"They captured efreet? And the genies talked about us? Huh." Ordyt leans over Bel's seat, watching the Archipelago grow closer in the display screens. "I hope everyone at the Institute is okay--they're going to lose their minds about Khalannal and the Crucible."
He gives Belmarniss a comradely squeeze on the shoulder. "Seems like the war is over, so now comes the hard part: rebuilding."
Bel takes the ship in through the tunnel, the burning walls a "calm" and "cool" orange after the incredible dangers of the depths you were exploring. Ordyt looks back the way you came. Though Sunrise Station seems to have been destroyed, he sees no other sign of derelicts - perhaps the cleanup has already begun, or the ship-to-ship combat was limited.
You tie into Dawnshore's local infosphere network and begin looking for news. It comes in a flood.
Less than a week marks the point at which the Legion's forces retreated. By all reports it was abrupt and orderly, and they'd even made an effort to reopen the tunnel from the sun's exterior into Dawnshore right as their last ship departed. The invasion had been harrowing, but many also described it as strange, with Legion troops ruthlessly engaging any armed resistance and stamping out any attempts to contact the outer world, but barely engaging the civilian populace otherwise. That meant only a few guerilla groups managed to stay a thorn in the Legion's side. All throughout the weeks of occupation, fear and uncertainty gripped the population, for they had no idea what was coming next or what the Legion wanted. Even now, the news does little more than provide speculation.
In the time since, rebuilding has been swift, and memorial services are already being held for the hundreds lost in the fighting. It seems life is slowly returning to normal.
You emerge with the Torrent into Dawnshore and settle on a landing pad. No huge crowd awaits you. Knowledge of your victory has yet to spread, though it certainly is likely to. The question that remains is what you wish to do before it arrives.
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"We go to the Radiant Cathedral first," Belmarniss says once the Torrent is safely landed. "We find Flint's friend in the church, Don Burns. See if he can intercede with the other priests to set up a resurrection ritual for Flint...or...or..." she stops, still not ready to confront the possibility of needing to arrange a funeral.
Your various rescuees offer their well wishes, but are eager to return to their own friends and family, and you see them off from the landing pad. They head out into the broad avenues of Dawnshore, waving and promising to get back in contact soon. Meanwhile for your own group, you see the tall rise of the Radiant Cathedral at the center of Dawnshore, prominent along the skyline. If there's any place where you may find aid for Flint, it'll be there.
When they finish their barrage of questions they fill you in on what they observed. A week ago, all across the Burning Archipelago, minor distortions in time were reported. These where most prominently observed in spoilable substances like foods, and in a few cases in short-lived animals or young children that visibly appeared to shift in age. These temporal distortions were followed by a dilute but measurable wave of positive energy, which accelerated the healing of minor injuries and in a few reported cases caused pain to undead citizens. Further scans suggested a great eruption or explosion in the heart of the sun that would have caused energies usually concentrated at the heart to spread outward.
Ordyt sticks with Bel, offering to provide a report to the Church of Sarenrae as well as the DCI. He holds nothing back--transponder data, ship logs, personal testimony--he figures the more that is known about the wonders and dangers of Mataras' interior, the safer the folk of the Archipelago will be.
"That energy reading was probably us, maybe." Ordyt quickly explains the nature of the Wishing Engine as he understood it. "In the end we decided that stripping away the anti-divinity protections around it was out best chance; it was a risk but I guess it paid off. Better than the destruction of the whole solar system, for sure."
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Suddenly a surge of power ripples through the fabric of reality, echoing through all the planes where mortal and immortal dwell. Flint feels a surge of concern for the companions he left behind, but also an indwelling peace that was at once all-encompassing and impossible to properly describe.
As the energy ebbs, Flint’s vision clears and he is in an endless expanse of pristine natural beauty, outshone only by the radiant face of a kindly woman approaching from the clouds. Falling down on his face in reverence, Flint hears, ”Arise and take my hands, holy warrior. You have served me well and are wholly worthy of the paradise awaiting you.”
Ever the dutiful priest, Flint arises, noticing without alarm that his body is now suffused with photonic radiance that before only dwelt inside him. Touching the Burning Mother’s hands, he sees fresh injuries—a dark stain on the right palm and a matching one on the back of her left hand. In his mind’s eye, he sees his God’s right hand crushing the upstart Efreeti queen, and in her left he sees cushioned and protected from the incomprehensible explosion a minuscule starship—the Torrent of Embers!
”Rest easy, noble one. Your friends are safe, your world is rescued, and your work is complete. Enter my rest with joy.” And just like that, Flint smiles gratefully at her and moves off to meet the figures in the distance, heroes of the past who have done their part to save the world in ages past. Yet a single iridescent tear falls from his eye, a memento to the sadness of what might have been yet done, had he survived to continue his life among his friends.
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Belmarniss' days after landing the Torrent in Dawnshore are a blur of activity, taking Flint's body to the Radiant Cathedral and regaling Don Burns with a tearful description of Flint's heroism and selflessness, how he did Sarenrae proud defending the heart of her domain.
"He...he deserves every honor the Cathedral can provide, truly earned a place at the Dawnflower's side...but...it almost pains me to voice such a selfish request more than losing him did...the high-ranking priests have powerful magic...with that magic and Sarenrae's blessing...could we perform rites for the resurrection of the dead, should Flint wish to return and serve with even greater distinction? To serve alongside us again...alongside me..."
Meanwhile, she corroborates Ordyt's account to the DCI, filling in the technical blanks where he's unfamiliar.
"Specifically, the Wishing Engine had a nested series of contradicting consecrations from numerous deities with diametrically opposed ethoses, effectively shielding its mystical operations from divine attention, especially from Sarenrae and other solar deities who may have objected to the Malikah's blatant seizure of divine power."
She waxes poetic about the Crucible's systems, construction and technical engineering...magic and technology interwoven so intricately and uniquely...all now lost. She immediately qualifies this by reiterating the necessity of that destruction, and noting that while it may take years, maybe even centuries, to recreate those discoveries and create something as magnificent as the Crucible from scratch, it could be done. And with the trail they'd laid from the Burning Archipelago, to Noma, to Ezorod and to Kahlannal, the communities of the sun who had united against the Malikah could now share their knowledge and reach those heights even faster than they each would alone.
She pays a token visit to the House Zeizerer outpost in the Brass Bazaar to confirm whatever status House Rycast's assets there were in and let them know she was alive, nothing more and nothing less. And in-between, tries to get in contact with the Knights of Golarion once again. She wasn't sure if her repeated calls for them to aid in the Archipelago's defense had made much of a difference, but it would be better late than never in helping rebuild, especially now that she'd become a hero of the Sun and her errantry tour had concluded with such an explosive victory.
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The DCI's scientists are utterly amazed by the descriptions of the places you've seen at the core of the sun and the strangeness and wonder of the technology the Legion had at their disposal. The discussion around the Wishing Engine quickly becomes heated between the various members as they speculate on the way it must have functioned and the exact fate of it now. Though readings show various energy releases, there's no telling the exact nature of the divine intervention that occurred.
As the days roll by, the scientists also manage to establish contact with the Khalannal and with Nib and Taeress. You hear from them that the anassanoi bubble city similarly weathered the wash of energies from the Wishing Engine, which manifested as a light show against the edge of their bubble and a wave of healing that swept across the whole city. Very welcome after the trials the people there had suffered, though certainly mysterious until the DCI is able to fill them in on the story you provided. Nib and Taeress send their best wishes for your own recovery and mention they'll be staying in Khalannal for a while as liaisons to the anassanoi peoples.
As for the Legion, the DCI and the Dawn Patrol detect several of their ships slipping away through portals back to the plane of fire. They make no particular announcements regarding the retreat, but interplanar rumor spreads back to Burning Archipelago through the usual channels. The remains of the Legion returning home in shame, with many members taking up employment with other masters in the Plane of Fire.
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House Zeizerer is no more or less cordial than at any other time, latest crisis be damned, but they're able to convey Bel's communications back to House Rycast. Unsurprisingly, there is little more than an acknowledgement of her message.
As for the Knights of Golarion, the organization had received one of her messages, but had found themselves cut off from the Archipelago and without suitable transport to provide aid through the sun's plasma. It's only after the Legion's retreat that they'd managed to arrive, in time to find the situation stable enough. It doesn't take long though for the organization to get up to date on Bel's particular role in the victory though, a triumph to be celebrated.
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The story of Flint's sacrifice spreads light wildfire through the Radiant Cathedral, with Bel and Don helping to tell the tale. Priests and acolytes alike take up the tale as well, and after only a few days you can tell that the story of what happened at the Crucible will be absorbed into the canon. While more than one priest offers to aid with a resurrection, initial attempts prove strangely unsuccessful. They report that it is almost as though Flint's soul no longer exists, or at least that the powerful magic cannot find it.
This changes after Grand Cleric Imryll Novaheart emerges from her yearlong isolation. She announces that in communion with her divine sources she has discerned that the central core of the sun, that furnace of vital energy where time has no meaning, expanded outward at the moment of your escape. In the moment of a heartbeat it engulfed not only the Wishing Engine, but the Crucible as well, before returning to it's original size. Furthermore, she reveals that she may be able to seek Flint's soul and return him, but only should he wish to return.
With the assistance of many clerics, the ritual is prepared, the candles lit. Novaheart offers her prayers, inviting all of those touched by Flint's passage to offer their own thoughts. And with the invocation of old magic, she seeks out the fallen solarian...
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“Good hunt today,” sighs Flint contentedly, sitting around the fire with a handful of other warriors. The sky above was dotted with uncountable stars, shining a serene light over the open plain at night.
”Aye, the stag led us on a good chase today,” replies Ulfric, a husky Nordic warrior with whom Flint had hunted these past few days. The proof of their successful hunt roasted on a spit over the fire, crackling as the juices dropped in to the fire, the scent of the cooking meat wafting over the group and making Flint’s stomach rumble.
One of the stars above grew brighter, its light drawing his attention. There was something…familiar…about its radiance. Softly, he hears a voice beckoning from the distant star, and a memory tickles his mind. The Burning Mother, the Radiant Cathedral, a life and death struggle to save whole civilizations, both familiar and heretofore unknown…these memories floated past in his mind as if lived by another, narrated by a familiar voice.
Flint stands and looks up at the star. It seemed closer than before, and he recalls more of his mortal life, suddenly recognizing the voice as that of High Priestess Novaheart, who led the yearly high holy services in the Radiant Cathedral he attended as a youth. Other voices join the high priestess, drifting down from the star above…
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Belmarniss arrives at the ritual wearing the armor Flint helped secure for her. She kneels and makes the sign of the sword as Novaheart prays and offers thoughts of her own.
"We did it, Flint...we won. And it was because of you, your leadership and sacrifice, that we stopped the Malikah in time. The Archipelago is free, and they're already rebuilding...I can't...I can't ask you to unmake that sacrifice, I won't...but celebrating this victory will feel hollow without you...I'll feel hollow without you...I love you...more than I thought I could ever love someone...I want to have time to share that with you...you've more than earned your rest now...but if you're not quite ready to rest yet, I'd ask you...Come back...please come back..." she says as she begins crying anew.
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Ulfric notices the moment Flint decides, though his friend himself does not yet realize it. One particular voice breaks through, resonating across the vastness of space and time.
Knowing his friend plans to depart as the solarian mouths the name 'Belmarniss', the nordic hero smiles and says, "Go back to her, lad. We'll be here waiting when your destiny is complete."
His form fading and becoming immaterial in the Elysian Fields, Flint looks back at his hunting companions, saying, "I shall rejoin you soon enough, heroes of legend--and there'd better be freshly-roasted stag waiting for me!"
A surge of ineffable radiance suffuses Flint's mortal coil, growing in power until it suddenly retracts inside his body. Eyes opening slowly and lips parting to take in a first breath, he looks up lovingly at Bel and smiles, saying, "How could I ever say no to you, my love? Eternity itself cannot separate us."
Realizing the crowd gathered around them, Flint looks gratefully to the Grand Cleric and levers himself up to a seated position, gently taking Belmarniss' hand and announcing, "Thank you all for calling me back. I shall endeavor to be worthy of your efforts."
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At first Ordyt feels awkward and out of place in the ritual--his formal education with the Church of Sarenrae was informal at best, the rituals and hierarchies of the organization coming in a distant second to the necessities of survival out in the Diaspora. Before long, however, the genuine warmth and friendliness of High Priestess Novaheart and her attendants win him over, and he finds that his involvement just feels right, somehow.
As Flint returns to the mortal world, hale and hearty and standing before them them in the middle of the circle the oread lets out a whoop of joy. He hangs back as Bel rushes forward, letting the couple have their moment.
"It's good to have you back, Captain," Ordyt steps up and enfolds the two in a bear hug.
Smiling, Flint returns the embraces with warmth and enthusiasm. "So, how long have I been gone? Has the Legion been truly and utterly defeated?"
The Grand Cleric intones "Sarenrae saw fit to find him, and so he returns. Cherish your time." as you cluster around Flint. She retreats with her retinue, leaving you with friends and allies to celebrate Flint's return.
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"Only a week or so, we emerged from the sun and made our way straight to the Archipelago and the Cathedral," Belmarniss reassures Flint. "Yes...we truly have won. We undid enough of the Wishing Engine's anti-divine protections that Sarenrae was able to intervene, and the entire Crucible Fortress was vaporized as its protections shattered. Almost as much of a miracle as having you here!"
Then she frowns a bit.
"We've got to remember those who couldn't come back..."
She motions to the packet of ashes she's been carrying since changing her armor and emptying her pockets.
"...this is what I was able to save of Uzmat. And as an elemental, the kind of magic that brought you back won't work for him...his trial...did come to an end much earlier than he'd hoped."
A tear drops from her eye.
"We should plan a memorial service...for him and for all those we lost in this war."
But then she looks back up at Flint and smiles a bit through the tears.
"But we should still celebrate with the ones who are still with us. Come on, we should return to Asanatown and see if Taeress, Nib and the others made it back to the DCI. We've shared some preliminary research with them, but I imagine they'll still want to throw a party."
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Returning to the DCI with your whole crew leads to a large gathering, and soon afterward the scientists of the Deep Cultures Institute arrange an impromptu celebration for your safe return. There, Dr. Nokorokt offers a toast to "The greatest advancement in Deep Intrasolar Exploration yet seen in the Pact Worlds and beyond!", while others are happy to celebrate the liberation of the Burning Archipelago. Among the crowd are the scientists rescued from the Horizon House during the Sunrise Collective's uprising in Asanatown, including Dr. Varega. You even get to meet Junior Researcher Vand, back from his vacation on Castrovel.
Lurian on the other hand swiftly drinks WAY too much and begins berating you for destroying HER pride and joy back in Khalannal, while simultaneously demanding that you hand over the Torrent so that she can study exactly what makes it's patchwork of technologies hold together. From her laser focus on the ships, it's clear she couldn't care less about the many other discoveries you've made - but perhaps that's for the best.
By the time the party is wrapping up, it's deep into the night and many of the rather straightlaced scientists have long since retreated back to their rooms and private studies. Before Dr. Nokorokt heads out himself, he offers you all permanent positions at the DCI if you wish to take them, either as researchers or field agents. He's clearly eager to exploit your talents for a while longer, and it takes quite a lot of effort on his part to emphasize that this is all optional.
Of course, Taeress and Nib don't end up making it to the party. As you heard from them earlier, their plan is to stay in Khalannal and work with the anassanoi there as liaisons. They announce that there's too many things still to learn, and too much still to repair for the anassanoi, to even think about heading back yet. However Taeress' portion of the messages you exchange do invite you to return soon, with the anassanoi and their leaders eager to hear the story of what happened at the Crucible from your own mouths. On their end, you hear that the reconstruction of Khalannal is proceeding slowly. While everyone is eager to rebuild, between the losses inflicted by the efreeti, and the tension and jockeying in the political parties and citizenry, it is slow going. The conflict between traditionalists and reformers seems like it is not about to end any time soon, and at least for now the new contacts made with the Burning Archipelago will remain limited in scope.
Ordyt moves through the party carefully, glad to see so many smiling faces after the trials of the past few months, but he's not a big partier. Even Lurian's drunken tirades don't put him off much, he's just glad to see them all still alive.
Director Nokorokt's offer to stay on with the DCI is a tempting one; Ordyt doesn't commit to a yes right away though. "I think the DCI has proven its worth to the whole Pact Worlds alliance, doc, and before long you'll have more offers than you'll know what to do with. I put very good odds that we'll be seeing more of each other no matter what--Mataras is a new frontier, now."
He brightens at hearing from Taeress and Nib and that the anassanoi haven't closed themselves off entirely. He asks them about Noma and if they think it might be a danger to itself, or other inhabitants of the star--he hopes not. He joins them in speculating about the strange black spheres that held Ezorod and the Crucible--if there were two, it seemed likely there were more out there somewhere, perhaps many more.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, he tries not to think about the demigoddess who's ascension he and his companions thwarted, whose servants they had killed and whose plans they had shredded. He tried not to think about what she might do for revenge.
The days pass swiftly for Flint, who celebrates this return to life with trips to check on those who helped them along the way as well as a less than subtle rekindled romance with Belmarniss.
At the party, he circulates with the celebrants and eventually works his way over to Bel. Nodding to her, he hands her a fancy envelope embellished with expert calligraphy. Her name and full title are on the envelope and he says playfully, "It seems your exploits have garnered some attention. I didn't even know there was a rank as high as Knight-General until the 'Valor came into port this afternoon."
Nodding to the group of knights who recently arrived and set up camp at an out-of-the-way table, Flint smiles specifically at one with the fanciest armor and a cool-looking cloak, forming a slight bow and adding to Belmarniss as he passes her the card, "I think they want to invite you to a ceremony on their Cathedral Ship. You think I could score a ring-side seat?"
Taeress, Nib, and all the other DCI scientists are actively broken into factions about how likely Noma is to be a threat, to itself or otherwise. There's little consensus, though the most rational voices (like Taeress) note that the bubble's isolation persisted for many hundreds of years, meaning the inhabitants seemed very preoccupied with their own concerns. The black spheres - the prison of Ezorod and the replica that held the Crucible - attract even more intense speculation. With Ezorod hazardous and the Crucible apparently lost, it seems likely that things will remain speculative for a while longer.
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Lurian on the other hand swiftly drinks WAY too much and begins berating you for destroying HER pride and joy back in Khalannal, while simultaneously demanding that you hand over the Torrent so that she can study exactly what makes it's patchwork of technologies hold together. From her laser focus on the ships, it's clear she couldn't care less about the many other discoveries you've made - but perhaps that's for the best.
Belmarniss manages to hold her own against Lurian (which isn't too great a challenge as she's spent the party drinking coffee rather than booze), pointing out that Popoko survived and so some part of her pride and joy still lives on. As for studying the Torrent, she makes it clear to Lu that she's open to allowing it, but that the ship WILL remain in its crew's possession.
By the time the party is wrapping up, it's deep into the night and many of the rather straightlaced scientists have long since retreated back to their rooms and private studies. Before Dr. Nokorokt heads out himself, he offers you all permanent positions at the DCI if you wish to take them, either as researchers or field agents. He's clearly eager to exploit your talents for a while longer, and it takes quite a lot of effort on his part to emphasize that this is all optional.
Director Nokorokt's offer to stay on with the DCI is a tempting one; Ordyt doesn't commit to a yes right away though. "I think the DCI has proven its worth to the whole Pact Worlds alliance, doc, and before long you'll have more offers than you'll know what to do with. I put very good odds that we'll be seeing more of each other no matter what--Mataras is a new frontier, now."
When Dr. Nokorokt makes his offer, Belmarniss informs him that while she's flattered, she unfortunately has her prior commitments to the Knights of Golarion, now more than ever with her errantry tour ending and a return to the chain of command. She does, however, offer to stay in touch, especially as the Sun has now become a new, unique theater of operations and as one of the few with direct experience within it, anything the Knights do will likely have her involved.
Of course, Taeress and Nib don't end up making it to the party. As you heard from them earlier, their plan is to stay in Khalannal and work with the anassanoi there as liaisons. They announce that there's too many things still to learn, and too much still to repair for the anassanoi, to even think about heading back yet. However Taeress' portion of the messages you exchange do invite you to return soon, with the anassanoi and their leaders eager to hear the story of what happened at the Crucible from your own mouths. On their end, you hear that the reconstruction of Khalannal is proceeding slowly. While everyone is eager to rebuild, between the losses inflicted by the efreeti, and the tension and jockeying in the political parties and citizenry, it is slow going. The conflict between traditionalists and reformers seems like it is not about to end any time soon, and at least for now the new contacts made with the Burning Archipelago will remain limited in scope.
[Ordyt] brightens at hearing from Taeress and Nib and that the anassanoi haven't closed themselves off entirely. He asks them about Noma and if they think it might be a danger to itself, or other inhabitants of the star--he hopes not. He joins them in speculating about the strange black spheres that held Ezorod and the Crucible--if there were two, it seemed likely there were more out there somewhere, perhaps many more.
In the communication with Taeress and Nib, Belmarniss acknowledges that she'd very strongly like to return to Khalannal, both to aid them in their new ambassadorial work and because of her admiration for the Protectors.
"I feel they'd find the Knights of Golarion kindred spirits in a way: the sword to their shield. And I'd be lying if I said I still didn't want to fly in one of those chariots...a vehicle so in tune with it's pilot they're almost one...it's every flying ace's dream..."
Taeress, Nib, and all the other DCI scientists are actively broken into factions about how likely Noma is to be a threat, to itself or otherwise. There's little consensus, though the most rational voices (like Taeress) note that the bubble's isolation persisted for many hundreds of years, meaning the inhabitants seemed very preoccupied with their own concerns. The black spheres - the prison of Ezorod and the replica that held the Crucible - attract even more intense speculation. With Ezorod hazardous and the Crucible apparently lost, it seems likely that things will remain speculative for a while longer.
Belmarniss feels a bit of wistful melancholy at remembering Noma. A magnificent triumph of engineering now slowly drifting into entropy, directionless and passive.
But the discussion of Ezorod sharpens her focus. She'd reached out and touched the darkness there, and wounded her mind in ways that made the Eclipse look tame. There was evil there, no doubt, and it would be a place the Knights of Golarion would want to watch very carefully. She'd make sure of it.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, he tries not to think about the demigoddess who's ascension he and his companions thwarted, whose servants they had killed and whose plans they had shredded. He tried not to think about what she might do for revenge.
As for Belmarniss, she is less concerned with thoughts of retaliation from the Eternal Furnace: the loss of the Crucible had been a crushing blow, and it would likely take the Malikah, no matter her own personal power, a long time to recover from such a loss; materially, politically, and in terms of manpower. Still, a void elf's life was a long one, and it was not unreasonable to assume she'd still be around when the Malikah came for retribution. And she knew she'd be ready for it. A hero is only as good as the enemies they earn through doing the right thing, and a megalomaniac efreeti demigoddess was among the worthiest of enemies to thwart.
The days pass swiftly for Flint, who celebrates this return to life with trips to check on those who helped them along the way as well as a less than subtle rekindled romance with Belmarniss.
At the party, he circulates with the celebrants and eventually works his way over to Bel. Nodding to her, he hands her a fancy envelope embellished with expert calligraphy. Her name and full title are on the envelope and he says playfully, "It seems your exploits have garnered some attention. I didn't even know there was a rank as high as Knight-General until the 'Valor came into port this afternoon."
Nodding to the group of knights who recently arrived and set up camp at an out-of-the-way table, Flint smiles specifically at one with the fanciest armor and a cool-looking cloak, forming a slight bow and adding to Belmarniss as he passes her the card, "I think they want to invite you to a ceremony on their Cathedral Ship. You think I could score a ring-side seat?"
Belmarniss chuckles a bit.
"I can do better than a ringside seat for you: you deserve to be right there on the podium with me. You too, Ordyt. A star-knight is nothing without her brothers-in-arms!"
She gives Flint a peck on the cheek before approaching the table Flint's pointed out to her and saluting.
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It is several days later when you all three find yourselves approaching Bulwarks Plaza in Asanatown. Months ago during the unrest in the bubble the public park in the plaza was the site of protests against the Sunrise Collective's actions. Today it hosts families picnicking, as well as a small-ish gathering at one of the park's many gazebos. As you approach the two dozen lightly armored figures you see symbols of the Inheritor emblazoned on lapels and the crest of the Knights of Golarion bright on a banner hanging from the gazebo's awning.
As you ascend the steps the crowd parts. Standing on a simple dais at the far end is a face familiar to Bel, a tough looking dwarven woman with a broad smile. "Belmarniss!" The dwarf, Mazon Stonetree, beckons Bel and the rest of you up onto the dias. "You certainly take things seriously. When I heard what had happened on your errantry I could hardly believe my ears. I'd say you've made me proud, but I can't even wrap my mind around everything you managed to find, every evil you faced and survived with the help of steadfast allies." She nods in appreciation to Flint and Ordyt "As a Knight-Captain, I volunteered to be the one to come and congratulate you. You've certainly more than earned it. Come." She gestures for you to take a place next to her as she speaks to the audience.
With that the delegation of Knights gather in rows in front of the dais. Mazon tells the tale of Bel's entrance into the Knights as a squire, prominent stories from her training, and then her rise to full-fledged knight. She continues by describing your own accomplishments and adventures within Mataras, from the liberation of Asanatown, to the clash with Khaim's Legion. Where her information is thin, she prompts the three of you to fill in the blanks, acknowledging each heroic deed in turn, from Ezorod to Khalannal. Finally she ends with "There are many who seek to oppress the good peoples of the Pact Worlds - foul entities from deep in the planes or beyond the stars are often our focus, but sometimes our fellow mortals grow just as evil in their pursuit of power and influence. All throughout this tale were people driven to cruelty by ambition, by fear, by dogma. We fight against all these things when we take up the blade. Belmarniss and her allies are an inspiration to all of us, and today we recognize their great victory."
As a cheer rises from the crowd, Mazon brings out a fine cloak for Bel, emblazoned with the symbol of the Knights and bearing golden tassels on the shoulders. She puts the mantle around Bel's shoulders, possibly with the aid of someone taller, and then joins in the applause.
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Indeed, the taller person helping with the Mantle is none other than Kingr-General Halaina Lymikin, herself clad in a very similar cloak.
Flint walks up and pulls out a an exquisite silvery chain with clasps on either end. He fastens it to the mantle over Bel’s chest, completing the outfit. As he fastens the Sacred Seal and backs away with a smile and a bow, the rest of Belmarniss’ outfit transforms with Iomedae’s religious iconography befitting her station.
Flint’s smile grows as he looks at Bel with pride and love.
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Ordyt joins in on cheering for Bel as enthusiastically as anyone in the crowd, clapping and letting out a single whoop before dialing it back with a self-conscious grin.
"Well earned, Bel--we're proud of you!"
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Belmarniss stands proud as she's honored by her fellow knights, her friends, and the people of the Burning Archipelago, beaming as brightly as Flint is as he fastens the clasp of the Mantle. Looking out beyond his shoulder, among the applauding crowd, she notices a line of drow seated near the back, two older ones seeming to be sulking while the other two, younger ones, are at least paying polite attention, even applauding a little. She recognizes them immediately: her parents and younger siblings. They'd gotten her invitation to the ceremony, and her siblings had managed to drag her parents out to watch her rub a true, honest success that outshone their self-absorbed social climbing by lightyears. She decides that now is the time to REALLY irritate them, and takes a moment to embrace Flint and kiss him in front of the crowd! Her parents are disgusted, while her siblings chuckle.
Then she conjures her junksword and raises it in salute to the crowd.
"Thank you...thank you all for this honor. But I would not be standing here today if it wasn't for you all. This victory belongs to ALL of us. We stood against a tyrannical, domineering darkness and we prevailed! Together, let us continue to illuminate that darkness and keep the Sun and the Pact Worlds beyond free and just. For Victory! For the Heart!"
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Once the speeches are complete, many of the invitees remain to speak with your trio or simply discuss recent events, and it's not until several hours later that you finally find yourselves heading back home. What passes for evening in the ever-illuminated bubble that houses Asanatown is approaching, and the day's crowds begin to thin.
It's as you're making your way through some smaller, quieter streets that you notice a tall figure walking toward you three specifically. They wave their hand and a glamour they had cast around themselves falls, revealing a nine foot tall man in a pristinely tailored onyx-studded suit with red skin, glowing orange eyes, and the curled horns of an efreeti. He bows when he reaches you.
"Ordyt, Belmarniss Rycast and Flint Conners, I presume." As he speaks you get the sense that he knows exactly who you are, though you're fairly certain you've never met him before. "The Malikah requests your presence in her palace atop Sakalayo Peak. As her honored enemies, you should understand that this is a rare privilege, not granted lightly. Prepare yourselves for the journey, and I will bring you to her. If you are in need of time, you may have up to three days to settle your affairs."
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Belmarniss stops short when they're confronted by the efreet, and is taken aback by the bow, instinctively bowing back before catching herself and straightening up immediately.
Once the invitation is made, she looks askance at Flint and Ordyt.
"In my experience, an invitation like this is usually a trap or a job offer. Sometimes both."
"The Malikah requests your presence in her palace atop Sakalayo Peak."
Ordyt barks a laugh. "Yeah I bet she does, and would love nothing more than to "honor" us to ash. Why would we ever agree to step into the heart of her power? The Legion demonstrated no regard for the rights of prisoners or the laws of war, I have no faith that any of you would honor guest right or flag of truce--which, I see, you have not even bothered to invoke. She can send a formal emissary if she wants to talk terms."
With a lopsided smile at Ordyt, Flint deliberately misunderstands the request and says, ”I don’t know, Ordyt. Three days seems pretty reasonable to me. I mean, after being THOROUGHLY defeated by the united free peoples of the Burning Mother, if Malikah wishes to come here and sue for peace, that should give us plenty of time to take the appropriate…precautions…for her arrival.”
The efreeti answers Ordyt with the patience of one who has heard this kind of response many times before "The Malikah is above any mortal terms and offers no assurances. If this is not to your liking you may choose to ignore her request, but you do so at your own peril."
Glancing at Flint, the efreeti adds "It is well and good to be prideful. You would not have drawn the Malikah's attention had your accomplishments been anything other than notable and significant." The efreeti turns back to regard you all and offers a small shake of his head "But as advice from one who has seen many in your position, be cautious and prudent in how you wield that pride, or you will find it betray you."
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Belmarniss gives the efreet a serious look.
"You're not able to make guarantees, obviously, but have you been given any indications as to why this invitation has been extended? You're absolutely right that the Malikah would not have made the decision to send you to us lightly, considering she could just save face by refusing to acknowledge us. But in her wisdom she would also have known that we would require convincing and that we would not make the decision to accept her invitation lightly. So is there anything she's instructed you to say should we be suspicious?"
The efreeti eyes Bel before answering "The Malikah asks your presence because she intends to speak with you. What happens after that will be up to you and her." He gestures outward with a hand "As for convincing, there is no need. My advice continues to stand, and you will heed it if you wish."
"Now, what is your response, so that I may convey it to the appropriate ears?"
Ordyt's mirth melts away as he realizes the efreet is entirely serious. He gives the messenger a grim stare and squares his shoulders to face the genie fully. "Here's my answer: The Malikah is not an honored foe, she's a despot and a murderess and I won't be setting foot in her palace. She launched an unprovoked invasion of Mataras and lost, tough s~!~. She can treat with us and with the Pact Worlds if she wants to talk, but she's not in a position to dictate terms and her trick with the divine concealment won't work twice. She knows where to find us whenever she's serious about a dialogue."
”I don’t know if it is my recent experience with the divine, but I am somewhat intrigued. What about a neutral location that is neither here nor at Malikah’s citadel? And guarantees of safe passage for both parties?” asks Flint.
The efreeti sniffs "Brave words, ill considered, but brave. Very well, I will return with your response." To Flint he says "Why would the Malikah ever exert herself for your convenience? Truly." He steps away, muttering "Sometimes I wonder about the foolhardiness of mortals."
"Because she lost," Ordyt growls at the back of the retreating emissary. "It's a very big multiverse, and there are greater powers than her." He tabs the symbol of Sarenrae on his breastplate for emphasis, then shakes his head.
"Well...If nothing else, I guess it's good to have the reminder that we'll have a powerful enemy out there somewhere, for the rest of our lives." He doesn't sound very happy about it though.
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"We are foolhardy, yes. You don't do the things we've done if you're not. But we are not so foolhardy as to stand before a goddess who has every reason to hate us and expect she will not incinerate us right then and there," Belmarniss says, exasperation creeping into her voice. "The Malikah, by contrast, has nothing to fear from us except hurt feelings. What harm could the three of us, powerful as we are, hope to inflict on a goddess? This isn't a matter of convenience, it's a matter of self-preservation, and we don't understand how that doesn't enter her calculus; does she just expect us to be honored for the opportunity to be incinerated by her personally?"
Belmarniss is incensed at the degree of entitlement the emissary seems to suggest the Malikah has. Even her own grandmothers and aunts would not assume their enemies so stupid as to willingly come to their deaths for the honor of it being by the hand of a superior being. She knew the efreeti in general regarded mortals as contemptibly weak and stupid, but to assume they lacked basic self-preservation instincts was arrogant beyond parody!
Flint tilts his head and considers the conversation, then he responds, ”Indeed, your request makes no sense for us. If your Malikah has a desire to speak to us and is unwilling to exert the minimal effort required to at least meet at a neutral site, she must not be truly invested in having this conversation. Perhaps a virtual communique would better suit her…lassitude.”
The emissary takes your parting comments with relative indifference. "Good day then." With a wave of his hand, space folds in around him. For a moment you feel a whisper of the plane of fire's primal heat and then he's gone.
With the street left in the ordinary evening light of Asanatown's bubble, it's hard to believe that just moments prior the emissary of a demigoddess had been speaking to you. But now that they're gone, it already seems dreamlike. A few people come up the street behind you, clearly completely unaware of any kind of event having happened.
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And so, you return to your lives, elevated as they are thanks to your success within the sun. The Malikah's emissary does not return. Nor do you cross paths with any loyal efreeti. In fact, as they days continue, it seems very much as though you've been forgotten.
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Now a high ranking member of the Sarenrae priesthood with a relatively rare experience returned from the afterlife, Flint shares his story and faith with the worshippers at the Radiant Cathedral when he is in “port”, but he spends the majority of his time captaining the newly rebuilt and upgraded Torrent of Embers. Now that he can actually explore the Burning Mother and not just skim its surface, the brash Captain sets about exploring the vast array of new wonders hidden in the solar plasma!
This, of course, means working closely with the DCI and providing transport to their scientists, his close friends who helped him save the Archipelago, and members of other cultures within the sun as they take their place among the free peoples of the Burning Mother!
Accepting his divine mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before, Flint nevertheless keeps out a sharp watch for two opportunities: 1) any sign of Legion aggression or instability in the nascent intra-Solar alliance growing, and 2) a place—perhaps near Ezrod—of surpassing fiery beauty balanced with the dark, cooling barrier that represents the yin and yang necessary for life to thrive. I mean, if he is going to propose, it needs to be something suitably epic and symbolic, right?
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Ordyt formally accepts a commission from the Church of Sarenrae as an officer in their militant arm, and joins Flint in his drive to explore Mataras. He's a relentless advocate for deeper cooperation between the polities and organizations of the region, urging the Pact Worlds, the Church, and the DCI to cooperate in the construction of large specialized vessels for exploring the sun, capable of fighting off potential dangers but also able to support a large contingent of researchers and specialists for long-range missions.
He starts sending remittances home to the mining communities he left behind, and makes an effort to visit once or twice a year to make sure they're doing alright. He even asks around about the possibility of funneling greater investment into the mining colonies of the Diaspora--anything to make their lives a bit less difficult and dangerous.
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Belmarniss receives new orders shortly after these events, giving Flint a parting kiss before she boards the cathedralship, promising to return whenever she has leave. She knew her heroism in the Burning Archipelago was just the beginning of her career, and she didn't plan on slowing down.
She serves several different tours of duty that see her battling the Swarm, defending colonies out in the Vast, playing wargames in the Veskarium (where she is impressed by the draconic majesty of the Firescale, the unique vesk interpretation of Sarenrae, and shares with Flint and the heroic dragonslayer Ordyt), visiting the Sun on the Knights' behalf as an ambassador and coordinator for joint efforts between them and the various militias and defense forces of the Sun, including Kahlannal's Protectors, spending as much time with Flint and Ordyt as her superiors will allow, and finding herself in command of a wing of cathedral ships stranded in the Vast scrambling to save civilians and re-establish contact with the rest of the Knights when the Drift Crisis rocks the galaxy.
Once the Crisis is over and secure travel to the Pact Worlds is re-established, Belmarniss asks for much-needed leave that is readily granted, and charts a course for the Burning Archipelago. She'd been gone for too long, and in the last communication Flint had sent her before her disappearance he'd said he was preparing a surprise for her that was long overdue...
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Flint's career of intrasolar exploration while under the auspices of the Sarenite priesthood is a fruitful one, as the few new aliens you discovered over your adventures are not the only strange and unique beings within the sun. Meanwhile Ordyt's efforts to expand access to intra-solar locations through the production of new vessels gradually leads to more and more people finding adventure within the sun's depths. The DCI too expands as greater interest rises in the mysterious interior.
What follows however is a tale as old as the universe. Corporate powers take the reins with great investment, and solar bandits begin to take advantage of hiding places and ambush locations to catch new explorers unawares. As the sun expands to the masses, so to do problems that have plagued the system for time immemorial.
Eventually the Anassanoi have no choice but to open up to the other worlds of the system, which creates no small amount of social turmoil within their society. By the time it is done, a new more militarized Khalannal has risen to prominence, ready to defend itself from external threats and expand the Anassanoi people to other intra and extra-solar locations.
Bel's own tours of duty take her far and wide, finding success among the Knights and victories on distant battlefields. She sees more than her share of trials and hardship along the way. And yet so many lives are saved thanks to her efforts. Each return to the Pact Worlds is a return to peace that seems in short supply elsewhere.
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All throughout your adventures, the memory of the Malikah's final offer sits in the back of your minds. No obvious revenge falls upon you. No efreeti soldiers finding you alone at night. No distant smiting for your role in defeating the Legion. Or at least, nothing that you can tell.
The Malikah's final retribution arrives quietly, insidiously. So quietly that all three of you in your great adventures don't notice it until long after it has arrived. Perhaps upon returning to the Burning Archipelago you see a group of strangers dressed in unfamiliar garb. Perhaps when you visit home you see a friend or family member speaking an unfamiliar prayer before eating. Or maybe you see a holy symbol of a god you don't know affixed above an entryway.
However it goes, it doesn't take long before you hear the faith these accoutrements belong to. That of the Malikah, divine goddess of zealous passion, solar fire, and the protection of the hearth. It is a faith many within the Burning Archipelago have turned to, finding reassurance in its tenets in these times of great change. Even people you know, your close friends and compatriots, people who know of the Malikah's connection to the Legion that invaded the Archipelago, seem to be willing to overlook that connection. For the Malikah's faith promises the warm, stable embrace of the mother, and that dream has caught in their hearts.
But the intention that lies behind this facade, and the actions of heroes new and old who may seek to understand it, is a story for another day. The story of Burning Archipelago's struggle, the discoveries and mysteries unveiled, and the great campaign for the future of the sun is complete. The long bright night is over, and we have arrived at a new Dawn of Flame.
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