Tough As Dirt #25

Tough As Dirt made their way to the Temple of Thrax in Othrund to seek a hidden tunnel beneath the city to sneak into Parliament in order to save their friends

When they arrived, they found a Cleric of Thrax, Veritax, giving a sermon, and Varsmack immediately volunteered to sacrifice something, since a ritual of sacrifice was happening

• During Varsmack's ritual, in which he offered to sacrifice the "storm in his blood," Veritax preached on how Thrax and Deorus are intertwined, not just because of their cooperation during the Constellation War, but because death and sacrifice go hand in hand

• Varsmack cut himself to drain the "storm" from his blood, but things soon took a turn, and a storm erupted in the temple, driving the worshippers away, but Veritax stayed with Varsmack, encouraging him and remaining by his side as death closed in around Varsmack

  • Just as it seemed as though the storm could not be extinguished, and Varsmack began to lose what little life force he had remaining, a man appeared in the sanctuary -- who the group later concluded was Deorus himself -- and took on Varsmack's sacrifice, crumpling to the ground and disappearing, allowing Varsmack to live, though the storm was not extinguished, though it was tempered to a degree.

Veritax spoke with the group after and admitted that he too was atoning through sacrifice in Othrund. He was from a small town in Highcroft called Deor, and years ago he had encouraged and convinced the town and a father to sacrifice his own child for the sake of the town. The father had done so, and had later taken his own life in shame and guilt.

• Veritax admitted he later regretted his decision and came to Othrund to die, but found new purpose. However, he still awaits retribution and justice for his crimes, which he fully believes will come for him someday.

The cleric of Thrax showed the group the tunnel to Parliament hidden beneath a shrine labeled "Requiem's House," which depicted Thrax, the Raven Queen, Thorgunna, Eve Galdarion, and the Daughters of Eve as one familial group. 

The group thanks Veritax and entered the tunnels, happening upon a clandestine conversation between a member of Parliament and what looked like an elven lord

• The elven lord attempted to give the Parliament member orders, claiming "your coup couldn't happen without me," to which the Parliament member responded "this is not a coup, this is merely a bid for peace."

  • Additionally, the two discussed Cobalt's escape and concluded Tough As Dirt had helped him, but the group would come for their friends soon, so they merely had to wait for their arrival to get the books back they required.

The group followed the pair into the Parliament building atop the Acropolis, and were met by a ghostly guide who took them into a deep chamber where Yella, Lillium, and Babbit were being held.