Crossroads Episode 21: The Harbinger

## Synopsis

2 Highsun 1258 IC

With the harbinger blocking the party's only exit combat ensues.The harbinger is a strong opponent proving a challenge and very real threat to the their survival. During the fight Wyrm notices a handle on the wall next to him, he pulls it and opens a hidden door revealing a small circluar room containing a chest.

As th fight continues a voice can be heard from the circle "They do not know the power of the italti" commanding the harbinger to kill and bring the sacrifices forward.

As Beatrix attempts to cast magic missles toward the harbinger her fingers spark, she smells sulfur, her firball spell has returned. The party feel a field around them, a calming feeling fills them as their wounds begin to heal, the magic users feel their spells return to them and a scarlet spider appears on the harbinger's shoulder crawling down into the armor.

Feeling the return of their familiar Kreel calls out "Welcome back tuby (Two-Bee)" the name coming from it being the second life of the familiar.

The fight carries on for some time. Wyrm attempts to cast daze on the the harbinger, doing so he gives it the finger and the harbinger falls down dead much to the surprise of party.

As the party take a breath of relief a bright burst of blue light fires from the circle, a bolt of lightning. Tasya intercepts deflecting the bolt away from Stünislav with her sword, she absorbs the blow falling down dead as the circle dissapates. Stünislav prays and heals to bring her back, then collects his blade and the harbinger's from the ground.

Labored breathing can be heard outside the room to the right where the screams had come from earlier, they find two of the townsfolk in seperate cells both desiccated and burned from the lightning bolts. One lies dead while the other is barely alive.

Nep'Rixa attempts to heal and a loud bell rings in her head, deafening. All she can smell, see and hear around her is death.

It rings again as she hears a voice cut through the sound "This is the child of Fayer, devour her soul, let her see the majesty in murder."

The man rises up and casts finger of death towards Nep'Rixa as a voice emanates from him "A cleric of my brother, I shall enjoy this one" Nep'Rixa attempts to resist and again the voice can be heard "I will claim this one!" and Nep'Rixa falls dead.

Wyrm sees this and breaks the time crystal in his posession. Time winds back, as Nep'Rixa attempts to heal Wyrm grabs her wrist and explains to the party what happened. Nep'Rixa not quite understanding what is happening and not wanting to leave the man to die she still tries to help the man, Kreel steps forward.

Kreel casts death knell and absorbs the dying man's life force. Healing himself and killing the man.

Nep'Rixa visibly upset by this casts gentle repose on the body and storms out into the central chamber.

Beatrix looks into the cell and sees the man is burnt, bald, wearing a robe of some kind and asks Wyrm to pick the lock so she can have a closer look at his face. It is Otal Verik.

Nep'Rixa hearing this rushes in to the body and holds it, it falls apart with barely enough flesh or muscle to hold the bones together. She looks for his symbol of Fayer he wore and takes it, as hers is broken it serves as a replacement and as a symbol of rememberance of Otal. She takes the body outside. Stünislav picks up the harbinger armor with the assistance of Tasya and follow behind Nep'Rixa.

Beatrix and Kreel stay behind to check the other body, Wyrm picks the lock and Beatrix goes in to examine the body. This one is unrecognisable, Kreel and Beatrix decide to take that body outside too. As they go they feel a presence and a voice can be heard.

"As I said, go destroy that Mutvian son of a bitch. I have no use for him in my country. You are welcome for the gift, consider it free.....this time.

*Synopsis written by Caffinated Viking, Proofread and edits by Svartemaya.*

## The Party

* Beatrix Qiroris - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Wizard
* Kreel - Lvl 5 Tengu Witch
* Nep'Rixa of Skor'Ritha - Lvl 5 Sadrath'il Cleric of Fayer
* Stünislav Marekoi - Lvl 5 Tiefling Redeemer
* Tasya Marinov - Lvl 5 Human Fighter
* Wyrm - Lvl 5 Goblin Rogue