51 - From Dust to Dust

General Summary

"Truth be told, I no longer require you. You may be the last remaining obstacle in my path, Edalweiss. And so, I give you this option - to stand at my side and pledge fealty to the next ruler of the Elven Kingdoms, or to die by my hand. Choose."

- Thranduil

Thranduil offers Edalweiss a one-sided choice - to ally herself with him, or perish. Edalweiss chooses neither, instead electing to leave with her children already safe. The party heals Finn and Gojira, if only slightly, and continue downstairs into the basement, with Edalweiss following close behind. Thranduil simply watches, not perceiving the party as any real threat.
They arrive within the wizard's cavernous basement, quickly eliminating a watchful eye statue and a number of stone golem guardians. The basement seems relatively unoccupied, so the party makes quick work of the doors and locks, investigating heavily. To the west wing, the party finds a cauldron of bubbling soup, delicious and nutritious, and Celder has Finn and Gojira take a sip. To the east, however, is a much less welcoming sight.
Kayin and Veserin find themselves looking into a darkened room, with four wells and an eye placed against the far wall. In two of the wells are two manacled men, bound to stone pillars. The first is an elven man, tan of skin, gaunt and bound by a number of vines entangling his limbs. The second is an impossibly pale, younger yellow, leaves adorned atop his head, eyes bloodshot. Both bound individuals have vines connecting their bodies to a man standing in the center, elven and tall of posture with a similarly pale appearance.
A fire bolt flies from the man's palm, narrowly missing Mask. Kayin returns fire with a Chill Touch that goes wide. Without another hesitation, a verdant beam of light jets from the elven man's palm, cleanly striking Kayin. Veserin watches as the swordsman falls and disintegrates into a pile of ashen dust.
The rest of the party is alerted by the casting of magic. Celder is the first to rush in, yanking Veserin out of the doorway. The paragon tells him plainly of the events, of Kayin's sudden demise. As the party reconvenes in the eastern wing, the pale Thranduil offers them another ultimatum - kill Veserin, and Thranduil will revive Kayin. Celder asks for any other offer, and another is proposed - Veserin is to enter the room alone, and the party closes the door behind him. Once the work is finished, Thranduil revives the ashen warrior.
Veserin is resolved to fight, recognizing that a Paragon's responsibility is to resolve disputes amongst themselves. The lycan says he believes it is possible to win, but there will more than likely be a few casualties. Finding their resolve, the party prepares themselves for battle. At their feet, the pile of ash quietly pulses and emanates a violet smoke.

Rewards Granted

Small gem from eye statue (I forgot who grabbed it lol, Edalweiss or Celder)
Stone golem head (Celder)

Character(s) interacted with

Recurring Characters: Veserin, Thranduil (normal, pale)
New Characters: King Peregrin (bound), pale younger man (bound), Stone Golem, Watchful Eye Statue

Report Date

21 Nov 2020

Primary Location

Esylalea

King Peregrin.

Nameless bound man.

Thandruil, pale and surrounded by vines.