TTTB 09 - Falkenwrath Keep Battle Royale

"Henk, your vision of a united Iritai...I believe."

- Tog Fang to Henk Bloodrune in the final moments before the team leaves B2

In the heart of the treacherous labyrinth, the party stood firm, their fates entwined with the impending clash against the formidable Eradicators. Eyes locked on the towering figure wielding a blazing flail, its fiery glow illuminating the ring of keys that held the key to their salvation. But the path to victory was fraught with peril. As if a dark omen, Ara, one of their own, was ensnared by his own shadow, his body pierced and pinned by a magical spear thrown by an Eradicator spearman, to the unforgiving ground.

Undeterred, the resilient band pressed on, their actions guided by a fierce determination. Red, driven by an insatiable quest for triumph, scoured the control console, hoping to find the coveted keys but was met with disappointment. Meanwhile, Henk, sensing the intensity of the moment, poured water over his head, the steam enveloping his form, a metaphorical manifestation of his boiling resolve.

In a display of strength and agility, Tog wrestled with a lone guard, their struggle a desperate dance to prevent the activation of a panic button that would doom their mission. Peregrin, a master of manipulation, summoned sharp spikes from the cold floor, erecting a barrier to hinder the Eradicators' advance.

Amidst the chaos, Zurick, defying gravity's constraints, traversed the ceiling with unwavering determination. Descending upon the flail-wielding Eradicator, he reached out for the keys, only to be met with a cruel twist of fate as they slipped through his grasp. Undeterred, he rejoined his comrades, a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.

While the battle raged, Red, ever resourceful, ventured into an adjacent room, discovering an unexpected oasis of calm amidst the turmoil—a lounge-like sanctuary offering a momentary respite from the harrowing struggle. But the tranquility was short-lived, for within one of the crates, a mysterious thumping stirred unease, a harbinger of secrets waiting to be unveiled.

Drawing upon her uncanny connection with Alberus, Red's senses guided her. A magnetic force drew her away from the storage rooms, urging her towards an unknown destination, her steps guided by destiny's invisible hand. In a moment of ingenuity, Ara summoned his ethereal mage hands, defying physical limitations, to secure the elusive ring of keys.

With newfound hope, Peregrin, the harbinger of liberation, unlocked the cell doors, granting freedom to the imprisoned and sowing chaos among their captors. But the stakes grew higher as thick smoke engulfed the labyrinthine hallway, the hiss of a smoke grenade, an unseen assailant threatening to suffocate their chances of victory.

As the battlefield descended into chaos, a new threat emerged, Nazimbo, his sanity crumbling under the weight of their dire circumstances. Driven by a primal frenzy, he savagely attacked the blue-armored Eradicator spearman, his very essence transformed into a toxic haze that poisoned Henk's valiant form.

In a shocking turn of events, the gate between the control room and the guard's lounge crashes down, separating the team into two. Tukklin gave a manic smile as he stabbed the party in the back. But there was no time for anger, as the alarm bells were already ringing loudly. Henk realised that he with Tog's and Gruumsh's help can raise the shutters, and sprang into action.

Zegra, hailing from the enigmatic continent of Ze'Terra, located her hidden treasure concealed within the walls of the storage room —an mysterious egg-shaped artifact, like a dome. Her nimble fingers wiped away the layers of dust, revealing its pristine form. In a moment of clarity, she declared, "This is it!" her voice filled with a sense of purpose. With determination etched upon her face, she carved a groove into her arm, revealing a hidden wire that emerged from within.

Driven by an insatiable quest for answers, Zegra's frantic search continued, her repeated mantra of "Where is it?" echoing through the chamber. And then, her fingers grazed upon the object of her desire, a crucial discovery inscribed upon the enigmatic surface. Plugging her wire into the dome, it pops open. Swiftly, she relayed a message into her wrist, her voice carrying a note of urgency, "Extraction team, it is a go." Emboldened by her find, she dropped into the open dome, its secrets poised to unfold.

As anticipation grew thick in the air, a colossal Steel Automaton, a symbol of technological marvel, emerged from the depths, rising resolutely from the very ground that bore witness to its ascent. Zeterria's destiny, now intertwined with the power of the Automaton, stood poised for a new chapter in its rich history. Zegra, piloting the ancient machine, blasted a path through Frederick.

As the prison guards burst forth from the entrance, Revan was instantly wounded by a squad of Ze'Terran strike team members. As they approached, they noticed Moore Xan Vanaris in solitary confinement. Whispers carried on the wind, revealing Moore's treachery, the Ze'Terrians branding him a traitor, the evidence a damning echo in the depths of their condemnations.

In a heartbreaking sacrifice, Tog, a warrior of unwavering resolve, broke after reuniting with his beloved pet Fluffy's pelt. Hearing about how cold the next level was, he gave Fluffy's pelt to Zurik, who was retreating to Team ARRC

Steeling himself, he did not follow the team when they made motions for him down to B3. Instead, he made Henk promise to bring Fluffy home.

As they crossed the threshold, Henk Bloodrune urged Tog to reconsider. But Tog would utter his final words, a testament to his unwavering belief in a dream—a united Iritai. Before Henk could answer, Peregrine Softstride conjured a wall to bar any pursuers following them down to B3.

Though the team barely knew him, Tog's sacrifice echoed through the prison, leaving a profound void in the hearts of his comrades.

Descending into the depths of B3, a chilling mist enveloped the expansive cell, its icy tendrils reaching out to grasp any intruders. Undeterred, Red, fuelled by courage and empathy, summoned a gust of wind, dispersing the frosty haze, revealing a pair of mesmerizing topaz eyes fixed upon the party, observing their every move with wary scrutiny.

With sincerity in her voice, Red spoke, imploring the mysterious figure within the mist, "Please, we come in peace. Can you try not to freeze us? Your people are looking for you. We crossed paths with them not long ago." As the words hung in the air, a figure emerged, one-armed and adorned with silver hair, an aura of power emanating from her very presence. She approached cautiously, her voice laced with suspicion as she questioned the motives behind this unexpected encounter.

Yet, Red, quick-witted and armed with knowledge, sought to convince Illonia of their true intentions. Names were dropped like breadcrumbs, Tony, Logan, Valla, and even the mention of a shared nursery rhyme, fragments of a past that could only belong to a select few. Slowly, Illonia's defenses began to waver, her gaze softening, as trust tiptoed its way into her heart.

In a daring act of liberation, the team rallied together, breaking Illonia free from her frigid prison. As the cell's door swung open, the promise of newfound freedom beckoned, and Illonia's path converged with the party's.

But this moment of liberation carried a weight of its own. Illonia revealed that Zandesh, a figure yet unknown to the party, had been absent for an unprecedented period of time, a fact that resonated with a sense of urgency and mystery.

As Illonia made her escape, ascending to the upper level of B2, the team was left to grapple with the echoes of impending danger. The symphony of violence echoed through the prison's corridors, a stark reminder that their actions had set in motion a chain of events that would reverberate through the very fabric of their mission.

In a moment of camaraderie, the team worked together to thaw the frozen figure of Grummsh, a being burdened by the weight of ancestral grudges. As the icy shackles released their grip, Grummsh, though still harboring remnants of resentment, acknowledged Henk as an unlikely but necessary ally in their shared quest.

However, a somber truth hung heavy in the air—Henk's clan, once bound by honorable treaties, had become transgressors, violating sacred agreements in recent years. The path to redemption lay before them, and Grummsh, hailing from the town of Ruya, became a beacon of potential resolution.

As Grummsh departed, his departure accompanied by the swirling dance of sand, a newfound purpose ignited within the team. Caligos, attuned to the arcane whispers of the labyrinth, sensed the presence of a magical beast lurking in the depths of B4. A plan formed, and Caligos proposed a daring endeavor—they would strike with all their might, and then he would attempt to commune with the creature, persuading it to join their cause.

Their path led them to a formidable obstacle—a guard drake fiercely guarding the vault. Yet, perplexity filled their minds. How could others gain access to the vault if not by force? Doubt gave way to revelation as they discovered a simple solution—a mere turn of the wheel granted entry.

Ara, wielding the power of intimidation, sought to sway the guard drake's fate. Employing a cunning ploy, he enticed the creature to consume a concoction laced with siren's lull and mercy parsley. Miraculously, his efforts bore fruit, and the drake succumbed to slumber, its vigilant watch relinquished.

As the team entered the vault, a breathtaking sight greeted their eyes—a mountain of gleaming gold coins, a testament to the wealth amassed within these hallowed walls. With a sense of purpose and the allure of untold riches, they fervently shoveled the precious metal into the Bag of Holding, their labor interwoven with moments of respite, a well-deserved hour of rest.

Amidst the clinking of gold and the whispered messages sent to loved ones, a tapestry of determination and opportunity unfolded. The echoes of redemption resonated through the vault, their actions now threaded with the potential to reshape destinies. The team, united by shared burdens and aspirations, stood poised to navigate the labyrinth's labyrinthine corridors, their treasure-laden journey infused with a fervent desire for redemption and the promise of a brighter future.

In the depths of Ara's inner turmoil, his search for the lost ring of his lineage led him to a moment of bittersweet discovery. As he laid eyes upon the ring, a sense of serenity washed over him, only to be swiftly replaced by an inexplicable void. It seemed as though the ring, adorned with fading runes, deemed him unworthy, perhaps due to his renunciation of the throne. Determined to reestablish a connection, Ara sought to attune to the enigmatic artifact, his gaze fixated on the back view of his father, a regal figure worn with the weight of years.

The image of his father began to transform, growing younger and younger, mirroring Ara's memories of their shared past. Yet, there was an ethereal quality to his father's presence, as if he were but a wispy apparition. His father's voice flowed forth from his mouth, chastising Ara and questioning his identity, emphasizing his royal heritage. He expressed disappointment, accusing Ara of abandoning his mother and sister, causing chaos and destruction in his wake.

Ara pleaded with his father, urging him to see the complexities of their circumstances and the larger picture at hand. The conversation veered towards the auction, where Ara's father expressed deep disappointment, claiming that his son had sunk lower than the very individuals they despised. The weight of missed opportunities weighed heavily upon their exchange, with Ara's father questioning why he hadn't chosen the path of retreat, returning home with his sister and mother.

Ara's father knew that his son's reign on the throne would not endure, as he had already walked away from them once before. In a desperate attempt to convince his father of his dedication, Ara vowed to protect his family and Evermeet, willing to pay for his mistakes and hold the other clans accountable. The question of trust lingered in the air, prompting Ara to invoke the vigilant gaze of the ring, willing to accept punishment if needed.

To Ara's surprise, the ring itself responded, revealing its identity as Orithil the Arcane, a being residing within its enchanting confines. Orithil expressed belief in Ara's sincerity, shedding light on the testing that previous ring bearers had endured. Furthermore, Orithil unveiled the secret ability of the ring to teleport them back to Evermeet, but the spell is incomplete with its waning power and the team will be teleported back after a while. For Ara to avoid being teleported back, he must reclaim his royalty status. The spell would transport the party to the teleportation circle within the Nailo Evermeet royalty's house, and once the enchantment concluded, the remaining members would be returned.

Ara relayed the information to the team, but left out the portion about returning so they think the spell cast is a teleport spell.

Meanwhile, Red devoted time to attuning to Alberus, the mysterious presence that had regained its connection with her. Yet, something was amiss, as Alberus confessed to meeting another entity in the room, their memory now hazy and elusive. Red, filled with concern, sought ways to assist Alberus in recovering, but met only silence and uncertainty.

With the polaroid photograph of the magic circle secured and their preparations complete, the team embarked on a teleportation journey, aiming for Ara's front door. Yet, their arrival was marred by a series of ill omens. Despite the summer season, an inexplicable snowfall blanketed the surroundings, and the scent of sulfur lingered in the air, a harbinger of danger. The sight that greeted them was one of devastation—the front gate blown open, the once-vibrant garden and menagerie reduced to ruins.

Two guards, donning the sigils of Grelf's house in black and gold, stood before them, one clutching a box emitting an unmistakable aura of evil. Zurick recognized the ancient inscription upon the box, a mark of the nefarious Red Wizard, a blade capable of preventing resurrection. Their conversation hinted at the presence of a retired war heroine known as the Phantom Blade, who hailed from the Le'Nail clan and happened to be Grelf's mother. Evidently, she was within the house, and a rhythmic pounding echoed through the air, as if someone sought to breach the doors by force.

With emotions running high, the team rushed headlong into the situation. Peregrine felt his heart swell, Zurik held mixed emotions and Red steels her resolve to not fail her friends. Henk wonders to the team as to how they're going to make it back to Presh.

Ara reminded everyone to minimise casualties this time around. Surrounded by his friends, Ara smiles as he charges ahead.