8. Auctorita Draconis

Nymm 8, YK 1000

Obanar explains that the mage took one of the five pieces of Auctorita Draconis, which is the artifact that was used to sever the planar connection to Dal Quor, and could be used to reforge it. When the artifact was used, it was destroyed by a dragon and shattered into five pieces, which were hidden.

We need Siberys dragonshards so Obanar can build us the Implements of Argent, a magic item set useful in battling the giants assaulting Argent. Quar, the former guardian, died but we could talk to him in the necropolis, and he might be able to tell us where to locate the dragonshards. We could also check into the library to find information on the location of pieces of the Auctorita Draconis, and we need to find out what happened the Torrians, the rest of the army that helps to defend Argent. Obanar doesn't know where they are, but they departed a long time ago, forswearing their oaths to defend Argent. The Proctor, who led them out, has his ex-home and office here in Argent, and we might find clues there. Obanar can also perform a divination that will allow to have visions of when they left.

Most of us go to the library, while Magnus goes with Rrowthar to help re-establish the defenses on Argent. Zargosz, Alain and Xiu puzzle out the basics of the library layout and find scrolls and books related to the Quori invasion. Meanwhile, Magnus is learning about the arcane sigils protecting the devices. Zargosz researches the physiology of dragons, trying to draw some conclusions to understand how they used the artifact, leading him to suspect that at least one dragon must have been involved in the first use. Alain studies the history tomes for clues, while Torgen analyzes historical texts as well. We found numerous hints and clues that allowed Xiu to find hidden texts in the library, which led to even more material.

Magnus determines that another planar rift opened to let the mage and his elementals in to the archives.

In the third hour of research, Zargosz uses herbs to try and keep us all awake and focused. Alain finds an arcane tome and examines it, and Xiu finds a tome devoted to research on a chaos artifact, a weapon forged in the elemental chaos that has a mind of its own and can assume any shape. She pockets it. Torgen continues researching history, and we have successfully discovered some information on the Auctorica Draconis. It was known by the giants as Piranoth's Bane, who was a Quori who was "banished for all eternity" by one of these artifacts. We learn the names of the three dragons involved in its creation. Vvaraak created it, Ygrathor for her skill in Warding and Zinorum for constructing it and giving it form. It had to be used after Piranoth was defeated, and he was in an unconscious state. Dragon Omega, known for his mighty strength, split it into five pieces across the multiverse. One piece was found by a champion named Deecon, who gave it to the guardians of Argent.

Magnus has developed specifications for a new ward that Obanar and Rrowthar can craft to make the vaults more secure.

We all head over to the chapel to search their scrolls. Magnus searches for hidden documents, and feels like he is being watched. Torgen begins to lead a chant of meditation to his elven ancestors, and we all begin praying to our various gods, and we get a vision of darkness and crawling horrors in return. We continue praying, and tendrils of dark energy are making their way into our body. Xiu loses a healing surge as strength begins to be drawn out of her body. Magnus gets the impression that the dark presence that is trying to disrupt us is related to Xoriat, the plane of madness. We continue praying, and despite our misgivings and the presence of Xoriat, we feel safe and at peace. We see a projection of a servitor of Vvaraak.

After interrogating us, Vvaraak tells us that the place we seek is in the Astral Sea, the Temple of Inchoate Mysteries. There are giants there, unlike any we will find on the material plane, that are the foremost experts on Piranoth's Bane, and they know the ritual necessary to restore it to working order.

We explain what we've found to Obanar, who casts the ritual to link us so that we can speak to him telepathically, but he is exhausted and it fails. We are reluctant to share information openly, in case the enemy can overhear us. Obanar gives us the potions to link our minds so we can witness the departure of the Torrians.

We go to the home of the Proctor to look for clues. We discover a hidden room, and the door is trapped and locked. Xiu disarms the trap and unlocks the door, and we find a room full of ledgers and records. Hidden and rolled up in a hollowed-out table leg, we find records from the time of the last Proctor right before the Torrians left Argent. We discover that the proctor, named Thror, has several deposits from Physandos, and realize that he was betraying the Torrians. It takes us about six hours to study all of the documents and discover the lingering effects of arcane magic on the scrolls, with the stink of darkness and mind control.

We take the potions to go back and see Thror talking to the assembled Torrians, who seem uncertain about this gathering. Thror is inciting them to leave, and he is wearing a ring bearing the signet of an ancient cult devoted to Oblievex, a demon. We notice that he is casting a spell without the crowd's knowledge. The mist around us grows darker, as if something else has entered with us. He is taking them to the Sheltered Woods, to become minions of Physandos.

Obanar prepares us a feast, and gives out items that will help us on our quest. We decide to teleport to the Sheltered Woods. Magnus has the Argent Portal ritual. We spot two Torrian guards, who look hungry, after Xiu scouts, Zargosz offers them some food, but one of them thinks it is a trap.

Zargosz fires lightning at one of the Torrians for 16 hp. Xiu uses wild tumble cut for 45 hp on the same Torrian, bloodying it. Torrian hurlers throw spears at Xiu (miss) and Zargosz (miss) and Torgen (hit) and Magnus (hit). Bloodied Torrian shifts and disappears from our sight, the other one moves closer and shifts and vanishes as well, using a sneak attack against Xiu for 23 hp and dazed. Another Torrian climbs up on top of a boulder across the river, calls out a challenge and leaps across the boulder. Alain hits himi with Greater Magic Weapon, uses Resistive Admixture on Xiu (and Torgen) and spends an action point to crit with Repulsion Strike. Magnus unsummons his armor, draws an AOO for 12, leaps across the river, uses his action point to use come and get it on the hurlers, pulling one of them into one of their traps. The trap sets off a wall of dazzling force, smashing into one of the hurlers and pushing him into the deep water. Torgen activates his tremor sense, charges with ardent strike at one of the hidden Torrians and hits him for 16 hp.

Zargosz turns into a frog, fires a plague of locusts at Xiu and the two Torrian guards, missing both guards and hitting Xiu for 7 hp, spends action point to use storm spike on the Torrian hunter for 7 hp, pushing him into the river. Xiu hits the bloodied Torrian for 15 hp, knocking him out, and shifts out of the cloud of locusts, saves against daze. Torrian hurler hits Magnus, the other one floats further downriver. Concealed Torrian hunter moves toward the group and hits Zargosz. Torrian hunter in the river swims up onto the bank. Magnus summons his armor, draws his axe and misses. Torgen hits the concealed Torrian for 16 hp, who is now marked.

Quotes:
"This is non-lethal fisting."