February 16th, 2025
Mare, Custodia 6th, 1194 (Continued)
We perform a thorough search of the area; there are no magic auras. The altar here bears the holy symbol of Xhal’ith. The whispering gets louder as we approach it and we feel as if it is drawing us closer. Each of us hears something.
- Ralzer: Far to the north, a realm beset by endless winter has a secret pact with a mysterious figure known as the Raven Queen. Sacrifices of rare black feathers keep the blizzards at bay. Lately, the feathers have grown scarcer, and storms loom.
- Ishtar: Scattered across the land are seven ancient wells, each known for a distinct harmonic hum. When played in unison they generate a resonance that can resurrect a legendary hero… or a forgotten evil.
- Ty: A lone figure drifts among the stars, forging cosmic chains from stardust. Should these chains ever be broken, the constellations would unravel—and with them, the fate of the mortal realm.
- Sigmund: A half-buried ballad etched onto broken tablets claims a queen once ruled in silence. Her voice, if heard, would command the very tides. Now only fragments of her lullaby remain, locked behind wards of unbreakable stone.
- Graynor: Buried under shifting desert sands, an arcane library’s doors are guarded by monstrous shadows that feed on words. Anyone entering must sacrifice a cherished memory to pass safely—those who refuse have their minds devoured by the hungry shade-librarians.
Ishtar goes subterranean via elemental form and searches. There are a lot more bones buried here, dumped like a mass grave. The three dug up spots don’t appear to be different. Maybe whomever did it was looking for an item buried with the bodies.
When Ty goes ethereal, the altar looks much different—like a monolith of impossible geometry with pulsating fungus. At the top is a black halo that draws in black energy. It speaks to Ty and offers her a deal, “Unshackle your mind from safety. Let the creeping horror nest in your thoughts, and in return, I shall whisper truths mortal ears are not meant to hear.” Ty says she’s not interested in horror’s nesting in her mind, then receives a counter offer, “Bask in the stillness of oblivion for one turn of the moon. Close your mouth, your eyes, your mind—and let nothing break your vigil. Then you shall be worthy of my counsel.”
We then leave and begin our plant travel back to Ironwald Downs.
Terra, Custodia 7th, 1194
Ralzer visits his contact about the gilarabrywn and the shopkeeper takes his “payment”. A gilarabrywn has a unique resonance that can be unraveled when the weapon that was used in its creation is struck there. He offers to find specific information on the gilarabrywn. Ralzer tells him that Tolm made it and and sacrificed his assistance, Ildan. For his assistance he requires information as payment and Ralzer says that he will consider this.
Ty visits Graynor at the Temple of Salvation for guidance about Xhal’ith. They meet with Gallant Malik Du Pompadour, who advises that any pact should be very straight forward. Such an agreement could place a dark taint on one’s soul, but such things could be worth the cost.
We discuss our plans and first decide to obtain a write from the Empyrean Council to facilitate access to the Obsidian Library. Advocate Greatbear will work on this for us.
Forte, Custodia 8th, 1194
Graynor and Ty visit the Temple of Salvation about finding Tolm. They suggest that we keep scrying and to find an associate in Jasper.
They then go visit Lairn to ask about the Mysterium. It’s a library in Vallyn, AKA the Hakkar Minair. It’s very old, founded around the same time as the city, and is controlled by worshipers of Adira.
Ishtar visits the Assembly of the Four Corners to ask about the severe storms in the north and the Raven Queen. His contact there, Morvathe, hasn’t heard anything like that, but sounds like it could be fey. There is an alleged fey gate west of Short Rock Pass, where we fought those hell hounds. Ishtar tries scrying on “Tolm” a couple of times with no luck.
Bellum, Custodia 9th, 1194
We transport via plants a few times to get to Jasper. We plan our research topics (gilarabrywn, the storms, Wells of Knowledge, the city that cannot be found, and the Empyrean Council) and then head to the Courts of Inequity to pick up our writ.
A priest of Hastur, Administrator Croft, delivers the writ of access and informs us that he is sponsoring our access to the Obsidian Library. The Courts of Inequity enlisted their assistance in obtaining this writ on our behalf.
Through an art dealer, we get directions to the artist Marian Dumont, who painted the Tolm portrait. He remembers the portrait of Mr. Barolo, as he refers to him. Tolm is a nobleman in town, he thinks. He painted the portrait about a year ago, which took four days, and Tolm stayed at the Gilded Ledger. Tolm was very interested in getting his eyes right. He said, “A man’s eyes see the truth of what he is, in every reality.” Tolm paid him in rare uncut gemstones. The appraiser could not tell from which region they originated, which is strange.
We then head to the Gilded Ledger. We confirm that Tolm stayed here for a week about 13 months ago.
Ty visits the local Blackstone Monastery for advice on oblivion meditation.
Sigmund gathers information on Tolm in Jasper and discovers that he is indeed a minor noble, but not much else is known. We find a local address.
Iustitia, Custodia 10th, 1194
We take our visit to the Obsidian Library. We get confirmation that a different weapon, with the correct name on it, can unravel the note on the gilarabrywn. The person wielding it must aim for a specific spot to do this and someone more attuned to arcane casting may be more accurate with locating it.
We find some descriptions on the severe storms carrying shards of other realms in them. There is nothing about the Raven Queen or a ritual, but there are a few theories.
The Ancient Ward Theory is that there was an old civilization that created wards that once contained these storms. The Grand Incinerator is Namas’ link to the storms; the fire and water sects each have different stories that reference the storms.
There is prophecy called the Frozen Temple Prophecy from Seer Aldhira, Priestess of the Ice Veil:
When the frozen stars return to the sky and the riftwinds howl in chorus, the planes shall bleed again. The walls are thin. The hunger is great. The Grand Storm shall awaken, and the world will know the cold touch of its forgotten king.
We don’t find anything about activating all seven of the Wells of Knowledge or the City that Cannot be Found.
We find out that the dragons on the Empyrean Council my be entering in pacts with mortals to impart magical powers unto them.
We then plan our “visit” to the Barolo manor.