A demon of ruin lies sealed in the heart of the temple, and an almost forgotten prophecy foretells that a descendant of the “snake lineage” will one day be able to free it. Key questions remain: What is known about this lineage? Who among the Player Characters has heard of it? Or, who among them will discover that they descend from it?

### Investigation Threads

- The treasure in the statue. In the bowels of the temple, wedged between the scales of a giant stone serpent, there is an ancient scepter, the Soulthorn—an artifact capable of imprisoning a soul. Only the chosen one can awaken its true power and free the snake-spirit. What would be the consequences of its use? If left to its own devices, what is the snake-spirit going to do once freed?
- An ancient pact. Although remembered as an evil being, the spirit actually taught humanity the arts of herbalism, medicine, and poison. However, their gifts were used to cause death and suffering, and, to atone, the spirit began devouring any pain and diseases they saw as born of their actions. As a last act, before corruption overcame them, they sealed themselves away in the temple, slowly losing all their memories.
- Recovered memories. By using the Soulthorn or coming into contact with the snake-spirit’s power, Player Characters may recover fragments of their memory and investigate further. What catastrophic event forced the spirit to cut all ties with the world? Which of their memories might restore their confidence?

## Zecar

An aristocratic fox-man named Zecar offers the Player Characters a lavish reward, provided they help him recover a family heirloom from the temple. Investigation involves:

- The sword of ages. Laying on a stone altar, this sword is an artifact that, according to legend, grants luck, fame, and wealth—but it’s protected by a seal. Who among the Player Characters knows how to break it?
- Unmasked! Zecar’s ancestry gained its nobility thanks to the sword, but his ancestors returned it to the temple, believing it was its rightful place. Once the blade is in his hands, the haughty fox-man turns out to be a minor Villain and uses an Ultima Point to escape. What are his intentions? Why was the sword returned? Which dark powers does it hide, and why is Zecar underestimating its influence?

> “A dark omen awaits, trapped in the depths.
> A pure heart will free it; a pure heart might defeat it.”