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You cannot know anything. Only suspect.
This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
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The Forge of Fate was a genetic memory.[1]
While walking through the market of Epidauros, a blind man begging for a few drachmae delivers a cryptic message intertwined with the Witnesses' destiny. It's a prophecy that leads the characters to the forgotten Foundry of Hephaistos in the heart of a volcanic island.
There, the fragment of an unfinished weapon, a mighty Shard of Eden [sic], awaits. However, the prophecy failed to mention the indestructible guardians lying dormant within the temple—and the Cult of Kosmos hot on the trail of the Witnesses.
As the late afternoon light begins to stain the tranquil town of Epidauros with an amber hue, you meander amidst the colorful canopies of the market stalls. Merchants hawk exotic spices, gleaming trinkets, and fresh catches from the Aegean Sea. An old blind man, dressed in tattered garments resembling those of a priest, begs passers by for some coin, muttering incoherently to himself. As you pass by, he suddenly jumps to his feet, imploring you to stop and listen, his voice hoarse and urgent.
"Children of fate, listen well, for the strands of destiny weave an unseen tapestry. The path to your obscured purpose lies within the gray breath of the son cast off the mount. Seek his ember lair within the womb of the floating rock. There, iron and metal once toiled, shaping the glowing shard of a treasure yearning to meet with the one commanded by ancient fate." And then, as though a spell has been broken, the old man begins to mutter to himself once more. He looks at you as though it's the first time he has seen you, and begs you for a coin.
The next morning, you spot a single, thin trail of smoke rising up through the clear blue sky. Climbing to a vantage point, you can see the smoke emanating from the volcano that looms at the center of an island not far off the coast. The gray breath... The floating rock... The old man's prophecy rings true, guiding you toward the island.
Although the volcanic island is not far from Epidauros' shores, it is still too far to swim. The Witnesses must secure a vessel to make the crossing safely.
The bustling port of Epidauros unfolds before you, the air thick with the scent of salt, fish, and smoke from cooking fires. The cacophony of chattering seagulls, creaking ship masts, and distant waves envelops you as you navigate through the quays, teeming with an eclectic mix of sailors, traders, and locals, each absorbed in the rhythm of their tasks.
- Challenges
- Petty Thieves: As the Witnesses move along the docks, they become the target of a band of young thieves. Any Wits check made to notice the petty thief requires 1 Raise. If the Witnesses do not catch the thief, the targeted Witness loses 1 Gear item.
- Steal a Boat: Unless the characters wait until darkness to steal a boat, any Stealth check made to overcome this Challenge requires 2 Raises.
- Bargaining.: Obtaining the right price for a boat proves challenging for anyone unfamiliar with the local customs. Any Social check made to negotiate as a stranger requires 1 Raise.
- Weaknesses
- Private Boat (major): One of the Witnesses might be in possession of their own private boat. In this case, the Witnesses achieve the current Key Objective.
After procuring a boat to reach the volcanic island, the Witnesses soon realize that others are also searching for a possible Precursor relic. The Cult of Kosmos attempts to board their vessel.
The silhouette of the volcanic island looms on the horizon, its smoking peak veiled by low-hanging clouds. However, the serenity of the voyage is abruptly shattered as a volley of hissing, flaming arrows fall short of your boat. You are not alone in your pursuit! A heavy trireme with a purple flag bearing the symbol of pale intertwined serpents approaches at high speed. The sun reflects on the shining bronze masks and helmets of the archers on board the ship: it's the Cult of Kosmos!
- Challenges
- Flaming Arrows: The next volley of flaming arrows is in range of the Witnesses' boat. All the Witnesses on the main deck must make a Reaction check.
- Sneak Aboard: Witness might try to dive into the open water to reach the enemy boat undetected, catching the rival crew by surprise. Any Stealth and Action check made to approach the enemy's boat this way requires 1 Raise.
- Close Combat: If the Witnesses' boat draws close enough to their enemies, the mercenaries of the Cult of Kosmos are ready to draw their blades and fight. The Witnesses must make at least 2 separate Approach checks with 1 Raise to defeat them.
- Weaknesses
- Ramming (minor): If the Witnesses have a large enough vessel, such as a trireme, it is likely equipped with one of the Greek navy's most successful weapons: a ram. The oarsmen of such a vessel are trained to hit their target with extreme accuracy before dislodging the ram just before the enemy's boat sinks. In this case, the Close Combat Challenge requires 1 Approach check only with no Raises.
The only entrance into the volcano is by climbing down into the crater from the peak. During their descent, they are attacked by an ancient Isu automaton—an iron eagle.
After exploring the island, it becomes evident that the sole entrance to the "womb" referenced in the prophecy lies within the conspicuously visible opening at its summit. Following a rugged trail that climbs to the peak, you eventually arrive at the precipice of the smoldering mountain, where a breathtaking panorama of the shimmering Aegean Sea unfolds before you.
According to the blind man's cryptic message, the divine treasure purportedly lies somewhere below. However, the terrain and the ominous smoke add to the challenge of finding a safe descent. Just as you weigh your options for the best route down, a growing buzzing noise interrupts your thoughts. Emerging from the dense smoke is an unexpected sight: an iron eagle with a single red eye fixated directly on you, spewing flames as it rapidly closes in.
- Challenges
- Climbing Down: Descending the inner wall of the crater requires great skill and toughness. Any Action check made to climb down into the volcano requires 1 Raise.
- Iron Eagle: The iron eagle, crafted by the Isu Hephaistos, is a heavily armored automaton guarding his laboratory entrance. It shoots flames and is highly sophisticated. Confronting the Iron Eagle requires at least 2 separate Approach checks with 1 Raise.
- Weaknesses
- Leap of Faith (minor): A deep water bed lies at the bottom of the volcano. Should a character locate it, possibly through the activation of their Eagle Vision skill, they could ponder how executing a precision dive might spare them the laborious descent. A Witness leaping from the top of the volcano overcomes the Climbing Down Challenge.
Entering the Foundry of Hephaistos, the Witnesses find a laboratory equipped with machinery designed by the Isu Hephaistos. There, the Shard of Eden lies unfinished. Two Isu automatons stand ready to attack the intruders.
Leading off from the base of the crater, a series of smoky tunnels guide you to a towering cavern. Its floor is enveloped in boiling lava, with a network of stone bridges and catwalks spanning the expanse, all converging on a circular platform at its heart. A colossal forge dominates the platform, surrounded by intricate machinery of unparalleled craftsmanship—undoubtedly the ancient handiwork of the gods.
There, in a stillness permeated with latent energy, your eyes are drawn to a glowing object perched upon a dark metal column. As you near it, the item begins to levitate and vibrate, as though responding to your presence. "The glowing shard of a treasure yearning to meet with the one commanded by ancient fate", said the prophecy.
With the activation of the shard, two ancient sentinels materialize from the shadows at the cavern's edge—15 feet tall metal humanoid automatons, they swiftly advance towards you. The intent of these Iron Guardians is unmistakable: to protect the divine weapon from intruders.
- Challenges
- Take the Shard of Eden: The Shard of Eden is bound to the dark metal pedestal by a powerful force field. A Witness who wants to claim the artifact must make a Wits check with 2 Raises.
- Iron Guardian: The automatons possess incomprehensible strength, and were crafted to endure against any intruder who dares to challenge Hephaistos's domain. Confronting them requires at least 4 separate Approach checks with 2 Raises.
- Weaknesses
- Agents of Fate (minor): A Witness may opt not to engage in combat with the Iron Guardians, instead submitting themselves to the mercy of these formidable automatons. To succeed, the Witness must make a Social check to convince the Iron Guardians of their destined presence within the cave. Reciting the prophecy of the blind man of Epidauros reinforces their claim. In this case, the Iron Guardians cease their advance, allowing the Witnesses to overcome the Iron Guardian Challenge.
- I Am the One (minor): If the Witness attempting to take the Shard of Eden from the pedestal is the Ancestor of the Sequence, any Wits check made to overcome the Take the Shard of Eden Challenge requires no Raises.
Known Owners: Unknown
Current Status: Unknown
The Shards of Eden are relics of Isu technology, echoing the awe-inspiring power of the original Pieces of Eden from which they were derived. Though fragmented, these artifacts remain potent, retaining a fraction of the formidable power and unique qualities that once flowed through them.
A Shard possesses a single power from any Piece of Eden at the Reader’s choice.
