"Well it was nice to meet you all the same. " Jasmine replies. She seems satisfied with this conversation. She will take her leave. Before that though, she would ask him one last thing. "There is one more thing that has me curious about Everwood. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
"It was exceptional meeting you. Don't worry, I never deal in delerium. What I'm interested in are the lost art and artifacts from the noble households of Drakkenheim. If you find anything of great value or even something of questionable value, please bring it to me for appraisal."
"Well it was nice to meet you all the same. " Jasmine replies. She seems satisfied with this conversation. She will take her leave. Before that though, she would ask him one last thing. "There is one more thing that has me curious about Everwood. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
"It was exceptional meeting you. Don't worry, I never deal in delerium. What I'm interested in are the lost art and artifacts from the noble households of Drakkenheim. If you find anything of great value or even something of questionable value, please bring it to me for appraisal."
"I will certainly keep that in mind. Before I head there though, I am curious about the burnt manor. You still haven't really answered my question. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
"I will certainly keep that in mind. Before I head there though, I am curious about the burnt manor. You still haven't really answered my question. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
"The manor house on the south end of town? It's no secret that a strange elven woman lived there before the curse. She had a child but no father came forward. She passed away one day and her boy was taken by the Amethyst Academy. That's ancient news. The house was empty and abandoned for years before it caught fire. Because it was so far from town efforts to put out were in vain and it burned to the ground. None have come to claim or repair it. Children now tell tales of the strange noises coming from the cellar of the house, and how the charred doors and windows open and close on their own. It's our local Haunted House, if you will."
There are still a few more locations she'd wish to check before going to Drakkenheim. She'd like to see the seven shrines where the druid lady supposedly resides. Maybe that lady would have some additional insight on the goings on in Drakkenheim and how to combat the corruption .
Jasmine follows a narrow dirt path winding through a grove of dying trees, their twisted branches creaking softly in the breeze. The air grows heavy with the scent of burning herbs, and the faint flicker of candlelight becomes visible through the shadows. Seven ancient standing stones rise around a stone pedestal, each etched with faded runes depicting the legends of forgotten deities. Animal bones and dried plants rest atop the pedestal, surrounded by candles that burn even in the wind, casting a dim but steady glow.
Down the path lies a crude old hut, smoke lazily curling from a hole in the thatched roof chimney. As Jasmine approaches, the sound of a soft chant drifts from within. Before she can knock, the wooden door creaks open, revealing Old Zoya.
Zoya is a weathered woman with a thin frame, her face lined with deep wrinkles. Her eyes, sharp and keen, glint like dark stones beneath the shadows of her frayed hood. She leans on a gnarled wooden staff, the top adorned with feathers and bones tied with bits of twine. Despite her age, she moves with a purposeful grace, her presence commanding respect.
Zoya eyes Jasmine warily before speaking. "Ah… another adventurer, are you? Or perhaps you’re something else. Come, if you seek wisdom, the stones listen better than most folk these days."
She gestures for Jasmine to follow her toward the shrine, her tone abrupt but not unfriendly. As they reach the circle of stones, Zoya pauses and runs her hand over one of the ancient carvings, her voice growing softer, more reflective. She chants and hums in a tribal tune, her words resemble arcane runes, draconic but different enough that you recognize it as druidic.
"These stones have stood here long before the first kingdoms. They have stood longer than the Sacred Flame has blazed. The old gods were the ones who shaped the land, the sea, and the sky. Some say they shattered themselves to create this world. Others believe they were one before the shatter, to create something greater." She turns to Jasmine, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve seen Drakkenheim, haven’t you? You haven't... Oh... But you’ve felt the corruption?"
Zoya snorts, leaning on her staff. "Those who follow the Sacred Flame call it a blight, the Academy calls it a resource, the Falling Fire calls it their salvation. Fools, all of them. They argue over what they don’t understand, each too proud to see the bigger picture."She gestures to the standing stones. "The truth is simpler, yet harder to swallow: that meteor didn’t come from our world. It’s an intrusion, something from a corrupted plane that broke into our realm."
She pauses, as if weighing her next words carefully. "The planes are like rivers, some flow clean, others are tainted. This meteor… it’s a stone from a poisoned stream, cast into our world. That’s why it breeds madness, why it twists life. It doesn’t belong here."
Zoya's brow furrows as she continues. "I’ve heard of another belief, of a cosmic god who embodies all of existence, both creation and destruction. Some say this god may be the source of all things, even the old gods. Some say the old gods were once part of a greater whole, shattered into countless pieces when they gave birth to existence. Perhaps this Cosmic God is that whole, or perhaps it’s just another name for something beyond mortal comprehension." She taps her staff against the ground. "I don’t dismiss the idea outright. If the old gods are fragments of something larger, maybe that larger force still exists, waiting for the day we piece the shards back together."
She sighs, looking up at the darkening sky. "But I’m too old to think much on such things. My faith remains in the old gods. They protect our world, inspire those who listen, and guide us in these dark times. They allowed us to build this realm once before… perhaps they’ll grant us the inspiration to make it whole again."
Zoya smiles faintly, a rare softness in her expression. "Perhaps. If enough wise souls seek the truth instead of power. If they listen to the old gods, or to whatever force inspires them to do what’s right. Balance can be restored, but only if we understand the nature of what we’re fighting." She places a hand on the nearest stone, its surface worn smooth by time. "I’ve lived long enough to know one thing: the world doesn’t need more zealots. It needs seekers, those willing to find answers, not force them."
"The manor house on the south end of town? It's no secret that a strange elven woman lived there before the curse. She had a child but no father came forward. She passed away one day and her boy was taken by the Amethyst Academy. That's ancient news. The house was empty and abandoned for years before it caught fire. Because it was so far from town efforts to put out were in vain and it burned to the ground. None have come to claim or repair it. Children now tell tales of the strange noises coming from the cellar of the house, and how the charred doors and windows open and close on their own. It's our local Haunted House, if you will."
Jasmine concludes her visit with Reeve Kosta. "Thank you. I think I may want to check that place before leaving for Drakkenheim. I will be sure to return here afterward to report on what I saw and found."
Jasmine follows a narrow dirt path winding through a grove of dying trees, their twisted branches creaking softly in the breeze. The air grows heavy with the scent of burning herbs, and the faint flicker of candlelight becomes visible through the shadows. Seven ancient standing stones rise around a stone pedestal, each etched with faded runes depicting the legends of forgotten deities. Animal bones and dried plants rest atop the pedestal, surrounded by candles that burn even in the wind, casting a dim but steady glow.
Down the path lies a crude old hut, smoke lazily curling from a hole in the thatched roof chimney. As Jasmine approaches, the sound of a soft chant drifts from within. Before she can knock, the wooden door creaks open, revealing Old Zoya.
Zoya is a weathered woman with a thin frame, her face lined with deep wrinkles. Her eyes, sharp and keen, glint like dark stones beneath the shadows of her frayed hood. She leans on a gnarled wooden staff, the top adorned with feathers and bones tied with bits of twine. Despite her age, she moves with a purposeful grace, her presence commanding respect.
Zoya eyes Jasmine warily before speaking. "Ah… another adventurer, are you? Or perhaps you’re something else. Come, if you seek wisdom, the stones listen better than most folk these days."
She gestures for Jasmine to follow her toward the shrine, her tone abrupt but not unfriendly. As they reach the circle of stones,
Jasmine confirms as she follows the woman toward the shrine. "I have come for wisdom in a sense. My goal at this point in time is to cleanse the corruption from Drakkenheim and to restore it. However, it would be foolish to run in blindly with an incomplete picture. So I've been trying to talk to anyone who might know more about the nature of the corruption in Drakkenheim."
Zoya pauses and runs her hand over one of the ancient carvings, her voice growing softer, more reflective. She chants and hums in a tribal tune, her words resemble arcane runes, draconic but different enough that you recognize it as druidic.
"These stones have stood here long before the first kingdoms. They have stood longer than the Sacred Flame has blazed. The old gods were the ones who shaped the land, the sea, and the sky. Some say they shattered themselves to create this world. Others believe they were one before the shatter, to create something greater." She turns to Jasmine, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve seen Drakkenheim, haven’t you? You haven't... Oh... But you’ve felt the corruption?"
Zoya snorts, leaning on her staff. "Those who follow the Sacred Flame call it a blight, the Academy calls it a resource, the Falling Fire calls it their salvation. Fools, all of them. They argue over what they don’t understand, each too proud to see the bigger picture."She gestures to the standing stones. "The truth is simpler, yet harder to swallow: that meteor didn’t come from our world. It’s an intrusion, something from a corrupted plane that broke into our realm."
Jasmine nods, "I have. I have seen firsthand what the corruption does to a person; 1 mutated, 1 dead at the patient's hands...." She runs her fingers over the handle of her war hammer strapped to her hip, "... sadly the patient had to be put down." She then says, "I am inclined to agree with the Sacred Flame in a sense, though I am not of their faith. I believe it to be a blight simply because I see the harm it is causing. Whether it came from the stars or from a corrupted plane, all I know is that it is threatening the lives of the people of this land and I fear that if it is left unchecked, it may threaten the entire world. I wish to remove the meteor's curse from Drakkenheim... It must be done for the greater good of the people of our realm."
She pauses, as if weighing her next words carefully. "The planes are like rivers, some flow clean, others are tainted. This meteor… it’s a stone from a poisoned stream, cast into our world. That’s why it breeds madness, why it twists life. It doesn’t belong here."
Zoya's brow furrows as she continues. "I’ve heard of another belief, of a cosmic god who embodies all of existence, both creation and destruction. Some say this god may be the source of all things, even the old gods. Some say the old gods were once part of a greater whole, shattered into countless pieces when they gave birth to existence. Perhaps this Cosmic God is that whole, or perhaps it’s just another name for something beyond mortal comprehension." She taps her staff against the ground. "I don’t dismiss the idea outright. If the old gods are fragments of something larger, maybe that larger force still exists, waiting for the day we piece the shards back together."
She sighs, looking up at the darkening sky. "But I’m too old to think much on such things. My faith remains in the old gods. They protect our world, inspire those who listen, and guide us in these dark times. They allowed us to build this realm once before… perhaps they’ll grant us the inspiration to make it whole again."
Zoya smiles faintly, a rare softness in her expression. "Perhaps. If enough wise souls seek the truth instead of power. If they listen to the old gods, or to whatever force inspires them to do what’s right. Balance can be restored, but only if we understand the nature of what we’re fighting." She places a hand on the nearest stone, its surface worn smooth by time. "I’ve lived long enough to know one thing: the world doesn’t need more zealots. It needs seekers, those willing to find answers, not force them."
Jasmine is surprised. She didn't expect to hear of the All-Source at this part of the land. She says, "You know of the Cosmic God? I hadn't expect to find someone who knew of our god out here. My personal faith lies with the All-Source. I do not know if you could call me a zealot or not. I simply wish to help and protect those that need it and to serve the greater good. I do not know the true nature of what is causing the cursed haze on Drakkenheim, the true nature of this... delirium... But I do believe that it is a threat to the people of this world. Something that makes mad monsters of men cannot be good." She pauses and then says, "So far... none of the other factions seem to have a proper idea of where exactly the meteor came from. The Sacred Flame called it a curse but wished to burn and crush the delerium, which I fear will only spread the curse further. The Fallen Fire believe that through some ritual they may gain immunity to it but I fear that this ritual of there's will do nothing but create more monsters. The Academy wishes to harness the power from the crystals to make magic artifacts of great power but I fear that such artifacts may have some subtle insidious effects after long term use and that such an endeavor is may cause a great disaster should someone make the wrong mistake at the wrong time. But I simply wish to make it to cleanse Drakkenheim of this meteor and the curse."
Finally Jasmine asks, "You seem quite knowledgeable my friend. If the meteor truly came from a cursed plane, which so far is the most concrete answer on its origin that I have gotten, do you know how we may remove it and its corruption from Drakkenheim and our realm?"
Jasmine is surprised. She didn't expect to hear of the All-Source at this part of the land. She says, "You know of the Cosmic God? I hadn't expect to find someone who knew of our god out here. My personal faith lies with the All-Source. I do not know if you could call me a zealot or not. I simply wish to help and protect those that need it and to serve the greater good.
Old Zoya regards Jasmine with a steady, discerning gaze, her weathered hand resting on the gnarled staff she carries. After a moment of thoughtful silence, she speaks, her voice carrying the weight of years and wisdom.
"I can feel it—the goodness within you, like a quiet flame that refuses to be snuffed out."Her tone is gentle, yet firm, imbued with a reverence that seems rare in these dark times. "As one who walks the path of balance and restoration, I have learned to see beyond the surface, to know the difference between a good soul and a zealot blinded by their own convictions."
She steps closer, gesturing to the ancient stones encircling them, as though drawing strength from their enduring presence. "In this age of overwhelming darkness, when corruption festers and evil spreads unchecked, the scales have tipped far beyond what is natural. We are no longer simply stewards of this world, we are its protectors, its healers. And for that, we need good souls like yours to steady the balance."
Zoya’s expression softens, and for a brief moment, her usual stern demeanor gives way to something warmer, almost hopeful. "Not all who wield light bring clarity, and not all who walk in shadow bring destruction. But you… you seem to understand that the world needs more than just swords and fire. It needs wisdom. It needs compassion. It needs those who would seek to restore, not simply destroy."
I do not know the true nature of what is causing the cursed haze on Drakkenheim, the true nature of this... delirium... But I do believe that it is a threat to the people of this world. Something that makes mad monsters of men cannot be good." She pauses and then says, "So far... none of the other factions seem to have a proper idea of where exactly the meteor came from.
The meteor is merely a poisonous stone from another plane. It's presence here is an affront to all things natural.
The Sacred Flame called it a curse but wished to burn and crush the delerium, which I fear will only spread the curse further.
Destruction never truly brings balance.
The Fallen Fire believe that through some ritual they may gain immunity to it but I fear that this ritual of there's will do nothing but create more monsters.
Assimilation can be both destructive and restorative. Though I doubt if every soul were to adopt the nature of the poisonous stone that the scales would ever tip back to center. If this were to happen, our world would truly be lost.
The Academy wishes to harness the power from the crystals to make magic artifacts of great power but I fear that such artifacts may have some subtle insidious effects after long term use and that such an endeavor is may cause a great disaster should someone make the wrong mistake at the wrong time.
Transmutation: Harnessing the poisonous stone’s destructive properties for creation could truly tip the scales back to balance. However, at the current rate, we are on the path to ruin. If any residual effects of this transmutation exist, that would be concerning. From my understanding, the crystals themselves are not inherently evil, their interaction with the life and souls of this realm creates imbalance. If we were to travel to the meteor’s origin plane, it would be us who are out of balance there.
But I simply wish to make it to cleanse Drakkenheim of this meteor and the curse."
That sentiment is noble, and you’ll find few in this world who share it. All I can tell you is this: if you walk the path of restoration, the solution will reveal itself in time. I may not hold the cure for the poisonous stone, but you have the will to seek it, and that is the first step.
Finally Jasmine asks, "You seem quite knowledgeable my friend. If the meteor truly came from a cursed plane, which so far is the most concrete answer on its origin that I have gotten, do you know how we may remove it and its corruption from Drakkenheim and our realm?"
Go to Drakkenheim with questions, not convictions. You may be forced to harness transmutation: selling and trading crystals. You may be forced to harness destruction: destroying crystal thralls. You may even be forced to harness the power of assimilation: give into dark rituals to fuse crystals into your body. Let's hope you find the answers before things come to that.
Go to Drakkenheim with questions, not convictions. You may be forced to harness transmutation: selling and trading crystals. You may be forced to harness destruction: destroying crystal thralls. You may even be forced to harness the power of assimilation: give into dark rituals to fuse crystals into your body. Let's hope you find the answers before things come to that.
Jasmine nods. "Very well then. I know my conviction is to stop the corruption and remove it from our world. I know that I don't have an answer as to how and I know that I must seek the answer. Thanks to you, I now know that these answers may lie within Drakkenheim. For this, I thank you. If I find anything of interest, I shall come back and tell you what I find. As for myself, right now after our conversation, I feel that the way to fix this might just be to send the stone back to where it once came from. I will keep my eyes and ears open for any new information that either offers an alternate and better solution or any information that aids me in sending the stone back. I bid you farewell, Miss Zoya."
Jasmine leaves the circle of stone. Now there is one final place she wishes to explore. She expects that there might be some danger here but she feels it is more likely there is nothing there. So she would try to head there herself instead of trying to rally the other companions for this particular trip. The location? Eventide Manor. She wishes to explore it on the off chance that there is either some non-haze related evil there or if there is something useful there. No harm in looking.
As you approach Eventide Manor, the charred remnants of its doors and windows creak and groan, eerily opening and closing on their own. The roof is completely gone, leaving only jagged outlines against the sky, and most of the walls have crumbled into ruin. The few that remain stand precariously, their glassless windows bordered by weathered shutters that flap noisily in the wind.
The front door, a tattered remnant of its former self, clings stubbornly to rusted hinges, swinging with each gust. Soot and ash stain the ground, though fresh patches of grass have begun to grow defiantly amidst the blackened dirt. The crumbling foundation and cellar stairs, made of aged stone, peek through gaps in the warped and broken floorboards, hinting at what lies beneath the desolation.
Jasmine enters the house through the front door. She will use one charge of Divine Sense to try and detect the presence of any Celestial, Fiend or Undead within 60ft of her. Her Divine Sense also allows her to see if this place is touched by holy or unholy powers, if it is consecrated or desecrated grounds.
Jasmine enters the house through the front door. She will use one charge of Divine Sense to try and detect the presence of any Celestial, Fiend or Undead within 60ft of her. Her Divine Sense also allows her to see if this place is touched by holy or unholy powers, if it is consecrated or desecrated grounds.
No celestials. No Fiends. No Undead. No consecration. No desecration.
The cellar walls seem unaffected by the house burning, and years of decay. There are four foundation walls and little else in this cellar.
Give me one of each of the following:
Survival DC 13 Perception or Arcana DC 15 Investigation DC 20
Noticing the weirdness on one of the walls, Jasmine approaches it. She runs her hand over the wall, inspecting the wall more closely and looking for any hidden compartments or buttons on the east wall.
Noticing the weirdness on one of the walls, Jasmine approaches it. She runs her hand over the wall, inspecting the wall more closely and looking for any hidden compartments or buttons on the east wall.
The wall is a permanent illusion, inside the illusion is a [spells]glyph of warding[/spell]. Explosive Runes ignite in a 20 ft sphere.
Dexterity Save DC 15, on save take half of 23 fire damage.
Explosive Rune. When triggered, the glyph erupts with magical energy in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on the glyph. Each creature in the area makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 5d8 Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage (your choice when you create the glyph) on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Jasmine is promptly blasted back by the explosive rune. She sits up covered in ash and burn marks. Smoke from the spell still pouring from her body, she uses her magic to heal some of her injuries.
Cure Wounds (Level 2): 16 HP healing.
Now doing a bit better than before, she walks through and notices the teleportation circle. She studies to try and figure out where it goes without actually going through it.
Now doing a bit better than before, she walks through and notices the teleportation circle. She studies to try and figure out where it goes without actually going through it.
As Jasmine’s fingertips graze the pulsing arcane runes, the blue glow intensifies, crackling with raw magical energy. A thin thread of arcane static leaps from the circle to her hand, spiraling up her arm in delicate, electric tendrils. The sensation radiates over her body, culminating in a tingling warmth behind her eyes. Suddenly, her vision shifts.
For a fleeting moment, Jasmine is transported to an otherworldly plaza, surreal yet eerily vivid. The cobblestone paths are perfectly set, forming intricate geometric patterns. Benches line the plaza, crafted from a smooth black stone that gleams under the dim, hazy light. Towering above it all are crystalline trees of delerium, their jagged branches shooting skyward, glowing faintly with an unnatural purple hue. The trees rise impossibly tall—50 feet high—pulsating with an almost lifelike energy.
Her perspective expands unnaturally, allowing her to see behind herself without moving. Looming in the distance is a massive, brutal black tower of obsidian, its edges sharp and jagged, crackling with arcane energy. The air surrounding it is dense with haze, shimmering and distorting the view. Lightning-like arcs of delerium energy pulse intermittently, racing up the twelve-hundred-foot structure and disappearing into the haze above.
The scene shifts again, focusing on the path ahead. Two colossal stone golems lie motionless on the cobblestones, their bodies broken and scattered like abandoned statues. Near their remains, a massive, undulating form slithers and writhes—a huge abomination. Its grotesque, ever-shifting body oozes chaos, emitting an otherworldly hum. Beside it, two smaller abominations shuffle and twitch, their numerous mouths drooling and muttering incoherently, their maddening babble a chaotic chorus in the still, electric air.
The vision fades abruptly, the glowing runes flickering as Jasmine pulls her hand away. The static dissipates, leaving her breathless, the pulse of the teleportation circle now echoing faintly in her ears.
Jasmine shakes her head and steps away from the Teleportation Circle. "Strange..." She mutters. "Was that Drakkenheim or was that somewhere else entirely? What is this teleportation circle and who made it and why?" She feels she has made some progress though. For once she has a new avenue for investigation.
She returns back to Emberwood proper. She needs to know more about the Teleportation circle and the house itself. She decides to go visit Old Zaya again to ask if she knows who used to live in Eventide Manor or when it was even built.
Jasmine shakes her head and steps away from the Teleportation Circle. "Strange..." She mutters. "Was that Drakkenheim or was that somewhere else entirely? What is this teleportation circle and who made it and why?" She feels she has made some progress though. For once she has a new avenue for investigation.
She returns back to Emberwood proper. She needs to know more about the Teleportation circle and the house itself. She decides to go visit Old Zaya again to ask if she knows who used to live in Eventide Manor or when it was even built.
Long before this town was called Emberwood, Archwizard Eldrick Runeweaver lived in that house. He left the house to his daughter who had a child out of wedlock with the local blacksmith, then she died of an unknown illness. The day of her passing, members of the Amethyst Academy fetched the child, the grandson of the Archwizard. They must use some kind of magic to teleport from this old house directly to the Inscrutable Tower, the faction stronghold for the Amethyst Academy, deep inside the delerium haze in the center of Drakkenheim.
I've seen mages, sneaking around town, casting invisibility on themselves. But it doesn't matter, they always leave fresh footprints into and out of that old house.
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"It was exceptional meeting you. Don't worry, I never deal in delerium. What I'm interested in are the lost art and artifacts from the noble households of Drakkenheim. If you find anything of great value or even something of questionable value, please bring it to me for appraisal."
"I will certainly keep that in mind. Before I head there though, I am curious about the burnt manor. You still haven't really answered my question. What happened to Eventide Manor?"
"The manor house on the south end of town? It's no secret that a strange elven woman lived there before the curse. She had a child but no father came forward. She passed away one day and her boy was taken by the Amethyst Academy. That's ancient news. The house was empty and abandoned for years before it caught fire. Because it was so far from town efforts to put out were in vain and it burned to the ground. None have come to claim or repair it. Children now tell tales of the strange noises coming from the cellar of the house, and how the charred doors and windows open and close on their own. It's our local Haunted House, if you will."
Jasmine follows a narrow dirt path winding through a grove of dying trees, their twisted branches creaking softly in the breeze. The air grows heavy with the scent of burning herbs, and the faint flicker of candlelight becomes visible through the shadows. Seven ancient standing stones rise around a stone pedestal, each etched with faded runes depicting the legends of forgotten deities. Animal bones and dried plants rest atop the pedestal, surrounded by candles that burn even in the wind, casting a dim but steady glow.
Down the path lies a crude old hut, smoke lazily curling from a hole in the thatched roof chimney. As Jasmine approaches, the sound of a soft chant drifts from within. Before she can knock, the wooden door creaks open, revealing Old Zoya.
Zoya is a weathered woman with a thin frame, her face lined with deep wrinkles. Her eyes, sharp and keen, glint like dark stones beneath the shadows of her frayed hood. She leans on a gnarled wooden staff, the top adorned with feathers and bones tied with bits of twine. Despite her age, she moves with a purposeful grace, her presence commanding respect.
Zoya eyes Jasmine warily before speaking. "Ah… another adventurer, are you? Or perhaps you’re something else. Come, if you seek wisdom, the stones listen better than most folk these days."
She gestures for Jasmine to follow her toward the shrine, her tone abrupt but not unfriendly. As they reach the circle of stones, Zoya pauses and runs her hand over one of the ancient carvings, her voice growing softer, more reflective. She chants and hums in a tribal tune, her words resemble arcane runes, draconic but different enough that you recognize it as druidic.
"These stones have stood here long before the first kingdoms. They have stood longer than the Sacred Flame has blazed. The old gods were the ones who shaped the land, the sea, and the sky. Some say they shattered themselves to create this world. Others believe they were one before the shatter, to create something greater." She turns to Jasmine, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve seen Drakkenheim, haven’t you? You haven't... Oh... But you’ve felt the corruption?"
Zoya snorts, leaning on her staff. "Those who follow the Sacred Flame call it a blight, the Academy calls it a resource, the Falling Fire calls it their salvation. Fools, all of them. They argue over what they don’t understand, each too proud to see the bigger picture." She gestures to the standing stones. "The truth is simpler, yet harder to swallow: that meteor didn’t come from our world. It’s an intrusion, something from a corrupted plane that broke into our realm."
She pauses, as if weighing her next words carefully. "The planes are like rivers, some flow clean, others are tainted. This meteor… it’s a stone from a poisoned stream, cast into our world. That’s why it breeds madness, why it twists life. It doesn’t belong here."
Zoya's brow furrows as she continues. "I’ve heard of another belief, of a cosmic god who embodies all of existence, both creation and destruction. Some say this god may be the source of all things, even the old gods. Some say the old gods were once part of a greater whole, shattered into countless pieces when they gave birth to existence. Perhaps this Cosmic God is that whole, or perhaps it’s just another name for something beyond mortal comprehension." She taps her staff against the ground. "I don’t dismiss the idea outright. If the old gods are fragments of something larger, maybe that larger force still exists, waiting for the day we piece the shards back together."
She sighs, looking up at the darkening sky. "But I’m too old to think much on such things. My faith remains in the old gods. They protect our world, inspire those who listen, and guide us in these dark times. They allowed us to build this realm once before… perhaps they’ll grant us the inspiration to make it whole again."
Zoya smiles faintly, a rare softness in her expression. "Perhaps. If enough wise souls seek the truth instead of power. If they listen to the old gods, or to whatever force inspires them to do what’s right. Balance can be restored, but only if we understand the nature of what we’re fighting." She places a hand on the nearest stone, its surface worn smooth by time. "I’ve lived long enough to know one thing: the world doesn’t need more zealots. It needs seekers, those willing to find answers, not force them."
Jasmine concludes her visit with Reeve Kosta. "Thank you. I think I may want to check that place before leaving for Drakkenheim. I will be sure to return here afterward to report on what I saw and found."
Jasmine confirms as she follows the woman toward the shrine. "I have come for wisdom in a sense. My goal at this point in time is to cleanse the corruption from Drakkenheim and to restore it. However, it would be foolish to run in blindly with an incomplete picture. So I've been trying to talk to anyone who might know more about the nature of the corruption in Drakkenheim."
Jasmine nods, "I have. I have seen firsthand what the corruption does to a person; 1 mutated, 1 dead at the patient's hands...." She runs her fingers over the handle of her war hammer strapped to her hip, "... sadly the patient had to be put down." She then says, "I am inclined to agree with the Sacred Flame in a sense, though I am not of their faith. I believe it to be a blight simply because I see the harm it is causing. Whether it came from the stars or from a corrupted plane, all I know is that it is threatening the lives of the people of this land and I fear that if it is left unchecked, it may threaten the entire world. I wish to remove the meteor's curse from Drakkenheim... It must be done for the greater good of the people of our realm."
Jasmine is surprised. She didn't expect to hear of the All-Source at this part of the land. She says, "You know of the Cosmic God? I hadn't expect to find someone who knew of our god out here. My personal faith lies with the All-Source. I do not know if you could call me a zealot or not. I simply wish to help and protect those that need it and to serve the greater good. I do not know the true nature of what is causing the cursed haze on Drakkenheim, the true nature of this... delirium... But I do believe that it is a threat to the people of this world. Something that makes mad monsters of men cannot be good." She pauses and then says, "So far... none of the other factions seem to have a proper idea of where exactly the meteor came from. The Sacred Flame called it a curse but wished to burn and crush the delerium, which I fear will only spread the curse further. The Fallen Fire believe that through some ritual they may gain immunity to it but I fear that this ritual of there's will do nothing but create more monsters. The Academy wishes to harness the power from the crystals to make magic artifacts of great power but I fear that such artifacts may have some subtle insidious effects after long term use and that such an endeavor is may cause a great disaster should someone make the wrong mistake at the wrong time. But I simply wish to make it to cleanse Drakkenheim of this meteor and the curse."
Finally Jasmine asks, "You seem quite knowledgeable my friend. If the meteor truly came from a cursed plane, which so far is the most concrete answer on its origin that I have gotten, do you know how we may remove it and its corruption from Drakkenheim and our realm?"
Old Zoya regards Jasmine with a steady, discerning gaze, her weathered hand resting on the gnarled staff she carries. After a moment of thoughtful silence, she speaks, her voice carrying the weight of years and wisdom.
"I can feel it—the goodness within you, like a quiet flame that refuses to be snuffed out." Her tone is gentle, yet firm, imbued with a reverence that seems rare in these dark times. "As one who walks the path of balance and restoration, I have learned to see beyond the surface, to know the difference between a good soul and a zealot blinded by their own convictions."
She steps closer, gesturing to the ancient stones encircling them, as though drawing strength from their enduring presence. "In this age of overwhelming darkness, when corruption festers and evil spreads unchecked, the scales have tipped far beyond what is natural. We are no longer simply stewards of this world, we are its protectors, its healers. And for that, we need good souls like yours to steady the balance."
Zoya’s expression softens, and for a brief moment, her usual stern demeanor gives way to something warmer, almost hopeful. "Not all who wield light bring clarity, and not all who walk in shadow bring destruction. But you… you seem to understand that the world needs more than just swords and fire. It needs wisdom. It needs compassion. It needs those who would seek to restore, not simply destroy."
The meteor is merely a poisonous stone from another plane. It's presence here is an affront to all things natural.
Destruction never truly brings balance.
Assimilation can be both destructive and restorative. Though I doubt if every soul were to adopt the nature of the poisonous stone that the scales would ever tip back to center. If this were to happen, our world would truly be lost.
Transmutation: Harnessing the poisonous stone’s destructive properties for creation could truly tip the scales back to balance. However, at the current rate, we are on the path to ruin. If any residual effects of this transmutation exist, that would be concerning. From my understanding, the crystals themselves are not inherently evil, their interaction with the life and souls of this realm creates imbalance. If we were to travel to the meteor’s origin plane, it would be us who are out of balance there.
That sentiment is noble, and you’ll find few in this world who share it. All I can tell you is this: if you walk the path of restoration, the solution will reveal itself in time. I may not hold the cure for the poisonous stone, but you have the will to seek it, and that is the first step.
Go to Drakkenheim with questions, not convictions. You may be forced to harness transmutation: selling and trading crystals. You may be forced to harness destruction: destroying crystal thralls. You may even be forced to harness the power of assimilation: give into dark rituals to fuse crystals into your body. Let's hope you find the answers before things come to that.
Jasmine nods. "Very well then. I know my conviction is to stop the corruption and remove it from our world. I know that I don't have an answer as to how and I know that I must seek the answer. Thanks to you, I now know that these answers may lie within Drakkenheim. For this, I thank you. If I find anything of interest, I shall come back and tell you what I find. As for myself, right now after our conversation, I feel that the way to fix this might just be to send the stone back to where it once came from. I will keep my eyes and ears open for any new information that either offers an alternate and better solution or any information that aids me in sending the stone back. I bid you farewell, Miss Zoya."
Jasmine leaves the circle of stone. Now there is one final place she wishes to explore. She expects that there might be some danger here but she feels it is more likely there is nothing there. So she would try to head there herself instead of trying to rally the other companions for this particular trip. The location? Eventide Manor. She wishes to explore it on the off chance that there is either some non-haze related evil there or if there is something useful there. No harm in looking.
As you approach Eventide Manor, the charred remnants of its doors and windows creak and groan, eerily opening and closing on their own. The roof is completely gone, leaving only jagged outlines against the sky, and most of the walls have crumbled into ruin. The few that remain stand precariously, their glassless windows bordered by weathered shutters that flap noisily in the wind.
The front door, a tattered remnant of its former self, clings stubbornly to rusted hinges, swinging with each gust. Soot and ash stain the ground, though fresh patches of grass have begun to grow defiantly amidst the blackened dirt. The crumbling foundation and cellar stairs, made of aged stone, peek through gaps in the warped and broken floorboards, hinting at what lies beneath the desolation.
Jasmine enters the house through the front door. She will use one charge of Divine Sense to try and detect the presence of any Celestial, Fiend or Undead within 60ft of her. Her Divine Sense also allows her to see if this place is touched by holy or unholy powers, if it is consecrated or desecrated grounds.
No celestials.
No Fiends.
No Undead.
No consecration.
No desecration.
The cellar walls seem unaffected by the house burning, and years of decay. There are four foundation walls and little else in this cellar.
Give me one of each of the following:
Survival DC 13
Perception or Arcana DC 15
Investigation DC 20
Survival: 7
Perception: 17
Investigation: 6
You don't really see any footprints
The east wall seems different than the other three walls.
The stone pattern matches three walls but the east wall does not match.
Noticing the weirdness on one of the walls, Jasmine approaches it. She runs her hand over the wall, inspecting the wall more closely and looking for any hidden compartments or buttons on the east wall.
The wall is a permanent illusion, inside the illusion is a [spells]glyph of warding[/spell]. Explosive Runes ignite in a 20 ft sphere.
Dexterity Save DC 15, on save take half of 23 fire damage.
Explosive Rune. When triggered, the glyph erupts with magical energy in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on the glyph. Each creature in the area makes a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 5d8 Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage (your choice when you create the glyph) on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Surviving the blast, you can tell that the rune has been expended and you can walk freely through the illusory wall.
On the other side of a 5 ft illusion of a wall, you find a small room, 20 ft by 20 ft, at the center is a permanent teleportation circle
DEX save: 9
Jasmine is promptly blasted back by the explosive rune. She sits up covered in ash and burn marks. Smoke from the spell still pouring from her body, she uses her magic to heal some of her injuries.
Cure Wounds (Level 2): 16 HP healing.
Now doing a bit better than before, she walks through and notices the teleportation circle. She studies to try and figure out where it goes without actually going through it.
As Jasmine’s fingertips graze the pulsing arcane runes, the blue glow intensifies, crackling with raw magical energy. A thin thread of arcane static leaps from the circle to her hand, spiraling up her arm in delicate, electric tendrils. The sensation radiates over her body, culminating in a tingling warmth behind her eyes. Suddenly, her vision shifts.
For a fleeting moment, Jasmine is transported to an otherworldly plaza, surreal yet eerily vivid. The cobblestone paths are perfectly set, forming intricate geometric patterns. Benches line the plaza, crafted from a smooth black stone that gleams under the dim, hazy light. Towering above it all are crystalline trees of delerium, their jagged branches shooting skyward, glowing faintly with an unnatural purple hue. The trees rise impossibly tall—50 feet high—pulsating with an almost lifelike energy.
Her perspective expands unnaturally, allowing her to see behind herself without moving. Looming in the distance is a massive, brutal black tower of obsidian, its edges sharp and jagged, crackling with arcane energy. The air surrounding it is dense with haze, shimmering and distorting the view. Lightning-like arcs of delerium energy pulse intermittently, racing up the twelve-hundred-foot structure and disappearing into the haze above.
The scene shifts again, focusing on the path ahead. Two colossal stone golems lie motionless on the cobblestones, their bodies broken and scattered like abandoned statues. Near their remains, a massive, undulating form slithers and writhes—a huge abomination. Its grotesque, ever-shifting body oozes chaos, emitting an otherworldly hum. Beside it, two smaller abominations shuffle and twitch, their numerous mouths drooling and muttering incoherently, their maddening babble a chaotic chorus in the still, electric air.
The vision fades abruptly, the glowing runes flickering as Jasmine pulls her hand away. The static dissipates, leaving her breathless, the pulse of the teleportation circle now echoing faintly in her ears.
Jasmine shakes her head and steps away from the Teleportation Circle. "Strange..." She mutters. "Was that Drakkenheim or was that somewhere else entirely? What is this teleportation circle and who made it and why?" She feels she has made some progress though. For once she has a new avenue for investigation.
She returns back to Emberwood proper. She needs to know more about the Teleportation circle and the house itself. She decides to go visit Old Zaya again to ask if she knows who used to live in Eventide Manor or when it was even built.
Long before this town was called Emberwood, Archwizard Eldrick Runeweaver lived in that house. He left the house to his daughter who had a child out of wedlock with the local blacksmith, then she died of an unknown illness. The day of her passing, members of the Amethyst Academy fetched the child, the grandson of the Archwizard. They must use some kind of magic to teleport from this old house directly to the Inscrutable Tower, the faction stronghold for the Amethyst Academy, deep inside the delerium haze in the center of Drakkenheim.
I've seen mages, sneaking around town, casting invisibility on themselves. But it doesn't matter, they always leave fresh footprints into and out of that old house.