Aetherian Remnant

Overview:
The Aetherian Remnant, descendants of the fallen Aetherian Empire, hoard ancient relics in Ravensgate, their loyalties split between aiding the city’s lockdown or exploiting it for power. Hidden in rune-etched enclaves, they wield artifacts like the Aetherian Compass (locate object, 1/day), offering them to Plague Doctors for plague cures. Tainted by Eldritch Gods like Elysia, Nyrathos, and Zaladria, their betrayals (Insight DC 15) risk weakening the Aetherian seal, threatening a second Calamity of the Void.

Description:
In Ravensgate’s shadowed depths, the Aetherian Remnant dwells in crumbling vaults, where arcane gears grind and runes pulse with a sickly glow. The air hums with ozone, stinging throats, as Elysia’s illusions cloak their relic caches. Their robes, threaded with starlight, shimmer against Zaladria’s coiling shadows, while Nyrathos’s whispers fray their minds. Hands tremble, clutching artifacts like the Aetherian Compass, its needle twitching toward plague-tainted ruins. The Remnant’s aesthetic fuses steampunk grandeur—brass relics, ticking mechanisms—with cosmic dread, their enclaves teetering on the edge of betrayal.

History:
Pre-Calamity: The Aetherian Remnant’s ancestors were the empire’s arcanists and nobles, crafting Veil wards and relics in Crownspire (modern Ravensgate). Their hubris drew Nyrathos’s secrets, tempting them with forbidden lore, while Elysia’s veils hid their greed. Zaladria’s illusions sowed discord, and Morgrath’s madness fractured their minds, weakening the empire before the Calamity struck.

During the Calamity: The Calamity of the Void shattered the empire. Elysia’s illusions turned allies into foes, Nyrathos’s whispers spread the Whisperplague, and Zaladria’s Shadowveil Betrayal saw arcanists hoard relics in bunkers. Xulthar’s voids consumed outposts, while Xyraxis’s decay rusted their machines. Survivors sealed the gods beneath Ravensgate, but the Remnant emerged divided, clutching relics to survive the chaos.

Current History: In Ravensgate’s lockdown, the Aetherian Remnant splits into factions: some aid Plague Doctors with relics like the Aetherian Compass to craft cures, while others exploit the plague for power, trading with the Ember Syndicate and Ebon Star. Distrusted by the City Watch and Verdant Covenant, their hoarded artifacts—tainted by Xyraxis or Zaladria—fuel suspicions of plague complicity. Adventurers seeking relics must navigate their betrayals, risking Insight (DC 15) to uncover ties to the weakening Aetherian seal and prevent a catastrophic eldritch resurgence.

Regions in Ravensgate:

  1. Veilspire Vaults: Rune-etched bunkers in the District of Secrets, pulsing with Nyrathos’s secrets, hoarding relics.

  2. Shadowveil Enclave: A hidden manor cloaked by Zaladria’s illusions, storing plague-tainted artifacts.

  3. Withered Reliquary: A decayed crypt in the District of Desolation, scarred by Xyraxis’s decay, hiding Aetherian tech.

  4. Mistveil Cache: A foggy rift-site near Mistveil Pier, echoing Zephyrus’s omens, used for relic smuggling.

  5. Ashen Sanctum: A scorched ruin burned by Seraphel’s purges, guarding cursed relics.

  6. Crownspire Relic Hall: A grand archive in the District of Order, tainted by Morgrath’s madness, storing Aetherian Compasses.

Characters:

  1. Archon Vionna Starveil

    • Description: Aristocratic elf, starlit robes, eyes gleaming with Elysia’s deceit.

    • Backstory: Veilspire Vaults leader, trades Aetherian Compasses, torn by power lust. Offers relics but risks betrayal (Insight DC 15).

  2. Voidscribe Kael Duskveil

    • Description: Gaunt arcanist, void-tattooed, trembling hands.

    • Backstory: Shadowveil Enclave schemer, serves Xulthar, hoards plague relics. Trades intel (Deception DC 14).

  3. Mistcaller Toren Fogveil

    • Description: Breezy scholar, misty robes, whispering voice.

    • Backstory: Mistveil Cache guardian, hears Zephyrus’s omens, aids Plague Doctors. Guides to rifts (Arcana DC 15).

  4. Witherkin Lyssa Ashveil

    • Description: Frail relic-keeper, ashen skin, ravenous gaze.

    • Backstory: Withered Reliquary scavenger, tainted by Xyraxis, seeks plague cures. Leads to ruins (Investigation DC 16).

  5. Dawnblade Elara Pureveil

    • Description: Radiant zealot, glowing blade, scarred face.

    • Backstory: Ashen Sanctum enforcer, purges “traitors” for Seraphel, allied with Ebon Star (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).

  6. Runemaster Myron Shadeveil

    • Description: Pale arcanist, rune-etched gloves, fractured eyes.

    • Backstory: Crownspire Relic Hall sage, maddened by Morgrath, deciphers plague tomes (Persuasion DC 15).

  7. Plaguewarden Sylva Thornveil

    • Description: Verdant Covenant ally, vine-wreathed, haunted gaze.

    • Backstory: Mistveil Cache healer, smuggles Sylvaris herbs, torn by Xyraxis’s decay. Offers cures (Nature DC 12).

  8. Shadowstalker Zeryn Gloomveil

    • Description: Shadowy rogue, inky blades, manic grin.

    • Backstory: Shadowveil Enclave saboteur, serves Zaladria, ambushes relic-seekers (CR 3, Spy).

  9. Whisperblade Ragna Mistveil

    • Description: Blind relic-keeper, misty armor, trembling voice.

    • Backstory: Mistveil Cache oracle, hears Zephyrus’s truths, warns of Ebon Star rifts (Insight DC 14).

  10. Farseer Veyra Duskthorn

    • Description: Melodic bard, thorn-wreathed lute, haunted eyes.

    • Backstory: Crownspire Relic Hall informant, sings to soothe rifts, aids Ebon Star. Offers ritual clues (Performance DC 14).

Impacts on Denizens:
The Aetherian Remnant’s denizens, heirs to a fallen empire, wield ancient power amid Ravensgate’s lockdown, their relics a double-edged sword. Elysia’s illusions cloak their Veilspire Vaults, hiding betrayals, while Nyrathos’s whispers fray minds in the Crownspire Relic Hall. Zaladria’s shadows veil the Shadowveil Enclave, and Xyraxis’s decay taints the Withered Reliquary. Xulthar’s voids pulse in the Mistveil Cache, and Seraphel’s purges scorch the Ashen Sanctum. Their Aetherian Compasses guide Plague Doctors to ruins, but their divided loyalties—some aiding cures, others empowering the Ebon Star—risk plague escalation. Adventurers must navigate their betrayals (Insight DC 15), seize relics, and uncover ties to the Aetherian seal to halt the plague and prevent a catastrophic eldritch resurgence.