Heroes (lvl 15): Vladimir, Dafaelyn, Gunnar, Varri
676 MR - Summer
The shadow echo of Queen Llaedra has been destroyed. With her fall, the illusions blanketing the lost city of Lluabraight fade away, revealing its true form beneath. No longer fragmented by illusion, the city stands still and beautiful—yet all roads now point to one place: Mirravain, the tower at the city's heart, where Taliesin’s magic still lingers.
As the heroes ascend through the tower’s winding halls, they pass through layers of enchantment that reveal glimpses of Taliesin’s past. They see his frustration—his talent unmatched, but unrecognized. They witness his secret audience with the Gorgon, where he was offered forbidden shadow magic in exchange for loyalty. They see his journey to the Mirror Portal, a strange liminal realm where he bound himself to ancient elven magic and reshaped his very soul.
But Taliesin does not merely show his past—he tries to seduce the heroes, weaving powerful enchantments that present each of them with a vision of their deepest desires. One by one, the heroes are tested. One by one, they reject the dream, shattering his illusions with unwavering resolve.
In the tower’s heart lies the Hall of Mirrors, a shifting labyrinth where reflections turn hostile. Faced with warped copies of themselves, the heroes battle in a disorienting arena of glass and light. The fight is brutal and chaotic, but they emerge victorious, their mirrored foes shattered to dust.
At last, they confront Taliesin in his sanctum—alone, surrounded by glimmering veils of illusion and enchantment. The final duel is a mental and magical storm. Taliesin bends the battlefield to his will, cloaking himself in phantom images, planting false thoughts and false fears. But the heroes carry the Shard of Truth, and with it, they anchor themselves in reality.
After a fierce battle of wits, will, and magic, the illusionist falls. It is Varri who strikes the final blow, tearing through the last veil. In that moment, Taliesin’s essence unravels, and his bloodline—unnaturally empowered by his pacts—is claimed.
With Taliesin’s death, his illusions across the land collapse. The veil is lifted not just from Lluabraight, but from the waking world as well. The heroes stand once more beneath the ancient stars. Queen Llaedra greets them one final time, her city restored to clarity. Though she was deceived by Taliesin, her gratitude remains. As thanks, she bestows upon the party the Horn of Lluabraight—a call to arms that will summon her and her armies during the final war against the Gorgon.
Yet peace is fleeting. With her son’s schemes undone, the Ice Queen prepares to strike. Her illusions no longer shield her armies. Her vengeance will be swift.
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