Excelsior

is the first episode of Exandria Unlimited: Calamity, the third installment in the Exandria Unlimited series of miniseries.

Part I
Zerxus awakens in his room in the Tower of the First Knight in Avalir and, ignoring the beautiful day outside, notes the phrase "Ghor Dranas" in his journal.

Shortly, Loquatius Seelie begins his morning broadcast, projected throughout the city's Crystal Columns. He reminds everyone that tonight is the eve of the Replenishing and that they will reunite with their sister city Cathmoíra tomorrow. After the broadcast, his assistant Aria tells him that repairs on the Crystal Columns are delayed by civic construction and the Architect Arcane is not responding to messages his messages. Loquatius decides to personally speak to the Architect Arcane, who is his ex-wife Laerryn Coramar-Seelie, before tonight's Feast of Imyr at Palazzo Por'co.

Laerryn is working over one of the city's arcane engines and thinking through how her secret years-long project fits into the Replenishment. She is informed that Avalir will arrive over Cathmoíra at about one in the morning and will be terrestrial again ten minutes before sunrise. Her Chief Artificer, who has been tracking the leylines in anticipation of tomorrow's Apogee Celestial Solstice using Laerryn's Grand Geometer, breathlessly alerts her that the Geometer measured 0.5, indicating a significant shift of leylines. Laerryn immediately returns to her personal quarters and is moved to tears that her work is finally coming to fruition and that she has little time to take advantage of it. She is interrupted by the arrival of Loquatius. As they argue, Avalir has come close enough to Cathmoíra to receive spell kite letters from families on the ground. A spell kite addressed to Loquatius comes to Laerryn's home. Loquatius, wistful that they were married during the last Replenishing, asks if they can be on good terms for a month for the sake of everyone in Cathmoíra. They both agree to be on their best behavior, and they return to work.

The Chief Bookkeeper of the Vault of the Golden Scythe complains to Guildmaster Nydas Okiro that an order of wands exceeds the guild's budget. Nydas, insisting that the Golden Scythe is a symbol of Avalir's riches especially in the time of the Replenishment, commands that a solution be found. Shortly after, Captain Badran expresses concern about not being able to pay the Stormbringers, but Nydas successfully convinces him to stall it. Magister Milus Phren attempts to ask Nydas for a favor but, when Nydas realizes that Phren is speaking too openly for his social status, is quickly dismissed.

At the Hall of Eyes, Orwyn explains to Cerrit Agrupnin, Senior Sightwarden of the Eyes of Avalir, that archmage Vespin Chloras was reported missing by authorities in Vasselheim, their last port of call before Cathmoíra. Vespin is rumored to be trying to mimic the Ritual of Seeding and the Raven Queen's ascension to godhood. Because attempted ascensions are common, Orwyn initially closed the case. Now, Orwyn asked for Cerrit's involvement because Vespin's magical items were going to be destroyed but instead were requested by a member of the Ring of Silver for academic reasons. Using a recreation of Vespin's sanctum created by psychometry, Cerrit investigates the room. He discovers Celestial and Infernal runes, a fragment of a massive bow destroyed by a powerful disenchanting effect through the area, and very faint traces of a summoning circle meant to bind something that easily escaped. Sensing that the case is unusual, he grows concerned and asks Orwyn to keep the case private between them. As he leaves, Cerrit is struck by how empty the room is.

Patia Por'co arrives at the Archsept at the request of Loras, a member of the Ring of Gold and apprentice to the ruling council of the Septarion. She is met by Lora and Eldamir the Wise, who has sat on the Septarion since the beginning of Avalir.

Featured characters
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 * col1=

Player characters

 * Cerrit Agrupnin
 * Laerryn Coramar-Seelie
 * Loquatius Seelie
 * Nydas Okiro
 * Patia Por'co
 * Zerxus Ilerez

New

 * Akami Rowe, Guildmaster of the Navigator's Guild
 * Alessander Kyrus
 * Aria, assistant to Loquatius at the Herald's Tome
 * Bolo, a woman from Aeor
 * Badran Esparad, captain of the Sailor-Marines of the Harvest Moon
 * Calum Staffwright, Laerryn's Chief Artificer
 * Costello
 * Dweomo, aeormaton assistant to Laerryn
 * Dynaeria
 * Eldamir the Wise, long-time member of the Septarion
 * Elias
 * Evandrin
 * Feromyne, a sphinx asked to be in the Parade of Beasts
 * Gwyn Tenpace, record keeper at the Herald's Tome
 * Loras of the Weaver's Mask
 * Magister Lacrytia Hollow, Dean of the Throne of Necromancy, member of the Octothurge
 * Madara Glyph, Valedictine Abjurer of the Hall of Symbols
 * Magister Micah Cormorant, Speaker of the Fourth
 * Melindra
 * Milus Phren, Magister
 * Orwyn, detective of the Eyes of Avalir
 * Purvan Suul
 * Tempus
 * Vespin Chloras
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Returning

 * Asmodeus
 * Pelor

Mentioned
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 * Arcturus
 * Eaedalus Okiro, Nydas's brother
 * Essel Longbolt, member of the Octothurge rumored to be retiring for the Magisterium
 * Kir, Cerrit's five-year-old child
 * Imyr Por'co, Patia's late grandfather who completed the enchantment on Avalir's brumestone
 * Irmé Okiro, Nydas's sister-in-law
 * Longwyn Valehelm
 * Matron of Ravens
 * Maseera Caine
 * Maya, Cerrit's seven-year-old child
 * Octavius Frost
 * Romar, child of Eaedalus and Irmé
 * Ramira, child of Eaedalus and Irmé
 * Volucia, Eldamir's apprentice who is retiring soon