Twas the 9th of Scarlatan and we were called for the quest was stated
and clear. Lady Valnurana's vision was to be restored, by the Divine
power of Lord Phaestus. However, for a Divine to repair another Divine
requires something more than mere essense, it takes the bending of
creation itself.

The great smith, Phaestus had come to possess two beautiful, pure
Sapphires. These would serve magnificently as the basis for the creation
of new orbs for sight. However, to bring them to fruition twould require
many ingredients, most hard to come by, some near impossible. The first
step was laid out.

The Phaesteans, great in strength and number, and the Dreamers, pure of
will and force gathered on Fish street for the first parts of the great
alchemy that was to take place. The required parts? A silver ore and the
Bloodstone of Gehsha the black dragon. Lord Molotov lead the party to
the Sirrocian mountains, where, after some searching, the silver ore was
retrieved.

This serpent braced for the enslaught to come, when it was revealed that
the dragon had been slain previously. With much rejoicing, the two
required elements were delivered to the Divine Smith. The silver and the
sapphires were made into two, distinct and unique orbs. The life force
was drained from the bloodstone of the dragon and imbued deep within the
orbs, granting them life, and sight. However, not Truesight.

For this, the group was told, the nicitating lenses from the kraken
would be required. There was a moment of silence, then a nod of resolve.
It would be done.

The party struck out, sought supplies of pear and food. They reached the
shore east of Delos and waded into the water. A hesitation and then a
dive, pear consumed and air pockets formed. The party dove deeper and
deeper in search of the Kraken. Lords Molotov and Brandilar lead further
and further into the realm of Riparium. The sunken ships were searched
to no avail and a conclusion was reached. Find Nishir, he released the
Kraken.

The lower levels were searched, the party grew anxious. Where was the
beast, where did it hide. And then it was upon us. A flurry of
tentacles, trashing and bubbles. Then one died, and another. The party
slowly losing strength. Reanis, Molotov, Brandilar, all fallen. A
disciple of Valnurana gritted his teeth and wrenched back on his whip,
entwined with the beast. It gave one last quiver and fell lifeless. The
kraken slain by Vand. The noble Lady Reanis sadly stated her soul unable
to continue. The couple bid their partings to each other and the group
was less one. Her contribution already so great, to start this great
quest, this day.

The creature was gathered up and all raced to the temple of Phaestus.
The Divine Lord took the creature from the quivering arms of this
serpent, tears flowing freely in hope that this would grant the final
components.
But no, a final piece was required. The stinger from a wyvern. Several
blinked, several looked down, but resolve did not waver. Polyargos was
the next destination, the dragon within, Yudhishthira the target. From
it would spring the wyverns, and the hopefully, final component
required.

The group debated tactics and battleplans. The dragon must be slain
first, otherwise we would be overwhelmed. On a hope, a known slayer was
contacted, one of high regard. Shakti Devi, the Demiurge.

The plan was simple. Shakti would travel to Polyargos and slay the
Dragon, leaving the wyverns relatively unprotected. The bargain for her
arcane abilities was that she venture alone. This was agreed to, though
perhaps reluctantly, by some members of the party.

And so she stepped out, onto the ferry and bid us all a hopeful
farewell. Prayers were uttered, weapons laid rest and armour settled
within. This was perhaps the hardest part of the entire ordeal. Watching
the vision granted by thoth himself, hoping for the best, but resigned
to the worst. Armour clatterd, weapons rattled, warriors grew restless,
words were uttered to calm the beast within.

Communications were sent with updates, the Dragon almost slain, the
wyverns retreating. But then, the fateful blow. The Demiurge, slain
twice. The party stood as one. We would succeed, we must, or all would
be lost.

The ferry was boarded and the time atop the ocean seemed to take an
eternity. Not like warriors to battle, not like lambs to the slaughter,
but somewhere in between. Tentative of foot this serpent set out from
the ferry and fell into line behind Molotov. A short prayer to Shakti
was uttered and the group set out.

Suddenly, the Dragon was upon us. Eyes cast down to see the wave of
wyverns in tow, 11 in total. Members fanned out and took the assault
head on. One by one, all fell, charred to cinders or as beaten, broken
bodies, falling back. This serpent fell towards the end, struggling from
one knee as flames enveloped her.

A slow treck ensued along the halls of creation. Thoughts and hopes swam
in a sea of uncertainty. Could this be done at all? Our party, massive
and strong, could not achieve but the first part of this final quest. We
gathered outside the fateful cave and began our deliberations. The
Demiurge offered her heart felt sorrow at her inability to attempt this
feat again.

Debate raged as to tactics. Perhaps a phased serpent could slip behind
the defenses and bring each member of the party to a lone wyvern,
straggling behind. Could this be done at all? Lord Molotov gave his
appologies reporting his body too weary to continue. His contribution
already so great.

Then, a vision granted by the divine. The dragon itself, smiling and
retreating to its lair to count, and three lone wyvern, feasting upon
our fresh, charred corpses. Hope, light, salvation! The group raced to
the ferry. Shakti rejoined the party with earnest. Retribution was to be
had!

Nolan, though thankful for the fares, ached in his back. Polyargos was
reached and the goal in sight. Shakti raced ahead to clear the way, and
to ensure the prey was viable. The party surged forward, a mix of
adrenaline and the taste of triumph rendering all hope of caution
assunder. Shakti was reached and hope reached new levels. A single
wyvern away from the pack!

All surged in and descended upon the frightful yet noble beast. Critical
hits flew as the creature was broken down and beaten into submission.
The final blow was achieved by this serpent, straining her back to choke
the life force from the beast. It collapsed with a gurgle and the cry
went out "DIE!".

A moment of shock. What seemed impossible had been done. All the deaths,
the agony now turned to ecstasy. The final component within our hands.
All raced to the ferryman, who looked at our gold with a touch of
reluctance. Who could blame he?

The temple to the Divine Lord Phaestus was reached and the final beast
handed over. Lord Phaestus retreated to the WorldForge, bringing all we
mortals to witness the spectacle.

The Orbs were infused with the final traces of essence and were given
creation! Sparkling and bright. With tears and trembles, the Eyes were
granted to the two remaining members of the Order of Dreams, myself and
Vand. Silent prayers were uttered and the Eyes were placed in a unique
gift box, from Phaestus to Valnurana. Of beautiful wood construction, an
inscription upon it, only for They to know.

Tearfully, thanks were given and the party broke to the praise of
Phaestus and His divine might.

This day, a quest was completed, a mile stone achieved, but far more
importantly, a taint was removed. Whatever be done by that which was
once known as evil, shall be undone.

My and the Order of Dreams eternal thanks go to all who helped this
great day. Your diligence, perseverance and determination have driven
this day deep into the tomes of history. Listed here are those that
helped bring this to fruition. If I have left any, tis not a slight, but
a lapse of my poor, mortal memory.

Thanks to: Orina, Molotov, Brandilar, Sgueg, Shakti, Reanis, Vand,
Mancel, Koralin, Shylmysten, Dralth, Salviinqiist, Apoc, Tranox, Alinoe,
Pwyll, Emty, Jenara, Hakuin, Bragor, Beowulf, Blaise.

These brave souls sacrificed all for one cause, one ideal, one hope.
Today it is created and Vision is gifted. Today, is indeed a great day
for the hope of an Order for it's most loved.

Finally, I give thanks to Lord Phaestus, He Who made this all possible.
Our love eternal rests with you.

Let history write, there is hope.

Crucible De'Veris

Post Script:

Just before this was to post, we were summoned to the Riverside temple
to Lady Valnurana, by Lord Phaestus.

Lord Phaestus gently rested the orbs upon the delicate hands of Lady
Valnurana. By act of will, Valnurana levitated the orbs to mid air,
where they vanished, a glow now eminating from behind Lady Valnurana's
veil.

Her new Eyes were revealed to all, a wonderment of creation.

C.d.V

Penned by my hand on the 16th of Scarlatan, in the year 301 AF.