Cult of the Eclipse

The Cult of the Eclipse is a shadow-worshipping organization devoted to freeing Nidhogg, the Great Shadow, from his imprisonment in the Shadowfell. Led by the Weaver, the cult systematically works to weaken the interplanar barrier by corrupting leyline temples, tearing open portals to the Shadowfell, and spreading fear across the realm. Their motto, inscribed on cult medallions: “Darkness will descend once again.”

Leadership

• The Weaver — Cult leader. A wizard and illusionist who orchestrates the systematic weakening of the planar barriers. Operates from a tower stronghold in the Feywild, hidden inside a mirage arcane spell that appears as a sinkhole. Originally interested in using Nidhogg’s image as a “fantastic illusion,” but his ambitions evolved into a plan to execute a summoning ritual at the ancient battlefield where Nidhogg was sealed.
• Xolthos — Herald of the Weaver. Black dragonborn sorcerer who observes natural phenomena and twists them into signs of Nidhogg’s impending return, painting doomsday visions to recruit followers. Publicly proclaimed Nidhogg’s return at the Autumn Court’s Aki Matsuri festival. Defeated by the party.
• Serenity — Night hag cult agent, real name “Old Polly Pigtooth.” Over 300 years old. Cursed the village of Tannis using rituals taught by the Weaver and communed with Nidhogg through a seeing stone. Her journal revealed an obsession with sharing Shadicar’s “darkness” with the realm. Permanently killed by the party.
• Manus — Enigmatic warrior and shapechanger (CR 17). Despite cult affiliation, openly mocks the Weaver and appears motivated by testing himself against worthy opponents rather than ideology. Stole the Summer Court’s leyline crystal. Allegiance remains ambiguous.
• Kharvex, the Shadow Caller — Cult mage who received direct instructions from the Weaver to test summoning magic using residual energy from Nidhogg’s original sealing ritual. Created the Grimoire of the Eclipse. Defeated by the party on the ancient battlefield.

Core Goals

1. Free Nidhogg — The cult’s ultimate purpose. The Weaver plans a summoning ritual at the ancient battlefield where Nidhogg was originally sealed, tearing open a portal to the Shadowfell to release the shadow dragon.
2. Destroy the Leyline Barrier — The interplanar barrier that keeps Nidhogg imprisoned is anchored at four seasonal leyline temples. The cult targets each temple to weaken the barrier from multiple points.
3. Open Hollow Thresholds — Unstable portals connecting the Material Plane to the Shadowfell, each anchored by a dark artifact. These siphon leyline energy, pull shadow creatures into the world, and corrupt the surrounding land.
4. Spread Fear and Recruit — Through Xolthos’s public proclamations and acts of terror like the Tannis Darkness, the cult recruits desperate followers with promises of salvation.
5. Enhance Summoning Magic — Kharvex’s experiments aimed to harness residual energy from Nidhogg’s sealing ritual to amplify shadow summoning spells, documented in the Grimoire of the Eclipse.

Key Locations

• The Weaver’s Feywild Stronghold — A tower in the Feywild surrounded by a mirage arcane spell, appearing to balance on a spire above a sinkhole. Accessible only to the cult’s inner circle.
• Order of Seasons Tomb — Site of the cult’s earliest known operation, where goblins and bugbears conducted a dark ritual and kidnapped Winry.
• Greyscale Cabin — Defiled cult site in corrupted woods containing a shadow dragon altar and Serenity’s seeing stone.
• Ancient Battlefield — Where Nidhogg was originally sealed. The Weaver’s chosen site for the final summoning ritual.
• Hollow Threshold Sites — Multiple tears in reality scattered across the realm, each anchored by dark artifacts and siphoning leyline power.

Leyline Temple Sabotage

The cult’s central strategy is to damage or corrupt the four seasonal leyline temples that anchor Nidhogg’s prison barrier. Progress as encountered by the party:

Order of Seasons

The Order of Seasons was an ancient alliance of champions — one from each seasonal court — united under Vidrir to fight Nidhogg’s undead legions when they threatened to drown the Feywild in shadow. The Order wounded Nidhogg enough to make binding possible, and with the aid of elven mages, sealed the shadow dragon in the Shadowfell. Most of the Order perished in the final stand at the Gates of Season’s End. Their oath, inscribed on their tomb: “We of the Order of Seasons, vow to fight darkness wherever it is found.”

Autumn Court

The Autumn Court is the most diplomatic of the four seasonal courts, renowned for mediation and peace-making. Ruled by the legendary negotiator Lord Farkris, it carries a Japanese-inspired aesthetic of maple groves, torii gates, and seasonal festivals.

Leadership

• Farkris (Lord Thalorin) — Lord of Autumn. Centuries-old autumn eladrin renowned as one of the greatest diplomats and mediators in the Fey realms. Sharp angular features, deep warm amber eyes, long auburn hair with golden highlights. Wears robes of deep red, gold, and brown with a cloak of enchanted autumn leaves and a circlet of intertwined branches. Regretted failing to make peace with Nidhogg centuries ago. Was shocked to learn the barrier was weakening — Alora had not warned him.
• Sovis — Prince of Autumn. Son and heir of Farkris.
• Hencelle — Master of Feasts. Earth genasi and former monk who runs the Aki Matsuri and serves as chief organizer of the court’s festivals.

Key Locations

• Autumn Court Entrance — Marked by a serene river crossing with calm, tranquil waters. A grand Torii gate at the river’s edge symbolizes the transition from the mortal world to the sacred realm. A standing stone sits on a small outcropping north of the gate.
• Aki Matsuri — “Fall Festival” in Japanese. A beautiful beer garden nestled among serene Japanese maple trees of red and orange, run by Hencelle. Features food stands, artists, vendors, and entertainers. Site of the party’s encounter with Xolthos.
• Autumn Leyline Temple — Accessed through a hill that peeled open by ancient magic. Entrance guarded by a treant who required proof of worth. Features a rotating seasonal puzzle depicting the cycle of autumn. The only leyline temple found intact and stable.

Culture & Identity

• Japanese-inspired aesthetic: maple groves, torii gates, beer gardens
• Values peace, mediation, balance, and diplomacy
• Seasonal festivals celebrated with great fanfare
• Emphasis on negotiation and finding common ground
• Farkris is respected across all courts for his skill with words

Leyline Temple Status

The Autumn Leyline Temple is the only temple the party found completely intact and stable. Its leyline crystal and six focus crystals were undamaged. Entry required proving worth to a guardian treant — the party earned passage by saving a baby unicorn from bloodthirsty vines during a dire wolf ambush.

Spring Court

The Spring Court embodies renewal, growth, and gentle transformation. Guided by the High Druid Faela Mossheart, it values personal development and healing over oaths of power. The court was the last temple the party visited — and the first to fall to corruption.

Leadership

• Faela Mossheart — High Druid of Spring. Centuries-old elf who wears layers of living moss and bark-woven robes, carries a staff sprouting blossoms, and leaves wildflowers blooming in her footsteps. Calm and maternal but not passive — proved her strength by wildshaping into a saber-tooth tiger. Performed the Seed Ritual with the party at the Spring Temple. Taught Seraphina the Spring Court rite to awaken the Samovar.
• Seraphina Moonglow — Mystic proprietor of the Moonlit Hearth tavern. Half-elf with one silver eye and one spring-green eye. Reads tea leaves for divination and sees needs, not wants. Learned water-listening from Faela.

Key Locations

• [[Endless Meadow]] — Landmark of the Spring Court.
• [[Grand Windmill]] — Landmark of the Spring Court.
• Moonlit Hearth — Tavern owned by Seraphina Moonglow. Aesthetic of indigo, lavender, and warm honeywood. Features frosted-petal lanterns, a crescent-shaped hearth with pale-blue fire, and a living wood counter. House customs include the Whisper Rule, Moon Tokens, and Cup Reading. Serves teas with magical effects. Home to the Samovar — a waist-high brass kettle golem animated by a water-spirit.
• Spring Leyline Temple — A massive flowering willow tree whose hollowed trunk spirals into corridors. “Grown, not built.” Light filters through translucent petals and mossy skylights. Water flows upward in some places. Entrance requires the Seed Ritual. Currently disrupted by nearby Hollow Thresholds.

Culture & Identity

• Theme of renewal, new beginnings, and acceptance
• Values commitments to self-improvement and healing (Contracts of Intention)
• Gentle but unwavering authority — quiet strength rather than martial prowess
• Standing stone located in the royal garden behind the High Druid’s residence

The Seed Ritual

A sacred rite performed at the Spring Leyline Temple. Faela gives each participant a seed to plant in the soil around the temple. Each seed binds to the person’s “intent to grow” — a personal resolution or vow for positive change. Seeds sprout into flowers reflecting the character’s spirit, with color and condition revealing emotional states.

Summer Court

The Summer Court is the most vibrant and competitive of the four seasonal courts. Styled after ancient Rome, it celebrates strength, craftsmanship, and valor. Home to the legendary smith Elara Sunforge, who reforged Summer’s Edge — the blade of the Order of Seasons.

Leadership

• Lady Sylvia — Lady of Summer. Took news of the Cult of the Eclipse seriously and asked the party to investigate the Summer Leyline Temple. Recognized that Summer’s Edge chooses its own wielder and directed the party to Elara Sunforge for reforging. Vowed to coordinate with the other courts.
• Elara Sunforge — Master Smith. Most skilled smith in the Summer Court, renowned across the Fey realms. Reforged Summer’s Edge using Celestial Ore and the First Kiss of the Midday Sun at the Secret Elven Forge beneath her workshop.
• Adamar — Knight of the Summer Court. Dueled Skreek in the Coliseum to test the reforged Summer’s Edge.

Key Locations

• The Coliseum — Massive arena at the center of the court. Architectural marvel with tiered seating for thousands. Hosts gladiatorial combat, archery contests, and dueling tournaments. Skreek won a tournament here testing Summer’s Edge.
• Elara’s Forge — Large open-air workshop near the Coliseum filled with enchanted tools. Centerpiece is a massive rune-inscribed anvil and a forge fire that never dims.
• Secret Elven Forge — Hidden beneath Elara’s workshop via a narrow stone staircase behind the hearth. A vast subterranean chamber with veins of golden leyline energy pulsing beneath crystalline stone. Where Summer’s Edge was reforged.
• Ember’s Embrace — Lively inn and tavern run by Serra Flamekissed (fire genasi). Known for flaming shots.
• Summer Leyline Temple — Already breached when the party arrived. Two guardian constructs destroyed by fire and ice magic. One of eight rune crystals stolen by Manus, later recovered but tainted.

Culture & Identity

• Roman-inspired architecture: grand marble buildings, open courtyards, majestic columns
• Competitive culture — contests of skill and valor are celebrated
• Bold street food, laughter, music, and the constant clang of metal from the forges
• Values strength, excellence, and craftsmanship
• Energetic, bustling atmosphere with betting on dueling tournaments

Leyline Temple Status

The Summer Leyline Temple was breached by the Cult of the Eclipse before the party arrived. Two guardian constructs were destroyed. One rune crystal was stolen by Manus and later recovered, but it was tainted and could not be restored without knowledge from the Chained Library.