Liesl's report - Blackest Night -2
Dear Sirs
I hope you will forgive me if the following report is unclear but we have passed a most confusing day.
Although the patrol group I was with were initially intended to observe and guard a goblin migration, we were quickly reassigned to deal with a demon threat at the place known as 'Nexus.' We were transported there from our previous post by means of magical transportation referred to as 'FRAN.'
On arriving close to this 'Nexus' we fought off several waves of demons with the assistance of local Defenders and a Paladin of Order whose name I did not hear. In the calm between waves, we were left to defend the portal (which I was told leads to another world) whilst a Warden went to fetch further assistance from local mercenaries.
It was at this point the being calling herself 'Melody' first appeared. I did not see if she came through the portal or simply appeared. She seemed to be human and my companions were able to discern that she was a follower of balance with great power. She told us she could send us to the future and we would be able to use the knowledge gained to prevent a sad fate befalling friends of some of those present. She also told us she would gain from this against an acquaintance whom she would not identify.
After some discussion most of us agreed and she then somehow transported all of our group, including the priest, Trantis, who had not been willing, to the same place but at a different time. It was clear devastation had been wrought on this area - the ground was blackened, all plant-life blasted and dead and the sky above unnaturally darkened. The portal was still present but changed - flickering rather than glowing a steady colour.
We encountered undead near the portal along with a suspected necromancer and they were swiftly dealt with. We then met a group who identified themselves as the Hassani Blackcats and gave us a brief history of the situation. They did not know what year it was in Kingdom time but told us they had been hired as mercenaries to assist against a foe known as the 'Gamesmaster.' Some of our patrol group were already familiar with this name so please forgive me if I repeat information you already possess.
Apparently this 'Gamesmaster' is a divine being of the path of balance and it was he who, in their time, had destroyed the area around the portal and caused the darkness in the sky.
The Blackcats transported us to the camp they reported to by means similar to the 'FRAN' we had used earlier only druidic in nature and here we met the Captain in charge of the area. They were in the process of evacuating their camp due to the approach of a group called the 'Dark Trinity'.
Here we spoke at length with a Seeker Robinson who gave us a great deal of information on the sequence of events which had led to their predicament in the hope that, on our return to this time, we could prevent them. Unfortunately, one event has already come to pass in the fourth month of this year, a dagger of omen called 'Pestilence' has already been found by a MacFeegle clansman in league with this 'Gamesmaster.'
I note here that the survivors and those resisting the 'Gamesmaster' in this area were led by a Captain-General, identified as a different MacFeegle clansman, and also a Lieutenant-Major with an elven name, both of whom were known to members of our patrol group within our own time. I am certain they would be able to identify them further.
We were told that 'Melody', who had brought us to this time, opposed the ‘Gamesmaster' and that she was vouchsafed for by the Captain-General and Lieutenant-Major.
We were also told of two blades capable of killing the 'Gamesmaster' by the names of 'Chance' and 'Heresy.' Apparently one of these blades is currently in the possession of a Pathfinder 'Demerillion' although in their time he had been killed and the 'Gamesmaster' had reclaimed the sword.
The main event which had led to their present was the destruction of 'Nexus' and the corruption of the portal, which the demon attack our patrol was sent to deal with may be a precursor to. We were told the 'Gamesmaster' is a lord of shadow and cannot stand in the light so had made a link to the plane of shadow, which had caused the darkening of the sky.
As events unfolded there, the final attack on 'Nexus' took place in the seventh month 111AE. From there the 'Gamesmaster' laid siege to the capital, capturing those he could corrupt and killing those he could not. He also specifically targeted the loved ones of those who opposed him to corrupt and thus break the spirits of his enemies.
The 'Dark Trinity' were formed as part of this corruption, in the midwinter of 111AE, and it was as we were told of them that it became clear why our group had been brought to see this. The Seeker told us of a veteran soldier within their ranks who was the only person to survive meeting the ‘Dark Trinity’ as they had once been his friends and had sought to break his spirit - taking his shield arm and leaving him to live with the knowledge of who they once were.
Although we did not meet this man, the Seeker recognised our Guard Corporal as his younger self and his name confirmed this. Several of our groups were grieved by this news as they had suspicions as to which of their friends had been corrupted. Aware we may have been sent to this time to face them, we agreed to assist the Defenders in clearing a path for their refugees.
We shortly encountered a group of cultists and this 'Gamesmaster' himself. Members of our patrol group were recognised as their allies in this time but having been forewarned of the nature of the 'Gamesmaster', I did not allow him a chance to act but called forth the Light of Vkandis which drove him away as the dark creature he is. Blessed be Vkandis!
Our group then had our suspicions confirmed as we encountered the first of the 'Dark Trinity' - one they know as a freedom priestess but who showed herself in this time as a necromancer. We fought her and her undead but she had an air mage with her who was able to carry her to safety. The mage then returned with more undead, including a death knight but we were able to defeat them by the will of Vkandis.
During the battle the mage was somehow able to charm Trantis with a casting that could not be removed by our water mage but fortunately, with the death of the mage, the charm faded. Several of us were grievously injured in this fight and we were not sure we could continue but 'Melody' returned and granted us healing. She told us we had nearly seen all we needed to and that she would return us to our own time as soon as she could.
We continued, some heavy of heart, until we reached a grassy area where we met the ‘Dark Trinity’, who were those we had feared they would be, with their false god at their side. I again called the Light of Vkandis but was not instantly able to reach the 'Gamesmaster' as the 'Dark Trinity' were opposed by those who knew them and sent undead against the rest of us.
After some moments I was able to reach the dark one and again banish him in Vkandis' Name and was also able to make their ghoul flee before the Glory of Vkandis but not before it was able to paralyse several of our group. Others were incapacitated leaving only myself and Trantis left to oppose the 'Dark Trinity' but it was at that moment 'Melody' returned us to the present time.
She did not bring us instantly to the portal but gave those heart sore some time to recover before returning us mere seconds after we had left where we assisted in driving off the remaining demon threat.
In the Light of Vkandis
Paladin Liesl Stenner