The Campaign Begins…
The sacred city of Zarashan, known to the faithful as The Sun’s Gate, shines like a golden jewel in the heart of the Kavashan Dominion. It is the holiest city of Solis, the place where—according to legend—he walked the earth before his divine ascension. Just beyond its radiant walls rises the awe-inspiring Zarashan Ziggurat, the foremost of all Solis’ temples in the known world, its tiered heights crowned in gleaming gold, reaching toward the heavens.
Now, something long prophesied—and long dismissed—is stirring. The Dawn’s Reckoning, a celestial phenomenon recorded only in the oldest scriptures, is about to take place. High priests have spoken of it for centuries: a time when Solis’ light will burn away all lies, revealing truth to all who witness it. Until now, it has remained metaphor… myth… prayer.
But signs have made the faithful tremble. Golden halos in the night sky. Blinding reflections off sacred relics. And now, the morning sun is only an hour or so from rising in perfect alignment with the Ziggurat’s peak, between Shalarion’s twin moons—a convergence so rare it defies coincidence.
In the days before the event, the world has arrived at Zarashan’s gates. A sprawling city of tents, wagons, and makeshift shrines now surrounds the ziggurat, housing tens of thousands—pilgrims, nobles, mystics, outcasts, and zealots—all drawn here by prophecy, curiosity, or fate. Incense clouds the air. Hymns echo from hilltops. The scent of dust and sweat mixes with the hope of revelation.
And among them… you.
Each of you stood amid the throng, different in blood, belief, and origin—but all present at the edge of something immense. You felt it in your chest—a stirring, a warmth, a hum beneath your skin. Something more than sunlight. Something ancient. Watching. Waiting.
RECAPS:
As I’ve done in the past, I will give an extra benny to anyone who chooses to leave an in-character recap here in the comments and we will begin the next game with these recaps to kickstart everyone’s recollection of previous events.
AREA MAP:
Here’s a small map of the area where the party is currently operating:
Kragg
Kragg here voice of Great Spirit. Great Spirit say must go..to follow Great Spirit. Great Spirit lead Kragg all the way to big tower thing. Lots of people at tower to see signs. Kragg get bad feeling. Great Spirit say must help others. Others help Great Spirit to beat Everlasting Cold. Kragg see good and bad at tower. Try to convince bad to be good, but bad only want hurt others. Kragg not want to hurt others, but Kragg must stop bad. No win situation, but better to do little bad to stop big bad, so Kragg hit evil man who not want to be Kragg’s friend. Evil man stopped. Kragg go with others to help Great Spirit. Hope to talk to others to teach them ways of Great Spirit, so they not want hurt people anymore. Must start see-ing good so they not want to hurt and serve Great Spirit.
Koios
We’ve done it! After reading about the great city of Zarashan, we have finally arrived. The boat ride was miserable, we Rakashan don’t do too well around water, but here we are. I’m glad to have left the dusty tomes behind and get some real life experience and let’s be honest, show all those the prowess of my towering intellect.
I tagged along with Socrates, the old man seems frail and I’m glad to help him. We both wanted to bear witness this ceremony in person as there’s a great bit of Hullabaloo about it. Ages past prophecies and what not.
Naturally, at the completion of the ceremony is when it happened. The High Priest was assassinated! Using my humble alchemical skills and some help from some new companions we were able to get justice for the High Priest and protect the citizens of Zarashan. Then, as it is only right probably able to judge me as the one most likely to succeed, a Shard Chose me! Making me a The Shard Carrier.
We must now head on out and locate the remaining shards… maybe I can find a book to help us along with these, no one seems to know how many of them there are…
Socrates
After spending my whole life studying in the tower, I’m finally off to see the world in person! Ah a true first adventure, through the salt water to the solar eclipse. The great city of Zarashan, definitely has a certain smell. Even so, against the opulent background, the solar eclipse was something to behold. Everything looks so much more colorful than in books. Especially blood. It is so RED. I wish to see more colors.
While the violence was unexpected, I welcome the new experience. The new friends I’ve met and traveled with were attacked because the kitten I’ve been traveling with turned out to be Solaris’ Shard Carrier. Looks like I’ll get to check off more items on my bucket list than expected from this trip.
Xander/Tatiana
Xander
I have come to this city to find some way to get rid of this woman inside me. How many cities must I visit to find someone to remove this awful nuisance? Not only do I not find someone, but I am somehow singled out and attacked along with some miscreants. Now I am stuck with them because of some prophecy or shard or some such nonsense and we have to travel to yet another land. Maybe someone there will have an answer to why I am possessed.
Tatiana
I had some lovely tea today. The hosts had rum to go along with it, but it was sadly rather weak.
Thalia
These fanatics, killing eachother over pretty stones. Wouldn’t it be better to live and have another day to try to steal it back from those that stole it from you?
My traveling partner Greyson has been a great source of amusement, I wonder if these new folks will be too? If they don’t, the travelers we meet in the wilds, I’m sure will entertain and give me opportunities to purloin a purse, tell a tale, or gather gossip. To the great sandy unknown!