Centrum Glacies 2021 Session 11: Passing the Torch
Week 11 in 2021 of this Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies finally reached this part of the stories midpoint. Let’s look at what happened in week 11: Passing the Torch.
Like my other campaign, I’m turning this one into a book series. However I’m still working on that project. Give it some time.
Anyway, just like my other campaign, there is a whole lot going on and I don’t want to elaborate on every moving piece in the story. You can see the whole thing once the book series starts hitting virtual and real shelves.
!!!Trigger Warning!!!
This story deals with a cruel world with some horrific twists. So far, this campaign has featured: Animals getting killed, Genocide, lots of body horror, evil cults, brainwashing, torture.
Most recently one of the party members had an eye gouged out and lost an arm. Not exactly the way it happens in Berserk, but that might have been the inspiration for it. The group at large is currently succumbing to magical wounds that appear to be turning them into Demons.
!!!Final Trigger Warning!!!
The battle with Volun reached its end. Faustus attacked him furious and ready to kill him in the most painful way he knew how. However, once the battle ended and the illusionary world shattered around the group, the Warlock ate those words.
Faustus refused to kill him. When he realized that the entire battle had been in their heads and that Volun had maneuvered the half Demon to stand in front of him with a knife, Faustus dropped it. Completely loosing his cool upon realizing that even his hatred and desire to kill this man had been something outside of his control.
Faustus instead thought it would be better to let Volun live with his failure. The father wanted his son to kill him and take his place. Faustus would not become a Mythril Adventurer. He rejected this man’s dreams.
A Final Warning:
Realizing how stupid and stubborn his son had become, Volun had no choice but to reveal a secret best kept guarded. The party were not the only ones slowly turning into Demons. The Dying man warned them that he had become a Demon long ago. Only the Mental Law of Magic kept him in check. But now his strength was wavering.
“Kill me now. While I’m still myself. I don’t think any of you will survive if I transform” Faustus didn’t believe that threat. However, the others had seen this man’s power and realized he was holding back. Not wanting to see what would happen if he transformed and lost control, another of the group took it upon themselves to do the deed.
Malcolm, the brave Paladin who only knew a little about what the rest had experienced, knew what he had to do. Promising to help his friends even when they refused to help themselves, he picked up the knife and made himself a Mythril Adventurer. Much to Faustus’ fury.
A New Mythril Adventurer
With his dying breath, Volun dropped the Mental Aspect of Magic at his son’s feet and said that his legacy was now passed to him. Soon all the Warlock’s sealed memories would return. And that only using that items power might he not go insane from the stimulus overload.
Faustus got the Mental Aspect of Magic. Volun ended up passing the torch to two different people. Immediately he used it to protect himself. Volun hadn’t lied. The Warlock screamed as years worth of repressed and hidden memories rose to the surface. So he supressed those thoughts once more. Deciding to deal with them later.
Foolishness:
However, ignoring the strain already on him from his last act, Faustus tried to use this powerful artifact again. Could he raise the dead with it? Could Dei-Hiy or even Volun be brought back. He was stopped by a Dragon who had only recently gone through a horrific ordeal of her own.
Apephe warned him against using it foolishly. She reminded him of what he held. The many beings who had died because of it. She wouldn’t let him use it like some toy. Somehow she had gained Faustus’ trust. Despite everything that the group had gone through.
Aldin, who had regained his senses said he would stay behind and deal with the Demon corpse that had once been Volun. Trent asked if he wanted to come with them. The Dragonborn said no. He needed some time to himself.
Leading the Peacemakers:
The group returned to the Peacemaker main hall after some time discussing their next move. They ran into its remaining members at the front door. Much to Faustus’ frustration, they said that he was their leader now. He refused to lead them. Vardan, a person who had been one of Volun’s confidants said that he didn’t have a choice. They had trusted Volun to guide them. It was now Faustus’ turn to do the same.
As their leader, Faustus demanded to know why Volun had done all these things. Vardan admitted that the Mythril Adventuerer had told them it was for the sake of a better world. And with his charisma, the man had convinced all of his followers that even stripping the world of free will would lead to that end.
Next they stepped outside. The other Mythril Adventuerers were there to greet them. Malcolm realized that by wearing the badge, the other three were aware of his location. He knew theirs as well.
Persephine pulled Malcolm into a pocket dimension and told him important secrets. Things that he could not speak of to the rest of the party. Reminding him of how fragile Faustus was and how irresponsible Jyona was, she made her point clear.
A Tense Meeting:
The rest of the party joined the Mythril Adventurers where they met to discuss important matters. There were rules to follow if non Mythril Adventuerers wanted to come here. Each could only bring two representitives. That meant Jyona ended up pairing with Mortina.
Mortina was also flanked by a mysterious man the group had yet to meet when they all arrived. Persephine of course brought Engelique along. Her best friend was essentially the fifth member of the four as it was. Meanwhile Vim-Kios brought Adrene who seemed to be on the recover with him. But the other person that came with was a surprise.
Tim, the man who had helped the group from the start revealed that he had granted his own Mythril Adventurer title to Vim-Kios. Before the group could inquire anything else, the four, or rather three since Malcolm chose to listen, discussed how the war between the Imperial and Southern Empires needed to end. And now.
Elkor:
The stranger next to Mortina had some choice words for the newcomers. And he revealed his own allegiances. His name was Elkor and he lead the Cult of Obsidian. As the number one enemy to the party, he reminded them that he still had Trent’s book, and multiple other artifacts. He told the group that if they wanted those things back, he and his group would be glad to destroy them when they reached the Abyssal Continent.
He claimed he didn’t have any more time for riff raff. Elkor left and Mortina seemed indifferent to his behavior. The party doesn’t trust her or her ally. How could they? Mortina is dangerous and the Cult speaks for itself.
Each of them vowed to kill the Cultists and take back what they stole. Maybe he heard them. Maybe their declarations fell on deaf ears. They won’t know until they reach the northern reaches.
Persephine warned that they all needed to head to the Abyssal Continent soon. Trouble was afoot. The other Mythril Adventures had apparently met creatures like Hasan and it meant something horrible would be happening soon.
After the meeting, Persephine and Engelique told the party that they needed to take care of any personal matters now. They would be heading the Abyssal Continent soon. And it would be a long time before any of them would be returning.
Wrap Up:
This chapter in the tale ended on whirlwind of notes. But the next part of the story will only be more dangerous. Going to the Abyssal Continent had been the goal of multiple people in the party since the start. Soon they will finally see this dangerous place.