The Corruption Forge

Corruption Forge

A ten-foot-wide cage encloses an elevated lift at the top of this high terrace. A line of chains and an array of pulleys allow the cage to be lowered down into the room or moved across the room to a set of double doors at the far side of the chamber. The terrace and cage both overlook a large chamber with walls that seem to glow red hot. Heat wavers in the air, and wisps of vapor periodically waft up from the floor and walls, but the temperature atop the terrace is rather cool. Below, in the center of the room, squats a large forge made of black and red metal.

Fiendish Salamander Guardians of the Forge

The Coming of the Dawnflower

Theruk Nul

Theruk Nul felt his minions defeat in the haunted vault and roused himself to see what force had defeated the sorceress.   Knowing that she would return to her grave in the cemetery the former half-orc Theruk left his study to find Jestak.  The corrupted Kellid, a woman from the Howling Blood clan, was strong enough to carry the sorceress’ coffin back here into his study.  It was time Theruk thought for her casket to join his own in his hidden chamber. Turning gaseous, Theruk flowed through the air vents of the citadel to the West Garrison where he knew to find Jestak lording over the tiefling siege engineers. 

Jestak

Radiance

Solidifying behind the large human woman, Theruk's presence immediately commanded her attention, having charmed the barbarian so many times that the she no longer resisted.  

The duo had just left the citadel when Theruk felt his connection to the sorceress completely severed and then a moment later the charm over the corrupted Kellid was gone.   Piercing the abyssal haze of the worldwound a golden glow rose above graveyard filling the sky with the sudden raidiance of the sun.  Celestial hosts poured through the sunlight flying towards the catapults atop each tower of the citadel.  A holographic image filled the air, the tiny sun filling the sky with light was the glow of the fabled sword Radiance and from its light celestial hosts were being called forth by The Herald Caller of Saranrae.  Jestak turned back from the light and fled into the citadel.  Theruk Nul’s initial shock was overcome by his desire for self preservation.  The priest of Shax swiftly returned to the citadel moving into the hidden chamber of his study convinced of their defeat. 

Last Stop Drezen

Several days ago

The Dwarven rider,and Harris rode their mounts into the courtyard of Citadel Drezen.  The Dwarven Templar signaled the Brimorak demons atop the towers that they could consume the hard ridden mounts before signalling Harris to follow him inside.  They entered through the main gatehouse and walked up the ramp.  The Dwarf stood before a ½ orc houseman and removed his riding gear, grunting at Harris that they would clean up then eat. Harris was in the act of removing his riding boots when the Tiefling woman stepped from the Sally Port into their view, a bright head of long white hair and two horns protruding from her forehead.

 

“Is my brother aware of my return Chorussina?” the Dwarven Templar inquired, “Pray tell me he is below and too heavily involved in his research and duties.”   The Tiefling woman drifted over to the dwarf, draping her silk covered arm over the Dwarf’s broad shoulders, “He is still engrossed with his research into the Nahyndrian elixir, it worked on the Chimera!” she confided before asking, “Who is your travelling companion Joran?” 

Harris stepped forward to introduce himself, but quickly found his thought difficult to form, as if there was something he had wanted to say, a stupid smile slid across his features his attention fully upon the white haired woman.  

Harris Fairclaw

Joran chuckled at the ease with which the charm took his human companion, “So easy, lead him into the dining hall, I will know this man’s secrets.   Chorussina smiled at Joran and explained that the human was so ensorcelled that he would freely tell her whatever they needed to know.

“Good, once we have his information we can decide if this information should be shared with my brother Staunton or perhaps this human will provide us a new path to pursue?”  Joran watched and listened as Chorussina questioned Harris Fairclaw.  The pitiful human was so charmed with Chorussina that he told her his biggest secret, one they were both very surprised to learn.

“The Barbarian crusader, they call him Zervo, do you know who that is? He is last of the Bloodstone clan!” Smiling as he said it Harris saw the look of recognition that came over the Tiefling woman and Dwarf Templar, “ I KNOW RIGHT? I mean that has to be worth something don’t you think?”

Picking up his hammer and stepping up behind Harris Fairclaw, Joran Vhane spoke before bringing his hammer down on Harris, “It’s Worth EVERYTHING!”

Joran Vhane

The Beast of Drezen

Soltengrebbe The Beast of Drezen

Soltengrebbe is no ordinary chimera. A beast with the heads of a snow leopard, a white dragon, and a mountain goat, it was one of Aponavicius’s favorite pets for many years.

Brimorak's Attack

Standing just over three feet tall, these bestial humanoids wear filthy, tattered robes and have blue-gray skin decorated with strange, coiling stripes. Dark fur grows on their head and arms, and their feet end in burning hooves. The Brimorak's eyes glow as red as the flaming sword it wields in one hand, and their breath fills the surrounding air with noxious gray smoke.

Where we been?

The Worldwound and The Ruins of Drezen

You are arriving from the east along the Ahari Riverbed

Harris Fairclaw Templar at Large

The lower road was blocked, several trees had snapped and fallen from the cliff side running along the upper road.  The army was stopped in its tracks until the front unit finished clearing the way and Harris was stuck hiding in a small ridge alongside the cliff.  When the call to halt was sounded, Harris thought that he had been spotted by the paladin caller that rode through announcing “all stop”.   Luckily the paladin rode on without any reaction and Harris had made it to his current place of hiding.  

Harris Fairclaw

Harris almost screamed when the woman’s voice spoke from very close behind him, “The only reason you’re alive right now is I might have a use for you.”  Despite the threatening words, Harris recognized his fellow Templar’s voice, relaxed slightly and responded, “May in death I be reborn from the wound of our world, my soul returned from the maze of the abyss.”  Harris turned to face the pint-sized woman. 

The Halfling woman explained“I spotted you yesterday but had to be sure it was you.  The army isn’t going anywhere today, tonight I’ll get you into camp.  Another templar is with us but needs to travel to several locations on the upper road.  We’ll get you to his tent and then the two of you can travel ahead of us.  You’re lucky, there are horses and supplies.” 

Harris Fairclaw considered sharing his information with the her but decided she wasn’t near important enough to share with…perhaps this other Templar who had infiltrated the army.