Session 15

Sliding Towards Lava

The Fated Eight found themselves hurtling down a smooth stone slide and accelerating towards a glowing vat of Lava. The party scrambled to slow their momentum and prevent serious harm to any of them.

Jin’s Lucky Lats

Jin was able to; with a combination of sheer luck and skill, lodge his blade within the minuscule seams between the stones that had made up the stairs. Holding an incredible lat spread, the Human Monk was able to hold back most of the party for a short while - with only Axton and Morgyn flying further ahead.

SHAI’s Weeb… I mean Web!

SHAI took advantage of Jin’s lat spread and cast Web at the edge of the slide’s opening - preventing Axton and Morgyn from exiting the slide. Their sheer momentum and the elastic composition of the webbing caused the two to bounce back up the slide and towards the outstretched hands of their party members - who managed to find purchase and hold on.

Jin’s Slip Up

Whilst Jin’s lat spread was impressive and holding for the time being - the sudden addition of Axton and Morgyn’s weight was enough to cause the Human Monk to lose his footing - before his blade gave way and the party began to accelerate once more.

Scabb Gives the all clear… sort of

Aurevald had taken the opportunity afforded by Jin to send Scabb down the slide and report back with telepathy. Scabb initially alleviated all of their concerns by communicating that it seemed safe before letting out a concerned scream.

Aurevald Surfs

Taking the word of his Imp companion; Aurevald leaped forwards and managed to land his feet on a chunk of stone that had gone flying after Jin’s sword came loose. He “surfed” downwards on it before shooting out the exit with great force - with the other members of The Fated Eight following right behind him.

The Floor Is Not Lava

The Fated Eight each landed on the warm obsidian glass floor suspending them a few inches above the lava with a thud. Searching around the room - they each noticed a ten forges of various sizes scattered around the room

“You each land with a thud on the hard, stone floor and instantly aware just how close you are to the lava below.

The room around you is smaller than the previous three and is an odd shape - with 5 pentagonal panels carved out of the basaltic rock and all meeting at a point in the ceiling. There are 10 forges of various sizes around the room all fed by the lava below. Before you can take in any more of the room, you hear the sound of clockwork gears whir as 3 smaller robotic constructs and two larger ones turn and face your direction. The smaller ones are insectile and wielding a buzzsaw in one arm and something cracking with energy in the other, whilst the larger constructs are humanoid and have large stone slabs bolted to their arms. For both types - what you gleam to be their eyes are currently glowing yellow.”
- The description of the room, as narrated

Axton and Morgyn looked at the Automatons whilst Jin instructed the group to look like they were forge workers as to not rouse suspicion.

The Automatons

Axton recognized the construction of the Automatons from his past but had not seen this particular model - specifically altered to endure the Forge. He also noticed a panel on the forge marked as #1 - but before he could take a look at it the Automatons made a sudden noise.

Aurevald, Too Literal

Aurevald took Jins instructions a touch too literally and began slamming Slaver’s Bane down onto an ingot, alerting the Automatons - who whirred into a formation as their “eyes” turned red.

Combat

A sudden encounter took place as the five Automatons seemed to regard The Fated Eight as a threat.

Crushing The First Golem

Lady opened the combat dealing a crushing blow to one of the two larger Golems - and her comrades followed up quickly to down and destroy the construct early in the fight. Here they learned that the Golems were resistant to fire damage; appropriate given the modifications made to their exterior shell.

The smaller constructs began to chip away at various members of The Fated Eight but it was clear these were not designed with combat as a primary function - as the tides turned against the constructs quickly in the fight.

Lady Is In The Frame

At some stage - after Lady again demonstrated martial prowess against the other large Golem - she noticed one of the smaller constructs focus on her as an audible click echoed through the room. She presumed it had captured some information about her. She was unsure whether it had recorded her appearance, powers, or location, or all of the above however.

Graxious’ Surprise Success

The fight ended suddenly after Graxious called forth a Moonbeam - which overloaded the central communication device for each of the Golems. Each on self-destructed with decent warning; leaving behind a pile of scrap.

The Panel

Axton began to investigate the panel at Forge #1 and deduced it required 3 components to activate - presumably to progress them beyond this room. The panel had two flat cutouts; about 1/2 inch deep, that ran about 1/3 of the total length of panel - on either side of a central, oddly shaped slit that seemed to extend through the depth of the panel.

SHAI and Jin found two rectangular plates of metal that seemed to stand out amongst the piles of scrap. After further investigation by those of Arcane prowess - it was deemed these were a correct fit for the shallow cutouts on the panel.

Lastly, someone suggested using the key that they had found in their battle against Cain and Eden Blight - which fit snugly into the central slit. As they turned the key - mechanical gears and latches began to activate and whir.

It Was An Elevator…

The Fated Eight watched as the floor below them slowly transformed into an elevator platform, as they descended over 1000ft below the room they had just been in.

“You see the lava below begin to drain away - revealing the floor of this room is another set of five pentagonal shaped panels carved out of basaltic rock. Shortly afterwards each of the panels begin to move and open outwards like a flower blooming - before the obsidian floor you’re all standing above begins to shake as it slowly descend down a perfectly carved 10 sided column. Every 100 feet or so there is a small arcane light that turns on whilst in proximity to you.

After a few minutes the platform jolts and ceases to move. In front of you is a another hallway - this one dimly lit by glowing balls of light that alternate which side of the hall they’re on.”
- The floor descending, as narrated

The party made their way through the dimly lit hallway and entered another oddly-geometric room.

The 5th Room

“You enter from the hallway and are immediately greeted by an acrid and off-putting smell about it. The room gives you all a vile vibe from a few moments standing in it. Shortly after entering you each pickup on the consistent ticking of a cloak that echoes through the entire room.

The room is dimly lit so you can’t see much around you but there’s a single desk in the middle with notebooks and various arcane textbooks/research notes. Hanging from a pole in one of the corners is humanoid skeleton with a faint glow about it.

It’s hard to make out in full detail but once again this room is also oddly shaped. It’s once again carved perfectly out of the surrounding granite stone - the floor is pentagonal in shape and that’s all you can gleam in this light.”
- The description of the room, as narrated

The Fated Eight made their initial assessments of the room and began investigating various elements.

Bad Vibes

Everyone in the party; but especially Somnus, got bad vibes from the room - an eerie energy seemed to exude from every facet of the room. The vibes only became more grim as they further explored it’s contents.

Ticking Noise

The Fated Eight quickly picked up on a constant Tick Tock that echoed; sourcelessly, throughout the entire room. Some members of the party began to search for an explanation.

Log #33

SHAI searched over the desk in the centre of the room and amidst the scattered pieces of paper and books. He found a loose journal entry that read as follows:

“A benefactor has arrived from the West to aid in acquiring new subjects. The time draws near for experimentation to begin.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #33

Who Is Alexendar Tryst?

Morgyn; after reading this journal entry, explained that he knew who Alexendar Tryst|Tryst was. He shared a story about a member of The Arcane Will - the authority on Arcane Magic within Terick - who was expelled after his grim experiments were discovered. Alexendar Tryst had been discovered experimented on live Mortals in attempts to turn non-Drow into Drow and visa versa.

Morgyn also conferred that after his expulsion - Alexendar Tryst was given a nickname of The King Of Crazy. He was also presumed dead after an explosion that halted much of the development in Roan’s southeast.

The Scalpel & The Blood

Somnus searched around a section of the room and discovered a loose scalpel on the ground - with dried blood on the tip. After close inspection it was revealed to be Half-Elf blood - which caused concern for Lady’s safety especially.

The Painting

Aurevald found a painting hanging from one of the walls that detailed two Mages standing next to each other. The older of the two was a man in red robes and matches the illustrations of the Thelnyron Dose card that one of the party members had pulled earlier in the week. The other man was much taller and matched Morgyn’s recollection of Alexendar Tryst.

A closer inspection showed that Thelnyron’s eyes were painted over with red crosses - in a liquid that did not seem to be paint.

Log #43

Searching behind the painting - Aurevald found another loose journal note that read as follows:

“The Proto-Anchor has proven useful in our experiments, we hope to begin trials of localized alterations by the end of the week.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #43

The Cells

Jin searched another section of the room and found more medical implements, and Arcane instruments for inscribing runes and conducting rituals. Nearby were floating slabs that seemed to function as operating tables, and the to either side of the slabs were torn leather shirts.

A closer inspection of the shirts led Jin to notice the sleeves were sown into the opposite pocket - forming a crude restraining device that clearly had not worked very well or for very long.

On the other side of the tables, there was makeshift cells that had very crude essentials, alongside empty vials of odd-smelling fluids.

Log #44

Amongst these vials - Jin found another journal entry that read as follows:

“The subjects are less resilient than we had hoped for and the alterations refuse to stick. This is a minor setback, I have confidence in a completed alteration soon.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #44

The Clock

Morgyn searched around the room some more and managed to find a large, gothic, grandfather clock that ticked in sync with the sound in the room. Most puzzlingly - it was ticking counter-clockwise which confused some of the party members. The party gathered the clock was ticking at a normal speed - and every hour that passed it played an ominous chime before continuing it’s usually ticking. SHAI cast Identify on the object and learned it was part of a large Arcane contraption.

Eventually Morgyn discovered an instruction manual but it was written in Gnomish - which surprisingly Aurevald could read. Unfortunately the instructions were vague at best and not really useful. Morgyn noticed a familiar looking twisted crown emblem hanging from the pendulum of the clock - and he was able to barely yank it out before his fingers were caught in the mechanism. In hindsight - this was a dangerous manoeuvre.

The Skeleton

The skeleton hanging in one of the sections of the room began to pulse - leading Aurevald to touch it with his Maul. It sprung to life and a raspy voice called out from it’s vicinity:

“Secrets lie in wait,
but time is a price that some can’t afford to pay.
Reveal the truth, have a say.
Don’t be a fool, don’t be late.”
- The Skeleton’s Riddle

Despite trying a number of things; nothing The Fated Eight did caused the skeleton to reanimate. They were left to work out the meaning this riddle on their own.

Log #46

At some stage; one of The Fated Eight found another of Alexendar Tryst’s journal entries around the room that read as follows:

“Personamancy proved necessary to stabilize the alterations due to the rapid decline of the subjects. The cost of two lowly Personas was well worth the price of confirming the core is suitable. Production will begin shortly.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #46

The mention of Personamancy and Personas intrigued those of Arcane Magic inclination - with the former seeming to be an unknown school of Magic.

The Coded Message

SHAI found a message that was written in Common - but was completely gibberish on the surface. After careful codebreaking - SHAI was able to make sense of the contents.

“Accept this payment and finish production of the core.

May The Unseen Thorne Prevail…”
- The contents of the coded letter…

Log #49

Amongst other investigations - The Fated Eight found another of the journal entries that read as such:

“Production has been slowed by the heightened security in the city - it seems like our benefactor got too zealous in his personal activities. Nonetheless, I am days away from completing the core. The final subject is being kept close at hand for the first test run; no Personas need be expended this time.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #49

The mention of “days away” brought a sense of urgency over the party, they had to make their way out of this room as soon as possible.

The Mirror

Lady; whilst exploring with Aurevald, noticed a glimmer in an unexplored section of the room and uncovered an ornate silver mirror. As Aurevald looked into the mirror - he experienced a vision that teleported him to various climates/locations. In each he witnessed an indigenous tree be toppled or destroyed by the elements. Each scene ended with a mysterious; almost hand like, withered tree sprout and take root from where the indigenous tree had once been.

Aurevald was shocked as the vision ended and he was once again back in the stone room. Morgyn; who had been nearby, peered into the mirror and saw a visage of herself; as Sophia Marrow, married and with two children. Morgyn stood back in shock as this visage whilst another member of The Fated Eight attempted to peer into their reflection - but the mirror no longer seemed to reflect anything.

After some discussion - the party deduced the mirror had a protection enchantment on it that prevented unauthorized use. Whilst working out a plan - Aurevald came to his senses and shared the contents of his vision and some truths about himself.

Aurevald’s Truth

Aurevald revealed the contents of what he saw - alongside some context to explain the mysterious events of his non-existence. Aurevald explained that he; for reasons unknown, been contacted by various Primordial Titans - namely the King of Fire and Emperor of Earth. During his period of non-existence, he had been enslaved by the Emperor of Earth but managed to escape; also though means unknown.

As Aurevald finished speaking, The Fated Eight noticed the ticking sound stop - leaving an eerie silence for a few moments - before a glowing essence appeared around Aurevald’s torso and flew off in the direction of the Grandfather clock. The party noticed the hands accelerated, counter-clockwise, exactly one hour.

It was clear to them what the skeleton’s riddle meant - they had to reveal truths about themselves to advance the clock. Presumably something good would happen when the clock reached 12 O’clock.

Morgyn’s Truth

Morgyn; understanding this trend, revealed the truth of what he had seen in the mirror first - before expounding on it with context. He explained that he hadn’t always been Morgyn - but was once Sophia Marrow. She had been married but since divorced to focus on her work. Morgyn elaborated that he hadn’t always been afflicted by the Genderless Experience he now did - it was an accident of an experiment they’d once performed.

Morgyn also revealed; plainly, that she was falsely wanted for the murder of Tarlon Vaena III - the elder son of King Terick II.

Once again, after a sufficient amount of truth had been revealed - a pale glow emanated from Morgyn’s torso and flew towards the clock. It advanced exactly one hour.

Scabb’s Truth

Scabb; who had been searching around the room at Aurevald’s command, cracked under non-existent pressure and revealed some truths of his own.

He revealed that he had been a pretty scummy Imp in the Hell Plane - weaselling his way out of many deals - before finally one day he was pinned by a devil named Oriax. He was forced into his employ and tempted every day with riches.

Scabb; or Scribble as he was called, took an opportunity to flee with riches when a rival Devil attacked - distracting Oriax. Unfortunately for Scabb - Oriax bested this rival and caught upto Scabb - invoking the punishment clause in their contract.

Scabb recalled being thrust into a cold and dark place - with chaotic creatures that looked at him like a piece of meat. In the moments before he became a snack - Scabb felt some presence call out to him; promising freedom and safety. Moments after accepting - Scabb found himself next to Aurevald in the Material Plane.

“Do you want us to call you Scribble?” Morgyn asked politely.
”Well, do you want to be called Sophia??” Scabb responded with jest.
- A conversation after Scabb’s reveal

Once more - Scabb’s torso was covered in a glowing essence that flew towards the clock. The time remaining advanced by exactly one hour.

Tricking The Mirror

Interested in accessing the mirror - SHAI assessed that the visage of Alexendar Tryst; should be the owner of the mirror, would be enough to unlock it again.

SHAI used a spell to assume the form of Alexendar Tryst; based on the painting, and stood in front of the mirror. A strange visual phenomena took place - as SHAI was now speaking with a robotic presence that seemed to creep out of the mirror. It offered to answer 5 questions for Alexendar Tryst|Exalt Tryst, as per usual.

SHAI asked how to exit the room; and the mirror responded vaguely but with a focus on speaking the truth. SHAI was unpleased with this answer, and asked the mirror what had happened in the room. The mirror responded with confusion - stating that Alexendar Tryst had just asked that question of it an hour ago. It seemed impossible to SHAI; they had all been in this room for more than an hour already.

The mirror entity; seemingly unable to reconcile the paradoxical reality it had just proposed, began responding with gibberish before vanishing into the mirror. The mirror shattered into a squillion pieces as SHAI regained contact with others in the room. He explained what had happened - much to everyone’s confusion.

Log #51

Whilst SHAI explained the conversation with the mirror entity; another member reached behind a fragment of broken mirror to find another journal entry of Alexendar Tryst.

“Staff confirmed Cain and Eden were failures in the end - a steep cost to pay but a necessary one. The final core has been adjusted and is now being calibrated - we are a day at most from completing our part of the mission.”
- Alexendar Tryst’s Log, #51

The first entry with a very clear temporal placing - it could only have been left with the past 24 hour or so. The Fated Eight were faced with the reality of exhausting all their available options to leave the room as fast as possible.

Somnus’ Truth

Somnus stepped forwards and revealed their truth. They explained that they were many times older than they appeared and that they had been inducted/raised by a cult and included amongst experiments to create a being that could rival a God. They failed and were punished by being placed into the armour they now wear. Over the many years; they forgot their original name and were left to rot in the armour as it drained their vitality.

Somnus explained that they village they came from no longer existed at all - thanks to their actions. They exacted revenge for the pain caused upon them in a bloody rampage - one that stained their white string a crimson red. They came to revere the maiden - who was the one who gave them the name Somnus and offered them a chance to earn the memory of their true name once more.

They were sent to help correct abnormalities in The Fated Eight’s own course of fate by The Fate-Cloaked Maiden herself.

Once more - Somnus’s torso alit with the glowing essence and the clock advanced one more hour.

Graxious’s Truth

Graxious stepped up and spoke two truths he had been keeping. He first shared on a map the location of his hometown - the hidden village of Elysia; located in the Coastalyie Rainforest on the border with Terick and the Paradisian Coast.

He also revealed a truth he had learned from his Uncle & leader of The Snatchers; Drethos, about his Father - Zertheous Longwood from their childhood. Graxious relayed the information that his Father and Uncle had grown up hearing tales of a legendary blade; Eriana’s Vow, used to defend Elysia in times of danger. Zertheous Longwood had always promised Drethos the blade should he ever be granted it - but when the time came as adults; Zertheous Longwood kept the blade for himself.

Graxious admitted to not knowing the full picture himself - but that he was also searching for Eriana’s Vow in his Father’s stead.

Lady’s Truth

Lady offered to reveal her truth, on the condition that SHAI go after her. When the Wizard agreed to the terms, Lady added a flair to her reveal.

“My name is Lady Snowblood, the last of my line. I came into this world as the others ran out of time.

My father, my mother, they paid the price trying to protect our truth. A curse of our blood, this crimson is the proof.

They were protectors of people, regardless of their past. Their strength, their determination, abundant and vast.

Slain by the ones that they held close, a betrayal so deep, the pain that hurts the most.

But there was one glimmer of hope, one final crack of light. her name is Gratia, who raised me with might.

Every day I toiled, hidden in the mountains of Stahn. training with the children of the monastery, painfully earning each callous on my palm

For the ones that I’ve lost, and the one that I gained. I stand before you, protecting the honour of my name.

No longer ashamed, these arms now proudly carry the weight of my history.

I will turn this tide, and become who I was always meant to be.”
- ?

The entire room was stunned for a moment afterwards, shocked at how Lady

SHAI’s Truth

SHAI was well aware a couple of The Fated Eight were suspicious of his identity and origins - with Somnus outright calling him on his bullshit. However, after revealing the truth - many of them seemed to understand his reason for keeping it secret this long.

SHAI revealed he hailed from the Feywild - from a secret society that worshipped a Deity more powerful than other - Connor Williams, The Dungeon Master. He also revealed that he was a Changeling in all honesty.

Lastly, SHAI revealed his name was comprised of words from the world of The Dungeon Master - in his case his name was truly Samsung Headphones Airplane Internet.

The Fated Eight were all very confused by the revelations of SHAI’s origins - but SHAI’s torso began to glow as the light floated off towards the clock.

Leaving The Room

The clock advanced the final hour as the hands read 12 O’clock once more, as gears whirred. The wall opposite the one they had entered through had now opened up and revealed a staircase that led even deeper underground.

Jin’s Truth

Jin; in order to see if the clock was still active, revealed a truth of his own. He explained to the others that he was an orphan - having been raised by his Uncle in a small town called Cavenden. Jin elaborated his journey began many years earlier when; as a child, he and his friends were attacked by a Monk in dark clothing. The figure quickly killed Jin’s friends but retreated after seemingly recognizing something within Jin.

Jin stated that he had been training ever since then to learn more about his past, his family, and find The Masked Monk who had slain his friends all those years ago.

Session Close

The sessions closed with the party heading down the stairs.