January 2019 – Molten Aether FFRP

Souls Templar Regroups

There is talk that the cataclysm is a result of the Mistress’s liaison with a demonic creature, which has rendered her unholy.

The Souls Templar have begun to regroup after the insanity brought forth from the simultaneous eruptions of four peeks bordering the valley where the Rose Palace was located. What is clear is that they have suffered an incredible number of losses. What is unclear yet, however, is why there were not more losses. The palace was entirely covered in the molten rock from the bowels of Elder Soteria. There is much talk throughout the 10 Kingdoms that such an events indicates the Old Gods are upset with the Templar in some way. The Grand Mistress of the Templar has not indicated how so many did survive, tales from within the palace when the eruptions happened tell that most were unable to get out fast enough, those outside were killed instantly. The only thing to protect the inside were powerful wards of protection put on the palace long ago. The vast majority of those from the palace suffocated as the air ran too thin.

The Grand Mistress still has not identified the creature which rescued so many of them;While we are of course grateful to the gracious help provided us, if they wished to be known to the public, surely it is clear they would have made themselves known. I myself did speak to them in person, however, I feel that after being done such an honor it would be the height of treachery to speak of them with such familiarity without knowing why they wished to not be known. Rest assured we give this brave soul thanks for the efforts which has saved so many, even in the light of such loss, the Gods provide hope.
Grand Mistress Lisa Thompson

Those close to the Mistress report that she may have even known this person for some time, described as part demon and part woman. There is talk that the cataclysm is a result of the Mistress’s liaison with a demonic creature, which has rendered her unholy. Growing unrest among the monarchs at such an idea has driven some to wonder if a woman is really the best choice to lead the group during such troubling times.

Salvage Begins in Los Angeles

In Los Angels, while the US Government has repeatedly stated that it believes a natural gas pocket was breeched during routine construction of an underground bunker facility, there are serious questions that have yet to be answered. Government officials have been unresponsive to further inquiries, however, first responders were finally allowed on scene to the site of the desert explosions which took place recently just outside the city. So far, no survivors have been found, the bodies recovered have been burned beyond recognition.

On site details are sketchy and the first responders have only been allowed to investigate the areas of the first basement level with other levels closed, supposedly for decontamination. It is unclear at this point how deep the facility goes, military personnel have been bringing out bodies in various states of being burned, though all of them are burned so bad that dental records will have to be used for identification.

Anomalous Effects

The anomalous effects in Los Angeles County that accompanied the explosion in the desert also appear to have abated, though it is estimated over 100 supernaturals or those with supernatural abilities were injured or killed during the unexplained event. Investigators from the local government who deal with supernatural events have begun to look into possible explanations, but so far have found nothing.

Unexplained Deaths

Within hours of the explosion that ripped through desert tonight, supernatural entities have reported deaths as they fleet the city, unable to call upon their abilities. It seems the explosion has caused a swath of some 50 miles around the site to become some kind of area of exclusion to supernatural abilities, including magic and psionics. Creatures who rely on their supernatural abilities have scant time to leave as the effects begin to worsen over time. Undead creatures are the most susceptible as their supernatural nature keeps them alive.

Older and more powerful supernaturals seem to have more time, however, the exodus of the Los Angeles area continues, without access to their abilities many are scrambling to find conventional means of transportation.

Cataclysmic Eruption at Rose Palace

The Rose Palace were the keepers of the Peace of Ages and without them it is feared the great war which tore apart the world may begin anew, and restore Elder Soteria to the smoldering ruins from before the Ageless Ones came.

While the exact reasons for this are unknown, the Rose Palace has been engulfed in fire and molten rock as the mountains surrounding it has erupted, casting fire into the skies and burning rock down the slopes of the mountain. At the end of this last evening, the palace itself has been entirely enveloped in brimstone and molten lava. It is unknown if anyone escaped, but wizards have been trying to contact the Palace via the Airgid Drochaid though they fear that the palace has been destroyed or the stone shattered as no connection has been possible. Knights from the 10 Kingdoms have been dispatched to the Rose Palace in accordance with the Peace of Ages, they should arrive in a matter of days.

In the nearby towns on the night of the eruptions, many townsfolk described the heavens opening up and the Gods shooting blue lightening down from clear skies into the mountains. Though no one closer than 200 miles away has come forward, though many advisors and monarchs have dispatched people to gather information and see how bad the damage is. The Rose Palace were the keepers of the Peace of Ages and without them it is feared the great war which tore apart the world may begin anew, and restore Elder Soteria to the smoldering ruins from before the Ageless Ones came.

Members of the Souls Templar who were on assignment have been released from their charges by the monarchs they reside in, and are set to gather in the mountains at the Ruins of Wulfre Keep, not far from the Rose Palace itself, though given the old ruins location in the mountains, it may not be possible to meet there. If this is the case, it has been said that they will meet at the town of Rawold.

If the Souls Templar and the Rose Palace have been gutted, all the realms may be in dire trouble and the Peace of Ages is likely to be broken. After that, all out war is likely to follow.

Explosion in the Desert

A massive underground explosion took place in the desert outside of Los Angeles at exactly 8:00 pm on Tuesday January 1st, 2019. Rescue teams were dispatched from Los Angeles immediately, however military units arrived on site shortly after and have declared an the area to be a restricted zone, rescue workers were not permitted entry, claiming national security.

The mayor of Los Angeles has filed an official protest with the United States Navy, who reportedly is somehow involved with how the land is used. However, the land itself is owned by a company RTL Holdings LLC, the CEO is named as one Edward Brass and has not responded to any contact attempts.

First responders initial reports have been classified as top secret, and restricted from the public. Two recordings of the initial back-and-forth between 1st responders arriving on site and dispatch have leaked, though their authenticity has yet to be verified. Both recordings are from different divisions, one from the California Department of Forestry and the other from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Both recordings have officers and firemen talking about a blue-green flame and waves of some unknown form of energy coming off of a massive glowing blue ball before the recordings are cut. If these recordings are true, experts remain unsure as to what kind of event could have caused such combustion and suggest that perhaps toxic fumes caused hallucinations.