Session 9-28-08

Interlude:  Hathorae, Capital of Aerendale-Haven, Chelmont - Faerisa 23 CR

In the days following the sudden attack on the Moridarn airship Invincible in the forest outside Aerendale-Haven, both of the ageless elected to the nation's highest office, President Weylorn Orren and Vice-President Miyra, worked tirelessly with Defense Minister Ishak Al-Sayyid to clear Hathorae's name and set straight the facts on the horrific tragedy.  Hathoraen authorities and hundreds of eyewitnesses placed Minister Al-Sayyid in Saradhassa at the Great Temple of the Mother Sun on Chelmont 23, 23 C.R., and in the court of world opinion, the ageless paladin, who is both a decorated veteran of the Harbinger War (among other conflicts) and serves as the Eternal Champion of Arinna, was found innocent. No Hathoraen soldiers were reported missing or absent from duty on the day of the attacks, nor for weeks before or after.  Thousands of eyewitnesses saw the bright flashes of magical energy and fire erupt from the Invincible as it crashed over the forest to the west of Aerendale, but none were close enough to confirm or deny that the attacks occured as Royce witnessed them.

Days of tense diplomatic negotiations drew out into weeks, and as Chelmont thawed into Faerisa in the year 23, little by little the nations of Gaia grew convinced that some great feat of illusioncraft had been perpetrated against Emperor Royce Ralaevar and his entourage upon the Invincible.  Independent arcanists were brought in to investigate the wreckage of the once proud airship even before the flames of its burned-out hull had died out, and although residual traces of conjuration, abjuration and illusion magic were detected, the newly crowned Emperor of Moridar refused to listen to reason or logic, growing ever more paranoid and isolated, surrounded by a shadowy group of advisers and insulated from the opinions of his people.  Yet the Moridarn have ever been a stoic and slow-changing people, and their decision to crown the young prince and make him their first human Emperor after millenia of draconic rule was not easily set aside.  National pride and solidarity led the Moridarn to stand uneasily behind their troubled ruler, though he fell into an ever-worsening cold rage against the "betrayers and assassins" of Hathorae, whose diplomats he cast out of Moridar, and whose pleas for parley he resolutely ignored.  Days after the attack on the Invincible, Royce Ralaevar ordered two thousand Moridarn infantry to the southern border, poised defensively at Hathorae's northern edge to strike against some unforseen attack.

In the tense weeks of Faerisa that followed, Hathorae continued to send diplomats and evidence reports to the Imperial Court of Moridar, but all were returned without being granted audience with the wrathful Emperor Royce.  Thousands more soldiers of Moridar were sent to the Hathorae-Moridar border near Caladere, and in the third week of Faerisa, Emperor Royce decreed that he had uncovered evidence of an additional plot against his life, this time originating with a group of rogue Hathoraen mercenary-adventurers in the Orcish capital of Thran-Gaar.   Several hundred Moridarn soldiers were sent to the eastern borders of the empire, this time standing watch over the western border of Malok-Gorthai, the Orclands, kingdom of Thaggha Wraithscorch.

Diplomatic tensions between bewildered Hathorae and suddenly bellicose Moridar rose to unprecedented levels.  The two nations historically had banded together in mutual defense and trade agreements, and helped together to broker the Harbinger Accords and formalize the mutual defense pact known as the Northern Alliance.  Yet Royce Ralaevar's cold fury at the brutal murders of his family and friends seemed to help the young Emperor find his voice and his manhood; he soon escalated his rhetoric against his former Hathoraen allies to the south, and by late Faerisa and the first signs of winter's thaw, no less than fourteen thousand Moridarn infantry stand ready to invade Hathorae at his whim.  Supreme Elect of Hathorae, President Weylorn Orren travelled to Rachspire personally in an attempt to defuse the growing tensions, but even such a powerful and prestigious representative as he was turned away without acknowledgement.  Weylorn Orren, as the Eternal Champion of Jenoic, is known throughout Gaia as a fair, just and honest negotatior and statesman, but the Emperor's burning resolve would broker no discussion of peace. 

Three days before Alindor 1 (better known as Prankster's Day to the faithful of Gwardo and Merin Jewelshine), on a cold, clear Faerisa 28, Royce Ralaevar finally emerged from his secret chambers within Rachspire's imperial palace and, addressing the assembled tens of thousands standing before him with the sheer cliffs of the Rach-Tor mountain range behind, issued a challenge and declaration of hostilities against the nation of Hathorae.  Atop his raised dais, Moridar's new emperor laid out the crimes which he percieved were committed against his nation and his family, his clarion tones finally finding full throat in a calm, stern fury of one who will bring long-awaited justice to thosed damned and corrupted by evil.  "The permissiveness of Hathorae's citizenry towards its 'ageless' rulers, who are no more than petty dictators trumped up with the trappings of a democratic republic, has allowed its public morals to sink lower than the Abyss itself," claimed Emperor Ralaevar.  "This nation of sin and corruption, which is tolerant of unthinkable vice and greedily grasps at every loose copper within reach, has culminated its transformation from ally to demon with an unprovoked attack against my family and our nation.  I therefore call upon the authority of my office and the trust of my people as I lead us to war and occupation, in order to cleanse the blight that Hathorae has become from the face of Gaia and replace it with a more suitable and moral society.  We shall occupy all of Hathorae's lands, which were once purchased from us at a pittance by these 'ageless' demonic imposters Al-Sayyid and Orren, or else we shall commit war upon them until each purveyor of sin lies at the feat of justice, begging for mercy that shall never come.  I say now to Hathorae, who pretended alliance only to strike at the heart of Moridar: surrender now, or die to the last man, woman and child."

The political reaction outside of Moridar's borders to this speech is muted but horrified.  No nation of Talirae can hope to stand against Moridar's military, which is supported by the largest landmass on the continent by far.  Since the Convergence of twenty-three years ago, the roads between cities and nations have become more perilous, and the vibrant trade agreements and easy travel of decades past have given way to a simple struggle for nations' survival against a new and untamed wilderness.  Hathorae's allies in Falgenor, Valhgate, Urgorae and Malok-Gorthai offer their sympathy, but no nation sends troops, nor do the Hathoraens expect any such efforts.  Whatever darkness and trickery has taken the young Emperor Royce down this path of wrath and cold rage, Hathorae must now stand alone against his fury.  After days of heated discussion in both houses of the parlaiment and with ordinary citizens all across the nation, the two Supreme Elects of Hathorae - the paladin Weylorn, champion of Jenoic, and the sorceress Miyra, pathwalker of Zor - deliver a decision to the citizens of their nation: a popular vote shall be tabulated, against the following question: Will Hathorae mobilize its depleted, exhausted army (not nearly rebuilt after years of absorbing the brunt of Lord Shaur's attacks during the Harbinger War) and defend itself against one of its staunchest allies, or will it stand down and allow the occupation, trusting in the rule of law and truth to win out against this tragic circumstance?

- End Interlude

Ijruk's Blind, Alindor 1, 23 CR:

The divine visions granted to Essedar, Zara, Nathaniel and Telenvor fade away, replaced by a growing sense of horror and desperation.  The four friends are uncertain of the origin of the visions - did they come from the Exile, from Jenoic, or from the hidden hybrid of both beings, the rune-covered eidolon that now presumably festers within a sealed tomb in Ijruk's Blind?  They now know the actual date, their place in time and space, and the terrible rush of events which occurred during their forced absence in Chaal-Nathra.  Their very nation stands at the brink of war, imperiled by events which seem tied to the dark conspiracy they have battled over the past year.  Merin Jewelshine's words ring in their ears: "They sapped our vital essence, imbued other creatures with our talents for illusioncraft." (See Falling Stars Session 2-6-08)  Is the alliance of Chaal-Nathra and the Exile somehow responsible for the attack on the Invincible?

However, there are more pressing matters at hand.  The blackguard Kothaer Cradan stands before the four companions, his saw-edged greatsword gleaming with blood and gore in the light of the braziers in the temple of the Ebon Triad.  He too seemed taken by the reverie of the energies released by Jenoic and the Exile, neither of whom are now present in the temple.  The blue and red balls of light which trapped both beings are also gone, leaving behind a faintly glowing purple residue of dust which slowly falls to the ground atop the temple's upper tier.   After taking momentary stock of the situation, the blackguard's face twists into a prideful grin, and he cackles madly, the sound echoing off the obsidian walls of his gore-streaked temple.  "It is done, yesssss!  The Ebon Aspect shall now arise, and you four will bear witness to my new master's might even as I feed your still living hearts into its maw... now fight for your lives, and add your heartsblood to the black pyre!"  He bounds forward in a furious charge, clashing sword against spear with Zara once again, his limbs filled with unholy vigor.  The last six of his Ebon Triad cultists also mob the heroes, but Tel's rapier cuts them deeply and Nathaniel's magic burns them into merciful irrelevance.  Essedar concentrates on keeping Zara on her feet with healing against the sweeping, stinging cuts of Kothaer's blade, and Arinna's paladin gives as good as she gets, puncturing the blackguard deeply beneath both shoulders and the belly.  The moments can be measured between heartbeats as the combatants turn, charge, wheel about and cut again, forming an intricate dance of steel and magic around them.  Kothaer is individually more than a match for any single one of the companions, but as a party working together in coordinated battle,  they clearly outclass him.  Bleeding and staggering, the craven killer flees the heroes' combined might and dashes out of the Triad Temple, back towards the orcish/elvish tombs from which the party intially emerged.  Zara curses in frustration, knowing that a single additional blow would probably finish Kothaer.  Followed by Nathaniel and Essedar, with Tel bringing up the rear, she leads the group back into the mausoleum of Ijruk's Blind.

The shadowy confines of the tombs, which hold orcs, elves and human allies in equal measure, proves to be the site of Kothaer's last stand.  Lit only by the increasingly bright purple radiance of the divine seals around the largest tomb at the rear of the mausoleum, the room is a natural ambush point for the blackguard.  As the purple light grows, waves of energy seem to leak off the tomb in a regular rhythm, as though the heart of the planet herself were beating within.  A circular gate seems to be forming amidst the coalescing energy, but nothing is clearly visible beyond its radiance. 

Mindful of an ambush, the four heroes advance cautiously, following a bloody trail of plated bootprints from Kothaer.  The mad, giggling killer gives away his position as the four friends move ahead, catching Zara with a blade sweep and engaging battle once again with a wild scream.  Once again, it seems that his bodily wounds have been completely healed in mere moments.  The battle begins anew, as Essedar pincushions him with arrows and holy fire flashes from Nathaniel's staff, burning his flesh.  The mage calls out to the spirits within the walls: "Hear me, you orcs and you elves!  Ijruk and Jenoic!  You were once allies!  Rise up now and help us to destroy this plague of evil that has infested your holy place."  Nathaniel's voice resonates well beyond its normal range, and the runes of elven and orcish tombs flare to life with tendrils of entwined red and green energies, all of which seem to feed into the growing, pulsing ring of energy around the eidolon's tomb.  Zara calls out fervently to Arinna, "Sun Mother, shine your light in this dark place!"  Essedar takes a long, deep toke and exhales his faith to Shandae, Mother of All, and even the irreverent Tel names Jenoic, Shandae and Irjuk in a halting prayer. 

As the companions focus their eyes upon it, the gate seems to come into focus.  Although is not yet fully formed, two distinct shapes - silhouettes of Anilmathien, the elf-god Jenoic, and his adversary the Exile, zadonite lord of past ages - can be seen struggling within the gate, attempting to define its form and function for themselves.   The gambit between them seems to be drawing to an inexorable conclusion, and Jenoic is not winning the battle.  His elven aspect catches the heroes' eyes, and he speaks into their minds: "You who have carried my name on your goodly lips, you have seen what now unfolds.  Gaia is my consort, my love, and we must not let him have her!"  The Exile, grappling the frail, beaten Jenoic, speaks in turn.  "Your deeds have proven signficant.  Join me in the next age, and I will raise you up to your true potential.  I will provide the vital instruction which has for so long been lacking among Gaians."  As he speaks, he squeezes and chokes Jenoic, pushing him to his knees.  "We are the same," the Exile intones, speaking at once to Jenoic and the four mortal witnesses.  "All that feeds Jenoic, feeds me in turn.  We are the same."

"Brainless cattle, you now pray before the Ebon Aspect!  It matters not what you call it, for my threefold lord will now rise and bring about a new age of darkness and glory," cries Kothaer.  "Everything you do, everything you have done, now feeds the Black Son of Three!"  Yet the battle against four determined heroes has sapped his strength and he stands before them, panting and bleeding heavily.  "I can never diiieee!" he screams hoarsely as he charges heedlessly, knocking Zara's spear aside and dealing her a grievous blow.  Essedar stands behind her, praying for healing, and the paladin's wounds close once again as Kothaer giggles madly in frustration.  "But you, Zara Oberwald, were destined to die here by my hand!  Come forth, Threefold Aspect, and witness my victory!"  Time seems to stand still for a moment, but the purple gate does not answer Kothaer's call.  "What is this?  I CALL YOU FORTH, BLACK SON!  ARISE AND DEVOUR MY ENEMIES!  What?  Kyuss will not honor His bargain if you do not come now!  What is the meaning of this??!!?" 

"I think not," says Nathaniel dryly, allowing himself a smirk at Kothaer's expense.  His voice changes as he speaks words of powerful summoning.  "Auernoth, answer my summons and help us slay the one who corrupted your ancient resting place!"  The mage completes his spell, and a golden circle of light opens on the ground next to Kothaer. A moment later, Auernoth - feline spirit-warrior of the Dreaming morphs - stands before them, his broad-bladed sword gleaming in the purple and gold radiance.  He stands bipedal, as do most morphs, his feathered headdress slowly swaying as he balances in an agressive combat stance.  Auernoth's features contort in rage as he confronts Kothaer, who was months ago responsible for seeding his tomb beneath Haven's slums with burning, hateful undead creatures.

A deep, rumbling cat-growl issues forth from Auernoth's throat and chest, and he springs into battle against Kothaer.  Now faced with five-on-one odds, the blackguard's demeanor turns desperate.  Auernoth provides a flanking maneuver for Telenvor, who buries his rapier in Kothaer's ribs.  Two of Essedar's arrows strike him in the chest at point-blank range, and Nathaniel's staff flashes with white hot cleansing flame as it burns him once more.  Finally, Zara spins and kicks him hard in the gut, causing blood froth to rise in Kothaer's throat.  With furious strength, the lady paladin knocks her foe's blade aside and drives her spear through his throat and out the back of his neck, pushing upward and then quickly down, pinning Kothaer's burbling, twitching form to the ground.  Their eyes meet for a brief moment, and Zara catches a small glimpse of confused humanity in the dark orbs of her foe, but then watches Kothaer's eyes widen in pain and fear.  He screams uncontrollably, a terrible wailing sound, and his body begins to burn from within, as though it was being consumed slowly from within by molten fire.  Zara cannot watch this torture - undoubtedly a punishment from Ethoar the Soul Burner - and calls out plaintively to her goddess.  "Arinna, show this man mercy and justice!" she cries, stabbing downward into Krothaer's skull.  In that moment, her speartip seems made of white-hot sunfire, and its merest touch ends the blackguard's torment, instantly burning his body to a fine ash.  Kothaer Cradan, plague-spreader, mad murderer and one of the architects of the Ebon Triad, has been forever destroyed and laid to rest.

Exhausted by their ordeal, the four heroes and their summoned ally Auernoth turn to face the purple gate, which now seems near to forming in wholeness.  If Kothaer's claims are to valid, they now face an unwinnable battle against the Ebon Aspect: a divine being borne of the three Elder Banes: Ethoar, Tyraudon and Yshunor.  Each brave adventurer looks at the others in turn, for they all face their last moments on Gaia even in their moment of triumph against the Triad's human agents.  Wearily taking up spear, bow, blade and spell, with Auernoth's reassuring growl-purr rumbling in their midst, they brace for their final, desperate battle against the terrible evil which has now been summoned to Gaia by the Ebon Triad.  Jenoic and the Exile are locked in a divine gambit, but were unexpectedly trapped by the designs of the Ebon Triad, tricked into lending their energies for the formation of a new god, the Threefold Ebon Aspect.  The strange runic eidolon within the tomb and the gate itself hang in the balance, and the sum of their divine wager is poised to step through the fully-formed gate and change the face of Gaia forever. 

Falling Stars, Rising Hope