Experience:
The Triad plus Mikhail arrived in the Heartwoods of Loranna, having avoided watchtowers, imperial dragoons, Yathnoc, and other obstacles in the war south. After some intense hiking through the cold, snowy depths of the primeval forest- in which Diana was all but miserable - Mikhail found the spot where Tez was strongest. He opened the primal gates, and the four entered into Nature's Manse, held aloft by pillars of the many raw elements, the ceiling and walls interwoven with hale plants and shifting animals spanning all climates, all seasons. It was quite beautiful, if somewhat Edenic.
All eyes were on Mikhail, who called for the spark with a rumbling mixture of sadness and conviction. He was challenged by, of all things, a blind mole, who turned out to be a druid in his own right and the keeper of the spark. The rodent urged caution, though he understood why the group was here. After some discussion, and with a heavy heart, the mole relinquished it into Mikhail's care, who would not rest or let down his guard for however long he cupped the green mote in his huge hands.
With the weight of two religions on their shoulders, the Chosen returned to the sloop and after some deliberation the Temple of the Wheel was decided as the location for the union of Kalinda and Tez. Two days and nights it took, during which many quiet feelings were had, among them concern, perhaps fear, but also a grim certainty, and the smallest glimmers of hope.
In an intimate tabernacle within the ground floor of the temple, lit through reflective tin paneling powered by the Sunsword, Mikhail brooded over the choice being made. There were clear doubts on his face, the gravitas of the situation threatening to crush him. Kaylan came to him, then, and joined him in blood oath, binding their fates as they would their religions, and assuring him she would always stand beside him. Diana settled for patting him on the back, and Giers sympathetically did likewise. The bear gingerly placed the spark upon Kalinda's altar. It looked so fragile, then, and Kaylan caressed it, inspiring Kalinda's spark to manifest around it like a halo. The sparks were still too weak, and Diana and Giers both placed their hands beside Kaylan's, inspiring a much brighter glow. After a deep breath and a final decision, Mikhail clasped all of their hands with his own, binding them, and bringing about the change in all-consuming white.
When the light abated, things began to change immediately. For one, the brightness of the temple lessened some, and the solar fire of Giers' equipment became a more earthly red-gold. Mikhail took on a more blonde aspect, and noted feeling decidedly stronger. The changes for Kaylan and Diana were more difficult to discern. At least it seemed they were all favored by the new Goddess, whose name was Kalia, and whose portfolio encompassed Motherhood, Passion, and Rebirth.
After bringing the news to Gertruda and her close circle, cries to come quick brought everyone to the Sunsword, which seemed to be having a nuclear meltdown, sputtering bright molten lava and sloughing away. Diana watched in wonder, Kaylan and Giers with panic, as the greatsword refashioned itself Kalia's favored weapon: the scimitar. It was beautiful, though the light it offered was not as great as Kalinda's. Days would be shorter and dimmer in Barovia.
It was decided then Finduilas deserved to be told. Kaylan and Giers would go to Etheria and confront high priestess, while Diana would return to Saspien and offer the rest of the alliance the good news.
Gained Resources: The Natural Spark (Mikhail), the new goddess Kalia
Expended Resources: precious time, Natural Spark, Solar Spark
New NPCs: blind mole druid (nameless; guardian of Tez's spark)
Returning NPCs: Giers Oranar, Prophet Mikhail the Bear, Shae
Plot Developments
- Kalia, now a Greater God among the new and old gods, has concentrated the combined aspects of Kalinda and Tez and assumed the spheres of Motherhood, Passion, and Rebirth. Twice as powerful as the gods before her, she is awake and active.
- All of Kalinda and Tez's other aspects unclaimed by Kalia revert back to the other powers which share them, making them in effect more powerful. In terms of Kalinda, hope and joy find their way back into the pool of mortal emotion. The aspects of the sun again become the domain of the spirits of the sky, fire, and summer. For Tez, her unclaimed portfolios greatly increase the power of the Primal Spirits, but also siphon into the Primordials, as well as the Green God.
Next Session: Kaylan and Giers return to Etheria to inform the high priestess of Kalinda's becoming, while Diana convenes with the greater fellowship, shares the good news of Kalia, and helps decide the party's next target.
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