Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 77- Against All Gods

[Navarre]

The Shadow War

Chapter 77
Against All Gods

From the core of the sun itself, the Einshar breach the planar barriers as they push into Ashearea. The gods have returned, in full force, each seeking the prize you hold.

You recognize them, though mostly from the tapestries found in the lost Temple of Dalophor. The depictions in thread bear no justice to the power and glory of the true beings above you.

First among them is the nearly omnipotent Illumian himself. Using the light that is his domain, he streaks forward in a blinding flash of pure white, armor gleaming and sword already brandished.

On his heels is the mighty Damrogann. The warlord is half-again larger than even his Einshar brethren, creating a shadow that blankets the clearing.

By his side is his sister and bride, Damali. The huntress levels her spear, seeming to be carried along by it as if it had been thrown with her attached.

Some of the Einshar are missing, however. Uma and Fjod are absent, perhaps confirming the word of their death during the original coup against the Primordial. Jondelyn too is absent but you know that is as much your doing as anything; your reshaping of the timeline creating a world where the Mistress of Lust and Magic never traveled to Ashearea with her Gnomes.

Ferraki and Quand are among the Einshar. But behind them is the blind angel of the World Spirit, Pandia. She nods in your direction, Bedlor; a silent assurance she would see the Trust in the Primordial's hands once again.

The Goddess of Nature calls to Sashca, whom you saw recently at Death's Door. Pandia urges the Goddess of Death to aid her to restrain the other Einshar, calling on the pact made between them long ago.

But Sashca, like her own Angels of Death, defies that truce as her cold eyes light on the Trust as the box closes. Even as Pandia extends wooden tentacles to impede Ferraki, Sashca flies on toward you.

Of the known Einshar, only two possible members are conspicuous in their absence.

Ximon in not among them. Now that you are aware that it was he who guided Peter Carrigan and had infiltrated Jett's group of "Defenders", it is known that he was already on Ashearea. Yet he has not appeared to aid you, last seen secretly inhabiting the body of Carl in Forest Falls.

Perhaps most worrisome of all, the Lord of Bargains, Maldomkin, is nowhere to be seen. He, more than any other, had telling information on your activities and whereabouts yet he does not appear.

At the sight of Pandia, all the animals and treants around you simultaneously bow and prepare themselves to defend the Trust with their lives. Carrigan and Aldina however, unaccustomed to treating with gods on a regular basis, only stare at you with frozen awe and fear for their lives.

[Gaumer]

Bedlor draws his weapons and stands ready. His gaze moves briefly to his allies as the dwarf notices their fear

"Oi, ye ne'er be seein' a god 'fore? Well, be closin' yer mouths 'fore ye catch flies - we'll be needin' the lil' beasties 'elp by my seein' - an' straighten yer backs; 'ead up; empty yer minds o' the fear - that be what they be wishin' ye to feel. Fill it wit' thoughts o' the win we can be gainin' 'ere."

Bedlor turns his eyes back to the incoming gods

"An' just know that they can'ta be doin' nothin' to us 'cept kill us. That be the end o' all our paths."

before raising Warsong over his head and bringing the weapon's magical light to fullness

"LOOK! The gods come to us. Aye, for our blood, but also, some, to give us needed aid.

Are we to run an' 'ide now?! After all we 'ave done?! We ASKED for this! We be questionin' the will o' the gods, an', through our own wills, be commandin' those same gods to 'ear us. Ye 'ear me? The gods come to US!! The followers o' those Einshar not be listenin' to our words or the ringin' o' our swords o' victory! But now, the gods come to us! An ' THEY will be 'earin' us now!!"

Bedlor lets Warsong tear threw the air, aimed directly at the god of death. Just before the legendary weapon leaves the dwarf's hand, an unheard whisper passes Bedlor's lips

"Sing our song o' victory, Warsong!"

[Navarre]

The Legacy Weapon sings as it flies toward Sashca. Its song is pure and radiant, louder than you've ever known.

All the Einshar save Pandia, even Illumian, momentarily hold their ears. They stare at the approaching weapon; its form and origin unknown to them.

You remember that Warsong and Valor were created to protect the Primordial's creation from all who would see it ruined or subjugated. Warsong's song is one of Life and Freedom, two things your enemies oppose today.

Cast on the great forge beneath Kallum's Hold, Warsong is a Protector as much as you, his wielder. Together you make a stand and statement of what you live for and that for which you are willing to die.

The Legacy Weapon impacts Sashca directly in the center of her emaciated chest. The peel sounds like the dirge rung from an ancient bell as she cries out and falls back.

As Warsong strikes, a shockwave of pale green energy bursts from the point of impact. It spreads outward in a circular burst some thirty feet, catching all the Einshar within its wave.

It passes through Pandia harmlessly but not so with her brethren. The other Einshar shudder and emit surprised cries of pain as the World Spirit itself works its way from you to Warsong to your foes.

As the hammer returns unerringly to your hand, Aracil looks at you with awe.

"You are truly the Protector and the Entrusted One, Bedlor Enghart. The Primordial could not have chosen a better ally."

"But the gods will regroup and their power is far beyond your ken. You must get the Trust to the Primordial and awaken them...somehow."

[Gaumer]

"What o' the caves, mate? 'Ow deep an' far do they tunnel?"

[Navarre]

Aracil nods.

"Yes, of course! The caves!"

"The Veins of Ashearea is the structure that permeates the world. As the world most mortals know is the skin, what lies below is the system through which life flows. Even the good Dwarves only know of part of it, for the Veins reach to all places."

"Within my cave is a crevice that leads to this system. Choose the right Vein, and you can transport yourself wherever you need go."

"There is one other advantage to you, simple in theory but most beneficial in action."

"Each Einshar has their own Domain. And, though they staged their coup against the Primodial, none usurped their sacred rights."

"Celestryn is still God of the Earth. And, within his world, the Einshar cannot follow."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor takes a quick moment to thank Aracil. Again.

"Ye are 'mong the most 'onored in this world, the other, an' any that may be found. Thank ye, my friend."

before calling to his allies

"Follow me to safety! Our fight can'ta be won 'ere on this battlefield!"

before running, no, flying toward the opening of the cave that was once his refuge, hoping to make it so a second time.

[Strifeter]

Tren stares at the sky as Warsong flies at the ones manipulating the world from behind the scene.

"This isn't over. I will return."

Tren moves to follow Enghart activating his flight ring.

[Navarre]

Sashca glares at you as she rubs her chest. The dead goddess's torso has been caved in from the force of Warsong's strike but the Goddess of Death looks only mildly damaged from the opening blow.

"You are not of the Prophesy and mean nothing to me. You are merely an Elf, one who should be of my blood, who sides against me."

"I will not attempt to sway you. You will die in due time and come to Death's Door. There will I judge you; most unfavorably."

Pandia shakes her head in sorrow at her sister's words.

"Oh, Sashca. I thought you understood. There is no triumph to be found save for our reconciliation. Else all reality will perish beneath the weight of endless war. Please join me in speaking for the Primordial and the World Spirit to our brothers and sisters."

Damrogann snorts in derision. The warlord's voice is thunderous beneath his godly helm.

"There is no peace to come from this! We are as the mortals. We only know war and conflict."

"We do not have it within us to live in unity. We can only do what we are made to do: Struggle, suffer, and either win or die!"

Pandia cannot answer as Quand hurtles a spear at her. Above you, the war of man is reflected in their gods as brother attacks brother, all for the right of unopposed control.

Your party leaves the clearing as you hasten into the cave. Bedlor leads you directly to the crack in the back wall, Moira's light now showing the way.

Beyond the crevice you enter into a cave system so vast even you are surprised. Tunnels, most small, lead in all directions.

Ahead and below you, natural steps lead down to a rapidly flowing river. It too follows the tunnels, seeming to branch in every possible direction.

Rachel looks over the scene.

"Och! T'is marvelous!"

"If we 'ad a boat and knew t'e way, I bet t'is river would take us anywhere faster t'an t'e swiftest falcon."

[Gaumer]

Bedlor allows only the smallest part of his mind to remain at the battle outside the protection of the caves, and the briefest of moments to appreciate the situation

"Hohoho, did ye be seein' it?! The gods 'emselves finally be takin' this wit' a bit o' worry. An' it be as it should be by my seein'."

before realizing the new dangers that come with such glory

"Sure'n if'n the gods 'emselves be comin' to the front o' this war our friends, scattered 'cross the world by my order, be in e'en more danger than 'fore. But they be takin' on that wit' knowin' what could be.

I be seein' more than one path 'fore us. We can be takin' these river caverns to the ends o' this world an' anywhere 'tween. Forest Falls? To take the prize 'ome? If'n the rumor o' needin' a Nexus for full power to be reached by those we set to free, we'll only see a 'istory o' old seein' itself 'appen 'gain.

Divide our numbers? Seek our allies at the ends o' the world an' make our full charge on our enemy? I not be knowin' any dwarf who could be knowin' the all o' these caves, an' I see no other dwarfs 'mong us.

Or, do we seek the final prize? Do we ride these ragin' waves underground an' the waves a true, live battle 'tween the gods 'emselves truly be makin' on the all o' the world an' the all o' our enemies? Why did we not see Maldomkin in the battle? A bargain? 'Aps, but sure'n the god be 'oldin' 'is power close.

If'n we be thinkin' Faerun be in the clutches o' the enemy, I be agreein' wit' that after what we be seein'. Aye, the rings can be freein' the elder gods, but the Nexus can be undoin' the all o' any o' that work in the blink o' 'is eye. I say we let these rivers take us to Law's End. We take the battle in the direction our enemies be least expectin' it. Sure'n they know where the elders be imprisoned, an' just as sure'n they will be ready for us there.

Law's End? By my seein', we need to be takin' it all, or we be endin' up 'avin' nothin'. An' all we become is busy-workers for a god who be thinkin' 'im wiser than any other."

[Navarre]

Rachel replies.

"If Maldomkin does know o' t'e location o' t'e Primordial's statues t'en sure'n he not be wantin' us near t'em. I dinna t'ink 'e be able to destroy t'e statues, buried as t'ey are, but 'e could try to keep us away from Forest Falls."

"But if we do need t'e Nexus, as we've 'eard, t'en all 'e 'as to do is keep Faerun away from us. Why not just kill t'e wee Gnome and be done wit' it?"

"Sure'n 'e must 'ave a plan o' 'is own; one we not be seein'."

Outside, you hear a sound like thunder as gods slay gods.

[Strifeter]

Tren nods.

"It would avoid complication. I could handle it without too much effort."

[Navarre]

Aldina looks at you curiously.

"Sorry? Handle what?"

[Strifeter]

Tren looks at Aldina and raises an eye-brow after coming out of deep thought.

"I could remove the Gnome from the equation. It would solve our problem."

[Navarre]

Moira blinks, a bit put off.

"Would it?"

"Without a Nexus, it sounds as if the Primordial would be unable to simultaneously reshape all the realities. I am certain much is broken in the multiverse and they..."

She breaks, her face flushing.

"Are you talking about killing Faerun?!??"

[Strifeter]

Tren glares at Moira.

"It's the Gnomes Nexus powers that we need not Faerun himself. I am sorry but he willing left to another group knowing how important a part he could play in this whole ordeal.

Why does one life take presidence over the preservation of the universe."