The Phoenix

History


While trapped in a demiplane by four rogue, angry demigod siblings, the Iron Helix Syndicate stumbled across several groups of similarly trapped adventurers, many of whom would later enlist in the Iron Helix. One among these was Franz Welser-Möst, a seemingly harmless old man and member of The Guild. However, it would turn out that Franz was secretly a high-ranking member of the Cult of Kossuth, and was one of the fiery lord's chosen subjects. For this, he was entrusted by Kossuth with a massive iron chest, which he was to carry chained to his back at all times, told that its purpose, and his, would be revealed when the time was right.

Some weeks later, Kossuth's prophecy was fulfilled. The box unlocked in the very center of Haven, unleashing a great pillar of flame and an enormous, raging Phoenix. Franz, fulfilling his master's will, was killed in the blast. The phoenix burned whole swathes of Haven, its old, Pre-Tetrarch Era wooden neighborhoods flashing to cinders in seconds. The devastation prompted the royal government to call on all of Haven to help, including the territories of the Arachne, Owlbears, and Phulubits. However, these three factions had been allied and waiting for such an opportunity as this, when the humans of Haven would be vulnerable. Seeking to destroy greater Haven and who they saw as oppressors, the three races massed their forces and laid siege to the walls of the city as the Phoenix rampaged within. Coincidentally, at this same time, an outbreak of the Chō was exploding around Haven, infecting people at a terrifying rate.

The Haven City Guard fought valiantly, but began to lose the day, unable to repel their besiegers or defeat the raging Phoenix before it burned the royal palace to the ground, killing the last surviving members of Haven's royal Dedmen Family. Just as it seemed the day was lost, the Iron Helix Syndicate emerged from underground, bursting up through a manhole cover from the Haven sewers. The Haven City Guard braced for annihilation, certain that the Iron Helix planned to accelerate their city's destruction, but, unpredictable as always, the Iron Helix began to fight off the Phoenix and the city's attackers. Splitting their numbers, Chompski, Dalek, and Barnabus Motley utilized their magic, martial prowess, and raw strength to bring the flaming beast down, while the others rallied behind a raging Rochelle to break the siege.

After a fierce night of fighting, and most of old Haven being razed to dust, the city would still manage to survive, thanks to the Iron Helix Syndicate.