After settling Free Spirited Arvia with his people in Great Forks and checking in with Anzar, Ashes prepared for the 10 day journey to the source of his enterprises stone. A place where Mountain Princess saw building sized images of the Bronze King carved and outlined in bronze on the walls of the town.

On his arrival he could see several pillars of smoke rising from the city beyond the several tiered walls. As he cautiously approached he noticed rhino-like beastmen manning the walls and standing guard at the gates. Hiding in the shadows were bow wielding goat-wolf beastmen watching warily.

After a brief discussion where he played off that he needed a blacksmith, Ashes didnt enter the city but found a local blacksmith who was willing to play along with Ashes charade. With him Ashes entrusted his horse and gear before returning to enter a town that was under martial control of these beastmen.

As Ashes prepared for a visit to The Three Tears of Heaven, he received a message from the Guild Headquarters in Nexus politely requesting his presence to discuss a business proposition with Hierarch Artemesia Saphire of the Guild. Suspicious, Ashes agreed as it was only two days downriver and a short time out of his schedule.

Upon arrival at Nexus, the city of trade within the Scavenger Lands, Ashes was escorted to the business quarters of Hierarch Artemesia Saphire. Therein they struck a deal for Ashes to retrieve a godblooded girl hidden in the ruins of Hollow below Nexus. In return, Saphire would have the Guild in Great Forks stop their trade war against Ashes and his followers. The reason spelled out was that there was a death cult who sought out the girl as it was recently discovered she was the daughter of Gen, the god of Nexus. If any could control her, they could manipulate Gen who was already unstable. While suspicious of Saphire’s objectives, Ashes could see the inherent danger and was willing to help.

And so the exaltation of the Solar “Ashes of the Bronze King” began with these words from the Unconquered Sun:

Hear me traveler from beyond the loom of fate. Gaze upon the glory that is me, the Unconquered Sun. I turned away from my children in anger due to their excesses and abuse of power. But now I return with redemption and forgiveness.

In this age of sorrow, I hand to you the right to rule spirit, exalted, and mortal across Creation as you see fit.
In this age of turmoil, you will sear away the darkness of ignorance blanketing Creation with my righteous light.
In this age of strife, you will lead the lost into redemption and utterly destroy those who threaten Creation.

Go forth and bear the glorious light of the sun you now gaze upon to light the darkest shadows of creation. Eradicate the wickedness of this age with righteousness and justice. Bring my rule to the furthest corners of this world for you are supreme in Creation as I am supreme in Heaven. In the realm mortal you are king, judge, jury, and executioner. Fortified with my strength, begin with this pit of wickedness and depravity!

The Chronicle of his exaltation and the challenges that occurred afterward are detailed here:
  1.    Chapter 1
  2.    Chapter 2
  3.    Chapter 3