The Darkness Dissipates
Falling Unconscious
- Adeena, Kiris, Theobald, Noah and Leneia exit the prison. Upon arriving on the surface, they notice several commotions from the people within the courtyard.
- The crowd seems to panic about people suddenly getting unconscious. The party splits up to investigate.
Theobald
- Theobald approaches the United Kippian Military. He sees two soldiers of United Kippian Military unconscious on the ground. A lieutenant oversees the commotion, and he talks to Theobald.
- Theobald observes that the unconscious guards have no wounds nor injuries. The two soldiers are carried to the nearby tent.
- Theobald asks the lieutenant about the two soldiers’ faith. The lieutenant tells him no, and Theobald assumes that the soldiers were not faithful enough.
- Theobald inspects the nearest vantage point near the area; he checks the nearby tower. Theobald concludes that there is no way a mage could have casted a spell on the two soldiers from that area, considering that the area is thoroughly guarded.
- Theobald goes to the survivors’ camp to inform the others.
Adeena and Leneia
- Adeena and Leneia approach the castle guards. The captain of the guards puts their concern to Adeena about two unconscious guards.
- The unconscious guards have no wounds, injuries or even markings. Adeena also learns that the people falling unconscious happen simultaneously.
- Adeena observes if the guards are under magical effects. She is unsure; Leneia, on the other hand, tells Adeena that what happened could be the effects of an enchantment spell. In addition, Leneia also tells Adeena that if that is the case, it can only be a powerful enchantment spell.
- Leneia, with Adeena’s approval, tries to cast dispel magic on one of the guards. Leneia fails, but she is certain that the guards are under an enchantment spell. She tells Adeena that a powerful restoration spell might alleviate the condition.
- Adeena and Leneia search for Theobald. They see him going to the survivors’ camp.
Noah and Kiris
- Noah and Kiris approach the survivors camp from Yvernus. The two see three unconscious bodies. Kiris asks Kirren what happened.
- Kirren tells Noah and Kiris that the survivors suddenly became unconscious. The three exhibit no wounds or injuries.
- Kiris asks Kirren if tainted food could be the reason. Kirren replies that it should not be the case, since the other survivors are eating the same meals as that of the unconscious bodies.
- Kirren thinks that the reason could be an enchantment spell. Kiris tells her that Vanayra was casting a spell. He asks if it is possible that Vanayra casted the enchantment spell on the survivors.
- Kirren replies that it is not probable, and tells him that usually, the targets of an enchantment spells should be close to the caster. However, it is more possible that the targets were subjected to an enchantment spell before, and that the spell was just triggered now.
- Kiris tells Kirren that they will talk to Vanayra again. Kiris and Noah see Adeena, Leneia and Theobald going to the camp.
Revisiting Vanayra
- Leneia suggests that Theobald cast a restoration spell on one of the survivors. Theobald says that he needs 100 gp worth of diamond dust to cast a greater restoration spell. Kirren obliges, and she tells the party that she will procure the required spell component.
- The party plans to talk to Vanayra. Guarding the prison, they see the guard nearly falling unconscious. The party give him food and water, and then ask him to rest as they reenter the prison.
- Theobald casts silence on Vanayra’s cell, and Kiris converses with Vanayra using his message spell:
“I know what you are doing.”
- Vanayra answers back:
“So what, can you stop it?”
- Kiris asks Leneia about Vanayra. Leneia answers that she only knows that Vanayra is a member of The Cult of Miledu, and that she works with Kariil.
- Noah inspects Janna’s cell to see if she can see the child who she thinks is Auriel. Noah did not see anything amiss.
- The party enters Vanayra’s cell. Vanayra attempts to fight back, but Noah’s arrow hit her and Vanayra surrenders. The party restrains Vanayra so that she cannot cast spells anymore.
- The party exits the prison and warns the guard to take care when dealing with Vanayra.
Charmed, not unconscious
- The party go back to the survivors camp. They see Kirren, who hands Theobald the diamond dust.
- Theobald casts greater restoration on one of the unconscious survivors. The survivor immediately wakes up.
- The survivor tells them that she was not unconscious, but sort of acting to be unconscious. The survivor does not know what triggered the spell. The party concludes that those who have fallen unconscious are charmed.
- Kirren asks an aide to procure diamond dust from Foenyx to cure the condition of the unconscious people.
- The party leaves Ankyra’s Old Castle Compound and reports back to Chtapodhi.
Devil’s Chains, Part Two
- As the party is walking back to Chtapodhi, Noah feels someone tugging on her clothes. She looks around, and see the child near an alley. The child implores Noah to enter the alley.
- Noah tells the party about the child. The party enters the alley, and they see an unconscious man on the ground. Adeena checks the man, and see that there are markings on the man’s forehead.
- The skies darken, and a Chained Devil attacks the party. The party rebuffs the devil.
- Leneia, who went unconscious during the encounter, was asked by the party why did she fall unconscious. Leneia do not remember falling unconscious.
- Kiris carry the unconscious man and give him to a nearby guard. The guard shares that this is the second time that he received report of an individual falling unconscious. The first one, he says, was reported by a dwarf and an elf, who the party recognize as Thoradin and Arc.
Back Together
Arc and Thoradin
- Arc and Thoradin decide to follow the party. On their way, Thoradin sends a letter to Seris Goodman and Thorvald Goodman.
Thoradin's letter to his parents
To my beloved mother Seris, and my steadfast father Thorvald,
I write this on the eve of war. The camp is loud with preparation, steel being checked, armor tightened, orders passed. It reminds me of nights back home when you, Father, sharpened your blade before a mission, and Mother lit the lanterns in prayer. I carry both of those memories with me now.
I want you to know I stand firm. My shield is steady, my oath unbroken, and my will as solid as the mountain stone that raised me. The companions I march with are brave folk, and together we will strike at Miledu himself the one who poisoned Kortusk, twisted our kin, and brought grief to countless dwarven halls.
We have crossed paths with Elix Claymore twice now. He has changed twisted by Miledu’s corruption. He did not hesitate to raise his hand against us, even against me. I admit this to you because you deserve the truth, not a softened tale. Yet still, something in me remembers the lad he once was. I do not know what the coming fight will demand of me… but I will face it with honor.
If I fall, know this: I fall doing the work Macchi set before our line. I fall as a Goodman, as you raised me. I fall with steel in hand, not fear in my heart.
Do not mourn me as though I was taken too soon. A warrior cannot choose when his final battle finds him only how he stands when it does. And I stand ready.
But if the gods will it, and I return to Onix with victory at my back, then you may laugh at this letter and scold me for worrying over nothing. That would be a blessing.
Whatever comes, I carry your teachings with me. Father, your discipline keeps my arm true. Mother, your faith keeps my path clear. If this letter reaches you, it is only because I wished you to hear my thoughts should I not come home soon.
May Macchi guide my strike as he guided yours.
Son of the Mountain,
Shield-Bearer of Macchi
- Arc and Thoradin see the party with Leneia. The two groups exchange information as they travel back to Chtapodhi.
Splix and Adikia
- Splix helps the scholars scribe the telepathic mind spell on a scroll. He then takes a break, and meets Adikia. The two decide to follow the party to Ankyra.
- During their walk, Splix thinks there is something amiss with Adikia. He asks Adikia if there is something wrong, but Adikia denies. Splix notices that the markings on Adikia’s forehead briefly pulse.
Devil’s Chains, Part Three
- The two see the party in the distance. Adikia tells Splix to not follow her. Adikia runs to the nearby plaza. She falls unconscious.
- The skies turn dark and a Horned Devil and three Chained Devils attempt to take Adikia. The party rushes to Adikia’s aid.
- The party defeats the threat and saves Adikia. Adikia wakes up.
- The darkness dissipates, and they see a man wearing a white suit waiting in front of them. They see markings on his forehead similar to Adikia. The individual seems familiar to the party. The man speaks:
“I cannot believe that you’ve defeated the herald of Calyxius that easily…”