Session 41

**Setting: Hendolin Stronghold**

After the Order teleports into the Stronghold, Salty leads them through the keep to the throneroom. There, they are surrounded by familiar and friendly faces: Queen Syleese III of Falador, The Princess of the High Seas, High Priestess Sarah, and Daghrim StormBrewer. Altuna, Xaraiya, Click and Rene take their places among them.

King Bharrus Bonehammer starts by apologizing to the group amassed to help him for underestimating his allies. They all talk through their objectives, and the unanswered questions. The court historian is kicked out when the King realizes he was holding back information about Kraet. He appoints a new historian, and requests a briefing that same day.

Queen Syleese uses the Ring of Oblivion to ping the remaining keys. She senses one up north, and three very close to them. Figuring that Syril and his Shadow Walkers are nearby, all Clerics in attendance walk the castle, casting Light spells to eliminate all shadows.

**Vaklan's Interrogation**

Before they see Vaklan, Rhaine sprinkles the Dust of Deliciousness on some food, and has it sent down to his cell. As they enter, Xaraiya successfully casts Zone of Truth on him.

Vaklan tells them that he's seen this exact moment in his visions before, but he could not see anything past it until it happened. He surrendered, because he knew the moment had to happen in order for everyone to succeed. When asked about the Red Key, he answers that only he is meant to bear it, and that doing so will end his life. He then has another vision and calls out, "I see the child. It wants to come loose. It will ruin us all."

Steam feels a crackle of magical energy in the air right before a Teleportation portal opens behind Vaklan. He quickly casts one of his own back to the Dirty Cantrip and pulls his friends through as lightning bolts strike inside the room. They receive an escort back to the castle where they discover Valkan's body is not there.

They each spend the night alone in their own room to digest all that happened in such a short amount of time.

**War Council**

The next morning, they meet with the world Leaders to discuss their next steps. The King reveals that his ancestors conspired with the Tower Eternal to imprison Xardith in an Orb so that the Dwarves could take its treasure horde. When they bring up what Vaklan said about a child, Click casts Telepathic Bond to let them all know he's read about a prophecy - a child with the power to negate magic. That power would grow until all magic would cease to exist.

All the puzzle pieces fall together as they begin to understand what morale crisis caused the Mage War, if not the very Fracturing itself. The group debates how to proceed. Steam decides to gather the materials needed to create another Red Orb. The King prepares for a large scale battle, as others offer their assistance:

Altuna - Can lead a force through the Underdark to pass undetected.

Salty - Can lead a small group through the smuggler passes.

The King - Offers his troops, including the IronSpikes, who are great at causing a distraction.

Sarah - Has very few Clerics left, and will offer them only as Healers.

Daghrim - Has area spells to cause damage, and a Hammer if his magic fails him.

Xaraiya - Will help with Healing and Protection.

Syleese - Remaining Falador navy and her Elven Archers

Princess - Also offers her fleet. Rehles and Mordeus will protect the people of Brightforge.