Eve of Ruin
The earthquake caused much duress for the people of Crimson Springs. Politicians toiled to restore the city without breaking their safes. Laborers broke their backs day after day to restore what lay in ruins. Even Crimson Spires felt the stroke of a titan’s maul. The western subdivision of Crimson Spires had collapsed when Mount Sinor spoke its piece. Many died in its devastation. With portions of the castle obstructed classes were suspended for the rest of the season. The students had been dismissed until further notice and the castle closed for renovation.
On that fateful trembling day Senomber was divided. Whatever those adventurers had done they had pleased the archmage Asdras. Their task had been simple. Retrieve the stolen tome and slay the thief that seized it. They did not realize just where they would find it.
Centuries ago a temple dedicated to the sun god Seraphiel was swallowed by the earth itself. Not far from the temple two skirmishing cities - one duerger kingdom and a community of spider kissing drow struggled for dominance. In due course the duerger triumphed. Unprecedented by all but Asdras and his apprentice was the secret of the temple. Behind its fortified walls something catastrophic lurked, waiting to be liberated. As was planned the drow monarch managed to get his hands on the book. Lavathos, maneuvering behind the scenes, placed the adventurers and monarch right from the start. They were all pawns for the game ahead.
A broken mirror hanging in the archmage’s subterranean chamber reminded Asdras of how fragile the world really was. The castle seemed abanonded what with the students gone. Only he and Lavathos remained. Right behind the master stood the apprentice.
“The dueger are here master. All is as you would have it now Asdras. Senomber will be at a complete loss.”
Asdras, looking back over his shoulder spoke despondently, “You have done well Lavathos. Inform their leader of our next course of action. We will begin eliminating Seraphiel’s priests. One by one they will fall into oblivion. Without their prescious pious guides Senomber will be lifeless. We will remove every shred of hope they have until they come to understand the truth behind their loss. By then it will be too late. Senomber will belong to me. Do as I have commanded. Lead the dwarves to Caesarea. Leave me now.”
Lavathos said nothing as he departed. The doors were closed behind him as he made his way down the shadowed hall. Asdras would need time to prepare the next course of action. Letting his apprentice handle his affairs kept the archmage out of public emnity until the time was right. While Asdras designed Senombers end Lavathos would lead the country into darkness. Caesarea was only the beginning.
On that fateful trembling day Senomber was divided. Whatever those adventurers had done they had pleased the archmage Asdras. Their task had been simple. Retrieve the stolen tome and slay the thief that seized it. They did not realize just where they would find it.
Centuries ago a temple dedicated to the sun god Seraphiel was swallowed by the earth itself. Not far from the temple two skirmishing cities - one duerger kingdom and a community of spider kissing drow struggled for dominance. In due course the duerger triumphed. Unprecedented by all but Asdras and his apprentice was the secret of the temple. Behind its fortified walls something catastrophic lurked, waiting to be liberated. As was planned the drow monarch managed to get his hands on the book. Lavathos, maneuvering behind the scenes, placed the adventurers and monarch right from the start. They were all pawns for the game ahead.
A broken mirror hanging in the archmage’s subterranean chamber reminded Asdras of how fragile the world really was. The castle seemed abanonded what with the students gone. Only he and Lavathos remained. Right behind the master stood the apprentice.
“The dueger are here master. All is as you would have it now Asdras. Senomber will be at a complete loss.”
Asdras, looking back over his shoulder spoke despondently, “You have done well Lavathos. Inform their leader of our next course of action. We will begin eliminating Seraphiel’s priests. One by one they will fall into oblivion. Without their prescious pious guides Senomber will be lifeless. We will remove every shred of hope they have until they come to understand the truth behind their loss. By then it will be too late. Senomber will belong to me. Do as I have commanded. Lead the dwarves to Caesarea. Leave me now.”
Lavathos said nothing as he departed. The doors were closed behind him as he made his way down the shadowed hall. Asdras would need time to prepare the next course of action. Letting his apprentice handle his affairs kept the archmage out of public emnity until the time was right. While Asdras designed Senombers end Lavathos would lead the country into darkness. Caesarea was only the beginning.