Session 31

The Crown and the Mad King

The road to the Eye of Calamity comes to an end as the party treks through the last stretch of the trip. A last check of their gear, items and other business in preparation as they approach. They exchange gear where needed and discuss some strategy knowing their next fight may include undead...

The shimmering bubbles floating about in various sizes around the mountain converge together around the temple - referred to as the Eye of Calamity - where the 100-Year War had begun - and become one. As the party approaches, Gustav stands on a refined, detailed stairway leading to the temple, just within the large bubble. Time is significantly slower there, it appears. And a crowd of refugees can be seen peeking over the edges of the temple's plaza. The party contemplates how to proceed, attack first or strategize. But before they get the chance the large bubble rapidly grows larger and ultimately swallows the party too.

Gustav and the party exchange words and while Cynic attempts to persuade the refugees listening in to drop their support for Weylin's ambitions, it's too late. Wardens members come down to aid Gustav, drawing their dagger blades. The party draws theirs and a fight erupts. As Warden members get thrown off the edge of the mountain and Gustav's life draining attacks continue, Weylin's plan is urged to continue by Gustav as he occupies the party. Souls of the refugees begin pulling towards Weylin and when Gustav is ultimately pushed to his limit he looks up to the darkening sky and offers up his soul as well.

Gustav is left restrained in Aragir's magical earthen grasp, defeated, though Weylin's preparations appear complete. The party proceeds to climb further up the stairs.

The dome surrounding the temple turns from its bright white and holographic coloration into a vast void of stars and dark space. Weylin summons a floating weapon, a long sword, that dances around him. The party questions Weylin's motivations as he reveals his true purpose: to recreate the world into a better version, free of the gods or leaders of the world. Delbellis is reminded once more of a looming danger by the name of Mortemus, Aragir is told he meddles with aspects best left to forgotten gods which was seemingly said by Alduin Leonelis to Weylin in the past. Cerrule is reminded why she is coined the deviant: Weylin is aware of Enoreth and their followers, as they hinder his quest to alter the flow of time. Cerrule's existence is therefore a thorn in his side, as she is the new chosen of Enoreth. After a brief exchange, Aragir swiftly casts to detect every deep thought of Weylin as the rest of the party dives in for the final showdown.

Learning from Weylin's troubling past, Aragir sees many moments of his life pass by. His powers come from Arcanum and when he was younger he was unable to completely control it. After destroying his hometown, he's left wandering the earth until finding his footing to meditate. Understanding what he could do, Weylin begins to seek out like-minded people, though during his travels he strands in 100 AT. Here, he meets Dukat and forms the Five Wise. Weylin hopes this group could help reactivate his abilities. Unfortunately, they trigger the Calamity event that lasts for 100 years. Ultimately, the war ends and the Five are captured. Time passes but Weylin manages to escape his Saffron Stone imprisonment eventually and starts learning about the origins of his powers. Unable to approach Istros Borealis, he seeks other ways and finds places such as Myrneas for remnants of Arcanum...

The fight progresses and Weylin exhibits strange powers; pulling alternative versions of the party members from the multiverse for attacks or even an alternate version of himself to dodge incoming damage. The fight is long and fierce and the party's resources dwindle with every passing minute. Through perseverance, the party reaches the end as they see the last bits of life energy that Weylin has to give up for an exchange for power to the Deceiver Crown on his head.
Weylin, no longer able to support the exchange, collapses and is seen transitioning several phases of his life before turning into ash. The Crown then momentarily floats in a bubble of calm energy. Both Cynic and Aragir attempt to retrieve the object while a humanoid figure begins to form from underneath it. As Aragir finally snatches the Crown away, a figure resembling Weylin emerges, though it is not him.

The imitation Weylin speaks of being incomplete and expecting the Talon to be here. Increasingly upset on the realization that his summoning was too early, with a fraction of its supposed power, the manifestation of Ozma reacts in anger towards the party and blames them for the current situation. A new fight begins!

This Manifestation uses Weylin's abilities as well as some new ones, though the party pulls through. They manage to corner and restrain it and hamper its use of magical ability until Ozma is finally subdued. Upon his defeat the area turns back to normal and the party finds itself back on the mountain top, where the outside world seems to slow down again until the bubble, too, dissipates. The party is then greeted by a couple of familiar faces: Jade Aewynn from Abador, Vaeri from the Wizard's Guild and two members of the Scarlet Academy. In addition, Mergom Mountbreak makes another appearance in his capacity as the captain of a Brassdorf Defensive Regiment of 24 strong. Among them is another man, later revealed as Hachi, who appears to be a superior of Cassius within the Fold.
Almost immediately after the party's return, Kaimos walks up to the Scarlet members, rips out the logo off his uniform and hands it over to Renza before descening the stairs. Cassius dutifully reports his mission to Hachi, but leaves defeated. Though the party had won, it came at great cost. They learn 7 weeks have since elapsed and out in the world things have since developed. Captain Mergom informs the party that the reopened Adventurer's Guild had recalled all her adventurers back for re-evaluation. While the Scarlets and the small unit from Brassdorf inspect the plaza, Aragir, Delbellis and Cynic decide to make a small altar for the fallen refugees and pray for them while Cerrule is seemingly lost in thought. When eventually informed about the teleportation amulet that Renza is wearing, the party decides it's time to leave. There's much to catch up on.

Using the teleportation spell, the party relocates to the edge of the Siren Woods where they decide to visit Lavarr's cabin. They are surprised to find it abandoned, and after some investigation they find evidence of a crime. Cynic then reluctantly reveals the fate of lumberjack and his son. Due to his own mistakes, the Getaways had done this as punishment. The party mourns their passing and although months had passed, Delbellis and Aragir build a small memorial for them where they had been buried.

The party then continues on the road back to Brassdorf while Vaeri brings the latest news to the group. The Resistance League has grown into a formidable faction within the city and reclaimed the former Guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild, Terrance Hillbrad. The harbor of the city is now under complete control of the Obsidian Fist while the Getaways have been mostly driven out towards the south in Goldmere. Further north, Elderwalk is now made part of the Basalt Dominion in order to protect it from the emerging monsters traveling southward. Oblimora, the northern region of the continent, had fallen to unknown horrors and its climate has been unchanged for weeks. Its lords, Damir Verum and his wife Zosia have not been heard from.

Passing the giant sword near the forest edge, they briefly encounter Kaimos once more. He's made quite the distance using his Dimension Doors but had stopped here to wish for guidance. Aragir turns to speak to him and they exchange some friendly words. Aragir hands him an experimental spell he'd been working on, to which Kaimos reacts astonished as he is he's intrigued by the arcane writings. They express a mutual hope to work together in the future if given the chance. Saying their goodbyes, Kaimos then steps through another dimension door and disappears.

Traveling further, the party eventually makes it to the city. Soldiers in armor can now be seen roaming the city-streets, and while its gates used to be wide open, they are now only opened on request of Vaeri and others who are authorized. They enter, bearing witness to the changes the city has undergone since the last time they were here almost 8 weeks ago...

Oct 8th, 2022

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