Previous: Session 092; Session: Session 094
Start: 25th of Venusta, mid-fight with Eosus and the Zirnitran in the bathhouse at the peak of Sanctumyr.
Eosus slashed Nesdin down and killed Rohtagels. Arwa Hathspelt dealt the final blow on the dragon priest, freezing and shattering the Zirnitran. In doing so, she freed Eosus and the other powerful angels of Sanctumyr.
Eosus greeted the party, not remembering his hostility towards them as he'd returned to his normal angelic nature. Nesdin informed him that he and the angels were influenced and controlled by the Nexus Encephalon, and he promptly unleashed his divine power and incapacitated/killed the aberrations in the immediate area. Eosus also retrieved Dohwar from the amphitheater and returned them to Aoife Sweeney. Feeling ashamed, he dropped Draunspaer, which the party picked up for Rohtagels.
Eosus was meek and embarrassed, especially when Ket Judinor and Olizan arrived, with Ket Judinor scolding him and taking over the cleanup and restoration of Sanctumyr. Needing to retrieve Rohtagels' soul, the party Plane Shifted to the Iron City of Dis, arriving atop the Iron Stake. There, they met 3 individuals: Rohtagels' soul, Burnie Hathspelt now large and full of power, and Basilius Rex in his hound form. Burnie Hathspelt was friendly, greeting his mom (Arwa Hathspelt) and the rest of his party as his aunts and uncles. He said he'd need Sentence in the long term, but was ok with the party borrowing it for the time being. Next, he introduced Rex, the hound form and representation of Basilius Rex, his manifestation of himself as the Archdevil of Betrayal who rules over the Tower from Barathrum. Basilius Rex greeted the party, congratulating them on defeating great foes, specifically praising their domination over multiple dragons (as he is the patron Deity of dragons). He also suggested the party and he had aligning goals: to prevent the machinations currently moving to destroy the Ends of Empyrean. Basilius Rex showed himself as the most opposed to the destruction of the barrier, reminding the party that though history framed him and the Ryvers as evil, it was them who would seek to maintain the barrier, as it accomplished their ultimate goal of self-determination and independence for humanity. He gave over Rohtagels' soul freely, and invited the party to return to him and Burnie Hathspelt for any further support or guidance.
Over the course of 4 days back in Sanctumyr, Rohtagels was resurrected and recovered from that exhausting process. During that time, Aoife Sweeney sat down with Eosus and delved into the specifics of the Nexus Encephalon: there were 4 distinct gatherings of this collective: Velkrazar, Waters Eend, Sanctumyr, and Void, with all connected by captured Dohwar to communicate as needed. Eosus was aware of a fifth connection within the Dohwar network, to the Material Plane of Al'tehrun, but did not have further insight there. The final portion of the collective in the Void was known to be serving a Breacher role for their plans. Additionally, Calliope created a new White Flame Lantern from the magic of Sanctumyr, and they prepared to fully end the Nexus Encephalon.
On the 2nd of Flosculus, the party teleported to Qir'ellan'alak, landing in Bloodless Center. Here, they saw another new election for the Goblins, in which 2 Goblins on a new stage wearing full business suits were wrestling and fighting each other. Orcs and Goblins surrounded the stage, cheering them on. Nearby, Azaetha Starstride was observing the "debate" when she saw Bill's Bimbos and greeted them. Upon hearing their updates, she told them the tramors of Umbradeep had subsided, and with the influx of Illithid under Xan'alith'alan, the city has actually been transitioning into more peaceful and cooperative times (though the Goblins were still a work in progress).
Moving to the Mind's Eye Observatory, Nesdin and Aoife Sweeney knocked on the door and were greeted by Xan'alith'alan's new exchange student, Janzy Slipquill. She invited them in, and Bill's Bimbos met with Xan'alith'alan again. In asking about the best way to navigate the Void and find the final Elder Brain, Xan'alith'alan gave Nesdin Legend Lore and Arcane Eye to transcribe, which he did over the next 2 days. In that time, Calliope used the Solithar Ring to create the 3rd Dennis. Something felt off, and he seemed his usual loving self, but when their attention was drawn to the Solithar Ring, Dennis pointed and identified it as his.
End: 4th of Flosculus, with Xan'alith'alan and Janzy Slipquill in Qir'ellan'alak, preparing to enter the Void through the Black Pit. For clearing Sanctumyr and their accomplishments in the Tower, the party leveled up to 15.