He Who Fights with Monsters 10

In the aftermath of the devastating attack on Yaresh, the city lies in ruins, forcing its beleaguered populace and decimated defenders to grapple with more than just reconstruction. Jason, whose actions during the battle have drawn significant, albeit unwelcome, attention from both allies and enemies, finds his loyalty questioned by adventurers and his very nature scrutinized by messengers. Both factions harbor designs on him, which he is determined to thwart. However, a far greater danger emerges from deep underground: a hidden civilization has been sustained by a long-buried, unstable power. This growing instability transforms into both a critical threat and an unprecedented opportunity for the warring surface factions. Unable to control or claim this power alone, an uneasy alliance forms, placing a reluctant Jason at its very center. As adventurers, messengers, and Jason himself all converge with their own intentions for the subterranean force, they remain largely unaware of the true complexities and the myriad of players involved, destined to face challenges far exceeding their initial expectations.