Episode 32.5 (SE)
Eredeus Talus
General Summary
As the group reached the capital city of the Holy Empire in Caldarum, the group found a meeting spot and decided to split off. On their time away, Garroth and Korva went off to investigate various research topics together. First they set about exploring critical points within Caldarum. Korva explored around, attempting to spread rumours about himself, and met a preacher for Theodoros Ágios, who he attempted to embarrass before moving on his way. He also attempted to intrude upon the Holy Palace of Caldarum, but encountered a magical wall above the physical wall preventing magical entrance. He retreated when his entrance began to alert guards.
Garroth spent his time exploring the city's teleportation circles. He recorded the one within the library, and decided not to explore the larger, public one. With their locations notated, the pair went on a cross-country adventure to learn more about The Dirge after what they learned while discussing with Dublin Lanister. In their time, they ended up in Vale Academy, where they found out several things. Beforehand, they inquired about Garroth's book on Golems, the strange Vacuous Grimoire in Korva's possession, and the book of star-charts known as Ephemeris. Then, they found out that someone had intruded to the restricted section of the library, and seemed to disturb some of the old books that were being refurbished, in a hidden back room. Then, they learned information on a variety of topics.
Of most important, however, they learned information on The Dirge after finding a journal attributed to a mage known as Eredeus Talus. They learned that Eredeus Talus and his crew were the ones who developed the Pyres, and were attempting to use it as a method to open The Dirge. Using complex arcane geometry, they sought to use these Pyres to harness energy, which would then be used in tandem with a celestial ritual. This celestial would hypothetically "pierce" an entrance into this alternate plane of existence. It doesn't seem Eredeus or his companions knew entirely what they were doing when they were attempting to force their way into The Dirge.
One thing that was made clear, however, is that Eredeus had a major accomplice available: a young boy named as Weizen Nyr, who was called by several conflicting names: sorcerer, summoner, and witch. Which of these he was classified as was left unclear, but it was made very apparent that he had unique abilities as a blended arcane-celestial magician of some form. Apparently his unique powers would allow for the ritual required to be completed. Directions on how Weizen intended to do this with his powers was detailed in a separate journal located in a space known as The Transept, which remains unknown.
The groups plans were not able to come to fruition, unfortunately, because at the same time as they were nearing completion of their ritual, The Spellplague occurred, severely wounding all of the mages in question, disallowing them the completion of the experiment. To preserve the experiment for future generations, they sealed the Pyres and their energies using high-level Ioun Stones of Greater Absorption. The very ones that the party had been removing, and the very ones that the seeming foul individuals working with Lanister and Zinth were hoping would be undone.
In time, Garroth and Korva returned to Caldarum to rejoin with the group.
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