In a departure from the usual campaign, Downfall: Part One presents the first episode of a trilogy guest DMed by Brennan Lee Mulligan of Dimension 20 fame. This episode delves into a pivotal moment during a lull in the Calamity, where a group of powerful individuals, each embodying aspects of the divine, embark on a perilous mission to the flying city of Aeor. Their goal: to confront a threat that could reshape the very fabric of Exandria. Starting out in the majestic Eternal Palace of Tengar, the home of the gods before they came to Exandria, this look into history explores the delicate balance between divinity and mortality, offering a unique look into an ancient pantheon.
Player Character Guide:
| Player | Light of Tengar | Mortal Avatar | Exandrian God |
| Laura Bailey | Nahal | Emhira | ??? (name sundered from reality): the Raven Queen’s predecessor |
| Taliesin Jaffe | Ash | Asha | Melora: the Wildmother |
| Ashley Johnson | Luz | Trist | Sarenrae: the Everlight |
| Noshir Dalal | Edam | The Emissary | Erathis: the Lawbearer |
| Nick Marini | Aru | Ayden | Pelor: the Dawnfather |
| Abubakar Salim | Coru | SILAHA | Corellon: the Arch Heart |
Prologue:
The Eternal Palace of Tengar
In the timeless and radiant realm of Tengar, known as the Eternal Palace, light permeates every corner, creating a magnificent spectacle of stars and nebulae. This celestial abode, inhabited by beings of infinite potential and boundless wonder, serves as a sanctuary untouched by the mortal coil. Within this majestic setting, we find the gods of Tengar, beings of pure light and emotion, living in eternal harmony and leisure. But even in such a place, change and unforeseen events can arise, altering the course of existence.
A New Dawn in the Orchard of Possibility
The gods Edun, Aru, Luz, and Imri, amidst their divine leisure, encounter a new phenomenon in the Orchard of Possibility. Edun presents a mysterious new tree bearing a singular fruit that, when plucked, causes him to fade into a point of lightlessness. This event triggers a chain reaction among the gods, with Aily attempting to retrieve Edun and similarly vanishing into nothingness. The serene environment of Tengar is disrupted as the gods experience emotions and actions alien to their nature, such as fear and helplessness. The Weaver of Time, Ihana, urges them to flee from the encroaching nothingness, which threatens to consume their eternal paradise.
Exodus – Fleeing the Collapse
As the gods attempt to escape the crumbling palace, the Weaver of Time, Ihana, weaves a vessel for their flight. Amid the chaos, the gods Shosti and Nahala make ultimate sacrifices, with Shosti shattering parts of the palace to form a protective barrier and Nahala succumbing to the encroaching void. The vessel, guided by Edam’s navigation and Coru’s creation of a new order, carries a handful of gods to safety. The gods transform, taking on more concrete forms, and prepare to face the unknown future in the real world, leaving behind their limitless potential in the Eternal Palace.
Part I:
The Mortal Gods and the City of Aeor
The story transitions to Hawk’s Hill, a bustling town on the continent of Gwessar, during the tumultuous period known as the Calamity. Here, a diverse group of individuals—Ayden, Trist, Ridge, Amaris, and their children—are introduced as they navigate the harsh realities of survival and the hope of escape to the flying city of Aeor. Among them, Emhira, accompanied by her guardian Purvan Suul, faces the painful decision to part ways as she pursues a greater destiny.
The narrative intensifies as the Aeorian skyship Venatoria arrives, and SILAHA, an imposing figure, addresses the crowd. The gods, now in mortal guises, recognize each other and reunite, albeit under tense circumstances. As they discuss their next steps, the scene shifts to a moment of divine recognition and farewells, as Trist says goodbye to her family, and Emhira tasks Purvan with ensuring their safety.
Aboard the Skyship: The Emissary Revealed
On the Venatoria, the gods’ plans are further revealed as SILAHA takes a special interest in a large crate carried by Asha. Inside lies The Emissary, a mysterious being connected to the divine, who speaks of love and carries seeds of potential. The gods, now mortal, face the harsh scrutiny of Aeor’s mages, who search for divine influences aboard the ship. Through clever use of magic and deception, the gods avoid detection and continue their journey to Aeor.
Part II:
Gods Among Mortals
As they arrive in Aeor, the gods are confronted with the harsh reality of a city bristling with military presence and fear. SILAHA leads them to a derelict building, where they meet Arcadia Cerenvetorix, another of the now-mortal gods. Here, the true threat of Aeor is revealed: the Factorum Malleus, a weapon capable of destroying gods, protected by the Eravox Protocol, the Obtenebrator engine, and the Latimus Princeps. The gods must decide whether to ally with the Betrayer Gods to neutralize these threats or face the possibility of Aeor unleashing a weapon that could change the fate of Exandria.
To Destroy or to Save
In a tense meeting, the gods debate their course of action. While some advocate for the complete destruction of Aeor, others urge a more measured approach to save the city’s innocent inhabitants. The group ultimately agrees to split up and tackle the various threats posed by the city, with each god taking on a specific mission.
As they prepare to embark on their respective tasks, Ayden casts a powerful spell to unite them telepathically, allowing for instant communication. The temple’s walls, adorned with ancient images of the gods in their glory, come to life, reminding the gods of their divine origins and the gravity of their mission. With the fate of the gods and mortals alike hanging in the balance, the group sets out to confront the challenges that lie ahead in Aeor.
Conclusion: A Precarious Path Forward
As the gods, now mortal, navigate the complexities of their new existence and the dangers of Aeor, they are reminded of the fragile balance between divinity and mortality. The decisions they make in the coming days will determine not only their fates but also the future of all Exandria. Whether they will emerge as saviors or destroyers remains uncertain, as they embark on a perilous journey to confront the unknown and protect their world from an unprecedented threat.
Watch the full episode now:
The story of the gods and Aeor unfolds in the next episode of Critical Role’s Downfall trilogy.
