After having defeated the invaders that were able to breach the defenses of Argent and slip inside the city, Obanar invited the group to a comfortable sitting room high within the Guardian’s Tower. The group was given refreshments and a chance to relax after the long day. Once everyone was settled, Obanar addressed the group, “I have called you here to become the new champions of Argent. Ask your questions, and I shall do my best to provide you with answers you seek.”

Rowan blurted out a question before anyone else had time to react, “Who are you?” she asked curiously.

Obanar gave a warm smile, “I am Obanar, last guardian of Argent. More than one hundred and twenty-five years ago, the empire of Nerath sent me here as a champion. Nerath, as all empire before it, supplied Argent with champions to honor its obligations to the Paragon Compact.”

Archer quickly replied, “Nerath fell a long time ago.”

At the reply, Obanar gave a long frown, “That, that is sad to hear. No other kingdom or empire has arisen to take its place?” he asked, and Archer merely shook his head. “I see, that explains much. And it makes what I must ask you to do even more dangerous and important.”

“How did you know it would be us?” asks Cirrig pointedly.

Obanar gives a chuckle, “I didn’t. Forgive an old man and his choice of words. I sought you because you are heroes. Perhaps the only heroes left to help with a new threat that has arisen and must be dealt with before all is lost. I sent Rrowthar out to search for champions worthy of the honor of the Silver Cloaks. He found you.”

Valiketh gave a grunt at this, “Sounds more like lucky to me. What can we do?”

Obanar looks to Valiketh with a serious glance, “Instead you should ask, what can you not do? You are worthy champions, powerful and noble. It is time for you to put aside other needs and aspirations, for Argent has need of you in this time of peril. If the giants rampage freely, thousands of innocents shall die. And if the primordial is set free, then the cost in life shall increase a hundredfold. More over, the primordial has the power and ability to organize the scattered forces of the Elemental Chaos into an army capable of starting a new Dawn War. We cannot allow that to happen.”

“Wait, wait,” called our Rowan as she held up her hand. “What is all this talk about the Dawn War and Paragon Compacts?”

Obanar looked a little surprised but was quick to answer. “Oh, a little history lesson then. You see, the Dawn War was a war between the gods and very powerful beings called the primordials. As the Dawn War ended, many of the gods set up the Paragon Compact with the leaders of the civilized people of the world to provide for the defense of the world against threats that go beyond the usual fare of brigands and uprisings. Threats that could destroy the world, such as demons, aberrations, and rampaging primordials. Every civilized nation has always provided champions to serve in Agent and take up the Silver Cloaks. But the compact has been broken with the loss of the kingdoms and empires,” he said with a touch of sadness to his voice.

The group was quiet for several moments until Archer spoke up. “Okay, so that covers most of it I think. The questions now are, what is the threat and what did they want that was in the vault?”

Obanar frowned at the questions and nodded a bit. “Answered in sequence, the giants have begun to come together in such numbers as has not been seen since the time of the Dawn War. Earth giants have already struck here at Argent, and I believe that they are also marching on other key locations throughout the land. I fear that the giants and their elemental allies have conspired to free a primordial from its ancient prison. This cannot be allowed to come to pass.” The old man shifted in his chair uncomfortably before continuing. “Their attack on Argent was not merely a destructive rage. The intruders knew exactly what they were after. They stole a piece of the divine engine that the gods used to imprison the primordial called Piranoth. It appears that the giants have teamed up with a group of elementals with the express purpose of setting Piranoth free.”

Cirrig tilted his head to the side for a moment and then asked the question that was on everyone’s mind. “What happens next?”

“Well, there are many ways to approach the peril before us. There are quests to undertake, research to engage in, and battles to launch before we can even hope to win this war. For now, rest and recover your strength. On the morrow, I shall endeavor to advise you on the next steps you may want to take. Thank you…thank you for hearing me out. It is my hope that we can answer the call of being a champion and save us all.”

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(see Argent Quests I for a list of quests that you can undertake)