Seeking Control, The Restraints Become Loosened

The Second Story Arc in the Vaasa Trilogy. Nearly three years have passed since the defeat of the Storm Fury Clan, though, the troubled land of Vaasa knows no peace. A campaign run by Jorge Jaramillo.

Characters

 * Joseph Savioré Daydominico goes onward, a pillar of Amaunator's Light, into a dark destiny. -- Played by Davy.
 * Ezekiel Kofflesheist believes that there's little more to life than a dead foe and a bottle of whisky. -- Played by Ignacio Jaramillo.
 * Iris Sinbar merely wants for her life to return to a state of normalcy.-- Played by Joe Cruz.
 * Vinok Darksong Anakalathai hopes to learn what his true purpose is. -- Played by Ryan Neenan.
 * Tycho Leopold Gregarius spends time amongst some truly amazing people. -- Played by Keith Novack.
 * Dietre Schwinekopf is a fanatical Hildenoth loyalist. -- Played by Keith Novack.
 * Gavirello Tinkerwisks is a gnomish artificer in search of more knowledge. -- Played by Keith Novack

Chapter I: Acts I and II of an Unfinished Tragedy
Nightal 15, 1482 DR


 * As usual, Joseph leaves civilization and his friends behind on his birthday.
 * The others take little notice. Tycho asks about the significance of Joseph's birthday. Darksong comments on how nothing happens and boasts about being able to beat this Michael. The others recount the horrors in Talagbar.


 * Later that night the four find themselves in unnatural darkness. They leave the safety of Iris's home to investigate


 * Joseph's small campsite is approached by Father Lichtson. He speaks with Joseph about his fears over his birthday and offers to keep Joseph company. He sets up a magical tent, and the two enter. A small birthday meal is prepared in which Joseph partakes. Joseph falls unconscious.
 * Joseph awakens next to a cruel looking man. Though, he does not know the face, Joseph instantly recognizes him, Michael Malizia Daydomico. Michael taunts Joseph by showing him the dead forms of Aslen and Lichtson; saying that they were presents from the two previous years. The new present is about to arrive.


 * The four follow a strange light into a room with a large table and several skeletons sitting around the table. Near the table is a throne with another image of Michael. To his sides are a goblin and hobgoblin.
 * With little introduction, the second Michael has the skeletons attack.
 * Joseph rushes to aid his allies, but learns that his attempts to attack the enemy only result in Michael hurting his allies.
 * Despite the danger, though, the battle is won with little difficulty and Joseph is reunited with his friends.


 * Michael then unleashes Act II. The goblin and hobgoblin change form, to that of a vampiric Estel and Azurra. Estel cries and wishes for her horrible existence to be ended while Azurra seeks vengeance.
 * The room is cloaked in unnatural darkness once again as the battle begins. Though, before long the lights are turned on again.
 * Azurra and Estel prove to be very dangerous opponents. Ezekiel dies in the encounter, and the others are pushed to the breaking point.
 * The tides turn, though, and Azurra decides to retreat. Estel, having taken much less damage, continues fighting.


 * As the fight turns against Estel, she considers escaping. However, an elf slices through the darkness and lands in front of Michael.
 * Estel lowers and defenses and approaches the elf. She is sure that it is the one from her dreams. She begins to ask his name, but before she can finish the sentence Alexander Alcarin destroys her.
 * Alexander says that he has come to protect Iris. Michael is confused and annoyed. The two exchange words and begin to do battle. Michael is far stronger, but decides to retreat due to this unforeseen occurrence.


 * With Michael gone, the party finds themselves with Alexander in the middle of a swamp.
 * The others ask questions, but Michael is very condescending and offers few answers. They do learn that someone told him where to find them.
 * Alexander walks over to the remains of Estel, and a voice just like her's speaks.
 * The party is shocked by the disembodied voice. Alexander moves his hair aside and reveals a circlet around his forehead. He introduces the party to Alysta. They don't understand exactly, but Alexander doesn't really care.
 * Alexander uses some ancient magic and through the use of some diamond dust brings Ezekiel back to life. He leaves shortly after.


 * In a swarm of bats, Azurra appears shortly after. He and Joseph exchange words. Azurra vows to have his vengeance: Vengeance against Trevor; vengeance against Joseph; vengeance against the Warlock Knights; vengeance against Elladestra; vengeance against Michael; vengeance against everyone.
 * Joseph cannot comprehend the hatred Azurra feels; nor can he understand how Azurra embraces this hatred. He is speechless as Azurra leaves before the sunrise.


 * Happy 24th birthday, Joseph

Chapter II: The Lion of Talagbar

 * Joseph is worried now. What has happened to the Swamp Shrine? What has happened to his friend, Jacob Huston? What has happened to Palischuk?
 * Joseph wants to go to the Swamp Shrine first, but the others are tired. They do not feel it is worth the risks to do it right now. Joseph reluctantly agrees with them. They head towards Telos.
 * On their way out of the swamp, Joseph is ambushed by a hydra. Though tired, the hydra proves to be no threat whatsoever to the party.
 * The group makes its way back to Telos. Tycho seeks out his superious, Elios, and tells him about the recent events. Elios finds the news to be amazing.
 * Joseph is still worried about his friend, Jacob. Tycho performs a sending ritual and learns that Jacob is safe.
 * The group is faced with the decisoin to go back to the Swamp Shrine or to go back to Palischuk. Darksong would rather go to the swamp than boring old Palischuk. The others agree.
 * In the swamp, Joseph realizes that they are being tracked. Implements wastes no time and fires at the person. He runs off in the direction of the Swamp Shrine.
 * Upon reaching the cave to the Swamp Shrine the party is surrounded by a group of people. One of them believes the party to be a group of Holy Liberators, because Implements, an ex-member of the Sleight of Many Hands, is traveling with them.
 * A familiar voice, though, tells the man they are wrong. The voice belongs to none other than Turlen. The warlock knight that the party drove away from Talagbar. A few words are exchanged, and the group is taken inside the cave as prisoners.
 * A few moments later, though, and they are told that they are free to go. Curiosity, however, gets the better of the party. They believe that this is Hildenoth's group. They wish to see him.
 * They were right. This is the group hunting down Warlock Knights, and Hildenoth is its leader.
 * The reunion, though, is not sweet.
 * Hildenoth makes threatening comments to Tycho because of his relationship with the Warlock Knights. He also threatens Joseph and Ezekiel. He then tries to intimidate Iris.
 * Iris, though, makes a bold gesture and kneels before Hildenoth. Hildenoth seizes on this opportunity and forces the group to decide: side with Hildenoth or side with the Warlock Knights.
 * Everyone sides with Hildenoth, with one excpetion: Tycho. Hildenoth orders Iris to kill Tycho. Iris draws her weapon. Tycho attacks first, but not before launching into a tirade. He proclaims his loyalty to the Warlock Knights and promises death to all that oppose them. Joseph, stunned at Tycho's words, deals a massive blow to Tycho. He tries to flee, but is quickly stopped by Turlen.
 * As a gesture of goodwill Hildenoth gives the party some treasure and allows them to decide Tycho's fate. Against Darksong's better judgement, they decide to allow him to live as Hildenoth's prisoner.
 * Hildenoth wants to meet with the Holy Liberators but not on their terms. He plans to sure them into a trap using the party as bait.
 * Hildenoth believes that the Holy Liberators can track them by following the magical energy from their Ironfell rings. He explains that the Ironfell Rings normally bind the Warlock Knights to the will of the Ironfell council. However, through Sevarius, he learned how to break those bonds. The ritual to break the bonds, though, is leaving behind a magical signature that the Holy Liberators can follow.
 * Hildenoth gives the party some of these rings and tells them to go out as bait. The Holy Liberators wouldn't dare attack Hildenoth's camp, but a small group of people is a different matter.
 * The plan is simple. Lure out the Holy Liberators and distract them until Hildenoth and his men can capture the Holy Liberators.
 * Simple plans rarely work out as they should. The party is caught completely unaware by the Holy Liberators' approach.
 * There are five people: a young man in blue flowing robes, a woman with bright red hair, a man who resembles an elf carrying a large lance, a man with many crystals floating around his head, and a man in a large suit of armor wearing a mask.
 * The armored man wants to know where the got the rings from. Ezekiel comes up with a preposterous lie, claiming they got the rings from another group.
 * Talks only go downhill, as the group admits that they work for Hildenoth. The young man in the blue robes asks if the party would go with them peacefully. They, of course, refuse.

Chapter III: The Holy Liberators

 * A fierce battle ensues.
 * The young man in the blue robes urges the party to surrender. They do not. He then commands the rest of his group not to kill anyone.
 * Despite the heavy damage Joseph takes early on, the party is off to a good start. They injure the man with the crystals and the man with the lance very quickly. They also manage to take down the woman.
 * Zash, the man in the robes, tells Schneider, the man with the lance, to fall back and to do "it." Schneider then starts running around the battle field, surrounding it in flames.
 * Despite this, though, the battle is very difficult, and it slowly wears down on the party.
 * They manage to kill Mon, the man with the crystals. This enrages their opponents. However, Zash stands by his decision and tells him men not to kill any of them.
 * One by one, they start releasing devastating attacks. Eaarz, the man with the swords, rains punishing blades on Implements and Iris. Zash summons a large dragon made of lightning. Tya is healed and creates a massive dome protecting the group. Schneider enters a frightening state where he transforms into a blazing centaur.
 * This slowly turns the tide against the party. One by one they fall, when, at last, Darksong is the last one standing.
 * Shortly after the battle's end another person arrives. He's a young man, and he is Gonjen, leader of the Holy Liberators.
 * Darksong has little choice but to surrender. The party is disarmed, and Gonjen spreads small amounts of residuum along the ground.
 * Aside from Dietre, the group is treated quite well.
 * Hildenoth arrives with a group of ex-Warlock Knights.
 * Joseph tells Hildenoth that one of the men before them is the leader of the Holy Liberators.
 * Hildenoth wishes to discuss the terms of his surrender and the groups merger. Gonjen, though, wants little to do with Hildenoth's group. He believes that all Hildenoth is after is conquest. Without a second thought, Hildenoth orders his men to kill all of Gonjen's cohorts.
 * Gonjen whispers to Zash. Zash seems hesitant and warns Gonjen of the danger of his plan. Gonjen, however, sees no other choice.
 * Zash falls unconscious, and the lightning dragon returns. Only this time, it is far larger. Lightning and thunder are crashing all around it. It is truly fearsome.
 * Hildenoth and his men fall back. They don't know what to expect.
 * As the start backing away the lines that Schneider burnt to the ground start to glow as do various places within the circle where Gonjen placed the residuum. Before the party can react well, they are all teleported away.
 * The party and the Holy Liberators soon find themselves outside of Delhalls, a small mining city currently run by the Holy Liberators. The ritual that brought them here was performed by a group of gnomes. One of the gnomes is instantly recognized. It is Trickblade of the Sleight of Many Hands. The same gnome they had faced off against alongside the Storm Fury Clan. The gnome that worked with Firmwill, and the same gnome that killed Ezekiel.
 * Gonjen asks to speak with Darksong aside and asks him some questions. Before Hildenoth's arrival, Darksong made comments about the gnomes' past indiscretions. Gonjen has always been a little wary of the gnomes and their methods, so he listens to Darksong. Darksong has some questions as well, and they agree to discuss these questions in a few hours.
 * During this time Trickblade and Implements have a discussion of their own. It isn't very friendly.
 * The time for the meeting arrives. Gonjen, Zash, Eaarz are present as well as two members of the Sleight of Many Hands: Big Benjamin Big and Trickblade. There is also another gnome there by the name of Gavirello Tinkerwisks. A few things are learned.
 * Gonjen claims to have no aspirations of power whatsoever. He merely wants an end to the oppression. He doesn't plan to assume power if/when the Warlock Knights are defeated. When pressed about future oppression, Gonjen said that he would combat that as well.
 * Gonjen found Zash as a small child years ago in a small village near the glacier. The village was destroyed, and it's inhabitants were all killed, save for the young Zash. Gonjen adopted him.
 * Joseph lets them know that people bearing a strong resemblance to Zash live in Palischuk and are part of its royal family: Leorinn and Daarkonthis Kanaoth. Zash is upset by this and leaves the meeting.
 * Gonjen says that he knows nothing about the Gurran'chuk or Dorien. Trickblade, though, looks uneasy when the questions come up. His asked about this suspicious behavior. Trickblade is angry that Gonjen would take the words of the strangers over his own. He angrily storms out of the meeting. Big Benjamin Big follows.
 * Everyone is concerned with Trickblade's outburst. He seems to have the answers that Darksong and the others want. They decide to track the gnomes down.
 * A little outside of town they find Big Benjamin Big on the ground holding his side. Trickblade attacked him and ran off. When asked which way Trickblade went, Big Benjamin big points to the hills. In the hills they find a small archway. Implements realizes that this archway is a portal into the Feywild.

Chapter IV: Implements the Gravedigger and Trickblade Hornswick

 * While anxious to pursue Trique, the group decides that it is best to rest for a bit before entering the Feywild. Gavirello Tinkerwisks, eager to learn about the Feywild and help the group out joins them.
 * The Feywild is unnaturally cold. Plant and animal life seems to have been flash frozen, and, according to Darksong, it has been like this for a very long time.
 * Ezekiel and Gavirello notice the floating glacier to the north. They are both fairly certain that this is the domain of the of Prince of Frost, a member of the Star Court and an arch fey.
 * Joseph's keen eyes spot Trique's trail. The group follows the trail for a few days, finally leaving the unnaturally cold realm of the Prince of Frost to a more tolerable cold.
 * The path leads the party to a large settlement of Eladrin. The residents are cold and hostile to the group, and largely unwilling to offer any assistance in their search. However, they allow the party to continue to follow the trail.
 * Trique's footprints lead toward the center of the city where there is a court of four large buildings. Each building and the surrounding land seems to represent a different season. It seems as if Trique had gone to the House of Autumn.
 * The group was not allowed into the house, though, an Eladrin did offer to investigate. He came out and told the group that the Bralani, a member of Eldadrin nobility, was not concerned. The party was to be escorted out of the settlement, and continued their search.
 * During the continued pursuit, they find a group of firbolgs hunting a massive mammoth. Many members of the hunting party are dead. The party decides to assist the remaining firbolgs.
 * The beast was truly mighty, but the firbolgs and the party are able to bring it down.
 * The firbolgs are grateful and informative. They tell the party that a gnome matching Trique's description went near an old temple to the south east. A temple, they said, that is dangerous.
 * After some more traveling the Implements and his companions make it to the ruins of some former temple to the Court of Stars.
 * The group walks into a courtyard, and at the opposite end stands Trique. He fires first, and injurs Trique, who retreats.
 * They follow Trique but fall for his trap. A group of statues flash freeze an area, and a group of ice gargoyles come to life. The traps and gargoyles only slow down the party for a few moments, though, and they continue.
 * Finally, Trique, a group of eladrin, and a frost giant, are cornered. The battle is fierce, but Trique is defeated. Only one of the eladrin manages to escape. The rest, save for another eladrin and Trique himself are slain.
 * Trique is apprehended, and the party interrogate him and the remaining eladadrin.
 * The eladrin doesn't know much. However, he does tell them that Trique knows of a location of a portal out of the Feywild.
 * Trique is not forthcoming with this or any information, though. He only agrees to answer the party's questions if they allow Trickblade in Implements to have a duel. Trique's hatred for Ezekiel runs deep.
 * Depsite Joseph's wishes, Implements agrees to the terms. Implements and company move to a different location to stay away from the inevitable eladrin searches.
 * The next morning, as promised, Trique answers some questions.
 * Trique worked with the Bralani of Autumn Storms, Eldresh. He doesn't specify as to what he did for her. He worked with her because it allowed him to further his agenda.
 * He regards Firmwill as a fool that is being controlled by the Heart of Telos.
 * Ezekeiel learns that his vision on mountain all those years ago was not a premonition of things to come. It was of events that had already happened. Trique could never forgive Ezekiel for his betrayal.
 * He is unfamiliar with the Guuran'chuk and has no ties with Dorien or his fellow dwarves.
 * Trique tells the group that the portal out of the Feywild is back at the temple. He promises to give the party the means of using the portal once the duel is over, regardless of its outcome.
 * After the questioning is done, Implements the Grave Digger and Trickblade Hornswick have their duel. Trique's blade and Implements's defenses are evenly matched, and they strike each other down simultaneously. Trique is burnt and frozen to death by Ezekiel's magic. Implements would have shared Trique's fate had his friends not come to aid him after the duel ended.
 * The party returns to the Temple of the Court of Stars to find and activate the portal. They are confronted by the Three Eladrin Sisters.
 * They tell the party that Eldresh is doing what she needs to in order to protect her home.
 * Eldresh works with the Thunder Temple, but is not a member of it. The Guuran'chuk, Kremziek, and the mastermind of the Storm Fury Clan, Shar Malam.
 * The sisters are unwilling to say much about the Annointed One, Iris, and her connection to the Thunder Temple.
 * The Eladrin Sisters open the portal. The group goes through the portal and returns to Vaasa.

Chapter V: The Obsidian Mist

 * Having escaped from the frigid Feywild, the group decides to return to Delhalls, so that they can update the others on what has happened with Trique.
 * Their return to Delhalls is not what they expected, however.
 * The Holy Liberators have left the town. Hildenoth and his forces descended upon Delhalls, threatening to attack the village. Gonjen decided to spare Delhalls the bloodshed and left with Hildenoth.
 * Shortly after the Holy Liberators left, one of the town's feast days came up. During the celebration a traveling circus stopped at the town. The town's children were forced to attack the village, and were eventually taken way. The town is still in mourning over the loss of all of its children.
 * On top of all this, the future of Delhalls is uncertain. Fear of a new Warlock Knight taking over the town and enslaving its inhabitants looms over the people.
 * The group goes to a local tavern to try and decide what their next move should be. There the meet a Dwarf by the name of Tim, son of Tim. Tim is on his way to Palischuk. Joseph, still eager to see the state of Palischuk, wants to travel with him. The group, without a clear path to follow, decides to go to Palichuk.
 * On their way to Palischuk, the troupe finds a group of Frost Giants and their pet chimeras attacking a trade caravan. The battle is difficult, but the party emerges victorious. They claim some of the abandoned loot as their reward, much to Joseph's chagrin.
 * Later that day they finally reach Palischuk. Darksong makes it a point to visit Beefy Wolf and also makes a stop to the pub where Thragg is being cared for. The group decides to take a rest there.
 * During their meal, Tim tells that group that he has an appointment to keep and leaves.
 * Moments after Tim leaves, a rather unscrupulous looking fellow walks up to the group and warns them that they should be careful where they discuss business. Something about an Obsidian Mist is also mentioned. The party is confused. Seeing that they have no idea what he's talking about, the unscrupulous fellow walks away and continues with his meal.
 * The discussion has disturbed the party, and they leave shortly after, deciding to look for Tim. The group splits up.
 * Later the unscrupulous man meets with Darksong, Implements and Iris. He tells them that Tim is an assassin known as the Obsidian Mist. The fact that they were seen talking to him may be an issue, since this known assassin is on his way to the palace.
 * This smaller group splits up. They need to alert the guard and regroup in order to confront Tim. The plan is to meet outside the palace. Gavirello is found easily enough. Iris, though, is given the task of alerting some of the guards and finding Joseph.
 * Iris finds Joseph trying to learn about the Obsidian Mist at the temple of Bahamut he once worked out. She mistakenly tells him to go back to the tavern and wait for the others there.
 * Iris then finds the guards and warns them that the assassin called the Obsidian Mist is on his way to Palischuk. They thank her for good info. Sadly, she failed to mention that the Obsidian Mist was already in Palischuk and on his way to the palace.
 * The party regroups by the palace with one noticeable exception. Joseph, thanks to Iris, is waiting at the tavern.
 * Realizing that they have no time to spare, they go on ahead without Joseph. The palace guards waste no time and bring the heroes to the meeting hall where Tim and Princess Serana are.
 * To everyone's dismay, entry to the room is barred. When the door is opened, they are presented with another barrier: a wall of thorns.
 * As the they try to go through Tim son of Tim's obstacles, though, he is attack the Princess Serana. At his his side are several demons, and the warlock knight guarding Serana is incapacitated.
 * After forcing their way through the thorns, the group engages Tim. He unleashes mighty shadow powers that the group has not seen before, and his demonic allies are also dangerous.
 * Princess Serana, while not defenseless, cannot take Tim and his allies' assault and soon succumbs to her wounds, falling unconscious.
 * The fight takes on an extra sense of urgency with the princess dying on the ground. The heroes are up to the challenge, though, and defeat Tim and the demons.
 * Daarkonthis and more warlock knights show up shortly after. He is relieved that his sister is safe and asks Tim son of Tim some questions. After some persuasion this is what they learn:
 * The Obsidian Mist was hired by a warlock knight of Telos named Jerome Hallis.
 * While Tim cannot be positive, he believes that Jerome Hallis is not human but is actually a doppleganger.
 * Tim son of Tim is taken away and Joseph eventually meets up with the party again. Daarkonthis and Serana are very thankful.
 * With the heroes' work done, the group decides to return to Delhalls to see if there is any update on the missing children or to see if Gonjen had returned.

Chapter VI: The Ancient Underground Tower: Ssaszapfridiss

 * The group returns to Delhalls to receive an update on the missing children the situation with Gonjen.
 * The children have not been rescued yet. Search teams were sent out in several directions. All but one came up empty-handed. One did not come back at all: the search team that went south.
 * Gavirello contacts Gonjen via Sending to learn his status. Gonjen and the Holy Liberators are safe. They are holding negotiations with Hildenoth, and Gonjen does not like Hildenoth's heavy-handed tactics.
 * After some discussion over their next move, the group decides they should look for the missing children. That changes the instant Darksong is contacted by Dorien, though.
 * Dorien warns the party that they've gotten the attention of the Thunder Temple. He wants to speak with them. He tells Darksong to go into the caves, saying that "it should be safe."
 * Joseph and Darksong argue over the next course of action. In the end, though, Darksong wins out, and the group ventures into the mines of Delhalls.
 * The party, hoping to find Dorien in the mines, start their delve.
 * The going is very easy at first. The established parts of the mines are safe and monster free.
 * They eventually reach the recently uncovered new passages. These are not as safe, though.
 * Spirits plague the group periodically as they make their way deeper and deeper in the mines.
 * Most of the treasure already picked clean by daring adventurers. One seemingly full chest, though, is a monster in disguise. The beast ambushes the party and proves to be a dangerous monster, but it is brought down before long.
 * The caverns soon open up and reveal a massive underground tower. The bodies of dead adventurers lie on the bridge between the party and the entrance to the tower, and two gargantuan metal statues stand on either side of the door leading to the great tower.
 * The statues come to life and begin to talk to the party in a language that none of them can understand. The message is repeated several times, and then a massive jolt of electricity goes through bridge. The golems start moving towards the party and begin their attack.
 * The group tries to fight back, but they are completely ineffectual against the golems.
 * A control panel is spotted on an upper floor on the outside of the tower. It is out of reach from the party.
 * With some teamwork, however, they are able to get Gavirello up to the control panel. While he tries to determine what the ancient magical runes do, his allies defend him and distract the golems to the best of their abilities. Thankfully, Gavirello is able to deactivate the traps. With the threat neutralized, the adventurers enter the tower.
 * The inside of the tower is a sight to behold. As they enter orbs of glass float in the air and begin to glow. In the center running much of the height of the massive tower are floating plants: trees, shrubbery, vegetables, as well as many others. Rain periodically falls from an unseen source to water the plants. The tower itself seems to be made of some sort of metal, perhaps. The party also sees a seeming out of place statue. The statue is ancient and depicts three gods: Amaunator, Bahamut, and Moradin.
 * They walk through the tower into a small room. The door shuts behind them, and a light shines. Shortly after the adventurers find themselves in a similar looking room.
 * After exiting the room they soon find themselves in a large looking hall. Massive statues of some ancient serpent adorn the room, and in the center of this room is a massive mithral dragon lying on a hoard of treasure. Not Dorien, as they had hoped.
 * The dragon has expected their arrival, though, it does say that it expected the "others" to arrive first.
 * Saying that he has forgetting his name, the dragon calls himself Jaci Svaust Itheikic, draconic for "He Who Waits." He claims to have been waiting for thousands and thousands of years for the Anointed one. This, of course, comes to everyone's surprise, especially Iris.
 * He is a bit resentful of being told to stay in the tower until the Anointed one shows. However, he could not refuse the command of Bahamut.
 * The dragon knows of Dorien and of the Guran'chuk but does not divulge much information.
 * The dragon begins to ask Iris questions. Iris's hesitation irks the dragon, and has him to decide to test the group's worth in another way: in combat.
 * Jaci Svaust Itheikic engages the pary using 58% of his full power. Even at this amount, though, the dragon is a very fearsome opponent. His mobility and limited clairvoyance makes the match extremely difficult.
 * During the battle the dragon speaks with each member of the group, referencing personal that he should not know.
 * Eventually, the great dragon has enough of the battle and allow the group to go past him.
 * The heroes go an impressive magical staircase and find themselves at what appears to be a dock of some sort.
 * Here they find a ship, though, this ship has no sails and cannot possible go on water...
 * The group boards the ship and finds a series of inactive constructs. As Iris boards, however, the ship and constructs come to life.
 * Iris brings herself to the helm of the ship, and quickly, the party and their new craft are thrust very rapidly into the air. Despite the fact that they were underground, the ship crashes through nothing.
 * Before long, the ship comes to a stop. Iris, Joseph, Gavirello, Implements and Darksong find themselves standing on the deck of a ship. The ship is floating hundreds of feet above the mountains of Vaasa.

Chapter VII: Dorien, Thorcan, and Merran

 * While happy to have an airship, the party is disappointed that Dorien is nowhere to be found. Before long, though, Dorien reaches them via sending and tells them to return to the cavern in the glacier.
 * Thanks to the airship this takes little time, and they don't have to face the dangers of the glacier.
 * The party meets up with Dorien, and he provides the party with some answers:
 * The Thunder Temple is a group that seeks to free the imprisioned primordial, Mual-Tar.
 * The gods cannot interfere for they have no knowledge of the events or even of Mual-Tar's existence. The Thunder Serpent's strength was so great that it took the combined efforts of Bahamut, Amaunator, and Moradin to defeat him. Even then, could Mual-Tar not be slain. To strenghten the prison and insure that Mual-Tar be there for eternity the gods sealed their memories in the chains and locks that bound him. Only the champions of the gods that defeated him retained any knowledge of the Thunder Serpent: Dorien is the champion of Moradin; Jaci Svaust Itheikic is the champion of Bahamut; The third champion is a project currently being worked on by Thorcan.
 * He is asked about the lizards. Dorien does not answer and says that it's complicated.
 * The loss of Purogg and now Trique is proving troublesome for the Thunder Temple, and they are stepping up their plans.
 * The Yuan-ti of the Thunder Temple plans an intricate ritual performed in many locations around the continent all performed simultaneously. Their hopes is that this ritual will aid in the Thunder Serpent's release.
 * Dorien tells the party that they need to disrupt the rituals of the Yuan-ti. The group asks where the yuan-ti are located, but he cannot answer. He suggests that they find Thorcan to get the answer.
 * After speaking with Dorien the group reboards their airship and set course for Talagbar. On their way, though, they are attacked by an immense black beast in the air. The monster chases down the airship and attacks the crew. The adventurers, though, fight back, and drive the monster away.
 * Even with the monster gone, though, the party's troubles are not over. Some of the mechanized crew have been destroyed. This slows down travel. The situation worsens when another airship approaches the group's ship.
 * This ship, named the Buccaneer's Tear, is larger than the party's ship and is equipped with cannons. The other ship's crew is also more experienced. Escape seems unlikely.
 * Soon a man hops from the Buccaneer's Tear over to the group's airship. He introduces himself as the Dread Pirate Laserwolf. He tries to be charasmatic, though, the group doesn't take too kindly to his actions. Despite this, though, the do learn some information.
 * Laserwolf and his crew are also after the flying beast. The royal family of Palischuk have placed a huge bounty for the death of that creature.
 * Laserwolf is also intrigued by the ship and wants it. He has never seen a ship like this.
 * The party will not allow Laserwolf to just take their ship, though. They appeal to his more sporting nature. Laserwolf happily suggests a race through the Phantom Pass, a dangerous mountain pass of his finding. Should he win, Laserwolf gets the party's ship. Should he lose, they can keep it.
 * Without any option, they agree to his terms and fly towards the pass.
 * The Phantom Pass is a strange site with magical disturbances and earth motes hanging in the air. Soon the race begins, and the party learns why Laserwolf calls it the Phantom Pass. Undead specters attack the as they try to navigate their way through the danger peaks.
 * Laserwolf takes an early lead, but the group still has an ace up their sleeve. By tapping into the life energy of the pilot, the ship can momentarily achieve great bursts of speed. Iris takes advantage of this and narrowly wins the race.
 * Being a pirate of his word, Laserwolf allows the party to keep their ship and even gives them some extra treasure. He asks them to join his pirate fleet. However, they turn down his offer. They have things to do and continue towards Talagbar. Leaving the Buccaneer's Tear along with the Dread Pirate Laserwolf behind.
 * Without further incident, the group closes in on Talagbar. They decide it is best to land some distance outside the town so as to not alert them to their airship.
 * Joseph decides to stay on the airship. He feels guilty for the hardship the people have had to endure, and decides it is better for him to stay and guard the ship. Gavirello keeps him company. The rest go to Talagbar to find Thorcan.
 * Thorcan is as unfriendly with the group as ever. However, when Dorien's request is mentioned he decides to help.
 * He is reluctant, though. He says that tapping into Ssoldiseric for information is dangerous. Darksong, Iris, and Implements don't understand what he means and urge him to get the information.
 * Thorcan enters a short trance. Once he is done he tells the three where to find the Yuan-ti. More specifically, he tells them where the closest temple is where they are performing the ritual. Should any part of this massive ritual be disrupted, it would set the Thunder Temple back for months.
 * Thorcan then asks for Dorien's wherabouts. Darksong finds this question odd and does not answer. This angers Thorcan. The tells the three to leave and to never bother him again.
 * Darksong, Iris, and Implements are confused by Thorcan's change in attitude, but they do as he says. They return to the airship and tell Joseph and Gavirello what had happened.
 * After some discussion, the group decides to have Gavirello contact Dorien. Thorcan's behavior has them worried...
 * And for good cause... Dorien seems alarmed when he hears this. He says that Thorcan has lost control and that Merran is in grave danger. The party is close to Merran's whereabouts, and Dorien urges the party to reach and warn him of what has happened.
 * They waste no time in reaching Merran. They tell him that Thorcan has lost control. The normally jovial dwarf turns white.
 * He tells the party to run away and fast. Thorcan is closing in. Merran is unsure whether or not he can stop Thorcan. He does know, though, that the others will merely be in his way.
 * While Darksong and Iris protest a little bit, they can see how serious Merran is. They do as he says and take off in their airship. Before long, the roar of thunder can be heard from the direction they left. All they can do is hope that Merran is safe as they set sail for their next destination: The Yuan-ti's temple