Episode 24: Reincarnation & Reprieve
In Glynndarryl...
Lucky and Bjorn are reincarnated in The Copper Tankard. They are greeted by Alexander, Second of the Voidborn, who has taken on the role of shepherding the Reincarnate in Michael's absence. Lucky is the first to decide whether he will continue into his Seventh Attempt as a Reincarnate or forgo the risk and become an Advenar. Making his own luck, Lucky's chooses to enter his Seventh Attempt. Should he perish again before his soul is reforged, he now risks oblivion. To aid him in his final hand being dealt, Alexander gives him The Dichotomous Coin. Lucky sees first-hand the Hall of Memories and The Temple of the Advenar where relics from their first three trials now hover.
Bjorn, refusing to take a walk with Alexander as Lucky did, is left behind at The Copper Tankard and encouraged by Alexander to "read that book of his". As Bjorn reluctantly opens his Book of Moradin, he find himself in an extra-dimensional plane with his god, Moradin. Bjorn is furious with Moradin for not being there for him in his death. Moradin explains that the Orcus, his Remnant, and other dark forces have been laying siege to The Sliver. Moradin and other gods have given singular focus to The Sliver's defense. It is revealed by Moradin that Orcus and his forces plan to corrupt The Sliver. Should they succeed, resurrection as the universe has come to know it would be cease and all attempts would result in Undeath. After explaining the direness of the situation, Moradin goes on to tell Bjorn that he hasn't the patience to wait for Bjorn to learn how to read. Raising his hammer, Moradin strikes Bjorn on the skull and Literacy is given to Bjorn. Bjorn can now understand his book as the Awakened Tome of Moradin and wield the powers therein. Later on in the session, Bjorn chooses to enter his Seventh Attempt.
In Daekrahm...
Gallgok, Sankara, Chip, and Fearne mourn the loss of their friends. The vision of Queen Gabriella that suddenly appeared at the end of the battle gazes in horror and relief at Michael. "Bring him to Glynndarryl" she asks as her projection vanishes. Before departing, Gallogk and Sankara meet with Captain Van Ness and agree to deliver Marina, sister of Nayana (member of the Solarum), back to Solas. The party will serve as ambassadors on behalf of Vinheim to use Marina's rescue as a catalyst for a formal alliance between Solas and Vinheim. Captain Van Ness and Lord Aegir will remain behind and work to rebuild Daekrahm and lead a Covenant-less Vinheim, respectively.
Reunited...
The party arrives in Glynndarryl aboard The Devourer. Our four heroes are reunited. After an emotional exchange following the revelation of the truths of his world, Chip chooses to remain with the party-- not as a tutor, but as a friend. Fearne's remains as well.
Our heroes make their way to the palace of Glynndarryl where they are greeted once again by Alexander. As the situation within The Sliver has grown increasingly more difficult and complex, he decides to give them one of his most prized possessions. Gal, the Automaton Vitale, joins the party! Our group of seven enters the throne room to meet with Queen Gabriella who is escorted by Aurum, the Ancient Gold Dragon in his humanoid form (continued below...)
The meeting with Queen Gabriella reveals several things to the party:
The queen's spies have learned that The Remnant of Orcus has begun to occupy the swamp lands surrounding Quaymire.
The Remnant of Orcus can now be seen popping up sporadically around Eternum (the continent).
By some means, Argenti the Ancient Silver Dragon has awoken from her cursed slumber and surrounded Bur Boldur with ice as her lair action to buttress the defense of the city. Lore dump: There are three dragons of Order: gold (Aurum), silver (Argenti), and copper (Kupoira). If the three of them are united, they will be a formidable weapon against the enemy. However, Kupoira has been missing for hundreds of years. There is only one person who may know how to locate the copper dragon-- Othorion, disgraced member of the Solarum who is now locked away in Revel's End a city-prison north of Foolsperch.
The time may be ripe to unite Vinheim, Solas, and Glynndarryl for a focused attack on Mirkarkden to liberate Bur Boldor. Ancient entrances to the Deep Roads that lead to Bur Boldor can be found near Durdezo, an orc colony in the northeast, and Foolsperch, an Arakokra village in the northwest.
But first, side quests!