As the last session began, it was early evening on the 10th day of the 3rd Trigon of Elok’s Influence. The trip from Zrey and the Sea of Sand had thus far been uneventful, and the skyship was making good time. The party, Landis, Cookee and Dayore were all seated around the galley table enjoying a fine supper prepared by Kogaan. A meal expertly seasoned from Kogaan’s Heward’s Handy Spice Pouch. The party were discussing the increasingly concerning events that are unfolding while enjoying fine food, fine wine, and, of course, a large pitcher of goat’s milk. If the weather and the winds continued to cooperate, the Stargazer would arrive in Windrest by early morning the next day.
In a flash of arcane displacement, Lafferty materialized before them. He apologized for the interruption, but stated that he had important news to share that all should hear. Lafferty told the party that rifts were beginning to open in the Between, with one having already bled into Emathan. Lafferty was concerned about three of the rifts that were forming. These rifts emanated with corrupt power. Both he and Enibis believed that these were the rifts that were opening into Arcmyth.
Lafferty told the party that the rifts would be found at the scar in the Sea of Sand, near the northernmost tip of the Crags mountain range, and inside the City of Gantrick in the Protected Lands. Lafferty voiced particular concern with the rift in the City of Gantrick, as this put the Protected Lands in great peril.
Just as Lafferty was about to continue, the ship’s bell began to ring out a warning. Captain Merfiz yelled down to the party that two of the strange dragon they had encountered in the Between had just appeared out of nowhere. They were yelling for the “dragon man” to show himself. Lafferty apologized, saying that he might have accidentally shown them how to get here, and disappeared.
The party quickly grabbed their weapons and headed onto the deck. One of the dragons approached the ship, blasting it with its dark pulsing breath. The blast engulfed many of the crew and party members, several of whom were dropped immediately, including Captain Merfiz.
The ragged beasts fought with vengeance, constantly yelling they were avenging their brother’s death at the dragon man’s hands. The battle raged back and forth, with the dragon initially gaining the advantage. Slowly, the party and the remaining crew members began to gain the upper hand and the dragons were slain.
The battle had been brutal. Dead and wounded lay across the sky ship’s decks. The party and crew worked quickly to patch up the wounded as Douglan and Ronin called upon the Three to spare the dead. Thankfully, all were spared from death. The remainder of the trip to Windrest was uneventful, with the Stargazer arriving early the next morning.
As the ship descended to the sky dock next to the School of Conjuration, the party learned that Fariedah had returned. Once in Obadiah’s study, she revealed that she had made an impromptu trip to Lyelion after being contacted by Adamar Aurorasong, the village’s elder, with concerning news about the Order of the Gate’s portal.
Adamar had told Fariedah that the Hidden had gained access to the portal chamber and believed that Ordite was using it to communicate with his followers, including the Prophet of the Dooms, Dragonlord Elerryn of the Dark Elves and General Dekomath of the Githyanki. The two agreed that this could not be allowed to continue and that, despite the loss it would represent, the portal had to be destroyed.
Fariedah asked the party to join her in travelling to the portal to destroy it, which they agreed to assist with. Fariedah told the party that Countersign could be used to destroy the powerful portal. Although it would mean bringing the powerful staff to the enemy, it was their best chance of success. Knowing that this was a matter that required immediate attention, Fariedah and the party teleported to Lyelion at once.
After a short discussion with Adamar, the party, along with two of the most capable members of the Hidden, teleported down to the portal. As soon as the group appeared, they were immediately attacked by four Ordite Warriors who were standing guard.
The battle was intense. The Ordite Warriors struck with powerful blows that burned with necrotic energy. Several of the party members took heavy damage, but held the line as Fariedah turned invisible in an attempt to get up to the portal to use Countersign.
The Ordite Warriors seemed focused on defeating those they deemed the strongest warriors of the group, not realizing what was in the works. As the party continued to battle and hold the attention of the warriors, Fariedah placed the staff and uttered the words of incantation required to destroy the portal. The portal shuttered and collapsed upon itself with a deafening grinding roar.
The remaining Ordite Warriors, now cut off from Ordite’s power, faded into dark mist and then disappeared altogether. It was done. The portal was destroyed.