The Price of Wishes
The Veiled Vanguard’s confrontation with Father Lyrcas spirals into calamity after Craum sacrifices himself to the void, shattering the monolith and unleashing the Seer, an ancient entity that vows to end existence. In the aftermath, the party mourns Craum’s apparent death while grappling with the dire revelations about the Seer’s return. Seeking answers, they find refuge in a mage’s hidden, walking house as they plan their next steps toward uncovering the secrets that may save—or doom—the world.
With a flash of light, Ro’Zaad’s wish banished Burkell and Nolsthera. Father Lyrcas mocked the Vanguard’s wording, revealing that their preparations were thanks to a previous poorly worded wish—before Nolsthera reappeared aged from time spent in the past. Combat erupted as Lyrcas cast Hellish Rebuke and engulfed the area in dark magic, dropping Naoki while Father Lyrcas blasted Renatus against a pillar with four Eldritch Blasts. Rushing to Ro’Zaad, Craum grabbed the Monkey Paw and wished for the power and knowledge to destroy the obelisk. Exclaiming, "I give myself to the void," Craum vanished as the inky darkness collapsed, breaking Lyrcas’s concentration. The monolith began collapsing from the bottom up, getting sucked into the void before exploding. Craum and Lyrcas vanished, and the resulting rift blast flung the party back, downing Thalia and Renatus before Sanasha revived Naoki with a potion.
From the broken rift, an entity known as "The Seer" spoke through many voices, declaring he would return to destroy existence and return it to the void, but spared the party as thanks for destroying the keystone before teleporting them to the Western shore of the Wastelands.
While settling in for a short rest, Sanasha asked if anyone could check on Craum, but they lacked the magic following Valerie's death. Emelyne held the Dagger of Caldreth, a +2 dagger capable of activating poison with a keyword. During their rest, historical notes and journal entries revealed Craum’s true origin as Craumae Gaceous-Ciprose—the first Xoraxan transferred into an artificial body:
Month of the crying sun, fifth day, year 231 of the Hurtholian Dynasty The monolith existed long before our founding members settled upon this lush land. Rich with resources and unlimited potential within our grasp. The monolith hummed with magical power, allowing us to further our technological research far beyond the ages of the surrounding nations. We quickly became a dominant force on the continent. Every kingdom is composed of primitive barbarians with no more than trinkets to defend with compared to our prowess. Every lord upon this land faces a choice, surrender and become servants, or be slaughtered upon the landscape and mere splatters upon the wall.
Month of Bizdalls Gaze, twenty eighth day year 233 of the Hurtholian Dynasty We are facing more resistance than we anticipated…we have unlimited resources, yet these liege lords resist our forces. Do they not see their own demise? The ability of these barbarians to process logic is….lacking. A political solution is needed so our forces can be spread to maintain order amongst our new subjects. Our Emperor Vanthirth Hurtholio has decreed a training center for the children of the high ranking noble families shall be founded. They already have the upbringing for etiquette, and just needed the final touches to become our ambassadors.
Month of Sowing, fourteenth day, year 241 of the Hurtholian Dynasty Our conquest has come to an end and even with the dwindling birthrates I predict that a golden era of prosperity is among us. Our military has uncovered three more smaller monoliths. I shall name them, obelisks. Perhaps we can finally unlock the true potential of our already great empire.
Month of the Spirit, eighth day, year 256 of the Hurtholian Dynasty A Xoraxan child has not been born in 15 years. The people grow restless…the Xoraxian Empire cannot continue to prosper if a solution is not found to maintain our legacy. I feel thoughts coming into my mind as I sleep here at my precious lab. The last born child of the Gaceous-Cuprose family, and of our nation is being sent to me next week. I have been given permission to utilize him however is needed.
Month of Rebirth, 31st day, Year 1 of the Arzinan Dynasty Bold? Yes. I am. I am the only great mind in this empire that can save us all. I have found our solution! It required me to eliminate the Hurthiolio family, and its many members. Even the children posed a threat. The monolith speaks to me. It told me what I needed to do, and now I am Emperor AND Researcher SUPREME! The monolith has given me the solution I needed. Craumae is a fine subject for my research. He has done well as an ambassador and does the Gaceous-Cuprose family great honor! I have discovered a way to transfer the living soul to a body made of wood and metal. Our empire is saved. Craumae will be the first.
DATE NULL The Xoraxans have been saved. Our Empire’s fall was avoided, and our people rejoice. The obelisks continue to receive power and have been protecting our nation from the undead. They are calling me the Immortal Emperor! I will continue to push our researchers to fully power the obelisks. I am the genius that saved a nation!
DATE NULL The monolith is about to be powered fully. It is happy with me. I sit in darkness and in its inky void I stare upon my books on my shelf and the tapestry of Astaria and feel the weight of the oblivion staring back at me.
DATE NULL I know what I have done. I know what I must do.
When Sanasha expressed surprise at their quiet reaction to Craum's loss, Emelyne angrily prompted everyone to share their favorite memories of Craum. Naoki and Emelyne wept while the party mourned, after which they traveled southeast ahead of an approaching thunderstorm. Reaching a distant shack, an occupant fired a warning Firebolt, prompting Naoki to strike the house with a Lightning Bolt before blasting a cactus with thunderous magic. Ignoring Sanasha’s warnings, Ro’Zaad picked the lock and entered a surprisingly spacious, luxurious interior belonging to Cliff Hosend Benedict Flemming, a mage college graduate. The party paid him 50 gold pieces and two emeralds for shelter. When Sanasha mentioned The Seer to Cliff, Renatus noticed the revelation visibly chilled him.
Retiring for the night, Emelyne tended to Valerie's corpse—applying makeup, brushing her hair, and casting Prestidigitation to keep her clean. Naoki joined her, and the two spoke hopeful words about Craum’s survival and the monolith’s destruction freeing Valerie’s soul. The next morning, the party awoke to find Cliff's house walking on two mechanical legs towing their Schnoggles toward Nal'thees. Cliff mentioned the Library or Temple of Allura for answers, while Sanasha suggested Draelwyrm or Dorlthenyak. Emelyne recalled Lady Darthbyne's mention of a hidden library across the Relamor River—a location Sanasha realized was near her grove.