Realms S2E24 A Step from Darkness

The group has survived the tower, only to reach the top floor and are now faced with the inevitable confrontation with Pyriel.

### Player Characters Present

Eclipse, Naphako, Keywynn, Kyrealle, Kerrick

### Synopsis

The good buddies were on the precipice of battle. Eclipse dives headlong towards Pyriel, slashes out with his raven sword and manages to cut into the would be God.

This causes something quite unexpected: Pyriel’s form to shift. Her hair decays and falls out, skin goes blueish gray. Once her form is completely shifted, standing before them is not Pyriel at all, but rather a large Goliath, missing his left hand and left eye. This man is of course Val'Tok, the true reason for the Rime that has kept the good buddies trapped.

Val'Tok, seems interested in the sword and how exactly Eclipse has come across it. He also still offers them a deal, despite the clear differences of opinions the conversation continues, until Val'Tok notices Naphakos shield. He seems offended by it, and comments on Napha, the god behind the symbol. This anges off the peaceful paladin, who again lashes out at Val'Tok, and the time for talking ends as Eclipse follows suit.

They each take their turns targeting the giant wizard who at first just stands there and allows them to show him their power.

Kerrick fires his gun and Keywynn attempts to end the fight early with a banishment, but that proves useless. Once everyone takes their shot, Val'Tok tells them to bow down and unleashes a psychic scream, deeply injuring the party. From here the party will concentrate damage upon Val'Tok aas he bounces around, swinging his glaive, primarily focused on Eclipse, Naphako and Kerrick.

Meanwhile Kyrealle will summon an air element for support. It joins the others trying to surround Val'Tok and overwhelm him.Then the entire room lurches and feels as though it starting to descend.

In spite of all these attacks, He seems to absorb all of the damage, showing no signs of letting up. But they seem to have his full attention as he then lays down a circle of death. Many of the good buddies start falling one after the other, as Rolan and Keywynn struggle to keep everyone alive.

The group battered, the room finally comes to a halt. Val'Tok offers to show Naphako true power before teleporting into the room beyond theirs.

The Good Buddies are faced with a conundrum as they want to follow and end Val'Tok but are unsure if they’re prepared to face him on his turf.

Either way they have an expedited rest, thanks to Rolan and waste no time following their adversary. They enter the room and see Val'Tok kneeling next to a large spherical structure. Keywynn, standing strong by her brother, opens with a giant fireball while Eclipse sneaks up close.

Val'tok continues to go after Kerrick and Naphako, and it appears that it will continue as before. That is until an enormous Tomb Trapper appears next to Eclipse.

Rolan is managing the party, reviving Kerrick after he falls, this draws Val'Toks eye, who proceeds to try and stop the healing by removing rolans limbs. Keywynn, seeing her brother hurting teleports the pair away from the Goliath to the other side of the room.This loving moving seems to piss off Val'Tok who shouts after Keywynn, saying emotional connections will only lead to pain and misery before casting finger of death, instantly killing Keywynn.

The party is in shock. Kerrick in particular is in disbelief, and he fires rounds in Val'tok who, is now standing beside the Orb. The shots find purchase, and are finally able to bring him down. But Before he falls, Val'Tok says that he was right, and they were worthy. He then tells someone named Ana that this was step two. A blast of energy explodes from the ball, incinerating Val'Tok and The Tomb Trapper.

However, with Naphako down and Keywynn dead, the threat isn't quite over. It would be Rolan to once again come to the rescue for his little sister, as he seemingly makes a deal with some entity in exchange for returning Keywynn to life. She awakes just long enough to say goodbye to her brother as he dissipates into nothing.

Naphako is then revived. And we end with them beaten, broken, changed...but alive, together in the tower, seemingly ending the life of Val'Tok and The Rime.