Tales from Etheraz: 4/12 Dungeon Crawl Recap
Greetings, whisperers, warriors, and worriers!
I, ATLAS THE BARD, have finally emerged from the dank mountain pass to tell tale of the battles and exploits of the members of the Coalition known as the PC party. My daring readers, I’ve come to tell you that the Coltar Spawn of Hatred grows stronger, and I fear that perhaps not even the power of these brave soldiers can quell him. Let me explain:
Recently, the PC party had to make their way to Skyloft after hearing reports that the Coltar Spawn of Hatred seemed to be growing in strength in the North. After receiving a map from a group of unlikely allies, the party descended their way through the hole in the Blakka gate to make their way to the pass. Deep underground, the way was treacherous and toxic, lined with strange, fungal spores that clouded the narrow passes with noxious fumes. Consequently, the pass could only be navigated in quick bursts of movement, darting from one pocket of safe air to another, all the while pursued by endless hordes of Hollowed. Your favorite bard (me!) had to post up behind a rock, hitting any monsters that came too close with my lute.
The twisted tunnel path was a maze, the exit blocked by fossilized walls of fungi. To break through these obstructions, the brave fighters of the party had to hunt down colossal monsters and steal some sort of fungal key off their bodies in order to bust the passageway open. But, horror and strife! When the wall came crumbling down, the party discovered that it merely led deeper in the cavern where the fumes were even stronger. Those in the party with the cures for these fungal fumes ventured deeper into the dark, searching for something that could burst through the final door, while those with more delicate constitutions remained behind to defend the exit from the endless waves of monsters.
Oh, and fight they did! Within that deep cavern were more powerful Hollowed, guarding fragments of a bomb left behind by previous adventurers. Some seasoned alchemists may recognize the names that abandoned their blueprints; one, reportedly, was left by Errath (yes, that Errath! The one that betrayed the party in order to rise to an exalted position at Blakka. Boy, there sure are a lot of deserters from this group…)
Despite the fumes and the dangers, the talented crafters of the party completed the bomb in no time. Once made, the party hurled it at the final blockade obstructing the exit. Fresh air and sunlight streamed into the cave! The party rushed out, away from the horrors into the light of day. And who was waiting for them? MORE MONSTERS! (No, just kidding). Judge Sable and Agarion, two Swords of Justice and leaders of the Coalition were passing through. They brought with them concerning news from the warfront. After the death of Consumption, the Coltar Spawn of Desire (who had been working in a tentative alliance with the Coalition), made a move to gather troops to abscond to the North. But, the night before he was set to leave, Blakka Regional Commander Niv — who is working with the Coalition from inside Blakka — killed all his soldiers in the night. The next morning, alarm bells rang, waking everyone with a start. Niv announced that she had rooted out all the traitors, and if you disagreed with her choice, you could go the way of the deceased. Yikes!! Desire disappeared up to the North, and is currently missing in action… brave readers, watch your backs and keep your weapons high, as the future is uncertain and dangerous.
After that quick rendezvous, Judge Sable and Agarion bid them farewell, and the party set off to the tunnels that would lead them to Skyloft. Though no longer in the toxic air of before, the tunnels were infected by the energy of Hatred, and held an uneasy sense of malice in their ancient walls. Infused with this dark energy, the party set out to craft a magic item that would permit them to travel through this wretched place and leave in peace. But, the ingredients could only come from slain monsters, so the party would have to fight for their lives. Immediately, monsters descended. Unlike the Hollowed from before, these ones were frantic and howling, a horrifying combination of wolf and corpse.
Just when the party was making headway cleaving through the waves of monsters, a figure emerged in the distance of the cavern. Through the darkness of the cave stood the Coltar Spawn of Hatred: WARRICK, another former friend of the PC party (again, lots of deserters!)
Standing over his former friends, Warrick spit vicious insults and threats. How could the party even attempt to stop someone as powerful as him?! And how dare they try, after how they’d wronged him? There are still threats in the land, threats that only Warrick could stop with his Coltar powers. The party could either step aside and allow him to do what needs to get done, or they would pay.
Faced with this warped facsimile of their old friend, the party was horrified. They drew their weapons, and the battle was set. Warrick disappeared into the depths of the cave, and with a roar of fury, an Avatar of Hatred appeared, ravenous for blood. The battle was quick, but brutal. The Avatar of Hatred was an old undefeated enemy ready for round two, but the party was determined to prevail. While the party fighters went after the Avatar, the crafters finished concocting the Key of Hatred that would allow the party out of the cave. Within mere minutes, the battle was done. They rushed out of the cave, living to see another day.
Readers, we are on the cusp of Skyloft and shall be there soon! The day draws nearer that the party finally faces down Hatred once and for all. Will they prevail? Only time will tell. Remember: fight together, or die alone.
Signed,
Atlas the Bard
This is blog written from the perspective of an in-game NPC intended to catch players up on what they missed during events!