Centrum Glacies Session 57: Light Fades
Week 57 Dungeons and Dragons Campaign in Centrum Glacies continues as light fades from the enclave and potentially the world.
Like my other campaign, I’m turning this one into a book series. You can check out the first one here.
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 in the book series.
!!!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 recently was incinerated in lava. But rather than die, they have been transformed into Demons. And every moment they have to resist a bloodlust that is trying to take hold.
!!!Final Trigger Warning!!!
The party continued their dire battle against Arch Druid Cirdore and the light he commanded. Even though they had been forced into this fight by Zinbella and her Psychic Vampire tricks, they couldn’t back down.
But between the searing light that filled the ancient tree, and the potent Radiant Elemental in front of them, Teztcal nearly succumbed to the onslaught once more. Things were looking dire, as Jyona again and again healed her friends. But that staff only had so much power remaining. And they were against a foe far more powerful than them.
Zinbella once again invaded Jyona’s mind. This time she intended to offer aid personally. But after her last stunt, the woman was reluctant for the help.
But as the battle continued to favor the Arch Druid and his light based attacks, her desperation only grew. And with it the willingness to make another foolish choice. Zinbella continued to goad Jyona and eventually, cold logic was replaced by terror. She gave in to the Psychic Vampire’s suggestions.
Willing Possession
Zinbella took over Jyona directly and confronted Cirdore. The Arch Druid had some choice words as she appeared. Through her power, her own form appeared where Jyona had stood moments before. Releasing spores into the air, she healed the rotten Treants and even Teztcal as she run ahead towards the Light Elemental.
The rest of the party followed behind as Zinbella singlehandedly turned the tide of this fight. It was clear why she had earned the rank of Platinum Adventurer. She cast confusion amongst an assortment of other spells including her signature Psychic Absorption. Luckily the party was not on the menu this time.
Though addled by Zinbella’s spells, it wasn’t enough to stop the Arch Druid. He once more shifted back to his human form. But rather than assuming his light elemental form, he had another card to play. One that gave Trent pause.
He threatened Trent that he would take away Trent’s druid powers if he was struck down. Teztcal didn’t seem to understand the implications and charged towards the Druid. Jyona meanwhile had no ability to stop the Psychic Vampire commanding her body.
End of Light
Zimbelle’s rotten Treants had no issue with such a threat. Nor did the Psychic Vampire. She killed Arch Druid Cirdore without pause. In fact she reveled in slaying him. In her own words, another enemy was off the board. And she thanked the party with once more granting her a major victory.
With his dying breath, he revoked Trent’s Druid Powers. He cursed his name as well as those of his companions. Warning that the Circle of Cleansing would never let them rest, he spit at the idea that they could be redeemed monsters.
Zimbelle then relinquished control of Jyona, releasing her from the spell. In addition, the twisted druid’s magic faded away with her departure. The staff and Treants that was.
Bag of Crows
The Arch Druid was dead, and Teztcal immediately looked for loot. He ignored his companions and their emotional states. He found some treasure, and a special bag filled with feathers.
Not worried at all about using a mysterious bag filled with even more mysterious feathers, he grabbed a few and threw them in the air. Three agitated crows appeared and hurled insults his way. And they also called Trent a former Druid. Turned out the Arch Druid had not been bluffing there.
Teztcal didnt like the crow’s attitude proceeded to troll the birds by continuously pulling feathers out and putting them back in. Said birds did not like this. But they were powerless against the summon spell. They could leave whenever they chose to at least.
As Teztcal continued to play with his new toy, the Party traveled back to Demon Town. They met the two Demonesses who had helped them before and asked the pair where they needed to go next.
Luckily they didn’t ask for anything in return for this information. To activate the Frozen Flames, they needed to go to the coldest part of the Abyssal Continent. Luckily, the three knew where this was. And allegedly, their Frozen Flames would guide them to the correct spot.
The Plague Attacks
The party set out for the southern wastes. They knew the area well from their adventure through here prior. But they decided against going to the Orc City. They were worried that as monsters they might be attacked on sight.
As the group followed the direction of their Frozen Flames, they ran into another obstacle. The Plague was still in the area. And it had a surprise for the group. They had watched Demons get healed while surrounded by the stinging insects. But they got no such comfort now. Instead, the plague clouds moved and sought them out. Worse, their attacks couldn’t harm it.
Was their adventure going to end after coming this far? As it turned out it didn’t. But the person who appeared now was an enemy, and possibly the most dangerous foe of all.
Wrap Up
Mortina, most powerful of all the Mythril Adventurers had appeared. And she claimed that the party would be saved. By her.