Chapters/Chapter 2: The Fracture

April 8th 2021 - July 8th, 8PM ET 2021

Week 1: Beguiling Brilstones
Introduction



Blackthorn : Hello there, Hotshot. Been awhile since our last assignment. But this time we won’t be chasing storms or jumping into fractures.

Brilstone formations have begun to spring up across the Hollow Lands. You know brilstones, yeah? They’re the magic gems that power those fancy gauntlets of yours. Dustpool got rich mining veins of the stuff. What your order is curious about is why these magic stones are growing outside of those underground veins.

So I want you to investigate, see how these brilstones react to you. Or, more specifically, how they react to your magic.

Briefing

Blackthorn : Brilstones were a large part of Highland trade back in the day. Mining, refining, research. Put a real damper on Dustpool’s profits when magic was outlawed.

After Quest Completion



Blackthorn : Don’t worry about destroying those brilstone clusters. By the time you next head out, they’ll have all grown back again. And to your benefit, looks like. From what we discovered this week, they can give you all sorts of perks.

Still, the shrine was intriguing. When you hit those brilstones, the shrine seemed to… activate, I suppose. But to what end? Well, that can wait until next week. For now, enjoy your new toys.

Week 2: Slumbering Shrines
Introduction



Blackthorn : We looked into that shrine you investigated last week, and wouldn’t you know it? Seems we’re dealing with the stuff of legends.

Quincy found a passage about all six of them. Well, more frankly, he found a bunch of riddles that should lead you straight to each shrine. And while I’m loathe to hand out guessing games for your assignment, I certainly couldn’t tell you where to go.

Follow the riddles, activate the shrines, you get the gist. See if there’s anything special about those old ruins.

Briefing

Blackthorn : Shrines denote worship, don’t you think? Which means the Highlands used to worship the elements. And magic, most likely, given how these shrines reacted to your powers.

After Quest Completion



Blackthorn : Good work out there. Looks like these activated shrines are now a hotbed of elemental energy. Which should be... helpful, I suppose? Eh. I’ll leave it to the scholars to figure that out. In the meantime, it would be in your best interest to keep investigating. Those brilstone clusters are damn useful, and the shrines could be too. Take whatever edge you can get.

Be ready for a less theoretical assignment next week. I need your help investigating a rumor.

Week 3: Disturbing Rumors
Introduction



Blackthorn : Rumor has it that the Order of the Vowbreakers caused the Fracture. I’ve been assured it’s a bald-faced lie, but I have reason to believe your order. The general populace does not.

The rumor’s been spreading across Longwatch like spiritfire, and no one knows the source of it all. Not yet, anyway. My informants have been looking into this for me, and I need you to collect what they gathered. Oh, and be a dear and pay them too. Information doesn’t come free, after all.

Briefing

Blackthorn : Rumors can be vicious things. I’ve collected them, spread them, weaponized them. And now that very power is being used against your order.

After Quest Completion



Blackthorn : No great revelation here. The Vowkeepers are the ones spreading this rumor, most likely to further discredit the Order. Blame The Fracture on those damned mages and all that.

But the level of detail this rumour has is… strange. There’s several reports of a magical artifact called the Vital Stone of Gyle. Never heard of it myself, but I’d like to learn more.

I’ll come up with a plan to get further intel. Until then, you keep doing whatever it is Breakers do.

Week 4: Get Their Attention
Introduction



Blackthorn : The Vowkeepers have more information on The Fracture than they’re letting on. The rumour they spread proves that. We need to know what they know. And that means infiltrating their organization.

What the Keepers need now, more than ever, is strength. And while they may hate you Breakers, they’re not above converting the occasional criminal. Plenty of Vowguard soldiers actually started as Breakers, believe it or not.

But first, you need to prove yourself worthy of their ranks. I have a few ideas in mind.

Briefing

Blackthorn : Like attracts like, as you say. You’ll have to get down to the Vowkeepers’ level if you ever want to join their ranks.

After Quest Completion



Blackthorn : You make betraying your order look a little too easy. Makes me want to keep an eye out.

Next, I’ll arrange for a meeting between you and the Vowkeepers. Don’t worry about smooth talking them—there’s nothing a Keeper loves more than the sound of their own voice. Just follow their orders until you find out more about The Fracture and this Vital Stone of Gyle.

It’s likely you’ll be asked to act against us. Do it. The Order knows about your assignment and you have their full support. Whatever you’re asked to do, do without hesitation. Save for slicing my throat.

One last word of advice; do not botch this operation. That’s all.

Week 5: Double Agent
Introduction



Ferec Snowlash : What are the to you, ? The shadows that you jump from? The chains grabbing tightly to your wrists? We are so much more. We are your end. And your beginning.

Join us and know your true power. Wield magic for our just cause and turn yourself away from sin.

I shall grant you the opportunity to prove your loyalty. The kingdoms, in their wisdom, have sought our aid with a number of tasks. Perform admirably, and your place among us will be secured.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : You may have given yourself over to the temptation of magic, but now is the time to cleanse yourself of such sins. Your work here shall turn your wickedness into righteousness.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : I see now that you were worthy of our attention. The kingdoms will be pleased.

I want you to forget your past life. The bonds you forged, the allies you made. They’re worthless to you now, here in these Hollow Lands. Give your loyalty to us, and you shall be made anew. Henceforth, you shall no longer bear the title. I now name you emissary of the Vow Mandate.

You shall report to me for your weekly assignments. Until then.

Week 6: Hollow Land Surveillance
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : The are a plague upon these lands. Corrupting, conniving, capricious. You chose well to leave such filth behind.

If we’re to defeat our enemies, we need first the means to track them. By the, Longwatch has stood vigil over such matters for centuries. They have developed a device that my Vowguard is keen to put into operation. These <span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Surveillance Pods record arcane energy, which will in turn allow us to track the Breakers’ movements.

As our emissary, you are charged with placing these Surveillance Pods within the Hollow Lands. Mandate guide you.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : Know thy enemy, is that not how the saying goes? Even when that enemy uses deceit and subterfuge to survive, just like the rats they are.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : For too long have the held dominion over the Hollow Lands, polluting our kingdoms with their depraved ways. It is the divine duty to bring them to heel. These Surveillance Pods are but the first step to their ultimate demise.

Amiable work, emissary. Let us see how you fare next week.

Week 7: Break the Breakers
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : I personally oversee a squadron of elite, former like yourself, handpicked for their loyalty to the  Vow Mandate's  cause. They are meticulously trained in the combat arts, but lack your recent experience.

The surveillance pods you placed last week will allow my to study your tactics. You shall attune your arcane energy to one of the devices. It will then be able to precisely track your every movement, allowing my to study your skill.

Attune yourself to a surveillance pod and rain justice down onto the. That is all.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : The Breakers thwart our every effort with their deranged tactics. If we’re to face such an enemy, we must first understand them.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : Impressive. You fight with a ferocity, emissary.

My shall study your tactics for their own battles to come. And make no mistake, those battles shall come soon. We shall purge these lands of the corruption, and the kingdoms will finally know peace once more.

Week 8: The Vital Stone of Gyle
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : The time has come, emissary. You have proven yourself worthy of the truth.

The was an artifact of untold power, safeguarded by the. The, in their foolishness, coveted such power. In their attempt to steal it, they destroyed the stone and unleashed. And now our homelands lie in ruins.

We must find proof of this truth and reveal the sins of these putrid. Only then can the kingdoms finally heal. I leave this burden in your capable hands, emissary. Do not fail me.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : The Vital Stone of Gyle was locked away for the protection of all. We knew that the Breakers would sow naught but strife if they obtained such power. And we were right.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Ferec Snowlash : How dare you bring me such lies? Do you take me for a fool?

"Vowkeeper Shaina has been placed under suspicion. Her inquiries lead us to believe that she has knowledge of the stone, despite her limited authorization. I have put her under surveillance for now."

This report must be forged. It’s impossible that one of our own… that a would destroy the. Did put you up to this? Are you working with him to slander our good name?

, seize them at once! No, no, you fools, they’re escaping! You cannot run forever,. I will find you!

Week 9: A Hollow War
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Welcome back to the fold,. I am Thadius Vanderun, leader of the. A role I take no pleasure in, but do my utmost to uphold. For the good of all.

We’re still investigating all that you learned during your infiltration of the. Even now, our scholars are researching the as our agents search for information on the  we believe destroyed the artifact. Our order hasn't forgotten what you worked so hard to secure. As soon as we have more information, you will be the first to know.

For now, we must deal with the infiltrating the Hollow Lands. Your assignment this week is to support your fellow and join their battles. Goddess guide you.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : You took a great risk when you infiltrated the Vowkeepers, all so that we may know the truth of the Fracture. Our Order will not soon forget your bravery, Breaker.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : We have managed to hold the back for now, though we know not for how long. This has always been the way. We fight, we run, we live to see another day. Constantly fleeing from the long shadows that the cast. Yet we cannot maintain such careful tactics, not if we are to find the truth.

For now, take some time to rest. Tomorrow is another day, and yet another battle.

Week 10: The Temporal Device
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : There shall be no peace in the Hollow Lands until we learn the truth of the. The, the who destroyed it, how it all came to pass. There is still far too much we do not know.

Fortunately, our answers lie in a magical device known as the. This mysterious artifact was hidden away after the came to pass. It allowed scholars to view historical events. For us, it shall be our means to uncover the truth.

Find the. Learn of its power. And, above all, be cautious. We cannot allow the to learn of our intentions.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Think of all we could learn if we still had artifacts like the Chronolith. The Vow Mandate did not just take magic away from us, Breaker. It stole fundamental truths, now lost to us.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Apologies, my friend. If I had known sought to disrupt our efforts, I would have warned you. Though you handled yourself valiantly.

Now that the is attuned to our time, we must seek where the  was destroyed. The echoes of that event will allow the device to show us the past. For now, it is imperative we focus our efforts on the. The will be of little use to us if the Hollow Lands are wrested out of our control.

Week 11: Vexing the Vowkeepers
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Though your infiltration of the was imperative to our mission, it has given our enemies a distinct advantage. The surveillance pods you placed track our every movement and leave us vulnerable to attack. Furthermore, the have gained the ability to capture disrupted souls. Trapped in such a state, are unable to return to their vital stone and regain their corporeal form. A fate worse than death.

I ask you to destroy the surveillance pods and free your fellow. Let our allies know that we refuse to back down from the aggression.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : We cannot allow the Hollow Lands to slip from our grasp. Not when we are so close to finally finding the truth of The Fracture.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : Our order has never enjoyed the privilege of having an edge over the. They have superior numbers, strength, and support. But that doesn't mean we can’t fight. So long as magic flows through our gauntlets and there’s a greater truth to be shared, the will never back down. And you have proved that commitment time and time again these past few weeks.

Your next assignment will be to uncover the truth once and for all. Who caused the ? How? Why? Let us pray that the reveals all.

Week 12: The Fractured Truth
Introduction



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : The time has come,. The culmination of all our efforts, all our sacrifices. We have discovered where the originated.

We believe that it was a who destroyed the, an artifact of untold power. Destroying the stone caused the, a catastrophe that destroyed several kingdoms and created the. The once noble Highlands became the Hollow Lands, unable to be reclaimed. But if we wish to save ourselves from this devastation, we must first ascertain the truth.

The shall reveal all. I leave this task in your capable hands. Stay the course, my friend. We’re almost done.

Briefing

<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : If our people are to heal, we must uncover the truth of The Fracture. Though I must ask… will the citizens of this land accept such truth? We can only hope.

After Quest Completion



<span style="color: var(--theme-page-text-color);">Thadius Vanderun : So it is true. A apprentice destroyed the. It was by her hand that the reigned such devastation. However, I do not believe this is the entire truth. That stone held incredible power. To think that one woman, let alone one with no magical knowledge, could destroy it? There must be a stronger force at play here. Whether that is the or another power… I am not sure.

We also know that the, while destroyed, is not truly gone. Its arcane influence still feeds into the, and its power lies within the crystals that continue to grow within the Hollow Lands. We must learn more if we’re to save our kingdoms. Our struggle continues.

For now, we must spread the truth. Let our fellow citizens know of the deception. Perhaps even garner some support for our order. Show the people of this land that we’re not the villains the Keepers claim us to be.

This is only possible by your actions,. Be proud of what you’ve done. And, I’m sure, all that you will do.