The whole of Anlyth has been elated by the appearance of the Primordial spirit at the Temple of the Ancients. Word has quickly spread across the Elven Capital and the renown of our adventurers has sored with it.
It's the next day and the party have met with Folas Carna, as promised he offers them the most recently forged artefacts from the Order of Arcanum. The party receive the following items,
Shawm of Sundering:- a bardic instrument capable of thwarting enemies with conjured lightning or thunder.
Dragon's Bane Greatsword:- a weapon forged specifically for use against one of the two dragon's known to Demoras. Folas had put the Order to work on this as soon as the party first brought news of Karna-Kar.
Glaive of the Orberus Guard:- one of the signature weapons held by the guards of Lunas Orberus, but this one has been enchanted to great heights not yet seen.
Yellow Diamond Elemental Gem:- a powerful one use item that unleashes a lesser earth spirit to the Material Plane. Folas hopes that this will not offend the Order of the Ancients.
Decanter Of Endless Water:- the second item created for a specific purpose. With the party making preparations to travel beyond the Dust Spine Ridge and into the Desert of Thorns, this will be invaluable.
During their meeting with Folas, the party notice several members of the Order of Arbores moving about the grand structure. They are each measuring architectural details, especially those close to the tree they anchor to. Nearing their exit, Mornington is offered another look within the deep archives, in case there is any lore he wishes to study before their departure. He gladly accepts and is lead by Folas into the darkness of the inner chambers.
Crom and Amarion are walking across the rope bridges of the city when Amarion offers the barbarian a chance to practice their prowess in battle. The two set off for a far off clearing away from the city perimeters where they can partake in some sparring.
Edward seeks charcoal, incense, and herbs to burn in a brass brazier for a ritual of his. He wishes to return his Familiar Artax, a fiendish owl of great benefit to the warlock, and the party, in all things perceptive and stealthy. He easily acquires the ingredients at the Treetop Traders Guild and soon finds a brazier to enact the summoning. He is reunited with his avian friend, his feathers as black as night, and as red as blood.
Mornington holds his lantern up as they proceed into the dusty archives. He notices faces of wood carved high upon the walls of the deep archive, each unique, not one repetition. He had not noticed these upon his first visit, too distracted by the wealth of knowledge that sits upon the labyrinthine shelves.
Crom and Amarion find their clearing outside of the city limits, best not to unnerve anyone that could mistake the sparring for a real fight. Crom recalls how close this spot must be to where he met Glanduil Trisbalar, another time his skills improved from studying others. The first clash of steel between him and Amarion sends birds suddenly flocking to the skies.
Edward, leisurely walking around the upper heights of Anlyth, overhears a conversation between two elves on their way to the Temple of the Ancients. He hears one of them talk of a strange light that was spotted on the outskirts of the city last night, and then again this morning, but much closer. Edward stops them and asks for further details of this strange sighting, he promises that he will go right away, while the other two will inform the Temple and make sure others are sent in case this is an ill omen.
Mornington looks through the archive with Folas and is drawn by one pin prick of light that beams into the hidden library. Where it falls, fresh exposed bark is taking on the shape of a face. A familiar face, the face of the recently departed Ulahice. It transpires that those absorbed by the tree, become part of its history, part of its flesh. In the vicinity of this transformation Mornington finds a heavily bound book containing teachings and legends of the Ancients. He finds a prophecy that explains that if the Primordial spirits were to ever return to the Material Plane, this could greatly upset many spirits of the world. While they are the makeup of this physical world, they are also powerful destructive forces, and many fear their potential to cause a cataclysm.
Crom and Amarion exchange more blows back and forth, Thunderous Smite booms, and in response Crom flies into a rage, swinging reckless barbaric axe blows. The sparring goes on for a few more moments, but they soon tire after defending and responding to each others onslaught. A sound nearby pins them to the spot and they stop circling each other. The snapping of branches, the tearing of leaves. Suddenly, small balls of light whip out from the vegetation at the clearings edge and hurtle towards the two warriors. Several sear through them as they feel radiant burns in their flesh. The leaves part as a great ball of light enters into the clearing. Not a sphere in fact, more irregular in shape, like the silhouette of some creature, but made of light not shadow.
Edward finds himself panting as he approaches the Orchards where the Anlyth farmer had spotted the ball of light. He hears the clang of metal, and the flight of birds, and heads off road towards it. As he gets closer he can hear fighting, grunts of exertion and the sound of steel on steel. As he bursts into a clearing, he sees Crom and Amarion, each with visible wounds. They stand across from a great being of light, Amarion mutters for Crom to hold but the warrior full of rage cannot hold back. Edward steps forward and he sees Amarion go to follow Crom but a beautiful explosion of light occurs, like thousands of fireflies suddenly dancing around the clearing. Amarion and Edward are transfixed and their bodies seize up, mesmerized by the magical effect before them.
Mornington leafs through another book, this one is more geographical in nature. He reads up on the Desert of Thorns, curious as to what is known by the elves of this far off land. It is said that unlike other deserts known in the world of Demoras, it does not become cool at night, instead remaining incredibly hot to those who have dared to explore it. But the heat is the least of its dangers as there have been sightings of giant burrowing insects, deadly cacti fields, and even a great fiery bird named by it's founder as a Phoenix.
As Crom hurtles towards the silhouette of light, its hue shifts to a burning red, matching the fury he holds within. Now that this entity moves in front of him it becomes clearer the shape it represents, a great mammal, thick legs, short ears, a... bear. He exchanges blows with the creature, and its red burns ever brighter. Edward and Amarion are still frozen in place, but all three of them hear voices and footsteps from the direction they came. A group of eight elves enter the clearing, two palace guard, two town guard, the two Edward met near the temple, an acolyte from the temple and an elderly, bald elf. They are all clearly shocked at what they see before them as Crom stands toe to toe with the towering being of light.
Crom at this point realises how injured he is from sparring and from the powerful attacks of this creature. But he cannot shake a strange connection he feels, and he decides to act upon it, or rather not to act. He lowers his weapon and breathes deeply to calm his Rage. While he does this, the creature does not retaliate and attack while he's open. Instead, it backs off slightly, sitting like a bear, its red light fading back to a brilliant white. Crom remembers his last encounter with a bear in this jungle, touching hand to paw with a great black dire bear before it retreated back to the jungles beyond. He does the same this time, and to his surprise, is met halfway, this bear spirit connecting, mirroring his rage and now mirroring his control. As his hand touches the light of its extended limb he feels it's warmth. Suddenly, the being lunges head first at Crom's exposed chest. The warmth turns to burning in his body, but then it's gone. The entire creature disappears, absorbed into his chest, and the Spirit Totem Barbarian is invigorated with power.
The clearing darkens as the stark light disappears, the usual shade from jungle canopy returns. The spell is broken, Edward and Amarion regain their faculties, and they turn as a voice carries across the clearing from the elder elf among the new arrivals. He speaks of a new age for the people of the Shimmer Isles, the Great Animal Spirits are showing themselves and ushering in his time, and the elves time for change. Bewildered by what happened and now by the claims of this witnesses Edward asks the individual who he is. It turns out that this is Zaos Aeron, the next in line to be Ulahice in a matter of days. He had heard the tales of this mysterious light while visiting the Temple of the Ancients, and could not hold back on his curiosity. This explains the Lunas Orberus guards so far from their usual posts. They are protecting the next elder of the elven people.
As they journey back they learn that many elves to the far east of the isles worship the Great Animal Spirits. It is said that their is a being, such as the one witnessed today, for each and every animal that exists in Demoras. Eventually they get back to central Anlyth and reconvene with Mornington, informing him of all that transpired. They are soon due to leave these lands and must meet at the docks, where the Lanalith has been prepared for their next voyage. Once they arrive at the docks there is already a vast number of people making preparations, among them are members of The Tide as well as many from their respective orders. Elauthin Rohorn shows the party the detachment of soldiers that will be accompanying them on the ship before introducing four specialists, and the party are pleasantly surprised to already know two of them. Alloria Mialeth, the mother that Artax Raelson never knew, Beastmaster of the Trials of Halamar and adept ranger. Glanduil Trisbalar, barbarian of the Mistwood path, and tutor to Crom's Feral Instincts in the face of danger. The next two are not yet known to the party, one is from the Order of Arcanum, with tell tale flowing robes and staff, he is introduced as Saeval Petecran. The other is broad for an elf and looks to be a champion fighter descending from the palace guard knights. He is introduced as Morthil Ulawen, and all exchange pleasantries as the party are amazed at those who have been brought forward to aid their cause.
By the time they are ready to leave, the gathering at the docks has grown exponentially in size. Many of the city's people gather to bid farewell to the chosen heroes. Whether they are motivated by the blessing of the Primordial, the storied exploits of the heroes deeds, or even in hope that the perils of the neighbouring kingdom do not reach them. It seems that the party, the Stormbreakers, have the overwhelming support of the Shimmer Isles and its people. As Melius Imryll orders her crew to raise anchor and sail west, a field of hands wave the departing ship. The party look upon the faces of those they know, and the many they don't, as the sea beckons them forth.
It takes two days to sail to Spearpoint, the capital of Guradam, where they fear Karna-Kar could lay waste to a large populace given the chance. Once they are close enough to see it clearly through a spyglass, they can see it has no sign of attack or destruction, a sprawling city with high towers and a very impressive castle, but it's safe for now. With that covered, they continue along the coast and sail to the Village of Kites, a further day's sailing. The next day, long before they have a clear view of the village, an ominous landscape reveals itself. An enormous stretch of the coast, and gods know how much of the land, is shrouded in darkness. These are no storm clouds, darker even, unnaturally so, enveloping, consuming.
They have no choice but to breach the darkness beyond...
Next Session Session. 104
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