Training Day
Present: Jericho, Isabel, Gearhardt, Lowen, Silas, Jason and Natasha
The grand opening of the Amber Railroad is rapidly approaching. Silas and others get wind of a plot to disrupt the ceremony where the [[[Final Spike]] will be hammered in. This spike is not just ceremonial, it is covered with runes and will help define this route as part of Amber. The Railroad connects Grand Amber Station to the Golden Circle Hub Station, with the route crossing Arden and passing through a long Railroad Tunnel. In part the rumors are an attempt will be made to assassinate Gearhardt.
Silas checks the route for Undershadow oddities and when he opens a portal in Arden is swarmed by all manner of insane malefic creatures. He closes the portal and with the help of Arden Rangers lead by General Cole they are able to elminate the creatures.
Gearahrdt speaks with Caine about the situation. Caine's forces have managed to capture one of the agents but interrogation without killing him prior to him talking is tricky.
With everyone's help we get info from him that he works for a guy named The Master. Jericho impersonates the guy and we capture The Master but he just works for someone else. They were all mercenaries from a Black Kingdom near the Courts of Chaos, a real Hive of Scum and Villainy.
Lowen has a Singing Sword that is constantly humming or something. We set up a ton of precautions. Finally the big moment is here.
Everyone boards the train in Amber. Oberon is on the train with the Jewel of Judgement. While the train goes into the tunnel, Jericho, Isabelle and Silas climb up on top of the train and see…. a mass of creatures, tentacles, eyes, teeth, whatever, aware of us and staring at the train. It appears to all be one creature.
Outline
Train Journey Through the Shadow Tunnel
- A ceremonial train journey is undertaken to inaugurate a new shadow tunnel network connecting Amber to the Golden Circle. The journey takes about an hour, though due to time dilation effects, passengers arrive at the same time they departed.
- As the train travels through the tunnel, those who look outside see a horrifying sight: writhing masses of tentacles, eyes, and mouths covering the tunnel walls. This appears to be some kind of vast, insane cosmic entity that has been drawn to or disturbed by the creation of the tunnel.
- The entity emanates an aura of madness that threatens to drive observers insane. Only those with high psyche are able to withstand viewing it without losing their minds.
- Oberon uses the Jewel of Judgment to keep the entity at bay as the train passes through. Towards the rear of the train, the entity's tendrils seem to be peeling away from the tunnel walls.
- There is speculation that this entity may be some kind of primordial chaos that existed before the Pattern was created, or a being that was lost and forsaken at the beginning of creation.
- The windows of the train are specially designed to be unopenable, to prevent passengers from seeing outside and going mad. Only a few key individuals are aware of what lies beyond the tunnel walls.
Completion of the Shadow Rail Network
- The train arrives at a newly constructed hub in Amber territory within the Golden Circle. This marks the completion of the shadow rail network connecting Amber to its allies.
- In a ceremony, Oberon drives a special spike to finalize and activate the rail network. Dworkin adds some kind of mystical rune to the spike before it is placed.
- When the spike is driven in, there is a palpable sense of change and a rush of wind, indicating that some major magical or metaphysical effect has occurred.
- Oberon gives a speech declaring this the beginning of a new age for Amber. They announce that Golden Circle nations can now join Amber as member states, with Kashfa and Begma being the first to do so.
- Oberon also declares that the Amber calendar will reset, with this day being Year 1 of the new era. This signifies a new political structure for Amber and its territories.
Security Concerns and Investigations
- There were threats of sabotage and assassination attempts surrounding the rail inauguration. A group of mercenaries was captured and interrogated.
- The mercenaries were hired by an unknown Master to either steal the ceremonial spike, kill Gerhardt, or disrupt the proceedings. They were likely meant as a distraction or expendable pawns.
- Jericho infiltrated the mercenary group by shapeshifting, but was unable to learn the true identity of their employer.
- There are suspicions that the mercenary plot may have been a distraction from some other threat, possibly related to the cosmic entity in the tunnel.
- Extensive security precautions were taken for the ceremony and train journey. No attacks or disruptions ultimately occurred.
Revelations and Developments for Key Characters
- Jason is given a special pattern sword crafted by their father Dworkin. These swords can have unique abilities, though the full powers of Jason's sword are not yet known.
- Jason is introduced to their grandmother Nuri, who appears to be blind but has some kind of mystical sight. She transports Jason away for a private conversation.
- Silas and Malign discuss their upcoming wedding, which is shaping up to be a large event. Malign intends to help Silas better manage his territories.
- Oberon wears the Jewel of Judgment openly during the ceremony, using its power throughout the events.
- There are hints that Isabelle, Natasha, and Fiona share some kind of connection related to the flame, which causes magical artifacts to react to their presence.
The Threat of the Unmakers
- A powerful entity, possibly an Ancient, warns of impending danger from beings called the Unmakers.
- The Unmakers are described as formidable adversaries who can break and manipulate reality in ways that are difficult to counter.
- While not invincible, the Unmakers pose a significant threat that requires extensive preparation and unified resistance.
- The entity predicts that there will be challenges, battles, and eventually war against the Unmakers.
- It is suggested that the Unmakers have the ability to subvert, control, and change individuals in undetectable ways.
The Importance of Amber
- Amber is presented as a crucial location in the resistance against the Unmakers.
- The development and strengthening of Amber as a shining city is deemed necessary for the coming conflict.
- It is revealed that the children involved with Amber have a special connection to it, always feeling compelled to help and unable to walk away from it.
- The entity emphasizes the need for Amber to be strong and stable, capable of producing resources vital for the upcoming struggle.
The Role of the Entity
- The entity identifies itself as one of the Ancients, a group of powerful beings whose numbers have significantly diminished over time.
- It claims to have foreseen the coming threat and has been working to prepare for it, including arranging for the birth of certain individuals.
- The entity's efforts to prepare for the future have come at a personal cost, resulting in a form of blindness from looking at the sun for too long.
- Despite this limitation, the entity continues to work towards preparing for the coming conflict, balancing its actions to remain present as long as possible.
The Cosmic Balance
- The transcript mentions opposing forces of creation, preservation, and destruction in the universe.
- The entity refers to older, governing principles that predate these forces and are not aligned with either side.
- It is suggested that the cosmic order is currently not functioning as it should, adding to the urgency of the situation.
The Importance of Special Individuals
- The entity reveals that it has children, including the character Silas, who are considered special and unique.
- These individuals, along with others like Isabel, are seen as crucial to the resistance against the Unmakers.
- The entity expresses a desire for these individuals to be prepared and fully awake for the coming challenges.
The Power of the Eidolon
- A power associated with the Eidolon is mentioned, which can be imbued into individuals.
- This power is described as painful and consuming but necessary for resisting the Unmakers' influence.
- The entity suggests that this power could be granted by a friend of Silas, possibly referring to Isabel.
The Entity's Relationship with Oberon and Dworkin
- The entity reveals a complicated history with Oberon and Dworkin, requesting that its involvement be kept secret from them.
- It admits to not being entirely honest with Oberon in the past, which has led to ongoing tension.
- The entity's actions, including having children with Oberon, were part of its efforts to shape a better future.
The Nature of the Entity's Foresight
- The entity describes having seen possible futures, including the best possible outcome involving Silas.
- It emphasizes that while it has set things in motion, it can no longer see or directly affect future events.
- The entity expresses a commitment to doing its best to guide and support the efforts against the Unmakers, despite its limitations.