The Age of Worms / The Zenith Trajectory pt. 17 / Fos the 23rd, 3593 CE / 12-19-21

After countless hours exploring the horrors of Bhal-Hamatugn, and the loss of several companions, Not by Choice stands face to face with their quarry, the dwarven Adventurer, Zenith Splintershield. But something is very wrong. Zenith sits atop a throne, guarded by priests of the Ulat-Kini. He speaks in dire prophecy to those assembled, predicting death, destruction, and betrayal. And as Lulu and the others attempt to negotiate the dwarf's return to the surface, as per their contract with his father, Davked, they learn the disturbing truth; that after the destruction of his warband, Zenith became the prophet of an entity known only as the Smoking Eye, and the spiritual leader of the very Ulat-Kini fanatics that the party thought held him hostage. As Not by Choice debates the correct course of action, whether to force Zenith to come with them or leave him to consequences of his choices, the dwarf uses subtle magic to goad Sarous, the clockwork companion of the late Harrov Runerider, into action. With a roar, the construct rushes forward to avenge the death of his master. But the priests guarding Zenith act quickly, unleashing the power of lightning and ending the clockwork creation's artificial life. As a fight breaks out between the party and the priests, Zenith uses a sphere of unseen force to unleash an invisible enemy into the fray, one which he surprisingly commands to kill the Ulat-Kini. With the aid of invisible force, the priests are soon dead, and the party must debate the fate of the dwarf. Unclear as to why he would betray those who worshipped him, the party learns from Zenith that their coming was prophesied, and that all his actions are in service of the visions he receives from the Smoking Eye. Leaving the carnage left behind in Bhal-Hamatugn, the party exits, only to be confronted by White Eyes, who demands they surrender Zenith over to him. Moreover, White Eyes berates the party for letting Cherrit die, he begins naming enemies from their past adventurers ; Blacktooth and Tongue Eater, both of whom were wererats. And then the reason becomes clear, as the surviving sibling transforms into a wererat himself!