Crossroads Episode 3: Revelations

## Synopsis

12 highsun 1258 IC

Still in the tower the mysterious voice quizzes the party for a time after they mention Domanaris. The voice announces that another person approaches the tower and leaves for a short while, before returning to ask if the party are expecting any of Cozma's children.

It appears Cozma is in Mütvia and has activated the druids, one of which has been sent to the party's aid, a half elf named Xaby.

The voice says he himself used to be italti and that he was stripped of the ability to die. He now resides within the tower by choice.

The voice says the party are free to leave if they wish and they can be teleported anywhere they desire. Beatrix asks to go to Gerdulburg to check on her mother and the voice obliges.

Cerin asks to leave so he can find a new body for the candlemaker. The voice asks if he should send him home to where the crystal throne is. Cerin seems surprised, but agrees and disappears.

Xaby and the party introduce themselves to each other as the voice returns them to the normal form of the tower.

The party decides to refer to the voice as Mr. Undertower until they find out his real name. He assures them when they find out his name he will reveal himself, and as they have treated him with respect he will do the same for them. He reiterates they are free to leave and return as they please, but to regain entrance to the tower they must knock 3 times.

The voice says they can smell blood ties to another world on one of them. Stünislav reveals it is him and tells of his time in Raesik and his deal with a pit fiend.

Mr. Undertower says that Stünislav's existence is a danger to him, so he offers to release Stünislav from his debt by making his own deal in exchange for a drop of blood. If Stünislav agrees, Mr. Undertower will wipe the pit fiend from existence in return for one favour from Stünislav. A favour which Mr. Undertower guarantees will be for hunting devils and will not put Stünislav's life in danger unless he puts it there himself.

As Stünislav thinks on the deal, the voice tells Tasya that Magda still breathes - that she hides, affected by silver dust used by the butcher. If Tasya allows the voice to consume the rest of the blood amulet he will transport the party directly to Magda.

Before the party leaves, Xaby asks the voice for knowledge on the primal magics that afflicts him, and offers a drop of his blood. Mr. Undertower refuses as his dealings are with the arcane school of magic, but says that if Xaby were to help him regain a physical form he would be willing to talk on a deal then.

Mr. Undertower warns the party that Gred'ghul lies in their path. He also asks to be refered to as Svae instead, and with that he transports the party to Magda's location where a battle is taking place between the argentati and werewolves. The party notices these are not lupescoi werewolves, they are afflicted and starving - friend or foe does not register in their minds, only food. The party must deal with them all.

The party slay argentati and werewolf alike until few remain. As the battle comes to a close, Magda emerges from the woods beyond, injured and coated in silver dust. The party deal with the last of the enemies and Tasya rushes to Magda's aid, Xaby cleans the silver dust from her to allow her to heal properly.

Magda explains there are more argentati, they seem not to care for the difference between the afflicted werewolves and those of the lupescoi.

As introductions are made, Stünislav keeps his eyes fixed on the single living argentati from the battle, who then asks what Stünislav will do with him now? Stünislav asks to hear what he plans to do with himself before a choice will be made.

The argentati tells Stünislav that "Rath Wolvesbane will not be stopped" before casting his gaze on Tasya and Magda "these werewolves were diseased, that one is not. I was told they all were, I feel I have been lied to."

The argentati says his name is Jan Strachvas and he will work against Rath Wolvesbane, he thanks Stünislav for giving him a chance.

Jan gives Stünislav his dagger, explaining it is how the argentati identify one another. Should the party find themselves in Moldev they can ask for Jan by name and he will provide any aid he can.

Jan apologises to Magda for the attacks against her kind, and upon examining one of the afflicted at his feet says he believes there must be a way to cure the others.

Tasya stands and offers Bolivar's dagger to Jan and tells him to present it to any lupescoi he encounters to remain unharmed. She also tells him to take it as an opportunity to learn, for while there is much death in Mütvia the lupescoi celebrate life.

Jan refuses and explains his redemption will be in Mütvia's hands. He will travel home on foot, and if he makes it home alive then it was meant to be.

Xaby heals the party and as he does a hooded figure wielding two blades appears from the woods...

*Synopsis written by Caffinated Viking, Proof read by Svartemaya*

## The Party

* Beatrix Qiroris - Lvl 7 Half-Elf Wizard
* Kreel - Lvl 7 Tengu Witch
* Stünislav Marekoi - Lvl 7 Tiefling Redeemer
* Tasya Marinov - Lvl 7 Human Fighter
* Wyrm - Lvl 7 Goblin Rogue
* Xaby - Lvl 7 Half-Elf Druid