Previously: Chapter 96: The Tipping Point (Part 1)
The Turn
Malice continues to barrage the party with her spells, while Lord Falric and Lord Vaelen spread out to finish them off. Things look very bleak, with Malice casting a Finger of Death at Elmroot, but she manages to withstand it. Penny is pushed back by Malice’s strikes, but gets up, positions herself better, and then lets off a prismatic spray, but she only manages to affect one of the death knights. Relic lets off a fireball, striking all three of the enemies, but it is not enough, as he can hear Malice laughing at their failures.
Kal lingers in the great beyond still, facing down Mova, who begins to drift away from her. She holds out her hand, letting Kal grab onto it, so that they stay together. Kal tells her that she has faith in her friends, and knows that they will push through, and save her. Mova doesn’t seem too sure about that, smiling meekly back at her daughter.
Thistlethorn is struck down by Lord Vaelen before she gets a chance to resurrect Kal, but this prompts four giant elks to be summoned to protect her. Relic is knocked out by Malice, who then strikes at Penny. Penny however, uses Harmony to deflect and store the entropy ray, firing it back at Lord Falric who faces her down, while using a healing word to bring back Thistlethorn, but Lord Vaelen is ready to strike her down again.
Things look very bleak, with the giant elks harassing the death knights, while Malice finally emerges from her invisibility to torture Penny mentally. As the last one standing, Penny sees that she has to do something, or they will all fall, so she moves over to Kal, resurrecting her with one of her spell-tattoos, and then just barely manages to resist Malice’s mental torture. Kal lets off a mass cure wounds, bringing herself, Thistlethorn and Relic up to a decent amount of health, before Thistlethorn does the same, using her blessing from Faunus to boost the healing.
Malice watches as the fight turns against her, as Lord Falric finally falls from a lightning bolt cast by Relic, leaving a large hole in the death knight's chest, before he keels over. Malice tries to cast a spell, but Relic manages to counterspell it, while Thistlethorn fires off another healing to the party. Malice is powerful however, and the party barely manages to affect her, while in turns he fires back with powerful magic at the party, forcing Thistlethorn and Kal to use their resources to heal. One of the giant elks manages to take down Lord Vaelen, caving his head into his chest with its hooves.
Malice sees her loss approaching, so she suddenly casts another spell, sending a message.
“brother, start the attack.”
She then returns to attacking the party, wanting to dwindle their resources down until they cannot resist her anymore, as she fires beam after beam of entropy, and tries to cast finger of death at Relic, hoping to end this fight soon, before she suffers any more losses.
Then, Relic spots an opening, and fires a beam of energy at Malice, hitting her straight on. Malice stops moving, and then drifts around aimlessly, as the feeblemind spell takes hold of her mind. The final wraiths are stomped out by the elks and the party, as the day is won, Malice is neutralized, and the death knights are defeated.
The Aftermath
Malice drifts down to the ground, over to the fallen corpse of Lord Falric, cradling it like a mother cradles a child, instinctively. As Relic and the others wander over to her, they decide to go through her belongings, disrobing her from her robe of the archmagi, finding a pearl of power, and a small sphere, which seems to be a wakened Dragon-touched focus.
Relic also retrieves the weapons of the death knights, immediately feeling a sense of unease by holding them, as well as whispers from the trapped souls in the blades. He casts identify on them, finding the weapons to be unbreakable, and feels that Lord Falric and Lord Vaelen will soon return to the mortal realm if the weapons aren’t disposed of. They put them in the bag of holding for now.
Kal decides to send a message to Thervan, warning him that they managed to defeat Malice, but she managed to tell Nezznar to trigger an attack, and if Theravan knows where it is. Thervan replies immediately, saying that the capital is already under attack, sounding out of breath. Kal relays this to the others, as they worry about the safety of their allies.
The party looks at Malice, who has now wandered over to the guardian naga, which looks down at the drow in disgust. They discuss what to do with her, now that she is neutralized, but Relic reminds the others that it’s only temporary, and if the enemy can reach her, they can fix her. They could leave her in a demiplane, but she could snap out of it after 30 days, so that’s not a safe bet either. Kal says that the best thing to do would be to finish her off, completely. They lead her outside, with Malice resisting, but not hard enough. They wave goodbye to the naga, who bows to them in return.
The party follows the path outside, finding the flames to be extinguished, and the mirror they had to pass to be smashed to bits. Ascending up the stairs they emerge into the night, as the kraken slumbers beneath them in the waters, but doesn’t attack. They want to be completely clear of the temple’s influence, following the path back to the teleportation circle. The golems they spotted coming in are active, but merely watches the party, not attacking. When they reach the circle, they see that Malice and her goons smashed it to bits.
Penny casts a sending to Morgan, asking if he is all right, and gets a reply that they should come to the grove as soon as possible, as the drows are attacking, with Brónach keeping them protected. Penny worries about Morgan, wanting to go to the grove as soon as possible, but first they have to deal with Malice.
Relic takes out Soulkiller from the bag of holding, contemplating doing the deed himself, but Kal intervenes, saying she should do it, being the soldier and all. Relic hands over the sword, as Kal takes it, putting a hand on Malice’s shoulder.
“I wish you had been more present for this”
She then whispers “Malice Khalazza” to the blade, which starts dripping a black liquid from the edge, and then plunges it into Malice’s heart. Her eyes beings to darken, burning away into nothing, as the drow keels over and collapses, her body and soul sundered completely, unable to be resurrected ever again. A momentous amount of energy bursts out from the corpse, as the pent up magic is released.
Suddenly, a wind picks up around them, as dark shadows and clouds begin to form up on them. Vuthul’s voice enters their minds. “Ah, I’ve found you now…” he says, before several beings begins to emerge from the shadows, nihilaks and some drows, before Relic quickly uses one of his last remaining spells to teleport them to the grove, leaving Malice’s corpse behind.
Sanctuary
The moment they appear, they realize something is wrong, as there appears to be night-time, although it should be early afternoon at the very latest. They look around, finding the area littered with drow forces, who seem to take note of the recently arrived heroes, pointing towards them, shouting something in undercommon, before running to capture them. The party wastes no time, running into the grove to escape. They see behind them that they are being followed, but the drow forces merely vanish as they cannot enter the protected area. They shortly after emerge into the grove itself, seeing their friends and families huddled around a few campfires that have been set up.
Morgan immediately runs over to the party, embracing Penny, asking if they are all right. Penny tells him that they’re good, and Relic tells him that they managed to kill Malice. Morgan, surprisingly, embraces the warforged in a hug, thanking him profusely for the news. He is also happy to hear that they managed to retrieve the missing piece, and can now finally face down the evil god to end him, putting this all to rest.
The party tells Morgan that they have something that needs to be done, and that is destroying the weapons of the fallen death knights before they return, asking if he knows of an active volcano or something that might be used to melt the weapons. Morgan says that the closest would be the forges of Khuzunzan, which is still holding up last he checked. The party asks him to clarify what he means, and he tells them that everyone he has asked has said the same thing: The drow are invading Rexendell.
Disturbed by the news, the party wonders what they should do, but Morgan tells them that they should finish the job, and offers to take the weapons to Khuzunzan himself to see them destroyed. He tells the party of knowing a woman from a gig that turned out to be working in the Khuzunzan chapter of the Institute of Edhellond, so he has access to their teleportation circle. He and Trixie can take the weapons there, making sure they get destroyed. Penny thanks Morgan for this, telling him to not get killed, but Morgan is confident.
Morgan does however tell the party that he tried to reach out to Arin, but were unable to find her, wondering if she’s okay. He hopes the party can keep an eye out for her, bringing her to safety if they can. The party will see if they can find her, but are unsure where to start. With that, Morgan and Trixie sneak out of the grove, weapons in hand, to dispose of them before they can do any more damage.
Thistlethorn wanders over to Brónach, who is fortifying the magical defences around the treeline. He greets her fondly, asking how she’s holding up, considering that it looks like she’s been through hell and back. She promises him that she’s fine, wondering how the protection is holding. Brónach is confident that the enemy forces will be kept at bay, as long as they don’t realize that their intent is the only thing keeping them out. He tells her not to worry, and to focus on the task at hand, finishing the fight.
Penny has wandered over to her family, checking up on them, while Relic and Kal are both pacing around, restlessly. Kal wants to fight, and help the people of Ravenforge, but the rest of the party needs to rest in order to be of any use. Suddenly, two figures emerge from the treeline, prompting the people of the grove to murmur. Penny, Relic, Kal and Thistlethorn all run over to the two figures, seeing an unconscious Raven being carried by the arm by a very hurt looking Thervan, blood trickling down from his temple, as his robes are frazzled and singed.
Kal immediately casts a healing spell at Raven, stabilizing her, as Thervan slumps over to the ground on all fours. He mutters to himself that all is lost, the drow overran Ravenforge with ease, and as a final insult, the last thing he saw before teleporting himself and Raven out was Nezznar driving his sword through Satine’s chest. The queen is dead, the capital has fallen, and the drow have won. Thistlethorn looks at Thervan with disgust, having never trusted him, but she can see his despair.
Thervan laments that their forces, who were sent out to help the other towns and settlements, were spread too thin to mount a solid defence. He looks up at Penny, with both Kal and Thistlethorn seeing a look of hope, as he says “it’s all up to you now.” Penny looks at him, asking what he means. He corrects himself, saying that the party has to stop Vuthul, otherwise they have no chance of winning.
The party is relieved to hear that the drow appears to be coming in to occupy, rather than exterminate, as they aren’t executing the citizens, but rather keeping them in line. He tried to reach out to his contacts, and as far as he can find, only Khuzunzan and Tempervale are holding the drow forces back, but who knows how long that will last.
Thervan looks at Penny again, telling her that there is something she should know, and Gleamshroud is on his way to the grove at his request. Soon after, they see a large amethyst dragon teleport into the sky above them, before flying out of view. They hear a large thud as the massive dragon lands on the ground, and shortly after a lone figure, reminiscent of Thervan, but with his face covered by amethyst scales, emerges.
Gleamshroud, in humanoid form, greets the party, and is happy to see Penny safe. He tells the party that he tried to come to the city’s aid, but he was too late. Before he left, he saw the party’s home burning, and the drow keeping the citizens in line. Gleamshroud leans down next to Thervan, helping him stand, referring to him as “father”. He explains that Thervan was the one who hatched him from an egg, and raised him. Thervan tells Gleamshroud that “it’s time she knew.” Gleamshroud agrees, turning to Penny.
He begins to tell her about what happened when Syele Bouchard invaded the lands, taking the kingdoms for herself, forcing the others to fall in line to her rule. The only kingdom that relented was the Ironwing Dominion, now called the Western Coast. He tells the party that the king placed his queen and his infant daughter on Gleamshroud's back, as he took up the sword to hold back the invaders, so that they could escape. He flew them to a small forest to the south, where they could be hidden.
Penny looks at the dragon in awe, realizing what he’s telling her. The royal line, the Meadowstones, they live on in her. Gleamshroud tells her that they changed their names to hide their true identity, with “meadow” being another word for “leigh”. Over time, Meadowstone became Rocksleigh, and then Roxley. For 850 years he has been waiting, hiding, for the chance for the true bloodline to return. And now, with the fall of the Bouchard line, the time has come.
Relic is confused, asking if the Meadowstones were tieflings, but Gleamshroud says that they were humans. Syele Bouchard must have cursed their bloodline, as Ilythia Meadowstone, the last King’s daughter, bore a human child, a girl, but she in turn had a tiefling. Thistlethorn makes sure to tell Penny that she doesn’t think this is a good idea, since she knows Penny, and knows what a free spirit she is, and Thistlethorn doesn’t want to see her caged by the responsibilities that comes
Gleamshroud and Thervan explain that the dukes and duchess are of the royal bloodlines of their respective former kingdoms, and have all expressed a wish to split up Moroxia into their former kingdoms once more. They have only been waiting for a way to do so, and he tells the party that there is little they can do to stop it now. No matter what happens, this will most likely mean the end of Moroxia as a kingdom. Kal hates the idea of this, of more borders and bureaucracy, laws and tolls for the people, while Relic worries about the Akstan kingdom conquering the smaller countries. Gleamshroud understands their worry, but there is little they can do about it anyway, and that the reason he’s telling this to the party is because he wants them to know how important Penny is to him, and hopes that they can all come out of this alive.
The party thinks about the task at hand, realizing that they still need to find Vuthul’s true name in order to terminate him permanently. Thervan thinks for a moment, saying that he might know where they could find the book, but it’s going to be difficult, as Malice’s office as Delphine is in one of the towers in the Institute of Edhellond. Relic says that as long as they tell the truth to the leaders of the institute, they should allow them access. Thervan agrees, and is willing to bring them there the next morning when they’ve had their rest.
Penny is overwhelmed, and goes off to herself for a bit as Gleamshroud helps Thervan up to go get some rest. Raven stirs, wondering where she is, with Kal telling her that she’s safe, before she too is led over to the rest of the families who have been watching the exchange. Thistlethorn goes to sit by herself near the treeline, seeing a stag on the outskirts, as Faunus looks over her. She gets a sense of gratitude from him, as his voice beckons on the wind for her to follow. She rises, walking with him in the outskirts, telling him that she wants to come home. Faunus tells her that she only has a few steps left.
Relic and Bimble sit by themselves, reminiscing about their early days when he first found Relic. They wonder what happened to all the warforged and prisoners that were under Calamity’s control, hoping that they didn’t make it to Ravenforge yet. Bimble flies over to Thervan, and returns shortly after, telling Relic that they have been rerouted to the Northern Fort, so they should be safe. Relic is happy to hear that, wondering what he will do after their task is done, thinking about maybe traveling to see the world. Bimble hopes that he will still want him by his side, as he looks upon Relic as his only son. Relic remarks that he is older than Bimble, but the spirit of the gnome tells him to shut up, and just let him have his moment.
Kal asks Udall for guidance for finding the book, in case Thervan is wrong with his assessment that they can find it in the Institute of Edhellond. Udall answers, showing her a vision of a finely furnished apartment. In the window she can spot a castle complex near a coast, and she gets a feeling that she is looking at Malice’s personal quarters in Whitewall. Suddenly, her focus is drawn to the bookshelf, as a single book is pulled out by an invisible hand, before a hidden door reveals itself, before the vision ends. Kal realizes that Edhellond is a dead end, and if they want to find the book, they have to sneak inside the Whitewall castle.
Penny sits alone near the treeline, hidden away from the others, as Gleamshroud comes to sit next to her. He tells her that he knows it’s a lot to take in, but she shouldn’t make up her mind yet, not until this is over. He holds her close, asking if she wants some more time for herself, but she shakes her head, pulling him close to her, leaning her head on his shoulder. Relic makes his way over to her, offering the elven chain to her, in case it’s better than what she has now, before retreating. When Relic leaves, Gleamshroud tells Penny that when she escaped, the queen was carrying a seed from the gardens of Ravenforge, and the first thing she did when landing in the forest was to plant it. It survived, and is now the massive tree at the center of the sanctuary. Penny promises that she will bring back a seed to Ravenforge when it is liberated.
Penny asks if her mother knows about their history, but Gleamshroud says that he hasn’t told anyone. The only ones who knew before today were himself and Thervan. He watched over her mother when she was young too, posing as a friend that eventually “went away” when she got Penny. He wanted to tell Penny sooner, but couldn’t, not until the current ruler was gone. Penny understands, still feeling overwhelmed.
Eventually Kal comes walking over to Penny, after asking Relic where to find her, asking if she can join them. Gleamshroud gives Penny a kiss on top of her head, before retreating, leaving the pair some time alone. Kal sighs, telling Penny that she will respect whatever Penny decides to do, and will be with her at her side as her personal knight. Penny thanks her, saying that she will keep that in mind. Kal then says to screw the bloodlines if she wants, she can give the crown to Thervan who can be the steward if Penny says so. Penny is not too fond of that idea, but appreciates having her friend by her side no matter what.
Thistlethorn remembers suddenly that Argus, Ira and Berry is still in the pocket balls, and releases them. They all seem ready for bed when seeing the nighttime, but Thistlethorn tells them that it’s still early afternoon. Argus worries about this, but knows that the party will find a way to fix it, like they always do. Kal and Penny both return to the rest of the group, as Kal relays what she learned from the divination, saying that the book is in Whitewall, so they will have to sneak inside if they are to find it.
They spend the rest of the day catching up with their families, relaxing, until they set out for one final time. This time with one objective in mind.
To kill a god.