Campaign: “The Shrouded Vale”
Episode 18: Breaking the Chains
April 19, 2025
Ignoring the corrupted version of himself, Tavi Falconheart grips the heavy stone tighter, hoisting it high overhead, then slamming it down with crushing force to demolish the upper section of the basin. Cracks spider along its surface. A bit of the magical fluid begins to spill. The light inside flickers wildly, casting long, violent shadows against the walls.
Corrupted-Tavi growls—and lunges forward. Past-Tavi ducks aside, heart pounding. He can't bring himself to strike back. Not yet. If the basin is destroyed, maybe... just maybe... the corruption will lose its grip.
Lifting the heavy stone again, he takes another fierce swing. It's working! He'll need to repeat at least a few more times.
The air thickens with the smell of burning roots. The basin hums louder, vibrating the stone beneath his feet. The basin would not fall without a fight.
Then—movement in the mist. Something—or someone—approaches from the shadows.
A figure steps into view. Cloaked in red. Hands of wood and metal gleaming under the basin’s sickly light.
Tavi’s eyes widen. The rogue he once knew—scarred, battered, and somehow alive. Borra flexing his mechanical fingers; the joints hiss and clink with each movement. The hands are crude, but strong enough to grip a blade—and perhaps, much more.
You're not alone, my friend,
Borra says, his voice low and urgent. Let me handle the monster.
But Tavi didn’t see a monster. He saw only himself. Don't hurt him!
Looking at the corrupted Tavi, Borra understands completely. He too was unsure if the destruction of the basin would cure the corruption, but it was worth the risk.
One of us should distract,
Borra suggested firmly, the other destroys.
Corrupted-Tavi snarls again, sensing the new threat. His body twists, roots lashing out around him like living whips.
Time is slipping. The basin weakens. The corruption grows.
Past-Tavi hesitates, torn between action and instinct. There’s more than one path forward—each one riskier than the last.