Citadel Of the Unseen Sun

Chapter 1 - Fall From Grace

I, Carsys, shall recount the harrowing tale of the trials and tribulations that befell my companions and me at the hands of the enigmatic Kasimir. Be patient, dear reader, for I shall reveal all in due course.

Our story takes flight in the picturesque and secluded town of Lunsk, nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Soma province within the sprawling Ostoyan Empire. However, the once-vibrant nation had fallen under the shadow of Darkfall, a period of darkness that had taken its toll on even the most thriving corners of the realm. Lunsk, too, bore the scars of this somber time. Yet, it is in this very town that destiny quietly wove its threads, conspiring to bring together an unlikely fellowship of adventurers: the nimble and skilled wood elf ranger, Ecen; the gallant and noble human paladin, Rhesed; the wise and learned high elf wizard, Varen; and myself—a daring and adventurous soul—all in pursuit of fortune, camaraderie, and glory, at the renowned Tithewater Tavern.

In a place where labor was abundant but meaningful opportunities were scarce, a chance encounter with the enigmatic and shadowy figure known as the Nightseer Sage presented a proposition both thrilling and mysterious. Though his name alone sent shivers down our spines, the promise of a substantial reward— a princely sum of 2,000 gold pieces—left little room for hesitation. The empire's precarious state only added to the cloak of secrecy that enveloped this undertaking, yet we remained resolute and undeterred. Our mission, though perilous, was straightforward: to infiltrate the Penumbral Vestibule, a dreaded mausoleum of untold horrors, and thieve the phylactery of a lich, a powerful and undead sorcerer. The risks ahead were veiled in uncertainty, but the potential rewards were far too irresistible to turn away from. So, true to the spirit of adventurers, we boldly agreed, perhaps underestimating the peril that awaited us.

After an arduous week of relentless travel, our destination finally loomed into view—a gothic edifice adorned with dark elegance, perched amidst a desolate plain of black glass and surrounded by hauntingly petrified trees. The mossy-covered mausoleum rose ominously before us, its steeply pitched roof adorned with eerie skeletal grotesques that seemed to leer down at our presence. Stone doors, etched with a mesmerizing and intricate sun sigil, stood guard over the entrance, as if warning all who dared to venture within of the dangers that lay ahead. The black glass floor mirrored the dim light of the moon above, reflecting a ghostly and otherworldly glow that seemed to beckon and repel us in equal measure.

With the weight of the Nightseer Sage's quest heavy upon our shoulders, we steeled ourselves for the trials that lay ahead. The moon's pale light cast long shadows that danced and swayed, taunting us as we stood at the threshold of the foreboding mausoleum. Uncertainty gnawed at the edges of our hearts, but the camaraderie and trust that had formed between us bound us together with a resolute determination.

A chilling breeze whispered through the petrified trees, their silent groans echoing the foreboding ambiance that clung to the air. Swallowing our fear, we exchanged knowing glances, each finding solace in the fact that we were not alone on this treacherous path. With a collective breath, we crossed the threshold into the dark abyss beyond, embarking on an adventure that would etch our names into the annals of legend—or see us vanish, consumed by the shadows that lurked within the Penumbral Vestibule.

"What is it?" Ecen's curious voice questioned, her elven eyes fixated on the mesmerizing black glass that seemed to hold secrets of the cosmos within its depths. "I can see the stars reflected in it," she added, her words trailing into a whisper, as if she spoke to the glass itself, seeking answers from its mysterious allure.

"I can sense its magical aura, but that's about all," Varen responded, his sharp high elven intellect focused intently on the enigmatic glass. He waved his slender fingers over the surface, feeling the subtle vibrations of arcane energy that danced beneath the smooth exterior. The glint of fascination in his eyes betrayed the wizard's thirst for knowledge, a hunger to unravel the mysteries that veiled the artifact.