After meeting with Arnable at the Vineyard, the party returns to the Lion's Den Inn to finalize plans for infiltrating the Vitalis Manor. In their room, they discover Attros has been busy gathering supplies. Hidden beneath the beds are explosives, maps detailing where to place them beneath the manor, samples of the Blight in various stages, and what appears to be a potential antitoxin.
Later that night, Attros seemingly returns carrying another large bag, explaining he hid everything under the beds after spotting a suspicious figure leaving their room. While Kyver and Cereius step out to investigate, Rig helps unload the bag, only to discover a hand identical to Attros'. She realizes too late that the man she's been speaking to is Malady, disguised as Attros.
Malady reveals his plan with Elrin, also known as Arioch, to create a new realm of chaos beyond time and space. When Rig rejects his offer to join him, Malady threatens the room full of explosives with a green-flamed sword. Kyver and Cereius return just as Malady calmly heads for the door, revealing himself to Cereius as Kaela, the elven wizard who betrayed his former adventuring party years ago.
Chaos erupts as the Verdan flees down the stairs. Malady hurls a bead from a Necklace of Fireballs toward the room, but Cereius dispels it before it detonates. Downstairs, Rig and Kyver engage Malady in a brief but fierce battle, landing solid blows before narrowly surviving his empowered green-flame strike through Rig's time magic and Kyver's shield spell. Wounded, Malady escapes into the night.
Back upstairs, Cereius discovers Attros' lifeless body hidden in the bag and immediately casts Raise Dead. As he does, the Puppetmaster's Ring urges him to let it consume Attros' soul, but he refuses and completes the spell. In the process, Attros' final memories flood Cereius' mind, revealing Malady meeting with two figures in the moonlight: Agatha and the drow warrior Alma, confirming they are working together in some capacity.
Theme Music is written and performed by Efflorescence
Mixed by Thomas Lapierre III
Check out the show at themedusascascade.com
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