Chapter 1:
Quintessence
Several travelers board a train to Sharn never knowing how their lives will forever be changed. Its gonna be quite a show!
Breland, Late Autumn: Aryth 4th, 996 YK
Western Line: Wroat to Sharn
Quintessence, also known as Aether, is the fifth main element of alchemical magic. Aether… is the magical essence binding together our universe. Quintessence/Aether, is hidden in all things, whether animal, plant, or mineral. The trick is freeing it.
But today, Quintessence wasn’t quite so esoteric, Quintessence was a train. But not just any train. Quintessence was the last great siege train to survive the war. Like many things in this world we have the Dragonmarked houses to thank for this wonder of magiTech. Man’s eternal quest to harness the might of Aether and all the other cosmic “stuff-that-never-was”, to fuel our insatiable desire for progress, speed and destruction.
Now refurbished from a century’s long war, Quintessence was a thing of beauty. A thing to behold. A power to feel. Who knew that by distilling a substance down to its elemental form and creating the perfect balance and proportions of different elements, adding 5 inches of dura-plated adamantium, floating it all 5 feet off the ground and binding it all to the heart of a Aether slaved Lightning Elemental, could be so luxurious.
And Luxurious it is, at least for those who can afford to travel in style. On this journey Quintessence had 15 carts.
A typical train had an engine cart at each end, with three cargo carts, two first class carts, four passenger carts, and two lounge carts in between. Both engine carts are identical, except that the bound elemental in one is suppressed. But in the city called Passage South, Quintessence, flexed her muscles and took on two VIP carts. You’ve heard that one has been converted into a swanky little joint for tonight’s gala. The final night before you get to Sharn.
Shortly after taking on the final passengers in Wroat the festivities were officially commenced.
Golden Ticket Holders:
Fie Masq Siannodel – Changeling Rogue – Won
Malypsis – Beasthide Druid – Found
NeemaTari – Kalashtar Cleric – Found
Rivets – Warforged Artificer – Won
Ubarum – Orc Ranger – Stolen
Theodosa Delavesta
When Theodosia Delavesta walked into the boxcar she conjured up images of all that lies beyond the heavens. Her beauty was a spell that could have ensorcelled the icy heart of a Warforged.
As seductive as she looked when she was moving, when she stopped and looked at the assembled crowd with those silver eyes, it was supernatural. A power akin to an enchantress. Irresistibly stunning, in a skin-tight, gold lamé Glamourweave gown, with a thin silver Mithril-Silk belt, that bathed her in a soft glowing light.
Holding her arms at her sides, she smiled a smile that could lead anyone into wondrous, compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations, took a deep breath and started to sing.