Episode 60
Where the Mind Breaks
The Soul Survivors and Zypheros continue exploring the mysteries within the Espial Beacon, learning more of its previous inhabitant – and confronting the one that controls it.
Recap
The Soul Survivors continued their exploration of the Broken Tower’s second floor, where they investigated a chained psionic crystal that amplified telepathy. Willa tested its power, sending presences throughout the tower and even as far as the village. The group debated destroying or removing the crystal but left it intact.
Nearby, they discovered a sealed metal door that lacked a handle and appeared magically locked. Clues among the shelves revealed a missing relic once stored here – a Crystal Dragonmind Shard from Galatis, another continent on Terramir. The party reasoned Raz’sik may have stolen it, deepening their mistrust of him. With the way forward blocked, they descended into the basement in search of answers.
There, they encountered a chilling chamber lit by cold braziers and candles. Atop a stone platform pulsed a bright pink orb, guarded by a horrific mindwitness, a multi-eye-stalked aberration of unknown origin, transfixed upon the psionic energy siphoning off the orb. Willa managed to successfully tap into the object without disturbing the creature.
The orb was a damaged psychic recording device, used as a journal by the Domaarian researcher Liam Volk. Willa was able to review and audibly play four of the recordings, which told a story of a man descending into madness and paranoia over the beacon and the Domaarian Empire, ultimately succumbing to the voices and “becoming one” with Sardior, the Ruby Dragon, god of Pangenan and psionics.
The device also revealed the password to a nearby chest, which they used to acquire a large amount of Imperial gold coins, a couple potions, and the strange rod-key that could be used to open the door to the Espial Beacon above. Ascending the stairs once again, they used the key to open the final door to the beacon and a grand observatory-like chamber.
Within, they met Grazadok, a white-haired warrior and goliath of frost giant heritage – a Dark Agent who had lay claim to the Espial Beacon. He greeted them not with immediate hostility, but with a chilling proposal. Acknowledging their strength, he offered them a place by his side, suggesting that together they could harness the beacon’s psionic power to take revenge against the empire and reshape the world.
Anton, Willa, and Gemma considered the offer, yet the vampire’s words dripped with manipulation, and his allegiance to forces beyond comprehension made his intentions clear: he sought to enslave, not empower.
When the party rejected his offer, the chamber erupted into violence. Grazadok fought as both barbarian and psion, his corrupted greataxe striking with supernatural speed while waves of psychic energy threatened to unravel the heroes’ minds. As Anton suffered powerful strikes from the Dark Agent, Zypheros conjured a Sphere of Invulnerability, which provided some protection for himself, Willa, and Gemma – but a psionic blast from the Beacon forced the goatfolk to lose his concentration on the spell.
The fight continues with the adventurers being pushed to their limits. Anton and Willa flank Grazadok in melee while Gemma and Zypheros prepare to attack from ranged with the arcane arts.
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