The Wandering Swordsman gasps, his knuckles white as he plunges his own steel into the pulsating rift, acting as a living lightning rod for the entity’s power. He ignores the teal sparks searing his skin, his eyes locked onto the geometric sigil with desperate focus.
Wandering Swordsman
I cannot let the void consume this world. I am the bridge, even if the price is my own soul.
Arion Touvengard
The vessel weakens, yet the mortal’s will provides a sturdy conduit. I must push harder, or we both dissolve into the ether.
Teal energy surges from Arion, flooding the Wandering Swordsman’s frame. The host’s body arches unnaturally, muscles spasming as the ancient, cold pressure of the sword clashes with the mortal’s fading vitality. Obsidian sludge splatters against the dais, hissing as it meets the searing blue light of the binding circle.
Wandering Swordsman
Focus, you ancient curse! We either lock this gate now, or we fall together!
Arion Touvengard
You tremble, little anchor. Do not let your resolve fray, or I shall hollow you out completely to finish this task.
Quest Complete
Anchor the rift before the Void-Stalker manifests
“Utilizing the opening the swordsmans sacrifice offered, Arion pulls forth more arcane energy to properly seal away the voidstalker back imto the eternal abyss.”
SUCCESS (Superb Arcana, rolled +3)
The atmosphere turns taut as Arion channels his essence. Teal light erupts from the blade, spiraling into a vortex that tears through the obsidian sludge. The rift shrieks, a sound like grinding glass, as the sheer arcane weight of the entity forces the dark gap to narrow.
Arion Touvengard
The anchor holds. The void yields to the ancient mandate.
With a final, violent crackle of energy, the rift slams shut, sealing the tear with a flash of blinding azure radiance. The force of the collapse throws the Wandering Swordsman backward, his body limp and puppet-like as he releases the blade, tumbling toward the crumbling edge of the dais.
Wandering Swordsman
It is... finished.
Arion Touvengard
It is merely a start. The vessel is fractured, but the gateway to my duty is clear.
The dais groans, metal screeching against the void as the structure begins its final, catastrophic descent into the abyss.
“Grabbing the swordsman Arion goes to leave the crumbling dias as it falls to the astral river below. "You did well to tumr against your old masters, your sacrifice will be rewarded with a proper burial" as the swords passes on from this realm to his deserved afterlife.”
SUCCESS (Great Athletics, rolled +1)
Arion snatches the collar of the Wandering Swordsman just as the dais tips into a vertical slide. The young man goes limp against him, his spirit flickering like a guttering candle.
Arion Touvengard
You did well to turn against your old masters, your sacrifice will be rewarded with a proper burial.
Arion Touvengard
He is spent. My vessel is breaking, yet the bond remains for now. I must reach the safety of the astral currents before the dais disintegrates entirely.
The structure groans and shears apart, tons of obsidian plummeting into the roiling, violet energy of the river below. Arion lunges, his muscles coiled with supernatural intensity, digging his free hand into the shifting rubble to anchor them both against the gravity of the void. Teal energy flares from his skin, tracing lines of raw power across the falling debris.
Arion Touvengard
The current is pulling. I need to bridge the gap between this wreckage and the passing merchant ship before the path is lost.
+ Scene Quest Added
Reach the passing merchant ship
“Reaching once more into the arcane resevoires within the sword, Arion creates a surge of power launching himself into the passing ship with the corpse of yhe swordsman along for the ride. Trusting in the sturdiness of the current host to endure the shock of landing.”
FAILURE (Great Athletics, rolled -1)
Arion channels a violent, unstable surge of teal lightning from the blade. His muscles lock in a rigid, puppet-like spasm as he hurls himself and the limp form of the Wandering Swordsman toward the merchant ship.
Arion Touvengard
Just a little further...
Arion Touvengard
The power is tearing the host apart from the inside. My calculations for the jump are faltering.
The energy flares too bright, backfiring against the volatile astral wind. Instead of arching toward the deck, Arion slams into the ship's reinforced, obsidian-laced hull. The impact shatters his hold on the debris. He skids violently across the rough, timbered side of the vessel, his fingers carving deep grooves into the wood as the host’s consciousness screams in silent, muted agony. They lose momentum, slipping away from the ship's railing and plummeting into the swirling purple abyss alongside the last remaining chunks of the dais.
Arion Touvengard
This vessel is far sturdier than I anticipated. I have failed to gain purchase.
+ Scene Quest Added
Secure the unconscious swordsman and board the merchant ship