Chapter 9: The God of Whim & Wreckage

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”

— John Muir

__________________________________ After everything the mountain has taken from you, perhaps it's time it gave something back.

Somewhere beneath the ruins of Thalmar, a door stands open.

Warm light spills into the corridor. The brasswork gleams. And the voice welcoming you inside sounds, against all expectation, genuinely delighted to see you.

Tired eyes? Easily corrected.

Not quite strong enough? That can be remedied.

An unfortunate accident of birth? Why should that define you?

No years of training.

No painful trials.

No prayers waiting to be answered.

Just a few simple adjustments.

Above the counter hangs the likeness of a forgotten god. Its candles have long since gone dark. But the machinery beneath it hums along, as though no one ever told it to stop.

Carved into the ancient marble, nearly worn away, are these words:

The branch may bear another's fruit.

The candle may borrow another's flame.

But count the roots beneath the earth,

and tell me what remains.

The attendant smiles.

"Everyone deserves to become the best version of themselves."

Such a wonderful promise.

And somewhere, far from this warm and welcoming room, something small goes missing.

This time, adventurers, the mountain isn't asking how much you're willing to endure.

It's asking what you'd like to become.

Welcome to Chapter Nine.

THE GOD OF WHIM & WRECKAGE

After all...

Thalmar has always been generous. DM'S NOTE — A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR NOTHING (If read by Thursday) Once during the next session, the player may take one additional action on their turn, as though time briefly bends in their favor.