The Sunshire Library is the repository for books, scrolls, tomes, and other sources of information in the bustling city of Sunshire. Throughout its history as an incorporated city, the Sunshire Library has been the center for scholarly thought and research within its borders. 

You approach the large, stone building at the edge of Sunshire. Surrounded by a white, metal fence with white columns positioned throughout a courtyard around the door, the Library appears much different from the rest of the buildings in Sunshire. The bulk of the structures in Sunshire are made of wood with stone accents, the Library is flipped. It is constructed of stone with several wooden accents. Small windows line the exterior walls with though they are hazed over from years of wear. Light can get into the building from the windows but it is difficult to see through them or even out of them. In front of a large set of wooden double doors, complete with brass knobs and the seal of Sunshire on both doors, rests a set of marble stairs. You scale the stairs and move toward the doors with the sun preparing to set in the Dun-I sky. 

You walk into the Library as the suns sets in the west and the two moons of Dun-I begin to appear. You close the wooden double doors behind you and as you push them together, you hear the sound of a latch connecting the two doors together. You push against the doors and as suspected, they won’t budge. There is no give between the two doors in the center, almost as if they were now a single sheet of wood instead of a set of two doors. Trapped inside the library, you turn around to survey the area. A large red carpet leads down to a central podium at the far end of the building. Two tall bookshelves rest behind the podium that are filled with hundreds of books. On both sides of the red carpet are shelves filled with books and tomes while directly above it rest iron chandeliers hanging from a vaulted, wooden ceiling. 

The chandelier ignites without provocation, emitting a purple fire from each wick on the wax candles. You stare up at the ceiling to see a purple glow bathe the rafters in light. Below them, however, the red carpet beneath your feet disappears, followed by the bookshelves on both sides of the path. In place of the bookshelves, eight pedestals appear, each with a book resting on it. Each book appears different from the other with the title of each work etched across the cover. At the far end of the library, the podium at the end of the room appears to glow a vibrant purple and, it looks as if a shadowy figure is standing behind it. 

You turn to your left upon hearing the sound of footsteps echo off of the wooden floor. “Who dares enter the hallowed halls of Derillius?” asks an elderly man in blue robes. They were neatly fitting and pressed and tied at the wais with a golden sash. On his chest, a bright emerald Shard sits in a silver clasp while at his side, a large oak club rests against his hip. His face is old and wrinkled and his hair is as silver as the clasp. “The library is forbidden for all to enter after the sun sets,” scolds the Librarian. You gaze into the eyes of the Librarian as he takes in a few deep breaths followed by a wry grin from the corner of his mouth.  “You’ve answered my prayers,” he mutters quietly. “As see the lot of you have come for battle. That is most good, adventurers. You will find little quarter within these walls tonight.” 

The Librarian turns and points toward the large podium at the far end of the room. “A foul magic has overtaken this library after thousands of years of relentless attacks. My ancestors and I, all devout scholars and archivists of the God Derillius, have fought off the attacks on this institution that wish to bury the history of Sunshire from its people. Though filled with strife and riddled with treachery, the people of this city deserve to know where they have come from.” 

“I do not have long before I have pulled back into the other half of my body,” continues the Librarian. “You must free me from my prison so that I can cleanse the books of this foul magic that has finally possessed them. However, if you wish, you may choose to wander through the history of this town. I cannot promise you that what you will find will be friendly, but I do have it on good authority that there are many treasures from past explorers contained within their pages.” A menacing smirk comes over the face of the Librarian. “Those who have wished harm upon us have sent many a warrior into our walls and those within our tomes have fought them back with relative ease. However, once they were able to subdue me, I could no longer fight back the magic.” He pauses for a moment and takes in a long breath. “Adventurers, I do not have much longer, but do know this, your path in this Library is yours and yours alone. The magic that is contained with the books you will soon see is greater than anything you have ever wielded, of that I can guarantee. When you’re ready, go to the podium and face the demon of this Library and, hopefully, we can end this scourge tonight together.” Upon uttering those words, the Librarian vanishes into the shadows and you are left looking ahead at the eight pedestals. 

You move to the center of the circle with the eight pedestals surrounding you, trying to get a look at each of them while also trying to see what is at the end of the path. The first book you see glows a light blue with golden lettering across the top. The Traitor of Life Becomes the Slave of the Sea. The second book appears stark white with black lettering pulsating off of the cover: The Order Comes Forth.The third book  you see as you make a circle is radiating a purple hue, much like the light above you and the light from the podium at the front of the building. With white lettering across the front, The Man of No Regard is written prominently in the center. You turn to see the fourth book, one with a dull grey color but silver ink to etch the cover: The Most Loyal Servant. 

With a soft breath, you turn to look at the next book. Bright red and glowing with a fiery hue, Qirean is inscribed on the front in a bright, white text. On the pedestal next the fiery red book, a rather boring and plain leather bound tome rests. Written by hand with black ink that is now quite faded is The Foundations of Justice Eternal: A Detailed Plan of How to Make our Enemies Suffer.

You shake your head after reading the title with two more pedestals to see. You turn to the next one to see a book that glows a light green with dark green lettering imbued across the entire cover. The Priest of Talges is displayed quite prominently and boldly for all to see. Finally, you turn to the last pedestal to see another leather bound tome with text written across the front of it in faded ink: The History and Formation of Sunshire: A Recollection of Events Leading to the Creation of Our Great City. 

You take a step back from the pedestals and move to the center of them. You gaze out at the far end of the hallway to see the podium at the end, though you feel entranced by the eight books before you. Will you open one of the books on the pedestals or will you head to the front of the library and investigate the purple hue?

Open The Foundations of Justice Eternal: A Detailed Plan of How to Make Our Enemies Suffer

Open The Priest of Talges

Open The History and Formation of Sunshire: A Recollection of Events Leading to the Creation of Our Great City

Open The Man of No Regard

Open Qirean

Open The Traitor of Life Becomes the Slave of the Sea

Open The Order Comes Forth

Open The Most Loyal Servant

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You open the leathery book and stare at the first page. Your eyes are affixed to it, and though no writing or text is adorned scribbled across the page, several etchings and indentions can be seen. While your eyes are on the page, the scenery around you drastically changes. The pedestals around you, save the one where the leather bound book is, have all vanished. The floor is still constructed of a solid wood, though it is much more faded and lacking a sheen or polish. The walls around you are faded and splintered while the podium at the edge of the room is missing. In its place, four doors rest. You turn around and notice that the door to the outside has been replaced with a single door and it is much closer to you.

You gaze out at the four doors when the one on the left opens up, revealing a younger man wearing elegant and well-tailored clothing. He steps toward you with a smile and looks over you and your allies slowly. “Ah, finally, some travelers have ventured into the walls of our fair chamber,” he says with a hearty grin. “Welcome to the Sunshire Stockades. I am Kurros, the Warden of this establishment.”

Your eyes open wide as you realize you are standing within the cursed walls of the Sunshire Stockades. Kurros looks at you with a wry grin as the four doors behind him open and a grey mist emerges from them. “You should not be here, mortals,” he says as his eyes glow a bright silver. “I serve a new master and I will ensure that your time within these pages are wrought with suffering.” 

The mist comes before you and settles. From it, four large shadow wolves appear. They snarl and show their teeth before lurching toward you. Kurros stands behind them and smirks before vanishing, leaving you standing alone with the four wolves.

Commence Battle with Shadow Wolf x 4

The four wolves fade into the shadows, leaving you alone in the room. Kurros has vanished and at the edge of the room, only two of the doors are open. You peer out and a grey mist comes from both of them. The other two doors vanish, leaving you with only two options going forward. However, as you stand and look, two insignias appear on top of each door. On the left, you see the insignia of the sun. On the right, you see the insignia of the moon. Do you take the door on the left or the door on the right?

The Left Door

The Right Door

You walk toward the left door and its insignia of the sun. After four steps, however, the floor gives away and you find yourself in a free fall. The scenery around you changes as you descend rapidly. You’re in the open sky with the bright sun of Dun-I shining through the clouds. You shift your body slightly to look down to see that the ground, a lush patch of green grass, rests a fair ways beneath you. You plummet toward it rapidly as several explosions go off in the distance. The freefall toward the ground continues as it grows in your eyes with each second. You breathe slowly to try and slow down your heart, though your death appears imminent. Before impacting the ground, only a few feet above it, you stop in mid-air. A yellow aura is around you before it fades away and you fall a few feet to the ground.

You are unfazed and rise to your feet to see a woman standing there with long blonde hair tied behind her head. She wears white armor with a large sword on her side and a shield on her back. Around her, several winged soldiers fly to her aid. “Goddess! We have the archers on the run!” shouts one of the winged soldiers, the Solbohn. 

“Good, give them no quarter,” commands the Goddess as she turns back to you. She steps forward with a certain grandeur with each step. She looks deeply into your eyes and you can feel her gaze piercing your soul. She closes her eyes and nods. “You should not be here, but I am thankful that you are,” she says before turning around. “Many of my Solbohn have been corrupted by the foul magic that my sister and her followers wield. It doesn’t appear as if any of you are under their influence, though. Perhaps you can assist me.” 

She pauses for a moment as four large wolves appear in the distance, all charging toward you at a rapid pace. She holds her hand out and four rays of light pierce the skulls of the wolves simultaneously. They vanish into the air before she turns back toward you. She points to an area behind you, revealing a large golden door in the air. “Several powerful forces have made their way into the pages of this tome. The Warden has hid one of them away from my gaze and placed a spell on it that won’t allow me to enter its domain. In order for us to break the spell, someone must go in and defeat the foul beast, though I am unsure to just how powerful it actually is.”

You look up to the Goddess before turning back to the door. You sense an intense power behind those doors. Do you dare venture in to assist in freeing them from their prison?

Venture Behind the Door

Decline the Goddess’s Request

You take a deep breath and walk toward the door, feeling the powerful energy coming from it. You place your hand on the knob and pull back on it, opening it up to reveal a bright light that blinds you. The area around you is bathed in a white light. After a few seconds, you open up your eyes to see yourself standing in the middle of a plantation. In the distance, you see a large barn standing with a silo next to it. Two other buildings are to your left while in front of you, a giant mansion sits prominently. 

The skies above you are grey and around you, several men walk around carrying farm equipment but also paying you little attention. You face the doors of the mansion when the large, double doors open up into the mansion and out walks a woman wearing obsidian colored armor. She is somewhat aged, with prominent wrinkles across her face and her jet black hair showing a few signs of grey in them. On her back, a large greatsword rests with the tip nearly touching the ground. She looks forward and smiles warmly at you before walking down the few steps that lead up into the mansion. 

“Adventurers,” she greets warmly. “I was expecting Derillius to send aid at some point, though I was not expecting it this soon. I suppose the old God is a bit perturbed that we were finally able to take one of his precious hubs of knowledge.” The older woman speaks warmly and you feel almost comfortable around her, though the giant greatsword on her back does appear somewhat menacing. You gaze into the warm eyes of the older woman as she steps forward and reaches behind her back. She grabs the handle of the massive weapon and raises it over her head. A warm smiles comes over her as she lowers the weapon slightly. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid that this is where your journey ends; but, fear not. Your souls will soon be within the halls of Vesya and your days of suffering and strife will be at an end.”

The older woman walks forward and gazes into your eyes. She places both of her hands on the hilt of her greatsword before driving the tip of it into the ground. Large white flashes erupt from the blade and hit all of the onlooking soldiers and farmers who are in range. A flash of lightning comes from the blade and projects toward you.

Make an Agility Save. If your save is less than or equal to 20, discard 1 card and take 20 damage. 

The farmers and soldiers all disperse into shadows with a grey mist in place where their bodies were. The older woman, her eyes now glowing a bright silver, looks forward and smirks. “You still stand?” she says in a surprised tone. “How unusual.”

You reach for your weapons as she pulls her greatsword out of the ground. “I suppose this is will require slightly more effort.” 

Commence Battle with The Madam of Shadows

The fierce battle concludes with the Madam of Shadows dropping her giant sword to the ground. Her eyes, glowing silver, start to flicker with each passing second. She looks forward with a blank expression until finally dropping to her knees. She breathes in deeply before looking up at you with a surprised, yet warm gaze. “It’s warmer than I thought,” she mutters as her body begins to vanish into the shadows. The scenery around you changes with the white pedestal coming back into focus behind you. On it, a large, glowing Shard rests but in the floor, where the Madam of Shadows once rested, a large, heavy chest piece rests. 

Acquire: Obsidian Plate

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of the Assassin, Shard of Rebuttal, Shard of Stability, Shard of the Farseer, Shard of the Master Thief

After picking up the glowing Shard off of the pedestal the other seven pedestals appear from the shadows, each with their book resting in the center. Before you, the leather tome reappears. At the front of the library, the glowing podium reappears. Will you venture into the pages of another book or will you investigate the podium at the front of the library?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You examine the door and feel an incredible uneasiness over it. Upon discussing it with your allies, you decide against venturing behind the door. Destroying the forces that are at war within the library can be achieved through another means. The Goddess looks at you in disgust before fading away, leaving you standing alone in the empty field. After a few moments, the grass beneath your feet changes to the wood of the library with the pedestal appearing behind you. On it, you see a small hat that might serve you well in your journey.

Acquire One of the Following: Silk Headdress, Tiger Mask, Tanned Hat, Iron Helm

The seven pedestals reappear from the shadows, each with their respective book resting in the center. Where the hat rested, the leather bound tome reappears. At the front of the library, the glowing podium reappears. Will you venture into the pages of another book or will you investigate the podium at the front of the library?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You look at the door with the symbol of the moon etched above it. You blink your eyes slowly and walk toward the door. After a few steps, toward the door, however, it slams shut, along with the door beside it. The sound of wind starts to fill the area before you turn around to see a young woman with short, black hair leaning against the wall of the Stockade with her arms crossed. She looks at you with stern gaze before shaking her head in disgust. You look toward her, though she doesn’t move. However, from the shadows, four Shadow Wolves emerge, all snarling and preparing to charge. You reach for your weapon while glancing back at the woman. The wolves remain still, while growling at you. 

She steps off of the wall and places her hands out. A silver aura appears over her palms and the wolves suddenly become calm. The step back and keep their eyes trained on you, but instead of preparing to strike they circle you. “Quite brave of you to come in here,” she states sternly while looking you over and examining your equipment. She scoffs openly before placing her hands on her hips. “At least you came somewhat prepared. I half-expected whatever fool Derillius managed to convince to come in here to be slinging a miner’s pick-axe.”

She pauses for a brief moment while her wolves continue to circle. She looks down at the ground and shakes her head in disbelief before tilting her head up toward the ceiling. The wolves around you vanish into the shadows, leaving you alone with the young woman. “For thousands of years, we have fought back the magic that I bestowed upon those bastards. They dare use my knowledge against me. Insolent bastards, I hope their souls all been sent to the scales and I was able to devour them whole.” She takes in a deep breath and looks back at you. “No matter, adventurers. Tonight, we have to fight back those who are trying to destroy the works of Derillius. I am Saeria, or at least a visage of her. My memories are what’s trapped in here.”

Saeria smirks and walks over to the back door. She holds out both of her hands and removes the splintered wall, revealing the city of Sunshire. Boats travel along the Sariak River in both directions. A large warehouse with a private port rests to the far right of the Stockades with another small port further along toward the city of Werz. Small buildings, no higher than two stories, sit along the roads and paths in the city while its citizens roam the streets as if nothing were amiss. “I suggested that they create this place,” she said while gazing upon the city. “The War of the Gods took a drastic toll on the population of Dun-I and it would only be a matter of time before Vesya stepped in and ended it. Though I have no recollection or account of how it ended, I know that the scales were out of balance and she would soon have to step in to save us all from ourselves.” 

The Goddess closes her eyes and breathes deeply. “I aligned myself and my followers with one man whom I loved, and two others I loathed,” she continues while stepping toward the river. “Derrien was always someone that I yearned for. In Tangresia, he was suave and captivating. He was an incredible person and someone who I felt brought the best out of me. My sister, unfortunately, felt the same way about him, though I still believe he fancied me far more than her.” She turns back toward you and the Stockades and smirks. “However, no feelings I have for Derrien come close to how I feel about Zailyne and Talges.” She turns back toward Sunshire and changes it the image before you into a large forest. Harpies are flying about, swooping down from the sky and attacking men and women who are fleeing. “Talges and his horde of winged beasts are foul and loathsome. He attacks the dryads of Falorous without any provocation, only knowing that they are weak, save one.” You stare into the forest as a woman emerges wearing a green tunic with tan pants and a slender staff on her back. Her hair is dark and tied in a bun behind her head and her skin is remarkably pale, even when comparing to Saeria. 

The harpies fly overhead and swoop down upon seeing the woman emerge. She holds a stern gaze while watching them descend. With her hands at her side, she opens up her palms, creating a faint green aura around them. Several large vines emerge from the ground and entangle the diving harpies several feet above the woman. Unable to shake free, more vines ascend from the ground and ensnare the winged beasts. Four harpies are trapped in the vines controlled by the follower of Falorous. She holds her stern gaze before closing her hands and making a fist, commanding the vines to act. The vines move in unison, snapping the bodies of the harpies in half and dragging their bodies into the ground of Dun-I. “Her power was unmatched, but unfortunately, she couldn’t be everywhere. She was Falorous’s only true warrior and protector. The rest of his priests and dryads were simply left for slaughter.” 

The vision changes again, this time of the sea in front of you. Your feet are on the shore as you look at as bodies float in the ocean. Pools of blood form around the vast majority of the bodies. “There is no match for the cruelty of Zailyne, though,” continues Saeria as you stare at the bodies in the water. From the depths, several creatures emerge carrying large tridents. With serpent bodies and human torsos, the Naga arrive to carry the dead into their underwater lairs to feast on. “It’s unfortunate that his cruelty could not be matched with benevolence. His followers feared him instead of respected or loved him. His power, however, was envied by all who came across him.”

Saeria turns back toward you. “I’ve taken enough of your time, mortals. It’s time for you to move on and face the demons kept within this tome.” She turns to the wall on her left and points at it, revealing a silver door. “Behind that door lies the foul beast Kurros wanted to keep hidden. Defeating it could go a long way in liberating this place from the magic that has attacked it. However, defeating it may not be the only way to free us.” 

You pause for a moment and look to your allies. The door that Saeria revealed could prove to be a mighty challenge, though the rewards may be great. Will you venture behind the door or will you decline the Goddess’s request?

Venture Behind the Door

Decline the Goddess's Request

You walk forward and place your hand on the book. As you hover your hand over it, you feel the wind around you start to swirl. You lower your hand slowly, though the moment you touch it, all eight pedestals disappear and the ground beneath your feet changes from a solid wood surface to the dirt floor of a forest. Around you, the walls of the library fade away to reveal tall trees that cast a mighty shadow upon you and above you, the ceiling has been replaced with the canopy of the forest. 

The sounds of skittering come from the trees as you look up toward the canopy. Small, winged creatures can be seen flying from tree to tree. With human bodies and large fowl legs, the winged creatures peer down at you while you look up. While standing still, the wind at your feet begins to swirl the leaves around. You take your eyes off of the creatures and look down a small path to see three men, all wearing dark green robes, staring at you. Behind them, a large man wearing more prominent robes steps forward. “You there!” booms the voice of the more prominent man. “You shall not proceed further! Our new masters know what game is afoot, followers of Derillius!”

The three priests step forward in front of the more prominent one and stare at you as the creatures above you in the canopy stir. “Lord Banthias, shall we pursue?” asks one of the priests. 

Banthias, the High Priest of Talges, stands behind the three priests and smiles. His eyes begin to glow a bright silver as a wry smile comes over him. “Of course,” he says softly before screaming up into the canopy. “Harpies! Make them suffer!”

Seven winged creatures descend from the canopy. You reach back for your weapons as the first three come straight down while the other four circle around you. Their talons are remarkably shark as they screech loudly while plunging them toward you.

Commence Battle with Harpy x 3

You cast the bodies of the three harpies to the side; their blood stains the floor of the forest with four more harpies swirling around you. You grip your weapons tightly as you keep your eyes affixed to the flying creatures. Banthias and his three priests keep their distance as the four harpies descend toward you rapidly with their talons out. You step back and brace for their arrival when large vines emerge from the trees, ensnaring the harpies before they can reach you. “Whisperleaf!” screams Banthias as a young woman wearing a green tunic and tan slacks emerges from the brush. With her palm open and pointing at the four harpies, more vines emerge from the brush with each one wrapping itself around another harpy. After a few short moments, the vines wrap up the harpies and constrict the life out of them. 

The young woman steps forward and stands beside you while keeping her eyes trained on Banthias. “Adventurers, not all of us are under the spell of the magic at play,” she mutters softly. “I would advise you to make your exit from the pages of this book before you are forced into battle with a creature you are ill-prepared to face.” 

Banthias lurches forward past his three priests. “Drusilla Whiperleaf,” he states loudly; his silver eyes still pulsating with every breath. “You dare stand before the will of our new masters?”

“I stand for no master, but only for my God, swine,” insults Drusilla. “I only serve Falorous and I live to see you and your followers dangling from the will of the forest.”

Banthias smiles and places his arms across his chest. “I’d love to see you try.” 

Drusilla locks eyes with Banthias as several vines emerge from the brush, slowly crawling across the floor beneath the vision of the priests and Banthias. The priests, all peering forward at Drusilla, do not notice the plant life around their ankles. Within seconds, their shins are surrounded by thick vines that constrict quickly and slam them to the floor. Banthias turns quickly to see his three priests lifted into the canopy. He pulls his hand back and waves it toward the wines, slashing them in half and dropping his priests to the floor. “That was unexpected,” quips Drusilla as the three priests remove the vines. “Adventurers, I might require some assistance.”

The three priests charge toward Druilla in anger. With small daggers out, you leap in front of her and behind Banthias to intercept them, leaving Drusilla to handle the much more powerful high priest. 

Commence Battle with Talges Priest x 3

The three priests fade into the shadows upon defeat. You immediately turn to find that the other two with you in the forest, Banthias and Drusilla, have also vanished into the shadows. The corpses of the harpies, as well as others in the canopy, are no longer visible while the chittering sound can no longer be heard. You find yourself still standing in the middle of a forest. The wind stops blowing around you and the air becomes stagnant. You hold your ground as a light rumbling can be heard coming from the distance. 

Ahead, you see a small hill with a shadow coming over it. The thundering of multiple legs echo against the ground as the dust and dirt stirs around you. You gaze forward to see a four legged creature sprint over the hill. With two large horns on the top of his head, a snout for a nose, and a mane of fur in the center of his spine, the creature leaps forward without prejudice. His eyes glow a bright silver and pulsate with every second as he charges at you, trying to gore you with his horns.

Commence Battle with Stockade Behemoth

The creature falls onto his belly and lets out a slight whimper before fading away into the shadows. You watch as his dark skin fades in the shadows, followed by his large tail and horns. In his place, you see a large two-handed weapon sitting peacefully on the ground. Behind the weapon, you see a body piece resting on the ground. 

Acquire One of the Following: Iron Greatsword, Iron Scythe, Iron Axe, Oak Staff, Sturdy Bow

Acquire One of the Following: Silk Robe, Tanned Vestments, Tiger Skin Vestments, Iron Armor

You pick up the two items and hold them in your hands. As you examine them, the white pedestal behind you reappears, though instead of the green book from before, you see a glowing Shard. You reach out to grab the Shard, when suddenly, a large vine comes up from out of the ground to ensnare your hand. “What makes you feel that you are worthy of our treasure, mortal?” asks Drusilla as she gazes upon you menacingly. She stares into your eyes with a ruthless expression as the vines constrict your wrist. After a few short moments, however, the vines recoil and relax and Drusilla motions for you to take the trinket before you.

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of the Runecaster, Shard of Enchanting, Shard of Penance, Shard of Time, Shard of Insanity

“Go ahead, take it. It will not serve us in the slightest,” she states plainly before turning her back to you and stepping toward the shadows. She sighs audibly before placing her hands on her hips. “The remnants of our lives that are bound to these tomes are suffering, but nothing that anyone on the outside does can help us.” Drusilla turns back and faces you. “We must fight back these demons on our own.”  

She scowls before turning back around to face you. “The power you possess wilts in comparison to the might of those who challenge us. We need a champion to stand by our side. You are too frail to actually be useful to me.” She turns and walks toward the shadows, shaking her head in disbelief before turning around one last time. “I hope I’m wrong, adventurers, but if you wish to survive the night, you will have to deal with the magic head on.”

Drusilla walks into the shadows and vanishes, leaving you standing in the center of the library. The seven other pedestals emerge and the eight books appear back in the center of each. You are still taken aback by Drusilla Whisperleaf and her harshness, but you must move forward. Do you dare to open an unopened tome, or will you venture to the front of the library and investigate the podium?

Open Another Book

Investigate the Podium

You place your hand on the cover of the leathery tome and open it up, revealing the first page. You gaze down to see the words In the Shadows, We Will Build Your Fortress… etched in black ink. You look up from the page to see that the room around you has completely changed. Though your feet are still on a hardwood floor, only a patch remains. Around you, the walls of the library have been replaced with the open air of Sunshire, complete with small, two-story buildings that line a dirt and gravel street. The ceiling has been replaced with the night sky, complete with the two moons of Dun-I illuminating the area. However, each building along the path has a lit torch hanging from a sconch, making the area remarkably bright. 

You adjust your eyes and look down the path in between the houses. Dust stirs but doesn’t impede your vision, however, the sound of footsteps coming from behind you prompts you to abruptly turn around. In the distance, several houses away from you, a mob of people roam the streets. You squint your eyes to try and get a better look at them. You notice that many of them are carrying torches and pitchforks. “Find them and make them suffer!” screams one of the women in the group. They turn the corner and place their eyes on you.

“There they are!” shouts a man to the left of the woman. “Don’t let them pass!” 

The mob moves toward you slowly with their weapons drawn. As they inch closer, you notice that all of their eyes glow a bright silver while their pitchforks possess a matching aura. You turn back, noticing that the pedestal and wooden floor were now missing. However, further down the path, you see a large, hulking colossus moving toward you with a large sword in hand. You are trapped within a pincer, with only two possible options. You can move toward the Colossus and engage it or you can run toward the unorganized mob. Both options are perilous, but without much time to think, waiting any longer is not prudent. Which will you do?

Engage the Colossus

Engage the Mob

You turn your back on the mob and look toward the large, hulking creature as he moves forward. He’s constructed of a metal plating and carries a very large sword in his right hand. His eyes glow silver as he moves within range. You lock your eyes on his steel torso when the sounds of another hulking beast come from within one of the alleys. You shift your gaze to notice two more of the iron creatures appearing from the shadows. They move toward you and surround you. 

Commence Battle with Stockade Colossus x 3

The three menacing colossuses fall to the ground with a thud. Their bodies fade into the shadows and vanish, though you are left with a large sword for your troubles.

Acquire: Iron Greatsword

You turn around to see that the mob that was following you has disappeared into the shadows as well, leaving you standing alone in the center of the dusty street. You take a moment and look around the area, noticing that the fires coming from the sconces is starting to increase in vibrancy. Embers start to fly off of the fire and land on the wall behind it. Within seconds, the wall holding up every sconce ignites and spreads, leaving you standing in the middle of a massive inferno. On both sides of the street, fire fills the night sky and smoke surrounds you. You stand in the center of the street, trying your best to avoid any contact with the blazes. 

After a few short moments, the fires within the buildings leap up into the air, leaving the walls appearing as if they were never touched by the vicious cinders. Above you, the fire swirls in the area. You stare at the beautiful sight as a vortex of heat and embers paint the sky a vibrant orange. You hold onto your weapons when the fire falls from the sky and lands in two columns, one in front of you and one behind you. The columns swirl for a few moments until they begin to take a new form, complete with legs, arms, and torso. The fires from sconces have created two powerful Flame Djinns. The two fiery creatures stand before with glowing, silver eyes, prepared to incinerate you where you stand. 

Commence Battle with Flame Djinn x 2

The fires around the djinns extinguish and turn into ash. The buildings on both sides of you fade away into the shadows and the dusty street beneath your feet turns back into the wooden floor of the library. The pedestal where the book rested reappears, but sitting on it now is an elegant body piece. 

Acquire One of the Following: Silk Robe

The other pedestals appear from the shadows and the books sit, once again, in the center. You take in a deep breath and consider your next option. Do you venture into one of the other books or do you head to the front of the library to investigate the podium?

Open Another Book

Investigate the Podium

You see the large, hulking colossos behind you and feel that it is better to attack the unorganized and unruly mob. You take your first steps toward them and draw your weapons, gripping them tightly in your hand. With a few short breaths, you break out in a sprint toward them. The mob looks at you and does the same, charging toward you with their pitchforks raised over their heads. You sprint toward them and swing your weapons upon getting close, when suddenly, the mob disappears and vanishes into the shadows. You land on your feet and continue to hold onto your weapons tightly, expecting the mob to reappear from the shadows at any moment. 

You turn your head slightly to see that the area around you is changing. The buildings on both sides of the street vanish and are replaced with an open field. In the distance, a large mansion appears but behind you, an old barn emerges from the shadows. The door to the barn opens up and you feel a pull coming from inside. You turn to face the door and walk in. Inside the barn, you find yourself standing in the room of a small child. Toys are scattered across the floor with a small bed in the corner. Sitting in the center of the floor, a small boy with blonde hair adjusts the blocks in front of him. 

“Are you the new toys our new master promised me?” asks the child without turning to look at you. You take a slight step back as the child continues to affix his eyes on the blocks in front of him. “Our new master promised me that someone would bring me a new toy. Did you bring me a toy?” asks the boy again. He rises to his feet and turns around to face you. His eyes pulsate with silver energy as he stares at you. “Well, did you?” he asks, this time in a more foreboding tone. The child steps toward you. His body begins to radiate with a silver energy as he inches near you. You grip your weapons firmly as he inches toward you. The child seethes and a blast of energy comes from his aura. Rays of energy race toward you, forcing you to dive out of the way.

Make an Agility Save. If it is less than or equal to 12, take 25 damage and you are inflicted with Stun for 2 turns.

Commence Battle with Demon Child

Upon defeat, the child fades away into the shadows without muttering a word. The room that you’re standing in does the same, though in the place of the child, a large scythe rests. 

Acquire: Iron Scythe

You turn back to see the pedestal from before now sitting in the center of the room, though instead of a book resting in the center, you see a piece of body armor. You walk up and take it before the seven other pedestals emerge from the shadows.

Acquire One of the Following: Silk Robe, Tanned Vestments, Tiger Skin Vestments, Iron Armor

The books reappear before you on the pedestals and you are left with a decision. Do you venture into an unopened book or do you go to the front of the library and investigate the podium?

Open Another Book

Investigate the Podium

You place your hand on top of the book and take a deep breath, feeling a dark energy protruding from within its pages. You close your eyes as you are compelled to open the cover of the book and gaze at the first page. “Awkward,” states a man from beside the podium. You turn around and look toward the source of the voice, finding a younger man standing against a small column with his arms crossed. “I was honestly expecting a bit more from the God of Intellect,” he remarks. He steps off of the column and walks toward you, looking you over before shaking his head in disbelief. 

The man, wearing dark trousers and a slightly lighter shit, approaches and places his hands on the pedestal where the book rests. He gazes into your eyes and smirks as if he is peering into your soul. As he stares, his eyes radiate with a bright, silver hue. “You see, adventurer, for thousands of years, we have tried our damndest to infiltrate this bastion of knowledge. For thousands of years, we have sent our agents to suffer through terrible anguish and strife only to be rejected by the power of the scholars. However, finally, we made progress and after thousands of years, we finally took over.” 

He pushes back from the pedestal and smiles while keeping his eyes affixed on you. “I find it funny that the agents of Derillius and even those within this library think that we are trying to hide the history of our masters. We are not trying to hide anything. We are proud of what Sunshire is and what is has become. Taking control of the library is not an attempt to hide the past, but an effort to drive out the mettling force of Derillius,” lectures the man as he opens his arms and speaks openly to your party. 

The man before you walks over and has a seat in a newly formed chair. The pedestal that the book rested on vanishes and all that is left is the floor you are standing on and the podium at the front of the room. The walls disappear, and in their place is the open city of Sunshire. The man in the chair smiles and looks over his shoulder at the podium. “I wonder how long it will take the old fool to figure out that he cannot break free from our magic,” continues the man as he gazes back at you. “For the longest time, we attacked the walls and we attacked the books. Attacking the walls were meaningless, as they’re just that, walls. They possess no intrinsic value or even anything worthwhile. They hold up a roof. The books, however, contained a magical prominence about that them that we thought we could enchant. After thousands of years of trying, and discovering that everything contained within those books, including myself, would fight back, a new strategy had to be cultivated.” 

“We debated for quite some time a way to actually rid Derillius and his incessant thirst for knowledge from our fair city. We decided that, if we can enchant the librarian, and perhaps force him under our command, we can take the library without any strife,” continues the man sitting comfortably in the chair. “Adventurers, though I possess the body of the warden, Kurros, I assure you I am far from that. As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, and if you haven’t, you most certainly will, you are at war tonight, not with a physical entity, but with a magical manifestation. You are at war tonight with the knowledge of a God. You are doing battle with magic in its purest form.” Kurros stands up and hovers his hand over the chair, causing it to vanish into the shadows. He turns toward you and smirks. His eyes begin to pulsate with a brighter energy. “Adventurers, tonight, your journey comes to an inevitable end,” he claims ominously. “All life must cease and the essence become property of the Gods. Tonight, your essence receives an audience with Vesya.” 

Kurros’s body lifts off of the ground and hovers a few feet above it. His body is surrounded by a grey and silver aura that match his pulsating eyes. He peers down at you with the wind in the building starting to swirl. Dust fills the area as a menacing glare comes over the face of the warden.

Commence Battle with Kurros

Kurros drops to the ground and lands with a loud thud against the wooden floor. He looks up, shocked to see the power you and your allies possess. He reaches forward, trying to muster the strength to deliver another attack when his legs start to fade into the shadows behind him. He turns back and scowls. “This is not the end, of that I assure you,” he grumbles as the shadows reach his body. You continue to look on as his entire body vanishes, leaving nothing their in its place. Behind you, the pedestal returns, though instead of a book, you see a brightly glowing Shard. You walk up to the pedestal and grab it, feeling the power of the Gods flowing through you. 

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of the Assassin, Shard of Rebuttal, Shard of Stability, Shard of the Farseer, Shard of the Master Thief

With the Shard now in your possession, the seven other pedestals reappear. The books all emerge and rest again peacefully in the center of their respective pedestals and the podium still sits at the front of the library. Will you open another unopened book or will you venture to the front and investigate the podium?

Open Another Book

Investigate the Podium

You stand in front of the bright red book and feel an ominous presence about it. You hover your hand over the book and feel and intense heat, almost like fire, coming from the top of its bindings. You stand firm, though are cautious. You are weary of what might be within this bright red tome. As you hover your hand over the book, a bright red light comes from its pages and your hand is forced onto the cover. You grip the book tightly as the cover flings open. Wind starts to swirl around you and the floor begins to spin with your feet firmly locked onto the wooden planks. The walls around you vanish as well as the rafters in the ceiling. You spin for several moments to see everything around you disappear with the floor you’re standing on the last to go. 

You continue to spin the air, though now you are floating in space. Around you is nothing but darkness as your body turns throughout the air. You fall quickly, though without warning, you find yourself sitting on a velvet bench on the top of a small carriage in motion. You travel along a dark path at great speeds, being led by four brown stallions. In the distance, you peer out to see several bright flickering lights along with several small buildings. The driver at the front, wearing dark vestments and long brimmed hat, pops the reins to speed the beasts up. 

The carriage continues along the path rapidly until it travels beneath a small arch. The dusty trail leading up to the city turns into a smooth surface, though dirt still stirs behind you. The buildings on both sides of the smooth path are constructed of wood and are fairly close to one another. The horses slow down with the carriage coming up to a large hill at the end of the road. The carriage turns slightly with the driver pulling up on the reins. You turn to your left and look up at the large hill in the moonlight. Lush grass covers the hill with small patches of flowers planted sporadically throughout. 

At the base of the hill, seven men clad in silver and grey vestments stand with their arms behind their backs wait for the carriage. Another man stands beside them prominently, wearing darker vestments and leaning on a dark cane. Beneath you, the doors to the carriage open up the men inside are starting to stir. With slight vibrations, you can feel the inhabitants shuffling about and preparing to disembark. The door to the carriage opens up and a very tall and lanky man emerges. He places his boots in the grass, black with ornate golden buckles, before stepping out of the carriage completely.  His garments are pressed and tailored, pants that are white with black trim and a pristinely tailored shirt that matches. On his face, a very thin mustache hangs right above his lip with a thin goatee on his chin that comes down to the perfect point. 

He walks forward toward the men in front of the hill as you remain on top of the carriage to watch. “Master Dorveaux, of what do I owe this meeting?” asks the lanky man as he approaches the man leaning on the cane. 

The man with the cane leaned forward and smiled as the lanky man approached. “Uldurres Qirean, it is a pleasure to finally meet someone of your stature,” the man states politely. “I was under the impression that you were the man who could help me with something.”

“I would I hope I could. You requested an audience with me and I traveled halfway around Dun-I,” Qirean retorts sharply. “I’d hate to think that I wasted my time coming to your, quaint, little town.” 

“That’s what I need your assistance with, Master Qirean. I need someone with your expertise in commerce to assist in making Sunshire a desirable locale for trade,” explains Master Dorveaux. 

Qirean chuckles and folds his arms across his chest. “Regulus, I don’t believe you actually know what I do.”

“Oh, but I’m fully aware of what you and your organization does, Qirean, and I find it quite desirable right now,” clarifies Regulus. 

Qirean’s face relaxes a bit as he takes in a slow breath. “Go on,” he states calmly. “What do you have in mind?”

Regulus smirks and steps away from his men, using his cane to point ahead to the river. “That patch of land over there, I think it would be the absolute best place to put some type of harbor or pier where goods could come in from Oorinay or other areas and be distributed throughout the continent.”

“I’m not a merchant,” quips Qirean.

“But you control a network of smugglers, among other things, and I’m offering you an opportunity for safe passage and a hub within Sunshire,” Regulus states sternly. “I will deed the land over to you so that you can create some type of facility, equipped with your own personal harbor on the edge of the Sariak.” 

Qirean smirks. “That’s quite generous, but what use of it would be to you?” 

“I can think of two. The first is that nothing would come of this city so long as your organization remains here. No one would dare cross you openly and we would have ample protection. The second is that many vagabonds and miscreants would travel to our fair city and it would provide a source of labor for our artisans, which would in turn provide a hub for their goods. That would in turn allow us to create a large, profitable market which would draw in a fair number more people to visit our fair city. Merchants would make it a point to stop in Sunshire instead of traveling all the way to Fierrak.” 

“I see, so you would gain a great deal if we decided to plant stakes in your quiet little town,” says Qirean. “That’s quite interesting.”

“It’s a relationship where I believe both of us would thrive. You would maintain your independence and have a magistrate that intentionally looked the other way while we would have protection and a way to help generate a great deal of revenue and turn us into a potentially large locale,” Regulus continues gleefully. 

A scowl comes over Qirean’s face as he stares at Regulus. “I see what you’re after, but I will require something in return to even consider something of this magnitude.”

Regulus is confused. He places one hand on his hip while the other on his cane. “I’m offering you an amazing and everlasting opportunity and you dare ask for reciprocity?” 

“The benefit for you is far greater than the benefit for me. I can continue to operate in Merdool without anyone less the wiser. You’re asking for me to move my entire operation onto the Cuor Continent. That will cost you.” Qirean turns and looks up at the two moons of Dun-I as they bathe a white light onto the city of Sunshire. “What you’re asking is far more difficult than you believe.” 

Qirean turns and walks toward his carriage with Regulus appearing to be quite flustered. “Fine, what would it take for you to do what I need?” asks Regulus, prompting Qirean to stop moving. 

“That hill behind you,” Qirean states as he turns around and points at it. “I want that hill.” 

Regulus contorts his face slightly in confusion. “You want this fallow hill?” 

“I do,” affirms Qirean. “If I am going to relocate my syndicate to this city, then I require at least something in return that will allow me to build my estate, or at least a place that I can call my own.” 

Regulus pauses for a moment and stares into the eyes of Qirean, knowing that there are few options. “Fine, I will deed it over to you along with the land you will need for the syndicate.”

“Perfect!” shouts Qirean in excitement. “I will have my ships bring supplies to build the warehouse within the month.”

Regulus nods and steps toward the carriage. “Good. Sunshire welcomes the Or’tel Syndicate. May our relationship strengthen exponentially overtime.” 

Qirean turns and moves toward the carriage when he slowly vanishes into the night sky with Regulus doing the same. Four of the soldiers behind Regulus vanish into the shadows with three remaining. The three soldiers gaze toward you with the carriage beneath your feet vanishing, dropping you a few feet to the ground. 

Your feet are on the firm ground with the soldiers lurching toward you slowly. Their eyes glow silver as they reach to their sides to pull large swords off of their waist. “You don’t belong here, mortal,” affirms the one in the center as he points the tip of his sword at you and your allies. The three soldiers to his side begin to move quicker toward you before pulling their swords over their heads in an attempt to strike you down where you stand. 

Commence Battle with Dorveaux Soldier x 4

The four soldiers fade away into dust upon defeating them, along with the tall grass that their bodies fell into.  “That was quite impressive, adventurers,” announces a man behind you. You turn around to see the driver of Qirean’s carriage still sitting on the top of it with the reins in his hands. The four horses are sitting peacefully on the path with their hooves firmly in the dirt. The driver smiles at you, revealing rotting teeth underneath his unkempt face. “You’ve handled the forces within these pages who are trying to impede you with grace and relative ease. Perhaps you’d like to audience with the master?”

You stare into the eyes of the driver and ponder the decision. Meeting with the master could be incredibly dangerous and could lead to strife and even certain death. The master must be the strongest thing within the pages of the library. Will you step on the carriage and meet with the master?

Meet with the Master

Decline the Master

You look at your allies and nod, all in agreement that the best path forward is to take on the master, or at least see what he has to say. The magic contained within the library has been far more powerful than you imagined, so to meet with the man being referred to as the master could prove to be fruitful. You walk forward and step into the carriage with the driver looking down at you. Once inside the carriage, you move over to the far end and sit down on a velvet bench. The door closes behind you and without wasting much time, the carriage takes off.

You sit down and feel the bumps of the road, though only for a few short moments. After a few deep breaths, the carriage suddenly stops. You lean forward and look out the window to see that you are no longer in front of the large hill in Sunshire, but instead, sit in front of a large manor. You open the carriage door and step out onto a smooth, cobblestone walkway complete with trimmed shrubs on both sides. You close the carriage door and step forward, before turning around to see the carriage and driver both vanish into the shadows. You exhale slowly and turn back around to see two large, iron doors open up before you. A grey mist emerges from the building followed by the scent or a warm aroma. With a soft breath, you and your allies step forward on the path toward the doors.

Inside the double doors, you find yourself standing in a red hallway with golden columns on both sides of a wooden floor. In the far end, you see a man sitting in a wooden chair overlooking a large, open bay window. The stars and two moons of Dun-I shine into the well lit room with chandeliers offering a great amount of light. The man turns in his chair and looks toward you as you approach. He smirks and claps his hand. “Finally,” he says coldly, his eyes glowing silver as he gazes toward you.” 

The man stands up and moves toward you. Qirean, the man from earlier who made the agreement with Regulus Dorveaux, stands before you. “I commend your bravery, adventurers,” he states with a wry smile. “To come before me is, however, is but a fool’s errand. You see, everything within these tomes are but figments and creations of the God of Intellect. His scholars and archivists recorded the history of the days prior to the creation of the Stockade. Everything that you have come across so far or will cross soon enough is but a creation of those events.” He pauses for a moment with his glowing eyes pulsating. “However, we are under the command of a foul and foreign magic.” 

Qirean closes his eyes and composes himself as a grey aura emits around his body, though only slight. “For many years, we within the works of Derillius have been under attack from a foul force. The Dorveauxs, the family to whom I made a deal with, have attacked this institution of history. I suppose they’re somewhat embarrassed by the events that came about in the construction of that vile institution across the banks of the city and want it stricken from the annals.” 

Qirean’s eyes pulsate brighter as you continue to stand in front of him. “After thousands of years, they finally succeeded.” Qirean reaches behind his back and pulls out a small, one-handed sword that glows a bright silver. He grips it tightly as the aura around him pulsates much more mightily. “I’m sorry adventurers, but as I said, we are under the command of a foul and foreign and I cannot let you pass.” 

You reach for your weapons and hold them firmly with Qirean stalking toward you. 

Commence Battle with The Phantom of Qirean

Qirean stumbles backwards. He grips his chest before falling backwards and crashing into a small table. “Perhaps there is hope for us yet,” he stammers before fading away into the shadows. The room around you vanishes with the library reappearing, though in the place of the body of Qirean, the silver sword that he wielded remains. You walk over and pick it up, feeling an immense power radiating from the ancient blade.

Acquire: Soulblade

You hold onto the blade as the single pedestal reappears behind you. Though, instead of the red book that was there before, now sits another small blade. 

Acquire One of the Following: Iron Dagger, Iron Sword, Gold Runeblade

You reach forward and grab the blade. As you sheathe it, the pedestal disappears and immediately reappears, along with the seven others. The podium at the end of the library has reappeared and you’re left with another decision. Do you open another book that you haven’t opened yet or do you head to the podium?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You look into the eyes of the driver and shake your head in earnest, feeling that discretion is still the better part of valor. Meeting with the master would only lead to more suffering. The driver scoffs and fades away into the shadows in disappointment. The grass beneath the carriage fades away and the wooden floor of the library. The one pedestal with the red book appears, though instead of a book, now sits a small blade. 

Acquire One of the Following: Iron Dagger, Iron Sword, Gold Runeblade

You reach forward and grab the blade. As you sheathe it, the pedestal disappears and immediately reappears, along with the seven others. The podium at the end of the library has reappeared and you’re left with another decision. Do you open another book that you haven’t opened yet or do you head to the podium?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You hover your hand over the blue book and stare at the cover. It appears to be rougher than the rest with a much more worn spine. Your hand descends down to the cover where your thumb touches the edge of the book. Once your skin touches the coarse fabric, you notice that your feet are starting to become cold. You take your eyes off the book to see that the wooden floor beneath you is now covered in an inch of water that has risen up from out of the floor. The cover of the book opens up, knocking your hand away from it with the water beginning to rise at a much faster rate. Wind starts to swirl around the room as the eight pedestals and their respective books vanish. 

A bright light shines in from the top of the ceiling as the water reaches your waist. Behind you, where the door to the library was, is now an island where a young girl sits with her knees up against her face. Her hair is a sandy blonde but very dirty and her clothes, a golden shirt with tan pants, appears to be quite worn. The water stops rising, though the current starts to become a bit rough. As you splash around a bit, the woman hears you and looks up. She smirks while watching you come forth. You swim toward her, though as you make it a few feet, you notice a dark presence in the water. “Careful!” she screams. “Zailyne’s pets are not fond of those who wander into the sea!”

You look forward to see a large serpent swimming around you, creating large waves that buoy your body up and down. The waves crash into your face and even though your feet are on the ground, you find it difficult to maintain your balance. 

Make an Agility Save. If the number is less than or equal to 7, skip 3 turns during the next battle. If it is between 8 and 10, skip 2 turns during the next battle. If it is between 11 and 13, skip 1 turn during the next battle. 

The large serpent swims around you and finally sticks his head out of the water to reveal himself as a might leviathan, a great sea serpent who wrests control of the sea by constricting vessels and swallowing their crew whole. His teeth are razor sharp and his disposition is quite ill. He snarls loudly before swimming toward you with his mouth open, intent on ending your journey in his waters.

Commence Battle with Leviathan

The large serpent’s body slams into the water with a loud splash. Water flies up into the air before both vanish. The young woman, once sitting on an island, is now sitting against the door of the library with the wooden floor beneath her. Your feet and clothes are suddenly dry and there is no record of proof that the large creature was once there. “That was impressive. Most of those before you fell rather quickly to the serpent,” she states coldly. 

She stands up and stretches. “That beast has been rather restless for quite some time. He’s typically quite docile, though whenever someone wanders into our pages, he tends to revert back into his more aggressive self.” She walks forward and looks over at the library, where no, the podium in the front of the room appears. “It is quite unfortunate that the archivists finally fell to the dark magic that constantly attacked them. Hopefully, you all are strong enough to remove it.” 

“We fought off of the foul spirits for thousands of years but finally, our defenses fell apart and we were left vulnerable to their powers. It didn’t take long for the spines of the books to become enriched with the shadowy energy of Saeria. Several of the pages and content kept within the tomes fell, while some of us have maintained our resistance,” she explains while stepping over to the wall and pointing at it. Where a wooden wall with windows once stood, now appears a visage of the outside of the library. Unsavory men, all carrying large weapons and wearing pristine armor sprint into the library at night. As the sun comes up on the visage, the men and women appear, though not carrying anything in their hands and walking as if they had been in heavy conflict. Outside the library stands the mayor of Sunshire, folding his arms and sighing at their lack of progress.

The visage continues with another man, this one wearing prominent robes and carrying two swords at his side walks in. The two moons of Dun-I are rising in the east as he opens the double doors to the library. The mayor stands outside and waits for the sun to rise, and when it does, the man walks out and nods. “It was at that moment that we could no longer defend the library. It had fallen to the dark magic of Saeria.”

The wall turns back into its previous state with the windows allowing in a slight bit of light. In the center of the room, the large pedestal where the blue book rested appears, but now, a small glowing Shard rests prominently on it. “Many adventurers have ventured into these halls and left us their trinkets and equipment. We cannot stand up to foul energy on our own. We need your help and I do hope that this trinket is something that can be of use to you.”

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of Woe, Shard of Witchcraft, Shard of Voodoo, Shard of the Levy, Shard of Shadows

You pick up the Shard and feel the power and knowledge flow through your body. “The keeper of the tomes is under the influence of a powerful scourge. When you see him, and you force the powerful magic from his being, make sure to let him know that Visharas, Traitor to Dahar and Servant of Zailyne, sends her regards.” 

The woman smirks and fades away. The seven other pedestals emerge from the shadows, each with their books resting prominently in the center. Will you venture into the pages of another book or will you investigate the podium?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You place your hands on the white book. Immediately upon the soft skin touching the cover, a magical white aura lightens up the room. The dark, wooden floor becomes a white stone while the walls brighten up, almost as if they had been white-washed. The windows grow in size with blue and gold curtains hanging from them and from the rafters in the ceiling, blue and golf banners hang down prominently. In the center of the floor, a large carpet runner, primarily blue with gold trim, leads to a large balcony at the end of the building. Two large, wooden doors sit at the start of the carpet runner with several statues and candlesticks lining the path down to the end. 

You stand off to the side as several people appear from the air, all wearing white armor with blue capes and golden trim. They walk around one another and bow politely, though you can tell that there is an uneasiness about everyone in the building. On the balcony stands a blonde haired man with his back to the rest of the people in the building. The soldiers in their regalia do not approach him, though they move quickly throughout the structure. 

The double doors open up and you turn to see five people, three men and two women, enter the grand hallway with a large orc and a small kobold in tow. The two creatures are drug by chains around their necks with large gashes and scrapes across their bodies. “Well don’t everyone stand around!” shouts the larger of the three men. He holds the end of his chain in the air, the one attached to the orc, and offers it up several of his contemporaries. 

“Drenault, it’s not polite to boast,” states a jovial Rosali. She steps forward, in front of the other four soldiers and their captives to look forward down the path. “My lord…” she mutters upon seeing the man at the end of the path on the balcony. 

“My lord?” asks the large man before turning toward the direction Rosali is looking. “My lord…”

The man at the end of the path turns around and reveals himself to be Derrien, the God of Order, standing within the halls of the Order of Derrien. He steps forward into view as the five soldiers drop to one knee in fealty. “Please, there is no need to bow,” announces Derrien as he comes forward. His clothing shimmers in the light as he places both of his hands behind his back. He comes up to the five soldiers as they rise to their feet and inspects their haul. “So this is what he’s started to do,” scoffs Derrien as he gazes down at the awkward looking kobold. “Valcus, you have so much power and potential and you spend your days toiling in your workshop making whatever, this is.” 

“I believe the priests that we slaughtered referred to these creatures as kobolds, my lord,” announces the oldest of the five soldiers, Wornier. “He created them to dwell within the mountains and mine for ores and precious metals so that his other creations could craft items with them.”

Derrien smirks and shakes his hand. “Master Wornier, if the Forgemaster had it his way, his creatures would be doing everything for humanity while the rest of you become sloven and destitute. It’d be unseemly to waste any of your skills like that.” 

“But of course, my Lord,” states Wornier. “Seeing you in the flesh is always a great privilege and one that none of us should ever take for granted, but of what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Your next mission,” replies Derrien astutely. “I know that typically, Pendal or another of the Seraphim come and bring you your missions, or that it is relayed from one of our many priests, but I felt a mission of this magnitude needed to come straight from me.” 

“Anything for you, my Lord,” announces the youngest of the three men, Albritone. “What would you have us do? Perhaps you need us to venture into deserts of Yark and personally deal with Dahar and her minions?” 

Derrien holds out his hand and motions negatively. “No, nothing like that. This mission is far more important than simply waging war on a single enemy. This mission will require a bit more finesse and a great deal more patience…” As the words slip off of Derrien’s tongue, he turns his head toward you. “Perhaps patience isn’t what is needed here though,” he states menacingly as the five soldiers turn to face you, their eyes all glowing a stark black. The five soldiers draw their weapons, but before they can attack, their bodies merge into one. You watch as the ten arms slowly become two and the same with the legs. The body is constructed of Shadows, though the face appears to be human like. After a few moments, the creature snarls loudly with Derrien looking on with a sinister grin. “This is where your journey ends, mortals.”

Commence Battle with Visceral Creature

The amalgamation of the five soldiers fades into the shadows along with the God of Order. The stark white walls around you vanish into the air and instead, the walls of the Library reappear. The pedestal with the white book reappears behind you with the floors of the library now beneath your feet. You look up to see the blue and gold banners disappear and the rafters of the library emerge from the shadows. 

You hear footsteps behind you, prompting you to turn around quickly to see a young blonde woman wearing the white armor from before stepping forward. You hear footsteps coming from the other side of the room with the dark haired woman from before emerging from the shadows. “Greetings, adventurers,” announces the blonde. “Your intrusion into these walls has not gone unnoticed.”  

“I’d say that it has been quite intrusive and abrasive,” announces the dark haired woman, Rosali. On her side, you see a small rapier with pearl handle and a small buckler on her back. She stares at you with evil intent as her hand rests above the hilt of her sword. She licks her lips softly before smirking. “Though some of us still have our wits about is to know what’s actually going on, right Chalise?” 

“That’s quite correct,” replies the blonde soldier. “While the bulk of the inhabitants of the tomes in this library are under the enchantment of a foul power, we are some of the few who have yet to succumb to the foul darkness.”

Rosali steps toward and looks over you and your party, admiring your weapons and armor. “I see the artisans of Dun-I have really come a long way since our archival.”

Chalise grins and looks over the equipment with her before looking up at you with a smirk. “I’m sure in the time that our other selves were locked away in the Stockades, technology and power has advanced by leaps and bounds, even at the expense of the Gods’ will.” 

“One can only hope,” quips Rosali before turning back to face you. “Adventurers, you are quite brave to come in here tonight and I do hope that you are aware of what you are up against. The magic at play is that of Saeria, the Goddess of Shadows, and those who follow her path.”

“They are a vulgar group but they are quite powerful,” inserts Chalice. 

A blue mist starts to come up from the floorboards beneath your feet. You take a step back as the two members of the Order of Derrien reach for their weapons. “Not again,” mutters Rosali as she grips her rapier. “How many times a night do I have to fight you fiends off?” 

“At least one more,” chimes Chalice. “Take care adventurers. These creatures are not to be taken lightly.” 

The blue mist comes up to your eyes and several apparitions appear before you. All wielding powerful weapons, the ghostly creatures charge forward and swing them wildly at you, forcing you to step out of the way.

Commence Battle with Fallen Servant x 2, Mansion Apparition x 2

Rosali swings her rapier in the far corner of the room, slicing down two of the ghosts and transforming them into a shadowy vapor while Chalice does the same. The foes before you vanish into a dark mist that descends back into the floorboards. Behind you, the pedestal begins to glow white with the two soldiers looking on in approval. 

“Take your prize, champions. You will need all of the assistance you can get to survive the night,” quips Rosali as she sheaths her weapon. “Though I’m confident you will be just fine.” On the pedestal, a large weapon sits in the center that overhangs the stand. You walk over and examine it closely before removing it.

Acquire One of the Following: Gold Runeblade, Oak Club, Iron Spear, Iron Dagger, Iron Sword

The two soldiers disappear and the pedestals, complete with their books, all appear before you again. Will you select another book to open or will you investigate the podium at the front of the Library?

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You walk up to the pedestal and place your hands on the grey book. With your fingertips on the spine, you sense a wicked energy coming from it, With your right hand, you pull the cover up and open the book. The room around you changes before your eyes with the eight pedestals all disappearing into the air and the room fading away into nothing. Blackness surrounds you. You look down at the wooden floor of the Library to see that it has not changed, though several red rugs appear throughout the room. On top of the rugs, furniture begins to emerge from the darkness, followed by light coming through the windows on the side of the newly formed walls. Above you, the ceiling transforms, becoming much lower and without the iron chandeliers. 

You take a step back and examine the entire setting that has materialized. Lush rugs line the polished hardwood floor with a great deal of natural light shining off of them, all coming in through the large windows on your right. To your left, a mantle has formed with a fireplace at its base. Above the mantle, a large portrait of five people, a mother, father, and their three children, rests perfectly in the center. At the far end of the room, a young girl with blonde hair plays the piano while beside her, a younger boy plays in the floor with a few blocks and other toys. In the center of the room, three men and one woman all sit in the furniture with small chalices of steaming liquid coming from them. 

The sounds of small fingers striking the keys of the piano echo off of the walls. “Drella, can you please take a break for a moment. We need to speak to Mr. Constellats,” asks the female in the room. You look up to the mantle to see that she matches the mother in the painting with the man sitting beside her matching her husband. The other two men, one sitting in a chair in the corner of the room wears grey robes with silver trim and remains quiet while the other sits quite close in a chair near the husband and wife. 

“Of course, mother,” replies the young girl as she pulls her hands off of the keys. She spins off of the chair and sits down in the floor with her younger brother to play with his toys. 

The man in the chair, wearing a white tunic tied around the collar and brown slacks, looks across a small table at the husband and wife with a look of concern. “I’m sorry if I seem a bit uneasy, Master and Matron Dorveaux, but I don’t quite understand what you’re asking of me.”

The husband and wife look at each other and nod before the husband rises to his feet and walks over to a table beside the mantle. Though everyone was sipping on, what appears to be, a steaming substance from a white chalice, the husband pours two glasses of an amber liquid from a large craft. “Bartholomew, I am going to be quite frank with you, if that is preferred?”

“Of course, Master Dorveaux,” replies Bartholomew Constellats.

“No, right now, my name is Regulus, because what Durosia and I are asking of you, is something that is of the utmost importance,” states Regulus as he continues to stand in front of the nervous Bartholomew. “Our Goddess, Saeria, has been approached by her allies, Zailyne, Talges, and Derrien to create something that will punish our enemies for eternity without the judgmental eyes of Vesya staring at us.” 

“I’m not sure I understand,” states Bartholomew. As the words slip off of his lips, the room begins to melt around you. The two Dorveauxs and Bartholomew Constellats fade into the shadows and all that is left is the same floor from the original library. 

“You’re not supposed to be here,” states the man sitting in the chair in the corner of the room wearing the grey robes. He opens his eyes and looks at you with a gaze of disgust. He stands up from his chair and hulks toward you slowly. His eyes glow silver while his skin resonates a grey aura that matches his robes. His arms swing slowly as he approaches you and the party. The man in the robe stops and holds out his hands, casting toward you a grey aura. You look around your body as the grey magic starts to encapsulate you.

Make a Magical Save. If your Magical Save is less than or equal to 14, take 20 damage. If your Magical Save is in between 15 and 18, take 15 damage. If it is 19 or greater, place a card into the field for no effect. 

The robed caster releases his cast and disappears into the darkness. You try to recover, though standing behind you, four skeletons appear and ambush you. 

In the next battle, all enemies will go first before starting turn order.

Commence Battle with Skeleton x 4

The four skeletons fade into the darkness and you’re left standing on the wooden floor. You hold your weapons firmly as, beneath your feet, the wooden floor changes. Grass grows beneath the grooves in the wooden planks. Around you, a large wooden building appears on your right and the Sariak River flows on your left. The husband and wife appear against the building with Bartholomew Constellats appearing before them. 

“Madam Durosia, everything appears to be in order,” Bartholomew states calmly and dutifully. “All of the supplies will be here within the coming days and the artisans should have the building finished.”

“Fantastic,” replies Durosia Dorveaux. “What of the men and women who have been chosen to serve? Are they en route?”

Bartholomew nods. “I believe so, at least that is what I have been told. Hopefully they will be here within the coming weeks.”

“Perfect,” continues Durosia. She pauses for a moment to turn and admire the structure being built behind her. With the city of Sunshire across the Sariak River, the building, the Stockades, would be one of their greatest creations. “Bartholomew, have you thought more about what we offered?” she asks. “Have you considered serving with the others and leading our efforts in the Stockades?”

Bartholomew places his hands on his hips and looks down at the ground. He takes in a few soft breaths before looking up at Durosia and her husband. “I’ve taken a few days and, if it would honor our Goddess, then I will serve her within these walls.”

Regulus smiles and claps his hands in excitement. “Praise Saeria!” he shouts in excitement upon hearing the news. “Bartholomew, your family has served mine since the foundation of Dun-I. To serve us, and mainly Saeria, for the remainder of eternity, is something that I’m sure your ancestors approve of.”

“I hope so,” smiles Bartholomew. The wind starts to swirl around you. You turn your head slightly and look across the river to see the man in the robe staring at you with an evil intent. He disappears from view as you blink your eyes, though the setting around starts to melt just as it did earlier. 

The ground beneath you alters with your feet starting to sink through the ground. Your feet feel as if there is stone attached to them and you sink into the ground. You are submerged in the ground up to your hamstrings when you feel the open air on your feet and the freedom to move them. After a few moments, you descend through the ground and find yourself descending through the open air. While falling, you look out to see the two moons of Dun-I form in the distance with starts starting to appear around them. You blink your eyes slowly as you try and brace for what impact may or may not come when suddenly, you find yourself standing in a field. Tall grass, standing as high as your thighs, blows in the wind as the two moons of Dun-I illuminate the area.   

Standing before you in the center of the area is the man in the grey robe. He turns to face you with the two moons bathing the field in light. A sinister grin appears across his face as he affixes his gaze at you. You feel your skin crawl slightly as the man stares at you. While standing still with an uneasy feeling, you begin to hear a voice inside your head speak. “You will not remove this curse, mortal. It has taken us far too long to capture this place of knowledge.”

The robed man opens up his hands to create a fierce, grey aura within them. A blinding grey light fills the area as you reach for your weapons. 

Make a Magical Save. If it is less than or equal to 5, you are inflicted with Blind for 2 turns.

The robed man lurches forward with his hands still ignited, though now, he appears ready to strike you down.

Commence Battle with Archius

The powerful caster drops to one knee while looking up at you in disgust. “Goddess, I have failed you,” he whimpers before fading away into the shadows. You step forward and in the place of his vanished body rests a small glowing Shard.

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of the Runecaster, Shard of Enchanting, Shard of Penance, Shard of Time, Shard of Insanity

You grab the Shard and hold it in your hand, feeling the knowledge of the Gods resonating through you. With a soft breath, you close your eyes and open them to find yourself back where you began. You stand in the center of the Library with the walls having reappeared around you and the vaulted ceiling above, though the pedestals are still missing. You examine the room to find it empty, minus a single man standing at the edge of the room toward where the glowing podium should be. The man, wearing a white tunic and brown pants stands with his arms folded. “The Shadows greet you, adventurers,” states Bartholomew Constellats with a subtle nod. He stares at you with a stoic gaze before stepping forward and crossing his arms across his chest. “I don’t suppose introductions are in order. You know my story and I don’t really particularly care about any of yours.”

The roof vanishes overhead and a chill fills the area with the wind howling about the room. The two moons of Dun-I hang above you and illuminate the area with the stars providing a peaceful accompaniment. Bartholomew Constellats looks up into the sky and opens up his arms. He breathes in deeply. “It’s peaceful, don’t you agree?” he asks while staring up at the two moons. “My Goddess shines down upon us tonight, at least I like to believe she does. I like to think that she is always with us in this place.” 

You turn to the side to see a vision of the Goddess of Shadows, Saeria, walking along the wooden floor with a second Bartholomew Constellats. “My love for her is eternal and my devotion is unwavering. She is the reason that I chose to enter the Stockades, so that I could serve her for the rest of eternity without any hindrance from the outside world.”

You pause as the vision of the Goddess and the second Bartholomew vanish, leaving only the original standing before him. “However, I also serve the Dorveauxs, and I must follow my directive, mortals. You are trespassing upon the Sunshire Library and I cannot allow you to leave this place now that we have finally gained control over its master.”

A grey aura appears around Bartholomew Constellats and his eyes glow silver. His skin radiates a pale white with his body starting to hover in the air. The moons above you pulsate prior to the loyal servant of the Dorveaux Family charging toward you and attacking.

Commence Battle with Bartholomew Constellats

The loyal servant falls to his knees; the grey aura dissipates around him. Behind you, the pedestal reappears, though instead of a grey book, now rests a pulsating Shard. 

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of Woe, Shard of Witchcraft, Shard of Voodoo, Shard of the Levy, Shard of Shadows

You hold the Shard in your hand as the vision of the servant fades into the darkness. As his body disappears, the pedestals all return with their glowing books still on them, though the tomes of completed works are no longer there.

Choose Another Book to Open 

Investigate the Podium at the Front of the Library

You step past the eight pedestals and walk toward the front of the library. Beneath your feet, a soft carpet appears that leads toward the front of the library. Large candlesticks emerge on both sides of the carpet with their wicks already lit. The small fires on top of the wax flicker with each step you take. The walls on both sides of the library now reveal large, stained glass windows depicting stories of old. Shadowy wolves, harpies, and other creatures fill the various panels throughout the library. At the end of the path, behind the large podium, a majestic stained glass mosaic rests within the wall complete with Saeria, the Goddess of Shadows standing prominently in the center with the other Gods positioned around her. 

The podium is surrounded by a bright, purple energy. Directly behind it, shrouded in a silver lining, the librarian stands with his hands positioned on the lectern. You peer in and see him gripping the flat, wooden surface and beneath his eyes, you are able to make out another of the books. Upon approaching the area in front of the podium, the Librarian shifts his gaze away from the book and over to you. A wry smile comes over his face as you plant your feet firmly on wooden floor. “Why are you here?” asks the Librarian. He keeps his hands on the lectern while staring at you. He tilts his head slightly to the side as his eyes pulsate with a silver light. His hands release the lectern and he steps to the side of it. The podium continues to glow purple as the librarian steps away, revealing a silver aura around him. 

“Again, I must ask, why are you here, adventurers? What brings you within these sacred walls?” asks the librarian. He looks forward and pulls out a staff from behind his back and plants the tip on the ground. He shifts his weight forward and uses the staff to provide him with assistance, though you feel an unusual amount of strength coming from the older man. “There are far greater things in Dun-I that pose a distinct danger to this world. Wasting your time and your strength to cleanse this building is far beneath you.” 

The Librarian picks up the staff and points at the wall to his right. You gaze at the wall, which now shows an image of the armies of Loccaris marching throughout the plains of Dun-I. “You could be helping the people of this world fight off the armies of another, but instead, you wander into this library with the hopes of what, removing the magic that we have enchanted this locale with?” 

He waves his staff again, changing the image before you into one of a forest filled with corpses hanging from vines in the branches. “Or perhaps you should instead focus your attention on the many God-touched who live among you; those who were blessed and chosen by the Gods to live without any boundaries on time and possess abilities only found within the Shards you possess?” He smirks and twirls the staff. Before you stands a woman with long, dark hair tied behind her head and pale skin. Around her ankles, vines come up from the ground. To her right, a large man with a thick chest, a short beard without mustache, and a very large greatsword on his back, stands with his arms crossed. His eyes are weary and tired while he appears to be quite stern and callous. To his right, another man stands, though this one holds a round shield in one hand and a spear in the other. He is much shorter with neat, sandy-blonde hair and a peaceful expression across his face. While standing there, he twirls his spear in his right hand while a slight, gentle smirk creeps out from the corner of his mouth. “These are three God-toucehd who roam Dun-I as we speak, but you dare trifle with what we are doing inside this library instead of removing the chosen scourge of the Gods from existence.” 

The Librarian waves his staff again, removing the images from in front of you. He steps forward and jumps down from the small platform in front of you. His eyes still pulsate as he affixes his gaze upon you, gripping his staff tightly while trying his best to examine you. “You are quite strong to be standing here, though I doubt you’ll have what it takes to remove the curse from this library.”

The Librarian lets go of his staff and opens up his arms. The staff floats in the air in front of him with grey rays coming from both the top and bottom of it, hitting the floor and the ceiling simultaneously. The eyes of the librarian pulsate with an even brighter silver as the aura around him expands. His skin becomes much paler as the aura radiates around him. You take a step back and draw your weapons, looking forward at the menacing librarian as he comes closer. The Librarian raises his staff in front of you and casts a vast array of magic in your general direction. Wasting no more time, the Librarian conjures a great amount of foul magic and attacks.

Commence Battle with Librarian

The body of the Librarian hovers in the air, his staff falls to the ground with a thud. He screams loudly as a grey and silver energy leaves his skin with rays flying in all directions. Grey and silver beams crash into the walls, ceiling, and floor as you shield yourself from any of the oncoming bolts of magic. After several seconds, the body of the librarian flashes brilliantly before crashing into the wooden ground on top of his staff. “Ugh,” groans the Librarian as he rolls over onto his back. He reaches his hand out and grips his staff tightly. 

You look behind you to see several bookshelves all appear, all from when you first entered the library. Sconces along the wall light suddenly as the eerie feeling around the library fades. The librarian looks up at you and smirks. “I knew Derillius would not fail us,” he says proudly before using his staff to support himself. “I knew he would only send the best to cleanse his temple of that foul scourge.” The Librarian smiles earnestly before walking over to the floor and pulling back on one of the planks. He pulls out a small shield. Covered in a thick dust, the shield is constructed of wood with golden accents and reinforcements. “Here, this was wielded by a very prominent cleric back during the War of the Gods. It deserves to be at the side of a new master.”

Acquire: Shield of Augments

You grab the shield and examine it. “Oh, and take this as well,” he continues, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pulsating pink gem. “I hope this Shard serves you better than it served me.”

Acquire One of the Following: Shard of Life, Shard of the Bulwark, Shard of Intellect, Shard of Anger, Shard of the Crusader, Shard of the Jester

“Inform your masters in the Society that we appreciate their aide and if there is anything we can offer in the future, please do not hesitate to ask,” states the Librarian as he bows. “Adventurers, Derillius thanks you.” 

All Players Earn 800 Shard Experience

The Party Earns 2000 Gold.

Scenario Complete