Mission: Gate Keeping (C1S4)

Keepers: Ben (Ina), Jerome E. (Arc), Michelle (Tinkersdam), Don (Tommy), CJ (Light) 

DM: @Rj (Tanarion d’Tharashk) 

Objectives: Talk to the Guild of Starlight and Shadow (GSS) to find out information on Morgrave University and the Esoteric Order of Aureon (EOA) in an attempt to uncover any ulterior motives for funding the Accord Keepers

Outcome: In order to gather information on our new benefactors, our group headed over to the middle wards near tumbledown to meet with with the GSS.  Once at the GSS headquarters, we meet with the Mistress of Masks (Dayna Vael) who directed us to the Mistress of Umbriel Vail (Eressa Duskgrave).  Upon giving Eressa the title of the book Professor Alston had been researching, she informed us that the book was associated with the last thing the Closed Circle had been researching before they were shut down.  This consisted of the investigation of rifts and the extra planer race, Daelkry.  This investigation is what led to the breakthrough to Xoriat, the plane of madness in a convergence that caused the ruin of the demon wastes.  Based on this discussion, we concluded that something similar (though on a much smaller scale) is likely what caused the rift scars in Alstan’s office.

Upon destruction of the Closed Circle, the EOA and GSS each kept a portion of the Closed Circles research in order to destroy it.  While the GSS claims to have done their part, it is believed that the EOA did not, and has likely continued with some of said research.  Since the GSS destroyed the recovered research, there is nothing to reference in order to add us in our investigation; however, GSS member Eultase may remember some of the contents of the documents recovered and destroyed by the GSS.  Unfortunately, Eultase was currently away; taking some personal time in the ‘red light district’.  Eressa was able to inform us that the main EOA document holder would be Master Archivist Taelious Vaun.

Per GSS suggestions, we made our way to a quarantine zone in the lower cogs where it is rumored that the EOA had performed experiments on warforged souls in the past.  Upon reaching our destination, we discover a cave in which eerie voices emanate from within.  We also discovered an arcane barrier alarm designed to alarm EOA members if anyone enters the cave.  Throughout athletic and acrobatic skills, we are able to dodge the alarm system and make it into the cave undetected.

After navigating the cave and following ‘ore veins’ / ‘roots’ of arcane energy, we discovered a temple/platform structure with a ritual circle built into the stone wall, and hear ritual chanting coming from the other side of the wall.  We are able to ascertain that this is a configuration (teleportation) circle similar to those House Orion keeps with their bank vaults.

Upon utilizing the circle, we came out to six mages with six mirrors chanting around a black sphere that can only be described as a ‘tornado of eldric energy’ that contained faces ‘trying to break free from the other side’.  After initiating combat to disrupt the ritual, we determine it was only two mages and four magic reflections.  Upon killing the mages, the rift became unstable; however, we were able to arrange the runes on the sphere to read ‘XORIAT’ to deactivate the sphere.

Upon inspecting the bodies of the mages, we discover Closed Circle dragon mark tattoos and discover a note from the EOA gate Keeper of Secrets stating ‘tell the Gate Keeper we will finish the job’.