Porcelain Perfection is Terrifying

Sanasha re-awakened in a strange new place: a small, clean home, under the care of the woman who saved her. She was weak at first, fed simple broth for the better part of a week before she could manage solid food. Liliana was patient with her, but Sanasha was consumed by frustration. How had her grand adventure failed so quickly? Yet, the soothing care given by the smaller woman softened the blow to her pride. Sometimes at night, she would hear voices outside—some curious, some angry. One older voice echoed particular concern over an armed outsider being brought inside the Grove’s protection.

After several weeks, she felt strong enough to venture out. She found herself awakening in a new place, almost unrecognizable. In the centre of the village stood a massive tree, its borders defined by a thick, ever-present mist. The people were civilized, but dressed simply. Very little metal was present outside of basic tools; there were no steam-powered machines, and no sign of opulent wealth. Children, intrigued, found the giant Orc woman from a far-off land a great curiosity.

Sanasha spent time with these people, slowly beginning to fall in love with their peaceful ways. There were no pressures from grand balls here, no fear of outside invaders. She was eventually accepted and began to help them with her inherited crafts. But there were warriors here, and she trained amongst them. She began to feel truly at one with the great axe, but instead of wielding it for glory or rage, she began to see it purely as a tool to defend. These people lived a life that was worth protecting.

She spent her days amongst the people, and her nights in the small home of Liliana. She spent her nights with the woman, talking about the world, sharing what she had seen and the legends she had heard. She began to feel like she had a home here, she began to feel like she... belonged.

No… let’s leave that place. I’m not ready to think about that.

Conflict 

We are in a moment of great conflict. Our current location is a nation of the undead—a place of horrors and nightmares for the people of other kingdoms. Bards are portraying us as collaborators with the Contras. Our allies have departed to seek their own vengeance, leaving us with the once-lost Diablo, who has stepped back into the story of the group he helped form. Percy is in a crisis of faith; feeling abandoned by his god, he chose a new Goddess who transformed him into a half-vampire as part of his initiation.

This nation is not what I expected. These "monsters" seem more human than I anticipated. There is darkness here, but it is a darkness trying to cling to a version of life. However, in the midst of this society, mortals are trying to overthrow the status quo. We were given a bag of Noxerium and tasked to plant it in the Blackshires' castle. Because of our actions in Qyradell, the rebels view us as heroes. While Diablo and Renatus seem confident, when faced with the choice, we realized we could not hurt innocent lives for a cause we don’t fully understand.

Direction 

We took the bag to Phaustus for identification and ultimately left it with him, realizing the volatile substance could have detonated at any moment. After claiming my modified axe and trading the noxerium for a spell scroll, we set out to meet the Blackshires. While we haven't chosen to side with them, we cannot side with the rebellion either. We must seek a path where we can do genuine good. Diablo made his intentions clear: he still seeks vengeance against the Blackshires, but he resolves to find another way to achieve it.

Revelation

We joined the Blackshires for dinner at their manor, where we were greeted as heroes for stopping the obelisks from destroying the undead. Baron Blackshire seemed curious about Diablo’s mask, mentioning a woman named Banshee and the "Golden Sun of Draelwrym." They asked for the location of the rebel base, which we shared. As the evening progressed, Diablo removed his mask, revealing himself as Hugo and offering insight into his past: a boy stolen from his home and branded with a mark of servitude.

Reward 

The Blackshires rewarded our cooperation with ownership of the Warden’s Spire and a hefty allowance. It appears we have found a place to call home—but the idea of "home" is complicated. Naoki asked about the hidden grove we are seeking, they revealed there is evidence that Druids may be hidden somewhere in the Mournwood. This is a step toward Naoki completing his task, and allowing me to return to my grove. A step closer to my home... and my Liliana.  But we move on further as we are whisked away, magically teleported to the city of Vastorum.