Session 30

Open

The Session opened with The Fated Eight arriving at The Hidden Leaf, with a mysterious man lying frozen in time by a veil that surrounded the city. Morgyn; testing a hypothesis, threw a small stone through the veil - which maintained its original velocity shortly before winding down into a state resembling stasis. SHAI, with a sense of desperation, reached for the figure revealed to be PIERCE. Jin chimed in SHAI, asking who this figure is:

“This is one of the strongest mages you will ever meet”
- SHAI

Jin then proposed a plan to attempt to lasso PIERCE with the assistance of Kezark; Aurevald disagreed and continued to look at alternative ways, understanding that conventional means may not be the path forward, which resulted in Aurevald tapping the barrier matching an ever-consistent beat. Lady, with her keen observation skills and with the assistance of SHAI, learnt that the Humanoid creature in the distance is near a landmark called the Empire State Building.

Azriel, with his experience as part of The Crimson Tempest, was aware that this was Morse Code, which revealed a message of “save our souls”. Azriel then after decoding the message, replied via his own beating on the barrier, “H.O.W”, where PIERCE revealed a connection of glyphs into his hand resembling the shape of a tree.

In Search Of Tree

SHAI, with the help of the absent-minded Timothy, deduced that they needed to seek out the Arcanist Arboreal, a colleague of The Big Three and one of SHAI’s original teachers. SHAI recollected that The Party had not seen the forest where the Entity reside so as a part they trekked north around the veil, encountering winding paths, however with SHAI reminiscing about his past lessons with GRAY and BLUE the first time they visited the Arcanist Arboreal, which led to BLUE getting Warp Sickness, This fond memory that SHAI recounted to The Fated eight help The Party stay on course towards the Arcanist Arboreal.

Aurevald, whilst riding Kjott, noticed a glimmer in the distance which The Party then followed, as in The Party found themselves within the abode of the Arcanist Arboreal. Strangely, this forest reminded The Party of the Shadesorrow Forest, with The Party reminiscing about their early adventuring days together. The Party stumbled upon a clearing with a large silverwood-like tree on the opposite side from them, and that’s where the eyes appeared. The Party was then greeted by the strange set of spectral eyes that had been watching them, a seemingly unknown figure who questioned The Party about their identities, stating that he only recognised one of their troupe.

The Trial

When The Party introduced themselves as The Fated Eight, three mysteriously large fey creatures; resembling large tree-like creatures revealed themselves. Each of these meddlesome foes wielded tower shield-like hands and oddly resembled humanoid creatures. SHAI recognized the 3 larger figures as Fey constructs made by The Big Three - The Aspect Of Magic, The Aspect Of Faith, and The Aspect Of Combat - as 6 smaller constructs; often collectively referred to as The Aspect Of Youth, Clearly, these figures had seen previous resistance as the Aspect Of Magic continued to hobble on one leg, and the Aspect Of Combat’s load-bearing legs were aided by Arcane means. SHAI deduced from the state of the figures that this was a trial for anyone not of The Big Three that visited the Arcanist Arboreal.

“Ah SHAI - intriguing… The Contingency has been activated. A test must be administered to ensure identity..”
- unknown figure

Upon hearing the phrase left by the Aspect Of Magic, the 6 smaller figures dashed into action, rapidly closing the distance towards The Party. The Aspect Of Faith commenced a prayer summoning Fey Guardian Spirits to its aid. Aurevald rushed into combat against The Aspect Of Faith, setting the tone for his comrades screaming out thunderous blows, tearing bark and sap with each cleave, whilst Axton prepared himself for the coming battle. Timothy, who was terrified at the sight of this trial, used his bardic powers and faded from the vision of The Party.

The rest of The Party, left to deal with the repercussions (apart from Lady), was caught up in a fiery inferno launched by the Aspect Of Magic. The Party, not even having a moment to catch their breath, were flooded by an eternal wave of darkness, sapping away the strength and ability of anyone it touches. However, The Party continued to bear the blows and prepare to retaliate. The Party notices that this cloud of darkness persists and continues to travel a straight line from its caster and wreak havoc on the battlefield.

As the battle continued to reach its peak, The Aspect Of Combat leapt into the battle and knocked SHAI unconscious; however,he was swiftly carried out of the Combat by Kezark. Morgyn also suffered grave wounds from the combat; however, swiftly recovered. However, in exchange, Lady landed a fatal blow on a Sapling (Aspect Of Youth). The Aspect Of Magic, using its Arcanic means Banished Timothy with Azriel shortly joining him in the Forgotten Realm. Aurevald leapt off Kjott to cleave a sapling clean in half. Upon Azriel’s banishment ending, he was consumed by the Fae spirits surrounding the Aspect Of Faith. Jin, using all his might, dragged Azriel out of harm’s way as he was stabilised by The Party.

Frustrated by this turn of events, Jin was bound by the Aspect Of Magic in retaliation and restrained by Arcanic means far beyond his control. As the battle continued, Kezark, spinning his trademark revolver with his ever-shining golden tattoo, let out two rapid shots, ending a young sapling in front of its parents. He finds himself facing retribution from the Aspects, he takes multiple blows and is engulfed in a shroud of darkness, bringing forth the omen of death as he fades away. Kezark dreams of a simpler time being taught by his father, as he slips into the shroud of death with none of his colleagues knowing of his ill fate.

Morgyn, the former cleric of The Fate-Cloaked Maiden and one who was attuned to The Loose String Of Fate, an item that previously belonged to Somnus, can feel an ominous warning that one of his beloved colleagues is still well. SHAI acknowledged the urgency in Morgyn’s tone and emotions and passed the diamond to Morgyn to deliver one last miracle of faith.

The Loose String Of Fate glared a bright golden light which swallowed the darkness, revealing a pale green orc. As the darkness is dispelled, the pale skin starts to take on its green familiarity. Kezark’s heart beats once again. Doomtide was dispelled as the Aspect Of Faith regained its concentration.

Jin continued to be restrained by the Aspect Of Magic, which was targeted by the young saplings and the Aspect Of Combat. Lady continued to strike heavy blows into a young sapling with her Terra-fueled might. She reigned victorious, at the cost of being restrained by the enraged Aspect Of Magic. She found herself trapped in place by an unknown arcanic method similar in tone to the one used on Jin. Aurevald, seeing his comrades restrained by unknown methods, continues to rattle off multiple thunderous blows as bark and sap continue to fly.

Azriel was bloodied and bruised but determined to exact vengeance and sate his patron’s hunger; he, in one swift movement, cleaved a young sapling head to toe.

The Aspect Of Magic, realising its children have all been defeated, kneels as a third of a crown appears on SHAI’s head. Jin succumbed to his wounds, but as he too was about to fade into the ever-cold embrace of death. A familiar phrase entered his consciousness, “remember the stars,” as he regained his strength.

The Aspect Of Faith is also missing its Saplings, another third of the crown to SHAI’s head as it continues to form. Kezark, recognising this and furious with his encounter with death, rushes across the battlefield and fires his revolver, aiming to maim the final sapling as his bullets mark where traditionally a creature’s genitals would be located.

A Plea, and A Crown…

Upon seeing the final creature fall and the state of the battle with numerous of his colleagues on their final legs and deteriorating, Aurevald calls upon his ancestral powers and roars into a large towering giant form resembling that of the Goliaths of old. Aurevald yelled out.

“STOP, STOP hurting my friends!”
- Aurevald

Aurevald yelled out, pleading with the entity as he embraced The Aspect Of Combat with open arms. It did not resist and, without a struggle, ceased any action. As Aurevald loosens his grip around the Aspect, it knelt, staring at SHAI as the final piece of the puzzle took place. As the other two Aspects follow in suit, The Party pans their vision to see a distinct tri-colour crown with a combination of purple, green and maroon.