Morning After the Pulse
- The party—now formally known as the Star Seekers—awakens at Lux Arcanium following the previous night’s chaos.
- Rumors spread among students about the group’s heroics during the beast attack.
- Faculty repair damage from the pulse; all party resources are refreshed.
- The Star Seekers review Professor Vorin’s notes, confirming:
- There are five Harmonics tied to the world’s stability.
- The first harmonic, Rhythm, is associated with Galatea and its ancient star charts.
- The order of restoration matters.
The Letter of Authority
- Arch‑Magister Valessa Dora gives the party a sealed letter of introduction for:
- Elder Albus Miralion, head of Galatea’s Grand Observatory.
- The letter grants the Star Seekers authority to investigate the Harmonic of Rhythm.
A Villain Appears
- A man watching a wall of images is informed by a subordinate that the group has been sent out to look into Professor Vorun’s notes.
- Light doesn’t reach this man’s face, it bends around him.
Journey by Sky Ferry
- The party departs Lux Arcanium aboard a Sky Ferry bound for Constelletica, capital of Galatea.
- Along the way:
- A red pulse expands from the Savawell Thicket, visibly weakening as it travels.
- Air‑creatures avoid the pulse, hinting at its dangerous nature.
Attack in the Clouds
- A masked, flickering humanoid appears beside the ferry, seemingly riding the wind itself.
- The figure warns the party to turn back and attempts to drive them off.
- Combat erupts mid‑air:
- Quinlan is gravely wounded by dark magic.
- The party fights back, slowing and damaging the attacker.
- The mask is shattered and torn free.
- The attacker retreats, but not before his instructions were discovered:
“The rhythm must not be found.
Galatea must remain silent.
Delay the Star Seekers.
Stillness is mercy.”
- The shattered mask bears a five‑pointed symbol, matching markings seen in Professor Vorin’s research.
Implications of the Mask
- The wording and structure of the message strongly suggest that:
- The masked figure is academically trained, possibly tied to Lux Arcanium.
- There exists an organized group actively preventing the restoration of the Harmonics.
- This confirms the party is being actively opposed.
Arrival in Galatea
- The party arrives in Constelletica, a city famous for its star observatories.
- Krish contacts a Druvian cousin, Pranav, at the embassy for guidance.
- They learn:
- The Grand Observatory houses the most complete star records.
- Masked figures visited earlier that same day asking about the stars.
The Grand Observatory
- The Star Seekers meet Elder Albus Miralion.
- He confirms:
- The stars have been wrong for roughly a week and a half.
- The discrepancies are rhythmic and unprecedented.
- Crucial revelation:
- The Harmonic of Rhythm is not merely symbolic.
- It exists physically beneath the Grand Observatory, deep within the structure.
- Galatea itself was built around this Harmonic long ago.
Session End State
- The party has:
- Confirmed the reality and location of the Harmonic of Rhythm.
- Identified a hostile faction working to maintain “stillness.”
- Arrived at the doorstep of their first true objective.
Cliffhanger
The Harmonic of Rhythm lies below – but others are already hunting it.