The Age of Worms/ The Spire of Long Shadows pt. 14 / Bora the 1st, 3593 CE / 12-3-23

Not By Choice has used the scroll provided to them by Manzorian the Arch-Mage to return from the ancient city of Kuluth-Mar, the site of Caius's ascension to possible godhood, to the Fortress of Unknown Depths. There they share all they have learned with Manzorian regarding the prophecies of Caius. Because of it's isolation in the jungles of Taresh, and the magical ring of obsidian which traps the undead occupants within, it seems the followers of Caius within Kuluth-Mar have had no contact with the outside world since his ascension, and therefore the party has gleaned little information about the cult and their leader's current plans. Manzorian also shares that while Not By Choice was gone on their mission, a message arrived from his colleague and a member of the Magepoint's town council, Jaroo Ashstaff, the Druid of the Grove. The druid had requested to meet Rados for reasons Manzorian was unclear about, but Rados agrees, and travels to Jaroo's home in the grove just outside of town. As he is invited in for tea with the aged druid, the conversation takes a sinister turn, when suddenly Jaroo accuses Rados of being a traitor to Niopus and attacks, revealing himself to be an arcane vampire who has murdered Jaroo and stolen his identity. Rados succeeds in slaying the assassin, but is left with only more questions as he realizes how far Raulshaven's influence has reached. As Rados returns to speak with Manzorian in the Fortress of Unknown Depths. the party is horrified to discover that a magical painting of Cauldron, similar to the one they used to journey to Kuluth-Mar, shows the city in flames, just as Caius's prophecy predicted. Deciding they must return home immediately to do what they can to help, the decide to use the painting to journey instantly to Cauldron, bidding farewell to Rados who decides to stay with Manzorian as his new apprentice and advise the arch-mage on the dangers the Niopus poses to Magepoint and the rest of the world.