Ashes of Eternity – Session 1.5: The Gathering Storm (Part 2)

Session Date: February 16, 2025
Location: Temple of Veiled Light

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Summary

The party ventured into the ancient temple with little resistance, soon discovering remnants of information suggesting that the structure’s true purpose was not for the benefit of all but to empower a force capable of great harm. As they delved deeper, they reached the main chamber, only to find themselves sealed inside. At the heart of the room stood a towering shadowy fiend, surrounded by mysterious runes and glyphs that hinted at their potential use in the upcoming battle.

As the fight commenced, the fiend unleashed chains in an attempt to bind the entire group. Haruki, the only one to evade capture, quickly teleported and dashed toward the creature, drawing its attention and engaging it head-on. Mordekai and Enialis soon broke free, using the glyphs within the chamber to bolster their strength and push forward in support. Despite Haruki’s agility, the fiend’s relentless attacks began to take a toll on him. The tide shifted when Sinja and Ulf arrived from the temple’s entrance, rushing to aid their companions.

Mordekai unleashed powerful dark magicks in an attempt to subdue the creature, only to find the fiend impervious to his spells. Undeterred, the party combined their strengths, relying on sheer determination and coordinated strikes. After a grueling confrontation, they successfully vanquished the fiend and paused briefly to recover. However, the moment the relic was taken from its altar, the temple began to collapse around them.

Amidst crumbling walls and falling debris, the party fought their way out, sustaining injuries and narrowly avoiding being buried in the destruction. Upon escaping, they found Cassidion waiting outside, applauding their efforts and the successful retrieval of the relic. However, tensions quickly rose. While Kazumi remained composed, the rest of the party displayed visible frustration. Sensing deception, Mordekai attempted to cast a truth-seeking spell on Cassidion. Realizing the party’s suspicions, Cassidion understood he could no longer withhold the truth and prepared to reveal what he knew.

Key Events

• The party finds the Temple of Veiled Light and notes various murals potentially indicating the purpose of the temple.
• A journal is found on the remains of a previous explorer, detailing a warning regarding some Celestial Emissary.
  • See Mysteries and Clues for more
• The party finds the Relic of Dawn, however they are halted by the Shadowborn Ascendant whom they must fight.
  • Most of the party starts out restrained due to tentacles (uwu).
  • Haruki alone remains unhindered, swiftly teleporting and dashing toward the enemy to seize its attention.
  • Shortly after, Mordekai and Enialis break free from their restraints, using the glyphs to enhance their abilities and advance on the foe.
  • Haruki endures a brutal onslaught from the fiend until Sinja and Ulf arrive through the entrance, joining the fray.
  • Mordekai attempts to subdue the creature with dark magicks, but the fiend proves immune to his spells.
  • Through relentless effort and coordination, the party ultimately brings the fiend down and takes a moment to recover.
• The party finishes off the Shadowborn Ascendant and retrieves the relic.
  • The temple begins to collapse once the relic is grabbed
  • Sinja narrowly manages to catch themselves after a failed strength check to jump across a chasm in the ground.
  • Party narrowly escapes after a harrowing escape sequence from the temple.
• Outside the temple, Cassidion awaits, offering praise for their success and the retrieval of the relic.
  • The party becomes increasingly frustrated by Cassidion’s lack of transparency.
  • Kazumi further becomes at odds with the party in trying to defend Cassidion, perhaps naively.
  • Mordekai attempts to compel Cassidion to truth using a spell, however Cassidion resists the spell
  • Cassidion heals the party and offers to explain things better over a campfire

NPC Interactions

• Cassidan: blah blah blah

Loot and Rewards

Relic of Dawn

Character Development

Kazumi:

• Continues to defend Cassidion despite the party’s misgivings regarding unanswered questions about what is going on.
• Feels a sense of obligation to a fellow celestial, perhaps to the point of naivete
• Beginning to feel torn between the loyalty to the party and loyalty to the celestial host

The Party

• Appears to feel less trustful of Kazumi due to her consistent defense of Cassidion despite deep connections
• Feels more paranoid concerning Cassidion and his agenda

Mysteries and Clues

Journal Entries

• Entry 1: Arrival at the Temple
  “The temple breathes unease, its walls pulsing with shadow like a living thing. The Relic of Dawn—no, his relic—is here, I am certain. Carvings mark the presence of the one they call the Emissary, a figure whispered in texts shrouded in mystery and fear. Once a beacon of light, they say, yet the aura here is heavy, oppressive. Why would such an artifact bear his mark? What purpose does it truly serve?”
• Entry 2: The Murals
  “I spent hours deciphering the murals today. They speak of a great conflict, radiant beings waging war, but the Emissary is not depicted as a savior. His wings are blackened, his form twisted in agony, and the Relic of Dawn—the artifact tied to his name—was used to imprison, not redeem. Was he a martyr or a betrayer? I cannot say, but the weight of his presence lingers here, casting doubt on the mission that brought me. There is more to this tale than I was told, and it fills me with unease.”
• Damaged Entry 3: The Final Revelation
  “I now understand why the Relic hums with such unnerving ener— [several words are smeared, illegible] —the whispers I heard—they are not echoes of salvation but the voice of him, the E— [burn marks obscure the next line] —entwined with the Relic, not as its guardian but as its prisoner— [a large tear in the page cuts off several sentences] —perhaps something more sinister. The one who sent me here— [ink blot obscures the next few words] —I see now that I am a pawn in a far greater— [the sentence trails off]. If you find this— [a deep scratch makes the next line unreadable] —not a gift—it is a burden, and may unbind— [the bottom of the page is torn off entirely].”
  
  

Plans and Predictions

Unknown

Quotes of the Session

– none –

Additional Notes

Any additional notes and comments from players