This is my first time doing an Legend of Vox Machina story based on Critical Role first Campaign. I noticed that no one had done a story of how Umbrasyl knows about the Titanstone Knuckles. And I got this idea during my walk. I'm unsure if he already knew about them being the Vestiges of Divergence in the first place. So, I'm basically filling in the gaps between after Into Rimecleft and before A Test of Pride episodes.
Hope you guys enjoy this story. And be aware that my writing might not be great, so again hopefully you folks enjoy my story.
The sun sets over the mountains as the skies covered by darken clouds. Sounds of thunder ring and flash across the realm of Tal'Dorei. Among the thunder is the sound of mighty wings, a dark shadow within the grey clouds flew over the land. Beasts and forest critters scattered and hid among the ferns and undergrowth. Flocks of birds flew away as a large beast flew past, dragging gush of wind behind. This is not just any beast, but a fearsome dragon. But not just any dragon.
It's the Hope Devourer himself; Umbrasyl.
Umbrasyl has returned to Tal'Dorei from Issylra, carrying a severed head of Kamaljiori, between his talons. After learning from a human about the group that escaped from Vorugal are in Issylra. Umbrasyl immediately went after them. To show them the might of the Chroma Conclave. But not before being told by the human woman that they're seeking weapons to destroy the Chroma Conclave. At first Umbrasyl laughed, believing that no such weapons by mere mortals would harm an Ancient Dragon such as himself. However, learning from the woman that they're seeking ancient weapons know as the Vestiges of Divergence to defeat them… well that's a different matter.
He knows well enough how powerful the vestiges are. Created by the Prime Deities during the Calamity, their powers rivals against the Titans and the Betrayer Gods themselves. The thought of the vestiges in the hands of pesky mortals might pose a threat. Yet, to Umbrasyl, the vestiges serve a greater purpose for the Chroma Conclave. To him the vestiges are the most valuable items, more than just some gold trinkets and jewelry. They'll give them unimaginable power that will make all of Exandria tremble before them. Making the dragons the true rulers of the entire world.
Umbrasyl found the group within the Rimecleft, they have found one of the vestiges he desired. Though the group may have escaped from him, he has what he wanted. Umbrasyl looked behind him, with his maw grinning. In his tail is a longsword, but not just any sword. It is one of the Vestiges of Divergence that the sphinx Kamaljiori called Mythcarver.
Despite not killing the adventuring group as ordered by Thordak. Finding a vestige as rare as Mythcarver, is enough for Umbrasyl to call it a win. Umbrasyl turned his attention back in front of him. Coming to view is Gatshadow Mountain. Umbrasyl flies upwards towards the entrance into the mountain.
Once he entered the mountain, Umbrasyl flew towards the heart of the mountain. He made Gatshadow Mountain as his new roost as it's closer to Westruun. One of the cities in the realm, and one of the few cities having gold. He made both Westruun, Gatshadow Mountain, and the Bramblewood Forest as his territory after the Fall of Emon. Once he entered into the larger cavern, a large lake of acid greeted him.
Landing onto his talons, he sets Kamaljiori head beside him. He then hears footsteps echoing through the cavern. Someone is in his domain. Umbrasyl whipped his head around to see who had dared entered his lair. However, coming out the shadow a hooded figure. The figure takes the hood off to reveal Anne Ripley. Giving Umbrasyl a greeting smile.
"So, have you killed Vox Machina? Or did you let them escape?" Anne asked the Hope Devourer with a hint of mockery.
"Watched your tongue, woman." Umbrasyl hissed, raising his massive wings in the air "Don't forget you're in the presence of the Hope Devourer. I'm only letting you stay in my lair because you have proven yourself trustworthy. Which makes you a useful ally. Because otherwise…" Acid dripped out from his maw, sizzling the rocky surface "…I would've melted your flesh and bones back in Westruun. If you didn't gave me information about the where abouts of those vermin's who escaped from Emon."
"Calm yourself, Umbrasyl. You know I'm no match against you. I prefer to ally myself to those such as yourself to get what I want." Anne Ripley replied very calmly.
Umbrasyl grunts as Anne went on talking "But what of Vox Machina? You didn't tell me what happened to them." Anne asked once more.
"Those vermin escaped from my jaws. That half-blood vermin used a Teleporting Spell to get away." Umbrasyl explained about Vox Machina narrowing escape.
"Then you failed on killing them, I take it?"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I took some souvenirs with me." Umbrasyl grinned as he moved out of the way to show Anne a horrific scenery. A giant decapitated head of an unknown creature she never seen before.
"Holy shit. What the fuck is that?" Anne looked at it curiously and was amazed at the same time.
"This is the head of a sphinx from Rimecleft. Brought it back with me as a trophy." Unbrasyl revealed with his face full of pride and malice. Grinning as Anne walked up to it as she examined the head.
"A sphinx? I thought they went extinct centuries ago." Anne thought that there were no more sphinxes left in all of Exandria.
"Apparently these felines were in hiding. Found whatever holes they crawled into." Umbrasyl grabbed the head. He flipped his wings as he soars to one of the spikey pillars in his lair. Landing he places the head as the spikes pierces the head "This will be my finest trophy."
Anne is seen walking along the edge, folding her arms "So, that's all you brought? A head of a long-begotten species that no one knows they still exist?" Anne asked in a sarcastic tone.
Umbrasyl chuckled "It's just a bonus. I brought back my true prize."
Lifting his tail, Umbrasyl shows Anne Ripley the legendary weapon "This… is my prize." Umbrasyl spoke with a low hiss.
"What is that?" Anne asked while she stared at the longsword bewildered.
"This is one of the legendry Vestiges of Divergence. It is called Mythcarver." Umbrasyl explained to Anne.
"A vestige? I'll be damn, they do exist. I always thought they were nothing more than stories. Never thought I see one in my fucking life." Said Anne impressed at Umbrasyl of finding a vestige "I hear each vestige have their own unique powers, created by the gods. What does this one do?"
"Mythcarver can show the wielder the other Vestiges of Divergence. From any place and in any plane at any time." Umbrasyl told her how it works as he stared at it, seeing his own reflection.
"Then how about we use it to see where the other vestige is at. So, we could at it to your collection." Anne suggested.
"Interesting idea, I'll shall." Umbrasyl raised Mythcarver up as he stared into the blade "Mythcarver, show me the last thing the gnome has seen. Let me see it." Suddenly, Mythcarver started to radiant a blue glow. As Umbrasyl continued to stare, he suddenly started to see a vision.
Umbrasyl sees a familiar city in ruin, a city he knows all to well "Well, what do you see?" Anne asked as Umbrasyl stares at the city "I… I see Westruun…" Said Umbrasyl as he sees all of Westruun.
"Westruun?" Anne sound surprised "Why would a sword be showing you Westruun? Do you think there's a vestige that no one knows about?"
"Quiet woman! Let me concentrate!" Umbrasyl silence Anne.
The vision takes him further into the city. Passing the laying bodies of the inhabitants of Westruun. And passing bunch of goliaths. Until the vision shows him a building in the middle of the Opal Ward. Seeing inside sits the goliath Kevdak, leader of the Herd of Storms.
"I see… Kevdak?" Said Umbrasyl confused to see Kevdak.
"Kevdak? Isn't he the big boss who is leading those marauders who's been working for you?" Anne asked unsure why would Mythcarver be showing Umbrasyl, Kevdak.
However, Umbrasyl noticed something "Wait… those gauntlets. They're glowing." Umbrasyl notice the stone gauntlets Kevdak is wearing glowing with a yellow radiant glow. With the vision zooming in on them.
Once Umbrasyl vision faded and turned back to his lair. Anne looked at Umbrasyl very puzzled "Gauntlets? What gauntlets?" Anne asked the dragon.
However, Umbrasyl didn't answer. Instead, he gave a low chuckle before letting out loud booming laugh. His laugh echoed throughout the cavern. Causing bats to fly around with Anne Ripley covering her ears. She looked up towards him with annoyance "If you're going to laugh, warn someone!" Anne shouted.
"Ah, the Scaled Tyrant must be smiling down upon me! Fate has twain us together!" Umbrasyl roar in good spirits "That fool Kevdak has one of the vestiges in his possession. Right under my nose."
"The gauntlets I take it." Anne replied before continuing "So, going to take them off from his corpse after killing him? Killing him would be faster and easier to get those puppies off him."
"As much as I liked the idea of disposing of him and taking those vestiges off from his mangle corpse. And leave his husk to rot and eaten by worms and rodents. However, he and his Herd of scavengers are still useful by gathering all the riches for Thordak." Umbrasyl told Anne as he's holding back his temptation of going to Westruun and kill Kevdak to take the Vestiges of Divergence for himself. Slithering around Anne like a serpent "Not to mention, Kevdak is the only one to keep his Herd under his rule. I know fully those worms wanted nothing more than sink their dull blades through my scales. Without Kevdak keeping them in line…"
"They'll die like lambs into a slaughter." Anne finally understood why Umbrasyl wanted to keep Kevdak alive for a time being "But, how long do you think he'll keep it up? After all, the treasures of Westruun isn't infinite. That city will run dry along with Emon. What would you do if there are no more riches?" Anne turned to asked, looking up towards Umbrasyl for a clear answer.
"He'll run out of excuses for bringing Thordak's treasure. Once that happens, then I'll take those vestiges Kevdak wears on his arms. Only then he and his precious Herd of Storms have outlived their usefulness. Then only then I kill every last Herdsmen, along with the Thunderlord himself."
Anne smiled at the Hope Devourer "So, it's going to be a waiting game then. You have your Vestiges of Divergences. And I'll have enough treasure to fund my research." Said Anne.
Umbrasyl lend closer to her "I don't why I should give the gold to you instead of Thordak's woman." Umbrasyl threaten Anne only for the doctor to stay calm "I won't take as much. Only enough and the rest will go to your Chroma Conclave. Thordak wouldn't know any is missing." Anne assured Umbrasyl that Thordak would have enough gold for whatever plan he has for the Chroma Conclave.
"Until then we're partners. Plus, you need someone to help you, right?" Anne stared down at Umbrasyl.
"For a human, you know how to drive a hard bargain." Said Unbrasyl pulling his head away from her "Very well, then. You'll have as much gold for whatever research you desire. But until Westruun gold is dry up and those vermin's known as Vox Machina are dead between my claws. Thordak will have his gold."
"And you have the vestiges for your collection, which would help your precious Chroma Conclave."
Once their conversation was done, Anne helped tie Mythcarver onto his front leg. She then climbed on top of him and sat on his neck "Then shall we head out, new business partner?" Said Anne.
"Let's…"
Umbrasyl flies out of his lair with Anne riding on him. Roaring as they flew towards their first destination the city of Westruun, to collect Thordak's gold. Their new partnership has begun.
That's it for this story. Hope you all enjoy it. Leave a review and have a great day.