In the northern valley...

A dark vortex whirls through the ground decimating the surface below it. The valley which holds it goes silent as the sudden expansion of the vortex beams to the sky, engulfing the valley in darkness. The sounds of nature go silent, the rivers no longer rage with tenacity, its flow humbled. The trees no longer brimming with energy nor will it grow any further. If there was one word to describe this phenomenon it would be Null.

Hooded figures appear from the ground one by one, filling up the core of the valley within moments. They look up towards the dark sky with looks of trepidation.

“The time is near, we can soon proceed with the next phase” said Morimass, one of the hooded figures.

“Our Lord grows anxious, the Shifting Darkness is a sign that hey might force his way through this realm if needs be,” said Lorik.

“Let’s hope that it will not come to that, we both know what would happen if a Daemon Lord breaches in such a manner” muttered Morimass. “Come, let us continue preparing for the Lord’s return”.

The hooded figures melt into the ground below them seamlessly, leaving no trace of their earlier arrival.

Somewhere outside Kylem...

“Dang it, what is with the damned weather, scorching heat one day and ghastly winds the next, I thought we were supposed to be in Dwendil, not the damned deserts of Safah or the icelands of Bolkan” you derisively complain.

Zelinas could only roll her eyes at your ramblings while Boborygos has no reaction as usual.

“Ever since the ritual, you have been increasingly annoying and I have known you for a long time, this is not a side of you I have seen before, but if you keep this up, you will soon see a part of me you have not seen before” said Zelinas in an angry tone as she glared at you.

You cower at her state of anger and continued to make your way on the stony path laid out before you. As you stride on, you can see Boborygos materialising the stony path they are on with each step he takes. Your curiosity pinches at you as you wonder how Boborygos is able to channel that much magical energy without being depleted.

“Hey Bob!, how are you getting the energy to create this path?” you ask.

Boborygos has a face of confusion as he looks towards you, in so doing, the stony path stops materialising.

“What’s a Bob?” he asked

“Well, you said not to call you Bobo, so I shortened it” you replied. “Now let’s not get off track and answer my question”

With a small look of irritation, Boborygos then taps his shoulder twice while releasing a concealed enchantment revealing the intricate network of leylines flowing through his body and converging with the ground.

Your look of amazement is the reaction required for Boborygos to conceal his leylines once again.

“I didn’t know you could do that?” you remarked.

“There are many things you do not know about me, but as for this ability, where do you think those roads to the capital come from?” Boborygos mutters.

Zelinas smirks as she urged the group to continue on their journey to the next destination.

Your journey to the valley continues down this self-made path into another town called Jolimba, which is a small shanty town mostly inhabited by waylaid travellers and a few local trappers. It is a quaint village with nothing more than a shabby inn and a weathered-looking tavern. There are a few shops open at the time of your arrival.

Many gazes fall upon your foreign wear, as not many folks usually visit Jolimba. The village folk look dreary and spent as if they had gone through the worst years of their lives here. Your group heads towards the tavern to get some well-needed rest.

The tavern itself is an old establishment and on the wall, there is a plaque that shines a bit of history on the town.

Built during the Age of Dennovar, Findor’s Bottle is the soul of Jolimba and it’s glowing denizens,

Written by Forfin Dorumbar

“Did I read that right? Forfin Dorumbar created this place?”

You head over to the barkeep and as he sees you coming over he sports a grim demeanour.

“Is it true that Forfin Dorumbar built this tavern?” you ask the barkeep.

“Aye, what business do ye have with Sir Forfin” replied the barkeep.

Immediately, the surroundings of the tavern go eerily silent.

You did not realize how the tavern is suddenly filled with hooded figures and as you and Zelinas scanned the tavern, you realized that these were not illusions, these are all actual entities. Boborygos gets into a battle stance.

The barkeep slowly transforms into a brooding hooded individual.

“It seems that the legacy of Forfin has brought us some new visitors, looks like he will be getting some company” and as the hooded figure reveals his face, his head riddled with horns and a disfigured face is brought to light.