The Edicts of Empyrean recount a pivotal chapter in the journey of The Sunsations, who found themselves thrust into the enigmatic depths of The Archives of Empyrean, a vast and hidden library guarded by the Talons of the Timeless Tome. The Archives, a marvel of planar magic and endless knowledge, house the secrets of the planes of existence, curated meticulously over eons by the Talons, a mysterious order of Mythar-turned-Unknown dedicated to preserving the balance of creation.
The Wrath of Yoroku
The Sunsations’ entry into the Archives came under dire circumstances. While battling Yoroku the Endless, an eldritch hydra with more than ten heads and a body as vast as a mountain, the Sunsations attempted to banish the entity. Though successful in casting it into the void, Yoroku’s immense form fell through the skies, crushing an entire mountain as it plummeted to the earth.
In the chaos of the mountain’s destruction, the Sunsations faced certain death. However, they were saved by Solandir, an Owlin Inquisitor of the Talons. With precise and decisive action, Solandir whisked them away moments before the mountain’s collapse, delivering them to the safety of the Archives of Empyrean.
The Archives of Empyrean
The Archives were a sight to behold—an immense, labyrinthine vault of knowledge suspended between the planes, accessible only to those granted passage by the Talons. Towering shelves lined with books, scrolls, and tomes stretched endlessly, their surfaces glowing faintly with protective wards. The air was alive with a sense of timelessness, and arcane glyphs danced along the edges of the walls. Here, knowledge of every plane, its history, and its denizens lay preserved, untouched by the ravages of time.
The Sunsations were brought before Elyrael, an Owlin Cleric and Talon-Warden, who healed their injuries and revived them from the brink of death. Orion, the Riftmaester and leader of the Talons, then presented a grave choice to save Kairus the Brass and Chance, both gravely wounded. Orion offered to implant a Rift Crystal (an Infinity Shard) in their hearts to sustain their lives. However, this boon came with a warning: exposure to raw Rift energy could trigger unforeseen and possibly catastrophic effects.
Both Kairus, Chance and Losk the Wanderer agreed to the procedure. Kairus and Losk's acceptance came with another gift—a cleansing of the Primarch affliction left by Prometheus, a herald of Malekith, who sought to enslave Losk and Kairus as Primarchs of the Sun. Freed from this curse, the Sunsations were given time to recover and explore the boundless knowledge of the Archives.
The Sunsations’ Pursuit of Knowledge
The Sunsations split off into their own pursuits within the Archives, each seeking to uncover truths about themselves and the worlds around them.
Henry delved into the ancient paths of wisdom, meeting with Uriel, the Sage of the Star-Path, and his fiery pupil, Asharion, a master monk in training. Uriel taught Henry the stoic arts of balance and discipline, guiding him in honing his mind, body, and soul to withstand the burdens of destiny.
Kairus sought the company of Seraphis, the Warden of the Talens and an expert on dragon lore. Under Seraphis’s guidance, Kairus studied the tome titled "Our Forlorn Fathers", uncovering the forgotten history of the True Dragon and their place in the creation of the planes. The teachings rekindled his connection to his draconic heritage.
Chance sought out Solandir, the Inquisitor who had saved them. Solandir revealed the dark truths of Floki and Valkur, twin Khaos gods who were once mortal Unknown brothers. He taught Chance about the tides of Khaos, their cyclical nature, and the catastrophic fate they bring if unchecked.
Zyla met with Drozara Emberbraid, a fiery Dwarf beastmaster and zoologist. Together, they explored the tomes and creatures cataloged in "The Chronicles of Creatures (2nd Edition)" Drozara also introduced Zyla to the Feathered Forowa Dragons, magnificent beings that thrived in the valley surrounding the Archives. It was here that Zyla first bonded with Zaigetsu, a noble Feathered Forowa Dragon.
Losk spoke with Solandir, who revealed secrets of his ancestry as a Water Genasi. Through ancient records, Losk learned of Atla, an undersea city in The Sea Realm, where his people dwelled. The revelations gave Losk a deeper understanding of his connection to the water and his origins, long hidden during his years in the Serrakhan Sands.
The Edicts Revealed
After days of study and recovery, the Sunsations gathered once more in the Archives’ central chamber. Orion, the Riftmaester, stood before them, his presence commanding and his voice resolute. He revealed the Edicts of Empyrean, warning them of the grave threat posed by Valekith, the fractured half of Malekith, who sought to reunite with his counterpart on the Prime Plane. Such a reunion would unleash untold destruction, tearing the planes apart and heralding the end times.
The Sunsations, having grown stronger in mind and purpose through their time in the Archives, accepted their next mission. With the Talons’ aid, they were teleported to the Palace of the Celestial Dragon, deep in the Y’azi Empire, to make their plea for aid in the battle to come (see: Dawn of the Rising Dragon).
The Edicts of Empyrean marked a turning point in their journey, a testament to the power of knowledge and the weight of destiny. The Sunsations left the Archives forever changed, their resolve strengthened, and their path clear: to stand against Valekith and the chaos threatening to consume the planes.