Zerasha had been described previously by the changeling Drivinia—herself a cleric of the Shadow—as "the second most influential figure in Graywall," second only to the mind flayer who was given control of the city by the Daughters of Sora Kell (the rulers of Droaam).Zerasha spoke to the PCs of prophecies—specifically, one part of the Draconic Prophecy that she learned in her youth. Zerasha's own grandmother had told it to her because it evidently concerned her, and that medusa had learned it from Sora Teraza, the hag seer of ancient folklore who also happened to be one of the Daughters of Sora Kell.
This was the prophecy as told to Zerasha, placed into rhyme by her grandmother.
In the Tower of Shrouds
Where goblin's key is found
 |
| Dragons are the true children of Siberys, and they have devoted tens of thousands of years to studying the ancient mystery—the Draconic Prophecy. |
Their deaths nearly unwound
Dolurhh is delayed
By a daughter of stone
And followed by he
Who died for the throne
First they are seven, then they are six
Bearing bone and blade with powers transfix’d
Son of the mountains, sailor and priest
Squire of dragons, far from the east
Student of witchcraft, as dark as the night
Legacy of Xen'drik, mournful of sight
Blood of the Marches, both hunter and prey
Blood of the beast and heir of the fey
Gathered in shadows not of their volition
Born then anew, winter coalition
Zerasha explained that she had sent the young medusa Sa-Jira to the Tower of the Shrouds ostensibly to search for the "goblin's key." In truth, she has long been hoping to trigger this prophecy. Sa-Jira, a medusa, was a "daughter of stone," and she was needed to help the "seven mortals" emerge from the Tower of Shrouds.
What was the Tower of Shrouds? Formely a watchtower of ancient Dhakaan, then a burial ground for orcs, and now—for whatever reason—a place haunted by wraiths. The PCs had fought gnolls there, and an umber hulk, and had certainly encountered some of the "shrouds." Thought he PCs would later rescue Sa-Jira herself from a gnoll party, her appearance helped them get out of the tower before the wraiths overwhelmed them.So far, the PCs had no understanding of the "And they are followed by he / Who died for the throne" part.
It was surmised that the "son of the mountains" referred to Doongul, the "squire of dragons" was Magnus. The "student of witchcraft" seemed to be Xoma, and the "legacy of Xen'drik" Cypher, given that warforged were inspired by schemas originally discovered in the ruins of Xen'drik. "Blood of the Marches" was likely Rendar, for most orcs and half-orcs hail from the Shadow Marches, while "blood of the beast" seemed likely to refer to the shifter, Cyzicus.
Now, the validity of this entire prophecy was another matter. But the discussion brought up the question: What was this "winter coalition"? The PCs had heard this phrase only once before—in the scrap of paper uncovered in a goblin laboratory below the ruins of Paluur Draal. Written in a letter by the Eldeen ranger Wolaf, before his death and transformation into a wight, it was intended for an orc named Koruun, a Gatekeeper druid who also happened to be Cyzicus's own mentor back home.
Here is the second half of the letter. Towards the end, the handwriting deteriorates:
I have learned this much from the mind of the creature that killed Claviger, that has killed me. It spoke truths in my mind that burn me still. They burrow through my skull like a relentless worm. Through it I have learned the name of the being the Governor came to serve, and I cannot get it out of my head. To think it is to fear it, to speak it is to weaken its bonds. I dare not write it. In turn, I know it knows of me now, where I came from, what I fight for, and the fact that I came here alone. Even without your approval, old friend. I am trapped here.
I do not know how to send this letter to you, Koruun. Warning you of this fiend is the only quest I have left and I am failing even in this. I have prayed that even after my death, someone will bear this message to you. If they succeed, then there may be hope.
Listen to me now. I believe this fiend is one of the rajahs from the Age of Demons, the first children of Khyber. If so, then it is the greatest threat we face now, for there are those abroad who work even now to free him. And he is stirring. They will not stop until they have opened the seals in the Seven Caves. The Draconic Prophecy speaks of several ways to do so.
The enemy knows that the Emperor of Dhakaan himself possessed an object that could open any gate erected by any of his subjects. The loyal, the remote, even the traitorous. All doors would be open to him. This object alone can remove some of the seals, but the rajah's servants do not possess it yet.
Koruun, I know you fear the opening of the Changegate. That day may come, but there are fiends already present we must be concerned with.
they will not sleep
forever
The governor now guards the nexus
he must not be fed
i must stop
don't feel
the same
anymore
need hide
winter coalition must form
claviger has
key
Zerasha knew, in part, what the Winter Coalition was. She'd researched it herself already.
“The Winter Coalition was an order of warriors who guarded against the rajah—demon Overlord—known as Katashka. During the Age of Demons, which ended more than one hundred thousand years ago, Katashka wielded power over undeath and was even attributed to creating the first undead creatures. During the war between the dragons of Siberys and the fiends of Khyber, none opposed Katashka more than the white wyrm Vensharatryx. Mortally wounded by the rajah’s minions, Vensharatryx founded the Winter Coalition to make sure others would oppose him after her death.”
Presumably, the rajah written about by Wolaf was Katashka, overlord of undeath, and that he'd learned of the possibility that he might somehow be freed—and that agents were actively working to free him. It would certainly account for the creatures, and the deathly devices, the PCs had encountered deep beneath the surface.
Of her own reasons for helping the PCs, Zerasha said only this: “The Shadow has plans for Eberron, and none of them involve the awakening of a rajah from the Age of Demons. That would be...unfortunate for most of us. Consider this fiend our common enemy.”
As they considered this, the PCs at least now had the support and apparent aid of Zerasha as high priestess of the Shadow. She said she would recommend them to Szalas Jal, the oni (ogre mage) proprietor of Tooth and Steel, the best smithy in Graywall, and some access to the Eye of the Shadow's arcane libraries. And of course, she would speak on their behalf concerning Sa-Jira's mother, Sa-Zira, the Ambassador in Graywall who represented the interests of the warlord Sheshka, the Queen of Stone.
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