Episode Introduction
The Mortal Guardians achieved a bold and momentous entrance into the shadowed city of Gloomnuor, the capital of the dark realm of Vaelda Umbra, and gained several new and influential allies—as well as powerful enemies—from the land of the dead. As word of their exploits spread throughout the city, new contacts emerged with opportunities to advance against the coven. One of these contacts, a disgraced young nobleman named Elysandre, proposes to help the Guardians by undermining one of their strongest adversaries here in the dark city—while clearing his own name in the process. However, in the realm of departed spirits, plans never go accordingly, and the faces presented rarely match the souls that hide behind the visage. Join us as the Mortal Guardians delve into the fiery secret world of Gloomnuor’s political court and learn of the treacherous plots that burn the hearts of all who dare to enter!
SPOILER ALERT!
SPOILER ALERT!
SPOILER ALERT!
Episode Recap
The youthful, undead former nobleman of Gloomnuor, Elysandre, came to the Mortal Guardians to offer assistance—for a price. In exchange for their help in restoring his honor in the court, he pledged that their combined effort would undermine and potentially destroy a mutual enemy: Lord Brynaveer, the conspirator and financier of the Coven of Zul in the domain of the dead. After accepting his offer, our brave heroes delved into a web of trust and betrayal, first infiltrating a fine arts gallery owned by Brynaveer and obtaining crucial information on one of his most talented assassins. In the process they encountered a former friend of Elysandre, Lord Maerec, who spoke wistfully as if he and Elysandre had been more than simple acquaintances. With their information in hand, they returned to Elysandre—but at the mention of Maerec's name, the disgraced nobleman broke off their deal and abandoned their coordinated efforts. In his stead, however, the Mortal Guardians accepted an offer from Maerec who requested that they protect him from assassination by none other than Brynaveer.
That very night, the heroes disrupted a brutal and vicious attempt by the nefarious lord to assault Maerec's estate in the midst of a dinner party and murder him and all of his guests. Along the way the Guardians uncovered the tense and complicated past shared by Elysandre and Maerec, learning of their history as lovers and reuniting them against the traitorous Brynaveer—whos cruel machinations were revealed to have manipulated each of them into mutual animosity. After driving Brynaveer away—and slaying both his best assassin and the slippery coven mastermind, Yazahd—the Mortal Guardians gained the trust and support of Elysandre and Maerec for their adventures ahead. Without doubt, their aid will be vital as the war against the Coven of Zul builds toward a final confrontation with Herald R'Xahl.