The Great Seals of Ahlus

The Great Seals of Ahlus were a series of structures created by the Guardians of the Flock to contain the Seven Harbingers of the Darkbringer.

## Description

The seals discovered by Nelenet's Expedition Guild so far follow the same general appearance. They were hidden beneath a location that is inherently dangerous to would-be adventurers, perhaps an intentional decision to reduce the likelihood of discovery.

Within, a raised platform descended into a deeper chamber that leads directly towards a huge circular wall some eighty feet in diameter, its form decorated with an intricate design set within a four-pointed star, the form typically housing five Wayfinder stones - one at each point, one in the centre.

While unified in these features, each seal seemed to have additional layers of defences that seem to pertain to the entity contained within. Nuldomul's seal triggered an earthquake, nearly crushing those responsible for its opening, Rak Tulkhesh's seal was placed beneath the Tomb of his former exarch and subsequent turncoat follower.

## Known Seals

### Beneath the Chittering Holt

The Seal beneath the Chittering Holt was discovered in Halla-Greencrown of 4WD by a party comprised of Fonteyne Howell, Morennel Uthreloth and Siebern Kuiper. Following the trail of Blue Fang mercenaries, they discovered the sellswords had made camp near the entranceway, having sent repeated waves of assaults and attacks to clear the chamber from its stalwart defenders.

Of the five wayfinder stones, one is currently in the possession of Queen Lysiphoia, the four others held by the inhabitants of Whittengrove.

When the seal broke with their removal, the chamber beyond was empty, save for a pile of fresh dirt topped with a single pebble of warbled oily black-grey stone. It vanished once those in its proximity turned away, and with a mighty earthquake the chamber collapsed in on itself.

### Beneath the Tomb of the Shadowsword

The Seal beneath the Tomb of the Shadowsword was discovered in Onteer-Whiterose of 5WD by a party comprised of Arnenne Rilynn, Fonteyne Howell, Morennel Uthreloth, Ronan, Siebern Kuiper, Skuld Blackiron and Zareyl Arkenviir. Nakhelos the Sacrosanct had reached the structure first, having killed its defenders by draining the moisture from their bodies.

Following the destruction of four of the Wayfinder Stones by Nakhelos the Sacrosanct using the Heart of the Prakhutu as a focus to amplify his necromantic abilities, only one remained at the centre of the wall - the stone itself fragmented and unstable. Upon removal of the final stone by Siebern Kuiper, the wall shattered entirely, revealing an empty chamber as the seal before it had - empty beyond a small mound of dust surrounding a notched and warped sword.

This disappeared with a second glance, and with it the chamber filled with dust and sand.

### Beneath Grimvern Bluff

The ice tunnels beneath Grimvern Bluff, known as Netherime, was suspected to hold one of the Great Seals of Ahlus, as well as the key necessary to unlock its contents. A teleportation circle that incorporated some of the sigil of the Guardians of the Flock was discovered hidden in the mountain trails on the mountain, giving further credence to its presence within the peak.

The Seal was later discovered within the lair of Chylzrad, protected behind a shimmering abjuring ward that the sentient weapon Discourse claimed could only be broken with its assistance - an assistance it was unwilling to provide. Despite failed efforts, it was eventually destroyed when Aphyllia used her *Shapechange* to transform into a Planetar and overpower its defiance. Beyond, they found a familiar chamber and upon breaking the seal, Ealwant Besculus, his mind and psyche rended by the Keeper of Whispers was recovered and teleported away before the collapse of the cavern.