As Prime and Shadow alike searched for the shards of the Sword of Truth, curious missives began finding the leaders among Sapience. Meeting in secrecy in the anonymous taverns within Djeir, a mysterious cloaked figure delivered an important message: she had located a shard of Truth but, lacking the means to retrieve it herself, sought to put together an expedition to secure the discovery.

Promising leadership of the expedition to the most generous among them, the four cities were informed to put forth candidates and bids for the upcoming excursion. On the 5th of Haernos, 504 MA, the delegates from each city gathered in Arbothia: Taj from the Sanguine Fist, Benedicto from the Hammer of Dawn, Feirenz from the Dragon of the North, and Sibatti from the Heart of the Great Oak. Rewarding the deep pockets of Bloodloch by appointing Taj the party's leader, the secretive mercenary then revealed her crew's findings: an ancient tomb beneath Arbothia, undiscovered and unsullied until recently.

The expedition descended into the tomb, soon encountering a rickety bridge, deceptive in its simplicity. As Feirenz bravely took the first step, its deadly nature was quickly revealed: every pace would send the bridge careening wildly, with frantic swaying required by those upon it to stabilize it before another step could be taken. Despite many capsizes, plummets, and splats, the foursome eventually found the proper cadence and coordination to safely traverse the bridge and alight upon the other side.

Descending further into the tomb, four unique golden relics were discovered. Taking on his role as leader, Taj assigned each distinct artifact to the expedition members, their roles clear: Taj assumed the Relic of the Brawler, providing protection against the dangers to come. Benedicto was given the Relic of the Ward, capable of emitting a disabling force in an area around its user. Feirenz, as befitting the Syssin, was assigned the Relic of the Scout, tasked with revealing the locations of objectives and quickly traversing through the tomb. And, finally, Sibatti was given the Relic of the Healer, able to reveal and instantaneously revive those who had fallen to the dangers in the tomb.

Roles assigned and strategy devised, the mysterious mercenary then activated a runic mechanism deep beneath the crypt. Essence sprang forth from the device - some manifested as orbs to be collected and returned to the mechanism, while the rest formed deadly essence mummies that prowled the labyrinth, disabling and eventually consuming any caught in their paths. Though the task was fraught with perils and many errors - for example, the Scout taking his role too seriously and remaining hidden and thus invisible to the Healer, or the Ward's stubborn preference to die to mummies repeatedly rather than use his relic - the tomb plunderers eventually managed to conquer the obstacle, gathering and returning all orbs of essence.

As the last orb settled into the mechanism, it ejected the prize of the expedition: glowing with Divine essence, the shard of Truth finally appeared. But before any of the assembled could lay claim to the treasure, the tomb revealed one last test: floating into the hands of the organising mercenary, the shard quickly subsumed her will, possessing the Human woman. Though wielding but a sliver of the incredible power of the Sword of Truth, the possessed mercenary turned upon the crew with alarming might and resilience.

After a grueling battle, the adventurers managed to subdue their enthralled guide, finally knocking the shard from her unwilling grasp. A mad scramble for the prize ensued, with Benedicto ultimately securing the treasure for Enorian; wasting no time, Slyphe's champion made his hasty exit, departing from the tomb with nary a word.

As the dust settled and the party disbanded, returning to their respective cities, the mysterious Human woman paid a visit to Bloodloch. Insisting on payment from the Tyrant, she promised the loyalty of her crew and services. Though the Sanguine Fist failed to secure the shard at the end of their expedition, rumours abound that that the now-rich mercenary had something of equal value to offer her benefactor state...

Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 15th of Haernos, in the year 504 MA.
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