The Game

"No. All the Jotun I meet have been this way for a long time. I have not been told why."
"I see, thank you for that information. You are in luck, I have a magical function that allows me to locate the colossus relative to my current position 3 times per day. I shall cast it now - it seems the Colossus is on an intercept course for our current position, approximately 5 hours away. I'll show you!"

In your field of vision, L0-C0 highlights a dark region of the sky. You realize that this is the second, more distant asteroid that you detected when you first reached The Aurora's last known coordinates.

The Flameskulls chatter among themselves. It does not take long before they return, and in unison say:

"We accept your assistance. You will proceed to The Aurora where you will render your assistance. You will report to our masters first."

The Flameskulls part, and leave the way to the ship open.

Tamara sees the other two Flameskulls arrive at The Aurora and float to the three ghosts. One of the ghosts departs the others at the heart, and accompanies the skulls to a viewport, from which the ghost watches The Way with intense focus. Although spectral and glowing, you realize you recognize that you recognize the ghost - it is the ghost of Aleksander ir'Brenius, a former acquaintance of yours.

Tamara guides The Way toward the wrecked Aurora, guided by the Flameskulls. Wil 'o wisps and skeletons scatter as The Way nudges up against the wounded ship at the hull breach, and you enter The Aurora via your cargo bay door.

The interior of the ship is exactly as Tamara experienced it in her clairvoyant vision:

The interior is an open concept, giving it the appearance of a large, dark cavern. Necromantic fetishes and talismans (skulls, black candles, obsidian altars) adorn most surfaces. Artificial rivers of blood flow through flexible tubing in a network around the ship, all converging at a throbbing black heart in the center of the cavern. Around the heart, a multi-tiered black iron platform has been constructed. An unnatural chill permeates the air, as does the smell of burning candles and musty bones.

The ghost of Major Aleksander ir'Brenius floats up to you. Although he looks over all of the Warforged, it is Tamara that he addresses. Although he has the face of a stern, no-nonsense man, a smile seems to be breaking through."Tamara d'Cannith, can it be you? When I say to you that you and your team of Warforged are a welcome surprise, please understand what an understatement it is. But, we must delay pleasantries. You are likely aware that you are in a Siberys radiation zone. And, we have stepped into the middle of a secret war and are in grave danger."

Meanwhile, L0-C0 lets WARP X know that attunement is 85% complete and anticipates attunement completing in less than 20 minutes.

Aleksander acknowledges Brush with a nod. He replies "My nation is my life. This statement has never been more true now that I am dead."

He gestures you to follow him, and explains their situation as you in as your descend into the depths of The Aurora. He begins by explaining his ghostly state.

"We believed that Siberys radiation would be unsafe to operate in, so we shed our mortal skins. As disembodied spirits we are able to operate the ship and command undead. But it came at a cost. Before launch, we died in a blood ritual that bound our spirits to the ship. Now we cannot leave the ship. If we can get The Aurora to Eberron safely, Karrnathi mages can re-ensoul our spirits. However, if we do not return soon, the opportunity will expire."

As for what can your do to help, he is clear. He confirms what you already know - how they were attacked by the giant hybrids and the Riedrans. However, he only describes the Riedrans as 'unseen attackers' - he seems to know little of their actual identity. When those two forces began fighting each other instead of The Aurora, they escaped.

We didn't make it far, however, and now we are sitting ducks in a race against time. We are no match for giants, and whatever unseen attackers they fought was at least strong enough to hold their own against them. Tamara, you and your team's reputation is known in Karrnath. You have overcome incredible odds in the past. We could use some of that magic now."

Meanwhile, L0-C0 has only limited information to share with Warp X: "The ship is a key part in reconstructing the Colossus."

Warp X examines the heart of the ship as well as the wards that the ghosts are manipulating around it. He realizes that the wards are sustaining an artificial Manifest Zone - a weak spot between the walls that separate the planes. It appears to be connected to the plane of Mabar, the Endless Night that consumes life and light. It’s an unlimited wellspring of necrotic energy but also a hungry void that seeks to consume the cosmos. The heart itself seems to be pumping the necrotic energy throughout the ship.

Warp X is also certain these wards are damaged. Should they fail, he is uncertain what would occur, but it he suspects it would not bode well for The Aurora or its ghostly inhabitants.