41: Prove Your Mettle

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## Summary

Damhir returns Feyn’s flute to its rightful owner. They play a beautiful melody that brings six identical pillars out of the sand in a ring around the entrance to Suraat’s Arkspring. Pleased to see fresh faces attempt to brave the Spring’s challenges, Feyn asks a few questions and offers some advice. Namely, they warn the party that many others have failed in their place, and that success requires personal sacrifice.

While Nuur and Beranh tend the wyverns and keep watch on the surface, Feyn welcomes the party and Damhir into the Spring before disappearing in a glimmer of Ark. The gang descends the dimly lit stairwell under the spire and comes to a stony archway with an elaborate inscription in the Old Tongue—“PROVE YOUR METTLE”—now a familiar sign that they are about to enter a place between realms.

### Through the Fire

In the first chamber of the Arkspring, the party finds themselves standing on a large platform suspended in the void of that space between the material plane and that of the Gods themselves. In the center of the platform lies a golden brazier lit with a roaring fire. On closer inspection, the party sees a dagger in the firepit. Through several attempts to snatch the dagger, the party learns that the pain of the flame is merely an illusion, so Luca steels himself and claims the blade. But the trial has only just begun—stone pedestals with effigies of a horned imp appear at the edges of the platform, and the party must make an offering to proceed. Each challenger gives up something valuable to themselves, causing a bridge to their next trial appears. But to even begin to cross, they must also each give up a truth about themselves.

### Against the Clock

Secrets laid bare and Saint Feyn’s trial bested, the party moves on to a round chamber with a sandy floor, the room illuminated by green flames. Six ornate teacups filled with a cool, translucent green liquid sit on a low table. Upon inspection, they are decorated with representations of the four Guardian Saints in their animal forms: a firebird, a tortoise, a caracal, and a dragon. The party drinks, the flames go out, and Kway, Saint of Resolve, challenges them to defeat him before his poison kills them. The party prevails, Kway congratulates them, and they fall through the floor as if in an hourglass.

### Peacemaker

In the next chamber, the party reads an inscription on a statue of a knight. “Bring to me the greatest weapon, which kings covet, which puts warriors to ruin, which ends all battles,” it reads. In a room lined with all manner of arms, the party presents a rusted blade wrapped in laurels, and Laau, Saint of Wisdom, reveals herself, and sends the party along with her blessing.

### More than a Game

The next chamber is a giant board of Saints’ Chess, the floor made of alternating marble and jade squares, with life-sized pieces carved from fine gemstones. Laksa appears and introduces themself as the Saint of Gambits, and challenges the party to a game as their trial. Early on, the party bets the farm making a move on Laksa’s queen piece, but pulls it off and takes the game.

With the four Guardian Saints’ trials complete, all that awaits is Suraat’s inner sanctum.

## Quotes

> “Kkadir came here, once, decades ago now. He played our flute, but didn’t even make it past me. Not an ounce of sincerity in that man’s heart, you see, and my kin aren’t as patient as I am.”
> “I am the Saint of Sacred Oaths. In the chamber I guard, you will swear your loyalty to the realm itself, and to that which gives it and all of us life. But to do so, you must be prepared to give up something of value. And let it be known—none may enter this most holy place a liar to themself.”
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*—Feyn, Saint of Sacred Oaths, First Guardian of Suraat's Arkspring*

> “Hail. I am the guardian Kway, Saint of Resolve. Your task is simple. Defeat me before my poison kills you.”
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*—Kway, Saint of Resolve, Second Guardian of Suraat's Arkspring*

> “Hail, oathtakers. They call me Laau, the Saint of Wisdom. You’ve come further than anyone in ages, I’ll say that much. Go with my blessing.”
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*—Laau, Saint of Wisdom, Third Guardian of Suraat's Arkspring*

> “Hail, fair warriors. It is I, Laksa, Saint of Gambits. I see you’ve already stumbled upon one of your own. Let us have a game, then.”
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*—Laksa, Saint of Gambits, Fourth Guardian of Suraat's Arkspring*