This was all played mobsol (mobile and solo) in a period of my downtime, away from the gaming table. Needless to say, it was the most epic visit to a supermarket I’ve ever experienced.

Grayson Strell was a broken man.

It was six years after the second attack by the alien beings known as the Valkeesh. Six years after Flamer had given his life to save the island. It was such a short time, and yet so much had happened in between. The elements had been realigned, the Tsethem had faced off against Nekrahtrox (twice), and the Worldforge had been shattered, sending the planes into a state of collapse. The world needed heroes. But The Vindicus didn’t feel like one.

Strell had carved an unbelievable path for himself. Becoming Grand High Commander of the military was the tip of the iceberg. After Orthraze fell (followed shortly by the whole empire), he had entered into a pact with a demon and become a revenant. After his revenge was fulfilled and his title as Tsethem claimed, he cheated death by receiving an artifact called the Forever Stone. Several years later he faced off against his patron, and walked away with his undead nature reversed. He also inherited his patron’s powers and demon army, becoming a warlock of himself.

Ask nearly anyone on the island, and they’d tell you that Vindicus had redeemed himself. But in his heart, he felt like there was something still missing. And there was: because Vind wasn’t truly sorry. Despite his insistence that he’d entered into the pact for the sake of the empire, he had a greater reason for giving up his humanity. That reason was a woman named Charlotta Veil.

Captain Veil had fought under him in the Great War, and during that nightmarish year they had developed feelings for each other. They shared a closer bond than most couples, because they’d been through hell and back together. But despite having faced nightmarish creatures from beyond the planes, both of them were killed in the battle of Orthraze.

Strell had seen Veil fall to the Mirlings, before he too followed. He believed it was the end. But a demon, seeing the rage and potential built up inside the man, offered him a new beginning. A chance to avenge Veil’s death. Strell agreed without hesitation.

It wasn’t the ceaseless killings that followed that haunted Strell’s dreams, nor the resurrection and second death of his beloved Charlotta. It was he realization that, gives the chance, he would make the same decision. He would become a revenant and unleash his wrath on all those who had brought Orthraze to its knees.

Korena Ionu had been listening to Strell’s rant. She was also a Tsethem, and the High Cleric of Appinamopu Tharth. They were walking through the temple’s pristinely kept gardens, the scent of rosemary and fresh earth lingering in the air. Korena and Vind had never gotten along well, even going so far as to cross blades in the Bloodless War. But she could sense that her old rival was desperately seeking redemption, and she appreciated that.

She agreed to think the matter over carefully, and discuss with Grand High Cleric Della Yue. In the meantime she invited Strell to accompany her on a personal mission, partly because of his martial prowess and partly to take his mind off things.

An hour later they were flying an airship over the ruins of Cosapai. Four years had passed since the rubble had been cleansed of shadow energy, so reports of an evil presence lurking around the place had Korena worried. A short meditation allowed her to pinpoint their target’s location: a crumbling airship dock located near the outskirts.

Jumping from an airship is always a pretty impressive thing to do, but following it up by landing right in front of the badguy makes it even more epic. The creature was a mass of writhing black ichor, like someone had mixed water and shadow elementals together. But that wasn’t what made the two Tsethem recoil. They’d faced off against Nekrahtox, and this thing wasn’t half as evil. No, it was the face protruding from the centre of the swirling tendrils that made them take a step back. An Elvish face, twisted and tortured. His wild eyes stared at them as he opened his mouth to speak.

“Tsethem. I am… Sorry.”

With that, the creature lunged forward, lashing its tentacles against them. Vind and Korena fought back, using their impressive martial skills gained from many years of experience.

Vind was silent as the grave, but Korena attempted to reason with the thing. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?” Tears were rolling down the elf’s cheeks as he replied, battering Vindicus against the wall. “I have no choice, I have no choice. He has taken my wife and child. I have no choice…” “Who? Who has done this to you? We can help, I swear it!” “No choice, no choice…”

The fight was going badly for the protectors. Korena donned her Tsethem mask and activated it, becoming one with the light and illuminating every inch of the tower. But it wasn’t enough to stop the horrifically mutated elf. He seized Vindicus and began to crush his armor around him. His breastplate crumpled in on his chest, sending a surge of pain through the old man’s body.

For once in his life, the Vindicus didn’t fight back. Instead he stared straight at the shadow being, sharp eyes visible through his angular helmet. Because he finally understood; he looked at his enemy and saw himself.

“No.” Vind’s gaze was unwavering, despite his failing lungs. “There is… Always a choice. Years ago… I was you. I… sided with true evil, to protect my love.” He shook his head. “A noble cause does not justify such… A heinous act. I would not make that same mistake again.” Korena’s eyes darted between them from over her shield. “Come with us. We have the power to save your family.”

The elf parted his cracked lips. “You have no idea…”

He squeezed. Vind’s armor buckled beneath the pressure, instantly crushing his heart. The elf let his limp body crash to the ground as Korena charged.

Grayson Strell died for the last time. I believe he went the way he would have wanted to go; in the heat of battle. But more importantly, he died with repentance in his heart. Vind had struggled all his life to atone for sins that he wasn’t truly sorry for. Now, at long last, he could rest in peace.

* * *

Korena fell before the Sklimek, as they’d later be called. It all boiled down to a single damage dice roll: if she had just rolled a little higher, things might have been different. But as it was, both Tsethem were killed that night. Even if Korena had survived, even if Vind had wanted to be brought back… He couldn’t have been. The test was successful.

In a laboratory near the heart of the plane of life, a lich cackled with sinister glee. The Tsethem were weak to his creations, and their spells could no longer resurrect the fallen. It was time to end their reign.

Strell opened his eyes to an orange sky. Domed towers and sharp spires reached for the heavens, glinting in the light of the setting sun. Orthraze, in its heyday.

He stood up. He was wearing his old commander’s outfit, the crisp white suit looking as pristine as the day he’d first donned it. A sound caught his attention: Charlotta Veil was walking towards him, looking as she had back before the Great War. She smiled at her old commander.

“You took your time.” “Where am I? Is this..?” She nodded. “It’s the waiting place.”

They found themselves upon one of the wall’s battlements. Strell turned on the spot, taking in the city’s sweeping majesty. A wave of relief washed over the now much younger looking man, making him laugh out loud. “Then… Am I redeemed?” “It would appear so.”

Looking out over their old home, the two veterans of countless battles sat down together.

And began to wait.

Setting Guide update: Steady going, it’s coming along nicely. I’m working on about two or three projects at the same time (if you count gaming as a project), so it’s probably gonna be a little while before it comes out.

Stay tuned for mores tales, trivia, and other stuff from the world of Empai Tirkosu!