Session 31
The Crown and the Mad King
The road to the Eye of Calamity approaches 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, the temple - referred to as the Eye of Calamity, where the 100-Year War had begun - engulfed in one. As the party approaches, Gustav stands on finder detailed stairway leading to the temple, though 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 the large bubble grows larger and increases in its speed doing so, until it ultimately engulfs the party too.
Gustav and the party exchange words and while Cynic attempts to persuade the refugees listening in to drop 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 refugee begin pulling towards Weylin and, as Gustav is ultimately pushed to his limit as he sees the skies darken, he offers up his soul as well.
Gustav is left restrained in Aragir's magical earthen hand, defeated, though Weylin's preparations appear complete. The party approaches.
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 speaks to the motivations of Weylin 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 let to forgotten gods which was seemingly said by Alduin Leonelis to Weylin. Cerrule is reminded why she is coined the deviant: Weylin is aware of Enoreth and their followers, as they become troublesome to his quest to alter the flow of time. Cerrule's existence is a thorn in the eye for Weylin. 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 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 travels strands in 100 AT. Here, he meets Dukat and forms the Five Wise thinking they could help Weylin in giving him his abilities back. Unfortunately, they are responsible for the Calamity and are defeated, imprisoned. Though Weylin manages to escape eventually...
The fight progresses and Weylin proves intriguing, capable of 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, resources of the party dwindling with every passing minute. Through perseverance, the party reaches the boiling point 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, momentarily floating 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 blaming them for the current situation. A new fight begins!
This Manifestation uses Weylin's abilities as well as some new, though the party holds. Managing to corner it, restraining it and disallowing its use of magical ability, the Manifestation is finally subdued and with that, the spacial environment dissipates. Revealing once more the mountain top and with the bubble completely removed the party is greeted by a showing of several known 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, a new face later revealed as Hachi who appears to be a superior of Cassius within the Fold.
Almost immediately seeing the party has returned, Kaimos, upon seeing the Scarlet, rips out the logo off his uniform and hands it over to Renza before departing off the path. Cassius, reporting immediately to Hachi, 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 had since developed. Captain Mergom informs the party that the reopened Adventurer's Guild had recalled all her adventurers back for re-evaluation. While the Scarlet and the small army of Brassdorf inspect the plaza, the party decides it's time to leave. There's much to catch up on.
Using a teleportation spell through an amulet of the Scarlet present, the party relocates to the edge of the Siren Woods: the cabin of Lavarr. Abandoned and with evidence of a crime, Cynic reveals the fate of lumberjack and his son. The Getaways had done this as punishment. The party mourns their passing, though months had passed, Delbellis and Aragir build a small memorial for them where they had been buried...
The party turns to look ahead and begin their trek back to Brassdorf while Vaeri brings the latest news to the group. The Resistance League has grown to a formidable faction within the city and have reclaimed the former Guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild, Terrance Hillsbrad. 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 coming south. 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.
Arriving at the giant sword, 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... Kaimos reacts astonished and 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 departs off into another door further away...
The travels to Brassdorf are ways off and the party eventually makes it to the city. Soldiers in armor can now be seen roaming the city and where the city gates used to be wide open are now closed, only opened on the request from Vaeri. They enter, knowing things have changed since the last they were here almost 8 weeks ago...