's father wed his mother to help conceal the nature of Telzuun's heritage, but the marriage did little to hide his true nature. Parathraaj was born shortly thereafter and his older half-brother resented him for being the favorite and for the ease with which he walked through the early years of his life.
Eventually, Telzuun began pushing back against the systems and beliefs of Avraathe, claiming Bahamut enslaved his people through the concepts of justice and mercy rather than providing them true freedom. These claims and decrees swelled to the point of heresy and at that time, the powers at be decided it best to excommunicate Telzuun, with two of those three signatures now deceased.
After these revelations and much needed rest, the party is strangely relieved to be back on horseback, traveling into unknown and life-threatening danger, which seems comfortable and mundane in comparison to the recent events of Avraathe. Halfway through the journey the party is ambushed by a small band of orcs, but manage to make quick work of them despite having several powerful Orogs within their ranks.
The party the arrives at the tower Vorothruun previously saw within his visions with the green crystalline sphere glowing from the second floor window. After a quick clairvoyant glimpse, the party finds no way of dealing with Telzuun short of meeting him head on where he waits for them near the massive gem. As they approach, Telzuun welcomes his nephews and the others to his keep and with the assumption they are here only to kill him, waves his hand over the green sphere which dissipates and leaves a massive bone devil in its place, which Telzuun introduces as his father.
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