Brume Echoes
A small group of
Wrenjers and allies had gathered at The
79 Pines on the 1st of Zhira, 0 AE. They were assembled by
Arddan Goswren, Crown Wrenjer of Gylidd on behalf of First Spear
Kobeck Huaru, the leader of the Wrenjers. They were to discover more of the “growing darkness coming for the east.” Arddan assured the group that the divination magic that sensed this darkness was a trusted source by Kobeck himself even if the lead they were following seemed vague. The Crown was going to accompany the band of adventurers to
Zelkor's Ferry in eastern
Gylidd where they were supposed to start their investigation. They spend the evening around the fire in the rustic log cabin inn getting to know each other and sharing songs.
The next morning the group finished purchasing supplies from the proprietors of the 79 Pines. They set forth heading east through dense foliage and forest. As long as everything went relatively smooth, the trip from the Inn to Zelkor’s Ferry would take two days. One day to head northeast to meet the Canyon River and another day to travel along the river east to the township. The day was foggy with hanging moisture and cold. To pass the time, the Crown Wrenjer shared much of what he knew of the area’s history, flora and fauna.
Not long after they had started their trek, Arddan shared the story of
Aurelius Zelkor and the
Army of Light. He explained that
Tsar was a city off the northeastern shoreline of Gylidd where a variety of evil individuals congregated. Roughly 300 years ago the city was at its height and the people of
Gylidd Syn Aethri couldn’t handle their depravity any longer. The city was full of necromancers, demon worshipers and if there was ever a nightmare in Gylidder history it was Tsar and the evil within the city. People all around Myzelis would be taken or converted. Those that they sacrifice were raised as their army of undead. Arddan continued that it was a bittersweet blessing that Zelkor and his Army of Light had succeeded in their venture of sacking the city but had fallen to
Vrokíva's Brume. For if they hadn’t fallen to the Brume and not succeeded in their endeavor then the darkness of Tsar would have raised Zelkor.
To brighten the mood, the older bard weaved the story of
Bannor the Great. A paragon of
Lysav's ideals who traveled from city to city around Myzelis talking with people. This truly humble ancient paladin had the innate ability to listen and have the people they talked too really feel like they were being heard. Often found in the dirt at their feet,
Gurthdurial was Bannor’s golden greatsword and a symbol of Lysav. Bannor and Gurthdurial traveled with the Army of Light and were present when they sacked and destroyed Tsar. The eloquent paladin had managed to convert some of the people of the city to the light and fight their internal darkness. Myzelis lost Bannor and their sword that day. Every time the bard tried to distract his companions with stories they always turned dire.
The small group continued their path through the Forest of Hope listening to Arddan’s stories. Many different civilizations have tried to live out here. Most have fallen or have been assumed to be lost to the Brume but Arddan is optimistic that they might find some signs of civilization. He explained that the followers of
Gresneck, a group mainly composed of goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears, had wanted to maintain their autonomy from Gylidd Syn Aethri so they traveled east. The Crown must have been nervous, because once again his stories turned dark.
The gods of Tsar consisted of gods from other lands, possessed Incari and Gylidder gods. Arddan continued his “light” conversation by explaining to the new Wrenjers and their allies, some of which have never left the safety of the city, the god they should know is “
The Master”. It was said that long ago a group of Gylidders learned to harness Abyssal energy. They were able to conjure a tangible darkness that could raise the dead. Many of the Gylidders who had summoned the darkness perished, as they were unable to harness the darkness, until only one remained. The one who had “mastered” the darkness. Like many Inaethri their name has been lost to the ages. The Master is an archon of pure undeath, unbridled rage against the living, pure monstrosity, corruption, hatred, and pure raw chaos. The Master of murder and horror. The Wrenjer continued explaining if anything had survived the Brume it would be servants of the Master and that they must all be prepared. Just what the new group of adventurers needed to hear.
About midday, the group stops for a break. The group splits with three heading out into the forest to gather berries while the others rest. While the others were away, the group that was resting got startled by a massive pillar of fog, 100s of feet tall and deadly silent. The fog felt like the Brume but was starting to resemble a manufactured shape. The Brume had started to form one of the pillar spires of the Spans of Gylidd. Arddan was able to suss out this was a Brume Echo. Legends say that everything the Brume consumes she keeps in one form or another. There are stories throughout Myzelis that sometimes the Brume even expels what she has taken. From the northeast, a feminine voice could be heard, yelling “run.” Two more ghostly echoes run along the path they were walking. The specters looked like a tall orcish woman and smaller elven man. One among the group recognize the voices as their parent’s but cannot follow as right after seeing the echoes run they all heard the crazed howls of many wolves.
The wolves sounded with purpose, evil and their howls resonated off the pillar of Brume. Each of the wolves bled mist from their mouths and ears, it just poured off of them. The small band of new adventurers found their rest interrupted with a fight for their lives. And even though a few fell during battle they were able to be healed in time. Once the wolves found that the people invading their area were able to hold their own they started to flee. Arddan and the others did not pursue but tended their wounded, laid the slayed beasts off the road near the ones that had only been knocked out, and investigated what was slowly dissipating of the Brume.
Even with some of their party gravely wounded the adventurers followed Arddan north to the Canyon River. The bard, once again tried to uplift their spirits with more educational stories of the area. South east of Gylidd, lie a bunch of strange rocks off the coast. The volcanic rocks look strangely like red dragons. With geothermal activity the rocks even look like they expel smoke. The Crown could have just stopped there but no, he continued to explain that there is a rumor that there is an actual red dragon living out there while others believe it’s actually a Balor, a demon of flame and poison that spitefully try to kill you as they perish by exploding upon death. As they were nearing the river and all ready for a rest, the Crown’s story once again turned to the macabre. He had tried to brighten their days and instead explained that during the end of the Age of Faith some Inaethri created a superstructure/creature by having their aethri sacrifice themselves to fuel the power needed. The Inaethri tried to create a creature by using blood magic. They had hoped that their creature would be strong enough to fight Vrokíva. Arddan explains that it is still said to roam the area.
The exhausted, some still bleeding, adventurers stop for the evening at the banks of Canyon River, finishing one day of their travel. On the banks they noticed that only one of the two stakes had a boat that could fit eight individuals. With the path ahead of them clear, the group hunkered down for the night, ever watchful for any more Brume echoes.
