Session 41

Shadows at the Lighthouse

Ever since the vision Delbellis had had, Tisker was nowhere to be seen. It appeared that he was a manifestation, present to guide Delbellis when it was needed.

Through everything, the exhausted Undu was still fast asleep. Cynic tried to put his newly acquired flame magic to the test by engulfing a book to see if it would burn. When he managed to keep the book intact, he tried to use it on Undu, but Cerrule stopped him. He assured her that it wouldn’t hurt, and to her surprise it didn’t harm her when she briefly touched it.

Delbellis briefly sat with Aragir, and asked if he was alright after what happened. She didn’t truly understand what the Goddess meant when she told him to stop meddling, and wondered if whatever he did was dangerous to him. The wizard assured her that it was not him that was in danger, and that he suspected Enoreth was trying to protect her own curated timeline. He admitted that he had spent nearly 60 years learning to manage his condition, and that it was acquired rather than a born affliction, though he was not sure how much he could share about it. Delbellis carefully respected this boundary, and let it rest for the time-being.

The group settled for the night, though their respite was short-lived. Around midnight, Aragir, Cynic and Delbellis were woken up by a bright light, taking the shape of Tisker. The apparition slowly floated through the door outside, and it was then that the trio heard voices coming from behind it.

Delbellis quickly went upstairs to check, and before the glowing form of Tisker stood a group of dark-cloaked individuals. They wore skulls for masks, each of a different race. They seemed to not be very intimidated by the Aarakocra’s apparition.
As Tisker’s light cast long shadows behind the group, Delbellis could spot something else looming behind them; something both creature and shadow, yet without form.

Tisker summoned a staff, and a few of the cloaked figures stepped back, though one remained. A tall man donning a mask made of an Aarakocra’s skull who later introduced himself as Frederique Hessler, blood of the fourth and head of the Skullmasters, who followed the Church of Talon. He preached that he was not afraid, and was only here to find something, as well as guide the living lost to their death. Encouraged by their leader, the group proceeded to mockingly surround Tisker.

Delbellis decided to swoop down, and stand beside her spectral guide. With the magic that she cast he doubled in size. As her light spread around her, Tisker’s amulet shone in tandem with hers, strengthening her magic.
Though this temporarily weakened the dark spirit behind him, it nevertheless amused Frederick. He continued to taunt the two Aarakocra, and after some back and forth he explained that the Skullmasters had been sent to help the living find the blessing of death.
To die was to ascend, and it was his task, as chosen by the deity of death Myrkul, to guide others towards this ascension. After this, he as well would ascend.

He then asked whether Delbellis had the Plague Shiv, the necromancy dagger they were looking for, though she successfully convinced him that she had no idea what he was talking about. The Skullmasters retreated to go on with their search, and Tisker’s apparition promised he would remain to protect the tower so they could rest.

Once back inside, they decided to take another look at the dagger. Cerrule decided to cast Detect Magic, though she could only see mere traces of magic on it. Despite it being scarce, it was noticeably necromantic. Nevertheless, given the time she might be able to neutralise it.
Undu happened to notice something was missing from it, and stated that there used to be a liquid inside the glass blade.

He then asked what the group’s plans were, and told them he would accompany them only halfway towards Elderwalk. When asked, he admitted that his assault had not been the first time he had come into contact with the Skullmasters. Coming from Elkenveil, he was on the third of the in total six divisions sent out into the outskirts of Oblimora to find a passage back to the middle and south of the Eastern Kingdoms, as the Skullmasters had completely overrun their region. They had been traveling across the coastline, which seemed to be the best way to reach the North even though they were not guaranteed safe passage.

Though he questioned why the group was planning to go North at first, he eventually told them that the first thing that was needed to help the region was to secure Diremound, as it was their main line of communication with Avalon, among others, from which they received help. There was a checkpoint half a day’s travel South from the lighthouse from where they could possibly gather intel on the current situation. It was best to travel during daytime, for the Skullmasters mainly operated in the dark.

The next morning the group was woken up by another Aarakocra, this time with the appearance of a duck, who seemed to be the real keeper of the lighthouse. Returning from his break, he was visibly surprised and somewhat distraught to find the lighthouse broken into yet again. The group had managed to convince him that they were not a threat, but were ushered out with some haste regardless. With some food for along the road, they continued their journey to Elderwalk.

On their way towards Elderwalk they discussed some of their findings in the Vault ^(1)(2)(3).

They mentioned Darius, the former Vault overseer who was now stationed at the Books of Intrigue in Diremound. He would possibly know more about the Vault and perhaps knew of things the group had not yet found in there, but it was uncertain whether it was safe to ask given the current situation.

They realised that eventually they would also have to travel to the World Eater, given that they would find a way to remain safe, as it was the source of Arcanum and the downfall of the old world. Undoubtedly it was connected to the Gods’ predicament.

Another strange thing they had noted was that despite them defeating Weylin, they had seen him detained with the other mages, albeit in a different state. Aragir suspected that the version of him that they fought was of a different timeline than theirs.

Cynic mentioned an ancient family of Aasimar, who ruled over the Kingdom of Zenicrest. The Kingdom was ultimately destroyed by Ozma. The group remembered that this was the kingdom that Elashor came from. Perhaps he could tell them more about this family.

Delbellis then remembered the notes she found concerning the Bronze Orb they had in their possession. Thinking about it some more, she remembered it was called an “Iterobus”. Its surface markings represented the world and its landscape, and if it was properly activated, it would serve as a teleportation device.
One would have to use one of the several inscribed location points of the orb to indicate where they wanted to go. She also remembered that there was ongoing research that suggested that combining multiple Iterobi would allow one to travel to other realms beyond the Material Plane.

What she had found in the archives appeared to be schematics of specific, non-technical weapons, though the required materials sounded completely foreign to her.

As the day was nearing its end, they took some time to find shelter. They eventually found a thin path that lead up to a small cave along the cliffside, just high enough to not be submerged by the sea. With some help of Aragir’s magic, they were able to set up camp there. Delbellis carved a symbol of Solis in the cave wall to serve as a ward against the dark. Undu disdained the gesture, believing that the Gods had forsaken them.

In the evening, Aragir decided to use Sending contact his brother Druindar to see if he and the others were alright. The response seemed strained, and Druindar pressed that the party should be careful if they decided to travel North.

Whilst Delbellis was preparing food and brewing more potions, Aragir decided to study the Bronze Orbs some more, along with the related notes. The three he now possessed were clearly the same type of device, though they had distinct differences.
The half broken orb he had found at Abador seemed hollow inside, and along its surface on the inside a texture of many small lines and circles could be seen, forming little pathways that led to the center. The orb he had retrieved from his room seemed to be in a better shape, though nevertheless looked worn down by the ages which had turned its originally bronze surface into a mixture of brown and grey. The third orb looked noticeably newer. The bronze was still of a vivid colour, and the two parts needed to be turned to indicate which half of the world would be used for teleportation. One then had to specify their desired location with their finger.
The device emitted a soft humming noise as it was seemingly brimming with energy, which was likely needed for every single use. There was no known way of recharging the device after use, but perhaps the Arcanum could prove to be useful in it somehow.

July 21st, 2023

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