GR 24: Draconian Catalyst

A select party of noble Solari Fae were transformed by Joriklan to take the bodily form of Tüergan warriors, in order to infiltrate the jungles of southern Gephta and prevent the prophesied destruction of the Solari empire by the ancient Nahkaseraph. Their goal was to capture a Nahkaseraph queen egg, so that Joriklan could breed his own army of Fynthrake to defend his empire.
With the help of the Astrian Santiagi, who recognized Vierian’s Traüll-form as “Master Greikal” (a southern shaman), the party reached the Great Nakhaseraph. Despite the continued harassment of drake Mirkalteq, the party was able to recover an egg and return to Atzlac through Thirvena’s Triangle. As the characters were returned to their own form, there was an uprising at Joriklan’s palace, and the egg was lost (game 9). (Editorial Comment: Had the campaign ended here, it would have probably been more satisfying story.) 
Back in their Fae bodies, the characters retraced many of their previous steps, The party followed the real Master Griekal through the triangles, back to the jungles, going on to one of the half-buried Temples of the Sky. From there, they traveled ethereally to a similar temple (Phal-Eliera) on the continent of Estra. They encountered the ruins of the Hall of the Three Spheres, revealing the full prophecy of Esthras, and the destruction of the remaining Elváen civilization. Reaching the Hall of the Mistress, The Ilmatar Tereanne gave the party their final mission: to defeat the three unrepentant Nephilim that were released from the prison-rings in which they were bound.
OUTSIDE GAME-TIME: This was the first campaign set in “ancient times,” featuring the lands of Gephta and Estra, establishing important events in the world-history of Aerith (cf. The Age of Epiphany). It helped to develop much of the background “mythology” of the game world. It was the last campaign in which the Director’s game plan was written out by hand. Subsequent adventures would be written entirely on computer.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: The campaign can be divided into two major halves: 1) The mission to acquire the Nakhaseraph egg, and 2) The final defeat of the bound Nephilim. Though the characters were high-level elváen Fae, they spent most of the first half of the campaign in the form of Tüergan warriors, which added an interesting twist to the game. While the campaign allowed characters to take part in the revealing of history, the game plot was dark, complicated, and often hard to follow — especially in the second half of the campaign. Ultimately, it became too “top-heavy” in order to support its own plot conclusion. It was decided that the next adventure should be more light-hearted and simple in structure.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Gaming Data:
Dates Played: March 3, 1999 – June 28, 2001
Play Sessions: 17
Session Venue: Vince's House - Oakdale, MN
Rule System: SpiritQuest - 4
SpiritQuest Setting:
Era: Age of Epiphany
Time Frame: c.1000 S.R. (waking of dragons)
Region: Gephta, Tuerga and Estra
Origin: Solari-ruled Capital of Atzlac
Destination: Southern Gephta
Player Characters:
Baelahn, Bladedancer - Greg Krenz
Vierian, Brigand/Etheric: Fire - Vince Krenz
Qhenlias, Hunter/Etheric - Keenan Raverty
Mirsalien, Bard/Specialist - Jon Raverty
Important Non-Player Characters:
Fasviel, Woodlight/Illusionist
Joriklan, Priest-King of L’Toaclazteq
Mirkalteq, Enemy transformed to Fynthrake
Master Santiagi, Gephtan Astrian at Astalan
Gvathera, Mysterious Old Woman
Rhoahabv, The Great Nakhaseraph (Dragon)
Lady Terreanne, The Air-Maiden (Ilmatar)
Medeggi, Great Elder Traull