Realms S1E99 Heart of Darkness

This is it, the fate of the world hangs on the outcome of this final fight. The Light Bringers are ready to face the Goddess of Darkness’ final form.

Player Characters Present
Jeidobii, Torq, Cerise, Seian, Tormund

Synopsis
The Light Bringers get their bearings in Napha’s home. She warns them that she used a lot of power bringing them here and will use a lot more to send them directly to Riha in the 12th level of the Tomb of the Betrayer Gods, as a result she can only give them 7 hours of respite. They accept it gratefully.

Seian consults with the Sword of Jocelyn and asks for information on the Obelisk Orb. The sword has never seen it and doesn’t have much information it can give. Seian hesitantly asks if it thinks Riha can be saved, and the sword say that is far beyond its knowledge.

Jeidobii uses some of the last of his magic to try and divine information about the coming battle with Riha and the Obelisk Orb they must destroy. They find the orb has no solid form but was taken from another world and is the source of corruption magic. Jeidobii learns to his horror she is resistant or immune to all damage and spells of 6th level or lower among other horrifying talents. Jeidobii is overwhelmed with psychic damage at that information but remains conscious.

As they prepare to sleep Cerise asks Seian about his question to the sword, if Riha could be saved. He says it has always been part of his faith that anyone can be redeemed, and in hearing Jocelyn’s story he sees that she has very much been the victim of Vulraak. He acknowledges she is threat, but says if there’s a way to save her, we must try. Cerise ponders this as she goes to sleep.

Jeidobii consults with his grandfather, Zelarosian, whose spirit resides in his staff, as he prepares to sleep. Jeidobii asks how Zelarosian dealt with the pressures of being the Warden of the Tarve. Zelarosian tells Jeidobii that he was not meant to be a warden, but merely stepped in after the previous warden fell to darkness. He tells Jeidobii that it is a heavy burden, but he is proud of him.

The next morning they prepare, Seian giving a rousing speech, Cerise singing a heartening song. They decide to split into teams, one focused on keep Seian alive and able to smash the Orb, the Sword of Jocelyn being the only way to destroy the Orb, while the rest fight Riha. Napha opens the door and they enter the 12th level of the Tomb of the Betrayer Gods.

Riha welcomes them to her home and the fight begins. Torq runs up with his axes and does massive damage while others fan out looking for any sign of the Orb, but see none. Tormund resumes his Bronze dragon form striking her. After taking a couple hits, and having all her spells countered. Riha vanishes. In her invisible form she casts a force cage containing Seian, telling him to enjoy watching his friend’s death.

Jeidobii takes a chance and starts attacking a black crystal at the back of the room, it cracks revealing an evil essence inside. Seian is able to point his friends towards Riha’s location, hovering above ground in a corner and Tormund scoops Torq onto his back breathing fire to give Torq an outline to hit. He manages to get a hit in before. Riha polymorphs the Dragon Tormund into a rabbit sending both of them as he plummets down the effect is immediately reversed as he takes the fall damage.

Cerise manages to enter the Forcecage with Seian ready to pull him out, and he takes the time to heal her. Riha summons a friend to help her, the very fallen warden Jeidobii’s grandfather had warned him about. Jeidobii is not distracted however and shape changes into a Planatar, using lightning to shatter the crystal, the shock wave emitted disintegrates the Forcecage.

Seian charges the Orb and Riha attempts to counter hitting with an incredibly powerful spell and infuriated discovers he is invulnerable to damage. Seian destroys the Orb in series of powerful hits and as the Orb dissipates the magic of his sword disappears as well.

With the Orb destroyed Riha’s resistances have disappeared and the party attacks, she is struck with lightning, axes and magic missiles. Riha is near death and Seian’s words echo in Cerise’s mind, “if there’s a chance to save her we must try.” She wishes for Jocelyn to be free of her corruption. The battle field falls into stunned silence as the dark form of the goddess Riha is torn away and dragged below and an angel with blue hair and white wings emerges, giving one smile before dissipating into the ether.

Cerise collapses from 20ft in the air, the wish sapping her strength and other Light Bringers run to her side, celebrating that they had finally, finally won.