Welcome to Gaia! ::

The story begins in the city of Ry, a bustling metropolis hardly unused to strange faces in the streets. While the Elf Anur runs various errands in the town, Debrah and Eldrich return from a mission to protect a village from a vampire assault. They seem to have differing opinions on the outcome of the mission, with Eldrich claiming it as a success while Debrah recognizes that all was not well with their targets...

Eldrich and Debrah split up, with Eldrich going to the Temple to give his thanks to the gods for his success while Debrah heads for the more spirited atmosphere of the tavern. It is here that she meets Asmoday, a perky half-dragon girl with a somewhat sadistic personality. After Eldrich enters the conversation, Debrah takes her leave with Asmoday following behind. Eldrich, with nothing to do in the tavern, heads off to the library to research the recent vampire raids. Anur, having found himself with time to spare, also heads off to the library. The conversation between the two results in Anur revealing that he possesses a page from some sort of "dark book" that the vampires have been using to get stronger. Even though Eldrich manages to link the writing on the page to the Druids of Pasiphae, neither he nor Anur can read it, which leads them to seek out Debrah's help in the matter.

When Debrah spies Eldrich, she makes a snarky comment that leaves Asmoday feeling spurned. Eldrich presents the writing to Debrah, who determines that it has demonic roots that link it to Themisto, the ruins in the center of Pasiphae. Debrah, Eldrich, and Anur return to the library to research further while the now-despondent Asmoday takes to the skies above the city.

Jet, a shadowy man with powers over the black flame, makes his entrance in the library while Debrah, Eldrich, and Anur research magical items that could combat the vampires. Finding nothing of interest, Jet leaves the library and winds up bumping into Asmoday. The two begin a conversation that eventually leads them to Barson's Tavern. They find that they have an immediate connection, and eventually the two steal away to Jet's home in Jor, where the attraction they have for each other continues to blossom...

Their course of action made clear to them now, Eldrich, Anur, and Debrah leave the library for the forest, hoping to find answers in the ruins at Themisto. Debrah is attacked by Valin, an Elven demon hunter, immediately upon entering the forest. She defeats him in battle, and he is saved from death only by the intervention of Eldrich. Valin is allowed to join the group despite Debrah's opinion to the contrary, and they continue on toward the ruins, but as they get closer, they feel a strange drain on their energies...

However, the lich Torren has already set up camp in the ruins, unleashing a horde of undead as he attempts to complete a strange and dark ritual. It is Jet that reaches Torren first, defeating him in the battle that results and stealing his book. Torren retreats to rebuild, and then heads to Ry to collect body parts, but he did not leave Jet without a serious wound...

Sovern, a ruthless Elf sorcerer, makes his entrance in the ruins. With him is Mizar, a captive imp capable of sucking up loose magical energy. As Mizar proceeds to drain the ruins dry, Sovern steals her energy for himself, but Mizar informs him that there are enemies on the horizon...

Asmoday arrives in the ruins slightly behind Debrah, Valin, and Eldrich while Anur heads back to Ry. It is here that the trio meet Jet, whose introduction Debrah finds much too theatrical. An argument results, ending in Debrah storming off toward Sovern and Mizar while the rest of the group stay behind. Jet and Asmoday have a touching reunion before heading into the fray...

The battle begins, but the group has difficulties fighting against an enemy charged with power while they are left weak. Mizar's reluctance to help Sovern is made evident, but she is forced to do his bidding. She wounds Asmoday while keeping up an impenetrable barrier against Valin's assaults. Finally, Jet erects a barrier that distracts Sovern's attention as he tries to dispel it. Mizar uses this opportunity to reveal a weakness, and Jet cuts through the chain that binds Sovern and Mizar together. Thus freed, Mizar makes quick work of disposing of her captor, but Jet is left seriously wounded, and whether or not Mizar can be trusted has yet to be determined...