Season Four Chapter 1: Aetherian's Nexus / The Frozen Kingdom

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### **Part 1 "Aetherian's Nexus / Vaelstrix's Oubliette"**

Long after the founding of Ha'din Al'Shadah during what has become to be known as the "Age of the Celestials" The hero Astari of ages past began to once again awaken. With little memory of their hibernation save for one night falling asleep and waking some innumerable years later they awoke confused and disparate. Their lessons hard learned however had not been lost, and it took very little time for them to come together again in familiar groups. Seemingly unsurprised the Sororitas Celestial looked at this awakening as a sign of some ominous future event. Only a few weeks passed before the Astari were collectively approached by the sisters, a Sister Timewalker along side several Night Sisters.

As one the Hero Astari were informed of a threat only they would be able to answer. Some of the worst of the denizens of Vaelstrix's Oubliette had escaped and now roamed free, having broken through into Aetherian's Nexus. With the capacity to travel anywhere in Astoria's history and to any location, the threat was obvious. Quickly the Astari gathered and were lead through the twisting endless doors of the Nexus to meet the foe. The Lich Shou'Hassan, and the Soul Thief Galthar of Whitewoods were met and felled, and returned to their prison. Their final foe the Mad King Gahldahan, met the Astari instead with an offer. He claimed to have found the correct door within the endless halls of the Nexus that would lead him and the rest of the Astari out of this realm entirely. Gahldahan warned of a terrible hungering darkness that would devour Astoria entire, and that escape into the unknown darkness was the only chance of survival for the otherwise immortal Astari. Whether he was mad or truthful is unclear, but the door he had found was blocked. Seemingly infinite tentacles of some massive creature barred the way like an impenetrable wall.

Gahldahan's offer to fight with the Astari against the monster blocking his way was adamantly refused by the stalwart heroes, and combat soon broke out in which Gahldahan quickly fell. Left alone with the open door and the monster guarding it the Astari had a decision to make. Several Astari seemed to recognize the thing, even spoke to it, though what they learned is kept close. Whether this creature is protector or jailor is entirely unclear, but those Astari that claim to have made previous contact vehemently claim the former, and refer to the being as "Dora'Mu". Eventually, it was decided the being should be left in place. If Gahldahan's claims and those of the few Astari that spoke to the being were indeed true, it was thought too dangerous, if even possible, to remove the creature.

### **Part 2 "The Frozen Kingdom / A Sister's Wrath"**

Among the hunters of the town of Brighton known as the Sons of Andamere talk had begun to spread of a great monster living in the frozen north. Eager to rid Astoria of any threat the servants of the Fiend-Slayer commissioned the Hero Astari to aid them in their hunt. Several were successful, finding the Wendigo known as "Ulu'Wek" and bringing her down. However she always returned, ever in a state of near death, it was clear this creature had a similar connection to the Soul Well as the Astari. Careful research by those at the Winter Library connected several ancient legends and evidence found at the sight to the long thought dead celestial Ulustra the sister of Nestria. After some deliberation and some harsh words on the part of the Library's headmistress it was agreed that help should be offered to the ailing celestial.

Unwilling to wait and feeling a deep connection with the winter celestial Headmistress Ghib'Ka ventured into the Frozen Kingdom of Ulu'Wek alone. Quick to pursue when no word was heard back the Hero Astari and the Sons ventured north into the unforgiving frozen wastelands. Once there however, they discovered something unexpected. Nestria, the Tidecaller had taken station within the Frozen Kingdom, claiming it and the powers of Winter as her own. Ulu'Wek's failing condition was a result of Nestria's removal of her power, the celestial core known as the Heart of Winter. More gruesome besides, Headmistress Ghib'Ka had been bound and forcibly implanted with the Heart of Winter. Unable to utilize the power within the Heart by design Nestria required a vessel capable of it, and the winter fae body Ghib'Ka provided was exactly what was needed.

The Astari acted quickly, destroying the structure binding Ghib'Ka and halting Nestria's ritual to extract the hearts power. Astoria was saved from the Tidecaller's wrath for now, but at the cost of the Headmistress. Removed from her restraints Ghib'Ka lay comatose and unmoving, the Heart of Winter still very much a part of her. Despite the Astari's effort she could not be revived. At the last the Avatar of the Celestial Lavanthia appeared and told the Astari the awful truth. What Nestria had done could not be undone, that Ghib was now one with the Heart of Winter and would join her and Valgerd among the ascended Celestials.