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Wrapping up this adventure, the party went their separate ways, but continued to stay in touch through various means. Kadath continued to do the Matron’s bidding across the material plane, as well as finding a way to visit Ordeth in the Shadowfell. Forsythe went back to Thriest and met up with Kosha. The two of them continued to adventure and do various missions as given to her by the Order of Balance. Evangeline took over the papacy from Kilmoc and has now used it to promote truth for all. It has now become an open space to explore and study to find answers in science and religion. She has married Gavyn and they now have a son. Fix has married Zybella and joined her in Ephremon to settle and have a family of his own. He continues to run the Jagged Dream to maintain order to the underground and keep a watchful eye on the rulers throughout the land.
We followed up with discussions about what happened during the campaign and answer questions about thigs that did/or did not take place. We also answered some questions about our next campaign, Dark Allies: Shadows of Honor.
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Without hesitation, the group started attacking Velsharoon and the Corruption. Fix quickly noticed Funae caught in some kind of shield which redirected some of the damage to her. Kadath tested the shield and learned that it could be damaged and Fix took it out. To break any connection to Funae, Kadath then banished her for a short time.
Now, no longer hurting Funae, Evangeline and Kadath focused on taking out the Corruption while Fix and Forsythe kept Velsharoon distracted. Once the tree was gone, Kadath came in with a well placed strike bringing Velsharoon to the ground. Fix knelt beside him and commanded his death just as Forsythe began to fall as a mammoth to crush him. Once the battle was over, Forsythe and Fix healed the group, including Funae and her dragon, Onyx. Through the healing, they noticed something extra with Evangeline. She shared that she and Gavyn were expecting. Kadath gathered the sword and through a commune with the Raven Queen, combined the sword’s power with his own. Evangeline recorded everything within her book and learned that Velsharoon is weakened and would not return to this power for a millennium. Fix asked Funae to be a guide for him when the time came to destroy the item he held in the Forge of Creation. Standing in the arena before the gods, Ao shares with the group that Velsharoon must be stopped. He lets them know that the gods had decided they could not directly interfere with each other, hince why they were charged with this task. Gruumsh challenges Ao about the group and their readiness. The group collectively calls Gruumsh to test them.
Gruumsh tosses out the skull card and four shadow figures appear. The group engages these shadows quickly learning that each one is designed for a specific member of the group, and cannot be effected by anyone else until they have dispatched their own challenger. Once they kill the creatures, they disappear. Gruumsh then gives a boon to each of them. Fix receives the ability to use an invisible force blade. Forsythe gains another elemental form to change into: an avessor. Evangeline learns how to add a devine strike to her attacks. Kadath can now change into a wingless humanoid form. Ao then sends them back to the material world just outside of the Ausren Woods. Feeling fully rested and refreshed, they begin their trek into the forest. Not far into the trees, a giant moth flies by seemingly fleeing from a predator. Forsythe takes flight and sees a couple of lizard-like creatures with a mane of feathers. He also spots a giant tree that seems to glow green. After relaying this information, the group presses on, eventually coming across ruins of what may have been a city. Inspecting the ruins they learn these were made of quartz. The ruins most intact seem to be a temple which they discover was most likely grown into this shape. Forsythe warns them of the tree coming toward the ruins and they back away from the temple and hide. When the tree arrives, it goes into the temple where a figure appears. This figure looks to be a decaying humanoid robed in black with black wings extended. He announced, “They are here,” and Evangeline and Fix recognize the voice as the one from the orb of storms. All gathered on the stone slab after Fix realized the runes implied that was the only safe spot for Shaji’s return. He inserted the rod and turned. The group watched as walls materialized around them. Once it was solid, they came out of this basement room and into the library. As they came out of the library they met Orrerer Cashano, his assistant, and Minoverin.
Minoverin took Fix and Forsythe to the council hall to meet with Belesnar while Evangeline and Kadath stayed in the library to do some research. In their research, Evangeline found books on races and cultures of the 1st and 2nd age learning that the modern view of mutations was inaccurate. Kadath studies on Velsharoon and the Raven Queen learning she conquered him in the shadowfell and took her own place of godhood escorting the dead to their eternal destination. In the council hall, Fix shared only broad actions taken to bring back the city and they spoke briefly on how the city was pushed into the Astral plane so long ago. When asked, Fix firmly stated that returning Shaji to the time they had left could have caused more damage than bringing them back to the current time. Once some further conversation was finished, Fix returned to the library while Forsythe found the thieves’ guild. In the library, Fix was approached by Elminar, the grandson of Belesnar. He informs Fix of his exploits in Philolio with two friends and how they started the organization. Though two prominent families (Danzka and Trodu), the three of them caused enough chaos to possibly be the catalyst for the city’s destruction. He joins the Jagged Dream through the blood ritual and parts ways. That evening, while Forsythe continues to converse with Grayson, the leader of the thieves’ guild, the other three commune with their gods. Evangeline learns that the gods have already begun integrating themselves back into the 9th age, but was left unclear about the direction of the Order of Truth. She asked for clarification and was assured that the truth should be her focus regardless of the gods that were served by the members of the order. Kadath learns that the Raven Queen believes them to be ready to face the challenge of Velsharoon. She also shares that the gods are happy about Shaji’s return, but are nervous about the interference of Velsharoon again. Curiously, Kadath asks about her name and learns that it is struck from records as part of her ascension and if known, should never be shared. Fix, truly for the first time, communes with Gond and learns that he was chosen by the god himself. He shares that Velsharoon is angry that his plans have been thwarted multiple times. When asked about the masterpiece of the shields, Gond shares that Velsharoon has his hands in many things and has great influence. The next morning, they teleport to the Orgorek and head toward the Ausren Woods. However, their journey was interrupted by the gods once more. In a blink of an eye, they find themselves standing in a familiar arena with the gods spectating. The group headed to the Obelisk of the Water God. When they arrive, Fix allows himself to be guided by Gond to lock in the planer shift needed for Shaji’s return. Once that is in place, they realize the location is the last point to lock in. They decide to teleport to Philolio and head toward the former location of the city.
About a half day’s journey out, they encounter an undead tree that Kadath is able to identify as a necrostolon. He informs the group that liches often provide deals for nobles who want to live eternally. They allow their bodies to be buried near trees that are warped by the liches power. The souls get trapped within the trees and they wander about looking for bones to devour. Because of this, they turn around and rest in Philolio before moving forward as they were too drained to be facing a lich. Inside Philolio, Kadath visits the sky station to view the shield over the land. He quickly sees where Shaji’s shield would fill in the final gap. He also sees that the shield does not go beyond the Clock of Kala. Forsythe takes flight and notices the shield is solid and could land upon it if he wanted to. After a good rest, they travel to Shaji’s location uneventfully. Where the city once stood is now a barren land. However, they do notice a stone slab toward the center of the area. As they approached, a messenger arrived from Velsharoon. They engaged in battle where Kadath dealt the final blow. Afterwards, he took the messenger’s sword and the Raven Queen consecrated it, melding it with his current sword. Evangeline and Fix worked on the orrery, having to forge a new part to complete the process. In the meantime, Forsythe went exploring and encountered a couple of strange bird-like creatures in a circular upper chamber. This chamber had six deteriorated archways equally spaced along the wall. He then explored the ruins of the city that remained on the top of this monolith and found a possible underground area to check out with the group.
Once the orrery was running, the shield lit up and began expanding immediately. The orrery seemed to resemble parts of the one in Rarmon and Shaji combined. a planetarium orbiting the central platform encircling a pool of shimmering liquid. Upon closer inspection, a lever and three buttons stood out. Kadath shared where he sensed the magic and how it was flowing upward and Evangeline went to the upper chamber to watch the archways while Fix tested the lever and buttons. Through some trials, along with some communication with the gods, they discover the power of time. Knowing they could enter into another time at any location, Fix starts planning how this can be locked. Sensing the possible danger with this power, the rest of the group also begin brainstorming. Pausing on the application of such a lock, the group decide to explore the underground area that was spotted by Forsythe. They discover a communal area used by mages for alchemical testing. In the first room was a desk and book both enchanted with truth spells. Two other rooms were accessed from there: a storage room and a library. Leaving there with a couple of potions and a bag of money, the group decide to head to Rachar. They take several hours to work with Leoros to get the orrery running. They watch the shield expand and connect to the others. Leoros offers to take stewardship of the orreries once again, and will remain on watch in Rachar for a time. Fix thanks him and the group head back to Dagan with some plans. Back in Dagan, Fix uses the orrery to check into Shaji. After realizing it was still in the astral plane, the group brainstorms for how to pull it back. Fix communes with Gond through the orrery to learn how he might be able to do this and he discovers a hidden pressure panel to lock in times as he sets Dagan’s orrery to get Shaji in back where it belongs. They then traveled to the Obelisk of the Water God. Leaving the Orgorek, the group traveled to Charmonde to discover Strolduk had left a few days prior. After talking with Jim, the head guard, they learn he is looking for the skull of Borgan the Barbaric in Legrash. Before dinner, Evangeline ducks out and visits the Amber Pope’s office and finds a journal which contained Kilmoc’s thoughts as well as every pope before him. The first pope, Gregory Calaval. As dinner concludes, Fix receives a rather harsh burn from his tattoo and reaches out to his family again. However this time, he only receives static from Gidna and Vanneth. Learning from Philethis that a sizable earthquake happened, he asks the group about heading to Qi.
On their way out to go to Qi, a woman comes to the estate. She introduces herself as Zavakri and shares that whatever hit Thriest also hit Qi. Leoros is on his way to Rachar to see what he could do about that orrery while the others have stayed at the Iron Saint. He thanks her for the message and pays the woman. The group decide time is of the essence and they should continue on their quest to the Amber Monolith. They travel there and see a fortress built beneath the monolith. Evangeline informs them that the guards here are paid for and maintained by the Order of Truth. Deciding to circumvent the fortress, they enter the monolith from a tunnel. Inside, they find a portal and the bones of a human with only the crown still present. Evangeline draws the crown in her book and the full picture of the first Amber Pope fills out, showing her Gregory Calaval. As she programs and starts some nanite to encase the bones, Fix works on the orrery. Evangeline sends TC through the portal to discover the other end is in the fortress below. TC found itself in a room with guards looking quizzically at the tiny construct unsure what to do. She called it back before they took action and let the group know that they may want to get out of here soon. They decide to teleport to the City of Bridges and rest there for the evening. The next morning, they travel to the Scarred Monoliths and see first hand just how large the guardians are that float about the monolith. Upon their approach, the guardians awaken and attack. After destroying the stone creatures, Kadath informs the party that the magic is still strong and believes they may reform. With this knowledge, the group make their way into the tunnel of the monolith. The group teleports to White Lake and finds the city well on its way to picking up all the pieces from the switch of government. Fix discovers that J’hara left a few days prior on the back of a black drake with another woman. He learns from Harven that she was headed to Legrash in the Black Riage Mountains. They stay the night at the castle and head out in the morning toward the Orgorek.
That evening, Fix touches base with Philethis to learn Vanneth had come back to Qi. He also uses the tattoo to reach out to his family and learns of their location and general emotions. He is a little surprised that he also senses the rest of his group. He then finishes the rod he had been working on for some time. When the group arrives at the Orgorek, they notice a field of stones that resemble a graveyard. Upon entering the area, Evangeline notices the runes etched on several of the stones are used in binding and corruption magics. An ethereal ancient dragon appears and when the group presses forward it attacks. Fix attempts to dispel the corruption and manages to weaken it significantly. Evangeline and Kadath begin to bust the stones, Forsythe joining them when the dragon begins to break free of the spells. As the dragon disappears, it bows, “Thank you. What is mine, is yours.” With the dragon gone, they finish destroying the stones as Fix and Kadath fly up to the Orgorek. Finding a hatch, Fix begins to open it when the roots of the tree begin to flail. They do manage to get into the inside and notice the roots stop attacking. Inside they discover the bones of an ancient dragon, a hoard of treasure, and the orrery. Evangeline and Fix get the orrery running while the others fend off crystalline snakes. When it becomes calm, Fix uses the rod on this orrery for the first time and learns that he can open up portals to other orreries that are working. Putting it away, they go through the treasure and find a couple magic items and a lot of gold. When they leave the Orgorek, they find sprouts peaking through the ground and learn that the barren fields are growing once more. After conferring with a map, they decided to head to Charmonde on their way to the Amber Monolith. Deciding to enter through the spire, Forsythe took a moment to commune. He discovered the spire and the writhing roots were the main plant in the area, however they were willing to let the group pass with the promise of bringing them bodies to lay their spores in. He also learned of another plane bleeding into their realm nearby.
Once inside the spire, they realized the vines completely engulfed the monolith. Forsythe, in his air elemental form, flew about the vines and rock to locate a cave entrance. Through various means, the group made it to the cave and entered. The tunnels led out into an abandoned city square where a very ornate building was located. Inside the building, they found an office with several books that included: heraldry of the Varis families and metallurgy. Kadath found a scroll for casting a private sanctum within the desk as well. The main floor also included a meeting room and the orrery. Evangeline and Fix brung the orrery back to life and entered the date into the maintenance log. Kadath sensed a strengthening of magic from below the orrery and let the party know. However, they decided to check the upper level first. Upstairs was a well furnished living quarters for someone of great prominence. They later discovered this was for Shedine, the mother of dragons. Through some recollection of studies, they remembered that Shedine was the mother of the Great Dragon from Yosh-lin. After thoroughly searching the area, they headed down to the lower level, where the magic still emanated. This was a single room with a teleportation circle etched into the stone floor and a single upright portal that pulled at them slightly. On the other side of the portal was the ring that haloed the spire. The group quickly realized they were being pulled away from the portal and decided to explore why. They found a creature whose chest was its own portal with a gravitational pull. The closer they got, the harder it was for resistance. As Buckly was nearly pulled through, the creature was dispatched. With her knowledge of nanite technology, Evangeline quickly disassembled the creature and informed her group that with enough of these, they could have pulled in an entire city. Before leaving Astaria, the group gathers as much information about the fields as possible. Forsythe learns of the poisons and how to make an antidote. As they travel across the fields, they learn how the ground shifts and changes. They also run across a few of the creatures that travel the land. In the evenings, Evangeline works on her nanites as Fix continues to forge the tool through Gond’s guidance.
Eventually, they make it to the spire. With vines growing over the monolith and a ring hovering around it, they take caution to approach. Forsythe flies about the ring to discover a possible entry while Evangeline spots an opening near the ground. They are now faced with the challenge of getting into either location. |
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May 2025
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