Episode 23: Daekrahm & The Warden

The partied soared through the skies on their airship, The Devourer, along with Captain Van Ness and his guard. The ground forces of Vinheim had left a few days prior on foot. As they near Daekrahm, three undead Rocs-- gargantuan eagle-like beasts of untold strength and power, attempt to overtake the ship. After a successful skill-check challenge, the party crash lands into the thick of battle on the edge of Daekrahm. The forces of Vinheim have pulled the undead forces from the center of Daekrahm, so that the party can rescue Marina (sister of Nayana of the Solarum in Solas). It is revealed that Marina is a so-called True Seer, thought to be insane and kept hidden to the side. It was on her trip to Mirkarkden for the Feast of the King to Come that she was captured by the Invaders. Her sister, Nayana begged the party to rescue her if ever given the opportunity. 

The party fought their way to the center of the city. Undead beholders, abyssal wolves, zombies and other dark forces fell to their swords, spells, claws and arrows. 

Just as they were about to escape Michael, Warden of Ileana, corrupted First of the Voidborn, descended upon them. The full might and gravity of his new, twisted abilities killed Chip and fell many of the party. Some new, powerful magic of Marina restored the party and revived them for the fight to come. 

And a hard, costly battle it was. Wielding gravity itself, The Warden pushed, pulled, and bludgeoned the heroes. The wrath of Michael found focus on the two members of the party who had wounded him most grievously. 

Bjorn and Lucky lost their sixth lives that night defeating Michael and destroying the malevolent amulet that had made him Ileana's Warden. Collapsing in grief and terror and disgust and horror, Michael screams as he looks at the blood on his hands and the bodies at his feet. Chip begs Bjorn's dead body to wake up. Smoke rises as ash falls on our heroes. The third trial is complete. 

Bjorn and Lucky awaken at The Copper Tankard. 

The episode ends with Gallgok, Chip, and Sankara bloodied and bruised. Suddenly, a vision of Gabriella, Third of the Voidborn and Queen of Glynndarryl, appears. She gasps. Horror and relief wash over her. "Michael." 

Gallgok hears a voice in his head that seems to be emanating from his Ring of the Second Mind. "If you're going to keep using my ring, you're going to have to do something for me."