Wizardry: Crusaders of the Dark Savant
Summary
Begin your journey in *Crusaders of the Dark Savant*. Bring over your characters from *Bane of the Cosmic Forge* or assemble a brand-new team strong enough to endure the harshness of an unfamiliar alien realm. Among the allies and adversaries you'll encounter in your quest lies the key to uncovering the lost knowledge of a former madman—the secret to the universe itself. You won't be the only one seeking it. Others with their own ambitions have also crossed into this dimension. How well you succeed will depend entirely on your choices—both those you've made and those you're about to. From the darkest depths of a dungeon to the endless blue of the sky, you'll experience it all—see it, hear it, and live it—in this latest *Wizardry* adventure.
Storyline
With the vanishing of the Cosmic Forge, a mystical pen capable of reshaping fate, the Cosmic Lords briefly lost their total dominion over the destiny of the universe. In a surprising twist, far beyond the stars, a Miner's ship—stranded after a navigational failure and a brutal assault by space pirates—chanced upon a tiny, unmapped world hidden from all galactic charts. The Cosmic Lords, however, had long known of this planet and had used the Forge to shield it from discovery. But when the Forge was seized by the Bane King and Xorphitus the Wizard (as told in *Bane of the Cosmic Forge*), the planet's secrecy was no longer guaranteed. When the Miner's ship returned home, word of the discovery spread like wildfire. Whispers claimed it was the fabled Planet of Phoonzang, known in legend as "Lost Guardia," and the hidden resting place of the legendary "Astral Dominae," the only known record of Phoonzang’s final and greatest revelation. The legend of the Astral Dominae stretches back to an earlier age. It speaks of a brilliant artist and scientist, Phoonzang, who uncovered a profound secret—rumored to hold the essence of life and the universe itself. Recognizing its immense power, Phoonzang realized it was too dangerous to be known by others, for if it could create, it could also destroy. He faced a choice: to destroy his life’s work or conceal it so thoroughly that only the worthy could one day uncover it. He chose the latter, believing that one day the secret might be revealed to elevate the universe to a new era. According to legend, Phoonzang crafted a celestial sphere, the Astral Dominae, and encoded his secret within it. Using the power he had discovered, he forged a new world, Guardia, to protect his creation. In doing so, he became a god, wielding the power of life itself. He populated the planet with creatures to guard his secret and entombed the Astral Dominae somewhere within. He then created a map, divided into many pieces, and scattered them across the world. Convinced his secret was safe, Phoonzang vanished without a trace. Now, with the lost planet, Lost Guardia, revealed, the galaxy buzzes with the news that the legendary Astral Dominae is real. Though many may desire the secret, only a select few possess the strength and means to claim it. One such figure is the enigmatic "Dark Savant," a mysterious traveler who roams the stars in his legendary black vessel. Little is known about him, but he is widely regarded as one of the most powerful beings in the galaxy, loyal to no one but himself. In the realm of galactic trade, two dominant species vie for control. First, the Umpani—a disciplined, law-abiding race of sturdy pachyderms, renowned for their unmatched military might and their trustworthy dealings. Second, the T’Rang—a repulsive, spider-like species known for their ruthlessness and their willingness to do anything for the right price. Though untrustworthy, the T’Rang control the largest trade network in the galaxy, outpacing even the Umpani. They will go to any lengths to obtain what they want, and they never fail to deliver, no matter how heinous the task. As expected, the Umpani and T’Rang are bitter rivals, despising each other with a deep-rooted hatred. Some believe secret alliances between the two exist, forming a hidden cartel that keeps outsiders from entering the trade, ensuring their profits remain high. There is a growing rumor that the T’Rang serve the Dark Savant, having been hired to locate Phoonzang’s lost world. Naturally, if the T’Rang are involved, the Umpani will not remain idle. For them, the thought of the T’Rang claiming the Astral Dominae is nothing short of a catastrophe. Another key player is Vi Domina, a young warrior known for her fierce and deadly nature. She is also believed to be a distant descendant of Phoonzang himself. Her lineage was uncovered by the T’Rang at the behest of the Dark Savant, and she was soon taken into his care. Whether her cooperation is voluntary or forced remains unknown, but the Dark Savant seems to believe she may hold the key to unlocking the Astral Dominae’s secret. The planet is also home to a variety of native inhabitants, who may seem primitive at first glance, but there are signs that a great technological civilization may have risen on Lost Guardia in the centuries since Phoonzang’s time. Their role in the search for the Astral Dominae is uncertain, as is the knowledge they may possess for those who come from beyond the stars. With the arrival of interstellar travelers, some among them begin to wonder if their own myths are becoming reality, and if the end of their world is truly at hand. These are the players who now inhabit the world of Lost Guardia, each with a stake in the search for the Astral Dominae. And so, our brave adventurers set foot on this mysterious world, determined to uncover the truth behind the legend of the Astral Dominae.
