The Eye in the Shield: The Cessation

General Summary

Wherein the legionaries face down a dire threat, but at steep cost

Further Extraplanar Investigations

Having just survived a clear attempt by would-be assassins on their lives, our legionaries were met by Veleria and her trusty greatsword, as this innkeeper is a former adventurer--who wanted to know just what the hell is going on. The legionaries told her as much as they could, namely that they were attacked by unknown assailants, all sporting a tattoo/brand of three interlocking zeros. Veleia expressed outrage that someone would try to assassinate her guests and promised our heroes that she would stand guard so they could get whatever rest they might manage out of the remainder of the night. 
A brief examination of the bodies of the assassins revealed not only those strange tattoos, but also chucks of a strange ore. It seems like it is definitely cascatorum, but what strain of the ore? Veleia advised them to seek out the jeweler Simborg, who might be able to further identify the ore.
Thankfully, that night passed without incident, which was good, because our legionaries needed their rest for a full, rich day. The morning began with a visit to Simborg's Stoneworks. Simborg agreed to look into the ore for a nominal fee, confident that she would be able to reveal its provenance. It would take a few hours, so she asked our heroes to check back with her. They agreed, as they had a brunch date to attend.
Their host for the brunch, local "dignitary" Mannfurt Embulscrum, invited them to his estate for the meal and conversation, but apparently was not ready for them as they arrived. The legionaries were shown to a well-appointed brunch nook and met Fellek Yarli, noted real estate and currency merchant. Fellek, apparently also a guest at this brunch, went on and on about how he appreciates how the Panoptic Legion understands the Old Ways. Eventually, he offered a toast to "Oaths and the Old Ways" before turning into a goddamn devil. 
This brunch was a trap! Combat commenced, and Fellek the Devil proved to be a formidable foe, summoning devils to his aid and blasting our heroes with fire and woe. But our legionaries are also formidable and triumphed over this devil.
As their battle wound down, the sounds of battle rang out from elsewhere in the estate. It turned out that Veleria, being quite suspicious of Mannfurt's intentions, broke into the estate as soon as she heard sounds of fighting, bringing with her a cohort of Avelsbirk citizens who were tired of Mannfurt's manipulations. This turned out to be a good thing, as they were able to secure the estate and enable the investigation to continue.
It turned out that Mannfurt, desperate to reclaim the prestige and power he views as "rightly" his, has entered into a pact with a fiend named Nulzulghraz the Descended. Mannfurt will facilitate her "Ascension," and, further, into a marrage with her. In return, power is promised.  It seemed tat Fellek was also part of this scheme. Pretty standard devil stuff, really. 

Stopping the Ascension 

Now all that remained was to find Mannfurt and put a stop to his nefarious designs. Breaking into Fellek's office offered a hint of where Mannfurt's operations could be, as it seemed that Mannfurt recently bought the Aeelsbron Mine, long since abandoned as it was destroyed in a disaster around 60 years ago. Since then, it has functioned as an eerie memorial to the fallen miners, so it is doubtful that the seasoned excavators of Avelsbirk would appreciate this so-called noble desecrating this memorial.
This location was further confirmed by Simborg, who traced the strain of ore discovered on the assassins back to the Aeelsborn. 
So, with that information in mind, the legionaries headed out to the mine to confront Mannfurt and stop the Ascension.
The mine itself was littered with the Cult of the Ascension and fighting soon broke out. Heartened, perhaps, by resolute purpose, our legionaries battled through to Mannfurt. During that battle, they freed Illzard, Knight of the Flame, trapped there by happenstance and Mannfurt's careless callousness. In gratitude, Illzard granted them the refreshment of the flame. Nice!
As our heroes eventually discovered Mannfurt summoning a portal--presumably to the realm of  Nulzulghraz the Descended. Battle with Mannfurt commenced and it was a brutal one. Strange "lava children" assaulted our legionaries, and Mannfurt continually wrought fire and psychic damage upon them. Eventually, though, the legionaries prevailed, sending Mannfurt to planes unknown, and completing their mission.
The satisfaction of protecting the planes, however, was short-lived. Sensing the power within Tala Starcurse--that cosmic horror with so much potential--Nulzulghraz pulled Tala through the portal, summoning her to the 487th Tract of the Nether, the domain of the Descended. Nulzulghraz proclaimed the power trapped within Tala as "interestingly delicious" and closed the portal after pulling her through, leaving her fellow legionaries in the material plane.
The next step for our heroes then became clear--find a way to rescue Tala.

And That's Where We Left It

The Eye in the Shield will continue as the remaining legionaries prepare for The Rescue

Varied & Sundry Details

• Zel bought a cascatorum ring from Simborg. It looked pretty good!
• During the fight with Fellek, Adelaide's sleeve caught fire. She put it out in a brunch chocolate fountain. This is an important detail.

Character(s) interacted with

• Veleia Immelsvelt--innkeeper of Avelsbirk Arms, former adventurer, caries a greatsword
• Palaris Simborg--jeweler extraordinaire, expert in metals and ores
• Fellek Yarli--erstwhile merchant, in league with Mannfurt Embulscrum
• Mannfurt Embulscrum--local "nobility," would-be bridegroom of Nulzulghraz the Descended

Report Date

23 Apr 2023

Primary Location

Avelsbirk