The Cult of Kathelia

In 857 Kathelia, a disciple of Luzak, developed a significant following in Melran, claiming to be able to teach people to cast massively powerful spells in a matter of hours. She was also known for her unique ability to predict the future, telling of specific details and the precise moments they would occur.

Kathelia was dark haired and plump even by halfling standards, yet her following grew rapidly and was a matter of great controversy. Kathelia only shared her knowledge and her power with those who swore loyalty to her and secrecy to the order, but her claims were backed by tangible evidence: impoverished laborers became knowledgeable sorcerers overnight, the Manticore of Laraslithu arose from the Dead Lake at twelve minutes past dawn, the same moment that King Juaven publicly tripped and dropped his infant son off the palace balcony. Many of her prophecies were of such unfortunate events, which only strengthened the resolve of her enemies.

To this day it is uncertain how Kathelia predicted the future, as even the prophecies of hearkeners and even their gods are known to fail as the competing efforts of gods and heroes changes fate. Some of her prophecies (such as the simultaneous arrival of the Manticore and death of the Litryn prince) were made years in advance, which caused some to say she arranged things to happen herself, much as the gods do. However, this seems unlikely, as no other known sorcerer including her own followers have ever been able to conjure a beast that could survive the lethal waters of Jousus's own birthplace.

Kathelia was also the first to use dandelion milk to stabilize alchemical spells, earning her the modern title of "mother of alchemy", and in a rare moment of her keeping in with traditional Luzakian principles, she shared that knowledge in the first witches coven. Unfortunately for her, that same knowledge was used to destroy her and her innermost followers, as a priest of Zaerel took it upon himself to rid the world of what he and many others called an evil society.

Session 17--King Orosa and the God of Flight

Having found the Eye of Issald, the party began investigating the hidden library. Remembering 1512 (with a minor hint from the game master), Annira found a tome of the Cult of Kathelia, specifically regarding the end of the Holne Era. Upon her initial investigations of the time, she discovered several references to the party and their adventures, a warning to find the good among the Liad, and mentions that "it would be best for the Eye of Issald to be used by Ahnrik, Annira, or the God of Flight". It is unclear whether this is in reference to the good of the general population or to the purposes of the Cult.

Kurik pulled Ahnrik aside during library reading to tell him that she's been in a bit of a funk, and really doesn't know what's going on, or how it relates to their personal quest to free Velg, or at least their own family. Ahnrik agreed, and persuaded the rest of the party that they should turn their attention to Velg. Loniel said he was willing to also investigate Velg, as he was concerned that events there would affect his personal goals.

Quest goals established, the party left the private library, and found dozens of men holding boards, bricks, hammers, and other tools and materials, but they weren't actually accomplishing anything. The foreman addressed the party, angrily demanding why they weren't helping with the top priority construction of the new wing. Annira immediately grabbed a brick to fit in, and Thalia immediately bolted for the door. After a fight that included people grabbing bricks, workers ganging up on Thalia, and everyone killing construction workers (who puffed into mist), the party followed the sound of the best music they had ever heard into a small chamber.

The music was being played by the triplet gods of music. After having Akari play some music for them, they agreed to take her on as a student, although they couldn't decide how they were going to go about that. They gave her an ocarina and said they'd be in touch. 

Finally, the party escaped the castle. Upon exiting, they came face to face with the ghost of King Orosa, who demanded a subject to possess, which would allow him to leave the castle boundaries. Everyone denied, so he decided to take an unwilling host. He threw rocks at everyone simultaneously, dealing all but (Eli? Levi?) two wounds. Loniel intervened and banished the ghost to a piece of rubble doorknob. He then came clean with the party, saying that if they were already willingly putting themselves in so much danger then there was no real reason to keep his identity secret. He then healed everyone's wounds, including growing back Levi's leg.

Annira took the Eye of Issald, the cursed doorknob, and Tome 1512 with her Thalia took Tome 1.

Session 16: The Eye of Issald

 Continuing their search, the party encountered a gelatinous cube, found a secret passage to the throne room, and ignored an amazing smelling meal in the kitchen.

A drake was coiled up and ending its hibernation in the Throne Room. Annira found a slot in the throne for the three glass balls she took, and promptly placed them inside. Three magical auras were released, two shooting out into the castle, and one going into Anira, showing her a path. Following the path led the party to a secret library which contained a handful of books of Luzak and 1600 numbered tomes. A quick search of the room led the party to find the Eye of Issald.

The Hearkener's Spear tried to force Anira to replace her own eye with the Eye of Issald, but she successfully resisted it.

Session 15--Stagwell & Castle Orosa

Ahnrik's Vision

In a half dream half trance during the river ride to Stagwell, Luzak appears to Ahnrik in a way that feels half real. She appears in her natural form, and addresses him by name and runs her hand up the side of his face, pausing to carress the base of his horns. He did not like that.

The Statue of Kathelia

As Annira examined it, the statue whipped its head around, hair flailing, looked her dead in the eye and said "remember fifteen hundred and twelve." Then it winked, and went back to normal. In its left hand the statue held a bone flute, sharpened at the end, which Thalia took.

After some investigation of the room, the ghost of King Orosa appeared. He wasn't happy to see them, but after some conversation, he was persuaded to go back to his investigations--of whatever he does in his spare time.

Leaving the Study

On the way back out, Ahnrik found three enchanted glass balls, which Anira took.

Religions

There are numerous gods known and unknown throughout the world, and many of the gods have numerous religions. In the known world, the "civilized" nations mainly follow the same religions, but throughout the various tribes, clans, villages and monasteries of the land, there are both variations in the religions as well as a larger variety of religion.

For example, the priesthood of Jousus in Thelsinosa treat death somberly, holding quiet, mournful funerals and having great fear of Jousus; at the same time in Meritar—despite technically being the same religion and being home to the Hearkener—funerals are a vibrant celebration of the life of those who moved on, and Jousus is respected as a father figure who guides you to the afterlife.

In truth, Jousus is death an justice embodied, and cares only for how you conducted your life according to the vows you made to others and yourself. This much is evident in speaking with the spirits of those who either evaded Jousus's judgement or were found to be unworthy of a reward or a punishment, and can be found roaming the earth.

Session 14

Loneil Hermeson

The morning after the encounter with the warrior monks of Zaerel, a massive field is encountered littered with the corpses of three full grown giants. The corpses are attracting a horde of Scaled Hares, and a large but youthful avion man no older than 18 is mourning the deaths of the giants. They appear to have been killed by thrown boulders and lightning strikes.

The avion introduced himself as Loniel Hermeson, and is seven foot tall with dirty blonde hair. His wing color matches his hair color at the arms but gets browner at the tips and primaries/secondaries. He is wearing simple brown breeches and a silk blue wrap. He carries a wrapped bo staff. He has been searching for the Eye of Issald himself, and is interested to accompany the party.

River God Osmouth

Typically, Osmouth ignores mortals and spends his time wooing Nyads, but his lord and father is missing, so he is flooding the river and searching for salt to give Shaefev a way back to the world. The river was too swollen and violent to cross. A quick search nearby revealed a salt mining town half flooded by the river. Minimal convincing was required for the townsfolk to agree to let Osmuth flood their mine to allow a place for Shaefev to return to. In gratitude for their help, 

Gorklun the Fortune Teller—Diamonds

Camped on the road is an elderly hobgoblin, wearing dreadlocks, gold disk earrings, and a once formal but now patchy maroon captain's coat. He has a covered hand cart that reads FORTUNE TELLER on the side. Based on the paint job, the jangling, and the smells of incense from the cart, he is either a good fortune teller, or a good crook.

When the party arrives, he introduces himself as Gorklun the Fortune Teller, and says he will tell them their fortunes for a petty 1500 gold. After minor debating, and Ahnrik casting detect arcana to see if it's legit, several of the party members ask their fortune. Ahnrik was told that he and his family could be free of the tyranny of Velg, but only depending on his actions. Eli was told he'd  find monsters. Amisha got a real prophecy:

Seek the patronage of Luzak, and the companionship of Velg's Redeemer. Follow the traveller of the skies through the halls of Khalkazar, and mend the broken oaths.

Jegzel

Goddess of Nature

The first daughter of Shaefev is perhaps also the most bizarre, appearing as a centaur in shape, with the head and body of a woman crossed with the body of a horse as is typical. Her front legs however are human, with green and brown feathers covering from the feet up to the hip. The feathers themselves are peculiar, starting as avion-like feathers at the foot and becoming more round and hard until they become actual scales where the leg joins the body. She has the eyes of a large cat, and at times is reported to have wings, which are always said to extend from her human shoulders halfway down her horse back, and to be around fifty feet from tip to tip. Due to the rarity of these sightings, it is argued whether or not she ever has wings, but as sightings of Jegzel are highly rare anyway, and the fact that the commentary on the wings is consistent, many believe that she can choose to have wings or not.

There is a religion that worships Jegzel as their chosen deity, but she has only once been seen at one of her few temples, and has not chosen anyone to be her priests. Some few druids exist however, who claim to see Jegzel in person regularly, and who visit the temple on occasion. Typically these druids are more pretenders than anything, but on some occasions they have a wild glint in their eye that makes those who meet them inclined to believe them.