Episode 1: The Day of Our Salvation

Michael Swan
Feb 18, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Feb 20, 2023

The Moons of Brahgg

#moonsofbrahgg #ttrpgstories #fantasyshortstories

Onyx sat midway up the tiered amphitheater seating which was certainly a more modern addition to this ancient ruin. Although, ruin may not be the best word to describe the state of the Hall of the Ancients. The stone floors, granite columns, and foundational structure remained in pristine condition. He remembered his mentor, Lithlira, mentioning something about the Wickessh Order having estimated the ruins to have been constructed millennia prior.

The order of warlocks had discovered this location only recently within the last couple decades while exploring the large floating island of Phelminnolg. When they first uncovered the chamber with the bronze pedestal surrounded by 5 large stelae, they claimed that it was the first significant proof that the stories of Brahgg were true. Most of the inhabitants across the whole of Za'ak dismissed the old stories as complete fabrication, and dismissed the Wickessh warlocks with similar disregard. However, they strove hard up to this point to decipher and translate the ancient glyphs on the stelae. Grandmaster Darvin, head of the Wickessh Order, had recently been sending messages all throughout Za'ak that they had made a pivotal breakthrough and would be demonstrating irrefutably that their claims had been correct all along. Onyx's mentor Lithlira, a wind genasi witch, had received such a letter which included an invitation to a spectacular event which would usher in a new age. She did not hold any such notions of validity to the Wickessh Order's claims nor did she believe there was truly any significance to this event either, although she still elected to come and bring Onyx along with her. As he looked at her sitting beside him now, she appeared attentive, and engaged as if anticipating something significant. He supposed that one simply doesn't ignore such a proclamation. As for Onyx, he would be lying if he said he didn't hold some credence to the stories of a world inhabited by pantheons of Gods who formed and populated the five moons of Brahgg with their creations. It was mostly just a feeling those rang with some truth, but he didn't have more to go on that that alone. Darvin centered himself on the landing below just in front of the bronze pedestal. He gestured for everyone to sit down and began speaking in his magically modified voice. A spell which Onyx had not learned, but in reality he had little desire to learn a spell which required him to be so loud and intrusive. "Welcome all of you. I am glad to see so many have come from all ends of Za'ak to witness this momentous occasion." as he spoke, Onyx looked around the room and took note for the first time that the hall was in fact truly full. He supposed others held similar curiosity as Lithlira, regardless of past dismissals.

Darvin continued, "We have worked hard and reaped more of a reward than we intended. We sought knowledge and truth about the ancients and our origins. We received that and more. Today you will all be party to an ancient ritual we have uncovered. If our translations are correct, will open the portals of old and reestablish connection with the other moons and Brahgg itself." With this he paused as an appropriate amount of murmurs were exchanged among the attendees. If he was serious and more importantly correct, this would truly become a day to remember. "The ritual of the eternal is a ritual which channels divinity itself to reignite the old magic." Darvin pulled out a what appeared to be a golden skull. "Now we shall begin." The crowd hushed all noise to a nearly silent void. They froze in seemingly unintentional poses hanging on every one of Darvin's movements. He circled behind the pedestal, and placed the golden skull at its center. His hands began making intricate, controlled signs. Then his voice began chanting in a low rumble at first, then it repeated more rapidly. As his speech escalated so did his gestures now engaging more arm movement. A loud gasp from the front row of the amphitheater broke Onyx's focus on the masterful performance of the old magician. He scanned the area around the warlock and discovered what must have been the source amazement. The skull and entire pedestal was crackling with blue electricity like a million micro storms occurring all at once within that small area. Darvin began side-stepping and circling the bronze spectacle. His arms were now waving and circling through the air madly and his voice spoke with a speed and urgency like nothing Onyx had ever heard. It was loud, but Onyx could not understand any of the chant nevertheless. Almost all at once, large bolts of lightning erupted from the skull striking each of the large stone slabs at its core. The bolts connected to the stelae and continued streaming. Darvin remained in place between two of the streams chanting more furiously than ever. Sounds of stone cracking and crumbling echoed through the hall. Everyone was fully engaged. Onyx had never seen Lithlira more delighted, like the scene was unlocking some curious child deep within. Then as if something had gone wrong Darvin's chanting and movements stopped. Silence, then nothing. With one massive pulse, energy spread from the skull and appeared to shatter the stone stelae. Most in the audience shielded their faces and recoiled at the abrupt happening. The dust settled and they weren't destroyed at all. In there place stood 5 archways which had at their center magical membranes that shimmered. It had worked. Darvin looked pleased and the crowd rose and burst into applause and cheers. As the noise settled, Darvin spoke, "This is truly an accomplishment beyond anything this old trickster could have ever imagined." as he continued talking Onyx's attention trailed off towards a portal on the right closest to the audience. It pulsed with white radiance. The pulsing was mesmerizing and Darvin must have noticed the audience losing attention, because he turned to examine the portal as well. Then the room went a blinding white, as if the room had been consumed by the sun. Onyx's hands went to his eyes and he buckled over. He heard grunts and moans from those around him, and shrieks from members further down who were closer to the source. Before regaining his vision, he heard a loud, deep, booming voice utter a phrase that did not bring the comfort which should have come with the words, "FEAR NOT, THE DAY OF YOUR SALVATION HAS COME."