Session 85

Heroes (lvl 12): Amani, Deet, Gunnar, Regall, Ryel

675 MR - Summer - Rjurik Highlands

Gunnar, third son of High-King Sigurd, journeys south from his northern holdings to his father’s castle on a routine supply run. As he and his retinue crest the final ridge overlooking Lemnjohen, a dark plume of smoke coils into the sky. As they draw closer, the full horror unfolds before them—a vast army of orogs and goblinoids lays siege to the capital, their ranks swarming the city walls. Worse still, a colossal dragon leads the assault, bathing the streets in fire.

Carving through the horde, Gunnar fights his way to the great hall, now engulfed in flames. Inside, he finds his family making their final stand against the Gorgon himself. The monstrous warlord cuts down High-King Sigurd and Prince Sasha in swift, brutal strokes. Queen Kolina meets an even crueler fate, her form petrified in an instant beneath the Gorgon’s baleful gaze. Bleeding and gasping for breath, Princess Huralla flees the carnage, only to stumble upon her cousin, the court mage Taliesin. He greets her with a reassuring smile—before driving a dagger between her ribs. The betrayal is complete. Taliesin, long in league with the Gorgon, has orchestrated this massacre.

Gunnar knows there is no victory to be had. With a final surge of strength, he hurls the Gorgon back and seizes his father’s sword and crown before fleeing into the night.

Outside the ruined hall, he looks skyward as a giant eagle descends—Arch-Druid Huralla, come to spirit him away from the slaughter. As they take flight, the grim truth reveals itself. Across the city, shadowy portals remain open, through which the enemy forces poured in unseen. A realm spell—one that could only have been cast by the mage controlling the land’s Sources. Taliesin the traitor.

Gunnar and Huralla escape to Dhoesone, where Queen Niobhe offers them refuge. Through sorcery, Gunnar sends word to Regall, who gathers Thalion and Amani to weigh the dire consequences of this attack.

But Gunnar does not remain idle. As the rightful heir, he wears his father’s crown with pride and sets forth to the Realm of Jentilak. There, he demands an audience with Queen Rowena and King Trevan, parents of the traitor. The meeting turns sour—the Queen refuses to denounce her son and demands that Gunnar relinquish the crown. The air is thick with tension, the threat of violence lingering. Sensing the storm on the horizon, King Trevan calls for an adjournment.

The reckoning has only begun.

Session 84 - Start of Season Four

Heroes (lvl 12): Amani, Deet, Gunnar, Hassan, Regall, Ryel

675 MR - Summer

A New Dawn

The Empire of Anuire stands at the precipice of a new era. A year has passed since the death of the Emperor and the coronation of Amani, the chosen of destiny, as Empress. With the weight of a fractured realm upon her shoulders, she has begun the arduous task of uniting her people. Her first decree shattered the oppressive grip of the Azariel faith, restoring the freedom of religion across the Empire. This bold reform has won her the favor of many, yet has sown the seeds of resentment among the devout.

Anuire’s strength is bolstered by the unwavering support of the Rjurik kingdom, for Amani’s bloodline traces back to the mighty Jotunulf. In the shadowed heart of the Empire, the once-cursed Shadow Forest—long a bastion of darkness—has been purged, and the land stirs with the slow breath of renewal.

To solidify her rule, Amani has spent the past year traversing her dominion, securing oaths of fealty from the great dukes of Alamie, Tuornen, Mhoried, and Boeruine. By her side stands Lord Thalion, a master of diplomacy, whose silvered words turn even the staunchest hearts to her cause. Yet despite whispered proposals and noble offers, Amani remains unwed, choosing duty over alliance.

In her absence, the city of Anuire has not stood unguarded. Regall, newly appointed Hand of the Empress, holds the heart of the Empire firm. Having settled his affairs and entrusted his duchy to his wife and their newborn twins, he ensures that no shadow of chaos dares threaten the capital.

Beyond the political sphere, the enigmatic Ryel walks the thin veil between the mortal and the divine. Splitting his time between the Vos lands and Anuire, he pursues the secrets of the lost gods, aided by the arcane pathways that now bind the two kingdoms together.

The Tumult of Brechtur

Far to the west, whispers of war drift upon the winds. The legendary Crown of Fortune has been unearthed, and the realms of Brechtur bristle with unrest. Rivals clash in open fields and shadowed halls, each vying to seize the artifact and the power it promises. The fate of Brechtur hangs in the balance, teetering upon the edge of ambition and steel.

The Trials of Khinasi

In the sun-drenched lands of Khinasi, Sultana Nura el-Arrasi fights to forge a unified kingdom from the flames of civil war. The Crown of the Sun remains lost, and her legitimacy is challenged by those who seek to sunder her rule. Yet she is not without allies. King Hassan of the Masetians stands at her side, his strength and influence a bulwark against those who oppose her. Though the Sun Mages whisper against their union, his power—both at sea and in commerce—may be the key to securing her throne.

While Hassan courts the Sultana, his dominion over the southern seas grows. His navy flourishes, his merchants prosper, and his name becomes legend among the trading guilds. Yet fate weaves a complex web, for even as he pursues one queen, another story unfolds—Commander Kleio Kidemonas has borne him a child, a symbol of strength born beyond the bounds of wedlock.

The Rjurik March

In the northern wilds, the Rjurik people stand unshaken under the rule of High-King Sigurd. His sons, eager to prove their worth, push into the untamed lands, seeking to reclaim what was once lost. Yet dire rumors stir—along the border of the Gorgon’s Crown, legions gather, and the specter of war looms on the horizon.

Among the restless, Gunnar, third son of Sigurd, carves his own destiny. With his brother Varri at his side, he ventures into the frigid expanse once tainted by the White Witch’s curse. Bound by duty and love, he seals his betrothal to Princess Siobhan of Dhoesone, forging a future upon the anvil of conquest and unity.

The Secrets of Vosgaard

In the harsh expanse of Vosgaard, the unity of the realm is a fragile thing, held together by the iron will of its rulers. King Gregor and Queen Deet maintain their dominion with strength, wisdom, and the vigilant guardianship of two silver dragons. Yet even power cannot defy the hand of fate—for though they rule unchallenged, they remain childless.

Determined to uncover the cause of their misfortune, Deet turns to her sister, Alyona, High-Priestess of Kriesha. While she seeks the wisdom of the divine, she does not waver in her duty, traversing the unforgiving realm to aid those who struggle against the cruel hand of nature. In the face of adversity, she remains a beacon of strength, for the fate of Vosgaard is hers to shape.

A World on the Brink

Across the known lands, powers rise and destinies intertwine. The Empire of Anuire stands reforged, yet its future is not yet secured. The fires of ambition burn in every kingdom, and shadows lurk beyond the borders. A new dawn has begun—but whether it will be an era of unity or strife, only time shall tell.

Session 83 - End of Season Three

Heroes (lvl 12): Amani, Deet, Gunnar, Hassan, Regall, Ryel

674 MR - Summer

The party strides into the grand throne room, where the Emperor awaits, wearing the mythical Crown of the Empire. With a voice dripping with charisma and malevolence, he attempts to persuade the heroes to lay down their arms and join him in ruling the empire, proposing Amani as his bride. Yet, the righteous fury of the heroes, kindled by two decades of tyranny and death, is unyielding.

Battle erupts, shadows springing to life as Thalion and Malik launch their assault on the Emperor. But the Emperor’s dark magic is formidable, inflicting excruciating pain on those who dare to oppose him.

Malik is the first to fall, the Emperor’s ruthless strike piercing his heart and siphoning his bloodline, ensuring he cannot return.

Desperation grips the heroes until Amani plunges her magical dagger into the altar that feeds the Emperor’s shadowy power. In the reflective surface, a gauntleted hand emerges. Seizing it, Amani summons Anomander from beyond the veil.

With Anomander’s immense magical prowess now bolstering them, the tide of battle shifts. The climax arrives when Anomander transforms into a colossal black-scaled dragon, cleaving the Emperor in two with a single, devastating bite.

The heroes reclaim the crown, and Anomander places it upon Amani’s head, crowning her Empress. As the Emperor's dark power dissipates, the undead in the streets crumble to dust, and the rebel dukes' armies surge forward.

A jubilant crowd gathers in the main square outside the imperial palace. When Empress Amani steps onto the balcony, a resounding cheer of glory and victory echoes through the air.

* * *

Far to the north, in the depths of his foreboding lair, the Gorgon whispers to the shadows. 

"The Bloodline of Roele has returned..." he hisses. 

Fiery eyes blaze with renewed hatred in the darkness as the ancient dragon growls ominously.

The Emperor's Brides (dead)

Caliane "The Empress" - killed by Gunnar

Sariene "The Storm" - killed by Ryel

Fauve "The Lion" - killed by Deet

Session 82

Heroes (lvl 11): Amani, Deet, Gunnar, Hassan, Regall, Ryel

674 MR - Summer

The City of Anuire is a cauldron of chaos as war rages through its streets. Amidst the clashing armies, the Heroes carve an unyielding path, their resolve as sharp as their blades. They storm through the turmoil and reach the gates of the imperial palace, a bastion of ancient power and looming destiny.

Within its grand halls, they confront the three brides of the Emperor, formidable scions of the Roele bloodline, each one a living testament to the dynasty's might. In a battle that shakes the very foundations of the palace, the Heroes triumph over the Brides, their victory hard-fought and glorious.

Now, standing on the cusp of destiny, they steel themselves for the ultimate confrontation. The final fight against the Emperor awaits, a clash that will decide the fate of Anuire and echo through the annals of history.

LEVEL UP!

Session 81

Heroes (lvl 11): Deet, Gunnar, Hassan, Regall, Ryel

674 MR - Summer

A parley is convened between the Imperials and the Rebel Dukes. The Cardinal Duke of Diemed beseeches the Heroes to join forces with the Emperor, promising that their alliance will restore stability to the fractured Empire. As a grand reward, Amani is offered the honor of becoming the Emperor's fourth bride. Yet, when his pleas fall on deaf ears, his formidable bodyguard steps forth.

Revealing her true nature, the lady knight is a warrior angel of Azariel, bound to the Emperor's service. She admonishes the Heroes, proclaiming that by defying the Emperor, they are unwittingly aiding the real menace festering in the Shadowfell—a resurrected Azrai. Despite her warning, the Heroes remain unyielding, resolute in their cause, and reject any notion of alliance.

* * *

The Battle for Anuire erupts in a torrent of bloodshed as the Heroes and their armies storm the city's gates. Amid the chaos, their forces engage the imperial legions in a brutal struggle, while the Heroes confront the angel Uriel and her diabolical knights astride nightmares. The clash is fierce and unrelenting, but through sheer determination and valor, the Heroes prevail, emerging triumphant from the fray.

Session 80

Heroes (lvl 11): Amani, Deet, Gunnar, Hassan, Regall, Ryel

674 MR - Summer

Anomander visits Amani in her dreams. Detecting doubt in her words, he unveils more about his past and his connection to the dead god Azrai. He gives her one final chance to prove her loyalty. Anomander needs Shadow magic to escape the Shadowfell and instructs Amani to use the dagger he gave her to absorb the power from the Cathedral of the One True Church. This act may counter the loss of the Spider's bloodline. When Amani awakens, she is troubled and uncertain about her next steps.

The Heroes reunite at the rebel dukes' encampment after a year apart, sharing tales of their adventures and holding a private ceremony to mourn Morwen's death.

Regall seizes the moment to speak with Thalion, revealing what he knows about Anomander. Thalion, deeply concerned, cautions Regall to be exceedingly careful in his dealings with the mysterious dark lef, and to renew his efforts to protect Amani from malevolent influences.

Regall also meets Rhys, and his sharp intuition quickly reveals a connection between them. Rhys discloses his true identity: he is Meadhros, Niobhe's son and Regall's half-brother.