This just in: The Littlest Asura kicked the Mad King’s bony ass.

Protector Tarnn: Long Live the Lich

We had been deep in the hidden library of the Astralarium when we received word that war had begun. Khalida had penned the message herself in code so Sahil had to be the one to read it out to the rest of us.

Joko had struck. And he struck hard. His so called invasion on Tyria must not have been getting the response his wanted. Massive coordinated attacks to different regions may have seemed impressive to the lich, but to Tyrians it was just another Tuesday. So he went with a much more direct approach.

A Pact aid ship bound for Amnoon had been infected on route with the scarab plague, timed perfectly to swarm the city as they disembarked. Thank the Alchemy that the Commander had been at the docks and had managed to hold back the scarabs from infecting the rest of Amnoon. But even if the invasion had failed, it still sent a clear message: Joko was back for good.

But, as the letter went onto explain, the rest of the world wasn’t going to allow the lich king to walk all over it. I felt a swell of Tyrian pride hearing that the Commander had carved out a foothold in Kourna. As if there was ever any doubt. When it comes to global catastrophes you can always count on a Tyrian to be the first in the fight.

The Sunspears and their Tyrian and Olmakhan allies would mobilize and join the rest of the war effort in Kourna as soon as possible. Dorne immediately sent a message back to the Sandswept Isles for reinforcements and the rest of us tightened up our gear. You could almost taste the nervous energy in the air. This is what the Sunspears had been fighting hundreds of years for and this seemed like the first real chance at Joko they ever had. What that chance entailed we weren’t sure of yet, that would come with the briefing in Kourna, but as I told Sahil, this time the Sunspears wouldn’t be alone. He seemed to relax, though only a little.

The way to Kourna wasn’t short despite the province being across the strait from Istan. Gandara, also known at the Moon Fortress, guarded the waters. There would be no assault from the sea. Instead the Commander had found a more round about way into Kourna, by way of a portal just outside the Tomb of the Primeval Kings. I’m not sure if I want to know how that came about.

It was so nice to be back in the Highlands. By all logic this region should not be a place one looks forward to. The Brand looms large, the Salt Flats are difficult to live in, and the death-energy from Vlast can still be felt as a woven undercurrent in the air. And yet the area feels refreshing. I can only imagine it’s due to being so far from Joko’s influence. Or maybe it’s just the mountain air.  

We arrived at the portal alongside a supply caravan. The branded may seem tame compared to a threat like Joko, but it’s still a threat. Getting supplies through the region, even with the assistance of the local ogre tribes, is a nightmare. Despite a dedicated escort one of the pack bulls got maimed and some of the supplies were lost under the talons of a branded griffon. It’s almost as if we’re fighting on two fronts, and if the supplies fail Joko has as good as won.

The portal itself wasn’t what I was expecting. It was less like an asura gate and more like a tear in the fabric of space-time. A stable tear that hopefully won’t cause a problem down the road. But right now it’s able to get us into Kourna. The tear was too small to take all of us at once, so we had to go through in waves. And we weren’t the only ones in line for the front. It seemed like half of Tyria had heard the call to arms and the wait for our turn for the portal took hours.

The air was the first thing I noticed about Kourna. While the Highlands had been refreshing, the air in Kourna was heavy, hot, and infused with an unclean greasy magic from Joko’s influence. I wouldn’t say it’s as bad as Orr but it was still pretty bad. The second thing I noticed was the Allied Encampment on the rise. The abandoned village had been turned into a boisterous staging camp. Medic tents, cook fires, repair anvils, training stations, if it wasn’t for the lack of trees you’d think you were back in Dragon Stand. Except for one detail. I didn’t notice it at first, but as we walked through the town to report in and receive our assignments it suddenly struck me. Everyone working inside the village was human. Every supply runner, medic, blacksmith, lookout…all human. The most I saw of any other race at that time was a squad of saluting sylvari before they rode out on their raptors, presumably to the front lines.

It wasn’t until we got a briefing from Spearmarshal Zaeim that we learned why. The scarab plague only affects humans, all other races native to Tyria are immune. That means any human members of the offensive now have to play defense. All other races had to go to the front lines. But even we aren’t any safer as the threat of awakening is very real.

Because of this unique consideration all assignments had to be divvied up differently. Sahil and and his Sunspears, despite all their years of training, had to stay behind in the village to see to the logistics. At least Sahil was important enough to be at the command table and assist in devising plans and seeing them carried out. Sanna and Dorne were assigned to the vine wall at the front lines to help keep the wall in one piece and see to any wounded that came through the gates. Sanna was ordered get as many as she could back on their feet and back into the fight, saving the rear medic tents for those worse off.

As for me, Zaeim was very interested in hearing that I was a blacksmith and had gone toe-to-toe with the Inquest more so than my experience in Orr or Dragon Stand. Supplies are at a premium out here and there is never enough to go around. But we can’t fight a war without the metal for armor and weapons, not at the rate they are trickling in. So we had to make do with what we had. And what we had was an old inquest lab in the Dabiji Hollows. There were no living inquest in the lab, they were all Awakened so there would be no food to find. But there would be equipment that could be salvaged into usable metal and magical components. My orders were to take a squad and raid the research vaults, identify good materials, steal anything we could carry, and getting out before the Awakened could retaliate. If we managed to snag some information then fine, but it was better to free any prisoners. Apparently the local hylek tribe were a regular victim and we needed them as allies.

I gathered a small squad from the allies that came with us from the Astralarium, both Priory and Olmakhan members with swift mounts and keen eyes. The goal was to get in, grab what we could, and get out. We didn’t need to get caught in any protracted fights were we could easily get outnumbered and lose precious materials. I only had a day to memorize the information Zaeim had gathered and to touch base with Quartermaster Yohana. The smiths were in dire need of not only metal but also arcane crystals for artificing repairs. Doable. If there is anything the Inquest would have in spades, aside from suffering and a superiority complex, it’s arcane crystals.

We set out early in the morning before the desert heat really set in. The mount of choice was either a raptor or a jackal. From what I overheard many of the raptors were turning their snouts up at the ibogas that were being hunted for their feed. Made me glad I didn’t have to worry about feeding my jackal.

The Inquest research vaults were in a cave system within the Hollows. The rock formations glowed with a red light that told us we were on the right track. There were a few Awakened patrols but not as many as I had anticipated. Most of them must be working on plague research. We snuck in as far as I dared before giving the signal. In a split second over a dozen mounts leapt into the heart of the Inquest lab, trampling Awakened under claw as axes cleaved into console banks. I was pocketing as many arcane crystals I could stuff into Arkose’s saddlebags when I heard the sound of someone yelling, but it wasn’t the angry shouts of formerly alive Inquest, it sounded more like someone was trying to get our attention.

In a row of electrified cages was a one of the smallest hylek I had ever seen. At first she was wary me, she probably didn’t know what an alive non-Inquest asura looked like. But taking my axe to her cage controls was a quick way to prove myself and she was 9now eager to cooperate. She introduced herself as Milin from Apizmic Grounds and in turn I asked if there were any others of her tribe imprisoned that she knew about. Milin believed she was the only one currently captured. That was good enough for me. I ordered Milin to mount up on Arkose and I blew a warhorn to signal to my squad that we were leaving.

As quickly as we had arrived my squad streamed out of the caverns. The whole operation had happened in under ten minutes and from the bulging saddlebags we had made off decent haul, plus rescued a prisoner. Not bad for a first time raid.

I left the delivery to Quartermaster Yohana to the squad, my first priority was to see to Milin. Sanna gave her a clean bill of health and what food and water we could spare while Zaeim interviewed her on any information she might have. She didn’t know much, but had overheard that the Inquest were breeding scarabs to infect the nearby village of Palawa’s Benevolence. By this point the operation was probably already underway. What a plan that was, release the plague behind our lines where it could infect our human troops while punishing his people at the same time. A win-win in Joko’s twisted mind.

Zaeim immediately called for the sunpears to send assistance to the village and to call on the Commander about the plague. I offered to see to the village myself since I had completed the raid, but Zaeim denied that request. They had bodies to see to a village, but knowledge of metallurgy was a rarer skill currently at hand and I was to assist the smiths in smelting what we stole and form it into usable ingots and then to prepare for the next raid. No matter how much we took it would never be enough for the war effort. Meanwhile Milin would be escorted back to the Apizmic Grounds once she regained her strength.

And that was the only the first morning of our tour in Kourna. When I wasn’t raiding the Inquest base at odd hours, I was preparing for the next or salvaging what we stole into usable components. In all my years of battle I’ve never had such an assignment. I can only assume I did a good enough job as I wasn’t replaced. Sanna and Dorne for their part stayed with the vine walls and Sahil assisted Zaeim with the battle plans.

It was weeks later when everything abruptly changed. The Commander was making the long anticipated assault on the Moon Fortress. Joko must have been inside. The orders had been for all non-human allies to join the Commander at the front, but at the last second Sahil pulled Sanna, myself, Dorne, and the rest from the Astralarium back from the line and assigned us to the vine walls. He said it was to keep the way open in case of retreat and to prevent the encampment to be overrun while the rest of the forces knocked on the Joko’s door. A tactically wise decision left to those he trusted, but I can’t help but wonder if he was trying to protect us. No way to prove it and he’d deny it if asked, but in the months I’ve known him Sahil has never been much of a risk taker, and this assault was risky. He wouldn’t put his people’s lives on the line just on some Tyrian commander’s say so.

So we hung back, taking potshots at the few Awakened that stayed to test the wall’s defenses. I have no idea of knowing what happened at the fortress, but we all clearly saw what happened outside of it. Aurene flew overhead, heading straight for the fortress like a blue crystalline arrow. It was almost like seeing Vlast fly again. Minutes later there was a surge of magic from the top level of the fortress and then the Awakened just…stopped.

Some threw down their weapons, some ran away, others fell to knees weeping. Not a single one of them kept fighting, not even when a couple Olmakhan risked approaching a crying undead and poking it with their staff. Something clearly had happened, but it wasn’t until the Commander returned that we heard the story.

Joko had been defeated, for good this time. Aurene had seen to that. What can you expect, she’s a dragon after all. Their teeth are one of their finer features. I’m sure the now late Joko had time to appreciate them as he was turned into her early dinner.

As for what happens now, there will be a lot of work for the Sunspears. How to do you replace hundreds of years of absolute rule? And what of the Awakened that remain? What of any loyalists that are still out there? I suppose we will all find out soon enough. But for right now Sanna and I have been relieved of our tour in Kourna and the Priory has given us leave to recuperate. We are free to return to Tyria and do whatever we want.

Maybe it’s time to see what has changed at the Labyrinthine Cliffs.

FRIEND ACQUIRED

Aeromage Sanna: A Bug in the System

The Priory has been obsessed with getting knowledge out of the Astralarium. As far as my duties are concerned it’s their entire focus. And the librarians and scholars at the Astralarium are just as desperate. Their hold of pre-Joko knowledge has always teetered on a knife’s edge, one slip and the Awakened could set the place ablaze. Backup depositories in Tyria will go a long way in preserving history regardless of Joko’s actions.

Smuggling books and scrolls out of Istan is easier thanks to the waypoint system, but its limited to what one person can carry, and Tyrians blinking in and out of existence would raise alarms among the loyalists. Scholars also argue day and night as to which works take priority over others. So it’s been a slower process than anyone would like.

That has been our life for the past few months. Stuff our bags full of copies (or originals of the truly seditious works) and haul them back to Tyria and returning to the Astralarium without arousing suspicion. I have never really thought of myself as a smuggler and I thought I was going to pass out when concocting a quick story of observing local flora when loyalist asked me where I had disappeared too. But I think by now I’ve gotten used to it. Plus I admit it’s nice to be able to stop off at home while waiting for my timed window to show up.

But book running isn’t my only duty. We are still aiding the Sunspears and my healing arts do get a work out when tending to agents returning from late night raids on Palawadan. Even with all we’ve done, it was still a surprise when Sahil asked Tarnn and myself if we were willing to tag along to on a diplomatic mission to an island just north of Istan. I’m not sure why he offered, maybe he wanted to offer us a change of pace. Or maybe he wanted to make a point about asura to the people he was going to meet.

The corsair fleet gave us enough cover at night to ship out to the Sanswept Isles. In the sunrise we sighted the very familiar shape of an asuran cube city in the distance, but it wasn’t until we got closer that we could see a stomach churning red glow.

Inquest.

The Inquest had a foothold even here? I don’t even want to think of what sick experiments they’ve been conducting so far away from prying eyes. The place was gigantic, and it seemed to take forever to skirt around before we were able to make landing at a village called Atholma. It is home to charr that long ago had split from the legions in order to find a peaceful home, calling themselves the Olmakhan. And it seems like they mostly succeeded. A village on the water that lives in peace with nature with the only metal structure being old salvage that creates their council meeting area called the Iron Whale.

But you don’t live in the shadow of the Inquest without catching their attention. The Olmakhan had been targets for experimentation, kidnappings, and families being torn apart. It was awful! But after the commander (cause of course they are involved somehow) broke into the facilities things changed. The Inquest were crippled, the Olmakhan had a fighting chance, and outsiders were swarming the Sandswept Isles for the first time in who knows how long. But the Sunspear have received reports that Awakened have been spotted in the area as well. While everything else seems to be turning around they can’t ignore Joko’s presence.

The Sunspears’ mission at the isles are two-fold. The first is to assess the Awakened threat. It is already assumed Joko has the scarab plague, we don’t need it made worse with more stolen Inquest tech. And second is to gain allies among the Olmakhan. That’s where Tarnn and myself come in. The Olmakhan are naturally distrustful of asura after their experience with the Inquest, so Sahil thinks it’s important to be completely upfront and honest with the fact that the Sunspears do work with asura rather than leave it as a surprise for later.

I don’t think I’ve been so nervous to stand in front of a council and be judged since my final exam back at med school. They asked us a lot of questions, most of them directed at the Sunspears, but Tarnn and I received our fair share as well. What did we think of the Inquest? Did we share their ideology? What about other asura from Tyria? What was our relation to nature? Questions targeted at our integrity rather than our ability. I was starting to think Sahil’s invitation was more strategic than friendly considering the pleased gleam in his eye at our answers.

Amazing how a mostly open council chamber can feel so stuffy, I was so glad when the council dismissed us to discuss what we said and we finally were able to go back to the beach. It had started to rain which helped me feel more relaxed. The Sunspears were going to head out to the Inquest facility and the Olmakhan offered skimmers for the journey (we must have made quite a good impression). Tarnn was itching to check it out. He’s been practicing his scourge magic and he’d be able to place wards on fallen Inquest to prevent, or at least deter, awakening. But being surrounded by red glowing tech was the last thing my nerves needed so I was allowed to stay behind to mind the griffons.

Those featherbutts were not as excited about the rain as I was. Even bringing my jackal Cirrus out to play wasn’t enough of a distraction. It’s as if they felt being rained on was beneath their dignity, but they didn’t turn up their beaks at the fish I bought them using their feed allowance so they weren’t -that- put off.

There wasn’t any place with sufficient cover even if I was allowed to move them away from the Iron Whale, so there wasn’t much else to do for their grumbling other than snuggle up against a sea of damp fur and feathers as a show of solidarity. I must have fallen asleep cause I the next thing I remember was my raven Stratus nipping at my clothes to wake me up and a young looking charr standing there awkwardly. He introduced himself as Apprentice Dorne and asked if the Sunspears would be returning soon as the council had come to their decision already. I said I wasn’t sure when but that I’d send them message. There was no way that Tarnn was going to be in range for a mesmer telepathic nudge, but the Sunspears had been quick to adopt Tyrian communicators so I was able to radio the message that the council was ready. Dorne watched me curiously, but not distrustingly. I wonder what he thinks about all these sudden changes to his home.

We didn’t have to wait much longer before a stream of Sunspears on skimmers came through the gate. Dorne immediately ushered the humans into the Iron Whale, much to the griffons’ continued displeasure. I’m sure more than a few Sunspears are going to get a cold shoulder for not providing pettings on their return. Tarnn though was told to wait outside with me, the griffons seemed satisfied with his pettings as he told me what they had found. The Inquest were holding a more steady resistance than they had expected, but the Awakened had a foothold and the tar to prove it. But both sides were competing with the Tyrian forces who, naturally, were smashing holes through their forces. It sounded like absolute chaos.

Tarnn was just finishing up his story when Sahil practically skipped out the Iron Whale with a huge smile on his face and a still nervous looking Dorne at his heels. He proudly announced that the Olmakhan had decided to assist the Sunspear effort and “our new friend Dorne” was going to act as a liaison. That was…curious. Dorne was clearly a teenager, would be just out of the fahrar if we were doing this at the Citadel. It’s possible that he has relevant experience despite his age. Or maybe he was the only one who was at all interested in the position. A shared glance with Tarnn told me he had the same reservations. But whatever the council was thinking, Sahil was still over the moon and was already keen on getting familiar with our new ally.

We are staying in Atholma for a little longer while the Sunspears hash out their future with our new allies. So we’ll have the chance to explore the isles more and learn about the Olmakhan. And maybe, just maybe, the griffons will stop being grumpy about all this rain.

FI.NA.LLY.

The collection for the Wayfarer’s Henge backpiece is finished! I did it with the help of my newest baby character Ecologist Likku (originally engineer flavored, but it wasn’t a good mesh). I really enjoy her, I’ll probably keep using her as my Aurora collection character.

FINALLY! After months I have finished Astralaria, aka SPACE AXE. I always loved Astralaria but I had no one that used axes enough to justify it, at least not until the firebrand spec came along! So now Tarnn is sporting a very starry weapon indeed.

Protector Tarnn: Daybreak

They are saying Balthazar is dead. One of the Six has fallen to the commander’s blade and his power, or at least the bloodstone energy he stole, was absorbed by Kralkatorrik and Aurene both. It doesn’t feel like we’ve made progress. True that the Forged are in disarray without their god, that has made the desert safer by many degrees and we should take comfort in that. But now there is a powered up crystal elder dragon flying around.

So when the Priory called a meeting, that’s what we had expected the magisters to talk about. But instead the magisters brought Sahil up to the front, saying he had something urgent to speak to us about. Sanna and I shared a look, we had already figured there was more to him than meets the eye but I don’t think either of us guessed what he was about to ask us.

He introduced himself as a Sunspear. An honest to Alchemy Sunpear! I had thought they had been wiped out, and yet here our travelling companion had been on the entire time. Sahil went on to explain that while the years had been hard on his order, between Joko disappearing and the arrival of Tyrians, the Sunspears felt as if now was the time to strike. He asked, on the behalf of the Sunspears, if we of the Priory was willing to help them fight against Joko. He added, after a moment’s pause, that the Sunspear’s had access to the Astralarium and were keeping safe history that had been banned by Joko. The Priory would be doing a great service in making copies of that history and hiding them away in our mountain. Sahil certainly knew his audience, I don’t think I heard a single word of protest. The Temple of Kormir may have had a lot of knowledge, but this Astralarium sounded like it was on a completely different level, and the idea of knowledge being in danger just sweetened the deal.

The magisters then got up to explain more. Tyrians were already leaving for Istan as we spoke, apparently we can’t say no to adventure. We would be travelling by boat since air travel was deemed too risky, both because of Kralkatorrik and because we didn’t want to tip off the awakened as we flew over. Our objective was to assist the Sunspears in the fight against the awakened. Despite everything that’s happened, Joko’s forces are still considered a major threat and an obstacle to Tyrian forces, the more we deal with them now the less we have to deal with them later.

And that’s how we found ourselves on a ship heading to Istan on an annoyingly long route. We had to go around the entirely of Orr for Alchemy’s sake! The way back would be faster at least, our ship carried the parts for new waypoints. A foothold in Istan the operators said, though where they were going to find a safe spot for them I had no idea. I was about to find out though as during the journey I was assigned to protect the waypoint operators. Apparently our magister had given the okay (and likely received a bag of gold in return) to loan me out from the Priory to protect the waypoint operators. Does Rata Sum just routinely not send bodyguards with waypoint krewes? Wait this is Rata Sum we’re talking about, of course they don’t.

So when we made landing at Chalon Docks I had to bid Sanna farewell while she went ahead with the rest of the Priory and then wait around at the docks with Vallar for the krewe chief. We didn’t have to wait long for the krewe chief to show up, an absolute stick in the mud named Nivv. An inscriber by trade who has numerous gate and waypoint setups under his belt as he was quick to inform us. Nivv, something about that name sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it. I wasn’t able to ask either as he immediately started barking orders about ley line attunements and semi-primary arcane nodes. My job was simpler. The dock seemed secure, and aside from the wildlife the only threat came in the direction of an awakened building that was still some distance away. I kept a probably unnecessary patrol on the back of my jackal Arkose until the waypoint slowly floated in the air and came to life in a burst of blue followed by that familiar humming. It was a satisfying sight to see.

We didn’t have a chance to admire the krewe’s handiwork as Nivv was already calling for everyone to mount up for the next waypoint location. This was easier said than done since only about half of the krewe had mounts and the rest were forced to double up on the backs of raptors and springers and at least one skimmer. I think I was the only one present with a jackal. Nivv was less than pleased about the delay as the next waypoint location was some distance away at Champion’s Dawn.

Now this is where I should be charging extra for my services. To get to Champion’s Dawn we had to bypass the Mordent Crescent Great Hall which was nerve wracking enough, but we also had to cross the Plains of Jarin which was the worst part. Not only was it being patrolled by awakened and tar elementals, it was also full of crater that look to be caused by tar impacts that were still frozen in time. I had to clear the way and then herd the krewe through the safest path like some sheepdog, blinking around the group to keep them in a tight formation. It was harrowing at some points and I had to pull out my blade more than once against hyenas and Joko loyalist. But at least we made it across that rickety bridge without anyone getting tarred. Or the waypoint equipment getting damaged, which is what Nivv congratulated me on rather than protecting the lives of his krewe. And people wonder why I left Rata Sum.

My distaste though was quickly forgotten at the sight of Champion’s Dawn. The waypoint’s position had been scouted out to be on the very edge of a cliff overlooking the path into the town but not in the town itself. It was supposed to be out of the way and give the adventurers that use it a chance to get their bearings before being thrown into a fight. But despite the distance, we could still see the town of Champion’s Dawn, or at least what passes for a town under Joko’s rule.

There are cages! Cages hanging from some rocky spire. We were too far to see if they were occupied, but they were clearly meant to hold humans. Below us we could see patrols of loyalists on the road, carrying what looked like stockpiles of food away from the town. I bet anything that food was stolen from the townsfolk. Everything in me was telling me to check out the situation, something was going on and I couldn’t just sit there. But I also had a job to do. The waypoint operators maybe have been made of sterner stuff than most but the sight of those hanging cages unnerved them. Who knew how many asura could fit in one of those, if they bothered to cage us up to begin with.

I asked Nivv what he knew about this place. I had to ask him a couple times just to tear his attention away from the town. Once he realized I was expecting an answer, he said that this location had been scouted out by an advance group, he hadn’t actually been here before now. All he knew was that Champion’s Dawn had the proper leyline attunements and was important for the Sunspear effort. He then tried to collection himself and ordered everyone to get to work. I kept a watch at the cliff edge on Arkose, but our work went unnoticed by the humans and awakened below. The sound of the waterfall must have masked our noise.

We left as soon as the waypoint activated. The krewe took less time to mount up and we made a hasty retreat towards Zehlon Breach, following Nivv to the third and final waypoint location. The Breach must look beautiful from above, its covered in bright red windmills. But from below it was worse going than Plains of Jarin. Loyalists and awakened everywhere. I had to herd the krewe this way and that just to avoid large fights. Ugh, I should have requested a second bodyguard with me. It was tricky, sometimes waiting 10 or more minutes for an opening and other times slicing down a paragon or dervish before they could alarm anyone else. I hope I don’t have to come through here again any time soon. But the Breach eventually gave way to one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen. A huge blue pyramid surrounded by mirrors, water, and greenery, and topped by a large telescope. It was the Astralarium, and it was breathtaking.

I was in awe as we lead out mounts across the cool grass and up the steps that wound their way around the building. The Astralarium was a far cry from the rest of the province, for once there were no awakened or wild animals nipping at our heels. But that doesn’t mean we received a warm welcome. While Archivist Rhadha introduced herself to Nivv and showed him where the waypoint was to be placed, I could feel the glares of other scholars on our backs. Being non-human we were automatic targets for suspicion. I quickly instructed the krewe to not speak with anyone, if any of the scholars had questions they had to go through Nivv or myself first. The last thing we needed was to be reported or attacked for not displaying the correct reverence for Joko.

And of course we attracted a lot of attention. Scholars, archivists, meteorologists, astronomers, and many more came to see the outlanders’ “strange device”. The official story was that the waypoint was a map beacon, which isn’t untrue, but most didn’t seem to be aware of its nature as a teleporter. We got a lot of questions about how it worked, who invented it, would it interfere with their research, were there more outlanders coming, what was it like in Joko’s outlands? It was more exhausting than fighting. Nivv eventually had me shoo people away so the krewe could concentrate.

Eventually the waypoint rose in the air and gave a burst of blue. Nivv announced that was the last waypoint for the area and krewe should pack up. Only three waypoints, there seem to be less and less of them going up as of late. I didn’t have time to dwell as a priory magister called my name as they came up the stairs. And with them was Sanna! While I didn’t have any reason to be concerned for her safety, she had apparently been worried sick after seeing how dangerous Istan was and knowing I was out there trying to protect an entire krewe all by myself. I reassured her that I was fine and we mostly managed to avoid trouble anyways. Once she was convinced I wasn’t hiding any injuries from her she greeted Nivv, but instead of inquiring about his work or his college, she greeted him like an old friend, asking him about his progeny and his wife. Nivv boggled at first before seeming to recognize Sanna.

It turns out Sanna used to progenysit Nivv’s son back in Rata Sum. No wonder his name sounded familiar! Nivv for his part seemed a little embarrassed at having been so curt with me, he said if he had known I was Sanna’s husband he would have been a bit more friendly. While Nivv had to get back to Amnoon to make his report, there was a little bit of time to play catch up over some tea. Apparently Nivv had previously been an archivist for the College of Synergetics but has since changed careers and now works with waypoints and asura gates, and he and his wife Kyyra (a revenant by the sounds of it) had a second progeny a few years ago. He then listened in rapt silence to Sanna talk about being a Priory doctor and our deployment in the Maguuma jungle and our adventures at the Temple of Kormir. Sanna really liked talking to an old friend and Nivv was lot more relaxed once you get to know him. Eventually Nivv had to leave and Sanna made him promise not to be a stranger if he ever had work in Divinity’s Reach or the Priory.

Sanna gave me a brief tour of the Astralarium, showing me the grounds and the telescopes while using a touch of mesmer telepathy to explain something much more sinister. Joko’s grip on the Astralarium was loosening, many of the scholars were disloyal to him, but not all. The disloyal ones were taking a huge risk allowing us here. I hadn’t missed that huge bone wall just outside, as much as I wanted to. Officially we were here as “Priory observers” and we would always be watched carefully in turn. So I better not get too cozy with a book up here. But there was a safe place she showed me. A few words with Archivist Salwa and a hidden passage in a hidden book opened a portal to the deepest part of the Astralarium.

There we found the Sunspear base, including Sahil. He was glad I had made it after my little side-venture. He said that he was looking forward to Sanna and myself helping the Sunspears in the future. But for right now he wanted us to rest and get familiar with our surroundings. He also added that in this area of the Astralarium we had free rein with the books, we could pick out and read anything we wanted! Anything! There had to be thousands of books here on every subject imaginable. History, magic, astronomy, I didn’t know where to start. Sahil was a step ahead of me, passing me a beginners guide to scourge magic and theory, saying that his sister wouldn’t forgive him if he let me slack on my studies. Yes, get a foothold on new scourge magic and solidify my firebrand magic, that sounds like a plan.

So while I’m sure I’ll be called into service to the Sunspears, all this new knowledge will be worth it.

Protector Tarnn: The Desolation

Sanna and I took a couple days for a crash course on skimmer riding and care, but we were on a time limit to get to Sand Jackal Run. So before we knew it we had packed up the Priory books and scrolls onto the backs of the skimmers, bid Khalida farewell, and followed Sahil over the water.

With all the greenery and water at the ranch you’d never know we were actually in the middle of a desert. The only thing marking our location is the Bone Wall that looms over everything. And of course that was right where we were heading. The gate is endlessly patrolled by elite awakened warriors, but the western stretches of the wall are neglected and that’s where Sahil showed us the secret entrance into the Desolation. Or one of them at least, apparently the Order of Shadows is constantly creating and maintaining hidden gaps in the wall.

Once through we were over a lake in the Spillway. We were informed that there was a village called Prosperity to the east but it was best to avoid it unless absolutely necessary. We might be able to pass with some clever lies as Joko supposedly rules the whole world, but our precious collections of Priory writings would put a target on our heads. Instead Salid was taking us south to the Darklands and to the Chantry of Shadows before traveling the rest of the way to the djinn’s city.

This has to be the absolute worst leg of any journey I have ever been on. Skimmers do produce an aura of clean air in order to keep afloat, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Acrid Springs and Sulfur Quarry are aptly named. I never knew that landscape could be quite so yellow. It wasn’t until Salid took us through a back passage in the Darklands that we saw something more normal, namely snow. Apparently these hidden peaks are unknown to Joko as they hold the graves of Sunspears. There is no way the undead king would allow these graves to exist unsullied in his kingdom. I wonder if the Order of Shadows is responsible for keeping the secret. It is very close to their chantry after all.

The Chantry of Shadows welcomed Sahil openly but were a bit more guarded with Sanna and myself. Not rude, just reserved. They did allow us to rest and eat while they gave us news about the area. It turns out we were closer to the Mouth of Torment than I realized. Of course everyone knows about the Mouth of Torment and that it’s in the Desolation but I never expected it to be just past the craggy rock formations we saw coming in. That’s hardly a bone’s throw away! Not that the Order of Shadows would have allowed us to get close to it even on the best of days. And these aren’t the best of days. Balthazar’s forged army has taken root at the Mouth and are actively fighting the awakened with the humans of the Order merely being in the way. And on top of that, Joko has been missing for quite some time. The last the spies saw of him was in the company of Balthazar and the thought was they were creating an alliance, but there hasn’t been sign of the king since and the two factions have been fighting harder than ever. Can a god kill an undead for good? No one knows, all they do know is that now without Joko’s leadership the awakened are moving towards Vabbi for some reason and so aren’t making their usual patrols of the region. Ironically this might be the safest time to travel in the Desolation in centuries.

We skirted past the outer edge of the Mouth, heading south through the Vitriolic Rim and Broken Shelf. This area of the Desolation is a little bit more bearable, there was less sulfur and more wild animals. I don’t think I saw a single awakened or forged the entire time. We were just reaching the Alkali Pan, and more sulfur, when Sanna pointed to the sky. Suspended high in the air was our destination, Sand Jackal Run. Our skimmers made short work of the sulfur of the Pan and then the odd sandfall that came down the twisting staircase. I wonder if that’s how the djinn have keep the awakened out for so many years.

At the top of the stairs was a welcomed sight. Huge building of brick and lapis blue paint stood before us and a steady breeze of cool clean air flowed through the archways. We were greeted by Drojkor, an air djinn by the looks of it. I’ve never seen a djinn up close before. Is this what Zommoros actually looks like? I wonder if he’s as well known here as he is in Tyria. Drojkor was very friendly and was eager to see what the Priory was willing to trade (teaching of Raven, apparently djinn really *really* like riddles), in the meantime he half-urged/half-forced us to meet with some of the sand jackals they train here. The djinn here are very proud of their jackals and have been doing a steady business since the Tyrians arrived.

I’m not the biggest fan of sand, but these jackals did remind me of my wolf Vallar, only much bigger and sandier. I had to leave him behind at the temple and I certainly missed having a canine companion at my side. Sanna was beside herself with delight, I think it’s an elementalist thing, but I kinda liked them too. You’d never know they were technically minions of Abaddon with how well they behave, from what I gathered the djinn have an extensive training program for them. Even Sahil, who prefers raptors and skimmers, was caught petting one or two, though he denied it.

It wasn’t all petting sand dogs though. We camped the night at the Run and swapped stories with other Tyrians that were staying overnight as well. There were rumors running wild about the commander. Apparently they were the ones we saw fighting Balthazar and, if you can believe it, died and came back to life and are now trying to wrestle control of Joko’s armies for themselves. Yeah right. I’m not going to deny that the commander has done some crazy things, but that’s a bit too much to swallow. Still, it is true that the awakened are marching on Vabbi despite Joko not being at the helm. I’m not sure if I can equate that to the commander’s doing though.

The next morning Drojkor informed us that the Priory offers were sufficient, but while taking inventory the djinn were missing the final findings on some properties of sulfur in one of their scrolls and they could not honor the trade without having it be complete. We were asked to go to the Lair of the Forgotten and give a letter to someone named Aisha Jedgok and retrieve the sample from her so the writings can be completed. Of course the Lair of the Forgotten was nowhere nearby, being clear on the other side of the Desolation, but we still had Sahil with us who said he had an idea on how to get there.

The sulfur rivers cut right through the Desolation and are rarely patrolled even during the worst of times, Sahil figures that they are probably all but abandoned now. I still can’t believe that rivers of molten sulfur are considered areas of safety. But Sahil was right, our skimmers were able to take us to the Lair of the Forgotten without any obstacles in our way.

I’m not sure what I expected in this place, but I can say that ghosts were not it. They were everywhere. But unlike most ghosts I’ve had experience with, they weren’t violent and seemed to be aware of their surroundings, at least for the most part. Sanna started to ask around for this Aisha persona but what caught my eye though were the wardlights that dotted the area. The ghost Godaj explained that they were to deter Joko’s Ghost Eaters, special awakened that consume ghosts simply because the king has no power over that type of undead. The ghosts can be lost forever, but even if they manage to escape they are weakened and are at greater risk the next time the Ghost Eater’s raid the area.

Of course, while this was being explained the Ghost Eaters themselves decided to show up. They looked just like any other awakened and you’d never think they were anything special up until you noticed how they always went straight for the ghosts. And the ghosts were defenseless. Their cries for help are something that I will probably hear for many nights. Of course I and the other Tyrians that happened to be in the area leapt to drive back the awakened, but it was really only a temporary measure. It made me think about what Khalida had said a few weeks ago, about being a protector of the dead. Suddenly it didn’t seem like such a ridiculous idea.

During the fight Sanna had found Aisha Jedgok and had exchanged the letter for the sulfur sample so we were free to head back to Sand Jackal Run. We had a job to finish but the whole way back I kept thinking about those ghosts, I barely noticed where we were until we reached that giant sand staircase. Drojkor was happy that we got the sample and said that the djinn would get to work finishing up their writings immediately. In the meantime we saw to our skimmers and packed up what was available to take. I don’t know how the djinn do it, maybe it’s their four arms, but by the next morning Drojkor had the finished scrolls on the sulfur to take. He also gave us something else: a stone charm with a familiar rune carved into it. We had apparently made a good impression and the djinn were giving Sanna and myself our own jackals. Not to borrow like with all the other mounts we’ve ridden, but to own for ourselves. The jackals were fresh off of training but they took to our command easily, leaping and blinking with ease. Sahil helped thread the charms onto some leather strings to wear as bracelets so now we can summon our sand jackals whenever we want. Too bad they don’t run on sulfur or water, we are still reliant on the skimmers until we leave the Desolation. But once we return them to the ranch, we will be free to really try out our new mounts.

Aeromage Sanna: Elon Riverlands

I wish there was more we could have done for Vlast, but I doubt there was anything anyone could do. When it comes to a battle between a god and a dragon there is no room for mortals. But there is at least a nice memorial to his memory and the people can pay their respects.

But almost as soon as we had returned to the temple we were needed out in the field again. There was a djinn city deep in the Desolation that adventurers had been traveling too. While the immediate area is too dangerous for a dedicated Priory outpost, the djinn of Sand Jackal Run have agreed to trade scrolls and books with us. And that meant someone had to go and make that trade. And guess who was decided to have had the needed experience in dangerous environments to make the trip?

So even though we had just returned from one errand in the north we were almost immediately sent back out, this time to the south. At least they gave us a few days to recuperate, but it still would have been nice if someone other than Tarnn and myself were on the shortlist for special assignments.

This particular assignment was going to be tricky. Sand Jackal Run is located in the far south of the Desolation, a bone’s throw from Joko’s Palace. Obviously there is a way into the Desolation, adventurers have been breaching the Bone Wall for weeks now, but we have no idea where that entrance is and with all the books and scrolls entrusted to us the Priory doesn’t want us to poke around the wall on our own. We needed a guide.

Khalida offered to help. She didn’t know where the secret entrance to the Desolation was, but she knew someone who did: her brother Sahil. According to her he has been shepherding refugees through the Desolation and Riverlands for years. If anyone could get us to Sand Jackal Run it would be him. She could get a message to him to meet us in the Riverlands and he’d be able to lead us the rest of the way. It sounded like a good plan.

The Priory though didn’t realize that when Khalida had said “us” she had included herself. So at dawn when we were to set out we found not only two raptors laden with bags but also the librarian astride her own raptor. There was a bit of an argument with our magister as the Priory did not want to be responsible if anything happened to her. I’m not sure what she said to convince the old charr but eventually he wished us luck and stormed off.

Insurance issues aside, it was nice to have a guide for the first stretch of the journey. She knew the way to the Riverlands and she was pleasant company as well. With all the work at the temple there were only small windows of time to sit and talk with each other. She was curious about Tyrian magic, she had never seen a guardian use a bow or an elementalist purposefully overload their elements. Of course her magic was just as new to us.

Fire and sand maybe the more theatrical part of being a scourge, but from what she said the crux of it was communing with the spirits and convincing them to help you. While not every spirit Khalida has spoken with wants to join up, she says she is never in a shortage of these so called “shades”. The dead have a variety of reasons to care about the living, ranging from wanting to protect their land and descendents all the way to simply wanting to have a purpose just like they were promised under Joko. No matter their reason for volunteering, Khalida is then able to control the spirits like a commander leading their troops. It all sounds very fascinating but I don’t know if I have it in me to be a leader like that, that’s something Tarnn has more experience with.   

But it wasn’t all fireside chats, we had a long journey ahead of us. The first place we needed to get to was Destiny’s Gorge. Most of the refugees passed through there but recently the forged had cut off the passage, making the trip even more dangerous than usual. But it is doable, especially for experienced fighters.

Once you make it past the forged the gorge opens up into the last thing I expected to see. The edges of the gorge, all the way to the sky, was lined with the old homes of the Zephyrites. I had known, everyone knows, that the Zephyrites came from the Crystal Desert but I never considered that we’d run across their old settlement. The structures still seemed stable. Which was good cause refugees from the south have claimed the settlement for themselves, calling it Zephyr’s Trace. Many of them are weary from the journey and have found the gorge to be a perfectly viable place to live despite the closeness of the forged and brand, while others feel safe enough there to rest before continuing towards the temple. We exchanged some medical supplies and news with Mayor Kabir who informed us that we should have a clear path to the south, especially in the area that surrounded Augury Rock.

I believe we have all heard the stories of Augury Rock, even in Rata Sum we were taught about human heros seeking Ascension in the Crystal Desert. I never gave it much thought about it myself, but apparently quite a few people have. I think I saw more Tyrians in Skyward Reach than I did at the welcoming docks in Amnoon. So many people, many of them not even human, seeking Ascension. Even Khalida was surprised by how many newcomers there were here. Ascension had always been a thing for the “occasional kook” (her words, not mine) but the reopening of the Crystal Desert with Tyria has brought a surge of Ascension pilgrims, multiple camps worth. At the very least they were able to offer extra protection for the refugees who came this way to get to Destiny’s Gorge.

Our goal was to get from Skyward Reach to the Skimmer Ranch on the edges of the Elon River. It wasn’t as easy as cutting across the desert with the raptors, the area was rife with pools of quicksand and patrols of forged. But moving too far south would put us right in the middle of the Gladefields where Joko’s awakended kept an eye on those exiled from his kingdom. There was no one good path. While Tarnn and I were experienced fighters, we didn’t want the books we were carrying to get destroyed in the crossfire. Khalida took some convincing but we finally decided on using the Prophet’s Path and relying on the frequent sandstorms to give us cover.

Compared to Dry Top these sandstorms weren’t anything to write home about, hardly half as strong or a third as thick. But they did the trick to keep us hidden from the forged and the wild animals. And I know that Tarnn isn’t much of a fan, but it was nice being surrounded by so much sand, I really felt like I was connected to the earth element. Khalida seemed to be taking the sandstorms in stride, she’s no elementalist but she must have a special connection with sand as well.

We were crossing the rocks at Champion’s Gap when we got the first view of the Skimmer Ranch’s big blue dome. But that wasn’t what made us pull the raptors up short. Just beyond the ranch, high up on the tallest pillar, was Balthazar himself. Even at our distance we could count the horns of his helm and feel the thick magic. He looked to be fighting someone but we couldn’t make out who.

If Balthazar turned around he would have spotted us for sure, we were caught completely out in the open. The last thing we wanted was to catch the eye of an angry war god, we needed to find cover but the raptors were too anxious to cooperate under the feeling of so much magic and the ranch was too far to make a run for it. The only thing we had was sand. But sand can be a powerful asset and we had used it thus far to conceal us.

By this point I was no stranger to the idea of weaving elements, the temple of kormir was a crossroads for many people and ideas. I had only played with it a bit but never made an attempt in earnest, but I hadn’t spent my entire life studying the elements for nothing. Wind and sand are close companions, stirring them up together was the most natural thing in the world. In a moment I had called up a sandstorm to blanket us. I don’t know if it was enough to stop the eyes of a god, but at the very least we wouldn’t attract attention, sandstorms are too common to be of note.

Eventually the feeling of magic and the glow of red fire faded and the raptors relaxed under us. I dissipated the sandstorm and the pillars were clear of rogue gods and we could see the shadow of a Tyrian airship coming in. But we were too shaken to see it dock and he urged the raptors towards the shelter of the ranch.

The ranchhands ran out to meet us, bringing water and asking what we knew of that surge of magic. Khalida took the humans aside to explain, these were her people and it concerned one of her gods. We asura went to rest under the ranch’s great dome, the riverwater felt cool and refreshing after our long trip. And with us were the ranch’s skimmers.

I have never seen an animal like a skimmer up close before. They looked like manta rays that floated in midair. They were as curious about us as we were of them, the smaller ones floating close to examine us and allowing us to pet them. They felt dryer than I expected. Tarnn thinks they were evolved from sea creatures that lived in the Crystal Sea and that great surge of magic helped them survive in the new desert. One of the ranchhands gave us a quick briefing on skimmers, showing us how to ride them. Very smooth ride. And they even go over water! I never would have guessed all these different animal mounts could move in such different ways.

Khalida found us after awhile with a young man in tow who looked enough like her that I was able to guess he was her brother Sahil. I had been nervous about meeting a spellbreaker, I am so focused on magic I wasn’t sure how well we’d get along, but seems very friendly and quick to laugh. He suggested that we take a couple days to become familiar with riding a skimmer as we were going to need them where we were going.

Protector Tarnn: Desert Highlands

I’m not sure if I’ll ever ‘get’ the desert. You’d think Sanna had stepped into Tixx’s Workshop considering her attitude has been nothing short of gleeful. I’m used to elementalists reacting oddly, but I have no idea what she sees in this place. It’s hot, bright, dry, and don’t even get me started with the sand. I feel like I clean my armor more than I wear it. And I thought the Silverwastes was bad.

At least the Temple of Kormir is nice. It’s a lot cooler inside the libraries and there is a lot to read. While not as vast as the Priory, the temple does have a lot of new knowledge they are willing to share with us. One of those things is this new skill of guardian magic the locals call the firebrand. Many of the temple librarians are firebrands and the magisters want a few guardians to learn the skill so the Priory can teach it to others in the future. It’s almost kinda ironic that I’m suddenly the student of combat magic instead of the instructor for once.

The magic of the firebrand is interesting, they draw upon history to augment their powers in the heat of battle. It almost makes me think of revenants, except with historical events rather than legends. I’m not finding it very challenging though. I don’t know if it is the fact I’m asura and can absorb knowledge like a sponge or if my job as a Priory combat instructor already had me halfway to firebrand, but the intrigue I felt about this new magic has faded into boredom.  

My lack of engagement has been noticed and I’ve been placed on patrol to make up for my classroom time. Out in the desert, again. I shouldn’t complain, the brand and forged are almost right at the temple’s doorstep and refugees come in everyday. But the highlight is seeing Vlast in the air, makes it all worthwhile. We don’t see the dragon everyday, but his flight over the brand is a staple of life here. It’s not that I’ve never seen a dragon in flight before, but wyverns and lieutenants are nothing compared to having a dragon who is on your side. Its awe inspiring. Even the raptors pause to watch.

But other than seeing Vlast I’m not feeling the appeal of the Crystal Desert. The people are nice and the food is good, but I’d rather be back in Tyria. One of the librarians, her name is Khalida, has roped me into helping her with the raptors at the temple stables since I apparently have nothing better to do than mope (her words not mine, I don’t mope like some progeny). She’s…interesting. She’s a scourge, a type of necromancer. I’ve known plenty of necromancers though I don’t know much about their magic. But scourges seem a little different from them. She calls herself a protector of the dead. That maybe true but then she goes a step further and claims that makes us alike since I am a protector of the living.

I have never heard anything so ridiculous! Necromancers and guardians are nothing alike. I don’t say to her face of course, I’m sure she’s just trying to be friendly. But then she goes so far as to offer to teach me scourge magic! I’m not sure why she would think I’d be at all interested when there are Priory necromancers assigned here with us. Sanna thinks she offered because I haven’t been engaged in anything else here. Maybe but…the idea is still ridiculous!

I didn’t get a lot of time to dwell on it as there was a sudden need for courier to head north to the Highlands. The temple had gotten word that a place called Highspring Ranch had donations for the refugees but weren’t able to make the trip themselves. The clerics at the temple couldn’t spare anyone to make the trip so the Priory volunteered in their stead. Or more like the magisters volunteered Sanna and myself. I could have done without the comments that the trip might improve my mood.

We made the trip on foot, the raptors are nice and all but I’m not sure if we could handle riding for that long. We’re used to walking anyways. Our first stop was Makali Outpost just past the gate. The plan was to travel with some nomad trader to Lommuld Kraal. The ogres there were friendly and we’d likely find a guide to take us through the mountains.

The first part went as planned. We travelled with the nomads across the Salt Flats. It was an okay trip, the days were unbearable but the nights were cool and the stars were shining. I was actually starting to enjoy myself. We were almost to the kraal when all hell broke loose. The sky blackened with smoke and fires roared as the forged army was at our tail. The gates of the kraal though stayed open until we passed the threshold. But wooden walls wouldn’t stand for long against fire.

Ogres don’t leave their kraal’s willingly and they didn’t do so now. But some of them herded us into the mountains. I would have rather stayed and fight, but we were mixed in with the nomads and in chaos and panic it was hard to get my point across. Nimbose Butte was where we stopped running as we were given a clear view of the lowlands. To our ogre guides’ relief, the forged did not seem interested in the kraal, instead they were converging on Godfall Tower with Balthazar at their head.

It is hard to explain what we saw happen, it went by so fast and yet almost in slow motion. There was Balthazar, some smaller figures we couldn’t make out at that distance, and Vlast. It was the dragon and the god that held our attention. Vlast was strong, we knew that, but even he struggled against Balthazar who was more interested in binding him in chains than outright killing him. I don’t know what happened next, but one moment Balthazar has his back to the dragon and the next moment Vlast had leapt in front of his sword. I was expecting Vlast to get up again, but apparently a god’s weapon is stronger than dragons. Vlast exploded in a cascade of magic and crystal, we could feel the shockwave go right through us.

And then it was quiet.

Balthazar disappeared and the forged armies retreated, but Vlast was the one who was truly gone. All that was left was an arena of crystals. I don’t know how long we stayed up there on the plateau, but our group slowly started to disperse, no one saying anything. The ogres and nomads went back to the kraal, but Sanna and I continued our way to Highspring Ranch.

Thank the Eternal Alchemy for Highspring Ranch. We came to it tired and heartsick, but that village was like balm. The air was cool and smelled of wildflowers and the people were kind and patient. They let us rest before asking about the smoke in the sky and the shockwave of magic they felt. They too knew Vlast and that night they sang songs about him and placed lanterns to float in the stream. It was…it was nice.

We stayed at the ranch until we received word that it was safe to cross the Salt Flats again. I almost didn’t want to leave, I’d take the cold mountain air and rocky cliffs to the hot sun and sand any day. But I’d get bored with the quiet eventually and we did have a job to complete, the temple was waiting on these donations.

And part of those donations were a pair of springer sisters to help traverse the cliffs around the temple and to sheer their fur for cloth. Springers are interesting to ride. Their gait is a lot smoother than it looks and their leaps and falls reminded me of gliding a little, like when you take an updraft then freefalling at the peak. Apparently I’m not the only one with that sediment as the ranchers have said that Tyrians have adapted surprisingly quickly to springers, I guess they are used to people finding the huge jumps nauseating.   

We rode the springers, laden with the donations, down the mountain. We paused at the kraal for any news, but Balthazar hadn’t been seen since the attack. There were still some forged patrolling but their numbers were thin and shouldn’t give us any problems. We were supposed to go straight across the Salt Flats back to Makali, the springers cutting the travel time in half, but we veered off course, just a little bit.

Godfall Tower was empty aside from a few lions and dust mites. I don’t know what we were expecting to find, maybe some evidence that we had been wrong and Vlast wasn’t really dead. But instead we found the ground blasted and burnt and this odd haunting feeling. Sanna said she didn’t sense anything aside from the residual magic, but that’s not it. It felt different, like something was lingering in the air. I didn’t want to stick around to find out what it was.

We left Godfall behind and that feeling faded away. But there were still reminders of Vlast everywhere. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of yellow crystal spikes littered the Salt Flats, sharp reminders of the previous battle. Sanna thought we should bring some back to the temple, they needed to know what happened. She gathered an armful and lashed them to her share of the donations.

The temple was grateful, both for the donations finally arriving and for the Vlast’s crystal shards. They set up a pedestal with a silver plate draped with violet and gold silk cloth for the shards to rest on as a type of memorial for the people to visit. Khalida even performed last rites for him, it was more for the benefit of the people gathered than for what anyone could do for the soul of a dragon, but I’d like to think the gesture was appreciated.

I thought things would have quieted down a bit, but while we had been gone in the Highlands the Priory had made contact with the djinn of the Desolation and now the Priory was in need of an errand runner. Looks like I might as well have kept my bags packed.