Chapters/Chapter 2: The Fracture

 Date April 8th 2021 - July 1st 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After Quest Completion



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



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 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.

After Quest Completion



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



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.

After Quest Completion



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



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.

After Quest Completion



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



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.

After Quest Completion



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.