Ancient Blue: Session 2
Whispers of Gods and Dragons
The second session began where the party last found respite—within the walls of 51: Fortress of the Three Swords Navy. Most of the adventurers were still recovering from exhaustion and wounds sustained in the chaos of the previous expedition. Only Toshiro and Kazumi (JBC) remained active, using the time to meet and welcome Bellaris and Porsche (Vincent) and Zhemni (Jason) into the growing band.
The Underground Onsen
Once everyone was ready, the party set out and returned to 61: Underground City, where they accepted a request from Slobur, a dwarf engineer overseeing an ambitious excavation project. His goal was to create a new hot spring—an onsen—for the city. However, disaster struck during the digging. Slobur’s workers uncovered a Crimson Maggot, a monstrous creature far beyond what they could handle.
Slobur pleaded with the party to eliminate it so work could continue. The battle was brutal—the Crimson Maggot was twice the party’s level, and a single mistake could have meant disaster. Yet through clever positioning, relentless defense by the Runefolk’s golem, and Toshiro (JBC) holding the front line, the party brought the monster down without suffering a single injury.
With the threat eliminated, Slobur was finally able to complete the excavation. In time, a new onsen was constructed in the heart of 61: Underground City, a lasting mark of the party’s contribution. Unfortunately, the other available quests in the city were still far beyond their current strength. With that in mind, the party chose to explore a new landmass instead.
The Sea of Mana
Their ship sailed into Sea Area 5: The Sea of Mana, a mysterious island where all spells require only half their usual mana cost. Magic itself felt lighter here, more eager to respond.
This bay is crowded with numerous small islands. The narrow straits between the islands are intertwined like a maze, and it is rumored that deep within lies a pirate hideout.
Their first discovery was 16: The Thousand Shores Bay, a sprawling bay dotted with countless small islands. Narrow straits twisted between them like a labyrinth of stone and water. Curious, the party ventured deeper—only to find sheer cliffs plunging into darkness like a bottomless abyss. From below, a giant Angler Fish erupted from the depths and attacked.
The party wasted no time retreating and instead navigated another path through the maze. There, they spotted a small island crowned with a watchtower. As they approached the inlet, pirate ships burst forth from a hidden harbor, attacking in force. This was the rumored pirate hideout of the bay.
The pirates revealed themselves to be Lizardmen, and though the party fought fiercely, the enemy numbers were overwhelming. Exhausted and low on resources, the party made the tactical decision to withdraw rather than attempt a full assault on the hideout. They left 16: Thousand Shores Bay behind and sailed onward.
The Seat of the Departed Gods
The treacherous rocky mountain, covered in deep snow throughout the year, is said to have been the seat of the gods who protected the Seven Kings Archipelago, and it is believed
that Glacial, the Ice Dragon King who served the gods, still dwells there.
At the foot of this peak lies a small village
Their journey brought them to 36: Seat of the Departed Gods, a land of jagged mountains perpetually buried in snow. At the mountain’s base lay a small village, where the party rested and recovered in a local onsen. From the villagers, they learned that a palace shrouded in mist stood atop the mountain—a place where gods once dwelled. Now, it was said to be ruled by Lord Glacial, the Ice Dragon King.
The party stocked up on winter mountaineering gear and began the ascent. For days they climbed through biting cold and howling winds. Along the way, they encountered a mountain beast, the frozen remains of a long-dead traveler, and became lost in blizzards three separate times.
At last, they emerged from the storm—and found themselves standing in a lush green meadow, warm as spring. Colorful flowers bloomed across the grass, untouched by snow. Beyond the field stood a brilliant white palace, radiant against the sky.
Then the air trembled.
A colossal dragon descended, scales like crystal ice glowing pale blue in the light. Around him, other dragons rested and watched. This was the domain of the ice dragons—and before them stood Glacial, the Ice Dragon King.
The Words of Glacial
Glacial welcomed the party and revealed ancient truths long hidden from mortal history. He spoke of the age of gods, of Asteria, of kings descended from divine blessing—the Crimson King, the Azure King, and their tragic downfalls brought about by the schemes of Earth Storm Zoras-Valles, Immortal Queen Zeides, and Sea Snatcher Eiryak.
- More info can be found on Earth Storm Zoras-Valles on Magus Arts (MA p. 61)
- More info can be found on Immorrtal Queen Zeides and Sea Snatcher Eiryak on CRII p. 312
He revealed the truth of the Seven Kings’ Legacy:
It is a Ritual Implement capable of communicating with the gods, once kept in a heavenly garden and now hidden by Zoras-Valles.
Glacial went on to share the known locations of the Ancient Gods’ Divine Domains, the fate of the Crimson King’s magic swords, and the terrifying nature of the Dark Red Hearts—undead remnants blessed by Zeides herself, destroyable only through Ancient God Verses.
He also spoke of 66: Valley of the Sleeping Dragons, the role of the Dragon Priestess, and the danger posed by undead dragons born of soulscars.
Finally, Glacial revealed that a descendant of the Dragon Priestess—Aluminus—lived quietly in the village below. He asked that she accompany the party, as her destiny was tied to the awakening struggles of the archipelago.
The party remained in the palace for an entire week, gathering knowledge, asking questions, and absorbing the weight of the revelations laid before them.
Descent of the Ice Dragons
When it was time to depart, Glacial offered a gift few mortals ever receive.
The party mounted the backs of the ice dragons.
With a thunderous beat of wings, the dragons took flight, soaring above frozen peaks and endless clouds. The world fell away beneath them—mountains shrinking to shadows, storms breaking apart below. Cold winds howled past, yet the dragons’ presence radiated calm and ancient power.
From the skies, the Seat of the Departed Gods revealed its full majesty—a sacred land untouched by time. Then, as swiftly as they had risen, the dragons descended, gently setting the party down at the mountain’s base like falling snowflakes.
It was a journey the party would never forget.
Aluminus and the Swamps
Back in the village, the party found Aluminus, working quietly as a maid in the onsen. They relayed Glacial’s message, and without hesitation, she accepted her role and joined their journey.
Aluminus (Human/Female/16 years old) lives quietly on
the outskirts of the village. She is a descendant of The Moonlight King Urimmyara, born under the protection of the dragon overlord Sivelaise, who guarded the bloodline of the Dragon Priestesses.
Later, she was entrusted to the Ice Dragon King Glacial and raised in the Palace of Departed Gods. However, a few years ago, following Glacial’s belief that “humans should live among humans, live with them and learn their ways,” she came to live in the village.
And now, having received a message from Glacial, Aluminus has made up her mind to set out on a journey. From this point on, Aluminus becomes a companion.
The party set sail once more, arriving at 45: Poison Mist Swamp. The villagers there wore Purifying Masks to resist the toxic air and lived on the fifth floors of tall towers, safely above the mist. They warned the party of Quepala’ulas, giant pythons, and other deadly creatures lurking deeper within the swamp. The party also learned of Jijintoshika Pills, medicinal herbs harvested from the swamp that restore fatigue.
No one knows why the swamp became shrouded in poisonous mist. However, at some point, a village sprang up along its banks, filled with tower-like buildings, where people wearing anti-poison masks came to live. They make their living by gathering rare medicinal herbs from the mist-covered swamp
With no immediate business there, the party moved on.
The Decayed Forest
After braving another storm, the party reached 63: Decayed Forest. The Runefolk immediately recognized the danger—the spores in the air caused Mycelial Lung Disease, a slow and deadly affliction.
It’s a fungal forest where trees are rotting, covered in mushrooms and mold. Upon closer inspection, small caterpillar-like creatures are secreting fungal threads and causing the trees to decay, so the forest’s deterioration continues to spread.
Despite the risk, the party ventured deeper and was ambushed by Corrupt Caterpillars. Thanks to quick thinking and the Runefolk’s golem holding the line, they escaped without casualties.
End of Session
Having fully explored the island and survived its many dangers, the party returned to 41: Abandoned Shiptown to rest and recover.
The session ended there—armed with divine secrets, a Dragon Priestess at their side, and the growing realization that the shadows moving across the archipelago were far older, and far more dangerous, than they had ever imagined.
Total Days: 70
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