The Bleeding Prophecy of Zephyros

Description

Adventure Summary

The floating cloud-city of Zephyros drifts above a vast inland sea, its sky-docks the only gateway between earth and sky. A prophecy written in fresh blood appeared overnight on the Temple of the Four Winds, warning that “the city shall fall when the High Exaltant speaks the lie.” This encounter is designed for a party of 3rd–5th level characters and combines investigation, skyborne combat, and a moral dilemma about trust and justice.

Background

High Exaltant Verania has governed Zephyros for thirty years, beloved by the people for her wisdom and mercy. What none know is that she discovered a slow, fatal corruption in the city’s levitation core — the Heartstone — which will crumble within a month. Sky pirates, led by the pragmatic Captain Jareb, have been trying to warn the city, but Verania has branded them heretics and driven them off with armed sky-skiffs. She believes that if panic spreads, the chaos will kill more than the collapse. She intends to cast a glyph of warding-backed illusion over the city and evacuate the loyal quietly — damning the pirate “criminals” to die with the city.