As the group ventures closer to the cult’s inner sanctum beneath the Dragon’s Temple, Fondue’s sword suddenly begins to talk.
Full Synopsis
As the party makes their way deeper into the cult’s hideout, Fondue discovers the sword he picked up in the Stonesaw Mines is enchanted with the spirit of a spectral paladin, named James Dean (Rhea Butcher). The party finds the cultists pouring buckets of blood into a large basin in the center of the chambers, as well as drawing runes and reagents around it. The lead cultist explains they are using a combination of blood magic and the runestones’ power to summon an extra-dimensional portal for the Manticore. The cultists gradually fall, but are interrupted by the return of Vortheon, who siphons the blood of the fallen cultists into the basin. The party eventually defeats Vortheon, aided by James Dean’s holy magic, but Vortheon sacrifices himself to fill the last of the basin with his own blood. The ritual is completed, and the Great Manticore emerges from a dark portal and incapacitates the party. The Manticore announces its intention to return to Earthscar Village to tear open another demon portal. As it takes flight, Fondue tosses the sword containing James Dean at the Manticore, but only lodges it into its anus. As the sword goes farther away from the group, James Dean slowly fades out of existence.
