The body of the blue skinned imp is no more, only ash remains. A pool of blood spreads from the lifeless body of the devil's victim, a budding warlock, a refugee, a girl altogether undeserving of the fate that has fallen upon her. Those laying witness succumb to further panic as the sound of wailing children starts in chorus. The symbols painted on the floor of the subterranean hideout begin to glow, flames rise from the ignited robes that hid the Imp with a false stature. Reality starts to tear as the ritual circle fissures and breaks where the blood pools at its centre, revealing a reflection of a burning sky beyond.
Edward tries to usher the children away from the circle, meanwhile Amarion, Crom, and Mornington get through the fleeing crowd and see the situation before them. The opening in the ground reveals a sight of dread, a blazing sky behind two figures stood looking down upon them as if they are looking into a reflective pool. Not seeing themselves reflected, but instead another plane of existence mirrored back at them. This bridge between worlds is almost complete, they can feel it. The figures beyond are clearly devils, wings span from their backs and blazing eyes glow within their dark silhouettes. Amarion does not hesitate and draws out the Decanter of Endless Water, a gift from his people. Uttering one of its activation words, a torrent of water shoots forth towards the flames, the blood, and the opening hell pit. Mornington and Crom move to the circle's edge, kicking over candles placed there while Edward continues to distance himself and the homeless children from the danger.
It works, blood displaced, candles disrupted, the tear in reality begins to stitch itself back together and the beings beyond are shrouded by the floor as it chaotically reconstructs. A final rush of air and the sound of tormented screams crescendos as the final wound heals itself and makes the floor whole again. The dread fades and those panicking in the room come to a relative, sombre calm.
Many of the children filter out of the hideout, still distancing themselves from what just happened. Edward hangs his head low as he pulls a cloak over the body of the girl. The party shout that it's safe and that they wish to speak to the oldest in the group. They talk to the children, try to explain what they have just experienced, and downplay the severity for their own good. They soon find the oldest seeking refuge here, a boy named Dalen. The party question him to try and find what the children were doing for the Masked One. They had been stealing various mundane items from around the city, not realising their relevance as spell components. Some had been promised gifts, he points to the girl beneath the cloak. Lyla was one who received such gifts, special powers she could summon, everyone else was jealous so did what the masked one said in hopes of being gifted themselves. The masked one had protected them from being found, saying only the children's loyalty would be rewarded, and it was certainly rewarding them better than the temples. Any adult that stumbled upon the hideout were scared away by the masked one, a flash of light and they would flee screaming. The party's guide perks up at this point, the unintentional riot leader. His recollection, and ensuing possession, now corroborated by the boy. The party press for more info to see if there are more dangers to be worried about, but to Dalen's knowledge, there was only one masked figure.
Once satisfied with the information gained, they direct the children to safety. The party take them, along with Lyla's body, to the Grand Temple of the Attuned in the Faith District. Once they arrive, they warn the clergy that more children will likely seek their aid, as many fled during the chaos in the Masked One's hideout. Lyla's body is interred in the temple's crypt and prayers are made to Torog to guide her safely to the afterlife. As their work concludes and the night presses on, the party wish to return to their lodgings. Amarion however chooses to stay behind and help the needy in the district, help the struggling community in these dark times.
Back in Wanderers Rest, Edward sheds his disguise, he thinks of those lost in the wake of his patron's minions and tries to shake the feeling that he is somehow responsible. Once settled in the comforts of his room it is that much more evident that less than a year ago he could have been one of those kids, seeking shelter, seeking acceptance. Mornington is similarly drained, and the nerves for the day to come have been quickly mounting. Has he completely misjudged the situation? Is it even appropriate to put a play on considering the current state of the city and its people? The riot near the palace showed how carefully you need to deal with an upset crowd. He tries to sleep, burdened by his predictions. Crom's usual stern quiet lasts the entire journey back, as he looks at the full moon hanging in the night sky. Once he is alone he withdraws his sending shell and activates it to send a message to Sivynel Moonvine. He receives a faltering response from her, she sounds utterly broken. He learns that they have escaped, but there is only a dozen of them left, they have to retreat to the civilisation they set out to distance themselves from in the first place. With so few of them left, it's likely The Unbound Tribe will disband, should they make it to safety. The Ustaren Jungles were far more dangerous than they could have ever predicted, they hope they can survive the journey. Crom's knuckles whiten as he grips the handle of the Sword of Baphomet, his head aches, his chest burns.
---
The next day the party set out to make a difference where they can, or prepare for the next leg of their journey, as they are due to leave for the Desert of Thorns as soon as they feel their business here is concluded. Crom continues to help in the rebuilding efforts within the city, the progress is clear, his actions going to good use and helping those who have lost their homes. Amarion continues his work within the Faith district, administering healing to those in need. He may not share their religion, but he certainly shares their cause. Edward returns to The Woven Pillars accompanied by one of the King's notaries to spend the party's allowance gifted by King Dras Gura himself. Mornington is not seen that morning, he has locked himself away in the wake of his one-time-only performance of his epic. It is due to go ahead that afternoon, as rehearsals continue confused with his absence.
Midday arrives, which means another Council meeting, but not just any council meeting, the scheduled visit of Arch Mage Omanor has everyone waiting with bated breath. All of the party are present except Mornington, as the others worry about their struggling companion. Discussions of the usual council topics struggle to gather purchase before the sudden crackle of magic disrupts, and the teleportation completes. The most powerful Wizard of the Woven Pillars now stands in the privy council chamber, accompanied by his devoted Diviner Malsuvius. His dark blue stormy robes hang from a surprisingly strong, but unquestionably old body. He has a face of thunder, one both effortlessly angry, but also burdened by endless knowledge. He takes a seat with the best posture he can muster, his hunched form emphasised by the relative youth of all others at the table, a man older than natural life should span to. The party now find themselves in the presence of arguably the most powerful spellcaster in all the realms of men.
A long silence stretches before the meeting proceeds. The hesitance of Dras Gura can be felt strongly as the relationship between these powerful figures is not entirely clear. The discussion, nigh monologue, that Omanor starts resembles the pace of pushing a boulder down a hill. It is a struggle at first, but as momentum builds, so does the pace and the potential destructive force. Slow grumbles eventually build to spitting anger and fear. He explains his absence from society, from the council, from his own order of magi. He has been hard at work, obsessively so, finding the answers to a number of unsettling signs that have been painting themselves across the stars. The cosmos is changing and the issues they have just faced with the Shadowfell are a mere taste of what could befall them. He spews omens about a coming eclipse that will spill an unknown future upon the world. He speaks of powerful artifacts that have found their way into the material plane, a sign that great powers are building to decide the fate of the cosmos. The party exchange glances, knowing they posses items that meet that description. Omanor states that he has felt the aura of magic items stranger than any he has come across before. He knows that the party possess them, and asks for tribute for his studies. The party are unnerved until he specifically requests one of the Kraken Tooth Bolts sent to the party by Folas Carna. The bolts built especially after Crom supplied the raw components from his trophy hunting. Before they know it, the Arch Mage is done with his time with the council, some questions were answered, but his speech has lead to many more going unanswered. He teleports away and the meeting wraps up soon after. Almost all present are due to travel to the City Square, where a grand play has promised to dazzle them all.
Amarion, Crom, and Edward return to check on their wayward bard. Mornington has still not left his room and is now shouting at the others through his door to cancel the whole thing, it's a mistake, he can't do it, it's a terrible idea. They do not give up on their friend, with some forceful persuasion they manage to shake his cold feet. There is no turning back from the ordeal now, the show must go on. When they arrive at the city square it does nothing to help Mornington's nerves, a truly huge crowd has gathered, likely the biggest some of them have ever seen. Mornington meets with the actors, musicians, and illusionists that are performing his play. Winifer Waggledagger, his cowriter, has done well to keep the preparations on track. While Mornington will not be centre stage, his narration is by far the core of the performance and the others are relieved to see he has made it. The time has come, everyone takes position for the show to begin. The party settle themselves in prime position to watch Mornington and his cohort and notice that the balconies of neighbouring buildings are full of Spearpoints high society. They see where the King and his close relations are all gathered, accompanied by a considerable presence of palace guard. Understandable with the recent riots, this could be risky for them. Some low stakes magic is brought to the fore, amplifying the sound of the musicians and of Mornington's speech. The din of the crowd hushes, as all look towards the stage.
Act one introduces the crowd to the protagonists, those present in the party now, as well as those no longer with them. Mornington's narration tells of their travels and their trials. Sailing across the Hourglass Sea and trekking across the Guradam Kingdom, helping those in need. Some of these tales had already reached the capital, The Battle of Storms had given the party their nickname to these people, The Stormbreakers. Regardless, it felt right to give the people the first hand account from the adventurers themselves, rather than the hear say that may have reached their ears. The crowd seem to be enjoying the story, they are reacting favourably but not with the amazement Mornington had hoped, there is still time left. The act ends with the defeat of Zorok Demon-born and of the loss of their dear friend Artax Raelson.
Act two garners further interest from the crowd, especially as Karna-Kar is brought into the story, the dragon that had so recently wrecked havoc upon their city. The tale covers their battle upon Horn Peak Mountain, and another fateful loss to the party as Fenris Velante falls to the dragon's breath before being carried away by the wounded dragon. By this point of the play the actors are digging in, large dramatic movements are used to carry the message far into the expansive crowd. The effects provided by the musicians and the illusionists are heightening the performance to a level unseen before, especially to the common people who would have likely never set foot in a theatre, let alone seen a performance elevated by Servants of the Weave.
By the time the third act is underway the crowd has swollen further, spilling into many adjoining streets. The story continues, showing the party's diplomacy with the elves, Mornington has clearly omitted certain elements of their quest, the other party members realise. The element stones, the balance of the planes, and the creatures they have faced from beyond the cosmos are wisely left out. The hunt for Karna-Kar now becomes the central focus, and the part most relevant to those watching. Mornington notices someone approach the side of the stage as his narration soars across the crowd in this final ramp of tension. The illusionists have been doing a great job, but the figure approaching the stage is wearing a far more lavish version of their robes. The final conflict with Void Wing has arrived, Mornington can feel he has the audience in the palm of his hand. The party are plunged into the Shadowfell, Karna-Kar's true form is revealed, and suddenly the illusions become grand in scale and detail! Not at all accurate to the horrors the party actually endured, but truly epic in rendering a slice of that horror for the crowd gathered here. Mornington's story telling has been so gripping that the Grand Master Illusionist of the Servants of the Weave has decided to add to the performance! Mornington and his troupe couldn't have hoped for a better reaction, as the dragon is slain the crowd explode with cheers and celebration. The denouement of this three act epic plucks on their heart strings as the souls of the fallen companions are finally freed, and the heroes return home to the real world, to the city saved from evil tyranny, to the very city they all share in this moment.
With the play finished the celebrations start in earnest. The whole city square becomes an impromptu festival, people drink, sing, dance, laugh. Other performers come out of the woodwork, entertaining those in the streets, many opportunistic businesses do the same, whether they are selling food, wares, or even generously giving to those affected by the recent events. The party unite and congratulate Mornington for his expert telling of their story. He bloody did it! The four heroes are swarmed with accolades from all they encounter, from the low born to the high.
The greatest night of revelry in their lives is theirs for the taking.
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