Rose Briar's Recovered Journals

Hello it's Rose!

**With Much Love**

We have a short history of picking up odd adventuring jobs together. Raloren and Rose are cousins. He is a fairly new arrival in town and she seems somewhat exasperated that he is tagging along. Rose is a closeted Druid, still avoiding and denying her own power. Raloren is a ranger, master of the bow and forest magic. The rest are unrelated to the pair. Owain: an Asamar demon hunting warlock with wraps to hide his skin and a piercing gaze. Kazuran: a large unscarred half orc who is proud of his lack of scars and prowess in combat. And Meros: a deadly thief who has turned to more, at least relatively, legitimate work, but brings a razored rapier and sharper expertise to the party.

The party is having a quiet drink when a young woman bursts in and asks anyone who is willing for aid. Her name is Pem Charon and she seems to have lost a rather important bag in an enchanted forest known as the Groovy Grove. She was attacked by some creatures when she lost it. We decide to go after it, hoping to get the advantage over any other competing parties.

On the edge of the forest we encounter a creature with a bag and track it down. Rose wrests the bag from the creature, but many like it arrive. They are small intelligent Gophers. The Druid uses a subtle bit of magic to talk to them and broker a peace. The bag is not the prize they are after.

Owain experiments with colorful berries, making various poisons and other substances. We encounter and defeat an Owl Harpy and make off with some of it’s eggs. Finally we locate a door to a cave full of lizard men. Owain offers a lizard man an apple, but gives him the pointed end of his sword instead. We dress Kazuran in a black cloak and light him on fire, to scare the lizards. The group routes the lizards and recovers some treasure, including the bag, which is full of minor magical items.

On the return trip a village of bullywugs celebrates us for our defeat of the frogs. They give us directions out of the forest, and we go to a nearby town: Vido.

Half the party returns, leaving Rose and Raloren to secretly hide the items in Vido. Meros gets a black market price check on the goods, while Kazuran and Owain go to negotiate our payment. We learn that Pem is a student at the magic academy and stole many of the items from the headmistress there. Her family is also well connected. The group reassembles in Vido.

The next day Rose disguises herself as Amis Wintell, a “attorney” acting on behalf of the party. She negotiates a return of the goods, though her disguise is seen through by the headmistress as she leaves. We sold many of the items using Meros’s contacts including some harpy eggs. Rose’s egg hatched and she resigned herself to raising the bird herself, purchasing a magical cage that would follow her around and grow with the bird. Part of the deal with the headmistress involved delivering a letter to an associate of hers.

### Season 1, Episode 2: "The Competition for Love"

We delivered the letter to an old man. He told us a bit about her, including her name: Minera. The senile man wanted a necklace from a secret place in his youth. His dead wife’s necklace. We get a clue about a pair of doors and are sent to Crepshaw, south of Vido after Rose gets his signature on a work contract. We found the doors with sentient knockers. After some failed attempts to enter and the doors telling us to go away, we tell them a knock knock joke and they allow us to pass. A mouse had given Rose a clue. Inside a series of murals depicted the seasons, and a basin of earth sat in the center. We simulated the seasons on a seed planted within and the doors to the treasure vault opened. We found the necklace and some other treasures agreed upon in the contract were to be our payment.

Upon returning to the old man we are thanked and told of a tournament to decide who will guard lady Darlove The Loved on her next trip. We enter in two groups: Owain and Kazuran is the first group. They handily beat their challenger. Rose hides and shifts into a bear, and our fight is also won. We get an audience with lady Darlove and she choses us as guards.

### Season 1, Episode 3: "The Book Holders"

A book holders meeting is being held in Vesera. The host is King Caric The Vulgar. We learn that several factions seek to assassinate the book holders. A caravan will travel with us guarding it. As they travel lady Darlove allows us to look at her book. Rose asks about how she got it and she tells us about running from and evil stepmother only to be chased by wolves. The book was stumbled upon during her wild dash through the forest. She then walked into Doveport and was made it’s ruler. Doveport had lost its king some time ago (long ago) and was being run by underground groups.

We take a detour to a large magical library run by a dragon born. Lady Darlove conducts some business there and we accidently turn the shelves into a maze. The shifting labyrinth separates us and we all use various methods to get back. We learn taking a book without a library card causes the maze to form. Raloren had taken a book. Rose uses summoned mice to map the maze, Raloren asks for help, and Kazuran attacks library automata. The librarian resets the maze when Owain simply waits. Rose storms off while the others get library cards. A strange tiefling named Skamos gives her a purple scroll that she cannot open.

That night Meros encounters two lost girls on second watch. Meros sees through their flimsy story about being attacked by wolves and looking for a village. He tries to toss food at them. They turn out to be undead and only Owain and Rose have the methods to damage them. This means that Rose reveals her shapeshifting nature to the party. After an uneventful night we arrive at Vesera, a very feudal city. The other book holders arrive, with King Viril being the most recent to acquire a book. They discuss assassination attempts and defenses against them. King Viril got agitated and Lady Darlove attempted to defuse the situation, while Rose jumps in to protect her as a bear, the rest of the party follows hot on her heels. After Viril sits backdown the council discusses the rising threat of underground societies and various other anarchistic factions. King Gob and Queen Himavela pass a note which we notice. Taxes and trade are discussed by the group as well at the 3 remaining books.

The party recovers the note that was passed, it discusses a traitor amongst the book holders. It reads “Wait, who is the traitor?”

We return to Doveport, choosing not to divulge the note’s existence immediately. We get pins with Doves on them, marking us as part of Lady Darlove’s court. We are told by lady Darlove that a book may exist at the “lone oasis”.

### Season 1, Episode 4: "The Boy Covered in Ash"

We are given a job to deliver a letter to someone in Vido. Owain leaves us to seek demons in the Amber Isles. On our way to Vido, we encounter a small boy: Ash. He has given a show to someone, and we decide not to investigate. He proceeds to steal from us.

We seek more information on the lone oasis. We learn that this most likely refers to a desert in Eras. This is the only place that has oases. Raloren obtains a map to the desert, which is apparently full of thieves. There is a small village named Sandwallow on the northeastern edge of the desert named sandwallow.

Raloren and Ash search the magic academy for more information, and Ash meets students of flame magic and performs an exhibition. Lady Darlove meets them on the steps of the library and informs them she has chartered a boat for us. Meros and Rose forge documents and plant misinformation to direct rivals elsewhere. Lady Darlove gives us a letter to deliver to Lord Xalbar.

The journey is largely uneventful until we reach Beggar’s Hole. Inside we do some wheeling and dealing to obtain items and Kazuran fights in a arena bought. Meros almost fights Narcissus, the king of thieves, who owes him 500g bet on Kazuran. Rose negotiates the sale of a Broom of Flying in exchange for some gold and forged documents. We continue on our way and deliver the letter to Lord Xalbar. The letter named Queen Arnoa as the traitor, working with the Anarchist group the Black Hills. We learn that there are several of these organizations including the Hellhounds and Fourteen Lakes. The letter calls for a council with the Oldest. Meros, Ash, and Rose check the letter for hidden contents and codes. We find nothing, but remain suspicious. Xalbar asks us to return once our business in the desert is concluded.

### Season 1, Episode 5: "The Traitor & The Brave"

We find a map of the desert and create a search grid. Rose summons giant eagles for Meros and Raloren, while she rides her broom of flying. Ash uses a Jade Owl to search. Kazuran stays with the wagon. Rose sticks near the wagon, and examines the letter again, finding the Black Hills symbol in the seal. Ash locates a bandit camp, and we find a man being force-marched back to it by bandits. Ash plants glass caltrops in the sand and we rescue the wanderer Gelsi Sigg, who rewards us with detailed information about the desert, including the location of the lone Oasis.

We are attacked by a sand giant who Rose manages to paralyze while the party slaughters it. We continue to the lone Oasis and Rose leads it’s guardiant on a chase while the other members of the party setup for ambush. We defeat it and it splits to reveal a book, which floats to Raloren. Raloren is granted the BOOK OF THE BRAVE and becomes Lord Raloren the Brave. After exploring some underground tunnels in the desert we retire to sandwallow for a rest in the hot springs.

As a book holder Raloren is compelled to attend the meeting with the Oldest, and we attend as his retinue. The 5 Oldest are present. Arnoa is accused, but professes her innocence. The Oldest call for a vote immediately, and it is split down the middle after Raloren’s vote. Evidence is then presented, a letter presented by Gob. Allegedly Arnoa did business and plotted with the Black Hills in Garnsby to overthrow the book holders. Her protests ring true to the party, but the council votes against her. As the sword of her execution is raised to end her life, Rose interdicts the blow. The Oldest indignantly ask her what she thinks she is doing and Rose calls out Darlove, alleging that the letters sent by her are the key to the innocence of Arnoa. The Oldest find the symbol and signature of the Black Hills in the letters, and Darlove proclaims her guilt. She escapes but her book is stripped from her. Rose briefly attempts to copy it before the Oldest take it from her. Darlove is now a wanted woman at large.

Raloren claims Doveport as his city, but we learn that Minera Duncruss, the purple haired object of Rose’s affections (and headmistress of the academy of magic) has received the Book of the Loved. Raloren renames Doveport Mirthol.

## Season 1 Epilogues: "The Vacation"

Rose has chosen to attend the Farstar Festival of Love on Ovosa.

Meros will visit Jailbird Island “Prison” on Intaria.

Raloren is going to return to the Hyla in Amber Isles to visit the Feywild. Rose will accompany him as far as her parents graves.

Ash is going to the Four Fire Festival in Riverford.

Kazuran is going the gladiators battle competition in Northmount, Eras. Ash, Meros and Raloren are tagging along as well.

### Season 1 Epilogue 1

Rose is taking a trip to Ovosa, visiting the Farstar Festival of Love. It’s a decently busy city but smaller than Mirthol\Doveport. She attempts to seduce girl leaving the speed-dating tables. The woman slams into Rose, who catches and dips her. The woman leaves after a few words about how the men are all jerks. Rose ends up instead seducing Tulip in a shady speed dating event. The night turns into an orgy with several parties including the gnome wizard, and hot bard Plumera. The next morning Rose sees the woman she caught last night being pursued by a group of Ruffians. A group of nearby adventurers and Rose came to her aid, notable among them was Rhur, a ferbol monk (drunken master). The orgy participants and Rhur all have an address for Rose in Doveport\Mirthol.

Brix Flette was the woman Rose “swept off her feet”. She somehow knew Rose’s name (she had used the alias Elana). She hopes that she will meet Rose again in Mirthol.

### Season 1 Epilogue 2

Ash senses fire. He hops on a boat and uses his Sailor skill to travel to Riverford. There are four flames in the town, and this is a festival day. The town is a sea of red and flame. The townsfolk are dressed in costumes and doing minor tricks with fire.

Ash shows off a little too much, and he is brought on stage to compete with a man. The man creates a tree out of fire. Ash counters by making birds fly out of the tree (consuming it) and then turning to squirrels. However, the man interferes, and Ash only manages one or two bird. The man then fails to generate any fire. Ash turns the remaining fire into a cloak of fire, but fucks up an singes his clothing instead. It’s not a bad end to the show.

A man is impressed with Ash, and invites him to join his circus, the Circle of Cinders. Ash talks to Willarg, a young member of the circus. The two have an epic exhibition of fire forms (dragon and phoenix).

Suddenly a runner comes to the tent, they need fire starters. One of the lights has gone out. The man, directs Ash to relight the bowl of coal, and thereupon become one of the starters. As Ash attempts to light it, the bowl emits a wave of force, shoving everyone back. The fire in the bowl burns brighter and harder than before, and the Priest casts a suspicious eye towards Ash. The Priest tells him he comes from a legacy of special, potent flame. He hands him a card.

Ash escapes back into the crowd of the festival, seeking the anonymous comforts hidden therein. He buys a small amber Phoenix statuette and a book on birds. Ash goes to the forge by the River. A familiar face, King Viril appears. The have a painfully pleasant conversation. It’s about the celebration of magic. Viril says he's not Antimagic, but implies magic should be used carefully, if at all. Ash asks for a reward. Viril tells him to come back in a year and he’ll get his title “Ash lighter of flames”. Viril is gonna be in contact with Ash if he needs any help. Via Raloren. Ash thinks he sees Kazuran and firebolts him, but it’s not Kazuran, and King Viril tells him to go back home.

Ash finds a half elf girl eating a firecracker (literal cracker). And hits on her super hard. She likes it, her name is Helia. She has to go home. Ash ash(misty)-steps away. The festival comes to a close as Ash spells out her name (Helio! on accident, but the o becomes a winky face) with fire, and then heads back home.

### Season 1 Epilogue 3

Rose and Raloren travel to their hometown in the Amber Isle. Rose goes to visit her parent’s grave, Raloren meets his cousin Eshi, and they talk about the things that have happened. Eshi asks for help tracking down a prized animal. Someone is trying to hunt a rare animal: a prized, large, orange squirrel. Raloren agrees to hunt it. Rose reluctantly agrees to help. Her cousin's know her as Aislinn. They find some tracks, and Raloren leads the group somewhat astray. They find signs of torn human clothing. They eventually find some orange fur.

We find the squirrel, and fight the poacher. Raloren and Rose return the poacher home, and the poacher is revealed to be a family member: the patriarch's brother Eldan Raulnor. We agreed to leave him to them and not speak of it.

### Season 1 Epilogue 4

Meros and Ash travel to Jailbird Island prison. A place shrouded in mist and girded with barbed wire. He goes to see Gell. The guards allow him half a day, and tell him he's on his own: they won't provide protection.

There are a few guards, and some crazy looking prisoners. Meros attempts to locate Gell. He sees same familiar faces, but eventually finds Gell: a human man in a tiny cell.  They greet each other in thieves cant. Meros gives him some info about what is happening in the outside world. Gell says something odd is happening in the place. Like a pot just before it boils. Gell tells Meros that they shouldn't be there. Meros cites his legit lifestyle. Gell tells Kef that Meros won't help him, and issues a prophetic “hey man if something happens, don't say I didn't say so”. Meros slips him some gold. Gell hands him a scrap of paper with a note indicating treasure hidden in the Amber Islands. Meros throws duces and goes to leave. Suddenly all the cell doors open.

Kef runs, Gell is stunned and issues an “I told you so”. Meros chooses to not escape with the throng. But he is accosted by two prisoners. A fight ensues, with Meros and Gell beating the two intercepting prisoners.

They come to a fork in the corridor, and Gell suggests they go left… which leads them to the guard quarters, with 3 ready guards.

Meros convinces two of the guards to go help with the conflict. Meros moves to leave, but throws a dagger in an attempt to take down the last guard, and secure their escape. They take down the last guard and dress Gell in his gear. They then run into the night, making it quite close to the docks when Meros sees that prisoners have started to flood out of the building, and make it onto the last boat… barely. Some prisoners swim for it as the remaining guards are overwhelmed.

### Season 1 Epilogue 5

Kazuran is going to Northmount, Eros to attend the tournament. Northmount is a developing city, a quite diverse one. The tournament is a big affair, and the arena is massive.

The group sees King Viril, Minera Duncross, and the five gold identifier (FGI, unknown wizard who identifies for super cheap).

Kazuran talks to Vola Nemeia, the person organizing the tournament. Ash looks for contestants fitting Darlove’s profile. The are several. The prize is a mystery.

The rules are: bloodshed, but no killing. Bouts are won by yield.

Vola welcomes all the contestants. The prize is 5k gold and a mysterious object. The tournament brackets are revealed.

Titania fights a half orc Bard and wins, Ash fights Five Gold Identifier and wins, Raloren fights King Viril and wins, Kazuran fights a monk and wins.

Ash conceded to Kazuran after dancing away from the Half-orc’s attacks, Titania beat Radvole who is most likely Darlove. Radvole/Darlove conceeds and blows a kiss to Rose. Raloren beat Narcissis (the king of Beggar’s Hole) and Tena. Raloren was barely defeated by Titania, and Kazuran defeated Titania in the first round, who revealed herself as Rose. As we leave we find a note that says “with love”, from the masked fighter who was probably Lady Darlove. Kazuran decided to share the gold reward among the party.

## Season 2

**The Hills are Rising**

The players do various things with their time in the 3 months following their vacations. Rose & Raloren work to improve Mirthol and Rose spends time unwinding by herself, often disappearing for a few hours or days. She becomes the interim headmistress of the Magic Academy, and attempts to find a qualified replacement with the aid of Minera Duncress. Raloren also meets and works with the other book-holders to find info on Darlove. He unwinds by hunting in the nearby woods.

Ash gathered up a band of misfit kids urchins. Meros was thieven, and Khazaran was a bodyguard for an important family (but not important enough to actually show up lol)

### Season 2, Episode 1: "The Death of a Lord"

An unknown group has been assaulting towns across the continents. A single town in each has been attacked. Reports come in that Vido (the town close to Mirthol), is on fire and has been attacked. A group of 50 or so hooded figures are headed northeast past the Groovy Grove. The group (sans Rose, who stays behind to manage the city and act as a visible guardian) travels to the town to investigate this threat. As they reach the town they find it devoid of life, and find the Black Hills tell-tale symbol. Ash removes the symbol to avoid scaring the populace should they investigate.

They group follows the trail to a mystery tavern in the woods. They capture a black-clad man how tells them that an important group of high-ups is coming in two weeks, the Animal Masquerade. Royals and Darlove will be in attendance, though it is not known what Darlove will be wearing. 3k gold was paid by Darlove to the black hills for razing the towns. The Masquerade will be happening in the east, the old house by the coast.

Marisan and Maro Ata are children from Vido.

Lord Xalbar has passed away in Bek. He died peacefully in his sleep. A funeral was to be held in 2 days. Minera Duncross brought the news of his passing.

The party was Invited to the old house in the east, Raloren decided on a Wolf Mask as costume.

Lady Torfina did not attend the funeral, instead sending a proxy. Raloren met with the oldest and the process of a new book being handed out was much the same. Suna Ordmard, a gnome wizard, received the book. The book still shows Xalbar’s story… and oddity considering Darlove’s was erased, however Minera can see Darlove’s story.

Lady Torfina’s daughter accompanied the proxy. She is Brix Flette, the daughter of Torfina and the next book holder. The group has been retained to escort Brix home.

### Season 2, Episode 2: "The Once Loved"

The group is taking Brix back to the Amber Isles. An unknown assailant attempts to attack the group, but Rose’s guard wolves drive them off. The party follows the trail at dawn, discovering a Black Hills pin. A pair of doves, one black one white talk to Ash. They tell him he only has one of the pins. When he comes back the black one is gone, and the white Dove has a message tied to it: “With Love” indicating it was Darlove herself.

Rose has the party destroy the pins from Darlove, that she had correctly guessed were scrying devices. The whole party flew fast to Doncaster, and found a Wizard who can scry if they deliver a highly illegal box. Ash has a wizard scry to find Darlove at the temple of the death god Duras. They find a way to ship the illegal box when Meros calls in his favor with Narcissis, and Rose drops the package off, disguising herself as an old man. Rose got an IOU for a scry on Darlove from the mage (pending the black market contacts delivering the package safely).

The rest of the party waits in town and resupplies.

Pirates attack the boat on the way to Fallholt, but Ash displays his power and scares them away, thieves canting to them that he can hook them up when they get back to Mirthol. We met with Torfina, she and Raloren discussed various things, books, the Masquerade, and Brix working as the headmistress of the Magic Academy. Rose is upset with Raloren for mentioning the Magic Academy, since she was working it from the other angle and is worried Torfina is going to put pressure on Brix and make her less willing to take the post. As we leave the Palace, our cousin Echi has intercepted us and told us that the trial of Eldan Raulnor is set for tomorrow, and we should attend. Rose and Raloren arrange for the group to be invited.

### Season 2, Episode 3: "The Family's Affair"

Our heros start in the Fey City.

It is a beautiful place. Rose and Raloren's cousin Eshi bring the group to a large glass domed building. The entire extended family Raulnor is gathered for the trial of the Uncle of Rose and Raloren. Rose greets her grandmother (Ash attempts to trip her and falls himself instead). Nadia calls Rose by her given name (Aislinn). She quails under her grandmothers disapproving gaze, but Nadia acquiesces and calls her Rose in front of "The Company". Nadia explains that their Uncle had hidden some family heirlooms before being captured last time Rose and Raloren were in town.

Rose confronts her uncle, imprisoned in a glass cage, who has secreted away the Scarab of Protection. Rose suspects it’s a play against her grandmother, done for political leverage and to earn a favorable outcome in the trail. She agrees to get her Uncle his freedom if he will return the Scarab of protection. As the group moves to leave, Ash notices a key in their Uncles mouth and confiscates it.

The heros head to the Raulnor family estate with a key provided by Ash. They find a portrait of the founder of the family Eladore Elendirr while exploring the Catecombs, and open a locked stone door with the stolen key. A narrow corridor splits to the right and left. Ash detects a draft from the right, and we enter a big empty room with a door. Backtracking we go left and are met with a locked door. Ash runs back and sets the door on fire. Rose walks in and picks up the family treasure: The Unbreakable Arrow. As she does a Chimera guardian emerges from the shadow. The party engages the beast and fells it.

A small door leads to a crawl space which spies into the right rooms. The door in the left Room opens at the name Ralohice, the next is fire trapped, but opens at Eldon (the oldest E brother). The next room has a door and a pedestal with a pair of goblets. It takes the blood of both Rose and Raloren to open the other door. Inside we find the Scarab, but also the patriarch, Eldon. He entreats Rose and Raloren to join him. Raloren says “over my dead body”, and Rose doesn’t answer. The illusion of Eldon disappears and Rose takes the Scarab. They leave to deal with the situation.

The estate is weirdly quiet, with no signs of life. It is silent. Ash scouts with his owl, and detects nothing, specifically nothing. Raloren goes no Nadia’s room, seeking his grandmother, finding only her shoe. She must have dropped it on purpose, but it doesn’t feel like an accident. The entire estate is empty. Rose finds her mother’s old room, and her mother’s dowry, an Ioun Stone of Wisdom. She is overcome by emotion. Raloren is approached by a hysterical woman. Dark magics have taken one side of the family, lead by two robed figures. Raloren finds Nadia's other shoe. The party splits, Rose follows a summoned Fey, seeking her family through magic while Raloren and the rest head to a temple on the island of Oz. The fey leads Rose to another Temple, the Temple of Dumas.

Rose finds her Uncle in the temple, he pledges that her family will be free when the Black Hills triumph. Rose tells Ash to burn the place down, and wraps it in vines and thorns: kindling. Ash feels warm and feels the blessing of a god as he looks upon what he wrought. Rose and Raloren vow to destroy the Black Hills and save their family in that order.

Rose loans Raloren her mother’s Ioun Stone.

The group return to Mirthal, and Ash urchins about, and has a dark dream: standing in a burnt forest, a royal purple firefly floats over, and Ash holds out a finger, and the bug says: my child, you’ve done well. Ash says “alway glad to meet a fan”.

The fly says: I have a boon for you… for now. Ash allows it to bite his index finger, and a mark appears. The God of Death is pleased with the child.

### Season 2, Episode 4: "The Blessings"

Rose and Raloren manage Mirthal shoring up the city guard and recruiting any mages that haven't joined Minera in the North. Rose uses the time to send a series of letters and prepare for the Masquerade, acquiring a date, a dress, and a mask. Meros talks to Tena and the underground network and learns than many new and fine weapons are being commissioned ahead of the ball. Rose is unable to obtain anti-scrying measures. The group heads to the Library of Domesh (enroute to the Old House where the Masquerade is being held) to do some research on the god of death and the books.

Domesh brings a pile of books on both research topics and Rose summons 2 fey research assistants to help her go through a large stack of books on the God of Death and the 12 Books. She is looking for clues about the One Different Book of Power and the weird Death Cult. Rose finds the Origin of the Gods book, Raloren gets the picture book version: The Gods & Me!

Rose learns where each book was found originally, and decides to plot them on the map.

The research about the gods reveals that the God of Death Durnas was cast out after a conflict with Wowina, the first god and his lover. The dark god began gathering followers who were surrounded by death or cast out of society.

We learn the children of Durnas and Wowina have a joined temple nearby: Ergos (Day) and Bitarr ( Night). The temple is split between night and day. We enter, Raloren goes to talk to the acolyte, while Rose goes to the altar of Day, and Meros goes to night. We learn that two offerings are needed: one live and one dead. Rose plants Brix’s rose and grows in into a rosebush, meanwhile Raloren and Meros find and kill the king of beavers.

The acolyte chants in ritual mode and summons avatars of night and day. An Owl and a familiar white Morning Dove appear. Raloren appeals to the gods on a level of worship and divine providence. Rose takes another tact and tells them that little mortal actions may have a butterfly effect, and convinces them to help her help them by A) Saving her family, and B) Slaying Darlove. Ergos claims Durnas might not be helping Darlove as much as the party believes, then they manifest some artifacts to help the players. A monocle from the day, a cloak of shadows from the night, and a wondrous knife in the center of the temple. A Knife of ice and fire.

Minera appears and confirms most of what we already know. Darlove has always been Black Hills, even before holding a book and has other plans that Minera will not yet reveal. Minera's plan is to gather all the magical folk into her own army. She refused Raloren’s offer to join us, and claimed to have her own quarrel with Darlove. Rose lays her plan out to Darlove, and tells her not to get in her way. Minera says “bring it on bitch” as Rose shoulders her out of the doorway to the Temple.

The party concocts elaborate plans to pit Minera’s forces against the incoming Black Hills. Then realizes they are observed by two young men. The men attack, attempting to fireball the caravan, and party quickly brings them down. They claim to be from the 14 Lakes, claiming the 14 Lakes, the Hellhounds, and the black hills are rising, and "will change the world at this party". The reach the town and Meros's contacts obtain the guest list for the party. There are many familiar names, including Echi, the cousin of Raloren and Rose.

The Heroes scuttle their plan and go to a party.

### Season 2, Episode 5: "The Masquerade"

Meros and Rose spread rumors designed to pit Minera’s army of wizards against the various anarchist groups. The party puts on their masks:

* A Cosmic Owl for Ash
* A Black Panther for Meros
* A Bull for Kazuran
* A Wolf for Raloren
* A Bear is Rose's first mask.

Rose brings a date with a Rabbit mask.

The party enters the ballroom. The light is somewhat dim, food and drink is spread out. Everyone is very elegantly dressed. The group spreads out among the guests. Ash learns Narcissus is most likely working with Darlove, and thinking of joining the Hellhounds and Black Hills. Rose shares a drink with Brix. Raloren finds Eschi and convinces her to leave (she tells him a story about escaping those who kidnapped and engineered the disappearance of the family). Meros takes advantage of Ash’s distraction to sneak up stairs and take his own look around.

Rose feigns drunk and gets in an almost fight with Owain before the guards pull her away. She changes her clothes and mask, putting a Fox in place of the bear and continues to mingle.

Ash teleports into the library and finds an important book about his heritage. Willarg finds him there and tells him to Seek the Ink Dragon: They have an important message for him.

Kazuran and Raloren see Torfina and Viril talking by the punch bowl. Raloren goes to join them. Torfina goes to find the host of the party, leaving Viril with Raloren and Kazuran. They chat about the cities and ruling. The conversation turns to the anarchist group incursions. Viril claims that others of the council want to work with the Anarchists, but he and Torfina do not wish to do so. Raloren reasons with Viril, saying they should not tip their hand before getting a good look at who the enemies really are.

Torfina comes back with a woman dressed as a chipmunk: Elvera Aster is the mayor of Porthcrawl, and the host of the party. She offers the run of the manor's first floor, and Raloren requests a tour. The two, trailed by Kazuran, go outside and tour the back garden patio.

Meros and Ash continue to search through the upper floor for Narcissus and Darlove, unlocking many doors and searching the spaces within.

Rose chats with Brix and Arnoa who introduce her to people and enjoys her terrible attempts at flirtation. Rose continually escalates the drama of the situation, and the stakes (playing into Queen Arnoa's well known title). She spots a woman with a black dove mask, and instructs Ash to remove her mask. He fails, and instead hitting Gill’s mask, removing it from his faces and revealing him. Meanwhile Meros finds 5000 gold, some unknown potions, and a strange Doll made of silk. He takes it and heads back down stairs. Gill finds Meros, and offers him some information. He tries to get a favor out of Meros, but Meros talks him into 500 gold. Gill tells Meros:

* Thamior is dressed as a black dragon (black hills)
* Balasar dressed as a brown wolf (hellhounds)
* Zanna dressed as a cheetah (fourteen lakes)

Torfina grabs Arnoa and tells her that it’s time. The book holders all go up stairs, and Rose casts Locate Creature targeting Darlove. It turns out that she is outside in the grounds. Rose stalks towards the garden while the bookholders have their meeting.

The book holders are all assembled, and remove their masks. Raloren removes his mask. Torfina welcomes everyone, and invites the women to sit. She begins to talk about the rise of the anarchist and terrorist groups. Torfina thinks the book holders should band together and combat the groups, while Carric is in favor of using the groups. Torfina speaks to the prisoners from Jailbird Island, and how they should be capture. A vote is called, fight or join forces. Raloren asks Carric why he would not simply take them over. Carric wants to use the leaders as puppets. Raloren tells him it is a fallacy, and that they have been attacked. Carric tells him he too has been attacked and that it’s all a matter of perspective. Raloren votes to fight.

The other book holders cast their votes:

* Carric - use
* Viril - fight
* Gob - use
* Arnoa - use
* Torfina - fight
* Suna - fight
* Minera - fight
* Himvela - use
* Ebrik - use
* Raloren - fight

The tie falls over to the Oldest.

Rose and Ash go to kill Darlove, and after a underwhelming conflict do so. It is at this time the sedatives in the punch begin to take effect. The punch knocks out the bookholders and Rose. Darlove attempts to warn them, but Darlove is felled by Ash.

Several bookholders are captured by the true heads of the evil organizations, Ash shocks Rose awake, then Raloren. The terrorist leaders are successful in taking 3 bookholders: Suna, Arnoa, Viril. They seem to seek to unite the books.

Rose captures and convinces a minor member of the terrorist cells to become her assistant after pinning her to the ground with thorns, then curing her wounds. She learns that there is at least one member in each town. They are followed by many. The woman is Pealia Bagg, from Hornsey in Eras.

Brix kisses Rose when she wakes. Then Eschi calls out from outside, and Rose drops Brix to help her. The host tosses everyone out, Rose takes the opportunity to scan the room with the Glass of Truth. Elvera, Carric, and Narcissus are foes to Rose with many others being a wash of grey.

### Season 2, Episode 6: The Growing Threat"

The heroes work on various personal projects in the next few months.

* Ash is working on getting a book, tying up loose ends, and building an army of Urchins.
* Meros is looking into his underworld ties, hanging with the seedy folk, and starting a gambling den.
* Raloren is focused on rescuing our family, securing Mirthal, and find the missing book holders.
* Rose is working on the security of Mirthal, counter-intel, tracking down the various anarchist cults, and researching any lost artifacts that might give us the advantage.
* Kazuran is challenging folk and fighting. Building his reputation in lands far and wide.

With her new-found power, Rose scrys Thamior, the black dragon. She can see him sitting to someone in a forest, a dense one with a cave nearby. They are talking about the next plan, to attack Goldhill. The group decides to go to Goldhill. Rose also hears that 10 people will be part of the attack. A contact we know becomes the captain for the Mirthal ships: Viserley, the flamingo at the party.

In Goldhill Kazuran and Ash get jobs with the town guard, Meros insinuates himself into the underworld, Raloren goes to scout the enemy encampment, and Rose she summons fey research assistants to aid her, finding the thing they are after: an old, gold-bound tome of great age. The relevant segment of the book '**Within the Book, Ch 12. The Books**’, reads

*“...it is said, if and when the 12 books are brought together again, the gods shall rise again to reclaim what's theirs. The war they bring will spill to 'humankind’”*

Raloren discovers a black cloth hanging from a tree, and finds a set of tracks leading north. He follows them to a lake with the tracks leading to some bathing folk and steps out, greeting them, pretending to be a lost Hunter in search of bear. He convinces the folk to bring him back to their camp. They chat with him, feed him, and attempt to recruit him.  Raloren plays dumb, and the black hills pitches him their goal: to pitch the gods against the oldest. They induct Raloren into the black hills.

Kazuran is inducted into the guard via fight club. Ash helps by providing distracting visual effects with fire. Kazuran defeats the Captain of the Guard, earning the right to don guard uniforms.

Meros is at the Tavern, the Winded Donkey, and notices a child. He does not see a statue, the object of his quest. He orders the strongest drink, and takes out the doll of charm. Meros obtains a room but is told not to take anything in the room. He pays extra for the barkeep to keep it quiet. He attempts to use the doll to charm the attendant, but fails. There are two statues in his room: a snake and and tiger, small statues. Meros investigates for traps, and tries to listen for other guests. He learns that the anarchist cults are rising in stature. He finds a history of Goldhill book, 1000 gold, and a necklace in the other rooms he ransacks. He goes to track down the girl who gave him the job, Dorina, local thief. She informs Meros that he has the wrong statues, but gets a partial payment of 500 gold.

Rose bribes the librarian for information, and learns that a male elf in the Winded Donkey may have the answers I seek. She orders a round of the drink he is consuming, and asks if she can sit down. Her uncle smiles at her and says “anything for my niece”. The man is Erdon Raulnor. Rose threatens and tries to convince her uncle to join her instead of the anarchist groups. He drops cryptic info about protecting the family, and hints that their family might be closer to home than they think.

The group all meet back up at the Winded Donkey and debrief. It's determined that the Black Hills are after the gold-bound book Rose has.

Kazuran attempts to root out any Black Hills infiltrating the city guard. Raloren scouts the surrounding wood and hunts to cover his activities. Rose attempts to decipher the prophecy further. Kazuran notices the black cloth of the black hills in the barracks. He gets Ash to check the chest and unlock it. Kazuran rummages through the chest and yanks out a black robe with a black hills pin. Suddenly one of the of the men taps Kazuran on the back, it's the three suspicious men, plus 7 others of the city guard. The fight is quick and brutal.

Ash creates bonfires to use as intimidation tools, and interrogates the black hills members. We learn the orders came from Cirrus in Beggars Hole. They are cell based, distributed organization. Passing, business relationship with Raulor. Ash and Rose leave the two surviving members of the ten, then Ash leaves bounty money for Black Hills members, hopefully enabling these people to clean their own town.

### Season 2, Episode 7: "The Town on Fire"

The group are planning to head to Tetune Temple on the Isle of Oz.

First Rose and Raloren want to stop by the Feywild first. Rose scrys her Grandmother to gain more information about where her family is. She finds her in a Jail, along with Lord Suna: one of the kidnapped bookholders. Other members of the Raulnor family are there. There is also a symbol of the Fey City on one of the bricks. A ship to the Fey City is chartered, but the heroes decide to travel first to the Caves of Love, then the Temple of Ormera, and then down to the Temple of Wowina. After they plan to visit the Fey City.

While they visit the Goldhill Caves (an old and still active Goldmine), the group finds a symbol: a C chorded by two lines.

On the second night during Meros’s watch, two black clad berobed figures approach. Ash scares them off with shouts and a display of fire magic.

The group reaches the Cave of Love. It is an old, mined out Goldmine. Meros and Rose investigate. Meros locates 10k gold, and Rose locates 5k. They don’t find any trace of the place where Darlove found her book. One of the wolves Rose used to search finds a room with an altar and a bunch of dead flours. We find the same symbol here. Rose revives the plants and smashes the altar.

The group continues to the Temple of Ormera. Rose talks to an acolyte, and balances the scale with two coins as Ash offers a prayer: to balance the scales of life, death, and the gods. He seeks her favor in order to manage the feats required. Ormera, the armadillo of Order appears. Ash appeals to the god, trying to get them to agree to subvert the prophecy. She suggests that the other gods may not be so easy to sway. Rose appeals to the sense of grand order, and wins the blessing of the god and a gift, a scroll of Find The Path. Rose balances out the scales with two more gold and leave. Rose notes that gods seems to like either her or Ash.

The group travels to Riverford which is in anarchy. Raloren seeks the symbol of the black hills. Rose looks for a magic seller along with Meros. Ash looks for Urchins to establish a branch of his organization. Meros and Rose find some discounted magical gear. Raloren and Kazuran find a black hills hideout. He lies his way into the hideout, using the password “the black dove”. The two walk into a small room containing a few tables and five folks dressed as black hills members. They are asked why they wish to join. Raloren says they are adventurers who have good skills and believe in the cause. Kazuran states he needs a job. He carries Raloren's dubious lies on the merits of his argument's simplicity. They learn that the Black Hills assignment in Riverford is to take down the nobility: To kill as many as they can. They get an assignment to murder a noble in the city.

Rose disguises Kazuran as a Lizard person, Raloren as a man missing an eye, and herself as an older human woman. The three go to the bank and tell the teller the plan, convincing her to go along with it. Rose, Raloren and Kazuran give a great performance, and fake the death of this woman. Rose stays behind, disguised as a bank auditor to keep watch on the ‘corpse’ and discover any Black Hills plants. She calls Meros to come help.

Black Hills accepts the report from Raloren, and says they will come check. Ash is among the Black Hills. Raloren, Kazuran, and Ash claim the kill-order for the Mayor. Meros breaks into the vault at the bank while Rose stokes chaos in the bank, providing a distraction. Meros 'recovers' 100k gold with the help of Rose, keeping 28k for himself and giving 18k each to the rest of the party.

Ash, Kazuran, and Raloren decide to destroy the remainder of the cell rather than attempt to assassinate the Mayor. They blast the interior of the building immediately after exiting. Every black hills member is destroyed save one. Ash pretends to have usurped the command of this cell during the interrogation. The surviving member points him to Tetune’s Temple to get orders. The orders come from the Desk of Thamior, the leader of Black Hills.

The hero's quickly beat feet to the Temple of Wowina.

The Temple of Life is teaming with life. Rose paints in the plants with life. Ash creates a small sun to shine on the flowers, allowing them to grow. A pure white cat with violet eyes appears, and stares at Ash. Ash asks the cat for silence, then confesses his past to the goddess of life, saying that fire is both life and death. He asks if fire can truly bring life. She assures him that he will find the light he is looking for when it comes to the life that fire can bring. Ash asks for the goddesses blessing for the coming apocalypse. Wowina states that Durnas has blessed Ash, and that his blessing precludes hers. She calls to Raloren “King, what is your take on this world”. Raloren states that he wishes to protect the innocent and allow them to prosper in a peaceful world. Wowina asks Raloren if he can stop Durnas if the prophecy comes to pass, Raloren says yes, but asks what the plans of Durnas are. Wowina evades the question, but grants Raloren her blessing.

The party travels by boat, passing the dragon turtle again. Ash has a dream of being in a forest full of purple light with a star-studded sky. He sees a bright purple thing fluttering towards him. Walking towards it he sees a Purple Butterfly. He says “flap once if you’re the husband of a particular white cat”. Durnas flaps, but continues to flap. He says he has things to discuss with Ash if he is willing to listen. Ash says “listening is free”. Durnas tells him that the Prophecy is true, and that the other gods are blind to it, and he knows what will happen. Durnas will rise, along with the other gods, and that Durnas will triumph over the others, with only a select few mortals having a place in the new world. Durnas requests that Ash find a book, and ensure the books are brought together. In return Durnas will ensure Ash’s safety. Ash states “As my lord commands”.

Rose has a dream too. In a bright, diamond-filled cave, She meets with Ormera, the Armadillo. She brings me a message concerning Tetune. She has fallen to Durnas. Ormera suggests that Rose ensure that Tetune is on their side. Rose agrees, and pledges herself to Ormera and the advancement of Order.

The party reaches the Fey City, and prepares to fight their way to the center to locate the kidnapped Raulnor clan and the three lost bookholders. Finding them proves easy and the group splits, Raloren takes the Raulnor clan back home. Ash lingers in the jail cell with his eyes on Lord Suna, but Rose spots him igniting her suspicions. Ash attempts to assassinate Suna on the ride home, but is caught by Rose, who has been obsessively waiting in his room, determined that nothing will go wrong. He confesses the Dark Visions, and Rose demands they hold a conversation on the deck, leaving two Polar bears to guard the book holders.

### Season 2 Episode 8: "The Ink Dragon"

On the deck of the boat, Rose convinces Ash to join her instead of assassinating Suna, promising she will help him get listed as rightful successor to Suna the powerful. She is quite successfully convinces him that Ash is a good candidate, and Ash successfully performs very ‘powerfully’. The conflict between them is settled, for now.

Raloren takes the family back and stores them in some discount housing. He gets them to agree to renovate it. Raloren asks Meros to use his underworld contacts to help root out the Black Hills. Raloren links up with Tena to get info on the Black Hills, in return she wants him to help hook her and Meros up… biblically. Raloren calls Meros, and tries to convince him to go on a date with Tena. Meros reluctantly agrees.

Raloren learns that the Black Hills in Mirthal is using a high quality vase seller as a front, there is a trap door to their meeting house. Jora has a cell as well: a fighting ring. Coldbridge also has a cell, in the Ice Caves. Raloren thanks Tena, and pledges to eradicate the black hills, telling Tena “make sure he takes you someplace nice, he can afford it”.

The rest of the group gives Lord Suna to trusted guards in Bek, then drop Arnoa and Virill in Teashi, taking a day for some R&R before meeting up with Raloren.

Raloren attempts to find a legal reason to raid the Black Hills vase shop. It turns out the Commerce advisor has been killed, Raloren uses the town guard to come down on the cell in Mirthal. He instructs them to wait in in the hole and capture the incoming Black Hills members.

Ash finds an Elderly woman who knows some magic shit. He demands she be his magic grandma, and impresses her with fire magic. Ash asks her about an Ink dragon. She tells him that she uses a dragon seal. If it would be ink, it would be an INK DRAGON. The woman say she has magic, but Ash’s fire is familiar to the woman. She asks Ash what the first thing he remembers is. He say a priest near Vesera. The old woman gives him a map to a place, and Ash asks her name. She gives him the name Pyra, the magic grandma, perhaps his blood grandma.

The group heads to the Temple of Tetune. Kazuran and Ash go in, Rose stays in the door, Meros and Raloren stay outside. Ash does magic and meets with the gods. Tetune balks at giving Ash a blessing. Ash attempts to play the Durnas side of the equation, with Tetune. Tetune calls Kazuran forward, and summons a wall of silence. Tetune asks if Kazuran has slain many, he demurrs, and Tetune asks if he is familiar with the magical realm. Kazuran says he distrusts magic and Tetune counters that she doesn’t trust her grandfather. A blessing is offered if Kazuran will rid the Temple of Black Hills. Tetune tells him the head of the black hills rests in the Temple beyond. She tells him one last thing: **“**of these books you hold so dear, turn the page to gain knowledge**”**. Kazuran's blessing allows him 5 spells they he may cast like scrolls.

The group enters the dungeon. Rose guards the entrance with Toby, she summons a Darkling Eldar to join the group. Meros learns that Tetune gave magic to the oldest (according to Tetune’s dogma), Ash uses a cold spell to open the door, instructing everyone to not tell Rose. The party finds a statue that points in the direction the party is heading. Ash does major magic to impress this statue. Rose’s Darkling casts Gust of Wind. The statue glows once all the elements have been applied to it.

The party proceeds, Meros proceeds and sees 3 Black Hills members. Raloren tries to get Ash to lightning-fireball the room. Ash is confused. The party sneaks in, except for the Darkling Elder who remains a pace behind. The group defeats some black hills lackies, and the Darkling Eldar notices that Ash seems to have sticky fingers, but Ash convinces the Darkling Eldar that he needs to steal from each member to not incur the wrath of Rose.

The group enters a room, a large open area with an atlas open on the table. Thamion stands in the room. The party gets a boon through the Darkling of Hold Person. Thamion is paralyzed by hold person. Raloren asks for the reasons behind his cult, Thamion says he will remake this world in his image. He says there are two other groups that will continue the mission. Meros uses his doll of charm. It fails.

Kazuran carries Thamion up to the Temple.

Meros searches the “body”. Meros shares the Doemesh symbol he found with Raloren. They get the potential location of one remaining book (which might be at the Library). They try to copy the Atlas. The group learns that Tetune was the one who granted magic to the oldest from Kazuran.

### Season 2, Episode 9: "The Faithful Heart"

Kazuran carries up the body while the rest search for more clues and explore the rest of the temple. Ash finds a shield with a face on it, and Meros finds a potion.

The group magically nuke a cafeteria full of black hills members. They kill two more in a smoking room, and find another potion. They find a shortcut back into the temple floor.

They return to Townsville, and Meros and Rose find a magic shop. Rose get’s a spyglass of identify and armor of resistance, and trades a drug-berry from a groovy grove bush for a 10% discount. Meros finds himself an orange-yellow blade that radiates heat: a sunblade. Meros buys it.

Raloren finds a bow of Ifera, the goddess of stars. It is a blessed weapon. Bow of Songs (+5). Ash asks for a flame eater enchantment, but get’s a nice Necklace of Fireballs instead. Ash is told to go to Garmsby on Intaria. Mero’s dice turn out to be Charlatans Dice. The shield is a shield of expression, whose face may be changed with a bonus action. The potion was one of animal friendship.

Raloren flips through the book, testing the “turn the page to get knowledge”. The book adds a line of narration when he turns back “**he has some checking out to do**”. It is possibly a reference to the library,

The party plots a course down to Porth Crawl. On the way they do a bit of interrogation of Thamior prisoner. Ash asks where the leaders were, and how Thamior would find them. He admits he is the lowest rank among them. They come to him. Rose asks him where they others would hide, he suggests a Temple. Thamior claims his master is Durnas. Ash asks about the Ink Dragon. Thamoir says something about Teashi, possibly confirming the old woman. Ash finds mummified purple butterfly wings. Thamior says they were a gift from the dark god. Zana and Balazar will come for us, but Balazar is the one we should go for first.

Ash tears him apart with a white hot flame. It’s pretty gross and he’s doesn’t find the “secret inside”. Ash cruses off to Garmsby on the owl while we continue over to the Library of Domesh.

Ash finds a monocle of See Invisibility, a special coat, and fireball earrings. Ash pays 30k for his items, and offers a butterfly wing in exchange for a small stake in the man's business.

The group arrives at the library, and Rose summons research assistants. They show the symbol to the Librarian, and are let up to the top floor. In a large room they being to search for more information. Ash notices something moving up the bookcases, and sees one of the stone gargoyles unfolding into a Large form. Rose’s Pixies turn the demon into a Tortoise, then flies one mile up before diving with it, and obliterating it by turning it back just before impact. The library glows and Ash speeds back to the library. Kazuran, gets the Book of the Faithful back in the library. Rose ensures the demon is in fact dead. Then returns to the library, walking.

Kazuran opens his book to start the process of selecting a city.

Brix comes and tells Raloren that there is a note for him at the castle. Ash commissions a broach of Teleport, Rose asks Brix and Minera to start building an extra-dimensional vault to take something out of he world temporarily.

Raloren reads the note from Arnoa:

*A meeting for the book holders on Oldest Island. In two.*

Rose tests if she can borrow his book it doesn’t work.

Rose and Meros fly to the Temple of Axdes, and Rose presents Meros as “the thief of thieves who is here to steal your blessing”. A spectral ferret appears, and Meros looks for traps. The god of thieves is impressed, and Meros pleads his case. Meros tells the god in thieve's cant that they will steal victory from Durnas himself. The ferret is nearly convinced, and grants Meros the blessing, but might end up choosing the wrong side.

We head to Oldest Island, and go to the Temple. There are 9 occupied chairs out of 12. Raloren sits in one, while Kazuran stands behind him. Rose goes to patrol the area around, Meros does his own patrol. Ash sucks up to Suna.

The Oldest start to approach, Rose performs an ID check of sorts, they are grey in her friend-foe scanner. She has two Polar bears next to her for muscle. Meros attempts to pickpocket one of the Oldest, and fails earning a rebuke.

The Oldest inform us that an other book has been found, and asks us to Narc on the unidentified holder. Kazuran does not betray himself yet. It looks like the Oldest cannot automatically identify the book holders, or are playing it close to the chest.

Arnoa stands and starts the meeting. She thanks everyone for joining on such short notice. Arnoa states that the black hills have decreased in her area. Raloren says “you’re welcome”, and Ash shouts that it was he who killed them. Arnoa thanks them, and asks for another Vote on how to move forward. A vote is called, but Raloren professes his intention to fight in any case.

* Raloren votes to fight
* Minera fight
* Suna fight
* Virril nay
* Gob nay
* Himvela fight
* Torfina fight
* Eberik nay
* Carrik nay
* Arnoa fight

The fight vote leads. The book holders will join forces. Raloren gives a report on where the various groups have been found and how to defeat them.

Suddenly Narcissus crashes the party. He claims that others, important leaders are left out. He is irate at the injustice. He asks the Oldest if they will allow this. They say nothing. He declares war, and Ash opens up. Rose intercepts the attack. Narcissus drawls a line about taking sides, and Raloren attempts to de-escalate the situation, and declares his intention to uphold the current form of government, and prevent Ragnorok. Narcissus threatens that they better not mess with their money. Rose attempts to convince him that he should wait, that a government is strongest when facing a united foe, that he should wait until they are less united. Ash threatens him with fire. Narcissus calls Rose a peasant, but will listen to her tactical advice about not striking while the government is building to the height of its power. Rose talks Raloren down as well, for the moment. Meros sends word to his underworld contacts to be more subtle than usual.

### Season 3, Episode 1: "The Flood"

Two weeks have passed.

The party spends the time mostly apart. Rose and Raloren purchase bags of Holding.

The black hills are defeated, Narcissus has postponed his war, and Kazuran has begun to start a Colosseum in the middle of the Eros desert, at the cross road. He is using his influence as a book holder to create it. Attracts warriors, craftsmen. It’s the Burning Man of Apherene.

The only law is no killing in the city or colosseum unless for a bout. An ever shifting tent city surrounds it. It is nameless, for now.

Ash spends his time in the shell of the Temple of Durnas, praying for power.

Raloren is routing out the remaining foes in Mirthal, doing counter espionage.

Reports are coming in from around the land that the Black Hills have been reduced. The population of rogues have begun to withdraw, leaving only rebels. Civilization has cracked down, and the rumors of the gods rising has divided the people. Symbols of the Hellhound have begun popping up. The 14 lakes have not been so obvious.

Xana is the head of 14 lakes, and Bathazar is the Hellhounds leader.

Ash looks for Godkiller weapons and power. He has a vision of a purple tinted clearing in a forest. The Tell Tale purple butterfly flutters over and speaks in a deep voice. There is someone who has what he is seeking, a woman who he knows very well. Maybe Magic Grandma? Ash heads to Teashi on his Owl totem (Khaless). Ash stops for provisions at Kazuran’s Arena.

Rose contributes an Oasis to Kazuran’s town, a fountain and water-bearing plants.

Ash is approached by two roguish looking men, spoiling for a fight. He challenges them and casts bonfires. They begin charging towards him, and he farsteps away, running towards the towards the town.

The town has a number of roads. Rose’s Oasis surrounded by tents, with the new foundation of the colosseum. Many job offers for labor are posted, as well as informal challenge posters.

Ash sprints towards the water of the Oasis, and drinks the water and swims in it.

Kazuran sees a crowd surrounding the Oasis and Ash.

They chat for a bit, Ash tells Kaz about his travels, including the two rogues. Kaz has not seen them.

Kaz offers a tour of his “city”.

Rose “decorates her house”, Meros tries to salvage his connections and forge new ones. He and Raloren work together. Raloren tries to increase guard activity, the whole city is on edge.

Rose lightly investigates Raloren’s note, Raloren goes to the college, and speaks to and Old Wizard “Somtin”. He recalls a part of the Amber Isles to have a legend of shifting time and asynchronous events. Raloren remembers fairy tales of people being lost in time on an Island, Thembor Isle.

While Meros is checking out the Merchant district, he encounters “old eyes” trying to get him to go to a stand. He walks up to the stand, which sells fishing poles. Under the cloak Meros sees something, and recognizes Gil. Gil is happy to speak to Meros, and has important information to give to him. He is getting word that Beggars Hole is becoming a power, a great city of rogues. Gil thinks that Narcissus is going to act within the Month. Meros thanks Gil, and warns him he might be being tailed.

Meros, Rose, and Raloren plan to flood beggars hole to gain time, and sink all the ships. They get barrels or alchemist fire and oil and timed fuses. They make short and long fuses.

Kazurans has constructed the Kaz Hotel and Casino. Part keep, part casino, part ticket office.

Ash, now fed and watered, takes off for Teashi. Kazuran notices that from the west, two men are coming into town. They brandish weapons, spoiling for a fight. Kazuran walks up to them, and they fall upon him.

Kazuran fights them. Raloren makes some flame arrows.

Kaz deals some heavy blows, while the two demand his book. The greatsword wielder runs, but Kaz hamstrings him, and leans down and says “who sent you”. The man says “The hellhounds shall rise”. Kaz says “crawl home if you can” and leaves him in the desert. Kazuran tells the group about the attack, and Rose reacts before asking him to help with the attack on beggars hole. Kazuran gives edicts to his people, talking charismatically and laying down just but brutal law.

Rose brings Kaz up to speed as they fly over the waves.

The plan is for Rose to dig large canals to flood beggars hole, while Kaz keeps the defenses off her. Meanwhile Meros and Raloren will plant obvious and hidden bombs on the ships, rendering them unfit for war.

Ash arrives in Teashi. The place is fragrant with the sent of the Tea Trees. Ash ignores the art of the city and seeks out OMG (Original Magic Grandma). Ash sees a tea shoppe in the distance (the crimson dragon). Eventually he comes to a park, the last place he saw OMG. He sights an older woman, familiar looking, who is feeding birds. He plays it cool and walks by, side-eyeing his woman. She recognizes him and invites him to sit. Her eyes widen at the mention of a god. She whispers “which god”. Ash says “butterflies”. She becomes agitated, and offers to answer his questions.

Ash asks why he is on fire and why everything is on fire, and why fire sings to him. OMG tells him that fire comes from his mother's side, OMGs side. Ash’s mom had met with the god of death, and learned of the child who would burn bright, but would destroy the world. Ash is the Immolator of the World.

Ash asks how to kill gods, and that OMG could give him the power. When Ash’s mom was told of the child, she told OMG of the visions of the gods and their weaknesses. She needs to sort through her notes.

Ash wants to be able to detect the servants of gods. OMG suggests that he might be able to find something in the city to locate godly magic. Ash say a pedo told him his magic was special, but his family history claims the flames as a gift from Durnas.

Ash looks for a tattoo that can fell gods.

Ash finds a side alley. Someone comes out with a flame tattoo. Ash pushes in, and sees several other patrons. The walls are covered with art. Ash looks for deep tribal ink. He finds an autographed tattoo by a powerful artist Abheart. He notices one of the artists with and A B and Heart. A high elf woman. Ash demands she make her a tattoo. Ash prays to Durnas when she questions him. Ash lights himself on fire to hammer the point home. The Elf asks for an hour.

Rose and Kaz hide until dusk at beggars hole, then she begins to carve the 4 canals, her an Kaz on the broom. She uses the scroll first, then burning her magic. Meanwhile Meros and Raloren begin planting obvious and hidden bombs on the boats. Raloren and Meros sneak around. Raloren and Meros notice that there is nobody on the boat. The second boat also has nobody. It’s getting erie.

Rose notices two guards, and airdrops Kaz on them. Then continues to carve channels.

Kaz lands on the two guards and knocks them out. He peeks into Beggars Hole as he’s on the edge of it. He sees a revamped, nice, high quality city. It is starting to flood. Kaz doesn’t see any people at first, he sees one person who is looking up at Kazuran, it’s Narcissus, standing on a platform. He also spots some folks running through tunnels.

We finish flooding the city, and Rose summons an elemental, loosing it to guard the ruin. She brings Kaz back to Mirthal.

Ash learns his artist is on the Durnas side. She willingly grants him the magical tattoo. He pays her 10k gold, and demands a mark worthy of the casue. He asks for something that will shine purple in the light.

The elf makes small talk and about his quests to kill the gods. Ash says he has been doing his best to devote himself to the will of Durnas. The elf describes to Ash the tattoo: It will allow him to sense any prayer to a god, and where it is coming from. It is limited to one use a day, limited to his surrounds him, it recharges at sunrise. Ash pledges to let her live… and she agrees to hold her allegiance to the death god, should he rise.

OMG gave Ash her address. She smells of tea and cookies.

Ash tells the group he can kill a god. Durnas instructs him to kill Tetune. Ash tells the group via the sending stones. Rose arranges a meeting at the Temple of Tetune with Ash. Kaz, Ash, and Rose reach the Temple. Meros and Raloren encounter the Dragon Turtle. They pay it more than needed to. They are one day away.

And continue to the Temple.

Ash arrives first, and throws magical fire onto the altar.

As he does so, Rose comes crashing angrily through the Temple Doors with Kazuran.

### Season 3 Episode 2: "The Fight in the Sky"

The group is gathered at the Temple of Tetune, divinity of magicks most arcayne. Rose, Kazuran, and Ash are gathered at least. Meros and Raloren are on the way, albeit by boat.

* Tetune, the goddess of magic takes the form of a Rabbit.
* Wowina, the goddess of life takes the form of a Cat
* The Goddess of Order, Ormera, is an Armadillo
* The God of Thieves, Axdes, is a Ferret
* The God of Day, Egros, is a White Dove
* The God of Death, Durnas,  is a Purple Butterfly
* Tetune the God of Magic is a Rabbit
* The God of Night Itar is a Black Owl
* The God/Goddess of Soldiers Inja is unknown to us

Ash talks to the Goddess of Magic, greeting it and attempting to ask it to join Durnas.

Tetune says that it’s been tense in the divine realms. Ash professes that it’s time to choose side, and Tetune defers. Ash mentions the Ink dragons, and Wowina’s torn allegiance. Rose decides to stop Ash, and he teleports away into the air. Rose gives chase as an air elemental, knocks him out of the Sky. Ash contrives to die for his god, taking advantage of Rose's blind rage but is brought back by his own providence and\or Durnas to 1 HP but is unconscious. Rose drags him out of the ocean, after putting out the flames. She takes his gear and puts it all in a locked chest, leaving his clothes.

Raloren lays hands upon him, and offers a prayer to Wowina. She has a chat with Ash, and professes that she sees no good nor evil in the actions of death. She does say that he is selfish, and wishes to rule. She reveals that Wowina was the one who truly brought him back, because his fire is a tool and may bring life. Wowina professes to be again the war, and the gods Rising. She offers a final warning: The Gods Rising will not be a pretty sight. Ash asks for a clarification, and Wowina gives him the task to prevent the rise of the Gods. Ash says he can try should he be given the last book. Wowina says she cannot talk about the Eldest, but Ash learns that they are Minor Celestials, Demigods. The books may be an attempt to overthrow the gods, not granting power over beings, instead over gods. Ash still thinks his divine purpose is unaltered, but Wowina points Ash to the real purpose of Durnas, to speak to the wife of her Grandchildren. Ash tells Wowina that she should guard against the godkiller. Ash tells her that there is always death at the end of life. Wowina says not to trust the gods, Ash queries about Tetune and Wowina confirms his suspicions.

Meros questions Rose, and she reassures him via gesture that she should maintain this form for now. Raloren gets a message from Wowina, and heals Ash. Rose assesses the reawakened Ash as he confesses and feels good about giving the stuff back. Rose hangs out at the front of the boat while Raloren and Ash have a conversation in the hold. Ash claims Rose might be more of a problem. Raloren attempts to talk him down, to coral his killing. He rolls a natural 1. Ash admits he like the hand on approach of Durnas, but he understands that the gods have power. Ash semi-renounces Durnas, but Durnas has done a lot for him. Ash wonders out loud why the group follows Rose.

Ash ascends to the deck, gives Rose a rope, and he uses the Jade Owl to fly up, telling Rose to catch him. He desummons the owl and fireballs 3 times, healing himself before being caught by the still transformed who is charred in the blasts. Raloren tells Rose that they need to talk, she defers.

Ash calls a meeting on the deck. Ash tells the group that he is working for Wowina and Durnas. Durnas has claimed he needs Ash to find his resources and stop anyone who opposes that object. Durnas claims not to be with the terrorists. Ash claims to have a get out of jail free card, but still intends to serve Durnas. The boy claims Wowina’s goals and Durnas’s are not opposed. Raloren objects. Ash thinks that nonintervention is the way to go, to the letter of the law.

Ash can kill 5 gods he tells us, Raloren questions him, and he admits his family line has the power. Magic Grandma/The ink dragon had expressed trepidation, and thinks that maybe he shouldn’t. But he can kill some.

Rose and Ash go toe to toe on what their next move should be, exchanging rhetorical blows. Ash has two leads: the wife of Inja - Urena, Durnas’s path. Ash tells the group he needs to go to the Temple of Durnas. We set a course for the temple of Durnas.

Ash and Meros have a conversation. Ash tells Meros that he had a god bless him that was aligned with what we were doing, and now Rose has decided it’s the enemy. Meros asks if he is enjoying it, Ash says who wouldn’t enjoy being he chosen of the god.

We all rest. Ash and Meros are on first watch.

On second watch, Ash gets a vision of Durnas. He has a message for Ash if he will listen. He requests and item to be brought to his attention. An artifact of Wowina, a brush\comb. He wants it brought to his temple. Ash admits he is surprised, Durnas speaks to placate him, saying later will come the slaughter. Durnas asks that it be delivered at his earliest convenience.

Raloren has a dream of flowers in a clearing. Two figures approach, a beautiful woman in long white hair, and a handful of paces behind her marches a man in yellow robes with golden-tan skin. Raloren bows respectfully. Wowina says Rise Champion. She offers to answer questions, along with Ergos. She claims they have much to discuss about what is happening to the world. Raloren seeks her guidance. She tells him that as a bookholder Raloren has fallen prey to the ways of the other bookholders. Raloren answers that he has indeed begun to be accustomed to the city, but still holds roots in the wilds. Ergos says that as the day of Rise approaches some of the book holders have begun to select a side. It will be in his best interest to keep that in mind. Raloren asks that if the Gods would rise, what would the outcome be at this moment. Wowina tells him that if the gods are to rise, “our conflicts above are intense enough that many of the gods will do whatever it takes to take down Durnas”, since he doesn’t always see the best it the world. Raloren remarks that the sides don’t seem clear. Wowina claims that each side is in the process of choosing sides, that they will be very close to even. Raloren asks if there is any way to preserve the world. Wowina says they are opposed to Durnas destroying the world, wiping the nonbelievers and rebuilding the world. Wowina claims that they shouldn’t trust Durnas, and that his followers are fanatical. But if here is a war, the destruction of the world will occur from the power involved alone. Raloren questions Ash’s devotion, Wowina can feel good in Ash, he has chosen both paths for now, and soon there will be a reckoning. Raloren asks how to counter it. Wowina tells Raloren it’s Ash’s choice, and then the dream ends.

Rose awakens into a courtroom in her dream. As moves down the aisle, at the judges bench there is an older woman with short curly grey hair in black robes. A scale sits next to her. The bailiff is a man dressed in soldiers raiment, standing at attention. The woman commands her to step up to the bench and asks her if she knows who she is. Rose says she suspects and Omera confirms, she asks Rose if she is ready. Omera tells Rose that Durnas seems to destroy the world. The bailiff screams in defense of Durnas and opposition to Rose.  Rose gives him a scathing look, but exchanges words and jabs with the bailiff who is revealed to be Inja. The two enter into an almost friendly, but adversarial relationship. Omera stops the exchange between the two, and claims that the prophecy is quite likely to occur. Omera warns her that the books should not stack upon each other. Should that occur the war will rage on. Then she is returned to the depths of sleep.

Meros dreams of a trophy room. There are many objects from all over the world and planes, a large chair sits in front of a fire, turned away from him. Meros can see a hand on the arm of the chair. Meros says he is not used to this, but attempts to introduce himself. Meros recognizes the god of thieves Axdes. He asks Meros to face him, he does and it reveals a pale, clean shaven, well toned thief twirling a dagger, Axdes welcomes him and conjures a chair. Meros sits and claims that his upbringing never prepared him for this. Normally Meros would just choose the winning side, but everything is muddled. Axdes agrees, and says he called meros for an important reason. He called meros because Narcius has been planning something very big. Meros agrees, he’s seen it. He knows he’s out there. The god tells him he knows where and hands him a note, telling him to open it when he wakes. Suddenly someone else reaches from the shadows, a dark young man in dark robes with stars, calling Axdes child and telling him he has missed the most important part. It is Bitarr. He claims it’s not important that Meros knows where, rather what. 90 percent of the rogues are on Narcius’s side, and are plotting against the Oldest and the Bookholders. Meros asks how to differentiate, and Bitarr says that he will not know. Narcius is planning an attack. Axdes takes over, Narcius is planning on placing rogues in all the cities. They will exert their strength, slaughtering many to prove that they are a power that should have a voice. Meros pledges to aid the gods.

Kazuran dreams of a beach. He is dozing underneath a large arch of rock from the cliff to the sea. He is is met by a disheveled woman with a tint of blue in her hair. She tells him that it’s not very often folk see her true form, but Kaz is special. It is Tetune. She tells Kaz that he has been called for a special reason, that rumors are being spread about her, that she spreads lies. She claims to not. Tetune asks Kazuran which side he aligns with. She tells him not even to attempt lying. Kazuran says that he doesn’t want everyone to get killed and destroyed. Kazuran says that hopefully he’ll prevent it. Tetune says otherwise. She warns him that his bookholder friend and all of them know, that his secret is not so secret. The bookholders know that he has a book. And so the conflict is descending. Tetune tells him to carefully pick his sides, and implies that she hasn’t picked a side. Tetune is going to wait and see. As the gods rise Tetune will select a side. Tetune tells him that the final book is close to being found. Tetune refuses to tell him who, just that Kazuran "doesn’t know who she is... *any more*". And it will be very interesting when she finds the book.

The final word from Tetune: Time continues to move forward and NEVER moves back.

Everyone awakes with questions.

Ash brings Raloren breakfast. It’s very good.

As the group shares what they know, Rose goes into minor paroxisms when Kazuran speaks. The group has most of the skeletons come out of the closet: Rose admits she resurrected Darlove and that is most likely the person Tetune spoke about. Tensions are high, the group arrives at land, with a vague plan to prioritize Narcius, and the boat arrives at a Dock.

### Season 3, Episode 3: "The Dragon Tree"

The group stands in the Cabins of the ship. A course is set for the temple of Durnas, but Rose scrys Darlove and heads to the Amber Isles. They find a small island. Ash Ferries the group to the island as Rose waits above. Rose becomes an Earth Elemental and tunnels directly through the earth to confront Darlove. Ash waits at the cave entrance. Meros, Raloren, and Kazuran explore the dungeon, finding the symbol of the Glorious, the same symbol they found in the Cave of Love. Rose smashes through the floor behind Darlove as she talks to someone, arguing that she deserves the book, having held one before. The rest of the group hears the loud boom from Rose, and Ash goes and joins Meros, Kaz, and Raloren.

The group reaches the room where Darlove is talking to a man, with an orange-leaved tree (surrounded by a small moat) in the back.

Ash attempts to misty step to the book as soon as he notices it’s in a hollow in the tree. He cannot reach through to the book, and engages his mantle of flame. Raloren readies himself, Kazuran moves to the moat, and Meros waits for something to happen.

A gentle laugh is heard, and the tree sends leaves blazing at us, severely damaging Rose. Raloren also takes a huge amount of damage. Raloren attacks the tree in vengeance. Darlove misty steps into the archway out of the room. Ash blasts the tree with a high power scorching ray. It is unharmed by the attack, and some of the group realizes this is a Dragonleaf Tree, and has immunity to certain types of damage, the chromatic immunities. The tree has red-orange leaves which indicates immunity to fire. Raloren snares Darlove in the doorway.

Rose walks up to the old man and forsakes her elemental form, saying that she will use the book to order the world and give the common folk a voice in the proceedings. The man says “Hmm”. Meros assaults the tree with his blades. The old man is a ghoul. He stabs Rose, and the Tree blasts outwards with power instantly obliterating Rose and injuring Meros. Darlove drops to her knees and surrenders. Ash touches the tree and casts Blight on the tree, and attempts to dedicate Rose’s death to Durnas.

Raloren takes Rose’s stuff and parts of her gibbed body in an attempt to escape and revive her. The tree does nothing but seems to have survived the Blight. Darlove does not act, Ash Blights the Tree a second time. The tree withers and turns grey, but the leaves retain their color and fall around the tree. Ash grabs for the book, but there is still a barrier around the tree. Ash looks for anything invisible, he sees the Ghoul running up the stairs. Ash uses hold person to nail down the escaping Ghoul, and misty steps over to him. The group in the room sees it begin to change: divine energy dividing it in half. The left side turning into a brilliant area with fresh air and wonderful meadows, the right side becomes a purple forest.

Raloren hears this and continues out of the dungeon, to go resurrect Rose. The gods appear, Raloren turns back to plead with them. The two gods ask Ash and Raloren why she should live. Raloren says she fights for those who need it and Ash says she is deceptive and manipulative. Both are true. The gods ask her, and she says her purpose is to bring balance. Wowina says Rose gets to live, and Durnas looks at Rose and says for now. They shove Rose together, back from the Astral plane back into the room. Ash incinerates the Ghoul, and misty steps to the book.

The gods speak: Durnas says there is a reason why the book is sealed. Wowina says neither want this war, and it’s been placed here to prevent the war. Ash rebels, saying that Durnas is the one who desired it. But this older version of Durnas and Wowina know what is right. They admit the oldest are Demigods, and for that reason the books should stay: the oldest have something to gain from this war. Raloren asks what is up, and the gods say that the person will come, but they know not when. The group questions the gods, and they say the book will be safe. They cause it to disappear, Rose stalks over to Darlove, and the rest of the party is still facing the old gods.

### Season 3, Episode 4: "The Towns Stuck in Time"

Ash loots the Ghoul, Rose drags Darlove out of the Dungeon, Meros finds 4 seeds in the wreck of the tree. Ash finds 100g and a simple dagger on the Ghoul corpse. Ash determines it’s truly the gods, but reverted to a younger state, with their thoughts altered as well. Everyone else heads out of the Dungeon. Kazuran lags behind, and taking one last look into the room, he sees the gods and the Aura fading away, and both gods wink at him.

Rose and Darlove have a conversation about collaboration. Darlove and Rose, get on the Broom and hover up while the group discusses next steps. The “merger” of the life and death gods changes things a bit for the group, and the group isn’t quite sure.

We decide to consult the gods again. But first go to rest in a nearby town.

Meros spies a woman at a table, and she asks him about the group that destroyed the black hills. He responds cannily, and she tells him that a group had killed the leader of the black hills, and she wishes to retain their services. Meros thinks she is pretty sincere, and asks what the job is. She says she was born on Tyme, and many people fled her village. Symbols of hellish dogs have been appearing, and the village was attacked recently. She is seeking the help of anyone who can retake the village, promising treasures stored away in the village. Meros reveals that he is in fact part of this group, and can take the job.

Rose and Raloren recall that time flows strangely on this island, and we were never aware that people lived here. Meros goes to Raloren and pitches the job.

Rose challenges her story and casts detect magic. The woman tells us the village might be the home of the oldest, or at least a place that dates back to the creation of Apherene. She may be the defacto Mayor. Raloren suggests we check the current town, and Rose summons wolves to look for and track any hellhound signs.

The woman tells us her name is Sentia. Rose draws up a contract promising 5000g or materials of equivalent value should we return her village to her. Added to the contract is that Sentia will travel with us. Raloren shares the windfall. Ash parties hard, and the rest of the group go to bed. Raloren has a dream. He stands in a beautiful green medow. Wowina stands there, in her older form, and beckons Raloren to approach. She says she remembers the conversation, and that time is odd on Tyme. The god we met was a younger Wowina, and there is much to be learned about this island. Wowina confirms there was a period of true love in the past. And the book will be hidden, but the conversation and alignments of the gods may have changed over the years. She says the true Holder of the book will reveal themselves, and she may not be so easy to find. Her parting words are “*brush up on your history*”.

Ash has a dream in his drunken stupor. He is in the purple forest again. Durnas chastises the boy for his drunkenness, telling Ash to not be fooled by the flow of time. Ash asks if Durnas knows where the book is, Durnas says yes, but Ash may not have the book. Ash is upset, but Durnas tells him there is another way: Suna named Ash his successor. Durnas tells him that he need not fret, simply to visit Suna. Ash tries to ask about Tetune drunkenly, and Durnas slaps him to his senses. Ash asks how he gets to Tetune, since she is crafty. Durnas says to seek neither Kazuran nor Narcissus, and to seek the one who likes magic too much. Perhaps Minera Duncress or Brix.

Rose learns from her wolves that the Hellhounds are still in the tavern. She makes a bet with Ash that he can’t destroy the whole tavern with a single fireball from 500ft up.

Meros gives Rose 2 of the Dragonleaf Tree seeds. Rose and Ash head off to destroy the hellhounds.

Meros discovers a hellhound symbol in the current town of Odee, while Ash and Rose are headed to Odae. Raloren finds a library, and get’s a call from Meros.

Kazuran learns about the hellhounds.

An old man in the library tells Raloren that life began here, and Tyme used to be the home of the gods. The Amber Isles used to be a single content. And the Oldest came from this content. And this old librarian is the second after the oldest, and can’t remember who his parent and the oldest parent are, but they are the same age, give or take a few months. Raloren asks what caused the continent to split. The old man says a giant war, a flashy war, lots of power involved. The old man hid for most of it underground, praying for the best, surviving by happenstance. Few of the second oldest remain. A huge blast tore apart the Amber Isles. Since Tyme was the home of the gods, real time works differently here. Many who live here are not as old as they seem. Many are preserved by the weird magic around the islands. Everyone looks a great deal younger. Raloren asks about the cave in the middle of Tyme. The island was the home of the gods in ages past. The old man says the library is his refuge. Raloren mentions the upcoming apocalypse, and the old man seem shocked. He asks for a heads up before the world ends. Raloren goes and looks for more answers in the books. He find one with a bookmark.

Rose and Ash cruise over the town. Rose HALO drops into the tavern as a Fire Elemental, and smashes through the room, incinerating one of the dog-eared people inside.

Rose gets two of the hellhounds to cower in a nearby building: an important woman, and one of her grunts. She stands in the explosion from Ash’s fireball as a power move.

Kazuran finds a hellhound, and slices him in half. Searching the remains.

Raloren meets up with Kaz and Meros. Sentia wants them dead. Ash and Rose interrogate. The woman tells us she serves another god. The god she serves is too indie. She says that their god is on their side. Ash uses the friends spell to attempt to learn the name of her god. She serves the god that has tales old as time, perhaps Niona. Their HQ is in a small town in Intaria. It’s near the new city. The leader is known to chill there. Ash asks after supply caches.

They give the city back to Sentia, Rose offers to hallow the ground, and enriches the plants for the next year, consuming the corpse's on the ground. Ash and Rose blast back to Odee and provide air support.

The group sees some folks sneaking through the woods, at least 10 robed figures. Rose goes up high, Ash sends his giant owl to scan, and the rest sneak towards the invaders.

The group drops a wind wall, fire wall, and a summoned Xorn in the middle of the group, pinning them into a killbox. Meros jumps downs and sizes up targets.

The group destroys the invaders, and finds a note: the attack starts tomorrow. We notice no more invaders. The group heads back to the tavern. The group discusses Minera and Suna, and the next book holder is going to be a female, and it may be Sentia. On Tyme, time is effected for the gods too. Raloren tells us about what he learned about the Amber Isles, the oldest may not be born of the gods, but they warred to break apart the island.

Tyme is as old as time, the tiny island is their meeting place, after the war the continent split, after the war four common folk who were fond of books (maybe invented books) scattered to the four continents. The group knows of two such people, leaving two yet undiscovered.

The group decides that Porth Crawl and Narcissus are the ones to deal with first. Bek\Suna might be next, and then we will try to find the Eras library.

Rose and Meros try to get a meeting with the Mayor to sell a Dragonleaf tree. (Rose will awaken it, and cultivate it).

### Season 3, Episode 5: "The Dog & The Thief"

Rose and Meros are about to sell the Dragonleaf tree to Odee. The mayor's is Rodell, an old man, but supposedly kind and a good mayor. He agrees to pay us 30k for the plant and Awakening services, plus 10k for Ash to provide “insurance” in case the tree goes bad. Rose plants a coin with the blood of Ash near the tree, to allow the scrying of the tree if it should become necessary. Roes begins the rituals while the others go shopping and Ash looks for parts of his Urchin network. Ash attempts to hide his face from others, saying play along in thieves cant. He threatens the boy with a dagger, saying “I understand I’m losing my grip on my people”, the Urchin agrees, and Ash fumbles him the 10k gold for his loyalty, then assures them he will punish betrayal.

Ash rejoins the others, and they continue on to the magic shop in town, an old, run-down building. Some common items are displayed outside, and the inside seem to display a great deal of junk. An old, shaky woman reads a book inside, excited to have customers.

Ash flashes the Ink Dragon. The group looks at her wares, and the woman finds a Tome of Wisdom and magic bow for Raloren. She locates a scroll for Ash, the wax seal is the same as that of the Ink Dragon. Ash also asks to see everything she has. She shows him a large amount of stock, and prices him out at 20k gold. It’s mostly combat and summoning magic. She has a scroll of summon elemental for each type of elemental (Air, Water, Fire, Earth). Ash gets 15 wands (combat spell, unidentified) and 20 scrolls.

Kazuran and Meros go to the blacksmith. They see a very large man doing some smithing. Meros tells him they are looking for the finest weapons and armor he has. Meros asks specifically for special throwing daggers. Kazuran asks for a superior sword and shield, and superior platemail. He says if this man is not the best to tell him who the best is. The smith invites them in, and Kazuran is very impressed by the smith, he seem to make the best in all the land. There is some amazing plate mail, magical crazy bullshit.

Kazuran looks around and finds a shield that catches his eye, asking the smith, he learns it’s a shield of superior healing, the wielder may heal themself or others around them. It also has +3 magical enhancement bonus. Kazuran says he will take it, and asks after a new sword. The man says 2 weeks, and Kaz asks for something that can cut anything. It will be a Sword of Sharpness. Kaz negotiates up to 10k for the best sword ever (from a cited cost of 4k). Kaz gives the gold.

Meros asks for some light armor, some very nice armor. And a nicer rapier, one of finer make. The smith says he has a pair of daggers that are magically enhanced, thrown daggers that become magic missile (Lv 5). The smith has two. Each dagger is 5k. Meros asks him to improve his rapier. The smith says he can add more magic to it, in the same two weeks. The armor is a +4 enhancement bonus.

Raloren and Ash go hunting. Raloren has a powerful bow, it that casts silence on hit. The arrows are enchanted with silence. Ash buys alchemist fire.

The group heads back to the tavern, Rose is nearly finished. A man comes with gifts from the Mayor for the group. Ash asks about Urchins, and the bartender says he saw one, with a small knife wound. Ash gives the bartender 10g for the good treatment of his folk. Ash takes the gifts and heads for Rose.

Rose teaches the tree Sylvan, and tells it that it will be tended to by idiots and it should be patient, and that it can talk to trees. The tree has blue leaves. Rose tells it to talk to the trees if it needs her, that she will get the message and come if she can.

Ash carefully dumps the presents, each has a tag.

A Equinox Jewel, changes color with seasons, +3 to perceptions, jewel is yellow for summer, starting to turn orange.

A Janitor Key +1 to escape bonds.

Mimic Mirror, a small mirror that can project a mirage of something it’s user points it at, it can store one image.

A roaring horn, can make a lion roar sound up to 60ft away.

An Urn of Ashes, creates silence when it is broken, one time use.

The party fairly distributes the goods. Rose wins the Jewel, Ash gets the Key, Meros gets the Mirror, Kazuran takes the Urn, Raloren takes the Horn.

Raloren goes to get more info about the libraries.

The old man has given up on Domesh. Raloren promises to say Hi for him.

Raloren receives a Library Radar from the old man.

Ash divides his 20 scrolls into piles, 4 piles of 5.

Asd divides into 15 wand into piles of 2, seven of one, eight. Rose identifies them over 2 days.

Meros sells his cloak of shadows.

Ash calls the shopkeep via sending stone, and asks if they have the crafting recipe for blueprints. The shopkeep says she will sell the few pages she has for 500g, Ash pays it, and asks to invest in the shop. He gives her a 1000g investment. He and Rose briefly discuss shell corporations.

Raloren calls the group to the tavern. He says that he knows were the other Libraries are.

The group plans, and heads out to Odae to get payment before continuing to Bek, and the Libraries. Raloren finds the magic shop owners sister. She gives him a tome of Dexterity, she changes him 15k, but Raloren gives her 25k to help with the expansion of the town. Ash asks for the recipe for Alchemist’s fire. She goes and looks. Raloren shoots a silence arrow into the floor and leaves, and Ash and Rose pantomime the transaction for the Alchemist fire recipes for 2k gold. Ash purchases the Tome of charisma, Rose picks up the tomes of Strength and Intelligence for Kazuran and Meros.

Kazuran finds the smithy in a bad way. The smith tells Kaz that the smith in Odee is in fact the best one. Kazuran tells him he will comission a second sword from him, and to the best one will be bought. Kaz pays 1k up front, 9k if it’s better. The smith in Odee accepts.

Rose goes to meet Sentia, with Ash. We sell the non-beta tree and insurance for 50k and 50k. Rose identifies, the wands: Wand of Binding (8), Wand of Secrets (7), Scroll of Summon Elemental (5), Call Lightning (5), Charm Person (5), Hold Person (5).

The rest start to read, Rose keeps identifying, and reads on the journey to Porth Crawl. She disguises the group, and Ash looks for his Urchins. He finds two talking. They are still loyal. Ash talks secretly with them, and they tell him most are switching sides. They tell him they have seen many hanging at the tavern. They tell him he will have to pay. Ash cuts them off, and gives them 10k to rebuild the network, short all out betrayal. They say there is a meeting upstairs in a tavern. Ash gives them 200g each for personal expenses.

Ash tells us about the meeting.

Rose performs as radar, painted black at night.

The rest infiltrate, Ash pretends to swap sides. He asks if they know where the target is. Rose signals he’s enroute. Ash plays dead, and the rest infiltrate.

The codeword is “I pledge these deaths to Durnas”. Rose reminds everyone that they want to talk it out, not just kill him.

Ash has an encounter with Narcius and Narcius blows him off. Rose gives him an ultimatum. And waits on the roof with Meros.

The party scrambles. Narcius pops into a room, and then climbs out the window, and hops onto the roof. Ash flash teleports, notices that the other man has hellhound colors. The party splits, Ash, Kaz, and Raloren go for the hellhound leader, while Rose and Meros deal with Narcius.

Kazuran pins the Hell Hound (Balazar) leader against the wall. Ash and Raloren come in. The HH leader only has a plain dagger. The (Balazar) leader claims the 14 lakes are still left. Ash claims his goal is to prove he is special. Raloren says his goal is to stop the rise. Kazuran says he likes things as they are. Hell Hound say he wants to follow the rules, and that the lakes are the leaders. And that the 14 lakes are the most powerful. Ash asks for the full story.

The Hell Hounds tells him, that Hell Hounds wants to live, whatever happens, just to be alive. Ash asks if he’s against or for a god. Not Tetune. The 14 lakes follow a god, but not Tetune. Ash asks for anything worth Hell Hounds life. Hell Hounds asks for the sword to be removed, that he needs something. It’s in the drawer in the desk.

Rose barely talks down Narcius, Meros comes down and confirms there are no traps, Raloren learns the Hell Hounds are also decentralized and headless. Ash recovers the note.

Rose smashes. Ash rescues, Rose attempts to smash, and Ash considers taking at opportunity attack.

### Season 3, Episode 6: The Beginning of The End"

Rose stops short of frying this dude. They ground makes a plan to go down stairs and route the remaining hellhounds if any exist. Raloren and Meros guard the doors so that nobody can escape. Rose and Kazuran find a single Hell Hound, and Rose and Kazuran burn and stab him to death. Ash throws more fire on his way out with the hostage.

Ash ties Bathazar to a lamppost, and suspends him from the metal. Rose writes a note to the guard. The group, reaffirms the plan to go to Bek.

Rose locates a magic carpet in a tiny back-alley shop. Rose finds a 6x9 Carpet of Flying, Raloren finds some gems (elemental gems, casts Summon Elemental, one for each element), and Meros finds an Onyx Fly (onyx fly - a Figurine of Wondrous Power, onyx fly). Ash finds a fairy shaped crystal container full of dust (crystal fairy dust - Dust of Disappearance, single use, any creature within 10ft become invisible for 2d4). Rose finds a mystery ointment ().

We head to Bek, and find the city is grieving. The Gnomes are quite sad. Assuming Suna has passed, we head to Suna’s estate. Rose is in her Lawyer guise. It turns out that Suna has been found dead in his chambers. No foul play is suspected. They are done an autopsy, but he died quite young. There is no discernible cause of death. The elders find a note saying that Ash will become the next Ruler of Bek, and that the city is ready to accept him. The elders say the book is still by his side, that they decided to leave it untouched, since they know not what the books do. The elder lead the group down a corridor, to a small door, barely tall enough for a regular sized human. A white sheet lies over a body, and a book sits next to the nightstand. Ash inspects Suna. The window is slightly ajar but not suspiciously so. There are no marks on Suna. Meros finds a note while investigating the room. Ash does his Tattoo thing and sees through the eyes of Suna. He can see something glowing through the window the previous night: A glowing purple butterfly lands on Suna, then lifts off suddenly, flying out of the window. Ash notices small dots, almost like a tiny footprint. The note that was found reads:

To Minera,

I have found evidence that the young girl is truly alive. You were right, she is located exactly where you predicted.

```
       -Suna

```

Meros investigates Suna, finding only those same marks. Ash claims it was his time, and picks up the book, opening it. The book reads:

The Young Child Ash opens the book for the first time.

He turns back and reads about Suna’s last night. It says that he was performing duties as a book holder. Ash does not wish to rule Bek, and they will become a free town, doing their own election. Ash teleports out the window. Meros launches himself out after him. The rest of the group uses the damn door. As he is waiting Ash takes a look at the first page of the book. It reads:

A Young Xalbar opens the book.

We head back to the Kazurena. It turns out that, the Head of the 14 Lakes has been waiting in the Arena for the group. She wants to specifically talk to the book holders. She questions Ash’s maturity. Meros and Rose hang out at the top of the Arena and spy. Bathazar is dead, she tells us, with the Hell Hounds gone. She says that she has been waiting for the book holders, and that she wants to speak about the Oldest. She says that she is not on their side, and that maybe the party also isn’t on their side. Raloren thinks she is being truthful. She claims to have information about many things, and that she might have the answers we seek.

Raloren asks why she is attacking towns. She says the 14 Lakes haven’t attacked any towns, only the Hell Hounds and Black Hills. She claims to not follow the gods, but the other two groups due. Ash claims that she might follow the god older than time.

Ash threatens her, and promises that she may escape death. Ash ask who the god older than time is: The Goddess of Elders, one of the lesser gods. But she is very old and wise.

Ash asks if she is allied with Tetune, and the woman seems to think not, and does not know what Tetune is planning, but at least one person does know. Someone we know very well (Darlove, Minera, or Brix perhaps). The woman say she supports what is best for her and her people, to live and to thrive. And that she hasn’t chosen a side yet. But apparently she is going to guarantee a spot of safety. But the Goddess of Elders probably follows Wowina. Raloren prays to Wowina and gets a confirmation of her words.

Ash asks what the 14 Lakes plan. She says the 14 Lakes will stay out of the way.

Ash asks how she got aligned to the other two, and she wanted to take control, she did her best to control the groups, but it didn’t quite work, and none of them were able to penetrate to her true intent.

Ash says she’s not his problem, and she agrees. Raloren says that the Hell Hounds were working under her orders, but she claims that she never ordered them to take out towns. Ash asks what orders she did give, of which there was one order: Find the girl, but NOT one who should be. The woman tells Ash that she doesn’t know who the girl is, but she is close to finding the girl, but that they intent to protect her. She asks Kazuran if she can some and train/fight in his colosseum. Xanna is her name.

```
Rose is pretty sure it is Brix. That she is the girl they have been looking for. Kazuran makes her swear that she will be loyal, and that she will be permitted to fight. Kazuran offers her a good position as her second in command. She agrees.

```

The group convenes to make plans. They are going to check out the libraries before heading back to Mirthal and making sure Brix is okay. We take supersonic flight as Rose summons an air elemental, and Ash hastes her. We land near the library. The library Gedora, an Elf woman. Rose flatters her, and learns the Oldest are the OLDER siblings to the Librarians. There used to be more. The Librarians spread out to find shelter and escape their dangerous siblings. The Librarian confirms the blessings alone will not be enough. Raloren asks for histories and knowledge of the first rising. It began with a argument about something between the gods, and it lead them to split, and literally destroy the world. She is very surprised even the 4 survived. Raloren mentions Elfrond. She professes a desire to see Elfrond. She says during the first conflict the gods were many sided, and this made the conflict worse. She doesn’t know if that would work, but there is a prophecy she remembers.

Even if all the gods, even Durnas chose to not bring the books together, the girl will still be found and still be the last book holder.

Ash asks for books about ascending to godhood. The woman says it’s very possible, but very difficult. The oldest desire to ascend to full godhood. Ash shows the ink dragon to the Librarian. The group asks for ways to destroy, delay, or limit the Oldest. Ash fails to find a way to steal their power. She doesn't know what the way to deter them is. The Prophecy, is that the books will be brought together. Rose and Ash discuss how to kill demi-gods, Raloren asks for more knowledge, and how they can get some of this all cleared up. Domesh setup a defense against the Oldest. It has worked for now, Raloren asks if they fear for their lives. Gedora says she does not fear for her life, and as the inventor of writing, she believes the Prophecy to be true, and that she simply hopes the gods rising will work out.

Ash grabs a book that might be useful: a short, colorful manual “the books and you”, a children's book.

Meros finds a old book, it’s called the True History of Apherene. Gedora wrote both books. Ash asks about the worship of the gods. He gets a book for each god and how to worship them. The books are “How to pray to the Gods for dummies”.

We head back to Mirthal. Rose checks in with Brix, finds her well at her house, and everything else is good too. Meros learns that Narcius has relaxed a bit, building his power, but taking it slow. The rogues are returning to their old networks, while Narcius rethinks his strategy. Gil has also heard that he has some girl in his circle. Gil knows nothing about her, but many speak of her talking to him as an equal. Meros asks about his casino. Raloren asks about the family, growing at a reasonable rate. Things have been great with the family, they have fixed up the estate we’ve got. They have not heard from our Uncles, but they are probably having their way with the fey city. Pem Charon could be the woman.

The group goes to visit the temples to try and find more information. Rose visits Ormera, and then Inja, Ash goes to Durnas, Raloren goes Wowina, Meros goes to Axdes, and Kazuan goes to Tetune.

Tetune has a small temple in Mirthal. A tiny altar sits in the middle of the room, and there is a single acolyte. Kazuran uses Thunderous Smite to call Tetune. A small, blue, glittery smoke puffs out, and a rabbit sits on the Altar. Tetune seems surprised, and Kazuran asks for information about the wars on the Oldest. Tetune tells him that they just watched, and the Oldest also mostly sat back, after instigating the war. Kazuran asks if any have fallen, Tetune says that there were once many Oldest, and the gods were very busy people. It’s possible some of the oldest were sired by Tetune. The remaining are all that is left, but many of them have died. They took their chances against the gods, and proved to be wanting. Tetune has killed many, Kazuran asks if anyone may strike them down. Tetune answers “with enough force”. They are half god, therefore they may be taken down by non-gods. Tetune gives him a parting gift: Tetune has not chosen a side yet, and she is going to sit back and watch. Then she disappears.

Meroes enters the temple of Axdes. It is another small temple. Meros sends a prayer to Axdes altar, trying to avoid the gaze of the acolyte in the temple. A ferret suddenly appears on his shoulder, and asks if he can help him. Meros says that we have been traveling to find out as much history of the wars, and that he would like anything than Axdes knows. Axdes says its been getting nasty. Meros asks that, since we are mired in this conflict already, where Axdes sides with. Axdes claims allegiance to Durnas, as Durnas has given words of encouragement, that it is not his intent to destroy what was made. Many gods are flipping to the side of Durnas, as he is very sly and persuasive. Durnas is very convincing. Meros asks if Axdes will fight, Axdes says he wishes to walk upon the earth, but not necessarily harm anyone. Meros sneaks out, and the ferret disappears.

Rose enters the temple of Ormera. Rose places 10 copper on one end of the altar and 1 silver on the other. Rose asks what she should do, Ormera tells her to wait, and that there is always a chance that things will stay balanced. Rose asks what she should do if things are unbalanced, and Ormera tells her that she should balance it. Omera professes doubt. Rose pledges to order it.

She heads to Inja’s temple. Inja tells her that she may be able to fight against the gods, but it will take an army, and they must be armed with everything they can be. Inja does not profess allegiance to a side, but implies he is not on the side of Durnas.

Raloren goes to the temple of Wowina. Wowina tells him she is glad he has found a connection close to home. She asks what he needs, and Raloren admits that he does not have a direct question. Simply that he is trying to protect the mortal world should the gods rise. He asks for any help that Wowina can give to him in this quest. She says that nothing can prevent the rise of the gods now. In fact it has already been found and is on the way to the girl now. Wowina does not know who the girl is. She has the true choice of what happens. (Pem? Brix?) and that Wowina prays that she makes the right choice. Raloren asks if he can prevent the joining of the books, but Wowina says it is inevitable. But once the girl gets the book, it’s unknown what will happen with the gods, but the books will be no longer. The current book holders will simply lose the books: they will disappear, and who knows what happens after that, not even the gods. Raloren talks about the Oldest, and Wowina tells him that the Oldest have always been against them, that they are “indeed the scum of the earth”. Wowina says that the gods may destroy them with a thought, but they cannot share this power. However it is Raloren’s choice to go up against the gods. Raloren asks if uniting all civilization against this threat would be effective, Wowina says yes.

Ash enters the temple of Durnas. Ash goes up to the attendant, and asks if he knows who Ash is. The attendant says “you are a child”. Ash asks the acolyte how Durnas feels about the Eldest. The Acolyte tells him he does not like them, but if the Eldest die, Durnas gains power. Ash asks what would happen if gods die. The acolyte says there would be no life, instead only death, and all would worship Durnas. The acolyte is surprised by the appearance of a purple butterfly, and it transforms into an older gentleman on the altar. He welcomes Ash, and apologizes for the spartaness of his temple. Ash thinks a place with a roof is better than the burnt out shell of the main temple. Ash asks if the demigods can be replaced, or absorbed. Durnas says that Ash would need a special blessing from the gods above. Ash asks what the blessing would cost him in souls. Durnas tells him it’s not about the killing. Durnas tells him creating life isn’t the issue. Really it can only be gifted when he proves that he is the most powerful. Ash asks how to go about insuring that he is the only one who has this power. Durnas suggests that Ash burn down the island. Durnas tells him that he can try to kill them, that it’s possible, but it would take a massive effort, with the world against them. Durnas tells him that there may be nothing to stop the gods walking the earth, Ash tells him he will fight by his side, and that he will kill to ensure he is able to. Durnas disappears in a cloud of purple smoke.

### Season 3, Episode 7: "The World Will Fall"

The players begin to gather all their strength.

Bek
Mirthal Guard, The Wizards Schools
Minera Duncress
The Other bookholders
Kazurena Denizens
Ralnor Clan
Narcissus's Rouges
Sending Stones - look for Teleport
Groovy Grove - Frogs
Mobile distributed companies
Technology - flight spells, etc
Ash calls Bek, Rose works on Mirthal and tries to keep Brix close, Kazuran and Meros go to Kazurena, Raloren also checks out Mirthal. Mirthals military strength is

10k Soldiers

30k Veterans

1k Wizards

Ash arrives in Bek, and assumes control of the city. Ash asks for a military rundown of the city, and an inventory of items of use. The city grinds into action, and begins executing his commands.

Kazuran and Meros land near Kazurena, and being recruiting and gathering resources. They two split up and try to take care of business. Kaz goes to all the best warriors, fighters, and others, including Xana. Kaz gets six of the best Heros, including Xana, and assigns them each 100 soldiers.

Raloren makes Rose a general after she annoys him. Rose scries both of her Uncles, and they are at a bar in the shadows in the back. They are discussing how there are movements being made within the family. And that there is a rough feeling, that the energy. Rose sends them a message asking for peace talks to smooth over everything so they can join forces, and begins working on a request for Ash: Phoenix King raiments.

Rose and Raloren arrive at the Library of Domesh. Raloren greets Domesh and relays Elfronds message.The librarians usually meet up only in dark times, none in the last 100 years. They have special ways to communicate via books. Raloren passes the information that Dark times are ahead, and they should prepare.

Domesh says their meetings are secret, and Raloren attempts to talk his way into their meeting. Raloren asks for any more tips about how to beat the Oldest and the Gods. Domesh says her older siblings are an interesting pack, and are good at surviving. To beat them, we will need a great deal of power. They will fight dirty and fight hard. Domesh has forgotten the tricks of the Oldest, but they DON’T ACTUALLY RULE THE LAND BY ANY KIND OF RIGHT. Raloren asks about how they can assault the Island of the oldest. Domesh says that there is a ritual that they have been practicing: attempting to find the way to merge all of the books into one. It does exist in their temple, and it will be interesting to see if they are able to pull it off or if they have mastered it. Domesh does not know if the books will be summoned remotely, but she hopes not. Rose asks for documents about how the Oldest do not actually rule the world (or the land).

Ash has gathered the best adventurers, is planning an address. And is funding the collection of items and holding a festival. Rose is on her way with the rayments.

Raloren gets Mirthal ready, training troops and getting everything.

The next day, Meros and Kazuran being to head towards Tyme to pick up equipment. They head to Odee. Meros gets a +3 Rapier. The Smith is a larger man, older with a beer gut, apron, and soot stains. Kazuran asks for his weapon for fighting gods. The Smith has the weapon, however he did not try to make the best one. He was approached by a strange animal: Rabbit, and it brought him to a place: and he found a beautiful sword. A long, but thin blade. The hilt is embedded with jewels and calcified magic. The smith heard a voice saying to give it to Kazuran. The weapon is powerful and perfectly balanced, it grants life energy to Kazuran. Raloren asks Meros for the sneaky messenger Rogues to send his messages via a secret sneaky route. Kazuran notices the Dragon-leaf tree in Odae is white-leaved. Kazuran goes to the smith in Odae.

The first page of the information given to Rose and Raloren reads:

Ch. 1

After the war of the Gods, they [the oldest] became entombed within the world. The remaining children of the Gods gathered and swore to rule the new age. They gathered their sister Trensa and had her turn the lock on their parent’s cage into books. They traveled the land, spreading word of their rule.

Little to they know, the gods have never left.

Kazuran gets a weapon for Meros, a Ferret lead him to it. It is a longsword as well. Meros accepts the sword. Meros gains a fuckton of power from this magical artifact of Axdes. Meros and Kaz head to the island in the center of Tyme, getting attuned to their weapons.

A woman comes walking out of the woods, radiating power. She stands in front of Kazuran. It is Tetune in humanoid form. Kazuran thanks her for the gift, and praises the sword as greater than mortal. She tells him that she is aware of him, that she has been watching. She says that the sword is both blessing and curse: A POWERFUL sword, but he should be sure to not use it against the wrong sort of person. She reassures Kazuran she intends to wait and watch, and that many deals are yet to be struck. Tetune speaks in riddles, telling him that his trust may be misplaced.

The Sword is a Holy Avenger. +3 Attack and deals 2d10 additional damage (with secret target type): Radiant. In a 10ft Aura, allies and the wielder gain advantage on Saving throws. The Aura is that of a rabbit.

Meros is approached by Axdes. Meros greets the god, and thanks him for the weapon. Axdes has said that the choosing of the Champions is upon them, and he has chosen Meros to be his champion, and that the sword shall serve him well. Meros asks if Axdes has chosen a side. Axdes says he knows where the truth lies in respect to his grandparents. He chose the side that makes more sense to him. In due time, the truth will come to light. Axdes says to enjoy the remaining days before the conflict. Meros also receives a Holy Avenger.

Ash finds 40 very capable adventures. Ash attempt to group them into sections of 10 by strength, Rose helps since she is bored and around. Ash says

A time of great conflict is coming. I intend to see to it that those living here survive. I asked for the most capable adventurers to be brought before me because we need surpassing strength. How many will fight for a land that isn’t necessarily yours.

All the top 10 are in, about 50% hit rate otherwise. Ash says they will be compensated. A few more % join. Ash says to treat the ones for pay as simple mercenaries. They leave. Ash addresses the rest:

You are not only capable, but brave, perhaps foolish. I will be fighting alongside you. However I have called adventurers here because you are like me, new to this place. I am seeking to build a kingsguard, and would like to draw from people who see life the way I have. If you have interest in life here afterwards: now is the time to show interest. For now you are conscripted into the Phoenix Guard.

Ash tells them to find fast-attack modes: Flight, animal mounts, etc.

The Phoenix guard is exactly 22 adventurers.

Rose reveals the raiment made for Ash.

Strung together of black diamond thread (carbon) and accents polished heat resistant gems in ribbons of red, yellow and orange. The whole thing beings to incandescent when exposed to heat, but some of the gems and threads glow violet. The whole thing is fireproof.

Rose chats with Ash, telling him that she used to do this sort of clothing before the accident.

The festival begins, is a lot of propaganda. Rose helps out with the messaging, contacting Brix and Minera. And then parties.

Meros reaches Mirthal and attempts to assume leadership of the Rogues. At least syncing up with the upcoming conflict. Meros also sends “messengers” (spies) to the other bookholders. He heads over to Raloren, and talks about everything that has happened. The rest of the group heads to Bek (Rose has left a note for her Uncles). It is currently spring. Ash wakes at sunrise (early) and inspects the Phoenix Guard. Everyone is in fancy clothes. Raloren is green, with naturalistic. Rose has grown wood over her armor and charred the outside, growling subtle thorns and red roses over it.

Ash have found a great deal of equipment for the Phoenix Guard (LV 4) and splitted the rest up between the general army. Ash talks to the merchants and proffers contracts that Rose had penned up as dummies (stolen). The Merchants offer being spared as their compensation. Ash offers them continued lively hood: A place in the Phoenix Empire. To the Throne. The Merchants Agree. Ash tells the others to do their best to raise morale, and attempt to generally boost spirits and recruit soldiers.

Ash gives a grand speech bursting into flame, prophering the book, subtitled by Rose’s Skywriting. Ash goes and glandhands among the people for a while.

Eldon approaches. Rose attempts to persuade him to her side. He asks for the blessing to recruit among the family, but Rose senses some duplicity and asks him to come back when he is serious about peace.

The time for the speech descends. Ash gets everything ready. The group search the crowd for suspicious figures. Kazuran wears his armor and is in the crowd. Rose fashions an animated plant to wear the ceremonial armor for Ash. There are fireworks and others and the attendants announce the succession of Ash. Ash gives a grand speech, invoking Durnas, and playing the nearness of the apocalypse. Ash ignites in the raiments and flies into the sky and continues his speech. The Gods Faces the Eldest, and Ash intends to fight, and we fight for the humans and the future of those in the world. Ash pitches his recruitment drive: Totally voluntary. Ash swoops over the crown and blasts of Pyrotechnics.

Every storm is followed by the sun, we will weather the storm and emerge on the other side.

The crowd cheers.

BEK FOREVER.

Bek +3000 soldiers - each category.

Mirthal +5k soldiers and vets

Bek 10k Soliders

4k Mages

Mirthal 15k soldiers

35k Vets

6k Wizards

Ash has some Phoenix guard work on recruitment. Ash tells magic Grandma to become a phoenix instead of an Ink Dragon.

Gell tells Meros (who tells Raloren) that Torfina, Gob, Hinvayla, and Ebrik are on Meros’s side.

Rose is visited by Ormera, and jumps down and takes a knee to talks to the armadillo, then turns into humanoid form. Grants Rose a sword, infusing Rose with power. Rose is also granted a Holy avenger. She grabs 2 Phoenix guard and Ash, and then blasts off to deal with Minera.

Some of the book holders are with Raloren: Tofiina, Gob, Hinvayla, and Ebrik are on our side. Minera is also against us.

Rose and Ash blast off to Minera.

The plan is to Talk it out, keeping Ash and the two Phoenix guard secret. We are 3, our allies make 7, and the remainder make 4. We don’t know what their allegiance is. Raloren and Meros build secret alliances and try to get as much information from the allies and those who are unknown. Rose plops down next to Minera, and negotiates her allegiance (she serves Tetune, and doesn’t want to pick sides) in exchange for next speaking to her again (or Rose kills Minera, whichever comes first).

Ash is visited by a Butterfly with a purple finger.

Durnas tells Ash he has done well by getting a book. Ash tells him no matter what the first task will occur. Durnas asks if he is afraid, Ash says it is a task. Durnas asks for Ash to state his allegiance when Durnas rises. Ash says he will not oppose him given what Durnas has promised. Durnas says the time is at hand and grants Ash a weapon.

Rose rises back up, and begins to strategize with the others on how to convert the book holders and then strike the Isle of the Oldest. Rose suggests Ash and Kazuran tackle Viril, while Meros and Raloren deal with \_, finally giving Arnoa the opportunity to be as Dramatic as she pleases and flip the tide.

While this happens, Wowina leads Raloren through a park and into a house. She leads him to a room where there is a note on a desk. The cat sits next to the note.

Book

Raloren says “it seems the last book has been found”.

The cat turns into the goddess, and says

Found, maybe, the end? Is here.

She says it is in Ralorens best interest to stop the Oldest now.

Raloren asks what their priorities should be. Wowina says It may be useless, but it is time for everything to be revealed for what it truly is.

Only Raloren and the party preserve the imprisonment of the gods. Raloren attempts to clarify, and asks why the Oldest benefit from this: Wowina says they have always been tricky. Wowina can only imagine that they have some tricks. Raloren asks about the ritual on their island to bring the books together. Wowina says that the last time she spoke to Durnas, he wanted the world for himself, and cannot grasp that there must be balance. Wowina is in favor of balance. We must continue the imprisonment of the gods. Wowina says to check in with her two sons before it is too late. The god of Day and Night, Bitarr and Ergos. Raloren says he is against war, but understands it necessary. And it’s important to fight, but not to perish unnecessarily. Wowina says she has faith in Raloren, and grants him a sword.

We all mobilize to assault the island of the oldest. Rose, Ash, and Kazuran organize the armies. Meros and Raloren head to the temple of Bitarr and Ergos. Meros checks out the area around the temple. He finds footprints around the exterior of the temple, headed in. Raloren commands his guard to circle the temple and await his command. He and Meros head inside.

Brix is inside. And grabs the book. The holders feels a pulse as their books disappear, and the rest of us. Raloren questions her, Rose tell him she must have been brought there. Narcissus dimension doors in, places his hand on Brix’s shoulder and she looks at Rose and says.

“You can call me Queen Brix”.

The pair teleport out.

The rest of the party is informed and begin the attack. Suddenly a second pulse is felt. Outside of the temple of the oldest a tremor is felt. Celestial armies appear suddenly outside the temple. Ash begins bombardment, after giving a rousing speech about taking the world into his own hands. The two divine armies seem to be facing off against each other.

Everyone seems to hear We are Sorry that it has come to this, but it is time for us to take our land back.

The gods scream and charge towards each other.

Ash has maintained a delayed blast fireball in the temple. It detonates.

The gods are charging towards each other and the gods are charging towards each other.

Rose is ultra upset, catatonic, despondent. She needs a reason to care after the betrayal of Brix, Narcissus, the dissolution of her plan, the bad timing.

The last thing we (and everyone else) all hear: life or death, choose now.

## Season 4

### Season 4, Episode 1: "The Children of Gods"

The war begins. Kazuran and Ash are on Oldest Island with the Divine armies. Rose, Meros, and Raloren are in the temple of Night and Day.

When the gods appeared, it felt as if we were all transported to another realm, a different world: Nothing but people. It seems to include every single living being. The Goddess of life and the God of Death stand 80ft tall before the people. They pose the question in unison, and then we are returned to the place we stood before the shift. It was only a moment.

Ash dropped a delayed blast Fireball just before the shift into the Temple of the Oldest.

The Gods still stand around 30-40ft tall in front of the Temple of the Oldest. Ash and Kazuran see gods that they have never encountered before. Angles and other Celestials comprise the armies. Kazuran spots what look like several versions of Tetune in both armies. Ash tells Kazuran he has a plan: He is going to get close and try and talk to the Gods, to determine if the conflict can be avoided.

“I know many of you are angry, and I know many of you want this fight, but this whole world is wrong and why there are problems amongst the gods. Life and Death can only be one thing. So rise up. Appoint a new god, a phoenix god, to rise from the ashes of this world.”

The screams of the Gods quiet for a moment as Ash says “appoint a new god”. Both Wowina and Durnas turn to Ash, hold up their hands, and step up next to Ash.

Wowina turns to Durnas and says “This is the one, the one you are always talking about”.

Ash tells them that they need to be one, and since they won’t reunite they should name Ash to take their place. Durnas tells Ash that he served him well, making his wish come true, but that he is misled: It is not the Gods who appoint the newest gods, and they do not plan on abdicating their throne. He then dismisses Ash. Wowina and Durnas say they can’t be one as long as their kids are around (the Oldest). Or it’s most of the truth anyway: The Oldest had a hand in the conflict and split of Wowina and Durnas. They hint at the existence of powers beyond the gods. Ash chides them for being selfish, and Durnas asks him if his service had come to an end in spite of everything that he has done for him.

Ash shouts “children are not their parents… and this place is about to explode”.

Rose stands rigid in front of the space where Narcius and Brix disappeared. Raloren attempts to talk Rose out of her catatonic state, she begins to cry silently when he shows her the Ioun Stone she lent him. She follows him, still crying and staring into space. Raloren has the mages in his Honor Guard cast Teleport to bring them back to the battlefield as Ash’s delayed blast fireball detonates, dealing massive damage to the structures around the temple. It is carbonized, wiped from the island.

Kaz notices some bodies in the wreckage of the temple. Kazuran sees 9 prone figures, corresponding to the 9 oldest. Kaz and Ash head over to inspect the bodies.

Rose teleports Meros, Raloren, 3 Soldiers and 1 Mage to the remains of the Temple.

There is smoke everywhere, and the two great Gods are having a conversation, trash talking to each other. Ash steps into the conversation, and gains the scorn of the god, against which he bristles. He says they could achieve much more if they worked together against the Oldest, or stopped warring over the world. Durnas tells Ash that there may be others, Ash counters “Narcius or Brix”. Narcius and Brix are the son and daughter of Durnas, who have brought forth a new age.

In that moment Durnas and Wowina step back onto opposing sides of the battle, and look at the three of us gathered there. They tell us to clean up, and then disappear along with the Divine armies. Ash checks the Oldest for life and finds that they cling to it still. Ash determines that his spell was not the thing restraining the Oldest, at least not by itself. Some other power is giving us an opportunity to act.

Ash tells the rest of the group (after ordering Rose to cover her ears) about Brix and Narcius. As the group debates what to do next, one of the Oldest attempts to get up. Ash threatens them with an outstretched hand as Raloren brandishes his holy avenger. The Oldest is a male dragonborn. He holds up a hand and says “The books! Get the books, and destroy our parents.”

Ash is skeptical about their intentions. The Oldest protest that they only did what they needed to do to stop the world from being reshaped. Kazuran asks what would happen if they don’t do it.

The Oldest says that it will be a constant war with the gods, with the world bending and breaking under the power of the gods. Ash asks why they war endlessly. The Oldest says they were never the favored children, and they rose up when there were 1000s, and they were not able to be themselves. The Oldest says it is time for new gods, and Ash asks for a favor to be determined later, saying he picked up the trick from the Catatonic girl (Rose) over there.

Meros has already begun to carefully sneak down the stairs. Meros sees a basic room with an onyx obelisk in the center. It is medium sized, but the 12 books orbit it, floating in mid-air near the top. Meros calls the rest of the group down, (with a catatonic Rose staying up top) and checks the walls of the room, finding a secret door in a wall panel.

Ash shouts at his book to rejoin him. The books glow with a colored Aura, and the POWERFUL book pulses as Ash shouts. Meros examines the sliding door carefully, finding no traps, and opens it. The whole wall seems to move out of the way, revealing a carved wall behind it.

It seems to be a mural of the time since the world was created. It records the history of the gods, the oldest and the others.

Panel 1: The creation of the worlds

Panel 2: The children of the gods in subservience, praying to the gods

Panel 3: The gods at war, bodies everywhere.

Panel 4: Nine people standing around one person, with an Aura surrounding them.

Panel 5: The person in the Aura has become a book.

Panel 6: The book has become the 12 books, gathering in ghosts or souls.

Panel 7: Villagers and the Rise of the common folk.

Panel 8: The conflicts between the races begin, 100 year war.

Panel 9: Victory!

Panel 10: Thriving cities and common folk.

Panel 11: 5 people out and adventuring.

Panel 12: The 5 people with swords.

Panel 13: The 5 people fighting the Gods from the beginning.

Ash grabs the POWERFUL book, and the purplish glow disappears. Ash calls for Brix’s book, but is blocked by a barrier of force. He then takes the holy avenger and baseball bats it out of orbit. There seems to be a spherical barrier around the book for him. He ties a rope around the sphere of force. And then repeats it for all the other books, riding them like a carousel around the obelisk. Kazuran takes his book out of the orbit. A yellow-lit book pulses as Ash asks if one would grant itself to Meros. Meros grabs it, and Raloren grabs his. Meros’ book reads “The lady has fallen, but a new lord has taken the book”, the book was once owned by Lady Torphina.

Someone from the Kazurena calls Kazuran on the sending stone, saying “We have a problem here: There are gods fighting on Eras.”

Everyone else gets reports of celestial armies fighting in the world. Ash calls for everyone, especially crafters, farmers, merchants, the “valuable people” to shelter on Oldest Island.

Two female gods are fighting near Mirthal, and they can hear screaming. The goddesses are fighting in the city of Mirthal. Gell says he is already on the way out of the city.

Ash heads upstairs, and then asks which book would accept Rose as the owner. A magenta colored book pulses deep magenta. The book stops glowing and it reads “A new queen has risen.”

Rose cries until the tears flowing out dissolve her body, becoming a water elemental. She puddles and the book opens to the last page. It is a story that seems like the end of the bookholders life: it seems like this person was very dramatic. Arnoa.

Several more of the Oldest have come to, and Rose had cast healing spirit to aid them.

Ash gathers them around, The Dragonborn, a Female Gnome, a Male Half Elf, and Female Tiefling.

Ash calls us team Thorn-in-your-side, and says we want to help them, but we need some answers, specific answers. The Gnome steps forwards and says that they are not the ones who should tell them everything. The Gnome says that some other people should tell them. Old friends, and the four librarians teleport into the room, Elfron, Frok, Gedora, and Domesh. They are the third faction. Domesh steps forwards and suggests we take a seat for this tale.

Ash attempts to head off the story by selling his phoenix-god paradigm, since the Librarians might be the only ones receptive to it.

Domesh begins to hell her story.

“You must understand we kept many things from you, but it was for your own safety. As children of the gods we were always watched. More than you, and we needed to be careful with our words. We must be completely honest about the history and what is to come.

“The gods created this world, and allowed us, their children, to run free, when word that we had become jealous of the gods, (or so they believed) they killed us out of fear. Those of us left had to deal with the unfortunate war afterwards. We did our best to end it. The only true way would be to place a restraint on the gods. We trapped the gods within the books, not literally their souls, but their souls went to some other place, with the books keeping them trapped.”

Ask asks if Wownia gave up the power first.

“It was not them giving up power, it was us finally putting a stop to the gods all together, they had no choice. We let our people be free, and used the Oldest as martyrs to the cause, using their name to give some power to the world. We decided as a whole to give the books to different people, just to keep them apart and avoid the accident of the books all joining together and bringing the books together before we were ready.”

Ash asks about the younger Wownia and Durnas protecting the book on Tyme.

“That was the younger them. When they were in love.” Ash asks what changed, “There was some gossip, and the Oldest spoke of a time when we would bring the gods low and rise in their place. We knew the books being created was the best way to make sure the world stayed intact. But the gods grew tired and angry and cause this war. As for their love dying… that unfortunately rotted away as their own children whispered in their ears that they would betray them eventually, when the time came”

Ash asks about Tetune

“Oh Tetune, Tetune whispered in their ears and is the one who really started this all. Even though she may claim a side Tetune has never been able to choose, or rather, she never HAD to choose.”

Ash asks about Tetune before the books were created.

“She was a very angry goddess, who felt like the run of the family. She was seen as lesser, even than the Oldest and Librarians.”

“Though she was important, she was a free spirit and not one for following rules. Attempting to expand the influence of magic. She never really felt a connection to the rest of the gods, and alienated herself.”

Ash asks how constant war benefits Tetune.

“She secretly hopes they all kill each other and leaves her to be the last god standing.”

Raloren asks if we must kill all the gods, and how they end this.

“You must understand, it’s not only Tetune. It is all the gods. Allowing them to roam free in the world will shift everything and ravage the world with conflict. We fear that with the gods walking the earth again it will only bring misfortune to it’s denizens”

Raloren asks if they have a plan.

“We were ready when we discovered all of you. You may have seen the mural. The five people depicted there are you all. The swords have chosen you. They will let you slay gods.”

Ash attempts to call in his favor, asking to replace the gods when he slays them.

The Librarian demurrers. Ash asks to be in the running. The Librarians say everyone will be in the running for the world. Ash asks for more power for the group. And LIbrarians say they can. The Librarians prepare to leave again. They disappear as we feel a rush of power (as we level up twice).

Mirthal is in a bad way, but our family is attempting to evacuate but still in the city. Raloren attempts to rouse Rose. The group discusses strategy.

Rose scrys Brix, and finds her and Narcius watching the destruction. She opens a gate between trees and the party rushes through. Ash asks if they want to switch sides, and Brix responds by murdering Narcius with a dagger to the throat. Rose then opens up with a powerful blight, and the rest of party also attacks. Raloren hits her with a silence arrow, and Ash blasts her with powerful fire.

Kazuran gets the initiative and goes in for the kill. Brix barely survived the onslaught. Meros gives her a chance to talk, and she says that she was planning to kill Tetune. Meros deploys the Charm Doll and makes her our friend. He demands she answer all our questions truthfully and completely.

Ash asks if she has any motive besides killing Tetune: No

Why did you kill Narcius: He annoyed me, and he’s the one with ulterior motives.

She says to rose (and the group): Rose I truly did not mean you harm, it was my mission to infiltrate your group, posing as Torfina’s daughter. It was not her greatest moment, for I have found love and it truly makes the mission harder for me. My intentions were never to physically hurt any of you. My choice to take the book, I did know what would happen. I was approached by the Oldest and asked to start the process of bringing the Gods back.

You don’t truly follow Durnas: No, but he has his ways, his words are very cunning.

Ash asks if she is ready to replace the gods: I honestly think they will just take themselves down.

Brix seems to think that with Tetunes influence the battle will end sooner than we think.

Tetune, being a crafty bitch, desires to be the last one standing, but she feeds each sides power, accelerating the conflict. (Not the Holy Avengers).

The two goddesses warring in Mirthal are Ormera and Herrell.

Ash asks if Brix would be lying to us if she wasn’t under the influence of magic. She claims not to be working against us anymore. The group puts it to the vote. They decide to keep Brix alive, and Rose screams in frustration and blasts the tree they came through with her held blight spell. Then begins to fly towards Mirthal to help anyone left in the city, and deal with the warring Ormera.

### Season 4, Episode 2: "The Jokester's Truth"

Rose is headed to Mirthal to save her plants from the gods fighting there, and the rest of the group are taking the body of Narcius to Oldest Isle. Ash engadges his raiments with the books still tethered to him. He calls for a priestess of Niona, the Goddess of messages. She looks at the corpse and asks if he wants to bring back Narcius. Ash tells her he seeks only a Speak with Dead spell.

Ash asks

“What was your motive for helping Durnas”: I seeked his guidance for knowing what was to come.

“Were there plans for if you were killed”: Of course, I have many who are willing to do what they must.

“What did you hope to achieve that you planned for your own death”: To save myself at first, then I realized everyone needed to be saved.

“Why choose gods over mortals”: You should know him well, Durnas can be very persuasive.

“What did Rose’s sloppy seconds taste like”: Brix was never my lover, I thought of her as only a pawn.

The group disposes of the corpse. Raloren attempts to coordinate the evacuation of Mirthal and regrouping of his forces. Ash is working on having his people bunker down and construct a command center. Ash asks Brix what Narcius might have had planned. She tells him that she only knows of one plan, and honestly she can only remember that they are in some group. She remembers one person whose name starts with the letter A. They ask Brix what kind of group, and she says it some kind of cult, but doesn’t really know the nature of the group.

She confirms it’s not a death cult. Ash goes to Marshall his forces, and Raloren + Ash try to investigate the mysterious “A” person.

The group learns that the word “Order” is in their name. Raloren learns that Rose may have some sort of sketchy relationship. Mission related perhaps. The man doesn’t know who it was, and only heard Rose speaking. And that she wasn’t necessarily talking to a person in front of her, but to an unseen third party.

Meros and Kazuran are trying to regroup their forces. They consider contacting Rose while she is being reckless in Mirthal,

Rose gathers secrets from the Adventist council. It turns out the founders were using the organization to bring the books together and start the war the entire time. Instead of destroying them they planned to use them. She then destroys the secret headquarters. She commands her Shrubs (the Polo twins) and DragonLeaf Tree (Marco) to get to Oldest Isle, and she will come get them when she is done here.

As Rose is on her way to the gods she encounters Eshi, who she convinces to leave. Getting close to the gods reveals that they are human-sized and only their auras and the destruction cause them to appear giant. Rose finds she is outclassed, but does her best to help out Ormera in the fight before retreating herself.

Ash thinks the Axdes is maybe the secret order. Meros prays to Axdes and asks if the Order of Axdes is the answer. Axdes gives the answer “maybe it’s adventurers, who knows” and hangs up the divine line.

Rose gets Eshi, the trees, and the other survivors over to the Oldest Island base, then takes a rest. The other members of the groups coordinate and plan.

Ash attempts to intercept the prayers going out to gods. He hears a lot of static and thousands of screamed prayers. The echoes of the destruction taking place.

Ash learns the Garnsby seems to have survived unscathed, but refugees seem to be descending on the city. Ash travels to Garnsby and receives the clasp of Teleport, it contains 3 charges. Ash gives the man a scroll of teleport and tells him that if he finds a caster.

Ash teleports himself and Kazuran to the Kazurena. It seems like four gods are fighting on the edge of the desert. Ergos - god of day, Zubone - god of Youth, Inja - god of Soldiers, Odon - god of music. They appear to be clear on the horizon. Kazuran finds the Kazurena in a state of panic, and largely undefended. The citizenry seem to be split between sheltering and watching the gods in awe. Kazuran sends out a warning and attempts to evacuate some of the folks there. Kazuran and Ash teleport back to Oldest Island. Ash attempts to create an early warning system of two-man ships equipped with flares.

Meros and Raloren are chatting about potential bookholders.

Ash spots a woman dressed to the nines in magical robes, it’s Minera Duncress. Ash approaches her, attempting to hide the floating books. Ash challenges her about running away. She replies that there is only one reason that she would be here now. Ash asserts it because she hopes her gods will win. She says that it is actually because she wants to aid us, as the heroes of the land. Ash reveals that he used to serve Durnas. Minera asks to talk to the adults, saying she needs someone more than Kazuran. Ash takes offense, and Minera demurs, saying she wishes to speak with the entire party. Ash asks for her professional opinion, trying to determine if it is possible to scry for a particular type of person. Minera says we will need more magic that is currently collected.

The group takes a long rest.

Ash looks for recruits, and Raloren spies some good candidates. Ash finds nothing but screams echoing through the prayer channels. Raloren finds Henna, the woman who Meros has promised a date to. Ash attempts to pair a book with Henna. The book of the STRICT agrees to pair with Henna, while Meros apologizes for his lack of presence, citing the war and his other obligations. He hands her the book by way of apology.

She seems rather upset. She tells Meros “I deserve better” and takes the ‘lolipop looking thing’. And Meros tells her to open the book up. She is very nonplussed. Ash attempts to explain the significance of the book. She accepts and tells Meros ‘you still owe me something’. Ash asks her to join us. She says ‘kill some gods? Sounds kinda fun. Okay sure, why not. I’m in.’

Rose presents Toby the Owl Harpy, and Perlea Bagg (her assistant-caster) for consideration for books. An orange book glows as The CROOKED accepts Toby as it’s holder.

Ash calls OMG on the sending stones, and attempts to give her Minera’s book.

Raloren presents Nadia and Eshi of the Raulnor clan for consideration. A sepia glow accepts Eshi. She opens the book, and accidently opens it to the page before the “last”, and it reads ‘Lord Carric went down in battle against Tetune’. Eshi gets the book of the VULGAR.

Gell turns out to be on Oldest Island. Meros reaches out to him, catching up about the war, and the book of Power. Gell says the he is a criminal who has been to prison and probably not worthy. Meros attempts to empathize and raise the self worth of Gell. A book glows black, and reaches out towards him. He opens it and opens to the wrong page: Queen Himvelya takes her own life, ingesting many berries from the Groovy Grove. Gell becomes the IGNORANT.

We go to bring the fight to Tetune. She has killed Carric and turned his house into a giant chair, upon which a human-sized Tetune sit. She seems exasperated, and calls for Kazuran to aid her.

She tells Kazuran “with Magic comes mischief. And I am found of both”.

Ash claims this is carnage. Tetune says that we are far descendants of the gods, and we falsely call ourselves gods.

Tetune says “Listen if you are here because Carric thinks he can summon me and order me around, please.”

The fight begins as Tetune banishes Rose, Kazuran, and Ash to a labyrinthine demiplane. Both Rose and Ash fail to cast spells on her (Hold Person and Counterspell respectively). Meros blasts with a ring of Fireball. Kazuran and Ash attempt to escape the Maze and fail. The Maze seems familiar, as if we have been there before, the shrubbery and flowers and berries remind us of the groovy grove. Raloren marks Tetune as his prey and shoots non-silenced arrows at Tetune. Rose gathers her power and Dispells the Maze with a burst of magic screaming “You’re not the only one who can do magic bitch!”

Tetune screams in answer and blasts Raloren with a sunbeam. Then Meros tosses a magic dagger at her, which becomes a magic missile in flight. Kazuran slices his hand and attempts to HEX Tetune with her own magic. The hex is successful, and Kazuran closes the gap with his Holy Avenger, dealing massive damage. Ash rescues Raloren from the top of the building, and Rose blasts Tetune with a sunbeam of her own. Meros dives off the roof and stabs Tetune, and then Kazuran takes advantage of her blindness to stab her a fatal blow, saying “I’m sorry, but the world will be better without you”.

Tetune smiles and says “You will serve me well”.

Kazuran feels the blessing drained from him, losing magical ability, but retaining the Holy Avenger. Tetune’s body turns to sand and falls to the earth. Raloren suspects that we have killed Tetune, but a piece of her life has been left behind. Ash thinks the last bit of Tetune may be in a book. Rose casts Identify on the book of the Dramatic, seeking more information about its nature and what part of a god it contains. The single book, before the split contained all of the gods. Rose thinks that bringing the books together will do good once the gods are gone. Destroying the book may not be necessary, killing the gods should be sufficient.

Rose tells the rest of the group about the Adventists of Order and Aurorian, her mentor.

She tells them he should be a priority, since his methods of assassination are potent and his ability to strike when least expect it. Rose thinks that he may be able to turn her against the party via magic and influence. The plan is to have her act as bait to draw him out in Mirthal.

### Season 4, Episode 3: "The Prophecy"

The group head to a magic shop in Garnsby, to buy invisibility items.

The group holds books:

Ash - Powerful
Meros - Quaint
Rose - Dramatic
Kazuran - Faithful
Raloren - Brave
Gell - Ignorant
Toby - Crooked
Henna - Strict
Eshi - Vulgar
Brix - The Glorious
? - Loved
? - Enormous
The group finds Garnsby mostly abandoned, but few people are around. Ash enters a house and finds a chair knocked over, and a meal getting cold on the table. Ash finds a child's room and walks into the room, and something seems to move near the closet. As he mentions food, he hears someone’s stomach growl in the closet. It opens as he leaves, and a small child is revealed in the closet. The child asks him not to eat the food. Ash had scared this small child, a little girl around 8 years old. The girl is a dragonborn girl, a pink dragonborn. She says that her mother and her tried to escape, but there were so many people and she lost her mom. When she got back up, there was nobody else around. Ash finds out it happened a few hours ago. Ash shows her the book in an attempt to prove that he is strong to her. None of the books will accept her when he queries.

Ash does some pyrotechnics to lead the girl down stairs, and looks for clues to the identity of her parents. He finds a portrait of two dragonborn: A Gold and Pink dragonborn. The daughter looks exactly like a younger version of her mother. Ash packs the girls things up for her. Ash attempts to scan for the prayers of the mother using his tattoo. Ash tries to find the mother of the girl, heading south east outside Garnsby. He gives her a good scare with his Owl.

The others get the items from the magic shop. And head back to regroup as Rose goes to rescue the Dragonborn child from his clutches.

As Ash lands at the temple, the girl freeze and her eyes begin to glow. Then she opens her mouth and begins to recite a prophecy.

Life and death as at Odds

One choice will decide all

Those who choose to fight the gods

Will see the world rise of fall

Find the last two abroads

Who will be the twelve to answer the call

Then she exhales the rest of her breath, and her eyes stop glowing and she passes out.

Ash carries the girl into the temple and finds the mother, who screams in mixed emotion at the return of the girl. She asks what has happened.

Ash tells her that a god may have spoken through the child in prophecy. The Golden Dragonborn says “oh no, I knew it would be her, I should have prevented this”.

The dragonborn tells Ash that she may have been a descendant of “the one”. She thinks he was talking about the One Oracle who spoke the first prophecy and created the books. It wasn’t necessarily the Oldest who created the books. Ash tells the mother to raise the child, and about the urchin network/Ashland/bunker zone and offers his support.

Rose lands and gratuitously cures the girl. She talks to the mother and remembers that the One created the book, trapped the gods in the books partially, and then split the books so that the oldest could scatter them.

The dragonborn woman says she will make her way to Oldest Isle. And we get ready to return. The Golden Dragonborn Mom is Inca, and he child (pink) is Floresa.

The Ash-Phoenix clan approaches the Oldest Isle. Owain might be at Oldest Isle.

The group teleport back, but Ash mishaps and deals damage to the group, which Rose cures.

A soldier gives Raloren a report: Ormera won the conflict in Mirthal.

The desert battle is still happening Ergos and Inja VS Odom and Bitarr.

Axdes and Zubone seem to be fighting outside Farstar.

Infera has been fighting Neona and Renna outside Goldhill.

In the Amber Isles Durnas and Wowina are fighting throughout the Isles, tearing the land apart.

Raloren thanks the soldier, and drags Rose over to Owain. She bursts out laughing.

Rose and Raloren throw out some barbs about Ash when Owain asks if they have a kid now. Ash asks the books, and one seems to choose Owain, but the book resists being opened. He hands it back. Rose touches the book and casts Locate Person to attempt to find someone who the book will accept. Raloren sends a message for people from the ravaged Amber Islands to come to Oldest Island. Ash and Rose head towards the temple, where a small group of people are staring up at the DragonLeaf Tree. Some of the people look like Ash: his fan club. Urchins from Ash’s society. Rose picks up the one who is indicated by the book/spell and holds him up to Ash.

The book glows when it reaches the one Rose picked. Ash gives a speech to Marizan. And gives her the book. The girl opens the book to the wrong page and it reads “King Gob’s city was overrun by some angelic spirits, and he went down saving his people as best he could. His main goal was to save the young (from the academy that Kazuran had attended).”

Marizan becomes the ENORMOUS. “Marizan opens the book, Terrified.”

Raloren grants Owain a sending stone, so we can call him into battle.

Rose suddenly notices a figure among the crowd. It’s Aurorian Giles, her former mentor. She tells Ash to get the kids out, and then sends out on the sending stones: “We fucked up, he’s here”.

Giles attempts to charm rose, but she resists, and she attempts to Planeshift him, but does not succeed. Giles then rebutts with another spell. Ash attempts to counter.

The group opens up with offensive spells and Raloren hits with a snaring shot. Meros ends the fight with a samurai style cross-strike.

After the battle Rose goes and sits in her Tree, talking to it and trying to process the events of the day, and the destruction of her mentor.

Rose is handed a note, ostensibly from Aurorian.

Congratulations Ruby Petal.

Enjoy your new name.

Rose becomes Ruby Petal, the Advent of Order.

Rose rejects her past and becomes Ashling Lann.

Rose scrys and finds that Minera matches the target for the book holder criterion.

She and Ash hand over the book, and get ready to clash with the gods.

The battles are still happening, except for Axdes vs Zubone, in which Axdes has won.

Ormera is headed to the Amber Isles after defeating Herrell
Axdes is outside Farstar Alone
The desert 2x2 battle is still happening, Bitarr, Ergos, Inja, Odon - Desert outside Kazurena
Durnas and Wownia are fighting in The Amber Isles: They appear to have aged
Infera, Neona, and Renna - Gold Hill
Other gods seem not to have jumped into the conflict
We end up accidently teleporting to Riverford. Ash tries again and we mishap, taking damage before arriving near Axdes. The group becomes invisible with our bounty of invisibility items, and unleash magic artillery from above after Raloren hits with a silencing Arrow. Meros does drive-by slices, Kazuran canon balls in from the Owl. Owain blasts with Eldritch Energy. Raloren keeps the hail of Arrows flying. Axdes falls to an arrow unleashed by Raloren, which punches through his eye and into his skull.

Axdes mouths words in the silence of the arrow. Meros hears a voice inside his head. “An Eye for and Eye…” and fades from this world.

Axdes is struck from our list.

### Season 4, Episode 4: "The Light of Life"

The group goes and heads to Gold Hill on the “microbus” flying carpet. They take a rest while we prepare to fight the triad of Neona, Renna, Infera. As we approach Goldhill, we can see the silhouettes of the three Goddesses in epic combat with each other. Renna appears to be getting the worst of this conflict, and appears much older than the other two gods. Infera is doing fine.

The party targets Infera first, taking advantage of the 2v1 nature of the fight, hoping to capitalize and clean up the weakened remaining gods after taking her down.

The goddesses decide to put aside their conflict to present a united front against us. Infera casts see invisibility and locates Raloren. Rose and Ash are flying around while Kazuran prepares to jump into the fight. Owain has teleported into the thick of things.

Erenna blasts with a Sunburst, catching Meros, Rose, and Raloren in the blast and hitting the rest of the party with the overflow of energy. Kazuran charges in when provoked by Neona. Kazuran knocks Neona off her feet and unleashes a flurry of blows under the influence of Haste. Ash aids Raloren, who fires blindly at the Goddesses. Owain attacks, and Meros attempt to sneak strike.

Rose summons an Air Elemental Version of herself, then flies off to take cover while she recovers from the blindness. Erenna casts a column of light on Kazuran who weathers most of it. Neona attempts to teleport away, drawing the Ire of Infera, who casts Meteor swarm, obliterating Rose and Raloren immediately. It also obliterates the battlefield, and the other two goddesses. Kazuran charges in and attacks with vigor fueled by the loss of his companions. Owain assaults the remaining god as well, lending a healing aura to the living members of the party. Ash strikes out with magical fire and shreds the area with fire storm. The goddess fades from this realm.

Rose and Raloren find themselves in the divine realm separately. They both experience a vision of a childlike Wowina surrounded by animals corresponding to the gods. Raloren is returned to the realm after his interaction, and Rose rails against the gods and refuses to make any sort of deal:

"You know, I really did buy into all the balance gospel. It seemed like such a good idea. The problem is that when you balance something on a knife, it's going to fall to one side sooner or later.
"I'm not going to beg for my life or another chance. I had my time I guess, and if I do go back, I'm going to keep spending my whole being tearing down your world and building a world in its place that belongs to nobody. To everyone.
"Maybe I'm stubborn, or vain, or stupid. But no. I'll destroy you and your husband. I will wipe your very memory from this world!"

Elementary aged Wownia shrugs her shoulders. "Too bad." She pats the space next to her. "Might as well have a seat. You'll be here for a while." The animals look at you. "Don't worry, they won't hurt you. Nothing can hurt you here anymore."

Rose plays with the animals.

An Owl, a white dove, a rabbit, a ferret, a fox, an armadillo, a fish, a beetle, a baby bear, an old eagle, a pigeon, and a frog.

Raloren’s hand bursts through the pile of Ashes, and he drags himself back into the mortal realm, naked. He is lent some clothing, and the group waits for Rose to emerge, but she does not. Kazuran attempts to save the Ashes of Rose. The group teleports back to Oldest Island. None of the Clerics there seem able to perform a resurrection of the type needed to bring back Rose from the far beyond.

Raloren attempts to get some equipment from a traveling merchant. Strictly he attempts to commandeer some equipment. He is fitted with Standard Leather Armor, a Normal Longbow, and a Quiver with 30 arrows, and a dagger.

Ash visits his family, and tells them he is trying to build a safe place in case they fail to save the world. OMG asks him about the immortals, and Ash tells him that he plans to kill all the gods. OMG says “please tell me you are still serving the great one, Durnas”. Ash tells her he plans to replace both Gods, and asks them to bring Rose back, but OMG professes that they cannot. There is some disapproval of Ash’s path, but they agree to tone down their continued devotion to Durnas. Ash expresses incredulation that the Holy Avengers weren’t used last time if they are such a good weapon against the gods. He leaves them, and calls the shop in Garmsby who also has nothing to help. In desperation he calls Minera. Meros calls Gell first, and tries to take advantage of the underground network to find True Resurrection (or Wish). Gell agrees to try, but doesn’t think so. Gell tells him that they should meet up with him immediately, that the bookholders are gathered by the Dragonleaf Tree. Meros lets the rest of the group know about the meeting of the new book holders. Ash organizes a meeting in the morning at the only finished structure on the island.

The book holders are assembled in the room, Ash places the Jar of Rose on the table in front of the assembled bookholders. Ash attempts to head off any questions, and asks the assembled group to just trust them, that they are doing the best they can to protect this place and liberate their homes, and that they should answer our questions rather than ask them.

Ash asks Minera to resurrect Rose. She agrees and the group ask if there is anything left to discuss at the meeting.

Raloren and Minera leave the group to conduct the ritual.

In the divine realm the nascent goddess of life strikes up a conversation with Rose.

"So, tell me Rose. What did you do to end up here with me?"

"Choose to try and help instead of saving myself. Like an idiot. As usual. My life has been a series of barely escaped deaths. I guess I really just finally ran out of luck. The debts of my mistakes were finally called in" says Rose.

"Ah. One of those. Seen too many of that. Are you some form of a traveler?"

"In a sense. An explorer I guess. Always looking for something. Finding it for only a moment before losing it again. It needs to stop. Not just for me. Nobody should have to lose what they love just to satisfy someone else's thirst for power. It's taken this long for me to figure just that out. So really, what chance did I ever have".

"That is very deep my new friend."

She begins to feel a little strange, fading, disappearing.

"Looks like someone is calling for you?"

Rose looks out and see a little boy dressed in purple arrive and give you a death glare.

Wownia says, "see you soon my new friend."

She is suddenly a blinded by a flash of light Rose appears in a side room with Minera and Rhaloren in front of her.

The bookholders, Brix specifically, says ‘is there anything else you want to say? We have some important things to discuss’.

The fresh Rose berates Raloren and Minera, takes the clothing they offer, and then reunites with the rest of the company. The group takes stock, and then teleports back to Garnsby to do a final round of shopping, offering an Oathbow to Raloren. Raloren takes the Oathbow. Rose doesn’t find anything Druidic, and Raloren finds no other equipment.

The Amber Isles is flooded with gods, while only 2 remain fighting outside Kazarena.

The curtain drops as the group teleports into Bek.

### Season 4, Episode 5: "The Fall of Order"

The group pops into existence in Bek. The heroes look through the rubble of Bek, Meros finds 10k gold, Raloren finds a set of +3 Leather Armor, and Rose finds a Staff of the Woodlands. Ash finds a small child crying on the steps of a building. Ash notices an affinity for Butterflies with this kid. Ash creates a flaming butterfly. Ash’s tattoo burns bright purple and burns. Ash activates it, and discovers that the child is a modicum of Durnas. Dressed in a rundown tunic with just a hint of soft lilac. The boy asks why Ash isn’t his friend anymore, why he isn’t on his side. Ash says that he is killing gods, and he never asked Ash to kill gods, and Durnas says he never asked to be a god. He wants Ash to rejoin his team. Ash wants and unequivocal statement, and Durnas child says “don’t let me die, I’m really scared” .

The rest of the group comes over, and Rose advocates for the destruction of this god child. Ash asks what happens when the gods are destroyed. Durnas asks him if he wants the world to change really, even if it’s not what he wants. Ash walks away since this is “fucking with his head”. Rose casts Hold Person on the kid, and Raloren shoots the kid with the bow, piercing it. It leaks purple blood and it’s eyes glow bright purple. It explodes into purple butterflies as it shouts at us that we have made a mistake.

The group notice that Inja and Odom charge each other and mutually impale each other, turning to dust. Both gods are destroyed. The group goes to check on the gods, finding them destroyed. Ergos, Bitarr, Wowina, and Durnas are fighting in the Amber Islands. Ormera is on the way, headed to the conflict. Eshi calls Raloren, and he learns that the rest of the bookholders have received Holy Avengers.

The group discusses the path forward and the consequences of carrying out their task. Owain knows that the Holy Avengers are gifts from the Oldest and the LIbrarians, and the books may have shifted in primary purpose. The books have failed, the swords are a backup strategy. There are 5 holders of swords who would lead the charge against the gods.

The group decides to leverage the remaining forces to begin an assault on the gods, leaving some to protect the island.

Rose scrys Durnas with Ash’s petrified butterfly wing, and Rose sees the battle between the gods on Tyme, with them rapidly shifting between battle intensity, going from moment to moment, jumping between ages, children slapping at each other, to teenages, to elderly, to middle aged. Ergos and Bitarr seems to be sitting back and watch.

The group is going to try to intercept Ormera.

Ormera opens the sea, approaches the group and demands a parlay saying “I knew I would see you troublemakers again”. Owain throws his magic lance at her over and over but it does nothing. She teleports into the midst of the party and demands they join her, and choose life. She expresses particular disappointment in Rose. Rose and she trade barbes about Order and LIfe being greater than death. Rose has a minor crisis of identity and chats with Raloren to resolve it, and ask how he was brought back, how he sold out to Wownia. He says he just can’t kill her. Rose asks what happens after all this, and Ormera says “there will be order”. Rose says “I think, maybe, I don’t like your version of Order.” and the fight begins.

Ash does a stab, but Ormera casts Maze targeting all of us. Meros and Owain pop back into existence, Omera casts Power Word Kill on Owain, who dies as Ormera demands it.

Ash pops back in, and then Rose ends the Maze. Ash immolates Ormera and Rose. Meros attacks, and Kazuran hits hard. Raloren casts ensnaring strike, which Ormera shakes off. Rose Summons a fire elemental and then becomes one. Ash casts delayed blast fireball, then hits with a real fireball, which Meros avoids, Ormera partially avoids, and Kazuran gets the full frontal. Rose rips out Ormera’s heart with a flaming skeleton hand.

Rose attempts to Reincarnate Owain, however Ash counter spells it. He takes him back to Oldest Isle to try and get him revived. We all decide to get to Tyme, Ash meets us. Suddenly the bookholders teleport in, and tell us that celestial armies have begun an assault on oldest island. Rose tries to keep the kids out, but they are empowered by the blades. She tells them to take up the rear, to defend themselves. The group advances, surrounded by the power of their books, we snap into the battle in a most inorganic fashion. Wownia and Durnas are locked in combat, no longer timeshifting, and BIttar and Ergos are sitting in trees nearby laughing at the spectacle. A barrier of light suddenly divides the 5 of us and the other book holders. Bitarr and Ergos shift through the barrier, and land near the remaining bookholders. Gell and Minera look back at us, and they both say “we can handle this, go”. We runs towards the gods who shrink to human proportions. Durnas appears to be Owain, and Wownia appears to be the old Darlove.

We crash into the gods.

Karzuran commits to Wownia. Meros follows suit. Durnas calls to Ash, who flies to his side. Rose asks Wownia to be banish to a plane of water, and does so, removing her from the fight for now, leaving Durnas as a target. She turns and shouts “Fuck you” to Durnas. Kazuran, having no other target, slams into Durnas. Ash floats above, we all attack, Rose pins Durnas as a water elemental and Kazuran capitalizes. Ash casts blight on Durnas.

As Durnas takes the hit, Wownia’s voice says “you shall not rule” and a sword punches through him, and he bleeds purple. Butterfly wings form over his body, and Wownia steps forth, and says “this is my world now”. Ash’s delayed blast fireball is halfway through its cycle.

### Season 4, Episode 6: "The Journey Ends"

We see the body of Durnas become Wownia, and the Wownia returning from the veil of water is revealed as Durnas. Durnas had tricked us into killing Wownia for him. Durnas steps forward from the portal, and Ash tells him that he wishes to replace him. Durnas bursts into Purple fire with two large butterfly wings. Ash sulks about him stealing his aesthetic, and Durnas retorts “where do you think you got it from Child?”. THE FINAL BATTLE BEGINS.

Durnas opens with a fireball hitting Meros, Rose, and Kazuran. Ash returns with a Hold Monster Scroll, followed with a Blight.. Kazuran jumps onto Rose’s cloud-arm and readies himself to strike as she prepares to spring skyward. Meros blasts upwards with a fireball, catching a bit of Ash in the blast (of course his mantle means it heals him instead).

Raloren shoots and misses, but lands a second arrow. Rose misses both her attacks, but gets Kazuran into a zone where he can execute. Kazuran lands a solid hit. Durnas blasts upwards at Ash with a cone of Cold, and Ash responds with his own, and activates his protection from good and evil. Kazuran takes advantage of Rose’s distraction and lays into Durnas, landing every blow. Meros throws his dagger of magic missiles at the dark god, and Raloren lands an ensnaring strike, but fails to ensnare. Rose slams Kazuran into Durnas face for a bit of damage. Durnas retaliates with a flameblade, striking Kazuran in retaliation. Ash blasts with prismatic spray. Kazuran lets loose another furious cascade of blows. Meros uses his fly to sneak under Durnas’ guard and hit for a decent amount of damage, Raloren misses with a shot, and Rose fails to pile drive the Half-Orc into Durnas again. Durnas sets his sights on Ash, and say “you have failed me my child”, Ash rebutts with “only one failing here is you”. Durnas is getting beat up, but he is not taking as much of a beating we thing. He takes no action on his turn. Ash stabs with his holy avenger to great effect. Kazuran is once against very effective with the sword. Durnas falls under Kazuran’s assault. He falls to his knees, weakened. All the bookholders charge forward and stab, Ash, Kazuran and Rose from above, the rest from all around. A fountain of purple blood comes from his mouth, and he says the “god of death will feel death for the last time”.

The FINAL BATTLE is Over.

Rose opens her book and learns that there are no more gods on Apherene.

The party pokes around the area a bit. Meros sifts through the remains of the gods, finding a purple butterfly with crushed wings, and a dead cat where Wownia was once.

Rose and Meros bury the cat, and the group returns to find the island the site of a major conflict. The buildings have been decimated, bodies are sprawled everywhere. The battle appears to be over, and there are no godly legions fighting. The survivors seem to be doing triage. Rose casts healing spells to aid best as she can, then joins the rest of the group. The temple of the oldest is barely standing, but the Dragonleaf Tree is fine. Ash tells the oldest that we have destroyed the manifested gods. The Oldest tell us they are happy to see a new age dawning. They tell us they are pleased that we succeeded where everyone else had failed: the final end of the gods. A new age with no gods. They tell us we have proven we deserve much better, and they agree to grant us more life than we can ever imagine. We will not live forever, but much longer than others, adding 60 years to our total lifespans. The Oldest say it is time for new gods to rise. The librarians begin to glow warm colors and together they say “this world needs to be whole, not separate”. Elfron says “tranquility”, Gedora says “Harmony”, Frok says “Balance” and Domesh says “Peace”. Then the four librarians disappear. Rose asks if we need to kill them. The Oldest say that it was a conflict between the gods and Oldest, with the librarians ascending to Godhood not being any part of that. The oldest become mortal, and intend to rebuild Oldest Island.

Raloren asks if the books still hold any power, if cities will be granted to their holders. The Oldest says that the 12 will retain their power, that the books should scatter 3 to a continent. And that the book holders should rule within that framework.

The Oldest tell us to check on those who are loved. Rose and Raloren exchange words about how the books are not the basis of strong government, and Raloren suggests we take the Amber Isles, combine our power, so he doesn’t have to rule.

The bookholders and the party meet, all the books are taken out. Six of them begin to glow. Merizan’s book changes from the Enormous to the Proud, Toby’s goes from the Crooked to the Calm, Gell’s changes from the Ignorant to the Ambitious, Henna changes from the Strict to the Kind, Eshi’s changes from Vulgar to Wonderful, Rose’s changes from the Dramatic to the Magnificent. The other books are unchanged.

Minera is impressed at the show of magic. She wishes to stay in Intaria.

Eshi is going to the Amber Isles. Rose sends Toby there. Gell wants to stay on Eras, but Meros wins the coin toss. Ash wants Bek & the Temple of Durnas. Brix wishes to go to Intaria. Merizan wants Esova, and Henna will also go to Esova. Rose walks out, after trading barbs with Minera. Gell chooses Esova, and Rose defaults to Intaria although she seems to refuse to engage in the process.

As the 5 of us scatter, disbanding our group Ash discovers that the two grownups and the two young adults have perished. Only magic grandma and the two kids remain. Kazuran learns that Xana is still alive, but his other lieutenants have perished. Meros learns that many rogues have died. Many of Raloren’s Soldiers have perished in the fight. The Raulnor clan is largely untouched. The world is in ruins, cities have been demolished and towns wiped off the map. The Kazerena is untouched. Mirthal is a smoking crater. The Fey City is mostly destroyed. The population of the world has been reduced greatly.

### Epilogue (10 Years Later)

We are now level 18. All 12 Major Cities have been built.

Raloren has built the Fey City into New Mirthal. He falls from public view, living in a cabin in the woods, and occasionally visiting his friends. He is unmarried.

Meros hides out in Beggars hole, king of the rogues, married with tonnes of gold, married to Henna.

Kazuran spends most of his time in the Kazerna, having challenges and running his business. He is a pit fighting tycoon. He has amassed great wealth, and Xana become his right hand man. He is unmarried.

Ash attempts to build Eras into the Pheonix empire, the seat of power is the temple of Durnas. He gathers as much land, power and influence. Bek becomes the capital of the Phoenix empire. Ash has a bunch of adopted kids, and there are whispers about him and another young bookholders, but Ash has used his empires as a proof of concept for how good he would be as a good. He is still searching for godhood, and resents being forced into a long mortal life.

Rose is basically raiding shit with her mobile grove, trying to unravel society, she showed up for Meros’ wedding, and then disappeared again. She strikes at rules she finds tyrannical, which are most of them, building up a network of spies to take down governments from within. She especially likes undermining Brix and Minera. She mostly leaves her friends alone, simply waiting for them to die, as she is essentially now timeless.

At the end of the decade, Ash is playing with his Kids, Raloren is hunting in the woods, Meros is doing beach fun things, Kazuran is having tourneys and managing mercs. Rose is trying to turn a cloud into a castle in the sky.

From the beginnings of the castle, Rose sees a note float down, and it lands on the foundation beside her. It is in the shape of a butterfly, and is purple on one side. The note reads “We shall see his rise again, trust us”.

Meros is playing cards on the beach, he flips one and it is covered with purple butterflies, it reads “death is always certain, to everyone and everything”.

As Raloren is hunting, he finds his kill and where the arrow pierced there is a note pinned to the animal by the arrow, in the shape of a purple butterfly. It reads “Durnas was never alone”.

Kazuran has a maid come to him and give him a card, he opens it and in the card is a single drawn purple butterfly and it says “We fight for him like we’ve always fought for him”.

One of the children of Ash comes to him, and shows him a dead purple butterfly with a note attached to it, the note reads: “You have disappointed your father, we were always the favored children”.

At the bottom of each note says “P. B. S.”