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 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 Loquatius, and they argue. Loquatius, wistful that they were married during the last Replenishing, asks if they can be on good terms for the month Avalir is earthbound for the sake of everyone in Cathmoíra. They both agree to be on their best behavior.

The Chief Bookkeeper of the Vault of the Golden Scythe complains to Guildmaster Nydas Okiro that the budget is exceeded. Nydas, insisting that the Golden Scythe is a symbol of Avalir's riches especially during 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 for a month. 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, Cerrit Agrupnin, Senior Sightwarden of the Eyes of Avalir, is told archmage Vespin Chloras was reported missing by authorities in Vasselheim, their last port of call. Vespin is rumored to have been attempting to ascend to godhood, like the Raven Queen. Because failed ascensions are common, Orwyn quickly closed the case. Now, Orwyn asks for Cerrit's involvement because Vespin's magical items were requested by a member of the Ring of Silver as an academic concern instead allowing them to be destroyed. Using psychometry, Cerrit investigates Vespin's sanctum. He discovers Celestial and Infernal glyphs, a fragment of a large bow destroyed by a powerful disenchanting effect through the area, and faint traces of a summoning circle meant to bind something that easily escaped. Realizing these are unusual details, he grows concerned and asks Orwyn to keep the case private between them. He holds onto the bow so he can ask some friends for their opinions on it. As he leaves, Cerrit is struck by the emptiness of the room.

Patia Por'co arrives at the Archsept at the request of Loras, a member of the Ring of Gold and apprentice to Eldamir the Wise of the ruling Septarion. She is met by Loras and, unexpectedly, Eldamir. Loras informs her that Eldamir's other apprentice is retiring. Additionally, Eldamir is concerned about Aeor's plans to test something by attacking Lathras, another flying city; Loras urges her to see to it with the Ring of Brass. Eldamir has also heard that Cerrit has possession of magical artifacts related to Vespin's attempt to ascend to godhood. Patia is disdainful of attempts to ascend because she feels godhood "hollow" in comparison to the powers of mortals. Loras says that Eldamir is concerned about such dangerous magic and instructs her to inform Loras directly of anything she learns from Cerrit, instead of going through normal channels.

Part II
As the sun sets, Patia prepares a prestigious party at the Palazzo Por'co and is informed that a champion of the divine from Vasselheim has been invited by Magister Hollow of the Ring of Silver. Partygoers arrive. Loquatius brings a date Bolo, a strange woman from Aeor. Before the party, Zerxus, disappointed that he has not received a letter from Cathmoíra, takes a flight around the city and Cathmoíra on his griffon, Tempus. He sees the home of Eaedalus Okiro, Nydas's brother, is hosting a small feast. Nydas is said to have received a letter from his sister-in-law Irmé during the day that Elias is well but in low spirits ahead of Avalir's return. She urged Elias to write to Zerxus and asks Nydas apologize to Zerxus on her behalf. The Ring of Brass—Patia, Cerrit, Loquatius, Nydas, Laerryn, and Zerxus—gather at a private table protected from eavesdropping by magic.

After a toast to Zerxus as First Knight, Zerxus admits that he almost did not come and tells them about his nightmare. Some of the others agree with Zerxus that it may be his anxiety from seeing Elias again. Zerxus relays the phrase "Ghor Dranas". Loquatius and Nydas recall that the phrase has a connotation of something that dragons fear, and Patia remembers that it is a specific threat made by Asmodeus after his defeat in The Schism. Meanwhile, Cerrit realizes that Zerxus has had this dream multiple times and is sincerely deeply shaken.

Featured characters
{{div columns
 * 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
 * col2=

Returning

 * Asmodeus
 * Pelor

Mentioned
}}
 * 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 of the Heart's Emblem, Eldamir's apprentice who is retiring soon