3. Inciting Incident: The Cradle of Exaltation

Inciting Incident: The Cradle of Exaltation


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    The Cradle of Exaltation

    Inciting Incident / Élément déclencheur:

    The Locus Operandi have been invited to a celebration in Moonreach Keep, namely a feast hosted by Lord Caleb, to rejoice the successful defense of Moonreach Keep against Adan Whisperwick's siege, the successful counter-raid and defeat of Adan Whisperwick and recovery of Jaxon.

    Tentative Time - Subject to change:

    Saturday, July 25th, 2026, at 12:00 Noon Eastern Time.

    Current Status & Situation:

    Much has changed since the Locus Operandi formed and began exploring Moonreach Keep. Plots have been uncovered, adversaries defeated, and new friends made. By the time we will return to them, below is a catalogue of where things stand.

    • The Locus Operandi have recently defeated Adan Whisperwick, and now possess the coalesced aether.

    • The ever-diplomatic Florian has heard whispers of the intentions of the Gloaming Witch & the restored Calderan Lord Kzagoth to vie for the coalesced ether now possessed by the Locus.

    • Laura Cade has learned that her brother Barton worked for Cleimant and member of the Caldera Manor Ava Brokenblade, who has yet to reveal Barton's true and exact task. Laura has also more recently learned that Astrologer Farian is looking into potent divination magic.

    • Patrick, tasked with teaching the children of Moonreach Keep, has uncovered books concerning an archaic enclave known as the "Aureates," and their rituals to elevate champions to their cause.

    • Jhaelryna has learned that Spellweaver Keep suddenly and violently disappeared during the Zhentarim siege of Norwick, and, now, more recently, has learned that Astrologer Farian is looking into something apparently similar that happened in Moonreach long ago.

    • A quicksilver clone of Octavia is at large, apparently quite armed, and quite dangerous.

    • Aenhever has suffered visions of a fearsome moonlit rite.

    • Jax's body has been restored, though its tether to this realm and stability remain in question.

    • Lokelani discovered the annihilation of her sister, Hokanoe, resulted from attempts to transmute her own soul with runic magic.

    • Nerrez has contracted lycanthropy, and now affiliates with a moonrat student of runes, seeking to learn more of their shared connection to moonlight.

    • Nearly all Lunar Knights have abandoned May Celine, following Ashla Mihr Anahel's challenge against her secrecy regarding the mercurial quicksilver, and the inquiries which followed.

    • The Lunar Knights have joined High Priest Tallseise, of the Order of the Blue Moon, who now makes his way towards Moonreach Keep to discuss the circumstances leading to the abdication of their former order.

    • Battles against Adan Whisperwick and the blazing star entity have quaked the province of Moonreach, leading to the re-opening of long-forgotten passages below, including to the Aureate ruins and their tarnished fane.

    Amidst the encroaching danger that will soon cast a shadow over these circumstances, the Locus Operandi must confront a new enemy and unknown dangers descending upon Moonreach Keep. Each choice will exact its toll, each action its consequence. Their opposition will not rest, nor will the ground beneath Moonreach Keep, as it quakes and crumbles to open new passages into lost and lethal realms.

    But before any of that... a celebration is in order. Revelry is to be had, for the defeat of Adan Whisperwick, recovery of the coalesced aether, and Moonreach Keep's return to safety. Lord Caleb intends to throw a feast in the honor of the Locus Operandi.

    Consideration:

    This is the primary introductory event to the next major plot in the Moonreach Campaign. The party's decisions and actions will set the stage for the events to come. The usual considerations apply.

    Scheduling, Planning & Actions:

    Participants may discuss availability below, along with details of their character's actions in the two in-game weeks that have transpired since the defeat of Adan Whisperwick and recovery of Jax. This information will be treated intermediary character background information (comparable to background information when first starting a character). You may use this thread to RP or provide such information.

    [DM Xanatos Gambit / Eternal]


  • Laura, while much relieved at Jaxon's retrieval from George Prime, still seems reluctant about celebrating the past events. Indeed, since things calmed down she's been somewhat of a recluse, mainly working on her divinations - focused around not Barton himself, but various items cherished and dear to her brother in an attempt to bypass the blank nothing she's faced at every previous direct attempt.

    She seems very keen on Farian's new research and spends most of her time either assisting him directly, quizzing him at length or exploring the scatter-shot divination of objects on her own. It is with this in mind that she seeks out Ava Brokenblade, determined to find out every possible detail she may about Barton Cade's true mission.