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WORM

Info

Name: Wardens' Order of Research and Mysteries (W.O.R.M.)

Location: Neverwinter

Instructors

Founder

  • Altharion Veylen

Teachers

  • Lirien Ashthorne
  • Sir Gideon Vale
  • Sylwen Thornbrook

Backstory

The Birth of W.O.R.M.

Altharion Veylen, a human divination wizard of great renown, began his journey as a promising student in the arcane halls of the Arcanum Nexus. His sharp mind and unyielding curiosity set him apart, but it was his prophetic visions that earned both respect and fear among his peers. Guided by fragmented glimpses of a dark future—a world veiled in shadow and despair—Altharion sought answers beyond the safety of libraries and lecture halls. He joined a daring band of adventurers, each with unmatched talents, and together they delved into ancient ruins, toppled tyrants, and sealed dangerous planar rifts. Their victories earned them fame, but Altharion’s visions never ceased, gnawing at his resolve.

One prophecy stood above all which would plunge the realms into chaos. Altharion knew that brute force alone would never be enough to stop this threat. Knowledge, innovation, and cooperation were the only paths forward. So, after years of perilous adventuring, he and his companions retired from the frontlines to build something greater—a beacon of hope and preparation. Thus, the Wardens' Order of Research and Mysteries (W.O.R.M.) was born. Altharion founded the academy as a sanctuary for the unconventional, recruiting students not solely for their magical prowess but for their untapped potential, creativity, and resilience. His enigmatic teaching methods often frustrated his pupils, but his wisdom and empathy forged bonds stronger than steel. He never revealed the true purpose of W.O.R.M. - believing that burden too heavy for young shoulders. As shadows loomed ever closer, Altharion watched his academy flourish, determined that his students would one day become the heroes the world would need.

Player Mission Success

The four students stood at the edge of a dense forest, the fading daylight casting long shadows across the gnarled trees. Headmaster Altharion’s words echoed in their minds: “Retrieve the Everlight Crystal from the heart of the Eldergrove. But beware—illusion and mischief guard its path.” Zelanis took point, her sharp eyes scanning for traps as Burton hummed a jaunty tune, a flicker of magic lingering on his voice to keep their nerves steady. Nyx stomped through the underbrush, her fists clenched, ready to smash through anything that dared cross their path. Tink lagged behind, nose buried in his notes, muttering calculations about the best way to disable arcane wards. They were a mismatched bunch, but necessity made quick allies.

It wasn’t long before the grove tested them—a shimmering maze of shifting trees and flickering shadows. Burton’s words unraveled the illusions, revealing a hidden path, but a sudden ambush of spectral wolves scattered the team. Nyx roared, cleaving through two with raw fury, while Tink’s hastily rigged contraption fired bolts of radiant energy, dissipating another. Zelanis darted through the chaos, blades gleaming, slicing through the final threat. “Nice teamwork,” Burton quipped breathlessly. As they reached the crystalline altar, their prize gleaming in the moonlight, Tink carefully extracted the Everlight Crystal. “We might just make a decent team after all,” Burton said with a grin. Zelanis smirked, wiping her blade clean. “Sure—just remember which one of us had to do the heavy lifting when you start singing your next ballad.”

Player Mission Failure

The mission seemed simple enough: escort a delicate cargo of arcane components to a nearby village plagued by magical instability. Altharion had warned them, “Precision and restraint will win the day.” But restraint was hardly their specialty. The journey began smoothly until a sudden surge of wild magic tore through the forest, splitting the sky with crackling energy. Trees uprooted themselves, twisting into warped monstrosities. "Stay calm—I've got this," Tink assured them, rapidly assembling a counter-arcane device. Burton’s voice weaving a protective charm, but the energy backlash shattered the melody mid-note. Nyx charged forward, fists glowing with crackling fury. “Wait—Nyx, no!” Zelanis shouted, too late. Nyx’s impact disrupted the fragile containment Tink had nearly stabilized. The whole contraption detonated in a harmless but humiliating burst of glowing pink smoke, scattering them like leaves.

Coughing and splattered in glittering residue, the four stumbled to regroup. The cargo lay in ruins, shimmering shards of arcane components littering the ground. "So... that could have gone better," Burton wheezed, brushing glitter from his singed hair. "At least we're alive," Tink muttered grimly, surveying the wreckage. "Barely," Zelanis shot back, shaking glowing dust from her cloak. Nyx rubbed the back of her neck, sheepish. “I might’ve overdone it.” The forest now shimmered with harmless pink embers, a testament to their spectacular failure. "Well," Zelanis sighed, offering a wry smile, "if nothing else, we made a memorable exit."