Shadows of the Past and Flames of the Future

Brothor and Essu hurried back to the monastery, where Master Dobryak kept Brothor’s genealogy — the only proof of his right to claim the House of Ancient Heroes. While Brothor attempted to persuade the master, Essu took a bolder approach. Using the Moonbeam spell, he managed to extract far more White Milk from the sacred bowl than it usually produces over several months. This caused an uproar among the monks, who demanded the secret be revealed.

Essu and Brothor managed to resolve the conflict by offering to share part of the secret in exchange for information about the survivors of the village of sovlins. After obtaining the genealogy and learning the location of the new Sovlin settlement, Brothor and Essu left the monastery and headed back to Lux Astra.

Meanwhile, events unfolded in Lux Astra. The heroes’ allies, Danaya and Aden, encountered Tary, an old acquaintance who had arrived on behalf of the Cult of the Dragon to purchase the House of Ancient Heroes at an auction. When Brothor and Essu arrived, the bidding was already underway. However, after presenting proof of Brothor’s lineage, the auction was canceled, and Brothor Lutgert was recognized as the rightful owner of the house.

With Tary’s help, they managed to pay off accumulated debts. The heroes finally entered their estate to begin exploring the mansion. The house was spacious, with two floors, a deep basement spanning several levels, and numerous ancient discoveries. Among them, the heroes found:

• An envelope labeled Plan B, which mentioned that Ptaris had contacted a dreadful power to defeat the dragons;
• Old star charts, depicting a dragon constellation missing the star named after Ptaris.

These findings prompted the heroes to investigate further. While still in the house, they prepared a letter inviting Silarion Eltarin to their housewarming party. Silarion replied, agreeing to come in four days, after the celebration of Lux Astra’s 500th anniversary.

The next morning, the heroes discovered that the stone slab had disappeared, and later learned that it had been taken by the mage Sevadi Osirian. Essu sent a message to the mage via the guards, offering to exchange information.

Soon after, Sevadi invited the heroes to his tower, where they saw the slab surrounded by runes in the shape of a pentagram. Chain-like runes extended from the pentagram’s points. Aden threw a mystery spell at the slab, causing the runes to ignite in a bright fire that spread from the center to the walls. Small portal-windows appeared on the walls, revealing a realm engulfed in flames.

Meanwhile, Tary and Danaya made contact with an enchanted statue of a woman. She revealed that she had been a lady from the city of Eol and had taken on the form of a statue to survive a calamity. However, her story remained unclear.

With each step, the heroes felt closer to uncovering the truth about the past, though new discoveries brought with them even greater dangers.