Shadow of the Flame

Description

Something dark dwells within Calum Cadere, a supernatural power tied to their fire-scarred past and the nightmares that still haunt them. When Calum breathed the tree's spores, they experienced visions of vines, rot, and fungal growth—the same images that plague their dreams. When wood elf arrows nearly killed them and Daria pulled them back from death's edge, witnesses felt scorching heat radiating from Calum's body and saw ash falling from their skin. Even their veins turned deep purple before washing away in water. The transformation terrifies Calum, who deflects questions and denies what others clearly witnessed. Whatever power burns within them is awakening, whether they will it or not. Session 2 update: The dark power within Caelum Cadere breaks through the barrier between dreams and reality. Their recurring nightmare deepens into prophetic vision: a nightmarish forest lit by purple moonlight where corrupted plants worship them as silver flames burst from their body. But this time, the dream leaves marks—thorns from the vision carve real wounds down their legs, and a door handle touched in nightmare leaves genuine burns on their palm. The transformation Caelum fears is accelerating beyond their control, manifesting whether they will it or not. Something within them is awakening, and the boundary between what they are and what they're becoming grows thinner with each night. Session 3 update: The dark power within Caelum Cadere breaks through every barrier they've erected. Their illusions fail, revealing frost-patterned skin and burns that appear from nightmare. But most terrifying: the silver flames now come at will, cascading from their fingertips in casual displays before witnesses. The transformation accelerates beyond control, manifesting whether Caelum wills it or not, and now nobles have seen what they can do. Session 5 update: The cursed sword has bonded to Calum, granting borrowed strength and awakening silver flames that respond to their will. But the power comes with a terrible cost—without the blade in hand, Calum's weakness returns immediately. They've gone from fearing their transformation to wielding it, smiling through combat as necrotic fire and cold magic erupt from their strikes. The young lord is learning to command supernatural forces, but the dependency on the cursed blade grows with each use. Session 6 update: The cursed sword has bonded to Calum, granting borrowed strength and awakening silver flames that respond to their will. But the power comes with a terrible cost—without the blade in hand, Calum's weakness returns immediately. They've gone from fearing their transformation to wielding it, smiling through combat as necrotic fire and cold magic erupt from their strikes. The young lord is learning to command supernatural forces, but the dependency on the cursed blade grows with each use. Session 9 update: As Mesmer, Caelum openly wields the silver flame powers he must hide as Lord Cadere. During the spider attack, his cursed sword erupts with silver fire that burns through chitin and web with devastating effect. He fights with undisguised joy, smiling through combat as necrotic flames cascade from his strikes. The disguise liberates him to use his supernatural abilities without fear of exposure—no nobles watching, no reputation to protect, just pure release of pent-up power and frustration. When his silver flame proves highly effective against the giant spiders, Caelum experiences the intoxicating freedom of fighting at full strength. The magical shield that protects him from the fall demonstrates his growing mastery over these abilities. But this freedom comes with risk: Prator seems to notice something about the 'mercenary's' magic, and maintaining two identities means double the chances of his curse being discovered. Session 17 update: The dark power within Caelum Cadere breaks through in its most violent manifestation yet. When rage and humiliation overwhelm him, the Form of Dread erupts—silvery flames cascade across his body, vines strangle his sword-hand, and something inhuman takes hold. The transformation isn't possession but amplification: his rage given supernatural form, his pain weaponized into terror-inducing presence. For seconds that stretch into eternity, Caelum becomes the monster his friends fear, striking with vicious glee before shame finally breaks through. The power that once terrified him now answers to his darkest emotions, and he's learning how easily he can call upon it when pushed to the breaking point.

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Timeline