Session 2 | Sacrifice

The group, along with Victoria's team, sets out for Fallowbrae to arrest Henry. But first, he must be drawn out from behind his magical barrier—a barrier that only Arvin, Ginny, and Alaric can bypass. Victoria introduces them to Professors Orso and Tana, and Judith—skilled scholars who, though unable to cross the barrier themselves, offer their expertise in unmasking Henry’s misdeeds.

Together with the scholars, they discuss various methods to lure Henry out, as the barrier can only be lowered by Henry himself. The group learns from Orso that once the barrier is down, Henry cannot put it back up, as it would take several minutes to drive the pylons back into the ground.

As they near the ruined town, the group also recalls odd clues from their previous investigation—among them a mysterious statue and a cryptic note with a gemstone. All are connected to a strange riddle about "Kings" and "Fate." One of the scholars mentions that the first letter of each strange clue they found spells out the word Chambet, the name of the family that once lived there. While this discussion is happening, Ginny suddenly notices that Victoria is suffering from a nosebleed, and Alaric senses the strange little dice in his pocket begin to move...

Professor Orso mentions old notes suggesting what might lie beneath Fallowbrae Castle—rumors of hidden catacombs beneath the fortress—and reveals three strange drawings. Judelith provides the group with a spell scroll of Sleep. Not long after that, Judelith and Mallow set up a small camp while the others explore the ruins once more. Alaric, Ginny, and Arvin lead Professors Orso and Tana to the location where they previously found the strange statue with the note.

Tana suggests casting a spell that could provide more information. Ginny agrees to act as the conduit for this spell, though Tana explains that its effects might last for a while... Ginny receives a series of short visions from Henry's perspective, including one in which Henry accidentally kills the scholar who led him into the Arcane Vaults—though the vision also reveals it was unintentional. Henry had planned only to steal a strange device from the Arcane Vault.

Alaric, Ginny, and Arvin prepare to enter the castle, as they are the only ones able to pass through the shield. The scholars warn that once they are beyond the barrier, communication will be impossible due to the shield’s interference. Ginny also senses that her bees are growing restless around the castle...

The group returns to the place where they once fought owlbears, but instead of beasts, they now hear unsettling sounds—cracking bones and clinking armor. Arvin, scouting from a higher vantage point, spots six skeletal guards stationed in front of a staircase leading downward. They must have been conjured by Henry...

The skeletons do not attack but clearly acknowledge the group’s presence. As the group approaches, the skeletal guards block the entrance. Unfortunately, Alaric’s impatience causes a confrontation when he pushes one of the guards, triggering combat.

A fierce battle erupts. Blows are exchanged, but Ginny's potent Moonbeam spell proves vital in weakening the skeletal foes. The group’s coordinated offense ultimately causes their enemies to disintegrate. In the aftermath of the battle, the group discovers a large tunnel...

A long hallway, lit by torches and adorned with enigmatic crystals and carved inscriptions. Strangely, there's also the smell of fresh grass—oddly out of place. Phrases are written on the walls, and the crystals show haunting reflections of the group’s past misdeeds. Ginny sees her confrontation with Kane, while Arvin sees the trader whose death he caused.
Alaric also sees a vision, many of his kin dead... But in the distance three hooded figures, watching... After solving three riddles, they pass through a door and enter a strange room with a massive pit and two cages—one holding an adult skeleton, the other a child.

Alaric, Ginny, and Arvin, unsure of what to do, agree to use Cedric’s Speak with Dead scroll, which they found among his forgotten belongings. When one skeleton reanimates, it instructs them that a sacrifice—something deeply cherished—must be made to progress. It ominously mentions: "There is no test for the wolf."

With pained hearts, Arvin chooses to sacrifice his past, and Ginny sacrifices her bond to the bees. But they also wonder... what did Henry sacrifice?

All three of them see a shadowy bridge form over the chasm. Suddenly, a voice says:
"Welcome to the Keeper’s Library." Now within the mysterious library—amidst towering shelves of chained books and scattered scrolls—the group meets a mysterious fox-like theran who initially hides from them.

He introduces himself as Fyldric, and he is dedicated to protecting these ancient books. Fyldric informs them that Henry stole the Book of King Macbeth and headed through the portal on the other side of the library. Fyldric explains that people cannot pass through the gate without permission, but the spirit of King Macbeth—who remained inside that book—was able to bypass the restriction.

Suddenly, one of the other chained books speaks. A mysterious voice, introducing itself as Loch Ness, demands to be freed. It tries to persuade the group to touch its book, but Ginny, Alaric, and Arvin do not respond to the strange voice. Fyldric just wants the book of Macbeth returned to the library.

Fyldric decides to trust Alaric, Arvin, and Ginny for now, and tells them that Henry has headed to the “Piece of Yggdrasil” that is growing beyond the gate. It was placed there along with a “Lumina,” and it is growing steadily. From its branches, ‘puppets’ can be made—and a spirit could inhabit one of these bodies. Henry is trying to give Macbeth such a body.

The group does not yet fully understand what this means, but they are determined to stop Henry regardless. Fyldric grants them access to continue further into the caverns. After some careful maneuvering, they find themselves before a vast opening, where green sparkles encircle a large gemstone entwined in twisted tree branches...

A misstep alerts Henry to Ginny and Arvin's presence. He's in the middle of constructing the wooden body for Macbeth, as the spirit clings to Henry's body, turning his eyes red. During the intense confrontation, Henry reveals his desire for retribution. He confesses that he seeks to harness Macbeth’s power to avenge his slain brothers and sisters. Alaric, Ginny, and Arvin try to talk him out of his plan, but the spirit whispers to Henry that they’re trying to stop them...

Henry begs them for help in stopping his family from sacrificing more people, naming Amelinda and Dimitri in the process. But the group knows they could never agree to such a plan. Henry explains that his family sacrificed children to find “the perfect vessel” for Surtr, the Flame Emperor—a being referred to as “The Child of Flames.” Macbeth, Henry says, is the only way he can get vengeance. Ginny, however, senses that Macbeth cannot be trusted and tries to persuade Henry to stop.

The spirit of Macbeth becomes restless. The group watches in horror as he begins to merge with Henry. Alaric, unsure whether to attack, makes a bold move and throws the small dice directly at Macbeth’s spirit. Fate decides… The Puzzle!

A pivotal moment changes everything. Fate itself appears to rewind time! Henry and King Macbeth are hurled backward through time—Henry reappearing in the exact same location, now completely unaware of what happened. Macbeth, realizing he has once again been separated from Henry, knows he is out of time—and decides to attack.

Amidst Thunderwaves and beams of necrotic energy, Henry is eventually swayed back to their side. Macbeth puts up a dangerous fight. Ginny discovers that her radiant magic has no effect on him—he laughs at her for using Light on a creature made of pure light. The battle continues. But with every blow Macbeth takes, he starts to fade—slowly turning purple.

At one point, Macbeth tries to forcibly corrupt Henry, but Henry resists. Arvin delivers the final blow to Macbeth, who dissolves into a large puff of purple smoke, shouting: "No! This was my chance! I don’t want to go back there!" before vanishing...

The group gathers to tend their wounds, both physical and emotional. Henry, now exhausted, realizes he has failed and gives up. Macbeth’s spirit is gone, and the book Henry stole from the library disintegrates...

As the group prepares to leave, Arvin hears a cracking sound and discovers a light green stone near a tree with broken branches. The fragment seems magical and valuable, though its properties are unclear. He pockets it. Back in the library, the group tells Fyldric that the Book of Macbeth has disintegrated. Fyldric is saddened and explains that Macbeth’s spirit—despite his flawed past—is now trapped in a place called “The Edge.”

Fyldric mutters, “Maybe you were not meant to be Keepers...” and suddenly, Alaric, Arvin, Ginny—and even Henry—find themselves back in the hallway with the riddles, having no memory of the library or anything that happened after...

Despite their disorientation, the group returns to the surface. Henry, having given up and fallen silent, ends the spell, and the barrier surrounding the castle disappears. Victoria and the scholars arrive to take Henry into custody. The group vaguely explains that they found him in a cave, attempting some kind of necromantic ritual.

Henry is subdued and placed inside a Resilient Sphere spell by Judelith. The group tries to explain that Henry claimed a conspiracy led him to these actions, seeking vengeance possibly linked to the entity Surtr, the Flame Emperor. But Judelith, Tana, Orso—and even Victoria—remain skeptical...

Victoria and the others decide the group has done enough, granting them rest while the scholars continue investigating. Mallow expresses surprise at how quickly they returned. Though their memories seem hazy, they were gone for less than an hour...

Victoria pays Alaric, Ginny, and Arvin 1,000 gold pieces each. Arvin and Ginny wonder what to do next—but then Arvin suddenly can’t remember where he came from. In his pocket, Arvin finds the strange green gemstone, but he doesn’t know how it got there. Alaric tries to explain away the memory loss—perhaps Arvin got hit on the head a little too hard? Later that night, by the campfire, Ginny notices her bees still haven’t returned. She doesn

’t know why. She waits at the castle’s entrance for them, but during the night, Alaric and Arvin follow her and persuade her to return home with them... The bees never returned...

And so ends... The Secret Below Fallowbrae.