Session 21 – From 1 to 3, then 5, now 6
General Summary
The Stage is Set
As the warped and distorted form of Eden taunts and laughs, The Void Maiden observes from above:
It is there… but the hold on its host too strong. Weaken it. Then, and only then, might I break this awful mockery apart… piece by piece… until it is but a nightmarish memory.
Yenush quickly posts up at the far side of the Hall of Seasons and opens fire on Eden. Aiaoue moves across the entire room with ease now that she's hasted. She decides to climb Eden like a tree. Shortly after arriving, however, Aiaoue appears on the far side of the room while Yenush stares up at the warped grin of Eden. With four people perfectly clustered near the entrance, Arkyn and Cadence find themselves confused. Teagan is so focused on hauling ass to Eden that he forgets to get angry. Milo decides Countercharm may be Arkyn's only hope... since Eden doesn't feel like swapping Arkyn's ability scores so long as he's delightfully confused.
Throughout combat, Aiaoue is shunted to the far side multiple times. When Milo is hauled to Eden, Aiaoue hauls Arkyn back within range of Countercharm on her way back to Eden Yenush tries to shank Eden before quickly turning back to using the pistol. Once Teagan hits the ground once, he finds it difficult to get back up, between being (a) grappled by goop, (b) restrained by honey, (c) blind, and, of course, (d) being unconscious. Cadence sighs as she arrives to heal Teagan. Milo gets knocked unconscious when Eden decides to use Milo as a weapon against Teagan. However, Milo is currently Tor Khanna so he gets right back up.
Throughout combat, Eden randomly switches ability scores around. Teagan experiences an improved AC for a brief moment. Cadence experiences Teagan's strength and dex, but Teagan doesn't really face any ramifications... he's unconscious. Milo loses access to some bardic inspiration as his Charisma is sent elsewhere; Arkyn experiences the loss later. The rizz economy is in shambles.
Teagan escapes being an offering at the foot of Eden's throne when the corrupted god decides that Yenush needs to be a bit closer. Arkyn finally escapes his confusion and wins his counterspell battles to get his own spells off and to help Teagan crit on Eden. With help from Yenush's heavy hits and Aiaoue's pack, Teagan drives his trident through Eden's "heart".
As the corrupted form of Eden stills and stalls – his distorted laughter no longer ringing off the wooden walls – all is still for a moment. A black-violet tendril of the Void moves with precision towards Eden's unmoving form, breaking and branching apart into a network of thin void-like tendrils that cover and coat Eden's entire form. And then a lurch as a strong force pulls on everything as the corrupted form of Eden warps, bends, and begins to disintegrate. The gravitational force emanating from The Void surges. Cadence manages to grab Yenush and pull him out of the forming Event Horizon. While everyone else is shunted out of the dream, Arkyn is painfully ripped from it.
"Death" of the Void Maiden
The wounds of the dream persist into reality. The Eladrin leaders flitter around as the group regains their senses. Nearby, the Void maiden stands, arm outstretched towards the form of Eden... and then she collapses. The flesh that remains on her right hand begins to disintegrate rapidly, The Void consuming it as if ravenous. Yet, as that occurs, the Seasonal Blight peels and slinks off – its vines moving to join those restraining Chasca, Saffra, and Vale to their dreams. The "breathing" of the Blight strengthens; a firmer hold now in place. Yenush notes that, although Eden's body remains a mosaic of cracks, they are slowly starting to close and heal into scars. Eden is reforming.
As the gravitational force around the Void Maiden lessens, the Void Maiden's eyes turn to look at the group. The six tendrils of her hair black and twist, until they form the shape of a 6-pronged warped star. There's a crack as six warped shards float towards Aiaoue, Arkyn, Cadence, Milo, Teagan, and Yenush. Void Shards. And the Void Maiden speaks:
From 1 to 3, then 5, and now 6. A red thread between you... and I. A tether of a different sort. Mine a tethering of my choosing. Yours a tether inflicted upon you. A cursed connection. Unique. Woven through the miasma. For you are now bound to play the Game. Pull the thread. Unwind and tear it. Or weave it anew. It can be only you. Learn and understand, draw it out and weakene it. It is your choice.
As the last of the Void Maiden's flesh disintegrates. Only a Void-like silhouette remains... until another rises and morphs, swelling in height and mass. The gravitational pull builds once more, quickly amassing strength. A voice rings out in everyone's mind, deeper, otherworldly, powerful.
Without a tether, I am unrestrained destruction. Yet, within, I shall forever harbor... love for this world. Beyond the gifts you hold... pieces of me remain. Should you acquire one, use it without mercy. And... may Fortune, Luck, and Favor fall within your reach.
The Void vanishes.
The Aftermath
Arkyn, wasting no time, beelines straight to Aura and demands she give him a magic item of equivalent value to the cursed, evil item she took from him. Aura's jubilent mood instantly sours as she calls for Aetherians to escort the bloody to be healed. As Arkyn and Cadence are led out, Mya moves to the side of Eden, intensely focused. Aura then turns to those who remain and drops to a knee and bows. You have done my people an unimaginable service. Should you require anything of Grand Aethera, we shall make it so. Aura encourages everyone to rest after their terrible 5 minutes in the dream. In the morning, they can discuss the situation with the Void Shards; Aura and Aria together suspect that – while the intent to help the remaining 3 Evads is a good one – it may not be what the Void Maiden intended.
Milo, Yenush, and Teagan head to the baths for much needed relaxation. Aiaoue finds herself a spot in the Aetheria Tree's canopy to be alone. She's far more aware of the silence now, though there's a warmth that exists "behind her nose" the spreads into the faint feeling of an embrace. Cadence hangs back with Aria, who althought slightly shaken by the Void Maiden's departure is not entirely surprised. She notes that Cadence had mentioned being cursed by a death goddess; perhaps that is what the Void Maiden intended the Void Shards to be for. Arkyn, leaving his Aetheria mandated healing, sends an updated to Auntie.
In the morning, the Evad leaders, Aria, and the group convene in the Hall of Seasons. Aura notes that the services of Grand Aetheria – potions, the equivalence of scrolls, among others – will happily be provided to the group in exchange for their aid. With Spring present, Aura hopes that their supplies of Spring Aetheria fruit will improve. And, further, Aura believes they can be of assistance to the group. Fannar, having done research in the Archives, notes that he was present when the Root to Idyllis was closed... he believes he may be able to open a Root. Aria notes that (sorry Cadence, she talked about you) if everyone is... afflicted, perhaps they might use the Void Shard to begin to remedy it. While the Void has the power to destroy, it can also absorb. If they are to find what afflicts them (their unique cursed connection), absorb a fraction of it, and return here, the Evad leaders believe they can recreate a similar ritual used with Eden. Aura notes that whether that ritual is used to destroy or to potentially cure, she doesn't care. Either removes a threat from within the Mind Blight.
Another history and geography lesson occurs with Fannar. Regarding nipple man, Fannar has no great insight, but the title of Tor Khanna he does recognize and identifies an area to the East. Fannar is also familiar with the Book of the Dead, which was said to contain knowledge, secrets, and power. It was within the domain of Malachor, and the Earthen Drow were known to scheme and feud with one another. After discussion, the group decides to have Fannar begint to open the Root to the borderlands of Malachor, Tamasvi, Eresh, and Mevetes.
Now to wait for the Iron Arrow to get here.
Report Date
28 Feb 2025
Primary Location
Secondary Location
Related Characters
Corrupted Eden
The Music has Changed, the Vibes have Changed
Seemingly without cause, your heartbeat quickens. You become hyper aware of the blood moving through your veins, how your muscles tense, how the air fills your lungs… how the touch of something otherworldly drifts and sways within you. A concentrated mote of energy that hums louder than before, pulsing alongside your breath, alongside the contraction of muscles, and with your heartbeat.Around you, through now blurry vision, you watch faintly glowing teal lines crisscross, swirl, bend and weave throughout the space. An eerie meshwork of patterns that causes a chill to run down your spine. Incomprehensible forms… not of this world. As the patterns fade, your senses dull to normal, and your vision returns…
You feel as if though you have gotten something – or someone’s – attention.
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