September 12, 2026

Hook

[Main CoTSS] Library Amongst The Stars I (Andromeda, Dahabu)

Plot Synopsis

One-by-one a group of adventurers awaken deep underground. A grand hall, seemingly the entrance to some monument or tomb, yet seemingly abandoned for centuries. In front a grand door to some unknown depths. Searching for some clue, some memory, of how they all arrived: They realize nothing is there. No name, no past, no memories. A brief questioning by the energetic guardswoman Hatice is interrupted by the ceiling crashing down.

A downpour of debris and blood falls upon them, as two figures drop from above. One a weary-looking young man dressed in royal garb, cradling a young unconscious girl in their arms. The other, a heavily armoured figure covered in vein-like crystals. The young man staggers to feet, and tries to raise his weapon once more. Words flow out, beginning to materialize human shapes, before his strength fails him. His garb turns to rouge’s clothes and his sword reverts to a plain book. With no other choice, he sets off a smoke bomb and beats a hasty retreat. Undeterred, the armored figure turns to engage the party. Able to weave blood into earthen weapons, the figure seems content to taunt the party as they fight off a group of crystalline golems. However, with a spasm, they seem to completely change their personality. Again, and again, each time with ever greater volatility. Until something breaks. They shove an arm into their chest and tear out their shimmering “heart”. A mass of blood flows from the battlefield up their figure and surrounds the heart, throbbing violently as it begins to take shape into a colossal lance. With renewed strength, they move with unprecedented speed to attack the party, ripping out Ricky’s heart and replacing it with a crystalline copy. Suddenly an old man dressed in a judge’s robes and holding a pair of gleaming scales drives the figure deeper into the depths. Following along is a hooded child who advises them to delve deeper for their memories before departing themselves.

The party is then contacted by an unknown voice, who whisks them away. They arrive at a research camp to see the ditzy magician Naime and broad-built professor Mustafa awaiting their return. Before they can fully understand the party’s wounds, two figures walk into earshot. A cold-faced scientist and an elegant guardsman talking rapidly about the bureaucratic trouble of “this expedition”. Eyeing the party with some concern, the guardsman only leaves after appealing to the scientist one more time, bringing Hatice with him. The party is finally able to figure out what is going on: 1. They are in an ancient library near the northern city of Andromeda 2. They were hired by the cold-faced scientist Aruna to help with her excavation effort 3. The whole effort is in a tight-spot owing to the tense revolutionary state of Andromeda.

Noteworthy Postgame Events