SE03 : EP25 - Reception Deception

Looking into the portal Kellasin Leafstrider is asked to signal for Parathas Solori . The other Stargazer warns that due to the unstable nature of the portal they will have to keep the The Oculus wide open during the journey.   Storms roll through the landscape, rain falls in sheets. It's as dark as evening. The party sees a vast city, built down into a cone inside the the ground. Man-made rivers and canals are formed from the weave of bridges that connect the higher wards of the city. In the buildings they see a few that bear resemblance to their Horizon. Where their great tree would be is a classic castle. The whole city is slightly more primitive and more medieval in technology and design.   They start to make there way across the city towards the center. They see the carnage that the floods are causing. The other Stargazer points out the damage and explains it all just started a few days ago and has been relentless. There would be fires from the lighting if the rain hadn't soaked everything so completely.   They get turned around a few times as they make their way. Parathas observes a dancing light and is routed to investigate it. In his mind tales of the church's lore, that a specific Traveler comes to mark the end of an age or a civilization. The Lamplighter.   Parathas approaches and sees this person lighting the street lamps of the city. Calling out to this Traveler ignores the party. They absorb the omen and then continue on. The rain begins to soak their clothes and drenches their boots.   When they arrive at the castle, the din of battle rings dully through the rain. They draw arms and head in. A large plaza lies before them showing signs of conflict. An echo runs through the air, a voice "You should join me."   "You could have so much if you just join me. There is no reason to fight for this place."   They try and follow the voice.   "Your talents are wasted here. Why stay here in this subpar Horizon. You could have so much more."   Corpses, weapons, and broken furniture dots the way. They quicken their pace.   The voice drones on, calling out.   They arive an open air temple.   "You want more. I can sense your thoughts, you know you can be more. Are worth more then what you are here. You must accept this is not your place."   They enter the building to find their Stargazer speaking to a tiefling, Prince Daphyx, who rebukes the goliath's calling.   Stargazer's tone gets dark, "I know you sent the frog."   The group in the center of the floor become aware of the party rushing in. A dark figure moves in out of nowhere and executes the princes. After taking the shock of the sudden violence they realize it is a dark version of Ryder.   Creatures and agents appear at the outer edge of the space. They turn to face the party.   As they battle "Dark Ryder" steps sideways into darkness and out of sight. Stargazer continues to speak out and the party realizes he has been calling out to this murderous Ryder.   As the battle reaches it pitch, Daphix tackles one of the monsters as he shapes in to a huge snapping turtle. A few of the foes fall. But the party is on the ropes. Mirai is knocked to the ground as a a multi limbed foe repeatedly attack's her. Then Dark Ryder approches and seemingly draws the life force straight out of the them and into his blade. Ryder drops, dead.   In the bleakness of the losing battle, Parathas calls for retreat. Daphyx grabs Ryder and starts to run. Cass trys to stick to the shadows as she escapes. Eñahkais swears under breath in infernal. She plugs a healing potion in Mirai's mouth and bolts. Cass arrives getting the gunslinger to her feet and they both scatter.   Racing the flooding they make there way through to the portal. Disappearing through it.