**Core Campaign Premise** - The players began their journey near the **Valley of the Mother**, a region tied to the powerful **[[Tribe of the Mother]]**, devoted followers of **[[Perserphina]]**. - The continent of **[[North Angoria|North Angoria]]** is fractured—caught in a three-way struggle between the **[[Askaria]] Empire** (backed by [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]), the **Free Kingdoms** led by **Brensistria** (ruled by [[Queen Cyrill]]), and the barbarian tribes (many aligned with [[Perserphina]] or [[Angoria]]). - The players journeyed through the **[[Yggrathian Forest]]**, a living, magical forest rumored to house **[[Sylrathis|Eldertree]]**, [[Sylrathis|the Tree of Life]]—later known as **[[Sylrathis]]**. **Starting Events and Key Themes** - The party was introduced to **[[Mavros]] and [[Ariana]]**, the warrior-leaders of Continent of [[North Angoria]], who seek peace through strategy rather than mindless war. - **Savereign**, a tiefling PC and former slave of [[Askaria]], was moved by their words and began his own vow to bring down the empire. - The [[Yggrathian Forest]] introduced the players to ancient nature magic and whispers of **[[Sylrathis]]**, foreshadowing her importance later in the campaign. - There are **three paths** to the valley—through the river, through villages to the south, and through the perilous enchanted forest. **Storm Giant Arc** - The party travels to **[[Thaurum’Zar]]**, mountain citadel of the Storm Giants, where a piece of the **[[Shield of the Gods]]** was stolen. - It was taken by **Drow**, then claimed by **Cloud Giants**, and used to awaken the **[[Necrotic Behemoth (Awakened Form)|Necrotic Behemoth]]**. - The **Cloud Giants**, led by **High King [[King Aeradan]] the Ascendant**, now seek divine power and world reshaping. - The party spends **two months** training, forging alliances, and uncovering truths within [[Thaurum’Zar]]. **Two-Month Downtime Structure** - Players undergo **training trials** weekly (e.g., Trial of the Winds, Trial of Echoing Memory). - Rewards include **Stormforged Support Cards** and **Relic Cards**, usable once in battle or roleplay. - Personal trials (e.g., Trial of the Tempest Heart, Trial of the Silent Thunder) offer powerful Relic Cards and narrative impact. **Example Support & Relic Cards** - **Vaelthor’s Command:** Reroll or +2 to a save. - **Echo of the First Storm (Cleric):** Free spell slot use + AoE fear. - **Pulse of Still Lightning (Monk):** Take two turns in a row. - **Heart of the Howling Storm (Barbarian):** Deal 1d10 lightning to all near + damage resistance. **[[Necrotic Behemoth (Awakened Form)|Necrotic Behemoth]] Highlights** - A 100-foot undead titan, awakened by the Cloud Giants. - Swallows Large or smaller creatures; has a Rot Aura and Necrotic Pulse. - Heading toward **[[Sylrathis]]**, the world tree. **[[Sylrathis]], [[Sylrathis|the Tree of Life]] ([[Sylrathis|Eldertree]])** - Located in the heart of the [[Yggrathian Forest]]. - Roots span the world, capable of healing or resurrection. - Threatened by corruption spread through the roots by the Behemoth and [[Anam]]. **Key NPCs** - **[[Mavros]] & [[Ariana]]:** Tribal leaders, powerful yet peace-driven. Helped guide the party early in the campaign. - **[[King Vaelthor]]:** Storm Giant ruler, proud, ashamed of the Shield loss. - **Oracle [[Nymera]]:** Blind tempest seer. - **[[Commander Raeskar]]:** War-minded storm giant general. - **[[Forgemaster Olnak]]:** Stormforged crafter. - **[[Hragna]] Frostvein:** Estranged daughter of the Frost Giant King, recently aided the party. - **High King [[King Aeradan]]:** Cloud Giant antagonist. - **The Brides (Astrecolis, Lith, Misery, Sheba):** Complex players seeking godhood. **Giant Politics Revealed** - **Fire Giants ([[Queen Imbrax]]):** Allied with Cloud Giants. - **Frost Giants ([[King Hrothskar]]):** Neutral, hesitant. - **Stone Giants ([[King Grolthuun]]):** Undecided, swayed by Cloud emissaries. - **Cloud Giants ([[King Aeradan]]):** Lead the divine rebellion, empowered by the Shield fragment. **World Stakes** - The gods’ influence is strained: [[Perserphina]], [[Angoria]], [[Dijinus, God of Fire|Dijinus]], and [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]] all have followers in conflict. - [[Askaria]] continues to enslave and expand, devoted to [[Sorgoganis, Evil God of War|Sorgoganis]]. - Brensistria and [[Continent of North Angoria]] struggle to prevent war while preparing for inevitable confrontation.