Welcome back to Mourning Glory! The big freeze is thawing, and the Lakelands are once again habitable for everyone… and everything. Need a refresher of what happened before Wynter took hold? Worry not, dear Mourner, we have a recap for you.
Mourners arrived at Mourning Glory to celebrate a local cult’s holy day: Silent Night. Unlike most holidays, Silent Night was a quiet affair in tending to the Gravemind. As the Gravemind fought its inevitable hibernation, the veil between the Morgue and the living world blurred and strange psionic activity occurred. The Silent put out a call for champions to undergo three separate Gauntlet Trials, choosing a victor from each to be a part of the Grave Guard and stay with the Gravemind for the Wynter. Copper was chosen for the trial of strength, Spencer solved the trial of intelligence, and Willow gave their heart to the trial of compassion. Before the three could start their duties, the Herding of the Echoes had to occur. Townsfolk drew a large sum of Echo zed to the morgue, followed closely behind by the Voiceless Warden. The Warden was a large, protective Echo, and seemed to be there to make sure all went well as Wynter’s Silence took over.
The Grave Guard wasn’t the only task for the town though. Mourners were preparing for a final standoff with the Dominion before the chill took to the town. Folks rescued a Calamity’s Cure scout with valuable information from the Dominion’s grasp, as well as stopping a Dominion raid on the local Darwin consecrated site. Those on the Gauntlet of Compassion met Helen- a Dominion scientist hellbent on achieving her goals- in her own Gravemind scene. Enemy soldiers were caught attempting to infect the soil with radioactive metal, as well as trying to kidnap locals. The tension finally came to a head when the Dominion army showed up to attack the town. After rallying together, Mourners and travelers alike fought their way through the soldiers and took down General Boscogn- some say for good. Rumor has it that Professor Banting, the mastermind behind the Dominion, showed his face for a moment, though it’s not known why.
Unfortunately, Boscogn was not the only casualty of the battle. Doctor Carlisle, a long time friend and ally of Mourning Glory, was killed. Many mourned his loss, and his zed was laid to rest during the Herding of the Echoes.
On Sunday, the community regrouped and said goodbye to those of the Grave Guard. Cult of the Silent leader Hozannah and new Graverobber Lt. Pawn led a ceremony to put the three into a near-hibernative state. They were peacefully laid to rest in the Gravemind, sworn to protect her until it was time to open her doors.
And now, it is time.