Arc VIII: Strangers in a Scarred Land

## Arc VIII Characters:

* Holt Landers [He/Him] (Played by Reagan - He/Him) - A High Elf Phantom Rogue. Holt is an archeologist, traveling around the world exploring ruins and talking to the souls of the dead to learn as much as possible about both The Shadowfell and the ruins he explores. After being hired on by Ruax for some extra cash, he gains more knowledge then he could have ever hoped for and continues with exactly what he had been doing before his adventure.
* Arizona Gea [He/Him] (Played by Evan - He/Him) - An Earth Genasi Champion Fighter, later becomes a Rune Knight Fighter. Arizona is a native to The Scarred Lands, having lived there his whole life. Hired in as an expert of teh area and powerful force in battle, he finds himself able to grow to greater take on the dangers of The Scarred Land and acts as a local legend to the people of the continent

## Arc VIII Synopsis:

### Session 1: The Dragons Den

Arizona Gea and Holt Landers both receive a letter from the recently fired Headmaster of the Tyle Arcane Academy, Ruax, asking the two of them to protect him in his travels across his old home in exchange for a large sum of money. They both accept the job offer and travel to The Scarred Port at the end of the month I order to meet Ruax as he gets off the ship. The two meet and make quick introductions after realizing they were working the same job. Ruax, being very old and slightly senile, walks right past them until he is spoken to by the two explorers. Ruax begins babbling gibberish about how he’s worked for many Kings and how he was fired, and that he decided it was time to return home, though is unsure of where it is, only being able to give a vague description.

Thankfully Arizona was able to get a lot from this description, despite its lack of clear details because he had lived in The Scarred Lands his whole life. The group head to Blight’s Bluff, a 3 days journey. As they travel, they run into a few groups of beasts and monsters along the way, which they are able to take care of rather quickly. With each rest they learn more and more about their benefactor, while also being more confused by him.

At the end of the 3rd day, they rest at the bottom of Blights Bluff and are able to put some pieces together using facts that Ruax had said along their journey, and confront him about him possibly being a Dragon. He admits it freely, saying that he needs to get back home, but it worried that the Dragon that killed his family will still be there. Holt personally promises his help in getting his home back once it is found, and Arizona agrees as long as his compensation is increased.

That morning, Ruax can’t remember how he entered his den, but the two quickly surmise that they only way in must me under the lake, so they drag Ruax along with them under the water and through a small tunnel into The Den. As they climb ashore they are met by a group of warriors chosen by the Dragon who was currently within the den. The duo of warriors is surprised to see anyone and wrongfully assume that Holt and Arizona are also chosen warriors of Ruax. They have a small fight before continuing through the Den, all the while Ruax becomes less and less present, being lost within his own mind.

Further along, they reach a door at the end of a large tunnel, as Holt quietly opens the doors, they see a sword plunged into stone in the center of the room, with two Gem Stalkers patrolling the large corridors nearby as well as that room. Holt springs into action, dashing into the room, grabbing the (unknown to him) Vorpal Sword out of the stone and slaying one of the Gem Stalkers with a hearty swing. Arizona, getting the signal, also rushes in and takes care of the other stalker. With nothing else in their way they head into the Hoard room of the Den. After taking a few steps, Ruax slowly changes into his full Anceint Gold Dragon form before disappearing completely into the mountain of gold and treasure that filled the room floor to ceiling, with several mountain ranges being formed by all of Ruax’s families Hoard. When Ruax emerges, he is in human form once again, but looking far younger and being much more sound of mind. He thanks the two of them for allowing him to ascend into a Greatwyrm, giving him much more power and influence. He once again asks if they will defeat the other Dragon within this Den because despite his new power boost, a Metallic Dragon will always lose to a Gem Dragon. They agree after Ruax promises that he can get them whatever they would like thanks to his newfound sanity and power.

Arizona is gifted a new Halberd of Returning that also deals extra Fire damage before they head for the throne room. Without much planning they open the door and see a young woman sitting on the throne. She greets them and congratulates them for making it so far, but asks them to hold out before they attack, trying to get them to turn against Ruax. But the two steadfastly refuse, frustrating Aralana so much that she polymorphs into her Adult Sapphire dragon form and attacks them. The two struggle to work together at first but quickly find their footing, leading Aralana in and out of the Throne Room while dealing damage and hiding again. The two manage to take her down, almost ring killed themselves in the process. As Ruax renters he thanks them again for all of their work and asks them what he can give them in return. Holt speaks first, asking for the knowledge of a fully powered Phantom, and Ruax accepts, transferring everything he needs to know, and raising him to level 20. Arizona is less sure about what he wants, until he is given the idea by Ruax to become larger and more powerful by also gaining knowledge of Runes into his Fighting Style, raising him to a level 20 Rune Knight Fighter from a Champion Fighter.

The two promise Ruax that they will keep their voices quiet about their power increase and will live their lives as normal, until the time comes that Ruax calls on them for their help once again. Ruax thanks them once again, not just for their help, but for showing kindness to a senile old man who just wanted to get home

## Arc VIII Trivia:

* The theme of this Arc is Memory, about returning to your roots and finding what you had previously lost