Centrum Glacies 2021 Session 12: Intermission
Week 12 in 2021 of this Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies moved past the midpoint. Each of the characters now has a chance to resolve anything important during an intermission. Let’s explore what happened in week 12.
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!!!
Faustus and Apephe:
Faustus clung to Apephe still not coming to grips with all that transpired. The Dragon didn’t show any annoyance if the half Demon was giving her any.
The two returned to the Peacemakers. Even though Faustus wanted to live this group behind and just be left alone, Volun had made one final choice for him. He was the leader now and the group asked for his orders. The Half Demon appointed Vardan, who had worked closely with Volun as the de facto leader for the moment.
He got some needed rest. Apephe ran around the temple and showcased that for all her bluster, she was still a child.
When the two met up the next morning, Faustus decided to sit in the courtyard to think things through. Apephe followed him. She didn’t seem content to let him wander on his own.
Unfortunately they barely took a couple breaths before they were ambushed. The Cult of Obsidian appeared as if waiting for them to leave the temple. Indeed, it dawned on Faustus that this is exactly what was happening.
They asked Faustus when he intended to travel north. The Warlock countered that he had no plans to do that. The Cult didn’t like that. So they trapped Apephe in flames.
Before Faustus could fight to free her, Jarar appeared. Revealing that he had been a ranking member of the Cult of Obsideon all along, he mocked Faustus and his weakness. The Half Demon screamed to let the Dragon go or else. Jarar didn’t give him a chance to reveal what he had in mind. The Cult of Obsidian whisked Apephe away, leaving Faustus screaming skyward.
Malcolm:
Malcolm spoke to the other three Mythril adventurers. There seemed to be an unending number of issues that the top four members of the group had to deal with.
The room they spoke in had unique magic that prevents secrets from being spread. Malcolm didn’t understand how it worked. And unfortunately neither did Vim-Kios, Persephene or Mortina.
Afterwards Vim-Kios spoke to Malcolm about other matters. The two discussed in confidence, issues that could not be repeated outside of the barrier. The Paladin listened with subdued shock. Almost every word held world shattering implications.
He knows the groups next destination is the Abyssal Continent. With the Cult of Obsidian as their enemy of course. Does that mean that they will have to fight Mortina at some point? Malcolm is ready for the coming challenges whatever they might be.
Trent and Adrene:
Trent emerged from meeting and didn’t see the others. Adrene followed him as he decided to go back to his forest. Was she trolling him, or did she had some ulterior motive? The Druid decided to watch her movements carefully.
Split from the rest of the party, the Vampire helped him find his animal companions. It seemed they were quite loyal. They had remained near the outskirts of Klummond the Southern Empire’s capital.
She helped him return to forest. Though Adrene warned that she would need to rest before she could transport them anywhere else. He didn’t mind. Trent intended to spend some time seeing how his little corner of forest was doing.
Elves appeared and prepared to attack the Vampire as soon as they entered. While Trent owned this small spot, the Elves controlled the greater forest within. They did not suffer undead to walk about freely.
While he had the choice to off the Vampire and end her danger once and for all, the Druid chose mercy. He still isn’t quite sure why he did. As a consequence, the Elves let the Vampire live with a warning not to make them regret this decision.
That night, Trent heard her crying and muttering about her family. He didn’t know what this meant. The Druid wasn’t even sure if she knew he had eavesdropped. Still, this tender moment where the Vampire had let down her walls and revealed emotions under her cold exterior told him a bit more about this strange and dangerous person.
The next day, the two returned to the Imperial Capital eager to meet up with the others. Trent is carefully reflecting on this humanized side of the Vampire.
Jyona:
Jyona visited her family. Most of them were happy and even a little shocked to see her. Not just because she had left suddenly years ago, but also because of her injuries.
She told brother and father what had happened. Meanwhile her stepmother looked on from a distance. She constantly wishes that this Elven girl born from a mistress would disappear and die. Not that Jyona realizes this of course.
After recounting all the stories, she asked for horses. Joyna’s father, Turan was a high ranking member of Imperial Society and would have no trouble precuring them. Her half brother Theo was training as a knight. Though he admitted it would be a long time before he could ever rival his older half sister
Joyna visited Mage tower and spoke to Lucian. If anyone could help her figure out the many going ons in the world, he could. After all, he was the one that set her on this path. If the wizard had not shown her runes, none of the current events would have happened.
Lucian revealed himself as a platinum adventurer and that he had a Demon scar. He asked her about her own and the circumstances behind it. Realizing how she had become a Platinum Adventurer, he warned her about the dangers she now faced. She and her companions were fish dragged from the water. They were now surrounded by sharks that didn’t need to swim.
Finally, he warned her about a dangerous Vampire named Zinbella. Above all other Platinum Adventurers he claimed she was the most cruel.
Jyona is confused by everyone telling her she will be in danger. She’ll be fine. Right?
Wrap Up:
There it is. The intermission is over and next time the party will be back together again. They will be heading for the Abyssal Continent. It seems fate is drawing them all there for different reasons.