SE 3: EP 04 - The Loremaster

A mysterious force disables the gate crystals. With both the Iris and the Oculus locked out tensions in Horizon lead to a breaking point. In an emergency meeting of the Meridians, they try to figure out a solution. As they converse, a vision appears to Yith and gives her a gate crystal not corrupted by the green energy corrupting the rest. Once they present this revelation, the Lich Acererak that sent them to Ravenloft manifests and chastizes them before disappearing again.   After discussing it they use the crystal that causes a mirror-like quality to the Oculus portal, not unlike when they went to Zenith. They head in and find themselves in a vast plain with far off mountains to the north. The portal flashes as each arrive summoning a nearby encampment to investigate.   Mongolian like horsemen arrive and greet them. The party forgets the message the crystal was wrapped in about making friends and deceive the riders and tell them they come from the north. After taking them back to the camp they expose the deception causing the party to take their leave.   Once they regroup they find the portal is incapable of further entry. The party is perhaps able to return, but nothing more can enter. They decide to try their luck to make friends another camp. They offer help to take them to a nearby mountain to meet **INSERT NAME** a local mythical figure. After a day and a half of riding, they arrive. Thereafter meeting the dragon host they paid tribute in magic times and gold. Then then were ushered into to see the woman that was awaiting them.   They meet The Loremaster, a living Traveler. She greats them and comments on their progress. She informs them of the threat of the lich as he has for time unknown been in control of the artifice that creates the gate crystals. As long as it's in his position Horizon isn't safe. She gives Orwyn a crystal that leads to the Lich's lair, when they are ready.   Outside a massive storm begins to rage in the south an approaches the mountain. The party is lead out and told to return to the portal. Riding hard as a dracolich descends from the the storm and clashes with mountain far behind them.   Once they return to the City, the crystal loses there green enchantment and things return to normal. The party talks about the task given to them by the Loremaster, and realize it's only a matter of time before they will need to face it.