Session 14

The Threat Has Passed

The Fated Eight assessed the now-empty warehouse around them and concluded that the immediate threat had subsided - they could rest and tend to their wounds. Somnus noticed a fleck of light project from the string on their arm and towards the corpses of Giselda and Mathias - leaving behind a brown leather bag nearby each of them. The bag near Giselda’s corpse contained a large Diamond that was worth at least 400 gold, and a smaller bag of gems worth 70 gold. The bag near Mathias’s corpse contained a breastplate and a key with the now-familiar twisted crown symbol as it’s handle.

They discussed their options for securing the warehouse in case they were ambushed during the night - resulting in Axton and Morgyn barricading the doors with various pieces of scrap nearby them.

Long Rest In The Hut

Somnus cast their Tiny Hut once again as the party divvied up the responsibilities of taking watches - with Axton & SHAI taking the first, Somnus & Jin taking the second, and Lady taking the final watch.

Axton and SHAI Watch

Axton and SHAI both heard movement; like multiple sets of footsteps, during their watch as they felt an odd; yet protective, warmth overcome them - and a familiar yet unknown voice reach out them before fading off without a conclusion. The footsteps seemed to be walking around the exterior of the warehouse and ceased around the backside of the building.

The two shared this knowledge with Somnus & Jin before swapping watches.

Somnus and Jin

Somnus and Jin took their watch and found it be rather uneventful at first. Somnus shared a bit about their life; explaining that they are a lot older than they might look and that The Maiden gave them their current name - as they had forgotten their original one. Jin shared with Somnus that he didn’t know much of his family - and was from a small town called Cavenden. He explained that they only family he had left was his Uncle; but acted more like a father figure.

As the night went on - the pair felt reverberations below them and with Jin’s blacksmithing background; they were able to intuit it was likely a large forge underneath them. The reverberations faded and the pair returned to sleep as Lady awoke for her watch.

Lady

Before Lady awoke; she found herself in the same liminal space she had been prior to her arrival. The 4 figures that had once been there were replaced by a larger spectral figure with a broader build that seemed familiar - but they were missing their arms. As she approached the figure, Lady felt a warmth pulse up and down her arms with each step she took, and as she moved to touch the figure - the warmth rushed down her arms and out of her fingers. The figure almost smiled at her as it’s arms slowly reappeared before her, and then moments later - she was awake.

Lady’s watch was uneventful - as she pondered the events of the past few days and tried to make sense of the lingering sense of forgetfulness she had carried since being revived - but she couldn’t make any headway on it before the others awoke.

The Next Morning

The 15th of Vaelorn, 920 PD brough with it a dry but cold Hymark morning. The Fated Eight sprung to life and handled their morning duties before organizing themselves. A discussion was had over whether to return the bodies of Giselda & Mathias to The Rowdy Roan or to continue searching the area - with the latter being selected based on the urgent pleas of Giselda and Mathias to “save him… before it’s too late”.

They removed the barricades and covered the bodies for the sake of dignity before exploring the other side of the warehouse.

The Other Side Of The Warehouse

The Party exited through the rear doors and were met with a medium-sized work-yard made of mostly dirt and some stone - the perimeter of which was marked with a high barbed wire fence. Peering over the edge revealed a sharp decline with what seemed like excavated areas that seem to have been left unfinished for a long time. The only thing of note on this small; seemingly reclaimed, pillar of dirt was a large amount of scrap in the centre - covering what appeared to be a small section of concrete.

The Trapdoor

The Fated Eight removed the scrap and revealed a large, steel trapdoor embedded within the concrete. Try as they might, none of the members were able to force open the trapdoor - seemingly locked from the other side and with no apparent method of opening it. Even combining their strength - the trapdoor wouldn’t open.

Lady; whilst observing the others attempting to force the trapdoor open, noticed her bracers pulse with a warmth as the marking that conveyed the word Ignis flashed with power for a second. Lady stepped forwards and gestured the others aside before grabbing the handles and pulling at them with all her might. The others watching her began to see a spectral, warm-coloured figure appear behind her and seemingly aid her as the trapdoor began to warp and move.

The combined force of Lady and this figure was enough to shear the very steel of the trapdoor off in a mixture of grace and power. It was in this moment - that each of The Fated Eight regained a memory that had almost been lost to them.

Remembering Him

They each remembered Aurevald - their Goliath companion who had sacrificed himself to save them from the Cloak Corps. Questions ran through all of their heads as they wondered where he was and how they had each forgotten him, but no answer came.

Where In The World Is Aurevald?

Aurevald found himself floating on an island amidst an endless void - with only two distant lights illuminating the space he tended to. The island was barely large enough for himself and the tree he cared for. He wasn’t sure how long he had been here; more than a few weeks for sure, and he was starting to forget how he had arrived there.

“Aurevald - you are floating through an endless void on a small island made purely of dirt and rock. There’s only just enough space for yourself and the withered tree you tend to here. In the moments where your attention has wavered, you’ve noticed a glowing ball of light; far off in the distance. You’ve never been allowed to investigate your surroundings for very long so you weren’t sure if that was all that was out there until recently - when a second ball of light appeared; further away from the other but brighter. You get distracted for a moment as you feels a pulse of warmth leave your body and vanish into the ground - but that’s ok; you don’t need it anymore. You haven’t needed warmth in a long time; you can’t remember how long. It’s been at least a number of days since that second ball of light appeared but even that feels distant at this stage. What you need is to work, harder and faster - that’s what the deal was. But what deal? Why did you make that deal? Who for and when? All these thoughts leave your mind as you realize you were careless and cut the roots of the tree instead of a weed.
”FOOLISH CREATURE… DO YOU WISH TO REVOKE OUR DEAL?” a familiar booming voice echoes - as the Emperor of Earth has turned his attention towards you.”
- Aurevald’s fate, as narrated.

Aurevald; amidst a tense scolding from the Emperor of Earth, felt the rocky scar on his face sting before a pulse of warmth wash over his back for the first time since arriving here. The warmth was comforting for a moment before reminding Aurevald how exhausted he was, his body hadn’t eaten or drunk in god’s knows how long and had atrophied to the point of collapse. He fell face forward onto the ground and was unable to move as the like-omnipotent voice boomed from all around.

“GET UP YOU USELESS CREATURE… I HAVE WAITED MILLENNIA TO BE SET FREE - I WILL HAPPILY WAIT MILENNIA MORE IF IT MEANS FINDING SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT ‘EVERYTHING’ TRULY MEANS…”
- The Emperor of Earth’s threats to Aurevald…

Aurevald thirsted for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he had only ever pondered it one time since arriving in this space; considering to drink from the watering can he cared for the tree’s roots with, but the punishment from that day prevented that until now. The watering can was just barely out of his reach but his thirst was so overwhelming - Aurevald could tell he was running out of time and he must drink something soon to sustain himself at all. His attention was shifted for a moment as he heard a shrill but familiar voice echo from behind him.

“Awww come’on where are you boss? Can’t you find me? Please find me - it’s cold and dark and I really don’t know where I am. I’m scared boss - you promised to keep me safe!”
- The shrill but familiar voice’s plea to Aurevald…

Another pulse of warmth came over Aurevald and he was able to turn his head to see the two spheres of light moving closer towards him. The sphere on the left displayed a vision of a small imp carrying a book and a leather bag flying through everchanging dark void; lost and afraid, whilst the other portrayed a group of familiar a figures; three Humans, a Leonin, a Half-Elf, a Tiefling - alongside an unfamiliar figure in armour, who seemed to be struggling to open a steel trapdoor. The image moved to focus on the Half-Elf woman’s face - who turned and looked directly at Aurevald.

Aurevald; using the very last of his strength, moved to grab the Watering Can and drank a sip from it. A earthen tendril lashed at his face once more but a golden barrier protected Aurevald as he quenched his thirst - feeling his vitality, personality, and memory return to him. The Emperor of Earth launched endless projectiles at Aurevald as he ran towards the balls of light that were now within 100 feet of him - feeling a tug from both of them towards him - with an arcane platform suspending him above the endless void below him.

Just as Aurevald was about to touch the now joined spheres of light - the golden barrier protecting him faltered for a single moment. Aurevald, still regaining full control over his body, couldn’t dodge in time and was pierced through the heart by a stalagmite from behind. The remainder of his strength carried him forwards into the golden sphere as a warmth overtook his body and white light consumed his vision. He could tell The Emperor of Earth was booming words at him but they were mute to him at this point - Aurevald accepted whatever his fate was to become and let the light take him.

The Return Of A Friend

The Fated Eight stood around the now shorn trapdoor in awe of Lady’s feat of strength and at the sudden remembrance of Aurevald. They all saw the ethereal figure helping her open the trapdoor and it was clear to them now that it and Aurevald were one and the same.

In the moments following, tiny flecks of light began to drift away from members of The Fated Eight. First from Lady’s hands, and then Jin’s Legs, and then SHAI’s ears; which seemed to shift from the usual brown to a murky grey colour for a split second. More light came from Graxious’ heart, then Axton’s eyes, and finally from Morgyn’s head. The flecks began to coalesce together in the space between the members of the party before forming the outline of a large, humanoid figure. The light cracked like an egg shell before dispersing into the air around them, leaving behind a familiar, Goliath male.

Aurevald stood tall for a moment before falling face first onto the ground. His body was cold, and lifeless - it was apparent to each of them that he was no-longer in this world. Morgyn; or Sophia as they all now remembered her real name, tried their hardest to revive Aurevald but was unsuccessful. Somnus stepped forward and began a ritual to attempt to resurrect the fallen Goliath.

Moments later, with the assistance of a plea from Morgyn, Aurevald was returned to the Material Plane; clearly shaken up but alive and well. The Fated Eight took some time to discuss what had happened and make sense of the confusing events of the past three days. Aurevald also took this time to resummon Scabb - who was so very pleased to see his Goliath companion but was a bit scared by Somnus’s armour. Scabb was still very clearly scared by Axton’s re-appearance in the group as well.

The Fated Eight were all now aware that Aurevald had sacrificed himself during the ambush by Cloak Corps, with part of that sacrifice being the very memory of Aurevald. The means of his return were not clear to them but they were all glad to have him back.

Down The Ladder

Graxious interrupted the reunion by suddenly jumping down the hole and failing to grab the ladder; Lady managed to spare the Leonin the consequences of his actions, as the others made their way down the ladder.

The Fated Eight found themselves within a dark, stone brick hallway with only a single path forwards. Following it lead the party into a large triangular room with walls that met at single point.

1st Room

The interior of the room contained a few empty desks, drawers, and chairs. In the centre of the room was a large triangular plinth that seemed to have a little bit of give underneath it -but standing on it didn’t seem to cause anything to happen. The party searched the room for clues and eventually found 4 pieces of paper with triangles on it; three containing dots in a corner and one with a dot in the centre. Overlapping the pages revealed to the party where and how many people had to stand on the plinth to get it to open.

The plinth depressed into the ground with a click as the floor around slide away to reveal staircase descending downwards around a triangular column of stone. Reaching the bottom revealed another hallway that lead into a similar sized room with square walls, ceiling, and floor.

2nd Room

The second room was largely decorated by more desks, drawers, and a few chalkboards with odd diagrams on them. In the centre of the room was a large boardroom table with a chair of each of the ends and 9 down the sides; eating seating place had a glass of water - but the party quickly learned some of the glasses tasted quite poor.

Through trial and error, the party learned that the 3 seats at either end had glasses of the foul tasting water - and no matter what they did any water they poured into the glasses would turn foul moments later. Further trial and error led to Graxious successfully drinking the contents of the glass - as a mechanical noise click and turned towards the Leonin’s left. The Fated Eight went around the table and each drank the foul tasting water; with some of them incurring a sickly pain after swallowing it. As Aurevald finished the final glass - the wall behind him slid back to reveal another staircase leading downwards - around the perimeter of the room. Once again - the staircase joined into a hallway that led to another room.

3rd Room

“You are caught off guard by the immediate and unexpected temperature drop in this room. It is ice cold in here and even those of you with experience in cold climates will take a good few minutes to acclimate. Initially - the surroundings remind you of the first room - the triangular walls slanting upwards to a single point in the ceiling - however you realise the floor you are walking on is actually a balcony around the perimeter of the room. Looking over the balcony - you see 4 more triangular walls facing opposite those that make up the ceiling.

There is a central column running from ceiling to floor that suspends a double story platform with what look to be bookshelves, chests, and research apparatus. Offset staircases connect the balcony you are walking on to the central platform.

On the lower platform - you see an intricate device made up of a an empty vial underneath a pad of parchment and quill. The vial is connected to some sort of funnel-like device but it unclear beyond that.”
- Description of the third room, as narrated

The third room brought with it confusion and a chilling atmosphere. Graxious sat there randomly writing words on the parchment pad with them fading away before he struck gold and found a word that stayed on the parchment. The vial below filled with a glowing green liquid about 1/8th up the volume. Over the next 30 or so minutes; The Fated Eight searched the room for a number of books with words circled and wrote them onto the pad. At one stage; Jin and Somnus found a page that seemed of note for SHAI and handed it to the Wizard.

Eventually - the pad was full of words with the following seemingly being valid:

• Maiden
• Deity
• Ritual
• Arcane
• Anchor
• Alter
• Ascension
• Fate

As the final word was written down - the vial was full and glowed bright green before evaporating. The wall behind them slid up and revealed a staircase leading straight down and away from the room.

Is That Lava???

After each of The Fated Eight had entered the stairwell - the door behind them shut and the stairs fell away - causing each of them to slide down the now smooth stone and accelerate into the darkness.

The session closed as they each felt the temperature change rapidly as they saw glimpses of the end of this tunnel - a glowing vat of molten lava.