As the last session began, it was early evening on the 19th day of the 3rd Trigon of Elok’s Influence. The battle had not been going well for the party, with both Kogaan and Aldric down. The Dooms had not been without their own losses, with Ronin having just loosed an arrow, ending Onyx’s life. The dark elf dropped next to one of his young dragons, who had fallen only moments before. The two remaining dark elf warriors converged on Douglan as the remaining young black dragon roared with rage and moved in to avenge her father and brother.
As Douglan squared off against the approaching dark elf warriors, the doors to the courtyard burst open, and three heavily armoured warriors entered. Douglan recognized them at once as Vanguard.
The momentum of the battle shifted quickly when a war cleric cast healing magic, bringing Kogaan and Aldric back into the fray. Shortly after, the last of the dark elves and black dragons lay dead.
Commander Garrick explained that a Vanguard spy had tipped him off that Onyx and his dragons would be waiting for the party. He apologized for the delay in reaching them, saying the mansion’s guards had put up a stronger fight than expected.
Having confirmed the location of the third rift, the party returned to the Stargazer, where Captain Merfiz informed them that Obadiah had requested their return to Windrest. The skyship set sail at once.
As the skyship sailed out of the Kingdom of Gantrick, Hahnu rejoined the party. He spoke with Kogaan, explaining that he had learned to shift his shape into that of a gold dragonborn, an ability that would make it much easier for him to remain on the skyship in the future.
Upon arriving in Windrest, the party was taken to Obadiah’s study, where they were met by Galasser Havenglow, the Headmaster of Windrest; Iromae Crestgazer, the Headmaster of the School of Conjuration; High Commander Dragana Skyshield, the leader of the Vanguard; and Tanager, the Lord of Whispers and Headmaster of the Penumbra College.
Obadiah explained that he and Landis had figured out the spell that could close the rifts to Arcmyth. Unfortunately, as had happened in the Sea of Sand, the spell would likely destroy large areas of Emathan if used.
Obadiah and Landis told the party they had a plan to enter Arcmyth through Havoc’s port, with assistance from the Vanguard and Penumbra. There, they would use the spell to close the rifts from within Arcmyth, after which the spell’s destruction would likely destroy Arcmyth.
With the plan in place, everyone teleported into Havoc’s lair. Tanager informed the party that the lair was empty upon their arrival. The wall of force that had kept the party from using the portal before was back in place. This time, the red crystal orb they had used to remove it was missing.
The party decided to head into Balo to look for Zevrin. There, they found him still in Havoc’s form. Zevrin told the party he would give them the orb if they took him to the City of Alagon aboard their skyship. After threatening to reveal his true identity to the inhabitants of Balo, Zevrin offered the orb without resistance.
Returning to Havoc’s lair, the orb was placed, and the wall of force was dispelled. The party, the Vanguard, and the Penumbra settled in for a night of restless sleep, all aware of the enormity of what lay ahead of them in the morning.
As today’s session begins, it is early morning on the 21st day of the 3rd Trigon of Elok’s Influence. The Vanguard are lined up in double file, preparing to enter the portal as the party queues up behind them. The room is filled with the nervous energy of battle-hardened warriors who understand the magnitude of their task and are ready to face it. Commander Barlor approaches the party and turns to face Douglan.