(Completed) Campaign Journal - Tethys: Fool's Gold (DnD 5ed)

[Havoc]

We continue our journey.

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Chapter XVII

Session 140-141: Godly Truth and Betrayals

The party was able to talk to the vampires. Solange convinced one of them to take his blood and when that happened he turned into a mortal. The vampires didn't know what to do and discussed their next action. They decided that the vision they had for over 300 years was interpreted wrongly and will help the party. Nobody knows of their existence so they can't just waltz into Lord Skuthus but the party can rest here before the Blood Sun Ritual is finished. The pile of gold and treasure was gifted them and the vampires stayed on guard while the party made a short rest. In that time they learned that the vampires were the original Eclipsed, even before undead showed up. But these are just the children of those that died in the tsunami. After the rest, they joined forces and marched on to Lord Skuthus. The vampires taking care of enemies along the way and forcing the party into the temple.

Lord Skuthus
Leader of the Blood Sun Cult

Sunlord
High Priest of Lord Sun​

There they met with fanatical servants of Lord Sun and the pirate Calandor they met before. They were able to persuade him to leave without joining the fight. The combat started and the party had an uphill battle with the enemy having heals, high damage (poison) and Scarlett being asleep (nobody woke her for 3 rounds). However, they were able to turn the tide and won in the end. Only three enemies escaped. There were some lair actions, the mosaic, that looked like the mosaic in Golden West castle, was enhanced with the sun rays and healed worshippers of Lord Sun. After the combat, the party saw a bright light and from the statue of Lord Sun, his avatar showed up to make a speech. Burning the bodies to ash of Lord Skuthus and Sunlord.

Avatar of Lord Sun​

Lord Skuthus is dead, his most important servants and associates also. The time has come for change. You must understand. It is not that simple. The Sphere defines the laws that we must follow as deities. It was not created by us, Gods, but it supplies this powerful power which is Faith, the God Spark. I will start my story from the beginning because I do not have time to answer all the questions. I saved my energy for this moment and there will not be another opportunity for the next decades. It all started eons ago when I was born as the sun of this world. Empty. Silence. More and more eons passed, then I began to hear whispers, which in a short time for me, but a very long time for you, changed to shouts and prayers. They called for me, they wanted my gifts, but I slept, I could not answer them until their mutual faith became stronger, but even then the gifts were small compared to what is now. When the people came, when the sphere was completed, the laws of the gods were created, and I woke up in the south, in this temple. The first meetings were foggy. I ordered the faithful to "Bring the Light" and "Dispel Darkness." A simple dogma, but I was a simple being then. A lot has changed over the next millennia. In the south, my followers turned into bloody followers, whose existence was one of the reasons for the religious war, fanatical light-bearers. Fearful of leaving the world, they operated at night. At the time when those on the Isle of Man wore light openly. My soul was divided, I felt torn in two. Then the Avatar of the Trinity died. At the same time, I was several entities simultaneously. At the same time I helped to punish the killers and all traitors of humanity, and at the same time not. At the same time I lost millions of the faithful, flooded by the waters of this world, and at that time I still existed and could act. At the same time, I dropped the chains that held me, allowing me to act and oppose our prison guards, and at the same time I was still imprisoned. Over time I understood what I had to do. Save energy, gain knowledge of what will happen in the future and get ready. I sent a vision to my faithful, just like I do Solange many times now. Nothing is perfect. I told them to prepare, that the time would come when the blood would be cleansed. Everyone understood my vision differently. Those who survived the cataclysm in the north understood it, prepared themselves and recaptured the old fortress. In the north, the Eclipsed decided that I was coming after them for breaking the dogmas, they dissolved their organization. In the south they have completely distorted my vision. They decided that their truest god was angry with them, that the time would come when he would punish everyone if they did not return to their previous form of worship. Children of the Sun. The cult of death and blood has returned... The avatar takes his gauntlets off showing that his hands are all in fresh blood, which is still sprinkling.... I started to crack again. There was to be another split. East with a bright sky and West with red. You stopped it. You stopped my split, Solange, you of my blood. Your birth was not an accident, parents, grandparents, great grandparents. Visions I sent, I tried to send a key to this world. All the visions I gave you were to prepare you for this moment. That you do not falter in your devotion, understand that not everything is black and white. Your blood, My blood cleansed this place. They were afraid that the visions I would send them about the end would be their death. It will be years, certainly a generation, before my faith in the south returns to its previous state, then I will have strength, I will be ready for the next step. Here is your most important mission. You and your friends are the key to our rescue. This world is bursting and we, as gods, are unable to stop it without intervention. The mission I entrusted to you, the fight against the Darkness beyond the Sphere is more important than yourself. The pride that you had in your heart would make you go the wrong way, you had to be prepared for the moment and the one to come. Even now, when I stand before you, I can't tell you everything. I'm wasting a lot of energy trying to tell you the truth about what is beyond. The Sphere is breaking. It will be destroyed. You have to stop it. Save the world. My time is over here. I may be able to answer a few questions, but it's over. We won't meet Solange again, only through vision if I have enough energy. Next time only as you stand outside the realm. Our last meeting will be there.​

Then the party asked some questions before the Avatar disappeared. He was unable to fully answer some, as the laws he tried to break were still upon him. About the Cobalt Dragon, he said that it's his choice to do so, whatever that meant. When asked who is responsible for the curse (drow, duergar and svifnerblin) and subsequent rampage, he said it was the Trinity but he thinks he helped them as those cursed fear the sun.

After those talks, the vampires came were turned back to mortal with Solange's blood. They would stay here, use their vast connections and change the cult, worship. The general would retreat since the ritual was a failure and they waited for it to attack the Great Empire. After all that, the party returned to their kingdom and rested before going to the drow.

Emel'Glad​

To get to Emel'Glad they used illusions to hide their faces and did their best to get past the forest to the capital. Where, after a Sending, they were able to make an appointment with the Queen. In the city they almost fell into a trap set by Dremzor, that revived drow they killed in the dwarven fortress. When they got to the palace walls, they were able to convince the guards to let them in. They were brought before the Queen's Servant as she wanted to see them first. Along the way, they saw that the architecture of the place looks quite different. The giant spiders make some unique web that can be made into spidersilk which can be made into armour or building blocks. The rarest is white while the common one is black (it turns black after forging). The black one is good only for buildings and furniture, while the white can be turned into lightweight armour and can be as good as full plate. The city had a lot of black spidersilk buildings but the most important ones, like the palace were made with white spidersilk. The palace looked like a gigantic spider.

Council of the Elven Queen

Elhaelnith
Queen's Servant

Bhintel Filifar
"The Archmage"
Master of Arcane

Vharaun Vivnade
Chosen of the Savior

Zerena Ghulzaid
Master of Assassins​

Along the way, they encountered their first Drider. Some Drow were double-cursed and turned into Drider, this happened years after the cursed set in, so nobody really knows why it happened. These Drider are looked upon as holy warriors. Everybody in the city worships the Queen as the Savior. The party went into one of the palace towers (that was a spider leg) and met with Elhaelnith. This is Elhaeltôr/Harthion's sister. There was a sad moment between them, as the brother couldn't remember anything and his heart was broken when he saw his sister (the once beautiful dancer) turn into a drider. They were able to exchange a few words and the Queen was expecting them. They went inside the main body of the spider and saw a huge room, almost empty. At the far back, there were couple of new and old faces. They saw the mage they allowed to live (the one in the secret base under the dwarven fortress) and Dremzor (he returned from his hunt). Couple of new faces. Bhintel, the "archmage" they heard about. Vharaun that was the chosen of Alaria and had a strange blade (Void Blade, like Moon Blade). Zerena who was the leader of the Queen's Assassins.

Alaria the Savior
Demigod of the Elves (Drow)​

The Queen herself had a strange aura. Powerful that they felt when they saw Lord Sun. This was a (demi)God, no doubt about it. Even as they got close, they felt the power that tried to make them kneel before her. Nobody did so. The party talked to the queen, gifting her "knowledge" or more like "information" about what they knew about the Undertethys and Great Empire. That they need to work together. However, Mario and the rest talked like they were at equal footing with a Queen and a literal God. With such disrespect, they got one warning from Vharaun but they didn't heed it and continued. They talked about the "prison guards", that the queen won't be able to fight them etc. They did learn something new. That the Queen is a god thanks to Harthion. After he kidnapped her son, he was to be executed for it, so he came up with project god and set up steps to do in order for the Queen to become a god. After 300 years, everything worked and she is now considered a deity by her servants and even has godly powers. The last they felt when they were about to leave and Mario still made some disrespecting remarks. The party was teleported without a saving throw.

Ia'hyanda
The Void Blade​

They were inside an arena, each in a corner with magic stopping them to move outside a small boundary. Suddenly more beings were teleported. Thousands of worshippers showed up on the arena stands and couple in the center. Those were warriors, priest and mages, two more - Vharaun and Dremzor. Vharaun as the chosen made a speech to Emel'Glad, talking how the party disrespected them and their queen, how they didn't even say please only made demands etc. Said that the Queen is merciful and the sentence will be made by the citizens of Emel'Glad, the horde shouted for their deaths. "Gladly" answered Vharaun. The combat started by the first round the party could do anything, only Solange was able to use his artifact to bypass the force sphere for a moment. After the first round, the true combat started. The party wasn't winning at first but was able to turn the tide once again with some moves. During the combat, Elhaeltôr was able to cast Time Stop, where he sent Sending to Bhintel, who was with other members of the council (except for the Queen and her servant), asking to stop this charade but he got back that there is no turning back and that he should take the sword after Vharaun would be defeated. Dremzor died with smile but almost killed Solange, for what he did before to him. Dremzor kinda went insane with the revivification. The drow were losing, even if the party couldn't teleport around. Vharaun asked his goddess for help, he was healed up and a force sphere was created around him and Mario. A duel ensued and the rest of wounded drow surrendered. The party looked on the duel. It was pretty close. In the end, Mario was victorious. The crowd was angry. Elhaeltôr took the sword from Vharuan's disappearing body, Bhintel, the drow mage teleported in and asked the group to take his hand as he wanted to take them to safety. They did so and were teleported to his tower in the city. They made a small conversation. Apparently, everything was foreseen by the Queen and this was what she wanted. The sword is now Elhaeltôr, it was made by Bhintel as this worked like a Moon Blade and Vharaun's soul is in the blade. The party didn't ask a lot of questions. Maybe only Elhaeltôr, one of which was important to him ask he asked if his sister still dances, only got silence in return as an answer. The party rested in their magic mansion and teleported to their kingdom. There they rested for couple of days before going to the elven Sanctuary.

Elven Sanctuary
Iaun​

The elves lived in a different time scale. They looked all like they walked in slow motion and made many stops. They lived far away from each other but actually were very close. For a human, going 30 minutes to see a blacksmith is agony, while an elf of the sanctuary would make it one or two hours as he would make stops along the way to appreciate the world. The party saw animals that walked around, not terrified of humanoid creatures, even if it was a boar with her kids. The party could really rest and they made her slow way from the port city to the capital, maybe in seven days. They had the time. Them being here was something new, especially when they saw them in the capital. Only the existence of Harthion by their side made the difference. At the palace entrance, they met with Syltas and he escorted them inside. Along the way, they saw more elves and some looked strange. Elhaeltôr had gold hair, they looked like real gold strands. This was a sign of pure genes. There were other unique elves among the populace. One was the most sought out for that had ruby hair. Like his hair was made out of gemstones. A flock of elves was courting him. He recognized Harthion and made a single nod, which made the elves angry at the party but they got inside pretty quickly.

Galtea
Homonculi Servants

Mountain of Iaun
The Elven Ship​

The elven guards didn't want to allow non-Elves inside. Even Syltas said that taking them to Harthion's lab shouldn't be done as that place wasn't visited by humans ever, for all the +5000 years the elves are on the planet. Elhaeltôr was able to convince Syltas and the guards to let them pass. They only had to get on a teleportation pad to get to another place. They were now inside the elven spaceship or at least what's left of it. The architecture looked strange. Think Eldar from Warhammer 40k, while Drow make homes and armor from spider silk, this space ship was also made with some strange material that isn't just metal. Along the way, there were Galtea, homonculi that the elves make with magic that look and act as elves and have a varying skillset. When they got to the door that was Harthion's laboratory, Maranis Mystic West stopped them. She was angry at Elhaeltôr for allowing non-humans entrance and was unwilling to help him when he asked to stay at his side. Syltas left too, saying that he will take care of Maranis. The party entered the laboratory.

Tulkiirar Harthion Mallasse
Elhaeltôr tel'Kirya
Kolindo tel'Anar'hyanda​

It was filled with unknown magical instruments, likes of which the party never saw in their lives. Magic whirled in this place like it was natural. Elhaeltôr went like he was guided by something. At the end of his laboratory, there was a wall with elven symbols and a symbol of a sword. He got close to it, touched it and it opened revealing the sun/gold blade (high elf version of moon blade). When he reached for the blade, the transformation began and he stopped looking frail, his hair returned to old color, his skin was healthy and didn't look frail. Even his posture looked good. He stood up with the blade in his hands. Looked at the party, touched the wall and suddenly couple of Galtea warrior forms showed up from the walls and ground. Harthion pointed the sword at the party.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

More sessions! And the Royal Blood chapter ends. We start another one, the group focuses on Eye of Many and his many temples.

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Chapter XVII

Session 142-143: Elves within Elves and Buried Temple

Harthion pounced, using Time Stop. Unbeknownst to the party, he uses Invulnerability, which made him immune to all damage. He had 2 9th level slots, yes, due to Harthion being an Epic/Mythic character. Also, during combat he used the same action that the Duke used against the party - casting two spells at the same time. This was a prelude of what the party could achieve once they get epic/mythic abilities. He split the group using Forcecage and made two of his Galtea fight Solange, while he fought the rest. There was some back and forth. Even if the party was able to defeat his minions, they were unable to defeat him or break his spell. Overconfident, Harthion went to get some wand and failed tragically on a Wisdom Save. Elhaeltôr used this moment to take over part of his body and cast Paralysis using one of the wands (yea, he shouldn't, we forgot). An ironic and poetic turn of events. After that, the party regrouped, tied Harthion and waited for him to wake up. When he did, he was different. They weren't speaking to the same Elf (in short, he became someone new, distinct from Elhaeltôr and Harthion). The interrogation allowed the party to reveal stuff about Harthion's past. After the fall, he saw that he needs to save his people, somehow, and worked tirelessly. The god plan could have failed, so he worked on the elven space ship but after many years understood he doesn't have the time, he needs Heroes. As people believe that Heroes sacrifice themselves for the greater good and save the world. This action might buy more time for the elves to finish the ship but who knows. It was worth a shot. During this time he found Eye of Many and after Balasar took him to meet the entity, he hatched a plan with him. With their forces combined, they would "breed" these heroes through strife. However, as Eye of Many sees many different futures, he saw that Harthion would betray him. Corellon intervened and instead of killing the elf, the entity increased the severity of the curse. Due to that Elhaeltôr was born. The frail elf that Balasar took in his care. The party question many other things. But Harthion tried to have the party focused on the goal - saving the world. They aren't ready and need to prepare for the worst. He finally gave up, when they insisted on knowing what the elf knows about the Great Emperor. He revealed that he is the son of Alaria Gold Leaf (the queen, now demigod) and High King Actur (the Actuvian, Avatar of Trinity that died). Harthion felt that the child shouldn't be in this situation and tried to have him saved by teleporting him away. This made Alaria furious and wanted his head, but he came up with the God Plan and allowed Alaria to ascend as a demigod. Over the years, Harthion would visit the kid and see him grow in some nice jungle community. After a long time, he gifted him a special armour he found that only an Actuvian could wear, that would make him immune to detection or even wishing him to be teleported. He lost contact with him and didn't know the Great Emperor is the same person, until now. Scarlett asked about the Transparent Traveller title, but got nothing (until she visited the University and found that it shows up once - when High King Actur first time meets with Halfing delegates and calls that one of them). The party discussed their next course of action and decided to release Harthion. They cleaned up, rested for a while and left the ship to meet with the council.

Elven Council

Methild Gold Step
Ar'Revian

Elnaril Gold Blade
Ar'Taid

Red Prince
Ar'Mann

Triandal Sunny Daybreak
Ar'Cirdan

Sorisana Golden Ray
Ar'Nestad

Laerdya Silver River
Ar'Cirion​

Before they met with the council, Harthion met with his two students that were happy to see their master return to glory (even if he lost his 9th level slot and his mythic abilities). Even the woman was happy and asked if she did her part flawlessly, apparently, she knew what would happen or at least predicted enough to know what her master would do if he regains full memory. After that, they met with the Elven Council. They were furious that humans were on the ship, something that never happened in over 5000 years. Sacred ground! There was some back and forth between Harthion and the Council but they conceded in the end. Harthion revealed his next course of actions and was ready to die for the cause (with his sun blade in hand, now three "moon" blades). He asked them to start looking inwards that this might be the last time they can act and there is no time to stop. They would take that into consideration and debate. After that they stopped the meeting and had some fun, listening to music and drinking alcohol. Harthion joined them and finally started to love life, unlike the previous Elhaeltôr. The party joined too but not too much. During this time, the elves gave the group unofficial support, if they ever need it. The party rested a couple of days and later teleported back to their kingdom.

There Mario revealed that he met with the Trinity and they had this once chance to tell him the truth, as much as they could. They guardians are called Trinity of Enternity and are part of a bigger force called Everchaos, they created the sphere and trapped everybody inside. They revealed that the curse (side effect, the rage, wasn't planned) was what they planned to do, to make some actors spur into action, as predicting the future is hard and Mario might not show up but those that were alive then, could start the process. Harthion was one among them. Actur died because he wasn't ready to fight, he had to sacrifice his life for the world. Kill thousands to save unspeakable millions. Mario nodded and asked to lift the curse for his service. They promised that if he survives, when everything will be over, those that are good hearted, those that didn't embrance their vile nature, will be granted a second chance. He agreed to those terms and was sent back, as his time of being the Chosen of Trinity comes close. Once he is ready, all clerics in the world will know. Also, during this time, Scarlett met with Finnean's father, Oswald and talked about the Quickstep family. Oswald didn't believe her to be part of her family, she didn't look the part and Lazam, the suspected father, didn't have a wife nor mistress, he loved his work.

The party later decided to setup a meeting with Sedyryn, the Green Fury, that strange dragon. He agreed and the party met with him. During this conversation, it was revealed that Sedyryn hates the Prince of Infinite Branches, the leader of Archfey. He kidnapped him and tortured him "for a long time." Which would explain how the dragon looks, behaves and maybe has unknown powers. He said that he doesn't care about the canyon, that the party already does what he wants - prosperity, while he stays in the palace of the Golden City. Party needed the Golden Sphere, the Actuvian artifact that resides in the Golden City, but Sedyryn said that he can't get inside since it's on a demiplane beneath the city that the only way to get there is through the Vannozzo's tower. His student might be still alive but hiding somewhere. He still didn't reveal his plan or motivations but Harthion told him that if they had to choose between the Prince or him, that he might be considered. He left, disappearing into a hill, like his body made a new one (or was it always there?). After that the party decided that until they get the key, there is no reason to storm the city, they would take on their main enemy - Eye of Many. First stop, the temple in the Steppes of Memory.

Steppes of Memory

Monastery of the First Sun​

Once this place was called Isle of Man, one of three staging grounds of the Actuvian invasion, attack on the Giants. Before humans came, these lands had Gnome cities but they were utterly destroyed by the giants coming their betrayal and joining the humans. Now, it was mostly a wasteland, turned into undead lands, filled with undead riders and millions of souls that died in the tsunami after All-Father's death. The party needed to visit the Monastery. They brought along Solarin. The place changed during those five years that Solange was gone. A small town popped up and people lived like it was a normal place again.

Soleran Solbolt
Master of the Sun Soul Order

Solarin Sunhope
High Cleric of Light
Grand Master of Brotherhood of Light
Bearer of the Sunhammer​

First, he visited Soleran Solbolt, his monk master. After seeing him, he recognized he was a Master of the Crab, one of the tattoos was his. Laster Solange would ask him privately what it does and the answer was that it allows him to "cut even the biggest stones." The party went with him to the High Priest, who was revealed to be the bearer of the holy Lord Sun artifact known as Sunhammer (found in recent years). Their goal was the Eye of Many temple and the High Priest was the only one inside there, about 30 years ago. Solange even revealed what he saw, the leaders took the information to heart and decided to continue the work. The group got their key and Solaire joined the group with a detachment as an escort. Before that happened, Harthion used his time to rebuild the statue of Lord Sun that was in the Monastery, mostly destroyed by the Tsunami. He succeeded in making it during the night and people were greeted by a "miracle." But most would know it was the Golden Shield. After that, the party departed for the temple. Many days passed but when they found it, undead riders were surrounding these parts. Using their allies, they were able to get past to the entrance, open it and hide in the temple. The Lord Sun followers would stay behind and guard the entrance, while the party descended down into the unknown. After a while, they found the ancient temple, the stones looked similar. They thought they would find a door, that the High Cleric found and was locked but there was none, Eye of Many might have opened it for them. When they got inside, more corridors showed up and suddenly Scarlett started to disappear. They had telepathic communication but Scarlett was jumping between realities/dimensions/times. She saw the strange muscular brutes, creeping behind the party. They tried to use a rope but she was the person that disappeared and the rope fell to the ground. They moved forward and when they got close, the monsters appeared before all of the party.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

Did not happen

Yes, Harthion has a different token.

 

[Havoc]

Another one. The party finally reaches level 20th. We are closing to the end of the campaign.

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Chapter XVIII

Session 144: I Spy with My Eye

The party was attacked from all sides. Old enemies showed their ugly faces but where dispatched rather quickly. There were at least two Seers that threw balls that did psychic damage. However, once the combat ended, they were nowhere to be seen. The party delved deeper into the temple. They found two rooms. One was closed by a door, the other had an orb. The party saw such orbs in the corridor where they were attacked. Harthion decided to touch the orb and felt that he was suddenly standing in the center of a column, stretching to the cosmos. He swiped his hand and the column shimmered but didn't turn off completely. When the party tried to go to the room with the closed door, they returned to the room with the turned-off orb. Returning to the corridor with the orbs, they checked them out, seeing that they are in rooms with more of the strange sludge. When they tried to touch the orbs, the water started to boil and after they touched them, tentacles came out of them. Impervious to damage, they just stood there doing nothing. The party decided to check the exit but it was actually mirrored, it always lead to the orb room. Harthion activated the orb again and the party checked their options - they could again see the locked door, rooms with activated small orbs and the exit. However, once the party decided to test again, Harthion was struck with energies as the orb rejected him. Twice. Some might say he went insane doing this. Harthion already had 1 Point of Insanity. Now gained two due to rolling natural 1s on two Charisma Saving Throws. Well... his madness will come around eventually. Mario tried his luck and succeeded. Actually, the party was pretty fucking lucky in this session. Jesus christ levels of luck. After that, they went to the rooms with the orbs and decided that to activate whatever this was, they needed to split, one person for each small orbs. After all were activated, all tentacles showed up, darkness swallowed them and the party was in another room. This time close to each other, still touching the orbs. This was the room behind the door and it had a statue similar to that they found in the previous temple. It waited for the key. Suddenly, they heard something stone-like fall to the ground. Mario tried to reach for it and had to stop touching the orb, this teleported the party back and they had to retouch them again. Harthion used his Mage Hand to pick up the similar-looking stone key from the last temple and put it in the hand of the statue. It split like last time but didn't reveal an exit, just a huge shield. A tower shield.

All-Seeing Shield​

Using Mage Hand again, Harthion took the shield and the orbs turned off. The door opened for the party. The party barely heard about this artifact called All-Seeing Shield, probably belonging to Eye of Many and his followers. The group decided to exit but once they went behind a turn they saw the starfield. Again with the same shenanigans. This time, the "road" looked different like it was part of a corridor once. Maybe in some demonic fortress. The party ventured forth and along the way the situation repeat. Instead of a camp looking place, they found a room with a bed and fireplace. This place felt safe and the party decided to rest here. Many hours passed in this strange world. Harthion used his powers to grant two things (high-level spells) to his friends. One was Foresight to Scarlett. This had a strange effect. Somehow this powerful spell was cast on the other soul in her body. She saw many different outcomes and was able to ask the other soul a single question and she choose "Who are you?" and the answer was Lazam Quickstep. What was shown as her nightmare, the backstabbing of the halfling, those were the last moments Lazam saw, his death. While Mario was given Mind Blank. With these powers in hand, the party moved onwards. When the ruins stopped, they were greeted by two different "biomes". One looked like volcanos, magma. The other was strange to the party and it was actually like a part of the moon.

Eye of Many
Greater Avatar​

When the party got close to the magma, Eye of Many showed up. His simplest Avatar. There was some conversation between them. Eye of Many revealed that he is the reason Elves are on the planet, why they crash-landed and why the humans were baited to the world. He said that the gods do not say everything, they lie and mislead the party all the time. The group tried to irritate the Eye to say more things but this devolved fast and Mario again struck the eye again. The combat was very similar to the one they once fought (a lot of screens were made). After the first avatar and some strange bonesuckers, the land started to crumble. They switched to the moon surface and fought the second form, which was more in control over his emotions. By focusing the voidlings the party was able to get an upper hand over the Eye. Who exploded into nothingness. Once the other land fell into the stars, gigantic tentacles reached to the last island and the Greater Avatar showed up. Gargantuan form of the Avatar was fierce and commanded forces that the party never felt on their bodies. Cosmic energies, this cosmic damage not only damaged their bodies but also the soul and being. They were vulnerable to it, all of them. So a hit of 40 cosmic damage was suddenly 80 damage. Also, the Eye suddenly was more resistant and radiant damage didn't do that much damage as before. The party moved against him and were winning until the creature ate part of the islands to heal himself. Solange was able to "kill" the monster in the end. When the party started to fall into nothingness, something showed up. A sea of tentacles and another eye. The combat wouldn't be over but the party would die in such a fight. Suddenly, they felt something grab them, an invisible force.

Vance
Archmage Vannozzo's Student​

They flew up to the skies and met with a human, the party once saw (or at least 3/4 of the party). The mage that stood on the balcony when they were resurrected and teleported out by the Great Empire. He took the party from this place and into his demiplane. He revealed himself as Vance, one of the students of Archmage Vannozzo. He explained that he watched over the party after they went into the temple. He told the party that he has the key to Vannozzo's demiplane but won't give it, not yet. The party isn't ready and the cosmic powers the group felt only revealed that they are missing something. He told the group that they will meet again and they will meet with the Great Emperor sooner or later. However, now, he will return them and the group agreed. They were teleported to Tethys, nearby the temple. They met with the Brotherhood forces and it was revealed that one month passed without them and the temple disappeared. The group went back and met with Solaire and the leaders. Thanked for everything and went back to their kingdom where they would rest. During this time they would learn that Finnean found the strange dagger that Scarlett saw in her dreams or at least its location, while Eagle's Wing succeeded to take over the Duergar Fortress of Glimmermagak and Udir became their king.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Next session. Scarlett gains Hero Points! We take care of old stuff.

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Chapter XVIII

Session 145: Giant Mistake

Before we started the session, Solange went on giant-hunt and found Hill Giants in the Kingdom of the Vale. After defeating one of them in a patrol, he then snuck to their camp and found their leader. Seeing that he is a murderer (human skulls on his pelt), he decided to assassinate him. He was able to defeat him in two turns and then stealthy escape. The party then met with Octavio in Quadropolis. They found out the dagger from Scarlett's dreams. Apparently it is in the hands of a cult called Sowers of Chaos. They were active about 10-20 years ago but were crushed by the city guard. There were some rumors that they might have been responsible for strange murders happening at that time. They came back in the last years or at least they started to show up. They still wear and use their strange symbol as masks - a painful face in the sun with daggers. Octavio with the guildmaster of the bard guild was able to kidnap one of them, interrogate and then modify memory for him to not remember that he betrayed. That's why the cultists aren't yet alerted to Octavio looking into them. They are made up of simple working people like carpenters, nothing major and their base is in the sewers. Their leader is a woman but the one they interrogated didn't know a lot. But they know how their base looks and composition, which is fully mixed - humans, halflings, half-orcs, gnomes, halflings, you name it. No aasimars or tieflings, only "base" humanoids. The party then met with the guildmasters to speak about their ship, they needed the gnome warship to go to an island. They were able to convince the leaders to help them again, even after being about 2-3 million behind due to the last conflict. They didn't care about the cultists since they were being observed and if they try something, they would be wiped out again. As of now, they just do information gathering. The party then did a little shopping and Scarlett went to Lazam Quickstep workshop that was now owned by one of the carpenters that enhanced wood for airship. She was able to see the place where he died, even going to a trance and seeing the dream happen again. She would recognize rooms, now with different furniture, that was his bedroom or study. However, nothing pushed her enough and the party decided to go to the sewers.

Cultists of Sowers of Chaos​

Their base was in the old part of the sewers. The party decided to go invisible and to use a password to get behind the door. However, Mario fumbled and the guard didn't believe him to be one of them, run away to the rest to alert them. Solange broke the door and the two entered, while Harthion and Scarlett were invisible. The room was filled with cultists in robes and had masks on them. The info was correct. They even saw the giant symbol on the floor. The cultists were busy over the years, rebuilding what they lost. The two tried to do it peacefully but were unable to argue their position and that the cultists should surrender. Not a good idea when confronted with nearly 20 people, some even with deadly skills and saying that the two have backup and the city knows about the cult. Kinda defeats the purpose and such people will fight to survive or at least to escape. A fight broke out. Scarlett threw two daggers, killing a halfling and a dwarf instantly. Solange and Mario tried their best to leave some alive but Harthion nuked people with a fireball, turning some of them to ash. After a turn, the rest retreated to their boss and she came out with her forces. The group tried to reason with them again. She explained that the dagger is in their possession, that it was used to gather souls and Lazam was chosen to be one of the killed ones. Something went wrong and their lead assassin - Thea Honeypot ran away but they were able to retrieve the dagger. After that, they returned and still active. The leader saw that there is no way out, this will be either kill or be killed, so she used Gate to summon a Black Slaad (which was a disappointment, the homebrew made them a CR 18 and his stats were worthless compared to what is known about them, my mistake). The fight continued, many more died in the process. In the end, only the cultist leader (who was knocked unconscious) and one of her personal guards survived. The guy didn't care anymore and spilled all the beans. The party even untied his hands during the interrogation, because he wanted to point something out. Apparently, Thea might have had a lover called Terry Fickletopple and he pointed to the body, one of the first killed by Scarlett. He might know more. The guy told them that Lisa, the leader, wanted to rebuild the cult and exact vengeance and he was ready to go since he lost his parents after the cult was raided when he was 12 (he is 33 now). He told the group was the dagger is and the party was ready to go but they saw Scarlett kneeling over a body of a halfling. The one she killed. His face looked familiar and she realized that this person might be her father. The group discussed the situation with Scarlett and decided that it might be best to just bury the body.

Soul Blade​

Scarlett and Mario went to check the dagger, while Solange and Harthion stayed behind. The dagger was there, lying there in a glass case below the symbol of the cult around candles. Scarlett with a trembling hand she took the dagger. Maybe by mistake or something controlled her, when she started to examine the blade in her hands, she cut herself. There was a light and it went gone. Scarlett felt like something was lifted and Mario saw her eyes change to brown, she didn't have her red eyes anymore. After a while, it became apparent that something changed about Scarlett. In game terms, her Charisma was raised from 8 to 12 and her alignment changed from True Neutral to Chaotic Good. Lazam (who was Lawful Evil) left her body and she was in full control over her emotions and character, no more dragged by him or being kinda sloppy in her attitude. She even asked the group for a favor, that they took Terry's body and maybe resurrect him or at least ask him questions (Speak with Dead). The group agreed and before allies could come, they talked to the cult leader but she didn't have anything more to say than vitriol. Vic, the warrior, on the other hand, was granted a chance. After some monologue by Mario, he decided to take and promised to do good for the party. They took him with them. Later, the gnomes and Octavio came. There was a little discussion but the party teleported out to their kingdom.

Terry Fickletopple​

There the group told that Scarlett will decide the body's fate, while Vic joined the Lord Sun worshippers. He was even given the amulet Scarlett had. Scarlett asked for full Resurrection and Harthion would be the one to perform it. When Terry came back, he was delirious, not knowing what is going on but when Scarlett told him she is his daughter, he instinctively embraced her and even knew her name - Scarlett. After a moment passed, he started to question stuff. Even asking them if this some cruel joke, that they resurrect him just to judge him for his past deeds or execute him for being an assassin. The party didn't intervene, only saying that the only person that will decide his fate was Scarlett. In tears, he told the whole truth. He and Thea were in love and they were about to have a child. She was the lead assassin, the best in the business. After killing Lazam, something went wrong and the dagger didn't have a charge, they failed for some reason. Terry heard rumors, murmurs by the clerics that this might be a sign of "the chosen child." He didn't want the child to be in the hands of the cult, or at least that's what he said because he decided to stay, and Thea ran away the next day. It took Terry two to three years to track her down to a small village couple of days from Quadropolis, where she worked as a servant. Seeing his daughter alive and well, he decided not to show up and returned to the cult. He wasn't the only one that found Thea. After couple of months, the cult did too. Terry killed the cleric and ran after the would-be assassins. This was also the time the cult was destroyed by the city guard. When he got to Thea, she was bleeding and told him that they killed her child and she in return killed them. He was distraught. He took Thea with him to the village, stayed there a little and nursed her back to health. He would visit her from time to time but just after two years, she committed suicide and Terry lost everything he had in the world. Not having anything anymore, he stayed with the cult as Lisa told him that this time things would be different. Over the fifteen years, he would work for them until the fateful day the party came to visit. There was a tearful moment, Scarlett even cried, when Terry regretted that the party resurrected him, a person who isn't worthy of this. He is a murderer and an assassin, he wasn't there for his daughter, for his beloved, he didn't even look for her and some carnival folk raised her better than he ever could. But the group was able to convince him that whatever he was before, he has a chance to atone for everything. Terry said that he couldn't be for Scarlett, that he wasn't a father to her and couldn't be but if she gave him a chance, he would do everything in his powers to help her and make her proud that she is of his blood. The pair embraced and the situation was resolved.

Fire Giants of Duke Altheus​

Scarlett after a while decided that even after reuniting with her father and that her situation was resolved (they could resurrect the mother too if they wanted, but that's up Scarlett to decide), she would stay with the party and even go beyond - decided that this world is worth saving and would go with the party even to death to save it. At that moment, she received her Hero Points and became one of them. The group would then decide to take care of Solange's gauntlet problem and went to seek the fire giants. They were able to throw a rock into the their fortifications demanding a duel. A champion with his retinue went out and met with the group. Solange was the one to fight with him and the duel started. It was bloody as hell and the enemy was able to kick major ass. Even if Solange didn't use his tattoo, he still could heal for major amount of health. When the giant dropped to 1 HP, he raised his hand and stopped a killing blow from Solange. He was defeated and the gauntlets went in flames leaving another mark, this time scorched elements. The Hill Giant defeat created some greenery on them. The champion said that the Duke will want to see them after this and denied being healed, as these wounds are evidence of the duel. The group went inside the fortress. The volcano was an ideal place for the Fire Giants. Lava flowed freely on the walls, most of it was made with Adamantite. Their leader sat in the same metal throne, lava flowed from him freely. The Duke Altheus greeted the group. During the discussion, he revealed that he was defeated by Ishmael in a duel and was now his vassal. He recognized the group for some reason, apparently some vision and told them that there is someone they need to meet. He escorted them to the heart of the volcano and his four men went inside the lava pool to bring up a giant black stone. When lava dropped fully from it, they saw that the black stone had a portal inside and it lead to the All-Plane. The Duke said that Surtr wants to see the group. One of the Jotunn, the first Fire Giant, "son" of All-Father.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Another session.

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Chapter XVIII

Session 146: Forging a Way

The party entered the portal that led them to the All-Plane. After a while of walking next to a mountain, they met a group of Fire Giants. These really didn't care about the champion and wanted Solange's artifact for themselves. However, before a fight broke up, they were stopped by a roaring thunder of a shout. The party saw the top of the mountain move. A creature that was about half a kilometer tall, that could be mistaken for a mountain stood atop a volcano. The party felt their ground move, while the fire giants only kneeled before their lord. They were levitated before the might of Surtr, one of the Jotunn. Inside the volcano, they saw dozens if not hundreds of fire giants (from that height they looked like ants working). This was one massive forge, where lava and magma flowed everywhere. The party was set at the top but were still near some fire giants that looked at the party. Surtr not only had lava from him, sat in the volcano himself but his eyes looked like little lakes of lava with rivers of magma on his face. His giant had held a meteor hammer like a real meteor was stopped by Surtr and made into a hammer. Before him, there was an anvil, about 200 meters tall made out of unknown material. Later revealed as the Trueforge, place able to create anything with the powers of Creation.

Surtr
Son of All-Father (Jotunn)
Progenitor of Fire Giants
The Great Smith​

Surtr told them that the mage Vance informed him about the group. He wanted to test them but once they defeated 1-on-1 one of his champions, there was no need. They even heard that Ishmael was in the volcano, after defeating Duke Altheus in combat. He was even reforged, whatever that means. Surtr told the party that he has a deal for them, to work together against a common foe - the guardians, the creators of the Sphere. Harthion felt that this was some magical deal and it was reasonable to tread lightly. Surtr works with the Great Imperator, so there might be a conflict there. The giant didn't care about politics, only about their common enemy. He isn't here to barter but to offer services for survival. The group accepted. Surtr told the group he can do many things with the forge in short periods of time, allowing the group to do many things. One of those was the strange metal. Do you remember the tower where there was some time shenanigans and the mithril bar that Balasar "lost" inside there? Well, here it was presented to Surtr and he was ready to forge it into one item. All were connected to time and an amulet was chosen (allowing the user to come back from 0 HP to 1 HP, no attunement). He did say something about the metal bar being touched not only by the powers of Time but also a being that could control Time itself, whatever that meant. After that he told the group what he could do for them, there were many options but some were out of reach. First, he could create Artifacts but those cost 5,000,000 (5 mil) in components each. He could turn 5 (five) Legendary items into one Artifact. He could upgrade normal magical items to Legendary items for 500,000 in components. Next, he could change the nature of an item. Be them normal magic items, Legendary or Artifacts. However, items made by extraplannar beings (gods, archdevils, etc.) have a chance of breaking the Trueforge and while he can change an item to a different one (shield to a ball or sword) he will not know what the item will do or its real nature. There is also a problem with reforging normal and Legendary items into different ones (or even artifacts), as totally different natures can also break the Trueforge - so making an opposite item like a shield from a sword will have a chance of breaking the forge. The group debated what to do but decided to leave it for now, maybe later come back with that strange Hive artifact.

Before they went, Surtr told them that he can grant one more thing to Solange. He told him that the tattoo he has is of special nature, that he can walk his path looking for them, however long that might be. Their connection is to Zen nature, a could create a unique connection to one's self, being and soul. However, he could grant him a different path. He could reforge his soul. The tattoo might break, be destroyed or be weaker but he will be granted a new power instead. He could also concentrate on it and make it go away. Solange after discussion decided to take the Giant's offer. He sat down and meditated, he felt the strange nature of the tattoo for the first time and felt that it is out of "this world", it was still of the planet Tethys but of unknown origin and mind. He was able to concentrate enough to grant the tattoo to his little dwarf monk friend instead of to some random monk. After that, he was taken upon the forge and Surtr beat him up with his hammer, rearranging his soul and being. He gained a new power but he didn't have a moment to show it off. However, Solange was the last to gain Hero Points but is first to gain Mythic. With this, he is instead of being Vulnerable, Resistant to Cosmic Damage and has Advantage on Death Saving Throws. After this, the party was granted a tuning fork to the All-Plane and teleported back to their kingdom.

The Island
Ruins of Tethys​

With that out of the way, the party met with the Admiral on Shippy (the Demogorgon airship) and asked for transport to the island. It took them about 10 days (instead of 30) to travel to the ship. They sailed past strange storms that ravaged the seas far from the coast. They were attacked by some flying sea serpents but the gnomes took care of the problem pretty easily. On a critical, Scarlett found the island in one of the storms. Instead of it being about 200 km long, it was barely 20km. The island had to sink. Admiral told the group that Shippy can't stay in the storm for too long so the group was moved as close as they could, nearly 400 feet from the rocky mountains that once were part of the islands. Powerful waves crashed onto the shore that looked like more jagged rocks. The airboats weren't able to take off in this water and the party had to improvise. Scarlett was able to teleport down with her armour, Mario and Harthion used Dimension Door while our monk... jumped down. He didn't even want to use a rope. He was lucky with his rolls, fell only 2kms from the group, behind some mountains and barely avoided sharp rocks. He received 150 something damage however his monk ability and the artifact he had allowed him to negate 130 damage. Barely touching his temporary hit points. Epic characters are epic. He was able to get to the party after a half hour then the group explored the island. It was full of strange ruins, unknown even to Harthion, predating even the Dragons themselves. These ruins had an unknown purpose that the group could discern and where filled with the technology they have never seen.

A Guardian​

When they got near the center, there more strange technological wonders. All destroyed, not working. There were no lights anymore but at least sun rays got here and there was some green, in some parts it was even dry enough so the party wasn't in constant rain. Upon reaching some bridge, they met with a strange creature, one of "constructs" that laid all over the place, stood up to greet them. Only Solange was able to communicate with him, as he spoke a language nobody knew here. With a critical fucking Persuasion test, they were able to get information from him that normally he would never give. He told them that his creator was named Tethys, he created this structure and his directive was to defend it and observe "friend of Tethys" that was named Zurleintairthuvnaentoilth, it was the name of the Mother of All Dragons. Something even Solange with his special power was unable to decipher the meaning of. Asked who is Tethys (who apparently died about 500 or more years ago) and if he could show them to the party, a holograph popped up. Human looking, nearly 2.5 meters tall, very slender (almost elvish) with wavy robes, looked like he was levitating above the ground. The holograph was distorted and they were unable to see the face. After that, the creature attacked and more constructs awoke. The party was ambushed but after a tough battle, they were victorious. The constructs went to sleep again. Harthion took the Guardian with him. Later, they saw more of those Guardians. Not wanting to fight more deadly machines, they snuck around. They were able to get to some structure, the first time they recognized a building before there were no homes, watchtowers, temples, markets or anything in this large swath of land to make them think that there could be someone living here. Inside they found metal and stone furniture that was in very bad shape. With ANOTHER FUCKING CRITICAL, NAT 20, Scarlett was able to find anything they wanted really. First off, the keys (statuette and disk) for Eye of Many temple was here. Second, they were close to getting an item that I wanted for a later reveal (thank god for a random roll) but found something different - tracks and a book. Scarlett with a fucking high intelligence roll was able to discern that these tracks had hundreds of years and belonged to Vance, she only saw his feet once but hey, heroes and their high rolls. He was here and someone else, that left a journal. Made out of leather, it was barely readable and had to be handled with care. It belonged to Vannozzo. He was on the Island nearly 400-500 years ago, searching for an answer to his immortality, he didn't age a year after hitting his 20. People might be suspicious, so he hid after 50 years and another 20 passed in seclusion, nothing changed. He decided to find his father, not knowing who he was, he went for nearly 10 years searching for him until he found this island. He learned that Tethys was his father and the journal stops there. It revealed some about the ruins but nothing about Eye of Many and his temple. Vannozzo unlocked his secrets on this island and his student, Vance, did the same. The party made took a rest and decided to find the Eye of Many temple. Instead of this taking nearly 2-3 or more weeks, it took them couple of hours. Why? Scarlett rolled another NATURAL 20. Stealer of luck.

A Page from the Far Realm​

They were able to get inside the temple with ease. Even easier where the encounters this time. A beholder showed up to help the enemies! Oh, wait he got stunned by Solange in first round, died in the second. Oh, well. The combat was pretty fast this time of round, the enemies had shit luck while the players were able to defeat them quickly. There was some strange shenanigans again with orbs. The group got lucky again. Two characters had to roll exactly the same on Dexterity roll (this was done by accident with Hero Points) and stand in opposite spots next to two orbs, touching them at the same time. They could have wasted hours upon hours, maybe even days trying to find how this works but were lucky on the first try and unlocked the doors. Using the key they found, they were able to find some strange piece of paper. They took it with them and exited the temple. This time no encounter with the Eye of Many. When they got out, they were on the Silver Coast. Far from the Island. The page itself was an artifact that had some strange shit. The party went back to their kingdom to plan and find other keys, before venturing forth to a temple.

For the first time in a while, here is what the artifact does.

Spoiler

Needs Attunement.

Mind Saver. The user has Advantage on spell Saving Throws.

Rolled up Paper. The scroll can be rolled up and used as a +1 mace. On Critical Hit, it deals additional 3d6 psychic damage.

Random Reading. The user can use an Action to read words at random. Enemies up to 30 feet from him must make a DC 20 Intelligence Saving Throw or receive 10d10 psychic damage of failure. Half on a successful test. This can't be used again until long rest.

Hand Read. The user can try to read one of the words on the figure's hands as an Action to cast a spell. He rolls 1d6+3, the result is a spell from the list below:
- 4th - Stoneskin
- 5th - Skill Empowerment
- 6th - True Seeing
- 7th - Prismatic Spray
- 8th - Maddening Darkness
- 9th - Weird
Once a spell was read, it can't be read again until long rest.

Close Eye. The user can use an Action to stare into the eye, read the hidden word and show the paper to the enemy that is up to 10 feet from him. Creatures without eyes are immune or those with 3 Intelligence or lower. Once the target sees the paper, both the user and the target make a DC 20 Intelligence Saving Throw. If only the target failed, he receives 20d4 psychic damage. If both fail, they both receive 10d8 psychic damage. If only the user fails, he receives 5d6 psychic damage. If both succeed, the user regains 3d10 hit points. This can't be used again until long rest

 

[Havoc]

We are getting very close to the final encounter, end of the campaign. I think about 7 or more sessions and we are done. It might be longer if the party decides to go artifact/power hunting.

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Chapter XVIII

Session 147: Nearing the End

The group had some downtime, so they started to do their business. Solange went on a hunting trip to find Stone Giants and found some in the Undertethys (took him over 20 days to track them). He was able to use his Mythic ability which is called God Hand (the first attack you make can be turned into "all attack", you just roll damage for all attacks you could have made in a turn to that one. He did 172 damage with his Mythic ability). Scarlett went on some shopping but also took her father to see her mother's grave. There in the snow he revealed that he wasn't fully truthful with her. During that revival, he told her that they both wanted Scarlett to be outside the cult but actually only the mother wanted that. He wanted her to stay within the cult, become that child of destiny. He volunteered to track her after she disappeared and only when he saw her and Scarlett (just a baby) in that hamlet he had a turn of heart. Terry believes that Thea sacrificed herself for Scarlett, once he broke her heart leaving her after she "lost" Scarlett, Thea committed suicide because she was the only one to know about the circus. She might have observed the circus until she decided that since it was months after the assassins that she took her life. Scarlett thought about resurrecting her but after talking with the group and her father she decided it is better for her memory to live on since she might not want to come back or would be wounded by all of this. Mario gathered some political info. Apparently, the Great Empire's army marched into the Continent of Trials (where the group found the first Eye of Many temple) and is marching north, Oasis lost their Knights (those paladins from Mario's order) and many of their men in the mountains fighting red dragons, kobolds and wyvern riders, also, the halflings have an "orc problem" that is lead by a black dragon. However, they retreated once winter began. Mario tried to contact his uncle and his step-father but he received no reply.

Sindilla
Emerald Lady
Banshee Queen​

Harthion went to talk to couple of people. Checked the voidblade (from that drow champion) with Annael, it was clean so he took it with him. He visited Lord Magmos (Defender) and teleported to the mix dragons cave, where the party found more dragons like Ragmaw in stasis. He revealed that he is their creator but Magmos wasn't shocked nor cared that much. Harthion wanted to do good and repair the damage, allow them to have a normal life, Magmos didn't want more non-dragons to interfere but in the end accepted help. Then he visited his sister and had a one-on-one talk with her. Some sibling love and reassurances. Harthion asked her to look after Alaria, since the gods behave strangely and she might be influenced by outside forces. Also, she revealed a secret, that no one should have known before it happened - the voidblade was to be gifted to Harthion one way or another. That it will be a key to help him in saving the Elves. Later, he was able to meet with Sindilla, the Emerald Lady, who was in the University jail until 300 years ago. She might be around 1200 years old but looked like 600 years since it was mainly the magic of the cell that extended her lifespan. For some reason, probably demigod reasons, she was able to speak normally with Harthion (something he didn't notice). She revealed the nature of Targuun's demiplane. It will always create elves for him to fight and he can't leave the demiplane until he decides not to kill any more elves. He isn't out so he might still be trapped and fighting. He could notice that its all an illusion since the elves never stop coming and he fights them over and over, sometimes they will look the same. Also, he is truly immortal. Even if he is killed, he will come back in matter of days and a Wish can only extend this time to years instead. Something like a Tarrasque. She would give Harthion the tunning fork if he needs to teleport there.

Furyaxe
Leader of the Furyaxe Tribe​

Later the party waited for some information about their goals. There were three more temples to visit. The druids in the north had the disc and were looking for the statuette. They also gifted the party some of the loot from the white dragon's cave - ring of telekinesis and a simple legendary padded armour (only +3). While in the south, that temple was in the lands of a big tribe called Furyaxe Tribe. They would need to talk to them about it. The center temple is a mystery. It is underwater and it is a one or two-kilometer dive. Ships do not go into that region, since they could get their boats ripped apart by the ruins. The party would need to plan their actions for this. The group decided to teleport south first. With a high teleport roll, they got into the lands of the tribe with ease and spoke with the native humans. Then they were escorted to their leader. After a quick talk with their shaman, she went for Furyaxe, who was a mountain of a man, filled with rage. It seemed like he was a simple man at first. It was revealed that there was a temple not far from here. People would test their might going there if they survive and exit they would become mighty leaders. For years nobody succeeded until Furyaxe. He left with the statuette and came back with an axe. He used it to unite his tribes. The Imperator came to him and he listened, he works for him now. The party tried to make it peaceful but Furyaxe lost his patience and wanted a fight. He was a powerful barbarian and almost killed Solange, dropped Mario to half HP and all of this with all 4 fighting him. Nobody would have won this combat one on one.

Axe of Evermurder

Skin of Life​

After that combat, they were able to make peace with the barbarians, which would need to find a new leader. Especially after it was revealed that the axe took control over Furyaxe and he was dead for months (maybe from the moment he exited the temple), as Solange tried not to kill him but when they checked his body it was dead and started to deteriorate rapidly. They asked the druid for help finding the temple and she tree-teleported them. The temple was long gone, as they said when Furyaxe returned, the temple disappeared behind him. They had a talk with the axe, which was able to speak out loud and it was revealed that it once belonged to one of the Archdevils when he was a Pit Fiend - Moloch, the one who's cultist they fought in the duergar fortress. They decided that they would later reforge it anyway with Surtr help. The group would return to their home, rest and teleport to the north. Met with the druids there and were teleported to the temple, which was dug up again by them. The group entered with the disc and ventured forth. Nothing attacked the group and they reached a spawning chamber. Inside they were able to locate a giant orb and when Harthion tried to touch it, they were ambushed by dozens of creatures and a Shoggoth. With clever use of Wall of Fire, they were able to stop most of the creatures from coming in (they weren't that stupid to walk in but those weakest ones were). After they defeated the shoggoth, rest of the small fry, they prepared for the worst and the Wall of Fire was dropped. The creatures retreated before that since the group defeated the monster with ease and was still near full hit points. Harthion then touched the ball, it shined around and the remains of the Shoggoth tried to do something but after they were destroyed, it was over. They heard a door open and the group went to find another item-shrine. There they found human skin that was stitched together to form armour. It was a creation of a mad mage called Mad Azlo. The legend says that he used his bad students to create it or those that disturbed him, however, Harthion knew the reality was that they were volunteers, all of them. Prisoners out to be executed and he gave them a chance to become part of this creation. He would, in turn, pay their families or loved ones money for this. After that, the group took the armor and left, they were again teleported by the Eye was nowhere. This time it teleported them to the Oasis and the group returned home.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Probably one more session before the Kings' Meeting.

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Chapter XVIII

Session 148: Sky the Limit

The Gold Dragon, Palarandusk, returned and told them about artifacts he found out or least where to look for them. The party debated their next course of action but first visited Surtr and decided to reforge artifacts. They changed the strange axe into a longsword, which became a weapon against undead and sucking life. The Gold Hive was revealed to be an artifact made by some creatures on Tethys, before the dragons. They changed it into an amulet which became really more an evil item, it allowed to command fiends, summoning powerful ones and similar. The last one was the skin armour which was turned into a belt that was ideal for a crafter. They later gifted this belt to the gnomes as a thank you. The anvil was still working, no cracks. Mario upgraded his plate armour, since they had a legendary armour that wasn't used by the party. After that, they went on to search for Cloud Giant Pirates that had an artifact called Ring of Actuvian Traveller that allows to move, teleport etc.

Rashid el Djenispoo
Pasha of Tauzar
Leader of Malifex​

Their search led them to Tauzar, where they took a day to rest in a different place. Next, they met with one of the Pashas of Tauzar, Rashid el Djenispoo, which was the leader of Malifex, the organization that creates magical items and is rival to the University. The party had a heated discussion with him. He offered transport to the cloud giants in return the group needed to defeat them, make them not be pirates anymore since they had a flying island. Blindly trusting them to do it. They could gain three books to attributes, but they needed to blindly trust him in return - bring all the riches of the Cloud Giants, except for the ring. No matter what they are. The group inquired about this but he didn't budge, telling them if they want this to be a fruitful relationship, they need to blindly trust him on this and bring all the items. They weren't willing to compromise, but they would still take him on the offer with the ship. They parted ways, took a flying beetle and flew to their destination.

Ring of Actuvian Traveller​

When planning with the kobold pilot, the party decided that instead of sneaking up, they would just jump down to the island from above. The kobold was successful in getting the party there but quickly were attacked by a dozen of griffons. The group decided to jump down, while the beetle would fly away. However, half of the griffons attacked the beetle, killing it later and the kobold pilot with it. The party attacked the giants, jumped in the center of the fortress. Thanks to some spells they were able to turn a bad situation to a better one. It was going bad until Harthion cast Meteor Swarm on the enemies. After 5 rounds the combat was over and about 12 giants ran away flying. The party got the ring from the leader's body, found the riches and took them. In the end, the party decided that it wasn't worth dealing with Tauzar, teleported to their kingdom and that's it. Later, they met with Sigurd, gifted him the ring since nobody was going to use it, he was sad for some reason and revealed that Gwendolyn was pregnant. The party ended their day happy, visiting old friends.

Combat Screenshots

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Quick Session. No Harthion. New chapter next time.

---

Chapter XVIII

Session 149: Quick Plannar Trip

The group decided to find the Saviour Armour, which once belonged to Talisid, now known as Heavenly Lion. There are many cracks in the Material world, leading to other planes. One such crack exists in the halfling hills and it leads to the Fields of Freedom, where the Heavenly Lion resides. The group asked their friends for favors, asking Aerendir as he had the ability to find portals, to find for them. It took him 2 days. Harthion stayed behind, while Mario, Scarlett and Solange went to check it out. Outside of the portal, which was in a cave, they found a pegasus, who saw the group and flew back into the portal. A small specimen, maybe a child. The group debated what to do but went in anyway. They were now in a different plane.

Heavenly Lion
Protector of the Fields of Freedom
Leader of the Companions
Talisid (when he was mortal)​

Almost neverending fields, filled with the greenest of grass and beautiful flowers. Hills, small forests and outstanding mountains. The group didn't know where to go and tried to communicate with the pegasi. They were able to convince them to help them, the flying horses allowed the group to mount them and they flew to the Heavenly Lion. Instead of going to the mountain, where his headquarters could have been, they were escorted to a glade. When the pegasi left, the Heavenly Lion showed up. The group weren't the only ones that wished for the armor and those before them failed. He had a test for them, they needed to show their courage and valor without depleting the strength of their opponents. The being didn't explain what he meant and four Celestials showed up. Three Planetars and one Solar. The group didn't want to fight them and saw this test as meaningless, but not to the Celestials. However, there was no fight. The Celestials didn't make the first move and only waited. Solange just sat down as he saw this test stupid. Mario tried to reason with them. While Scarlett was, in the end, able to convince the Heavenly Lion by telling him that he should fight them instead, not the Celestials. The trial ended pretty quickly, announcing that the group didn't succeed individually but only as a group. Those before them showed different traits but they always tried to focus on one target, did their best to destroy their enemies or used the strength of the Celestials, when they shouldn't have. By that, the group has gifted the armor and the Heavenly Lion announced that they are worthy to lead the Heavenly Host, whatever that is. The latter was the main reason for the trial. The group even confirmed that the Heavenly Lion doesn't know anything about the Planetars that helped the group fighting the Eye of Many and seemed to be silent about Eye of Many's masters. He did tell the group that, while they will not meet again, he will be there with them in spirit fighting side by side as a larger danger is on the horizon, something even they do not know off. After that, the group thanked for everything and the pegasi flew them back. One of them stayed behind and became Mario's new mount.

 

[Havoc]

New chapter! We in the end game now.

---

Chapter XIX

Session 150: The Time has Come

The group prepared for the King's Meeting. It takes from one to five days, the kings waiting for everybody does arrive. The party went alone, leaving all allies in their kingdom. On 3rd day, they were visited by King Gorm Estridsen of Kingdom of Upper Midlands (where they defended Gerdau from the white dragon and his army). He thanked them for everything, told them that they can ask for anything, he did reveal what will happen at the meeting and later they drank beer with him, debating the situation of the northern kingdoms. On the 4th day, the group met with the Cardinals and King Stefan, they told them the truth about the world. Heresy was the first word said by the cardinals. They were taken aback but agreed that they will think what was said. The group also wanted to announce everything in the meeting, which was discouraged by the cardinals. It would create strife, schisms and even more conflict that isn't needed at this time. The group agreed to keep quiet for now. Mario suggested a good idea to keep the Kingdom of the Vale together since his knights wanted to rebel for a long time - get a missive from the Cardinals that they need to keep their shit together. They also met with King Sodel III Brightaxe, who had mixed feelings about the group (mainly the stuff with the Duergars). However, when he was handed the old crown (over 3000 years old that was lost over 300 years ago), he was ecstatic and agreed to do anything for the party. They asked him to help the halflings and Kingdom of the Vale, he agreed to do so. With these things, the party went to the meeting. There were some shenanigans with the weapons again but they were able to enter with theirs thanks to Maranis taking Harthion and Scarlett as her escort, Solange hiding his artifact gloves in the bag and Mario being the only one allowed to have weapons. Inside, they met with their allies, friends and new faces. Ishmael came alone and was weary that Mario won't like what he will do.

The meeting started. First, was the issue where is everybody? After a moment, a man came to the room, kinda anemic but scared at the same time, named Adam, telling that he is here to represent the king of the Storm Canyon. He was granted a seat at the King's table (Mario and Ishmael were at the Guest benches). King of Oasis rejected coming and Halflings do not answer requests. So, they started with the first issue - Corbara. Which was quickly resolved. The rebels are on the way out, the city will fall in a month or less, the neighboring kings will retreat their armies and the lands will return to the Actur Kingdom. The second issue was Orth. The city was neutral place among the guilds nad kingdoms, now it is gone. What will they do with the Canyon? Queen-Elect Fabricia Bordeux (Actur Kingdom) chooses this moment to announce something, Ishmael stood up and asked for vassalage, he was granted this request and became the Viceroy of the Canyon (at least his part). This was also the moment the Great Jarl Frodi Hromudsson (Kingdom of Winterwind, his people invaded the Kingdom of Upper Midlands) to announce he will be joining the Alliance, King Stefan didn't like it. Mario's situation was the next issue, he wanted to hear what Kingdom of the Vale situation will be since he is close friend to them. There were some speeches about unity, the dwarf king announced that he will help defend those lands, etc. Before the Queen-Elect could agree to the Kingdom of the Vale terms, something happened.

King's Meeting - Named NPC screen

Spoiler

Four Cardinals
Archcardinal Militiades III Peaceful
Valena's Cathrin Herzig
Eris' Neopolo Di Cello
Ilios' Ezekiel Ruthbaum

Guest - Ishmael
Ambassadors (can speak up) - Maranis Mistic West (Elven Sanctuary), Guildmaster Glim Ironhide (Quadropoli), Rektor Wilhelm Kranz (University)
Guards - Letizia (Alliance Agent), Luca Bright (Grand General of the Alliance)

Kings
Queen-Elect Fabricia Bordeux (Actur Kingdom)
Elector Sebastian Brodeur (Kingdom of Silver Coast)
King Gorm Estridsen (Kingdom of Upper Midlands)
Great Jarl Frodi Hromudsson (Kingdom of Winterwind)
King Karl II Nassau (Kingdom of Easthaven)
King Sodel III Brightaxe (Brightaxe Clan)
King Stefan Nemanjic (Kingdom of the Vale)
King Edzul IV Crownaxe (Crownaxe Clan)

No portrait for Adam, the representative of Kingdom of the Storm Canyon
Missing are King of Oasis and representative of the Halflings

Great Emperor​

A scream. Suddenly from the wall, a figure in dark armor showed up. He was immediately recognized as the Great Emperor. King Stefan used this moment to attack him but his hammer went through the illusion. However, suddenly the Great Emperor "Maybe I'm here" and hit him with enough force for the king to went flying and breaking a small part of the marble wall "Maybe I'm not." The mages confirmed that there was no magic here. Nothing. He came to stop their debating and propose a stop to the war. Kneel and you will be spared. Your families. You will still lead. The clerics won't be harmed but religion would still be banned. He came to remove the shackles the gods have on the group. Queen-Elect shaking, everybody was scared really, rejected him and told him that they have their own army and are ready for him. He dismissed it, telling that this isn't a proposal, but an ultimatum. He looked to the windows, "Let me choose... that town. I will show you." Harthion was already next to the window to see what will happen and said only "You wouldn't..." "It is already done" was the answer. The sky turned red. A beam of light struck the city, like a giant column of red light. Concentric circles of magical runes showed up, giant up to kilometers in length. A flash of light and a humongous explosion (gif in spoiler) struck the town far on the horizon. When the wind force hit the windows, the Emperor was gone and the mages (Harthion, Rektor and Maranis) cast Wall of Force to save everyone from the glass shards. It was utter chaos. The city itself wasn't hit but the town was in shatters, a giant mushroom cloud was seen. The group used this moment to unite the kingdoms and were able to convince them that they need to stand together or it is all over. They succeeded and the kings (with Ishmael and Mario) crossed the swords over the table and made an oath "For the North! For the Alliance!" After that, King Stefan took the party on the side and revealed what he got by Sending. The Halflings let the Great Empire army pass (while they fight the orcs on the way) to the Brightaxe clan. The Thunderhammer Confederacy attacks the Kingdom of the Vale. While the Oasis attacked the borders of the Alliance. King Stefan needed a place to save his people with things go awry. He heard that the Actur Kingdom, their army next to the Golden City is marching upon the city, wanting to take it over. He wants to do it too and asked for help, he will send his men (Crimson Griffin). The group agreed, just after Marianis told that the Sanctuary will lend aid to the Kingdom of the Vale (she asked Mario if that was his wish). With these things behind them, people left the room and the group was alone to discuss their next course of action. They wanted to communicate with Sedyryn and tell him what is going on. However, just after he sent the message, somebody showed up.

Spoiler

Prince of Neverending Branches
Archfey
Ruler of Archfey​

The Traveller appeared to the group and told them that the Prince of Neverending Branches wants to see them. It is a plea for help. There was some debate about what to do, especially that sending didn't get to Sedyryn bu the group agreed to help. They were escorted to a nearby door, revealing the Evergreen woodlands. When they went inside, giant figures showed up and they recognized some - Dziadyga (Old Man) and the Duke of Pain. There were others like a Crone. This was the meeting of the Court, all Archfey were here. Suddenly, a tree moved and it revealed to be the Prince. He looked like nature incarnate. Branches growing on him all the time, snapping, falling down, and new branch would grow. His head filled with strange horns, unreal face (if any). He revealed that he needs their help, all of Evergreen. He made a mistake not long ago. He tried to get out of the plane, to save the world. The first time he created a cult and he revealed to create Curupira, the god that the group's druid worships. This didn't work. It was just a shadow of himself, he couldn't control it. The second try was with Sedyryn. He wanted to get the dragon but his father Nyrydes never agreed to it, after his death, he didn't need approval. He took the young dragon and used his essence to transform him. It changed him to a being of hatred. It escaped after High King Actur's death and would plan his vengeance. The time has come. Sedyryn floods the Evergreen with undead and guards the portal/rift to the plane. None of the Fey nor Archfey can hurt him since nobody of the Fey can hurt the Prince (nor he can hurt himself). Only non-fey can help here and the group are the only ones that can do it. If he succeeds and destroys the Evergreen, it will spell the end of all emotions. Everything would be gray. The group debated with the Prince, wanting to find a peaceful way out but there was none. In the end, they agreed, telling that they will owe them, the group was brought before the Dragon. Standing over a cliff, overlooking the undead army of thousands coming inside the plane. Behind him the giant portal, undead flooding in, it seemed like some cocoon and they were coming from the ground there, whatever that place was. The group talked with the dragon. Sedyryn told them that it was funny to him when Harthion told about becoming allies but the dragon knew then, there would be none. Nobody will join him in this war of madness. The group had to fight and they were ready.

Start of Combat

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

What can I say... third time's the charm?

---

Chapter XIX

Session 151: The Green Fury

Sedyryn didn't treat them like a real threat. He toyed with the group and showed off his powerful breath weapons. First, was similar to that known poison cloud that green dragons have but this one had a fey touch. It would show a mirage of colors, that even if you were somehow able to repel the poison, you were still subject to confusion (like the spell) if you failed another test. These two weapons were mostly used, he also "misty stepped" a lot, went invisible and slammed people with his tail. He did a lot of damage to the group but in turn, they were able to hurt the dragon badly since he was careless. When he was badly wounded and invisible, he saw the portal closing and recognized that it was the doing of the Traveller. The only person from the fey that could be here, for some reason. The dragon did his best to escape through the closing portal and the group went to chase him, even if only Mario saw the dragon (due to him using True Seeing, thanks to the Eye of Many shield). However, the dragon was first on the other side, disappearing fully and the party was next. The undead were still marching without a care that the portal was closing (only hitting a wall, where the portal was supposed to be). The group on the other side found themselves alone. The cocoon made out of twigs, branches and leaves was still here, as well as the hole but no dragon or undead army.

Siege of Golden City​

They were transported to the Hand of Midnight's forest, the Garden Forest, where the party was escorted by an ally to the Evergreen not so long ago. Sedyryn used the crack in the material realm to open a giant portal to the Fey realm. Why is he gone? They were able to communicate with Finnean and he explained everything, after teleporting himself to the party. They were gone for a dozen or so days, during that time a lot of happened. The armies of the Great Empire are fighting the dwarves of Brightaxe, the halfings are doing nothing to stop them. The Thunderhammer Confederacy are attacking the Kingdom of the Vale, with the Kingdom of the Storm Canyon helping the dwarves (they joined the Great Empire, revealing that their leader is a vampire). Oasis rebelled once again. It was led by an ancient Red Dragon, son of the Red Tyrant (another ancient dragon that ruled Oasis years ago) called Eipoaphynth, the Eternal Fire, who disguised himself as Mario's uncle (all this time!) and he decided not to work with the Great Empire, they are at this moment winning that war. Isfahan were Balasar had his clan, rebelled against the Empire, however, it was squashed by the Empire. The clan leader was killed and it was revealed that he was a puppet of an ancient blue dragon called Pyldriad, Infinite Sands. Both dragons escaped. The Crownaxe clan was attacked underground by duergars. The elven sanctuary joined the Kingdom of the Vale in their defense. All this happening around them, while their kingdom has another problem - the Golden City. As requested, the kingdom went to the Golden City with the Crimson Griffin army, while two other armies - Actur Kingdom's and Elementi Revivo's, decided they also want a piece of the pie. Three sides were attacking the city. When suddenly the undead went from mindless to professional soldiers and the armies were taken aback. This happened when Sedyryn showed up and started to lead them. Sigurd with other adventures and allies are in the city, taking over strategic points, even trying to help the Golden Shield in getting a path to Sedyryn's lair - the golden palace.

The group planned their next move. They would teleport to Sigurd, get past the undead guards and to Sedyryn's lair. Before that happened, they would take a rest. During which time, they were visited by a dwarf. Regnar Blackthorne, who is an agent of the Great Emperor came with a gift. He presented Mario with Rexgladio. The dwarf would be convinced to stay and fight against the undead, but against the dragon. Mario had the weapon again in his hands and all the runes showed up, revealing the true power of the sword (like Holy Weapon spell constantly on it). With this weapon, the fight might turn to their favor at risk with Mario's new vulnerability to poison. The group prepared.

After a short rest, they teleported to the Golden City, to Sigurd. He looked a little sad but smiled at the group, yelled to arms and the adventures and allies charged at the gold bridge. The party was escorted and was able to get past with ease (no combat, since they were able to get allies here). The bridge itself was mainly stone but it was filled with golden bricks, so was another in the city. The second was the market bridge and this one, the highest, lead to the palace. The party was informed that Sigurd saw Quennar and maybe he will help them with the plans. When they got close, they saw that this place was in ruins for a long time and everything was kept together with plants from Sedyryn's nature as a green dragon. They met with Quennar, who used Control Plants to make a passage for the group and followed them in. There Mario used True Seeing, since when they got inside, they were greeted by a strange place as if they returned to the Evergreen. A fey dragon's lair filled with illusions. There were holes everywhere in the palace, deadly ones that you would fall hundreds of meters to your death since the palace was the highest place in the whole city (that housed one million people). But he also saw through the transformation of Sedyryn, he was posing as Quennar and had spells on him. Harthion used this moment to Dispel them (the dragon had less protective spells). He wasn't angry but ready to fight them. They were unable to talk it out since Scarlett compared Sedyryn to the Prince of Endless Branches. This angered him and the group fought once again. This time he didn't pull any punches and his lair helped him in many situations. The group was badly wounded, Solange had to run like crazy since the dragon used the space to get away from close combat. Scarlett almost died but Mario used Revivify and she was able to get up thanks to Aura of Life. When the dragon was critically wounded, he tried to escape again with invisibility on him but it was dispelled thanks to Mario. Sedyryn outside saw the party's dragon allies rallying around the palace (three adult dragons), it would be the end of him. Before the dragon could have a turn, Harthion used Power Word: Kill and the dragon fell. When he did so, his illusions disappeared. His massive body broke the floor and the whole palace was going down. The plants that kept the structure together were withering away and soon the party could go down under with it. The party teleported out, Mario did a speech while the palace was, and the whole inner spire of the city, was collapsing down, into the underground. After a couple of minutes, the whole canyon quaked. A massive earthquake, that shattered the city, opening it up. Green light poured out through the cracks, the biggest, one big column of green light where the palace was. Suddenly a creature flew upward, spread its wings and with a roar that shook the world, flew to north-west. Sedyryn lives again in undeath and his goal is more sinister than last time.

Sedyryn's New Look

Spoiler

Start of Combat

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Another one. I've forgotten that the party was given Epic Boons. Each player chose one for themselves. Harthion chose 9th level spell slot, Scarlett the ability to heal 1/2 max hp once per day, Solange took the ability to negate all damage from 1 source (like a spell or attack) and Mario took immunity to poison and disease to offset the powerful Rexgladio.

---

Chapter XIX

Session 152: Seeds of Green and Blood

The party rejoined Luigi in the throne room. Apparently, they were betrayed from within. Something happened and part of the canyon populace went rogue and attacked others, even loved ones. Lucian, Mario's steward and majordomo of the castle, tried to assassinate Luigi but he failed. When he was interrogated it was revealed that something happened to him, his eyes glowed green and simple magic didn't dispel whatever was doing to him. The party then communicated with Ishmael about what is going on and in couple of days, everything was clearer. Arstifone, leader of the Actur Kingdom's army went rogue (he had the same condition) and ordered the attack on the group's army. He was later apprehended by Ishmael with the backing of their queen and their royal mage. Sedyryn, in his undead form, flew towards Dominium Capital, spreading his vile magic around, making all dead rise again. The group had to stay behind for a while to organize defenses against those that once were defeated by them. The party were able to find a solution to their possessed allies problem. Sedyryn placed a seed that grew just before his death and took control over the bodies of the hosts. The real people are sleeping or slowly dying in a coma. They needed to stop the strange growth inside their brains and they used... alcohol. Not any, a special dry gin made by Om Frenzybeard. This would dry up creature, a painful process but it would kill the parasite and allow it to be extracted without killing the host. The party will be able to heal hundreds of people but the process takes time and it will take weeks if not months to complete. Until then, they heard more reports about what is going on with Sedyryn. When he got to capital, he struck with such power, he killed three out of four cardinals, only the archcardinal survived, and opened a portal to the Shadow Reflection (Shadow Plane). There was a crack in the capital, where Actur died, to that plane. It must be the reason why the Great Emperor didn't strike the capital with the Magitech Bomb. After the portal opened, tons of undead poured out and there were sightings of demons and devils, and even dragons. A massive army of evil was mounting their forces there, a force to be reckoned with, maybe as strong as when the All-Father fought the humans. The party sent their army there but it would take time before the forces of the north would mobilize. What was interesting, the Great Empire and their allies stopped their march for an unknown reason. Maybe they gave the northern kingdoms a breather? Only the Great Emperor knows.

Quennar

Spoiler

What's with Quennar-Sedyryn combo last time? The group was given info that Quennar disappeared after the siege, nobody can find him, even with magic. It is obvious. Quennar and Sedyryn were the same. This was planned ever since the party decided to go to the Elves, that Quennar isn't what he seems to be, only pretends to be an old guy. There were some hints along the way to point o Sedyryn manipulating scenes from behind and that a dragon might be someone in disguise.
- They met with Raerlin/Palarandusk, the biggest hint that dragons can take shape of another being and be undetectable, except for True Seeing.
- When the party found the quest, the person who asked for this was Quennar. After they met him and went to the gnolls, they met with Sedyryn. Coincidence? I think not!
- Sedyryn showed first-hand knowledge about what is going on in their kingdom and what the party does. He might be scrying or has someone close to them.
- The next hint was Quennar sudden disappearance when the party was "dead" for a year. He gave a simple reason then and it was unquestioned ("I just want to return to my people and help them there."). Reasonable. The real reason, however, was Rearlin/Palarandusk. While he didn't care about Magmos detecting him, he did with the gold dragon, so he decided to shorten the amount of them being together.
- Another big hint was after Orth. When the undead attacked Orth, Capisalta rose from the ground, water started to turn, become corrupt. Quennar was the first one to tell the rest about diverging the river and he would take Magmos with him to help with it. After both disappeared (later Magmos said that Quennar went to the forest), Sedyryn appeared. Coincidence? I think not!
There might be more moments like these but Sedyryn always tried to be as far from True Seeing as he could. Not even the archdruid could detect he was a dragon, nor could locate creatures do that, only true seeing was able to see through this archfey-dragon-whatever manipulator's magic.

Taugruun
The Elf-Slayer
Demon?​

The party decided that it is time to gain some power because the next fight with Sedyryn might be even deadlier. The first step would be to get the moon blade, Ithil'hyanda that belonged to Ilyrana Moon Flower, who died to Taugruun, trying to seal him. The party teleported to Sindilla, the one who was able to imprison Taugruun. Meeting her, they were able to gain some information. First off, as a side note, Scarlett got more information about Transparent Travellers. Apparently, Actur called that all halflings, since he saw them as transparent and the name "popped up" in his mind. Alaria told Sindilla that she didn't saw them transparent then but once she became a demigod, she does see them as transparent beings. Going back to the demon, it was very apparent that he is very powerful, nobody knows how he came to be and if he can be truly killed since all demons can be destroyed (to a degree). With some combat info, the party plane shifted to Taugruun's plane. Sea of elven bodies and blood, hills of corpses and structures erected with them. Taugruun made a realm for himself. The party saw him and devised a plan. They would, under an illusion, get closer to him and try to steal the sword, that apparently was in his chest. When they got close, Solange ran and was able to pluck the sword out. However, instead of plane shifting back, wanting to make the demon forget about this happening so he doesn't escape the plane, Harthion tried to Modify Memory, he succeeded on the saving throw. During one round, he was able to almost kill Harthion and wound others. He was even able to move during Time Stop that Harthion used, which was too horrifying to everybody. This wasn't a simple demon. Maybe he wasn't a demon at all. He was able to see through the party illusions, so that meant he always saw through them, he only wanted the sword for some reason and stayed. The party heard him calling Scarlett a "transparent traveler" and that he didn't think "your kind is on this world." Sindilla also spoke that Scarlett is the first halfling that she saw since she was imprisoned before coming of the halflings. Taugruun had no knowledge about what transpired in Tethys (coming of the halflings), this implied something greater. The party was able to plane shift in time, before he would kill someone.

Sahandrian
Sword of the Defender
Sword of Corellon Larethian
The Moonlight Sword​

During the plane shift, they were transported into a different realm. Full of stars. Mario healed up Solange, since he was at 0 hp. The stars moved, creating a "constellation" that looked like a titanic elf. He moved his hand forward and the magic swords - the moon blade that the party got now, the void blade that they got after defeating the Chosen of the drow, the sun blade that Harthion was bonded to from a long time and the leaf blade that the party took from the gnoll demonologist and repaired. When all swords were in his hand, he closed it into a fist and in bright light, they all merged into one. This sword flew to Harthion and he instantly recognized it as Sahandrian, the Sword of the Defender, the god of elves' sword. He said he is unworthy but it will wield it for others. At that moment, the party returned to Tethys. Corellon didn't even speak a word. The blade in his hands, there was a chance to win against the Everchaos. Also, Harthion was given his Mythic Form back.

Combat Screen

Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

Let's-a go! Just a couple of sessions left to go.

---

Chapter XIX

Session 153: Gigantic Problem

When the group returned to their senses, they saw that Harthion changed. The sword, that shined with greenish (sometimes pale) moonlight, changed him. The blade itself was unique and only elves were able to recognize it instantly. It looked like it was cutting the fabric of reality itself, as the material changed only based on location and how the viewer stood. Harthion had an eerie glow to him, nullifying any shadow that he might have had. His eyes changed into a stary night, more of the moonlight glow and the voice sounded distant, like it echoed. Harthion didn't change in character, only his figure. Later, every elf that would encounter the wizard, would gladly bow and kneel down to him, as the sword is the ultimate evidence of Harthion being chosen by Corellon Larethian, their god. The party debated their next course of action, even thought about "eating" artifacts (a special mechanic that would grant Epic Boons if they "ate" an artifact), however, they felt that there was some hidden consequence for themselves and for the world, so it was scrapped for that moment. Mario's old blade (that reforged one) was given to the leader of the Order of Silent, those that hunt undead. She and the whole army of Contego marched to the capital of Dominium. Some of their allies would stay and defend their lands against undead.

The group would want to check on one more thing - giants. They heard about Gortrum, Son of Storm, who was said to reside not far into the Storm Mountains. The party made a quick detour there and found ancient giant teleportation stones. Using one, they were teleported to the sky. Thankfully, using invisibility, they were able to hide from Rocs, which swarmed the flying island and the group found the next teleportation circle. When they teleported again, they met with a handful of storm giants, led a bigger one, that looked like he was partially made out of a storm. The weather raged around them and the party told him about the gauntlets. He decided to test them with his men, which went poorly pretty quickly. They were able to seriously wound Harthion, who in turn used his Mythic power to cast two 9th level spells at the same time - two meteor swarms. All giants died, the island barely was floating. However, Mario was able to save the giants before they died-died using his Aura of Life. Gortrum agreed that it was a bad idea. He revealed that he was informed by Stronmaus (the father of the Storm Giants) and Iallanis (the mother of the Cloud Giants) about the group and he wanted to test the Golden Shield, that was a bad choice. He informed the group that the giants know about them and will meet with them when the final time comes to leave the planet. That he himself guarded the way to Stronmaus, now it is destroyed, he has nowhere to go and they agreed to help the group with the dracolich problem. He warned the group that creatures of the planes can't help them in the final battle since they are unaware (or more like incapable of being aware) of what is going on beyond the Sphere. That the giants know, since they are from Tethys, existed before the Sphere. With this, they thanked the giants and saw that Solange finally had normal-looking gloves instead of gigantic stone gauntlets. They gave him more power and unlocked increases to damage. Having that done, the party went back north.

Army of Evil​

The situation was grim. It was much too late to do anything really. The capital was taken, the surrounding areas were filled with undead and demons, the armies had to get past them with strength alone. They were out of time since more sinister plots were brewing inside, so they couldn't wait for the full army from the south. The city was in ruins, overtaken by armies of evil - undead, devils, demons, and cultists. Old enemies showed their faces, even those the party didn't know they had. The island of Valena was ravaged by fires from Eipoaphynth, Eternal Fire, his men and his brood. Little revenge against Mario and the Valena cult that killed his father. Pyldriad, Infinite Sands, the ancient blue dragon came as his allies wanted and was having fun in the center island of Eris. His armies destroyed in Isfahan, he had to rely on the undead. Etheilth, Soundless One, the ancient black dragon came with her demon (and a couple of the orcs) army from the halfling lands, where she was defeated. She was destroying the Old Quarter with glee. There were three major groups in the city. Two cultist groups, one of demon, the other devil kind. The demon cult followed Orcus and they had a massive number of worshippers and demons outside the city walls, where they wanted to summon their Demon Lord Orcus to this world. While the devil cult followed Moloch, the Archdevil who was the supreme General of the Hellish Army. They took over Ilios' island and were going to summon him too. The last group was called the Empty Divine (or Divine Empty), which was revealed as a secret organization that existed since the coming of Humans to the world. Their goal was to kill all humans, elves and halflings, as they saw their coming as a grave injustice. Their numbers were mainly dragonborns, gnomes and dwarves, the real citizens of Tethys. They were behind the Monster Empire that ravaged the world over 300 years ago and was stopped by Actur and his army. Now with the armies of evil behind them, they are back. Lastly, nearly 300 meters in radius, the hole in the material plane, centered on the Cathedral of Trinity. The hole spewed out undead and necrotic energies forth, the new seat of power of Sedyryn, the Dracolich. No army was able to get close and all ships failed too, their crew dying before getting near.

Raizel
Great General of the Heavenly Host​

The group didn't have luck with their own forces. They were outnumbered. Even while having Giants (Frost and Storm), three adult dragons and allies at their side, it would be a slaughter. The clerics decided to ask for divine intervention. Over the crater where once stood a town, destroyed by the Magitech Bomb, they prayed for help. Not only clerics of Trinity but from other religions as well. Suddenly, a crack appeared. It expanded to reveal a gateway to the Throne of Gods, the plane of Lawful Good Celestials. An army was waiting there and it moved out. Not only flying angels but lost heroes that died and in the afterlife decided to continue the fight for good. Even more dragons and giants showed up. The army of good was here, led by Raizel, the Great General, who was sent by Qaphsiel, the One who Sits on the Platinium Throne. The solar moved to Mario and kneeled before him, announcing that the army of good has come to help the mortals and pledged his service to the Chosen of Trinity. At that moment, a pillar of light formed around Mario and this was the moment he gained the Chosen of Trinity, the mythic thingy. The group was ready.

Avcen Silver Blade
Harthion's Former Student
Creator of the Dracolich and the Undead Dragon

Haycrips the Fey
Forgotten Goblin​

The armies of good would march on the walls. The gnomish Shippy, Demogorgon-class ship would make a hole in the wall for the army. Adventurers and Order of Silent would take care of demons and undead outside the gates, making haste to stop Orcus' summoning. Which was quite near. The celestials would fly to stop any flying enemies, there was a lot of them. While the party would move with their allies and army to island of Valena and then to the cathedral, the rest had their objectives. Elementars would go to stop the Archdevil summoning. The three dragons would fight against Pyldriad. The Black Dragon had her claws full of fey that were summoned by the party to help them (using their boon). The northern armies and dwarves would fight in the Old Quarter and try to save as many people as they could. When the party got the Island of Valena, the red dragon army attacked them, only to be stopped by the party's army and allies, as well as flying Frost and Storm Giants. They got past the ancient red dragon thanks to Finn's teleport and the party was able to get past into the Shadow Reflection hole. There they met with old friends. Avcen Silver Blade, once a student Harthion, author of the Lord Magmos and his kin, as well as the creator of the Undead Dragon 200 years ago and Sedyryn's change to Dracolich. He hoped for praise from his old master but got none. Then Haycrisp showed up. Remember the goblin from the second session? Yep. 150 sessions later he shows up changed, looking like some fey. He resented, hated with every fiber of his being the party. Why? They changed his tribe to some goody-two-shoes. He wanted revenge and Sedyryn came to help with that, ever since the party took their castle, he was in his employ with new powers. The third one was Alano, he wanted to get close to the party but was rejected over and over. He didn't resent them for that. It was his mission as he worked with Sedyryn from the start and if he would succeed as being their general or warden, their country would be in shambles right now. The last was Sigurd, who showed up thanks to his teleport ring and he wore a new armor, the magitech armour that Actur wore. The fight commenced and it wasn't easy to win but the party succeeded. Thanks to focusing on Avcen, who died before getting to teleport out (he still is a lich, so he survived). Then Haycrips, who escaped to the Ethereal plane and didn't return to the material one. Lastly, Alano who was destroyed by Solange. What did Sigurd do? He barely damaged Mario and later was Banished by him, taking out one of the strongest enemies. When he returned, the party was ready and questioned him. He revealed that he worked for Sedyryn from the start and wished for a group like a party to come one day. He was instantly recognized as Courvelux by Sedyryn and blackmailed to serve him unless he wants Orth to be destroyed. He helped in the defense over 4 years ago (when the undead attacked 2 years before the start of the campaign). So Sigurd downplayed him as an enemy. Over time he was the party grew and tried to help them. The parasite was a blessing in disguise, he would die and his shame would die with him. However, he survived thanks to the party and hoped they would fight with him against Sedyryn. But once the dragon showed up after Orth was attacked by Capisalta, offering to take over, the party didn't attack, he was that they feared the fight, even when he was ready to throw down. He understood that the party won't help him in his dilemma. Now, he has Gwendolyn and a son will soon be born. This sword is twice-cursed. He doesn't care that he will die, he cares how he will die. If he would just die somewhere, unexplained, it would better than to see his son grew up and suddenly die due the sword taking his soul. He wanted to die on his own terms, so when Sedyryn came to him before the party returned, he was willing to join and after he turned into the Dracolich, he felt that the party couldn't stand a chance. He wanted to do what needed to be done and save his family, so he teleported to Dominium and waited for the party to come. The group was more understanding and forgiving. Finally, convincing Sigurd to help them but he was able only to fight creatures beyond the hole and so was sent to fight Pyldriad. Mario didn't want the new plate, the old one was better (depends really).

Sedyryn
Green Fury
The Dracolich

Actur
Godrick Telleus
Legati
Avatar of Trinity
Undead​

Before leaving, Sigurd revealed that Sedyryn has an ace in his sleeve - Actur. The High King revived as an undead servant. His armour is gone but the sword he carries is the deadliest one of all. He told the group to be aware that this might be the end and left, wishing them luck. The party moved deeper into the plannar crack. There the cathedral of Trinity was no more but a cathedral of bones, to worship death and undeath. Everywhere they looked, bones, negative energy wells, flowing blood and other liquids. Horrid place but the lair of an ancient and powerful being, the dracolich. The party was able to get to the main room, where once they spoke with the cardinals. This once huge open room was filled with bones and a new place was created, for a new king. There Sedyryn awaited the party with his new undead ex-king. The party had a good look at him. The bones and fleshy parts, it was Sedyryn no doubt. In the center, a black sphere, the same from the Archmage tower. His new heart. He emanated with power, his necrotic energies pumping into the world and pushing everything aside. Sedyryn offered one last alliance, join him, save the world or perish. There was no other option.

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Spoiler

 

[Nahel]

Sigurd as a traitor. Was it planned from the start?

 

[Havoc]

Sigurd as a traitor. Was it planned from the start?

Yes and no. If he didn't have the sword and the players saved him from the parasite, he would have been their ally in the end and told the truth. The sword complicated things - he didn't want to die like a chump and had to save his family. It was also a hint that something is going on - he was a Courvelux, a descendant of the guy that slew Sedyryn's father and the dragon didn't care for him.

 

[Havoc]

Chapter closing. Just one more session and we are in the epilogue. Also, the players were given one Epic Boon (they chose to enhance their Mythic abilities).

---

Chapter XIX

Session 154: Truth About Fishes

The combat started. If the party didn't prepare (by drinking resistance potions), they would be overwhelmed by the energies that the dragon spewed out of himself. Actur wasn't a slob either but had Mario to contend with. A couple of his attacks were enough to make the group think twice about not focusing him. His sword was so light and deadly, it could have easily sliced any other target. When he was destroyed, his bones turned into dust and his sword wedged itself up to the hilt in rock. Then the group focused Sedyryn. However, he was a mobility king with the ability to teleport around and move at in big speed. The party had a problem getting close to him. Especially that none of them could fly to him, Harthion had to use his spells to grant the party some speed. Still not enough to be next to him all the time. The combat took nearly 10 rounds. During which, in the end, Raizel, the Great General came to the "rescue". He was able to wound the dracolich but the dragon had none of that and decimated him pretty quickly, as the solar was weakened already. He turned into dust and the question still stood if he returned to his plane or his death here meant something more. The party was able to finally defeat him, when Mario made the last blow (the dragon was about to Greater Invisibility and run away). With the dragon dead, his black orb exploded in negative energies, overwhelming the party. They heard people calling them, praying to them, then silence and the words "heroes die to save the word", a divine theory called to them. They had to roll for Death Saves but were able to succeed. When their senses returned, the party was found by a group of allies.

Harthion was saved by his sword, however, Scarlett had to be revived. Thankfully the rest survived. The party was under the rubble of the cathedral for over a month. Nothing could come close as this place was filled with enormous amounts of negative energies. They would kill anything that got close. Even Harthion, that spent the month studying under rocks, couldn't teleport out due to the nature of the place. The armies of good won in the end. The ancient red dragon escaped but his brood was destroyed. Pyldriad, the blue dragon, was killed and his body lies on the center island, while the black dragon's body is on the castle. The archdevil was stopped from appearing but Orcus was successful. The armies had a problem with undead redoubling their efforts but they won, the demon lord had to retreat to his plane. The city is in ruins and nobody will return here for months or even years, as tens of thousands died here. The cracks in the world were closed, even the one to the celestial plane. Raizel was nowhere to be found. The group's allies were safe so at least there's that. Actur's sword was recovered but in the end, it was returned to the archcardinal, as Mario didn't want to use it (he wanted to be tanky) with a new organization to be formed, a knightly order to safeguard artifacts of the Avatars (yes, plural, he meant himself too). The group returned home to rest a while and then they were visited by Vance. Vannozzo's student announced that he came with a greeting, congratulated the party and offered a meeting with the Great Emperor, he has a lot to tell the group about. In the end, they accepted and were teleported to an ancient Actuvian fortress in the south, where the Great Empire's leadership lied.

Forgotten Actuvian Fortress​

In a room, that now worked as a throne room, they saw the undead Legati they remembered, couple of unknown leaders (even a lava-like Fire Giant). The group met with the Great Emperor. He revealed himself as Baelith Telleus, the son of High King Actur and Queen Alaria. He even showed his face, a half-elven man that had parts of his face turned into drow elements (like spots that turned his skin black, hair white and one of his eyes red). He told the group the truth about the world and more. The gods lied to the group because they couldn't tell the whole truth. No plannar creature can speak or even hear about the "guardians", which aren't really guarding anything. They are here to eat and the world is their farm. A soul farm. The whole world is under the sphere and the souls go to their dinner plate, where they eat souls by the handfuls. The gods are their fishing rods. The only way to know this truth is to die. Great Emperor saw this years ago, when he died for the first time. When he returned, his soul remembered everything. This is the same reason I asked players to roll 2d20 each time they were revived (not revivified). They had to roll a 20 then a natural 1 for it to work and they would see the truth. His goal was to save souls by destroying all religion. The souls wouldn't go to the "plate" but "somewhere else", he didn't know where. His methods were extreme. He was even able to show the group what he saw but the cost was a newborn baby, the group didn't agree to take this ritual and took his word. The Emperor asked for an alliance since they have the same goals. He will stop his army and the party needs to retrieve the Gold Sphere from the Golden City, with the key that Vance will grant them.

Oswalt
Captain of the Harbringer ship
Leader of the Halflings (Transparent Travellers)​

Later, a halfling showed up called Captain Oswalt. His suit was unknown to the party as this was the moment I revealed to them that halflings are a 99% technology-based race. He was very cheerful compared to other people in the room and told the group, that they would fly his ship to the Mother and then out of the sphere but they need the Gold Sphere as it has the Life Spark, which is a counterbalance against the Everchaos and it kills them or at least wounds them. He then showed the group his ship by teleporting inside. Halflings were doing experiments all around and the ship looked like it was taken from sci-fi. He explained further that the halflings like they like to be called, are a race that can travel between dimensions of existence. Their goal is to fight against the Everchaos. Their name - Transparent Travellers is something other cosmic entities call them as the closer you are to the cosmic source (be it Chosen, Gods or higher) you see halflings more transparent, while for the Everchaos they are almost invisible. They came to this world after the Elves crash-landed to check them out to see the void filled with their enemy. They had to land on the planet and started to come up with a plan to fight against the Everchaos, while being undetected. When humans came and the sphere was finished, they were trapped as well and had to readjust but then the unthinkable happened, death of All-Father created a cataclysm that hit their ship too. They spent centuries repairing it and planning their next move, slowly showing up in the world (only in the south). Before Actur showed up, they moved their plans into motion. A large group was mind blanked to not remember their past and be integrated into the technological level of the world. They have put them at the Halfling Hills (named later as such). Their goal was to be sleeper agents and information gatherers for the halflings as well as an excuse if one of their number would be found in the south ("they are just cousins of those in the hills!"). They wanted Actur to help them and even had some talks with Vannozzo but in the end, everything broke down. Actur died, the Golden River country fell and Vannozzo was gone. They needed to regroup and rethink their strategies and planning. They decided to help the Great Emperor as this was the best option until the group survived their heroic death, they have a higher chance of saving this world from destruction. They don't know how much time was bought. It could be months or years until the world breaks and everybody dies, then the Everchaos would feast on the souls and leave for another place. The party decided that they would take care of the last Eye of Many temple and then go for the sphere. But until that moment happened, Scarlett was taken aside for Oswalt to reveal the truth. The halfling race is actually a race of transdimensional beings that are capable of not only seeing other dimensions but also hopping between them. She was brought before an A.I. which she knows as Babushka. The halfling god is actually as super AI capable of taking souls of dead halflings and returning them back to the fold, instead of making them part of some cthulhu-being's lunch. She was given a transascesion ritual, where she was set as a Transcendent Traveller, a halfling that is in the center of all their counterparts. There are many Scarletts between dimensions and this Scarlett is the main one. She could flick between realms and maybe use the other Scarletts to her benefit. She was even given a powerful, experimental, sniper rifle to use. After that, the party was ready to leave.

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Spoiler

 

[Havoc]

One more session I think and we are over.

---

Chapter XIX

Session 155: Played From the Start

The party returned to their country, after talking to Oswalt. There was no need to continue the hostilities and the armies of the Great Empire retreated, even the duergars in the north. With this, the group had a moment to breathe and say their goodbyes. Solange spent his time with his close friends and family, those that he might not see anytime soon. Scarlett went to her circus with her farther to reminisce. Mario met with all the leaders of the Alliance and announced his abdication, Luigi would take the crown and become the new king. The country would become the center of the faith, while the leaders would know the truth about what is going beyond the sphere. A new alliance or an empire might be born in the future. Only time will tell. Harthion visited his elven brethren and family. First, the Sanctuary, where he took on the mantle of Ar'Courni (the commander) and was given the artifact robe the person of that status wears. He made a speech to all elves about their future and that he might not come back. Later spent time with his students, also, reminiscing. This led him to visit his cousin, Alaria, where she promised to do more good and become a bright future for their race, that Harthion wants. They too had a time to remember old times, the demigod created chairs out of spidersilk and the elves in the throne room sat down together for the last time. Later, Harthion spent some time alone with his sister, as this was his final goodbye, even giving her his necklace. Before he left, he saw his sister change. Her drow form disappearing and even her spider body turned back to humanoid form. It was a miracle. By whom? It didn't matter. The twins shared their last dance together in the forest that started it all.

The Center Temple Of Eye of Many​

With that, the party went to the central temple of Eye of Many. As it was underwater, they had to send their agents to retrieve the keys and they successfully did so, but there were too many monsters nearby for them to descend to the temple itself. The party drank their potions and leap to the water. After dozen or so minutes of swimming, they found the underwater temple and it had guardians. A lot of kuo-toa spread around the temple and a giant tentacled monster - the Kraken appeared. He was unrelenting and didn't allow the party to enter his master's temple. Combat ensued and it was quite deadly, the kraken isn't some ease opponent, especially with his kuo-toa allies. Some time their mythic abilities saved their hide and after his defeat (he tried to run but Scarlett had a lucky last shot before he disappeared into the deep waters). With that, they were ready to enter the temple. After a short rest, the group descended down and opened the strange door. This time they were greeted by a rotating corridor that was in 5 parts. After a while, they all snapped into place and the far door opened. When the group entered the temple, they realized that water couldn't enter like some barrier stopped the seawater from flooding the area. The group went inside and found themselves in an easier puzzle than before. There was nothing here. First, they found one of the ponds the creatures run into after defeat (or come out of), next there were two corridors that connect later down the road. Finally, the door to the "treasure" which unlocked when the party got close. After they put the statuette, they found a piece of paper on the pedestal. Something was off and they retraced their steps only to see the starfield once more. This time a fleshy path awaited them. Not wanting to waste time, they ventured forth. Many hours later, the party started to become tired, found a gigantic skull, that they could rest inside. The geysers were calming enough. A long rest was taken and the party was off like always. When they got to the floating island, it had four different parts. The fleshy one, ancient ruins of unknown origins, some blood temple ruins and a land of ice. It didn't take a lot of time before the Eye of Many showed up. He was happy. The party did everything he asked (not really asked) them too and more. He won this conflict, no matter if they defeat him beyond the sphere or not, it is his victory to claim, whatever he meant by it. Also, how? There was no more conversation really, as the one who struck first was Harthion, compared to Mario last time (twice even). Combat ensued in the same manner as before. They beat a form, an island falls, the new form shows up, more powerful, it is beaten and another form shows up. When the gargantuan form with cosmic rays showed up, all members of the party were resistant to cosmic damage. It didn't have a good time fighting the party and had to eat one of the islands to survive. When the party defeated this form, the last island fell with them. Down into the abyss, they saw a land that never ended, with eyes and tentacles everywhere. Thanks to Harthion's featherfall, they were able to land safely and fight the Eye. During these fights, the party showed their new powers. Mario used his Mythic Divine smite, Scarlett jumped into a different dimension (was untargetable), Solange turned into a sun giant, while Harthion was able to cast two concentration spells and hold them. With this new arsenal, they were winning. Suddenly, however, the Eye showed his cards, he was able to pluck out souls that the party fought before, the enemies of their past. First was Nu'quern'gaur, the elf ranger that was their first boss, the werewolf attacked the group with much ferocity, angry that his children are "wasted." Later Crommash would show up, disappointed that they wasted his future. This was the Orc Mario defeated in honorable combat in the Golden Spring Castle and later would die to betrayal from his officers. Both creatures worked with the Eye but were easier to defeat that their originals, however, still packed their original punch. The group was pretty beaten but victorious. The Avatar, the last possible manifestation of a cosmic entity like the Eye of Many was defeated on the Material Plane. When his eye was shut down by Mario's sword, the whole place turned black. "I will be awaiting... beyond the sphere... Heroes."

Message to the Group

Spoiler

The Gold Underground
Vannozzo's Main Laboratory​

After his defeat, the party was returned to the temple of Eye of Many and decided to get out ASAP. There weren't undersea anymore, the temple teleported to their kingdom, next to their capital. The party didn't want to waste more time and after some days of rest, they called Vance. It was time. With him, they teleported to the Golden City, where the Great Empire's agents were controlling Vannozzo's Tower. He ordered them to retreat, their job is done and the party descended into the underground of the tower with Vance. There they found the door leading to the Vannozzo's plane called Gold(en) Underground. He touched the door and it opened itself. He was the key all this time. Inside, there were many pyramids, ziggurats, labyrinths, on the floor and the ceiling. This plane was supposed to stretch under the whole canyon. Vance revealed that Vannozzo wanted to save as many people as he could, so after discussing with halflings and other people (like the Great Inventor of Quadropoli), he came up with a plane. He would take a whole country to the stars. Got funding from the king to build the best walls around their kingdom that the world ever saw, then they were magically enhanced. Nobody really knew what this magic would do, only Vannozzo. Capisalta was the central hub that controlled the magic. He wanted to push the land up and the Gold Underground was supposed to be the bottom of this spaceship, while the walls would create boundaries and force fields that would guard the mortals. Something went wrong. Actur died and magic started to work differently. Vance was at that moment in the University, he stole some magical items and saved Sindilla (he was the thief that the University was looking for all this time). He failed his master as he was needed in the Gold Underground. He showed the party the biggest Ziggurrat, that is the place where the Gold Sphere has located that powers everything around them and where his master and friends died. Vance was supposed to be with the other students and Vannozzo performing the ritual that would quickly transform the land into the ship, while Vannozzo would become a beacon to hold everything. The ritual failed. The students died. The land fell 1km down since the Gold Underground didn't leave its plane of existence and Capisalta felt dozen of kilometers underground into the Abyss. Millions weren't saved, they were slaughtered. The only way to take the sphere now is to deactivate the ritual that holds Vannozzo and at the same time... kill him. Since he has only a minute or two before his body will disintegrate due to the power that flows in his veins.

Vannozzo
The Archmage
Master of All Arcane
Wizard Supreme​

Vance decided not to go with the party. He feared to show his face to his master again and wished that the party has his full attention during this time. The group nodded, drank flying potions and flew into the great ziggurat. During their travel, they saw hundreds of monsters roaming the plane. Probably escaped prisoners of Vannozzo, that he kept in different pyramids to experiment on. The door was opened for the party and inside they found more evidence that the technology used here is the same as the one on the island they found. The party saw Vannozzo. Over two meters tall human that was stilled due to magic, like locked in time. Four skeletal bodies killed students due to the ritual. The magic didn't allow anybody to open the door to the sphere, so the party got ready and pulled the switch. Magic shut down and Vannozzo fell down. His eyes opened, glowing in power, they felt this power once before - a demigod. He asked for a moment, cast multiple spells at the same time, trying to understand what is going on and asked the party to humor him for a second. He needs to test them.

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[Havoc]

The end.

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Epilogue

Session 156: The End

Vannozzo started with casting a spell that even Harthion didn't know about named Vannozzo's Horrid Future. He tried to counterspell it but the Archmage just cast it again. After that moment, everybody disappeared and each had a vision of the future. This wasn't a simple illusion, it was a real future that may come. Archmage tested the resolve of everybody, asking them about their goal, what drives them and if they are ready to make the final sacrifice. Scarlett saw her mother and father hanged on the tree, the land burned to the ground. Solange saw his citadel raided, everybody murdered in cold blood. Harthion saw the elven race butchered by the demon Taugruun, even his apprentices. Mario saw his capital, his family, his whole country destroyed by aberrations of Eye of Many, enacting his revenge. This only affirmed the group that what they do is just and won't back down. Vannozzo was pleased with their answers and stopped the spell before it did the damage. The group had a minute or two to talk to him, asked questions about their goal and the enemy. During which he granted them a plan to rebuild the sphere (into a cube) to safeguard mortals. The group learned that Vannozzo's father was Tethys, the strange human that lived on the Island, he died fighting the Eye of Many centuries ago. Before he disappeared completely, as his soul was burning away, Harthion cast Time Stop to talk for a moment with the archmage, thanking him for everything and had an idea to use the Soul Trap book to save his soul and maybe revive him later. Vannozzo was pleased with the idea, telling him that he surpassed him. He summoned his own book that acted like a homunculi (AI) but with more personality. He infused the magic from the Soul Trap into his own book and later would read it to trap his soul inside it. Before he disappeared, he granted the party the ability to extend their limits allowing them to attune to one more magic item. The group would later talk to the book, revealing himself as Vannozzo Inferior, a more relaxed personality of the Archmage that would help the party transport the Gold Sphere, which lied just beyond the door that now opened (the group felt that if they fucked up, this "reactor" could kill them and with it the world). Thanks to him, they had an easier time to do it without another fight with the masses of monsters that lurked the Gold Underground.

Lands of the Three-Kreen (Thrice-Reborn)​

When the party got out, they used the help of the halflings to teleport the sphere to their ship and flew away from the main continent. During their travels, they were informed about the plan. The ship would be the bomb, Oswalt and Great Emperor would stay on the ship to deliver it, while the group would stand on magical plates that would extend their limits beyond to sphere to dozens of kilometers instead of feet, allowing them to fight the Eye of Many and more. Vance would help them, controlling the master one, so that the party would only focus on being the sword, while he is their shield. The atmosphere was somber, so they would stop for a moment in the land of the Three-Kreen. This was the moment it was revealed from where the Monk class came from as well as Solange's magic tattoos. The party would be able to visit this place if they stuck with the gnomes. It was a long full of harmony without war ever reaching this place. They guarded themselves with psionics (as they were a psionic race) that used their powers in a hivemind fashion ever since All-Father died and almost destroyed their lands. Ever since then they were safe and they lived as protectors of The Mother until the time comes that she would be let free. This is where the party would come in.

Lands of the Mother​

After that little detour, the party flew to the lands of the Mother. This wasn't a land of green and peace but a giant crater the size of a country. The edges of which were carved with some unknown language from beyond. It was her prison. Oswalt told the group to prepare since when they pass the threshold it will hurt. When they did so, they were dealt 200 cosmic damage, which in turn all had resistance so it was only 100 damage. A simple mortal would die outright and they still used the special ship to get past the force field as fast as possible. This was also the moment they were getting Sendings from allies that the world is turning "to shit", aberrations are showing up and the world is getting hit with earthquakes. On the inside, it was a desolate land. Nowhere near the carvings, they saw in the giants' map. In the center, they saw a mountain range, dozens of kilometers long. However, when they got close, it moved. Oswalt told the group to grab onto something as she will move them in a second. Thankfully they listened to his words and were transported near her (hundred or more kilometers) in a blink of an eye. Some tried their best not to throw up. The humongous dragon, without moving split apart the ship into smaller pieces and moved the group even more near her.

Zurleintairthuvnaentoilth
Platinium Shine Between Aeon Stars
Mother of All Dragons
Cosmic Entity​

She breamed with energies of the Life Spark. Her eyes were like miniature suns, similar to that of the Gold Sphere. She thanked the group for coming. Told the group that as long as she is imprisoned, she can't help them fight. However, she has something for the group and a big cylinder showed up before them. They felt the same energies as the Gold Sphere but more condensed. She told them that this would be a bomb but it would take their lives as well. All they need to do is to break it near one of them. After the sphere will break, she will come to help them but they need to defeat the creatures and before that their guardian - Eye of Many. Vannozzo also explained this. Eye of Many is their agent and the only one that acts in the same manner of time as the mortals, safeguarding his masters from threats that they are too slow to react to. Mortal souls are their diet but their poison as well. With their new weapon, they thanked the dragon, who told them that she will talk to them after all this has ended. Also, they were given an Epic Boon (some used it to enhance their mythic abilities).

Stronmaus
Father of Storm Giants

Iallanis
Mother of Cloud Giants​

The group was moved back to their ship and it was remade again as nothing happened to it. Their goal clear, the group flew out. On the way from the clouds, they saw a land beyond, two giants stood that dwarfed the ship. Still smaller than the Dragon Mother but still big enough. It was the two children of All-Father. They grabbed the ship and used all their powers to propel the ship into the void, trying to pierce the sphere with it. "Good luck, Heroes," they said just before the ship flew with immense speed. The party moved past the moon, their planet started to look minuscule, as well as their sun. They were able to get to the end of the sphere and the ship tore through. Now, outside, they were able to see the creatures that they came to fight. Three monsters the size of planets or even bigger, that sat near plates filled with souls. Ate them in handfuls. The group decided to use the ship on one of them, while they would transport the cylinder to another one. Outside of the game, they had no real idea who to choose but they decided that the green looking guy will get gravely wounded (ship) and the twirly guy will get killed (cylinder). The group moved outside their ship and started to fly next to it. Eye of Many was getting close to their position. Before that happened, someone glowing showed up. It was Lord Sun. He asked for the cylinder but was at first rejected. He pleaded to the group that his days are numbered, that there must be another sun as after his death there won't be any. That Solange was prepared for this moment, that he will be a better sun than he ever was. The group went with Solange's decision in the end, as the group had no evidence that Lord Sun might be a bad guy in disguise. The other argument was that if they suicide, who will fight the last standing of the Eternal Trinity? Solange agreed and gave the cylinder. Lord Sun flew away, just in time before Eye of Many showed up to the group.

Eternal Trinity
Servants of Everchaos
The Unspeakable​

He was the size of a moon (hundreds of kilometers wide) and the party focused on the eye that was big enough to be a country. You can see the screenshots below. It took us 9 rounds to finish. During which Lord Sun sacrificed himself, as well as the Great Emperor, to defeat the Eternal Trinity. The god Trinity and energies of Lord Sun were able to help the party, granting them more power (the party gained two more uses of Mythic Abilities). The world under them lost its sun and the world broke. Eye of Many was angry at the group and vowed to come back, even if it takes him eons to regenerate, as his will is already bound to Tethys (due to players' actions). There were many good moments in the combat. The party had to fight two old enemies - the red dragon Frirdayn (the one that got gorilla'ed) and the Pinnacle (the giant experiment in the dwarven fortress). The party was beaten over and over with tentacles but they preserved to the end. Scarlett and Solange doing the most damage, Mario healing whom he could. Harthion broke two of his Staff of Magi (they deal 450 if you fail a save, half on success) to deal massive damage to the eye. The monster lost tentacles (they retreated to his body) when the group dealt enough damage. Each time it did so, it healed som. When it was the end, it healed a massive amount of HP. In the end, they dealt over 2500 damage to it. Solange, using his Sun Giant form (mythic ability), opened the main eye with his bare hands (30 Strength!) and allowed his friends to deal more damage. Scarlett shot her gun into the center of the eye, opening it more, as well as Mario using Rexgladio to deal even more massive damage with his mythic abilities. In the end, Harthion used his iconic Disentigrate to turn the center of the moon-boss to ash. The monster shouted, vowed revenge as his body started to break apart and explode into nothingness. The party wanted to move against the last of the Eternal Trinity but he retreated with such speed that they had no way of reaching him. The group was stranded with Vance, in the quiet void, until the Dragon Mother came to the group. She congratulated them on their fight and she decided to help them. She gifted them part of her, the Life Spark. Enough to recreate the whole world. The group would become Gods if they wished or stay as Immortal beings that never age. The was another choice, to leave with her to continue the fight against the Everchaos but they would not return to their world for a very long time. The party finally agreed to become Gods and rebuilding the world. Vance even did it before the group had a consensus between themselves (Venca was born!). This was also the moment Harthion gave the book to the dragon, who instantly recognized the soul of the son of Tethys, her friend. She thanked the group again, as not only they saved many spheres and uncountable number of lives by freeing her but also healed her broken heart. The group broke their cylinders and became the gods.

Last Fight

Spoiler

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The End​

Over 156 sessions. Started from lvl 1 to lvl 20 with Epic Boons and Mythic Abilities. My first campaign in my life that went that long that is completely finished to the point of satisfaction. Too bad two players weren't with us to the end but hey, I learned a lot. You can't please everybody and focus on those that are interested in the game, because those that aren't, well, they just won't be, no matter how much you try. Also, do not plan too much ahead for players, their characters might die permanently or the player will just say he is bored and leave or change character, ruining your plans for the future for the character and the team. You all are there to have fun, so just have fun in the moment, because nobody will remember what you had in plans in 10-20 sessions if that moment will never come. Nevertheless, it was a blast. Now, we are going to finish up, the players became gods and we will create a new setting for DnD that I will be using the future for any of my DnD campaigns. The concept of the campaign came to my head over 6-7 years ago and we finished the campaign in over two years. It feels like it was just a year.

P.S. I won't be doing journals for new campaigns, they take too much of my time and I have a lot of campaigns going on. However, after I finish writing the new setting, I will make it public, since it will be written in English.

 

[Nahel]

Thanks for the lp man it was awesome