01 - 6/5/25 : Incipit Vita Nova

 

I will learn the weight of my sword. Without my heart to guide it, it is worthless. My strength is not in my sword, but in my heart. If I lose my sword, I have lost a tool. If I betray my heart, I have died.  

Excerpt from the Code of the Paladins of Muir

---

 

Sarkoris was a land of beauty once. Many texts have been written by visitors to the isolated continent that once bore its name, all of them speaking of lush rolling hills, verdant forests, and natural vistas that stun the senses. What few mortals whose memories can still recall old Sarkoris speak of a vivid worldly paradise the likes of which could have only been molded by the very hands of the gods.   But that was two centuries ago, and now all that remains of the once proud barbarian fatherland is a mass grave. A tombstone without an epitaph, a dirge for a people lost with no words to be sung. Nothing to mark the absence of the Sarkorians but faded memories, silence, and a repulsive gash upon the face of our world. The Worldwound.   For decades, demons have ruled the Worldwound. Fearsome fiends of every stripe - their mottled skin harder than iron, teeth like serrated blades, and eyes burning with Abyssal flames - roam the ruined lands that were once known as Sarkoris, leaving their mark wherever they go. Four crusades have attempted to cleanse the land, but each seems to meet a worse fate than the last. Were it not for the line of magical wardstones along the Worldwound's borders, the demons would have long ago overrun the Kingdom of Mendev and beyond.   The watchful City of Kenabres sits on the very edge of the Worldwound - it is the home of many legends of the crusades, yet also an abode of paranoia and distrust. As the largest major settlement standing closest to the shadows of the Abyss, Kenabres' has known no end of demons and their servants making attempts to penetrate the protective barrier projected by the wardstones, and their plans only grow more devious as the years go by. Kenabrian citizens lay their eyes on city squares that once bore stakes, upon which both the heretical and the falsely accused were burned, and though the disastrous inquisition known as the Third Crusade was put to an end sixty long years ago, the air of suspicion has never truly left.   Yet even in a place of blood and strife such as this, peace and joy can be found; for today marks Armasse Day, a festive celebration of the city's founding and a commemoration of the crusaders both past and present that put their lives on the line to foster Kenabres' growth in the face of the Worldwound. Though Armasse is celebrated citywide, the majority of the event is gathered here at Clydwell Plaza, just west of the great Cathedral of Muir. Contests of strength and skill are held, merchants ply their exotic wares, and momentous occasions such as weddings are held in the sight of friends, family, neighbors, and even festive strangers.   It is here that our story begins. Many folk have gathered in the plaza, intrigued by the festivities that await them. Among their number are four mortals, humble in name and deed in this land of heroes and saints. Yet it is in the hands of these four fated few that rest the lives of all good folk of Mendev; and indeed, perhaps the entirety of Lloegyr beyond it. As the sun reaches its zenith against an odd pink sky, so do the Armasse Festivities.

  In the northern section of Clydwell Square, a nobleman by the name of Vergil Tacitus III introduced a crowd of onlookers to a performer in his service; Lady Satomi Sanada, an exotic dancer whose performance incorporated foreign technique and magic to delight the senses. After Satomi's dance enraptured the crowd, Vergil took the opportunity to schmooze with some of the fellow nobles in attendance.   Although his goal was to meet with Count Daeran Arendae, cousin to Queen Galfrey and thus an important figure to Vergil in his quest for political ascendance, Vergil was unable to secure an audience with the mercurial count. He instead settled with speaking to Horgus Gwerm, a lesser but still prominent nobleman of Kenabres. Satomi was given leave to enjoy the festival before her next performance at the top of the hour.   Near the central platform in the square, a priestess of Muir by the name of Elseth Atlasia stood by as final preparations for her daughter's wedding were coming to a close. She was approached by Erodel Zanec, a young crusader of the Eagle Watch and her son-in-law-to-be. Erodel thanked Elseth for her kindness and for the honor of joining her family. Elseth found the lad's nervousness endearing and thanked him in turn.   Erodel then asked Elseth to wait while he fetched his captain. Elseth was soon met by Commander Irabeth Tirabade, captain of the Eagle Watch and the soon-to-be officiant for the wedding by Erodel's request. Irabeth noted that as a paladin of Muir, she had seen Elseth before but hadn't the chance to speak with her at length. She expressed fondness for Erodel, and reminisced about her own wedding to her wife Anevia. Irabeth encouraged Elseth to seek Anevia out should she ever have need of her.   Elseth was then approached by her daughter Alita, who seemed highly nervous about the upcoming affair. Elseth did her best to calm Alita as she went over the various things happening; her surprise that Erodel had gotten Irabeth to officiate, as well as her making headway in finding a wizard to apprentice under after the wedding. It took some doing, but Alita was able to be calmed. As her daughter returned to preparing, Elseth simply took a moment to bask in the moment, beaming with excitement.   In a southwestern alleyway, a wandering elven mage named Alanis Fenrora approached the plaza to investigate the Armasse festivities. As she passed, she spotted a pair of dwarves, one sitting silently on a stool, while the other manned a smith's stall and was working on selling a fine hammer to a customer. This curious customer seemed to be a blonde human woman in black armor - the only indication otherwise were the emerald scales on her face and the large draconic tale that trailed behind her.   As the armored woman bartered with the salesman, a pair of crusaders approached the plaza as well, but stopped when they came across the silent dwarf on the stool. They proceeded to mock and jeer him, spitting in his face and insulting his name - Staunton - before proceeding to the plaza. Staunton did not seem to be terribly fazed by the insult, and casually wiped the spittle from his dour face.   Confused and assuming this to be a local custom, Alanis also spat upon the dwarf. As before, Staunton merely wiped it off in silence, looking back at Alanis with deadened eyes. Alanis then proceeded to inspect the wares of Joran, Staunton's brother, who did not seem willing to confront anyone about the spitting. After realizing she didn't have enough money, Alanis decided to move into the plaza proper.   In the northwest, a hooded mage approached the plaza by way of the upper tiers of the city. Her concealing attire arose suspicion in nearby guards, who asked who she was. The mage replied with an ominous warning that they were in danger - this unnerved the guardsman enough to call over his leader.   The mysterious mage was soon approached by none other than Prelate Hulrun Shappok, leader of the Mendevian Inquisitors of Muir and ruler of Kenabres. Hulrun, a paranoid and merciless hunter of all things demonic, was immediately suspicious of this figure, and demanded that she remove her hood. When she refused, he reacted incredulously, demanding that she either comply or face imprisonment. Once again she refused, but as the guards prepared to slap her in irons, a powerful presence arrived and spoke to Hulrun.   The figure was Lady Terendelev, a silver-haired woman with piercing blue eyes. The hooded mage learned from the ensuing argument that Terendelev was in fact an ancient silver dragon and the sworn guardian of Kenabres; it was Terendelev's power that was able to convince Hulrun to let the mysterious mage go, though he only did so with the threat of execution should she step out of line.   Terendelev encouraged the mage to mind herself around the inquisitors, and to enjoy the festival, before levitating down to the plaza. The hooded mage proceeded to browse the wares of nearby merchants - she was particularly taken by the merchant Zendo Trickspell, a gnome who sold odd and questionably useful spell scrolls. The mage settled on a scroll of charm self, though it cost the entirety of her money to purchase. The mage then proceeded to go from merchant to merchant, seeking free samples.   The mage's odd behavior caught the attention of Satomi after her quest for samples was rejected by no less than three merchants. Satomi approached Elhorn "the Maskdancer", an elven purveyor of masks, as the mage tried and failed to get something for free. Satomi inquired about 'business' with Elhorn, exchanging a quick coded discussion about their mutual acquaintances in the criminal underworld - the local tiefling gang known as the Thieflings. Satomi then haggled for a simple black silk veil for the mage, who accepted the gift, and then offered to give her odd new acquaintance the tour of the festival.   Alanis made her way to the main plaza and was drawn to Elseth and glowing disposition. She introduced herself and asked Elseth about Staunton, whom Elseth knew well of.   Elseth explained that Staunton Vhane was once a hero of the crusades, a veteran since the very first one. Following the conclusion of the First Crusade, Staunton Vhane was given charge of the newly built fortress-city of Drezen, wherein was housed the powerful holy relic known as the Sword of Valor - a Muir-blessed banner, despite what the name might imply, that warded away demons and prevented their teleportation abilities from functioning in its vicinity.   Staunton was proud and well-regarded, but was also a glory-hound. This pride lead to his downfall, when he was deceived by the demoness Minagho into taking the Sword of Valor onto the field of battle. The demons easily took advantage of Drezen's momentary weakness and descended upon it, massacring the defenders and seizing the citadel a mere eight years after it was founded.   Having survived the fallout of his folly, Staunton turned himself in to Queen Galfrey herself for judgment, expecting execution for his terrible mistake. However, Galfrey instead sentenced Staunton to service in the Condemned - a punitive unit of crusaders that had committed crimes such as desertion, theft, or sedition - to atone for his crime. Nearly a century hence, Staunton was still serving in the Condemned, and his infamy as the Warden of Drezen spurred many crusaders to insult him as they crossed his path, going as far as to push him over or spit on him for his crime so long ago.   Alanis, taken back by the tale, proceeded to ask more questions about Kenabres and the festival. However, she was interrupted by Alita, who pulled her mother aside. Expecting another anxious rant, Elseth was surprised and worried when Alita said that she needed to confess something to her mother, something important regarding her impending arcane tutelage. Just as she began to speak, Elseth's vision suddenly went dark; as did that of Satomi, Alanis, and the mysterious mage.  

---

  The four awoke in a dark cave, far beneath Clydwell Plaza. Although they seemed unharmed as they came to, they soon realized that none of them had any memory of how they had wound up in this cave. They also noticed three other figures coming to in the vicinity, all of whom seemed to have been injured in the fall unlike the other four unfortunate victims.   One figure was Anevia Tirabade, wife of Commander Irabeth, whose leg had been crushed by a falling stone after falling. Elseth tended to her wound best as she was able, allowing Anevia to brace her broken leg with a splint and a crutch.   The next was the nobleman Horgus Gwerm, dusty and a bit roughed up but otherwise hale and whole. Greatly perturbed by his situation, Horgus offered 1,000 gold pieces to the other stranded folk should they assist in returning him to the surface.   Last was the armored woman that Alanis had seen haggling with Joran Vhane. She introduced herself as Haliel Dosan, an armiger of the Hellknight Order of the Godclaw, which was based out of the lands of the Worldwound. The title of armiger identified her as akin to a squire, not yet a fully initiated Hellknight.   As she rose from the ground, the mysterious mage's hood fell, revealing her to be an elf with pale skin, argent hair, and emerald eyes. She introduced herself as Hilda, and explained that she had been wearing a hood to mask her eyes from the sun, which made her quite uncomfortable.   Haliel's fine warhammer that she purchased from Joran had been broken in the fall, but Hilda demonstrated her magical aptitude by repairing it with the mending spell. Thusly armed, Haliel promised to fight with the others should they encounter any creatures underground.   Satomi, Elseth, Alanis, and Hilda still held no memory of what happened to place them here, which surprised Anevia, Horgus, and Haliel. The three described to the party the sudden tragedy that had befallen Clydwell Plaza not long ago. The festival was proceeding apace, but was interrupted when the Gray Garrison, the tower in which Kenabres' precious wardstone was housed, erupted into a spire of flame. The skies darkened, and soon demons began to emerge from thin air. The wardstone's protection was somehow rendered ineffective, allowing the beasts to teleport into the city to begin a sudden rampage.   It was not just common demons that assaulted the plaza however; into the plaza burst a mighty balor that the folks of Kenabres knew well. Khorramzadeh the Storm King, instigator of the Fourth Crusade, had returned to Kenabres after twenty years to finish what he had started. He was met in battle by his old enemy Terendelev, who was able to once again drive back and even slay the balor, forcing him to return to the abyss to reform.   However, Terendelev's victory was short lived, for the worst came to pass as the demon lord Deskari himself arrived in Kenabres. The dragon put up a valiant fight, but was slain by Deskari's mighty scythe Riftcarver, with which he tore open a ravine in the square. Many people fell into the ravine, including the four amnesiacs as well as their three companions; however, the four were spared the worst of such a tumble thanks to the intervention of Alita Atlasia, who cast a feather fall spell in desperation upon her mother and the three figures that happened to fall near her. It seemed this had saved them from being harmed as they fell into the collapsing ravine into the Kenabres underground, but it also gave rise to the question of how they had lost their memories if they had not been harmed during the fall.   It was decided that nothing would be learned or gained by hanging about, and thus the survivors banded together to explore the caverns for a way out. Satomi took the lead, guiding the others through the dark twists and turns. They were attacked once by a few hideous giant cockroaches that were easily dispatched, and also managed to avoid provoking a gigantic cave viper as they pressed on.   As they proceeded down a long tunnel, Satomi and Anevia discussed if Kenabres was lost; Anevia asserted that as long as Irabeth and the Eagle Watch were around, Kenabres still had a chance. She also explained that Deskari had flown off with Terendelev's corpse not long after slaying her, likely not wanting to attract the attention of the good gods by operating personally outside of the Abyss for too long.   Satomi and Anevia also discussed the folktales of mongrelmen - supposed dwellers of the Kenabres underground who were a horrific mix of monster, beast, and man. Theories of them ranged from them being the corrupted children of the first crusaders to demonspawn who lurked in the shadows, though a commonality was that no one in Kenabres had ever seen one. Judging by signs of habitation that they had encountered, it was looking more and more like the legends of the mongrels might be true. The survivors continued exploring, coming across a carved-out stone building within the caves that emitted a strange green glow. As they approached, they were accosted by giant flies awaiting on the walls, but dispatched them handily.   Not long after this encounter, a ring worn by Hilda began to buzz, indicating that she was being telepathically contacted by her 'grandpa'. She answered the call, speaking to none other than Halaster Blackcloak, Mad Mage of the Undermountain beneath the city of Revelmoore.   Halaster stated that he had been unable to contact Hilda ever since she drifted into the protective barrier provided by the wardstones, but was now able to speak to her following the wardstone's apparent destruction. He inquired about her progress in regaining her magic powers after her 'merging'; Hilda confessed that she was able to cast magic missile and a few other basic spells, but naught beyond this. Halaster took this as sufficient growth for the moment, and reminded Hilda that she had to earn his favor and blessing by growing stronger and improving her magical abilities, before severing the telepathic call.   In the cave housing the strange glowing building, the survivors came across a shining object on the cave floor. It appeared to be a large silver dragon scale, surely belonging to Terendelev; as Hilda reached down to touch it, her vision, as well as those of Elseth, Satomi, and Alanis, once again went dark…